Here’s a thing that World Number One and freshly crowned French Open Champion Iga Swiatek was asked in her press conference today. Presenting without comment because there are no words.
Hey tennis 👋🏻 I love you but please stop shafting women with your scheduling. It is entirely foreseeable that a men’s semi final will last longer than two hours, and a women’s final should start at a designated time, not ‘once the men are done with the spotlight’.
You have 3.7 million followers and are telling them an 18 year old girl who you didn’t know existed a week ago doesn’t have the mental toughness to be great, on the basis of a situation about which you don’t even have the full details? Shame on you.
I’m so desperate for women to play best of five sets at slams, but not to justify their equal pay 🙄, but rather because best of 5 is the ultimate format of the game, and women players plus fans of women’s tennis (which really should be all tennis fans) should not be denied it.
For me, Serena Williams is the greatest tennis player of all time. Not only did she win 23 Major titles, but she forced a reevaluation of how we perceive & value female athletes, particularly black female athletes. What a legacy.
I don't really understand people that don't like Andy Murray. But if there's any left after watching this then there's no hope for them. An extraordinary glimpse inside (literally, at one point) one of Britain's greatest ever sportspeople.
I live in fear of getting my period during a week when I’m presenting on TV. And that involves no strenuous physical activity, policing of my toilet breaks (unless working with a very diligent floor manager) or requirement to wear white. It’s time to talk about periods.
Listen to this.
Catherine went on to question why women’s menstruation is never talked about as a possible factor in discussions about top seeds losing in the women’s draw.
I’ve worked in tennis for 25 years and never thought of it, I’m embarrassed to say. Time to change that.
Ash Barty, gosh.
She leaves a cavernous hole in tennis - she had become the bar against which others tested themselves.
But I’m blown away by her bravery and self assurance. Good luck to her in whatever’s next, and farewell to the sliced backhand of dreams ❤️
@steftsitsipas
@raresgaitan
@GadzhiIman
Well it sounds like you’ve got it all figured out so I’ll leave it there. I only wish I had the privilege of not believing in the patriarchy.
To everyone that has said kind things about Saturday, thank you. It’s been the ultimate privilege to bask in Emma Raducanu’s reflected glow, and what a glow it is. Massive proud Mum vibes about the whole
@primevideosport
talent and production team. What a wild US Open ride.
I struggle with stifling heat at the best of times, but today I have my period, and I reckon it makes everything ~25% harder to deal with - aching, cramping, clumsiness etc. Probably worth bearing in mind when we watch women play tennis today.
For anyone wondering why Jo Konta might sometimes be defensive with the press, just take a moment to think what it might be like to have this inaccurate, vitriolic and sexist BS written about you, and whether it would make you feel inclined to bear your soul.
@steftsitsipas
@raresgaitan
@GadzhiIman
Hey Stefanos, modern feminist here 👋🏻. Just wondered what you’re basing this assessment on? How you’ve educated yourself on the female experience of life/the world? What your understanding of the patriarchy is? Happy to discuss anytime.
In a sort of victory for feminism, if you want to say that, 23-time Slam champ Serena Williams got ATP
#4
Dominic Thiem's press conference, already underway, booted out of the main
#RG19
interview room because she didn't want to wait for him to finish.
He was not thrilled.
Pam is not only helping coach
@DonnaVekic
to her greatest success in years, but as this brilliant piece points out, she’s also forcing tennis to confront a conversation that it sadly doesn’t seem ready to have. Keep going
@PHShriver
I should add, it was one question in an otherwise brilliant press conference. Thoughtful, pertinent questions from journalists and considered, insightful answers from Swiatek. Which is what the player, and the media deserves.
Who knew self isolation could be this eventful. One minute you’re watching Ozark in your pyjamas the next you’re on
@BBCNews
talking about the world number one being deported.
I think anyone who doesn't believe in equal prize money should have the guts to go to both Halep and Wozniacki's post final press conference, look them in the eye and explain why they are less valuable men. Dare you all.
Ps I’m loving Djokovic v Alcaraz as much as anyone. I just want to live in a world where women don’t pay the price for a great men’s match. Or a mediocre men’s match. Or really any men’s match.
FWIW I think sport should be continuing, with an adjustment in tone to reflect the mood of the nation. Sport is an escape, & a constant in a world of change. On
@primevideosport
and the
@TennisPodcast
we’ll be continuing to cover the US Open for those that do want to follow it.
Rome prize money next week. Same points, same status, same stage. The only thing that would make this bearable is if Taylor Swift wrote a song about it.
Tonight’s
@TennisPodcast
recording was delayed because I was making friends with a three legged cat. I hope you all understand. Day One
#AusOpen
pod up soon
I’m really pleased we live in a world where people make biscuits of Emma Raducanu, and I’m really glad I have friends that buy me Emma Raducanu biscuits for my birthday. However will I eat her?
There are so many millions of things to be said about this, but just for one.. in an age of toxic masculinity and rising male suicide rates, this is a powerful powerful watch. This right here is how to be a boy
@arobertwebb
.
@ChrissieEvert
As a British taxpayer, as far as I’m concerned he repayed his debt to us all when he was made to walk behind his mother’s coffin with the world watching aged 11. Good luck to him.
I haven't made them grandparents, but hosting a forum with
@BillieJeanKing
on gender equality in sport is my strongest play yet at making my parents proud.
For all those concerned
@TennisPodcast
listeners making enquiries, my phone is made of Raducanu-esque stuff. It lives to fight another day despite being on a spin cycle longer than Emma was on court.
Thanks
@WomensSport
for drawing attention to this. My answer is no, it’s not right and never has been for women. Wimbledon excel at implementing change while preserving tradition. It can be done if the will is there.
Genuinely exciting to have ATP & WTA tennis on the same UK platform for the first time I can remember. I'll be presenting both for
@primevideosport
alongside a team of gems, starting in Indian Wells. 🤗Ok, smug tweet over.
If you know someone that has racially abused England players, been violent towards Italian fans or tried to storm Wembley, and you think it’s not ok, tell them. Social pressure is such an important weapon. They’re more likely to listen to you then the perceived woke brigade.
The latest on the proposed WTA event at The Queen’s Club from 2025 - it rests on approval from the ATP, with players concerned about having to play on used courts the following week
Best of three for men and women week one. Best of five for both from 1/4s onwards. Two three set matches per session week one, one five set match per session for week two. A solution that solves multiple problems.
Leading the way after a record breaking short dance, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir interestingly reluctant to talk about tomorrow being their last dance together. Will be emotional either way.
#FigureSkating
#PyeongChang2018
Difficult to find words to pay tribute to an all-time great champion, athlete, competitor and feminist, but we've tried on the latest
@TennisPodcast
. Andy, you'll be missed terribly, and deserve a better ending than this.
It was a difficult story to hear, but also a privilege to be trusted with something so important. Thank you, Pam for sharing such a painful and personal experience. It will undoubtedly provoke thought and change.
We have some exciting news!
For the first time, you will be able to watch The Tennis Podcast - Live from
@Wimbledon
.
The show will stream live on YouTube each night from the grounds at Wimbledon, and then be available as a podcast.
Read the full story -
You know that wonderful feeling when a brilliant writer writes something that reflects everything that’s in your brain but you could never adequately express? That’s what
@barneyronay
has done today. Thank you Barney and please everyone give this a read.
So perfect that this happened on the night that tennis’ future thrust itself into the present. The future was only ever possible because of the Original 9. What a night indeed!
The Original 9 members in attendance at the
#USOpen
were honored on Arthur Ashe with rings to recognize our induction into the
@TennisHalloFame
.
The important history of our sport and the exciting next generation, all in one place.
What a night!
Looking forward to the next time i hear the argument that women's tennis just doesn't have the 'stars' of the men's game at the moment, hence less prize money & exposure. Most TV networks will be unable to broadcast one of the women's SF's tomorrow. Good luck creating stars.