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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A solitary loss in 11 semifinals at the Australian Open was nowhere near enough for Novak Djokovic to contemplate a generational change in tennis. Djokovic didn't get a look at a breakpoint during a 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-3 loss to Jannik Sinner on Friday that ended the 10-time Australian Open champion's unbeaten streak after making the final four at Melbourne Park. “This tournament hasn’t been up to my standard or criteria or the level that I would normally play or expect myself to play,” Djokovic said, "but doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s beginning of the end, you know, as some people like to call it. But no man has won more Grand Slam titles than Djokovic, who lifted his record to 24 with three titles last year when he went 27-1 in the majors tournaments. Stan Wawrinka’s title here a decade ago was the only Australian title that one of the Big Three didn’t win since Marat Safin beat Lleyton Hewitt in the 2005 final.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Djokovic didn't, ” Djokovic, “, Djokovic, “ It’s, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka’s, Marat Safin, Lleyton Hewitt, Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Federer, Nadal, he’s, ” Organizations: Australian, Melbourne, Djokovic, Slams Locations: MELBOURNE, Australia

First of all, there's no such thing as a “game clock” in tennis, in general, and no such thing as “too late” at the Australian Open and U.S. Open, in particular. … I haven’t been able to sit through one,” two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka said. The women's and men's professional tours announced just before the start of the Australian Open that they're instituting new rules this month to try to cut back on play after midnight. One problem: Those rules apply only to events run by the WTA and ATP — not Grand Slam tournaments. WHEN DOES MEDVEDEV PLAY NEXT?

Persons: Daniil Medvedev's, Rod Laver, Zero, Medvedev, “, let’s, Emil Ruusuvuori, That's, ”, John Isner, Isner, — Medvedev, Ruusuvuori, Anna Blinkova's, Elena Rybakina —, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, ” Djokovic, Lleyton Hewitt, Marcos Baghdatis —, Carlos Alcaraz, haven’t, Victoria Azarenka, “ It’s, Andy Murray, ” Murray, you’re, Coco Gauff, Felix Auger, ” Medvedev, John Pye, ___ Howard Fendrich, howard, fendrich Organizations: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, Wimbledon, Australian, England, U.S ., U.S, WTA, ATP, Tennis Australia, NEXT Locations: Melbourne, New York, Australia

☆ 'We'll be back', say Australia's Davis Cup nearly-men
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 27 (Reuters) - Australia's Davis Cup players have vowed to return to Malaga and claim the title next year after losing a second successive final in the international men's team tournament on Sunday. "There hasn't been another nation that's gone back-to-back in the last two years, so we are showing a pretty good effort collectively," he told reporters. A crestfallen De Minaur conceded he had been outclassed by world number four Sinner in the second singles match after Popyrin had been beaten by Matteo Arnaldi in the opener. "I'm disappointed I wasn't able to give the boys a chance to play the doubles, that's probably the biggest disappointment." Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Australia's, Alex De Minaur, Minaur, hasn't, that's, we'll, We'll, we've, Nick Kyrgios, Lleyton Hewitt, De, Alexei Popyrin, Jordan Thompson, Matthew Ebden, Max Purcell, De Minaur, Popyrin, Matteo Arnaldi, it's, I'm, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Australians, Australia, Davis, Thomson Locations: Malaga, Italy, Canada, Australia, Sydney

☆ Superb Sinner leads Italy to Davis Cup glory against Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Italy's number one Sinner produced a devastating display to outclass a helpless De Minaur 6-3 6-0 after Matteo Arnaldi outlasted Alexei Popyrin in the first singles clash. "It helps a lot to play for the whole team and it's been an incredible feeling for all of us," Sinner said as Italy rejoiced at a first Davis Cup title since 1976 and only second ever. Lleyton Hewitt's Australia have now been beaten in the final in successive years having lost to Canada in 2022. Italy and Australia qualify automatically for the 16-nation Finals next year across four cities with the ITF announcing on Sunday that the Final Eight will again be hosted in Malaga. Reporting by Martyn Herman; additional reporting by Gavin Jones, editing by Louise Heavens and Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: deportes Martin, Australia's Alex de Minaur, Jon Nazca, Alex De Minaur, De, Matteo Arnaldi, Alexei Popyrin, Novak Djokovic, Djokovic, Miomir Kecmanovic, Lorenzo Sonego, Sinner, it's, Giorgia Meloni, Arnaldi, Filippo Volandri's, Popyrin, De Minaur, Minaur, Lleyton, Martyn Herman, Gavin Jones, Louise Heavens, Ken Ferris Organizations: Palacio, deportes, deportes Martin Carpena, Davis, REUTERS, Rights, Australia, Serbia, Djokovic, ITF, Thomson Locations: Australia, Italy, Malaga, Spain, Rights MALAGA, Saturday's, Serbia, Italian, Canada

☆ Kecmanovic outlasts Musetti to put Serbia ahead in Davis Cup semis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MALAGA, Spain, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic rallied from a set down to power past Lorenzo Musetti 6-7(7) 6-2 6-1 and give the 2010 champions a 1-0 lead over Italy in their Davis Cup semi-final on Saturday. Musetti made a slow start against the high-flying Kecmanovic and narrowly avoided going a double break down, before the world number 27 found his range to level the first set at 5-5 and come from behind again in the tiebreak to clinch it. Serbia, who outclassed Britain in the last eight, will need Djokovic and Dusan Lajovic to defeat the pair of Simone Bolelli and Lorenzo Sonego if Sinner forces a doubles decider. The winner of the tie will face Australia in Sunday's final after Lleyton Hewitt's side beat Finland in the semi-finals. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Miomir Kecmanovic, Lorenzo Musetti, Musetti, Novak Djokovic, Sinner, Djokovic, Dusan Lajovic, Simone Bolelli, Lorenzo Sonego, Lleyton Hewitt's, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Davis, Serbia, ATP, Djokovic, Martin Carpena Arena, Australia, Sunday's, Finland, Thomson Locations: MALAGA, Spain, Italy, Serbia, Netherlands, Turin, Bengaluru

☆ Sinner stuns Djokovic then doubles up to send Italy into Davis Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MALAGA, Spain, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Italy returned to the Davis Cup final after a gap of 25 years as Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic in both singles and doubles to secure a 2-1 victory over Serbia on Saturday that earned the 1976 champions a title clash with Australia. "It was for sure the game-changer today," Sinner said of his singles heroics at 4-5. "Obviously playing doubles in the decider of a Davis Cup tie is not easy. We are a very complete team and each one of us is really happy to be here. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Pritha Sarkar, Clare Fallon and Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Lorenzo Sonego, Djokovic, Miomir, Martin, Filippo Volandri's, Lleyton Hewitt's, Kecmanovic, Lorenzo Musetti, Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro, Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Musetti, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Pritha Sarkar, Clare Fallon, Toby Davis Organizations: Davis, Serbia, Martin Carpena Arena, Australia, Serbian, ATP, Djokovic, men's, Thomson Locations: MALAGA, Spain, Italy, Serbian, Finland, Netherlands, Bengaluru

☆ Australia outclass Finland to return to Davis Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MALAGA, Spain, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Australia reached a second successive Davis Cup final when Alex de Minaur overpowered Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4 6-3 after Alexei Popyrin beat Otto Virtanen 7-6(5) 6-2 to earn the 28-time champions a 2-0 win over Finland on Friday. "Extremely proud moment but I could have not done it without these guys," De Minaur said, pointing to his team. Popyrin, a late switch for the injured Thanasi Kokkinakis, grabbed the first break in the second set when Virtanen hit two successive double faults as Australia sensed an opportunity. "It's nerves that I've never experienced before in my life, the nerves playing the first tie, the first rubber of a Davis Cup, winning my first live rubber of a Davis Cup. De Minaur said Australia would be tricky opponents for any team in the final and tipped the doubles duo of Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell to play a vital role.

Persons: Alex de Minaur, Emil Ruusuvuori, Alexei Popyrin, Otto Virtanen, Lleyton Hewitt's, De Minaur, Alexei hasn't, Popyrin, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Virtanen, I've, Matthew Ebden, Max Purcell, We've, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Toby Davis, Ed Osmond, Ken Ferris Organizations: Davis, Finland, Friday, men's, Finns, Ruusuvuori, Canada, Australia, Thomson Locations: MALAGA, Spain, Australia, Canada, United States, Serbia, Italy, Finland, Malaga, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Fuengirola, Bengaluru

☆ Gutsy Australia see off Czechs to make Davis Cup semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I've never seen anything like it live," Ebden said of their comeback victory. "I've seen it on TV back in the day, comebacks when your backs are against the wall. But what Alex did to give us the chance to come out here and fight was incredible. We were inside thinking we're one game away from being out of here and ... winning and going to the semi-finals, we couldn't be more proud. Australia were without Thanasi Kokkinakis, who was forced to withdraw from the Finals with an ankle injury.

Persons: deportes Martin, Matthew Ebden, Max Purcell, Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka, Adam Pavlasek REUTERS, Violeta Santos Moura, Jiri Lehecka, Adam Pavlasek, Alex de Minaur, I've, Ebden, Alex, Tomas Machac, Jordan Thompson, Lleyton Hewitt's, Thompson, Machac, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Lehecka, De, De Minaur, that's, I'm, Novak Djokovic's, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Toby Davis Organizations: Australia, Palacio, deportes, deportes Martin Carpena, Czech, Rights, Davis, Novak Djokovic's Serbia, Thomson Locations: Czech Republic, Malaga, Spain, Australia, Finland, Canada, United States, Friday's, Czech, De Minaur, Italy, Netherlands, Thursday's, Bengaluru

☆ Djokovic eyes second Davis Cup title for Serbia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

On Sunday he beat Italy's Jannik Sinner to win a record seventh ATP Finals title. I really would like to win the Davis Cup with Serbia. Traditional Davis Cup powerhouse Australia have not won the Davis Cup for 20 years but under captain Lleyton Hewitt they believe they can go one step further than last year. The Davis Cup will also be a chance for Sinner to shake off any lingering disappointment at losing to Djokovic in the ATP Finals on Sunday. World number four Sinner leads a strong-looking Italy side who will be favourites to beat the Dutch.

Persons: Pala Alpitour, Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Italy's Jannik, Guglielmo Mangiapane, Novak Djokovic, Davis, Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Italy's, That's, Dan Evans, Andy Murray, Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper, Neal Skupski, Felix Auger, Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Milos Raonic, Emil Ruusuvuori, Lleyton Hewitt, Hewitt, Alex De Minaur, De Minaur, Martyn Herman, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Canada, Australia, Sunday, France, Davis, Serbia, Wimbledon, Djokovic, ATP, Thomson Locations: Turin, Italy, Serbia, Malaga, Finland, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Belgrade, Britain's, Canada, Spain, Alicante, Marbella

☆ Australian Open adds an extra day to stop matches going late into the night
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Australian Open will add an extra day to its schedule next year in a bid to reduce pressure on players and fans following a series of punishing matches in recent years that ended well into the early hours. The Australian Open has a demanding schedule in the early rounds of the tournament; five matches are regularly played each day on the show courts – three during the day session and two at night. But organizers did not mention whether there would be a cutoff time for night matches. The lack of a time cap in tennis means matches last as long as it takes players to win. Three out of the four grand slams – the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open – currently schedule night sessions, while Wimbledon ends evening sessions at 11 p.m. with unfinished matches resuming the following day.

Persons: Andy Murray, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Murray, fuming, “ We’ve, Craig Tiley, Kokkinakis, William West, Lleyton Hewitt, Marcos Baghdatis, Roger Federer, Janko Tipsarevic, John Isner, Nicolas Mahut Organizations: CNN, Getty, Wimbledon Locations: Melbourne, AFP, Europe, North America, French

☆ Alcaraz will have to kick Djokovic off his throne, says Wilander
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, July 15 (Reuters) - Carlos Alcaraz will have to kick Novak Djokovic off his Wimbledon throne in Sunday's final because he will not be given an inch, according to seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander. Alcaraz is already world number one and claimed last year's U.S. Open by beating Casper Ruud, but the challenge of Djokovic is "another universe", according to Wilander. "It's really important that Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam final before (Djokovic's career) is over. "Of course Djokovic can lose but I don't think he cares less about that any more," Wilander said. "He's going to come in and play at about 90% the whole time, dipping to maybe 85% and sometimes up to 95%.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Mats Wilander, Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, Djokovic, Swede, Novak, Wilander, Lleyton Hewitt, Pete Sampras, Carlos, he's, Roger, Federer, He's, Rafa, Daniil Medvedev, cramp, Boris Becker, Nadal, Martyn Herman, Clare Fallon Organizations: Wimbledon, All England Club, U.S, Reuters, U.S ., Djokovic, Thomson Locations: Serbian, tennis

☆ Alcaraz claims Queen's title and top ranking
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Tennis - ATP 500 - Queen's Club Championships - Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 25, 2023 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the trophy after winning his final match against Australia's Alex de Minaur Action Images via Reuters/Peter CziborraLONDON, June 25 (Reuters) - Spain's Carlos Alcaraz fired a Wimbledon warning as he comfortably beat Alex de Minaur 6-4 6-4 to claim the Queen's Club title on Sunday and return to world number one. In baking temperatures, the 20-year-old had too much firepower for his wily Australian opponent as he claimed his first grasscourt title in impressive fashion. Alcaraz then broke serve in the following game before wrapping up the set on serve. While Novak Djokovic remains the favourite to retain his Wimbledon title, Alcaraz will be the top seed at the tournament, where he reached the fourth round last year. As well as Nadal, several other players in recent times have gone on to win Wimbledon after conquering Queen's Club, including Andy Murray in 2013 and 2016, Pete Sampras in 1995 and 1999, and Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.

Persons: Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, Australia's Alex de Minaur, Peter Cziborra LONDON, Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur, De Minaur, Lleyton Hewitt, Alcaraz, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Nadal, Andy Murray, Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, Minaur, Martyn Herman, Christian Radnedge, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Queen's, Wimbledon, London, All England, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Spanish, Queen's

☆ Alcaraz sets up Queen's final against De Minaur
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In his first ATP Tour final on grass, Alcaraz will face Australian Alex de Minaur who earlier beat Danish second seed Holger Rune 6-3 7-6(2). Should Alcaraz win Sunday's final he would reclaim the world number one ranking from Novak Djokovic and would be seeded one at Wimbledon which begins on July 3. He forged an early break ahead in the second set and never looked in danger from that point on. Very happy to make my first final on grass and even more so at Queen's. He is the first Australian to reach the final at the Queen's pre-Wimbledon event since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006.

Persons: Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, Sebastian Korda, Peter Cziborra LONDON, Carlos Alcaraz, Korda, Alex de Minaur, Holger Rune, Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz, I've, Rafa Nadal, Rune, Minaur, Andy Murray, Lleyton Hewitt, De, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris, Clare Fallon Organizations: Queen's, U.S, Wimbledon, ATP, Eastbourne, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Danish, Wimbledon

☆ Kyrgios braces for pressure as home favourite at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 14 (Reuters) - With Ash Barty enjoying a comfortable retirement, Nick Kyrgios will be far and away the top drawcard for home fans at the Australian Open, feeling both privilege and pressure to meet expectations after his best season in 2022. "I walked in here at the Australian Open maybe eight, nine years ago as a wild card. 'How are you feeling about Australian Open? Though having not completed a tour match since October, Kyrgios has still managed to hog the limelight in the leadup to Melbourne Park. But the pair have become much closer since Kyrgios defended Djokovic during his deportation ordeal in the run-up to last year's Australian Open.

☆ Kyrgios expected to be fit for Australian Open despite latest withdrawal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 5 (Reuters) - Nick Kyrgios is expected to be fit to play at the Australian Open despite pulling out of a second warm-up tournament following his withdrawal from next week's Adelaide International with an ankle injury, his manager told Australian media. "We are very excited and working every day to make sure we're ready for the Australian Open," Kyrgios's manager Daniel Horsfall told Australian media. "A lot of people were upset after he pulled out of the United Cup, but I hope they now realise the injury is genuine. "The Adelaide International wishes Nick Kyrgios the best of luck and a quick recovery, understanding the importance of the Australian Open preparation." Kyrgios' withdrawal came after the 27-year-old, who won the men's doubles title at last year's Australian Open, was involved in a public spat with United Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt over his absence from the mixed team competition.

☆ Kyrgios withdrew from United Cup to give himself best chance at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 29 (Reuters) - Nick Kyrgios said he withdrew from the inaugural edition of the United Cup to be in peak condition for next month's Australian Open, adding that he did not expect everyone to understand the reasoning behind his decision. "Throw in an injury and knowing you didn't give yourself the best chance only adds to the mountain of pressure you face. Kyrgios added that he had been in communication with Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley and United Cup tournament director Stephen Farrow about his injury. Alex de Minaur, who moved into the number one men's position for Team Australia in place of Kyrgios, was beaten by Britain's Cameron Norrie on Thursday. Speaking after De Minaur's defeat, Australia co-captain Lleyton Hewitt said he had also been unaware of Kyrgios' withdrawal until Wednesday.

☆ Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest year-end No. 1 in men’s tennis as Rafael Nadal’s slump continues at ATP Finals
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Carlos Alcaraz is set to become the youngest year-end No. 1 in the history of men’s tennis after Rafael Nadal was knocked out of the ATP Finals. 1 in men’s tennis when he won his first grand slam title in New York. “I don’t think I forgot how to play tennis, how to be strong enough mentally,” Nadal told reporters on Tuesday. In the second set, Auger-Aliassime broke Nadal at 1-1, then consolidated his advantage the following game with three aces in a row.

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