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☆ Djokovic returns to Tour seeking strong start to clay swing
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I've done more training on clay, which is positive if you think about the clay season," said Djokovic, the 2013 and 2015 champion who meets Mackenzie McDonald or a qualifier first. "I've not had much success in Monte Carlo in the past two seasons. I haven't played great tennis here, so I'm hoping this year I can start the clay season better than previous years and build my form." Djokovic, who trains at Monaco, said home comforts could prove helpful is his quest for a record-extending 39th Masters 1000 crown at Monte Carlo. Quite a few top players reside in Monaco and use this club as a training base, Djokovic said.

☆ Jabeur targets Grand Slam success after Charleston crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I'm glad that I'm finding my rhythm and I hope my body will allow me to play," Jabeur told Tennis Channel, looking ahead to the European claycourt swing. I'm working on a lot of things and it's going my way, so for me: step by step, and I'm going for the Grand Slam this year." "If you want to do something, believe in it and only you can really manifest it," Jabeur added. "I was imagining myself in the photoshoot after, putting the image that I won that title already, and it happened. "I'll manifest the big trophy sets, the Wimbledon one and other Grand Slams that I want to win."

☆ Wawrinka seals comeback victory in Monte Carlo, Murray crashes
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MONTE CARLO, April 10 (Reuters) - Former champion Stan Wawrinka rolled back the years to outlast Tallon Griekspoor 5-7 6-3 6-4 and reach the Monte Carlo Masters second round on Monday while Andy Murray's first appearance in the tournament since 2017 ended in a loss to Alex de Minaur. "It was really important to stay calm with myself," said 2014 champion Wawrinka, the oldest man in this year's field. Up next for the three-times Grand Slam champion is world number 10 Taylor Fritz. Murray gained direct entry into the prestigious tournament after several players including world number two Carlos Alcaraz and 11-times champion Rafa Nadal withdrew due to injuries. Francisco Cerundolo earlier stunned 11th seed Cameron Norrie 6-3 6-4 and will play Matteo Berrettini who downed Maxime Cressy 6-4 6-2 for his first win in the tournament.

☆ Tsitsipas raring to go on clay with eyes on third Monte Carlo crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 2021 Roland Garros runner-up returns to clay hoping to claim his first trophy of the year at Monte Carlo, having beaten Andrey Rublev and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the previous two finals of the prestigious tournament. "It's a pleasure to return to the claycourt swing," Monte Carlo resident Tsitsipas told reporters. "It's one of the most fascinating parts of the year, starting the claycourt swing in Monte Carlo, which is my favourite place in the world. Tsitsipas said he enjoyed tactical battles on clay, a surface on which he has won four of his nine titles. There is a lot of strategy involved," said Tsitsipas, who will begin his campaign against Benjamin Bonzi or Bernabe Zapata Miralles.

☆ Ukraine's Svitolina criticises 'useless' WTA amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, April 4 (Reuters) - Ukrainian players do not get enough support from women's tennis governing body WTA amid Russia's invasion of their country, Elina Svitolina said on Tuesday. "The WTA should have done more, much more, on many issues. Asked what her reaction would be if they would be allowed to take part in next year's Olympics in Paris, Svitolina said: "I don't think about it. It's up to the Olympic Committee and the Ukrainian Committee to think about it and do their job! (This story has been corrected to fix Svitolina's ranking in paragraph 3)Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Nadal, Alcaraz and Auger-Aliassime to miss Monte Carlo Masters
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Monte Carlo is and has been a key event in my career, but unfortunately I will have to miss it again since I am still not ready to compete without the risk of getting injured. The Spaniard, who has won Monte Carlo 11 times in his career still hopes to be fit for the French Open in May, a clay court tournament he has dominated for years, having won there 14 times. World number two Alcaraz, who had an injury-plagued start to the season, was last in action at last week's Miami Open, where he was beaten in the semi-final by Italian Jannik Sinner. loading"After visiting my doctor today ... and being evaluated, I won't be able to go to Monte Carlo to start the clay court tour. "(I) decided it was the smartest decision to take some time off so I'm able to fully heal and recover before my next tournament at the Madrid Open," Auger-Aliassime wrote on Instagram.

☆ Kvitova draws on experience to triumph in Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/7] Apr 1, 2023; Miami, Florida, US; Petra Kvitova (CZE) celebrates with the Butch Buchholz championship trophy after her match against Elena Rybakina (KAZ) (not pictured) in the women's singles final on day thirteen of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsApril 1 (Reuters) - Petra Kvitova said she drew on her deep well of experience to come through an epic first set tie-breaker and upset Elena Rybakina 7-6(14) 6-2 for her first Miami Open title on Saturday. "Experience today played a good role in my mind," Kvitova told reporters after the match. With the win Kvitova became the second-oldest women to triumph at the Miami Open, after Serena Williams in 2015. Kvitova said athletes from those countries should also not be allowed to compete at the Paris Olympics.

The Russian called himself a "hard court specialist" at Indian Wells last month while complaining about the slow speed of the courts and it is hard to argue with his expertise. "I love hard courts. If it would be my choice, it would be only hard courts," he told reporters. Even if I know that I can play well enough on the grass and clay, on hard courts I feel the most fluid. "The earlier you lose in Miami, the more clay court practice you can get," he told Tennis Channel.

[1/5] Apr 2, 2023; Miami, Florida, US; Daniil Medvedev celebrates with the Butch Buchholz championship trophy after his match against Jannik Sinner (ITA) (not pictured) in the men's singles final on day fourteen of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsApril 2 (Reuters) - Daniil Medvedev beat Italy's Jannik Sinner 7-5 6-3 to win the Miami Open on Sunday for his fourth title of the year and 19th overall. Medvedev broke Sinner for 3-1 in the second set and cruised from there, his powerful groundstrokes and impenetrable defense carrying him to the finish. With the win Medvedev earned his fifth Masters 1000 title and improved to 6-0 lifetime against Sinner. Sinner, who also made the Miami final in 2021, is still searching for his first Masters 1000 title.

☆ Sinner says win over Alcaraz in Miami one of his best
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Youngsters Sinner and Alcaraz have formed one of the most exciting rivalries on the ATP Tour, each enjoying three wins in their six meetings so far. "For sure it's one of the best wins. I think we both played a very, very high-level match," Sinner, 21, told reporters. "The last one I lost obviously, but I'll try my best, I'll try to make some good changes like today against Carlos and let's see. "I had an opportunity to get the Sunshine Double, but I think I'm going to have more years to try to get it.

☆ Kvitova upsets Rybakina to win first Miami Open title
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Apr 1, 2023; Miami, Florida, US; Petra Kvitova (CZE) reacts after winning a first set tiebreaker against Elena Rybakina (KAZ) (not pictured) in the women's singles final on day thirteen of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsApril 1 (Reuters) - Petra Kvitova turned back the clock to upset Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina 7-6(14) 6-2 on Saturday to win her first Miami Open crown and ninth WTA 1000 title. The veteran Czech player, seeded 15th, ended an epic, 22-minute first set tiebreak by converting her fifth set point when 10th-seeded Rybakina's forehand landed in the net. The 33-year-old Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014 and who had recently contemplated retirement, put her hands on her head in astonishment when Rybakina's forehand sailed long to seal the win. Kvitova, who fended off five set points in the see-saw tiebreak, said capturing it was the key to the match.

☆ Medvedev survives Khachanov test to reach Miami final
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Mar 31, 2023; Miami, Florida, US; Daniil Medvedev reacts after winning a point against Karen Khachanov (not pictured) in a men's singles semifinal on day twelve on the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsMarch 31 (Reuters) - Daniil Medvedev survived a stern test from his friend and fellow Russian Karen Khachanov to win 7-6(5) 3-6 6-3 for a tour-leading 28th victory this season and a spot in the Miami Open final. Red-hot fourth seed Medvedev has now reached the final in five consecutive events after triumphs in Doha, Rotterdam and Dubai before finishing runner-up at Indian Wells. "Really happy to be through a very tough match," Medvedev said in his on-court interview. Medvedev, who entered the match having not dropped a set in Miami, showed his resolve and patience to consolidate an early break and race out to a 4-1 lead.

☆ Wimbledon lifts ban on Russian and Belarusian players who will compete as 'neutral athletes'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Amar Mehta | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Wimbledon logo amongst flowers The Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2019 in London, England. Wimbledon has lifted a ban on Russian and Belarusian players from its tournament this year, with players agreeing to sign neutral declarations. Last year, players from Russia and Belarus were banned from Wimbledon in response to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The Lawn Tennis Association was hit with a fine and world ranking points were removed from last year's Championships. Earlier this month, Russian player Daniil Medvedev said ahead of Indian Wells that he would respect any decision taken by organisers.

☆ Alcaraz dumps Fritz to reach Miami semis, Medvedev advances
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Mar 30, 2023; Miami, Florida, US; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) reacts after winning the first set against Taylor Fritz (USA) (not pictured) in a men's singles quarterfinal on day eleven of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. It was a key for me to break the serve at the beginning." "It helped me and I only played better and better, apart from one bad game on my serve, but it happens." Medvedev will next face fellow Russian Karen Khachanov, who advanced with a 6-3 6-2 win over Argentine Francisco Cerundolo. Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Ed Osmond and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Alcaraz, Rybakina stay on course for 'Sunshine Double' in Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsMarch 28 (Reuters) - Indian Wells champions Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina stayed on course to complete the 'Sunshine Double' with straight sets wins at the Miami Open on Tuesday. Paul fell behind an early break again in the second set on a missed forehand for 2-1. Alcaraz is now three wins away from the 'Sunshine Double,' something he needs to retain his world number one ranking from Novak Djokovic. The 10th-seeded Kazakh deployed her clean groundstrokes and feasted on the Italian's soft second serve in the tight first set. "I would say that, of course, maybe I'm moving not as good as I was moving in Indian Wells but overall I think that I'm trying to keep that level from Indian Wells," she told reporters after reaching the semi-finals.

☆ Alcaraz dominates Lajovic, Andreescu breezes past Kenin in Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Mar 26, 2023; Miami, Florida, US; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) hits a forehand against Dusan Lajovic (SRB) (not pictured) on day seven of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsMarch 26 (Reuters) - Carlos Alcaraz swatted aside Serbian Dusan Lajovic 6-0 7-6(5)to keep his title defense on track at the Miami Open on Sunday, as Canadian Bianca Andreescu cruised past American Sofia Kenin in straight sets. "Everything was under control," said Alcaraz, who greeted the Miami Heat's six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler courtside after the match. Former U.S. Open champion Andreescu harnessed her mighty serve to topple Kenin 6-4 6-4, sending over seven aces as the 2020 Australian Open winner failed to mount much of a defense after an early exit from Indian Wells. Later on Sunday, second-seeded Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka plays 31st seed Marie Bouzkova and last year's twice Grand Slam runner-up Casper Ruud, seeded third, plays the Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp.

☆ Potapova upsets Gauff in third-round Miami thriller
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 25 (Reuters) - Russian Anastasia Potapova produced some of her best tennis to upset American Coco Gauff 6-7(8) 7-5 6-2 in a third-round thriller at the Miami Open on Saturday. "I had this belief in me that I can do this, that I just wanted to fight through and just to show my best tennis and not focus on the score," she told the Tennis Channel. Up 5-2 in the first set, it looked as though it might be an easy day for Potapova. But world number six Gauff turned the tables when she converted break point chances in the ninth and 11th games and closed the tiebreak with a lethal backhand. She failed to earn a single break point as Potapova dropped only one first-serve point and won the final five games.

☆ Djokovic has 'no regrets' about missing US events over COVID vaccine status
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Djokovic, 35, unsuccessfully applied to the U.S. government for special permission to play at Indian Wells and Miami. Carlos Alcaraz leapfrogged the Serb back into top spot in the world rankings after winning the Indian Wells title on Sunday. "I have no regrets," Djokovic told CNN. "I've learned through life that regrets only hold you back and basically make you live in the past. I want to be as much as in the present moment but of course think about future, create a better future.

☆ Nadal out of top 10 for first time since 2005
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

World number four Casper Ruud, who lost to Nadal in the Roland Garros final last year, said he would not be shocked to see the 36-year-old lift the trophy once again. "It wouldn't surprise me because he'll probably use these weeks and these months, as he's preparing for exactly Roland Garros," Ruud told Eurosport as part of the 'Ruud Talk' series. The only thing that's probably on his mind these days is just to be fit, be healthy and be ready for Roland Garros." Djokovic, who turns 36 in May, has shown few signs of slowing down and drew level with Nadal on 22 Grand Slams by winning the Australian Open. "The only tournament is Roland Garros: if Rafa is fit there, it's exactly the opposite.

☆ Alcaraz routs Medvedev in Indian Wells final, reclaims No. 1 ranking
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Mar 18, 2023; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) hits a shot in the semi final match defeating Jannik Sinner (ITA) in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY SportsMarch 19 (Reuters) - Top seed Carlos Alcaraz snapped Daniil Medvedev's 19-match win streak with a 6-3 6-2 rout in the Indian Wells final on Sunday that will see him leapfrog Novak Djokovic and return to world number one in the rankings. Alcaraz did not drop a set across six matches in the tournament and his performance in the California desert gives him an added boost of confidence ahead of his Miami Open title defence. Djokovic withdrew from the draw for the Indian Wells event in an indication that his application for a COVID-19 vaccine waiver to enter the U.S. might have failed. The Serbian has also withdrawn from the Miami Open.

☆ Medvedev aims to build new streak after falling to Alcaraz
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Mar 19, 2023; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) hits a shot in the men’s final match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY SportsMarch 20 (Reuters) - Daniil Medvedev suffered double disappointment on Sunday after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells final and seeing his 19-match winning run snapped, but the Russian said the only thing to do now was embark on another streak. That's actually disappointing," Medvedev said. "This would be cool to try to beat it and maybe try to prolong it as long as possible. I'm proud of it, and now it's time to try to build a new streak.

☆ Coffee-powered Bopanna becomes oldest Masters champion at Indian Wells
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 19 (Reuters) - Coffee connoisseur Rohan Bopanna credited the special Indian blends he consumes on Tour for his success after the 43-year-old became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion by winning the men's doubles title on Saturday. "It's the Indian coffee that I keep having when travelling. Some days I tell Matt I maybe just practised 20 minutes, but I'd rather rest the body and be ready for our matches," Bopanna said. Really happy with that." Indian doubles great Mahesh Bhupathi hailed former playing partner Bopanna's longevity and ability to peak late in his career.

☆ Alcaraz still trying to have fun despite target on his back
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 19-year-old Spaniard, ranked second in the world, became the youngest number one ever after his U.S. Open win in September. "I know if I win tomorrow I'm going to be the number one. That's all I'm going to think about tomorrow." Russian Medvedev, a former world number one, earned a 7-5 7-6(4) win over Frances Tiafoe to extend his winning run to 19 matches. Medvedev said his second-round win over Alcaraz at Wimbledon in 2021 - the only prior meeting between the two - was no gauge for their showdown on Sunday.

☆ Rybakina beats Sabalenka to claim Indian Wells title
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 19 (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina beat a misfiring Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(11) 6-4 on Sunday to claim the Indian Wells title and avenge her loss to the Belarusian in the Australian Open final. Rybakina, playing in her first WTA 1000 final, came back from a break down to grab a tightly-contested first set during which second seed Sabalenka committed 10 double faults and the Kazakh 10th seed never trailed the rest of the way. Despite her struggles, Sabalenka had her chances in the opener but squandered three set points while also turning aside five set points before finally sending a forehand long to give Rybakina control. Rybakina opened the second set with a break before Sabalenka finally settled into her game but the Kazakh sensed her chance and quickly closed the deal on her first championship point when her opponent sent a service return into the net. Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Djokovic to miss Miami Open over vaccine status, tournament director says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 17 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic will miss next week's Miami Open after the Serbian was denied an exemption that would have allowed him to enter the U.S. despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19, tournament director James Blake said on Friday. "We tried to get Novak Djokovic to be allowed to get an exemption, but that wasn't able to happen," Blake told Tennis Channel. "Obviously, we're one of the premier tournaments in the world, we'd like to have the best players that can play. Djokovic, 35, is also missing the ongoing Masters event in Indian Wells, California due to inability to secure the exemption. He has not played at Indian Wells or the Miami Open - which together comprise the "Sunshine Double" - since 2019.

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