Thread by @JhanHky

A short thread on the #usopen women's final, and why I think Ons Jabeur and Iga Swiatek are good for tennis (as well as excellent players):

About a decade ago, I was fortunate to get full access to a WTA tournament thanks to a friend who plays on the tour.

Back then, top WTA players very much kept to themselves. The Serenas, Sharapovas & Azarenkas praticed with male hitting partners and basically never spoke.

In contrast, Iga and Ons are very popular in the lockeroom and mingle freely with their colleagues, the way male pros do (since top ATP players have to practice with each other each week in order to get a good workout).

Not only does it make for a more pleasant and healthy atmosphere players, but it also increases the level of play.

As I write this Iga is up a break, but perhaps Ons (who I unironically compare to Federer in terms of her feel for the game) will be able to find some solutions...

Jabeur finding her game now, getting back to 2-3 on serve from 0-3 down.

Iga loves to control with pace and topspin from the middle of the baseline.

Ons hitting the forehand inside-out and using the down-the-line backhand to force Iga off her sweetspot.

Iga turning up the dial. She's taller, stronger and can hit harder with more margins because of how much spin he imparts on the ball. Playing like a heavy favorite right now.

Ons' only chance is to be brave, get inside the baseline and push Iga back.