Two-time champion Novak Djokovic spoke to the press yesterday at the Monte Carlo Masters, and explained that having played just three matches these first three months of 2022, he misses being on tour.

“Obviously I miss competition,” Djokovic said. “I still feel motivation to be on the tour and compete with young guys and try to challenge the best players in the world for the biggest titles.

“Obviously last four, five months …

Jannik Sinner held off Borna Coric in the first round at Monte Carlo on Monday. Sinner advanced 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 after having to save a break chance early in the third set and some sort of ab injury during the match.

“It was a tough match because first time on clay after quite a while, it’s never easy,” Sinner said. “So I’m very happy about my performance, even if it was …

The red clay season official opens this week in Monte Carlo where first round play began on Sunday.

Novak Djokovic returns after missing the first two Masters due to vaccine requirements, but in Monte Carlo, where Djokovic spends time, he’s able to play.

The 2-time Monte Carlo champion is also back at No. 1 and could stay there for a while with No. 2 Daniil Medvedev sidelined.

His draw, though, could put him …

In the tallest pro final ever, Reilly Opelka topped his countryman and buddy John Isner 6-3, 7-6(7) to win the Houston title.

It’s Opelka’s fourth career ATP title — second of 2022 — and first on clay. He also leads Isner 5-1 in their series winning the last five!

“He was my idol growing up as a kid, and before I even met him, I liked him. But since we’ve become such …

Belinda Bencic won her first career WTA title on clay courts Sunday winning the Charleston Open besting Ons Jabeur in a thriller 6-1, 5-7, 6-4.

Bencic’s win was also her sixth career title and first since winning Olympic gold last summer.

“Super proud to win the first title on clay,” Bencic said. “I think it was a week where I was fighting. I was two points away from the exit in the …

Two of the biggest to ever swing the racquet will meet in an all-American final in Houston as Reilly Opelka will face John Isner.

Opelka ended the run of Nick Krygios 6-3, 7-5. It’s his third final of 2022 after a title in Dallas and a final in Delray. Overall, four of his five of his six career finals have come in the U.S. with the other in Canada!

“I’ve progressed every …

Americas biggest claycourt event comes to close Sunday in Charleston with Belinda Bencic taking on Ons Jabeur for the first women’s clay title of 2022.

Bencic, who on the gold medal in Tokyo last summer in her last final, is into her first career clay final after easing past Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-3.

All week, the event has been hit by rain, lightning and this weekend cool temperatures along with wind.

“I’m …

The ubiquitous Patrick Mouratoglou announced today that he will become the full-time coach for Simona Halep going forward.

Mouratoglou has long been the coach of Serena Williams, and the move perhaps signals that the American great is closing in on a retirement. In his statement, Mouratoglou said Serena gave him the OK.

Serena hasn’t played since injuring her hamstring last summer at Wimbledon, and there’s been little talk or indication of …

Carlos Alcaraz’s assault on men’s tennis history is well underway. This afternoon, the teen became the youngest Miami Masters champion in history, rallying from 4-1 down in the first set to top Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-4.

“I have no words to describe how I feel right now,” Alcaraz said. “It’s so special to win my first Masters 1000 here in Miami. I have an unbelievable team with me and family… I’m …

The early first quarter hard court season ends Sunday in Miami with two clay courters locking up for the second Masters event of 2022.

While the names might be a surprise, they really are not.

Carlos Alcaraz has been a story for the last six months and Casper Ruud has become a blue-chip threat, making the transition from his favored clay, where he’s reached the last three Masters semifinals, to hard courts.

If …

Iga Swiatek confirmed her No. 1 ranking dominating the Miami field including her opponent today, Naomi Osaka, in a 6-4, 6-0 title win.

Swiatek has now won her last 17 matches and 20 straight sets. She’s also the first to win the first three Masters 1000 events to start the year, and the fourth player to win the “Sunshine Double” — winning Indian Wells and Miami.

“I just feel really satisfied and …

Daniil Medvedev revealed today that he will be off the tour for at least a month and maybe two due to fix a hernia issue which he’s been playing with for some time.

The “procedure” (likely surgery) will prevent the Russian from playing Monte Carlo and perhaps Madrid, with Rome and potentially the French even doubtful.

Medvedev posted on twitter, “Hi everyone. The last months I have been playing with a small …

Just 18, Carlos Alcaraz is already 6-1 in final set tiebreakers and today in Miami he won two breakers to stop defending champion Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(5), 7-6(2) and reach his first Masters final.

“I have a lot of emotions right now. It’s something that you dream of when you are a child,” said Alcaraz. “It’s really good to be in the final here in Miami. I love playing here. The crowd …

Naomi Osaka is back in a tour final for the first time since her 2021 Australian Open title run. This afternoon in Miami, the former No. 1 came from a set down to defeat her nemesis Belinda Bencic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Osaka had lost to the Swiss in three of four career meetings, but was able to push a third after dropping the opener. She then saved break points early in …

World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev loss but the story of the day in the men’s draw Thursday in Miami was Carlos Alcaraz.

The blossoming 18-year-old came from 5-3 down in the final set breaker taking the last four points in exhilarating fashion to trip up Miomir Kecmanovic 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(5).

Just a teen, Alcaraz is now 6-1 in deciding set tiebreakers after a harrow escape against the 22-year-old Serb who matched shot-for-shot …