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☆ Daniil Medvedev credits new strings for his success in 2023 after winning first clay title at the Italian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Daniil Medvedev revealed one reason behind his incredible form this year after winning the Italian Open: new racket strings. Now it’s unbelievable.”Medvedev lifts the Italian Open trophy after defeating Rune. Having won most of his titles – including his US Open triumph in 2021 – on hard courts, victory on clay at the Italian Open is a breakthrough moment for the 27-year-old Medvedev. He had to defeat the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev during his Italian Open campaign and has climbed five places in the men’s rankings this year. Medvedev (left) and Rune shake hands after the Italian Open final.

☆ Medvedev says 'unbelievable' Rome triumph among his best wins
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Heading into Rome, Medvedev had won 18 of his 19 titles - including the 2021 U.S. Open - on hardcourts, with his Mallorca Open victory on grass the same year the only exception. The 27-year-old, who previously made no secret of his dislike for clay, was a player transformed at the Italian Open and ended the tournament with a 7-5 7-5 win over rising Dane Holger Rune. Asked where his victory ranked among his many successes, Medvedev told reporters: "In a way, number one, just because it's the first one on clay and it's unbelievable. Medvedev said using new strings this year had helped his clay game as they were softer and aided his deep groundstrokes. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Rybakina targets deep run at Roland Garros after Rome triumph
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Moscow-born 23-year-old bagged her second title of 2023 after her Indian Wells triumph and fifth overall when Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina retired while trailing 6-4 1-0. "I think with my game, I can play good on all the surfaces," said Rybakina, who also reached the Australian Open and Miami finals this season. Rybakina reached the third round at Roland Garros last year and hoped playing in Paris would be easier this time. Kalinina, whose hopes of a first title were dashed due to a leg injury, said Rybakina had the qualities to succeed on clay. She's making winners like no one on tour... anyone can win in Paris, but she has good chances," Kalinina said.

☆ 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.

☆ Medvedev outclasses Rune in Rome to capture first title on clay
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Medvedev's fifth title of a stellar season and 20th overall leaves him as one of the top contenders for Roland Garros which begins on May 28. I didn't have any big tantrums and was like 'OK, let's continue' and here I felt amazing in practice. "But then you need to play the toughest opponents in the world and try to make it. I'm really happy that I managed to do it and prove to myself and everybody that I'm capable." Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Rybakina wins Rome title after ailing Kalinina retires
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Moscow-born Kazakh Rybakina got off to an edgy start in the rain-delayed contest by dropping her opening service game before the Wimbledon champion levelled at 3-3 and then wrapped up the opening set with a late break. Kalinina, playing in the second singles final of her career, called the trainer on to the court after losing the opening game of the second set before quitting the match in tears. Victory ensured Australian Open runner-up Rybakina won her second title of the year following her Indian Wells triumph and fifth overall. The 23-year-old, who won three of her matches in Rome after her opponents retired, will break into the top five on Monday. She also reached the final in Miami and heads to Roland Garros as a top contender for the year's second major.

☆ Swiatek 'plays it safe' with Rome retirement ahead of French Open defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Top seed and two-time defending champion in Rome, Swiatek was tied 2-2 with Elena Rybakina in the deciding set on Wednesday when she decided she could not continue. "To be ready for Roland Garros I need to recover right now. Swiatek won the Stuttgart Open in April when she beat world number two Aryna Sabalenka. The French Open runs from May 28 to June 11. Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Romania's Halep handed additional doping charge
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 19 (Reuters) - Former world number one Simona Halep has been charged with a second breach of doping rules, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said on Friday. The additional charge relates to irregularities in Romanian Halep's Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), based on an assessment of her profile by an independent ABP Expert Panel. Halep has denied knowingly taking the banned substance and said she has evidence which proves low quantities of the anti-anaemia drug entered her body because of an authorised supplement that was contaminated. Last month Halep called on tennis's anti-doping body to allow her to clear her name, questioning the long delay in her doping hearing after being denied the right to be heard by an independent court. Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Rafael Nadal Withdraws From the French Open, Wants to Play One More Year
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Matthew Futterman | Christopher Clarey | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Rafael Nadal, the 14-time French Open men’s singles champion, will not compete in this year’s edition of the event that has defined his career because of an injury that has sidelined him for months. Nadal, who has competed in Paris every year since 2005 and has an astonishing record of 112-3 at Roland Garros, made the announcement in a news conference Thursday at his tennis academy on the Spanish island of Majorca. Nadal said he would further extend his break from the game to try to get healthy and then attempt to play next season, which he said “probably is going to be my last year in the professional tour.”“That’s my idea,” he said. “Even that, I can’t say that 100 percent it’s going to be like this because you never know what is going to happen, but my idea and motivation is to try to enjoy and to try to say goodbye to all the tournaments that have been important to me in my tennis career.”

☆ Nadal to miss French Open, 2024 likely to be last year of career
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

I have lost goals along the way, and Roland Garros becomes impossible. The French Open runs from May 28 to June 11. French Open organisers said on Twitter: "We can't imagine how hard this decision was. Nadal's 14 French Open titles are the most by any player at a single major. "Roland Garros will always be Roland Garros with or without me ... there will be a new champion and I'm sure the tournament will be a big success."

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.

☆ Rafael Nadal withdraws from French Open due to injury, says ‘next year is my last year’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Rafael Nadal will miss the French Open for the first time since he made his debut in 2005 after the 14-time champion announced on Thursday that he has withdrawn from the tournament due to injury, adding that “next year is my last year” in professional tennis. The Spaniard suffered a hip injury during his second-round Australian Open defeat to Mackenzie McDonald in January and initially said he hoped to be fit again within six to eight weeks. Rafael Nadal said next year will likely be his last playing tennis. In 2016, Nadal withdrew ahead of his third-round match against compatriot Marcel Granollers due to a wrist injury. Nadal has not played since the Australian Open and in March dropped out of the world’s top 10 for the first time since 2005.

☆ Djokovic says new generation has arrived after Rome quarter-final exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROME, May 18 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic said the long awaited "shift of generations" has finally come to men's tennis after the world number one lost to 20-year-old Dane Holger Rune in the Italian Open quarter-finals. Djokovic, who has now lost two in a row to Rune, said the next generation of players led by world number two Carlos Alcaraz is like a breath of fresh air for the sport. "A new generation is here already," Djokovic told reporters. When asked if Roland Garros would be the most open tournament in years, Djokovic smiled and said: "It depends if Nadal plays or not. "But next to him Alcaraz, Rune - these guys are right there in contention, some of the biggest favourites to win the title."

☆ Fans speculate about Nadal's retirement before French Open announcement
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 36-year-old Nadal has not competed since January after sustaining a hip injury at the Australian Open and is expected to confirm whether he will skip the French Open, a tournament he has won a record 14 times. On the YouTube page that will stream Nadal's news conference later on Thursday, fans posted tearful emojis and speculated about him announcing his retirement. Nadal's 14 French Open titles are the most by any player at a single major. He boasts a stunning 112-3 record in Paris and is widely regarded as the 'king of clay'. The French Open begins on May 28.

☆ Rune repeats Djokovic upset to storm into Rome semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

For the first time since 2004, neither Djokovic nor the injured Rafa Nadal will be in the Rome final. Rune outlasted Djokovic in three sets in last year's Paris Masters final and the 20-year-old made the perfect start in search of another upset by breaking the world number one in the opening game of the match. "Obviously, I did it last year in Paris, but every match is a huge challenge when I play Novak. "He's one of the greatest to ever play the game so I knew I had to be at my best. Rune said he hoped to stay humble after another statement win on the ATP Tour.

☆ Rybakina, Swiatek set to renew rivalry in Rome quarter-final
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Mar 17, 2023; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Iga Swiatek (POL) and Elena Rybakina (KAZ) changes sides in the semi final match in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. But the Kazakh said French Open champion Swiatek would be a completely different prospect in the Rome quarter-final. Rybakina said she was not dwelling too much on the pair's budding rivalry. Poland's Swiatek, who won her first match with Rybakina in Ostrava two years ago, said she would treat their latest meeting like any other match. "For now I don't have any mindset," defending Rome champion Swiatek said.

☆ Holger Rune beats Novak Djokovic in rainy Italian Open quarterfinal clash
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

1 was beaten by Holger Rune in the Italian Open quarterfinals. It will be the first time since 2004 that neither Djokovic or Rafael Nadal will be in the final of the Italian Open, according to the ATP. Holger Rune celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic. Huge credit to Novak, I’m a big fan of his. Holger Rune has two consecutive wins over Novak Djokovic.

☆ 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.

☆ Alcaraz hopes to 'reset' ahead of French Open after Rome shock
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 20-year-old has been in superb form on clay, winning a title in Buenos Aires earlier in the season before triumphing in Barcelona and Madrid ahead of the Rome tournament. "In the second set I was close, I had my chances but didn't take them. Alcaraz said he was looking forward to some time off ahead of the year's second Grand Slam which starts on May 28. I need some days to reset my mind, to be fresh for Roland Garros," Alcaraz said. It's going to be really helpful to have days at home practising and getting ready."

☆ Djokovic says 'Big Four' rivalries made him tougher
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Luckily for me, in my career, I managed to win more matches than I lost when I was facing difficult circumstances," Djokovic said. "I got stronger because of the rivalries, particularly with Federer, Nadal and Murray," he added. Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray were dubbed the 'Big Four' as they won a combined 67 Grand Slam titles in an unprecedented period of dominance and were involved in some of the most memorable matches over the last two decades. "Staying the course, staying patient and believing in the process and the journey," Djokovic said. "Understanding what works for you best, what's your winning formula mentally and also physically and emotionally, and then sticking to it."

☆ Fancied Alcaraz stunned by Hungarian qualifier Marozsan in Rome
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROME, May 15 (Reuters) - Carlos Alcaraz crashed to a humbling 6-3 7-6(4) defeat by Hungarian qualifier Fabian Marozsan in the third round of the Italian Open on Monday as his quest for a third straight title on clay before the French Open ended in disappointment. The 20-year-old had come into the tournament on the back of triumphs in Barcelona and Madrid and will replace Novak Djokovic as the world number one for top billing at Roland Garros which begins later this month. Alcaraz raced to a 4-1 lead but Marozsan hit back in superb style to reel off six points and hand the world number two only his second defeat on clay in 22 matches this season. "It's not easy to say something," Marozsan said immediately after the biggest win of his career. It was the first defeat for Alcaraz to a player ranked outside the world's top 100 since the 2021 Paris Masters when he fell to Hugo Gaston.

☆ Alcaraz stunned by Hungarian qualifier Marozsan in Rome
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Alcaraz raced to a 4-1 lead but Marozsan hit back in superb style to reel off six points and hand the world number two only his second defeat on clay in 22 matches this season. "It's not easy to say something," Marozsan said immediately after the biggest win of his career. World number three Daniil Medvedev earned a hard-fought 3-6 6-1 6-3 win over Spain's Bernabe Zapata Miralles to reach the last 16 in Rome for the first time. In the women's draw, Elena Rybakina saw off Marketa Vondrousova 6-3 6-3 to reach her first claycourt WTA 1000 quarter-final, where she will face either top-ranked Iga Swiatek, the twice defending champion, or Croatia's Donna Vekic. Tsitsipas had taken the first set 6-3 against Sonego while Zverev leads 6-4 3-3 against Wolf.

☆ Fábián Marozsán: World No. 135 provides 'shock of the season' by upsetting Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets at Rome Masters
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

135 Fábián Marozsán provided what the ATP Tour called the “shock of the season” by upsetting Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets at the Rome Masters on Monday. “I’m very happy, I couldn’t imagine this one,” Marozsán said after his remarkable victory. Marozsán and Alcaraz embrace after their match. The crowd, the weather, the court, so I’m just very happy I’m doing my job. Alcaraz is one of the favorites to win the French Open which begins later this month after an excellent season so far.

☆ Alcaraz says focus will not change as French Open top seed
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Alcaraz, who turned 20 this month, captured the U.S. Open title in September to become the youngest man to top the world rankings. He will leapfrog Novak Djokovic into the number one spot again after the ongoing Italian Open. He is also assured of top billing at the May 28-June 11 French Open. "It doesn't change too much to be the number one or number two seed - I just focus on the tournament, on my game, on every match, and that's something that I try not to think about. "I grew up a lot in a year," Alcaraz said of his meteoric rise.

☆ Owen Davidson, Who Won 8 Grand Slams With Billie Jean King, Dies at 79
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Alex Traub | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Owen Davidson, an Australian tennis player who formed a dominant mixed doubles team with Billie Jean King in the 1960s and ’70s, winning eight Grand Slam titles with her, along with five doubles titles with other partners, died on Friday in Conroe, Texas, a suburb of Houston. Davidson came of age during a heyday for Australian tennis, with peers like Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Roy Emerson, John Newcombe and Margaret Court. Unlike those players, Davidson did not have significant success in singles tennis, never advancing beyond the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament. From 1965 to 1974, he won 11 major mixed doubles titles and two men’s doubles titles. In 1967, he swept every major mixed doubles event, winning the Australian Open with his countrywoman Lesley Turner Bowrey and then winning the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open with King.

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