Tag: Tennis

Novak Djokovic Loses to Holger Rune, Again, This Time at Italian Open

ROME—Novak Djokovic sees a bit of himself in Holger Rune. The 20-year-old Rune is solid in nearly every area: A great mover and super fit physically, he’s strong off both his forehand and backhand, has good hands and is an aggressive returner. Perhaps that’s why Rune has now recorded two victories over Djokovic in little…


Djokovic Takes Issue With Norrie’s Behavior at Italian Open: ‘Not Fair Play’

ROME—Novak Djokovic’s angry glare made it clear how furious the 22-time Grand Slam champion was with his opponent. And it wasn’t just because Cameron Norrie hit him in the left calf with an overhead smash after Djokovic had already turned his back and conceded a point early in the second set of the Serb’s 6–3,…


Djokovic Tested by Etcheverry in Opening Italian Open Win; Swiatek Cruises

ROME—Novak Djokovic was tested by 61st-ranked Tomas Martin Etcheverry in a 7–6 (5), 6–2 opening win at the Italian Open on Friday. Aiming for a seventh title on the red clay of the Foro Italico as he prepares for the French Open, Djokovic twice had to recover from deficits during a tight first set. Djokovic…


Miami Champion Kvitova Withdraws From Italian Open

Petra Kvitova has withdrawn from next week’s Italian Open with an injury to her right foot, she said on social media on Saturday. The Czech world number 10, who won the Miami Open last month, added that she hopes to recover in time for the second Grand Slam of the year at the French Open….


Amanda Anisimova Announces Indefinite Break From Tennis

NEW YORK—The WTA Tour says Amanda Anisimova plans to take an indefinite break from tennis, citing burnout and concerns for her mental health. “I’ve really been struggling with my mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022,” the former world No. 21 American wrote on Instagram on Friday. “It’s become unbearable being at tennis…


Carlos Alcaraz Wins, Daniil Medvedev Falls in Madrid

Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the quarterfinals of the Mutua Madrid Open on Tuesday following a 6–1, 6–2 victory over 13th-seeded Alexander Zverev. Second-seeded Daniil Medvedev wasn’t as fortunate, however. The Russian dropped a 7–6 (1), 6–4 decision to countryman Aslan Karatsev in their fourth-round match. Alcaraz recorded five aces, broke Zverev’s serve on four…


Djokovic Can Return to US Open; Vaccine Mandate Ends May 11

Novak Djokovic can return to the U.S. Open this year after missing the tournament in 2022, because the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate for foreign air travelers ends next week. “Novak Djokovic is a great champion, a fan favorite, and now that the federal government has lifted its vaccine requirements for international travelers, we look…


Swiatek Beats Sabalenka in Straight Sets to Win Stuttgart Title

STUTTGART, Germany—World number one Iga Swiatek cruised past Aryna Sabalenka 6–3 6–4 to win the Stuttgart Open on Sunday in a repeat of last year’s final to confirm her status as a French Open favourite. The Pole, back from injury and gearing up for her French Open title defense next month, and world number two…


Djokovic to Miss Madrid Open, Say Organizers

Novak Djokovic has pulled out of next week’s Madrid Open, organizers said on Saturday, with the world number one tennis player joining Rafael Nadal on the sidelines. Djokovic, who was unable to play in the U.S. hardcourt swing earlier this year because he has not been vaccinated against COVID, was preparing for the clay season…


Djokovic Hoping to Hit Top Gear on Clay After Banja Luka Exit

Novak Djokovic was far from his best in his quarter-final defeat to Dusan Lajovic at the Srpska Open, but the Serb said he is still hopeful of finding his groove on clay before next month’s French Open. Djokovic had dropped just four games across his previous two meetings with compatriot Lajovic, but the world number…