Love, Balls and Courting: Tennis V

[miffy]

In contrast, Andrey Rublev is showing support for Ukraine on his insta stories, and after winning his last match wrote “no war please” on the camera lens. Much respect from me.

I love Rublev, he seems so sweet. I’m glad he won in Dubai.

 

[alexikeguchi]

I agree, and Miami too?

I think he has a shot at getting back to number 1 if he can just stay healthy - he’s up to 4 now.

I'm hoping he can win a calendar year Grand Slam in his current form and since Novak will likely be barred from entering most host countries.

 

[miffy]

I'm hoping he can win a calendar year Grand Slam in his current form and since Novak will likely be barred from entering most host countries.

Wow I don’t even dare to dream about that! I’d love him to win the French at least, then Novak can’t overtake him till at least next year

I think Wimbledon is the one that is pretty sure to let Novak in.

 

[millyskate]

We've all been considered Novak the villain here but according to stakhovsky , Federer and Nadal preferred not to express support.

Ukraine's Stakhovsky claims Djokovic sent a message of support, while Federer and Nadal "preferred silence"

Retired tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky returned to his native Ukraine to join the military reserve and defend his country against the Russian invasion, and the former World No.31 revealed he received...

tennisuptodate.com

 

[Sylvia]

And Zverev’s behaviour in Mexico was disgusting. I’m glad they threw him out of the tournament.

Zverev put on 1-year probation for outburst in Acapulco

Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Alexander Zverev was put on probation for one year by the ATP on Monday for violently hitting the chair umpire’s stand repeatedly with his racket following a loss in doubles at the Mexico Open.

apnews.com

 

[sk9tingfan]

Taylor Fritz just beat Rafael Nadal for the championship at Indian Wells! 6-3, 7-6! Both players had physical issues going into the final. Fritz with a foot injury and Nadal having gone through a 3 set, 3+ hour grueling match against Alcaraz yesterday.

In Indian Wells stunner, Taylor Fritz hands Rafael Nadal first loss of 2022, and wins his first ATP Masters 1000 title | Tennis.com

The American's playing status was in question heading into the match, but Rafa—who was 20-0—turned out to be the one feeling it physically.

www.tennis.com

 

[quartz]

It was a fun match to watch! I’m a Nadal fan, but great win for Fritz.

 

[sk9tingfan]

It was a fun match to watch! I’m a Nadal fan, but great win for Fritz.

I love Nadal as well, but I've been following Fritz for the last five years, waiting for him to fulfill his potential. Hopefully, this is not a fluke.

 

[caseyedwards]

I believe it is far tougher mentally to beat nadal than physically so anyone who does it has to be applauded for total mental strength! Nadal certainly presents a lot to deal with

 

[jenny12]

Ash Barry retiring at 25! Must be nice! Seriously though, good for her! She’s been a great champion and I wish her a joyful retirement.

World No. 1 Ash Barty retires from tennis at 25

Less than two months after winning the Australian Open, top-ranked Ash Barty has announced her retirement from tennis at the age of 25, saying she leaves the sport "feeling proud and fulfilled."

www.espn.com

 

[Orm Irian]

Ash Barry retiring at 25! Must be nice! Seriously though, good for her! She’s been a great champion and I wish her a joyful retirement.

World No. 1 Ash Barty retires from tennis at 25

Less than two months after winning the Australian Open, top-ranked Ash Barty has announced her retirement from tennis at the age of 25, saying she leaves the sport "feeling proud and fulfilled."

www.espn.com

Onya Ash.

 

[caseyedwards]

It’s so unusual! If she feels it’s best that’s her right and there is nothing wrong with it. I just wonder how many more she could have won. I am just used to seeing players play and play and play until they lose all their first round matches at slams and then retire.

 

[*Jen*]

She could have won so many. Breaking my heart! She has goals in life that aren’t tennis so good on her for following her heart. But

 

[misskarne]

The Barty Party era is over

I'm glad she's going out on her own terms though

 

[elka_sk8]

Surely I wasn’t the only one crying right along with Ash and Casey in that video?? Happy for her but also sad we will no longer be able to watch her beautiful tennis. She was so good for the sport both as a player and a person.

 

[eusebius]

I will miss Ash! A class act on and off the court.

As Casper Ruud takes the first set from Zverev in today's Miami QF, I find myself wishing he were a figure skater so there would be more jokes about blowing smoke in Ruud and eville ways

 

[Rafter]

I was at the Miami Open this week. Awesome event and Miami is a super fun place to visit. The Kyrgios meltdown vs Sinner was worth the price of admission.

 

[tylersf]

A French Junior Tennis player slaps his opponent after he lost first round, in a similar fashion to how Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars. Is this acceptable behavior?

Top-Seeded Tennis Player Slapped Winning Opponent in Similar Fashion as Will Smith Did to Chris Rock

Tennis player, Michael Kouame slapped his opponent, Raphael Nii Ankrah in similar fashion to Will Smith, after losing a match to him

www.blackenterprise.com

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

In other tennis news, Wimbledon announced a ban of all Russian and Belarussian players today. The British Tennis Association also announced the same ban to other tennis tournaments being held in Britain.

Could Wimbledon Get Punished for Banning Russians?

Here are the main questions that remain to be answered.

slate.com

 

[caseyedwards]

Medvedev and others should really have a chat with Putin and order him to end the war on Ukraine. If only sharapova was still playing! She could do it. Maybe she could even being retired. Though she really is 99% America based

 

[skipaway]

Boris Becker Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Bankruptcy Offenses

 

[tylersf]

Excluding the transgender players, are or were there any female tennis players on the pro tour that many people assumed to be men?

 

[tylersf]

Boris Becker Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Bankruptcy Offenses

I guess he will join Bernard Tomic and Bob Hewitt in the prison life.

 

[miffy]

Excluding the transgender players, are or were there any female tennis players on the pro tour that many people assumed to be men?

Have I missed something major? I know there was a transgender player in the 70’s but can’t recall anyone else.

I remember some bitchy comments being made about a few grand slam champions in the last 20 years, one even from a player themselves, but none of them are worth repeating or naming and I don’t think anyone really thought there was any truth to it, it was just people being very rude.

I really must have missed something.

 

[miffy]

Wimbledon’s ranking points have been taken away by the ATP, WTA and ITF. They left the UK warm up tournaments with points in the end as there are other tournaments the players from Russia and Belarus can play at those weeks.

It sounded like many of the top ATP players were pushing for this, I have no idea whether that means they will still play or withdraw….

 

[caseyedwards]

I was assuming There is no tennis player who wouldn’t want to win Wimbledon! Points or no points. Wimbledons plan to try to make all Russian tennis players become navalnys and oppose Putin politically has backfired

 

[sk9tingfan]

Watching the Coco Gauff/Elise Mertens 4th round match. It is unbelievable how good coco has gotten. I think that part of that progress has been due to all the doubles matches she has played. She bageled Mertens in the second set!

 

[sk9tingfan]

Coco is into the French Open semi-final, having just beat Sloane Stevens in straight sets! She has a doubles quarterfinal match starting in about 45 minutes! She beat Martina Trevisan who beat Fernandez from Canada, which was totally unexpected.

 

[sk9tingfan]

An update. Not only is Coco in the semi-finals in singles; she and Pegula are in an all-American doubles semi-final against Madison Keys and Townsend (first name?)! Not sure, but this may be historic.

Correction in my last post on Martina Trevisan who beat Fernandez, which was unexpected. Coco will meet her today in the semis.

 

[sk9tingfan]

And Coco into the French Open finals against Swiatek!