'Rarely did I feel my best on clay in the first or second tournament in the season. That was the case this season again. It took me two tournaments to really feel that I'm getting closer to the desired level.'
Novak Djokovic will begin his Australian Open title defence against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, while reigning women's champion Sofia Kenin meets wild card Maddison Inglis, following the draw for the year's first Grand Slam on Friday.
This year's Australian Open will be allowed to admit up to 30,000 fans a day, around 50% of usual capacity, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kazahk Bublik powers past Zverev in straight sets to reach Halle final
Favourites Russia Tennis Federation opened their Davis Cup Finals campaign with a resounding victory over Ecuador, Britain began with a win against France and Italy eased into the quarter-finals with a win over Colombia on Saturday.
Djokovic will need to win in Tokyo and then the US Open later this year to achieve the feat that has so far only been accomplished by Steffi Graf in 1988.
Zverev has not lost to Wawrinka in two previous meetings but is not taking the 2014 Melbourne Park champion lightly.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the Wimbledon Championships, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, on Thursday.
IMAGES from Day 1 of all the action from the Wimbledon Championships played at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, on Monday.
Homeland favorite Ashleigh Barty and Serbia's Novak Djokovic are the top seeds for the upcoming Australian Open.
In the ongoing Monte Carlo Masters, Jannik Sinner clinched a hard-fought win as Casper Ruud crashed out.
Nadal has a habit of truly coming into his own at Roland Garros, as his 100-2 win-loss record testifies.
Wimbledon will allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete at the grasscourt Grand Slam as 'neutrals' this year.
Indian Wells champions Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina stayed on course to complete the 'Sunshine Double' at the Miami Open.
Canada's Bianca Andreescu upset Greek seventh seed Maria Sakkari to reach the last 32, while Japan's Taro Daniel crushed world number 15 Alexander Zverev.
Local hope Nick Kyrgios has been elevated to the Rod Laver Arena for his meeting with childhood hero Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Australian Open on Friday, when Melbourne Park is again expected to swelter.
Djokovic first played Monfils at the US Open in 2005 but Tuesday's match was only their second encounter on clay and he needed only one break point to clinch the first set.
Images from Day 9 of the 2020 French Open at Roland Garros, in Paris, on Monday.
IMAGES from Day 10 of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Tuesday.
No 'triple bagel' but Djokovic thumps Mannarino to reach quarters
Rafael Nadal eased past Spanish compatriot Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-1 to reach the Barcelona Open third round on Wednesday as he began his bid for a ninth title on the clay in the Catalan capital.
News of all that's transpired on and off the tennis courts
Alexander Zverev booked his place in the last four of the ATP Finals where he will face world number one Novak Djokovic after a 6-2, 6-4 win over Hubert Hurkacz in Turin on Thursday.
Norrie's semi-final opponent will be another American, fourth-seeded Tommy Paul, who crushed Stefan Kozlov 6-3, 6-1 in an all-US matchup.
'Generally, I'm happy outside the court, happy on the court, happy in life. Then I think you play your best.'
Novak Djokovic used a dizzying array of drop shots to make short work of Karen Khachanov at the Dubai Open on Thursday, reaching the semi-finals with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win over the Russian seventh seed.
IMAGES from Day 6 of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Friday.
Spain's Rafael Nadal was at his dominant best against Pablo Carreno Busta on Saturday, brushing aside his compatriot 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to move into the fourth round at the Australian Open. Images from Day 6 of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Saturday.
Images from Day 4 of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.
'I can only see criticism lately and much of it is malicious'
Not that cash will be the motivator for world number one Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and debutants Andrey Rublev and Diego Schwartzman when the tournament's 50th edition starts on Sunday.
Holder Stefanos Tsitsipas moved into the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals with a 7-5, 7-6(1) victory over Laslo Djere on Thursday while fourth seed Casper Ruud was knocked out in straight sets by Grigor Dimitrov.
The charismatic 18-year-old Canadian has infatuated the New York crowds with his skill and on court panache that has made him the youngest man to make it into the fourth round of the US Open since American Michael Chang in 1989.
Sania, the country's finest woman doubles player, who began the year with the number one ranking, closed it at number 9.
Medvedev suffered a jarring early exit from the Canadian Masters last week but overcame some initial problems in a tricky tie against Shapovalov to edge both sets and book a meeting with American Fritz.
'We wanted to protect every player and fan after learning that Dimitrov tested positive. It was a charity event and all we wanted was to play tennis and give the fans a good show'
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Monday.
Images from Day 8 of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on Sunday.
The final of the Croatia event in the coastal resort of Zadar, the second leg of the tour which would have featured world number one Novak Djokovic and Russian Andrey Rublev, was cancelled as a result.
Images from matches played on Day 5 at the Australian Open in Melbourne Park on Friday
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances