Tennis 2025

Doubles is difficult to market if you can’t get marquee names involved. Wimbledon seems to be the exception as the fans take their seats for anything. The current style of women’s doubles with the one or two back format is really not as attractive as some of the old school all court doubles.

The US Open decision isn’t great for sure but mixed is increasingly an exhibition these last few years. The Australian Open had 8 local wildcards in a 16 draw which really cheapened it.
 
BoysForSeles said:
Doubles is difficult to market if you can’t get marquee names involved.
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I think this is partly the issue with marketing that the sport has, though - too much focus on "big names" rather than marketing the sport, or the tournament, itself.

Obviously a Federer or Serena is going to shift more tickets & get casual fans interested but players come & go, advertising is rendered moot with last minute pull-outs due to injuries etc.

I think there's definitely some mileage in utilising local tournaments, doubles skills, lesser events like Challengers etc to showcase that it's still worth attending even if there's no marquee names playing. Surely there's capability to come up with something around this for both tours at the least.
 
Ostapenko takes her career head to head to 5-0 versus Swiatek with a 6-3 6-1 destruction in the Doha semis. Iga had won the tournament the last 3 times she played so was on a good winning streak there.
 
Ostapenko is absolutely Iga's kryptonite now, made worse by Jelena clearly having one of her random GOAT weeks. I expect her to beat Alexandrova or Anisimova to win the title.
 
www.bbc.co.uk

Jannik Sinner: Italian banned for three months for doping

World number one Jannik Sinner accepts a three-month ban from tennis after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency over his two positive drugs tests last year.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk

Jannik Sinner has been banned for 3 months for doping.

The cynical side of me notes that this ban ends in time allowing him to play Roland Garros.

Hopefully Alcaraz can overhaul him for the number 1 spot in the meantime although I'm not sure who is defending what points in the coming months.
 
BoysForSeles said:
Ostapenko takes her career head to head to 5-0 versus Swiatek with a 6-3 6-1 destruction in the Doha semis. Iga had won the tournament the last 3 times she played so was on a good winning streak there.
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Iga's topspin on hardcourts really slots right into Penko's strike zone.It's crazy how bad that match-up is for her.
 
As for Jannik taking the ban, really barely means anything in the grand scheme of things considering it's right between AO and RG.

The only good thing about all this is that Zverev s still slamless.
 
It looks like Sinner will still have 9730 points when he returns, which is 1600 ahead of Zverev’s current total and 2300 ahead of Alcaraz. Alcaraz is defending 1400 points from the four Masters that Sinner will miss, so would need to win them all to take back the number one. Zverev is only defending 800 points so could probably get the number one with two wins and one other decent performance, but I think we could do without that.
 
Career title #3 & a return to the top 20 for Amanda Anisimova, who beat Iga's nightmare opponent Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets in Doha.

On the ATP the following (all unexpected) finals to play today:

Delray Beach - Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Miomir Kecmanovic

Marseille - Hamad Medjedovic vs Ugo Humbert

Buenos Aires - Francisco Cerundolo vs Joao Fonseca

Note the continued decline of my boy Daniil Medvedev, winning just 5 games against Medjedovic :( I hope he finds form again but I can see a tumble down the rankings, I think he has passed his peak.

At least he managed to squeeze out a Grand Slam title, it's looking increasingly unlikely that Sexy Casper or Tits will be able to do so.
 
Looking like Fonseca could be the real deal, wonder how high he can get this year.

After losing four matches in a row (apparently her worst losing streak to date?!), how nice of the tennis gods to be charitable and give Raducanu a first round against Sakkari in Dubai.
 
Jack Draper reaches the Doha final. Rublev is a tough but beatable opponent. Let's go for title number 3 Jack :disco:

Quite a week for Clara Tauson in Dubai after struggling with injuries in recent times. Dropped just 5 games against Sabs & then took out my girl Muchova in a tough semifinal. She plays Mirra Andreeva who has had an equally impressive week, taking out Iga & Rybakina.
 
Anyone enter the Wimbledon ballot this year? Any successes?

Still waiting to hear, but looking doubtful this late in the game 😞
 
jyxz said:
Anyone enter the Wimbledon ballot this year? Any successes?

Still waiting to hear, but looking doubtful this late in the game 😞
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I entered & as usual got NOWHERE

Got reballoted tickets for Day 2 last year due to paying for LTA Advantage so hoping that works out for me again.
 
Rumours of the Tits decline have been GREATLY EXAGGERATED. He just won his first ATP 500 title in Dubai after a previous 0-11 record in 500 level finals.
 
But he was playing FAA who was also widely known for losing his first 8 ATP Tour finals too… 😂 one of them had to win it.
 
cwej said:
But he was playing FAA who was also widely known for losing his first 8 ATP Tour finals too… 😂 one of them had to win it.
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Good point but considering his horrible recent form I was expecting him to lose long before the final.
 
Poor Emiliana Arango. Dream run as a qualifier to the final in Merida, only to lose by the dreaded 6-0 6-0 to Emma Navarro.
 
Sonay Kartal quietly coming to steal the British women's number 2 ranking from Radacanu after a great run at Indian Wells. Doubt she stands a chance against Sabalenka but good to see anyway.

Draper also doing well, beating new kid on the block Foseca and on the brink of becoming a top 10 player now. Whilst Djokovic's nightmare year continues.....
 
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passthatdutch said:
Sonay Kartal quietly coming to steal the British women's number 2 ranking from Radacanu after a great run at Indian Wells. Doubt she stands a chance against Sabalenka but good to see anyway.

Draper also doing well, beating new kid on the block Foseca and on the brink of becoming a top 10 player now. Whilst Djokovic's nightmare year continues.....
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Jack now into the semifinals after beating Taylor Fritz. Impressive progress from him so far this year, I don't think he'll beat Alcaraz in the next match but a win would be a slight shock but not totally unsurprising.

Haven't had a chance to watch any of it but the below semifinals all look interesting. Good to see a mixed doubles event included too.

Holger Rune vs Daniil Medvedev
Jack Draper vs Carlos Alcaraz

Aryna Sabalenka vs Madison Keys
Mirra Andreeva vs Iga Swiatek
 
Sardonicus said:
Jack now into the semifinals after beating Taylor Fritz. Impressive progress from him so far this year, I don't think he'll beat Alcaraz in the next match but a win would be a slight shock but not totally unsurprising.

Haven't had a chance to watch any of it but the below semifinals all look interesting. Good to see a mixed doubles event included too.

Holger Rune vs Daniil Medvedev
Jack Draper vs Carlos Alcaraz

Aryna Sabalenka vs Madison Keys
Mirra Andreeva vs Iga Swiatek
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Let's not forget Jack beat Alcaraz at Queens in the not too distant past, but I agree Alcaraz is the more likely winner. Jack has only played 3 tournaments year I think with great results at them all, definitely could be one of the players of the year if he can remain injury free.

Nice to see Keys backing up her slam win with some good results. Andreeva fulfilling her potential too this year it seems. Shame about her nationality.
 
passthatdutch said:
Let's not forget Jack beat Alcaraz at Queens in the not too distant past, but I agree Alcaraz is the more likely winner. Jack has only played 3 tournaments year I think with great results at them all, definitely could be one of the players of the year if he can remain injury free.

Nice to see Keys backing up her slam win with some good results. Andreeva fulfilling her potential too this year it seems. Shame about her nationality.
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Despite watching the entire match, I had already forgotten Jack beating Carlos at Queens :basil:
 
Sabs beat Mads 6-0 6-1. I didn't see it but apparently this was a Sabs masterclass rather than a Mads brainless implosion. Remind me not to piss Sabs off, sounds like a brutal revenge for Oz.

Meanwhile, Mirra beating Iga in 3 sets. Not a good look here when she smashes the ball near the ballkid.

 
Sardonicus said:
Sabs beat Mads 6-0 6-1. I didn't see it but apparently this was a Sabs masterclass rather than a Mads brainless implosion. Remind me not to piss Sabs off, sounds like a brutal revenge for Oz.

Meanwhile, Mirra beating Iga in 3 sets. Not a good look here when she smashes the ball near the ballkid.

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Iga started off so mentally strong when she came through to win her first couple of French opens and that period where she was unbeatable for about 35 weeks... the past couple of years that has changed, and she seems to be visibly irritated on court a lot.

Couldn't believe that scoreline in the Keys/Sabs match when I saw it. Aryna clearly out for revenge.
 
Would not have predicted a Draper vs. Rune final on the men's side, but I'm excited to be getting it! I think both Alcaraz and Swiatek were going for their third titles here, and you'd think these courts would favour their games, so I'm genuinely surprised by the recent results. At least Carlos has been winning tournaments elsewhere - it's a worrying look for Iga that she's gone title-less ever since the doping 'ban' (though I think she was playing great at the Australian and could well have won the whole shebang were it not for Keys playing the tourney of her life). Her mental game seems surprisingly brittle for a 5x Slam champ nowadays. I also feel that she was more exciting to watch during her first French Open run when she seemed to have a more fearless, variety-driven game. I wonder if she needs a reset. We'll learn more during clay season, I suppose.

How long has it been since Medvedev last won a title btw? Those drop shots in the Rune match were ludicrous.

Not sure how to feel about Andreeva. The talent is undeniable though. Best teenage prospect since...? The one thing that could get me on board is the fact that she is coached by 90s icon QUEEN CONCHI. :disco:

Draper's gonna hit the top ten after this tournament and isn't defending that much until grass, right? The only way is up! Nice to have a Brit scaling the heights again post-Murray.
 
old spice said:
Would not have predicted a Draper vs. Rune final on the men's side, but I'm excited to be getting it! I think both Alcaraz and Swiatek were going for their third titles here, and you'd think these courts would favour their games, so I'm genuinely surprised by the recent results. At least Carlos has been winning tournaments elsewhere - it's a worrying look for Iga that she's gone title-less ever since the doping 'ban' (though I think she was playing great at the Australian and could well have won the whole shebang were it not for Keys playing the tourney of her life). Her mental game seems surprisingly brittle for a 5x Slam champ nowadays. I also feel that she was more exciting to watch during her first French Open run when she seemed to have a more fearless, variety-driven game. I wonder if she needs a reset. We'll learn more during clay season, I suppose.

How long has it been since Medvedev last won a title btw? Those drop shots in the Rune match were ludicrous.

Not sure how to feel about Andreeva. The talent is undeniable though. Best teenage prospect since...? The one thing that could get me on board is the fact that she is coached by 90s icon QUEEN CONCHI. :disco:

Draper's gonna hit the top ten after this tournament and isn't defending that much until grass, right? The only way is up! Nice to have a Brit scaling the heights again post-Murray.
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Completely agree with all of this. Iga's fearless play and mental strength was what made her so great out the gate, but those parts of her game seem to be vanishing regularly now in the big movements. She very nearly lost against Osaka in R2 of the French last year too, was lucky to get through that and had she not, would now be 2 years without a slam title. As you say though, was unlucky to lose to Keysin Aus and the clay season will be the real test of where her mind is at.

Draper winning is fantastic although didn't see the match. He is up to 7 in rankings and if he wins this will be only a couple of match wins away from world number 5, which is very achievable. He would need a very good run at the French Open, and/or Wimbeldon to go much higher though.

Oh and I had no idea Conchita was coaching Mira. She may well win a slam within the year.
 
Medvedev last won a title at Rome 2023, & hasn't reached a final since Indian Wells last year. I hope I'm wrong but the decline seems very real.

So happy for Jack, what an insane scoreline though. Rooting for him to get over the line vs Rune & establish himself as a real contender.

I'm not convinced anymore that Iga will collect many slam titles outside of clay. Too many bad match-ups out there that have learned how to expose her weaknesses. Sabs now clearly the best & most consistent player across all surfaces.
 
I have a good feeling about the final as who Draper has taken out en route feels more impressive than who Rune has had to deal with. But you never know, as Holger doesn't have the pressure of playing for his first Masters title.
 
Draper with an absolute beatdown of Rune - what a fantastic tournament for him. Two top 5 wins and beating that smarmy little shit with ease is **chef’s kiss**

Mirra is just another level to anyone else of her age. When I watch her I can’t quite work out what is so good about her either but she just seems so brilliantly consistent and her mental game is beyond most players 10 years older.


I’ve actually always thought that Swiatek isn’t great when challenged hard - it’s just that she usually wins most sets 6-0 or 6-1. If it gets to 6-4 or closer it often feels like she is likely to crumble.
 
Jack! :disco: I have decided that this was all set in motion by my words of encouragement at last year's Aussie Open and his subsequent IG-stalking of me. Y'all can thank me when we have our second home-grown Wimby champ of the century sooner rather than later. 💅

But seriously, I figured all his physical issues would limit his ceiling to top 20 and occasional 500s rather than this. Great to see him put it all together. He must feel - correctly - that he has solid chances against the entire field from now until Sinner's return. I'm not expecting him to do much on clay, but I hope this is a springboard for more great things to come later in the season if the body holds up. Kinda wild that Draper and Cameron Norrie both have Indian Wells titles now whereas Sir Andy never managed it even once.

Rune's still young and seems less bratty than he used to. I'm sure he'll get back to winning big things soon as well.

I read that, besides Andreeva, there are only two other women who've taken out the world #1 and #2 back-to-back before they hit the age of 18 - Steffi Graf and Serena Williams. The hype machine is about to hit the stratosphere with this one. Credit where it's due though, that was a nightmare draw (almost a direct copy of Madison Keys' to win the AO) navigated with remarkable aplomb. I was unimpressed with her game when she first burst onto the scene, but something has clearly changed (Queen Conchi will know! :disco: ) and we're all gonna need to pay much closer attention moving forward.
 
I don’t see why Jack should stop at having solid chances ‘until Sinner returns’. If he can beat Alcaraz, he can beat Sinner on an off day too. There’s no one unbeatable in the top 10 (nor has there ever been!)
 
Eh. I apologise if it seemed like I was downplaying Draper's abilities + potential. I confess that I'd conjured imaginary match-up issues (the H2H with Sinner is actually 1-1, albeit with Jack's win coming back in 2021) and I'd misremembered last year's USO SF as being more of a blowout than it was. But what I was trying to get at is that there's a clear vacuum for all the guys on tour atm, given that the dominant #1 who's on a 21-match win streak is banned until we're on the natural surfaces (which is where he's a bit more vulnerable than on hardcourts). Factor in also that he'll be lacking match fitness upon his return, and the upcoming months offer a great window of opportunity that I'd like to see Draper take full advantage of. Get that ranking as high as possible and yes, catch Sinner on an off-day because you'd have to think that there'll be more of those than usual going into the summer.
 
Oh it’s less a concern about underrating Draper and more about overrating Sinner. I find Sinner so dull to watch and now with the ban as well I get fed up with him still being seen as the golden child - I’m really just wishing a downfall to him in a childish spiteful way 😂
 
Why am I getting deja vu re: this Sinner discussion and cwej's feelings about him haha! I side with those who enjoy watching him. Tremendous hitting, seems a really likeable guy, and I'm naturally drawn towards the introverted players (probably because I'm the opposite).

There's an old comment from Draper doing the rounds atm. It's from a few years back, and honestly, I probably need to quit judging individual sportspeople for their politics given that they're so frequently disappointing. But it makes me miss Andy Murray, who I enjoyed cheering for for many reasons beyond 'he's my countryman'.



Not saying he should be lambasted on social media for this as many are often too prone to do, but two racist rapists and JIMMY CARR? Oh, Jack...
 
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