This week’s tennis news features an amazing Himalayan tennis journey and a long overdue “hot take” on Medvedev’s playing style. Another high-profile coaching split on the WTA tour and noteworthy wildcards for Indian Wells.
To Princeton from Tibet, one tennis player’s remarkable road: Nidunjianzan grew up playing tennis in Tibet. Or not exactly. Because there are no tennis courts in Tibet. This is partially because of the altitude. Tennis balls often deflate/explode on impact, which makes playing tennis a little tricky. Full Story: The Athletic
Daniil Medvedev is the fly-swatting enigma of men’s tennis: How does he get a ball over the net swinging like someone trying to smash a fly with a magazine in a small bathroom or return serves while basically leaning against the back fence? Full Story: The Athletic
Maria Sakkari splits with coach Tom Hill: Maria Sakkari and her coach, Tom Hill, are splitting up after working together for six years, including two Grand Slam semifinal appearances and a career-best ranking of No. 3. Hill wrote on social media Thursday that the pair is “ending our professional partnership but will continue to remain close friends.” Full Story: ESPN
Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki awarded Indian Wells wild cards: Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki have received wild cards for the WTA 1000 event. The tournament announced its main-draw entry list last week, which includes all of the WTA’s current Top 10. Full Story: WTA
Jenson Brooksby has suspension reduced by 10 months: The agreement to cut the suspension came after “new information relating to the circumstances giving rise to the missed tests” was submitted as part of Jenson Brooksby’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, the ITIA said Thursday. That appeal has now been dropped. The ITIA added that it determined, in consultation with the World Anti-Doping Agency, that Brooksby’s “degree of fault … should be reassessed.” Full Story: ESPN
Simona Halep sues supplement maker tied to doping suspension: Simona Halep is suing the Canadian company that produced a nutritional supplement that she believes led to her being handed a four-year ban for doping that could end her career. Halep is seeking more than $10 million in damages from Quantum Nutrition, which operates as Schinoussa Superfoods, after testing positive at the 2022 U.S. Open for Roxadustat, a drug often used by people with anemia. Full Story: ESPN
Tennis Industry Association (TIA) rebrands to the Racquet Industry Research Group (RIRG): The Tennis Industry Association (TIA) announces its transformation to the Racquet Industry Research Group (RIRG). More than just a name change, this evolution signifies a broader mission to provide research and data to the entire racquet sports community. Full Story: Racquet Sports Industry
Oklahoma State University Wins ITA Women’s Tennis Indoor Championship: Oklahoma State’s third-ranked women’s tennis team claimed the first ITA Indoor National Championship in program history with a thrilling 4-3 win over No. 5 Michigan in Seattle, Wash. Full Story: Big XII Sports Editorial Note: Why this story? It’s my alma mater.
As pickleball’s popularity soars with older participants, so do injuries: Bone fractures related to pickleball have increased 90-fold over the last 20 years, with most injuries occurring in adults ages 60 to 69, finds a new analysis presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in San Francisco. Full Story: UPI
Penguins’ Lars Eller all business with day job, but a tennis aficionado away from it: Lars Eller, a 15-year NHL veteran who is currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, he is also a tennis player with a story that started many years ago while growing up in Denmark. Full Story: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
‘Apples Never Fall’ Trailer Released: The Peacock streaming service has made a miniseries based on the Liane Moriarty book Apples Never Fall . The streaming service recently shared this trailer for the mystery drama series featuring Annette Bening and Sam Neill, who play a couple who run a tennis academy. Full Story: UPI Editorial Note: I reviewed the book in “Apples Never Fall” last May.
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 2/18-24 | Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships | WTA 1000 | Dubai |
| 2/19-25 | Rio Open Presented By Claro | ATP 500 | Brazil |
| 2/19-24 | Qatar ExxonMobil Open | ATP 250 | Qatar |
| 2/19-24 | Mifel Tennis Open by Telcel Oppo | ATP 250 | Mexico |
| 2/19-24 | Mexico Series Puerto Vallarta 125 | WTA 125 | Mexico |
