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Alyx K.'s avatar

As a “newer-ish” tennis spectator (been watching religiously the last five years), I absolutely love your writing and content. You always offer such a fresh and unique perspective to the sport. Even when I feel like I don’t have time to read another tennis post, once I start yours, I can’t stop. And thank you for always ending with a reminder that there’s a fabulous world beyond tennis, too. Off to watch the Sinner… but not before today’s semifinals (maybe).

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Hank Moravec's avatar

It makes perfect sense that one of the first consequences of more prize money is a support team. Once upon a time, without an abundance of money, the first step to figuring out how to win a match on tour was figuring out how to move from a supported environment to an environment with zero support. Had to make acquaintances quickly. If you didn't have some acquaintences to hit with it was down to finding a wall. There is a great French Open documentary on youtube, titled "The French 1981." One of the more striking things is all of the players, the top seeds, hanging out with each other in the locker room. It's not just lower ranked players, one practice match is McEnroe and Connors, hitting with each other the day before the tournament starts, no coaches.

It is sad if now the players don't hang out with each other as much. I agree that a paid team is no substitute.

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