This Week's Drop Shots: October 6, 2020
“This Week’s Drop Shots” details the latest results, hot takes, and breaking news from around the tennis world in a quick and easy to read format.
It's October, and that means it's officially spooky season. As you roll up to the window of your local Starbucks to order that venti Pumpkin Spiced Latte, leaves now gently land on your car windshield. As you grab your drink, the calmness of the moment washes over you in the form of a brisk Fall breeze, and all seems peaceful in the world.
Then, you watch this earth-shattering cracked racquet video, and the chaos of our current reality sets in.
Next stop — your living room couch to watch the second week of Roland Garros. Typically players would descend on France in late May, but we all know by now that 2020 is anything but your typical year.
Before the final 8 square off for another major title, let's get you recapped on the last month of news from the tennis world.
Quote of the Week
"I worry about Andy Murray. I would love to hear him say why he is out there, giving us a false sense of hope that he is going to come back one day. Does he have a right to be out there taking wildcards from the young players?"
Mats Wilander
If those words have you muttering under your breath, you're not the only one. Mats Wilander hurled some highly controversial words around Andy Murray's comeback on the ATP Tour.
Wilander, a former world #1 and 7-time Grand Slam champion, believes Murray is doing a disservice to the game by continuing his quest. In Wilander's eyes, Murray is past his prime and should hang up the racquets.
Needless to say, this is a HOTtake from Wilander. And not a popular take at all. Nick Krygios, continuing his side hustle as a twitter troll, blasted Wilander following the comments. Murray's former coaches Alex Correjta and Dani Valleverdu also jumped to his defense. As did Chris Evert.
Wilander's comments are likely inspired by the lopsided loss Murray suffered to Wawrinka in the French Open first round. Though Murray may not be at the top of his game, he's certainly earned the right to go out on his own terms.
Tennis in the Bubble
Before 2020, tennis fans likely associated the word “bubble” the giant dome that covers indoor courts during wintertime. In a lot of places, it's the only reliable way to practice when the seasons change. But in 2020, when you hear the word bubble, your mind automatically goes to the lengthy list of precautions and protocols put in place to ensure an event’s safety.
The Testing Ground
After several false starts, pro tennis finally returned to in New York City at the Western & Southern Open and US Open. Around the world, the tennis world held its breath to see if tournament organizers created an effective bubble strategy.
TL;DR they did.
Both tournaments went off without a hitch. Though a few players tested positive for Covid-19, most players lauded the steps taken to ensure safety. For some players, the steps were overboard, though, and they felt an extreme sense of isolation.
No Djok
If you didn't see it with your own eyes or watch the replay, it may still be hard to believe the words, but trust me it happened.
Novak Djokovic was defaulted from his Round of 16 match against Pablo Carreno Busta. How in the world did that happen? After an error-ridden stretch late in the first set, Djokovic swatted a ball back in anger. Usually such a minor outburst isn't a problem, but when that ball hits an official it is. There's no leeway — it's an automatic default.
An unfortunate outcome for Djokovic, as he was the clear favorite to win the title. But it's an important lesson for all players to remember that your anger can get the best of you at any point in time, regardless of who you are. Thankfully, the lines person wasn't seriously injured.
Who took home the hardware?
Frank Franklin/AP
Serena Williams clawed her way to the semifinals. A series of slow starts had her on the ropes in the early rounds, but she managed to battle back each time. In the semifinals, she looked poised to vie for her 24th major title after she breezed to the first set. But an in-form Viktoria Azarenka took the W in three sets.
In the finals, Azarenka continued her superb level of play. She coasted to the first set before Naomi Osaka found her groove and captured a second US Open title. While Osaka let her racquet do the talking on the court, off the court she used her platform to advocate for social change.
On the men's side, Dominic Thiem and Sascha Zverev squared off as both players looked for their first major breakthrough. Thiem looked out of sorts early on, but Zverev faltered after going up a break early in the third set. With Thiem back in the match, he gutted out the third and fourth sets to force a fifth.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
In the deciding set, Zverev surged to a 5-3 lead but couldn't close it out. In fitting fashion, the players ended up in a tiebreaker. As both battled away cramps, Dominic Thiem held on just long enough to seal the victory.
Play Along With our DraftKings Aces of the Day
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Double Whammy
Usually it's a quick switch from slipping and sliding on the terre battue to slipping and sliding on the luscious lawns of Wimbledon.
But in the midst of a pandemic, the tables have turned. This year, players have to make the switch from the fast courts of Flushing Meadows to the slow, damp conditions of a fall French Open.
While I'll never complain about two Grand Slams taking place so close to each other, I'm interested to see how the players handle the adjustment. Though Rafael Nadal fell in the quarters of his return at the Italian Open, he's the perennial favorite any time he steps on a clay court.
Aces & Winners
Bianca Andreescu announced that she is taking the rest of the year off from competitive tennis. After bursting onto the scene and winning her maiden Grand Slam title, the young Canadian has been hampered with injuries.
Denis Shapovalov is on the cusp of the top 10 after a string of strong performances. Could his budding rap career be a cause for the consistent performance? Take a listen and decide for yourself.
At the end of the day, pro sports are a business, and tennis is certainly not an exception. Learn more about the ATP's bold plan to centralize resources and boost revenue. Shoutout to Stephanie Myles of Open Court for the scoop.
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