WTA and ATP Washington D.C

[Miss_Vee]

Summer hardcourt season has begun with gusto.  Everyone who is anyone, is slated to play in D.C…lol.  

The top 3 women are not playing this tournament.  Neither are the top 3 men.

Fritz and Musetti headline the ATP play in this tournament.  Needless to say both tours are stacked. GMP may play Fritz again, if he makes it to the second round.  Shelton, Rune, Diallo, Tiafoe, Opelka, Rublev are all in the mix.

WTA has Pegula and Navarro anchoring the tournament.  Osaka and Raducanu might meet if they both get through the first round.  Hoping this match….lol!

[Miss_Vee]

Oops!  Venus is also playing in DC, and will face Peyton Stearns in the first round.  I’m hoping this match will be televised.  I know the ATP is going to be televised.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Good for the DC people. 

[Miss_Vee]

Just read that Sinner, Djokovic and Draper have withdrawn from NBO in Toronto.  I was hoping to see Sinner in Toronto,  but I imagine that he wants his right elbow strain to heal properly for the USO.  Think he will Cincy instead leading into the Open.  I’m hoping that if I decide to go this year in Toronto that I can grab a ticket for the day or night Shapo will be playing.  I usually inquire before buying a ticket.

Sabalenka and Badosa have also withdrawn from Montreal.  Badosa is still injured.  Sabalenka cites fatigue.

[fedexpress06]

Venus is playing doubles with Baptiste too.  

[sugarplum876]

I’ll be there for the 1/4s

[Miss_Vee]

Sugar, are you saying that you are going to DC tourney 1 day?  Not quite sure.  Anyway, enjoy.

Sek, first match tomorrow is a matchup between Mboko and Potapova.  Hoping Mboko can take this match.  Next up is Fernandez vs Joint.  They are on Centre court.  Followed by Opelka vs Cassone?  

GMP vs Vukic is another featured match.  Rybakina plays doubles with Raducanu.

Venus and Baptiste vs Bouchard and Ngounoue( a young American)

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Miss_Vee, just saw your message, here I turn on TTC and Mboko is done. She gets Rybakina.

[fedexpress06]

watching Venus' doubles match.  Ngounoue and Genie are a terrible doubles team.  Lol.  Venus can still strike well when completely stationary lol

[Miss_Vee]

I wasn’t able to see any matches so far.  Watched highlights on YouTube.  

Fedex, you are so funny re: Venus…😂

Sek, I still expect Mboko to show up and maybe give Rybakina a tough match.  We shall see tomorrow.  Her opponent today is really good at screaming her way through matches.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Venus filled that stadium for a silly doubles match lol

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

What do you know? Rune is working with Agassi in DC. 

My boy still looking for answers 🤣

[Miss_Vee]

I know eh Sek?  Rune must have an anxiety issue.  Didn’t he recently add to his roster of coaches? I call it, the coaching carousel. Agassi isn’t a coach!

[fedexpress06]

Relative early success got him thinking he was as good as Carlos/Jannik but he peaked 2022/2023 and has panicked since.  Truth be told, he's a solid top 10-15 player but he's not that good where we should expect majors.  He's in the Rublev/De Minaur class. 

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Alright Fedex, Rune has some brains, don't group him with Rublev, lol.

He is a solid top 10, outside top 5. 

I just don't think he is physically gifted and he is over stressing his body at the moment. 

[Miss_Vee]

What are you saying about Rune, Sek?  He is not physically gifted to play tennis?  That’s a head scratcher!!  Rune is BUILT… and is quick around the courts.  It has to be his game that is lacking a decisive weapon.  He has built variety into his game also.  Maybe his physicality can be improved more over time.  I do agree that he is a solid top ten player.  He may eke out another Masters or GS if Sinner or Alcaraz are knocked out early.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Miss_Vee, what I mean is Rune has to work very hard on his physical thang to get close to the big hitters. He lacks the natural power. His game is not naturally big hitting, but the tour now requires boom, boom. 

Look at how easily Fedex's boy Fonseca slaps the ball. Rune lives in the gym just to generate 60% of that power.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Musetti lost to Norrie. I find Norrie annoying. Completely lays down for Nole everytime they meet but comes charging for players I am rooting for. 

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Alright guys, not kidding. I am looking through the OOP to see which match to tune in for. Guess what, Rune has withdrawn due to back injury.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Taylor found a way to win a singles match, Naomi should bagel that washed up Puts, nothing to see today.

I wish TTC would show Diallo. 

[Miss_Vee]

I saw part of Diallo’s match….the second set.  He is really dialled in…..pun intended….lol.  An easy win for him. 

Cannot believe that Musetti lost to Norrie.  Like you Sek, I cannot stand Norrie either.  Stil don’t know the reason.   Musetti had 3 break points early in the 3rd set, and hung out behind the baseline to return serves, and just rallied with Norrie.  How insane!  Wasn’t aggressive on those opportunities at all.  I stopped watching that match.

Rune must have seen that all the top players have removed themselves from the National bank Open in Toronto, and probably wants to give himself another chance at a Masters title.  All of a sudden, he claims a back injury? Mighty suspicious if you ask me.  He was scheduled to appear tonight.

[Miss_Vee]

There was an article published today on the withdrawals by top players from the Toronto tournament next week.  Alcaraz, Djokovic and many of the top male and female players have cited the back to back to back 10-12 day Masters tournaments as the reason.  Players need more time to rest and recover.  Players who are going deep during the clay season, followed by Wimbledon cannot be expected to be ready 2 weeks after Wimbledon to play 2 back to back big Masters tournaments, and then the USO with only a week break?  Insane!

[fedexpress06]

Come on Namoi, enough is enough.  Get back to the top of the game.  Put away that trumper.  Yup Puts is Maga even though not American .

[fedexpress06]

lmao at stearns.  You cannot be serious.  I will say Venus of now is the same as 2012, 2013, etc.  Remember not like Venus was a world beater then either and was also struggling against nobodies and blowing leads.  She was washed since then with 2017 being an exception lol.  The fact that she has even won this set shows everything you need to know about the WTA.  Kim should make a third comeback lol.  

[Notorious S.T.A.R.]

"“It’s just nice to be able to play,” Williams said after the match, per the Associated Press.

“Where I am at this year is so much different where I was at last year. It’s night and day, being able to be here and prepare for the tournament as opposed to preparing for surgery a year ago.”

Williams told NBC earlier this month that she had undergone surgery to remove fibroids from her uterus, a condition she said had affected her career and life for years."

[fedexpress06]

Yes star that has indeed been tragic.  between this, her injuries, and SS, venus would've also had 15+ slams.  We were robbed.  With that said, it still is laughable that she can do this at 45 after 16 months off the tour lol.

[fedexpress06]

And venus won this in straights lol.  

[Miss_Vee]

Feddy, you echoed my sentiments re: Venus beating Stearns in straight sets…lol.  I watched the entire match, and could not believe how well Venus was playing minus UE.  

I heard recently about Venus having undergone surgery last year to remove fibroids from her uterus.  She is championing a cause now to inform women that there is help out there for those with her former condition.

[Miss_Vee]

To top it all off, Venus is indeed engaged to this Italian actor.   Maybe what I have read is true about her marriage plans for sometime this year.

[Notorious S.T.A.R.]

I guess you medical people know that uterine fibroids are significantly more common and often more severe in Black women compared to women of other racial groups. Studies indicate that Black women are three times more likely to develop fibroids and experience them earlier in life, with larger and more numerous fibroids causing more severe symptoms.

This probably was not Venus first time having them (as she said, this had affected her for years).

I’ve know women who would suffer with them for years, and finally after the fibroids become larger they would finally have surgery.  This cycle would repeat for women who want to have children. For those who were done having children, they would finally get an Hysterectomy.

On Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 9:39:51 PM UTC-4 Miss_Vee wrote:

[Miss_Vee]

That is very true Star.  I was appalled when I read about Venus’ experiences with the pain and suffering, associated with uterine fibroids, and having every doctor she visited tell her that the only treatment was a hysterectomy.  Many decades ago, that was prevalent in the States, Canada and maybe throughout the Western World.  However, it has to be at least 3 decades or more ago, that I was made aware here in Canada, about a type of surgery that keep the uterus intact, but remove fibroids.   Women were able to conceive after having that surgery.

I believe that was only some time last year that Venus finally found a doctor who advised her of that option.  I saw her on YouTube with the doctor who saved her uterus, advocating for black women with this condition.  Venus said that the surgery has changed her life.

[realtennist...@gmail.com]

Hello everyone,

That damn Venus has bought me out of my tennis retirement. Did she really get out there half way to 50 and beat a top 50 players? Okay Serena don’t get any ideas remember you evolved away from tennis lol 

[sugarplum876]

Missvee, I’ll be there Friday.

[fedexpress06]

Bianca so good to hear from you.  All is well.  Showed my wife some old posts from you and she was in stitches.  She particularly found your post about not knowing who these girls are even if they robbed you hilarious lol.  Now you know if Venus did this that Serena feels she can easily come back lol

[fedexpress06]

Meant hope all is well lol

[Miss_Vee]

Hi Bianca, so good to hear you.  How are the kiddos?  They have to be approaching  double digits in age.  Girl, I cannot believe how good Venus looked last night.  Her movement had Stearns gobsmacked, and Peyton kept looking at amazement towards her team.  Poor girl couldn’t believe Venus is in her mid 40s.  I remember when Navratilova tried coming out of retirement to play beck in the late 90s, or early 2000s, to play competitive tennis in doubles.

[fedexpress06]

was watching late 90s to mid 00s highlights.  just not the same anymore.  Shinobu Asagoe would be making Wimbledon semis now. 

[fedexpress06]

Tien-Rublev with a heinous match.  Rublev''s tennis is grotesque.  He is so dumb.  15 winners 31 UFEs for Tien, 13 and 43 for Rublev.  Some of those BHs down-the-line way out of position from Rublev.  He was easily looking like a dummy. 

[Miss_Vee]

I know eh, Fed?  The difference in tennis of the 80s and 90s, and mid 2000s, is so stark, that it’s as if you are watching a different sport.  I can recall a few people on this board, Seb was one, who remarked on the homogenization of the sport.  It has definitely come to pass.

Although I watch a few matches, I cannot sit through these matches as I once did when we were so active on this forum.  GS and Masters series garner some attention now.

[realtennist...@gmail.com]

Miss Vee,FedEx I’m so happy to see  you guys keeping this chat going it has been over 15 yrs or so. As you guys know I fell out of love with tennis for whatever reason this current bunch don’t give me that feeling. I miss the days of finding balls that landed in my back yard from Kvitova & Wickmayer or wanting to find James Blake in the parking lot and fight his ass not to mention watching Wozniacki keeping the in the court until the big hitters imploded like clockwork.

I’m here for Venus but let’s remember this is Venus do not watch her live …..I still have nightmares from those matches with Li Na and Clijsters I love that woman and she one of the last true tennis stars. I’m here for this ride to the USO with zero expectations.

On Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 7:48:06 PM UTC-4 fedexpress06 wrote:

[Miss_Vee]

Oh Bianca, you have maintained that outrageous sense of humour…😂.  Back in the day, I couldn’t watch Venus’ matches live.  However, I watched her entire match last night, because I don’t expect her to win these matches anymore.  So it was wonderful to get that win.  

Btw, Sekasi and I have our eyes on this 18 year old Canadian girl, who looks very promising as a tennis talent.  She is giving Rybakina a run for her money at the moment.

[realtennist...@gmail.com]

Miss Vee I miss the big stars I guess besides Gauff anyone of these girls could rob me maskless at gunpoint, 12 noon in a Target parking lot and I wouldn’t recognize them.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Hello Bianca, we miss you. Greeting to the family.

Miss_Vee, loaded menu for you today:

Osaka vs Raducanu

Shelton vs Diallo (Alright Diallo, I will forgive you for that hair mess if you win this one)

Pegula vs Fernandez (Pegula is too much of a back board, Leyla will fail)

Venus - Frech

Tiafoe-Cobolli

[realtennist...@gmail.com]

Hey Sek thanks the family is great but I did lose my mom in Dec 2023 that was devastating and I have  yet to recover… however I’m living with it anyway I’m excited to see what Vee does tonight the nostalgia of it all has been good for me 

[Miss_Vee]

You gotta be kidding me.  No way did I ever expect Raducanu to beat Osaka!  What the heck is wrong with Osaka?

[Miss_Vee]

Naomi might as well retire, if she lets Raducanu beat her.  She definitely needs to add a few more elements to her game, because Raducanu has done made a few improvements to hers, like slices etc, but her serve is still suspect.  So disappointed with Osaka.

[Miss_Vee]

Sek, Diallo isn’t doing what you had hoped for this morning. Shelton is being is old insufferable self by celebrating almost after every point he wins against Diallo.

Turning away, to see if I can watch Townsend/Kenin match.

[Miss_Vee]

Venus is only good for one match.  She’s just having fun with everyone wondering why exactly is she out there?  Venus doesn’t like attention, so even if she’s about to retire, it seems she will only announce it, after her last match…lol.

[realtennist...@gmail.com]

With everything she has done for tennis she deserves to have fun and be a tricky first rd opponent this summer 

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Miss_Vee, i watched that Osaka-Emma match. Emma didn't have to do much. Naomi's errors were past the double's alley. I was in disbelief.

Emma played a very smart match but Naomi was bad. I also think this fast HC favors Emma who is a better mover. 

[fedexpress06]

There was a time when Townsend was a talent.  Watching her in singles now, she is so bad.  Shots have nothing on them, she can't move, can't serve, smh. Still never got into elite shape.  She should stick to doubles exclusively and donate an organ to Siniakova. 

[fedexpress06]

And Bianca I agree.  Years of girls taking Viagra against the sisters only to flame out, Venus deserves to be a spoiler for someone in round 1.  

[Miss_Vee]

The heat in D.C must be horrendous this week, just as it has been here in Toronto.  Leylah Fernandez was cramping at the end if that second set.  How on earth she was able to come from a break down in that second set, to beat Townsend, I will never know.  That girl is pure grit most of the time.

[sugarplum876]

I’m here guys, is miserable I think I’ll leave after Daniele’s match

Missvee saw your girl Layla,she is a tiny little thing, just when I thought Emma was little I see Layla.

It was my first time seeing danile in person,  he is a praying mantis.skinny with long limbs.

Saw rybakina at the practice court. Storm is brewing so don’t know if I’ll stay for the night matches just to hang around, I only got tickets for the day sessions,horrible heat, many people walking with swamp ass.

[sugarplum876]

[sugarplum876]

On Friday, July 25, 2025 at 6:21:29 PM UTC-4 sugarplum876 wrote:

[Notorious S.T.A.R.]

Sugar, you are going to miss Big Foe and Ben's match.

[sugarplum876]

Don’t forget Taylor star, my favorite of them, I’m out already tired of paying 8.23 for water bottles.

[Miss_Vee]

Omg sugar!  Thanks for posting from D.C.  But girl….the heat seems to be unbearable today there.  Not surprised that you don’t want to hang around for night session.  At least you managed to see Daniil in action, as well as Emma Raducanu, and my girl Leylah.  

I’m not sure that I want to take in that heat next week in Toronto.  May sit at home when there is A.C…Lol!

[Miss_Vee]

Well folks, the National Bank open has taken a hit with most of the current top 5 men withdrawing from the tournament.  It’s not great for tournament directors in Toronto or Montreal ( Sabalenka has withdrawn).

Anyway, we still have a good field in Toronto.  Our Canadian ATP players, like Shapo, FAA, Diallo.  Fils is back…hurray Sek!  Ruud, Tsitsipas, Khachanov, Rublev, Fonseca, Fritz, Shelton, Tiafoe, Mensik, Machac.  So the tournament will draw crowds anyway.  Disappointed that Sinner, Alcaraz, and Draper will not be there, however I fully understand the reason.

Heads of both tours have become too greedy, and are placing players health at risk.  Players who have gone deep over the clay court season, and then Wimbledon need at least 3 weeks to a month off.  Toronto and Montreal are scheduled 2 weeks after Wimbledon ends.  Simply crazy.  Then Cincinnati starts the day after the tournaments in Montreal and Toronto.  Huh?!?!

[Miss_Vee]

Semi finals for WTA tomorrow has Raducanu vs Kalinskaya.  I think Raducanu has this one, if she is recovered after her match today.

Fernandez vs Rybakina.   I’m hoping that Fernandez can win this one.  She has beaten Rybakina before, and knows how to neutralize that big serve.  

[sugarplum876]

Missvee I don’t blamed you, plus DC traffic is  horrendous, got home around 8, took a cold shower straight to bed . I love the sun ,but when is sticky, no  I need the beach lol.

[Miss_Vee]

Watching Rybakina vs Fernandez now.  Something bothers me about Elena, and it is that she seems to lack emotion.  Her face expressionless almost always, and her responses so trite and always the same words.  While I love her big babe tennis, it’s difficult to love her as a fan.  Of course she’s not asking to be loved by me, or anyone else.  It’s just her job to go out and play tennis…lol!

[sugarplum876]

Missvee she car ripped that ball, at the practice court, her serves is nice, and easy power, still when I was watching, Serena came to mind.none of these girls can hit like Serena.im not talking about the power alone many people didn’t like Serena style but she was a thinker on that court and when she was able to move that speed was unmatched.

[Miss_Vee]

 I’m very impressed with Leylah today.  I know that she can hang with some top 10 players, even beat them occasionally on hard court because her game is so sound, and she is very fleet of foot.  Her movement keeps her in rallies, and she uses her variety well against big hitters who are slow…like Rybakina.  She doesn’t have a chance against Swiatek….yet.

She may win this match, because Rybakina’s level has fallen off.  They are going 3, and I think Rybakina will fade away.

[Miss_Vee]

I think Leylah will win this match.  Rybakina isn’t holding her serve as easily as Fernandez.  As soon as Leylah won the 2nd set, her chances increased, because she has the mindset that she will not lose the match.  She is eating up Rybakina’s pace of shot now, and getting into all of Rybakina’s service games.

[Miss_Vee]

Rybakina’s camp cannot watch the awful tennis she is playing now.  She has made so many errors in this third set.  Fernandez has the lead in the tiebreak.

[Miss_Vee]

So freaking happy for Leylah Fernandez!  She has finally reached another final.  Go Leylah!  She played a wonderful and clean match.  38 winners to 28 UE.  Rybakina 44 winners to 64 UE.  more than 25 UE in the 3rd set alone.  That’s why Rybakina’s camp could not bear to watch at the end of the third set.  She runs out of energy.

[sugarplum876]

Layla has more melanin, that sun is brutal for the  less pigmented ones 😳

[Miss_Vee]

That’s so true sugar about the melanin in Leylah’s skin.  Love Leylah’s never say die attitude on court.  Love her personality also.  

This girl Kalinskaya ( Sinner’s past girlfriend), is playing so well.  Raducanu got up for Naomi’s match, then won her match yesterday, after receiving on court treatment for some ailment during that brutal heat yesterday, but now she cannot summon enough game to match Kalinskaya’s great play.

[Miss_Vee]

Oops, think I spoke too soon.  Raducanu is back on serve in the second set.

[Miss_Vee]

Fernandez vs Kalinskaya for the trophy in D.C tomorrow.

[Miss_Vee]

It seems as if ADF is on a mission to oust American top 10 players….lol.  Last night was Fritz…tonight, Shelton whom I thought would win this match.  Nit really watching the match, but peeking in at times.  There you go Ben, with all of your celebrations after each point you win, but tonight all of a sudden…not hearing those yells, or watching those fist pumps.  Wonder why!?!?

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

lol, I forgot about Fritz being in the draw. I am surprised Ben went down like that. But I like ADF so I am ok with the upset. He better not lose the final.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Leyla breaks first.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Miss_Vee, looks like Osaka has dropped Patrick.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Kalinskaya needs to take a bathroom break. This is like watching FAA in his days when he would choke final after final.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Congratulations Leyla. 

[Miss_Vee]

Sek, I see that Leylah demolished Kalinskaya, who seems to freeze when she plays a final.  Actually, I’m embarrassed to admit this fact….lol.  I did not sleep well last night…maybe 3 hours.  Took it upon myself to still go out early this morning for 2 hours.  We still have heat warnings in Toronto.  Returned home to ensure I can watch the final…😂.

I think the TV watched me sleeping soundly throughout Leylah’s match.  I’m so happyto see Leylah has another title, her biggest title yet at 500 level.

[Miss_Vee]

Is anyone watching D.C?  Don’t want to jinx ADF, but I hope that he can hang on against De Minaur for his first title.

[Miss_Vee]

Alejandro David Fokina needs to take Valium if he wants to win an ATP final trophy.  Again, he choked away a final. 

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

ADF has game but the guy chokes way too much.