Tennis

French Open: Carlos Alcaraz advances to fourth round, beats Denis Shapovalov

Carlos Alcaraz dispatched 26th-seeded Denis Shapovalov, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in a dazzling display Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz Garfia plays a forehand return to Canada’s Denis Shapovalov during their men’s singles match on day six of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on June 2, 2023. Paris: The Carlos Alcaraz freight train is gaining more speed as it makes its way down the Roland-Garros 2023 track. There was no stopping the top seed and world No.1 Alcaraz in Friday’s evening session, the Spaniard in complete command as he dispatched 26th-seeded Denis Shapovalov, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in a dazzling display by the 20-year-old, reports rolandgarros.com. Alcaraz’s 23rd win of the season on clay (against just two losses) advances him…

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‘Tennis lovers will…’: PM Narendra Modi sends HEARTFELT letter to tennis star Sania Mirza on her retirement

Indian tennis great Sania Mirza, who played her retirement match on March 5, in a tweet, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a letter of appreciation. The PM sent a deeply-moving letter to the tennis star, writing how she inspired other women to pursue a career in sports and that she has left an indelible mark on Indian sports. “Tennis lovers will find it difficult to fathom that you will not be playing professionally now onwards. But, through your career as one of India’s best tennis players, you have left an indelible mark on Indian sports, inspiring the coming generation of athletes. When you announced a “Life Update” on 13th January, you wonderfully expressed your journey from a six-year-old who…

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Andy Murray sets new career target after finishing as Qatar Open runner-up

Andy Murray is set for a significant climb up the ATP rankings after finishing as a runner-up to Daniil Medvedev at the Qatar Open and revealed he is now targeting 800 career wins. Murray produced several impressive performances at the tournament including a remarkable semi-final victory in which he saved five match points. The 35-year-old was previously told he would not be able to play professional tennis again due to a hip injury before surgery in 2019 saved his career. Murray has reached four ATP Four finals since – winning one – and his performance in Qatar will now see him climb 18 places to world No.52. Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray, speaking after his 4-6 4-6 defeat to Russia’s Medvedev – one of the best players in…

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Roger Federer could find himself in new tennis role with kids taking ‘big interest’

Roger Federer could still find himself involved in tennis in a new role as one of his children is said to have a “big interest” in the sport. The retired Swiss star has already vowed to stay in the sport after ending his career last September and could find himself becoming a classic tennis parent as retired pro Mary Jo Fernandez revealed that his four kids enjoyed playing. Federer’s 24-year career came to an emotional end last September as the 41-year-old returned for one last hurrah at the Laver Cup, playing a doubles match alongside Rafael Nadal before officially hanging up his racket. Almost as soon as he announced his retirement, the 20-time Major winner vowed to stay involved in the…

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Novak Djokovic claims 10th Australian Open title, 22nd Slam

 Novak Djokovic climbed into the Rod Laver Arena stands to celebrate his 10th Australian Open championship and record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title Sunday and, after jumping and pumping his fists with his team, he collapsed onto his back, crying. 🏆2️⃣2️⃣🙏🏼❤️ pic.twitter.com/EozfCqP66s— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 29, 2023 When he returned to the playing surface, Djokovic sat on his sideline bench, buried his face in a white towel and sobbed some more. This trip to Australia was far more successful than that of a year ago — when he was deported because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19 — although difficult in its own ways: a bad hamstring; some off-court tumult involving his father. Yet Djokovic accomplished all he could have possibly wanted in his…

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Injured Novak Djokovic still too good for Grigor Dimitrov

Novak Djokovic fired a warning shot to the other Australian Open title contenders with a straight-sets win over Grigor Dimitrov in their third-round match on Saturday, despite struggling with a hamstring injury. The Serbian continued his bid for a 10th Australian Open title with a 7-6(7), 6-3, 6-4 victory over the Bulgarian, although fears about his fitness continued to grow. Djokovic is eyeing a 22nd Grand Slam title to match Rafael Nadal, but was not at his mobile best during the first set in particular, whilst struggling with an injury to his left hamstring. "35 is the new 25!" 😂Age is only a number, @djokernole!#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/nzhxbEgcho— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2023 He began with a break in the…

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Wimbledon great Martina Navratilova is diagnosed with cancer

Wimbledon’s greatest ever singles champion Martina Navratilova today announced that she has been diagnosed with two forms of cancer. Navratilova, 66, who won Wimbledon a record nine times, said she has been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer after discovering a swollen lymph node in her neck in November. ‘This double whammy is serious but still fixable,’ the Czech-born American said. ‘I’m hoping for a favorable outcome. It’s going to stink for a while but I’ll fight with all I have got.’ The former world number one’s diagnosis comes after she was given the all-clear from breast cancer in 2010 following radiation treatment.  Navratilova, winner of 59 grand slam singles and doubles titles, will not travel to this month’s Australian Open,…

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Boris Becker ‘to be deported to Germany’

Boris Becker will be reunited with his family by Christmas. The 54-year-old tennis legend was jailed for two and a half years in April for fraudulently hiding £2.5 million in assets to avoid paying debts but he has been approved for a fast-track scheme under which prisoners are sent back to their home countries to ease the pressure on British hails, with insiders predicting he will be back in Germany next month. A source told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: “He’s been signed up to a scheme that means he’ll be home in time for Christmas.” The early release scheme allows “any foreign national serving a fixed sentence who is liable for removal from the UK to be removed from…

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Rafael Nadal ‘not doing well’ as he pulls out of Laver Cup and admits having ‘tough time’

Spanish star Rafael Nadal has revealed that he is ‘not doing well’ after he pulled out of the Laver Cup following his doubles loss with Roger Federer on Friday. Nadal was overcome with emotion on the night as Federer tearfully waved goodbye to his playing career after struggling with knee issues recently. The pair lost 6-4, 6-7, 9-11 to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe on the night, though that didn’t sour the mood as Federer emotionally bided farewell. And Nadal has now revealed that he is withdrawing from the Laver Cup singles, being replaced by Cameron Norrie. The 36-year-old is set to welcome his first child to the world soon, though the pressure of that is taking its toll on the 22-time Grand Slam…

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Former Wimbledon champion says there is ‘zero chance’ Carlos Alcaraz and co will win 20 Grand Slams

It is unlikely that Carlos Alcaraz or any future tennis generations will achieve the same Grand Slam heights as the Big Three of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, according Marion Bartoli. Teenage sensation Alcaraz won his maiden major a fortnight ago as he defeated Casper Ruud in the US Open final with his victory also resulting in him becoming the youngest world No 1. Many believe the Spaniard will go on to win multiple Grand Slams with some even suggesting he could challenge Nadal, Djokovic and Federer. The aforementioned trio have shared 63 majors and counting between them with Nadal on 22, Djokovic on 21 and Federer – who will retire from tennis after this week’s Laver Cup…

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