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
Tag: Rafael Nadal
French Open 2021: Djokovic recovers to overwhelm Tsitsipas in five-set epic final
Having dethroned reigning champion Rafael Nadal during an unforgettable semi-final battle on Friday night, Novak Djokovic remarkably managed to recover from two sets down, leaving first-time finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas (#5) heartbroken – while securing his 19th Major title.
French Open 2021: Djokovic’s defiant defence helps him roar past Berrettini
World number one and last year’s beaten finalist Novak Djokovic won 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 against Matteo Berrettini overnight, booking yet another Grand Slam semi-final – second to only Roger Federer in the all-time ranks (50). However, it wasn’t without a few dicey moments late on…
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French Open 2021: Djokovic, Federer and defending champion Nadal in same half
Play starts Sunday, and it won’t be an easy run into the deep stages for any of the Big Three – as they all look to improve upon their respective Grand Slam singles title tallies.
Don’t compare exciting teen Carlos Alcaraz to Rafael Nadal, warns Juan Carlos Ferrero
Former world no. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero – winner at the 2003 French Open – has cautioned critics quick to apply pressure on Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz as Rafael Nadal’s successor long-term – instead saying more gradual progression is important for him to have a fruitful career.
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Consistency is key: Felix Auger-Aliassime discusses coach link-up with Toni Nadal
When it was announced last month, there was plenty of surprise surrounding the appointment. However, world #20 Felix Auger-Aliassime has revealed what he hopes to learn going forward from an intriguing link-up with Rafael Nadal’s uncle Toni – with building consistency the key.
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Alexander Zverev: Jannik Sinner should be a top-10 player soon
A semi-finalist at the Barcelona Open last week, armed with a new career-high #18 next to his name on Monday, Italian teenager Jannik Sinner – progressing fast – is destined to finally crack the top-10 sooner rather than later per US Open finalist Alexander Zverev’s recent comments.
Monte Carlo 2021: Stefanos Tsitsipas tames in-form Dan Evans in straight sets
Stefanos Tsitsipas (#4) will play Andrey Rublev (#6) or rising Norwegian Casper Ruud in his third Masters 1000 Final tomorrow and hopes the number three proves lucky, after needing just 68 minutes to end Dan Evans’ red-hot tournament in Monte Carlo – with an impressive 6-2, 6-1 win.
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Monte Carlo 2021: Daniil Medvedev withdraws after positive COVID-19 test
Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev (#2) won’t have the opportunity to improve upon his 2019 result – a semi-final finish in Monaco – after withdrawing from the Masters 1000 tournament, after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier today. Lucky loser Juan Ignacio Londero takes his place, and will play Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic for a place in round three tomorrow. Continue reading
Juan Martin del Potro to undergo fourth knee surgery, targeting Tokyo Olympics
2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro is undergoing another operation on his right knee today – the fourth of an injury-disrupted career – but the talented Argentine remains hopeful that he’ll be fit to return at the Tokyo Olympics this summer, with a gold medal in sight. Continue reading
Australian Open 2021: Medvedev ruthlessly crushes Tsitsipas, into second Slam final
Daniil Medvedev (#4) produced some exquisite shot-making and was relentless to subdue a partisan crowd at the Rod Laver Arena, surviving a late third set wobble to win 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 against Stefanos Tsitsipas (#5) – booking his place in Sunday’s final against defending champion Novak Djokovic, extending his win streak to 20 tour matches in just over two hours.
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Australian Open 2021: Barty knocked out, Tsitsipas’ resiliency helps him topple Nadal
World number one Ashleigh Barty was stunned in three sets against Karolina Muchova (#25), second seed Rafael Nadal relinquished a two-set advantage as Stefanos Tsitsipas (#5) ended his tournament after a gruelling four-hour battle, while there were big wins for Daniil Medvedev (#4) and Jennifer Brady (#22) elsewhere on another unpredictable day of tennis in Melbourne.
