That year the 15-year-old Bulgarian beat Venus Williams at the French Open, but ended up ‘doing everything,’ in the new few years — piercing her tongue, getting an abortion, and receiving a two-year ban from the tour for taking anabolic steroids. Now the 28-year-old No. 228-ranked Bulgarian is in her first WTA draw since 2017.

The top-ranked American will drop out of the Top 20 next week, making for no Americans in the Top 20 on the ATP Rankings for the first time — ever — after Tuesday losing to Canadian Vasek “Popsicle” Pospisil 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(6) in Montreal in the first round at the Rogers Cup.

“…he’s a fiery kid. I bet that if you asked him if he played better, if he didn’t get fired up, sort of subdued — I think he was a little more subdued in Atlanta, and to be honest, he played a lot better in L.A. when he broke three racquets. Over the years he’ll figure out how to channel that energy, but he’s got a lot energy, a lot of good energy. You know he wants to win if he’s breaking racquets like that. I think that’s a good sign.”

“Q: What is the best piece of advice you would give to a junior tennis player, hoping to become a professional? (Michael Stich walks into the room saying: ‘Sex, Drugs, & Rock ‘n Roll!’) There we go, Michael Stich just came up with some crackers right there…It might be ok for a while…I know Michael Stich tried that and he won Wimbledon…Best advice? Well, I think you have to learn to be very patient and learn how to play on clay. I think it’s a very good grounding for players.”…