First off, we hope you’re enjoying our new Ground Pass On-Site series here on Substack! If you’ve been following along, let us know what you think. We’ve also launched a new Instagram Reels series, Match Story—where we highlight the biggest storylines from the matches on the ground. More to come, so stay tuned!
A Day of Unexpected Withdrawals 😷
The day started with two late withdrawals from the tournament due to illness—Gabriel Diallo and James Duckworth. It’s a reminder for anyone attending a tournament that unexpected changes happen, and sometimes the match you were looking forward to doesn’t go ahead. The good news? There’s always plenty of action elsewhere on the grounds.
Match of the Day: Kei Nishikori vs. Mackenzie McDonald 🎾
This one was a battle. Mackenzie McDonald came into Delray Beach on a brutal losing streak dating back to July, but he snapped it today with a hard-fought win over Kei Nishikori. Nishikori, still finding his form after multiple injury layoffs, had his moments, but McDonald dug deep and finally turned things around. One to remember.
Taylor Fritz on Analytics, Popularity, and Change 📊
Taylor Fritz stopped by press today, and he had some fascinating insights into how he approaches the game. He broke down just how analytical he is on court, balancing data-driven decisions with instinct. He also spoke about how he blends tennis and lifestyle content to help grow the sport’s popularity—something few top players are thinking about as actively as he is.
And, of course, he had thoughts on two hot topics in tennis right now:
🎾 The tennis ball debate on tour—a growing frustration among players.
🎾 The upcoming mixed doubles change at the US Open—which could shake things up.
We’re dropping the full video of his press conference for paid subscribers, so stay tuned for that!
A Unique Style: Tennyson Whiting and the Double-Handed Racket 🔥
One of the most interesting players we watched today was Tennyson Whiting, who plays with a double-handed racketon both sides. It’s rare to see, but it works for him, and it was fun to watch him put it to the test against tour-level competition.
Closing with Reilly Opelka’s Return 🚀
The night ended with Reilly Opelka taking down Chris Eubanks, a big win for Opelka as he continues his return to competition. The crowd was into it, and it’s always fun to see a player with Opelka’s firepower making his presence felt again.
That’s a wrap for today! More to come from Delray Beach tomorrow.
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