Google Play App Download

Tennis News

From around the world

Exciting young talents Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov and Tiafoe to play Queen's

  • Posted: Mar 28, 2019

Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov and Frances Tiafoe – described as three of the “most exciting young players in the sport” – will play Queen’s in June.

Canada’s Auger-Aliassime, 18, will be the first male player born in the 2000s to reach the world’s top 50 when the latest rankings come out on Monday.

He has reached the Miami Open semi-finals this week, while Shapovalov and Tiafoe meet in the quarter-finals.

“There is no better way to prepare for Wimbledon,” Auger-Aliassime said.

Auger-Aliassime is the youngest player to have reached the Miami semis in the tournament’s 35-year history – he is two months younger than Spanish great Rafael Nadal was in achieving the same feat in 2005.

If he reaches the final, he could meet fellow Canadian Shapovalov, 19, or 21-year-old American Tiafoe, who play each other in the last eight on Thursday.

“Denis had a great run at the Queen’s Club a couple of years ago, and he told me at the time that I should watch out for his good friend Felix because he is an incredible talent,” tournament director Stephen Farrow said.

“The results Felix has posted over the past week in Miami back up that view, and we are delighted that he will make his debut this year.”

The Fever-Tree Championships take place from 17-23 June, with BBC Sport providing live coverage from the west London club across television, radio and online.

British number one Kyle Edmund, Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas, Croatia’s defending champion Marin Cilic and entertaining Australian Nick Kyrgios will also return to the Queen’s grass.

Former world number one Andy Murray has a career-long commitment to the tournament, but his participation is in doubt after he had surgery on his hip last month.

Wimbledon starts at the All England Club a fortnight later on 1 July.

  • Live scores, schedule and results
  • Alerts: Get tennis news sent to your phone

Source link

London Marathon: Andy Murray named as official starter

  • Posted: Mar 28, 2019

Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has been named as the official starter of the London Marathon on 28 April.

He follows in the footsteps of the Queen, who started it in 2018, while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry did the honours in 2017.

Scot Murray – currently rehabilitating following hip surgery – said it was an “honour” to be asked.

“It’s such an amazing race that means so much to so many people,” the 31-year-old added.

“It raises millions each year for charity and helps inspire people to get active. I have nothing but admiration for everyone who runs – I may even run it myself one day.”

Murray – also a double Olympic champion – was in attendance at the 2014 London Marathon when his wife, Kim, took part.

Event director Hugh Brasher said: “Sir Andy Murray is one of Britain’s greatest sporting superstars and it is so fitting that he will be the official starter for one of the country’s greatest sporting events and the world’s greatest marathon.

“Andy is renowned as one of the toughest and most competitive sportsmen on the planet and someone who does not recognise barriers in sport.”

Source link

Hopman Cup: Mixed team event shelved in Perth in favour of men-only event

  • Posted: Mar 28, 2019

The unique mixed teams Hopman Cup is looking for a new host venue after being replaced in Perth, Australia by a new men-only ATP World Team Cup.

Perth, Sydney and Brisbane will host the new event, which takes place from 3 January, before the Australian Open.

This year’s 31st Hopman Cup saw tennis legends Roger Federer of Switzerland and American Serena Williams play against each other for the first time.

But event founder Paul McNamee now has “concerns” about its future.

The four-time doubles Grand Slam champion added: “My immediate feeling is sadness that it’s not going to be there [in Perth] anymore.

“If there was a sign off to say ‘bye bye Hopman Cup’, it was the fact that probably the two greatest players in the history of the sport, Roger Federer and Serena Williams, went head-to-head on court at the Perth Arena.”

Federer and Belinda Bencic beat Williams and her partner Frances Tiafoe before going on to defeat Germany in the final and win a second successive title.

The International Tennis Federation said it was keen to keep the Hopman Cup alive and had received interest from cities around the world.

“We are in discussions with potential partners to decide where and when this tournament will be next hosted,” said ITF president David Haggerty.

“We will keep the Hopman Cup alive and look forward to successful future editions of this unique event.”

The ATP World Team Cup will feature 24 teams, split into six round-robin groups with eight teams qualifying for the knockout stage.

“While many may be looking at this change and saying we’ve lost something, we’ve actually gained something,” Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said.

“The ATP Cup will launch the global tennis season for the men – this is their event, it means a lot to them and they’ve thrown their support behind it 100%.”

The Hopman Cup’s demise means no more women’s tennis in Perth, although Tiley said he was in “deep discussions” with the WTA Tour about remedying that, although not in time for 2020.

Source link

Perth To Host ATP Cup In 2020

  • Posted: Mar 28, 2019

Perth To Host ATP Cup In 2020

Mar282019

Brisbane and Sydney already announced as host cities

Perth has been named as a host city for the ATP Cup, the most highly anticipated event in world tennis, which will premiere in January 2020.

“The ATP Cup will launch the global tennis season for the men – this is their event, it means a lot to them and they’ve thrown their support behind it 100 per cent,” said Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley, as he joined Tennis West CEO Michael Roberts and West Australian Tourism Minister Paul Papalia at the RAC Arena in Perth today.

“Four of the Top 12 male players, and eight of the Top 24, will play in Perth, with 24 teams competing across three cities – Perth, Brisbane and Sydney.

“With 750 ranking points and $22 million in prize money at stake, along with the honour of standing alongside your teammates and representing your country, we know this will be a spectacular and meaningful event for the players,” Tiley continued.

The exciting format will feature two singles and a doubles match per tie. Two sessions a day, with six days of incredible tennis.

The ATP Cup will be part of the biggest summer of international tennis ever on display in Australia, with the Perth, Brisbane and Sydney events running alongside the Brisbane International women’s event. A new combined men’s and women’s tournament in Adelaide, the Hobart International and an upgraded Canberra Challenger event will follow, all leading into the Australian Open at the end of January.

WA Minister for Tourism Paul Papalia MLA is looking forward to welcoming this exciting new global tennis event to Perth in January.

“Tennis holds a special place in the hearts of many WA people, myself included, and the ATP Cup will ensure we build on that tradition and provide fans with more opportunities to experience world-class tennis in Perth.

“This new tournament is expected to attract even more media interest, which will provide a valuable opportunity to promote Perth and our State to a global audience,” Papalia continued.

World No. 1 and President of the ATP Player Council Novak Djokovic has thrown his support behind the ATP Cup.

“I like that it’s owned by ATP, by the players, and that we have ranking points, and it’s going to be the best way to kick start the season. Australia is a country that has a Grand Slam, that nurtures tennis tradition,” Djokovic said.

“More than 90 per cent of the time we’re playing as individuals and we don’t have too many team events. This is going to bring together a lot of nations and for me personally it will be a very nice and proud moment to represent my country.”

“We’re going to kick start the global tennis season every January in Australia with this massive event,” ATP Executive Chairman & President Chris Kermode said.

“We know the ATP Cup will provide a great way to open the season – bringing together the world’s best for a major team event that compliments existing scheduling, provides highly-coveted ATP ranking points and clearly links to the Australian Open.

“The first week of the season is when the players want to play and that’s why the tournament has their strong support. By staging the event with Tennis Australia, which is renowned for its experience as an outstanding event promoter, we know that the tournament will be a great success from year one,” Kermode continued.

“The introduction of the ATP Cup gives us another opportunity to attract new fans to tennis,” Tennis West CEO Michael Roberts said.

“We know these international superstars of our sport will help inspire our kids to pick up a racquet, possibly play competitively and even follow in the footsteps of generations of legendary Australian players. Others may be inspired to have a hit with family and friends, but whatever the level, the end result is not only good for them but good for our community and our nation.”

Source link

Kubot/Melo To Face Bryan Brothers In Miami SF

  • Posted: Mar 28, 2019

Kubot/Melo To Face Bryan Brothers In Miami SF

Mar282019

Doubles SF are set at the season’s second ATP Masters 1000

Top seeds Lukasz Kubot/Marcelo Melo broke three times to return to the Miami Open presented by Itau semi-finals on Wednesday. Kubot/Melo, 2017 champions, swept fifth seeds Oliver Marach/Mate Pavic 7-6(5), 7-5 and will meet Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan in the last four.

You May Also Like: Felix Becomes Youngest Miami Semi-finalist In 35 Years

The Bryans, five-time Miami champions, saved the only break point they faced and dismissed Rohan Bopanna/Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4.

In the other semi-final, Ivan Dodig/Edouard Roger-Vasselin will meet Wesley Koolhof/Stefanos Tsitsipas. Dodig/Roger-Vasselin beat Maximo Gonzalez/Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 7-6(6), and Koolhof/Tsitsipas knocked out John Isner/Sam Querrey 6-4, 5-7, 10-8.

Source link

Shapo, Felix Eye ATP Rankings Milestones With Big Miami Runs

  • Posted: Mar 28, 2019

Shapo, Felix Eye ATP Rankings Milestones With Big Miami Runs

Mar282019

Canadian teens are burning up the ATP Rankings; Federer could return to No. 4

Denis Shapovalov is looking to join fellow Canadian teen Felix Auger-Aliassime in shattering his career-best ATP Ranking when he takes on American Frances Tiafoe in an all #NextGenATP Miami Open quarter-final showdown Thursday.

The 19-year-old left-hander entered the second ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament of the year at a career-high No. 23. But a run to his third Masters 1000 semi-final would see him leapfrog Kyle Edmund, Pablo Carreno Busta and David Goffin to crack the Top 20 for the first time.

Tiafoe, who at No. 34 will already threaten his career-high mark of No. 29 by reaching the quarter-finals, would likely climb into the low 20s should he reach the semis.

Auger-Aliassime, 18, who already was certain to become the first player born in the 2000s to crack the Top 50, is guaranteed to move into the mid or low 30s after beating Borna Coric Wednesday night to reach the Miami Open semi-finals. He could push inside the Top 30 by reaching the final and possibly inside the Top 20 with the title.

It’s a stunning rise for the teen, who just six weeks ago was ranked outside the Top 100. Despite reaching the Indian Wells third round, Auger-Aliassime had to qualify here in Miami. He will play defending champion John Isner in Friday’s semi-finals.

Roger Federer will guarantee a move to No. 4 from his current ranking of No. 5 if he beats Kevin Anderson in Thursday’s quarter-finals. Regardless of the outcome, the Swiss will go to No. 4 unless Anderson wins the title.

Playing his first tournament since the Australian Open, Anderson would move to a career-high No. 4 if he wins his first Masters 1000 title.

Reigning Next Gen ATP champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, who fell to Shapovalov in the fourth round, will climb one place higher to a career-high No. 9 unless John Isner successfully defends the Miami title.

Isner defeated Roberto Bautista Agut Wednesday after winning his seventh consecutive tie-break at this year’s event to reach the semi-finals. Isner will hold onto the No. 9 spot – but climb no higher – if he takes the title.

Source link