Serena says 'almost died' after giving birth

Serena Williams “almost died” after giving birth to her daughter last September, the former women’s world number one tennis player wrote in a column for CNN that was published on Tuesday.

Williams had previously revealed some of the complications she had after giving birth but offered more details about an experience that has since inspired her to speak out about the importance of affordable child care.

“I almost died after giving birth to my daughter, Olympia,” Williams, 36, wrote in the opening line of her article.

Williams was bedridden for six weeks from a series of complications, including a pulmonary embolism that led to multiple surgeries, after her daughter was delivered by emergency cesarean section.

“I am so grateful I had access to such an incredible medical team of doctors and nurses at a hospital with state-of-the-art equipment,” said Williams.

“They knew exactly how to handle this complicated turn of events. If it weren’t for their professional care, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Williams said her C-section wound popped open due to intense coughing endured as a result of the embolism.

She had surgery, where doctors found a large hematoma in her abdomen and returned to the operating room for a procedure that prevents clots from travelling to her lungs.

She went on to encourage people to donate to charities that help mothers and newborns around the world.

Williams, who has won an Open-era record 23 grand slam singles titles, returned to competition nine days ago when she represented the United States in a Fed Cup doubles match.



source: news agency

Serena loses in return but says 'on the right track'

Serena Williams was understandably far from her best in her return to competition on Sunday but the greatest player of her generation said it was a positive step toward her goal of returning to the pinnacle of her sport.

Williams, playing her first official match since having a baby, and older sister Venus were beaten in a dead doubles rubber by the Netherlands in the Fed Cup in Asheville, North Carolina, but walked away feeling upbeat.

“I honestly feel better than I thought I was going to feel,” said Williams, who prior to Sunday had not played a competitive match since her 2017 Australian Open victory.

“I feel like I didn’t expect to play, you know, like that for me. I feel like I‘m on the right track.”

Williams, who gave birth to her first child last September, showed glimpses of both her prowess and rust during the 6-2 6-3 loss to Demi Schuurs and Lesley Kerkhove.

Early in the match Williams showed the effects of her lengthy layoff, perhaps most noticeably when she shanked a routine volley that left her bent over in embarrassment.

But shortly after, the owner of an Open-era record 23 grand slam singles titles drew wild cheers when she confidently stepped to the net and stretched out to drive home a superb backhand volley.

“I didn’t know what to expect. Maybe that’s why I felt like I did better. I didn’t expect to ...have that much power on my serves, even though they didn’t go in,” said Williams.

“It’s just a start. I feel like that’s a very good step in the right direction.”

Despite the loss, it was a positive step for Williams, who was bedridden for six weeks from a series of complications, including a pulmonary embolism that led to multiple surgeries, after her daughter was delivered by emergency cesarean section.

Still, the 36-year-old American said she came into the tie with high expectations.


“If I walk out there with low expectations, then I need to stop doing what I do. So that’s never going to happen for me,” said Williams.

“I‘m always going to have the best and highest expectations for myself.”

The rubber had no impact on the best-of-five tie as it was played after Venus gave the United States an insurmountable 3-0 lead that put the reigning champions into the April 21-22 semi-finals against France.

Williams, who played an exhibition match last December in the United Arab Emirates, where she lost to French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, said in addition to working on her serve and returns, she needs to manage her time better now that she has her daughter in tow.

“I didn’t manage my time well, but I was thinking about it in the future how to manage it better,” said Williams, whose daughter was among those in the sellout crowd.

source: news agency

Venus, CoCo give U.S. commanding lead over Netherlands

Venus Williams and CoCo Vandeweghe won the opening singles matches to give holders the United States a commanding 2-0 lead in their Fed Cup World Group opener against the Netherlands in Asheville, North Carolina on Saturday.

Williams, with younger sister Serena watching on from the sidelines after being selected for the team, struck first with a 6-1 6-4 victory over Arantxa Rus on the indoor hard court.

After racing through the opening set, Williams was made to work in the second where the first five games all ended in service breaks. Williams finally saved a break point in the sixth game and held serve for the first time in the second set.

“It’s never easy and it’s always a challenge,” Williams said after beating her 124th-ranked opponent. “On paper, today I looked like I should win but it was a battle and I‘m glad to get through that.”

With the win, Williams joined Billie Jean King, Chris Evert and Lindsay Davenport as the only American women to win 20 or more Fed Cup singles matches.

World number 17 Vandeweghe battled back for a 4-6 7-6(6) 6-3 victory over world number 108 Richel Hogenkamp to put the Americans one win away from the April 21-22 semi-finals.

Hogenkamp won four consecutive games to take the opener but Vandeweghe levelled the match with an ace on her fourth set point, triggering a massive fist pump and show of emotion that few expected from what initially appeared to be a mismatch.

Vandeweghe charged home in the decisive set to give her side a comfortable lead heading into Sunday’s reverse singles and doubles closer.

Serena Williams, who has not played a competitive match since she won the Australian Open title last year, will team up with Lauren Davis in a doubles match that will be played even if the U.S. clinch the tie earlier.

Elsewhere, the Czech Republic, winners in five of the last seven years, ended day one of their tie in Prague against Switzerland 2-0 ahead after Petra Kvitova beat Viktorija Golubic in three sets before Barbara Strycova eased past Belinda Bencic.

Belarus were locked at 1-1 with Germany in Minsk while hosts France and Belgium were also level going into Sunday’s action.


source: news agency

Federer can become oldest World No.1 in Rotterdam

Melbourne: 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer is on verge to become the oldest player to claim world number one spot in the men's tennis history after he accepted the late wildcard to play in next week's ATP event in Rotterdam.

Federer, who has agreed to play in the Dutch hardcourt event for the first time since 2015, currently sits on the second spot in the world rankings.

He is just 155 points behind old-rival Rafael Nadal, with 180 points up for grabs if he makes it to the semi-finals in the Netherlands.

Nadal, on the other hand, is currently recovering from a thigh injury he sustained during the Australian Open and is not slated to make a return to the tennis court until the Mexican Open in late February.

Talking about his participation in the tournament, Federer said, "The tournament is special for me. I remember playing for the first time in 1999 as it was one of the first events where I got the chance to play at the highest level."

Meanwhile, tournament director Richard Krajicek said that it is tremendous to have Federer playing in Rotterdam, especially after he won a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title last month with a five-set victory over Marin Cilic.

"After his fantastic result at the Australian Open, it is tremendous news that he will be joining us in Rotterdam. It is crowns to the celebration of the history of our tournament.The last 12 months have shown his tremendous drive. It makes perfect sense that he wants to capitalise on his current form," news.com.au quoted Krajicek, as saying.

It should be noted that USA's Andre Agassi has held the record as the oldest world number one in the men's player history since achieving the feat aged 33 years and 131 days in 2003.


source: news agency

Rafael Nadal signs on for Queen's challenge

LONDON: World number one Rafael Nadal has confirmed he will play in the Wimbledon warm-up event at Queen's Club later this year.

Nadal has missed the grass-court tournament in west London for the last two years after suffering a wrist injury in 2016 and then prioritising rest after his French Open victory in 2017.

But the Spaniard, who won the Queen's title in 2008, intends to participate in this year's event, which begins on June 18.

"I am very excited to communicate that I am going to come to Queen's in 2018," Nadal said.

"It is going to be the 10th anniversary of my victory in 2008, it's a great memory, winning there and three weeks later winning Wimbledon.

"It was an unforgettable year. I am very excited to be coming back and playing Queen's again."

Nadal's best performances at Wimbledon have always come after he has played at Queen's.

He reached the Wimbledon final five times between 2006 and 2011, winning in 2008 and 2010, and making the quarter-finals at Queen's prior to each of those appearances at the All England Club.

Stephen Farrow, Queen's tournament director, said: "We are delighted that Rafa is planning to return to The Queen's Club in 2018.

"His run ten years ago, when he won at Roland Garros, Queen's and Wimbledon, will never be forgotten.

"To see him back at the top of the world rankings a decade later is a testament to his greatness and desire to achieve even more."


Nadal was forced to retire from his Australian Open quarter-final against Marin Cilic because of a thigh injury.

But he said this week he could return to action at the Mexican Open in Acapulco at the end of the month.


Former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has a contract to play Queen's for the rest of his career and is hoping to use the tournament to mark the start of his return from hip surgery in January.


source: news agency

Spain wins doubles in Davis Cup tie against Britain

Spanish doubles pairing of Feliciano Lopez and Pablo Carreno claimed a straight sets win over British duo of Jaimie Murray and Dominic Inglot to give Spain a 2-1 advantage in the Davis Cup tie.

The Spanish took advantage of Inglot's inexperience to break his serve on two occasions as they ended up winning a tight match 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(4), reports Xinhua news agency.

Lopez and Carreno gave Murray and Inglot few options in the match as the British duo had only one break point all game, which came in the second game of the match.

Lopez's service especially was impossible for the British duo to deal with and the Spanish are now clear favourites to win the tie.


source: news agency

Djokovic undergoes surgery to cure troublesome elbow

Novak Djokovic has undergone an elbow operation in an attempt to cure an injury that has troubled him for the past two years.

The 30-year-old Serb said he had agreed to surgery after last month’s Australian Open when he was treated on court in losing to unseeded South Korean Chung Hyeon in the last 16.

“I agreed with my team that I would try different methods after I finish in Australia and a few days ago I accepted to do a small medical intervention on my elbow. It seems like I am on the good road now to full recovery,” he posted on Instagram.

The 12-time grand slam champion had hoped the extended break he took last year might solve the problem but said he decided on more drastic action after still experiencing pain in Melbourne.

“I’ve been carrying this injury for the past two years, and during this time I’ve been seeing many doctors,” said Djokovic, who before last month had not competed since losing at Wimbledon last year.

“I took six months off last season hoping to come back fully recovered, but unfortunately I still felt pain,” he said.

”It’s quite a journey this one, I have to say. I‘m learning a lot and for that I‘m grateful. I’ve always taken care of my body and looked for the most natural ways to heal, and my body has rewarded me with some incredible years on tour.

“I am super positive and excited to follow my recovery through so I can come back to the place I love the most. The court.”

Serbia’s former Davis Cup coach Bogdan Obradovic predicted Djokovic would make a full recovery.

“I am convinced that Djokovic can return stronger, he has overcome many problems in his career,” said Obradovic, who led Serbia to their maiden title in the competition in 2010.

”He has made all the right moves - he took a break in an effort to avoid surgery, played at the Australian Open and when it didn’t work, having the surgery was the only option.

“He is still hungry for success and what he needs to do now is be patient,” he told Reuters.

Djokovic’s rival, Britain’s Andy Murray, is also recovering from surgery, to his hip, after also finding that rest did not cure his long-term injury.

Reporting by Neil Robinson; Additional reporting by Zoran Milosavljevic in Nis, Serbia; Editing by Ken Ferris


source: news agency

Caroline Wozniacki wins first major title at Australian Open

MELBOURNE: An emotional Caroline Wozniacki finally lifted her first Grand Slam title at the 43rd attempt as she beat Simona Halep in three energy-sapping sets to win the Australian Open on Saturday.

The Dane, who will become the new world number one, burst into tears as she secured the championship 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-4 against the battling Romanian top seed on her first match point of a gruelling, epic encounter.

"I've dreamt of this moment for so many years," said second seeded Wozniacki after becoming the first player from Denmark to win a Grand Slam.

"My voice is shaking. I never cry, but this is a very emotional moment.

"I want to congratulate Simona, I know it's a tough day," she added after receiving the trophy from Billie Jean King.

"I'm sorry that I had to win today but I'm sure we'll have many matches in the future and it was an incredible match and an incredible fight and again, I'm sorry."

Wozniacki, 27, had to overcome bouts of nerves throughout the long match. She wobbled when serving for the first set at 5-3 and had to come through a tiebreak.

"I want to thank my fiance," she said, looking up to American basketball player David Lee in her box. "I was a nervous wreck this morning, I wanted to win so bad, but you calmed me down."

Both players needed medical attention on court before the Dane prevailed in 2hr 49min on Rod Laver Arena.

For Wozniacki, victory meant shedding at last the unwanted moniker of best player never to win a major, having reached the US Open final in 2009 and 2014, and first becoming number one in 2010.

For Halep, who surrendered her number one status to Wozniacki in defeat, the wait goes on.

"It's not easy to talk now but first of all I want to congratulate Caroline," said Halep, who was also appearing in her third Grand Slam final and first in Australia.

"She played amazing. It's been a great tournament for me. Of course I'm sad I couldn't win today but Caroline was better than me.

"But I will fight and hopefully I will face another challenge like I did today. I'm sad that I couldn't make it the third time, but maybe the fourth time will be with luck."

Wozniacki started the stronger, breaking Halep's opening service game with the early evening temperature still above 30 Celsius (86 Farenheit) before racing into a 3-0 lead.

She had not won a set in either of her previous two Grand Slam final appearances and tightened visibly serving for this one, and the set headed for a tiebreak.

The Dane went 4-1 up before a second mini-break and two solid serves gave her the tiebreak 7-2.

Wozniacki was growing in confidence and Halep needed to save four break points at 1-1 in the second set in a brutal game that lasted 11 minutes.

Soon after Halep signalled to her coach Darren Cahill that she wasn't feeling well and there were worrying scenes as she had her blood pressure taken and an ice towel applied in the next changeover.

She re-emerged with her energy drained and needed the luckiest of net cords to hold for 4-3.

Cramping, she decided to stand and deliver in the next game, keeping the points short.

Incredibly the tactic paid off as she broke Wozniacki with a ripping drive up the line to level the match.


The tournament's extreme heat policy was invoked meaning the players took a 10-minute break before the start of the third set.

When they resumed neither of them could hold their serve until Wozniacki, after having a timeout to have her left knee strapped, held for 5-4 to force Halep to serve to stay in the match.


source: news agency

Roger Federer into Australian Open final as Chung retires injured

MELBOURNE: Defending champion Roger Federer strolled into the Australian Open final in a bitter-sweet win after Chung Hyeon's retired injured in their semi-final on Friday.

The Swiss star was leading 6-1, 5-2 when the South Korean called it quits with foot blisters and will now face Marin Cilic in Sunday's final.

Chung, the first South Korean man or woman to play in a Grand Slam semi-final, was treated in a medical timeout for the left foot problem two games earlier.

But it came as a big surprise when the 21-year-old walked to the net at 30-30 and trailing 2-5 after 1hr 02mins in the second set to concede defeat.

It put Federer into his seventh Australian final as he chases his sixth Melbourne title and 20th Grand Slam victory.

Federer leads 2014 US Open champion Cilic 8-1 in their meetings.

The Swiss maestro now has a 30-13 win-loss record in Grand Slam semi-finals and has yet to drop a set in this year's Australian Open.

"You couldn't tell until the end," he said of Chung's injury problems. "That's probably why a lot of people are stunned (he retired).

"I could tell something was wrong before he took the injury timeout, but he has a great composure.

"I think he is already a great player, but we are talking next level excellence and I think he will achieve that.

"We will see much more of him. Top 10 for sure. The rest we will see."

It was a muted semi-final with the Rod Laver Arena retractable roof closed for rain further improving Federer's chances given his indoor record.

He broke Chung's opening service and twice more to romp away with the first set in just 33 minutes as the Korean made a flurry of errors.

It got no better in the second set with Federer again breaking in the fourth game before the trainer was called on to the court to treat Chung for his foot blisters.

Chung only lasted a bit more than two games before pulling out to a stunned silence.

"In the second set I felt he was starting to get a bit slower, fighting with a blister," Federer said.

"I've played with blisters in the past a lot, and it hurts a lot, and at one point it is just too much and you can't take it anymore.

"That's when you realise there is no way you can come back and you make things really worse, it is better to stop. That's why this feels bitter-sweet.

Source: News Agency

MS Dhoni, Pankaj Advani win Padma Bhushan awards, Kidambi Srikanth is Padmashree

NEW DELHI: Former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and multiple world champion cueist Pankaj Advani were on Thursday conferred with the country's third-highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan.

Besides the duo, 2017 World Weightlifting Champion in the 48kg category, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and former Asian Games gold medallist tennis player Somdev Devvarman were conferred with the Padma Shri award.

Ace men's singles shuttler Kidambi Srikanth also won the Padma Shri along side India's first Paralympic gold medalist, Murlikant Petkar.

Petkar won an individual gold medal in the 1972 Summer Paralympics, in Heidelberg, Germany. He set a world record in the 50 m freestyle swimming event, at 37.33 seconds.

In the same games he participated in javelin, precision javelin throw and slalom. He was a finalist in all three events.

Dhoni has been the recipient of many awards, including the ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2008 and 2009 (the first player to win the award twice), the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 2007 and the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour in 2009.

Considered as the country's most successful cricket captain, Dhoni led India to two World Cup triumphs -- in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 held in South Africa in September 2007 and the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup. India also won ICC Champions Trophy under him.

It was under his captaincy that India climbed to No. 1 in the ICC Test Rankings in December 2009.

Just like Dhoni, Advani also has a distinguished career, having won gold twice in Asian Games in 2006 Doha and 2010 Guangzhou. He is also a multiple world-champion.

Currently ranked third in the BWF rankings, Srikkanth is looked upon as a future Olympic champion shuttler.

The 24-year-old shuttler's real rise came last season when he won as many as six titles including four Super Series titles. He won the French Open, Denmark Open, Australian Open, Indonesia Open, India Open and China Open.


A product of Pullela Gopichand badminton academy in Hyderabad, Srikkanth also finished runners-up in last year's Singapore Open.

Manipuri weightlifter Mirabai Chanu claim to fame includes silver medal in the women's 48kg weight class at the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Glasgow.



Source: News Agency

Halep overcomes Kerber in epic semis to reach Australian Open final

Melbourne : World No.1 Simona Halep justified her ranking by defeating Germany's Angelique Kerber 6-3, 4-6, 9-7 in a gruelling Australian Open semi-final here on Thursday.

The Romanian top seed battled for two hours and 20 minutes to eventually subdue 21st seed Kerber, becoming the first Romanian woman to reach the Australian Open final, reports Efe.

"I try to be very calm, but today was like a rollercoaster up and down. I didn't give up, not even a ball.

I did it really well, and I'm really proud of myself actually." Halep, the two-time French Open finalist, said.

"I will fight for every point and not rest until I finish this tournament. So next week, I will rest," she added.

The 26-year-old, who is yet to win a Grand Slam, dominated the first set, racing out into a 5-0 lead before allowing Kerber back into the game, taking the first 6-3.

The German struck back to take the second set 6-4 after saving two break points that would have had Halep leading 5-3 and serving for the match.

A dramatic third set saw Kerber, the 2016 Australian Open champion, break Halep as the Romanian served for the match at 5-3.

Kerber then broke again at 6-6, but could not complete the victory after losing two match points.

Both players were visibly exhausted in the late afternoon heat as they slugged the ball back and forth, before Halep eventually came out on top after finally breaking Kerber's serve to win the third set 9-7 and end the German's 10-match winning streak.

Source: News Agency

Nadal wants to start afresh at 2018 Australian Open

Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal has said the bitter disappointment of last year's narrow five-set loss to Roger Federer in the Australian Open final will not give him any extra motivation for this year's opening Grand Slam.

"It is impossible to be more motivated than last year or any year," the world number one told Xinhua news agency on Saturday.

"For me the Australian Open, if you are not 100 percent motivated to win this tournament, you probably don't love the sport."

Despite a stellar 2017, which saw the 31-year-old claim the US Open and a record 10th French Open title, Nadal talked down the significance of beginning the year with the No.1 ranking.

"It is better to start No.1 than No.20," the Spaniard said.

"But everyone starts from zero. I start from zero again.

Stan Wawrinka Feared For Career During Long Layoff

It's a new season, an exciting one and I hope to be healthy, competitive and, most importantly, to enjoy tennis."

"I just think about my first round... It's the first match of the year and I don't think further than that. I take it day by day as I always have."

Source: News Agency

Federer still the man to beat at Melbourne Park

MELBOURNE : It might be argued that 36-year-old fathers of four have no business winning grand slam titles but try telling that to Roger Federer as the evergreen Swiss bids to claim a record-equalling sixth Australian Open crown in two weeks’ time.

Federer will saddle up for a 19th time in the main draw at Melbourne Park, looking to frustrate ‘Generation Next’ once again and defend the title he won last year during a stunning comeback from knee surgery.

No such queries hang over his fitness this year and if bookmakers are to be believed the other 127 men in the draw will be fighting for the scraps from Federer’s plate.

On immediate form, few could argue.

Federer, seeded second, arrives for a first round match against mid-ranked Slovenian Aljaz Bedene after cruising through an undefeated run at the Hopman Cup.

His major rivals, meanwhile, are either carrying injuries or returning from them, or in the case of ‘Big Four’ cohort Andy Murray, ruled out because of them.

A magical 20th slam might seem a formality for a player who did it all in last year’s tournament with the shortest of run-ups, but on closer inspection, Federer’s path through the draw is far from straightforward.

Danger lurks at almost every corner, with former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic and a resurgent Juan Martin Del Potro, the man who beat Federer for the 2009 U.S. Open title, looming as threats before the quarter-finals.

Yet few would be surprised if the tournament ends in a repeat of last year’s final with Federer up against his great Spanish rival and top seed Rafa Nadal.

The pair split the four grand slam trophies between them last year, with Nadal, at 31, finishing the season as the ATP rankings’ oldest world number one.

Like Federer, Nadal has pared back his playing schedule to prolong his career but the strain still showed when he pulled out of the ATP Tour Finals in November with a knee problem after losing his opening match.

He missed warmup events in Abu Dhabi and Brisbane but appeared untroubled in an exhibition match win over Austrian world number five Dominic Thiem at Melbourne Park on Friday.

If fit and firing, 2009 champion Nadal will be hard to beat but needs to bring something new to the court if he ends up facing Federer, who won all four of their matches last year.

The Melbourne crowds will throw their support behind the two grand slam titans but the younger generation of players probably wish they would just go away.

Year after year the bright sparks and ‘Next Big Things’ have been denied by the ‘Big Four’ at the slams.

Even with Murray and Novak Djokovic out of the frame for much of 2017 due to injury, ‘Gen Next’ once again failed to make inroads at the four tournaments that really count.

Most bookmakers see third seed Grigor Dimitrov as the best chance among them to make a breakthrough in Melbourne, but still rate the Bulgarian lower than Djokovic, who brings a major query over his serving elbow, is seeded 14th and has barely swung a racquet in six months.

While Melbourne Park maestro Djokovic will bid for a record seventh Australian Open title, those fans hoping for a shake-up of the establishment may look to 20-year-old Alexander Zverev after his stellar 2017.

Like 22-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios, fourth seed Zverev possesses a majestic game capable of toppling the very best but also has a propensity to crumble on the biggest stages.

Source: News Agency

Margaret Court Arena should be renamed, says King

MELBOURNE: Twelve-times grand slam champion Billie Jean King said on Friday that Margaret Court’s name should be stripped from the Australian Open showcourt due to her divisive views on sexuality.

American King’s comments follow a report in the New York Times on Thursday in which Martina Navratilova said she would refuse to play on Margaret Court Arena if still competing.

A contemporary of King, 75-year-old Court is a Christian pastor and has campaigned against same-sex marriage, which recently became legal in Australia after a plebiscite last year.

The Australian also caused a furore last year by telling a Christian radio station that transgender children were corrupted by “the devil” and that tennis was “full of lesbians”.

“I personally don’t think she should have her name (on it) any more,” King, 74, told reporters at Melbourne Park.

“I was fine until lately she said so many derogatory things ... That really went deep in my heart and soul.”

King, a lesbian and equal rights activist, said she had advocated for 24-times grand slam champion Court to be recognised at Melbourne Park after centre court was named after Australian men’s great Rod Laver in 2000.

But she had recently changed her mind after a number of controversial comments by Court, who won the Australian Open 11 times between 1960 and 1973.

“If I were playing today, I would not play in this court,” she said.

King said she would not encourage players to boycott matches in the showcourt over Court’s views, however.

“Maybe some of the gay players wouldn’t want to play there. I wouldn’t encourage them not to do it,” she said.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said there had been “conversations” about changing the name of the stadium but added there were no plans to do so.

“Our position hasn’t changed,” he told reporters.

“Margaret’s views are her views ... (A name change) is up to a broader group of people and not up to one person or organisation.”

Court has been a fixture in the stands at the season’s first grand slam but elected to skip the tournament this year, Tiley confirmed.

King said she would welcome Court’s attendance.


Source: News Agency

Federer to open Australia Open against Bedene

MELBOURNE: Roger Federer will open his Australian Open title defence against Slovenian Aljaz Bedene next week, while top seed Rafa Nadal, the losing finalist last year, was paired with Dominican Victor Estrella Burgos at the draw on Thursday.

Women’s top seed Simona Halep of Romania faces Australian wildcard Destanee Aiava in the first round, with second seed Caroline Wozniacki starting out against Halep’s compatriot Mihaela Buzarnescu.

Serena Williams will not defend the women’s title having had her first child last year but 2008 champion Maria Sharapova, who failed a drugs test at the tournament in 2016, is back unseeded after a ban and will face Germany’s Tatjana Maria.

Williams’s sister Venus, who lost to her sibling in the final last year, is seeded fourth and the 37-year-old was handed a tricky first encounter against Swiss former world number seven Belinda Bencic, who is 17 years her junior.

Men’s third seed Grigor Dimitrov will face a qualifier, with Alexander Zverev, ranked fourth, playing Italian Thomas Fabbiano but with 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka, returning after surgery, in his section of the draw.

Young gun Zverev had little luck in his first Australian Open draw as a top five seed with either Wawrinka, who plays Ricardas Berankis, or Novak Djokovic potentially standing in his path in the quarter-finals.

Six-times Melbourne Park champion Djokovic, seeded 14th after missing the back end of last season with an elbow injury, will take on American lefthander Donald Young in his first match with mercurial Frenchman Gael Monfils looming in round two.

Federer also has Milos Raonic, Juan Martin del Potro, David Goffin and Tomas Berdych in his quarter of the draw, while Nadal would appear to have the easier section, although former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic looms as a last-eight opponent.

If the draw goes to seeding, Dimitrov would face American Jack Sock in the last eight, with ailing world number five Dominic Thiem, who withdrew from Kooyong because of illness on Thursday, taking on Zverev.

Britain’s Andy Murray and Japan’s Kei Nishikori have already withdrawn from the championships and women’s world number three Garbine Muguruza has twice pulled out of tournaments over the last two weeks due to leg cramps and a thigh problem.

The Wimbledon champion is scheduled take on France’s Jessika Ponchet in the first round, while French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko was paired with veteran Francesca Schiavone and U.S Open champion Sloane Stephens will take on China’s Zhang Shuai.

Australia’s sole men’s seed, Nick Kyrgios, takes on Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva and local women’s 18th seed Ashleigh Barty takes on Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.

Source: News Agency

Evergreen Federer is clear Australian Open favourite

Roger Federer is the “clear favourite” to retain his Australian Open title over an injury-riddled field when the first grand slam of the season starts next week in Melbourne, tennis analysts said.

Federer’s bid for a 20th grand slam title will be aided by the absences of Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori, as well as lingering injuries to top players who are still expected to play like Rafa Nadal and Stan Wawrinka.

But more so than the competition, it is the 36-year-old Federer’s dominant play at this month’s Hopman Cup, where he won all four of his singles matches and led Switzerland to a third title, that gives him the edge.

“He looks younger than ever,” ESPN tennis analyst and former professional Patrick McEnroe told reporters on a call on Wednesday.

“He’s moving as beautifully as ever. He’s hitting the ball brilliantly. Wins four or five matches at the Hopman Cup against high-level competition. To me, he’s the clear favourite.”

Bookmakers are also expecting the world number two to successfully defend his title.

Federer ($2.75 AUD) is the favourite to win the tournament, according to Australian Gambling, with world number one and last year’s Australian Open runner-up Nadal ($5.50) trailing him.

“He could always get picked off early,” McEnroe said.

“But based on what I’ve seen so far... I don’t think there’s anybody else that you could say is a favourite other than Roger at the moment.”

ESPN analyst and former world number one Chris Evert said his experience and smooth style of play, which has left him relatively injury-free, set him apart from the field.

“This is a guy who is so relaxed... I think that affects him mentally as well as physically,” she said.

“Mentally and emotionally, having kids, having a family, he gets away from the game. He knows how to compartmentalise really well.”

“He lets the losses roll off his back, there’s no tension there. I think he has a real joy for the game,” she said.

“That’s what makes Federer, Federer.”

The Australian Open runs from Jan. 15-28.

Source: News Agencies

Serena Williams absence gives chance for a new superstar to emerge

Women’s tennis starts its 2018 campaign with the usual early focus on the Australian Open and a huge question mark over who can fill the yawning gap left by the absence of Serena Williams.

No one was able to get anywhere close last year, not just in terms of consistently winning the biggest tournaments but also when it comes to charisma.

Williams left Melbourne a year ago with a 23rd grand slam title under her belt but soon hung up her racket for the remainder of 2017 upon discovering she was eight weeks pregnant at the time of her triumph.

Her forced hiatus will extend past this year’s tournament after she decided last week that she was not fully match-ready, giving the chasing pack more opportunities to stamp their authority on the women’s game.

Boris Becker, who knows a bit about both winning grand slams and star appeal, believes the landscape at the top of the women’s game is just too confused at the moment.

“I think there is a real opportunity for the next superstar. It’s not clear cut,” he told Reuters.

”(Simona) Halep is number one at the moment but we have four or five different girls. It’s just that there is no one dominating, but it’s up to them.

“I could mention 10 names who could win the Australian Open, that’s good and that’s bad. I think the sport needs a strong rivalry because that’s good for fans. But the women’s game doesn’t have that at the moment.”

Source: News Agencies

Yuki, Ramkumar progress in Australian Open qualifiers

India's top singles players Yuki Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanathan bounced back in style to win their respective matches at the Australian Open qualifiers on Wednesday.

Bhambri, seeded 15th, overcame Canada's Bradely Schuner 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round and will next take on Spain's Carlos Taberner.

Ramkumar, seeded 28th, edged out American Bradley Klahn 6-7(8), 7-6(3), 6-2 to set up a second round clash against French man Gleb Sakharov.

However, it was the end of the road for Sumit Nagal and Prajnesh Gunneswaran.

Nagal, who recently played his maiden ATP World Tour event in Pune, went down fighting 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6 to Italy's Alessandro Giannessi while Prajnesh lost 6-1, 1-6, 2-6 to Germany's Tobias Kamke.

Source: News Agencies

Djokovic returns from injury layoff with thumping win

London: Former world number one and Serbian tennis maestro Novak Djokovic is bursting with joy after making a resounding return to the tennis court, following the longest injury lay-off of his career.

Having remained sidelined for almost six months with an elbow injury, the 30-year-old made a successful comeback by thrashing world number five Dominic Thiem 6-1, 6-4 in the exhibition event at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne.

Djokovic looked in good form and full of optimism as he played the first competitive match since his withdrawal from the Wimbledon quarterfinal against Tomas Berdych due to injury.

Following the match, Djokovic said that he is quite satisfied with his comeback, especially his serve, which had been most affected by the elbow injury.

"It was a fantastic test for me to see where I am, to see what we have done as a team and whether it works on the court and it works pretty well. Especially the serve - that was the biggest question mark because of the elbow, that shot in my game was compromised," the Guardian quoted Djokovic, as saying.

"I don't want to be over-confident but I'm very, very happy with the way it went today," he added.

With the win, the 12-time Grand Slam champion's chances of playing in the first major of the season - Australian Open- have also boosted.

Though Djokovic said that his preparation for the season-opening Grand Slam tournament was not ideal, he believes it would be enough if he plays one more tournament ahead of heading into the Melbourne Park.

"It's the first time in my career that I've had such a long break.Never needed the help of Tennis Australia' says Bernard Tomic. It would be ideal if I got another tournament under my belt before the Australian Open but my elbow wasn't ready but I'm going to take whatever I can," he said.

Djokovic will now play in the Tie Break Tens in Melbourne alongside top-ranked Rafael Nadal , France's Stan Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios of Australia.

The former world number one will aim to clinch his sixth Australian Open title when the tournament gets underway at Melbourne Park starting on January 15.

Source: News Agencies

Roger Federer remains unbeaten at Hopman Cup

PERTH : Roger Federer's perfect start to the New Year continued when he dismantled the game of world number four Alexander Zverev in the final of the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth on Saturday.

Unbeaten in his three singles matches in the tournament prior to the final as he prepared for his Australian Open title defence, the 19-time Grand Slam champion dropped the first set against Zverev, but recovered to win in three sets, 6-7 (4/7), 6-0, 6-2.

It gave Switzerland a 1-0 lead in the final, with Federer aiming to add to the title he won in Perth with Martina Hingis in 2001.

Zverev came out all guns blazing in a high-intensity first set where both players produced moments of brilliance, with both holding multiple break points.

However, the young German managed to prevail in the tie-breaker as he aimed to repeat his singles win over Federer at the Hopman Cup last year, when all three sets were decided by tie-breakers.

Federer's frustration was obvious, dropping his racquet after missing an easy volley and then launching a ball towards the roof.

However, it soon passed as he started to blunt the German's power and his superior court craft turned the momentum.

Federer took pace off his shots and used the drop shot repeatedly to catch Zverev out, racing through the second set.

The German was the one who lost his cool as the match slipped away, copping a code violation for an audible obscenity after disputing the chair umpire's decision to replay a Zverev serve in the second set.

Zverev's serve, and resolve, was broken in the third game of the third set and fittingly it was a Federer drop shot which sealed the win.

"I played great throughout the three sets and Sasha probably dropped his level a little bit in the second and third sets," he said.

Source: News Agency