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☆ 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.

☆ 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.

☆ Medvedev ends Djokovic run to book Dubai final with Rublev
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

March 3 (Reuters) - Daniil Medvedev handed Novak Djokovic his first defeat of the year, beating the world number one 6-4 6-4 on Friday to reach the Dubai Tennis Championships final where he plays holder Andrey Rublev for a third title in as many weeks. Every time you play Novak, it's physically tough. Earlier, Russian Rublev reached the final with a first career victory against Alexander Zverev, closing out a 6-3 7-6(9) win on his sixth matchpoint. "I was thinking it was going to be a third set," Rublev, who will be gunning for his 13th ATP title on Saturday, said. But a determined Rublev recovered from a dip in his level to ensure there was no late drama.

☆ 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 powers past Griekspoor into Dubai quarter-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] ATP 500 - Dubai Tennis Championships - The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - March 1, 2023 Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his round of 16 match against Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor REUTERS/Amr AlfikyMarch 1 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic stormed into the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Wednesday with a 6-2 6-3 thrashing of Tallon Griekspoor, swiftly returning to his best form at a tournament he has won five times. A day after being taken to three sets by Czech qualifier Tomas Machac, Djokovic was back to his ruthless best and blasted past a shell-shocked Griekspoor to take the first set with two breaks of serve. Griekspoor managed to win a game and world number one Djokovic dropped serve with a double fault before sealing victory in style. Yesterday, I really had to work hard to get a win," Djokovic said. I have no words to describe it," Rublev, who has saved match points en route to victory three times this season, 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.

☆ Wu becomes first Chinese man to win ATP title with Dallas triumph
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 13 (Reuters) - Wu Yibing became the first man from China to win an ATP title on Sunday as he held off home hero John Isner 6-7(4) 7-6(3) 7-6(12) in a thrilling final to claim the Dallas Open. Before this week, no Chinese man had ever reached a tour-level final in the professional era or defeated a top 10 opponent. Wu, from the eastern city of Hangzhou, has done both, having upset American world number eight Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals in Dallas. Isner hammered 44 aces and held match point as Wu served to stay in the second set at 6-5. On Monday Wu became the second Chinese man to crack the world top 100 and is now projected to rise to 58.

☆ Fire still burning, Djokovic and GOAT debate move on to Paris
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

While the blue courts of Melbourne Park are undoubtedly Djokovic's domain, the red clay courts of Roland Garros are the preserve of Spaniard Nadal, the other open-era GOAT contender along with 20-times Grand Slam champion Roger Federer. Federer is now retired and sent his congratulations to Djokovic on Instagram - "Incredible effort, again!" The 36-year-old is confident he will recover from the hip flexor issue he sustained at the Australian Open in time to drag his battered body to Paris in May in a bid for a 15th French Open title. And, despite a hamstring issue that hindered him throughout the year's first Grand Slam, Djokovic left little doubt that he would also be there trying to win major number 23. I know that when I'm feeling good physically, mentally present, I have a chance to win any slam against anybody.

☆ The Head and the Heart of Novak Djokovic
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Jason Gay | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Who’s surprised? Not him, really. Not the latest vanquished soul on the other side of the net. Novak Djokovic prevailing as champion of the 2023 Australian Open was as assured a result as tennis offers. The most comparable outcome is Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, but lately those titles have had twinges of intrigue— could this be the year Rafa finally slips on the clay?

☆ Djokovic beats Tsitsipas for 10th Australian Open, 22nd Slam
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Serbia's Novak Djokovic is presented with the trophy by former player Ken Rosewall after winning his final match against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas. Djokovic stretched his unbeaten streak in Melbourne to 28 matches, the longest run there in the Open era, which dates to 1968. Djokovic was participating in his 33rd major final, Tsitsipas in his second — and the 24-year-old from Greece's other one also ended in a loss to Djokovic, at the 2021 French Open. Little doubt this is of no solace to Tsitsipas, but there is no shame in failing to defeat Djokovic in Melbourne. Still, Srdjan Djokovic did not attend his son's semifinal or the final.

☆ 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.

☆ Rybakina meets Sabalenka in clash of big hitters for Australian Open crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

While that victory brought prestige and financial reward, it did not boost her up the rankings. Rybakina would have climbed into the top 10 had the ranking points been available but she has proved she belongs in the spotlight at Melbourne Park, knocking out three Grand Slam champions en route to this year's title clash. "I think it was a great challenge for me because for sure, they have experience of winning Grand Slams, so it was nothing new for them," Rybakina, who beat Azarenka 7-6(4) 6-3 in the semi-finals, said. With Russian and Belarusian players only allowed to compete as individual athletes without national affiliation at Melbourne Park, Sabalenka could become the first neutral athlete to win a Grand Slam. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Tsitsipas eyes boyhood dream of Grand Slam title, top ranking
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Stefanos Tsitsipas moved into the Australian Open final on Friday, taking a step towards becoming the first Greek world number one, which the third seed said would be the culmination of a boyhood dream. "I remember watching (Grand Slam finals) on TV saying to myself, I want to be there one day myself. I want to recreate that feeling for me," Tsitsipas, who plays favourite Novak Djokovic or Tommy Paul next, told reporters. There are certain steps you have to take to give yourself the chance to be competing for something like this. He said he was also delighted to put his country on the map along with women's world number six Maria Sakkari.

☆ Korda retires to send Khachanov into Australian Open semis, Rybakina through
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 24, 2023 Russia's Karen Khachanov in action during his quarter final match against Sebastian Korda of the U.S. REUTERS/Jaimi JoyMELBOURNE, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Karen Khachanov reached the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time on Tuesday after Sebastian Korda retired injured while trailing 7-6(5) 6-3 3-0, dashing the American's hopes of emulating his father Petr's 1998 Melbourne Park triumph. Khachanov had also reached the last four of the 2022 U.S. Open and said it felt great to be back in a Grand Slam semi-final. "I'm super happy to be in the semi-finals for the first time," said Rybakina. "Of course, I was nervous, particularly in the last game, but I'm happy I managed my emotions. Rybakina will take on third seed Jessica Pegula or twice Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka next.

☆ Ruthless Rybakina rolls into Australian Open semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina became the first player into the Australian Open semi-finals after outmuscling Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-4 in a one-sided contest on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday. Rybakina, who ousted top seed Iga Swiatek in the fourth round, broke straight back, however, and saved four break points with some brilliant tennis in the next game to consolidate. "I'm super happy to be in the semi-finals for the first time," said Rybakina. Ostapenko was clearly second best but might take solace at her best Grand Slam showing since she reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2018, a year after she won the Roland Garros title. Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Coco Gauff in tears after defeat at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

A frustrated Coco Gauff broke down in tears after her 7-5 6-3 defeat by Jelena Ostapenko at the Australian Open on Sunday, with the 18-year-old American saying she just could not come up with the answers to the Latvian’s game. “I think every loss is somewhat in my control because I do feel like I’m a good player, but today she just played better,” Gauff, seeded seventh, told reporters. “There were balls I was hitting deep and she was hitting them on the line and hitting them back deep, like, over and over again. “I think it’s because I worked really hard and I felt really good coming into the tournament and I still feel good,” Gauff said. “But when you play a player like her and she plays really well, it’s like there’s nothing you can do.

☆ Gauff in tears after failing to crack Ostapenko code
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I think every loss is somewhat in my control because I do feel like I'm a good player, but today she just played better," Gauff, seeded seventh, told reporters. "I think it's because I worked really hard and I felt really good coming into the tournament and I still feel good," Gauff said. "But when you play a player like her and she plays really well, it's like there's nothing you can do. "I think doubles has taught me how to play after losing, how to play with frustration," Gauff added. I hope I can help her and I hope that she continues well in the (singles) tournament now that I'm out.

☆ Top seed Swiatek crashes out, Gauff exits Australian Open in tears
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"I felt the pressure, and I felt that I don't want to lose instead of I want to win," said Swiatek, who dominated last season with two Grand Slam wins. Rybakina, the 22nd seed, might have expected to face Gauff in the quarter-finals but the much-hyped American teen was upset 7-5 6-3 by Jelena Ostapenko, the forgotten Grand Slam winner of women's tennis. The win secured a first Australian Open quarter-final for hard-hitting Ostapenko, as well as the first at a Grand Slam since her run to the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2018. Latvia's first - and only - Grand Slam champion stunned the world when she hoisted the trophy at Roland Garros as an unseeded 20-year-old. Third seed Pegula will face the winner of Victoria Azarenka and China's Zhu Lin for a place in the semi-finals.

☆ Early French Open triumph proved a burden, says resurgent Ostapenko
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 22, 2023 Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko in action during her fourth round match against Coco Gauff of the U.S. REUTERS/Loren ElliottMELBOURNE, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Grand Slam success came to Jelena Ostapenko in a hurry when she hoisted the French Open trophy as an unseeded 20-year-old but the early career triumph soon became a burden. She next plays Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who sent world number one Iga Swiatek packing in the early match at Rod Laver Arena. Her country's first Grand Slam champion, Ostapenko is hardly alone in being unable to back up after winning a major title but her retreat from the spotlight was sudden and sustained. Of course, (there was) a lot of attention from everywhere outside the court, like photo shoots and all those kind of things. Ostapenko is no shrinking violet and has sometimes let her emotions get the better of her on court.

☆ Greek Tsitsipas feels at home in Melbourne
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas described the Australian Open as his "home slam", saying the conditions in Melbourne remind him of the Attic Peninsula. Tsitsipas, a three-time semi-finalist at the Australian Open, reached the quarter-finals on Sunday after he held firm to beat Italy's Jannik Sinner 6-4 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-3. With Melbourne boasting the largest Greek population in Australia, Tsitsipas said he always felt at home when competing at the season-opening major. "Another reason, another plus is wherever I look I see Greek faces, I see Greek people speaking Greek. For me it's the Australian Open."

☆ Czech teen Fruhvirtova downs Vondrousova to reach fourth round
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 19, 2023 Czech Republic's Linda Fruhvirtova reacts during her second round match against Australia's Kimberly Birrell REUTERS/Sandra SandersMELBOURNE, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Czech teenager Linda Fruhvirtova marched into the fourth round of the Australian Open on Saturday with a battling 7-5 2-6 6-3 victory over compatriot Marketa Vondrousova. At 17 years and 273 days, Fruhvirtova is the youngest woman remaining in the draw. Playing in only her second Grand Slam main draw, Fruhvirtova showed extraordinary composure to rally from 3-1 down in the decider and beat her more fancied opponent. Vondrousova has struggled to replicate the form that helped her reach the 2019 Roland Garros final but the 23-year-old had looked set for a deep run in Melbourne after beating second seed second seed Ons Jabeur in the last round. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Swiatek stays grounded ahead of Rybakina test in clash of champions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"To be honest, it doesn't matter which round I play because I think Iga is a great player. I think that if I'm going to play my game, aggressive, I'm going to be solid from the beginning till the end." "I'm really looking forward to it. I'm sure he's much better prepared this time," said Greek Tsitsipas, who has not dropped a set in Melbourne this year. Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, another French Open champion, will play last year's Roland Garros runner-up American Coco Gauff.

☆ Raducanu faces Gauff in 'next generation' battle at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Raducanu was playing at her peak and riding a wave of unprecedented success after breaking through in 2021 and clinching the U.S. Open while Gauff was making strides and reaching the second week of Grand Slams. Coco has obviously done a lot of great things and she's playing well," said Raducanu, who overcame an ankle issue to advance. I think we're both good, young players, we're both coming through, part of the next generation of tennis really. It's going to be a great match." The night session wraps up with third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas taking on local hope and 21-year-old wildcard Rinky Hijikata.

☆ 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.

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