Tennis

Ash Barty Returns to Wimbledon for Legends' DoublesFormer world No. 1 Ash Barty will make her triumphant return to the All England Club for the first time since her 2021 Wimbledon victory, but this time in the Legends' doubles event.Barty, who shocked the tennis world with her sudden retirement in 2022, will reunite with her best friend and fellow Aussie Casey Dellacqua for the invitational doubles tournament during The Championships. The pair have a successful history together, reaching four Grand Slam doubles finals, including Wimbledon in 2013."We're just gonna have a great time and enjoy just being back together as friends on a tennis court, which we have loved to do our whole life," Dellacqua said. "I'm actually really excited about it."Since retiring, Barty has pursued other passions, including releasing a children's book, taking up golf, and preparing for her role as a commentator during the Olympic Games. In July 2022, she welcomed her first son, Hayden, with her husband, golf pro Garry Kissick.Barty's return to Wimbledon, albeit in a different capacity, is sure to evoke fond memories for fans who witnessed her historic victory in 2021. Her presence at the All England Club will undoubtedly add an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.

Katie Boulter, the Leicester-born tennis star, is poised to make a significant impact at Wimbledon this year. Growing up in the verdant outskirts of Leicester, Boulter developed a deep love for the sport, honed on the grass courts of Leicestershire Lawn Tennis Club.Despite a spinal stress fracture in 2019 and the challenges of the pandemic, Boulter has emerged as the clear-cut British women's No. 1. Her resilience and determination mirror the fighting spirit of her beloved Leicester City Football Club, which famously won the Premier League in 2016.Boulter's rise to the Top 30 has been marked by impressive victories, including a Top 5 win over Jessica Pegula at the United Cup. She has also defended her title in Nottingham, showcasing her dominance on grass.With her boyfriend, Alex de Minaur, also performing at a high level, Boulter is surrounded by support and motivation. She credits their relationship with bringing out the best in both players.As Wimbledon approaches, Boulter is expected to be seeded, giving her a favorable draw. Her form and experience on grass make her a genuine contender for the title. A victory would not only be a personal triumph but also a historic moment for British tennis.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning champions of the last two Grand Slams, are poised to dominate the tennis landscape for years to come. Their all-court prowess makes them formidable contenders at all four majors, including Wimbledon, where they are the favorites.Alcaraz, the defending Wimbledon champion, is a force to be reckoned with on grass. Sinner, despite losing to Novak Djokovic in the past two years, has also shown impressive form on the surface. However, with Djokovic's absence due to injury, the path is clear for one of these young stars to claim another major title.While Sinner and Alcaraz are the frontrunners, Wimbledon presents opportunities for other players with big serves and powerful baselines. Here are a few betting options to consider:* Matteo Berrettini (14-1): Despite an early exit in Halle, Berrettini has been in excellent form on grass, reaching the final in Stuttgart. His powerful serve and forehand make him a threat on quick surfaces.* Hubert Hurkacz (16-1): Hurkacz's exceptional serve gives him an advantage on grass, where he has a higher winning percentage than on any other surface. His ability to force tiebreakers makes him a potential threat to anyone.* Taylor Fritz (28-1): Fritz's high hold percentage on grass and his ability to win both quick and long rallies make him a contender at Wimbledon.* Sebastian Korda (50-1): Korda's impressive ball-striking and movement make him a dark horse on grass. His recent wins over Karen Khachanov and Grigor Dimitrov at Queen's Club demonstrate his potential.With the absence of Djokovic, Wimbledon 2023 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament with multiple contenders. While Sinner and Alcaraz remain the favorites, the opportunity is ripe for an upset by a player who can harness the power of their serve and baseline game on the grass courts of the All England Club.

Coco Gauff, the world's No. 2 tennis player, made a triumphant return to the grass courts at the ecotrans Ladies Open, overcoming a formidable opponent in Ekaterina Alexandrova. The match, which lasted 80 minutes, saw Gauff navigate a tense first-set tiebreaker before ultimately securing a 7-6 (6), 6-2 victory.Gauff, who had not played since reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros, faced a stern test against Alexandrova, a player known for her prowess on grass. The Russian had won two of her four titles on the surface and had previously defeated Gauff at the same tournament a year ago.Despite the challenge, Gauff displayed her resilience and determination. She saved three set points in the first-set tiebreaker, showcasing her mental fortitude and ability to perform under pressure. The American's powerful serve and all-court game proved too much for Alexandrova, as she broke twice in the second set to seal the victory.Gauff's victory marks a significant step in her quest to conquer the grass courts. While she has achieved remarkable success on hard courts and clay, grass has been her least successful surface. However, her performance at the ecotrans Ladies Open suggests that she is making strides in adapting to the unique demands of the surface.In the quarterfinals, Gauff will face the winner of the match between Linda Noskova and Ons Jabeur, the No. 8 seed and two-time Wimbledon finalist. The American will be eager to continue her winning streak and prove that she is a force to be reckoned with on all surfaces.

Grass Court Season Heats Up with Wimbledon Tune-Up TournamentsAs the tennis world shifts from the clay of Roland Garros to the lush lawns of Wimbledon, the grass court season is reaching its peak with four key tournaments taking center stage.Halle and Queen's Club: Men's Contenders EmergeOn the men's side, the Terra Wortman Open in Halle and the Cinch Championships at Queen's Club are attracting top talent. Halle boasts a star-studded field led by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who will face a tough opener against Tallon Griekspoor. Other contenders include Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, and Andrey Rublev.At Queen's Club, reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz is the top seed and will aim to repeat his 2022 triumph. He faces a potential challenge from Francisco Cerundolo, Jack Draper, and Tommy Paul. Alex de Minaur, Holger Rune, and Andy Murray are also in the draw.Berlin and Birmingham: Women's Stars ShineThe women's circuit features the Ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin and the Rothesay Classic in Birmingham. Berlin boasts a strong lineup including Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Naomi Osaka, who will face Zheng Qinwen in a rematch of their Rome encounter. Other contenders include Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Ons Jabeur.Birmingham, a WTA 250 event, features Jelena Ostapenko as the top seed. Barbora Krejcikova, Sorana Cirstea, and Katie Boulter are also in the draw. Former Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova will be looking to make a strong showing after reaching the final in Nottingham.Wimbledon Preparations IntensifyThese tournaments provide crucial preparation for Wimbledon, which begins on June 26th. Players will be fine-tuning their grass court skills and building momentum ahead of the prestigious Grand Slam. The results from Halle, Queen's Club, Berlin, and Birmingham will offer valuable insights into the form and potential contenders for Wimbledon glory.

Wimbledon's total prize money fund has witnessed a significant increase, reaching a record-breaking 50 million pounds (approximately $64 million). This represents a 5.3 million pound ($6.8 million) increase from last year, marking an impressive 11.9% growth. Notably, this amount is double the 25 million pounds ($32 million) awarded to competitors at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament a decade ago.The winners of the men's and women's singles titles will each receive a substantial 2.7 million pounds ($3.45 million), a jump of 350,000 pounds ($450,000) or 14.9% from the previous year. Players who lose in the first round of singles will also see an increase in their prize money, with each receiving 60,000 pounds (about $76,000), up from 55,000 pounds ($70,000) in 2023.The prize money for the qualifying event has also been boosted by 14.9%, reaching 4.8 million pounds (about $6 million).In addition to the prize money announcement, the All England Club, which hosts Wimbledon, addressed several other topics:* Domestic Violence Policy: The club has been in discussions with other Grand Slam hosts about the possibility of creating a domestic violence policy. "Clearly that's something that the sport would want to do on a unified basis," said Sally Bolton, the club's chief executive.* Andy Murray's Retirement: The club has plans in place to celebrate two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray's career if, as expected, he announces this will be his last appearance at the tournament. "We've certainly got plans in place and we’re ready and prepared, but ultimately it's Andy’s decision," said Bolton.* Centre Court Start Time: Centre Court will continue to begin play at 1:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. EDT), despite concerns expressed by Novak Djokovic that such scheduling inevitably leads to late starts for a day's last match. "We’ve reviewed it, we’ve thought long and hard and looked at the data around length of matches and the trends that are occurring in that space," said Bolton, "and were very confident and happy with the decision that we’ve made this year.”

Sebastian Korda, the 23-year-old American tennis star, has made a significant breakthrough on grass courts, reaching his first tour-level final on the surface at the 's-Hertogenbosch tournament. Korda's impressive performance has raised expectations that he could make a major impact at Wimbledon this year.In the semifinals, Korda showcased his dominance on grass, dismantling sixth-seeded home favorite Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Despite blustery conditions, Korda remained composed, winning 87% of his second-serve points and facing no break points."It was super tricky, super windy," Korda said after the match. "Obviously, Tallon is an unbelievable player, and him winning here last year, it's a nice confidence boost for me."Korda's victory extended his winning streak to eight sets this week, having previously defeated compatriot Tommy Paul, the No. 2 seed. In the final, he will face either top seed Alex de Minaur or third seed Ugo Humbert.Korda is aiming to end a four-match losing streak in ATP finals and claim his first title since his maiden triumph on clay at Parma in May 2021. His impressive 13-6 record in grass-court matches at the tour level suggests that he has the potential to make a deep run at Wimbledon.Korda's success on grass is a testament to his versatility and adaptability. Known for his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, he has shown that he can adjust his game to the unique challenges of grass courts. His ability to control his shots and generate pace on the surface has been key to his recent success.With Wimbledon just around the corner, Korda's performance in 's-Hertogenbosch has sent a clear message that he is a contender to watch. If he can maintain his current form, he could be a major threat to the established stars of the grass-court season.

Barbora Krejcikova, the 2021 Roland Garros champion, has endured a challenging season marred by injuries and illness. Despite her struggles, the Czech star maintains her sense of humor, as evidenced by a recent social media post where she joked about her lack of success on the court.Krejcikova's season began promisingly, with a quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open. However, a back injury forced her to withdraw from several tournaments, including Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells, and Miami. While recovering from the injury, she contracted a severe flu that left her bedridden. Complications from the illness led to her withdrawal from Charleston and Rome.Despite her setbacks, Krejcikova remains optimistic and is looking forward to the grass-court swing. She is entered in Birmingham and Eastbourne ahead of Wimbledon, where she hopes to rediscover her form.Joining Krejcikova in her quest for a resurgence is fellow Czech Karolina Muchova. Muchova, who reached the Roland Garros final last year, has not played since the US Open due to wrist surgery. She recently resumed practicing and is hoping to make her 2024 debut in Eastbourne.Over the weekend, Krejcikova and Muchova reunited for a training session in Prague. Both players are eager to make an impact at Wimbledon, where they will be among the contenders for the title.Krejcikova's struggles have been a reminder of the challenges that athletes face in maintaining their peak performance. However, her resilience and determination are a testament to her character and her unwavering belief in her abilities. As she embarks on the grass-court season, Krejcikova will be hoping to put her injury woes behind her and rediscover the form that made her a Grand Slam champion.

Rafael Nadal, the legendary tennis icon, has announced his withdrawal from the 2024 Wimbledon Championships to prioritize his participation in the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris. This decision marks a significant shift in Nadal's schedule, as he had previously expressed his desire to compete at Wimbledon.Nadal, a two-time Wimbledon champion, last played at the All England Club in 2022, where he reached the semifinals. However, he was forced to withdraw from his scheduled match against Nick Kyrgios due to an abdominal injury. This withdrawal ended Nadal's 19-match Grand Slam winning streak.In a statement released on social media, Nadal explained his decision to skip Wimbledon: "During my post-match press conference at Roland Garros, I was asked about my summer calendar. Since then, I have been practicing on clay. It was announced yesterday that I will play at the Summer Olympics in Paris, my last Olympics."Nadal's decision to focus on the Olympics is driven by his desire to represent Spain in what could be his final Olympic appearance. He has already announced that he will team up with Carlos Alcaraz in men's doubles.To prepare for the Olympics, Nadal will compete at the Nordea Open in Båstad, Sweden, from July 15-21. This tournament will provide him with valuable match practice on clay before the transition to hard courts for the Olympics.Nadal's withdrawal from Wimbledon is a blow to the tournament, but it is understandable given his age and the importance of the Olympics to him. The 38-year-old has been battling injuries throughout the 2023 season, and he is likely prioritizing his long-term health and fitness.