WTA Finals: Top Storylines Coming out of Riyadh
Coco Gauff defeats Iga Swiatek in straight sets. Iga on verge of elimination. Other news: Naomi Osaka executive producer on new tennis film.
As the WTA Finals group-play wraps up, Aryna Sabalenka remains the player to beat. Sabalenka took over the No. 1 ranking a few weeks ago and will finish the year with the top spot thanks to Coco Gauff’s upset win over Iga Swiatek.
In the Purple Group, Sabalenka defeated Jasmine Paolini to secure her spot in the semifinals. Sabalenka has won 22 of her last 23 matches and will face Elena Rybakina, who is 0-2 at the WTA Finals.
Paolini plays Zheng Qinwen. The winner will face Sabalenka in the semifinals.
To regain the No. 1 ranking, Swiatek needed to finish the WTA Finals undefeated and for Sabalenka to lose two of three in the round-robin. Both of those things didn’t happen. Now Swiatek needs to defeat Jessica Pegula and hope that Gauff wins her match against Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejčíková. Otherwise, Swiatek leaves Riyadh early and with questions about the state of her game.
It wasn’t that Gauff played lights out tennis. She committed 11 double faults, nine in the second set, but managed to play great defense to beat Swiatek, 6-3, 6-4. Gauff entered that match 1-11 against Iga. Such a decisive win has to bolster Gauff’s confidence.
If we get another Sabalenka vs. Gauff showdown in the finals, this sets the two up nicely for the 2025 Australian Open. Sabalenka will be No. 1 and defending champion.
Why Riyadh has been a better venue than Cancun
For all the criticism surrounding the WTA’s decision to move the finals to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, one thing is clear: the conditions are better than last year’s nightmare tournament in Cancun.
Might as well have called last year’s finals the “Can’tcun” tournament. The event was held at a 4,300-seat temporary stadium at a resort. The courts were built on top of a golf course. Players complained that they couldn’t maintain footing and worried about injuries.
Everything that could go wrong went worse. Tropical storms blew into town, rendering the pop-up stadium unsafe. Conditions were so horrible that players revolted, turning to social media to post their displeasure and signing on to a letter to file an official complaint to the WTA. Sabalenka called the conditions, "another level of disrespect."
The disaster yielded horrible headlines worldwide. My favorite ran in the UK’s Independent: How the WTA Finals became the Fyre Festival of tennis tournaments.
In Riyadh, the players have been treated like royalty. The stadium is first-rate, even if there are too many empty seats. Players got pampered and treated to makeovers, designer dresses.
“We are in better conditions where we can focus on our tennis, not on what’s going on outside of tennis,” Sabalenka told the Athletic.
Glam Slam: Behind the Scenes WTA Player Makeovers
Speaking of the royal treatment, earlier this week, Smash’n Fashion covered the WTA Finals photo shoot. In the video above, the WTA takes us behind the scenes to showcase players getting glamourous makeovers. The video includes the doubles teams, too.
Djokovic Withdraws from the ATP Finals: A Game-Changer for the Field?
In a not so surprising twist, Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Finals, shaking up the lineup in Turin.
I’m not surprised because I kept seeing pictures of Djokovic on the beach on social media. I thought, that doesn’t look like a guy preparing to play a major tournament. Dude was kicking back, catching rays.
Still, Djokovic’s withdrawal shakes up the competition. But does it change the landscape? Jannik Sinner is No. 1 and the finals are in Italy where the fans will be 100 percent behind him. Djokovic wasn’t even ranked in the Top 5 and didn’t win a Major title this year.
Yet, his withdrawal removes the narrative of the old guard facing the new stars. The old guard is old — all but gone. This year’s ATP Finals will feature the now generation. Everybody in the field is in their 20s. Half of them are 25 or younger.
Alex De Minaur, 25, will make his ATP Finals debut. He’s the first Aussie to play in the tournament since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004.
Cam Williams, an Aussie who hosts the Tennis Talk with Cam Williams Youtube Channel, breaks down the field in this video. Williams is a coffee loving tennis fan who never gets sleep. His Youtube channel is a good go-to if you can’t get a live stream. He calls matches point-by-point radio style.
ATP Finals Lineup
Jannik Sinner
Alexander Zverev
Carlos Alcaraz
Daniil Medvedev
Taylor Fritz
Casper Rude
Alex de Minaur
Andrey Rublev
The absence of Djokovic significantly shifts the power dynamics, making this finals feel like anyone’s game. It’s a rare opportunity for the rest of the field to capitalize and show they can win big without the shadow of one of the game’s greatest. If I were a betting person, and you guys know that I’m not, I’d go with Sinner. The homecooking creates a recipe for a title.
Naomi Osaka, Executive Producer on Tennis Film that Tackles Mental Health Themes
Add executive producer to Naomi Osaka’s accolades. Osaka is an executive producer of the film Julie Keeps Quiet. The movie is scheduled for release in early 2025.
Directed by Leonardo Van Dijl, the Belgium film is set within an elite tennis academy where Julie, a young rising star, chooses silence amid a scandal involving her coach. The narrative tackles themes of power, silence, and resilience within the pressures of competitive sports and highlights the emotional and psychological challenges faced by young athletes.
Julie Keeps Quiet premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the SACD Award and the Gan Foundation Award for Distribution. With its nuanced portrayal of the protagonist’s inner struggle, the film has been selected as Belgium’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming Academy Awards.
Osaka’s production company, Hana Kuma, is behind the podcast/tennis show “Good Trouble,” hosted by Nick Kyrgios. Osaka’s involvement in the film is part of her broader mission to support stories about resilience and mental health in sports, especially among young athletes.
How to Make a No-Bake Coffee Cheesecake
Looking for a rich, coffee-infused dessert that doesn’t require you to turn on the oven? This creamy no-bake coffee cheesecake is the answer. It’s an easy yet impressive dessert that blends smooth coffee flavor with a luscious cheesecake filling, all on a buttery cookie crust. Here’s how to make it in simple steps.
(Note: the cheesecake made in the video is a variation of the recipe below).
What You’ll Need
For the Crust:
2 cups crushed graham crackers (about 10–12 crackers)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the Coffee Cheesecake Filling:
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
1/4 cup warm heavy cream
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup heavy cream, chilled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
For the Topping:
Whipped cream (for garnish)
A sprinkle of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, melted butter, and sugar.
Mix well until the mixture resembles wet sand.
Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to press it down firmly.
Place the crust in the refrigerator to set while you prepare the filling.
2. Dissolve the Coffee
In a small bowl, dissolve the instant coffee granules in the warm heavy cream. Stir until the coffee is completely dissolved and set aside to cool slightly.
3. Make the Cheesecake Filling
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue to mix until well combined and fluffy.
Slowly pour in the coffee-cream mixture and the vanilla extract. Beat until everything is incorporated and smooth.
In a separate bowl, whip the chilled heavy cream until stiff peaks form. (Tip: For the best results, make sure your mixing bowl and beaters are very cold.)
Gently fold the whipped cream (and optional sour cream, if using) into the coffee cream cheese mixture. Mix until smooth and creamy, being careful not to over-mix.
4. Assemble the Cheesecake
Spoon the coffee cheesecake filling over the prepared crust, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
Smooth the top, then cover the pan with plastic wrap or foil.
Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the cheesecake to firm up.
5. Serve and Garnish
When ready to serve, remove the cheesecake from the springform pan and place it on a serving plate.
Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for an extra touch of elegance.
Tips
Chill Time is Key: Give your cheesecake plenty of time in the fridge. This helps it set properly and enhances the flavors.
Use Good Quality Instant Coffee: Since the coffee flavor is a highlight, quality instant coffee can make a big difference. Please, no Sanka.
Make It Decaf: If you want a late-night treat without the caffeine kick, simply use decaffeinated coffee.
Try an Alternative Garnish: Oreo Cookies or chocolate covered espresso beans .
ATP Finals: Top Storylines in Turin.
Smash’n Fashion: Tennis Sweaters