Roland Garros finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he – like many others – wasn’t in the best mental state competing during the COVID-19 pandemic this year. However, he’s optimistic about 2022 and beyond, for his tennis and the life lessons he’s ultimately learned. Elsewhere, new US Open champion Daniil Medvedev has been backed to avoid the same drastic slump Dominic Thiem suffered after winning Flushing Meadows last year, by his coach Gilles Cervara. Continue reading
Tag: Dominic Thiem
US Open 2021: Williams sisters withdraw with injuries, Kenin out with COVID
The list of high-profile withdrawals ahead of the year’s final Grand Slam continues, with Venus and younger sister Serena Williams revealing they won’t feature at Flushing Meadows. After news of Roger Federer (knee) and Rafael Nadal (foot) shutting down their 2021 seasons in the last fortnight, this will be the first Slam tournament without the latter trio playing since 1997. Continue reading
US Open 2021: Recurring wrist pain sees Dominic Thiem withdraw, will not defend title
After suffering a shock first-round exit at Roland Garros and missing Wimbledon through a wrist injury, US Open champion Dominic Thiem has today announced he will not be defending his maiden Slam title in New York after a recurrence of his issue flared up during training last week.
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Wimbledon 2021: Contrasting reasons see Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka withdraw
20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and reigning Australian Open titlist Naomi Osaka today both announced they wouldn’t feature at this year’s Championships. The latter confirmed she will compete at the Tokyo Olympics in her native Japan – unlike the 35-year-old Spaniard, preparing to take this summer period off to recover from injuries after listening to his body. Continue reading
Qatar Open: Nikoloz Basilashvili’s dream comes true, topples Federer in three sets
Having come back from a set down to win for the second time this week, Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili described his three-set triumph (3-6, 6-1, 7-5) over a fatigued Roger Federer as unbelievable – saving a match point against the tournament’s second seed in Doha. Up next is Taylor Fritz, who similarly recovered to beat world no. 11 Denis Shapovalov earlier on. Continue reading
Qatar Open: Roger Federer beats Dan Evans in three-set thriller after 405 days out
It wasn’t easy, but 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer made his return one to saviour for the socially distanced fans watching on: involved in a high-quality clash after a 405-day absence from competitive tennis while producing multiple impressive moments en route to a 7-6, 3-6, 7-5 win over Britain’s Dan Evans (#28) in the last-16 of this year’s Qatar Open in Doha.
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Australian Open 2021: Comebacks aplenty as Osaka, Halep and Karatsev all recover
Naomi Osaka (#3) saved two match points, world no. 2 Simona Halep set up an exciting quarter-final clash vs. Serena Williams after both earned gritty three-set wins over Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka respectively. Elsewhere, Aslan Karatsev’s historic run continued against all odds while Novak Djokovic continued his unbeaten H2H streak at Milos Raonic’s expense.
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Australian Open 2021: Osaka and Serena win, Karatsev shines, a Kyrgios-Thiem epic
Day 5 was one not to be missed, as Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams and more navigated past potentially tricky matchups while there were surprises on the men’s side of the draw as Aslan Karatsev was ruthlessly efficient in toppling Diego Schwartzman (#8), Kyrgios-Thiem certainly lived up to the hype and an injured Novak Djokovic closed the show in dramatic circumstances. Continue reading
Australian Open 2021: Halep’s heroic fightback, gritty wins for Djokovic and Kyrgios
Day 3 was eventful: defending champion Novak Djokovic was pushed in a memorable first encounter against Frances Tiafoe, while world no. 2 Simona Halep and hometown favourite Nick Kyrgios produced gutsy comebacks to cap an action-packed night session after more seeded players fell, including Slam champions Bianca Andreescu (#8) and Petra Kvitova (#9). Continue reading
Australian Open 2021: Andy Murray withdraws, unresolved issues after positive COVID-19 test
Despite efforts to find a resolution after news of his positive COVID-19 test broke last week, three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has confirmed he will not be taking part in next month’s Australian Open after all – having been granted a wildcard to feature just last month. Continue reading
Lucas Pouille discusses recovery after elbow surgery, comeback plans for 2021
Lucas Pouille, a former world number 10, underwent season-ending surgery in 2019 and had an elbow operation last summer too during the COVID-enforced tennis shutdown – but has now revealed the extent of his injuries as he’s keen to adopt a gradual approach to this latest comeback, not applying much pressure or heightened expectations for himself going forward. Continue reading
Despite clay struggles, Janko Tipsarevic tips Medvedev for future world no.1 and Slam titles
Former world number 8 Janko Tipsarevic has praised last year’s ATP Finals champion, calling him a future Major champion and world no.1 – despite having reservations over the Russian’s ability to dominate on all surfaces, given his inconsistent results on clay. The 24-year-old is set to return at next month’s Australian Open, where he’s lost in round four the last two seasons. Continue reading
