Tennis

Wimbledon residents double down on resistance to proposed expansion plans

An aerial photograph taken on October 14, 2024 show a general view of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and of the Wimbledon Park Golf Course in...

Three months removed from controversial expansion plans being appoved for Wimbledon, the local residents’ group fighting it – which includes adding one stadium court and 38 further courts to the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) grounds – has this past week begun legal action challenging the validity of Sadiq Khan’s decision granting planning permission for their redevelopment. Continue reading “Wimbledon residents double down on resistance to proposed expansion plans”

Tennis

Hope for Hubi? Hurkacz unveils new coaching team – Lendl and Massu for 2025

Hubert Hurkacz of Poland looks on against Jordan Thompson of Australia during their Men's Singles Second Round match on Day Four of the 2024 US Open...

Eager for a long-awaited change in fortunes among the elite, Australian Open quarterfinalist Hubert Hurkacz announced he’d be adding eight-time Major champion Ivan Lendl and Olympic gold medallist Nicolas Massu to his coaching team for 2025. Following another second-round exit at Flushing Meadows in August, he parted ways with Craig Boynton after their five-year partnership. Continue reading “Hope for Hubi? Hurkacz unveils new coaching team – Lendl and Massu for 2025”

Tennis

Djokovic defiant once more, but is he biting off more than he can chew?

Novak Djokovic of Serbia jokes with the fans part of a farewell game at Mary Teran Weiss Stadium on December 1, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Juan...

After an underwhelming campaign by his exceedingly high standards, 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic declared a readiness to challenge the world’s top two players in Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at Grand Slams again as the scene of his most successful event returns centre-stage in Melbourne next month. At 37 though, is now too late for another late career renaissance? Continue reading “Djokovic defiant once more, but is he biting off more than he can chew?”

Tennis

Murray excited, grateful before unique coaching role with former rival Djokovic

Novak Djokovic of Serbia speaks with Andy Murray of Great Britain after practice prior to The Championships Wimbledon 2024 at All England Lawn Tennis...

After 36 matches between them at the pro level and a friendly familiarity spanning more than 20 years dating back to their days as aspiring teenagers, 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic revealed a surprise update before 2025: hiring former rival and recently retired Andy Murray as his new coach – starting at the Australian Open, a Grand Slam he’s won a record 10 times. Continue reading “Murray excited, grateful before unique coaching role with former rival Djokovic”

Tennis

Olympics: Djokovic clinches elusive gold medal after epic straight-sets Alcaraz win

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts to beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in their men's singles final tennis match on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the...

Three weeks after being outplayed in the Wimbledon final, 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic avenged his disappointment with aplomb, producing an inspired display to skilfully outfox Carlos Alcaraz after two thrilling sets of tennis lasting just under three hours as the 37-year-old ended his career-long pursuit of Olympic gold for Serbia while making more individual history. Continue reading “Olympics: Djokovic clinches elusive gold medal after epic straight-sets Alcaraz win”

Tennis

Paris Olympics: Sinner withdraws with tonsillitis, Rune’s wrist forces him out too

Italy's Jannik Sinner leaves the court after losing against Russia's Daniil Medvedev during their men's singles quarter-final tennis match on the...

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”

Tennis

Alcaraz asserts himself in straight-sets Djokovic win during Wimbledon final rematch – but why was this so different?

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain lifts the Gentlemen's Singles Trophy following victory against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the Gentlemen's Singles Final...

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?”

Tennis

Wimbledon 2024: Paolini vs. Krejcikova in Saturday’s final after comeback victories

Jasmine Paolini celebrates winning her match against Donna Vekic on day eleven of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and...

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”

Tennis

Wimbledon 2024: Sun slices and sinks Raducanu in three, Sinner-Medvedev set

Lulu Sun of New Zealand celebrates during her match against Emma Raducanu of Great Britain in the fourth round of the ladies singles during day seven...

On a day where defending champion Carlos Alcaraz fended off another tricky challenge in France’s Ugo Humbert to secure his seventh consecutive Major quarter-final berth, five maiden Wimbledon quarterfinalists were confirmed – headlined by New Zealand-Swiss qualifier Lulu Sun after an aggressive approach paid dividends to stun Emma Raducanu in their round four matchup.
Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Sun slices and sinks Raducanu in three, Sinner-Medvedev set”

Tennis

Wimbledon 2024: Alcaraz survives Tiafoe scare as Raducanu sweeps Sakkari aside

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates during his Gentlemen's Singles Third Round match against Frances Tiafoe during day five of The Championships Wimbledon 2024...

Carlos Alcaraz had a serious scare in a five-set duel but emerged with his confidence renewed after some inspired play to overwhelm Frances Tiafoe in their thrilling third-round contest, before home hopeful Emma Raducanu notched another top-10 win as she outplayed Maria Sakkari on Centre Court. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Alcaraz survives Tiafoe scare as Raducanu sweeps Sakkari aside”

Tennis

Wimbledon 2024: Fearnley’s firepower a welcome sign despite Djokovic loss in four

Jacob Fearnley of Great Britain acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the court following defeat against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in his Gentlemen's...

Jacob Fearnley’s main experience at SW19 came six years ago, as a practice partner for then-defending champion Roger Federer. Ranked outside the world’s top 500 in early June, the 22-year-old – fresh out of US college like many other rising Brits – seized this wildcard with both hands, pushing seven-time champion Novak Djokovic during what proved a competitive R2 four-set defeat. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Fearnley’s firepower a welcome sign despite Djokovic loss in four”

Tennis

Wimbledon 2024: Djokovic pleased after Kopriva win on return from knee surgery

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates during Day 2 of the 2024 Wimbledon at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2024 in London, England.

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”