Tennis News

In less than a week, reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber will take to the courts at Flushing Meadows to begin her bid for her second Grand Slam title of the year. Also at play? A chance to become WTA World No.1.

The 28-year-old is having the best year of her career, and she admits that she owes much of her late renaissance to her improved fitness.

“Right now I’m one of the fittest players in the world,” Kerber told CNN. “It’s strange, but it helps you really reach your goals at the end.”

CNN Open Court went inside the gym with Kerber to discuss how she gets Grand Slam fit, just in time for the final Slam of the year.

On this episode, WTA Insider Senior Writer Courtney Nguyen recaps last week’s action at the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy and Taiwan Open, where two veterans put their stamp on a week that was supposed to be all about the youth. You’ll hear from St. Petersburg champion Roberta Vinci, who crashed Belinda Bencic’s Top 10 debut party, beating the teenager in straight sets to win her first title since 2013.

We’ll also preview the upcoming week’s tournaments at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and the Rio Open. Brazil’s No.1 Teliana Pereira joins the podcast to discuss the current state of Brazilian tennis. Currently ranked No.43, Pereira became the first Brazlian woman to win a WTA title in 27 years last year when she won the Claro Open in Bogota, and picked up her second title later in they year on home soil in Florianopolis.

Pereira opens up about the unique experience of being a Brazilian tennis player, what it’s like playing in the immense shadow of Gustavo Kuerten, and her Rio Olympic hopes, which are still clouded in uncertainty.

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or any podcast app of your choice. Follow WTA Insider at @WTA_Insider.

Plenty of the stars have been relaxing over the Easter weekend – as best they can.

Andrea Petkovic isn’t impressed with the tweets she’s seen from a certain music festival.

There's no worse time or place to be on social media than Instagram during Coachella. We get it, you're a hippie! Now move along.

— Andrea Petkovic (@andreapetkovic) April 16, 2017

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Elena Vesnina have been at the soccer to see Spartak beat Zenit 2-1.

Ole ole oleole Спартак вперед!!✊?#холодинакакая#спасибозашарф @spartak_se pic.twitter.com/9s85liaRhB

— A. Pavlyuchenkova (@NastiaPav) April 16, 2017

Spartak-Zenit⚽️Спартак-Зенит⚽️Ваши прогнозы?Уже 1-0 Спартак? pic.twitter.com/Gn25OgWDaT

— Elena Vesnina (@EVesnina001) April 16, 2017

Christina McHale went to a different ball game – to watch the Yankees play the Cardinals.

Beautiful night for some baseball ??. Let's go Yankees !!!! pic.twitter.com/aT7Wbfbe2p

— Christina McHale (@ChristinaMcHale) April 17, 2017

Julia Boserup is just enjoying a beautiful view in Denmark.

Enjoying a few days in Copenhagen .. ? Cherry blossoms in full bloom pic.twitter.com/DMygMERzwP

— Julia Boserup (@juliaboserup) April 16, 2017

And Naomi Osaka is considering developing her tennis skills even further.

Does anyone know if mixed doubles is hard? Also, any opinions on it? Getting a bit curious.

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) April 16, 2017

Watch this space…