DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Murray pulls out of French Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 21 (Reuters) - Former world number one Andy Murray has withdrawn from the French Open. Three-times Grand Slam champion Murray won the second-tier Aix-en-Provence Challenger Tour crown earlier this month, but suffered early exits in Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome and Bordeaux. The Scot, who reached the final of the French Open in 2016, has opted to skip tournaments during the claycourt season in the past to focus on the grasscourt swing heading into Wimbledon. The French Open runs from May 28 to June 11. Holder Rafa Nadal, who has won the French Open a record 14 times, also pulled out of the tournament after failing to regain full fitness from a hip injury.

CNN —Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios is set to miss the French Open after injuring his foot during an incident where his car was stolen, his agent confirmed to CNN Sport on Thursday. According to Daniel Horsfall, Kyrgios – the runner-up at Wimbledon last year – hurt himself in the “high-adrenaline rush” of the robbery in Canberra earlier this month. Police said that Kyrgios’ mother was held at gunpoint and that his Tesla was stolen during the incident near his house in the Australian capital, Reuters reported. He underwent knee surgery at the start of the year and had hoped to make a return at the French Open. However, Horsfall said that the 28-year-old had suffered a laceration to his foot during the robbery, rendering practice difficult.

☆ Kyrgios pulls out of French Open to delay comeback
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 16 (Reuters) - Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the French Open starting later this month, further delaying his return to competitive action following knee surgery at the start of the year, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) said. But pain in his knee forced him to withdraw from the Japan Open and he pulled out of his home major, the Australian Open, in January to have surgery. "We're trying everything we can to have Nick ready on court as soon as possible," Horsfall added. Kyrgios was set to play an exhibition match against Holger Rune in Denmark next week but apologised to fans on Instagram. The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the season, runs from May 28-June 11.

☆ Kyrgios says not sleeping much after mother allegedly held at gunpoint
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 4 (Reuters) - Nick Kyrgios said he had not slept much this week and was "battling a little" after police accused a man of threatening the player's mother with a firearm and allegedly stealing a Tesla car from her. A 32-year-old Canberra suspect appeared in ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday to face several charges, including aggravated robbery and driving a stolen motor vehicle. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has said the man pointed a long-barrelled gun at Kyrgios's mother Norlaila and demanded the keys to the green Tesla. "Last couple days has been rough ... haven't slept much and battling a little," Kyrgios wrote on Instagram. World number 26 Kyrgios is yet to make his 2023 season debut after having knee surgery following his withdrawal from the Australian Open in January.

☆ Man charged after stealing Kyrgios' car, threatening player's mother
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MELBOURNE, May 2 (Reuters) - Australian police have charged a man with armed robbery and accused him of threatening Nick Kyrgios' mother at gunpoint before stealing the Australian tennis player's car, local media reported on Tuesday. An ACT policing statement on Monday said police had received a report that a man had threatened a woman with a firearm and allegedly stolen a car. The ABC said the man had pointed a long-barrelled gun at Kyrgios's mother Norlaila and demanded the keys to a green Tesla. Kyrgios helped police track down the car by using a location app on his phone, the ABC added, citing court documents. Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Kyrgios withdraws from Indian Wells and Miami with knee issue
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LOS ANGELES, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from next month's Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami as he continues to recover from surgery on his left knee, event organisers said on Monday. After contesting his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in July, he won the ATP 500 Citi Open in August, and reached to U.S. Open quarter-finals in September. But pain in his knee forced him to withdraw from the Japan Open in October and he then pulled out of his home major, the Australian Open, in January and underwent surgery. The world number 19, who is known for his thunderous serve and on-court outbursts, has yet to make his 2023 season debut. Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/2] Jan 15, 2023; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Nick Kyrgios of Australia during a practice session on court 16 at Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY SportsSYDNEY, Feb 3 (Reuters) - A common assault charge against Nick Kyrgios was dismissed in a Canberra court on Friday, despite the tennis player earlier pleading guilty. The charge related to a 2021 incident involving his former girlfriend Chiara Passari. "Just recovery, get back on court," said Kyrgios outside court when asked by a reporter about his immediate plans. "I respect today's ruling and I'm grateful to the court for dismissing the charges without conviction," he said in an Instagram post.

☆ How the boom in sports documentaries on streaming is opening up a new path for athletes as content creators
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Elaine Low | Ashley Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A boom in sports documentaries has offered athletes more ways to be on screen and build their brands. Players and their agents are looking for hits like Netflix Formula 1 doc series "Drive to Survive." Being featured in a sports doc can dramatically raise an athlete's profile, giving them more fans and more branding power. Netflix's "Drive to Survive" was credited with doing wonders for F1 fandom, particularly stateside, where American interest has historically been scarce. "These people can go on the air and broadcast their own content and they can capture and keep their own content," said Octagon VP of content and development Jason Weichelt.

☆ 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

☆ 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.

☆ Nick who? De Minaur steps out of Kyrgios shadow
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But De Minaur has filled the breach superbly at a tournament where Australians are now in short supply. "I'm very happy, I can't lie," De Minaur told the centre court crowd. Inflatable kangaroos bobbed in the Rod Laver Arena terraces and Mexican waves surged around the stadium in the third set as De Minaur put the foot down against Bonzi. "I wasn't sure what to expect, but to see a packed Rod Laver Arena was pretty special," he said. "I hope everyone that's on this court is going to go and support Alexei Popyrin," De Minaur said in a rallying cry to the Laver crowd.

☆ I wasn't in the zone says Medvedev after defeat by Korda
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

I played not at all bad, but just a little bit below what I had to do to win," Medvedev told reporters. He was winning a little bit more..."I think it was a top match where he was just better than me. Even if we take last year, so basically the matches against Nick, Felix, and Stefanos, kind of tough matches. "If we talk point by point, yes, this point I won, that point I won, I won the matches. "Actually, I think on the serve it was bothering me a little bit," Medvedev said.

☆ Tennis Channel will air Major League Pickleball tournament matches, deepening broadcast partnership
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Anna Bright of the Ranchers returns a shot during a group play Major League Pickleball match against Mad Drops Pickleball Club at Pickle & Chill on October 15, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. Major League Pickleball announced Thursday the cable channel will broadcast the league's premier level tournament semifinals and finals in Mesa, Arizona, and will make all matches of the tournament available for streaming. The longtime Tennis Channel executive said pickleball has already seen a very natural overlap with existing tennis sponsors. He noted that during MLP professional matches, the ball is in action about 40% of the time, compared with professional tennis matches at 16%. Adding pickleball matches to its streaming offerings means beefing up content at a time when linear television is stagnant, at best.

☆ Local hope Kyrgios pulls out of Australian Open with knee injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Nick Kyrgios's hopes of ending his country's 47-year wait for a homegrown men's champion at the Australian Open were shattered on the opening day when he pulled out of the tournament with a knee injury on Monday. "Obviously, I'm extremely disappointed, this is one of the most important tournaments of my career, it hasn't been easy at all," Kyrgios told reporters at Melbourne Park. The withdrawal also means Kyrgios and Kokkinakis - dubbed the 'Special Ks' - will not be able to defend the men's doubles title they won at Melbourne Park last year. Maher said he thought Kyrgios would be over the injury in time to play at the Masters tournament at Indian Wells in California in early March. "I'm not doubting that I'll be back to my full strength and will be back," Kyrgios added.

☆ Djokovic resumes quest for perfect 10 at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 17 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic was denied the opportunity to win a record-extending 10th Australian Open title last year after his deportation but he returns to Rod Laver Arena holding no grudges when he begins his campaign in Melbourne on Tuesday. Winning the title in Melbourne will also make Djokovic the second player to win one Grand Slam at least 10 times after Nadal's 14 titles at Roland Garros. As Djokovic aims to equal defending champion Rafa Nadal's tally of 22 Grand Slam titles, Ons Jabeur renews her quest for a first when the Tunisian takes on Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek. The pair played two engrossing matches last year at the Stuttgart final and at the U.S. Open where Berrettini triumphed on both occasions. Men's second seed Casper Ruud, runner-up at last year's French Open and U.S. Open, wraps up the night session on Margaret Court Arena against the Czech Republic's Tomas Machac.

☆ 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.

☆ Rune ready to rock the boat at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Holger Rune heads into the Australian Open as the last man to beat favourite Novak Djokovic and the Danish teenager is ready to take the fight to the established order at the year's first Grand Slam, which starts on Monday. "It was a crazy match," Rune, who has surged up the world rankings to 10th spot, told reporters. "I still have a lot I want to achieve and I'm super excited to go for it." I'm not afraid," Rune said. "I'm just going to go out there and play my tennis but now it's just the first match I have to focus on.

☆ Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek open Australian Open as big favorites
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

January 15 - Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek are massive favorites to win their respective draws ahead of the start of the Australian Open on Sunday night. Djokovic makes his return to Melbourne after being deported ahead of last year's tournament because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. He is seeking a 10th Australian Open title, which would also pull him into a tie with Rafael Nadal for the most major titles of all time with 22. Fritz, 25, is seeking his first major title and faces a potential semifinal match against Djokovic if he can get that far. Ons Jabeur was turned back in the finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year.

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

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

☆ Djokovic says deportation drama paved way to success
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic said his controversial deportation ahead of last year's Australian Open proved an unlikely catalyst for success in 2022, allowing him to regroup on the practice court before bouncing back with key titles. Back at Melbourne Park after his visa ban was lifted by the Australian government, Djokovic said missing events due to his vaccination stance had renewed his determination on the training court. I mean, you normally, as a professional tennis player on the highest level, don't have much time to really have a longer training block," Djokovic told reporters on Saturday. Djokovic told local broadcaster Nine Network that he felt like "the villain of the world" last year in Melbourne where he was detained at a hotel with asylum-seekers before being deported. Djokovic, who will bid for a record-extending 10th Australian Open crown, said he had no choice but to move on from the events of last year.

☆ Djokovic seeks normal service at Australian Open to match Nadal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Jan 12, 2023; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a backhand during a practice session on Rod Laver Arena with his coach Goran Ivanisevic at Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY SportsMELBOURNE, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic resumes his Grand Slam title race with Rafa Nadal next week at the Australian Open, returning to what was his happiest hunting ground before the ugly controversy which led to his absence last year. While Roland Garros has been Nadal's domain for nearly two decades, Melbourne Park is almost as much for Djokovic, with the world number five capturing nine titles and holding an 82-6 record since 2007. Djokovic has also proven to be unbeatable in Australian Open semi-finals and finals with 9-0 records in both, making him the automatic favourite anytime he enjoys a deep run. The injury withdrawal of world number one and U.S. Open champion Carlos Alcaraz robbed the year's first Grand Slam of a genuine title contender.

☆ Djokovic faces Carballes Baena, Swiatek meets Niemeier at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Second seed Casper Ruud - twice a runner-up on the Grand Slam stage last year - plays Tomas Machac. A pre-tournament practice match between Nick Kyrgios and Djokovic saw tickets sold out in 58 minutes and the pair could potentially meet in a blockbuster quarter-final. Five-times runner-up Andy Murray plays Matteo Berrettini while fifth seed Andrey Rublev meets wildcard Dominic Thiem in other first-round matches. The Polish player could face seventh seed Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals and third seed Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals. Women's world number two Ons Jabeur will begin her latest attempt to become the first Arab player to claim a Grand Slam singles title when she plays Tamara Zidansek.

☆ 'One of the best', Kyrgios ready for tilt at Australian Open title
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Tennis great and compatriot Rod Laver said after the U.S. Open that only self-belief was preventing Kyrgios from joining the Grand Slam winners' club. "I'm definitely going to go into any tournament, the Australian Open, with confidence, and I think I've proven I can go deep at a Grand Slam. 47-YEAR DROUGHTHis best run at his home major was seven years ago when he reached the quarter-finals, with fourth-round appearances in 2018 and 2020 his other ventures into the second week of the Australian Open. Ash Barty last year rode a tidal wave of support to end the long wait for a homegrown singles champion at the Australian Open - a drought that stands at 47 years for the men's title. Unlike the now-retired three-times Grand Slam champion, Kyrgios has not always been popular with all of his compatriots as a result of his frequent clashes with officialdom and fans.

☆ 'Frenemies' Djokovic and Kyrgios to play practice match before Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Serbia's Novak Djokovic poses with the trophy after winning the Wimbledon men's singles final alongside runner up Australia's Nick Kyrgios, July 2022. REUTERS/Toby MelvilleJan 9 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios will rekindle their bromance by playing a practice match before the Australian Open, giving the latter a chance to stretch his legs before the year's first Grand Slam. Australian Open organisers said "tennis' most famous frenemies" will play each other at Rod Laver Arena on Friday. Djokovic had said last week that he had discussed playing a practice match with Kyrgios, adding that the Australian wanted shorter sets. The pair were once at loggerheads and had a frosty relationship when Kyrgios labelled Djokovic "boneheaded" and a "tool".

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

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

Search resuls for: "Kyrgios"

25 mentions found