News bites: Federer in a kilt, Ostapenko on a stamp

Given there are no officially-sanctioned matches this week on either tour – the WTA season has ended, and the Next Gen Finals are an exhibition – it has made room for some more light-hearted elements of the sport to come to the fore.

And the biggest of those in the past 24 hours? Roger Federer donning a kilt for an exhibition match against Andy Murray in Glasgow.

Kilterer ???????? pic.twitter.com/yVqvrmq9od

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 7, 2017

Roger Federer's 1HBH, but in a kilt.#AndyMurrayLive pic.twitter.com/apNt9jkxMN

— Ashish TV (@Ashish__TV) November 7, 2017

Also making waves? Jelena Ostapenko – aka Alona – becoming immortalised on a postage stamp in Latvia.

Ostapenko’s Roland Garros triumph was a huge sporting story in her homeland and she’s since gone on to rank in the top 10.

Along with Anastasija Sevastova, the small Baltic nation now has two top 20-ranked women.

Ieg?sti izcilajai tenisistei A?onai Ostapenko velt?to pastmarkas bloku: 10.novembr? R?gas 50.pasta noda?? no plkst.8 https://t.co/PdNSoWR4ZU pic.twitter.com/jbCDgfFC1G

— Latvijas Pasts (@latvijas_pasts) November 7, 2017

Meanwhile, in Milan, Alexander Zverev – who chose to skip the Next Gen Finals in favour of the ATP Finals in London, which he also qualified for – appeared anyway to promote the tournament by playing an exhibition match against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

And, in what is becoming a trend, the German young gun grew irritated with the press for having to answer a question he’s already been asked before.

Never mind that it was a different journalist, publication, city and audience – Zverev wasn’t having it.

Yet if he plans to be a top player with the resulting media commitments, he’d better get used to it …

Classic Sascha moment. Italian TV reporter asks who's ur idol?
"U dunno that answer?Federer but Ive answered this question about 150 times"

— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) November 7, 2017

In a more unfortunate turn of events, Victoria Azarenka turned to social media to express her sadness that she won’t be participating in the Fed Cup final between Belarus and the United States in Minsk.

Azarenka, who made a comeback to tennis in June this year after the birth of her first child, has been mired in a custody battle that has rendered her inactive since Wimbledon.

pic.twitter.com/kFm2MOWnuw

— victoria azarenka (@vika7) November 7, 2017

Kevin Anderson also had a message to share on Twitter; his concerned coach Neville Godwin, and how after four years they’ve decided to end their partnership.

It’s been a lean run for Anderson of late; since reaching the US Open final, he slumped to a 3-5 record despite being well-placed to qualify for the ATP Finals.

Hi all, a bit of news from Team Anderson… pic.twitter.com/jbqmxXlJ9s

— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) November 7, 2017

It was better news for Serena Williams, who was named the chair of Oath Brands’ new Board of Advisors.

According to Business Wire, the board is “comprised of some of the most entrepreneurial, talented and socially influential leaders from multiple industries including finance, sports, lifestyle, and news. Serena Williams … will be joined by founding members Russell Wilson, Tamika Catchings, Ciara, Chuck D, Rickie Fowler, Carla Harris, Karlie Kloss, Joey Logano, Zac Posen, Abby Wambach and Regina Wilson.”

Decked the halls and walls to welcome our new Board of Advisors chair @serenawilliams to our NYC office this morning.

A post shared by Oath (@oath_brands) on Nov 6, 2017 at 3:21pm PST