Week 17, 2025

AuthorAuthor

Gill Gross & Ben Ornstein
April 29, 2025

Madrid Open Week 2

  • Alcaraz My Way Analysis

    Why It’s Interesting: The Athletic crew writes on the psychology of Alcaraz and his team, as portrayed in the docuseries.

    12 Things We Learned From TennisNow: See here

What Carlos Alcaraz’s ‘My Way’ Netflix docuseries says about his tennis present and future

Alcaraz's window into his 2024 season offers some revelations, but they are stage-managed as much as they are insightful.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/6304336/2025/04/24/carlos-alcaraz-my-way-netflix-review-analysis

  • The Speed Bumps Continue For Novak Djokovic

    Why It’s Interesting: Novak said his first round loss might be his last match in Madrid.

Novak Djokovic faces up to ‘new reality’ after crashing out of Madrid Open

Novak Djokovic is not sure if he has competed in Madrid for the last time after succumbing to a difficult 6-3, 6-4 loss to the unseeded Italian Matteo Arnaldi in the second round, his third consecutive defeat.

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/apr/26/novak-djokovic-madrid-open-matteo-arnaldi-tennis

  • Sinner Details 3-Month Absence

    More On Sinner: The suspension hasn’t stopped him from recording one of the longest reigns at #1 in ATP history.

Jannik Sinner on his comeback: “It won’t be easy” | Tennis.com

The world No. 1 resumed training last week ahead of the conclusion of his three-month suspension.

www.tennis.com/news/articles/jannik-sinner-on-his-comeback-it-wont-be-easy-rome-wada-doping-rankin

  • AI’s Creep Into Tennis

    Why It’s Interesting: Ben Rothenberg named and shamed the WTA’s use of AI-generated images on its website. The WTA’s explanation was head-scratching, but it appeared to be a one-time ordeal. Ben’s thoughts on AI writ large are also worth reading.

Error Counts

On some jarring unrealities slowly creeping into tennis, thanks to crappy AI.

www.benrothenberg.com/p/wta-website-ai-alexandra-eala-iga-swiatek-photos-error-counts-generative-ai-is-terrible-dont-use-it-please

  • This Trick Shot Broke The Internet

    Why It’s Interesting: The Cult Tennis video explains how the shot was produced and whether it was real.

    More From Cult Tennis: On India’s failed International Premier Tennis League from March.

  • A Post-Big 3 Think Piece

    Why It’s Interesting: Reem Abulleil’s writing always features player testimony prominently. Here, the future of tennis is the topic at hand, as results grow more unpredictable on the ATP tour.

    Gill’s Note: While I don’t disagree entirely with the premise of the piece, I am keen to point out that Jannik Sinner has won 37 of his last 38 matches, and that the last surprising major winner in men’s tennis was Cilic’s 2014 US Open; the last shocking one was Gaston Gaudio at Roland Garros 2004. There is still dominance at the top.

With the ‘Big Three’ era firmly behind us, will we ever witness that level of unrelenting dominance again in tennis?

MADRID: It was standing room only at Carlos Alcaraz’s press conference last Wednesday at the Caja Magica, where the Spaniard announced he was withdrawing from the Madrid Open due to injuries in his right and left legs. After winning Monte Carlo and reaching the final in Barcelona in consecutive weeks, playing 10 matches in 12 days, the four-time Grand Slam champion’s body had had enough. With the French Open just four weeks away, it made sense that Alcaraz would choose to sit out the Madrid Open and deal with his right adductor and left hamstring issues.

www.arabnews.com/node/2598697/tennis

  • Rafa Doesn’t Miss Tennis

Rafael Nadal, five months into retirement, says he does not miss tennis: 'I miss it zero'

Nadal retired in 2024 as one of the most successful players in tennis history

www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/rafael-nadal-five-months-into-retirement-says-he-does-not-miss-tennis-i-miss-it-zero

From Iga Swiatek’s toughest matchup to Holger Rune’s resurgence to the state of Novak Djokovic, the latest edition of “Three – The Tennis Show” touches on a wide range of topics. Join Gill, Amy, and Joel for a lively look.

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