Novak Djokovic has not arrived in the United States yet – he was spotted jogging in Montenegro yesterday – presumably will fly today, land later, practice tonight at site (like he did last year straight from airport with Jiri Lehecka) and play his mixed doubles tomorrow with Olga Danilovic vs Medvedev and Mirra.
Jannik Sinner has a new partner for US Open mixed doubles after Emma Navarro dropped out – Anna Kalinskaya.
Casper Ruud: “Novak Djokovic is the greatest athlete in the history of every sport.” No Casper, Novak is the greatest champion in the history of sport.
Pablo Carrena Busta trounced Yoshihito Nishioka 60 63 yesterday for his 20th win at Winston Salem, which was the site of his first ATP title.
Did Stefanos Tsitsipas take a swipe at Jannik Sinner with this tweet? “People don’t really change. They just get better at hiding what they don’t want you to see.”
Rajeev Ram and Nikola Mektic defeated Musetti and Sonego 46 63 10-5 for their first team title. It’s Ram’s second Cincy title and the first for Mektic.
Two weeks ago Terence Atmane was ranked 136. In Cincy he beat two top 10s in Fritz and Rune. Has no agent, no clothing deal, just one sponsor. He entered 2025 with $625k in career career singles earnings. Has made $332k in Cincinnati for reach semis.
Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe defeated Guo/Panova 64 63 to win women’s doubles in Cincinnati.
Jasmine Paolini says she will not compete in US Open mixed doubles with Lorenzo Musetti after reaching the finals of Cincinnati where she will oppose Iga Swiatek who beat Elena Rybakina.
Johan Kriek remembers running out of gas on way to a pro tournament final: It was in 1979 or so in The old Portuguese Hall in Johannesburg and Hilton Gluck at the time the President of Head Sports in South Africa gave me my first contract for clothing and rackets. I won the event against Danny Sullivan. But what nobody knows is that I stayed with my mom’s youngest sister at the time just outside of Johannesburg – Susan and Gert Grundler. She gave me her old BMW 2002 Ti stick shift but it had a broken gas gauge….. I was guessing the amount of gas in the tank. I was wrong.
On the way into Johannesburg to play the finals I ran out of gas on the N1 into the city.
I locked the car on the side of the highway and a small
Minivan with a Zulu driver stopped when he saw me walking and hitchhiking! Well, I spoke Zulu which blew their minds ….the other blacks in the minivan – you know how they pack 27 people into a 12-seater with chickens and everything. It was so funny this token white 19 year old who could speak their language and chatting all the way to the Portuguese Hall dressed in all white clothes…
I gave the Zulu driver a heck of a tip! a $100 bill. He flipped out!! These are the moments that are so bizarre and unscripted that means so much to me. Life is truly full of surprises! It was an amazing time in my life…. I miss South Africa. A lot of great people there.
Iga Swiatek · Johan Kriek · Novak Djokovic · Pablo Carreno Busta · US Open
Scoop Malinowski · August 18, 2025 at 10:26 am
Bizarre exchange between Iga and post match interviewer Andrew Krasny: Swiatek stops post-match interview to say, “Did it just start raining?” Krasny: “No, I accidentally spit on you….”
Scoop Malinowski · August 18, 2025 at 10:29 am
Stan Wawrinka got a WC into Cancun Challenger and reached the semi where he lost to Tirante 36 36. Svercina won the final vs Tirante in three sets. Stan has wildcarded his way into every tournament this year. The 40 year old is ranked 146.
Scoop Malinowski · August 18, 2025 at 10:31 am
18 year old Rafael Jodar of Spain won the Hersonissos Greece Challenger 64 62 over Dan Added of France.
Steve · August 18, 2025 at 8:49 pm
Atmane is a fun player to watch. Super low toss on the serve & and explosive forehand. I think he learned a lot about composure in his defeat against Gasquet at the French this year.
Scoop Malinowski · August 18, 2025 at 9:43 pm
Steve, good point, that match seemed to be a turning point in is career. Great experience. He’s on tomorrow at 11 am I will try to watch this new star.
Scoop Malinowski · August 20, 2025 at 8:34 am
“Tennis is, from now on, only business and politics.” – Boris Becker in 2019