Iga Swiatek Calls Out Anastasia Potapova for Controversial Indian Wells Shirt

Potapova’s public appearance wearing the colors of one of Russia’s best football teams highlights yet another tricky issue Wimbledon will have to negotiate this summer.

Potapova said she had supported the team since she was a child and saw no problem in what she had done, but it sparked outrage in some corners, not least with Poland’s Iga Swiatek, who has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine throughout the war.

I was surprised as I thought she realised that she should not, even if she is a fan of the team, show her views at such times.

I talked to the WTA and I found out that these situations will probably be less, as they will explain to players that it is not allowed to promote any Russian teams now, which reassured me a little bit. On the other hand, I think the message should have been sent much earlier,” Swiatek told Przeglad Sportowy, as revealed by Diego Barbiani.

Potapova said she is fan of Spartak Moscow since 2017 yet couldn’t name a single player from the team.
On the same day, Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko claimed WTA CEO Steve Simon told her she should not be upset if there were Russian and Belarusian players supporting their governments.

A few days ago I had a conversation with our WTA CEO Steve Simon and I was absolutely shocked by what I heard. He told me that he himself does not support the war, but if the players from Russia and Belarus support it, then this is only their own opinion, and the opinion of other people should not upset me.

At the same time, he noted that if this happened to him and he was in my place, he would feel terrible,” Tsurenko told BTU.

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvXYd3ZqNfE

Novak Djokovic Denied Visa for Miami Open and Indian Wells; Joe Biden Intervenes.

Serbian tennis ace Novak Djokovic has reportedly been denied an entry visa for the Miami Open and Indian Wells in the United States. Djokovic, who went through a lengthy period of controversy last year due to his decision to not get vaccinated for Covid-19 may just face similar problems this year in the United States. 

Djokovic had an open training session last week and then held a press conference, where he revealed he had applied for a special permit. “Everything is currently in the process. I have a big desire to be there. I am really thankful to the Indian Wells and Miami tournament (officials) and community for their support publicly and they would like me to be able to play in their tournaments”, he said.

The Serbian began this season with his 92nd career title at the 2023 Adelaide International 1. At the Australian Open, he dropped only one set en route to the final, where he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to clinch his record-extending 10th Australian Open title. 

He also tied Rafael Nadal for the Open Era record of 22 men’s singles major title, and also snatched the world no. 1 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz.

YouTube Link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rujpEhWJzwY

‘It’s a JOKE’: Andy Murray is Left FUMING at Australian Open Umpire for Not Being Allowed a Toilet Break

British tennis star Andy Murray was left fuming at Australian Open Umpire last month, after he was refused a toilet break. 

‘I mean, do you know something,’ Murray told the umpire. ‘I respect the rules. It’s so disrespectful that the tournament has us out here until 3, f***ing 4 o’clock in the morning and we’re not allowed to take a piss.

‘It’s a joke,’ he fumed. ‘It is a joke a you know it! It’s disrespectful. It’s disrespectful to you, it’s disrespectful to the players and we’re not allowed to go to the toilet. Ridiculous.’

Last year, Murray was offended by Tsitsipas for taking a long toilet break. 

Murray then took to Twitter to mock his opponent after losing to him in five sets in the first round.

‘Fact of the day. It takes Stefanos Tsitipas [sic] twice as long to go the bathroom as it takes Jeff Bazos [sic] to fly into space. Interesting.’

Murray claimed Tsitsipas was going to the toilet ‘for 20 minutes every time’.  Amazon founder Bezos’s flight into space last month from the Texas desert took ten minutes.

‘In the toilets right there, what’s he doing in there? It’s never once taken me that long to go to the toilet ever when it’s right there.’

Murray’s prominent voice on bathroom breaks led to a rule change – with the ATP Tour bringing in fixed limits allowing only one visit per match, for a maximum of three minutes once they enter the facility.

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qxROJGdWGAM

Tennis Ace Djokovic Believes Controversial Australian Open 2022 Exit is Hard to Forget

Serbian tennis ace Novak Djokovic believes he will never forget the controversial turn of events that led to him being deported from the Australian Open 2022. The controversy surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations was the most trending topic in global tennis last year, and Djokovic will have a hard time forgetting it. 

The former world number 1 is currently in Australia for the Grand Slam this year and hopes things go smoothly this time around. 

“You can’t forget those events, it’s one of those things that stick with you,” said Djokovic in his first news conference since returning to Australia.

“It stays with you for the rest of your life. It’s something I’ve never experienced before and hopefully never again, but it is a valuable life experience for me.

“But I have to move on and coming back to Australia speaks about how I feel about this country and how I feel about playing here.”

“It’s a great place and the people in Adelaide, and generally in Australia, love tennis, love sports and it’s a sporting nation so hopefully we’re going to have a lot of people watching and we can have a good time,” Djokovic said.

“I’m hoping everything is going to be positive. Obviously, it’s not something that I can predict. I’ll do my best to play some good tennis and bring good emotions and good feelings to the crowd.”

Djokovic is motivated for the coming year and specifically the Australian Open for its highly competitive environment. 

YouTube Link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0QN88SbI78

Aussie tennis star John Millman reveals Secret Behind controversial video of Novak Djokovic’s team mixing ‘magic potion’ for grand slam legend

Australian Tennis Star John Millman has offered an explanation into the secret magic potion that Djokovic’s team prepared for him during a live match. 

Millman, who is ranked No.155 in the world, waded into the debate on Twitter on Monday night, hitting back at people questioning the practice which he calls ‘a trade secret’.

‘Too much attention on a team member mixing sports drinks … a proper ridiculous notion that something is up, stadium full, cameras everywhere, drinks mixed in player’s box … I mean use a little logic here, maybe just maybe they don’t want to give the edge to anyone,’ he tweeted.

‘To add to that, inside a locker room you see a player’s team always making drinks, in unmarked bottles and put in the fridge. Training programs, supplement intake etc is trade secret.’

Earlier in the week, Djokovic’s wife hit out at online speculation surrounding his on-court energy drinks.

‘I don’t see anything dodgy,’ she said. ‘In fact, I see people trying to be private about their business in a world where everyone feels they have every right to point a camera at you.

YouTube Link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYKHN9i549E