Serena Williams Shines at Super Bowl LIX: Ending Feud and Medvedev’s Decline

Serena Williams’ Super Bowl Appearance with Kendrick Lamar Ends a Tennis Feud with Drake

Serena Williams stole the spotlight at Super Bowl LIX, joining Kendrick Lamar on stage during the halftime show. The 23-time Grand Slam champion appeared during Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us”, which many interpreted as a continuation of Lamar’s feud with Drake.

Television cameras caught Serena dancing, reminiscent of her 2012 Wimbledon “crip walk” celebration at the London Olympics. Reflecting on the moment, Serena said on social media:

“Man, I did not crip walk like that at Wimbledon. Ooh, I would’ve been fined.”

While Williams and Lamar both hail from Compton, their shared appearance is more than coincidence. Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” takes aim at Drake, with lyrics referencing Serena and her husband, Alexis Ohanian. This latest chapter may just mark the conclusion of the long-standing feud between the two rappers.
 

Daniil Medvedev’s Struggles Continue

Daniil Medvedev, once the world No. 1, is facing a serious decline. His 2025 season has been disappointing so far, with early exits at the Australian Open and the Rotterdam Open, where he lost to qualifier Mattia Bellucci.

Medvedev’s Top-50 Performance in the Past 52 Weeks:

Record against Top-20 players: 8-15

Record against Top-10 players: 4-8

Record against Top-5 players: 1-8

A recurring shoulder injury has hampered his performance, especially affecting his serve—once a key weapon in his game. Without the free points from his serve, Medvedev’s defensive style is less effective.

Medvedev: “I had pain in my shoulder. It didn’t let me serve the way I wanted.”

With crucial tournaments in Dubai, Indian Wells, and Miami ahead, Medvedev risks dropping out of the Top 10 for the first time since 2019.

Ashlyn Krueger’s Breakthrough at Abu Dhabi

In a week where top American men faltered, Ashlyn Krueger emerged as a rising star. The 20-year-old reached her first WTA 500 final at the Abu Dhabi Open, defeating top-50 players like Daria Kasatkina and Leylah Fernandez along the way.

Krueger eventually lost to Belinda Bencic in the final (4-6, 6-1, 6-1), but her performance signals a bright future. Krueger’s aggressive baseline game and ability to close out tight matches could make her a serious contender in the coming months.

Expanding Masters 1000 Events: More Matches, More Problems?

The ATP and WTA Tours are expanding their Masters 1000 events to two weeks, increasing the draw sizes and adding rest days. While the changes offer more opportunities for lower-ranked players, they have also drawn criticism from top players for diluting the quality of matches and extending an already demanding calendar.

Pros of the Expansion:

• More prize money for players ranked outside the Top 100.

• Fans have more chances to see top players across multiple days.

Cons:

• Players face longer events with less time for recovery.

• Early losses leave players waiting for days before their next opportunity.

Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi: India’s Next Tennis Star

Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi, a 15-year-old from Coimbatore, India, reached the semifinals of the WTA 125 tournament in Mumbai, making waves in the tennis world. She will soon move to the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy in Menorca, Spain, for further development.

Her success marks a significant moment for Indian tennis, where individual development often takes a back seat to national priorities. Rajeshwaran Revathi’s next goal is to perform well at junior Grand Slam tournaments.

Final Take:

From Serena Williams bringing energy to the Super Bowl to Daniil Medvedev’s ongoing struggles, the 2025 tennis season is already full of drama and new storylines. Keep an eye on rising stars like Ashlyn Krueger and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi—the next generation is here.