Tag: tennis
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Greek star Tsitsipas ready for the top
Brisbane, Australia, Jan 2 (AFP/APP): With wins over the big three of world tennis already under his belt in 2019, Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas said Thursday he believed he had the ammunition to take the world number one ranking. Tsitsipas became the youngest player to beat Rafael Nadal on clay and the youngest to record…
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Kyrgios-inspired tennis fundraisers to help Australia fire victims
Sydney, Jan 2 (AFP/APP): Australia’s tennis chief announced a series of fundraisers for victims of raging bushfires on Thursday after an appeal from bad boy Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios, often a controversial figure in the sport, called for an exhibition tournament before the Australian Open Grand Slam, after blazes that have claimed 18 lives and forced…
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Dimitrov to ease his way back after injury-hit 2019
Sydney, Jan 2 (AFP/APP): Former world number three Grigor Dimitrov saw his ranking slump last year as he struggled with a shoulder injury, but the Bulgarian Thursday said he won’t push himself too hard, too fast to return to the top of tennis. The 28-year-old was laid low early in the season and was far…
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New tennis era kicks off with ATP Cup
Sydney, Jan 1 (AFP/APP): Tennis’ innovative new team championship kicks off the men’s 2020 season on Friday, with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic among those looking for a winning start ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year. The ATP Cup will see 24 nations split into six groups across three Australian cities, with…
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Sharapova returns to action in Brisbane
Paris, Dec 31 (AFP/APP): Former world number one Maria Sharapova will open her 2020 campaign in Brisbane after being awarded a wild card by organisers, the five-time major winner announced on Monday. The 32-year-old Russian hasn’t played since a first round loss to career-long rival Serena Williams at the US Open in August. “Hi Brisbane,…
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Japan’s Nishikori out of Australian Open and ATP Cup
Perth, Australia, Dec 30 (AFP/APP): Japanese star Kei Nishikori pulled out of the Australian Open and the inaugural ATP Cup Monday as he continues to struggle with an elbow injury that has kept him out since the US Open. The former world number four, who has slipped to 13, said he was disappointed not to…
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Lazio returns to heroes’ welcome as Ronaldo loses first final in over five years
Rome, Dec 23 (AFP/APP): Lazio returned to a heroes welcome in Rome on Monday after their thrilling 3-1 Italian Super Cup victory over Juventus in Riyadh which ended Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo’s five-year victorious run in finals. Ronaldo had been on a run of 12 consecutive wins with Portugal, Juventus and Real Madrid going back…
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Sharapova still has ‘fire and motivation’ despite 2019 misery
Abu Dhabi, Dec 19 (AFP/APP): Maria Sharapova insisted Thursday that she still has the “internal fire and motivation” to compete professionally, despite the lingering shoulder problem that kept her out of action for long stretches this season. The former world number one was only able to play in eight events in 2019, contesting just 15…
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Sleepless Tsitsipas targets top-three breakthrough
Abu Dhabi, Dec 18 (AFP/APP): Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas is eyeing a top-three finish next season as he hopes to break the rankings stranglehold of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. The 21-year-old concluded his 2019 season with a bang, lifting the ATP Finals crown in London on his debut in the tournament to…
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Top guns all confirm for Australian Open
Melbourne, Dec 14 (AFP/APP): All the world’s top 50 men and women players, bar Victoria Azarenka, have confirmed they will start the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season, at Melbourne Park in January, organisers said Saturday. Top-ranked Rafael Nadal and Ashleigh Barty lead the field at the 115th edition of the tournament…