Tennis

The National Bank Open (NBO) has announced a significant upgrade to its tournaments, which will take place over 12 days starting in 2025. This move elevates the NBO to an elite group of six extended combined events on the WTA and ATP Tours, bringing it closer to the format of a Grand Slam.The combined event, which alternates hosting an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 in Toronto and Montréal, will expand its respective fields from 56 to 96 players. This aligns with the format of other prestigious tournaments such as the BNP Paribas Open, Miami Open, Mutua Madrid Open, Internazionali BNL d'Italia, and the Cincinnati Open, which will also become a two-week tournament in 2025.The NBO's "redefinition" is part of a larger plan to introduce equal prize money at all 1000-level tournaments. This initiative was first announced in 2023 following the expansion of clay-court tournaments in Madrid and Rome.Valérie Tétreault, NBO Montréal tournament director, emphasized the importance of player voices in advocating for change. She believes that the new format will benefit players' physical and mental well-being."It's quite demanding on both the mind and body to be in a new city every week, to be playing back-to-back matches," Tétreault explained. "So, I think if you want to have a long career in tennis, you need to find the right balance to be able to have a life outside of the tennis courts. I think this new format will allow for that."The enhanced fan experience will include six night sessions and an extra round of action, culminating in a Thursday finals day that will crown both men's and women's champions.WTA player Leylah Annie Fernandez expressed her excitement about the changes. "It's always a highlight of the year to play at the National Bank Open in Montréal or Toronto, and I can't wait to see the positive impact this new format will have on the fans, the cities and Canadian tennis."The NBO's expansion is a testament to the growing popularity of tennis in Canada and its commitment to providing a world-class experience for players and fans alike.

The 2024 men's tennis season marks a significant generational shift, with neither Novak Djokovic nor Rafael Nadal claiming a Grand Slam title in the first half of the year. Jannik Sinner's rise to world No. 1 and Carlos Alcaraz's dominance at Wimbledon and Roland Garros have ushered in a new era.Tennis' New Signature Rivalry:Sinner and Alcaraz have emerged as the sport's most captivating rivalry. Sinner's powerful and composed style contrasts with Alcaraz's exuberant and versatile play. Their head-to-head record stands at 5-4 in Alcaraz's favor, adding intrigue to their future encounters.Djokovic & Nadal: Return to Paris for an Olympic Farewell:Djokovic and Nadal, both recovering from injuries, are targeting the Summer Olympics in Paris as their next major goal. For Nadal, it represents a fitting farewell to the tournament where he has achieved immense success. Djokovic, on the other hand, seeks to add an Olympic gold medal to his illustrious career.American Men: Summer Surge on the Horizon:American men have struggled on clay, but they excel on faster surfaces. Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Sebastian Korda, and Christopher Eubanks are poised to make an impact in the upcoming grass and hard court tournaments.Scheduling Concerns:The issue of late-night matches has resurfaced, with Djokovic's marathon victory over Lorenzo Musetti ending at 3:07 a.m. Players and organizations are calling for a review of scheduling policies to prioritize player well-being.

Jannik Sinner has ascended to the pinnacle of men's tennis, becoming the first Italian to reach the No. 1 ranking since the inception of the computerized rankings in 1973. The 22-year-old's remarkable rise has been marked by a string of impressive performances, including his maiden Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open in January.Sinner's dominance on the court has been evident throughout the 2024 season, with a remarkable 33-3 record and three titles to his name. His exceptional form has propelled him past the injured Novak Djokovic, who had held the top spot for an extended period.However, Djokovic's absence from the French Open due to a knee injury opened the door for Sinner to seize the No. 1 ranking. The Italian's impressive run to the semifinals in Paris, where he was eventually defeated by Carlos Alcaraz, was enough to secure his place at the summit of the ATP rankings.Alcaraz, the reigning French Open champion, has also made significant strides in the rankings, moving up one spot to No. 2. The 19-year-old Spaniard has established himself as a formidable force on the tour, with three Grand Slam titles to his credit.Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev remains at No. 4, while Iga Swiatek continues to dominate the women's rankings. The Polish star has extended her lead at No. 1 with a third consecutive French Open title, her fifth major overall.Coco Gauff has climbed to a career-high No. 2, while Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina round out the top five. Jasmine Paolini, an Italian who reached her first Grand Slam final at the French Open, has made a significant jump to No. 7, marking her first appearance in the WTA's top 10.Sinner's ascent to the No. 1 ranking is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. As he prepares for Wimbledon, where he will be the top seed, the Italian will be eager to continue his impressive run and cement his status as one of the most dominant players in the sport.

The tennis world is witnessing a generational shift as players born in the 2000s are dominating the rankings. For the first time, both the ATP and WTA Top 2 spots are occupied by players from this era.Jannik Sinner, born in 2001, has ascended to the No. 1 ranking on the ATP, becoming the first Italian player to achieve this feat. Carlos Alcaraz, born in 2003, has returned to the No. 2 spot after claiming his third Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.On the WTA side, Iga Swiatek, born in 2001, continues her reign at No. 1 after winning her fifth Grand Slam title. Coco Gauff, born in 2004, has risen to No. 2, making her the first American player, male or female, to be ranked in the Top 2 since Serena Williams in 2017.This dominance extends beyond the Top 2. Jasmine Paolini has broken into the WTA Top 10 for the first time, becoming the fifth Italian woman to achieve this milestone. Mirra Andreeva, just 17 years old, has surged into the WTA Top 30 after reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros.On the ATP side, Flavio Cobolli has made his Top 50 debut, while Zizou Bergs has cracked the Top 100. Mariano Navone has also made history by becoming the first man in the Open Era to be seeded in his first Grand Slam main draw and reaching the Top 30.This generational shift is a testament to the rising talent and skill of players born in the 2000s. They are pushing the boundaries of the sport and setting new standards for excellence. As they continue to develop and mature, the future of tennis looks incredibly bright.

Fabio Fognini, the enigmatic Italian tennis star, has unveiled a striking new look that has set social media abuzz. On Saturday, Fognini took to Instagram to showcase his bleached-blond highlights, a departure from his signature dark brown hair. The 37-year-old cheekily asked his followers to "Rate from 1 to 10," sparking a flurry of reactions.Fognini's hair transformation is not unprecedented in the world of tennis. Roger Federer, Richard Gasquet, Dominic Thiem, and Casper Ruud have all experimented with lighter roots at various points in their careers. However, Fognini's decision to embrace the trend at this stage of his career has raised eyebrows.Former Australian Open doubles champion Robert Lindstedt couldn't resist a playful jab, asking, "Did the Mrs. (Flavia Pennetta) approve this?" Fognini's wife, Flavia Pennetta, is a retired tennis player who won the US Open in 2015.Fognini's new look is reminiscent of a previous style he debuted in Los Cabos, which featured beads and tiny braids. At the recent Roland Garros, Fognini won his opening match before bowing out to Tommy Paul. It remains to be seen whether his highlighter hair will survive the upcoming grass-court season.Fognini's bold fashion choices have always been a talking point. His eccentric style and outspoken personality have made him a fan favorite. Whether his new hairdo will become a permanent fixture or a fleeting experiment, it is sure to generate plenty of discussion in the tennis world.

Sebastian Korda, the younger brother of LPGA star Nelly Korda, is hoping to channel his sister's recent success as he competes at Roland Garros. Nelly Korda has been on a historic winning streak this spring, becoming just the third woman to win five consecutive tournaments on the LPGA Tour. Her dominance has inspired her brother, who is eager to make a mark of his own at the French Open.Sebastian Korda has a tough task ahead of him in the third round, as he faces No. 3 seed Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz has been one of the most impressive players on the ATP Tour this year, and he is considered a favorite to win Roland Garros. However, Korda has a reason to be optimistic. He defeated Alcaraz on clay in Monte Carlo last year, and he believes he can do it again."He's been one of the best clay-courters in the last couple of years, so it's obviously going to be very difficult," Korda said. "We've played probably two years ago to the day, a third round, exactly. A night match as well."It’s going to be a fun experience, and hopefully I can play some good tennis. We'll see what happens.”Korda's family will be cheering him on from afar, including his sister Nelly. Nelly Korda is competing in the U.S. Women's Open this week, but she will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on her brother's match."She's such an unbelievable competitor," Sebastian Korda said of his sister. "She'll do anything to win out there. She'll put her teeth into everything. She's a true warrior."Just watching her play right now, it's really inspiring to watch ... It's a lot of fun.“Luckily and unluckily, I was out of the tournament every time she was doing well, so I always had the opportunity to watch her. I would always watch the last couple of holes because I can't take watching it. It's just too nerve-wracking for me."Sebastian Korda is hoping to make his own history at Roland Garros. With his sister's success as inspiration, he believes he can make a deep run in the tournament.

Denis Shapovalov, the former world No. 10, is poised to face Frances Tiafoe, the world No. 26, in a highly anticipated clash at Roland Garros on Wednesday, May 29. Despite his current ranking of 118th, Shapovalov is a formidable opponent, having recently recovered from an injury.Shapovalov's clay-court season has been inconsistent, but he has shown signs of improvement since arriving in Madrid, posting a 4-3 record. Tiafoe, on the other hand, has struggled on European clay, winning only one match before narrowly defeating Mattia Bellucci in his opener.The Bellucci match highlighted Tiafoe's difficulties against left-handed opponents, particularly those with powerful groundstrokes and serves. Shapovalov, a left-hander with exceptional power and serve, poses a significant threat to Tiafoe.Furthermore, Shapovalov holds a 4-2 head-to-head advantage over Tiafoe, including a winning record on clay. Tiafoe's success on clay has primarily been on green clay in Texas, which differs significantly from the conditions in Europe.Shapovalov's recent straight-set victory over Luca Van Assche has boosted his confidence, while Tiafoe may be fatigued after playing nearly four hours in his previous match.Overall, Shapovalov appears to have the edge in this matchup. His superior power, serve, and experience on clay make him the favorite to advance to the next round.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, continued his impressive form on Thursday by reaching the semifinals of the Gonet Geneva Open. Djokovic defeated sixth-seeded Tallon Griekspoor 7-5, 6-1 in one hour and 17 minutes, extending his winning streak to 11 matches.The victory marked Djokovic's 1101st career win, making him only the second player in the Open Era to reach this milestone. The Serbian legend is now just 19 wins away from equaling Roger Federer's record of 1121 career victories.Djokovic's victory was not without its challenges. Griekspoor, who had to play two matches on Thursday, gave Djokovic a tough test in the first set. The Dutchman saved four set points before Djokovic finally broke his serve in the ninth game.From there, Djokovic took control of the match, winning seven consecutive games to take a commanding lead. Griekspoor managed to break Djokovic's serve in the second set, but the Serbian responded by winning the final eight points of the match.Djokovic will now face 23-year-old Czech Tomas Machac in the semifinals. Machac advanced to the semifinals after defeating American Alex Michelsen 6-3, 7-6 (2). Djokovic has a 1-0 head-to-head record against Machac, but their previous meeting went to a third-set tiebreaker.Djokovic is looking to build momentum ahead of the French Open, which begins on May 22. The Serbian has won the French Open twice, in 2016 and 2021, and is aiming to become the first man to win all four Grand Slams twice in the Open Era.

Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti, the Indian-French duo, showcased their prowess on the tennis court by defeating the fourth-seeded pair of Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul in the doubles pre-quarterfinals of the €651,865 ATP tournament in Lyon. The match was a thrilling encounter, with both teams displaying their skills and determination.Bhambri and Olivetti started the match with a strong performance, dominating the first set with a 6-2 victory. However, Doumbia and Reboul fought back in the second set, taking it 6-1. The match then went into a super tiebreaker, where Bhambri and Olivetti emerged victorious with a 10-5 scoreline.Their victory marks a significant achievement for Bhambri, who has been consistently performing well on the ATP circuit. Olivetti, too, has proven to be a valuable partner, contributing to Bhambri's success. The duo's triumph in Lyon is a testament to their hard work and dedication.In other news from the tennis world, Sebastian Baez of Argentina defeated Sumit Nagal of India in the first round of the €651,865 ATP tournament in Geneva. Baez won the match in straight sets, 6-7(7), 6-3.On the Challenger circuit, Ramkumar Ramanathan of India secured a victory in the first round of the $41,000 Challenger tournament in Kachreti, Georgia. Ramanathan defeated YshaI Oliel of Israel in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5.In the ITF men's circuit, the $25,000 tournament in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, saw several Indian players advancing to the pre-quarterfinals in the doubles category. S.D. Prajwal Dev and Adil Kalyanpur, Raghav Jaisinghani and Sina Moghimi, Chirag Duhan and Ishaque Eqbal, and Kabir Hans and Karan Singh all secured victories in their respective matches.Indian women also made their mark in the ITF women's circuit. In the $40,000 ITF tournament in Goyang, Korea, Vaidehi Chaudhari and Yukina Saigo of Japan defeated I-Hsuan Cho and Yi Tsen Cho of Taipei in the pre-quarterfinals. Riya Bhatia also secured a victory in the first round of the $25,000 ITF tournament in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.