So the US Open will have a new men’s singles champion and for the first time since 2004 there will be no one called Federer, Nadal or Djokovic in a Grand Slam semifinals. [Think about what you were doing in 2004 to really help that sink in!]
As the New York Times put it after the world number one was disqualified, ‘[Novak] Djokovic’s sudden ouster from the country’s premier tennis tournament immediately made a bizarre US Open even more strange.’
Almost every high-performance player I train does what Novak did in firing the ball. I tell them to stop it, and break the habit for this exact reason, they eventually hit someone and it won't be good. Yes, Novak deserved it https://t.co/3z4GZs3bcT
— Tim Mayotte (@TimMayotte) September 6, 2020
At The DAIMANI Journal, rather than pick over the issue, we thought we’d pivot to a much more uplifting and positive aspect of the tournament currently underway in New York.
The WTA have taken the opportunity of many of their star players coming together for the first time since the coronavirus to launch a WTA Cookbook.
More than 70 international recipes contributed by players past, present and future are featured in the digital-only book including food favourites from such tennis favourites as Martina Navratilova, Caroline Wozniacki, Bianca Andreescu, Naomi Osaka and current WTA World No.1 Ashleigh Barty.
This is available for download but does require a minimum donation of US$25. All of the proceeds will go to WTA Charities’ various global initiatives includes WTA 4 Love, the recent humanitarian campaign launched in response to the COVID-19 crisis which has resulted in the donation of thousands of meals and medical supplies.
For more information on WTA Charities, which supports health and wellness, youth education and leadership, and equality and inclusivity using tennis as a vehicle for change, please click here.
‘As soon as our WTA players learned of our idea to produce an international cookbook to benefit WTA Charities, the recipes came pouring in,’ said Jessica Pegula, a Top 100 player who was part of the project from its inception.
‘WTA4Love brings us all together to make a difference whenever we can in communities around the world where we play and live,’ added Jill Craybas, a former WTA player whose career spanned 17 years.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought together legends from the past, current champions and WTA Future Stars to give back to the fans and communities from around the world who have supported them. The WTA Cookbook is envisioned to be an annual publication providing continuing financial assistance to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
‘The WTA Cookbook gives fans a behind-the-scenes snapshot of life for these athletes at home and features various recipes that have provided our athletes, and now hopefully others, with a sense of comfort during a challenging year’ said Melissa Pine, WTA Vice President of Global Programs.
