Maria Sakkari’s evocative comeback, Jack Draper’s not-so-impressive making a song, and extra from the future in tennis

Rick

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Sep 26, 2023, 09:42 AM ET

Later dropping within the first around of the USA Not hidden on the finish of August, a heartbroken Maria Sakkari instructed journalists that she used to be taking into account taking a crack from the game. It used to be her 3rd immediately opening-round loss at a big, and he or she tearfully mentioned she used to be “uncertain” about what used to be upcoming.

On Saturday, lower than a moment nearest, Sakkari received the name on the 1000-level Guadalajara Not hidden.

Sakkari didn’t let fall a suite all through her run to the name in Mexico — and her 7-5, 6-3 victory over Caroline Dolehide within the ultimate resulted within the largest name of her profession and her first since 2019. She fell to the garden next the fit used to be over and couldn’t cover simply how a lot the time intended to her.

“I’m just very proud of myself,” Sakkari, 28, instructed WTA Insider next the fit. “Being like that at the US Open, wanting to take a break, and then finding the joy again during the week. It’s a big title, my biggest title, it means so much.

“However over the whole lot, it’s simply natural happiness and natural pleasure.”

Because of her recent success at the tournament (she reached the semis in 2021 and the final last year), and the Mexican national soccer jersey she donned for a post-match interview on-court earlier in the week, the Greek Sakkari was a crowd favorite.

She wore the jersey again — along with the customary champion’s sombrero — as she celebrated her victory. Many others in the sport were inspired by her perseverance and determination. Chris Evert, Gabriela Sabatini, Rennae Stubbs, Coco Gauff, Sloane Stephens and Donna Vekic were among the former and current players to congratulate her after the win.

“You confirmed everybody your energy and ability this future in Guadalajara,” Evert wrote to Sakkari on Twitter. “Store the realization.”

Sakkari is now back up to No. 6 in the rankings and has a chance to qualify for the year-end WTA Finals in Cancun. Her monumental win wasn’t the only thing happening around the tennis world last week. Here’s what else you might have missed:

On the rise

It wasn’t just Sakkari who found unexpected success in Guadalajara.

Dolehide, her final opponent, had the best result of her career at the tournament. The 25-year-old American had never reached a WTA final, of any level, before, and she had never advanced past the third round at an 1000-level event. But she didn’t let her lack of experience stop her, upsetting No. 8 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, 6-1, 6-2, and finding a way to win in three sets in three of her victories.

The two-time US Open doubles semifinalist entered the tournament ranked No. 111 and left with a career-high ranking of No. 42. Sakkari praised Dolehide for what she had achieved during her victory speech.

“I’ve identified you for such a lot of years …” Sakkari said. “I at all times knew you had a great sport, it used to be about hour for it to click on and it came about this future. You have got such a lot of extra alternatives to return up. That is only the start.”

Dolehide was one of two Americans who made the semifinals in Guadalajara. Sofia Kenin, who ultimately lost to Dolehide, has looked resurgent in recent weeks. It had been a tough stretch for the 2020 Australian Open champion and she had fallen outside of the top 400 last summer — but things seem to be back on track for the 24-year-old.

After coming through qualifying and pulling off an upset win over Gauff at Wimbledon, Kenin reached the third round at the US Open and then made the final at San Diego and the semis at Guadalajara. She’s now ranked No. 31 — her highest ranking since January of 2022. In a post on Instagram, Kenin was clearly pleased about what she had accomplished.

World domination

Clinched by the All-American doubles team of Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, Team World defeated Team Europe to win its second-straight Laver Cup title on Sunday. Playing at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, and with the event’s namesake Rod Laver and event founder Roger Federer in the house for the three-day event, the World squad took control from the start and won with an impressive 13-2 final score. The team celebrated accordingly.

In 2022, Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray combined as part of Team Europe, and Federer and Nadal played doubles together in Federer’s last match before retirement. Because the 2023 edition lacked the star power that made the 2022 edition so memorable, much of the conversation this year centered around an existential question: What exactly is the event?

During the final singles match on Friday, Team World’s Felix Auger Aliassime asked the chair umpire to monitor how much time his opponent Gael Monfils was taking between points. Monfils voiced his displeasure to Auger Aliassime, as well as the rest of his European team, and it became immediately clear the two players had differing opinions of what the Laver Cup is. Auger Aliassime was treating it like a standard tournament and Monfils believed it to be an exhibition. “They name me and say ‘You’ll be isolated,'” Monfils said to his team. “For me, I’m right here to have amusing.”

While the debate continues by fans on social media, it seems as if Auger Aliassime and Team World’s philosophy might have proved more successful. While no ranking points are awarded for the event, each member of the winning team received $250,000, in addition to a participation fee.

Sportsmanship!

After Mackenzie McDonald defeated Shang Juncheng in the first round at Zhuhai on Thursday, he noticed Shang was struggling to move due to cramping, so he ran over to his side of the court. After Shang congratulated McDonald for the win, he asked if he could help him get to his chair. McDonald didn’t hesitate.

“I mentioned, ‘Hop on,” McDonald instructed ATPTour.com. “So he jumped on my back and I carried him over to the bench.”

Sure, that’s proper — McDonald gave Shang a piggyback journey next the fit. That must be proper up there within the “How to win over fans” playbook, proper next dressed in the house population’s football jersey.

Dancing with the previous global Refuse. 1

When two-time primary champion Garbine Muguruza introduced she could be taking a crack from tennis previous this 12 months, she didn’t say what she could be doing along with her hour clear of the sport. Along with the entire jealousy-inducing exit open on her Instagram web page, it seems the 29-year-old has additionally turn into a Zumba teacher.

Life it’s dense if she’s actively instructing the category, Muguruza attended a workshop for instructors throughout Europe ultimate future — and he or she seemed to be completely crushing it and, much more importantly, so satisfied to be there.

Muguruza hasn’t performed in a fit since January however has prior to now mentioned she plans to go back to the excursion in 2024.

Children nowadays

By means of now you’ve almost definitely open the viral video of Jack Draper joyously making a song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” within the automobile with Andy Murray next Stunning Britain’s Davis Cup victory in Manchester ultimate future. And should you haven’t, you need to get yourself up to speed immediately.

Now, as a result of this video in point of fact is the reward that assists in keeping on giving, Draper has equipped some perception to the LTA concerning the duo’s three-and-a-half date automobile journey. The 21-year-old Draper mentioned he “maybe had a few drinks” however mentioned Murray helped select one of the vital songs performed at the walk. Regardless of Murray’s fed-up dad power and facial expressions, he rated Draper’s making a song a 7.5 out of 10.

“He’s a tough man to please; I’m pretty happy with that,” Draper mentioned.





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