A Miami -open summary filled with surprises

Entries have been edited for concise and clarity.

Hey everyone

Here is the latter Served Podcast, A Miami Summary (Tennis Talk!) And a discussion with Chris Eanks about the PTPA right case (Tennis Politics Talk!).

Some of you asked. Here George Clooney on 60 minutes (Unfortunately no tennis talk).

A wink Courtney NguyenA tennis treasure, Whowith a mix of calm grace, Smarts and a Winkdid lake for the WTA, his product and his players may then know one of them.

This week is unsolicited book recommendation Our beautiful guys from Sameer Pandya.

First, here are some scattered closing thoughts over the Miami open:

Tennis in the Post-Big Fourrodger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williamsera. Reliable excellence has been replaced by surprise and storyline. If you have a ticket for the later event rounds, you will probably be surprised by the player you look. It can be one Teen from the Czech Republic. Or The Philippines.

And if you assess an Ascendant star like Jack Draper or Mirra Andreeva, don't be too disappointed if their results of week N do not transfer to week n+1. But if unpredictability is a reason why we love sport, you will not be disappointed.

An era of unpredictability does not mean socialism. Aryna Sabalenka is indisputably the best player in the women's game. And she confirmed that by winning the women's event. This was only her second title of 2025, but note that she is a full 3000 points for number 2 Iga Witek while we switch to Clay.

Barely 100 days away from the next gene event, the 19-year-old Jakub Menk won the biggest title of his career and took Djokovic in the final. I am pretty sure that this was only the first of many, Menk said. And who can argue?

The ATP Next Gen can take place far too late on the Clou, the tennis calendar, and it can be hidden in Saudi Arabia. But in December Menk, Joo Fonseca, Arthur Fils, student ten, all competed. That is a strong field for every event.

In accordance with the rhythms of the aging tennis player, Djokovic only reached the final for losing Menk, 76, 76. Players do not lose their games (or conditioning or trust) at night. What's going is the consistency. One round Pete Sampras still killed it; The next one, he lost to Marat Safin or Lleyton Hewitt in the US Open Final. Serena was to the 24th major; Then she lost to Angie Kerber or Bianca Andreescu in the final. Federer rode a three-level in Australia, but there was Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Glass Half-Full: Djokovic is a few weeks after becoming 38 and still reaches the final of Masters 1000 events.

The Revelation of the event: 19-year-old Lefty Alexandra Eala of the Philippines defeated three big winners (Jeena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Witek) and took an explanation of Jessica Pegula in the semi -final. A wildcard, she is suddenly number 75. There are players who have used fewer results to launch a career. (It is true, there are also players who have had such events and have rarely been heard again.) But what a nice story to follow.

Football stadiums are cool. Food trucks are cool. Raw Fonseca -fans add Voortulsive energy. And the Miami open the nostalgia and the precedent that takes place in Key Biscayne. And rain retractions. And the regrettable color scheme of Miami Dolphins. Despite the record, it is difficult to recall a tournament that attracts more planning and atmospheric complaints from fans, viewers and players.

Further

Jon, I feel happy for Daria [Kasatkina]Given her history with her home country. Let us not let this article struggle about the cracks of Australia to produce local players (Bar Ash Barty, who would certainly have been successful in almost every sport that was her sporting talent). Although Tennis Australia will not have reservations, Jon, I can assure you.

Russell

Yes, while the ATP and PTPA lawyers yield invoicable hours and exchange threats, here is the Real Off-Court Tennis News of the Week.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, that has been what it was, despite some politicians who have been aversion to perceptible Truthkasatkina worthy of her home country. To trump her courage (and not like an exercise in self -promotion), I link to this CBS Sunday morning piece that we did last year. I try to use this term reserved, but what a freakin hero.

Kasatkina recently took the next step with this post. How do you not look at this movement with something other than admiration? So many people ask, If my country would unmistakably become cruel or unmistakably inconsistent with my values, what would I do then? Well, Kasatkina gave her answer.

For Russells wonders if the problem is about cracks, forgets Aussie tennis. Let's not throw away the reason for her exodus. Russia is an autocracy that does not respect the most fundamental violation of international legislation and has invaded an unprecedented neighbor. It is also homophobic, not ideal for someone of ours, but especially if you are a prominent woman in a romantic relationship with another prominent woman. (Let the shortcomings of Australian talent development of all Slam countries, in contrast to countries such as Italy and the Czech Republic, a discussion for another day!)

A main rule of media: The writer does not make the head. So when the UK Express shouts breathlessly, that one Tennis Star hit with suspension Only to reveal in the story that the star is 409 arranged Mina Hodzic, don't blame the writer. The reverse also applies. Note the head of the CBS link above. I had nothing to do with it. Someone who saw the piece and the piece probably knew nothing about tennis or the story that the editorial decision made. What is significant.

Here is my question: who represents the interests, or even recognizes the role, of the person who is just a fan? Under the problems that are being tackled, about, etc., does anyone think of the foundation of all this, for example the playing audience? I propose that the positions of the various constituencies would become clearer, and perhaps even soluble, if they remembered who pays all this, and who will be satisfied at the end of the day as a consumer, or go out the door.

David W.

Great point. While Tenniss Warring FactionsSWhose, much fewer views, the Mostgo are outside, the interest of the average fans further erode. This sport has recommended so much. Otherwise I will never be convinced. Together the players are extraordinary. Apart from metaphor, the mix of strength and control is often breathtaking. A tight tennis competition provides such a moving theater. We can continue.

But tennis demands so much from his fans. The planning of the calendar. The planning at tournaments. The 12-day Masters events that only nine people on planet Earth like. (The eight relevant tournament owners plus Ted Sarandos, because all bored parties set up Netflix during the unbearable gaps between competitions). To quote the late Bud Collins, you have to love this sport to love this sport.

Ask for Tennis Mailbag: every chance to do a small dive on the top double player and best player of all time from El Salvador, Marcelo Arvalo? If there is a player who came out of nowhere to reach the pinnacle of one of the tours, it is Marcelo Arvalo! Follows his brother on the Tour, from sunonate and unpaved roads to the capital San Salvador because his parents want tennis for their children more than a day a week; In a place that is dominated by football and baseball, the best junior in Central America becomes; Joy in the availability of public courts while becoming internationally as a top ten junior; lands at the University of Tulsa and loves it; And after an insane time on tour, the top ranking list goes for an appreciative crowd in Miami. Even with this miniature sketch without nuance, we have to hand it over to this guy!

Andrew Miller, Silver Spring, Maryland

You did that well. Thanks for that. ((Andrew also sent this link.)

While we talk constructively, the background story must play a central role, a central role must play.

Watching fils[Frances]Tiafoe, I noticed that fils cried the towel and the ball boy brought him to him. Has this sweaty privilege returned?!?

PR

Unfortunately, yes. Nonsense about how essential it is for maintaining the integrity of the serving clock. You see these PowerPoint presentations about how tennis should do better A) connect with younger fans and b) shed that image of tennis as this redoute of the privileged. Someone raises his hand and says, I have it! Let Provicript deals with the players who are hurled casually and are asked on request!

One of the few good things I can think of [COVID-19] Pandemie was the change in the policy in which tennis players had to handle their own messy towels. But it seems that in Miami they expect that from Ballkids what gives what?

Barbara

Barbara, PR, Barbara.

Finally, John Rossitter from Middletown, CT, from us:

I have been watching tennis on TV since the 1950s (when the current Teenagehena was Maureen Connolly). Then and since then I also enjoyed numerous other sports on TV, although tennis has always been number one. Unfortunately it seems to me that, although the game itself has changed a lot, TVs The presentation of tennis has changed much less than for other sports.

For example, when I watched the World Series last fall, the speed and location of each pitch was shown together with the type of pitch (curve, fastball, slider, etc.) and many other game data. Tennis is not the same way view -friendly and does not even flash the services on the screen placed on the field. (In the past we often received this useful information for every serve, but now we only get it when the mind moves our generous commentators.)

Another pet: the virtual absence of tennis views on TV level on TV. Although I have now seen the views on the tennis canal on the tennis canal, it is still extremely rare and it usually only takes a few seconds. Yet most fans who have tasted it seem (there are many videos available at the court level on YouTube) agree that it is a considerably more exciting vital than the traditional Birds Eye View. And of course it doesn't have to be/or; Tenniswijk would be improved with a generous portion of both.

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