Tennis News

SHENZHEN, China – World No.3 Agnieszka Radwanska will begin her 2017 campaign by headlining a strong field at the fifth edition of the Shenzhen Open.

Twelve months ago, Radwanska continued her fine record on Chinese soil by cruising to the title at the Shenzhen Longgang Sports Centre without dropping a set. The tournament proved an ideal springboard for the Pole, who went on to reach the semifinals at the Australian Open.

“I can really see that it’s a lovely city and very nice site,” Radwanska said. “So many courts, a lot better for us to practice whenever we can and the tournament is very well organized. I cannot complain about anything; I really like the hotel as well. Every tennis tournament should be like that.”

This year, Shenzhen will offer prize money totaling $750,000 – the highest of any International event on the calendar – enticing a stellar field to southern China. Joining Radwanska in the draw will be two other members of the Top 10, Simona Halep and Johanna Konta.

Like Radwanska, Halep has fond memories of Shenzhen, having lifted the trophy in 2015. Since then, Halep’s trophy cabinet has become ever more crowded, consolidating her status at the summit of the game. Konta, meanwhile, is the latest addition to the Top 10 after a rapid rise up the ranks.

Since Li Na won the inaugural staging of the tournament in 2013, Shenzhen has become a fixture on the calendar, where it will remain until 2021 after signing a contract extension.

Main draw matches will begin on Sunday, January 1.

Click here to see the full entry lists for Shenzhen and the other opening week events in Brisbane and Auckland.

Already during the tournaments opening the grass-court season we had an opportunity to see some nice new designs ready for the upcoming Wimbledon, but before tennis fashion completely switches to pure whites let’s have a look at the colorful clothes that graced the WTA courts in the period leading to the most traditional Grand Slam.

Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog gives us an overview of the best outfits we’ve had this June.

We had missed Belinda Bencic on tennis courts since Charleston, with the Swiss nurturing a back injury, but the 19-year-old made a stylish comeback this month at the Ricoh Open, wearing this ice grey and orange color-block dress, another refreshingly youthful and sporty Yonex design. The thick orange stripe below chest provides a figure-slimming effect and Yonex made sure to match it with Belinda’s visor, wristbands and company logo.

Besides nice subtle colors, the dress stands out with its wide supportive criss-crossed tank straps. Moreover, a coordinating ball short is included in the design.

Czech Barbora Strycova progressed all the way to the Aegon Classic Birmingham final in singles and to the champion’s trophy in doubles, feeling comfortable in her Sergio Tacchini Phoenix Dress. A dotted pattern adorns the chest and racerback area, matching a solid red side panel at right hip.

Agnieszka Radwanska brought a lot of color to the grey Eastbourne weather with the flowers of the Lotto Twice Dress. What makes this piece of clothing special is that it’s actually reversible, so when you don’t feel like wearing an eye-catching print, you can easily opt for the solid blue marine side. Other features of the dress include moisture management, spaghetti straps and ruffled hem.

For her grasscourt campaign in Birmingham, where she had played the finals back in 2008, Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer opted for the Lotto Moonride Tank from the company’s running range. This is not the first time that Lotto-sponsored athletes are putting aside their tennis clothes — the floral fitness and training Ursula line worn by Carla Suarez Navarro made my February’s fashion favorites.

Wickmayer cheered up the rainy British environment with the colorful tank top dominated by purple tones. Strategically-placed side color-blocks nicely accentuate the waist, while back keyhole cutout allows a sports bra to stylishly peek through. Being a running tank, the item also features a reflective bar down the back that provides visibility in low-light conditions.

Timea Bacsinszky, Daria Gavrilova and Johanna Konta have been sporting the pool blue Asics Club Dress this June, whose mesh panels and moisture-wicking fabric are keeping players cool and comfortable, while built-in sprinter tights ensure the necessary support. Just like most tennis apparel companies, Asics opted for a racerback design, providing players with ultimate mobility that allows them to hit the ball harder and faster.

– Photos courtesy of Getty Images and Jimmie48 Photography 

Looking for a nice Christmas gift for your tennis-loving friend or a treat for yourself? Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog will help you pick the best presents.

If you wish to surprise someone with a kit worn by a top WTA player, look no further than adidas’ range launched at the US Open. Angelique Kerber lifted the champion’s trophy wearing the adidas Fall Pro Tank, featuring adjustable shelf bra and contrast racerback with mesh insert, and adidas Fall Pro Skirt, whose famous geometric print draws inspiration from New York City’s famous skyscrapers. Both the items are equipped with Climacool moisture management.

There’s also this Ana Ivanovic adidas Fall Pro Dress, one of the most beautiful designs of the season, while if you’re not into skirts, there are Simona Halep stunning adidas Fall Pro Shorts, whose built-in printed compression shorts peek through a woven mesh layer.

Even though other models were promoted far more on the courts, the adidas Barricade Classic Bounce remains the cutest shoe I’ve seen this year. Whether you like it in green or red, it promises high levels of cushioning, stability and comfort. Since the shoes were introduced even before the Australian Open, their discounted price makes them extra attractive.

If you’re looking for more affordable presents and stocking stuffers, there’s no shortage of options to surprise your tennis friends.

You can’t go wrong whether you choose this 2-pack Nike hairband in pink and deep garnet, the black and white option with a stylish split section, or adidas’ 3-pack in purple and slime. All the hairbands have silicone/gel that keeps them in place.

Everyone needs a white visor, even if they have several already. Stella McCartney offers the most beautiful one, with lovely mesh lining on body and subtle adidas and designer logo.

Wristbands also make a great affordable gift. You can pick these purple ones from Nike’s new collection, these discounted red adidas ones, or these classic white Fila ones.

One can never have enough socks and these adidas Climalite striped ones are adorable!

Narrowing down a selection of bras, I’ve come down to these three: this light blue EleVen bra with crossed spaghetti straps, this secure and compressive Nike bra that offers multidirectional medium support, and this purple Under Armour bra with stylish straps for lightweight support.

If you’d like something that is extravagant, yet not expensive, pick these pink Nike arm sleeves, that Serena Williams sported at the US Open. They offer a UPF 40+ protection.

Finally, it’s time for some luxury. If you want a tennis bag that provides a stylish transition from a stroll in the city or a business meeting to a tennis practice, Court Couture Karisa Black Pebble Bag is your perfect splurge. The racquet department of this embossed faux leather bag fits two racquets. There are inner and outer accessory pockets, as well as a separate cosmetics case to carry your essentials.

If you’re still unsure whether any of these items are the best picks for you, don’t risk and give your friend a Tennis Warehouse gift card. There are tons of things to choose from and a lot of them are discounted now!

Angelique Kerber’s stellar 2016 season is earning her recognition from the editors of espnW, who have compiled their shortlist of honorees for this year’s IMPACT25.

IMPACT25 honors achievements not only from athletes like Kerber and US Olympic gymast Simone Biles, but also from influencers like Hillary Rodham Clinton and Leslie Jones.

Kerber finished 2016 atop the WTA rankings after a year of career breakthroughs, chief among them a pair of Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open and US Open, along with a silver medal showing at the Olympic tennis event, and a runner-up finish at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

Click here to check out the full list of honorees on espnW.com.

The WTA’s all-star cast battle it out for wins, titles and ranking points all year long – but who is getting the most clicks? This week, wtatennis.com will count down the Top 50 Most Popular Players Of 2016.

Last up on the list goes from No.10 to No.1! Find out who tops the list…

10. Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
The former World No.1 became the first woman in over a decade to capture the Sunshine Double, and hopes to return to tennis after giving birth to her first child.

9. Monica Puig (PUR)
Puig piqued fan interest in a major way when she became the first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic Gold medal in Rio de Janeiro.

8. Karolina Pliskova (CZE)
Pliskova enjoyed a summer surge of her own, winning the Western & Southern Open and beating both Williams sisters en route to the US Open final.

7. Johanna Konta (GBR)
Konta continued to rewrite British tennis history in 2016, becoming her country’s first Grand Slam semifinalist and Top 10 player in over two decades.

6. Eugenie Bouchard (CAN)
The Genie Army remained loyal to Bouchard through a year of ups and downs, one that nonetheless saw her earn wins over Konta and Angelique Kerber.

5. Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP)
Spain’s first Grand Slam champion since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Muguruza stunned Serena Williams to win the French Open.

4. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)
The perennial Fan Favorite and proverbial Hot Shot Queen earned more big results in 2016, including a Premier Mandatory crown in Beijing.

3. Simona Halep (ROU)
Halep earned a Premier Mandatory title of her own at the Mutua Madrid Open, and earned a WTA Finals berth for the third straight year.

2. Serena Williams (USA)
Still she rises: Serena won a record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, putting her one win away from breaking Stefanie Graf’s Open Era mantle.

1. Angelique Kerber (GER)
World No.1 Angelique Kerber bookended a breakthrough season with a pair of Grand Slam titles in Australia and New York, making her the top searched player on the WTA website..

Check out who else made the cut from No.50 to No.11…
No.50 to No.41
No.40 to No.31
No.30 to No.21
No.20 to No.11

LONDON, Great Britain – Not bad for your Grand Slam debut. At 24-years-old, No.225 Julia Boserup qualified for her first major at Wimbledon and is into the third round after beating Tatjana Maria and advancing after Belinda Bencic retired in the second round. It’s been a heady week and a half for the American, who has already had to change and extend her accommodations multiple times as she prolongs her unexpected stay in London.

And she’s doing it all while trying to balance the best week of her career – and an Excel spreadsheet or two.

“I go to Penn State Online and I graduate in December,” Boserup said. “I’m studying psychology with a minor in finance. I have homework due in two days.

“I’m taking an accounting class and I have spreadsheets due on Sunday. I have a day off tomorrow. I already told my coach that I’m going to be sitting down and working on school. Me and Excel.”

The California native shares dual citizenship with Denmark – much to the delight of Danish reporters at Wimbledon who are still smarting from Caroline Wozniacki’s early exit. Her parents are Danish and she has family in Copenhagen, which operates as a convenient training base for her when she’s in Europe.

“My dad emigrated to the US when he was eight years old because his dad wanted the American dream, so he moved to the US,” Boserup said. “My mom was on vacation in California when she was 25 and she met my dad and they got married and she moved to California.

“But my older sister went to business school and met the only Danish guy there and married him and moved there. We’re all like, ‘Wrong direction!'”

Boserup started playing tennis when she was six years old and her first coach was the legendary Robert Lansdorp, who also taught the likes of Lindsay Davenport and Maria Sharapova how to hit their big, powerful shots. You see the same style of game from Boserup, who says grass is her favorite surface. At 13 years old she moved to Florida to work with the USTA and moved back to California when she turned 18. A year after winning the Orange Bowl in 2008 – she beat Christina McHale in the final – she opted to turn pro.

But injuries derailed her development. In 2012 she suffered stress fractures in both her feet and nursed a back injury on and off for two years. She has never been ranked higher than No.174. So why did it take so long for her to make the main draw of a Slam?

“It’s a good question and it’s a question I ask myself sometimes,” she said. “I think I’ve put a lot of work into it and sometimes you just have to be patient. I was injured a lot and it’s been a lot of stops and starts. In the big moments it has served me well. Going through those challenges has helped me.”

So could this be the spark that gets her on a path towards the Top 100? This is where Boserup’s maturity is most evident.

“It’s great that I’m in the third round of a Grand Slam, but for me what I’m most excited about is developing my tennis,” she said. “I’ve worked with my coach for three-four months now and everyday we try and get better at little things. That’s really made me get more excited to play. After this I’m still going to play a $50k. One week doesn’t change everything.”

Boserup plays Elena Vesnina in the third round on Saturday.

All photos courtesy of Getty Images.