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Hopman Cup’s passion and intensity on display
7 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
It always rankles me when I hear someone say Hopman Cup is “just an exhibition.” Alluding that it’s not an event that’s taken very seriously by the participants, who just use it to “get some matches in.”
If you watched some of the France vs. Czech Republic duel yesterday, you’d have seen just how serious and intense Hopman Cup can be.
Alize Cornet was locked in a fierce struggle with Petra Kvitova, which was decided 7-5 in the third set. Cornet was jumble of jumpy emotions as she fought back to win the second set and then broke Kvitova to level it at 5-all. Cornet was playing with an urgency that suggested she felt enormous pressure to clinch the tie – Tsonga defeated Stepanek in straight in the first singles – rather than have it all come down to the mixed doubles, which surely favored the Czechs because Stepanek is a master doubles player.
The match had all the dramatic qualities of an Olympic or Davis Cup nailbiter, with high quality heavy hitting and animated support from an excited crowd.
At one point (see photo above), the emotional Cornet won an important point late in the third set and seemed to glare at Stepanek who was watching from the Czech courtside box, just a few yards from Tsonga in another box.
Eventually, Kvitova kept her cool and finished the job.
It came down to the mixed. Tsonga was near perfect and Cornet, was even
better, earning credit as the star of the court from the TV commentators. Unfortunately for the Czechs, Stepanek came up with a dud, losing serve his first three service games.
France never faltered and earned the big victory.
But this intense Hopman Cup clash illustrated just how much this unique event is taken so very seriously by the teams invited to the competition.
Believe me, the Hopman Cup is not just some “exhibition” event, it’s a world class competition held in a brilliant venue, attended by educated tennis fans, and a very impressive winner’s prize and trophy on the line for the victorious duo.
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Andrew Miller · January 1, 2014 at 5:23 pm
Seems like what Scoop said (?) about World Team Cup.
Scoop Malinowski · January 1, 2014 at 6:25 pm
Have never seen any WTC matches on TV Andrew but always tune into Hopman Cup from the Burswood Dome every Jan. it’s one of my favorite events. They bring in all the top gun commentators – Fred Stolle, Killer Cahill, and some Aussies I don’t know their names, also the guy who does the on court post match interviews has the coolest voice in all of sports.
Dan Markowitz · January 2, 2014 at 8:28 am
Scoop,
It’s Gulbis v Nadal in Doha. Can Ernests give Rafa a match?You’re boy Lleyton is looking spry out there. I haven’t seen any Hopman Cup, but I always like it. They usually have some pretty cool exbos going on and Perth is an absolutely gorgeous place. Oh, here it is this morning with the USA playing France, Tsonga v Isner, Tsonga who will win the Aussie O in a few weeks, mark my word.
Scoop Malinowski · January 2, 2014 at 10:23 am
Gulbis can certainly give Rafa a loss. He has given Rafa some very tough challenges and actually had the upper hand twice was in the winning position but then the wounded Rafa turned the tables. Gulbis had him dazed on the ropes, ready for the KO. But you know what they say, the wounded animal is the most dangerous. Gulbis has to be in KILL MODE. We will see if Gulbis still has the belief after blowing a couple of should have been wins last year vs. Rafa. You know Rafa is going to be amped up for this match because he knows Gulbis is a big threat to him and he will want to discourage him and keep him in his place. Hewitt is just remarkable isn’t he? Maybe he intends to stick around as long as Muscles Rosewall did. Can never count out Hewitt.
Scoop Malinowski · January 2, 2014 at 10:26 am
Dan Hopman Cup is a lot more exciting and interesting and far more intense than the Mubadala exo. These teams really want to win Hopman Cup and are fighting hard for it. Not sure if every player in the Mubadala really wanted to win that event, it seemed most of the players were just there for the appearance fee and to get some match play. Hopman Cup is serious business.
Bryan · January 2, 2014 at 6:01 pm
I thought Gulbis was going to take the 2nd set and the first was very close. He was up 3-1 and crash and burned trying to hit aces. He needs to tone down his first serve once he misses it a few times. Of course his aggressive approach is why many of us like him but sometimes you just need to get it in play.
Dan Markowitz · January 2, 2014 at 7:16 pm
Was the match on Tennis Channel today? How about Monfils? He beat Gasquet and Daniel Brands rather easily. Could this be a Monfils year?