WeAreTennis by BNP Paribas has summed up the tennis news - but not only - of the past week, day after day. A week spent at the ATP Finals in London, obviously, but also marked by truffles and paintings sold at a very high price.
Monday, November 12th
« Last June, I was the world number 22nd and recovering from a big injury. It took me a bit of time to gain back the confidence and the level of tennis that I was hoping to reach. All of this seems a bit surreal when I look back. It’s a dream come true. » In the wake of the 19th World Whose Truffle auction which saw an 850 gram white truffle sold for 85 000 euros, Novak Djokovic also won the jackpot. With a trophy received for being the world number 1 at the ATP ranking at the end of the season (for the fifth time in his career), but also with a win against John Isner (6-4, 6-3) for his first match at the ATP Finals in London. Alexander Zverev, who dreams of having a similar career, also won against Marin Čilić (7-6, 7-6). He’s on the right path.
Tuesday, November 13th
A small ride to begin with : how do you cross the Zolotoy bridge, the faster way to get into the center of Vladivostok, which is forbidden to pedestrians, when you don’t have a car ? By dressing up as a bus and getting on the road without anyone noticing, answered four very inspired friends ! Too bad : the quatuor got caught and had to turn back. Meanwhile, Roger Federer destroyed Dominic Thiem (6-2, 6-3) and Kevin Anderson crushed Kei Nishikori (6-0, 6-1). Unlike the four Russian friends, both of them didn’t have to think too much.
Wednesday, November 14th
29 years old. It’s at this age that Agnieszka Radwanska has surprisingly decided to retire. « Unfortunately, I’m not able to practice and to play like I used to. My body is no longer responding to my expectations, she said on Facebook. Taking in account my health and the huge efforts which tennis represents, I have to accept that I’m no longer capable of pushing my body to the imposed limits. » On their sides, Čilić and Djokovic are not even close to retiring. The proof with their respective wins against Isner (6-7, 6-3, 6-4) and Zverev (6-4, 6-1). The Serb has even already qualified for the semi-finals. The boss.
Thursday, November 15th
The results of the day : Federer 2-0 Anderson (7-6, 5-7, 6-2), Thiem 2-0 Nishikori (6-1, 6-4). The qualified players of the day : Anderson…and Federer, of course ! The scientific discovery of the day : men eat far more when they are in the presence of a woman than when they are with male friends. Is it the opposite conclusion regarding drinks ?
Friday, November 16th
It’s good for your health, but can sport ruin your professional career ? Here’s today’s debate. Because if the answer might be clear for the semi-finalists Djokovic (7-6, 6-2 against Čilić in his last group match) and Zverev (7-5, 6-3 against Isner), it’s not really the case for this cyclist from Brittany, France, who competed in sixteen races…while he was on sick leave for a back injury. It surely doesn’t smell good for him.
Saturday, November 17th
Attention please : a world record has been broken. And it didn’t concern Djokovic, who qualified for his sixth final at the ATP Finals after defeating Anderson (6-2, 6-2), nor Alexander Zverev, who defeated Federer in the semi-finals (7-5, 7-6)… But the painter David Hockney, who saw one of his paintings being sold for 90,3 million dollars. A never seen before amount of money for a living artist. The only problem ? The English artist won’t earn a single penny out of this amazing transaction, as he sold his painting in 1972. For 20 000 pounds…
Sunday, November 18th
And the favorite has crumbled ! Everyone thought that Djokovic would win his sixth title at the ATP Finals without batting an eye ? Wrong ! An excellent Zverev beat him to the punch (6-4, 6-3). « It’s the biggest title of my career. This trophy represents a lot for every player. It’s rare to get an opportunity to win it. You only play against the best, said the Germain. How I played this final, how I won it…it’s incredible for me. I’m extremely happy and proud. » The 21 year-old earned 2,5 million euros in prize money. Still far, very far from the 343,8 million dollars won by Robert Bailey at the lottery. This 67 year-old New-Yorker won the jackpot after playing the same numbers that he has been playing…for 25 years. A habit which he started before Zverev’s birth, then.
