From Match Point Down, Troicki Turns Trick for ATP Sydney Title
Posted by Staff on January 16th, 2016 @ 1:04 pm
Saving a match point in the third set tiebreak, Viktor Troicki won his second straight Apia International Sydney title on Saturday, coming from a set down to defeat Grigor Dimitrov 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(7).
“It’s great to win again, second year in a row,” Troicki said. “This was my third [Sydney] final, second title, and it’s a great feeling. It’s great to win at the start of the year, to start the …
Roger Federer Explains His Decision To Hire Ivan Ljubicic As His New Coach
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 16th, 2016 @ 1:41 am
Ahead of the first Grand Slam of the season, Roger Federer explained how and why he hired Ivan Ljubicic.
Via his press conference Saturday at the Australian Open:
Q. How it came to an end with Stefan and how you decided on his replacement?
ROGER FEDERER: I think I remember Stefan telling me maybe here last year that this was going to be his last year. Then I checked in with him again, …
Roger Federer’s Cold is 90% Gone, So 10% Of It Still Remains!
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 16th, 2016 @ 1:15 am
Roger Federer’s not had the best of starts to the New Year. The former No. 1 had a cold during Brisbane where he lost in the final. And cold still hasn’t gone away, the Swiss told the media Saturday in Melbourne.
“Cough’s gone,” Federer said. “The cold’s 90% gone. I’m happy. The last couple days I’ve been able to practice normally. Yeah, no, I’m relieved that since Thursday now I’m better.”
Federer …
Maria Sharapova Had To Return A Pair Of Leopard Underwear From Her Tournament Laundry That Wasn’t Hers
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 16th, 2016 @ 1:01 am
Laundry mix-ups happen especially when you travel as much as pro tennis players. Earlier Saturday at the Australian Open, Maria Sharapova was asked if she had any bizarre circumstances with her laundry. And usually-guarded Sharapova did, revealing it took place minutes before the presser.
“I actually just returned a pair of underwear that wasn’t mine, like 45 minutes ago,” Sharapova told the press. “Funny you ask that. I don’t know if …
Serena Williams: I Don’t Have Anything To Prove, I Have Nothing To Lose, I Can Only Gain
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 16th, 2016 @ 12:18 am
Ahead of her first official match since her stunning loss to Roberta Vinci in the US Open semifinals, Serena Williams met the media Saturday at the Australian Open, and she said her ailing knee is now fine.
“It’s actually really fine,” Serena said. “I don’t have any inflammation anymore. It’s just that I just needed some time to get over that little hump.
“Like I said, I’ve been doing a lot …
Stan Wawrinka Was The Only Player To Beat Novak Djokovic In A Slam Last Year
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 15th, 2016 @ 10:45 pm
Stan Warwinka met the press today at the Australian Open where he first came into prominence beating Novak Djokovic and then Rafael Nadal to win the title in 2014.
The Swiss backed up it with a French Open title last year, and in doing so he was the only player to beat Djokovic in a Slam all season, but it doesn’t matter now to Wawrinka. The past is …
Australian Open Women’s Preview: Buckle Up, Here Come the Injuries
Posted by Jeremy Davis on January 15th, 2016 @ 8:06 pm
World No. 1 Serena Williams’ only match preparation for the Australian Open came at the Hopman Cup, where she withdrew without completing a match due to a knee issue. As her coach has said her knee is pretty much bone on bone with little cartilage left, how is it going to heal over seven matches?
Add to that the world No. 1 did not receive a favorable draw, with former No. …
Rio Cancels Olympic Tennis Center Contract — But Venue Isn’t Finished
Posted by Staff on January 15th, 2016 @ 12:56 pm
The completion date for the Olympic tennis center in Rio is up in the air after organizers canceled the contract with their construction firm, according to Reuters.
Rio de Janeiro canceled the construction contract with only 200 days before the start of the Olympic games. They have fined the consortium of local builders responsible for the construction almost $3 million for delays and breach of contract.
The tennis center is reportedly 90 …
Kuznetsova Rolls Back Clock, Wins 2 Matches Friday for Sydney Title
Posted by Staff on January 15th, 2016 @ 10:56 am
Former world No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova looked like her old baseline-bashing self, crushing Puerto Rican qualifier Monica Puig 6-0, 6-2 on Friday to raise the title at the Sydney International.
The 30-year-old won her 16th career title, and her first since her one win in 2015 at Moscow.
The title run was more impressive considering that earlier in the day the Russian toppled top seed and world No. 2 Simona Halep 7-6(5), …
Australian Open Men’s Draw Preview: Roger Federer Lands In Novak Djokovic’s Half; Can Rafael Nadal Make A Run?
Posted by Sean Randall on January 14th, 2016 @ 8:29 pm
Where would No. 3 Roger Federer land in Australia? Well, other than at the airport, he settled in Novak Djokovic’s half of the just-released men’s Australian Open draw.
That leaves Andy Murray with Stan Wawrinka plus Rafael Nadal.
Overall, a really nice, even draw with lots of interesting matchups. Going from top down…
Novak Djokovic Quarter
It won’t be easy for Novak Djokovic to claim a sixth Australian Open, but early on I think …
Andy Murray Is Targeting An Australian Open Title [Video]
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 12th, 2016 @ 12:21 pm
After four runner-up finishes, Andy Murray says his big goal right now isn’t the No. 1 ranking, but it is to finally win the Australian Open.
“I’ve been close many times,” Murray said. “{Winning the Australian Open] that’s my No. 1 goal.”
Murray will also have an eye on his wife Kim who is expecting a baby in early February. Murray has stated that he will …
What Knee Injury! Serena Williams Says Her Body Is Feeling Great Ahead Of Her Australian Open Defense
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 12th, 2016 @ 12:14 pm
Speaking to the Herald Sun, Serena Williams said that her troubled left knee is okay and that she’s ready for the Australian Open.
“My body is feeling great now,” Serena said.
“Obviously I had a hiccup but right now it is doing much better. I’ve had a few days of training so it’s looking good.”
After the knee scare at the Hopman Cup exo last week, Serena in Melbourne on Rod Laver …
Poll: Who’s Your Early 2016 Australian Open Favorite? Can Anyone Beat Novak Djokovic?
Posted by Staff on January 12th, 2016 @ 10:26 am
The Australian Open begins Sunday night in Melbourne. Before the draw comes out on Thursday night Eastern time, who’s your favorite to win the title? Or is Novak Djokovic too good, too strong right now for anyone else to win?
Australian Open Top 8 Seeds:
1 Novak Djokovic
2 Andy Murray
3 Roger Federer
4 Stan Wawrinka
5 Rafael Nadal
6 Tomas Berdych
7 Kei Nishikori
8 David Ferrer
Bodog Sports Australian Open Men’s Odds to Win:
Novak Djokovic -150
Andy Murray …
Don’t Forget About Juan Martin Del Potro, He’s Practicing For A Comeback [Video]
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 11th, 2016 @ 9:52 am
With everyone focusing on the Australian Open, Juan Martin del Potro is working hard on the tennis court, trying to get back to the sport he loves.
The Argentine posted a video last week of him on the practice courts, using the surgically repaired left wrist to hit backhands.
Parte del entrenamiento de esta mañana. // Practising this morning.💪 pic.twitter.com/GN75wB9yTH
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) January …
Roger Federer Can’t See Himself Playing Mixed Doubles With Martina Hingis BEFORE The Olympics
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 11th, 2016 @ 9:45 am
Roger Federer stated in Brisbane that he doesn’t think he’ll be playing mixed doubles with Martina Hingis at the BEFORE the Rio Olympics this summer.
“I doubt it. I haven’t spoken about it, but I can’t see myself doing that, to be quite honest,” Federer said in Brisbane Saturday.
Federer will also compete in the singles and likely the men’s doubles with Stan Wawrinka. Federer is trying to win a singles …