Tennis News

From around the world

It's Official: Federer Named 2016's Most Stylish Man By GQ

  • Posted: Dec 21, 2016

It's Official: Federer Named 2016's Most Stylish Man By GQ

Swiss star wins the final by a landslide

Roger Federer has a new bullet point to add to his impressive list of accomplishments: Most Stylish Man.

The 35-year-old married father of four beat out Thor actor Tom Hiddleston to be called 2016’s Most Stylish Man by GQ. As many Federer matches have gone throughout his 18-year career, the final contest was a blowout. Federer won more than 60 per cent of the fan vote against Hiddleston.

Before the final, the Swiss star had cruised through the 64-person draw by beating (in order) former One Direction member Zayn Malik, actor Ryan Gosling, actor Steven Yeun, rapper Kanye West and actor Jared Leto. Federer will make his return to tennis next month.

You May Also Like: Federer: “This Award This Year Means The Most To Me”

Moet and Chandon off-court news 

Source link

Kvitova out for three months after knife attack

  • Posted: Dec 20, 2016

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will not play tennis for at least three months after surgery following a knife attack at her home.

Kvitova, 26, said she was “fortunate to be alive” following a “burglary” incident on Tuesday when she struggled with an intruder.

Surgeons spent almost four hours repairing tendons and nerves on her left hand – her playing hand.

Her spokesman said that considering the damage, “the surgery went well”.

“The injury is serious, but the surgeon says Petra is young and healthy and there is no reason why she can’t resume tennis,” publicist Karel Tejkal told AFP.

According to her manager Katie Spellman, Kvitova will wear a cast for six to eight weeks and cannot bear weight on the injured hand for at least three months.

That rules her out of the Australian Open next month, the first Grand Slam tournament of the 2017 tennis season.

It is understood she allowed someone posing as a utilities man access to her apartment in Prostejov, Czech Republic, and while defending herself in a struggle, suffered the injuries to her hand. The intruder is believed to have then run away and is being sought by police.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kvitova said she was “shaken”, adding the injury was “severe” but that she would “fight this”.

Tejkal added: “It was a random crime, nobody was going to attack or rob her as Petra Kvitova.”

Kvitova is ranked 11 in the world and has won a career total of 19 titles, including Grand Slam victories at Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014.

Kvitova statement

“Thank you for all your heart-warming messages.

“As you may have already heard, today I was attacked in my apartment by an individual with a knife. In my attempt to defend myself, I was badly injured on my left hand.

“I am shaken, but fortunate to be alive. The injury is severe and I will need to see specialists, but if you know anything about me I am strong and I will fight this. Thank you all again for your love and support and now I would appreciate some privacy while I focus on my recovery.”

Former champion was on the way back

Kvitova had announced earlier on Tuesday that a foot injury forced her to withdraw from January’s Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia.

She had only returned from pre-season training in Lanzarote last week, despite her right foot requiring a protective boot for much of the time.

It meant her hopes of playing in the first Grand Slam of the season were already doubtful, with the Australian Open getting under way on 16 January.

Kvitova had finished the 2016 season strongly, picking up titles in Wuhan and Zuhai, as well as winning the Women’s Tennis Association’s annual sportsmanship award, for the fourth year in succession.

Career stats

  • Turned professional in 2006, aged 16
  • First Wimbledon appearance as a junior in 2007, reaching the last 16
  • First career title in 2009 – the Hobart International, Australia
  • Now has 19 titles with career prize money totalling more than £18.4m
  • Reached a career-high of world number two in October 2011, behind Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki
  • Won a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics, losing her semi-final to eventual gold medallist Monica Puig

Reaction

Source link

Kvitova injured in knife attack at her home

  • Posted: Dec 20, 2016

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has been injured in a knife attack at her home.

Kvitova has been treated for a left hand injury – which is not life-threatening – after the incident in the eastern Czech town of Prostejov.

The incident occurred on Tuesday and has been described by her publicist Karel Tejkal as a burglary.

The 26-year-old left-hander is ranked 11 in the world and won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014.

“It was a random crime, nobody was going to attack or rob her as Petra Kvitova,” Tejkal said.

Kvitova beat Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard in the 2014 Wimbledon final and Russian Maria Sharapova in 2011 to win her only Grand Slams.

Earlier on Tuesday she withdrew from January’s Hopman Cup with a foot injury.

More to follow.

Source link

£15m indoor court plan for Scotland is Murray legacy

  • Posted: Dec 20, 2016

Tennis in Scotland is to benefit from a £15m funding drive to double the number of indoor courts to 225 within the decade and boost participation.

Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Michael Downey said it was time to “seize the moment” and capitalise on Andy and Jamie Murray’s success.

“We must create a lasting legacy with a purpose-built plan for Scotland,” Downey added.

Mel Young, chairman of sportscotland, hopes for increased participation.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year Andy Murray, 29, ends 2016 top of the men’s singles rankings after winning Wimbledon and the ATP Tour finals this year.

Older brother Jamie, 30, and Brazilian doubles partner Bruno Soares are the current world number one men’s doubles team.

And the Murrays’ fellow Scot Gordon Reid, 25, is top of the wheelchair tennis men’s rankings, having won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2016.

Downey said: “This unprecedented investment will make tennis more accessible, bringing certainty of play to a climate that sees on average 200 days rain a year and in a country that is under-resourced versus the rest of Britain and other European nations when it comes to the number of covered tennis courts per capita.”

Young confirmed that half of the £15m will come from sportscotland and the rest from the LTA and will “have a transformational impact on Scottish tennis”.

Tennis Scotland chairman Blane Dodds said the funding would prove crucial to the future success of the sport in Scotland.

“This is what we all have been working towards to deliver an appropriate and ambitious legacy so the whole country benefits from the performances of our three world number ones: Gordon Reid, Jamie Murray and Andy Murray,” he said.

Source link

Safin Reflects On Playing Days, NextGen Stars

  • Posted: Dec 20, 2016

Safin Reflects On Playing Days, NextGen Stars

The candid Russian analyses his past and present careers.

Marat Safin called it a day on November 11, 2009. After falling to Juan Martin del Potro in the second round of the BNP Paribas Masters, the Russian decided to retire from the ATP World Tour and put an end to a brilliant career.

Safin reached the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings in November 2000, won the 2000 US Open and 2005 Australian Open, and lifted another 13 ATP World Tour titles during his career. He also placed a pivotal role in helping Russia win the Davis Cup in 2002 and 2006. Although some tennis experts believe he could have achieved even more, Safin still believes he gave the sport everything he could.

“I don’t regret anything”, said Safin. “I had many injuries throughout my career, but that was something out of my control. I’m very proud of my results. It was a really interesting, intense part of my life. I learned a lot, it made me mature, I saw the World and met many peopl. The overall experience was positive.

When his pro tennis career came to a close, Safin was left to ponder what to do next. But while some players move right into coaching or other areas in the world tennis, he characteristically decided to take the road less traveled. In December 2011, the former World No. 1 arrived to the world of politics after being elected to play a role in the Duma, the Russian Parliament.

“I wanted to try different things. I finished my law studies and having a seat in the Parliament was on my mind. I was only 30 years old, so I was young enough to keep learning,” said Safin. Life is different there. It didn’t matter if I was No. 1 or won Grand Slam titles. I had to start from zero and be eager to learn. You need to know how the system works and give your opinion. But over time, people start listening to you and they let you work”.

But Safin still keeps a close eye on tennis. He relieves the sport is changing in a positive way and is impressed by what he sees in the new crop of #NextGen players.

The guys are playing a different style and are much more aggressive, which is really interesting. They are great athletes and stronger than in my generation,” said Safin. “The game has evolved and it’s interesting to see how the players do things now that were out of our reach.”

Although the Russian admitted he may not join his peers like Carlos Moya in coaching a top player in the near future, the outspoken Safin is always willing to impart advice to the NextGen of tennis.

“A lot of your success depends on whether or not you’re open to criticism. Not many people are willing to hear those tough words,” said Safin. “But it’s important to be humble and listen to your team. You need to hear the truth, even if it hurts.”

Source link

Raonic Joins Forces With Krajicek

  • Posted: Dec 20, 2016

Raonic Joins Forces With Krajicek

Canadian hires former Wimbledon champion as a coach for 2017.

Milos Raonic is kicking off the new year with a new coach. The Canadian has brought on former World No. 4 and 1996 Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek to work alongside him in 2017.

“Today was my first practice with Richard Krajicek. It’s great to have Richard, alongside my team, for the upcoming season in my attempt to reach new and higher goals for 2017,” said Raonic in a post on his Instagram account. “I worked with Richard for a few days last year before the Australian Open and I’m sure with his experience and being a Wimbledon champion, [he] can help me reach my goals. I look forward to doing great things.”

Raonic worked with former World No. 1 and 1999 Roland Garros champion Carlos Moya during the 2016 season, jumping from No. 14 in the Emirates ATP Rankings to his current career-high standing of No. 3. His banner year included a semi-final showing at the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, where he fell to eventual champion Andy Murray. In addition to reaching his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, Raonic also prevailed at the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp and finished runner-up at both the Aegon Championships and BNP Paribas Open. 

Krajicek is no stranger to coaching the world’s best players, having been hired by reigning US Open champion Stan Wawrinka for this year’s grass-court season. The Dutchman also serves as director of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.

Raonic will open his 2017 campaign by defending his title in Brisbane on 1 January. Having reached the semi-finals at last year’s Australian Open, the Canadian will be aiming to start his season with a flourish Down Under.

Source link

Federer Rolls Into GQ's "Most Stylish Man" Final

  • Posted: Dec 20, 2016

Federer Rolls Into GQ's "Most Stylish Man" Final

The Swiss maestro takes on Tom Hiddleston for the title.

Roger Federer won’t kick off his 2017 season for another two weeks, but he’s in familiar territory this month by advancing to the final of a different kind of draw.

The Swiss star is squaring off against Thor actor Tom Hiddleston to be crowned by GQ as 2016’s Most Stylish Man. Federer has so far cruised through the 64-person draw by defeating (in order) former One Direction member Zayn Malik, actor Ryan Gosling, actor Steven Yeun, rapper Kanye West and actor Jared Leto. 

The winner of this tournament is decided by the public. Click here to cast your vote for Federer.

You May Also Like: Federer: “This Award This Year Means The Most To Me”

 

Source link

Lorenzi Weds In Italy

  • Posted: Dec 20, 2016

Lorenzi Weds In Italy

Italian has more reason to celebrate this year

At age 35, Paolo Lorenzi showed no signs of slowing down this year. The Italian won his first ATP World Tour crown on the clay courts of Kitzbuhel in July, took a set off Andy Murray in the third round at the US Open in August and claimed two titles on the ATP Challenger Tour.

Last but certainly not least, the Rome native added “husband” to his 2016 titles, marrying Elisa Braccini on Saturday, 17 December in Siena, Italy. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Read 2016 First-Time Winner Spotlight: Paolo Lorenzi

Moet and Chandon off-court news 

Source link