Tennis News Today: Rafael Nadal jokingly blames his baby son for his decline; Iga Swiatek's new coach's wife conveys her opinions after announcement, and more
Rafael Nadal hilariously blamed his baby son for his recent decline in form after his loss to Carlos Alcaraz. Iga Swiatek announced her new coach after splitting with her former coach a few weeks ago. Also, Casper Ruud questioned why some of the controversial countries with poor human rights records were part of the tennis tour.
In other news, Daniil Medvedev claimed that Jannik Sinner is better than Carlos Alcaraz. Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek's news coach's wife reacted after her husband was appointed as the Pole's coach. Also, Carlos Alcaraz reacted to the unwanted pressure on his brother Jamie.
On that note, here is today's top tennis news:
Rafael Nadal jokingly blames his baby son for his decline in form
Rafael Nadal joked that he struggled with his form since the birth of his son. The Spaniard was speaking during his on-court interview at the 'Six Kings Slam' in Saudi Arabia after his defeat against Carlos Alcaraz.
Nadal lost in straight sets against Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals of the tournament and the Spanish duo were interviewed together on court after their match.
The interviewer claimed that Nadal's son, who was present at the stadium, was proud of him irrespective of the result and believed that his dad was 'great'. However, the 38-year-old was quick-witted with his reply, claiming that he has lost more matches since the birth of his baby than ever before.
"Well I don’t think I’m great. Since he arrived to the world I lost more than I won. At the same time having him here helps all the tough moments I’ve been through the last couple of years. He behaves very well even when it’s late. I’m happy,"
Read more: "Since he arrived, I lost more than I won" - Rafael Nadal hilariously blames his baby son after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in Six Kings Slam
Iga Swiatek announced Wim Fisette as her new coach
Iga Swiatek took to her social media account to announce her new coach Wim Fisette. The World No. 1 posted a video on her Instagram account to announce the addition of Naomi Osaka's former coach to her team.
Swiatek announced that she had split up with her long-term coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski after the US Open and was working on appointing a foreign coach for the first time in her career. On October 17, the World No. 1 announced that Wim Fisette would join her team before the WTA Finals on a long-term contract.
"So, I have news for you today as I’m excited and motivated to start a new chapter. I’m happy to announce that Wim Fissette is joining our team. As you know, I’m preparing for the WTA Finals but my perspective is, as always, long-term, not short-term," Swiatek said.
Read more: Iga Swiatek makes massive announcement involving Naomi Osaka's ex-coach Wim Fissette weeks after her coaching split
Casper Ruud reveals he had declined offers from Saudi Arabia in the past
Casper Ruud revealed that he had declined lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia in the past, on the eve of the 'Six Kings Slam'. The Norwegian star candidly shared his thoughts about the controversial status of many countries, including Saudi Arabia.
Ruud agreed that the controversies around Saudi Arabia and its poor human rights record were warranted but the Norwegian believed that other countries with similar status are still part of the tennis tour. The 25-year-old used China as an example to prove his point, which hosts a lot of tournaments during the Asian swing.
“I didn't get an offer from Six Kings Slam, but I have had offers in the past and I chose not to go. It is of course a controversial country in many ways, but there are also other countries that are controversial that we travel to and play in. You can certainly discuss China and human rights there, but we go there every year,"
Ruud is currently competing at the Stockholm Open where he has reached the quarterfinals.
Read more: Casper Ruud reveals he has declined offers to go to Saudi Arabia but questions why other controversial countries are still part of tennis calendar
Daniil Medvedev changes his mind about Jannik Sinner after his loss against the Italian at the Six Kings Slam
Daniil Medvedev has claimed that Jannik Sinner is better than Carlos Alcaraz after his loss at the hands of the Italian at the Six Kings Slam. The Russian was blown away by Sinner in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3 in just over an hour in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to the media after the match, Medvedev claimed that he believed that Alcaraz was 'slightly better' than Sinner, but his latest outing in Saudi Arabia had changed his mind. The Russian added that it was a 'tough feeling' to play against Sinner on court.
"I usually think of Jannik Sinner as a little bit more consistent, more like a machine, while Carlos Alcaraz is a little bit more, you know, swinging with some classy shots. But when Carlos is at the top of his game, I consider him slightly better. Today I changed my opinion. I've never played against someone who played like Jannik Sinner today. It was a tough feeling on the court.,"
Read more: "When Carlos Alcaraz is at the top, I consider him better. Today I changed my opinion" - Daniil Medvedev on Jannik Sinner post Six Kings Slam loss
Wim Fissette's wife shares her happiness after her husband is announced as Swiatek's coach
Wim Fisette's wife took to social media to make her feelings known about her husband's appointment as Iga Swiatek's coach. Jasmien Clijsner reposted Swiatek's post on her Instagram story before adding that she was proud of her husband.
"Wim coaching #1 Swiatek. Extremely proud family in here," she added in the caption," Clijsner wrote on her Instagram story
Wim Fisette has coached the likes of Victoria Azarenka and Naomi Osaka in the past and would hope to use that experience to raise Iga Swiatek's game to the next level.
Read more: Iga Swiatek's new coach Wim Fissette's wife makes her feelings known on Belgian getting roped in to coach World No. 1
Carlos Alcaraz 'worried' with the constant pressure on his brother Jamie Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz has claimed that he is worried about the constant pressure on his younger brother Jamie Alcaraz. The 4-time Grand Slam winner wants people to leave his brother alone as he makes his way into his tennis career.
Carlos is worried that constant press coverage of his brother Jamie is going to harm his development. The Spanish star also believes that his 13-year-old brother Jamie is currently playing at a high level but needs time away from the media to develop his game.
“I just want all the people or all the social media to just leave him alone because he plays well but it’s not the best. So for me, I’m a little bit worried for the people who are around him during the tournament that they're gonna go to watch him because he’s my brother and then he'll probably put pressure on himself,” Alcaraz said.
Read more: "I don’t really like that" - Carlos Alcaraz wants people to leave brother Jaime alone as he expresses "worry" about the pressure faced by teenager