Your Love Means Nothing

[Dolfan in NYC]

After 10 years, it was time for a new tennis thread.   Let's start out with the amazing stuff that's happening down in Australia:

 

[Cobra Commander]

If Danielle Collins wants to retire to go into wrestling, then:

 

Edited January 16 by Cobra Commander

[Dolfan in NYC]

Djokovic got pissy about losing the first set of his semifinal against Zverev and retired.  

(Actually he's hurt, but, you know, fuck that guy.)

[Cobra Commander]

Madison Keys won her first major.

Insert “oldest player in the league, a miracle” meme about a women’s tennis player winning her first major at 29

[The Natural]

BBC Sport:

Alexander Zverev was heckled by a spectator over domestic abuse allegations during the Australian Open men's singles trophy ceremony.

The German second seed lost in straight sets to world number one Jannik Sinner in Melbourne.

As he stepped up to receive his runners-up trophy, a spectator loudly shouted: "Australia believes Olya and Brenda."

The 27-year-old was accused of violence by his former girlfriend Olya Sharypova in 2020 and of domestic abuse in 2023 by Brenda Patea, with whom he has a child.

Zverev has repeatedly denied both sets of allegations and a Berlin court case brought by Patea was discontinued last year.

Asked afterwards about the heckles, Zverev said: "Good for her. I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment.

"I believe there are no more accusations. There haven't been for, what, nine months now.

"I think I've done everything I can, and I'm not about to open that subject again."

In October 2020, former girlfriend Sharypova accused Zverev of violence and emotional abuse during their relationship. Zverev denied the allegations and said they were "unfounded".

Sharypova did not press charges, and a 15-month investigation by the men's ATP Tour found there was "insufficient evidence" to substantiate claims made by Sharypova and so Zverev did not face disciplinary action.

In November 2023, Zverev was given a penalty order and fined by a German court after being accused of physically abusing his ex-girlfriend Patea.

Zverev denied the claims and lodged an objection against the order, which resulted in a public trial.

The trial was discontinued in June 2024 after a settlement was agreed between the defendant and the complainant.

At the time, the court told BBC Sport: "The decision is not a verdict and it is not a decision about guilt or innocence."

[Dolfan in NYC]

Davis Cup action had Chile facing Belgium... Specifically Garin vs. Bergs.   Bergs had just broken Garin in the 3rd when this happened:

Garin refused to play after this citing an eye injury and got defaulted. Judging from the pictures Garin posted after, I don't doubt:  a) he was in pain, b) he probably could have continued, c) Bergs hit him completely unintentionally,  AND d) Bergs should have received a match penalty.

[Tabe]

15 hours ago, Dolfan in NYC said:

Davis Cup action had Chile facing Belgium... Specifically Garin vs. Bergs.   Bergs had just broken Garin in the 3rd when this happened:

Garin refused to play after this citing an eye injury and got defaulted. Judging from the pictures Garin posted after, I don't doubt:  a) he was in pain, b) he probably could have continued, c) Bergs hit him completely unintentionally,  AND d) Bergs should have received a match penalty.

Based on that clip, I would agree on all points.

[Dolfan in NYC]

Emma Raducanu had a scary moment in her match in Dubai today. 

Apparently she was confronted by a stalker/fan in a public area before her match.  And he appeared again only a few rows off court during her match. She apparently got very emotional when she spotted him and asked the judge to protect her.

The stalker was ejected for 'displaying fixated behavior' and will be banned from all WTA events pending a 'threat investigation.'

 

---

THIS is the sort of thing that makes me very, very worried that we're really close to getting another Monica Seles situation. 

[odessasteps]

I heard it described on the BBC as if she was hiding behind the umpire during change overs. 

It’s amazing the guy was let back in today after being ID’ed the other day.