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Simona Halep On 2016: I Will Be Stronger

Simona Halep On 2016: I Will Be Stronger

  • Posted: Nov 15, 2015

CONSTANTA, Romania – It was a fantastic year for Simona Halep – biggest title of her career at Indian Wells, first US Open semifinal and getting back to No.2 in the world – and finishing the year there for the very first time. But which one of those was the Romanian trailblazer’s personal highlight?

“Indian Wells of course – it was my biggest title,” Halep said. “Also I played really well in the summer – I did quarterfinals and semifinals for the first time at the US Open, and I played two finals before that, so even though I lost early at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, I’m happy with my season. I was feeling more relaxed and more confident, and I really started to enjoy every match on the court.

“Last year was a big year for me, but I think this year was better than last year.”

One could even say that her 2014 season was the reason her 2015 was so strong.

“I can say because of last year, this year I learned many things,” she said. “I learned how to play without pressure when I have to defend something, to defend points or the title. And I learned that if I’m relaxed and enjoying what I’m doing, it helps me concentrate better and I can win tough matches. Last year I played well, but this year I made a lot of improvements in my game, and in my life also.”

As one of the most popular players on the tour, and with such a big fan base from her home country, learning how to handle the pressure placed on her shoulders has been huge – but she’s doing it.

“In our country everyone is telling me that I have to win all the matches, but I’m not a robot. I’m a normal girl and a normal player. I have ups and downs. I can win a big match; I can lose a smaller match. So now I’m just trying to focus on what I have to do. I just want to play with full power, full of positive thoughts. I try not to think about what people are saying about my results or my tennis.

“I know Romanians want me to win every match, and it’s fine – I do everything I can to win them.”

So what will 2016 bring for ultra-talented Romanian? A first Grand Slam title, even No.1?

After the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, where she was the No.1 seed in Serena Williams’ absence, Halep talked about her plans for the off-season and hopes for 2016.

“I have many things to improve in my game. Right now I am pretty solid and confident in my game, but I want to improve more when I go into the court – I have to improve my net game. And my serve, too, but I’ve improved that a little bit already. And when I go from offense to defense, and the other way.

“Right now I want to take a holiday, of course, and I won’t think about tennis for a little bit, but then I’ll come back and work hard. I really want to get better; I want to do better next year.

“Then I will be stronger.”

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Radwanska Thanks Her Fans

  • Posted: Nov 15, 2015

Agnieszka Radwanska sends thanks to her many, many fans after capturing the 2015 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global title.

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The Best Of The Hyderabad Masterclass

The Best Of The Hyderabad Masterclass

  • Posted: Nov 15, 2015
There was a lot going on at the Sania Mirza Tennis Acadamy in Hyderabad, India on Wednesday...

There was a lot going on at the Sania Mirza Tennis Acadamy in Hyderabad, India on Wednesday…

Sania Mirza and Martina Navratilova - two absolute legends - were passing down some of their knowledge.

Sania Mirza and Martina Navratilova – two absolute legends – were passing down some of their knowledge.

Navratilova is one of the all-time greats of the sport, a former No.1 in both singles and doubles.

Navratilova is one of the all-time greats of the sport, a former No.1 in both singles and doubles.

The Czech-born American won 18 Grand Slam titles in singles, 31 in doubles and 10 in mixed doubles.

The Czech-born American won 18 Grand Slam titles in singles, 31 in doubles and 10 in mixed doubles.

Mirza just won her first Grand Slam doubles title but already had three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.

Mirza just won her first Grand Slam doubles title but already had three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.

The Indian trailblazer rose to No.1 in doubles earlier this year, the first Indian woman to be No.1.

The Indian trailblazer rose to No.1 in doubles earlier this year, the first Indian woman to be No.1.

She was presented a special gift from the WTA for the aforementioned rise to World No.1 in doubles.

She was presented a special gift from the WTA for the aforementioned rise to World No.1 in doubles.

The legendary pair also took part in a panel discussion at the Sheraton Hyderabad after the clinics.

The legendary pair also took part in a panel discussion at the Sheraton Hyderabad after the clinics.

Mirza isn't just a trailblazer on the tennis court, she's a major humanitarian off of the court.

Mirza isn’t just a trailblazer on the tennis court, she’s a major humanitarian off of the court.

Also there was Karman Kaur Thandi, who won the inaugural WTA Future Stars event in Singapore last year.

Also there was Karman Kaur Thandi, who won the inaugural WTA Future Stars event in Singapore last year.

And Melissa Pine, Tournament Director of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

And Melissa Pine, Tournament Director of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

The whirlwind day wrapped up at night - stay tuned on wtatennis.com for much more from Hyderabad!

The whirlwind day wrapped up at night – stay tuned on wtatennis.com for much more from Hyderabad!

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Serena & Celebs Glam Up In New York

Serena & Celebs Glam Up In New York

  • Posted: Nov 15, 2015

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Serena Williams, the queen of the WTA, glammed up and stepped out for the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards on Monday night, joining a slew of massive celebrities – including Selena Gomez, Reese Witherspoon, Caitlyn Jenner and Amy Schumer – at the event.

Here are some pics of our World No.1 slaying it on the red carpet, all courtesy of Getty Images:

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Here are some pics of Serena with some of the greats, including Selena Gomez and Billie Jean King:

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

And last but not least, here are some of the other celebs who hit Carnegie Hall on Monday evening:

Selena Gomez

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Amy Schumer

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Caitlyn Jenner & Kylie Jenner

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Reese Witherspoon

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Billie Jean King

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Jared Leto

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Goldie Hawn

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Viola Davis

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Victoria Beckham (a.k.a. Posh Spice)

Getty Images

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Federer Opens Against Berdych In London

  • Posted: Nov 15, 2015

#FINALSHOWDOWN TIME – The star-studded Barclays ATP World Tour Finals gets underway on Sunday, led by World No. 1 and reigning three-time champion (four overall) Novak Djokovic. No. 3 Roger Federer, who has won the title a tournament-record six times, is the other former winner in the field. This is the seventh year the season finale is being held at The O2 in London. Djokovic is joined in the Stan Smith Group by  No. 3 Federer, No. 6 Tomas Berdych and No. 8 Kei Nishikori. In the Ilie Nastase Group, No. 2 Andy Murray is joined by No. 4 Stan Wawrinka, No. 5 Rafael Nadal and No. 7 David Ferrer. All eight players are past participants in London. See page 7 for information on Day 1 singles and doubles match-ups.

THE GROUPS:

GROUP STAN SMITH

PLAYER

FINALS RECORD

BEST RESULT

APPEARANCE

1.

Novak Djokovic (SRB)

23-9

W 2008, ’12-13-14

9th

3.

Roger Federer (SUI)

48-11

W 2003-04, ’06-07, ’10-11

14th

6.

Tomas Berdych (CZE)

6-10

SF 2011

6th

8.

Kei Nishikori (JPN)

2-2

SF 2014

2nd

GROUP STAN SMITH NOTES: This is 2nd time in 3 years both former champions (Djokovic, Federer) are in the same group. Djokovic-Berdych will play each for 5th time in past 6 years in RR (DNP in ‘13). Djokovic is 7-1 in RR openers & has won 37 indoor matches in a row since ’12 Paris 2R (l. to Querrey). Federer-Berdych meet for 1st time in season finale, 21st meeting overall. Federer is 10-3 in RR openers, Berdych 0-5 in openers. Nishikori, SF last year, is youngest (25) player in tournament.

GROUP ILIE NASTASE

PLAYER

FINALS

RECORD

BEST RESULT

APPEARANCE

2.

Andy Murray (GBR)

10-9

SF 2008, ‘10, ‘12

8th (w/d in 2013)

4.

Stan Wawrinka (SUI)

4-4

SF 2013-14

3rd

5.

Rafael Nadal (ESP)

13-11

F 2010,  ‘13

11th (w/d in ’05, ’08, ’12, ‘14)

7.

David Ferrer (ESP)

8-11

F 2007

7th (alt. in ’14)

GROUP ILIE NASTASE NOTES: Murray & Nadal are 4-2 in openers while Ferrer is 3-3 and Wawrinka 2-0 in opening matches. Each player in the group has been a past SF-better with Nadal reaching final in 2010 and ‘13 and Ferrer in ’07. Nadal has a winning record against all three RR opponents (51-15 overall). Murray is a three-time SF and Wawrinka SF in 2013-14.       

12-YEAR DOMINANCE – For the 12th consecutive season, the year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings has been held by one of three players – Djokovic, Federer or Nadal.  Federer has finished No. 1 five years (2004-07, ’09), Djokovic four years (2011-12, ’14-15) and Nadal three years (2008, ’10, ’13). No other trio in the history of the Emirates ATP Rankings (since 1973) has held No. 1 for 12 years. This year’s tournament marks the sixth time that Djokovic, Federer and Nadal are all playing in the season finale field (Nadal withdrew four times).

FOUR IN A ROW? Djokovic is bidding to become the first player to win the season finale four times in a row in tournament history. Ivan Lendl is the last player to win three consecutive titles from 1985-1987, the year in which Djokovic was born. Lendl fell short of a fourth straight title with a runner-up in 1988 (l. to Becker). The Serb has won this title in 2008 (d. Davydenko), ‘12 (d. Federer)  ‘13 (d. Nadal) and last year (W/O vs. Federer). He is one of five players to win the tournament four or more times in his career, joining Federer (6), Pete Sampras (5), Lendl (5) and Ilie Nastase (4), who also won three titles in a row from 1971-73. 

30 & OVER FOURSOME – For the first time in tournament history (since 1970), there are four players over the age of 30 in the season finale: Federer (34), Ferrer (33), Berdych (30) and Wawrinka (30). The previous record is two players 30 & over in the year-end championship on 11 different occasions. The last 30 & over champion was Federer (30) in 2011.

SEASON TO REMEMBER – Djokovic comes into London with match winning streaks of 37 indoors, 22 overall this season and 14 at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Here is a look at Djokovic’s career-best stats in 2015:

DOUBLES GROUPS

GROUP ASHE/SMITH

TEAM

RECORD

BEST RESULT

1.

Bob Bryan & Mike Bryan

33-18

W 2003-04, ’09, ‘14

4.

Jamie Murray & John Peers

—

TEAM DEBUT

5.

Simone Bolelli & Fabio Fognini

—

TEAM DEBUT

8.

Rohan Bopanna & Florin Mergea

—

TEAM DEBUT

Group Overview: The Bryans are making their 14th Finals appearance and they are coming off their fourth year-end finale title. The Bryans have an 8-3 head-to-head record against the other three teams in the group, who are all playing in their first Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

GROUP FLEMING/McENROE

PLAYER

RECORD

BEST RESULT

2.

Jean-Julien Rojer & Horia Tecau

0-3

RR 2014

4.

Ivan Dodig & Marcelo Melo

6-3

F 2014

6.

Pierre-Hugues Herbert & Nicolas Mahut

—–

TEAM DEBUT

7.

Marcin Matkowski & Nenad Zimonjic

—–

TEAM DEBUT

Group Overview: Rojer-Tecau are looking to break a winless record (0-3) while Dodig-Melo are looking to go a step further from their SF and final finishes the last two years. The other two teams are playing together for the first time although Matkowski and Zimonjic are past participants with other partners. Zimonjic won the title in 2008 & ’10 (w/Nestor), Matkowski runner-up in ’11 (w/Fyrstenberg).

BRYANS LEAD DOUBLES FIELD – Four-time Barclays ATP World Tour Finals champions Bob and Mike Bryan lead the doubles field. The Bryans have a narrow 65-point lead over No. 2 Jean-Julien Rojer & Horia Tecau. The Bryans are trying to finish No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Team Rankings for the seventh consecutive year and record 11th time in the past 13 years. This year they won a team-high six ATP World Tour titles in seven finals. They are the only former team in the field who has won the year-end title. Nenad Zimonjic, who won the title in 2008 and ’10 (w/Nestor), is the only other year-end finale winner in this year’s field. No. 3 and last year’s finalists Ivan Dodig & Marcelo Melo are the other former London participants. Melo has clinched No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings. No. 4 and first-time London participants Jamie Murray and John Peers are the fourth team in year-end No. 1 contention.

FIRST-TIME SUCCESS  –  In three of the last four years the eventual doubles champions were playing in their first Barclays ATP World Tour Finals as a team. In 2011, Max Mirnyi & Daniel Nestor captured the title and the Spanish duos of Marcel Granollers & Marc Lopez won in 2012 and David Marrero & Fernando Verdasco won in 2013. This year, there are five teams making their London debut :

(4) Jamie Murray & John Peers

(5) Simone Bolelli & Fabio Fognini

(6) Pierre-Hugues Herbert & Nicolas Mahut

(7) Marcin Matkowski & Nenad Zimonjic

(8) Rohan Bopanna & Florin Mergea

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Vote: October's Rising Star Of The Month

Vote: October's Rising Star Of The Month

  • Posted: Nov 14, 2015

Three WTA Rising Stars brought it home with impressive performances ahead of the off-season. Which one soared the highest?

Have a look at the nominees for October’s WTA Rising Star of the Month and cast your vote before Thursday at 11:59pm ET! The winner will be announced Friday, November 13.

October 2015 WTA Rising Star Of The Month Finalists:

Garbiñe Muguruza: Muguruza finished her season with a flourish at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global. Making her WTA Finals debut, the Spainiard eased to a 3-0 round robin record with wins over Petra Kvitova, Lucie Safarova, and Angelique Kerber, only falling to eventual champion Agnieszka Radwanska in three thrilling sets. Earlier in the month Muguruza captured her biggest title at the China Open. Muguruza’s marvelous results since the US Open have helped her to rise to No.3 in the world – a rise of nearly 20 spots since the end of last year.

Karolina Pliskova: Pliskova rebounded from a difficult fall to re-establish herself as one to watch at the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai. Taking out a pair of tricky veterans in former No.1 Jelena Jankovic and 2012 French Open finalist Sara Errani, Pliskova won the battle of WTA Rising Stars in the semis in beating Elina Svitolina in straight sets. In the final against another former No.1 in Venus Williams, Pliskova narrowly missed out on the opportunity to finish an otherwise stellar season inside the Top 10, but still put on a valiant fight against her more experienced opponent over two tough sets.

Naomi Osaka: Osaka made her own Singapore debut before the start of the WTA Finals, winning the WTA Rising Stars Invitational, overcoming a round robin defeat to Caroline Garcia by beating her in the final. The Japanese teenager first made waves in the summer of 2014 when she upset Samantha Stosur in Stanford, but is starting to become more consistent on the WTA level, qualifying for the Japan Women’s Open Tennis in the weeks before traveling to Singapore. Ranked just outside the Top 200, Osaka looks to have carried her momentum into the WTA 125K Series event in Hua Hin, notching a win over No.6 seed Evgeniya Rodina, 6-0 in the third set. By all indications, her star seems poised to rise even farther come 2016. 

WTA October Rising Star Of The Month

2015 WTA Rising Star of the Month Winners

September: Garbiñe Muguruza
August: Belinda Bencic
July: Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 
June: Garbiñe Muguruza
May: Daria Gavrilova
April: Elina Svitolina
March: Sloane Stephens
February: Karolina Pliskova
January: Madison Keys

How it works:

Three finalists are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com

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The Last 20 Wimbledon Champions

The Last 20 Wimbledon Champions

  • Posted: Nov 14, 2015
Rewind to 1995, and the queen of Open Era women's tennis, Steffi Graf, reigned at The Championships, Wimbledon.

Rewind to 1995, and the queen of Open Era women’s tennis, Steffi Graf, reigned at The Championships, Wimbledon.

And she did it again in 1996 - Graf beat Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario for the second straight year in the final.

And she did it again in 1996 – Graf beat Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario for the second straight year in the final.

Martina Hingis won three of the four majors in 1997, and this was one of them - she beat Jana Novotna for it.

Martina Hingis won three of the four majors in 1997, and this was one of them – she beat Jana Novotna for it.

Novotna got her revenge in 1998, outfoxing Hingis in the semifinals and then Nathalie Tauziat for the title.

Novotna got her revenge in 1998, outfoxing Hingis in the semifinals and then Nathalie Tauziat for the title.

Lindsay Davenport won the 1999 title, beating Graf in what would be the German's last major before retirement.

Lindsay Davenport won the 1999 title, beating Graf in what would be the German’s last major before retirement.

And then came the new millennium - and a new Wimbledon dynasty - in 2000, starting with Venus Williams...

And then came the new millennium – and a new Wimbledon dynasty – in 2000, starting with Venus Williams…

... Venus beat Davenport for her first Grand Slam title there in 2000, then Justine Henin for the 2001 title.

… Venus beat Davenport for her first Grand Slam title there in 2000, then Justine Henin for the 2001 title.

Serena Williams beat Venus Williams for the 2002 title, which also pushed her to World No.1 for the first time.

Serena Williams beat Venus Williams for the 2002 title, which also pushed her to World No.1 for the first time.

The 2003 final was a repeat of the 2002 final, with Serena beating Venus in another all-Williams championship.

The 2003 final was a repeat of the 2002 final, with Serena beating Venus in another all-Williams championship.

Maria Sharapova had her career breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2004, beating Serena for her first major title.

Maria Sharapova had her career breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2004, beating Serena for her first major title.

Venus returned to the winner's circle in 2005, beating Sharapova and Davenport back-to-back for the title.

Venus returned to the winner’s circle in 2005, beating Sharapova and Davenport back-to-back for the title.

In a throwback final between one-handed backhands, Amélie Mauresmo beat Henin in three sets for the 2006 title.

In a throwback final between one-handed backhands, Amélie Mauresmo beat Henin in three sets for the 2006 title.

Venus became the lowest-ranked, lowest-seeded Wimbledon champion in 2007, beating Marion Bartoli in the final.

Venus became the lowest-ranked, lowest-seeded Wimbledon champion in 2007, beating Marion Bartoli in the final.

And Venus won an amazing fifth Wimbledon crown in 2008, beating Serena in yet another all-Williams final.

And Venus won an amazing fifth Wimbledon crown in 2008, beating Serena in yet another all-Williams final.

Spoke too soon... Serena beat Venus in the fourth all-Williams Wimbledon final for the 2009 Wimbledon crown.

Spoke too soon… Serena beat Venus in the fourth all-Williams Wimbledon final for the 2009 Wimbledon crown.

Venus fell in the quarterfinals in 2010, but Serena went on to win the title, defeating Vera Zvonareva for it.

Venus fell in the quarterfinals in 2010, but Serena went on to win the title, defeating Vera Zvonareva for it.

Petra Kvitova became the first player born in the 1990s, male or female, to win a major at SW19 in 2011.

Petra Kvitova became the first player born in the 1990s, male or female, to win a major at SW19 in 2011.

Serena tied Venus with five Wimbledon titles by winning it in 2012, beating Agnieszka Radwanska in the final.

Serena tied Venus with five Wimbledon titles by winning it in 2012, beating Agnieszka Radwanska in the final.

Marion Bartoli had a fairytale run at Wimbledon in 2013, winning her first major - and retiring weeks later.

Marion Bartoli had a fairytale run at Wimbledon in 2013, winning her first major – and retiring weeks later.

Kvitova repeated at Wimbledon in 2014 - she's still the only '90s-born player to win a Grand Slam title.

Kvitova repeated at Wimbledon in 2014 – she’s still the only ’90s-born player to win a Grand Slam title.

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