The 2026 US Open singles tournament will begin on Sunday (Aug 30), with Carlos Alcaraz returning to action in his first individual competition since suffering a wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in April. ATP world No. 1 Jannik Sinner will miss the tournament due to a knee injury, while Novak Djokovic will aim to claim his 25th Grand Slam title.&nbsp;Rising star Alex Eala is expected to attract strong support from fans in New York, while Aryna Sabalenka will look to regain her winning form.&nbsp;However, a day before the tournament begins, British No. 1 Katie Boulter has raised concerns about the smell of cannabis around the US Open venue. Cannabis is legal for adults aged 21 and above in New York, but Boulter said the smell can be distracting during matches and practice sessions.&nbsp;The British player explained that the smell sometimes “takes you out of the moment”.“Yeah, I have experienced it,” she said.&nbsp;“You go down to the practice courts and down in the park courts, you do smell it a lot.“I mean, it’s not great. We’ll find out how the practice goes. If it goes well or not, I don’t know. We’ll see.&nbsp;“But I’m not a huge fan of it. I know a lot of players have complained on some of the specific courts.&nbsp;“I played on the court in the corner over there. And I did smell it during my match. It’s something that I wouldn’t like to smell in the middle of my match. I’m trying to focus and then, obviously, it takes you out of the moment."&nbsp;“You don’t need distractions. So, yeah, I wasn’t a huge fan of it.”&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-thailand-women-s-asia-cup-2026-live-streaming-details-date-and-time-1788003336759">India vs Thailand, Women’s Asia Cup 2026: Live streaming details, date and time</a>&nbsp;Boulter will begin her US Open campaign against American wild card Carol Young Suh Lee in the first round.&nbsp;This is not the first time a tennis player has complained about the issue. In 2022, Nick Kyrgios said a fan smoking near the court had triggered his asthma. The umpire then asked the spectator to stop smoking.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/it-s-a-special-feeling-harry-kane-reflects-on-being-named-germany-s-footballer-of-the-year-1788000043971">'It’s a...': Harry Kane reflects on being named Germany’s Footballer of the Year</a>&nbsp;Boulter’s fellow British players Fran Jones and Harriet Dart have also spoken about the issue. Jones previously said:&nbsp;“Last year I made a joke about that, in my first round, and I said to the guy, ‘Is this normal?’“Because I was on the stadium, and it’s next to the park. He’s like, ‘Yeah.’ And I was like, ‘Well, no wonder I’m playing pretty well.’&nbsp;“This year I’ll be like, ‘No, lock in, lock in!’”&nbsp;The United States Tennis Association also addressed the matter in a statement, “While we can’t control what takes place off the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, we continue to be vigilant as we maintain this.”

British tennis star Katie Boulter has revealed that the smell of cannabis was an unexpected distraction while she was competing on court at the US Open.

The 2026 US Open singles tournament will begin on Sunday (Aug 30), with Carlos Alcaraz returning to action in his first individual competition since suffering a wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in April. ATP world No. 1 Jannik Sinner will miss the tournament due to a knee injury, while Novak Djokovic will aim to claim his 25th Grand Slam title. Rising star Alex Eala is expected to attract strong support from fans in New York, while Aryna Sabalenka will look to regain her winning form. However, a day before the tournament begins, British No. 1 Katie Boulter has raised concerns about the smell of cannabis around the US Open venue. Cannabis is legal for adults aged 21 and above in New York, but Boulter said the smell can be distracting during matches and practice sessions. The British player explained that the smell sometimes “takes you out of the moment”. “Yeah, I have experienced it,” she said. “You go down to the practice courts and down in the park courts, you do smell it a lot. “I mean, it’s not great. We’ll find out how the practice goes. If it goes well or not, I don’t know. We’ll see. “But I’m not a huge fan of it. I know a lot of players have complained on some of the specific courts. “I played on the court in the corner over there. And I did smell it during my match. It’s something that I wouldn’t like to smell in the middle of my match. I’m trying to focus and then, obviously, it takes you out of the moment." “You don’t need distractions. So, yeah, I wasn’t a huge fan of it.” Also Read - India vs Thailand, Women’s Asia Cup 2026: Live streaming details, date and time Boulter will begin her US Open campaign against American wild card Carol Young Suh Lee in the first round. This is not the first time a tennis player has complained about the issue. In 2022, Nick Kyrgios said a fan smoking near the court had triggered his asthma. The umpire then asked the spectator to stop smoking. Also Read - 'It’s a...': Harry Kane reflects on being named Germany’s Footballer of the Year Boulter’s fellow British players Fran Jones and Harriet Dart have also spoken about the issue. Jones previously said: “Last year I made a joke about that, in my first round, and I said to the guy, ‘Is this normal?’ “Because I was on the stadium, and it’s next to the park. He’s like, ‘Yeah.’ And I was like, ‘Well, no wonder I’m playing pretty well.’ “This year I’ll be like, ‘No, lock in, lock in!’” The United States Tennis Association also addressed the matter in a statement, “While we can’t control what takes place off the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, we continue to be vigilant as we maintain this.”

British tennis star Katie Boulter has revealed that the smell of cannabis was an unexpected distraction while she was competing on court at the US Open.

Tennis players raise concerns over cannabis smell at US Open 2026

The 2026 U.S Open will offer a record-breaking $108 million in prize money, with the singles champions taking home $5.5 million each. It is the richest purse in grand slam history.


US open announces record $108 million purse for 2026 edition 

Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed that he will return to competitive tennis at the US Open 2026 after spending four months on the sidelines with a wrist injury. The 23-year-old Spanish star will return to New York to defend his title at the tournament, which will be held from Aug 30 to Sep 13.&nbsp;&nbsp;“HERE WE GO!” Alcaraz wrote in an X post on Thursday and confirmed his participation.&nbsp;The seven-time Grand Slam champion has not played a competitive match since April. He suffered the wrist injury during the Barcelona Open and was forced to withdraw from the tournament. The injury also kept him out of the French Open, Wimbledon and the hard-court events in Toronto and Cincinnati.&nbsp;Alcaraz won his second US Open title last year after defeating Jannik Sinner in the final and later went on to win the Australian Open.&nbsp;Despite his long absence, Alcaraz has managed to hold on to his No. 2 position in the ATP rankings.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/battle-against-fear-nozomi-okuhara-reveals-painful-reason-behind-withdrawal-from-bwf-world-championships-1787308467690">'Battle against fear': Nozomi Okuhara reveals painful reason behind withdrawal from BWF World Championships</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has also been out of action since winning Wimbledon. The Italian pulled out of the Cincinnati Open because of a right knee injury, putting his fitness for the US Open under doubt.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-sl-kamil-mishara-sahan-arachchige-join-sri-lanka-squad-for-second-test-1787305975896">IND vs SL: Kamil Mishara, Sahan Arachchige join Sri Lanka squad for 2nd Test</a>&nbsp;The Cincinnati Open confirmed Sinner’s withdrawal on its official X account, meaning the tournament missed both of the sport’s leading young stars, Sinner and his biggest rival, Alcaraz.&nbsp;“Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury. Wishing all the best to our 2024 champion, and can’t wait to see you again next year!,” posted the tournament’s official handle.&nbsp;Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open. At 19, he also became the youngest player in history to reach the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings.&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

The Spaniard has been sidelined since Apr 14, missing both Wimbledon and Roland Garros as he recovered from the injury.

Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed that he will return to competitive tennis at the US Open 2026 after spending four months on the sidelines with a wrist injury. The 23-year-old Spanish star will return to New York to defend his title at the tournament, which will be held from Aug 30 to Sep 13. “HERE WE GO!” Alcaraz wrote in an X post on Thursday and confirmed his participation. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has not played a competitive match since April. He suffered the wrist injury during the Barcelona Open and was forced to withdraw from the tournament. The injury also kept him out of the French Open, Wimbledon and the hard-court events in Toronto and Cincinnati. Alcaraz won his second US Open title last year after defeating Jannik Sinner in the final and later went on to win the Australian Open. Despite his long absence, Alcaraz has managed to hold on to his No. 2 position in the ATP rankings. Also Read - 'Battle against fear': Nozomi Okuhara reveals painful reason behind withdrawal from BWF World Championships Meanwhile, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has also been out of action since winning Wimbledon. The Italian pulled out of the Cincinnati Open because of a right knee injury, putting his fitness for the US Open under doubt. Also Read - IND vs SL: Kamil Mishara, Sahan Arachchige join Sri Lanka squad for 2nd Test The Cincinnati Open confirmed Sinner’s withdrawal on its official X account, meaning the tournament missed both of the sport’s leading young stars, Sinner and his biggest rival, Alcaraz. “Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury. Wishing all the best to our 2024 champion, and can’t wait to see you again next year!,” posted the tournament’s official handle. Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open. At 19, he also became the youngest player in history to reach the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings. With inputs from agencies

The Spaniard has been sidelined since Apr 14, missing both Wimbledon and Roland Garros as he recovered from the injury.

'Here we go': Carlos Alcaraz announces US Open return following wrist injury layoff

World no.1 Aryna Sabalenka says she needed to take a break after hear exit from Wimbledon in order to recharge herself ahead of the U.S. open.

Sabalenka set for return ahead of US open title defence

The WTA has announced that players will have to undergo a one-time test for the SRY gene, which determines biological sex. Players face disciplinary action should they refuse testing.

WTA introduces sex test for all players on the WTA tour 

Top tennis players are expected to continue their protest over prize money at Wimbledon after a similar demonstration at the French Open 2026. According to reports, players will reduce their media duties to just 15 minutes after each match during the first week of the tournament. Leading stars such as Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka previously took similar action at Roland Garros, calling for a larger share of the money earned by Grand Slam events. Players argue that they receive less than 15 per cent of the tournaments’ total revenue, despite being the main attraction for fans.&nbsp;In response to concerns raised after the French Open, Wimbledon announced a 20 per cent increase in prize money for 2026. The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive £3.6 million (around INR 44 crore). However, player representatives say the increase is still not enough and have planned what they describe as a “direct action protest.”&nbsp;According to a statement from player representatives, athletes will limit their required media appearances to 15 minutes during the first week of Wimbledon.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Players will limit their contractual media commitments at the tournament to 15 minutes, reflecting that Wimbledon currently pays slightly below 15 per cent of revenues to players as prize money for the duration of the first week of the Championships,” a statement issued by players’ representatives read.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/is-fifa-world-cup-2026-on-course-to-become-the-highest-scoring-tournament-ever-1782401030978">FIFA World Cup 2026 becomes highest-scoring World Cup in 68 years as Lionel Messi leads goal rush</a>&nbsp;The statement also noted that players had informed Wimbledon officials about the planned protest after consulting athletes from both tours, while acknowledging the recent rise in prize money.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/why-are-cristiano-ronaldo-s-new-gold-football-boots-trending-ahead-of-portugal-vs-colombia-match-1782392433745">Why are Ronaldo’s new gold football boots trending ahead of Portugal's match?</a>&nbsp;Earlier, Wimbledon chair Deborah Jevans said she hoped players would appreciate the significant increase in prize money. Despite that, the disagreement over revenue sharing appears likely to continue during the tournament.&nbsp;The All England Club, which organises Wimbledon, has criticised the planned protest. A spokesperson said the organisation was surprised and disappointed by the move, adding that Wimbledon places players at the centre of its decisions and invests heavily in them every year.&nbsp;“We are surprised and disappointed by this action. Wimbledon puts the players at the heart of all our decisions, and we invest significantly in them every year,” Sky Sports quoted an AELTC spokesperson.

Tennis players are preparing to continue their fight for a larger share of Grand Slam revenues at Wimbledon after staging a protest at the French Open earlier this year.

Top tennis players are expected to continue their protest over prize money at Wimbledon after a similar demonstration at the French Open 2026. According to reports, players will reduce their media duties to just 15 minutes after each match during the first week of the tournament. Leading stars such as Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka previously took similar action at Roland Garros, calling for a larger share of the money earned by Grand Slam events. Players argue that they receive less than 15 per cent of the tournaments’ total revenue, despite being the main attraction for fans. In response to concerns raised after the French Open, Wimbledon announced a 20 per cent increase in prize money for 2026. The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive £3.6 million (around INR 44 crore). However, player representatives say the increase is still not enough and have planned what they describe as a “direct action protest.” According to a statement from player representatives, athletes will limit their required media appearances to 15 minutes during the first week of Wimbledon. “Players will limit their contractual media commitments at the tournament to 15 minutes, reflecting that Wimbledon currently pays slightly below 15 per cent of revenues to players as prize money for the duration of the first week of the Championships,” a statement issued by players’ representatives read. Also Read - FIFA World Cup 2026 becomes highest-scoring World Cup in 68 years as Lionel Messi leads goal rush The statement also noted that players had informed Wimbledon officials about the planned protest after consulting athletes from both tours, while acknowledging the recent rise in prize money. Also Read - Why are Ronaldo’s new gold football boots trending ahead of Portugal's match? Earlier, Wimbledon chair Deborah Jevans said she hoped players would appreciate the significant increase in prize money. Despite that, the disagreement over revenue sharing appears likely to continue during the tournament. The All England Club, which organises Wimbledon, has criticised the planned protest. A spokesperson said the organisation was surprised and disappointed by the move, adding that Wimbledon places players at the centre of its decisions and invests heavily in them every year. “We are surprised and disappointed by this action. Wimbledon puts the players at the heart of all our decisions, and we invest significantly in them every year,” Sky Sports quoted an AELTC spokesperson.

Tennis players are preparing to continue their fight for a larger share of Grand Slam revenues at Wimbledon after staging a protest at the French Open earlier this year.

Why Wimbledon is facing top players protest over prize money

Serena Williams, 44, will be returning to singles at the upcoming Wimbledon 2026, nearly four years after retiring from prefessional tennis in 2022. The announcement came Sunday (Jun 21) as The All England Club (AELTC) handed her the wildcard. She has already been confirmed, also via a wildcard, for the Wimbledon doubles alongside with her 46-year-old sister Venus Williams. Serena recently made her return to the tennis at the start of the grass court season this month at the Queen’s Club alongside Victoria Mboko and had won the match as well.<h2>Serena set to make return to singles</h2>After her successful return to tennis through doubles, Serena is all set to feature at the Wimbledon 2026 in ladies' singles as well. She has won the tournament seven times, making her one of the greats at the SW19 courts. Her first Wimbledon title came in 2002 while the last came in 2016 with 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2015 being others years she won. Overall, she has 23 grand slam titles - a record among ladies which cements her place as one of the best to ever play the sports.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wyndham-clark-hangs-on-to-dream-and-win-second-us-open-title-by-one-stroke-1782096804119">Wyndham Clark hangs on to dream and win second US Open title by one stroke</a>In her last Wimbledon singles appearance, which came in 2022, she had lost in the first round by the hands of Harmony Tan, world no 115. In the year prior to that, Serena had suffered a horrible hamstring injury after falling on the slippery court in her first round match. She has not won a singles match at the Wimbledon since 2019 - something she would like to remedy in her second innings.<h2>How has Serena fared in return?</h2>Since making her return professional tennis, Serena, in partnership with Victoria Mboko, won her first doubles match thet Queen's Club against Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez 7(7)-6(2), 6-2. In the next round, the pair gave a walkover after Mboko suffered a serious knee injury in the tournament, albeit during the singles.Serena they paired up with Karolina Muchova at the Berlin Open but lost in the first match to the pair of Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe 6-4, 6-4.

Her first Wimbledon title came in 2002 while the last came in 2016 with 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2015 being others years she won. Overall, she has 23 grand slam titles - a record among ladies which cements her place as one of the best to ever play the sports.

Serena Williams, 44, will be returning to singles at the upcoming Wimbledon 2026, nearly four years after retiring from prefessional tennis in 2022. The announcement came Sunday (Jun 21) as The All England Club (AELTC) handed her the wildcard. She has already been confirmed, also via a wildcard, for the Wimbledon doubles alongside with her 46-year-old sister Venus Williams. Serena recently made her return to the tennis at the start of the grass court season this month at the Queen’s Club alongside Victoria Mboko and had won the match as well. Serena set to make return to singles After her successful return to tennis through doubles, Serena is all set to feature at the Wimbledon 2026 in ladies' singles as well. She has won the tournament seven times, making her one of the greats at the SW19 courts. Her first Wimbledon title came in 2002 while the last came in 2016 with 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2015 being others years she won. Overall, she has 23 grand slam titles - a record among ladies which cements her place as one of the best to ever play the sports. Also Read - Wyndham Clark hangs on to dream and win second US Open title by one stroke In her last Wimbledon singles appearance, which came in 2022, she had lost in the first round by the hands of Harmony Tan, world no 115. In the year prior to that, Serena had suffered a horrible hamstring injury after falling on the slippery court in her first round match. She has not won a singles match at the Wimbledon since 2019 - something she would like to remedy in her second innings. How has Serena fared in return? Since making her return professional tennis, Serena, in partnership with Victoria Mboko, won her first doubles match thet Queen's Club against Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez 7(7)-6(2), 6-2. In the next round, the pair gave a walkover after Mboko suffered a serious knee injury in the tournament, albeit during the singles. Serena they paired up with Karolina Muchova at the Berlin Open but lost in the first match to the pair of Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe 6-4, 6-4.

Her first Wimbledon title came in 2002 while the last came in 2016 with 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2015 being others years she won. Overall, she has 23 grand slam titles - a record among ladies which cements her place as one of the best to ever play the sports.

Wimbledon 2026 | Serena Williams, 44, set for singles return through wildcard

Wimbledon has announced a prize money of increase of 20 percent compared to 2025 for the upcoming edition of the Championship. The increase comes amid the players' discontent about total share of revenue at the recently-concluded French Open which top players even thought out boycotting. The Wimbledon, year's third grand slam, will run from June 29 to July 12. The total prize money has increased by $14.7 million in the biggest hike of grand slam's history. The winner's prize money for both, men's and women's singles has increased by 20 percent while the runners-up prize money has increased by 18 percent.<h2>How much will Wimbledon 2026 winners get for winning?</h2>After a <a href="https://content.wimbledon.com/is/content/AELTC/aeltc/wimbledon/live-site/guest/pdfs/The%20Championships%202026_Prize%20Money.pdf">historic increase in the prize money</a>, the winners of both men's and women's singles will get about $4.8 million compared to $4 million in 2025. As for runners' up, the finalists will get $1.8 million in 2026.The highest percentage increase in prize money has been done for the second and third round winners at 26 and 25 percent, respectively.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-mexico-vs-south-africa-record-three-red-cards-in-opener-and-more-records-broken-1781242612157">FIFA 2026, Mexico vs SA - Record three red cards in opener and more records</a>The mixed doubles events for both men's and women's have also received a 10 percent hike while the wheelchair and quad wheelchair singles and doubles events prize money has been hiked by 20 percent.Speaking about the increment, Deborah Jevans, Chair of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, said: "I am delighted to announce a total prize money fund of $86.4 million for The Championships 2026, a very significant increase of 20% from $71.7 million last year."This announcement recognises the success of The Championships, and that we operate a sustainable programme that allows us not only to increase prize money, but also to invest in facilities, the grass court season and support British and international tennis."We are clear that as Wimbledon grows, the players will continue to share in that success."

The Wimbledon, year's third grand slam, will run from June 29 to July 12. The highest percentage increase in prize money has been done for the second and third round winners at 26 and 25 percent, respectively.

Wimbledon has announced a prize money of increase of 20 percent compared to 2025 for the upcoming edition of the Championship. The increase comes amid the players' discontent about total share of revenue at the recently-concluded French Open which top players even thought out boycotting. The Wimbledon, year's third grand slam, will run from June 29 to July 12. The total prize money has increased by $14.7 million in the biggest hike of grand slam's history. The winner's prize money for both, men's and women's singles has increased by 20 percent while the runners-up prize money has increased by 18 percent. How much will Wimbledon 2026 winners get for winning? After a historic increase in the prize money, the winners of both men's and women's singles will get about $4.8 million compared to $4 million in 2025. As for runners' up, the finalists will get $1.8 million in 2026. The highest percentage increase in prize money has been done for the second and third round winners at 26 and 25 percent, respectively. Also Read - FIFA 2026, Mexico vs SA - Record three red cards in opener and more records The mixed doubles events for both men's and women's have also received a 10 percent hike while the wheelchair and quad wheelchair singles and doubles events prize money has been hiked by 20 percent. Speaking about the increment, Deborah Jevans, Chair of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, said: "I am delighted to announce a total prize money fund of $86.4 million for The Championships 2026, a very significant increase of 20% from $71.7 million last year. "This announcement recognises the success of The Championships, and that we operate a sustainable programme that allows us not only to increase prize money, but also to invest in facilities, the grass court season and support British and international tennis. "We are clear that as Wimbledon grows, the players will continue to share in that success."

The Wimbledon, year's third grand slam, will run from June 29 to July 12. The highest percentage increase in prize money has been done for the second and third round winners at 26 and 25 percent, respectively.

Wimbledon announces record hike in prize money, singles winners to get nearly $5 million

Tennis legend Serena Williams is set to return to professional competition at the age of 44 at next week's HSBC Championships at Queen's Club. The tournament will mark her first appearance in the professional tennis since the 2022 US Open, where she suffered a third-round defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic. Rather than calling it a retirement, she famously described her departure from the sport as an “evolution away” from tennis, according to Sky Sports.&nbsp;The 23-time Grand Slam champion has received a wild-card entry into the women’s doubles competition at Queen’s Club and is expected to partner with promising Canadian Victoria Mboko.&nbsp;Her return has sparked discussions about a potential appearance at Wimbledon later this month, where she could also be awarded a wild-card entry, however, it remains uncertain whether Williams intends to focus solely on doubles or pursue a return to singles competition as well.&nbsp;Also Read -<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-approves-red-to-pink-ball-switch-in-tests-to-reduce-bad-light-interruptions-1780323727292"> ICC approves red-to-pink ball switch in Tests to reduce bad-light interruptions</a>&nbsp;Speaking about her comeback, Williams said Queen’s Club was the ideal venue to begin this new phase of her career. She also reflected on her special connection with grass courts, noting that some of her most memorable achievements came on the surface and expressing excitement about competing once again at one of tennis’ most prestigious venues.&nbsp;"Queen's Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter," said Williams, according to Sky Sports "Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I'm excited to be back competing on one of the sport's most iconic stages," the 23-time Gram Slam winner added.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-w-vs-eng-w-3rd-t20i-when-and-where-to-watch-live-streaming-in-india-1780321440408">IND-W vs ENG-W, 3rd T20I: When and where to watch live streaming in India?</a>&nbsp;Tournament director Laura Robson added, "Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen, and we're delighted that she will be making her return to tennis at the LTA's HSBC Championships."&nbsp;Wimbledon is set to begin on Jun 29 and Williams could be offered a wild-card place, but whether she plans to compete exclusively in doubles or attempt a singles comeback remains unknown.&nbsp;Williams last won a Grand Slam singles title at the 2017 Australian Open while she was in the early stages of pregnancy. Since then, she reached four more Grand Slam finals but fell short of equalling Margaret Court's record of 24 major singles titles. She reached four more finals on her return from maternity leave, two at Wimbledon and two at the US Open, but was beaten in straight sets on each occasion. Williams, who won her first major title in 1999 at the US Open as a 17-year-old, spoke with Vogue in 2022 when she revealed plans to walk away from tennis. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want court's record. "The way I see it, I should have had 30-plus Grand Slams. I had my chances after coming back from giving birth. Shoulda, woulda, coulda. I didn't show up the way I should have or could have. But I showed up 23 times, and that's fine. Actually, it's extraordinary."&nbsp;&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Serena Williams has not competed in professional tennis since her third-round defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open.

Tennis legend Serena Williams is set to return to professional competition at the age of 44 at next week's HSBC Championships at Queen's Club. The tournament will mark her first appearance in the professional tennis since the 2022 US Open, where she suffered a third-round defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic. Rather than calling it a retirement, she famously described her departure from the sport as an “evolution away” from tennis, according to Sky Sports. The 23-time Grand Slam champion has received a wild-card entry into the women’s doubles competition at Queen’s Club and is expected to partner with promising Canadian Victoria Mboko. Her return has sparked discussions about a potential appearance at Wimbledon later this month, where she could also be awarded a wild-card entry, however, it remains uncertain whether Williams intends to focus solely on doubles or pursue a return to singles competition as well. Also Read - ICC approves red-to-pink ball switch in Tests to reduce bad-light interruptions Speaking about her comeback, Williams said Queen’s Club was the ideal venue to begin this new phase of her career. She also reflected on her special connection with grass courts, noting that some of her most memorable achievements came on the surface and expressing excitement about competing once again at one of tennis’ most prestigious venues. "Queen's Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter," said Williams, according to Sky Sports "Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I'm excited to be back competing on one of the sport's most iconic stages," the 23-time Gram Slam winner added. Also Read - IND-W vs ENG-W, 3rd T20I: When and where to watch live streaming in India? Tournament director Laura Robson added, "Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen, and we're delighted that she will be making her return to tennis at the LTA's HSBC Championships." Wimbledon is set to begin on Jun 29 and Williams could be offered a wild-card place, but whether she plans to compete exclusively in doubles or attempt a singles comeback remains unknown. Williams last won a Grand Slam singles title at the 2017 Australian Open while she was in the early stages of pregnancy. Since then, she reached four more Grand Slam finals but fell short of equalling Margaret Court's record of 24 major singles titles. She reached four more finals on her return from maternity leave, two at Wimbledon and two at the US Open, but was beaten in straight sets on each occasion. Williams, who won her first major title in 1999 at the US Open as a 17-year-old, spoke with Vogue in 2022 when she revealed plans to walk away from tennis. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want court's record. "The way I see it, I should have had 30-plus Grand Slams. I had my chances after coming back from giving birth. Shoulda, woulda, coulda. I didn't show up the way I should have or could have. But I showed up 23 times, and that's fine. Actually, it's extraordinary." With inputs from agencies

Serena Williams has not competed in professional tennis since her third-round defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open.

Serena Williams set to return to professional tennis at 44

The players are planning a protest at the upcoming French Open 2026 main draw, which starts May 27 with and runs until June 7. The protest comes in wake of players being dissatisfied with the increase in prize money and and the total share of revenue which is generally 15 per cent. Top 20 men's and women's players have already issued a letter against the 9.5 per cent increase in prize money for the year's second grand slam. Under the protest, the off-court media acitivities of the players are going to be at a minimum, which could hurt the organizers' revenue potential.<h2>What is the protest planned by players at French Open 2026?</h2>The players are planning to leave the media interviews after 15-minute mark in protest to a general prize money pool of 15 per cent of total revenue. This 'work-to-rule' strategy, as reported by the Guardian, will protect players from being fined as they would have fulfilled their contractual obligation of conducting a short flash interview with the broadcaster after the matches.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/saif-ali-khan-gives-warm-tribute-to-his-father-at-tiger-pataudi-memorial-lecture-2026-he-instilled-self-belief-in-indian-players-1779300054964">Saif gives warm tribute to his dad at Tiger Pataudi Memorial Lecture 2026</a><h2>What are players demading?</h2>The players are demanding a 22 per cent share of total revenue as prize money pool along with a greater say in tournament schedule and enhanced welfare as well as pension provisions. The top 20 players, male and female, had written a letter describing their issues as soon as the prize money was announced.<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/french-open-2026-far-short-of-22-players-including-djokovic-sinner-and-sabalennka-not-happy-with-usd-72-million-prize-money-1777870404059">How much is French Open 2026 prize money?</a></h2>The French Open 2026 has increased the prize money for the upcoming edition to $72.37 million, which is 9.5% more than the last year's prize money. The men and women's singles winners will be getting $3.28 million each, but this hasn't made the players happy.The increase in French Open 2026 prize money is significantly lower than US Open's 20 per cent increment for the 2025 edition.

Under the protest against dissatisfactory increment of the French Open 2026 prize money, the off-court media acitivities of the players are going to be at a minimum, which could hurt the organizers' revenue potential.

The players are planning a protest at the upcoming French Open 2026 main draw, which starts May 27 with and runs until June 7. The protest comes in wake of players being dissatisfied with the increase in prize money and and the total share of revenue which is generally 15 per cent. Top 20 men's and women's players have already issued a letter against the 9.5 per cent increase in prize money for the year's second grand slam. Under the protest, the off-court media acitivities of the players are going to be at a minimum, which could hurt the organizers' revenue potential. What is the protest planned by players at French Open 2026? The players are planning to leave the media interviews after 15-minute mark in protest to a general prize money pool of 15 per cent of total revenue. This 'work-to-rule' strategy, as reported by the Guardian, will protect players from being fined as they would have fulfilled their contractual obligation of conducting a short flash interview with the broadcaster after the matches. Also Read - Saif gives warm tribute to his dad at Tiger Pataudi Memorial Lecture 2026 What are players demading? The players are demanding a 22 per cent share of total revenue as prize money pool along with a greater say in tournament schedule and enhanced welfare as well as pension provisions. The top 20 players, male and female, had written a letter describing their issues as soon as the prize money was announced. How much is French Open 2026 prize money? The French Open 2026 has increased the prize money for the upcoming edition to $72.37 million, which is 9.5% more than the last year's prize money. The men and women's singles winners will be getting $3.28 million each, but this hasn't made the players happy. The increase in French Open 2026 prize money is significantly lower than US Open's 20 per cent increment for the 2025 edition.

Under the protest against dissatisfactory increment of the French Open 2026 prize money, the off-court media acitivities of the players are going to be at a minimum, which could hurt the organizers' revenue potential.

French Open 2026 | Roland Garros to witness protest by players over prize money

Australia’s Dane Sweeny and Japan’s Seita Watanabe will headline a competitive doubles field at the Delhi Open 2026, set to be held at the DLTA Complex from February 16–22. The ATP Challenger event features a strong mix of established doubles specialists and singles players doubling up, adding depth and intrigue to the draw.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/indian-racing-festival-2026-when-and-where-to-watch-on-tv-laptop-check-out-full-squad-race-format-and-live-streaming-details-1770913700066">Indian Racing Festival: When and where to watch on TV, laptop. Details inside</a>Sweeny and Watanabe enter as the top-ranked pair in the field with a combined team ranking of 265. Watanabe, ranked 127 in doubles, joins forces with Sweeny, who sits at 138 in singles, forming one of the most formidable combinations in the tournament.Leading the Indian challenge will be S D Prajwal Dev and Nitin Kumar Sinha, the highest-ranked all-Indian duo in the main draw. Dev (219) and Sinha (243) will look to capitalise on familiar home conditions as they take on a seasoned international field.The doubles draw also underlines the tournament’s depth, with five players competing in both singles and doubles — Jay Clarke (Great Britain), &nbsp;Sweeny (Australia), Michael Geerts (Belgium), Daniel Michalski (Poland) and Rio Noguchi (Japan).Seven teams have earned direct entry based on the doubles rankings, highlighting the presence of specialist combinations. In addition, Sweeny, Clarke and Michalski have gained entry into the doubles draw via their singles rankings, further strengthening the competition.Speaking ahead of the tournament, DLTA President Rohit Rajpal emphasised the Delhi Open’s growing stature on the Challenger circuit.“The Delhi Open has established itself as one of the most competitive Challenger events in the region. It plays a crucial role in bridging Indian talent with top international competition, giving our players the advantage of competing at home while offering fans world-class tennis from close quarters,” Rajpal said.Highlighting the importance of doubles in player development, he added:“The strength of this year’s doubles field reflects the tournament’s rising quality. The mix of specialist doubles players and singles competitors raises the overall standard and exposes Indian players to diverse playing styles and tactical demands at the Challenger level.”The Delhi Open continues to serve as a key stop on the ATP Challenger Tour calendar, offering valuable ranking points and competitive opportunities for emerging and established players alike.

Sweeny and Watanabe enter as the top-ranked pair in the field with a combined team ranking of 265. Watanabe, ranked 127 in doubles, joins forces with Sweeny, who sits at 138 in singles, forming one of the most formidable combinations in the tournament.

Australia’s Dane Sweeny and Japan’s Seita Watanabe will headline a competitive doubles field at the Delhi Open 2026, set to be held at the DLTA Complex from February 16–22. The ATP Challenger event features a strong mix of established doubles specialists and singles players doubling up, adding depth and intrigue to the draw. Also Read - Indian Racing Festival: When and where to watch on TV, laptop. Details inside Sweeny and Watanabe enter as the top-ranked pair in the field with a combined team ranking of 265. Watanabe, ranked 127 in doubles, joins forces with Sweeny, who sits at 138 in singles, forming one of the most formidable combinations in the tournament. Leading the Indian challenge will be S D Prajwal Dev and Nitin Kumar Sinha, the highest-ranked all-Indian duo in the main draw. Dev (219) and Sinha (243) will look to capitalise on familiar home conditions as they take on a seasoned international field. The doubles draw also underlines the tournament’s depth, with five players competing in both singles and doubles — Jay Clarke (Great Britain), Sweeny (Australia), Michael Geerts (Belgium), Daniel Michalski (Poland) and Rio Noguchi (Japan). Seven teams have earned direct entry based on the doubles rankings, highlighting the presence of specialist combinations. In addition, Sweeny, Clarke and Michalski have gained entry into the doubles draw via their singles rankings, further strengthening the competition. Speaking ahead of the tournament, DLTA President Rohit Rajpal emphasised the Delhi Open’s growing stature on the Challenger circuit. “The Delhi Open has established itself as one of the most competitive Challenger events in the region. It plays a crucial role in bridging Indian talent with top international competition, giving our players the advantage of competing at home while offering fans world-class tennis from close quarters,” Rajpal said. Highlighting the importance of doubles in player development, he added: “The strength of this year’s doubles field reflects the tournament’s rising quality. The mix of specialist doubles players and singles competitors raises the overall standard and exposes Indian players to diverse playing styles and tactical demands at the Challenger level.” The Delhi Open continues to serve as a key stop on the ATP Challenger Tour calendar, offering valuable ranking points and competitive opportunities for emerging and established players alike.

Sweeny and Watanabe enter as the top-ranked pair in the field with a combined team ranking of 265. Watanabe, ranked 127 in doubles, joins forces with Sweeny, who sits at 138 in singles, forming one of the most formidable combinations in the tournament.

Delhi Open 2026: Sweeny-Watanabe top doubles field; Dev-Sinha lead Indian charge

Serena Williams, 23-time grand slam champion including 7 Australian Open titles, has sparked the comeback rumours again. Williams retired after playing her lastmatch in US Open 2022 but registered herself in the players' drug testing pool last December. The 44-year-old, however, has neither confirmed not denied about her potential return but is he manages to comeback, it will surely be a sight for the tennis fans to watch one of the greatest players of all time to show her skills on the court again.<h2>Is Serena Williams coming out of retirement?</h2>During the Today Show on Wednesday (Jan 28), Williams did not clearly say that she is not going to make a comeback and that has sparked a buzz around her coming out of the retirement.Also Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-it-very-well-could-be-watch-video-lebron-james-in-tears-after-potentially-last-nba-game-in-hometown-cleveland-1769676886643">NBA superstar LeBron James in tears after potentially last game in hometown Cleveland</a>"I don't know, I'm just going to see what happens," Williams said about the potential return when asked by the show host. "It's not a maybe," she added when the host replied to her previous anwer as "that's a maybe to me."Upon being asked about her return to the durg testing pool, something confirmed by International Tennis Integrity Agency to BBC in December, Serena said: "I don't know if I was out. Listen, I can't discuss this. If I want to put it [rumours] to bed... listen, I want to go to bed."<h2>What is dug testing pool list for tennis players?</h2>The drug testing pool is the list of top 100 players in singles, doubles and wheelchair categories as well as returning athletes. A retired player in only eligible to return to competitive tennis after spending six month in the list. Serena's name appeared on the list on October 6. Once in the list, the players need to let the testers know their where they will be for one hour every single day in order to ensure that they are tested at random to avoid any unfair advantage by using banned substance.

A retired player in only eligible to return after spending six month in the International Tennis Integrity Agency drug testing pool list. Serena's name appeared on the list on October 6. The players in the list need to let the testers know their where they will be for one hour each day.

Serena Williams, 23-time grand slam champion including 7 Australian Open titles, has sparked the comeback rumours again. Williams retired after playing her lastmatch in US Open 2022 but registered herself in the players' drug testing pool last December. The 44-year-old, however, has neither confirmed not denied about her potential return but is he manages to comeback, it will surely be a sight for the tennis fans to watch one of the greatest players of all time to show her skills on the court again. Is Serena Williams coming out of retirement? During the Today Show on Wednesday (Jan 28), Williams did not clearly say that she is not going to make a comeback and that has sparked a buzz around her coming out of the retirement. Also Watch: NBA superstar LeBron James in tears after potentially last game in hometown Cleveland "I don't know, I'm just going to see what happens," Williams said about the potential return when asked by the show host. "It's not a maybe," she added when the host replied to her previous anwer as "that's a maybe to me." Upon being asked about her return to the durg testing pool, something confirmed by International Tennis Integrity Agency to BBC in December, Serena said: "I don't know if I was out. Listen, I can't discuss this. If I want to put it [rumours] to bed... listen, I want to go to bed." What is dug testing pool list for tennis players? The drug testing pool is the list of top 100 players in singles, doubles and wheelchair categories as well as returning athletes. A retired player in only eligible to return to competitive tennis after spending six month in the list. Serena's name appeared on the list on October 6. Once in the list, the players need to let the testers know their where they will be for one hour every single day in order to ensure that they are tested at random to avoid any unfair advantage by using banned substance.

A retired player in only eligible to return after spending six month in the International Tennis Integrity Agency drug testing pool list. Serena's name appeared on the list on October 6. The players in the list need to let the testers know their where they will be for one hour each day.

'7 Australian Open titles & 23 grand slams': Serena Williams says 'not a maybe' on potential comeback

Players at this month's Australian Open will be competing for a record prize pool, with organisers on Tuesday announcing a 16 per cent increase in the total purse to AUS $111.5 million (US $75 million). The winners of the men's and women's singles at the first Grand Slam of the year will each take home AUS $4.15 million (US $2.79 million), up 19 per cent from last year's AUS $3.5 million.&nbsp;The players beaten in the opening round will get AUS $150,000 (US $100,750), while even those knocked out in the first round of qualifying receive AUS $40,500 (US $27,200).&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-nick-kyrgios-urges-novak-djokovic-to-play-as-long-as-possible-after-adelaide-withdrawal-australian-open-2026-1767672990635">Kyrgios urges Djokovic to play ‘as long as possible’ after Adelaide withdrawal</a>&nbsp;Tournament director Craig Tiley said it reflected Tennis Australia's commitment to supporting tennis careers at every level, from rising stars to Grand Slam champions.&nbsp;"From boosting qualifying prize money by 55 per cent since 2023 to enhancing player benefits, we're ensuring professional tennis is sustainable for all competitors," he said. “By supporting players at all levels, we're building deeper talent pools and more compelling storylines for fans.”&nbsp;The tournament gets underway at Melbourne Park on January 18, with Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys defending their titles.<h2>Prize Money at the 2026 Australian Open&nbsp;</h2><ul><li>Singles Winner – AUS $4,150,000</li><li>Singles Runner up – AUS $2,150,000</li><li>Singles Semifinalist – AUS $1,250,000</li><li>Singles Quarterfinalist – AUS $750,000</li><li>Singles Round 4 – AUS $480,000</li><li>Singles Round 3 – TBA</li><li>Singles Round 2 - AUS $327,750</li><li>Singles Round 1 - AUS $150,000</li></ul>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

The players beaten in the opening round will get AUS $150,000 (US $100,750), while even those knocked out in the first round of qualifying receive AUS $40,500 (US $27,200).

Players at this month's Australian Open will be competing for a record prize pool, with organisers on Tuesday announcing a 16 per cent increase in the total purse to AUS $111.5 million (US $75 million). The winners of the men's and women's singles at the first Grand Slam of the year will each take home AUS $4.15 million (US $2.79 million), up 19 per cent from last year's AUS $3.5 million. The players beaten in the opening round will get AUS $150,000 (US $100,750), while even those knocked out in the first round of qualifying receive AUS $40,500 (US $27,200). Also read | Kyrgios urges Djokovic to play ‘as long as possible’ after Adelaide withdrawal Tournament director Craig Tiley said it reflected Tennis Australia's commitment to supporting tennis careers at every level, from rising stars to Grand Slam champions. "From boosting qualifying prize money by 55 per cent since 2023 to enhancing player benefits, we're ensuring professional tennis is sustainable for all competitors," he said. “By supporting players at all levels, we're building deeper talent pools and more compelling storylines for fans.” The tournament gets underway at Melbourne Park on January 18, with Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys defending their titles. Prize Money at the 2026 Australian Open Singles Winner – AUS $4,150,000 Singles Runner up – AUS $2,150,000 Singles Semifinalist – AUS $1,250,000 Singles Quarterfinalist – AUS $750,000 Singles Round 4 – AUS $480,000 Singles Round 3 – TBA Singles Round 2 - AUS $327,750 Singles Round 1 - AUS $150,000 Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

The players beaten in the opening round will get AUS $150,000 (US $100,750), while even those knocked out in the first round of qualifying receive AUS $40,500 (US $27,200).

Australian Open 2026: Prize money pool announced with 16% hike; full details inside

Novak Djokovic is cutting ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association, a group he co-founded that sued the sport's governing bodies last year, writing on social media Sunday that “my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization.”

Djokovic state his values no longer align with organization's

Australia Open: All trophies for the Australian Open, including the iconic Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, are meticulously handcrafted by skilled silversmiths in Sydney. Work on the trophies began before the 2025 edition and involves over 650 hours of artisan labor each year, using ethically sourced Australian silver.


Australia Open: Sydney Gears Up for Australian Open Trophy Craft

Roger Federer has been officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, the Rhode Island-based institution announced on Wednesday (November 19). Federer, who made history as the first male player to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles, joins an exclusive class of 2026 honourees, which includes former player and TV analyst Mary Carillo, who was selected in the contributor category. Notably, the former Swiss player came to know about his election through a phone call, which included Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker.&nbsp;Federer’s career spanned two decades of dominance, and he was part of an era marked by extraordinary rivalries with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, which he referred to as "a golden time for tennis." He was the only player in the 2026 Hall of Fame voting to earn enough support for inclusion, although the Hall does not disclose specific voting figures.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ashes-2025-26-mitchell-marsh-back-in-sheffield-shield-frame-raising-fresh-test-selection-talks-1763550520874">Ashes 2025-26: Mitchell Marsh back in Sheffield Shield frame, raising fresh Test selection talks</a><h2>Roger Federer: A class apart &nbsp;</h2>Federer’s first Grand Slam win came at Wimbledon in 2003, and by 2009, he had surpassed Pete Sampras’ record with 15 major titles. He won his 20th Grand Slam at the 2018 Australian Open. Federer also made history by spending 310 weeks at no. 1 in the ATP rankings, including a record 237 consecutive weeks at the top, and led Switzerland to victory in the 2014 Davis Cup. His partnership with Stan Wawrinka also brought home a gold medal in doubles from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.&nbsp;Federer, known for his multilingual ability in interviews, retired after playing his final match at Wimbledon in 2021, just shy of his 40th birthday. His induction to the Hall of Fame cements his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport. "I've always valued the history of tennis and the example set by those who came before me," Federer was quoted as saying to news agency Associated Press. “To be recognized in this way by the sport and by my peers is deeply humbling.”

Roger Federer to be inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame

Roger Federer has been officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, the Rhode Island-based institution announced on Wednesday (November 19). Federer, who made history as the first male player to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles, joins an exclusive class of 2026 honourees, which includes former player and TV analyst Mary Carillo, who was selected in the contributor category. Notably, the former Swiss player came to know about his election through a phone call, which included Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker. Federer’s career spanned two decades of dominance, and he was part of an era marked by extraordinary rivalries with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, which he referred to as "a golden time for tennis." He was the only player in the 2026 Hall of Fame voting to earn enough support for inclusion, although the Hall does not disclose specific voting figures. Also Read: Ashes 2025-26: Mitchell Marsh back in Sheffield Shield frame, raising fresh Test selection talks Roger Federer: A class apart Federer’s first Grand Slam win came at Wimbledon in 2003, and by 2009, he had surpassed Pete Sampras’ record with 15 major titles. He won his 20th Grand Slam at the 2018 Australian Open. Federer also made history by spending 310 weeks at no. 1 in the ATP rankings, including a record 237 consecutive weeks at the top, and led Switzerland to victory in the 2014 Davis Cup. His partnership with Stan Wawrinka also brought home a gold medal in doubles from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Federer, known for his multilingual ability in interviews, retired after playing his final match at Wimbledon in 2021, just shy of his 40th birthday. His induction to the Hall of Fame cements his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport. "I've always valued the history of tennis and the example set by those who came before me," Federer was quoted as saying to news agency Associated Press. “To be recognized in this way by the sport and by my peers is deeply humbling.”

The 20-time Grand Slam winner was elected into the International Tennis&nbsp;Hall&nbsp;of&nbsp;Fame in his first year of eligibility. He was informed about the news through a phone call

India's Rohan Bopanna announced his retirement from tennis on Saturday, bringing an end to a sporting career that spanned more than two decades. Bopanna, now 45, celebrated becoming the oldest number one in men's doubles history in 2024 by winning the Australian Open with his partner Matthew Ebden. His previous Grand Slam win was in the 2017 French Open mixed doubles with Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski. Bopanna won 26 men's doubles titles since turning professional in 2003, according to the ATP Tour.&nbsp;"Tennis hasn't been just a game for me. It has given me purpose when I was lost, strength when I was broken and belief when the world doubted me," Bopanna said in a post on Instagram announcing that he was hanging up his racquet.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/women-s-odi-world-cup-final-bcci-set-to-reward-indian-team-with-bumper-prize-money-if-victorious-report-india-vs-south-africa-1761995740776">Women's ODI World Cup final: BCCI set to reward Indian team with BUMPER prize money if...</a>&nbsp;He said that, while he "may be stepping away from competition", he planned to give back to the sport by helping "young dreamers from small towns".&nbsp;"My gratitude is endless and my love for this beautiful game will never fade."&nbsp;Bopanna, from the small town of Coorg in southern India’s Karnataka state, has said his long career had taken a toll on his body and left him with "no cartilage" in his knees.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-women-s-odi-world-cup-final-what-happens-if-summit-clash-is-washed-out-due-to-rain-is-there-a-reserve-day-1761991515640">Women's ODI World Cup final: What happens if summit clash is washed out due to rain? Is there a reserve day?</a>&nbsp;However, he said regular yoga workouts had helped him achieve the mental and physical strength needed to keep competing at the top level.&nbsp;"Every single morning I do a lot of yoga, a lot of meditation," he said.&nbsp;"My mind doesn't feel rushed."&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Bopanna won 26 men's doubles titles since turning professional in 2003, according to the ATP Tour.

India's Rohan Bopanna announced his retirement from tennis on Saturday, bringing an end to a sporting career that spanned more than two decades. Bopanna, now 45, celebrated becoming the oldest number one in men's doubles history in 2024 by winning the Australian Open with his partner Matthew Ebden. His previous Grand Slam win was in the 2017 French Open mixed doubles with Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski. Bopanna won 26 men's doubles titles since turning professional in 2003, according to the ATP Tour. "Tennis hasn't been just a game for me. It has given me purpose when I was lost, strength when I was broken and belief when the world doubted me," Bopanna said in a post on Instagram announcing that he was hanging up his racquet. Also Read - Women's ODI World Cup final: BCCI set to reward Indian team with BUMPER prize money if... He said that, while he "may be stepping away from competition", he planned to give back to the sport by helping "young dreamers from small towns". "My gratitude is endless and my love for this beautiful game will never fade." Bopanna, from the small town of Coorg in southern India’s Karnataka state, has said his long career had taken a toll on his body and left him with "no cartilage" in his knees. Also Read - Women's ODI World Cup final: What happens if summit clash is washed out due to rain? Is there a reserve day? However, he said regular yoga workouts had helped him achieve the mental and physical strength needed to keep competing at the top level. "Every single morning I do a lot of yoga, a lot of meditation," he said. "My mind doesn't feel rushed." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Bopanna won 26 men's doubles titles since turning professional in 2003, according to the ATP Tour.

Indian legend Rohan Bopanna retires from tennis after two decades

World number one Carlos Alcaraz was stunned in his opening match at the Paris Masters on Tuesday as he went down to 31st-ranked Briton Cameron Norrie 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The six-time Grand Slam champion has never won the Paris Masters in five attempts and now faces losing his place atop the rankings should rival Jannik Sinner win the tournament in the French capital. Returning from three weeks out of official competition due to an ankle issue, Alcaraz claimed the opening set as he displayed his usual combination of fire and flair. However, much like his ultimately successful run at the French Open this spring, the Spaniard's level dropped off a cliff mid-match. This time he was made to pay.&nbsp;"I'm really disappointed about my level today," Alcaraz told reporters after the loss. "I had all the ideas clear, all the goals clear but today even in the first set which I won I felt I could do a lot more than I actually did.&nbsp;"I have to give credit to Cam... He played really well today, a solid match, and I think that was the key."&nbsp;The mercurial Norrie, who drew his fair share of admiring gasps from the 17,500-capacity centre court at the La Defense Arena, capitalised on his opponent's errors by breaking him twice at crucial times in the second and third sets.&nbsp;The 30-year-old said the win was "maybe the number one" of his career.&nbsp;"I've been working really hard this year so it's nice to get a win like this to make it worth it," added the former world number eight.&nbsp;During the interval before the decider, Alcaraz had an animated discussion with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.&nbsp;It was to no avail, however, as the El Palmar native continued to be wayward with his first serve and backhand.&nbsp;Alcaraz saved break points on consecutive games before it was third time lucky for Norrie as the Briton finally broke at 3-3 to close in on victory.&nbsp;Alcaraz made him serve it out, and a first match point went begging as a groundstroke by Norrie bobbled twice on the net cord before agonisingly falling on his side of the net. But the Briton composed himself to seal the victory at the second time of asking and earn his third career win over the 22-year-old.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Alcaraz has never won the Paris Masters in five attempts and now faces losing his place atop the rankings should rival Jannik Sinner win the tournament in the French capital.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz was stunned in his opening match at the Paris Masters on Tuesday as he went down to 31st-ranked Briton Cameron Norrie 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The six-time Grand Slam champion has never won the Paris Masters in five attempts and now faces losing his place atop the rankings should rival Jannik Sinner win the tournament in the French capital. Returning from three weeks out of official competition due to an ankle issue, Alcaraz claimed the opening set as he displayed his usual combination of fire and flair. However, much like his ultimately successful run at the French Open this spring, the Spaniard's level dropped off a cliff mid-match. This time he was made to pay. "I'm really disappointed about my level today," Alcaraz told reporters after the loss. "I had all the ideas clear, all the goals clear but today even in the first set which I won I felt I could do a lot more than I actually did. "I have to give credit to Cam... He played really well today, a solid match, and I think that was the key." The mercurial Norrie, who drew his fair share of admiring gasps from the 17,500-capacity centre court at the La Defense Arena, capitalised on his opponent's errors by breaking him twice at crucial times in the second and third sets. The 30-year-old said the win was "maybe the number one" of his career. "I've been working really hard this year so it's nice to get a win like this to make it worth it," added the former world number eight. During the interval before the decider, Alcaraz had an animated discussion with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. It was to no avail, however, as the El Palmar native continued to be wayward with his first serve and backhand. Alcaraz saved break points on consecutive games before it was third time lucky for Norrie as the Briton finally broke at 3-3 to close in on victory. Alcaraz made him serve it out, and a first match point went begging as a groundstroke by Norrie bobbled twice on the net cord before agonisingly falling on his side of the net. But the Briton composed himself to seal the victory at the second time of asking and earn his third career win over the 22-year-old. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Alcaraz has never won the Paris Masters in five attempts and now faces losing his place atop the rankings should rival Jannik Sinner win the tournament in the French capital.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz stunned in Paris Masters by Britain’s Norrie

Grigor Dimitrov returned to action by beating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 in the first round of the Paris Masters on Monday as the event made its debut in its new La Defense Arena home. After being held for nearly 40 years at Paris' Bercy Arena, the tournament has moved across the city to set up shop in the cavernous multi-purpose arena. Opened in 2017, the venue is best known as the home ground of French Top 14 rugby club Racing 92 and for having played host to the swimming events at the Olympics last year. It also welcomes concerts and political rallies.&nbsp;Now, in its current guise as a tennis venue, La Defense Arena boasts the second largest showpiece court on the current global tennis circuit -- second only in size terms to the US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was the scene of a triumphant comeback for former world number three Dimitrov as he played his first match since having to retire injured from his fourth round match at Wimbledon in July when leading two sets to love against eventual champion Jannik Sinner.&nbsp;"Winning or losing this match today would have been a win for me, I'm just so happy to be able to compete again," 34-year-old Dimitrov said on-court. "I had to be extremely patient with myself... clearly I'm playing against such an amazing player but I'm just grateful (to win)."&nbsp;Dimitrov overcame fervent home support in the night session to grind out the first set on a tie-break against big-serving Frenchman Mpetshi Perricard.&nbsp;Bolstered by his lead, the Bulgarian swiftly secured the first break of the match in the opening game of the second set as he glided through to the round of 32.&nbsp;There he will meet either former Russian world number one Daniil Medvedev or Spain's Jaume Munar, who play on Tuesday.&nbsp;Russian 12th seed Andrey Rublev earlier raced to a 6-1, 6-4 win over Britain's Jacob Fearnley. Rublev cruised through the opening set before pouncing on Fearnley's serve at 4-5 to book his spot in the second round.&nbsp;"Jacob didn't feel the serve in the first set, which helped me a bit," Rublev said. "He played well in the second and I'm happy to have won."&nbsp;Earlier, the event opened with a pair of hard-fought wins for French wildcards.&nbsp;Arthur Cazaux christened the new 17,500-capacity centre court with a 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4) triumph over Italy's Luciano Darderi.&nbsp;Shanghai Masters runner-up Arthur Rinderknech then further delighted the local fans with a win by the exact same score against Hungary's Fabian Marozsan.&nbsp;Rising Italian hope Flavio Cobolli earned a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Czech Tomas Machac and Kazakh 13th seed Alexander Bublik defeated Australia's Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 6-3.&nbsp;Tenth seed Karen Khachanov of Russia eased past American qualifier Ethan Quinn with a 6-1, 6-1 victory to conclude the day's play.&nbsp;World number one Carlos Alcaraz will launch his campaign in the second round on Tuesday when he takes on Britain's Cameron Norrie, who earlier beat Argentinian Sebastian Baez in straight sets.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Dimitrov overcame fervent home support in the night session to grind out the first set on a tie-break against big-serving Frenchman Mpetshi Perricard.

Grigor Dimitrov returned to action by beating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 in the first round of the Paris Masters on Monday as the event made its debut in its new La Defense Arena home. After being held for nearly 40 years at Paris' Bercy Arena, the tournament has moved across the city to set up shop in the cavernous multi-purpose arena. Opened in 2017, the venue is best known as the home ground of French Top 14 rugby club Racing 92 and for having played host to the swimming events at the Olympics last year. It also welcomes concerts and political rallies. Now, in its current guise as a tennis venue, La Defense Arena boasts the second largest showpiece court on the current global tennis circuit -- second only in size terms to the US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was the scene of a triumphant comeback for former world number three Dimitrov as he played his first match since having to retire injured from his fourth round match at Wimbledon in July when leading two sets to love against eventual champion Jannik Sinner. "Winning or losing this match today would have been a win for me, I'm just so happy to be able to compete again," 34-year-old Dimitrov said on-court. "I had to be extremely patient with myself... clearly I'm playing against such an amazing player but I'm just grateful (to win)." Dimitrov overcame fervent home support in the night session to grind out the first set on a tie-break against big-serving Frenchman Mpetshi Perricard. Bolstered by his lead, the Bulgarian swiftly secured the first break of the match in the opening game of the second set as he glided through to the round of 32. There he will meet either former Russian world number one Daniil Medvedev or Spain's Jaume Munar, who play on Tuesday. Russian 12th seed Andrey Rublev earlier raced to a 6-1, 6-4 win over Britain's Jacob Fearnley. Rublev cruised through the opening set before pouncing on Fearnley's serve at 4-5 to book his spot in the second round. "Jacob didn't feel the serve in the first set, which helped me a bit," Rublev said. "He played well in the second and I'm happy to have won." Earlier, the event opened with a pair of hard-fought wins for French wildcards. Arthur Cazaux christened the new 17,500-capacity centre court with a 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4) triumph over Italy's Luciano Darderi. Shanghai Masters runner-up Arthur Rinderknech then further delighted the local fans with a win by the exact same score against Hungary's Fabian Marozsan. Rising Italian hope Flavio Cobolli earned a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Czech Tomas Machac and Kazakh 13th seed Alexander Bublik defeated Australia's Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 6-3. Tenth seed Karen Khachanov of Russia eased past American qualifier Ethan Quinn with a 6-1, 6-1 victory to conclude the day's play. World number one Carlos Alcaraz will launch his campaign in the second round on Tuesday when he takes on Britain's Cameron Norrie, who earlier beat Argentinian Sebastian Baez in straight sets. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Dimitrov overcame fervent home support in the night session to grind out the first set on a tie-break against big-serving Frenchman Mpetshi Perricard.

Tennis: Grigor Dimitrov wins on comeback as Paris Masters enters new era

Jannik Sinner won the 21st title of his career by thrashing American teenager Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2 in the China Open final on Wednesday (Oct 1). The Italian lifted the trophy for the second time on Beijing's hard courts, having done so on his tournament debut in 2023, and is eyeing a return to world number one. The 24-year-old's only loss on Beijing's centre Diamond Court has been to great rival and top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, who won last year's final in three gripping sets.&nbsp;"A very, very special place for me," said the victorious Sinner, a four-time Grand Slam champion and top seed this week.&nbsp;Alcaraz was not defending his title in the Chinese capital and on Tuesday won the Japan Open in Tokyo.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/carlos-alcaraz-defeats-taylor-fritz-to-lift-japan-open-title-claims-eighth-silverware-of-the-season-japan-open-1759229537076">Carlos Alcaraz defeats Taylor Fritz to lift Japan Open title, claims eighth silverware of the season</a>&nbsp;Sinner broke immediately in the first set on the way to outclassing the 19-year-old Tien, who was in his first ATP final.&nbsp;"Congrats to Jannik on a great week, another title, an honour to share the court with you today," he told the world number two afterwards.&nbsp;The world no. 52 got a rare chance to break in the second game of the second set but Sinner quickly retook control, ending a one-sided match with 10 aces over the 1h 12min final.&nbsp;Tien would have been Beijing's lowest-ranked champion in tournament history. At 19 years and 9 months old, Tien would also have been the second-youngest American Tour champion since Andy Roddick in 2002. As it was, he was never really in it, despite some flashes of his rich potential.&nbsp;"You are showing throughout the whole season what a talent you are," Sinner said in the aftermath.&nbsp;Sinner's emphatic win was his third title this season, after victories at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.&nbsp;Sinner may now have a chance to snatch back the top ranking before the season ends after Alcaraz pulled out of the Shanghai Masters injured on Tuesday.&nbsp;The Spaniard took the world number one ranking from Sinner when he defeated the Italian in the US Open final.&nbsp;Sinner will be the top seed in Shanghai, which began this week.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Alcaraz was not defending his title in the Chinese capital and on Tuesday won the Japan Open in Tokyo.

Jannik Sinner won the 21st title of his career by thrashing American teenager Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2 in the China Open final on Wednesday (Oct 1). The Italian lifted the trophy for the second time on Beijing's hard courts, having done so on his tournament debut in 2023, and is eyeing a return to world number one. The 24-year-old's only loss on Beijing's centre Diamond Court has been to great rival and top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, who won last year's final in three gripping sets. "A very, very special place for me," said the victorious Sinner, a four-time Grand Slam champion and top seed this week. Alcaraz was not defending his title in the Chinese capital and on Tuesday won the Japan Open in Tokyo. Also read | Carlos Alcaraz defeats Taylor Fritz to lift Japan Open title, claims eighth silverware of the season Sinner broke immediately in the first set on the way to outclassing the 19-year-old Tien, who was in his first ATP final. "Congrats to Jannik on a great week, another title, an honour to share the court with you today," he told the world number two afterwards. The world no. 52 got a rare chance to break in the second game of the second set but Sinner quickly retook control, ending a one-sided match with 10 aces over the 1h 12min final. Tien would have been Beijing's lowest-ranked champion in tournament history. At 19 years and 9 months old, Tien would also have been the second-youngest American Tour champion since Andy Roddick in 2002. As it was, he was never really in it, despite some flashes of his rich potential. "You are showing throughout the whole season what a talent you are," Sinner said in the aftermath. Sinner's emphatic win was his third title this season, after victories at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Sinner may now have a chance to snatch back the top ranking before the season ends after Alcaraz pulled out of the Shanghai Masters injured on Tuesday. The Spaniard took the world number one ranking from Sinner when he defeated the Italian in the US Open final. Sinner will be the top seed in Shanghai, which began this week. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Alcaraz was not defending his title in the Chinese capital and on Tuesday won the Japan Open in Tokyo.

Sinner wins 21st career title after beating American teen in China Open final

World number one Carlos Alcaraz shrugged off an ankle injury to beat Argentina's Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday in a gritty start to his Japan Open campaign. US Open champion Alcaraz crumpled to the ground chasing a shot in the fifth game of the opening set in Tokyo and sat on the court grimacing for several minutes.&nbsp;The Spaniard had his left ankle heavily strapped during a medical timeout before gingerly returning. He soon began to move comfortably and broke world number 41 Baez to take a 5-4 lead. The match was delayed for a further half an hour as organisers closed the stadium roof with rain falling.&nbsp;Alcaraz returned strongly and closed out the first set before breezing past Baez in the second.&nbsp;"I have to see later if the outcome is going to be good," Alcaraz said of his injury after the match.&nbsp;Alcaraz is playing at the Japan Open for the first time and the crowd gave him a warm cheer as he emerged in a burgundy sleeveless outfit with platinum blond hair. But their applause soon turned to concern when he went down injured halfway through the first set, with his reaction suggesting he may be unable to continue.&nbsp;Alcaraz somehow found a way to carry on and went on to dominate the match, winning in 1 hour and 30 minutes when Baez hit a return long.&nbsp;Number two seed Taylor Fritz of the US survived a tough opening test against Canada's Gabriel Diallo to go through 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3).&nbsp;Fritz, the world number five, beat Alcaraz at the Laver Cup in San Francisco last week.&nbsp;Norway's number four seed Casper Ruud also advanced, with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 win over Japan's Shintaro Mochizuki.&nbsp;Number five seed Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic went out after losing 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) to Japanese qualifier Sho Shimabukuro.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The Spaniard had his left ankle heavily strapped during a medical timeout before gingerly returning.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz shrugged off an ankle injury to beat Argentina's Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday in a gritty start to his Japan Open campaign. US Open champion Alcaraz crumpled to the ground chasing a shot in the fifth game of the opening set in Tokyo and sat on the court grimacing for several minutes. The Spaniard had his left ankle heavily strapped during a medical timeout before gingerly returning. He soon began to move comfortably and broke world number 41 Baez to take a 5-4 lead. The match was delayed for a further half an hour as organisers closed the stadium roof with rain falling. Alcaraz returned strongly and closed out the first set before breezing past Baez in the second. "I have to see later if the outcome is going to be good," Alcaraz said of his injury after the match. Alcaraz is playing at the Japan Open for the first time and the crowd gave him a warm cheer as he emerged in a burgundy sleeveless outfit with platinum blond hair. But their applause soon turned to concern when he went down injured halfway through the first set, with his reaction suggesting he may be unable to continue. Alcaraz somehow found a way to carry on and went on to dominate the match, winning in 1 hour and 30 minutes when Baez hit a return long. Number two seed Taylor Fritz of the US survived a tough opening test against Canada's Gabriel Diallo to go through 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3). Fritz, the world number five, beat Alcaraz at the Laver Cup in San Francisco last week. Norway's number four seed Casper Ruud also advanced, with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 win over Japan's Shintaro Mochizuki. Number five seed Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic went out after losing 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) to Japanese qualifier Sho Shimabukuro. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The Spaniard had his left ankle heavily strapped during a medical timeout before gingerly returning.

Carlos Alcaraz survives injury scare, rain delay to win Tokyo opener

Roger Federer believes World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz's participation makes Team Europe favourites against Team World in the Laver Cup in San Francisco.


Laver Cup in San Francisco: Team Europe vs Team World 

The US Open 2025 is currently underway, and celebrities from all walks of life have made sure to attend the tournament in their best fashion. To watch the world's top players at the Tennis Centre, celebrities from across the world gather on the stands.


The US Open 2025 is currently underway, and celebrities from all walks of life have made sure to attend the tournament in their best fashion. To watch the world's top players at the Tennis Centre, celebrities from across the world have gathered on the stands. &nbsp;

From Emma Roberts to Hugh Jackman: Celebrities spotted at US Open 2025

Jannik Sinner "felt great on the court" as he annihilated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-0, 6-2 on Thursday (Aug 14) to reach the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open semi-finals with his 25th straight hardcourt match victory. The world number one powered through a rapid-fire opening set and overcame a wobble as he started the second set by dropping serve. The defending champion prevailed in a brief 71 minutes as he claimed an eighth victory in a row at this event and his 30th this season.&nbsp;"I felt great on the court today, you could see that," said the Italian, who turns 24 on Saturday. "But every day can be different. Let's see what I can do in the semis."&nbsp;Sinner, playing his first tournament since his Wimbledon triumph, will face either French qualifier Terence Atmane or Danish seventh seed Holger Rune for a place in the final.&nbsp;Auger-Aliassime meekly lost the opening set after less than 30 minutes, delivering three double-faults in the final game.&nbsp;After dropping his serve early in the second, Sinner broke back to level at 2-all, eventually advancing as Auger-Aliassime coughed up his eighth double fault on match point.&nbsp;"I served well today, that was the key for me," Sinner said. "I had a small drop in the second set, and I'm happy that I broke back. He moves and serves well; he's difficult to play."&nbsp;Ben Shelton, the fifth seed coming off a title in Toronto, finished up the last of the men's fourth-round matches with a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Jiri Lehecka, punctuated by back-to-back aces to yield three match points. Shelton came good on his second as Lehecka drilled a return wide.&nbsp;"I'm hungry, I'm in a good rhythm, and the body feels good," said Shelton, who will face third-seeded Alexander Zverev for the third time this season when they meet in the quarter-finals.&nbsp;Zverev has won all three of their matches, including a quarter-final here a year ago.<h3>Gauff into quarter-finals</h3>&nbsp;In women's action, French Open champion Coco Gauff beat Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals.&nbsp;The second-seeded American's game showed minor rust after a bye in the previous round.&nbsp;"I could have maybe made some more first serves in that second set, but overall, I had a lot of aces and unreturnables," said Gauff, the 2023 Cincinnati champion who went on to win the US Open title that year. “I'm happy considering where (my serve) was last week. I'm always trying to get better, but also just trying to take the little wins along the way.”&nbsp;"I'm just trying to be happy with where I'm at now, but still doing the things I need to do to improve."&nbsp;Gauff, who was broken once in each set herself, finally secured a spot in the last eight with a concluding break of the 61st-ranked Italian's serve as Bronzetti hit long after 79 minutes on court.&nbsp;Gauf next takes on seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, who crushed 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 6-2.&nbsp;Krejcikova had treatment on her left foot in the second set, and her movement was clearly hampered.&nbsp;Paolini, the 2024 Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist, won seven straight games on the way to a 4-0 second-set lead and rallied from 0-30 down in the final game to advance.&nbsp;"She's a great player and can do anything she wants with the ball," Paolini said. "But I don't think she was at 100% today."&nbsp;Gauff will play Paolini - whom she beat here two years ago on the way to the title - in her third 1000-level quarter-final of the season after Madrid and Rome.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

The defending champion Sinner prevailed in a brief 71 minutes as he claimed an eighth victory in a row at this event and his 30th this season.

Jannik Sinner "felt great on the court" as he annihilated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-0, 6-2 on Thursday (Aug 14) to reach the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open semi-finals with his 25th straight hardcourt match victory. The world number one powered through a rapid-fire opening set and overcame a wobble as he started the second set by dropping serve. The defending champion prevailed in a brief 71 minutes as he claimed an eighth victory in a row at this event and his 30th this season. "I felt great on the court today, you could see that," said the Italian, who turns 24 on Saturday. "But every day can be different. Let's see what I can do in the semis." Sinner, playing his first tournament since his Wimbledon triumph, will face either French qualifier Terence Atmane or Danish seventh seed Holger Rune for a place in the final. Auger-Aliassime meekly lost the opening set after less than 30 minutes, delivering three double-faults in the final game. After dropping his serve early in the second, Sinner broke back to level at 2-all, eventually advancing as Auger-Aliassime coughed up his eighth double fault on match point. "I served well today, that was the key for me," Sinner said. "I had a small drop in the second set, and I'm happy that I broke back. He moves and serves well; he's difficult to play." Ben Shelton, the fifth seed coming off a title in Toronto, finished up the last of the men's fourth-round matches with a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Jiri Lehecka, punctuated by back-to-back aces to yield three match points. Shelton came good on his second as Lehecka drilled a return wide. "I'm hungry, I'm in a good rhythm, and the body feels good," said Shelton, who will face third-seeded Alexander Zverev for the third time this season when they meet in the quarter-finals. Zverev has won all three of their matches, including a quarter-final here a year ago. Gauff into quarter-finals In women's action, French Open champion Coco Gauff beat Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals. The second-seeded American's game showed minor rust after a bye in the previous round. "I could have maybe made some more first serves in that second set, but overall, I had a lot of aces and unreturnables," said Gauff, the 2023 Cincinnati champion who went on to win the US Open title that year. “I'm happy considering where (my serve) was last week. I'm always trying to get better, but also just trying to take the little wins along the way.” "I'm just trying to be happy with where I'm at now, but still doing the things I need to do to improve." Gauff, who was broken once in each set herself, finally secured a spot in the last eight with a concluding break of the 61st-ranked Italian's serve as Bronzetti hit long after 79 minutes on court. Gauf next takes on seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, who crushed 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 6-2. Krejcikova had treatment on her left foot in the second set, and her movement was clearly hampered. Paolini, the 2024 Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist, won seven straight games on the way to a 4-0 second-set lead and rallied from 0-30 down in the final game to advance. "She's a great player and can do anything she wants with the ball," Paolini said. "But I don't think she was at 100% today." Gauff will play Paolini - whom she beat here two years ago on the way to the title - in her third 1000-level quarter-final of the season after Madrid and Rome. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

The defending champion Sinner prevailed in a brief 71 minutes as he claimed an eighth victory in a row at this event and his 30th this season.

World no. 1 Jannik Sinner hammers Auger-Aliassime to reach Cincinnati semis

Tennis legend Venus Williams, at 45, will compete in the US Open singles draw, becoming the oldest entrant in 44 years.


US Open: Venus Williams Set to Be Oldest US Open Singles Entrant in 44 Years

Venus Williams rallied from 4-1 down in the first set but could not maintain momentum, the seven-time Grand Slam champion falling 6-4, 6-4 to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the first round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Thursday. Williams, 45, was competing for the second time in three weeks after returning to the WTA tour in Washington in her first tournament in 16 months. Williams won her first-round match in Washington before bowing out to Magdalena Frech in straight sets.&nbsp;"I had so much fun out there, and there were definitely moments where I had a lot of chances," Williams said. "I thought she played super well. I have to definitely give her a lot of credit.&nbsp;"It's hard for me to be upset," Williams added. "I know that I lost this match because I just, I need more matches.&nbsp;"I could have played better. But the thing I feel good about is that I did go for it. It's not that I didn't know what to do. It's just that I need to keep working on it."&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/canadian-teen-victoria-mboko-stuns-naomi-osaka-to-win-wta-montreal-crown-1754621932454">Canadian teen Mboko stuns Naomi Osaka to win WTA Montreal crown</a>&nbsp;Bouzas Maneiro, ranked 51st, was thrilled by the sense of occasion on the opening day of the tournament, the last major tuneup prior to the August 25 start of the US Open.&nbsp;"It was not easy at all," the Spaniard said of taking on Williams. "She's a legend, it was a privilege to play against her."&nbsp;Bouzas Maneiro said her 87-minute win was "like a dream".&nbsp;"I never thought that I would ever play Venus," the 22-year-old said. "I was just lucky with that.&nbsp;"I tried to have a lot of intensity, but I had no rhythm. She hits so hard. I tried to focus. I had to be positive to win the points."&nbsp;Williams was playing Cincinnati for the 11th time. She reached the semi-finals in 2012 and in her most recent prior appearance had lost in the second round to China's Zheng qinwen in 2023.&nbsp;She said this week that after a serious health scare last year that involved surgery to remove uterine fibroids she is relishing her return to the courts.&nbsp;"I'm in a completely different space and I have a clean bill of health, thank God," she said.&nbsp;In results from the ATP Masters 1000 event draw, Brazil's Joao Fonseca began with a win over China's Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.&nbsp;Fonseca overcame 18 unforced errors and snapped a three-match losing streak in Masters 1000 events.&nbsp;"I was struggling a lot, missing a lot of shots, not feeling my best today," Fonseca admitted. "I was staying in the game, believing that I would find the opportunity, and I got it. I'm very happy with how I believed."&nbsp;Belgian Zizou Bergs defeated Britain's Jakob Fearnley 6-1, 6-4 while there were wins for Frenchmen Benjamin Bonzi and Arthur Rinderknech.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Williams, 45, was competing for the second time in three weeks after returning to the WTA tour in Washington in her first tournament in 16 months.

Venus Williams rallied from 4-1 down in the first set but could not maintain momentum, the seven-time Grand Slam champion falling 6-4, 6-4 to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the first round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Thursday. Williams, 45, was competing for the second time in three weeks after returning to the WTA tour in Washington in her first tournament in 16 months. Williams won her first-round match in Washington before bowing out to Magdalena Frech in straight sets. "I had so much fun out there, and there were definitely moments where I had a lot of chances," Williams said. "I thought she played super well. I have to definitely give her a lot of credit. "It's hard for me to be upset," Williams added. "I know that I lost this match because I just, I need more matches. "I could have played better. But the thing I feel good about is that I did go for it. It's not that I didn't know what to do. It's just that I need to keep working on it." Also read | Canadian teen Mboko stuns Naomi Osaka to win WTA Montreal crown Bouzas Maneiro, ranked 51st, was thrilled by the sense of occasion on the opening day of the tournament, the last major tuneup prior to the August 25 start of the US Open. "It was not easy at all," the Spaniard said of taking on Williams. "She's a legend, it was a privilege to play against her." Bouzas Maneiro said her 87-minute win was "like a dream". "I never thought that I would ever play Venus," the 22-year-old said. "I was just lucky with that. "I tried to have a lot of intensity, but I had no rhythm. She hits so hard. I tried to focus. I had to be positive to win the points." Williams was playing Cincinnati for the 11th time. She reached the semi-finals in 2012 and in her most recent prior appearance had lost in the second round to China's Zheng qinwen in 2023. She said this week that after a serious health scare last year that involved surgery to remove uterine fibroids she is relishing her return to the courts. "I'm in a completely different space and I have a clean bill of health, thank God," she said. In results from the ATP Masters 1000 event draw, Brazil's Joao Fonseca began with a win over China's Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. Fonseca overcame 18 unforced errors and snapped a three-match losing streak in Masters 1000 events. "I was struggling a lot, missing a lot of shots, not feeling my best today," Fonseca admitted. "I was staying in the game, believing that I would find the opportunity, and I got it. I'm very happy with how I believed." Belgian Zizou Bergs defeated Britain's Jakob Fearnley 6-1, 6-4 while there were wins for Frenchmen Benjamin Bonzi and Arthur Rinderknech. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Williams, 45, was competing for the second time in three weeks after returning to the WTA tour in Washington in her first tournament in 16 months.

Tennis queen Venus Williams falls at first hurdle in Cincinnati

The Government in the Southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association(TNTA) announced the return of the Chennai Open International Women's Tennis Championships - a WTA 250 event, and the highest-ranking tennis event in India. Making the announcement, Indian tennis legend and TNTA President Vijay Amritraj said that the high-profile sporting event will be held in the state, coinciding with the Centenary year of the TNTA. The event is will be held at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai between October 27 and November 2, 2025."I must acknowledge the efforts of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and Octagon for allotting the event to Chennai. I am sure the sports and tennis-loving public of Chennai will turn up to witness the matches in great numbers and enjoy the wonderful experience. The event is likely to be in Chennai for a longer duration than the one event held in 2022. The players expected to participate in the event would be among the top 100 in the world," Amritraj said.According to the event organizers, up to 90 participants from around the world would be taking part in the event, where a total prize money of over USD275,000 (Rs 2.39crores) is up for grabs. Reflecting on the century of illustrious achievements of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association, Amritraj recalled having a Davis Cup player from Tamil Nadu in the Indian Team each year since the fifties, the development of tennis legends Ramanathan Krishnan, Ramesh Krishnan, Anand, and a host of top men and women players.Highlighting the value of hosting high-profile Tennis events in Chennai, Amritraj said,&nbsp; there is no doubt as to the impact that a major international event has on any game in the State and the Country. In Tennis during the ATP event, not only did the best in the world come to Chennai but our own players Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Somdev Devvarman, Ramkumar and Sumit used the home opportunity to the maximum to move onto the top world stage."Since I became the President of TNTA in 2018, the mandate of the Association was to get a major event to Chennai, my home town so that it inspires everyone – the players, the administrators, the coaches, the younger generation - to play Tennis, constantly improve the game in the State and ensure the dominance of Tamil Nadu both in the game of Tennis for both Men and Women, and also see the State of Tamil Nadu as an international destination for Tourism. This major event will promote Women’s tennis and should encourage more girls in the State to play the great sport of Tennis, which will immensely help them in both education and life," remarked the Indian tennis legend.“Our government, under the leadership of Chief Minister MK Stalin, has its job cut out to firmly place Tamil Nadu as a player on the global sports map. Since this government assumed office, Tamil Nadu has been hosting numerous international sporting events, earning us accolades all over. As a testament to our concerted efforts to host marquee sports events in Tamil Nadu, it is heartening to note that the Chennai Open WTA event returns to Chennai after three years. It is one of the prestigious Tennis Tournaments in the country and our government will extend its fullest support towards its successful conduct. Tennis has been given significant importance in our scheme of things. In the last financial year, a Centre of Excellence for Tennis was set up at the SDAT Tennis Stadium, Nungambakkam," said Tamil Nadu Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.Alastair Garland, Managing Director - Tennis, Octagon, commenting from the USA, said, "We are extremely excited to have been given the opportunity to bring India the biggest professional tennis event that exists in the country today. We very much look forward to making our presence felt in Tamil Nadu and India this October. We deeply appreciate the support of our key partners - the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. Octagon looks forward to working closely with the TNTA to make this a memorable event for the athletes, fans and partners.”

Indian tennis legend and TNTA President Vijay Amritraj said that the high-profile sporting event will be held in the state, coinciding with the Centenary year of the TNTA. The event is to be held at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai between October 27 and November 2, 2025.

The Government in the Southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association(TNTA) announced the return of the Chennai Open International Women's Tennis Championships - a WTA 250 event, and the highest-ranking tennis event in India. Making the announcement, Indian tennis legend and TNTA President Vijay Amritraj said that the high-profile sporting event will be held in the state, coinciding with the Centenary year of the TNTA. The event is will be held at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai between October 27 and November 2, 2025. "I must acknowledge the efforts of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and Octagon for allotting the event to Chennai. I am sure the sports and tennis-loving public of Chennai will turn up to witness the matches in great numbers and enjoy the wonderful experience. The event is likely to be in Chennai for a longer duration than the one event held in 2022. The players expected to participate in the event would be among the top 100 in the world," Amritraj said. According to the event organizers, up to 90 participants from around the world would be taking part in the event, where a total prize money of over USD275,000 (Rs 2.39crores) is up for grabs. Reflecting on the century of illustrious achievements of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association, Amritraj recalled having a Davis Cup player from Tamil Nadu in the Indian Team each year since the fifties, the development of tennis legends Ramanathan Krishnan, Ramesh Krishnan, Anand, and a host of top men and women players. Highlighting the value of hosting high-profile Tennis events in Chennai, Amritraj said, there is no doubt as to the impact that a major international event has on any game in the State and the Country. In Tennis during the ATP event, not only did the best in the world come to Chennai but our own players Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Somdev Devvarman, Ramkumar and Sumit used the home opportunity to the maximum to move onto the top world stage. "Since I became the President of TNTA in 2018, the mandate of the Association was to get a major event to Chennai, my home town so that it inspires everyone – the players, the administrators, the coaches, the younger generation - to play Tennis, constantly improve the game in the State and ensure the dominance of Tamil Nadu both in the game of Tennis for both Men and Women, and also see the State of Tamil Nadu as an international destination for Tourism. This major event will promote Women’s tennis and should encourage more girls in the State to play the great sport of Tennis, which will immensely help them in both education and life," remarked the Indian tennis legend. “Our government, under the leadership of Chief Minister MK Stalin, has its job cut out to firmly place Tamil Nadu as a player on the global sports map. Since this government assumed office, Tamil Nadu has been hosting numerous international sporting events, earning us accolades all over. As a testament to our concerted efforts to host marquee sports events in Tamil Nadu, it is heartening to note that the Chennai Open WTA event returns to Chennai after three years. It is one of the prestigious Tennis Tournaments in the country and our government will extend its fullest support towards its successful conduct. Tennis has been given significant importance in our scheme of things. In the last financial year, a Centre of Excellence for Tennis was set up at the SDAT Tennis Stadium, Nungambakkam," said Tamil Nadu Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. Alastair Garland, Managing Director - Tennis, Octagon, commenting from the USA, said, "We are extremely excited to have been given the opportunity to bring India the biggest professional tennis event that exists in the country today. We very much look forward to making our presence felt in Tamil Nadu and India this October. We deeply appreciate the support of our key partners - the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. Octagon looks forward to working closely with the TNTA to make this a memorable event for the athletes, fans and partners.”

Indian tennis legend and TNTA President Vijay Amritraj said that the high-profile sporting event will be held in the state, coinciding with the Centenary year of the TNTA. The event is to be held at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai between October 27 and November 2, 2025.

Chennai Open returns after 3 years - Highest ranking tennis event in India

With the Wimbledon 2025 championship getting over on Sunday (July 13), Italy’s Jannik Sinner clinched his maiden SW19 title. Here's a look at all the five winners from different categories featuring Iga Swiatek and others.

With the Wimbledon 2025 championship getting over on Sunday (Jul 13), Italy’s Jannik Sinner clinched his maiden SW19 title. Here's a look at all the five winners from different categories featuring Iga Swiatek and others.

Who won Wimbledon 2025? Full list of singles, doubles and mixed doubles champions

Whenever tennis comes to mind, we visualise two rackets, lush grass or clay courts, epic rallies, game-set-match and of course, yellow tennis balls. But what if we told you that yellow wasn't always the colour of tennis balls? In fact, the balls were initially either white or black. Sounds strange, right? Well, it wasn’t until 1972 that yellow, fluorescent yellow to be specific, became the official colour of tennis balls. But why yellow? Why not red, blue, or green? Let's understand it.<h2>The story behind Wimbledon's fluorescent yellow balls</h2>It was Sir David Attenborough, a renowned British historian and biologist, who had a huge role to play in this colour switch of tennis balls. Back in 1967, he was working as the studio controller for the BBC. That year, he, along with his team, decided to broadcast Wimbledon, played at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, on colour TV for the very first time. Until then, sports coverage on TV was done in black and white.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/why-players-wear-white-clothes-in-wimbledon-whats-behind-the-all-white-dress-code-rule-colonialism-imperialism-and-more-1751364331647">What’s behind the Wimbledon all-white dress code rule? Colonialism, imperialism and more</a>&nbsp;But there was a major inconvenience for the viewers. The white tennis balls, which had always been used, were barely visible on colour television. Viewers struggled to follow the ball during fast rallies. Hence, Sir David and his team began searching for a colour that would be visually appealing on screen.&nbsp;In 1972, a study conducted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) confirmed that fluorescent yellow was the most visible colour for TV audiences. That same year, yellow balls were officially added to the ITF rulebook. The 1973 US Open was the first major slam tournament to adopt them. Wimbledon, known for holding on to its old-fashioned tradition, didn’t switch to yellow balls until 1986.&nbsp;Thus, the next time you see the yellow tennis balls on your screen, remember it was the result of a great vision led by Sir David Attenborough, who changed the way we see tennis forever.

The white tennis balls, which had always been used, were barely visible on colour television. Viewers struggled to follow the ball during fast rallies. Hence, Sir David and his team began searching for a colour that would be visually appealing on screen.

Whenever tennis comes to mind, we visualise two rackets, lush grass or clay courts, epic rallies, game-set-match and of course, yellow tennis balls. But what if we told you that yellow wasn't always the colour of tennis balls? In fact, the balls were initially either white or black. Sounds strange, right? Well, it wasn’t until 1972 that yellow, fluorescent yellow to be specific, became the official colour of tennis balls. But why yellow? Why not red, blue, or green? Let's understand it. The story behind Wimbledon's fluorescent yellow balls It was Sir David Attenborough, a renowned British historian and biologist, who had a huge role to play in this colour switch of tennis balls. Back in 1967, he was working as the studio controller for the BBC. That year, he, along with his team, decided to broadcast Wimbledon, played at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, on colour TV for the very first time. Until then, sports coverage on TV was done in black and white. Also read | What’s behind the Wimbledon all-white dress code rule? Colonialism, imperialism and more But there was a major inconvenience for the viewers. The white tennis balls, which had always been used, were barely visible on colour television. Viewers struggled to follow the ball during fast rallies. Hence, Sir David and his team began searching for a colour that would be visually appealing on screen. In 1972, a study conducted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) confirmed that fluorescent yellow was the most visible colour for TV audiences. That same year, yellow balls were officially added to the ITF rulebook. The 1973 US Open was the first major slam tournament to adopt them. Wimbledon, known for holding on to its old-fashioned tradition, didn’t switch to yellow balls until 1986. Thus, the next time you see the yellow tennis balls on your screen, remember it was the result of a great vision led by Sir David Attenborough, who changed the way we see tennis forever.

The white tennis balls, which had always been used, were barely visible on colour television. Viewers struggled to follow the ball during fast rallies. Hence, Sir David and his team began searching for a colour that would be visually appealing on screen.

Why are tennis balls yellow? Know the surprising story behind the colour change

From Rafael Nadal to Pete Sampras, here's a look at the top five tennis players with most men's singles grand slams. This list also includes Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Björn Borg.

From Rafael Nadal to Pete Sampras, here's a look at the top five tennis players with most men's singles grand slams. This list also includes Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Björn Borg.

From Rafael Nadal to Pete Sampras: 5 tennis players with most men's singles grand slams

Wimbledon chiefs have defended electronic line-calling after Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper questioned the technology during the first week of the tournament. A fully automated system has replaced human line judges at the All England Club this year, ending player challenges of contentious calls. But Raducanu, Britain's leading women's player, was unhappy after her 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 third-round defeat against top seed Aryna Sabalenka on Friday. The world number 40 said one call in particular, when a shot from Sabalenka was ruled to have clipped the line, was wrong.&nbsp;"That call was for sure out," said the former US Open champion after the intense battle on Centre Court. "It's kind of disappointing, the tournament here, that the calls can be so wrong, but for the most part they've been OK.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I've had a few in my other matches, too, that have been very wrong. Hopefully, they can fix that."&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-wimbledon-2025-carlos-alcaraz-into-last-16-as-aryna-sabalenka-outlasts-emma-raducanu-1751686596246">Wimbledon 2025: Carlos Alcaraz into last 16 as Aryna Sabalenka outlasts Emma Raducanu</a>&nbsp;The automated technology has become standard across tennis, with all events on the men's ATP Tour and many WTA tournaments using it.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Australian Open and the US Open are fully automated but the French Open remains an outlier, sticking to human line judges.&nbsp;Britain's Draper, the men's fourth seed, queried one serve from Marin Cilic during his second-round loss on Thursday.&nbsp;"I don't think it's 100 per cent accurate, in all honesty," he said. "A couple of the ones today it showed a mark on the court. There's no way the chalk would have showed."&nbsp;But Wimbledon chiefs said Saturday they were confident in the technology.&nbsp;"Live electronic line-calling technology is now widely used week in and week out on tour," said a spokesman for the tournament. “The technology goes through a rigorous certification process and meets the (agreed) standards... so we can provide maximum accuracy in our officiating.”&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

A fully automated system has replaced human line judges at the All England Club this year, ending player challenges of contentious calls.

Wimbledon chiefs have defended electronic line-calling after Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper questioned the technology during the first week of the tournament. A fully automated system has replaced human line judges at the All England Club this year, ending player challenges of contentious calls. But Raducanu, Britain's leading women's player, was unhappy after her 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 third-round defeat against top seed Aryna Sabalenka on Friday. The world number 40 said one call in particular, when a shot from Sabalenka was ruled to have clipped the line, was wrong. "That call was for sure out," said the former US Open champion after the intense battle on Centre Court. "It's kind of disappointing, the tournament here, that the calls can be so wrong, but for the most part they've been OK. "I've had a few in my other matches, too, that have been very wrong. Hopefully, they can fix that." Also read | Wimbledon 2025: Carlos Alcaraz into last 16 as Aryna Sabalenka outlasts Emma Raducanu The automated technology has become standard across tennis, with all events on the men's ATP Tour and many WTA tournaments using it. The Australian Open and the US Open are fully automated but the French Open remains an outlier, sticking to human line judges. Britain's Draper, the men's fourth seed, queried one serve from Marin Cilic during his second-round loss on Thursday. "I don't think it's 100 per cent accurate, in all honesty," he said. "A couple of the ones today it showed a mark on the court. There's no way the chalk would have showed." But Wimbledon chiefs said Saturday they were confident in the technology. "Live electronic line-calling technology is now widely used week in and week out on tour," said a spokesman for the tournament. “The technology goes through a rigorous certification process and meets the (agreed) standards... so we can provide maximum accuracy in our officiating.” Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.