The first week of the sunshine double has been CHAOTIC. Plus, the WTA is making a change that is going to affect over 300 players.

As always, there is plenty to discuss, so let’s get into this week’s topics!

New Videos!!

We have a brand new video on our channel this week!

It is another weekly recap with a very special guest that you won’t want to miss. 👀

Check it out and let us know what you think!

What Happened Last Week?

The first North American 1000 event is officially underway!

We’ve already seen a few major upsets in the first week of action.

On the men’s side, 8 seeds went down in their opening matches. This included 4 of the top 8 seeds, headlined by #1 Alexander Zverev, #4 Casper Ruud, #6 Novak Djokovic, & #7 Andrey Rublev.

Other notable upsets included Jenson Brooksby taking down #17 Felix Auger-Aliassime & Gael Monfils defeating #24 Sebastian Korda. Both players did so in straight sets.

In the women’s draw, it was a similar story with 9 seeds losing right away. #16 Beatriz Haddad Maia, #17 Amanda Anisimova, #26 Jelena Ostapenko, & #32 Ons Jabeur were the most notable first-week casualties.

Live Ranking Update: The Biggest Movers Of The Week

WTA:

70. Sonay Kartal (+13)

53. Belinda Bencic (+5)

56. Polina Kudermetova (+4) [NCH]

These three are all into round three at Indian Wells after pulling off some impressive upsets.

Sonay Kartal made the biggest jump as a lucky loser this week. 

Polina Kudermetova is up to a new career high and will face Kartal for a spot in the 4th round.

Belinda Bencic is continuing her strong comeback from maternity leave with a third round showing (so far) in tennis paradise.

ATP:

38. Tallon Griekspoor (+5)

45. Marcos Giron (+3)

82. Botic van de Zandschulp (+3)

The Netherlands is showing out this week, coming up with two of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far. 

Tallon Griekspoor is back inside the top 40 after defeating #1 Alexander Zverev & #29 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard back-to-back en route to the last 16.

Griekspoor’s countryman Botic van de Zandschulp took down Nick Kygrios & #6 Novak Djokovic. He is up 3 spots so far as a result.

Marcos Giron picked up the 5th top ten win of his career and 2nd over #4 seed Casper Ruud this week. He is up to #45 this week, just shy of his career high of #37.

Major Tournament Updates

Here’s a quick look ahead to what’s coming up this week:

• ATP/WTA BNP Paribas Open - Indian Wells, USA (March 5 - March 16)

The action continues in the desert this week! 

The Miami Open is up next, with qualifying kicking off Tuesday, March 18.

Watch Out For These Players

Sonay Kartal:

This 23 year-old Brit is making the most of a second chance this week.

After falling in the final round of qualifying to American Clervie Ngounoue, Kartal got in as lucky loser thanks to some withdrawals. 

She is certainly now playing with nothing to lose, taking out #16 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia on her way to round 3.

While there isn’t much tour-level data on Kartal yet, as she’s only played 17 tour-level matches, the biggest improvement the Brit has made doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.

One of the key changes Kartal made when she first transitioned to the pro tour was work on her fitness. During the Covid lockdown, she ran a lot, discovering new routes and “endless areas” both along the south coast of England and in the scenic South Downs.

”When I was younger it felt like a chore, doing gym work and stuff. Now I absolutely love it and it’s so good for my mental health,” Kartal told the WTA last July.

The results of this new love for fitness are certainly showing with Kartal going 111-27 on the ITF circuit since 2021 and now making a push to replicate that success on the main tour.

Yosuke Watanuki:

Currently ranked #349, this 26 year-old is playing WELL above his ranking this week.

With victories over Alexander Bublik, #19 Tomas Machac, & #16 Frances Tiafoe, the qualifier now finds himself in the 4th round of a 1000 event.

One of the most unique aspects of Watanuki’s game, which was big in his win over Tiafoe, is his serve. More specifically, his service motion.

Watanuki brings his right foot in front of his left before going after the ball. This is very unique and virtually unheard of:

“I try to figure out [how to make my serve] more better, better, better, better, better, and now it’s something like that. My left leg is not strong enough. My right leg is much stronger.” 

For context, Watanuki missed more than 6 months last season due to tendinitis in his left knee.

”I’m not super tall, especially on the ATP Tour… but I still want to play better [on the] serve and forehand, so I try for more power and that’s the reason I want to use the power from the right leg.”

That power was on display against Tiafoe, with Yosuke firing down 47 winners, including 16 aces.

If he keeps this kind of play up, he won't be ranked in the 300s for much longer. 

Off The Court

WTA Announces Paid Maternity Leave:

The WTA announced the creation of a first-of-its-kind maternity program in which eligible pregnant players can receive 12 months of paid maternity leave. 

Those who become parents via partner pregnancy, surrogacy or adoption van receive a two-month leave. 

The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund sponsored initiative also provides grants for fertility treatments, including IVF and egg freezing.

There are 320 players eligible to receive these benefits, which will be retroactive to January 1, 2025, according to the WTA.

”This program is landmark and its really groundbreaking. And it’s going to impact women at the WTA in was seen and untold and unseen,” said WTA CEO Portia Archer.

Archer called the initiative “one of one so far” but added she hoped other professional leagues will follow suit or “enhance or expand” their current offerings for potential parents.

Vondrousova Taking Time Off Due To Shoulder Injury:

Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova will not be competing on the WTA Tour for the next few months because of an ongoing left shoulder issue.

The 25 year-old Czech has only played 8 matches on tour this season so far, going 4-4.

Marketa made the announcement via her social media:

Vondrousova is currently ranked #45, but has been as high as world no. 6.

Wishing her all the best in her recovery!

In Case You Missed It…

Stars Come Out In The Desert:

Usually, tennis fans have to wait for the majors to see their favorite Hollywood celebrities in the crowd. 

But, the unofficial “5th major” at Indian Wells tends to draw some stars of its own.

Timothee Chalamet & Kylie Jenner were seen in the crowd of the Holger Rune-Ugo Humbert match on Sunday.

Kendall Jenner was also seen alongside the couple:

Rune later showed his gratitude, writing on X:

Highlights Of The Week

Check out some of the best shots from the first week of the BNP Paribas Open!