Faulkner

Yeah, it’s sad. I know Kei’s tennis career is way too lucrative (in terms of endorsements in Japan) to quit just yet. His sponsors don’t seem to be bothered that his performance has generally stagnated (he hasn’t made another GS final), as he’s still one of Japan’s biggest athletes. And hey, he’s become a top 10 player again, which is better than 99 percent of players on the tour. He just can’t get past a Grand Slam QF. Nice work if you can get it when folks like Feliciano Lopez and Kohlschreiber and Simon are all still playing with not much to show for it in terms of big trophies or deep runs in majors so... He just needs to be careful, as life is more than tennis, and he doesn’t want to live with debilitating pain for the rest of his life.

This. But... the media platforms need narratives to make that $$$$.

This man can still get it.

@Soapsuds you’ll appreciate this thread.

My question is why did Esquire drop the story and let their editors take it to the Atlantic? EDIT: execs at Hearst killed it, similar to NBC’s kibosh on Ronan’s Weinstein exposé: Statement from the Atlantic:

Vincent Rodriguez III of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Knew those long matches would eventually catch up to Kei. I still feel like he leaves so much money on the table with his poor serve. His height doesn’t explain all of his issues. I suppose getting some rest isn’t the worst thing for Novak. Pouille is totally the surprise success of the men’s draw. Is it the Mauresmo factor?

Serena seems so much more chill in press conferences as a mom (except with Ben Rothenberg). I haven’t been paying attention to the Pouille/Raonic match. Milos was up a break or two, and now they’re in a TB?

Petra is in the best form, but Naomi’s my girl. Pliskova looked better than I’d seen her in a couple years, but Serena exposed enough of her vulnerabilities (the second serve!) that I’m not sure she’ll push through Naomi.

WOW. Serena serves for it as 5-1 in the third, holds multiple match points, twists her ankle, drops serve, and Pliskova comes back to win the match 7-5. Tough break for Serena. She was in such great form. Sport can be so cruel.

The screaming is also horrendous and unlistenable. I’m all for fiery and take-no-prisoners, but she can be quite nasty too (like the end of her match against an injured Vika last summer). It’s not just her perceived politics. That said, her dismantling of Kerber was flawless. I’m REALLY not looking forward to Serena/Naomi Round 3 and the media circus that will come with it. But they’re on a collision course.

New Drag Race Pit Crew member: