Welcome back to the Monday Tennis Briefing, where The Athletic dives into the key stories from the past week on the court.
This week highlights the challenges even top all-court and baseline players face against serves, a line-holding session on the ATP Tour, the comeback of a major star, and some behind-the-scenes tennis politics.
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Can Iga Świątek Gain Insights from Carlos Alcaraz?
Following Elena Rybakina‘s serving dominance in her Australian Open quarterfinal victory over Iga Świątek, the Polish world No. 2 faced another challenging day in her uneven 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 defeat to Maria Sakkari at the Qatar Open quarterfinals.
Despite her efforts to develop controlled baseline aggression with coach Wim Fissette, Świątek’s serve is proving to be an ongoing limitation. She often finds herself starting rallies from neutral positions, which complicates her quest for easy points, leading to increased errors as she tries to secure those advantages.
A notable point for players like Świątek comes from observing the improvements made by Carlos Alcaraz over the past year. Before he revamped his serve last summer, he too was prone to similar losses. With Świątek recently experiencing instability in her serve, including being broken five times in the match against Sakkari, she acknowledges the need for adjustments.
Świątek has indicated her willingness to prioritize changes to her serve over competing in lower-tier WTA 1000 events, a promise she has already fulfilled by skipping this week’s Dubai Duty Free Championships.
How Did the ATP’s Top Players Maintain Their Positions?
This week, the ATP Tour finalized three tournaments, with the top seeds advancing to the finals in each. In Dallas, Rotterdam, and Buenos Aires, the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds met for the championship, emphasizing the importance for players beneath them to capitalize on opportunities when top contenders like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are absent.
In Dallas, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton competed in a thrilling final. Both players had to navigate substantial challenges to reach this stage. Shelton’s win made him the first American man since Andy Roddick to clinch multiple titles above the ATP 250 level, showcasing his ability to perform during crucial points, despite needing to improve his overall breaking frequency.
Both finalists showed resilience, with Fritz battling knee and oblique injuries, illustrating the fierce competition and determination permeating the tour.
Positive Signs for a Returning Star?
The Qatar Open provided a potential reset for Zheng Qinwen, a prominent figure on the WTA Tour returning from an elbow injury. Her campaign, which marked her first tournament since September, included notable victories and a close match against Rybakina, indicating her chances of reclaiming her pre-injury form.
Zheng, currently ranked No. 23, demonstrated potential, especially with her serve showing improvements during her matches, including a three-set victory over Sofia Kenin where she tallied 20 aces. A successful return for Zheng could significantly intensify the competition within the WTA Tour.
A Test for a Young Talent’s Mindset?
At just 18, Mirra Andreeva is far ahead of her peers, holding the world No. 7 ranking and two WTA 1000 titles. However, she faces challenges maintaining momentum after initially excelling. Since her impressive French Open semifinal, she has experienced disappointing defeats, raising questions about her mental resilience as she approaches a crucial stretch in upcoming tournaments.
With 2,000 ranking points to defend, the pressure and expectations may be daunting for the young talent, creating a potentially pivotal moment in her career.
What Lies Ahead for the ATP Tour?
The ATP Tour is set for significant changes, particularly with the anticipated introduction of a Masters 1000 event in Saudi Arabia by 2028. As ATP officials discuss calendar optimization, the adjustments could profoundly affect the February schedule. Attending events worldwide, such as the recent Argentina Open, allows ATP leaders to gauge player interest and fan engagement as they navigate this upcoming transition.
