Tennis

WIMBLEDON, England — Novak Djokovic begins his bid for a fifth consecutive title at Wimbledon and eighth general at Centre Court on Monday. Djokovic...

By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, July 2, 2023The WTA Tour celebrates its fiftieth anniversary and WTA founder Billie Jean King is pumping up the celebration with ardour.The legendary champion has been busy selling tennis, counseling some gamers, conducting a wide-ranging interview with Christiane Amanpour  and hitting some tennis balls.Wimbledon PreviewHall of Famer King returned to Wimbledon’s Centre Court for the primary time in 40 years for this energized follow session and enthusiastic response from followers.The proprietor of one of many sport's biggest backhand volleys, confirmed her palms and abilities are nonetheless sharp.Armed together with her trusty Wilson racquet and nonetheless exhibiting the web abilities that made Rocket Rod Laver tout her as one in every of tennis’ bigg...

By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, July 2, 2023Nick Kyrgios understands the danger and reward of audacious shotmaking on Grand Slam phases.Wimbledon runner-up Kyrgios calls Carlos Alcaraz's achievements and all-court sport "nuts", cites the world No. 1 as a shotmaking showman and certainly one of his high three favourite gamers to look at.Wimbledon Day 1 Order of PlayMeeting the media at Wimbledon as we speak earlier than his first-round conflict vs. David Goffin, Kyrgios was requested if he watched a lot tennis whereas recovering from his knee surgical procedure final January.Kyrgios stated he watches Grand Slam finals in addition to matches of three males: buddy Thanasi Kokkinakis, whom Kyrgios partnered to the 2022 Australian Open doubles crown, pal Frances Tiafoe and world No. 1 Alcar...

WIMBLEDON, England — Asked two days earlier than her twenty fourth Wimbledon begins whether or not she’s nonetheless excited to play tennis at this stage, Venus Williams shortly answered: “It’s so much fun.” ...

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday July 1, 2023Andy Murray is sort of a child on Christmas Eve yearly right now. That’s as a result of Wimbledon is the occasion he's most captivated with and he can’t wait to place his finest foot ahead.Though 36, and never the participant he was in his prime, the 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon champion has finished loads of soldiering in 2023, and he is available in assured to his fifteenth predominant draw appearances at SW19.“It's always been the most important tournament for me in the year,” Murray informed the press throughout his pre-tournament media convention on Saturday. “Regardless of how I was feeling coming in, I would always do my best to be ready for this one, even if there was some physical issues, niggles, what have you. I'd always give m...

By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, July 1, 2023Reigning champion Novak Djokovic launches Wimbledon Centre Court play on Monday.Then comes a ladies's wild-card showdown.Wimbledon Day 1 Order of PlayMore: Wimbledon Preview PodcastFive-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams takes on former world No. 3 and 2019 semifinalist Elina Svitolina.In holding with custom, Djokovic opens Centre Court play in opposition to 67th-ranked Argentinean Pedro Cachin.The second-seeded Djokovic is enjoying for an eighth Wimbledon championship, together with a fifth consecutive crown at SW19.Twenty-three years after profitable her maiden Wimbledon, the 43-year Williams returns to Centre Court in what might be her farewell to The Championships.World No. 75 Svitolina has received three of 4 profession conferences...

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday July 1, 2023Aryna Sabalenka says she couldn’t watch Wimbledon final 12 months. The Belarusian, a finalist in 2021, was forbidden to compete as a result of All England Club’s choice to ban Russian and Belarusian gamers in gentle of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, which commenced in February of 2022.When Sabalenka did catch glimpses of a very powerful grass court docket occasion on this planet final 12 months, all she may do was break down in tears.“I didn't watch Wimbledon a lot,” she stated. “I felt so bad and I just couldn't watch it. Every time if Wimbledon would be on TV, I would cry.”Back in London in 2023, Sabalenka doesn’t wish to take into consideration final 12 months anymore. Furthermore, after months of being subjected to journali...

By Alberto Amalfi | Saturday, July 1, 2023Francisco Cerundolo grew up on crimson clay, however is proving to be a person for all surfaces.Riding a fierce forehand, Cerundolo topped Tommy Paul 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 to seize his maiden grass-court championship on the Rothesay International in Eastbourne. The second @francerundolo sealed the Eastbourne crown! 👑#RothesayInternational pic.twitter.com/dn2bA33ES9 — Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 1, 2023 The fourth-seeded Argentinean beat each breezy circumstances and two powerful American opponents with calm beneath swirling Eastbourne stress.Cerundolo made historical past as the primary Argentinean to win an ATP grass-court title since Javier Frana received the 1995 Nottingham championship.Wimbledon Day 1 Order of PlayMore: Wimbledon Preview PodcastC...

American Madison Keys prevailed in a marathon tiebreaker Saturday to win the Eastbourne International closing, beating ninth-seeded Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 7-6 (13) for her second title on the grass-court match. ...

By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, July 1, 2023Iga Swiatek's abdomen is settled. Now she's specializing in stabilizing her ft for an prolonged Wimbledon run.Meeting with the media at Wimbledon at the moment, Swiatek mentioned she's recovered from the virus that compelled to withdraw from her maiden grass-court semifinal at Bad Homburg.Wimbledon Day 1 Order of PlayMore: Wimbledon Preview PodcastThe four-time Grand Slam champion expects to be "fine" for her No. 1 Court opener vs. Lin Zhu on Monday."I'm okay. I had a really bad night," Swiatek mentioned. "We did with my conditioning coach like measurements in the morning. They didn't really look good because I barely slept."I had a stomachache, however I do not know if there was one thing fallacious or not. Later within the day I felt okay...