In this week’s Monday Mailbag – the feature in which our readers set the agenda – we look at the ATP rankings right now and wonder if we can trust them given Novak Djokovic dropped in the standings despite winning Wimbledon. Dear TennisBuzz One thing tennis has always done really well is its world ranking system and it has proven itself something both fans and players can trust. There is something very upside down about them now, though, with Novak Djokovic DROPPING to number seven despite actually winning a Grand Slam. Obviously I know that the Wimbledon/Russia situation was unprecedented, so ..read more

In Daily Drops today: Jannik Sinner out of Hamburg due to injury, Rafael Nadal drops big hint he will be fine for the US Open series, and more details on Nick Kyrgios Netflix documentary. Jannik Sinner carrying an injury Jannik Sinner made a serious impression at Wimbledon as he beat Carlos Alcaraz before losing a five-set thriller to Novak Djokovic. He was due to return to action this week in Hamburg, but that now won’t be happening. “After discussing with my team, we’ve come to the decision that I won’t be playing Hamburg,” Sinner said. “I slightly twisted my ankle when I fell during my quar ..read more

Ulises Badio has provided a fascinating look into his relationship with Novak Djokovic, revealing he looks after ‘every little detail’ of how the Serbian manages his body. Badio is an absolutely key member of the Djokovic team and has been since 2017. We may have underestimated just how influential he really is, though. Djokovic is probably the fittest and most durable player on the ATP Tour, with him rarely getting injured or struggling with fatigue during matches. In fact, Djokovic getting stronger as opponents physically wane is a common feature of his game. Badio has now lifted the lid on ..read more

Alexander Zverev says he has ‘not given up’ on playing the US Open this season as he continues his work to recover from surgery. Zverev rolled his ankle badly in the French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal, with his foot getting stuck on the clay as he chased down a ball to his forehand side. He immediately had to concede the match and scans revealed he had torn three ligaments in his foot as a result. Last week he posted a video on social media of him walking without crutches, and he has now set himself a lofty goal to be be back for the US Open. If that doesn’t work out, he wants to retu ..read more

Novak Djokovic is unlikely to be allowed to play at the Canadian Open this year, tournament director Eugene Lapierre has confirmed. Djokovic had a very tough start of the year as he was deported from Australia due to his decision not to get vaccinated against Covid-19. That decision has restricted his movements on the ATP Tour as a result, with the North American tournaments particularly strict on not allowing unvaccinated foreigners to enter the country. Djokovic, in fairness, has never complained about that and has stressed more than once that he is perfectly willing to accept whatever comes ..read more

Padel star Paquito Navarro says he has a fresh appreciation for ‘icon’ Rafael Nadal after he got a small taste of the French Open. This month saw the Paris Major Premier Padel hosted at Roland Garros for the first time, with Navarro one of the second seeds. Court Philippe Chatrier was transformed from a tennis venue to a padel one as fans flocked to see the brilliant fledging sport in person. That particular court has also been the scene of the greatest achievements of Nadal’s career, which him winning 14 of his 22 majors there. And, after feeling the pressure of the venue for the first time ..read more

Andy Murray says he will continue to play as long as he keeps seeing progress as he drew a line under his grass court season. Murray had a mixed time on his favourite surface, reaching the final of Stuttgart before picking up an injury and having to miss Queen’s. He recovered in time for Wimbledon, but ran into an inspired John Isner in round two. The former world number one then went to America to play the Hall of Fame Open but was knocked out in the quarterfinals by eventual finalist Alexander Bublik, but he sees the grass season as a success overall. “It was disappointing,” Murray admitted ..read more

In Daily Drops today: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal take the game of one-upmanship to new levels, Taylor Fritz is adorable and Nick Kyrgios is a wanted man (in the good way).  Novak Djokovic dances You have to hand it to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal for their commitment to their ‘anything you can do…’ battle. In Daily Drops yesterday, we featured a video of Rafael Nadal dancing while enjoying himself on holiday. Today it is Novak Djokovic’s turn to get the Daily Drops spotlight as he shows his prowess with the tango, no less! Wow! I didn’t know you were a professional dancer too @Dj ..read more

Andy Murray has opened the door for a potential future link-up with Emma Raducanu by naming her one of the players he’d like to one day coach. Murray is currently focused on his own tennis, and he has said at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport this week that he is keen to make the most of every tournament he plays at this stage of his career. However, injury has forced him to confront the spectre of life after playing earlier than most players, and he has often said coaching is something he could possibly consider. Asked in a feature by the Hall of Fame Open which players he would like to one da ..read more

Mats Wilander says he ‘does not really matter’ who will win the GOAT race between Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Those three giants have been battling it out for dominance on the ATP Tour for a decade and a half in various different combinations, with Nadal and Djokovic currently going toe-to-toe. Many believe the issue will be ultimately decided by who finishes their careers with the most Grand Slam titles, with Rafael Nadal currently lead that metric with 22. Novak Djokovic is just one behind while Roger Federer is unlikely to add to his 20. Fans often spend time debating ju ..read more