Tennis Tips, Tricks And Gear
Baghdatis on Tsitsipas Loss: A Good Lesson for Future
The former Slam finalist says that Tsitsipas can learn a lot from his performance in Paris. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday May 30, 2022
Marcos Baghdatis, Former Grand Slam champion and mentor of Stefanos Tsitsipas tells Tennis Now that the Greek can learn from his difficult loss on Monday in Paris.
He also praised the performance of Holger Rune.
“Of course, I mean, pretty impressive,” he said of Rune’s win. “He reminds me a bit of Andre Agassi and taking the ball early, hitting very hard. And just use his more hand this drop shot.”
Baghdatis said that Tsitsipas has a lot to learn from his loss.
“Again, going back to that match, I think Stefanos, it wasn’t easy here at French Open,” he said. “He played four matches. I think he could have done better I think he wasn't in a good state of mind. And he wasn't at his best but still, I mean, well done for Rune.”
Baghdatis believes that Roland-Garros will provide Tsitsipas with more opportunities to win a Grand Slam.
“Definitely, I think that's a tournament that he can win,” he said. “I think he needs to learn from this year's tournament. I think it's very important to understand what went through in his mind in his game and why he had such a tough, tough tournament this year, and I think if you find the solution and see what you can learn from this tournament, I think it's a good lesson for the next few years.”
Sinner Sinks McDonald In Paris
It was far from plain sailing for Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros on Saturday, but the Italian found a way to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros for the third consecutive year.
The Italian overcame American Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-3, however, the match was far more testing for Sinner than the score suggests. The 20-year-old struggled with an upper leg injury throughout and was forced to save 10 set points in the second set before he eventually broke McDonald’s resistance and advanced after two hours and 50 minutes.
“I think both of us were not feeling well on the court, but I am very happy to be through and that I found a solution. I am not feeling 100 per cent, that is for sure,” Sinner said in his on-court interview. “But I have seen a solution. I served very well today in the important moments and I am very happy I broke him immediately at the start of the third set.”
The World No. 12 started brightly on Court Simonne Mathieu but started to be troubled by his leg when trailing 2-5 in the second set. However, in between regular treatment, he clawed his way back into the set and gained full control of the match as he opened his shoulders and hit out to overpower the 27-year-old, striking 40 winners.
Sinner now leads McDonald 2-0 in their ATP Head2Head series, having also defeated the American in the Washington final last August.
The five-time tour-level champion has now advanced to the fourth round in all three of his appearances in Paris. Sinner upset Alexander Zverev en route to the quarter-finals in 2020 before he lost to Spaniard Rafael Nadal. Last year he again fell to the 21-time Grand Slam titlist, but in the fourth round.
“I always feel well here in Paris,” Sinner added. “It is very special for me to play here and I hope you [the fans] come out in the next round because I think I need the support. Thank you so much.”
Sinner, who eliminated Bjorn Fratangelo and Roberto Carballes Baena in his opening two matches, will next play Andrey Rublev.
Earlier this season, Sinner reached the quarter-finals at ATP Masters 1000 events in Monte Carlo and Rome.
Badosa: Upsets Unsurprising
"The level is very high right now and you can lose against anyone," said third-seeded Spaniard after her second-round win.
By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, May 26, 2022
Family and friends encourage Paula Badosa to calm down and embrace her inner couch potato off court.
Rublev: ATP Has Toxic Relationship with Wimbledon
On court, an energized Badosa looks like a woman going places.
The third-seeded Spaniard sped through eight of the last nine points defeating dangerous Kaja Juvan 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 to advance to the Roland Garros third round for the third time in as many appearances.
Battling through a tough three-setter against Juvan, who was coming off the Strasbourg final last weekend, Badosa showed a third-set burst. She won three of the final three six games at love.
"I mean, these kind of matches give you a lot of confidence that I'm already like competitive again, fighting until the last point," Badosa said. "That's very important for me, because maybe I was struggling a little bit on that.
"Sometimes I don't want to complain or be that emotional on court, but sometimes I need it to give everything and to push myself. Yeah, today I think I was back on that competitive spirit, and I'm very happy about that."
It's a joy for Badosa to extend her Roland Garros journey given six of the Top 10 women's seeds failed to reach round three.
Seed survival 😅@paulabadosa makes her escape, shutting down Juvan 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 to claim a spot in the third round#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/KAuoWDtX3U
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2022
When Badosa looks at the Top 10-seeded competitive casualties of the clay—second-seeded defending champion, Barbora Krejcikova, Maria Sakkari, Anett Kontaveit, Ons Jabeur, Karolina Pliskova and compatriot Garbine Muguruza—she says the upsets are unsurprising due to the depth of the women's game.
"In this case, I'm more like, Okay, pay attention, because anything can happen. You saw it today," Badosa said. "Today I had to fight a lot to win the match.
"I think the level is very high right now and you can lose against anyone. There are surprises but they don't surprise me because I'm on tour so I know what you can find on court. Yeah, there has been a lot of surprises."
Then again six of the last 11 women's Grand Slam champions were maiden major winners, including Krejcikova in Paris last June and Emma Raducanu, who became the first qualifier in history to win a singles Slam at the US Open.
Given what we've seen so far, Badosa expects the unexpected to continue.
"Yeah, the surprises are coming and coming, and it's going to be always like that, because the level has raised a lot," the 2021 Indian Wells champion.
The lone Spanish woman left standing has a shot to regain the world No. 2 ranking with a repeat run to the quarterfinals.
Currently at No. 3 in the live rankings, Badosa will face a familiar face, Veronika Kudermetova, for a spot in the round of 16.
The 29th-seeded Kudermetova has beaten Badosa in three of five meetings, but the Spaniard has swept both of their 2022 meetings, in Madrid and Indian Wells.
Badosa is focusing on being more positive under pressure, and of course, to keep moving.
"What I'm trying to improve is to be kind to myself and always send these positive messages no matter what. It's something I'm really working on and that I did very well the first round," Badosa said. "Today I think I had very tough moments, and even though that I was maybe a little bit stressed,
"I was sending positive messages to myself. So I'm really happy about that, that I'm improving on that aspect. For me, that's more important than a win."
Photo credit: Getty
Not Quite the End for a Generation of Exceptional French Men
Richard Gasquet said he plans to play on with his career, and Gilles Simon will bid for his 500th win tonight in Paris. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday May 26, 2022
This week we witnessed the end of the brilliant career of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Roland-Garros, the legendary Frenchman finishing his loss to Casper Ruud in tears after his body let him down yet again. But a victory later on Tuesday by Gilles Simon, and words by Richard Gasquet have softened the blow some.
For this excellent generation of French men's tennis, it ain't over til it's over.
Gasquet and Simon, part of a generation of French players that also features Tsonga and Gael Monfils, have shown us that this generation has not finished winning matches on the circuit.
Gasquet, who was ousted by Sebastian Korda in straight sets last night in Paris, says he plans to be back at Roland-Garros next year, if his body – and ranking – permits it.
“I'll do my best to be there next year. I'm not sure about that, but we never know what can happen in tennis,” Gasquet, who owns 574 lifetime wins, said on Wednesday. “But I really feel like playing and I've won quite a few matches this year since the beginning of the season and I'm still in the top 100 so I'll try and keep playing until the end.”
Even so, 35-year-old Gasquet (ranked 70) is already looking forward to a career as a commentator.
“I'm really focused on my tournament, but I really like commenting on matches, so I'm really interested in how one can comment during matches,” he said, when asked of the fact that he plans to commentate for French TV during the second week. “So it's an experience, I take it as an experience, I'll see how it goes and I would like to see how it works and, you know, it doesn't stop me from practicing and/or preparing for other tournaments, but we'll see how it goes on TV or on air and, you know, I still enjoy watching tennis, so it will be a pleasure for me to do that.”
36-year-old Simon, meanwhile, will bid for his 500th career win on Thursday on Court Philippe Chatrier, against American Steve Johnson.
At his age, it’s getting harder and harder to expect to win.
“It was a crazy match, an unexpected win,” the World No.158 said of his five-set victory over Pablo Carreno Busta on Court Simonne-Mathieu on Tuesday. “I was more scared to be ridiculous today than hoping I would win this match.”
Meanwhile Tsonga, who plans to play doubles with Gasquet today if his body lets him, will be watching his compatriots from the sidelines as their careers wind down.
“For me, all the way was nice. All the way was, you know, good to live. Even the sad moment, even the difficult moment,” Tsonga said. “I spent so many good moments, and I think the most important for me was to live this with people around me and be able to share the sadness sometimes, the happiness.
“Yeah, what I will remember for sure, it's all the relationships I had with people around. Yeah, that's what will stay.”
ATP, IMG Launch Legends Team Cup
Tomas Berdych, Tommy Haas and Radek Stepanek are the first players to compete to the new event.
The senior circuit will launch a team tour this summer.
The ATP, IMG and Top 12 Group are partnering to launch a new series of tennis team events as part of the ATP Champions Tour.
More: Pavlyuchenkova Pulls Plug on Season
The Legends Team Cup – ATP Champions Tour will pit two teams of tennis legends against each other across three action-packed, competitive three-day tournaments, with the first event set to take place in Pula, Croatia from August 1-4th.
Eight-time Grand Slam winner Ivan Lendl and Wimbledon champion Pat Cash have been appointed as captains of the two seven-player teams that will face off at the three tournaments hosted in exclusive destinations across the world.
Alongside the non-playing captains, the first players to be announced for the series are two-time doubles Grand Slam champion Radek Štěpanek, former World No. 2 Tommy Haas, and Wimbledon finalist Tomáš Berdych.
The Legends Team Cup – ATP Champions Tour will announce the additional players over the coming weeks, with a team draft set to take place during the UK’s famous grass-court season, at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic’s ATP Champions Tour event at London’s Hurlingham Club. There, team captains Lendl and Cash will draft the full lineup of players into their respective teams, which they will go on to represent for the season. Locations of the second and third tournaments will then be revealed in the weeks leading up to the Pula event.
The Legends Team Cup – ATP Champions Tour will be played in spectacular venues at exclusive destinations for this one-of-a-kind series of events. The first location is Pula- Istria, Croatia, at the breathtaking Amphitheater, the second and grand finale sites will be revealed in the weeks leading up to the first event.
Each tournament day will consist of two singles and one doubles match, with the team with the most points at the end of the three days being crowned the winners. The teams will also play to become the series champions, which will be awarded at the end of the third tournament in November.
Željko Franulović, the Tournament Director for the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters for the past 17 years, will serve as Tournament Director for Legends Team Cup – ATP Champions Tour from July 1st.
Photo credit: Australian Open Facebook
World No. 2 Krejcikova Signs with Fila
Reigning Roland Garros singles and doubles champion was named WTA Most Improved Player in 2021.
Barbora Krejcikova will sport a new look in her tournament tennis return.
World No. 2 Krejcikova has signed an endorsement deal with Fila, the brand announced today.
More: Pavlyuchenkova Pulls Plug on Season
It's a major signing for Fila, which saw its top brand ambassador, Ash Barty, retire after winning her third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open last January.
Reigning Roland Garros singles and doubles champion Krejcikova has been sidelined with an elbow injury since she lost to Jelena Ostapenko in Doha last February.
However, in a release announcing the pact, Fila said "Krejcikova will make her Fila debut as the defending champion in Paris, sporting the brand’s new Center Court Collection."
Krejcikova practiced in Paris today. Wearing taping across her elbow, Krejcikova said she's looking forward to wearing Fila on court.
"It is an honor to step onto the court and represent a brand with such an iconic history in the game," said Krejcikova. “I am grateful to Fila for the support and the opportunity to join the elite group of athletes who have worn the brand. I look forward to working together as I take my career to the next level."
Krejcikova delivered an outstanding 2021 season that saw her capture three singles titles at Strasbourg, Prague, and most notably, her first major in Paris.
The Roland Garros triumph was Krejcikova’s maiden major singles title, making her the first Czech woman to win the title since Hana Mandlikova in 1981.
In addition, Krejcikova also captured the Paris doubles title alongside partner Katerina Siniakova, capping off a clean sweep at the year’s second major tournament.
The 26-year-old Krejcikova also registered her first career singles appearance at the Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara and closed out the year by earning two of the WTA Tour’s season-ending awards: Doubles Team of the Year (with Siniakova) and Most Improved Player. Krejcikova continued winning form into 2022, collecting the Australian Open doubles title alongside Siniakova this past January, before the elbow injury stopped her season.
Prior to signing with Fila, Krejcikova wore Head clothes and shoes.
Photo credit: Fila
Andreescu, Swiatek Talk Rome Face-Off
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek rides a 25-match winning streak into the Rome quarterfinals vs. Bianca Andreescu.
The first time Iga Swiatek met Bianca Andreescu on court it was a confidence builder.
When the pair square off for the first time as pros in the Rome quarterfinals on Friday, Andreescu will try to play streak buster.
Watch: Shapovalov Screams At Fans "Shut The F–k Up!"
World No. 1 Swiatek set up the clash of Grand Slam champions "winning ugly" against former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, 6-4, 6-1 today.
Reigning Rome champion Swiatek recalls her lone junior match vs. Andreescu as one that strengthened self-belief.
"I remember it was really tight. I remember it was Junior Fed Cup," Swiatek said. "It was kind of a breakthrough match for me because after that we beat Canada, we played against Russia and States. It was the first match I actually felt that I can do it and I can win with anybody, because she was also playing really solid game at that time."
"I remember I just was really proud of myself, yeah."
The 21-year-old Andreescu saved six of seven break points stopping Petra Martic 6-4, 6-4 in one hour, 43 minutes today.
Andreescu, who took down 10th-seeded Emma Raducanu in an opening-round clash of US Open champions, said this quarterfinal duel is a dream come true.
“I’m definitely very excited,” Andreescu told Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj afterward. “I usually don’t look at the draw before I play, but my coach before the first round said who do you want to play?
“I said is it Iga? And they’re like no. And actually, my second guess was Emma because I wanted to play both of them so I guess both of my dreams are coming true so I’m very excited.”
Photo credit: Getty
John McEnroe Academy Scholarship Tryout Set for June 11th
The goal is to award full or partial scholarships to JMTA programs at SPORTIME Randall’s Island.
New York area juniors can play their way to a scholarship at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy.
The John McEnroe Tennis Academy’s (JMTA) will host its 10th annual tryout and scouting combine for juniors on Saturday, June 11th, as SPORTIME on Randall's Island in New York City.
Watch: Shapovalov Screams At Fans "Shut The F–k Up!"
The goal of both the tryout is to award full or partial scholarships to SPORTIME and JMTA programs at SPORTIME Randall’s Island, starting in fall 2022. The event is a joint initiative of the Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP) and SPORTIME/JMTA. A 501(c)(3) charity.
JMTP strives to change young lives through its commitment and effort to remove the racial, economic and social barriers to success through tennis. Offering free tennis programs and means-tested scholarships to under-resourced young athletes from the NY Metropolitan area, JMTP provides a pathway to success through competitive tennis, leading to college scholarships, careers in the industry and, for a few, professional tennis careers.
Open only to players with tennis experience, ages 7-16, who do not currently participate in SPORTIME/JMTA programs, the tryout will take place on Saturday, June 11th , from 9-11 am, with check-in at 8 am.
Participants will be evaluated by a Selection Committee, consisting of SPORTIME/JMTA directors, coaches and leaders, including JMTA Co-Directors Lawrence Kleger and Patrick McEnroe, and, of course, John McEnroe. The tryout will include tennis and athletic drills, point/match play and athletic/fitness testing.
“We look forward to our scholarship tryout day each year, as it is an opportunity to meet new talented athletes," said JMTA Co-Founder John McEnroe. “Our mission is to provide access to the great sport of tennis to those who may not otherwise have that opportunity. I look forward to another great tryout and I urge anyone interested in learning more to be sure to attend on June 11th.”
The scouting combine will be held from 11 am to noon, with check-in at 10:30 am, on Saturday, June 11th, and is open to kids, ages 6-10, with little or no tennis experience, who currently excel in other sports and/or who demonstrate an above-average athletic skill set.
The combine is publicized throughout SPORTIME Randall’s Island’s neighboring communities, including East Harlem, the South Bronx and Queens, although participants from other neighborhoods are welcome. Participants will engage in a variety of physical tests and games, designed by SPORTIME/JMTA coaches, to assess objective, measurable capacities such as speed, strength, agility and hand-eye coordination. Other attributes such as attitude, concentration, energy and competitive spirit will be considered in the awarding of scholarships.
Scholarship winners for both the Tryout and the Athletic Scouting Combine will be notified at a later date. Means testing is a requirement for JMTP scholarships, so winners will be required to submit requisite financial information prior to approval. SPORTIME Randall's Island and JMTP are located at One Randall’s Island, in Randall’s Island Park, Manhattan.
For more information, parents of interested players/athletes can email scholarshipnyc@sportimeny.com or visit www.SportimeNY.com/JMTA.
Photo credits: Johnny Mac Tennis Project
Djokovic, Tsitsipas Praise Alcaraz In Rome: ‘He’s The Talk Of The Sport’
Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas enter the Internazionali BNL d’Italia after semi-final losses in Madrid, but both men are feeling good about their games in Rome. Both have also fallen victim to the red-hot Carlos Alcaraz in recent weeks, Djokovic in Madrid and Tsitsipas in Miami and Barcelona.
With the young Spaniard the talk of tennis following his second ATP Masters 1000 win at the Mutua Madrid Open Sunday, the World No. 1 and No. 5 were asked for their perspectives on his rapid rise during their Monday press conferences. Alcaraz is up to a career-high of No. 6 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, just behind Tsitsipas.
“He definitely is special,” Djokovic said, answering the first question of his presser. “Already he’s breaking a lot of records as a teenager, winning two Masters events this year, a couple of 500s. So far he’s the best player in the world, no question, this year with the results that he’s been doing.”
Tsitsipas made similar comments, revealing that he looks up to the Spanish star nearly four-and-a-half years his junior.
“His tennis is very impressive,” said the 23-year-old. “I think he puts a lot of energy into every single shot. He is quick. He has a good reaction time. He reads the game well. He inspires me a lot. I really want to be like him. I look up to him.
“I know he’s at a young, early stage of his career. I can see him becoming big in a very short time. I’d really like to get to the level he is right now. I think he’s one of the best players in the world, to be honest. He has proved it with consistent results, thriving in the biggest tournaments. There is nothing you can take away from that.”
Both Djokovic and Tsitsipas also commented on Alcaraz’s fearless mentality as he ascends to the top of the game.
“The way he was dealing with the pressure… In our match few days ago, how calm he was all the way till the [end] was impressive,” said Djokovic, who called the Spaniard “one of the main favourites” at Roland Garros. “He deserved to win the trophy. Everything about his game is really impressive. He’s a really complete player, can play equally well offensively and defensively. He’s the talk of the sport.”
Added Tsitsipas: “He plays very fresh and hungry, like has nothing to lose. It kind of reminds me of my early days when I was introduced to the ATP Tour. I didn’t really know what to expect along the way. I was just playing carelessly, completely free-spirited. It’s a nice thing to see.
“But with him in most of the draws, the lineup is getting even tougher. I will for sure have to work harder to get the results that I ever wanted.”
Djokovic will also be working hard to make sure he can level his ATP Head2Head against Alcaraz in their next meeting. After two strong weeks, reaching the Belgrade final and the Madrid semis in succession, the Serbian is edging closer to top form as he seeks a sixth title in Rome.
“I think it’s closer to [my] desired level every week,” he explained. “Madrid, even though I lost in the semi-finals, I still think I played really good tennis. Felt physically 100 per cent, even after an almost three-and-a-half-hour battle against Alcaraz. I recovered well the next day, was ready to go. That’s a positive and encouraging factor prior to Rome and also, of course, the big goal, which is Paris.
“I think I’m in the right direction. I know I can always play better, and I know that I’m very self-critical on the court. At the same time, realistically looking, I think the tennis, quality of tennis, level of tennis, is really high now. Hopefully I can maintain that level throughout this week and build, go deep in this tournament hopefully — that’s the goal — and come to Paris well-prepared.”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
Nadal: Adrenalized Alcaraz Nearly Unstoppable
"Carlos can win perfectly. I don't see any reason why he cannot win," Rafael Nadal said of Carlos Alcaraz's hopes vs. world No. 1.
By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, May 6, 2022
An adrenalized Carlos Alcaraz is practically invincible, says Grand Slam king Rafael Nadal.
A fired-up Alcaraz broke Nadal three times in the first set, suffered a fall to the court and a five-game slide in the second then recharged toppling Nadal 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 to reach his maiden Madrid semifinal.
More: Alcaraz Knocks Nadal Out
In a battle of the ages, the 19-year-old Alcaraz made history as the first teenager to defeat the king of clay on dirt.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion said when Alcaraz is firing on adrenaline fuel he's "unstoppable." Nadal asserts if Alcaraz can ride the adrenaline and minimize sloppy stretches of play he can upset world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in tomorrow's semifinals.
"Carlos can win perfectly. I don't see any reason why he cannot win," Nadal told the media in Madrid. "It's true that he cannot have the downside that he had on the second set, talking about today's match, but, well, it's true that Carlos plays a lot with adrenaline, with momentum. When adrenaline goes up, he's practically unstoppable, but then in some moments he commits errors, but it's logical because he plays with a lot of risk.
"It's his way of playing, and in that sense I think he has the level to be able to win anyone of the world. But what can happen tomorrow, we will see what happens."
World No. 1 Djokovic, who reportedly beat Alcaraz in a practice set earlier this week, praised the teenager's game and rise.
"Well, there is a lot of things that are special about him," Djokovic said of Alcaraz. "I mean, he has broken a lot of records as the youngest player, top 10, obviously in the recent decades, because we had some amazing champions like Michael Chang when he was 16, you know, won a slam and so forth.
"But, you know, nowadays we are not used to seeing somebody who is teenager and already getting to top 10 and playing on such a high level. His growth, his improvement, and his journey particularly the last six months has been amazing."
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
