HONG KONG (AFP) -- World number five Andrey Rublev prepared for next week's Australian Open in perfect style as he swept past Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4, 6-4 to win the Hong Kong Open on Sunday, Jan. 7. Russia’s Andrey Rublev holds the trophy after winning the match against Finland’s Emil...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal on Sunday, Jan. 7, pulled out of the Australian Open with a "micro tear on a muscle" barely a week after making his comeback from a year-long injury absence, but said he remained positive. Spain's Rafael Nadal (AFP) The 37-year-old had been out of...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Elena Rybakina will head to the Australian Open full of confidence after demolishing Aryna Sabalenka in the Brisbane International final on Sunday, Jan. 7, while Grigor Dimitrov upset Holger Rune to win his first title since 2017. Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan (left) holds the...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray said 2024 could be his final year before retirement after illness and injury hampered his preparation for the new season. Two-time Wimbledon champion Great Britain's Andy Murray (AFP) Murray's year will begin at the Brisbane International as...
AUCKLAND (AFP) -- World number three Coco Gauff said on Sunday, Dec. 31, she felt more relaxed heading into the next month's Australian Open after achieving her goal of winning a Grand Slam title as a teenager. USA's Coco Gauff (AFP) The 19-year-old won the US Open in September and said it was a...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Rafael Nadal left the door ajar on Sunday, Dec. 31, to continuing after the 2024 season, but conceded there was "a high percentage" that he was on his last trip as a player to Australia. Spain's Rafael Nadal speaks during a press conference at the Brisbane International tennis...
PERTH (AFP) -- Novak Djokovic called Australia his "happy place" on Saturday, Dec. 30, as he prepared to kick off his season at the United Cup with a tricky clash against China's fast-improving Zhang Zhizhen. A handout photo taken on Friday, Dec. 29, and released on Saturday, Dec. 30 by Tennis...
SYDNEY (AFP) -- Defending his Olympic gold medal is the top priority for Alexander Zverev in 2004, but the world number seven says he is also ready to contend at Grand Slams. Germany's Alexander Zverev (AFP) The German brushed aside Karen Khachanov to take the men's singles title at the 2020 Tokyo...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Japan's Naomi Osaka admitted on Saturday, Dec. 30, she almost gave up tennis but had rekindled her love of the sport after becoming a mother earlier this year as she prepares for a return in Brisbane. Japan’s Naomi Osaka attends a press conference ahead of the Brisbane...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Rafael Nadal avoided meeting a seed first up at his comeback tournament after drawing a qualifier in the Brisbane International, with Russia's Aslan Karatsev a potential second-round opponent. Spain's Rafael Nadal attends a training session ahead of the Brisbane International...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Aryna Sabalenka admitted on Saturday, Dec. 30, she was feeling the pressure after a breakthrough 2023 saw her claim her a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, but a new mindset was helping her deal with it. Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka (AFP) The 25-year-old Belarusian also...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Rafael Nadal said on Friday, Dec. 29, he was "feeling good" but played down any chance of winning tournaments in the near future as he returns from a near year-long injury absence. Spain's Rafael Nadal attends a promotional event ahead of the Brisbane International tennis...
