After much anticipation, Emma Raducanu is officially part of the 2024 Australian Open main draw after a series of withdrawals.
For much of the offseason, it looked like Emma Raducanu would be forced to play the Australian Open qualifiers as her special ranking was insufficient to enter the main draw directly.
As the season approached and players started to withdraw a small chance for the Brit to play at the event without having to play the qualifiers appeared.
She needed quite a few withdrawals, hence why the chance was small but ultimately, it happened. Players like Petra Kvitova contributed to that as she withdrew recently, but the final withdrawal came thanks to Lauren Davis, who was forced to pull out due to a shoulder injury.
Raducanu is now officially in as confirmed by the official entry list available on the website of the event. Number 103 on the entry list with her...
For much of the offseason, it looked like Emma Raducanu would be forced to play the Australian Open qualifiers as her special ranking was insufficient to enter the main draw directly.
As the season approached and players started to withdraw a small chance for the Brit to play at the event without having to play the qualifiers appeared.
She needed quite a few withdrawals, hence why the chance was small but ultimately, it happened. Players like Petra Kvitova contributed to that as she withdrew recently, but the final withdrawal came thanks to Lauren Davis, who was forced to pull out due to a shoulder injury.
Raducanu is now officially in as confirmed by the official entry list available on the website of the event. Number 103 on the entry list with her...
- 1/3/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Petra Kvitova is officially out of the 2024 Australian Open after announcing her pregnancy recently, which is obviously the reason for the withdrawal.
It will be a while before we see Petra Kvitova back on the tennis courts as the Czech player recently announced her pregnancy. The veteran has now officially withdrawn from the first of many events that will follow as she embarks on a new chapter of her life.
Most probably, becoming a mother has been something she's thought about for a long time, and now is the time. After years of putting tennis first, Kvitova is slowly creating the type of life she wants by getting married last year and now expecting her first child.
She's been quite aware of her career slowly coming to an end in recent years, so it's not something she's not ready for. Runs like the one in Miami last year certainly prove...
It will be a while before we see Petra Kvitova back on the tennis courts as the Czech player recently announced her pregnancy. The veteran has now officially withdrawn from the first of many events that will follow as she embarks on a new chapter of her life.
Most probably, becoming a mother has been something she's thought about for a long time, and now is the time. After years of putting tennis first, Kvitova is slowly creating the type of life she wants by getting married last year and now expecting her first child.
She's been quite aware of her career slowly coming to an end in recent years, so it's not something she's not ready for. Runs like the one in Miami last year certainly prove...
- 1/2/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
It seemed all but given that Emma Raducanu would have to play the Australian Open qualifiers to play in Melbourne, but she might not, as she's only one withdrawal away from getting in.
Raducanu missed much of 2023 due to several injuries that were surgically repaired. She had a triple surgery, which obviously took a long time to rehab. A few setbacks pushed her return back, so she only returned recently in Auckland.
That inactivity affected her ranking, which plummeted quite a bit, leaving her unable to enter the event without having to play the qualifiers. That was weeks ago, but today, the situation is quite different.
Due to multiple withdrawals, Raducanu found herself closer to the main draw with each today. As of Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024, Raducanu is only one withdrawal away from getting into the main draw.
Petra Kvitova's withdrawal announcement got her in that position, and now...
Raducanu missed much of 2023 due to several injuries that were surgically repaired. She had a triple surgery, which obviously took a long time to rehab. A few setbacks pushed her return back, so she only returned recently in Auckland.
That inactivity affected her ranking, which plummeted quite a bit, leaving her unable to enter the event without having to play the qualifiers. That was weeks ago, but today, the situation is quite different.
Due to multiple withdrawals, Raducanu found herself closer to the main draw with each today. As of Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024, Raducanu is only one withdrawal away from getting into the main draw.
Petra Kvitova's withdrawal announcement got her in that position, and now...
- 1/2/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Iga Swiatek's second stint as World No. 1 shows no signs of ending anytime soon as the Pole built a cushion over her closest challenger, Aryna Sabalenka.
After last year's US Open, Swiatek had relinquished the World No. 1 ranking to Sabalenka. But the Belarusian's reign lasted for just eight weeks before the 22-year-old Warsaw native bounced back spectacularly with title wins in Beijing and Cancun.
The victory over Sabalenka at the Wta Finals semifinal proved critical for Swiatek because she would demolish Jessica Pegula in the final to reclaim the No. 1 ranking. Swiatek pipped Sabalenka to the top by just 245 points in the year-end rankings.
But at the turn of the year, Swiatek added 210 points this week thanks to a new Wta rule of points allocation. Previously, a Wta player's ranking was determined by the results in a maximum of 16 tournaments and the Wta Finals if they qualified.
But that...
After last year's US Open, Swiatek had relinquished the World No. 1 ranking to Sabalenka. But the Belarusian's reign lasted for just eight weeks before the 22-year-old Warsaw native bounced back spectacularly with title wins in Beijing and Cancun.
The victory over Sabalenka at the Wta Finals semifinal proved critical for Swiatek because she would demolish Jessica Pegula in the final to reclaim the No. 1 ranking. Swiatek pipped Sabalenka to the top by just 245 points in the year-end rankings.
But at the turn of the year, Swiatek added 210 points this week thanks to a new Wta rule of points allocation. Previously, a Wta player's ranking was determined by the results in a maximum of 16 tournaments and the Wta Finals if they qualified.
But that...
- 1/2/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Mothers Elina Svitolina and Caroline Wozniacki met at the 2024 Asb Classic in Auckland, and it could have been a winning start to the new Wta season only for one.
It's not often that mothers get to meet in a match on the Wta Tour, as there are not so many currently, but recently, the trend has changed, and more and more mothers are returning to the sport after their pregnancy.
The two are prime examples, but it's important not to forget the likes of Victoria Azarenka, who was one of the first mothers in recent history to return to tennis. Now, another player made a comeback as mother, when Naomi Osaka won her first match back.
Soon, the mother's club on the women's Tour will likely be joined by Petra Kvitova, who announced her pregnancy on January 1st, 2024. But another mother returned to the sport just recently, as Caroline Wozniacki made a surprising return.
It's not often that mothers get to meet in a match on the Wta Tour, as there are not so many currently, but recently, the trend has changed, and more and more mothers are returning to the sport after their pregnancy.
The two are prime examples, but it's important not to forget the likes of Victoria Azarenka, who was one of the first mothers in recent history to return to tennis. Now, another player made a comeback as mother, when Naomi Osaka won her first match back.
Soon, the mother's club on the women's Tour will likely be joined by Petra Kvitova, who announced her pregnancy on January 1st, 2024. But another mother returned to the sport just recently, as Caroline Wozniacki made a surprising return.
- 1/2/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Petra Kvitova is expecting her first child after revealing the pleasant news on her Instagram on New Year's Day.
The two-time Wimbledon champion has been away from the tour since the start of October 2023, when she lost a second-round match at the China Open to Liudmila Samsonova. Having qualified for the Wta Elite Trophy, Kvitova withdrew from the consideration of competing at the tournament.
With tennis fans questioning about a possible injury, considering that she hasn't signed up to play in any Australian Open warm-up tournaments, Kvitova has finally spilled the beans about her supposed silence in one post on social media.
"On the first day of 2024 I wanted to wish you a happy new year and share the exciting news that Jiri and I will be welcoming a baby into our family this summer!"
Kvitova wed her longtime coach, Jiri Vanek, at Statek Oblik, a resort in the Bohemian Highlands,...
The two-time Wimbledon champion has been away from the tour since the start of October 2023, when she lost a second-round match at the China Open to Liudmila Samsonova. Having qualified for the Wta Elite Trophy, Kvitova withdrew from the consideration of competing at the tournament.
With tennis fans questioning about a possible injury, considering that she hasn't signed up to play in any Australian Open warm-up tournaments, Kvitova has finally spilled the beans about her supposed silence in one post on social media.
"On the first day of 2024 I wanted to wish you a happy new year and share the exciting news that Jiri and I will be welcoming a baby into our family this summer!"
Kvitova wed her longtime coach, Jiri Vanek, at Statek Oblik, a resort in the Bohemian Highlands,...
- 1/1/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Emma Raducanu is inching ever closer to having her name in the Australian Open main draw without the need to play qualifying.
Raducanu, currently ranked outside the world's Top 200, is slated to play the Australian Open qualifying rounds because her Special Ranking (World No. 103) is not high enough to warrant an automatic main draw berth.
A Special Ranking (Sr) is a provision that the Wta Tour gives to injured players or those on maternity leave (subject to application and approval) who are out of action for not less than six months to use the actual ranking of the last tournament in which they played or receive prize money.
Raducnau's Sr of 103 would have qualified her for the year's first Grand Slam. However, the cut-off entry at the 2024 Australian Open has been lowered due to a stack of Special Ranking entrants with double-digit rankings (higher than Raducanu's).
Therefore, the British tennis...
Raducanu, currently ranked outside the world's Top 200, is slated to play the Australian Open qualifying rounds because her Special Ranking (World No. 103) is not high enough to warrant an automatic main draw berth.
A Special Ranking (Sr) is a provision that the Wta Tour gives to injured players or those on maternity leave (subject to application and approval) who are out of action for not less than six months to use the actual ranking of the last tournament in which they played or receive prize money.
Raducnau's Sr of 103 would have qualified her for the year's first Grand Slam. However, the cut-off entry at the 2024 Australian Open has been lowered due to a stack of Special Ranking entrants with double-digit rankings (higher than Raducanu's).
Therefore, the British tennis...
- 12/26/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Women's tennis could experience a major shakeup in rankings next season, with plenty of interesting names expected to make their mark.
Teenagers have not been left out of contending for the biggest Wta titles in the past few seasons. In four of the past five years, at least one teenager has won a Grand Slam, and there is a good chance that trend will continue next season.
But Grand Slams are not the only metric to determine a player's breakthrough. A Top 10 or even Top 20 win that serves as a catalyst to a productive season is well worthy of being classified in that category.
In this article, we shall list five of the likeliest teenagers who could enjoy a breakthrough year on the women's tour, culminating with a new career-high ranking and potentially even making quite the splash at Grand Slam level.
5. Brenda Fruhvirtova (16 years old)
Brenda Fruhvirtova, younger sister of Linda Fruhvirtova,...
Teenagers have not been left out of contending for the biggest Wta titles in the past few seasons. In four of the past five years, at least one teenager has won a Grand Slam, and there is a good chance that trend will continue next season.
But Grand Slams are not the only metric to determine a player's breakthrough. A Top 10 or even Top 20 win that serves as a catalyst to a productive season is well worthy of being classified in that category.
In this article, we shall list five of the likeliest teenagers who could enjoy a breakthrough year on the women's tour, culminating with a new career-high ranking and potentially even making quite the splash at Grand Slam level.
5. Brenda Fruhvirtova (16 years old)
Brenda Fruhvirtova, younger sister of Linda Fruhvirtova,...
- 12/18/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Jessica Pegula's mileage between tournaments is among the highest by any Wta player in 2023, and she averaged one match every 2.29 days.
Pegula's 2023 campaign began even before the turn of the new year, when she played her first match at the United Cup on December 30, 2022. Pegula's season which ended on November 6, 2023, lasted an incredible 311 days.
She played 136 matches across all levels, which is the most on the Wta tour in 2023, ranging from singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. The interesting part is that she played in the first match and last possible match of the Wta season.
Pegula opened play at the United Cup with a defeat to Petra Kvitova, but that didn't prevent the United States from winning the inaugural mixed-gender team competition. Of the 136 matches she played last season, Pegula won 76 in singles with a win rate of 76.6%.
The American won two titles in singles, one at the Wta...
Pegula's 2023 campaign began even before the turn of the new year, when she played her first match at the United Cup on December 30, 2022. Pegula's season which ended on November 6, 2023, lasted an incredible 311 days.
She played 136 matches across all levels, which is the most on the Wta tour in 2023, ranging from singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. The interesting part is that she played in the first match and last possible match of the Wta season.
Pegula opened play at the United Cup with a defeat to Petra Kvitova, but that didn't prevent the United States from winning the inaugural mixed-gender team competition. Of the 136 matches she played last season, Pegula won 76 in singles with a win rate of 76.6%.
The American won two titles in singles, one at the Wta...
- 12/18/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Aryna Sabalenka was named the women's Itf World Champion for the 2023 season, but some fans were surprised that it wasn't world no. 1 on the Wta Tour, Iga Swiatek.
The 25-year-old had the best season of her career, and she was recognized for her efforts. However, the question is obvious, why was Sabalenka named the women's Itf World Champion if she didn't finish the year as world no. 1?
The first important fact to mention is that the year-end world no. 1 does not receive the Itf World Champion award every time. In the world of tennis, the Women's Tennis Association (Wta), or Association of Tennis Professionals (Atp), takes care of the tournaments from the 1000 to 250 category.
However, it's another governing body, the International Tennis Federation (Itf), that takes care of the Grand Slam tournaments, meaning those are important when it comes to their awards, and that was a factor this year.
While Sabalenka won one major,...
The 25-year-old had the best season of her career, and she was recognized for her efforts. However, the question is obvious, why was Sabalenka named the women's Itf World Champion if she didn't finish the year as world no. 1?
The first important fact to mention is that the year-end world no. 1 does not receive the Itf World Champion award every time. In the world of tennis, the Women's Tennis Association (Wta), or Association of Tennis Professionals (Atp), takes care of the tournaments from the 1000 to 250 category.
However, it's another governing body, the International Tennis Federation (Itf), that takes care of the Grand Slam tournaments, meaning those are important when it comes to their awards, and that was a factor this year.
While Sabalenka won one major,...
- 12/15/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Despite missing the whole calendar year due to a doping ban, Simona Halep surprisingly ranked 13th in the latest Utr rankings.
The Utr (Universal Tennis Rating) is a global rating system that provides a real and accurate measurement of the skill level of all tennis players regardless of age, gender, or location of any match they play. It has a rating scale between 1.00 to 16.50.
A player with an index of 1.00 is usually a beginner, while a high-level pro normally has a double-digit rating. The Utr gives the greatest weighting to match results and considers the quality of opposition a player will face rather than the number of matches they play.
So, in hindsight, the higher the Utr, the greater the skill level. Utr differs from official rankings, which is why Simona Halep, currently unranked in the Wta rankings due to her inactivity ( banned for up to four years for doping...
The Utr (Universal Tennis Rating) is a global rating system that provides a real and accurate measurement of the skill level of all tennis players regardless of age, gender, or location of any match they play. It has a rating scale between 1.00 to 16.50.
A player with an index of 1.00 is usually a beginner, while a high-level pro normally has a double-digit rating. The Utr gives the greatest weighting to match results and considers the quality of opposition a player will face rather than the number of matches they play.
So, in hindsight, the higher the Utr, the greater the skill level. Utr differs from official rankings, which is why Simona Halep, currently unranked in the Wta rankings due to her inactivity ( banned for up to four years for doping...
- 12/5/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Elena Rybakina will now play two tuneup events in the build to the 2024 Australian Open after her participation at the Adelaide International was confirmed by the tournament.
The news of Rybakina's involvement at the Wta 500 event couldn't have been more timely for incoming tournament director Alicia Molik. The former Australian tennis player served as the country's Billie Jean King Cup captain for a decade and left that role at this year's Finals.
Rybakina is the first marquee Wta player who has chosen to play in this tournament in 2024, which will run from January 8 to 13. Historically, she has played her best tennis Down Under, winning one of her five career singles titles on Australian soil (2019 Hobart).
The 24-year-old was also a runner-up at the Adelaide International in 2022 where she lost to Ashleigh Barty. She came up short in her second Grand Slam final at the 2023 Australian Open to Aryna Sabalenka. All...
The news of Rybakina's involvement at the Wta 500 event couldn't have been more timely for incoming tournament director Alicia Molik. The former Australian tennis player served as the country's Billie Jean King Cup captain for a decade and left that role at this year's Finals.
Rybakina is the first marquee Wta player who has chosen to play in this tournament in 2024, which will run from January 8 to 13. Historically, she has played her best tennis Down Under, winning one of her five career singles titles on Australian soil (2019 Hobart).
The 24-year-old was also a runner-up at the Adelaide International in 2022 where she lost to Ashleigh Barty. She came up short in her second Grand Slam final at the 2023 Australian Open to Aryna Sabalenka. All...
- 11/30/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek was among a handful of Top 100 players who did not play doubles in Wta competitions for a full calendar year this season.
In fact, the Polish star hasn't featured in Wta doubles since 2021 when she partnered five-time Grand Slams doubles champion Bethanie Mattek-Sands in Indian Wells which was held in October due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier that same season, Swiatek reached the Roland Garros doubles final together with the American where they would lose to Czech pair Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova. The 22-year-old has elected to focus on her singles career since the start of 2022.
And that decision has bore fruits for Swiatek who became World No. 1 for the first time in April and has reigned for more than 75 weeks. It is worth noting that Swiatek played mixed doubles with Hubert Hurkacz at the inaugural United Cup, but not doubles at Wta-level tournaments.
Other...
In fact, the Polish star hasn't featured in Wta doubles since 2021 when she partnered five-time Grand Slams doubles champion Bethanie Mattek-Sands in Indian Wells which was held in October due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier that same season, Swiatek reached the Roland Garros doubles final together with the American where they would lose to Czech pair Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova. The 22-year-old has elected to focus on her singles career since the start of 2022.
And that decision has bore fruits for Swiatek who became World No. 1 for the first time in April and has reigned for more than 75 weeks. It is worth noting that Swiatek played mixed doubles with Hubert Hurkacz at the inaugural United Cup, but not doubles at Wta-level tournaments.
Other...
- 11/25/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Iga Swiatek is back on her perch once again after a successful week in Cancun, Mexico, culminating with a Monday final, which she won in devastating fashion.
The Polish star won the Wta Finals for the first time in her career and reclaimed the World No. 1 from Aryna Sabalenka. Swiatek ends the season with 9,295 points, beating the Belarusian to top spot by a mere 245 points in one of the tightest finishes to a Wta season.
19-year-old Coco Gauff will crown her breakthrough year at Grand Slam level with a Top 3 year-end ranking. The American young sensation won her maiden major title at the US Oepn and was a semifinalist at this year's season finale in Cancun.
Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula complete the Top 5. Ons Jabeur and Marketa Vondrousova failed to qualify from their group but still finished sixth and seventh in the rankings. Czech players dominate the world's Top 20.
Aside from Vondrousova,...
The Polish star won the Wta Finals for the first time in her career and reclaimed the World No. 1 from Aryna Sabalenka. Swiatek ends the season with 9,295 points, beating the Belarusian to top spot by a mere 245 points in one of the tightest finishes to a Wta season.
19-year-old Coco Gauff will crown her breakthrough year at Grand Slam level with a Top 3 year-end ranking. The American young sensation won her maiden major title at the US Oepn and was a semifinalist at this year's season finale in Cancun.
Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula complete the Top 5. Ons Jabeur and Marketa Vondrousova failed to qualify from their group but still finished sixth and seventh in the rankings. Czech players dominate the world's Top 20.
Aside from Vondrousova,...
- 11/7/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Iga Swiatek finished the year just the way she started - as the Wta's No. 1 after usurping Aryna Sabalenka, whose short-lived first stint at the top, ended in just two months.
Swiatek will begin her 76th week as World No. 1 after adapting better than everybody else in Cancun, Mexico, where she emerged triumphant at the end of a chaotic week at the year-end championships.
Just 630 points separated the world's top two players heading to the final Wta event of the season. Iga Swiatek knew anything less than a title win would be insufficient to overturn Sabalenka's lead.
The Belarusian failed to top her group which lessened her chances of keeping top spot beyond eight weeks. She earned an early date with Swiatek in the semifinal. Sabalenka had a straight shootout at the world No. 1 ranking, but her best tennis gave up on her.
Swiatek, imperious from her opening match, sliced...
Swiatek will begin her 76th week as World No. 1 after adapting better than everybody else in Cancun, Mexico, where she emerged triumphant at the end of a chaotic week at the year-end championships.
Just 630 points separated the world's top two players heading to the final Wta event of the season. Iga Swiatek knew anything less than a title win would be insufficient to overturn Sabalenka's lead.
The Belarusian failed to top her group which lessened her chances of keeping top spot beyond eight weeks. She earned an early date with Swiatek in the semifinal. Sabalenka had a straight shootout at the world No. 1 ranking, but her best tennis gave up on her.
Swiatek, imperious from her opening match, sliced...
- 11/7/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
When Naomi Osaka left the tour on her maternity leave nearly almost 12 months ago, some of her most important pillars in the coaching team moved on to pursue other ventures.
Wim Fisette, her tennis coach, had actually left the role by mutual consent six months earlier. Under the Belgian's tutelage, Osaka won two of her four Grand Slam titles.
When she relayed the news of her pregnancy in January 2023, her performance coach, Florian Zitzelsberger, had left his role to work with German player Jule Niemeier.
But since giving birth to her first child and embarking on the long road to full fitness ahead of the new season , Osaka decided to assemble the same band that steered her to success both on and off the court. Because Osaka's relationship with both coaches was still on good terms, she went the extra mile to rehire them.
The Japanese star brought back Wim...
Wim Fisette, her tennis coach, had actually left the role by mutual consent six months earlier. Under the Belgian's tutelage, Osaka won two of her four Grand Slam titles.
When she relayed the news of her pregnancy in January 2023, her performance coach, Florian Zitzelsberger, had left his role to work with German player Jule Niemeier.
But since giving birth to her first child and embarking on the long road to full fitness ahead of the new season , Osaka decided to assemble the same band that steered her to success both on and off the court. Because Osaka's relationship with both coaches was still on good terms, she went the extra mile to rehire them.
The Japanese star brought back Wim...
- 11/3/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Elena Rybakina will finish the 2023 Wta season as the only woman who won multiple Wta 1000 titles.
The big-serving Kazakh captured her first title at this level in Indian Wells during the spring, beating Aryna Sabalenka in a rematch of the Australian Open final just a few months earlier. She got her revenge over the Belarusian in a pulsating final, taking the first-set tiebreak 13-11 en route to a straight-sets win .
Since the Wta 1000 category was incepted in 2009 (initially called Premier tournaments), the best performance by a Kazakh player was a semifinal finish. But victory in the California desert in March earned the 24-year-old a place in the history books, becoming the first Kazakhstani player to win a Wta 1000 title.
Rybakina was victorious at the Italian Open too where she preserved her undefeated streak against Iga Swiatek this season in the quarterfinals. She received a stroke of good fortune, earning three...
The big-serving Kazakh captured her first title at this level in Indian Wells during the spring, beating Aryna Sabalenka in a rematch of the Australian Open final just a few months earlier. She got her revenge over the Belarusian in a pulsating final, taking the first-set tiebreak 13-11 en route to a straight-sets win .
Since the Wta 1000 category was incepted in 2009 (initially called Premier tournaments), the best performance by a Kazakh player was a semifinal finish. But victory in the California desert in March earned the 24-year-old a place in the history books, becoming the first Kazakhstani player to win a Wta 1000 title.
Rybakina was victorious at the Italian Open too where she preserved her undefeated streak against Iga Swiatek this season in the quarterfinals. She received a stroke of good fortune, earning three...
- 10/23/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Only 19-year-old Coco Gauff was named as the most marketable tennis player currently competing on the Wta Tour.
Coco Gauff is the name that everyone has been talking about for years, but in 2023, the teenager finally made her mark on the Grand Slam stage. The 19-year-old won the 2023 US Open , and her name appeared in the news even more than before.
For many years, practically since breaking through at the Wimbledon as a 15-year-old, the teenager has been dubbed as one of the biggest talents in the sport, and with it comes also the popularity.
Therefore, it's not a surprise that shortly after her success and becoming a superstar , Gauff was named as the most marketable female tennis player on SportPro 's annual list of the most marketable athletes.
Novak Djokovic, was the highest-ranked tennis player, scoring 87.96 out of 100 points and ranking 11th, and Gauff was as close as it...
Coco Gauff is the name that everyone has been talking about for years, but in 2023, the teenager finally made her mark on the Grand Slam stage. The 19-year-old won the 2023 US Open , and her name appeared in the news even more than before.
For many years, practically since breaking through at the Wimbledon as a 15-year-old, the teenager has been dubbed as one of the biggest talents in the sport, and with it comes also the popularity.
Therefore, it's not a surprise that shortly after her success and becoming a superstar , Gauff was named as the most marketable female tennis player on SportPro 's annual list of the most marketable athletes.
Novak Djokovic, was the highest-ranked tennis player, scoring 87.96 out of 100 points and ranking 11th, and Gauff was as close as it...
- 10/20/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Novak Djokovic has ranked the highest from all tennis players on the annual list of the most marketable athletes.
Every year, SportsPro releases a list of the most marketable athletes in the world. Last year, Serena Williams ranked second behind Cristiano Ronaldo , but the American is not an active player anymore.
Ronaldo also dropped on the list, to place number 27, as his biggest rival, Lionel Messi, took the top spot. However, this year, there were no tennis players in the Top 10, as the Argentinian was followed by LeBron James, Alex Morgan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Megan Rapinoe, Mikael Shiffrin, Lewis Hamilton, Simone Biles, Kylian Mbappe, and Max Verstappen.
Yet, right after the Top 10, multiple tennis players found their spot. Novak Djokovic, who was the highest-ranked tennis player placed 11th, getting 87.96 out of 100 points. The Serb got 27.26 out of 35 for his brand strength, 41.97 out of 45 for total addressable market, and 18.73 out of 20 for economics.
Every year, SportsPro releases a list of the most marketable athletes in the world. Last year, Serena Williams ranked second behind Cristiano Ronaldo , but the American is not an active player anymore.
Ronaldo also dropped on the list, to place number 27, as his biggest rival, Lionel Messi, took the top spot. However, this year, there were no tennis players in the Top 10, as the Argentinian was followed by LeBron James, Alex Morgan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Megan Rapinoe, Mikael Shiffrin, Lewis Hamilton, Simone Biles, Kylian Mbappe, and Max Verstappen.
Yet, right after the Top 10, multiple tennis players found their spot. Novak Djokovic, who was the highest-ranked tennis player placed 11th, getting 87.96 out of 100 points. The Serb got 27.26 out of 35 for his brand strength, 41.97 out of 45 for total addressable market, and 18.73 out of 20 for economics.
- 10/19/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The 2023 Wta Elite Trophy will take place from October 22nd to 29th in Zhuhai, China, at the Hengqin Tennis Center.
It is the second-tier year-end tournament on the Wta Tour contested by 12 singles players who are placed in four round-robin groups of three. The qualifying criterion is based on ranking points accrued during the season from 16 tournaments, with the Top 11 players who missed out on the Wta Finals earning direct entry.
Of the 16 tournaments, results from the four Grand Slam tournaments, the four Wta 1000 mandatory tournaments, and the best results from two Wta 1000 non-mandatory tournaments (for the Top 20 players at the end of 2022) will be factored in.
The 12th member can either be the 12th player who failed to qualify for the Wta Finals or a wild card. The Wta Elite Trophy has been a staple on the calendar since 2009, initially as the Wta Tournament of Champions which was played...
It is the second-tier year-end tournament on the Wta Tour contested by 12 singles players who are placed in four round-robin groups of three. The qualifying criterion is based on ranking points accrued during the season from 16 tournaments, with the Top 11 players who missed out on the Wta Finals earning direct entry.
Of the 16 tournaments, results from the four Grand Slam tournaments, the four Wta 1000 mandatory tournaments, and the best results from two Wta 1000 non-mandatory tournaments (for the Top 20 players at the end of 2022) will be factored in.
The 12th member can either be the 12th player who failed to qualify for the Wta Finals or a wild card. The Wta Elite Trophy has been a staple on the calendar since 2009, initially as the Wta Tournament of Champions which was played...
- 10/17/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek did something amazing this year and that's to win a trophy on every level of professional tennis on the Wta Tour.
The way professional tennis is organized, we have a couple of different tiers of events. The smallest one is the 250 level, which are your regular tournaments being staged almost every week.
The bigger ones belong to the 500 series, which generally feature better draws and higher prize money. The biggest events belong to the 1000 series, where the best of the best play.
They are the most important events outside of the Grand Slams which are the most important events in the calendar. There are only four of them and all players dream of winning one. Well, Coco Gauff got her first at this year's US Open.
It was a major moment for her career as she joined the Grand Slam winners among active players. Iga...
The way professional tennis is organized, we have a couple of different tiers of events. The smallest one is the 250 level, which are your regular tournaments being staged almost every week.
The bigger ones belong to the 500 series, which generally feature better draws and higher prize money. The biggest events belong to the 1000 series, where the best of the best play.
They are the most important events outside of the Grand Slams which are the most important events in the calendar. There are only four of them and all players dream of winning one. Well, Coco Gauff got her first at this year's US Open.
It was a major moment for her career as she joined the Grand Slam winners among active players. Iga...
- 10/10/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Petra Kvitova is the latest player to speak out against the scheduling after having a relatively early starting time one day after finishing late at the 2023 China Open .
Petra Kvitova played a really solid first-round match to advance at the China Open but there were some things about it that she didn't like. She didn't like that it started fairly late and consequently ended late at 1 a.m. local time.
That's one of multiple matches in Beijing this week that ended after midnight, as Alexander Zverev experienced it as well. His match finished even later , and he called out the scheduling but got lucky that it didn't really affect him too much as he had a full day to rest up.
Kvitova wasn't that lucky as her next match came less than 24 hours later and as you might expect it didn't go that well. She lost to Liudmila Samsonova in...
Petra Kvitova played a really solid first-round match to advance at the China Open but there were some things about it that she didn't like. She didn't like that it started fairly late and consequently ended late at 1 a.m. local time.
That's one of multiple matches in Beijing this week that ended after midnight, as Alexander Zverev experienced it as well. His match finished even later , and he called out the scheduling but got lucky that it didn't really affect him too much as he had a full day to rest up.
Kvitova wasn't that lucky as her next match came less than 24 hours later and as you might expect it didn't go that well. She lost to Liudmila Samsonova in...
- 10/2/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The 2023 China Open will run from September 30th to October 8th, and the draw for this women's event has been released.
Beijing will host the final Wta 1000 tournament of this season and it promises to be an absolute blockbuster. The field is packed with world-class athletes as the Wta's finest return to the National Tennis Centre for the first time since 2019.
The tournament will contain 60 names on the singles playing field. Four players will be the beneficiaries of performance byes. These will be Japan Open semifinalists who are still actively competing in Tokyo: Jessica Pegula , Maria Sakkari , Veronika Kudermetova , and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova .
The quartet will begin their campaigns in Beijing in the second round. The top half of the draw is led by Aryna Sabalenka who will play her first match as a freshly-minted World No. 1 . The Belarusian will take on her Rome conqueror Sofia Kenin who has enjoyed...
Beijing will host the final Wta 1000 tournament of this season and it promises to be an absolute blockbuster. The field is packed with world-class athletes as the Wta's finest return to the National Tennis Centre for the first time since 2019.
The tournament will contain 60 names on the singles playing field. Four players will be the beneficiaries of performance byes. These will be Japan Open semifinalists who are still actively competing in Tokyo: Jessica Pegula , Maria Sakkari , Veronika Kudermetova , and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova .
The quartet will begin their campaigns in Beijing in the second round. The top half of the draw is led by Aryna Sabalenka who will play her first match as a freshly-minted World No. 1 . The Belarusian will take on her Rome conqueror Sofia Kenin who has enjoyed...
- 9/29/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Cancun in November doesn't sound too bad, and let's see which players are fighting for a chance to find themselves there at the 2023 Wta Finals.
After months of speculation and player complaints, the Wta finally sent out a notice that the Wta Finals would be played in Cancun . It's not a bad place to be in November or any month, but the choice did raise some concern over the scheduling, which has been a big talking point for much of this year.
In any case, we're heading to Cancun to finish up the season, and not all players have their tickets booked. Four know they'll be there: Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Coco Gauff . We have four more spots and quite a few willing travellers.
Jessica Pegula has been a consistent performer for a long time, but she's a bit different this year. She's already recognised her win total from the previous year,...
After months of speculation and player complaints, the Wta finally sent out a notice that the Wta Finals would be played in Cancun . It's not a bad place to be in November or any month, but the choice did raise some concern over the scheduling, which has been a big talking point for much of this year.
In any case, we're heading to Cancun to finish up the season, and not all players have their tickets booked. Four know they'll be there: Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Coco Gauff . We have four more spots and quite a few willing travellers.
Jessica Pegula has been a consistent performer for a long time, but she's a bit different this year. She's already recognised her win total from the previous year,...
- 9/26/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The 2023 Ningbo Open will be held from September 25th to 30th, and the draw for the event was released.
In the past, the tournament in Ningbo has been held five times, but never as a Wta 250 tournament. This year, the event makes its debut, and fans will be happy to find out that Ons Jabeur took a late wild card to participate at the event.
The Tunisian wanted to use her chances in Guadalajara , but that didn't happen. She lost already in the third round , so it's not surprising that Jabeur took a wild card to the 2023 Ons Jabeur and became the top seed.
The 29-year-old will play against Diane Parry in the first round of the competition, and if she wins, the Tunisian will meet either Tamara Korpatsch or one of the qualifiers in the second round.
The following part of the draw is also very interesting. The seventh-seeded...
In the past, the tournament in Ningbo has been held five times, but never as a Wta 250 tournament. This year, the event makes its debut, and fans will be happy to find out that Ons Jabeur took a late wild card to participate at the event.
The Tunisian wanted to use her chances in Guadalajara , but that didn't happen. She lost already in the third round , so it's not surprising that Jabeur took a wild card to the 2023 Ons Jabeur and became the top seed.
The 29-year-old will play against Diane Parry in the first round of the competition, and if she wins, the Tunisian will meet either Tamara Korpatsch or one of the qualifiers in the second round.
The following part of the draw is also very interesting. The seventh-seeded...
- 9/23/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The Ningbo Open , in its inaugural edition, is a highly competitive and exciting tournament, with at least 11 of the world's Top 50 players expected to be in action.
It will be played at the Chinese port city, Ningbo, inside the lavishly built Yinzhou Tennis Centre from September 25th to 30th. The tournament organizers have done their part to attract top talent and one of the most decorated stars in women's tennis in the past decade.
That star player is Petra Kvitova who is the top seed at the event. Kvitova will be joined by experienced heads such as Sorana Cirstea , Katerina Siniakova, and Irina-Camelia Begu . Wta 's future stars such as Alycia Parks and Linda Fruhvirtova will look to showcase their talents on a big stage.
This Wta 250 event has committed a prize money pool amounting to $259,303 with 32 players all vying to earn a fair share of this figure and have...
It will be played at the Chinese port city, Ningbo, inside the lavishly built Yinzhou Tennis Centre from September 25th to 30th. The tournament organizers have done their part to attract top talent and one of the most decorated stars in women's tennis in the past decade.
That star player is Petra Kvitova who is the top seed at the event. Kvitova will be joined by experienced heads such as Sorana Cirstea , Katerina Siniakova, and Irina-Camelia Begu . Wta 's future stars such as Alycia Parks and Linda Fruhvirtova will look to showcase their talents on a big stage.
This Wta 250 event has committed a prize money pool amounting to $259,303 with 32 players all vying to earn a fair share of this figure and have...
- 9/10/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
In its inaugural edition as a Tour level event, the 2023 Ningbo Open is among a plethora of tennis tournaments taking place on the Asian continent.
The Ningbo Open was initially staged as part of the Wta 125K series before it became defunct. But with the Wta finally lifting its suspension of events being staged in China, we'll have a freshly minted tournament as part of the 2023 calendar.
It features a competitive field for a Wta 250 category, which will be played from September 25th to 30th at the ostentatiously constructed Yinzhou Tennis Centre. The 32-woman lineup will be led by two-time Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova - the tournament's top seed.
The Czech left-hander is the most decorated player in the draw and has won three of her 31 career titles on Chinese soil. American Jennifer Brady , who recently returned from career-threatening injuries , is making full use of her protected ranking status.
The Ningbo Open was initially staged as part of the Wta 125K series before it became defunct. But with the Wta finally lifting its suspension of events being staged in China, we'll have a freshly minted tournament as part of the 2023 calendar.
It features a competitive field for a Wta 250 category, which will be played from September 25th to 30th at the ostentatiously constructed Yinzhou Tennis Centre. The 32-woman lineup will be led by two-time Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova - the tournament's top seed.
The Czech left-hander is the most decorated player in the draw and has won three of her 31 career titles on Chinese soil. American Jennifer Brady , who recently returned from career-threatening injuries , is making full use of her protected ranking status.
- 9/8/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The stars of women's tennis will descend on Beijing for the first time in four years for the 17th edition of the China Open .
It will be the last Wta 1000 on the calendar and will run between September 30th and October 8th, featuring a 64-player singles field. With a prize money pot of $8,127,389, it is one the largest among the tournaments in this category.
The player list at the 2023 China Open in Beijing is headed by the world's top two players namely Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka . The Pole will vacate the No. 1 ranking she has held for the last 75 weeks on Monday after the conclusion of the US Open with Belarus' Sabalenka taking over the reins .
Elena Rybakina , who became the third player to qualify for the 2023 Wta Finals is also in the field. The Kazakh has played the most finals at Wta 1000 level this season (three) and won...
It will be the last Wta 1000 on the calendar and will run between September 30th and October 8th, featuring a 64-player singles field. With a prize money pot of $8,127,389, it is one the largest among the tournaments in this category.
The player list at the 2023 China Open in Beijing is headed by the world's top two players namely Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka . The Pole will vacate the No. 1 ranking she has held for the last 75 weeks on Monday after the conclusion of the US Open with Belarus' Sabalenka taking over the reins .
Elena Rybakina , who became the third player to qualify for the 2023 Wta Finals is also in the field. The Kazakh has played the most finals at Wta 1000 level this season (three) and won...
- 9/8/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Former Wta No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki has confirmed she is shutting down her 2023 campaign and is targeting to return to competition at next year's Australian Open .
Wozniacki, 33, lost to American teenager Coco Gauff in the fourth round in what was a commendable run after coming out of retirement at the start of August. Speaking after the match, Wozniacki told Danish media that she will play no further part in 2023 after her US Open exit and will return to action at the Australian Open in 2024.
Wozniacki has played just three tournaments since her comeback last month, entering the two Wta 1000 doubleheaders in Montreal and Cincinnati, and the US Oepn as a wild card. Despite her initial struggles in the first few matches, the Dane exceeded all pre-tournament expectations to reach the second week in New York, notching a Top-20 win over Petra Kvitova in the past week.
If she intends to stick...
Wozniacki, 33, lost to American teenager Coco Gauff in the fourth round in what was a commendable run after coming out of retirement at the start of August. Speaking after the match, Wozniacki told Danish media that she will play no further part in 2023 after her US Open exit and will return to action at the Australian Open in 2024.
Wozniacki has played just three tournaments since her comeback last month, entering the two Wta 1000 doubleheaders in Montreal and Cincinnati, and the US Oepn as a wild card. Despite her initial struggles in the first few matches, the Dane exceeded all pre-tournament expectations to reach the second week in New York, notching a Top-20 win over Petra Kvitova in the past week.
If she intends to stick...
- 9/4/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Caroline Wozniacki made a sensational effort to take down Petra Kvitova at the 2023 US Open , hoping to keep it going against Jennifer Brady .
This won't be much easier than the match against Kvitova because Brady is a solid player, too, and she's playing in front of her native fans. Both were out of the game for a long time but returned recently with pretty solid results on the Wta Tour.
Much like Wozniacki, Brady is looking better with every match she plays and hopes to make the second week of the US Open. She downed Magda Linette in the previous round, but it took her three sets. She's played a lot of tennis lately as she's yet to really find her level.
Head-to-head:
As you might imagine, they haven't played any matches against each other. During the peak years of Wozniacki, Brady was nowhere to be found, and the reverse is also true.
This won't be much easier than the match against Kvitova because Brady is a solid player, too, and she's playing in front of her native fans. Both were out of the game for a long time but returned recently with pretty solid results on the Wta Tour.
Much like Wozniacki, Brady is looking better with every match she plays and hopes to make the second week of the US Open. She downed Magda Linette in the previous round, but it took her three sets. She's played a lot of tennis lately as she's yet to really find her level.
Head-to-head:
As you might imagine, they haven't played any matches against each other. During the peak years of Wozniacki, Brady was nowhere to be found, and the reverse is also true.
- 9/1/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Petra Kvitova complained that the loud atmosphere and home-sided crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium impacted her performance against Caroline Wozniacki at the US Open .
Kvitova played out a hard-fought contest against former world number one Wozniacki at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the US Open second round. However, the Czech player eventually lost 7-5, 7-6 against the two-time US Open finalist .
But Kvitova was far from impressed during the match due to the noisy spectators in the crowd on Flushing Meadows' premier court. When speaking to the Czech news outlet iSport.cz after the defeat, the 33-year-old complained of speaking during points and sarcastic applause when faulting on serve.
"There was a terrible mess at Arthur Ashe from the beginning, like a wasp's nest. Then it's hard to concentrate on tennis when you keep hearing voices. When I discussed it with the referee, she replied that it would not be better.
Kvitova played out a hard-fought contest against former world number one Wozniacki at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the US Open second round. However, the Czech player eventually lost 7-5, 7-6 against the two-time US Open finalist .
But Kvitova was far from impressed during the match due to the noisy spectators in the crowd on Flushing Meadows' premier court. When speaking to the Czech news outlet iSport.cz after the defeat, the 33-year-old complained of speaking during points and sarcastic applause when faulting on serve.
"There was a terrible mess at Arthur Ashe from the beginning, like a wasp's nest. Then it's hard to concentrate on tennis when you keep hearing voices. When I discussed it with the referee, she replied that it would not be better.
- 8/31/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The emergence of a mysterious illness has started to affect many players performances at this year's US Open .
Ons Jabeur was one of the more high profile names to be struck down by an apparent illness in her first round win against Camila Osorio as she seemed to be having breathing difficulties and also a noticeable cough additionally.
And then that shortly followed by Dominic Thiem feeling he needed to retire after just the one set played in his match against Ben Shelton . Thiem displayed signs of fatigue and was seen vomiting moments before his match, too.
In addition to this, Wimbledon quarter-finalist and home favourite Chris Eubanks required the bathroom midway through the third set of his surprise loss to Benjamin Bonzi. The American soon took some nausea medication during the encounter.
Many players will understandably be quite reluctant to mix with other players in order to stay on...
Ons Jabeur was one of the more high profile names to be struck down by an apparent illness in her first round win against Camila Osorio as she seemed to be having breathing difficulties and also a noticeable cough additionally.
And then that shortly followed by Dominic Thiem feeling he needed to retire after just the one set played in his match against Ben Shelton . Thiem displayed signs of fatigue and was seen vomiting moments before his match, too.
In addition to this, Wimbledon quarter-finalist and home favourite Chris Eubanks required the bathroom midway through the third set of his surprise loss to Benjamin Bonzi. The American soon took some nausea medication during the encounter.
Many players will understandably be quite reluctant to mix with other players in order to stay on...
- 8/31/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
There is certainly more than what meets the eye regarding the list of players succumbing to illness at the 2023 US Open .
This year's tournament has been a graveyard for the seeded players. 13 of the 32 men's seeds are already out. That number is marginally lower on the women's (nine), but two of its top 10 players have been knocked out as we enter day four of the event.
But that isn't the only discourse raging at the US Open. There has been a surge in cases of sickness among players, likely due to a virus that has left tennis fans in shock and tournament organizers sweating. There have already been at least two documented retirements/withdrawals.
Players impacted include Dominic Thiem , who admitted to vomiting before his second-round match against Ben Shelton on Wednesday. The Austrian, who savored his first Grand Slam win since 2021 on Monday , was forced to retire after only one set.
This year's tournament has been a graveyard for the seeded players. 13 of the 32 men's seeds are already out. That number is marginally lower on the women's (nine), but two of its top 10 players have been knocked out as we enter day four of the event.
But that isn't the only discourse raging at the US Open. There has been a surge in cases of sickness among players, likely due to a virus that has left tennis fans in shock and tournament organizers sweating. There have already been at least two documented retirements/withdrawals.
Players impacted include Dominic Thiem , who admitted to vomiting before his second-round match against Ben Shelton on Wednesday. The Austrian, who savored his first Grand Slam win since 2021 on Monday , was forced to retire after only one set.
- 8/31/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Caroline Wozniacki wowed many with her sensational performance against Petra Kvitova to beat her in two sets at the US Open .
This is a matchup we saw many times on the Wta Tour, as Wozniacki and Kvitova battled fiercely for much of the past 15 years. This was the first time in five years that they faced each other, as Wozniacki won the previous one in 2018.
Kvitova was favoured to win the match simply by being an active player who hadn't come back to the sport recently. Wozniacki did, and while she played fine , it didn't really look good enough to beat players who are ranked in the Top 20 like Kvitova is.
When the Czech veteran broke Wozniacki in the match's first game, it seemed like she was on her way to winning the match. Not quite as Wozniacki battled back immediately to make it 1-1, Kvitova would jump out to a lead again,...
This is a matchup we saw many times on the Wta Tour, as Wozniacki and Kvitova battled fiercely for much of the past 15 years. This was the first time in five years that they faced each other, as Wozniacki won the previous one in 2018.
Kvitova was favoured to win the match simply by being an active player who hadn't come back to the sport recently. Wozniacki did, and while she played fine , it didn't really look good enough to beat players who are ranked in the Top 20 like Kvitova is.
When the Czech veteran broke Wozniacki in the match's first game, it seemed like she was on her way to winning the match. Not quite as Wozniacki battled back immediately to make it 1-1, Kvitova would jump out to a lead again,...
- 8/31/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Caroline Wozniacki worked her way through a good first round opening win at the US Open , claiming the victory in straight sets.
Wozniacki made quite light work of her inexperienced opponent, beating World No.227 Tatiana Prozorova in a more competitive first set, before outstaying her completely in the second set. Wozniacki will recognise there are definitely sterner challenges ahead, but this is a great platform to build from.
Wozniacki hadn't featured in a Grand Slam singles match for over three years after initially retiring at the 2020 Australian Open, bowing out that day to Ons Jabeur in the opening round. However, since making the decision to return to competitive action , Wozniacki definitely feels like there is unfinished business in this next phase of her tennis career.
Perhaps that there is big room for opportunity to continue to win the biggest trophies and she wants to test herself against this next crop...
Wozniacki made quite light work of her inexperienced opponent, beating World No.227 Tatiana Prozorova in a more competitive first set, before outstaying her completely in the second set. Wozniacki will recognise there are definitely sterner challenges ahead, but this is a great platform to build from.
Wozniacki hadn't featured in a Grand Slam singles match for over three years after initially retiring at the 2020 Australian Open, bowing out that day to Ons Jabeur in the opening round. However, since making the decision to return to competitive action , Wozniacki definitely feels like there is unfinished business in this next phase of her tennis career.
Perhaps that there is big room for opportunity to continue to win the biggest trophies and she wants to test herself against this next crop...
- 8/29/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Petra Kvitova got married recently, and while it took a few days, she's now used to being a married woman on the Wta Tour and is back to thinking about tennis.
Tennis wasn't the priority for Kvitova in the summer as she had a wedding to attend. It was her wedding as she married long-time partner Jiri Vanek in July . It was a long time coming, so nothing unusual, but she spoke about it after winning her first match at the 2023 US Open , as a married woman on the Grand Slam level.
The win came over Cristina Bucsa at the 2023 US Open in the first round. After the match, Kvitova shared her thoughts with the Czech publication iSport.cz on marriage, changing her surname, and starting the US Open with a win.
Of course, I will remain Kvitova. It's not even worth changing, no one will remember it anyway. The first days after the wedding,...
Tennis wasn't the priority for Kvitova in the summer as she had a wedding to attend. It was her wedding as she married long-time partner Jiri Vanek in July . It was a long time coming, so nothing unusual, but she spoke about it after winning her first match at the 2023 US Open , as a married woman on the Grand Slam level.
The win came over Cristina Bucsa at the 2023 US Open in the first round. After the match, Kvitova shared her thoughts with the Czech publication iSport.cz on marriage, changing her surname, and starting the US Open with a win.
Of course, I will remain Kvitova. It's not even worth changing, no one will remember it anyway. The first days after the wedding,...
- 8/29/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The 2023 US Open will be held from August 28 to September 10th, and with the last major of the season, multiple storylines are unfolding after the draw reveal.
Iga Swiatek enters the 2023 US Open as a defending champion but also as the world number 1, the same as her colleague from the Atp Tour, Carlos Alcaraz. But the young Pole may face extra pressure at the New York major , defending not just her title but also the world no. 1 spot.
But as always, the 22-year-old will want to focus on one match at a time, and the first one will see the top seed play against Rebecca Peterson . On the other side of the draw will be her main rival for the title and the world no. 1 spot , Aryna Sabalenka .
The Belarusian already knows how it feels to win a Grand Slam title, and she will want to repeat that feeling in Flushing Meadows,...
Iga Swiatek enters the 2023 US Open as a defending champion but also as the world number 1, the same as her colleague from the Atp Tour, Carlos Alcaraz. But the young Pole may face extra pressure at the New York major , defending not just her title but also the world no. 1 spot.
But as always, the 22-year-old will want to focus on one match at a time, and the first one will see the top seed play against Rebecca Peterson . On the other side of the draw will be her main rival for the title and the world no. 1 spot , Aryna Sabalenka .
The Belarusian already knows how it feels to win a Grand Slam title, and she will want to repeat that feeling in Flushing Meadows,...
- 8/24/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The 2023 Guadalajara Open will be held from September 17th to 23rd, and once again, it will be a Wta 1000 event with a star-studded entry list .
The Guadalajara Open holds a unique spot in the tennis calendar this year. Originally, the mandatory Wta 1000 was set to take place during the boycott of China, from October 17-23. This alteration was in response to the shifting dynamics in global sports events. However, with the Wta's return to Asia, the tournament's dates have been shifted, placing it right after the US Open.
This change in timing could have significant implications. Players who initially committed might reconsider due to the tight scheduling between the Grand Slam and the Guadalajara Open. The proximity of the two tournaments might lead some players to withdraw from the initially announced field.
One of the most exciting pieces of news leading up to the Guadalajara Open is the participation...
The Guadalajara Open holds a unique spot in the tennis calendar this year. Originally, the mandatory Wta 1000 was set to take place during the boycott of China, from October 17-23. This alteration was in response to the shifting dynamics in global sports events. However, with the Wta's return to Asia, the tournament's dates have been shifted, placing it right after the US Open.
This change in timing could have significant implications. Players who initially committed might reconsider due to the tight scheduling between the Grand Slam and the Guadalajara Open. The proximity of the two tournaments might lead some players to withdraw from the initially announced field.
One of the most exciting pieces of news leading up to the Guadalajara Open is the participation...
- 8/24/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Some of the world's greatest tennis players have emerged from the Czech Republic, and its production of new talent remains undiluted.
The Czech Republic has a long and rich history in tennis, most notably on the Wta Tour, where there is an endless production of new stars gracing the main tour. The most famous names of the last and current decade include Petra Kvitova , Lucie Safarova, Karolina Pliskova, Barbora Krejcikova, and Marketa Vondrousova .
Some of those names have won Grand Slam titles as recently as this year's Wimbledon . Muchova, who came up short in her quest to land one of tennis' coveted four trophies at this year's Roland Garros, uncoiled the best-kept secret.
Muchova is unsure how and why it happens so frequently but gave two valid reasons for how the Central European nation continues to unearth gems since its peaceful split from Slovakia back in 1993. Muchova, ranked in the...
The Czech Republic has a long and rich history in tennis, most notably on the Wta Tour, where there is an endless production of new stars gracing the main tour. The most famous names of the last and current decade include Petra Kvitova , Lucie Safarova, Karolina Pliskova, Barbora Krejcikova, and Marketa Vondrousova .
Some of those names have won Grand Slam titles as recently as this year's Wimbledon . Muchova, who came up short in her quest to land one of tennis' coveted four trophies at this year's Roland Garros, uncoiled the best-kept secret.
Muchova is unsure how and why it happens so frequently but gave two valid reasons for how the Central European nation continues to unearth gems since its peaceful split from Slovakia back in 1993. Muchova, ranked in the...
- 8/20/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff is back to winning ways at the Cincinnati Masters after leaving the Canadian Open disappointment in the rear-view mirror.
Many expected Coco Gauff to have a really deep run in Montreal and in many ways, she did but couldn't overcome doubles partner Jessica Pegula. It was an interesting match between the duo but it was Pegula who prevailed in that match.
It was surprising to many, but perhaps not so much now after she went all the way and lifted the trophy. Gauff was disappointed with that result but bounced back nicely here in Cincinnati against Mayar Sherif. The Egyptian is a solid player capable of playing some fantastic tennis, but it's mostly reserved for clay.
She produced a very good effort here to try and stay with Gauff, but ultimately it wasn't enough as the American cruised comfortably. The opening set took 40 minutes, and both players broke the other at least once.
Many expected Coco Gauff to have a really deep run in Montreal and in many ways, she did but couldn't overcome doubles partner Jessica Pegula. It was an interesting match between the duo but it was Pegula who prevailed in that match.
It was surprising to many, but perhaps not so much now after she went all the way and lifted the trophy. Gauff was disappointed with that result but bounced back nicely here in Cincinnati against Mayar Sherif. The Egyptian is a solid player capable of playing some fantastic tennis, but it's mostly reserved for clay.
She produced a very good effort here to try and stay with Gauff, but ultimately it wasn't enough as the American cruised comfortably. The opening set took 40 minutes, and both players broke the other at least once.
- 8/17/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The 2023 Cincinnati Masters promises to be another interesting Wta 1000 tournament, and the draw just confirmed that.
After an interesting event in Montreal, another Wta 1000 tournament will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States from August 14th to 20th, and once again, the top seed at the tournament will be Iga Swiatek from Poland.
Already ahead of the Western & Southern Open, the Pole knows that she'll enter the 2023 US Open as the top seed , and like all the top eight-seeded players, she has a bye in the first round. But in the second round, she'll face a difficult test, taking on either Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Danielle Collins , who she defeated in Montreal as the draw was made .
On the other side of the draw is Aryna Sabalenka , who will want to forget an early Montreal exit . She'll have a good chance to do that already in the second round,...
After an interesting event in Montreal, another Wta 1000 tournament will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States from August 14th to 20th, and once again, the top seed at the tournament will be Iga Swiatek from Poland.
Already ahead of the Western & Southern Open, the Pole knows that she'll enter the 2023 US Open as the top seed , and like all the top eight-seeded players, she has a bye in the first round. But in the second round, she'll face a difficult test, taking on either Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Danielle Collins , who she defeated in Montreal as the draw was made .
On the other side of the draw is Aryna Sabalenka , who will want to forget an early Montreal exit . She'll have a good chance to do that already in the second round,...
- 8/12/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Belinda Bencic had a nasty fall during her quarterfinal clash at the 2023 Canadian Open in Montreal against Petra Kvitova .
Battling for the spot among the last four at the Wta 1000 tournament in Montreal, the two players were giving it their all. The first set went into a tie-break, and the Czech player, who had recently married her coach , won it 7-3.
But Bencic, who has an ambition to by Switzerland's flag bearer at the 2024 Olympics , quickly fought back, and won the second set 6-3. The start of the third set went also better for the Swiss player, who was leading 1-0 and 30-0 on Kvitova's serve.
With Bencic leading, an unforeseen misstep changed the game's complexion. The Swiss player rolled her ankle and collapsed on the court, sending a hush through the stadium during the painful fall.
Yet, what followed was a moment that epitomized the very essence of sportsmanship.
Battling for the spot among the last four at the Wta 1000 tournament in Montreal, the two players were giving it their all. The first set went into a tie-break, and the Czech player, who had recently married her coach , won it 7-3.
But Bencic, who has an ambition to by Switzerland's flag bearer at the 2024 Olympics , quickly fought back, and won the second set 6-3. The start of the third set went also better for the Swiss player, who was leading 1-0 and 30-0 on Kvitova's serve.
With Bencic leading, an unforeseen misstep changed the game's complexion. The Swiss player rolled her ankle and collapsed on the court, sending a hush through the stadium during the painful fall.
Yet, what followed was a moment that epitomized the very essence of sportsmanship.
- 8/11/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Bianca Andreescu had high hopes ahead of the 2023 Canadian Open in Montreal , but she had already lost in the first round to Camila Giorgi .
Having a Wta 1000 tournament in your home country is certainly a big motivation to do well for players, but not many of them have a chance to playing such an important tournament at home. Andreescu has that chance, but this year, she couldn't use it at the 2023 Canadian Open in Montreal.
In the first round, two former champions clashed . The Canadian won in 2019 after Serena Williams retired in the final, while Giorgi triumphed two years later, beating Karolina Pliskova in the final 6-3, 7-5.
But now, only one could make it past the first round, and ahead of the tournament, Andreescu was determined to make it past the Italian. She said that she doesn't like her current ranking , and points that she could earn in Montreal were certainly a motivating factor.
Having a Wta 1000 tournament in your home country is certainly a big motivation to do well for players, but not many of them have a chance to playing such an important tournament at home. Andreescu has that chance, but this year, she couldn't use it at the 2023 Canadian Open in Montreal.
In the first round, two former champions clashed . The Canadian won in 2019 after Serena Williams retired in the final, while Giorgi triumphed two years later, beating Karolina Pliskova in the final 6-3, 7-5.
But now, only one could make it past the first round, and ahead of the tournament, Andreescu was determined to make it past the Italian. She said that she doesn't like her current ranking , and points that she could earn in Montreal were certainly a motivating factor.
- 8/9/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Victoria Azarenka crossed a major landmark in her first-round win over Magda Linette at this week's Canadian Open .
Azarenka breezed past unseeded Linette 6-3, 6-0 in a match that was heavily interrupted by rain on Monday. The Belarusian star was untroubled as she won 80% first-serve points and broke serve six times from eight chances to set up a meeting against 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens next .
The victory over the Pole was Azarenka's 187th at Wta 1000 level. Since the format was introduced in 2009, Azarenka is now the player with the most wins in this prestigious category, passing Simona Halep, who is in second place with 186.
The list also features Petra Kvitova and Caroline Wozniacki in third and fourth place respectively, and who are both currently active in Montreal - the latter recently came out of retirement . Azarenka was clueless about this stat during her post-match interview but spoke of how...
Azarenka breezed past unseeded Linette 6-3, 6-0 in a match that was heavily interrupted by rain on Monday. The Belarusian star was untroubled as she won 80% first-serve points and broke serve six times from eight chances to set up a meeting against 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens next .
The victory over the Pole was Azarenka's 187th at Wta 1000 level. Since the format was introduced in 2009, Azarenka is now the player with the most wins in this prestigious category, passing Simona Halep, who is in second place with 186.
The list also features Petra Kvitova and Caroline Wozniacki in third and fourth place respectively, and who are both currently active in Montreal - the latter recently came out of retirement . Azarenka was clueless about this stat during her post-match interview but spoke of how...
- 8/8/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek have been officially confirmed as the top seeds in the upcoming Cincinnati Masters .
The Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati forms part of the doubleheader in the leadup to the US Open, and along with the Canadian Open , offers 1000 ranking points and a hefty paycheck for a week's work. Alcaraz and Swiatek will lead the two tours in Mason, Ohio.
Djokovic misses this week's tournament in Canada due to fatigue , but confirmed his presence in Cincinnati, signing up for the singles and doubles draw . The Serbian star is a two-time champion in Ohio, famously completing the Golden Masters feat back in 2018 when he defeated Roger Federer.
Alcaraz will look to cement his world No. 1 ranking before the US Open , as closest challenger Djokovic returns to the American hard courts this summer for the first time since 2021. Djokovic is the second seed, and the pair of them...
The Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati forms part of the doubleheader in the leadup to the US Open, and along with the Canadian Open , offers 1000 ranking points and a hefty paycheck for a week's work. Alcaraz and Swiatek will lead the two tours in Mason, Ohio.
Djokovic misses this week's tournament in Canada due to fatigue , but confirmed his presence in Cincinnati, signing up for the singles and doubles draw . The Serbian star is a two-time champion in Ohio, famously completing the Golden Masters feat back in 2018 when he defeated Roger Federer.
Alcaraz will look to cement his world No. 1 ranking before the US Open , as closest challenger Djokovic returns to the American hard courts this summer for the first time since 2021. Djokovic is the second seed, and the pair of them...
- 8/8/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Tennis is an ongoing sport that basically never stops, which means that the Tour changes along with it, and things looked vastly different five years ago.
August 4th, 2018, was exactly five years ago, and the Tour looked vastly different compared to now. It's not a huge surprise because tennis as a sport is ever-evolving, with new players coming in and older ones retiring. Roger Federer was active back then, but he's not anymore, leaving many sad about it .
The number one back then isn't the same number one we have today, so let's take a look at how different things were back then. We're going to compare how the current Top 10 on both the Atp and Wta side of tennis stacks up against their ranks exactly five years ago.
Novak Djokovic was number 10 while today he's number two. Stefanos Tsitsipas was ranked 32nd, while today he's 5th. Frances Tiafoe , Andrey Rublev...
August 4th, 2018, was exactly five years ago, and the Tour looked vastly different compared to now. It's not a huge surprise because tennis as a sport is ever-evolving, with new players coming in and older ones retiring. Roger Federer was active back then, but he's not anymore, leaving many sad about it .
The number one back then isn't the same number one we have today, so let's take a look at how different things were back then. We're going to compare how the current Top 10 on both the Atp and Wta side of tennis stacks up against their ranks exactly five years ago.
Novak Djokovic was number 10 while today he's number two. Stefanos Tsitsipas was ranked 32nd, while today he's 5th. Frances Tiafoe , Andrey Rublev...
- 8/4/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Petra Kvitova is a married woman as the legendary Czech player tied the knot with long-time boyfriend, Jiri Vanek.
Petra Kvitova has had a tremendously successful tennis career, one that is still going on. She's still capable of producing some amazing efforts as her exploits this year proved. She surprisingly won the Miami Open by beating Elena Rybakina in the final and recently added another trophy in Berlin at the Wta 500 event.
It's been a nice year overall for the Czech, who has now tied the knot with her long-time boyfriend and coach, Jiri Vanek. The couple got married in her native Czech Republic, in Prague, in a private ceremony. There isn't much information about the ceremony other than Kvitova posting a photo of the couple on social media by adding yesterday's (22.7.) date.
According to reports the ceremony was held in a luxury resort just outside of Prague and attended...
Petra Kvitova has had a tremendously successful tennis career, one that is still going on. She's still capable of producing some amazing efforts as her exploits this year proved. She surprisingly won the Miami Open by beating Elena Rybakina in the final and recently added another trophy in Berlin at the Wta 500 event.
It's been a nice year overall for the Czech, who has now tied the knot with her long-time boyfriend and coach, Jiri Vanek. The couple got married in her native Czech Republic, in Prague, in a private ceremony. There isn't much information about the ceremony other than Kvitova posting a photo of the couple on social media by adding yesterday's (22.7.) date.
According to reports the ceremony was held in a luxury resort just outside of Prague and attended...
- 7/23/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The 2023 US Open promises to be an exciting Grand Slam event, and the Wta entry list for it is equally exciting.
Running from August 28th to September 10th, the 2023 US Open is the last Grand Slam tournament of the season. Last year, Iga Swiatek lifted her first hard-court Grand Slam title at the Flushing Meadows , and the Pole will be the defending champion in 2023.
But her journey to the title may be very difficult this year. Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will both want to stand in her way, with home players Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula also certainly thinking about a possible upset.
But the entry list for the 2023 US Open isn't interesting only because of the top names on the seeded positions. Caroline Wozniacki is one of the interesting names on the entry list, after the Dane announced a comeback to tennis and received a wild card for...
Running from August 28th to September 10th, the 2023 US Open is the last Grand Slam tournament of the season. Last year, Iga Swiatek lifted her first hard-court Grand Slam title at the Flushing Meadows , and the Pole will be the defending champion in 2023.
But her journey to the title may be very difficult this year. Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will both want to stand in her way, with home players Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula also certainly thinking about a possible upset.
But the entry list for the 2023 US Open isn't interesting only because of the top names on the seeded positions. Caroline Wozniacki is one of the interesting names on the entry list, after the Dane announced a comeback to tennis and received a wild card for...
- 7/20/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The 2023 Cincinnati Masters once again promises to be a spectacular Wta 1000 tournament, as the entry list suggests.
Running from August 14th to 20th, as one of the top tournaments in the calendar, the Cincinnati Masters, also called the Western & Southern Open, almost always delivers, thanks to its great spot in the calendar, which guarantees that all players will want to fine-tune their form for the US Open.
Last year, Caroline Garcia became the champion at the tournament after she defeated Petra Kvitova in the final, and both players will return in 2023 to defend their points. But that will be more difficult than ever, with Iga Swiatek , Aryna Sabalenka , and Elena Rybakina playing their best tennis almost non-stop.
Moreover, there's a new sheriff in the town. Marketa Vondrousova surprised everyone when she won the 2023 Wimbledon Championships and secured her spot in the Top 10 in the Wta Rankings , and it will be...
Running from August 14th to 20th, as one of the top tournaments in the calendar, the Cincinnati Masters, also called the Western & Southern Open, almost always delivers, thanks to its great spot in the calendar, which guarantees that all players will want to fine-tune their form for the US Open.
Last year, Caroline Garcia became the champion at the tournament after she defeated Petra Kvitova in the final, and both players will return in 2023 to defend their points. But that will be more difficult than ever, with Iga Swiatek , Aryna Sabalenka , and Elena Rybakina playing their best tennis almost non-stop.
Moreover, there's a new sheriff in the town. Marketa Vondrousova surprised everyone when she won the 2023 Wimbledon Championships and secured her spot in the Top 10 in the Wta Rankings , and it will be...
- 7/19/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
London, July 15 (Ians) Unseeded Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic won the first Grand Slam title of her career after defeating No.6 seed Ons Jabeur of Tunisia in the 2023 Wimbledon final, here on Saturday.
Vondrousova, who is ranked 42nd in the world, handled the nerves of the occasion better than World No.6 Jabeur to win 6-4, 6-4 in the final, which lasted for 80 minutes on Centre Court.
With this, Vondrousova became the first unseeded Wimbledon champion in the Open Era, the second ever, after Billie Jean King (1963). The 24-year-old was the second-lowest ranked player to win here, after Serena Williams in 2018.
Notably, Vondrousova, a year ago, was a spectator at the All England Club with a cast on her left wrist.
“I don’t really know what’s happening right now. It’s an amazing feeling. I had a cast last year this time. This is amazing I can stand here,...
Vondrousova, who is ranked 42nd in the world, handled the nerves of the occasion better than World No.6 Jabeur to win 6-4, 6-4 in the final, which lasted for 80 minutes on Centre Court.
With this, Vondrousova became the first unseeded Wimbledon champion in the Open Era, the second ever, after Billie Jean King (1963). The 24-year-old was the second-lowest ranked player to win here, after Serena Williams in 2018.
Notably, Vondrousova, a year ago, was a spectator at the All England Club with a cast on her left wrist.
“I don’t really know what’s happening right now. It’s an amazing feeling. I had a cast last year this time. This is amazing I can stand here,...
- 7/15/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
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