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Mutua Madrid Open To Be Played Online From Home

  • Posted: Apr 06, 2020

Mutua Madrid Open To Be Played Online From Home

ATP Masters 1000 tournament to be played via video game

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prevented the 2020 Mutua Madrid Open from taking place from 1 to 10 May and forced the ATP and WTA to postpone all activity on their tours until 13 July, the organisers of the only ATP Masters 1000 and WTA Premier Mandatory event in Europe have announced the creation of the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro, an innovative tournament that will be a virtual replica of the tennis competition, with the world’s biggest tennis stars squaring off from their own homes. The news means that the biggest ATP and WTA stars will clash in the Manolo Santana Stadium, recreated in exquisite detail in the Tennis World Tour video game, while swapping their racquets for a game controller.

“Since we announced that the Mutua Madrid Open would not take place on the dates planned, we have been working on ideas for bringing tennis to the fans”, said Feliciano López, the tournament director. “The birth of the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro highlights the tournament’s technological, youthful and innovative side, which has been one of its hallmarks since it began in 2009 and it is fitting for the current circumstances. We have organised a tournament for the professional players that is as true to the conventional Mutua Madrid Open as possible, without them having to leave their homes. And its goal is not just to entertain; we want to do our bit during this period, which is so difficult for everyone.”

“The Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro will be a first-of-its-kind for the ATP Tour, providing an exciting and new way for players and fans to connect and engage with our sport”, said Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman. “This is a win-win for all – the Mutua Madrid Open, the players, and the fans. We are particularly pleased that funds raised from this initiative will contribute towards supporting the wider playing group, which is critical during these challenging times.”

“The Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro is a unique and creative way of engaging the WTA athletes and their fans during this unprecedented time,” stated Steve Simon, WTA Chairman and CEO. “The WTA would like to thank and recognize the event for putting this initiative together. We look forward to the virtual game, which can serve as a fun source of entertainment while at the same helping to bridge a gap until live tennis returns, while also providing opportunities to help those players in need during this challenging time.”

The Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro will take place over four days, from 27 to 30 April, in a show of solidarity to raise money and help the tennis players most in need during this time, all those that have no income to help them through these months of inactivity, and those affected by COVID-19.

To do so, the tournament will include a purse of 150,000 euros in both draws (ATP and WTA), from which the winners will be able to decide on how much they donate to the tennis players currently suffering economically, and an additional 50,000 euros that will all go towards reducing the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The format for the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro will be as follows: 16 singles players in each of two draws (ATP and WTA) initially divided into four groups. The champion of each group will progress to the quarter-finals, which will also include the runner-up of each group. From there (quarter-finals, semi-finals and final) the tournament will be played as a knock-out. In addition, in parallel with the official competition, there will be a series of benefit matches that will see some of the biggest content creators in the gaming world take on the professional tennis players to raise funds to help those affected by Covid-19, thanks to the participation of Webedia, the leading group in digital entertainment.

“We’re delighted to be working together with the Mutua Madrid Open on an innovative and pioneering project in the world of tennis, the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro”, said Antony Dumas, CEO of Webedia. “We can take that which cannot happen on the real courts to the virtual courts. At Webedia we are working hard to translate the expertise we have in the digital world to the world of conventional sport and we are sure that the tournament will be a success.”

“We’re very happy to participate in this Mutua Madrid Open initiative with our game Tennis World Tour”, said Carlos Rosales, the general director of Nacon Gaming España. “In this period of confinement and virtuality, the world of tennis is sending out a very powerful message of strength and optimism, values that we share at Nacon. Real sport and its virtual simulation are coming together during this enforced break. Thanks to the Mutua Madrid Open for giving us the opportunity to participate in this innovative international project that will open an as-yet-unexplored road for many other tournaments.”

All fans will be able to follow the tournament online, on television and on the Mutua Madrid Open’s social media, with a spectacular production that will include commentary on all the matches, analysis and highlights programmes and interviews with the winners after each match.

The Mutua Madrid Open organisation will soon announce the list of participants, as well as other news on the competition.

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Relive Federer & Nadal's First Battle

  • Posted: Apr 06, 2020

“The World No. 1 leading the way behind the man who very might well become the World No. 1 one day.”

That was the commentary as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal walked on court for their third-round match in Miami 16 years ago. There was a sense of anticipation. Federer was the top seed and No. 1 player in the FedEx ATP Rankings and his opponent, Nadal, was World No. 34 at the tender age of 17.

“He has already proven himself at his age, to be ranked as good as he is. I think he’s already actually proven that he’s a great player,” Federer said before the match. “He doesn’t right now need to beat all these top players just to show them that in three years’ time he can be No. 1 in the world and win Grand Slams. I think all he needs is time.”

[TTV FEDAL]

The pair actually played one another in doubles at the previous event, Indian Wells, with Nadal and Tommy Robredo defeating Federer and Yves Allegro in three sets. But the Swiss was still the favourite, even if he knew he’d face a stiff challenge.

“I think he’s put a lot of hard work into his game,” Federer said. “I think he’s enjoying his tennis. That’s exactly what he should do. We’ll see how strong he will be in two years. But the start to his career so far has been incredible.”

Nadal had already played big matches, including a third-round clash against Lleyton Hewitt in the third round of that year’s Australian Open. Federer didn’t sense any nerves from the Spaniard.

“In the beginning maybe a little bit, when you walk on court. I think he’s kind of a little bit shy on court. He looks at me as an incredible, great player,” Federer said. “I just felt more of a respect level than nerves.”

[TTV CLASSICS]

Nadal showed he was unafraid of taking the match to the more experienced Federer. The lefty used his heavy forehand to keep the top seed from attacking, putting more pressure on Federer to play more aggressively from less advantageous positions, which led to errors in key moments.

Nadal jumped at every opportunity to hammer his forehand cross-court at Federer’s backhand at Crandon Park. The 17-year-old did not face a break point, winning 75 per cent of his service points in a 6-3, 6-3 triumph against Federer, sealing his upset after just 70 minutes.

“I’m very happy because I played one of the best matches in my life. Obviously, he didn’t play his best tennis and that’s the reason why I could win,” Nadal said. “If he had played his best tennis, I would have had no chance. But that’s what happens in tennis. If a player like me plays at a very, very good level and a top player like Roger doesn’t play his best tennis, I can win.”

Nadal felt he had to take Federer out of his game, and he did just that, allowing the Swiss to win just 62 per cent of his first-serve points, while the Spaniard won 79 per cent of points on his own first delivery.

“I played almost perfect tennis today, because I was playing inside the court, dominating the exchanges and pressing him so he couldn’t play his game,” Nadal said. “I served extremely well today, probably I never served like this in my life. That was really the key.”

[TENNIS AT HOME]

Federer was complimentary of Nadal before they stepped on the court, and so there wasn’t a moment during the match when he was taken aback by his opponent.

“I’m not surprised. I’ve heard a lot about him and saw some matches of him,” Federer said. “I think this is not a big surprise for everybody.”

It took just one match for Federer to recognise a pattern in their ATP Head2Head series that would prove defining for years to come.

“He doesn’t hit the ball flat and hard. It’s more with a lot of spin, which makes the ball bounce, bounce high, and that’s a struggle I had today. I tried to get out of it, but kind of couldn’t,” Federer said. “I thought in the beginning I maybe wasn’t going for my shots enough, where in the end I thought I was hitting the ball better. But I felt the match maybe kind of went his way, and he hit some really incredible shots.”

Federer and Nadal have since played 40 times at tour-level, with the Spaniard leading their series 24-16. From their five-set final in Miami the following year to the 2008 Wimbledon championship match and plenty more epics, they have gone on to craft a legendary rivalry that nobody will soon forget.

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Five Things To Know About Taylor Fritz

  • Posted: Apr 06, 2020

Five Things To Know About Taylor Fritz

Learn more about the 22-year-old American on and off the court

Taylor Fritz has steadily raised his level and his FedEx ATP Ranking. From reaching an ATP Tour final as a teenager to competing in the 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, Fritz has proven he has plenty of game.

ATPTour.com looks at five things you should know about the 22-year-old:

Tennis At Home | How ATP Players Make The Most Of Stay At Home

1) Fritz has made history
At 2016 Memphis, an 18-year-old Fritz became the youngest ATP Tour finalist since Japan’s Kei Nishikori (18 years, 50 days) at 2008 Delray Beach. Fritz finished 2016 as the youngest player inside the Top 100 of the FedEx ATP Rankings, earning recognition as the ATP Star of Tomorrow presented by Emirates.

In 2019, he made his breakthrough, winning his maiden tour-level title in Eastbourne, where he defeated Sam Querrey in the final. 

“It’s just an amazing feeling. I can’t even describe it,” Fritz told ATPTour.com at the time. “After waiting what feels like so long to win a title after almost winning when I was 18, over three years ago, it is just great to finally win.”

He is currently the No. 2 American, trailing only John Isner. Fritz is at a career-high World No. 24, which he first achieved on 2 March following a run to his first ATP 500 final in Acapulco. The 22-year-old beat Isner in the semi-finals at that event, ultimately succumbing to Rafael Nadal in the championship match.

2) He has high ambitions
Fritz broke into the world’s Top 25 when he was still 21. But the American is hungry to continue his climb.

“I just feel like I’m nowhere near where I want to be or where I should be,” Fritz said during the off-season. “I want to keep wanting to get better, wanting to beat more people, wanting to be higher-ranked.”

Fritz has always been a hard worker, but he is relentless in finding new ways to improve. He recently began cleaning up his diet — like eating egg whites with avocado for breakfast — among other things.

“Maybe before, the little stuff didn’t make that much of a difference. But I feel like now, for me to keep moving forward, I need to really commit in pretty much every single way, so I’m just trying to do everything I can,” Fritz said. “I think my mindset every morning is just to train as hard as I possibly can so when I get done that day, I could believe that I outworked everyone else.”

3) Fritz is a dad
In July 2016, Fritz married Raquel Pedraza, who played at all four junior Grand Slams as a player. Their first son, Jordan, was born on 20 January 2017.

Jordan does not travel to every event, but he was at last year’s Newport Beach Challenger when Fritz lifted the trophy, setting up the American for a big run in 2019.

4) Tennis runs in his blood
Fritz’s father, Guy Fritz, a former pro, was Taylor’s first coach. But Fritz’s mother, Kathy May Fritz, also helped build her son’s game. She was a Top 10 player and won seven WTA Tour titles.

“I’d say she’s a cool mom,” Fritz said.

When Fritz was 12, he competed in a prestigious mother-son event with his mom at a local club.

“One of the biggest mother-son tournaments in the country just happened to be in San Diego where I live. So, it was easy, we would just play it,” said Fritz. “My mom was a former Top 10 player and she still played a lot, so she was, for sure, the best mom in the competition.

“I was only 12 years old, so her and I were probably at a very similar level. She might have been better than me at the time. We were playing against a lot of college guys and older guys, so it was tough for me, but we got to the quarter-finals.”

5) He has a big interest in esports
With prize money, FedEx ATP Rankings points and career goals in mind, the stakes on the tennis court can be very high. That’s why Fritz likes to relax off the court by doing something completely different – playing video games, especially FIFA.

Not only has Fritz gotten to compete with gaming star Ninja, but last off-season he invested in ReKTGlobal, an esports business.

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Miami Final Highlights Reel: From 2010-19, Relive How The Titles Were Won

  • Posted: Apr 05, 2020

Miami Final Highlights Reel: From 2010-19, Relive How The Titles Were Won

Djokovic vs Nadal, Murray vs Ferrer decided in third-set tie-breaks

From Andy Roddick’s triumph in 2010 to Roger Federer’s in 2019, it’s been a memorable decade at the Miami Open presented by Itau. Sit back and enjoy championship match highlights from the past 10 years at this ATP Masters 1000 tournament:

Over the past decade, Novak Djokovic led the way with five Miami trophies in a six-year span (2011-12, ’14-16), defeating Rafael Nadal (twice), Andy Murray (twice) and Kei Nishikori in the title matches. He called the 2011 final, where he prevailed against Nadal over three hours and 21 minutes, “one of the best finals I ever played in in my life”. 

Murray also came out on top in a memorable final, saving championship point to deny Spaniard David Ferrer in 2013. Meanwhile, Federer and Nadal continued their rivalry as they clashed for the 2017 title — exactly 12 years removed from their first-ever meeting in a final. Federer, at the age of 37, celebrated another triumph in 2019 at the tournament’s first edition at Hard Rock Stadium. 

Watch Federer and Nadal’s greatest encounters

In between Federer’s titles, 32-year-old American John Isner became the oldest first-time ATP Masters 1000 champion when he fought past Alexander Zverev. “To win like that in front of a crowd like that, with that atmosphere, you can’t replicate moments like that,” said Isner. “It was absolutely amazing.”

Year Winner Runner-up  Score 
2010 Andy Roddick  Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-4
2011  Novak Djokovic Rafael Nadal  4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) 
2012 Novak Djokovic  Andy Murray  6-1, 7-6(4)
2013  Andy Murray  David Ferrer  2-6, 6-4, 7-6(1) 
2014  Novak Djokovic Rafael Nadal  6-3, 6-3 
2015  Novak Djokovic Andy Murray  7-6(3), 4-6, 6-0 
2016 Novak Djokovic Kei Nishikori  6-3, 6-3 
2017  Roger Federer  Rafael Nadal  6-3, 6-4 
2018 John Isner  Alexander Zverev  6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4 
2019  Roger Federer  John Isner  6-1, 6-4 

Due to the global outbreak of COVID-19, the 2020 Miami Open presented by Itau did not proceed as scheduled.

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How Thiem, Djokovic & Co. Balance The Risk-Reward Of Return Placement

  • Posted: Apr 05, 2020

How Thiem, Djokovic & Co. Balance The Risk-Reward Of Return Placement

Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers shows how returning to an opponent’s forehand produces surprising success

We return serve the most to Position C, but win the least. We return serve the least to Position A, but win the most.

When Dominic Thiem upset Novak Djokovic 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(5) at the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals, Thiem peppered Position C with 26 returns, winning 58 per cent (15). This better-than-average performance returning to this specific location was a key component of his stunning victory.

Thiem reached the final in London, losing 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-6(4) to Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek returned seven times out wide in the Deuce court to Position A, winning five (71%). It was the only location to which he had a winning percentage.

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Where to target your return of serve is a dilemma that returners at all levels of the game wrestle with as they battle risk and reward of returning to forehands or backhands, and middle or wide. An Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers analysis of four specific return locations – A. B, C, D – identifies hot spots in the following three areas:

•Which location attracts the most returns;
•Where the returner wins the most points;
•Where the server commits the most Serve +1 errors.

The analysis is a snapshot of 1003 returns in play from 10 recent ATP matches (see chart at bottom of story). The data set included only right-handed players for continuity.

1. Most Returns Go To Position C
More than one-third of all returns were directed back down the middle of the court to the server’s backhand wing to Position C. Forty per cent (397/1003) were hit to Position C, with the main goal of avoiding the server’s more powerful forehand wing, while also not getting too close to the doubles sideline in Position D. Overall, 67 per cent (672/1003) were hit to the Ad court, trying to make the server hit a backhand shot as their Serve +1 groundstroke.


Percentage Of Returns Hit To:
•Position C = 40% (397)
•Position D = 27% (275)
•Position B = 24% (237)
•Position A = 9% (94)

This strategy weighed heavily in Thiem’s three-set victory over Djokovic at the Nitto ATP Finals in the round-robin stage. Overall, 46.4 per cent (71/153) of returns for the match went to Position C, which was the most from any match in the data set. Thiem won an impressive 57.7 per cent (15/26) of return points he hit to Position C, while Djokovic only won 28.9 per cent (13/45). Djokovic’s hot spot was returning to Position D, where he won 80 per cent (20/25).

2.Returner Wins More In Position A
Position A has very specific roles in a rally. It’s not a place to rally to; that honor goes to Position C. But it is a place to finish. Overall, most forehand and backhand winners are directed to Position A. It’s a location to go for the “knock-out” punch after rallying to Positions C and D earlier in the rally.

Percentage Of Return Points Won When Return Hit To:
•Position A = 62% (58/94)
•Position D = 48% (132/275)
•Position B = 47% (112/237)
•Position C = 43% (171/397)

When Jan-Lennard Struff upset Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(2), 7-5 in Dubai earlier this year, he won 86 per cent (6/7) when he made a return to Position A.

3. Most Serve +1 Errors Are In Position B
The first thing to recognise is that the backswing on forehands is significantly bigger than the backswing on backhands. It takes more time to complete and get organised. Most Serve +1 errors occur in Position B, because the forehand backswing can be pressured by time. Both Positions A and B have a significantly higher percentage of Serve +1 errors than Positions C and D.

Most Serve +1 Errors
•Position B = 15.2% (36/237)
•Position A = 14.9% (14/94)
•Position C = 11.6% (46/397)
•Position D = 10.2% (28/275)

The most Serve +1 errors in B in the data set was seven between Kyle Edmund and Felix Auger-Aliassime in Acapulco earlier this year, with Edmund committing five and Auger-Aliassime committing two.

Want to play it safe? Return to Position C. Want to force a Serve +1 error? Return to Position B. Feeling aggressive? Aim at Position A. Want to mix in a surprise to keep the server off balance? You still have Position D for that as well.

10 Matches In The Data Set (1003 Returns)

Year

Event

Round

Match

2020

Dubai

R32

Struff d. Bautista Agut 7-6(2), 7-5

2020

Dubai

QF

Tsitsipas d. Struff 4-6, 6-4, 6-4

2020

Acapulco

R16

Edmund d. Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-4

2020

Rotterdam

F

Monfils d. Auger-Aliassime 6-2, 6-4

2019

ATP Finals

F

Tsitsipas d. Thiem 7(6), 6-2, 7-6(4)

2019

ATP Finals

RR

Thiem d. Djokovic 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(5)

2019

ATP Finals

RR

Federer d. Djokovic 6-4, 6-3

2019

Paris

SF

Djokovic d. Dimitrov 7-6(5), 6-4

2019

Paris

QF

Dimitrov d. Garin 6-2, 7-5

2019

Shanghai

F

Medvedev d. Zverev 6-4, 6-1

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How Kiefer Is Doing His Part In Coronavirus Support Efforts

  • Posted: Apr 05, 2020

How Kiefer Is Doing His Part In Coronavirus Support Efforts

Learn about the German’s efforts to spread the word about masks

Former World No. 4 Nicolas Kiefer has found a unique way to help during the coronavirus pandemic, as the company that produces his clothing label pivots to producing masks.

Kiefer has been working with Holger Gartz, a textile producer and refiner, whose company is based in Kassel, Germany. That company produces Kiefer’s own clothing label, NK #kiwifash — based on Kiefer’s nickname — which typically makes casual and tennis clothing.

But when the coronavirus began spreading, Gartz approached Kiefer and said they had to find a way to help. Gartz had the idea of producing reusable masks, an idea Kiefer fully put his support behind. Those masks are now being sold, online only, mainly in Germany, but also throughout Europe.

“I was immediately enthusiastic and told him that we can also distribute these masks through my channels to reach more people,” Kiefer told ATPTour.com. “That’s running pretty good and it’s nice to see what support we’re getting from the people, and they’re happy we’re producing them in Germany.”

Tennis At Home | How ATP Players Make The Most Of Stay At Home

Kiefer says that there are too few masks on the market, which is why they are pushing to make these available. The reusable masks are made by hand, are washable, and can be personalised with a name.

“I couldn’t imagine something like this would happen. It’s pretty sad that the virus came and is doing so, but on the other hand it’s great to support and help the people,” Kiefer said. “Holger’s company could produce 300 to 500 masks a day. He’s looking for more and more people who could sew. It’s pretty important and pretty serious.”

Kiefer first met Gartz at a golf tournament “many, many years ago”. The six-time ATP Tour champion and 2004 Olympic doubles silver medallist told Gartz about his dream to have his own fashion line and label, and they went from there, launching NK #kiwifash in October 2018.

Watch over 165 classic ATP Tour matches from the 90s

Kiefer’s golf collection was supposed to come out last week, but he is more than happy to put that on hold to help to promote the distribution of masks. Municipalities and social services are being prioritised, but Europeans can purchase the mask through Kiefer’s online shop.

Kiefer says one thing this shift in direction is allowing for is more work for Germans, as the more people there are to sew, the quicker masks can be made.

“Because of this virus, [people in Germany] are only allowed to work part-time. The companies don’t make so much profit anymore, so they can’t afford it, and the people can’t have full-time [jobs],” Kiefer said. “They had to cut people, but in this situation he gets people from part-time work to full-time jobs. This is outstanding, I think.”

In ordinary circumstances, Kiefer is a coach at SCC Berlin, one of the biggest clubs in Germany, where he works with the junior program and plays on the men’s over-40 team, which won the German championships last year. He was supposed to be in Thailand now in his role as brand ambassador for the Robinson Club. Kiefer was scheduled to be in Turkey in a few weeks, but all the clubs have closed.

“I am particularly sorry for the children,” Kiefer said. “They are hungry [to play] and have a lot of fun and enjoy their time on court.”

Kiefer is trying to stay in shape at home using freeletics, as he was working towards participating in the “Big Six” marathons in Tokyo, Boston, London, New York and Chicago. He has already completed the Berlin marathon.

“What is really important is to stay disciplined. Especially in this time, sometimes you get lazy and it goes day by day. You need to have the discipline to wake up in the morning and have a program for the day, otherwise it’s going to go the wrong way,” Kiefer said. “Doing nothing and eating, not moving, so what is very important right now is to do any kind of sport exercises. You have to move your body.”

Kiefer is looking forward to a time when people can go outside, but for now his message is to focus on remaining healthy and listening to the government.

“They should try to stay home. If they go out, use a mask, stay healthy and try to be positive and look forward. We have to accept the situation how it is right now. It’s a big challenge, but also a big chance for the whole world. It’s a big challenge for the economy,” Kiefer said. “We have to slow down. This grounding can be good, if there can be anything good in the current situation. It’s good to reflect on everything a little bit and that we are healthy. We have to see the positive things right now.”

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Djokovic Supports Nadal, Tsitsipas Cooks: Tennis At Home Roundup

  • Posted: Apr 04, 2020

Djokovic Supports Nadal, Tsitsipas Cooks: Tennis At Home Roundup

ATPTour.com looks at what your favourite players have been up to

Your favourite players are all back at home, but they’re finding plenty of ways to keep busy. From Novak Djokovic stepping up for Rafael’s Nadal fundraising campaign for COVID-19 relief efforts, to Stefanos Tsitsipas brushing up on his cooking skills, find out how the biggest names in tennis are spending their days.

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Djokovic is the latest player to join Nadal’s #NeustraMejorVictoria campaign with six-time NBA All-Star Pau Gasol. The initiaive, which forms part of the #CruzRojaResponde (Red Cross Responds) project, aims to raise €11 million and help citizens in need during this health emergency

Tsitsipas has been working on a perfect skill for staying at home.

Karen Khachanov has been experiencing weather extremes in Moscow.

Stan Wawrinka sent a message of encouragement to his fans

Tennys Sandgren appears to be influenced by the Netflix series Tiger King.

Vasek Pospisil is the latest player to join the fun on TikTok.

Robert Farah has been spending plenty of time with his dogs.

Edouard Roger-Vasselin is finding ways to keep up his volleying skills.

Brayden Schnur took time to thank medical professionals and other essential workers for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

Tennis At Home | How ATP Players Make The Most Of Stay At Home

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Tennis At Home Open: Nadal's Intense Backyard Rallies

  • Posted: Apr 04, 2020

Tennis At Home Open: Nadal’s Intense Backyard Rallies

Spaniard delivers the fun on social media

Rafael Nadal is finding creative ways for a competitive outlet while staying at home. The Spaniard and his sister, Maria Bel, shared their backyard tennis skills in a social media post on Saturday and proved that just about anything can work as a net.

The rallies featured several volley exchanges and even a tweener from the World No. 2 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. They were both in a generous mood and still kept one of the points going after he used his hand to block a backhand from Maria Bel.

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Nadal has been spending plenty of time working on the #NuestraMejorVictoria campaign he launched last month with six-time NBA All-Star Pau Gasol. The initiative, which forms part of the #CruzRojaResponde (Red Cross Responds) project, aims to raise €11 million and help citizens in need during the COVID-19 health crisis.

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Novak Djokovic, Roberto Bautista Agut, Feliciano Lopez and David Ferrer are among the ATP Tour players to donate to the campaign. WTA players Garbine Muguruza and Carla Suarez Navarro have also contributed.

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How Ruud Said 'No' To Temptation & 'Yes' To National History

  • Posted: Apr 03, 2020

How Ruud Said ‘No’ To Temptation & ‘Yes’ To National History

Learn about how Ruud has channeled childhood focus into ATP Tour success

Growing up, Casper Ruud said ‘no’ to temptation and ‘yes’ to national history.

The 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals qualifier earlier this year won the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires to become the first Norwegian to earn an ATP Tour title. He also ascended to No. 34 in the FedEx ATP Rankings in February, the highest standing of anyone in his country’s history. But Ruud’s journey has not come without sacrifices.

“When you turn 15, 16, your friends maybe start to party a little bit and you’re maybe tempted to try to go once or twice, but I never did it. I never touched alcohol. Those are choices normal people may think are a bit tough or hard to say no to going out or being with friends,” Ruud told ATP Uncovered presented by Peugeot. “Every weekend in Norway, it’s usual to go to your cabin or summer house or whatever the season is, but every weekend me and my father went out to the courts and played at least six, seven hours. I think those were the kind of choices that made me a step ahead of my competitors, in Norway at least, for some years.”

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It helped that Ruud had a role model to look up to in his father, Christian Ruud, who reached the second-highest FedEx ATP Ranking of any Norwegian in history: World No. 39.

“He was the guy who put Norway on the tennis map a little bit… we had a small tennis court in our garden, so he took me there to play ever since I could walk,” Ruud recalled. “I was really young and I did a bunch of other sports as well, but eventually tennis was the one I enjoyed the most. When I was 12, I put all the other sports aside and focussed only on my tennis.”

Although the elder Ruud enjoyed success on the ATP Tour, he knew that didn’t guarantee the same for his son, and he made sure Casper maintained his focus.

Watch over 165 classic ATP Tour matches from the 90s

“My father is a very nice and funny guy, but also strict whenever we’re on court, and strict with me always trying to do the right choices and being serious, even from a young age,” Ruud said. “I think it’s paying off a little bit now at least. I’ve taken a lot of choices and decisions that weren’t always as easy, but I had to do it because of my career.

“It was tough sometimes to get up on Saturday and Sunday and train for three, four hours… my father also guided me and advised me to do it, I believed in him, and it’s been paying off, and of course I’m very grateful now.”

Ruud’s home base since September 2018 has been the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, so it’s fitting that the 21-year-old looks up to the Spaniard and how he carries himself on court.

“I think that I would be happy if people called me humble, a good fighter,” Ruud said. “I look up to Rafa a lot and people know him as very humble and a good fighter. Of course I’m not trying to be just like him, but I’m looking at the stuff that I like with Rafa, I’m looking at the stuff that I like with Federer or Djokovic and of course I’m trying to bring that into my own game.”

Ruud cracked the Top 100 of the FedEx ATP Rankings for the first time last March, and now he has put himself in strong position inside the Top 50. But he is focussed on continuing to improve, and not looking back.

“It’s the tough thing about tennis: You can be really happy one day, but then the day after is a new match, a new opportunity. You can either lose or win. If you lose, you’ll be disappointed. If you win, you’ll be even more happy,” Ruud said. “[There’s] not too much time to celebrate or take off, either.”

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Qureshi Delivering For 1,000 Families In Pakistan

  • Posted: Apr 03, 2020

Qureshi Delivering For 1,000 Families In Pakistan

Qureshi helping those in need during coronavirus pandemic

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi is making sure that Pakistan’s daily workers are not forgotten. Through his foundation Stop War Start Tennis, Qureshi has committed to financially supporting ration bags for 1,000 families that have been unable to work and earn their daily sustenance due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Each ration bag consists of flour, rice, oil, grains, tea, milk and soap, and can feed a family of five. One ration bag costs 3,500 rupees, or approximately $45. 3.5 million rupees have been raised for the cause, with Stop War Start Tennis contributing 1.5 million rupees to make sure those in need receive their groceries.

Tennis At Home | How ATP Players Make The Most Of Stay At Home

“I am very thankful that I am able to raise awareness and donations to this most important cause,” Qureshi said. “I thank the ATP Tour for giving me a platform to voice these important efforts and the RIZQ Foundation for being the link between the needy and those that can afford to help in these difficult times.”

Qureshi has been going door to door to Lahore’s most needy citizens delivering the ration bags. Qureshi teamed up with Pakistan’s RIZQ Foundation a, “people-powered movement united to end hunger”. Qureshi has provided updates on social media, saying that 500 ration bags have already been delivered.

“Our doctors, nurses, medical staff, army, rangers, security forces, police, media [are] working as a frontline to fight against the coronavirus pandemic and trying to keep us all safe from this virus,” Qureshi wrote on Instagram. “We as a nation all have to work together as a backline to help the needy, poor, daily wagers, and make sure nobody goes hungry during these tough times.”

Qureshi’s Stop War Start Tennis has received multiple ATP ACES For Charity grants, and twice he has been honoured as Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year, sharing the recognition with Amir Hadad in 2002 and Rohan Bopanna in 2010.

Learn More About Qureshi’s Charity Work

– Reporting contributed by Robert Davis

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