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Although fans were hopeful of a final US Open appearance when his name featured on the entry list earlier this summer, 22-time Major champion Rafael Nadal today announced his withdrawal from the final Grand Slam tournament of 2024, with many fearing a retirement announcement is forthcoming. Continue reading “US Open 2024: Nadal confirms he’s not 100%, will not feature at year’s final Major”
The world number one regretfully will miss this summer’s Olympic Games after listening to doctors’ orders advising him against travelling for the quadrennial event with tonsillitis, following reports in Italian media suggesting he’d travel later in the week before round one of singles begins on clay this weekend. Continue reading “Paris Olympics: Sinner withdraws with tonsillitis, Rune’s wrist forces him out too”
Back on Sunday afternoon, Carlos Alcaraz successfully defended his title at SW19 and joined rarefied air as the sixth player to complete the Channel Slam – clinching both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon titles in the same season – as the Spaniard started fast, served well and finished assertively against a less-than-100% Novak Djokovic during their final rematch. How did he do it this time? Continue reading “Alcaraz asserts himself in straight-sets Djokovic win during Wimbledon final rematch – but why was this so different?”
Jasmine Paolini recovered from a set down against Donna Vekic on semifinal Thursday, becoming the first French Open and Wimbledon ladies’ finalist in the same year since Serena Williams’ historic 2016 campaign. Barbora Krejcikova’s fighting spirit saw her oust 2022 champion Elena Rybakina later – an eighth different singles champion in the last eight editions will be sealed on Saturday. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Paolini vs. Krejcikova in Saturday’s final after comeback victories”
27 days after surgery on a torn meniscus, seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic returned to competitive action with a straight-sets win over Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva – kicking off another title charge at SW19, having come agonisingly close to making more history last season. Given the tournament’s flurry of injury withdrawals, he’ll be glad not to be among them. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Djokovic pleased after Kopriva win on return from knee surgery”
After being dismantled by longtime tormentor Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open quarters, Stefanos Tsitsipas returns to grass in Halle this week after a public split from physical trainer Christos Fiotakis where the highly-rated fitness coach went public with criticism on the 25-year-old’s ambitions and how they don’t match his work ethic. That assertion has been levelled at him before…
Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a puzzling third set collapse, one set away from a painful defeat. The 21-year-old composed himself once more and produced expert shot-making painting the lines in clutch moments to eventually outlast Olympic gold medallist Alexander Zverev in a four-hour battle of attrition between two first-time French Open finalists.
Continue reading “Alcaraz beats nerves and Zverev in five-set rollercoaster for maiden French Open title”
First-time finalist Jasmine Paolini was aggressive in threatening an early scare, breaking Iga Swiatek to lead 2-1 as the Pole sprayed some uncharacteristic errors. Yet she responded precisely as you’d expect the world no. 1 to on her favourite surface: 10 straight games banked en route to another straight-sets French Open final victory – three straight titles in Paris and fifth Major overall.
Continue reading “Iga imperious to sweep another French Open title vs. first-time finalist Paolini”
Continue reading “Theatre closed indefinitely as Djokovic undergoes surgery after Cerundolo win”
Novak Djokovic was trailing and in trouble against Lorenzo Musetti as a shock result looked likely in the early hours on Sunday. He clicked into gear and produced some inspired tennis under duress, just as the Italian’s level dropped, and now the Serb is into the business end of another Major – where his steely defiance is magnified. A first H2H meeting with Francisco Cerundolo beckons. Continue reading “Cerundolo the next challenge as Djokovic recovers to beat Musetti in five-set thriller”
Iga Swiatek’s title defence hung by a thread last night against Naomi Osaka, who looked back to her ball-striking best at times during a memorable second-round clash between multiple-time Major champions on Philippe Chatrier. Yet the Pole, 23 on Friday, saved a match point and played the long game to perfection as her temperament outlasted the Japanese from 5-2, 30-0 down. Continue reading “Swiatek’s great escape in round two Osaka thriller typifies the top of women’s tennis”
Andy Murray waved goodbye on Sunday and 24 hours later, it was the turn of 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal to begrudgingly do the same on Philippe Chatrier after an entertaining three-hour tussle against Olympic champion Alexander Zverev capturing everyone’s attention – family, fellow pros and the world’s media – as the Spanish legend’s uncertain future continues. Continue reading “French Open 2024: Zverev spoils the party for Nadal, who leaves door open to return”
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