The Latest Tennis News From Around the World
When you think of tennis, you may picture cloudless skies, the smooth court surface, crisp white outfits, and the thwack of the ball as it passes back and forth between opponents. Of course, there are many ways to enjoy tennis, but images like this come to mind when one thinks of Wimbledon or even the US Open. This is a gentleman or women’s sport. It’s cultured, revered, and much beloved by the gentry and even royals. Join us as we take a look at what’s happening in the world of tennis, globally.
Rafael Nadal
The Spanish player has been cautious of late, following his recent and persistent foot injury. The issue has already forced him to skip the Olympics, Wimbledon, and the Toronto Masters.
Having already skipped out on last year’s US Open, he is uncertain if skipping out on this year’s one might be the right decision. He has even gone so far as to admit that playing against younger players is more challenging than it once was. The heavyweight player knows that enjoyment is key to his getting the most out of the sport, and that is unfortunately what he feels is lacking for him at the moment.
We wish the Spaniard all the best and are hoping for a full recovery from his foot injury.
Naomi Osaka
This young and truly incredible player has recently made headlines for more than just her skills on the court. Naomi Osaka, four-time Grand Slam champion, withdrew from the competition recently due to concerns over the state of her mental health. Fans, unfortunately, had mixed reactions to this, but we believe that nothing is more important than maintaining a good mental state and we wish nothing but the best for Naomi as she works on herself in private, away from the public eye.
Not only has Osaka made headlines for her sudden withdrawal, but also, more recently, for her beautiful response to the current earthquake crisis in Haiti. Naomi stated that a tragedy like this really makes her take stock of her life and helps her feel incredibly grateful for the career she has made playing the sport that she loves. She has pledged all of her earnings from the ongoing Southerns and Westerns tournament to Haiti disaster relief. We applaud you, Naomi, and hope that your acts set a precedent for sportspeople all over the world to follow.
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Not only is his name famous in tennis circles, but now the name Stefanos Tsitsipas will go down in history for another reason: He has refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine unless it becomes mandatory. While the men’s ATP tour has been publicly advising all of their players to get vaccinated, Tsitsipas has refused. He has stated that he knows, at some point, he will likely have to get the vaccine but is adamantly against it unless it becomes an official requirement.
He is not the only anti-vaxxer in the tennis world– Roger Federer has also stated that he hopes the vaccine will not become mandatory but has declined to answer any and all questions regarding his own vaccination status.
Varvara Lepchenko
The American Lepchenko has officially been suspended for a violation of the anti-doping rule, as confirmed by the International Tennis Federation. The 35-year-old, who is currently 124th in WTA rankings, tested positive for metabolites of adrafinil and/or modafinil recently. All of these substances are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, so as of August 8th, Lepchenko is no longer allowed to play. The American does have the right to appeal and have her case heard by the chair of an independent tribunal. At the time of writing, she has yet to exercise this right.
Roger Federer
Roger Federer, long-time tennis great, has announced that he will not be competing in the US Open due to continuing health concerns. Unfortunately for Federer, he will need yet another knee surgery that will keep him out of any matches for some time to come. The 40-year-old, who is currently tied with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at 20 Grand Slams, wasn’t 100% clear on what the future holds for his tennis career. He has stated that he wants to stay healthy and wants to be able to stay mobile in the future, but to do this he must look after his health right now. He has also stated that he is aware that age plays a factor in recovering from big surgeries but definitely wishes to rejoin the touring circuit if he is able to.
Wrap Up
The world of tennis stops for no man or woman! Keep an eye on your favorite news outlet for more current news.