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☆ Why Wimbledon is the Grand Slam title that every player craves
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +15 min

After she’d won her fourth Grand Slam title and her third French Open, while still just 22 years old. GO DEEPER The trick to winning on Wimbledon grass? Gilbert had never watched one of his players win Wimbledon from the coaches’ box. Barty won Wimbledon in 2021 for the first and only time, then won the Australian Open the following January. “Every year it’s easier for me to adapt to grass,” Swiatek said.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, she’d, Swiatek, Iga, Zac Goodwin, “, ” Swiatek, ”, —, Joe Toth, Grass, Serena Williams, Julian Finney, haven’t, Greg Norman, Casper Ruud, Ivan Lendl, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Carlos Alcaraz, Roland Garros, Brad Gilbert, Coco Gauff, Zendaya, Gilbert, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, ” Gilbert, Gauff, Sofia Kenin, Daniel Leal, Rod Laver, ” Laver, it’s, Cliff Drysdale, ” Drysdale, Drysdale, Mark McCormack, Ash Barty, Barty, Matthias Hangst, Nick Kyrgios, Novak Djokovic, Marketa Vondrousova, ” Djokovic, He’s, Paris, Djokovic, ” Sinner, Sinner, Jason Bourne, volleying, Gavin MacMillan, Aryna Sabalenka, they’ve, ” MacMillan, Shi Tang, Eamonn Dalton Organizations: Tennis, Wimbledon’s, England Club, French, of Fame, Wimbledon, Getty, Augusta, dodger, Roland, Slams, ESPN, All England, U.S, Broadway, La Scala, Bolshoi Theater, Court, Central Press, Hulton, National, West, IMG, Olympic Games, U.S ., Players, “, Deutsch, The Athletic Locations: SW19, London, Paris, Italy, Halle, Augusta, Wimbledon, California, New Jersey, Basel, Australia, New York City, Bentleys, Australian, Serbia

☆ French Open quarterfinal recap: Sinner world No. 1, Roland Garros feels like clay again
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Matthew Futterman | Charlie Eccleshare | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Follow live coverage of Day 10 at the 2024 French OpenWelcome back to the French Open briefing, where The Athletic will explain the stories behind the stories on each day of the tournament. On Day 10 of Roland Garros 2024, the men’s tour got a new world No. Today’s headline was defending champion Novak Djokovic withdrawing from the French Open. 1 on Monday, regardless of who wins the French Open title. Ons Jabeur may have lost, but her French Open run has been a boost to her confidence.

Persons: Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Ash Barty, Aryna Sabalenka, Grigor Dimitrov, Djokovic, Sinner, “ It’s, ”, Dimitrov, Coco Gauff, what’s, Gauff, Jabeur, “, It’s, Carlos Alcaraz, Tsitsipas, Alcaraz, Swiatek, Rafael Nadal —, Marketa Vondrousova, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, Mirra, Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur, Christian, Eamonn Dalton Organizations: U.S, Bulgarian, Wimbledon, French, Getty, The Athletic Locations: Paris, 3400RPM

☆ French Open day 4 recap: Swiatek wins, Kenin shocks Garcia, crowds and schedule frustrate
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( James Hansen | Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

🇫🇷 Caroline Garcia (21), 6-3, 6-3Caroline Garcia (21), 6-3, 6-3 🇬🇷 Stefanos Tsitsipas (9) def. 🇳🇱 Jesper de Jong (Q), 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2🇳🇱 Jesper de Jong (Q), 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 🇷🇺 Andrey Rublev (6) def. 🇪🇸 Pedro Martinez, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3🇪🇸 Pedro Martinez, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek (1) def. 🇸🇮 Tara Zidansek, 6-3, 6-4🇸🇮 Tara Zidansek, 6-3, 6-4 🇮🇹 Jannik Sinner (2) def. 🇫🇷 Richard Gasquet, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4🇫🇷 Richard Gasquet, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 🇷🇺 Pavel Kotov def.

Persons: Roland Garros, Naomi Osaka Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek, Ash Barty, Philippe, Chatrier, Swiatek, Tim Clayton, Corbis, she’s, “, ”, Naomi Osaka, Ben Shelton, Kei Nishikori, queueing, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Jannik, Richard Gasquet, Sofia Kenin, Caroline Garcia, Garcia didn’t, Jesper de Jong, Jesper De Jong, olin e Garcia, Garcia, 7-5, Coco Gauff, 6-4 🇮🇹, 🇫🇷 Rich, Katie V, Dani, oren, Mathieu 🇺🇸 Madi, Clive Br Organizations: Getty, Swiatek, Philippe Locations: Osaka, Swiatek, Paris, 6-2, 6

☆ Brisbane International to return as Australian Open tune-up event
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 15 (Reuters) - The Brisbane International will return to the calendar for the first time since 2020 as part of the build-up to next year's Australian Open, Tennis Australia said on Friday. It was dropped from the men's tour when the ATP Cup was introduced in 2019 and last contested as a women's event in 2020. The women's singles field has been expanded to 48 players, while the men's singles draw will feature 32. "The players love to come here, they love the atmosphere," Barty told Australian media. The Canberra International starts alongside the Brisbane event two days later, with tournaments in Adelaide and Hobart beginning on Jan. 8.

Persons: Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, Ash Barty, Barty, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Brisbane International, Tennis Australia, ATP, WTA, Queensland Tennis Centre, United, Canberra International, Hobart, Thomson Locations: Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hyderabad

☆ Sabalenka targets second Grand Slam final in stellar season
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"When you get to the last stages of the tournament, you're going to think about what if, what I want, what I would like and you're dreaming," Sabalenka told reporters after crushing China's Zheng Qinwen on Wednesday. "I'm not trying to block the stats, because when you're trying to block something it's going to keep getting in your head and it can get annoying. When you're not trying to block it, it actually goes away. Keys, meanwhile, is hoping to fulfil her own dream of reaching Saturday's final for another shot at a maiden Grand Slam trophy. Czech Muchova is also gunning for a first Grand Slam title after coming close in Paris in her bid to join an elite list of compatriots that includes Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Barbora Krejcikova and Vondrousova.

Persons: Madison Keys, Sabalenka, Iga, Keys, Zheng Qinwen, I'm, Marketa Vondrousova, Coco Gauff, Roland Garros, Karolina Muchova, Gauff, Sofia, ", Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, I'd, gunning, Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Barbora, Karolina Pliskova, Ash Barty, Muchova, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ken Ferris Organizations: U.S, Madison, Belarusian, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, Sofia Kenin's, Thomson Locations: New York, Flushing Meadows, American, Melbourne, Grand, Czech, Paris, Bengaluru

☆ Swiatek recharges for U.S. Open defence with Sabalenka hot on her heels
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Aug 19, 2023; Mason, OH, USA; Iga Swiatek (POL) returns a shot against Coco Gauff (USA) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. "I'm not even going to regret a lot because I'm happy I'm going to have days off." The French Open champion said she would try not to be hard on herself ahead of her U.S. Open title defence. "I'm going to take it easy on myself and just try to do everything step by step." I'm going to give it my all in the U.S. Open.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Katie Stratman, Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Ash Barty's, Sabalenka, I'm, Elena Rybakina, Roland Garros, Jessica Pegula, Gauff, Sloane Stephens, Caroline Wozniacki, Dane, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Southern Open, Lindner, Tennis Center, Montreal, U.S, Wimbledon, Indian Wells, Flushing, U.S ., Tunisian trailblazer, York, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, New York, Cincinnati, Melbourne, U.S, Montreal, French, Flushing Meadows, Bengaluru

☆ Women's World Cup: Australia dares to dream of win as Matildas mania sweeps the country
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Sydney CNN —Two matches stand between Australia and a historic Women’s World Cup win, and the nation – perhaps prematurely – is debating the pros and cons of a national holiday should the squad defeat Spain on Sunday. Soccer mania has swept the country in a culture where rugby, cricket and the local “Aussie Rules” football usually dominates. Australia players celebrate after winning their quarterfinal match against France in Brisbane, August 12. Zara Borcak beams as she holds the jersey Sam Kerr gave her after Saturday's match against France, August 12, 2023. Maybe it’s because the last time the country came together to fight a common cause, they were desperately trying to stay apart.

Persons: Tertius Pickard, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Sam Kerr, “, ‘, ”, Zara Borcak, Selma Borcak, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Andrew Cornaga, Ben Crowe, Crowe, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ash Barty, it’s, ” Mackenzie Arnold of Australia, Norvik, that’s, Mackenzie Arnold, I’ve Organizations: Sydney CNN, Spain, Sunday, England, Australia, France, FIFA, Reuters Sporting, – Basketball Australia, AFL, Australian Football League, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ”, NRL, ’, Sweden, Wimbledon, Richmond AFL Locations: Australia, France, Australia’s, United States, Brisbane, Sydney, Green, Brazil, Zara, Spain, Eden, Auckland, Denmark, Melbourne

☆ Factbox: List of Wimbledon women's singles champions
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

LONDON, July 15 (Reuters) - List of Wimbledon women's singles champions:2023 Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic) beat Ons Jabeur (Tunisia) 6-4 6-42022 Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) beat Jabeur (Tunisia) 3-6 6-2 6-22021 Ash Barty (Australia) beat Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) 6-3 6-7(4) 6-32020 Tournament cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic2019 Simona Halep (Romania) beat Serena Williams (U.S.) 6-2 6-22018 Angelique Kerber (Germany) beat Serena Williams (U.S.) 6-3 6-32017 Garbine Muguruza (Spain) beat Venus Williams (U.S.) 7-5 6-02016 Serena Williams (U.S.) beat Kerber (Germany) 7-5 6-32015 Serena Williams (U.S.) beat Muguruza (Spain) 6-4 6-42014 Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) beat Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) 6-3 6-02013 Marion Bartoli (France) beat Sabine Lisicki (Germany) 6-1 6-42012 Serena Williams (U.S.) beat Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) 6-1 5-7 6-22011 Kvitova (Czech Republic) beat Maria Sharapova (Russia) 6-3 6-42010 Serena Williams (U.S.) beat Vera Zvonareva (Russia) 6-3 6-22009 Serena Williams (U.S.) beat Venus Williams (U.S.) 7-6(3) 6-22008 Venus Williams (U.S.) beat Serena Williams (U.S.) 7-5 6-42007 Venus Williams (U.S.) beat Bartoli (France) 6-4 6-12006 Amelie Mauresmo (France) beat Justine Henin (Belgium) 2-6 6-3 6-42005 Venus Williams (U.S.) beat Lindsay Davenport (U.S.) 4-6 7-6(4)9-72004 Sharapova (Russia) beat Serena Williams (U.S.) 6-1 6-42003 Serena Williams (U.S.) beat Venus Williams (U.S.) 4-6 6-4 6-22002 Serena Williams (U.S.) beat Venus Williams (U.S.) 7-6(4) 6-32001 Venus Williams (U.S.) beat Henin (Belgium) 6-1 3-6 6-02000 Venus Williams (U.S.) beat Davenport (U.S.) 6-3 7-6(3)1999 Davenport (U.S.) beat Steffi Graf (Germany) 6-4 7-51998 Jana Novotna (Czech Republic) beat Nathalie Tauziat (France) 6-4 7-6(2)1997 Martina Hingis (Switzerland) beat Novotna (Czech Republic) 2-6 6-3 6-31996 Graf (Germany) beat Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (Spain) 6-3 7-51995 Graf (Germany) beat Sanchez Vicario (Spain) 4-6 6-1 7-51994 Conchita Martinez (Spain) beat Martina Navratilova (U.S.) 6-4 3-6 6-31993 Graf (Germany) beat Novotna (Czech Republic) 7-6(6) 1-6 6-41992 Graf (Germany) beat Monica Seles (Yugoslavia) 6-2 6-11991 Graf (Germany) beat Gabriela Sabatini (Argentina) 6-4 3-6 8-61990 Navratilova (U.S.) beat Zina Garrison (U.S.) 6-4 6-11989 Graf (Germany) beat Navratilova (U.S.) 6-2 6-7(1) 6-11988 Graf (Germany) beat Navratilova (U.S.) 5-7 6-2 6-11987 Navratilova (U.S.) beat Graf (Germany) 7-5 6-31986 Navratilova (U.S.) beat Hana Mandlikova (Czechoslovakia) 7-6(1) 6-31985 Navratilova (U.S.) beat Chris Evert Lloyd (U.S.) 4-6 6-3 6-21984 Navratilova (U.S.) beat Evert Lloyd (U.S.) 7-6(5) 6-21983 Navratilova (U.S.) beat Andrea Jaeger (U.S.) 6-0 6-31982 Navratilova (U.S.) beat Evert Lloyd (U.S.) 6-1 3-6 6-21981 Evert Lloyd (U.S.) beat Mandlikova (Czechoslovakia) 6-2 6-21980 Evonne Goolagong Cawley (Australia) beat Evert Lloyd (U.S.) 6-1 7-6(4)1979 Navratilova (Czechoslovakia) beat Evert Lloyd (U.S.) 6-4 6-41978 Navratilova (Czechoslovakia) beat Evert Lloyd (U.S.) 2-6 6-4 7-51977 Virginia Wade (Britain) beat Betty Stove (Netherlands) 4-6 6-3 6-11976 Evert Lloyd (U.S.) beat Cawley (Australia) 6-3 4-6 8-61975 Billie Jean King (Moffitt) (U.S.) beat Cawley (Australia) 6-0 6-11974 Evert (U.S.) beat Olga Morozova (Soviet Union) 6-0 6-41973 King (U.S.) beat Evert (U.S.) 6-0 7-51972 King (U.S.) beat Cawley (Australia) 6-3 6-31971 Cawley (Australia) beat Margaret Court (Smith) (Australia) 6-4 6-11970 Court (Australia) beat King (U.S.) 14-12 11-91969 Ann Jones (Britain) beat King (U.S.) 3-6 6-3 6-21968 King (U.S.) beat Judy Tegart (Australia) 9-7 7-5Pre-Open era:1967 King (U.S.) beat Jones (Britain) 6-3 6-41966 King (U.S.) beat Maria Bueno (Brazil) 6-3 3-6 6-11965 Smith (Court) (Australia) beat Bueno (Brazil) 6-4 7-51964 Bueno (Brazil) beat Smith (Australia) 6-4 7-9 6-31963 Smith (Australia) beat Moffitt (King) (U.S.) 6-3 6-41962 Karen Susman (U.S.) beat Vera Sukova (Czechoslovakia)6-4 6-41961 Angela Mortimer (Britain) beat Christine Truman (Britain) 4-6 6-4 7-51960 Bueno (Brazil) beat Sandra Reynolds (South Africa) 8-6 6-01959 Bueno (Brazil) beat Darlene Hard (U.S.) 6-4 6-31958 Althea Gibson (U.S.) beat Mortimer (Britain) 8-6 6-21957 Gibson (U.S.) beat Hard (U.S.) 6-3 6-21956 Shirley Fry (U.S.) beat Angela Buxton (Britain) 6-3 6-11955 Louise Brough (U.S.) beat Beverly Fleitz (U.S.) 7-5 8-61954 Maureen Connolly (U.S.) beat Brough (U.S.) 6-2 7-51953 Connolly (U.S.) beat Doris Hart (U.S.) 8-6 7-51952 Connolly (U.S.) beat Brough (U.S.) 7-5 6-31951 Hart (U.S.) beat Fry (U.S.) 6-1 6-01950 Brough (U.S.) beat Margaret du Pont (Osborne) (U.S.) 6-1 3-6 6-11949 Brough (U.S.) beat Du Pont (U.S.) 10-8 1-6 10-81948 Brough (U.S.) beat Hart (U.S.) 6-3 8-61947 Osborne (U.S.) beat Hart (U.S.) 6-2 6-41946 Pauline Betz (U.S.) beat Brough (U.S.) 6-2 6-41940-45 No competition1939 Alice Marble (U.S.) beat Kay Stammers (Britain) 6-2 6-01938 Helen Moody (Wills) (U.S.) beat Helen Jacobs (U.S.) 6-4 6-01937 Dorothy Round (Britain) beat Jadwiga Jedr

Persons: Vondrousova, Elena Rybakina, Ash Barty, Karolina Pliskova, Simona Halep, Serena Williams, Angelique Kerber, Muguruza, Venus Williams, Petra Kvitova, Eugenie Bouchard, Marion Bartoli, Sabine Lisicki, Agnieszka Radwanska, Kvitova, Maria Sharapova, Vera Zvonareva, Bartoli, Amelie Mauresmo, Justine Henin, Lindsay Davenport, Sharapova, Davenport, Steffi Graf, Jana Novotna, Nathalie Tauziat, Martina Hingis, Novotna, Graf, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Sanchez Vicario, Conchita Martinez, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Gabriela Sabatini, Navratilova, Zina Garrison, Hana Mandlikova, Chris Evert Lloyd, Evert Lloyd, Andrea Jaeger, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Virginia Wade, Betty Stove, Cawley, Billie Jean King, Moffitt, Evert, Olga Morozova, King, Margaret Court, Smith, Ann Jones, Judy Tegart, Jones, Maria Bueno, Bueno, Karen Susman, Vera Sukova, Angela Mortimer, Christine Truman, Sandra Reynolds, Darlene Hard, Althea Gibson, Mortimer, Gibson, Shirley Fry, Angela Buxton, Louise Brough, Beverly Fleitz, Maureen Connolly, Connolly, Doris Hart, Hart, Fry, Brough, Margaret du Pont, Osborne, Du Pont, Pauline Betz, Alice Marble, Kay Stammers, Helen Moody, Wills, Helen Jacobs, Dorothy Round, Jadwiga Jedrzejowska, Jacobs, Hilde Sperling, Moody, Cilly Aussem, Hilde Krahwinkel, Elizabeth Ryan, Lili de Alvarez, De Alvarez, Kathleen Godfree, Suzanne Lenglen, Joan Fry, Kathleen McKane, Molla Mallory, Dorothea Chambers, Chambers, Ethel Larcombe, Winifred McNair, Charlotte Sterry, Dora Boothby, Boothby, Agnes Morton, Morton, Sutton, Dorothea Douglass, Douglass, Sterry, Thomson, Muriel Robb, Blanche Hillyard, Hillyard, Charlotte Cooper, Cooper, Louisa Martin 6, Alice Pickering, Helen Jackson, Edith Austin, Lottie Dod, Dod, Lena Rice, May, Bingley, Maud Watson, Watson, Lillian Watson, Aadi Nair, Ed Osmond Organizations: Wimbledon, Henin, Davenport, Graf, Evert, King, Brough, Wills, Rice, Bingley, Thomson Locations: Czech Republic, Tunisia, Kazakhstan, Jabeur, Australia, Romania, Germany, Spain, Kerber, Muguruza, Canada, France, Poland, Russia, Belgium, U.S, Switzerland, Yugoslavia, Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Mandlikova, Britain, Netherlands, Soviet Union, Brazil, South Africa, McKane, Bingley, Bengaluru

☆ Wimbledon women’s final: Markéta Vondroušová and Ons Jabeur battle for their maiden grand slam
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Markéta Vondroušová and Ons Jabeur will meet in the women’s Wimbledon final on Saturday with both aiming to win their maiden grand slam title. Dylan Martinez/ReutersAfter her semifinal victory on Thursday, Vondroušová admitted she has some added motivation to win in Saturday’s final. “If I win a grand slam, he’s going to get one, so I hope I will. Just 12 months ago, the Tunisian lost in three sets to Elena Rybakina in the Wimbledon final. Jabeur celebrates after winning match point against Sabalenka in their Wimbledon semifinal.

Persons: Markéta, Vondroušová, Elina Svitolina, Jabeur, Jessica Pegula –, Ash Barty, Dylan Martinez, “, ”, it’s, Frankie, she’s, –, Frankie –, He’s, Elena Rybakina, Iga Świątek, Petra Kvitová, Bianca Andreescu, Rob Newell, CameraSport, I’ve, That’s Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Lawn Tennis, Croquet, Centre Court, Svitolina, Reuters, Saturday’s, Sabalenka Locations: Vondroušová, North, Czech, Prague

☆ Vondrousova one step from 'mission impossible'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, July 13 (Reuters) - For Marketa Vondrousova the very notion of winning Wimbledon was an impossibility a year ago, but on Saturday she has the chance to add her name to an esteemed list of Czech champions. Not only that, but Prague-based Vondrousova, 24, can become the first unseeded woman to win Wimbledon. I didn't play for almost six months, so it was very tough," Vondrousova told reporters when asked to cast her mind back 12 months. It was really sad," Vondrousova, who made a tentative return to the second-tier ITF Tour last October, said. But something clicked and she has beaten 12th seed Veronika Kudermetova, 20th seed Donna Vekic, 32nd seed Marie Bouzkova and fourth seed Jessica Pegula.

Persons: Miriam Kolodziejova, Stepan Simek, Elina Svitolina, Martina Navratilova, Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Vondrousova, Marketa, Susan Mullane, Ash Barty, Karolina Muchova, Veronika Kudermetova, Donna Vekic, Marie Bouzkova, Jessica Pegula, Frankie, He's, Martyn Herman, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Wimbledon, Court, Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Slams, ITF, Thomson Locations: Czech, Wimbledon, Prague, London, United Kingdom, Berlin

☆ Stronger than ever Svitolina relishing Vondrousova test at Wimbledon
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

I don't know how many years I will be playing more... You practice for these big moments. "We've played a few times, so we know each other," said Vondrousova, who has taken out four seeds in the tournament. That's why she's doing well this season and especially here at Wimbledon," Sabalenka added. Jabeur, who lost to Sabalenka in the quarter-finals in 2021, said she had to stay focused for what will be a different test. "Aryna is more emotional than Elena, so maybe it could be a good or bad thing, I'm not sure.

Persons: Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Poland's Iga Swiatek, Toby Melville LONDON, Elina Svitolina, Vondrousova, Svitolina, Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin, Skai, Ash Barty, We've, Aryna, Roland Garros, Elena Rybakina, Sabalenka, Jabeur, Elena, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Poland's Iga Swiatek REUTERS, Wimbledon, Victoria Azarenka, Melbourne, Kazakh, Madison Keys, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Ukrainian, Czech, Ukraine, Moscow, Belarusian, Sabalenka, Jabeur, Swiatek, Wimbledon, Bengaluru

☆ Ash Barty: Former world No. 1 and husband announce birth of son
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

1 and three-time grand slam champion Ashleigh Barty has welcomed her first child with her husband, Garry Kissick. The pair announced the arrival of their son, Hayden, in a joint Instagram post Tuesday captioned “Our beautiful boy.”“Welcome to the world, Hayden!” they wrote. Last year, Barty stunned the tennis world by announcing she was retiring from the sport at age 25 while she was the world No. I’ve said it to my team multiple times, it’s just I don’t have that in me anymore,” said Barty in March 2022 when she retired. In 2020, Barty won the women’s championship at the Brookwater Golf Club near Brisbane and 15-time major winner Tiger Woods once reportedly described her as having a “great swing.”

Persons: Ashleigh Barty, Garry Kissick, Hayden, ”, Barty, I’ve, it’s, “, Tiger Woods Organizations: CNN, Former, Wimbledon, Australian, WTA Tour, Brisbane Heat, Bash League Locations: Australian, Brisbane

☆ Five top contenders for the Wimbledon women's crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/5] Jun 10, 2023; Paris,France; Iga Swiatek (POL) returns a shot during the French Open final against Karolina Muchova (CZE) on day 14 at Stade Roland-Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports/File photoJune 30 (Reuters) - Five top contenders for the women's title at Wimbledon, which starts on Monday. The 22-year-old exited last year's Championships in the third round and is yet to demonstrate her strengths consistently on grass. ARYNA SABALENKA (BELARUS)* World ranking: 2The big-hitting Belarusian has polished her game this year and become less erratic with her shot-making, which helped her win the Australian Open in January. The 33-year-old, who stunned Elena Rybakina to win the Miami Open, has not reached a Wimbledon quarter-final since her title run in 2014.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Karolina Muchova, Susan Mullane, Swiatek, Ash, SABALENKA, Sabalenka, Roland Garros, Alexander Lukashenko, ELENA RYBAKINA, Rybakina, PETRA KVITOVA, Kvitova, Elena Rybakina, KAROLINA MUCHOVA, raring, Iga, Muchova, Aryna, Hritika Sharma, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Stade Roland, Garros, Wimbledon, IGA, All England Club, Bad, Eastbourne, Indian, Miami, All England, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, POLAND, Bad Homburg, BELARUS, Iga, Madrid, Belarusian, Belarus, KAZAKHSTAN, Berlin, Moscow, Indian Wells, CZECH REPUBLIC, Eastbourne, Hyderabad

☆ Djokovic returns to world number one, Nadal out of top 100
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 13 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic reclaimed the world number one ranking from Carlos Alcaraz after winning his men's record 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Rafa Nadal dropped out of the top 100 for the first time in 20 years. Alcaraz dropped to second place while Daniil Medvedev, who crashed out in the first round, also slid one place down to third. Nadal, a 14-times French Open champion, has endured an injury-plagued season and not played since January because of a hip injury sustained during the Australian Open. In the women's rankings, Iga Swiatek retained top spot after defending her French Open title. French Open finalist Muchova climbed from 43rd to a career-high 16th.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Rafa Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Roland Garros, Casper Ruud, Iga Swiatek, Ash, Aryna Sabalenka, Karolina Muchova, Muchova, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Hritika Sharma, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Nadal, French, Swiatek, Reigning Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Paris, Hyderabad

☆ Rybakina targets deep run at Roland Garros after Rome triumph
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Moscow-born 23-year-old bagged her second title of 2023 after her Indian Wells triumph and fifth overall when Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina retired while trailing 6-4 1-0. "I think with my game, I can play good on all the surfaces," said Rybakina, who also reached the Australian Open and Miami finals this season. Rybakina reached the third round at Roland Garros last year and hoped playing in Paris would be easier this time. Kalinina, whose hopes of a first title were dashed due to a leg injury, said Rybakina had the qualities to succeed on clay. She's making winners like no one on tour... anyone can win in Paris, but she has good chances," Kalinina said.

In a full page statement published in The Sydney Morning Herald, Rugby Australia (RA) said the proposed referendum is "too important a contest to watch in silence". "Provision for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in our Constitution is long overdue," it added. RA and the AFL join the National Rugby league (NRL), several AFL clubs, and other sports governing bodies like soccer's Football Australia, Tennis Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee in formalising support for Indigenous recognition through a referendum. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has staked significant political capital on the referendum, has been keen to get the support of leading sports bodies and players. Some of Australia's top athletes are Indigenous, like NBA star Patty Mills, former Olympic sprinter Cathy Freeman and former woman's tennis world number one Ash Barty.

☆ Australian Open sets Grand Slam attendance record
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 31 (Reuters) - The Australian Open set a Grand Slam attendance record with more than 900,000 spectators visiting over three weeks, organisers said on Tuesday, despite the absence of some big-name players and schedule disruptions due to rain. A record 839,192 fans flocked to Melbourne Park from Jan. 16-29 for the first tournament in two years free of COVID-19 restrictions, beating the previous mark of 812,174 set in January 2020. The figures eclipse last year's attendance numbers at other Grand Slam main draws - 515,164 visited Wimbledon, 613,500 were at the French Open and 776,120 went to the U.S. Open. The tournament, missing the retired Serena Williams, Roger Federer and last year's homegrown champion Ash Barty, broke its single-day attendance mark with 94,854 fans visiting on Jan. 21. Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday to win his 10th Australian Open crown, drawing level with Rafa Nadal on 22 majors, and reclaim the world number one rankingAryna Sabalena won her first Grand Slam title with victory over Elena Rybakina on Saturday.

☆ Rybakina eyes Swiatek's No.1 ranking after Australian Open win
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Rybakina advanced to the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park for the first time with her win at Rod Laver Arena and will meet Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko for a place in the last four. Rybakina said there were still "many things to improve" on but that she was a match for anyone if she could continue her current form. Sunday was the first time Kazakhstan's Rybakina appeared on one of the two main showcourts at Melbourne Park during this tournament, with the Russia-born player starting her campaign on an outer court. "When you play against the number one, I think you have really nothing to lose," Rybakina added. "So I was trying to just attack her from the first ball, and it really worked well."

☆ Gauff outshines Raducanu to win battle of the prodigies
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I just told myself to hang in there," Gauff said in her on-court interview. "Emma was playing really good tennis towards the end of the match and the whole match was great. "In the beginning we both started off rocky but I think the match was good quality for the most part. "This was a long anticipated match since the draw came out so I'm glad the match was good for you guys." Gauff next takes on the winner of the match between fellow American Bernarda Pera and China's Zheng Qinwen, hoping to win and match her best run at Melbourne Park three years ago.

☆ Raducanu faces Gauff in 'next generation' battle at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Raducanu was playing at her peak and riding a wave of unprecedented success after breaking through in 2021 and clinching the U.S. Open while Gauff was making strides and reaching the second week of Grand Slams. Coco has obviously done a lot of great things and she's playing well," said Raducanu, who overcame an ankle issue to advance. I think we're both good, young players, we're both coming through, part of the next generation of tennis really. It's going to be a great match." The night session wraps up with third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas taking on local hope and 21-year-old wildcard Rinky Hijikata.

☆ Australian Open 2023 prize money: how much do winners of men's, women's and doubles finals win?
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Here is what you need to know about the prize pot on offer at the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year:WHEN IS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN HAPPENING? * The 2023 Australian Open runs from Jan. 16-29. * The winners of the men's and women's singles in 2022, Rafael Nadal and Ash Barty, received A$2.875 million in prize money. * Last year's winners of the men's and women's singles at the U.S. Open, Carlos Alcaraz and Swiatek, received $2.6 million. WHAT IS THE PRIZE MONEY ON OFFER IN MEN'S AND WOMEN'S DOUBLES AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN IN 2023?

☆ Pegula happy to stay out of the spotlight after moving into second round
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Jessica Pegula says she is happy to keep flying under the radar at the Australian Open after the American breezed into the second round on Monday with a 6-0 6-1 win over Romania's Jaqueline Cristian. "I think girls like Iga or Ons, I feel like maybe their stories are a little bit more, I don't know, grab more attention," said Pegula, the top ranked U.S. woman. "I definitely think I have just kind of been a little bit under the radar, but I don't mind that," she said. I don't think I do too many things to really grab a ton of attention." Reporting by Michael Church in Hong Kong, Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Nadal survives early test, Kyrgios pulls out in Australian Open shock
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

With Draper's injury reducing him to a groaning wreck, Nadal finished strongly to close out the match 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-1. With Kyrgios gone and last year's women's champion Ash Barty retired, the chances of a another home winner for local fans are greatly diminished. Seventh seed Coco Gauff also raced into the second round, while last year's finalist Danielle Collins advanced with a tougher, three-set win over Anna Kalinskaya. Briton Raducanu will next face teenager Gauff, who won in Auckland and confirmed her good form with a 6-1 6-4 win over Katerina Siniakova. Italian 15th seed Jannik Sinner, a quarter-finalist last year, was the first man to reach the second round, rolling over Briton Kyle Edmund 6-4 6-0 6-2 on John Cain Arena.

☆ Swiatek quells Niemeier challenge in testing opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 16, 2023 Germany's Jule Niemeier in action during her first round match against Poland's Iga Swiatek REUTERS/Carl RecineMELBOURNE, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Iga Swiatek took time to get going but found her way past Jule Niemeier, beating the German 6-4 7-5 in the opening round of the Australian Open on Monday for a slightly unconvincing start as the firm favourite for the year's first Grand Slam title. In a rematch of their U.S. Open fourth-round meeting where Swiatek battled from a set and break down to prevail, the Pole revved up her backhand to save two breakpoints before a nervy hold as Niemeier gave her little room to work the angles. But the top seed targeted world number 68 Niemeier's serve to grab the decisive break and with it the opening set, before surrendering serve early in the next only to hit back from 0-2 down to level at 5-5 and seal the victory. Swiatek, backed to stamp her authority on the women's game by winning the title vacated by the retired Ash Barty, continues her quest for a fourth major trophy when she meets Colombia's Camila Osorio in the second round. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Retiring Stosur 'too passionate' to walk away from the sport
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Stosur announced on social media she will retire from the sport after a last appearance in the doubles tournaments at Melbourne Park, 21 years after her first Australian Open. read moreSince becoming a mum in mid-2020, Stosur has made a staged departure from the game, taking on a mentoring role with some of the country's emerging players. Still got to work out exactly what that is going to be," Stosur told reporters at Melbourne Park. "I'm too passionate about it, too invested in what all the other players are doing to just walk away. It's only going to take one to maybe get through that next spot and we'll seemore coming through."

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