August 4, 2023

Here’s your roundup of the five most interesting things I’m enjoying or thinking about this week in tennis.

1.) Lack of Effort Warning

At 6-3, 5-3 (0-40), Gael Monfils walked off the court when Alexander Bublik served in his second-round match at the Citi Open, prompting the umpire to issue a “lack of best effort” warning. It’s not something you see very often and definitely a clear violation – odd behavior from a fan favorite.

Gael Monfils received a warning for a lack of effort when leading against Alexander Bublik.

He went on to win in straight sets 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/BHz5mRGJdg

— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 3, 2023

2.) Jennifer Brady’s Return

Two years since her last competitive match in August 2021, Jennifer Brady logged her first WTA win at the Citi Open, defeating No. 28, Anhelina Kalinina 6-2r 6-1. The combination of a tear in her plantar fascia and a stress fracture in her right knee had kept her sidelined.

3.) Andy Murray Stalked

During one of Andy Murray’s interviews, Frances Tiafoe came up behind him and leaned over inches from his face for nearly half a minute before Tiafoe let on that he was there. Silly but pretty entertaining at the same time.

Watch out Andy: Big Foe’s behind you 😂@andy_murray @FTiafoe #MubadalaCitiOpen pic.twitter.com/J1ZqzIVPgV

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 30, 2023

4.) Tennis Betting Insights

Like other professional sports, betting has found its way into every corner of our sport, with nearly everyone profiting but the players. Writing for Sports Illustrated, John Wertheim shares his thoughts on the matter.

Read John’s Betting Insights

5.) Ump’s Medical Timeout

Medical timeouts in tennis are super common, but having an umpire take his own medical timeout during a match is something new.

Medical Timeout For…Mo? 🤔#Hamburgopen pic.twitter.com/rT9hYyD8jR

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 30, 2023

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.