Twice Wimbledon champion Andy Murray said his doubles title at Queen's Club on Sunday with Feliciano Lopez was "more special" than many of his singles triumphs.

The 32-year-old capped a dream week at his first tournament since having hip surgery in February by beating 7-6(6), 5-7, 10-5 over Briton Joe Salisbury and American Rajeev Ram.

Murray has won 45 titles, including three Grand Slams, finished 2016 as world number one and is the only man to retain the Olympic singles gold.

But Sunday's title was his first with what he described as a "metal hip", his first anywhere since winning in Dubai in 2017 and one that proved he may well have something more to offer having believed his career was all but over in January.

He left open the possibility that he could return as a singles player in time for the US&nbsp;Open.

"I mean, look, this is very different for me, and it's more special than a lot of the singles tournaments that I have won for a lot of different reasons," Murray, who celebrated winning match point in ecstatic fashion, told reporters.

"Like, I just won the doubles here with Feli, you know, with a metal hip. It's mental, really. That's a cool thing to be able to have done, just because of probably where I was a few months ago. And at times, even as far as just two months ago.

"I just wasn't thinking about this. I was just really, really happy just to be pain-free and enjoying life, literally just doing normal things. So it's really special."

Murray, who had hip resurfacing surgery after years of playing in pain, will play doubles in Eastbourne next week with Marcelo Melo and then partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert at Wimbledon where he also hopes to play mixed.

He is relaxed about whether the US&nbsp;Open singles was realistic and even said he would be happy to consider playing doubles only to continue his career.

US Open

Asked about whether he could target the singles at the US&nbsp;Open, Murray said: "Potentially, yeah. But I don't care either way. It would be nice to play at the U.S. Open, but if I don't -- look, I got so much enjoyment and happiness after winning a first-round doubles match here that, you know, that's enough.

"I don't have to be getting to the US&nbsp;Open this year and be really competitive and have to win it to enjoy it. I'm going to go at my own pace, hopefully keep progressing.

"I'm sure at some stage it will come, a bit of a plateau because it's been very quick and constant improvements. But I still have to improve quite a few things, like, physically."

Murray clearly revelled in being back on court and produced some stunning returns alongside Lopez who co-starred after earlier winning the singles title Murray has won five times.

His movement looked free and he ran down several drop shots.

Lopez, 37, was clearly impressed.

"I don't know how much he can still progress," he said. "I hope that he's going to be playing singles soon. But this is up to him and his team that they have to make a decision on when it's going to be the right time.

"But I'm sure that if he keeps progressing the way he's doing right now, we're gonna see him playing singles again."

Twice Wimbledon champion Andy Murray said his doubles title at Queen's Club on Sunday with Feliciano Lopez was "more special" than many of his singles triumphs. The 32-year-old capped a dream week at his first tournament since having hip surgery in February by beating 7-6(6), 5-7, 10-5 over Briton Joe Salisbury and American Rajeev Ram.

Twice Wimbledon champion Andy Murray said his doubles title at Queen's Club on Sunday with Feliciano Lopez was "more special" than many of his singles triumphs. The 32-year-old capped a dream week at his first tournament since having hip surgery in February by beating 7-6(6), 5-7, 10-5 over Briton Joe Salisbury and American Rajeev Ram. Murray has won 45 titles, including three Grand Slams, finished 2016 as world number one and is the only man to retain the Olympic singles gold. But Sunday's title was his first with what he described as a "metal hip", his first anywhere since winning in Dubai in 2017 and one that proved he may well have something more to offer having believed his career was all but over in January. He left open the possibility that he could return as a singles player in time for the US Open. "I mean, look, this is very different for me, and it's more special than a lot of the singles tournaments that I have won for a lot of different reasons," Murray, who celebrated winning match point in ecstatic fashion, told reporters. "Like, I just won the doubles here with Feli, you know, with a metal hip. It's mental, really. That's a cool thing to be able to have done, just because of probably where I was a few months ago. And at times, even as far as just two months ago. "I just wasn't thinking about this. I was just really, really happy just to be pain-free and enjoying life, literally just doing normal things. So it's really special." Murray, who had hip resurfacing surgery after years of playing in pain, will play doubles in Eastbourne next week with Marcelo Melo and then partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert at Wimbledon where he also hopes to play mixed. He is relaxed about whether the US Open singles was realistic and even said he would be happy to consider playing doubles only to continue his career. US Open Asked about whether he could target the singles at the US Open, Murray said: "Potentially, yeah. But I don't care either way. It would be nice to play at the U.S. Open, but if I don't -- look, I got so much enjoyment and happiness after winning a first-round doubles match here that, you know, that's enough. "I don't have to be getting to the US Open this year and be really competitive and have to win it to enjoy it. I'm going to go at my own pace, hopefully keep progressing. "I'm sure at some stage it will come, a bit of a plateau because it's been very quick and constant improvements. But I still have to improve quite a few things, like, physically." Murray clearly revelled in being back on court and produced some stunning returns alongside Lopez who co-starred after earlier winning the singles title Murray has won five times. His movement looked free and he ran down several drop shots. Lopez, 37, was clearly impressed. "I don't know how much he can still progress," he said. "I hope that he's going to be playing singles soon. But this is up to him and his team that they have to make a decision on when it's going to be the right time. "But I'm sure that if he keeps progressing the way he's doing right now, we're gonna see him playing singles again."

Andy Murray hails 'special' doubles title at Queen's Club

Boris Becker auctions trophies to pay off debts

Novak Djokovic on Wednesday shrugged off Nick Kyrgios's characterisation of him as <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/nick-kyrgios-calls-novak-djokovic-cringeworthy-and-rafael-nadal-salty-in-unfiltered-podcast-219103&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjTt_6_svfiAhWFFogKHUN2BMgQFjAEegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1jPqekymlTHhfypDDXH9vn">"cringeworthy"</a> and "having an obsession with wanting to be liked" by insisting the firebrand Australian is a "good guy".

Kyrgios, more often in the headlines for what he says off the court than what he achieves on it, described world number one Djokovic as desperate to be held in the same high esteem as Roger Federer.

"I feel he wants to be liked so much that I just can't stand him. This celebration thing (Djokovic's 'cup of love' gesture to the crowd) is so cringeworthy," Kyrgios told NCR Tennis Podcast.

"No matter how many Grand Slams he wins, he will never be the greatest to me.&nbsp;For me, Federer will always be the greatest of all time,"&nbsp;Kyrgios said.

Djokovic, however, said <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-nick-kyrgios-pulls-out-of-french-open-organisers-221393&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjTt_6_svfiAhWFFogKHUN2BMgQFjAAegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw17a_kgjHp4fKJfsa1MIm5k">Kyrgios's </a>remarks "don't keep him awake at night".

"I think that basically he is a good guy. I don't know why he said all those things. Does he want to attract attention, does he want to be different?," Djokovic told reporters in Belgrade ahead of defending his Wimbledon title next month.

"He wants apparently to be true, open, transparent, that is part of his character. I respect him. Does he show me the respect to the extent that others do? No, he does not. That's just his way of communicating," Djokovic said.

Djokovic admitted that he had offered to help <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/kyrgios-kicks-water-bottle-throws-chair-gets-disqualified-from-italian-open-219215&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjTt_6_svfiAhWFFogKHUN2BMgQFjAFegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Z58cGoi1aSlwH0JvQixUr">Kyrgios </a>deal with fame and its various pitfalls.

"Five years ago I even offered him sort of help, in the sense that he could come to me if he needs anything since at the beginning of my career I also experienced criticism against me.&nbsp;I was trying to respect everyone in life. I really don't understand his reasons, but I respect him," Djokovic added.

Four-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic hasn't played since a controversial <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/dominic-thiem-stuns-novak-djokovic-faces-rafael-nadal-in-roland-garros-final-225511&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjT-a7dsvfiAhXFro8KHUOgA9kQFjACegQIDRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1QYHHNKklNjBRX_TFE6g4o">five-set loss to Dominic Thiem</a> in the semi-finals at Roland Garros.

"Because of the very long clay-court season I decided to take a break before Wimbledon," the 15-time Grand Slam winner said after his practice session on Wednesday.

"I'm going to need to get used to the grass, and I have a couple of exhibition games lined up. Just two or three sets each so I can test my tactics and technique,"&nbsp;Djokovic said.

Djokovic, 32, was training with his friend and compatriot Viktor Troicki at an academy owned by former player Janko Tipsarevic and where Djokovic's five-year-old son Stefan was also knocking a tennis ball around.

Novak Djokovic on Wednesday shrugged off Nick Kyrgios's characterisation of him as "cringeworthy" and "having an obsession with wanting to be liked" by insisting the firebrand Australian is a "good guy".

Novak Djokovic on Wednesday shrugged off Nick Kyrgios's characterisation of him as "cringeworthy" and "having an obsession with wanting to be liked" by insisting the firebrand Australian is a "good guy". Kyrgios, more often in the headlines for what he says off the court than what he achieves on it, described world number one Djokovic as desperate to be held in the same high esteem as Roger Federer. "I feel he wants to be liked so much that I just can't stand him. This celebration thing (Djokovic's 'cup of love' gesture to the crowd) is so cringeworthy," Kyrgios told NCR Tennis Podcast. "No matter how many Grand Slams he wins, he will never be the greatest to me. For me, Federer will always be the greatest of all time," Kyrgios said. Djokovic, however, said Kyrgios's remarks "don't keep him awake at night". "I think that basically he is a good guy. I don't know why he said all those things. Does he want to attract attention, does he want to be different?," Djokovic told reporters in Belgrade ahead of defending his Wimbledon title next month. "He wants apparently to be true, open, transparent, that is part of his character. I respect him. Does he show me the respect to the extent that others do? No, he does not. That's just his way of communicating," Djokovic said. Djokovic admitted that he had offered to help Kyrgios deal with fame and its various pitfalls. "Five years ago I even offered him sort of help, in the sense that he could come to me if he needs anything since at the beginning of my career I also experienced criticism against me. I was trying to respect everyone in life. I really don't understand his reasons, but I respect him," Djokovic added. Four-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic hasn't played since a controversial five-set loss to Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals at Roland Garros. "Because of the very long clay-court season I decided to take a break before Wimbledon," the 15-time Grand Slam winner said after his practice session on Wednesday. "I'm going to need to get used to the grass, and I have a couple of exhibition games lined up. Just two or three sets each so I can test my tactics and technique," Djokovic said. Djokovic, 32, was training with his friend and compatriot Viktor Troicki at an academy owned by former player Janko Tipsarevic and where Djokovic's five-year-old son Stefan was also knocking a tennis ball around.

Novak Djokovic: 'Kyrgios good guy even if he has no respect for me'

French Open champion <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/french-open-winner-rafael-nadal-still-lagging-novak-djokovic-in-rankings-226068&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjkoqr6q-PiAhUF_XMBHdeMD4IQFjAAegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3SAlPzJogU3thvR5xscZeo">Rafa Nadal</a> has said he nearly ended his season after being forced to withdraw from the Indian Wells semi-finals with a knee injury in March but played through the pain at Roland Garros to clinch a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/rafael-nadal-win-french-open-title-225750&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjkoqr6q-PiAhUF_XMBHdeMD4IQFjAGegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2YljzKdQdHqMy4AJnjSLma">record-extending 12th title</a>.

Nadal conceded a walkover to Roger Federer at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/del-potro-stuns-roger-federer-to-win-indian-wells-title-36291&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj7_u2NrOPiAhVB_XMBHRaZBLgQFjAHegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1d2NVGmEcURONt_sfVxopc">Indian Wells</a> and skipped the Miami Open before returning to the tour for the clay season, where he lost three semi-finals in a row before winning titles in Rome and Paris.

"Mentally, after Indian Wells, I suffered a major downturn. I considered shutting down my season to see if my body would recuperate instead of playing through injury after injury," the Spaniard told the ATP website.

"Another option was to press on and play through the pain. Either way, the outlook was bleak. It required a change of mindset... and that doesn't happen overnight. I was reluctant and hesitant to return. Physically, because of another tendon tear in my knee, and on top of going through all the treatment required in the recovery process, there was dealing with the pain," Nadal said.

The 33-year-old said he had struggled to stay motivated because of the constant pain but had been determined to acquit himself well at Roland Garros.

"Between the level of pain and just being sidelined, there came a time when I just felt tired of all of this," he added. "I was sick of always being in pain.

"After Indian Wells, I took a moment to make sense of all of it... I promised myself that I would play through Roland Garros with the attitude and energy necessary to confront all obstacles in my way," Nadal said.

Nadal's French Open victory put him two Grand Slam titles behind Federer's all-time record of 20 and the Spaniard has announced his intention not to play again until Wimbledon, which begins on July 1.

French Open champion Rafa Nadal has said he nearly ended his season after being forced to withdraw from the Indian Wells semi-finals with a knee injury in March but played through the pain at Roland Garros to clinch a record-extending 12th title.

French Open champion Rafa Nadal has said he nearly ended his season after being forced to withdraw from the Indian Wells semi-finals with a knee injury in March but played through the pain at Roland Garros to clinch a record-extending 12th title. Nadal conceded a walkover to Roger Federer at Indian Wells and skipped the Miami Open before returning to the tour for the clay season, where he lost three semi-finals in a row before winning titles in Rome and Paris. "Mentally, after Indian Wells, I suffered a major downturn. I considered shutting down my season to see if my body would recuperate instead of playing through injury after injury," the Spaniard told the ATP website. "Another option was to press on and play through the pain. Either way, the outlook was bleak. It required a change of mindset... and that doesn't happen overnight. I was reluctant and hesitant to return. Physically, because of another tendon tear in my knee, and on top of going through all the treatment required in the recovery process, there was dealing with the pain," Nadal said. The 33-year-old said he had struggled to stay motivated because of the constant pain but had been determined to acquit himself well at Roland Garros. "Between the level of pain and just being sidelined, there came a time when I just felt tired of all of this," he added. "I was sick of always being in pain. "After Indian Wells, I took a moment to make sense of all of it... I promised myself that I would play through Roland Garros with the attitude and energy necessary to confront all obstacles in my way," Nadal said. Nadal's French Open victory put him two Grand Slam titles behind Federer's all-time record of 20 and the Spaniard has announced his intention not to play again until Wimbledon, which begins on July 1.

French Open champ Rafael Nadal considered ending season after Indian Wells injury

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has insisted that she has plans to return at Wimbledon in 2017 to mark the 20th anniversary of her first appearance at the All England-Club. 
 
The 36-year-old became the oldest woman to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon since Martina Navratilova in 1994, but failed to overcome Angelique Kerber to set up a summit clash against sister Serena. 
 
While contemporaries such as Lindsay Davenport and Justine Henin took their retirement long back, a determined Venus said that she is not yet ready to call curtains on her career, Sport24 reported. 
 
Williams made her first Wimbledon appearance in 1997 but lost in the first round to Poland&#39;s Magdalena Grzyboswka. Venus believes that an athlete should be more focused on his or her targets instead of age factor. 
 
(ANI)&nbsp;

Venus Williams plans to return at Wimbledon in 2017 and said that she is not yet ready to call curtains on her career

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has insisted that she has plans to return at Wimbledon in 2017 to mark the 20th anniversary of her first appearance at the All England-Club. The 36-year-old became the oldest woman to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon since Martina Navratilova in 1994, but failed to overcome Angelique Kerber to set up a summit clash against sister Serena. While contemporaries such as Lindsay Davenport and Justine Henin took their retirement long back, a determined Venus said that she is not yet ready to call curtains on her career, Sport24 reported. Williams made her first Wimbledon appearance in 1997 but lost in the first round to Poland's Magdalena Grzyboswka. Venus believes that an athlete should be more focused on his or her targets instead of age factor. (ANI)

Venus sets eye on 20th anniversary Wimbledon return

Serena and Venus Williams closed today on a fifth all-sister Wimbledon final while beaten quarter-finalist Dominika Cibulkova prepared to rush back to Slovakia to get ready for her wedding. 
 
Six-time champion Serena reached her 10th semi-final at the All England Club with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Russia 21st seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. 
 
She goes on to face Russian world number 50 Elena Vesnina on Thursday for a place in the final. 
 
Five-time champion Venus, seeded eight, enjoyed a 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 victory over Kazakhstans world number 96 Yaroslava Shvedova to reach her first Wimbledon semi-final in seven years. 
 
The 36-year-old will now face German fourth seed and Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber who reached her second Wimbledon semi-final with a 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) win over Simona Halep, the fifth seed from Romania. 
 
Vesnina made her first semi-final at a major, by seeing off bride-to-be Cibulkova, the Slovak 19th seed, 6-2, 6-2. &quot;They showed Venuss score on court and I was like yaaaay. I want her to win so bad, but not in the final if Im there,&quot; said defending champion Serena, who took her Grand Slam match win record to 302 -- four behind Martina Navratilovas all-time mark. 
 
It is the 11th time that the sisters have advanced to the semi-finals of the same Grand Slam event. 
 
Serena took a 5-0 career lead over Russian 21st seed Pavlyuchenkova into Tuesdays match, having not dropped a set to her opponent since their first meeting in 2010. But the match was decided in the ninth game of both sets with Williams carving out the only breaks of the match against Pavlyuchenkova, playing in her first Wimbledon quarter-final. 
 
The American finished the match with an 11th ace. 
 
&quot;It was good. I am excited to be able to win and get through, it felt really good,&quot; said Serena, who is bidding to win a record-equalling Open era 22nd Grand Slam title. On the potential of an all-Williams final, Serena refused to get too far ahead of herself even though she has a 4-0 winning record over Vesnina. &quot;We dont really talk too much about it but we are playing doubles later so we are just happy to be in the semi-finals,&quot; she said. 
 
Venus is the oldest womens semi-finalist since Martina Navratilova in 1994. Venus, who won the last of her seven Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon in 2008, is back in the last-four of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2010 US Open. 
 
The eight-time Wimbledon finalist trails 3-2 in her five career meetings with 28-year-old Kerber, who won their only meeting on grass in the 2012 Olympics at Wimbledon. &quot;I love playing the game. When you are winning matches it makes it that much sweeter,&quot; the German said. &quot;You cant always have these big moments. I guess if you are Serena Williams it happens a lot, but for Venus Williams this is an awesome day. 
 
&quot;The first set tiebreak was key for Venus on Tuesday as she over-turned a 2/5 deficit before Shvedovas game fell apart in the second set. Kerber now has 33 match wins in 2016, joint-best with Cibulkova. &quot;I have had a great year so far. I think I am playing my best tennis. Hopefully I can play a few more matches here,&quot; she said. 
 
The 28-year-old Kerber, who also made the semi-finals in 2012, came out on top in a big-hitting battle with Halep, who was a semi-finalist in 2014. Cibulkova is due to marry fiance Miso Navara in her hometown of Bratislava on Saturday -- the same day as the womens final -- and the 27-year-old was willing to postpone the ceremony if she won her quarter-final. 
 
But 29-year-old Vesnina took advantage of a distracted display from Cibulkova to become the fifth unseeded woman to reach the All England Club semi-finals since the Grand Slams switched to 32 seeds in 2001. 
 
&quot;Serena is one of the greatest. I always watch her matches,&quot; said Vesnina who dropped out of the top 100 last year. 
 
&quot;I have to go on to the court with all my heart and take my chances.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

It is the 11th time that the William sisters have advanced to the semi-finals of the same Grand Slam event

Serena and Venus Williams closed today on a fifth all-sister Wimbledon final while beaten quarter-finalist Dominika Cibulkova prepared to rush back to Slovakia to get ready for her wedding. Six-time champion Serena reached her 10th semi-final at the All England Club with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Russia 21st seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. She goes on to face Russian world number 50 Elena Vesnina on Thursday for a place in the final. Five-time champion Venus, seeded eight, enjoyed a 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 victory over Kazakhstans world number 96 Yaroslava Shvedova to reach her first Wimbledon semi-final in seven years. The 36-year-old will now face German fourth seed and Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber who reached her second Wimbledon semi-final with a 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) win over Simona Halep, the fifth seed from Romania. Vesnina made her first semi-final at a major, by seeing off bride-to-be Cibulkova, the Slovak 19th seed, 6-2, 6-2. "They showed Venuss score on court and I was like yaaaay. I want her to win so bad, but not in the final if Im there," said defending champion Serena, who took her Grand Slam match win record to 302 -- four behind Martina Navratilovas all-time mark. It is the 11th time that the sisters have advanced to the semi-finals of the same Grand Slam event. Serena took a 5-0 career lead over Russian 21st seed Pavlyuchenkova into Tuesdays match, having not dropped a set to her opponent since their first meeting in 2010. But the match was decided in the ninth game of both sets with Williams carving out the only breaks of the match against Pavlyuchenkova, playing in her first Wimbledon quarter-final. The American finished the match with an 11th ace. "It was good. I am excited to be able to win and get through, it felt really good," said Serena, who is bidding to win a record-equalling Open era 22nd Grand Slam title. On the potential of an all-Williams final, Serena refused to get too far ahead of herself even though she has a 4-0 winning record over Vesnina. "We dont really talk too much about it but we are playing doubles later so we are just happy to be in the semi-finals," she said. Venus is the oldest womens semi-finalist since Martina Navratilova in 1994. Venus, who won the last of her seven Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon in 2008, is back in the last-four of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2010 US Open. The eight-time Wimbledon finalist trails 3-2 in her five career meetings with 28-year-old Kerber, who won their only meeting on grass in the 2012 Olympics at Wimbledon. "I love playing the game. When you are winning matches it makes it that much sweeter," the German said. "You cant always have these big moments. I guess if you are Serena Williams it happens a lot, but for Venus Williams this is an awesome day. "The first set tiebreak was key for Venus on Tuesday as she over-turned a 2/5 deficit before Shvedovas game fell apart in the second set. Kerber now has 33 match wins in 2016, joint-best with Cibulkova. "I have had a great year so far. I think I am playing my best tennis. Hopefully I can play a few more matches here," she said. The 28-year-old Kerber, who also made the semi-finals in 2012, came out on top in a big-hitting battle with Halep, who was a semi-finalist in 2014. Cibulkova is due to marry fiance Miso Navara in her hometown of Bratislava on Saturday -- the same day as the womens final -- and the 27-year-old was willing to postpone the ceremony if she won her quarter-final. But 29-year-old Vesnina took advantage of a distracted display from Cibulkova to become the fifth unseeded woman to reach the All England Club semi-finals since the Grand Slams switched to 32 seeds in 2001. "Serena is one of the greatest. I always watch her matches," said Vesnina who dropped out of the top 100 last year. "I have to go on to the court with all my heart and take my chances." (AFP)

Serena, Venus close in on Wimbledon final

Germany&#39;s Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber reached her second Wimbledon semi-final today and edged closer to the world number one spot. 
 
The fourth-seeded left-hander emerged victorious over Simona Halep, the fifth seed from Romania, 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) on Centre Court and will face either Venus Williams or Yaroslava Shvedova for a place in Saturday`s final. 
 
Kerber is now in sight of becoming the new world number one, although she needs to win the title while seeing Serena Williams fail to make the semi-finals. 
 
&quot;I think we are both really good returners. It`s always tough to play against Simona. I won the last point and that`s what counts,&quot; said the winner. 
 
Kerber now has 33 match wins in 2016, joint-best with fellow quarter-finalist Dominika Cibulkova. 
 
&quot;I have had a great year so far. I think I am playing my best tennis. Hopefully I can play a few more matches here.&quot; 
 
The 28-year-old Kerber, who also made the semi-finals in 2012, came out on top in a big-hitting battle with Halep, who was a semi-finalist in 2014. 
 
The first set alone saw nine breaks of serve in 12 games with Kerber squandering leads of 3-1 and 5-3 before her Romanian opponent double-faulted on set point. 
 
Kerber was 4-2 and 5-3 in front in the second before the tenacious Halep fought back to reach the tiebreak in a set which featured four more breaks. 
 
But Kerber dominated the tiebreak, going to match point when Halep was bamboozled by a net cord and then taking victory off a backhand error. 
 
(AFP)

This will be Angelique Kerber?s second Wimbledon semi-final where she will face either Venus Williams or Yaroslava Shvedova

Germany's Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber reached her second Wimbledon semi-final today and edged closer to the world number one spot. The fourth-seeded left-hander emerged victorious over Simona Halep, the fifth seed from Romania, 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) on Centre Court and will face either Venus Williams or Yaroslava Shvedova for a place in Saturday`s final. Kerber is now in sight of becoming the new world number one, although she needs to win the title while seeing Serena Williams fail to make the semi-finals. "I think we are both really good returners. It`s always tough to play against Simona. I won the last point and that`s what counts," said the winner. Kerber now has 33 match wins in 2016, joint-best with fellow quarter-finalist Dominika Cibulkova. "I have had a great year so far. I think I am playing my best tennis. Hopefully I can play a few more matches here." The 28-year-old Kerber, who also made the semi-finals in 2012, came out on top in a big-hitting battle with Halep, who was a semi-finalist in 2014. The first set alone saw nine breaks of serve in 12 games with Kerber squandering leads of 3-1 and 5-3 before her Romanian opponent double-faulted on set point. Kerber was 4-2 and 5-3 in front in the second before the tenacious Halep fought back to reach the tiebreak in a set which featured four more breaks. But Kerber dominated the tiebreak, going to match point when Halep was bamboozled by a net cord and then taking victory off a backhand error. (AFP)

Kerber beats Halep, through Wimbeldon semi-final

Defending champion Serena Williams reached the Wimbledon second round on &nbsp;Tuesday with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Swiss qualifier Amra Sadikovic, as her mother watched from the front row of the Royal Box. 
 
The 34-year-old world number one, chasing a seventh Wimbledon title and record-equalling 22nd major, took her Grand Slam career record in first rounds to a formidable 63 wins against just one defeat. 
 
She next faces fellow American Christina McHale for a place in the last 32. 
 
&quot;My mom was up there in the Royal Box, so that was nice,&quot; said the American star after giving mother Oracene Price an afternoon to remember on Centre Court. 
 
&quot;I will have to get my dad out here now.&quot; 
 
Williams claimed victory over world number 148 Sadikovic on a second match point courtesy of a successful Hawk-Eye challenge. 
 
&quot;I never underestimate any opponent. I always expect the best of myself,&quot; added Williams, who won 12 straight points at the start of the match to open a 3-0 lead. 
 
However, not everyone gave her the royal seal of approval. 
 
&quot;It was one of the worst serving efforts I`ve seen from Serena. This is what is giving other players hope,&quot; said US tennis legend John McEnroe, commentating for the BBC. 
 
(AFP)

Williams claimed victory over the world number 148 Amra Sadikovic on a second match point

Defending champion Serena Williams reached the Wimbledon second round on Tuesday with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Swiss qualifier Amra Sadikovic, as her mother watched from the front row of the Royal Box. The 34-year-old world number one, chasing a seventh Wimbledon title and record-equalling 22nd major, took her Grand Slam career record in first rounds to a formidable 63 wins against just one defeat. She next faces fellow American Christina McHale for a place in the last 32. "My mom was up there in the Royal Box, so that was nice," said the American star after giving mother Oracene Price an afternoon to remember on Centre Court. "I will have to get my dad out here now." Williams claimed victory over world number 148 Sadikovic on a second match point courtesy of a successful Hawk-Eye challenge. "I never underestimate any opponent. I always expect the best of myself," added Williams, who won 12 straight points at the start of the match to open a 3-0 lead. However, not everyone gave her the royal seal of approval. "It was one of the worst serving efforts I`ve seen from Serena. This is what is giving other players hope," said US tennis legend John McEnroe, commentating for the BBC. (AFP)

Serena puts on royal show for mum at Wimbledon, enters second round

On court Novak Djokovic is taking tennis to extraordinary new levels with his single-minded obsession with winning. Off it the Serbian is more than happy to share power. 
 
The 29-year-old will begin his attempt to win a fourth Wimbledon title on Monday when he plays British wildcard James Ward on Centre Court,12 months after claiming a second successive title by beating Roger Federer. 
 
While nothing will distract him from that goal, the dominant Serbian also knows that however big the gap is between himself and his rivals and it is a yawning chasm that no player is bigger than the sport. 
 
At his pre-tournament news conference at Wimbledon today, the world number one confirmed he had re-joined the 12-man ATP Players Council, along with chief rival Andy Murray and Murray&#39;s brother Jamie, the world&#39;s top doubles player. 
 
It is a responsibility Djokovic will apply himself to with the same devotion as his career for the next two years as tennis wrestles with the kind of doping and corruption scandals that have afflicted world sport. 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve been very flattered and humbled to be elected by my colleagues,&quot; Djokovic told reporters. 
 
&quot;The way I see it is that I managed to gain trust from players, which is very important to me. I have been part of the Player Council for three years earlier in my career. I`ve been familiar with the way the system works. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m hoping I can contribute to the evolution and to the betterment of our sport in every aspect.&quot; 
 
There is little argument that he has taken tennis to new levels of perfection since losing to Murray in the 2013 final here. 
 
Since then he has won six of the 11 grand slam titles on offer, taking his tally to 12 overall. 
 
In beating Murray at Roland Garros earlier this month he became the first man in 47 years to hold all four majors. 
 
He also won the ATP World Tour Finals in November and will have his eye on Olympic gold in August and probably the Davis Cup too. 
 
His immediate focus though is on a smooth opening to his Wimbledon campaign having chosen again not to play any grasscourt tournaments in the run-up. 
 
&quot;This year is quite different from previous years because I`m coming in with a Roland Garros title,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;That gives me, obviously, a lot of confidence. I&#39;ve played a lot of points in the practice sessions these four or five days, trying to be on the grass as much as I can. So I`m really keen on getting on the court.&quot; 
 
Djokovic, who beat Federer in the last two Wimbledon finals, could face a tough path to a hat-trick. 
 
Big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic is a potential quarter-final opponent with Federer possible in the semis. 
 
Ward is unlikely to pose too many problems, although Djokovic is well aware that the crowd will be rooting for his opponent when play begins on Monday. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s going to be the first match on the untouched grass,&quot; he said. &quot; That&#39;s probably one of the most special tennis matches that you get to experience as a tennis player. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m looking forward to that. Obviously I know that he doesn`t have much to lose.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

The 29-year-old will begin his attempt to win a fourth Wimbledon title on Monday when he plays British wildcard James Ward on Centre Court

On court Novak Djokovic is taking tennis to extraordinary new levels with his single-minded obsession with winning. Off it the Serbian is more than happy to share power. The 29-year-old will begin his attempt to win a fourth Wimbledon title on Monday when he plays British wildcard James Ward on Centre Court,12 months after claiming a second successive title by beating Roger Federer. While nothing will distract him from that goal, the dominant Serbian also knows that however big the gap is between himself and his rivals and it is a yawning chasm that no player is bigger than the sport. At his pre-tournament news conference at Wimbledon today, the world number one confirmed he had re-joined the 12-man ATP Players Council, along with chief rival Andy Murray and Murray's brother Jamie, the world's top doubles player. It is a responsibility Djokovic will apply himself to with the same devotion as his career for the next two years as tennis wrestles with the kind of doping and corruption scandals that have afflicted world sport. "I've been very flattered and humbled to be elected by my colleagues," Djokovic told reporters. "The way I see it is that I managed to gain trust from players, which is very important to me. I have been part of the Player Council for three years earlier in my career. I`ve been familiar with the way the system works. "I'm hoping I can contribute to the evolution and to the betterment of our sport in every aspect." There is little argument that he has taken tennis to new levels of perfection since losing to Murray in the 2013 final here. Since then he has won six of the 11 grand slam titles on offer, taking his tally to 12 overall. In beating Murray at Roland Garros earlier this month he became the first man in 47 years to hold all four majors. He also won the ATP World Tour Finals in November and will have his eye on Olympic gold in August and probably the Davis Cup too. His immediate focus though is on a smooth opening to his Wimbledon campaign having chosen again not to play any grasscourt tournaments in the run-up. "This year is quite different from previous years because I`m coming in with a Roland Garros title," he said. "That gives me, obviously, a lot of confidence. I've played a lot of points in the practice sessions these four or five days, trying to be on the grass as much as I can. So I`m really keen on getting on the court." Djokovic, who beat Federer in the last two Wimbledon finals, could face a tough path to a hat-trick. Big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic is a potential quarter-final opponent with Federer possible in the semis. Ward is unlikely to pose too many problems, although Djokovic is well aware that the crowd will be rooting for his opponent when play begins on Monday. "It's going to be the first match on the untouched grass," he said. " That's probably one of the most special tennis matches that you get to experience as a tennis player. "I'm looking forward to that. Obviously I know that he doesn`t have much to lose." (Reuters)

Djokovic focused on Wimbledon but sees bigger picture

Australia&#39;s Bernard Tomic thinks he is playing some of the best grasscourt tennis of his career, and is in a good place off the court, as he heads into the Wimbledon championships main draw for the seventh time. 
 
The 23-year-old&#39;s campaign at the All England Club ended in the third round last year and was followed by a very public and bitter row with Tennis Australia over what he said was their lack of backing for him. 
 
Since then, there have been rows over his suitability to be part of Australia&#39;s Olympic team, which he defused by withdrawing his name from consideration, and the now traditional woes of his claycourt season. 
 
After a second-round departure at the French Open that surprised few given his dislike of the Roland Garros surface, however, Tomic has rediscovered his form on grass at &#39;s-Hertogenbosch and Queen&#39;s Club. 
 
&quot;I&#39;d say probably it&#39;s the best it&#39;s been leading into Wimbledon,&quot; the 19th seed told Australia&#39;s Fox Sports TV. 
 
&quot;I managed to play two grasscourt tournaments, played really well, making the quarters in the Netherlands and the semis at Queen&#39;s.&nbsp;I feel like I&#39;m playing some of my best tennis on grass and now we&#39;re here at the famous Wimbledon tournament and I&#39;m ready to go.&quot; 
 
Tomic made his grand slam breakthrough when he reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals as a qualifier in 2011, and it remains his favourite of the sport&#39;s four majors. 
 
&quot;It was a huge moment for my career that turned everything around and I always look back on that leading into any grasscourt tournament,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;I take back that memory and I&#39;m always in a position to play my best tennis on grass. On grass, I always seem to be intense and on my feet and I always seem to play really well.&quot; 
 
Lapses of concentration and intensity have been a problem for Tomic throughout a career that promised so much when he won two junior grand slam titles. 
 
Allegations of giving up, or tanking, have dogged him in recent years and reached fever pitch when he faced match point at the Madrid Open in May with his racket upside down. 
 
He knows, however, that he will have to be on his toes for his first round match against tricky Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco, who he beat at Queen&#39;s Club to take a 4-1 lead in their career head-to-head. 
 
&quot;Last week was an incredible match,&quot; Tomic said. 
 
&quot;He&#39;s going to come out swinging, doing some different things, he knows he&#39;s down in the record against me but that&#39;s not going to stop him playing well.&quot; 
 
Off court, the presence of Lleyton Hewitt in London should also ensure no repeat of the rows with Tennis Australia. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m happy now, I&#39;ve got a good team around me, and I&#39;m at my favourite tournament as well,&quot; he added. 
 
(Reuters)

After a second-round departure at the French Open, Bernard Tomic rediscovered his form on grass at 's-Hertogenbosch and Queen's Club

Australia's Bernard Tomic thinks he is playing some of the best grasscourt tennis of his career, and is in a good place off the court, as he heads into the Wimbledon championships main draw for the seventh time. The 23-year-old's campaign at the All England Club ended in the third round last year and was followed by a very public and bitter row with Tennis Australia over what he said was their lack of backing for him. Since then, there have been rows over his suitability to be part of Australia's Olympic team, which he defused by withdrawing his name from consideration, and the now traditional woes of his claycourt season. After a second-round departure at the French Open that surprised few given his dislike of the Roland Garros surface, however, Tomic has rediscovered his form on grass at 's-Hertogenbosch and Queen's Club. "I'd say probably it's the best it's been leading into Wimbledon," the 19th seed told Australia's Fox Sports TV. "I managed to play two grasscourt tournaments, played really well, making the quarters in the Netherlands and the semis at Queen's. I feel like I'm playing some of my best tennis on grass and now we're here at the famous Wimbledon tournament and I'm ready to go." Tomic made his grand slam breakthrough when he reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals as a qualifier in 2011, and it remains his favourite of the sport's four majors. "It was a huge moment for my career that turned everything around and I always look back on that leading into any grasscourt tournament," he said. "I take back that memory and I'm always in a position to play my best tennis on grass. On grass, I always seem to be intense and on my feet and I always seem to play really well." Lapses of concentration and intensity have been a problem for Tomic throughout a career that promised so much when he won two junior grand slam titles. Allegations of giving up, or tanking, have dogged him in recent years and reached fever pitch when he faced match point at the Madrid Open in May with his racket upside down. He knows, however, that he will have to be on his toes for his first round match against tricky Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco, who he beat at Queen's Club to take a 4-1 lead in their career head-to-head. "Last week was an incredible match," Tomic said. "He's going to come out swinging, doing some different things, he knows he's down in the record against me but that's not going to stop him playing well." Off court, the presence of Lleyton Hewitt in London should also ensure no repeat of the rows with Tennis Australia. "I'm happy now, I've got a good team around me, and I'm at my favourite tournament as well," he added. (Reuters)

All England grass a tonic for Tomic

Dreadlocked German Dustin Brown will have the chance to follow up last year&#39;s Wimbledon heroics after being handed a wildcard for the championships on Wednesday. 
 
Brown, ranked 87th in the world, provided the shock of the tournament 12 months ago when he came through qualifying before overwhelming twice former champion Rafael Nadal in the second round with a scintillating display of attacking tennis. 
 
The 31-year-old posted a photograph of himself celebrating on his Twitter account @DreddyTennis and expressed his thanks to tournament organisers. 
 
Czech veteran Radek Stepanek, 37, has also been handed one of the Wimbledon wildcards. 
 
The former world number four came within two points of knocking eventual finalist Andy Murray out of the French Open in the first round. 
 
Slovakia&#39;s former top-10 player Daniela Hantuchova and Britain&#39;s former junior champion Laura Robson received wildcards into the women&#39;s main draw. 
 
Wimbledon begins on June 27. 
(Reuters)

The 31-year-old posted a photograph of himself celebrating on his Twitter account @DreddyTennis expressing thanks to organisers

Dreadlocked German Dustin Brown will have the chance to follow up last year's Wimbledon heroics after being handed a wildcard for the championships on Wednesday. Brown, ranked 87th in the world, provided the shock of the tournament 12 months ago when he came through qualifying before overwhelming twice former champion Rafael Nadal in the second round with a scintillating display of attacking tennis. The 31-year-old posted a photograph of himself celebrating on his Twitter account @DreddyTennis and expressed his thanks to tournament organisers. Czech veteran Radek Stepanek, 37, has also been handed one of the Wimbledon wildcards. The former world number four came within two points of knocking eventual finalist Andy Murray out of the French Open in the first round. Slovakia's former top-10 player Daniela Hantuchova and Britain's former junior champion Laura Robson received wildcards into the women's main draw. Wimbledon begins on June 27. (Reuters)

Nadal conqueror Brown handed Wimbledon wildcard

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