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TENNIS

Federer, Nadal or Djokovic? When Serena Williams settled the GOAT debate

By Admin January 17, 2025

Legendary 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams weighed in on the debate surrounding the greatest male tennis player of all time in 2021.

Tennis fans often argue among the Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who have won 294 titles overall, with Federer winning 103 before retirement, Nadal ending his career with 92 and Djokovic currently bidding to win his 100th title at the ongoing 2025 Australian Open.

Speaking five years ago during a press conference at the Williams Emilia-Romagna Open in Parma, Williams ultimately chose Federer, citing the 103-time titlist’s exceptional talent, on-court elegance and impact on the sport.

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“I think two words sum it up: Roger Federer,” Williams said in 2021. “He’s just a synopsis of greatness and class and amazing and really changed the game. You see players playing like him, moving like him, doing his techniques. The guy is a genius.”

“I just feel like he is really the greatest player. You can’t not like the guy, that’s how I feel. His game is so fantastic. If I could only play like him.”

Williams retired from tennis in 2022, with her final match against Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the US Open.

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TENNIS

“He brings so much energy on the court”: Novak Djokovic claims Carlos Alcaraz ‘reminds’ him of Rafael Nadal

By Admin January 13, 2025

Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic has stated that Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz reminds him of former world number one Rafael Nadal.

The 21-year-old is already regarded as one of the best players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category along with the likes of Italy’s Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic, who is currently taking part in the ongoing Australian Open, was asked by the media about the possibility of facing the reigning world number three in the quarterfinal of the first Grand Slam of the year. In response to that, the former world number highlighted that seeing the young Spaniard play reminds him of the legendary tennis star Nadal who recently retired from the sport after winning 22 Grand Slam titles.

READ: Djokovic: “In that Melbourne hotel they gave me food that poisoned me”

“I mean, it’s quite far to talk about potential matchup against him in quarters,” he said. “But just overall, you know, he brings so much energy and intensity on the court. From that perspective, reminds me a lot of Rafa. Just such a complete player. He can hurt you from anywhere on any court on any surface. He has shown that. His versatility is amazing. That he was able at such a young age to reach that level of tennis and I think mental maturity on the court, which is impressive. Makes him one of the best players in the world the last three, four years, without a doubt. He’s winning slams every year now consecutively for few years in a row. I’m sure that he’s not going to stop here. We’re going to see Carlos many years to follow.”

Djokovic registered his place in the second round after beating America’s Nishesh Basavareddy with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. The contest lasted more than three hours. On the other hand, Alcaraz secured his spot in the round of 64 after beating Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 7-5, 6-1.

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CELEB NEWS

(Watch Video) Serena Williams Pays Touching Tribute to Rafael Nadal, Says ‘Choked Up With Rafa’s Retirement’

By Admin November 20, 2024

Former American tennis star Serena Williams has paid tribute to Rafael Nadal with a touching video after the 22-time Grand Slam champion retired from professional tennis.

A 92-time tour-level champion Nadal, who spent 209 weeks at No. 1 in the ATP Rankings, wrapped up his glittering two-decade-long tennis career with a loss in his country’s Davis Cup quarterfinal tie against the Netherlands. He retired as second in the men’s standings for most Grand Slam titles with 22 majors, of which record 14 he won on clay court of Roland Garros.

Serena, who herself is a 23-time Grand Slam winner, posted a video on Instagram in which she can be seen donning a Nadal t-shirt and his signature headband to say farewell to the Spanish great.

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READ: ‘They Still Think It Was a Fluke’ – Venus Williams Boldly Confronts Unfortunate Misconceptions About Her and Serena Williams

Williams, who appeared alongside Nadal at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, later posted on X,

After the match, in a video compilation, sports stars including David Beckham, Iker Casillas, Andres Iniesta, Andy Murray congratulated him on his incredible career.

“Your tenacity, fighting spirit, and the infectious energy you brought to the court will be studied and will inspire countless future generations. I’ve been privileged to call you my rival,” said Serbian great Novak Djokovic, who shared obe of all-time great rivalries with Nadal.

“The tennis world, and indeed the sporting world, will profoundly miss the incredible energy you brought to the game. There”s so much to celebrate and cherish around your legacy,” he added.

Murray added, “The passion and intensity you played with was something I think all tennis players aspire to, and what all tennis fans will remember you for. It has been incredible watching you.”

Injury has impacted the last few years of Nadal’s career though, and he has not played a tour-level match since the Paris Olympic Games in August, where he lost in the second round to his long-time on-court rival Novak Djokovic. Due to injuries continuing to affect his body, he has only been able to play 19 matches this season.

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TENNIS

Tickets for Rafael Nadal’s final match on sale for ‘insane’ cash sums

By Admin October 15, 2024

The countdown is on to the final event of Rafael Nadal’s tennis career and the scramble to be present to witness his farewell in Spain is reaching fever pitch.

The 38-year-old, who won 22 grand slam titles, including 14 at the French Open, revealed the news in an emotional video message posted on X.

Nadal, who is a 14-time French Open champion, has struggled with various injuries over the last couple of years that have limited him to a handful of tournaments.

READ: BEACH HANGOUT PICTURES OF GARBINE MUGURUZA

Last year he announced he expected 2024 to be his final season, and it became increasingly clear through the summer that the end was nigh.

“I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis,” said Nadal in a video message.

“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.

“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make. But, in this life, everything has a beginning and an end.”

Nadal confirmed his final event will be playing for Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month in what will be a fitting and emotional end to an illustrious career.

With the final of the biggest competition in team tennis taking place in Spain, this will be one of the most emotional events in the history of the sport, as the local fans will get a chance to bid farewell to one of their nation’s ultimate sporting icons.

Nadal could be playing alongside Carlos Alcaraz if the duo revive their doubles partnership with last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, with tickets for the Davis Cup Final selling out in double quick time.

Spain’s semi-final against the Netherlands sold out in double quick time and fans have also snapped up tickets for the host nation’s potential semi-final.

Tickets for the final are also all gone, with all matches for an event that will see world No 1 Jannik Sinner play for Italy and Taylor Fritz playing for the USA set to be played in front of sell-out crowds.

The demand for tickets is highlighted when you look at the ticket resale sites, with two tickets together courtside for the Spain vs Netherlands quarter-final tie listed at a staggering £11,848 (US $15456), and two more tickets on sale for an eye-watering £24,680 (US $32200).

Malaga has proved to be a hugely popular venue for the Davis Cup Finals and even though Spain were not taking part last year, Netherlands captain Paul Haarhuis was among those impressed by an event that has become a fitting finale to the tennis season.

“Malaga has proved to be a fantastic city to host the Davis Cup Finals,” said Haarhuis, as he spoke to Tennis365 earlier this year.

“Last year was exceptional because even when Spain didn’t qualify, every match was sold out. Netherlands vs Italy in Malaga was completely full and that is what the Davis Cup needs.

“What makes the Davis Cup special is the crowds and over the last couple of years, we played our matches in February it was an amazing atmosphere.

“After both matches, our players said to me this was the best atmosphere they ever had and that’s what we want in this competition.

“What we saw in Malaga last year was fantastic for the Davis Cup and hopefully we can have more of the same this year.”

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TENNIS

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner sent warning in Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer claim

By Admin October 2, 2024

Pablo Carreno Busta believes it is too early to assume Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will “reign for the next 20 years” as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic did.

The former world No 10 declared he does not think the future will belong only to Alcaraz and Sinner and argued other players will “make things difficult for them.”

Alcaraz and Sinner are the two leading stars of their generation and they have split the four Grand Slam titles between them this year.

JUST IN: Jannik Sinner overtakes Novak Djokovic with impressive statistic as he sets up Carlos Alcaraz showdown

Sinner won his maiden major at the 2024 Australian Open before adding the US Open crown, while Alcaraz secured the French Open and Wimbledon titles to take his Grand Slam tally to four.

The duo are the only ATP players born after 1996 to win a Grand Slam title, with 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev, who is 28, is the next-youngest major champion in men’s tennis.

Some analysts expect Alcaraz and Sinner, who are 21 and 23 respectively, to form a ‘Big Two’ in men’s tennis and dominate the sport in a similar way to that of the ‘Big Three’ of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

In an interview with Punto de Break, Carreno Busta argued it is premature to suggest Alcaraz and Sinner will be unstoppable forces for the next two decades.

“They are still very young, both Sinner and Carlos,” said the Spaniard. “It is clear that they are very good, but we already assume that they will reign for the next 20 years as Roger, Rafa and Novak did.

“Many things can happen, it is not easy to maintain the level of demand for so long, or the level of success to share the four Grand Slams, as has happened this year.

“New people can also come, another very good player can appear who is four years younger than Carlos, for example.

“I do not think that the future belongs only to these two players, others will come who will make things difficult for them, but it does look like these two are going to be there for many years.”

Carreno Busta, who missed large periods of the last two years due to injury, also spoke about what changed on the ATP Tour during his absence.

“Sinner has improved a lot, Carlos has consolidated himself, Novak finds it a bit more difficult to win… but I have noticed the big difference in the rest of the players, especially in the top 20 and below,” he assessed.

“Players who were good when I left, but were in the top 60 and top 80; now they are already in the top 30.

“Arthur Fils, Alexei Popyrin, Jordan Thompson. I need to play against these players again to see where they are, because they are not where I had left them (laughs).”

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TENNIS

Carlos Alcaraz reveals Rafael Nadal Davis Cup wish as retirement rumours grow

By Admin September 25, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz expressed his hope that the Davis Cup Finals are not Rafael Nadal’s “last dance” after the 22-time Grand Slam winner was selected as part of the Spanish team.

Nadal joins Alcaraz in making up part of captain David Ferrer’s team for the Finals, which will take place in Malaga this November.

Spain last won the men’s team event in 2019 where they were anchored by Nadal, who had won the French and US Open titles earlier that season.

However, rumours are swirling that this year’s event could be the final tournament of the 38-year-old’s career, after repeated physical issues over the past two seasons.

Nadal has not played since the Olympic Games in Paris, where he fell in the second round of the men’s singles to Novak Djokovic, and reached the doubles quarter-final alongside Alcaraz.

The former world No 1 was set to play the Laver Cup this past weekend but pulled out – with Alcaraz proving to be the main star of the event.

Speaking just under two months ahead of the Finals, Alcaraz revealed that he does not “want to think” about the possibility of Nadal retiring at the tournament.

“It’s always great having Rafa around,” said the world No 3.

“I miss him. I’m not going to lie, I missed him in the Laver Cup. Obviously, as much time as I can spend with him, it’s a privilege for me.

“I don’t want to think that it’s a potential last dance for him in Malaga. I just want to enjoy seeing him on court as much as I can.

“It’s great support having him in the team. He can bring a lot of experience to the Davis Cup.”

Alcaraz played a key role in securing Spain’s place at the Finals, winning two singles rubbers and a doubles rubber in his nation’s successful qualification campaign in Valencia two weeks ago.

After guiding Team Europe to Laver Cup glory, the French Open and Wimbledon champion returns to ATP action at the China Open in Beijing

Alcaraz is the second seed in the Chinese capital, only behind world No 1 Jannik Sinner, and comes into the tournament feeling confident after his Laver Cup performances in Berlin.

“I played great matches in the Laver Cup, which helped me a lot to have more confidence coming to this tournament,” added the 21-year-old.

“I beat Ben Shelton, who was playing great, and Taylor Fritz, who came from the final in New York.

“Having those victories, it’s great for my confidence and level to come here with extra energy knowing I’m ready to do a good result, knowing that I have a really tough draw.”

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TENNIS

‘I felt a little bit sorry for him’: Roger Federer makes revealing comments after ‘chat’ with Rafael Nadal

By Admin September 4, 2024

Roger Federer may have inadvertently given insight into Rafael Nadal’s tennis playing future after he made some interesting remarks about the Spaniard during an interview.

Just a day after Nadal himself again addressed speculation about his future, Federer opened up about his long-term tennis rival’s current state of mind.

Having opted to skip this year’s US Open, Nadal appeared on Spain’s El Hormiguero on Monday and gave an update as he once again suggested he will continue to play if he is healthy.

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“What I have done during all this time is to give myself a margin, to give myself the option to enjoy again, to play tennis after a year and a half away from the courts. And that’s what I’m doing, trying to enjoy every day, trying to do my best every day,” the 22-time Grand Slam winner said.

Federer then appeared on NBC’s Today Show with Savannah Guthrie and blurted out that he recently had a “chat” with the 38-year-old and the Swiss’ comments may have deeper meaning.

The pair spoke about Nadal’s recent on-court struggles as he lost early at the French Open and Paris Olympics.

“I actually just spoke to him this last week. He wanted to ask me something, and we had a chat, and, I felt a little bit sorry for him,” the 20-time major champion explained.

“That his summer didn’t go as well as planned because, at the French Open he had a tough draw. Olympics, he had a tough draw as well. He was hoping, I think, to get a medal.”

And Federer then went further as he hinted that Nadal may well be ready to call it a day, saying “I just hope he can go out on his terms”.

“But you know, overall he can do whatever he wants,” the former world No 1 continued. “He’s been one of the most iconic tennis players we have ever had in our sport and that’s what I told him. So I just hope he can go out on his terms and the way he wants to, but he’s a great guy, great career.”

Nadal announced last year that the 2024 tennis season would likely be his last as a provisional, but he has made a lot of conflicting comments in recent months.

After waving goodbye to fans at the Madrid Open in April as he revealed he made his last appearance at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament, he then refused to confirm or deny in Rome and Roland Garros that he would not be returning.

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TENNIS

Carlos Alcaraz is one of 4 men to hold record that eluded Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer

By Admin August 29, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz preserved his unbeaten record in opening round matches at Grand Slams with his four-set victory over Li Tu at the 2024 US Open.

The world No 3, who is the defending French Open and Wimbledon champion, saw off Tu, who is ranked 186th in the world, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 at Flushing Meadows.

The Spaniard is one of only four men who have not lost in the first round of a major, with even the Big Three suffering this fate on multiple occasions each.

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Roger Federer lost six opening round Grand Slam matches, Rafael Nadal has lost three, while Novak Djokovic has lost two.

Here are the four players with a 100% win rate in opening round men’s singles matches at Grand Slams in the Open Era (in 128-player, seven round draws).

Rod Laver – 11-0

Rod Laver won all 11 of the first round matches he played in Open Era Grand Slam tournaments that used the 128-player draw, seven round format.

From these 11 campaigns, the Australian icon secured titles at Wimbledon (1968 and 1969), the French Open (1969) and the US Open (1969). In total, Laver won 11 majors and 72 singles titles recognised by the ATP in his career.

Ken Rosewall – 15-0

Ken Rosewall amassed a perfect 15-0 record in opening round contests at 128-player draw majors in the Open Era.

From these 15 Grand Slams, the Australian great won the US Open in 1970, while he was also a runner-up at Wimbledon (1970 and 1974) and the US Open (1974). Rosewall won eight major titles and 40 ATP-listed singles titles overall.

Carlos Alcaraz – 15-0

Alcaraz has won every first round match he has played in his 15 Grand Slam main draw appearances in his career to date.

The 21-year-old Spanish star has secured four titles from his 14 previous major campaigns and has reached at least the quarter-finals nine times. Alcaraz’s opening round win at the 2024 US Open took his Grand Slam record to a superb 60-10.

Bjorn Borg – 26-0

Bjorn Borg holds the record for the most opening round major matches won without losing, having finished his career with a perfect 26-0 record.

The Swedish legend won 11 Grand Slam titles and advanced to the quarter-finals or better in 21 of his 26 major main draw appearances. Borg compiled an outstanding 141-16 Grand Slam match record.

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TENNIS

Jannik Sinner widens gap to Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz in rankings with Cincinnati title as he creates Italian history

By Admin August 20, 2024

Jannik Sinner’s title run at the Cincinnati Open has helped him to maintain a comfortable cushion over Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at the top of the ATP Rankings while he has also notched up a couple of Italian milestones.

The 23-year-old defeated Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 in the ATP Masters 1000 title to become the first Italian to win the singles title since the event was started in 1899.

The Cincy trophy was also Sinner’s fifth Masters title while he took his ATP Tour title tally for 2024 to five – also the most won by an Italian in a calendar year.

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The world No 1 now sits on 15 career singles titles as he drew level with Carlos Alcaraz and Lleyton Hewitt for the second-most titles won from their first 19 finals. Rafael Nadal leads that particular statistic as he won 17 of his first 19 finals.

But it was far from an easy week for the Sinner as he struggled with a hip injury for most of the tournament while the weather also caused havoc, resulting in extra time on the site.

“It was a very difficult week, tough week. I’m very happy about today’s match,” he said. “It was very tough mentally. Had such an amazing run here, and I tried to do my best today.

“We both were quite tired from yesterday. We both felt a lot of tension, but I’m very glad about [the] level I played today, especially in the important moments.”

Sinner picked up 990 points with his title to move to 9,760 points at the top of the ATP Rankings, 2,300 points ahead of Djokovic in second place with Alcaraz another 100 points behind in third place.

It puts him in a comfortable position at the US Open as he only has 180 points to defend at the final Grand Slam of the year while Djokovic (7,460) will drop 2,000 points as the defending champion and Alcaraz (7,360) will drop 720.

It means the Italian will have at least a 900-odd point lead after the US Open even if he loses in the first round. The maximum number of points that Djokovic can achieve at Flushing Meadows is 7,460 while Alcaraz will be on 8,640 if he wins the title.

Sinner is assured of staying at No 1 until at least the China Open and he will drop 500 points as the defending champion, but that means Alcaraz would then have to make up points, but he will also drop 180 points as he reached the semi-final last year.

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TENNIS

Carlos Alcaraz ‘already like legends Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’

By Admin August 16, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz is already a “really, really complete player” despite his age with Gael Monfils insisting the Spaniard is “like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer”.

Aged just 21, Alcaraz is already a four-time Grand Slam winner as he is a two-time Wimbledon champion after defeating Novak Djokovic in back-to-back finals in 2023 and 2024.

Before winning his second title at the All England Club in July, Alcaraz also captured a maiden title at Roland Garros to become the youngest man to win to complete the Surface Slam [winning a title on the three different surfaces in tennis] with his hard-court major coming at the 2022 US Open.

READ: Sinner v Alcaraz: Jannik Sinner makes injury confession as he edges towards Carlos Alcaraz clash in Cincinnati

Although he still has some way to go to beat some of the records set by the Big Three of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, veteran Monfils sees Alcaraz in the same light as “those legends”.

“At that moment, of course, I see him as Novak, as Rafa, as Roger,” the Frenchman told the official ATP Tour website. “So for me, he’s just a little bit younger, but he is already [like] those legends.”

What makes Alcaraz – who also became the youngest world No 1 when he climbed to the top of the rankings after his title run at Flushing Meadows in 2022 – such a unique player is the fact that he is not just brilliant when it comes to results, but he is also a great entertainer and always plays with a smile on his face.

Alcaraz has often been described as a hybrid of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal, and Monfils highlighted some of the youngster’s attributes.

“Big, obviously, big. He is a complete athlete, a tonne of speed, endurance, power, and then his tennis, of course, is quite complete too,” the former world No 6 said.

“Backhand, forehand, it’s quite hard to see where you can sit [and wait]. He improved a lot in the return, serving big. He’s just a really, really complete player.”

The 37-year-old Monfils is in the final few years of his career, but he enjoys taking on youngsters like Alcaraz and current world No 1 Jannik Sinner as it brings out the best out of him.

“For me, it’s always cool to play such a big star like Carlos or Jannik,” he said. “Of course, my age it was Novak or whoever, but to play those youngsters, it’s always a pleasure.”

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