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☆ Kenin moves into Rome second round with battling win, Fernandez out
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

I didn't feel a 100% but it doesn't matter, a win is a win and I'm going to take it," said Kenin, who converted seven of her 21 breakpoints. I felt tired and... after three hours I'd imagine that she was too, so I just had to battle it out." Former U.S. Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez was beaten 7-6(4) 4-6 6-3 by Aliaksandra Sasnovich, while 2019 French Open runner-up Marketa Vondrousova overcame Kaia Kanepi 6-0 4-6 6-2 in other first round matches. The 37-year-old Czech will take on world number eight Maria Sakkari in the second round. The men's tournament headlined by six-times champion Novak Djokovic and Rome debutant Carlos Alcaraz begins on Wednesday.

☆ Russian Andreeva, 15, stuns Fernandez in Madrid
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 27 (Reuters) - Russian 15-year-old Mirra Andreeva became the third-youngest player to win a main draw match at a WTA 1000 event by stunning 2021 U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 6-3 6-4 in the opening round of the Madrid Open on Wednesday. Andreeva, ranked 194th in the world, saved five of the six break points she faced against world number 49 Fernandez of Canada. She will face Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second round later on Thursday at the claycourt tournament. Andreeva said she had needed time to recover from her defeat in the Australian Open girls' final earlier this year, where she lost the match after winning the first set. "My coach said to me after maybe five years you will not even remember that you played the Australian Open final or against who.

CNN —Wimbledon will cover accommodation costs for Ukrainian tennis players competing at this year’s tournament, organizers announced on Tuesday. Last month, organizers announced that Russian and Belarusian players would be able to participate at Wimbledon as “neutrals” having been barred from competing last year amid the war in Ukraine. Russian and Belarusian flags will be prohibited, while any symbols or signs of support for the war or for either the Russian or Belarusian regime won’t be allowed. Bolton said that the tournament won’t be shown in Russia or Belarus and that Russian media will not be welcome at this year’s event. Wimbledon, the third grand slam of the calendar year, runs from July 3 to 16.

☆ Bencic to skip Madrid, Rome events due to hip issue
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 20 (Reuters) - Olympic champion Belinda Bencic will skip upcoming claycourt tournaments in Madrid and Rome due to "discomfort" in her hip but said she hopes to be fully fit for the French Open. Bencic said she was hampered by the issue during the WTA Tour's U.S. swing, which included her run to the Charleston Open final where she lost to Ons Jabeur in straight sets. Bencic won the Adelaide International 2 title in January and Abu Dhabi Open the following month. The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year, will be held from May 28 to June 11, where Iga Swiatek will be the women's singles defending champion. Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ WTA to resume tournaments in China this year, end boycott over Peng allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Tennis - China Open Women's Singles First Round - Beijing, China - 03/10/16. Peng then briefly disappeared from public view and later denied making the accusation, sparking fears for her safety. "For these reasons, the WTA is lifting its suspension of the operation of tournaments in the People's Republic of China and will resume tournaments in China this September." PENG SAFE IN BEIJING"The WTA's decision is a huge disappointment to the Chinese human rights community," Yaqiu Wang, senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch, told Reuters. "We also have received assurances that WTA players and staff operating in China will be safe and protected while in the country.

☆ WTA roundup: Katie Volynets escapes 5-0, third-set hole
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 2 - Down 5-0 and a match point in the third set, the United States' Katie Volynets rallied to upset third-seeded Anastasia Potapova of Russia 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 on Wednesday in the second round of the ATX Open in Austin, Texas. Volynets heated up while winning the last seven games, as she lost just one point total in the final three games. Abierto GNP SegurosThird-seeded Donna Vekic of Croatia needed just 80 minutes to rout the United States' Emma Navarro 6-3, 6-2 in the second round at Monterrey, Mexico. Fifth-seeded Lin Zhu of China registered a 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3 win over Canada's Rebecca Marino, and Belgium's Ysaline Bonaventure topped Russia's Kamilla Rakhimova 7-6 (2), 1-6, 6-3. In the last match of the night, Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmiedlova was scheduled to oppose the United States' Caroline Dolehide.

☆ Alcaraz signs up for relaunched Hopman Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - World number two Carlos Alcaraz will headline the Hopman Cup as the relaunched mixed-gender team event returns to the tennis calendar after a four-year absence in June. The 19-year-old Alcaraz will be part of the Spain team, one of three confirmed by the International Tennis Federation on Tuesday, alongside Paula Badosa. "Alongside the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup, the Hopman Cup is another ITF event that gives players the opportunity to represent their countries, and compete for something bigger than themselves," ITF President David Haggerty said at a news conference. The last edition of the competition, which began in 1989 and was named after Australian great Harry Hopman, saw Roger Federer lead Switzerland to the title against Germany. The Hopman Cup has a rival in the United Cup mixed-gender team event, featuring 18 nations playing matches across three Australian cities, taking place before this year's Australian Open.

☆ Swiatek says WTA must grow and continue push for pay equality
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WTA Tour events, however, still often offer less prize money than those on the men's tour which operates its own circuit. "For sure, I'd like to see the WTA expanding business-wise, getting more popular, cutting the difference between WTA and ATP in terms of prize money and attracting fans," Swiatek told reporters in Dubai. There's something you can find in women's tennis that you're not going to find on the ATP," Swiatek said. American Jessica Pegula, the world number three and a member of the WTA player council, echoed Swiatek. "I hope we can keep pushing for equal prize money at all events, being on TV more," Pegula said.

☆ Sabalenka says Grand Slam win has fuelled hunger for success
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

I believed in myself but I was waiting for so long, working so hard and couldn't get it. I had tough losses in the semi-finals," said Sabalenka, who will return to the tour for the first time since her Melbourne Park triumph. Sabalenka said her major win had "definitely changed" her mindset a little bit but she would not get complacent. Adelaide champion Sabalenka, who is unbeaten in 11 matches this year, will meet Jill Teichmann or Linz champion Anastasia Potapova in the Dubai second round after being handed a bye but said she was not too focused on the draw. Sometimes you look too far, then you lose the first match because you're already thinking about your semi-final match," Sabalenka said.

☆ Jabeur pulls out of Doha, Dubai to have minor surgery
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 8 (Reuters) - World number three Ons Jabeur has pulled out of WTA tournaments in Doha and Dubai later this month after opting to have minor surgery, the 28-year-old said on Wednesday. My medical team have decided that I need to get a minor surgery in order to be able to be back on the courts and perform well," Jabeur, last year's Wimbledon and U.S. Open runner-up, said on Instagram. "I will have to retire from Doha and Dubai and this is breaking my heart. I would like to say sorry to all the fans out there in the Middle East that waited for this reunion. The Qatar Open was scheduled to be held from Feb. 13-18 with the Dubai Duty Free Championships taking place the next week.

☆ WTA roundup: Alycia Parks, Lin Zhu win first singles titles
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

February 5 - Alycia Parks won her first WTA singles title, defeating No. She won points on 85 percent of her first serves and saved all four break points she faced. She converted 80 percent of her first serves into points and staved off two break points until championship point, when she double faulted on the final break point of the match. Thailand OpenLin Zhu of China was another first-time WTA tour winner, defeating Lesia Tsurenko 6-4, 6-4 in Hua Hin. And in a match that saw 23 break point opportunities, Zhu cashed in on eight of nine attempts but saved only eight of 14 break points on her serve.

☆ Belarusian Sabalenka crowned first 'neutral' Grand Slam champion
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The big-hitting Belarusian overhauled Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the final at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday while barred from representing the eastern European nation. Had Rybakina not switched allegiance to Kazakhstan in 2018, the Russia-born player would also have competed as a neutral. "I think everyone still knows that I'm Belarusian player. Asked whether missing Wimbledon made her Australian Open win sweeter, Sabalenka was non-committal. The Belarus tennis federation was quick to extend congratulations to the country's second tennis player to win a Grand Slam, following on from twice Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, who was knocked out in the semi-finals.

☆ Zhang wishes WTA could return to China
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Chinese number one Zhang Shuai hopes the WTA tour can return to her country this season as it opens up after abandoning the "zero-COVID" policy but said the Peng Shuai issue was out of her control. Former WTA player Peng accused a senior Chinese government official of sexual assault in 2021 in a post on social media that was soon removed from the country's internet. Peng's post caused an international outcry over her safety and led the WTA to suspend tournaments in China - a decision expected to cost the women's tour hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcasting and sponsorship. The WTA has said a return to China would require a resolution to the Peng situation and its 2023 tour calendar lists events only up to the U.S. Open, with no clarity on tournaments to be held in China. read moreAsked whether Peng should meet with the WTA as a step to resolving the impasse, Zhang declined to offer a view.

☆ Gauff outshines Raducanu to win battle of the prodigies
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I just told myself to hang in there," Gauff said in her on-court interview. "Emma was playing really good tennis towards the end of the match and the whole match was great. "In the beginning we both started off rocky but I think the match was good quality for the most part. "This was a long anticipated match since the draw came out so I'm glad the match was good for you guys." Gauff next takes on the winner of the match between fellow American Bernarda Pera and China's Zheng Qinwen, hoping to win and match her best run at Melbourne Park three years ago.

☆ Naomi Osaka announces she is expecting her first child
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 11 (Reuters) - Four times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka said on Wednesday that she is expecting her first child, days after withdrawing from the Australian Open. The 25-year-old said this week that she was pulling out of the year's first Grand Slam after not competing on the WTA Tour since the Pan Pacific Open in September. loadingAug 30, 2022; Flushing, NY, USA; Naomi Osaka of Japan hits to Danielle Collins of the United States on day two of the 2022 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. But she said on Wednesday that she would return to competition and expected to be at the Australian Open in 2024. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Former champion Osaka withdraws from Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 8 (Reuters) - Two-times champion Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the Australian Open, organisers of the year's first Grand Slam which begins on Jan. 16 said on Sunday without elaborating on the reason, as a cloud hung over one of the sport's brightest stars. The Japanese former world number one's name was on the entry list for the Australian Open, but Osaka was not scheduled to play in warm-up tournaments in Adelaide and Hobart, raising doubts about her participation in the hardcourt major. "Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open. We will miss her at #AO2023," the Australian Open tweeted. Her withdrawal marks a double blow for Australian Open organisers a day after American seven-times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams was ruled out due to injury.

☆ Noskova stuns Jabeur in Adelaide to set up Sabalenka showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Tennis - Adelaide International - Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Adelaide, Australia - January 7, 2023 Czech Republic's Linda Noskova in action during her semi final match against Tunisia's Ons Jabeur REUTERS/Loren ElliottJan 7 (Reuters) - Qualifier Linda Noskova continued her giant-killing run at the Adelaide International 1 on Saturday, as the 18-year-old toppled ailing world number two Ons Jabeur 6-3 1-6 6-3 to set up a final against second seed Aryna Sabalenka. She returned rejuvenated to grab the second set dropping only one game, but found herself a break down at 1-3 in the decider and Noskova held her nerve to grab the victory. "I'm happy with the level I played today, especially with her different game," Sabalenka said of Begu. The American will meet 2016 Junior Roland Garros singles champion Rebeka Masarova of Spain, who downed fellow qualifier Ysaline Bonaventure of Belgium 6-3 6-3. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ WTA says return to China will require resolution to Peng case
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Peng had accused Chinese former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault in 2021 in a post on social media that was soon removed from the country's internet. "There has not been any change in the WTA position on a return to China and we have only confirmed our 2023 calendar through U.S. Open," the WTA said in a statement. The WTA said it had received confirmation Peng was safe and comfortable but were yet to meet with her personally. "We continue to hold firm on our position and our thoughts remain with Peng," the statement added. In July last year, men's governing body ATP had cancelled its events in China due to the COVID-19 crisis in the country.

Dec 25 (Reuters) - Taylor Fritz said that if a men's player on the ATP Tour came out as gay, he would be welcomed by his peers, the top-ranked American told tennis publication Clay. While leading players past and present on the WTA Tour have come out as gay, no male player competing at the sport's top level has done the same so far. "I'm not sure if there are homosexual tennis players in the top 100," Fritz said in an interview published on Sunday. I think it is odd, because I feel like a player would be accepted. An ATP Tour survey of players earlier this year found that 75% had reported having heard other players use homophobic slurs, leading the tour to partner with You Can Play, an organization committed to furthering LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.

☆ WTA Finals: Caroline Garcia wins biggest title of her career with victory over Aryna Sabalenka
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Caroline Garcia capped off a remarkable six-month period in her tennis career as she won the WTA Finals with a 7-6 6-4 victory against Aryna Sabalenka in Fort Worth, Texas. Garcia was outside the top 70 in the world rankings as recently as June, but since then has enjoyed a superb run of form, culminating in the biggest title of her career on Monday. The victory sees Garcia become the second French player to win the WTA Tour’s season-ending tournament after Amelie Mauresmo in 2005. In a close first set, Garcia produced a ruthless serving performance – hitting 10 aces and winning 81.5% of her first-serve points – and came to the net with good effect. Despite a defeat against Swiatek last week, Garcia recoded victories against Coco Gauff, Daria Kasatkina and Maria Sakkari on the way to beating Sabalenka in the final.

[1/4] Nov 7, 2022; Forth Worth, TX, USA; Caroline Garcia (FRA) poses with the trophy in the confetti after winning the WTA Finals in singles after defeating Aryna Sabalenka on day eight of the WTA Finals at Dickies Arena. Nov 7 (Reuters) - France's Caroline Garcia put on a serving masterclass to claim the biggest title of her career on Monday by defeating Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(4) 6-4 to win the WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas. "Today was such an intense final," a smiling Garcia told Tennis Channel while donning a cowboy hat. Sabalenka, who will rise to world number five, looked forward to more title deciders against Garcia. "Caro, I really hate you right now but you played unbelievable tennis, not only tonight but this year," Sabalenka said.

☆ WTA launches program in bid to increase female coaches
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 4 (Reuters) - The WTA has launched a program to aid the progress of female coaches into professional tennis and promote "career pathways for women." None of the current top 10 players in the women's rankings employ the services of a female coach. The WTA's program, which was announced on Thursday, aims to promote professional and grassroots coaching as a viable career choice for athletes and coaches. "The Coach Inclusion Program is an important step towards diversifying and broadening our coaching pool," said Steve Simon, WTA Chairman and CEO. The WTA added that the coaching program is open to applicants based in the United States.

☆ Tennis great King says Qatar World Cup can be force for good
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Tennis trailblazer Billie Jean King has spent her life fighting for gender equality and championing the rights of the LGBTQ community so it would hardly be surprising if she joined the long list of those criticising Qatar as World Cup hosts. Qatar's treatment of migrant workers and restrictive social laws which prohibit same-sex relationships has led many to question world governing body FIFA's decision. Asked if she would be happy to host the Billie Jean Cup finals, which begins this month in Glasgow, in Qatar, she said: "I probably would be because, first of all, the WTA went there years ago. Organisers of the World Cup, which starts on Nov. 20, say that everyone, no matter their sexual orientation or background, is welcome. "We were there four or five years and I think it helped," King said in a conference call with a small group of reporters ahead of the Billie Jean Cup finals which start on Nov. 8.

☆ Emma Raducanu's former coach says he left because of 'red flags'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Dmitry Tursunov says he decided to stop coaching Emma Raducanu at the end of his trial period with the tennis star because of “red flags” that he could not ignore. Tursunov is now working with Olympic champion Belinda Bencic but says that was not the reason he left Raducanu. “We didn’t agree on the terms and there were some red flags that just couldn’t be ignored. “First of all, she’s absolutely great, she’s a hard worker and she doesn’t think or act like she’s a superstar,” he added. “Of course, it’s hard to say that and it’s hard for people to understand how it is possible because she already won the US Open.

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