The tennis news (but not only) of the week: Khachanov’s exile and the loss of Diego

Dec 1, 2020, 6:00:00 AM | by Florian Cadu

The tennis news (but not only) of the week: Khachanov’s exile and the loss of Diego
Karen Khachanov
We Are Tennis by BNP Paribas brings you the best of the past week, on but also off the courts. A week where Karen Khachanov had to flee with his family, and where Diego Maradona’s heart definitely stopped.

Monday, November 23rd

If we needed an additional sign to prove the strangeness of this 2020 season, it came with the release of the latest ATP ranking. The day after Daniil Medvedev’s win at the ATP Finals, not one single position has changed in the Top 100… except for the 100th spot, which Andrej Martin took from Yuichi Sugita. A year to forget, surely, even if the city of Oudenburg (Belgium) tried to make everyone laugh by installing Christmas lights shaped which accidentally look like penises. Anyway, it’s now time to get ready for next season, as Felix Auger Aliassime has perfectly understood, as he is now looking to hire a « mentor » which would have already won a Grand Slam tournament (as a player, or as a coach). « The most important thing for me is the evolution of my game, of myself, my maturity and how I approach my career », said the wonderkid. Who will win his first title in 2021, we promise.



Tuesday, November 24th

A bit older, but no less ambitious, Fabio Fognini has also decided to make changes in his coaching staff as he announced his collaboration with a new coach, Alberto Mancini. They might meditate on the ranking of the world’s sexiest accents. The French accent has been dethroned by the British accent, while the Italian accent takes the third place on the podium.

 

Wednesday, November 25th

A small update on the organization of tennis events in 2021, with no certitudes whatsoever. First, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Australian Open could be pushed back a week or two. Then, as it is trying to expand, the Madrid Masters 1000 will now be played over two weeks… even if the men’s draw will only be played over eight days. And finally, the Lord of the Rings franchise is launching a new series and is looking to cast « ugly people ». Are you interested? Speaking of lords, the legend of Argentinian football, Diego Armando Maradona has sadly passed away, after suffering heart failure.

 

Thursday, November 26th

156 000 dollars. This is now the record of the most expensive video game in history, as an edition of Super Mario Bros 3 was sold for this price at an auction. Which could give a few ideas to Karen Khachanov on how to kill time, as he was forced to go on exile after a member of his family contracted the virus. Needless to say which virus it was…

 

Friday, November 27th

And another one! As she is also looking to win her first Grand Slam tournament, Karolina Pliskova also decided to change her coaching staff as she hired Sacha Bajin. Even though there are much, much more fun jobs to do than coaching the Czech player. Like watching 25 Christmas movies in 25 days, for example, as suggested by the American website Reviews which is looking to establish the definitive ranking of all-time best Christmas movies. Who’s voting for Home Alone?

 

Saturday, November 28th

Novak Djokovic will break Roger Federer’s record for most major tournaments won because he’s « younger, fresher, and has never been in such good physical condition. He still has a lot of fuel in his legs, and as long as he remains in good health and as motivated as he is now, I don’t see who could stop him. He’s got this appetite, this inner determination and I really find that admirable. » That was Daniela Hantuchova’s opinion, who seems to have made her choice regarding who the GOAT is. However, the hunted don’t always lose. The proof with this deer, who was in a forest in Horni Plana (Czech Republic) and who fled with the hunter’s gun stuck between his antlers. 

 

Sunday, November 29th

Diego Maradona has passed away four days ago now, but not everyone has fond memories of the football player. « I’m from Naples, so he was my idol. But he spent his time insulting me. I was so disappointed with his attitude that at the end of the match, I didn’t even shower and went straight back to my hotel, » said Potito Starace, who recalled a match played against the Argentine David Nalbandian in Buenos Aires, during which the Italian had asked the umpire to send the deceased legend away from the court. « Either you get him out, or I’ll break my racket on his head, » he shouted at the time. Still less annoying that this anecdote told by a german student, who saw his phone operator cut off his internet as he had been connected for too long… even though he had subscribed to an offer which included unlimited internet. We understand the frustration.