Roger Federer, the Snow King

There was the Snow Queen, now there’s also a King : Roger Federer, who enjoyed his return home, in Switzerland, and attended the Alpine World Ski Championship. He takes the first spot of our ranking in front Eugénie Bouchard and Maria Sharapova.

There was the Snow Queen, now there’s also a King : Roger Federer, who made enjoyed his return home, in Switzerland, and attended the Alpine World Ski Championship. He takes the first spot of our ranking in front of last week’s leader, Eugénie Bouchard, the star of social networks. At the third spot, Maria Sharapova, who has also been preparing for her come-back…

1- Roger Federer (+10).

Having definitely entered the legend of tennis after his spectacular come-back in Melbourne, Roger Federer has been enjoying the last few days, and relaxing, at home, in Switzerland. He also made the most of the Alpine world ski championship in Saint-Moritz to visit another sporting superstar, the American Lindsay Vonn.

Lindsay Vonn who had already met the Swiss in 2014, to play an exhibition match.

Still in Saint-Moritz, King Roger took a selfie with Tina Weirather, the Lichtenstein-born skier, who came second in the Super-G of these world championships.

Otherwise, the Swiss watched a few races…

…and was obviously interviewed by many different medias.

2- Eugénie Bouchard (-1).

The buzz of the week : During the Super Bowl half-time, Eugenie Bouchard had accepted a bet from a stranger, who asked her on a date in case the Patriots wouldn’t manage to turn around the game against the Patriots. That was before Tom Brady’s exceptional performance…As a result : the Canadian lost the bet, and had to ask the lucky winner where he lived to take him out for a meal…

However, you won’t catch her making the same mistake again : she didn’t predict any result for the Grammys !

Week after week, Bouchard is compensating for her absence on the courts, with an almost omniscient presence on the social networks.

And it looks like her slightly narcissistic side hasn’t just appeared recently…

Kournikova 2.0 ?

3- Maria Sharapova (NE).

Speaking of a mix between tennis, internet, and a glamorous lifestyle, the queen remains Maria Sharapova. The ex-world number 1 has been actively preparing for her comeback, and has been showing it, with many pictures showing her training hard.

After having been invited to take part in the Stuttgart and Madrid tournaments, she started training with Haas.

The Russian is ready to crush the WTA circuit again.

4- Novak Djokovic (+4).

After his disappointment in Melbourne, which came just after a difficult end of the 2016 season, Djoko is still healing his sorrows. He took a few days off to go skiing.

He also met with a hairy fellow countryman.

But the main news, related in the gossip columns, is that the Serb could become a father for the second time, with the happy event happening next August of September. A good reason to get back on top form.

5- Ekaterina Bychkova (NE).

The first controversy of the week came from the almost unknown Ekaterina Bychkova, who hasn’t won a single title since 2000, her best ever ranking being world number 66, and who has made some pretty inappropriate comments during an interview. Comments concerning, among other things, some of her opponents’ sexual preferences, or Stan Wawrinka’s liking to party. Not the classiest way of making a name for yourself…

6- Andrea Petkovic (NE).

The other huge controversy of the week occurred during the BNP Paribas Fed Cup match between the United States and Germany. At first, the German players were welcomed warmly, with the traditional flower necklace, in Hawaii.

However, when the national anthems were being played, the Nazi version was interpreted for Germany. A serious false note, which made Andrea Petkovic understandably very angry.

She published a press release to express the « total shame » and how she felt « insulted », saying it’s « the worst thing that ever happened » to her.

Moreover, Germany was quickly defeated by the american team…

7- Barbora Strycova (NE).

In the BNP Paribas Fed Cup, the best thing to remember this weekend was the good mood of the Czech team, which was as impressive as ever, as they defeated Spain 3-2, at home.

With a Strycova on top of her game.

8- Timea Bascinszky (NE).

In Geneva, the Swiss won in a tensed match, against Yannick Noah’s French team.

Bascinszky has been the leader of the Swiss team, with a perfect record of two wins in the singles, and one in the doubles alongside Martina Hingis.

9- Victor Estrella Burgos (NE).

The improbable feat of the week happened on the men’s circuit with Victor Estrella Burgos’ third victory in a row at the Quito tournament. The Dominican has only won this tournament in his career !

Above average during the rest of the season, Estrella Burgos completely transforms himself every time he plays in Ecuador, which makes his whole nation proud.

Doesn’t he look a bit like Hristo Stoichkov on that picture ?

10- Grigor Dimitrov (+2).

At home in Sofia, Dimitrov was very much expected. He completed his mission by defeating David Goffin in the final of the tournament.

A happy ending which enables the Bulgarian to extend his popularity a little further in his home country.

In any case, Dimitrov is having a very promising start of the 2017 season.

11- Alexander Zverev (NE).

At the Montpellier Open Sud de France, Alexander Zverev is the master : he won the singles, and the doubles alongside his older brother Mischa !

As a result, the little prince of tennis went up in the ATP ranking, and secured a spot in the top 20. Before entering the top 10 at the end of the season ?

12- Vasek Pospisil (NE).

No title for Pospisol this week, but a defeat in the final of the San Francisco Challenger…

But the Canadian produced the « hot shot » of the week, with a hard-fought point from behind the baseline, and a magnificent conclusion.

A point to show in every tennis schools.

13- Fabio Fognini (NE).

Fognini + Maradona = heart

The Italian, who was his nation’s hero in the BNP Paribas Davis Cup a couple of days ago, really seems to be enjoying his time in Argentina.

He’ll soon be one of the headliners of the Buenos Aires tournament, alongside the Japanese Kei Nishikori.

14- Rafael Nadal (-1).

This week, Rafa Nadal did a little promotion for his sponsor. Classic.

But the rumor spreading is that he will soon put an end to his collaboration with his uncle and lifelong coach, Toni Nadal…

The end of an era. So what’s next ? The Spaniard, a Real Madrid fan, told the press that he’d love to become president of the football club !

15- Serena Williams (-1).

A bit of advertising.

And relaxing.

A little bit of training.

Everything is for the best in the best of all possible worlds for the world number 1 Serena Williams, who’s quietly preparing for the next big meetings of the season.

Outs :

Shapovalov, Svitolina, Mladenovic, Berlocq, Kyrgios, Darcis, Sock, Fritz

Tennis news by We Are Tennis