Simon Briggs
@simonrbriggs
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Senior Feature Writer and Tennis Correspondent for Telegraph Media Group. Occasional guest on the @TennisPodcast
London
Joined June 2009
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Does this picture make it look as if Taylor Swift is about to unleash a lethal left-arm wrist-spinner? Or do I just have a one-track mind?
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Davila Jakupovic retires after suffering a horrendous coughing fit and breathing difficulties in the heavy, polluted air in Melbourne. Awful scenes
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There's something naturally comical about Medvedev, even when he's being offensive. He's like tennis's Mr Bean
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In the latest episode of "Men Behaving Badly Down Under", court documents show that Djokovic's legal team warned that cancelling his visa "would threaten the viability" of Australia continuing to host the Australian Open. Hmmm
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To all those telling me that Covid doesn't exist, etc etc, I can only refer you to this excellent summary from Arnold Schwarzenegger (words I never thought I would write)
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As anyone who has spent any time in Australia knows, this supposedly laidback country is actually a stickler for rules
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Former ATP vice-president for rules and competition calls Alexander Zverev's suspended sentence "pathetic". It hardly seems that there is anyone in tennis who disagrees
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Feel like it might be time to repost this, from six weeks ago. It's genuinely possible that Novak thought he couldn't contract Covid because he was drinking healing water suffused with positive emotions
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Also I well remember this press conference at the O2 Arena that November, when Djokovic whizzed a ball just over his player box, fortunately bouncing off empty seats, and
@NeilMcLeman
asked him about it
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Telegraph data showing that the live-blogs on Emma Raducanu's last two matches were our two most popular sports stories of the year, just ahead of a piece about the decisive Euros penalty shoot-out
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Here's a piece on the contrasts - and extraordinary lack of rancour - which made the Roger-Rafa rivalry one of the greatest stories in sport
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"Kim stood by me when she could easily have said 'Look, come home, we don't need to do this any more.'" Andy Murray on how his wife helped him through his dark moments
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Kudos to Azarenka for this much-needed insight into the issue of rogue coaches on WTA Tour. When I previously addressed the subject in June, one experienced coach said he had never seen so many coaches in inappropriate relationships with players
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Andy Murray speaks about new son Teddy and his determination not to develop a belly like that of his former coach Ivan Lendl (although a recent run of birthday parties isn't helping)
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I wrote a tribute to my dear friend Mike Dickson. There were a few tear-stains on the keyboard
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Just in case there wasn't enough tennis news tonight, am hearing that Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil - who resigned from ATP Player Council in August (under duress from fellow members) in order to launch the PTPA - are now applying to rejoin the Player Council
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Still dry at Roland Garros. Sorry Monsieur Forget, but the cancellation of play an hour ago has to go down as one of the great howlers. They could have finished the second semi-final by now. And then they wouldn't have had to refund 15k punters
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NEW: Rafael Nadal pulls out of Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics
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WTA investigating at least two concerning coach-player relationships as the tour moves to improve its safeguarding in the wake of Pam Shriver revelations
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Key quote from Emma Raducanu BBC interview with Sue Barker: "I don’t know what caused it. I think that it was a combination of everything that has gone on behind the scenes in the last week and an accumulation of the excitement and buzz. I think it’s a great learning experience"
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At the end of a long week, I just pressed the wrong WhatsApp button and sent Andy Murray’s agent some kind of Valentine’s Day emoji (at least I think that’s what it is...)
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Statement in from All England Club. "The AELTC can confirm that Justin Gimelstob has not been and will not be invited to participate in the Invitational events, or to attend the Royal Box at The Championships in 2019." He had previously played in the doubles every year since 2010
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Exclusive: execs from the ATP and WTA will discuss the first steps towards a unified tour at a two-day meeting in London later this month
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Emma Raducanu on Torben Beltz: "You guys cracked it! It's obviously a great privilege to be working with such an experienced coach. I'm definitely very excited to work with him throughout the preseason and into next year"
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For those who didn’t believe me last night, here is ATP player council member Bruno Soares
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I might have had a slight lump in my throat recording this
'It's a hard one for anyone who loves tennis to swallow'
@SimonrBriggs
offers his reaction to the news that Roger Federer will retire from tennis after the Laver Cup.
#TelegraphSport
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Am not used to being addressed from the court in the middle of matches, but Nick Kyrgios just suggested that I should "write about the umpires and how ---- they are". Felt he was a little hard done-by today, but then in matches like this he is often on the edge of trouble
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Zverev's general attitude is really starting to wind me up. What a graceless moment this was
Louise Engzell told Zverev that he is late again (!) for the coin toss and he replied with „you know how Naomi said you can fine her for ever single match she is not at the press conference. You can fine me for every single match being late.“
Rolling eyes.
#rolandgarros
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But then here is Dan Evans with the opposite view (this was this afternoon, I put ‘yesterday’ for the morning paper)
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Johanna Konta is often tactful in her interviews but today she said# what she really thinks
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How Roger Federer fell in love with Wimbledon - and put the awe back into lawn tennis
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In awe of Danielle Collins after this interview. Extraordinary that she was able to compete with - and often beat - the best players in the world while also battling endometriosis
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Torben Beltz, the experienced German coach who just split with Angelique Kerber, looks like the next appointment for Raducanu after being spotted with her in south-east London last month
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St Mary’s Church in Wimbledon didn’t have space for all 600-odd attendees at Mike Dickson’s memorial service today. A special occasion for a very special man
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Nipped over to Antwerp and ended up transcribing what was effectively an open-letter “thank you” from Andy Murray to his wife
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Djokovic’s latest take on the vaccine debate in the NYT. Shame all those scientists and pharma companies didn’t have a word with the world’s best tennis player before they started wasting their time
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That Steve Simon statement, like Katrina Adams's earlier comments on ESPN, is an attack on the integrity of an experienced umpire. Message to other umpires: don't take on a big name.
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Taylor Townsend is one of the more remarkable people I have met. Experienced some appalling treatment as a teenager but came through it with real class and character
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The WTA say they have been assured by the Saudi Tennis Federation that everyone will be welcome in Riyadh, regardless of religion or sexual orientation, meaning that same-sex couples would be able to share rooms
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Ah, after yesterday's
@TennisPodcast
, I have been informed that Roger Federer's outfit is a dead ringer for the UPS uniform, not FedEx
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Feel like it’s gotta be time for some new blood in that BBC TV Wimbledon commentary team
BBC's old boys tennis club of John McEnroe and Boris Becker should be overhauled |
@simonrbriggs
writes on how to modernise Wimbledon's tennis coverage
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Nick Kyrgios plays elite tennis to dispose of Ugo Humbert in five sets and then has the crowd in his palm during a equally captivating interview with Lee McKenzie. Is there a more charismatic athlete in the world?
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As Andy Murray celebrates his 5th Queens title, here's something on
@judmoo
's quest to create tomorrow's champions
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Crushing news. Dicko was the doyen. More importantly, a very special human being. We will all miss him terribly
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Full refunds available for tomorrow’s Centre Court ticket-holders if they contact the AELTC via ticketing
@aeltc
.com before midnight
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An ageing cohort of charismatic men; a rising tide of compelling young women. It's got to be time to switch the slam formats: best-of-three for everyone in first week, best-of-five for everyone from QFs on.
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Exclusive: sources report that ATP boss Andrea Gaudenzi briefed the Masters tournaments in Indian Wells on a $1bn offer from Saudi PIF to merge the men's and women's tours
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No points removed from LTA events. Highly unlikely there will be any removed from Wimbledon now. Could be some player discontent as a result
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Entertaining look at the
#Nolefam
group of Djokovic online supporters from
@girinathan
, with contributions from
@BenRothenberg
and me
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Worth stressing that Gimelstob and his attorney, Shawn Holley, had every opportunity to go to trial if they wished. And thus to show this "significant proof refuting Mr. Kaplan's version of the events" that she refers to. They preferred a no-contest plea
As more players & insiders call for Gimelstob's ouster, his attorney sends letter to ATP Board & player council emphasizing that Kaplans' statements weren't made under oath or subject to cross-examination. Letter attempts to contextualize court use of term "legally unprovoked"
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Sad to have to write another tribute, my second in three days. But at least Alan Mills enjoyed a good innings before passing at 88
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Entertaining exchange with Kyrgios in this evening’s press conference
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Jack Draper completes five-set and then pukes in courtside bin. Incredible effort
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Interview with Felix Auger-Aliassime, featuring his admiration for Kylian Mbappe and how he fixed his heart problems
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She came, she saw, she Konta-ed. Amazingly, my editors have let me get away with that as the first line
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Novak saying in press that the ATP have brought in a new rule last night saying that players cannot be on the PTPA and the ATP Council. Says that it is now clear that the ATP "don't want PTPA in the system" (personally I think we knew that ) and they will consider their next move
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Congrats to Amelie Mauresmo who completes the London marathon in 3hr 22min. Earlier.
@TelegraphSport
's own
@CDEccleshare
sped around in a barely credible 2hr 51min. That's basically 20min 5ks all the way
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If you follow Djokovic's origin story, you can see how he became radicalised as a proponent of alternative therapies and a sceptic of accepted medical practices. When I interviewed him in 2018 about his elbow operation, he was still feeling guilty about it
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Nole Fam won't concede the Adria Tour scandal as an error of judgement, it seems. Their position now is that anyone who takes Covid seriously is a "sheep"
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Impressive backbone showed by LTA's new chief exec Scott Lloyd as he stands up to Wimbledon and says no to the Kosmos reforms of Davis Cup. Statement just out. LTA's 12 votes will be against.
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Some excellent old photos posted by
@miguelseabra
today including this one of
@davidlawtennis
and his handbag with Andre Agassi 20 years ago
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Thanks for the many brilliant responses to my unexpectedly popular Taylor Swift tweet. I’m giving the win to
@TheSportess
for this ace bit of photoshop work (fingers crossed that I’m attributing it right)
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A great draw and welcome back to Bianca Andreescu, who has been much missed since Indian Wells last year
Absolutely nowhere to hide in this incredible Stuttgart draw 😮
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Could tell from speaking to Emma Raducanu this week that she is feeling the pin-pricks of all those snarky social-media comments about her multiple sponsorship deals
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Impressed by the attitude of 19-year-old Paul Jubb. He has real hunger and fight, and he has come through the tough way with no money to fund overseas travel (hence his highest junior ranking of No. 384)
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On the dispiriting, but not especially surprising, vaccine scepticism displayed by elite tennis pros this week
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Think I might have had something in my eye at the end of this final. Loved seeing Simona Halep - always a totally genuine person to talk to - produce such a masterpiece
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Member of PTPA board told Roger Federer to "bow to the true legend!" [ie. Novak Djokovic] among various other provocative tweets
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From today’s back-garden serve practice. A variation to surprise my opponent
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The irreplaceable Sue Barker didn’t do any farewell interviews at the end of the Championships - as far as I am aware - but she did do a farewell voice note for this subscribers’ edition of
@TennisPodcast
. Recommended
Wimbledon - A final look back
A new Tennis Podcast for Friends of the pod is up.
Features voice notes from:
Sue Barker
Andrew Cotter
Pam Shriver
Simon Briggs
Hannah Wilks
Become a Friend to listen -
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Further to last tweet, it’s still nice and light and dry in Paris. They would have had to go to something like 20-20 in the fifth to avoid finishing tonight
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Would so love to have Berrettini's forehand. But instead I think I've got his drop-shot
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An issue piece I wrote over the weekend. In any logical, joined-up sport, the unresolved domestic-abuse allegations against Alexander Zverev would be investigated by the dozen former policemen and women at the Tennis Integrity Unit. But this is tennis...
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In-depth interview with the Zverev family, focusing on Sascha's apparently inexorable rise towards the top
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I haven't been all that complimentary about this closed-doors ATP Finals but, fair play, the shotmaking in Thiem-Nadal thus far is awe-inspiring
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He said "what's your ----ing problem" to the umpires. Then "----ing bitches" twice to Anne and Jo Konta
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Backstage update: Pospisil and Djokovic originally said that they would step down from ATP Player Council if they got the votes for the PTPA. They wanted to wait & see. Other Council members said "No way, you have to jump first." Wrote a formal letter to that effect. So they quit
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A tribute to the late Martin Johnson. A great humorist, a great writer and a great companion, he gave so much joy to so many. RIP Scoop, we will miss you terribly
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The ever-gracious Jack Sock to the NYT: "I can personally say if I’m not relevant in the singles world and my only choice is to play doubles, I’d probably stop playing tennis." Way to make the doubles specialists appreciate your forbearance in sharing the court with them
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Back to tennis, and here’s an interview with Naomi Osaka’s physical trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who worked with Maria Sharapova for eight years but has never seen anything like Osaka’s athleticism
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From Djokovic’s recruitment letter to the players for PTPA. As reported here on Friday, he wasn’t happy about the Osaka-led suspension of play on Thursday
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Many thanks to
@JudyMurray
for taking possession of Andy's Telegraph award for the greatest-ever UK sportsperson
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Interesting level of tennis in the first round of qualifying for this Doha Futures 15k event!
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If you’re in the UK and you’ve got Sky Sports, 830pm for Jannik Sinner v Carlos Alcaraz. The two best players to emerge since Djokovic. First meeting in five months. Sinner leads H2H 4-3. Should be good
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@VasekPospisil
It’s not true that there are grievances within the male player field over a proposed merger of ATP and WTA? This was Andy Murray’s response when asked about a merger by CNN
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As a kid, Jack Draper used to wear sleeveless tops and bandanas in honour of his hero Rafael Nadal. Now he has the chance to play him
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Great to hear that Alfie Hewett has been told he can continue his wheelchair career after all. For two-and-a-half years, he has been living under the threat of exclusion
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Today marked the end of a 30-odd year relationship with my single-handed backhand. It’s over between us. Fittingly, I dumped the last one in the net as a result of decelerating the racket
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Tennis “Moneyball” alert. The ATP plan to make ball-tracking data - which previously was an expensive nightmare to source from HawkEye (at £150 per match) - freely available to their players from the spring
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For what it's worth, when I interviewed ITF umpire Marijana Veljovic during Wimbledon, she identified Carlos Ramos as the colleague she most admired
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Regarding that shrug of a statement from
@TennisChannel
(see last tweets), I'm not sure the matter is resolved for the victim who suffered PTSD and a 4.5-month concussion, or his wife whose miscarriage - only days after the attack - has been attributed to the resulting stress
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Novak Djokovic has been the best player in the world for the vast majority of my time in tennis. He is used to bending reality to his will. But I still find it odd that he can lead an agenda of confrontational change and expect not to be asked about it
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When you see someone with
@martina
's experience debunking the "sexism" case against Carlos Ramos, it's a decent indicator that said case is all hot air, no substance
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After coming off court in Indian Wells, Emma Raducanu told reporters "If any experienced coaches are out there looking, you know where to find me ... I'm not joking"
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Jakupovic on her breathing problems: "It was really bad. I never experienced something like this and I was really scared. I was scared that I would collapse. That’s why I went on the floor. Because I couldn’t walk any more. When I was on the ground it was easier to get some air."
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