Tennis Today: Juan Martin del Potro suffers huge injury setback, and tennis rallies behind bushfire cause

Juan Martin del Potro wiping his face from PA

Michael Graham
January 3, 2020

In Tennis Today, Juan Martin del Potro just can’t get an injury break, and Nick Kyrgios leads tennis in support of the Australian bushfire victims.

What’s on the site
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic may have agreed about the value of the Davis Cup and ATP Cup merging, but they are not seeing eye-to-eye on the tactical value of the ATP Cup itself.

Nadal believes it is too big a tournament to be considered a warm-up for the Australian Open, but Djokovic certainly sees it a different way.

Another man who definitely believes there is not room for both the ATP Cup and the Davis Cup on the schedule, is Denis Shapovalov, and he has not minced his words on the matter.

Meanwhile, in WTA-land, Maria Sharapova has come out fighting, warning everyone to not write her off just yet…

What’s in the news
Juan Martin del Potro’s rotten luck with injuries has continued, with it being reported that he will not take part in the Australian Open, so there’s no point having a look to bet on tennis online on the Argentinian.

The likeable Argentinian has not played since suffering a recurrence of his fractured kneecap at Queens last summer, but he was targeting the Melbourne showcase for a return to court.

However, El Diario de Tandil, the local paper from his home town, has said that those plans have now changed.

“After spending New Year in Tandil, Juan Martin del Potro will not play in Australia,” journalist Bernardo Paredes revealed on Twitter..

“Unfortunately the pains in his knee continue, more than six months after his operation, and there are more doubts than certainties.”

That report has been backed up by another Argentinian publication, La Nacion, who have claimed: “He is registered (to play) in Australia.

“But he still has operated knee pains and it is believed that his return can occur at the ATP 250 from Delray Beach, in the third week of February.”

What’s on social media
Tennis has come together to try to raise funds to help those devastated by the Australian bushfires, with the Aussies themselves leading the way…

I’m kicking off the support for those affected by the fires. I’ll be donating $200 per ace that I hit across all the events I play this summer. #MoreToCome #StayTuned

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 2, 2020

I like this I will go $250 per ace, just because I don’t think I’ll be hitting as many aces as you mate. 😂😂😂 #dropthehammer https://t.co/SxMPs3XQud

— alex de minaur (@alexdeminaur) January 2, 2020

I’m not at your level boys but I want to get involved. $100 for an ace over the Australian summer. #servingupsomehelp https://t.co/eIwIH0xTXT

— John Millman (@johnhmillman) January 2, 2020

Each ace served across the @ATPCup at all three venues will deliver $100 to the @RedCrossAU bushfire disaster relief and recovery efforts.

With more than 1500 aces expected to be served, the tournament contribution is expected to exceed $150,000.

— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 2, 2020

Genie Bouchard suddenly remembered she had not reminded people she doesn’t play tennis anymore in a while…

View this post on Instagram

gotta post a glam shot every once in awhile #tbt

A post shared by Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) on Jan 2, 2020 at 5:51pm PST