Out of the Slump

Good morning. Reminder that Sunday is Mother’s Day. May I suggest this 14K Solid Gold Tennis Racket Necklace? If that isn’t your mom’s thing, feel free to send it to me. My half birthday is right around the corner.

— Daniel

ATP

Out of the slump

Underneath all of the angry outbursts and occasional racket smashes is the cuddly golden retreiver Andrey Rublev. The 26 year old Russian won the biggest title of his career on Sunday, narrowly beating Felix Auger Aliassime in the final of the Madrid Open. Rublev was a highly unlikely victor; he was on a 4-match losing streak, hadn’t won a match since March 8th (45 days), and had such a bad sore throat at the beginning of the week that he had to eat baby food. Finally, I can eat my apple sauce without being judged.

In a press conference, Rublev mentioned that he didn’t have the energy to talk to himself on court, yell “C’mon!” or think much. He only had the energy to focus on hitting the ball, and said that singular focus was a huge part of his success this week. A nice reminder that over-thinking can often get in the way of performance.

After snapping a long streak of Ls, Rublev heads to Rome (ATP 1000), where he’ll look to add more Ws before Roland Garros.

Trivia

Tennis balls were originally white or black (whack), but then the ITF introduced the yellow tennis ball in 1972, since they were easier to see on tv. Which of the 4 majors were the last to adopt the yellow tennis ball?

1. The Australian Open

2. Roland Garros

3. Wimbledon

4. The US Open

WTA

Another one for the case

Hi, this is Iga Swiatek’s agent calling. I’d like to put in an order for a 4th trophy case on the main floor, close to the stairs. Oh, you deliver? Perfect. Thanks so much, bu-bye now. That’s what I imagine the call sounding like after Iga took home her 20th title in Madrid this past weekend. She beat Aryna Sabalenka in a 3 hour and 11 minute thriller, making her World No. 1 ranking pretty much untouchable, and improving her record against Sabalenka to 7 - 3 overall.

After the marathon match she started her interview with, “Well who’s going to say that women’s tennis is boring now, right?” Mic drop.

She heads to Rome (WTA 1000) this week, which accounts for two trophies already in her home.

Photo of the Week

Adios, Madrid

In what was likely his last time playing in Madrid, 5-time champion and countryman Rafael Nadal was honored by the tournament with a special tribute, and gave a farewell speech. When it’s all said and done, Rafa will still be very busy raising his young son, improving his golf game and reversing his headband tan of 20+ years.

Quote

“I couldn’t define what kind of move it was like; it was funny, so funny, but I wouldn’t say it was a comedy, but there was drama, but I wouldn’t say it was just a drama, and it had tennis, but it wasn’t a sports movie” - Zendaya on her new film Challengers

Go see it in theaters!

More News & Media

• The Madrid Open had an abnormally high number of players withdraw from the tournament due to injuries. Jannik Sinner (hip), Daniil Medvedev (hip), Carlos Alcaraz (forearm), Jiri Lehecka (unknown).

• Tennis Australia sent a warning letter to the ATP, expressing their frustration as the ATP considers scheduling a tournament in Saudi Arabia right before the Australian Open.

• Diego Schwartzman said that this will be his last season on the tour. The 2020 Argentine Sportsperson of the Year will retire in front of his hometown in Buenos Aires

• Watch Zendaya learn the serve +1 combo with her body double

• Check out this doubles team’s matching dog-with-sunglasses outfits

Thanks for reading!

DP 🤠

Answer: Wimbledon - they continued using the traditional white tennis ball until 1986.