Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
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”
After surprising many to reach the Stuttgart final back in mid-June, more injuries proved Andy Murray’s bane as the former world no. 1 struggled for consistency before eventually finishing his season with a frustrating loss by the departing Gilles Simon at the Paris Masters on October 31. He’s fully focused for 2023 and amid fitness concerns, is targeting a more active schedule.
Continue reading “After returning to world’s top 50 and with wife’s blessing, Andy Murray plots busy 2023 schedule”
It’s easy to declare post-match that you’ll learn lessons from a loss, especially a humbling one during the notoriously short grass court season, but 20-year-old Jack Draper’s case feels slightly different than most. Considering Wimbledon’s just around the corner, here’s why… Continue reading “Jack Draper: Ruusuvouri defeat will help me learn lessons, with SW19 returning this month”
The 25-year-old, who reached a new career-high world ranking #2 this week, will be sidelined for several months after undergoing surgery on the multiple torn ligaments in his right foot – sustained during his French Open semi-final vs. eventual champion Rafael Nadal last Friday. Continue reading “Alexander Zverev undergoes surgery on torn ligaments after French Open semi-final fall”
Having announced her retirement on Dec. 1, Britain’s Johanna Konta – a three-time Major semi-finalist and former world no. 4 – was plagued by troublesome injuries and some streaky form, underselling the country’s greatest hope in the women’s game across the last decade and more. Here, I look back as the 30-year-old waved goodbye quietly before the new year. Continue reading “Johanna Konta’s retirement: Injuries don’t cloud her legacy as Britain’s tireless hope”
After being blasted out of Wimbledon by Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on July 7, Roger Federer underwent another round of knee surgery and stressed he wouldn’t rush a return in 2022 – which was one of the topics his coach Ivan Ljubicic has expanded on, during a recent interview. Continue reading “Roger Federer update: Swiss legend’s coach Ivan Ljubicic talks recovery and retirement”
World no. 1 Ashleigh Barty is exhausted and needs a long rest after more than six months playing away from home, according to her coach Craig Tyzzer. He also criticised the decision to move this year’s WTA Finals to Guadalajara while hinting the Wimbledon champion may skip that event, scheduled in early November, to avoid quarantine restrictions upon going home.
Continue reading “Ashleigh Barty is exhausted and needs extended rest, per coach Craig Tyzzer”
The list of high-profile withdrawals ahead of the year’s final Grand Slam continues, with Venus and younger sister Serena Williams revealing they won’t feature at Flushing Meadows. After news of Roger Federer (knee) and Rafael Nadal (foot) shutting down their 2021 seasons in the last fortnight, this will be the first Slam tournament without the latter trio playing since 1997. Continue reading “US Open 2021: Williams sisters withdraw with injuries, Kenin out with COVID”
Handed another wildcard entry, Emma Raducanu has officially broken into the world’s top-150 after an impressive run to the WTA Chicago 125k Final over the weekend. She lost in three sets against fellow teenager Clara Tauson but while now preparing for US Open qualifiers later this week, former world number one Murray provided a glowing assessment of her future potential. Continue reading “Raducanu finishes runner-up in WTA Chicago; Murray hails her future potential”
British teenage wildcard Jack Draper, who beat Jannik Sinner and Alexander Bublik at Queen’s last week, faces defending champion Novak Djokovic on Centre Court – one in a handful of intriguing first-round encounters. French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas faces a tough test in America’s Frances Tiafoe, while Andy Murray vs. Nikoloz Basilashvili has potential to be good…
Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Draw revealed, featured first-round matches to watch out for”
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 “Wimbledon 2021: Contrasting reasons see Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka withdraw”
With this year’s Championships less than a fortnight away now, the grasscourt season is already underway – former singles champions Andy Murray (#124) and Venus Williams (#112) have been granted wildcard entries into the main draw, which kicks off on June 28 at SW19. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2021: Venus Williams, Andy Murray granted tournament wildcards”
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