2024 WTA News & Gossip

[MargaretMcAleer]

Badosa and Ostapenko have withdrawn from Abu Dhabi Open
Badosa still having lower back problems and Osta needs a rest not surprised she withdrew

Emma Raducanu d M.Bouzkova 64 61, it was a 'breakfest' in the 1st set, then Emma found her shots off the ground and was too strong in the 2nd set, Emma will play Ons Jabeur next

Cirstea d Garcia 67(4) 64 64, not surprised by this result as Garcia still struggles to find form

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Breaking News,
Jessica Pegula has ended her coaching relationship with 2022 WTA Coach of the Year David Witt, Witt began working with Pegula in 2019.
I have no further details of a new coach as yet for Jess, she has withdrawn from the Middle East tournaments and is due back for IW tournament
The decision was Pegula's and was made shortly after her 2nd round exit at this year's AO.

 

[tossip]

Breaking News,
Jessica Pegula has ended her coaching relationship with 2022 WTA Coach of the Year David Witt, Witt began working with Pegula in 2019.
I have no further details of a new coach as yet for Jess, she has withdrawn from the Middle East tournaments and is due back for IW tournament
The decision was Pegula's and was made shortly after her 2nd round exit at this year's AO.

Maybe seeing Coco winning after changing coaches inspired her.I think too much doubles at big events affected them.She needs a coach who is very experienced to help her win the big titles.She better not pick Rannae Stubbs..lol

 

[the AntiPusher]

Maybe seeing Coco winning after changing coaches inspired her.I think too much doubles at big events affected them.She needs a coach who is very experienced to help her win the big titles.She better not pick Rannae Stubbs..lol

I really dont pay attention to Jess's game but from what I have seen is that she kind of falls into the same category as Elina Svitolina aka Mrs. Monfils. As Keli @kskate2 told me a few years ago. "She really doesnt have any weapons that puts pressure on opponents." e.g. Halep(regardless of her drug charge related suspension) has a decent pop on serve but excellent well really exceptional movement and the ability to transfer great defense into offense. Just my two cents worth.

BTW, Elina is getting much better playing with more authority.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

The discussion about Jess Pegula, in my opinion, is the same as the one we had about Caroline Garcia a few months earlier. Both players have peaked already, and it's highly unlikely they are going to achieve something they haven't done before. Yes, miracles can happen (like the stars aligning for Flavia Pennetta at the 2015 US Open), but don't hold your breath for it because it's probably not going to happen.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Maybe seeing Coco winning after changing coaches inspired her.I think too much doubles at big events affected them.She needs a coach who is very experienced to help her win the big titles.She better not pick Rannae Stubbs..lol

Quite frankly I could never see Jess winning a GS singles title, she has done well to be in the Top Ten, I dont think she has the weapons or the mentality which is needed in the final of a GS.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Abu Dhabi Open,

Heather Watson had a solid win over 9th seed Kudermetova 63 75
Collins d Osaka 75 60, Osaka's return of serve needs more attention and her lack of movement was exposed. As I previously posted she needs to play lower tier tournaments to get match practice, instead of these higher tier tournaments where she is getting defeated in 1st round matches.
Ons Jabeur/ Naomi Osaka, were defeated in their doubles match Linnette/Pera 63 63

 

[tossip]

Abu Dhabi Open,

Heather Watson had s solid win over 9th seed Kudermetova 63 75
Collins d Osaka 75 60, Osaka's return of serve needs more attention and her lack of movement was exposed. As I previously posted she needs to play lower tier tournaments to get match practice, instead of these higher tier tournaments where she is getting defeated in 1st round matches.
Ons Jabeur/ Naomi Osaka, were defeated in their doubles match Linnette/Pera 63 63

You are right she should enter a challenger event in the US and then a 250 before Indian Wells..or even play qualies at IW.She needs work with conditioning and footwork.I applaud Svitolina who has worked on her serve and she has maintained her foot speed.She would wake up if she playing Serena.Someone should invite Serena to the Miami event just to watch her matches.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Abu Dhabi 2nd round match ups,

Raducanu vs Jabeur
Haddad Maia vs Linette
Sakkari vs Cirstea

 

[the AntiPusher]

You are right she should enter a challenger event in the US and then a 250 before Indian Wells..or even play qualies at IW.She needs work with conditioning and footwork.I applaud Svitolina who has worked on her serve and she has maintained her foot speed.She would wake up if she playing Serena.Someone should invite Serena to the Miami event just to watch her matches.

Naomi may have to suck up some pride and go back to Sasha

 

[Hoergren]

Again I stumbled over an exiting match - the longest so far in 2024 - 3h 42 minutes!! How can Haddad be so fresh? She also had a very long match in 2023 and she's not relaxing - she's gonna play doubles too!

And stats from this epic match

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Naomi may have to suck up some pride and go back to Sasha

I cant see that happening, Osaka and Wim have a good winning record, Wim left coaching Zheng to come back and coach Osaka
Osaka and Kerber have both been struggling with their form since returning to the tour, Kerber from memory has just won 1 match that was at the United Cup playing for Germany in Australia.
It will take some time for both players, to find their former form, if they do?.
As I suggested both should go and play smaller tier tournaments and get match practice they both need.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Again I stumbled over an exiting match - the longest so far in 2024 - 3h 42 minutes!! How can Haddad be so fresh? She also had a very long match in 2023 and she's not relaxing - she's gonna play doubles too!
View attachment 9230
And stats from this epic match
View attachment 9231

Indeed Haddad Maia looked as 'fresh as a daisy' after that match lol!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Watching Ons Jabeur vs Emma Raducanu,must say the level of Ons is 100% better than she displayed at the AO, which was poor. Ons 1st set 64
Jabeur d Raducanu 64 61 and Ons looked happy to be on court, for a change.

Cirstea earlier defeated Sakkari (3) 62 61, Sakkari tennis woes continues

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Doha WTA 1000 updates:,
OUT: Muchova, sad news Karolina and her injury woes continues
IN: Noskova

 

[tossip]

Naomi may have to suck up some pride and go back to Sasha

Sacha will stress her out with his diva antics.She will catch up sometime in the year,and Osaka is very good on the hardcourts and the US hardcourts might give her better results.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sacha will stress her out with his diva antics.She will catch up sometime in the year,and Osaka is very good on the hardcourts and the US hardcourts might give her better results.

I cant see Osaka going back to Sasha, she dumped him , she got in contact with Wim Fissette before coming back on tour, then Fissette dumped Zheng to go back to coaching Osaka, they have a winning record together
Look it will take time for Osaka to find her form, thats why I suggested she go and play lower tier tournaments to get match practice and also goes for Kerber who has been struggling to find form

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Day 6 Abu Dhabi Open, February 9th,
The match of the round ( round 16)

E. Rybakina (1) vs D.Collins

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just having a quick look at Doha WTA 1000 tournament
Main draw begins on Sunday February 11,
Draw ceremony is Friday February 9 at 6.30pm local time
Defending Champion is Iga Swiatek
Jess Pegula not playing ( neck injury) and Aryna Sabalenka also not playing (revised playing schedule)
Naomi Osaka, with a special ranking at No 46 is a direct entry

 

[Hoergren]

While waiting for Claras match I saw Sara Errani make a perfect win over her long time rival - for the 5th time 6-0 6-1. Seems Errani has found her terrier mode again - impressive and perfect play

And stats are good too