Medvedev, Bublik, Sabalenka and Svitolina won titles; Poland captured the United Cup; Milos Ranoic announced his retirement and Flavio and Carlos heat things up Down Under. Full report plus all the ATP beef that's fit to post BELOW.
Team Poland
After finishing as runner-up at the United Cup in each of the last two seasons, Poland finally came good on Sunday in a thrilling final by defeating Switzerland by a slim 2-1 margin.
The whole thing truly was "Belinda's world" as Bencic received United Cup MVP honor. Conversely, Iga Swiatek would have won the LVP dishonor had it been available.
Former world No. 3, Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic announces retirement from tennis. At 35 and always inured, it was definitely time. But his tree-trunk legs will be sorely missed!
Daniil Medvedev made a statement start to the new season on Sunday in Brisbane, where he defeated Brandon Nakashima 6-2, 7-6(1) to win the title at the ATP 250 event
Alexander Bublik captured his ninth ATP Tour title and fifth since June on Sunday in the Hong Kong Tennis Open, where he took out Lorenzo Musetti, 7-6(2), 6-3. The erratic Slavic makes his Top 10 debut in the ATP Rankings today, becoming the first "Kazakhstani" man to do so.
Despite a horrific record in finals, Musetti slips into the Top 5, which has kind of become a revolving door the way the WTA's has been for ages
Heckling panda
As a consolation, Musetti teamed up with countryman and friend Lorenzo Sonego to defeat Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev in the doubles final, 6–4, 2–6, [10–1]. It was the first ATP Tour doubles title for Musetti, and third for Sonego.
It wasn't that big a deal, but I love all these photos so here you go!
Francisco Cabral and Lucas Miedler defeated defending champions Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool in the Brisbane doubles final, 6–3, 3–6, [10–8]. It was the sixth ATP Tour title for Cabral and 11th for Miedler.
Still No. 1 in my heart
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka sent an early Australian Open message by sweeping past Marta Kostyuk to retain her title at the Brisbane International -- then punctuating the moment with a gesture that underscored just how political their rivalry has become. Sabalenka was too strong on the day, closing out a 6-4, 6-3 win in just over an hour. But it was what came next that lingered: the Belarusian turned toward Kostyuk and kissed both biceps -- a pointed move widely interpreted as a response to comments Kostyuk made last year suggesting Sabalenka has higher testosterone levels than other players.
Those remarks, Kostyuk has since said, were taken out of context. Still, the tension between the two has always run deeper than tennis. Kostyuk, who has been outspoken about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, refused to shake Sabalenka’s hand after their French Open match in 2023, citing Sabalenka’s Belarusian nationality and Minsk’s continued support for Moscow.
Elina Svitolina defeated No. 7 seed Xinyu Wang 6-3, 7-6 (6) on Sunday to capture the ASB Classic in Auckland. The 31-year-old captured her 19th career title, improving her record in WTA Tour finals to a robust 19-4 -- a winning percentage just shy of 83%.
Elsewhere around the net ...
Flavio Cobolli got the practice court all horned up in Melbourne ...
And everyone couldn't help but notice that the Italian and Carlos Alcaraz sure had some chemistry ...
Arthur Rinderknech got hearts racing a la plage Down Under
Titouan Droguet has that "je ne sais quoi"
The most Medvedev stat ever!
Did Alexandre Mueller just ink a deal with Carnal Plus?
Marcos Giron on the move
Manspread Monday with Francesco Passaro
Luciano Tacchi on holiday
I like that a sexy Frenchman is bringing out Marcos's playful side
More of his bromance with Constant Lestienne HERE
Borna Coric is still standing?
Joao Fonseca puts the "nature vs. nurture" theory to the test
Sexy Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo look ready for the new year
Matteo Berrettini is still at it
Where he lost to Knack Weekend model Raphael Collignon in the round of 16
Stefanos Sakellaridis would like your attention
Just how I've dreamed of having Martin Fucsovics ...
Mini manspread: Otto Virtanen
Stan "Yes you can be beefy and have abs" Wawrinka
Suddenly missing Jack Draper ...
Because I still haven't seen a photo of Luciano Darderi I didn't want to save
Just not a buzzcut!
Watch HERE
or of brother Vito
Watch HERE
My birthday's in June!
Marcos Fraiberger gets cozy
A vision in verde
Fetching fiaca: Mariano Kestelboim
Please tell me Casper Ruud's hair is coming back
How does a photo editor choose?
Fresh off his impressive ATP NextGen Finals performance, Alex Blockx downs Rafael Jodar 6-4, 6-4 to claim his fourth career crown in Canberra!
Manuel Guinard in b&w
Dmitry Popko and Facundo Diaz Acosta
Andy Mies
Players in the players box
The other white Borna
Andrea Vavassori workout
explains this 🍑
Zizou Bergs picks up where Twerk Queen Coric left off
Filip Misolic always brings the heat
Of note: No Brad Gilbert or Pam Shriver at this year's Aussie Open
A note from the latter
Vava with some lucky sap at the beach
Belgian United Cup captain and Mertens boy toy Christopher Heyman
Surf's up for Vasil Kirkov and Kiril Kirkov
Where do I sign up?
Latte break with Julian Cash
Might need to reposition Janko Tipsarevic on my list of 100 hottest players
Throwback to Harold Solomon's trademark hairy chest and gold chain
By the numbers
I'm guessing the fact that the United Cup offered some points allowed Coco Gauff to inch back above Amanda Anisimova
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