This is...quite extraordinary:
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Who would guessed, the first player to beat Djokovic in 2020 would be...Djokovic
Serena Williams is 40. Her last completed match was more than a year ago....and there will be 127 women hoping like hell they don't draw her in round one
You’re a new father + the oldest remaining player in the draw. Your wife is in R2. She is playing for her country, which was brutally invaded. Youre at your home major, trying to hang in there until the 2024 Olympics… There’s a lot behind these emotions….
Overheard in player dining:
Worker one, motioning to friend: "That's the guy who always say hi."
Worker two: "I love that guy. He always like, "Hey buddy what's up?' He remembers me each year."
Worker one: "Nicest guy. What's his name again?"
Worker two: "That's Nadal."
Little help, please? ...Imagine you're playing recreationally at Central Park today. And this guy rolls up.
What a year for ...a broken rib, a chronic foot injury, an ab tear that forces him out of ....and two Majors.
Remembering Grant Wahl: A Loss For Journalism, and for All of Soccer - Sports Illustrated
When do we get the Grand Slam Committee Joint Letter of Condemnation?..... Quoting from the public shaming brought on Naomi Osaka: "Rules are in place to ensure all players are treated exactly the same, no matter their stature, beliefs or achievement."
Woke up this morning thinking of Osaka. Try this on: when passions cool and detachment sets it, her title won’t be overshadowed by the circus. It will be FORTIFIED by it. She didn’t just outplay Serena. She out-poised her and adapted to an unforeseeable scenario, as champions do.
Not saying Djokovic is going to win. But the lack of respect for a guy with 22 Majors, more QF runs than Nadal, and as ironclad mental toughness (over 15 years) as you’ll ever see in sports …..is quite something to behold #RolandGarros
This incredible image that has stoked so much emotion?..... it was taken by who does fabulous work. Follow her, note her contact info, and note that some of her work is available for purchase.
"Nadal doesn't beat you. He takes you to the deepest part of the ocean and drowns you."
Have we, as a tennis community, done enough to note that an entire Netflix series can be produced and released in less time than it is taking to accumulate and release the findings of the Zverev investigation?
Q: Our prime minister resigned. The man who wants to replace [Boris Johnson], the leader of the opposition, was here in the Royal Box watching you. Do you think he made the right decision?
Ons Jabeur: I have no idea. I'm the Minister of Happiness.
This is 394th singles match at a Major. It is Alcaraz's 37th...the experience and knowledge of how to pace yourseld and ration energy in a best-of-fiver is such an underrated variable... #RolandGarros
New rule: For every match - male, female, blood feud, blowout, Ostapenko, other - you stay on the camera capturing the damn handshake.... No one wants to see random fans exulting… we want to see the two combatants finally making physical contact #wimbledon
A year ago today Peng Shuai took to social media with an account of sexual assault. The demanded “a full and fair investigation.” That never happened. The player’s health/safety remains a source of concern. And…WTA is returning to China in 2023. What a moral failure.
Which emotion is stronger? The sympathy/admiration for Zhang Shuai ? Or the anger for that repugnant opponent, first cheating, then gloating?
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Even after being treated so unfairly, Zhang Shuai still chose to shake hands with the umpire and her opponent.
Even with Zhang Shuai retiring from the match and shook her hand, Toth still raised her arms and celebrated her win.
Both have shown what kind of person they are.
This letter to fellow players with the buy-in from Rafa and Roger is truly remarkable. We will be telling our grandkids about the big 3- and some of the stories may even involve tennis...
Hearing Nadal - now tuning Sonego - is being exceptionally Covid-cautious here. Often wearing a mask, even sometimes outdoors; requesting his team not eat out...If nothing else, suggests how serious he is about giving himself every possible chance to win a 3x Major.
a) This did not warrant anything more than a warning b) the player’s 2023 prize money to date? $151,783. This has real financial consequences c) this is a dignified, graceful applogy -kato gained more fans today than she perhaps knows d) man, do these players need a proper union
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I would like to sincerely apologize to the Ball Girl, my partner Aldila&Team, & my supporters because of today's unfortunate mishap. It was completely unintentional.
As a result, I am penalized by RG by forfeiting my prize money & points. I appreciate all your continued support!
"What do you suppose is Nadal's fear factor in the locker room these days?"
Former player: "No much."
"Really?"
"Only b/c he's so damn nice and chatty with everyone. There's respect for the tennis. But it's not like Jordan. [Nadal] walks around fist-bumping everyone"
#FrenchOpen
Wow....."Australia confirms that Novak Djokovic banned from the country for THREE YEARS " | Daily Mail Online
Federer on his last match: "I am not sure if I will be able to handle it all but I will try...I've had some tough moments in the past, being horribly nervous. All these years. This match feels a whole lot different. Playing with Rafa feels really different."
Email from well-regarded tennis voice: "Coco Guff is a great player with enormous upside, irrespective of Brad Gilbert’s coaching. ESPN narrative giving Gilbert so much credit for her wins is shilling of the highest order and should stop now. It’s a conflict of interest."… Show more
Before trophies are dispensed, big storyline of has already emerged: trust the product. The drama, the competition, players in the draws -doubles, too- will carry the event. They always do; always will. Stars are awesome. Stars are not bigger than the sport.
The most powerful force in this crazy sport? It's not Alcaraz's game or Sabalenka's forehand or Djokovic's mental strength. It's tennis karma....Miyu Kato (and Tim Puetz) wins mixed doubled title #RolandGarros
Hand it to the women of the Czech Republic (daughters of Martina)...Novotna, Kvitova, Pliskova (no.1), Krejcikova, Muchova (r/u last month), now Vondrousova....all from a country with a smaller population than Ohio....
Whoa this Djokovic interview.... "Pressure awakens the most beautiful emotions in me....[Opponents] want to get the scalp. But it ain't happening." #Wimbledon
This Djokovic guy is really good at tennis - and polished at these victory speeches - for a No. 7-ranked player. He keeps this up and it's only a matter of time before he cracks the top 5....
The owes a serious marketing and promotion fee… These two matches today do more to kindle interest in the USO than any billboards or digital ad buys….
Nadal has won 20 majors; he has played 60. (For what it’s worth, this win rate is higher than RF, ND and SW) #RolandGarros
All credit to Alja Tomljanovic : That occasion. That level of play. That accumulated scarring from past inabilities to close….that’s a serious meeting-of-the-moment #USOpen
Hat tip to Daniil Medvedev. It is not every number one ranked player - and defending champion - male or female, who would wait without complaint to play night matches 2x row…He has been completely understanding and gracious about this extraordinary occasion #USOpen2022
Here's Federer on life after Federer: "...if you love tennis, you don't love the game because of one player. It's because of the sport and what it does to you and how you feel about it. And I think tennis will only get better as time goes by, so I know I'll be watching." #RG19
That gesture by is just extraordinary ....no legal or financial obligation. But it allows others to share in the benefits of their foresight - and it, literally, will allow some careers to continue
Here’s the full text of the Djokovic (and Roger/Rafa) letter sent to colleagues on Friday. Quite extraordinary....
This issue is not whether he'll survive or has agency...it's why a group of players (led by the head of a players council, no less) would act so recklessly - almost taunting biology/virology/math - as the rest of the sport (world?) struggles and contorts itself to re-open safely. twitter.com/iamjohnhulfeld
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Everyone, rightly, aspires to be Federer/Nadal/Djokovic/Serena.... but so many players if all levels can learn from , a consummate professional who hacked his game and maxed out his potential. He'll be missed.
Wish the chair had simply said, "I'm not accusing YOU of cheating. The culprit is your coach, But sadly it's you, the player, who bears the penalty."
Yes, the 2009 . Yes the relentless injuries. But the other part of thumbnail: Hard to recall a player more widely liked - among fans, colleagues and media ...A thoroughly decent and warm guy, to whom much is owed.
Happy New Year, tennis twitter. Here's hoping 2021 brings you the resilience of Rafa, the invincibility of Serena, the precision of Djokovic, the grace of Federer, the quiet confidence of Osaka, the youthful energy of Gauff…and the safety net of Wimbledon.
Hearing from folks: "Since the Serena news this morning, 13k tix were sold, including 4.5k for opening night which makes it a near sell-out."
No journalist (or fan) should tell any athlete to retire… Again: given how corruptly wild cards are distributed and swapped, giving one to a 7x Major champ who draws fans and still wants to compete at age 43 , hardly qualifies as a grievous offense….
Osaka: "I think the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis.... I never wanted to be a distraction. I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer."
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Replying to @jon_wertheim
Let it the known for the record that the tennis fans' court of public opinion now hears the case of:
How little Osaka had to over-step tournament rules to get yeeted out of Roland Garros
v.
How much Djokovic had to over-step border control rules and still manage to stay in Oz
Your periodic reminder: Where is Peng Shuai? How is Peng Shuai ? #USOpen2022
Can we all agree : Tennis is a better place when Stan Wawrinka is in full health and full flight ?
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Wawrinka into the Championship match!
@StanWawrinka defeats Nishikori 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to book a spot in his first final since 2017.
He'll play @Gael_Monfils for the trophy in Rotterdam.
#abnamrowtt
Your periodic reminder that, 60 days ago, Emma Radacanu was not in the top ten .....in Great Britain.
We’re a set from 23 Majors, a men’s record…But given how Djokovic outlasted a 20-year-old physically and is now thrashing a top-5 player 12 years his junior + will soon go to the next Major where he’s defending champ…23 is looking like a signpost on the way to a final tally….
Juan Martin del Potro says he can't accept life without tennis
The story might be the cramps. But they dont happen in a vacuum. Credit ND for imposing his will….Whether these are “nervousness cramps” or “ dehydration cramps,” the opponent is a proximate cause either way #RolandGarros
This is meant as curiosity and not as a dig...you wonder how so many other players in shadow of the Big Three - starting w/ the zverev-tsitsipas-rublev bloc - are processing this ascent....
Grant Wahl was a titan - fearless, tireless, principled. He was a better friend, colleague, spouse and human. “Devastating” doesnt fully paint it….RIP. (Go Jayhawks)
Fed/Serena and Hopman Cup is dominating sports news today...even 14 time zones removed, there's more talk of this than college bowls. If I'm Tennis Australia, I'm thinking long and hard before I mess with this event....
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For those scoring at home. We conclude 2022:
Serena- 23
Nadal - 22
Djokovic - 21
Federer - 20
How lucky are we all?....
#USOpen
Q. I hope it's okay to ask you, I think your wife is expecting a baby?
KAREN KHACHANOV: Not only my wife. Myself, as well.
We're all tired of this dance...but the passive framing cannot go unremarked upon. Does no advisor say: "There IS room for you to travel. It just entails your following a policy~however objectionable you find it. Stick to your convictions, by all means. But you have agency here."
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#Djokovic on Instagram: I am preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to US. Fingers crossed! 
Understatement: the organizers are not eager for the optics of Princess of Wales presenting the trophy to a player from Belarus. (Nor of a Ukrainian and Belarusian playing a final and declining to pose together before the prematch coin toss, etc.) #Wimbledon
Nadal signing autographs after this classic tells you plenty about his character... #wimbledon
And this (via text) from : “I can tell you 100% if I were still playing, I would not be going [to Saudi Arabia] for the Championships.”
The notion that, in 2019, will:
a) sweep the Majors
b) finish 1-2-3
c) each beat the other at least once
d) do it with a combined age exceeding 100....
it mocks the cliche "golden age"
Can we make room for Serena Williams?
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You ever stop and think, damn we're so lucky that Tiger Woods and LeBron James and Roger Federer and Tom Brady are still playing?
Both players knew the deal in advance. Svitolina has been open about her refusal shake hands of Russian/Belarussian opponents....It was cool of Vika to offer an acknowledging thumbs up..
Neither deserved to be booed.... #Wimbledon
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Replying to @jon_wertheim
No handshake was very bad ass.
Roger Federer, fittingly, ended his career on a court with Rafael Nadal - Sports Illustrated...some reflections w/
Kyrgios: "If i lift a Grand Slam trophy, please dont put pressure on me to win another one."
This is like a palate cleanse after last night....
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Jannik was the better player and he deserves it! 
Good luck for the rest of the tournament @janniksin! I'll return home excited to work to improve and enjoy many more moments like this! 
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Good luck for the rest of the tournament @janniksin! I'll return home excited to work to improve and enjoy many more moments like this!
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
The story this week is, of course,
and tennis' answer to the Great Resignation....but a moment to note that , age 37.5, just beat the world's recent No.1 ranked player....
Imagine the statement tennis would make if it took the (hardly radical) stance and said: "Our athlete comes first. We can't, in good conscience, stage events in your country and accept your fees until this is resolved/addressed to our satisfaction"....
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Yes, these accusations are very disturbing. I’ve known Peng since she was 14; we should all be concerned; this is serious; where is she? Is she safe? Any information would be appreciated.
twitter.com/Michel_Jabbour…
twitter.com/Michel_Jabbour…Whenever it is Andy Murray retires - Wimbledon, next week, sometime in between - the tennis culture as a whole takes a severe hit...Hall of Famer in every sense. This news is, at once, not surprising and kind of devastating.....
Opinions all over the map but lets agree on this 1) all credit to Osaka 2) Osaka was the best player this entire event 3) tennis’ rampant conflicts of interest were exposed again 3) there might be a rulebook, but officiating is also predicated on discretion and reading the room
Roger Federer leaves behind a distinct, beautiful mark on tennis - Sports Illustrated
This is an endlessly fascinating/revealing answer...Note Murray also shares a lot of fans' frustration about production decisions. "When you just watch on tv, they just cut to people in the crowd or the guy who's just won the point, and you don't see those immediate… Show more
Hearing that - good in addition to heat stroke - Rafa lost nine pounds (!) / 4kg during his QF match...
Reader makes a good point about 36-year-old Djokovic vs 20-year-old Alcaraz :
“Imagine 36-year-old Agassi taking on a 20-year-old Nadal in the 2006
Or a 36-year-old Sampras vs 20-year old Djokovic in 2007” #RolandGarros
The flood of commiserating messages from her colleagues tells you everything you need to know about Ons Jabeur….
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Ons, habibi! You already made history! Can’t wait to see you do more! Keep shining 
@Ons_Jabeur 
@Ons_Jabeur 
All credit to the new coach(es), but the headline here is Coco Gauff. The player is the one out there, the one who has to execute. And she did
= biggest win of her career (so far)
That came to with seven social justice masks - one for each round - tells you all you need to know about her level of quiet self-belief. Two to go....
In 2005 was the favorite (and, ultimately winner) despite never having played the tournament...very similar vibes now - respect in the locker room / media gushing / on court poise - re: Alcaraz.
Hard to not be happy for ....your No.1 player retires fairly unexpectedly.... In the next event, the new No.1 reaches the final where she beats the player under 40 with the most Majors...play on.
John Isner signing autographs after that match tells you plenty about the guy... #wimbledon