Tennis Archives - SME News Europe

Tim Henman ‘Keeping Fingers Crossed’ for Emma Raducanu After United Cup Withdrawal

Ashry — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:11:06 +0000

SME News Europe. Emma Raducanu’s injury concerns resurfaced on Sunday after the former US Open champion withdrew from Great Britain’s United Cup clash against Naomi Osaka, dealing another blow to her hopes of a strong start to the 2026 season.Raducanu, 23, had been scheduled to face Osaka in the women’s singles match in Perth but was replaced by Katie Swan shortly before play began. Osaka went on to defeat Swan 7-6(4), 6-1, levelling the tie at 1-1 after Billy Harris had earlier given Britain the lead with a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over Shintaro Mochizuki in the men’s singles.The withdrawal marks another frustrating setback for Raducanu, who has not competed since October after falling ill during the China swing. She also pulled out of two planned exhibition matches against Amanda Anisimova in Newark and Miami due to ongoing issues with a foot injury.Great Britain captain Tim Henman declined to give a specific reason for Raducanu’s absence but suggested the decision was made with caution in mind.> “I have to be honest, she was very close,” Henman told Australian broadcaster Nine. “It wasn’t an easy decision. She had been building up and practising really well, but we just felt this morning it was a little bit too early.“I don’t think she’s necessarily out of this tournament just yet, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed.”Attention now turns to the mixed doubles, where Olivia Nicholls and Neal Skupski will face Japan’s Nao Hibino and Yasutaka Uchiyama. The United Cup format features six groups of three nations, with group winners and the two best runners-up progressing to the quarter-finals.Raducanu recently spoke about her determination to rebuild and evolve her game following a pre-season training block in Barcelona with coach Francisco Roig.> “Francis wants me to focus on building a better Emma Raducanu,” she told the Daily Mail. “I’ve always been more tactical, trying to exploit weaknesses and be crafty. It works, but ideally you don’t have to think too much about the other player — you can just execute your game.”She added:> “I don’t necessarily have a weapon that can blow someone off the court, so I have to use my skill and my brain more.”Raducanu is one of six British women to qualify directly for the Australian Open main draw, alongside Sonay Kartal and Fran Jones. Former British No.1 Katie Boulter, however, will have to progress through qualifying after her recent slide down the rankings, having been seeded for the Melbourne major last year.On the men’s side, Jack Draper has ruled himself out of the tournament as he continues to recover from an arm injury, while Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley are set to represent Britain.As the new season begins, Raducanu’s fitness remains a key storyline — with British hopes hinging on whether she can finally enjoy an extended run free from injury.

The post Tim Henman ‘Keeping Fingers Crossed’ for Emma Raducanu After United Cup Withdrawal appeared first on SME News Europe.

Daniil Medvedev Says It Will Be “Almost Impossible” to Match Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in 2026

Ashry — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 11:03:31 +0000

SME News Europe. Former world No.1 praises dominant duo after historic 2025 seasonDaniil Medvedev believes the rest of the ATP Tour faces an enormous challenge in 2026, claiming it would be “almost impossible” to match the level of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner if the pair maintain their form from last season.Alcaraz and Sinner dominated men’s tennis in 2025, winning a combined 14 titles and sweeping all four Grand Slam tournaments, with two majors each. Their consistency and superiority were reflected in the year-end ATP rankings, where Alcaraz finished No.1 and Sinner No.2 — holding more than double the ranking points of third-placed Alexander Zverev.Speaking ahead of the new season, Medvedev acknowledged the growing gap between the leading duo and the rest of the field.> “They are better than the rest,” Medvedev said. “Their ball power is superior, they move with the same intensity as everyone else, and they serve brilliantly. If they maintain the consistency they showed last year, it will be almost impossible for anyone to reach their level.”The 29-year-old Russian added that exposure may be the only way to challenge them.> “The important thing is to face them as many times as possible. If you face them 10 times, maybe you can beat them once.”Tough Head-to-Head RecordsMedvedev did not face either Alcaraz or Sinner during the 2025 season, but his recent head-to-head record underlines their dominance. He has won just one of his last seven meetings against Alcaraz and one of his last nine against Sinner.Medvedev’s Challenging 2025 SeasonThe former US Open champion endured a difficult 2025 campaign, winning only one match across all four Grand Slam tournaments and slipping out of the ATP top 10. His struggles led to a split with long-time coach Gilles Cervara.Medvedev found renewed momentum late in the year, capturing his first title in over two years at the Almaty Open in October. That victory helped him regain confidence, though he ended the season ranked 13th.He has since assembled a new coaching team, working with Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke.Reflecting on his progress, Medvedev said:> “I improved my performance in the final stretch of last year, and it’s important that I’ve kept the team I started with a few months ago. They are happy with my playing style and focus on small details to make me better.”

The post Daniil Medvedev Says It Will Be “Almost Impossible” to Match Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in 2026 appeared first on SME News Europe.

Unreal in Shanghai: Novak Djokovic-Slayer Valentin Vacherot Stuns the Tennis World with Fairytale Masters Title

Ashry — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 20:14:55 +0000

SME News Europe. Shanghai, China — In one of the most extraordinary tennis stories in recent memory, Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot completed a fairytale run at the Shanghai Masters, defeating his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in a gripping final to claim his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title.The 26-year-old qualifier, ranked No. 204 at the start of the tournament, delivered a comeback for the ages, prevailing 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to become the lowest-ranked player ever to win a Masters event — and the first Monegasque champion at this level.“It is unreal what just happened. I have no idea what is happening right now. I am not even dreaming — it is just crazy,” said a visibly emotional Vacherot after the match. “There has to be one loser, but I think there are two winners today. One family that won, and for the sport of tennis, this story is unreal.”From Unknown to UnstoppableBefore arriving in Shanghai, Vacherot had just one ATP Tour main-draw win to his name — against Jan-Lennard Struff in Monte Carlo earlier this year. Few could have predicted what would unfold over the following two weeks.His path to the title was nothing short of astonishing. After coming through qualifying, Vacherot defeated a series of top players, including Alexander Bublik, Tomas Machac, Tallon Griekspoor, Holger Rune, and then pulled off the upset of the season by toppling 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.The improbable run culminated in an emotional all-family showdown with Rinderknech, his cousin and former college teammate. Both players broke down in tears during the trophy ceremony — a fitting end to a story that transcended sport.A Journey Years in the MakingVacherot’s rise has been gradual. He earned his first ATP ranking point at 16 but did not make his tour debut until 2023 in Monte Carlo as a wildcard. His breakthrough began in 2024, reaching a career-high of No. 116 after a dominant 15-0 run on the Challenger circuit and qualifying for Roland-Garros.Still, few expected the clay-court specialist to shine on Shanghai’s hard courts. Coming off a first-round exit at the Saint-Tropez Challenger, Vacherot arrived in China with modest ambitions — and left as a Masters champion.Life-Changing RewardsThe victory propels Vacherot 164 ranking places to No. 40, catapulting him into the top 50 for the first time in his career. Along with the title, he takes home $1.12 million in prize money, nearly doubling his career earnings overnight.For Rinderknech, who defeated Alexander Zverev, Jiri Lehecka, Félix Auger-Aliassime, and Daniil Medvedev en route to the final, the week was equally transformative. The Frenchman climbs 26 spots to a career-high No. 28 in the ATP rankings.A Family Affair to RememberWhat began as a simple trip to China turned into a dream shared by two cousins and lifelong training partners. As they embraced on court, it was clear this was about more than rankings or titles.“It was very tough, and he did a better job than me in the first set, coping with the pressure,” Rinderknech said after the match. “But he found a way to turn it around. I’m proud of him — and proud of our family.”From qualifier to champion, Valentin Vacherot’s Shanghai story will go down as one of the most improbable and heartwarming triumphs in tennis history — proof that sometimes, the impossible really does happen.

The post Unreal in Shanghai: Novak Djokovic-Slayer Valentin Vacherot Stuns the Tennis World with Fairytale Masters Title appeared first on SME News Europe.

Coco Gauff Reveals Why She Nearly Missed Asian Swing After Winning Wuhan Open Title

Ashry — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 16:07:28 +0000

SME News Europe. WUHAN, China – Coco Gauff capped off a stunning run on the Asian swing with victory at the Wuhan Open, defeating fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5 in Sunday’s final. But the world No. 3 later revealed that she almost didn’t make the trip to Asia at all.Speaking after lifting the trophy, Gauff admitted that her coach, Jean-Christophe Faurel, had advised her to skip the Asian tournaments following a disappointing fourth-round exit at the US Open.> “It was a great Asian swing,” Gauff said with a smile. “I’m going to call JC [Jean-Christophe Faurel] out — he originally didn’t want me to come because I had a tough US Open. I had to prove him wrong. I’m a very stubborn person, so maybe he said that on purpose for me to have a good result here.”The two-time Grand Slam champion has indeed silenced any doubts, reaching the semi-finals of the Beijing Open before claiming the Wuhan crown — her second title of the 2025 season.The final marked the seventh career meeting between Gauff and Pegula, but it was their first clash in a championship match. Gauff praised her compatriot not only as a competitor but also as a friend who helped her feel welcome when she first joined the WTA Tour.> “I’d like to congratulate Jess on an incredible tournament,” Gauff said. “You’re the three-set queen, so I was determined not to let it go to a third today. When I came on tour, you were one of the first people to be nice to me and welcome me with open arms, and that really goes a long way. It’s an honour to share the court with you, and I hope this is the first of many finals we play.”The 21-year-old also expressed her gratitude to the Chinese fans for their enthusiastic support throughout the swing.> “The crowd here has been amazing,” Gauff added. “You guys have gone beyond expectations. I literally had to bring an extra suitcase because of all the gifts I received — thank you all so much!”Gauff’s victory in Wuhan solidifies her position among the elite heading into the season’s final stretch, highlighting both her resilience and her ability to rebound after setbacks. With her confidence soaring and her form peaking, Gauff has once again proven why she’s one of the brightest stars in world tennis.

The post Coco Gauff Reveals Why She Nearly Missed Asian Swing After Winning Wuhan Open Title appeared first on SME News Europe.

Roger Federer accuses tournament organisers of favouring Alcaraz and Sinner with slower courts

Ashry — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 12:34:33 +0000

SME News Europe. tournament directors are deliberately slowing down court surfaces in a move that plays into the hands of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the two players who have dominated men’s tennis in 2025.Alcaraz and Sinner, currently ranked No.1 and No.2 in the world, have contested the last three Grand Slam finals – at Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open – producing thrilling encounters that have captivated the sport. But Federer believes their supremacy has been aided by organisers adjusting conditions to encourage long rallies and more predictable outcomes.Speaking on Andy Roddick’s podcast Served during the Laver Cup, Federer explained:> “I understand the safety net that the tournament directors see in making the surface slower. It’s for the weaker player – he has to hit extra amazing shots to beat Sinner. Whereas if it’s quick, he might just blast a few and sneak past. So they’re thinking: I like Sinner-Alcaraz in the finals. It works for the game.”The 20-time Grand Slam champion went further, admitting he feels partly responsible for similar decisions in the past.> “I fault myself for the Laver Cup court speed,” Federer said. “I was part of the decision-making. But it can’t be that Reilly Opelka is kick-serving indoors against Casper Ruud and Ruud can still step back and hit a cross-court winner on break point. That should be harder. We, the tournament directors, need to fix it.”Federer argued that modern tennis has lost some of its variety because organisers have standardised conditions across events.> “What we’d like to see is Alcaraz and Sinner figure it out on lightning-fast courts, then again on super slow courts, and see how that matches up,” he said. “Back in the day, only 12 tournaments counted for rankings. Players would focus on their best surfaces, and when styles clashed – the attacker versus the retriever – those were the best matches. Now, because of the uniform ball and court speeds, everyone plays the same style.”The comments highlight an ongoing debate within tennis about whether the homogenisation of court speeds has stifled stylistic diversity, and whether the sport should encourage a broader range of playing conditions to test champions in different ways.

The post Roger Federer accuses tournament organisers of favouring Alcaraz and Sinner with slower courts appeared first on SME News Europe.

Bizarre Laver Cup Moment as Zverev Ignores Alcaraz’s Advice in Defeat to Fritz

Ashry — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 14:05:02 +0000

SME News Europe. Alexander Zverev sparked confusion at the 2025 Laver Cup after appearing to ignore team-mate Carlos Alcaraz’s tactical input during his decisive defeat to Taylor Fritz.With Team Europe trailing 12-9, Zverev had the chance to level the score against the American. Midway through the second set, as Fritz prepared to serve, Alcaraz leaned in with advice, urging: “Put pressure on him, let him play, let’s fight, let’s work the point. At the beginning, two, three shots, and then go for it.”But instead of acknowledging the world No. 1, Zverev waved over Casper Ruud for guidance, asking: “What do you think?” Ruud offered a shorter, more aggressive plan: “I think you just go for it.”The German’s choice ultimately backfired. Fritz held serve, forced a tiebreak, and closed out the match in straight sets to seal Team World’s third Laver Cup triumph in eight editions, adding to their victories in 2022 and 2023.Fritz, who also defeated Alcaraz in straight sets the previous day, was jubilant afterward. “We’re definitely popping champagne in the locker room in a few minutes,” he said. “The energy from the team… the moments of winning feel so much better, and the moments of losing feel so much worse. I always feel I play my best tennis in team environments.”For Zverev and Team Europe, the loss was a bitter one, especially given the dramatic sideline moment that left fans questioning why the German turned away from the strategic advice of his higher-ranked team-mate.

The post Bizarre Laver Cup Moment as Zverev Ignores Alcaraz’s Advice in Defeat to Fritz appeared first on SME News Europe.

Alex de Minaur Channels Federer in Laver Cup Triumph Over Zverev

Ashry — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 11:05:48 +0000

SME News Europe. Alex de Minaur produced a dazzling performance at the Laver Cup, defeating Alexander Zverev in straight sets and paying tribute to tennis icon Roger Federer in the process.The Australian overcame the world No. 3 by a commanding 6-1, 6-4 scoreline at the Chase Center in San Francisco, setting the tone for a perfect day for Team World. Under the guidance of captain Andre Agassi, the defending side swept all four matches on Saturday to open up a 9-3 lead over Team Europe.De Minaur, who also partnered Alex Michelsen to a doubles victory over Holger Rune and Casper Ruud later in the day, credited Federer for inspiring a tactical masterstroke during his match against Zverev. With the slow court conditions demanding variety, the 26-year-old deployed a sliced backhand reminiscent of the Swiss legend—who was watching courtside.“These courts and conditions are so slow and the ball bounces so low,” De Minaur explained. “Against Sasha, I’m not going to be able to hit through him, so I’ve got to bring variety. I’ve got to bring my court craft, not only use my legs to recover balls, but also try to take time away. So, I’m glad it all came together today.”When pressed on his Federer-inspired tactic, he added with a smile: “I don’t want to say too much, but he wrote the playbook, I just read it.”The win marked another highlight in De Minaur’s breakout season, with the world No. 8 stepping into Team World’s lineup as a replacement for Frances Tiafoe.Reflecting on the Laver Cup experience, he praised the opportunity to learn from tennis greats Agassi and Pat Rafter:“It’s been amazing, a week full of opportunities to learn and keep on improving. Hopefully, I’m taking a couple of nuggets of information from these two, trying to make the court look small thanks to Andre and get myself at the net as much as possible.”With Francisco Cerundolo and Taylor Fritz also notching singles victories over Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz respectively, Team World heads into Sunday needing just two more wins to clinch the trophy.Team Europe, who edged last year’s edition 13-11 thanks to Alcaraz’s dramatic win over Fritz, must now mount a spirited comeback in the final four matches to retain their crown.

The post Alex de Minaur Channels Federer in Laver Cup Triumph Over Zverev appeared first on SME News Europe.

Raducanu Falls Agonisingly Short in Seoul as Krejcikova Stages Epic Comeback

Ashry — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:22:50 +0000

SME News Europe. Emma Raducanu’s Korea Open campaign ended in heartbreak after the Briton squandered three match points in a gruelling second-round defeat to Barbora Krejcikova in Seoul.The 2021 US Open champion looked on course for a statement victory when she led 6-4, 4-1, but Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam winner, showcased her trademark resilience to rally for a 4-6, 7-6(10), 6-1 triumph in a contest lasting nearly three hours and finishing at 11:30 p.m. local time.Raducanu drew first blood by breaking back immediately after an early setback in the opening set, which she sealed in 54 minutes. The Brit then appeared firmly in control, racing to a double break and holding to love for 4-1 in the second set.But Krejcikova mounted a stunning fightback, saving three match points—including two in a tense tie-break—before edging it 12-10 to level the match. With momentum shifted, Raducanu struggled to recover in the decider, while the Czech powered through with ruthless efficiency, sealing victory on her first match point.“It was very tough—I don’t really know how I turned it around,” Krejcikova admitted. “The crowd really gave me energy, so thank you to everyone who stayed late to support.”The victory sets up a blockbuster quarter-final for the world No. 18, who will now face top seed and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.For Raducanu, the defeat represents a painful missed opportunity. The 21-year-old had opted to skip the Billie Jean King Cup finals to prioritise her ranking climb, but was unable to capitalise despite her promising start in Seoul.Elsewhere, Raducanu’s US Open doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz will headline Team Europe in the Laver Cup, which begins Friday in San Francisco (Sept 19–21). The Spaniard is joined by Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Jakub Mensik and Flavio Cobolli, under the captaincy of Yannick Noah, with Tim Henman as vice-captain.Team World, meanwhile, features world No. 4 Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Francisco Cerundolo, Alex Michelsen, Joao Fonseca and Reilly Opelka, with Andre Agassi serving as captain.Fans can follow all the action.

The post Raducanu Falls Agonisingly Short in Seoul as Krejcikova Stages Epic Comeback appeared first on SME News Europe.

Raducanu Battles Through Delays and Emotion to Reach Korea Open Second Round

Ashry — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:17:43 +0000

SME News Europe. Emma Raducanu overcame a rain-disrupted schedule and a testing first set to defeat Jaqueline Cristian in the Korea Open first round, booking her place in a much-anticipated clash with Barbora Krejcikova.The British No. 1 prevailed 6-3, 6-4 in a match that was originally set for Tuesday but was pushed to late Wednesday after heavy rain in Seoul. The contest lasted just over two hours and saw Raducanu show both resilience and composure in challenging conditions.Raducanu, who has faced criticism in recent days after withdrawing from Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals squad, admitted the stop-start nature of the build-up made the win even more satisfying.> “I’m super happy to have won,” Raducanu said afterwards. “It hasn’t been easy. I feel like I’ve been playing this match for three days. To have pulled through after waiting, I’m really pleased. Jaqueline is a tough opponent and has been playing very well recently. The conditions were tricky – slow, with long rallies – so I’m just happy to have got through.”The 22-year-old appeared visibly emotional in the first set, nearly in tears after a forehand error handed Cristian two break points with the score at 3-3. But Raducanu rallied, held serve, and went on to secure the opener 6-3 in one hour and seven minutes. She then established control early in the second set, breaking Cristian twice before sealing victory with a final break in the ninth game.The 2021 US Open champion will now meet Krejcikova, another former Grand Slam winner, as she looks to reach the Korea Open quarter-finals for the second consecutive year.Elsewhere on the ATP Tour, British No. 1 Cameron Norrie suffered a shock defeat at the Chengdu Open, falling 6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-6 (2) to 304th-ranked Chinese wildcard Zhou Yi. The 20-year-old Zhou saved a match point before completing the biggest win of his career.> “I’ve been waiting a whole year to come back here,” Zhou told Sky Sports after the match. “I did it on my own this time and I’m so happy, I cannot explain it. It’s been a tough year, but mentally I’ve improved a lot. Maybe that’s why I was able to come through today.”Raducanu’s next test against Krejcikova promises to be one of the marquee matchups of the Korea Open, with both players eager to build momentum heading into the closing stretch of the season

The post Raducanu Battles Through Delays and Emotion to Reach Korea Open Second Round appeared first on SME News Europe.

Jack Draper to Miss Remainder of 2025 Season Due to Arm Injury, Ending ATP Finals Bid

Ashry — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:19:32 +0000

SME News Europe. September 15, 2025 – British No. 1 Jack Draper has confirmed he will miss the remainder of the 2025 tennis season due to a left arm injury, prematurely ending a breakthrough year and dashing his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin.The 23-year-old withdrew from the US Open after advancing to the second round with a straight-sets win over Federico Agustin Gomez. Draper, who wore a full arm sleeve during the match, said the discomfort in his left arm had become “too much” to continue.In a statement posted on social media, the world No. 7 revealed that the injury requires complete rest and recovery, ruling him out of competition for the rest of the year.> “Unfortunately, the injury to my arm is something I have to rest, and means I’ll be sitting out the rest of 2025,” Draper wrote.“It’s very difficult for me to accept, as I was building some incredible momentum this year and playing some great tennis.”Draper had already missed seven weeks leading up to the US Open due to bone bruising in the same arm. While he hoped to make a strong return in New York, the recurrence of the issue forced a swift end to his campaign.Despite recurring injuries throughout the season, Draper has enjoyed the best year of his career. He captured his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells in March—defeating top-10 opponents Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Holger Rune along the way—and reached the final in Madrid just two months later. His consistent performances had propelled him into the top eight of the ATP Race, putting him on track for a debut appearance at the ATP Finals.> “I’ve been through this before and I always come back stronger,” Draper continued.“I’m so motivated to fulfil my potential as a player. Huge thanks to everyone who backs me and supports me on my journey. I can’t wait to get back out there and give it my all.”Injuries, however, have been a persistent obstacle in Draper’s career. He missed Wimbledon in 2023 with a shoulder problem and struggled with hip tendinitis into the start of this season, retiring from his Australian Open match against Alcaraz while trailing by two sets.Nevertheless, Draper’s rise to world No. 7 cements his status as one of the sport’s top young talents. Although he fell short of replicating last year’s US Open semi-final run and suffered an early exit at Wimbledon to veteran Marin Čilić, his 2025 campaign included some of the most impressive wins of his career.With around four months until the 2026 season begins, Draper will now focus on recovery and rehabilitation, with the goal of returning at full strength in time for the Australian Open, which kicks off on January 18.

The post Jack Draper to Miss Remainder of 2025 Season Due to Arm Injury, Ending ATP Finals Bid appeared first on SME News Europe.