Tennis Today: Serena Williams tributes and getting to know Nick Kyrgios

Shahida Jacobs
September 27, 2018

In Tennis Today, tributes to Serena Williams as she celebrated her birthday on Wednesday while Nick Kyrgios does Nick Kyrgios things.

What’s on the site
Serena Williams celebrated her 37th birthday on Wednesday and our 10-fact tribute included Mmmbop and a scene with Peter Dinklage.

In the latest round of GOAT discussions, Australian great Rod Laver gives his opinion.

The two wildcards for the 2019 Davis Cup have been announced with Great Britain and Argentina going straight into the main draw for the revamped tournament.

The carnage continued at the WTA Wuhan Open as Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza were all dumped out.

Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie claimed the scalp of Borna Coric at the ATP Shenzhen Open.

What’s in the news
In Metro.co.uk’s latest exclusive, they talk to Heather Watson about the controversial US Open final, sexism, on-court coaching and being on your period while playing tennis.

Sports Illustrated’s Mailbag has a breakdown of “a wildly successful Laver Cup”.

The WTA’s Original 9 signed $1 contracts to create professional women’s tennis 48 years ago and WTAtennis.com spoke to Billie Jean King, Peaches Bartkowicz and Rosie Casals about “WTA Independence Day”.

What’s on social media
Get to know Nick Kyrgios with the ATP Tour’s The Last Time…it includes missing a flight because of Facebook videos.

Last missed flight? ??
Last meal you cooked? ??

Get to know @NickKyrgios in this edition of The Last Time ???? pic.twitter.com/pdRed7kqSU

— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) September 26, 2018

And then there is this from the China Open archives.

View this post on Instagram

Start of night out 🆚 end of the night 😋 @k1ngkyrg1os . Don’t miss @chinaopen & @rakutenopen live from Monday 1 October on Tennis TV . #tennis #tennistv #sports #instasport #kyrgios #nickkyrgios #atp #atpworldtour #beijing #chinaopen #china

A post shared by Tennis TV (@tennistv) on Sep 26, 2018 at 3:53am PDT

Patrick Mouratoglou’s tribute to Serena.

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Happy 37th birthday to the most incredible athlete I have ever met. I took this picture during a warm up before practice and you did that just for fun. You are already the GOAT but I know you want more and we will reach more. I feel lucky, blessed and happy to be part of that amazing journey. @serenawilliams #serena #goat

A post shared by PMo (@patrickmouratoglou) on Sep 26, 2018 at 8:03am PDT

Serena herself posted a lovely message about her daughter.

View this post on Instagram

I will always protect you. I will always stand up for you. I will always guide you. I will always be with you you. I was put here to be your mom. I love you like nothing I’ve ever loved before. I thank Jehovah everyday for you. Your momma

A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Sep 26, 2018 at 7:37pm PDT

The decision to hand Argentina and Great Britain wildcards for the 2019 Davis Cup hasn’t exactly been met with great fanfare.

If “rich history” is reason for giving a wild card, then why wasn’t it Australia that got a wild card?!?! No nation other than the USA that has won more Davis Cups…. https://t.co/7EpnHtV96R

— Randy Walker (@TennisPublisher) September 26, 2018

‘The ITF and Kosmos Tennis today announced that the Davis Cup Steering Committee has selected Argentina and Great Britain to receive wild cards for the 2019 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas finals.’

— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) September 26, 2018

What’s on TV
WTA Wuhan Open
08:30-16:30
LIVE – BT Sport 1

WTA Tashkent Open
07:00-15:00
LIVE BT Sport 2

Nick Kyrgios Serena Williams