Tag: Tennis

ATP Roundup: Alexander Zverev Wins 5th Title of 2021

No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev picked up his fifth title of 2021 with a 7–5, 6–4 win over unseeded American Frances Tiafoe in Sunday’s final at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, Austria. Zverev improved to 6–1 head-to-head against Tiafoe with the victory. The German has not lost a final this season. After a fairly…


Signed Serena Rookie Card Sold for Record Price at Auction

An autographed Serena Williams rookie card printed in 2003 has become the most expensive women’s sports card after fetching $44,280 at auction last weekend, New Jersey-based Goldin Auctions said. The previous record was $34,440 for a rookie card of former U.S. soccer player Mia Hamm sold in June. ESPN reported the Williams card was bought…


Djokovic Will Need to Be Vaccinated to Play Australian Open: Minister

CANBERRA—Novak Djokovic will not be able to enter Australia to defend his Australian Open title unless he is fully vaccinated for COVID-19, the country’s immigration minister said on Wednesday, putting the Serb’s Grand Slam record bid in doubt. World number one Djokovic, who is level with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal on 20 Grand Slam…


Injury-Hit Nadal Still Unclear When He’ll Play Again

Rafa Nadal said he still does not know when he will play tennis again as he works to complete his recovery from a recurring foot injury that cut short his 2021 season. The 20-times major winner, who struggled with back issues at the start of this year before pulling out of Wimbledon and the Tokyo…


Naomi Osaka Withdraws From Next Month’s Indian Wells Tourney

INDIAN WELLS, Calif.—Naomi Osaka pulled out of the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday, a move that was expected after she indicated following her U.S. Open loss this month, that she planned to take another extended break from tennis. The withdrawal was announced by the official Twitter feed for the hard-court tournament at Indian Wells, which…


Confident Murray Aiming Higher After Tweaking Service Action

After making adjustments to his service motion, former world number one Andy Murray is confident that his game is on an upward trajectory and he can compete against top players again after struggling with injuries in the past few years. The 34-year-old Briton, who had hip surgeries in 2018 and 2019, has not been able…


Federer Says ‘Feeling Strong’ After Knee Surgery

Swiss great Roger Federer said he has faced no setbacks and is recovering well after his latest knee operation. Federer, who pulled out of the U.S. Open, said in August he would be sidelined for many months because he needed more knee surgery in order to resume playing. The 40-year-old had two procedures in 2020…


Raducanu Can Become One of World’s Most Marketable Athletes

LONDON—Emma Raducanu’s astonishing U.S. Open triumph could lead to a pot of gold worth around 20 million pounds ($27.7 million) over the next two years and that may be just the start, according to sports marketing experts. The 18-year-old Briton was almost unheard before reaching the fourth round at this year’s Wimbledon, having earned around…


Former Tennis No. 1 Simona Halep Marries in Romania

Former world No. 1 Simona Halep is taking a break in her WTA schedule: She married boyfriend Toni Iuruc Wednesday in her hometown of Constanta, Romania. Halep posted photos on social media, showing the party that followed the civil ceremony. Her coach Darren Cahill sent well wishes from afar. “The official signing today of marriage…


Raducanu Climbs 127 Spots in WTA Rankings After Winning US Open Title

British teenager Emma Raducanu moved up 127 spots in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings on Monday after a memorable game against Leylah Fernandez on Sept. 11 at the U.S. Open finals in New York. The 18-year-old qualifier was ranked No. 150 before traveling to the United States and contesting in her second-ever Grand Slam…