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GB Davis Cup winners take team award

  • Posted: Dec 20, 2015

Great Britain’s triumphant Davis Cup side won the Team of the Year award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show.

Victory over Belgium in November’s final saw Britain win the Davis Cup for the first time since 1936.

Captain Leon Smith guided Britain from the third tier to glory in five years.

British number one Andy Murray played a key role, alongside his brother Jamie, Kyle Edmund, James Ward, Dom Inglot and Dan Evans.

Andy Murray, 28, won 11 of 12 points during Britain’s successful campaign.

More from Sports Personality…

The award was presented by former pentathlete and 1972 Sports Personality of the Year winner Dame Mary Peters, and Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill.

Captain Leon Smith said: “It is hugely humbling, it is very prestigious. It has been 79 years since we last won the Davis Cup, let’s hope it doesn’t take another 79 years.

“I hope what it has achieved is we get a lasting legacy for tennis.”

Murray joins American John McEnroe and Swede Mats Wilander as the only men to have an 8-0 singles record in a Davis Cup year. In the doubles he is only the fourth man to win 11 rubbers in a single year.

Recent Team of the Year winners
2014: England women’s rugby team 2013: British & Irish Lions rugby union squad
2012: Great Britain Olympic and Paralympic teams 2011: England cricket team
2010: Europe Ryder Cup team 2009: England cricket team

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Duckworth, Nishioka Win Australian Open Wild Cards

  • Posted: Dec 20, 2015

Duckworth, Nishioka Win Australian Open Wild Cards

Dec202015

Australian, Japanese win wild card playoffs

James Duckworth will make a fifth consecutive main draw appearance at the Australian Open after winning the Australian Wildcard Playoff on Sunday. The top seed was the last player standing in the 16-man draw after Benjamin Mitchell withdrew ahead of the final to be with his girlfriend for the birth of their first child.

“It would have been nice to win properly but that’s the way it goes,” Duckworth said. “I managed to get through a couple of tough matches [this week], especially the semifinal against Marinko [Matosevic]. I’d never beaten him before. I didn’t play so well the last four months of the year so to come here and win a few matches, especially some tight ones, some tight tie-breaks, really helps the confidence a lot. Hopefully I can use it as a bit of a springboard and start the year off well and have a good year.”

World No. 120 Duckworth reached the second round at Melbourne Park in 2012, ’13 & ’15, claiming a pair of five-set victories. He cracked the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings for the first time earlier this year, peaking at No. 82, following his first match win at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level in Indian Wells.

In the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff, top seed Yoshihito Nishioka rallied past Chinese Taipei’s Jason Jung 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the final. The Japanese will make his Australian Open debut, contesting his fourth Grand Slam main draw. One of 10 players under the age of 22 in the Top 150, Nishioka reached his first ATP World Tour quarter-final earlier this year in Delray Beach. The 20 year old also captured his second ATP Challenger Tour title last month in Toyota.

“I’m so excited that I can play main draw in the Australian Open, it will be the first time for me,” said Nishioka. “Entering the Top 100 was actually my goal for this year, but I didn’t make it. Hopefully next year I’m able to be in the Top 70. And I already won a first round match at the US Open this year, so next time I hope I can win a second round at a Grand Slam.”

Duckworth and Nishioka join former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, American teen Noah Rubin and France’s Quentin Halys among wild card recipients.

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IPTL Final Set

IPTL Final Set

  • Posted: Dec 19, 2015

The OUE Singapore Slammers – led by Belinda Bencic and Karolina Pliskova – and the Micromax Indian Aces – led by doubles No.1 Sania Mirza and Svetlana Kuznetsova – did battle in the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Saturday, and will compete one more time to decide who wins the second annual International Premier Tennis League trophy.

Playing at home, the Slammers have an undoubted edge, having just beaten the Aces last night. Though Mirza helped the Aces win their set of mixed doubles 6-4 with partner Rohan Bopanna over Pliskova and Dustin Brown, Bencic was all business against late arrival Kuznetsova, winning their set of women’s singles, 6-2, en route to a 27-21 victory.

Earlier in the night, the Philippine Mavericks ended their season with a win over the OBI UAE Royals. Jarmila Gajdosova capped an upset victory over Mladenovic, and though the Frenchwoman got her revenge in the mixed doubles, their women’s singles set proved crucial as the Mavericks won, 24-23.

Stay tuned for the best tweets of the night:

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Go Behind The Scenes With Anderson In Delray Beach

  • Posted: Dec 19, 2015

Go Behind The Scenes With Anderson In Delray Beach

Dec192015

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Best of 2015 Off-Court Part 2: Undercover Murray

Best of 2015 Off-Court Part 2: Undercover Murray

  • Posted: Dec 19, 2015

Best of 2015 Off-Court Part 2: Undercover Murray

Dec192015

ATPWorldTour.com highlights the best off-court moments from the 2015 season

Do you have a favourite? Have your say on MyATP.

Murray Pranks Fans

Andy Murray dressed up as an ice cream salesman to fool unsuspecting fans in Cincinnati and found out that, while you can fool some fans some of the time, you can’t fool all of the fans, all the time.

Wawrinka Takes It Off

The two-time Grand Slam champion followed in the footsteps of John Isner and Tomas Berdych by posing for ESPN The Magazine’s The Body Issue, which annually celebrates the physique of athletes.

Wawrinka

“My body is for my tennis, it’s for my sport,” Wawrinka said in a behind-the-scenes interview. “I’m not a model at all. I don’t work out to go to the beach, I work out to play well and to do well on the court.”

Chef Rafa

Off the court, Rafael Nadal’s favourite pastimes include golfing, fishing, and cooking for friends and family. At Wimbledon, he showed off his flair in the kitchen.

Federer Meets Manchester United Stars

Football fan Roger Federer had the chance to meet Manchester United stars Juan Mata, David De Gea and Ander Herrera at the All England Club. The Spanish trio were seated on Centre Court to see Andy Murray reach the semi-finals, before meeting Federer on the competitor’s lawn.

The quartet chatted about Federer’s home team, Basel, and United’s upcoming pre-season tour to the west coast of the United States.

“It’s been amazing,” said Mata. “I always wanted to come to Wimbledon but I never could because we are now in pre-season so sometimes we were abroad. But today was unbelievable. The atmosphere and feeling here is something special.”

Wedding Season

In July, Tomas Berdych tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Ester Satorova.

On the same week, fellow Czech Lukas Rosol wed Michaela Ochotska, while Feliciano Lopez wed Alba Carrillo with friends David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Marcel Granollers in attendance.

Other ATP World Tour players tying the knot in 2015 included Marc Lopez, David Ferrer, Andy Murray, Tim Smyczek, Andreas Haider-Maurer and Martin Emmrich.

Monaco Parties In Bastad

What is it like to attend the player party at the SkiStar Swedish Open? Find out as Juan Monaco assumed the role of ATP behind-the-scenes reporter to interview his fellow players at the party.

Monaco, Robredo

The Argentine compared outfits with Almagro, teased Diego Schwartzman about his time in Bastad and reminisced with Lindstedt about the time doubles partner Rafael Nadal accidentally hit him in the face with his racquet…

Read Part 1 – Novak’s Biggest Fan

Read Part 3 – An Hour With Roger

© ATP World Tour

Best Of ATP Stars 2015

Open Gallery

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Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers: Federer Not Fading

  • Posted: Dec 19, 2015

Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers: Federer Not Fading

Dec192015

Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers shows that Roger Federer was often at or near his statistical best in 2015 on the ATP World Tour

If you’re waiting for Roger Federer to ride off into the sunset, to fade into statistical obsolescence, don’t hold your breath. A look at his 2015 Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers stats shows that, at 34, he’s still playing some of his best tennis.

For starters, let’s zero in on a few key serving stats: in some respects, the World No. 3 has never been more efficient. This year he matched career marks in both first-serve percentage (64%) and service games won (92%), while setting a career-best in first-serve points won (80%). Not bad for a tennis tricenarian.

Year 1st Serve %
 		1st Serve Pts. Won
Service Games Won
1999 58% 70% 76%
2000 59% 72% 82%
2001 60% 74% 83%
2002 60% 76% 86%
2003 60% 78% 87%
2004 62% 78% 92%*
2005 63% 76% 89%
2006 63% 77% 90%
2007 62% 77% 89%
2008 64% 77% 89%
2009 62% 79% 90%
2010 62% 78% 89%
2011 64% 79% 90%
2012 63% 78% 91%
2013 63% 76% 87%
2014 64% 79% 91%
2015 64% 80% 92%

                                                                                                                                                              
BOLD = career-best, * = ATP World Tour leader

When it comes to the Swiss’ return games, while there were no career-bests established, Federer remains among the elite. For the 11th time in the past 13 years, he finished among the top 10 in return points won off his opponents’ first serve (33%), and he won 27 per cent of his return games, good enough for eighth overall on the ATP World Tour.

Year
Return Pts. Won Off 1st Serve
 		Return Games Won
1999 29% 20%
2000 27% 19%
2001 30% 23%
2002 31% 25%
2003 40% 29%
2004 35%* 30%
2005 35% 31%
2006 35%* 32%
2007 34% 29%
2008 32% 27%
2009 31% 24%
2010 34% 27%
2011 33% 28%
2012 31% 26%
2013 33% 26%
2014 32% 26%
2015 33% 27%

BOLD = career-best, * = ATP World Tour leader

So how did this all translate on the court for the 24-time ATP Masters 1000 champ? A 63-11 year, six titles and a Top-3 year-end finish in the Emirates ATP Rankings for the 11th time. Against Top-10 competition, he was 15-6, his only losses coming against World No. 1 Novak Djokovic (five) and Stan Wawrinka.

Year W-L vs. Top 10
1999 13-17 1-4
2000 36-30 3-8
2001 49-21 5-5
2002 58-22 10-5
2003 78-17 9-5
2004 74-6 18-0
2005 81-4 15-2
2006 92-5 19-4
2007 68-9 17-4
2008 66-15 7-10
2009 61-12 15-10
2010 65-13 16-6
2011 64-12 10-9
2012 71-12 16-9
2013 45-17 4-10
2014 73-12 17-5
2015 63-11 15-6

BOLD = career-best

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Best of 2015 Off-Court Part 1: Novak's Biggest Fan

Best of 2015 Off-Court Part 1: Novak's Biggest Fan

  • Posted: Dec 19, 2015

Best of 2015 Off-Court Part 1: Novak's Biggest Fan

Dec182015

ATPWorldTour.com highlights the best off-court moments from the 2015 season

Do you have a favourite? Have your say on Facebook.

Traveling Heavy

Tour veteran Gilles Simon knows that one of the toughest parts of the new tennis season is making sure all the bags are packed and ready.

“Traveling with family = moving,” he tweeted on his way to Melbourne for the year’s first Grand Slam.

Like Father, Like Son

While thousands of fans came to Rod Laver Arena to watch Novak Djokovic top Milos Raonic in the Australian Open quarter-finals, the World No. 1 had one special supporter watching from the comfort of home: his infant son Stefan.

Djokovic was told about wife Jelena’s Twitter post following his win and said: “See how he enjoys watching TV? He’s daddy’s boy, definitely.”

It’s no wonder, considering how much the World No. 1 enjoys spending time with his newborn.

Year Of The Goat

Defending champion Roger Federer helped ring in the Year of the Goat as he launched the Chinese New Year celebrations at Burj Al Arab. Federer was invited to participate in the ceremony for the colouring of the eyes of the lion.

Puppy Love

Vasek Pospisil had special visitors at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden: seven dogs from Guide Dogs of the Desert.

“Can I take one home?” the Canadian asked, as the Poodles, Labradors and a German Shepherd crowded around him for some TLC.

“I wish I had seven hands!” said Pospisil. “They were all so cute. You want to play with all of them at the same time… It was definitely the most fun I’ve had doing something like that at a tournament.”

On The Table

“I scrap a lot, make a lot of balls,” Jack Sock, the self-proclaimed No. 1 table tennis player on the ATP World Tour, said. “I play pretty far behind the table and just annoy guys.”

Nick Kyrgios got a taste of Sock’s skills in Rome when the two faced off in the players’ lounge. At stake was a haircut with the on-site stylist. Sock, who has boldly described himself as the “Ferrer or Djokovic of ping pong”, got the last laugh, maintaining his undefeated record against fellow players.

Emoji Game Strong

Want to learn Roger Federer’s Wimbledon routine? Look no further:

What about Andy Murray’s wedding day? Here it is:

© ATP World Tour

Best Of ATP Stars 2015

Open Gallery

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WTA Live Fan Access: Best Moments

WTA Live Fan Access: Best Moments

  • Posted: Dec 19, 2015

A message from Xerox:

“Thank you, WTA fans, for tuning in to WTA Live and submitting your #XeroxFancast questions these past couple of seasons. We’ve really enjoyed bringing you closer to your favorite players, and we hope we’ve improved your fan experience. Change is as much a part of business as it is tennis, and so this marks the end of our sponsorship journey with the WTA and WTA Live. We wish the WTA and athletes the best as they continue on their mission to inspire and entertain you.”

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Murray Realigns With Mauresmo

  • Posted: Dec 19, 2015

Murray Realigns With Mauresmo

Dec182015

Scot parts ways with Bjorkman; rekindles coaching arrangement with Frenchwoman

Only days after Roger Federer parted ways with Stefan Edberg, World No. 2 Andy Murray has ended his coaching agreement with Jonas Bjorkman.

Bjorkman had been filling in for Amelie Mauresmo, who stepped aside earlier this year to give birth to her first child, son Aaron. Under the Swede, Murray enjoyed one of his most consistent years on the ATP World Tour, rising to a career-high year-end No. 2 in the Emirates ATP Rankings and leading Great Britain to its first Davis Cup title since 1936. The 28-year-old Scot went 71-14, winning titles in Munich, Madrid, London and Montreal.

Bjorkman, a former No. 1-ranked doubles standout who won nine Grand Slam titles, wished Murray well via Twitter: “Thank you @andy_murray and your great team, for this year! I highly admire your hard work and I wish you all the best for 2016!”

“Nice to have Amelie back in the team out in Dubai,” Murray posted on Facebook. “Thanks to Jonas for helping out this year. I enjoyed working with one of the nicest guys on the tour, bring on 2016.”

Mauresmo is expected to travel with Murray for between 22 and 24 weeks next year. During her 16-year career on the WTA Tour, the Frenchwoman rose to No. 1 and captured Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, both in 2006.

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Power Of Extraordinary Back Designs

Power Of Extraordinary Back Designs

  • Posted: Dec 18, 2015

Back designs have had a special place in women’s tennis fashion, as sports apparel companies strive to create outfits that look striking both from the back and from the front. The sky’s the limit when it comes to the variety of styles and in this overview Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog will show you those that marked 2015.

Half-moon keyhole cutouts

Half-moon keyhole cutouts at center back are a simple, yet highly visually appealing element popular among many top brands. Here we can see the adidas by Stella McCartney representatives Flavia Pennetta and Garbiñe Muguruza rocking it at the US Open, Serena Williams’ day and night Nike dresses in New York featured a similar back detail, as well as Lacoste’s collection for Roland Garros, as seen here on Alizé Cornet. The adidas Winter Stella McCartney Tank also includes a nice yellow zipper entry at racerback, while Williams’ Nike Fall Premier Dress has a bonded zipper.

Sloane Stephens photo - Getty Images and Jimmie48

Players usually opt for white dresses solely at Wimbledon, but Sloane Stephens occasionally wore them even during other parts of the season, using the power of outstanding back designs to make her plain white pieces stand out.

Agnieszka Radwanska - lace backs

The most extraordinary feature of Agnieszka Radwanska’s lace dresses was this mesh lace accent at back. Lotto took the risk by incorporating lingerie elements to a great extent and it turned out to be a big hit.

Egg-shaped keyhole cutouts of Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney and adidas made fashion statements with these large egg-shaped back cutouts Caroline Wozniacki and Andrea Petkovic displayed early in the season.

WTA criss-cross straps

Criss-cross straps are a common type of back design. Ana Ivanovic’s adidas Fall All Premium Dress for Wimbledon has spaghetti straps at two levels, Agnieszka Radwanska’s Lotto Lux Metallic Dress also has them, while the neat black straps of Jelena Jankovic’s Fila Fall Platinum Cami Tank have an added functionality of being adjustable. Venus Williams’ EleVen Kaleidoscope Tie It Up Tank has a surprise detail, a lightly sewn tie at the meeting point of the straps.

EleVen triangular, circular and square back cutouts

Complimenting her chic and feminine colorful prints, Venus Williams created a number of back designs with triangular, circular or square keyhole cutouts highlighted by a variety of elements in them.

Serena Williams' bold back designs

Serena Williams sported many bold back designs in 2015, the most fascinating one being that of her Australian Open dress. Thin racerback or skinny straps that meet at upper back were a common feature in Williams’ tops, while in Melbourne the American went for the provocative backless tunic.

Sharapova

Maria Sharapova’s Nike French Open dress had a nice T-back design, while Caroline Wozniacki’s adidas Fall Stella McCartney Dress for Wimbledon used somewhat similar straps, just in reverse position.

See-through backs of women's tennis fashion

In their popular spring/summer clothes, adidas featured these sheer mesh inserts on back, accentuated by the contrasting bra and shorts underneath, while Alizé Lim and her clothing sponsor Le Coq Sportif stood out with see-through backs of these unique jumpsuits.

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