Tennis – Page 9 – The World of Tennis

Nick Kyrgios Curses the Chair Umpire and a Spectator

Nick Kyrgios hits the front pages once again, starts cursing people.

Marseille Open might not be an elite league, but it certainly does not allow players to show rage on the pitch. The Aussie certainly fails to comprehend that.

The 21-year old was giving it his all while trying to overturn the match. He was a set behind and was on the brink of his next serve when he snapped at a fan for ruining his focus. Politely telling the spectator to “shut the f* up” is not the best way to silence the fans.

Well, at least he did come to overturn the potential defeat into a win and saved himself from further embarrassment. To add more spice, Nick—after winning the match—mockingly started waving at a bunch that kept muttering one thing after the other during the match. The vocal supporters of Nick’s opponent Sela did not have much to boast about then.

Nick Kyrgios always brings a bit of drama to his matches. In fact, he even stretches the drama to post-match Twitter duels. When the insulted spectators demanded an apology from Nick on Twitter, “LOL, man up” was his reply!

Can Milos Raonic Grab the Top Spot in Global Rankings This Year?

Milos Raonic

Milos Raonic has had the best year any tennis player could possibly have. In just a single season, he managed to reach the career-best world rank at the number 3 spot. He also played in his first-ever Grand Slam final. For many players, this is as good as it gets.

But Milos wants to push himself even further.

The number 3 spot isn’t good enough. He wants to break into the top two. A Grand Slam final cannot whet his appetite. He wants to win one. And he’s preparing himself mentally and physically to reach the top of the charts.

But is he making a mistake? “I was desperate to play the highest level of tennis right away,” he recently told reporters. The desperation is evident. He suffered from frequent injury problems last season. Despite managing to reach the Australian Open semifinals, he couldn’t compete due to an injury.

Others accuse him of being a one-trick pony. Service is Raonic’s strong point. But critics say he needs to up his game even further if he wants to improve or even sustain his current position.

But he is hopeful.

When asked if he could manage to reach the most-coveted number one spot in the rankings in 2017, he said, “I hope so, that’s the goal.” Consistency, he thinks, is what enabled the top two to sustain their position in the past few seasons. Maybe that’s exactly what he needs right now.

6 Tennis Players Arrested. 28 Accused of Match-Fixing!

A total of 34 players have been caught in match-fixing by the Spanish police.

Yesterday, the Spanish police went on a roll and arrested six players who are undoubtedly involved in the crime. Investigation is in pursuit for the other 28. However, the Interior Ministry has refused from giving out any names as of yet.

The players have been linked to matches being fixed in 17 different events. The staggering amount involved was 500,000 Euros at the least.

The investigation was pursued by the infamous Buzzfeed and the BBC, who found a part of the top levels of tennis corrupted. The shocking part of it was that sixteen of the players among the 34 are those who have managed to secure a position in the top 50 players of the previous decade. The reliability of this list is certainly at doubt among many.

Despite the fact that these players were regularly flagged, there was no certain action against them until now. They kept competing—throwing matches away for that matter—and minting money.

The players were reported to receive anywhere from 500 Euros up to a 1000 to give away matches.

Nick Kyrgios Avoids Eight Week Suspension after Insulting the Umpire

Nick Krygios, who just rose to his best ever career ranking (13th) according to the recent ATP list, showed his temper during a match. When the match against Mischa Zverev did not go as expected, Kyrgios lost it and started raging over the umpire and one of the supporters.

The ATP initially put a $25,000 penalty on the player, and suspended him for eight tournament weeks. Apparently, the ban was reduced right after the player agreed to see a sports psychologist, as per the offer by the ATP. Kyrgios later released a statement, saying:

“Following the ATP’s decision I would like to take this opportunity to apologize again for the circumstances in Shanghai.”

He further cleared his situation and said that he had a rough tournament; however, he does not want to use it as an excuse for the events that occurred. Nick Kyrgios’s ban has been reduced to three weeks by the ATP, for which he said:

“I do understand and respect the decision by the ATP and I will use this time off to improve on and off the court. I am truly sorry and look forward to returning in 2017.”

Marion Bartoli and the Curious Case of the Mystery Virus

“My life right now is an absolute nightmare. What I am going through, I wouldn’t wish it on [anyone].”

French tennis star Marion Bartoli poured her heart out in an interview and addressed the issue of her dramatic weight loss. Bartoli has lost around 30 kg since she was crowned the Wimbledon champion in 2013.

The former champion has been a frequent victim of abuse online and in the media. Critics allege that she is suffering from an eating disorder. This interview was Bartoli’s first attempt to address the criticisms around her weight loss.

And her explanation was met with skepticism.
According to Bartoli, the cause of her shocking weight loss is not an eating disorder but a virus which is causing bizarre symptoms. The virus, which she admits the doctors couldn’t identify, renders her unable to eat anything other than organic salad leaves. She also cannot go near tap water and electronic devices.

“I can’t even wash myself with tap water,” said Bartoli. “I can’t be on my phone for more than five minutes as my heart starts to pump … Every time I do something, I’m scared to see the reaction to my body, it’s a constant fear.”

Despite her incessant claims that she loves to eat and does not suffer from any kind of disorder, her critics remain adamant and consider the explanation to be unbelievable. On the other hand, some express disgust over the online abuse hurled over Bartoli. They believe that her treatment is just one example of how women in tennis are expected to conform to certain body standards.

Which side do you stand on?