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☆ Nadal launches title defence as Australian Open ushers in new era
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal will kick off his Australian Open title defence on Monday with a first round test against rising Briton Jack Draper as a new era begins on the blue hardcourts of Melbourne Park. The top seed has had only one win since September's U.S. Open and admitted his title defence was vulnerable to an early shock after two straight defeats in the lead-up. The reigning French and U.S. Open champion opens her campaign against Jule Niemeier in the first evening match at Rod Laver Arena, the German who gave Swiatek a huge scare in the U.S. Open fourth round. With American tennis looking for a new champion in the post-Serena era, Coco Gauff will open the day session at Rod Laver Arena against Czech Katerina Siniakova. Medvedev, the men's seventh seed, will return to the scene of last year's final heartbreak when he faces unseeded American Marcos Giron in the late match at Rod Laver Arena.

☆ Nadal shrugs off rocky buildup to Australian Open defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 14 (Reuters) - An upbeat Rafa Nadal has shrugged off his warm-up defeats ahead of the Australian Open as "just part of the business" and declared himself in a happy place ahead of his title defence. Nadal heads into a first-round match against rising Briton Jack Draper undercooked and with only one win since September's U.S. Open. Nadal arrived at Melbourne Park last year in a funk after a serious foot injury but ended up winning his second Australian Open crown by beating Russian Daniil Medvedev in a classic final. Last year's French Open winner, Nadal won two of the four Grand Slams, with fellow great Novak Djokovic winning Wimbledon. World number one Carlos Alcaraz, who is not playing at the Australian Open due to injury, was the only player to break the Nadal-Djokovic duopoly by claiming the U.S. Open.

☆ Undercooked Nadal targets number 23 at Melbourne Park
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I need to win matches for sure, but the preparation is going quite well, practising a lot and I think I am in good shape. "But I'm confident that if I am able to have this last week of positive practices, why not?" As world number two, Nadal will be top seed on his 18th trip to the Australian Open after the injury withdrawal of his young compatriot Carlos Alcaraz. He followed that up with a 14th French Open title and could forge even further ahead of Novak Djokovic (21) and the now retired Roger Federer (20) in the Grand Slam title race with a third triumph on Melbourne's famous blue courts. Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney, editing by Bradley PerrettOur 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.

☆ Medvedev relishing potential clashes with Djokovic, Nadal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Medvedev lost to 21-times Grand Slam champion Djokovic in the Australian Open final two years ago, before falling to 22-times major winner Nadal in a marathon Melbourne Park title clash 12 months ago. I still have the chance to play Rafa and Novak, and every time I have this chance, I want to win. Medvedev beat Djokovic to claim his maiden major at the U.S. Open in 2021, but said playing him in Australia was a completely different challenge. "It's a challenge to play Novak in Australia. The Australian Open begins on Jan. 16.

☆ Martina Navratilova on Roger Federer and Serena Williams—and the Future of Tennis
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Martina Navratilova | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Journal Reports: Year in ReviewWe Really Need to Cure Booster Fatigue to Move On From CovidBy Emily K. BrunsonPeople aren’t being vaccinated and boosted for all sorts of reasons. It’s crucial that we figure out a way to change that.

☆ Roger Federer denied entry to Wimbledon grounds by overly eager security guard
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

So spare a thought for Roger Federer, the eight-time winner of the tournament, whose plans to visit SW19 recently were almost thwarted by an eager security guard. Though he hadn’t let Wimbledon know he was in town, Federer decided it might be nice to grab tea at the tennis club. “So then I get out and I’m like, ‘Yes, hello, I was just wondering how I can get into Wimbledon? Please believe me, I am a member, where do I get in?’”Federer, who has won Wimbledon eight times, celebrates during the men's singles final against Andy Roddick in 2004. Of course, Wimbledon wants it to be known that in spite of the saga, the door is always open for Federer.

☆ Rafael Nadal says ‘a part of his life left’ when Roger Federer retired
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Rafael Nadal admitted that “a part of his life left” with Roger Federer when his great rival retired from tennis – with both players left an emotional wreck on court after the Swiss played his last ever competitive match in September at the Laver Cup. “You know you’re not going to live that again and a part of my life left with him [when he retired]. Nadal was overcome with emotion at the Laver Cup when Federer retired. While he did not elaborate on his own retirement plans, Nadal said: “My time will come when it has to come. My life has things equally or more important than tennis.”

☆ Djokovic sets up meeting with Ruud in ATP final championship
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I had to fight to survive," the 35-year-old said in remarks provided by the ATP. If Djokovic wins the final, he will claim the biggest prize in tennis history, cashing in $4,740,300 for lifting the tournament trophy undefeated. But he will have to tame Ruud first, who confidently swatted aside an error-prone Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 in their semi-final affair. Ruud quickly extinguished that momentum, however, holding his arms out wide after clinching the match with a backhand winner down the line. Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; editing by Clare Fallon and Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mental health not helped by tough tour demands, says Federer
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 19 (Reuters) - The demanding schedule on the ATP and WTA circuits can have a negative impact on the mental health of players, tennis great Roger Federer said on Saturday. But we're not machines, we’re human beings," Federer said at a press conference in Tokyo. “When players retire at a super young age, I totally understand it. Nobody is allowed to say, 'I'm tired today,' because it looks like you're weak, and that's why players sometimes end up with mental problems." Federer added that the strict doping regime also puts pressure on players, who have to inform relevant authorities about their whereabouts on a daily basis.

☆ Ruthless Djokovic crushes Rublev to reach last four in Turin
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TURIN, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic booked his place in the last four of the ATP Finals with a crushing 6-4 6-1 defeat of Russian Andrey Rublev at the Turin showpiece on Wednesday. After the first nine games went with serve, Djokovic switched on the afterburners to outclass Rublev. Rublev, who like Djokovic had won his opening match at the year-ender, capitulated when serving to stay in the opener, losing the set as Djokovic thumped a backhand return winner. The second set was a non-event as five-time champion Djokovic roared to victory in little more than an hour. "In the second set I just wanted to use that momentum and it was a flawless second set."

☆ Rafael Nadal isn’t confident about World Tour Finals after suffering Paris Masters defeat
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Rafael Nadal is out of the Paris Masters after being defeated by Tommy Paul – and the Spaniard isn’t betting on winning the ATP Tour Finals, either. 31 in the world, secured a 3-6 7-6(4) 6-1 victory over world No. I had my match in that second set with set and break,” Nadal said after the game. The 22-time grand slam winner, who appeared injured against Paul, added that he hoped to make it to the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy and that he had “nothing to lose.”The prestigious, season-ending ATP Finals run from November 13-20. “Just give myself a chance to enjoy another World Tour Finals, no?

☆ The Marathoner Who Is Running Faster Than Ever—Into Retirement
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Laine Higgins | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

At a time when Roger Federer, Tom Brady and LeBron James have won championships deep into their late 30s and early 40s, it’s easy to forget that most athletic careers end quietly. Greats fade, young guns rise and time gets the upper hand. Running is no different. “In this sport and in all sports, so often people wait to retire until their body fails them and then they retire,” said Ben Rosario, executive director of the Hoka Northern Arizona Elite training group. “Very rarely do people go out on their own terms and get ahead of that.”

☆ No Roger Federer Street in Basel, at least for now
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ZURICH, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Swiss tennis great Roger Federer's hometown won't be naming a street after him - at least for now. Officials and politicians in Basel have begun discussions on how to honour the 20-time grand slam singles champion, who retired from the ATP tour last month. But city surveyor Paul Haffner ruled out prospects of Federer getting his own street, an accolade already bestowed on him by some Swiss and German cities. "The policy in Basel is that only deceased individuals have a square or a street named after them," Haffner told Swiss broadcaster SRF. Reporting by Noele Illien; editing by John StonestreetOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Nadal to return at Paris Masters, says coach
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 25 (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal will return to competition at next week's Paris Masters before taking his place at the season-ending ATP Finals, coach Carlos Moya said. He also took time off for the birth of his first child with wife Mery Perello on Oct. 8. Moya confirmed that Nadal would use the Masters 1000 event in Bercy, which the world number two has never won, as part of his preparations for the ATP's finale in Turin from Nov. 13-20. "Before arriving in Turin, you have to play matches in Paris, which are similar," Moya told IB3 TV. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Welcome to the dangerous Swiss golf-baseball hybrid you've never heard of
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Sean Coppack | Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

(CNN) To most people, the words Swiss sport and Emmental might trigger thoughts of Roger Federer eating cheese. Sending projectiles hurtling through the air at 200 miles per hour, all rise -- and then duck -- for Hornussen. Scoring starts if they reach the 100-meter line, with an additional point awarded for every 10 meters past the marker. "It's really dangerous if you don't see the Nouss or if one hits the bat and, two meters before the face, the Nouss changes direction," Kummer explained. Around 260 teams are active across a multi-league pyramid in Switzerland, with the top teams fighting it out for the Swiss Championship.

☆ Rafael Nadal says he and his family are ‘very well’ after birth of first child
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Rafael Nadal says he’s thankful for all the messages of support and well-wishes he has received since the birth of his son. Last week Nadal and his wife, Maria Francisca Perello, welcomed the couple’s first child, Rafael Nadal Perelló, and the 36-year-old tennis star took to Twitter on Thursday to give an update on how the the family is doing. After a few days and many messages of affection I just wanted to thank you all!” the 22-time grand slam winner wrote. The Paris Masters is the next major tournament on the ATP calendar, which begins on October 21, while the ATP Finals runs from November 13-20 in Turin, Italy, with Nadal having qualified for that prestigious tournament. Meanwhile Nadal has confirmed he will play Casper Ruud, who he beat in this year’s French Open final, in a series of exhibition matches across South America, beginning in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in November.

☆ The 'raw' photo of Federer and Nadal which captures their enduring friendship
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

Photographer Ella Ling speaks to Don Riddell about the "raw" photo she took of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal holding hands at the Laver Cup after the final match of Federer's career. Source: CNN

☆ Like Federer's farewell, Djokovic wants biggest rivals at his swansong
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 28 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic said he wants his biggest rivals to be by his side when he brings the curtain down on his career, much like Roger Federer's emotional goodbye to the game last week. Djokovic and Andy Murray - two of Federer's other main rivals - were also present for the 41-year-old's final bow. I also must say I was thinking about how it would look for me when I say goodbye to tennis. "There is definitely one thing that I will wish to have, other than, of course, my family and the close people in my life, I would love to have my biggest rivals and competitors there. "We played the most matches against each other of any other rivalry in the history of tennis," said Djokovic, who missed the Australian and U.S.

☆ Florida scrambles to prepare as Hurricane Ian churns toward coast
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Dave Lucas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Roger 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.

☆ Canadians clean up after Fiona sweeps homes out to sea
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Dave Lucas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Roger 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.

☆ Roger Federer Talks About Life After Tennis
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Jason Gay | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/roger-federer-life-after-tennis-nadal-djokovic-11664163206

☆ Fit and still driven, Djokovic not thinking about retirement
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

His exit has brought the longevity of his great rivals, Rafa Nadal and Djokovic, in sharper focus while fans and pundits have wondered how men's tennis would cope with the prospect of losing their most marketable athletes. The so-called men's 'Big Three' revolutionised the sport with their own achievements and riveting rivalries. Nadal said he was not contemplating retirement at the moment after a radio frequency treatment eased pain in his foot and allowed him to play Wimbledon. Djokovic, the fittest among the three, said he has made necessary adjustments to his schedule to look after his body. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; Editing by Himani SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 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.

☆ Murray says coaching mere mortals could be a challenge for Federer
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray said he hopes Roger Federer will stay involved in tennis as he heads into retirement but suggested the Swiss great is so gifted that coaching other players might prove difficult. The 41-year-old Federer claimed 20 Grand Slam singles titles, ripped up the record books and is widely-regarded as the best player ever to wield a racket. Murray said it had been an emotional night on Friday when Federer played alongside Rafa Nadal in what was his last match. "Was lucky to be here and be present for Friday night," Murray said, although he admitted when he finally decides to retire it might be a less memorable affair. Federer declined to say what his plans are, when asked on Sunday, but said being Laver Cup captain was not on the radar.

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