Tennis News

Two years ago inside the Estadio Manolo Santana, the tennis world stood still to mourn the loss of one of its most beloved daughters, Elena Baltacha.

In the early hours of the previous morning, Baltacha had lost her brief battle with liver cancer, leaving the sport in a state of shock.

On the second anniversary of her passing, many of those lucky enough to cross paths with Baltacha paid tribute to her memory. One of the most touching and heartfelt came from the ATP’s Nick Kyrgios, who dedicated his victory over Stan Wawrinka in Madrid to the former British No.1.

I want to dedicate my win today to Elena Baltacha & the @ElenaFoundation as well as anyone else affected by cancer in some way. #RIPBally ??

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) 4 May 2016

Thank you Nick that means allot to us x https://t.co/yVjXe6T6rs

— Elena B Foundation (@ElenaFoundation) May 4, 2016

Victoria Azarenka was the story of 2016’s first quarter. The two-time major champion and former World No.1 rocketed back up the rankings after several seasons of injuries and inconsistencies, winning three titles and becoming the first woman in over a decade to capture the elusive Indian Wells-Miami “Sunshine” Double.

By spring, however, the Belarusian was gone from the game, announcing that she would end her season due to a pregnancy. Azarenka has since been busy preparing for the birth of her first child, but nonetheless granted an interview with Tennis Channel to update fans on her life today.

“My pregnancy’s been a completely different experience from anything I’ve done before,” she says. “In theory, you know the process, but to actually go through it, you truly start to deeply understand the magic of it. It’s been quite a ride, I have to say.

“Tennis is my career, but there’s a different part of life. This was a blessing, a gift from God. I believe I still have a great opportunity to do what I love, as long as I love playing tennis. I do, and this is an opportunity to realize how much I love what I do.”

Azarenka has dedicated her time off to her studies, but has still found time to exercise, playing tennis up to the last six weeks of her pregnancy.

“I’m doing a lot of activities I didn’t have time to do before; being at home and sleeping in my own bed is really a luxury for a traveling athlete.

“I miss the fans. I miss that moment when you go on the court and it’s a go time. As a competitor, I have to find that edge in life. I’ve been able to translate that into my studies for now, but that competitive edge is definitely something I’m missing.”

Addressing the question of a comeback, she gave fans reason to be optimistic that she’ll be back on the court sooner, rather than later.

“I don’t feel I’m missing out on someting I won’t be able to do again. For me, it’s about getting to where I want to be and be back there again. That’s my ultimate goal.

“I don’t put any time frame on myself. I would love to make it as soon as possible, but give myself a reasonable time to fully recover and be ready. I’m not going to rush anything, and it’s hard to tell before the birth actually happens. So, we’ll see, but I’m confident that I’ll be able to play tennis again pretty soon.”

Check out the whole video courtesy of Tennis Channel below:

MADRID, Spain – Dominika Cibulkova had to do things the hard way once again to conquer Romanian wildcard Sorana Cirstea, coming back from a set down to find her spot in the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Madrid right here on wtatennis.com!

Cibulkova is no stranger to tough three set matches here in the Spanish capital: every one of her three matches so far have gone the distance, having to come back from a set down in the last two, and adding up to a total of six hours and thirty six minutes on court.

“Actually, I didn’t even realize I’d played all three set matches,” Cibulkova said. “I said to my coach, I feel so good. I don’t feel any pain or nothing. That says how physically good I’m prepared.”

So in keeping with that pattern, the Slovak didn’t panic when she found herself down a set to the Romanian wildcard after conceding an early break.

“Sometimes you win in two sets, sometimes it’s a different story,” she said. “While I’m winning, I don’t care what is the score. It was another great match.”

Cibulkova created more chances for herself in the second set, bringing up four break points before finally converting one at 5-3. The late break seemed to weigh on the Romanian’s mind heading into the deciding set. She had trouble holding on against Cibulkova’s renewed onslaught, dropping serve four times. In the end Cibulkova hit a combined 36 winners to 25 unforced errors against Cirstea’s 28 winners to 19 unforced errors.

With the win Cibulkova puts herself within striking distance of a Top 30 berth. Currently sitting at No.38, she is poised to move into the Top 30 and could climb as high as No.22 if she takes home the title.

And with a Top 30 ranking comes the possibility of a French Open seeding, but that’s not on Cibulkova’s radar just yet.

“Obviously, that would be nice. But if I will not make it, then I will not make it and it was supposed to be like this. Before, every time I was pushing something it never turned out well, so we’ll see.”

Another @MutuaMadridOpen comeback for Dominika @Cibulkova ✅ #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/VKetP9G4TN

— WTA (@WTA) May 5, 2016

Lucie Safarova had much to overcome off the court this season, recovering from an illness that derailed her soaring start to last season and fighting off injuries that delayed her 2016 debut. But once she got going, she showed what made her such a dangerous opponent, particularly in doubles, where she won another major title with Bethanie Mattek-Sands at the US Open, and rode an 18-match winning streak into the final of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global. Through all of her trials and tribulations,the Czech always finds time to give back to the player community.

As a result of her work in the WTA Player Council, Safarova was awarded the 2016 Peachy Kellmeyer Player Service Award for the third year in a row.

Selected by player vote, the Player Service Award is awarded each year to the player who has done the most for her fellow players. The player can be acknowledged for their efforts made through the Player Council or any other initiative on behalf of the general player population. This award has been voted on by players since 1977. Previous winners include Kim Clijsters, Liezel Huber, Francesca Schiavone, Pam Shriver and Venus Williams.

The Players’ Council consists of eight selected players on the tour that advocate player interests and handle grievances, changes in the tennis schedule and other concerns. Safarova is a part of the council in the 1-20 Ranking Category, alongside Samantha Stosur, Serena Williams and Venus Williams. She’s served on the Council since 2009, earning the respect of her peers through her willingness to help.