Tennis Planet.me

Chat thread: Myskilaneous.

Georgian tennis star Nikoloz Basilashvili, ranked 27th in the world, was charged on Sunday with physically assaulting his ex-wife, prosecutors said.

A court in the Georgian capital Tbilisi charged Basilashvili with perpetrating "violence against a family member committed in the presence of a minor" before releasing him on bail amounting to $30,000 (27,500 euros), prosecutor Natia Guruli said.

He faces up to three years behind bars if found guilty.

Basilashvili's ex-wife Neka Dorokashvili told the Mtavari TV station on Sunday that he "physically assaulted" her Friday in the presence of their five-year-old son.

Basilashvili denied the charges, his lawyer Irma Chkadua told journalists.

The 28-year-old won his second ATP title at the China Open in 2018 by defeating world number four Juan Martin del Potro in the final, three months after winning the German Open in Hamburg.

He went on to defend the Hamburg title last year.

In May 2019, Basilashvili reached a career high of 16 in the world.

https://sports.yahoo.com/georgian-tennis-star-basilashvili-charged-assaulting-ex-wife-161106174--ten.html

Tennis, anyone? Not on this sunny Sunday at the French Open.

Tennis, anyone?

Not Sunday at the French Open. Nobody was there. Maybe they will be in September.

It should have been the first day of the clay-court Grand Slam tournament held annually at Roland Garros - with thousands flocking to catch a glimpse of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Serena Williams.

Instead, the grounds in leafy western Paris were deserted on a sunny, blue-sky day because of the coronavirus pandemic.

''Every year it's Roland Garros time, it's a bit like tennis fever. I was looking forward to seeing quality tennis and having a day out again. There's a certain mood, an atmosphere,'' said 34-year-old Hector Snowman, who attended the tournament in 2019. ''You see stars walking around there, it feels like a privilege to be there. Everyone's expecting a French player to do well and they have their favorites like (Roger) Federer.''

Court Philippe Chatrier, where 15,000 fans cheered Nadal's record-extending 12th title last June, wouldn't have needed the new roof that was supposed to debut in case of rain this year.

Viewed from outside, peering through one of the site's imposing iron gates, the towering roof looked grandiose with its 11 large sections, each 110 meters (360 feet) long and weighing 330 tons (660,000 pounds).

Also visible: construction equipment left behind when France went into lockdown on March 17 littering the inside of Roland Garros.

In early February, the French Tennis Federation proudly released a video to announce the roof was ready. A few weeks later, people were sheltering in place as the nation went into confinement. Soccer, rugby and tennis events all got called off.

If the French Open does start as hoped on Sept. 20, it might have to be played with no spectators present on the 17 courts for health and safety reasons. The maze-like grounds of Roland Garros are narrow, crammed, stuffy and sinewy, making social distancing impossible.

That would mean 10,000 fans missing out on watching Djokovic or Nadal on Court Suzanne Lenglen in the early rounds, and it would dash the FFT's hopes of beating the record 520,000 fans who came to watch last year.

Normally thousands of people would be pressed together on the surrounding streets, preparing to go through security as they walked toward the entrances down Avenue de la Porte d'Auteuil or Avenue Gordon Bennett. As folks waited in line to get checked, the chatter might have been something along these lines:

- Can Nadal win a 13th championship in Paris to raise his total of major trophies to 20 and equal Federer's record for men?

- Will Williams win a 24th Grand Slam title to equal Margaret Court?

- Will Djokovic claim an 18th major title to close in on Nadal and Federer?

- Can Ash Barty repeat her 2019 French Open triumph, which earned her her first major championship?

- Could Dominic Thiem, a runner-up to Nadal the past two years, finally win his first major?

But on this day, the long lanes leading to the stadium looked like any other tree-lined street in Paris. There were no stewards barking out instructions or beefy security guards checking bags. No panama-hat wearing volunteers guiding fans around or checking tickets.

Normally it would take 15 to 20 frustrating minutes to walk from the Porte d'Auteuil subway station to the main entrance. On Sunday, it took just six minutes.

There was plenty of time and space to admire the Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil, whose gardens stand opposite Roland Garros and have been there since 1898; the four white statues in front of the main gate look imperious under a cloudless sky.

Only handfuls of people walked down the avenue or rode bikes, some wearing protective masks.

One woman in a blue face covering stopped twice to take photos.

The first time, she photographed the roof. The second time, she walked around the corner and snapped a shot of the stadium entrance.

Tangled green foliage has draped itself over the main sign that says, ''Federation Francaise de Tennis'' - French tennis federation - with ''Stade Roland Garros'' written underneath in black letters.

Normally, that would not be visible with the amount of people around on Day 1 of the French Open.

https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis-anyone-not-sunny-sunday-french-open-190340878--spt.html

Look Nadal and Murray are attempting to 'match' with their scruffy beards. Heck, they think they ARE that beast!!!!!!

Roddick is losing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quiz question.

Name player whose parents - out of anxiety - famously roamed the nearest shopping mall while their son was competing at a Slam final.

Countries with the youngest and oldest populations. Your village in there?

Click here.

RAFA (Part 3): Legend.

 

 

More photos.

Photos.

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MAY 23: Alison Riske of the United States enters her score on the UTR app and is interviewed by Tennis Channel after her match against Danielle Collins of the United States during the UTR Pro Match Series Day 2 on May 23, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MAY 23: UTR cleaning staff sanitize the net between matches during the UTR Pro Match Series Day 2 on May 23, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MAY 23: A nurse checks a UTR staff member's temperature as he arrives to the court for the UTR Pro Match Series Day 2 on May 23, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MAY 23: Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia has her temperature taken in her car as she arrives to the UTR Pro Match Series Day 2 on May 23, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MAY 23: A detail of a remote controlled CamBot camera during the UTR Pro Match Series Day 2 on May 23, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Following new COVID-19 safety guidelines, remotely controlled cameras were installed to limit the number of people on the court. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MAY 23: Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia and Amanda Anisimova of the United States tap their rackets together after their match during the UTR Pro Match Series Day 2 on May 23, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Following new COVID-19 safety guidelines, players are not permitted to shake hands or hug after their match. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Undated file photo shows tennis star Naomi Osaka. Forbes reported on May 22, 2020 that Osaka earned $37.4 million in the last 12 months from prize money and endorsements, more than any other female athlete in history. (Photo by Kyodo News via Getty Images)

Shouldn't Kobe and Dimitrov lose massive career and legacy 'points' - irretrievably?

Should have Wall Of Famed it!!!!!!!!!!

Just thinking of brazenly and shamelessly modelling your style on the GOAT of your sport damages you - irreparably - mentally and physically.

To actually carry it out on the world stage invites perpetual guilt and stigma - just from within - forget what others on the 'outside' are saying and thinking.

Granted you want to shorten the learning curve but this is ONE line you don't cross - even if it guarantees immortality - statistically.

I mean, wouldn't you be chastised endlessly IF you do become the GOAT - for obvious freaking reasons?

How about if you don't even come close to the GOAT pedestal?

That's like cheating at your exam and still 'failing'.

Isn't it far more rewarding and satisfying to be yourself and let the chips fall wherever they do instead of 'cheating' with a guaranteed 'fail' outcome - with GOAT status - forget anything even slightly less?

There is a certain honor and dignity in 'paying' the price - regardless of degree of success - as opposed to 'winning' after compromising basic human principles - blatantly.

Heck, Graf is chastised just for the 'Seles' factor. Federer for the 'Nadal' factor.

And both involve severe abuse and suffering. And they are not even close to the 'modelling' beast.

Point?

There are enough factors already in play to malign you EVEN if you follow the rules. Why add a known one - from the get go - to compromise your psyche and physique - eternally - with no guarantee of success?

Could Kobe have gotten a higher rating for top NBA players of all time if he wasn't 'like' Jordan? It's possible.

With respect to Dimitrov, given his success and attitude, is it safe to say he is here largely for the 'lifestyle' and girls? It's possible.

Bottom line:

Honor trumps everything - in the long run.

25 Novak Djokovic Moments That Will Blow Your Mind! 🤯

 

 

Crab pulling other crab down?

That's what you are reminded of - most - watching Kyrgios - Djokovic spat?

To make sure the 'intention' is unmistakable, Kyrgios goes to the ultimate space called Wimbledon (Murray) to 'pull down' Djokovic.

For rock people, first Kyrgios accused Djokovic of one who desperately wants everyone to like him and second told Murray he is better than Djokovic.

Know what I am barking about?

No, you don't!!!!!!!!!!!!

Naomi Osaka passes Serena Williams as world's highest-paid female athlete.

Naomi Osaka made her name beating Serena Williams on the court.

Now, she’s topped the tennis icon at another key venue — the bank.

Osaka, 22, earned $37.4 million in prize money and endorsements over the last 12 months, supplanting Williams as the highest-paid female athlete in the world, according to Forbes. The figure is also the highest ever for a female athlete, passing the $29.7 million payday Maria Sharapova earned in 2015, according to the report.

Four-year streak for Williams snapped

There’s no need to shed a tear for Williams, though. The 38-year-old, 23-time Grand Slam winner did just fine, earning $36 million for the second-biggest payday ever for a female athlete.

Osaka’s money move snaps a four-year streak for Williams, who had been the world’s highest-paid female athlete since 2016. Sharapova held the honor the previous five years, earning at least $24.4 million in each year from 2011 to 2015.

 

Naomi Osaka already beat Serena Williams on the tennis court. Now, she's winning at the bank. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Osaka’s breakthrough win over Serena

Osaka burst on the scene in 2018 when she beat Williams at the U.S. Open for her first major title at 20 years old. The match was one of the year’s biggest sports controversies, as Williams berated chair umpire Carlos Ramos, calling him a “liar” and a “thief” during an on-court meltdown at the heated final.

It made for a difficult scene for Osaka as she fought through tears during the trophy presentation. But it also made for one of the year’s biggest stories, raising her profile even further.

She followed up her U.S. Open victory by claiming the Australian Open title in 2019 for back-to-back Grand Slam victories.

According to Forbes, Osaka has 15 endorsement deals with partners Nike, Nissan, beauty brand Shiseido and racket-manufacturer Yonex each paying her seven figures. Her deal with Nike is worth more than $10 million annually and runs through 2025.

https://sports.yahoo.com/naomi-osaka-passes-serena-williams-as-worlds-highestpaid-female-athlete-182159952.html

RAFA (Part 2): Focus.

 

 

Canadian Icons Gretzky and Nash on Bianca Andreescu.