Tennis News

Djokovic adds name to star-studded Doha field

Novak Djokovic has committed to the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, the tournament announced on social media Wednesday.

The Doha tournament will be elevated from an ATP 250 to an ATP 500 event from 2025. Its field so far includes Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev.

Djokovic, who won the Doha title in 2016 and 2017, will make his fifth appearance in Qatar and first since 2018. The Serbian holds a 15-2 tournament record.

The 37-year-old, No. 7 in the PIF ATP Rankings, is one trophy shy of his 100th tour-level title. The Qatar ExxonMobil Open runs from 17-22 February.

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Kyrgios inching closer to Brisbane return

Nick Kyrgios is preparing for the Brisbane International presented by Evie, where he will compete in his first tournament in more than 18 months.

The ATP 250 event shared footage on social media of the 29-year-old practising in Brisbane Thursday.

Kyrgios reached the Wimbledon final in 2022 and played just one match the following year due to injury.

Making his third Brisbane appearance, the home favourite lifted the trophy in 2018. Kyrgios is a seven-time tour-level champion who has been as high as No. 13 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

The Brisbane International presented by Evie runs from 29 December – 5 January.

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Berrettini's bounceback earns him 2024 Comeback Player of the Year honours

Matteo Berrettini has been named Comeback Player of the Year in the 2024 ATP Awards after returning from six months on the sidelines to win three tour-level trophies this season. The Italian’s peers selected him for the honour after he rose from a low of No. 154 back into the Top 40 of the PIF ATP Rankings.

“I’m just so happy to win the Comeback Player of the Year award,” Berrettini said in a message to fans. “Thank you very much for the support. It was a great season, a great effort for me and my team. Obviously so happy for the results that we achieved and I cannot wait to step on the court in 2025 to get more success. 

“Thanks again for your support. Without you guys, the fans, it wouldn’t be possible.”

After an injury-riddled 2023 season, which ended after the US Open due to a ruptured ankle ligament, Berrettini was set to return at the 2024 Australian Open alongside new coach Francisco Roig. But on the eve of his opening match at the Melbourne major, he was forced to withdraw with a new foot injury.

He finally came back to competition in March, when he reached the final at an ATP Challenger Tour event in Phoenix in his first event back. After dropping a three-setter to Andy Murray in Miami, Berrettini re-announced himself on the ATP Tour by winning the ATP 250 in Marrakech.

The Italian’s progress was once again slowed by illness, but he returned from a two-month hiatus in style by reaching the Stuttgart final in June in his first event back. In July, he rattled off a 10-match win streak to claim back-to-back titles in Gstaad and Kitzbuhel. His three clay-court titles this season brought his tour-level trophy count up to 10.

“When you’re not able to do your job and what you like to do, then it’s always a struggle. So I’m really appreciating every moment that I have to spend on court, to perform and give my best,” he told the press at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. “I know it’s a process. I did a great job this year to build up again my ranking, and I’m feeling good.”

Berrettini finished the season with a 32-12 record and closed his campaign by helping Italy retain its Davis Cup title, notching crucial singles wins in the final two rounds.

Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori were also nominated for Comeback Player of the Year in the 2024 ATP Awards. Nominees are determined by an International Tennis Writers’ Association (ITWA) vote, with the winner selected by players from the shortlist.

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Berrettini named PIF’s new tennis ambassador

Matteo Berrettini will represent Public Investment Fund (PIF) as its new tennis ambassador, both parties announced on Monday.

The Italian star will aim to support PIF’s mission of elevating the game, nurturing young talent and creating opportunities at all levels.

“I think it’s something that goes beyond tennis and not just my tennis career, but makes tennis and other sports bigger and better and more accessible to all the people around the world,” the 28-year-old said in an Instagram video.

“As a PIF ambassador, one of my roles is to inspire the next generation, the youth, the kids. Together with PIF, I’m going to be able to do that and this is one of the greatest things that I can do.”

Berrettini, 28, is a 10-time tour-level titlist. This season alone, he earned three titles, lifting trophies in Marrakech, Gstaad and Kitzbühel. Berrettini was named the 2024 ATP Comeback Player of the Year. The 2021 Wimbledon finalist has been as high as No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Earlier this year, ATP and PIF unveiled a multi-year strategic partnership, signifying a shared commitment to enhance global tennis. The ATP partnership forms part of PIF’s broader sponsorship platform, investing in people, projects and partnerships with an emphasis on the brand’s four pillars: inclusivity, sustainability, youth and technology.

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Mpetshi Perricard named Most Improved Player of the Year in 2024 ATP Awards

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has been selected by his peers as the Most Improved Player of the Year in the 2024 ATP Awards. The 21-year-old Frenchman earned this honour after winning his first two tour-level titles this season and rising from outside the Top 200 to a career-high PIF ATP Ranking of No. 30.

“I’m very happy to win the Most Improved Player award,” Mpetshi Perricard said. “It was a good year for me and my team. Now we are looking [forward to] 2025.”

See you back on court soon 👋@MpetshiG | #ATPAwards 🥳 pic.twitter.com/SdcLtABDiN

— ATP Tour (@atptour) December 12, 2024

Having played just five tour-level matches prior to 2024, Mpetshi Perricard posted a 16-12 record this season. In his first ATP Tour main draw appearance of 2024, he completed a storybook run to the title in his hometown of Lyon.

As a wild card at the ATP 250, he saved a match point against Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the final before winning a dramatic third-set tie-break for the trophy.

“It means a lot. A lot of dedication, a lot of hard training, a lot of questions about my game,” Mpetshi Perricard said after his victory. “But I’m very happy to win this one in Lyon especially, my hometown.”

A regular on the ATP Tour since that triumph, which earned him his Top 100 breakthrough in the PIF ATP Rankings, the big-serving Frenchman backed up his maiden title with a second trophy in Basel in October. Across his runs in Lyon and Basel, Mpetshi Perricard earned five Top 30 wins, including straight-sets victories against Felix Auger-Aliassime, Holger Rune and Ben Shelton at the Basel ATP 500.

Back on home soil at the Rolex Paris Masters, he beat Frances Tiafoe before closing the season at World No. 31 — 175 places higher than he started the year in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Jack Draper, Tomas Machac and Alejandro Tabilo were also nominated for Most Improved Player of the Year in the 2024 ATP Awards. Nominees are determined by an International Tennis Writers’ Association (ITWA) vote, with the winner selected by players from the shortlist.

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Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly star as the iconic double act

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy reunite for a variety hall tour of Britain in 1953

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Injured Draper cancels Alcaraz training week

British number one Jack Draper cancells a training week with Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz because of a hip injury.

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ATP Challenger Tour prize money soars to record $28.5m for 2025, rising 135% since 2022

The ATP has announced a record $28.5 million in ATP Challenger Tour prize money for the 2025 season – up $6.2 million year on year and 135 per cent since 2022. The increases are the result of major Challenger Tour reforms delivered under OneVision – ATP’s long-term strategic plan – to expand the number of players able to make a sustainable living from tennis.

A central driver of prize money increases has been the formation of Tennis Data Innovations (TDI) and the successful commercialisation of Challenger Tour rights. Calendar enhancements have helped drive growth, through the introduction of premium Challenger 175 events and a rise in the number of higher category Challenger 100 and 125 events.

Under OneVision, ATP has established a dedicated Challenger Tour team with new leadership to oversee growth and new revenue opportunities. Significant investment in marketing, headlined by the launch of the Challenger Tour’s ‘On The Rise’ brand campaign, has played an important role in enhancing the visibility and commercial appeal of the Tour.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said: “Creating a sustainable player pathway to the ATP Tour is vital for the future of our sport. Since 2022, we’ve invested in significant reforms on the Challenger Tour. The results have been clear: record-breaking prize money, year on year increases and most importantly, more players inside the Top 250 provided with greater financial compensation at this level.”

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‘Immense respect’: Mensik salutes students, teachers after visit to his brother’s school

Jakub Mensik’s rise up the PIF ATP Rankings has happened at lightning speed, but the #NextGenATP Czech has not lost perspective when it comes to appreciating where he comes from and what he has.

Mensik on Tuesday visited JISTOTA School in his hometown of Prostejov, Czechia. The 19-year-old, whose brother Lukas is a student at the school, later paid tribute to the students and teachers he had met.

Mensik wrote on Instagram: “I’m living my dream – I play tennis matches at prestigious tournaments, meet legends I looked up to as a child and still admire today, travel a lot, and get to know fascinating places and cultures. I’m incredibly fortunate not only to do what I love but, most importantly, to be healthy!

“I know not everyone is so lucky, and I’m reminded of this every day, not only because of my amazing brother, who has autism spectrum disorder, but also because of his classmates, whom I had the privilege of visiting during class today.

“These incredible young people are true fighters, facing adversity daily with remarkable effort, perseverance, and positivity. They work hard on themselves, supported by their incredible teachers and assistants, much like I work with my own team.”

pic.twitter.com/XEkN1MMSNI

— Jakub Mensik (@mensik_jakub_) December 10, 2024

True to the spirit of the holiday season, Mensik also made a call for kindness.

“I deeply admire the dedication of everyone involved, whether students or educators, and I’m grateful to contribute in my own way – whether it’s supporting their rehabilitation, providing aids, or helping them experience moments that bring them closer to their dreams,” he wrote.

“I have immense respect for everyone at JISTOTA School, which cares for 76 pupils and students. Thank you, JISTOTA School, for the vital work you do.

“This holiday season, let’s come together to make a difference. No matter how big or small, every act of kindness matters, and doing something is always better than doing nothing. Take a moment to support a cause close to your heart; even the smallest gesture can bring hope and joy to someone in need.”

Mensik, who finished 2024 at a career-high No. 48 in the PIF ATP Rankings, will next compete at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah, which begins on 18 December.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

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De Minaur, Ebden awarded Newcombe Medal for 2024

Alex de Minaur and Matthew Ebden both hit some standout milestones in 2024. On Monday night in Melbourne, Tennis Australia recognised the duo’s on-court achievements this year by awarding them both the 2024 Newcombe Medal.

De Minaur and Ebden were presented with the prestigious award, which is named after the former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings John Newcombe. It is the highest individual honour in Australian tennis and is awarded annually to the country’s most outstanding elite player and ambassador for the sport. This year, De Minaur and Ebden shared the award in recognition of their resepctive outstanding achievements on the global stage.

De Minaur racked up a 47-21 match record in 2024, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, and reached a career-high No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings in July. The 25-year-old, who won tour-level crowns in Acapulco and ‘s-Hertogenbosch to take his career tally of ATP Tour titles to nine, also made his Nitto ATP Finals debut in Turin in November.

“I’m so proud and happy to win the Newcombe Medal award again, and want to say how much I appreciate it, and also being able to share it with Matt,” said De Minaur via video link from London. “It’s been an incredible year for Australian tennis and I’m just so happy to be part of it. I’d like to congratulate Matt, who’s done amazing things this year, and his team – the Olympic gold medal was a highlight, as well as all the other nominees tonight.

“I’d like to thank Tennis Australia, John Newcombe and everyone who has made this possible. Let’s all fight to have an even better year in 2025.”

While it was a third Newcombe Medal for the current World No. 9 De Minaur, doubles star Ebden was delighted after receiving the prestigious prize for the first time. The 37-year-old won the Australian Open alongside Rohan Bopanna in January, rose to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings for the first time in February, and later claimed the gold medal at the Paris Olympics with John Peers.

“It’s a bit surreal, to be honest. I’ve been nominated a few times over the years and never thought I’d actually win,” said Ebden. “I am proud and happy because I look back on the year and honestly, I put everything out there at all times and was able to get some great achievements.

“It’s hard to digest and reflect on all the great things that have been happening this year. I’m just super grateful that they’ve happened. To cap it off with this award, and to be recognised, not just for this year, but I feel for 20 years of hard work and just improving little bit by little bit over all the years, it’s probably led me to this.”

Both De Minaur and Ebden will begin their 2025 season on home soil at the United Cup, where Australia will compete in Sydney. The host country of the mixed teams event will take on Argentina and Great Britain in group play as it looks to better its semi-final run from 2024.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

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