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TENNIS REMAINS UNPREDICTABLE AT MIAMI OPEN

3/28/2016

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This Week In Tennis
Vol. Twelve

Tennis sped along at a breakneck pace during week one of the 2016 Miami Open. The Maria Sharapova and Raymond Moore scandals which book-ended the Indian Wells event segued into a sexism controversy in Miami. The row, fueled (in part) by Novak Djokovic's press comments after winning the BNP Paribas Open, dominated the early going of the Miami event. The unpredictability off court, which has wreaked havoc on both tours in 2016, matched the play within the lines during Miami's opening week; retirements, upsets, and withdrawals turned the draws upside down. 


ATP
Embed from Getty Images


​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


​PRESS
Q. Can you just talk us through what happened out there. Looked like the heat got to you. Was it more than that?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, everything was fine until end of the first set. I start to feel myself not very good. It's getting worse, worse, and worse, so finally in the second set I realize that I was not able to keep playing.
I tried to resist, but I get a little bit scared to be too dizzy and lose a little bit the (through translation off microphone.)
So I call the doctor a couple of times, but I felt that I was not safe there so I decided to go. I wanted to finish the match, but I seriously could not.

Q. Do you think it was the heat or more than that? You think you might have an illness of some kind?
RAFAEL NADAL: Hopefully is nothing. Hopefully is just the extreme conditions out there. Something happen, hopefully is the beginning of a virus, and in combination with the conditions I had this strange feelings.
But just finished half an hour ago, so I don't know.


Q. Roger, Stan, and Rafa are all out. Are there any players on tour that you like to watch when you have a chance?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Monfils, No. 1, by far, because you never know what's coming up next. He is very unpredictable player, but very entertaining, and I think he's great for the sport. Dominic Thiem is also very nice to watch. Young player who has lots of talent and potential and really nice variety in his game. There are couple of guys, but Monfils I would pay my ticket to watch
Q. Looked like you were suffering from the same problem. Tell us how bad it was. How much of a worry that is?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: I was suffering a little bit. It was worse than my first match, but I hope nothing dangerous. I mean, I will see what's going on after today and see if I can practice tomorrow, if I can hit again like a little backhand.

They said before this is a long road to get better. Not to play well or to win matches, just to get better and to play tennis again. I'm looking forward for that. For me it's like surprise when I win a match in this moment because I'm not 100% yet.

But I'm here. Of course I'm suffering in moments, but I'm playing tennis. Bad or really bad, but I'm playing. That's good for me.

Q. A year ago you sat in that chair and told us about the crisis in confidence, how you weren't believing in yourself. Can you just tell us what the difference is in the space of a year?
RAFAEL NADAL: The difference is I'm enjoying on court. I'm not feeling that nerves on court. I'm not feeling that strange feeling that I never felt. I am enjoying on the practices, I am enjoying on the tennis court. I feel with the right energy. I can lose, I can win, but I am happy on court. That's the most important thing. That's the big difference on what happen last year, what I told last year.

Toutes mes pensées vont aux victimes et à leurs familles □□□ #PrayforBelgium #TousEnsemble pic.twitter.com/S7LJHr1u01

— David Goffin (@David__Goffin) 22 March 2016

No.1 is No.1
No.2 is No.2@ATPWorldTour

Think il have a fizz. pic.twitter.com/ufWar9hi7i

— judy murray (@judmoo) 27 March 2016

Once again, a terrorist attack has left many innocent victims. My thoughts and support are with all their families.

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) 22 March 2016

Always an honour. Love that we share the opinion of using the sport as platform for good https://t.co/dps1ysX8hB

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) 24 March 2016

Lil sweat at the practice today with @keinishikori #oklm #lamonf15 https://t.co/m6qbnz6Lyn

— Gael Monfils (@Gael_Monfils) 25 March 2016

Good night □ https://t.co/VPhcsKKSfY

— Grigor Dimitrov (@GrigorDimitrov) 27 March 2016

Promoting equal pay for players in skirts :) pic.twitter.com/cbCm4eNOYI

— judy murray (@judmoo) 24 March 2016

​
​ON THE WEB


​Novak Djokovic: "Better Game for All"
"Tennis Players Set Twitter Ablaze over Tennis Row"
"Juan Martin del Potro Recognizes Challenges in Latest Setback"
​"Murray Believes the Tide Should Turn Towards Total Equality in Tennis"
"Why Andy Murray's Feminism Matters"
"ITF President Rejects Dick Pound’s Revelations of High Meldonium Use"
"A Tennis State of Mind: Florida's Unique Place in the Sport"
​"Kyrgios' Agent Morris Blasts Jankovic Retirement"


​WTA

​
Embed from Getty Images


RUNDOWN

  • Svetlana Kuznetsova took out the #1 seed Serena Williams in the 4th round. Williams, the 8-time Miami Open champion, won the opening set but couldn't overcome Kuznetsova's relentless defence and accuracy the rest of the way. 
  • Prior to her loss, Serena notched the 750th win of her career in the 3rd round versus Zarina Diyas in the 3rd round.
  • Venus Williams lost her opening match to Elena Vesnina and continued her hot and (mostly) cold start to 2016.
  • Angelique Kerber is through to the quarter finals in Miami, her first time winning back-to-back matches since capturing the Australian Open in January. 
  • Madison Keys is now working with Mats Wilander on a "trial basis."
  • Daria Gavrilova is eligible to play Fed Cup for Australia after winning her appeal to the ITF. 
  • In a facebook post after first round loss, Lucie Safarova gave us some insight into her struggles to return from illness. 
  • Alize Cornet made a surprise return to the WTA tour after she had earlier reported a likely absence of six months from tennis due to a back injury. She won her opening match before taking only one game from Aga Radwanska.
  • If you read only one tennis related item this week, make it Billie Jean King & Chris Evert's press conference at the start of the week.
  • Nicole Gibbs had a big week on and off the court. She made her presence known in a big way by reaching the 3rd round and railing against sexism in tennis on Twitter.

Quarterfinals: ⬇️

Kuznetsova vs Makarova
Bacsinszky vs Halep
Konta vs Azarenka
Keys vs Kerber

Who's your pick for the #MiamiOpen title?

— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) 29 March 2016

​PRESS
​

Svetlana Kuznetsova on Serena: pic.twitter.com/8plpRLvi0b

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) 29 March 2016
Q. Your next opponent is Kuznetsova. You've had some really good matches against. Quarterfinal French Open for instance couple years ago. Thoughts on that match?
SERENA WILLIAMS: It's a great matchup. She plays well and makes a lot of the great shots. She's actually been playing well this year. She had a couple big wins and couple good tournaments. Yeah, I have my work cut out for me. We'll see what happens.
Q. You mentioned on the court you and she are friends. She's someone that's been on the tour around the same amount of time as you. What's your relationship with her?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, we get along great. That's no secret. She's just someone that you respect and you like and you -- I don't know. Just something about her that I think everyone likes

Q. Talk a little bit about the third set. You must have thought that things were turned around there for you. Was it something she did or something you weren't able to keep up the level?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think she just played really well. I couldn't afford any errors because she was on. She didn't make many errors. She came out with nothing to lose and just everything worked for her today. Bad luck for me; great luck for her. As the match continued I think I started to find more and more rhythm. She is coming off qualifying and playing doubles matches every week. It's a little bit challenging to play your best tennis without -- you know, against an opponent who is just so inspired. You don't have a moment to try and figure out how to get into the match.

A snippet from Serena’s abbreviated press conference in Miami. Conditions weren’t a problem, physically felt fine. pic.twitter.com/Wk5sAdj7ID

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) 28 March 2016
Q. How important is it for you? You had a great result in the mixed doubles in London. How is it for you now? Are you focusing more on singles? How are your expectations for this Brazil Olympics?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, it's a long shot to be expecting something at this point. It's definitely one of the main goals for me this year, and I can't wait to play the Olympics. I always had so much fun representing my country, and I'm looking forward to do it again.
My last Olympics was really successful, so I'm looking forward to play again. I'm definitely going to be competing for a medal, but this time only for singles.
​

Q. What is the biggest thing that you have to get used to in the humidity? The breathing? The heat? The sweat? What exactly makes it particularly difficult?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Honestly, to hold the racquet, because it's so easy to slip out of your hands. It was the case today. I tried to hit the net and slipped out and I got a code violation because of that.
But I don't know. I think to breathe is one thing. Takes a couple days to adjust. But definitely being able to stay hydrated in these conditions is really important. You have to overdrink than you probably would on a daily basis.
Just also I think that's very important.


My favorite driver☺ he says visibility is great today! #nationalpuppyday #bruno pic.twitter.com/R911axlqKQ

— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) 23 March 2016

#teambucie is back! Great match today 6:4 6:2 over Stephens/Keys! #miamiopen #reunited #happy #letsgo □☀️□ @BMATTEK pic.twitter.com/9mrxNDiHLJ

— lucie safarova (@luciesafarova) 26 March 2016

For Genie and Chrissie. U asked for it. Lol https://t.co/CQRaSHDGBf

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) 23 March 2016

Possibly the best day ever □@POTUS pic.twitter.com/9UsfH3Mz2R

— Sloane Stephens (@SloaneStephens) 28 March 2016

The ninja Aga was just too good for me today! I need a little more recovery and practice, and then I will be full powerrrr!! #supermotivated

— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) 24 March 2016

That's my best friend @gael_monfils https://t.co/zFYDZmaKck

— victoria azarenka (@vika7) 23 March 2016

Thanks to all the fans ! pic.twitter.com/uRJY8mQpfr

— Svetlana Kuznetsova (@SvetlanaK27) 25 March 2016

​
​ON THE WEB


"Insider Notebook: Equality for All"
"Serena Williams: Why Tennis Needs the Miami Open"
"Prize Money Debate is Demeaning, Dull and Outdated"
"Equal Pay is as Much a Myth as it is a Minefield"​
"Serena Williams, Raymond Moore and Tennis' Eternal Gender Gap"
"Meldonium Producers Say the Drug Can Take Months to Leave Body"
"Trending Upward: Gibbs’ Tennis Game Catching up to her Twitter Game"
"Quotable Quotes: Serena Takes a Stand"
"Kuznetsova Shows Fight, Grit in Come-From-Behind Win over Serena"

PODCASTS
​
The Body Serve - "Deja Vu All Over Again"
No Challenges Remaining - "Ladies Know What I'm Talking About"
WTA Insider - "Going Coast to Coast"
Realz Tenis Fanz - "Tennis, You Be Too MUCH"
The Night Session - "Meldonium, Sexist Rants, Team Leaders, and Stray Underpants"
Tennis Connected - "Reviewing Indian Wells and Previewing the Miami Open"
​
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  • THE BODY SERVE TENNIS PODCAST
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