WASHINGTON, July 13, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
The 45th season of World TeamTennis started with a bang Sunday at The Greenbrier, a luxury resort nestled in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. With three matches scheduled for Opening Day of the compact three-week 2020 season, the Orlando Storm began festivities with an upset the WTT defending champion Springfield Lasers 21-18. The Storm won during extended play in back of mixed doubles duo Jessica Pegula and Tennys Sandgren.
Orlando started strong by winning sets in both men’s and women’s singles and men’s doubles, then lost sets in women’s and mixed doubles before being rescued by Pegula and Sandgren.
“It was fun to get out there and play tennis today,” Sandgren said, as quoted by the WTT website. Sandgren has stayed busy during the past two weeks by playing exhibitions in Miami and Peachtree Corners, Ga., near Atlanta.
#WTT2020: The @OrlandoStormWTT ⛈️ defeat the defending champion @SGFLasers ⚡️ 21-18 in the exciting Opening Match of WTT’s 45th season at @The_Greenbrier. Get complete #ORLvsSPR match stats at https://t.co/PcE3CCe2no #EveryPointCounts pic.twitter.com/NgXQXK20KI
— World TeamTennis (@WorldTeamTennis) July 12, 2020
The beginning of the World TeamTennis season marked a return to competitive play for pro tours in the wake of the global pandemic. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, it made good sense to bring all of the teams together to play the entire three-week schedule in one locale rather than at various sites around the country. Of note, there were no high-fives or chest bumps among the players. Also, players chased after their own balls and lines were called electronically with just a chair umpire to oversee each match. At the conclusion of each match, players tapped racquets instead of shaking hands.
“It was awesome to have some people out there to get behind the tennis,” said Sandgren, who beat Mitchell Kruger in singles and teamed with James Ward to win his doubles set. “It made hitting good shots a little more fun.”
In other matches, the Chicago Smash defeated the Las Vegas Rollers 24-18, scoring the deciding points in men’s doubles by Brandon Nakashima and Rajeev Ram against the Bryan Brothers. Nakashima also scored a set win in men’s singles over Sam Querrey and Sloane Stephens contributed a set win in women’s singles by defeating Monica Puig.
“I just tried to stay solid on my side of the court and just tried to have fun out there and get a feel for the situation and environment,” said Nakashima, a former junior prodigy, as quoted by the WTT website. “Once I got the first couple of games under my belt I kind of loosened up a little bit.”
#WTT2020: Brandon Nakashima seals the deal and helps the @ChicagoSmashWTT earn their first win in WTT history! #everypointcounts #CHIvsLAS pic.twitter.com/66nTRH8NC7
— World TeamTennis (@WorldTeamTennis) July 12, 2020
The San Diego Aviators defeated the Orange County Breakers 23-16 in the last match of the day.
Up to 500 fans were allowed at each match, but there were far fewer in the stands of the 2,500-seat stadium at The Greenbrier for the opening match. Fans, who had their temperatures taken before entering and wore masks at all times, were socially distanced thanks to staggered rows.
The World TeamTennis season continues through August 2 with the King Trophy, named in honor of WTT founder Billie Jean King, presented to the league champion.
#WTT2020: Some amazing talent on the rosters for the 45th season of World TeamTennis from @The_Greenbrier. Here are some Players to Watch over the next few week. #EveryPointCounts
🎾 Visit https://t.co/c7ZUINY7vo for complete coverage. pic.twitter.com/TkY7tismRp
— World TeamTennis (@WorldTeamTennis) July 12, 2020
The Williams Sisters: Decades of dominance
Although neither Serena or Venus Williams has won a Wimbledon title of any kind since 2016, going back to 1998, they’ve won a combined 19 Wimbledon titles across singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Since 1998, @Venuseswilliams and @serenawilliams have won a combined 19 @Wimbledon titles across singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Relive their decades of dominance –> https://t.co/QgtOckD6Gw pic.twitter.com/eMIczWgezM
— wta (@WTA) July 12, 2020
A tale of three GOATS …
Four hours and 57 minutes of pure drama 😵
Step this way to re-live last year’s men’s final 👇#WimbledonRecreated
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2020
12 years ago @RafaelNadal won his first @Wimbledon title 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7 after a dramatic 4️⃣ hours and 4️⃣8️⃣ minutes. pic.twitter.com/CaTeIUh8rC
— Babolat (@babolat) July 12, 2020
… Who’s the GOAT? Wrong question.
When it comes to GOAT talk – Greatest of All Time – count Tennis.com writer and historian Joel Drucker among the conscientious objectors. “To me it’s not even the right question,” he said.
When it comes to GOAT talk, consider me a conscientious objector. To me, it’s not even the right question. Story I wrote for @Tennis @TennisChannel https://t.co/aP8HFnFZuw
— joeldrucker (@joeldrucker) July 10, 2020
Arthur Ashe: A legacy of activism
Arthur Ashe’s real legacy was his activism, not his tennis. That’s the belief of author Raymond Arsenault, who wrote a biography of the late great tennis Hall of Famer, Arthur Ashe: A Life, that was published in 2018.
While we remember Ashe for his inspiring talent – he became the first Black male to win Wimbledon 45 years ago – he’s also being remembered for his social conscience which, looking back, was way ahead of its time.
As Arsenault wrote in an essay for The Guardian of London in September 2018:
Putting oneself at risk for a good cause, he assured one reporter, “does wonders for your outlook … Marching in a protest is a liberating experience. It’s cathartic. It’s one of the great moments you can have in your life.”
Arthur Ashe’s real legacy was his activism, not his tennis https://t.co/veHNPp5JOA @KingJames @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams @Chanda_Rubin @gamesetchatlive
— Zina Garrison (@beyondthegold) July 10, 2020
Aresenault’s essay is a good read and, as everyone awaits the return of the pro tennis tours next month, Arthur Ashe: A Life is a good summer book to spend time reading.
Djokovic: No Wimbledon grass to chew this year
No Centre Court grass for @DjokerNole this year, so a quick bite at home will have to do…🌱#WimbledonRecreated pic.twitter.com/qKpoAaIvMZ
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2020
Tennis United: Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg share memories
Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg shared some epic Grand Slam battles through the years. On the latest episode of Tennis United that dropped over the weekend, the two Hall of Famer relieved their favorite Wimbledon memories.
Swedish tennis legends 🇸🇪 Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg join #TennisUnited to talk about their favorite @Wimbledon moments! 😄
For more great SW19 memories check out the full episode! —> https://t.co/CPWaQaP9ZN pic.twitter.com/XqUaSs3XBU
— wta (@WTA) July 12, 2020
What they’re podcasting
• On the latest Match Point Canada podcast, host Mike McIntyre catches up with Lucie Safarova.
Monica Niculescu, Aga Radwanska, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams – which ones gave @luciesafarova trouble and which ones did she enjoy facing?
Find out on our most recent episode of @MatchPointCAN this week!https://t.co/FRHTtVrQ5F pic.twitter.com/waIo4XZOXU
— Mike McIntyre (@McIntyreTennis) July 11, 2020
• On the latest Tennis Now/Tennis Channel podcast, Chris Oddo talks with Quentin Moutet about his passion for music.
Was great talking to @moutet99 about his passion for music and how he turned quarantine into an opportunity to express himself as a rapper. Also covered: His views on racial equality, the joy of getting to know @tsonga7 + @Gael_Monfils +++
Check it out: https://t.co/rJ0oEcMsYT
— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) July 10, 2020
What they’re sharing on social media
Kristina Mladenovic / So happy to be back on court!
So happy to be back on court! Feels great to put on my @adidastennis match outfit and be competitive again!
Tellement heureuse de retrouver le court et d’être à nouveau compétitive!
Merci à la @fftennis pour cette organisation et ce cadre sanitaire sûr!☀️🎾📸FFT/Julien Crosnier pic.twitter.com/LsUGXrOvZ7— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) July 12, 2020
Orange County Breakers / First of many selfies …
The first of many selfies this season from @andrejaklepac!
Let’s go #Breakers!!! #GoBreakers 🌊🇺🇲🇬🇧🇸🇮 pic.twitter.com/g1EETT8gDP
— Orange County Breakers (@BreakersTennis) July 12, 2020
Todd Woodbridge / Memories of 2019 Wimbledon
Memories of @wimbledon talking to @simonahalep at The Champions Dinner 2019. What a humble champion. Yesterday would have been the Women’s Final…. #wimbledon #centrecourt #womens #singles pic.twitter.com/wHgogOZcvW
— Todd Woodbridge (@toddwoodbridge) July 12, 2020