Plenty of pro tennis exhibitions being played around the world this month, here’s a look at a few…
December 8: Kuwait practice set Rafael Nadal vs. Arthur Fils 76.
December 9: “Time Tennis” doubleheader: Stefan Kozlov vs Gastao Elias and Genie Bouchard vs Peyton Stearns at Royal Palm Tennis Club (no scores reported).
Former ATP pro Sander Groen says he might have set a pro tennis record: “I did some research and I think I should be holding some kind of world record: over the course of 27 years of playing professional events I had 240 different doubles partners from 47 different countries. My goal is to make a selfie with every single one of them. Unfortunately 3 of them have passed away: Menno Oosting, Jerome Golmard and Hanquez Jérôme RIP.”
Vijay Amritraj’s election to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2024 this week was questioned by former top ten pro Karel Novacek on Facebook. “Why?” Vijay reached a couple Grand Slam quarterfinals and was a solid top 20 player.
Brandon Nakashima is training at Sanchez-Casal Academy in Naples, FL. Shintaro Mochizuki is training at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.
It’s been reported former ATP world no. 1 Marcelo Rios will divorce his second wife Paula Pavic, though they will still live together in Sarasota, FL. Rios’s new girlfriend is the 18 year old daughter of his fitness trainer. Rios will turn 48 on December 26.
A top junior coach on the state of how competitive the circuit is: “It is clear to me that junior tennis is like rolling the dice. Nobody is consistent enough to make good results a couple of weeks in a row. The girls this year at Orange Bowl were much stronger than other years. Wimbledon winner and Orange Bowl winners in other years already being overtaken by next generation two to three years younger.”
14 year old Hannah Klugman of Great Britain won the Orange Bowl girls 18s. Danil Panarin, 18, of Russian, won the boys title.
16 year old Alina Korneeva of Russia and and 17 year old Joao Fonseca of Brazil were announced as the ITF Junior world champions for 2023, as both finished no. 1 ranked.
American juniors who have direct entry into the Australian Open draw are Kaylan Bigun, Alexander Razeghi, Roy Horovitz, Matthew Forbes, Maxwell Exsted, Cooper Woestendick and Jagger Leach for Boys. For girls: Kaitlin Quevedo, Iva Jovic, Tyra Grant and Alanis Hamilton
An interesting new tennis attire company is called “The Bubble Lifestyle” which sports some vintage 80s preppy designs for female tennis players.
“We value quality, style, comfort and the small details… For us, it’s a personal statement that can be made on the court, course or in the community… Everyone has a unique body, style, and life… Equipping women to live in full color and taking them full circle throughout their days is our goal… Join us and live your life to the fullest, being the woman you were created to be.”
Fils will change clothing from Asics to Lacoste in January.
AO · Orange Bowl · The Bubble Lifestyle
