Kyrgios saying to his team, without a hint of irony or sarcasm, that
@RafaelNadal
“is so lucky” — is one of the most unintentionally funny takes I’ve ever heard. So lucky he’s won 21 majors.
I just always assumed
@rogerfederer
already had a dog… in my head, it was a Bernese Mountain Dog that barks in 4 languages and has a barrel-keg of Lindt chocolate strapped to its collar.
#Dogerer
Even if Tennis Australia gave players incorrect advice about prior COVID infections being sufficient to trigger a medical exemption (which now appears to be the case, and which sucks), why didn’t the Aussie government decline
@DjokerNole
’s visa when he originally applied for it?
Question now becomes: where was the disconnect regarding the initial validity, and ultimate rejection of
@DjokerNole
’s medical exemption? Somebody gave him the green light to get on the plane. Did that person improperly approve him? Or did Border Force overzealously reject him?
There is NO indignity in
@serenawilliams
losing as she approaches the finish line. On the contrary, I find a certain courage in her willingness to confront her imperfection, as she gives fans one last chance to bear firsthand witness to her legend.
If you want yo debate how long
@RafaelNadal
can/should keep playing, fine — that’s your right. But let’s not do it because he lost 2 matches in a row on a lightning-fast, low-bouncing indoor hard court vs. top-10 opponents. Never been his jam. Not indicative of anything, IMO.
Even though we’ve known this was coming, I find myself unexpectedly emotional today. With zero hyperbole or phony reverence, I count myself lucky to have done this job during his time. From our first event on Clapham Common in ‘03, to our last interview. Thank you,
@rogerfederer
For all the talk of racket-slamming, and tennis ball-bashing, may I offer that I can’t think of two more admirable young athletes than
@felixtennis
&
@CasperRuud98
. Somebody taught them well — and not just tennis.
Foot and rib cage and Djokovic and Alcaraz notwithstanding, I cannot bring myself to pick anyone other than
@RafaelNadal
as the
@rolandgarros
favorite. One day he’ll retire, and at minimum 3 years after that, I might pick someone else.
The more I think about what Carlos Ramos did with verbal abuse penalty to
@serenawilliams
, the more I find it to be an abomination. No chance a man saying the same things would have been similarly penalized. No sport has done more for gender equity, but there’s more work to do.
.
@DjokerNole
’s statement did not address the
@derspiegel
reporting about the timestamp & numerical sequence discrepancies on the positive test, or why his unique test number originally appeared online as negative. Until that gets cleared up, I don’t imagine this is going away.
Annoying that
@andyroddick
is so freaking effortlessly good at yet another thing. Insightful & incisive commentary from Andy on today’s
@FTiafoe
vs
@cam_norrie
match on
@TennisChannel
w/Jim Courier &
@paul_annacone
. Hard not to learn something sitting in the middle of that group.
Here’s the biggest problem with Pickleball I’ve seen so far: I beat the head pro at my club tonight 11-0 — in the first singles match I ever played. And just to alleviate the suspense: I ain’t that good. As you were.
Saw this walking through the art fair today in Bethesda, MD… zoom in for closer look — it’s a captivating rendering of
@serenawilliams
constructed from California license plates. Artist is
@derekchristensenart
from Chicago.
So proud to stand with
@FTiafoe
today at the
@JTCCtennis
in Maryland as he launched the Frances Tiafoe Fund in partnership with the
@usta
Foundation. Frances is a great player — and an even better young man.
At the next Sports Emmys, I sincerely hope Jim Courier gets strong consideration for Outstanding Live Event Analyst. Working w/him, I know how in-depth his preparation is, but watching him each night in Australia underscored how well he serves the viewer. None better, IMO.
Today’s events underscore the difference between what a group of people are “legally required to do” and what they “should do anyway because it’s wise and considerate”. The difference between those 2 stances may now eliminate the tennis season.
@DjokerNole
(Get well soon Grigor)
As a tennis journalist, I am obliged to remain neutral on the outcome of matches... but I sure wouldn’t mind it if our sport’s career major titles leader was no longer someone virulently opposed to LGBTQ rights.
For 20 years, Dan Snyder has stood on the shoulders of Jack Kent Cooke and pretended to be tall. He has proven himself to be a petty, vindictive despot with substandard business instincts and no tolerance for hard truths. His decimation of this franchise is a stain on this city.
Kicking off our
@rolandgarros
coverage on Chatrier with the legend
@martina
— I mean, she’s only won 11 titles here. Enjoy the next 15 days on
@TennisChannel
. We sure will.
Gotta be honest... was an absolute pleasure having
@NickKyrgios
join us on
@TennisChannel
for the call of the ATP Finals today. Couldn't have been nicer and more professional. And great tactical insights having winning records vs. both
@DaniilMedwed
&
@AlexZverev
. Looking forward
The
@MiamiOpen
is a great visit every year — but this year is extra special… because
@Martina
is back! You inspire us now in yet ANOTHER way. Love you, partner.
Welcome to the team,
@CaroWozniacki
! You crushed it this week (BTW, that makes 7 former world
#1
’s on our
@TennisChannel
squad at Indian Wells — I like our chances in the Coachella Valley beer league!)
Someone needs to explain why the
@grigor_dimitrov
match was moved to Chatrier to start at 8pm with the
@DjokerNole
match to follow? I get wanting to keep next-round opponents on even rest, but you can't start 2 best-of-5's at 8pm and expect a reasonable outcome.
My work year comes to an end today. It is hard to sufficiently express my admiration & gratitude for the people I work for and with
@TennisChannel
. Their skill, humanity, dedication & good humor make me look better than I am. And they allow me the gift of loving my job.
#TCFamily
Hard not to have a fantastic 2 weeks in Miami when this legend is your partner. Thank you
@martina
for making me smarter every time we work together. And as usual, the
@TennisChannel
crew crushed it from first ball to last. (As did
@JRBlake
and his
@MiamiOpen
crew).
Holy crap, that’s ridiculous. Martina? Pedestal? Privilege? Few athletes in history have been robbed of more “earned privilege” than
@martina
. As a gay, muscular, eastern Euro female defector, Martina may have the single most valid perspective regarding social issues and tennis.
@christophclarey
@Martina
Easy for Navratilova to say sitting on her pedestal of white privilege. As somebody once said "The most dangerous place for a black person to be is in a white person's imagination". All unfolding here with Serena and her critics who are 95% white.
Heading home from my 10th
@rolandgarros
with
@TennisChannel
. Cannot overstate the grade of the mountain this crew scaled to make these 15 days happen — and they did it flawlessly. I am, as always, grateful to be a part of this kind, talented and dedicated family.
The slow, heavy conditions in October, plus the new heavier balls, and a closed roof for the final are really going hurt
@RafaelNadal
’s chances to — umm, nevermind. The king reigns supreme.
@rolandgarros
"I changed my mentality and I accepted that I need some help."
@Simona_Halep
stops by to chat with
@BrettHaber
and
@Chanda_Rubin
about what has changed since her memorable match against Konta here at the
#MiamiOpen
two years ago.
One of savviest & most proactive steps
@usopen
has taken to limit Covid spread is being used right now in
@benoitpaire
case — all tournament badges imbedded with RF locator chip. Organizers can trace movements of infected person to see whom he/she was near — at BJKNTC and hotel.
One thing that should come from this: referee should be able to consult video replay of incident before ruling on possible default. Current model where he/she ONLY talks to those involved is like a game of Clue trying to recreate the crime.
@usopen
@DjokerNole
#CSIFlushing
Company horn-tooting: a week has 168 hours;
@TennisChannel
broadcast live matches for 150 of them this week, incl. 72 hours straight, calling 6 tourns. from 5 countries on 3 continents, singles & doubles. Immense pride to be part of team that carries the flag for tennis 24/7/365.
What Steve Simon did today was a bold stroke of leadership & a strong statement on behalf of his constituent players. It is also in lockstep w/the Original 9’s mission of equality, opportunity & recognition for women in tennis. I hope the
@atptour
,
@ITFTennis
& IOC follow suit.
Better analogy might be, “if a rich guy buys all the previously public pools in your town and decides to keep them closed for large swaths of the summer, is he not doing a massive disservice to everyone who wants to take a swim?”
Fwiw had a tv executive make this (flawed?) analogy in defense: “if you buy a home with a pool, you don’t have to use it every day. ESPN outbid everyone. They can use their property however they want.”
We need
@martina
— and we need her in full throat. Seldom has the voice of a champion been so uncompromisingly fearless and truthful. She is a genuine force of nature and will undoubtedly meet and beat this challenge, as she has so often in life. Marty, you have my awe and love!
Look... the Serena/Ramos debate is NOT A BINARY PROPOSITION. People seek to place blame entirely on one party. The truth is, they both erred.
@serenawilliams
should have kep her composure after coaching warning AND Ramos should’ve defused and given soft warning on verbal abuse.
Hey
@rogerfederer
-- wishing you luck at our little school today. I know you're not accustomed to performing in front of big crowds, so have a good breakfast at Lou's and try not to worry about all the people watching you. We even put the ceremony on grass for you. You'll be
As a person who wears microphones as part of his job, I can say that I have never had to lie down to take one off. (or to tuck in my shirt afterwards). That is all.
My oldest son collects bobbleheads. Got these 2 in Rome last month: a globally revered icon of righteousness, imbued with a divine gift, to whom millions pray... and His Holiness Pope Frances.
@rogerfederer
It’s an honor to sit next to this legend every day — particularly today, as we walked down her (US Open) Memory Lane. It cannot be overstated what a transcendent figure
@Martina
has been/continues to be on the American sports landscape. U can cry on my shoulder anytime, partner!
"We have come a long way baby..."
@Martina
looks back on her time at the Open and reflects on her journey as an American tennis legend.
📺:
#TCLive
#USOpen
That’s a wrap on the 2018 tennis season for me. Heading home, reflecting on my good fortune to do this for a living and to work alongside such kind, dedicated, talented and hysterically funny people
@TennisChannel
. Can’t wait for 2019.
#RollMega
Time to dust this guy off. Paris-bound for
@rolandgarros
. About 10 pages of French government waivers and Covid test results along with it. Excited to see Paris in the fall for the first time on my 10th visit with
@TennisChannel
.
@EerieGreenSkies
@DjokerNole
What does nightclubbing with no masks and handshakes and hugs and Kids’ day and ball kids handling player towels and on and on.... have to do with players getting in shape?
Congrats to
@KAndersonATP
on making the
@Wimbledon
final. And congrats to
@JohnIsner
on being the warrior, sportsman and class act we all know him to be. Privilege to call that one between two worthy champions.
@TennisChannel
The news is out...
@TennisChannel
is now the EXCLUSIVE home of
@atptour
tennis in the U.S. — including all Masters-1000’s and the ATP Finals. The best IS yet to come!
That’s a wrap on the work portion of 2019. Another year of remarkable good fortune to work with such a talented, dedicated and kind group of people at
@TennisChannel
. It is a privilege to follow the bouncing ball around the world with you. Here’s to 2020!