Talk About Tennis 2.0

A think a revision of what is actually a performance ENHANCING drug needs to happen. They need to get rid of some of the "immoral" drugs that are banned, like marijuana.

That too. But Lendl was saying that as early as the 80's. He said that those drugs were not enhancing, they were actually detrimental to your performance. So, they should not be on that list.

How the WTA Tour plans to triple its income by 2029
As chief executive of WTA Ventures, Marina Storti is at the forefront of a new commercial era of women’s tennis. After a year in the role, the Italian tells SportsPro how the organisation is already bringing new revenue into the sport and what will drive further growth moving forward.
12 December 2024 Sam Carp

Paywalled so here's an AI summary.

Summary of the Article: (courtesy ChatGPT)

Marina Storti, CEO of WTA Ventures, is steering the commercial growth of women’s tennis following a $150 million investment from CVC Capital Partners. Her first year has seen a 24% increase in revenues, driven by new sponsorship deals, broadcast agreements, and innovative strategies. Storti’s vision is to triple revenues by 2029 and establish the WTA as a commercial powerhouse.

Key initiatives under Storti include:

Partnerships: Securing high-profile deals with brands like Rolex and Morgan Stanley, and a landmark partnership with Saudi Arabia for hosting the WTA Finals from 2024 to 2026. While controversial due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record, the deal aligns with the WTA’s goals of delivering top-tier events and increasing player rewards.

Media and Social Growth: Under Storti’s leadership, social media engagement has surged, with a 26% growth in followers and nearly 200% rise in video views. Future media plans include exploring options after the WTA’s current deal with DAZN ends in 2026, potentially launching an in-house streaming platform.

Collaboration with ATP: The WTA is increasingly aligning with the ATP to streamline fan experiences, including shared data platforms and joint commercial deals, fueling speculation of a potential merger.

Storti envisions a future where the WTA becomes a household name, with players gaining greater cultural relevance and the sport growing its global fanbase. While challenges remain, such as ensuring sustainable growth and navigating partnerships, Storti remains optimistic about the sport’s potential for continued expansion and innovation.

https://www.sportspro.com/insights/feat ... na-storti/

I would want to know how much did the Saudi Arabian deal represent in that 24% increase in revenues.

jovanmilic97
OP

The actual movie quote is "there are no accidents", if anyone's curious.

Don't forget to scroll for the entire comment.

Fortunately there are no tournaments to speak of between now and then that Sinner can win and then give back once he's suspended.

Owendonovan wrote: ↑Sat Jan 11, 2025 12:30 am Fortunately there are no tournaments to speak of between now and then that Sinner can win and then give back once he's suspended.

Early in the year, but solid candidate for "Post of the year".
(The "sarcastic post of the year" is yours. Not gonna wait till dec 31st for that).

Other news. BJK Cup "modernized" its website. Now all the match archive is not accessible to the general public ((

mick1303 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 12:31 am Other news. BJK Cup "modernized" its website. Now all the match archive is not accessible to the general public ((

EXCLUSIVE: WADA Yet To Decide On Appealing Iga Swiatek’s Doping Verdict
Last updated: 17/01/2025 17:39

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has confirmed to Ubitennis that they are still conducting a review into the doping case of Iga Swiatek.

Last year the five-time Grand Slam champion failed an anti-doping test after testing positive for the heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ). She was provisionally suspended for 22 days between September and October before overturning the penalty by providing evidence that the cause of her failed test was a contaminated jet lag medication she was taking.

An independent hearing later concluded that the tennis star bore “no significant fault or negligence” and did not intentionally take trimetazidine. She was later issued with a one-month suspension (including the 22 days she was provisionally suspended) with her level of fault deemed to be at the ‘lowest end of the range.’ Furthermore, the ITIA issues less severe penalties in cases involving contaminated medication compared to supplements because it is viewed to have a lower degree of risk of contamination as it is processed under EU regulation.

Following the ITIA’s decision, Poland’s National Anti-Doping Agency confirmed at the end of December that they have no plans to appeal the decision after conducting a ‘a comprehensive examination and verification of the full legal file’ concerning Swiatek. It was then confirmed that WADA has until January 21st to submit an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if they wish to.

Now just four days before this deadline, a spokesperson for WADA has told Ubitennis that they are still ‘reviewing’ the matter after being asked if they have decided about filing an appeal. There was no mention as to when they will make a final decision.

“WADA has no comment to make about the specifics of the Swiatek case as it remains under review,” WADA said via email.

WADA is currently caught up in another tennis case concerning Jannik Sinner who failed two drugs tests in 2024 before getting cleared of wrongdoing. The ITIA found the world No.1 bore no fault in his positive tests. It was accepted that Sinner had clostebol in his system after his former physio, Giacomo Naldi, used a spray on his hand for a cut that contained the banned substance and unintentionally transferred it to him.

However, that verdict is being contested by the World Anti-Doping Agency which has filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) arguing that the tennis star has a degree of responsibility as he employs those in charge of making sure he complies with anti-doping rules. The hearing will take place in April.

Swiatek is currently playing at the Australian Open where she will play Emma Raducanu in the third round on Saturday. Shortly before the start of her 2025 season, the Pole told reporters that she saw no point in an appeal being filed against her.

“I gave every possible evidence and there is not much, honestly, more to do,” she said.

“There is no point to do an appeal in our opinion.

“But, you know, I guess overall, this whole process was pretty abstract sometimes and hard to understand from a point of view where you don’t think about the law and everything.

“But honestly, this is about the law and the wording and this kind of stuff. So I’m not expecting an appeal, but I have kind of no influence on what’s going to happen.

“But I can say from the processes that I went through and how they treated me from the beginning, that it seemed fair for me.”

Swiatek has a chance to reclaim her No.1 ranking whilst playing in Melbourne Park depending on her results and the performance of rival Aryna Sabalenka, who must reach at least the semi-final stage to have a chance of keeping her position.

https://www.ubitennis.net/2025/01/exclu ... g-verdict/

What do folks here Make of Djoko-channel 9 issue? Sounds to me like the TV channel needs to fire the person who made that comment, but I didn't hear it so don't know...
https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/no ... alian-open

I side with Novak.
(That makes me feel odd).
The interview thing has gotten out of hand, and the interviews are always so boring. Interviewed on the way to the court, after the match, then the press conference. Pretty soon, they will be interviewed between sets.
And people must have the right not to talk to somebody. The press conference should be enough.

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 19, 2025 5:15 pm I side with Novak.
(That makes me feel odd).
The interview thing has gotten out of hand, and the interviews are always so boring. Interviewed on the way to the court, after the match, then the press conference. Pretty soon, they will be interviewed between sets.
And people must have the right not to talk to somebody. The press conference should be enough.

I can definitely see your points. I have never been any kind of fan, with most if not all sports, of fining players for missing interviews, or, in the case of basketball, fining folks if they wear something you do not like during a press conference....if I am remembering this correctly...., etc., etc. Let adults be adults and all that.

HOWEVER.....

You know the rules. Novak is accepting any fine, cool. But, why does Novak, OVER and OVER again, imo, come off so tone deaf.....This alleged journalist called you on air overrated and a has-been. COME on, these are moronic comments, clearly. You cannot just laugh this off, and snark worse at this idiot from the media.....OBVOIUSLY, you are not overrated. COME on. AND you claim you have nothing but respect for Craig Tiley and Jim Courier and the tournament....but then, you manage to insult them and the crowd at your match. Craig Tiley and the tournament should not be put in the position of Making That Big Bad Meanie apologize in public to you. We all are allowed to express opinions. Sure, you never want to talk to this person again....cool. BUT, you Big Baby, You ARE THE GOAT!!!!! We all get it!!!!! Relax!!!!

AND, in the constant vein of Novak and his tone-deafness....in this article I found, it states that Novak managed to basically co-sign messages that the evil, hideous Elon Musk co-signed about Novak and his life-shattering insult directed his way....WELL, Novak, yet again, you lost me!!!!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ ... 25b4&ei=19