Rafael Nadal is one of the sport's comeback kings with a proud reputation for digging deep and always finding solutions on a tennis court.
However, on Friday at the Brisbane International, where he was marking his comeback from a career-threatening hip injury, he was given a taste of his own medicine, and to put it bluntly, the Spaniard certainly did not enjoy it.
Nadal's comeback at this low-key Atp 250 event to kick off the new Atp season had already exceeded expectations with rousing wins over Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler. He wanted to garnish this fairytale run with a title, but one man did not read the script.
Australia's Jordan Thompson shocked the Spaniard, beating him at his own game in a gripping contest that lasted three hours and 24 minutes. And it had a tangible effect on Nadal's surgically repaired hip, with the Spaniard making the chilling claim that he felt some discomfort.
However, on Friday at the Brisbane International, where he was marking his comeback from a career-threatening hip injury, he was given a taste of his own medicine, and to put it bluntly, the Spaniard certainly did not enjoy it.
Nadal's comeback at this low-key Atp 250 event to kick off the new Atp season had already exceeded expectations with rousing wins over Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler. He wanted to garnish this fairytale run with a title, but one man did not read the script.
Australia's Jordan Thompson shocked the Spaniard, beating him at his own game in a gripping contest that lasted three hours and 24 minutes. And it had a tangible effect on Nadal's surgically repaired hip, with the Spaniard making the chilling claim that he felt some discomfort.
- 1/7/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Dominic Thiem hasn't entered 2024 on a high note, but the Austrian got a lucky break regarding his participation at the Australian Open.
The struggles of Dominic Thiem have been real, more than real, actually. It's been basically a nightmare as he's continuously failed to reach the same kind of level he had before his wrist injury.
He's essentially struggled to keep himself in the Top 100 on the Atp Tour, as strange as that sounds. Due to his ranking plummeting because of his struggles, Thiem was facing the prospect of having to play the qualifiers for the first Grand Slam of the year.
It's a stark contrast to where his career is right now compared to a few years ago when he stood in the final and actually led 2-1 in sets against Novak Djokovic.
In any case, Thiem, much like Raducanu, won't have to play the qualifiers in the end.
The struggles of Dominic Thiem have been real, more than real, actually. It's been basically a nightmare as he's continuously failed to reach the same kind of level he had before his wrist injury.
He's essentially struggled to keep himself in the Top 100 on the Atp Tour, as strange as that sounds. Due to his ranking plummeting because of his struggles, Thiem was facing the prospect of having to play the qualifiers for the first Grand Slam of the year.
It's a stark contrast to where his career is right now compared to a few years ago when he stood in the final and actually led 2-1 in sets against Novak Djokovic.
In any case, Thiem, much like Raducanu, won't have to play the qualifiers in the end.
- 1/6/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal's comeback at the 2024 Brisbane International has exceeded expectations, and the Spaniard is delighted with his progress.
Nadal was granted a wild card into the Atp 250 event, which marked precisely a year since he last played on tour. Having required a lengthy but successful hip surgery in order to prolong his career for at least one more season, his return has been a highly satisfying one.
Even though Nadal has dealt with a long list of injuries throughout his playing career, his absence in the past year is the longest layoff of his career, and he even lost his proud record of being ranked in the world's Top 10 for over 900 weeks.
In just his second visit to Brisbane, the 37-year-old has played with newfound confidence and verve and toppled the likes of Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler to reach the quarterfinal stage, where he lost to Jordan Thompson.
Nadal was granted a wild card into the Atp 250 event, which marked precisely a year since he last played on tour. Having required a lengthy but successful hip surgery in order to prolong his career for at least one more season, his return has been a highly satisfying one.
Even though Nadal has dealt with a long list of injuries throughout his playing career, his absence in the past year is the longest layoff of his career, and he even lost his proud record of being ranked in the world's Top 10 for over 900 weeks.
In just his second visit to Brisbane, the 37-year-old has played with newfound confidence and verve and toppled the likes of Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler to reach the quarterfinal stage, where he lost to Jordan Thompson.
- 1/5/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal's comeback event is over as he was beaten in the quarter-final of the 2024 Brisbane International, which left many quite sad as he was inches away from winning.
Nadal made his comeback to tennis in Brisbane this week, and it was a pretty decent start for the Spaniard as he played three matches and won two. The first one was an impressive showing against Dominic Thiem, which was followed by another solid win.
Beating Jason Kubler as easily as he did certainly created headlines, but things were expected to be a bit harder against Jordan Thompson and they certainly were. He was down a break in the first set but rallied to win it.
The second set offered match points, but he wasted three of them in total to lose it in the tie-break. Ultimately, he ran out of steam in the final set, admitting fatigue after the...
Nadal made his comeback to tennis in Brisbane this week, and it was a pretty decent start for the Spaniard as he played three matches and won two. The first one was an impressive showing against Dominic Thiem, which was followed by another solid win.
Beating Jason Kubler as easily as he did certainly created headlines, but things were expected to be a bit harder against Jordan Thompson and they certainly were. He was down a break in the first set but rallied to win it.
The second set offered match points, but he wasted three of them in total to lose it in the tie-break. Ultimately, he ran out of steam in the final set, admitting fatigue after the...
- 1/5/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal and former tennis player Manolo Santana have been nominated for the Spanish 'The Best in History' award.
The accolade is run by the television channel La 1, and it recognises 50 of the greatest Spanish figures of all time in several categories. It is a spin-off of the original BBC's '100 Greatest Britons', which has since expanded into 30 different countries.
Nadal is the most coveted Spanish tennis player of all time, having won 23 Grand Slam titles in a professional career that has lasted for over two decades. The 37-year-old has been particularly successful at the Roland Garros, where he has won a record 14 titles.
Nadal made his long-awaited comeback to tennis in January 2024 after spending most of the 2023 season out with injury and recovering from surgery. So far, the Spanish player's return has gone smoothly, and he has notched two wins from two at the Brisbane International, defeating...
The accolade is run by the television channel La 1, and it recognises 50 of the greatest Spanish figures of all time in several categories. It is a spin-off of the original BBC's '100 Greatest Britons', which has since expanded into 30 different countries.
Nadal is the most coveted Spanish tennis player of all time, having won 23 Grand Slam titles in a professional career that has lasted for over two decades. The 37-year-old has been particularly successful at the Roland Garros, where he has won a record 14 titles.
Nadal made his long-awaited comeback to tennis in January 2024 after spending most of the 2023 season out with injury and recovering from surgery. So far, the Spanish player's return has gone smoothly, and he has notched two wins from two at the Brisbane International, defeating...
- 1/5/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal is marching on at the 2024 Brisbane International, but what will happen when he faces Australian Jordan Thompson in front of his crowd?
The Spaniard has been absolutely stunning in his comeback, winning matches comfortably. His first match back was an impressive showing against Dominic Thiem who right now is not playing at his best level.
After that, the Spaniard took on Jason Kubler, who was supported by the home crowd. Even so, the Australian was no match for Nadal who beat him in two sets as well.
Up next will be another Aussie, Jordan Thompson, who will certainly give it his all to end this run of the Spaniard, and the crowd will once again support him to do it.
Head-to-head:
Nadal and Thompson played two times so far on the Atp Tour and interestingly enough, both matches happened in Paris. The first one in 2020 happened at the Paris Masters,...
The Spaniard has been absolutely stunning in his comeback, winning matches comfortably. His first match back was an impressive showing against Dominic Thiem who right now is not playing at his best level.
After that, the Spaniard took on Jason Kubler, who was supported by the home crowd. Even so, the Australian was no match for Nadal who beat him in two sets as well.
Up next will be another Aussie, Jordan Thompson, who will certainly give it his all to end this run of the Spaniard, and the crowd will once again support him to do it.
Head-to-head:
Nadal and Thompson played two times so far on the Atp Tour and interestingly enough, both matches happened in Paris. The first one in 2020 happened at the Paris Masters,...
- 1/4/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal now has more match wins than another tennis great, courtesy of his victory at the 2024 Brisbane International.
Nadal made his return to Atp singles action after close to 12 months away from the sport against Dominic Thiem, who he played in the final of the French Open in both 2017 and 2018.
It was a very successful comeback to the singles court for Nadal. He defeated the 2020 US Open champion 7-5 6-1, playing absolutely superbly in the second set in particular, where he completely dominated Thiem.
The victory made it 1,069 Atp singles match wins for Nadal throughout his career. That may seem somewhat insignificant at first for a man who has racked up the incredible number of wins that the 22-time Grand Slam champion has.
However, the triumph in Brisbane means Nadal now has the outright fourth most Atp match wins in the history of the open era. And he has...
Nadal made his return to Atp singles action after close to 12 months away from the sport against Dominic Thiem, who he played in the final of the French Open in both 2017 and 2018.
It was a very successful comeback to the singles court for Nadal. He defeated the 2020 US Open champion 7-5 6-1, playing absolutely superbly in the second set in particular, where he completely dominated Thiem.
The victory made it 1,069 Atp singles match wins for Nadal throughout his career. That may seem somewhat insignificant at first for a man who has racked up the incredible number of wins that the 22-time Grand Slam champion has.
However, the triumph in Brisbane means Nadal now has the outright fourth most Atp match wins in the history of the open era. And he has...
- 1/4/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal once again proved that his level is more than good, beating Jason Kubler at the 2024 Brisbane International.
When the Spaniard was coming back to the Atp Tour, one thing was clear. As a player who needs more matches to get back into the rhythm, a lot would depend on the draws that he would receive.
As an unseeded player, due to using his protected ranking, Nadal could have been drawn against the top seed, Holger Rune, in Brisbane, and the same can occur at the Australian Open, where he can meet even his main rival, Novak Djokovic.
That would likely result in two losses for not-in-form Nadal, but in the Brisbane International draw, he saw a qualifier next to his name in the first round, which certainly made him happy.
What probably made the 22-time Grand Slam winner less happy, was the fact that he had to take on Dominic Thiem,...
When the Spaniard was coming back to the Atp Tour, one thing was clear. As a player who needs more matches to get back into the rhythm, a lot would depend on the draws that he would receive.
As an unseeded player, due to using his protected ranking, Nadal could have been drawn against the top seed, Holger Rune, in Brisbane, and the same can occur at the Australian Open, where he can meet even his main rival, Novak Djokovic.
That would likely result in two losses for not-in-form Nadal, but in the Brisbane International draw, he saw a qualifier next to his name in the first round, which certainly made him happy.
What probably made the 22-time Grand Slam winner less happy, was the fact that he had to take on Dominic Thiem,...
- 1/4/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Novak Djokovic was most pleased to see his longtime rival Rafael Nadal back on the tennis court and win.
Nadal made a triumphant return in singles on his first outing in 12 months at the Brisbane International when he defeated Dominic Thiem in front of a soldout Pat Rafter Arena on Tuesday night.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion played at a surpsingly high level throughout to win 7-5, 6-1. After a tight opening set that lasted 56 minutes, Nadal manufactured the first break points of the match at 6-5 up and converted on his fourth chance to win the set.
A deflated Thiem was no match for Nadal's pure ball striking, with the Spaniard not facing a single break point in the match. He won an impressive 90% first-serve points and was dominant from the baseline without committing too many errors.
From one all-time tennis great to another, Djokovic acquitted himself with class...
Nadal made a triumphant return in singles on his first outing in 12 months at the Brisbane International when he defeated Dominic Thiem in front of a soldout Pat Rafter Arena on Tuesday night.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion played at a surpsingly high level throughout to win 7-5, 6-1. After a tight opening set that lasted 56 minutes, Nadal manufactured the first break points of the match at 6-5 up and converted on his fourth chance to win the set.
A deflated Thiem was no match for Nadal's pure ball striking, with the Spaniard not facing a single break point in the match. He won an impressive 90% first-serve points and was dominant from the baseline without committing too many errors.
From one all-time tennis great to another, Djokovic acquitted himself with class...
- 1/4/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Rafael Nadal was determined to make up for lost time and put on a show for tennis fans on his comeback.
The legendary Spaniard worked his magic on his return to the singles court for the first time in 12 months. Nadal, who accepted a late wild card at the Brisbane International, never missed a beat during a rousing 7-5, 6-1 win over Dominic Thiem.
The Austrian was once a former rival of Nadal and the ultimate challenger for the 37-year-old on his hallowed court in Paris on two occasions. But Thiem has endured his own personal torment with injuries in recent years, leading to his big fall from grace.
Testament to that claim, Thiem sits in 98th spot in the world rankings and had to go through qualifying for an Atp 250 event. As a former Grand Slam champion who achieved a career-high mark of No.
The legendary Spaniard worked his magic on his return to the singles court for the first time in 12 months. Nadal, who accepted a late wild card at the Brisbane International, never missed a beat during a rousing 7-5, 6-1 win over Dominic Thiem.
The Austrian was once a former rival of Nadal and the ultimate challenger for the 37-year-old on his hallowed court in Paris on two occasions. But Thiem has endured his own personal torment with injuries in recent years, leading to his big fall from grace.
Testament to that claim, Thiem sits in 98th spot in the world rankings and had to go through qualifying for an Atp 250 event. As a former Grand Slam champion who achieved a career-high mark of No.
- 1/4/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal returned to tennis officially in the singles capacity at the 2024 Brisbane International and what an amazing return that was.
The match against Dominic Thiem looked quite complicated before Nadal took the courts because the Austrian is a decent player. Obviously, he's been struggling for a very long time now and hasn't played a very good match against Nadal, but some fans wondered how the Spaniard would do.
He did better than most anticipated, surprising even himself at times with how well he played. The Austrian didn't really show up in a spectacular way, which contributed to the impressive scoreline, but most of it was Nadal playing really well.
He was actually asked after the match whether he was surprised by his level, and in a way, he didn't really think about it. He just went out and played without any expectations.
Thankfully for the 22-time major winner and his fans,...
The match against Dominic Thiem looked quite complicated before Nadal took the courts because the Austrian is a decent player. Obviously, he's been struggling for a very long time now and hasn't played a very good match against Nadal, but some fans wondered how the Spaniard would do.
He did better than most anticipated, surprising even himself at times with how well he played. The Austrian didn't really show up in a spectacular way, which contributed to the impressive scoreline, but most of it was Nadal playing really well.
He was actually asked after the match whether he was surprised by his level, and in a way, he didn't really think about it. He just went out and played without any expectations.
Thankfully for the 22-time major winner and his fans,...
- 1/3/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal calmed down expectations ahead of his return, and he did it again after playing a really strong match at the 2024 Brisbane International.
Nadal's comeback in Brisbane was a strong one as he beat Dominic Thiem easily in two sets. It went better than most expected because Thiem was a tough draw despite him not playing very well at the moment.
Plenty of fans got excited by what they saw, but the Spaniard remained his humble self. While some might think this is proof that he'll now take the Atp Tour by storm, he just played it down and called it what it really was.
It was just one match, a good match, but just one match. Extrapolating anything from it is just wrong, and Nadal refused to do it.
I have been honest, and for me nothing changed. It's only a positive start. I mean, it's just...
Nadal's comeback in Brisbane was a strong one as he beat Dominic Thiem easily in two sets. It went better than most expected because Thiem was a tough draw despite him not playing very well at the moment.
Plenty of fans got excited by what they saw, but the Spaniard remained his humble self. While some might think this is proof that he'll now take the Atp Tour by storm, he just played it down and called it what it really was.
It was just one match, a good match, but just one match. Extrapolating anything from it is just wrong, and Nadal refused to do it.
I have been honest, and for me nothing changed. It's only a positive start. I mean, it's just...
- 1/3/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Marc Lopez has stated there was a specific reason that Rafael Nadal wanted to play a doubles match with him.
Nadal has recently made his long-awaited and eagerly anticipated return to the sport. The 22-time Grand Slam was sidelined for nearly a year with a hip injury that he sustained at last year's Australian Open.
The Spaniard made his return to the singles court with an impressive win against Dominic Thiem. Nadal played superbly against the Austrian, and surprised many with the level of his performance.
Before this, Nadal played a doubles match alongside his long-time friend Lopez. The pair lost in straight sets, but it was always going to be difficult for both to find a high level in their first matches in a long time.
Lopez had not played a professional match in more than 18 months. This is because he had retired from the sport after a great career at the 2022 Madrid Masters.
Nadal has recently made his long-awaited and eagerly anticipated return to the sport. The 22-time Grand Slam was sidelined for nearly a year with a hip injury that he sustained at last year's Australian Open.
The Spaniard made his return to the singles court with an impressive win against Dominic Thiem. Nadal played superbly against the Austrian, and surprised many with the level of his performance.
Before this, Nadal played a doubles match alongside his long-time friend Lopez. The pair lost in straight sets, but it was always going to be difficult for both to find a high level in their first matches in a long time.
Lopez had not played a professional match in more than 18 months. This is because he had retired from the sport after a great career at the 2022 Madrid Masters.
- 1/3/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal won his first match back, and he'll get a chance to try and do that again as he faces Jason Kubler at the 2024 Brisbane International.
Many wondered how Rafael Nadal would do in his first singles match, and he provided a pretty clear answer. A straight-sets win over Dominic Thiem leaves nobody in doubt that Nadal is back.
He played a competent match, which should give him confidence ahead of facing Jason Kubler, who can be a tricky player to play against.
Kubler himself started the year with a win, but it came against Aslan Karatsev, and by retirement, so it was a bit less impressive. Still, on native soil, counting out the Australian would be a huge mistake and Nadal is not one to do many of those.
Head-to-head:
Despite both of them being players for a long time, this will mark the first time they stand...
Many wondered how Rafael Nadal would do in his first singles match, and he provided a pretty clear answer. A straight-sets win over Dominic Thiem leaves nobody in doubt that Nadal is back.
He played a competent match, which should give him confidence ahead of facing Jason Kubler, who can be a tricky player to play against.
Kubler himself started the year with a win, but it came against Aslan Karatsev, and by retirement, so it was a bit less impressive. Still, on native soil, counting out the Australian would be a huge mistake and Nadal is not one to do many of those.
Head-to-head:
Despite both of them being players for a long time, this will mark the first time they stand...
- 1/3/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal's return at the 2024 Brisbane International showed that he can still play some really good tennis, and he admitted after the match that for him, the key is just to stay healthy.
Some wondered whether Rafael Nadal could play his best tennis upon his return. Prominent tennis figures went as far as to say that he wouldn't be competitive on the highest level even if healthy, which Nadal seems to disagree with.
He returned in Brisbane and smashed Dominic Thiem easily in two sets, showing a pretty decent level. While he'll need to play far better to challenge some of the best, Nadal feels like it's not a question of tennis but more so his health. If healthy, he believes that he will be competitive consistently.
The first thing, and I repeat it, is to stay healthy. If I am able to stay healthy, I am able to...
Some wondered whether Rafael Nadal could play his best tennis upon his return. Prominent tennis figures went as far as to say that he wouldn't be competitive on the highest level even if healthy, which Nadal seems to disagree with.
He returned in Brisbane and smashed Dominic Thiem easily in two sets, showing a pretty decent level. While he'll need to play far better to challenge some of the best, Nadal feels like it's not a question of tennis but more so his health. If healthy, he believes that he will be competitive consistently.
The first thing, and I repeat it, is to stay healthy. If I am able to stay healthy, I am able to...
- 1/3/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Carlos Moya, Rafael Nadal's current coach, has spoken about the plan in place for his charge to play at a very high level again.
Nadal, who has just returned to the tour after a 12-month injury hiatus, played his first singles match at the Brisbane International, where he defeated Austria's Dominic Thiem in straight sets. After a closely contested first set, the former World No. 1 ran away with the match.
At times, it felt like watching a young Nadal who made a mockery of his physical struggles at last year's Australian Open by gliding on the Pat Rafter Arena and unleashing his trademark forehand countless times, much to the exuberance of the Queensland crowd.
Carlos Moya, who spoke to Eurosport before the match, reserved special praise for Nadal and admitted that he is not surprised by his recovery from such a lengthy and complicated injury layoff.
"I don't see anything as impossible.
Nadal, who has just returned to the tour after a 12-month injury hiatus, played his first singles match at the Brisbane International, where he defeated Austria's Dominic Thiem in straight sets. After a closely contested first set, the former World No. 1 ran away with the match.
At times, it felt like watching a young Nadal who made a mockery of his physical struggles at last year's Australian Open by gliding on the Pat Rafter Arena and unleashing his trademark forehand countless times, much to the exuberance of the Queensland crowd.
Carlos Moya, who spoke to Eurosport before the match, reserved special praise for Nadal and admitted that he is not surprised by his recovery from such a lengthy and complicated injury layoff.
"I don't see anything as impossible.
- 1/2/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal officially returned to tennis by playing a pretty good match to beat Dominic Thiem in two sets at the 2024 Brisbane International.
What had been advertised for weeks finally happened as Nadal officially played his first singles match back. We had already seen Nadal in action in Brisbane, but it was a doubles match, and it wasn't very good as he was overmatched.
Things looked a lot better in the singles against a former rival, Dominic Thiem, who admittedly is not playing very strong tennis at the moment. The Austrian barely made it out of the qualifiers and today simply couldn't find what he needed.
It's not a matchup problem for him because he actually beat Nadal in the last two matches before this one, but that was before his injury, and he's never been the same player since. As for Nadal, this win moves him up in the Open Era ranks,...
What had been advertised for weeks finally happened as Nadal officially played his first singles match back. We had already seen Nadal in action in Brisbane, but it was a doubles match, and it wasn't very good as he was overmatched.
Things looked a lot better in the singles against a former rival, Dominic Thiem, who admittedly is not playing very strong tennis at the moment. The Austrian barely made it out of the qualifiers and today simply couldn't find what he needed.
It's not a matchup problem for him because he actually beat Nadal in the last two matches before this one, but that was before his injury, and he's never been the same player since. As for Nadal, this win moves him up in the Open Era ranks,...
- 1/2/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal has revealed that he is not "scared" about the prospect of hanging up his racket for good in a plain-spoken interview ahead of his return to singles competition.
Nadal was out of action for the entire 2023 campaign except for a few matches he played at the Australian swing last season. At last year's Australian Open, he hurt his hip and had to undergo surgery in the middle of the season.
Unfortunately for the Spaniard, the nature of the injury and the lengthy recovery process meant he was unlikely to play any part in the remainder of the season. Nadal also made the shocking announcement that he would play the final season of his career in 2024.
When he uttered that statement, it was during that sentimental press conference on the eve of the 2023 Roland Garros, where Nadal missed the clay Slam for the first time since his debut in...
Nadal was out of action for the entire 2023 campaign except for a few matches he played at the Australian swing last season. At last year's Australian Open, he hurt his hip and had to undergo surgery in the middle of the season.
Unfortunately for the Spaniard, the nature of the injury and the lengthy recovery process meant he was unlikely to play any part in the remainder of the season. Nadal also made the shocking announcement that he would play the final season of his career in 2024.
When he uttered that statement, it was during that sentimental press conference on the eve of the 2023 Roland Garros, where Nadal missed the clay Slam for the first time since his debut in...
- 1/2/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal has given a clear answer after Novak Djokovic said his warm-up used to be intimidating.
Nadal's uncertainty about whether he needs to retire is over for now, with the 22-time Grand Slam winner returning to professional tennis in Brisbane. He played a doubles match and is set to face Dominic Thiem in his singles return.
The legendary Spaniard's return to the game means the media can ask him about a wide range of topics. It is not surprising that one of the people that will come up regularly is fellow tennis legend, Djokovic.
Some believe that Nadal and Djokovic share the greatest rivalry in the sport's history. They have played an extraordinary 59 times, with the Serbian edging the head-to-head 30-29. There have been countless classic matches between the two.
The long history between the two meant headlines were created when Djokovic stated in a 60 minutes interview that...
Nadal's uncertainty about whether he needs to retire is over for now, with the 22-time Grand Slam winner returning to professional tennis in Brisbane. He played a doubles match and is set to face Dominic Thiem in his singles return.
The legendary Spaniard's return to the game means the media can ask him about a wide range of topics. It is not surprising that one of the people that will come up regularly is fellow tennis legend, Djokovic.
Some believe that Nadal and Djokovic share the greatest rivalry in the sport's history. They have played an extraordinary 59 times, with the Serbian edging the head-to-head 30-29. There have been countless classic matches between the two.
The long history between the two meant headlines were created when Djokovic stated in a 60 minutes interview that...
- 1/2/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal has opened up about the tough moments he experienced while he was out with injury.
Nadal returned to professional tennis in a doubles loss in Brisbane with friend Marc Lopez. Encouragingly, the 22-time Grand Slam came through the match without any physical issues.
The Spaniard's singles return is set to be against Dominic Thiem, a man he beat in two French Open finals. It is a blockbuster draw, and a contest that tennis fans will undoubtedly be glued too.
Nadal was sidelined for nearly a year with a hip injury that he sustained at last year's Australian Open, with the tennis legend being sorely missed during his time out of the sport.
It was a very difficult period for Nadal, and he talked about the frustrations and setbacks he encountered during his attempt to return to the sport.
"I was week after week, the frustrating higher and higher.
Nadal returned to professional tennis in a doubles loss in Brisbane with friend Marc Lopez. Encouragingly, the 22-time Grand Slam came through the match without any physical issues.
The Spaniard's singles return is set to be against Dominic Thiem, a man he beat in two French Open finals. It is a blockbuster draw, and a contest that tennis fans will undoubtedly be glued too.
Nadal was sidelined for nearly a year with a hip injury that he sustained at last year's Australian Open, with the tennis legend being sorely missed during his time out of the sport.
It was a very difficult period for Nadal, and he talked about the frustrations and setbacks he encountered during his attempt to return to the sport.
"I was week after week, the frustrating higher and higher.
- 1/1/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal has issued a disclaimer when talking about his possible retirement in 2024 because he cannot assuredly predict the future.
Nadal, currently in Brisbane as a wild card, played his first match in a year on a doubles court on Sunday alongside countryman Marc Lopez but could not keep out the energetic pair of Jordan Thomspon and Max Purcell, who were playing on home soil.
The 37-year-old's first singles match will take place on Tuesday. After a long and anxious wait, his first-round opponent will be Dominic Thiem - a familiar foe who has previously faced him in two French Open finals but has fallen from grace in recent years and needed to qualify for the event.
When Nadal delivered that exclusive press conference on the eve of last year's Roland Garros to shut down his season because of a hip injury, he asserted that he intended to have surgery...
Nadal, currently in Brisbane as a wild card, played his first match in a year on a doubles court on Sunday alongside countryman Marc Lopez but could not keep out the energetic pair of Jordan Thomspon and Max Purcell, who were playing on home soil.
The 37-year-old's first singles match will take place on Tuesday. After a long and anxious wait, his first-round opponent will be Dominic Thiem - a familiar foe who has previously faced him in two French Open finals but has fallen from grace in recent years and needed to qualify for the event.
When Nadal delivered that exclusive press conference on the eve of last year's Roland Garros to shut down his season because of a hip injury, he asserted that he intended to have surgery...
- 1/1/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal is not surprised that fellow players have been impressed by his level during practice despite missing considerable playing time on the court.
Nadal, 37, damaged his hip muscle at the 2023 Australian Open and was forced to end his season in May. He underwent a complex operation to cure the injury in the middle of last year and resumed training in the autumn.
The Spaniard played practice sets with Arthur Fils during his recent trip to Kuwait in December and with Jan-Lennard Struff and Emil Ruusuvuori at his academy in Mallorca. A week ago, he made his first trip to Australia since that gruesome injury and landed in Brisbane ahead of his first singles match in a year.
In building up to his first-round match against Dominic Thiem, Nadal has been preparing intensely with Holger Rune and Andy Murray, competing at the Atp 250 event in Queensland to open up the new season.
Nadal, 37, damaged his hip muscle at the 2023 Australian Open and was forced to end his season in May. He underwent a complex operation to cure the injury in the middle of last year and resumed training in the autumn.
The Spaniard played practice sets with Arthur Fils during his recent trip to Kuwait in December and with Jan-Lennard Struff and Emil Ruusuvuori at his academy in Mallorca. A week ago, he made his first trip to Australia since that gruesome injury and landed in Brisbane ahead of his first singles match in a year.
In building up to his first-round match against Dominic Thiem, Nadal has been preparing intensely with Holger Rune and Andy Murray, competing at the Atp 250 event in Queensland to open up the new season.
- 1/1/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
If Rafael Nadal has any intentions of leaving the sport in the near future, then it is fair to say he is using his limited court time to mold his successor.
Nadal's one-year-old son is now part of his courtside team with his wife, Maria Francisca Perello, and coaching entourage led by former World No. 1 Carlos Moya.
Rafa Junior, as he is popularly known, has mostly been in the comforting arms of his parents and was spotted getting all the love during Nadal's preseason camp in Kuwait in the first raw footage of him on a tennis court in the company of his father.
At the Brisbane International, where Nadal is making his tennis comeback after 11 months of being on the sidelines, he walked hand-in-hand with his toddler to the practice courts in an adorable moment that was captured by the backstage video cameras and which melted the hearts of tennis fans.
Nadal's one-year-old son is now part of his courtside team with his wife, Maria Francisca Perello, and coaching entourage led by former World No. 1 Carlos Moya.
Rafa Junior, as he is popularly known, has mostly been in the comforting arms of his parents and was spotted getting all the love during Nadal's preseason camp in Kuwait in the first raw footage of him on a tennis court in the company of his father.
At the Brisbane International, where Nadal is making his tennis comeback after 11 months of being on the sidelines, he walked hand-in-hand with his toddler to the practice courts in an adorable moment that was captured by the backstage video cameras and which melted the hearts of tennis fans.
- 1/1/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
It's not often that animals invade tennis matches and halt proceedings, but when they do, they end up being the talking point rather than the actual match.
On Saturday, a first-round qualifying match between Dominic Thiem and James McCabe at the Brisbane International was brought to a standstill after a venomous snake slithered onto the court, much to the angst and uneasiness that engulfed those within close proximity to it.
Admittedly, Thiem is usually so enthusiastic about distinct animals, but on learning that the serpent was an eastern brown snake - considered one of the most dangerous reptiles in Australia - and measured about 20 inches in length, he was extremely unsettled.
The match was put on hold for at least 40 minutes so that a professional snake catcher could snare it and take it far away from the perimeters of Queensland Tennis Centre.
"I really love animals, especially exotic ones. But...
On Saturday, a first-round qualifying match between Dominic Thiem and James McCabe at the Brisbane International was brought to a standstill after a venomous snake slithered onto the court, much to the angst and uneasiness that engulfed those within close proximity to it.
Admittedly, Thiem is usually so enthusiastic about distinct animals, but on learning that the serpent was an eastern brown snake - considered one of the most dangerous reptiles in Australia - and measured about 20 inches in length, he was extremely unsettled.
The match was put on hold for at least 40 minutes so that a professional snake catcher could snare it and take it far away from the perimeters of Queensland Tennis Centre.
"I really love animals, especially exotic ones. But...
- 1/1/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal's comeback to tennis will be a spectacular one as he's set to face Dominic Thiem in his first singles match at the 2024 Brisbane International.
Nadal and Thiem have a history together because they contested two Roland Garros finals, which Nadal both won. Another similarity is the recent struggles that both have had due to various injuries.
Thiem never found his US Open-winning tennis since injuring his wrist though he keeps trying. Nadal is coming back from a complicated surgery and a year-long absence with very few expectations.
His first time back on the court didn't go so well, and he looked as rusty as you'd expect him to look. Will that be enough to take down Dominic Thiem? Maybe it's because the Austrian hasn't been playing well as well.
He barely squeezed through the qualifiers and was basically on the verge of losing that match. He won...
Nadal and Thiem have a history together because they contested two Roland Garros finals, which Nadal both won. Another similarity is the recent struggles that both have had due to various injuries.
Thiem never found his US Open-winning tennis since injuring his wrist though he keeps trying. Nadal is coming back from a complicated surgery and a year-long absence with very few expectations.
His first time back on the court didn't go so well, and he looked as rusty as you'd expect him to look. Will that be enough to take down Dominic Thiem? Maybe it's because the Austrian hasn't been playing well as well.
He barely squeezed through the qualifiers and was basically on the verge of losing that match. He won...
- 12/31/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Rafael Nadal is coming back to tennis at the 2024 Brisbane International, and while many thought his first-round match may be a walk in the park, it will be far from the truth.
Without two weeks, it's been a year since the Spaniard stood on the tennis court in an official tennis match. His loss to Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Australian Open was his last match, which halted his professional career for quite some time due to an injury sustained that needed to be surgically addressed.
But now, the 22-time Grand Slam champion is back, and he will be looking to get some important match practice ahead of the 2024 Australian Open, even though he dismissed talks about winning the title in Melbourne.
After the draw for the 2024 Brisbane International was released, most of the players got to know their opponents, but not Nadal, as he faced another wait to find out...
Without two weeks, it's been a year since the Spaniard stood on the tennis court in an official tennis match. His loss to Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Australian Open was his last match, which halted his professional career for quite some time due to an injury sustained that needed to be surgically addressed.
But now, the 22-time Grand Slam champion is back, and he will be looking to get some important match practice ahead of the 2024 Australian Open, even though he dismissed talks about winning the title in Melbourne.
After the draw for the 2024 Brisbane International was released, most of the players got to know their opponents, but not Nadal, as he faced another wait to find out...
- 12/31/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Novak Djokovic has won the Australian Open a record ten times, and it doesn't look like he is ready to stop from adding to his titles collection.
The Serbian superstar is returning to Melbourne to defend his crown in a city where he has not lost a match since 2018. The odds are very much in Djokovic's favor, and he's rarely stumbled in such positions of authority.
Djokovic will have the chance to break a two-player tie for the most Grand Slams in tennis history (a record he shares with Australian tennis great Margaret Court) by winning a mind-boggling 11th Australian Open title. And here are five reasons why he is the man to beat Down Under.
5. Ultimate Grand Slam Record Holder
With 24 Grand Slams to his name, no man can take the acclaim as the record holder except for Novak Djokovic. With his trademark consistency of rising to high-stakes occasions,...
The Serbian superstar is returning to Melbourne to defend his crown in a city where he has not lost a match since 2018. The odds are very much in Djokovic's favor, and he's rarely stumbled in such positions of authority.
Djokovic will have the chance to break a two-player tie for the most Grand Slams in tennis history (a record he shares with Australian tennis great Margaret Court) by winning a mind-boggling 11th Australian Open title. And here are five reasons why he is the man to beat Down Under.
5. Ultimate Grand Slam Record Holder
With 24 Grand Slams to his name, no man can take the acclaim as the record holder except for Novak Djokovic. With his trademark consistency of rising to high-stakes occasions,...
- 12/31/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
After an anxious wait during Saturday's draw ceremony at the Brisbane International, Rafael Nadal will now have to wait a little longer to know his first-round opponent.
The weekend's draw was inconclusive after Nadal, who is in the tournament as a wild card entrant, was drawn to face a qualifier or lucky loser in his first singles match since he hobbled out of the 2023 Australian Open with a damaged hip.
The second and final round of qualifying will be completed on Sunday, December 31st, and a couple of main draw matches will occur on the same day. Then, the qualifiers will placed into the main draw, one of whom will take on the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
The qualifying field is very competitive and features a former Grand Slam champion, Dominic Thiem. Nadal will be paying close attention to Sunday to know the identity of his first-round opponent. A meeting...
The weekend's draw was inconclusive after Nadal, who is in the tournament as a wild card entrant, was drawn to face a qualifier or lucky loser in his first singles match since he hobbled out of the 2023 Australian Open with a damaged hip.
The second and final round of qualifying will be completed on Sunday, December 31st, and a couple of main draw matches will occur on the same day. Then, the qualifiers will placed into the main draw, one of whom will take on the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
The qualifying field is very competitive and features a former Grand Slam champion, Dominic Thiem. Nadal will be paying close attention to Sunday to know the identity of his first-round opponent. A meeting...
- 12/31/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
A very Australian interruption occurred at the Brisbane International Tennis tournament on Saturday – snake stopped play.
News.com.au reports that former world number three Austrian player Dominic Thiem was competing in a qualifying match against Australian James McCabe when a snake was spotted, having slithered onto courtside.
While snakes are common in Australia, spectators soon spotted that this was a poisonous eastern brown snake almost hidden in the electrical wiring at the side of the court.
First the tennis at the Brisbane International is suspended because of storms then one of the courts is suspended due to a snake on the court.
Straya pic.twitter.com/tPqc6xPIle
— Matthew Tewhatu (@mtewhatu) December 30, 2023
Play was halted for about 40 minutes while the call went out for a snake catcher, who arrived and promptly parcelled the snake into a bag.
McCabe had won the first set 6-2 when the snake arrived, but...
News.com.au reports that former world number three Austrian player Dominic Thiem was competing in a qualifying match against Australian James McCabe when a snake was spotted, having slithered onto courtside.
While snakes are common in Australia, spectators soon spotted that this was a poisonous eastern brown snake almost hidden in the electrical wiring at the side of the court.
First the tennis at the Brisbane International is suspended because of storms then one of the courts is suspended due to a snake on the court.
Straya pic.twitter.com/tPqc6xPIle
— Matthew Tewhatu (@mtewhatu) December 30, 2023
Play was halted for about 40 minutes while the call went out for a snake catcher, who arrived and promptly parcelled the snake into a bag.
McCabe had won the first set 6-2 when the snake arrived, but...
- 12/30/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
The Kooyong Classic has been a longstanding tennis exhibition played ahead of the Australian Open, and the upcoming edition will feature some big names such as Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune, and Casper Ruud.
The Kooyong Exhibition has been a longstanding exhibition event in Melbourne since 1988. The exhibition has been held 32 times so far, with the most recent one being held last year. It was the first since 2019 as the exhibition wasn't played during the pandemic.
It's always been an event that drew big names to it as players such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and others that participated. It's just a great way to get a feel for what tennis in Melbourne might look like before the eventual Australian Open that follows a few days later.
This upcoming 2024 edition will not be short of any big names. Jannik Sinner is among those who have already signed up to play at the event,...
The Kooyong Exhibition has been a longstanding exhibition event in Melbourne since 1988. The exhibition has been held 32 times so far, with the most recent one being held last year. It was the first since 2019 as the exhibition wasn't played during the pandemic.
It's always been an event that drew big names to it as players such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and others that participated. It's just a great way to get a feel for what tennis in Melbourne might look like before the eventual Australian Open that follows a few days later.
This upcoming 2024 edition will not be short of any big names. Jannik Sinner is among those who have already signed up to play at the event,...
- 12/18/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Novak Djokovic's coach, Goran Ivanisevic, did not win the Atp's 2023 Coach of the Year award, and many were upset about it, including the Serbian himself.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had one of the best seasons in his career, with his coach Ivanisevic guiding him along the way. However, it was Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi who won the Coach of the Year award, as they led Jannik Sinner during the 2023 season.
Immediately after the award was announced, many fans were enraged by the fact that it wasn't Djokovic's coach who got the award. Their rage was later supported by Djokovic as he also hit out at the Atp in a social media post.
But was Ivanisevic really snubbed when it comes to the Coach of the Year award, or was it given in-line with the past seasons and former winners? Well, let's look at the history.
2016 Coach...
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had one of the best seasons in his career, with his coach Ivanisevic guiding him along the way. However, it was Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi who won the Coach of the Year award, as they led Jannik Sinner during the 2023 season.
Immediately after the award was announced, many fans were enraged by the fact that it wasn't Djokovic's coach who got the award. Their rage was later supported by Djokovic as he also hit out at the Atp in a social media post.
But was Ivanisevic really snubbed when it comes to the Coach of the Year award, or was it given in-line with the past seasons and former winners? Well, let's look at the history.
2016 Coach...
- 12/15/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Carlos Alcaraz pleaded guilty to intentionally ignoring a phone call from his coach during a fun-filled session with sports equipment company Babolat.
A select Atp and Wta players sponsored by one of the world's oldest racket manufacturers took part in the 'Never Have I Ever' game that aimed at asking them plenty of questions about the actual moments that happened in their lives.
Alcaraz was joined by 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem, Germany's Oscar Otte, and British No. 1 Cameron Norrie among the Atp players. On the Wta side, Billie Jean King Cup champion Leylah Fernandez and former Wta No. 1 Karolina Pliskova stood to the test.
Each player took turns answering real-life questions during their tennis journey. And the first question was whether they had gone to the wrong airport. Of the five players, Cameron Norrie was the only one who did while in Shanghai.
The second question pertained to a...
A select Atp and Wta players sponsored by one of the world's oldest racket manufacturers took part in the 'Never Have I Ever' game that aimed at asking them plenty of questions about the actual moments that happened in their lives.
Alcaraz was joined by 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem, Germany's Oscar Otte, and British No. 1 Cameron Norrie among the Atp players. On the Wta side, Billie Jean King Cup champion Leylah Fernandez and former Wta No. 1 Karolina Pliskova stood to the test.
Each player took turns answering real-life questions during their tennis journey. And the first question was whether they had gone to the wrong airport. Of the five players, Cameron Norrie was the only one who did while in Shanghai.
The second question pertained to a...
- 12/9/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Felix Auger-Aliassime had a really strong 2022 campaign, but that didn't happen this year with many bad performances.
Felix Auger-Aliassime's career has had a strange trajectory so far. He showed his talents fairly early in his career but then seemingly hit a wall. It wasn't until last year that the floodgates opened properly, and the Canadian found himself among the best at the Atp Finals.
He finished that year on a really high note, leading Canada to the Davis Cup trophy after playing pretty well at the Atp Finals as well. The win total for the year was 64 with 28 losses; his best year since becoming a pro.
Many people assumed that 2023 would be even better, and he certainly started well at the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi, besting Nick Kyrgios, Dominic Thiem, and Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
He did pretty fine at the start of the year, but as it went on,...
Felix Auger-Aliassime's career has had a strange trajectory so far. He showed his talents fairly early in his career but then seemingly hit a wall. It wasn't until last year that the floodgates opened properly, and the Canadian found himself among the best at the Atp Finals.
He finished that year on a really high note, leading Canada to the Davis Cup trophy after playing pretty well at the Atp Finals as well. The win total for the year was 64 with 28 losses; his best year since becoming a pro.
Many people assumed that 2023 would be even better, and he certainly started well at the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi, besting Nick Kyrgios, Dominic Thiem, and Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
He did pretty fine at the start of the year, but as it went on,...
- 12/8/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Novak Djokovic's match-winning racket from the 2016 Roland Garros final is finally going on sale, and it is reported that it could cost upwards of $100,000.
Djokovic famously defeated Andy Murray to achieve one of his lifelong dreams of completing the career Grand Slam. The French Open had been the one title that eluded him in preceding years, losing three finals between 2012 and 2015.
But the Serb's Parisian tormentor, Rafael Nadal, was out of the picture in the 2016 tournament due to injury. He also avoided a rematch against Stan Wawrinka, who caused him heartache just 12 months earlier, thanks to Andy Murray, who eliminated him in the semifinal.
Djokovic was the overwhelming favorite to win his first French Open after clearing a big hurdle in the last four, where he trounced Dominic Thiem in straight sets. In the final, he sauntered to a four-set win over Murray and lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires at last.
Djokovic famously defeated Andy Murray to achieve one of his lifelong dreams of completing the career Grand Slam. The French Open had been the one title that eluded him in preceding years, losing three finals between 2012 and 2015.
But the Serb's Parisian tormentor, Rafael Nadal, was out of the picture in the 2016 tournament due to injury. He also avoided a rematch against Stan Wawrinka, who caused him heartache just 12 months earlier, thanks to Andy Murray, who eliminated him in the semifinal.
Djokovic was the overwhelming favorite to win his first French Open after clearing a big hurdle in the last four, where he trounced Dominic Thiem in straight sets. In the final, he sauntered to a four-set win over Murray and lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires at last.
- 11/29/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The Scandinavian pair of Holger Rune and Casper Ruud have been confirmed among the entrants in the first stage of the Uts Tour in 2024, which will be played in Norway's capital city, Oslo.
Rune and Ruud will be joined by World No. 5 Andrey Rublev (winner of Uts Frankfurt), Gael Monfils, Alexander Bublik, and Dominic Thiem, who is returning to the tournament for the first time since appearing in the inaugural event back in 2020.
The first pitstop of the 2024 Ultimate Tennis Showdown Tour will take place at the Telenor Arena in Oslo from February 9 to 11. For Ruud "The Iceman", a former Top 10 player who has headlined three Grand Slam finals in his career so far, it will be the first time he will perform in front of his home crowd and in his home city in a competitive tennis tournament.
Ruud got his first taste of the Uts Tour in Frankfurt...
Rune and Ruud will be joined by World No. 5 Andrey Rublev (winner of Uts Frankfurt), Gael Monfils, Alexander Bublik, and Dominic Thiem, who is returning to the tournament for the first time since appearing in the inaugural event back in 2020.
The first pitstop of the 2024 Ultimate Tennis Showdown Tour will take place at the Telenor Arena in Oslo from February 9 to 11. For Ruud "The Iceman", a former Top 10 player who has headlined three Grand Slam finals in his career so far, it will be the first time he will perform in front of his home crowd and in his home city in a competitive tennis tournament.
Ruud got his first taste of the Uts Tour in Frankfurt...
- 11/23/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The Kooyong Classic is a prestigious exhibition event that serves as a preparatory warm-up tournament for the Australian Open.
Held annually since 1988 (with the exception of 1994 and the pandemic years of 2021 & 2022), the Kooyong Classic has attracted some of the world's top tennis stars to the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, looking to fine-tune their games ahead of the Australian Open.
This year, at least two of the world's Top 10 players have answered the call to headline the three-day event, which will take place from January 10 to 12, 2024. The venue is located in the Melbourne suburb of Kooyong, which means players won't waste travel time to go to Melbourne Park for the Australian Open.
Jannik Sinner will garnish the lineup at this exhibition event for the first time in his career. Sinner reached the fourth round of the 2023 Australian Open. Historically, he has done well on Australian soil, having won the Great Ocean...
Held annually since 1988 (with the exception of 1994 and the pandemic years of 2021 & 2022), the Kooyong Classic has attracted some of the world's top tennis stars to the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, looking to fine-tune their games ahead of the Australian Open.
This year, at least two of the world's Top 10 players have answered the call to headline the three-day event, which will take place from January 10 to 12, 2024. The venue is located in the Melbourne suburb of Kooyong, which means players won't waste travel time to go to Melbourne Park for the Australian Open.
Jannik Sinner will garnish the lineup at this exhibition event for the first time in his career. Sinner reached the fourth round of the 2023 Australian Open. Historically, he has done well on Australian soil, having won the Great Ocean...
- 11/21/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Stefanos Tsitsipas calls the year-end championships a "celebration of the best of the best" and considers winning this tournament in high estimation, "bigger" than winning a Grand Slam.
This year, the Greek star left it late to book his ticket to Turin. Since his stunning debut back in 2019 in which he walked away with the crown, Tsitsipas has qualified for the Atp Finals in each of the last three editions. On Sunday, he'll make his fifth trip to the season finale.
Tsitsipas hasn't quite managed to hit the dizzying heights of that 2019 season in which he defeated Swiss great Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem in back-to-back matches to win the title. He has been eliminated in the group stage in each of his last three tournament participations.
However, for Tsitsipas, qualifying for the Atp Finals is cause for celebration and champagne toasting. This is the culmination of 10 months of hard...
This year, the Greek star left it late to book his ticket to Turin. Since his stunning debut back in 2019 in which he walked away with the crown, Tsitsipas has qualified for the Atp Finals in each of the last three editions. On Sunday, he'll make his fifth trip to the season finale.
Tsitsipas hasn't quite managed to hit the dizzying heights of that 2019 season in which he defeated Swiss great Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem in back-to-back matches to win the title. He has been eliminated in the group stage in each of his last three tournament participations.
However, for Tsitsipas, qualifying for the Atp Finals is cause for celebration and champagne toasting. This is the culmination of 10 months of hard...
- 11/8/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Dominic Thiem began his final Atp event of the year with a solid win over a native player Matteo Martineau, who is a lucky loser at the 2023 Moselle Open in Metz.
With his final tournament of the season, the Austrian wanted to show his qualities, and he did. Thiem played a pretty solid match in the somewhat slow indoor conditions in Metz.
He barely had any issues on his serve, dominating play without any problems. On return, Thiem correctly predicted that his opponent really couldn't do much harm to him because he lacked weapons.
Martineau tried some tricks and held on pretty well for a while in the opening set as Thiem was searching his forehand. Eventually, the Austrian got a chance to break because Martineau completely gave away his serve with three double faults at 4-4.
That was enough for the 5-4 lead and then easy hold 6-4. The...
With his final tournament of the season, the Austrian wanted to show his qualities, and he did. Thiem played a pretty solid match in the somewhat slow indoor conditions in Metz.
He barely had any issues on his serve, dominating play without any problems. On return, Thiem correctly predicted that his opponent really couldn't do much harm to him because he lacked weapons.
Martineau tried some tricks and held on pretty well for a while in the opening set as Thiem was searching his forehand. Eventually, the Austrian got a chance to break because Martineau completely gave away his serve with three double faults at 4-4.
That was enough for the 5-4 lead and then easy hold 6-4. The...
- 11/6/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The 2023 Moselle Open will be the final Atp tournament of the regular tennis season, and the draw for this year's event has been released.
Main draw action begins on Sunday, November 5, where a 28-player singles field will have the opportunity to fight for the right to become Atp champion. Some of the Atp's big names are not resting on their laurels and still have their eyes on the prize.
One of them is top seed Holger Rune , a surprise entrant in Metz. The Dane will be encouraged by his form at his last two tournaments, notably at the Paris Masters where he ran Novak Djokovic very close in the quarterfinal.
Rune will get the chance to bounce back in the second round against one of Fabio Fognini or Brazilian clay court specialist Thiago Seyboth Wild. The 20-year-old sealed his qualification for the Atp Finals and should play without any added pressure.
Main draw action begins on Sunday, November 5, where a 28-player singles field will have the opportunity to fight for the right to become Atp champion. Some of the Atp's big names are not resting on their laurels and still have their eyes on the prize.
One of them is top seed Holger Rune , a surprise entrant in Metz. The Dane will be encouraged by his form at his last two tournaments, notably at the Paris Masters where he ran Novak Djokovic very close in the quarterfinal.
Rune will get the chance to bounce back in the second round against one of Fabio Fognini or Brazilian clay court specialist Thiago Seyboth Wild. The 20-year-old sealed his qualification for the Atp Finals and should play without any added pressure.
- 11/4/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Stan Wawrinka added his name to the list of players who were stunned by the way the Paris Masters scheduled matches.
Jannik Sinner's case brought it to mainstream media attention, yet Wawrinka was the first player to deal with it. At the start of the week, Wawrinka endured a very late start to his match against Dominic Thiem.
The Austrian ultimately won that match , but nobody really talked about the fact that it finished well beyond 2 a.m. local time.
Beyond the singles, Wawrinka was in the doubles draw as well, and his match the next day had a fairly early start the next day at 15:00. He couldn't believe it and ultimately pulled out from the doubles event because of it.
However, not a lot of attention was brought to the Swiss player's story. On the other hand, Sinner's case did get a lot of coverage.
The Italian finished at nearly 3 a.
Jannik Sinner's case brought it to mainstream media attention, yet Wawrinka was the first player to deal with it. At the start of the week, Wawrinka endured a very late start to his match against Dominic Thiem.
The Austrian ultimately won that match , but nobody really talked about the fact that it finished well beyond 2 a.m. local time.
Beyond the singles, Wawrinka was in the doubles draw as well, and his match the next day had a fairly early start the next day at 15:00. He couldn't believe it and ultimately pulled out from the doubles event because of it.
However, not a lot of attention was brought to the Swiss player's story. On the other hand, Sinner's case did get a lot of coverage.
The Italian finished at nearly 3 a.
- 11/3/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Tennis fans waiting for the turnstiles to open at the Paris Masters during Wednesday's night session were forced to gather outside the premises for more than two and a half hours.
The Paris Masters usually has two sessions on its main court. Wednesday's schedule featured six matches, of which four were to be played during the day session, and two matches slated for the night session, which ought to have started at 7:30 pm local time.
But because of an elongated day of play in the afternoon's matches, one which extended close to three hours ( that saw Grigor Dimitrov defeat Daniil Medvedev ) and the other lasting the full three and half hours ( Alexander Zverev beating Ugo Humbert ), the night session did not begin at the scheduled time.
The clock ticked past 10 pm when the first match of the night session got underway, pitting defending champion Holger Rune up against 2020 US Open winner Dominic Thiem.
The Paris Masters usually has two sessions on its main court. Wednesday's schedule featured six matches, of which four were to be played during the day session, and two matches slated for the night session, which ought to have started at 7:30 pm local time.
But because of an elongated day of play in the afternoon's matches, one which extended close to three hours ( that saw Grigor Dimitrov defeat Daniil Medvedev ) and the other lasting the full three and half hours ( Alexander Zverev beating Ugo Humbert ), the night session did not begin at the scheduled time.
The clock ticked past 10 pm when the first match of the night session got underway, pitting defending champion Holger Rune up against 2020 US Open winner Dominic Thiem.
- 11/3/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Holger Rune continued his 2023 Paris Masters run by beating Daniel Altmaier in two sets to book a spot in the quarter-finals.
Holger Rune finally started winning matches last week at the Atp 500 tournament in Basel, winning a couple of them. It came after he hired Boris Becker as his new coach, which might have something to do with it.
He was long overdue anyway, so maybe it was just that he was figuring things out. The Paris Masters is a very good place for him, and he proved it last year by beating everyone and winning the whole tournament.
He proved it once more against Dominic Thiem , easily outplaying him in two sets, and he once again backed it up today. Rune loves the conditions in Paris because he can be really aggressive and go to the net often.
That's how he won the event last year, and we're seeing it this year again.
Holger Rune finally started winning matches last week at the Atp 500 tournament in Basel, winning a couple of them. It came after he hired Boris Becker as his new coach, which might have something to do with it.
He was long overdue anyway, so maybe it was just that he was figuring things out. The Paris Masters is a very good place for him, and he proved it last year by beating everyone and winning the whole tournament.
He proved it once more against Dominic Thiem , easily outplaying him in two sets, and he once again backed it up today. Rune loves the conditions in Paris because he can be really aggressive and go to the net often.
That's how he won the event last year, and we're seeing it this year again.
- 11/2/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Holger Rune faced a tricky opponent in his Paris Masters return, but he proved quite calm in dealing with Dominic Thiem .
Thiem has had some pretty decent wins in recent weeks and proved himself in round one by coming back from a set down to beat Stan Wawrinka . Rune found something at the Atp 500 tournament in Basel last week, winning a couple of matches which were extremely important for him.
He ultimately crashed out before making the final , but it was a big week for him. He's hoping to secure a spot at the Atp Finals in Turin, and a good run in Paris might just do the trick.
The first match for the defending champion started pretty well, as he won his opening service game with ease. Even so, Thiem's aggressive approach earned the Austrian a break point, which he ultimately didn't convert.
Not long after that, Rune broke...
Thiem has had some pretty decent wins in recent weeks and proved himself in round one by coming back from a set down to beat Stan Wawrinka . Rune found something at the Atp 500 tournament in Basel last week, winning a couple of matches which were extremely important for him.
He ultimately crashed out before making the final , but it was a big week for him. He's hoping to secure a spot at the Atp Finals in Turin, and a good run in Paris might just do the trick.
The first match for the defending champion started pretty well, as he won his opening service game with ease. Even so, Thiem's aggressive approach earned the Austrian a break point, which he ultimately didn't convert.
Not long after that, Rune broke...
- 11/1/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Novak Djokovic signed up to play doubles at the 2023 Paris Masters , alongside his compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic , but the two are facing a last-minute opponent change.
After the doubles draw for the last Atp Masters 1000 tournament of the year came out, fans were looking forward to a spectacular first-round match. Jannik Sinner was supposed to team up with Stan Wawrinka and take on Novak Djokovic and Miomir Kacmanovic .
However, the Swiss player lost in a late-night showdown against Dominic Thiem on Monday , a match that finished at 2:21 Am local time. Considering all the duties that a player has after a match, Wawrinka probably came to his hotel room at around 3 or 4 Am.
If the three-time Grand Slam champion wanted to get a healthy amount of eight hours of sleep, it makes it practically impossible for him to be on the court at around 3 Pm the next day, considering he has to eat,...
After the doubles draw for the last Atp Masters 1000 tournament of the year came out, fans were looking forward to a spectacular first-round match. Jannik Sinner was supposed to team up with Stan Wawrinka and take on Novak Djokovic and Miomir Kacmanovic .
However, the Swiss player lost in a late-night showdown against Dominic Thiem on Monday , a match that finished at 2:21 Am local time. Considering all the duties that a player has after a match, Wawrinka probably came to his hotel room at around 3 or 4 Am.
If the three-time Grand Slam champion wanted to get a healthy amount of eight hours of sleep, it makes it practically impossible for him to be on the court at around 3 Pm the next day, considering he has to eat,...
- 10/31/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Dominic Thiem defeated Stan Wawrinka at the 2023 Paris Masters despite facing a match point late in the third set.
This match started very late because the programme before it extended far beyond anybody's imagination. Andy Murray's long three-set match helped it , as did many other matches on the schedule.
It was a 3-set match that lasted over two hours, and that didn't help the cause. It was a good match for both players as we saw plenty of winners and, more importantly, plenty of beautiful backhand winners.
It's still one of the most beautiful shots in tennis when done properly and they both had some good ones. The opening set was just incredibly impressive from Wawrinka, who served better and hit the ball better.
That's all you need on hard courts really, as 5 aces and 15 winners were more than enough for him to take the opening set.
The second...
This match started very late because the programme before it extended far beyond anybody's imagination. Andy Murray's long three-set match helped it , as did many other matches on the schedule.
It was a 3-set match that lasted over two hours, and that didn't help the cause. It was a good match for both players as we saw plenty of winners and, more importantly, plenty of beautiful backhand winners.
It's still one of the most beautiful shots in tennis when done properly and they both had some good ones. The opening set was just incredibly impressive from Wawrinka, who served better and hit the ball better.
That's all you need on hard courts really, as 5 aces and 15 winners were more than enough for him to take the opening set.
The second...
- 10/31/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem became the 12th Atp player in history to attain and cross the $30 million mark in career prize money.
Thiem is one of eight active players who have hit that mark. He has earned $720,322 in yearly prize money this season so far. The Austrian star is not far off from cracking the Top 10 in that list, sitting just behind tennis great Andre Agassi (11th) and injured Croatian star Marin Cilic (10th). His career earnings add up to $30,003,212.
Thiem turned professional in 2011, peaking at No. 2 in the junior rankings. On the pro tour, he was ranked as high as World No. 3. He reached three Grand Slam finals during his heydays, famously winning the 2020 US Open, after storming back from two sets to love down in the final.
Even though he dropped outside the world's Top 100 this week and looking a shadow of his former self, Thiem...
Thiem is one of eight active players who have hit that mark. He has earned $720,322 in yearly prize money this season so far. The Austrian star is not far off from cracking the Top 10 in that list, sitting just behind tennis great Andre Agassi (11th) and injured Croatian star Marin Cilic (10th). His career earnings add up to $30,003,212.
Thiem turned professional in 2011, peaking at No. 2 in the junior rankings. On the pro tour, he was ranked as high as World No. 3. He reached three Grand Slam finals during his heydays, famously winning the 2020 US Open, after storming back from two sets to love down in the final.
Even though he dropped outside the world's Top 100 this week and looking a shadow of his former self, Thiem...
- 10/30/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Holger Rune completed one of the most remarkable feats in Atp history when he shockingly won the Paris Masters last autumn.
Rune, who was 19 last year, defeated five Top 10 players en route to the title . After saving three match points in his opening win against Stan Wawrinka, who bizarrely told him to stop acting like a "baby" , he took down Hubert Hurkacz, Andrey Rublev, Carlos Alcaraz, and six-time champion Novak Djokovic in the title match.
The win capped a memorable week for Rune who admitted to having his "heart in his brain" when he served for the championship, fending off six break points against the greatest returner in tennis. The victory made him just the second teenager to win the Paris Masters since Boris Becker achieved that milestone in 1986.
Incidentally, Rune appointed Becker to take over as his right-hand man until the end of the season. Ahead of his title defense,...
Rune, who was 19 last year, defeated five Top 10 players en route to the title . After saving three match points in his opening win against Stan Wawrinka, who bizarrely told him to stop acting like a "baby" , he took down Hubert Hurkacz, Andrey Rublev, Carlos Alcaraz, and six-time champion Novak Djokovic in the title match.
The win capped a memorable week for Rune who admitted to having his "heart in his brain" when he served for the championship, fending off six break points against the greatest returner in tennis. The victory made him just the second teenager to win the Paris Masters since Boris Becker achieved that milestone in 1986.
Incidentally, Rune appointed Becker to take over as his right-hand man until the end of the season. Ahead of his title defense,...
- 10/30/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Holger Rune believes his abject performance in the semifinal of the Swiss Indoors can be attributed to "tight legs" because he didn't receive standard treatment from Atp physios.
The young Dane suffered a major setback in his quest to qualify for the Atp Finals after falling in the semifinals in Basel to defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Rune's serve was broken three times by the Canadian, and overall, won five games in a straight sets defeat. Towards the end of the match, Rune could be seen in a lengthy dialogue with the chair umpire during a changeover.
The 20-year-old was visibly frustrated with his performance, but shifted the blame onto the Atp physios, opining that they are not "good enough to treat players."
Furthermore, Rune asserted that his performance during the match was impacted by it. These were eyebrow-raising claims since the Dane had not requested a physio during the match.
The young Dane suffered a major setback in his quest to qualify for the Atp Finals after falling in the semifinals in Basel to defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Rune's serve was broken three times by the Canadian, and overall, won five games in a straight sets defeat. Towards the end of the match, Rune could be seen in a lengthy dialogue with the chair umpire during a changeover.
The 20-year-old was visibly frustrated with his performance, but shifted the blame onto the Atp physios, opining that they are not "good enough to treat players."
Furthermore, Rune asserted that his performance during the match was impacted by it. These were eyebrow-raising claims since the Dane had not requested a physio during the match.
- 10/29/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
This year hasn't been that great for Dominic Thiem , but several of his Atp colleagues have backed him to return to the top in the future.
Thiem's career is far from over even though he turned 30 earlier this year. He's got a couple of more years to go and while his last two seasons have been anything but great, the Austrian is motivated to reclaim his former level.
The last good season Thiem had was the 2020 season, winning 50 matches that year. The following year was pretty poor with the wrist injury, and he totalled only 19 matches, winning 9 of them. 2021 was okay, albeit far from his best level at 23-21, and this year hasn't been much better, with a 24-29 record.
His most recent match was against Tsitsipas at the Vienna Open, a match where he tried his best but ultimately was beaten by Tsitsipas . Despite that, the Greek had some encouraging words for Thiem,...
Thiem's career is far from over even though he turned 30 earlier this year. He's got a couple of more years to go and while his last two seasons have been anything but great, the Austrian is motivated to reclaim his former level.
The last good season Thiem had was the 2020 season, winning 50 matches that year. The following year was pretty poor with the wrist injury, and he totalled only 19 matches, winning 9 of them. 2021 was okay, albeit far from his best level at 23-21, and this year hasn't been much better, with a 24-29 record.
His most recent match was against Tsitsipas at the Vienna Open, a match where he tried his best but ultimately was beaten by Tsitsipas . Despite that, the Greek had some encouraging words for Thiem,...
- 10/26/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Stefanos Tsitsipas played a good event in Antwerp last week with a couple of wins, and he started off the 2023 Vienna Open with a solid win over Dominic Thiem .
Tsitsipas hasn't played that well recently, however, he found something in Antwerp last week , winning a couple of matches. He won both in singles and doubles as he played together with his brother.
They actually won the trophy , the first time they won a doubles trophy together. It was a short turnaround to Vienna as he only had one spare day in between his matches, and the opponent was Dominic Thiem.
Taking on the Austrian on native soil is difficult, but Tsitsipas handled it as well as you could. The opening set was very close, which was expected. Both players held their serves easily, as neither faced a single break point in the entire set.
The tie-break was also close, but...
Tsitsipas hasn't played that well recently, however, he found something in Antwerp last week , winning a couple of matches. He won both in singles and doubles as he played together with his brother.
They actually won the trophy , the first time they won a doubles trophy together. It was a short turnaround to Vienna as he only had one spare day in between his matches, and the opponent was Dominic Thiem.
Taking on the Austrian on native soil is difficult, but Tsitsipas handled it as well as you could. The opening set was very close, which was expected. Both players held their serves easily, as neither faced a single break point in the entire set.
The tie-break was also close, but...
- 10/24/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.