Apr 21, 2020 | Frances Tiafoe, John Isner, Reilly Opelka, Tennis At Home, Tommy Paul
On the second episode of Tennis United, American John Isner moderated a chat between his countrymen: Taylor Fritz, Reilly Opelka, Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe, all of whom grew up together. All the players have a great relationship with each other, which showed.
Everyone immediately took notice of a gaming chair Fritz was using.
“Reilly, where’s your gaming chair?” Isner wondered.
“It doesn’t exist,” Opelka quickly replied.
[TENNIS AT HOME]
How many hours has Fritz been spending on video games during the COVID-19 pandemic?
“It depends, it depends,” Fritz said.
“That’s how you know it’s a bad number!” Paul joked.
Isner then took the group through a quiz in which he’d ask a question, and the quartet of young Americans had to reach a consensus.
Who is always late?
Taylor Fritz
“Fritz is consistently late every time,” Opelka said.
“But Frances will be way later,” Fritz replied. “One time Frances was telling me he was coming down in the elevator for like an hour!”
Who’s the biggest eater?
Reilly Opelka
“It’s got to be the big man,” Isner said. “We’re similar in stature and I know I eat a lot!”
[TTV CLASSICS]
Who is the messiest?
Taylor Fritz
“Frances I’ve got to say, I saw that little ATP Cribs thing and there were clothes everywhere,” Isner said.
“Bro that was a disaster!” Tiafoe responded, cracking into laughter.
Who would you least want to be in quarantine with?
“I’d love to be in quarantine with all three of these guys,” Fritz said.
“Us four in quarantine would be ideal,” Paul said.
Apr 21, 2020 | Frances Tiafoe, John Isner, Reilly Opelka, Tennis At Home, Tommy Paul
On the second episode of Tennis United, American John Isner moderated a chat between his countrymen: Taylor Fritz, Reilly Opelka, Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe, all of whom grew up together. All the players have a great relationship with each other, which showed.
Everyone immediately took notice of a gaming chair Fritz was using.
“Reilly, where’s your gaming chair?” Isner wondered.
“It doesn’t exist,” Opelka quickly replied.
[TENNIS AT HOME]
How many hours has Fritz been spending on video games during the COVID-19 pandemic?
“It depends, it depends,” Fritz said.
“That’s how you know it’s a bad number!” Paul joked.
Isner then took the group through a quiz in which he’d ask a question, and the quartet of young Americans had to reach a consensus.
Who is always late?
Taylor Fritz
“Fritz is consistently late every time,” Opelka said.
“But Frances will be way later,” Fritz replied. “One time Frances was telling me he was coming down in the elevator for like an hour!”
Who’s the biggest eater?
Reilly Opelka
“It’s got to be the big man,” Isner said. “We’re similar in stature and I know I eat a lot!”
[TTV CLASSICS]
Who is the messiest?
Taylor Fritz
“Frances I’ve got to say, I saw that little ATP Cribs thing and there were clothes everywhere,” Isner said.
“Bro that was a disaster!” Tiafoe responded, cracking into laughter.
Who would you least want to be in quarantine with?
“I’d love to be in quarantine with all three of these guys,” Fritz said.
“Us four in quarantine would be ideal,” Paul said.
Apr 21, 2020 | 2020, Fabio Fognini, Novak Djokovic, Tennis At Home
If you could pick one ATP Tour star to coach, who would it be and why?
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Italian star Fabio Fognini answered that question during an Instagram Live session on Tuesday.
[TENNIS AT HOME]
“You would definitely be one of the players that I would like to coach,” Djokovic told the Italian.
“Serbia! Serbia! Serbia!” Fognini quickly chanted, drawing a laugh from Djokovic.
“I think you are one of the most talented players that I have ever seen, that I have ever played against,” Djokovic said. “I think your team and your coaches are already doing a very good job, but I feel I can contribute a little bit more!”
Djokovic and Fognini then got serious, looking at other players besides each other. Fognini picked a player who is a shotmaker like himself.
“Kyrgios,” Fognini said, before Djokovic responded.
“Kyrgios, I knew it!”
Djokovic revealed that there are some younger players whom he’d enjoy mentoring.
“I would probably coach Felix Auger-Aliassime,” the World No. 1 said. “I would love to coach him because I think he’s a great guy, very talented, fantastic work ethic. And Shapo as well, great guys. Tsitsipas [too].”
Apr 21, 2020 | 2020, Fabio Fognini, Novak Djokovic, Tennis At Home
If you could pick one ATP Tour star to coach, who would it be and why?
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Italian star Fabio Fognini answered that question during an Instagram Live session on Tuesday.
[TENNIS AT HOME]
“You would definitely be one of the players that I would like to coach,” Djokovic told the Italian.
“Serbia! Serbia! Serbia!” Fognini quickly chanted, drawing a laugh from Djokovic.
“I think you are one of the most talented players that I have ever seen, that I have ever played against,” Djokovic said. “I think your team and your coaches are already doing a very good job, but I feel I can contribute a little bit more!”
Djokovic and Fognini then got serious, looking at other players besides each other. Fognini picked a player who is a shotmaker like himself.
“Kyrgios,” Fognini said, before Djokovic responded.
“Kyrgios, I knew it!”
Djokovic revealed that there are some younger players whom he’d enjoy mentoring.
“I would probably coach Felix Auger-Aliassime,” the World No. 1 said. “I would love to coach him because I think he’s a great guy, very talented, fantastic work ethic. And Shapo as well, great guys. Tsitsipas [too].”
Apr 20, 2020 | 2020, Off Court News, Player Features, Robin Haase, Tennis At Home
When Robin Haase started out this year, he likely didn’t imagine that he’d become the most recognisable babysitter in the Netherlands.
But once the Dutchman returned home in early March and remained there due to the COVID-19 outbreak, he felt inspired to help after seeing how parents working in the healthcare sector struggled with childcare. He took to Instagram last month and offered to babysit for parents that still needed to work, encouraging his followers to message him if help was needed.
“I had a lot of requests and that was great, but could only do so much because you put yourself and others at risk by being around a lot of people,” Haase said to ATPTour.com. “I did it two times, though, and it was really fun and nice to help out. The only babysitting I’d ever done before was for a nephew about 15 years ago, so I didn’t really have any experience, but it worked out well.”
Haase also received suggestions from fans and followers about ways to help. He turned his attention to being of service and still hopes to follow through on some of the more unique requests.
“For the first two-and-a-half weeks, I was helping others non-stop,” Haase said. For one kids’ 10th birthday, he normally celebrates by going with his parents to a restaurant. Since the restaurant was closed, I decided to buy a game and bring it to him myself. When it was my birthday recently (on 6 April), he surprised me with a video message, which was very nice of him.
[TENNIS AT HOME]
“A guy also messaged me who had been working out for several months and asked if I’d go running with him to help him stay motivated. We haven’t done it yet because he lives two-and-a-half hours away, but it’s a great idea and something that I’d really like to do. You can do it outside and be spaced apart from each other, but it’s also an activity to do together and I think that’s important now.”
Looking for ways to give back has been part of Haase’s life long before the current pandemic. He regularly volunteers his time at ATP Tour events for community outreach and hospital visits, but opted to do so quietly in order to avoid publicity.
“I always try to help other people whether or not I’m playing tournaments. I just didn’t put it out on social media or the news because I enjoyed doing it, but it was also for them,” Haase said. “I’ll go to hospitals and visit people who love tennis or kids who love sports in general, talk with them or maybe go on a walk together. But I’m taking a step back from some of this now, thinking about myself and what I can do to get fit again.”
Although he recently bought a bike, the COVID-19 outbreak has currently halted his tennis and fitness training. Haase admitted that he isn’t certain how his body will respond when he resumes a rigorous schedule on Tour, but is eager to begin competing as soon as possible.
“I have a very bad knee, but I got used to the pain because I kept on playing. But now that I’m not and will have to start up again, I’ll have to go through hell again with the pain. I think I’ll be able to handle it, though, and am really looking forward to playing,” Haase said. “Competing and playing for big crowds are the things I miss most. I see myself not only as a tennis player, but also as an entertainer.”
Apr 20, 2020 | 2020, Off Court News, Player Features, Robin Haase, Tennis At Home
When Robin Haase started out this year, he likely didn’t imagine that he’d become the most recognisable babysitter in the Netherlands.
But once the Dutchman returned home in early March and remained there due to the COVID-19 outbreak, he felt inspired to help after seeing how parents working in the healthcare sector struggled with childcare. He took to Instagram last month and offered to babysit for parents that still needed to work, encouraging his followers to message him if help was needed.
“I had a lot of requests and that was great, but could only do so much because you put yourself and others at risk by being around a lot of people,” Haase said to ATPTour.com. “I did it two times, though, and it was really fun and nice to help out. The only babysitting I’d ever done before was for a nephew about 15 years ago, so I didn’t really have any experience, but it worked out well.”
Haase also received suggestions from fans and followers about ways to help. He turned his attention to being of service and still hopes to follow through on some of the more unique requests.
“For the first two-and-a-half weeks, I was helping others non-stop,” Haase said. For one kids’ 10th birthday, he normally celebrates by going with his parents to a restaurant. Since the restaurant was closed, I decided to buy a game and bring it to him myself. When it was my birthday recently (on 6 April), he surprised me with a video message, which was very nice of him.
[TENNIS AT HOME]
“A guy also messaged me who had been working out for several months and asked if I’d go running with him to help him stay motivated. We haven’t done it yet because he lives two-and-a-half hours away, but it’s a great idea and something that I’d really like to do. You can do it outside and be spaced apart from each other, but it’s also an activity to do together and I think that’s important now.”
Looking for ways to give back has been part of Haase’s life long before the current pandemic. He regularly volunteers his time at ATP Tour events for community outreach and hospital visits, but opted to do so quietly in order to avoid publicity.
“I always try to help other people whether or not I’m playing tournaments. I just didn’t put it out on social media or the news because I enjoyed doing it, but it was also for them,” Haase said. “I’ll go to hospitals and visit people who love tennis or kids who love sports in general, talk with them or maybe go on a walk together. But I’m taking a step back from some of this now, thinking about myself and what I can do to get fit again.”
Although he recently bought a bike, the COVID-19 outbreak has currently halted his tennis and fitness training. Haase admitted that he isn’t certain how his body will respond when he resumes a rigorous schedule on Tour, but is eager to begin competing as soon as possible.
“I have a very bad knee, but I got used to the pain because I kept on playing. But now that I’m not and will have to start up again, I’ll have to go through hell again with the pain. I think I’ll be able to handle it, though, and am really looking forward to playing,” Haase said. “Competing and playing for big crowds are the things I miss most. I see myself not only as a tennis player, but also as an entertainer.”
