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Chris Evert recently imparted words of wisdom to Naomi Osaka on how she should handle the negative spotlight that comes with success.
In other news, 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu is all set to make her much-awaited return at the Stuttgart Open. Meanwhile, Serena Williams has teased a potential return to tennis at this year's Wimbledon.
The Monte-Carlo Masters, which is set to begin in a couple of days, has witnessed more high-profile withdrawals.
World No. 9 Felix Auger-Aliassime's woes continued, as the Canadian blew a couple of match points en route to a second-round loss in Morocco.
Here's a round-up of the day's biggest headlines:
Chris Evert urges Naomi Osaka to develop a thick skin to handle criticism
Naomi Osaka has been rather open about how the negative attention she receives affects her to a large extent. She was recently targeted by a heckler at the 2022 Indian Wells Open, which brought her to tears. Tennis legend Chris Evert, who had to deal with a lot of expectations and media pressure during her illustrious career, had some advice for Osaka.
Evert has suggested that the four-time Grand Slam champion develop a thick skin to block out the hate. Being in the spotlight has its downsides, and Osaka will have to learn how to handle it. Evert told Eurosport:
"You have to have thick skin, that's a reality and that's not a criticism. If you don't have thick skin, you can develop thick skin because you've got to understand that if you are this successful, you are out in the open for anybody to judge and for anybody to talk about you."
Bianca Andreescu awarded wildcard for the Stuttgart Open
2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu is set to make her comeback at the Stuttgart Open, where she has been given a wildcard. The tournament begins on 18 April, with most of the top-10 players participating.
Andreescu last competed at the 2021 Indian Wells Open, where her title defense ended in the third round. She withdrew from the 2022 Australian Open stating she was emotionally exhausted after a tough year and needed time to recover.
Serena Williams drops hint about potential comeback
23-time Major champion Serena Williams hasn't competed since retiring from her opening-round match at the 2021 Wimbledon due to an injury. She has now teased a possible return to action at the very same tournament this year.
Williams was at a Bitcoin conference in Miami when NFL star Aaron Rodgers quizzed the tennis great about her comeback.
"Alright, so I am backstage at the Bitcoin conference in Miami with Aaron Rodgers here and we've been talking about my comeback, and he's been hyping me up, getting me ready for Wimbledon."
Rodgers, apparently unfamiliar with the tennis calendar, asked Williams whether she'll play at the US Open. The former World No. 1 stated that she might compete at the grasscourt Major before that.
"Wimbledon's before the US Open, I have to play Wimbledon first. Exciting."
In other related news, Williams' long-time coach Patrick Mouratoglou will be coaching Simona Halep going forward.
Dominic Thiem and Matteo Berrettini withdraw from Monte-Carlo Masters
2020 US Open winner Dominic Thiem and 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini were the latest players to withdraw from the Monte-Carlo Masters.
Thiem, who tested postive for COVID-19 following his loss at the Marbella Challenger, has recovered, but needs more time to get back on track.
Berrettini, who recently underwent minor hand surgery, has also pulled out of the tournament. The Italian is also set to miss the Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Rome.
Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev had previously withdrawn from the tournament due to their respective injuries.
Felix Auger-Aliassime loses in second round of Grand Prix Hassan II
World No. 9 Felix Auger-Aliassime's poor form continued in Morocco. He held two match points in his second-round match against Alex Molcan, but eventually lost in three sets. The Canadian didn't win a single match in Indian Wells and Miami prior to arriving in Morocco.
Auger-Aliassime has notched up some great results since the start of the year, so his abrupt loss of form in recent weeks has been rather puzzling. He's set to compete in the Monte-Carlo Masters next where he will look to get back to his best.
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