Balls to the wall coverage of the ATP tour
John Isner talked with the press after defending his title at ATP Newport, defeating Lleyton Hewitt 7-6(1), 6-4. When asked about Atlanta (his next tourney), it was interesting that he seemed more concerned about it being “hot as crap” than switching surfaces from grass to hardcourt.
It was a great week for Isner, and he seems to have finally gotten his mojo back. We will see how his regained confidence carries him through the rest of the season.
(Video via Racquet Required)
Four quick serves, and Isner defended his title and claimed the 2012 ATP Newport championship. A great ending to a great week of tennis!
(Video via Racquet Required)
Check out some solid play from Isner and Harrison…have a bit of a meltdown. This is ridiculous!
(Video via Racquet Required)
John Isner was very upbeat and downright chipper after his win over Ryan Harrison at the Newport semifinals. Love that he admits that he loves to play in the US because he can watch Sportscenter. Has he never heard of the Internet?
(Video via Racquet Required)
Milos Raonic and Ryan Harrison hit the practice courts together at ATP Newport. So what did they talk about: tennis, Newport, playing in the Olympics? Nope, Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City, and the NBA. Guys on this continent are indeed all the same.
But of course they did get down to business and hit the fuzzy yellow balls.
One of the best serves in the game was certainly looking on point.
And of course Galo Blanco, Milos’s coach, was there keeping an eye on his charge. Or kibbitzing. Same diff.
You can check out more pics from Ryan and Milos’s practice at our Facebook page and you can watch them play live this week in Newport!
(Pictures and video via Racquet Required)
Dudi Sela was not having the best practice in Newport yesterday. Alas, no dancing. There was a lot of shouting and muttering in Hebrew (why did I not pay more attention in Hebrew school?!) and the throwing of the racquet.
I think that grass is actually Sela’s best surface, and though he’s always dangerous on it, his grass season has not been the best, going out first round both at s-Hertogenbosch (l. Kubot) and Wimbledon (l. Karlovic).
But Dudi was completely dominant in his match today against Frank Dancevic, easily winning 6-0, 6-2. So maybe he was able to work out those kinks in practice.
Check out more pics from Dudi’s practice at our Facebook page and head to Newport to see him play live!
(Pictures via Racquet Required)
Sam Querrey and John Isner hit the practice courts at ATP Newport today. You can here Sam talking about how his flight was delayed and he did not land till 2AM!
Good thing Sam was not too tired to hit the courts with John. Nice to see these two back on a court together.
Isner’s girlfriend came out to watch them. Super sweet to see her out supporting them.
The guys had a good practice. Sam is still looking in form after his successful grass season, and John seemed quite a bit sharper than he did at Wimbledon.
You can check out a full album of their practice at our Facebook page and you can see them play live this week at ATP Newport!
(Pictures and video via Racquet Required)
The players came out to the ATP Newport draw ceremony to kick off the start of grass season in the US 
Here, John Isner, David Goffin, Olivier Rochus, and Milos Raonic posed for pics.
As the defending champion, John Isner addressed a few words to the crowd. He drew a qualifier in the first round but is due to play Mahut in the second round. It is a fundamental law that you cannot have a grass tournament with Isner and Mahut in the draw and not have the possibility of their playing each other.
Olivier Rochus, Milos Raonic, and Kei Nishikori did their best to pretend they were listening while John was talking. Rochus will play Soeda in his first round match, Raonic will face Matthew Ebden, and Nishikori gets Sjisling.
I think this is the first time that Nishikori has played Newport. He did well at Wimbledon, and he should have a good tournament here.
It was a great kick off to the event. This is one of the strongest draws that the tournament has ever had. If you have a chance, definitely come down to Newport this week to check out some great tennis!
Check out more pics from the party at our Facebook page.
(Pictures via Racquet Required)
A fuller post on the Newport draw party to come, but in the meantime enjoy this picture of Olivier Rochus and David Goffin. The two were joking and laughing throughout the party, and they are playing doubles together in the tournament. Not sure yet what to call their pairing (Roffin? Gochus?), but their bond is quite endearing.
(Picture via Racquet Required)
John Isner talks with the press after his 2nd round win over Arnaud Clement 7-6(6), 6-4 at ATP Newport.
Thanks to @jusbjen for filming for me!
(Video via Racquet Required)
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