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Monica Puig and Nicolas Kiefer Finish NYC Marathon
12 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
Two tennis stars from different eras both ran the New York City Marathon yesterday and both finished.
Monica Puig, the recently retired 2016 Olympic gold medalist in singles, finished the race and said, “(I’m) Completely overwhelmed with emotion over this! Pushed my body to the absolute limit and it was MORE than worth it! First marathon in the books and already looking forward to the next.”
Nicolas Kiefer, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist in doubles (with Rainer Schuettler), also ran the 26.2 mile race through the five NYC boroughs and finished with a time of 3:59:04. Kiefer said it was his first time in New York City since playing the US Open in 2009 (loss to Rafael Nadal in second round after beating Michal Llodra in first round).
The German, now 45, also ran the London Marathon in October, finishing with a clocking of 3:59:23.
Kiefer won six ATP singles titles and was ranked no. 4 in the world in 2000. His best Grand Slam result was semifinals of Australian Open 2006, a defeat to Roger Federer.
Puig is the first Puerto Rican athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics. She won two WTA titles in her career and retired in June of this year at age 28. She turned 29 in September.
Monica Puig · Nicholas Kiefer · NYC Marathon
Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2022 at 6:10 pm
Only a few pro tennis players have run the NYC Marathon, I can think of Justin Gimelstob, Caroline Wozniacki, James Blake, Amelie Mauresmo, Yannick Noah, Jonathan Stark and Patrick McEnroe.
Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2022 at 6:31 pm
Kiefer said he will run Tokyo Marathon next may.
catherine · November 7, 2022 at 1:46 am
No regrets from Ash and plenty to occupy herself.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/nov/07/ash-barty-i-miss-competing-but-not-a-lot-that-comes-with-it
Down in Fort Worth, not the final they wanted but the one they got: Sabalenka v Garcia. Should pack the stands.
These end of year events are full of tired players and unmemorable matches. The season’s over at the USO.
Scoop Malinowski · November 7, 2022 at 6:56 am
Catherine, WTA finals needs some gimmicks and sparks, on it’s own it’s a tough sell especially in Texas. Wonder how the money numbers compare to ATP WTF? Probably big disparity.
catherine · November 7, 2022 at 8:07 am
I’ve never been very interested in either the WTA or ATP Finals. I wonder what they’re there for. Apart from the money.
Singapore was a reasonable site for the WTA. But I can’t remember who won really, in any year, men or women, wherever they played.
Quote of the year from Gauff in Ft Worth: ‘I’ve never lost so much so fast.’
Scoop Malinowski · November 7, 2022 at 8:33 am
Catherine, the scores show Gauff was a punching bag for the top players. Almost like a sparring partner. But she keeps rising up the rankings in singles and doubles. The WTA Finals when it was at Madison Square Garden was an exciting event, partially because of the thrill to go to Madison Square Garden, the most famous arena in the world. Can honestly say I’d rather watch a good doubles match at the local park than this Sabalenka vs Garcia. Or a good ITF junior match singles or doubles at Eddie Herr or Orange Bowl.
catherine · November 7, 2022 at 8:58 am
Yes, MSG was a good site, lots of fans. I saw Steffi play there a couple of times.
This from Iga. Kind of sums up how I imagine a lot of them feel:
“I’m not gonna lie to you, I’ve been waiting for that moment,” Swiatek said, reflecting on the end of her season. “Because last week, basically it was pretty hard to see the finish line but still be fully motivated and ready for every match. On one hand, I’m sad that I lost, but on the other hand, I have one more day off. That’s something on the bright side.
“This season has been so intense and I’m so proud of myself that I could play so well till the end of it. I’m happy that it’s done.”
Scoop Malinowski · November 7, 2022 at 9:12 am
Catherine in a way it’s a good loss, like Djokovic falling to Rune, if they both kept winning everything then they have extra pressure and expectation to start 2023 and a big target on their back as everyone wants to beat the best, red hot player. Iga and Novak both needed a loss. The more you win the harder it is to keep winning. The goal right now really is AO23. Iga’s words suggest she subconsciously tanked to Sabalenka. “I’m happy that it’s done,” interesting word choice there by Iga. I think in both cases Rune and Sabalenka wanted/needed it more.
catherine · November 7, 2022 at 11:19 am
Scoop – 1-6 3rd set ? I think those words were singing a song in Iga’s head all through the match : ‘I’m happy that it’s done.’
Taking nothing from Aryna – she saw the door ajar and shut it firmly.
Scoop Malinowski · November 7, 2022 at 4:47 pm
Catherine, I can’t recall ever hearing a player saying they were happy to be out of a tournament in a semi and happy that their season is over after a loss. Iga Swiatek is in the twilight zone.
catherine · November 8, 2022 at 1:11 am
She’s telling the truth. (‘I’m not gonna lie to you’)
And it was better all round, mentally and physically.
I suspect she never wanted to be there in the first place.
Garcia bt Saba but I haven’t found anyone who really cared.
Scoop Malinowski · November 8, 2022 at 7:21 am
There’s no way to spin the Fort Worth finals into what it’t not. Hopefully the wta will overhaul itself and improve it’s product in 23. So many changes needed, culture, personnel, presentation, web site, political agendas. Look at the energy of PPA Pickleball which will be shown on network tv next week CBS. Tennis should be very afraid of pickleball. Fairly certain there are no political and media agendas to destory the greatest Pickleball player of all time as the tennis establishment is trying to do to Djokovic. https://www.instagram.com/ppatour/?hl=en