This Week In Tennis
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1:00 First, we went to see Beyonce!
8:30 Rafa's withdrawal 14:20 Varvara Lepchenko serves a silent ban for failed drug test 17:30 #SeeWhatHadHappenedWas: Cornet is far too much 24:00 Andy Murray's split with Mauresmo & his 5-set matches 27:30 Serena's snapchat & the Williams Invitational 34:45 You say zebra, I say hideous 39:00 Raonic hires John McEnroe 46:15 Stacked doubles draws 48:45 Breaking down the women's Round of 16 53:30 Venus def. Cornet in 3rd round, sans drama 59:30 Bacsinszky, Kuznetsova, Muguruza, Stosur, etc. 1:04:00 We share our dream finalists 1:05:00 Men's Round of 16: Djokovic, Thiem, Stan, Nishikori, Gasquet, Murray 1:11:00 Dream men's finalists |
Episode brought to you by Racquet Magazine
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Episode 44 of The Body Serve Tennis Podcast
1:30 Honoring Roger Federer's streak of 65 straight majors
4:45 Is Rafa's draw "shockingly horrible," as James thinks? 7:00 We can agree, though, that Novak's is a cakewalk 11:30 Debating the merits of playing the week before a major 15:30 Men's bottom half: wtf 25:00 Our chat with Caitlin Thompson 30:00 Previewing Racquet Magazine & why you should be as excited as we are! 50:30 How to subscribe, donate, and get some awesome gifts 54:15 Previewing the women's draw - starting with Serena, as always 57:00 Is Azarenka really the second favorite? 1:00:00 Checking in with Venus, Timea, Kerber, Madison 1:06:15 Women's bottom half: your guess is as good as mine |
This Week In Tennis
Vol. 20b
Click here for the WTA French Open preview.
SEEDS (Click to see the full men's draw)
(1) Novak Djokovic
Best Result: F - 2012, 2014, 2015
2016 Clay Results: 2R - Monte Carlo, W - Madrid, F - Rome
Like many of the greats, Djokovic holds three of the four majors; McEnroe, Connors, Lendl, Wilander, Edberg, and Sampras all retired missing one piece of the career Grand Slam puzzle. The French Open has been Djokovic's bugaboo since 2012 when he lost his first Roland Garros final to Nadal. In his fifth attempt to complete the career Slam, Djokovic enters this year's event the dominant player on the ATP Tour for a second year running. Will he be able to get out of his own way and overcome the near misses of French Opens past? The mental question might be the one most pressing for the world #1 in Paris, one he will likely have to tackle against Nadal in the semifinals.
(2) Andy Murray
Best Result: SF - 2011, 2014, 2015
2016 Clay Results: SF - Monte Carlo, F - Madrid, W - Rome
Murray has molded himself into one of the more accomplished clay court players on the ATP Tour. For much of his career, Murray's results on the dirt paled in comparison to his output on the other surfaces; that is no longer the case. Three of his five titles over the last 17 months have come on clay, and Murray enters this tournament fresh off a finals win over Djokovic in Rome. If he can summon his best aggressive tennis over the next fortnight, Murray might join Djokovic in the three-out-of-four club.
(3) Stan Wawrinka
Best Result: W - 2015
2016 Clay Results: QF - Monte Carlo, 2R - Madrid, R16 - Rome, Geneva
The mercurial defending champion enters Roland Garros after an underwhelming European clay season. His title one year ago came after reaching only one semifinal in his four lead-up events, so his lack of success means very little for his title hopes this time around. Considering his prodigious talent, Wawrinka remains one of the few players who can beat anybody on any given day.
(4) Rafael Nadal
Best Result: W - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2016 Clay Results: W - Monte Carlo, W - Barcelona, SF - Madrid, QF - Rome
What a difference a year makes. Nadal enters this French Open with the kind of form and confidence that he sorely missed in 2015. He won Monte Carlo and Barcelona for the ninth time each to start the European clay court season, matching his nine titles at Roland Garros. He ended his lead-up to the year's second Slam with a riveting two-set loss to Djokovic in Rome. While ultimately yet another loss to Djokovic, Nadal speaks of a renewed confidence and good feelings about his game. While not at his best level of tennis yet, it may not be too far away. All eyes will be on his potential semifinal match-up with Djokovic.
This Week In Tennis
Vol. 20a
Clickhere for the ATP French Open preview.
SEEDS (Click for the full women's draw)
(1) Serena Williams
Best Result: W - 2002, 2013, 2015
2016 Clay Results: W - Rome
What can be said about Serena Williams at this point that hasn't already been said? Her title last week in Rome was yet another reminder that she is the best the WTA has to offer and you should bet against her at your own peril.
(2) Agnieszka Radwanska
Best Result: QF - 2013
2016 Clay Results: SF - Stuttgart, 1R - Madrid
The French Open has not been kind to Radwanska historically. In nine attempts, she's made it to the fourth round only four times, and only once has she made it as far as the quarterfinals. Last week, she wrote a piece for The Straits Times documenting her struggles on clay, the causes, and the efforts she's made to overcome them. After losing her opener in Madrid, she opted to skip Rome to work on her clay court game. We shall see if her efforts pay off in Paris.
(3) Angelique Kerber
Best Result: QF - 2012
2016 Clay Results: W- Stuttgart, 1R - Madrid, 2R - Rome
The Australian Open champion backed up her stellar start to the year with a title run in Stuttgart. However, she enters Roland Garros with underwhelming results in Madrid and Rome, before withdrawing from Nurnberg citing shoulder trouble. Still, she's now a very big name in women's tennis and one to watch regardless of form. She's drawn in the top half with Serena Williams and could face Madison Keys in the fourth round and Timea Bacsinszky in the quarterfinals.
(4) Garbine Muguruza
Best Result: QF - 2014, 2015
2016 Clay Results: QF - Stuttgart, 2R - Madrid, SF - Rome
Muguruza has been the presumptive next best on the WTA Tour for a couple years, and now boasts a #4 ranking to justify the hype. Buyukakcay and Kuznetsova lurk in her section before she might have to square off against Kvitova in the quarterfinals, the final stop for her in Paris the last two years. If she is healthy, and able to build off a semifinal showing in Rome last week, the draw sets up nicely for her to go at least one round further this time around.
This Week In Tennis
Vol. 19
Volume 19 of #ThisWeekInTennis will get you caught up on all the newsworthy events, tweets, press quotes, ranking movers, tennis writing, and podcasts from the Italian Open.
Let's get started!
WTA
- Serena Williams, absent from the WTA Tour since Miami and playing her first clay event of the year, sped through the Rome draw without losing a set. Her fourth title in Rome was also the 70th of her career.
- Madison Keys made a surprise run to the finals before losing in straight sets to Serena. Among her victims: Petkovic, Kvitova, Babos, Strycova, and Muguruza.
- Irina-Camelia Begu defeated Azarenka and Kasatkina en route to the semifinals in Rome. She jumps seven spots in the new WTA rankings to #28, three spots away from her career high at #25.
- Garbine Muguruza, short on good results in 2016, reached the semifinals. Prior to Rome, the world #4 had made only one quarterfinal and sported a 12-8 record on the season.
- You might recall that Kimiko Date-Krumm underwent knee surgery earlier this year. The news prompted speculation that Date-Krumm, now 45, might be forced into retirement. It appears that speculation might have been premature.
- Eugenie Bouchard ousted Jelena Jankovic as well as #2 seed Angelique Kerber before managing just one game against Barbora Strycova in the third round.
- Misaki Doi reaches a new career high ranking at #38 after making the quarterfinals.
- Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza won their fifth doubles title of 2016. The pair hadn't won a tournament since the first week of February, prompting talk of a "slump." After reaching the finals in their two previous outings, SanTina appear fully back on track.
- Flavia Pennetta was a prominent figure in tennis headlines despite being retired since the end of the 2015 season. The Italian Open honoured her with a moving farewell ceremony, then she returned to the WTA top 10 at week's end despite not having played a match all year.
Episode 43 of The Body Serve Tennis Podcast
All told, Pennetta won 11 WTA singles titles, including Indian Wells in 2014. She also reached at least the quarterfinals in seven Grand Slam singles events. Between 2004 and 2009, Pennetta made the finals in six consecutive appearances in Acapulco, winning twice. Pennetta currently holds the #13 ranking on the WTA Tour despite not having played a match since the WTA Tour Finals last October.
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This Week In Tennis
Vol. 18
As usual, #ThisWeekInTennis will recap the major happenings on both tours, bringing you all the newsworthy events, tweets, press quotes, tennis writings, and podcasts.
Let's get started!
ATP
RUNDOWN
- Novak Djokovic won Madrid for his fifth title of 2016 and improved his win-loss record to 33-2. His two losses came via retirement in Dubai against Feliciano Lopez and to Jiri Vesely in Monte Carlo. Djokovic's Madrid win, coupled with Nadal's pair of titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, bode well for a blockbuster Roland Garros in two weeks.
- Andy Murray came within a set of defending his title in Madrid. After a straight sets win over Nadal in the semis, a repeat of last year's final, Murray again lost to Djokovic in a high stakes event. Their head-to-head is now 23-9 in favour of Djokovic who has won 12 of their last 13 matches.
- Meanwhile, Murray and Amélie Mauresmo have announced the end of their coaching relationship.
- Kei Nishikori continued his consistent 2016 by reaching his seventh quarterfinal from eight events. His last three have been even more impressive: Madrid (SF), Barcelona (F), and Miami (F), losing only to Djokovic and Nadal.
- Nadal's win streak ended in Madrid. The resurgent Spaniard entered having won his two previous starts in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, but was unable to get a 14th consecutive tour win against Andy Murray in the semifinals.
- Tomic had a rough week in the press. He was lambasted for his non-attempt to return serve down match point in Madrid, then he retired from his opening match in Rome after ten minutes and three games against Benoit Paire.
- Do yourself a favour and follow Eric Butorac's blog and scour the internet for his writings for other tennis outlets.
- Serving at 4-2 in the third set of the Madrid final, Djokovic received a time violation warning from umpire Mo Lahyani. Murray interjected saying he had held up Djokovic five seconds prior when the Serb was ready to serve.
This Week In Tennis
Vol. 17
WTA
RUNDOWN
- Lucie Šafářová found form in Prague on her way to taking the title. Last year's French Open finalist won her first singles match of the year before parlaying that into the seventh title of her career.
- Sam Stosur made her first final since July 2015 (W - Bad Gastein), but was unable to get past Šafářová in three sets.
- Timea Bacsinszky scored her fourth career WTA title in Rabat, and first ever on clay.
- Kuznetsova continued her stellar 2016 with a run to the Prague semifinals before conceding a walkover to Sam Stosur. The result pushes her up one spot in the WTA rankings to #12.
- Marina Erakovic made it through qualifying in Rabat all the way to the final. Ranked #186 at the start of the week, the former world # 39 is now within reach of a direct entry into the French Open with a new ranking of #128
- The top four seeds made the semifinals in Prague, the first time this has happened on the WTA Tour since Monterrey 2015.
- Check out the WTA version of the Spelling Bee for a few laughs.
- Madison Keys has (another) new coach.
- Serena Williams pulled out of Madrid citing illness, which means neither Williams sister will be participating this year.
This Week In Tennis
Vol. 16
On the WTA Tour, Angelique Kerber defending her title in Stuttgart while Cagla Buyukakcay won the first title of her career. Kerber struggled in the immediate aftermath of her Australian Open triumph to start the year, but rallied to make two semifinals in Miami and Charleston before returning to the winner's circle this week. As for Buyukakcay, she became the first ever Turkish player to win a WTA title, doing so on home soil in Istanbul.
Continue reading for a more in depth look at the happenings in tennis last week, including: tweets, articles, podcasts, rankings, and everything you might have missed.
ATP
RUNDOWN
- Nadal followed his victory last week in Monte Carlo with another in Barcelona. The back-to-back titles leave him #2 in the ATP Race To London and within 545 points of Wawrinka at #4 in the official ATP rankings.
- The top Spaniard also announced that he has sued former French cabinet minister, Roselyn Bachelot, over doping allegations leveled against him.
- Nishikori, aiming for a third successive title in Barcelona, fell just short in an entertaining final against Nadal. Failure to defend his championship points from a year ago means Nishikori remains at #6 in the ATP rankings, but is now 1,625 points behind Nadal.
- Fernando Verdasco beat Lucas Pouille in a Monday finish to capture the Bucharest title. Starting the year at #49, Verdasco fell as low as #88 two weeks ago. His Bucharest title sees him on the cusp of returning to the top 50 at #51.
- Pouille assumes a new career high ranking at #56 on the strength of his finals appearance in Bucharest.
- Benoit Paire made the semifinals in Barcelona before losing to Nishikori. He's now only one spot away from being the fifth Frenchman inside the ATP top 20.
- The Bryan Brothers scored their second title of 2016, both coming on clay. After a slow start to the year, the U.S. pair have won twice in the last three weeks.
- A tennis umpire has been banned from the sport for ten years.
This Week In Tennis
Vol. 15
Rafael Nadal injected a bit of intrigue into the ATP Tour with a ninth title in Monte Carlo last week. The prevailing narrative in men's tennis since the start of 2015 has been the unfettered dominance of Novak Djokovic. With the world #1's opening loss to Jiri Vesely at the Monte Carlo Masters, the rest of the top male players were gifted a chance to carve out a space for themselves in that narrative moving forward. Nadal did just that. He started with a third round win against Dominic Thiem, the same opponent who bested him in the Buenos Aires semifinals and who has looked like a burgeoning world beater this year. The rest of the way he turned back Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, and Gael Monfils. In short, it was a stellar week for the now nine-time Monte Carlo and Roland Garros champion. A few more weeks like this and Djokovic's path to a first Coupe des Mousqetaires might be unexpectedly trickier.
ATP
RUNDOWN
- Nadal won his first Masters 1000 title since 2014. During that span, his struggles have been the subject of many tennis scribes' output. He did everything last week save for beating Djokovic, and that will be the story to watch as they each attempt to craft a redemptive narrative at this year's French Open.
- Gael Monfils continued his consistent returns in 2016. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, his record in ATP finals fell to 5-19 after failing to outlast Nadal in a three-set final. Nonetheless, he's up to #14 in the rankings and edging closer to a return to the top 10.
- Roger Federer made his return to the ATP Tour in Monte Carlo after knee surgery following this year's Australian Open. Two brisk wins against Garcia-Lopez and Bautista-Agut led to a quarterfinal tussle with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, one which the 17-time Grand Slam winner was unable to emerge from.
- Andy Murray made the semifinals in Monte Carlo but ran into a resurgent Rafael Nadal. After winning the first set, while brandishing an attacking style of tennis, Murray's fortunes went south as Nadal seized control of the match.
- Novak Djokovic can be forgiven for having an off day. After winning practically everything over the last 16 months, the world #1 fell in the second round to Jiri Vesely.
- When the Roland Garros draws are revealed next month, Dominic Thiem's name is the one that will cause the most angst amongst the top players. His play against Nadal in the third round corroborated what we've witnessed over the past year: his ascendency to the top of men's tennis is only a matter of time.
- Adidas debuted their French Open kits last week. Except to hear lots of griping over the zebra inspired prints over the next month.
- Tommy Haas underwent the ninth surgery of his professional career last week. Yet, the 38-year-old vows to attempt another comeback
This Week In Tennis
Vol. 14
Red dirt clay tennis will feature almost exclusively over the next two months. The WTA and ATP tours will make stops in some of the world's most famous cities and most enduring events. In preparation for this colourful time of year, let's take a look back at the past seven days in tennis.
WTA
- Sloane Stephens won the fourth title of her career at the Volvo Car Open in Charleston this week. She overtakes Madison Keys as the #3 American behind the Williams Sisters, and ties Victoria Azarenka for most titles on the WTA Tour in 2016 with three apiece.
- Dominika Cibulkova claimed her first WTA title in two years in Katowice. Her 2014 Australian Open final run catapulted her into the top 10 and upper echelon of women's tennis. This latest win rehabs her ranking and gets her within striking distance of a seed at the upcoming French Open.
- Mattek-Sands and Safarova continued their return to the top of women's doubles with a runner-up showing in Charleston. Hingis/Mirza thrived in their absence from the doubles circuit, but the last two weeks prove their readiness to challenge the top team the rest of the season. Mattek-Sands also reached her third consecutive doubles final, having already won the Sunshine Double with two different partners.
- Francesca Schiavone re-enters the WTA top 100 (#90) on the strength of a quarterfinal showing in Kataowice, losing to the eventual champion. The former French Open champ made only three QFs all of last year, and she's made two already in 2016.
- Camila Giorgi, amidst a fresh scandal with the Italian Federation, summoned some of her best tennis to reach the Katowice Final. Catch up on that drama here.
- Venus Williams looked poised to make a deep run in Charleston after an assured and purposeful 2nd round win versus Alison Riske. However, the world #14 stumbled in her next match against Yulia Putintseva, losing a three hour battle, 6-7 6-2 4-6.
- Genie Bouchard, forced to retire in Charleston due to an abdominal injury, will now miss Canada's Fed Cup tie this week as she is still ailing.
- If you do only one tennis-related thing this week,read about 69-year-old Gail Falkenberg. Incredibly, she played Taylor Townsend in qualifying for an ITF event in Alabama.
- Shoutout to Diane Elayne Dees for her coverage on site in Charleston this week!
Charleston DRAW
Katowice DRAW
This Week In Tennis
Vol. 13
After weeks of interminable drama outside the court, the Miami Open delivered a week's worth of scintillating tennis inside the lines. Victoria Azarenka, Novak Djokovic, and the doubles team of Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert all repeated their Indian Wells titles at the Miami Open, completing the so-called "Sunshine Double." For Azarenka, it was a forceful statement of her return to the top of the WTA after an absence of more than two years. Djokovic, long the front runner on the ATP Tour, solidified his stranglehold on the men's game; his opponents are now only able to measure victories in games won rather than matches. This week also saw the return of the Mattek-Sands/Safarova doubles pairing. Last year's Australian and French Open titlists won their first event together in 2016. After weeks of news off the court dominating the headlines, the Miami Open finale brought a sense of normalcy, at long last.
WTA
RUNDOWN
- Victoria Azarenka completed the "Sunshine Double" - winning both Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back. The feat had only been achieved twice before by Steffi Graf ('94, '96) and Kim Clijsters (2005). Azarenka climbs three spots to #5 in the new rankings and now holds three titles in 2016.
- Svetlana Kuznetsova rises to #13 after reaching the final in Miami. She beat four top-50 players, including Serena Williams, and sits at #6 in the Race to Singapore.
- Timea Bacsinszky turned in her best performance of the year with a run to the semifinals. The knee injury sustained at the end of her breakthrough season in 2015 seems to be a thing of the past.
- Angelique Kerber's semifinal appearance set up one of the more hotly anticipated matches of the fortnight versus Victoria Azarenka. It was the pair's third meeting of 2016; Azarenka won the Brisbane final to start the year, and Kerber avenged the loss in a memorable quarterfinal on her way to the Australian Open crown.
- News of Madison Keys teaming up with Mats Wilander was one of the early stories of the tournament. But, by the time Keys reached the quarterfinals, it was already announced the pair would no longer be working together moving forward.
- After four titles to start the year and a much talked about winning streak, Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza suffered their third successive early loss.
- The biggest news in Miami doubles was the successful return of the Mattek-Sands/Safarova pairing. Having not partnered since the WTA Finals in Singapore, last year's Australian and French Open champs returned in style with a title in Miami.
- Veteran photographer, Corinne Dubreuil, had two cameras stolen from her in the Miami press room. When tournament organizers and sponsors refused to help recoup damages, Alizé Cornet started a fundraising effort to which you can donate here.
This Week In Tennis
Vol. Twelve
ATP
RUNDOWN
- The humidity in Miami has had a huge effect on the tennis with several players retiring mid-match unable to cope with the conditions.
- Nadal retired against Dzumhur down 0-3 in the 3rd set. Nadal cited feeling dizzy after winning the opening set before his condition progressively worsened.
- Grigor Dimitrov scored an impressive come-from-behind win over Andy Murray. Once ranked as high as #8 in the world, the Bulagarian currently sits at #28 in the rankings.
- Federer withdrew from the tournament before his scheduled second round match with Juan Martin del Potro citing a stomach virus. The Miami Open was to be Federer's first appearance in a main draw since undergoing knee surgery after the Australian Open
- Del Potro showed signs of bother with his wrist during his 2nd round loss to Horacio Zeballos, but assured fans it was all part of the recovery process.
- Jamie Murray is set to become the first ever British #1 in doubles in next week's ATP rankings.
- Somehow, a women's ball made its way into Andy Murray's palm as he was about to serve during his 2nd round match against Istomin.
- Robin Haase's coach a murder suspect? Add this to the growing list of bizarre happening in tennis this year.
- Among the early losers in Miami: #2 Murray, #4 Wawrinka, #5 Nadal, #9 Tsonga.
- Marcelo Melo took a forehand to the back of his head from doubles partner Ivan Dodig during their 2nd round loss to Huey/Mirnyi.
Click HERE to view the current state of the the men's draw at the Miami Open
Episode 39: Deja Vu All Over Again
Nicole Gibbs, Alla Kudryavtseva, and Andy Murray were the chief advocates today; in a sport that has too often closed ranks around the chief offenders who perpetuate rampant sexism, the chorus railing against the establishment was a welcomed reprieve. More importantly, Murray and Gibbs aimed their efforts at noted sexist, Sergiy Stakhovsky, member of the ATP Player's Council. Their persistent tweeting will hopefully shine a sustained light on Stakhovsky, his antiquated beliefs, and underscore just how big a problem tennis and the ATP faces. After all, how can the sport and the ATP seriously address this issue when Stakhovsky is allowed to sit on its Player's Council? An elected member by ATP players, change will likely only be possible if more of Stakhovsky's peers say "enough is enough."
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THIS WEEK IN TENNIS
Vol. Eleven
On court, Victoria Azarenka beat Serena Williams in the women's final 6-4 6-4, and Novak Djokovic overcame Milos Raonic 6-2 6-0. Moore's comments, which came shortly before both finals on Sunday, made for cringe-worthy optics during the trophy presentations. In their press conferences, the finalists offered their opinions on the controversy: Williams put Moore on blast, while Djokovic segued into a discussion on equal prize money. The pressers stoked the flames set off by Moore's comments even further, with Williams hailed for her firm stance, and Djokovic largely derided.
For more on the controversy, check out the "Press" and "On The Web" sections. In the meantime, let's explore the last week in tennis a bit further.
WTA
RUNDOWN
- Victoria Azarenka returns to the WTA top 10 for the first time since August, 2014 after beating Serena Williams to win her 2nd Indian Wells title. Azarenka is now the only player to beat Williams four times in WTA finals.
- Serena Williams lost her second final of the year. But, it will be her expert handling of Raymond Moore's sexist comments in her press conference afterwards that will be long remembered.
- Radwanska is the new world #2 after reaching the semis, pushing Angelique Kerber down a spot to #3.
- Daria Kasatkina created a stir of her own earlier in the week during a Q&A with Tennis.com. On court, the 18-year-old reached the quarters of Indian Wells, and moves to a career high #36 in the rankings.
- Misaki Doi lost her first round match at Indian Wells, then entered and won the inaugural tournament in San Antonio. The top ranked Japanese player now has a career high mark at #44.
- Coming off consecutive first round losses in Dubai and Doha, Karolina Pliskova reached the semis at the BNP Paribas Open for her 2nd quarterfinal on the season. The result bumps her five spots to #14.
- Nicole Gibbs reached a new career high of #74 following a run through qualifying to the round of 16 at Indian Wells. She took out Madison Keys before losing in the 3rd set to Petra Kvitova.
- Maria Sharapova, inactive due to a suspension for failing a drug test at the Australian Open, falls out of the WTA top 10.
PRESS
Q. You have led women, and Venus also, have led women through a lot of struggles. Are you surprised in 2016 that's issues and complaints and sexism are still cropping up? SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I'm still surprised, especially with me and Venus and all the other women on the tour that's done well. Last year the women's final at the US Open sold out well before the men. I'm sorry, did Roger play in that final or Rafa or any man play in that final that was sold out before the men's final? I think not. So I just feel like in order to make a comment you have to have history and you have to have facts and you have to know things. You have to know of everything. I mean, you look at someone like Billie Jean King who opened so many doors for not only women's players but women's athletes in general. So I feel like, you know, that is such a disservice to her and every female, not only a female athlete but every woman on this planet, that has ever tried to stand up for what they believed in and being proud to be a woman. Q. We all know how 2001 was, but one thing I remember from that match you played, despite all the adversity, you played a great match. Can you talk about that side of it, the way you played despite everything going against and you coming out on top? SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was amazing. It was an awful, awful, awful experience. I only got through it through just prayer. I just remember saying, Just help me get through this. I don't even want to win. I believe I lost the first set maybe. And then somehow I just was holding the trophy after that. That's all I'm going to say about that. |
Q. Do you feel like there is maybe a misunderstanding behind how people are interpreting that in some way? SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, if you read the transcript you can only interpret it one way. I speak very good English. I'm sure he does, too. You know, there's only one way to interpret that. Get on your knees, which is offensive enough, and thank a man, which is not -- we, as women, have come a long way. We shouldn't have to drop to our knees at any point. Q. You worked out having to pick up that trophy. How does it feel to win and be back in the top 10? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Feels good just to be able to, you know, see the work that I have put in and it's paying off. But not just, you know, this year. Just everything that I have been through in the last years, it makes it more special. I just want to keep going. I just want to keep going. I want to keep improving myself as a player. I was very, I would say, brave to go for things that I haven't maybe done as much before in the matches. I was more aggressive. I started to use my serve the way I wanted to use my serve. Sometimes it doesn't work necessarily, like couple of matches this week. But having that big goal in mind and going after it, that's something that makes the momentum shift on the big stages. Q. Is there anything that you see when you watch maybe other people play Serena where you notice that there are certain things that you do specifically that no other player can do against her? VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know, but I see a lot of them losing before they step on the court. Q. How do you make sure you don't do that? VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm not afraid of anybody. I want -- I want to have those challenges. Some people maybe want to avoid that, and I live for those moments. |
Let's have a closer look at what's been happening #ThisWeekInTennis!
RUNDOWN
- Sharapova dominated news in the early going of Indian Wells. Check out the "On The Web" section for some of the pieces that have been written on the story in the past week.
- Venus Williams made her return to Indian Wells official on Friday. Sadly, for Venus and her fans, she lost in straight sets to Kurumi Nara. Watch the the welcome she received and Venus' reaction HERE.
- Serena followed Venus two matches later on Stadium 1 with a 6-2 6-1 win over Laura Siegemund. It was the world #1's first tour match since losing in the Australian Open final to Angelique Kerber.
- Speaking of the Australian Open champ, Kerber lost her opening match 5-7 5-7 to Allertova. Since winning her first Grand Slam, Kerber went 1-1 in Fed Cup and has now lost her first match in consecutive events.
- Muguruza's struggles in 2016 continued as she exited in the 2nd round to Christina McHale. The Spaniard is now just 6-5 on the year.
- Taylor Townsend made it through the qualifying draw before losing in the first round. After entering last year's event ranked #96, Townsend will leave the desert just inside #400. Hopefully, this result is a sign of better things to come.
- Shuai Peng made her first singles appearance on the WTA since last year's French Open (back). Currently ranked #768, the 2014 U.S. Open semifinalist lost 0-6 1-6 to Putintseva in the first round.
- Laura Robson is on the comeback trail. Despite a first round loss, Robson claims to be ready to resume a full schedule on the WTA tour.
- Stosur and Ivanovic both saved match points before advancing to the third round with a pair of 3-set victories.
Q. Do you think back to the last time you were in that stadium? The stadium itself hasn't maybe changed much. Do you ever flash back to that? VENUS WILLIAMS: Is the stadium bigger? It looks really -- it's big. (Smiling.) I didn't actually think back to that. I definitely live in the now and it was a long time ago. Serena and I have been able to do a lot of positive things in our lives since then. Hopefully those positive things have affected a lot of people. That's what we focused on more than anything. I think when she came back it wasn't an easy decision. You never know what was going to happen. But she had so much courage to do so. It made it so easy for me. I felt like when I came out here I was able to focus on the tennis and not on, oh, my gosh, what's gonna happen.
Q. Probably as much as any other athlete, you have had so many triumphs and challenges, so many chapters. Venus lost tonight, but it was a wonderful night, also. Do you think in some way her coming back is to close a chapter on all that occurred, that it's time to move on? SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah. Definitely. I think it wasn't about winning. When I come here, even to this day it's not about winning. It's just about closing that chapter in my life and her life and our lives and try to move on with our heads up, as we always had our heads up. But just continue to do that. Q. Do you think you are satisfied with the way you and Venus have navigated through all this? Do you think it could be an example to others? SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I hope so. We always try to be an example, positive role model, and a positive example to our colleagues as well as people that are outside of tennis and everyone of all walks of life |
Q. Last year you had that French Open, Wimbledon --
SIMONA HALEP: Don't remember me, please. Q. I'm sorry I have to remind you. You were disappointed by all that. Then you came to North America and had a very good North American summer. Is that at all similar to how you felt after Australia and then having a bit of a longer break after the Middle East? SIMONA HALEP: No. Was different. Last year was just about the pressure. I couldn't handle it and I wanted too much from me. I wanted to win all the matches. It was like if I did the final one year before I have to do the same thing, so it's a big mistake. If you think like this you cannot play anymore. You are very stressed. This year I was very sick. I couldn't practice. After 10 minutes I was very tired on court. So I got a little bit scared about it, and, you know, I lost the power. I lost my legs. I lost the confidence. That's why I couldn't win matches. Actually, in Sydney I didn't play too bad, but after that I got the infection, nose infection, and was very bad for me. But I want to forget it. Actually not forget it but just to keep it away a little bit, because now I feel good. I eat pretty good now, so everything is good. If I can run, it's all good. Q. It's been quite a controversial week, if you like, for women's tennis. Over the years you have stood up and been a spokesman on several issues. What's your take on the whole Maria business? VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, any time I have spoken up on issues is because I know the facts. In this case I don't. I guess they are finding the facts now. That's, I guess, a discovery period. So what can you say? What I do know is that in the past she's been very competitive. I think she has been a role model for a lot of people. She has a ton of fans, and I think she's affected a lot of lives in a positive way. Hopefully that will won't be the end of that. |
Q. How are you doing with all the post-concussion stuff since Australia? Everything been okay on that front?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: Yeah. Thank you for asking. You know, once in a while I feel like I have little lapses, and I think that's still maybe to be expected. You never know exactly, you know, how you're going to heal from these things or how long it will take. In Malaysia I felt like I suffered some symptoms. As I have been here in this great desert, dry weather, I have been great. Just something I constantly monitor. Just trying to stay on top of it. Q. You and Sam have had a couple of sort of testy coaching timeouts where he comes on and gets more emotional than maybe most players and coaches during timeouts. Is that how things are usually with you or something in the heat of the match that you both get worked up? GARBINE MUGURUZA: No. I think it's just if you're in a tennis match you are always very emotional and you're fighting in just kind of a way what you feel. I don't think is there anything wrong to do so. Sometimes there is a camera. You forget. And the microphone, obviously. But I just think it's normal to express to your coach what you feel. And that's it. I mean, there is no big deal. Q. Do you feel different about your tennis? A Grand Slam champion. Do you feel a different sort of expectation on the court for yourself when you start a tournament? ANGELIQUE KERBER: It's much more different because I have much more things to do off court. I'm here one week and, yeah, it was a busy week for me. But still, I mean, I'm trying -- I have my team and I'm trying to go out there, work my tennis, improve it. Yeah, and like I said, it's a completely new situation. I will try to get used to it and, yeah, and let's see. I mean, yeah, I'm working hard still and my game will not change. I mean, my game is like it is. I try to improve like few more things into it, but at the end I will still play like I was playing the last years. |
Watch Sharapova's entire press conference below:
ATP
- Bernard Tomic cast suspicions on Kyrgios, implying that he faked injury to avoid playing Davis Cup. Kyrgios fired back on Twitter, and took a few shots at Ben Rothenberg too. If you missed any of it, check it out HERE.
- On a lighter and more joyous note, Roberto Bautista Agut tweeted in support of LGBT issues, saying he was "proud of his country" for including LGBT folks in the Magdalena Festival celebrations.
- Andy Murray led Britain into the quarterfinals of this year's Davis Cup. Murray, who led Britain to the title last year with an unbeaten record, fought off Kei Nishikori in five sets.
- Novak Djokovic struggled mightily against Mikhail Kukushkin. With Serbia already down 1-2 in matches, Djokovic himself fell behind two sets to one before rallying for the five-set win.
- While Murray and Djokovic were embattled, Roger Federer spent his week leisurely taking in some American professional sport. He attended a Lakers game with Tommy Haas, posed with Thabo Sefolosha, and tweeted from inside the L.A. Kings locker room.
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