Tennis

Australian Open 2023: After an incredible year, Barty’s backing for Tomljanovic speaks volumes

Australia's Ashleigh Barty embraces Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic after winning their women's quarter-final tennis match on the eighth day of the 2021...

Earlier this week, quotes emerged from the Australian Associated Press – former world no. 1 and three-time Major champion Ashleigh Barty singing the praises of Ajla Tomljanovic, whose steady rise has seen her on the cusp of being seeded for next month’s home Grand Slam. Given the 29-year-old’s previous form and injury struggles, that public vote of confidence when asked whether she can embark on a deep run speaks volumes for Ajla’s progression. Why not? Continue reading “Australian Open 2023: After an incredible year, Barty’s backing for Tomljanovic speaks volumes”

Analysis, feature pieces

Who was Nick Bollettieri? Remembering the Hall of Fame tennis coach, who died aged 91 on Sunday

Tennis: Tournament of Champions, Closeup of Andre Agassi and Nick Bollettieri victorious with champagne after match, New York, NY 1/1/1988--

After daughter Angelique posted a social media update last month, revealing his condtion had worsened and he was “transitioning to the next place,” it has been confirmed the legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri died at home late Sunday. He coached many of the sport’s greats, revolutionised the development of young athletes and was a tennis HOF inductee in 2014. Continue reading “Who was Nick Bollettieri? Remembering the Hall of Fame tennis coach, who died aged 91 on Sunday”

Tennis

US Open 2022: Big results unfold on Day 4-5; Tomljanovic ends Serena’s surge in three-set battle

S Serena Williams waves to the audience after losing against Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic during their 2022 US Open Tennis tournament women's singles...

Wimbledon quarterfinalist Ajla Tomljanovic held her nerve and a second-set fightback to silence the crowd and outlast 23-time Major champion Serena Williams in a gruelling battle lasting over three hours, ending the legend’s iconic singles career this weekend. Elsewhere, there was contrasting disappointment for Andy Murray and Jack Draper… Read on for more. Continue reading “US Open 2022: Big results unfold on Day 4-5; Tomljanovic ends Serena’s surge in three-set battle”

Tennis

US Open 2022: Serena ousts Kontaveit in three sets, Draper downs Auger-Aliassime and more on Day 3

Serena Williams of the United States celebrates after defeating Anett Kontaveit of Estonia in their Women's Singles Second Round match on Day Three...

After beating Danka Kovinic on Monday night, retiring legend Serena Williams showed she’s still got a little left in the tank after overcoming a stunning set two fightback to outlast world no. 2 Anett Kontaveit 7-6, 2-6, 6-2. Hours later, 20-year-old Brit Jack Draper completed an impressive straight-sets win over last year’s semifinalist Felix Auger-Aliassime [6] on a busy third evening. Continue reading “US Open 2022: Serena ousts Kontaveit in three sets, Draper downs Auger-Aliassime and more on Day 3”

Tennis

US Open 2022: Tsitsipas and Halep among seeds to fall, Serena wins as celebration begins on Day 1

Serena Williams of the United States celebrates after defeating Danka Kovinic of Montenegro during the Women's Singles First Round on Day One of the...

Serena Williams’ last US Open campaign got underway with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-3 win over Danka Kovinic, before a celebratory ceremony for the 23-time Major champion as her illustrious career enters its final days. Casper Ruud and defending titlist Daniil Medvedev eased through in the day session, while Simona Halep and Stefanos Tsitsipas were among the Day 1 casualties… Continue reading “US Open 2022: Tsitsipas and Halep among seeds to fall, Serena wins as celebration begins on Day 1”

Tennis

US Open 2022: Nadal, Raducanu and more in round-up, draw analysis as year’s final Major upon us

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece warms up at Arthur Ash Stadium as preparation for the 2022 U.S. Open on August 24, 2022 in New York.

With this year’s final Major tennis tournament set to start on Monday in New York, here’s a round-up of news related to the big occasion that awaits at Flushing Meadows – from player withdrawals, injury scares, making marginal improvements and draw analysis on both tours.
Continue reading “US Open 2022: Nadal, Raducanu and more in round-up, draw analysis as year’s final Major upon us”

Tennis

Cincinnati Open: Pegula outwits Raducanu in competitive contest, Garcia awaits in quarter-finals

Jessica Pegula of the United States celebrates a point against Emma Raducanu of Great Britain during their match on day six of the Western & Southern...

Emma Raducanu’s memorable week at this year’s Cincinnati Open was ended in the early hours, as American no. 1 Jessica Pegula showcased her aggressive ball-striking, variety and defensive abilities to leave the US Open champion tactically unstuck – winning 7-5, 6-4. She’ll play an in-form Caroline Garcia on Friday, looking to make successive WTA 1000 semi-finals. Continue reading “Cincinnati Open: Pegula outwits Raducanu in competitive contest, Garcia awaits in quarter-finals”

Tennis

Cincinnati Open: Pegula next in R3 for Raducanu, after cruising past error-strewn Azarenka

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates winning a point against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during her second round match on Day 5 of the Western...

Less than 24 hours after putting a comfortable victory over departing legend Serena Williams on her ever-growing CV, US Open champion Emma Raducanu added another legend to her resume with a 6-0, 6-2 Cincinnati win over two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka. Continue reading “Cincinnati Open: Pegula next in R3 for Raducanu, after cruising past error-strewn Azarenka”

Tennis

Cincinnati Open: Raducanu dismisses patchy Serena showing in straight-sets on Cincy debut

Serena Williams congratulates Emma Raducanu of Great Britain after their match during the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on...

US Open champion Emma Raducanu started fast and drew errors aplenty (19-1) from a sluggish Serena Williams display on her Cincinnati debut tonight, as the 19-year-old kept composed, as the 19-year-old kept composed in their first and only competitive meeting. Next she’ll play another legend she grew up watching: two-time Major champion Victoria Azarenka. Continue reading “Cincinnati Open: Raducanu dismisses patchy Serena showing in straight-sets on Cincy debut”

Tennis

Serena’s swansong: 23-time Major champion confirms imminent retirement in Vogue magazine

Serena Williams of the United States in action against Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain in her first round match on Day 3 of the National Bank Open, part...

In an interview with Vogue magazine, 23-time Major winner Serena Williams revealed she’s winding down her career, with the US Open likely to be her final farewell this month. She cited a desire to grow her family – five-year-old daughter Olympia wanting siblings – as a big factor in her decision. Although this news has felt a long time coming, it’s still a seismic one nonetheless. Continue reading “Serena’s swansong: 23-time Major champion confirms imminent retirement in Vogue magazine”

Tennis

US Open 2022: Djokovic sidelined by vaccination status, Serena set to return in August

Novak Djokovic celebrates with the Wimbledon trophy during the welcoming ceremony in front of Belgrade City Hall on July 11, 2022 in Belgrade, Serbia.

Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic won’t play another Major match until early 2023, after the US Open confirmed they would respect the country’s government stance on allowing non-citizens to only be allowed entry if they are full vaccinated. Elsewhere, 23-time Slam winner Serena Williams will make her return on home soil for the first time in two years next month. Continue reading “US Open 2022: Djokovic sidelined by vaccination status, Serena set to return in August”

Tennis

Wimbledon 2022 – Day 2: Nervy finishes as Nadal, Gauff pushed then Tan-Williams steals the show

Harmony Tan of France celebrates after defeating Serena Williams of the United States in the first round of the Wimbledon tennis tournament in London...

France’s Harmony Tan stole set one and rallied from 4-0 down in the decider to beat seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams 10-7 during a rollercoaster tiebreak, finishing day two with another in a host of surprise results as the competition at SW19 intensifies. Elsewhere, Iga Swiatek’s winning streak extended to 36 while Rafael Nadal and Coco Gauff were challenged. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2022 – Day 2: Nervy finishes as Nadal, Gauff pushed then Tan-Williams steals the show”