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☆ Iga Świątek wins third straight French Open title with dominant victory against Jasmine Paolini
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-08 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

1 Iga Świątek won her third consecutive French Open title on Saturday with an emphatic 6-2 6-1 victory against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. She is the first woman since Justine Henin in 2007 to win three consecutive French Open titles, dismantling first-time grand slam finalist Paolini in just an hour and eight minutes. Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty ImagesIn the later stages of this year’s French Open, Świątek has been unmatched, dropping just 17 games across the past five matches. But for all her superiority, she was almost ousted from the tournament by Naomi Osaka in the second round. Gonzalo Fuentes/ReutersBeaten only twice at the French Open, Świątek follows Monica Seles and Henin by claiming a third consecutive women’s singles titles at Roland Garros in the Open Era.

Persons: Iga Świątek, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, – Świątek’s, Roland Garros, Justine Henin, Paolini, Świątek, Bertrand Guay, Naomi Osaka, ” Świątek, “, it’s, ” Paolini, Philippe, Chatrier, It’s, I’m, Gonzalo Fuentes, Monica Seles, Henin, Serena Williams, – Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, –, Rafael Nadal, ” Organizations: CNN, Świątek, Paolini, Getty, Reuters Locations: AFP, Madrid, Rome, Paris, Świątek

☆ French Open quarterfinal recap: Breaks of serve and semifinal surprises
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Charlie Eccleshare | Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

On Day 11 of Roland Garros 2024, there were breaks of serve galore, semifinals surprises and doubles lessons for single players. If you’re a fan of players holding serve, I’m afraid Wednesday’s day session on Court Phillippe-Chatrier was not for you. There were 26 breaks of serve in the six singles sets played, an average of more than four breaks per set. Neither had ever reached even a Grand Slam quarterfinal before, while Rybakina, Sabalenka and Swiatek had been the best players of the clay court swing, alongside Danielle Collins. With less than 24 hours to recover before taking on Paolini, Andreeva told her partner Vera Zvonareva that she needed to rest.

Persons: Roland Garros, I’m, Phillippe, Chatrier, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva, Aryna Sabalenka, Alain Jocard, It’s, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Swiatek, Danielle Collins, Monica Seles, Steffi Graf, Gabriela Sabatini, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Loup Gautreau, Rybakina, Sabalenka, Jannik, Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Andreeva, Vera Zvonareva, John McEnroe, Serena Williams, ”, Paolini, Sara Errani, Alexander de Minaur, Iga, Eamonn Dalton Organizations: Getty, Swiatek, The Athletic Locations: AFP, Jean

☆ Djokovic eyes 'Golden Slam' in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Djokovic, who won his seventh ATP Finals on Sunday with a straight set win over Jannik Sinner, missed out on Grand Slam this year after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final. Steffi Graf is the only player to have achieved the 'Golden Slam', winning the Australian, French and U.S. Opens, Wimbledon and a gold medal at the Seoul Olympics in 1988. "Well, you can win four slams and an Olympic gold," Djokovic said. The 24-times Grand Slam winner said he was "very, very proud" of his season.

Persons: Pala Alpitour, Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Italy's Jannik, Guglielmo Mangiapane, Novak Djokovic, Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Steffi Graf, That's, I've, Chiranjit, Peter Rutherford Organizations: ATP, Wimbledon, Paris Olympics, Seoul, Thomson Locations: Turin, Italy, U.S, Wimbledon, Bengaluru

☆ Djokovic looking to cap off 'almost perfect' year with ATP finals win
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Djokovic has won the Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open this year to take his tally up to 24 Grand Slam titles and overtake rival Rafa Nadal. He also surpassed Steffi Graf's record for the most weeks as world number one. "I had an almost perfect season, Grand Slam season," Djokovic told reporters after his 6-3 6-2 win over Alcaraz on Saturday. Djokovic will take on local favourite Sinner in the final later on Sunday, where the world number one will be out for revenge after losing to the Italian in the group stage. "But I don't think it's going to prevail because he's been playing well, he's going to have crowd on his side.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Steffi Graf's, I'm, I've, he's, Aadi Nair, Kim Coghill Organizations: Alcaraz, Won, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ WTA Finals: Records, history and the evolution of showpiece event of women’s tennis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —By pitting the world’s best players against each other every year, the WTA Finals have been a celebration of women’s tennis for over half a century. The end-of-year championship sees the eight top-ranked singles players and eight top-ranked doubles pairings battle it out to be crowned the ultimate champions of the year. In 1973, after a meeting with more than 60 other players, King founded the WTA – a new tour uniting all of women’s professional tennis. Mark Foley/APWith women’s tennis entering a new, more prosperous era, the WTA Finals returned for a second year. This year’s WTA Finals begin on October 29, with the final taking place on November 5.

Persons: Chris Evert, Billie Jean King, King, Bobby Riggs, ” Chris Evert, Mark Foley, Evert, Serena Williams, Julian Finney, Monica Seles ’, Gabriela Sabatini, Caroline Garcia, Aryna Sabalenka, Markéta Vondroušová, Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Muchová, Greece’s Maria Sakkari, Aryna, Sarah Stier, Gauff, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Margaret Court, Virginia Wade Organizations: CNN, WTA, Virginia Slims, American, women’s, Garden, Apple, Getty, Guadalajara, Wimbledon Locations: Boca Raton , Florida, “, Los Angeles, New York’s, Oakland, Spain, Turkey, Singapore, Cancun , Mexico, Mexico, French

☆ 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

☆ Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz: mouthwatering clash in men’s Wimbledon final
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Perennial grand slam winner against the leader of the next generation and the Wimbledon men’s final many wanted. Djokovic even acknowledged the excitement of a clash with Alcaraz in the aftermath of his semifinal victory over Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz plays a shot at the net during his semifinal match against Medvedev at Wimbledon. Tim Clayton/Corbis Sport/Getty ImagesAfter the match, Alcaraz later said that nerves and tension had caused his whole body to cramp. “I feel that the job is not finished until I lift the trophy - hopefully - and play in the finals of a grand slam.

Persons: CNN — Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic, Alcaraz, “, ”, We’re, Rafael Nadal, Tim Clayton, –, he’s, Daniil Medvedev, cramp, Margaret Court, Roger Federer, Steffi Graf, Rod Laver, Sinner, Julian Finney, I’m Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, London, Medvedev, cramp, Djokovic, Getty Locations: Serbian

☆ King Federer back in town as Alcaraz and Rybakina shine at Wimbledon
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Retired Swiss great Federer ditched his racket for a classy cream blazer and a comfy seat as the eight-time Wimbledon champion graced the Royal Box and received possibly the longest ovation of his illustrious career. But Federer missed Spanish phenomenon Alcaraz, the 20-year-old who has taken the tennis world by storm. "I'm really happy with the level that I played, with the performance today," Alcaraz told reporters, although he was not so happy that Federer missed his match. RYBAKINA RECOVERSKazakhstan's Rybakina, the third seed, looked in danger of becoming the first Wimbledon women's defending champion to suffer a first-round exit since Steffi Graf in 1994 when American Rogers took the opening set. Admitting the watching Federer had made her nervous, she shrugged off that poor start to win in style.

Persons: Cameron Norrie, Czech Republic Tomas Machac, Dylan Martinez, Federer, Frenchman Chardy Jabeur, Sabalenka, Roger Federer, Alcaraz, Elena Rybakina, Shelby Rogers, Andy Murray, Ryan Peniston, Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, I'm, RYBAKINA, Kazakhstan's Rybakina, Wimbledon women's, Steffi Graf, Rogers, I've, Rybakina, Poland's Magdalena Frech, Novak Djokovic's, Panna Udvardy, Tomas Machac, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ed Osmond, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Czech Republic, Czech Republic Tomas Machac REUTERS, Court, Swiss, Wimbledon, Poland's, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Swiss, British, Moscow, Bengaluru

☆ At Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic Aims to Clean Up on the Grass
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( David Waldstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Novak Djokovic, bent over with a towel in hand, delighted the Centre Court crowd during a rain delay at Wimbledon on Monday when he mopped some moisture from the grass. Djokovic has not lost a match at Wimbledon since 2017, and with a victory over Pedro Cachin of Argentina in their first-round meeting Monday, he extended his record over the last five Wimbledon tournaments to 29-0. He has won the last four men’s singles titles, and one more this year would set him up to eclipse even more names in the record book. Djokovic would also tie Roger Federer for most Wimbledon men’s singles titles (eight) and tie Bjorn Borg for the most consecutively (five). (Court won 13 majors before 1968, during a time when professionals were not allowed to play in the majors.)

Persons: Novak, Djokovic, Pedro Cachin, Rod Laver, Don Budge, Maureen Connolly, Margaret Court, Steffi Graf, Roger Federer, Bjorn Borg Organizations: Wimbledon, All England Club, Laver Locations: Argentina

☆ Players face 'mental torture' at Wimbledon, says sports psychologist
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The All England Club's lawns will be the focus of the tennis world over the next fortnight as the world's leading players battle opponents and often their own psychological demons. UNIQUE CHALLENGES"There are a number of unique challenges elite tennis players have to face. Tennis players probably are only playing tennis for about 10 minutes of every hour they're on court," she said. Considering how much expectation he has shouldered at Wimbledon down the years, the 36-year-old has coped admirably, according to Mobed. "He is a fantastic example of someone that has worked so hard to uncover his mental strength," she said.

Persons: Toby Melville LONDON, Jana Novotna, Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Czech Karolina Pliskova, Gaston Gaudio, Guillermo Coria, Gaudio, Katie Mobed, Novak Djokovic, Elena Rybakina, Andy Murray, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Wimbledon REUTERS, Tennis, Wimbledon, Czech, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, England, British

☆ Champion Rybakina under the radar ahead of Wimbledon
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rybakina prefers to let her potent strokes do the talking, just as she did last year when marching to a surprise title after a sensational fortnight in London. Yet despite being the third-ranked player in the world, and having reached the Australian Open final this year as well as title runs at Indian Wells and Rome, Rybakina will saunter into Wimbledon with little fanfare. While much of the focus is understandably on top seed Iga Swiatek and number two Aryna Sabalenka, as well as the likes of Coco Gauff and Jabeur, Rybakina will quietly go about her business when she opens play on Centre Court on Tuesday. "She's got the perfect game for grass when everything is working, but everything has to be working," three-time Wimbledon champion Chris Evert said when previewing the tournament for broadcaster ESPN this week. As Evert rightly points out, successfully defending a Wimbledon women's title is no easy task.

Persons: Elena Rybakina, Hannah Mckay, Rybakina, Iga, Coco Gauff, She's, Chris Evert, Evert, Serena, Venus Williams, Steffi Graf, Rybakina's, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Wimbledon, Indian, Court, Eastbourne, ESPN, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Moscow, Kazakhstan, Indian Wells, Rome, Wimbledon

☆ Clijsters wants ATP, WTA to merge as women's tour celebrates 50 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Kim Clijsters of Belgium speaks as she is inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S., July 22, 2017. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File PhotoNEW YORK, June 26 (Reuters) - It is time for the men's and women's professional tennis bodies to merge says former world number one Kim Clijsters, who wants a united front in the sport as the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) celebrates its 50-year anniversary. Like people who don't know much about tennis, they say, 'Oh yea, ATP and WTA', but behind it there's one unit.' The ITHF unveiled a video segment celebrating 50 years of the WTA this year called "TennisWorthy." And you kind of always bump into a wall where, you know, not much happens and it stays with conversations.

Persons: Kim Clijsters, Brian Snyder, Billie Jean King, Clijsters, King, Steffi Graf, it's, Roger Federer, Amy Tennery, Ken Ferris Organizations: International Tennis Hall of Fame, REUTERS, Women's Tennis Association, Wimbledon, WTA, men's Association of Tennis Professionals, Millennium, Thomson Locations: Belgium, Newport , Rhode Island, U.S, German, New York

☆ Two-time champion Kvitova warms up for Wimbledon with German Open title
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 33-year-old Czech, who also beat Vekic en route to victory at the Miami Open this year, earned her 31st career title. The left-hander looked completely at ease on the surface as she captured her sixth title on grass, more than any other active WTA player, in a warning to her rivals ahead of Wimbledon. "I love grass, I love you," Kvitova told a thinning crowd at the Steffi Graf stadium. Kvitova found herself a break down early in the second set but battled back from 5-3 and moved 6-5 up with an ace. Vekic, who has shot up the rankings from 69th to 23rd this season following an Australian Open quarter-final spot and a title in Monterrey, forced a tiebreak.

Persons: Petra Kvitova, Croatia's Donna Vekic, Lisi Niesner BERLIN, Donna Vekic, Kvitova, Steffi Graf, Donna, Vekic, Karolos, Christian Radnedge, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Tennis Club, Wimbledon, Miami, Eastbourne, Croat, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Czech, Croatia, London, Wimbledon, Monterrey

☆ Novak Djokovic wins record-breaking 23rd grand slam title, defeating Casper Ruud in French Open final
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Novak Djokovic defeated Casper Ruud in the French Open final. Clive Mason/Getty ImagesIt is not just the grand slam records that he now holds. Victory at this year’s French Open moves him back to his familiar spot of world No.1. He also became the oldest ever French Open champion. After coming so close to landing a blow during the long opening set, Ruud seemed deflated when he walked back onto court and lost the opening three games.

Persons: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, Ruud, Tom Brady, Kylian, Zlatan Ibrahimović, – Djokovic, ” Nadal, ”, Clive Mason, Steffi Graff, – Federer, Roland Garros, Victory, Emmanuel Dunand, groundstrokes Organizations: CNN, Covid, Wimbledon, Nadal, Djokovic, US, Sunday, Getty Locations: Australia, AFP

☆ Djokovic targets elusive gold medal at Paris Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 2 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic said he is already looking forward to next year's Olympic Games in Paris, as he seeks to win a gold medal that has so far eluded him in an otherwise glittering career. World number one Djokovic won a bronze medal in Beijing 2008 but has been unable to build on that in 2012, 2016 and 2021. The tennis competition at Paris 2024 will be held on the claycourts of Roland Garros where Djokovic has won two of his 22 Grand Slam titles -- in 2016 and 2021. "I look forward to the Olympics," Djokovic told reporters after beating Tallon Griekspoor in Dubai on Wednesday. "I always try to be very clear with myself what the goals are, what I want from competitive tennis," Djokovic said.

☆ Djokovic says return to top spot more special after tough year
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It happens," Djokovic told reporters following his win over Tomas Machac in Dubai on Tuesday. Djokovic is now into his 378th week as the world number one, surpassing Steffi Graf's record for the most weeks at the top of the sport. But he said younger players like Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas will eventually catch up with him. I'm not playing as much and don't plan to play as many weeks as they do," Djokovic said. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Djokovic labours to victory over Machac on return to action in Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 28 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic won on his return to the ATP Tour following his Australian Open triumph but he had to work hard to beat Czech qualifier Tomas Machac 6-3 3-6 7-6(1) in his Dubai Tennis Championships opener on Tuesday. Machac blinked first in the tiebreak and Djokovic did not need another invitation as he finally quelled the world number 130 to extend his 2023 winning streak to 13 matches. "Tomas didn't play like a world number 130. He was giving me all kinds of trouble but when it mattered most I found another gear," Djokovic said. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Fearless Alcaraz can show next-gen how to topple Djokovic, say sports psychology experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Florida-based Patrick Cohn, who teaches mental skills and sports psychology techniques to professional athletes, said he was not surprised Djokovic was still dominating the next generation. Cohn believes young players must rely on better preparation, tactics and develop a stronger mental game to topple Djokovic. I suggest to younger players that they view opponents as nameless and rankless." Former tennis player Jeff Greenwald, now a sports psychology consultant, said the Spanish world number two possessed rare qualities required to excel at the elite level. He will be a contender and likely one of the players who begins to take a bite out of Djokovic."

☆ Novak Djokovic breaks Steffi Graf's record for weeks at No. 1
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The 22-time Grand Slam champion broke the mark set by Steffi Graf. 1, to match Graf -- one of the all-time greats," Djokovic said. Djokovic won his men's record-tying 22nd major title last month at the Australian Open. Graf, also a 22-time Grand Slam winner, was No. 1 in the women's rankings for 377 weeks before retiring in 1999.

☆ Djokovic 'pain free' as he prepares for return in Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 27 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic said he was now playing without pain after recovering from a hamstring injury as he prepares to return to the ATP Tour in Dubai this week following his record-extending 10th Australian Open title last month. The 35-year-old Serb said his Dubai participation was in doubt until a few days ago but he had passed all his fitness tests. The last few days it's really getting as much practice as possible to get myself back in shape to be able to compete at a high level," Djokovic said. Djokovic begins the Dubai tournament having entered his 378th week as world number one, surpassing Steffi Graf as the player with the most weeks at the top of the sport. "It's surreal to be that many weeks number one, to match Graf - one of the all-time greats," Djokovic said.

☆ Krejcikova stuns top-ranked Swiatek to claim Dubai crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 25 (Reuters) - Barbora Krejcikova beat an out-of-sorts Iga Swiatek 6-4 6-2 in the Dubai Tennis Championships final on Saturday to end the top-ranked Pole's winning run in the Middle East swing and capture her first WTA title of 2023 and sixth overall. It was the first set that Doha champion Swiatek had dropped in the past two weeks and the 21-year-old found herself trailing 4-2 in the second set as Krejcikova took control of the match. Krejcikova, who defeated Australian Open champion and world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals and the third-ranked Jessica Pegula in the semis, closed out the match on serve to join an elite club. "It's a huge achievement," Krejcikova, who won her first WTA 1000 title, added. Krejcikova is set to climb from number 30 to 16 when the rankings are updated on Monday.

☆ Sky's the limit for Djokovic after matching Graf, say younger rivals
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Russian world number five Andrey Rublev said Djokovic had shown that anything is possible. "And at the age of 35, he still can be the best player in the world and break records," Rublev, 25, who lost to Djokovic in the Australian Open quarter-finals, told reporters in Doha. "If you do the things right, you can perform at the highest level ... age doesn't matter. Former world number two Alexander Zverev said Djokovic had shown how consistent he can be by dominating his rivals in the last decade. However, Zverev said that watching Graf being overtaken would be bittersweet for him.

☆ Novak Djokovic's run to 22 Grand Slam titles
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian final on Sunday to win a men's record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title. Tally: Federer 13; Nadal 5; Djokovic 12009: Nadal won his first hardcourt Grand Slam title, edging out Federer in five sets in Australian Open final. Tally: Federer 16; Nadal 10; Djokovic 42012: Djokovic overcame Nadal in the longest Grand Slam final in Open Era to win his third Australian Open title. Nadal maintained his stranglehold on the French Open, before holding off Daniil Medvedev in the U.S. Open final to move within one of Federer's Grand Slam haul. Tally: Nadal 22, Djokovic 21; Federer 202023: Djokovic won a record-extending 10th Australian Open title by beating Tsitsipas for his 22nd Grand Slam title, equalling Nadal's record.

☆ Novak Djokovic's run to record 23 Grand Slam titles
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Tally: Federer 13; Nadal 5; Djokovic 12009: Nadal won his first hardcourt Grand Slam title, edging out Federer in five sets in the Australian Open final. Tally: Federer 16; Nadal 10; Djokovic 42012: Djokovic overcame Nadal in the longest Grand Slam final in the Open Era to win his third Australian Open title. Tally: Federer 17; Nadal 14; Djokovic 72015: Djokovic won three majors - the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Nadal maintained his stranglehold on the French Open, before holding off Daniil Medvedev in the U.S. Open final to move within one of Federer's Grand Slam haul. Tally: Nadal 22; Djokovic 21; Federer 202023: Djokovic won a record-extending 10th Australian Open title by beating Tsitsipas for his 22nd Grand Slam title, equalling Nadal's record.

Persons: Roland Garros, Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Federer, Mark Philippoussis, Tally, Nadal, Mariano Puerta, Djokovic, Jo, Wilfried Tsonga, Pete Sampras, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Marin Cilic, Tomas Berdych, Margaret Court, Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, Sampras, Daniil Medvedev, Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas, Matteo Berrettini, Nick Kyrgios, Tsitsipas, Carlos Alcaraz, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Hardik Vyas, Jan Harvey Organizations: French, REUTERS, Wimbledon, U.S ., U.S, Nadal, Sampras, Djokovic, Roland Garros . Records, Roland, Federer, Melbourne, Flushing, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, PARIS, Swiss, U.S, New York, Flushing Meadows

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