Welcome back to the Monday Tennis Briefing, where The Athletic discusses the key stories from the previous week on the tennis courts.
This past week marked the intensification of the clay season with the Monte Carlo Masters, the first 1,000-level event of the surface this year. Additionally, there were some unexpected outcomes in the Billie Jean King Cup, reflecting a broader trend in the competition.
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Upsets at the International Level?
The final qualification round for the Billie Jean King Cup finals occurred over the weekend, showcasing the shocking results that have traditionally defined the tournament, similar to the Davis Cup.
In Ostende, Belgium, the home team surprised an inexperienced U.S. squad missing several key players. The timing of the qualifiers coinciding with the clay-court season, along with potential travel conflicts, resulted in many teams being short-handed, including the U.S.
With star players like Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Amanda Anisimova absent, top-ranked Iva Jović, a young talent at world No. 16, lost two matchups. World No. 48 McCartney Kessler had to retire during her match, leading to the U.S. not qualifying for the finals for the first time in a decade.
Challenges for ATP Doubles Competitors
Recently, there has been a notable increase in prominent men’s singles players participating in ATP Masters 1000 doubles tournaments, a rarity traditionally compared to their WTA counterparts.
This year’s events, such as the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open, featured players like Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner teaming up with other competitors. However, their performance was underwhelming, with only one victory among the pairs.
A recurring issue arises when singles players who win in doubles often withdraw from further doubles matches to focus on their singles commitments, limiting their participation. While it’s beneficial for players to gain match experience, it’s disappointing for fans seeking extended appearances from top players in doubles.
Homegrown Talent Shines on Indoor Clay
Austrian tennis has been on the lookout for a new star since Dominic Thiem’s retirement in 2024. At the Linz Open last week, 18-year-old Lilli Tagger showcased her potential, drawing attention on the indoor clay surface that serves as an excellent gauge for developing players.
Fans have known about Tagger’s capabilities; she won the French Open juniors last year without dropping a set. At Linz, she impressed many by defeating former world No. 2 Paula Badosa and saving eight set points against Liudmila Samsonova to secure a thrilling victory.
Despite an eventual quarterfinal loss to Anastasia Potapova, Tagger’s unique one-handed backhand and strong foundational skills, bolstered by her coach, Francesca Schiavone, signify her potential to follow in Thiem’s footsteps.
Andreeva’s Resurgence on Clay
Mirra Andreeva overcame a challenging March, claiming her second title of the year at the Linz final against Potapova after battling through some tough losses earlier. The indoor clay proved beneficial, offering a pace that smoothed her transition from hard courts.
Andreeva’s focus paid off as she rallied after an initial setback in the final against Potapova, ultimately winning with a clearer strategy compared to her opponent’s erratic play. Her resilience was acknowledged during the trophy ceremony, where she emphasized her commitment to fighting back.
Now ranked No. 91, Andreeva’s success at Linz guarantees her entry into significant tournaments, paving the way for her potential as she heads to upcoming matches.
Weekly Highlights
🎾ATP: Jannik Sinner (2) defeated Carlos Alcaraz (1) 7-6(5), 6-3, winning the Monte Carlo Masters, marking his first clay title at this level.
🎾 WTA: Mirra Andreeva (1) triumphed over Anastasia Potapova, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, claiming the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open, further extending her title count.
Upcoming Events
🎾ATP:
📍Barcelona, Spain: Barcelona Open featuring Carlos Alcaraz, Jack Draper, and more.
📍Munich: Munich Open, with Alexander Zverev and others.
🎾WTA:
📍Stuttgart, Germany: Stuttgart Tennis Grand Prix highlighting top players like Elena Rybakina and Iga Świątek.
Join the conversation on this week’s events as the tours continue.
