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Emptying the Washington Notebook

Emptying the Washington Notebook

A wide range of topics from perhaps the most diverse tournament on tour, full of heart, heat, bugs and rust.

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Ben Rothenberg
Jul 31, 2025
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Emptying the Washington Notebook
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WASHINGTON — As has become Bounces tradition after a tournament I cover on-site, here is the latest emptying of my notebook, this time from my hometown event in Washington, DC.

After covering some of the headline items during the week—most obviously Venus Williams’ remarkable comeback—this is a chance to unpack and flesh out some of the other memorable and meaningful moments from this warm, vibrant, and decaying combined ATP-WTA 500 tournament.

Fourteen items on the menu this time for Bounces subscribers (and those who might be enticed to subscribe to read this meaty 5,000+ word piece in full):

  • Cam Norrie Responds to *THAT* Tabloid Question at Wimbledon

  • “The Blackest Tournament on Tour”

  • Washington: A Diamond in the Rust

  • Taylor Townsend, Top Talker

  • PETA is Totally Buggin'

  • Leylah Fernandez's Split Order

  • Emma Raducanu and Elena Rybakina's Mixed Curiosities

  • How to be Unfazed by the Heat

  • Call Matteo Arnaldi by His Name (and Number)

  • Alex de Minaur's Plea for Love...and a Wild Card

  • Can You Crack the Trophy Code?

  • A Too-Rare Success Story in Anna Kalinskaya's Corner

  • Naomi Osaka's “Clear Plan”...to Stop With Mouratoglou?

  • Courtney Nguyen, Back in the Forty Deuce Game

Let’s get started!

Cam Norrie Responds to *THAT* Tabloid Question at Wimbledon

Coming closer on the heels of Wimbledon than it ever had before, the Washington tournament felt like a good chance to follow up on a few loose ends from the fortnight in England.

One player I especially wanted to follow up with was Cameron Norrie: what was his reaction to the much-discussed moment when he got asked during a Wimbledon press conference if he was dating Emma Raducanu?

Broken News: Why Cameron Norrie Got Asked About Emma Raducanu's Love Life

Broken News: Why Cameron Norrie Got Asked About Emma Raducanu's Love Life

Ben Rothenberg
·
Jul 6
Read full story

Unsurprisingly, Norrie—who had been at Wimbledon with his long-time girlfriend—told me he was not pleased whatsoever.

To read Norrie’s thoughts—and the other 13 items on this jam-packed, 5,000+ word notebook column, please become a paid Bounces subscriber! Thanks! -Ben

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