Category: Articles

  • Stefanos Tsitsipas makes big claim about men’s tennis amid massacre of Wimbledon seeds

    Stefanos Tsitsipas makes big claim about men’s tennis amid massacre of Wimbledon seeds

    Stefanos Tsitsipas believes the level at the top of men’s tennis is stronger than ever before, even though the dominant era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is at an end.

    Two-time Grand Slam finalist Tsitsipas was knocking on the door of the biggest prizes in the sport in the opening phase of his career, but his ambitions tended to be halted by one of the ‘Big 3’ of Federer, Nadal or Djokovic.

    The Greek star won the first two sets of his French Open final against Djokovic in 2023, before the Serbian roared back to beat him in a thriller.

    Yet Tsitsipas believes the standards required to win a Grand Slam now may be even higher and not just because of the levels Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are serving up at the top of the rankings.

    The first week of Wimbledon has been dominated by the exit of big seeds, with No 3 seed Alexander Zverev and No 4 seed Jack Draper among the big names to crash out.

    Now, in an exclusive interview with Tennis365 after we were invited to the launch of Adidas’s The London Originals Collection in London, Tsitsipas served up some fascinating insights into how the ATP Tour has changed since he broke through into the top 10 and why the challenge to win is more demanding than ever.

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    “I did not experience the tour ten years ago, so I cannot say about what it was like to be at the top then because I was not active then, but as a first impression, I feel the tour today is a lot harder,” Tsitsipas told Tennis365, before he was forced to pull out of Wimbledon in the first round due to to a lower back injury when trailing 113th-ranked French qualifier Valentin Royer 6-3, 6-2.

    “There are more players who can do damage to a top 10 player than we had before. Many more players are competing against each other than they were before. So in that regard, it is tougher to be in the top 30.

    “I’m playing in the third of fourth round at a Masters 1000 tournament today and the level is not as it was when I started. It is higher now. You are getting players in the earlier rounds now than before.

    “The number of players who can compete against the top guys has become bigger. There is less of that empty space that many have existed out of the top players in the past.”

    Tsitsipas went on to suggest advances in the technology of rackets, equipment and physicality of players is leaping forward at a rapid pace.

    “One reason for this is that I feel tennis has reached a point where the physicality has improved massively,” he stated.

    “Access to technology, access to things that actually contribute to help to help the game. There’s a lot of good coaches today than back then, in my opinion. 

    “There’s a lot of good tennis organisations out there. I mean, you can see what Italy has done in the last couple of years. They’ve gone from a federation that was not competing for Grand Slam, suddenly to having lots of so many players in top 200 players now. Men of women.

    Stefanos Tsitsipas

    Stefanos Tsitsipas spoke to Tennis365 at an Adidas event to launch The London Originals Collection

    “It shows you that everyone is after it. And a lot of people have resources now to try and make that happen.”

    Tsitsipas has a long relationship with sportswear giant Adidas and he admits feeling good on court helps him to feel good on court.

    “It’s not very often you feel comfortable on the court and I would not be very happy if I didn’t feel comfortable with what I was wearing,” he added.

    “The court is not a place where you are supposed to feel too comfortable against your opponent. When you feel too comfortable, that can backfire very badly.

    “But there is definitely that feeling of getting to a feel good place when you are on court. I have felt it a few times. You feel in a safe space and everything feels it is working. I describe it as a humble feeling, as it never last long.

    “The great thing about working with Adidas is I know that I will feel good on court in the kit as they will never mess up on anything.”

    READ NEXT: Stefanos Tsitsipas makes surprising Carlos Alcaraz claim as Rafael Nadal debate is reignited

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  • Rafa Nadal leads tributes to footballer Diogo Jota after fatal car crash

    Rafa Nadal has led tennis’ tributes to Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota after the Liverpool forward and his brother André Silva were killed in a car accident early on Thursday morning.

    The 28-year-old was travelling through Zamora in Spain when a failed tyre caused them to lose control, killing both at the scene. Jota had been heading for Santander to board a ferry back to Liverpool ahead of the club’s return to pre-season training.

    The death, which came less than two weeks after Jota’s wedding, shocked the sporting world with tributes extending beyond football.

    In tennis, Nadal was among the first to pass on his condolences, describing it as “painful news.”

    “What sad and painful news,” Nada tweeted. “All my love, affection, and support to his wife, children, family, and friends during such a difficult time.

    “Rest in Peace, Diogo Jota and André Silva.”

    Nadal was later joined by his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz who posted on Instagram: “Rest in peace Diogo and Andre. My sincere condolences to your loved ones” alongside a black and white image of the player.

    Martina Navratilova also tweeted: “So tragic… RIP Diogo… and Andre”

    At Wimbledon, Portuguese player Francisco Cabral was permitted to break the strict dress code and wear a black armband in remembrance.

    “I don’t know him personally but I have a friend that knows him, he was a great guy,” Cabral said.

    “Very, very sad news, not only in the sports world but in Portugal overall, because he’s such an idol, such an icon, such a good person.

    “I got the news when I was driving to Wimbledon. I just wish all the best for his family. I know they have good people around them so I hope they can get through it.

    “I know what he’s been through, what he conquered through his career and through his life. So he’s just very inspiring for me.”

    Football manager Jürgen Klopp, who signed Jota to Liverpool in 2020 said “Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much!”

    Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s teammate with Portugal, said: “Doesn’t make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married.”

    “To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world.

    “I know you’ll always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We’ll all miss you.”

    A Liverpool statement read: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.

    “The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.

    “Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.”

     

     

    The post Rafa Nadal leads tributes to footballer Diogo Jota after fatal car crash appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Novak Djokovic makes confession about his staggering achievements after latest Wimbledon feat

    Novak Djokovic revealed he does not spend time reflecting on his incredible tennis journey as he reached more milestones with his latest Wimbledon win.

    The 24-time Grand Slam winner dismantled world No 154 Dan Evans 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 in the second round of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships on Centre Court.

    The Serbian struck a sublime 46 winners to just 14 unforced errors and won 97 points to 52. At the age of 38 years and 39 days, Djokovic is the youngest player to win a 6-0 set at Wimbledon since Jimmy Connors in 1991.

    Djokovic broke the 35-year-old Brit six times and saved the only two break pointe he faced, which were in the final game of the match as he sealed victory with a third set bagel.

    “A Brit in Britain is never easy to face,” said Djokovic in his on-court interview. Dan Evans can be causing a lot of trouble if you are not on your game, which I think I was from the beginning to be honest.

    “I knew exactly what I needed to do and I executed it perfectly. Sometimes you have these kinds of days where everything goes your way.”

    The Serbian then reacted to winning his 99th match at Wimbledon: “It means that I have been playing for quite a long time! I still enjoy and this sport has given me so much,”

    “Wimbledon still stays the most special tournament in my heart and the one that I always dreamed of winning when I was a kid. Any history made here is very special for me.”

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    Djokovic expressed his desire to reflect on everything he has experienced in his career with his great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal once he retires.

    “I don’t pause to reflect,” the world No 6 admitted.

    “I don’t have time. Being on the highest level on professional tennis requires a lot of dedication.

    “I don’t play as much as I did before, but the weeks I don’t play, I play at home with my kids. I don’t reflect fully on everything I have been through.

    “I would like to but I think that will come when I set the racquet aside and then sip Margaritas on the beach with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry and everything.”

    Djokovic is second on the Wimbledon Open Era men’s singles win list, with Federer top on 105.

    The Serb is just one win away from equalling the Swiss’ record for the most wins at the All England Club after turning 30 (46 wins).

    The former world No 1 is through to the third round at Wimbledon for the 19th time in 20 appearances. Djokovic will face world No 49 and fellow countryman Miomir Kecmanovic next.

    READ NEXT: How to beat Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon: Nick Kyrgios reveals key as he sends Novak Djokovic message

    The post Novak Djokovic makes confession about his staggering achievements after latest Wimbledon feat appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Alcaraz and Raducanu respond to Alexander Zverev’s concerning mental health confession

    The world of tennis has been talking about mental health after Alexander Zverev made a frank confession following his early Wimbledon defeat.

    A first-round exit to Arthur Rinderknech prompted Zverev to reveal he had been struggling with his mental health and suggested he may need the help of a threapist.

    That topic has been put to other players at the British slam with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu and Aryna Sabalenka all weighing in.

    Alcaraz, who is eyeing his third consecutive Wimbledon title, said the key to his mental preparation was to focus on enjoying the sport rather than the pressure of winning.

    “I’ve felt down a lot of times on the court and in tournaments,” Alcaraz said when Zverev’s comments were put to him.

    “I’m just really happy to have found the right path again and such good joy on the court. For me, it is not about winning or losing. For me it’s about having fun playing tennis, have fun stepping on court. Not thinking about the result. It’s just living the moment.”

    Raducanu, who has weathered her fair share of negative press, said she has to ignore the results side of the sport and try to find progress.

    “It’s a mentally very challenging sport. I think for me, what I’ve found, is trying to surround yourself with good people.. trying to win the day.. trying to focus on the process as much as possible.

    “I think the results, it’s really difficult to kind of take your joy from the results. Because it’s so up and down. It’s a rollercoaster.”

    Therapists working with athletes is nothing new and indeed, women’s world No. 1 Sabalenka revealed she spent five years working with one.

    “I had a therapist for like five years,” she said. “I stopped working [with them] maybe in 2022.

    “It’s actually crazy to hear from someone like Alexander because he surrounded himself with the family. I think it’s really important to talk openly about whatever you’re dealing with. Especially if you have your family, you can say whatever you feel to your family.

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    “Me, with my team, we always talk a lot. That’s why I don’t need a therapist. I have my team. We talk about whatever. I know they’re not gonna judge me. They’re not gonna blame me. They’re just gonna accept it and we’re gonna work through. This is the best advice I can give to Sascha [Zverev]”

    Andrey Rublev said these problems are not unique to tennis and that bad results or the sport can just be “the trigger point.”

    “To be honest, it has nothing to do with tennis,” the 27-year-old said. “It’s about the same thing. It’s just that you can find excuses like you’re exhausted or mentally tired of playing non-stop, non-stop, but it has nothing to do with tennis.

    “In the end, tennis is just the trigger point. It’s something inside you that you have to deal with.”

    Read next: How to beat Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon: Nick Kyrgios reveals key as he sends Novak Djokovic message

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  • John McEnroe reveals ‘oh my god’ verdict on certain Jack Draper characteristic

    John McEnroe said he was shocked at the “physical specimen” Jack Draper had become having first met the British player when the latter was 14.

    Draper is having an excellent 2025 so far and having won Indian Wells, the 23-year-old is looking to become the first Briton since Andy Murray to win Wimbledon.

    As for his chances, three-time Wimbledon champion McEnroe believed Draper was definitely in contention.

    “I’m very impressed with Jack Draper,” McEnroe said in his role as a commentator for the BBC. “I knew that he had a lot of talent. I didn’t realise he was that good an athlete. He’s really developed into a force. He is seeded four, he’s four in the world so to me, he’s the fourth favourite, without a doubt.

    “And I think on this surface, he could play against anybody. Sinner’s not quite as comfortable on this surface as he is on the other surfaces.

    “With Alcaraz, it would certainly be exciting if those two played. So he’s absolutely put himself in the mix which is going to add to the pressure.

    “He doesn’t have to deal with those guys until the semis. That’s all you can ask for. I think he’s getting very close. I don’t think that he’s lacking anything in his game. There’s nothing he can’t do.”

    McEnroe went on to state the one aspect he was most surprised by with Draper’s physicality vastly improving since the two first met.

    “He was 14,” McEnroe recalled of their first encounter.. “He was like 5ft 1. The guy was tiny, so he had to work on everything, as all 14-year-olds do.

    “He obviously had a lot of talent, you could see that. But I wasn’t quite sure why he was even there to be honest.

    “And I’m still not 100% sure. I believe his dad was running the British LTA so it seemed like he was at least going to be taken care of, obviously.

    “So that part seemed to be a non-issue. I’m not sure how tall his mum is, or exactly how tall his dad is. I didn’t see that happening where now it’s: ‘Oh, my God, Jesus Christ, this guy’s a physical specimen’.”

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    But to win the tournament, Draper was told he must have “a little bit of luck” but also overcome the “nerves issue” that has troubled him in the past.

    “It comes down to belief at a certain point, a little bit of luck. and also the nerves issue that’s been somewhat of an issue with him,” McEnroe said.

    “He’s talked about it. The expectations are going to be way higher than they’ve ever been. So how is he going to handle that?

    “And so that’s going to be a factor coming in. I took a look at the forecast. Looked like it’d be pretty warm, not super hot. So that could be fine. But at a certain point that could be a factor if it turns out to be really hot.”

    Read next: Madison Keys embracing Wimbledon ‘opportunity with US expectations set to rise

     

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  • How to beat Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon: Nick Kyrgios reveals key as he sends Novak Djokovic message

    Nick Kyrgios has revealed the one key thing he believes all players must do in order to have a chance of beating Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.

    Alcaraz is the two-time reigning Wimbledon champion and is widely considered a clear favourite to triumph again at the grass-court major this year.

    The Spaniard overcame seven-time Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic in both the 2023 and 2024 championship matches at the All England Club.

    The 22-year-old secured his fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open last month having prevailed in a five-set classic against world No 1 Jannik Sinner.

    The world No 2 has a favourable as he cannot face Djokovic, Sinner or world No 4 Jack Draper until the Wimbledon final.

    Speaking on talkSPORT, Kyrgios heaped praise on Alcaraz as he compared him to the Big Three of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

    “Alcaraz is the favourite to win Wimbledon,” said Kyrgios, the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up.

    “I saw a stat today, he’s won four tournaments on grass and he’s only lost three matches on the surface ever. So I think he’d be the favourite.

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    “What I love about Alcaraz, he’s got a bit of [Rafa] Nadal, [Roger] Federer and Novak [Djokovic], he’s all blended into one.

    “He entertains the crowd, he’s got the physicality, he’s got the smile, he enjoys it. So I think Alcaraz would be the favourite.”

    The Aussie identified serving well against Alcaraz on grass as “essential” and assessed that Djokovic failing to do this was the reason he was outclassed in the 2024 final.

    “He (Alcaraz) is just so confident on the surface,” Kyrgios continued. “If I was to play him on grass, I would have to have an amazing serving day. I think anyone that beats him has to have a big serve.

    “That’s why I think Novak really struggled against him last year in the final because he couldn’t get any free points.

    “Serving is essential against Alcaraz, but sometimes he has too many options. I like to say he’s almost too talented and he’s almost too good.

    “Early on, in the first set or second set, he can drop early sets against other players. So locking in early against him would be essential too.

    “But this guy’s a generational talent and I think when it’s all said and done he’s probably gonna have double-digit grand slams at least.

    “There’s only really so much you can do. You probably hope for him you have an off day and then you have an incredible day.”

    READ NEXT: What Jannik Sinner said about Novak Djokovic relationship and the Serb’s Wimbledon prospects

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  • Carlos Alcaraz surpasses Bjorn Borg with immense accomplishment at Wimbledon

    Carlos Alcaraz broke an amazing Bjorn Borg record with his second round victory over Oliver Tarvet at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.

    The world No 2 saw off 733rd-ranked qualifier Tarvet in a high-level second round contest on Centre Court.

    Alcaraz broke the 21-year-old Brit six times — twice in each set — as he delivered a much-improved performance from his five-set struggle against Fabio Fognini in round one.

    It was a display that reinforced his status as the title favourite. The 22-year-old now holds an impressive 9-0 record against players younger than him.

    The Spaniard has won an astounding 30 consecutive matches across Wimbledon and the French Open combined, with his last defeat at either of the European majors coming at Roland Garros in 2023. He won the last two editions of Wimbledon (2023 and 2024) and the French Open (2024 and 2025).

    In doing this, Alcaraz has become the youngest man in the Open Era — at 22 years and 56 days — to amass a 30-match win streak at Roland Garros and Wimbledon combined.

    The five-time major champion has broken Bjorn Borg’s record, with the legendary Swede having clinched a 30th straight win across the French Open and Wimbledon at the age of 22 years and 356 days.

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    In his on-court interview, Alcaraz lauded Tarvet’s performance: “First of all, I have to give big credit to Oliver. It’s his second match on the tour. I just love his game to be honest.

    “The level he played in the first match on Centre Court, I know it’s really difficult. He showed great tennis.

    “I knew at the start that I had to be really focused and try to play my best tennis. I think today I played great tennis. Really happy about my performance. Big credit to him as well.”

    Alcaraz’s second round victory was his 20th win in a row, making him the youngest ATP player to earn this many successive wins since a 19-year-old Juan Martin del Potro in 2008.

    The two-time defending champion was asked what it was like to be on such an amazing run of form.

    “I found the right way I guess,” he added. “I’m trying to enjoy. After every match, when I step on court, I try to enjoy.

    “Doesn’t matter if I’m winning or losing. I think that was the key the last two or three months. Having a winning streak, I’m just trying to keep it going. Playing in this tournament and this court, just trying to keep going forward. I think it’s a gift.

    “I’m trying to make the most of my time here at Wimbledon, playing in this beautiful atmosphere. Let’s see how far I go.”

    READ NEXT: ‘I don’t see anyone who can seriously challenge Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon’

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  • Aryna Sabalenka reveals key to her Grand Slam mentality after impressive Wimbledon win

    Aryna Sabalenka winning early Grand Slam matches almost seems like a formality these days.

    The world No 1 did not have an easy time of things at Wimbledon on Wednesday, with Czech opponent Marie Bouzkova serving for the first set after a late break of serve.

    However, once Sabalenka broke back and won the ensuing tiebreak, there was a strong sense she was back in control, and an early break of serve in set two was enough to seal a 7-6(4), 6-4 triumph.

    Victory for the 27-year-old followed a round one triumph over qualifier Carson Branstine, in which she navigated a challenging second set before prevailing 6-1, 7-5 against the Canadian.

    With two wins to her name so far, Sabalenka has maintained one of her most impressive streaks.

    The Belarusian was beaten by compatriot Victoria Azarenka in the second round of the US Open back in 2020, but has not lost before the third round of any of the 17 majors she has played since then.

    That consistency is a key reason as to why the 27-year-old has now spent 44 weeks and counting as the world No 1, though it wasn’t always the case.

    Sabalenka reached the third round in just three of her first 12 Grand Slam main draw appearances, often falling early even after she started racking up titles on the WTA Tour.

    Now, few can come close to her rampant consistency, and, asked by Tennis365 about her approach, the Belarusian revealed how she had developed such an impressive record.

    “Well, I think mainly I’m just trying to focus on myself,” said Sabalenka.

    “I know that if I’ll be focusing on myself and if I’ll be there fighting for every point, I know that I have big chances to get through.

    “Before I would get too nervous, I would think about everything outside of tennis, outside of that court. Nowadays, I’m just trying to play point by point.

    “I’m trying to just take it one step at a time basically.”

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    Sabalenka’s progress through the first two rounds contrasts with many of her contemporaries, with 23 seeds out in the opening round alone across the women’s and men’s draws.

    Second seed Coco Gauff, who has beaten the Belarusian in two major finals, and third seed Jessica Pegula both crashed out of the bottom half of the draw on Tuesday.

    In the top half headlined by Sabalenka, the likes of fifth seed Zheng Qinwen and ninth seed Paula Badosa have also already been beaten.

    Some players may quietly enjoy their biggest rivals falling on, but for Sabalenka, who is so motivated by the biggest stages, it is something of a disappointment.

    “Honestly, it is sad to see so many upsets in the tournament, in both actually draws, girls’ and men’s. It’s sad to see,” added Sabalenka. “Honestly, I’m just trying to focus on myself. Of course, I know about all of these upsets.

    “I think it’s really important to focus on yourself and to take it one step at a time, do not really look at the draw. This is something what can create a lot of nerves and a lot of doubts and stuff.

    “I’m just trying to take it one step at a time. As I said earlier, I know if I’m focused, if I’m there, if I’m fighting, I know I’m going to have my chance in each match.

    “I’m just trying to take it one step at a time.”

    Sabalenka is guaranteed to face a Grand Slam champion next, with either Emma Raducanu or Marketa Vondrousova waiting in round three.

    Neither match would be an easy one, with the world No 1 having lost to Vondrousova in Berlin just two weeks ago.

    However, there is no denying she is a bigger and better player than most at the majors, and her supreme “focus” looks set to power her further through the draw.

    Read Next‘The most nervy matches:’ Why have so many top seeds struggled at Wimbledon?

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  • ‘If Goran Ivanisevic can’t help me, probably no one can’ – Stefanos Tsitsipas on key area of his game

    Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he believes his serve can improve by “10 to 15 percent better” as he expressed excitement about learning from coach Goran Ivanisevic.

    Ivanisevic, who won Wimbledon in 2001 and was also a three-time runner-up at the All England Club, is considered one of the greatest servers in tennis history.

    The Croatian helped big-serving compatriot Marin Cilic reach his peak and guided him to his only Grand Slam title at the 2014 US Open.

    The former world No 2 has also been credited with helping Novak Djokovic turn his serve into a significant weapon during his hugely successful five-year collaboration with the great Serb.

    Tsitsipas, a former world No 3 currently ranked 26th, hired Ivanisevic as his new coach at the start of the grass-court season

    After losing the first two sets of his opening round match at Wimbledon to Valentin Royer, Tsitsipas was forced to retire due to a back injury.

    At the Giorgio Armani Classic at Hurlingham, Tennis365 asked Tsitsipas if Ivanisevic was looking to tweak his service motion and ball toss as he did with players like Cilic and Djokovic.

    “Yeah, we’ve been discussing,” Tsitsipas said. “We’ve had hours and hours of discussion about this. Yeah, absolutely. This is something that’s important. I think my serve can improve and get even better of what it is now.

    “We are talking all kinds of scenarios. We are trying to get into the fundamentals of a serve, the technical aspects of a serve, what creates a good serve and what doesn’t create a good serve, and the things that I need to avoid.

    “Obviously, it’s quite obvious that one of the things that I’ve been dealing with in the last couple of years is my consistency in my toss, and I’m aware of that and I’m always trying to fix that, even before Goran step in. But this is definitely something that I’m gonna try and focus on even more.

    “I feel like my serve deserves 10 to 15 percent better of what it is at its current state. So, I’m currently working with one of the best servers that tennis has ever seen. And if he can’t help me, probably no one can help me.

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    “So I’m just excited for the opportunity to learn as much as I can from him and learn what makes a great server.”

    Tsitsipas also addressed whether there is a pressure that comes with being coached by someone who has worked with Djokovic.

    “I think the best thing that Goran has kind of stated and made clear is that he’s not coaching Novak Djokovic right now, and we are kind of starting from scratch,” said the 26-year-old Greek.

    “He’s coaching me in a way as if I just started playing tennis, which is a great thing because it’s very down-to-earth, and a very humbling experience as a player to get to experience that.

    “We have obviously big goals and aspirations and we want to achieve great things together, but we are kind of building from zero. That’s how it feels like.

    “He appreciates me and respects me as a player, and I can see that in his eyes and the way he talks to me. But also, what’s humbling about it is that we have both this mutual respect about each other and we know that we are here on this journey to build and start from scratch.

    “There are no expectations, obviously he doesn’t expect me to — I imagine — from tomorrow, to start winning Grand Slams, one after the other, like Novak did for, I don’t know, six years of his career on the tour with him.

    “Let’s just put it this way, every small success that I manage to achieve with him, it doesn’t have to be a huge success, every small success is a huge success, which, if replicated multiple times, starts becoming the standard, if that makes sense.”

    READ NEXT: Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa fuel rumours they have split after painful Wimbledon exits

    The post ‘If Goran Ivanisevic can’t help me, probably no one can’ – Stefanos Tsitsipas on key area of his game appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Emma Raducanu facing domestic rankings relegation at Wimbledon

    Emma Raducanu headed into Wimbledon as the British No 1, but she could be in danger of sliding down to the No 3 spot by the end of the tournament.

    With Raducanu defending points from her run to the fourth round at Wimbledon last year, she has dropped down to No 45 in the live WTA Rankings.

    That leaves her seven places behind Katie Boulter, who she replaced as British No 1 following her run to the quarter-finals at the WTA 500 event at the Queen’s Club last month.

    Now Raducanu is in danger of falling even further behind in the British rankings after her former junior rival Sonay Kartal continued her impressive run of form with a 6-2, 6-2 win against Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova as she reached the third round for the second year in a row at the All England Club.

    Raducanu and Kartal grew up together playing junior tennis against each other and now their rivalry has been renewed on court at the top of the game.

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    Kartal’s rise to the upper end of the WTA Rankings took a little longer than Raducanu’s, who broke through in stunning fashion as she won the 2021 US Open.

    Now 23, Kartal overcame a serious health problem at the start of last year to launch her career and the win against Tomova has moved her closer to Raducanu in the rankings.

    Kartal is on course to secure a career high ranking after this run at Wimbledon and if she continues her Wimbledon run, she may overtake Raducanu in the WTA Rankings for the first time.

    “I knew that match was going to be tough,” said Kartal after the win against Tomova.

    “I knew I’d have to go out and win it. I felt good on court today. I was hitting it really clean. It was one of those good days at the office.

    “I wanted to back that up this year. This tournament I wanted to show I’m at this level and can consistently play here.

    “Last 12 months, I have thrown myself onto the scene. This year I’ve taken a conscious effort of only wanting to play the bigger matches against the best players on tour, day in, day out. I’m playing with more freedom and more confidence.”

    Raducanu has insisted she is not concerned about the battle for the British No 1 ranking, as she set low targets for Wimbledon after a back problem in recent weeks.

    “Truthfully, I don’t expect much from myself this year,” said Raducanu after her first round win against Welsh teenager Mimi Xu. “I know I’ve just been dealing with certain things.

    “I just want to go out there and embrace the moment. I want to embrace the occasion. I know there’s not many opportunities to be playing at Wimbledon. You get it once a year and for a finite amount of time. I’m just looking forward to going out there and feeling the surroundings and the atmosphere.

    “I just feel like the way that I’m going to do that is putting more time on the court.

    “Maybe in the short term I feel a little bit more tired, but I know I’m going to improve in the long run by doing it. Even if I don’t see the results straightaway, they will come.

    “For me, I love working, and I think that’s the stage I’m at right now is just to work, put the hours in, and get better.”

    READ NEXT: Emma Raducanu facing rankings collapse after daunting Wimbledon draw

    The post Emma Raducanu facing domestic rankings relegation at Wimbledon appeared first on Tennis365.