Social media has destroyed the fabric of civilization buts it’s also helped me a lot personally

One of the very best performances I've ever seen from Mussetti. That drop shot was on fire all match- insane how effective it was almost EVERY single time he used it. Punished Zverev's comically deep positioning so well. Obviously was super clutch but it felt comfortable in set 2

Iga winning Madrid/Rome B2B in this new 2-week Masters format will increasingly be looked back on as one of the most impressive achievements on tour I think. The physical grind and toll of clay court tennis is so tough, and even if you're playing well you can still hit the wall.

Decided to go out on a beautiful, scenic walk this evening instead of watching Sabalenka-Zheng under the assumption Sabalenka would win comfortably...what happened there???

Feel like Alcaraz aiming a backhand down the middle of the court and missing it five feet long anyway is this generation's version of Federer shanking a forehand.

I think at least half of the career highlights I've seen from Fedal matches are Federer coming to the net off a decent approach shot and Nadal hitting a great passing shot every time. Like surely at some point you just think maybe stop doing the thing he keeps punishing me for.

Win 1/23 for Iga Swiatek's clay season 🫡

Watching Alcaraz this week has felt quite like seeing him in the latter stages of Roland Garros last year. Not always playing particularly clean or "good" tennis, but doing enough to get over the line. The exact thing he needed coming off a difficult Sunshine Double frankly.

Fabulous win for Mussetti, but got to be said that was a very winnable match for Tsitsipas. Should have broken in the third set when he had 4 break points in one game. Felt like he had control until too many cheap errors let Mussetti build momentum.

Just tuned in to Dimitrov vs AdM...is Grigor injured? I assume Grigor is injured.

That wasn't the highest quality or most consistent match you'll ever see, but what fun Fils-Alcaraz was. The highlights will make for a great watch if nothing else. Mighty impressed with how Alcaraz calmed his frustrations and found his best stuff in the biggest moments. Good win

Brilliant racket break by Fils btw. The throw breaks it, but that creativity to step on it to really get that snap? You can't teach that.

Carlos Alcaraz, man. He can be so frustrating at times and be a rough watch, but within him is that ability to produce truly incredible things in the biggest moments. I might not win as efficiently or easily as, say, Sinner, but win he still does. Incredible way to take set 2.

I don't think we talk enough about the effect of art on us. I can see one drawing I really really like and I'll be happy for the rest of the day I'm not exaggerating. Your art makes someone feel that way. Your art makes someone happy. Your art helps someone get through the day.

open.substack.com/pub/welcomet... Occasionally I remember I'm a tennis writer (and that i can post on here). Wrote about Swiatek vs Andreeva match at Indian Wells, tying it to some wider feelings about how we analyse tennis (mental vs tactical approach). Please enjoy!!

Sabalenka is probably the best all court player right now, but on a fast hard court she really is pretty much unstoppable. Probably should have won even more comfortably today! Brilliant watch.

Really fun to watch Sabalenka paint the lines and then still look really annoyed after winning the point.

Ostapenko and Anisimova losing Round 1 of Dubai shows just how hard it is to go again after a deep run in a tournament the week after. Rly makes you appreciate when players can do well in B2B weeks at any level, and especially appreciate top players doing this all year long!

Considering what a shit ride of it Anisimova has had in the past 5 or 6 years, it is nice to see her get a big title. Could see more coming her way in the future too, such a great ball striker

Going to bookmark that one for the WTA match of the week @nickcartertennis.bsky.social 😉

Hard to know what to say here but beyond anything else I just hope that Elena is OK and can cut ties with him.

The USTA's choice to turn the U.S. Open mixed doubles draw into an exhibition sideshow the week before the main draw begins is absolutely infuriating and demeaning to tennis players and fans alike. 🎾

This is the first time the world number 1 has ever lost their first match in Doha! Great match from Alexandrova. Probably could have won it earlier, pretty consistently had her chances on Sabalenka's serve all match. Great ball striking from both.

Its the weekends like this that are why I love this stretch of the season. Finals and semifinals everywhere but all at different times. Went from watching Rotterdam to Doha to Dallas all in one stretch of afternoon and evening. Beauty of tennis.

Extremely impressive from start to finish from Shapovalov today. Every time he was under pressure on serve he came in clutch with a big winner, a huge serve or some magic like that volley in the last game. Pretty hard to beat when he plays that cleanly. Wonderful match, lovely to see him winning!

Good win for Alcaraz in the end! Probably could/should have won more comfortably had his backhand not wandered off in set 2, but good it together when it mattered. Very positive week overall, found some great form after struggling so much vs Botic.

As a one-handed backhand believer, I hate to see players pick on that shot. Like no, stop kick serving to it to force an error. Why we gotta expose weaknesses like this.

The streets won't forget the Ons Jabeur return of serve drop shot

The ADULT adults at work: *talking about their kids, their mortgages, etc. etc.* Me: yeah so I just completed the community center in stardew valley and have crippling anxiety

Lovely to know that viewers of #TheTraitors have donated as much as Alexander would have won.

#IBelieveOlya #IBelieveBrenda

*puts tennis hipster hat on* In a couple of hours, it's time for the most anticipated final of the day: Mikael Ymer vs Nicolai Budkov Kjaer at the M25 in Luxembourg. It's Mikael's comeback tournament and he's had to come back from a set down in both the QF and the SF. One tough test remains. (1/3)

Once again, fuck Alexander Zverev, and everyone who props him up!

Anyway, as per usual, despite what the corporate morgue will have you believe, the WTA outsells!

Dullest grand slam final since USO 2024

Man City putting that horrific kit on again, desperately need them to lose

Time on court ahead of the QF: Emma Navarro: 10hrs 16mims Iga Swiatek: 4hrs 34mins

I think Andreeva vs Sabalenka is in some ways comparable to Iga vs Coco in that they keep playing when one player is clearly still developing and the other is at their v best. 5th match now before Andreeva has even turned 18. Demoralising to get torn apart when you can't compete w/ the elite yet.

For a second night in a row staying up to watch the first match of the day at AO, and for a second night in a row get the sense i might be done by 2am.

I would love it if every Microsoft application could stop shoving it's stupid AI in front of me. No I do not want Copilot to draft something for me, I am typing up written notes!! I dont need help with a 2 line email!!!

💔

was mostly keeping it together until I read Kyle MacLachlan's tribute to David Lynch

One of the great artists of our time. More to say in due course but this one will take a while to process. RIP

Seen they've put Djokovic first on the night session again for tomorrow. Does feel like there used to be a firm rule women used to be put on first on the night session at AO/USO but that's been broken last couple slams...

Amazed Rune managed to win in 4 sets, tho probs more amazed at how big the misses from Berrettini were when he led in the 4th. Wouldn't be a Holger win without some level of drama and scamming tho

So remorse counts for nothing? It means nothing that I keep doing bad stuff and then going "Aww heck"

Sebastian Korda is 24 years old but he already looks like a man calculating his third divorce alimony payments 🤔

i still find jack draper profoundly unserious, but even i have to appreciate a heel performance. go on you victorian child