Tennis

Cameron Norrie, the British tennis star, found himself embroiled in a post-match controversy at the Moselle Open on Monday. His opponent, Roberto Carballes Baena, took issue with Norrie's repeated use of the Spanish exclamation "Vamos!" during their match.Carballes Baena, a former Top 10 player, expressed his displeasure after the match, confronting Norrie about his choice of celebration. "You say 'Vamos!' all the time, looking right in my face," the Spaniard said. "You don't need to do that."Norrie, who has worked with an Argentinian coach, Facundo Lugones, since their days as teammates at Texas Christian University, was taken aback by the accusation. He defended his use of "Vamos!" as a way to motivate himself during a difficult match."A couple of 'vamoses' and you get pissed off? ... I'm playing so bad, so I had to fire myself up," Norrie replied.The interaction between the two players recalled a similar incident between Alizé Cornet and Sara Errani at the 2013 Rogers Cup. Errani admonished Cornet for cheering in Spanish rather than her native French.Norrie's post-match comments echoed similar themes of tension, but he maintained that his celebrations were not intended as a slight to his opponent. "I was trying to get fired up ... but I stopped doing it and I started playing better," Norrie said.Despite the controversy, Norrie emerged victorious from the match, rallying from a set down to defeat Carballes Baena 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. He will next face No. 3 seed Grigor Dimitrov, who will be the first alternate for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.

The 2024 US Open will be missing several notable players due to injuries and other circumstances. Here's a closer look at the top five absentees who were forced to withdraw:Rafael Nadal:The 22-time Grand Slam champion will be absent from the US Open this year due to a series of injuries. Nadal has been battling a persistent foot injury that has limited his participation to just a few tournaments this season. Despite being listed on the entry list, Nadal acknowledged that his inclusion was merely a precautionary measure, and he later withdrew. He cited his inability to perform at full capacity as the reason for pulling out. Nadal's decision means his focus is now on recovery, with his next appearance scheduled for the Laver Cup.Cameron Norrie:The British No. 2 is another prominent player who won't be competing at the US Open. Norrie has been struggling with a persistent forearm injury that has kept him sidelined for several weeks. He attempted to return to the court in Cincinnati, but his injury forced him to withdraw once again. Norrie has been working diligently to recover, but his efforts haven't yielded the desired results in time for the US Open.Nick Kyrgios:The mercurial Australian player has also been forced to sit out the US Open due to ongoing knee and wrist injuries. Kyrgios has barely played any competitive tennis since October 2022, managing just one singles match in nearly a year. While he is set to participate in some exhibition matches, Kyrgios has decided against entering the US Open main draw.Simona Halep:The former world No. 1 has had a turbulent year, largely due to a knee injury and a suspension that was later reduced. Halep made a brief return to the tour in March but struggled to find her form, losing in the first round of the Miami Open and retiring from her next tournament in Paris. The knee injury has kept her out of action since, and despite her efforts, she has not been able to compete at her best. Halep's absence from the US Open is a significant loss, as she has been a consistent performer in Grand Slams over the years.Marketa Vondrousova:The 2023 Wimbledon champion will also miss the US Open due to a series of injuries that have plagued her summer. Vondrousova's troubles began with a hip injury at the Berlin Championships, and although she attempted a comeback at Wimbledon, she was unable to defend her title successfully, exiting in the first round. A subsequent hand injury further complicated her season, forcing her to withdraw from the US Open.

Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis player, has made a triumphant return to the court at the Nordea Open in Sweden. After a brief hiatus following the French Open, Nadal showcased his resilience and determination in a hard-fought victory over fifth-seeded Cameron Norrie.The match began with a minor setback for Nadal as he suffered a tumble in the first game of the second set. Despite the fall, which resulted in bleeding scrapes, Nadal remained unfazed. He received medical attention and returned to the court with renewed focus.Norrie, known for his aggressive style of play, initially gained the upper hand, breaking Nadal's serve and taking a 4-1 lead. However, Nadal's experience and unwavering spirit proved too much for his opponent. The Spaniard dug deep, winning the next five games in a row to secure the second set.Nadal's victory marks his first quarterfinal appearance since January. Reflecting on his performance, he acknowledged the challenges of returning to competition after an extended break. "It's been a while without playing on the tour since Roland Garros," Nadal said. "I haven't been competing very often, so matches like today help."The Nordea Open holds special significance for Nadal, who won the title in 2005 as a 19-year-old. He is using the tournament as preparation for the upcoming Olympic tournament on clay at Roland Garros in Paris.Nadal's return to form is a testament to his unwavering determination and the enduring legacy he has built in the sport of tennis. Despite facing physical challenges in recent years, Nadal continues to defy expectations and inspire fans around the world.

Rafael Nadal's impressive run at the Nordea Open continued on Thursday as he defeated Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-4 in the second round. The victory marks Nadal's third consecutive win in Båstad, where he is competing in both singles and doubles.Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, is preparing for his third and likely final Summer Olympic Games appearance in Paris. He is using the Nordea Open as a tune-up event after skipping Wimbledon to focus on clay.The match against Norrie was a challenging one for Nadal. The Brit had won their most recent meeting at the 2023 United Cup and has performed well on clay in the past. However, Nadal's experience and determination proved too much for Norrie.Nadal broke Norrie's serve in the opening set and held on to win 6-4. In the second set, Norrie took an early 4-1 lead, but Nadal fought back to win five consecutive games and secure the victory.Nadal's victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with No. 4 seed Mariano Navone. The Spaniard is now one step closer to winning his first title in Båstad since 2005.

Fourth seed Alexander Zverev overcame an injury scare and a marathon third-set tiebreak to defeat Cameron Norrie of Great Britain 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(15) at Wimbledon on Saturday. The victory marked Zverev's third appearance in the fourth round at the All England Club.Zverev's serve proved to be a formidable weapon throughout the match, as he dropped only two points on serve in the third set. However, one of those points came via a double fault that handed Norrie an early advantage in the tiebreak.Norrie, who had upset new British number one Jack Draper in the previous round, fought valiantly and had five set points of his own to extend the contest. Zverev's knee, which he appeared to strain in the second set, also raised concerns.Despite the injury and Norrie's spirited resistance, Zverev remained unyielding. He struck the ball with clinical precision and served magnificently, ultimately converting his sixth match point under the Centre Court roof."I do feel like a cow on ice sometimes (on grass)," Zverev admitted after the match. "But I managed. I do feel restricted on some of the movements, but I'm pleased I was able to play the way that I did."Norrie, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, played his best tennis in the tiebreak, but Zverev's unwavering focus and superior shot-making proved too much to overcome.The match featured an incredible conclusion, with 29 of the first 31 points of the tiebreak going with serve. The tension was palpable as both players refused to blink. Zverev eventually prevailed, but the match could have broken a Wimbledon tiebreak record had it gone on for a few more points.

Cameron Norrie, the British No. 2, is set to face off against Jack Draper, the British No. 1, in a highly anticipated all-British matchup at the ATP Tour event. Norrie, despite a challenging season, remains a formidable opponent, known for his fighting spirit and resilience.In his previous match, Norrie easily covered an 8.5-game spread against Facundo Diaz Acosta, showcasing his dominance on the court. While Norrie may not be the favorite in this matchup, he has a proven track record against Draper, having won both of their previous encounters in straight sets.Draper, on the other hand, has made significant improvements since their last meeting in 2022. However, concerns remain about his fitness, as he needed three hours and 30 minutes to defeat Elias Ymer in the opening round. Norrie's ability to force extra shotmaking and frustrate Draper's aggressive style could prove to be a decisive factor in the match.Norrie's underdog status could also work in his favor, as he thrives in such situations. The crowd's support could also play a role in boosting his confidence and motivation.While the match is expected to be competitive, Norrie's experience, resilience, and favorable matchup against Draper make him a strong contender to cover the 4.5-game spread. Additionally, a small play on Norrie to win outright at +235 odds could yield a significant return.

Milos Raonic, the former Wimbledon finalist, made a resounding statement at the Queen's Club on Monday, saving two match points to secure a thrilling first-round victory over home favorite Cameron Norrie. The towering Canadian also etched his name into tennis history by firing a record-breaking 47 aces during his three-set comeback.Raonic's serve proved to be an unstoppable force against Norrie, the British No. 2. He unleashed 18 aces in the final set alone, including a blistering 232 kph (144 mph) rocket during the deciding tiebreak to seal the match."With the scoreline and having to save match points, I probably needed every single one of those!" Raonic exclaimed after the match. "This small record, it's something special, something meaningful. I'm glad that (it) also stands behind a win, because maybe I'd feel differently or maybe a bit more sour if I was to get that many free points and lose the match."Raonic's record-breaking performance surpassed the previous mark of 45 aces set by Ivo Karlovic in 2014. The Croatian had equaled his own record a year later in Halle.Raonic's new world record falls short of the all-time men's record for most aces in a match, which stands at 113 by John Isner in his epic 2010 Wimbledon victory over Nicolas Mahut. That match famously lasted over three days and ended with a marathon 70-68 scoreline in the fifth set.Despite his impressive serve, Raonic has faced numerous injury setbacks throughout his career. He has undergone multiple surgeries for hip, feet, and wrist injuries, as well as a torn Achilles and a broken toe. This year, he withdrew from Indian Wells due to injury and retired against Alex de Minaur at the Australian Open.Currently ranked No. 186 but once as high as world No. 3, Raonic is finding his form on grass-courts, the surface where he achieved his greatest success. He reached the 2016 Wimbledon final and the Queen's Club final that same year.Last week, Raonic reached the quarterfinals in 's-Hertogenbosch, including a win over No. 8 seed Jordan Thompson. He followed that up with his victory over Norrie in London.Raonic will now face the winner of the match between No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz and Taro Daniel, who will face off on Tuesday.

Cameron Norrie's impressive run at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell continued on Thursday as he secured a 6-4, 6-3 victory over home favorite Roberto Bautista Agut to reach the quarterfinals. This triumph marked a significant milestone for Norrie, as it was his 200th career match win.Norrie, the No. 12 seed, has now won all three of his encounters with Bautista Agut. Despite losing early break advantages in both sets, Norrie maintained his composure and applied relentless pressure to seize control of the match. He finished with nine more winners than his opponent and broke Bautista Agut's serve five times."I'm very pleased with my performance today," said Norrie. "I handled myself well when serving for the first set and played a strong game to break in the second set. I felt like I was moving well and my footwork was solid."Norrie's victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who overcame Brandon Nakashima in a thrilling three-set battle. Etcheverry rallied from a 3-5 deficit in the second set tiebreaker to secure the win.Norrie is aiming to capture his second ATP 500 clay-court trophy, having previously triumphed over Carlos Alcaraz in Rio de Janeiro last season. That title run marked the last time Norrie reached a final."I enjoy playing in Barcelona and I love being near the beach," said Norrie. "Hopefully the weather will cooperate and I can relax on the beach this afternoon."Norrie's impressive performance in Barcelona highlights his growing confidence on clay. He will be eager to continue his winning streak and reach the semifinals for the first time at this tournament.

Sebastián Báez Storms into Rio Open Final, Faces Norrie or NavoneRIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Fifth-seeded Sebastián Báez of Argentina has secured his place in the final of the Rio Open after a dominant straight-sets victory over his compatriot Francisco Cerundolo on Saturday.Báez, ranked 30th in the world, displayed his clay-court prowess in the 7-5, 6-0 triumph at the Jockey Club Brasileiro. The 22-year-old broke Cerundolo's serve twice in the opening set and then cruised through the second set without dropping a game.Báez will now face either defending champion Cameron Norrie of Great Britain or another Argentine, Mariano Navone, in the final. Norrie, the second seed, emerged as the favorite after top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz, Stan Wawrinka, and Nicolás Jarry all withdrew from the tournament due to injuries.Norrie, ranked 12th in the world, has been in impressive form this season, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open and winning the ASB Classic in Auckland. Navone, ranked 195th, is a surprise finalist but has shown resilience and determination throughout the tournament.The Rio Open final is set to be a thrilling encounter between two talented Argentines or a clash between a defending champion and a rising star. Báez will be aiming to claim his second ATP Tour title, while Norrie will be looking to defend his crown and cement his status as a top clay-court player.