Social Slice: "Overhead Gate" in Rome; Kudermetova's "old" description; Dimitrov deletes steamy IG collab

There was plenty of fire to go around on Tuesday across Tennis Twitter.

Published May 16, 2023

unfazed by gamesmanship tricks 😎🧠@DjokerNole | #IBI23 pic.twitter.com/0rod9C1ZSs
— TENNIS (@Tennis) May 16, 2023

What's everyone talking about? A look at some of the hot topics making their way across Tennis Twitter on Tuesday:

The Smash Debated ‘Round The World

Was it, or was it not a fair play by Cameron Norrie? During his fourth-round win in Rome, Novak Djokovic turned his back to concede a point but his opponent's close-range overhead nailed him on the left leg.

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Given body shape and racquet trajectory in the swing, smashing cross court is the safest option here. No malice from Norrie at all I'm sure. At the same time, people criticizing Djokovic for having an instinctive reaction to getting hit must never have played sports. https://t.co/XkxT1DG1t8
— Erik Jonsson 🇺🇦 (@erktennis) May 16, 2023

Watch the replay and hard not to side w/ Djokovic… He basically conceded the point and turned his back…+ still got pelted. Not cool. https://t.co/STgwwa8Noq
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) May 16, 2023

In honor of “Overhead Gate” between Cam and Novak… Here is my top 5 list of guys who would hit you in the face with an overhead if you were at the net…

1. Ivan Lendl
2. Jimmy Connors
3. Andy Roddick
4. Nenad Zimonjic
5. James Blake (Jerk)
— Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) May 16, 2023

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Veronika’s "Old" Description

Though she advanced to her second consecutive WTA 1000 semifinal, Veronika Kudermetova’s win over Zheng Qinwen might be best remembered for the way she handled a call going in her opponent’s favor. Disagreeing is one thing but this? You make the call.

*looks at linesman*

Veronika: "he's very old"

THIS IS CINEMA pic.twitter.com/K9HPMr1okp
— Ryan (@Some1NamedRyan) May 16, 2023

YO LOL

Kudermetova arguing over a ball mark with the umpire, who asked the line judge to confirm the mark

"He made a mistake. He is very old. How is he sure" 😂😂😂
— Josh Gross (@josh3302) May 16, 2023

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Don't call lines people old Veronika. It's not nice.
— Piscean1 (@piranhaC4455990) May 16, 2023

Grigor Deletes Steamy Pics

Dinner at your favorite restaurant, drinks with friends, perhaps even a weekend getaway. These are some ways to commemorate a birthday.

While it’s possible Grigor Dimitrov took up one of these approaches, it’s not what he shared on Instagram. The newly-minted 32-year-old opted to go full steam (pun intended) ahead in a now-deleted collab with Madalina Diana Ghenea. Worth reminding: Tennis Twitter is all about collecting receipts.

Mădălina and Grigor 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/g2nvzrsIU3
— Krasimir 🇧🇬 🌎🌍🌏 (@lobdowntheline) May 16, 2023

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A Legendary Challenger Stat

This nugget from a well-respected historian speaks for itself. Bordeaux is more than a wine capital this week!

Tomorrow at the Bordeaux Challenger, Andy Murray will face Stan Wawrinka. It will be just the second time in CH history that two grand slam winners meet, after the 1981 San Remo CH, when Ilie Năstase beat Jan Kodeš.
— Jeff Sackmann (@tennisabstract) May 16, 2023

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