Breaking
Tag

Tennis

Browsing
TENNIS

In Pictures: Emma Raducanu hits practice courts at Auckland ahead of ASB Classic 2024 campaign

By

Emma Raducanu recently set foot in Auckland, New Zealand, to participate in the ASB Classic. She has already started gearing up for the tournament with an intense practice session to prep for her upcoming matches.

Raducanu has been out with an injury since April 2023. She only took part in five tournaments this season with her most recent appearance coming at the Stuttgart Open, where she was eliminated in the opening round by Jelena Ostapenko. However, the Brit underwent surgeries and is now back on track.

She is now making the most of the little time she has left before the ASB Classic kicks off on January 1 and runs until January 7. Recent pictures from an X (formerly Twitter) user show Raducanu sweating it out on the practice courts.

https://x.com/RaducanuNews/status/1740202182514004136?s=20

Emma Raducanu has received a wildcard for the WTA 250 tournament. The World No. 298 will be joined by the likes of 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff, former Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki, Elina Svitolina and Amanda Anisimova, among others.

“I think patience is a really important word for Emma Raducanu” – Tim Henman

Porsche Brand Ambassador Emma Raducanu Joins Launch Evening for Porsche NOW at Battersea Power Station
Former British tennis pro Tim Henman is “excited” about his compatriot Emma Raducanu’s long-awaited comeback. Henman believes that if the youngster can stay injury-free in her first few tournaments, she could gain momentum.

“Yeah, it’s massively exciting to have [Emma] Raducanu coming back,” Henman told Eurosport. “I think it’s important that everybody around tennis who’s a fan, who’s excited to see Raducanu back on the court, manages their expectations.”

 

“I think if she could stay injury free and play a whole series of tournaments without any setbacks, I think that would be fantastic because there is no doubt about her ability. I mean, she’s an incredible tennis player. She’s working hard to build her physical resilience so that she can be out on court, be on tour and compete,” he added.

Henman then pointed out that the former US Open champion should take things slowly and be patient, considering she has a good 10 years ahead in her career.

“I think patience is a really important word for Raducanu herself, but also all the people that are excited to see her come back. She’s 21 years of age,” Henman said.

 

“She’s got the next 10 years in front of her. She just needs to build that foundation so that she can get out on tour and compete and show the undeniable talents that she has,” he added.

Keep Reading
By
TENNIS

“Ready to come back from where everything started” – Simona Halep fondly recalls French Open juniors win as her Paris vacation comes to an end

By

Simona Halep recently recalled her only Grand Slam title at the junior level, the French Open in 2008.

SIMONA HALEP PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYER 8X10 SPORTS PHOTO (UU) | eBay

Halep is currently serving a four-year ban from professional tennis due to violations of the anti-doping policy. She has, however, appealed the decision

While she awaits the progress on her complaint, Halep has been enjoying other aspects of her life. After a recent trip to Paris, the former World No. 1 took to Instagram to pen a special message for the city where it all began.

Halep posted a picture of herself against a backdrop of the scenic Parisian skyline and wrote:

“Ready to come back from where everything started. Roland Garros juniors 2008. Merci beaucoup (thank you so much) Paris.”

Simona Halep was 16 years old when she played at the 2008 French Open juniors. She was seeded No. 9 and defeated the likes of Jessica Moore, Ksenia Lykina, No. 2 seed Aranxta Rus and No. 10 seed and fellow Romanian Elena Bogdan en route to the title.

Since her junior title, Halep has become one of the most successful players on the WTA Tour. The 32-year-old is a two-time Grand Slam champion and has also won 32 titles on the WTA Tour.

Simona Halep appeals to have 4-year doping ban reduced

Simona Halep

Simona Halep’s career has come to a standstill after the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) earlier this year imposed a 48-month suspension on her for ‘intentional’ breaches of the sport’s anti-doping programme. Halep has vehemently denied any transgressions and vowed to fight the ban.

She took steps in that direction and recently appealed the ITIA’s decision with CAS (the Court of Arbitration for Sport) to get the four-year ban reduced. Her suspension commenced on October 7, 2022.

Halep had tested positive for prohibited substance Roxadustat after the 2022 US Open, her last professional tournament.

Breaking down the complicated case of Simona Halep's doping ban - Sports Illustrated

The CAS has officially responded to Halep’s complaint, saying that the proceedings have begun. They have, however, refrained from providing any timeline as to when a decision might be taken, according to a press statement by the organization (as per X account Romanian Tennis).

“In her appeal to the CAS, the Athlete requests that the Challenged Decision be set aside and that her sanction be reduced. The CAS arbitration proceedings have commenced. In accordance with the Code of Sports-related Arbitration (the CAS Code), the arbitration rules governing CAS procedures, the parties are exchanging written submissions and the Panel of arbitrators that will decide the matter is being constituted,” the statement read.

 

“Once constituted, the Panel will issue procedural directions for the next phase of the procedure, including the holding of a hearing. Following the hearing, the Panel will deliberate and issue an Arbitral Award containing its decision and the grounds for it. At this time, it is not possible to indicate a time frame for the issuance of the decision,” it continued.

https://x.com/WTARomania/status/1716803645025439909?s=20

Keep Reading
By
TENNIS

Garbine Muguruza stunning posing in a bikini.

By

Garbine Muguruza is taking a short break from tennis after she lost in the third round in Wimbledon. Garbine will be back to competitions on the occasion of the upcoming Olympic Games.

In the meantime, she posted on Instagram a series of rather revealing pictures that were quite appreciated by the fans.

Garbine Muguruza Gorgeous In A Bikini

Garbine Muguruza Posing In A Bikini

Garbine Muguruza In A Bikini

Garbine Muguruza Shows Off Toned Body In A Bikini

Garbine Muguruza in 2021

Now ranked no.10, the Spaniard played her last match on the 2nd of July when she lost to world no.23 Ons Jabeur 5-7 6-3 6-2 in the 3rd round in Wimbledon (draw).

Presently, during this year the Spaniard achieved an overall 27-10 match record. Garbine has won 1 title in Dubai. Garbine reached the final in Melbourne and in Doha.

Keep Reading
By
TENNIS

I was a student barely getting by & he’s a young tennis player with no money to spare” – When Novak Djokovic’s wife Jelena recalled their early years

By

Novak Djokovic and wife Jelena have been married for nine years and have two kids, nine-year-old Stefan Djokovic and seven-year-old daughter Tara Djokovic, together.

 

However, their relationship goes even further back. The two began dating back in 2005 when they were still in college. While Jelena often travels with Djokovic on Tour now, the situation was wildly different when they first got together.

Describing them getting together as “science fiction”, Jelena had in an interview with Hello magazine earlier in 2023 said she was, at the time, a student who was barely making ends meet, while Novak Djokovic was a young tennis player who was putting all his resources into making a career in the sport that was so dear to him.

“Us getting together was like science fiction almost. I was a student barely getting by, and he was a very young tennis player who also had no money to spare on expensive trips.”

Jelena recalled that traveling in an airplane was not an option for either her or Novak Djokovic, so they “contrived” and “devised” other plans to meet.

“Airplanes were, at the time, something utterly out of our reach,” she continued. “We contrived and devised these plans how to meet, how to make our relationship work.”

“He told me, ‘Darling, we cannot go on like this'” – Jelena recalls conversation with husband Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic and wife Jelena at the 2023 US Open.
Novak Djokovic and wife Jelena at the 2023 US Open.

Jelena took up a job with an oil company after graduation. Her working hours and Novak Djokvic’s busy schedule meant that the two hardly got to see each other.

Recalling the point of time when Djokovic asked her to travel with him in the same interview, Jelena said the two realized that their relationship could not move forward as she was confined to her office for long hours.

Novak Djokovic's Wife Jelena Dons Thong Sandals to Watch Tennis Match – Footwear News

“At certain point, Novak told me, ‘Darling, we cannot go on like this’,” Jelena said. “I was confined to the office almost at all times. It wouldn’t have been possible for our relationship to thrive if I had stayed there.”
Djokovic enjoyed a hugely successful 2023 season, reaching five big finals — including all four Grand Slams and the ATP Finals — and triumphing in four. With the tennis season having come to an end in November, he will be looking forward to spending some quality time with his wife and kids.

Keep Reading
By
TENNIS

Highest Paid Female Tennis Players

By

Tennis is probably one of the biggest sports in the world with a huge fan following. The non-team sport is either played in Singles or Doubles and is one of the most viewed sporting events across the continents. What makes Tennis truly special is that both Men and Women enjoy equal opportunities in the game. But this list here has the honorable mentions of some of the richest female tennis players, who are known for their playing skills. Let us check them out.

  1. Naomi Osaka
    Net Worth: $37.4 billion
    Naomi Osaka is one of the biggest names in Tennis today. Known for her skills, Osaka owned dual citizenship while growing up. Today she proudly represents Japan and is a popular face for endorsements in the country. Her net revenue is around $37.4 billion.
  2. Serena Williams
    Net Worth: $200 million
    Serena Williams has been associated with Tennis from the age of 14. She soared to the position of No.1 in the year 2002 and has held onto the position for many consecutive weeks. At present, she regularly endorses several brands and holds 23 Grand Slam titles.
  3. Maria SharapovaNet Worth: $135 million
    When it comes to honoring the rich and famous in Tennis, how can Maria Sharapova be left behind? Hailing from Russia, Maria became earned the number 1 position when she was 18 years old and then there was no looking back. She regularly endorses several brands and currently has a net worth of $135 million.
  4. Venus Williams
    Net Worth: $95 million
    With around 49 titles and 4 gold medals to her name, Venus Williams is an established name in the world of sports. Apart from her success in the court, Venus William also endorses brands such as Ralph Lauren, Kraft’s, and Tide. Her current net worth is around $95 million.
  5. Simona Halep
    Net Worth: $30 million
    This 28-year old Tennis star from Romania needs no introduction. Simona forayed into the world of tennis in the year 2008 and was the finalist in three Grand Slam titles. She is also the winner of the 2019 Wimbledon Championship and is currently No.2 in the WTA rankings.
  6. Angelique Kerber
    Angelique KerberNet Worth: $30 million
    Angelique Kerber became a household name when she represented Germany and won a Silver medal in the 2016 Olympics. As of now, Angelique regularly endorses in deals with Adidas, Yonex, Shiseido, and Rolex, making her number one of the top tennis players in the world.
  7. Caroline Wozniaki
    Net Worth: $30 million
    Caroline Wozniaki is one of the world-renowned Tennis stars. From the start of her career, she has picked up 30 WTA singles and 2 doubles titles. As of today, her total net worth is around $30 million making her one of the richest women tennis players in the world.
  8. Ashleigh Barty
    Net Worth: $26.2 million
    Barty was first catapulted onto the world map when she won the Grand Slam 2019 French Open. However, her list of achievements do not here. Hailing from Australia, she has gone on to become the first women from the country to be ranked 1 since 1976. Her total net worth today is around $26.2 million.
  9. Bianca Andreescu
    Net Worth: $17.8 million
    Bianca Andreescu made history when she won the 2019 US open. Since then on her career trajectory has propelled upwards only. Apart from earning lucrative bonuses from Nike, she also endorses famous brands like Rolex and Sleep Country mattresses.
  10. Garbine Muguruza
    Net Worth: $13.2 million
    Garbine Muguruza is another established name among female tennis players. Apart from showcasing her skills on the court, she maintains a strong endorsement portfolio with Adidas, Maui Jim glasses, and Babolat. Her current net worth is $13.2 million.
Keep Reading
By
TENNIS

Paula Badosa gushes over boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas’ adorable childhood picture

By

Paula Badosa recently nailed an online guessing game as she correctly identified her boyfriend and fellow player Stefanos Tsitsipas in an adorable throwback picture.

The photo, which was posted by the ATP’s Spanish social media account, shows a young Tsitsipas posing for the camera while sitting on a high chair with a wooden spatula in his hand.

The post asked the followers to guess who the player is, giving a clue that he is a current Top 10 in the world. Badosa replied to the post with a heart-eyes emoji and wrote:

“I know this one 😍.”

Paula Badosa on X (formerly Twitter)

Badosa’s 2023 season was abruptly derailed by a spinal stress fracture sustained during the Italian Open earlier this year. Despite attempting a comeback at the Wimbledon Championships, the injury forced her to withdraw from the tournament in the second round.

The lingering pain from the fracture compelled her to miss the remainder of the season, including the US Open. Badosa eventually called an end to her season in September.

Tsitsipas hasn’t been lucky with injuries either. He was forced to withdraw from his second round-robin match against Holger Rune at the ATP Finals due to a back injury. The Greek retired after just 15 minutes of play, having lost the first two games to the Dane.

Paula Badosa addresses accusations of impeding boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas’ professional growth

Paula Badosa at the 2023 Miami Open
Paula Badosa at the 2023 Miami Open

Paula Badosa recently spoke out against the accusations that she is ruining her boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas’ tennis career.

Badosa had been sidelined by a back injury, while Tsitsipas has also struggled to perform well on tour this year. The Greek player won just one title in 2023 — the Los Cabos Open.

In a recent interview with the Spanish newspaper El Pais, Badosa expressed her disappointment over the accusations that she is hindering Tsitsipas’ professional development.

“That has hurt me a lot, because with the whole issue of the injury, I have actually been able to dedicate myself quite a bit to helping him. We both love tennis and he is also a super-working person, we are very similar in the goals we set for ourselves. We talk a lot about tennis, and we help each other a lot,” Badosa said.

“As you can see, I have gone to the track to support him or to the gym to accompany him, always respecting the times and his people, his team; He has also supported me a lot with the injury, so when we read those things it impacts us. Sometimes people are not able to understand how that can affect you, or affect a relationship,” she added.

Paula Badosa will join Carlos Alcaraz in representing Spain at the 2024 Hopman Cup.

Keep Reading
By
TENNIS

‘We Don’t Want to Miss Nadal’ – 2-Year-Old Roger Federer Regret Unveiled as French Journalist Lays Bare Discerning Opinion

By

It was the 2021 French Open. Who knew it might be the last Roland Garros of the Swiss maestro, Roger Federer? The 20-time Grand Slam champion reached the fourth round before withdrawing from the tournament. It was a sad end for the legendary Swiss star as that became his final appearance at that event. 2 years after bidding farewell to Federer at Roland Garros, French journalist, Benoit Maylin has made clear the crowd’s expectations about Rafael Nadal.

The Spaniard is making a comeback early next year after missing almost the entire of this year due to injuries. In what could potentially be his last appearance at the 2024 French Open, Maylin has made a candid confession about him.

What did the French journalist say about Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
Recently, a video by ‘Sans Filet’ went viral on Twitter where a French journalist, Benoit Maylin, made an honest confession about two legends of the game, Federer and Nadal. While the former has retired, Nadal will be making a comeback next year after a lengthy injury layoff.

Talking about them, Maylin said, “We missed Federer, we don’t want to miss Nadal! We want him to come back, but it’s impossible to imagine that he can play at his level again.”

https://x.com/SansFilet/status/1730916506555322617?s=20

Rafael Nadal has been in much news of late as he broke his silence regarding his comeback. The former World Number 1 said that he’ll be making a comeback in Brisbane next year ahead of the Australian Open. This has made his fans happy as they’ll be able to see their hero after a lengthy period. Amidst this, another journalist discussed about Nadal’s retirement plans.

Jon Wertheim on Rafael Nadal’s retirement plans
At 37, Nadal is nearing the end of his illustrious career. Injuries have been a common problem for him of late as he aims to finish his career on a high by making a return next year. A few weeks back, the famous sports journalist, Wertheim, opened up about Nadal’s retirement plans.

Talking about this, he said, “I think there’s an element of him that says listen, I’ve achieved so much. I could see him playing a highly abbreviated schedule. Barcelona, Madrid maybe throw in Monte Carlo and calling it a career at Roland Garros.”

However, it all depends upon how Rafael Nadal performs on his return to the sport. Nonetheless, fans will be eagerly waiting and hoping to see the best of him on the court. Are you excited?

Keep Reading
By
CELEB NEWS

I’m Not Ok Today – Serena Williams Shares Struggles

By

Serena who welcomed her second child in August explained that she is not OK today and told all those feeling the same way to know they are not alone.

American Tennis icon, Serena Williams has taken to ‘X’ to open up on how she feels.

Serena who welcomed her second child in August explained that she is not OK today and told all those feeling the same way to know they are not alone.

She tweeted: “I am not OK today. And that’s ok to not be ok. No one is ok every single day. If you are not ok today I’m with you. There’s always tomorrow. Love you.”

post

Keep Reading
By
TENNIS

Rafael Nadal Gets Completely Sidelined as Veteran Tennis Coach Delivers Bold Verdict

By

Spanish tennis legend, Rafael Nadal, has had a torrid 2023 season. It has been marred by injuries that kept him out for the entire of the current year. He just played two tournaments this year and got sidelined since the Australian Open. After being out of action for months, the Spaniard finally delivered some promising news to his fans. However, legendary coach, Rick Macci, delivered an upsetting prediction about the former World Number 1.

Nadal has teased about his comeback early next year. Although he hasn’t confirmed his return date, the Spaniard is eager to get back in action. Here’s what Macci said about Nadal’s chances in 2024.

Rick Macci believes that Rafael Nadal is not ‘at the exact same level’ anymore
During a recent interview, the childhood coach of Serena Williams opened up about the chances of Nadal winning Grand Slam titles next year. With age not on Nadal’s side, Macci feels that winning a major title will be a long shot for the Spaniard in 2024.

Expanding on this thought, Macci said, “I wish Rafa all the best, but he’s not at the exact same level he was before so I don’t think he’s a contender to win a Slam.” Further, he went on to add, “I think he can be competitive and I think he’s a rough out for anybody on clay, but it depends on his health.”

https://x.com/Olly_Tennis_/status/1730272188760994200?s=20

Nadal’s absence this year was Novak Djokovic’s gain. The latter overtook Nadal, for the most Grand Slam titles won in men’s singles. Although the tennis pro would have liked to compete with Djokovic in this aspect, the Spaniard made an honest confession ahead of his comeback to the court. Let’s dive deeper.

Nadal admits he’s far behind Djokovic
While Djokovic has raced ahead and won 24 major titles, Rafael Nadal is two Grand Slam titles behind the Serb at 22. Given Nadal’s age and injury concerns, it remains unlikely that he’ll be able to overtake Djokovic’s record. Even the tennis veteran agreed on this matter as he talked about his comeback.

Opening up about this, Nadal said, “I won’t win more Majors than Djokovic, but I will be back to compete. I hope to tell you more in the coming weeks. Until now, I didn’t know if I would ever play tennis again, and now I sincerely believe that I will play tennis again.” Do you think that we can see the best of Nadal once again next year? Let us know your views in the comments below.

Keep Reading
By
TENNIS

Novak Djokovic speaks: I know I’m capable of winning the Golden Slam

By
novak djokovic

Novak Djokovic, the world number one and newly crowned champion for the seventh time at the ATP Finals in Turin, makes his debut this Thursday in the Davis Cup quarter-finals against Cameron Norrie. The Serb, who wants to cap the season with the title in the top competition for countries, sits down with MARCA to talk about his career, his goals and rivalry with the other two members of the Big Three.

Video thumbnail

You are the record man in tennis, what is the next record you have in mind to beat?

That’s a good question. Probably the record for most titles. I want to win as many tournaments as possible and pass Connors. There are always records on the horizon that can be broken. Likewise, I want to have my own records and my own history, that’s the most important thing. To win the big titles, I have to maintain the level of intensity, dedication and motivation.

Juan Carlos Ferrero, coach of Carlos Alcaraz, says that his pupil has to learn from you in terms of professionalism, in living by and for tennis.

It’s nice that he says that about me. I have a lot of respect for Ferrero, starting from the fact that he was number one. I was always impressed by how professional he was and the seriousness with which he dedicated himself to tennis. It is obvious that he has helped Alcaraz a lot not only to achieve success but also to maintain humility and a champion’s mentality. Thanks to Juan Carlos and his family’s upbringing, he is more mature than his age suggests. He is only 20 years old, but on the track he behaves like someone who has a lot of experience and maturity.

novak djokovic

Alcaraz has been the only one to have beaten you this year on a big stage. Do you think that makes the fact that you were in front of him in the Wimbledon final even greater?

It would be a question for Carlos, but I have no pangs of conscience. I try to look ahead and in all the great finals that I have lost there is always a reason. I try to learn from it and the experience of losing a Grand Slam final motivates me even more. I lost at Wimbledon and since then I have won everything except for the match with Sinner in the group stage in Turin. If I analyse the year, I could say that it was good to lose to Carlos because it motivated me for the rest of the season.

You have commented several times that you cannot be friends with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for the simple reason that they are your two great rivals. Do you think they are happy that you beat all their records and all the records?

It’s true that we can’t be friends because with friends you talk about everything, the good, the bad, your secrets. With your rivals I don’t think you feel very comfortable revealing all that. In the last 15 years I have seen more of Nadal and Federer than my parents. That means they have been a very important part of my life and my career. I have incredible respect for them and for the rivalry we’ve had for so long. It’s been a long journey together and when we hang up our racquets we’ll look at it in a more relaxed way.

Nadal confirmed that he is back next year. You said you would love one last match with him. Is there anywhere in particular you would like to play?

I think a lot of people would like it to be at Roland Garros. Why not? Although if you give me a choice I would say anywhere else. Roland Garros wouldn’t be bad, but Nadal is the player who has won there the most times in the history of the tournament. I think anywhere would be amazing for us and for the tennis world. It would be kind of like a last dance. I don’t know how many more times we’ll have the chance to play each other or if we’re going to play each other. I hope we do because that’s what everybody wants and I do too.

If someone comes to you with a piece of paper and says: if you play until you’re 50, you’ll equal or beat Nadal’s French Open titles, will you sign it?

I don’t know, I’m sure my wife wouldn’t be very happy. I am very satisfied with everything I have achieved. I do not have to look at Rafa’s record in Paris. I have many that I’m proud of and that are part of history. If I were to retire right now, I could only be happy and proud of what I’ve done.

You left the door open the other day to winning all four majors and the Olympics in 2024. Is it realistic to think about the Golden Slam at the age of 37?

Was it realistic to think I would win three of the four Grand Slams this year? Five years ago or even one or two years ago, I don’t think people thought that was possible. I know myself and I know that if I feel good physically and mentally I’m capable of doing it. I don’t want to sound disrespectful to my opponents. I know there are thousands of players fighting for the same goal, but I know who I am and I believe in myself.

Video thumbnail

You are one Olympic gold short of the medal you need to complete your honours list. Is the biggest challenge for next season a podium finish on the Roland Garros clay?

It’s going to be a strange feeling for me to play the Games at the Roland Garros. It will be similar to the feeling I had in 2012, when it was at Wimbledon. I think it was the first and the last time it was played there with coloured shirts and not the white ones. The Games are a very special competition. I love the Olympic village, I love the opening ceremony, the feeling of representing my country in the most important event in the world of sport. It is not an easy tournament for tennis players because we have a very tight schedule. From Roland Garros we go to grass and then again to clay. Then comes hard court in a short period of time, but I’m ready for the challenge. I hope to be healthy enough to compete in Paris at my best level and try to win the Olympic gold.

How would you like to be remembered the day you officially say goodbye to the sport of racquetball?

Apart from the records, I would like to leave a legacy for those to come. I would like to be remembered as someone who used the platform that tennis allows me and my status to help other players so that more can make a living from the racquet.

Keep Reading
By