In the northern hemisphere’s winter, Australia becomes the hub of professional tennis. Later this week, qualifiers for the Australian Open, a Grand Slam tournament kick off. Both Sachia Vickery (ranked #135) and Elise Mertens (#127) are slated for qualifying matches in the hopes that they’re able to advance to the field of contenders.
There’s just one problem – yesterday the two athletes were “stuck” in the second round of the Hobart International, a smaller tournament that serves as a sort of warm-up for the Australian Open. Should they advance, they’ll likely conflict with their Australian Open qualifying matches, which means they can kiss the bigger tourney goodbye.
Logic says the smart move would be to just bow out of the match, but withdrawing in the Hobart mid-tourney would disqualify them from the Australian Open.
So what are they to do?
Well, as we saw yesterday, they both threw sportsmanship out the window and raced to fake injuries as early in the match as possible to lose, guaranteeing their availability for the those Aussie Open qualifiers. You can watch a funny video recap here, courtesy of Yahoo Sports.
As you can see, Sachia Vickery won the race to lose, wrapping up her leg in a towel to really sell the sham injury. As the tweet below shows, she actually did so just one game into the first set. A game she won, it warrants mentioning.
If the announcer, the judge, and the tourney officials were hip to this strategy (and how could they not be?), they played it pretty straight for the sake of decorum.
As was expected, Mertens’ reluctant “success” in this match has resulted in her withdrawal from the Australian Open:
Let’s all band together in wishing Vickery a quick recovery. Maybe, say, by Thursday or Friday of this week?
As much fun as it is to slag these players for this sham, it’s hard not to blame the WTA for allowing this conflict to happen. The reason ridiculous situations like this don’t happen more often is because sports schedule their matches to avoid things like this. Of course, nobody’s about to move Christmas or New Year’s to accommodate the Hobart International, and since the Aussie Open has more allure, it’s not the one that needs to concede. I guess that means the Hobart’s stuck in the middle, having to contend with fake injuries so that players can be available for the REAL tourney later on.
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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.