Did Matthew Knies really beat Auston Matthews in tennis?

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Chris Gerics
September 20, 2024 (7:32 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs held their second day of training camp and during the media scrum afterwards, forward Matthew Knies revealed he reigned supreme in tennis vs. Auston Matthews. Or so he thinks.

Hockey players are known to be good at other sports in addition to hockey and we often see the likes of 4-8 teammates playing keep up with a soccer ball, or playing volleyball in order to keep limber and to change things up a bit. The tennis world has recently found itself in the mix as the PWHL (Professional Women's Hockey League) has been partially created by tennis legend and social justice icon Billie Jean King, but it seems to have caught on big with the Maple Leafs.

Max Domi wasn't shy about his love for tennis and frequently Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews are playing together; evident as well by their Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer impressions:

But it seems like a youngster may have overtaken Matthews as the champion of tennis on the Maple Leafs, as he was speaking to the media about playing tennis this offseason with Matthews and claimed that not only did he beat him, but he did so in convincing fashion:

"I smoked him."

Bold words from the 21-year old, who may not want to draw the ire of his linemate and arguably the greatest goal scorer in the last decade. But Matthews was quick with an ace of his own, starting his media scrum off clearing the air about Knies supposed victory:

"He's never beat me in tennis. He literally walked in the gym and told me that he said that. I said, 'I can't believe you'd lie to the media like that. It's crazy,'" Matthews said on Friday.

"He's good, but we've been playing the last couple weeks and yeah, he just straight up lied to you guys. I don't know what else to say, but that's what it is."

It seems like Matthews was none too impressed with Knies although it obviously is all in good fun. It will be interesting to see how Knies responds or if he decides to hope this all blows over and try not to dig himself in any deeper hole than he already has.

Knies and Matthews being on the same page is dangerous, and with dynamic winger Mitch Marner alongside them, they spell serious trouble for opposing teams. Of his 15 goals scored last year, 6 of them came with both Marner and Matthews, while 3 of them had either Marner or Matthews; so for 60% of his goals, it was because of his linemates.

If Knies can continue to ride the momentum of his breakout season, he could eclipse 25 goals and 60 points which would be a huge addition to Matthews and Marner who look to hit the century mark this season.