Mondays with Morgan Adams

Why Caroline Wozniacki’s Return to Tennis Seems Unlikely and What it Means for the Sport

March 28, 2023 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Caroline Wozniacki is one of the most successful tennis players of all time, but her departure from the sport has left many questioning whether she will ever return. With each passing day, it seems more and more unlikely that she will make a comeback to the court. In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons behind Wozniacki’s decision to leave the sport, and what it means for the future of tennis. From her health issues to her personal life, we’ll take a critical look at the factors that have led to her departure and what, if anything, can be done to bring her back. So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive in!

Caroline Wozniacki’s Retirement: An Analysis

Caroline Wozniacki’s retirement from professional tennis marks the end of a remarkable career. As a former World No.1, she left an indelible mark on the sport, winning a total of 30 singles titles including Grand Slams. Her thirteen-year-long career is a testament to her dedication and skill, yet it is not without its critics. Some have argued that Wozniacki’s cautious, defensive style of play lacked the excitement and flair that fans demand from their champions. Despite this, there is no denying that Wozniacki was a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis and will be remembered as one of the greats of the game.

However, the retirement of this female tennis player has opened a new chapter in the sport’s history. Although her departure will be felt among her fans and peers, it provides an opportunity for other players to step up and take on the challenge of becoming the new top player. The legacy she leaves behind serves as a reminder of the hard work and dedication it takes to achieve greatness in tennis. It is clear that her contributions to the sport will not be forgotten anytime soon, and her influence will continue to inspire future generations of tennis players. As we bid farewell to this incredible athlete, we can only hope that she enjoys a well-deserved retirement and continues to inspire others both on and off the court.

The Future of Tennis Without Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki’s retirement at the young age of 29 marks the end of a remarkable decade-long career in tennis. Her journey, which began in 2005 at the tender age of 15, saw her become a world number one in both singles and doubles categories. Her hard work and dedication paid off as she captured an impressive 30 titles and two Grand Slams, the Australian Open in 2018 and the WTA Finals in 2017. However, despite her successes, many critics argue that Wozniacki never quite lived up to her potential, especially considering her early promise. Nonetheless, her legacy as a fierce competitor, a role model for young players, and an ambassador of the sport will continue to inspire many for years to come.

Again, the departure of Grand Slam winner Serena Williams from the competitive tennis scene marks the end of an era for the sport. It is a loss for fans who have been following her career for many years, but it also presents an opportunity for the emergence of new talent. Bianca Andreescu, Ashleigh Barty, and Naomi Osaka have already made their mark in the sport and have shown that they have what it takes to fill the void left by Williams. As they continue to rise in the rankings, they will undoubtedly inspire a new wave of young players who will push the boundaries and take the sport to new heights. One thing is for sure, the future of tennis is bright with these talented players at the forefront.

Final Say

In conclusion, Caroline Wozniacki’s departure from the sport of tennis has left a void that may not easily be filled. Her numerous achievements on the court have made her one of the most successful players of all time, but her retirement has raised more questions than answers. While her health and personal life may have contributed to her decision to leave the sport, it is still difficult to comprehend why someone at the peak of their career would choose to step away. Tennis will undoubtedly miss her talent, and while there are many great players still competing, none possess the same level of skill and charisma that Wozniacki brought to every match. Only time will tell if she will ever return to the court, but for now, we can only thank her for the memories and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Slaying the Court: How Serena Williams Changed the Game of Tennis Forever

March 26, 2023 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Grab your tennis racquets and get ready to be inspired, because today we’re talking about the one and only Serena Williams. The queen of the court, a powerhouse of athleticism, and a true icon of our time. Not only has she dominated the tennis world with her unmatched skills and fierce determination, but she’s also broken down barriers and shattered stereotypes along the way. From her iconic outfits to her legendary outbursts, Serena has never been one to shy away from making a statement. In this blog post, we’ll be taking a closer look at how Serena Williams changed the game of tennis forever, and why her impact goes far beyond the court. So, let’s dive in and celebrate the one and only Serena!

How Serena Williams changed the tennis game forever

Serena Williams, the queen of tennis who has left an indelible mark on the sport, has now hung up her racket. With a whopping 39 Grand Slam titles under her belt – 23 in singles, 14 in doubles and 2 in mixed doubles – she has achieved what many can only dream of. However, as they say, all good things must come to an end. But, let’s be honest, Serena Williams is not just any good thing. She is a force to be reckoned with and has inspired generations of players with her powerful strokes, fierce competitiveness and unbreakable spirit. Even in retirement, the name Serena Williams will continue to be synonymous with excellence and domination in tennis.

Serena Williams: An Unparalleled Career in Tennis

As we bid adieu to Serena Williams post-retirement, we can’t help but marvel at the unparalleled influence she has had on the game. Her skill and passion for tennis has spurred on countless young athletes to pick up a racket and pursue their dreams of becoming professional players. Her fierce competitive spirit and unwavering dedication to the sport has set a benchmark for women’s tennis that will be hard to match. It’s safe to say that Serena will forever remain a legend in the world of tennis, her name etched in the annals of sports history as one of the greatest players of all time. As she steps away from the court, we can only hope that her legacy continues to inspire generations of young tennis enthusiasts to follow in her footsteps and take up the sport with passion and gusto. Goodbye, Serena. You will be missed, but your legacy will live on forever.

All in all, Serena Williams’ post-retirement legacy in tennis is unmatched. Her unparalleled success on the court and her vocal advocacy for equal pay and opportunities for female tennis players have undoubtedly made her one of the greatest athletes of all time. Even after retiring from the sport, Williams continues to inspire young athletes around the world to pursue their dreams relentlessly and to use their platforms to push for change. As we look to the future of tennis, we can only hope that more players will follow in Williams’ footsteps and use their influence to make a positive impact on and off the court. The sport would be better for it.

The Impact of Serena Williams on the Future of Tennis Post-Retirement

Serena Williams may have retired from the tennis court, but her impact on the sport will be felt for years to come. Her powerful presence on the court was matched by her determination to elevate the game, and now she’s taking that same drive off the court. With her post-retirement efforts, Serena is sure to continue making waves in the world of tennis. Whether it’s through her philanthropic work or coaching up-and-coming players, there’s no doubt that Serena will continue to be a driving force in the future of tennis. So, while we may miss seeing her killer serves and fierce returns on the court, we can rest easy knowing that Serena’s legacy will continue to be felt in every aspect of the game.

Again, Serena Williams proves that she is more than just a professional athlete. Her charity work and dedication to creating opportunities for young athletes show that she is a champion on and off the court. Williams has used her platform as a global icon to inspire future generations of tennis players and demonstrate that success is more than just winning titles. As she enters retirement, her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire young athletes to pursue their dreams and work towards achieving their goals. Serena Williams will forever be remembered not just as a tennis player, but as a game-changer who impacted the sport in countless ways.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Serena Williams is much more than just a tennis player – she’s a cultural phenomenon. Her incredible talent and hard work have revolutionized the game of tennis, but it’s her unapologetic nature and refusal to conform that make her truly iconic. Serena has shown us that it’s possible to be both a fierce competitor and a fashion icon, to be passionate and outspoken without sacrificing professionalism. She has inspired generations of young athletes to dream big and chase their goals relentlessly. So here’s to Serena – the queen of the court, the trailblazer, and the ultimate role model. Thank you for changing the game – forever.

Fan Fave Sam Stosur to retire after AusOpen 2023

January 15, 2023 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Sam Stosur has announced her retirement on her Facebook page in an emotional message to the fans. Samantha Stosur will retire after the Australian Open 2023. Of course, we hope that she will reach very far into the Australian Open and we hope to see her back in tennis in some capacity, like a coach or an analyst after she retires. And if not then we do hope we’ll still hear from her from time to time.

Samantha Stosur leaves a message to her fans

Hi Everyone,

I’m so excited to be back here at Melbourne Park playing in my 21st Australian Open! However, it’s with mixed feelings that I also wanted to share with you all that this will be my last tournament.

I’ve thought about this moment for a while now and I feel so happy and grateful to have the opportunity to finish playing at my favourite slam, my home slam and in front of my Aussie fans and family.

The feeling that it’s time to move into my life after tennis has been sitting with me for a little while. And even though I’ve made the decision to retire from the sport I love, a small part of me would be happy to keep playing forever. I know I’m going to miss playing tennis competitively and all the amazing experiences that come along with being on the tour and doing what I’ve done nearly all my life.

There is so much I still love about playing tennis. I love competing in matches, the practice, the off court sessions in the gym and most of all, working to improve on something everyday to make me a better player.

Even in this past year playing doubles, it refreshed that idea of getting better by practicing differently and having a different focus, of which I really enjoyed.

I’ve had that drive to improve and evolve as a player for so many years and I’m not sure what it will feel like waking up the next day once this is all over.

I’m so happy to have achieved more than I ever thought would be possible when I was an eight year old kid starting out in tennis. All I wanted was to be a professional player. I had no idea what this meant or the commitment involved, I just knew this was my dream and what I wanted to do.

When I was 10 or 11, I wrote a letter at school to put in a class time capsule that would outline our hopes and dreams for our future. My dreams were to be number one in the world, win a Grand Slam and go to an Olympic Games. Who knew I would do two out of the three, and come close to all three

It certainly wasn’t all easy. My first trip to Europe as a 15 year old I lost first round every week for the first 8 or 9 tournaments. I was so far out of my depth in the under 18s. I had never played on clay or grass and I would call home crying nearly every day. But something in me knew I had to stay and stick it out and I finally won my first match of the trip at Wimbledon on court 14. Every year I walk past that court and remember that moment.

I love that ultimately this drive, dedication and determination I felt as a junior then led me to experience so many more incredible moments on the court.

There are so many stand out matches, some against some of the legends of the sport, that I look back on now and think how amazing it is to have been part of this tour. Every win, every loss, every split second decision to go for this shot or that shot, every millimetre the ball was in or out …all these moments have given me what I have today and I wouldn’t change any of it.

However, you can’t do everything forever, no matter how much you love the sport. My body doesn’t always like waking up and getting moving in the mornings. And as much as I’ve pushed myself throughout my career, it’s become harder to do all the little things that you need to do to be the best you can be, against the best in the world.

So many people have contributed to my career and success over the years. I don’t even know where to begin but I’ll give it a try.

Firstly to my family… my parents and my brothers Dominic and Daniel. It was a whole family affair going to tennis for weekend tournaments or coaching sessions. I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive big brother in Daniel who helped to guide me, especially as my parents didn’t even know how to score – how times have changed. And to Dominic, who got dragged along to my tournaments because he was the youngest, thanks for going with the flow. Mum and Dad who did everything they could to make my career possible and never once make me feel tennis was a burden or all too hard. It wasn’t just my heart and soul that went into this but all of ours and I can’t thank you all enough. I know you’ve all been with me every step of the way.

And to my own family, Liz and Evie. Having you both there along for the ride has been incredible. Liz, you have been amazing in always supporting and encouraging me to continue my tennis journey for as long as I felt I was able. You have helped me far beyond what you’ll ever know and I thank you for all you have given me. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today, on or off the court without you.

To my coaches, physios, strength and conditioning trainers and doctors, from my young years right through to now…..you have all played a huge part in my journey and I’m so fortunate to have learnt and grown under your guidance. And most importantly, I now have valuable friendships that will carry on far beyond the tennis years. You are all incredibly special and I thank you for your sacrifices to help me.

I have met amazing people around the world, from tour staff or housing families that took me in when I was first starting on tour, to my fellow competitors and partners. My sponsors who have been with me throughout my career, I have some very special memories with you all.

There are many others who have helped behind the scenes, it’s hard to name everyone but you know who you are.

Lastly, to you my amazing fans who have supported me from the stands or on TV. You are the reason we can go out there and play the sport we love and I am eternally grateful for you all. It has been such a pleasure and a joy to play for you all over the world and feel your love. There is truely no better feeling than playing in a packed stadium, no matter where in the world. This is something I’m absolutely going to miss and why it makes it even harder to step away. I’m going to miss you.

It’s been an adventure to say the least and I’m so grateful for this wonderful ride.

Carlos Alcaraz wins first Masters in Miami, confirms wonderkid status

April 4, 2022 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Carlos Alcaraz wins his first Masters title in Miami and hereby confirms that he is the new wonderkid in tennis. Alcaraz beat Casper Ruud in straight sets 7-5 6-4.

By winning the Miami tournament Alcaraz is the 2nd youngest player to ever win a Masters title. Only Michael Chang, (Toronto, 1990) and Rafael Nadal (Monte Carlo, 2005) were younger when they won a tournament in this highly prestigious category in professional tennis. The Masters tournament are directly placed under Grand Slam tournaments.

Alcaraz, who is of this week is the number 11 on the ATP Tour rankings, also reached the semi finals of the Indian Wells tournament, another prestigious Masters’ tournament and also considered to be the fifth Grand Slam, gave all he got and then some in Miami to win the third title of his career.

Alcaraz, who was born in Murcia, Spain was pleasantly surprised by coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who went back to Spain due to the passing of his father.

Alcaraz has a rusty start

Alcaraz did not want to disappoint his Ferrero with whom he has been collaborating in 2019, and may have felt some pressure because he was off to a rusty start with a lot of unforced errors.

Casper Ruud, who also played his first Masters finale like Alcaraz, happily took advantage of the bad start of the Spanish youngster. The Norwegian, number seven in the world, took a 4-1 lead but Alcaraz rejuvenated his game and took the first set with 7-5.

Alcaraz put more variety in his game and dominated Ruud. The Spaniard took a quick 3-0 lead in the second set and won the set and match swiftly by hitting matchpoint on a lovegame.

Alcaraz became the youngest Miami tournament ever and broke the “Spanish curse”. Sergi Bruguera, Carlos Moya, David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal (5x) also reached the finals of the prestigious Miami tournament but there never was a Spanish winner.

A tribute to Juan Carlos Ferrero

“Eduardo always with us,” he wrote on the lens with a heart before acknowledging his coach’s gesture of attending the final in his speech. “Juan Carlos came yesterday, it’s a tough moment for him and I want to say thank you to him for coming to stay with me in this important moment for me, for my career,” the newly-crowned Miami Open said. “It’s pretty amazing to share this with you.”

When tennis turns toxic – Deuce

November 11, 2021 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

A special announcement for a new book called Deuce written by Tom Kernot. It is a story about the Wimbledon finals, a prize winner and a dark twist!

Dear Readers!
I am excited to let you know about DEUCE, my new tennis-themed Kindle short story. The book is free on Kindle until the end of this Sunday 14th November 2021. Please grab your copy at the links below (the story is available at all Amazon sites globally). I would be very appreciative if you could share this message with friends and family so they can also take advantage of the promotion!

WHEN TENNIS TURNS TOXIC. “Widowed tennis coach Tom Stanley and his three-year-old son Oli both have reason to be excited. It is the day of the mens’ final at Wimbledon and single mum Hannah and her daughter Amy, who goes to nursery with Oli, are coming round to watch the match. Tom has won a bottle of “DEUCE – Strawberries & Seeds”, a limited edition Wimbledon flavour from his favourite juice brand. The four of them enjoy sharing it but as the tennis gets under way, to Tom’s horror, he receives an alert that the whole limited edition batch was poisoned.”

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/DEUCE-Short-Story-Tom-Kernot-ebook/dp/B09KVHQHRS/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=deuce+tom+kernot&qid=1635933256&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KVHQHRS?pf_rd_r=N6KQEB4MZ2MPP197TX7N&pf_rd_p=6fc81c8c-2a38-41c6-a68a-f78c79e7253f&pd_rd_r=c94960d1-4979-4329-a8ae-2727d70faf85&pd_rd_w=V71z4&pd_rd_wg=5Le3K&ref_=pd_gw_unk

I don’t have a Kindle – can I still read it? Yes! Either 1) use the Kindle app for smartphone / tablet or 2) use Amazon’s Kindle Cloud Reader (if you select that option when you download the book, the story will open in a new tab in your browser).

Who is DEUCE suitable for? My stories have the usual traits you might find in any bookshop thriller. So, to be safe, I’d only recommend them for adults / 18+ year olds.

A snippet about me. I am a thriller writer and tennis player from Streatham, SW London. I’m 38 and live with my wife, three-year-old son and baby daughter. DEUCE is my third Kindle release. My wife works in the Foreign Office and the other books, The Sunlight Race and Sunlight in Jordan were inspired by postings to Tanzania and Jordan.
If you read DEUCE, I hope you enjoy it! And please do spread the word to others so they can grab their free copy!

Cheers,Tom

Indian Wells will be livestreamed in full on The Tennis Channel

October 5, 2021 by tennisbloggers 2 Comments

Tennis Channel and its affiliated platforms will be the only places to watch the prestigious BNP Paribas Open – known as one of the sport’s “Fifth Slams” – when it returns to Indian Wells, Calif., October 6-17, after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus due to the worldwide pandemic. This will mark the first time in the network’s 18-year history that it will be home to the entire event, from first ball to last. While Tennis Channel has held the lion’s share of live coverage for many years, in 2021 it will add championship weekend and all matches to its lineup.

The milestone comes with the BNP Paribas Open’s return to the tennis calendar after missing its usual place in March the past two years. On the eve of the 2020 tournament, with COVID-19 cases rapidly expanding in the United States, the cancellation of the event for the first time in its history was the first in a domino effect that saw the unprecedented shutdown of amateur and professional sports activity across the country within days for health and safety purposes. Though not being held in the springtime this year, the 2021 BNP Paribas Open in October is, for some, a long-awaited restoration of that original American sports-landscape loss and a much-needed balm.

From Opening Day Wednesday, Oct. 6, to Championship Sunday, Oct. 17, Tennis Channel will be the round-the-clock home of the BNP Paribas Open, with live 12-hour blocks most days followed by all-night encore replays. In all, the network plans 120 live hours of coverage on air, with another 145 hours of encores for close to 170 hours overall from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Streaming service Tennis Channel Plus will offer live men’s and women’s competition daily and on-demand matches throughout the event, including the opportunity for subscribers to choose from multiple courts each day.

Live coverage begins Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. ET, and will run through approximately 1 a.m. ET (complete schedule below). Encores will air from 1 a.m. ET to 1 p.m. ET. The schedule will be similar throughout the event, with telecasts starting every day at 1 p.m. ET other than Championship Sunday, Oct. 17, when the women’s singles final begins at 4 p.m. ET and the men’s singles final takes place at 7 p.m. ET.

Tennis Channel Live at the BNP Paribas Open will introduce each day’s coverage at 1 p.m. ET daily except for Championship Sunday, Oct. 17, when it will take place between the women’s and men’s singles finals. Hosted by announcer Steve Weissman (@steve_weissman), the hour-long show will feature commentary, opinion and special reports from on-air team members, along with interviews and guest appearances. The network’s on-site studio is based inside the tournament’s main court, Stadium 1, with a wide, glass backdrop overlooking the spectator viewing section on the lawn below.

Parent-company Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Bally Sports regional networks (RSNs) will also provide live coverage seven of the BNP Paribas Open’s 12 days, making more of the tournament available on television than ever before. Starting at 2 p.m. ET daily, from Thursday, Oct. 7, to Wednesday, Oct. 13, the RSNs will have access to four-hour blocks of exclusive matches from courts that will not appear on Tennis Channel. Fans will be able to choose between two different live matches on Tennis Channel or their regional sports network during these time periods.

On-Air Talent for the Tennis Channel

Combined, the members of Tennis Channel’s 2021 BNP Paribas Open on-air team have won 14 championships in the Southern California desert. Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova (@Martina), Jim Courier and Lindsay Davenport (@LDavenport76) return to the event in 2021 as Tennis Channel analysts. Navratilova won back-to-back singles championships in 1990 and 1991, while Courier took the singles and doubles crowns in 1991, and another singles title in 1993. Davenport claimed singles trophies in 1997 and 2000, and doubles victories in 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2003.

They will be joined by fellow analyst Chanda Rubin (@Chanda_Rubin), who won the event’s 1996 doubles championship. Former players James Blake (@JRBlake), Paul Annacone (@paul_annacone) and Prakash Amritraj (@PrakashAmritraj) are also back on Tennis Channel’s BNP Paribas Open on-air team. They will be joined by newcomer and current player Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard), who is recovering from shoulder surgery. This is Bouchard’s first time in Indian Wells as a part of the network’s analyst team. This summer she offered commentary for the network for the first time during coverage of events in Washington, Montreal and Toronto. Three-time ATP tournament winner Jan-Michael Gambill (@JanmikeGambill) has offered analysis for Tennis Channel multiple times in the past and will offer commentary for the Bally Sports regional networks’ matches at Indian Wells for the first time this year.
Brett Haber (@BrettHaber) is a longtime Tennis Channel host and announcer and will handle play-by-play responsibilities during the BNP Paribas Open. This is Hall of Famer Pam Shriver’s (@PHShriver) first time as a Tennis Channel announcer in Indian Wells. Along with Navratilova, she is part of the only women’s doubles team to win all four majors in a calendar year, in 1984. Former players Leif Shiras (@ShirasLeif) and Jason Goodall round out the network’s announcer lineup. Shiras will call matches that appear on the RSNs, while Goodall is in his first appearance with the channel at the event.

In addition to hosting Tennis Channel Live at the BNP Paribas Open, Weissman will anchor the network’s desk throughout the tournament.

Digital Tennis Channel broadcasts

Streaming service Tennis Channel Plus is available to everyone in the United States regardless of whether or not they subscribe to the television network, and will offer all BNP Paribas Open men’s and women’s matches live and on demand. Additionally, the network’s new Tennis.com website and app are free to anyone anywhere, and provide tournament information, scores, rankings, news, win-probability rates, head-to-head results, highlights, estimated start times, and scoreboard links to replays and live matches for Tennis Channel and Tennis Channel Plus subscribers.
The network’s social media team will offer behind-the-scenes looks at the tournament as well, and will work with Bouchard and other on-air team members to provide original videos, Instagram takeovers and exclusive fan-oriented content. Fans can stay tuned on Tennis Channel’s Instagram (www.instagram.com/tennischannel), Facebook (www.facebook.com/tennischannel), Twitter (www.twitter.com/tennischannel) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/tennischannel) pages, and Tennis.com’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/TennisMedia) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/Tennis) pages.

The Tennis Channel broadcasts the Rod Laver Tournament in full

September 22, 2021 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Tennis Channel will have complete, live coverage of the fourth edition of Laver Cup this weekend in Boston, underway Sept. 24-26. The event, postponed last year due to COVID-19, pits a team of Europe’s top tennis players against the rest of the world’s finest. Tennis Channel has been the exclusive U.S. television home of the competition since its inception in 2017.

The first match takes place Friday, Sept. 24, at 12:30 p.m. ET (complete schedule below). The network plans to show approximately 25 hours of live Laver Cup tennis this year, with another 20 hours dedicated to same-day encores each evening. Steve Weissman (@Steve_Weissman) will host daily lead-in show Tennis Channel Live at the Laver Cup, which runs ahead of each of the five Laver Cup sessions across three days. Announcers Brett Haber (@BrettHaber) and Noah Eagle (@NoahEagle15) handle play-by-play during the matches, with former players Paul Annacone (@paul_annacone) and Chanda Rubin (@Chanda_Rubin) offering analysis. U.S. doubles player Nick Monroe (@nickmonroe10s) will also comment for the network.

Hall of Famers John McEnroe of Team World and Bjorn Borg of Team Europe resume their playing-days rivalry at Laver Cup for the fourth time as captains of their respective squads. So far, the edge is entirely Europe’s, with Borg’s group taking the first three cups: 15-9 in 2017, 13-8 in 2018 and 13-11 in 2019. Laver Cup is an annual team-tennis event in late September that features six top-ranked players on each side and rotates between a European and non-European city each autumn. This year’s competition is based in Boston’s TD Garden, home of the NBA’s Boston Celtics and NHL’s Boston Bruins. Previous hosts were Prague (2017); Chicago (2018); and Geneva (2019).

Each day of Laver Cup competition features three singles matches and one doubles match, with the points value of winning each match escalating as the tournament progresses: one point per match on Friday, two on Saturday, three on Sunday. The first team to reach 13 points wins the Laver Cup. Friday and Saturday are separated into day and night sessions, with a single, four-match session on Sunday.

Team World has an American flavor again with John Isner (World No. 22) and Reilly Opelka (No. 19). Isner, who won the prestigious Miami Open title in 2018, was crowned champion in Atlanta this summer before reaching the semifinals at the Canadian Open in Toronto. This year Opelka – America’s top-ranked player and the tallest on Team World – reached the final in Toronto and semifinal in Rome, two of the tour’s prominent Masters events.

Their teammates include Canadians Felix Auger-Aliassime (No. 11), who reached the US Open semifinals in New York this month, and Denis Shapovalov (No. 12), who was a major semifinalist as well this year, at Wimbledon. Also on the team, Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman (No. 15) won the title in his native Buenos Aires this year and reached the French Open quarterfinals. Australia’s Nick Kyrgios (No. 95) rounds out the roster and, while not traveling to many events during the pandemic, has won six tour singles championships in his career and been ranked as high as No. 13.

Russia’s newly minted US Open-champion Daniil Medvedev (No. 2) is at the front of a Team Europe lineup that includes four of the five top-ranked singles players and six of the top 10. Medvedev’s exceptional season includes reaching the Australian Open final and winning the title in Toronto. Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas (No. 3) won Masters championships in Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Lyon, France; and reached the French Open semifinals this year. German Alexander Zverev (No. 4) won the gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo this year, and Masters titles in Cincinnati and Madrid, in addition to reaching the French Open and US Open semifinals.

Andrey Rublev (No. 5) won the ATP Cup for Russia in February along with Medvedev, and was a finalist in Cincinnati and Monte Carlo this season. Also on Team Europe, Italy’s Matteo Berrettini (No. 7) reached the quarterfinals at all four majors in 2021, and advanced to the final at Wimbledon. Norway’s Casper Ruud (No. 10) completes the field and has won four ATP titles this year while also reaching the semifinals in Madrid and Monte Carlo.

McEnroe’s younger brother Patrick, who captained the U.S. national tennis team to Davis Cup glory in 2007, serves as Team World’s vice captain. Similarly, Thomas Enqvist was captain of Sweden’s 1997 and 1998 Davis Cup championships, and will be Team Europe’s vice captain this year. Both were Laver Cup vice captains in 2019.

Tennis Channel’s Live 2021 Laver Cup Schedule

Date Time (ET)

Friday, Sept. 24

12:30 p.m.-5 p.m.

Day Session (Two Singles)

6 p.m.-11 p.m.

Night Session (Singles, Doubles)Saturday, Sept. 25

12:30 p.m.-5 p.m.

Day Session (Two Singles)

6 p.m.-5 p.m.

Night Session (Singles, Doubles)Sunday, Sept. 26

11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Day Session (Doubles, Three Singles)

Naomi Osaka joins HBO’s The Shop: Uninterrupted this Friday

September 21, 2021 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

The Sports Emmy^®Award winning series THE SHOP: UNINTERRUPTED returns with a new episode FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (9:00-9:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

Joining Maverick Carter are four-time Grand Slam tennis singles champion Naomi Osaka; actor, comedian and writer Wanda Sykes; NBA All-Star from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love; multi-platinum hip-hop artist Jadakiss;and the SpringHill Company’s chief marketing officer, Paul Rivera.

THE SHOP: UNINTERRUPTED, staged periodically throughout the year, offers conversation and debate between a unique ensemble of some of the biggest names in sport and entertainment. Past guests include Tom Brady, Jay-Z, Drake, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Lena Waithe, Diddy, Jimmy Kimmel, Patrick Mahomes, Lil Nas X, Will Smith, Megan Rapinoe, Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Rob Gronkowski, Stacey Abrams and former President Barack Obama.

THE SHOP: UNINTERRUPTEDis presented by HBO Sports and UNINTERRUPTED; executive producers, LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, Devin Johnson and Philip Byron; directed by Robert Alexander; produced by Kevin McGrail, Brandon Riley and Rob Roediger; co-executive producer, Camille Maratchi; created by Paul Rivera and Randy Mims.

Daniil Medvedev wins the US Open 2021

September 13, 2021 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Daniil Medvedev has won the US Open 2021. In two hours and 15 minutes Medvedev defeated ambitious Serb Novak Djokovic in straight sets: 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Medvedev is nine years younger than the 33 year old multiple Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic.

First Grand Slam for Daniil Medvedev

With his win, Medvedev has finally won his first Grand Slam tournament. Medvedev reached the Australian Open finals earlier in 2021 but lost to Novak Djokovic. Two years ago Medvedev also reached the finals of the US Open but lost in a thrilling five set match versus Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic, one match short of Calendar Slam

Novak Djokovic had great ambitions for 2021 and he doesn’t go home empty handed either. Djokovic won the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon. His goal however was to win the Golden Slam which consists of the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open and Olympic Gold. Something that hasn’t been done since Steffi Graf won it in 1988. So his ambitions incredibly high. However, Djokovic lost to Zverev at the Olympics in Tokyo and now to Medvedev.

Djokovic had the chance to become only the sixth person to win that rare Calendar Slam. Don Budge (1938), Maureen Connolly (1953), Rod Laver (1962 and 1969), Margaret Court (1970) and Steffi Graf (1988) went before him. Unfortunately for Djokovic, Medvedev played the match of his life. Wheelchair tennis players Diede de Groot and Dylan Alcott managed to get their Golden Slam. For wheelchair players the Golden Slam consists of all the Grand Slam tournaments + paralympic Gold.

Medvedev’s explosive start at the US Open 2021 finale

Daniil Medvedev’s win was not unexpected if you looked at the start he has had. He immediately broke Djokovic’ serve and managed to take advantage of Djokovic sloppiness but also forced his opponent into defense.

Djokovic never managed to break Medvedev’s serve and thus after 37 minutes Medvedev took the first set.

Djokovic got visibly frustrated after failing to cash in on two breakpoints in the second set and failed to do so again two games later. Medvedev held his composure at those crucial moments and cashed in on one of the breakpoints and took the second set.

Djokovic fights to hold back his tears

Medvedev only lost one set to Botic van de Zandschulp at the US Open 2021 managed to keep his serve in the third act of the match but didn’t shy away to show Djokovic who is king of the hill at the moment on the ATP Tour.

With the loss of the second set, Djokovic resistance appeared broken because Medvedev hit 4-0 at warpspeed. At 5-2 , the Russian got his first Matchpoint of the match but failed to cash it in due to a double fault and lost his service game.

During the changeover Djokovic fought to hold back his tears but in the ninth game after a few beautiful rallies, Medvedev cashed in on his third matchpoint and won the US Open 2021 which is also his first Grand Slam tournament title.

Medvedev apologizes to Djoker fans for taking away his dream

Medvedev showed true sportsmanship after he took the US Open title by apologizing to the fans for getting in the way of Djokovic’ ambitions of winning the Calendar Slam.

“I want to say sorry for you, the fans, and Novak because we all know what he was going for today,” he said on court after winning the championship. “Today maybe you were a little bit more for Novak, but it’s completely understandable.”

But before the match he also commented on the absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“I don’t feel the change of the energy,” said Medvedev. “I don’t care if Roger or Rafa is here. I want to win the tournament. It’s going to be tougher if they were here, and of course it would be tougher if they would be 30 years old. But I just want to do my best, so I don’t care if they are here or not.”

Botic van de Zandschulp is the revelation of the US Open 2021

September 7, 2021 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Botic van de Zandschulp has become the tournament revelation of the US Open 2021. Van de Zandschulp defeated world number 14 Diego Schwartzman in the fourth round of the US Open 2021 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 5-7, 6-1 and thus continues his fairy tale run.

And noone is more surprised than van de Zandschulp is himself. If you had told him a month ago that he would reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam then he would have gladly said “I’ll take it!” while shaking your hand.

After he defeated Schwartzman, he said he got a little nervous but after three and a half hours he still managed to pull in the win that was needed to set up a clash with Daniil Medvedev.

Van de Zandschulp is happy with his overall performance at the US Open 2021 so far. His serve is working well and his rally’s are constant. But most of all , his mental game is great. Van de Zandschulp has managed to deal with lost matchpoints in that fourth set of the match versus Schwartzman. A line he hopes to continue in the upcoming match versus Daniil Medvedev.

Former dutch greats praise van de Zandschulp

Former dutch great Marcella Mesker praises van de Zandschulp’s advancements at the US Open 2021. Mesker finds his tennis phenomenal and praises his core qualities: ability to score, stamina, light footwork and all the power of a man his size.

Next to that Mesker observes that van de Zandschulp’s tennis instinct is what makes his game so great. Volleys at the net, lobs, stop volleys and dropshots. And then another forehand or an ace. His game is so complete, she said.

Coach Schapers praises but remains critical of his pupil

Michiel Schapers praises his pupil’s recent performances but remains critical of his game. There are a lot of areas where his protege can improve himself. For instance his first serve is one of the areas that could use some improvement. It needs a little more slice, coach Schapers said. When his first serve fails then van de Zandschulp loses his cool. Calming him down is tough sometimes for van de Zandschulp’s team. But he managed regain his composure versus Schwartzman. Which is impressive.

When asked where he got his game from Schapers said that the best move the 25 year old made was rejoining the KNLTB, the dutch Tennis Association. From there on out his game improved over the past two years since rejoining.

But Meskers is of the opinion that he managed to flip the switch when he was quarantined at the Australian Open 2021. He was in solitary confinement because he was on a coronaflight. She is of the opinion that van de Zandschulp had confidence booster at that time and thought to himself: I can do this, I can beat players from the top 10 and top 20.

The US Open means you made it big, financially

And that is exactly the case for van de Zandschulp. He reached the quarterfinals which means that he has won $425,000 USD so far. A great amount of money because with that money you can sit back and make a plan of action to see where to go after the US Open ends. Whereever that is.

On top of that, reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open also means that your marketability goes up and van de Zandschulp will probably get a few endorsements.

What does he think of all this? “I have to say I think before the tournament no one expected me to reach the quarterfinals,” he said. “I think they’re amazed and, hopefully, proud.”

https://youtu.be/vwNlIpTVzaU