Tennis

Queen's Club to Host Women's Tennis Tournament in 2025The prestigious Queen's Club in London will make history in 2025 by hosting a women's tennis tournament for the first time in over 50 years. The WTA event will be held the week after the French Open, marking the start of the grass-court season and serving as a warm-up for Wimbledon.However, the decision has raised concerns among male players, who fear that the quality of the grass at Queen's Club could be compromised by a women's tournament being played first. Chris Pollard, director of major events and digital at the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), acknowledged these concerns and stated that the arrangement may only be for one year."We have absolute confidence that we can stage a two-week event at the Queen's Club," Pollard said. "We've got independent data that provides evidence that the men's week will not suffer in any way."Pollard emphasized that the LTA has had extensive discussions with both the ATP and WTA Tours regarding the matter. The ATP has given the green light for the tournament to take place in 2025, but the LTA remains in ongoing dialogue with the tour about the long-term future of the event."The ATP would like to consider what happens after 2025," Pollard said. "But we remain very confident that it will be a permanent change."The addition of a women's tournament at Queen's Club will have a significant impact on the WTA grass-court calendar. The tournaments in Birmingham and Eastbourne, both in England, will be reduced in status to accommodate the new event.

Roger Federer's Roland Garros Racquet Up for Auction, Expected to Fetch $50,000Tennis enthusiasts and collectors have a rare opportunity to own a piece of tennis history as the racquet used by Roger Federer in his final Roland Garros final goes up for auction. The custom-made Wilson racquet, which Federer wielded in 2011, is expected to garner a hefty price tag of up to $50,000 in the bidding period that began on May 14 and ends June 2.The racquet holds significant historical value as it was used by Federer in his fifth and final Roland Garros final, where he famously ended Novak Djokovic's 43-match winning streak in the semifinals. The racquet was provided to the auction by Federer's eponymous charity foundation, and photomatching forensic technology has confirmed its authenticity.In addition to Federer's racquet, the auction also features other autographed match-worn and used items by tennis legends. Collectors can bid on the shoes that carried Iga Swiatek to the BNP Paribas Open title this spring, the shirt, wristbands, and shoes that Rafael Nadal wore in leading Spain to the 2009 Davis Cup, and a wristband worn by Carlos Alcaraz during his run to the 2022 US Open title.Perhaps the most unique item up for auction is the smashed Babolat racquet used by Dominic Thiem at the 2019 Internazionali BNL d'Italia. The racquet, which comes with a letter of authenticity, was given to Thiem by tournament organizers after he smashed it in frustration during a second-round upset loss to Fernando Verdasco.The auction offers a rare chance for collectors and tennis enthusiasts to acquire unique memorabilia from some of the greatest players in the sport. With the bidding period now open, interested parties are encouraged to start their bids and secure a piece of tennis history.

Tennis Tournaments Expand, Sparking Debate Among PlayersThe expansion of Madrid and Rome tennis tournaments from eight to nearly two weeks has brought mixed reactions. While organizers have seen increased revenue and fan engagement, top players have expressed concerns about the extended schedule.The two-week format, similar to Grand Slams, has added more competition days, ticket sales, TV time, and revenue. However, players like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Victoria Azarenka have voiced their weariness over the extended time on the road.They argue that the Masters-level tournaments, while modeled after Grand Slams, lack the same prestige and serve primarily as warmups for Roland Garros. The longer schedule, they say, puts a strain on their bodies and limits their time for rest and recovery."We wanted more drama and then we stretched the drama a bit too much," said Azarenka. "It's too long."The expansion has also raised concerns about player injuries. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, two of the tour's top young players, recently withdrew from Rome with injuries. However, some players, like Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal, believe the injuries are not directly related to the longer tournaments."I like this two-week format," said Medvedev. "I like when there is a day off."Nadal added, "We accept that role" of making money for tournaments and players.The Cincinnati Open will also adopt the two-week format next year, increasing the draw size from 64 to 96 players. While the format benefits lower-ranked players who get more opportunities to play in main draws, top players remain skeptical."It's not great for Top 10 players," said Alexander Zverev. "A day between matches, if you're at a different place, that's not resting."The debate over the expanded schedule is likely to continue as organizers and players seek a balance between fan engagement and player well-being.

Tommy Paul's impressive victory over Daniil Medvedev in Rome has boosted his confidence, but he faces a formidable challenge in Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals. While Paul has struggled against Top 10 opponents in the past, Hurkacz has been in exceptional form on clay this season.Hurkacz's serve is expected to be a key factor in the match. With a 90.3% hold percentage this season and an 86.0% hold percentage on clay over the last 52 weeks, he has proven to be a formidable server. Paul, on the other hand, has a hold percentage of just 76.0% on clay.In addition to his serve, Hurkacz has also been returning at a high level in Rome. His 7.2 shot quality on return is the highest among all remaining players in the tournament. He has also displayed impressive serve quality, putting pressure on opponents when they serve.While Paul may have an advantage in longer rallies, Hurkacz's serve and return game are likely to make the difference. The Pole has shown a new level of consistency and aggression on clay this season, and he is the favorite to advance to the semifinals.

The ATP tour has been a rollercoaster of injuries and upsets in the lead-up to the French Open, with the men's top 5 all facing setbacks. Alexander Zverev, the only top player to avoid injury, reached the Rome semifinals after a scare in his quarterfinal.Meanwhile, the WTA tour has seen a resurgence of star power, with Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka leading the charge. Swiatek and Sabalenka will face off in the Rome semifinals, while Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins will battle in the other semifinal.The shift in momentum between the tours is puzzling, as the ATP has traditionally been more predictable. However, the expansion of the Madrid and Rome tournaments to nearly two weeks may have contributed to the increased injuries and upsets.Despite the setbacks, the men's top players are expected to be healthy for the French Open. Djokovic, Alcaraz, Sinner, and Medvedev will all be aiming to challenge Nadal for the title.On the women's side, Swiatek and Sabalenka are the clear favorites in Rome and will likely be the ones to watch in Paris. Swiatek has a 9-1 record against Gauff, while Sabalenka has a 5-0 record against Collins.The Rome semifinals will provide a glimpse of the potential matchups in the French Open final. Swiatek and Sabalenka have both been in impressive form, and their clash will be a battle between the world's top two players. Collins, in her final season, will be determined to make a statement against Sabalenka, while Gauff will be looking to prove herself against Swiatek on clay.

Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios, once bitter rivals, have forged an unlikely friendship that has blossomed in recent years. Their feud, marked by insults and disrespect, has given way to mutual admiration and support.The turning point in their relationship came in 2022, when Djokovic defeated Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final. In his victory speech, Djokovic praised Kyrgios as a deserving finalist and one of the world's best players. The two continued to engage in playful banter on social media, with Djokovic jokingly declaring their relationship a "bromance."In a recent episode of Kyrgios' podcast, "Good Trouble," the pair discussed the evolution of their friendship. Djokovic attributed the change to Kyrgios' public support during his deportation saga from Australia in 2022. Kyrgios' stance against the government's decision to deny Djokovic entry due to his vaccination status earned him Djokovic's respect.Beyond their shared experiences, Djokovic and Kyrgios have discovered similarities in their personalities. They both acknowledge the public scrutiny they face, but Djokovic emphasizes that he does not thrive on negativity. Instead, he seeks to maintain positive relationships and focus on his love for tennis.However, one key difference between the two lies in their approach to motivation and commitment. Kyrgios admits to struggling with consistency, while Djokovic emphasizes the importance of a structured plan and purpose. Djokovic believes that if Kyrgios dedicated himself fully to his regimen, he could achieve great success, such as winning Wimbledon.Djokovic's mindset has evolved over time, leading him to accept his flaws and strive for self-improvement. He emphasizes the importance of clarity in defining one's goals and purpose. This approach has served him well both on and off the court, allowing him to maintain a positive outlook despite challenges.

U.S. Open Men's Final Moves to ABC, Women's Final Stays on ESPNThe U.S. Open tennis tournament will witness a shift in its broadcast coverage this year, with the men's final moving to ABC while the women's final remains on ESPN. This marks a significant change from previous years, where ESPN held exclusive rights to both finals.The men's final will be aired on ABC on September 8th, marking the first time the network has broadcast the prestigious match. ESPN will continue to show the women's final on September 7th.ESPN has been the exclusive broadcaster of the U.S. Open since 2009, providing comprehensive coverage of the tournament. However, this year's decision to split the finals between ABC and ESPN suggests a strategic move by the networks to cater to different audiences.The U.S. Open is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and it attracts some of the world's top players. Last year, Coco Gauff made history by winning her first major championship at the U.S. Open, while Novak Djokovic claimed his 24th Grand Slam title.The move to ABC for the men's final is likely to draw a wider audience, as the network has a larger reach than ESPN. ABC is available in over 90% of U.S. households, while ESPN is available in approximately 80%.ESPN, on the other hand, will continue to provide in-depth coverage of the women's final, leveraging its expertise in tennis broadcasting. The network has a dedicated team of commentators and analysts who offer insightful commentary and analysis of the matches.The decision to split the finals between ABC and ESPN is a testament to the growing popularity of tennis in the United States. The U.S. Open is one of the most watched sporting events in the country, and the move to ABC for the men's final is expected to further increase its viewership.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's second-ranked tennis player, has once again found herself in hot water after accidentally cursing during a live TV interview.During an interview with Prakash Amritraj at the Tennis Channel desk, Sabalenka was discussing her popular "day in the life" videos when she let slip a profanity."I just had the idea. I saw that people want to see it more often. Now it's a goal in each city," she began."So far people like it. As soon as people start saying like, 'Stop it. We are tired of this bullsh--.'"Sabalenka immediately realized her mistake and put the microphone down in disappointment. Amritraj broke out in laughter, exclaiming, "Again, it's beep!""Before the interview started, she promised no F-bombs, no cursing, no nothing!" he said.Sabalenka owned up to her mistake, saying, "It's just something in my blood, cursing."Despite her slip-up, Sabalenka remains focused on her tennis. She will face Danielle Collins in the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, a rematch of their Mutua Madrid Open fourth-rounder."Danielle is in incredible shape and she's been crushing it," said Sabalenka.Collins, the 13th seed, defeated Sabalenka's countrywoman Victoria Azarenka to complete the semifinal lineup. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek meets third-ranked Coco Gauff in the top half of the draw."It's great for all of us, because it motivates us a lot to improve, to get better, be more consistent with the game, to get to the last stages of the tournament," said Sabalenka.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the No. 6 seed in Rome and No. 8 on tour, has set his sights on becoming the world's top-ranked tennis player. After a strong start to the season, including victories in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, Tsitsipas believes he has the potential to dethrone the current No. 1, Novak Djokovic.Tsitsipas's confidence stems from his recent performances, particularly his dominant display against Alex de Minaur in Rome. He believes that his heavy and deep ball control has given him an edge over his opponents."I really felt that my opponent felt the heaviness and the depth of my ball," Tsitsipas said. "It gave me courage, it gave me great belief in myself that I can continue pushing in that sense."Tsitsipas's resurgence comes after a difficult period in 2023, when a back injury forced him to drop out of the Top 10. However, he has since recovered and is now back in contention for the top spot."I was outside the Top 10 for a while," he said. "It hurt me a little bit. So being back, it's a great feeling."Tsitsipas has also made some adjustments to his game, including abandoning his recent experiment with a modified service stance. He believes that his old "platform" stance gives him more confidence and allows him to open up the court more easily."Once you start thinking a lot, it's an issue because you can't concentrate on what's happening in front of you," he said. "Your mind travels in different directions and places. . . I did something strange, which I've never done before in a match. I was trying different things during the match, which is definitely something I don't recommend to anyone doing."With the upcoming French Open just around the corner, Tsitsipas is aware that he has a chance to make history. Rafael Nadal, the 14-time Roland Garros champion, is struggling with injuries, while Djokovic has been in poor form this year."I never saw a reason not to follow my dreams to that depth," Tsitsipas said. "It would be a blessing if I was able to conquer and make that happen. It's been my dream since the first day of pursuing professional tennis."