After announcing their controversial decision earlier today, Wimbledon chiefs have been accused of discrimination after banning Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s Championships – direct sanctions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This would mean players such as Daniil Medvedev, Aryna Sabalenka and Andrey Rublev wouldn’t be allowed to compete.
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Tag: Wimbledon 2021
“No perfect time, but this was mine” – Barty discusses shock retirement in press conference
After sending the tennis world into shockwaves late on Tuesday by announcing her immediate retirement from the sport, world number one Ashleigh Barty fielded questions and was content discussing the decision alongside head coach Craig Tyzzer with assembled media reporters in a press conference today – just 53 days after cruising to a historic Australian Open triumph.
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Roger Federer is again out indefinitely, after needing more knee surgery
Having only played 13 matches in 2021 – nine of them in Grand Slams – 20-time Major winner Roger Federer will again be sidelined indefinitely as he follows medical advice by undergoing further knee surgery to ensure long-term comfort on-court and improved health in future. Continue reading
Improving: Bianca Andreescu, Denis Shapovalov confident for different reasons
After struggling for consistency so far this year, 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu (world no. 8) said she’s enjoying herself again under a new coach in Sven Groeneveld, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova. Meanwhile, Canadian compatriot Denis Shapovalov (#10) is excited and itching to continue his momentum after a successful grass court season.
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Tokyo Olympics update: Gauff, Berrettini withdraw with COVID and injury issues
In a field weakened by notable absences including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Simona Halep and Serena Williams, America’s prodigious teenager Coco Gauff and first-time Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini have withdrawn from this year’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics. Gauff tested positive for COVID-19, while Berrettini has been struggling with a lingering thigh injury. Continue reading
Wimbledon 2021: Determined Djokovic eventually ousts Berrettini, secures 20th Slam
It was dicey at times, but world number one Novak Djokovic levelled Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam men’s singles’ titles of all-time with 20 – three consecutive Majors – after recovering from a set down to beat first-time finalist Matteo Berrettini in four sets.
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Wimbledon 2021: Bullish Barty battles past tricky Pliskova, seals second Slam title
World number one Ashleigh Barty was made to work for it, but eventually outlasted Karolina Pliskova (#8) 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 to secure her second Grand Slam title – making history by being the first Australian since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980 to win the Venus Rosewater Dish too.
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Wimbledon 2021: Berrettini into his first Final, plays defending champ Djokovic on Sunday
Sunday will be a big day for Italian sport: the football team play England in the EURO 2020 final, after history-maker Matteo Berrettini (#7) contests his first Grand Slam final against defending champion Novak Djokovic. He earned a four-set win over fellow semi-final debutant Hubert Hurkacz (#14), before the Serb’s gritty three-set thriller to outlast Denis Shapovalov.
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Wimbledon 2021: First-time finalists Barty and Pliskova to collide on Saturday
Saturday afternoon will feature two first-time Wimbledon finalists, as world no. 1 Ashleigh Barty and 2016 US Open runner-up Karolina Pliskova (#8) were victorious in their respective semi-final matches earlier today – against former SW19 titlist Angelique Kerber and Aryna Sabalenka (#2). Continue reading
Wimbledon 2021: Djokovic wins clean, Hurkacz knocks Federer out on wacky Wednesday
There was unmistakable sadness in the air as eight-time champion Roger Federer bowed out of Wimbledon – losing handily in straight-sets vs. Daniil Medvedev’s conqueror Hubert Hurkacz on Centre Court. Novak Djokovic avoided a banana skin against Marton Fucsovics, while there were big wins for Matteo Berrettini and especially Denis Shapovalov as the final four is now set. Continue reading
Wimbledon 2021: Barty-Kerber, Pliskova-Sabalenka semis sealed, Hurkacz stuns Medvedev
Tuesday’s action promised plenty on paper but ultimately wasn’t as entertaining as it could’ve been, though there are three first-time semi-finalists during a day where all four Ladies’ singles quarter-final matchups ended with straight-sets victories for the respective winners. Among them, world no. 1 Ashleigh Barty and Aryna Sabalenka (#2), breaking new ground at SW19. Continue reading
Wimbledon 2021: Raducanu roars on, Kyrgios injured and Federer continues
British wildcard Emma Raducanu’s memorable week continued as she beat Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, while fellow teenager Coco Gauff punched her ticket into week two dropping just six games against Kaja Juvan. Nick Kyrgios (abdominal) retired vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime, before bullish title challenger Roger Federer ended Cam Norrie’s hopes in four sets on Super Saturday. Continue reading