Emma Raducanu again with a smile at Miami Open, Novak Djokovic should anticipate historical past, Jakub Mensik dazzles – Gigi Salmon column

Sky Sports activities Tennis’ Gigi Salmon appears again upon the Miami Open, the place Emma Raducanu loved a welcome return to kind, and Novak Djokovic was pressured to attend longer for a bit of historical past…

Issues are likely to get tougher with age: restoration from strenuous train, a giant evening in and out some instances reaching our objectives and desires, one thing 37-year-old Novak Djokovic is discovering as his quest for title 100 continues.

He got here so shut on the weekend in Miami, reaching his eighth remaining there and 142nd total. He did it with out dropping a set, with motion, serve, every little thing on level, till he confronted 19-year-old Jakub Mensik, who wasn’t born when Djokovic performed his first Masters 1000 occasion and solely started enjoying due to the Serb, his idol. It was Mensik’s first Masters 1000 remaining.

Firstly, a phrase on the winner Mensik, who was seconds away from pulling out of the match forward of his first spherical match with a knee downside. As luck would have it the match referee was having lunch, so it was a visit to the physio, remedy and ‘I’ll give it a go’ within the first spherical.

He was clutch when he wanted to be, mature past his years each on and off the courtroom and strikes from 54 at the beginning of Miami to 24 on this week’s world rankings, following his straight-sets remaining win.

Djokovic-Murray axis discovering rhythm

Relating to Djokovic, the articles celebrating a brand new document and new piece of historical past are written and able to go and whereas I am not sure the twenty fifth Grand Slam will probably be gained, I am certain the a hundredth title will probably be secured, together with his subsequent alternative the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo, a title he has gained twice earlier than however not since 2015.

He appears to have renewed motivation, however the activity does not get any simpler and one factor is evident: he might want to hold enjoying matches with the intention to have the sharpness and confidence to strive for 25.

It was good to see the Djokovic-Andy Murray partnership up shut. They appear to have settled into a pleasant rhythm, with Djokovic telling us he nonetheless finds it arduous to consider certainly one of his greatest rivals is now working with him. He additionally mentioned that they had a while in Miami earlier than the tennis to take a seat down and speak and get to know one another. Every time I could not discover Tim, there was a excessive probability he was chatting with Andy and a good larger probability the chat was golf-related!

Raducanu’s renewed vigour

The ladies’s draw went extra to plan with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka not dropping a set en path to her first title in Miami, beating world No 4 Jessica Pegula in straight units after which telling us she could be celebrating with Tequila!

We acquired the possibility to talk to world No 2 Iga Swiatek and I requested her in regards to the assertion she put out on social media wherein she spoke of desirous to “stop the speculation and baseless theories.”

She spoke properly of the stress she feels, particularly from again dwelling in Poland, the place every little thing is analysed and damaged down after which after the interview she got here again to talk some extra and it actually hit me within the couple of minutes we had with the cameras off, talking simply the 2 of us, how powerful it have to be to focus solely on her tennis and the stress she should really feel to all the time ship and the collective disappointment that’s placed on her shoulders with each defeat.

Somebody who has the same stage of stress and highlight on her is Emma Raducanu who had an ideal week in Miami, profitable 4 matches in a row for the primary time since she gained the US Open title, enjoying with a smile on her face and talking of how glad she feels.

She spoke of how she is putting in folks round her who make her really feel protected and safe and the knock on of that’s she is ready to specific herself on the courtroom. Raducanu is again within the prime 50, with choices round her teaching group nonetheless to be made however numerous positives to take ahead onto the clay.

Some information that broke whereas we had been in Miami was Russian tennis participant Daria Kasatkina switching allegiance from Russia to Australia after the Australian authorities granted her everlasting residency. Kasatkina had been splitting her time between Dubai and Spain and hadn’t returned to Russia for two-and-a-half years after popping out as homosexual in 2022, she has additionally denounced the warfare in Ukraine.

“With everything going on in my previous country, I didn’t have much choice. For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it.” Kasatkina, who’s 14 within the newest reside rankings went on to say: “I’m really happy to start this new chapter of my life representing Australia on the big stage.”

From Miami Seashore to the Monte Carlo riviera

Miami was scorching, humid, moist, windy and enjoyable, we had a celebratory dinner for Tim being named Laver Cup vice-captain organised by Gary and full with a cake. Honourable mentions go to Adam and Patrick who got here to and survived Barry’s Bootcamp, which is not for the faint hearted! We additionally had the chance to drive on the F1 racetrack that was being constructed whereas we had been there, very slowly I’d add…

For the gamers, it is time to shelve the arduous courtroom sneakers and prepare to get soiled with the clay season upon us. There are 5 tournaments this week obtainable to you on Sky Sports activities Tennis, after which from April 6, it is the Monte Carlo Masters 1000, a non-mandatory ATP occasion set within the lovely setting of the Monte Carlo Nation Membership, the place gamers prior to now on centre courtroom have needed to cease play because of the clinking of glasses coming from the hospitality areas that overlook the courtroom.

Nonetheless no Jannik Sinner as he continues to serve out his three-month suspension, however regardless of having performed only one match this yr, the Italian stays No 1, simply over 2,500 factors away from Sascha Zverev, who missed one other alternative in Miami to shut the hole, as did Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner is because of return simply earlier than the Rome Masters subsequent month.

It’s positively value tuning in to Sky Sports activities Tennis so you will get a really feel for the clay and to see how the gamers are adapting to it. We will probably be again in place courtside for the 1000 occasions in Madrid and Rome and look ahead to your organization for these.

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