FearlessRoar
T20I Star
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2023
- Runs
- 30,521
-
Contact the PP Team
The Tennis Thread
- Thread starter W63L35
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Medvedev hopes Sinner doping ban deal sets precedent
Daniil Medvedev says he hopes Jannik Sinner's doping ban will "create a precedent" so other players can reach similar settlements with anti-doping authorities in the future.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Sinner accepted an immediate three-month ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) on Saturday.
The world number one had previously been cleared of any wrongdoing after two positive drug tests last year, but Wada appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Wada initially sought a ban of up to two years but reached a deal after accepting the Italian player was inadvertently contaminated by a banned substance and "did not intend to cheat".
Daniil Medvedev says he hopes Jannik Sinner's doping ban will "create a precedent" so other players can reach similar settlements with anti-doping authorities in the future.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Sinner accepted an immediate three-month ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) on Saturday.
The world number one had previously been cleared of any wrongdoing after two positive drug tests last year, but Wada appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Wada initially sought a ban of up to two years but reached a deal after accepting the Italian player was inadvertently contaminated by a banned substance and "did not intend to cheat".
Jannik Sinner ban: Daniil Medvedev hopes other players can reach Wada deals in future
Former world number one Daniil Medvedev hopes Jannik Sinner's doping ban will mean other players can reach similar settlements in the future.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
'A dream' - teenager Fonseca wins first ATP Tour title
Teenager Joao Fonseca underlined why he is one of tennis' most promising stars as he beat Francisco Cerundolo to claim his first ATP Tour title.
The 18-year-old Brazilian beat Cerundolo 6-4 7-6 (7-1) in front of a boisterous Buenos Aires crowd at the Argentina Open.
World number 99 Fonseca is ranked 79 places below Cerundolo but played with maturity and aggression to see off his opponent.
Fonseca is the fourth youngest man since 2000 to win an ATP singles title - after Kei Nishikori, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.
He is the 10th youngest champion in ATP Tour history and the first born in 2006 to win a title.
BBC
Teenager Joao Fonseca underlined why he is one of tennis' most promising stars as he beat Francisco Cerundolo to claim his first ATP Tour title.
The 18-year-old Brazilian beat Cerundolo 6-4 7-6 (7-1) in front of a boisterous Buenos Aires crowd at the Argentina Open.
World number 99 Fonseca is ranked 79 places below Cerundolo but played with maturity and aggression to see off his opponent.
Fonseca is the fourth youngest man since 2000 to win an ATP singles title - after Kei Nishikori, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.
He is the 10th youngest champion in ATP Tour history and the first born in 2006 to win a title.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Draper and Alcaraz through to last 16 at Qatar Open
Jack Draper has progressed to the second round of the Qatar Open with a strong performance in a 6-2 7-6 (7-4) victory against Alexei Popyrin.
The eighth seed - playing for the first time since retiring injured against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open in January - needed only 27 minutes to take the first set in Dubai with Popyrin unable to cope with the Briton's first serves.
The second set was far less straightforward for Draper as Popyrin saved a break point to keep with serve.
Draper, making his debut in Doha, won the tie-break to set up a last-16 meeting with Australian qualifier Christopher O'Connell.
Earlier on Monday top seed Carlos Alcaraz progressed to the second round with a 6-4 6-4 victory against Marin Cilic.
Former US Open champion Cilic - making his first appearance since November because of a knee-injury setback - spurned three break points late in the second set that would have put him 5-3 up.
Alcaraz then broke serve and secured a place in the last 16, where he will face either Zhang Zhizhen or Luca Nardi.
BBC
Jack Draper has progressed to the second round of the Qatar Open with a strong performance in a 6-2 7-6 (7-4) victory against Alexei Popyrin.
The eighth seed - playing for the first time since retiring injured against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open in January - needed only 27 minutes to take the first set in Dubai with Popyrin unable to cope with the Briton's first serves.
The second set was far less straightforward for Draper as Popyrin saved a break point to keep with serve.
Draper, making his debut in Doha, won the tie-break to set up a last-16 meeting with Australian qualifier Christopher O'Connell.
Earlier on Monday top seed Carlos Alcaraz progressed to the second round with a 6-4 6-4 victory against Marin Cilic.
Former US Open champion Cilic - making his first appearance since November because of a knee-injury setback - spurned three break points late in the second set that would have put him 5-3 up.
Alcaraz then broke serve and secured a place in the last 16, where he will face either Zhang Zhizhen or Luca Nardi.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Wada says Sinner case 'million miles away from doping'
Jannik Sinner's case was "a million miles away from doping", a senior figure at the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has said.
The men's tennis world number one was handed an immediate three-month ban by Wada on Saturday after reaching a settlement over his two positive drug tests last year.
Sinner, 23, was cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent panel after testing positive for banned substance clostebol in March 2024.
Wada had been seeking a ban of up to two years after launching an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) following the initial decision by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) not to suspend Sinner.
However, a deal was reached when Wada accepted Sinner was inadvertently contaminated and "did not intend to cheat".
Sinner has stated that he was inadvertently contaminated by his physiotherapist, who was treating a cut on his hand with an over-the-counter spray, which was later found to contain the banned substance.
The case has divided the tennis world, with some questioning the timing and length of the ban, how the Italian was able to agree a deal and inconsistencies between recent doping cases.
It led to Switzerland's three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka posting on X: "I don't believe in a clean sport any more."
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Slam winner, questioned the fairness of the process and said there is "favouritism" towards high-profile players.
"This was a case that was a million miles away from doping," Wada general counsel Ross Wenzel told BBC Sport.
"The scientific feedback that we received was that this could not be a case of intentional doping, including micro-dosing."
Sinner's suspension began on 9 February and runs until 4 May, making him eligible to play at the French Open - the next Grand Slam - which begins on 25 May.
He has not featured competitively since beating Alexander Zverev in the final of the Australian Open on 26 January and could still be ranked number one when he returns to action.
Wenzel, who dismissed accusations of favouritism, said: "Wada has received messages from those that consider that the sanction was too high and, in some respects, if you have some saying this is unfair on the athlete, and others saying it's not enough, maybe it's an indication that although it's not going to be popular with everyone, maybe it's an indication that it was in the right place.
"When we look at these cases we try to look at them technically, operationally and we don't do it with fear of what the public and the politicians or anyone is going to say."
Sanctions are 'blind to the calendar'
Sinner could return from the ban on home soil, with the Rome Masters set to get under way on 7 May - three days after his suspension is lifted.
That would allow the three-time Grand Slam champion the opportunity to get in some competitive action on clay before heading to the French Open.
On Monday, British player Liam Broady said he believed Sinner's ban had been timed to impact the world number one's career "as little as possible", while former British number one Tim Henman said it "seems a little bit too convenient".
Wenzel insisted that sanctions are "blind to the calendar" and that the ban was executed as swiftly as possible after a resolution had been agreed upon by all parties.
"Once you've reached an agreement, what you can't do is then say 'oh, but we're going to have this apply from two months in the future for a period of three months'," Wenzel said.
"It must come into effect quickly. Of course, once the deal is done, it's important that it is executed and that it is made public for reasons of transparency.
"So it happened, because of the timing of the CAS proceedings, it happened to be decided last Friday, it was a very late night, and it came into effect immediately, so that is the reason for the timing.
"The sanctions that we impose and the code even says this, they're blind to the calendar. The correct sanction should be imposed and it comes into effect when it comes into effect and it shouldn't be modulated or modified to take into account whether the events that are coming up are significant or not significant."
Wada only introduced the possibility of a case resolution agreement in 2021, allowing it to strike a deal with athletes.
Since adding that provision to Wada's rules, Wenzel believes about 67 resolution agreements have come into effect.
"I checked this this morning and and it might be one or two out, but I counted 67 since the provision came into force in January 2021," Wenzel said.
"That's just over four years and there's been 67 of them and they've been applied at different stages, almost all stages of the results management process.
"Some of them have been applied at the beginning, at first instance with Wada's agreement; others have been applied right at the end of the Cas process, as was the case here."
BBC
Jannik Sinner's case was "a million miles away from doping", a senior figure at the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has said.
The men's tennis world number one was handed an immediate three-month ban by Wada on Saturday after reaching a settlement over his two positive drug tests last year.
Sinner, 23, was cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent panel after testing positive for banned substance clostebol in March 2024.
Wada had been seeking a ban of up to two years after launching an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) following the initial decision by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) not to suspend Sinner.
However, a deal was reached when Wada accepted Sinner was inadvertently contaminated and "did not intend to cheat".
Sinner has stated that he was inadvertently contaminated by his physiotherapist, who was treating a cut on his hand with an over-the-counter spray, which was later found to contain the banned substance.
The case has divided the tennis world, with some questioning the timing and length of the ban, how the Italian was able to agree a deal and inconsistencies between recent doping cases.
It led to Switzerland's three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka posting on X: "I don't believe in a clean sport any more."
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Slam winner, questioned the fairness of the process and said there is "favouritism" towards high-profile players.
"This was a case that was a million miles away from doping," Wada general counsel Ross Wenzel told BBC Sport.
"The scientific feedback that we received was that this could not be a case of intentional doping, including micro-dosing."
Sinner's suspension began on 9 February and runs until 4 May, making him eligible to play at the French Open - the next Grand Slam - which begins on 25 May.
He has not featured competitively since beating Alexander Zverev in the final of the Australian Open on 26 January and could still be ranked number one when he returns to action.
Wenzel, who dismissed accusations of favouritism, said: "Wada has received messages from those that consider that the sanction was too high and, in some respects, if you have some saying this is unfair on the athlete, and others saying it's not enough, maybe it's an indication that although it's not going to be popular with everyone, maybe it's an indication that it was in the right place.
"When we look at these cases we try to look at them technically, operationally and we don't do it with fear of what the public and the politicians or anyone is going to say."
Sanctions are 'blind to the calendar'
Sinner could return from the ban on home soil, with the Rome Masters set to get under way on 7 May - three days after his suspension is lifted.
That would allow the three-time Grand Slam champion the opportunity to get in some competitive action on clay before heading to the French Open.
On Monday, British player Liam Broady said he believed Sinner's ban had been timed to impact the world number one's career "as little as possible", while former British number one Tim Henman said it "seems a little bit too convenient".
Wenzel insisted that sanctions are "blind to the calendar" and that the ban was executed as swiftly as possible after a resolution had been agreed upon by all parties.
"Once you've reached an agreement, what you can't do is then say 'oh, but we're going to have this apply from two months in the future for a period of three months'," Wenzel said.
"It must come into effect quickly. Of course, once the deal is done, it's important that it is executed and that it is made public for reasons of transparency.
"So it happened, because of the timing of the CAS proceedings, it happened to be decided last Friday, it was a very late night, and it came into effect immediately, so that is the reason for the timing.
"The sanctions that we impose and the code even says this, they're blind to the calendar. The correct sanction should be imposed and it comes into effect when it comes into effect and it shouldn't be modulated or modified to take into account whether the events that are coming up are significant or not significant."
Wada only introduced the possibility of a case resolution agreement in 2021, allowing it to strike a deal with athletes.
Since adding that provision to Wada's rules, Wenzel believes about 67 resolution agreements have come into effect.
"I checked this this morning and and it might be one or two out, but I counted 67 since the provision came into force in January 2021," Wenzel said.
"That's just over four years and there's been 67 of them and they've been applied at different stages, almost all stages of the results management process.
"Some of them have been applied at the beginning, at first instance with Wada's agreement; others have been applied right at the end of the Cas process, as was the case here."
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Murray to continue as Djokovic's coach 'indefinitely'
Novak Djokovic says the partnership with Andy Murray as his coach will continue "indefinitely".
Three-time major winner Murray started working with his long-time playing rival on a trial basis at January's Australian Open, where Djokovic reached the semi-finals but was was forced to retire with a leg injury.
After his Melbourne exit, the 24-time Grand Slam champion said he and Murray would need to "cool off" before discussing the future.
However, speaking on his return to competition at the Qatar Open, Djokovic confirmed the pair will continue working together.
Novak Djokovic says the partnership with Andy Murray as his coach will continue "indefinitely".
Three-time major winner Murray started working with his long-time playing rival on a trial basis at January's Australian Open, where Djokovic reached the semi-finals but was was forced to retire with a leg injury.
After his Melbourne exit, the 24-time Grand Slam champion said he and Murray would need to "cool off" before discussing the future.
However, speaking on his return to competition at the Qatar Open, Djokovic confirmed the pair will continue working together.
Andy Murray: Briton to continue working as Novak Djokovic's coach 'indefinitely'
Novak Djokovic says the partnership with Andy Murray as his coach will continue "indefinitely".
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Raducanu loses to Muchova in Dubai second round
Emma Raducanu was beaten by Karolina Muchova in a hard-fought match in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
There were concerns for the British wildcard early in the match as she appeared to be crying and breathing heavily after Muchova broke for a 2-0 lead.
Raducanu continued playing and was able to fight back from 4-0 down and force a tie-break, which she lost after missing a set point.
Having secured an early break in the second, Muchova held off the 2021 US Open champion to seal a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 victory.
Raducanu, who reached the third round of the Australian Open last month, climbed back into the world's top 60 last year after missing most of the 2023 season following surgery on both wrists and her left ankle.
In the first round in Dubai, the 22-year-old ended a four-match losing streak - the worst of her career - with a straight-set win over Greece's Maria Sakkari.
After Muchova broke early in the opening set, Raducanu spoke to the umpire and her Czech opponent appeared to console her before the match continued.
Muchova, a runner-up at the French Open in 2023, will face McCartney Kessler after she stunned world number three Coco Gauff in straight sets.
Gauff suffers third straight defeat
Elsewhere in Dubai, Gauff suffered a third successive defeat as she fell to world number 53 Kessler.
Third seed Gauff, 20, started the year on red-hot form, winning nine matches in a row.
However, since losing to Paula Badosa in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, Gauff has lost in the second round at the Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships after receiving a bye in the first round at both tournaments.
Kessler saved five of the six break points she faced against her fellow American before wrapping up a 6-4 7-5 victory in one hour and 29 minutes.
It is the first top 10 victory of her career, while the 25-year-old is also into the third round of a WTA 1,000 event for the first time.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka claimed a 6-3 6-4 victory over qualifier Veronika Kudermetova, while second seed Iga Swiatek stormed past two-time major winner Victoria Azarenka in a 6-0 6-2 win.
Jasmine Paolini continued her title defence with a 6-2 7-5 victory over Germany's Eva Lys, while Ons Jabeur fell to a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 defeat by American Peyton Stearns.
Sixth seed Elena Rybakina beat Moyuka Uchijima 6-3 6-2 to set up a last-16 meeting with world number 10 Badosa, who won 6-2 6-1 against Elise Mertens.
BBC
Emma Raducanu was beaten by Karolina Muchova in a hard-fought match in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
There were concerns for the British wildcard early in the match as she appeared to be crying and breathing heavily after Muchova broke for a 2-0 lead.
Raducanu continued playing and was able to fight back from 4-0 down and force a tie-break, which she lost after missing a set point.
Having secured an early break in the second, Muchova held off the 2021 US Open champion to seal a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 victory.
Raducanu, who reached the third round of the Australian Open last month, climbed back into the world's top 60 last year after missing most of the 2023 season following surgery on both wrists and her left ankle.
In the first round in Dubai, the 22-year-old ended a four-match losing streak - the worst of her career - with a straight-set win over Greece's Maria Sakkari.
After Muchova broke early in the opening set, Raducanu spoke to the umpire and her Czech opponent appeared to console her before the match continued.
Muchova, a runner-up at the French Open in 2023, will face McCartney Kessler after she stunned world number three Coco Gauff in straight sets.
Gauff suffers third straight defeat
Elsewhere in Dubai, Gauff suffered a third successive defeat as she fell to world number 53 Kessler.
Third seed Gauff, 20, started the year on red-hot form, winning nine matches in a row.
However, since losing to Paula Badosa in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, Gauff has lost in the second round at the Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships after receiving a bye in the first round at both tournaments.
Kessler saved five of the six break points she faced against her fellow American before wrapping up a 6-4 7-5 victory in one hour and 29 minutes.
It is the first top 10 victory of her career, while the 25-year-old is also into the third round of a WTA 1,000 event for the first time.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka claimed a 6-3 6-4 victory over qualifier Veronika Kudermetova, while second seed Iga Swiatek stormed past two-time major winner Victoria Azarenka in a 6-0 6-2 win.
Jasmine Paolini continued her title defence with a 6-2 7-5 victory over Germany's Eva Lys, while Ons Jabeur fell to a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 defeat by American Peyton Stearns.
Sixth seed Elena Rybakina beat Moyuka Uchijima 6-3 6-2 to set up a last-16 meeting with world number 10 Badosa, who won 6-2 6-1 against Elise Mertens.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Draper storms into Qatar Open quarter-finals
British number one Jack Draper stormed into the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open with a dominant victory over Christopher O'Connell.
Draper did not face a single break point and needed just 59 minutes to wrap up a 6-2 6-1 win against the Australian.
The world number 16 is playing his first tournament since retiring injured from his fourth-round meeting with Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz at January's Australian Open.
He broke serve in the first game of the match and again at 4-2 before serving out the opener, while O'Connell won just one game in the second.
Draper will face Tallon Griekspoor or Matteo Berrettini, who knocked out Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Tuesday, in the last eight.
The 23-year-old remains on course for a semi-final encounter with Alcaraz, who beat Italy's Luca Nardi 6-1 4-6 6-3 later on Wednesday.
Four-time major winner Alcaraz is now on a 12-match winning streak at ATP 500 events and will play Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in the last eight.
Elsewhere in Doha, Alex de Minaur claimed his 200th tour-level hard-court win with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Botic van de Zandschulp to set up a quarter-final against fifth seed Andrey Rublev, who beat Nuno Borges 6-3 6-4.
World number six Daniil Medvedev defeated Zizou Bergs 6-2 6-1 and will face Felix Auger-Aliassime, after the Canadian was handed a walkover as Serbia's Hamad Medjedovic withdrew because of injury.
BBC
British number one Jack Draper stormed into the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open with a dominant victory over Christopher O'Connell.
Draper did not face a single break point and needed just 59 minutes to wrap up a 6-2 6-1 win against the Australian.
The world number 16 is playing his first tournament since retiring injured from his fourth-round meeting with Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz at January's Australian Open.
He broke serve in the first game of the match and again at 4-2 before serving out the opener, while O'Connell won just one game in the second.
Draper will face Tallon Griekspoor or Matteo Berrettini, who knocked out Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Tuesday, in the last eight.
The 23-year-old remains on course for a semi-final encounter with Alcaraz, who beat Italy's Luca Nardi 6-1 4-6 6-3 later on Wednesday.
Four-time major winner Alcaraz is now on a 12-match winning streak at ATP 500 events and will play Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in the last eight.
Elsewhere in Doha, Alex de Minaur claimed his 200th tour-level hard-court win with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Botic van de Zandschulp to set up a quarter-final against fifth seed Andrey Rublev, who beat Nuno Borges 6-3 6-4.
World number six Daniil Medvedev defeated Zizou Bergs 6-2 6-1 and will face Felix Auger-Aliassime, after the Canadian was handed a walkover as Serbia's Hamad Medjedovic withdrew because of injury.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
'Every woman has fear' - why risks facing female athletes remain
British tennis player Emma Raducanu hiding behind the umpire's chair after spotting a man who had "exhibited fixated behaviour" was a distressing scene.
It provided a stark reminder of the dangers faced by female athletes on a regular basis.
The man was detained by police following the incident at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday and given a restraining order.
"When you know it can get that far, that you feel a person is so obsessed with you, that they'll find a way into your court, it's very, very stressful," former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli told BBC Radio 5 Live.
BBC Sport looks at why female athletes continue to hold fears, the security measures which are in place to protect them and what more can be done to ensure they feel safer.
The 'extra risk' faced by female athletes
Approximately one in five women experience stalking in their lifetime, according to the UK's Office of National Statistics.
Being a well-known public personality increases exposure and a number of female tennis players have been subjected to predatory behaviour in recent years.
Raducanu, 22, has previously been the victim of a stalker, with another man given a five-year restraining order in 2022 after he walked 23 miles to her home.
Fellow British player Katie Boulter described to the Guardian last year, external how she had been followed by people in a car and on foot, while American players Danielle Collins, external and Sloane Stephens have also highlighted the harassment which they have faced.
A man was charged last month with stalking American basketball player Caitlin Clark, while sprinter Gabby Thomas and rugby player Ilona Maher have recently spoken out about their fears.
Bartoli recalled a similar harrowing experience during a match at the All England Club in 2007.
Bartoli described how a man followed her throughout the British grass-court season, turning up at the Birmingham and Eastbourne events before pretending to be a member of the Wimbledon groundstaff to get nearer to her.
"He found a way to purchase the same kit and get himself into my courts," she added.
"I recognised him during my first-round match against Flavia Pennetta and I pointed it out straight away.
"I said he was not a groundsperson, he was not working there, he was someone who has been stalking me for three weeks."
Stephanie Hilborne, the chief executive of the Women in Sport charity, told BBC Sport that "every single woman has a level of fear".
"That's not restricted to the more visible women - but the more visible you are, the greater that risk is and feels," she said.
"In sport, we have the situation where your body is very much on show so it makes for extra risk."
What happened to Raducanu in Dubai?
Raducanu was approached by the man close to the Dubai tournament site on Monday - the day between her first-round and second-round matches.
The 2021 US Open champion was given a letter by the man, which sources in Dubai told BBC Sport included his name and telephone number, that she opened later in her hotel.
After Raducanu told the WTA about the incident, tournament security teams were notified on Tuesday afternoon.
However, the man was still able to enter the small stadium where Raducanu played Karolina Muchova later that evening.
Raducanu spotted him in the front rows of the stand behind the baseline and, having become visibly upset as she told the umpire what the issue was, the man was taken out by security.
Raducanu managed to regain composure and resumed the match, which she went on to lose 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.
On Tuesday, having left Dubai, she said she was "doing OK" after the "difficult circumstances".
Mhairi Maclennan, a British long distance runner who is the co-founder of Kyniska Advocacy, which supports women and victims of abuse in sport, believes players in Raducanu's situation should leave court for an emotional welfare assessment.
"Speaking from my own experience, the psychological and emotional impact of something like that happening during a competition can completely derail you," Maclennan told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"What I would have liked to have seen in this instance, and others where an athlete has been visibly shaken, is that they pause the competition where possible.
"In a tennis match, make sure she is able to go and see somebody.
"I'm not saying the result would have been different had she been able to come back later but it is about offering her a choice."
How extra security did not stop 'deeply concerning' incident
According to the WTA, players are escorted to and from the match court by at least one security officer.
Enhanced security is provided if a player has been the target of a credible threat.
The WTA says extra security was given to Raducanu after her concerns were raised.
Tournament sources insist "efforts" were made to identify the man before Raducanu's match.
However, questions remain about how he was allowed to enter the stadium.
Hilborne believes it is "deeply, deeply concerning" the man was able to get so close to Raducanu.
"I'm not sure what happened to the security in this instance but if an athlete has already reported someone, there should be absolutely no chance that very person can turn up in that very circumstance," she said.
"You would hope the seriousness of this situation, where a woman reports someone for that type of behaviour, means there is no chance of them getting through security."
Dangers of 'inadvertently overexposing female athletes'
The WTA says player welfare and safety is a top priority, adding that safeguarding is "an area in which we remain ever vigilant".
The governing body points to the "significant commitments" it has made to education and training, as well as increasing staff and resources in safeguarding.
"Our approach recognises that effective safeguarding is multifaceted and strongest when everyone involved in the game is invested and held to the same standards," the WTA said.
A key concern for both Women in Sport and Kyniska Advocacy is the effect caused by elite female athletes being used as marketing tools to push the growth of women's sports.
"We need to stop inadvertently overexposing elite female athletes," said Hilborne.
"It is concerning is how much they are pushed to expose their personal lives through social media and are expected to put themselves at greater risk in order to generate more income for the sport.
"We need to be selling the skills and jeopardy of the game, rather than the individual lives."
Anti-misogyny policies, introduced as a condition of funding being given to sports, should also be mandatory, according to Women in Sport.
It has demanded social media accounts spreading misogynistic messages to be deactivated and reiterated its call for an independent sporting regulator to handle reports of misogyny.
Hilborne also wants men to "stand up with women to address the system".
"When you get a brilliant tennis player like Emma who you want to celebrate, you don't want to deal with these negative aspects - you want to celebrate their play and the story of the sport," said Hilborne.
"But when this does happen, we're reminded there has not been enough action. It is unacceptable."
BBC
British tennis player Emma Raducanu hiding behind the umpire's chair after spotting a man who had "exhibited fixated behaviour" was a distressing scene.
It provided a stark reminder of the dangers faced by female athletes on a regular basis.
The man was detained by police following the incident at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday and given a restraining order.
"When you know it can get that far, that you feel a person is so obsessed with you, that they'll find a way into your court, it's very, very stressful," former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli told BBC Radio 5 Live.
BBC Sport looks at why female athletes continue to hold fears, the security measures which are in place to protect them and what more can be done to ensure they feel safer.
The 'extra risk' faced by female athletes
Approximately one in five women experience stalking in their lifetime, according to the UK's Office of National Statistics.
Being a well-known public personality increases exposure and a number of female tennis players have been subjected to predatory behaviour in recent years.
Raducanu, 22, has previously been the victim of a stalker, with another man given a five-year restraining order in 2022 after he walked 23 miles to her home.
Fellow British player Katie Boulter described to the Guardian last year, external how she had been followed by people in a car and on foot, while American players Danielle Collins, external and Sloane Stephens have also highlighted the harassment which they have faced.
A man was charged last month with stalking American basketball player Caitlin Clark, while sprinter Gabby Thomas and rugby player Ilona Maher have recently spoken out about their fears.
Bartoli recalled a similar harrowing experience during a match at the All England Club in 2007.
Bartoli described how a man followed her throughout the British grass-court season, turning up at the Birmingham and Eastbourne events before pretending to be a member of the Wimbledon groundstaff to get nearer to her.
"He found a way to purchase the same kit and get himself into my courts," she added.
"I recognised him during my first-round match against Flavia Pennetta and I pointed it out straight away.
"I said he was not a groundsperson, he was not working there, he was someone who has been stalking me for three weeks."
Stephanie Hilborne, the chief executive of the Women in Sport charity, told BBC Sport that "every single woman has a level of fear".
"That's not restricted to the more visible women - but the more visible you are, the greater that risk is and feels," she said.
"In sport, we have the situation where your body is very much on show so it makes for extra risk."
What happened to Raducanu in Dubai?
Raducanu was approached by the man close to the Dubai tournament site on Monday - the day between her first-round and second-round matches.
The 2021 US Open champion was given a letter by the man, which sources in Dubai told BBC Sport included his name and telephone number, that she opened later in her hotel.
After Raducanu told the WTA about the incident, tournament security teams were notified on Tuesday afternoon.
However, the man was still able to enter the small stadium where Raducanu played Karolina Muchova later that evening.
Raducanu spotted him in the front rows of the stand behind the baseline and, having become visibly upset as she told the umpire what the issue was, the man was taken out by security.
Raducanu managed to regain composure and resumed the match, which she went on to lose 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.
On Tuesday, having left Dubai, she said she was "doing OK" after the "difficult circumstances".
Mhairi Maclennan, a British long distance runner who is the co-founder of Kyniska Advocacy, which supports women and victims of abuse in sport, believes players in Raducanu's situation should leave court for an emotional welfare assessment.
"Speaking from my own experience, the psychological and emotional impact of something like that happening during a competition can completely derail you," Maclennan told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"What I would have liked to have seen in this instance, and others where an athlete has been visibly shaken, is that they pause the competition where possible.
"In a tennis match, make sure she is able to go and see somebody.
"I'm not saying the result would have been different had she been able to come back later but it is about offering her a choice."
How extra security did not stop 'deeply concerning' incident
According to the WTA, players are escorted to and from the match court by at least one security officer.
Enhanced security is provided if a player has been the target of a credible threat.
The WTA says extra security was given to Raducanu after her concerns were raised.
Tournament sources insist "efforts" were made to identify the man before Raducanu's match.
However, questions remain about how he was allowed to enter the stadium.
Hilborne believes it is "deeply, deeply concerning" the man was able to get so close to Raducanu.
"I'm not sure what happened to the security in this instance but if an athlete has already reported someone, there should be absolutely no chance that very person can turn up in that very circumstance," she said.
"You would hope the seriousness of this situation, where a woman reports someone for that type of behaviour, means there is no chance of them getting through security."
Dangers of 'inadvertently overexposing female athletes'
The WTA says player welfare and safety is a top priority, adding that safeguarding is "an area in which we remain ever vigilant".
The governing body points to the "significant commitments" it has made to education and training, as well as increasing staff and resources in safeguarding.
"Our approach recognises that effective safeguarding is multifaceted and strongest when everyone involved in the game is invested and held to the same standards," the WTA said.
A key concern for both Women in Sport and Kyniska Advocacy is the effect caused by elite female athletes being used as marketing tools to push the growth of women's sports.
"We need to stop inadvertently overexposing elite female athletes," said Hilborne.
"It is concerning is how much they are pushed to expose their personal lives through social media and are expected to put themselves at greater risk in order to generate more income for the sport.
"We need to be selling the skills and jeopardy of the game, rather than the individual lives."
Anti-misogyny policies, introduced as a condition of funding being given to sports, should also be mandatory, according to Women in Sport.
It has demanded social media accounts spreading misogynistic messages to be deactivated and reiterated its call for an independent sporting regulator to handle reports of misogyny.
Hilborne also wants men to "stand up with women to address the system".
"When you get a brilliant tennis player like Emma who you want to celebrate, you don't want to deal with these negative aspects - you want to celebrate their play and the story of the sport," said Hilborne.
"But when this does happen, we're reminded there has not been enough action. It is unacceptable."
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Draper beats Lehecka to reach Qatar Open final
British number one Jack Draper reached the final of the Qatar Open with a 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 victory against Jiri Lehecka.
The Czech Republic's Lehecka took control of the opening set after breaking serve in the eighth game, before a more even second set went to a tie-break.
Draper - who defeated former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini on Thursday - produced a near-flawless performance in the tie-break to send the match to a decider.
The final set went with serve until a double fault from Lehecka gifted the 23-year-old Briton a break, with the Czech throwing his racket to the floor in frustration.
Draper, whose recent injury problems have been well-documented, broke serve again with his second match point to give himself a chance of winning a third career title.
British number one Jack Draper reached the final of the Qatar Open with a 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 victory against Jiri Lehecka.
The Czech Republic's Lehecka took control of the opening set after breaking serve in the eighth game, before a more even second set went to a tie-break.
Draper - who defeated former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini on Thursday - produced a near-flawless performance in the tie-break to send the match to a decider.
The final set went with serve until a double fault from Lehecka gifted the 23-year-old Briton a break, with the Czech throwing his racket to the floor in frustration.
Draper, whose recent injury problems have been well-documented, broke serve again with his second match point to give himself a chance of winning a third career title.
Jack Draper reaches Qatar Open final with win over Jiri Lehecka
British number one Jack Draper reaches the final of the Qatar Open with a 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 victory against Jiri Lehecka.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Runs
- 5,867
GB's Draper beaten by Rublev in Qatar Open final
British number one Jack Draper was beaten in three sets by Andrey Rublev in the Qatar Open final.Draper was seeking a third career ATP Tour title but lost 7-5 5-7 6-1 to the world number 10 in Doha.
The opening two sets featured just one break of serve for either player, but the decider was more one-sided.
As Draper visibly tired, Rublev broke twice to race into a 4-0 lead, before comfortably holding serve to seal victory.
Despite the disappointment Draper, who reached the Australian Open fourth round in January, will rise up to a career-high 12th in the world rankings.
"It has been an amazing week - congratulations to Andrey, he was just too good today," said the 23-year-old, who has lost three of the five ATP Tour finals he has played in.
"He outlasted me. We have both played some really tough matches this week and he was just too strong for me in the third set.
It is Rublev's second Qatar Open title after lifting the trophy in 2020, the first time he has won the same event on two occasions.
Only Novak Djokovic, among active players on the Tour, has won more than the Russian's six ATP titles.
"It is amazing. It is the first title I have won twice so I am really happy," said Rublev.
"We were both exhausted after some long matches this week. It was difficult but we were able to play to a good level.
"After the second set, I started to play much more free - he was more tired. I was able to break him and the match changed completely."
Source: BBC
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Runs
- 5,867
Russia's Mirra Andreeva, 17, wins in Dubai, will enter top 10
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat Clara Tauson 7-6 (1), 6-1 in the Dubai Championships on Saturday to earn the biggest title of her career.The victory will earn Andreeva her debut in the top 10 of the rankings next week -- the first 17-year-old to achieve that since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007.
It caps quite a week for Andreeva, who also had wins over 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, five-time major champion Iga Swiatek and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina to become the youngest player to defeat three major champions at a single event since Maria Sharapova at the 2004 WTA Finals. She also became the youngest player to reach the final of a WTA 1000 event.
Andreeva's only other title was the Iasi Open in Romania last year.
Source: ESPN
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
GB's Draper beaten by Rublev in Qatar Open final
British number one Jack Draper was beaten in three sets by Andrey Rublev in the Qatar Open final.
Draper was seeking a third career ATP Tour title but lost 7-5 5-7 6-1 to the world number 10 in Doha.
The opening two sets featured just one break of serve for either player, but the decider was more one-sided.
As Draper visibly tired, Rublev broke twice to race into a 4-0 lead, before comfortably holding serve to seal victory.
Despite the disappointment Draper, who reached the Australian Open fourth round in January, will rise up to a career-high 12th in the world rankings.
BBC
British number one Jack Draper was beaten in three sets by Andrey Rublev in the Qatar Open final.
Draper was seeking a third career ATP Tour title but lost 7-5 5-7 6-1 to the world number 10 in Doha.
The opening two sets featured just one break of serve for either player, but the decider was more one-sided.
As Draper visibly tired, Rublev broke twice to race into a 4-0 lead, before comfortably holding serve to seal victory.
Despite the disappointment Draper, who reached the Australian Open fourth round in January, will rise up to a career-high 12th in the world rankings.
BBC
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Runs
- 5,867
Andreeva becomes youngest WTA 1000 winner in Dubai
Mirra Andreeva made history by becoming the youngest player to claim a WTA 1000 title after the 17-year-old won the Dubai Tennis Championships.The Russian beat Clara Tauson 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 and her victory means she will next week climb into the top 10 for the first time.
Andreeva defeated Grand Slam winners Marketa Vondrousova, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina on her way to the final.
"I'd set a goal for myself to be in top 10 by the end of the year," she said.
"Now it's the end of February and I've already made it, so this is something incredible for me."
Denmark's Tauson, 22, had gone 2-0 up early on but Andreeva soon settled into her game to break back and level the match at 2-2.
There was little to separate the two as the first set went to a tiebreak, where Andreeva won the first six points before Tauson sent a return long.
Andreeva then dominated the second set, breezing into a 5-1 lead before world number 38 Tauson's return went long again to seal the title for the teenager.
"I'm just super happy with the way I was playing," added Andreeva. "I was nervous. I think you could see it during the match with all those double faults, some mistakes.
"So I'm just really happy that I could manage and deal with the pressure. And now it just feels amazing.
"This is something I dreamt of and now my dream came true so I'm just, I'm speechless right now."
Source: BBC
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Runs
- 5,867
Draper withdraws from Dubai to 'manage body'
Jack Draper has withdrawn from the Dubai Tennis Championships to "manage" his workload.Draper, 23, announced the decision to miss the tournament, which starts on Monday, a day after losing to Andrey Rublev in three sets in the final of the Qatar Open in Doha.
Britain's number one, who is set to rise to 12th in the world rankings, has said he will return for the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open next month.
Draper posted on X: "Unfortunately, I have made the decision to withdraw from Dubai Duty Free.
"After a great week at Qatar Open Tennis, I'm taking on board advice to prioritise my recovery and manage my body after a number of long matches, and give myself the best chance of competing consistently throughout the year.
"I'm gutted not to compete at such an amazing event but will look forward to returning to competition at BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open."
Britain's number five Dan Evans has been given a wildcard entry into the singles competition and will face Karen Khachanov in Monday's first round.
Source: BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Venus Williams turns down Indian Wells wildcard
Former world number one Venus Williams has turned down a wildcard for next month's Indian Wells tournament.
Organisers said last week the 44-year-old had been invited but the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion has not taken it up.
"Our team has been informed that Venus is not accepting the wildcard this year," the event posted on X in a statement attributed to tournament director Tommy Haas.
"We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future."
Williams has dropped to 974th in the world and has not played a WTA Tour-level match since losing in the first round of the Miami Open last March.
She earlier told the TennisWeekly podcast she would not be making her return at the Indian Wells tournament, which runs from 2-16 March.
"I'm not playing - I'm going to be overseas. I'm not going to be here," she said.
Williams boycotted Indian Wells for 15 years after her younger sister Serena was booed and heckled by fans during her win against Kim Clijsters in the 2001 final.
The jeers appeared to be in response to Venus withdrawing injured from the semi-final between the siblings.
Their father Richard later accused fans of racial abuse. Serena returned to the tournament in 2015 while Venus played the following year.
Former world number one Venus Williams has turned down a wildcard for next month's Indian Wells tournament.
Organisers said last week the 44-year-old had been invited but the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion has not taken it up.
"Our team has been informed that Venus is not accepting the wildcard this year," the event posted on X in a statement attributed to tournament director Tommy Haas.
"We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future."
Williams has dropped to 974th in the world and has not played a WTA Tour-level match since losing in the first round of the Miami Open last March.
She earlier told the TennisWeekly podcast she would not be making her return at the Indian Wells tournament, which runs from 2-16 March.
"I'm not playing - I'm going to be overseas. I'm not going to be here," she said.
Williams boycotted Indian Wells for 15 years after her younger sister Serena was booed and heckled by fans during her win against Kim Clijsters in the 2001 final.
The jeers appeared to be in response to Venus withdrawing injured from the semi-final between the siblings.
Their father Richard later accused fans of racial abuse. Serena returned to the tournament in 2015 while Venus played the following year.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Briton Evans loses in first round in Dubai
Britain's Dan Evans lost to Russian Karen Khachanov in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.
Evans, who received a wildcard for the tournament, had won all five of their previous meetings, including a five-and-a-half-hour classic at last year's US Open.
However, world number 24 Khachanov triumphed 6-1 6-3 in one hour 20 minutes.
He will face Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or Lorenzo Sonego of Italy in the second round.
BBC
Britain's Dan Evans lost to Russian Karen Khachanov in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.
Evans, who received a wildcard for the tournament, had won all five of their previous meetings, including a five-and-a-half-hour classic at last year's US Open.
However, world number 24 Khachanov triumphed 6-1 6-3 in one hour 20 minutes.
He will face Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or Lorenzo Sonego of Italy in the second round.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Norrie beaten by qualifier Tien in Acapulco opener
Britain's Cameron Norrie has been beaten by teenage American qualifier Learner Tien in the opening round of the Mexican Open in Acapulco.
Norrie, who is now 74th in the world, was beaten 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 by the 19-year-old, who is ranked nine places below him.
The Briton had won the only previous meeting between the pair, in Hong Kong earlier this year.
Tien led 4-1 in the opener before Norrie recovered and served for the set at 5-4. But he was broken and Tien went on to take the subsequent tie-break and control the match after that.
Second seed Casper Ruud advanced to round two by beating France's Arthur Rinderknech 6-4 6-3 while American pair Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton, the third and fifth seeds respectively, also went through.
BBC
Britain's Cameron Norrie has been beaten by teenage American qualifier Learner Tien in the opening round of the Mexican Open in Acapulco.
Norrie, who is now 74th in the world, was beaten 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 by the 19-year-old, who is ranked nine places below him.
The Briton had won the only previous meeting between the pair, in Hong Kong earlier this year.
Tien led 4-1 in the opener before Norrie recovered and served for the set at 5-4. But he was broken and Tien went on to take the subsequent tie-break and control the match after that.
Second seed Casper Ruud advanced to round two by beating France's Arthur Rinderknech 6-4 6-3 while American pair Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton, the third and fifth seeds respectively, also went through.
BBC
FearlessRoar
T20I Star
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2023
- Runs
- 30,521
Raducanu to play Indian Wells after stalking ordeal
Emma Raducanu has decided to play at the upcoming WTA tournament in Indian Wells following her recent stalking ordeal.
Britain's Raducanu, 22, was deliberating whether to travel to the United States for the hard-court event which starts next week.
The former US Open champion was shaken after a man "exhibited fixated behaviour" towards her at last week's Dubai Tennis Championships.
The man was later detained and later given a restraining order, Dubai Police said.
Raducanu was visibly upset after seeing the man in the stands during her second-round match last week.
The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells begins on 5 March.
The Californian event is one of the biggest tournaments of the season outside of the four Grand Slams, with the world's best men and women competing in a combined ATP/WTA event over a fortnight.
Raducanu had direct entry into the 128-player women's singles field having climbed up to 55th in the world rankings.
Last year, the British number two was given a wildcard as she fought back from wrist and ankle surgeries which ruled her out of most of the 2023 season.
Raducanu is likely to be flanked by increased security at the event.
The WTA, whose full-time security arm is led by former US Secret Service agent Bob Campbell, says it can provide enhanced security if a player has been the target of a credible threat.
Players are usually escorted to and from the match court by at least one security officer.
But the Dubai incident raised questions about the security measures in place to protect players.
Raducanu had spotted the man in the first few rows of the stand during her match against Karolina Muchova.
A day before, Raducanu was approached by the same man in a public area close to the tournament.
Police said he gave the 2021 US Open champion a letter, which sources told BBC Sport included his name and telephone number, and took a photograph.
After raising her concerns with the WTA, the tournament's security team were informed and told to be on alert.
However, the man was still able to enter the small stadium where Raducanu played later that evening.
Emma Raducanu will play Indian Wells after Dubai stalking incident
Britain's Emma Raducanu will travel to the WTA tournament in Indian Wells after deciding to play following her recent stalking ordeal.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Sinner's Laureus award nomination withdrawn after ban
Jannik Sinner's nomination for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award has been withdrawn after he was given a three-month doping ban.
The world number one accepted an immediate three-month ban from tennis earlier this month after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency over his two positive drugs tests last year.
The 23-year-old Italian, who won the Australian Open in January, is suspended from 9 February until 4 May.
Jannik Sinner's nomination for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award has been withdrawn after he was given a three-month doping ban.
The world number one accepted an immediate three-month ban from tennis earlier this month after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency over his two positive drugs tests last year.
The 23-year-old Italian, who won the Australian Open in January, is suspended from 9 February until 4 May.
Jannik Sinner: Laureus award nomination withdrawn after world number one's doping ban
Jannik Sinner's nomination for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award is withdrawn after he was given a three-month doping ban.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Tsitsipas beats Auger-Aliassime to win Dubai final
Stefanos Tsitsipas secured a maiden ATP 500 title with a straight-set victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The 26-year-old Greek produced a strong performance to beat his in-form Canadian opponent 6-3 6-3.
The fourth seed had reached the final of the tournament twice before, losing to Novak Djokovic in 2019 and then again to Roger Federer a year later.
Saturday's win was world number 11 Tsitsipas' 12th tour-level title, and the biggest outdoor hard-court trophy of his career.
He defeated 24-year-old Auger-Aliassime - who is leading the ATP Tour this season with 16 match wins and two titles - in one hour and 28 minutes, and will return to the top 10 of the world rankings on Monday for the first time since May 2024.
BBC
Stefanos Tsitsipas secured a maiden ATP 500 title with a straight-set victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The 26-year-old Greek produced a strong performance to beat his in-form Canadian opponent 6-3 6-3.
The fourth seed had reached the final of the tournament twice before, losing to Novak Djokovic in 2019 and then again to Roger Federer a year later.
Saturday's win was world number 11 Tsitsipas' 12th tour-level title, and the biggest outdoor hard-court trophy of his career.
He defeated 24-year-old Auger-Aliassime - who is leading the ATP Tour this season with 16 match wins and two titles - in one hour and 28 minutes, and will return to the top 10 of the world rankings on Monday for the first time since May 2024.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Tsitsipas beats Auger-Aliassime to win Dubai final
Stefanos Tsitsipas secured a maiden ATP 500 title with a straight-set victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The 26-year-old Greek produced a strong performance to beat his in-form Canadian opponent 6-3 6-3.
The fourth seed had reached the final of the tournament twice before, losing to Novak Djokovic in 2019 and then again to Roger Federer a year later.
Saturday's win was world number 11 Tsitsipas' 12th tour-level title, and the biggest outdoor hard-court trophy of his career.
He defeated 24-year-old Auger-Aliassime - who is leading the ATP Tour this season with 16 match wins and two titles - in one hour and 28 minutes, and will return to the top 10 of the world rankings on Monday for the first time since May 2024.
"It's a big relief that I'm able to hold that trophy after the third attempt," said Tsitsipas.
"It's something that I had in the back of my mind, and I'm happy to say I accomplished it.
"To be owning a spot in the top 10 is definitely one of the greatest feelings a tennis player can experience.
"It comes with hard work and sacrifices, but I'm happy that I'm in a position where I can really celebrate."
Elsewhere, Britain's Henry Patten and his partner Harri Heliovaara from Finland squandered four championship points before losing in the men's doubles final.
The world number one-ranked pair were beaten 3-6 7-6 (12-10) 10-8 by India's Yuki Bhambri and Alexei Popyrin of Australia who were playing together for the first time.
Patten and Heliovaara, the Wimbledon and Australian Open champions, had been chasing their sixth tour-level title.
Meanwhile, in Acapulco, Czech player Tomas Machac claimed his first ATP Tour title with victory in the Mexican Open.
The world number 25, who won mixed doubles gold at the Paris Olympics, beat Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6(6) 6-2 in the decider.
Machac becomes the third player from his country to win an ATP 500 title, following Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek.
The Spaniard has now lost three finals on the tour, including at the Delray Beach Open last month.
BBC
Stefanos Tsitsipas secured a maiden ATP 500 title with a straight-set victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The 26-year-old Greek produced a strong performance to beat his in-form Canadian opponent 6-3 6-3.
The fourth seed had reached the final of the tournament twice before, losing to Novak Djokovic in 2019 and then again to Roger Federer a year later.
Saturday's win was world number 11 Tsitsipas' 12th tour-level title, and the biggest outdoor hard-court trophy of his career.
He defeated 24-year-old Auger-Aliassime - who is leading the ATP Tour this season with 16 match wins and two titles - in one hour and 28 minutes, and will return to the top 10 of the world rankings on Monday for the first time since May 2024.
"It's a big relief that I'm able to hold that trophy after the third attempt," said Tsitsipas.
"It's something that I had in the back of my mind, and I'm happy to say I accomplished it.
"To be owning a spot in the top 10 is definitely one of the greatest feelings a tennis player can experience.
"It comes with hard work and sacrifices, but I'm happy that I'm in a position where I can really celebrate."
Elsewhere, Britain's Henry Patten and his partner Harri Heliovaara from Finland squandered four championship points before losing in the men's doubles final.
The world number one-ranked pair were beaten 3-6 7-6 (12-10) 10-8 by India's Yuki Bhambri and Alexei Popyrin of Australia who were playing together for the first time.
Patten and Heliovaara, the Wimbledon and Australian Open champions, had been chasing their sixth tour-level title.
Meanwhile, in Acapulco, Czech player Tomas Machac claimed his first ATP Tour title with victory in the Mexican Open.
The world number 25, who won mixed doubles gold at the Paris Olympics, beat Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6(6) 6-2 in the decider.
Machac becomes the third player from his country to win an ATP 500 title, following Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek.
The Spaniard has now lost three finals on the tour, including at the Delray Beach Open last month.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Murray to coach Djokovic in Indian Wells & Miami
Andy Murray will reprise his coaching role with Novak Djokovic at the upcoming Indian Wells tournament and stay with the 24-time major champion for the Miami Open.
Djokovic, 37, plans to compete at both ATP Masters events - played back-to-back and known as the 'Sunshine Double' - for the first time since 2019.
Murray's team said the 37-year-old Scot flew out to the United States on Monday.
The Indian Wells main draw starts later this week, with the Miami Open following on 19 March.
Djokovic's last competitive outing was a first-round defeat by Italy's Matteo Berrettini at the Qatar Open on 18 February, when Murray was not present.
Djokovic began working with his long-time rival, who retired from playing in August, on a trial basis at January's Australian Open.
Andy Murray will reprise his coaching role with Novak Djokovic at the upcoming Indian Wells tournament and stay with the 24-time major champion for the Miami Open.
Djokovic, 37, plans to compete at both ATP Masters events - played back-to-back and known as the 'Sunshine Double' - for the first time since 2019.
Murray's team said the 37-year-old Scot flew out to the United States on Monday.
The Indian Wells main draw starts later this week, with the Miami Open following on 19 March.
Djokovic's last competitive outing was a first-round defeat by Italy's Matteo Berrettini at the Qatar Open on 18 February, when Murray was not present.
Djokovic began working with his long-time rival, who retired from playing in August, on a trial basis at January's Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to resume coaching partnership in Indian Wells and Miami
Andy Murray will reprise his coaching role with Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells and stay with the 24-time major champion for the Miami Open.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Navarro claims rare 6-0 6-0 win in Mexico final
American Emma Navarro became only the fifth player this century to win a WTA final 6-0 6-0 with victory over Emiliana Arango at the Merida Open in Mexico.
World number eight and top seed Navarro, who did not drop a set during the tournament, saw off the Colombian world number 133 in only 55 minutes to claim the second title of her career.
Navarro, 23, is the first player to record a 'double bagel' scoreline in a final since Iga Swiatek beat Karolina Pliskova at the 2021 Italian Open.
The other women to have achieved the feat since 2000 are Simona Halep, Agnieszka Radwanska and Marion Bartoli.
Navarro, the top seed in Merida, did not face a break point and won 76% of points on her first serve.
Elsewhere, world number four Jessica Pegula beat fellow American McCartney Kessler 7-5 6-2 on Sunday to win the ATX Open final in Austin, Texas, for her seventh singles title.
BBC
American Emma Navarro became only the fifth player this century to win a WTA final 6-0 6-0 with victory over Emiliana Arango at the Merida Open in Mexico.
World number eight and top seed Navarro, who did not drop a set during the tournament, saw off the Colombian world number 133 in only 55 minutes to claim the second title of her career.
Navarro, 23, is the first player to record a 'double bagel' scoreline in a final since Iga Swiatek beat Karolina Pliskova at the 2021 Italian Open.
The other women to have achieved the feat since 2000 are Simona Halep, Agnieszka Radwanska and Marion Bartoli.
Navarro, the top seed in Merida, did not face a break point and won 76% of points on her first serve.
Elsewhere, world number four Jessica Pegula beat fellow American McCartney Kessler 7-5 6-2 on Sunday to win the ATX Open final in Austin, Texas, for her seventh singles title.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Stalking incident could have been dealt with better – Raducanu
Emma Raducanu says her recent stalking ordeal "could have been dealt with better", but believes lessons have already been learnt.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the incident a fortnight ago, the 22-year-old Briton described to BBC Sport the "very emotional weeks" in which she was followed to four tournaments by the same man.
Raducanu was visibly upset after seeing the man in the stands during her second-round match in Dubai.
He was removed and later given a restraining order by police.
"I think that since that incident I have definitely got increased attention and greater security," said Raducanu, who was speaking before her return to action in Indian Wells.
"I think all we can do is look at what happened and react to it in a better way, in a more positive way, rather than looking back and blaming the situation.
"It could have been dealt with better, but now it is being dealt with better so for me that's important."
The man approached Raducanu near the player hotel in Dubai the day before her second round match with Karolina Muchova.
He gave her a letter and took her photo, which understandably unnerved Raducanu, who had been aware of his presence at tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Doha in preceding weeks.
Although she reported it to a member of her team, the information was not passed on to the WTA or the tournament until the following day, leaving security staff with just a few hours to prepare.
"I think they were very emotional weeks, because it had carried on for a few weeks before," said Raducanu.
"It was quite tiring. I took a week break when I got home in England and I then decided to come here."
Raducanu, who shot to worldwide fame when she won the US Open as an 18-year-old in 2021, told the BBC she is unlikely to invest in private security at tournaments, but added she is taking increased precautions.
"I'm always now very aware and not necessarily doing things on my own any more," she added.
"I'm always with someone, and always being watched I would say."
Having decided to make the journey to Indian Wells - one of the biggest events outside of the four majors - Raducanu has been surprised by how much happier she has been feeling since arriving in California.
Raducanu will play Moyuka Uchijima of Japan in the first round on Thursday, with the winner to face American third seed Coco Gauff in round two.
"Since being here in this environment - which is one of my favourite tournaments - I have felt a lot better," she said.
"The allure of Indian Wells was a big part of me coming. I wasn't sure if I was going to come and compete so soon.
"I just wanted to make sure I was ready but since coming here I have surprised myself with how happy I feel here.
"It's probably one of my favourite places on the calendar and I am ready to go."
BBC
Emma Raducanu says her recent stalking ordeal "could have been dealt with better", but believes lessons have already been learnt.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the incident a fortnight ago, the 22-year-old Briton described to BBC Sport the "very emotional weeks" in which she was followed to four tournaments by the same man.
Raducanu was visibly upset after seeing the man in the stands during her second-round match in Dubai.
He was removed and later given a restraining order by police.
"I think that since that incident I have definitely got increased attention and greater security," said Raducanu, who was speaking before her return to action in Indian Wells.
"I think all we can do is look at what happened and react to it in a better way, in a more positive way, rather than looking back and blaming the situation.
"It could have been dealt with better, but now it is being dealt with better so for me that's important."
The man approached Raducanu near the player hotel in Dubai the day before her second round match with Karolina Muchova.
He gave her a letter and took her photo, which understandably unnerved Raducanu, who had been aware of his presence at tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Doha in preceding weeks.
Although she reported it to a member of her team, the information was not passed on to the WTA or the tournament until the following day, leaving security staff with just a few hours to prepare.
"I think they were very emotional weeks, because it had carried on for a few weeks before," said Raducanu.
"It was quite tiring. I took a week break when I got home in England and I then decided to come here."
Raducanu, who shot to worldwide fame when she won the US Open as an 18-year-old in 2021, told the BBC she is unlikely to invest in private security at tournaments, but added she is taking increased precautions.
"I'm always now very aware and not necessarily doing things on my own any more," she added.
"I'm always with someone, and always being watched I would say."
Having decided to make the journey to Indian Wells - one of the biggest events outside of the four majors - Raducanu has been surprised by how much happier she has been feeling since arriving in California.
Raducanu will play Moyuka Uchijima of Japan in the first round on Thursday, with the winner to face American third seed Coco Gauff in round two.
"Since being here in this environment - which is one of my favourite tournaments - I have felt a lot better," she said.
"The allure of Indian Wells was a big part of me coming. I wasn't sure if I was going to come and compete so soon.
"I just wanted to make sure I was ready but since coming here I have surprised myself with how happy I feel here.
"It's probably one of my favourite places on the calendar and I am ready to go."
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Raducanu to start trial with coach Platenik
Emma Raducanu will begin a trial period with Slovakian coach Vladimir Platenik when she plays her first-round match at Indian Wells on Thursday.
The 49-year-old was coaching Lulu Sun when the New Zealand qualifier beat Raducanu in the fourth round of Wimbledon last July.
Platenik worked with compatriot Dominika Cibulkova when she reached the semi-finals of the French Open in 2009, and has also coached Russians Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova.
Loughborough Academy coach Tom Welsh agreed to join Raducanu for Indian Wells, but that was billed as a one-off arrangement.
Raducanu, who has been without a permanent coach since Nick Cavaday stood down for health reasons after January's Australian Open, plays Japan's Moyuka Uchijima in her opening Indian Wells match.
"I don't want to rush into anything, but I'm looking, I'm finding options and setting trials up," Raducanu, 22, told BBC Sport before the tournament.
"I think once I have a structure in place, I will feel very set - whereas in the Middle East it was very difficult for me because I didn't really have any direction or [advice on] which tournaments to play, and it was very difficult doing it all on my own.
"I'm that kind of person who needs a plan and needs preparation. That's what I'm building and that's making me feel more comfortable."
Raducanu has won just one match since Cavaday's departure but also had to deal with a man who followed her to four tournaments before being issued with a restraining order by Dubai Police.
The 2021 US Open champion had previously worked with a wide range of coaches including Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson (who was in charge during her run to the title in New York), Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov and Sebastian Sachs.
This job has not been formally advertised, but Raducanu gave an outline of what she is looking for when asked about the ideal qualities of a coach.
"I would say work ethic, and a genuine passion and enthusiasm for what they do," she said.
"I'm the kind of person who does have very long training days but it does not feel like work to me.
"I'd say someone who doesn't necessarily view what they do as work, someone who genuinely has that drive and hunger to achieve the best and win big titles.
"I think that's something that a lot of people say they have, but don't necessarily have. You can feel it, and I think with me I am a very feelings-based person."
On day one of the main draw action at Indian Wells, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was beaten 4-6 6-3 6-4 by France's Varvara Gracheva.
The defeat means Czech Kvitova is still searching for her first win since returning to the WTA Tour last month after giving birth to her first child last July.
Former world number one and four-time major champion Naomi Osaka plays Colombian Camila Osorio overnight.
BBC
Emma Raducanu will begin a trial period with Slovakian coach Vladimir Platenik when she plays her first-round match at Indian Wells on Thursday.
The 49-year-old was coaching Lulu Sun when the New Zealand qualifier beat Raducanu in the fourth round of Wimbledon last July.
Platenik worked with compatriot Dominika Cibulkova when she reached the semi-finals of the French Open in 2009, and has also coached Russians Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova.
Loughborough Academy coach Tom Welsh agreed to join Raducanu for Indian Wells, but that was billed as a one-off arrangement.
Raducanu, who has been without a permanent coach since Nick Cavaday stood down for health reasons after January's Australian Open, plays Japan's Moyuka Uchijima in her opening Indian Wells match.
"I don't want to rush into anything, but I'm looking, I'm finding options and setting trials up," Raducanu, 22, told BBC Sport before the tournament.
"I think once I have a structure in place, I will feel very set - whereas in the Middle East it was very difficult for me because I didn't really have any direction or [advice on] which tournaments to play, and it was very difficult doing it all on my own.
"I'm that kind of person who needs a plan and needs preparation. That's what I'm building and that's making me feel more comfortable."
Raducanu has won just one match since Cavaday's departure but also had to deal with a man who followed her to four tournaments before being issued with a restraining order by Dubai Police.
The 2021 US Open champion had previously worked with a wide range of coaches including Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson (who was in charge during her run to the title in New York), Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov and Sebastian Sachs.
This job has not been formally advertised, but Raducanu gave an outline of what she is looking for when asked about the ideal qualities of a coach.
"I would say work ethic, and a genuine passion and enthusiasm for what they do," she said.
"I'm the kind of person who does have very long training days but it does not feel like work to me.
"I'd say someone who doesn't necessarily view what they do as work, someone who genuinely has that drive and hunger to achieve the best and win big titles.
"I think that's something that a lot of people say they have, but don't necessarily have. You can feel it, and I think with me I am a very feelings-based person."
On day one of the main draw action at Indian Wells, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was beaten 4-6 6-3 6-4 by France's Varvara Gracheva.
The defeat means Czech Kvitova is still searching for her first win since returning to the WTA Tour last month after giving birth to her first child last July.
Former world number one and four-time major champion Naomi Osaka plays Colombian Camila Osorio overnight.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Australian great Stolle dies aged 86
Australian tennis great Fred Stolle, who won two Grand Slam singles titles in the 1960s, has died at the age of 86.
Stolle won the French Open in 1965, the US Open in 1966 and reached the final in six other Grand Slams, including three at Wimbledon.
He also won 10 Grand Slam men's doubles titles and seven mixed doubles.
Tennis Australia said the sport had lost "one of its great players and characters".
"When we speak about Australia's golden era and the progression from amateur to professionalism, Stolle's name is right up there with the best," said CEO Craig Tiley.
"His legacy is one of excellence, dedication, and a profound love for tennis.
"His impact on the sport will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege to witness his contributions."
Stolle was among the Australians - along with Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall and John Newcombe - who dominated the men's game late in the amateur era and start of the professional.
Stolle, who described playing for Australia as "everything to me", helped them win the Davis Cup in 1964, 1965 and 1966.
After retiring he became a coach and then commentator.
Laver, the only man to win all four majors in one year during the Open era, described Stolle as "too nice a guy to hold a grudge".
"It took the best to beat the best," he said on X.
"We never tired of reliving the past as we travelled the world looking into the future with an enduring love of the sport."
Former Australian doubles player Paul McNamee said: "What a player, what a commentator, what a bloke."
"One of that great group of Aussie tennis players who made history, and whose legacy is perhaps unrivalled."
Australian tennis great Fred Stolle, who won two Grand Slam singles titles in the 1960s, has died at the age of 86.
Stolle won the French Open in 1965, the US Open in 1966 and reached the final in six other Grand Slams, including three at Wimbledon.
He also won 10 Grand Slam men's doubles titles and seven mixed doubles.
Tennis Australia said the sport had lost "one of its great players and characters".
"When we speak about Australia's golden era and the progression from amateur to professionalism, Stolle's name is right up there with the best," said CEO Craig Tiley.
"His legacy is one of excellence, dedication, and a profound love for tennis.
"His impact on the sport will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege to witness his contributions."
Stolle was among the Australians - along with Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall and John Newcombe - who dominated the men's game late in the amateur era and start of the professional.
Stolle, who described playing for Australia as "everything to me", helped them win the Davis Cup in 1964, 1965 and 1966.
After retiring he became a coach and then commentator.
Laver, the only man to win all four majors in one year during the Open era, described Stolle as "too nice a guy to hold a grudge".
"It took the best to beat the best," he said on X.
"We never tired of reliving the past as we travelled the world looking into the future with an enduring love of the sport."
Former Australian doubles player Paul McNamee said: "What a player, what a commentator, what a bloke."
"One of that great group of Aussie tennis players who made history, and whose legacy is perhaps unrivalled."
Fred Stolle dies at 86: Tributes to Australian tennis great
Australian tennis great Fred Stolle, who won two Grand Slam singles titles and 17 doubles titles, dies at the age of 86.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Raducanu 'didn't feel anxious' in Indian Wells loss
Emma Raducanu struggled in a testing Indian Wells wind as she was beaten on her first appearance since being targeted by a stalker during a match.
The 22-year-old Briton was unsure if she was going to play in the California tournament following the incident at the Dubai Tennis Championships on 18 February, where she spotted a man who she had reported for what WTA officials described as "exhibiting fixated behaviour".
After deliberating whether to take an extended break from the WTA Tour, Raducanu decided to make the journey to Indian Wells - one of the biggest events outside of the four majors.
However, the world number 55 was out of sorts as she lost 6-3 6-2 to Japan's Moyuka Uchijima in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open.
"I didn't feel anxious about any of the scenarios that have happened recently," Raducanu told BBC Sport.
"I think I had a good preparation with good people around."
Raducanu, who has been given increased security at the WTA event in California, walked on court with a solemn expression and glanced several times around the vast arena.
Throughout the match she showed little emotion and, unsurprisingly given the defeat, quickly left with a despondent look.
Later, speaking in her post-match news conference, she added: "I didn't have what happened in Dubai in my head at all today.
"I think today was just a bit of a curveball. I guess it's just nice, I'm just going to move on."
Raducanu looking to improve 'everything' in her game
In tricky conditions created by a brisk wind in the Californian desert, Raducanu looked uncomfortable throughout as Uchijima adapted impressively.
The 2021 US Open champion made a host of errors to allow Uchijima, a tenacious opponent who continued to put balls back into court, to come out on top of the often scrappy rallies.
Raducanu faced break points in her opening six service games, a result of the pressure created by a lack of accuracy as she looked to be aggressive.
Five of those games ended in Raducanu losing serve as she trailed by a set and a break to the 52nd-ranked Uchijima.
The Briton cut a subdued figure after she could not convert any of three chances to break back for 3-3.
After Uchijima dug deep to hold, Raducanu did not win another point and trudged off court having lost for a sixth time in her nine matches this year.
Raducanu was watched from the stands by Slovakian coach Vladimir Platenik, who has linked up with the British number two on a trial basis.
Platenik, 49, was coaching New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun when she beat Raducanu at Wimbledon last year, while he has also worked with top-10 players Dominika Cibulkova, Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova.
When asked which areas of her game she wanted to work on with Platenik, Raducanu smiled and said "everything".
"I'll need to improve starting the point. That's a big part of tennis. I can do that a lot better," she added.
"I could improve being more aggressive and having a better quality of shot going forward into the court.
"I could improve every area of my game after today's performance."
Shortly after Raducanu's exit, British number three Sonay Kartal did move into the second round, making the most of being given a 'lucky loser' spot having been beaten in qualifying.
Kartal, 23, won 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 against 38-year-old American qualifier Varvara Lepchenko and faces Brazilian 16th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia next.
In the men's draw, Jacob Fearnley was unable to set up an all-British clash with Jack Draper after losing to rising star Joao Fonseca.
BBC
Emma Raducanu struggled in a testing Indian Wells wind as she was beaten on her first appearance since being targeted by a stalker during a match.
The 22-year-old Briton was unsure if she was going to play in the California tournament following the incident at the Dubai Tennis Championships on 18 February, where she spotted a man who she had reported for what WTA officials described as "exhibiting fixated behaviour".
After deliberating whether to take an extended break from the WTA Tour, Raducanu decided to make the journey to Indian Wells - one of the biggest events outside of the four majors.
However, the world number 55 was out of sorts as she lost 6-3 6-2 to Japan's Moyuka Uchijima in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open.
"I didn't feel anxious about any of the scenarios that have happened recently," Raducanu told BBC Sport.
"I think I had a good preparation with good people around."
Raducanu, who has been given increased security at the WTA event in California, walked on court with a solemn expression and glanced several times around the vast arena.
Throughout the match she showed little emotion and, unsurprisingly given the defeat, quickly left with a despondent look.
Later, speaking in her post-match news conference, she added: "I didn't have what happened in Dubai in my head at all today.
"I think today was just a bit of a curveball. I guess it's just nice, I'm just going to move on."
Raducanu looking to improve 'everything' in her game
In tricky conditions created by a brisk wind in the Californian desert, Raducanu looked uncomfortable throughout as Uchijima adapted impressively.
The 2021 US Open champion made a host of errors to allow Uchijima, a tenacious opponent who continued to put balls back into court, to come out on top of the often scrappy rallies.
Raducanu faced break points in her opening six service games, a result of the pressure created by a lack of accuracy as she looked to be aggressive.
Five of those games ended in Raducanu losing serve as she trailed by a set and a break to the 52nd-ranked Uchijima.
The Briton cut a subdued figure after she could not convert any of three chances to break back for 3-3.
After Uchijima dug deep to hold, Raducanu did not win another point and trudged off court having lost for a sixth time in her nine matches this year.
Raducanu was watched from the stands by Slovakian coach Vladimir Platenik, who has linked up with the British number two on a trial basis.
Platenik, 49, was coaching New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun when she beat Raducanu at Wimbledon last year, while he has also worked with top-10 players Dominika Cibulkova, Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova.
When asked which areas of her game she wanted to work on with Platenik, Raducanu smiled and said "everything".
"I'll need to improve starting the point. That's a big part of tennis. I can do that a lot better," she added.
"I could improve being more aggressive and having a better quality of shot going forward into the court.
"I could improve every area of my game after today's performance."
Shortly after Raducanu's exit, British number three Sonay Kartal did move into the second round, making the most of being given a 'lucky loser' spot having been beaten in qualifying.
Kartal, 23, won 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 against 38-year-old American qualifier Varvara Lepchenko and faces Brazilian 16th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia next.
In the men's draw, Jacob Fearnley was unable to set up an all-British clash with Jack Draper after losing to rising star Joao Fonseca.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Raducanu 'didn't feel anxious' in Indian Wells loss
Emma Raducanu struggled in a testing Indian Wells wind as she was beaten on her first appearance since being targeted by a stalker during a match.
The 22-year-old Briton was unsure if she was going to play in the California tournament following the incident at the Dubai Tennis Championships on 18 February, where she spotted a man who she had reported for what WTA officials described as "exhibiting fixated behaviour".
After deliberating whether to take an extended break from the WTA Tour, Raducanu decided to make the journey to Indian Wells - one of the biggest events outside of the four majors.
However, the world number 55 was out of sorts as she lost 6-3 6-2 to Japan's Moyuka Uchijima in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open.
"I didn't feel anxious about any of the scenarios that have happened recently," Raducanu told BBC Sport.
"I think I had a good preparation with good people around."
Raducanu, who has been given increased security at the WTA event in California, walked on court with a solemn expression and glanced several times around the vast arena.
Throughout the match she showed little emotion and, unsurprisingly given the defeat, quickly left with a despondent look.
Later, speaking in her post-match news conference, she added: "I didn't have what happened in Dubai in my head at all today.
"I think today was just a bit of a curveball. I guess it's just nice, I'm just going to move on."
Raducanu looking to improve 'everything' in her game
In tricky conditions created by a brisk wind in the Californian desert, Raducanu looked uncomfortable throughout as Uchijima adapted impressively.
The 2021 US Open champion made a host of errors to allow Uchijima, a tenacious opponent who continued to put balls back into court, to come out on top of the often scrappy rallies.
Raducanu faced break points in her opening six service games, a result of the pressure created by a lack of accuracy as she looked to be aggressive.
Five of those games ended in Raducanu losing serve as she trailed by a set and a break to the 52nd-ranked Uchijima.
The Briton cut a subdued figure after she could not convert any of three chances to break back for 3-3.
After Uchijima dug deep to hold, Raducanu did not win another point and trudged off court having lost for a sixth time in her nine matches this year.
Raducanu was watched from the stands by Slovakian coach Vladimir Platenik, who has linked up with the British number two on a trial basis.
Platenik, 49, was coaching New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun when she beat Raducanu at Wimbledon last year, while he has also worked with top-10 players Dominika Cibulkova, Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova.
When asked which areas of her game she wanted to work on with Platenik, Raducanu smiled and said "everything".
"I'll need to improve starting the point. That's a big part of tennis. I can do that a lot better," she added.
"I could improve being more aggressive and having a better quality of shot going forward into the court.
"I could improve every area of my game after today's performance."
Shortly after Raducanu's exit, British number three Sonay Kartal did move into the second round, making the most of being given a 'lucky loser' spot having been beaten in qualifying.
Kartal, 23, won 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 against 38-year-old American qualifier Varvara Lepchenko and faces Brazilian 16th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia next.
In the men's draw, Jacob Fearnley was unable to set up an all-British clash with Jack Draper after losing to rising star Joao Fonseca.
BBC
Emma Raducanu struggled in a testing Indian Wells wind as she was beaten on her first appearance since being targeted by a stalker during a match.
The 22-year-old Briton was unsure if she was going to play in the California tournament following the incident at the Dubai Tennis Championships on 18 February, where she spotted a man who she had reported for what WTA officials described as "exhibiting fixated behaviour".
After deliberating whether to take an extended break from the WTA Tour, Raducanu decided to make the journey to Indian Wells - one of the biggest events outside of the four majors.
However, the world number 55 was out of sorts as she lost 6-3 6-2 to Japan's Moyuka Uchijima in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open.
"I didn't feel anxious about any of the scenarios that have happened recently," Raducanu told BBC Sport.
"I think I had a good preparation with good people around."
Raducanu, who has been given increased security at the WTA event in California, walked on court with a solemn expression and glanced several times around the vast arena.
Throughout the match she showed little emotion and, unsurprisingly given the defeat, quickly left with a despondent look.
Later, speaking in her post-match news conference, she added: "I didn't have what happened in Dubai in my head at all today.
"I think today was just a bit of a curveball. I guess it's just nice, I'm just going to move on."
Raducanu looking to improve 'everything' in her game
In tricky conditions created by a brisk wind in the Californian desert, Raducanu looked uncomfortable throughout as Uchijima adapted impressively.
The 2021 US Open champion made a host of errors to allow Uchijima, a tenacious opponent who continued to put balls back into court, to come out on top of the often scrappy rallies.
Raducanu faced break points in her opening six service games, a result of the pressure created by a lack of accuracy as she looked to be aggressive.
Five of those games ended in Raducanu losing serve as she trailed by a set and a break to the 52nd-ranked Uchijima.
The Briton cut a subdued figure after she could not convert any of three chances to break back for 3-3.
After Uchijima dug deep to hold, Raducanu did not win another point and trudged off court having lost for a sixth time in her nine matches this year.
Raducanu was watched from the stands by Slovakian coach Vladimir Platenik, who has linked up with the British number two on a trial basis.
Platenik, 49, was coaching New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun when she beat Raducanu at Wimbledon last year, while he has also worked with top-10 players Dominika Cibulkova, Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova.
When asked which areas of her game she wanted to work on with Platenik, Raducanu smiled and said "everything".
"I'll need to improve starting the point. That's a big part of tennis. I can do that a lot better," she added.
"I could improve being more aggressive and having a better quality of shot going forward into the court.
"I could improve every area of my game after today's performance."
Shortly after Raducanu's exit, British number three Sonay Kartal did move into the second round, making the most of being given a 'lucky loser' spot having been beaten in qualifying.
Kartal, 23, won 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 against 38-year-old American qualifier Varvara Lepchenko and faces Brazilian 16th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia next.
In the men's draw, Jacob Fearnley was unable to set up an all-British clash with Jack Draper after losing to rising star Joao Fonseca.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Tearful Kyrgios retires injured in Indian Wells
A tearful Nick Kyrgios was forced to retire from his first-round Indian Wells match with a wrist injury as his tennis return suffered another setback.
The Australian, playing his first match since January's Australian Open, trailed Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6 (9-7) 3-0 before ending the match early.
Kyrgios became visibly upset when speaking to the trainer about his right wrist, which he had surgery on in September 2023.
The 29-year-old also struggled with knee and foot injuries over an 18-month period before making his return at the start of the year.
"No-one in the sport has had a wrist reconstruction and tried to play after that," Kyrgios said.
"There's been players that have had wrist surgeries and nowhere near as bad as what I had.
"It's all an experiment at this point. I was told I was arguably maybe not ever playing tennis again.
"I feel I'm like right there, I feel like I can compete."
Kyrgios, runner-up at Wimbledon in 2022, had cut short a practice session earlier in the week after feeling pain in his wrist.
He came back from 4-1 down in the first set against Dutchman Van de Zandschulp and had a set point in the tie-break before he began to physically struggle.
Kyrgios is scheduled to play the Miami Open, which begins on 18 March, but said he would see how his wrist responds before making a decision.
"We go back to the drawing board as a team and we try and figure out a way to get through these matches," Kyrgios added.
"I would have loved to be able to finish that match, even if I lose, just as a building block.
"But now if I'm not finishing matches that becomes a concern."
BBC
A tearful Nick Kyrgios was forced to retire from his first-round Indian Wells match with a wrist injury as his tennis return suffered another setback.
The Australian, playing his first match since January's Australian Open, trailed Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6 (9-7) 3-0 before ending the match early.
Kyrgios became visibly upset when speaking to the trainer about his right wrist, which he had surgery on in September 2023.
The 29-year-old also struggled with knee and foot injuries over an 18-month period before making his return at the start of the year.
"No-one in the sport has had a wrist reconstruction and tried to play after that," Kyrgios said.
"There's been players that have had wrist surgeries and nowhere near as bad as what I had.
"It's all an experiment at this point. I was told I was arguably maybe not ever playing tennis again.
"I feel I'm like right there, I feel like I can compete."
Kyrgios, runner-up at Wimbledon in 2022, had cut short a practice session earlier in the week after feeling pain in his wrist.
He came back from 4-1 down in the first set against Dutchman Van de Zandschulp and had a set point in the tie-break before he began to physically struggle.
Kyrgios is scheduled to play the Miami Open, which begins on 18 March, but said he would see how his wrist responds before making a decision.
"We go back to the drawing board as a team and we try and figure out a way to get through these matches," Kyrgios added.
"I would have loved to be able to finish that match, even if I lose, just as a building block.
"But now if I'm not finishing matches that becomes a concern."
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Draper checks Fonseca progress in Indian Wells win
British number one Jack Draper put in a professional performance to defuse rising star Joao Fonseca and reach the Indian Wells third round.
Draper, seeded 13th, drew errors out of the explosive 18-year-old Brazilian to edge a tight first set, before racing through the second for a 6-4 6-0 win.
The way which 23-year-old Draper moved through the gears against a tricky opponent touted as a future major champion was impressive.
British number one Jack Draper put in a professional performance to defuse rising star Joao Fonseca and reach the Indian Wells third round.
Draper, seeded 13th, drew errors out of the explosive 18-year-old Brazilian to edge a tight first set, before racing through the second for a 6-4 6-0 win.
The way which 23-year-old Draper moved through the gears against a tricky opponent touted as a future major champion was impressive.
Indian Wells 2025 results: Jack Draper beats Joao Fonseca in California opener
British number one Jack Draper put in a professional performance to defuse Brazilian rising star Joao Fonseca and reach the Indian Wells third round.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Draper solves Brooksby 'puzzle' in Indian Wells
Jack Draper overcame a slow start to beat Jenson Brooksby and reach the Indian Wells fourth round.
Britain's Draper was 4-1 down in the first set but found his rhythm to beat the tricky American 7-5 6-4 in 26C conditions in California.
Brooksby is now ranked 937 in the world as he makes his way back from a 13-month ban for missing three doping tests, and a lengthy shoulder injury.
Jack Draper overcame a slow start to beat Jenson Brooksby and reach the Indian Wells fourth round.
Britain's Draper was 4-1 down in the first set but found his rhythm to beat the tricky American 7-5 6-4 in 26C conditions in California.
Brooksby is now ranked 937 in the world as he makes his way back from a 13-month ban for missing three doping tests, and a lengthy shoulder injury.
Indian Wells: Jack Draper beats Jenson Brooksby to reach fourth round
Jack Draper overcomes a slow start to beat Jenson Brooksby and reach the Indian Wells fourth round.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Carlos Alcaraz storms into fourth round of Indian Wells Open
Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz powered past in-form Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-4 on Monday to continue his march toward a rare Indian Wells Open three-peat.
The world number three from Spain booked his place in the last 16 with a clinical victory, breaking Shapovalov in the opening game with a blistering forehand down the line as he roared to a 5-0 lead.
Alcaraz said the quick start was key against an opponent coming off a title in Dallas and a semi-final run in Acapulco.
www.geosuper.tv
Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz powered past in-form Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-4 on Monday to continue his march toward a rare Indian Wells Open three-peat.
The world number three from Spain booked his place in the last 16 with a clinical victory, breaking Shapovalov in the opening game with a blistering forehand down the line as he roared to a 5-0 lead.
Alcaraz said the quick start was key against an opponent coming off a title in Dallas and a semi-final run in Acapulco.
Carlos Alcaraz storms into fourth round of Indian Wells Open
The Spaniard registers a straight-set victory over Canadian Shapovalov
www.geosuper.tv
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Dominant Swiatek into Indian Wells quarter-finals
Defending champion Iga Swiatek clinched her place in the Indian Wells quarter-finals with a 6-1 6-1 thrashing of Karolina Muchova.
Poland's Swiatek is bidding to become the first woman to win the California tournament three times, having also sealed the title in 2022.
Swiatek's match against Muchova was delayed by almost an hour because of rain, but it then took her just 57 minutes to secure a dominant victory in which she did not face a single break point.
The world number two has dropped just six games on her way to reaching the last eight and will face China's eighth seed Zheng Qinwen next.
"Sometimes matches can be pretty weird," Swiatek said. "It's enough for one player to not feel perfect and the other feel great. Then suddenly the difference is much bigger than it usually is.
"It's tennis. Things like that can happen. For sure I used my opportunities and I used my chances. It's not easy, but, I can imagine that it looks like it."
The 23-year-old five-time Grand Slam champion is the first woman to reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals for four consecutive years since Karolina Pliskova, who achieved the feat between 2016 and 2019.
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and Russian Mirra Andreeva won to set up a quarter-final meeting.
Svitolina needed five hours, including a near three-hour rain delay, to beat American fourth seed Jessica Pegula 5-7 6-1 6-2, while ninth seed Andreeva saw off Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina 6-1 6-2.
British lucky loser Sonay Kartal is due to face Belarus' world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the last 16 on Wednesday.
Rune overcomes Tsitsipas to reach last eight
Denmark's Holger Rune ended Stefanos Tsitsipas' winning run to reach the quarter-finals.
Tsitsipas, seeded eighth, had won his past seven matches taking in a maiden Dubai Tennis Championships title, but was beaten 6-4 6-4 in one hour 33 minutes.
The highlight of the match was a remarkable through-the-legs lob from the baseline by Rune to save break point in the second set.
Having reached the same stage in Indian Wells last year, the 21-year-old is the first Scandinavian since Stefan Edberg in 1994-95 to reach back-to-back quarter-finals.
"It was an extremely good match from my side from start to finish," said 12th seed Rune.
"I stayed very committed on my game plan and mentally I was very good. That made the difference, how composed I could start. It was a cool battle."
Rune will play Tallon Griekspoor in the last eight after the Dutchman beat Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki in a rain-affected match 7-6 6-1.
Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev set up a quarter-final meeting with France's Arthur Fils by beating American Tommy Paul 6-4 6-0.
British number one Jack Draper plays American third seed Taylor Fritz in the last 16 on Wednesday.
BBC
Defending champion Iga Swiatek clinched her place in the Indian Wells quarter-finals with a 6-1 6-1 thrashing of Karolina Muchova.
Poland's Swiatek is bidding to become the first woman to win the California tournament three times, having also sealed the title in 2022.
Swiatek's match against Muchova was delayed by almost an hour because of rain, but it then took her just 57 minutes to secure a dominant victory in which she did not face a single break point.
The world number two has dropped just six games on her way to reaching the last eight and will face China's eighth seed Zheng Qinwen next.
"Sometimes matches can be pretty weird," Swiatek said. "It's enough for one player to not feel perfect and the other feel great. Then suddenly the difference is much bigger than it usually is.
"It's tennis. Things like that can happen. For sure I used my opportunities and I used my chances. It's not easy, but, I can imagine that it looks like it."
The 23-year-old five-time Grand Slam champion is the first woman to reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals for four consecutive years since Karolina Pliskova, who achieved the feat between 2016 and 2019.
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and Russian Mirra Andreeva won to set up a quarter-final meeting.
Svitolina needed five hours, including a near three-hour rain delay, to beat American fourth seed Jessica Pegula 5-7 6-1 6-2, while ninth seed Andreeva saw off Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina 6-1 6-2.
British lucky loser Sonay Kartal is due to face Belarus' world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the last 16 on Wednesday.
Rune overcomes Tsitsipas to reach last eight
Denmark's Holger Rune ended Stefanos Tsitsipas' winning run to reach the quarter-finals.
Tsitsipas, seeded eighth, had won his past seven matches taking in a maiden Dubai Tennis Championships title, but was beaten 6-4 6-4 in one hour 33 minutes.
The highlight of the match was a remarkable through-the-legs lob from the baseline by Rune to save break point in the second set.
Having reached the same stage in Indian Wells last year, the 21-year-old is the first Scandinavian since Stefan Edberg in 1994-95 to reach back-to-back quarter-finals.
"It was an extremely good match from my side from start to finish," said 12th seed Rune.
"I stayed very committed on my game plan and mentally I was very good. That made the difference, how composed I could start. It was a cool battle."
Rune will play Tallon Griekspoor in the last eight after the Dutchman beat Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki in a rain-affected match 7-6 6-1.
Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev set up a quarter-final meeting with France's Arthur Fils by beating American Tommy Paul 6-4 6-0.
British number one Jack Draper plays American third seed Taylor Fritz in the last 16 on Wednesday.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Draper reaches maiden Indian Wells quarter-final
British number one Jack Draper reached the Indian Wells quarter-finals for the first time by beating world number four Taylor Fritz with one of the best performances of his career.
Draper, ranked 14th, took control by winning seven games in a row from 5-4 down in a tight first set and held his nerve to secure a 7-5 6-4 victory.
The 23-year-old Briton won 91% of his first-serve points, dictated the rallies with his forehand and rarely made a mistake against 2022 champion Fritz.
"It's the first time I think I have played against someone like Taylor and felt like I dominated the match," Draper, who beat a top-five ranked opponent for only the third time in his career, told BBC Sport.
"I want to play against the best players in the world so I can show what I'm all about.
"I believe I can beat anyone and play some great tennis. It's just about doing it more and more, which will give me more belief."
The only blip for the 13th seed came when he served for the match at 5-2, relinquishing his double break advantage with a double fault on break point.
That was followed by a hold to love for American third seed Fritz, which set up a nervier finish than Draper would have hoped for.
But the left-handed Englishman showed his ever-improving mental strength to reset quickly and close out the match at the second attempt.
Draper's reward is an exciting quarter-final on Thursday against huge-serving American Ben Shelton, who practised with the Briton at Indian Wells last week.
'One of the best I've seen him play - Draper impresses Henman
Draper has long been tipped for the very top of the men's game and is now rapidly closing in on the world's top 10 for the first time.
The manner in which he dismantled Fritz, who finished runner-up at last year's US Open after reaching his first major final, was another indicator that he has the potential to win some of the sport's biggest prizes.
Physical issues have regularly held him back, however, with the latest being a hip injury which disrupted his off-season preparations and affected him at the Australian Open in January.
As a result, the Masters event in Indian Wells - often referred to as the biggest event outside of the four majors - is only his third tournament of the season.
Nevertheless, he has looked fit in the Californian desert and his sharp movement was another key factor in beating Fritz.
"I think it's right up there with the best I've seen Jack play," said former British number one Tim Henman, who was working as a courtside analyst for Sky Sports.
"This is a big, big win - let's not shy away from it.
"The scoreline looks closer than it was because he was sensational in that middle part of the match."
How odd moment swung momentum towards Draper
Momentum swung Draper's way after a peculiar moment at the change of ends following the ninth game of the first set.
With a few spots of rain falling onto the court, Fritz packed his racquet into his bag and sat waiting, while Draper was ready to play.
After a short delay, Fritz was told by the umpire to get back on court - and looked completely out of sorts when he returned.
Draper remained locked in as Fritz, who had held his first five service games without too much pressure, unravelled.
With the accuracy and pace of his first serve providing a rock-solid base, the Briton was able to use his forehand to punishing effect and quickly raced ahead before clinching a standout victory.
Now he has the opportunity unlock another new career achievement by beating Shelton to reach the semi-finals of a Masters event for the first time.
"I still feel like I have a lot to prove, not only to myself, but in general," added Draper.
"I'm not a top 10 player until I'm there and I'm always hungry for more and want to prove my level."
BBC
British number one Jack Draper reached the Indian Wells quarter-finals for the first time by beating world number four Taylor Fritz with one of the best performances of his career.
Draper, ranked 14th, took control by winning seven games in a row from 5-4 down in a tight first set and held his nerve to secure a 7-5 6-4 victory.
The 23-year-old Briton won 91% of his first-serve points, dictated the rallies with his forehand and rarely made a mistake against 2022 champion Fritz.
"It's the first time I think I have played against someone like Taylor and felt like I dominated the match," Draper, who beat a top-five ranked opponent for only the third time in his career, told BBC Sport.
"I want to play against the best players in the world so I can show what I'm all about.
"I believe I can beat anyone and play some great tennis. It's just about doing it more and more, which will give me more belief."
The only blip for the 13th seed came when he served for the match at 5-2, relinquishing his double break advantage with a double fault on break point.
That was followed by a hold to love for American third seed Fritz, which set up a nervier finish than Draper would have hoped for.
But the left-handed Englishman showed his ever-improving mental strength to reset quickly and close out the match at the second attempt.
Draper's reward is an exciting quarter-final on Thursday against huge-serving American Ben Shelton, who practised with the Briton at Indian Wells last week.
'One of the best I've seen him play - Draper impresses Henman
Draper has long been tipped for the very top of the men's game and is now rapidly closing in on the world's top 10 for the first time.
The manner in which he dismantled Fritz, who finished runner-up at last year's US Open after reaching his first major final, was another indicator that he has the potential to win some of the sport's biggest prizes.
Physical issues have regularly held him back, however, with the latest being a hip injury which disrupted his off-season preparations and affected him at the Australian Open in January.
As a result, the Masters event in Indian Wells - often referred to as the biggest event outside of the four majors - is only his third tournament of the season.
Nevertheless, he has looked fit in the Californian desert and his sharp movement was another key factor in beating Fritz.
"I think it's right up there with the best I've seen Jack play," said former British number one Tim Henman, who was working as a courtside analyst for Sky Sports.
"This is a big, big win - let's not shy away from it.
"The scoreline looks closer than it was because he was sensational in that middle part of the match."
How odd moment swung momentum towards Draper
Momentum swung Draper's way after a peculiar moment at the change of ends following the ninth game of the first set.
With a few spots of rain falling onto the court, Fritz packed his racquet into his bag and sat waiting, while Draper was ready to play.
After a short delay, Fritz was told by the umpire to get back on court - and looked completely out of sorts when he returned.
Draper remained locked in as Fritz, who had held his first five service games without too much pressure, unravelled.
With the accuracy and pace of his first serve providing a rock-solid base, the Briton was able to use his forehand to punishing effect and quickly raced ahead before clinching a standout victory.
Now he has the opportunity unlock another new career achievement by beating Shelton to reach the semi-finals of a Masters event for the first time.
"I still feel like I have a lot to prove, not only to myself, but in general," added Draper.
"I'm not a top 10 player until I'm there and I'm always hungry for more and want to prove my level."
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Draper sets up Indian Wells semi-final with Alcaraz
Jack Draper beat big-serving American Ben Shelton 6-4 7-5 on a cold and blustery evening in Indian Wells to set up a tantalising semi-final against two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Britain's Draper reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at September’s US Open but had never before made it to the last four at a Masters 1000 event.
If the 23-year-old beats four-time major champion Alcaraz on Saturday he will be guaranteed a place in the world’s top-10 for the first time.
"I’m always proud of myself,” said Draper, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament.
"Unfortunately in tennis you're in a sport where there is always the next match and you have to prove yourself every time.
“I'm never content with anything. I always want to have more wins and more opportunities to play top players."
Draper has played Alcaraz four times, with his sole win coming on grass at Queen’s last year.
Spanish world number three Alcaraz beat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to record his 16th successive match win in California.
Draper won the first set against Shelton with a serving performance every bit as commanding as the one he produced in his fourth-round win over Taylor Fritz.
He conceded just three points on serve, and one break was enough to secure the first set.
However, the partisan crowd did not take too long to find its voice, with Shelton's huge ground strokes helping him win the first three games of the second set.
A frustrated Draper was given a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct after hitting a ball high into the stands in the third game, but he refocused to force the set back on serve.
The match turned decisively in his favour when Shelton double faulted to give Draper a chance to serve for a semi-final spot.
He went 0-30 down but reeled off the next four points to secure victory.
"I felt like maybe the conditions suited me a little bit more," Draper told BBC Sport.
"His serve would be bouncing very high if it were lively, but I felt it was a challenge for both of us dealing with the wind and the dead conditions."
However, the Briton expects no such advantage against Alcaraz.
"I think these courts bring out the best in him," Draper added.
"He can show all his skills and look for his forehand.
"I think the conditions really suit him - but then again, he does well in most circumstances."
'I said sorry, I don't normally celebrate like this'
Daniil Medvedev will face Holger Rune in Saturday's other semi-final.
Russia's Medvedev, runner-up here the past two years, beat France's Arthur Fils 6-4 2-6 7-6 (9-7)
Medvedev is famous for not celebrating his victories but made an exception this time, leaping into the air four times with sheer delight after Fils missed a volley on match point.
"I was surprised, and that got my adrenaline too much. I couldn't control it," the fifth seed said.
"I jumped next to him. Then I was, like, sorry, man, I usually don't celebrate like this.
"But I lost three very tight matches this year, two of which I was really close to winning.
"The more you lose matches like this, the more you lose confidence in these tight moments."
He will face Denmark's Rune, who beat Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 5-7 6-0 6-3, for a place in the final.
BBC
Jack Draper beat big-serving American Ben Shelton 6-4 7-5 on a cold and blustery evening in Indian Wells to set up a tantalising semi-final against two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Britain's Draper reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at September’s US Open but had never before made it to the last four at a Masters 1000 event.
If the 23-year-old beats four-time major champion Alcaraz on Saturday he will be guaranteed a place in the world’s top-10 for the first time.
"I’m always proud of myself,” said Draper, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament.
"Unfortunately in tennis you're in a sport where there is always the next match and you have to prove yourself every time.
“I'm never content with anything. I always want to have more wins and more opportunities to play top players."
Draper has played Alcaraz four times, with his sole win coming on grass at Queen’s last year.
Spanish world number three Alcaraz beat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to record his 16th successive match win in California.
Draper won the first set against Shelton with a serving performance every bit as commanding as the one he produced in his fourth-round win over Taylor Fritz.
He conceded just three points on serve, and one break was enough to secure the first set.
However, the partisan crowd did not take too long to find its voice, with Shelton's huge ground strokes helping him win the first three games of the second set.
A frustrated Draper was given a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct after hitting a ball high into the stands in the third game, but he refocused to force the set back on serve.
The match turned decisively in his favour when Shelton double faulted to give Draper a chance to serve for a semi-final spot.
He went 0-30 down but reeled off the next four points to secure victory.
"I felt like maybe the conditions suited me a little bit more," Draper told BBC Sport.
"His serve would be bouncing very high if it were lively, but I felt it was a challenge for both of us dealing with the wind and the dead conditions."
However, the Briton expects no such advantage against Alcaraz.
"I think these courts bring out the best in him," Draper added.
"He can show all his skills and look for his forehand.
"I think the conditions really suit him - but then again, he does well in most circumstances."
'I said sorry, I don't normally celebrate like this'
Daniil Medvedev will face Holger Rune in Saturday's other semi-final.
Russia's Medvedev, runner-up here the past two years, beat France's Arthur Fils 6-4 2-6 7-6 (9-7)
Medvedev is famous for not celebrating his victories but made an exception this time, leaping into the air four times with sheer delight after Fils missed a volley on match point.
"I was surprised, and that got my adrenaline too much. I couldn't control it," the fifth seed said.
"I jumped next to him. Then I was, like, sorry, man, I usually don't celebrate like this.
"But I lost three very tight matches this year, two of which I was really close to winning.
"The more you lose matches like this, the more you lose confidence in these tight moments."
He will face Denmark's Rune, who beat Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 5-7 6-0 6-3, for a place in the final.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Andreeva to face Sabalenka in Indian Wells final
Rising Russian star Mirra Andreeva became the first 17-year-old player to reach the women's final at Indian Wells since 2001 after overcoming defending champion Iga Swiatek in the last four.
She beat the world number two for the second time in as many tournaments, after knocking her out at the quarter-final stage in Dubai in February on her way to becoming the youngest winner of a WTA 1000 tournament.
Andreeva extended her winning streak to 11 matches as she bounced back from losing a one-sided second set to beat the experienced Pole 7-6 (7-1) 1-6 6-3.
She will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final after the Belarusian avenged her defeat by American Madison Keys at the Australian Open in brutal fashion to win 6-0 6-1.
"I feel that I was dealing with the nerves and the pressure pretty good, so I just feel proud of myself," said ninth seed Andreeva on her recovery in the final set.
"After she literally killed me in the second set, I was just 'well, OK, might just try to fight'. There is not much I could do about it. She was playing amazing.
"And I just kind of decided to grind and fight for every point. It doesn't matter how I put the ball in. But I have to put it in. So I just try to do everything and in the end, it was not too bad."
Andreeva is the youngest woman to reach the Indian Wells final since Kim Clijsters, who lost to Serena Williams in 2001.
She will face another big test in world number one Sabalenka, who took just 51 minutes to dismiss fifth seed Keys.
It was a repeat of their Australian Open final, which Keys won 6-3 2-6 7-5 to end Sabalenka's hopes of a third consecutive title in Melbourne.
"That Australian Open match was really heartbreaking for me, and I really needed some time to recover after that," said Sabalenka.
"And if I would lose today again, it would get in my head and I didn't want that to happen. I was really focused, so I was just really hungry to get this win against Madison."
BBC
Rising Russian star Mirra Andreeva became the first 17-year-old player to reach the women's final at Indian Wells since 2001 after overcoming defending champion Iga Swiatek in the last four.
She beat the world number two for the second time in as many tournaments, after knocking her out at the quarter-final stage in Dubai in February on her way to becoming the youngest winner of a WTA 1000 tournament.
Andreeva extended her winning streak to 11 matches as she bounced back from losing a one-sided second set to beat the experienced Pole 7-6 (7-1) 1-6 6-3.
She will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final after the Belarusian avenged her defeat by American Madison Keys at the Australian Open in brutal fashion to win 6-0 6-1.
"I feel that I was dealing with the nerves and the pressure pretty good, so I just feel proud of myself," said ninth seed Andreeva on her recovery in the final set.
"After she literally killed me in the second set, I was just 'well, OK, might just try to fight'. There is not much I could do about it. She was playing amazing.
"And I just kind of decided to grind and fight for every point. It doesn't matter how I put the ball in. But I have to put it in. So I just try to do everything and in the end, it was not too bad."
Andreeva is the youngest woman to reach the Indian Wells final since Kim Clijsters, who lost to Serena Williams in 2001.
She will face another big test in world number one Sabalenka, who took just 51 minutes to dismiss fifth seed Keys.
It was a repeat of their Australian Open final, which Keys won 6-3 2-6 7-5 to end Sabalenka's hopes of a third consecutive title in Melbourne.
"That Australian Open match was really heartbreaking for me, and I really needed some time to recover after that," said Sabalenka.
"And if I would lose today again, it would get in my head and I didn't want that to happen. I was really focused, so I was just really hungry to get this win against Madison."
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Draper stuns Alcaraz in dramatic Indian Wells semi-final
Britain's Jack Draper was helped by a video assistant referee-style review to earn a coming-of-age win over Carlos Alcaraz and reach the biggest final of his career.
Draper, 23, stunned four-time major champion Alcaraz with a 6-1 0-6 6-4 victory in a dramatic Indian Wells semi-final.
The British number one, who served out the match at the second attempt, will move into the world's top 10 for the first time in his career as a result.
"I'm proud of myself but I'm already thinking about the final," Draper told BBC Sport.
"I want to end this week in a great way. We can think about the other stuff afterwards."
The pivotal moment of a bizarre match came when England's Draper was rescued by video technology in the third game of the deciding set - and went on to break Spanish world number three Alcaraz's serve.
With the set at 1-1, and the game 15-15, the ball was judged by umpire Mohamed Lahyani to have bounced twice before Draper reached a drop shot.
It was clearly a wrong call from the official, but players now have the benefit of using video technology in Indian Wells to question decisions over double bounces.
After Draper instantly asked for a replay, his challenge was successful and allowed Lahyani to overturn the original decision.
He was given the point for a 15-30 lead and, with momentum back in his favour, secured a break which ultimately proved the difference.
A thankful Draper said the video reviews - which are not available at every ATP event - are "really good for tennis", although Alcaraz insisted he was not "affected" by the incident.
However, his level dipped after that point as his bid to win Indian Wells for the third year running was ended.
Left-hander Draper goes on to face Denmark's Holger Rune in Sunday's final at the Masters 1,000 event in California.
Rune, ranked 13th, reached the fourth Masters final of his career with a 7-5 6-4 victory over Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev.
Patience pays off for Draper after fitness issues
When Draper last met Alcaraz at the Australian Open eight weeks ago, the match ended with the injured Briton having to quit.
Draper had been managing a hip problem which flared up in pre-season and coming through a series of gruelling Melbourne five-setters eventually took its toll in the last 16.
It led to more questions about Draper's durability, but he has answered them emphatically.
Managing his workload by playing only Doha and Indian Wells since - reaching the final of both tournaments - has paid off.
Entering this contest, it felt like Draper would be a different proposition for Alcaraz.
Draper had not dropped a set in a tough run to the last four, having beaten prodigiously talented teenager Joao Fonseca, former top 20-player Jenson Brooksby, world number four Taylor Fritz and Australian Open semi-finalist Ben Shelton.
The key had been consistent serving, incisive returning and sharper movement - all underpinned by having greater confidence in his body.
Winning eight of the opening nine points helped Draper move 3-0 ahead, securing a double break at 5-1 with the help of wild forehand errors from the Spaniard.
Bemusement among the pro-Alcaraz crowd was evident. Draper remained focused despite the discord and confidently served out the opening set with just 23 minutes gone.
Alcaraz, audibly agitated, had won just 10 points. Afterwards the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion said it was "probably one of the worst" sets of his career.
Surely he could not continue to play that badly? After saving a break point in the opening game of the second set, Alcaraz's level improved considerably.
Dominating from the baseline with more fluid groundstrokes, and finding outrageous angles at the net, Alcaraz drained Draper to quickly take the match into a decider.
Draper had lost energy and Alcaraz now appeared to be the favourite.
But, in another sign of his growing self-assurance, Draper reset after giving himself a pep-talk in the bathroom - and it was Alcaraz who wilted.
"I looked at myself in the mirror and was like 'you need to really get your stuff together'," said Draper.
"I had to knuckle down and that was it."
Britain's Nicholls edged out in biggest career final
Meanwhile, Britain's Olivia Nicholls missed out on a first WTA 1,000 title after losing in the women's doubles final.
Nicholls, 30, and her Slovakian partner Tereza Mihalikova were beaten 6-2 7-6 (7-4) by Dutch player Demi Schuurs and Asia Muhammad of the United States.
Nevertheless, it has been another productive week for the pair, who have formed a strong partnership since linking up last May.
Nicholls has already becoming Britain's leading women's doubles player and, after competing in her first final at WTA 1,000 level, will climb to a career-high 31st place in the world rankings.
BBC
Britain's Jack Draper was helped by a video assistant referee-style review to earn a coming-of-age win over Carlos Alcaraz and reach the biggest final of his career.
Draper, 23, stunned four-time major champion Alcaraz with a 6-1 0-6 6-4 victory in a dramatic Indian Wells semi-final.
The British number one, who served out the match at the second attempt, will move into the world's top 10 for the first time in his career as a result.
"I'm proud of myself but I'm already thinking about the final," Draper told BBC Sport.
"I want to end this week in a great way. We can think about the other stuff afterwards."
The pivotal moment of a bizarre match came when England's Draper was rescued by video technology in the third game of the deciding set - and went on to break Spanish world number three Alcaraz's serve.
With the set at 1-1, and the game 15-15, the ball was judged by umpire Mohamed Lahyani to have bounced twice before Draper reached a drop shot.
It was clearly a wrong call from the official, but players now have the benefit of using video technology in Indian Wells to question decisions over double bounces.
After Draper instantly asked for a replay, his challenge was successful and allowed Lahyani to overturn the original decision.
He was given the point for a 15-30 lead and, with momentum back in his favour, secured a break which ultimately proved the difference.
A thankful Draper said the video reviews - which are not available at every ATP event - are "really good for tennis", although Alcaraz insisted he was not "affected" by the incident.
However, his level dipped after that point as his bid to win Indian Wells for the third year running was ended.
Left-hander Draper goes on to face Denmark's Holger Rune in Sunday's final at the Masters 1,000 event in California.
Rune, ranked 13th, reached the fourth Masters final of his career with a 7-5 6-4 victory over Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev.
Patience pays off for Draper after fitness issues
When Draper last met Alcaraz at the Australian Open eight weeks ago, the match ended with the injured Briton having to quit.
Draper had been managing a hip problem which flared up in pre-season and coming through a series of gruelling Melbourne five-setters eventually took its toll in the last 16.
It led to more questions about Draper's durability, but he has answered them emphatically.
Managing his workload by playing only Doha and Indian Wells since - reaching the final of both tournaments - has paid off.
Entering this contest, it felt like Draper would be a different proposition for Alcaraz.
Draper had not dropped a set in a tough run to the last four, having beaten prodigiously talented teenager Joao Fonseca, former top 20-player Jenson Brooksby, world number four Taylor Fritz and Australian Open semi-finalist Ben Shelton.
The key had been consistent serving, incisive returning and sharper movement - all underpinned by having greater confidence in his body.
Winning eight of the opening nine points helped Draper move 3-0 ahead, securing a double break at 5-1 with the help of wild forehand errors from the Spaniard.
Bemusement among the pro-Alcaraz crowd was evident. Draper remained focused despite the discord and confidently served out the opening set with just 23 minutes gone.
Alcaraz, audibly agitated, had won just 10 points. Afterwards the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion said it was "probably one of the worst" sets of his career.
Surely he could not continue to play that badly? After saving a break point in the opening game of the second set, Alcaraz's level improved considerably.
Dominating from the baseline with more fluid groundstrokes, and finding outrageous angles at the net, Alcaraz drained Draper to quickly take the match into a decider.
Draper had lost energy and Alcaraz now appeared to be the favourite.
But, in another sign of his growing self-assurance, Draper reset after giving himself a pep-talk in the bathroom - and it was Alcaraz who wilted.
"I looked at myself in the mirror and was like 'you need to really get your stuff together'," said Draper.
"I had to knuckle down and that was it."
Britain's Nicholls edged out in biggest career final
Meanwhile, Britain's Olivia Nicholls missed out on a first WTA 1,000 title after losing in the women's doubles final.
Nicholls, 30, and her Slovakian partner Tereza Mihalikova were beaten 6-2 7-6 (7-4) by Dutch player Demi Schuurs and Asia Muhammad of the United States.
Nevertheless, it has been another productive week for the pair, who have formed a strong partnership since linking up last May.
Nicholls has already becoming Britain's leading women's doubles player and, after competing in her first final at WTA 1,000 level, will climb to a career-high 31st place in the world rankings.
BBC
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Runs
- 5,867
Teenager Andreeva 'runs like rabbit' to stun Sabalenka
Teenager Mirra Andreeva underlined her growing reputation as the hottest emerging talent on the WTA Tour by shocking world number one Aryna Sabalenka to win the Indian Wells title.Russia's Andreeva, 17, produced a composed and clinical performance to fight back for a 2-6 6-4 6-3 victory.
It is her second successive title - and back-to-back victories at WTA 1,000 level - after triumphing in Dubai at the end of February.
Speaking to the Indian Wells crowd during the trophy presentation, a laughing Andreeva said: "I'd like to thank myself - for fighting until the end, for always believing and for never quitting.
"I tried to run like a rabbit because Aryna was sending bullets [across the net] and it was hard."
Andreeva is the youngest champion in WTA history at this level - the highest tier of events below the four Grand Slam tournaments - and extended her winning streak to 12 matches by beating Belarusian three-time major champion Sabalenka.
On Monday, Andreeva will rise to a career high of sixth in the world rankings.
Andreeva has been tipped as a potential superstar ever since bursting on the scene as a 15-year-old at the 2023 Madrid Open.
Former British number one Andy Murray was impressed enough to text a good luck message on her Grand Slam debut at the following year's French Open, while several former major champions, including Andy Roddick and Martina Navratilova, have been among many predicting she will be a future world number one.
"Andreeva is playing well above her years," said Navratilova, who was analysing the final for Sky Sports on Sunday.
Source: BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
I'm either labelled a robot or hysterical – Swiatek
Iga Swiatek is "not proud" of the way she took her frustration in Indian Wells out on a ball boy but has criticised the "standards" she faces in her behaviour as "not healthy".
The world number two was heavily criticised on social media for appearing to hit a ball towards a boy during her semi-final loss to Mirra Andreeva.
A video shows Poland's Swiatek swiping angrily at a ball thrown to her by a ball boy, with the ball landing close to him before bouncing into the stands.
The 23-year-old wrote a lengthy social media post on Monday addressing the incident, as well as the scrutiny of her behaviour and the emotional impact of her one-month doping ban.
"I immediately apologised to the ball boy, we made eye contact, and nodded to each other when I expressed regret that it happened near him," the five-time major champion wrote., external
"I've seen many players bounce balls in frustration, and frankly, I didn't expect such harsh judgments.
"Working on oneself isn't something you achieve once and keep forever. Sometimes we take two steps forward and one step back."
Swiatek has not reached a final this year, with her last title coming at the French Open last June.
She added she was "not comfortable explaining myself" but wanted to share her perspective "to stop the speculation and baseless theories".
"When I'm highly focused and don't show many emotions on court, I'm called a robot, my attitude labelled as inhuman," she said.
"Now that I'm more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I'm suddenly labelled immature or hysterical.
"That's not a healthy standard – especially considering that just six months ago, I felt my career was hanging by a thread, spent three weeks crying daily, and didn't want to step on the court.
"Today, after everything I've been through, I'm still processing and coming to terms with those experiences."
Swiatek tested positive for the heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ) in August, when she was world number one.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted the test result was caused by contamination.
She missed three tournaments during her ban, with Aryna Sabalenka ultimately replacing her at the top of the world rankings in October.
Swiatek will be the second seed at the Miami Open, which begins on Tuesday.
BBC
Iga Swiatek is "not proud" of the way she took her frustration in Indian Wells out on a ball boy but has criticised the "standards" she faces in her behaviour as "not healthy".
The world number two was heavily criticised on social media for appearing to hit a ball towards a boy during her semi-final loss to Mirra Andreeva.
A video shows Poland's Swiatek swiping angrily at a ball thrown to her by a ball boy, with the ball landing close to him before bouncing into the stands.
The 23-year-old wrote a lengthy social media post on Monday addressing the incident, as well as the scrutiny of her behaviour and the emotional impact of her one-month doping ban.
"I immediately apologised to the ball boy, we made eye contact, and nodded to each other when I expressed regret that it happened near him," the five-time major champion wrote., external
"I've seen many players bounce balls in frustration, and frankly, I didn't expect such harsh judgments.
"Working on oneself isn't something you achieve once and keep forever. Sometimes we take two steps forward and one step back."
Swiatek has not reached a final this year, with her last title coming at the French Open last June.
She added she was "not comfortable explaining myself" but wanted to share her perspective "to stop the speculation and baseless theories".
"When I'm highly focused and don't show many emotions on court, I'm called a robot, my attitude labelled as inhuman," she said.
"Now that I'm more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I'm suddenly labelled immature or hysterical.
"That's not a healthy standard – especially considering that just six months ago, I felt my career was hanging by a thread, spent three weeks crying daily, and didn't want to step on the court.
"Today, after everything I've been through, I'm still processing and coming to terms with those experiences."
Swiatek tested positive for the heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ) in August, when she was world number one.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted the test result was caused by contamination.
She missed three tournaments during her ban, with Aryna Sabalenka ultimately replacing her at the top of the world rankings in October.
Swiatek will be the second seed at the Miami Open, which begins on Tuesday.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Osaka wants to 'play with the big dogs' after Miami win
Former world number one Naomi Osaka wants to "play with the big dogs" again after battling to a three-set win against Yuliia Starodubtseva in the first round of the Miami Open.
Osaka came from a set down to beat Ukraine's Starodubtseva 3-6 6-4 6-3 and claim her first victory since the Australian Open second round in January.
It comes after the Japanese player described her first-round loss against Camila Osorio at Indian Wells two weeks ago as the "worst match I've ever played in my life".
"I want to play with the big dogs so bad and I just see everyone playing so well and I want to do the same," she said after her two-and-a-half-hour epic against Starodubtseva.
"But I have to remember it's a process."
The four-time Grand Slam winner has had several breaks from playing to prioritise her mental health as well as a maternity break.
She has not progressed past the third round of a major since her most recent triumph at the 2021 Australian Open.
"I knew that I wasn't playing too well, but I thought, 'let me try to stay on the court as long as possible', because I consider Miami my home," Osaka added.
"At Indian Wells I was just over-hitting a lot, so I tried to use my legs.
"I was going to run into every corner if I had to, and we were going to have to play for three hours if she was going to beat me."
BBC
Former world number one Naomi Osaka wants to "play with the big dogs" again after battling to a three-set win against Yuliia Starodubtseva in the first round of the Miami Open.
Osaka came from a set down to beat Ukraine's Starodubtseva 3-6 6-4 6-3 and claim her first victory since the Australian Open second round in January.
It comes after the Japanese player described her first-round loss against Camila Osorio at Indian Wells two weeks ago as the "worst match I've ever played in my life".
"I want to play with the big dogs so bad and I just see everyone playing so well and I want to do the same," she said after her two-and-a-half-hour epic against Starodubtseva.
"But I have to remember it's a process."
The four-time Grand Slam winner has had several breaks from playing to prioritise her mental health as well as a maternity break.
She has not progressed past the third round of a major since her most recent triumph at the 2021 Australian Open.
"I knew that I wasn't playing too well, but I thought, 'let me try to stay on the court as long as possible', because I consider Miami my home," Osaka added.
"At Indian Wells I was just over-hitting a lot, so I tried to use my legs.
"I was going to run into every corner if I had to, and we were going to have to play for three hours if she was going to beat me."
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Raducanu breezes into second round of Miami Open
Emma Raducanu breezed into the second round of the Miami Open with a commanding straight-set win against Japanese teenager Sayaka Ishii.
The British number two took just over an hour to progress 6-2 6-1 and will next face American eighth seed Emma Navarro.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, lost in the first round of Indian Wells earlier this month in what was her first match since the traumatic experience of dealing with a stalker at a tournament in Dubai.
This was supposed to be her first full event with new coach Vladimir Platenik but the Slovakian was not on court for her match.
BBC
Emma Raducanu breezed into the second round of the Miami Open with a commanding straight-set win against Japanese teenager Sayaka Ishii.
The British number two took just over an hour to progress 6-2 6-1 and will next face American eighth seed Emma Navarro.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, lost in the first round of Indian Wells earlier this month in what was her first match since the traumatic experience of dealing with a stalker at a tournament in Dubai.
This was supposed to be her first full event with new coach Vladimir Platenik but the Slovakian was not on court for her match.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Alcaraz 'does not support' Djokovic union's legal action
World number three Carlos Alcaraz said he does not support the legal action being taken against tennis' governing bodies by the players' union co-founded by Novak Djokovic.
The Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA) filed papers on Tuesday criticising the schedule, ranking systems and control over image rights.
The lawsuit seeks an end to what it describes as "monopolistic control" of the tennis tour, as well as financial compensation from the ATP, the WTA, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
"It was surprising for me, because no one had told me about it," Alcaraz, 21, told reporters at the Miami Open.
"There are things I agree with and there are other things I don't agree with. The main thing is I don't support what was done."
The ATP Tour, the men's professional body, has been critical of the advocacy group, saying it was guilty of "division and distraction" while the WTA, which oversees the women's tour, called the lawsuit "regrettable and misguided".
The complaint is being brought by the PTPA and 12 players - including Djokovic's co-founder Vasek Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios. They say the action is acting "on behalf of the entire player population".
The lawsuit has accused governing bodies of disregarding player welfare and included a quote from four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who criticised the hectic calendar last September.
"Yesterday I saw on social media that they put something I said in a press conference in the documents and I wasn't aware of it. I honestly don't support that letter, because I wasn't aware of it," Alcaraz said.
Formed in 2020, the PTPA wants to increase the amount of control players to run the game and reduce the role of the governing bodies.
It says the governing bodies act as a "cartel" by forming agreements with tournaments that cap prize money. It has also described the ranking points system as "draconian".
BBC
World number three Carlos Alcaraz said he does not support the legal action being taken against tennis' governing bodies by the players' union co-founded by Novak Djokovic.
The Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA) filed papers on Tuesday criticising the schedule, ranking systems and control over image rights.
The lawsuit seeks an end to what it describes as "monopolistic control" of the tennis tour, as well as financial compensation from the ATP, the WTA, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
"It was surprising for me, because no one had told me about it," Alcaraz, 21, told reporters at the Miami Open.
"There are things I agree with and there are other things I don't agree with. The main thing is I don't support what was done."
The ATP Tour, the men's professional body, has been critical of the advocacy group, saying it was guilty of "division and distraction" while the WTA, which oversees the women's tour, called the lawsuit "regrettable and misguided".
The complaint is being brought by the PTPA and 12 players - including Djokovic's co-founder Vasek Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios. They say the action is acting "on behalf of the entire player population".
The lawsuit has accused governing bodies of disregarding player welfare and included a quote from four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who criticised the hectic calendar last September.
"Yesterday I saw on social media that they put something I said in a press conference in the documents and I wasn't aware of it. I honestly don't support that letter, because I wasn't aware of it," Alcaraz said.
Formed in 2020, the PTPA wants to increase the amount of control players to run the game and reduce the role of the governing bodies.
It says the governing bodies act as a "cartel" by forming agreements with tournaments that cap prize money. It has also described the ranking points system as "draconian".
BBC
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Runs
- 5,867
Draper shocked by Mensik in Miami Open second round
British number one Jack Draper lost in straight sets to Jakub Mensik at the Miami Open in his first match since lifting the Indian Wells title.The 23-year-old, who has risen to a career-high seventh in the world rankings, was beaten 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-3) by his Czech opponent in the second round.
Draper made a fine start, breaking Mensik with the first game of the match, but the 19-year-old levelled at 3-3 and was on top from then on.
The world number 54 sent down 21 aces, including four in taking the first-set tie-break.
There were angry scenes during the second set when it was announced Brazilian Joao Fonseca's match against France's Ugo Humbert, which was due on next, had been moved to the main court.
The Brazilian fans, some of whom had been in the stands for hours, booed as they left their seats to make their way to the other court, where their favourite overcame Humbert 6-4 6-3.
Draper, who was leading 4-3, attempted to restart but asked the umpire to stop play because of the jeers.
When play eventually resumed the set stayed with serve to force another tie-break, which Mensik took to reach the third round of a ATP Masters 1000 event for the third time in his career.
British number three Jacob Fearnley, 23, also went out after a crushing straight-set defeat by top seed Alexander Zverev.
The German, who also beat the Scot in straight sets at the Australian Open, needed just one hour, 14 minutes to wrap up a 6-2 6-4 victory.
Despite the defeat, Fearnley will climb above Cameron Norrie to become British number two - behind Draper - when the ATP rankings are updated after Miami.
Elsewhere, 20-year-old Coleman Wong of Hong Kong secured the first top-20 win of his career with a 7-6 (7-3) 2-6 7-6 (7-5) victory over American world number 14 Ben Shelton.
American third seed Taylor Fritz eased through to the next round with a 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 win over beat Lorenzo Sonego of Italy.
Source: BBC
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Runs
- 5,867
Raducanu into Miami last 16 after Keys beaten
Britain's Emma Raducanu is through to the last 16 of the Miami Open after opponent McCartney Kessler retired injured at the start of the second set.Raducanu had been utterly dominant and needed just 30 minutes to take the first set 6-1.
An early break in the second set saw the 22-year-old race into a 3-0 lead, before American Kessler, 25, was forced to retire because of a back issue.
"I could tell something was up and it is hard to stay focused when your opponent is struggling," Raducanu said in her courtside interview. "I wish her a speedy recovery because she has been playing so well.
"I am happy with my focus, it is such a big part of tennis. I haven't been at this stage of a tournament for a while.
"I returned really well and put pressure on the serve, imposing myself from the first game."
Raducanu came into the tournament with five defeats from six matches since the Australian Open and last week ended her partnership with coach Vladimir Platenik after only two weeks.
"I think it's a different approach this week," she added. "I think five minutes before the match I was playing spike ball with the team. It helps me to relax.
"When I'm playing my best tennis I'm really expressing my personality. I'd say I'm a bit of a free spirit so I don't need restrictions or being told what to do.
"I think when I'm being really authentic, that's when I'm playing my best."
Raducanu will play Amanda Anisimova in the next round after the American defeated Mirra Andreeva 7-6 (7-5) 2-6 6-3.
The 17-year-old Russian has risen to sixth in the world after winning the previous two WTA 1,000 events at Indian Wells and Dubai.
Source: BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Raducanu finds 'competitive spirit' to reach last eight
Emma Raducanu says she has found her "competitive spirit" after defeating 17th seed Amanda Anismova in Miami to reach her first WTA 1,000 quarter-final.
The Briton was in brilliant form from the off against her American opponent and needed just 24 minutes to secure the first set on her way to a blistering 6-1 6-3 win.
It is the first time since her US Open triumph in 2021 that Raducanu has won four WTA main-draw matches in a row, and she was dominant in sweeping Anisimova aside.
"The biggest thing I'm proud of is just finding the competitive spirit and being there for every ball and drawing that out of myself," Raducanu said.
"I think that's kind of been missing in the last few months and even a few years at times."
Prior to this tournament, Raducanu had lost five of six matches since the Australian Open - and last week ended her partnership with coach Vladimir Platenik after just two weeks.
"I've come a long way in the last week since Indian Wells, I wasn't necessarily feeling great about my tennis, about everything," the 22-year-old told Sky Sports.
"This week I have some really good people around me who I trust and who I have fun with off the court as well. That's extremely important.
"When I play my best I am definitely authentic, true to myself and creative. I feel when I am boxed into a regimented way then I am not able to express myself in the same way. So I'm happy with how I realised that this week."
Raducanu broke in the opening game of the match and raced through the opening set without losing a point on her own serve.
It was her returning that most impressed, though, as she continually put pressure on the Anisimova serve.
The American grew increasingly angry as the first set went on and appeared to be struggling with a right wrist issue.
Following a medical timeout between sets, she was much improved but could still not prevent Raducanu breaking to go 3-1 up in the second.
Anisimova broke straight back but Raducanu once again demonstrated the resilience she has shown in Miami, breaking again before confidently serving out for the match.
"I'm walking on to the court knowing that I'm going to be there for every point, every ball," the British number two said.
"So far that's really worked. Also, I think on the match court now I'm just thinking less, which is probably a good thing, and trying to just let my creativity come out because I think that's when I'm playing my best tennis."
Raducanu will play world number four Jessica Pegula in the last eight after the American beat Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-3.
Sabalenka, Swiatek & Zverev progress but Gauff out
Elsewhere, world number one Aryna Sabalenka is also through to the quarter-finals after a 6-4 6-4 win over defending champion Danielle Collins of the USA.
The Belarusian secured the only break of the first set at 3-3 and, after breaking in the opening game of the second, went on to complete the victory in an hour and 19 minutes.
Italy's Jasmine Paolini came from a set down to overcome four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 3-6 6-4 6-4.
World number two Iga Swiatek pressed on with her quest for a first title of 2025, beating Ukraine's Elina Svitolina 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to set up a meeting with 19-year-old wildcard Alexandra Eala, from the Philippines, who will be playing in her first WTA quarter-final.
Eala's eye-catching run in Miami continued after her fourth-round opponent, 10th seed Paula Badosa, withdrew before the match because of a lower back injury.
There was disappointment for world number three Coco Gauff who was beaten 6-4 6-4 by Poland's Magda Linette.
In the men's singles, Alexander Zverev overcame a slow start to beat Australia's Jordan Thompson 7-5 6-4.
The German was 4-1 down in the first set before fighting back to win eight of the next nine games and set up a fourth-round tie against France's Arthur Fils, who beat Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (13-11) 5-7 6-2.
Taylor Fritz also advanced with a 7-5 6-3 win against Canada's Denis Shapovalov, but his American compatriot Tommy Paul suffered a 6-2 7-6 (7-4) defeat by Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo.
Australian 10th seed Alex de Minaur fought back to beat Brazilian 18-year-old Joao Fonseca 5-7 7-5 6-3 and set up a last-16 meeting with Italy's Matteo Berrettini.
BBC
Emma Raducanu says she has found her "competitive spirit" after defeating 17th seed Amanda Anismova in Miami to reach her first WTA 1,000 quarter-final.
The Briton was in brilliant form from the off against her American opponent and needed just 24 minutes to secure the first set on her way to a blistering 6-1 6-3 win.
It is the first time since her US Open triumph in 2021 that Raducanu has won four WTA main-draw matches in a row, and she was dominant in sweeping Anisimova aside.
"The biggest thing I'm proud of is just finding the competitive spirit and being there for every ball and drawing that out of myself," Raducanu said.
"I think that's kind of been missing in the last few months and even a few years at times."
Prior to this tournament, Raducanu had lost five of six matches since the Australian Open - and last week ended her partnership with coach Vladimir Platenik after just two weeks.
"I've come a long way in the last week since Indian Wells, I wasn't necessarily feeling great about my tennis, about everything," the 22-year-old told Sky Sports.
"This week I have some really good people around me who I trust and who I have fun with off the court as well. That's extremely important.
"When I play my best I am definitely authentic, true to myself and creative. I feel when I am boxed into a regimented way then I am not able to express myself in the same way. So I'm happy with how I realised that this week."
Raducanu broke in the opening game of the match and raced through the opening set without losing a point on her own serve.
It was her returning that most impressed, though, as she continually put pressure on the Anisimova serve.
The American grew increasingly angry as the first set went on and appeared to be struggling with a right wrist issue.
Following a medical timeout between sets, she was much improved but could still not prevent Raducanu breaking to go 3-1 up in the second.
Anisimova broke straight back but Raducanu once again demonstrated the resilience she has shown in Miami, breaking again before confidently serving out for the match.
"I'm walking on to the court knowing that I'm going to be there for every point, every ball," the British number two said.
"So far that's really worked. Also, I think on the match court now I'm just thinking less, which is probably a good thing, and trying to just let my creativity come out because I think that's when I'm playing my best tennis."
Raducanu will play world number four Jessica Pegula in the last eight after the American beat Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-3.
Sabalenka, Swiatek & Zverev progress but Gauff out
Elsewhere, world number one Aryna Sabalenka is also through to the quarter-finals after a 6-4 6-4 win over defending champion Danielle Collins of the USA.
The Belarusian secured the only break of the first set at 3-3 and, after breaking in the opening game of the second, went on to complete the victory in an hour and 19 minutes.
Italy's Jasmine Paolini came from a set down to overcome four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 3-6 6-4 6-4.
World number two Iga Swiatek pressed on with her quest for a first title of 2025, beating Ukraine's Elina Svitolina 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to set up a meeting with 19-year-old wildcard Alexandra Eala, from the Philippines, who will be playing in her first WTA quarter-final.
Eala's eye-catching run in Miami continued after her fourth-round opponent, 10th seed Paula Badosa, withdrew before the match because of a lower back injury.
There was disappointment for world number three Coco Gauff who was beaten 6-4 6-4 by Poland's Magda Linette.
In the men's singles, Alexander Zverev overcame a slow start to beat Australia's Jordan Thompson 7-5 6-4.
The German was 4-1 down in the first set before fighting back to win eight of the next nine games and set up a fourth-round tie against France's Arthur Fils, who beat Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (13-11) 5-7 6-2.
Taylor Fritz also advanced with a 7-5 6-3 win against Canada's Denis Shapovalov, but his American compatriot Tommy Paul suffered a 6-2 7-6 (7-4) defeat by Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo.
Australian 10th seed Alex de Minaur fought back to beat Brazilian 18-year-old Joao Fonseca 5-7 7-5 6-3 and set up a last-16 meeting with Italy's Matteo Berrettini.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Swiatek abused by 'aggressive' fan in Miami incident
Five-time major champion Iga Swiatek is being protected by increased security after an "aggressive and taunting" fan verbally abused her at the Miami Open.
Swiatek, 23, was targeted by the man in a practice session on Saturday.
It is believed the man shouted personal insults about Swiatek's family.
The world number two's representatives told BBC Sport the man had previously sent abusive online messages to her through social media.
"The Miami incident appears to be a direct transition from verbal aggression online to harassment in the real world," the Polish player's team said.
"He was aggressive and taunting."
Swiatek's representatives added the incident was immediately reported to tournament organisers.
Her experience comes a month after Britain's Emma Raducanu was targeted by a stalker at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
www.bbc.com
Five-time major champion Iga Swiatek is being protected by increased security after an "aggressive and taunting" fan verbally abused her at the Miami Open.
Swiatek, 23, was targeted by the man in a practice session on Saturday.
It is believed the man shouted personal insults about Swiatek's family.
The world number two's representatives told BBC Sport the man had previously sent abusive online messages to her through social media.
"The Miami incident appears to be a direct transition from verbal aggression online to harassment in the real world," the Polish player's team said.
"He was aggressive and taunting."
Swiatek's representatives added the incident was immediately reported to tournament organisers.
Her experience comes a month after Britain's Emma Raducanu was targeted by a stalker at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Iga Swiatek abused by 'aggressive and taunting' fan at Miami Open
Five-time major champion Iga Swiatek is being protected by increased security after being verbally abused during a practice session.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Raducanu loses in Miami after medical treatment
Emma Raducanu's encouraging Miami Open run came to an end in a narrow quarter-final defeat by world number four Jessica Pegula.
Despite needing medical treatment, the 22-year-old Briton levelled the match before American Pegula clinically regained control to win 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-2.
In the second set Raducanu played some of her best tennis since becoming a teenage Grand Slam champion at the 2021 US Open.
The world number 60 held a 5-2 lead and had four set points in the eighth game, before calling to see the doctor.
She had her blood pressure taken and was given ice towels to cool down before resuming.
The way in which Raducanu showed fortitude and fight to win the second set was impressive.
But she could not see the job through as Pegula demonstrated why she is one of the most consistent competitors on the WTA Tour.
"It was tough," said US Open runner-up Pegula. "I just wanted to come out in the third set really strong, really quick, and jump on her."
The 31-year-old will play 19-year-old Alexandra Eala from the Philippines in the semi-finals on Friday.
Eala continued her remarkable run by causing a seismic shock against five-time major champion Iga Swiatek earlier on Wednesday.
Raducanu shows she can compete at the top
Questions have frequently been asked about Raducanu's physical and mental resilience since her breakout victory in New York more than three years ago.
Raducanu found the transition to being full-time on the tour difficult, with a series of injuries hampering her progress and the weight of scrutiny proving heavy.
Issues have continued to arise.
During a testing start to this season, Raducanu has dealt with a back injury, been targeted by a stalker and had her trusted coach Nick Cavaday leave.
In Miami she gave a reminder that she has the ability - and guts - to compete with the world's best.
Although she lost to Pegula, there were eye-catching victories over top-20 opponents Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova on her way to reaching the quarter-finals at a WTA 1000 event for the first time.
Raducanu will also take great satisfaction from knowing she will return to the top 50 of the WTA rankings next week.
Stringing together four victories in a row - for the first time at a tournament since her US Open triumph - was another sign of her progress.
Now Raducanu will look to build on her improved level and deliver the greater consistency she is striving to find when she moves onto the European clay-court swing next month.
Raducanu pushes Pegula all the way
Raducanu found form in Miami with a more relaxed approach, which allowed her to play with greater freedom.
Raducanu decided to abandon a trial partnership with Slovak coach Vladimir Platenik coming into the tournament, asking for guidance from some familiar faces instead.
Mark Petchey, a well-known figure in British tennis who coached Raducanu in her teenage years, joined her long-time confidante Jane O'Donoghue and fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura.
Raducanu said the set-up allowed her to be "authentic" and "express" herself on court - and it showed against Pegula with her clean ball-striking and sharp movement.
Pegula's solid groundstrokes offered few errors and a single break was enough for Raducanu to lose the opening set.
Raducanu was heartened by the quality of her play, though.
Adopting a more aggressive approach in the second set paid dividends as she dominated Pegula, quickly getting her reward with an early break as momentum shifted.
When Raducanu could not level with the double break, amid complaining of dizziness, it felt like she was there for the taking when she returned from the medical timeout.
But she showed remarkable mental toughness to hold serve for 6-5, managing to step up her level again in a superb tie-break, before Pegula outlasted her in the decider.
BBC
Emma Raducanu's encouraging Miami Open run came to an end in a narrow quarter-final defeat by world number four Jessica Pegula.
Despite needing medical treatment, the 22-year-old Briton levelled the match before American Pegula clinically regained control to win 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-2.
In the second set Raducanu played some of her best tennis since becoming a teenage Grand Slam champion at the 2021 US Open.
The world number 60 held a 5-2 lead and had four set points in the eighth game, before calling to see the doctor.
She had her blood pressure taken and was given ice towels to cool down before resuming.
The way in which Raducanu showed fortitude and fight to win the second set was impressive.
But she could not see the job through as Pegula demonstrated why she is one of the most consistent competitors on the WTA Tour.
"It was tough," said US Open runner-up Pegula. "I just wanted to come out in the third set really strong, really quick, and jump on her."
The 31-year-old will play 19-year-old Alexandra Eala from the Philippines in the semi-finals on Friday.
Eala continued her remarkable run by causing a seismic shock against five-time major champion Iga Swiatek earlier on Wednesday.
Raducanu shows she can compete at the top
Questions have frequently been asked about Raducanu's physical and mental resilience since her breakout victory in New York more than three years ago.
Raducanu found the transition to being full-time on the tour difficult, with a series of injuries hampering her progress and the weight of scrutiny proving heavy.
Issues have continued to arise.
During a testing start to this season, Raducanu has dealt with a back injury, been targeted by a stalker and had her trusted coach Nick Cavaday leave.
In Miami she gave a reminder that she has the ability - and guts - to compete with the world's best.
Although she lost to Pegula, there were eye-catching victories over top-20 opponents Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova on her way to reaching the quarter-finals at a WTA 1000 event for the first time.
Raducanu will also take great satisfaction from knowing she will return to the top 50 of the WTA rankings next week.
Stringing together four victories in a row - for the first time at a tournament since her US Open triumph - was another sign of her progress.
Now Raducanu will look to build on her improved level and deliver the greater consistency she is striving to find when she moves onto the European clay-court swing next month.
Raducanu pushes Pegula all the way
Raducanu found form in Miami with a more relaxed approach, which allowed her to play with greater freedom.
Raducanu decided to abandon a trial partnership with Slovak coach Vladimir Platenik coming into the tournament, asking for guidance from some familiar faces instead.
Mark Petchey, a well-known figure in British tennis who coached Raducanu in her teenage years, joined her long-time confidante Jane O'Donoghue and fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura.
Raducanu said the set-up allowed her to be "authentic" and "express" herself on court - and it showed against Pegula with her clean ball-striking and sharp movement.
Pegula's solid groundstrokes offered few errors and a single break was enough for Raducanu to lose the opening set.
Raducanu was heartened by the quality of her play, though.
Adopting a more aggressive approach in the second set paid dividends as she dominated Pegula, quickly getting her reward with an early break as momentum shifted.
When Raducanu could not level with the double break, amid complaining of dizziness, it felt like she was there for the taking when she returned from the medical timeout.
But she showed remarkable mental toughness to hold serve for 6-5, managing to step up her level again in a superb tie-break, before Pegula outlasted her in the decider.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Sabalenka powers past Paolini to reach Miami final
World number one Aryna Sabalenka reached the Miami Open final with a comprehensive straight-set victory over Italy's Jasmine Paolini.
The 26-year-old Belarusian is yet to drop a set at the tournament and was in fine form as she stormed to a 6-2 6-2 win over sixth seed Paolini.
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has now reached two finals in succession, having lost to Mirra Andreeva at Indian Wells earlier this month.
This is the first time she has reached the Miami showpiece and Sabalenka will face either teenage wildcard Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, or American fourth seed Jessica Pegula for the trophy on Saturday.
They face each other in the second semi-final on Friday.
BBC
World number one Aryna Sabalenka reached the Miami Open final with a comprehensive straight-set victory over Italy's Jasmine Paolini.
The 26-year-old Belarusian is yet to drop a set at the tournament and was in fine form as she stormed to a 6-2 6-2 win over sixth seed Paolini.
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has now reached two finals in succession, having lost to Mirra Andreeva at Indian Wells earlier this month.
This is the first time she has reached the Miami showpiece and Sabalenka will face either teenage wildcard Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, or American fourth seed Jessica Pegula for the trophy on Saturday.
They face each other in the second semi-final on Friday.
BBC
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Runs
- 5,867
Kasatkina to represent Australia instead of Russia
Russian Daria Kasatkina will switch allegiance to Australia after her application for permanent residency was accepted.The 27-year-old, who has criticised Russia's LGBTQ+ rules and opposed the war in Ukraine, has been living in Dubai and has not returned to Russia in two and a half years.
Last month she denied suggestions she had switched to Spanish nationality after a mix-up with the flag used next to her name at a WTA Tour draw ceremony.
The world number 12, who has won eight singles titles, wrote on social media: "Australia is a place I love, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home.
"I love being in Melbourne and look forward to making my home there.
"As part of this, I am proud to announce that I will be representing my new homeland, Australia, in my professional tennis career from this point onwards.
"Obviously, there are parts of this decision that have not been easy. I want to express my thanks and gratitude to my family, coaches and everyone who has supported me throughout my tennis journey to date."
Kasatkina revealed she is gay in a video interview in 2022 and left Russia, which has strict laws on LGBTQ+ rights.
After also criticising the war in Ukraine in the interview, a Russian politician unsuccessfully called for her to be listed as a 'foreign agent' - someone acting against Russian interests.
Last year, she said she was expecting "consequences" following her actions.
Her statement on Friday added: "I will always have respect and fond appreciation for my roots, but I am thrilled to start this new chapter in my career and my life under the Australian flag. Thank you all for your understanding and continued support."
Source: BBC
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Britain's Jones collapses on court in Colombia
Britain's Fran Jones has been helped off court in a wheelchair after collapsing during a match in Colombia.
The 24-year-old was attempting to serve in the ninth game of a deciding third set in Bogota when she fell to the floor.
Jones, the British number five, was unable to finish the Colsanitas Cup first-round match.
"Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2 5-7 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian," read a Colsanitas Cup statement.
"We wish the British tennis player a speedy recovery."
Meanwhile, Heather Watson is out of the Charleston Open after a straight sets defeat by Iryna Shymanovich in the first round.
The British number seven was beaten 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 by the Belarusian world number 215.
BBC
Britain's Fran Jones has been helped off court in a wheelchair after collapsing during a match in Colombia.
The 24-year-old was attempting to serve in the ninth game of a deciding third set in Bogota when she fell to the floor.
Jones, the British number five, was unable to finish the Colsanitas Cup first-round match.
"Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2 5-7 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian," read a Colsanitas Cup statement.
"We wish the British tennis player a speedy recovery."
Meanwhile, Heather Watson is out of the Charleston Open after a straight sets defeat by Iryna Shymanovich in the first round.
The British number seven was beaten 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 by the Belarusian world number 215.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Raducanu withdraws from GB squad to 'look after body'
Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Great Britain squad for next week's Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers in the Netherlands to "look after her body".
The British number two reached the Miami Open quarter-finals last week.
Raducanu has competed in seven tournaments so far this year - the most she has played in the first three months of a season.
The 22-year-old, who climbed back into the world's top 50 this week, needed medical attention before losing to fourth seed Jessica Pegula in Miami.
Raducanu's representatives said pulling out of the British squad was a "difficult decision".
They added: "She needs a little space in the calendar to best look after her body."
www.bbc.com
Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Great Britain squad for next week's Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers in the Netherlands to "look after her body".
The British number two reached the Miami Open quarter-finals last week.
Raducanu has competed in seven tournaments so far this year - the most she has played in the first three months of a season.
The 22-year-old, who climbed back into the world's top 50 this week, needed medical attention before losing to fourth seed Jessica Pegula in Miami.
Raducanu's representatives said pulling out of the British squad was a "difficult decision".
They added: "She needs a little space in the calendar to best look after her body."
Emma Raducanu withdraws from Great Britain squad before Billie Jean King Cup tie
Emma Raducanu withdraws from the Great Britain squad for next week's Billie Jean King Cup tie in the Netherlands to "look after her body".
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Top-20 players ask Grand Slams for more prize money
he top 20 men's and women's players have sent a letter to the four Grand Slams asking for more prize money.
The letter, which was first reported by French newspaper L'Equipe, requested a meeting to discuss players receiving a greater share of the revenue generated by the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
World number 11 Emma Navarro cited "unfair pay ratios" as a reason for putting her name to the letter.
"I talked a little bit to the other players about it and felt like it was a good idea to sign", the 23-year-old American said on Wednesday.
"I think it's a good cause to come together as players and make sure we're getting treated fairly."
Prize money at last year's Wimbledon was £50m, exactly double the amount offered in 2014. In that 10-year period, prize money for first-round losers increased from £27,000 to £60,000.
But players have frequently pointed to the vast revenues generated by the Grand Slams, and feel they deserve a significantly larger return.
In the year up to July 2023, the All England Club (AELTC) had a turnover of £380m. But once the costs of running the Championships were deducted, the operating profit was just under £54m.
Nearly £49m of that went to the LTA, as the AELTC has agreed to pay the governing body 90% of its annual surplus until 2053.
Costs include prize money, employing more than 8,000 seasonal staff, preparing and developing the site and supporting other grass court events.
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen said increased prize money would be particularly welcomed by lower-ranked players, who can struggle to make ends meet at other times of the year.
"I think that's going to benefit all the players, not only the top players, especially those that work hard during the year and need to get paid from the Grand Slams and have to survive," added the Chinese world number eight.
"We try to do what we can, and then let's see what the gods bring to us. But at least we're trying."
BBC
he top 20 men's and women's players have sent a letter to the four Grand Slams asking for more prize money.
The letter, which was first reported by French newspaper L'Equipe, requested a meeting to discuss players receiving a greater share of the revenue generated by the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
World number 11 Emma Navarro cited "unfair pay ratios" as a reason for putting her name to the letter.
"I talked a little bit to the other players about it and felt like it was a good idea to sign", the 23-year-old American said on Wednesday.
"I think it's a good cause to come together as players and make sure we're getting treated fairly."
Prize money at last year's Wimbledon was £50m, exactly double the amount offered in 2014. In that 10-year period, prize money for first-round losers increased from £27,000 to £60,000.
But players have frequently pointed to the vast revenues generated by the Grand Slams, and feel they deserve a significantly larger return.
In the year up to July 2023, the All England Club (AELTC) had a turnover of £380m. But once the costs of running the Championships were deducted, the operating profit was just under £54m.
Nearly £49m of that went to the LTA, as the AELTC has agreed to pay the governing body 90% of its annual surplus until 2053.
Costs include prize money, employing more than 8,000 seasonal staff, preparing and developing the site and supporting other grass court events.
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen said increased prize money would be particularly welcomed by lower-ranked players, who can struggle to make ends meet at other times of the year.
"I think that's going to benefit all the players, not only the top players, especially those that work hard during the year and need to get paid from the Grand Slams and have to survive," added the Chinese world number eight.
"We try to do what we can, and then let's see what the gods bring to us. But at least we're trying."
BBC
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Runs
- 5,867
Wimbledon plans 2027 expansion of Henman Hill for 150th anniversary of first championships
Wimbledon has announced plans to expand Henman Hill in time for the championships in 2027.The grass bank next to Court One gained its nickname after legions of fans without tickets to Centre Court flocked there to watch the exploits of home hero Tim Henman on the big screen in the 1990s and 2000s.
It remains one of the All England Club's most popular places and, as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations in two years' time, it will be remodelled to provide 20 per cent more capacity.
The developments, which will begin after next year's tournament, will see the current tiers reduced in gradient and retaining walls added to provide extra seating, while wheelchair access will be improved.
A new pergola, meanwhile, will provide rain cover and shade from the sun.
AELTC chair Deborah Jevans said: "The redevelopment of our world-famous Hill, in time for The Championships 2027, will allow even more tennis fans to enjoy its unique atmosphere and vantage point.
"I am particularly pleased that these plans will increase the accessibility of The Hill for our guests using wheelchairs or who have additional accessibility requirements.
"It is an exciting opportunity as we look towards 2027 and the 150th anniversary of the first championships."
Source: SKY SPORTS
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
GB's Draper cruises into Monte Carlo third round
British number one Jack Draper produced a commanding performance in his first clay court match of the season to reach the Monte Carlo Masters third round.
New world number six Draper needed just 61 minutes to defeat American Marcos Giron 6-1 6-1 and match his best result at a clay-court ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
Draper is looking to build on his impressive start to the year, having claimed the Indian Wells title in March.
The 23-year-old, who received a first-round bye, will face Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry for a place in the quarter-finals.
Draper has struggled on clay in the past but was in unstoppable form against Giron, hitting five aces and 21 winners to his opponent's nine.
The fifth seed saved a couple of break points in the third game of the match before steadily overpowering his 45th-ranked opponent.
After reeling off five straight games to seal the opening set, Draper did not relent in the second and closed out an excellent victory with another five-game streak.
www.bbc.com
British number one Jack Draper produced a commanding performance in his first clay court match of the season to reach the Monte Carlo Masters third round.
New world number six Draper needed just 61 minutes to defeat American Marcos Giron 6-1 6-1 and match his best result at a clay-court ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
Draper is looking to build on his impressive start to the year, having claimed the Indian Wells title in March.
The 23-year-old, who received a first-round bye, will face Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry for a place in the quarter-finals.
Draper has struggled on clay in the past but was in unstoppable form against Giron, hitting five aces and 21 winners to his opponent's nine.
The fifth seed saved a couple of break points in the third game of the match before steadily overpowering his 45th-ranked opponent.
After reeling off five straight games to seal the opening set, Draper did not relent in the second and closed out an excellent victory with another five-game streak.
Monte Carlo Masters: Jack Draper into third round with straight-set win over Marcos Giron
British number one Jack Draper makes an impressive start to his clay-court season with a commanding win over Marcos Giron at the Monte Carlo Masters.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Billie Jean King receives Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Legendary tennis player and social equality advocate Billie Jean King has received a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.
King, 81, is the first woman to be given the honour in the new sports entertainment category.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame was previously reserved for stars of cinema, television, radio, theatre and music.
"The important thing is, I don't want to be the last one," said King.
"My family loved music and movies. My mother would have loved this."
Her star is the 2,807th to be installed on the Walk of Fame, which began in 1960 and runs along along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles.
King one of the greatest female tennis players of all time, winning 39 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles competitions.
She is also an advocate for gender equality and social justice, winning the 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Bobby Riggs in 1973.
The American is also the founder of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).
King was honoured with the lifetime achievement award at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year in 2018.
In 2020 the Fed Cup was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup in honour of the former world number one.
Great Britain's Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Germany will be live on the BBC iPlayer and Red Button from 13:00 BST on Friday, with text coverage on the BBC Sport website.
BBC
Legendary tennis player and social equality advocate Billie Jean King has received a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.
King, 81, is the first woman to be given the honour in the new sports entertainment category.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame was previously reserved for stars of cinema, television, radio, theatre and music.
"The important thing is, I don't want to be the last one," said King.
"My family loved music and movies. My mother would have loved this."
Her star is the 2,807th to be installed on the Walk of Fame, which began in 1960 and runs along along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles.
King one of the greatest female tennis players of all time, winning 39 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles competitions.
She is also an advocate for gender equality and social justice, winning the 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Bobby Riggs in 1973.
The American is also the founder of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).
King was honoured with the lifetime achievement award at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year in 2018.
In 2020 the Fed Cup was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup in honour of the former world number one.
Great Britain's Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Germany will be live on the BBC iPlayer and Red Button from 13:00 BST on Friday, with text coverage on the BBC Sport website.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
GB's Draper suffers third-round Monte Carlo exit
Britain's Jack Draper succumbed to a last-16 defeat by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in an entertaining match at the Monte Carlo Masters.
The 23-year-old twice came back from a break down in the deciding set but could not find a consistent level, losing 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 to the Spaniard.
Indian Wells champion Draper had cruised to victory in his first clay-court match of the year but looked out of sorts at times against Davidovich Fokina.
The new world number six made 46 unforced errors, recorded 10 costly double faults and converted just four of his 16 break opportunities.
Clay has not previously been Draper's favourite surface but, after receiving a first-round bye, his performance against American Marcos Giron in round two showed promise.
The British number one was not at his best in the opening set against Davidovich Fokina, berating himself with cries of "wake up" and "come on" in an attempt to increase his energy.
That form dragged into the second set, with Draper hitting three double faults on his way to being broken in the opening game.
Trailing by a set and a break, Draper's fortunes changed when he hit an ace to hold serve after saving two break points, raising his arms in relief before playing a fine return game to break back for 3-3.
He saved a match point on the way to forcing a tie-break and ensured a deciding set with a stunning cross-court forehand winner.
The pair traded breaks in a third set of shifting momentum, but Draper struggled to take his chances, converting just two of nine break points while 42nd-ranked Davidovich Fokina converted all three of his opportunities.
Second seed Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-1 victory over 84th-ranked Daniel Altmaier and will meet France's Arthur Fils in the last eight.
Meanwhile, British doubles pair Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury lost their last-16 match 6-3 6-3 to compatriot Henry Patten and Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara.
BBC
Britain's Jack Draper succumbed to a last-16 defeat by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in an entertaining match at the Monte Carlo Masters.
The 23-year-old twice came back from a break down in the deciding set but could not find a consistent level, losing 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 to the Spaniard.
Indian Wells champion Draper had cruised to victory in his first clay-court match of the year but looked out of sorts at times against Davidovich Fokina.
The new world number six made 46 unforced errors, recorded 10 costly double faults and converted just four of his 16 break opportunities.
Clay has not previously been Draper's favourite surface but, after receiving a first-round bye, his performance against American Marcos Giron in round two showed promise.
The British number one was not at his best in the opening set against Davidovich Fokina, berating himself with cries of "wake up" and "come on" in an attempt to increase his energy.
That form dragged into the second set, with Draper hitting three double faults on his way to being broken in the opening game.
Trailing by a set and a break, Draper's fortunes changed when he hit an ace to hold serve after saving two break points, raising his arms in relief before playing a fine return game to break back for 3-3.
He saved a match point on the way to forcing a tie-break and ensured a deciding set with a stunning cross-court forehand winner.
The pair traded breaks in a third set of shifting momentum, but Draper struggled to take his chances, converting just two of nine break points while 42nd-ranked Davidovich Fokina converted all three of his opportunities.
Second seed Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-1 victory over 84th-ranked Daniel Altmaier and will meet France's Arthur Fils in the last eight.
Meanwhile, British doubles pair Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury lost their last-16 match 6-3 6-3 to compatriot Henry Patten and Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
'I missed clay' - Alcaraz into Monte Carlo semis
Carlos Alcaraz says he "missed" playing on clay after he booked his place in the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters with a spirited fightback.
The Spaniard, 21, came from a set down to clinch a 4-6 7-5 6-3 victory over Frenchman Arthur Fils to secure his spot in the last four.
French Open champion Alcaraz will now face compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who beat Australia's Alexei Popyrin in straight sets, on Saturday for a place in the final.
World number three Alcaraz saved three break points in the 11th game of the second set in a thrilling tussle with 20-year-old Fils.
Alcaraz said he had to "stay strong" and "wait for chances" against Fils before he was able to capitalise on any errors.
"I think his level is high right now and he puts a lot of pressure on his opponents," Alcaraz said.
"Today I could feel it but in some moments he just made a few mistakes and I tried to make the most of those points.
"I have missed clay. It is good to play the drop shot and it is a shot I use a lot and feel comfortable using. In matches like this I won almost every drop shot I hit and it gives me more confidence."
Fils made a stunning start to the match as he surged into a 3-0 lead with two early breaks in the opening set.
Alcaraz managed to draw level at 4-4, only for Fils to break once more and then hold serve to take the set as he saved two break points.
Fils squandered seven break points in the second set, and Alcaraz squared the match with a superb lob to break Fils' serve in the 12th game.
Alcaraz dropped serve once again in the third game of the decider, but managed to break back and then secured another break in the eighth game to the frustration of Fils, who smashed his racket on the clay.
World number 15 Fils failed to regain his composure while Alcaraz kept his cool to seal the match.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is bidding to win his first Masters title since victory at Indian Wells last year.
Later on Friday, Italian Lorenzo Musetti beat Greek defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6 6-3 6-4 to progress to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final.
World number 16 Musetti saved 14 of the 17 break points he came up against and will meet Australian eighth seed Alex de Minaur, who breezed past Grigor Dimitrov 6-0 6-0, in the last eight.
BBC
Carlos Alcaraz says he "missed" playing on clay after he booked his place in the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters with a spirited fightback.
The Spaniard, 21, came from a set down to clinch a 4-6 7-5 6-3 victory over Frenchman Arthur Fils to secure his spot in the last four.
French Open champion Alcaraz will now face compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who beat Australia's Alexei Popyrin in straight sets, on Saturday for a place in the final.
World number three Alcaraz saved three break points in the 11th game of the second set in a thrilling tussle with 20-year-old Fils.
Alcaraz said he had to "stay strong" and "wait for chances" against Fils before he was able to capitalise on any errors.
"I think his level is high right now and he puts a lot of pressure on his opponents," Alcaraz said.
"Today I could feel it but in some moments he just made a few mistakes and I tried to make the most of those points.
"I have missed clay. It is good to play the drop shot and it is a shot I use a lot and feel comfortable using. In matches like this I won almost every drop shot I hit and it gives me more confidence."
Fils made a stunning start to the match as he surged into a 3-0 lead with two early breaks in the opening set.
Alcaraz managed to draw level at 4-4, only for Fils to break once more and then hold serve to take the set as he saved two break points.
Fils squandered seven break points in the second set, and Alcaraz squared the match with a superb lob to break Fils' serve in the 12th game.
Alcaraz dropped serve once again in the third game of the decider, but managed to break back and then secured another break in the eighth game to the frustration of Fils, who smashed his racket on the clay.
World number 15 Fils failed to regain his composure while Alcaraz kept his cool to seal the match.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is bidding to win his first Masters title since victory at Indian Wells last year.
Later on Friday, Italian Lorenzo Musetti beat Greek defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6 6-3 6-4 to progress to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final.
World number 16 Musetti saved 14 of the 17 break points he came up against and will meet Australian eighth seed Alex de Minaur, who breezed past Grigor Dimitrov 6-0 6-0, in the last eight.
BBC
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Runs
- 5,867
Carlos Alcaraz beats Lorenzo Musetti in three sets to win Monte Carlo Masters for first time in career - 'Not the way I wanted to win'
Carlos Alcaraz won the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time with a three-set victory over Lorenzo Musetti, who struggled with an injury in the final set having made an impressive start to the match. It was a welcome win for Alcaraz, who had not made a Masters 1000 final for over a year prior to the tournament, and he admitted he had been "struggling" in the weeks prior.Carlos Alcaraz came from a set down to beat Lorenzo Musetti 3-6 6-1 6-0 and win the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time.
The Spaniard stormed through the final two sets as Musetti struggled with an injury, a disappointing end to a memorable tournament for the Italian.
And Alcaraz admitted Musetti's injury took some of the shine off his victory.
"It's not the way I wanted to win a match," he said in his on-court interview. "Thinking about Lorenzo, he's been through a really tough week, really long and intense matches. I feel really sorry for him that it ended like this, it's not easy.
Hopefully it's nothing serious and he's going to be 100% really soon.
"Really happy to have won Monte Carlo for the first time. Difficult win with a lot of difficult situations. I dealt with everything. It's been a difficult month for me, outside and on the court, but coming here and seeing the hard work paying off makes me really happy.
"I was struggling stepping on the court and playing tennis. It's been difficult to focus on the important things and follow the good path again."
Alcaraz beats Musetti to win Monte Carlo Masters ahead of Roland-Garros
Carlos Alcaraz came from a set down to beat Lorenzo Musetti 3-6 6-1 6-0 and win the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time.
www.tntsports.co.uk
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Norrie beaten in Barcelona, Alcaraz edges out Quinn
British number three Cameron Norrie has suffered a first-round exit at the Barcelona Open as he prepares for the start of the French Open this month.
Norrie, now ranked 88 in the world rankings and who came through qualifying in Barcelona, was beaten 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-3 by 27th-ranked Karen Khachanov of Russia.
Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Norrie, 29, saved a set point on his way to winning the first set on a tie-break, and led 4-3 with a break in the second.
But Khachanov came back to progress in two hours and 18 minutes and will face Jaume Munar of Spain in the next round.
Earlier, Carlos Alcaraz was forced to work hard to beat underdog Ethan Quinn to reach the last 16.
The world number two was a break down in the second set against Quinn, ranked 126th in the world, before fighting back to win 6-2 7-6 (8-6).
BBC
British number three Cameron Norrie has suffered a first-round exit at the Barcelona Open as he prepares for the start of the French Open this month.
Norrie, now ranked 88 in the world rankings and who came through qualifying in Barcelona, was beaten 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-3 by 27th-ranked Karen Khachanov of Russia.
Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Norrie, 29, saved a set point on his way to winning the first set on a tie-break, and led 4-3 with a break in the second.
But Khachanov came back to progress in two hours and 18 minutes and will face Jaume Munar of Spain in the next round.
Earlier, Carlos Alcaraz was forced to work hard to beat underdog Ethan Quinn to reach the last 16.
The world number two was a break down in the second set against Quinn, ranked 126th in the world, before fighting back to win 6-2 7-6 (8-6).
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Williams 'would be banned for 20 years' for doping case like Sinner's
Serena Williams says she would have been banned for 20 years and had some of her Grand Slam titles taken away if she had committed the same anti-doping offence as men's world number one Jannik Sinner.
Italy's Sinner, 23, is serving a three-month doping ban after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) over two positive drugs tests last year.
Former world number one Williams, winner of 23 Grand Slam titles, claimed in 2018 that she was a victim of "discrimination" over the volume of drug tests she was required to carry out.
An article published by website Deadspin in 2018 revealed that Williams had been tested out of competition by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) on five occasions by June that year - more than twice as many times as other top American players.
www.bbc.com
Serena Williams says she would have been banned for 20 years and had some of her Grand Slam titles taken away if she had committed the same anti-doping offence as men's world number one Jannik Sinner.
Italy's Sinner, 23, is serving a three-month doping ban after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) over two positive drugs tests last year.
Former world number one Williams, winner of 23 Grand Slam titles, claimed in 2018 that she was a victim of "discrimination" over the volume of drug tests she was required to carry out.
An article published by website Deadspin in 2018 revealed that Williams had been tested out of competition by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) on five occasions by June that year - more than twice as many times as other top American players.
Serena Williams on Jannik Sinner doping case: 'I would have been banned for 20 years'
Serena Williams says she would have been banned for 20 years had she committed a doping offence similar to that of men's player Jannik Sinner.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Alcaraz beats Djere to reach Barcelona Open quarters
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz eased into the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open with a straight-set win over Laslo Djere.
Spanish world number two Alcaraz, who triumphed at the Monte Carlo Masters last week, won 6-2 6-4 against Serbia's unseeded Djere.
Alcaraz won the first five games and produced eight unanswered winners in a dominant first set.
The four-time Grand Slam winner suffered a blip in the second, falling 4-2 behind, before securing the final four games to triumph.
BBC
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz eased into the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open with a straight-set win over Laslo Djere.
Spanish world number two Alcaraz, who triumphed at the Monte Carlo Masters last week, won 6-2 6-4 against Serbia's unseeded Djere.
Alcaraz won the first five games and produced eight unanswered winners in a dominant first set.
The four-time Grand Slam winner suffered a blip in the second, falling 4-2 behind, before securing the final four games to triumph.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Teenager Andreeva out of Stuttgart Open in last 16
In-form teenager Mirra Andreeva went out of the Stuttgart Open as she lost in straight sets to fellow Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova in the last 16.
Sixth seed Andreeva, who has already won two titles this season, lost 6-3 6-2 against unseeded Alexandrova in just over an hour.
Andreeva, 17, became the youngest champion at a WTA 1000 event in February by winning the Dubai Tennis Championships, before triumphing at Indian Wells in March.
But she was unable to wrestle control of the match from Alexandrova, 30, who claimed her fourth win over a top-10 player this season.
Alexandrova will play American third seed Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals after she thrashed Poland's Magdalena Frech 6-1 6-1.
Italian fifth seed Jasmine Paolini beat unseeded German Jule Niemeier 6-1 7-5 to reach the last eight for the second successive year.
She will play American fourth seed Coco Gauff after she cruised past Germany's Ella Seidel 6-1 6-1 inside 57 minutes.
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka will play Belgian Elise Mertens in the quarter-finals after Anastasia Potapova withdrew before their last-16 match with an injury.
The final last-eight tie sees Polish second seed Iga Swiatek take on unseeded Latvian Jelena Ostapenko after she beat American seventh seed Emma Navarro 7-5 3-6 6-2.
BBC
In-form teenager Mirra Andreeva went out of the Stuttgart Open as she lost in straight sets to fellow Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova in the last 16.
Sixth seed Andreeva, who has already won two titles this season, lost 6-3 6-2 against unseeded Alexandrova in just over an hour.
Andreeva, 17, became the youngest champion at a WTA 1000 event in February by winning the Dubai Tennis Championships, before triumphing at Indian Wells in March.
But she was unable to wrestle control of the match from Alexandrova, 30, who claimed her fourth win over a top-10 player this season.
Alexandrova will play American third seed Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals after she thrashed Poland's Magdalena Frech 6-1 6-1.
Italian fifth seed Jasmine Paolini beat unseeded German Jule Niemeier 6-1 7-5 to reach the last eight for the second successive year.
She will play American fourth seed Coco Gauff after she cruised past Germany's Ella Seidel 6-1 6-1 inside 57 minutes.
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka will play Belgian Elise Mertens in the quarter-finals after Anastasia Potapova withdrew before their last-16 match with an injury.
The final last-eight tie sees Polish second seed Iga Swiatek take on unseeded Latvian Jelena Ostapenko after she beat American seventh seed Emma Navarro 7-5 3-6 6-2.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Alcaraz beats De Minaur to reach semis in Barcelona
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz went through to the Barcelona Open semi-finals with a straight-set win over Alex de Minaur.
Spaniard Alcaraz needed just one hour and 40 minutes to beat Australian fifth seed De Minaur 7-5 6-3.
The world number two will now play France's Arthur Fils after his quarter-final opponent Stefanos Tsitipas retired hurt in just the third game of their match.
Alcaraz beat 20-year-old world number 14 Fils in three sets on his way to winning in Monte Carlo last week.
Defending champion Casper Ruud went out thanks to a straight-set defeat by Denmark's Holger Rune.
Alcaraz twice fell a break down in the first set against De Minaur before recovering and making the decisive break in the 12th game.
The 21-year-old was more dominant with his serve in the second set and made the only break in the sixth game.
BBC
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz went through to the Barcelona Open semi-finals with a straight-set win over Alex de Minaur.
Spaniard Alcaraz needed just one hour and 40 minutes to beat Australian fifth seed De Minaur 7-5 6-3.
The world number two will now play France's Arthur Fils after his quarter-final opponent Stefanos Tsitipas retired hurt in just the third game of their match.
Alcaraz beat 20-year-old world number 14 Fils in three sets on his way to winning in Monte Carlo last week.
Defending champion Casper Ruud went out thanks to a straight-set defeat by Denmark's Holger Rune.
Alcaraz twice fell a break down in the first set against De Minaur before recovering and making the decisive break in the 12th game.
The 21-year-old was more dominant with his serve in the second set and made the only break in the sixth game.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Zverev heckled again over domestic abuse allegations
Alexander Zverev asked for a spectator who heckled him over domestic abuse allegations to be kicked out of his Munich Open quarter-final.
The German number one seed was serving at 5-5 in the second set against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor when the fan shouted: "Let's go, you wifebeater."
Zverev spoke to chair umpire Fergus Murphy and could be heard saying "Fergus, please kick him out".
It is not clear if the spectator was ejected from the stadium.
In January, Zverev was heckled by a spectator during the Australian Open men's singles trophy ceremony.
As he stepped up to receive his runners-up trophy, a spectator loudly shouted: "Australia believes Olya and Brenda."
The 27-year-old was accused of violence by his former girlfriend Olya Sharypova in 2020 and of domestic abuse in 2023 by Brenda Patea, with whom he has a child.
Zverev has repeatedly denied both sets of allegations and a Berlin court case brought by Patea was discontinued last year.
Zverev won the match on Friday against Griekspoor 6-7(6) 7-6(3) 6-4. He will face Hungary's Fabian Marozsan in the semi-final on Saturday.
What's the background?
In October 2020, former girlfriend Sharypova accused Zverev of violence and emotional abuse during their relationship. Zverev denied the allegations and said they were "unfounded".
Sharypova did not press charges, and a 15-month investigation by the men's ATP Tour found there was "insufficient evidence" to substantiate claims made by Sharypova and so Zverev did not face disciplinary action.
In November 2023, Zverev was given a penalty order and fined by a German court after being accused of physically abusing his ex-girlfriend Patea.
Zverev denied the claims and lodged an objection against the order, which resulted in a public trial.
The trial was discontinued in June 2024 after a settlement was agreed between the defendant and the complainant.
At the time, the court told BBC Sport: "The decision is not a verdict and it is not a decision about guilt or innocence."
BBC
Alexander Zverev asked for a spectator who heckled him over domestic abuse allegations to be kicked out of his Munich Open quarter-final.
The German number one seed was serving at 5-5 in the second set against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor when the fan shouted: "Let's go, you wifebeater."
Zverev spoke to chair umpire Fergus Murphy and could be heard saying "Fergus, please kick him out".
It is not clear if the spectator was ejected from the stadium.
In January, Zverev was heckled by a spectator during the Australian Open men's singles trophy ceremony.
As he stepped up to receive his runners-up trophy, a spectator loudly shouted: "Australia believes Olya and Brenda."
The 27-year-old was accused of violence by his former girlfriend Olya Sharypova in 2020 and of domestic abuse in 2023 by Brenda Patea, with whom he has a child.
Zverev has repeatedly denied both sets of allegations and a Berlin court case brought by Patea was discontinued last year.
Zverev won the match on Friday against Griekspoor 6-7(6) 7-6(3) 6-4. He will face Hungary's Fabian Marozsan in the semi-final on Saturday.
What's the background?
In October 2020, former girlfriend Sharypova accused Zverev of violence and emotional abuse during their relationship. Zverev denied the allegations and said they were "unfounded".
Sharypova did not press charges, and a 15-month investigation by the men's ATP Tour found there was "insufficient evidence" to substantiate claims made by Sharypova and so Zverev did not face disciplinary action.
In November 2023, Zverev was given a penalty order and fined by a German court after being accused of physically abusing his ex-girlfriend Patea.
Zverev denied the claims and lodged an objection against the order, which resulted in a public trial.
The trial was discontinued in June 2024 after a settlement was agreed between the defendant and the complainant.
At the time, the court told BBC Sport: "The decision is not a verdict and it is not a decision about guilt or innocence."
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
'Brave' Rune stuns Alcaraz to win Barcelona Open
Holger Rune produced a sensational performance to stun home hero Carlos Alcaraz and claim the Barcelona Open title.
Denmark's Rune matched the Spaniard shot-for-shot and held firm in the tight moments to beat his childhood friend 7-6 (8-6) 6-2.
It is Rune's first ATP Tour title for two years and his biggest since the Paris Masters in 2022.
Rune, forced to retire in Monte Carlo last week with illness, said afterwards he had been inspired by Novak Djokovic's victory over Alcaraz in the Olympic final at Roland Garros.
BBC
Holger Rune produced a sensational performance to stun home hero Carlos Alcaraz and claim the Barcelona Open title.
Denmark's Rune matched the Spaniard shot-for-shot and held firm in the tight moments to beat his childhood friend 7-6 (8-6) 6-2.
It is Rune's first ATP Tour title for two years and his biggest since the Paris Masters in 2022.
Rune, forced to retire in Monte Carlo last week with illness, said afterwards he had been inspired by Novak Djokovic's victory over Alcaraz in the Olympic final at Roland Garros.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Boulter breaks new ground with first WTA clay win
British number one Katie Boulter has broken new ground by earning the first WTA Tour clay-court win of her career at the age of 28.
Boulter moved into the Madrid Open second round with a 4-6 6-2 6-1 victory over Czech opponent Katerina Siniakova.
Despite being established at the top end of the game, Boulter’s experience and exposure on the red dirt has been limited.
The world number 40’s appearance at the WTA 1,000 tournament in the Spanish capital - an important event in the build-up to next month’s French Open - is only the fifth time she has competed in the main draw of a tour-level clay event.
www.bbc.com
British number one Katie Boulter has broken new ground by earning the first WTA Tour clay-court win of her career at the age of 28.
Boulter moved into the Madrid Open second round with a 4-6 6-2 6-1 victory over Czech opponent Katerina Siniakova.
Despite being established at the top end of the game, Boulter’s experience and exposure on the red dirt has been limited.
The world number 40’s appearance at the WTA 1,000 tournament in the Spanish capital - an important event in the build-up to next month’s French Open - is only the fifth time she has competed in the main draw of a tour-level clay event.
Madrid Open 2025: Katie Boulter earns first WTA clay-court win by beating Katerina Siniakova
British number one Katie Boulter earns the first WTA Tour clay-court win of her career at the age of 28.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Wimbledon delivers 'record' £50m to British tennis
Last year's Wimbledon Championships delivered a "record surplus" of nearly £50m for British tennis.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) received £49.853m last year, under an agreement which allows The All England Club (AELTC) to pass on 90% of its profits to the governing body each year.
"Despite a wet championships, the company delivered a record surplus for the LTA," the annual report says.
The AELTC's financial statement for the year to July 2024 also reveals slightly increased profits of £54.332m, and turnover which rose to £406.507m.
Prize money has doubled in the past 10 years, but players have long been agitating for a greater share of the revenue generated by the four Grand Slams.
Last month, the top 20 men's and women's players sent a letter asking for more prize money to the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
www.bbc.com
Last year's Wimbledon Championships delivered a "record surplus" of nearly £50m for British tennis.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) received £49.853m last year, under an agreement which allows The All England Club (AELTC) to pass on 90% of its profits to the governing body each year.
"Despite a wet championships, the company delivered a record surplus for the LTA," the annual report says.
The AELTC's financial statement for the year to July 2024 also reveals slightly increased profits of £54.332m, and turnover which rose to £406.507m.
Prize money has doubled in the past 10 years, but players have long been agitating for a greater share of the revenue generated by the four Grand Slams.
Last month, the top 20 men's and women's players sent a letter asking for more prize money to the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Wimbledon gives British tennis 'record' £50m from profits
The Wimbledon Championships delivered a "record surplus" of nearly £50m for British tennis last year, its annual report says.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Injured Alcaraz out of Madrid Open
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Madrid Open because of injury - but is hopeful of being fit for his French Open title defence.
The Spanish world number three said he had injured his hamstring and groin during the second set of Sunday's Barcelona Open final.
"In a week or two I shall return to training, but I will take it step by step," Alcaraz, who has won four Grand Slam titles, said.
"I couldn't practice the entire week. I needed to listen to my body and make the right decision.
"I don't want to get too far ahead but I hope I shall be ready for the French Open."
Alcaraz is a two-time champion in Madrid and won the Monte Carlo Masters in April.
The 21-year-old left court for treatment during the Barcelona final against Holger Rune and was able to resume the match, with the Dane going on to win 7-6 (8-6) 6-2.
BBC
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Madrid Open because of injury - but is hopeful of being fit for his French Open title defence.
The Spanish world number three said he had injured his hamstring and groin during the second set of Sunday's Barcelona Open final.
"In a week or two I shall return to training, but I will take it step by step," Alcaraz, who has won four Grand Slam titles, said.
"I couldn't practice the entire week. I needed to listen to my body and make the right decision.
"I don't want to get too far ahead but I hope I shall be ready for the French Open."
Alcaraz is a two-time champion in Madrid and won the Monte Carlo Masters in April.
The 21-year-old left court for treatment during the Barcelona final against Holger Rune and was able to resume the match, with the Dane going on to win 7-6 (8-6) 6-2.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Raducanu out of Madrid Open after loss to Kostyuk
Emma Raducanu is out of the Madrid Open in the second round following defeat by Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk.
The British number two looked set to mount a comeback in the second set but 24th-seed Kostyuk pulled away to win 6-4 2-6 6-2.
Raducanu was making her return from a month-long absence from competitive matches.
Her defeat rounded off a disappointing day for the British women in the Spanish capital as Katie Boulter fell to sixth seed Jasmine Paolini while Sonay Kartal lost to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina.
Ranked six in the world, Italian Paolini dropped just three games as she beat Boulter 6-1 6-2 within 61 minutes.
The 2024 French Open runner-up converted six of her seven break points, setting up a last-32 tie against Greece's Maria Sakkari.
Boulter, who earned the first WTA clay-court win of her career against Katerina Siniakova in the first round, won just 11 points out of 46 on serve and made 21 unforced errors.
World number 60 Kartal, who earned her first clay-court victory in the opening round in the Spanish capital, suffered a 6-3 6-1 defeat by 17th seed Svitolina.
The trio of losses mean there are no Britons remaining at the WTA 1000 event.
BBC
Emma Raducanu is out of the Madrid Open in the second round following defeat by Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk.
The British number two looked set to mount a comeback in the second set but 24th-seed Kostyuk pulled away to win 6-4 2-6 6-2.
Raducanu was making her return from a month-long absence from competitive matches.
Her defeat rounded off a disappointing day for the British women in the Spanish capital as Katie Boulter fell to sixth seed Jasmine Paolini while Sonay Kartal lost to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina.
Ranked six in the world, Italian Paolini dropped just three games as she beat Boulter 6-1 6-2 within 61 minutes.
The 2024 French Open runner-up converted six of her seven break points, setting up a last-32 tie against Greece's Maria Sakkari.
Boulter, who earned the first WTA clay-court win of her career against Katerina Siniakova in the first round, won just 11 points out of 46 on serve and made 21 unforced errors.
World number 60 Kartal, who earned her first clay-court victory in the opening round in the Spanish capital, suffered a 6-3 6-1 defeat by 17th seed Svitolina.
The trio of losses mean there are no Britons remaining at the WTA 1000 event.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Zverev given warning after photo to dispute ball mark
Top seed Alexander Zverev was warned for a taking a picture of a contested ball mark at the Madrid Open during more electric line-calling controversy on clay.
The world number two overcame Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 2-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-0) to reach the last 16.
But the success was marred by another row as Zverev was convinced a backhand from his opponent in the 10th game of the second set had gone wide.
The German told umpire Mohamed Lahyani there was a "malfunction in the system" after it was called in by the electronic system.
When Zverev's appeals came to nothing, he brought his phone out of his bag and took a picture of the mark.
The 28-year-old was given a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct, but put the incident behind him to win the second and third sets on a tie-break.
Although other surfaces have used the system, clay events had largely persisted with line judges, or the umpire coming down from his or her chair to examine the mark left by the ball, when calls were contested.
But this season line judges have been removed from all events on the ATP Tour and many on the WTA Tour.
However, the French Open, which begins next month, will also continue with line judges.
This was the latest controversial line-call incident after world number one Aryna Sabalenka was also given a warning for taking a photo during a match in Stuttgart earlier this month, while former Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka posted an image of a call from another Madrid match on social media.
Elsewhere in the Spanish capital, defending champion Andrey Rublev lost 6-4 0-6 6-4 to Alexander Bublik - a defeat which will see the Russian drop out of the world's top 15.
In the women's draw, top seed Sabalenka recovered from losing the opening set to beat Elise Mertens 3-6 6-2 6-1.
But third seed Jessica Pegula and sixth seed Jasmine Paolini were both knocked out.
American Pegula was upset 6-3 6-2 by Japan's Moyuka Uchijima, while Italian Paolini suffered a 6-2 6-1 defeat at the hands of Maria Sakkari of Greece.
BBC
Top seed Alexander Zverev was warned for a taking a picture of a contested ball mark at the Madrid Open during more electric line-calling controversy on clay.
The world number two overcame Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 2-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-0) to reach the last 16.
But the success was marred by another row as Zverev was convinced a backhand from his opponent in the 10th game of the second set had gone wide.
The German told umpire Mohamed Lahyani there was a "malfunction in the system" after it was called in by the electronic system.
When Zverev's appeals came to nothing, he brought his phone out of his bag and took a picture of the mark.
The 28-year-old was given a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct, but put the incident behind him to win the second and third sets on a tie-break.
Although other surfaces have used the system, clay events had largely persisted with line judges, or the umpire coming down from his or her chair to examine the mark left by the ball, when calls were contested.
But this season line judges have been removed from all events on the ATP Tour and many on the WTA Tour.
However, the French Open, which begins next month, will also continue with line judges.
This was the latest controversial line-call incident after world number one Aryna Sabalenka was also given a warning for taking a photo during a match in Stuttgart earlier this month, while former Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka posted an image of a call from another Madrid match on social media.
Elsewhere in the Spanish capital, defending champion Andrey Rublev lost 6-4 0-6 6-4 to Alexander Bublik - a defeat which will see the Russian drop out of the world's top 15.
In the women's draw, top seed Sabalenka recovered from losing the opening set to beat Elise Mertens 3-6 6-2 6-1.
But third seed Jessica Pegula and sixth seed Jasmine Paolini were both knocked out.
American Pegula was upset 6-3 6-2 by Japan's Moyuka Uchijima, while Italian Paolini suffered a 6-2 6-1 defeat at the hands of Maria Sakkari of Greece.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
National power outage stops day's play at Madrid Open
A national power outage has forced play to be suspended for the day at the Madrid Open.
Organisers say there will be no more action on Monday "in order to guarantee general safety".
Swathes of Spain and Portugal have been without power since about midday local time, affecting public transport, card payments and mobile networks, though power is starting to return in some regions.
Portuguese energy company REN says the outage was caused by a "rare" atmospheric phenomenon, related to variations in temperatures.
Britain's Jacob Fearnley among those forced off court on Monday.
Fearnley had saved a match point in his third-round encounter against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov and was about to serve to stay in the match at 6-4 5-4 down when play was suspended on the main court.
The power cut meant the electronic line-calling system - which has replaced line judges - and scoreboards stopped working.
After a brief delay the umpire announced play would restart, with him making line calls in place of the system.
However, the spider camera which hangs low over the court had become stuck in place and was in the player's eyelines.
After further discussion the umpire led the players back to the locker room.
Spain's electricity grid operator Red Electrica confirmed power outages across the country and said it was working to restore electricity.
There have been reports traffic lights not working and the underground railway system being evacuated in Madrid, and a similar power outage in Portugal.
Scotland's Fearnley is one of three British men due to play in the third round in Madrid on Monday.
Cameron Norrie is set to face Canada's Gabriel Diallo before British number one Jack Draper plays Matteo Berrettini of Italy.
BBC
A national power outage has forced play to be suspended for the day at the Madrid Open.
Organisers say there will be no more action on Monday "in order to guarantee general safety".
Swathes of Spain and Portugal have been without power since about midday local time, affecting public transport, card payments and mobile networks, though power is starting to return in some regions.
Portuguese energy company REN says the outage was caused by a "rare" atmospheric phenomenon, related to variations in temperatures.
Britain's Jacob Fearnley among those forced off court on Monday.
Fearnley had saved a match point in his third-round encounter against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov and was about to serve to stay in the match at 6-4 5-4 down when play was suspended on the main court.
The power cut meant the electronic line-calling system - which has replaced line judges - and scoreboards stopped working.
After a brief delay the umpire announced play would restart, with him making line calls in place of the system.
However, the spider camera which hangs low over the court had become stuck in place and was in the player's eyelines.
After further discussion the umpire led the players back to the locker room.
Spain's electricity grid operator Red Electrica confirmed power outages across the country and said it was working to restore electricity.
There have been reports traffic lights not working and the underground railway system being evacuated in Madrid, and a similar power outage in Portugal.
Scotland's Fearnley is one of three British men due to play in the third round in Madrid on Monday.
Cameron Norrie is set to face Canada's Gabriel Diallo before British number one Jack Draper plays Matteo Berrettini of Italy.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Purcell accepts 18-month anti-doping breach ban
Australian Max Purcell has accepted an 18-month ban for breaching anti-doping rules in a case the two-time Grand Slam doubles champion said had been "seriously affecting my quality of life".
Purcell, who was provisionally suspended in December 2024, admitted to the "use of a prohibited method" by "receiving intravenous infusions of over 500ml" of vitamins on 16 and 20 December 2023.
The 27-year-old, whose major titles came at Wimbledon in 2022 and the 2024 US Open, did not test positive for a banned substance.
"The limit under the World Anti-Doping Code and TADP is 100ml in a 12-hour period," said the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
In a statement, it added: "Following a full investigation by the ITIA, which included evidence gathering and interviews with the player, Purcell admitted to the breaches.
"The player's full co-operation and information sharing with the ITIA allowed for a 25% reduction in sanction."
Purcell's ban will end on 11 June, 2026 after taking into account the time he has already served.
Purcell, in a social media post, said he was "glad this is finally over for me" and "I can move on with my life".
He added: "This case has been going on for months, seriously affecting my quality of life.
"From being unable to sleep and eat properly, and refusing to be by myself, to developing nervous and anxious tics which I still currently battle day to day.
"I couldn't sit and enjoy anything without the thought of the case and the endless possibilities of what sanction I would receive.
"I was nothing but co-operative with the ITIA."
Purcell will also forfeit results and prize money from the date of his first anti-doping rule violation on 16 December, 2023 to his first subsequent negative doping control sample provided on 3 February, 2024.
"This case does not involve a player testing positive for a prohibited substance but demonstrates that the anti-doping rules are broader than that," said ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse.
"It also shows that the ITIA considers intelligence from a range of sources with the overriding aim to protect everyone covered by the tennis anti-doping rules, and ensure a level playing field for all."
This is the latest anti-doping case in tennis following five-time women's singles Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek accepting a one-month ban after testing positive for a banned substance.
World men's number one Jannik Sinner also accepted a three-month ban from tennis after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency over his two positive drugs tests last year.
The 23-year-old is set to return to action for his home tournament of the Italian Open, which starts in Rome next week.
BBC
Australian Max Purcell has accepted an 18-month ban for breaching anti-doping rules in a case the two-time Grand Slam doubles champion said had been "seriously affecting my quality of life".
Purcell, who was provisionally suspended in December 2024, admitted to the "use of a prohibited method" by "receiving intravenous infusions of over 500ml" of vitamins on 16 and 20 December 2023.
The 27-year-old, whose major titles came at Wimbledon in 2022 and the 2024 US Open, did not test positive for a banned substance.
"The limit under the World Anti-Doping Code and TADP is 100ml in a 12-hour period," said the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
In a statement, it added: "Following a full investigation by the ITIA, which included evidence gathering and interviews with the player, Purcell admitted to the breaches.
"The player's full co-operation and information sharing with the ITIA allowed for a 25% reduction in sanction."
Purcell's ban will end on 11 June, 2026 after taking into account the time he has already served.
Purcell, in a social media post, said he was "glad this is finally over for me" and "I can move on with my life".
He added: "This case has been going on for months, seriously affecting my quality of life.
"From being unable to sleep and eat properly, and refusing to be by myself, to developing nervous and anxious tics which I still currently battle day to day.
"I couldn't sit and enjoy anything without the thought of the case and the endless possibilities of what sanction I would receive.
"I was nothing but co-operative with the ITIA."
Purcell will also forfeit results and prize money from the date of his first anti-doping rule violation on 16 December, 2023 to his first subsequent negative doping control sample provided on 3 February, 2024.
"This case does not involve a player testing positive for a prohibited substance but demonstrates that the anti-doping rules are broader than that," said ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse.
"It also shows that the ITIA considers intelligence from a range of sources with the overriding aim to protect everyone covered by the tennis anti-doping rules, and ensure a level playing field for all."
This is the latest anti-doping case in tennis following five-time women's singles Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek accepting a one-month ban after testing positive for a banned substance.
World men's number one Jannik Sinner also accepted a three-month ban from tennis after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency over his two positive drugs tests last year.
The 23-year-old is set to return to action for his home tournament of the Italian Open, which starts in Rome next week.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Draper advances in Madrid as matches resume
Jack Draper reached the round of 16 at the Madrid Open after opponent Matteo Berrettini retired injured as play resumed following a nationwide power cut.
Play was suspended on Monday in the Spanish capital after the electronic line-calling system and scoreboards went down.
Power was restored to the venue on Tuesday morning, allowing fifth seed Draper to take on Italian Berrettini, who is ranked 30th.
Draper won the opening set 7-6 in a tie-breaker after 57 minutes, finally converting his third set point opportunity.
At the end of the set, Berrettini withdrew from the match after speaking to Draper, indicating he had an abdominal problem.
Draper will face American Tommy Paul in the last 16.
www.bbc.com
Jack Draper reached the round of 16 at the Madrid Open after opponent Matteo Berrettini retired injured as play resumed following a nationwide power cut.
Play was suspended on Monday in the Spanish capital after the electronic line-calling system and scoreboards went down.
Power was restored to the venue on Tuesday morning, allowing fifth seed Draper to take on Italian Berrettini, who is ranked 30th.
Draper won the opening set 7-6 in a tie-breaker after 57 minutes, finally converting his third set point opportunity.
At the end of the set, Berrettini withdrew from the match after speaking to Draper, indicating he had an abdominal problem.
Draper will face American Tommy Paul in the last 16.
Madrid Open: Jack Draper advances as Grigor Dimitrov beats Jacob Fearnley
Jack Draper reaches the round of 16 at the Madrid Open after opponent Matteo Berrettini retires injured as play resumes following a power cut.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Gauff thrashes Swiatek at Madrid Open
Coco Gauff produced a stunning display to thrash four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek 6-1 6-1 and reach the final of the Madrid Open.
Gauff, 21, had never beaten her Polish opponent on clay before but took just 64 minutes to dispatch the world number two.
American Gauff will play world number one Aryna Sabalenka or Elina Svitolina in the final.
Reigning champion Swiatek had won nine consecutive matches in Madrid - and 15 of 16 going back to her loss to Sabalenka in the 2023 final - but had no answer to Gauff.
Gauff, who won the US Open in 2023, hit seven aces and won 19 of 21 points on her first serve in a dominant performance.
BBC
Coco Gauff produced a stunning display to thrash four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek 6-1 6-1 and reach the final of the Madrid Open.
Gauff, 21, had never beaten her Polish opponent on clay before but took just 64 minutes to dispatch the world number two.
American Gauff will play world number one Aryna Sabalenka or Elina Svitolina in the final.
Reigning champion Swiatek had won nine consecutive matches in Madrid - and 15 of 16 going back to her loss to Sabalenka in the 2023 final - but had no answer to Gauff.
Gauff, who won the US Open in 2023, hit seven aces and won 19 of 21 points on her first serve in a dominant performance.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
GB's Draper beats Musetti to reach Madrid Open final
Jack Draper booked his spot in the Madrid Open final with a hard-fought 6-3 7-6 (7-4) victory against Lorenzo Musetti.
The British number one will contest his third ATP final of the year against Norway's Casper Ruud on Sunday.
Draper, 23, was broken in the opening set but claimed a double break of his own to come through comfortably.
It is the first time the 2024 US Open semi-finalist has reached the final of a clay-court event.
www.bbc.com
Jack Draper booked his spot in the Madrid Open final with a hard-fought 6-3 7-6 (7-4) victory against Lorenzo Musetti.
The British number one will contest his third ATP final of the year against Norway's Casper Ruud on Sunday.
Draper, 23, was broken in the opening set but claimed a double break of his own to come through comfortably.
It is the first time the 2024 US Open semi-finalist has reached the final of a clay-court event.
Madrid Open: Jack Draper beats Lorenzo Musetti to reach final
Britain's Jack Draper books his spot in the Madrid Open final with a hard-fought 6-3 7-6 (7-4) victory against Lorenzo Musetti.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,016
Sabalenka beats spirited Gauff to win Madrid Open
Aryna Sabalenka overcame a spirited fightback from Coco Gauff to claim her third Madrid Open title with a thrilling 6-3 7-6 (7-3) win.
World number one Sabalenka dominated the opening set but squandered a championship point in a fluctuating second set as Gauff forced a tie-break.
There was still little to separate them as Gauff recovered from 3-0 to make it 3-3 but a double fault gave 26-year-old Sabalenka the victory.
Both came into the final confidently, with Belarusian Sabalenka as the world's best and Gauff coming off the back of her stunning semi-final win over Iga Swiatek.
Sabalenka made a flying start, which included 17 points won in a row, but Gauff's brave recovery saw her take a 5-3 lead in the second set.
The 21-year-old American then saved six break points to thwart Sabalenka's comeback after she had made it 5-5.
But Sabalenka held her nerve under pressure in her sixth final of 2025 so far, adding the Madrid title to her wins in Brisbane and Miami.
Her previous wins in Madrid came in 2021 and 2023 and she was runner-up to Swiatek in 2024. She ties with Czech player Petra Kvitova (2011, 2015, 2018) for the most wins in the tournament.
"Congratulations to Coco. I am so happy to see you back playing your best tennis," Sabalenka said.
"You are such a fighter and I love playing against you.
"With my team, we have been through a lot together so thank you to them."
Gauff said to Sabalenka: "I think it's four straight finals for you... Congratulations to you for all the success you are having."
She added: "This has been a step in the right direction for me. It is one of my favourite cities and tournaments to come to, and hopefully we can go on and win more from here."
BBC
Aryna Sabalenka overcame a spirited fightback from Coco Gauff to claim her third Madrid Open title with a thrilling 6-3 7-6 (7-3) win.
World number one Sabalenka dominated the opening set but squandered a championship point in a fluctuating second set as Gauff forced a tie-break.
There was still little to separate them as Gauff recovered from 3-0 to make it 3-3 but a double fault gave 26-year-old Sabalenka the victory.
Both came into the final confidently, with Belarusian Sabalenka as the world's best and Gauff coming off the back of her stunning semi-final win over Iga Swiatek.
Sabalenka made a flying start, which included 17 points won in a row, but Gauff's brave recovery saw her take a 5-3 lead in the second set.
The 21-year-old American then saved six break points to thwart Sabalenka's comeback after she had made it 5-5.
But Sabalenka held her nerve under pressure in her sixth final of 2025 so far, adding the Madrid title to her wins in Brisbane and Miami.
Her previous wins in Madrid came in 2021 and 2023 and she was runner-up to Swiatek in 2024. She ties with Czech player Petra Kvitova (2011, 2015, 2018) for the most wins in the tournament.
"Congratulations to Coco. I am so happy to see you back playing your best tennis," Sabalenka said.
"You are such a fighter and I love playing against you.
"With my team, we have been through a lot together so thank you to them."
Gauff said to Sabalenka: "I think it's four straight finals for you... Congratulations to you for all the success you are having."
She added: "This has been a step in the right direction for me. It is one of my favourite cities and tournaments to come to, and hopefully we can go on and win more from here."
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Draper loses to Ruud in Madrid final
British number one Jack Draper missed out on a first ATP Tour clay-court title as Casper Ruud edged an absorbing Madrid Open final.
Draper, 23, was beaten 7-5 3-6 6-4 in the Spanish capital.
"This sport is brutal but I will keep trying, I think this loss will make me better," said Draper.
Despite losing the final, he will reflect on an impressive fortnight at the ATP Masters event.
Draper had previously never gone beyond the quarter-finals of a tour-level event on clay.
On Monday, he will rise to a new career high of fifth in the world rankings.
BBC
British number one Jack Draper missed out on a first ATP Tour clay-court title as Casper Ruud edged an absorbing Madrid Open final.
Draper, 23, was beaten 7-5 3-6 6-4 in the Spanish capital.
"This sport is brutal but I will keep trying, I think this loss will make me better," said Draper.
Despite losing the final, he will reflect on an impressive fortnight at the ATP Masters event.
Draper had previously never gone beyond the quarter-finals of a tour-level event on clay.
On Monday, he will rise to a new career high of fifth in the world rankings.
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Kvitova seals first win of comeback at Italian Open
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova won her first match since the birth of her first child, then said she had been close to quitting tennis.
The Czech claimed a 7-5 6-1 win over Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round of the Italian Open in Rome.
Her victory ended a run of four defeats since the 35-year-old returned to competitive action after 15 months away during which she gave birth to her son Petr.
Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014 and reached number two in the world, said she had doubted whether she would return to the international arena.
www.bbc.com
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova won her first match since the birth of her first child, then said she had been close to quitting tennis.
The Czech claimed a 7-5 6-1 win over Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round of the Italian Open in Rome.
Her victory ended a run of four defeats since the 35-year-old returned to competitive action after 15 months away during which she gave birth to her son Petr.
Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014 and reached number two in the world, said she had doubted whether she would return to the international arena.
Italian Open: Petra Kvitova wins first match since giving birth, Sonay Kartal reaches second round
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova wins her first match since the birth of her first child, then says she had been close to quitting tennis.
www.bbc.com
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 20,939
Raducanu & Norrie claim Rome wins as Boulter beaten
Britain's Emma Raducanu and Cameron Norrie won their first-round matches at the Italian Open as Katie Boulter failed to progress in Rome.
Raducanu, making her first appearance at the tournament after a three-year absence, had to dig deep to win 7-5 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 against Australian Maya Joint.
Norrie booked his second-round place with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 win over Christopher O'Connell.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old Boulter lost 3-6 3-6 to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia.
Raducanu will face Russian second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the next round, while Norrie will be in action on Friday, 9 May against world number 11 Daniil Medvedev - a player the Brit has faced three times but never beaten.
BBC
Britain's Emma Raducanu and Cameron Norrie won their first-round matches at the Italian Open as Katie Boulter failed to progress in Rome.
Raducanu, making her first appearance at the tournament after a three-year absence, had to dig deep to win 7-5 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 against Australian Maya Joint.
Norrie booked his second-round place with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 win over Christopher O'Connell.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old Boulter lost 3-6 3-6 to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia.
Raducanu will face Russian second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the next round, while Norrie will be in action on Friday, 9 May against world number 11 Daniil Medvedev - a player the Brit has faced three times but never beaten.
BBC
Similar threads
