Nottingham’s Joshua Ward-Hibbert discusses his switch of sports as he swaps a tennis court for a basketball court.
He had one of the biggest ever serves in junior tennis and even won a Grand Slam title, but Joshua Ward-Hibbert now wants to be a star on an entirely different court.
Less than five years after winning the Australian Open boys doubles alongside fellow Brit Liam Broady, the 22-year-old is suiting up for the Leicester Riders in the British Basketball League.
“When things come up, you run with it and try to make the best of it,” Ward-Hibbert, who reached number 10 in the junior world rankings, told BBC Sport.
“This is a big opportunity for me and I’ve got a lot of aspirations – I definitely want to play a lot more and in the coming years be a star and big name for the club.
“I will put all the work I can into being the best I can be and see how far I can get with it.”
Injuries, including a shoulder complaint, coupled with waning motivation and planning for life after professional tennis ultimately led Ward-Hibbert back to the hardwood and a second unlikely shot at professional sport.
As a teenager, the Nottinghamshire-born athlete was lauded as one of the nation’s finest tennis and basketball prospects.
He represented his country in both sports, was named England’s best Under-16 player in 2010 and a year later, aged 17, clocked the fastest serve ever recorded at Junior Wimbledon with a 133mph effort.
So when he enrolled at Loughborough University, studying sports science and management in 2016, he was easily enticed to lace up his basketball shoes again to join his childhood club, Derby Trailblazers, in the second-tier National Basketball League.
It proved to be a career-changing decision, leading to him to a deal with the Riders – a club that has won six pieces of silverware, including two league titles, in the past four seasons.
“It was a crazy process and happened really quickly,” Ward-Hibbert said.
“I had a tough time with injuries and with it being such a tough sport, motivation kind of came into play. It was tough to take mentally and physically and was frustrating – especially when it was my go-to, my money maker.
“I decided to take some time out to further my education. I was back home so started playing again at Derby, it was good to be around familiar faces. From there it spiralled and here I am.”
While tennis took priority, basketball has always remained a theme in his life – with his other brother pursuing the sport with Minot State University in the United States.
On tour, Ward-Hibbert would likely be found shooting hoops if there was a basketball court nearby. And if Australia’s Nick Kyrgios was around, going head-to-head with the now world number 15 was common place.
“Everyone would want to play him – Josh was known in the tennis world for his basketball ability,” said Daniel Kiernan, owner of the SotoTennis Academy and Ward-Hibbert’s long-time mentor and coach.
“I saw him plenty of times on the basketball court, that is for sure, and he always looked so comfortable.
“There was definitely a little more confidence about him when he was on a basketball court. You would see it in him when he played doubles tennis as well – it is not an arrogance, but a nice balance of self-assurance and confidence that wasn’t always there on the singles court.”
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Standing 196cm tall and weighing 96kg, Ward-Hibbert turned heads as a fine physical specimen in tennis. Even from an early age, he stood out.
“Just looking at him, seeing him play grabbed your attention,” said Paul Hutchins, the former Davis Cup captain who also previously worked as head of men’s tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association.
“It is a loss to tennis because he is a young man that had promise. He must be one of the best athletes in British tennis – his size, speed and shape.
“Basketball is lucky to have him.”
On the way to breaking into the top 10 as a junior player, Ward-Hibbert graced the courts of each of the Grand Slams in 2012 – finishing at the junior US Open at Flushing Meadows.
“When you are at the Slams, people are asking for your autograph, they probably don’t know who you are, but it makes you feel important,” he said. “I liked that.”
At the same time, he was trying to establish himself as a professional – playing on the third-tier Futures Tour and flying 808 places up the world rankings in 11 months to reach a career-best 305 in November 2013.
But even though making the transition to promising professional was a demanding one – chasing ranking points in a globetrotting expedition from Casablanca to Ho Chi Minh City – Ward-Hibbert was very much living the dream.
“Growing up, I always had those aspirations to be a professional,” he said. “At 19 I took that route.
“I’d love to have made a profession of it, been a top-100 player, it would have been amazing, I would have loved it.
“I gave it a lot of effort and a lot of time and I don’t have any hard feeling about the sport. It is brutal. It is not like I fell out of love with the sport, I still love playing and will play when I can.”
Even after turning his attention to basketball and studies, he made the most of his first opportunity to get back on the tennis court – reaching the semi-finals of a Futures tournament at Loughborough.
“I will still be about,” he said. “You will see me, if there is a tournament locally and I have some time on my hands, I will be flying to it to get a couple of serves down.”
While Kiernan is convinced Ward-Hibbert is capable of having a playing or coaching career in tennis in the future, the sporting switch has filled him with “an overriding sense of pride”.
Kiernan, who has run a tennis academy in Sotogrande in Spain since 2010, said: “It is fantastic that he has two sports where he is so accomplished and passionate about.
“It is about him being happy and finding something that he can really throw himself into.”
Ward-Hibbert readily admits he has much to learn in basketball and a lot of catching up to do, joining a team that includes former Great Britain captain Drew Sullivan, but he insists his tennis background will hold him in good stead.
“Sure, it is a different sport but the mindset, the professionalism; all sports require similar qualities,” he said.
Riders coach Rob Paternostro, who hopes his newest recruit will help him improve his own tennis game, is excited by Ward-Hibbert’s talent.
“The potential is there and we are always looking for British talent to mould for the future,” Paternostro said.
“He is a little raw at the moment, no question, but we see a lot of his skills are there. We need to polish him up a little.
“You see the athleticism there and to get to where he got in the tennis world, you know he is determined and willing to do what it takes to make it.”
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Briton Dan Evans reached the Sydney International semi-finals by upsetting top seed Dominic Thiem – his first victory over a top-10 ranked player.
Evans beat the Austrian world number eight 3-6 6-4 6-1 and will now face Russian Andrey Kuznetsov on Friday.
“I just had to hang in there,” world number 67 Evans said.
“I knew I’d have to do a lot of running. I had to try to force my game on him, come forward and I did that in the end pretty well.”
The British number three will be looking to reach his first Tour final, having only previously reached a semi-final in Zagreb in 2014.
In the men’s doubles, Britain’s Jamie Murray and Brazilian partner Bruno Soares also reached the semi-finals by beating Florian Mayer and Philipp Petzschner 6-3 6-4.
Great Britain’s Laura Robson lost in straight sets in the first round of qualifying at the Australian Open.
The 22-year-old former British number one, ranked 222 in the world after three years of wrist problems, lost 6-2 6-4 to Amandine Hesse of France.
“I had a weird thought just before I went on court – I thought last time I played a match here I then didn’t play for 18 months,” she said.
“It maybe wasn’t the best thing to happen before a match and I felt flat.”
She added: “I just never got going, it felt like my feet were stuck in mud.”
The left-hander, who reached the main draw of the US Open in August, has now lost seven consecutive matches and will return to Europe to play on the second-tier Challenger tour.
“It doesn’t take much to change it around,” the former Wimbledon junior champion said.
“Before the US Open I won one match and didn’t have much confidence and then as soon as you win two matches, you think ‘maybe I’m not as bad as I thought’.”
Robson’s compatriot Tara Moore, 24, also lost to end British interest in the qualifying section of the women’s draw.
Moore, the world number 165, was beaten 6-7 (7-2) 6-3 6-1 by Hungary’s Dalma Galfi.
The first Grand Slam tournament of the year starts in Melbourne on Monday.
The 2017 BNP Paribas Open, to be held 6-19 March, will showcase major renovations currently underway at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden (IWTG), designed to enhance the overall fan experience and substantially upgrade Stadium 1. Ranging from a massive expansion of the Stadium Plaza to renovating all the suites and hospitality spaces to adding 21 new restaurants and concessions, the full scale changes are sure to delight fans who attend over the fortnight to watch the best WTA and ATP World Tour players in the world.
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Stadium Plaza, Suites & Hospitality – A fan favourite and gathering place, The Plaza is now a permanent part of the Stadium and the Superwall is substantially larger (33 per cent wider) allowing it to display up to five matches at one time. All of the suites throughout Stadium 1 will be completely renovated.
The existing open air portion of the Concourse level will be covered to allow the suites on the second level to be significantly expanded, and include private restrooms. All of the existing restrooms will be upgraded, and restrooms will be added to the upper bowl, where there were none previously.
Additionally, a new hospitality room, which will be available for events year round and hold up to 200 people, Front Box Club, Satellite Broadcast Studio, fitness center, and club pro shop will also be completed for the 2017 BNP Paribas Open. Other renovations include a brand new media room, two-story office building for tournament management and staff, and additional commissaries to accommodate the new concessions. The Stadium footprint has increased from 200,000 to 300,000 square feet of space to provide an unprecedented fan experience.
Wolfgang Puck & Nobu – Wolfgang Puck’s venerable and highly-rated restaurant Spago will be added to the IWTG. The full-service 100-seat restaurant will overlook the court in Stadium 1, giving fans an unprecedented view of the second-largest tennis stadium in the world combined with a first-class dining experience.
Puck, a James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award winner and arguably one of the most recognizable chefs in the world, launched his award-winning restaurant Spago 35 years ago in Los Angeles. A six-time recipient of the prestigious Wine Spectator Grand Award and two-time Michelin Star recipient, Spago will be the third restaurant at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden overlooking a court, as both Nobu and Chop House offer that amenity in Stadium 2.
In addition, Nobu will also expand to the Player Dining facility giving players quick and easy access to its award-winning cuisine.
New Desert Dining Oasis – Venue partner Levy Restaurants will bring 20 more permanent concessions and restaurants to the Stadium ranging from BS Taqueria from Esquire’s 2015 Chef of the Year Ray Garcia, and Dave’s Doghouse, from Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin; to Cassell’s, a reinvented classic hamburger stand that has been an LA phenomenon since 1948 and Melissa’s Produce, the Los Angeles-based fresh vegetable-focused offering; to local favourites Piero’s PizzaVino, also featured in Stadium 2 serving traditional Neapolitan style pizza, and Sherman’s Deli, a desert institution for the past 50 years.
In addition, a Southern California favourite Wetzel’s Pretzels and Popcornopolis add fun snack food to the mix, Lavazza will bring a selection of specialty coffees, lattes, and cappuccinos, and Golden Road and Shock Top will deliver craft beers, while multiple margarita bars, a juice bar, and an ice cream location will also be added.
The restaurants and concessions will be located in various spots and levels throughout Stadium 1, with eight on the Loge level, which previously did not have any food options. Cassell’s and Piero’s will be “inside and outside,” and offer fans access from the concourse as well as the outside of Stadium 1.
Andy Murray has committed to compete in the Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club for the duration of his career, and the BBC will cover the tournament until at least 2024.
Murray won a record fifth title in 2016 and then The Championships, Wimbledon for a second time three weeks later, before finishing the year as World No. 1. He was voted BBC Sports Personality Of The Year for a third time in December, and received a knighthood in the New Year Honours list.
“I’ve always loved playing the event and I’m really happy to know that I will play at Queen’s for the rest of my career,” said Murray. “My first ATP World Tour match-win came at Queen’s in 2005, so for it to become by far the most successful tournament of my career is a great feeling. Looking at the names that have won the tournament four times – some of the best players ever – winning it five times means a lot to me.”
The BBC began broadcasting the tournament in 1979. Last year, 3.7 million people tuned in to BBC television to watch Murray defeat Milos Raonic in the final, with many more listening on BBC Radio 5 Live and following online on the BBC Sport website.
In 2017, more people than ever before will be able to watch the action in person at The Queen’s Club, with the tournament expanding its Centre Court capacity by 30 per cent. More than 2,000 additional seats will be added to the current 6,942, taking the capacity to more than 9,000.
Stephen Farrow, Aegon Championships Tournament Director, said: “To know that Andy will play at The Queen’s Club for the rest of his career and that the BBC will cover it every step of the way is a huge boost in what is an exciting and important year for the Aegon Championships with our stadium capacity increasing by 30 per cent. Last year, we celebrated our four-time winners Roy Emerson, John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Lleyton Hewitt. This year, and for many years to come, Andy Murray will return as our greatest champion in front of more people than ever before, and covered live on television, radio and online by the BBC. We couldn’t be happier.”
Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, said: “The Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club is one of the most cherished events in the tennis calendar and it’s great that the BBC will continue to bring it to audiences across all platforms until 2024. With a British tennis player as the current World No. 1 there’s no better time for us to reinforce our commitment to the sport.”
Tara McGregor-Woodhams, Head of Brand & Sponsorship, Aegon UK said: “This is fantastic news. It has been a privilege to be title-sponsor of the Aegon Championships throughout the period in which Andy Murray has won his five titles, and the BBC has always given the tournament excellent coverage. We very much look forward to the 2017 event.”
The 2017 edition of the Aegon Championships will take place 19-25 June. The Aegon Championships will be broadcast live throughout by the BBC and Eurosport.
The number of suspicious betting patterns in tennis is on the rise and is a “concern”, says the first annual report published by the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU).
In 2016, nine players and officials were sanctioned as a result of TIU disciplinary investigations.
There were 292 alerts to the TIU last year, with eight of them from Grand Slam, ATP and WTA matches.
In 2015 there were 246 alerts to the TIU.
The TIU said alerts are not proof of corruption, but that all cases have to be investigated.
It added it will continue to review its systems to tackle corruption, “ensuring its provisions and powers are current and relevant”.
For example, from 1 January 2017, a player suspected of a corruption offence will be given a provisional suspension, while previously they could continue playing until a disciplinary notice had been served.
The report also adds that the abuse of players through social media is a growing concern and that the TIU will work with players to ensure cases are logged and relevant action is taken against perpetrators.
Read the full report
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ASB Classic – Auckland, New Zealand
David Ferrer visited the Moët & Chandon lounge for a flute pouring competition.
Next Gen ATP star Karen Khachanov and Marcus Daniell met up with top New Zealand chef Nic Watt for a helicopter visit to Waiheke Island and some scalloping. Watch
Khachanov, Jiri Vesely, Dustin Brown and Diego Schwartzman had fun at the official players’ party.
Jack Sock served as the umpire for a Moët & Chandon exhibition, with the winner of the match receiving a Jeroboam signed by the American.
Apia International Sydney – Sydney, Australia
Dominic Thiem was among those to attend the official players’ party in Sydney. The top seed also enjoyed a visit to The Beach at Cutaway, Barangaroo Reserve. Watch
Kyle Edmund had a hair-raising experience as he visited Luna Park Sydney on his 22nd birthday.
The BBC will continue to broadcast the Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club on TV, radio and online until 2024.
The news coincides with Andy Murray’s decision to commit to playing at Queen’s for the rest of his career.
“To know that Andy will play at The Queen’s Club for the rest of his career and that the BBC will cover it every step of the way is a huge boost,” said tournament director Stephen Farrow.
I’m really happy to know that I will play at Queen’s for as long as my career lasts
Murray, 29, won at Queen’s last year en route to becoming the world number one.
His victory in the 2016 final against Milos Raonic was watched by 3.7m on TV, with many more listening on Radio 5 live and following online on the BBC Sport website.
Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, described the tournament as “one of the most cherished events in the tennis calendar”.
“It’s great that the BBC will continue to bring it to audiences across all platforms until 2024,” she added.
“With a British tennis player as the current world number one, there’s no better time for us to reinforce our commitment to the sport.”
Murray’s record fifth Queen’s title was just one chapter in a stellar 2016 for the Briton.
He followed it up weeks later by claiming his second Wimbledon title, while his second Olympic gold medal followed later in the summer.
He secured the year-end world number one ranking with victory at the ATP World Tour Finals before being named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for a third time.
He was subsequently knighted in the the New Year Honours.
“I’m really happy to know that I will play at Queen’s for as long as my career lasts,” said Murray.
“My first ATP World Tour match-win came at Queen’s in 2005, so for it to become by far the most successful tournament of my career is a great feeling.
“Looking at the names that have won the tournament four times, [they are] some of the best players ever. Winning it five times means a lot to me.”