WASHINGTON, July 4, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
The first U.S. tennis event to welcome fans, the DraftKings All-American Team Cup, began at Life Time Peachtree Corners near Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday afternoon. By all appearances, protocols were priority No. 1. With a limited number of spectators allowed – many wearing masks and all socially distanced, thanks to various rows of seats blocked off – plus no lines persons or ball kids handling sweaty towels, the event seemed to have learned many valuable lessons from observing what went wrong during last month’s ill-fated Adria Tour in Serbia and Croatia. The quality of tennis on opening day of the three-day event was pretty good, too.
Tennis with spectators is back at the US in Atlanta.
[getty] pic.twitter.com/YYjS3CwtQE
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 3, 2020
With a line-up featuring the top eight U.S. men’s players divided into two teams – Team Stars and Team Stripes, which gave it a nice Fourth of July feel – Friday’s afternoon session featured a pair of competitive matches: 81st-ranked Frances Tiafoe defeated No. 45 Sam Querrey, 6-4, 7-6 (5), in the opener. Then, 55th ranked Tennys Sandgren, who on Wednesday won the title at the Altec/Styslinger Tennis Exhibition in Miami, beat No. 57 Tommy Paul, 3-6, 6-3, 12-10.
Talk about a roller coaster.
Team Stars takes an early lead thanks to a 6-4, 7-6 by @FTiafoe over Querrey.#TennisGoesFourth pic.twitter.com/7fR87ewpc3
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 3, 2020
Tiafoe, who was 0-2 lifetime against Querrey before Friday, said in a post-match interview with Tennis Channel: “It was tough. I was playing well, but I hit a serious wall. I honestly thought I was going to retire but I started to push for the fans.”
Tiafoe required a medical time out in early in the second set but recovered. “I didn’t want to be that guy to stop short,” he said. “I came back out and was hanging by a thread.”
A battle until the end.@TennysSandgren defeats Paul 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 to level Team Stripes with Team Stars.#TennisGoesFourth pic.twitter.com/QU3gLUsKzW
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 3, 2020
In the evening session, John Isner eased past Taylor Fritz, 6 -3, 6-4, by taking advantage of a service break in each set. Then, Steve Johnson held on to beat Reilly Opelka, 6-4, 4-6, 10-5, in a battle of big hitters.
Good to be playing in a competitive match again. Back at it tomorrow on our great country’s birthday. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 https://t.co/Y1S3MPrEAE
— John Isner (@JohnIsner) July 4, 2020
And that’s a wrap on Day 1.@SJohnson_89 gives his team the decisive lead by defeat Opelka 6-4, 4-6, 7-6.
Team Stripes – 3️⃣ vs. Team Stars – 1️⃣#TennisGoesFourth pic.twitter.com/rImvNhqiIg
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 4, 2020
Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic canceled
The WTA Tour’s Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, scheduled for Aug. 3-9 in San Jose, Calif., will not be held this year due to the continued global health concerns brought on by the coronavirus.
The event, which was beginning its third year at San Jose State University since moving from Stanford, Calif., is expected to return next year. It shares a place on the WTA calendar opposite the Citi Open in Washington, D.C.
In a statement, tournament director Vickie Gunnarsson said, “We’re looking forward to once again bringing this world-class event to the Bay Area, but our priority remains the health and safety of everyone involved, including the local community. We thank our players, fans, partners and staff for their ongoing support and are preparing for an exciting returning next year.”
Last year’s final was won by Zheng Saisai over Aryna Sabalenka, 6-3, 7-6.
Like mother like daughter
Serena and her 2-year-old daughter Olympia in matching outfits on the tennis court 🎾
(via @serenawilliams) pic.twitter.com/HFlsWkJXfB
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 2, 2020
Wimbledon moments we’re missing
Moments we are missing
📸 Tim Clayton pic.twitter.com/FZLywU7gW9
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) July 3, 2020
The Way Back Machine – Wimbledon 2004 women’s final
⏪ July 3 2004, Maria Sharapova stuns tennis world winning @Wimbledon at 17 years-old beating defending champ and World No.1 Serena Williams 6-1 6-4. pic.twitter.com/VbZU3CPVWR
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) July 3, 2020
When in Geneva together … practice!
You don’t STAN a chance 🤭Finally won a point… al fin gane un punto… 🙄🤣😎 #Fridaymood #StanTheMan #doubletrouble @stanwawrinka pic.twitter.com/kalsSFAJXf
— Garbiñe Muguruza (@GarbiMuguruza) July 3, 2020
Art meets tennis
On the red clay of the tennis club Đukić on Bežanijska kosa in Belgrade, the architect and street artist Andrej Josifovski created the largest portrait in the world of Novak Djokovic. It measures 24 meters long and 11 meters wide and covers an area of 240 square meters.
Great project by Andrej Josifovski Pijanista. It was a pleasure to be part of it. @DjokerNole #Djokovic #Nolefam pic.twitter.com/jfYoUnac0D
— Nebojsa Mandrapa (@Nibman) July 3, 2020
Worth a good read
“Tennis has had its share of obstacles but we’ve been at the forefront of social change.”
“Tennis has had its share of obstacles but we’ve been at the forefront of social change.”@naomiosaka, @beyondthegold and @Martina on the importance of activism –> https://t.co/wGH1hVhnHG pic.twitter.com/JXEdiCWEKR
— wta (@WTA) July 2, 2020
What they’re sharing on social media
Judy Murray / A thank you message
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) June 30, 2020
Randy Walker / Artistic John McEnroe
Here’s the John McEnroe mural painted below the LIRR bridge in Forest Hills, just a block away from the West Side Tennis Club, posted on request from @crosscourt1 pic.twitter.com/kmZ7HsAh5r
— Randy Walker (@TennisPublisher) July 2, 2020
Darren Cahill / A teaching moment with Simo
Weekly zoom meeting with Team Simo and had to finish with a history lesson about the @PAFC lace-up belonging to @jvcahill40. It’s his 1st ever guernsey from 1967 when he was appointed captain. @Simona_Halep’s response… that was 24 years before I was born 😂#bringbackthebars pic.twitter.com/j3Gc0u822Q
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) July 3, 2020
