<p>American Tennis star Serena Wiliams has withdrawn from US Open that is scheduled to commence next week. Williams has become the latest name to join the elite list.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-government-evacuates-at-risk-sportswomen-from-taliban-controlled-afghanistan-408172" hreflang="en">Australian government evacuates at-risk sportswomen from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan</a></p>

<p>She joins the likes of defending men's champion Dominic Thiem, plus Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, in pulling out of the American Grand Slam.</p>

<p>The 39-year-old took to social media and revealed the reason behind her withdrawal from year's last Grand Slam.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"After careful consideration and following the advice of my doctors and medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the US Open to allow my body to heal completely from a torn hamstring," she wrote on Instagram.</p>

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<p>"New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world and one of my favourite places to play - I'll miss seeing the fans but will be cheering on from afar.</p>

<p>"Thank you for your continued love and support. I'll see you soon."</p>

<p>Serena Williams sustained the injury in her right leg during the Wimbledon, earlier this year, due to which she was forced to withdraw. She had a teary exit from the tournament.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I was heartbroken to have to withdraw today after injuring my right leg," Williams wrote on Instagram.</p>

<p>"My love and gratitude are with the fans and the team who make being on centre court so meaningful. Feeling the extraordinary warmth and support of the crowd today when I walked on - and off - the court meant the world to me."</p>

<p>Recently, Austria's Dominic Thiem said that will not defend his US Open title after having to pull out of the hardcourt major with a wrist injury, the world number six said.</p>

<p>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.</p>


American Tennis star Serena Wiliams has withdrawn from US Open that is scheduled to commence next week. Williams has become the latest name to join the elite list.

American Tennis star Serena Wiliams has withdrawn from US Open that is scheduled to commence next week. Williams has become the latest name to join the elite list. ALSO READ: Australian government evacuates at-risk sportswomen from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan She joins the likes of defending men's champion Dominic Thiem, plus Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, in pulling out of the American Grand Slam. The 39-year-old took to social media and revealed the reason behind her withdrawal from year's last Grand Slam. "After careful consideration and following the advice of my doctors and medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the US Open to allow my body to heal completely from a torn hamstring," she wrote on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) × "New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world and one of my favourite places to play - I'll miss seeing the fans but will be cheering on from afar. "Thank you for your continued love and support. I'll see you soon." Serena Williams sustained the injury in her right leg during the Wimbledon, earlier this year, due to which she was forced to withdraw. She had a teary exit from the tournament. "I was heartbroken to have to withdraw today after injuring my right leg," Williams wrote on Instagram. "My love and gratitude are with the fans and the team who make being on centre court so meaningful. Feeling the extraordinary warmth and support of the crowd today when I walked on - and off - the court meant the world to me." Recently, Austria's Dominic Thiem said that will not defend his US Open title after having to pull out of the hardcourt major with a wrist injury, the world number six said. 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.

American tennis star Serena Williams withdraws from US Open

<p>World number one Ashleigh Barty will head to the US&nbsp;Open in peak form after ending Swiss wildcard Jil Teichmann's brave run with a 6-3 6-1 defeat to claim the Western and Southern Open title in Cincinnati on Sunday.</p>

<p>Wimbledon champion Barty will now bid for her third Grand Slam crown and first on hardcourt at New York after humbling major winners Angelique Kerber, Victoria Azarenka and Barbora Krejcikova.</p>

<p>"It's been an awesome week. I felt like with each match we're getting progressively better and better in most parts of my game," the Australian told reporters after clinching her tour-leading fifth title of a stellar 2021.</p>

<p>"Today against Jil I feel like I was able to really trust myself and play with confidence, get after the ball, be aggressive and get a bit of a run-on, which was going to be important in a big final.</p>

<p>"I think we're just excited that we've got matches under our belt in tough conditions here in Cincy, and that's put us in really good stead going into New York."</p>

<p>Barty came out of the Tokyo Olympics with a doubles bronze medal and a tinge of disappointment after her quest for singles gold ended with a first-up loss to Sara Sorribes Tormo.</p>

<p>The change of scene in the United States appears to have done wonders, along with a more aggressive mindset on the back of excellent serving.</p>

<p>"I felt like these conditions were going to reward good serving and good first-strike tennis," said the 25-year-old.</p>

<p>"Even though that's not necessarily my repertoire all the time, I felt like I wanted to push myself this week to try and be more assertive on my serve."</p>

<p>World number 76 Teichmann will also head to Flushing Meadows with new confidence in her game after a terrific week, having upset U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka, Karolina Pliskova and Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.</p>


World number one Ashleigh Barty will head to the US Open in peak form after ending Swiss wildcard Jil Teichmann's brave run with a 6-3 6-1 defeat to claim the Western and Southern Open title in Cincinnati on Sunday.

World number one Ashleigh Barty will head to the US Open in peak form after ending Swiss wildcard Jil Teichmann's brave run with a 6-3 6-1 defeat to claim the Western and Southern Open title in Cincinnati on Sunday. Wimbledon champion Barty will now bid for her third Grand Slam crown and first on hardcourt at New York after humbling major winners Angelique Kerber, Victoria Azarenka and Barbora Krejcikova. "It's been an awesome week. I felt like with each match we're getting progressively better and better in most parts of my game," the Australian told reporters after clinching her tour-leading fifth title of a stellar 2021. "Today against Jil I feel like I was able to really trust myself and play with confidence, get after the ball, be aggressive and get a bit of a run-on, which was going to be important in a big final. "I think we're just excited that we've got matches under our belt in tough conditions here in Cincy, and that's put us in really good stead going into New York." Barty came out of the Tokyo Olympics with a doubles bronze medal and a tinge of disappointment after her quest for singles gold ended with a first-up loss to Sara Sorribes Tormo. The change of scene in the United States appears to have done wonders, along with a more aggressive mindset on the back of excellent serving. "I felt like these conditions were going to reward good serving and good first-strike tennis," said the 25-year-old. "Even though that's not necessarily my repertoire all the time, I felt like I wanted to push myself this week to try and be more assertive on my serve." World number 76 Teichmann will also head to Flushing Meadows with new confidence in her game after a terrific week, having upset U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka, Karolina Pliskova and Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.

Ashleigh Barty enjoys 'awesome' US Open tune-up with Cincinnati win

<p>With his game in fine form and a slew of past champions sidelined with injuries, Daniil Medvedev said he is feeling confident as he prepares to try to win his first major title at the upcoming US&nbsp;Open.</p>

<p>The world number two, who fell to Rafa Nadal in an epic five set final at Flushing Meadows in 2019, is guaranteed not to suffer the same fate this year after the Spaniard said he would sit out to focus on healing a nagging foot injury.</p>

<p>In addition to Nadal, past champions Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Dominic Thiem and Juan Martin Del Potro will also be missing in action in New York.</p>

<p>"I'm going to try to do my best. If I manage to keep the level I'm playing at right now, I have good chances to go far," Medvedev told reporters after crushing Pablo Carreno Busta to reach the semi-finals of the Western &amp; Southern Open on Friday.</p>

<p>But the big-serving Russian said he knows anything can happen on the sport's biggest stages.</p>

<p>"One day you might feel not so good," said Medvedev, who complained about the stifling heat at the Tokyo Olympics before falling in the quarter-finals.</p>

<p>"You're going to get an opponent who is going to play the best match of his life."</p>

<p>And although those other titans of the game are out of the picture, the most dangerous player in all of tennis, world number one Novak Djokovic, will be especially motivated.</p>

<p>The Serb heads to New York looking to complete a calendar Grand Slam and earn a record-breaking 21st men's Grand Slam title.</p>

<p>"Definitely Novak is going to be the highest contender," Medvedev said.</p>

<p>"He's winning almost all the Grand Slams right now. He won already 20. He has experience. He has a level. I'm not gonna lie.</p>

<p>"So he's the man under pressure, but I think he likes it. Some guys under pressure can crack. That's not Novak. So he's definitely the main contender," he said, noting that if they do meet it will be in the final since they will be on opposite sides of the draw.</p>

<p>"When I play good in New York, I can get good results, and of course, yeah, I want to win it," he said.</p>

<p>The U.S. Open runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 12.</p>


With his game in fine form and a slew of past champions sidelined with injuries, Daniil Medvedev said he is feeling confident as he prepares to try to win his first major title at the upcoming US Open.

With his game in fine form and a slew of past champions sidelined with injuries, Daniil Medvedev said he is feeling confident as he prepares to try to win his first major title at the upcoming US Open. The world number two, who fell to Rafa Nadal in an epic five set final at Flushing Meadows in 2019, is guaranteed not to suffer the same fate this year after the Spaniard said he would sit out to focus on healing a nagging foot injury. In addition to Nadal, past champions Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Dominic Thiem and Juan Martin Del Potro will also be missing in action in New York. "I'm going to try to do my best. If I manage to keep the level I'm playing at right now, I have good chances to go far," Medvedev told reporters after crushing Pablo Carreno Busta to reach the semi-finals of the Western & Southern Open on Friday. But the big-serving Russian said he knows anything can happen on the sport's biggest stages. "One day you might feel not so good," said Medvedev, who complained about the stifling heat at the Tokyo Olympics before falling in the quarter-finals. "You're going to get an opponent who is going to play the best match of his life." And although those other titans of the game are out of the picture, the most dangerous player in all of tennis, world number one Novak Djokovic, will be especially motivated. The Serb heads to New York looking to complete a calendar Grand Slam and earn a record-breaking 21st men's Grand Slam title. "Definitely Novak is going to be the highest contender," Medvedev said. "He's winning almost all the Grand Slams right now. He won already 20. He has experience. He has a level. I'm not gonna lie. "So he's the man under pressure, but I think he likes it. Some guys under pressure can crack. That's not Novak. So he's definitely the main contender," he said, noting that if they do meet it will be in the final since they will be on opposite sides of the draw. "When I play good in New York, I can get good results, and of course, yeah, I want to win it," he said. The U.S. Open runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 12.

Daniil Medvedev ready to seize US Open opportunity

<p>Rafael Nadal has announced that he is ending his season because of a foot injury that has troubled him since his defeat in the semi-finals at the French Open.</p>

<p>Taking to his official Twitter handle, Nadal wrote,&nbsp;"Hello everyone, I wanted to inform you that unfortunately I have to end the 2021 season."</p>

<p>Honestly, I have been suffering much more than I should with my foot for a year and I need to take some time... to find a solution to this problem or at least improve it in order to continue to have options for the next few years,"&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;said.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-greek-government-pushes-back-on-tsitsipas-vaccine-comments-407025">Greek government pushes back on Tsitsipas' vaccine comments</a></strong></p>

<p>"I'm with the maximum enthusiasm and predisposition to do whatever it takes to recover the best possible shape to keep competing for the things that really motivate me.</p>

<p>"I'm convinced that with the recovery of the foot and obviously a very important daily effort... this can be achieved. I will work as hard as I can to make it happen."</p>

<p><img alt="Rafael Nadal " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6a78eb67-e43f-48f6-9541-42fe8b758913" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/rafa.PNG" /></p>

<p>Following his defeat to Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros, Nadal skipped Wimbledon and the Olympics before making a return to the courts in Washington earlier this month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He beat Jack Sock but then slipped to a three-set defeat at the hands of South Africa's Lloyd Harris, after which the 35-year-old declared that "the foot was better".</p>

<p>However, that proved to be premature as he then pulled out of the event in Toronto saying it was "not a happy situation" and is missing from the current tournament in Cincinatti, the traditional curtain-raiser for the US Open which starts on August 30.</p>

<p>Nadal said that he wanted to give his foot time to heal so that he could come back fully competitive in 2022.</p>

<p>"It is with the greatest enthusiasm that I will do everything I can to find the best possible form and return to competition with the objectives that are most important to me," he continued on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“I am convinced that I can achieve this if my foot heals and, of course, with great daily effort. I will work as much as I can to make it so.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I promise to work hard to try and continue to benefit from this sport for a while longer."</p>

<p><em>(with inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Rafael Nadal has announced that he is ending his season because of a foot injury that has troubled him since his defeat in the semi-finals at the French Open. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Nadal wrote, "Hello everyone, I wanted to inform you that unfortunately I have to end the 2021 season.

Rafael Nadal has announced that he is ending his season because of a foot injury that has troubled him since his defeat in the semi-finals at the French Open. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Nadal wrote, "Hello everyone, I wanted to inform you that unfortunately I have to end the 2021 season." Honestly, I have been suffering much more than I should with my foot for a year and I need to take some time... to find a solution to this problem or at least improve it in order to continue to have options for the next few years," Nadal said. ALSO READ | Greek government pushes back on Tsitsipas' vaccine comments "I'm with the maximum enthusiasm and predisposition to do whatever it takes to recover the best possible shape to keep competing for the things that really motivate me. "I'm convinced that with the recovery of the foot and obviously a very important daily effort... this can be achieved. I will work as hard as I can to make it happen." Following his defeat to Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros, Nadal skipped Wimbledon and the Olympics before making a return to the courts in Washington earlier this month. He beat Jack Sock but then slipped to a three-set defeat at the hands of South Africa's Lloyd Harris, after which the 35-year-old declared that "the foot was better". However, that proved to be premature as he then pulled out of the event in Toronto saying it was "not a happy situation" and is missing from the current tournament in Cincinatti, the traditional curtain-raiser for the US Open which starts on August 30. Nadal said that he wanted to give his foot time to heal so that he could come back fully competitive in 2022. "It is with the greatest enthusiasm that I will do everything I can to find the best possible form and return to competition with the objectives that are most important to me," he continued on Friday. “I am convinced that I can achieve this if my foot heals and, of course, with great daily effort. I will work as much as I can to make it so. "I promise to work hard to try and continue to benefit from this sport for a while longer." (with inputs from agencies)

Rafael Nadal ends season because of foot injury, says 'I've been suffering'

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"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></p>
— ATP Tour (@atptour) <a href="https://twitter.com/atptour/status/1427990162206646276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The U.S. Open runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 12.</p>


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

<p>Naomi Osaka briefly left a press conference in Cincinnati on Monday after she appeared to get upset with a line of questioning about her relationship with the media, leading her agent to describe a reporter as a "bully".<br />
<br />
Osaka withdrew from the French Open earlier this year after being punished for refusing to do media conferences, saying her mental health was adversely impacted by certain lines of questioning.<br />
<br />
On Monday, a reporter from a Cincinnati newspaper asked the 23-year-old: “You`re not crazy about dealing with us, especially in this format. Yet you have a lot of outside interests that are served by having a media platform. How do you balance the two?”<br />
<br />
Osaka twice asked the reporter to clarify his question and turned down an offer from the moderator to ”move on to the next question” before giving a full reply.<br />
<br />
"Ever since I was younger, I have had a lot of media interest on me, and I think it`s because of my background as well," said Osaka, who is of Japanese-Haitian heritage but grew up mainly in the United States.<br />
<br />
"I can`t really help that there are some things that I tweet or some things that I say that kind of create a lot of news articles or things like that ... but I would also say I`m not really sure how to balance the two. Like I`m figuring it out at the same time as you are, I would say."<br />
<br />
When another reporter began to ask about her preparations for the summer hard-court season and her pledge to donate her prize money from this week’s Western &amp; Southern Open to Haitian earthquake relief efforts, Osaka appeared to wipe away tears.<br />
<br />
The moderator called for a pause to the proceedings and Osaka left the room for a few minutes but returned to complete the news conference.<br />
<br />
Osaka’s French Open withdrawal not only led to her revealing that she has struggled to cope with depression for a number of years but it also prompted her to pull out from Roland Garros and Wimbledon for the sake of her mental well-being.<br />
<br />
After losing early at the Tokyo Games, where she was given the honour of lighting the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony, she said she struggled to cope with the huge pressure and expectation placed on her.<br />
<br />
Osaka`s agent, Stuart Duguid, condemned the reporter`s line of questioning on Monday in a statement provided to Reuters.<br />
<br />
"The bully at the Cincinnati Enquirer is the epitome of why player/media relations are so fraught right now," said Duguid.<br />
<br />
"Everyone on that Zoom will agree that his tone was all wrong and his sole purpose was to intimidate. Really appalling behaviour.<br />
<br />
"And this insinuation that Naomi owes her off-court success to the media is a myth – don`t be so self-indulgent."<br />
<br />
The reporter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<br />
<br />
Osaka has used her platform to call attention to mental health issues and she said at the news conference she felt supported by her fellow athletes.<br />
<br />
"The biggest eye opener was going to the Olympics and having other athletes come up to me and say they were really glad that I did what I did," she added.<br />
<br />
"I`m proud of what I did and I think that it was something that needed to be done."<br />
<br />
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles, Additional reporting by Amy Tennery, editing by Pritha Sarkar/Peter Rutherford)<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Naomi Osaka briefly left a press conference in Cincinnati on Monday after she appeared to get upset with a line of questioning about her relationship with the media, leading her agent to describe a reporter as a "bully".

Naomi Osaka briefly left a press conference in Cincinnati on Monday after she appeared to get upset with a line of questioning about her relationship with the media, leading her agent to describe a reporter as a "bully". Osaka withdrew from the French Open earlier this year after being punished for refusing to do media conferences, saying her mental health was adversely impacted by certain lines of questioning. On Monday, a reporter from a Cincinnati newspaper asked the 23-year-old: “You`re not crazy about dealing with us, especially in this format. Yet you have a lot of outside interests that are served by having a media platform. How do you balance the two?” Osaka twice asked the reporter to clarify his question and turned down an offer from the moderator to ”move on to the next question” before giving a full reply. "Ever since I was younger, I have had a lot of media interest on me, and I think it`s because of my background as well," said Osaka, who is of Japanese-Haitian heritage but grew up mainly in the United States. "I can`t really help that there are some things that I tweet or some things that I say that kind of create a lot of news articles or things like that ... but I would also say I`m not really sure how to balance the two. Like I`m figuring it out at the same time as you are, I would say." When another reporter began to ask about her preparations for the summer hard-court season and her pledge to donate her prize money from this week’s Western & Southern Open to Haitian earthquake relief efforts, Osaka appeared to wipe away tears. The moderator called for a pause to the proceedings and Osaka left the room for a few minutes but returned to complete the news conference. Osaka’s French Open withdrawal not only led to her revealing that she has struggled to cope with depression for a number of years but it also prompted her to pull out from Roland Garros and Wimbledon for the sake of her mental well-being. After losing early at the Tokyo Games, where she was given the honour of lighting the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony, she said she struggled to cope with the huge pressure and expectation placed on her. Osaka`s agent, Stuart Duguid, condemned the reporter`s line of questioning on Monday in a statement provided to Reuters. "The bully at the Cincinnati Enquirer is the epitome of why player/media relations are so fraught right now," said Duguid. "Everyone on that Zoom will agree that his tone was all wrong and his sole purpose was to intimidate. Really appalling behaviour. "And this insinuation that Naomi owes her off-court success to the media is a myth – don`t be so self-indulgent." The reporter did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Osaka has used her platform to call attention to mental health issues and she said at the news conference she felt supported by her fellow athletes. "The biggest eye opener was going to the Olympics and having other athletes come up to me and say they were really glad that I did what I did," she added. "I`m proud of what I did and I think that it was something that needed to be done." (Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles, Additional reporting by Amy Tennery, editing by Pritha Sarkar/Peter Rutherford)

Tennis: Tearful Naomi Osaka briefly leaves press conference

<p>Tennis ace Roger Federer has opened up over speculations and the expected timing of his return to the courts. Since Federer withdrew from the ATP Toronto and Cincinnati Masters due to fitness concerns, there have been talks over his participation in the US Open.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 20-time Grand Slam champion had reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals this year but had also pulled out from the Tokyo Olympics due to a knee injury.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I'm fine. I was on holiday. I haven't done anything for a while because of my knee. I had to stop everything after Wimbledon," Federer told Blick newspaper while addressing his return.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This week, I have to meet my doctors and my team, and then we will see what happens next. For now, everything is still a bit uncertain."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-stefanos-tsitsipas-making-noise-in-toronto-with-big-three-absent-405249">Tennis: Stefanos Tsitsipas making noise in Toronto with Big Three absent</a></strong></p>

<p>The 40-year-old Federer, who has only played 13 matches in 2021, said he was learning to adjust to the fact that recovering from niggles takes two weeks rather than two days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US Open gets underway on August 30 but Federer, whose last Slam title came at the 2018 Australian Open, did not say whether he would be taking part in the last of the year's four majors.</p>

<p>"It was different before. The questions were simple: what is my place in the ranking? What will my next tournament be?", he said.</p>

<p>"Today, it's more difficult: how do I feel when I start training again? What are my goals? How to reconcile all this with the family? What does the rest of the team say?</p>

<p>"I am much more enthusiastic than before, the attitude is different. It's really completely different from 10 years ago."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(with inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Tennis ace Roger Federer has opened up over speculations and the expected timing of his return to the courts. Since Federer withdrew from the ATP Toronto and Cincinnati Masters due to fitness concerns, there have been talks over his participation in the US Open.

Tennis ace Roger Federer has opened up over speculations and the expected timing of his return to the courts. Since Federer withdrew from the ATP Toronto and Cincinnati Masters due to fitness concerns, there have been talks over his participation in the US Open. The 20-time Grand Slam champion had reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals this year but had also pulled out from the Tokyo Olympics due to a knee injury. "I'm fine. I was on holiday. I haven't done anything for a while because of my knee. I had to stop everything after Wimbledon," Federer told Blick newspaper while addressing his return. "This week, I have to meet my doctors and my team, and then we will see what happens next. For now, everything is still a bit uncertain." ALSO READ | Tennis: Stefanos Tsitsipas making noise in Toronto with Big Three absent The 40-year-old Federer, who has only played 13 matches in 2021, said he was learning to adjust to the fact that recovering from niggles takes two weeks rather than two days. The US Open gets underway on August 30 but Federer, whose last Slam title came at the 2018 Australian Open, did not say whether he would be taking part in the last of the year's four majors. "It was different before. The questions were simple: what is my place in the ranking? What will my next tournament be?", he said. "Today, it's more difficult: how do I feel when I start training again? What are my goals? How to reconcile all this with the family? What does the rest of the team say? "I am much more enthusiastic than before, the attitude is different. It's really completely different from 10 years ago." (with inputs from agencies)

Tennis ace Roger Federer says return date 'still a bit uncertain'

<p>Dominic Thiem as of late took to Twitter to affirm that he has withdrawn from the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. The Austrian, who hurt his right wrist during his Mallorca second-round experience against Adrian Mannarino, unveiled that his physical issue is excessively genuine for him to play any tennis throughout the following, not many weeks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dominic Thiem understood the degree of the issue solely after visiting Dr Angel Ruiz Cotorro in Barcelona. Clinical assessments uncovered that he pulled the ligaments on the ulnar side of his right wrist, putting him down and out for in any event five weeks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"After being forced to retire from his opening match at the Mallorca Open on Tuesday due to an injury to his right wrist, Dominic Thiem traveled to Barcelona and underwent further medical examinations," the statement on Thiem's Twitter handle read. "Tests found that there is a 'detachment of the posterior sheath of the ulnar side of the right wrist, an injury that will not allow him to compete in the circuit for several weeks."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://t.co/KOz6uzVDl0">pic.twitter.com/KOz6uzVDl0</a></p>
— Dominic Thiem (@ThiemDomi) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThiemDomi/status/1408086811528810501?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The assertion further clarified that the following five weeks will see Dominic Thiem wearing a brace over his right wrist. It is solely after that period that he can start the restoration cycle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Thiem will wear a wrist splint for 5 weeks before beginning a progressive process of specific, functional rehabilitation to regain mobility as well as muscle strength in his wrist and ultimately return to training on the court," the assertion proceeded.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Recently, Dominic Thiem had affirmed his investment at the ATP occasions in Hamburg, Gstaad, and Kitzbuhel. Nonetheless, the Austrian will currently need to miss that load of occasions because of the genuine idea of his physical issue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is additionally hazy whether Dominic Thiem will be back on schedule during the current year's North American hardcourt swing, which is planned to start off in August. He would need to get in some match practice before he begins his title protection at the US Open, however right now things are glancing pretty unpredictable in such a manner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dominic Thiem's assertion additionally uncovered that Dr. Holy messenger Ruiz Cotorro and his clinical group, who has additionally worked with 20-time Major champ Rafael Nadal before, will regulate his recuperation. Thiem will go through a couple of more MRIs look over the following not many days to decide the specific treatment measure.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Dr. Angel Ruiz Cotorro and his medical team will supervise the progress of the injury, as Thiem will undergo further MRI scans and tests, and will decide when the player is fit to return to competition," the assertion read.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dominic Thiem hopes to be back on the court soon, and he declared in his explanation that he expects to give it his best shot to make an effective rebound to the visit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I'm going to do everything the doctors say in order to recover as quickly as possible," Thiem said. "They've informed me that I might be out for several weeks, but I will do my best to be back on the court soon."</p>


Dominic Thiem as of late took to Twitter to affirm that he has withdrawn from the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. The Austrian, who hurt his right wrist during his Mallorca second-round experience against Adrian Mannarino, unveiled that his physical issue is excessively genuine for him to play any tennis throughout the following, not many weeks.

Dominic Thiem as of late took to Twitter to affirm that he has withdrawn from the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. The Austrian, who hurt his right wrist during his Mallorca second-round experience against Adrian Mannarino, unveiled that his physical issue is excessively genuine for him to play any tennis throughout the following, not many weeks. Dominic Thiem understood the degree of the issue solely after visiting Dr Angel Ruiz Cotorro in Barcelona. Clinical assessments uncovered that he pulled the ligaments on the ulnar side of his right wrist, putting him down and out for in any event five weeks. "After being forced to retire from his opening match at the Mallorca Open on Tuesday due to an injury to his right wrist, Dominic Thiem traveled to Barcelona and underwent further medical examinations," the statement on Thiem's Twitter handle read. "Tests found that there is a 'detachment of the posterior sheath of the ulnar side of the right wrist, an injury that will not allow him to compete in the circuit for several weeks." pic.twitter.com/KOz6uzVDl0 — Dominic Thiem (@ThiemDomi) June 24, 2021 × The assertion further clarified that the following five weeks will see Dominic Thiem wearing a brace over his right wrist. It is solely after that period that he can start the restoration cycle. "Thiem will wear a wrist splint for 5 weeks before beginning a progressive process of specific, functional rehabilitation to regain mobility as well as muscle strength in his wrist and ultimately return to training on the court," the assertion proceeded. Recently, Dominic Thiem had affirmed his investment at the ATP occasions in Hamburg, Gstaad, and Kitzbuhel. Nonetheless, the Austrian will currently need to miss that load of occasions because of the genuine idea of his physical issue. It is additionally hazy whether Dominic Thiem will be back on schedule during the current year's North American hardcourt swing, which is planned to start off in August. He would need to get in some match practice before he begins his title protection at the US Open, however right now things are glancing pretty unpredictable in such a manner. Dominic Thiem's assertion additionally uncovered that Dr. Holy messenger Ruiz Cotorro and his clinical group, who has additionally worked with 20-time Major champ Rafael Nadal before, will regulate his recuperation. Thiem will go through a couple of more MRIs look over the following not many days to decide the specific treatment measure. "Dr. Angel Ruiz Cotorro and his medical team will supervise the progress of the injury, as Thiem will undergo further MRI scans and tests, and will decide when the player is fit to return to competition," the assertion read. Dominic Thiem hopes to be back on the court soon, and he declared in his explanation that he expects to give it his best shot to make an effective rebound to the visit. "I'm going to do everything the doctors say in order to recover as quickly as possible," Thiem said. "They've informed me that I might be out for several weeks, but I will do my best to be back on the court soon."

Tennis: Wrist injury forces Dominic Thiem to withdraw from Wimbledon 2021

<p>Novak Djokovic is targeting a record-equalling 20th major and sixth Wimbledon title from next week, edging him closer to becoming only the third man to complete a calendar Grand Slam.</p>

<p>The world number one has already won a ninth Australian Open and second French Open this season.</p>

<p>That has put him halfway to emulating Don Budge (1937) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) in sweeping all four majors in the same year.</p>

<p>It is a feat that even his closest rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have never managed and will probably never achieve.</p>

<p>"Everything is possible," said 34-year-old Djokovic after winning the French Open earlier this month when asked if the Golden Slam of all four majors and Olympic Games gold was a realistic target.</p>

<p>"I've achieved some things that a lot of people thought it would be not possible for me to achieve."</p>

<p>Djokovic memorably captured a fifth Wimbledon in 2019, saving two championship points to defeat Federer in the longest ever final at the All England Club at four hours and 57 minutes.</p>

<p>He was deprived of defending his title in 2020 when Wimbledon was cancelled due to the pandemic.</p>

<p>However, Djokovic has been at this juncture before, winning in Australia and Paris in 2016 but coming up short at the Rio Olympics, Wimbledon and the US Open later in the year.</p>

<p>Djokovic has won seven of the last 11 Slams as he ramps up his assault on the record of 20 majors held jointly by Federer and Nadal.</p>

<p>Nadal, the Wimbledon champion in 2008 and 2010, has already withdrawn from this year's tournament, still scarred by the bruising loss to the Serb in the French Open semi-finals.</p>

<h2>- 'Huge challenge' -</h2>

<p>Eight-time winner Federer, meanwhile, will be 40 in August and won just one match on grass at Halle in the build-up to Wimbledon.</p>

<p>Federer, who underwent two knee surgeries in 2020, won the last of his eight Wimbledons in 2017 and the most recent of his 20 majors in Australia in 2018.</p>

<p>The Swiss star has lost three finals to Djokovic at the All England Club in 2014, 2015 and the epic 2019 clash.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's a huge challenge for me," said Federer of his comeback.</p>

<p>"Things don't come simple, they don't come easy."</p>

<p>The rest of the current top 10 have endured so far mediocre Wimbledon records.</p>

<p>Only 33-year-old Roberto Bautista Agut, a surprise semi-finalist two years ago, has got beyond the last 16.</p>

<p>Daniil Medvedev has a best of the third round, while Dominic Thiem, who made the fourth round in 2017, crashed at the first hurdle in 2018 and 2019.</p>

<p>Alexander Zverev had a best last 16 run in 2017 but was also a first-round loser two years ago while Andrey Rublev has yet to get past the second round.</p>

<p>Of the remainder of the top 10, French Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini are Djokovic's most likely threats.</p>

<p>Tsitsipas made the last 16 in 2018 before exiting in the first round two years ago.</p>

<p>The Greek, however, is one of the form players of 2021, winning titles in Monte Carlo and Lyon before forcing Djokovic to recover from two sets down in the Roland Garros final.</p>

<p>Queen's Club champion Matteo Berrettini is also a dangerman for Djokovic.</p>

<p>The Italian made the last 16 in 2019 where it took Federer to stop his progress.</p>

<p>He was also the first man to win the Queen's title on debut since Boris Becker in 1985 -- the German went on to win a maiden Wimbledon just weeks later.</p>

<p>Andy Murray, the 2013 and 2016 champion, will hope to ride a national wave of emotion at least into the second week.</p>

<p>But the injury-plagued Briton, a former world number one, is down at 119 in the rankings and has won just two matches all season.</p>


Novak Djokovic is targeting a record-equalling 20th major and sixth Wimbledon title from next week, edging him closer to becoming only the third man to complete a calendar Grand Slam.

Novak Djokovic is targeting a record-equalling 20th major and sixth Wimbledon title from next week, edging him closer to becoming only the third man to complete a calendar Grand Slam. The world number one has already won a ninth Australian Open and second French Open this season. That has put him halfway to emulating Don Budge (1937) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) in sweeping all four majors in the same year. It is a feat that even his closest rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have never managed and will probably never achieve. "Everything is possible," said 34-year-old Djokovic after winning the French Open earlier this month when asked if the Golden Slam of all four majors and Olympic Games gold was a realistic target. "I've achieved some things that a lot of people thought it would be not possible for me to achieve." Djokovic memorably captured a fifth Wimbledon in 2019, saving two championship points to defeat Federer in the longest ever final at the All England Club at four hours and 57 minutes. He was deprived of defending his title in 2020 when Wimbledon was cancelled due to the pandemic. However, Djokovic has been at this juncture before, winning in Australia and Paris in 2016 but coming up short at the Rio Olympics, Wimbledon and the US Open later in the year. Djokovic has won seven of the last 11 Slams as he ramps up his assault on the record of 20 majors held jointly by Federer and Nadal. Nadal, the Wimbledon champion in 2008 and 2010, has already withdrawn from this year's tournament, still scarred by the bruising loss to the Serb in the French Open semi-finals. - 'Huge challenge' - Eight-time winner Federer, meanwhile, will be 40 in August and won just one match on grass at Halle in the build-up to Wimbledon. Federer, who underwent two knee surgeries in 2020, won the last of his eight Wimbledons in 2017 and the most recent of his 20 majors in Australia in 2018. The Swiss star has lost three finals to Djokovic at the All England Club in 2014, 2015 and the epic 2019 clash. "It's a huge challenge for me," said Federer of his comeback. "Things don't come simple, they don't come easy." The rest of the current top 10 have endured so far mediocre Wimbledon records. Only 33-year-old Roberto Bautista Agut, a surprise semi-finalist two years ago, has got beyond the last 16. Daniil Medvedev has a best of the third round, while Dominic Thiem, who made the fourth round in 2017, crashed at the first hurdle in 2018 and 2019. Alexander Zverev had a best last 16 run in 2017 but was also a first-round loser two years ago while Andrey Rublev has yet to get past the second round. Of the remainder of the top 10, French Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini are Djokovic's most likely threats. Tsitsipas made the last 16 in 2018 before exiting in the first round two years ago. The Greek, however, is one of the form players of 2021, winning titles in Monte Carlo and Lyon before forcing Djokovic to recover from two sets down in the Roland Garros final. Queen's Club champion Matteo Berrettini is also a dangerman for Djokovic. The Italian made the last 16 in 2019 where it took Federer to stop his progress. He was also the first man to win the Queen's title on debut since Boris Becker in 1985 -- the German went on to win a maiden Wimbledon just weeks later. Andy Murray, the 2013 and 2016 champion, will hope to ride a national wave of emotion at least into the second week. But the injury-plagued Briton, a former world number one, is down at 119 in the rankings and has won just two matches all season.

Tennis: Djokovic ready to be first among equals at Wimbledon

<p>Serbian ace Novak Djokovic has had a splendid 2020 season. However, his season witnessed a decline as he got disqualified in the US Open and lost in the finals of Roland Garros. The world number one is a front runner in his bid to become the world’s most trophy-laden player.</p>

<p>Djokovic has 17 grand slam titles while Nadal and Federer are on 20 each after the Spaniard clinched a record 13th French Open title.</p>

<p>“There is a lingering regret that I didn’t win either the US Open or the Roland Garros this year,” a bearded Djokovic told reporters in drenching sun at his tennis academy in downtown Belgrade by the Danube river.</p>

<p>“I was in outstanding form at both events but having reached the French Open final, I was beaten by a player who was much better on the day.</p>

<p>“I was below par and that’s it. As far as the US Open is concerned, I got myself into an unfortunate situation and was disqualified, but I won several other big tournaments.</p>

<p>“The US Open disqualification notwithstanding, I have only lost one match all season and I’ve played some of the best tennis of my life.”</p>

<p>Djokovic dismissed suggestions he was under intense pressure to overhaul Nadal and Federer in their three-way race to become the greatest male player of all time.</p>

<p>“Pressure has been a part of my life for a long time and I’ve learned how to deal with it,” he said.</p>

<p>“It comes with the territory if you are a top-level athlete and it can also galvanise you. You take physical and mental knocks along the way but it’s all part of the learning curve.</p>

<p>“If I retired now I’d be happy with everything I have achieved but I still enjoy competing and every tournament I enter gives me so much motivation and joy.”</p>


Serbian ace Novak Djokovic has had a splendid 2020 season. However, his season witnessed a decline as he got disqualified in the US Open and lost in the finals of Roland Garros.

Serbian ace Novak Djokovic has had a splendid 2020 season. However, his season witnessed a decline as he got disqualified in the US Open and lost in the finals of Roland Garros. The world number one is a front runner in his bid to become the world’s most trophy-laden player. Djokovic has 17 grand slam titles while Nadal and Federer are on 20 each after the Spaniard clinched a record 13th French Open title. “There is a lingering regret that I didn’t win either the US Open or the Roland Garros this year,” a bearded Djokovic told reporters in drenching sun at his tennis academy in downtown Belgrade by the Danube river. “I was in outstanding form at both events but having reached the French Open final, I was beaten by a player who was much better on the day. “I was below par and that’s it. As far as the US Open is concerned, I got myself into an unfortunate situation and was disqualified, but I won several other big tournaments. “The US Open disqualification notwithstanding, I have only lost one match all season and I’ve played some of the best tennis of my life.” Djokovic dismissed suggestions he was under intense pressure to overhaul Nadal and Federer in their three-way race to become the greatest male player of all time. “Pressure has been a part of my life for a long time and I’ve learned how to deal with it,” he said. “It comes with the territory if you are a top-level athlete and it can also galvanise you. You take physical and mental knocks along the way but it’s all part of the learning curve. “If I retired now I’d be happy with everything I have achieved but I still enjoy competing and every tournament I enter gives me so much motivation and joy.”

'There is a lingering regret': Novak Djokovic on US Open and Roland Garros

<p>Austria’s Dominic Thiem became country's second Grand Slam singles champion as he defeated Alexander Zverev in the US Open final on Sunday.</p>

<p>After dropping the opening two sets against Alexander Zverev — Thiem slowly but surely turned things around for a 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (6) victory across more than four hours to earn his first major championship, performing the greatest comeback in men's Major finals since Roland Garros 2004 to earn tennis glory.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">That winning feeling 😀<a href="https://twitter.com/ThiemDomi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThiemDomi</a> I <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/7Gy9SFaTJY">pic.twitter.com/7Gy9SFaTJY</a></p>
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) <a href="https://twitter.com/usopen/status/1305301831904419840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>It marked the first time in the US Open's Open Era history that a player had recovered from losing the opening two sets to win the title.</p>

<p>The 27-year-old became the youngest Grand Slam champion and first maiden Grand Slam champion since Marin Cilic in 2014.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thiem has played three Grand Slam finals - losing twice to Rafael Nadal in the French Open and once to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Austria’s Dominic Thiem became country's second Grand Slam singles champion as he defeated Alexander Zverev in the US Open final on Sunday. After dropping the opening two sets against Alexander Zverev — Thiem slowly but surely turned things around for a 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (6) victory across more than four hours to earn his first major championship, performing the greatest comeback in men's Major finals since Roland Garros 2004 to earn tennis glory.

Austria’s Dominic Thiem became country's second Grand Slam singles champion as he defeated Alexander Zverev in the US Open final on Sunday. After dropping the opening two sets against Alexander Zverev — Thiem slowly but surely turned things around for a 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (6) victory across more than four hours to earn his first major championship, performing the greatest comeback in men's Major finals since Roland Garros 2004 to earn tennis glory. That winning feeling 😀@ThiemDomi I #USOpen pic.twitter.com/7Gy9SFaTJY — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 14, 2020 × It marked the first time in the US Open's Open Era history that a player had recovered from losing the opening two sets to win the title. The 27-year-old became the youngest Grand Slam champion and first maiden Grand Slam champion since Marin Cilic in 2014. Thiem has played three Grand Slam finals - losing twice to Rafael Nadal in the French Open and once to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open. (With inputs from agencies)

US Open 2020 men's final: Dominic Thiem wins first grand slam title

As US Open nears conclusion: Here are top five key moments of tournament!

<p>Mate Pavic of Croatia and Brazilian veteran Bruno Soares won the US Open men's doubles final in straight sets on Thursday.</p>

<p>The unseeded pair defeated eighth seeds Croatian Nikola Mektic and the Netherlands' Wesley Koolhof 7-5, 6-3, in 1 hr 31 min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.</p>

<p>It marked a third Grand Slam men's doubles title for the 38-year-old Soares and a second at Flushing Meadows after his victory with Britain's Jamie Murray in 2016.</p>

<p>"It means a lot," said Soares. "I'm extremely happy. It's been a tough year for everyone.</p>

<p>"I'm really glad for the work that everyone put into this event to give us the opportunity to get back on the court.</p>

<p>"It's a very positive way to come back for us - happy days. Hopefully we get back to normal soon but very grateful for everything," he added.</p>

<p>For the 27-year-old Pavic, it is a second Grand Slam men's doubles title after victory at the Australian Open in 2018.</p>

<p>"We had tough matches," said Pavic.</p>

<p>"We were a break down serving for the match after the opening set of the second round," he added, referring to their hard-fought 6-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 victory over Americans Jack Sock and Jackson Withrow.</p>

<p>"So we got through tough moments throughout the week. Very happy to be here lifting the title," he added.</p>

<p>Soares and Pavic have also enjoyed success in mixed doubles in recent years.</p>

<p>Soares won the US Open mixed doubles in 2012 and 2014. He also triumphed at the Australian Open mixed in 2016.</p>

<p>Pavic lifted the mixed at Flushing Meadows in 2016 and at the Australian Open in 2018.</p>

<p>The mixed&nbsp;doubles event was canceled at this year's US Open due to the coronavirus pandemic.</p>


Mate Pavic of Croatia and Brazilian veteran Bruno Soares won the US Open men's doubles final in straight sets on Thursday. The unseeded pair defeated eighth seeds Croatian Nikola Mektic and the Netherlands' Wesley Koolhof 7-5, 6-3, in 1 hr 31 min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Mate Pavic of Croatia and Brazilian veteran Bruno Soares won the US Open men's doubles final in straight sets on Thursday. The unseeded pair defeated eighth seeds Croatian Nikola Mektic and the Netherlands' Wesley Koolhof 7-5, 6-3, in 1 hr 31 min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. It marked a third Grand Slam men's doubles title for the 38-year-old Soares and a second at Flushing Meadows after his victory with Britain's Jamie Murray in 2016. "It means a lot," said Soares. "I'm extremely happy. It's been a tough year for everyone. "I'm really glad for the work that everyone put into this event to give us the opportunity to get back on the court. "It's a very positive way to come back for us - happy days. Hopefully we get back to normal soon but very grateful for everything," he added. For the 27-year-old Pavic, it is a second Grand Slam men's doubles title after victory at the Australian Open in 2018. "We had tough matches," said Pavic. "We were a break down serving for the match after the opening set of the second round," he added, referring to their hard-fought 6-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 victory over Americans Jack Sock and Jackson Withrow. "So we got through tough moments throughout the week. Very happy to be here lifting the title," he added. Soares and Pavic have also enjoyed success in mixed doubles in recent years. Soares won the US Open mixed doubles in 2012 and 2014. He also triumphed at the Australian Open mixed in 2016. Pavic lifted the mixed at Flushing Meadows in 2016 and at the Australian Open in 2018. The mixed doubles event was canceled at this year's US Open due to the coronavirus pandemic.

'Happy days' - Pavic, Soares lift US Open men's doubles trophy

<p>Serena Williams was beaten 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open by Victoria Azarenka on Thursday, denying her the chance of winning a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title on home soil this year.</p>

<p>Azarenka will play Japan's Naomi Osaka on Saturday in her third final at Flushing Meadows, having lost the previous two to Williams in 2012 and 2013.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/serena-williams-moves-into-us-open-semi-finals-326546">Serena Williams moves into US Open semi-finals</a></strong></p>

<p>Azarenka said her mental game had been crucial in beating the 38-year-old Williams, who needed a medical timeout to have her left ankle re-taped in the third set due to Achilles trouble.</p>

<p>"I have been working on finding a calm mind and keep the body going," the Belarusian said in an on-court interview. "She dug me in a big hole in the first set. I needed to find energy to climb out of the hole and it wasn't easy."</p>

<p>Six-times U.S. Open champion Williams came out firing winners from all sides of the Arthur Ashe Stadium court while Azarenka struggled with her serve, committing four double faults in the first set and winning just six of 15 first-serve points.</p>

<p>She also had 10 unforced errors and appeared increasingly frustrated, with a mic catching her muttering a pair of expletives at herself before Williams took a 4-1 lead.</p>

<p>Williams wrapped up the opening set in little more than half an hour but Azarenka seized momentum in the second frame, breaking the third seed's serve with a pair of backhand winners from the baseline to take a 3-2 lead.</p>

<p>Playing her first Grand Slam semi-final in seven years, Azarenka got the better of Williams in some explosive exchanges of power-hitting while her serve also saw major improvement.</p>

<p>The 31-year-old took the set to force a decider after winning nearly 75% of her first-serve points and committing just one unforced error.</p>

<p>The twice Australian Open champion kept up the pressure in the third set and looked to be in a deep meditative state as Williams had her ankle taped, not even reacting as an insect landed on the bridge of her nose as she waited to resume the match.</p>


Serena Williams was beaten 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open by Victoria Azarenka on Thursday, denying her the chance of winning a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title on home soil this year.

Serena Williams was beaten 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open by Victoria Azarenka on Thursday, denying her the chance of winning a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title on home soil this year. Azarenka will play Japan's Naomi Osaka on Saturday in her third final at Flushing Meadows, having lost the previous two to Williams in 2012 and 2013. Also read | Serena Williams moves into US Open semi-finals Azarenka said her mental game had been crucial in beating the 38-year-old Williams, who needed a medical timeout to have her left ankle re-taped in the third set due to Achilles trouble. "I have been working on finding a calm mind and keep the body going," the Belarusian said in an on-court interview. "She dug me in a big hole in the first set. I needed to find energy to climb out of the hole and it wasn't easy." Six-times U.S. Open champion Williams came out firing winners from all sides of the Arthur Ashe Stadium court while Azarenka struggled with her serve, committing four double faults in the first set and winning just six of 15 first-serve points. She also had 10 unforced errors and appeared increasingly frustrated, with a mic catching her muttering a pair of expletives at herself before Williams took a 4-1 lead. Williams wrapped up the opening set in little more than half an hour but Azarenka seized momentum in the second frame, breaking the third seed's serve with a pair of backhand winners from the baseline to take a 3-2 lead. Playing her first Grand Slam semi-final in seven years, Azarenka got the better of Williams in some explosive exchanges of power-hitting while her serve also saw major improvement. The 31-year-old took the set to force a decider after winning nearly 75% of her first-serve points and committing just one unforced error. The twice Australian Open champion kept up the pressure in the third set and looked to be in a deep meditative state as Williams had her ankle taped, not even reacting as an insect landed on the bridge of her nose as she waited to resume the match.

Serena Williams exits US Open after loss in semis

<p>Second-seeded Dominic Thiem thrashed Australia's Alex de Minaur in straight sets Wednesday to reach the US Open semi-finals.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/alexander-zverev-beats-borna-coric-to-reach-us-open-semi-finals-326180" hreflang="en">Alexander Zverev beats Borna Coric to reach US Open semi-finals</a></p>

<p>The Austrian ace beat Minaur 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in just 2hr 4min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.</p>

<p>"I had a great feeling from the first moment on," said Thiem, gunning for his first Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/serena-battles-into-us-open-quarters-as-thiem-medvedev-march-on-325915" hreflang="en">Serena battles into US Open quarters as Thiem, Medvedev march on</a></p>

<p>"My feeling was that first set, especially until I broke him for the second time, was really intense, very long rallies.</p>

<p>"The first and second set second I guess it looks way easier on the scoresheet than it was actually," he added.</p>

<p><strong>In pics:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rollercoaster-2020-for-djokovic-serbians-controversies-that-stopped-him-from-becoming-peoples-champion-325688" hreflang="en">Rollercoaster 2020 for Djokovic: Serbian's controversies that stopped him from becoming 'People's Champion'</a></p>

<p>27-year-old Thiem smashed 11 aces, whereas, the Aussie managed just one.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Austrian won 83 per cent of first-serve points, while de Minaur, playing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final, could only manage 49 per cent.</p>

<p>Thiem had 81 per cent of returns in.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The powerful Austrian also smashed 44 winners while De Minaur mustered only 17.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dominic Thiem will now face Russia's Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals for a place in the finals that is scheduled to be held on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The men's semi-finals will take place on Friday.</p>

<p>The disqualification of Novak Djokovic for accidentally hitting a line official with a ball during the last 16 means the US Open will crown a first-time Grand Slam winner this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(Inputs from AFP)</p>


Second-seeded Dominic Thiem thrashed Australia's Alex de Minaur in straight sets Wednesday to reach the US Open semi-finals. Also read: Alexander Zverev beats Borna Coric to reach US Open semi-finals The Austrian ace beat Minaur 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in just 2hr 4min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Second-seeded Dominic Thiem thrashed Australia's Alex de Minaur in straight sets Wednesday to reach the US Open semi-finals. Also read: Alexander Zverev beats Borna Coric to reach US Open semi-finals The Austrian ace beat Minaur 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in just 2hr 4min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. "I had a great feeling from the first moment on," said Thiem, gunning for his first Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows. Also read: Serena battles into US Open quarters as Thiem, Medvedev march on "My feeling was that first set, especially until I broke him for the second time, was really intense, very long rallies. "The first and second set second I guess it looks way easier on the scoresheet than it was actually," he added. In pics: Rollercoaster 2020 for Djokovic: Serbian's controversies that stopped him from becoming 'People's Champion' 27-year-old Thiem smashed 11 aces, whereas, the Aussie managed just one. The Austrian won 83 per cent of first-serve points, while de Minaur, playing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final, could only manage 49 per cent. Thiem had 81 per cent of returns in. The powerful Austrian also smashed 44 winners while De Minaur mustered only 17. Dominic Thiem will now face Russia's Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals for a place in the finals that is scheduled to be held on Sunday. The men's semi-finals will take place on Friday. The disqualification of Novak Djokovic for accidentally hitting a line official with a ball during the last 16 means the US Open will crown a first-time Grand Slam winner this year. (Inputs from AFP)

US Open: Austrian ace Dominic Thiem cruises into semifinals after beating de Minaur

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<p>Serena Williams battled into a US Open semi-final showdown with Victoria Azarenka on Wednesday as top men's seeds Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev booked their spots in the last four.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-open-austrian-ace-dominic-thiem-cruises-into-semifinals-after-beating-de-minaur-326438" hreflang="en">US Open: Austrian ace Dominic Thiem cruises into semifinals after beating de Minaur</a></p>

<p>Williams, seeded third, came from a set down to overcome unseeded Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova and keep alive her bid for a 24th singles Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.</p>

<p>Later, Azarenka blew away Belgium's Elise Mertens as she continues her hunt for a first Grand Slam title in seven years.</p>

<p>Williams' comeback included two astonishing shots with her left hand that contributed to winning points.</p>

<p>"At that point I was fighting so hard. I was just trying to do everything I can whether righty or lefty," she said.</p>

<p>A sluggish start saw the American lose the first 6-4, but she fought back to take the next two 6-3, 6-2, in 2hr 12min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.</p>

<p>"I never give up and you know I just gotta keep going," Williams added.</p>

<p>Williams smashed 20 aces, the most she has had in eight years, taking her tally for the tournament to 64 so far.</p>

<p>The record for the most number of aces in a US Open in the women's singles is 70, set by Williams in 1999 when she won for the first time.</p>

<p>"Sometimes when I'm serving, I just tell myself, I don't care if my arm falls off, I'm going to keep serving," she said.</p>

<p>Williams is looking to match Margaret Court's record for the most number of singles Grand Slam wins.</p>

<p>It has been more than three years since she won her 23rd at the 2017 Australian Open -- when she was already pregnant with daughter Olympia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Williams has come close since, reaching four major finals only to come away empty handed.</p>

<p>In the last four she will renew her rivalry with former world number Azarenka who demolished Mertens 6-1, 6-0 in just 1hr 13 min.</p>

<p>Williams defeated Azarenka in the final of the US Open in 2012 and 2013.</p>

<p>The last few years of Azarenka's career have been interrupted by a custody battle over her son who was born in 2016.</p>

<p>Azarenka said she found it "hard to accept losses" when she was young and at the top of her game, but was now benefiting from a more philosophical attitude.</p>

<p>"I enjoy the moment no matter what it is. I take life as it comes," Azarenka told reporters.</p>

<p>"It took me a long road to come here with a lot of struggles, a lot of understanding, forcing me to find this route, this path, if you can say that. But I'm here and I'm happy."</p>

<p>In the men's draw, Russia's third seed Medvedev downed compatriot and childhood friend Andrey Rublev 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).</p>

<p>Twenty-two-year-old Rublev raced to a 5-1 lead in the first-set tie-break before Medvedev, last year's US Open runner-up, hauled back to win it 8-6 with an ace.</p>

<p>Medvedev, 24, smashed 16 aces and won 89 percent of first-serve points. He made 75 percent of returns to Rublev's 54 percent.</p>

<p>"One point decided two sets so it was a really tough match and Andrey was playing unbelievable actually," Medvedev said.</p>

<p>Medvedev will play second seed Thiem who demolished Australia's Alex de Minaur, seeded 21st, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.</p>

<p>"I had a great feeling from the first moment on," said the Austrian.</p>

<p>Fifth seed Alexander Zverev of Germany faces Spain's 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta in the competition's other semi-final.</p>

<p>The disqualification of Novak Djokovic for accidentally hitting a line official with a ball during the last 16 means the US Open will crown a first-time Grand Slam winner on Sunday.</p>


Serena Williams battled into a US Open semi-final showdown with Victoria Azarenka on Wednesday as top men's seeds Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev booked their spots in the last four.

Serena Williams battled into a US Open semi-final showdown with Victoria Azarenka on Wednesday as top men's seeds Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev booked their spots in the last four. Also read: US Open: Austrian ace Dominic Thiem cruises into semifinals after beating de Minaur Williams, seeded third, came from a set down to overcome unseeded Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova and keep alive her bid for a 24th singles Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows. Later, Azarenka blew away Belgium's Elise Mertens as she continues her hunt for a first Grand Slam title in seven years. Williams' comeback included two astonishing shots with her left hand that contributed to winning points. "At that point I was fighting so hard. I was just trying to do everything I can whether righty or lefty," she said. A sluggish start saw the American lose the first 6-4, but she fought back to take the next two 6-3, 6-2, in 2hr 12min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. "I never give up and you know I just gotta keep going," Williams added. Williams smashed 20 aces, the most she has had in eight years, taking her tally for the tournament to 64 so far. The record for the most number of aces in a US Open in the women's singles is 70, set by Williams in 1999 when she won for the first time. "Sometimes when I'm serving, I just tell myself, I don't care if my arm falls off, I'm going to keep serving," she said. Williams is looking to match Margaret Court's record for the most number of singles Grand Slam wins. It has been more than three years since she won her 23rd at the 2017 Australian Open -- when she was already pregnant with daughter Olympia. Williams has come close since, reaching four major finals only to come away empty handed. In the last four she will renew her rivalry with former world number Azarenka who demolished Mertens 6-1, 6-0 in just 1hr 13 min. Williams defeated Azarenka in the final of the US Open in 2012 and 2013. The last few years of Azarenka's career have been interrupted by a custody battle over her son who was born in 2016. Azarenka said she found it "hard to accept losses" when she was young and at the top of her game, but was now benefiting from a more philosophical attitude. "I enjoy the moment no matter what it is. I take life as it comes," Azarenka told reporters. "It took me a long road to come here with a lot of struggles, a lot of understanding, forcing me to find this route, this path, if you can say that. But I'm here and I'm happy." In the men's draw, Russia's third seed Medvedev downed compatriot and childhood friend Andrey Rublev 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5). Twenty-two-year-old Rublev raced to a 5-1 lead in the first-set tie-break before Medvedev, last year's US Open runner-up, hauled back to win it 8-6 with an ace. Medvedev, 24, smashed 16 aces and won 89 percent of first-serve points. He made 75 percent of returns to Rublev's 54 percent. "One point decided two sets so it was a really tough match and Andrey was playing unbelievable actually," Medvedev said. Medvedev will play second seed Thiem who demolished Australia's Alex de Minaur, seeded 21st, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. "I had a great feeling from the first moment on," said the Austrian. Fifth seed Alexander Zverev of Germany faces Spain's 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta in the competition's other semi-final. The disqualification of Novak Djokovic for accidentally hitting a line official with a ball during the last 16 means the US Open will crown a first-time Grand Slam winner on Sunday.

Serena Williams moves into US Open semi-finals

<p>Serbian ace and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic urged his fans to support the lineswoman, who was hit in the throat by a ball bashed away in anger by the player. He said that she had "done nothing wrong at all".</p>

<p><strong>Also&nbsp;read:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/djokovics-disqualification-reminds-many-of-john-mcenroe-during-1990-australian-open-325667" hreflang="en">Djokovic's disqualification reminds many of John McEnroe during 1990 Australian Open</a></strong></p>

<p>Critics on social media alleged that the line judge had exaggerated the extent of her injury when she fell to the ground gasping and appeared to have trouble breathing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 33-year-old took to Twitter and said: "Please also remember the linesperson that was hit by the ball last night needs our community's support too."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-top-seed-novak-djokovic-disqualified-from-us-open-after-hitting-judge-with-ball-325614" hreflang="en">Watch: Top-seed Novak Djokovic disqualified from US Open after hitting judge with ball</a></strong></p>

<p>"She's done nothing wrong at all. I ask you to stay especially supportive and caring to her during this time."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dear <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoleFam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoleFam</a> thank you for your positive messages.. Please also remember the linesperson that was hit by the ball last night needs our community’s support too. She’s done nothing wrong at all. I ask you to stay especially supportive and caring to her during this time. (1/2)</p>
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) <a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole/status/1303119645885562880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Novak Djokovic was sensationally disqualified from the US Open on Sunday after striking a female lines official in the throat with a ball.</p>

<p><strong>In pics:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rollercoaster-2020-for-djokovic-serbians-controversies-that-stopped-him-from-becoming-peoples-champion-325688">Rollercoaster 2020 for Djokovic: Serbian's controversies that stopped him from becoming 'People's Champion'</a></p>

<p>The Serbian pulled the ball from his pocket and smashed it in disgust in the direction of the official as he went 5-6 down in the first set to Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ball hit the official with a considerable force that she was left gasping and coughing. She fell in the Arthur Ashe court clutching her throat.</p>

<p>Djokovic rushed over to check that she was okay. He put his hand on her shoulder as she appeared to be struggling to catch her breath.</p>

<p>The umpire declared that Carreno Busta had won by default after a ten minutes discussion with the Serbian and rules officials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement on Instagram just hours after his sensational exit in New York, the Serbian world number one said he had been left "really sad and empty" by the controversy.</p>


Serbian ace and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic urged his fans to support the lineswoman, who was hit in the throat by a ball bashed away in anger by the player. He said that she had "done nothing wrong at all".

Serbian ace and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic urged his fans to support the lineswoman, who was hit in the throat by a ball bashed away in anger by the player. He said that she had "done nothing wrong at all". Also read: Djokovic's disqualification reminds many of John McEnroe during 1990 Australian Open Critics on social media alleged that the line judge had exaggerated the extent of her injury when she fell to the ground gasping and appeared to have trouble breathing. The 33-year-old took to Twitter and said: "Please also remember the linesperson that was hit by the ball last night needs our community's support too." Also read: Watch: Top-seed Novak Djokovic disqualified from US Open after hitting judge with ball "She's done nothing wrong at all. I ask you to stay especially supportive and caring to her during this time." Dear #NoleFam thank you for your positive messages.. Please also remember the linesperson that was hit by the ball last night needs our community’s support too. She’s done nothing wrong at all. I ask you to stay especially supportive and caring to her during this time. (1/2) — Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) September 7, 2020 × Novak Djokovic was sensationally disqualified from the US Open on Sunday after striking a female lines official in the throat with a ball. In pics: Rollercoaster 2020 for Djokovic: Serbian's controversies that stopped him from becoming 'People's Champion' The Serbian pulled the ball from his pocket and smashed it in disgust in the direction of the official as he went 5-6 down in the first set to Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta. The ball hit the official with a considerable force that she was left gasping and coughing. She fell in the Arthur Ashe court clutching her throat. Djokovic rushed over to check that she was okay. He put his hand on her shoulder as she appeared to be struggling to catch her breath. The umpire declared that Carreno Busta had won by default after a ten minutes discussion with the Serbian and rules officials. In a statement on Instagram just hours after his sensational exit in New York, the Serbian world number one said he had been left "really sad and empty" by the controversy.

Novak Djokovic asks his fans to 'support' line judge after critics troll her

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<p>Sofia Kenin, the highest-seeded player left in the tournament and winner of the 2020 Australian Open, crashed out of the US Open on Monday after being beaten in straight sets by Belgian ace Elise Mertens.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>In pics:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rollercoaster-2020-for-djokovic-serbians-controversies-that-stopped-him-from-becoming-peoples-champion-325688" hreflang="en">Rollercoaster 2020 for Djokovic: Serbian's controversies that stopped him from becoming 'People's Champion'</a></p>

<p>Second-seeded American was beaten withing 1hr and 14 minutes. She lost the last 16 6-3, 6-3.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lessons-that-can-be-learned-from-djokovics-us-open-disqualification-325841" hreflang="en">Lessons that can be learned from Djokovic's US Open disqualification</a></p>

<p>Kenin had not lost a game in the first three rounds, but she never got her service game together against Mertens.</p>

<p>Sofia Kenin got just 56 per cent of first-serve points as compared to 75 per cent for Mertens.</p>

<p>Mertens hit no double faults, whereas, the 21-year-old hit three.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/djokovics-disqualification-reminds-many-of-john-mcenroe-during-1990-australian-open-325667" hreflang="en">Djokovic's disqualification reminds many of John McEnroe during 1990 Australian Open</a></p>

<p>Mertens, ranked 18th in the world, smashed eight aces, while Kenin failed to muster any.</p>

<p>The Belgian will now face Belarus' Victoria Azarenka in the Quarterfinals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Unseeded Azarenka defeated 20th seed Karolina Muchova 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 in 2hr 30min.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Inputs from AFP)</em></p>


Sofia Kenin, the highest-seeded player left in the tournament and winner of the 2020 Australian Open, crashed out of the US Open on Monday after being beaten in straight sets by Belgian ace Elise Mertens.

Sofia Kenin, the highest-seeded player left in the tournament and winner of the 2020 Australian Open, crashed out of the US Open on Monday after being beaten in straight sets by Belgian ace Elise Mertens. In pics: Rollercoaster 2020 for Djokovic: Serbian's controversies that stopped him from becoming 'People's Champion' Second-seeded American was beaten withing 1hr and 14 minutes. She lost the last 16 6-3, 6-3. Also read: Lessons that can be learned from Djokovic's US Open disqualification Kenin had not lost a game in the first three rounds, but she never got her service game together against Mertens. Sofia Kenin got just 56 per cent of first-serve points as compared to 75 per cent for Mertens. Mertens hit no double faults, whereas, the 21-year-old hit three. Also read: Djokovic's disqualification reminds many of John McEnroe during 1990 Australian Open Mertens, ranked 18th in the world, smashed eight aces, while Kenin failed to muster any. The Belgian will now face Belarus' Victoria Azarenka in the Quarterfinals. Unseeded Azarenka defeated 20th seed Karolina Muchova 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 in 2hr 30min. (Inputs from AFP)

US Open: Highest seeded Sofia Kenin ousted by Belgium's Mertens in straight sets

You may agree or disagree with the disqualification Novak Djokovic at the U.S. open. But, there is a lesson to learn for everyone - the importance of staying calm.

Gravitas: Food for thought: The need to stay calm

<p>Australian tennis ace Nick Kyrgios trolled 17-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic by opening a Twitter poll on Monday asking how many years he would be banned if he had hit an official with a ball.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-top-seed-novak-djokovic-disqualified-from-us-open-after-hitting-judge-with-ball-325614" hreflang="en">Watch: Top-seed Novak Djokovic disqualified from US Open after hitting judge with ball</a></p>

<p>The Aussie posted this poll after the Serbian was disqualified from the US Open for hitting a woman line judge in the throat with a ball bashed away in disgust after losing his serve.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Swap me for jokers incident. ‘Accidentally hitting the ball kid in the throat’ how many years would I be banned for?</p>
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1302724712871518208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Recently, Kyrgios lashed out at the World No 1 over his Adria Tour exhibition series where Djokovic along with several players contracted coronavirus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kyrgios himself has been hit with the 16-week ban last year for a series of on-court outbursts, jumped onto social media to ask his followers what would happen if he had hit the line judge.</p>

<p>"Swap me for jokers incident," he said, using Djokovic's nickname.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"'Accidentally hitting the ball kid in the throat.' How many years would I be banned for?" asked the Australian.</p>

<p>There were five options in the poll, 10 or 20 years with the poll attracting more than 60,000 answers in its first hour, with the majority voting for 20 years.</p>

<p>Most of the netizens took Kyrgios' tweet as a light-hearted dig at, while some were not impressed.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It’s hilarious when it’s the mediocre players who always chime in.</p>
— Al Dente (@dystopianbloke) <a href="https://twitter.com/dystopianbloke/status/1302786916912230401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pathetic</p>
— PK (@pekaaaj) <a href="https://twitter.com/pekaaaj/status/1302724756593160199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">C’mon man, everyone knows hurting racquets is far worse than hurting people</p>
— Matt Gambardella (@MGambardella13) <a href="https://twitter.com/MGambardella13/status/1302724889225441282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Australian tennis ace Nick Kyrgios trolled 17-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic by opening a Twitter poll on Monday asking how many years he would be banned if he had hit an official with a ball.

Australian tennis ace Nick Kyrgios trolled 17-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic by opening a Twitter poll on Monday asking how many years he would be banned if he had hit an official with a ball. Also read: Watch: Top-seed Novak Djokovic disqualified from US Open after hitting judge with ball The Aussie posted this poll after the Serbian was disqualified from the US Open for hitting a woman line judge in the throat with a ball bashed away in disgust after losing his serve. Swap me for jokers incident. ‘Accidentally hitting the ball kid in the throat’ how many years would I be banned for? — Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) September 6, 2020 × Recently, Kyrgios lashed out at the World No 1 over his Adria Tour exhibition series where Djokovic along with several players contracted coronavirus. Kyrgios himself has been hit with the 16-week ban last year for a series of on-court outbursts, jumped onto social media to ask his followers what would happen if he had hit the line judge. "Swap me for jokers incident," he said, using Djokovic's nickname. "'Accidentally hitting the ball kid in the throat.' How many years would I be banned for?" asked the Australian. There were five options in the poll, 10 or 20 years with the poll attracting more than 60,000 answers in its first hour, with the majority voting for 20 years. Most of the netizens took Kyrgios' tweet as a light-hearted dig at, while some were not impressed. It’s hilarious when it’s the mediocre players who always chime in. — Al Dente (@dystopianbloke) September 7, 2020 × Pathetic — PK (@pekaaaj) September 6, 2020 × C’mon man, everyone knows hurting racquets is far worse than hurting people — Matt Gambardella (@MGambardella13) September 6, 2020 ×

'Swap me for jokers incident': Nick Kyrgios takes dig at Djokovic over US Open disqualification

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<p>Serbian tennis ace and World No 1 Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open on Sunday after striking a female lines official in the throat with a ball.</p>

<p>The Serbian pulled the ball from his pocket and smashed it in disgust in the direction of the official as he went 5-6 down in the first set to Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Oh my god, Djokovic got disqualified from the US Open.<a href="https://t.co/yCo3Lqw0tg">pic.twitter.com/yCo3Lqw0tg</a></p>
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1302702704028979200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The ball hit the official with a considerable force that she was left gasping and coughing. She fell in the Arthur Ashe court clutching her throat.</p>

<p>Djokovic rushed over to check that she was okay. He put his hand on her shoulder as she appeared to be struggling to catch her breath.</p>

<p>After a few minutes, she got up and walked off the court.</p>

<p>The umpire declared that Carreno Busta had won by default after a ten minutes discussion with the Serbian and rules officials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement on Instagram just hours after his sensational exit in New York, the Serbian world number one said he had been left "really sad and empty" by the controversy.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CE0AzAOH2cp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. I‘m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I’m not disclosing her name to respect her privacy. As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being. I apologize to the @usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behavior. I’m very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. Thank you and I’m so sorry. Cela ova situacija me čini zaista tužnim i praznim. Proverio sam kako se oseća linijski sudija, i prema informacijama koje sam dobio, oseća se dobro, hvala Bogu. Njeno ime ne mogu da otkrijem zbog očuvanja njene privatnosti. Jako mi je žao što sam joj naneo takav stres. Nije bilo namerno. Bilo je pogrešno. Želim da ovo neprijatno iskustvo, diskvalifikaciju sa turnira, pretvorim u važnu životnu lekciju, kako bih nastavio da rastem i razvijam se kao čovek, ali i teniser. Izvinjavam se organizatorima US Opena. Veoma sam zahvalan svom timu i porodici što mi pružaju snažnu podršku, kao i mojim navijačima jer su uvek uz mene. Hvala vam i žao mi je. Bio je ovo težak dan za sve.</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/djokernole/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Novak Djokovic</a> (@djokernole) on <time datetime="2020-09-06T22:58:31+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Sep 6, 2020 at 3:58pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>"This whole situation has left me really sad and empty," Djokovic said in a statement on Instagram. "I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I'm extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong."</p>

<p>Djokovic, who left Flushing Meadows without speaking to reporters following his exit, said he would try to learn from the incident.</p>

<p>"As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I apologize to the @usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behavior. I'm very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Thank you and I'm so sorry."</p>

<p>After this incident, Novak will lose all ranking points earned at the US Open and fined $250,000 in prize money.</p>

<p>The USTA said Djokovic had been defaulted under the Grand Slam rules for "intentionally hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences."</p>

<p>"Because he was defaulted, Djokovic will lose all ranking points earned at the US Open and will be fined the prize money won at the tournament in addition to any or all fines levied with respect to the offending incident," the USTA said in a statement.</p>

<p><em>(Inputs from AFP)</em></p>


Serbian tennis ace and World No 1 Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open on Sunday after striking a female lines official in the throat with a ball. The Serbian pulled the ball from his pocket and smashed it in disgust in the direction of the official as he went 5-6 down in the first set to Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta.

Serbian tennis ace and World No 1 Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open on Sunday after striking a female lines official in the throat with a ball. The Serbian pulled the ball from his pocket and smashed it in disgust in the direction of the official as he went 5-6 down in the first set to Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta. Oh my god, Djokovic got disqualified from the US Open.pic.twitter.com/yCo3Lqw0tg — Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 6, 2020 × The ball hit the official with a considerable force that she was left gasping and coughing. She fell in the Arthur Ashe court clutching her throat. Djokovic rushed over to check that she was okay. He put his hand on her shoulder as she appeared to be struggling to catch her breath. After a few minutes, she got up and walked off the court. The umpire declared that Carreno Busta had won by default after a ten minutes discussion with the Serbian and rules officials. In a statement on Instagram just hours after his sensational exit in New York, the Serbian world number one said he had been left "really sad and empty" by the controversy. View this post on Instagram This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. I‘m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I’m not disclosing her name to respect her privacy. As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being. I apologize to the @usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behavior. I’m very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. Thank you and I’m so sorry. Cela ova situacija me čini zaista tužnim i praznim. Proverio sam kako se oseća linijski sudija, i prema informacijama koje sam dobio, oseća se dobro, hvala Bogu. Njeno ime ne mogu da otkrijem zbog očuvanja njene privatnosti. Jako mi je žao što sam joj naneo takav stres. Nije bilo namerno. Bilo je pogrešno. Želim da ovo neprijatno iskustvo, diskvalifikaciju sa turnira, pretvorim u važnu životnu lekciju, kako bih nastavio da rastem i razvijam se kao čovek, ali i teniser. Izvinjavam se organizatorima US Opena. Veoma sam zahvalan svom timu i porodici što mi pružaju snažnu podršku, kao i mojim navijačima jer su uvek uz mene. Hvala vam i žao mi je. Bio je ovo težak dan za sve. A post shared by Novak Djokovic (@djokernole) on Sep 6, 2020 at 3:58pm PDT × "This whole situation has left me really sad and empty," Djokovic said in a statement on Instagram. "I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. "I'm extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong." Djokovic, who left Flushing Meadows without speaking to reporters following his exit, said he would try to learn from the incident. "As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being," he said. "I apologize to the @usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behavior. I'm very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. "Thank you and I'm so sorry." After this incident, Novak will lose all ranking points earned at the US Open and fined $250,000 in prize money. The USTA said Djokovic had been defaulted under the Grand Slam rules for "intentionally hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences." "Because he was defaulted, Djokovic will lose all ranking points earned at the US Open and will be fined the prize money won at the tournament in addition to any or all fines levied with respect to the offending incident," the USTA said in a statement. (Inputs from AFP)

Watch: Top-seed Novak Djokovic disqualified from US Open after hitting judge with ball

<p>Djokovic's sensational disqualification reminded many of American tennis player John McEnroe's infamous incident during the 1990 Australian Grand Slam.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-top-seed-novak-djokovic-disqualified-from-us-open-after-hitting-judge-with-ball-325614" hreflang="en">Watch: Top-seed Novak Djokovic disqualified from US Open after hitting judge with ball</a></p>

<p>Tennis legend John McEnroe was a dominating icon in the professional sport during the 1980s. He won three Wimbledon and four US Open titles between 1979 and 1984, against such formidable opponents as Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During his illustrious career, the American won 17 Grand Slams including nine in men’s doubles and one in mixed doubles. However, he was known as "Superbrat" because of constant arguments and badmouthing of umpires and linesmen and one such incident led him to disqualification during Australian Open.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>On January 21, 1990, he was playing against Sweden's Mikael Pernfors. McEnroe won the first set easily but Pernfors won the second set. After the players traded service breaks in the third, McEnroe led 2-1. And during the changeover, he stood in front of the lineswoman and glared at her for what he thought made a bad call.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The chair umpire at that time, Gerry Armstrong, &nbsp;gave American ace McEnroe a conduct code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the things escalated during the seventh game of the fourth set. McEnroe was leading in the match with 6-1, 4-6, 7-5, 2-4. He threw his racket to the ground, where it bounced on the court's hard surface. The chair umpire called another code violation, for racket abuse, and McEnroe started swearing at him. Ken Farrar, the Grand Slam chief of supervisors arrived and spoke with McEnroe, whose continued complaints and swears were audible to spectators and TV viewers. With Farrar’s authorization, Armstrong called a third and final code violation: "Default Mr. McEnroe. Game, set, match."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/swap-me-for-jokers-incident-nick-kyrgios-takes-dig-at-djokovic-over-us-open-disqualification-325653" hreflang="en">'Swap me for jokers incident': Nick Kyrgios takes dig at Djokovic over US Open disqualification</a></p>

<p>McEnroe became the first man since 1963 to get disqualified in Grand Slam for misconduct.&nbsp;</p>

<p>'Apologetic' Djokovic's ball hit the official with a considerable force that she was left gasping and coughing during his match Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta. It made Djokovic one of a handful of players to be defaulted from the men's singles tournament of a Grand Slam since John McEnroe was infamously tossed from the Australian Open in 1990.</p>


Djokovic's sensational disqualification reminded many of American tennis player John McEnroe's infamous incident during the 1990 Australian Grand Slam. Also read: Watch: Top-seed Novak Djokovic disqualified from US Open after hitting judge with ball Tennis legend John McEnroe was a dominating icon in the professional sport during the 1980s.

Djokovic's sensational disqualification reminded many of American tennis player John McEnroe's infamous incident during the 1990 Australian Grand Slam. Also read: Watch: Top-seed Novak Djokovic disqualified from US Open after hitting judge with ball Tennis legend John McEnroe was a dominating icon in the professional sport during the 1980s. He won three Wimbledon and four US Open titles between 1979 and 1984, against such formidable opponents as Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl. During his illustrious career, the American won 17 Grand Slams including nine in men’s doubles and one in mixed doubles. However, he was known as "Superbrat" because of constant arguments and badmouthing of umpires and linesmen and one such incident led him to disqualification during Australian Open. × On January 21, 1990, he was playing against Sweden's Mikael Pernfors. McEnroe won the first set easily but Pernfors won the second set. After the players traded service breaks in the third, McEnroe led 2-1. And during the changeover, he stood in front of the lineswoman and glared at her for what he thought made a bad call. The chair umpire at that time, Gerry Armstrong, gave American ace McEnroe a conduct code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. However, the things escalated during the seventh game of the fourth set. McEnroe was leading in the match with 6-1, 4-6, 7-5, 2-4. He threw his racket to the ground, where it bounced on the court's hard surface. The chair umpire called another code violation, for racket abuse, and McEnroe started swearing at him. Ken Farrar, the Grand Slam chief of supervisors arrived and spoke with McEnroe, whose continued complaints and swears were audible to spectators and TV viewers. With Farrar’s authorization, Armstrong called a third and final code violation: "Default Mr. McEnroe. Game, set, match." Also read: 'Swap me for jokers incident': Nick Kyrgios takes dig at Djokovic over US Open disqualification McEnroe became the first man since 1963 to get disqualified in Grand Slam for misconduct. 'Apologetic' Djokovic's ball hit the official with a considerable force that she was left gasping and coughing during his match Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta. It made Djokovic one of a handful of players to be defaulted from the men's singles tournament of a Grand Slam since John McEnroe was infamously tossed from the Australian Open in 1990.

Djokovic's disqualification reminds many of John McEnroe during 1990 Australian Open

Rollercoaster 2020 for Djokovic: Serbian's controversies that stopped him from becoming 'People's Champion'

<p>Naomi Osaka sailed into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday, demolishing Italy's Camila Giorgi in straight sets.</p>

<p>Japanese fourth seed Osaka needed only 1hr 9min to swat aside Giorgi, the world number 74, winning 6-1, 6-2.</p>

<p>Osaka, the 2018 US Open champion, will now play Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the last 32 on Friday.</p>

<p>Osaka said she had set out to dominate her hard-hitting Italian opponent from out outset.</p>

<p>"I never want to depend on what the other person's going to do," Osaka said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Even if I play a power player, for me, my goal is to be the dictator. I think that I was able to do that quite well. I think when she was hitting really hard, I was able to neutralize. When I had the chance, I went for the ball that I wanted.</p>

<p>"I definitely played I think the best out of the two weeks that I've been here today."</p>

<p>The 22-year-old Osaka had entered the tournament with concerns over her fitness after withdrawing from the final of the Western &amp; Southern Open last week.</p>

<p>Her weary body was given a thorough test in her first round match on Monday, when compatriot Misaki Doi took her to three sets.</p>

<p>However there was no sign of fatigue from Osaka on Wednesday as she romped to victory with tightly disciplined display.</p>

<p>In all, Osaka finished with 14 winners and only 11 unforced errors in the win.</p>

<p>Her powerful service game also looked in good order, with Osaka winning 79% of points on her first serve.</p>

<p>Osaka entered the Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing a facemask emblazoned with the name of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old African-American man who died in police custody last year after being placed in a chokehold and injected with a sedative.</p>

<p>"For me, I think when I heard about his story it was very hurtful," Osaka said of McClain. "I mean, they're all very hurtful, but just the fact of the character and the way that he was, just to hear stories about him, for me it was very sad. Today was very special in the way that I wanted to represent him very well."</p>

<p>Osaka, an activist against racism and police brutality, says she plans to wear different masks honoring victims of social injustice throughout the tournament.</p>


Naomi Osaka sailed into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday, demolishing Italy's Camila Giorgi in straight sets. Japanese fourth seed Osaka needed only 1hr 9min to swat aside Giorgi, the world number 74, winning 6-1, 6-2.

Naomi Osaka sailed into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday, demolishing Italy's Camila Giorgi in straight sets. Japanese fourth seed Osaka needed only 1hr 9min to swat aside Giorgi, the world number 74, winning 6-1, 6-2. Osaka, the 2018 US Open champion, will now play Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the last 32 on Friday. Osaka said she had set out to dominate her hard-hitting Italian opponent from out outset. "I never want to depend on what the other person's going to do," Osaka said. "Even if I play a power player, for me, my goal is to be the dictator. I think that I was able to do that quite well. I think when she was hitting really hard, I was able to neutralize. When I had the chance, I went for the ball that I wanted. "I definitely played I think the best out of the two weeks that I've been here today." The 22-year-old Osaka had entered the tournament with concerns over her fitness after withdrawing from the final of the Western & Southern Open last week. Her weary body was given a thorough test in her first round match on Monday, when compatriot Misaki Doi took her to three sets. However there was no sign of fatigue from Osaka on Wednesday as she romped to victory with tightly disciplined display. In all, Osaka finished with 14 winners and only 11 unforced errors in the win. Her powerful service game also looked in good order, with Osaka winning 79% of points on her first serve. Osaka entered the Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing a facemask emblazoned with the name of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old African-American man who died in police custody last year after being placed in a chokehold and injected with a sedative. "For me, I think when I heard about his story it was very hurtful," Osaka said of McClain. "I mean, they're all very hurtful, but just the fact of the character and the way that he was, just to hear stories about him, for me it was very sad. Today was very special in the way that I wanted to represent him very well." Osaka, an activist against racism and police brutality, says she plans to wear different masks honoring victims of social injustice throughout the tournament.

Osaka sails into third round as Giorgi beaten

<p>World number one Novak Djokovic takes on Britain's Kyle Edmund on Wednesday for a place in the third round of the behind-closed-doors US Open in New York.</p>

<p>The Serbian will go up against the unseeded Brit before an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium on day three at Flushing Meadows.</p>

<p>Djokovic is chasing an 18th Grand Slam title at the Billie Jean US National Tennis Center.</p>

<p>He is looking to close the gap on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both absent from the tournament, in the race for the all-time men's Slam singles title record.</p>

<p>Djokovic is on 17, with Nadal on 19 and Federer on 20.</p>

<p>"I had some really good matches against him in the past, Wimbledon, tough four-setter a few years ago," Djokovic said of Edmund following his straight-sets first-round win on Monday.</p>

<p>"He doesn't feel so much pressure I think playing on the big court. He actually likes the challenge. I have a lot of respect for him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"He's a really hard worker, puts a lot of hours on and off the court into perfecting his game," Djokovic added.</p>

<p>Also Wednesday, the number one women's seed Karolina Pliskova does battle with France's Caroline Garcia.</p>

<p>Pliskova was propelled to the top of the draw by the decisions of world number one Ashleigh Barty and the second-ranked Simona Halep to skip the event because of coronavirus fears.</p>

<p>The US Open is taking place in a spectator-free bubble, resulting in a staid atmosphere in contrast with the usual frenetic energy that pervades the grounds of the tennis center during Open week.</p>

<p>Also Wednesday, Naomi Osaka, two-time Grad Slam winner and now passionate advocate for racial justice in America, returns to the court for a second-round matchup against Italy's lowly-ranked Camila Giorgi.</p>

<p>In the men's competition, fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas plays US wild card Maxime Cressy for a spot in the third round.</p>


World number one Novak Djokovic takes on Britain's Kyle Edmund on Wednesday for a place in the third round of the behind-closed-doors US Open in New York. The Serbian will go up against the unseeded Brit before an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium on day three at Flushing Meadows.

World number one Novak Djokovic takes on Britain's Kyle Edmund on Wednesday for a place in the third round of the behind-closed-doors US Open in New York. The Serbian will go up against the unseeded Brit before an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium on day three at Flushing Meadows. Djokovic is chasing an 18th Grand Slam title at the Billie Jean US National Tennis Center. He is looking to close the gap on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both absent from the tournament, in the race for the all-time men's Slam singles title record. Djokovic is on 17, with Nadal on 19 and Federer on 20. "I had some really good matches against him in the past, Wimbledon, tough four-setter a few years ago," Djokovic said of Edmund following his straight-sets first-round win on Monday. "He doesn't feel so much pressure I think playing on the big court. He actually likes the challenge. I have a lot of respect for him. "He's a really hard worker, puts a lot of hours on and off the court into perfecting his game," Djokovic added. Also Wednesday, the number one women's seed Karolina Pliskova does battle with France's Caroline Garcia. Pliskova was propelled to the top of the draw by the decisions of world number one Ashleigh Barty and the second-ranked Simona Halep to skip the event because of coronavirus fears. The US Open is taking place in a spectator-free bubble, resulting in a staid atmosphere in contrast with the usual frenetic energy that pervades the grounds of the tennis center during Open week. Also Wednesday, Naomi Osaka, two-time Grad Slam winner and now passionate advocate for racial justice in America, returns to the court for a second-round matchup against Italy's lowly-ranked Camila Giorgi. In the men's competition, fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas plays US wild card Maxime Cressy for a spot in the third round.

Top seeds Djokovic, Pliskova headline US Open day three

<p>Sumit Nagal, who became the first Indian to win a singles match at the U.S. Open in seven years when he beat Bradley Klahn on Tuesday, is counting on his underdog status to give him a mental edge against his next opponent, second seed Dominic Thiem.</p>

<p>Somdev Devvarman was the last Indian to get past the first round at Flushing Meadows in 2013 until Nagal beat American Klahn 6-1 6-3 3-6 6-1 to advance in New York.</p>

<p>Nagal, who took a set off Roger Federer during a first round defeat on his Grand Slam debut at Flushing Meadows last year, said he was excited by the prospect of locking horns with Australian Open finalist Thiem in Thursday’s second round.</p>

<p>“I’ve got nothing to lose,” the 23-year-old told reporters. “Last year I played Roger Federer and this year Thiem. It’s going to be a great match. For sure, I’m not the favourite.”</p>

<p>Nagal believes the shortage of matches for both players due to the COVID-19 pandemic could help level the playing field against the Austrian world number three.</p>

<p>“I don’t think we’ve had enough match practice on hard courts,” added Nagal, who is ranked 124th. “It’s going to be the same for both of us for the match on Thursday.”</p>

<p>With player movements being restricted due to safety protocols put in place by U.S. Open organisers, Nagal’s plans to get a bit of sightseeing done have taken a hit, and he will spend his down time playing video games instead.</p>

<p>“I’m a guy who likes to stay in as much as possible but... you do feel it a bit,” he said. “I wish I could go out and see the buildings, walk on the streets of New York.</p>

<p>“I’ll be on my normal routine... Probably play a game or two on my computer.”</p>


Sumit Nagal, who became the first Indian to win a singles match at the U.S. Open in seven years when he beat Bradley Klahn on Tuesday, is counting on his underdog status to give him a mental edge against his next opponent, second seed Dominic Thiem.

Sumit Nagal, who became the first Indian to win a singles match at the U.S. Open in seven years when he beat Bradley Klahn on Tuesday, is counting on his underdog status to give him a mental edge against his next opponent, second seed Dominic Thiem. Somdev Devvarman was the last Indian to get past the first round at Flushing Meadows in 2013 until Nagal beat American Klahn 6-1 6-3 3-6 6-1 to advance in New York. Nagal, who took a set off Roger Federer during a first round defeat on his Grand Slam debut at Flushing Meadows last year, said he was excited by the prospect of locking horns with Australian Open finalist Thiem in Thursday’s second round. “I’ve got nothing to lose,” the 23-year-old told reporters. “Last year I played Roger Federer and this year Thiem. It’s going to be a great match. For sure, I’m not the favourite.” Nagal believes the shortage of matches for both players due to the COVID-19 pandemic could help level the playing field against the Austrian world number three. “I don’t think we’ve had enough match practice on hard courts,” added Nagal, who is ranked 124th. “It’s going to be the same for both of us for the match on Thursday.” With player movements being restricted due to safety protocols put in place by U.S. Open organisers, Nagal’s plans to get a bit of sightseeing done have taken a hit, and he will spend his down time playing video games instead. “I’m a guy who likes to stay in as much as possible but... you do feel it a bit,” he said. “I wish I could go out and see the buildings, walk on the streets of New York. “I’ll be on my normal routine... Probably play a game or two on my computer.”

India's Nagal heads into Thiem challenge with 'nothing to lose'

<p>Venus Williams bowed out of the US Open in the first round for the first time in her professional career on Tuesday, losing in straight sets to Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic.</p>

<p>The 40-year-old Williams, making her 22nd appearance at Flushing Meadows in a career that has spanned four decades, was beaten 6-3, 7-5.</p>

<p>It marked Williams' second consecutive first round defeat at a Grand Slam event after exiting the Australian Open at the same stage in January.</p>

<p>The seven-time Grand Slam champion has not been past the third round at a Slam event since 2017.</p>

<p>Muchova -- who was only one when Williams was playing in her first US Open final in 1997, where she lost to Martina Hingis -- always had the veteran American star on the back foot on Tuesday.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/us-open-serena-continues-bid-for-24th-grand-slam-title-after-round-one-victory-324621">US Open: Serena continues bid for 24th Grand Slam title after round one victory</a></strong></p>

<p>After losing the first set, Williams rallied in the second and opened up a 5-3 lead, seemingly poised to force a third set.</p>

<p>But a string of unforced errors allowed Muchova to roar back into the match and she reeled off four consecutive games to close out the win.</p>

<p>Muchova, the 20th seed, will play unseeded Russian Anna Kalinskaya in the second round.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Venus Williams bowed out of the US Open in the first round for the first time in her professional career on Tuesday, losing in straight sets to Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic.

Venus Williams bowed out of the US Open in the first round for the first time in her professional career on Tuesday, losing in straight sets to Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic. The 40-year-old Williams, making her 22nd appearance at Flushing Meadows in a career that has spanned four decades, was beaten 6-3, 7-5. It marked Williams' second consecutive first round defeat at a Grand Slam event after exiting the Australian Open at the same stage in January. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has not been past the third round at a Slam event since 2017. Muchova -- who was only one when Williams was playing in her first US Open final in 1997, where she lost to Martina Hingis -- always had the veteran American star on the back foot on Tuesday. Also Read | US Open: Serena continues bid for 24th Grand Slam title after round one victory After losing the first set, Williams rallied in the second and opened up a 5-3 lead, seemingly poised to force a third set. But a string of unforced errors allowed Muchova to roar back into the match and she reeled off four consecutive games to close out the win. Muchova, the 20th seed, will play unseeded Russian Anna Kalinskaya in the second round.

Venus out of US Open in first round for first time

<p>Serena Williams took her first step toward a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title on Tuesday (September 1), defeating Kristie Ahn 7-5 6-3 in the first round of the U.S. Open.</p>

<p>Williams got off to a slow start, showing signs of nervousness early in the first set, but kicked her game into high gear in the second, firing off 13 aces and 28 winners during the match and harnessing her powerful return to keep her opponent on the run.</p>

<p>A final serve forced Ahn into an error, as Williams claimed a record 102nd U.S. Open match victory, as she scored her first straight-sets win since the sport was put on a coronavirus hiatus.</p>

<p>Williams, who reached the final of the U.S. Open in her last two campaigns, is gunning for her first Grand Slam title since 2017 to equal Margaret Court's record in a depleted field in which six of the top 10 players are not competing this year.</p>

<p>She next faces Margarita Gasparyan of Russia in the second round.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/venus-out-of-us-open-in-first-round-for-first-time-324619">Venus out of US Open in first round for first time</a></strong></p>

<p>Williams' U.S. compatriot Madison Keys needed just 55 minutes to beat Timea Babos 6-1 6-1 to advance in her opening match as the 2017 finalist looks to claim her elusive first Grand Slam title.</p>

<p>The hard-hitting American won 92% of her first serve points and never faced a break point while playing smothering defense against the overmatched Hungarian.</p>

<p>The 25-year-old Keys, who drew comparisons to 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams when she joined the tour in 2009, has been consistently ranked in the top 25 and won five titles.</p>

<p>But the lack of a Grand Slam title has cast a shadow over her career.</p>

<p>She fell to fellow American and friend Sloane Stephens in the final at Flushing Meadows three years ago, her closest brush with Grand Slam glory.</p>

<p>This year's depleted field could open the door for the seventh seeded Keys, who will face either Jil Teichmann of Switzerland or Aliona Bolsova of Spain in the second round.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Serena Williams took her first step toward a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title on Tuesday (September 1), defeating Kristie Ahn 7-5 6-3 in the first round of the U.

Serena Williams took her first step toward a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title on Tuesday (September 1), defeating Kristie Ahn 7-5 6-3 in the first round of the U.S. Open. Williams got off to a slow start, showing signs of nervousness early in the first set, but kicked her game into high gear in the second, firing off 13 aces and 28 winners during the match and harnessing her powerful return to keep her opponent on the run. A final serve forced Ahn into an error, as Williams claimed a record 102nd U.S. Open match victory, as she scored her first straight-sets win since the sport was put on a coronavirus hiatus. Williams, who reached the final of the U.S. Open in her last two campaigns, is gunning for her first Grand Slam title since 2017 to equal Margaret Court's record in a depleted field in which six of the top 10 players are not competing this year. She next faces Margarita Gasparyan of Russia in the second round. Also Read: Venus out of US Open in first round for first time Williams' U.S. compatriot Madison Keys needed just 55 minutes to beat Timea Babos 6-1 6-1 to advance in her opening match as the 2017 finalist looks to claim her elusive first Grand Slam title. The hard-hitting American won 92% of her first serve points and never faced a break point while playing smothering defense against the overmatched Hungarian. The 25-year-old Keys, who drew comparisons to 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams when she joined the tour in 2009, has been consistently ranked in the top 25 and won five titles. But the lack of a Grand Slam title has cast a shadow over her career. She fell to fellow American and friend Sloane Stephens in the final at Flushing Meadows three years ago, her closest brush with Grand Slam glory. This year's depleted field could open the door for the seventh seeded Keys, who will face either Jil Teichmann of Switzerland or Aliona Bolsova of Spain in the second round.

US Open: Serena continues bid for 24th Grand Slam title after round one victory

<p>Before and after her first-round victory at the U.S. Open, Naomi Osaka wore a mask bearing the name of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman who was fatally shot by police.</p>

<p>It's just one of seven face coverings, each in honor of a different person, that Osaka brought to Flushing Meadows &nbsp;the same number of wins it takes to claim a Grand Slam trophy. The world's highest-earning female athlete hopes she can get the chance to raise awareness about racial injustice by using each mask during her stay in New York.</p>

<p>It's quite sad that seven masks isn't enough for the amount of names, so hopefully I'll get to the finals so you can see all of them,&nbsp;said Osaka, the champion at the 2018 U.S. Open and 2019 Australian Open.</p>

<p>She overcame some uneven play late Monday night to beat 81st-ranked Misaki Doi 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in an all-Japanese matchup in an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium.</p>

<p>The No. 4-seeded Osaka's movement was an issue at times; she is coming off a left hamstring injury that forced her to withdraw from the final of the Western &amp; Southern Open on Saturday.</p>

<p>It was during that tournament last week that Osaka took a public stand by saying she would refuse to play her semifinal, joining athletes in various other sports who walked out to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by a police officer in Wisconsin.</p>

<p>Osaka's move prompted tournament organizers to halt action entirely for a day. When play resumed, Osaka agreed to compete, after all, because the day off for the Western &amp; Southern Open brought additional attention to the issue.</p>

<p>Osaka walked out on court for her match Monday night with a black mask and white lettering with the name of Taylor, a 26-year-old who was fatally shot when police officers burst into her Louisville, Kentucky, apartment using a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation in March.</p>

<p>Osaka put the mask back on for her postmatch interview.</p>

<p>Against Doi, Osaka wound up with 38 unforced errors, 13 more than her winners total. But after a forehand into the net gave the second set to Doi, Osaka quickly went ahead in the third by breaking in the opening game.</p>

<p>Doi never has been past the fourth round at any Grand Slam tournament. She is now 1-8 for her career at the U.S. Open and 0-18 against opponents ranked in the top 10.</p>

<p>Osaka is now 34-1 in Grand Slam matches when taking the first set; the only loss came against Simona Halep at the 2016 French Open.<br />
Next up for her is a match against Camila Giorgi of Italy.</p>

<p>She's very unpredictable for me,&nbsp;Osaka said, so I guess I just have to be on my toes.</p>


Before and after her first-round victory at the U.S. Open, Naomi Osaka wore a mask bearing the name of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman who was fatally shot by police.

Before and after her first-round victory at the U.S. Open, Naomi Osaka wore a mask bearing the name of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman who was fatally shot by police. It's just one of seven face coverings, each in honor of a different person, that Osaka brought to Flushing Meadows the same number of wins it takes to claim a Grand Slam trophy. The world's highest-earning female athlete hopes she can get the chance to raise awareness about racial injustice by using each mask during her stay in New York. It's quite sad that seven masks isn't enough for the amount of names, so hopefully I'll get to the finals so you can see all of them, said Osaka, the champion at the 2018 U.S. Open and 2019 Australian Open. She overcame some uneven play late Monday night to beat 81st-ranked Misaki Doi 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in an all-Japanese matchup in an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium. The No. 4-seeded Osaka's movement was an issue at times; she is coming off a left hamstring injury that forced her to withdraw from the final of the Western & Southern Open on Saturday. It was during that tournament last week that Osaka took a public stand by saying she would refuse to play her semifinal, joining athletes in various other sports who walked out to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by a police officer in Wisconsin. Osaka's move prompted tournament organizers to halt action entirely for a day. When play resumed, Osaka agreed to compete, after all, because the day off for the Western & Southern Open brought additional attention to the issue. Osaka walked out on court for her match Monday night with a black mask and white lettering with the name of Taylor, a 26-year-old who was fatally shot when police officers burst into her Louisville, Kentucky, apartment using a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation in March. Osaka put the mask back on for her postmatch interview. Against Doi, Osaka wound up with 38 unforced errors, 13 more than her winners total. But after a forehand into the net gave the second set to Doi, Osaka quickly went ahead in the third by breaking in the opening game. Doi never has been past the fourth round at any Grand Slam tournament. She is now 1-8 for her career at the U.S. Open and 0-18 against opponents ranked in the top 10. Osaka is now 34-1 in Grand Slam matches when taking the first set; the only loss came against Simona Halep at the 2016 French Open. Next up for her is a match against Camila Giorgi of Italy. She's very unpredictable for me, Osaka said, so I guess I just have to be on my toes.

Tennis ace Naomi Osaka wears mask in memory of Breonna Taylor at US Open

<p>Coco Gauff's hopes of launching another deep run at a Grand Slam ended in the first round at the US Open on Monday, with the US teenager succumbing in three sets to Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova.</p>

<p>Gauff, who created a sensation at Wimbledon last year when she became the youngest player in the tournament's history to qualify for the main draw before reaching the fourth round, was beaten 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.</p>

<p>The 16-year-old former junior world number one from Delray Beach had battled back to level the match against the 31st-seeded Sevastova after dropping the first set.</p>

<p>But after squaring the match by taking the final three games of the second set to win it 7-5, Gauff was soon scrambling to save the match in the third set.</p>

<p>Although Gauff saved three match points, Sevastova eventually closed out the win, converting her fourth match point.</p>

<p>It was a disappointing exit for Gauff, who backed up her fairytale Wimbledon campaign last year by reaching the third round at the US Open before another decent showing at the Australian Open in January, where she exited in the fourth round.</p>

<p>Gauff, a fan favourite at previous Grand Slam appearances, said afterwards she did not think the absence of spectators in New York had hampered her performance.</p>

<p>"I think I compete just as hard with fans or not," she said. "I could have played better today. Just going to get back to work and get ready for the French Open."</p>

<p>However the teenager acknowledged that limited playing opportunities in 2020 due to a tennis calendar upended by COVID-19, had impacted her development.</p>

<p>"The main part that hurt was just getting matches under my belt, getting experience," Gauff said when asked to assess the impact of the coronavirus disruption.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"That's what I need on tour. I'm playing against people older than me who have been in more situations, difficult situations, than I have. I think the biggest thing is I just need experience.</p>

<p>"Right now my plan is just to play as many tournaments as I can, to get matches under my belt. I'm still in doubles here, so I'll be here hopefully till the end. That's the goal."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gauff's long-term ambitions also include winning qualification to play at next year's Tokyo Olympics.</p>

<p>"Definitely a goal of mine to qualify," Gauff said. "Right now I'm just focused on the match ahead, just focusing on the moment now. But obviously that's a goal, to qualify for the Olympics next year."</p>


Coco Gauff's hopes of launching another deep run at a Grand Slam ended in the first round at the US Open on Monday, with the US teenager succumbing in three sets to Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova.

Coco Gauff's hopes of launching another deep run at a Grand Slam ended in the first round at the US Open on Monday, with the US teenager succumbing in three sets to Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova. Gauff, who created a sensation at Wimbledon last year when she became the youngest player in the tournament's history to qualify for the main draw before reaching the fourth round, was beaten 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. The 16-year-old former junior world number one from Delray Beach had battled back to level the match against the 31st-seeded Sevastova after dropping the first set. But after squaring the match by taking the final three games of the second set to win it 7-5, Gauff was soon scrambling to save the match in the third set. Although Gauff saved three match points, Sevastova eventually closed out the win, converting her fourth match point. It was a disappointing exit for Gauff, who backed up her fairytale Wimbledon campaign last year by reaching the third round at the US Open before another decent showing at the Australian Open in January, where she exited in the fourth round. Gauff, a fan favourite at previous Grand Slam appearances, said afterwards she did not think the absence of spectators in New York had hampered her performance. "I think I compete just as hard with fans or not," she said. "I could have played better today. Just going to get back to work and get ready for the French Open." However the teenager acknowledged that limited playing opportunities in 2020 due to a tennis calendar upended by COVID-19, had impacted her development. "The main part that hurt was just getting matches under my belt, getting experience," Gauff said when asked to assess the impact of the coronavirus disruption. "That's what I need on tour. I'm playing against people older than me who have been in more situations, difficult situations, than I have. I think the biggest thing is I just need experience. "Right now my plan is just to play as many tournaments as I can, to get matches under my belt. I'm still in doubles here, so I'll be here hopefully till the end. That's the goal." Gauff's long-term ambitions also include winning qualification to play at next year's Tokyo Olympics. "Definitely a goal of mine to qualify," Gauff said. "Right now I'm just focused on the match ahead, just focusing on the moment now. But obviously that's a goal, to qualify for the Olympics next year."

No Coco-mania as Gauff bows out of US Open

<p>World number one Novak Djokovic's path to a 2020 US Open title could include a semi-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexander Zverev under the tournament draw unveiled Thursday.</p>

<p>The 33-year-old Serbian star, a 17-time Grand Slam winner who has captured five of the past seven men's singles Slam crowns, begins his quest for a fourth US Open title against Bosnia and Herzegovina's 107th-ranked Damir Dzumhur.</p>

<p>Austrian second seed Dominic Thiem, who pushed Djokovic to five sets before falling in this year's Australian Open final, was placed on the opposite end of the bracket, setting up the possibility of a rematch in the championship match on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts.</p>

<p>With fellow "Big Three" players Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer absent, Djokovic has a prime chance to close the gap on his record rivals in a field of 128 that is missing several standouts.</p>

<p>Swiss legend Federer, who is injured, owns a record 20 men's Grand Slam titles with Spaniard Nadal, the 2019 US Open winner, next on 19.</p>

<p>The tournament begins Monday in a spectator-less quarantine bubble at the US National Tennis Center in New York, with COVID-19 testing and other measures designed to safeguard players from the deadly virus that forced Wimbledon to be called off.</p>

<p>Djokovic would meet either Britain's Kyle Edmund or Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik in the second round with US 16th seed John Isner a potential fourth-round foe. His highest-ranked possible quarter-final opponent would be Belgian seventh seed David Goffin.</p>

<p>The other draw quarter in the upper half of the men's bracket has Greek fourth seed Tsitsipas and Germany's fifth-seeded Zverev as possible quarter-final opponents. Each young star is chasing a first Slam crown.</p>

<p>Tsitsipas plays his first match against Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas while Zverev launches his title bid against South African Kevin Anderson.</p>

<p>Thiem opens against Spain's Jaume Munar and has a possible third-round encounter with former US Open winner Marin Cilic.</p>

<p>Another former US Open winner, Britain's Andy Murray, is also in Thiem's quarter of the draw. The Scotsman opens against Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka with Canadian 15th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime a possible second-round opponent.</p>

<p>Also on the bottom half of the draw, Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev, last year's US Open runner-up, opens against Argentina's Federico Delbonis.</p>

<p>The highest-seeded foe in Medvedev's quarter of the draw is Italian sixth seed Matteo Berrettini, whose first opponent will be Japan's Go Soeda.</p>


World number one Novak Djokovic's path to a 2020 US Open title could include a semi-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexander Zverev under the tournament draw unveiled Thursday.

World number one Novak Djokovic's path to a 2020 US Open title could include a semi-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexander Zverev under the tournament draw unveiled Thursday. The 33-year-old Serbian star, a 17-time Grand Slam winner who has captured five of the past seven men's singles Slam crowns, begins his quest for a fourth US Open title against Bosnia and Herzegovina's 107th-ranked Damir Dzumhur. Austrian second seed Dominic Thiem, who pushed Djokovic to five sets before falling in this year's Australian Open final, was placed on the opposite end of the bracket, setting up the possibility of a rematch in the championship match on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts. With fellow "Big Three" players Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer absent, Djokovic has a prime chance to close the gap on his record rivals in a field of 128 that is missing several standouts. Swiss legend Federer, who is injured, owns a record 20 men's Grand Slam titles with Spaniard Nadal, the 2019 US Open winner, next on 19. The tournament begins Monday in a spectator-less quarantine bubble at the US National Tennis Center in New York, with COVID-19 testing and other measures designed to safeguard players from the deadly virus that forced Wimbledon to be called off. Djokovic would meet either Britain's Kyle Edmund or Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik in the second round with US 16th seed John Isner a potential fourth-round foe. His highest-ranked possible quarter-final opponent would be Belgian seventh seed David Goffin. The other draw quarter in the upper half of the men's bracket has Greek fourth seed Tsitsipas and Germany's fifth-seeded Zverev as possible quarter-final opponents. Each young star is chasing a first Slam crown. Tsitsipas plays his first match against Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas while Zverev launches his title bid against South African Kevin Anderson. Thiem opens against Spain's Jaume Munar and has a possible third-round encounter with former US Open winner Marin Cilic. Another former US Open winner, Britain's Andy Murray, is also in Thiem's quarter of the draw. The Scotsman opens against Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka with Canadian 15th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime a possible second-round opponent. Also on the bottom half of the draw, Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev, last year's US Open runner-up, opens against Argentina's Federico Delbonis. The highest-seeded foe in Medvedev's quarter of the draw is Italian sixth seed Matteo Berrettini, whose first opponent will be Japan's Go Soeda.

Djokovic could face Zverev in semis, Thiem in US Open final

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