Djokovic looks to overcome ‘bumps in road’ at French Open

Djokovic looks to overcome ‘bumps in road’ at French Open

Novak Djokovic begins the defence of his French Open title on Tuesday, confident his Grand Slam pedigree will help overcome his lacklustre season. The world number one, seeking a fourth Roland Garros title and record-extending 25th major, is enduring his worst run since 2018. Djokovic, 37, has not won a title in 2024 and has yet to make a final with semi-final spots at the Australian Open and […]

May 28, 2024 7

Sport

‘Proud’ Murray’s French Open career ended by Wawrinka in first round

Andy Murray said he was "proud" after his French Open career ended Sunday with a first round defeat by 2015 champion and fellow three-time Grand Slam title winner Stan Wawrinka. Murray, the runner-up at Roland Garros in 2016, lost 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in his last singles appearance at the tournament before retiring later this year. The 37-year-old had already announced he plans to call time on his career […]

May 27, 2024 8

Sport

Swiatek looks to join the greats

Iga Swiatek admits she is the favourite and "confident" ahead of her bid to become only the fourth woman to win four Roland Garros singles titles in the Open era. The world No 1 could also become the first player to lift three successive women's titles in Paris since Justine Henin in 2007. Swiatek is a strong favourite after dominating on clay again this season, arriving in Paris off […]

May 22, 2024 8

Sport

Nadal practices at Roland Garros amid fitness doubts

Rafael Nadal returned to Roland Garros on Monday to practice and try to figure out whether to compete at the French Open, a tournament he has won a record 14 times. The 37-year-old Spaniard showed up late in the afternoon with his coach, Carlos Moya, and a couple of sparring partners at Court Philippe Chatrier, which was open to the public. About 6,000 fans were there at the French Open’s main stadium, cheering loudly […]

May 21, 2024 16

Sport

Sinner plays down Djokovic, Alcaraz comparisons

Jannik Sinner on Tuesday dismissed the idea that he is the best player in the world right now, saying he should not be compared to his fellow top-three rivals, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian world number two can come within touching distance of the top-ranked Djokovic in the standings should he triumph in Madrid this fortnight and he arrives in the Spanish capital brimming with confidence […]

April 24, 2024 8

Sport

Djokovic skips Madrid Open but is aiming for Rome

World number one and record 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will not play at the Madrid Open this week but is hoping to appear in Rome. Media reports said the 36-year-old Serbian star had pulled out of the tournament in the Spanish capital and he was not included in the draw on Monday. Djokovic is yet to win a title this season and has only played in […]

April 23, 2024 4

Sport

Defending champion Swiatek motors into Stuttgart quarter-finals

World number one and defending champion Iga Swiatek progressed to the quarter-finals of the WTA Stuttgart clay-court tournament by beating Elise Mertens in straight sets on Thursday, her ninth win in nine career matches at the French Open warm-up event. Swiatek beat the unseeded Belgian 6-3, 6-4 to maintain her bid to capture a third successive title in the German city and be handed the keys to a third […]

April 19, 2024 6

Sport

Gauff, Raducanu shine in Stuttgart

World number three Coco Gauff was pushed hard by American compatriot Sachia Vickery before overcoming the qualifier 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 at the WTA Stuttgart clay-court tournament on Wednesday. The US Open champion needed two hours 27 minutes to silence her second round opponent, ranked 134th in the world. Gauff began brightly, rattling off the first three games, but from then on it was to become an error-strewn struggle. […]

April 18, 2024 6

Sport

Osaka looking at ‘bigger picture’ on her tennis comeback

Former world number one Naomi Osaka said Thursday that she was looking at "a bigger picture" and not just results since returning to tennis late last year after giving birth. The four-time major winner has not gone beyond the quarter-finals in six tournaments since her 15-month maternity break, with her latest match a third-round defeat to France's Caroline Garcia at the Miami Open last month. Osaka, whose world ranking […]

April 11, 2024 4