Tennis

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday April 13, 2023It is sort of weird, actually, particularly after we contemplate how a lot success Novak Djokovic has had over the course of his illustrious profession. And but, the Serb’s struggles at Monte-Carlo, a spot the place he twice defeated Rafael Nadal en path to the title (in 2013 and 2015), proceed.After Thursday’s loss to Lorenzo Musetti, Djokovic drops to 7-7 in Monte-Carlo since 2016. He has not reached the semifinals since then, and has misplaced 4 occasions to gamers ranked outdoors of the Top 20.We can take a look at it this manner: final season Djokovic misplaced to No.46-ranked Alejandro Davidovich Fokina within the third-round. He then proceeded to win 32 consecutive occasions in opposition to gamers ranked outdoors the Top 20...

The girls’s skilled tennis tour will convey its occasions again to China later this 12 months, saying on Thursday the top of a boycott instituted in late 2021 over considerations concerning the security of former participant Peng Shuai after she accused a high-ranking authorities official there of sexual assault. ...

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday April 13, 2023World No.1 Iga Swiatek has been named to Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023. The Polish star is entered within the Innovator class, subsequent to world stars resembling French footballer Kylian Mbappé and American actor Natasha Lyonne.Swiatek is certainly one of six athletes to have made the listing, together with footballers Lionel Messi and Mbappé, skier Mikaela Shiffrin, basketball participant Brittney Griner and NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who was additionally named to Time’s listing, within the Pioneers section, penned an essay about Swiatek to have a good time the distinction. The athletes have change into nice pals in recent times.“When Iga Swiatek plays tennis, three things come to mind...

The girls’s skilled tennis tour is ending its suspension of tournaments in China that was initiated in late 2021 over issues about Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai’s well-being. The WTA introduced Thursday that it's going to return to competitors in China this season, though two of its key requests h...

By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, April 13, 2023The WTA Tour is waving the white flag on China.The WTA will carry its ban on China, initially imposed in December of 2021 in response to China's suppression of Peng Shuai, and return to the nation this season, WTA CEO Steve Simon advised BBC.Zverev: I Could Have Beaten RafaThe Tour initially minimize the wire with China and issued a press release calling for a “full, fair and transparent investigation, without censorship, into Peng Shuai’s allegation of sexual assault."Former world No. 1 doubles player Peng Shuai was missing after publicly accusing a Chinese Vice Premier of sexually assaulting her in a social media post on November 2, 2021.After Peng's allegation and subsequent disappearance became global news, China’s state media issued ...

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday April 12, 2023An enormous-name partnership between a pair of legendary Spanish ladies has formally come to an finish.Conchita Martinez and Garbiñe Muguruza have formally parted methods. Martinez introduced the break up on social media on Wednesday, saying: “Garbiñe and I have mutually agreed to end our employment relationship. They have been fantastic years, full of great emotions and wonderful experiences, both on and off the track. It has been a pleasure to work with you, Garbiñe.I wish you the best.” Garbiñe y yo hemos decidido de mutuo acuerdo terminar nuestra relación laboral.Han sido unos años fantásticos, cargados de grandes emociones y maravillosas vivencias, tanto dentro como fuera de la pista.Ha sido un placer trabajar contigo, Garb...

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, April 12, 2023Tennis requires time administration.After his opening-round Monte-Carlo win, Novak Djokovic mentioned he wants extra time to acclimate to clay.Zverev: I Could Have Beaten RafaLorenzo Musetti will attempt to disrupt Djokovic's timing when the pair sq. off in Monte-Carlo on Thursday.Asked if he can exploit the very fact Djokovic has performed only one clay-court match the previous 11 months, Musetti says even when the world No. 1 is underprepared he can nonetheless be overwhelming."For sure everyone needs matches when we change surface, but he's still No. 1 in the world," Musetti advised the media in Monte-Carlo after crushing compatriot Luca Nardi 6-0, 6-0. "He started the year I think pretty well, winning another Australian...

Rafa Nadal brightens the tennis world even when not on the court docket.Now, Nadal's signature Babolat Pure Aero Rafa and matching bag are again and bolder than ever. Zverev: I Could Have Beaten RafaBabolat is celebrating clay-court season with its vibrant new Rafa Range of Pure Aero racquets and matching racquet bag.The new stick places on a cheerful face because of what Nadal calls "happy colors.""As everybody knows, I like bright colors, happy colors and that's just one more step," Nadal mentioned. "I'm happy with this new design. We worked together for some time to finally find the racquet that I feel comfortable with and I like the colors. I like the design."Developed in collaboration with the king of clay, the second-generation Rafa racquet was designed for max spin and energy ...

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday April 11, 2023Alexander Zverev gave an interview to Eurosport not too long ago, the place the German expressed his perception that he had an opportunity to win Roland-Garros final 12 months. Of course, these probabilities went up in smoke when Zverev tore three ligaments in his ankle and was pressured to retire in opposition to Nadal, down a set and in a second-set tiebreak.For positive, Zverev was enjoying nice, higher than many anticipated, however the truth that he squandered a giant lead within the first set was undoubtedly enjoying in opposition to him as he toiled within the second set in a brutally bodily match that lasted a mind-boggling three hours and three minutes, even earlier than two units had been accomplished.In a latest promo for...

By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, April 11, 2023The Monte-Carlo Country Club is Novak Djokovic's dwelling coaching base.The world No. 1's red-clay return wasn't precisely a stroll on a welcome mat in the present day.TN Q&A: James BlakePlaying his first match since March third and first clay-court match for the reason that Roland Garros quarterfinals final June, Djokovic defeated tough lefty qualifier Ivan Gakhov 7-6(5), 6-2 in an entertaining Monte-Carlo opener.Facing an opponent he had by no means seen earlier than on a windy day, Djokovic mentioned afterward his hardest check was adapting to dust after a season on exhausting courts."Clay surface for me is the most challenging surface to adapt, you know, to get into the rhythm," Djokovic advised the media in Monte-Carlo. "Historica...