Roger Federer says he is "in a really good place" with his recovery from last month`s knee surgery but clarified that he would not rush into returning to court.

The 40-year-old Federer, who shares the men`s record of 20 major titles with Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic, had two knee operations in 2020 that kept him out of the tour for more than a year.

He returned to action in March but injured the knee again during the grass court season and said he needed more surgery in order to resume playing.

"It was a tough process to take that decision, just because I already had couple of knee surgeries last year," Federer told American former world number one Jim Courier in an interview at the Laver Cup on Saturday.

"I was really unhappy with how things went at Wimbledon. I was just nowhere near where I wanted to be to play at the top, top level. But I tried my best and at the end, at some point, too much is too much. Now I`ve just got to take it step by step."

Federer reached the quarter-finals at the All England club but lost in straight sets to Poland`s Hubert Hurkacz, failing to win a game in the third set.

The Swiss, who is a co-creator of the Laver Cup, made a late decision to travel to Boston for the fourth edition of the exhibition event featuring Team Europe and Team World.

Federer has been seen moving around on crutches and has received thunderous applause from spectators at the TD Garden arena during the three-day event concluding on Sunday.

"I`ve got to first walk again properly, run properly and then do the sidesteps and all the agility work and then eventually I`ve got to be back on the tennis court," he said.

"But it`s going to take me a few more months and then we`ll see how things are at some point next year. I`ve got to take my time. I don`t want to rush into anything at this point.

"This is also for my life. I want to make sure I can do everything I want to do later on. There`s no rush with anything, so I`m actually in a really good place. I think the worst is behind me. I`m really happy."

Roger Federer says he is "in a really good place" with his recovery from last month`s knee surgery but clarified that he would not rush into returning to court. The 40-year-old Federer, who shares the men`s record of 20 major titles with Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic, had two knee operations in 2020 that kept him out of the tour for more than a year.

Roger Federer says he is "in a really good place" with his recovery from last month`s knee surgery but clarified that he would not rush into returning to court. The 40-year-old Federer, who shares the men`s record of 20 major titles with Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic, had two knee operations in 2020 that kept him out of the tour for more than a year. He returned to action in March but injured the knee again during the grass court season and said he needed more surgery in order to resume playing. "It was a tough process to take that decision, just because I already had couple of knee surgeries last year," Federer told American former world number one Jim Courier in an interview at the Laver Cup on Saturday. "I was really unhappy with how things went at Wimbledon. I was just nowhere near where I wanted to be to play at the top, top level. But I tried my best and at the end, at some point, too much is too much. Now I`ve just got to take it step by step." Federer reached the quarter-finals at the All England club but lost in straight sets to Poland`s Hubert Hurkacz, failing to win a game in the third set. The Swiss, who is a co-creator of the Laver Cup, made a late decision to travel to Boston for the fourth edition of the exhibition event featuring Team Europe and Team World. Federer has been seen moving around on crutches and has received thunderous applause from spectators at the TD Garden arena during the three-day event concluding on Sunday. "I`ve got to first walk again properly, run properly and then do the sidesteps and all the agility work and then eventually I`ve got to be back on the tennis court," he said. "But it`s going to take me a few more months and then we`ll see how things are at some point next year. I`ve got to take my time. I don`t want to rush into anything at this point. "This is also for my life. I want to make sure I can do everything I want to do later on. There`s no rush with anything, so I`m actually in a really good place. I think the worst is behind me. I`m really happy."

Roger Federer feels worst is behind him after knee surgery but not rushing return to court

John Isner and Denis Shapovalov were the Day 1 saviours for Team World, following a resounding comeback to deny Matteo Berrettini and Alexander Zverev in their maiden partnership at Laver Cup 2021 on Friday.

The US-Canadian partnership salvaged a point from a set down 4-6, 7-6(2), 10-1 to avoid a third straight match tiebreak defeat for John McEnroe`s side in Boston.

Earlier, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, and Matteo Berrettini won their singles matches as Team Europe jumped to a 3-0 lead over Team World. But Isner and Shapovalov pegged Team Europe one back in the last match of the night. Team Europe heads into Day 2 of Laver Cup 2021 with a 3-1 lead, as Team World ended Day 1 on a high.

In what was the highlight of Day 1 and the longest match in four editions of the Laver Cup, Matteo Berrettini edged his way past good friend Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(3), 5-7, [10-8] to hand Team Europe a 2-0 advantage heading into the first match of the night session.

Team Europe is trying to claim their fourth consecutive Laver Cup after previous wins in 2017 (Prague), 2018 (Chicago) and 2019 (Geneva).

John Isner and Denis Shapovalov were the Day 1 saviours for Team World, following a resounding comeback to deny Matteo Berrettini and Alexander Zverev in their maiden partnership at Laver Cup 2021 on Friday.

John Isner and Denis Shapovalov were the Day 1 saviours for Team World, following a resounding comeback to deny Matteo Berrettini and Alexander Zverev in their maiden partnership at Laver Cup 2021 on Friday. The US-Canadian partnership salvaged a point from a set down 4-6, 7-6(2), 10-1 to avoid a third straight match tiebreak defeat for John McEnroe`s side in Boston. Earlier, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, and Matteo Berrettini won their singles matches as Team Europe jumped to a 3-0 lead over Team World. But Isner and Shapovalov pegged Team Europe one back in the last match of the night. Team Europe heads into Day 2 of Laver Cup 2021 with a 3-1 lead, as Team World ended Day 1 on a high. In what was the highlight of Day 1 and the longest match in four editions of the Laver Cup, Matteo Berrettini edged his way past good friend Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(3), 5-7, [10-8] to hand Team Europe a 2-0 advantage heading into the first match of the night session. Team Europe is trying to claim their fourth consecutive Laver Cup after previous wins in 2017 (Prague), 2018 (Chicago) and 2019 (Geneva).

Laver Cup 2021, Day 1: Team Europe on cruise mode as they take 3-1 lead over Team World

Weeks after her US Open title triumph, British teen sensation Emma Raducanu has split from coach Andrew Richardson, with the 18-year-old insisting that she needs "a more experienced mentor" on the WTA Tour. 
 
Richardson had accompanied Raducanu to New York for the year-end Grand Slam where she had beaten 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez of Canada in straight sets to become an overnight celebrity. 
 
"Where I was at after Wimbledon, I was ranked around 200 in the world and at the time I thought Andrew would be a great coach to trial so we went to the (United) States but never did I even dream of winning the US Open and having the run I did and now I`m ranked 22 in the world, which is pretty crazy to me," said Raducanu. 
 
"I feel like at this stage in my career, and playing the top players in the world, I realised I really need someone right now that has had that WTA Tour experience at the high levels, which means that I`m looking for someone who has been at that level and knows what it takes. And especially right now because I`m so new to it, I really need someone to guide me who`s already been through that," the tennis ace was quoted as saying by Daily Mail on Friday. 
 
Raducanu said she has yet to zero in on a trainer though rumours abound that she might hire top coach Darren Cahill, who is now a free agent after having split with former world No. 1 Simona Halep. 
 
Raducanu had earlier split with tennis ace Andy Murray`s father-in-law Nigel Sears after Wimbledon. 
 
Raducanu, who became the first-ever qualifier to triumph at a major, is aiming to return to competition by entering the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (October 6 onwards). 
 
"I`ll decide in the next few days where I`m going to go to but, wherever I play next, I`m going to make sure I`m ready. I don`t want to jump into things too early," she said. 
&nbsp;

Weeks after her US Open title triumph, British teen sensation Emma Raducanu has split from coach Andrew Richardson, with the 18-year-old insisting that she needs "a more experienced mentor" on the WTA Tour.

Weeks after her US Open title triumph, British teen sensation Emma Raducanu has split from coach Andrew Richardson, with the 18-year-old insisting that she needs "a more experienced mentor" on the WTA Tour. Richardson had accompanied Raducanu to New York for the year-end Grand Slam where she had beaten 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez of Canada in straight sets to become an overnight celebrity. "Where I was at after Wimbledon, I was ranked around 200 in the world and at the time I thought Andrew would be a great coach to trial so we went to the (United) States but never did I even dream of winning the US Open and having the run I did and now I`m ranked 22 in the world, which is pretty crazy to me," said Raducanu. "I feel like at this stage in my career, and playing the top players in the world, I realised I really need someone right now that has had that WTA Tour experience at the high levels, which means that I`m looking for someone who has been at that level and knows what it takes. And especially right now because I`m so new to it, I really need someone to guide me who`s already been through that," the tennis ace was quoted as saying by Daily Mail on Friday. Raducanu said she has yet to zero in on a trainer though rumours abound that she might hire top coach Darren Cahill, who is now a free agent after having split with former world No. 1 Simona Halep. Raducanu had earlier split with tennis ace Andy Murray`s father-in-law Nigel Sears after Wimbledon. Raducanu, who became the first-ever qualifier to triumph at a major, is aiming to return to competition by entering the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (October 6 onwards). "I`ll decide in the next few days where I`m going to go to but, wherever I play next, I`m going to make sure I`m ready. I don`t want to jump into things too early," she said.

Weeks after US Open triumph, British teen sensation Emma Raducanu splits with coach

Novak Djokovic was on the verge of completing a calendar-year Grand Slam, first in male tennis since 1969, in the recently-concluded US Open 2021. However, the Serbian lost the final to Russia's Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and missed out on creating history as well as going past Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam titles as the famed trio remain on par with each (20).

During the US Open, Djokovic not only won hearts on the court for his emphatic performances and consistency, the No. 1 ranked Serb also won over his wife, Jelena, by donning the husband's hat with aplomb and doing the dishes in the kitchen after his match. Jelena, who remains active on social media platforms, shared the video of Djokovic doing the dishes on Twitter and wrote, "Novak’s 3rd shift/Novakova treća smena. This is how Novak meditates after his late night match at the #USOpen He’s my MVP in the kitchen"

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Novak’s 3rd shift/Novakova treća smena. This is how Novak meditates after his late night match at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USOpen</a> He’s my MVP in the kitchen <a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@djokernole</a> <a href="https://t.co/1XvkT8YEdt">pic.twitter.com/1XvkT8YEdt</a>
— Jelena Djokovic (@jelenadjokovic) <a href="https://twitter.com/jelenadjokovic/status/1435261284828680199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

After the defeat in the US Open final, Djokovic stated at the post-match presentation, "Tonight, even though I have not won the match, my heart is filled with joy and I'm the happiest man alive because you guys made me feel very special on the court. Part of me is very sad. It’s a tough one to swallow, this loss, I mean, considering everything that was on the line."

The Serb will now look to surpass Federer and Nadal's tally in the next calendar year and consolidate his lead.

Novak Djokovic was on the verge of completing a calendar-year Grand Slam, first in male tennis since 1969, in the recently-concluded US Open 2021. However, the Serbian lost the final to Russia's Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and missed out on creating history as well as going past Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam titles as the famed trio remain on par with each (20).

Novak Djokovic was on the verge of completing a calendar-year Grand Slam, first in male tennis since 1969, in the recently-concluded US Open 2021. However, the Serbian lost the final to Russia's Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and missed out on creating history as well as going past Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam titles as the famed trio remain on par with each (20). During the US Open, Djokovic not only won hearts on the court for his emphatic performances and consistency, the No. 1 ranked Serb also won over his wife, Jelena, by donning the husband's hat with aplomb and doing the dishes in the kitchen after his match. Jelena, who remains active on social media platforms, shared the video of Djokovic doing the dishes on Twitter and wrote, "Novak’s 3rd shift/Novakova treća smena. This is how Novak meditates after his late night match at the #USOpen He’s my MVP in the kitchen" Novak’s 3rd shift/Novakova treća smena. This is how Novak meditates after his late night match at the #USOpen He’s my MVP in the kitchen @djokernole pic.twitter.com/1XvkT8YEdt — Jelena Djokovic (@jelenadjokovic) September 7, 2021 × After the defeat in the US Open final, Djokovic stated at the post-match presentation, "Tonight, even though I have not won the match, my heart is filled with joy and I'm the happiest man alive because you guys made me feel very special on the court. Part of me is very sad. It’s a tough one to swallow, this loss, I mean, considering everything that was on the line." The Serb will now look to surpass Federer and Nadal's tally in the next calendar year and consolidate his lead.

'My MVP in the kitchen' - Husband duties! Novak Djokovic does the dishes as wife Jelena shares adorable video - watch

Emma Raducanu has spent her time hopping from one media interview to another since her fairytale U.S. Open triumph and how she deals with her new-found fame could be as important as her tennis skills for her long-term success. 
 
The 18-year-old Briton stunned the world with her improbable run to the title last week, triggering comparisons with some of the greatest achievements in sport. 
 
Her innocence, youthful exuberance and contagious smile have made Raducanu an instant hit with fans and the media and sports marketing experts believe she could become one of the world`s most marketable athletes. 
 
Raducanu is not the first teenager to win a Grand Slam title, of course, and the experiences of other women who have made their breakthroughs on the game`s biggest stage in recent years illustrate that sudden fame can be a mixed blessing. 
 
"I often say that we prepare how to deal with a loss but we often don`t prepare for success," Daria Abramowicz, a sports psychologist who works with Pole Iga Swiatek who won the French Open at the age of 19 last year, told Reuters. 
 
"The biggest challenge from psychological perspective as we consider high performance sports is to adapt and adjust to this new reality ... in terms of partnership, sponsorship, business side of things." 
 
Swiatek`s French Open triumph was almost as stunning as Raducanu`s and she said it changed her life overnight, leaving her struggling to adjust to her celebrity status and keep up with the financial and media demands. 
 
The most graphic example is that of Japan`s Naomi Osaka, who has been marked as the next dominant player in women`s sport since she announced herself on the big stage with her U.S. Open triumph in 2018. 
 
Still only 23, four-times major champion has struggled with mental health issues she thinks were triggered by the massive burden of expectation on her. 
 
Raducanu has experienced help at hand as she is managed by super-agent Max Eisenbud, who turned Maria Sharapova into the highest-earning female athlete after the Russian won Wimbledon aged 17. 
 
Katie Spellman, who represents multiple major winners Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova, said her advice to Raducanu`s team would be to focus on quality over quantity in terms of media commitments. 
 
Spellman also suggested professional media training for her and addition of someone to Raducanu`s team who could help the teenager manage her social media accounts, which have seen the number of followers rocket in last few days. 
 
MORE SUCCESS 
 
It is not just the higher profile that will change things for Raducanu going forward, however, but also the attitude and approach of her opponents on court. 
 
"The other players will be preparing for her game, will try to find her weakness on court, won`t be surprised with the level or tactics for example, that`s the work that people are doing right now in tennis on a daily basis," Abramowicz added. 
 
That means that achieving more success after the initial breakthrough can take time, if it comes at all. 
 
Swiatek has reached one Grand Slam quarter-final since her Roland Garros triumph, while Jelena Ostapenko has not come anywhere near matching her 2017 French Open success. 
 
Bianca Andreescu`s win over Serena Williams in the 2019 U.S. Open final was considered a seismic event in women`s tennis, but the Canadian has not won a WTA title since, although injury did wipe out her entire 2020 season. 
 
Even Williams, widely regarded as the greatest women`s player ever, took three years to win her second Grand Slam title after her first as a 17-year-old at the 1999 U.S. Open. 
 
"The organisation (WTA) has a lot of experience with a lot of players that have been in similar situation (to Raducanu)," said Abramowicz. 
 
"We should remember that for every single one of them, it`s their first time. So if we can share experience and help to educate that probably will be the best."

Emma Raducanu has spent her time hopping from one media interview to another since her fairytale U.S. Open triumph and how she deals with her new-found fame could be as important as her tennis skills for her long-term success.

Emma Raducanu has spent her time hopping from one media interview to another since her fairytale U.S. Open triumph and how she deals with her new-found fame could be as important as her tennis skills for her long-term success. The 18-year-old Briton stunned the world with her improbable run to the title last week, triggering comparisons with some of the greatest achievements in sport. Her innocence, youthful exuberance and contagious smile have made Raducanu an instant hit with fans and the media and sports marketing experts believe she could become one of the world`s most marketable athletes. Raducanu is not the first teenager to win a Grand Slam title, of course, and the experiences of other women who have made their breakthroughs on the game`s biggest stage in recent years illustrate that sudden fame can be a mixed blessing. "I often say that we prepare how to deal with a loss but we often don`t prepare for success," Daria Abramowicz, a sports psychologist who works with Pole Iga Swiatek who won the French Open at the age of 19 last year, told Reuters. "The biggest challenge from psychological perspective as we consider high performance sports is to adapt and adjust to this new reality ... in terms of partnership, sponsorship, business side of things." Swiatek`s French Open triumph was almost as stunning as Raducanu`s and she said it changed her life overnight, leaving her struggling to adjust to her celebrity status and keep up with the financial and media demands. The most graphic example is that of Japan`s Naomi Osaka, who has been marked as the next dominant player in women`s sport since she announced herself on the big stage with her U.S. Open triumph in 2018. Still only 23, four-times major champion has struggled with mental health issues she thinks were triggered by the massive burden of expectation on her. Raducanu has experienced help at hand as she is managed by super-agent Max Eisenbud, who turned Maria Sharapova into the highest-earning female athlete after the Russian won Wimbledon aged 17. Katie Spellman, who represents multiple major winners Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova, said her advice to Raducanu`s team would be to focus on quality over quantity in terms of media commitments. Spellman also suggested professional media training for her and addition of someone to Raducanu`s team who could help the teenager manage her social media accounts, which have seen the number of followers rocket in last few days. MORE SUCCESS It is not just the higher profile that will change things for Raducanu going forward, however, but also the attitude and approach of her opponents on court. "The other players will be preparing for her game, will try to find her weakness on court, won`t be surprised with the level or tactics for example, that`s the work that people are doing right now in tennis on a daily basis," Abramowicz added. That means that achieving more success after the initial breakthrough can take time, if it comes at all. Swiatek has reached one Grand Slam quarter-final since her Roland Garros triumph, while Jelena Ostapenko has not come anywhere near matching her 2017 French Open success. Bianca Andreescu`s win over Serena Williams in the 2019 U.S. Open final was considered a seismic event in women`s tennis, but the Canadian has not won a WTA title since, although injury did wipe out her entire 2020 season. Even Williams, widely regarded as the greatest women`s player ever, took three years to win her second Grand Slam title after her first as a 17-year-old at the 1999 U.S. Open. "The organisation (WTA) has a lot of experience with a lot of players that have been in similar situation (to Raducanu)," said Abramowicz. "We should remember that for every single one of them, it`s their first time. So if we can share experience and help to educate that probably will be the best."

Emma Raducanu's toughest challenge is coping with the fame game

After going out in the first round at the US Open, Andy Murray continued his comeback at a Challenger event in Rennes on Monday, saying he wanted to play matches and boost his ranking.

"Obviously I would like to try and win the event," said the Scot who on Monday beat German Yannick Maden 6-3, 6-1, in the first round at Rennes.&nbsp;

"Most importantly, for me, is just to get matches. I want to keep playing, competing and get my body used to playing two, three, gour matches in a week again".

Murray, who underwent right hip surgery in 2017 and again 2019, lost in five sets to third-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round in New York, where the Scot won the third of his major titles in 2012.&nbsp;

"One of the goals between now and the end of the year is to try and make a big improvement with my ranking, and to do that, I need to be competing often," said the 34-year-old who is ranked 116.&nbsp;

"I still feel like I can play a very high level but if all of the time when I go to the big tournaments I play top players right at the beginning of the event, it's not so easy".

"The Challengers often have good players. We have three guys that have been in the top 10. That's quite rare. There should be some good matches, and it's nice for the crowd to come out and watch the French players," he said.&nbsp;

After going out in the first round at the US Open, Andy Murray continued his comeback at a Challenger event in Rennes on Monday, saying he wanted to play matches and boost his ranking.

After going out in the first round at the US Open, Andy Murray continued his comeback at a Challenger event in Rennes on Monday, saying he wanted to play matches and boost his ranking. "Obviously I would like to try and win the event," said the Scot who on Monday beat German Yannick Maden 6-3, 6-1, in the first round at Rennes. "Most importantly, for me, is just to get matches. I want to keep playing, competing and get my body used to playing two, three, gour matches in a week again". Murray, who underwent right hip surgery in 2017 and again 2019, lost in five sets to third-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round in New York, where the Scot won the third of his major titles in 2012. "One of the goals between now and the end of the year is to try and make a big improvement with my ranking, and to do that, I need to be competing often," said the 34-year-old who is ranked 116. "I still feel like I can play a very high level but if all of the time when I go to the big tournaments I play top players right at the beginning of the event, it's not so easy". "The Challengers often have good players. We have three guys that have been in the top 10. That's quite rare. There should be some good matches, and it's nice for the crowd to come out and watch the French players," he said.

Murray wins in Rennes as he aims to get his body 'used to playing'

Leylah Fernandez brushed aside yet another former champion as the fearless Canadian teenager stormed into the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open on Sunday with a 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2 win over 16th seed Angelique Kerber. 
 
It was a precocious and poised performance from Fernandez, who celebrates her 19th birthday on Monday and had already sent a jolt through Flushing Meadows on Friday when she stunned third seed and defending champion Naomi Osaka. 
 
There would be no letdown for Fernandez after the biggest win of her fledgling career, the youngster soaking up the energy from a seething Louis Armstrong crowd after dropping the opening set to three-times Grand Slam winner Kerber. 
 
Fernandez had grabbed the early break at 4-2 but could not consolidate it as Kerber, the 2016 U.S. Open winner, broke right back with the help of a pair of double-faults by the Canadian. 
 
Having made the breakthrough, the experienced German quickly took command, winning four straight games to open up a 1-0 lead. 
 
But Fernandez remained unfazed, fist-pumping and screaming with each winner throughout a tight second set that went to a tie-break that she took 7-5. 
 
Kerber, 15 years older than her opponent, countered Fernandez`s enthusiasm with veteran calm and focus, but it was the 73rd ranked Canadian taking charge in the third, sweeping the final five games to cinch a breathtaking victory. 
&nbsp;

Leylah Fernandez brushed aside yet another former champion as the fearless Canadian teenager stormed into the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open on Sunday with a 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2 win over 16th seed Angelique Kerber.

Leylah Fernandez brushed aside yet another former champion as the fearless Canadian teenager stormed into the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open on Sunday with a 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2 win over 16th seed Angelique Kerber. It was a precocious and poised performance from Fernandez, who celebrates her 19th birthday on Monday and had already sent a jolt through Flushing Meadows on Friday when she stunned third seed and defending champion Naomi Osaka. There would be no letdown for Fernandez after the biggest win of her fledgling career, the youngster soaking up the energy from a seething Louis Armstrong crowd after dropping the opening set to three-times Grand Slam winner Kerber. Fernandez had grabbed the early break at 4-2 but could not consolidate it as Kerber, the 2016 U.S. Open winner, broke right back with the help of a pair of double-faults by the Canadian. Having made the breakthrough, the experienced German quickly took command, winning four straight games to open up a 1-0 lead. But Fernandez remained unfazed, fist-pumping and screaming with each winner throughout a tight second set that went to a tie-break that she took 7-5. Kerber, 15 years older than her opponent, countered Fernandez`s enthusiasm with veteran calm and focus, but it was the 73rd ranked Canadian taking charge in the third, sweeping the final five games to cinch a breathtaking victory.

US Open: Fearless Leylah Fernandez knocks out another champion to reach quarter-finals

British teenager Emma Raducanu extended her dream run at Flushing Meadows with a stunning 6-0 6-1 win over Spain`s Sara Sorribes Tormo to race into the U.S. Open last 16 on Saturday. 
 
The 18-year-old Raducanu, who burst onto the scene earlier this year by reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon in her first Grand Slam appearance, was utterly dominant against Sorribes Tormo, closing out the one-sided match in 70 minutes. 
 
Raducanu, who came to New York ranked 150th in the world, has breezed through all three of her matches without dropping a set and won a hugely impressive 79% of her first-serve points while smashing 23 winners past her hapless opponent. 
 
"I was playing very well and I know Sara is an extremely tough opponent," Raducanu said in her on-court interview. "I had to work so hard and there were some really long deuce games that could have gone either way. 
 
"I`m just very glad I was able to maintain it and win in the end. For this one the plan was I had to hit through her and into the corners. I just took the game to her and I hit more winners than errors today." 
 
The 24-year-old Sorribes Tormo, the world number 41, had no answer to the youngster`s combination of power, guile and court coverage, folding meekly and managing just five winners in the face of Raducanu`s relentless onslaught. 
 
The only blemish for the Briton came when serving for the match as nerves got the better of her and she let a 30-0 lead slip to allow her opponent to get on the scoresheet before sealing the win on Sorribes Tormo`s serve in the next game. 
 
Next up for Raducanu is a possible clash with top-seeded Australian Ash Barty, who faces American Shelby Rogers in the third round later on Saturday. 
&nbsp;

British teenager Emma Raducanu extended her dream run at Flushing Meadows with a stunning 6-0 6-1 win over Spain`s Sara Sorribes Tormo to race into the U.S. Open last 16 on Saturday.

British teenager Emma Raducanu extended her dream run at Flushing Meadows with a stunning 6-0 6-1 win over Spain`s Sara Sorribes Tormo to race into the U.S. Open last 16 on Saturday. The 18-year-old Raducanu, who burst onto the scene earlier this year by reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon in her first Grand Slam appearance, was utterly dominant against Sorribes Tormo, closing out the one-sided match in 70 minutes. Raducanu, who came to New York ranked 150th in the world, has breezed through all three of her matches without dropping a set and won a hugely impressive 79% of her first-serve points while smashing 23 winners past her hapless opponent. "I was playing very well and I know Sara is an extremely tough opponent," Raducanu said in her on-court interview. "I had to work so hard and there were some really long deuce games that could have gone either way. "I`m just very glad I was able to maintain it and win in the end. For this one the plan was I had to hit through her and into the corners. I just took the game to her and I hit more winners than errors today." The 24-year-old Sorribes Tormo, the world number 41, had no answer to the youngster`s combination of power, guile and court coverage, folding meekly and managing just five winners in the face of Raducanu`s relentless onslaught. The only blemish for the Briton came when serving for the match as nerves got the better of her and she let a 30-0 lead slip to allow her opponent to get on the scoresheet before sealing the win on Sorribes Tormo`s serve in the next game. Next up for Raducanu is a possible clash with top-seeded Australian Ash Barty, who faces American Shelby Rogers in the third round later on Saturday.

Relentless Emma Raducanu races into US Open last 16

Fourth seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova rocketed 20 aces past third-round foe Ajla Tomljanovic to win 6-3 6-2 on Saturday, keeping her bid for a maiden major title on track at the U.S. Open. 
 
The Wimbledon runner-up had 20 winners in the first set and fended off all five break point opportunities as a handful of costly errors from Tomljanovic, including a double fault in the sixth game to hand Pliskova the break, hampered the Australian`s efforts. 
 
Pliskova didn`t drop a single first-serve point in the second set, closing out the affair in an hour and 11 minutes at the Flushing Meadows Grandstand with a trio of aces in the final game. 
 
Pliskova, who dug out a tense, three-set match over American Amanda Anisimova in the second round, next faces either Varvara Gracheva or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, both from Russia. 
&nbsp;

Fourth seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova rocketed 20 aces past third-round foe Ajla Tomljanovic to win 6-3 6-2 on Saturday, keeping her bid for a maiden major title on track at the U.

Fourth seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova rocketed 20 aces past third-round foe Ajla Tomljanovic to win 6-3 6-2 on Saturday, keeping her bid for a maiden major title on track at the U.S. Open. The Wimbledon runner-up had 20 winners in the first set and fended off all five break point opportunities as a handful of costly errors from Tomljanovic, including a double fault in the sixth game to hand Pliskova the break, hampered the Australian`s efforts. Pliskova didn`t drop a single first-serve point in the second set, closing out the affair in an hour and 11 minutes at the Flushing Meadows Grandstand with a trio of aces in the final game. Pliskova, who dug out a tense, three-set match over American Amanda Anisimova in the second round, next faces either Varvara Gracheva or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, both from Russia.

Karolina Pliskova aces third-round challenge at US Open

Second seed Daniil Medvedev resumes his bid for his first Grand Slam title against Britain`s Dan Evans at the U.S. Open on Sunday, while Aryna Sabalenka faces her good friend and doubles partner Elise Mertens in the fourth round. 
 
Russia`s Medvedev, a losing finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2019, is yet to drop a set in New York so far and faces world number 27 Evans in the second match of the day on Arthur Ashe Stadium in the first career meeting between the two. 
 
"I think it`s tough to describe (Evans) with one word, but (he`s) definitely very tricky," Medvedev said. "I would think (he`s) very smart because he doesn`t have one shot that`s a weapon and yet he`s been a top player for many years already." 
 
Medvedev has barely broken a sweat in the opening rounds, racing into the last 16 with three consecutive straight sets wins, while Evans has had to battle hard, playing two four-setters and a gruelling five-setter against Australia`s Alexei Popyrin in his last match. 
 
"I think my game is in a good place," Evans said, adding that he was trying to keep a positive mindset. 
 
"(Medvedev`s) been playing some unbelievable tennis this year, but if I go on the court and think I`ve got no chance and there`s no pressure on me... you`re not ready for that. 
 
"You`ve got to go in believing you can win." 
 
Sabalenka, the women`s second seed, is aiming to reach her first singles quarter-final in New York, but must first get past her good friend Mertens at the Louis Armstrong Stadium. 
 
The Belarusian won the 2019 doubles title at Flushing Meadows with Mertens and the pair also won the doubles crown at this year`s Australian Open before Sabalenka decided to focus more on her singles career. 
 
French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova takes on twice Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza in the evening session on Arthur Ashe, while Germany`s Angelique Kerber faces Naomi Osaka`s third-round conqueror Leylah Fernandez on Louis Armstrong. 
 
Romania`s Simona Halep kicks things off on Arthur Ashe, taking on fifth seed Elina Svitolina, while Spanish teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz will look to extend his dream debut at Flushing Meadows into the quarter-finals when he faces qualifier Peter Gojowczyk of Germany. 
&nbsp;

Second seed Daniil Medvedev resumes his bid for his first Grand Slam title against Britain`s Dan Evans at the U.S. Open on Sunday, while Aryna Sabalenka faces her good friend and doubles partner Elise Mertens in the fourth round.

Second seed Daniil Medvedev resumes his bid for his first Grand Slam title against Britain`s Dan Evans at the U.S. Open on Sunday, while Aryna Sabalenka faces her good friend and doubles partner Elise Mertens in the fourth round. Russia`s Medvedev, a losing finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2019, is yet to drop a set in New York so far and faces world number 27 Evans in the second match of the day on Arthur Ashe Stadium in the first career meeting between the two. "I think it`s tough to describe (Evans) with one word, but (he`s) definitely very tricky," Medvedev said. "I would think (he`s) very smart because he doesn`t have one shot that`s a weapon and yet he`s been a top player for many years already." Medvedev has barely broken a sweat in the opening rounds, racing into the last 16 with three consecutive straight sets wins, while Evans has had to battle hard, playing two four-setters and a gruelling five-setter against Australia`s Alexei Popyrin in his last match. "I think my game is in a good place," Evans said, adding that he was trying to keep a positive mindset. "(Medvedev`s) been playing some unbelievable tennis this year, but if I go on the court and think I`ve got no chance and there`s no pressure on me... you`re not ready for that. "You`ve got to go in believing you can win." Sabalenka, the women`s second seed, is aiming to reach her first singles quarter-final in New York, but must first get past her good friend Mertens at the Louis Armstrong Stadium. The Belarusian won the 2019 doubles title at Flushing Meadows with Mertens and the pair also won the doubles crown at this year`s Australian Open before Sabalenka decided to focus more on her singles career. French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova takes on twice Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza in the evening session on Arthur Ashe, while Germany`s Angelique Kerber faces Naomi Osaka`s third-round conqueror Leylah Fernandez on Louis Armstrong. Romania`s Simona Halep kicks things off on Arthur Ashe, taking on fifth seed Elina Svitolina, while Spanish teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz will look to extend his dream debut at Flushing Meadows into the quarter-finals when he faces qualifier Peter Gojowczyk of Germany.

US Open: Medvedev resumes hunt for maiden major against 'tricky' Evans

Severe weather in New York saw dozens of matches postponed at the U.S. Open on Wednesday while the singles tie between Diego Schwartzman and Kevin Anderson was halted after a set and moved to a different venue as rain soaked the court and fans. 
 
Schwartzman and Anderson traded early breaks in the first set before play was halted for over 30 minutes at Louis Armstrong Stadium as the venue`s retractable roof was unable to prevent rain being blown in sideways by strong winds. 
 
Schwartzman then slipped during a tiebreak in the first set and called for chair umpire Nacho Forcadell, who inspected the court as fans donned plastic ponchos and held up umbrellas. 
 
The court was wiped down with towels and play resumed after nearly 10 minutes, but officials then suspended the match and later announced it would resume at Arthur Ashe Stadium following the tie between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Adrian Mannarino. 
 
"You guys call me when you`re ready to play tennis," said South African Anderson, the runner up in 2017, before leaving the court. 
 
The second round match between former champion Angelique Kerber and Anhelina Kalinina, originally scheduled to begin after Schwartzman and Anderson, was pushed to Thursday. 
 
The match between Tsitsipas and Mannarino was unaffected by the weather, with fans sitting comfortably inside the far more enclosed facility though rain drummed heavily on the roof. 
 
Earlier in the day, more than two dozen doubles matches were postponed as the rain rolled in. 
 
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency advisory for the region, and parts of the plaza at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center were flooded.

Severe weather in New York saw dozens of matches postponed at the U.S. Open on Wednesday while the singles tie between Diego Schwartzman and Kevin Anderson was halted after a set and moved to a different venue as rain soaked the court and fans.

Severe weather in New York saw dozens of matches postponed at the U.S. Open on Wednesday while the singles tie between Diego Schwartzman and Kevin Anderson was halted after a set and moved to a different venue as rain soaked the court and fans. Schwartzman and Anderson traded early breaks in the first set before play was halted for over 30 minutes at Louis Armstrong Stadium as the venue`s retractable roof was unable to prevent rain being blown in sideways by strong winds. Schwartzman then slipped during a tiebreak in the first set and called for chair umpire Nacho Forcadell, who inspected the court as fans donned plastic ponchos and held up umbrellas. The court was wiped down with towels and play resumed after nearly 10 minutes, but officials then suspended the match and later announced it would resume at Arthur Ashe Stadium following the tie between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Adrian Mannarino. "You guys call me when you`re ready to play tennis," said South African Anderson, the runner up in 2017, before leaving the court. The second round match between former champion Angelique Kerber and Anhelina Kalinina, originally scheduled to begin after Schwartzman and Anderson, was pushed to Thursday. The match between Tsitsipas and Mannarino was unaffected by the weather, with fans sitting comfortably inside the far more enclosed facility though rain drummed heavily on the roof. Earlier in the day, more than two dozen doubles matches were postponed as the rain rolled in. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency advisory for the region, and parts of the plaza at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center were flooded.

Severe weather disrupts US Open schedule

Former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens said on Wednesday players who took extended bathroom breaks were guilty of "gamesmanship" after Stefanos Tsitsipas came under fire once again for leaving the court late on in a match. 
 
Andy Murray was furious with Tsitsipas on Monday after he took a break that ran close to eight minutes during their five-set first-round clash, with the Briton saying the disruption had an impact on the match. 
 
In his second round tie with Adrian Mannarino on Wednesday, the Greek left for the locker room for a bathroom break of more than seven minutes after losing the third set, and was jeered by the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd on his return. 
 
Stephens, who sits on the WTA players council, said it was gamesmanship and had to stop. "They make a lot of rule changes for smaller things, like, they took one minute off the warmup," said Stephens, who won the U.S. Open title in 2017. "I think there definitely needs to be a rule or changes. 
 
"If someone goes to the bathroom for nine minutes, no one says anything. "I think now that there is a lot of talk about it, people come into press, people tweet about it, maybe it will get a little bit more attention, that gamesmanship will kind of maybe turn and change a little bit." 
 
Tsitsipas, 23, has repeatedly said he is not breaking any rules as there are no time limits on bathroom breaks. 
 
In a tweet a day after his defeat, Murray said Tsitsipas took longer on bathroom breaks than it took billionaire Jeff Bezos to reach outer space. 
 
The 28-year-old Stephens found Murray`s tweet "really funny" and said a lengthy break could change the momentum of a match. 
 
"If you`re changing your clothes, what are you changing? What are you doing in there?" she asked. "If you ever changed out of a wet sports bra ... But that is maybe like a five-minute. When you get into six, seven, eight, nine minutes, okay, what are you doing in there? Do you need help?" 
&nbsp;

Former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens said on Wednesday players who took extended bathroom breaks were guilty of "gamesmanship" after Stefanos Tsitsipas came under fire once again for leaving the court late on in a match.

Former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens said on Wednesday players who took extended bathroom breaks were guilty of "gamesmanship" after Stefanos Tsitsipas came under fire once again for leaving the court late on in a match. Andy Murray was furious with Tsitsipas on Monday after he took a break that ran close to eight minutes during their five-set first-round clash, with the Briton saying the disruption had an impact on the match. In his second round tie with Adrian Mannarino on Wednesday, the Greek left for the locker room for a bathroom break of more than seven minutes after losing the third set, and was jeered by the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd on his return. Stephens, who sits on the WTA players council, said it was gamesmanship and had to stop. "They make a lot of rule changes for smaller things, like, they took one minute off the warmup," said Stephens, who won the U.S. Open title in 2017. "I think there definitely needs to be a rule or changes. "If someone goes to the bathroom for nine minutes, no one says anything. "I think now that there is a lot of talk about it, people come into press, people tweet about it, maybe it will get a little bit more attention, that gamesmanship will kind of maybe turn and change a little bit." Tsitsipas, 23, has repeatedly said he is not breaking any rules as there are no time limits on bathroom breaks. In a tweet a day after his defeat, Murray said Tsitsipas took longer on bathroom breaks than it took billionaire Jeff Bezos to reach outer space. The 28-year-old Stephens found Murray`s tweet "really funny" and said a lengthy break could change the momentum of a match. "If you`re changing your clothes, what are you changing? What are you doing in there?" she asked. "If you ever changed out of a wet sports bra ... But that is maybe like a five-minute. When you get into six, seven, eight, nine minutes, okay, what are you doing in there? Do you need help?"

US Open: Sloane Stephens calls for rule change over Stefanos Tsitsipas' lengthy bathroom break row

Novak Djokovic took a first unsteady step toward completing the calendar-year Grand Slam on Tuesday as the Serb laboured into the second round of the U.S. Open with a 6-1 6-7(5) 6-2 6-1 win over dashing Danish teenager Holger Rune. 
 
On paper, the contest was a total mismatch -- an 18-year-old qualifier making his Grand Slam debut against a player chasing a 21st major title. While the outcome was exactly what was expected, the effort needed by Djokovic to see off the fearless Dane, who battled to the end despite suffering cramp, was not. 
 
The match got underway amid a somewhat flat atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium but the crowd were chanting the little-known Dane`s name after he stunned Djokovic to win the second set. 
 
Aside from that, it was a controlled effort from the 34-year-old Djokovic, far different from the Serb`s last match on Arthur Ashe Stadium court which ended with him being disqualified after swatting a ball in frustration that struck a line judge. 
 
The stone-faced world number one was all business from the start, breaking his opponent at the first opportunity and rolling through the set in just 26 minutes. But playing his first event since a disappointing Tokyo Olympics there were signs of rust and a lack of intensity, particularly in a sloppy second set when Rune broke him twice and forced the set to tie-break that he easily won. 
 
But there was never any panic from Djokovic, who turned up the pressure in the third with an early break to regain control as Rune began to suffer cramp. As Rune grimaced with every step, Djokovic showed his ruthless side, moving the youngster from line-to-line and taking the set 6-2. 
 
Rune was determined to battle his way to the end but a Djokovic victory was now certain and the Serb wrapped up the match by taking the fourth set 6-1. 
&nbsp;

Novak Djokovic took a first unsteady step toward completing the calendar-year Grand Slam on Tuesday as the Serb laboured into the second round of the U.S. Open with a 6-1 6-7(5) 6-2 6-1 win over dashing Danish teenager Holger Rune.

Novak Djokovic took a first unsteady step toward completing the calendar-year Grand Slam on Tuesday as the Serb laboured into the second round of the U.S. Open with a 6-1 6-7(5) 6-2 6-1 win over dashing Danish teenager Holger Rune. On paper, the contest was a total mismatch -- an 18-year-old qualifier making his Grand Slam debut against a player chasing a 21st major title. While the outcome was exactly what was expected, the effort needed by Djokovic to see off the fearless Dane, who battled to the end despite suffering cramp, was not. The match got underway amid a somewhat flat atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium but the crowd were chanting the little-known Dane`s name after he stunned Djokovic to win the second set. Aside from that, it was a controlled effort from the 34-year-old Djokovic, far different from the Serb`s last match on Arthur Ashe Stadium court which ended with him being disqualified after swatting a ball in frustration that struck a line judge. The stone-faced world number one was all business from the start, breaking his opponent at the first opportunity and rolling through the set in just 26 minutes. But playing his first event since a disappointing Tokyo Olympics there were signs of rust and a lack of intensity, particularly in a sloppy second set when Rune broke him twice and forced the set to tie-break that he easily won. But there was never any panic from Djokovic, who turned up the pressure in the third with an early break to regain control as Rune began to suffer cramp. As Rune grimaced with every step, Djokovic showed his ruthless side, moving the youngster from line-to-line and taking the set 6-2. Rune was determined to battle his way to the end but a Djokovic victory was now certain and the Serb wrapped up the match by taking the fourth set 6-1.

US Open: Novak Djokovic takes first unsteady step toward calendar slam

Andy Murray may have been the forgotten man at the U.S. Open but gave the crowd and Stefanos Tsitsipas a match to remember forcing the third seed to grind out a 2-6 7-6(7) 3-6 6-3 6-4 win on Monday to avoid the opening round shocker. 
 
In the buildup to Flushing Meadows all the talk had centred around the Big Three, Novak Djokovic`s hunt for the calendar-year Grand Slam and the absence of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. 
 
But Murray reminded everyone there was a fourth Beatle in that dominant group as he turned back the clock on Arthur Ashe Stadium court looking more like the player who won the 2012 U.S. Open title than the injury ravaged 34-year-old. 
 
"I`ve said it a lot over this last few months that I know I`m capable of playing that tennis," said Murray, still fighting his way back to form after career-threatening hip surgery. "I need to spend time on the court, getting the chance to play against these guys. 
 
"I proved some things to a certain extent. Obviously didn`t win the match tonight. "Overall I did well tonight, but I`m really, really disappointed, really disappointed after that, frustrated, all those things." 
 
After reaching the final of the French Open, Tsitsipas arrived in New York and ready to take that final step to Grand Slam champion only to nearly stumble at the first hurdle, needing almost five hours in punishing conditions to see off the former world number one. 
 
In the end the question was always going to be how much fuel did Murray have left in the tank and the answer was not enough. 
 
After four hours in the sweltering heat that left both men bathed in sweat, the fifth set began with Tsitsipas grabbing the early break while Murray complained with courtside officials about Tsitsipas spending too much time in the bathroom. 
 
A fired up Tsitsipas would continue to apply the pressure but the one break was all that would be needed. 
 
While Murray may have lost a step, his warrior spirit remains intact as he provided the young Greek with a tennis master class in the first set. 
 
After Tsitsipas held serve to open the match Murray stormed through the next five games. With fans back in Arthur Ashe Stadium after it stood empty last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the massive arena bubbled with energy that Murray tapped into using the support to full advantage. 
 
Tsitsipas meanwhile was using the rules to his advantage, leaving Murray accusing the Greek of cheating by taking bathroom breaks, medical timeouts and changing racquets in an attempt to unsettle him. 
 
If that was Tsitsipas` plan it worked, particularly in the crucial fifth set, as a distracted Murray angrily offered his opinion to the chair umpire, courtside officials and anyone else in ear shot. 
 
"I think he`s a brilliant player. I think he`s great for the game but I have zero time for that stuff at all," said Murray. "I lost respect for him." Murray was particularly upset not only with the timing of Tsitsipas` bathroom breaks but the length with one lasting eight minutes. 
 
For his part Tsitsipas noted that he had simply followed the rules. "I don`t think I broke any rules," said Tsitsipas. "I`m playing by the rules and sticking to what the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) says is fair, then the rest is fine." 
&nbsp;

Andy Murray may have been the forgotten man at the U.S. Open but gave the crowd and Stefanos Tsitsipas a match to remember forcing the third seed to grind out a 2-6 7-6(7) 3-6 6-3 6-4 win on Monday to avoid the opening round shocker.

Andy Murray may have been the forgotten man at the U.S. Open but gave the crowd and Stefanos Tsitsipas a match to remember forcing the third seed to grind out a 2-6 7-6(7) 3-6 6-3 6-4 win on Monday to avoid the opening round shocker. In the buildup to Flushing Meadows all the talk had centred around the Big Three, Novak Djokovic`s hunt for the calendar-year Grand Slam and the absence of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. But Murray reminded everyone there was a fourth Beatle in that dominant group as he turned back the clock on Arthur Ashe Stadium court looking more like the player who won the 2012 U.S. Open title than the injury ravaged 34-year-old. "I`ve said it a lot over this last few months that I know I`m capable of playing that tennis," said Murray, still fighting his way back to form after career-threatening hip surgery. "I need to spend time on the court, getting the chance to play against these guys. "I proved some things to a certain extent. Obviously didn`t win the match tonight. "Overall I did well tonight, but I`m really, really disappointed, really disappointed after that, frustrated, all those things." After reaching the final of the French Open, Tsitsipas arrived in New York and ready to take that final step to Grand Slam champion only to nearly stumble at the first hurdle, needing almost five hours in punishing conditions to see off the former world number one. In the end the question was always going to be how much fuel did Murray have left in the tank and the answer was not enough. After four hours in the sweltering heat that left both men bathed in sweat, the fifth set began with Tsitsipas grabbing the early break while Murray complained with courtside officials about Tsitsipas spending too much time in the bathroom. A fired up Tsitsipas would continue to apply the pressure but the one break was all that would be needed. While Murray may have lost a step, his warrior spirit remains intact as he provided the young Greek with a tennis master class in the first set. After Tsitsipas held serve to open the match Murray stormed through the next five games. With fans back in Arthur Ashe Stadium after it stood empty last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the massive arena bubbled with energy that Murray tapped into using the support to full advantage. Tsitsipas meanwhile was using the rules to his advantage, leaving Murray accusing the Greek of cheating by taking bathroom breaks, medical timeouts and changing racquets in an attempt to unsettle him. If that was Tsitsipas` plan it worked, particularly in the crucial fifth set, as a distracted Murray angrily offered his opinion to the chair umpire, courtside officials and anyone else in ear shot. "I think he`s a brilliant player. I think he`s great for the game but I have zero time for that stuff at all," said Murray. "I lost respect for him." Murray was particularly upset not only with the timing of Tsitsipas` bathroom breaks but the length with one lasting eight minutes. For his part Tsitsipas noted that he had simply followed the rules. "I don`t think I broke any rules," said Tsitsipas. "I`m playing by the rules and sticking to what the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) says is fair, then the rest is fine."

US Open: Forgotten man Andy Murray gives Stefanos Tsitsipas match to remember before bowing out in five-set thriller

Sofia Kenin has become the latest tennis star to pull out of the US Open. The fifth-rank Tennis player took to Twitter to share the "disappointing news" on Wednesday.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/american-tennis-star-serena-williams-withdraws-from-us-open-408276" hreflang="en">American tennis star Serena Williams withdraws from US Open</a>

Kenin revealed that she had tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus and will not be taking part in the year's last Grand Slam.&nbsp;

“Fortunately I am vaccinated and thus my symptoms have been fairly mild,” Kenin wrote. “However I have continued to test positive and thus will not be able to compete at the US&nbsp;Open next week.”

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I plan to spend the next several weeks getting healthy and preparing to play well this fall. Thank you all for supporting me. I want to wish all the players the best of luck in New York. 2/2
— Sofia Kenin (@SofiaKenin) <a href="https://twitter.com/SofiaKenin/status/1430685004657463304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

“I plan to spend the next several weeks getting healthy and preparing to play well this fall,” Kenin posted Wednesday. “Thank you all for supporting me.”

Kenin has not played since a second-round loss at Wimbledon after sustaining a foot injury.&nbsp;

The 22-year-old won 2020 Australian Open and was the runner-up at the French Open later last year. Her best showing at the US Open is a fourth-round finish last year.

The American Grand Slam will commence on Monday. Williams sisters, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and defending champ Dominic Theim have also withdrawn from the tournament citing injuries.&nbsp;

Sofia Kenin has become the latest tennis star to pull out of the US Open. The fifth-rank Tennis player took to Twitter to share the "disappointing news" on Wednesday.

Sofia Kenin has become the latest tennis star to pull out of the US Open. The fifth-rank Tennis player took to Twitter to share the "disappointing news" on Wednesday. ALSO READ: American tennis star Serena Williams withdraws from US Open Kenin revealed that she had tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus and will not be taking part in the year's last Grand Slam. “Fortunately I am vaccinated and thus my symptoms have been fairly mild,” Kenin wrote. “However I have continued to test positive and thus will not be able to compete at the US Open next week.” I plan to spend the next several weeks getting healthy and preparing to play well this fall. Thank you all for supporting me. I want to wish all the players the best of luck in New York. 2/2 — Sofia Kenin (@SofiaKenin) August 26, 2021 × “I plan to spend the next several weeks getting healthy and preparing to play well this fall,” Kenin posted Wednesday. “Thank you all for supporting me.” Kenin has not played since a second-round loss at Wimbledon after sustaining a foot injury. The 22-year-old won 2020 Australian Open and was the runner-up at the French Open later last year. Her best showing at the US Open is a fourth-round finish last year. The American Grand Slam will commence on Monday. Williams sisters, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and defending champ Dominic Theim have also withdrawn from the tournament citing injuries.

Tennis ace Sofia Kenin withdraws from US Open after testing positive for COVID-19

A revived Ash Barty has banished her post-Wimbledon blues and heads to the U.S. Open seeking a third Grand Slam crown to cap a sparkling summer. 
 
After the high of winning her first Wimbledon title, which fulfilled a childhood dream, the world number one crashed out of the Tokyo Olympic singles in exhaustion last month. 
 
But the no-nonsense Australian is not one for wallowing. 
 
After claiming a mixed doubles bronze for her country, her return to American hardcourts has the competitive fires roaring once again. 
 
"Post-Wimbledon I was completely depleted," the 25-year-old said after winning the Western &amp; Southern Open on Sunday. 
 
"It was my biggest goal, my biggest dream was to win that one tournament, and it was almost after that I was just a bit numb and I didn`t really know what to feel," she said. 
 
"I think I still have a bit of that now, but being able to again refresh and refocus and think we`re moving to the hardcourt season, it`s a fresh kind of start." 
 
While hardly a wide-eyed tourist in New York, Barty will cast a fresh eye over Flushing Meadows, having taken an 11-month break from the tour last year as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe. 
 
The hiatus has done wonders for her game, with Sunday`s win in Cincinnati giving her a tour-leading fifth WTA title for the season. 
 
BOOKMAKERS SPLIT 
 
Bookmakers are split over whether she or champion Naomi Osaka deserve to be favourite for the U.S. Open, but Barty`s mindset and flawless preparations may stand her in better stead. 
 
Osaka`s stardom has proved a major burden for the four-times Grand Slam champion, who pulled out of her second round match at the French Open, skipped Wimbledon and bowed out in the third round at her home Tokyo Olympics with an admission that she did not know how to cope with the pressure. 
 
Barty, on the other hand, seems at peace with the huge expectations upon her since reaching world number one and claiming the French Open in 2019. 
 
"It`s a bonus obviously that I was able to win Wimbledon, it`s a bonus now that I get to continue to do what I love," she said on Sunday. 
 
"And we just keep chipping away .... If that means more titles, that`s great. If it doesn`t, it doesn`t. That doesn`t matter for me." 
 
She will bid to become only the third Australian woman to win the U.S. Open women`s singles title after Sam Stosur (2011) and Margaret Court (1962, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1973). 
 
Winning would mean a Grand Slam trophy on all surfaces, a feat that would seem much further away for Osaka, who is yet to grab a title of any standing on clay or grass. 
 
The New York crowds have yet to see Barty in the quarter-finals but can expect her to eclipse her previous fourth round best in 2018-19. 
 
Untroubled by injury and bringing a new aggression to her game, the Australian`s humbling of a parade of Grand Slam champions in Cincinnati suggests the Barty party should be in full swing deep into the second week at Flushing Meadows. 
&nbsp;

A revived Ash Barty has banished her post-Wimbledon blues and heads to the U.S. Open seeking a third Grand Slam crown to cap a sparkling summer. After the high of winning her first Wimbledon title, which fulfilled a childhood dream, the world number one crashed out of the Tokyo Olympic singles in exhaustion last month.

A revived Ash Barty has banished her post-Wimbledon blues and heads to the U.S. Open seeking a third Grand Slam crown to cap a sparkling summer. After the high of winning her first Wimbledon title, which fulfilled a childhood dream, the world number one crashed out of the Tokyo Olympic singles in exhaustion last month. But the no-nonsense Australian is not one for wallowing. After claiming a mixed doubles bronze for her country, her return to American hardcourts has the competitive fires roaring once again. "Post-Wimbledon I was completely depleted," the 25-year-old said after winning the Western & Southern Open on Sunday. "It was my biggest goal, my biggest dream was to win that one tournament, and it was almost after that I was just a bit numb and I didn`t really know what to feel," she said. "I think I still have a bit of that now, but being able to again refresh and refocus and think we`re moving to the hardcourt season, it`s a fresh kind of start." While hardly a wide-eyed tourist in New York, Barty will cast a fresh eye over Flushing Meadows, having taken an 11-month break from the tour last year as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe. The hiatus has done wonders for her game, with Sunday`s win in Cincinnati giving her a tour-leading fifth WTA title for the season. BOOKMAKERS SPLIT Bookmakers are split over whether she or champion Naomi Osaka deserve to be favourite for the U.S. Open, but Barty`s mindset and flawless preparations may stand her in better stead. Osaka`s stardom has proved a major burden for the four-times Grand Slam champion, who pulled out of her second round match at the French Open, skipped Wimbledon and bowed out in the third round at her home Tokyo Olympics with an admission that she did not know how to cope with the pressure. Barty, on the other hand, seems at peace with the huge expectations upon her since reaching world number one and claiming the French Open in 2019. "It`s a bonus obviously that I was able to win Wimbledon, it`s a bonus now that I get to continue to do what I love," she said on Sunday. "And we just keep chipping away .... If that means more titles, that`s great. If it doesn`t, it doesn`t. That doesn`t matter for me." She will bid to become only the third Australian woman to win the U.S. Open women`s singles title after Sam Stosur (2011) and Margaret Court (1962, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1973). Winning would mean a Grand Slam trophy on all surfaces, a feat that would seem much further away for Osaka, who is yet to grab a title of any standing on clay or grass. The New York crowds have yet to see Barty in the quarter-finals but can expect her to eclipse her previous fourth round best in 2018-19. Untroubled by injury and bringing a new aggression to her game, the Australian`s humbling of a parade of Grand Slam champions in Cincinnati suggests the Barty party should be in full swing deep into the second week at Flushing Meadows.

Rejuvenated Ashleigh Barty primed for Flushing Meadows assault

Germany`s Alexander Zverev produced a superb comeback against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece to extend his winning streak to 10 matches and charge into the final of the Western &amp; Southern Open here on Sunday (IST). 
 
Feeling unwell and down a double break at 1-4 in the third set, the German clawed back to claim a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4) win and set up a title clash with world No. 7, Russia`s Andrey Rublev, who recorded his first victory over countryman Daniil Medvedev in his fifth attempt to reach his second ATP Masters 1000 final. Rublev won 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. 
 
Zverev, the Tokyo Olympics champion played exceptional tennis in the first set, dropped his level significantly in the second set before finding his gritty final act. Having been deserted by his serve throughout the middle of the match, Zverev slammed three aces to take a 6-5 lead in the decider and then controlled the tie-break by going five for five on first serves, sealing the victory with a second mini-break. 
 
"After the first break [to get to 2-4] I thought I had a chance and I felt he (Tsitsipas) wasn`t serving bombs and that I was in the rallies," Zverev told atptour.com. "It was a little bit of the mentality that I had against Novak at the Olympics. 
 
"It`s a great rivalry, there is a lot of fire and emotion there," Zverev said. "And before the US Open we didn`t want to give each other anything, which is what the match showed. It was a great battle and the last matches we have played have been like that. 
 
"I didn`t feel well," Zverev said. "In the middle of the second set I felt low energy and my stomach wasn`t great. I broke him at 4-2 in the third and went outside the court and did my thing. I started to feel better, the doctor came out and gave me a little medicine and my stomach started to calm down a little. The energy came back but I think that was also adrenaline." 
 
Tsitsipas, who also reached the semifinals last week in Toronto, now heads to the US Open with a Tour-leading 48 match wins on the season. 
 
Russia`s Andrey Rublev said after recording his first victory over countryman Daniil Medvedev in his fifth attempt that it had given him a lot of "confidence". 
 
"It gives me more confidence that I can compete against him. There are still so many things to improve, but It`s like you pass university and they give you a diploma," Rublev said of getting his first win against the world No.2. 
 
The fourth seed, who fell to Medvedev at the Australian Open in February, had not defeated the 12-time tour-level titlist in their previous four encounters. However, Rublev rallied in Ohio hitting powerful forehands to defeat Medvedev in two hours and 22 minutes and improve to 1-4 in their ATP head-to-head. 
 
"Even when I was 2-6 down, the score should not have been like this because the points were so tight," Rublev said. "The match was so intense, so many long rallies, super tough, super physical, super mental. A lot like a chess match. 
 
"Medvedev is one of those players who won`t give you a chance to attack, but if I have enough power and chose the right moment, I have to be the one to make him run. In the end, I was trying to find the perfect moment to start being more aggressive to open the angles," added Rublev.

Germany`s Alexander Zverev produced a superb comeback against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece to extend his winning streak to 10 matches and charge into the final of the Western & Southern Open here on Sunday (IST).

Germany`s Alexander Zverev produced a superb comeback against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece to extend his winning streak to 10 matches and charge into the final of the Western & Southern Open here on Sunday (IST). Feeling unwell and down a double break at 1-4 in the third set, the German clawed back to claim a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4) win and set up a title clash with world No. 7, Russia`s Andrey Rublev, who recorded his first victory over countryman Daniil Medvedev in his fifth attempt to reach his second ATP Masters 1000 final. Rublev won 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. Zverev, the Tokyo Olympics champion played exceptional tennis in the first set, dropped his level significantly in the second set before finding his gritty final act. Having been deserted by his serve throughout the middle of the match, Zverev slammed three aces to take a 6-5 lead in the decider and then controlled the tie-break by going five for five on first serves, sealing the victory with a second mini-break. "After the first break [to get to 2-4] I thought I had a chance and I felt he (Tsitsipas) wasn`t serving bombs and that I was in the rallies," Zverev told atptour.com. "It was a little bit of the mentality that I had against Novak at the Olympics. "It`s a great rivalry, there is a lot of fire and emotion there," Zverev said. "And before the US Open we didn`t want to give each other anything, which is what the match showed. It was a great battle and the last matches we have played have been like that. "I didn`t feel well," Zverev said. "In the middle of the second set I felt low energy and my stomach wasn`t great. I broke him at 4-2 in the third and went outside the court and did my thing. I started to feel better, the doctor came out and gave me a little medicine and my stomach started to calm down a little. The energy came back but I think that was also adrenaline." Tsitsipas, who also reached the semifinals last week in Toronto, now heads to the US Open with a Tour-leading 48 match wins on the season. Russia`s Andrey Rublev said after recording his first victory over countryman Daniil Medvedev in his fifth attempt that it had given him a lot of "confidence". "It gives me more confidence that I can compete against him. There are still so many things to improve, but It`s like you pass university and they give you a diploma," Rublev said of getting his first win against the world No.2. The fourth seed, who fell to Medvedev at the Australian Open in February, had not defeated the 12-time tour-level titlist in their previous four encounters. However, Rublev rallied in Ohio hitting powerful forehands to defeat Medvedev in two hours and 22 minutes and improve to 1-4 in their ATP head-to-head. "Even when I was 2-6 down, the score should not have been like this because the points were so tight," Rublev said. "The match was so intense, so many long rallies, super tough, super physical, super mental. A lot like a chess match. "Medvedev is one of those players who won`t give you a chance to attack, but if I have enough power and chose the right moment, I have to be the one to make him run. In the end, I was trying to find the perfect moment to start being more aggressive to open the angles," added Rublev.

Alexander Zverev overcomes Tsitsipas to set up title clash with Rublev

A spokesman for the Greek government has pushed back on Stefanos Tsitsipas` comments in which he said he would only get vaccinated for COVID-19 if it became mandatory to compete in tennis.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-andy-murray-accepts-winston-salem-wild-card-entry-407023" hreflang="en">Tennis - Andy Murray accepts Winston-Salem wild-card entry</a> 
 
"He does not have the knowledge and studies to assess the need for vaccinations," government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou was quoted as saying in Greek press reports. 
 
"Stefanos Tsitsipas is a great athlete, his skills in sports and his contribution to sports in the country is unquestionable. 
 
"What is at stake, however, is his ability to assess the need for vaccinations or whether the vaccine has been tested for a sufficient period of time. And ... he has neither the knowledge nor the studies nor the research work that would allow him to form an opinion about it." 
 
The 23-year-old world number three from Greece caused a stir at the Western &amp; Southern Open in Cincinnati this week when he told reporters that he worried about the side effects of the vaccine. 
 
"I am not against vaccines, but I don`t see any reason for someone of my age to do it - it hasn`t been tested enough and it has side effects - as long as it`s not mandatory, everyone can decide for themselves," he told Greek press at the tournament on Wednesday. 
 
Oikonomou encouraged people to instead listen to health policy experts and said Tsitsipas and other celebrities should be careful with their words given their huge platforms. 
 
"Those who through their excellent performance in other places are also a point of reference for wider social groups, it would be good to be doubly careful in expressing such views," he said. 
 
The COVID-19 vaccine has divided opinion within tennis. 
 
World number one Novak Djokovic said in April he hoped the COVID-19 vaccine would not become mandatory for players to compete and has declined to answer questions regarding his own vaccination status. 
 
However, fellow 20-time Grand Slam winners Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal feel athletes need to play their part to get life back to some form of normality.

A spokesman for the Greek government has pushed back on Stefanos Tsitsipas` comments in which he said he would only get vaccinated for COVID-19 if it became mandatory to compete in tennis.

A spokesman for the Greek government has pushed back on Stefanos Tsitsipas` comments in which he said he would only get vaccinated for COVID-19 if it became mandatory to compete in tennis. ALSO READ: Tennis - Andy Murray accepts Winston-Salem wild-card entry "He does not have the knowledge and studies to assess the need for vaccinations," government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou was quoted as saying in Greek press reports. "Stefanos Tsitsipas is a great athlete, his skills in sports and his contribution to sports in the country is unquestionable. "What is at stake, however, is his ability to assess the need for vaccinations or whether the vaccine has been tested for a sufficient period of time. And ... he has neither the knowledge nor the studies nor the research work that would allow him to form an opinion about it." The 23-year-old world number three from Greece caused a stir at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati this week when he told reporters that he worried about the side effects of the vaccine. "I am not against vaccines, but I don`t see any reason for someone of my age to do it - it hasn`t been tested enough and it has side effects - as long as it`s not mandatory, everyone can decide for themselves," he told Greek press at the tournament on Wednesday. Oikonomou encouraged people to instead listen to health policy experts and said Tsitsipas and other celebrities should be careful with their words given their huge platforms. "Those who through their excellent performance in other places are also a point of reference for wider social groups, it would be good to be doubly careful in expressing such views," he said. The COVID-19 vaccine has divided opinion within tennis. World number one Novak Djokovic said in April he hoped the COVID-19 vaccine would not become mandatory for players to compete and has declined to answer questions regarding his own vaccination status. However, fellow 20-time Grand Slam winners Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal feel athletes need to play their part to get life back to some form of normality.

Tennis - Greek government pushes back on Tsitsipas' vaccine comments

Three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray and fellow Brit Daniel Evans will compete as wild cards in the Winston-Salem Open, a hard-court ATP 250 event that begins Sunday. 
 
Murray had hip surgery in 2018 and has only competed in five tour-level singles events in 2021, compiling a 4-5 record. He played this week at the Western &amp; Southern Open in Cincinnati and lost 7-6 (4), 6-3 to Hubert Hurkacz of Poland in the second round on Wednesday. 
 
A former World No. 1, the 34-year-old Murray now is ranked No. 105. He previously played in the North Carolina tournament in 2019. He is using it as a tune-up for the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 30. 
 
"I thought this week was fairly positive," Murray said of his play in Cincinnati, per Sky Sports. "My body felt good. The American hard courts are not easy on the body and physically I was a little bit tired after some of the longer rallies, but in terms of the pain and discomfort my body was really good. 
 
"My tennis was better than at Wimbledon. It`s still not how I would like it but it`s difficult when you play against a lot of these guys now with big serves and you don`t get too many opportunities. That`s where the lack of matches can hurt you, because there`s not loads of rhythm out there, and you know you`re not going to get that many chances." 
 
Evans, who won his first ATP Tour tournament at the Murray River Open in Melbourne in February, will be playing for the third time in North Carolina. The 31-year-old is ranked No. 28 in the world.

Three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray and fellow Brit Daniel Evans will compete as wild cards in the Winston-Salem Open, a hard-court ATP 250 event that begins Sunday.

Three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray and fellow Brit Daniel Evans will compete as wild cards in the Winston-Salem Open, a hard-court ATP 250 event that begins Sunday. Murray had hip surgery in 2018 and has only competed in five tour-level singles events in 2021, compiling a 4-5 record. He played this week at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati and lost 7-6 (4), 6-3 to Hubert Hurkacz of Poland in the second round on Wednesday. A former World No. 1, the 34-year-old Murray now is ranked No. 105. He previously played in the North Carolina tournament in 2019. He is using it as a tune-up for the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 30. "I thought this week was fairly positive," Murray said of his play in Cincinnati, per Sky Sports. "My body felt good. The American hard courts are not easy on the body and physically I was a little bit tired after some of the longer rallies, but in terms of the pain and discomfort my body was really good. "My tennis was better than at Wimbledon. It`s still not how I would like it but it`s difficult when you play against a lot of these guys now with big serves and you don`t get too many opportunities. That`s where the lack of matches can hurt you, because there`s not loads of rhythm out there, and you know you`re not going to get that many chances." Evans, who won his first ATP Tour tournament at the Murray River Open in Melbourne in February, will be playing for the third time in North Carolina. The 31-year-old is ranked No. 28 in the world.

Tennis - Andy Murray accepts Winston-Salem wild-card entry

Naomi Osaka said she had felt "ungrateful" at times over the last year for not fully appreciating her life as one of the world`s top tennis players. 
 
The world number two sealed a comeback victory over Coco Gauff at the Western &amp; Southern Open in Cincinnati on Wednesday, her first event outside the Olympics since withdrawing from the French Open in May. 
 
She pulled out of Roland Garros after being punished for refusing to do media conferences, saying her mental health was adversely impacted by certain lines of questioning. 
 
Osaka shed tears and briefly left a press conference in Cincinnati on Monday when asked about her relationship with the media and returned to the theme on Wednesday. 
 
"I was wondering why was I so affected, I guess, like what made me not want to do media," the 23-year-old told a news conference. 
 
"I`m wondering if I was scared, because sometimes I would see headlines of like players losing and then the headline the next day would be like a collapse or they`re not that great anymore. 
 
"So then I was thinking me waking up every day, for me, I should feel like I`m winning. Like, the choice to go out there and play, to go see fans that people come out and watch me play, that itself is an accomplishment. 
 
"I`m not sure when along the way I started desensitizing that. Like it started not being like an accomplishment for me. So I felt like I was very ungrateful on that fact." 
 
The four-times Grand Slam champion said the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic had made things "really stressful" her but recent events in Haiti and Afghanistan led to a change in her outlook. 
 
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake has killed more than 2,000 people in Haiti https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/haitians-sheltering-tents-grow-impatient-aid-after-devastating-quake-2021-08-18 -- the country where her father was born -- while Afghanistan has been in turmoil https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/evacuations-afghanistan-gather-momentum-taliban-promise-peace-2021-08-18. 
 
"Seeing the state of the world, like how everything is in Haiti, Afghanistan right now, is definitely really crazy," she said. 
 
"And for me to just be hitting a tennis ball in the United States right now and have people come and watch me play ... I would want to be myself in this situation rather than anyone else in the world."

Naomi Osaka said she had felt "ungrateful" at times over the last year for not fully appreciating her life as one of the world`s top tennis players. The world number two sealed a comeback victory over Coco Gauff at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Wednesday, her first event outside the Olympics since withdrawing from the French Open in May.

Naomi Osaka said she had felt "ungrateful" at times over the last year for not fully appreciating her life as one of the world`s top tennis players. The world number two sealed a comeback victory over Coco Gauff at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Wednesday, her first event outside the Olympics since withdrawing from the French Open in May. She pulled out of Roland Garros after being punished for refusing to do media conferences, saying her mental health was adversely impacted by certain lines of questioning. Osaka shed tears and briefly left a press conference in Cincinnati on Monday when asked about her relationship with the media and returned to the theme on Wednesday. "I was wondering why was I so affected, I guess, like what made me not want to do media," the 23-year-old told a news conference. "I`m wondering if I was scared, because sometimes I would see headlines of like players losing and then the headline the next day would be like a collapse or they`re not that great anymore. "So then I was thinking me waking up every day, for me, I should feel like I`m winning. Like, the choice to go out there and play, to go see fans that people come out and watch me play, that itself is an accomplishment. "I`m not sure when along the way I started desensitizing that. Like it started not being like an accomplishment for me. So I felt like I was very ungrateful on that fact." The four-times Grand Slam champion said the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic had made things "really stressful" her but recent events in Haiti and Afghanistan led to a change in her outlook. A 7.2-magnitude earthquake has killed more than 2,000 people in Haiti https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/haitians-sheltering-tents-grow-impatient-aid-after-devastating-quake-2021-08-18 -- the country where her father was born -- while Afghanistan has been in turmoil https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/evacuations-afghanistan-gather-momentum-taliban-promise-peace-2021-08-18. "Seeing the state of the world, like how everything is in Haiti, Afghanistan right now, is definitely really crazy," she said. "And for me to just be hitting a tennis ball in the United States right now and have people come and watch me play ... I would want to be myself in this situation rather than anyone else in the world."

Japanese star Naomi Osaka felt 'ungrateful' for her attitude to tennis

Austria's Dominic Thiem will not defend his U.S. Open title after having to pull out of the hardcourt major with a wrist injury, the world number six said on Wednesday.

Thiem, who suffered the injury in June at the Mallorca Open and was also forced to skip the grasscourt major at Wimbledon, said on Twitter that he will miss the rest of the 2021 season.

"The past six months, I've been following the medical advice, wearing the wrist splint, doing exercise to stay in shape... but then last week I hit a ball during training and started to feel some pain again," said the 27-year-old.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"I'm really disappointed not to be able to defend the title in New York but I haven't recovered from the wrist injury I suffered back in June at the Mallorca Open." - <a href="https://twitter.com/ThiemDomi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThiemDomi</a>
— ATP Tour (@atptour) <a href="https://twitter.com/atptour/status/1427990162206646276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"After some tests, they (the doctors) said my wrist needs more time, so we've all agreed on being conservative and to give my wrist some time to recover... It has been a tough decision but I know this is what I have to do."

This is the second straight year that the defending champion at Flushing Meadows has withdrawn from the event after Rafa Nadal skipped the 2020 edition due to concerns over the coronavirus.

The U.S. Open runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 12.

Austria's Dominic Thiem will not defend his U.S. Open title after having to pull out of the hardcourt major with a wrist injury, the world number six said on Wednesday.

Austria's Dominic Thiem will not defend his U.S. Open title after having to pull out of the hardcourt major with a wrist injury, the world number six said on Wednesday. Thiem, who suffered the injury in June at the Mallorca Open and was also forced to skip the grasscourt major at Wimbledon, said on Twitter that he will miss the rest of the 2021 season. "The past six months, I've been following the medical advice, wearing the wrist splint, doing exercise to stay in shape... but then last week I hit a ball during training and started to feel some pain again," said the 27-year-old. "I'm really disappointed not to be able to defend the title in New York but I haven't recovered from the wrist injury I suffered back in June at the Mallorca Open." - @ThiemDomi — ATP Tour (@atptour) August 18, 2021 × "After some tests, they (the doctors) said my wrist needs more time, so we've all agreed on being conservative and to give my wrist some time to recover... It has been a tough decision but I know this is what I have to do." This is the second straight year that the defending champion at Flushing Meadows has withdrawn from the event after Rafa Nadal skipped the 2020 edition due to concerns over the coronavirus. The U.S. Open runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 12.

Tennis: US Open champion Dominic Thiem to miss rest of 2021 season with wrist injury

Andy Murray returned to the ATP Tour on Monday after last competing at Wimbledon, reaching the second round of the Cincinnati Masters&nbsp;with a &nbsp;6-4, 6-4 win over Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

The three-time Grand Slam champion, who owns two titles here and played the 2016 final, has been struggling over the summer with a groin strain.

Murray, with 15 aces among his 38 winners, was pleased with his effort.

&nbsp;“I thought I did well. I moved pretty well for my first singles match in a while on hard courts," he said. “(I was) certainly, a little bit more confident in my movement than when I played him a couple of years ago (2019).

“He uses all the angles on the court really well and makes you move a lot. I served well (and) got a lot of free points on my serve.&nbsp;

"I thought I was taking control of the rallies when I had the opportunities so it was a good match.”

Wild card Murray and Gasquet, a longtime rival whose 53rd ranking meant he had to qualify, first played 15 years ago.

The Scot, who reached the Wimbledon third round, leads their&nbsp;series 9-4. They last met in 2019 here.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"I was able to step in and control a lot of the points. When I play like that, I create opportunities &amp; can put a lot of pressure on my opponent." - 🇬🇧 <a href="https://twitter.com/andy_murray?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@andy_murray</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CincyTennis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CincyTennis</a> <a href="https://t.co/leOa2u3dzE">pic.twitter.com/leOa2u3dzE</a>
— ATP Tour (@atptour) <a href="https://twitter.com/atptour/status/1427466329200627716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Murray hammered 14 aces and broke three times in the win lasting just under two hours.&nbsp;

After three games which lasted for a total of 20 minutes to start, Murray grabbed a 5-3 lead,&nbsp;which he lost a&nbsp;game later before re-breaking to win the first set 6-4.

Gasquet was broken in the final game of the match after saving a match point before Murray prevailed.

Also, birthday&nbsp;boy Jannik Sinner turned 20 on a rain-interrupted day and celebrated with a win.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The young gun was joined in the second round after&nbsp;a delayed start by 34-year-old Italian compatriot Fabio Fognini.

Sinner erased memories of a disheartening first-round loss a week ago in Toronto when he went down in his opening match to Australian qualifier James Duckworth.&nbsp;

The youngster, ranked 15th, came good in Cincinnati as he defeated Argentine Federico Delbonis 6-2, 7-5.&nbsp;

Fognini joined the party with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win over Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia in a first-time&nbsp;meeting.

"I gave myself the best present possible," Sinner said. "I played and won a match on my birthday at a big tournament." Sinner later posted pictures on social media of himself and his team enjoying a celebratory pizza.

Argentine&nbsp;Diego Schwartzman turned 29 on the day, defeating British number one Dan Evans 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 after more than two hours.

The South American welcomed the return of full crowds at the event, saying they give him optimism amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Right now I'm happy. In the US where the tournaments are almost 100 per cent people and 100 per cent&nbsp;normal."

South African Lloyd Harris earned a place in the second round against Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Alexander Zverev as he beat Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, 6-4 with the help of 11 aces.

Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime overcame his first-round loss a week ago at home to beat&nbsp; Marton Fucsovics 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 in a match interrupted by the rain which plagued play all day.

Dominik Koepfer won an all-German first-rounder with his defeat of Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 (7/2), 5-7, 6-3.

In the women's draw at the joint event, Roland Garros&nbsp;finalist Barbora Krejcikova made&nbsp;a singles&nbsp;debut at the midwest venue as she defeated Russian Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-2.&nbsp;

Czech 12th seed Petra Kvitova, a two-time semi-finalist, beat 2019 champion Madison Keys 7-5, 6-4,avenging a defeat by the American in January, 2020, in Brisbane.

Spain's Paula Badosa saved five match points in two and three-quarter hours to get past Petra Martic 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (11/9) and next takes on third seed and Montreal semi-finalist Aryna Sabalenka.

Swiss Jil Teichmann stopped Romania's Sorana Cirstea with the loss of just two games.&nbsp;

Andy Murray returned to the ATP Tour on Monday after last competing at Wimbledon, reaching the second round of the Cincinnati Masters with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

Andy Murray returned to the ATP Tour on Monday after last competing at Wimbledon, reaching the second round of the Cincinnati Masters with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Frenchman Richard Gasquet. The three-time Grand Slam champion, who owns two titles here and played the 2016 final, has been struggling over the summer with a groin strain. Murray, with 15 aces among his 38 winners, was pleased with his effort. “I thought I did well. I moved pretty well for my first singles match in a while on hard courts," he said. “(I was) certainly, a little bit more confident in my movement than when I played him a couple of years ago (2019). “He uses all the angles on the court really well and makes you move a lot. I served well (and) got a lot of free points on my serve. "I thought I was taking control of the rallies when I had the opportunities so it was a good match.” Wild card Murray and Gasquet, a longtime rival whose 53rd ranking meant he had to qualify, first played 15 years ago. The Scot, who reached the Wimbledon third round, leads their series 9-4. They last met in 2019 here. "I was able to step in and control a lot of the points. When I play like that, I create opportunities & can put a lot of pressure on my opponent." - 🇬🇧 @andy_murray #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/leOa2u3dzE — ATP Tour (@atptour) August 17, 2021 × Murray hammered 14 aces and broke three times in the win lasting just under two hours. After three games which lasted for a total of 20 minutes to start, Murray grabbed a 5-3 lead, which he lost a game later before re-breaking to win the first set 6-4. Gasquet was broken in the final game of the match after saving a match point before Murray prevailed. Also, birthday boy Jannik Sinner turned 20 on a rain-interrupted day and celebrated with a win. The young gun was joined in the second round after a delayed start by 34-year-old Italian compatriot Fabio Fognini. Sinner erased memories of a disheartening first-round loss a week ago in Toronto when he went down in his opening match to Australian qualifier James Duckworth. The youngster, ranked 15th, came good in Cincinnati as he defeated Argentine Federico Delbonis 6-2, 7-5. Fognini joined the party with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win over Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia in a first-time meeting. "I gave myself the best present possible," Sinner said. "I played and won a match on my birthday at a big tournament." Sinner later posted pictures on social media of himself and his team enjoying a celebratory pizza. Argentine Diego Schwartzman turned 29 on the day, defeating British number one Dan Evans 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 after more than two hours. The South American welcomed the return of full crowds at the event, saying they give him optimism amid the Covid-19 pandemic. "Right now I'm happy. In the US where the tournaments are almost 100 per cent people and 100 per cent normal." South African Lloyd Harris earned a place in the second round against Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Alexander Zverev as he beat Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, 6-4 with the help of 11 aces. Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime overcame his first-round loss a week ago at home to beat Marton Fucsovics 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 in a match interrupted by the rain which plagued play all day. Dominik Koepfer won an all-German first-rounder with his defeat of Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 (7/2), 5-7, 6-3. In the women's draw at the joint event, Roland Garros finalist Barbora Krejcikova made a singles debut at the midwest venue as she defeated Russian Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-2. Czech 12th seed Petra Kvitova, a two-time semi-finalist, beat 2019 champion Madison Keys 7-5, 6-4,avenging a defeat by the American in January, 2020, in Brisbane. Spain's Paula Badosa saved five match points in two and three-quarter hours to get past Petra Martic 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (11/9) and next takes on third seed and Montreal semi-finalist Aryna Sabalenka. Swiss Jil Teichmann stopped Romania's Sorana Cirstea with the loss of just two games.

Tennis: Andy Murray returns with win over Richard Gasquet in Cincinnati Masters

Top seed Daniil Medvedev captured his fourth ATP Masters 1000 crown here on Monday (IST), overcoming American Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-3 to become the first Russian champion at the National Bank Open since Marat Safin in 2000. 
 
The 25-year-old took down big-server John Isner in the semifinals as he stood two or three feet closer to the baseline on return to counter the height and angle of the serve. Medvedev successfully repeated this against 6`11" Opelka, breaking twice as he won in 85 minutes. 
 
"I could not have dreamt of [this] at one point," Medvedev said in his on-court interview. "With Masters, with Novak [Djokovic] and Rafael [Nadal] playing, it seemed like an untouchable achievement. Now I have four wins in five finals, which is a good score. I am just happy. I want to achieve more. I am really happy I achieved this in Canada. 
 
"Even today, he [Opelka] showed up, he played some really good points. He was fighting until the end, he saved break points in crucial moments. Playing your first [Masters 1000] final is not easy. I played my first in Canada and won only three games," Medvedev told atptour.com. 
 
"Playing Canada and Cincinnati, the goal is to win as many matches as possible. I was able to do it two years ago and I will try and do it again." 
 
The world No. 2 has now won 12 tour-level titles, with 11 of those triumphs coming on hard courts. He owns a 4-1 record in Masters 1000 finals, also capturing trophies in Cincinnati, Shanghai and Paris, with his one defeat in a final coming in Montreal to Rafael Nadal in 2019. 
 
The 2020 Nitto ATP Finals champion has lifted trophies this year on the hard courts in Marseille and grass in Marbella. Medvedev also guided Russia to the ATP Cup title in February before advancing to his second Grand Slam final at the Australian Open. 
 
Medvedev, who was competing in his first Masters 1000 championship match of the year, now holds a 4-1 ATP head-to-head against Opelka, having also defeated the 23-year-old at the French Open, in Miami and Washington. 
 
"When you play Reilly, I think still the biggest factor is how you serve and how you return. Actually, my serve was not on top point today. That`s why I had breakpoints to save. That`s why it was sometimes close calls on my serve," Medvedev said. "But I was very good on return. I managed to put pressure on him almost nonstop. I think he didn`t almost have maybe one or two easy games in the match. That`s what made the difference, if we talk about tennis. 
 
"[When] I played my first Masters final, I was happy just to be there playing against Rafa. I always try my best, but something was wrong, so I lost super easy and superfast. It can be the same for everybody. I know for me I think experience is the key... This week he beat some really strong guys to be in the final, so probably next time in the final [we] can wait for a more dangerous Reilly than today." 
 
Opelka was competing in his maiden Masters 1000 final on Sunday, having enjoyed a run to the last four at Internazionali BNL d`Italia in Rome in May. The 23-year-old, who recorded his first top-5 win against world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinals, has won two tour-level titles in New York in 2019 and Delray Beach in 2020.

Top seed Daniil Medvedev captured his fourth ATP Masters 1000 crown here on Monday (IST), overcoming American Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-3 to become the first Russian champion at the National Bank Open since Marat Safin in 2000.

Top seed Daniil Medvedev captured his fourth ATP Masters 1000 crown here on Monday (IST), overcoming American Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-3 to become the first Russian champion at the National Bank Open since Marat Safin in 2000. The 25-year-old took down big-server John Isner in the semifinals as he stood two or three feet closer to the baseline on return to counter the height and angle of the serve. Medvedev successfully repeated this against 6`11" Opelka, breaking twice as he won in 85 minutes. "I could not have dreamt of [this] at one point," Medvedev said in his on-court interview. "With Masters, with Novak [Djokovic] and Rafael [Nadal] playing, it seemed like an untouchable achievement. Now I have four wins in five finals, which is a good score. I am just happy. I want to achieve more. I am really happy I achieved this in Canada. "Even today, he [Opelka] showed up, he played some really good points. He was fighting until the end, he saved break points in crucial moments. Playing your first [Masters 1000] final is not easy. I played my first in Canada and won only three games," Medvedev told atptour.com. "Playing Canada and Cincinnati, the goal is to win as many matches as possible. I was able to do it two years ago and I will try and do it again." The world No. 2 has now won 12 tour-level titles, with 11 of those triumphs coming on hard courts. He owns a 4-1 record in Masters 1000 finals, also capturing trophies in Cincinnati, Shanghai and Paris, with his one defeat in a final coming in Montreal to Rafael Nadal in 2019. The 2020 Nitto ATP Finals champion has lifted trophies this year on the hard courts in Marseille and grass in Marbella. Medvedev also guided Russia to the ATP Cup title in February before advancing to his second Grand Slam final at the Australian Open. Medvedev, who was competing in his first Masters 1000 championship match of the year, now holds a 4-1 ATP head-to-head against Opelka, having also defeated the 23-year-old at the French Open, in Miami and Washington. "When you play Reilly, I think still the biggest factor is how you serve and how you return. Actually, my serve was not on top point today. That`s why I had breakpoints to save. That`s why it was sometimes close calls on my serve," Medvedev said. "But I was very good on return. I managed to put pressure on him almost nonstop. I think he didn`t almost have maybe one or two easy games in the match. That`s what made the difference, if we talk about tennis. "[When] I played my first Masters final, I was happy just to be there playing against Rafa. I always try my best, but something was wrong, so I lost super easy and superfast. It can be the same for everybody. I know for me I think experience is the key... This week he beat some really strong guys to be in the final, so probably next time in the final [we] can wait for a more dangerous Reilly than today." Opelka was competing in his maiden Masters 1000 final on Sunday, having enjoyed a run to the last four at Internazionali BNL d`Italia in Rome in May. The 23-year-old, who recorded his first top-5 win against world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinals, has won two tour-level titles in New York in 2019 and Delray Beach in 2020.

Tennis - Daniil Medvedev tames giant Opelka for Toronto title

The 'Big Three'&nbsp;of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal all decided to sit out this week's Masters 1000 event in Toronto but Stefanos Tsitsipas has provided plenty of buzz as he stormed into the semi-finals of the US&nbsp;Open tune-up on Friday. 
 
The French Open finalist continued the stellar form he has displayed all season during a 6-1 6-4 thrashing of sixth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud that gave Tsitsipas his tour-leading 45th victory of the year. 
 
The 23-year-old Greek, who enjoyed a breakthrough run to the Toronto final in 2018, looked very comfortable against Ruud and later said there was not much more he could have better. 
 
"It was very close to being an excellent game. My intentions were clear from the very beginning," said third seed Tsitsipas, who had Ruud on the back foot right from the outset. 
 
"I was not doubting myself in any way and kept things simple. Just played clean, aggressive tennis." 
 
Tsitsipas, who many feel could be the player that eventually breaks the domination of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal, said there is no way to ignore the pressure and high expectations he faces but would not want it any other way. 
 
"I was prepared for it, and I was sort of experiencing from a young age playing juniors, transitioning to the pros. It is something that you build something, something that you, I guess, know how to deal better over time," said Tsitsipas. 
 
"In the beginning it comes as a kind of something that you're not really expecting at that level, but eventually you pick up and, you know, it becomes your new habitual life." 
 
Tsitsipas will next face unseeded American Reilly Opelka. 
 
&nbsp;

The 'Big Three' of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal all decided to sit out this week's Masters 1000 event in Toronto but Stefanos Tsitsipas has provided plenty of buzz as he stormed into the semi-finals of the US Open tune-up on Friday.

The 'Big Three' of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal all decided to sit out this week's Masters 1000 event in Toronto but Stefanos Tsitsipas has provided plenty of buzz as he stormed into the semi-finals of the US Open tune-up on Friday. The French Open finalist continued the stellar form he has displayed all season during a 6-1 6-4 thrashing of sixth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud that gave Tsitsipas his tour-leading 45th victory of the year. The 23-year-old Greek, who enjoyed a breakthrough run to the Toronto final in 2018, looked very comfortable against Ruud and later said there was not much more he could have better. "It was very close to being an excellent game. My intentions were clear from the very beginning," said third seed Tsitsipas, who had Ruud on the back foot right from the outset. "I was not doubting myself in any way and kept things simple. Just played clean, aggressive tennis." Tsitsipas, who many feel could be the player that eventually breaks the domination of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal, said there is no way to ignore the pressure and high expectations he faces but would not want it any other way. "I was prepared for it, and I was sort of experiencing from a young age playing juniors, transitioning to the pros. It is something that you build something, something that you, I guess, know how to deal better over time," said Tsitsipas. "In the beginning it comes as a kind of something that you're not really expecting at that level, but eventually you pick up and, you know, it becomes your new habitual life." Tsitsipas will next face unseeded American Reilly Opelka.

Tennis: Stefanos Tsitsipas making noise in Toronto with Big Three absent

Former champion Andy Murray has been added to the main draw of the U.S. Open following the withdrawal of Swiss Stan Wawrinka, tournament organizers said on Monday.

Murray, who had hip surgeries in 2018 and 2019, has only played a handful of ATP Tour-level events this year having missed the Australian Open because of a positive COVID-19 test and opting out of competing at the French Open.

The 34-year-old Murray reached the third round at Wimbledon but withdrew from the men's singles tournament at the Tokyo Olympics on the advice of his medical team, dashing his hopes for a third consecutive gold medal.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-novak-djokovic-withdraws-from-western-southern-open-404346" hreflang="en">Tennis: Novak Djokovic withdraws from Western &amp; Southern Open</a>

Murray, who won the first of his three career Grand Slam titles at the 2012 U.S. Open, did represent Britain in the men's doubles event in Tokyo where he lost in the quarter-finals.

At last year's U.S. Open, Murray suffered a straight-set loss in the second round to Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Wawrinka, who captured the last of his three career Grand Slam titles at the 2016 U.S. Open, withdrew as he continues to recover from foot surgery.

The 36-year-old former world number three underwent an operation on his left foot this year and has not played on the tour since an opening round defeat at the Qatar Open in March.

The U.S. Open runs from August 30th to 12th September.

Former champion Andy Murray has been added to the main draw of the U.S. Open following the withdrawal of Swiss Stan Wawrinka, tournament organizers said on Monday.

Former champion Andy Murray has been added to the main draw of the U.S. Open following the withdrawal of Swiss Stan Wawrinka, tournament organizers said on Monday. Murray, who had hip surgeries in 2018 and 2019, has only played a handful of ATP Tour-level events this year having missed the Australian Open because of a positive COVID-19 test and opting out of competing at the French Open. The 34-year-old Murray reached the third round at Wimbledon but withdrew from the men's singles tournament at the Tokyo Olympics on the advice of his medical team, dashing his hopes for a third consecutive gold medal. ALSO READ: Tennis: Novak Djokovic withdraws from Western & Southern Open Murray, who won the first of his three career Grand Slam titles at the 2012 U.S. Open, did represent Britain in the men's doubles event in Tokyo where he lost in the quarter-finals. At last year's U.S. Open, Murray suffered a straight-set loss in the second round to Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime. Wawrinka, who captured the last of his three career Grand Slam titles at the 2016 U.S. Open, withdrew as he continues to recover from foot surgery. The 36-year-old former world number three underwent an operation on his left foot this year and has not played on the tour since an opening round defeat at the Qatar Open in March. The U.S. Open runs from August 30th to 12th September.

Tennis: Andy Murray added to US Open main draw after Stan Wawrinka withdrawal

Stefanos Tsitsipas said on Sunday coaching during matches still takes place on the ATP Tour and that rules in place banning such instruction need to be changed. 
 
Tsitsipas, speaking in Toronto where he is the third seed for the Masters 1000 hardcourt event, feels there needs to be a way to allow communication between coaches and players that is not overly intrusive to the flow of a match. 
 
"Some referees have been catching the coaches that have been coaching, some others haven't," said Tsitsipas. "It has been there all these years, it's never going to change, it's not going to stop. 
 
"My opinion on that is that coaching should be allowed, there should be certain regulations and certain ways to enhance it into players performance without it becoming too much." 
 
The issue of players receiving instruction during matches came to the forefront at the 2018 U.S. Open final when Serena Williams was warned by the chair umpire after her coach gestured from the stands during the showdown against Naomi Osaka. 
 
The penalty infuriated Williams and she was later docked a point and a game for further code violations before falling in straight sets. 
 
In 2020, the WTA decided existing rules were difficult to regulate and so decided to allow, on a trial basis, coaching from the stands. 
 
While such moves may upset traditionalists, Tsitsipas feels the game needs to evolve. 
 
"What's the point of having a coach with you if you can't get the whole benefit out of it," said Tsitsipas. 
 
"I know tennis is a sport where you get to make the decisions and you can decide for yourself, but sometimes an eye from the outside it can always help and maybe change certain outcomes of matches." 
&nbsp;

Stefanos Tsitsipas said on Sunday coaching during matches still takes place on the ATP Tour and that rules in place banning such instruction need to be changed. Tsitsipas, speaking in Toronto where he is the third seed for the Masters 1000 hardcourt event, feels there needs to be a way to allow communication between coaches and players that is not overly intrusive to the flow of a match.

Stefanos Tsitsipas said on Sunday coaching during matches still takes place on the ATP Tour and that rules in place banning such instruction need to be changed. Tsitsipas, speaking in Toronto where he is the third seed for the Masters 1000 hardcourt event, feels there needs to be a way to allow communication between coaches and players that is not overly intrusive to the flow of a match. "Some referees have been catching the coaches that have been coaching, some others haven't," said Tsitsipas. "It has been there all these years, it's never going to change, it's not going to stop. "My opinion on that is that coaching should be allowed, there should be certain regulations and certain ways to enhance it into players performance without it becoming too much." The issue of players receiving instruction during matches came to the forefront at the 2018 U.S. Open final when Serena Williams was warned by the chair umpire after her coach gestured from the stands during the showdown against Naomi Osaka. The penalty infuriated Williams and she was later docked a point and a game for further code violations before falling in straight sets. In 2020, the WTA decided existing rules were difficult to regulate and so decided to allow, on a trial basis, coaching from the stands. While such moves may upset traditionalists, Tsitsipas feels the game needs to evolve. "What's the point of having a coach with you if you can't get the whole benefit out of it," said Tsitsipas. "I know tennis is a sport where you get to make the decisions and you can decide for yourself, but sometimes an eye from the outside it can always help and maybe change certain outcomes of matches."

Tennis: Stefanos Tsitsipas calls for coaching to be allowed during matches

Every individual who has watched tennis knows who Roger Federer is. Such is his mastery of the game that his name has become inseparable from excellent tennis.

He dominated everything during his peak time. He played with such style and artfulness that it seemed like poetry in motion. Roger Federer had an easy smooth and agile game which assisted him with keeping an especially significant degree of consistency.&nbsp;

The allure with Roger Federer is the manner in which his game is in a general sense planned. The immense collection of strokes are oversimplified and exquisite. The swing with his serve, forehand, or strike, while they look misrepresented are in reality exceptionally simple, with the smooth finish giving the class.&nbsp;

The manner in which he plays the sport of tennis is a significant piece of this conversation. He plays the game with a specific beauty that nobody can bring to the game.

The manner in which he moves around the court looks practically easy, similar to a ballet performer. His game is so smooth, so satisfying to watch that you feel like you are watching workmanship, as though he is a craftsman painting the material of the tennis court with his liquid groundstrokes.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/photos/tokyo-olympics-2020-star-athletes-who-failed-to-live-up-to-expectations-403911" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics 2020: Star athletes who failed to live up to expectations</a>

'Game, set, and match' to Roger Federer vs Pete&nbsp;Sampras

On 2 July 2001, with world number one Pete Sampras, then aged 29, expected to win a fifth consecutive Wimbledon title, Roger Federer guaranteed a shocking win in the fourth set. It was an advancement second for a youngster who has proceeded to usurp his legend's wonderful record at SW19.&nbsp;

Roger Federer had won the Wimbledon junior title in 1998 and was likewise seeded fifteenth back then, yet basically, everybody anticipated that he should be dismissed by the powerful American.&nbsp;

He showed his idol the exit door in a shocking upset winning 7-6 (7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5. The fourth-round thrill ride finished Pete Sampras' astounding dynasty.

Australian Open 2017 final, 5-3 in 5th set against Rafael Nadal

According to many, the 2017 Australian Open is the best Grand Slam win of Roger Federer's vocation. He was 35 back then, simply falling off a compromising injury, and had been given a strangely extreme draw at the Australian Open.

However, he defeated any semblance of Tomas Berdych, Kei Nishikori, Stan Wawrinka lastly Rafael Nadal to win his eighteenth Major title.&nbsp;

To win in the final the manner he did, that too against his most prominent opponent ever says a lot of Roger Federer's tirelessness during that fortnight. However, it was a long way from simple against the strong Rafael Nadal, who took the match to a choice set and at one point even drove by 3 games to 1.

Roger Federer's eminence doesn't come from the titles he has won or the incalculable records he has broken, expanded, or re-composed.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/photos/tokyo-olympics-memorable-moments-from-shared-gold-to-knitting-neeraj-chopra-403881" hreflang="en">From knitting to India's gold in athletics: Some memorable moments of Tokyo Olympics</a>

Roger Federer has won titles on clay and grass in a season multiple times in his profession&nbsp;

Having had an enduring effect on fans with his adaptable, all-around game, Roger Federer is ostensibly the most skilled player in tennis. He won the Career Grand Slam subsequent to prevailing at Roland Garros 2009, joining a slippery rundown of only five players to have accomplished this accomplishment.&nbsp;

This may be his most undervalued professional accomplishment, yet Roger Federer has won titles on the three distinct surfaces in a similar season a stunning multiple times in his vocation.&nbsp;

It is something to be productive on each surface in a one-year time span. In any case, the way that Roger Federer has shown unbelievable consistency across all surfaces in eight distinct seasons 2003-2005, 2007-2009, 2012, 2015, merits the most noteworthy of commendation.

His reputation comes from the manner in which he plays the game, the manner in which he acts, here and there the court, the regard he has procured from his kindred players and competitors, and the adoration he has earned from his fans from all sides of the world.

Every individual who has watched tennis knows who Roger Federer is. Such is his mastery of the game that his name has become inseparable from excellent tennis. He dominated everything during his peak time.

Every individual who has watched tennis knows who Roger Federer is. Such is his mastery of the game that his name has become inseparable from excellent tennis. He dominated everything during his peak time. He played with such style and artfulness that it seemed like poetry in motion. Roger Federer had an easy smooth and agile game which assisted him with keeping an especially significant degree of consistency. The allure with Roger Federer is the manner in which his game is in a general sense planned. The immense collection of strokes are oversimplified and exquisite. The swing with his serve, forehand, or strike, while they look misrepresented are in reality exceptionally simple, with the smooth finish giving the class. The manner in which he plays the sport of tennis is a significant piece of this conversation. He plays the game with a specific beauty that nobody can bring to the game. The manner in which he moves around the court looks practically easy, similar to a ballet performer. His game is so smooth, so satisfying to watch that you feel like you are watching workmanship, as though he is a craftsman painting the material of the tennis court with his liquid groundstrokes. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics 2020: Star athletes who failed to live up to expectations 'Game, set, and match' to Roger Federer vs Pete Sampras On 2 July 2001, with world number one Pete Sampras, then aged 29, expected to win a fifth consecutive Wimbledon title, Roger Federer guaranteed a shocking win in the fourth set. It was an advancement second for a youngster who has proceeded to usurp his legend's wonderful record at SW19. Roger Federer had won the Wimbledon junior title in 1998 and was likewise seeded fifteenth back then, yet basically, everybody anticipated that he should be dismissed by the powerful American. He showed his idol the exit door in a shocking upset winning 7-6 (7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5. The fourth-round thrill ride finished Pete Sampras' astounding dynasty. Australian Open 2017 final, 5-3 in 5th set against Rafael Nadal According to many, the 2017 Australian Open is the best Grand Slam win of Roger Federer's vocation. He was 35 back then, simply falling off a compromising injury, and had been given a strangely extreme draw at the Australian Open. However, he defeated any semblance of Tomas Berdych, Kei Nishikori, Stan Wawrinka lastly Rafael Nadal to win his eighteenth Major title. To win in the final the manner he did, that too against his most prominent opponent ever says a lot of Roger Federer's tirelessness during that fortnight. However, it was a long way from simple against the strong Rafael Nadal, who took the match to a choice set and at one point even drove by 3 games to 1. Roger Federer's eminence doesn't come from the titles he has won or the incalculable records he has broken, expanded, or re-composed. ALSO READ: From knitting to India's gold in athletics: Some memorable moments of Tokyo Olympics Roger Federer has won titles on clay and grass in a season multiple times in his profession Having had an enduring effect on fans with his adaptable, all-around game, Roger Federer is ostensibly the most skilled player in tennis. He won the Career Grand Slam subsequent to prevailing at Roland Garros 2009, joining a slippery rundown of only five players to have accomplished this accomplishment. This may be his most undervalued professional accomplishment, yet Roger Federer has won titles on the three distinct surfaces in a similar season a stunning multiple times in his vocation. It is something to be productive on each surface in a one-year time span. In any case, the way that Roger Federer has shown unbelievable consistency across all surfaces in eight distinct seasons 2003-2005, 2007-2009, 2012, 2015, merits the most noteworthy of commendation. His reputation comes from the manner in which he plays the game, the manner in which he acts, here and there the court, the regard he has procured from his kindred players and competitors, and the adoration he has earned from his fans from all sides of the world.

Happy Birthday, Roger Federer: A man synonymous with flawless Tennis

Rafael Nadal&nbsp;made a triumphant return from a two-month layoff on Wednesday but aggravated a foot injury and needed a third-set tie-breaker to outlast American Jack Sock and advance at the ATP Citi Open.

The 35-year-old Spanish left-hander, a 20-time Grand Slam champion making his Washington debut, dispatched 192nd-ranked Sock 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1) in a three-hour thriller before about 7,000 spectators at the US Open hardcourt tuneup event.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="Olympics 2020: India end 41-year medal wait in men's hockey as they win bronze">Olympics 2020: India end 41-year medal wait in men's hockey as they win bronze</a>

"My fitness is fine," Nadal said. "I need to have a little bit less pain in the foot."

Third-ranked Nadal had not played since losing to top-ranked Novak Djokovic in June's French Open semi-finals, skipping Wimbledon and the Olympics due to the left foot injury that hindered him in the match.

"The foot was hurting me," Nadal said. "It was painful tonight. Hopefully, it will feel better tomorrow. Winning the match helps.

"I finished the match playing better. That's important. I hope to be ready for tomorrow."

Top seed Nadal, chasing his 89th career title, will face 50th-ranked Lloyd Harris of South Africa on Thursday for a quarter-final berth.

Nadal, Djokovic, and Roger Federer all enter the US Open with a men's record 20 career Slam titles, with Djokovic trying to complete the first men's calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969.

An electric atmosphere greeted Nadal's first US match since beating Daniil Medvedev in the 2019 US Open final and his first hardcourt match since February.

"In terms of energy, in terms of the crowd, has been amazing," Nadal said.

Nadal improved to 6-0 all-time against Sock by taking their first meeting since 2017 but needed to grind out a dramatic victory in a tension-packed duel.

"These kinds of matches help you get better," Nadal said. "You need matches like this to be fitter after a month without competing.

"But that's part of the process, so it's something I am not worried about.

"If I'm able to improve with my foot, I think the rest of the things going to come step by step."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/from-pm-modi-to-akshay-kumar-congratulations-pour-in-after-historic-win-in-indian-hockey-at-tokyo-olympics-403001" hreflang="en">From PM Modi to Akshay Kumar: Congratulations pour in after India's historic win in hockey at Tokyo Olympics</a>

Nadal took the first five points of the tie-breaker and clinched it with a forehand winner.

"I know will not be easy after a couple of months coming back from a tough situation with my foot, a couple of months without playing," Nadal said. "But here I am. I fighted. I'm able to play again."

Sock broke Nadal to open the final set and fought off a breakpoint in the second game, Nadal sending a forehand just wide.

Fans yelled for a Nadal comeback, prompting Sock to blow a kiss to the crowd after a winner on his way to taking a 3-1 lead.

Nadal broke back in the sixth game, making a backhand save on a drop volley that Sock could only swat into the net to level matters at 3-3, Nadal pumping his fists and screaming in celebration.

Nadal showed maestro moments with his shotmaking, including a backhand overhead smash winner in holding the seventh game, as they battled into the tie-breaker.

Rafael Nadal made a triumphant return from a two-month layoff on Wednesday but aggravated a foot injury and needed a third-set tie-breaker to outlast American Jack Sock and advance at the ATP Citi Open.

Rafael Nadal made a triumphant return from a two-month layoff on Wednesday but aggravated a foot injury and needed a third-set tie-breaker to outlast American Jack Sock and advance at the ATP Citi Open. The 35-year-old Spanish left-hander, a 20-time Grand Slam champion making his Washington debut, dispatched 192nd-ranked Sock 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1) in a three-hour thriller before about 7,000 spectators at the US Open hardcourt tuneup event. ALSO READ: Olympics 2020: India end 41-year medal wait in men's hockey as they win bronze "My fitness is fine," Nadal said. "I need to have a little bit less pain in the foot." Third-ranked Nadal had not played since losing to top-ranked Novak Djokovic in June's French Open semi-finals, skipping Wimbledon and the Olympics due to the left foot injury that hindered him in the match. "The foot was hurting me," Nadal said. "It was painful tonight. Hopefully, it will feel better tomorrow. Winning the match helps. "I finished the match playing better. That's important. I hope to be ready for tomorrow." Top seed Nadal, chasing his 89th career title, will face 50th-ranked Lloyd Harris of South Africa on Thursday for a quarter-final berth. Nadal, Djokovic, and Roger Federer all enter the US Open with a men's record 20 career Slam titles, with Djokovic trying to complete the first men's calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969. An electric atmosphere greeted Nadal's first US match since beating Daniil Medvedev in the 2019 US Open final and his first hardcourt match since February. "In terms of energy, in terms of the crowd, has been amazing," Nadal said. Nadal improved to 6-0 all-time against Sock by taking their first meeting since 2017 but needed to grind out a dramatic victory in a tension-packed duel. "These kinds of matches help you get better," Nadal said. "You need matches like this to be fitter after a month without competing. "But that's part of the process, so it's something I am not worried about. "If I'm able to improve with my foot, I think the rest of the things going to come step by step." ALSO READ: From PM Modi to Akshay Kumar: Congratulations pour in after India's historic win in hockey at Tokyo Olympics Nadal took the first five points of the tie-breaker and clinched it with a forehand winner. "I know will not be easy after a couple of months coming back from a tough situation with my foot, a couple of months without playing," Nadal said. "But here I am. I fighted. I'm able to play again." Sock broke Nadal to open the final set and fought off a breakpoint in the second game, Nadal sending a forehand just wide. Fans yelled for a Nadal comeback, prompting Sock to blow a kiss to the crowd after a winner on his way to taking a 3-1 lead. Nadal broke back in the sixth game, making a backhand save on a drop volley that Sock could only swat into the net to level matters at 3-3, Nadal pumping his fists and screaming in celebration. Nadal showed maestro moments with his shotmaking, including a backhand overhead smash winner in holding the seventh game, as they battled into the tie-breaker.

Tennis: Rafael Nadal battles to victory in return from two-month layoff

Australia were handed the bronze medal in the mixed doubles after world number one Novak Djokovic pulled out on account of an injury yet Ashleigh Barty said on Sunday they completely deserved the medal subsequent to playing "incredible" tennis this week.&nbsp;

Novak Djokovic had joined forces with Nina Stojanovic for the mixed doubles yet pulled out with a shoulder injury after to losing to&nbsp;Pablo&nbsp;Carreno&nbsp;Busta&nbsp;in the singles bronze medal match, guaranteeing women's World number one Ashleigh Barty and accomplice John Peers of the third spot at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-belinda-bencic-dedicates-singles-gold-to-idols-roger-federer-martina-hingis-402083" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics: Belinda Bencic dedicates singles gold to idols Roger Federer, Martina Hingis</a>

"We played incredible tennis this week," Barty, a two-time Grand Slam champion fresh off her victory at Wimbledon, told reporters. "It was a unique circumstance to win the bronze but we deserved it.

"For me, being my first experience (at the Olympics), it is quite remarkable. We did not want to make up the numbers. We wanted to win a medal for our country.

"To be able to contribute to our medal count is really exciting. A massive highlight of my career being able to call myself an Olympian and a medallist."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-tokyo-2020-olympics-novak-djokovic-smashes-racket-during-bronze-medal-match-402078" hreflang="en">Watch: Tokyo 2020 Olympics — Novak Djokovic smashes racket during bronze medal match</a>

Ashleigh Barty was shocked in the first round of the singles by Spain's 48th-positioned Sara Sorribes Tormo, while her women's singles run with Storm Sanders finished in the quarter-final.&nbsp;

In the mixed doubles semi-finals, Peers and Barty lost in straight sets to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Andrey Rublev of the Russian Olympic Committee.

"We obviously wanted to have the challenge of playing one of the best nations in the world. But regardless of whether we got on the court or not I feel we deserved it. We definitely deserved to be in the bronze medal match," she said.

"No matter what format, singles, doubles or mixed, I came here with a focus to win a medal for our nation."

Australia were handed the bronze medal in the mixed doubles after world number one Novak Djokovic pulled out on account of an injury yet Ashleigh Barty said on Sunday they completely deserved the medal subsequent to playing "incredible" tennis this week.

Australia were handed the bronze medal in the mixed doubles after world number one Novak Djokovic pulled out on account of an injury yet Ashleigh Barty said on Sunday they completely deserved the medal subsequent to playing "incredible" tennis this week. Novak Djokovic had joined forces with Nina Stojanovic for the mixed doubles yet pulled out with a shoulder injury after to losing to Pablo Carreno Busta in the singles bronze medal match, guaranteeing women's World number one Ashleigh Barty and accomplice John Peers of the third spot at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics: Belinda Bencic dedicates singles gold to idols Roger Federer, Martina Hingis "We played incredible tennis this week," Barty, a two-time Grand Slam champion fresh off her victory at Wimbledon, told reporters. "It was a unique circumstance to win the bronze but we deserved it. "For me, being my first experience (at the Olympics), it is quite remarkable. We did not want to make up the numbers. We wanted to win a medal for our country. "To be able to contribute to our medal count is really exciting. A massive highlight of my career being able to call myself an Olympian and a medallist." ALSO READ: Watch: Tokyo 2020 Olympics — Novak Djokovic smashes racket during bronze medal match Ashleigh Barty was shocked in the first round of the singles by Spain's 48th-positioned Sara Sorribes Tormo, while her women's singles run with Storm Sanders finished in the quarter-final. In the mixed doubles semi-finals, Peers and Barty lost in straight sets to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Andrey Rublev of the Russian Olympic Committee. "We obviously wanted to have the challenge of playing one of the best nations in the world. But regardless of whether we got on the court or not I feel we deserved it. We definitely deserved to be in the bronze medal match," she said. "No matter what format, singles, doubles or mixed, I came here with a focus to win a medal for our nation."

Tokyo Olympics: Australia deserved mixed doubles bronze, says Ashleigh Barty

Pablo Carreno Busta beat World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the men's singles bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics. That gave Carreno Busta his first Olympic award.

Throughout the match, Pablo Carreno Busta possessed a strong forehand against Novak Djokovic, who looked depleted from his elimination round loss to Alexander Zverev.&nbsp;

He even held a match point on Novak Djokovic's serve during the second-set sudden tiebreaker, yet World no.1 showed a lot of flexibility to save it before in the long run winning the tiebreaker 8-6. He also went on to win the deciding set. &nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;Tokyo Olympics: India's star badminton player PV Sindhu to face He Bingjiao in bronze medal match

Addressing the Spanish press later, Pablo Carreno Busta communicated amusement at his presentation in the bronze medal match, considering it the greatest accomplishment of his life. He likewise expressed gratitude towards his fans for propelling him to come back from his elimination round loss to Karen Khachanov.&nbsp;

"I think this my biggest achievement. It's incredible," he said.

"After yesterday's loss I felt people's love and&nbsp;support and I had to give my all. I've been able to overcome losing the second set thanks to all the support. It's just bronze but I gave my all," he added.

Carreno Busta pondered the mid-match stagger, asserting that he thought he was done after Novak Djokovic took the subsequent set. He added that it was incredible that he could stick it out in the circumstance and get back an Olympic medal.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;Tokyo Olympics athletics: US sprinter Richardson applauds Jamaica's 100m clean sweep

"I'm in a cloud. After losing 2nd set I thought it was over. Winning over the World No. 1 is very tough. After losing the second set I thought I'd not be able to do it. But I was! It's incredible." he said.

“It’s a bronze medal, but for me it’s like a gold. I haven’t won the tournament, but it’s the best title of my career,” he added.

"I came here for a medal, it's been tough but I've got it! For my girlfriend, my mother, Gijón, Spain," he concluded.

Pablo Carreno Busta beat World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the men's singles bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics. That gave Carreno Busta his first Olympic award.

Pablo Carreno Busta beat World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the men's singles bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics. That gave Carreno Busta his first Olympic award. Throughout the match, Pablo Carreno Busta possessed a strong forehand against Novak Djokovic, who looked depleted from his elimination round loss to Alexander Zverev. He even held a match point on Novak Djokovic's serve during the second-set sudden tiebreaker, yet World no.1 showed a lot of flexibility to save it before in the long run winning the tiebreaker 8-6. He also went on to win the deciding set. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics: India's star badminton player PV Sindhu to face He Bingjiao in bronze medal match Addressing the Spanish press later, Pablo Carreno Busta communicated amusement at his presentation in the bronze medal match, considering it the greatest accomplishment of his life. He likewise expressed gratitude towards his fans for propelling him to come back from his elimination round loss to Karen Khachanov. "I think this my biggest achievement. It's incredible," he said. "After yesterday's loss I felt people's love and support and I had to give my all. I've been able to overcome losing the second set thanks to all the support. It's just bronze but I gave my all," he added. Carreno Busta pondered the mid-match stagger, asserting that he thought he was done after Novak Djokovic took the subsequent set. He added that it was incredible that he could stick it out in the circumstance and get back an Olympic medal. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics athletics: US sprinter Richardson applauds Jamaica's 100m clean sweep "I'm in a cloud. After losing 2nd set I thought it was over. Winning over the World No. 1 is very tough. After losing the second set I thought I'd not be able to do it. But I was! It's incredible." he said. “It’s a bronze medal, but for me it’s like a gold. I haven’t won the tournament, but it’s the best title of my career,” he added. "I came here for a medal, it's been tough but I've got it! For my girlfriend, my mother, Gijón, Spain," he concluded.

Tokyo Olympics: ‘It is a bronze medal, but it feels like gold,' says Pablo Carreno Busta

Newly-crowned Olympic singles tennis champion, Belinda Bencic, has dedicated her gold medal to Swiss great Roger Federer, whose pre-match message inspired her to victory in Tokyo.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has never won Olympic gold in the singles competition, collecting silver after losing to Andy Murray at London 2012 and bronze in the 2008 doubles event alongside Stan Wawrinka.

Not even Martina Hingis, the Swiss player who Bencic's career was inspired after, claimed an Olympic title. Her best result was silver in women's doubles in 2016 with Timea Bacsinszky.

The 12th-ranked Bencic beat Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 at the Tokyo Games on Saturday for the first major title of her career and she'll also contest the women's doubles gold medal match on Sunday.

On winning Olympic singles gold, something her idols Hingis and Federer failed to do, she said, "I think I accomplished it for them. I think they did so much in their careers. I'm not sure I will ever be able to do what they have done. But maybe I could help them to accomplish this one by giving them this Olympics. So it's both for Martina and for Roger."

Bencic and Swiss partner Viktorija Golubic face the top-seeded Czech team of Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova. She was also asked if Federer has been in touch with her.

"Yes, he wrote to me today. He said this was the perfect day to reach my dreams and I was really happy about that. And he was absolutely right. "He is incredible in that way, he really supports all of the Swiss players. He is behind us and it's just incredible the type of support I receive from Roger Federer, so this win is also for him."&nbsp;

Newly-crowned Olympic singles tennis champion, Belinda Bencic, has dedicated her gold medal to Swiss great Roger Federer, whose pre-match message inspired her to victory in Tokyo.

Newly-crowned Olympic singles tennis champion, Belinda Bencic, has dedicated her gold medal to Swiss great Roger Federer, whose pre-match message inspired her to victory in Tokyo. The 20-time Grand Slam champion has never won Olympic gold in the singles competition, collecting silver after losing to Andy Murray at London 2012 and bronze in the 2008 doubles event alongside Stan Wawrinka. Not even Martina Hingis, the Swiss player who Bencic's career was inspired after, claimed an Olympic title. Her best result was silver in women's doubles in 2016 with Timea Bacsinszky. The 12th-ranked Bencic beat Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 at the Tokyo Games on Saturday for the first major title of her career and she'll also contest the women's doubles gold medal match on Sunday. On winning Olympic singles gold, something her idols Hingis and Federer failed to do, she said, "I think I accomplished it for them. I think they did so much in their careers. I'm not sure I will ever be able to do what they have done. But maybe I could help them to accomplish this one by giving them this Olympics. So it's both for Martina and for Roger." Bencic and Swiss partner Viktorija Golubic face the top-seeded Czech team of Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova. She was also asked if Federer has been in touch with her. "Yes, he wrote to me today. He said this was the perfect day to reach my dreams and I was really happy about that. And he was absolutely right. "He is incredible in that way, he really supports all of the Swiss players. He is behind us and it's just incredible the type of support I receive from Roger Federer, so this win is also for him."

Tokyo Olympics: Belinda Bencic dedicates singles gold to idols Roger Federer, Martina Hingis

tennis

Tennis, News on Tennis, stories on Tennis, articles on Tennis, Tennis stories at Wion, Tennis news, Tennis latest news