The difference between ATP and WTA handshakes by Belinda Bencic & Donna Vekic

Rafa4LifeEver

G.O.A.T.
Absolutely mate, Its natural for women to be that way.
(In before some woke with 0.1% working neurones calls you a misogynist)
Competitiveness often brings out the worst in women, more so than men. I've had several women relatives and friends agree that this is so.
 

Gizo

Legend
If we just compare women's tennis nowadays vs. women's in previous eras and ignore comparisons with men's tennis, it does seem to me, of course very much an outsider, that there is significantly more camaraderie on the WTA tour nowadays than there was in previous eras (say for example 20 years ago). Of course I know that quite a few people will prefer the days when things were less friendly and when there was more 'frostiness'.

Last year Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who surged up the rankings into the top 50 in 2008 (she generated quite a big buzz as an exciting young player at Wimbledon that year with her 17th birthday approaching), and then became an established tour level player the next season, pretty much said the same thing. She talked about how there has been a big change in the culture on the tour during her career, and that there were far more friendships on the tour at that stage (in 2023) than there were during the early stages of her pro career, when it was more common for quite a few players to keep more of a distance from each other. That wasn't a surprise to me at all, it seemed pretty blatant as a fan.

Clearly social media has been a big contributor there. I think in many cases, it can quickly diffuses any tension that might have arisen on the court. There will have been quite a few matches immediately after which losing players will have been in pretty bad moods, but then a few hours later will have cooled off and congratulated their victorious opponents on Twitter, preventing a ‘feud’ from developing. Plus it allows players to easily communicate with each other, keep more updated regarding what they've all been up to etc.

Also players have typically turned pro at an older age in modern times (at RG in 1988 for example none of the 4 women's semi-finalists had turned 19 yet), surely making it easier in general to 'integrate' early on, rather than mainly remain within their own inner circles (and be 'chaperoned'), or just keep themselves to themselves.

On top of that, I also think it's probable that more of the players on tour nowadays, probably had at least a bit more exposure to other sports on a recreational basis when growing up than those in previous eras (as general sporting opportunities for girls gradually improved over time), better enabling them compartmentalise between the heat of battle on the court and getting on with competitors off it.
 
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Mainad

Bionic Poster
"Neurone" is the wrong way to spell this word.


And yes, the Brits who spell it "neurone" are wrong.

I'm a Brit and I always assumed 'neuron/neurons' was the correct spelling. Don't think I've ever seen it spelt with a final 'e'.
 

HBK4life

Hall of Fame
Competitiveness often brings out the worst in women, more so than men. I've had several women relatives and friends agree that this is so.
My gf is a strong player. She has a tall athletic figure. When we started dating I started coming and watch her play. Before her tennis “friends” knew me I heard them all talk behind her back while she was playing. Was it because she was a better tennis player? Nope. It was all about looks. They all complained she could wear whatever tennis clothes she wanted since she was fit. These were grown women with careers. Not teenagers. It was funny and eye opening.
 

Bambooman

Legend
"Neurone" is the wrong way to spell this word.


And yes, the Brits who spell it "neurone" are wrong.
LOL. You really had to resort to heroic measures to try to save face and be correct.

You are not.
 

Poisoned Slice

Bionic Poster
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A

ALCARAZWON

Guest
Society refers to "women and children" as a category of people, because women and children both lack emotional maturity, and the handshakes are an example of this.
Men are able to handle the handshake more maturely, regardless of what happened during the match, with only some rare exceptions.
 

Mr.Lob

G.O.A.T.
For you old timers, were wta players from the 60's, 70's and 80's as cold as the current generation?
 

nolefam_2024

Bionic Poster
Yes! I have been saying this all along about how SILLY women are!

This is exactly like when I introduced my wife to my girlfriend. They both got SO mad!

I was like "Umm... Hello? Calm down women (yikes!)."

Another epic victory for men... Truly we are the greatest.
Good joke. But men are less silly when competing.
 

Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
Good joke. But men are less silly when competing.
Really? Let’s have a run through of the last 8 years on the mens tour.

The #1 Djokovic hit a ball at a lineswoman causing himself to get defaulted.

We saw Shapovalov bash a ball at the chair umpires face sending the umpire to hospital.

We saw Kyrgios go on a numerous rampages, one including throwing a chair and rackets on court. Another saw him taunt Wawrinka about his girlfriend and who she’s slept with.

We’ve seen Thanasi Kokkinakis and Ryan Harrison have to be physically seperated to stop eachother punching on court.

We also saw the same thing happen in a Medvedev match against Diego Schwartzman where Daniil then hit the chair umps box.

But yeah those ladies with their handshakes, brrrrrr cold.
 
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