Hey there, fellow tennis enthusiasts It’s your girl Mia Johnson-Carter here, living the dream in Miami. I’m super excited to share some awesome news with you all about the upcoming Laver Cup and Ricky Dimon’s picks for Day 1. As a young tennis player, I love staying updated on the latest matches and trends in the sport.
The 2024 Laver Cup kicks off on Friday afternoon at Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany. This event brings together some of the world’s top players, including Stefanos Tsitsipas, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Casper Ruud, and Grigor Dimitrov. Here are Ricky Dimon’s picks for two of Friday’s best matchups:
Tsitsipas vs. Kokkinakis
Tsitsipas and Kokkinakis will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers. They have split their two previous meetings, both at Grand Slams. Tsitsipas prevailed 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-4 at the 2021 Australian Open before Kokkinakis just got the job done 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in round one of the U.S. Open this summer.
The Australian could be in line for another upset—albeit a minor one—in Berlin. A 2019 Nitto ATP Finals triumph notwithstanding, Tsitsipas is not great on fast surfaces and has generally underwhelmed on indoor hard courts. Moreover, the Greek is 1-4 in his last five matches dating all the way back to the Paris Olympics. Kokkinakis is playing very well and should have the edge in this one.
Pick: Kokkinakis in 3
Ruud vs. Cerundolo
Ruud and Cerundolo will be squaring off for the seventh time when they clash in the 2024 Laver Cup’s opening rubber. They have split their six previous encounters, with Ruud most recently scoring a 6-3, 6-4 victory at the Olympic Games.
Both guys are at their best on clay, but Ruud has enjoyed more success on hard courts over the years. Although each man has achieved success on basically every surface (other than Ruud on grass), an indoor hard court should give the Norwegian a slight advantage. He is an impressive 3-0 all time in singles (and overall) at the Laver Cup and should be able to make it 4-0 on Friday.
Pick: Ruud in 2
These picks are exciting for any tennis fan, especially those following the latest trends in the sport. With initiatives like the Pacific Women and Girls in Tennis – Emerging Leaders workshop, there’s a growing trend of women taking center stage in tennis. This workshop, part of Tennis Australia’s broader mission to empower women and girls in tennis, is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and supportive community within the sport.
If you want, you can check out the news where I found it here.
Yours truly,
Mia