Five Point Friday: April 1, 2022
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April 1, 2022
Five Point Friday
Here’s your roundup of the five most interesting things I’m enjoying or thinking about this week.
1.) Two Points to Replay Now
There’s been some excellent tennis at the 2022 Miami Open, but two points stand out from the crowd. First up, J.J. Wolf’s lefty winner against Stefanos Tsitsipas helped him force a third set. Then in the round of 16, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas both hit tweeners for an impressive point.
2.) New WTA World No. 1
On the heels of Ash Barty’s surprise retirement, Iga Swiatek will ascend to world No. 1, becoming the first Polish man or woman to reach that position. At 20 years old, she’ll also be the youngest player to debut at the No. 1 spot since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010.
3.) How to Throw a Racquet
In the past few months, we’ve seen more than a handful of players take it to the extreme when it comes to racquet abuse. In response, Andy Roddick recorded a video to help show players how to properly throw a racquet or hit a ball in anger without getting in trouble.
How to throw a racket/hit a ball in anger without getting in trouble ……. pic.twitter.com/NTz2ff55Rw
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) March 25, 2022
4.) WTA & Modern Health
The WTA has partnered with the mental health platform Modern Health to provide more extensive resources to players and the WTA organization. The effort seeks to help further destigmatize mental health care as a growing number of athletes share their struggles with the pressure of competition and intense media scrutiny.
5.) Federer Hitting Again
After more than eight months, Roger Federer teased his eventual comeback by posting a video hitting forehands. He still doesn’t expect to return to the tour until late summer, but the video hints that his rehabilitation is going well and gives fans a sneak peek into his progress. After his third knee surgery in two years, Roger was sidelined from tennis in 2021.
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If you have a moment, I’d love to hear your feedback. Which topic is your favorite? What would you like to see more or less of each week?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and have a great weekend.
17 Best Tennis Bags for Women | Stylish Totes, Backpacks, & More
/17 Best Tennis Bags for Women
Stylish Totes, Backpacks, & More
We hope you love this article. Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running. Learn more.
If you’ve played tennis for any length of time, you’ve likely come to appreciate the practicality of a quality tennis bag. Aside from storing your tennis racquets, they’re perfect for carrying essential gear to the court, showing a bit of personality, and completing your favorite outfit.
Although there are several options worth considering, including totes, backpacks, racquet bags, and duffles, the best choices are those that meet your needs, including a price that you can reasonably afford.
Five Point Friday: March 18, 2022
/March 18, 2022
Five Point Friday
Here’s your roundup of the five most interesting things I’m enjoying or thinking about this week.
1.) Grand Slam Rule Change
All Grand Slam tennis tournaments will use a 10-point tiebreaker when matches reach 6-6 in the final set moving forward. The change brings consistency in the rules across these events, but it’s not yet permanent. The Grand Slam Board will review the trial results for an entire year before making a final decision.
Starting at this year’s Roland-Garros, all four Grand Slams will use a 10 point tie-break to decide final sets when the score reaches six games all.
Find out more ⬇️
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) March 16, 2022
2.) Świątek vs. Halep
On Wednesday, Iga Świątek took out Madison Keys 6-1, 6-0, and Simona Halep defeated Petra Martić 6-1, 6-1. Now the two will face off in the semi-finals today, which is a match I’m looking forward to watching.
3.) 26 MPH Ace
Facing off against Chris Eubanks at the BNP Paribas Open, Maxime Cressy shanked a serve for a 26 MPH ace. I could explain further, but it’s way more fun to watch.
Have you EVER seen a serve do this? 😮
Wild…#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/zMvmzCx7vz
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 11, 2022
4.) Wimbledon & Russia
According to British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston, Russian tennis players, including current world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, may have to provide assurances that they’re not supporters of Vladimir Putin if they want to compete in Wimbledon. Currently, Russian and Belarusian players are allowed to play on the ATP and WTA tours, but not under the name or flag of their countries.
5.) BNP Paribas Open Finals
A friendly reminder that the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells will be wrapping up this weekend. The women’s final is scheduled for Sunday at 1 pm, while the men’s final will follow as early as 3 pm. You can find it broadcast on the Tennis Channel if you’re in the US. Otherwise, you can check here for international broadcast coverage.
If you have a moment, I’d love to hear your feedback. Which topic is your favorite? What would you like to see more or less of each week?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and have a great weekend.
What is a Walkover in Tennis? Meaning, Rules, Stats, & More
/What is a Walkover in Tennis?
Meaning, Rules, Stats, & More
In tennis, a walkover occurs when a player automatically advances to the next round without playing because their opponent is ill, injured, or subject to a code of conduct penalty.
On the surface, it’s a simple concept. However, there are subtle nuances in how the ATP, WTA, and other organizations like the USTA handle walkovers that are helpful to understand.
Five Point Friday: March 11, 2022
/March 11, 2022
Five Point Friday
Here’s your roundup of the five most interesting things I’m enjoying or thinking about this week.
1.) ATP’s Weak Response
Last month, Alexander Zverev lost his temper and violently struck the umpire’s chair after losing a doubles match. The ATP has reviewed the incident and put him on probation through February 22, 2023. Only if he incurs another Code Violation between now and then will he receive an eight-week suspension and a $25k fine for his actions. I’d say this is a weak response at best, and it’s a shame that they’re letting him off the hook so easily.
2.) Fernandez Defends Title
Last year’s US Open runner-up and world No. 21, Leylah Fernandez, defended her title at the Monterrey Open this week by saving five match points to outlast Camila Osorio 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3). It was an exceptional match between the two and a hard-fought win for Leylah.
3.) Tennis Supporting Ukraine
The ATP, WTA, ITF, and four Grand Slam tournaments will jointly donate $700k ($100k each) to support GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. If you’d like to participate, you can donate here to help them reach their $1M goal. Andy Murray also announced he’d donate his prize money for the rest of 2022 to support children at risk from the conflict.
Learn More About the Fundraiser
4.) New Speed Racquets
Head released an update to its line of Speed tennis racquets this month, introducing a new auxetic construction intended to react to stroke speed for improved response and feel, along with minor tweaks to each frame’s specs.
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5.) Djokovic’s Update
Due to CDC’s confirmation that vaccine regulations won’t change anytime soon, Novak Djokovic announced to fans that he would not be traveling to the US to play at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells or the Miami Open.
While I was automatically listed in the @BNPPARIBASOPEN and @MiamiOpen draw I knew it would be unlikely I’d be able to travel. The CDC has confirmed that regulations won’t be changing so I won’t be able to play in the US. Good luck to those playing in these great tournaments 👊
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) March 9, 2022
If you have a moment, I’d love to hear your feedback. Which topic is your favorite? What would you like to see more or less of each week?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and have a great weekend.
Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo
Tennis Shoes
Ideal Surface: Hard Courts
Colors: Black, White
Fit: Runs Small
Arch: Medium
Width: Medium
Break-In: Not Required
We hope you love this resource. Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running. Learn more.
Overview
Released in 2020, the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo replaces the Air Zoom Zero as a high-comfort performance tennis shoe for men and women.
Taking hints from their basketball and running footwear, Nike designed the shoes to cater to aggressive movers like ATP Pro Frances Tiafoe, who endorses them. Sneakerheads will appreciate knowing the “GP” in the name is a nod to a semi-pro tournament the company hosted in the 70s, while “Turbo” refers to their running innovation.
The shoe’s outsole features Nike’s durable rubber that’s well-suited for delivering reliable traction on hard courts. Although sufficient for clay and grass, the tread pattern isn’t ideal for either of these surfaces.
With a full-length Zoom Air unit embedded into the midsole, the GP Turbos aim to provide players with a boost or extra spring that enhances a player’s natural movement without sacrificing a responsive feel. Combined with a healthy dose of foam that’s visibly thicker toward the heel for added shock absorption, these shoes maximize comfort.
Players will find premium materials that offer comfort and support for the upper. Toward the front of the shoe, a rubber panel provides added durability and abrasion resistance through the inside or medial edge. For stability, the Air Zoom GP Turbo takes advantage of Nike’s dynamic fit lacing system paired with a traditional tongue for comfort, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit for every player.
Outsole Guarantee
Some tennis shoes come with an outsole guarantee that protects players when their shoes wear prematurely. Unfortunately, the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo does not have an outsole guarantee.
Construction
The Nike Air Zoom GP Turbos are composed of four essential components: the outsole, midsole, insole, and upper.
In this section, I’ll share what you can expect from each, along with key features for consideration.
Outsole
At the bottom of the shoe, you’ll find Nike’s rubber outsole with a tread that’s thinner on the outside for grip and thicker on the inside for added durability. If you’re considering these shoes for clay, I’d expect them to offer less than ideal grip, especially due to the thicker inside tread, but they’re certainly not unusable on that surface.
You’ll also find there’s quite a bit of width toward the shoe’s front under the ball of your foot for stability.
The GP Turbo’s outsole offers solid thickness for the toe guard, but it doesn’t wrap very high at the toe or toward the front on the inside edge, so that’s an area worth watching for durability.
There’s a relatively aggressive rocker at the back of the shoe for smooth and easy heel-to-toe transitions, which is a bonus for aggressive movers.
The outsole also shows off the shoe’s midsole, while narrow cutouts at the front and back help reduce a bit of stiffness and allow for easier sliding.
Midsole
At the midsole, the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo showcases their most unique feature: a full-length Zoom Air unit from the front to the back of the shoe, which offers exceptional comfort while boosting every step.
Plus, instead of being buried in the shoe’s foam, Nike sews the Zoom Air unit directly into the upper, so it’s easier to feel for maximum cushion. Below the Zoom Air unit, you’ll also find a layer of foam that’s thicker toward the heel for extra impact resistance.
For support and stability during side-to-side movement, the midsole rides fairly high up the edges on both sides of the shoe.
Insole
The shoe also comes with Nike’s standard insole with a small amount of adhesive on the bottom to help ensure it stays put on top of the Zoom Air unit directly below it. It’s not the most robust insole, but it doesn’t need to be any thicker considering the shoe’s overall comfort.
Upper
You’ll find relatively thick and stable synthetic materials for the upper, which are soft to the touch at the back and rubber toward the front for abrasion resistance.
On the inside edge at the toes, the shoe features a thicker rubber panel for added durability during toe drags and thin cutouts to help maintain flexibility and a bit of extra breathability.
Finally, the GP Turbos use Nike’s Dynamic Fit lacing system with highly durable double layered eyelets and a standard well-padded tongue for comfort on the top of your foot.
Fit & Sizing Advice
Here’s a quick overview of what to expect from these shoes.
The Air Zoom GP Turbos I have on hand weigh in at 16.7 ounces or 473 grams in a men’s size 11, which falls on the heavier end of the spectrum.
For context, here’s a table comparing the weight of a few popular tennis shoes from various brands.
The shoe does run short in length from a fit standpoint, so I’d encourage you to bump up a half size. I’m a size 10.5, so I tried on that size along with a size 11, and the smaller size was too snug, so I bumped up and found that to work perfectly for me.
These shoes have a medium width, but it’s worth noting they hug your foot snugly and have a medium arch for adequate support.
As far as break-in goes, I thought these shoes felt great the first time out on the court, and I didn’t run into any significant stiffness, but like most new shoes, they felt even better after a few hours of play.
The Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo is available for both men and women. However, I haven’t seen it show up as a clay court model to date.
Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo Review: A Buyer’s Guide
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Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo
Review & Buyer’s Guide
We hope you love this article. Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running. Learn more.
Initially released in 2020, the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo is a high-performance tennis shoe designed to meet the demands of aggressive movers like Frances Tiafoe without sacrificing comfort.
Of course, like every shoe, they’re not perfect and come with a handful of drawbacks you should be aware of before buying them.
Five Point Friday: March 4, 2022
/March 4, 2022
Five Point Friday
Here’s your roundup of the five most interesting things I’m enjoying or thinking about this week.
1.) Russia & Belarus Suspended
The ATP and WTA announced they suspended a scheduled tournament in Moscow. At the same time, the ITF Board decided to suspend Russia and Belarus from all ITF international team competitions until further notice. Players from Russia and Belarus will continue to be allowed to compete on Tour and at the Grand Slam events, but they will not do so under the flag of Russia or Belarus.
View ITF, ATP, & WTA Statements
2.) Yastremska Escapes War
21-year old Dayana Yastremska was in her hometown of Odesa, Ukraine, with her family when war broke out and bombs began dropping on her city. Speaking on the No Challenges Remaining podcast, she shares her story of fleeing Ukraine with her younger sister while her parents stayed behind and competing in a tournament this week with all of it on her mind.
3.) Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo
I test drive and review the ultra-comfortable Nike Air Zoom GP Turbos in my latest review. In it, I share everything you need to know about the shoe’s features and describe my on-court experience playtesting them to help players decide if they’re a good fit.
4.) Medvedev New World #1
Daniil Medvedev overtook Novak Djokovic this week as the ATP’s No. 1 ranked tennis player. The result comes on the back of a stellar year that includes 13 tour-level titles and a US Open victory. On social media, he shared that “It is a huge honor to take over this spot. I’m sure everyone can understand it comes with mixed emotions that it happens this week.”
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5.) Świątek Dominates in Doha
Iga Świątek claimed her second WTA 1000 title at the Qatar Open, defeating in-form Anett Kontaveit 6-2, 6-0. Throughout the tournament, she was excellent, only losing one set in the first round. The result brings her total titles to four, with impressive wins in each.
2020 Roland Garros: 64 61, Kenin
2021 Adelaide: 62 62, Bencic
2021 Rome: 60 60, Pliskova
2022 Doha: 62 60, Kontaveit
If you have a moment, I’d love to hear your feedback. Which topic is your favorite? What would you like to see more or less of each week?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and have a great weekend.