Weekly Recap: Pro tennis around the globe

What happened in pro tennis around the globe in the past week? Plenty. We can't cover it all here but a few key highlights follow below in order to catch you up on all the action...

Tsitsipas is magnificent in Monte-Carlo 

Despite his enormous talent, Stefanos Tsitsipas has had a rough go of it recently. Despite this, something about the clay of Monte Carlo clicked this week, and for that matter, always has as the Greek is a three time champion in the tiny country. Since the Round of 16, the 25-year-old faced all seeds, with a knockout knocking on the door at any moment. Despite this, he defeated Alexander Zverev, Karen Khachanov, Jannik Sinner, and Casper Ruud, consecutively.

Photo credit: Corinne Dubreuil / ATP Tour

His clash against Sinner made headlines, with the Italian dubbed as the “best player in the world right now,” despite a defeat to Tsitsipas. And his final wasn’t easy either—he was facing the guy fresh off of beating Novak Djokovic. But he showed enormous concentration and potential during the match, kicking Ruud off the court with a 6-1, 6-4 victory. Both men’s stats were not too fine, with Tsitsipas’s first serve % coming in at only 40. But the Greek’s experience played key, with him winning seven games in a row at one point during the match.

“It has been very difficult, so to be back on the podiums, winning tournaments just feels amazing. I can’t thank my family enough and friends, and if there is God out there, for making this moment possible. I am extremely grateful for every person behind this journey. The third time is even more special than the first or second time. This is an unbelievable win for me. Capturing that win today was nerve-wracking. I really wanted this trinity.”

BJK Cup kicks off 

Fasten your seatbelts, because the World Cup of Tennis just began at the Billie Jean King Cup, the equivalent of the Davis Cup but for women. And what an opening weekend it was. Emma Radacanu, on court for Team Britain, took the dub against the higher-ranked Caroline Garcia, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. And while the Brits dropped a match against France, Radacanu and Katie Boulter did double, both winning their next matches and securing a place in the finals. Poland faced off against Switzerland, with Swiatek winning a match and sending them to a 4-0 tie win.

Photo credit: Porsche AG

It was a tough weekend for Ukraine on the court, who lost to Romania 3-2 in their tie. Both Elina Svitolina and Lesia Tsurkeno lost, but it was fair to say it had been tough for the country as they were re-located to Florida instead of getting to play at home due to the war occurring. The Germans and Japanese both secured their spots, both winning their ties 3-1. Australia had a fun time taking it home 4-0 against Mexico, with Taylah Preston, their top dog, annihilating her opponent. Preston, only 18 years old, is a player to look out for in the future after the result she produced this week. 

Davenport is in the driver's seat for USA

If you’re an avid Billie Jean King Cup watcher, then you know that Lindsay Davenport, now the United State’s captain, was a star player for the team less than 20 years ago, competing alongside the Williams sisters. So she clearly is the perfect fit for the crew’s new captain, and she proved it this weekend with a great result for the Americans. Davenport says, “I have their whole year in my mind. I want one of these players to win Roland Garros,” she said. “I come at it with a player mindset. I’m so happy they’re here playing, but I want them to go on and achieve more things. I’ve told each of them individually that she can accomplish something special.” And speaking towards their recent poor results at the event—“That’s unneceptable. This is an event we should be winning.”

Photo: Todd Pechter / Florida Tennis

Maybe this is the mindset the Americans need to thrive. A strong, supportive role model who like them, a player fighting for their country, winning and losing, laughing and crying. But at the same time, she expects the good results, and she’ll do anything she can to get her team in the photo with the trophy in November. And it is paying off, to say the least. They won their tie against Belgium, 4-0, with Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro both sliding into home plate with impressive wins. 

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Written by William Turvey. Top photo: Corinne Dubreuil / ATP Tour.