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Paris Masters: Novak Djokovic wins, Daniil Medvedev reacts to boos after loss

Novak Djokovic began his bid for a record-extending seventh Paris Masters title with a fluent display in his first singles match in over six weeks.

Serbia's Djokovic, who had not played since a Davis Cup match on 15 September, won 6-3 6-2 against Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

The 24-time major champion will face Tallon Griekspoor in the last 16.

Third seed Daniil Medvedev appeared to raise his middle finger to the crowd after he lost to Grigor Dimitrov.

Medvedev, 27, reacted to being booed by the French fans having eventually buckled against the Bulgarian, who took his seventh match point to clinch a 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-2) win.

The jeers towards Medvedev started when he flung his racquet in the second set and he refused to continue until the boos stopped, leading to a time violation from umpire Renaud Lichtenstein and a subsequent argument.

Asked about the gesture as he walked off court, the former world number one said: "I just checked my nails, it's nothing more than that. Why would I do that to this beautiful crowd in Paris?"

The Russian's defeat means the two leading seeds behind Djokovic are already out, with Spanish second seed Carlos Alcaraz suffering a shock exit against 45th-ranked Roman Safiullin on Tuesday.

Djokovic, 36, further boosted his chances of finishing above Alcaraz as the year-end number one with his winning return to the tour.

Having not played a tour-level singles match since lifting the US Open title on 10 September, Djokovic looked sharp throughout against world number 31 Etcheverry.

Djokovic, showing his usual precise hitting and athleticism, won three of seven break points and saved the only one he faced.


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Sharp Djokovic wins on Paris return & Medvedev out

Novak Djokovic begins his bid for a record-extending seventh Paris Masters title with a fluent display in his first match in over six weeks.
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WTA Finals: Iga Swiatek thrashes Jessica Pegula in final to take number one rankings spot

Iga Swiatek thrashed Jessica Pegula to win the season-ending WTA Finals and move back to the top of the women's rankings.

The Pole needed to beat the American in the final in Cancun to overtake Aryna Sabalenka as world number one and she did so with a dominant 6-1 6-0 win.

The 22-year-old was in clinical mood as Pegula struggled to find her range in a match lasting just 59 minutes.

It is the first time Swiatek has won the WTA Finals tournament.

She is the youngest champion of the tournament since Petra Kvitova's 2011 win at the age of 21.

"I want to thank my team who have been with me for the whole season," said Swiatek.

"We've had many ups and downs but this is for sure an up, and we'll have many more if we keep working like that."

The final took place a day late on Monday following bad weather at the event but was played out in sunshine at the venue in Cancun, Mexico.

Swiatek was quickly out of the blocks and broke in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead before racing away to claim the first set in 27 minutes.

It was the first set either player had dropped at the event and Pegula, the world number five, lost her serve for a third time in the first game of the second set.

Swiatek was overwhelming her rival and broke to love to go 3-0 up on the way to securing her sixth WTA title of the season.

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Swiatek wins WTA Finals to take number one spot

Iga Swiatek thrashes Jessica Pegula to win the season-ending WTA Finals with a victory that takes her back to the top of the women's rankings.
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Sofia Open: Britain's Billy Harris wins first ATP match aged 28

The road to a first ATP Tour win has been long and arduous for Billy Harris.

After spending a few years at the start of his professional career driving to tournaments around Europe in a Ford Transit van, the 28-year-old from the Isle of Man has finally reached his planned destination.

On Tuesday, he secured a 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-5) win against Switzerland's Marc-Andrea Huesler at the Sofia Open.

Two months short of his 29th birthday, and almost 10 years after his professional debut, Harris's perseverance has paid off.


BBC
 
Sofia Open: Jack Draper cruises into semi-finals with straight-set win over Cem Ilkel

Britain's Jack Draper continued his good run of form with victory in the quarter-finals of the Sofia Open.

The 21-year-old world number 81 swept past Turkey's Cem Ilkel, ranked 259, 6-2 6-2.

Draper, who won last week's ATP Challenger Tour event in Bergamo, Italy, defeated Italian top seed Lorenzo Musetti in the last 16 on Wednesday.

He will face third seed Jan-Lennard Struff from Germany in the last four.

Victory in his seventh tour-level quarter-final took Draper through to the third ATP Tour semi-final of his career.


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ATP Finals 2023 Groups:

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Sofia Open 2023 results: Jack Draper into first ATP Tour final

Britain's Jack Draper reached his first ATP Tour final by beating Jan-Lennard Struff at the Sofia Open and extending his winning streak to nine matches.

The 21-year-old, who won last week's ATP Challenger Tour event in Bergamo, Italy, won 6-3 6-4 against the German.

Draper will face French second seed Adrian Mannarino in Saturday's final in Bulgaria.

He is the youngest British man to reach a tour final since Andy Murray, at the same age, in Miami 14 years ago.



BBC
 
Cricket Warrior said:
Sofia Open 2023 results: Jack Draper into first ATP Tour final

Britain's Jack Draper reached his first ATP Tour final by beating Jan-Lennard Struff at the Sofia Open and extending his winning streak to nine matches.

The 21-year-old, who won last week's ATP Challenger Tour event in Bergamo, Italy, won 6-3 6-4 against the German.

Draper will face French second seed Adrian Mannarino in Saturday's final in Bulgaria.

He is the youngest British man to reach a tour final since Andy Murray, at the same age, in Miami 14 years ago.



BBC
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This guy is cruising to be one of the greats of the game.
 
Sofia Open 2023: Jack Draper loses to Adrian Mannarino in final

Britain's Jack Draper missed out on a first ATP Tour title when he lost in three sets to French second seed Adrian Mannarino in the Sofia Open final.

It brought to an end a nine-match winning streak for the 21-year-old Briton, who was beaten 7-6 (8-6) 2-6 6-3 in the Bulgarian capital.

Draper had been seeking to add to the title he won last week at a second-tier Challenger event in Bergamo, Italy.

But the experienced Mannarino, 35, held firm to win his fifth tour title.

Draper is the youngest British man to reach a tour final since Andy Murray, at the same age, in Miami in 2009.



BBC
 
Cricket Warrior said:
Sofia Open 2023: Jack Draper loses to Adrian Mannarino in final

Britain's Jack Draper missed out on a first ATP Tour title when he lost in three sets to French second seed Adrian Mannarino in the Sofia Open final.

It brought to an end a nine-match winning streak for the 21-year-old Briton, who was beaten 7-6 (8-6) 2-6 6-3 in the Bulgarian capital.

Draper had been seeking to add to the title he won last week at a second-tier Challenger event in Bergamo, Italy.

But the experienced Mannarino, 35, held firm to win his fifth tour title.

Draper is the youngest British man to reach a tour final since Andy Murray, at the same age, in Miami in 2009.



BBC
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Despite being unlucky, this young lad Draper fought like a champion throughout the tournament.

A good career ahead for this little champ!
 
ATP Finals 2023 results: Jannik Sinner beats Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets before Novak Djokovic plays

Home favourite Jannik Sinner beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets on the first day of the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.

Fourth seed Sinner put in a dominant performance to win 6-4 6-4, sealing victory with his ninth ace.

Greece's Tsitsipas, the 2019 champion, struggled to match his opponent and did not force a single break point.

"I was excited to step on court and opening the Finals is really, really special," Sinner, 22, said.

"I knew it was going to be very tough but I think I handled the situation well. I tried to stay aggressive and I am very happy with the performance.

"I am happy to start off with a win and hopefully I can continue with this intensity."

It is the first time Sinner has qualified for the ATP Finals on merit, having replaced Matteo Berrettini in the line-up for the 2021 edition after his compatriot withdrew through injury.



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Sinner beats Tsitsipas in ATP Finals opener

Home favourite Jannik Sinner beats Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 6-4 on the first day of the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.
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ATP Finals 2023 results: Carlos Alcaraz loses to Alexander Zverev on tournament debut

Carlos Alcaraz suffered defeat on his ATP Finals debut as Alexander Zverev fought back to win in Turin, Italy.

Wimbledon champion Alcaraz lost 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-4 to Germany's Zverev, who won the event in 2018 and 2021.

It is the first time the 20-year-old Spaniard has lost three matches in a row since March 2021, when he was ranked outside the world's top 100.

World number two Alcaraz qualified for the tournament last year but withdrew with an abdominal injury.

Alcaraz had won his past two meetings with Zverev this year but struggled for consistency on the indoor hard court.

He trailed 3-1 in the opener before breaking back and staved off four break points in his next service game to lead Zverev for the first time.

Zverev himself saved two set points to force a tie-break, but Alcaraz found some semblance of rhythm to clinch the opener.

However, seventh seed Zverev responded instantly, breaking Alcaraz at the first opportunity as he forced a deciding set.

Zverev played the big points better throughout, saving five of six break points and hitting 16 aces before sealing victory with a service winner.

"It's nice to beat the best players in the world, and he's definitely one of them," Zverev said.

"It's special to win on this court again."

Russia's Daniil Medvedev plays compatriot Andrey Rublev later in the Red Group.

The ATP Finals features eight of the year's best men's players split into two groups of four, with the top two qualifying for the semi-finals.

Novak Djokovic is the defending champion and secured the year-end number one status with victory over Holger Rune on Sunday.


BBC
 
ATP Finals: Stefanos Tsitsipas withdraws from event after retiring injured against Holger Rune

Stefanos Tsitsipas has withdrawn from the ATP Finals after retiring with injury against Denmark's Holger Rune on Tuesday.

Tsitsipas, 25, trailed 2-1 in his Green Group match and after consulting with a doctor at the changeover pulled out.

The Greek world number six appeared to be troubled by a back problem and left the court to a few jeers from the crowd inside Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy.

"It kills me not to be able to finish this tournament," Tsitsipas said.

"I'm really gutted that I wasn't able to finish the match. It's a shame also not to give that spot to someone else to at least try and do something with it.

"Unfortunately, I felt terrible on the court. I did what I could do in the best possible way to be ready and fit for this match, but it didn't work out for me."

His withdrawal from the tournament means number one alternate Hubert Hurkacz will replace him for his final match against Novak Djokovic.

"For sure it was very unfortunate," 20-year-old Rune said. "Even in the first service game you could see he wasn't serving anywhere near full like he can, I knew something was off."

Djokovic is now able to book his spot in the last four with a win over Jannik Sinner later on Tuesday.


BBC
 
Jannik Sinner claimed his first ever victory against Novak Djokovic as the Italian beat the world number one at the ATP Finals in Turin.

Sinner, 22, won a third-set tie-break to secure the group match 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-2) in three hours and nine minutes.

It was 36-year-old Djokovic's first defeat since the Wimbledon men's final in July.
 
Carlos Alcaraz kept alive his semi-final hopes in his maiden ATP Finals campaign with a win over Andrey Rublev in which the Russian hit himself so hard with his racquet he drew blood.

Wimbledon champion Alcaraz had lost to Alexander Zverev in his Red Group opener but the Spaniard returned to beat Rublev 7-5 6-2 in Turin, Italy.

It was a second defeat for Rublev, who lost to Daniil Medvedev on Monday, and means he cannot reach the last four.

Zverev faces Medvedev later in the day.

Wednesday's action at the prestigious event also features a doubles encounter between two Britons, with Joe Salisbury and American Rajeev Ram - the defending champions - taking on Neal Skupski and Dutchman Wesley Koolhof (17:30 GMT).

BBC
 
ATP Finals: Carlos Alcaraz beats Daniil Medvedev to set up semi-final with Novak Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev to top his ATP Finals group and set up a semi-final meeting with Novak Djokovic.

Wimbledon champion Alcaraz won 6-4 6-4 against the Russian, who had already qualified for the last four of the season-ending event in Turin.

"Obviously Novak is Novak, he's the best player in the world right now," said the Spaniard on facing Djokovic.

Medvedev, an ATP Finals champion in 2020, will face Green Group winner and Italian home favourite Jannik Sinner.

World number one Djokovic, who was beaten by Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, secured his semi-final spot on Thursday thanks to Sinner's win over Holger Rune.

"It's one of the most difficult challenges that I'm going to face, facing Novak in this tournament that he has won six times," Alcaraz told Amazon Prime Video.

"I'm going to put my best tennis [out there] and I'm going to enjoy it. I'm excited."

Having lost his opening match to Germany's Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz looked back to his best with an assured success over third seed Medvedev.

The 20-year-old broke to love at 3-3 in the first set, then got the crucial break at 4-4 in the second before serving out for a straightforward victory.

The ATP Finals features eight of the year's best men's players split into two groups of four, with the top two in each qualifying for the semi-finals.

Zverev and Andrey Rublev play each other in the final group game of the tournament, but neither are able to progress out of the Red Group.


BBC
 
Andy Murray has withdrawn from Great Britain's team for the Davis Cup Finals because of a shoulder injury and has been replaced by Liam Broady.

Britain face Serbia - led by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic - in the quarter-finals on 23 November.

"I've picked up a minor shoulder injury which means I won't be able to take part in the Davis Cup," Murray said.

"I'm gutted not to be part of the squad but my focus is now on rehab and getting ready for the new season."

Broady was due to play league tennis for a French club next week before being summoned to replace 36-year-old Murray.

"It's not the way I'd have wanted to be called up, but as always I take great pride in representing Great Britain," Broady, 29, said.

"I can't wait to help the team progress through the tournament in any way I can."

BBC
 

ATP Finals 2023 results: Novak Djokovic beats Jannik Sinner to win title​


Novak Djokovic won a record seventh ATP Finals title with a dominant victory over Jannik Sinner that marked another milestone in his memorable season.

The Serb, 36, who lost to the Italian in the group stage, avenged that with a 6-3 6-3 win in Turin, Italy.

He has set records in rankings and titles this year and played some of his best tennis against the youngsters - like Sinner - trying to challenge him.

"One of the best seasons I've had in my life, no doubt," Djokovic said.

"It's very special. To crown it against a hometown hero in Jannik this week is phenomenal," he added in comments to Amazon Prime.

"Tactically I played differently today than in the group stage against Jannik. Overall, a phenomenal week."

Before the singles final, there was British success in the doubles when Joe Salisbury and American partner Rajeev Ram retained their title with a straight-set win over Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.

Source: BBC
 
This man is phenomenal. He is 36 and he is still ruling one of the toughest sports in the world.
 
The GOAT debate in tennis is statistically done. There is a huge gap between Djokovic and Federer now. Hopefully Djokovic piles on the misery. I mean statistically Djokovic was the GOAT even when he was tied with them because every other stats was in his favour.
 
Canada v Finland: Virtanen keeps Finnish hopes alive
Otta Virtanen brought Team Finland level with Canada on Tuesday, defeating Gabriel Diallo in straight sets to set up a winner-take-all doubles clash in Malaga.

Playing in its first ever Davis Cup Finals, Team Finland has pushed defending champion Canada to the brink in Malaga. Otto Virtanen took out Gabriel Diallo, 6-4, 7-5, to set an all-important doubles clash in Tuesday’s Davis Cup quarter-final.

The winning team of the best-of-three contest will move into the semi-finals to face either Czechia or Australia.

Canada will send Alexis Galarneau and Vasek Pospisil against Virtanen and Harri Heliovaara in the deciding doubles rubber.

Source: tennismajors
 

Davis Cup Finals 2023: Finland beat defending champions Canada 2-1 in quarter-finals​

Canada's Davis Cup defence ended at the quarter-final stage as Finland came from behind to win 2-1 and progress to the last four in Malaga, Spain.

Milos Raonic, making his first Davis Cup appearance in five years, had put the Canadians ahead with a 6-3 7-5 victory over Patrick Kaukovalta.

But Otto Virtanen levelled for Finland by beating Gabriel Diallo 6-4 7-5.

He and Harri Heliovaara then defeated Alexis Galarneau and Vasek Pospisil in the deciding doubles.

The Finns won 7-5 6-3 to book a semi-final spot for the first time in the nation's history.

Canada had been dealt a blow before the start of the tie when top-ranked player Felix Auger-Aliassime was forced to sit out with a "lower body" issue, while Finnish number one Emil Ruusuvuori was also missing through injury.

Finland will play either Australia, who were runners-up last year, or the Czech Republic in the semi-finals. They play on Wednesday, while Italy and the Netherlands meet on Thursday.

Great Britain's bid for Davis Cup glory also starts on Thursday when they take on Serbia, led by Novak Djokovic, in the quarter-finals from 15:00 GMT. You can watch that tie live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

The semi-finals will be played on Friday and Saturday, before the champions of the 123-year-old men's team event are decided in Sunday's showpiece.

Source: BBC
 
Canada looked a stronger team on paper but well done to the Finland to beat them and secure the place in the semi-finals. Great achievement for a tiny nation.
 

Davis Cup Finals 2023: Great Britain face Novak Djokovic's Serbia in Malaga​


Great Britain captain Leon Smith says he can "shout loud and proud" about his team's strength as they look to beat Serbia - led by Novak Djokovic - for a place in the Davis Cup semi-finals.

Without injured pair Dan Evans and Andy Murray, Britain face Serbia in Malaga from 15:00 GMT on Thursday.

The tie will be shown on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

"It's been a blow losing important players but we've also got unbelievable players," Smith said.

"One of the upsides is there is no ambiguity about the team selection, there is no second guessing.

"We know the team and it takes out the anxiety. Everyone is relaxed, focused and we use that to our advantage."

Djokovic, 36, is aiming to cap another extraordinary season, which saw him win three majors and lose in the Wimbledon final, with more success in the Davis Cup.

First, Djokovic and his team-mates have to beat Britain - who the 24-time Grand Slam singles champion described as "one of the greatest tennis nations out there".

"It is a very strong team in this format. It's difficult for them to choose who to put on the court," said the world number one.

Britain, who last won the trophy in 2015, reached the Davis Cup knockout stages with a thrilling victory over France in September.

There are expected to be about 5,000 British fans in a near sell-out crowd of 13,000 at the Palacio de Deportes Martin Carpena in Malaga.

If they beat Serbia, Britain will face either Italy or the Netherlands in the semi-finals on Saturday.

The champions of the 123-year-old men's team event will be decided in Sunday's showpiece.

Source: BBC
 
It won't be an easy task to beat Serbia with Novak playing top of his game. The doubles tie would likely be the deciding tie.
 
Jannik Sinner powered Italy to a 2-1 comeback win against the Netherlands to secure a Davis Cup semi-final place.

Botic van de Zandschulp beat Matteo Arnaldi 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 7-6 (9-7) to give the Dutch side an early lead.

However, world number four Sinner pulled Italy level with a 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 win over Tallon Griekspoor before partnering Lorenzo Sonego to victory in the deciding doubles match.

Italy will next face Serbia or Great Britain, who play later on Thursday.
 
World No.1 Novak Djokovic has booked Serbia’s place in the semi-finals with an impressive 6-4 6-4 victory over Cameron Norrie.

The victory – a 44th in his country’s colours – now means Djokovic has recorded more Davis Cup wins for Serbia than any other player.

The odds were stacked against Norrie, who not only knew he had to win to keep his team alive in the quarter-final, but also that he had to do something that no-one else has been able to do in Davis Cup for more than a decade – defeat the Serbian in singles.

Djokovic demonstrated with alarming clarity just how difficult a task it is to overcome him. He dominated on his own serve (only twice did Norrie win more than a point in a Djokovic service game) all the while pushing his opponent hard every time he had the ball in hand.

But with just one break in each set, Norrie can hold his head high that he did the huge travelling contingent of British fans proud.

Serbia will now take on Italy in Saturday’s semi-final, where we could see a repeat of the two fantastic encounters that took place just last week at the ATP Finals in Turin between Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.

In the other semi-final, Finland will take on Australia.

Source: Davis Cup
 

Davis Cup Finals 2023: Australia beat Finland 2-0 to reach second successive final​


Alex de Minaur cruised past Emil Ruusuvuori to seal a 2-0 win for Australia over Finland and send Lleyton Hewitt's team through to a second successive Davis Cup final.

De Minaur won 6-4 6-3 to set up a meeting with Serbia or Italy on Sunday.

"For us this cup is a priority. We do everything we can to represent Australia, with pride and passion," said the world number 12.

Alexei Popyrin beat 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 Otto Virtanen in the first singles rubber.

The captains agreed not to play the doubles rubber after Australia's victories in the singles contests.

Serbia face Italy in the second semi-final in Malaga on Saturday, with Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner set to play central roles.`

Australia captain Hewitt's side were beaten by Canada in the 2022 final. The last time Australia won the competition, in 2003, Hewitt won the opening singles match to set them on the path to victory against Spain.

Hewitt said of Friday's win against Finland: "Our boys dug really deep. We're a tight-knit unit and we've given ourselves another opportunity on Sunday."

De Minaur recovered from losing an early break to take a tight first set against Ruusuvuori, who showed no ill-effects from a shoulder problem that kept him out of Finland's quarter-final win over defending champions Canada.

Ruusuvuori played aggressively at the start of the second set to try to get back into the match, but De Minaur broke in the third game for a lead he never relinquished.

Popyrin had earlier put 28-times Davis Cup champions Australia in control with victory over Virtanen.

The world number 40, a late replacement at the Finals for the injured Thanasi Kokkinakis, saved a set point in the first set before taking it on a tie-break.

A double fault from Virtanen allowed Popyrin to take an early lead in the second before closing out the set for his first victory at a Davis Cup Finals.

"It was an amazing feeling, one of the highlights of my career, unbelievable," said the 24-year-old. "It's nerves that I've never experienced before in my life."

Source: BBC
 
Australia are likely to play against Serbia in the Final that will be a tougher challenge for the Australian team.
 
Jannik Sinner twice beat world number one Novak Djokovic to help Italy set up a Davis Cup final clash with Australia.

Following are the results of the semi-final tie between Italy and Serbia.

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Great Britain's men have been awarded a wildcard for next year's Davis Cup, while the women's team will enter the qualifying round of the Billie Jean King Cup in April.

GB's men have received a wildcard in three of the past five years.

They will not have to play a qualifier in February, instead entering the tournament in September's group stage.

GB's women will face France in the qualifying round for the second successive year.

France beat Anne Keothavong's team in Coventry this year, meaning they will host April's qualifiers.

By receiving a Davis Cup wildcard, Great Britain will definitely be able to host one of September's four groups. In 2022, the Lawn Tennis Association signed a multi-year deal with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to host group stage matches.



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GB get Davis Cup wildcard but in BJK Cup qualifiers

Great Britain's men are awarded a wildcard for next year's Davis Cup, while the women will enter the qualifying round of the Billie Jean King Cup.
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Davis Cup final 2023: Italy beat Australia to win first title for 47 years

A dominant Jannik Sinner outclassed Australia's Alex de Minaur to help Italy secure their first Davis Cup title for 47 years.

Matteo Arnaldi beat Alexei Popyrin 7-5 2-6 6-4 in a nervy opening singles match to put Italy 1-0 up in the tie in Malaga, Spain.

Sinner then backed up his sterling week with a 6-3 6-0 win over De Minaur.

"It has been an incredible feeling for all of us, obviously we are really happy," Sinner said afterwards.

It is the second time Italy have lifted the Davis Cup trophy, having previously won the title in 1976.

There were scenes of jubilation as the Italy team flooded on the court to celebrate with Sinner, who raised his arms in the air after De Minaur's backhand skewed wide to ensure victory.

Australia were bidding for a 29th Davis Cup title but have now lost back-to-back finals, having been beaten by Canada last year.




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Italy win first Davis Cup title for 47 years

Jannik Sinner beats Alex de Minaur to secure Italy's first Davis Cup title for 47 years.
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Rafael Nadal: Former world number one to return at Brisbane International in January

Rafael Nadal has confirmed he will return to competitive tennis at the Brisbane International after almost a year out with injury.

The former world number one, 37, has been out of action since injuring his hip flexor in a second-round defeat at January's Australian Open.

He has previously said he plans to retire at the end of the 2024 season.

"After a year away from competition, it's time to come back," the Spaniard said in a video posted on social media.

"It will be in Brisbane, the first week of January. I'll see you there."

The Brisbane International will help Nadal prepare for the Australian Open - the first major of the year - which Nadal won in 2009 and 2022.

Last month, Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said Nadal would be participating in the tournament, although the player is yet to confirm this.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined since his defeat by Mackenzie McDonald in Melbourne and underwent surgery in June.

When he announced he would miss the French Open for the first time in 19 years - the tournament where he has won 14 of his majors - Nadal said 2024 will "probably" be the last year of his career.

At the time Nadal was joint with Serbia's Novak Djokovic for the joint record number of men's major triumphs, but Djokovic has since won the French Open and US Open to move to 24 Grand Slam titles.

Nadal has dropped to number 633 in the world rankings but he is still eligible for a protected ranking having been injured and not competing in any event for at least six months.

The Brisbane International is returning after a three-year hiatus forced by the Covid-19 pandemic and will take place between 31 December and 7 January.

The Australian Open starts on 14 January.


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Nadal to return at January's Brisbane International

Former world number one Rafael Nadal will return to tennis at the Brisbane International after nearly a year out with injury.
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Next Gen ATP Finals: Serbia's Hamad Medjedovic wins title in five-set thriller

Serbia's Hamad Medjedovic became the sixth winner of the Next Gen ATP Finals after a five-set win over France's Arthur Fils.

The 20-year-old world number 111 recovered from letting two match points slip in the fourth set before winning 3-4(6-8) 4-1 4-2 3-4(9-11) 4-1.

The tournament is the season-ending event for the top-ranked male players aged 21 and under.

The event has a best-of-five format with four games winning a set.

Former champions include current top 10 players Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

This season, Medjedovic reached tour-level semi-finals in Gstaad and Astana and won three ATP Challenger Tour events.

He is the lowest-ranked champion in tournament history but converted his third match point to get past his 19-year-old opponent, ranked 36 in the world.



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Serbia's Medjedovic wins Next Gen ATP title

Serbia's Hamad Medjedovic becomes the sixth winner of the Next Gen ATP Finals with victory in Saudi Arabia.
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Australian Open: Caroline Wozniacki gets wildcard​

Former champion Caroline Wozniacki has been awarded a wildcard for next month's Australian Open.

The Dane, 33, retired in 2020 but returned in August after giving birth to her two children.

Wozniacki reached the US Open fourth round in September on her Grand Slam comeback, losing to eventual winner Coco Gauff.

The Australian Open at Melbourne Park starts on 14 January.

The tournament has been extended to 15 days for the first time in an attempt to reduce the number of late-night finishes.

Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are among the nine Grand Slam champions who will compete at the Brisbane International from 31 December to 7 January.

Srouce: BBC
 
She still has good enough game to go deep into the grand slams. Wishing her all the best.
 

Emma Raducanu to make WTA comeback in Auckland in January​

Britain's Emma Raducanu will make her comeback to the tennis tour in Auckland in the first week of January.

The 2021 US Open champion has been out of action since April and has fallen to 296 in the world rankings following three operations.

She has been awarded a wildcard into the ASB Classic, with US Open champion Coco Gauff and former world number one Caroline Wozniacki also in the line-up.

The women's tournament at the Auckland Classic takes place from 1-7 January.

The Australian Open - the first Grand Slam of the season - begins on January 14.

Raducanu, 21, was restricted to just nine matches in 2023 and in May had surgery on both of her hands and left ankle, which she injured in Auckland at the start of the year.

The hand pain, caused by a bone very close to her wrists, had been troubling her since the end of the 2022 season.

Having been injured for more than six months, Raducanu is entitled to use a protected ranking of 103 - her ranking at the conclusion of the Madrid Open, which was the last event she entered.

That is currently just too low to earn automatic entry into the Australian Open, so Raducanu will need to make her way through qualifying - unless a wildcard is offered by Tennis Australia, or about half a dozen players withdraw.

Raducanu had been hoping to play an exhibition event in Macau last weekend but withdrew last month as she was not sure she would be ready.

She still flew to Hong Kong to fulfil some sponsor obligations but is expected to continue her preparations at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in London later this week.

Raducanu is said to have made good progress training with LTA staff at the NTC over the past eight weeks, but she has still not firmed up the team that will accompany her on tour next year.

If Raducanu does not need to qualify for the Australian Open, then she could take the opportunity to play elsewhere.

There are WTA events in Hobart and Adelaide in the week before the Australian Open, and she could also be tempted by the chance to play exhibition matches at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne.

Source: BBC
 
Wishing her all the best for a strong recovery. Women's tennis is better and more competitive when she's playing.
 
Kyrgios pulls out of Australian Open due to injury

Dec 9 (Reuters) - Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from next month's Australian Open for a second successive year due to ongoing injuries that kept him out of action for much of the 2023 season, the Australian announced on Saturday.

Kyrgios pulled out of the Melbourne major this year and had surgery on his left knee. He was defeated in his comeback match following a five-month layoff, falling to China's Wu Yibing in the Stuttgart Open first round in June.

The 28-year-old then missed the French Open due to a foot injury suffered during the theft of his car, and he pulled out of Wimbledon with a wrist ligament problem that also forced him out of the U.S. Open.

"This is a very disappointing time for me, but I won't be able to compete at the 2024 Australian Open," Kyrgios said on the online platform OnlyFans, which he joined on Friday.

"Obviously, heartbreaking. I've had so many amazing memories there, and I just want to really get back to playing at the top of my game and doing it right, and I need a little more time.

"I was so close to winning a Grand Slam. I want to make sure that my body is going to have the time it needs to come back, so please bear with me."

Kyrgios' injury woes began after a stellar 2022 campaign in which he reached the Wimbledon final, won the Washington title and made the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows.

He was a notable absentee from the Jan. 14-28 Australian Open's main draw released on Thursday in a blow to organisers, but is expected to be at the Grand Slam for TV commentary.
​
 
Nick Kygrios reaching a Wimbledon final proves this has been the weakest era in tennis ever following Federer's decline. Djokovic will keep winning even against the supposes new guard whose shine has quickly been tempered by the Serbian prince
 
Australian Open bombshell as ‘heartbroken’ Nick Kyrgios drops out

Nick Kyrgios has wasted little time using his new platform to get news out to his many fans.

The 28-year-old, who announced on Friday he had joined OnlyFans, has used the controversial platform to reveal his plans for next month’s Australian Open.

He has only played one official match for the whole year, which he lost, and now his start to 2024 is also being delayed due to injury.

“Hey guys, Nick Kyrgios here, obviously had a really tough year with injury, had that knee surgery and came back a little too soon (which) set me back a little bit, obviously had some wrist issues,” Kyrgios said

“So this is a very disappointing time for me but yeah I won’t be able to compete at the 2024 Australian Open.

“Obviously heartbreaking, I’ve had so many amazing memories there and I just want to really get back to playing at the top of my game and doing it right and I need a little more time.

“I was so close to winning a grand slam, I want to make sure that my body is going to have the time it needs to come back so please bear with me.

“Even though I won’t be there competing this year at the AO, I still will be around, commentating matches, being around, I’ve got some special things planned, so please be excited still.

Source : Fox Sports
 
Chris Evert: 18-time Grand Slam singles champion says cancer has returned

Tennis legend Chris Evert says her cancer has returned, two years after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

American Evert, 68, was first diagnosed in December 2021 after a preventative hysterectomy and said in January 2023 she was "cancer-free".

The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion says she will now undergo another round of chemotherapy.

"While this is a diagnosis I never wanted to hear, I again feel fortunate it was caught early," Evert said.

Evert released the statement through ESPN, who she works for as a pundit.

She said she will not travel to the Australian Open, which begins on 14 January, but added she would be "ready for the rest of the Grand Slam season".

Her former playing rival, Martina Navratilova, previously credited Evert with supporting her when she was diagnosed with throat and breast cancer in 2022.

"Since I was first diagnosed with cancer two years ago, I've been very open about my experience," Evert said.

"Based on a PET CT scan, I underwent another robotic surgery this past week. Doctors found cancer cells in the same pelvic region.

"All cells were removed, and I have begun another round of chemotherapy."

Evert won a women's record seven French Open singles titles and a joint-record six US Open titles, along with three Wimbledon titles and two at the Australian Open.

The former world number one has worked as a pundit since retiring in 1989.

Evert's sister, Jeanne, died of the same disease in 2020.

"I encourage everyone to know your family history and advocate for yourself," Evert added.

"Early detection saves lives. Be thankful for your health this holiday season."

www.bbc.co.uk

Tennis legend Evert says cancer has returned

Tennis legend Chris Evert says her cancer has returned, two years after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
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WTA Tour: Chief executive Steve Simon to relinquish role and become executive chairman

Steve Simon will relinquish his role as chief executive of the WTA Tour but will become executive chairman once his successor has been appointed.

Simon has been both chief executive and chairman since 2015, but the roles will be split to create "greater focus" on the WTA's goals.

His position has been under scrutiny since last month's season-ending WTA Finals in Cancun, where world number two Aryna Sabalenka said she felt "disrespected" by the way the event was organised.

The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova also said it might be time for new leadership.

"It's going to be hard for Steve to stay in the job somehow because everything is pointing the other way right now," she told Amazon Prime.

But Simon will still play a major part in the WTA's future. He will focus on governance, integrity and the WTA's strategic interests - and the new chief executive will report to him.

"This past summer I shared with the WTA board that if the WTA is going to remain at the forefront of women's sports, we need to go through a full review of our organisational structure," Simon told BBC Sport.

"So they are not tied to anything that happened in Cancun or further perceptions that it hasn't been the easiest of years.

"I do think it's in the best interests of the organisation because it's grown so much over these last eight years. The combined role - you're going to start missing some things, there's only so many hours in the day."



www.bbc.com

Simon to relinquish role as WTA Tour chief executive

Steve Simon will relinquish his role as chief executive of the WTA Tour but will become executive chairman once his successor has been appointed.
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Iga Swiatek: Polish star emulates Serena Williams by winning WTA player of the year for second successive season​

World number one Iga Swiatek has been named WTA Player of the Year for the second successive season.

The Pole, 22, is the first player to win consecutive awards since 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams won four from 2012 to 2015.

Swiatek defended her French Open title in June to win her fourth Grand Slam before ending the season by winning the WTA Finals for the first time.

That saw her overtake Aryna Sabalenka and regain the world number one spot.

The awards, which are voted for by members of the tennis media, recognised China's Zheng Qinwen as most improved player, Russian Mirra Andreeva as newcomer of year, and Elina Svitolina as comeback player of the year after returning to the sport from maternity leave.

Tomasz Wiktorowski, who has worked with Swiatek for the last two seasons, was voted coach of the year.

Williams, 42, who retired after last year's US Open, won the WTA player of the year seven times in her career.

Source: BBC
 
Swiatek has been the best female tennis player in the last year or so. She 100% deserved this award.
 
Nick Kyrgios: Australian says he does not want to play tennis any more

Nick Kyrgios said he is "tired" and does not want to play tennis any more as he continues to recover from injury.

The 28-year-old Australian missed all four majors in 2023 because of wrist, knee and foot injuries.

On Saturday, Kyrgios said he will not take part in the Australian Open in January because of injury concerns.

"If it was up to me, I don't really want to play any more to be honest," Kyrgios told the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast.

"I have to [keep playing]. I've got so much more to give but, for me, I don't feel like playing any more."

Kyrgios enjoyed the best year of his career in 2022, reaching his first Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon and a career-high of 11 in the world rankings.

But, he withdrew from the Australian Open in January with a knee injury before undergoing surgery for the issue.

He then missed the French Open because of a foot injury and Wimbledon with a wrist ligament problem, which also forced him out of the US Open.

The 2021 Australian Open doubles champion has since had surgery on his wrist but, having dropped out of the world rankings, he said he is "exhausted" with his continuing recovery process.

"I'm tired. I have had three surgeries now. I'm only 28 years old, I always wanted to have a family and not be in pain. When I get up, I can't walk without pain. It's a tough gig," he said.

Kyrgios has played just one ATP Tour match this year, losing to China's world number 64 Yibing Wu in Stuttgart in June.

"I only want to play for about another one to two years, be at the top, and go down my own terms," Kyrgios said.

"I would hate to have another surgery or anything like that. I think I've still got the ability to have a good one to two years and then that's it.

"I think I'll be at peace with everything I've achieved and I'm going to have to just say to everyone out there who wants me to play more, 'you're just going to have to be OK with me not playing any more'."

He has previously opened up about mental health issues that left him contemplating suicide in 2019.

"That period in 2019 accelerated my exhaustion and almost pushed me to the end of my career a bit earlier.

"If I had a normal career and I flew under the radar, I don't feel I'd feel this way but those couple years really, I think, put a lot on my age," he said.

"It's just hard. I am tired. I'm tired of playing tennis."

www.bbc.co.uk

Recovering Kyrgios 'tired' of playing tennis

Nick Kyrgios says he is "tired" and does not want to play tennis any more as he continues his recovery from injury.
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Former doubles world No. 1 Leander Paes, broadcaster and promoter Vijay Amritraj, and renowned journalist and writer Richard Evans have been elected to receive the Ultimate Honor in Tennis – induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Amritraj and Paes become the first two Indians to receive tennis’ Ultimate Honor, and the first Asian men to be elected in their respective categories. Paes, an 18-time Grand Slam champion in doubles and mixed doubles, has been selected in the Player Category. Amritraj and the United Kingdom’s Evans are inductees in the Contributor Category, which is considered for election every two years. The Contributor Category recognizes true pioneers, visionary leaders, or individuals/groups who have made a transcendent impact on the sport.

The Class of 2024 will be officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 20, 2024 in Newport, Rhode Island. Paes, Amritraj and Evans will join an elite group of 264 inductees from 27 nations – with India set to become the 28th nation represented in the Hall of Fame.

 
Leander Paes is probably the best tennis player even produced by India, truly deserved this honour.
 

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka win ITF World Champion awards for 2023​

LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka were honored as the International Tennis Federation’s 2023 ITF World Champions on Thursday after being the only singles players to reach at least the semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments this season.

Djokovic, who finished at No. 1 in the ATP rankings for a record-extending eighth time, won the Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open to raise his major trophy total to a men’s-leading 24 and was the runner-up at Wimbledon. He went 56-7 and led the men’s tour with seven titles.

This is his eighth ITF World Champion award, also a record.

Sabalenka received the honor for the first time after winning the Australian Open for her first Grand Slam title, finishing as the runner-up at the U.S. Open and making it to the semifinals at the French Open and Wimbledon.

apnews.com

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka win ITF World Champion awards for 2023

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka have been honored as the International Tennis Federation’s 2023 ITF World Champions.
apnews.com apnews.com
 
Aqeel dominates National Ranking Championship

Top seed Aqeel Khan advanced to Men's Singles semifinal of the 9th Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan National Ranking Tennis Championships 2023 after registering victory against Abdullah Adnan at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex Islamabad on Thursday.

Aqeel warded off challenge from Abdullah in the quarterfinal 7-6(2), 6-2. The semifinal lineups of men's singles and other categories were completed on Thursday.

In other matches Muhammad Shoaib outplayed Barkatullah 6-2,6-3, while brother Mudassir Murtaza and Muzammil Murtaza faced each other in their quarterfinal.

The clay court specialists put up a good show but theilder of the two, Mudassir cruised into the semifinal after a 6-2, 6-2 win.

Davis Cupper Muhammad Abid also registered a win against Yousaf Khalil 6-3, 4-6,6-2 to book his place among the last four.

Men’s doubles quarterfinals also took place the same day. Abid teamed up with Waqas Malik to beat Hamza Roman and Saqib Hayat 3-6,6-3(10-3), Mudassir Mudassir paired with Abdullah Adnan to bring down Muhammad Salar and Hamza Aasim 7-5,6-1, meanwhile Khalil and Barkatullah outplayed Ahmed Babar and Imran Bhatti 6-2,3-6(10-8) whereas Shahzad Khan and Jalil Khan overcame Shoaib and Muzammil Murtaza 6-4,6-4 to make their way to the quarterfinals.

Source : Express Tribune
 
Did Nadal and Federer complain like this when they didn’t win?" - Novak Djokovic's dig at Coach of the Year snub disappoints fans

Novak Djokovic has landed in controversy once again, this time thanks to his dig at the ATP over Goran Ivanisevic losing out on the Coach of the Year award. The award, instead, went to Jannik Sinner's coaches Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi, who helped the Italian break into the top 4 of the ATP rankings.Djokovic had a spectacular season of his own, winning three of the four Grand Slams and ending the year as the World No. 1. Taking to social media after his coach's snub, the 24-time Grand Slam champion lamented that perhaps he had to win all four Slams in the year for Ivanisevic to be considered for the award.

Some fans also pointed out that the Coach of the Year award does not always have to go to the coach of the best player. They reasoned that Cahill and Vagnozzi were deserving of the honor for helping Sinner make massive improvements to his game.

In an interview earlier this year, Goran Ivanisevic lavished praise on his ward Novak Djokovic, calling him a "genius" and a one-of-a-kind athlete.

Source : Sportskeeda
 

Simona Halep fears loss of doping appeal will end her career​

PARIS -- Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep fears a loss in the appeal of her four-year doping suspension could lead to the end of her playing career.

A three-day hearing with the Court of Arbitration for Sport is scheduled for Feb. 7-9 in her appeal against the International Tennis Integrity Agency, which ruled that Halep "committed intentional anti-doping rule violations."

"Four years is going to be a lot for my age," Halep, a 32-year-old from Romania who has been No. 1 in the WTA rankings, said in an interview with euronews posted online Friday.

"It's catastrophic if it's going to be four years," she said. "And I don't know how I will handle it. Probably it's going to be [the] end of [my] career, yes."

Halep tested positive for the drug Roxadustat at the 2022 US Open and also was cited for irregularities in her biological passport. Roxadustat stimulates the body to produce more of the natural hormone erythropoietin, or EPO, which has long been a doping product favored by cyclists and distance runners.

Halep said in Friday's interview that she is no longer working with coach Patrick Mouratoglou's academy and hasn't spoken with him in a "few months."

In a video Mouratoglou posted on Instagram in November, he took blame for providing a tainted substance to Halep.

"We brought her collagen from a company. This collagen happened to be contaminated," Mouratoglou said. "There was no way to know it. But I feel responsible for what happened because it's my team -- so me, basically -- who brought her this collagen."

Halep won the French Open in 2018 by beating Sloane Stephens in the final, and Wimbledon in 2019 by defeating Serena Williams in the title match.

Speaking with euronews in Paris. Halep said she hopes she wins her appeal and will be eligible to compete in next year's Summer Olympics in that city.

"I know I didn't do anything wrong and I know I'm clean," Halep said.

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Halep fears loss of doping appeal will end career

Two-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 Simona Halep is fearful that losing an appeal of her four-year doping suspension will lead to the end of her tennis career.
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I've built my own brand': Nick Kyrgios doubles down on criticism of controversial tennis icon Boris Becker

Nick Kyrgios has doubled down on his response to Boris Becker's criticism of his character while adding to his comments concerning his tennis legacy.

Adding to his series of social media posts — one in which he labelled the polarising tennis icon as "ridiculous" — Kyrgios touted his impact on tennis, claiming his style has attracted fans to the sport.

"Not once have I taken slams away from Becker, or any of these legends," he wrote on X Wednesday morning.

The feud between Kyrgios and Becker kicked off recently, with the Aussie star claiming the modern-day players would "destroy" their predecessors.

Responding in an interview with EuroSport published on Tuesday, Becker claimed that Kyrgios lacked respect for the previous generation.

"It's simple, you have to respect the past of our sport, in addition to publicly thanking the former players … you must be grateful that they existed," he said.

In trademark fashion, Kyrgios subsequently lashed out on his personal X account, pointing to the success he has garnered for the sport, both on and off the court.

"I've been arguably one of the most watched players outside the big three the last decade? [I have] fans around the world and have brought so many more people to the sport," he wrote on Tuesday.

Boris Becker and Nick Kyrgios were in an ugly Twitter argument over Alexander Zverev's partying during the coronavirus pandemic
Boris Becker (left) and Nick Kyrgios (right) have found themselves in a major war of words (Getty)
"I've created my own stuff off the court. I've been one of the few players that have brought a million more fans to the sport and have made more money for everyone.

"Netflix ... don't remember seeing Boris on there … [this] guy is ridiculous. I've made my career off the court without the help of the others."

Source : 9 Nine Sports
 

Emma Raducanu working with former junior coach Nick Cavaday ahead of Auckland Open return​

Emma Raducanu has been working with a coach from her junior days as she prepares to make her return to the court after almost eight months out.

The former US Open champion has reunited with the experienced Nick Cavaday at the National Tennis Centre of late - having worked together at the LTA's High Performance Centre in Bromley many years ago.

Source: SKY
 
Jamie Murray has been named tournament director of the Queen's Club Championships.

Multi-Grand Slam-winning doubles player Murray, 37, will continue to play in 2024 but not at Queen's itself (17-23 June).

Last year, ex-pro Laura Robson became Nottingham Open tournament director.

Murray has experience as a tournament director, having organised the Battle of the Brits event between Scotland and England in Aberdeen in late 2023.

"It's a real honour to be given this opportunity by the Lawn Tennis Association, to work on such a prestigious and well-regarded tournament with the event team during the year, supporting the development and growth of the cinch Championships," Murray said.

"As most people know, I have a genuine interest in the events side of the business having started as a tournament director of the Murray Trophy and most recently organising Battle of the Brits in ensuring the best possible experience for the players and fans who attend."



BBC
 

Tara Moore: British tennis player cleared of doping and ban lifted​


British tennis player Tara Moore is free to play again after a panel ruled that contaminated meat was the source of her failed doping test.

Moore, 31, was ranked as Britain's leading women's doubles player when she was provisionally banned in May 2022.

She maintained she had never "knowingly taken a banned substance" and intended to prove she was a "clean athlete".

An independent tribunal found Moore "bore no fault or negligence" for her adverse analytical finding.

Moore tested positive for nandrolone metabolites and Boldenone from a test when was competing in the Colombian capital Bogota in April 2022.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said it "has issued, and will continue to issue, information concerning the risks of meat contamination in certain parts of the world to all players".

In response to the ruling, Moore said she has suffered "19 months of lost time and emotional distress" with her reputation damaged as a result of the case.

"It's going to take more than 19 months to rebuild, repair and recuperate what we've been through," she wrote on X.

Source: BBC
 
AITA refuses to nominate Nagal for 2024 Aus Open wildcard

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) refused to send Sumit Nagal’s nomination for a wildcard entry into the 2024 Australian Open after he opted out of the Davis Cup tie against Pakistan, a decision that has left India’s top-ranked singles player “really sad”.

Nagal had, for the 2021 Australian Open, received a singles wildcard reserved for a player from the Asia-Pacific region that put him straight into the main draw of the season-opening Grand Slam. For the 2024 edition too Nagal, who has risen from starting the year ranked outside the top 500 to currently being 138, could have been in fray for that Asian slot but AITA chose not to play ball. The national federation has to send an email to the Australian Open organisers nominating a particular player for the wildcard.

“Anil Dhupar (AITA secretary general) had called me and said he won't send the nomination since I said no to the Davis Cup," Nagal said on Monday. “To be honest, getting this call from him and hearing him say this was a bummer. I really hope things will get better in future or else tennis is going to die even faster in India.”

Last month, Nagal, along with Mukund Sasikumar, had pulled out of India's Davis Cup tie against Pakistan scheduled in Islamabad in February 2024, leaving AITA unhappy. Dhupar said the federation had to take a stand against players who refuse to turn up to play for the country at any point in time.

“One cannot expect to pull out of a Davis Cup assignment for the country and then expect something in return from the federation. Why should we send anything from our end to nominate him? AITA had to take a stand against such things at some point,” Dhupar said.

Nagal, who played India's Davis Cup World Group II home tie against Morocco on the hard courts of Lucknow in September and won both his singles matches in the 3-1 win, said his reasons for pulling out of the Pakistan tie were different.

“My opting out for Davis Cup (tie against Pakistan) was majorly because of it being played on grass,” he said. “It is really sad to see this decision coming after looking at my performance in Lucknow and securing the win for the country. I have missed Wimbledon for the same reasons as well in the past.”

No Indian singles player since Nagal (2021 Australian Open) has featured in the main draw of a Grand Slam. At the 2020 US Open, he became the first Indian male to win a main draw Slam singles match since Somdev Devvarman in 2013. Having reached a career-high world No. 122 in 2020 before a hip surgery dragged his rankings down, Nagal will have to go through the qualifying rounds in Melbourne next month for an entry into the 2024 Australian Open main draw.


Source: Hindustan Times
 
Tennis News: Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu and Andrey Rublev

We are just days away now, tennis fans! The United Cup will start on December 29 and Rafael Nadal will return in less than a week. Nadal will be making his comeback from hip surgery at the Brisbane International next week.

No one really knows what to expect from Nadal, of course. He could even win the tournament. Though that might be a bit of a surprise after not playing competitively in almost a year and then playing on a hard court instead of clay. Still, who would put anything past Nadal?

At the United Cup we will get to see Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek play. There will be no ATP or WTA points awarded, but players will participate for home and country. Plus, there are a number of high-level players involved so those should make for some good warmup matches to the Australian Open. The Aussie Open begins in less than three weeks. But here is some other news for Wednesday.

One former player says Jannik Sinner has closed the gap on Carlos Alcaraz
Tim Henman, former top-five player on the ATP tour, knows quite a bit about tennis, of course. He was a very good player and he keeps a keen eye on the current state of the game. During a recent interview with Eurosport, Henman got pretty candid about what he thinks of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as well.

Henman still believes Alcaraz is a special talent with his ability to hit all manner of shots and to bang away with the best or when using potentially the best drop shot in men's tennis. But even with all that skill, Henman thinks Italian Jannik Sinner has closed the gap between him and Alcaraz. And why not? By the end of 2023, no one, not even Novak Djokovic, was playing as well as Sinner and Sinner even beat Djokovic twice in the span of two weeks in November.

According to Henman, "I think Alcaraz has got a little bit more versatility but in terms of ball striking and power from the back of the court, Sinner is phenomenal...I felt that Alcaraz was definitely a good step ahead of Sinner but the way Sinner played at the end of last year, I think Sinner has absolutely closed the gap."

Source : LOB&SMASH
 
United Cup: Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter give Great Britain winning start

Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter ensured Great Britain made a winning start at the United Cup with victory over hosts Australia in Perth.

British men's number one Cameron Norrie won a third-set tie-break to defeat Alex de Minaur 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-2).

Boulter then secured her nation's opening win with a match to spare by beating Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2 6-4.

GB face the United States - winners of the inaugural tournament in January - in their final Group C match on Sunday.

World number 18 Norrie, 28, dominated the decisive tie-break to earn a hard-fought win over the 12th-ranked De Minaur after two hours 23 minutes - his first victory over a top-20 opponent in his past 10 attempts.

Boulter, Britain's top-ranked women's player, took charge from the outset against Tomljanovic, racing into a 4-0 first-set lead on her way to an assured straight-set win which gave GB an unassailable 2-0 advantage.

However, GB were unable to complete a clean sweep of wins later on Friday as Boulter and team-mate Neal Skupski lost 6-3 7-6 (7-5) to Storm Hunter and Matthew Ebden in the concluding mixed doubles match.

GB reached the quarter-finals of the tournament's inaugural edition in January, where they were beaten by eventual winners - and upcoming opponents - the USA.

At the United Cup, which takes place from 29 December to 7 January, countries compete in a round-robin format across six groups of three.

The six group winners, plus the best-performing runner-up in the two host cities Perth and Sydney, advance to the quarter-finals.



BBC
 

Dominic Thiem's Brisbane International victory interrupted by venomous snake on court​

A highly venomous snake interrupted play during Dominic Thiem's victory against James McCabe at the Brisbane International qualifying event.

Former US Open champion Thiem was a set down to Australian McCabe when the snake was spotted near the courtside electrical wires.

A 40-minute break in play followed while the reptile was safely removed by a professional snake catcher.

"I really love animals, especially exotic ones," Thiem said afterwards.

"But they said it was a really poisonous snake and it was close to the ball kids, so it was a really dangerous situation.

"It's something that has never happened to me and is something I'll definitely never forget."

The animal was identified as a highly venomous eastern brown snake and was approximately 50cm in length.

Following the delay, Thiem recovered to win 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 and advance to the second and final round of qualifying for the Brisbane International.

The Austrian, who has slipped to 98th in the world rankings after injury struggles, is also expected to play in the qualifying draw for the Australian Open, which starts on 14 January.

Source: BBC
 
It doesn't come as a surprise when you come face to face with a snake in Australia.
 
Gauff says pressure is off in 2024 after her fairytale in New York

World No 3 Coco Gauff said on Sunday she felt more relaxed heading into the next month's Australian Open after achieving her goal of winning a Grand Slam title as a teenager.

The 19-year-old won the US Open in September and said it was a weight off her shoulders as she embarks on her 2024 season at the Auckland Classic beginning Monday, where she is defending champion.

"I felt like I had a clock and I needed to win as a teenager," said Gauff, who turns 20 in March.

"Just for how I started, with Wimbledon and everything, I felt like I just needed to.

"Not with anyone's expectations from my team, but fans and people who watch the game," she told reporters in Auckland.

Gauff burst on to the scene as 15-year-old at Wimbledon in 2019 and was earmaked as a future Grand Slam champion after reaching the fourth round.

Four years later, she came from a set down in New York to beat Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 and become the tournament's first American teenage champion since Serena Williams in 1999.

"That feeling I felt on match point was a high and I want to continue to chase that high," said Gauff.

With a first Slam tucked under her belt, she said it would be a different feeling at the Australian Open starting on January 14, which would otherwise have been the last chance to achieve her teenage dream.

"I'm always going to put pressure on myself. I want to strive for more and I don't want to only win one," Gauff said.

Gauff said her 2023 campaign was defined in her mind as much by her shock first-round loss to Sofia Kenin at Wimbledon as her US Open breakthrough.

"After Wimbledon I reached the lowest point of my career, losing that match," Gauff said.

"Learning from it helped me push forward and I think sometimes you need those setbacks to push you forward.

"Not to wake me up, because I felt like I always was awake, but realise that maybe you should put less pressure on every single match."

Gauff faces fellow American Claire Liu in her opening match in Auckland on Tuesday.

Source: Super Sport

supersport.com

Gauff says pressure is off in 2024 after her fairytale in New York | SuperSport

World No 3 Coco Gauff said on Sunday she felt more relaxed heading into the next month's Australian Open after achieving her goal of winning a Grand Slam title as a teenager.
supersport.com supersport.com
 
Brisbane International: Andy Murray loses to Grigor Dimitrov in first round

Andy Murray made a first-round exit from the Brisbane International as Grigor Dimitrov came from behind to win in three sets.

Bulgarian second seed Dimitrov triumphed 4-6 7-5 6-2 to progress at the season-opening tournament.

The defeat is a setback for Murray's preparations for the Australian Open, which starts on 14 January.

It comes after the Briton said the 2024 season could be his last on tour if he is "not enjoying it".

The 36-year-old struggled with a shoulder injury in the latter months of 2023, while illness and a bruised knee made for what he described as a "tricky" pre-season in an interview with BBC Sport before the Brisbane event.

Playing in his first competitive singles match since October, Murray came out on top of a tight first set that went with the serve, sealing the opener on its only break point after an error-strewn Dimitrov service game.

More comfortable holds for both players followed, with Dimitrov eventually edging ahead in the ninth game - the first of the set to feature break-point opportunities.

Although Murray - a two-time champion in Brisbane - cancelled it out immediately, Dimitrov broke again before saving two break points, including one with a broken string, on his way to sealing the second set.

In the third, the world number 14 raced to a 4-0 lead, and while Scot Murray slowed Dimitrov's pace despite issues with his racquet, he could not convert a break point at 5-2 from which his opponent held.

"I've really missed this tournament," said 2017 champion Dimitrov, who will face German Daniel Altmaier or Australian qualifier Li Tu in the second round. "Here we go, kicking off the new year in style.

"I just wanted to carry [last season] on. Of course it's never easy, especially when you're playing so well at the end of the year, you put pressure on yourself to start well.

"As soon as I came out here today, I felt a little rusty to be honest. I have to keep on fighting, I have to keep on believing in the work that I've put in."

Before the Australian Open, Murray will play the Kooyong Classic exhibition in Melbourne next week.


BBC
 

United Cup: Great Britain out as Australia beat United States​

Great Britain missed out on the United Cup quarter-finals as Australia qualified from Group C with a 2-1 victory over the United States.

Hosts Australia reached the last eight asStorm Hunter and Matt Ebden beat Jessica Pegula and Rajeev Ram in a mixed-doubles decider.

Earlier, Pegula beat Ajla Tomljanovic to level after Australia's Alex de Minaur beat Taylor Fritz.

Australia's win meant GB were edged out, finishing third in a tight group.

All three nations won one and lost one of their two ties in Perth, as well as each finishing tied on three match wins and three losses.

That meant the number of sets won was used to decide who progressed to the quarter-finals and Britain, who made a winning start against Australia before losing to the United States, missed out.

The Americans, who are the defending champions, must wait to see if they qualify as one of the best group runners-up.

The winners of six groups go into the last eight and will be joined by the best runner-ups in each of the host cities - Sydney and Perth.

Australia and Poland, who finished as Group A winners, are the first through in the 18-nation event which is a mixed-gender team format and offers $10m (£7.85m) in prize money.

Top seeds Poland, led by women's world number one Iga Swiatek, secured their place in the quarter-finals on Monday with a 2-1 win over Spain.

Four-time major champion Swiatek won 6-2 6-1 against Sara Sorribes Tormo in Perth before partnering Hubert Hurkacz to thrash Sorribes Tormo and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-0 6-0 in the mixed doubles decider.

In Group D, France won 2-1 against Germany as Caroline Garcia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin saved match points before beating Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 12-10.

France could win the group if they beat Italy on Wednesday.

In Group B, Norway gave themselves hope of qualifying as two-time major finalist Casper Ruud earned a pair of wins in a 2-1 victory over Croatia in Sydney.

Source: BBC
 

Emma Raducanu 'proud' and 'in shock' after making winning return from injury at Auckland Classic​

Emma Raducanu said she was "in shock" after making a winning return to competitive tennis after eight months out with injuries.

The 21-year-old Brit came through a hard-fought contest with Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse to win 6-3 4-6 7-5 on Tuesday at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Raducanu was making her first appearance on the WTA Tour since April having been absent after undergoing surgery on both of her wrists and her left ankle.

"It's a weird one, I didn't really know what I felt during or at the end of the match," Raducanu told Sky Sports.

"Usually you have such a clear emotion, whether that's nerves, whether that's happiness - I think I was just a bit like, just struck and just a bit in shock really because eight months is a long time.

"I mean, I've really been through it, so it's just great to be healthy and to be on the court and competing again."

Raducanu's absence has seen her drop to 298th in the world, while it was at the ASB Classic last year that she departed in tears after suffering an ankle injury.

"I think it's a match that really tested the fight, I think it's a match that really tested the ability to stay calm under pressure and composed and keep being in the moment," Raducanu said.

"So I think that overall for a first match back after so long, I think that in terms of just fighting and sticking in there in the tough moments, I really got the test times like 10.

"I think that I've always been a good competitor and that really came out today. It came out even though it's been hiding for the last eight months. I still had it, which I was really proud of.

"The body held up really good. I'm really grateful and thank thanking everyone at the LTA, they helped me out so much physically.

"I felt really good on the court and it was nice and refreshing to be playing a match and not thinking of niggles, not thinking of injuries and actually just being able to focus on the tennis and what I wanted to do tactically and not hoping that the points are over quickly.

"I felt like I was there physically for however long the points kind of went. So that was a good feeling too."

Source: SKY
 
She is a class-act, wishing her all the best for a great 2024 season.
 

Coco Gauff: US Open champion to face Elina Svitolina in Auckland Classic final after cruising past Emma Navarro​

Coco Gauff cruised into the final of the ABS Classic in Auckland with a straight sets defeat of Emma Navarro, setting up a clash vs Elina Svitolina.

Gauff turned in a dominant display in the 6-3 6-1 win, the American winning 93 per cent of points on her first serve, including 10 aces.

The 19-year-old US Open winner won four out of five break points and did not drop her serve, giving her fellow American no room to get into the game.

Gauff is yet to drop a set in tournament as she prepares for the Australian Open which begins in Melbourne on January 14.

She will play Elina Svitolina in the final after the Ukrainian beat China's Wang Xiyu 2-6 6-4 6-3.

Source: SKY
 
Ibrahim wins Siddiqsons Tennis title

Ibrahim Iltifat won men’s singles title at the 1st Ocean-Siddiqsons Tennis Championship that concluded at DA Creek Club here on Friday.

He defeated Uzair Katchhi 8-2 in the final. In the final of juniors under-17 singles, Ruhab Faisal overpowered Rayan Ahmed 6-4, 4-6, 10-5. In the final of boys under-15 singles, Ruhab Faisal beat Dhuraf Das 4-1, 5-3.

In the final of under-13 singles, Zain Nomi won against Meer Abbas Bhagat 4-1, 0-4, 10-2. In the final of under-11 singles, Meer Abbas Bhagat thrashed Rohan Das 4-1, 4-0.

In the final of under-8 singles, Ariz Ayaz beat Ali Zamin 10-8, 10-2. In the final of men’s doubles, Haris Tariq and Vinod Das smashed Shahzad Khan and Arham Zhehzad 8-3.

Source : The News International
 
Coco Gauff beats Elina Svitolina to defend Auckland Classic title & Elena Rybakina wins in Brisbane

American teenager Coco Gauff successfully defended her Auckland Classic title by battling back from a set down to defeat Elina Svitolina.

The US Open champion triumphed 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-3 to record her seventh win in eight career WTA singles finals so far.

Nineteen-year-old Gauff has now won 29 of her past 33 singles matches.

Elsewhere, Elena Rybakina claimed the Brisbane International title with a dominant straight-set win over Aryna Sabalenka.

The match was a repeat of last year's Australian Open final, in which Sabalenka fought back from a set down to win her first major title, but on this occasion Rybakina swept the Belarusian aside 6-0 6-3.

In the men's doubles final in Brisbane, Briton Lloyd Glasspool and Dutch team-mate Jean-Julien Rojer won a match tie-break to prevail 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 12-10 against German top seeds Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz.

The men's singles final will see Danish 20-year-old Holger Rune take on Grigor Dimitrov in a meeting between the top two seeds later on Sunday.

The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, starts in Melbourne on 14 January.

Gauff overcomes tough test to retain title

Gauff has never made it beyond the fourth round at the Australian Open but her form approaching this year's opening major suggests she is ready to improve that record in 2024.

The teenager fulfilled the Grand Slam-winning potential she had shown since bursting on to the scene as a 15-year-old at Wimbledon in 2019 by clinching her maiden success at her home major in September.

She had only dropped 15 games in her four matches in Auckland prior to Sunday's final, while her nine-match winning run at the tournament had been achieved without dropping a set.

A meeting with second seed Svitolina proved a much sterner test for Gauff - although it was one she would come through with admirable composure.

The Ukrainian, ranked 25th in the world just nine months after returning from maternity leave, clinched the tie-break at the end of an opening set in which Gauff squandered two set points when leading 5-4.

That was the first set Gauff had lost in two editions of the tournament - and it would be the last.

The American broke Svitolina's serve three times in an impressive second-set response, before a single break in the eighth game of the decider allowed her to serve out for the title.

Rybakina strikes blow before Australian Open

Sabalenka entered the Brisbane final on a 15-match winning streak in Australia yet the world number two was no match for the fourth-ranked Kazakh, who issued a serious statement before this year's first major.

Neither player had lost a set in their run to the final but Rybakina took charge in dominant fashion from the outset on Sunday.

The 24-year-old swiftly took the opening set - without any reply from her Belarusian opponent - in just 25 minutes with three successive breaks of serve.

Sabalenka conceded another break to trail 2-0 in the second set but the former world number one halted the run of games against her by breaking back in the third game.

Any hope of a fightback was soon extinguished by Rybakina, who immediately restored her two-game advantage before serving out a comprehensive victory.

It also meant Rybakina cut Sabalenka's lead in their head-to-head record to 5-3 as the year's first Grand Slam looms.
​
BBC
 
Grigor Dimitrov beat Holger Rune 7-6 (5) 6-4 in a tightly-fought battle of the top seeds in the Brisbane International final which stretched over two hours and contained only one break of serve.

Dimitrov, ranked 14th in the world and second seed in Brisbane, claimed his ninth career title with victory and his first since the ATP finals in 2017.

The third game of the first set was indicative of the close struggle. Rune held serve in a game of nine deuces and seven game points, finally fending off a break point at 2-1, 30-40 in a rally of 33 shots.

The 32-year-old Dimitrov finally broke Rune in the eighth game of the second set to lead 4-3. Rune saved two match points in the next game, in which he had a time violation and served an ace at 30-40.

Dimitrov then took the next game to love, serving his eighth ace of the match and finishing on his third match point. Rune had nine aces but also three double faults. The eighth-ranked 20-year-old was bidding for his fifth career title.

Dimitrov, winner in Brisbane six years ago, saved three break points in the match while Rune saved eight of nine.

"It's been a while since I held one of these," an emotional Dimitrov said after receiving the trophy for the second time after his 2017 Brisbane triumph.

"I'm fairly tired and I'll take a few days off but I'm really happy to be in Australia. I'll keep on going and yeah, onto the next one."

Source: Sky Sports

www.skysports.com

Grigor Dimitrov beats Holger Rune in Brisbane International final to claim first title in six years

Emotional Grigor Dimitrov after Brisbane International final victory over Holger Rune: Its been a while since I held one of these. Im fairly tired and Ill take a few days off but Im really happy to be in Australia. Ill keep on going and yeah, onto the next one.
www.skysports.com www.skysports.com
 
This year will be the first Australian Open without either Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer since 1999
 
Alexander Zverev sensationally battled back from two championship points down to inspire Germany's comeback victory over Poland in the United Cup final.

Women's world number one Iga Swiatek beat Angelique Kerber 6-3 6-0 to give Poland the lead in Sydney.

But Zverev recovered from the brink of defeat in his second set against Hubert Hurkacz to win 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.

He then partnered Laura Siegemund to a dramatic mixed doubles victory, taking the title in a match tie-break.

Zverev and Siegemund were taken to a deciding tie-break by Hurkacz and Swiatek but the German pair produced the stronger finish to prevail 6-4 5-7 10-4.

Germany became the second winners of the tournament, which was won by the United States when it was held for the first time in 2023.



BBC
 
Jack Draper opened with an impressive straight-set win over Sebastian Baez at the Adelaide International but fellow Briton Katie Boulter lost.

Draper, 22, comfortably beat the 26th-ranked Baez 6-1 6-3 as he continues his preparations for the Australian Open.

However, British number one Boulter suffered a 6-3 6-4 defeat by Romania's Anna Bogdan in the women's event.

Qualifying for the Australian Open was set to begin on Monday but rain prevented any matches being played.

The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, starts in Melbourne on 14 January.


BBC
 
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