Mboko, Cincinnati and Jorts

Tour updates from August

Good Morning. Dear Nike - remember when Andre Agassi rocked a pair of jorts at the 1988 US Open? Bring them back. Now let’s dive in.

— Daniel Park

This fit goes crazy (Photo by PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty Images)

Tour News

Breakthroughs

There’s been two recent breakthroughs in the tennis world: one by a player, the second by a tournament. So without further ado:

The Hometown Hero

Photo Credit: Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press

This is already old news since Montreal wrapped last Wednesday—but Victoria Mboko’s run was way too good not to write about it. The 18-year-old Canadian turned a wild card into her first pro title, winning a WTA 1000 in her home country and capping it off by beating (her idol) Naomi Osaka.

Her draw was no gift: she took out four Grand Slam champions—Kenin, Gauff, Rybakina, and Osaka. And I don’t know what’s crazier—beating all of those players in the same tournament, or the fact that she started this year ranked 350, and is now inside the Top 30.

What makes her so dangerous isn’t just her groundies, it’s her movement. Mboko’s first step is lightning fast—she’s on the ball before you’ve finished your follow-through—and her recovery step is just as quick. That means she rarely concedes court position, elongates rallies, and steals a lot of points with her legs. It’s like playing someone who got two brand-new AA batteries installed during the changeover.

This wasn’t a lucky draw or one hot week. It’s the kind of breakthrough that hints at staying power. If it’s not the US Open this year, expect her to be a fixture in the second week of Slams for the next decade.

Cincinnati Open Debuts Revamped Venue

Source: cincinnatiopen.com

Road trip to Cincinnati, anyone? The Cincinnati Open just got a $260 million glow-up courtesy of Beemok Capital — led by Ben Navarro, better known in tennis circles as Emma Navarro’s billionaire dad.

The cash bought a brand-new sunken stadium, 10 fresh practice courts, park-like landscaping, and a massive pavilion where you can drop $22 on a cocktail and work on your Midwest manners.

Here’s what else I learned about the revamped venue from the WTA’s, Everything you need to know about the new Cincinnati Open:

  • 600 TVs around the grounds (Masters Event or Best Buy?)

  • 4,290 gallons of paint used in the renovation (should I bring my N95?)

  • 42,670 locally grown annuals for all my plant daddies out there

Players are just as awestruck. “Oh my god, it’s insane,” said Aryna Sabalenka. “It’s more space… you’re not, like, on top of another player.”

Sam Querrey is already predicting it’ll knock perennial winner Indian Wells off its perch for “Best Masters Event” this year. But even if it doesn’t, the upgrade is a clear investment in tennis’s future.

And if anyone’s game for the drive, I’ve got a Prius, a pretty good singalong playlist, and an open passenger seat. The Midwest awaits.

Trivia

Who is the tallest ATP player to become World No. 1 in the open era?

A. Andy Murray

B. Marat Safin

C. Gustavo Kuerten

D. Daniil Medvedev

Find out at the bottom!

Meet the Player

Katie Boulter

Photo Credit: Getty Images

From: Great Britain 🇬🇧

Best Slam Result: 3rd Round

Career High Ranking: 23

Fun Facts: Supports Leicester City Football Club + is engaged to Alex de Minaur

Game Analysis: Boulter’s game is easy on the eyes. Her technique is impeccable, she plays attacking, but measured tennis, and can rip winners off of both sides. That said, she could be a more aggressive mover, and improve on turning defense into offense.

Career Prediction: The 28 year old Brit is still on the rise. I think she cracks the top 20 and makes a slam quarters at least once.

Around the Net

Some of the best tennis content I found on the internet this week…

🎙️ One of the biggest differences between college tennis and the pro tour? World No. 98 Brandon Holt (Tracy Austin’s son) gives his take

🤔 Questions about the game from tennis’ newest fan Trinity Rodman (NWSL pro and gf of Ben Shelton)

🐂 The day that Nadal became Nadal, according to the Bryan Brothers

Thanks for reading!

Daniel 🤠

Answer

D. Daniil Medvedev

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Medvedev is listed at 6’6” on the ATP website, making him the tallest man to ever reach the top of the ATP Rankings. The Russian did a short stint of 16 weeks at the top spot in 2022.