Fiona Ferro The First WTA Champion In Pandemic World
Posted by Staff on August 9th, 2020 @ 6:29 pm
Frenchwoman Fiona Ferro become the first pro tennis champion during the COVID-19 pandemic beating Anett Kontaveit 6-2, 7-5 to win the WTA event in Palermo, Italy.
The title was Ferro’s second after winning Lausanne last year.
“I think it was my best match of the week,” said Ferro. “I was feeling relaxed; I don’t know why because it was a final! I wasn’t really feeling pressure. It was a tough match because …
Serena Leads Strong WTA Lexington Field, Could Meet Venus In 2R
Posted by Staff on August 9th, 2020 @ 6:15 pm
Pro tennis officially returns to the U.S.A. Monday in Lexington, Kentucky for an impressive WTA field led by 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams.
The 38-year-old Williams will be joined by Aryna Sabalenka, Johanna Konta and Amanda Anisimova as the Top 4 seeds, respectively.
Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff, Vera Zvonareva, Victoria Azarenka are also in the draw for the first time event.
In the marquee match of the first round, Azarenka meets Venus …
Serena Williams On COVID-19: I’m Sure I’d Be OK, But I Don’t Want To Find Out
Posted by Staff on August 8th, 2020 @ 11:11 pm
Pro tennis returns to the U.S. on Monday for the start of the WTA Lexington tour event. The headliner is non other than 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams who spoke via zoom today in promotion of the event.
In her first public presser since the pandemic began, Serena, who suffered a life-threatening pulmonary embolism in 2011, spoke about dealing with the virus.
“I don’t have full lung capacity so I’m …
Happy 39th Birthday To Roger Federer
Posted by Staff on August 8th, 2020 @ 10:51 am
The great Roger Federer turns 39 today. The Swiss who has cancelled the rest of his 2020 season to continue to recover from two surgeries on his right knee.
Federer’s last match was a semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.
At 39, the 4th-ranked Federer is the oldest player in the Top 100 and the second oldest in the Top 500 behind only the 41-year-old Ivo Karlovic.
Also …
Svitolina, Bertens Withdraw From The US Open
Posted by Staff on August 8th, 2020 @ 10:38 am
The US Open withdrawals are starting to come in. Due to COVID-19 concerns, Top 10ers Elina Svitolina and Kiki Bertens have withdrawn from the US Open. Doubles standout Barbora Krejcikova also opted out.
Svitolina will join her boyfriend, Gael Monfils who also withdrew, for some more downtime in Europe.
. pic.twitter.com/azqTKdP6cZ
— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) August 7, 2020
Bertens wants to focus on the clay …
Former Champions Murray, Clijsters Awarded US Open Wildcards
Posted by Staff on August 6th, 2020 @ 8:17 pm
The US Open announced their wildcards for the event which begins in less than three weeks. At the top of the list are former champions Andy Murray and Kim Clijsters.
Murray, who is just a few ranking spots away from a direct entry, has been preparing for New York.
Clijsters, a US Open winner in 2009 and 2010, will make her first Grand Slam appearance since the 2012 US Open. After …
Serena, Andreescu, Halep Headline Loaded US Open Women’s Field
Posted by Staff on August 4th, 2020 @ 6:01 pm
It’s still four weeks away and a lot can change, but right now the women’s players are entered for the US Open.
Among the Top 25 in the world, only World No. 1 Ash Barty will be missing from the first Grand Slam since Australia.
The field will feature last four US Open champions: Bianca Andreescu, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens and Angelique Kerber. And of course six-time winner Serena Williams …
Nadal Opts Out Of US Open, Djokovic Returns With 7 Of Top 10
Posted by Staff on August 4th, 2020 @ 5:40 pm
Rafael Nadal will not defend his US Open title, it was confirmed today. The US Open released their entries which included seven of the Top 10 men in the world, missing Nadal, the injured Roger Federer and Gael Monfils who also opted out.
“After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year’s US Open. The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we …
Madrid Masters Officially Cancelled; US Open Field Boosted?
Posted by Staff on August 4th, 2020 @ 11:25 am
After days of speculation, the Madrid Masters confirmed today that the re-scheduled September 13 event will not take space due to the ongoing concerns with COVID-19 in Spain.
In a statement, the event said, “Following the strong recommendation of the local health authorities, and having monitored the situation for months, the organisers of the Mutua Madrid Open have no choice but to cancel the tournament due to the complex situation that …
WTA Palermo Re-Opens Pro Tennis Tour With All-European Field
Posted by Staff on August 2nd, 2020 @ 8:30 pm
After 148 day suspension due to the coronavirus, pro tennis officially returns Monday for the WTA event in Palermo.
The 130th-ranked Viktoriya Tomova did test positive for the virus and several players withdrew including Simona Halep, but field in Italy showcases seven players in the Top 25 including former French Open standouts and top two seeds Petra Martic and Marketa Vondrousova.
“It’s been so long without tennis, without competition, without the …
Nick Kyrgios Withdraws From US Open
Posted by Staff on August 1st, 2020 @ 8:50 pm
From the “no surprise” department, Nick Kyrgios announced that he will not be playing the US Open.
The controversial Australian has been critical of players all summer for taking part in exhibitions, risking their lives and others with the coronavirus pandemic raging. Now he won’t take part in the upcoming re-start in New York, he said in a post with the Uninterrupted.
Dear Tennis,
I will not be playing this year at …
Barty Out, Osaka In For US Open
Posted by Staff on July 30th, 2020 @ 9:27 am
Two Grand Slam champions made their decisions regarding the US Open the last 24 hours.
French Open winner and World No. 1 Ash Barty said she will not be playing the US Open or Cincinnati, citing Coronavirus fears.
“My team and I have decided that we won’t be travelling to the US for the Western and Southern Open and the US Open this year,” she said in a statement.
“I love both events …
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic Among The Cincinnati Masters Entrants, But Who’s Really Playing?
Posted by Staff on July 29th, 2020 @ 11:22 am
The Cincinnati Masters event released the entry list for their re-located event which begins August 20 in New York.
Defending champions Daniil Medvedev and Madison Keys are expected, which isn’t much of a surprise. But the tournament included Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic along with Dominic Thiem and Grigor Dimitrov on the entry list.
Nadal has been practicing on clay and has not committed to going to the U.S. for tennis. …
Andy Murray Mentally Planning For Cincinnati, US Open
Posted by Staff on July 26th, 2020 @ 6:15 pm
While one Grand Slam champion looks doubtful for the US Open, another is planning to play. Andy Murray has stated he is mentally planning on playing the US Open next month. The tournament, which appears to be on schedule, will reportedly officially confirm its staging this Friday.
“Four or five weeks ago, we were pretty sceptical about it,” the 33-year-old Murray told the Guardian during a Battle of …
Simona Halep Out Of Palermo Due To Coronavirus Anxiety
Posted by Staff on July 26th, 2020 @ 6:02 pm
Two weeks after signing up to player. Simona Halep withdrew from the August 3 re-start event in Palermo due to anxiety over the Coronavirus, she announced on twitter.
“Given the recent rise in Covid19 cases in Romania and my anxieties around international air travel at this time, I have made the tough decision to withdraw from Palermo. I want to thank the tournament director and the Italian ministry of health for …