Steve Flink: “Naomi Osaka Will Win At Least A Dozen Slams” - UBITENNIS
Connect with us

Media

Steve Flink: “Naomi Osaka Will Win At Least A Dozen Slams”

The American tennis writer comments on the women’s singles event at the Australian Open. Can Brady win a Major? Is there any hope left for Serena Williams’ quest to clinch her 24th title?

Published

on

Naomi Osaka has been crowned as the queen of Melbourne for the second time. The 23-year-old beat Jennifer Brady in the final, conquering her fourth Slam title (all of them on hardcourts), and looks poised to dominate women’s tennis for years. Conversely, current world N.1 Ashleigh Barty couldn’t find her best tennis when she needed it most, bowing out as soon as she met some resistance. These are some of the themes that Ubitennis CEO Ubaldo Scanagatta and his Hall-of-Famer colleague tackled during the second part of their chat.

Here’s the video: 

00:00 – “Osaka’s success was hardly a surprise…” 

01:55 – “The only time she struggled was when she had to rally from two match points and a break down against Muguruza in the fourth round – did she raise her level or was it the Spaniard who went missing in the clutch?” 

06:07 – What can the Japanese player still improve in her game? 

09:15 – “I don’t see why she shouldn’t win at the French Open or at Wimbledon as well, although she might struggle a little more on the clay.” How many Majors can she win? 

12:05 – Jen Brady had a dream run to the final despite not being able to train for two weeks prior to the Aussie Slam – can she make it in the future? 

16:34 – “Barty wasn’t able to find her rhythm again after Muchova called an MTO in the second set, that’s too bad because she could have played the final two matches in front of her home crowd.” 

18:28 – “Serena Williams was distraught after her defeat to Osaka, but she had an excellent tournament, beating both Sabalenka and Halep.” Was she perhaps too hard on her chances? 

25:30 – To get her 24th Major, Serena will need to play seven great matches in a row – can she still do it? “My dream is to see a Williams-Osaka match-up in a Wimbledon final…”

31:53 – Was Kenin the biggest letdown of the event? “She had an appendicectomy a few days after the event, and the pressure may have been too much for her, but I think she will keep being a contender for the biggest titles.” 

Transcript and translation by Gianluca Sartori; edited by Tommaso Villa

Media

(VIDEO) New No.3 Jannik Sinner Emulates Hewitt With Latest Win

Ubitennis founder Ubaldo Scanagatta reflects on Sinner’s latest success at the Rotterdam Open.

Published

on

Jannik Sinner’s dream start to the 2024 season is continuing after he captured his 12th Tour title at the Rotterdam Open on Sunday.

The 22-year-old overcame Alex de Minaur in two sets to claim his second consecutive trophy and extend his unbeaten start to the year to 12 matches. After becoming the first singles player from his country to win the Australian Open last month, on Monday Sinner also became the first to break into the top three on the ATP Pepperstone Rankings. Furthermore, he has also become the first player since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002 to win their next tournament after claiming their first Grand Slam title.

Watching Sinner’s latest triumph in Rotterdam was Ubitennis chief Ubaldo who provies his insight into the star of Italian tennis.

Continue Reading

Media

VIDEO: Jacco Eltingh And Paul Haarhuis Praise Jannik Sinner’s Recent Rise

Ubitennis speaks to Jacco Eltingh and Paul Haarhuis about Jannik Sinner’s rise and potential.

Published

on

(@RelevantTennis - Twitter)

Jannik Sinner’s rise to Grand Slam glory continues to be the talk amongst the tennis world.

The Italian has the chance to become the new world number three this week should he win the title in Rotterdam.

Sinner has made a great start to his bid with two victories over Botic Van De Zandschulp and Gael Monfils as he looks ahead to a quarter-final with Milos Raonic.

Now Sinner is starting to attract the attention of people across the tennis world including the Netherlands.

Doubles legends Jacco Eltingh and Paul Haarhuis know all too well about Sinner’s rise with Italy knocking the Netherlands out of the Davis Cup finals last year.

Sinner also defeated Van De Zandschulp and Jesper De Jong at the Australian Open on his way to the title.

Now in an interview with Ubaldo Scanagatta, Eltingh and Haarhuis spoke about Sinner’s potential with Eltingh also speaking about the early years of his career and which Italian players he was rivals with during the early stages of his career.

Continue Reading

Media

VIDEO: Ubaldo On Rafael Nadal’s Saudi Deal – I Trust Rafa But He Should Consider Donating The Money

Published

on

Nadal RG 2022 by Night (foto @RolandGarros)

Earlier this year Rafael Nadal unexpectedly struck a new deal to become an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation (STF). 

The 22-time Grand Slam champion is set to travel to the country multiple times a year and help develop junior tennis. Furthermore, Nadal will also open up an academy in the country in a deal that is set to be worth millions. However, the financial details have not been publicly disclosed. 

Nadal’s partnering with Saudi Arabia has prompted criticism from some who accuse the Middle Eastern nation of using sports to improve its image which has been tarnished by wrongdoing. Something that is better known as sportwashing. Saudi Arabia has been criticised for their human rights record, especially concerning women and LGBT+ people. 

In a recent interview with Ana Pastor on Spanish television’s El Objetivo, Nadal said it was ‘logical’ for sports to be partnering up with Saudi Arabia considering the resources they have. However, he understands the backlash he has recieved from some and says if no meaningful change occur over the next decade he will admit he has ‘been completely wrong.’  

But is there a way that Nadal can please both his supporters and critics? Ubitennis founder Ubaldo Scanagatta has a solution. 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending