Tennis

Alexander Zverev, the reigning champion of the Hamburg Open, kicked off his title defense with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over qualifier Jesper de Jong. However, the match was not the only highlight for the fans in attendance.In a post-match interview with his brother Mischa, Zverev announced the launch of their new video podcast, "A to Z," which is now available on Tennis Channel. The podcast, which features tennis legend Boris Becker as its first guest, promises a variety of personal interviews with celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment.Against the stunning backdrop of the Austrian Alps, Becker shared his passion for tennis and the driving force behind his success. "Competition has always been at the forefront for me," he explained. "I love competing, playing, and going into a tennis match, even the 'fight' that comes with it."Becker emphasized that his motivation was not financial gain but rather the desire to win. "I earned some money, but I never played tennis for the money," he said. "Winning was always the priority, and that probably saved me in the years that followed."For Zverev, the podcast is a way to indulge his passion for interviewing. "I've always been interested in talk shows," he said. "I find the medium of television exciting. The video podcast is a flexible way for me to combine the tennis world with my interest in good interviews."Mischa Zverev echoed his brother's sentiments, stating that they aim to have "cosy conversations" with their guests. "Topicality is not the main focus," he said. "We will also meet actors, musicians, and politicians who are interested in us and the format. Our current goal for this year is 10 to 12 episodes."Upcoming episodes will feature reality stars and entrepreneurs Die Geisens, football stars Breel Embolo and Ismael Jakobs, and music world star DJ Ötzi. The entire series can be viewed exclusively on Tennis Channel, while the audio version is available on all major podcast platforms.

Wimbledon 2024: Holger Rune and Boris Becker Trade Barbs Ahead of TournamentThe 2024 Wimbledon Championships are set to begin, and the drama is already heating up off the court. Former world No. 1 Boris Becker, who briefly coached Holger Rune in 2023-2024, has raised questions about the Dane's current coaching situation.Becker tweeted his confusion over whether Rune and his current coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, were still working together, claiming not to have seen them together in the lead-up to Wimbledon. Rune, seeded No. 15 at SW19, responded swiftly, calling out Becker for making his inquiry public."Super strange you don't ask me this question directly as we text together about other stuff," Rune tweeted. "The answer to your question is yes we work together. Sharing the tournaments between us as planned."The exchange highlights the complex dynamics between players and coaches in the high-stakes world of professional tennis. Rune, a rising star who reached the French Open quarterfinals in 2023, is seeking to make a deep run at Wimbledon. A potential fourth-round clash with Novak Djokovic looms large, but Rune must first overcome first-round opponent Soon-woo Kwon.Kwon, a former world No. 52, has a 2-0 head-to-head record against Rune, including a four-set victory at the 2022 Australian Open. Rune will need to be at his best to overcome the South Korean and advance in the tournament.The Becker-Rune exchange adds an extra layer of intrigue to Wimbledon 2024. As the tournament unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how the relationship between the two men evolves and whether it has any impact on Rune's performance on the court.

German tennis legend Boris Becker has been discharged from bankruptcy court in London after a judge found that he had made every reasonable effort to repay his creditors. Despite falling short of repaying the nearly 50 million pounds he owed, Judge Nicholas Briggs ruled that it would be unfair to continue the case given Becker's cooperation and efforts.Becker, 56, was declared bankrupt in 2017 after failing to repay a loan of over 3 million pounds on his estate in Mallorca, Spain. He was subsequently convicted of four charges under the Insolvency Act, including removal of property, concealing debt, and failing to disclose estate. After serving 8 months in a London prison, Becker was deported to Germany two years ago.In his ruling, Judge Briggs praised Becker's cooperation with the bankruptcy trustees, noting that he had provided information and delivered up assets. Briggs stated that Becker "clearly falls on the right side of the line" in terms of bankrupt individuals who cooperate with the process.Becker's attorney, Louis Doyle, revealed that a settlement had been reached between the parties, including a "substantial sum" that Becker must pay. Doyle emphasized that Becker had done everything possible to resolve the case, including surrendering his outstanding trophies.Becker's financial problems stemmed from a combination of laziness and poor financial advice. He had previously worked as a coach, television commentator, investor, and celebrity poker player after retiring from professional tennis in 1999.Despite his financial struggles, Becker remains a revered figure in the tennis world. He rose to stardom in 1985 at the age of 17 when he became the first unseeded player to win the Wimbledon singles title. He went on to become the world No. 1 player, winning two more titles at Wimbledon, two at the Australian Open, and one at the U.S. Open.

Top Level Tennis and Tennis Channel Join Forces to Elevate Tennis Education GloballyTop Level Tennis, a leading online tennis education platform, has announced an expanded partnership with Tennis Channel, a premier tennis media company. This collaboration marks a shared commitment to fostering tennis passion and providing accessible educational resources to players of all levels worldwide.Beginning in 2020, Top Level Tennis will offer free episodes from every course available on its platform. This unprecedented move grants tennis enthusiasts the opportunity to tap into the expertise of renowned tennis stars, including:* Boris Becker, multiple Grand Slam champion and former ATP world number one* Marco Panichi, Novak Djokovic's motor preparation coach* Wolfgang Thiem, father, coach, and manager of Dominic Thiem* Dominika Cibulkova, 2016 WTA Masters champion and Australian Open finalist* Urszula Radwanska, junior Wimbledon winner* Alberto Castellani, one of the world's most celebrated tennis coaches"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Tennis Channel and share our exclusive educational content with an even wider audience," said Przemyslaw Kasiura, CMO of Top Level Tennis. "Through this collaboration, tennis fans around the globe will gain invaluable insights and strategies from the world's top tennis personalities. We firmly believe that with the right education and motivation, anyone can enhance their tennis skills."Beyond tennis lessons, Top Level Tennis offers a comprehensive platform that includes:* Unseen stories from on and off the court* Exclusive training sessions* Unlimited e-book content* Training courses in multiple languages, including German, Italian, Spanish, and ChineseThe paid version of Top Level Tennis provides additional benefits, such as personalized training plans and access to a community of like-minded tennis enthusiasts.This partnership between Top Level Tennis and Tennis Channel is a testament to their shared passion for tennis and their unwavering commitment to making the sport accessible to all. By providing free educational resources and showcasing the expertise of tennis legends, they aim to inspire and empower tennis players of all ages and skill levels to reach their full potential.