Tennis Talk 2026: Vol 4 (Abu Dhabi, Cluj-Napoca, Ostrava!!!, Montpellier)

Lumper in Baptiste market

Claire Liu uploaded a fun pic from ten years ago.

https://x.com/Cliu00/status/2018071042615656639/photo/1

what a mug Kasatkina.

Osty Osty Osty!!!!

what a legend she is

Not sure how bad her opponent is, but Radacanu playing some stunning shots first couple of games.

Alex Eala's fans sure are loud.

I wonder if zig is there cheering her on

I was thinking how does she have so much support in UAE, but there's a good reason.

Regions with significant populations
United States    4,640,313 (2023) (Filipino ancestry and immigrants)[3]
Canada    957,355 (2021)[4]
United Arab Emirates    919,819 (2013)[5]
Saudi Arabia    725,893 (2022)[6]
Australia    408,836 (2021)[7]

so probably won't be this crazy once she comes to Europe.

must be exciting time for Alex though, starting the year in Australia, her home land, Middle East and then UK which all have great Filippino diaspora.

US not UK

Sori's pulled out all the stops with her purple outfit for Cluj

GMP got a ball in his eye.

it's been a year since Simona called it a career in Cluj

ffs
I have arb on the GMP match (1 set rule vs match completed)

GMP gets a freak eye injury when Arthur G is 5*-3, 40-0

Tap right there and everything is voided.

Instead he takes a 3 min MTO comes back, plays the point to complete the set and immediately taps.

Alex Eala era is certainly going to be epic. Go Alex!!!

The crowds are insane. That was very epic

I only scoreboard watched the match, but I was thinking the crowd must have gone bonkers for that comeback.

take a bow humbert. that was pathetic.

what a performance from Sara Bejlek. she absolutely smashed it this week

Sorana teaching Emma Raducanu a harsh tennis lesson this afternoon..

no monies involved, but I hope Emma plays this out so Sori can have a proper celebration.

Feb 4, 2026 -- 5:01PM, wisewords wrote:

Alex Eala era is certainly going to be epic. Go Alex!!!

Let's see how this carries over to the European swing. Big Filipino diaspora where she's played so far in 2026. But it's been a highlight for sure.

Cluj but no cigar for Emma.

they booked it perfectly. get Raducanu into the final so there's loads of extra attention on it, then have homegirl crush her infront of a huge audience. really did a great job putting Sorana over!

Aren't WTA 1000's compulsory?
According to Tennisform on X,Sabalenka and Pegula gave their excuse for missing Doha as' change of schedule'

yes they are but some of the top players aren't happy with it and have said they'll be managing their schedule carefully and withdrawing. their end of season bonus will be effected I think

change of schedule is such a silly excuse.
But I see both sides, WTA wants to keep the status of events outside Slams. Players don't want to overplay so those who can afford to will skip some events.
As long as it's just a player here and there. It's only when you have fields become totally depleted and some no-hoper wins a 1000 and get a false ranking it becomes a problem. As was the case with Guadalajara 1000. (Not hating on Maria S).

It's understandable, for sure.

Those MPs will haunt Fabian.

well done Sori and Emma for winning Cluj doubles titles!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HAknAIjXwAAXpW2?format=jpg&name=medium

this appeared on my Twitter TL.
What a point! Rafa vs Roger in 2009.
https://x.com/mattracquet/status/2020188323709612264