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☆ Roger Federer: What the 20-time grand slam champion did next - Swiss star reflects on coaching his children, the impact of his charity work and that emotional retirement
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Matias Grez | Christina Macfarlane | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The chance to be coached by Roger Federer would surely be a dream come true for any young tennis player. Federer’s foundation focuses on providing parents, teachers and communities the tools to be able to give children a strong education. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Roger Federer Foundation. The tearful farewellOn September 23, 2022, Federer took to the court as a professional tennis player for the last time. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal played together in the final match of the Swiss star's career.

Persons: Roger Federer, CNN’s Christina Macfarlane, “ I’m, Federer, you’ve, you’re, “, ” Federer, Myla, Charlene, didn’t, ’ ” Federer, ”, –, Lenny, Leo, it’s, Elena Rybakina’s, Rafa Nadal, Nadal, Jack Sock, Frances Tiafoe, Rafael Nadal, Clive Brunskill, Rafa, Novak, Djokovic, Andy, Murray, Borg, John, McEnroe, Rod, Laver, Stefan, Edberg Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, ‘, Roger Federer Foundation, Court, All England, Laver, O2 Locations: Swiss, Africa, Switzerland, Lesotho, London

☆ Wimbledon is the only grass court Grand Slam
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

The grass courts are now in session Wimbledon is the only grass court Grand Slam and retains a glamor born from white clothes and impeccable green courts. The grass courts at Wimbledon are grown from 10 metric tons of seed each year, with renovations beginning in September. Until 1974, the only Grand Slam tournament played on a surface other than grass was the French Open, and now Wimbledon is the lone remaining grass Grand Slam. Grand Slam surface history Wimbledon is the oldest of the Grand Slam tournaments and has been held on grass though its entire duration. Relative court speeds A row of three embroidered tennis court patches displaying different surfaces on a spectrum, showing the grass court at the fastest end and the clay court at the slowest end.

Persons: ”, Caitlin Thompson, ” Thomson, ” Clay, Eddie Seward, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Thompson, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, “, Djokovic, Draftkings Organizations: Wimbledon, U.S ., New York Times, Association of Tennis Professionals Locations: you’ll, French, Wimbledon, racquets, Serbian

☆ Wimbledon to use AI for video highlight commentary
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

On Wednesday, tech company IBM announced that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will form part of Wimbledon’s tennis commentary this year, apparently helping fans to engage with the tournament “on a deeper level.”According to a press release from IBM, which has developed the AI commentary tool, the new feature will be used for all video highlights packages during Wimbledon. “Its introduction this year is a step towards making commentary available in an exciting way for matches outside of Wimbledon’s Show Courts, which already have live human commentary,” the press release said. It added that experts had worked with Wimbledon organizers “to train the AI in the unique language of tennis.”Wimbledon already uses AI to provide match insights, highlight reels, and a power index leaderboard. This year, as well as the video commentary, AI will also be used to provide a draw analysis, calculating a player’s chances of reaching the final in the singles draw. “You can’t replace John McEnroe doing commentary, that human element always needs to be there,” said Farrar, according to The Telegraph.

Persons: ”, “, Kevin Farrar, John McEnroe, Farrar, ” McEnroe Organizations: CNN — Sports, IBM, Intelligence, Wimbledon, ” Wimbledon, The Telegraph, golf’s Locations: Wimbledon’s

☆ Alcaraz vs. Djokovic: The Next Kid Up Faces the Game’s Steeliest Brain
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But when Djokovic faces Alcaraz, who has taken the No. 1 ranking from him twice in the past nine months, it will be a test against youth unlike anything Djokovic has faced before. The two have played only once, in May 2022, in Madrid; Djokovic and Alcaraz kept missing each other for one reason or another in the 13 months since. Daniil Medvedev, the world’s second-ranked player, and the only player currently in his 20s to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam final, said not long ago that it is nearly impossible to beat Djokovic until you have first lost to him several times. Alcaraz beat Djokovic in their lone meeting, in a deciding-set tiebreaker no less (albeit in a best-of-three-sets match).

Persons: ” Djokovic, Djokovic, Alcaraz, ” Lorenzo Musetti, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Roger Federer, Daniil Medvedev Organizations: Khachanov, Sampras, Court, Wimbledon, Djokovic Locations: Madrid, Italy

☆ Bryan brothers: How 'twin energy' fueled tennis' greatest ever double act
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Bob (left) and Mike Bryan won their first grand slam title together at the 2003 French Open. “At the time, you think it’s a one-shot deal and you never know if you’ll get there again,” says Mike, reflecting on the 2003 French Open campaign. Bob (left) and Mike Bryan hold their Wimbledon doubles trophies in 2011. The Jensen brothers, coincidentally, won their only grand slam title at the 1993 French Open, 10 years before the Bryans captured their first. Bob plays keyboard, Mike guitar and drums; together, they have performed at bars, clubs and even tennis tournaments as part of the Bryan Brothers Band.

☆ Nike critics launch a 'burn bra challenge' and rail against its treatment of female athletes amid growing backlash for its work with a transgender influencer
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Matthew Kish | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney announced a partnership with Nike on Instragram this month. A Nike critic started a "burn bra challege" on TikTok last week. Last week, a TikTok user started a "burn bra challenge" and recorded herself lighting her Nike bra on fire, saying that Nike should be "ashamed of itself." "You chose a little boy with no breasts and some junk in his pants to represent real women," the TikTok user said, according to the New York Post. Nike has been criticized for several of its endorsement partners, including John McEnroe, Charles Barkley, Tonya Harding, and Colin Kaepernick.

☆ John McEnroe Is Playing Pickleball for $1 Million? You Cannot Be Serious
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Jason Gay | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

We will now discuss pickleball, because pickleball is the only thing that matters now. Pickleball, pickleball, pickleball. The Final Four, Opening Day, new NFL rules—none of it stands a chance against a good old racket-borne Tupperware fight. By media edict, I am required to mention pickleball at least 20 times per day, or there is a penalty, which is having to mention pickleball 40 times a day. On Sunday, April 2, former pickleball hater John McEnroe —“I think it sucks,” Mac said last September—will compete against fellow tennis geezers Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang in a tournament at a Florida casino with a purse of $1 million.

[1/5] Former tennis player Boris Becker attends a news conference to promote documentary 'Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker' at the 73rd Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, February 19, 2023. "You have to be a bit crazy to cross the line and do things nobody else has ever achieved before." "You expect world champions in a sport to be like everyone else but we aren't," he told a news conference. "What I liked about Boris is that unlike many athletes he is a great storyteller," Gibney said.

☆ Tsitsipas thriving after wake-up call, says McEnroe
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 28 (Reuters) - Stefanos Tsitsipas's stunning Australian Open form could have been inspired by the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and other young guns stealing his spotlight, according to John McEnroe. Teenager Alcaraz jumped the queue last year by winning the U.S. Open and McEnroe believes it was a jolt for Greek Tsitsipas who struggled in the majors last year after reaching the Australian Open semi-final a year ago. "So I think there was this danger that (Tsitsipas) was going to be sort of not forgotten, but sort of not top top tier. Djokovic will start as a big favourite to take a record-extending 10th title and keep Tsitsipas waiting. "This is possibly the match of his life -- he is playing for a world number one and a Grand Slam title, against me.

☆ Belarusian and Russian charge in Melbourne throws spotlight on Wimbledon ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

On Friday, Russia's Karen Khachanov faces Stefanos Tsitsipas as he bids to reach his first Grand Slam final. With the conflict in Ukraine showing no sign of ending, a decision about Russian and Belarussian players competing at the All England Club is pressing. Australian Open organisers even banned Russian and Belarusian flags from Melbourne Park last week after a complaint from Ukraine's ambassador to the country. 'SITUATION NO-ONE WANTS'Nine-times Australian Open champion Djokovic has urged Wimbledon to allow Russian and Belarus players to enter the 2023 tournament, a view also backed by American great John McEnroe. "I disagreed with it last year that Wimbledon didn't allow the Russians or Belarusian players to play.

☆ Exhausted Murray has energy to blast officials after late night finish
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Murray said he respected the rules but criticized having to play until 3 or 4 a.m. "and you're not allowed to go and take a piss." You know it as well.”"It’s disrespectful to you, disrespectful to the ball children, disrespectful to the players and we are not allowed to go to the toilet. "For starters, it was insane that matches at that level are played 4 to 4:30 a.m. in the morning." Most elite sports do not hold their biggest events into the wee hours of the morning after most fans have gone to bed. Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 'It's not rocket science', Auger-Aliassime fights back from the brink
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It's quite simple, you have to put the ball in the court without missing," Auger-Aliassime laughed, explaining the transformation. So I was just trying to put one more ball in the court and make it simple, make it work." It was quite a contrast with the opening two sets when Auger-Aliassime overcooked his shots on both sides and sprayed 25 unforced errors, with Molcan gleefully taking advantage. "The numbers show it but he was just way more consistent than I was in the first two sets," Auger-Aliassime conceded. A quarter-finalist in Melbourne last year, Auger-Aliassime will next play Argentine 28th seed Francisco Cerundolo or France's Corentin Moutet.

☆ All eyes on American Pegula after breakout year
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 12 (Reuters) - A career breakthrough year has all eyes on American Jessica Pegula, who could shake Polish world number one Iga Swiatek's stranglehold on the women's field when the Australian Open main draw begins next week. Now number three in the world, Pegula said she's taking this season one step at a time. "I don't think I really am putting pressure on myself to duplicate that year because I think it was very special and something that probably won't be duplicated," Pegula told reporters on Sunday. 1 player," said Patrick McEnroe, the brother of John McEnroe and a former doubles Grand Slam winner who is an analyst for ESPN. He told reporters that he believes Pegula could possibly even win in Melbourne - if Australia's iconic blue hard courts are playing to her favour.

☆ Auger-Aliassime beats Djokovic to put Team World on brink of victory
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Auger-Aliassime produced a masterful performance at a packed O2 Arena, holding off a Djokovic comeback in the second set to clinch Team World's second victory of the day. Earlier, Auger-Aliassime and Jack Sock had come from a set down to beat Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini 2-6 6-3 10-8. Tiafoe can give Team World an unassailable lead if he beats Stefanos Tsitsipas in the penultimate match. Should Team World, captained by John McEnroe, come out victorious it would be a massive turnaround after they lost 14-1 last year in Boston. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Djokovic dazzles on return to action at Laver Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

With Roger Federer watching on from courtside at a sold out O2 Arena, the day after his emotional farewell match alongside Rafa Nadal, Djokovic returned to action in spellbinding fashion. U.S. Open semi-finalist Tiafoe was helpless to stop the Djokovic onslaught as the Serb won 6-1 6-3 to put Bjorn Borg's Team Europe into a 6-4 lead overall. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterFormer world number one Djokovic was due back on court later to partner Italian Matteo Berrettini in a doubles against Team World pairing Jack Sock and Alex De Minaur. At one point Federer suggested world number eight should serve and volley, which Norrie promptly did but lost the point as Fritz sent a lob over his head. "If Roger Federer is telling you to do something, there is no chance I'm not going to do it, especially out there playing for Team Europe," Norrie said later.

☆ Federer's retirement leaves a void that can't be filled, says McEnroe
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Federer, who owns 20 Grand Slam singles titles including a record eight at Wimbledon, announced last week that he would be calling time on his career because of a persistent knee injury. "Obviously there is a void that will never be filled," McEnroe told reporters at a pre-event news conference. The American said Federer's four Grand Slam titles after turning 30 was an incredible achievement. Asked if he could offer Federer and retirement advice, McEnroe said: "He doesn't need my advice. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Federer and Nadal team up for doubles on Friday at Laver Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Swiss icon Roger Federer will bring the curtain down on his glittering career by teaming up with great rival Rafa Nadal at the Laver Cup on Friday. The 41-year-old announced last week that the team event being played at London's O2 Arena would be his last. Federer cut a relaxed figure as he sat with his European team mates including 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and three-time major winner Andy Murray. "I'm not sure if I can handle (all the emotions) but I will try," Federer, whose presence had fans flocking to watch practice sessions on Thursday, said. "To be able to do it one more time, I'm sure it will be wonderful and I'll try my very best."

☆ Can Coco Gauff the Tennis Prodigy Become a Tennis Legend?
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-26 | by ( Susan Dominus | More About Susan Dominus | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

When Coco Gauff arrived in Paris in May for the French Open, she did not expect the tournament to be a milestone in her tennis career. Chris Evert predicted she would win a Grand Slam championship, even at 18; John McEnroe declared that she would be No. She loved Paris. In the semifinals, she unleashed the power of her serve — one of the fastest in women’s tennis — to close out the match. In the end, Gauff lost 6-1, 6-3 to Iga Swiatek, a Polish athlete, currently ranked No.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Venus Williams, Gauff’s, Chris Evert, John McEnroe, Michelle Obama, Gauff, Sloane Stephens, Rick Macci, Serena, Maria Sharapova, Iga Swiatek, “, ” Chris Evert, Naomi Osaka, ” Organizations: New York Times, Gauff, Wimbledon, Eiffel, U.S, tennis Locations: Paris, Australia, Tuileries, Iga, Polish

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