Ukrainian media criticize Dutch top player Glickspoor for distancing himself; Italian legend passes away; doubles champion weds before National Games

Three minutes daily to catch up on tennis worldwide. Hello tennis fans, today is Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Welcome to the news midday report brought to you by "Tennis Home."

Yesterday Beijing time, Ukrainian media published numerous articles criticizing Dutch top player Glickspoor for taking part in an exhibition event in St. Petersburg, Russia. This event was sponsored by a Russian natural gas giant, and among the four players competing, Glickspoor was the only one who was not Russian (ethnically Russian).

It is rumored that this Russian natural gas company directly funds the war against Ukraine. Following the Ukrainian media backlash, the Dutch Tennis Association issued a statement saying they had previously contacted Glickspoor, urging him to carefully consider his participation, and emphasized that the Dutch Tennis Association was not involved in the decision, which was the player’s personal choice. Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra had also publicly urged Dutch players to avoid competing in Russia, but tempted by a substantial appearance fee, Glickspoor evidently ignored this warning.

Now turning to some sad news. Last night Beijing time, multiple foreign media outlets reported that tennis legend and the only Italian inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Nicola Pietrangeli, passed away due to illness at the age of 92.

Born in 1933, Pietrangeli was Italy’s first Grand Slam champion, lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires twice at the French Open in 1959 and 1960, reaching a career-high world ranking of number three. Additionally, he won the 1958 French Open mixed doubles title and the 1959 French Open men’s doubles title. Pietrangeli frequently attended Roland Garros to present trophies and had interactions with clay court king Rafael Nadal. In 2023, he celebrated Italy’s Davis Cup team victory with the squad.

Pietrangeli set a record likely to stand forever by playing 164 Davis Cup matches and winning 120 of them. He once joked about his successor Jannik Sinner, saying, “To break my record, he’d probably need two lifetimes. Undoubtedly, he can beat almost all opponents, but to participate in 164 Davis Cup matches—given the rule changes by organizers—seems impossible in one lifetime.”

Next, let’s check player news. Yesterday Beijing time, Chinese doubles star Yang Zhaoxuan announced her wedding on her personal Weibo. “Marking the most ceremonious day of 2025. Thanks to my family’s hard work, thanks to relatives who came from afar, thanks to all friends and family who attended or wished to attend, and thanks to Mr. Feng for fulfilling all my ceremonial wishes. Seasons change, and we have a long future ahead. The road is long, and we will walk it hand in hand. Grateful!”

Born in February 1995, Yang Zhaoxuan is a top doubles player in China. She partnered with Xu Yifan to win the women’s doubles title at the 14th National Games and has achieved notable results on the WTA doubles circuit. Yang’s husband, Feng He, is also a professional tennis player who earned the men’s singles bronze medal at the 7th National City Games. Congratulations to them!

Finally, let’s play a guessing game. The photo below shows a player on vacation. Without hints, can you identify who she is?

Last time’s guess was correct. Yes, the person in the picture is Russian rising star Mira Andreeva.

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Independent Thinker)