Sports / Tennis

Serena Williams, Venus Williams walk off court in likely last doubles match together

Venus Williams and Serena Williams, a pair who first walked onto the national stage of professional tennis in the 1990s, have most likely walked off the court together for the last time.

The legendary sister act likely came to a close on Thursday night after the pair lost 7-6(5), 6-4, to the Czech team of Linda Noskova and Lucie Hradecka.

The first-round game marked, most likely, the final time Serena Williams and her older sister Venus Williams would play in a Grand Slam doubles tournament together. Serena Williams had announced that she was “evolving away” from tennis in a personal essay in Vogue in August.

Venus Williams had told reporters earlier in the week that the idea to play together was her sister’s.

“She’s the boss so I do whatever she tells me to do,” she had said while smiling. The two sisters have dominated the tennis world for nearly three decades, ending their go as a pair on the same court they had won their first U.S. Open Doubles title in 1999. The duo would go on to win 22 titles, 14 Grand Slams and three Olympic gold medals while playing together.…

Sports / Tennis

Czech tennis star addresses outrage over coach and father’s ‘beyond inappropriate’ butt pats

Czech tennis star Sara Bejlek has responded to outrage following her win against Britain’s Heather Watson at the 2022 US Open Grand Slam main draw.

On Monday (28 August), a video of Bejlek celebrating her win with her father and coach went viral.

In the clip, Bejlek is seen shaking hands with her opponent, before heading courtside to celebrate with her father Jaroslav Bejlek and her coach Jakub Kahoun.

As soon as the 16-year-old tennis star hugs both men, they appear to be patting her buttocks repeatedly.

In the clip, Bejlek’s father was also seen giving his daughter a peck on the lips.

Many Twitter users were unhappy with the video and found it to be “inappropriate”.

“There’s absolutely no reason to touch a 16 yo girl on her butt like that. It’s beyond inappropriate,” one person tweeted. “As the video progressed it got worse and worse.”

Bejlek has now responded to the outrage, saying: “I saw the video. It was a spontaneous reaction of the whole team. We rejoiced.

“It may certainly seem inconvenient and uncomfortable to some, but we have already discussed it with the team,” she stated. “It won’t happen again.”

Bejlek added: “Dad is my dad and always will be. And I’ve known the coach since I was eight years old. He tapes me, he massages me.

“If something similar happened in the Czech Republic, no one would deal with it. But since we are in America, everyone comments on it. But as I say, we talked and it won’t happen again.”

Bejlek has a career-high WTA ranking of 181 in singles.

She won her biggest singles title to date at the 2021 ITS Cup, where she defeated Argentina’s Paula Ormaechea in the final.…

Sports / Tennis

American Danielle Collins ousts Naomi Osaka in first round

American Danielle Collins ousted two-time U.S. Open winner Naomi Osaka on Tuesday night in the first round of the final Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season.

Collins, the No. 19 seed in the event, defeated Osaka 7-6 (6), 6-3 at Flushing Meadows, snapping a three-match losing streak against her. The match finished just after midnight. Collin only had one ace but put together six points in a row against Osaka and won three games in a row at one point.

“When you lose to someone three times, you get a lot of information on what you can do better,” Collins said, “With Naomi being the player that she is, she definitely whooped me the last time. I just had to learn from that and make adjustments and I think I did that.”

Osaka, who is also battling a bad back, had a 3-0 lead in the first set before Collins clawed her way back. Eleven of her winners came by using her backhand.

“I got lucky in some big moments,” she added. “But I was working really hard for the points. She wasn’t giving me a ton much free ones. Really overall I think it was a solid match, high level of tennis from both of us.”

saka attributed her loss to overthinking on the court.

“I’m the type of person that thinks a lot, to the point where I overthink. Sometimes when I play matches, I have to tell myself to stop thinking, just go more on instinct,” she said. “I feel like I just have to chill a little bit, because there’s a lot of like random chaos in my head right now.”

Collins only has two WTA singles titles in her career and has never made it further than the third round of the U.S. Open. She was runner-up at the Australian Open in January.…

Sports / Tennis

The hidden meanings behind Serena William’s US Open 2022 outfit

As Serena Williams prepares to retire from tennis this year, her all-black outfit for her first match at the 2022 US Open was full of hidden meanings.

The tennis star announced earlier this month that the “countdown has begun” on her 27-year career, as she plans to “grow her family”.

In an essay for US Vogue, Williams, 40, wrote: “I’m not looking for some ceremonial, final on-court moment. I’m terrible at goodbyes, the world’s worst.

“It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I hate it. I hate that I have to be at this crossroads,” she added.

The 2022 US Open began on Monday 29 August in Flushing, New York City, with Williams playing and winning her first match against Danka Kovinic.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner wore a jet-black dress inspired by competition outfits worn by figure skaters, created in collaboration with Nike.

The dress featured a six-layered skirt, representing Williams’ six previous title wins in Flushing.

The jet-black bodice was encrusted with crystals that reflected light, “alluding to the night sky at the tournament”.

She also donned custom diamond-encrusted Nike trainers featuring her initials and custom gold shoelace tags, known as deubres.

According to Nike, the deubres feature 400 hand-set diamonds in black ceramic and were created in collaborations with the tennis star’s own jewelry brand, Serena Williams Jewelry.

“Historically, Serena’s love for, and training in, fashion has informed breathtaking, defining looks. For her latest outfit for Flushing, Serena took control, providing the full vision and dialing the details for a thrilling design created to make her feel comfortable and confident,” Nike said in a statement.

Williams’ four-year-old daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr, wore a mini version of her mother’s outfit.

Olympia also wore white beads on her braided hair, just like Williams did when she made her tennis debut at the 1999 US Open.

In her US Vogue essay, Williams reflected on how difficult it was to come to the decision to retire, adding that she would not have to do so if she …

Sports / Tennis

Serena Williams appears to have hired ex-Grand Slam champ as coach ahead of US Open

Serena Williams has seemingly added Rennae Stubbs to her team for the final tournament of her career. This week, Williams has been spotted accompanied by former six-time Grand Slam champion Stubbs. On Tuesday, Williams practiced with Maria Sakkari.

During the practice, journalists spotted that Williams was accompanied by Stubbs, a former top-ranked player in the doubles competition. Williams, 40, is preparing for the final tournament of her career at the US Open.

Stubbs was ecstatic after Williams announced her return

Williams was out for 12 months before announcing that she would return to action at Wimbledon. After hearing the Williams news, Stubbs lost it as she was thrilled to see the 23-time Grand Slam champion returning to action.

“I am SO happy to hear Serena Williams is coming back!!! Never want to see a great champion limp off a court in tears and never return!!!! Let’s go SW!!!! #comeback,” Stubbs wrote on Twitter after Williams announced she would compete at Wimbledon.

Two weeks ago – in an article published for Vogue * Williams revealed her plans to retire from professional tennis at the US Open. In the article, Williams refused to use the term “retirement” and instead said that she’s “evolving away from tennis.

After reading Williams’ retirement message, Stubbs felt it was a “real” and “honest” message from the 23-time Grand Slam champion. “This is as real and honest and beautiful an article as I’ve ever read.

I love you for always being you, thanks for all of it, Serena Williams.⁩ Farewell to Tennis—In Her Own Words,” Stubbs wrote on Twitter. Williams captured the first of her 23 Grand Slams at the 1999 US Open. Williams picking the US Open as the tournament where she wants to retire didn’t really come as a surprise.

Williams is just 1-3 since returning to action at Wimbledon and it will be interesting to see how she will do at the US Open.…

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Unvaccinated Tennis Champ Novak Djokovic Won’t Play U.S. Open Due To Travel Restrictions

Tennis champ Novak Djokovic won’t play at the upcoming U.S. Open after refusing to comply with United States restrictions requiring Covid vaccinations for foreign travelers.

Djokovic, who has steadfastly refused to get vaccinated, announced the news on Twitter today. “Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open,” he wrote. “Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support. Good luck to my fellow players! I’ll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again. See you soon tennis world!”

The Open begins on Monday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, NY. and runs through Sept. 11. This year’s draw for the tournament is happening today.

According to reports, Djokovic has had Covid at least twice, but maintains that vaccination should not be mandated.

In a statement to press, U.S. Open tournament director Stacey Allaster said, “Novak is a great champion and it is very unfortunate that he will be unable to compete at the 2022 US Open, as he is unable to enter the country due to the federal government’s vaccination policy for non-U.S. citizens. We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 US Open.…

Sports / Tennis

Angelique Kerber Reveals She’s Expecting Her First Baby, Withdraws from US Open

Angelique Kerber is pressing pause on her tennis career as she prepares to welcome her first baby.

The German tennis pro, 34, announced on social media Wednesday that she is pregnant, expecting her first baby. Along with the exciting pregnancy news, she shared that she will be missing the upcoming US Open and is taking a “break from traveling the globe as a tennis player.”

“I really wanted to play the @usopen but eventually I decided that two against one just isn’t a fair competition 👼🫶🏻🍼❤️,” she wrote, hinting at her pregnancy with baby-related emojis. “For the next months, I will take a break from traveling the globe as a tennis player but then again, I believe it’s for the best possible reason 🥰🐣! I will miss all of you.”

“New York has often been a turning point in my career and it feels like this year will be no different in some way! From restarting my career in 2011 to winning the title in 2016 and becoming #1 in the world… the @usopen have a special place in my heart and I wish I could have said goodbye to all of you on court before not being around on tour for a while,” she continued.

“Being a professional athlete means everything to me but I’m grateful for the new path I’m heading to,” Kerber added. “To be honest, I’m nervous and excited at the same time. Thanks for your continued support – it means everything to me ❤️🙏🏼❤️ #TeamAngie”

Several fellow tennis pros congratulated Kerber on her happy news in the comments of her post.

Polish tennis star Urszula Radwanska wrote, “Team Angie is getting bigger😁🥰👼 Congrats!!!😍,” while Serbian tennis pro Ana Ivanović added, “So happy for you 🥰 You’re going to be a great mom 🤰🏼🎾 Sending lots of love and support 💖.”

Retired tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, who is also a new mom, left a string of heart emojis on the post.

Kerber is currently ranked No. 52 in the world and won the US Open in …

Sports / Tennis

Tennis Great Roger Federer Withdraws From US Open

A third surgery on his right knee looms for tennis great Roger Federer, casting doubt on the 40-year-old’s ability to continue as one of the world’s top players.

Federer announced his US Open withdrawal today in a video post on Instagram. In the video, he said there is no assurance he can come back from this latest setback.

“I want to give myself a glimmer of hope to return to the tour in some shape or form,’’ Federer said. “I am realistic. Don’t get me wrong. I know how difficult it is at this age to do another surgery and try it. But I want to be healthy and I’ll go through the rehab process.”

That could take months, Federer admitted.

“As you can imagine it’s not been simple,’’ Federer said. “I’ve been doing a lot of checks with doctors on my knee, getting all the information as I hurt myself further in the grass court season  and Wimbledon. It’s not the way to go forward. Unfortunately for the medium to long-term to feel better, I will need surgery. I’ll be on crutches for many weeks and out of the game for many months It will be difficult, but I know it’s the right thing to do. ‘’

Federer made it to the quarter finals at Wimbledon , which many believed was planned to be his last pro event. Federer is tied with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal for the most men’s Grand Slam titles (20). At Wimbledon, Federer was beaten by Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. Soon after, Federer revealed his knee problem.…