WASHINGTON, December 19, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
The Winter 2020 edition of ITFWorld, the International Tennis Federation‘s official magazine, has been published. In its latest issue, the cover story is an exclusive interview with Roland Garros women’s singles champion Iga Swiatek, in which she speaks out about coping with instant fame that came with her Grand Slam triumph.
Also, we learn that Swiatek likes being Rafael Nadal on her PlayStation and she offers her thoughts about a desire to unite people during the coronavirus pandemic.
The ITF’s online magazine also includes features on up-and-coming French star Hugo Gaston and US Open quad singles champion Sam Schroeder.
🎙 @iga_swiatek‘s exclusive interview
✨ @HugoGaston7‘s breakthrough year
💪 @SamWCTennis‘s incredible story
🤩 And so much more…The winter 2020 edition of ITFWorld is out now!
— ITF (@ITFTennis) December 18, 2020
Djokovic helping fight against Covid-19 at home
As a way of contributing to the fight against the COVID-19 virus, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic contributed a state-of-the-art Canon CT device to the Dragiša Mišović Clinical Hospital Centre. The scanner will help speed up the diagnosis of COVID patients.
.@jelenadjokovic and I hope this donation further empowers our systems and healthcare workers to fight #COVID19 🙏🏼 @novakfoundation https://t.co/KQXUOIcodN pic.twitter.com/DL8KtxgR3T
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) December 17, 2020
Jurgen Zopp announces his retirement
Estonia’s top-ranked male player, Jurgen Zopp, 32, has announced his retirement. Currently ranked No. 561, Zopp reached a career high ranking of No. 71 in 2012 after turning pro in 2008. His career win-loss record in ATP Tour matches was 26-39. Zopp finished his career with three ATP Challenger Tour titles and he also won 15 ITF titles.
“I began competing full-time after finishing high school at 19 years-old,” Zopp told Estonian daily Eesti Päevaleht. “I have done that for 13 years now. It demands and I think it is human to tire of it eventually. I do not have the freshness necessary to climb upwards. I did a lot. Reached the Top 100 at 24 years-old. No one in Estonia believed that could ever happen. A back injury came at the worst time, followed by another climb into the Top 100 and finally the third round of the French Open. There is a lot of positives to take from my career.”
Estonia’s all-time best male tennis player Jürgen Zopp retires#estonia https://t.co/hrnyhlmziA
— ERR News (@errnews) December 18, 2020
Battle of Brits schedule is out
The Battle of the Brits Premier League of Tennis begins Sunday morning at the National Tennis Center in Roehampton, England. On Friday, the Lawn Tennis Association’s website published the men’s and women’s schedule of matches taking place from Sunday through Wednesday. Andy Murray will face Dan Evans on Sunday afternoon and take on Cameron Norrie on Tuesday afternoon.
.@HeatherWatson92 🆚 @EmmaRaducanu @jodieburrage 🆚 @EmmaRaducanu @NaomiBroady 🆚 @edensilva
The full schedule for Battle of the Brits Premier League of Tennis is out. Read more now 👇
— LTA (@the_LTA) December 18, 2020
Christmas gift ideas from Adidas
Those new @adidasoriginals x @Prada Christmas sneakers ✨🤩👟🎄#ChristmasGift #adidasforPrada
📸 IG: @AngeliqueKerber @StefTsitsipas @ThiemDomi pic.twitter.com/i2fOQjxlLU
— Tennis Handshakes (@TennisHandshake) December 17, 2020
Sloane Stephens hangs out with Mom
When your only friend during quarantine is your mom… 🤷🏾♀️ pic.twitter.com/jiAR1ant3I
— sloanestephens (@SloaneStephens) December 17, 2020
What they’re podcasting
Catching up with former pro and coach turned ESPN broadcaster Brad Gilbert on his “Winning Uglier” podcast.
Check out the new episode. Great info on rackets, strings, tension and shoes 👟 👊🎾👍 https://t.co/EpJAmatiOZ
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) December 17, 2020
What they’re sharing on social media
Felix Auger-Aliassime / Enjoying the beauties of Mallorca
Enjoying the beauties of Mallorca 👌🏽☺️ pic.twitter.com/if5e68fR3p
— Félix AugerAliassime (@felixtennis) December 18, 2020
Aliźe Cornet / Last push before Christmas
Last push before Christmas 🥵🥳
Thanks god this endless pre season is almost over 😅
Couldn’t have done it without my team ❤Dernière ligne droite avant Noël 🥵🥳
Dieu merci cette interminable période foncière est bientôt finie 😅
J-15 avant le début de la saison 💪🤩 pic.twitter.com/9S9WA3LF7q— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) December 18, 2020
Rafael Nadal / Good hitting with Emil Ruusuvouri
R💥A💥F💥A‼️
E🔥M🔥I🔥L‼️
¡Gran sesión de entrenamiento de @RafaelNadal y @EmilRuusuvuori! pic.twitter.com/ZMvLYC34LG— Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar (@rnadalacademy) December 18, 2020
