Tennis

Indian Wells: Rybakina pips Sabalenka to title, before Alcaraz ends Medvedev’s 19-match win streak

They say revenge is a dish best served cold and it certainly was for this year’s Indian Wells champions: Elena Rybakina bested Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in straight-sets, before Carlos Alcaraz ended Daniil Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak with aplomb in the men’s final. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Rybakina pips Sabalenka to title, before Alcaraz ends Medvedev’s 19-match win streak”

Tennis

Plenty to ponder for both after Medvedev outsmarts Murray to clinch Qatar Open title

Daniil Medvedev of Russia poses with the trophy after winning the ATP Qatar Exxonmobil Open tennis tournament 2023 against Andy Murray of Great...

2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev started assertively and produced more on the big points against a determined Andy Murray display, in an entertaining battle of former world no. 1 players. Having built up confidence and momentum with consecutive ATP titles after Rotterdam last weekend, can the Russian go on to break his hoodoo at the upcoming ATP 1000 events? Continue reading “Plenty to ponder for both after Medvedev outsmarts Murray to clinch Qatar Open title”

Tennis

Qatar Open: After Sonego scalp, Murray produces another nailbiting three-set win against Zverev

Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates after winning against Alexander Zverev of Germany in their Men's Singles match on day three of the Qatar...

If only he could get the job done in straight-sets. Andy Murray doesn’t do things the easy way, but that makes his tennis more pulsating – win or lose – as the former world no. 1 was clutch again: rallying from 5-4 down in the deciding set to beat Olympic champion Alexander Zverev, earning a Qatar Open quarterfinal where he’ll play French qualifier Alexandre Muller tomorrow. Continue reading “Qatar Open: After Sonego scalp, Murray produces another nailbiting three-set win against Zverev”

Tennis

Coco Gauff’s coach, Diego Moyano, on how having a teenage daughter helps him relate to rising star

Coco Gauff of United States during Quarterfinal match against Veronika Kudermetova of Russia at the WTA Qatar TotalEnergies Open tennis tournament at...

“My daughter helps me to understand Coco, they both have a lot of things similar – the way that they deal with the social media… to be the best player you can be, need to be a well-rounded person and have knowledge of what surrounds you,” the 47-year-old recently said. Gauff, who turns 19 next month, has certainly benefited from their partnership. Long may it continue? Continue reading “Coco Gauff’s coach, Diego Moyano, on how having a teenage daughter helps him relate to rising star”

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Djokovic bests Tsitsipas in straight-sets, seals 22nd Major title and back at world no. 1

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup trophy following his victory against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in the...

Novak Djokovic stressed in the build-up he was ready to go the distance, given both entered the finale in formidable form and what was at stake for the winner. Instead, he needed just shy of three hours, increasing his level in two tiebreak sets, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in this year’s Australian Open final – meaning he’ll return to world no. 1 – after clinching a record-extending tenth Major in Melbourne, moving level with long-time rival Rafael Nadal on 22 overall. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Djokovic bests Tsitsipas in straight-sets, seals 22nd Major title and back at world no. 1”

Tennis

United Cup: Ruud, Otte and Hurkacz win while Badosa outlasts Dart in three-hour tussle

Paula Badosa of Spain celebrates winning match point in the Group D match against Harriet Dart of Great Britain during day four of the 2023 United...

Casper Ruud earned a solitary win for Norway while Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz finished with a flourish. Paula Badosa didn’t have it all her own way, spluttering a whopping 12 double-faults before suffering with cramp, yet eventually recovered from the brink to overpower Britain’s Harriet Dart in an exhausting three-hour encounter to keep Spain’s qualification hopes alive. Continue reading “United Cup: Ruud, Otte and Hurkacz win while Badosa outlasts Dart in three-hour tussle”

Tennis

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini to use United Cup as confidence boost for long Grand Slam run

Matteo Berrettini of Italy during day one of the Diriyah Tennis Cup Riyadh 2022 on December 08, 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

After surpassing his previous best, earning a semi-final finish at this year’s Australian Open, 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini has spoken about how he plans to utilise the upcoming United Cup as an opportunity to build towards an even better run in mid-January at Melbourne Park – where his deficiencies were laid bare by Rafael Nadal 11 months ago.
Continue reading “Australian Open 2023: Berrettini to use United Cup as confidence boost for long Grand Slam run”

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”

Tennis

Emma Raducanu proud of her resilience during arduous year, hopes for more injury-free 2023

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain during practice ahead of the Agel Open at Ostravar Arena on October 02, 2022 in Ostrava, Czech Republic

After a rollercoaster first full year on the WTA tour where she finished with a 17-19 singles record this season, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu attracts attention aplenty. The 20-year-old spoke of her pride at being resilient this year but stressed the biggest goal for the upcoming campaign is to stay injury-free and hold up physically with consistency – easier said than done. Continue reading “Emma Raducanu proud of her resilience during arduous year, hopes for more injury-free 2023”

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

Australian Open 2023: Zverev, Norrie eager to ramp up their preparations in Saudi Arabia event

Zverev Alexander tennis player during the 2022/2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 10 match between AS Monaco and FC Bayern Munich...

Olympic champion Alexander Zverev’s long-awaited comeback from ankle surgery, after an unexpected setback, is less than a fortnight away now. He’s looking forward to returning against a competitive field for Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Tennis Cup, which includes 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and Cameron Norrie, hoping the three-day event serves him well as the British no. 1 looks to banish his historical Australian Open struggles come early 2023. Continue reading “Australian Open 2023: Zverev, Norrie eager to ramp up their preparations in Saudi Arabia event”

Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz aware a difficult 2023 season awaits him with newfound favourite tag

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain Carlos Alcaraz of Spain receives the trophy as best ATP player of 2022 during day four of the Nitto ATP Finals at Pala...

There’s going to be a lot of pressure and expectation on Carlos Alcaraz’s shoulders in the new year, something the Spanish teenager is aware of, but how will he handle it after his meteoric rise continued with two Masters 1000 titles and the US Open crown in an unforgettable 2022? Continue reading “Carlos Alcaraz aware a difficult 2023 season awaits him with newfound favourite tag”