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  • How Novak Djokovic’s French Open draw opened up further with another sizeable upset

    Daniil Medvedev fell at the first hurdle at the 2025 French Open as he lost a five-set thriller to Cameron Norrie – and the result could benefit Novak Djokovic.

    Norrie, a former world No 8 currently ranked 81st, stunned Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 1-6, 7-5 on Court Simonne-Mathieu on Day Three at Roland Garros.

    No 11 seed Medvedev was on the brink of completing a sensational comeback when he led 5-3 in the fifth set, but he failed to serve the match out at 5-4 as Norrie won the final four games to seal a sizeable upset.

    Asked what was in his mind during the match point, Norrie said: “Not a lot, to be honest (smiles). Yeah, it was an incredible atmosphere and thank you to everyone for supporting me.

    “I really felt like I had momentum there, it was kind of similar to the first set and I just felt a lot of energy there and managed to get over the line. I think he was a little bit tentative, but honestly it was a crazy match.

    “He’s so tough to beat, I think I deserve a diploma for beating Medvedev, he’s got me the last four or five times. So yeah, unreal match.

    “He raised his level and I dropped my intensity [in the third and fourth sets] and I was not able to hang with him, but I was able to find some energy in that fifth set.

    “And yeah I was just moving really well and yeah, I don’t really remember much of the fifth and being 5-4 down and suddenly winning the match, it was crazy.

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    “Nice to get through the first round and beating Daniil and I just really enjoyed the match start to finish, it was incredible tennis from both. An amazing win for me, so much fun.”

    The 29-year-old Brit’s triumph has earned him a great opportunity to progress further as he will face 144th-ranked lucky loser Federico Agustin Gomez in the second round.

    Medvedev is the latest high-profile star to exit the men’s singles draw in the opening round after fourth seed Taylor Fritz and 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo crashed out on Monday.

    Cerundolo, a dangerous clay-courter, was a potential fourth round opponent for third seed Alexander Zverev, while he could have met No 6 seed Djokovic if he reached the quarter-finals.

    Medvedev was projected to play Djokovic in the last 16, and his loss has only improved what was already seen as a great draw for the 24-time Grand Slam winner.

    While Medvedev has been far from his best this season, his pedigree as a former world No 1 who holds five wins over Djokovic — including in a Grand Slam final — made him the biggest threat the Serb could have faced before the last eight.

    With the 29-year-old Russian’s exit, the only seeded player Djokovic could now meet in the fourth round is 22nd seed Ugo Humbert — who is at his least comfortable on clay by a significant margin.

    Norrie and another unseeded British player — Jacob Fearnley — are other potential last 16 opponents for Djokovic.

    Djokovic is facing Mackenzie McDonald in his opening round match, while he would likely play Corentin Moutet in the second round and Denis Shapovalov in the third round.

    READ NEXT: How Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic could benefit from major French Open upset

    The post How Novak Djokovic’s French Open draw opened up further with another sizeable upset appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Former world No 1 reveals what’s ‘been lacking’ for Emma Raducanu ‘ever since miracle US Open run’

    Four-time major winner Jim Courier has shared his thoughts on Emma Raducanu’s encouraging form and her partnership with Mark Petchey.

    Raducanu has won 10 of her last 14 matches — a run that started with her reaching the quarter-finals at the Miami Open in March.

    This comes after she won only three of her first nine matches during a difficult start to the 2025 campaign.

    The 22-year-old is ranked 41st, which is her highest ranking position since August 2022 — just before she dropped the points from her stunning 2021 US Open title.

    The Brit downed world No 43 Wang Xinyu 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in the opening round of the 2025 French Open. She will face five-time champion Iga Swiatek in the second round.

    During a TNT Sports event, Tennis 365 asked Courier about Raducanu’s resurgence and what he expects from the Brit for the rest of the season.

    “It’s a rebuilding year for her, she’s been working on rebuilding her body, now she’s working on rebuilding her confidence,” the American said.

    “And some of that comes down to also once you get that confidence you get a little bit more aura and you bring some swagger back to the court and that affects how your opponents view playing you as well.

    “So, this is going to be a very interesting rest of the year for her. I wish her the best. I hear she’s a wonderful person.

    “I hope that she stays diligent with what she’s doing and stays focused and stays committed to her current team for as long as she can, ‘cause you want that stability for her — it’s something that’s been lacking ever since that miracle run in New York.”

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    Courier also revealed he is a fan of Raducanu’s collaboration with Mark Petchey, who she started working with at the Miami Open.

    “I do think this works well with Mark Petchey involved in a couple of ways,” the former world No 1 said.

    “One, they knew each other before she became a star. They worked together in private during the Covid lockdown, so he was invested in her before anyone else was interested in her, which is great.

    “Number two, very few people watch and think more about tennis than Mark Petchey. I’m lucky enough to work alongside him.

    “The guy lives and breathes it and he dives deep into the numbers and understands what the modern game looks like. And he’s already trying to help her improve in a few areas.

    “So there’s trust and there’s knowledge, that’s a great base to work off of. And hopefully for her sake, there’ll be some consistency.

    “And looks like she’s having fun and that’s a lot of it too. You want to be enjoying the process and it all seems to be moving in the right direction at the moment.”

    READ NEXT: Emma Raducanu reveals how Mark Petchey ‘has helped me’ and keen on ‘having a conversation’ with Andy Murray

    The post Former world No 1 reveals what’s ‘been lacking’ for Emma Raducanu ‘ever since miracle US Open run’ appeared first on Tennis365.

  • ‘Iconic’: Why you just HAVE to visit Queen’s and Wimbledon in style this summer

    ‘Iconic’: Why you just HAVE to visit Queen’s and Wimbledon in style this summer

    British summertime would not be complete without the grass-court tennis season and you could have a chance to witness the best players in the game on the biggest stages at The Queen’s Club and Wimbledon.

    Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, Emma Raducanu and Novak Djokovic are among the superstar names confirmed to set foot on the perfectly manicured grass courts, as they look to secure wins that will be instantly etched into tennis folklore.

    This year’s grass-court season in England is boosted by a brand new tournament, with the WTA 500 event at The Queen’s Club seeing women’s tennis return to the historic old club for the first time in more than 50 years.

    Some of the biggest names in the game have signed up to play in what will be the most prestigious pre-Wimbledon tournament and will provide the ultimate curtain raiser for the biggest show in tennis at the All England Club, with the 2025 Championships set to get underway on June 30.

    If you have not yet experienced a day at the tennis, this really is the year to do it. And you can make your day that extra bit special by taking in the action from hospitality, a genuinely world-class experience.

    A unique day at Queen’s Club

    A mega new WTA 500 tournament is set to take place at The Queen’s Club from June 9-15 and with Seat Unique’s hospitality packages, you can sit back and relax courtside with VIP treatment, soaking up the June sun and the most intense, passionate matches women’s grass-court tennis has to offer.

    You can also attend the ATP 500 tournament at The Queen’s Club from June 16-22, where Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper will be among the star attractions.

    Go to Seat Unique for your Queen’s Championships hospitality tickets and enjoy these perks:

    Starting from £330
    Love Fifteen

    • Seasonal two-course buffet lunch with hot & cold elements
    • Complimentary bar of Pimm’s, beer, selected wines and soft drinks throughout the day
    • Tables for 10-12, smaller groups on shared tables
    • Official Andy Murray Arena East Stand ticket (Map below shows seat location)
    • Located on the ground floor of the South Pavillion
    • Located close to the Andy Murray Arena
    • Take-away beverages to sip during play
    • Casual dining environment
    • Self-serve elements
    • Afternoon tea buffet
    • Garden area on the ground floorClub Lounge
      • Three-course plated summer menu
      • Traditional afternoon tea
      • Welcome drink on arrival
      • Complimentary bar of spirits, Pimm’s, selected wines, beer and soft drinks
      • Official Andy Murray Arena Premium South Stand ticket – behind the server (Map below shows seat location)
      • Located on the first floor of the South Pavillion
      • Access to outdoor terrace overlooking the practice courts, with an exclusive private garden
      • Private tables of 2 or more
      • Live music

      * Please note that the exact inclusions you will receive may vary based on which hospitality package you select.
       

      A special Wimbledon experience

      After the Queen’s Club tournaments adventure, the attention turns to the greatest tennis tournament of them all at Wimbledon, which will run from June 30 until July 13.

      The who’s who of the tennis world will be in action at the All England Club, and you can see them thanks to the Wimbledon Debentures, where you will have tickets to Court No.1 or Centre Court.

      Wimbledon Debentures
      Packages starting from £1,899
      VIP Debenture & Group Booking – VIP Debentures

      • Access to the Debenture facilities on the day, with food and drinks available to purchase
      • Debenture Seating within the Middle Tier of Court No.1

      * While Seat Unique sell Debenture Tickets, please note that they are not an official hospitality provider to the AELTC or The Championships
       

      Must-visit Queen’s and Wimbledon

      Our man Kevin Palmer vividly remembers his best memory at Wimbledon, as he was in the press box for the 2008 final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, which many observers believe is the best tennis match of all time.

      “Great sportsmen need a rival to push them to unimaginable levels and in Federer and Nadal, tennis was fortunate to have icons providing the ultimate clash of styles and characters. Both are equally brilliant and can sustain their genius for hour after hour,” said Kevin.

      “Every decade or so, sport transports its subjects to a unique place and all of us fortunate enough to lap up wondrous and beautiful events on Centre Court instantly knew we had been present for a battle that will live in tennis heaven forever.

      “Here was Federer, the longest-running world No 1 the game has seen, battling to hang on to his mantle against the only challenger who had troubled him throughout his reign.

      “Their previous meetings on the Centre Court were classics, but this was the best yet.

      “The champ went two sets behind, came back after saving match points in a mind-blowing fourth set tie-break, only to see his dream of a record-breaking sixth successive Wimbledon title snatched away at the last.

      “An epic story with so many twists along the way, this fairy tale was spread over four hours and 48 minutes, interrupted by two neatly spread rain delays and blessed with a finish as the final shafts of light faded in London’s SW19 at 9.15pm.

      “Emotions of the moment can devalue the achievements of past heroes, but just for once we deserve to get carried away with an occasion that will live forever. I was there and I’ll never forget it.”

      If we have an epic contest to match that Nadal vs Federer epic at Queen’s or Wimbledon this summer, you will not want to miss it and you can book your VIP experience through Seat Unique today.

    The post ‘Iconic’: Why you just HAVE to visit Queen’s and Wimbledon in style this summer appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Tim Henman makes bold Novak Djokovic Grand Slam prediction as he aims to silence his doubters

    Former British No 1 Tim Henman believes Novak Djokovic could still stun the tennis world by winning another Grand Slam title this year.

    Djokovic is sitting on 24 major titles, leaving him tied with Margaret Court in the all-time list of Grand Slam winners.

    He is in a league of his own in the men’s game as he is two Grand Slam wins ahead of his great rival Rafael Nadal, but his form over the last 18 months has led many to conclude his days of winning the biggest titles is the sport are over.

    Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have dominated the last six five Grand Slam tournaments, with Djokovic looking like a fading force after toasting his 38th birthday last Thursday.

    Yet Henman insists Djokovic does not need to explain to anyone why he is continuing to push for more glory, as he hinted the Serbian maestro could still silence his critics.

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    “It is very much a personal choice when you decide to finish,” Henman told Tennis365 at a TNT Sport and discovery+ event.

    “I made the decision in the space of about two hours and it was absolutely perfect timing for me. Others take a little longer.

    “For me, I don’t think Djokovic is one of the favourites in Paris, but I would put him in the mix to win at Wimbledon if he is fit and healthy.

    “He is one of the favourites on grass. I think he believes he can win on grass and I’m sure he believes he can win on clay. That’s why he’s out there.

    “Given his record on grass and the nature of the surface, the physical demands are a little bit less and the experience he has will be so important. So I would still think he has a shot at winning Wimbledon.”

    Djokovic has insisted he is confident of contending for major titles again, as he insists his status as an outsider at Roland Garros will inspire him to push for another title in Paris.

    “It’s a different chapter in my life,” said Djokovic. “I’m trying to navigate these waters. I’m not used to these kinds of circumstances, with two eliminations right from the start [Monaco and Madrid].

    “I don’t think that’s happened to me in the last 20 years. But I knew that, possibly, this moment would come.

    “It’s hard for me to sit down and think about everything I’ve accomplished in my career. Of course, I’m proud of it, but I still have the desire to win the biggest titles, to win the Grand Slams, to be one of the best players in the world. That’s why I’m here to play in the Geneva tournament, because I’m trying to do things well, to win more trophies. The motivation is still there.

    “It’s just that in this transition period, I have to understand my body, what needs to be done to maintain my health, while being in optimal condition to play my best tennis in the Grand Slams.

    “When I’m in a competition, I want to do my best, but the Grand Slams remain the peaks of our sport.”

    Djokovic has his sights set on clay courts in Paris for now, but he may have the best chance to achieve the last great goal of his career when he arrives at Wimbledon next month.

    READ NEXT: Rafael Nadal reveals devious text from Andy Murray as ‘Big 4’ are reunited

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    The post Tim Henman makes bold Novak Djokovic Grand Slam prediction as he aims to silence his doubters appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Emma Raducanu slams French Open organisers ahead of Iga Swiatek showdown

    Emma Raducanu has hit out at French Open organisers, after suggesting the top players are be given more time to practice on show courts in the second Grand Slam of 2025.

    Raducanu beat China’s Wang Xinyu 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in two hours and 44 minutes – the joint-longest match of her career on clay – in a match played on the tight and compact Court 8 at Roland Garros.

    Even though she is a former Grand Slam champion after her memorable US Open win in 2021, Raducanu is not among the seeds at the French Open and therefore has to accept playing on the outside courts.

    That is certain to change when she takes on Iga Swiatek in the second round, with the clash against the defending champion certain to be on one of the bigger courts.

    That is a concern for Raducanu, after she claimed she is not getting enough time to practice on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

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    “I feel like certain players get preferred treatment,” said Raducanu.

    “I honestly think it’s really difficult, because the tournament don’t really help in terms of getting you court time on the bigger courts or on like the match courts, really.

    “I feel like, I don’t know, certain players get preferred treatment. It’s very different from at the annex, for example, across the road or other courts to then kind of jump onto Chatrier or jump onto a stadium. It isn’t easy.

    “I wish they would give us more opportunities on the stadium or bigger courts, especially if we’re going to play on them.

    “That court today, it was cute, intimate. I like you can really feel the fans and their support, because sometimes on a bigger court, if it is not full, it feels a little bit empty. There you’re right in the thick of it.

    There is a lot going on. There are other courts around. There’s a lot of noise. There’s music. But it was good I think for me to stay focused and really centred on the match in front of me. But yeah, it does take a little bit of just adjustment.”

    Raducanu will be hoping to use the day off she has before the Swiatek clash to recover from an illness that so nearly derailed her efforts against Wang.

    “I don’t feel great. It would have felt worse if I had lost. I was really struggling from the start,” added Raducanu.

    “She was a tough opponent but I’m really happy to have found a way. Opening rounds are never easy. I haven’t been here for three years so it was a combination of several things.

    “I knew I had to start well because it would give me the best chance to keep fighting. When I lost serve at the end it wasn’t the end of the world.

    “There are positives. Like a lot of top champions in the first round, they’ve struggled but given themselves another opportunity despite how they’re feeling.

    “That’s a quality that is not easy to teach. My character, heart and fight really came through today and I’m proud of that.”

    READ NEXT: Emma Raducanu’s alarming health update does not bode well ahead of Iga Swiatek showdown

    The post Emma Raducanu slams French Open organisers ahead of Iga Swiatek showdown appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Taylor Fritz set for major rankings blow after shock French Open exit

    Taylor Fritz became the biggest casualty of the French Open so far on Monday, with the fourth seed beaten in his opening-round match at Roland Garros.

    World No 4 Fritz never came close to discovering his best tennis out on Court Simonne-Mathieu, with the US Open runner-up falling 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 to Daniel Altmaier.

    It is a second top-10 win at the French Open for world No 66 Altmaier, with the German having stunned eighth seed Jannik Sinner in the second round back in 2023.

    However, it is undoubtedly a disappointing loss for American ace Fritz, who has struggled with injury and consistency across the clay swing.

    It is the first time since the 2022 US Open that he has lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam, and his ATP ranking will now suffer as a result.

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    What ranking points will Fritz drop?

    Fritz’s 2024 French Open campaign was the best of his career, with the US star reaching the second week at Roland Garros for the first time.

    The American, seeded 12th at the time, was ultimately beaten in the fourth round by two-time runner-up Casper Ruud, though it was a breakthrough run for him at the second Grand Slam of the season.

    Fritz earned 200 ranking points for his run to the round of 16, though, with only 10 points available in the opening round, will drop 190 points when the rankings update post-tournament.

    That means the US star will fall from 4,675 points to 4,485 points, and he is guaranteed to fall out of the top four regardless of other results.

    Who can take advantage?

    Rankings wise, the big winner looks set to be world No 5 and Roland Garros fifth seed Jack Draper, who will not start his campaign until Tuesday.

    Draper holds 4,610 ranking points and, with just opening-round points to defend at the tournament, is now guaranteed to be ranked above Fritz post-tournament.

    The Brit is provisionally fourth in the live rankings, and he could become just the fourth British man to crack the top four, following Andy Murray, Tim Henman, and Greg Rusedski.

    Draper will move to 4,650 points with a victory in his opening-round match against Mattia Bellucci on Tuesday, and would hypothetically hold 6,600 points with a run to the title.

    That could be enough to move up to a high of world No 3, though he would need to both win the title and hope current world No 3 Alexander Zverev suffers an early exit.

    Another player who could benefit from Fritz’s early defeat is world No 6 and sixth seed Djokovic, who also starts his campaign on Tuesday.

    The Serbian holds 4,230 points in the official ATP Rankings and is defending 400 quarter-final points in Paris, which means he drops 390 points to 3,840 in the live rankings.

    However, he would sit just 255 points behind Fritz if he were to defend his quarter-finalist points, and a run to the semi-final would see him also move ahead of the American.

    Djokovic would hold 5,830 points if he were to win the title, potentially moving up to fourth, depending on Draper’s result.

    Fritz’s exit is also good news for Lorenzo Musetti, the current world No 7 – who could also move above the American in the rankings.

    Seeded eighth in Paris, the Italian is in the Fritz quarter of the draw and is now arguably the favourite to reach the semi-final.

    Read NextT365 Fantasy French Open predictions: Alcaraz ‘has the edge’ as Sabalenka ‘the player to beat’

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  • Emma Raducanu ends three-year wait for French Open win with battling Round 1 triumph

    Emma Raducanu picked up just the second French Open win of her career with a battling triumph over Wang Xinyu in Paris.

    In a contest that lasted close to three hours, the 22-year-old overcame a fierce challenge from her Chinese opponent to claim a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory on the second day of action at Roland Garros.

    A high-quality start to the match saw Raducanu and Wang trade early breaks, with the Brit failing to serve out the set for the first time at 5-4 up.

    World No 41 Raducanu immediately regained the upper hand with a quick break and served out the opening set despite a lengthy on-court medical timeout.

    Despite a strong end to the opener, the Brit’s level dropped significantly at the start of set two and, perhaps affected by an apparent medical issue, quickly fell 5-1 down.

    Wang twice failed to serve out the set but broke in the tenth game to force a decider, though Raducanu held her nerve in the deciding set to prevail.

    “I was playing Xinyu, who’s a tough opponent – she can take the racket out of your hands,” said Raducanu to TNT Sports.

    “I’m really happy to have found a way. The opening rounds are never easy. I haven’t been here in three years, so I think it was just a combination of a lot of things. Happy to have got through at least.

    “I can take positives in the fact that a lot of top champions, top players, they’ve saved match points, really struggled, but they’ve given themselves another opportunity in the draw, another match.

    “I think that is a big quality that is not necessarily easy to teach, where a shot is easier to kind of work on.

    “Character, and heart, and fight, that really came through today. I’m really proud of that.”

    Victory for Raducanu was her first at the French Open since 2022, where she beat Linda Noskova in the opening round before a round-two defeat to Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

    She pulled out of the event in 2023 due to a long-term injury absence, while she withdrew in 2024 to prioritise her grass-court campaign.

    With no ranking points to defend, Raducanu came into the tournament in an advantageous position.

    And, the 22-year-old has provisionally moved to 1,389 ranking points after her opening win, moving her up four places to world No 37 in the WTA Live Rankings.

    That does not guarantee she will be inside the top 40 by the end of the tournament, though it does make it a distinct possibility.

    Raducanu has not been inside the top 40 of the WTA Rankings since 2022, having fallen outside of that threshold after losing in the opening round of her US Open title defence.

    However, it will not be easy for Raducanu to progress any further in the draw, with a blockbuster second-round match against three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek up next.

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    Swiatek has not tasted defeat at the French Open since 2021, and a 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Rebecca Sramkova in round one was her 22nd consecutive victory at the tournament.

    The Pole is the most-played opponent of Raducanu’s career, though the head-to-head does not make for good reading from the Brit’s perspective.

    Swiatek has won all four of their meetings and all eight sets contested between the two, including a 6-1, 6-0 thrashing when they faced off at the Australian Open back in January.

    The round-two contest between the two is set to take place on Wednesday.

    “I’m very happy to have given myself another chance in the draw,” added Raducanu.

    “I felt the noise around the match [versus Swiatek] even before our first rounds, so I’m looking forward to going out there with not much pressure on me.

    “I think my game is in a pretty good place, so it’s a good challenge.”

    Read NextEmma Raducanu reveals how Mark Petchey ‘has helped me’ and keen on ‘having a conversation’ with Andy Murray

    The post Emma Raducanu ends three-year wait for French Open win with battling Round 1 triumph appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Tim Henman predicts who will win Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Grand Slam battle

    The battle between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner could dominate men’s tennis for the next decade and former British No 1 Tim Henman has given his verdict on who he believes will win the most Grand Slam titles.

    No 2 seed Alcaraz is aiming to defend his French Open title at Roland Garros over the next couple of weeks and he could face world No 1 Sinner in what would be their first Grand Slam final.

    Alcaraz currently has four Grand Slam titles on his record and Sinner has three, with Henman suggesting the young Spaniard has an edge on his Italian rival.

    “The first area that Alcaraz has an edge over Sinner is his movement,” said Henman, speaking at a TNT Sport and discovery+ event ahead of Roland Garros. “He’s one of the best movers I’ve ever seen on a tennis court.

    “When we look at the Alcaraz vs Sinner contest, I would say the other big difference is that Alcaraz has more ways to play, more variety.

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    “On the other hand, that can also work to Sinner’s advantage. He has a very simple game. He doesn’t need to confuse himself. His serve is very effective and his ball striking on his forehand and backhand is incredible.

    “I watched him practise in Rome on the side of the court and his ball striking was phenomenal. He strikes the ball so hard and with so much effortless power.

    “He’s tall, long arms, long levers and his timing is exceptional. So Sinner’s game is a little more straight forward.”

    Henman went on to highlight a big area of Alcaraz’s game that could be improved, as he suggests the variety in his game can sometimes confuse him.

    “I would say one area he could improve on is his shot selection,” continued Henman. “That really of his game is not always easy for him as he has so many options.

    “That is where I feel Alcaraz can improve as he gets more experience, as he will understand when he needs to play certain shots. It’s a great rivalry so far.”

    When asked to pick whether Alcaraz or Sinner will finish the career with more Grand Slam titles, Henman came down on the side of the Spaniard.

    “Alcaraz eventually will win more Grand Slam titles,” adds Henman. “To achieve what he has done already at the age of 21 is incredible, but it feels like there is so much more to come from Alcaraz.

    “With Alcaraz, we are in a conversation with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic and that’s the slight question mark with Alcaraz. I love watching him play, he’s absolutely brilliant, but there are times when he lacks the discipline around shot selection.

    “When you are talking about building that Grand Slam tally and getting into double figures, that’s the question mark for me.”

    Watch every moment of the French Open live and exclusive on discovery+

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    The post Tim Henman predicts who will win Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Grand Slam battle appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Emma Raducanu reveals how Mark Petchey ‘has helped me’ and keen on ‘having a conversation’ with Andy Murray

    Emma Raducanu is at ease with Mark Petchey’s dual role her coach and a commentator while the 2021 US Open winner also revealed she is hoping to “have a conversation” with Andy Murray.

    The 22-year-old first teamed up with Petchey during the Miami Open and they had instant success as she took out two seeded players to reach the quarter-finals of a WTA 1000 event for the first time while she also made it to the fourth round of the Italian Open.

    Petchey, of course, has a good track record as a coach as he mentored a young Murray to climb into the top 50 of the ATP Rankings early in his career and many believe he is the man to Raducanu back up the rankings.

    But he is currently also be working as a commentator and will do some work during the French Open with many worried it could have a negative impact on Raducanu.

    However, the world No 41 is happy with their arrangement as she feels Jane O’Donaghue and Tom Walsh will be of great assistance when Petchey is unavailable.

    “It completely depends on the schedule that he gets here, I knew that going into it,” she stated.

    “I think for him it’s a great opportunity to keep doing what he does so well and at the same time have fun hopefully being on court with me. I have Tom here who is going to help and Jane, when he isn’t available. And that’s how it’s going to go.

    “I think being a lot more self-sufficient is something Mark has helped me with the last few weeks. Since Miami I think one thing that is a great sign of a coach is when you don’t necessarily feel like you need them every shot, every point, so he’s really helped me to figure things out for myself.”

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    One person whose advice Raducanu will also seek out in the coming weeks is former world No 1 Murray.

    The last time they spoke was at Wimbledon in 2024 when they were due to team up in the mixed doubles before Raducanu withdrew as she wanted to focus on the singles.

    It became a hot topic of debate as it was Murray’s last Wimbledon event and Raducanu is hoping to chat with the three-time Grand Slam winner.

    “I hope he’s forgiven me for last year, I still feel bad about it,” she said. “I’m looking forward to seeing him around and having a conversation.

    “I think he would give great advice, he’s been in a similar situation and would probably understand a lot of things that I’m also going through. But as to anything more, I don’t know, that’s very far out of thought.”

    The post Emma Raducanu reveals how Mark Petchey ‘has helped me’ and keen on ‘having a conversation’ with Andy Murray appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Rafael Nadal’s full message to ‘Big 4’ rivals amid emotional French Open farewell

    Rafael Nadal paid a touching tribute to Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray during his emotional retirement ceremony at the French Open on Sunday.

    Djokovic, Federer, and Murray received a raptuous reception as they stepped onto Court Philippe Chatrier to pay tribute to Nadal, seven months on from the final match of his career.

    ‘King of Clay’ Nadal was visibly emotional throughout his ceremony at Roland Garros, where he won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam singles titles.

    It was the event that came to define the Spaniard’s career, with the 38-year-old winning an incredible 112 matches at the tournament, losing just four times.

    Nadal and his ‘Big Four’ rivals helped redefine dominance in the men’s game, with 69 Grand Slam titles between them, and the Spaniard celebrated his greatest rivals with a poignant message on court.

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    Nadal’s speech

    “After all these years fighting for everything it’s unbelievable how the time changes perspective of everything. You don’t know yet Novak, probably you know already Andy. With Roger we have talked about it a couple times.

    “All of the nerves, pressure, strange feelings you feel when we see each other when we are rivals, it’s completely different when you finish your career. At the end, now, it’s all about being happy about everything that we achieved.

    “At the end, all of us achieved our dreams. We became tennis players, played in the most important stages of our careers. I think we built amazing rivalries, but at the same time in a good way.

    “We showed the world that we can fight as hard as possible, but being good colleagues and respect each other very well. And for me, it means a lot that you are all here.

    “You gave me some hard times on court honestly, but I really enjoyed pushing myself to the limit every single day to compete with all of you.

    “At the end tennis is just a game. Sometimes we feel a bit more. But we understand at the end of the day, it’s really only a game. What it means for me that all of you are here is everything.

    “It’s a great message to the world that we can be good friends even if we had the best rivalries. Thank you very very much for everything during all these years.

    “I really hope and I’m sure we will continue doing positive things for our sport. Our legacy is there, but we need to keep building things that helps tennis keep growing. I’m sure we will make beautiful things together.

    “Thank you very much for everything. And all the best.”

    Read NextRafael Nadal’s greatest French Open milestones ahead of official farewell

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