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WTA Backspin by Todd Spiker

Latest Entries

Wk.18- When in Rome...

Iga Swiatek: Three-time Rome champion, part-time Campo Centrale court attendant. pic.twitter.com/x10l8X91tY — Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) May 10, 2026 *WEEK 19* [Rome Q/1st Rd.-3rd Rd.] RISERS: Anastasia Potapova/AUS and Maria Timofeeva/UZB ...and we start off with the former Hordette portion of our program. Russian-turned-Austrian Potapova has found *something* over the past month. It just took a loss to get the ball ...

Wk.17- Marta the Inevitable

The arrival... Marta Kostyuk defeats Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 7-5 to win her first WTA 1000 title in Madrid. Having an UNBELIEVABLE month with two titles and 12 consecutive wins ๐Ÿ”ฅ Will make her top 15 debut and up to #9 in the Race! pic.twitter.com/Nom6os4FTP — Josรฉ Morgado (@josemorgado) May 2, 2026 *WEEK 17 CHAMPIONS* MADRID, SPAIN (WTA 1000; Red Clay Outdoor) S: Marta Kostyuk/UKR def. Mirra Andreeva/RUS 6-3/7-5 WD: Katerina Siniakova/Taylor Towns...

Wk.17- Marta the Inevitable

The arrival... Marta Kostyuk defeats Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 7-5 to win her first WTA 1000 title in Madrid. Having an UNBELIEVABLE month with two titles and 12 consecutive wins ๐Ÿ”ฅ Will make her top 15 debut and up to #9 in the Race! pic.twitter.com/Nom6os4FTP — Josรฉ Morgado (@josemorgado) May 2, 2026 *WEEK 17 CHAMPIONS* MADRID, SPAIN (WTA 1000; Red Clay Outdoor) S: Marta Kostyuk/UKR def. Mirra Andreeva/RUS 6-3/7-5 WD: Katerina Siniakova/Taylor Towns...

Wk.16- Duly, Madly, Madrid

Incredible performance from Caty McNally to easily beat the world #10 Victoria Mboko 6-4, 6-1 and reach the 3rd round in Madrid. Dominated from start to finish. pic.twitter.com/3v8JPaGsTO — Josรฉ Morgado (@josemorgado) April 24, 2026 *WEEK 16* [Madrid Q/1st-3rd Rd.] RISERS: Leylah Fernandez/CAN and Caty McNally/USA ...Fernandez came up short last week in Stuttgart after holding a pair of MP vs. eventual champion Elena Rybak...

Wk.16- Duly, Madly, Madrid

Incredible performance from Caty McNally to easily beat the world #10 Victoria Mboko 6-4, 6-1 and reach the 3rd round in Madrid. Dominated from start to finish. pic.twitter.com/3v8JPaGsTO — Josรฉ Morgado (@josemorgado) April 24, 2026 *WEEK 16* [Madrid Q/1st-3rd Rd.] RISERS: Leylah Fernandez/CAN and Caty McNally/USA ...Fernandez came up short last week in Stuttgart after holding a pair of MP vs. eventual champion Elena Rybak...

Wk.15- Smile and the World Smiles with Elena

Why is this woman smiling? Because she's Elena Rybakina in Stuttgart, and that's more than enough reason. World #2 Elena Rybakina defeats Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to win the Stuttgart WTA 500 title for the second time. 13th career title 2nd of the year Puts a LOT pressure on Sabalenka at number #1 as she defends loads of points in Madrid, Rome and Paris. pic.twitter.com/HZUz8E7pSZ — Josรฉ Morgado (@josemorgado) April 19, 2026 *WEEK 15 CHAMPIONS* ...

Wk.15- Smile and the World Smiles with Elena

Why is this woman smiling? Because she's Elena Rybakina in Stuttgart, and that's more than enough reason. World #2 Elena Rybakina defeats Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to win the Stuttgart WTA 500 title for the second time. 13th career title 2nd of the year Puts a LOT pressure on Sabalenka at number #1 as she defends loads of points in Madrid, Rome and Paris. pic.twitter.com/HZUz8E7pSZ — Josรฉ Morgado (@josemorgado) April 19, 2026 *WEEK 15 CHAMPIONS* ...

Wk.14- Mirra's Cup Runneth Over in Linz

โœจ Dazzling Debut in Linz โœจ #WTALinz pic.twitter.com/oZ8XqaDqqz — wta (@WTA) April 12, 2026 *WEEK 14 CHAMPIONS* LINZ, AUSTRIA (WTA 500; Red Clay Indoor) S: Mirra Andreeva/RUS def. Anastasia Potapova/AUT 1-6/6-4/6-3 WD: Sorana Cirstea/Zhang Shuai (ROU/CHN) def. Jesicak Maleckova/Miriam Skoch (CZE/CZE) 6-3/6-2 Madrid, Spain (WTA 125; Red Clay Outdoor) S: Lisa Pigato/ITA def. Marina Bassols Ribera/ESP 6-4/6-0 D: Irene Burillo/Elena Pri...

Wk.14- Mirra's Cup Runneth Over in Linz

โœจ Dazzling Debut in Linz โœจ #WTALinz pic.twitter.com/oZ8XqaDqqz — wta (@WTA) April 12, 2026 *WEEK 14 CHAMPIONS* LINZ, AUSTRIA (WTA 500; Red Clay Indoor) S: Mirra Andreeva/RUS def. Anastasia Potapova/AUT 1-6/6-4/6-3 WD: Sorana Cirstea/Zhang Shuai (ROU/CHN) def. Jesicak Maleckova/Miriam Skoch (CZE/CZE) 6-3/6-2 Madrid, Spain (WTA 125; Red Clay Outdoor) S: Lisa Pigato/ITA def. Marina Bassols Ribera/ESP 6-4/6-0 D: Irene Burillo/Elena Pri...

Wk.13- Pegula Rises Again in the Lowcountry

How it started ๐Ÿ˜ค How itโ€™s going ๐Ÿ˜„ After spending over 13 hours on court this week, @JPegula is a well-deserving champion ๐Ÿ˜Œ #CharlestonOpen pic.twitter.com/iRRHYBz3Pp — Credit One Charleston Open (@CharlestonOpen) April 5, 2026 *WEEK 13 CHAMPIONS* CHARLESTON (SC), UNITED STATES (WTA 500; Green Clay Outdoor) S: Jessie Pegula/USA def. Yuliia Starodubtseva/UKR 6-2/6-2 WD: Desirae Krawczyk/Caty McNally (USA/USA) def. Anna Bondar/Magdalena Frech (HUN/POL...

Wk.13- Pegula Rises Again in the Lowcountry

How it started ๐Ÿ˜ค How itโ€™s going ๐Ÿ˜„ After spending over 13 hours on court this week, @JPegula is a well-deserving champion ๐Ÿ˜Œ #CharlestonOpen pic.twitter.com/iRRHYBz3Pp — Credit One Charleston Open (@CharlestonOpen) April 5, 2026 *WEEK 13 CHAMPIONS* CHARLESTON (SC), UNITED STATES (WTA 500; Green Clay Outdoor) S: Jessie Pegula/USA def. Yuliia Starodubtseva/UKR 6-2/6-2 WD: Desirae Krawczyk/Caty McNally (USA/USA) def. Anna Bondar/Magdalena Frech (HUN/POL...

2026 1Q Awards: Walking on Sunshine

And at the 1st Quarter pole... 1. Aryna Sabalenka, BLR ...three titles, four finals, two successful title defenses, four straight Indian Wells/Miami finals, six straight AO-IW-Miami finals, seven straight hard court major finals, a Sunshine Double in singles to go along with her '19 doubles SD ... and just one loss in 24 matches this year. ICONIC!! https://t.co/xvmM9YPr6V pic.twitter.com/TJ7pbim9Ne — Raj ๐Ÿ (@RajBhandari1001) March 28, 2026 2....

2026 1Q Awards: Walking on Sunshine

And at the 1st Quarter pole... 1. Aryna Sabalenka, BLR ...three titles, four finals, two successful title defenses, four straight Indian Wells/Miami finals, six straight AO-IW-Miami finals, seven straight hard court major finals, a Sunshine Double in singles to go along with her '19 doubles SD ... and just one loss in 24 matches this year. ICONIC!! https://t.co/xvmM9YPr6V pic.twitter.com/TJ7pbim9Ne — Raj ๐Ÿ (@RajBhandari1001) March 28, 2026 2....

Wk.12- The Sun Shines on Sabalenka

Taking it all in. @SabalenkaA | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/RVTyKFe9jq — Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 28, 2026 *WEEK 12 CHAMPIONS* MIAMI (FLA), UNITED STATES (WTA 1000; Hard Court Outdoor) S: Aryna Sabalenka/BLR def. Coco Gauff/USA 6-2/4-6/6-3 WD: Katerina Siniakova/Taylor Townsend (CZE/USA) def. Sara Errani/Jasmine Paolini (ITA/ITA) 7-6(0)/6-1 Dubrovnik, Croatia (WTA 125; Red Clay Outdoor) S: Andrea Lazaro Garcia/ESP def. Anhelina Kalinina...

Wk.12- The Sun Shines on Sabalenka

Taking it all in. @SabalenkaA | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/RVTyKFe9jq — Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 28, 2026 *WEEK 12 CHAMPIONS* MIAMI (FLA), UNITED STATES (WTA 1000; Hard Court Outdoor) S: Aryna Sabalenka/BLR def. Coco Gauff/USA 6-2/4-6/6-3 WD: Katerina Siniakova/Taylor Townsend (CZE/USA) def. Sara Errani/Jasmine Paolini (ITA/ITA) 7-6(0)/6-1 Dubrovnik, Croatia (WTA 125; Red Clay Outdoor) S: Andrea Lazaro Garcia/ESP def. Anhelina Kalinina...

Wk.11- Striving to Thrive in the 305

pic.twitter.com/TdVaNd0gcT — Tennis Pictures That Go Hard (@hardpicstennis) March 21, 2026 *WEEK 11* [Miami Qualifying through 3rd Round] Putting on a show on her home turf ๐Ÿ˜ฎโ€๐Ÿ’จ @savvy_bap | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/DipqjUOH9E — wta (@WTA) March 20, 2026 RISER: Hailey Baptiste/USA ...while a number of young Bannerettes have struggled so far to find their footing in '26 after seeing big improvement a season ago,...

Wk.11- Striving to Thrive in the 305

pic.twitter.com/TdVaNd0gcT — Tennis Pictures That Go Hard (@hardpicstennis) March 21, 2026 *WEEK 11* [Miami Qualifying through 3rd Round] Putting on a show on her home turf ๐Ÿ˜ฎโ€๐Ÿ’จ @savvy_bap | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/DipqjUOH9E — wta (@WTA) March 20, 2026 RISER: Hailey Baptiste/USA ...while a number of young Bannerettes have struggled so far to find their footing in '26 after seeing big improvement a season ago,...

MLS

Wk.10- Aryna's Engaging Oasis in the Desert

Whew! View this post on Instagram A post shared by US Open (@usopen) *WEEK 10 CHAMPIONS* INDIAN WELLS (CAL), UNITED STATES (WTA 1000; Hard Court Outdoor) S: Aryna Sabalenka/BLR def. Elena Rybakina/KAZ 3-6/6-3/7-6(6) WD: Katerina Siniakova/Taylor Townsend (CZE/USA) def. Anna Danilina/Aleksandra Krunic (KAZ/SRB) 7-6(4)/6-4 MX: Belinda Bencic/Flavio Cobolli (SUI/ITA) def. Gaby Dabrowski/Lloyd Glasspool (CAN/GBR) 6-3/2-6 [10-7] Antalya 3, Tu...

Wk.10- Aryna's Engaging Oasis in the Desert

Whew! View this post on Instagram A post shared by US Open (@usopen) *WEEK 10 CHAMPIONS* INDIAN WELLS (CAL), UNITED STATES (WTA 1000; Hard Court Outdoor) S: Aryna Sabalenka/BLR def. Elena Rybakina/KAZ 3-6/6-3/7-6(6) WD: Katerina Siniakova/Taylor Townsend (CZE/USA) def. Anna Danilina/Aleksandra Krunic (KAZ/SRB) 7-6(4)/6-4 MX: Belinda Bencic/Flavio Cobolli (SUI/ITA) def. Gaby Dabrowski/Lloyd Glasspool (CAN/GBR) 6-3/2-6 [10-7] Antalya 3, Tu...

Wk.9- The Road to (Indian) Wells-ville

Animal Style..it's just a California thing! Naomi Osaka on her way into the third round in Indian Wells. pic.twitter.com/LS4KmHfEH2 — Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) March 7, 2026 *WEEK 9* [IW Through 2nd Round] Unbelievably good match between Cristian and Tjen!! Loved it pic.twitter.com/ywuXLm0zEr — Owen (@kostekcanu) March 5, 2026 RISERS: Jaqueline Cristien/ROU and Oleksandra Oliynykova/UKR ...you can take the Rom...

Wk.9- The Road to (Indian) Wells-ville

Animal Style..it's just a California thing! Naomi Osaka on her way into the third round in Indian Wells. pic.twitter.com/LS4KmHfEH2 — Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) March 7, 2026 *WEEK 9* [IW Through 2nd Round] Unbelievably good match between Cristian and Tjen!! Loved it pic.twitter.com/ywuXLm0zEr — Owen (@kostekcanu) March 5, 2026 RISERS: Jaqueline Cristien/ROU and Oleksandra Oliynykova/UKR ...you can take the Rom...

NBA

Wk.8- Rise of an Unassuming Spaniard

Well, hello Cristina. Cristina Bucsa. pic.twitter.com/4cwFB2HdtK — wta (@WTA) March 2, 2026 *WEEK 8 CHAMPIONS* MERIDA, MEXICO (WTA 500; Hard Court Outdoor) S: Cristina Bucsa/ESP def. Magdalena Frech/POL 6-1/4-6/6-4 D: Cristina Bucsa/Jiang Xinyu (ESP/CHN) def. Isabelle Haverlag/Maia Lumsden (NED/GBR) 6-4/6-1 AUSTIN (TX), UNITED STATES (WTA 250; Hard Court Outdoor) S: Peyton Stearns/USA def. Taylor Townsend/USA 7-6(8)/7-5 D: St...

Wk.8- Rise of an Unassuming Spaniard

Well, hello Cristina. Cristina Bucsa. pic.twitter.com/4cwFB2HdtK — wta (@WTA) March 2, 2026 *WEEK 8 CHAMPIONS* MERIDA, MEXICO (WTA 500; Hard Court Outdoor) S: Cristina Bucsa/ESP def. Magdalena Frech/POL 6-1/4-6/6-4 D: Cristina Bucsa/Jiang Xinyu (ESP/CHN) def. Isabelle Haverlag/Maia Lumsden (NED/GBR) 6-4/6-1 AUSTIN (TX), UNITED STATES (WTA 250; Hard Court Outdoor) S: Peyton Stearns/USA def. Taylor Townsend/USA 7-6(8)/7-5 D: St...

Wk.7- Working Hard, Not Hardly Working

Trophy time ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ† @JPegula #DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/B18maTGh4m — Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) February 21, 2026 *WEEK 7 CHAMPIONS* DUBAI, U.A.E. (WTA 1000; Hard Court Outdoor) S: Jessie Pegula/USA def. Elina Svitolina/UKR 6-2/6-4 D: Gaby Dabrowski/Luisa Stefani (CAN/BRA) def. Laura Siegemund/Vera Zvonareva (GER/RUS) 6-1/6-3 Oeiras, Portugal (WTA 125; Hard Court Indoor) S: Daria Snigur/UKR def. Viktorija Golubic/SUI 6-3/6-3 D: Viktor...

Wk.7- Working Hard, Not Hardly Working

Trophy time ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ† @JPegula #DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/B18maTGh4m — Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) February 21, 2026 *WEEK 7 CHAMPIONS* DUBAI, U.A.E. (WTA 1000; Hard Court Outdoor) S: Jessie Pegula/USA def. Elina Svitolina/UKR 6-2/6-4 D: Gaby Dabrowski/Luisa Stefani (CAN/BRA) def. Laura Siegemund/Vera Zvonareva (GER/RUS) 6-1/6-3 Oeiras, Portugal (WTA 125; Hard Court Indoor) S: Daria Snigur/UKR def. Viktorija Golubic/SUI 6-3/6-3 D: Viktor...