Category: Articles

  • Canadian Open withdrawal list: 6 stars out as Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu joined by Wimbledon finalist

    Players missing big tournaments due to injuries continues to be a prominent storyline in the 2026 tennis season, with the upcoming Canadian Open the latest event to be affected.

    The Canadian Open, which is a combined ATP/WTA 1000 event, is a key part of the North American hard-court season, and it is the next big tournament on the 2026 tennis calendar.

    The men’s and women’s events at the National Bank Open — as the tournament is known for sponsorship reasons — alternate between two Canadian cities: Toronto and Montreal.

    This year’s edition of the Canadian Open will be held from 1 to 13 August, with the men’s event taking place in Montreal and the women’s event staged in Toronto.

    In 2025, Ben Shelton and Victoria Mboko secured the Canadian Open men’s and women’s singles titles in Toronto and Montreal respectively.

    More Tennis News

    ‘Carlos Alcaraz’s wrist is 100% and his fitness is even better than before’

    Emma Raducanu told she may need to change her lifestyle to sustain a career in tennis

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    Mboko, though, is one of six players who have already withdrawn from the 2026 Canadian Open across both the women’s and men’s main draw entry lists.

    The 19-year-old Canadian has not played since suffering a knee injury during her opening round singles match at the Queen’s Club Championships last month.

    WTA Canadian Open withdrawal list

    Mboko is one of five women who have pulled out of the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto, with world No 6 and Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova the latest to join the list.

    Muchova revealed on social media that she underwent a “small surgery” after Wimbledon.

    “I had to undergo a small surgery that will keep me off the court for a few weeks. Everything went well, and I’m already working on my recover,” wrote the 29-year-old Czech.

    “Sad to be missing Toronto this year. I was really looking forward to making my debut there, but recovery comes first.”

    Emma Raducanu, Hailey Baptiste and Dayana Yastremska are the other WTA players who have withdrawn.

    • Karolina Muchova (world No 6)
    • Victoria Mboko (world No 12)
    • Hailey Baptiste (world No 33)
    • Emma Raducanu (world No 38)
    • Dayana Yastremska (world No 74)

    ATP Canadian Open withdrawal list

    Seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz is currently the only man to pull out of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Montreal.

    The 23-year-old Spaniard has not played since April due to a right wrist injury.

    • Carlos Alcaraz (world No 3)

    READ NEXT: Caroline Wozniacki defends Aryna Sabalenka from criticism as she answers ‘mentality’ question

    The post Canadian Open withdrawal list: 6 stars out as Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu joined by Wimbledon finalist appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Novak Djokovic & Lionel Messi share powerful exchange on handling pressure

    Novak Djokovic took on a rare role away from the tennis court as he interviewed Lionel Messi ahead of the 2026 World Cup final, with the two sporting icons sharing a fascinating conversation about pressure, success, and handling defeat.

    The Serb most recently competed at Wimbledon, where he reached his eighth consecutive semi-final at the All England Club before losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.

    Djokovic has long been recognised for his exceptional ability to handle pressure, with perhaps the clearest examples coming during two deciding-set tiebreaks at Wimbledon – against Roger Federer in the 2019 final and Felix Auger-Aliassime in this year’s quarter-final.

    Across those two crucial moments, Djokovic played a combined 24 points and did not commit a single unforced error, showcasing the mental strength that has helped him become one of the most successful athletes in sporting history.

    As he moves further into the twilight of his illustrious career, Djokovic’s ability to manage his emotions and deliver under pressure against the world’s best could prove increasingly important in his pursuit of further success.

    Messi, meanwhile, will contest his second World Cup final on Sunday as Argentina faces Spain for just the second time in the tournament’s history.

    In their only previous World Cup meeting, a 1966 group-stage encounter, Argentina defeated Spain 2-1 at Villa Park in Birmingham.

    The Argentine superstar also guided his country to World Cup glory in 2022, defeating France in a dramatic final decided by penalties.

    In this year’s semi-final, Argentina recovered from a 1-0 deficit against England to secure a 2-1 victory and book their place in another final.

    Latest Tennis News

    Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner’s eventual Grand Slam hauls predicted by renowned tennis analyst

    Novak Djokovic makes candid retirement admission after Wimbledon loss – ‘That moment is closer than ever’

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    At FIFA’s Fanatics Fest, just 48 hours before the final, Djokovic turned the tables on the football legend by asking how he has remained composed throughout one of the greatest careers in sporting history.

    “How did you learn to block out pressure and stay true to your playing style?” questioned the tennis legend.

    “I never thought too much about pressure,” replied Messi.

    “I always saw it as something natural: going out to play, enjoy, and compete.

    “We are highly competitive and always want to win, but we also understand that this is a sport, that the opponent also plays, and that winning is not always possible.

    “Over time, I learned that you lose much more than you win. Understanding that helped me grow as a person and as a player.”

    Djokovic, for his part, is next scheduled to return to action at the Cincinnati Open, the season’s seventh Masters 1000 tournament, which takes place from August 13-23.

    He is also expected to attend the World Cup Final on Sunday, with Carlos Alcaraz also expected to do the same.

    READ NEXT: WTA Rankings Race: Andreeva still No 1 as Muchova, Noskova soar & Swiatek drops to 12th

    The post Novak Djokovic & Lionel Messi share powerful exchange on handling pressure appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Caroline Wozniacki defends Aryna Sabalenka from criticism as she answers ‘mentality’ question

    Former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki defended Aryna Sabalenka as she spoke to Tennis365 after the Belarusian’s defeat at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships.

    Sabalenka suffered a 2-6, 6-7(2) loss to No 14 seed Naomi Osaka in the last 16 at Wimbledon — a defeat that ended her stellar run of reaching the quarter-finals or better at 14 consecutive majors.

    The world No 1 is a two-time champion at both the Australian Open and the US Open, while she is yet to win either the French Open or Wimbledon.

    The 28-year-old has occupied top spot in the WTA Rankings since overtaking Iga Swiatek in October 2024, and she has been by far the most consistent player in women’s tennis during this period.

    It is surprising, though, that Sabalenka has won just one of the last seven Grand Slam titles since securing her third major at the 2024 US Open.

    Sabalenka was a runner-up at each of the last two editions of the Australian Open, as well as the 2025 French Open.

    At Roland Garros this year, she collapsed to a shock three-set quarter-final loss to Diana Shnaider after she was up a set and a double break at 4-1 in the second set.

    More WTA Tour News

    Aryna Sabalenka told she is ‘going to have to start proving herself’ by Jimmy Connors

    Alex Eala beats new Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova to land a big prize

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    Sabalenka has faced some criticism over her results at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, with tennis great Jimmy Connors saying the world No 1 is “going to have to start proving herself.”

    In an exclusive interview, Tennis365 asked Wozniacki if a mentality issue has been a factor in some of Sabalenka’s difficult recent losses at Grand Slams.

    “No, I think it’s hard, right? We expect so much from her,” said the Dane, who won the 2018 Australian Open.

    “We expect her to just get to the finals easy every week and win everything, but she’s human, as well.

    “There’s a lot of players out there who are working hard every day, who are following her and seeing every single movement she makes on court. It’s difficult. As humans, we will go up and down a little bit.

    “And you’ve gotta give credit where credit is due. I think Naomi played extremely well, I think she deserved to win that match, just with the tennis that she played. I think it was the best tennis I’ve seen from her in a while.

    “Sometimes, you’ve just got to say congratulations [to the opponent], and I hope that she is enjoying a little bit of vacation and enjoying just being away from the court a little bit.

    “And I have no doubt that we’ll see her back on the hard-court swing fit to fight and fully ready to win.”

    READ NEXT: Exclusive: Agnieszka Radwanska tells Iga Swiatek ‘the problem’ she must solve to get back to her best

    The post Caroline Wozniacki defends Aryna Sabalenka from criticism as she answers ‘mentality’ question appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Agnieszka Radwanska tells Iga Swiatek ‘the problem’ she must solve to get back to her best

    Former world No 2 and Polish legend Agnieszka Radwanska has told Tennis365 the “problem” Iga Swiatek must overcome if she is to return to her best level.

    Swiatek’s difficult 2026 season continued with a straight-set loss to Alex Eala in the third round at Wimbledon, where she was the reigning champion.

    The six-time Grand Slam winner holds a 23-12 record in 2026, giving her a win percentage of 65.7%, which is well below her career win rate of 79.3%.

    The Polish star had an outstanding win percentage of 88.2% in 2022, which is her career-best season to date, while she also won 87.7% of her matches in 2024 and 85% in 2023.

    Following her defeat at Wimbledon, Swiatek said: “Honestly, I don’t care anymore about the results. I’ve been so focused on them that it’s hard to continue like that.

    “So I’m really trying to, like, let it go. I don’t have good results, so I’m not going to expect for myself good results because they’re just not happening. I’m not on that level yet.

    “I need to work from the beginning and try to just get my tennis better.”

    More Iga Swiatek News

    Exclusive: Agnieszka Radwanska reveals what ‘worried’ her about Iga Swiatek’s Wimbledon exit

    Iga Swiatek told that her ‘fighting spirit’ and ‘positive attitude’ are missing

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    In an exclusive interview, Tennis365 asked Radwanska about Swiatek’s results comment and whether confidence is the issue for her compatriot.

    “I think so. I think she meant that she’s focusing on her new tennis, only for going on court and showing the best tennis, so that’s why she said that she’s not really focusing on the results,” said Radwanska.

    “But obviously that always comes together, right? If you play good, the results come.

    “Obviously, now she’s struggling a little bit with the confidence, and also with the results and [finding] her best tennis.

    “I think she’s trying different things to help with her on court and to really show the same things that she’s doing on the practice courts.”

    Radwanska, a Wimbledon finalist in 2012, also gave her verdict on whether Swiatek can get back to her best.

    “I think so, because she’s such a great player. Actually, mentally and physically, it’s all there,” said Radwanska, who won 20 WTA Tour titles.

    “She can still play great tennis, and I think she’s still showing that on court.

    “But now, the problem is, it’s a lot of ups and downs during the match, and obviously when you’re on the top and you want to win tournaments, those up and downs can be only for a little bit.

    “You cannot lose a couple of games just like that, not being there mentally.

    “I think if she’s gonna get there — and I think she will — we’re gonna see her winning titles, for sure.”

    Swiatek, who has spent 125 weeks as the world No 1, dropped to eighth in the WTA Rankings after Wimbledon, which is her lowest ranking position since February 2022.

    The 25-year-old has not reached a final since she won the 2025 Korea Open 10 months ago.

    READ NEXT: WTA Rankings Race: Andreeva still No 1 as Muchova, Noskova soar & Swiatek drops to 12th

    The post Agnieszka Radwanska tells Iga Swiatek ‘the problem’ she must solve to get back to her best appeared first on Tennis365.

  • ‘Carlos Alcaraz’s wrist is 100% and his fitness is even better than before’

    Carlos Alcaraz has taken the negative of his wrist injury “and turned it into a positive”, according to a legendary former coach of Serena and Venus Williams.

    Seven-time major champion Alcaraz is yet to confirm when he will return to the tour having been sidelined since April due to a right wrist injury that emerged at the Barcelona Open.

    Alcaraz has not signed up for the Canada Masters, but he is on the entry list for the Cincinnati Open, which will begin on 13 August.

    Earlier this week, a report from Spanish publication La Verdad claimed Alcaraz and his team are targeting Cincinnati for his comeback.

    “Alcaraz’s team has chosen to focus all their efforts on arriving in the best possible condition for Cincinnati, a tournament that begins in mid-August,” stated the report.

    The report added: “The wrist is healthy, completely healed and they are gradually increasing the training load.”

    More Carlos Alcaraz News

    Exclusive: Richard Krajicek reveals if Carlos Alcaraz’s wrist injury worries him as he makes prediction

    Carlos Alcaraz’s rumoured return sparks fresh wrist injury concerns ahead of US Open

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    Rick Macci, who has coached five players who went on to become world No 1, has declared that Alcaraz’s fitness “is even better than before” as he works towards a comeback.

    “The Spanish Magician will be locked loaded and ready to launch when he steps on the court,” Macci wrote in a post on his Twitter/X account.

    “The wrist is 100% and he has played many matches and practice sets with other pros.

    “He has taken a negative and turned it into a positive and his fitness is even better than before.

    “Just needs now to feel the heat in live combat and take the temperature on the key points. Magic show coming to a court near you soon.”

    In an exclusive interview with Tennis365, Macci said that Alcaraz “will not change anything” as a result of his injury and described him as “the best role model” for young players.

    “He’s the Spanish magician, he holds the racket like a paintbrush, and he does a lot of interesting things with his hands and wrist,” said the American coach.

    “And we could say this and that [about his technique and playing style], but listen, that’s his DNA. He’s an artist, he’s a virtuoso.

    “This is how he plays — from the heart and from the soul. He’s not gonna change anything, and hopefully this will not be a big thing because let’s face it, his charisma, and his spirit… he is must-see TV.

    READ NEXT: ATP Rankings: Points Sinner, Zverev, Alcaraz, Shelton, Djokovic will drop during North American swing

    The post ‘Carlos Alcaraz’s wrist is 100% and his fitness is even better than before’ appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Alex Eala beats new Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova to land a big prize

    Alex Eala’s popularity ratings are rising at a rapid rate after she enjoyed her best run at a Grand Slam with a fourth round appearance at Wimbledon and while she didn’t land the big prize at the All England Club, she has been handed a consolation.

    Eala’s game works well on a grass court and after starting June with a win at the Birmingham Open, she the enjoyed a fine run in Berlin that included wins against Elena Rybakina and the Elina Svitolina in the WTA 500 tournament.

    That was backed up by three wins at Wimbledon, with her victory against defending champion Iga Swiatek on the middle Saturday providing one of the best stories of the tournament.

    Now she has won a landslide victory in a WTA poll to crown the best player of the grass court season, with the Filipina winning 90 per-cent of the vote ahead of new Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.

    Karolina Muchova finished third in the poll, with the scale of Eala’s victory highlighting the popularity she has both in her homeland and with a huge fanbase around the world.

    More Tennis News

    US Open Mixed Doubles dream teams – Alcaraz, Serena, Eala & Sinner in the mix next month

    Alex Eala responds to recent criticism she’s heard about professional tennis players

    Eala’s fine form on grass courts allowed her to rise back into the top 30 of the WTA Rankings and that should ensure she is seeded for next month’s US Open, where she will have another chance to make further advances up the rankings.

    Even though Eala was disappointed by her fourth round defeat against Jasmine Paolini at Wimbledon, she took a lot from her performances at at the All England Club.

    “There are so many positives,” she said after the loss against Paolini.

    “One I think is how I’ve handled pressure. There’s pressure every week, right? Of course, the more you want to win, I think the more kind of like pressure goes along with that. I’m happy with how I faced it head on. I think I kept cool when I needed to control my emotions. Overall, performed the best that I could on the day.

    “I think this week in general will add to my confidence. I mean, if this week doesn’t… It’s been one of my best results, right? Of course, it will add confidence.

    “I think it’s important that every match I played this week, and every match that I play, I go in with the self-esteem and the thought that I’m able to win. I don’t think that necessarily because of one week or the other that that will change, yeah.

    “That’s also what’s beautiful about tennis, is that every match, it’s different in a sense. You’re always finding solutions, the opponent is always finding ways to make you uncomfortable.

    “Everyone has days where they don’t play their best tennis. I understand that’s part of the job. I don’t think I’m going to be playing the best tennis of my life every single day. I don’t expect that. With that being said, I’m really proud of how I handled things. I think I just have to kind of move forward and continue with my progress.

    “With tennis and matches that are tight, it sometimes can depend on one point or two. I think it’s how you manage yourself during those moments. Looking back, for example, I have one point, and did I stick with my game, did I stick with the game plan, did I do everything I could at that moment? I think that’s all you can really do is do your best, right?

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    “There are so many external factors that you cannot control. You cannot control how she plays. You cannot control if there’s wind. You cannot control if it’s super hot or it’s super cold.

    “The only thing I can control is how I approach those situations. If I’m able to approach them with bravery, with a steady mind and with intensity, then I’m able to look back and feel no regret, yeah.”

    READ NEXT: Andy Roddick shuts down Alexandra Eala doubters after Wimbledon run: ‘This is a movement’

    The post Alex Eala beats new Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova to land a big prize appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Novak Djokovic explains why he still feels he has something to prove at 39

    Novak Djokovic does not seem to be considering retirement for the time being as his competitive fire still burns.

    The vast majority of men’s singles players would long have been retired at the age of 39 but Djokovic still wants to prove himself against his much younger rivals.

    Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have been the dominant forces on the ATP Tour since 2024, with Djokovic’s last Grand Slam win coming at the 2023 US Open.

    The Serbian is still a huge threat at the majors, with the veteran reaching all four semi-finals last year and this season, he reached the Australian Open final and the last four at Wimbledon. But ‘Sincaraz’ are currently a level above the all-time great.

    Djokovic has nothing left to prove after breaking virtually every big record in men’s tennis. But the 24-time Grand Slam winner still wants more as we approach the US Open.

    More Novak Djokovic News

    Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu complained in 2025 and tennis chiefs are finally tackling the problem

    ‘Novak Djokovic understands a 25th Grand Slam might not happen’ after Wimbledon setback

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    However, he did admit that age is finally catching up with him. Indeed, for the last couple of years, Djokovic has had quite a few niggles, while also not entirely letting on the other ailments he is dealing with.

    When asked if he thinks about his age while playing, he said on CBS News, “Well, I am thinking about playing great tennis, and really, if I’m not thinking about it, then people remind me. If the people don’t remind me of my age, then my body reminds me of my age.

    “You’re just trying to take every percentage of extra edge that I can get to be able to still compete at an elite level with young guys, right? But, you know, the body is responding differently, and that’s just biology.

    “You know, the wear and tear of the 20-plus years on the highest level, it’s just taking its toll. So, it takes more time for me to recover. So, after that five-hour, 15-minute quarterfinals [at Wimbledon], you know, I just couldn’t fully recover for the semis, and I wasn’t as fresh as I wanted to be.

    “But not to take anything away from Sinner, who won and won the tournament. But it’s just, it’s different nowadays.”

    The one glaring omission from Djokovic’s stacked tennis CV was the Olympic gold in singles. After multiple failed attempts, Djokovic finally achieved his heart’s desire by winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

    None would have begrudged him from sailing off into the sunset but Djokovic still thinks he has something to prove.

    He added, “Yeah, I do. I do. I mean, there’s always something to prove to myself primarily and to others, but to myself that I can always be better than I was yesterday.”

    READ MORE: Serena Williams’ former coach says Jannik Sinner was ‘very average’ in Wimbledon final

    The post Novak Djokovic explains why he still feels he has something to prove at 39 appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Novak Djokovic told his last big tennis dream is over – can he defy his doubters again?

    Novak Djokovic may soon be looking to life after tennis after his latest Wimbledon dream came to an end in familiar fashion, with former British No 1 Greg Rusedski now predicting his last change to win a 25th Grand Slam title has come and gone.

    Djokovic was well beaten by eventual champion Jannik Sinner in what he openly admitted was a one-sided semi-final, in what was a repeat of the 2025 clash between the two players at the same stage of Wimbledon.

    The Serbian legend will be 40 by the time he next gets a chance to play on Wimbledon’s Centre Court and there is no evidence to suggest he will fare any better against Sinner in a rematch a year from now.

    That has inspired Rusedski to conclude Djokovic’s last big chance to win what would be a record breaking 25th major title may now have gone, with Sinner dominant at the top of the rankings and Carlos Alcaraz set to return to action ahead of the US Open next month.

    Speaking on the latest edition of his podcast, Rusedski reflected on his belief that Djokovic may now struggle to get past Sinner and Alcaraz to win another Grand Slam, as he suggested good fortune may be needed to get him over the line.

    More Tennis News

    Jannik Sinner is ‘an evolved version of Novak Djokovic’, says former ATP star

    Mark Philippoussis puts what Novak Djokovic is doing into perspective with revealing comments

    “He needs a lot more luck,” declared Rusedski. “I think Alcaraz being out this Wimbledon was huge for him.

    “I don’t know if he’s gonna win a 25th Slam now. I think this was possibly his last chance. But of course he should continue playing, stranger things have happened.

    “I think Jimmy Connors was quoted as saying, stop asking the guy about retiring. The guy’s playing unbelievable. He made the Australian Open Finals beating Sinner earlier this year, semis of Wimbledon. That’s better than 99.9% of people’s careers, those two two results. So if Djokovic wants to keep playing, keep playing.

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    “I’ve gotten it wrong many times, but there’s not many 39-year-old plus people who win majors.

    “And it kind of feels like, he can go semis, possibly a final. But to get over the final hurdle now, it feels like that next generation’s establishing himself. Alexander Zverev’s just shown up to the party. The way he served these two weeks at Wimbledon was frightening.

    “Felix Auger-Aliassime has impressed me the last two majors. Physically getting there, he’s improving. He’s on the cusp of getting in the party. So I think right now there’s maybe a few too many guys when Novak gets to semis quarters or finals. I don’t know if he’ll have enough physically in the tank.

    “That’s the problem. You have to go back to back against two of the hottest players at the tournament, even if it Carlos Alcaraz isn’t there.

    “Nothing but respect for Novak. He’s the GOAT, without question and and if he gets a 25 Slam, I will be happy to eat my words.”

    Djokovic has been in New York this week hosting a star-studded premiere for an upcoming documentary on his remarkable life.

    Tennis great John McEnroe, former boxing champion Mike Tyson and football giant Zlatan Ibrahimovic were among those in attendance for a series that will be released on Amazon Prime next month.

    READ NEXT: ‘Novak Djokovic now understands the dream of the 25th Grand Slam might not become a reality’

    The post Novak Djokovic told his last big tennis dream is over – can he defy his doubters again? appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Jannik Sinner ‘was very average’ in Wimbledon final, says top tennis coach

    Patrick Mouratoglou has described Jannik Sinner’s Wimbledon final win over Alexander Zverev as “very average”, but it was more than enough to win his fifth major.

    The Italian was under intense pressure to retain his Wimbledon title after his shock early exit from the French Open when he was the overwhelming favourite to win in Paris.

    After physical issues wrecked his Roland Garros hopes, much of the talk heading into the grass court major was whether or not the scorching heat would get to the 24-year-old again.

    The world No 1 overcame an almighty scare in round one against Miomir Kecmanovic before he settled into the tournament. Sinner produced an almost flawless performance to dismiss Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the semi-finals, before downing Alexander Zverev in four sets in the final.

    The five-time Grand Slam winner hit 58 winners and just 25 unforced errors but according to Serena Williams’ former coach, Mouratoglou, this was not a particularly impressive display.

    More Jannik Sinner News

    ‘I’m glad Jannik Sinner won Wimbledon but I miss Carlos Alcaraz’

    ATP star admits he and other players ‘give up when facing Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’

    Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

    But, what is worrying for the rest of the ATP Tour, is that Mouratoglou believes that Sinner can get a lot better, which may scupper everyone else’s Grand Slam hopes.

    The Frenchman captioned his Instagram video, “It wasn’t Jannik at his very best… yet he still had plenty in reserve. Here’s why!”

    He went on to explain, “It was not a great Jannik Sinner and imagine he won a Grand Slam. This Sinner, if you compare his usual level in the last months to his level during Wimbledon, I would say he was at 65% to 70%.

    “I felt that he was not very confident. Yes, he had a very big disappointment at Roland Garros, but it’s not that he didn’t play well. And before that, he won a number of matches without losing one. So, he should be super confident.

    “In the final, he missed so many forehands and he was moving backwards, usually he always goes forward. On the returning side, he was not as good.

    “Even though he was very average, I think it is going to be very useful for the future for him to know that he can win a Grand Slam being at 70% in terms of his quality of tennis.”

    Mouratoglou has had a great deal of success as a coach. During his 10-year stint with Serena between 2012-22, the American won 10 majors and he has also coached Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune, Simona Halep, and more.

    Ergo, when it comes to tennis, the 56-year-old knows what he is talking about. And it could be argued that Sinner did not hit the heights he achieved when the 6ft 3in player won all five Masters 1000 events earlier this year. However, in this instance, the outspoken Mouratoglou is likely to raise a few eyebrows with these comments.

    Incidentally, with Carlos Alcaraz yet to come back from a wrist injury, Zverev still being unable to break a 10-match losing streak against Sinner, and Djokovic running out of energy in the business end of the majors, the Italian could be in for more success at the US Open.

    Once again, the high temperatures may be his biggest enemy.

    READ MORE: Former British No 1 with some candid advice for Emma Raducanu

    The post Jannik Sinner ‘was very average’ in Wimbledon final, says top tennis coach appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz Emma Raducanu’s complaints are finally being addressed by tennis chiefs

    Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz Emma Raducanu’s complaints are finally being addressed by tennis chiefs

    Many a tennis player has complained about fluffed-up balls in the past few years and the ATP finally seems to be doing something about it as they will trial more frequent ball changes.

    With the number of wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries increasing among tennis players in recent years, many have attributed it to the balls being used with some saying it’s because the balls deteriorate more quickly.

    Others, meanwhile, believe it’s due to the fact that players basically have to adapt to new balls every other week as different tournaments use different balls.

    Last year, the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Emma Raducanu all made it clear that they are not impressed with the ball situation and called for change.

    Tennis great Djokovic questioned the quality of the balls as he stated: “That’s probably the biggest difference I can notice, compared to maybe 10, 15 years ago. It’s the balls.”

    Tennis News

    Emma Raducanu told she may need to change her lifestyle to sustain a career in tennis

    Carlos Alcaraz had complaint about the Cincinnati Open in 2025 and they appear to have listened

    Alcaraz, who is currently out injured with a serious wrist injury that he sustained at the Barcelona Open, admitted that the constant changing of balls “complicated things”.

    “I think last year there were many injuries, many players with elbow or shoulder issues,” he said in an interview in February 2025. “It needs to change. I know they will change it.

    “Every week, practically every week, we have different balls, different conditions, so it’s complicated to adapt to them.”

    As for the quality of the balls, he stated: “I had good training to adapt, but it was tough. New balls, everything seems to move very fast… and after two or three exchanges, the ball becomes very big and it’s a bit difficult to play aggressively with them.”

    Raducanu has also had to deal with wrist injuries in the past as she underwent surgery on both her wrists in May 2023

    “I do think the balls are a big challenge for all of us,” she was quoted as saying by The Guardian last October. “The way that they deteriorate is really challenging. I think it gets very fluffy.

    “You see a lot of wrist, elbow, shoulder injuries happening now. And it is hard because the dynamic of the points can be different from when they’re new to when they’re old.”

    And there is good news for those who have complained, as the ATP appears to have listened and is trying to come up with a solution.

    According to Tennis Insider @Parsa_Nemati: “The ATP will trial more frequent ball changes at the Lexington Challenger next month: main draw singles get the first change after 5 games, then every 7 — down from the standard 7, then 9.

    “Backed by the Player Advisory Council, it follows player feedback on hard-court ball wear.”

    Pictured: Gill Gross reply on X

    Gill Gross X post

    It has also received the support of Tennis Channel analyst Gill Gross as he stated: “I think this change should happen and will happen.”

    The post Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz Emma Raducanu’s complaints are finally being addressed by tennis chiefs appeared first on Tennis365.