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2019 RIO OPEN FINAL: Felix Auger-Aliassime Moves Forward In The Best Way, "I've Done Good Things This Week And I’m Gonna Stick With The Positives”

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime and Laslo Đere during 2019 Rio Open Final Trophy Presentation
RIO OPEN - Laslo Đere, the 23-year-old Serbian, surprised the sensation of the tournament, Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime, and won the first title of his career at the Rio Open presented by Claro this Sunday at the Jockey Club Brasileiro, 6/3 7/5, in 2 hours. Very emotional, Đere dedicated the title to his parents, who already passed away.  “I lost my mother seven years ago and I want to dedicate this to her, and also to my dad, I lost him two months ago. My parents have been the reason I’m here today and I hope they are watching me now”.

Félix Auger-Aliassime was disappointed with the loss and how he played, especially in the serving game, but give all the credits to Djere for the win. “Obviously today was tougher, especially my second serve fell apart for some reason and had been serving well for the whole tournament. It’s a little bit disappointing because obviously I was playing for the title and it was big for me. But at the same time I’m not gonna lose to much sleep for this loss. I've done good things this week and I’m gonna stick with the positives.”

The 18-year-old Canadian had the best week of his young career. He received a wild card for the main draw and defeated in the first round the number 2 seed, Italian Fábio Fognini. Then he got past by Christian Garin (7/5, 6/4), Jaume Munar (6/4, 6/3) and in the semifinals the experienced Uruguayan and 2016 champion, Pablo Cuevas (6/3, 3/6, 6/3). “It was one of the most special tournaments that I played. And having Guga in the audience in the final, a great inspiration, it was special. I will continue working and hope to return next year” said Auger-Aliassime.

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Posted by Shelia at 11:07 PM
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INSTAGRAM: Britain's Heather Watson In "Buda(ful)" Pic - Budapest Hungary After Playing In Hungarian Ladies Open Doubles Final

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Buda(ful)

A post shared by Heather Watson (@heatherwatson92) on



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Posted by Shelia at 4:01 PM
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2019 ABIERTO MEXICANO TELCEL: No. 1 Seed Sloane Stephens Returns To Action In Acapulco In First Run Since Australian Open

American Sloane Stephens leads 2019 Abierto Mexicano Telcel draw.

ACAPULCO, Mexico - No.1 seed Sloane Stephens, who returns to action for the first time since the Australian Open, is the only former winner in this year's Abierto Mexicano TELCEL presentado por HSBC draw, and opens her campaign against Istanbul and Québec City Champion Pauline Parmentier of France for the second year in a row.  The tournament runs Monday, February 25 through Saturday, March 2, 2019.

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Posted by Shelia at 2:21 PM
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2019 RIO OPEN SEMI FINAL: Felix Auger-Aliassime Continues Winning Ways, "I Want To Have A Successful Career... I'm On The Right Track"

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime displays tremendous excitement as he defeats Argentinian Pablo Cuevas, and surges through to 2019 Rio Open final.

RIO OPEN - Canadian rising star Felix Auger-Aliassime upset 2016 Rio Open champion Pablo Cuevas and paved his way to become, at 18 years 6 months and 16 days, the youngest player to reach an ATP 500 final.

This Sunday in Rio, at 5pm, at Court Guga Kuerten, the Canadian will take on another finalist first-timer: Serbian Laslo Djere, 23.

One of the most celebrated players of the ATP NexGen, Auger-Aliassime needed two hours to score 6/3, 3/6 and 6/3 and defeat the experienced Uruguayan, who saved three match points.

“It feels great, the match was pretty tough, pretty complete today, I felt good from the start and thought I could have a shot to win. I was feeling my shots well and serving well too. But then he came back strong at the second set and I felt a lot of pressure from him. And then in the third set I came back strong again, I was able to break him early and then hold my serve. It was tough to finish when you’re so close to the line but I managed to stay calm and got the job done”, said the Canadian.

This Saturday’s win crowned an excellent week for Auger-Aliassime in Rio. The Canadian started by beating a Top 20 for the second time in his career: Fabio Fognini in the first round (previously he had already defeated Lucas Pouille). Then he took on Chilean Christian Garin and NextGen and Rafael Nadal’s pupil Jaume Munar before stunning Cuevas.

“I felt the effect’s of yesterday’s long match [against Albert Ramos-Vinola], I was a bit slower and with low energy. Felix is an aggressive player who took advantage of that. He served really well, he played well and deserved the win. He is very talented and I’m sure he’s got a bright future ahead”, said Cuevas, 33.

Auger-Aliassime received a wild card to play in Rio this year because of his impressive performance recently. He already has four Challenger tour titles and had a fantastic performance in the Canadian victory against Slovakia at the Davis Cup, guaranteeing the qualification of his country to the finals.

With the win over Cuevas he became the youngest ATP 500 finalist since the level was established, in 2009 _previous record holder was Alexander Zverev, who made it to the final in Halle in 2016 at 19 years and 2 months.

And since the Canadian started playing in Rio he became a crowd favorite.

“It’s been great. Every time you have a breakthrough as a young guy it’s a special moment and all the environment is important and from the first day I felt good in Rio, from the hotel I’m staying at, the places I’ve seen and the energy from the people. That’s really strong and I strongly believe that it has pushed me to where I am today, this week, and maybe I can give one last push with the support of the crowd tomorrow.”

As for the match this Sunday, Auger-Aliassime expects nothing less than a battle.

“Laslo had a great week also. I wouldn’t say I’m a heavy favorite, maybe to the crowd I’ll have their support, but it’s going to be a tough match. I haven’t played him yet, but I’ve seen what he’s doing and it’s going to be a battle. At the end for me, title or no title it’s not the most important thing. At the end I want to have a successful career every year and I don’t want to be remembered for a final or a title that I won when I was 18. I’m on the right track.”

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Posted by Shelia at 11:14 PM
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NAOMI OSAKA SATURDAY MORNING FACT: "The Light Is Coming To Give Back Everything The Darkness Stole"


Take heed, Naomi is working it out!



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Posted by Shelia at 12:06 PM
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TWITTER FILES: Level Up Felix Auger-Aliassime!! He's Into His First Career ATP Semi-Final At The 2019 Rio Open - What A Ride!!

Friday, February 22, 2019


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Posted by Shelia at 8:47 PM
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TWITTER FILES: Well, It Appears That Ryan Harrison Doesn't Give A Damn About Being Deemed Disrespectful

Thursday, February 21, 2019


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Posted by Shelia at 10:28 PM
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2019 WTA RULEBOOK CHANGES: A New Special Seeding For Players Returning From Maternity Leave, A "Modernized" Attire Rule, The Rollout Of A 25-Second Shot Clock... Among Others

Wednesday, February 20, 2019




The 2019 WTA season will see the introduction of a new Special Ranking rule designed in conjunction with the Player's Council and approved by the Board of Directors to make returning to competition easier for players coming back after pregnancy, starting a family, or medical illness. The Board of Directors also approved new rules to provide greater consistency and speed up the pace of play in matches and modernize the existing attire rules.

In meetings held during the first week of December, the Board of Directors approved several amendments to the WTA Rulebook for the 2019 season, which were also supported by the WTA Players’ Council and Tournament Council.


1. Special Ranking Rule

The previous Special Ranking Rule, which allowed a player to freeze her ranking in the event of injury, illness, or pregnancy, required a player be out of competition for a minimum of 6 months and return to play within 3 years. A returning player could then use her special ranking for 8 tournaments to be completed within 1 year, though their special ranking could not be used for seeding purposes.

The Board of Directors approved a number of changes to the Special Ranking Rule, including adding a provision that allows a player to use her special ranking for seeding purposes at WTA events.

Under the New Special Ranking Rule:

A player who is out of competition for more than 6 months but less than one year may use her special ranking for up to 8 tournaments in a one-year period.

A player who is out of competition for one year or more may use her special ranking for up to 12 tournaments in a one-year period.

If a player is out of competition due to pregnancy or a medical condition, she is allowed 3 years to use her special ranking. In the event of pregnancy, the time period is calculated from the birth of the child.

If a player is out of competition due to adoption, surrogacy, or legal guardianship, she is allowed 2 years to use her special ranking.

If a player's special ranking would earn a seeded position, that player will be drawn as an "additional seed" to play a non-seed in the first round. A ”additional seed” does not bump an otherwise seeded player.

Upon her return, a player is eligible to use her special ranking for seeding purposes at the 1st 8 WTA tournaments she plays.

A player may freeze her ranking up to two times. Under the previous rule, a player was allowed to freeze her ranking just once.


2. Leggings and Compression Shorts Without a Skirt Approved

Though the WTA had no rule explicitly prohibiting a player from wearing leggings without a skirt, the Board of Directors approved language making the Tour's position regarding such attire explicitly clear: Leggings and mid-thigh-length compression shorts may be worn with or without a skirt, shorts, or dress.

NOTE: The dress code applies only to WTA tournaments on the calendar, while Grand Slams, which come under the jurisdiction of the International Tennis Federation, are entitled to set their own rules.

3. 25 Second Shot Clock Rollout

After trialing the rule during the US Open Series last summer, the WTA will continue to implement a 25-second shot clock at Premier events in 2019, with a full rollout for all WTA tournaments in 2020. Previously, the rulebook allowed for 20 seconds between points.

In addition to the shot clock, the WTA will codify the 1:5:1 pre-match warmup rule, which allows the players 1 minute to reach the net for the pre-match coin-toss, 5 minutes to warm up, and 1 minute to start play.

4. Reduced Toilet Breaks

Players will be allowed one toilet/change of attire break per match.

Previously, the rulebook allowed for up to 2 breaks per player per match.

5. Prize Money Distribution On Withdrawals

If a main draw singles player (excluding wildcards) is on site and withdraws from a tournament between the start of qualifying and her first-round match, the player is eligible for 100% of her first round prize money. This rule is designed to improve player health and competitive integrity by disincentivizing playing through injury and retiring mid-match.

The Lucky Loser who takes the player's spot in the main draw will receive either (a) final round qualifying prize money if she loses in her first main draw match, or (b) final round qualifying prize money plus main draw prize money from the round she reached, minus the first-round prize money that went to the withdrawing player.

A player may use this rule a maximum of 2 times per season at non-consecutive WTA tournaments.

6. 10 Years of Service Rule for Additional Wildcards

Currently, a player is allowed a maximum of 6 WTA wildcards a year, with allowances for additional wildcards under certain circumstances. If a player has played 10 years or more, they are allowed 3 additional wildcards.

Starting in 2019, a player must play at least 6 tournaments in a year for that year to count towards the 10 Year Service Rule. Previously a player had to play just one tournament for the year to count. This rule only applies to future seasons, as any years prior to 2019 are still counted according to the old rule.

 7. Prize Money Distribution at International and WTA 125K events

International-level tournaments offering prize money above the minimum but below $500,000 and WTA 125K Tournaments offering prize money above the minimum must distribute 100% of the prize money above the minimum to on-site prize money.


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Posted by Shelia at 11:02 PM
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