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News | WTA Tennis English

News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

NEWPORT, RI, USA – Former World No.1 and six-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters has been elected to receive induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

“I feel very, very honored to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame,” the Belgian said in a video statement that will play during a special ceremony at the Australian Open on Tuesday. “It is a huge honor to be amongst a list of so many great tennis players who I admired when I was growing up, and some great players who I played with in my tennis career as well.”

Joining Clijsters in the Hall of Fame Class of 2017 will be 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick, Monique Kalkman-van den Bosch, a 4-time Paralympic medalist in wheelchair tennis, being honored for her remarkable career.

Kim Clijsters

Additionally, two individuals will be inducted in the Contributor Category. Steve Flink, a distinguished tennis historian and journalist has been elected for induction. Vic Braden, a groundbreaking tennis instructor who was among the first to apply sports science to his instructional tactics will be inducted posthumously.

“It’s a real pleasure to welcome these five remarkable individuals into the Hall of Fame. Kim, Andy, and Monique compiled outstanding careers, winning the game’s biggest titles and ascending to the world No. 1 ranking,” remarked International Tennis Hall of Fame President and 1987 Hall of Famer Stan Smith.

The Class of 2017 will be officially inducted on July 22, during Rolex Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Tickets for the Induction Ceremony will go on sale in early February. In addition, the class will be celebrated in a tribute exhibit opening in June in the Museum at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which will be displayed for one year.

Kim Clijsters

One of six women in tennis history to simultaneously top the world rankings in singles and doubles, Clijsters was the world No. 1 player for 19 weeks and was ranked within the World’s Top 5 for 250 weeks during her career. She is a three-time US Open champion (2005, 2009, 2010) and she was also the 2011 Australian Open champion. Clijsters won two major doubles titles, capturing both the French Open and Wimbledon titles in 2003.

Clijsters is a three-time champion at the WTA Finals (2002, 2003, 2010). She won 41 singles titles, and was a dedicated Belgian Fed Cup team member, leading the team to their first Fed Cup title in 2001 and into the finals again in 2006.

Clijsters retired from tennis in 2007, and then embarked on a second career in tennis with a comeback in 2009. That year, she went on to win the US Open, in what was just her third tournament back on the tour. She was unranked, unseeded, and a wild card entry to the event. Two years later, in 2011, she once again reached the world No. 1 ranking, five years after she had last been there.

Since retirement, Clijsters, now a mother of three, has been focused on her family. She remains engaged in tennis through Kim Clijsters Academy in Belgium, where many juniors train and through competing in Legends events at the Grand Slams.

Kim Clijsters

All photos courtesy of Getty Images.

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WTA Shot Of The Month: Radwanska

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

June was packed with plenty of amazing shots – we narrowed it down to the five best.

In the end it was hot shot queen Agnieszka Radwanska who showed off her full arsenal of tricks against CoCo Vandeweghe at the Aegon Classic.

Approaching the net with aplomb, Radwanska followed up a deft drop volley with clutch lob to flummox her American opponent, who ultimately settled to pull off a big win over the Pole.

Click here to watch all of June’s finalists.

Final Results for June’s WTA Shot Of The Month

1. Agnieszka Radwanska (77%)
2. Angelique Kerber (8%)
3. Sam Stosur (6%)
4. Kristina Mladenovic (5%)
5. Madison Keys (3%)

2016 WTA Shot of the Month Winners

January: Caroline Wozniacki
February: Agnieszka Radwanska
March: Agnieszka Radwanska
April: Monica Niculescu
May: Simona Halep


How it works:

Five shots are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com
 

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Halep Pulls Out Of Olympics

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

BUCHAREST, Romania – Simona Halep has announced she will not be competing at the upcoming Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Shortly after winning her quarterfinal at the BRD Bucharest Open, Halep took to social media to reveal her withdrawal from the Games, citing fears over the Zika virus outbreak across South America.

“The reason for my decision is the concern regarding the danger posed by the Zika virus,” was posted on Halep’s Facebook page. “After several talks with doctors and my family, i concluded that the risks are too high for my career and for my health, especially as a woman. Family is much too important for me and I can’t risk not being able to have one of my own after my career in tennis is over.”

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Halep Battles Into Bucharest Final

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

BUCHAREST, Romania – Simona Halep reached her first final since early May with a hard-fought three set win over Vania King at the BRD Bucharest Open.

Watch live action from Bucharest this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

Two years ago, Halep triumphed at the inaugural staging of the tournament, and she stayed on course for a second title on home soil with a 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3 victory.

“I felt the audience’s support, they were wonderful, keeping in mind that I lost the first set, they were more and more energetic. It was good, they motivated me and I fought every ball, and that helped me win tonight,” Halep said.

Competing in the semifinals of a WTA event for the first time in two years, King recovered from a slow start to take the first set and stun the partisan crowd. Things went from bad to worse for the Romanian at the start of the second set, King rifling a backhand down the line to earn two chances for an immediate break. She only needed one, this time the forehand wing doing the damage.

The American followed this up with a gutsy hold, but could not hold onto the initiative, Halep forcing the match the distance by taking the final three games of the set.

Now bossing the baseline exchanges for the first time, Halep turned the screw at the start of the third set, duly building a 4-1 lead. King battled gamely to the end, reducing her arrears to 4-3, before Halep made it across the finishing line thanks to one final push.

“I think I was a little stronger mentally, more powerful in the game, I was more focused in the important balls and I won the important ones,” Halep added. “I started dominating the game close to the end, I lost two games when I had 4-1, and that was my fault. But I am happy that I resisted and that I won the following two.

“I was expecting her game to be good, fast and aggressive. I played well and I think it was a beautiful match for everyone.”

In the first semifinal, Anastasija Sevastova saw off No.4 seed Laura Siegemund, 6-3, 6-2, to continue her recent resurgence. Sevastova, who recently reached the final in Mallorca, actually holds a winning record over Halep, although with the most recent of these coming almost five years ago it is unlikely to have too much bearing on Sunday’s showdown.

“I don’t recall those matches, but I know I played against her,” Halep said when asked about her three defeats at the hands of Sevastova. “It’s going to be a tough match – every final is difficult – but I will try to enjoy it as much as possible.

“I’m in another final here in Bucharest and that makes me feel very good. I hope I win, I’m looking forward to it but I expect a difficult match. She has a different game, but I will try not to give up any point, just like today.”

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News | WTA Tennis English

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

MELBOURNE, Australia – When Serena Williams defeated Venus Williams in the final of the Australian Open, her historic victory was felt around the world. She clinched a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam and returned to the WTA World No.1 ranking.

Here’s the best moments from Twitter as the world reacted to the 28th edition of Williams vs Williams – and Serena’ monumental victory.

It was a final nobody expected to see again – but a final that delighted the world.

Legends wished them luck…

…and the new generation felt like they were back in their childhoods.

After all the talk, it was time to play. Some people looked on with admiration and envy.

And some people had problems deciding who to cheer for.

Serena took the first set…

Everyone was enjoying the quality of tennis on display…

…and it wasn’t too long before Serena made history.

It was her sister, the runner-up, who paid the most touching tribute.

And the champion repaid the compliment.

The congratulations poured in for both champions after the historic moment of victory…

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