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☆ Emma Raducanu drops out of French Open qualifying to focus on building fitness
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Emma Raducanu has dropped out of this year’s French Open qualifying, opting instead to focus on building her fitness. Despite initially being entered into the qualifying draw, the Briton pulled out before matches were due to start on Monday. Raducanu has not played a competitive match since her defeat by Maria Lourdes Carle at the Madrid Open in the first round on April 24. She eventually underwent surgery on both wrists and one of her ankles in May 2023 and missed both the French Open and Wimbledon last year to recover. Raducanu had hoped to use this season to build back her form on court, but remains ranked 212 in the world.

Persons: Emma Raducanu, “, ” Raducanu, Stuart Fraser, Raducanu, Maria Lourdes Carle, Billie Jean King Organizations: CNN, Briton, Times, Madrid, Billie Jean King Cup, BBC, French, Wimbledon Locations: Great Britain, France

☆ Emma Raducanu plays ‘best tennis’ of her life to inspire Britain to historic win
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu said she is playing the “best tennis” of her life, after inspiring Great Britain to victory over France in the Billie Jean King Cup on Saturday. “Tennis-wise I have improved because I feel like I am playing the best tennis of my career and my life,” Raducanu said, per BBC Sport. “I knew it would pay off eventually, so I’m very pleased this weekend it was able to show.”It is the first time Great Britain has qualified for the Billie Jean King Cup finals, except as a host nation. Raducanu then dropped the first set against Caroline Garcia later that evening before rallying to defeat the world No. “The players have done it, the team have worked together really well, and we deserve our spot (in the Billie Jean King Cup finals),” she added, per the tournament’s website.

Persons: Emma Raducanu, Billie Jean King, Raducanu, France’s Diane Parry, ” Raducanu, it’s, we’ve, ”, “, Aurelien Meunier, Katie Boulter, Diane Parry, Caroline Garcia, Boulter, Clara Burel, Parry, “ I’m, Emma, Great, Anne Keothavong, That’s Organizations: CNN, Former, Billie Jean King Cup, Britain, BBC, “, French, Wimbledon Locations: Britain, France, British, Raducanu

☆ Raonic gives champions Canada fast start v Finland
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Tennis - Davis Cup - Finals - Canada v Finland - Palacio de deportes Martin Carpena, Malaga, Spain - November 21, 2023 Canada's Milos Raonic in action during his quarter final match against Finland's Patrick Kaukovalta REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura Acquire Licensing RightsMALAGA, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Canada's Milos Raonic returned to Davis Cup action for the first time in five years to give the reigning champions a fast start in their Final Eight clash against Finland on Tuesday. The big-serving Raonic banged down 18 aces in a 6-3 7-5 defeat of lowly-ranked Finn Patrick Kaukovalta to put Canada 1-0 ahead in the best of three tie. Raonic began the match with a game of aces and ended it with another one after little more than an hour. Gabriel Diallo will send Canada into the semi-finals if he beats Otto Virtanen in the second singles rubber. Reporting by Martyn Herman Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: deportes Martin, Milos Raonic, Finland's Patrick Kaukovalta, Violeta Santos Moura, Finn Patrick Kaukovalta, Raonic, Felix Auger, Emil Ruusuvuori, Kaukovalta, Davis, Gabriel Diallo, Otto Virtanen, Billie Jean King, Martyn Herman, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Palacio, deportes, deportes Martin Carpena, Rights, Davis, Finland, banged, Canada's, Wimbledon, Australia, Billie Jean King Cup, Thomson Locations: Finland, Malaga, Spain, Canada

☆ Billie Jean King Cup: Leylah Fernandez guides Canada to first ever title
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Leylah Fernandez led Canada to a first ever Billie Jean King Cup triumph on Sunday, securing the title with a 6-2 6-3 win over Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. Canada won the Billie Jean King Cup, formerly known as the Fed Cup, for the first time. It’s a dream come true.”Canada’s victory comes just a year after the men clinched the country’s first Davis Cup title. Fernandez was undefeated over the week as she guided Canada to victory. After Fernandez’s victory, the Canadian team was presented with the trophy by Billie Jean King, as well as blue jackets like those regularly worn by the legendary tennis star.

Persons: CNN — Leylah Fernandez, Billie Jean King, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, Fernandez, ” Fernandez, CNN Sport’s Patrick Snell, “ Billie Jean King, “ We’re, Marina Stakusic, Martina Trevisan, Matt McNulty, Heidi El Tabakh, Magdalena Fręch, “, ” Stakusic, hasn’t, El Tabakh, ” El Tabakh, Marcelo Del Pozo Organizations: CNN, Canada, Czech, Billie Jean King Cup, Fed, Reuters, Canadian Locations: Canada, Poland, Spain, Czech Republic, Italy

☆ Doubles powerhouse Krejcikova, Siniakova part ways
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Tennis - Billie Jean King Cup Finals - Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain - November 11, 2023 Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski and Leylah Fernandez celebrate after winning their doubles match against Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 12 (Reuters) - Dynamic Czech duo Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova will not play doubles together during the 2024 season, the WTA said on its website on Sunday, pausing their hugely successful partnership after collecting seven Grand Slam titles together. The pair won in San Diego in September but lost to Canadians Gabriela Dabrowski and Leylah Fernandez at the Billie Jean King Cup this weekend. Siniakova initiated the split after an injury-marred 2023, according to media reports, but did not rule out a potential reunion. The Olympic doubles champions picked up their seventh Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this year. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Billie Jean King, Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski, Leylah Fernandez, Krejcikova, Katerina Siniakova REUTERS, Marcelo Del Pozo, Barbora Krejcikova, Katerina Siniakova, Gabriela Dabrowski, Siniakova, Amy Tennery, Ken Ferris Organizations: La, Czech, WTA, Thomson Locations: Seville, Spain, San Diego, New York

SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — Leylah Fernandez and Marina Stakusic won their singles matches as Canada beat Italy 2-0 to claim its first-ever Billie Jean King Cup on Sunday. Stakusic, ranked 258th in the world, put Canada ahead by defeating No. Canada had beaten 11-time champion Czech Republic in the semifinals, while four-time champion Italy advanced past Slovenia for its first final appearance since 2013. Political Cartoons View All 1240 ImagesCanada, captained by Heidi El Tabakh, is the 13th nation to win the Billie Jean King Cup, and the second new champion after Switzerland’s triumph in Glasgow a year ago. The Canada men's team is the current Davis Cup champion.

Persons: — Leylah Fernandez, Marina Stakusic, Billie Jean King, Stakusic, Martina Trevisan, Fernandez, Jasmine Paolini, Davis, Heidi El Tabakh, Iga Swiatek, ___ Organizations: Canada, Italy, Billie Jean King Cup, La, Czech, Davis, WTA Locations: SEVILLE, Spain, Canada, Seville, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Glasgow, United States, Switzerland, Cancun , Mexico

☆ Fernandez seals Canada's first BJK Cup title
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

After the 21-year-old converted match point the Canadian team celebrated wildly on court in front of their jubilant fans. It was then over to Fernandez who duly claimed her fourth singles win of the week by outclassing Paolini. Canada's team will receive $2.4 million in prize money -- a record for the women's team event formerly known as the Fed Cup. "Congratulations to Canada for capturing their first Billie Jean King Cup title," King said. Canada are the 13th nation to win the Billie Jean King Cup and the second new champions in two years following Switzerland’s triumph in Glasgow 12 months ago.

Persons: Billie Jean King, Marina Stakusic, Italy's Martina Trevisan, Marcelo Del Pozo, Leylah Fernandez, Jasmine Paolini, Heidi El Tabakh, Martina Trevisan, Trevisan, Stakusic, Fernandez, outclassing Paolini, Marketa Vondrousova, Gabriela Dabrowski, Barbora Krejcikova, Katerina Siniakova, American King, King, Martyn Herman, Hugh Lawson, Ken Ferris Organizations: La, U.S ., WTA, Wimbledon, Fed, Billie Jean King Cup, Thomson Locations: Seville, Spain, SEVILLE, Canada, Italy, Czech Republic, Czech, American, Glasgow

☆ Italy overcome spirited Slovenia to reach BJK Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEVILLE, Spain, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Jasmine Paolini defeated Tamara Zidansek and Martina Trevisan beat Kaja Juvan as Italy secured a 2-0 victory over Slovenia in Seville on Saturday to reach the Billie Jean King Cup final and stay on course for their fifth crown in the team competition. Trevisan earlier put Italy in front in their quest to make the final of the event for a sixth time with a battling 7-6(6) 6-3 victory over Slovenian world number 104 Juvan. "I have to say that today was really tough," Trevisan said as Italy tasted success in their first semi-final appearance in the competition since 2014. Italy's last triumph in the competition came 10 years ago, and they could face stiff competition in Sunday's title clash. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jasmine Paolini, Tamara Zidansek, Martina Trevisan, Kaja Juvan, Billie Jean King, Paolini, Trevisan, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Slovenia, Billie Jean King Cup, Estadio, la, Slovenian, Czech, United States, Thomson Locations: SEVILLE, Spain, Italy, Seville, Czech Republic, Canada, Bengaluru

☆ Italy reach BJK Cup semis, Australia stay alive
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Paolini, who like Trevisan also won her singles against France, then dispatched Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-3 6-2. It is the first time Italy have reached the semi-finals of the competition since 2014. Captain Alicia Molik changed her line-up and world number 155 Storm Hunter rewarded her faith by posting a 7-6(2) 6-4 victory against Anna Danilina, ranked a lowly 802nd. Later on Thursday, reigning champions Switzerland face the United States in Group A needing to win to stay in the hunt. Canada can secure their place in the semi-finals if they beat a Poland side without world number one Iga Swiatek.

Persons: Billie Jean King, Jasmine Paolini, Germany's Anna, Lena Friedsam REUTERS, Marcelo Del Pozo, Martina Trevisan, Eva Lys, Trevisan, Anna, Lena Friedsam, Alicia Molik, Storm Hunter, Anna Danilina, Yulia Putintseva, Kim Birrell, Hunter, Ellen Perez, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: La, Germany, France, Slovenia, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, United States, Thomson Locations: Seville, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, France, Germany, Australia, Slovenia, United, Canada, Poland

☆ Italy beat France in BJK Cup Finals after two singles wins
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Tennis - Billie Jean King Cup Finals - Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain - November 8, 2023 Italy's Martina Trevisan celebrates during her match against France's Alize Cornet REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo Acquire Licensing RightsSEVILLE, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Singles wins for Martina Trevisan and Jasmine Paolini gave Italy victory over France in their opening Group D clash at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville on Wednesday. Trevisan recovered from a slow start to beat the experienced Alize Cornet 2-6 6-2 6-2 in the opening rubber. France will seek to at least get a point on the board in the later doubles. Italy have now beaten France five times in their last seven meetings in the flagship women's team competition. Later on Wednesday hosts Spain face Canada in the first action in Group C.Reporting by Martyn HermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Billie Jean King, Martina Trevisan, France's Alize Cornet, Marcelo Del Pozo, Jasmine Paolini, Trevisan, Alize Cornet, Paolini, Caroline Garcia, Martyn Herman Our Organizations: La, Italy, France, Billie Jean King Cup, Wednesday, Spain, Thomson Locations: Seville, Spain, France, Italy, Canada

☆ Storm Hunter defies the odds to win first BJK Cup match
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Australian tennis star Storm Hunter won her first match at this year’s BJK Cup in Seville, Spain, on Tuesday, despite landing in the country just hours before it started… without her luggage. The 29-year-old had been playing in the WTA Finals doubles competition in Cancún, Mexico, last week, eventually losing with partner Elise Mertens in the semifinals on Sunday. It’s definitely been a whirlwind few days.”Hunter (left) had played in the doubles semifinals at the WTA Finals on Sunday. Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesThe Billie Jean King Cup is akin to the women’s World Cup of tennis, pitting countries from around the world against one another. 1 Iga Świątek, opted not to play at this year’s BJK Cup, with the event starting just a day after the rain-delayed WTA Finals.

Persons: Storm Hunter, Elise Mertens, Hunter, Kimberly Birrell, Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec, Ela Milić –, “ It’s, ” Hunter, “, It’s, Clive Brunskill, Billie Jean King, Coco Gauff, Świątek Organizations: CNN, WTA, Australia, Slovenia, Team Australia Locations: Australian, Seville, Spain, Cancún, Mexico, Kazakhstan

☆ BJK Cup: Billie Jean King on the career moment she’ll ‘never forget’ and the growth of the tournament named in her honor
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Billing itself as the world’s largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, the Billie Jean King Cup is akin to the World Cup of tennis, pitting countries from around the world against one another. Tennis great Billie Jean King lent her name to the tournament – which celebrates its 60th anniversary this month – in 2020 and she has fond memories of playing in it herself. It fits my personality and fits how I think about the sport,” King said. Improving women’s tennis is something King has done throughout her career in the sport. More than anything, though, King wants this competition, and women’s sport in general, to get more media coverage.

Persons: CNN —, Billie Jean King, King, “, ” King, “ It’s, Davis, Serena Williams, John G, Mabanglo, ”, Bobby Riggs, Lesley Martin, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Iga Świątek Organizations: CNN, Tennis, US, Getty, Federation Cup, Fed, International Tennis Federation, ITF, Women’s Tennis Association, ”, WTA Locations: Seville, Spain, France, Italy, Canada, Germany, US, Australia, Switzerland, Poland, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Venus, AFP, “, ” Switzerland, Mexico

☆ Slovenia beat Australia in BJK Finals opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Kaja Juvan got outsiders Slovenia off to a flyer with a 6-4 6-1 defeat of a rusty Ajla Tomljanovic. Former French Open semi-finalist Tamara Zidansek then overcame Daria Saville 6-1 6-4 to give Slovenia an unassailable lead, although a doubles rubber was still to be played. A strong-looking Kazakhstan team are the other country in Group B. The 12 qualifying nations are split into four sections of three with the group winners progressing to the semi-finals. Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Billie Jean King, Tamara Zidansek, Australia's Daria Saville, Marcelo Del Pozo, Kaja Juvan, Daria Saville, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: La, Billie Jean King Cup, Australia, French, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Thomson Locations: Seville, Spain, Slovenia, Czech Republic

☆ Ending the 40-hour workweek is possible, but it'll require sacrifices from all of us
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . In today's big story, we're looking at the internet calling for changes to the "soul-crushing" and "depressing" 9-to-5 workday. The 40-hour workweek is facing a reckoning after a recent grad's viral TikTok emotionally questioning how people have time for a personal life while working a full-time job. AdvertisementAdvertisementSo yes, upending the 9-to-5 is possible — and worth considering — but only with a bit of sacrifice from all of us. Earnings today: Uber, eBay, H&R Block, Nintendo, and other companies.

Persons: —, Dolly Parton, Jeff Kravitz, FilmMagic, Dolly, Gen, Insider's, Gen Z, Tim Paradis, I've, we'd, Rebecca Zisser, Ray Dalio, That's, Rob Copeland's, Dalio, Warren Buffett's, Sam Altman Justin Sullivan, OpenAI's, Sam Altman, Slack, Lidiane Jones, Bumble, Tesla, Samantha Lee, WeWork, they're, Billie Jean King, Bryan Johnson, Dustin Giallanza, Dan DeFrancesco, Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Service, Bridgewater Associates, Bank of America, EV, Microsoft, Billie Jean King Cup, eBay, Nintendo Locations: Taylor, Berkshire, Kentucky, Mississippi, Sevilla, Spain, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland, New York City, San Diego, London, New York

☆ ITF announces record prize money for Billie Jean King Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Tennis - Billie Jean King Cup Finals - Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - November 9, 2022 General view of the trophy during the group stage match between Italy's Jasmine Paolini and Switwerland's Belinda Bencic Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 6 (Reuters) - This year's Billie Jean King Cup champions will receive a record $2.4 million, with prize money for the finals of the women's team event again matching that of the men's Davis Cup. A total Player Prize Money purse of $9.6 million will be shared between the 12 competing nations in Seville, the International Tennis Federation said in a statement. "We are proud to announce this news on the eve of the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup ... Finals," ITF president David Haggerty said. "Achieving gender parity in our sport is a key part of the ITF's Advantage All programme and I am delighted we have been able to offer equivalent prize money with the Davis Cup Finals again this year." The qualifying nations are split into four groups of three teams with the group winners moving into the semi-finals.

Persons: Billie Jean King, Italy's Jasmine Paolini, Switwerland's Belinda Bencic, Ed Sykes, Davis, David Haggerty, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Emirates, Billie Jean King Cup, International Tennis Federation, ITF, Davis, Estadio la, Thomson Locations: Glasgow, Scotland, Britain, Seville, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Group, Australia, Slovenia

SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will offer a record total of $9.6 million in prize money, including $2.4 million to the champions, the International Tennis Federation announced Monday. The ITF said this puts the women competing at the BJK Cup Finals on an equivalent prize level as the men at the Davis Cup Finals. The 12-team BJK Cup Finals start Tuesday at Seville’s La Cartuja Stadium and run through Sunday. Defending champion Switzerland is joined by last year’s runner-up, Australia, and 10 other countries: Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and the United States. The runner-up team will earn $1.44 million, each losing semifinalist will get $960,000 and teams eliminated in the group stage will receive $480,000.

Persons: Billie Jean King Organizations: International Tennis Federation, ITF, Davis, Seville’s La Locations: SEVILLE, Spain, Seville’s, Seville’s La Cartuja, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, Slovenia, United States

☆ Sorenstam surprised by invite to join Augusta National membership
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Frank Pingue | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 18, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Annika Sorenstam Walks up to the fourth tee box during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament at Ritz Carlton Golf Club Grande Lakes Orlando Course. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 1 (Reuters) - Swedish golfing great Annika Sorenstam said on Wednesday she was surprised by the recent invitation for her to join the renowned Augusta National Golf Club and called it one of the happiest days of her life. Sorenstam, a 10-times major champion who has won 90 titles worldwide, is the first LPGA professional to become a member at the exclusive Augusta, Georgia-based golf club that has been home of the Masters since 1934. I'm extremely honored," Sorenstam told reporters ahead of her namesake event on the LPGA Tour taking place next week in Belleair, Florida. King made no secret about what impact she hopes Sorenstam can have at Augusta National, which in 2019 began hosting the Augusta National Women's Amateur.

Persons: Annika Sorenstam, Reinhold Matay, State Condoleezza Rice, Darla Moore, Augusta, Sorenstam, Billie Jean King, Lyn St, James, Gainbridge, I'm, King, Frank Pingue, Toby Davis Organizations: PNC Championship, Ritz Carlton Golf Club, Augusta National Golf Club, Former U.S, State, LPGA, Billie Jean King Cup, Women, Motorsports, Hall of Fame, Augusta National, Thomson Locations: Orlando , Florida, USA, Ritz Carlton Golf Club Grande, Swedish, Augusta , Georgia, Belleair , Florida, Motorsports North America, Toronto

☆ ITF chief happy with Davis Cup format, expects big crowds for knockouts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BENGALURU, India, Oct 30 (Reuters) - The International Tennis Federation will continue to work towards improving the Davis Cup amid low attendances in some ties in September but the governing body is happy with its existing format, ITF chief David Haggerty told Reuters. "This year the Davis Cup group stages (in September) were great. "We have many fans that are travelling with their teams, so we're excited about the Davis Cup and the format and where we're going." Boosting premier team competitions like the Davis Cup and the women's Billie Jean King Cup is also a big priority. Also, the Grand Slams have said how important both of these team competitions are, so to have their support as well is great," Haggerty said.

Persons: David Haggerty, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Haggerty, Spain didn't, Germany's Dietloff von Arnim, Billie Jean King, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ken Ferris Organizations: Tennis Federation, ITF, Reuters, Kosmos, Davis, Thomson Locations: BENGALURU, India, Malaga, Canada, Finland, Australia, Czech Republic, Italy, Netherlands, Serbia, Britain, Spain, Bengaluru

☆ WTA Finals to be held in Cancun
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Tennis - WTA Tour Finals - Panamerican Tennis Center, Guadalajara, Mexico - November 17, 2021 The WTA Finals Martina Navratilova Trophy is seen after Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova won their final doubles match against Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei and Belgium's Elise Mertens Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreSept 7 (Reuters) - The 2023 edition of the WTA Finals will be held in Cancun, Mexico from Oct. 29-Nov. 5 under a one-year agreement, the women's tennis body announced on Thursday, ending speculation that this year's event could be held in Saudi Arabia. "This edition of the WTA Finals will provide a fantastic experience for players and fans alike, offer a fitting finale for the 2023 WTA Tour, and enable us to continue building a strong future for women's tennis," said Steve Simon, WTA Chairman and CEO. After the men's ATP Tour announced last month that the Next Gen Finals would be held in Jeddah from 2023 to 2027, social media had been awash with rumours that the WTA Finals could also be headed to Saudi Arabia. The WTA Finals will end two days before the beginning of the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Seville. "The WTA weighed a number of competitive bids through a thorough process, in close consultation with the WTA Players’ Council," the WTA said on Thursday.

Persons: Martina Navratilova, Krejcikova, Katerina Siniakova, Taiwan's Hsieh Su, Belgium's Elise Mertens, Steve Simon, Simon, Chris Evert, Peng Shuai, Billie Jean King, Iga Swiatek, Aadi Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Tennis Center, WTA, ATP, ESPN, Billie Jean King Cup, WTA Players ’, Thomson Locations: Guadalajara, Mexico, Czech, Cancun, Saudi Arabia, Jeddah, Saudi, Tunisian, Shenzhen, China, Fort Worth , United States, Los Angeles, Madrid, Doha, Istanbul, Singapore, Seville, Bengaluru

NEW YORK (AP) — The women’s tennis tour will hold the WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico, from Oct. 29 to Nov. 5, finally finding a site for the season-ending event that has shifted cities repeatedly. The tour has a one-year agreement with Cancun, the WTA announced Thursday, hours before the U.S. Open women's semifinals were scheduled to be played in New York. A year ago, the choice to host WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, also was not announced until September. Political Cartoons View All 1148 ImagesAt the time, top-ranked Iga Swiatek complained that the location and the timing — play wrapped up in Fort Worth one day before the start of the Billie Jean King Cup in Glasgow, Scotland — was a mistake. “The WTA weighed a number of competitive bids through a thorough process, in close consultation with the WTA Players’ Council,” the tour said Thursday in its announcement about Cancun.

Persons: Billie Jean King, Iga Swiatek, Scotland —, ”, Fort Worth, Peng Shuai Organizations: WTA, U.S, ATP, International Tennis Federation —, Billie Jean King Cup, WTA Players ’, “ Locations: Cancun , Mexico, Cancun, New York, Saudi Arabia, Jedda, Seville, Spain, Fort Worth , Texas, Fort Worth, Glasgow, Scotland, Shenzhen, China, Guadalajara, Mexico, Fort

☆ Former Wimbledon champion Martinez calls for more female coaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 13 (Reuters) - More female coaches are needed on the WTA and ATP Tours says Spain's former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, who on Thursday was named as tournament director for this year's Billie Jean Cup in Seville. Martinez, who beat Martina Navratilova in the 1994 Wimbledon final, has bucked the trend since retiring. She was part of compatriot Garbine Muguruza's coaching team when the Spaniard won the 2017 Wimbledon title, worked as coach to Czech Karolina Pliskova and even captained Spain's Davis Cup team from 2015 to 2017. Martinez is the exception to the rule, although another former Wimbledon champion Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo did have a stint as coach to three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray. I'd be very happy to see more women coaches on the women's side and why not on the men's side."

Persons: Spain's, Conchita Martinez, Billie Jean, Martinez, Martina Navratilova, Garbine Muguruza's, Czech Karolina Pliskova, Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, Andy Murray, Billie Jean King, Amelie, Andy, King, She's, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: WTA, ATP Tours, Wimbledon, Spaniard, Spain's Davis, Reuters, Billie Jean King Cup, All England, Davis Cup, Thomson Locations: Seville, Czech

☆ Seville to host 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Tennis - Billie Jean King Cup Finals - Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - November 9, 2022 General view of the trophy during the group stage match between Italy's Jasmine Paolini and... Read moreLONDON, May 10 (Reuters) - Seville will host the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals, the International Tennis Federation announced on Wednesday. The showpiece women's team event, featuring 12 nations, will take place from Nov. 7-12. It is the first time since 2008 that Spain has hosted the finals of the competition, known until 2020 as the Fed Cup. Teams will compete in four round-robin groups of three, with the four group winners progressing to the semi-finals. Seville will also host the Finals in 2024.

☆ Swiatek beats Sabalenka in straight sets to win Stuttgart title
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

STUTTGART, Germany, April 23 (Reuters) - World number one Iga Swiatek cruised past Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-4 to win the Stuttgart Open on Sunday in a repeat of last year's final to confirm her status as a French Open favourite. The Pole, back from injury and gearing up for her French Open title defence next month, and world number two Sabalenka traded powerful baseline blows before Swiatek earned a second breakpoint at 4-3. She whipped a superb forehand down the line to go 5-3 up before easily holding serve to clinch the first set on her second set point. Belarusian Sabalenka started to pile up unforced errors and struggled with her serve at 2-0 before firing a cross-court forehand to hold. But she could not break Swiatek back and the Pole held serve at 5-4 to seal her second title of the year.

☆ Iga Świątek returns from injury and wins in Stuttgart
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

1 Iga Świątek enjoyed a winning return from injury as she defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-1 6-4 at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany. Świątek, who is defending her title in Stuttgart in preparation for the French Open next month, broke Zheng’s serve four times over the course of the match. “I’m pretty happy that I’m not rusty and I could perform good tennis, even though I had a break,” Świątek said after the win. Świątek will be looking to win her third French Open title and fourth grand slam overall when the tournament gets underway in Paris on May 28. She was forced to withdraw from the Miami Open and Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers in recent weeks but announced before competing in Stuttgart that she is now injury free.

☆ Rybakina retires with lower back injury in Stuttgart
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 21 (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina suffered an injury setback ahead of the French Open after she retired with a lower back issue in her last 16 match against Beatriz Haddad Maia at the Stuttgart Open on Thursday. After play resumed, Haddad Maia won another game before Rybakina decided to retire trailing 6-1 3-1. Last week, Rybakina helped Kazakhstan advance to the Billie Jean King Cup finals for the second time after defeating Poland 3-1 in their qualifier. The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year, will be held from May 28 to June 11. Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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