U.S. tennis player Tennys Sandgren should have been living out his professional dream at the Australian Open. Unranked going into the tournament, he knocked off ninth seed Stan Wawrinka in the second round, then advanced two more rounds, finding himself in the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam tourney.
However, his Cinderella story was overshadowed by reporters’ research on the upstart 26-year-old from Tennessee, whose social media history offered more than a little evidence that he supported or sympathized with some bizarre “alt-right” obsessions.
Dan Steinberg shared this mosaic of tweets from Sandgren as during his Australian Open progress.
Discussions of the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, retweets from known white nationalists, and even (baseless) accusations that Hilary Clinton was involved in “spirit cooking” a satanic ritual of sorts — have all proven fair game on Sandgren’s Twitter account.
Sandgren’s unlikely tournament run came to an end on Tuesday as he was defeated by South Korea’s Hyeon Chung. When questioned by the sports media following his recent exit, he snapped and whined about the way his views were covered by the press.
Though Sandgren may have been done with the matter after that showing, tennis legend Serena Williams wasn’t done with him.
In her absence from the tournament following her recent childbirth, Williams took to Twitter with a simple message chastising not so much Sandgren’s social and political views, but his stubborn defense of them.
It’s far from certain that Sandgren will maintain notoriety through continued on-court success — but if he does, he’ll likely have to answer for his beliefs and behavior. If not, he might be one truly miserable tennis star.
As we’ve seen before, when Serena Williams wants an apology, she gets one.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.