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The last remaining mother in the US Open singles draw keeps on inspiring.

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday September 11, 2020

Victoria Azarenka will carry the torch for the nine mothers that entered the women’s singles main draw at the 2020 US Open, and she hopes to have the success that fellow mother Vera Zvonareva had on the doubles court.

36-year-old Zvonareva, who paired with Laura Siegemund in the women’s doubles draw, claimed her third major doubles title on Friday.

Azarenka, who will make her return to a Grand Slam final for the first time since 2013, also hopes to win her third major singles title. Whether she gets it done or not, she’s already inspired a generation of woman by reaching the final. On Saturday she’ll bid to become the fourth mother to win a Grand Slam singles title, joining Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong and Kim Clijsters.

Mothers to win Grand Slam Singles Titles:

Margaret Court: 1973 Australian Open, Roland Garros, US Open
Evonne Goolagong: 1980 Wimbledon
Kim Clijsters: 2009, US Open, 2010 US Open, 2011 Australian Open.

Azarenka says she wants to inspire woman to go for their dreams, and adds that if they can handle being a mother, they can handle anything.

“I hope it just hopefully inspires women to go after their dreams,” she said on court after defeating Serena Williams 1-6 6-3 6-3 on Thursday night in New York. “I feel like you can’t always identify yourself as just one thing, you have many things you can do in your life. Being a parent is to me the most important thing in my life but I’m a tennis player on the court, I’m a fighter on the court I want to go after my dreams, my personal dreams, inspire my child. And I hope that women around the world know that they can do anything because being a parent is the toughest thing so once you can balance that you can do anything.”

Azarenka later told reporters that getting rid of her big ego played a significant role in her success. It's another solid reason to look up to the 31-year-old who has risen to the top of the sport once again after going through years of personal adversity.

“I could continue to stay on my high horse or I could just change it and learn from that,” she said. “I just feel I'm very proud of myself that I took that challenge up from losing and turn it around and become better. I'm not talking about a better tennis player. I'm talking about a better person for myself, for my son. That's what I'm most proud of.”

The American legend, like so many others, is blown away by Jennifer Brady's performance in New York through five matches.

Add six-time US Open champion Chris Evert to the list of people that have been blown away by Jennifer Brady‘s performance at the 2020 US Open. The American legend, who had Brady at her Academy for many years in Brady’s formative years, says that the biggest ingredient to Brady’s breakout success at this year’s US Open is her maturity.

“She’s matured,” said Evert on ESPN after Brady powered past Yulia Putintseva, 6-3 6-2. “We had her at our academy when she was ten years old. Really developed her game until she was 18.”

Evert says that she knew from a young age that Brady had a unique game.

“She played like a guy, and I mean that in a good way,” Evert said. “She had a lot of topspin, she moved so well, covered the court well, had a lot of power, had a kick serve, probably when she was 12 years old, but didn’t have the maturity.”

Brady, who has yet to drop a set in New York this year, has won 10 of 11 matches since the WTA restart. She won her maiden career title at Lexington, defeating Jil Teichmann in the final, and will face either Naomi Osaka or Shelby Rogers in the semifinals at the US Open.

Brady has talked about needing the time to grow into her game as well. This week in New York he was asked about her success in 2017, when she reached the round of 16 at two majors and became a much more widely known commodity.

“I don't think I was really ready physically or mentally to make the fourth round of two slams in one year,” Brady said. “Definitely came as a huge surprise to me. Honestly, I didn't really believe that I belonged at that level or that it was achievable for me. So to be honest, I wasn't ready mentally or physically before it. And, you know, this year, starting the beginning of the year, I felt like a different player. I'm not putting expectations on myself but also not surprised when I'm doing well at a tournament.”

Evert says that it’s normal for some players. Not everybody is ready for the rigors of the tour, mentally, physically or emotionally.

“I can’t believe she won Lexington and she’s played five matches here so far, and she hasn’t had a letdown,” Evert said. “She’s come into her own right now, she’s matured. Listen some players mature later on, and some mature very, very young, so this is her time right now.”

The Russians talk about each other in press after both reached the Round of 16 at the US Open on Day 6.

Two Russians are into the round of 16 at the US Open, as Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev both powered through in convincing fashion on Day 6, and as they took their turns in press, reporters had fun learning more about the history of the pair, which dates way back to their junior days.

“First memories is easy,” Medvedev said when he was asked about his early memories with Rublev after his 6-3 6-3 6-2 win over American JJ Wolf. “I think we played a match when we were like maybe 12 years old, both of us, or 11, and we were one of the worst juniors in terms of attitude that you could see.”

Medvedev said that the both of them had trouble keeping their emotions in check.

“We were crying, throwing the racquets over the fence,” he said. “We were young, of course, so we hated to lose. I was doing only lobs at the time, only lobs. Him, I don't think he was hitting the ball as hard as right now. It was crazy matches. That's the first memory I have.”

We asked Rublev what he felt made Medvedev such a special player and he was quick to describe many characteristics of last year’s US Open runner-up.

“Daniil, yeah, he have amazing serve, amazing return,” Rublev said. “Has amazing legs. Unbelievable fighter.”

“His style of the game is really, really unusual. So you cannot rush with him. He forces you to play not your style of the game. He force you to play a little bit slower. He force you to wait more, to play longer rallies. Many players maybe in one moment after one hour playing this type of game, type of style, they start to stress, they start to give up, they start to rush, they start to go for the shots, try to play shorter rallies, and in the end they miss more than they make.

“In the end, it's amazing style of the game of Daniil. That's how he become top 3.”

Medvedev says the key to Rublev’s rise in 2020 is his consistency.

The 24-year-old has been nothing but consistent in 2020. He has won two titles and carries an 18-4 record into his round of 16 encounter with Matteo Berrettini.

“We knew he can play amazing tennis, just unbelievable tennis, but if he was not there yet meant he was not as consistent as he could have been,” Medvedev said. “Now he's really consistent. Every tournament he plays he does good. The start of the year was amazing for him, so hopefully he will continue like this.”

Maria Sakkari reacts to Stefanos Tsitsipas' third-round collapse—and how she believes he will respond.
By Tennis Now

In a span of 12 hours, it was the best of times and worst of times for Greek tennis.

Maria Sakkari streaked through six straight games dismissing Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-1 storming into her second straight Grand Slam fourth round at the US Open.

More: Coric Saves 6 Match Points Shocks Tsitsipas

Prior to this season, Sakkari was 0-7 in major third-round matches.

Now, she awaits the winner of the Serena Williams vs. Sloane Stephens match for a shot at her first Grand Slam quarterfinal in her 18th major.

"I trust my game and I trust the way I'm playing now and the mentality I have on court," Sakkari said. "I just believe that I can win, you know, my next match. Or I'll try to win."

One of her biggest Grand Slam wins came after a brutally painful loss—Sakkari watched good buddy and compatriot Stefanos Tsitsipas squander six match points and a 5-1 fourth-set lead suffering a gut-wrenching loss to Borna Coric in a match that ended after 1 a.m. local time.

Sakkari said all players sympathize with the sting of a heartbreaking loss, but believes Tsitsipas will grow from the painful setback and come back stronger because he has a champion's character.

"I know it's tough. I didn't want to text him or anything so soon, because I know it hurts," Sakkari said. "I have never played five sets in my life, and I'm sure it's going to hurt even more.

"We feel for him, every single player, because it's tough, you know, losing after having six match points. I think I never lost a match with that many match points. But I'm sure he's going to bounce back because he's a strong guy mentally. I have a lot of confidence in him, and, you know, he's a great player. For me, he's a champion, so he's for sure going to come back stronger."

The 15th-seeded Sakkari said she's committed to carrying the Greek flag deep in New York and dreams of the day both she and Tsitsipas are pursuing Grand Slam glory at the same Slam. 

"I mean, it would be great to have both of us, you know, going deep," Sakkari said. "But I'm sure it's going to happen one day. I'm pretty confident."

Photo credit: Adam Glanzman/USTA

Stefano Tsitsipas texted Naomi Osaka for more information.
Stefanos Tsitsipas reached out to Naomi Osaka after her statement on social injustice to learn more.

After losing to Milos Raonic in the Western & Southern Open semifinals, Tsitsipas revealed he texted Osaka for more information and she responded.

Osaka: I Just Wanted To Create Awareness

"I texted and asked her what was this social injustice all about? Because I'm not really watching the news," Tsitsipas said. "I wasn't following at the time. I did come across something when the TV was open, when the TV was on. I saw something. I'm not quite sure if it was because of that.

"Yeah, and she explained to me what was going on. So I did understand."

Tsitsipas says while he doesn't follow the WTA closely, he admires Osaka.

"I'm happy for her. She's in a good streak, a good run," Tsitsipas said. "She's playing well. She's playing well, definitely. Honestly, I don't really watch much woman's tennis, but I admire her a lot."

Photo credit: @CincyTennis Western & Southern Open

Naomi Osaka was waiting for someone to speak up. Then she spoke.
Naomi Osaka was waiting for someone to speak up on racial injustice.

Then she spoke—and Osaka's powerful words prompted a unified response from the game's governing bodies.

More: Osaka to Meet Azarenka in Western & Southern Open Final

Less than 48 hours after Osaka opted out of the Western & Southern Open semifinals in protest of social injustice, she returned to action—and reflected on reaction to her stand.

Self-described more "follower than leader", Osaka said she's surprised by the volume her voice carried through the sports world—and grateful so many of her peers and the game's governing bodies stood with her.

"Honestly, I didn’t I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal," Osaka told ESPN's Chris McKendry after reaching her first final of the season with a 6-2, 7-6(5) win over Elise Mertens. "I thought I would withdraw and make a statement then I got a call from [WTA CEO] Steve Simon.

"He said he was fully supporting so I’m really grateful for that. Yeah."

Osaka said the WTA supported her decision and agreed to push back play a day before she posted her statement on Twitter.

"After my quarters match I saw everything the NBA was doing. Then I felt like I also needed to raise my voice, too," Osaka said. "So I called Stu, my agent, and we talked it over. Then we called the WTA, and they said that they would love to support and they were going to push play back a day. So I put out my statement.

"I feel like this is where everyone gets confused, because I didn't say I was going to withdraw from the tournament. I just said I wasn't going to play the next day. And today is Friday, and when I posted it was on Wednesday. I think that's where there was a bit of confusion.

"I feel like it's been kind of hectic, and I honestly haven't been able to get that much sleep yesterday. So I'm glad I was able to win today."

The former world No. 1 moved many with her tweet Wednesday night announcing she was withdrawing from the semifinals.

pic.twitter.com/miKzgSdGxY

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) August 27, 2020

"Watching the continued genocide of black people at the hand of the police is honestly making me sick to my stomach," Osaka posted on Twitter.

In a joint statement, the USTA, WTA and ATP supported Osaka's stand and postponed the semifinals to 11 a.m. today.

In her early years on tour, Osaka was so shy she was averse to entering the player locker room feeling she didn't quiet belong.

Now, the current and former pros ranging from Billie Jean King to Alize Cornet have praised the 22-year-old Japanese as a leader. 

Osaka, the biracial daughter of a Haitian father and Japanese mom, said she spent some time during the Coronavirus shutdown of the sport thinking about how she could use her platform to raise awareness of racial inequity to the tennis bubble. 

Clearly, her voice reverberates and commands respect from colleagues.

"Being more aware of the impact my voice can have I feel like this is a really big example," Osaka said. "I just wanted to create awareness in the tennis bubble and I think I did my job, I guess."

Playing for her sixth career title, Osaka will face a resurgent Victoria Azarenka in Saturday's W&S Open clash of former world No. 1 Grand Slam champions. The Japanese wild card said while she feared her fellow semifinalists might be upset with her stand, she's been encouraged by the strong support players have expressed.

"I haven’t really talked to the other players that much because we’re kind of in our own bubbles," Osaka said. "I heard everyone ewas really supportive.

"My biggest fear was I don’t want them to blame me for the one-day break in case anyone’s schedule got messed up. So I was really scared. Everyone I talked to was really nice and supportive."

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve 

Felix Auger-Aliassime brought back the burn.
FAA channeled AA in his ATP return.

Felix Auger-Aliassime brought back the burn wearing the flaming ball graphic on his Nike shorts a throwback nod to Andre Agassi's black-and-lemon yellow Nike gear from 1990—10 years before Auger-Aliassime was born. 

More: New Normal Could Spark Abnormal Results

"The flaming tennis ball graphic made its debut on Andre Agassi in 1990—but today's version uses modern materials so you can move in total comfort," Nike says of the updated retro shorts.

Auger-Aliassime looked sharp and played a clean match dressing down Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4, 6-1 in his Western & Southern Open opener at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Restart the engine…

Repaint the lines…

Precise work from @felixtennis at @CincyTennis 👌 pic.twitter.com/n8I3r8FgXm

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 22, 2020

The 20th-ranked Canadian will face either Lorenzo Sonego or wild card Tennys Sandgren next.

American Tommy Paul also sported the retro-Agassi style.

Photo credit: @CincyTennis Western & Southern Open

The Spanish star hopes to make a full recovery before the Open, but time is running out. Garbiñe Muguruza has announced her withdrawal from the Western and Southern Open due to a lingering ankle issue, but the two-time major champion is still committed to playing the US Open.

“Following the recommendation of my medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the Western and Southern Open due to discomfort in my left ankle,” she wrote on social media. “I hope I will be able to keep improving and have the opportunity to compete at the US Open.”

Hola a todos, no podré jugar en @CincyTennis pero espero estar lista para el #USOpen 💪 gracias por el apoyo 😘

Hi all ñ, I will not be ready for Cincy but i hope to be at the @usopen 💪 thanks for your support 😘

👇🎙 pic.twitter.com/S295IQ99NJ

— Garbiñe Muguruza (@GarbiMuguruza) August 17, 2020

Muguruza, who reached the Australian Open final this January, says she wants to get back on tour, and to do it in New York.

And the US Open sure could use her presence. Already six of the WTA’s Top 10 have announced that they will not play in New York this summer. The World No.16 has a good opportunity to add some ranking points if she plays. She was upended in the first round last year by Alison Riske.

The Belarusian is taking off on a new journey with the former coach of Elise Mertens and Angelique Kerber Aryna Sabalenka has switched coaches.

The Belarusian, who had worked with Dmitry Tursonov off and on since the middle of 2018, but apparently the time for Sabalenka to move on has come.

According to WTA Insider the World No.11 has hired Dieter Kindlman, the former coach of Elise Mertens and Angelique Kerber, and a former hitting partner of Maria Sharapova.

Aryna Sabalenka now working with Dieter Kindlmann, who hopes to join her soon in the US.

Kindlmann used to work with Sabalenka’s doubles partner, Elise Mertens.

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 11, 2020

Sabalenka is currently in the process of resuming her season at the Top Seed Open in Lexington, Kentucky. On Monday she got past Madison Brengle, 6-1 6-7(5) 6-2.

With eight Top 40 players ready to mix it up, the WTA will hit the ground running at Lexington on MondayThe big names are ready to roll at the Top Seed Open in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Williams sisters will be joined by six other Top 40 players as the WTA holds it first tournament on American soil since the Coronavirus stopped the tour in early March.

Top-seeded Serena Williams will square off with fellow American Bernarda Pera in the first round, and she could face her sister Venus in the second round—if 40-year-old Venus Williams can get past Victoria Azarenka.

Serena says she is taking no risks when it comes to social distancing and protecting herself from the coronavirus. Five million Americans have already tested positive for Covid-19 in America.

“I’ve been a little bit of a recluse,” Williams told reporters on Saturday in a virtual press conference. “I started self-distancing before, like early March, or something.”

Williams says her own personal health has made her even more careful than she might have otherwise been.

“I don’t have full lung capacity so I’m not sure what would happen to me. I’m sure I’ll be okay but I don’t want to find out," she said. "I have like 50 masks that I travel with; I never want to be without one. So health concerned, I’m super, super careful with what I’m doing and everyone in the Serena bubble is really protected because, at the end of the day yeah it’s cool to play tennis but this is my life and this is my health, so I’ve been a little neurotic to an extent but that’s just what I have to be right now.”

Third-seeded Johanna Konta, who faces Marie Bouzkova in first-round action, is also being extra careful. The British No.1 flew to Chicago and rented a car to drive to Lexington to keep her risk of exposure low.

“I arrived in the states on Thursday,” she told Ros Satar of Britwatch Sports in a virtual press conference on Sunday. “I actually flew from London to Chicago and then we rented a car and drove from Chicago, so we are going to keep that car and actually drive it to New York, to just try to really mitigate how much time I spend in airports and airplanes, just to be as vigilant as possible with that.”

The Lexington draw also features Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Ons Jabeur, CiCi Bellis and Sloane Stephens.

Main draw begins on Monday.

American Sloane Stephens, who also is active in the WTA’s Player Council, is happy to see her peers have the opportunity to get some work as the tour begins to roll again. It could be a short season, with the Asian swing cancelled and other events in Europe also falling by the wayside.

For now, at least, the opportunity is here for those players that need the work, and want to compete.

“Being able to get the American players that are still in the states to be able to play a tournament I think it was really important,” Stephens said. “Obviously because there were two tournaments in Europe—we can’t really travel there and back—so obviously it was good to be able to play here before Cincinnati and to be able to have those jobs this week.”

See the full draw for Lexington here:

Your @TopSeedTennisKY (Lexington) draw, which features a Venus Williams v Victoria Azarenka R1 clash. 😬 pic.twitter.com/bgvGGXGtwU

— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) August 9, 2020