Pinned
Reem Abulleil
@reemabulleil.bsky.social
· Nov 20
Rafael Nadal helped me maintain a connection to my ailing father | The National
My dad suffered with Alzheimer’s during the last years of his life - but the name 'Nadal' was somehow still tucked away in some miraculously accessible part of his mind
www.thenationalnews.com
Spoke to SURJ Sports CEO Danny Townsend about the Saudi Masters 1000, the issues tennis is facing at the moment & the role he hopes SURJ/PIF can play in addressing them:
"The fundamental principle that needs to be addressed is the premium level of the sport."
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
"The fundamental principle that needs to be addressed is the premium level of the sport."
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
‘This is not a flash in the pan’: Inside Saudi Arabia’s long-term bid to reshape world sport | The National
CEO Danny Townsend talks to The National about PIF strategy, through its SURJ subsidiary, when it comes to investing in tennis and other sports
www.thenationalnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Spoke to SURJ Sports CEO Danny Townsend about the Saudi Masters 1000, the issues tennis is facing at the moment & the role he hopes SURJ/PIF can play in addressing them:
"The fundamental principle that needs to be addressed is the premium level of the sport."
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
"The fundamental principle that needs to be addressed is the premium level of the sport."
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
Egyptian Jana Salah of USC is through to the NCAA quarterfinals 🙌🏼
Women's NCAA Division I quarterfinals Friday:
Berta Passola Folch, Cal v Kyoka Kubo, Kansas
Savannah Dada-Mascoll[4], Appalachian St v Emily Welker, Mississippi
Jana Hossam Salah, Southern Cal v Carolina Gomez Alonzo, Arkansas
Reese Brantmeier[9-16], North Carolina v Carmen Herea[2], Texas
Berta Passola Folch, Cal v Kyoka Kubo, Kansas
Savannah Dada-Mascoll[4], Appalachian St v Emily Welker, Mississippi
Jana Hossam Salah, Southern Cal v Carolina Gomez Alonzo, Arkansas
Reese Brantmeier[9-16], North Carolina v Carmen Herea[2], Texas
November 21, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Egyptian Jana Salah of USC is through to the NCAA quarterfinals 🙌🏼
Ons Jabeur: “The maternity programme is unbelievable, I want to thank PIF & WTA for making this happen. I spoke to some PIF people in Saudi & I think it’s going to help a lot of us. I’ll be participating in that & hopefully it will make my comeback easier.”
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
'Baby boy joining the team': Ons Jabeur on pregnancy and plans for her Dubai academy | The National
Tunisian star hopes to inspire next generation of tennis players and plans to be hands on when new coaching facility opens later this month
www.thenationalnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Ons Jabeur: “The maternity programme is unbelievable, I want to thank PIF & WTA for making this happen. I spoke to some PIF people in Saudi & I think it’s going to help a lot of us. I’ll be participating in that & hopefully it will make my comeback easier.”
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
Reposted by Reem Abulleil
Qinwen was the flag bearer for Hubei. 10/10 aura.
Unfortunately she had to withdraw due to her elbow.
Unfortunately she had to withdraw due to her elbow.
November 16, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Qinwen was the flag bearer for Hubei. 10/10 aura.
Unfortunately she had to withdraw due to her elbow.
Unfortunately she had to withdraw due to her elbow.
Reposted by Reem Abulleil
China National Games are underway and it’s in Shenzhen this year. Hometown gal Wang Xinyu got to be a torchbearer in the opening ceremony.
November 16, 2025 at 8:10 AM
China National Games are underway and it’s in Shenzhen this year. Hometown gal Wang Xinyu got to be a torchbearer in the opening ceremony.
Reposted by Reem Abulleil
New:
On 1xBet, the strange and shady company which has become rapidly more visible across tennis in 2025 despite *many* reasons for tours, tournaments, and federations to steer clear of its mess.
Lots of odd details here, free for all to read at Bounces:
www.benrothenberg.com/p/1xbet-tenn...
On 1xBet, the strange and shady company which has become rapidly more visible across tennis in 2025 despite *many* reasons for tours, tournaments, and federations to steer clear of its mess.
Lots of odd details here, free for all to read at Bounces:
www.benrothenberg.com/p/1xbet-tenn...
Bottom Dollar
On the shady practices of 1xBet, and its rapidly growing presence across tennis.
www.benrothenberg.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:17 PM
New:
On 1xBet, the strange and shady company which has become rapidly more visible across tennis in 2025 despite *many* reasons for tours, tournaments, and federations to steer clear of its mess.
Lots of odd details here, free for all to read at Bounces:
www.benrothenberg.com/p/1xbet-tenn...
On 1xBet, the strange and shady company which has become rapidly more visible across tennis in 2025 despite *many* reasons for tours, tournaments, and federations to steer clear of its mess.
Lots of odd details here, free for all to read at Bounces:
www.benrothenberg.com/p/1xbet-tenn...
Simona Halep: “Tennis did nothing to me, nothing wrong. It did only good things. What happened, it was just, for me, without doing any mistakes. So everything was proved. Tennis has nothing to do with that and I still keep the passion for it.”
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
'Tennis did only good things for me': Simona Halep philosophical over controversial end to career | The National
Former world No 1 talks to The National about her decision to retire, hopes of making the Hall of Fame and growth of tennis in Middle East
www.thenationalnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Simona Halep: “Tennis did nothing to me, nothing wrong. It did only good things. What happened, it was just, for me, without doing any mistakes. So everything was proved. Tennis has nothing to do with that and I still keep the passion for it.”
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
A close look at pressure in professional sport and how athletes work on their mental strength.
For GQ Middle East 👇🏼
www.gqmiddleeast.com/article/trac...
For GQ Middle East 👇🏼
www.gqmiddleeast.com/article/trac...
Tracing the Invisible Weight on Sports Stars
The pressure for a MENA sportsperson to succeed can often be crippling, carrying the weight of a people alongside personal dreams. Yet the route to excellence is often found at the point of letting go
www.gqmiddleeast.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
A close look at pressure in professional sport and how athletes work on their mental strength.
For GQ Middle East 👇🏼
www.gqmiddleeast.com/article/trac...
For GQ Middle East 👇🏼
www.gqmiddleeast.com/article/trac...
A close look at the 8 singles players who competed at the WTA Finals and where they're at heading into the offseason.
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
WTA Finals: Another miss for Aryna Sabalenka while Elena Rybakina emerges as major contender in 2026 | The National
Coco Gauff coming to terms with changes to serve and Iga Swiatek looks good to complete career slam in Australia
www.thenationalnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:53 AM
A close look at the 8 singles players who competed at the WTA Finals and where they're at heading into the offseason.
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
That was a serving clinic from Elena Rybakina who:
Fired 13 aces
Had a 64% first-serve percentage
Won 72% of her first-serve points
Won 73% of her second-serve points
Saved 5/5 break points
Beats Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(0) to win her biggest title since Wimbledon 2022.
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
Fired 13 aces
Had a 64% first-serve percentage
Won 72% of her first-serve points
Won 73% of her second-serve points
Saved 5/5 break points
Beats Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(0) to win her biggest title since Wimbledon 2022.
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
November 8, 2025 at 6:08 PM
That was a serving clinic from Elena Rybakina who:
Fired 13 aces
Had a 64% first-serve percentage
Won 72% of her first-serve points
Won 73% of her second-serve points
Saved 5/5 break points
Beats Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(0) to win her biggest title since Wimbledon 2022.
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
Fired 13 aces
Had a 64% first-serve percentage
Won 72% of her first-serve points
Won 73% of her second-serve points
Saved 5/5 break points
Beats Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(0) to win her biggest title since Wimbledon 2022.
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
Aryna Sabalenka: “I told Amanda that she should be proud of her season, she played incredible tennis the whole season, but it’s just the beginning for her. There are many good things coming her way for sure.”
Unreal match!! Today's semis certainly delivered!
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
Unreal match!! Today's semis certainly delivered!
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
November 7, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Aryna Sabalenka: “I told Amanda that she should be proud of her season, she played incredible tennis the whole season, but it’s just the beginning for her. There are many good things coming her way for sure.”
Unreal match!! Today's semis certainly delivered!
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
Unreal match!! Today's semis certainly delivered!
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
Anisimova plays an excellent second set to force a decider. Going 3 again here in Riyadh.
Sabalenka saved 0/3 break points and won just 3/12 of her 2nd serve points in the 2nd set.
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
Sabalenka saved 0/3 break points and won just 3/12 of her 2nd serve points in the 2nd set.
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
November 7, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Anisimova plays an excellent second set to force a decider. Going 3 again here in Riyadh.
Sabalenka saved 0/3 break points and won just 3/12 of her 2nd serve points in the 2nd set.
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
Sabalenka saved 0/3 break points and won just 3/12 of her 2nd serve points in the 2nd set.
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
Rybakina: I played a lot the last weeks, so of course it's not easy on the body. I've been serving very hard here too, a lot of tough matches, long matches. It's only the last match left so we'll try to do everything possible for my shoulder to feel better tomorrow, push myself as much as I can.
November 7, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Rybakina: I played a lot the last weeks, so of course it's not easy on the body. I've been serving very hard here too, a lot of tough matches, long matches. It's only the last match left so we'll try to do everything possible for my shoulder to feel better tomorrow, push myself as much as I can.
Jessica Pegula: "I feel like I can end this year knowing that I became a better player and hopefully have confidence and get excited to work on some things I know that I want to work on in the offseason and see if I can do the same thing next year."
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
November 7, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Jessica Pegula: "I feel like I can end this year knowing that I became a better player and hopefully have confidence and get excited to work on some things I know that I want to work on in the offseason and see if I can do the same thing next year."
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
#WTAFinalsRiyadh
Jessica Pegula takes the opening set 6-4 with a fist pump and a 'come on' in 41 minutes over Elena Rybakina.
Unforced error count is worryingly high for Rybakina.
25 UFEs in 10 games. Number is a little suss tbh.
Unforced error count is worryingly high for Rybakina.
25 UFEs in 10 games. Number is a little suss tbh.
November 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Jessica Pegula takes the opening set 6-4 with a fist pump and a 'come on' in 41 minutes over Elena Rybakina.
Unforced error count is worryingly high for Rybakina.
25 UFEs in 10 games. Number is a little suss tbh.
Unforced error count is worryingly high for Rybakina.
25 UFEs in 10 games. Number is a little suss tbh.
News: The Next Gen Finals will move away from Jeddah next year, with the Saudi Tennis Federation opting out of their five-year deal with the ATP Tour.
This year’s third edition will be the last one held in Jeddah. ATP is accepting bids for 2026 and 2027.
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
This year’s third edition will be the last one held in Jeddah. ATP is accepting bids for 2026 and 2027.
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
Next Gen Finals to move out of Jeddah as Saudi Arabian federation ends deal with ATP Tour | The National
December edition at King Abdullah Sports City will be last staging of tournament on kingdom's shores
www.thenationalnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
News: The Next Gen Finals will move away from Jeddah next year, with the Saudi Tennis Federation opting out of their five-year deal with the ATP Tour.
This year’s third edition will be the last one held in Jeddah. ATP is accepting bids for 2026 and 2027.
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
This year’s third edition will be the last one held in Jeddah. ATP is accepting bids for 2026 and 2027.
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
Jessica Pegula: I felt like this year was so competitive (…) I do feel like the level has been crazy, crazy deep this year. It feels a little bit harder than maybe past years.
For AFP: www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20...
For AFP: www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20...
November 6, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Jessica Pegula: I felt like this year was so competitive (…) I do feel like the level has been crazy, crazy deep this year. It feels a little bit harder than maybe past years.
For AFP: www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20...
For AFP: www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20...
Iga Swiatek: “It would be great if the Grand Slams wanted to talk to us because that's how it's supposed to be and I don't really get why there's no more open conversation. I think for sure it's a setback and for sure the players are not happy with it.”
www.barrons.com/news/sabalen...
www.barrons.com/news/sabalen...
Sabalenka, Top WTA Stars Urge Slams To Revive 'Stalled' Negotiations
Top WTA stars, including Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, are calling on the four Grand Slams to get back to the negotiation table and reconsider their proposals regarding revenue sharing, player welf...
www.barrons.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Iga Swiatek: “It would be great if the Grand Slams wanted to talk to us because that's how it's supposed to be and I don't really get why there's no more open conversation. I think for sure it's a setback and for sure the players are not happy with it.”
www.barrons.com/news/sabalen...
www.barrons.com/news/sabalen...
Sabalenka: “I totally understand the responsibility of this match that I put on my shoulders. That's why I'll go out there and there's no jokes. I'll play full. Hopefully I can just keep up with Billie Jean and help women’s tennis to get better conditions.”
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
Aryna Sabalenka insists Dubai Battle of the Sexes clash with Nick Kyrgios is 'win-win' | The National
Exhibition match has drawn criticism that it could damage status of women's tennis
www.thenationalnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Sabalenka: “I totally understand the responsibility of this match that I put on my shoulders. That's why I'll go out there and there's no jokes. I'll play full. Hopefully I can just keep up with Billie Jean and help women’s tennis to get better conditions.”
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis...
Iga Swiatek: “I felt good mentally, physically, and tennis-wise also it was nice, looking at the conditions and everything. So I don’t really get why I couldn’t go out of the group. Maybe I won too much in the last years and this is karma. It’s really hard for me to say (...)”
#WTAFinals
#WTAFinals
November 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Iga Swiatek: “I felt good mentally, physically, and tennis-wise also it was nice, looking at the conditions and everything. So I don’t really get why I couldn’t go out of the group. Maybe I won too much in the last years and this is karma. It’s really hard for me to say (...)”
#WTAFinals
#WTAFinals
Anisimova improves to 15-3 in 3-set matches in 2025. Beats Swiatek 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 to reach the SFs of the WTA Finals on her debut.
“It’s so funny, my mom keeps telling me, ‘You know you’ve won like so many three-set matches this year? You’re so strong’. I was actually thinking about that today."
“It’s so funny, my mom keeps telling me, ‘You know you’ve won like so many three-set matches this year? You’re so strong’. I was actually thinking about that today."
November 5, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Anisimova improves to 15-3 in 3-set matches in 2025. Beats Swiatek 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 to reach the SFs of the WTA Finals on her debut.
“It’s so funny, my mom keeps telling me, ‘You know you’ve won like so many three-set matches this year? You’re so strong’. I was actually thinking about that today."
“It’s so funny, my mom keeps telling me, ‘You know you’ve won like so many three-set matches this year? You’re so strong’. I was actually thinking about that today."
Via Opta Ace: Iga Swiatek has never lost 2 matches in a row from a set up in her entire career, across all levels.
Might change tonight if she loses this third set to Amanda Anisimova!
Might change tonight if she loses this third set to Amanda Anisimova!
November 5, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Via Opta Ace: Iga Swiatek has never lost 2 matches in a row from a set up in her entire career, across all levels.
Might change tonight if she loses this third set to Amanda Anisimova!
Might change tonight if she loses this third set to Amanda Anisimova!
Iga Swiatek takes a tight opening set 7-6(3) in 65 minutes over Amanda Anisimova.
Iga complains to umpire Julie Kjendlie about a fan in the stands: "He's disturbing the game. He's shouting between the 1st and 2nd serve"
Iga complains to umpire Julie Kjendlie about a fan in the stands: "He's disturbing the game. He's shouting between the 1st and 2nd serve"
November 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Iga Swiatek takes a tight opening set 7-6(3) in 65 minutes over Amanda Anisimova.
Iga complains to umpire Julie Kjendlie about a fan in the stands: "He's disturbing the game. He's shouting between the 1st and 2nd serve"
Iga complains to umpire Julie Kjendlie about a fan in the stands: "He's disturbing the game. He's shouting between the 1st and 2nd serve"
The level in these last 2 games from Swiatek and Anisimova has been 😮🔥
November 5, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The level in these last 2 games from Swiatek and Anisimova has been 😮🔥