Fantastic post, thanks for sharing these deep and honest thoughts. I am not a professional tennis player but I did meet my wife at a tennis event. She also plays and I know what you mean about when you both play a match the same day and one partner wins and the other loses. Even though it just "social" tennis for us, it can be a sensitive topic! I very much appreciate your respect and empathy for Aryna, too. Count me as another fan, so that makes three with Aaron.
Thank you Andrea, another great read! Fun and philosophical, in perfect proportions.
At the French Open, in the "most romantic city in the world", you only get to hear "Zero". "Love" is not shouted on those tennis courts. Tennis (and love and life) is full of contradictions. The secret to happiness is to be able to smile at them. There is always a positive, somewhere, that only the future can reveal!
Hi Andrea, well done on another excellent written topic. It very much hits the tone of the moment.
Everybody as tennis fans at the present time needs to "rally" slight pun intended around Aryna whether a fan of her's or not. It is also brilliant to see Paula Bodosa supporting her as her close friend and tennis colleague. Plus all the tennis community as a whole. The world definitely needs to learn to love/like each other a lot more.❤
Back to the rest of the article. Yes I am sure it is very difficult to date, it takes a lot hard work on both sides to make a relationship to work. Plus you have to be very secure in yourselves as an individual. I do speak from experience of being in a long distance relationship so can feel your pain.
At least it does look like you got a right type of "love match" now 😉
Thanks, Andrea! You have a super interesting perspective on things. I wish I could read German, as I bought your book several years ago and would buy the new one, too! English version? Wondering… what do you mean when you refer to Constantin as Sabalenka’s “ex-partner.” If you mean they broke up before he died, then “ex” is correct. But we usually say “former” if they were still together when he passed.
Another refreshing and insightful article. I appreciate your commentating and calls of matches. Yes, Chanda too. You’re smart, witty and funny! Keep up the great work!
Dear Andrea, Come Back, Won't You Please Come Back?
I've been reading your posts each Friday, and want to summarize my thoughts and emotions.
Here's the deal - how I see things anyway. There's no such thing as immortal. It doesn't matter if you have Zero slams or 22. There should be no such thing as dating up, or dating down. Status, greatness, greatest - that's all a bunch of nonsense (aka b.s.) fuelled by the corporate machine selling dreams to kids which creates obsessed fans/pro hopefuls. Obsessed fans/pro hopefuls = open wallets and unrealistic dreams/unhealthy standards (for most) with no clear paths to the 'glory' they dream about, so they live vicariously through their favourite players on tv. There are literally a gazillion people (correction, millions) around the world who have undeveloped athletic potential (for the "beautiful dream" of stardom) and they feel as though they never had their shot. This causes voids/insecurity/unfair self-comparisons to others, and again = open wallets to fill life's voids. Corporations love that stuff, and the top 3 players of any generation are great marketing vehicles to help sell the potent dream. It's force Fed almost, I mean just look how lovely life would be if only you were just 'great' and could secure your 'place in history,' or 'tour the world' to every sunny destination. Sorry if I'm going too deep, I'd start my own substack for such things but nobody knows my status so why would they follow it? Plus I probably sound too jaded. If you think I'm nuts, remember the survey that said 'average amateurs' thought they could get a game off a pro. The proof is in the pudding, right there. Those amateurs may be delusional but they've simply bought into the dream they were sold, and some (small percentage) COULD actually get a game or at least a point, and those who actually cannot (majority) need not be 'put in their place' Andrea. Tut tut. I forgive you for that comment, as I think it was a friendly competition/reality check/show some respect for the craft/years of hard work/commitment type of thought you tried to convey, and not a 'I'm above you' kind of elite attitude. At least you hit with amateurs for fun, which I think is admirable. :) Anyway....
You're a champ in my eyes (looking at you miss French Open Semi-Finalist), but honestly that doesn't define you and you've grown, branched out and blossomed into quite the beautiful, dynamic woman. Congrats on everything and here's the hug I wanted to give you when you retired at the open in 2022. *HUG* I care. I remember ya. Thanks for being there on court 7, for putting in the work, for entertaining even when it was stressful. I saw the artist in you a long time ago, just a vibe I got through the tv when I dreamt of getting to know you (blushes)... the gorgeous player with good groundies and nice shoulders. Back when I said to myself, 'who is she!!?' Nice to see you found a partner you connect with and I'm glad you are doing well professionally in other areas. Keep going!! Thanks for being candid. All good vibes to you.
Not to forget Lucie Safarova and Tomas Berdych…. Really enjoying your call on the Miami Open. It’s very rare that Martina pays any attention to younger players but she clearly likes your commentary. (It helps that you skillfully refer back to her previous comments!) Hope to see more of you on Tennis Channel.
I appreciate the call-out as the singular "fan", but I'm pretty sure there are at least two of us 😉
Go Andrea! ( "Gut gemacht" Andrea?) Enjoying your musings and insights Welcome to tennis substack. It's a good place.
Fantastic post, thanks for sharing these deep and honest thoughts. I am not a professional tennis player but I did meet my wife at a tennis event. She also plays and I know what you mean about when you both play a match the same day and one partner wins and the other loses. Even though it just "social" tennis for us, it can be a sensitive topic! I very much appreciate your respect and empathy for Aryna, too. Count me as another fan, so that makes three with Aaron.
Thank you Andrea, another great read! Fun and philosophical, in perfect proportions.
At the French Open, in the "most romantic city in the world", you only get to hear "Zero". "Love" is not shouted on those tennis courts. Tennis (and love and life) is full of contradictions. The secret to happiness is to be able to smile at them. There is always a positive, somewhere, that only the future can reveal!
Your writing is thoughtful and funny. Thank you for sharing these!
Hi Andrea, well done on another excellent written topic. It very much hits the tone of the moment.
Everybody as tennis fans at the present time needs to "rally" slight pun intended around Aryna whether a fan of her's or not. It is also brilliant to see Paula Bodosa supporting her as her close friend and tennis colleague. Plus all the tennis community as a whole. The world definitely needs to learn to love/like each other a lot more.❤
Back to the rest of the article. Yes I am sure it is very difficult to date, it takes a lot hard work on both sides to make a relationship to work. Plus you have to be very secure in yourselves as an individual. I do speak from experience of being in a long distance relationship so can feel your pain.
At least it does look like you got a right type of "love match" now 😉
Pink for you is knock out.
I see you Jesse!!! ❤️power couple❤️
Thanks, Andrea! You have a super interesting perspective on things. I wish I could read German, as I bought your book several years ago and would buy the new one, too! English version? Wondering… what do you mean when you refer to Constantin as Sabalenka’s “ex-partner.” If you mean they broke up before he died, then “ex” is correct. But we usually say “former” if they were still together when he passed.
Terrific article - I’m laughing and crying!
Aw the pic of you and Jesse <3
Another refreshing and insightful article. I appreciate your commentating and calls of matches. Yes, Chanda too. You’re smart, witty and funny! Keep up the great work!
Absolutely love it! And agree with the love part and the mission impossible task
Dear Andrea, Come Back, Won't You Please Come Back?
I've been reading your posts each Friday, and want to summarize my thoughts and emotions.
Here's the deal - how I see things anyway. There's no such thing as immortal. It doesn't matter if you have Zero slams or 22. There should be no such thing as dating up, or dating down. Status, greatness, greatest - that's all a bunch of nonsense (aka b.s.) fuelled by the corporate machine selling dreams to kids which creates obsessed fans/pro hopefuls. Obsessed fans/pro hopefuls = open wallets and unrealistic dreams/unhealthy standards (for most) with no clear paths to the 'glory' they dream about, so they live vicariously through their favourite players on tv. There are literally a gazillion people (correction, millions) around the world who have undeveloped athletic potential (for the "beautiful dream" of stardom) and they feel as though they never had their shot. This causes voids/insecurity/unfair self-comparisons to others, and again = open wallets to fill life's voids. Corporations love that stuff, and the top 3 players of any generation are great marketing vehicles to help sell the potent dream. It's force Fed almost, I mean just look how lovely life would be if only you were just 'great' and could secure your 'place in history,' or 'tour the world' to every sunny destination. Sorry if I'm going too deep, I'd start my own substack for such things but nobody knows my status so why would they follow it? Plus I probably sound too jaded. If you think I'm nuts, remember the survey that said 'average amateurs' thought they could get a game off a pro. The proof is in the pudding, right there. Those amateurs may be delusional but they've simply bought into the dream they were sold, and some (small percentage) COULD actually get a game or at least a point, and those who actually cannot (majority) need not be 'put in their place' Andrea. Tut tut. I forgive you for that comment, as I think it was a friendly competition/reality check/show some respect for the craft/years of hard work/commitment type of thought you tried to convey, and not a 'I'm above you' kind of elite attitude. At least you hit with amateurs for fun, which I think is admirable. :) Anyway....
You're a champ in my eyes (looking at you miss French Open Semi-Finalist), but honestly that doesn't define you and you've grown, branched out and blossomed into quite the beautiful, dynamic woman. Congrats on everything and here's the hug I wanted to give you when you retired at the open in 2022. *HUG* I care. I remember ya. Thanks for being there on court 7, for putting in the work, for entertaining even when it was stressful. I saw the artist in you a long time ago, just a vibe I got through the tv when I dreamt of getting to know you (blushes)... the gorgeous player with good groundies and nice shoulders. Back when I said to myself, 'who is she!!?' Nice to see you found a partner you connect with and I'm glad you are doing well professionally in other areas. Keep going!! Thanks for being candid. All good vibes to you.
-fuzzy.
Not to forget Lucie Safarova and Tomas Berdych…. Really enjoying your call on the Miami Open. It’s very rare that Martina pays any attention to younger players but she clearly likes your commentary. (It helps that you skillfully refer back to her previous comments!) Hope to see more of you on Tennis Channel.
Honest and True as usual. Break the sociological norms because they suck and the world is a worse off place with them.