AESTHETICS

Angelina Dimova

@angelina_dimova

Dubai, UAE

COURT-SIDE STAYS

©Hilton Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

Nestled in Tokyo’s vibrant Shinjuku district, the Hilton Tokyo offers tennis enthusiasts a unique experience with its rooftop courts. Located on the 5th floor, these outdoor courts provide a striking urban backdrop, allowing guests to enjoy a game amidst the city’s skyline. The hotel collaborates with the Jinji Tennis Center, offering lessons for all skill levels, ensuring both beginners and seasoned players can enhance their game.

Beyond the courts, Hilton Tokyo delivers luxury with spacious rooms, multiple dining options ranging from Japanese cuisine to international fare, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. After a match, guests can unwind in the hotel’s spa or relax in the indoor pool, making it a perfect blend of sport and indulgence in the heart of Tokyo.

COURT-SIDE PROPERTIES

Vancouver, BC

©Christies

For ~$9.6m, Villa Balaclava offers luxury in Vancouver’s prestigious Southlands neighborhood. Spanning over 60,000 square feet of Ron Rule designed gardens, it’s the kind of place that screams luxury and whispers exclusivity. At its heart is an outdoor tennis court, perfect for just about any day. The 7,000-square-foot main residence is mostly single-level, blending spacious interiors with outdoor terraces and a stunning pool. A two-bedroom coach house and two double-car garages complete this elegant, versatile estate, just 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver. Luxurious free health care living, Canadian style.

THE PRO SHOP

FIT TO PLAY

You wanna touch these bad boys? Sorry, not gonna happen.

-Derek (Step Brothers)

Your core is the engine that drives your tennis game, powering every twist, turn, and perfectly placed shot. Strong abs, obliques, and a stable lower back mean you’re not just swinging harder - you’re swinging smarter, with better balance and fewer injuries. Neglect it, and you might as well hand your opponent an easy win.

Say hello to the Pallof Press. Hook a resistance band to a sturdy post (or your least favorite opponent) and hold it at chest height, keeping your body still while the band tries to twist you into submission. This exercise strengthens your ability to resist rotation, the unsung hero of a steady stroke. Do a few sets, and your balance, control, and smug confidence will soar.

DAMN THATS INTERESTING

©ClubHouse

Each year, the tennis industry produces a staggering 330 million balls, with 98% ending up in landfills or oceans. These balls, made of tightly bonded rubber and non-biodegradable felt, take over 400 years to break down. Along the way, they release harmful methane gas, shed microplastics into the environment, and even contaminate the food chain.

Making tennis balls also comes with a hefty environmental cost. Around 11,000 metric tons of rubber are used each year, and shipping them worldwide generates even more carbon emissions, adding to the problem.

To make matters worse, tennis balls have a short lifespan, most last just a few hours before their felt wears out or their bounce fades. Advanced players go through them even faster, creating a huge waste problem that’s out of step with the effort and resources required to produce them.

Recycling these balls is tough due to the strong industrial adhesives holding them together, but progress is being made. Organizations like RecycleBalls in the U.S. turn old tennis balls into materials for playgrounds and courts, while Europe’s Renewaball recycles them into new, sustainable balls with biodegradable felt and Wilson Triniti balls don’t rely on pressurized air, and come in fully recyclable packaging.

Tennis doesn’t have to cost the planet. By using eco-friendly options and supporting recycling efforts, players can make a real difference.

Take a deep dive into Why Tennis Balls are an Environmental Disaster by TennisCult

AROUND THE NET

Top Players Demand Better Balls – Leading players are calling for higher-quality tennis balls, arguing inconsistencies are affecting gameplay and increasing injuries.

Carlos Alcaraz’s $10 Million Year – Alcaraz’s incredible 2024 season has netted him nearly $10 million in prize money so far.

Novak Does the Splits – Can GOAT’s do the splits? Yes…yes they can.

Roger Federer on Safari – Federer combined tennis with wildlife during a stunning African safari.

ATP Tries to Make Tennis “Cooler” – The ATP’s new “immersive” replay experience is here…cool…

Secret Racquet Museum – A hidden gem in northern Italy showcases historic tennis racquets, offering a unique journey through the sport’s evolution.

Sync Your Tennis Calendar – Never miss a match with Tennis TV’s downloadable tournament calendar, ready to sync with your Google Calendar.

Andy Murray Steps on Stage – Murray announced a theatre tour with BBC’s Andrew Cotter, sharing stories from his legendary career…finally…just what we wanted.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Spiked tennis shoes worn by Rod Laver

© International Tennis Hall of Fame

The evolution of tennis footwear reflects the sport’s dynamic history and the continuous pursuit of performance enhancement. In the early days, players often wore leather-soled shoes, which provided minimal traction on grass courts. To address this, some athletes adopted shoes with metal spikes, similar to those used in track and field, to improve grip and stability. A notable instance occurred during the 1969 US Open when Rod Laver switched to grass-court spikes after the first set to adapt to slippery conditions, a change that contributed to his victory and completion of a calendar-year Grand Slam.

THIS WEEKS POLL

How do you feel about the underhand serve?

A. Only acceptable if your name is Nick Kyrgios.
B. Only acceptable if your name is Alexander Bublik.

C. It’s the tennis equivalent of sending a ‘k’ text.

D. Death before dishonor.

E. Me likey

Last week, we asked, “What’s your favorite (or strongest) serve?” and, well… no one answered. And that’s fine. Totally fine. We’re not upset. Not at all. Deep breaths. It’s not like we spent hours crafting the perfect question, pouring our hopes, dreams, and fragile egos into it. No big deal. We get it - you’re busy, way too busy to care about little old us. Kicks tiny rock, wipes away single tear, dramatically collapses onto nearest bench. But hey, we’ll keep asking, becuase we’ve fully committed to this bit now, so there’s really no turning back. ❤️

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Thanks for reading.

Until next time, we’ll see you out there.

2024 ATP Finals

“Reversevedev”