The weekend wrap-up 🌯 

The weekend has been and gone. And because it’s Monday, you’re back at work and time is precious we’ve got the full wrap-up for you.

Here’s what went down…

🙋‍♀️ Starting with the women…

The big shock 🤯 happened last night when Jelena Ostapenko 🇱🇻 upset world no.1 Iga Swiatek 🇵🇱 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

New world no.1 (following Swiatek’s lost) Aryna Sabalenka 🥇 cracked on thrashing Clara Burel 🇫🇷 6-1, 6-1.

Ons Jabuer 🇹🇳 continues to grind her way through winning her third 3-set match to make it into the fourth round.

While Sorana Cîrstea 🇷🇴 backed up her win over no.4 seed Elena Rybakina 🇰🇿 by beating Belinda Bencic 🇨🇦 6-3, 6-3.

And finally it was a good weekend for the American woman 💪 . Comeback queen Caroline Wozniacki 🇨🇭 👑 was toppled by Coco Gauff 🇺🇸 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, while Jessica Pegula 🇺🇸 stopped Elina Svitolina 🇺🇦 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

Madison Keys 🇺🇸 and Peyton Stearns 🇺🇸 were also winners.

🙋‍♂️ On the men’s side...

Novak Djokovic 🇷🇸 survived a huge upset, coming back from 2 sets to love down against fellow countryman Laslo Djere 🇷🇸. In his next round last night, Djokovic cruised past Borna Gojo 🇭🇷 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 to reach the last eight.

Carlos Alcaraz 🇪🇸 won his 10th straight US Open match to advance to the fourth round for a third consecutive year, beating Dan Evans in 4 sets, 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3

Jannik Sinner 🇮🇹 🥕 won through over former champ Stan Warwinka 🇨🇭, along with Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Alex De Minaur 🇦🇺 🦘.

Alexander Zverev 🇩🇪 continued his strong form overcoming a tough 4 set challenge from Grigor Dimitrov 🇧🇬 6-7, 7-6, 6-1, 6-1.

And American’s 🇺🇸 Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Francis Tiafoe were all winners over the weekend.

Cameron Norrie 🇬🇧 wasn’t so lucky, going down to Italian surprise Matteo Arnaldi 🇮🇹. But the other Brit in the draw Jack Draper 🇬🇧 is through to his first fourth-round at a GS 🙌 

Second week of the Open starts today, vamos!

Are there double standards for Alcaraz vs Djokovic? 💊 🤷‍♂️ 

Over the weekend there was a little bit of controversy going on between Novak Djokovic 🇷🇸 fans and the rest of the tennis establishment - and it all started over everybody’s tennis crush right now, Carlos Alcaraz 🇪🇸 .

What the %$&# happened? 😲 
The X (formly Twitter) storm that blew up over the weekend was caused by scenes of Alcaraz receiving a bottle of what appeared to be pills 💊 midway through his third-round match with Brit Dan Evans 🇬🇧 😲. Video evidence of his team handing him a bottle with a few tablets inside circulated, sparking comparisons to Novak Djokovic's infamous "magic drinks" 🍹 during Wimbledon 🌱 and the final of the Paris Masters 🥐 in 2022.

Some of the reactions from social media were:

1. "Another virus?" 😷

2. "Hilarious accusations of hypocrisy! Alcaraz was winning when he took the pills. No need for 'magic' pills then! 🤷‍♂️"

3. "The same energy for Djokovic, please!" 💥

Are double standards at play? 🤔 
Much of the anger came from Djokovic fans, calling out double standards. For many of them, the radio silence 📻️ from the tennis world on Alcaraz taking pills 💊 really got under their skin 😡 . If it was Djokovic they argued, the tennis world would be up in fits claiming doping! 🤨 

Is it the first time for Alcaraz? 🤒 
Claims that the Spaniard was only taking them because he felt under the weather were furiously debunked by Djokovites, pointing to other occasions Carlos has been feeling “poorly”.

Nothing new 🙄 
Lots of conspiracy theories have been circulating about players, spread by alternative fan bases. Think back to claims of doping by Rafael Nadal 🇪🇸 spurred on by Roger Federer 🇨🇭 fans. Djokovic then had to deal with both of those fan bases and now Alcaraz fans.

Check out this crazy conspiracy theory on Djokovic that circulated in 2022.

True Djokovic doesn’t help himself with the public sometimes (but can’t catch a break TBH), but with the strictest of doping checks in any sport, it is hard to believe any player would be so open to do this court-side. Just ask Simona Halep 😂

"Unnecessary attention! Crushing the pill and mixing it with juice would've been a better strategy with less attention!" 🧃

ATP and WTA talk merger 🤝 

As the US Open 🏆️ 🇺🇸 unfolds, the global tennis community is talking with discussions about the potential merger between the ATP Tour and WTA Tour, set for next month in London.

Unprecedented Meeting 🤝
According to The Telegraph, top officials from both tours, including ATP Tour Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi and WTA Tour Chief Executive Officer Steve Simon, are gearing up for a game-changing meeting. The goal? To address the rising interest and influence of Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 in the tennis world.

What do the Saudi’s want? 🌟
Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in hosting more tournaments and possibly creating its own tour to challenge ATP and WTA. This has sparked intense debates among players and officials. The recent LIV Golf tour, backed by Saudi interests, adds fuel to the fire.

Currently Saudi Arabia is the host of the Next Gen ATP Finals 🏆️ ; set in Jeddah from 2023.

Should we expect it anytime soon? 🤔 
While a merger is on the horizon, it’s a long road ahead 🛣️ and won't happen overnight. Multiple parties must give their approval due to distinct sponsors and TV licensing agreements. Major tournaments, including the US Open, will remain unaffected.

What do the players think? 🙊 
Players are divided on the Saudi influence. Tennis legend Roger Federer 🇨🇭 has advocated for a merger, while John McEnroe 🇺🇸 is strongly against Saudi investment, citing the golf debacle.

Tunisian player Ons Jabeur 🇹🇳 welcomes the opportunity for change, emphasizing the importance of more opportunities for women.

However, 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert 🇺🇸 opposes change, labeling it "sports-washing," particularly given Saudi Arabia's human rights record 🙅‍♀️ .

WTA Finals still searching for a Host 🌍
In the midst of these discussions, Saudi Arabia is in the running to host this year's WTA Finals, offering a substantial $12 million prize money 💰️ . Other contenders include Washington, DC, Prague, and Monterrey, with the decision expected next week.

There’s a lot a stake if the merger happens but you can be sure there will be some hands out 🤌 …

Shot Clock 🎾⏰

Patrick Mouratoglou 🇫🇷 and Holger Rune 🇩🇰 have ended their partnership after less than 12 months. Coach Mouratoglou who took him from no.30 to no.4 in the world confirmed his split with Rune on social media. Rumour has it there were ‘ego clashes’ with Rune’s long time coach Lars Christensen, who will now move back into the lead coaching role 🤔.

Former world no.1 Simona Halep 🇷🇴 has doping case delayed further. The 2 time GS champion who last played a professional tennis match in the first round of the US Open last year has announced her verdict - due this week - for testing positive to a banned substance 💊 last October has been further postponed 😤 

Late night women’s doubles got some added excitement when a squirrel 🐿️ crashed the courts. The chair umpire noticed the intruder and called a let to replay the point. The squirrel eventually scrambled over the back fence and off Court 5 🥜 

Jelena Ostapenko 🇱🇻 hushes loud man out of the US Open court stadium. Ostapenko had a spectacular reaction to a loud man in the stands, hushing him off after she saved 5 break points during the sixth game of her match against Bernarda Pera 🤪 

Roger Federer 🐐 spotted enjoying the athletics in Zurich with his family. The Swiss who was last seen at Zurich stadium singing along with Coldplay 🎙️, enjoyed a night at the track in field of the 2023 Diamond League 💎