Tag: Tennis

Novak Djokovic Withdraws From Tournaments in US Due to CDC Vaccination Rules

Tennis player Novak Djokovic announced Wednesday he will not be competing in the Indian Wells Open or Miami Open, citing his unvaccinated status in face of rules by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on requiring vaccines for noncitizens to enter the United States. “While I was automatically listed in the [Indian Wells…


Federer Says His Comeback Will Not Be Before Late Summer

LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland—Roger Federer said Saturday any tournament comeback from his knee surgery last year will not be until at least the late summer. The 40-year-old tennis great gave an update on his lengthy rehabilitation to Swiss broadcaster SRF when he attended a women’s World Cup ski race at Lenzerheide, where he has a home. It…


WTA’s Stance Over Chinese Player Peng Shuai Paves Way for Multi-Year Hologic Deal

The Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) stance in the case of Chinese player Peng Shuai has helped the organization secure a multi-year title sponsorship deal with American medical device maker Hologic, the governing body announced on Thursday. Peng’s well-being became a matter of concern after she posted a message on social media in November accusing former…


Zverev Fined $40,000, Loses Prize Money, Points for Outburst

ACAPULCO, Mexico—Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Alexander Zverev was fined $40,000 by the men’s professional tennis tour and will forfeit more than $30,000 in prize money and all rankings points from the Mexican Open after hitting the chair umpire’s stand with his racket following a loss in doubles. In addition to those penalties, the ATP announced…


Djokovic Loses World No.1 Ranking after Dubai Quarter Final Defeat

Novak Djokovic has lost his world number one ranking after suffering a shock defeat to world number 123, Czech Jiri Vesely, in his quarter-final in Dubai on Thursday. Playing in his first tournament since being deported from Australia, Djokovic needed to get as far as the semi-finals to retain his top ranking, but went down 6-4,…


Zverev Expelled From Acapulco for Assault on Umpire’s Chair After Doubles Loss

World number three Alexander Zverev was kicked out of the ATP 500 tournament in Acapulco for “unsportsmanlike conduct” after smashing his racket repeatedly against the umpire’s chair following a double defeat. The German later apologised for his behaviour after he and Brazil’s Marcelo Melo lost 6-2 4-6 (10-6) to the British-Finn pair of Lloyd Glasspool…


Djokovic Eager to Play Again in Dubai After Deportation From Australia

DUBAI—Novak Djokovic was looking forward to kick-starting his 2022 season in Dubai following his deportation from Australia, and said he would be the first to congratulate U.S. Open champion Danil Medvedev if the Russian ends his two-year reign at the top of the world rankings this week. The 34-year-old Serbian will play competitively on Monday…


Djokovic Says He’s Willing to ‘Pay the Price’ and Miss Out on Grand Slam Trophies to Avoid COVID Vaccine

Novak Djokovic has said he would rather miss out on participating in future tennis competitions than be forced to get vaccinated against COVID-19, saying that “is the price I am willing to pay.” In an interview with the BBC, the tennis pro, who has not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, was asked if he was willing to…


ATP Roundup: Diego Schwartzman Reaches Buenos Aires Quarters

Second-seeded Diego Schwartzman of Argentina produced hot streaks in both tiebreakers and emerged with a 7–6 (2), 7–6 (4) win over Spain’s Jaume Munar on Thursday in the second round of the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires. The first-set tiebreaker was level 2–2 before Schwartzman won the next five points. In the second-set tiebreaker, Schwartzman…


French Reporter Describes Peng Shuai’s First Media Interview as ‘Propaganda’

After interviewing Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, a French reporter with sports newspaper L’Equipe said on Tuesday the restrictive interview was likely part of a propaganda effort by the Chinese regime. Marc Ventouillac was one of the two French reporters who were the first western media to speak with Peng after she made online accusations…