'I don't want to close 100% the door, because it's a very simple thing...'
Novak Djokovic is ready to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Grand Slam stage when he returns to action at the Australian Open after an underwhelming campaign this year, the 24-times champion said.
The Indian duo of Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna advanced to the mixed doubles quarter-finals at the Australian Open, beating the Uruguay-Japanese pair of Ariel Behar-Makoto Ninomiya 6-4, 7-6(11-9) in the second round on Monday night.
'To be honest, the whole tournament I haven't really played close to my best. I didn't feel really myself on the court during this tournament. One can say semi-finals is a great result, of course, but I always expect the highest of myself.'
Rafael Nadal has not played since sustaining a hip injury at the Australian Open in January.
Australian Open champion Roger Federer is set to continue defying Father Time after announcing he will return to defend his title next year.
-French flair topped American firepower as Gael Monfils turned back the clock to dump fourth seed Taylor Fritz out of the Australian Open on Saturday and celebrate his place in the last 16 with a dance on court.
Images from the US Open men's singles final between Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz, at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Sunday.
IMAGES from Day 1 of the US Open played Flushing Meadows, New York, United States, on Monday.
The 44-year-old Bopanna had also lost in the men's doubles in the third round when he and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden were beaten by the Argentine duo of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.
Rohan Bopanna and partner Matthew Ebden were defeated by the Italian duo of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in their opening match.
French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz, who won both of his previous meetings with Sinner this year, recovered from a slow start to wrap up victory in three hours, 21 minutes and improve his head-to-head record with the Italian to 6-4.
The Pole accepted a one-month ban that ended on December 4 after accounting for time already served.
Australia will look to seal the three-match T20 series against South Africa with another win in Darwin on Tuesday.
Images from Day 1 of the French Open 2024 tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, on Sunday
Tennis star Novak Djokovic's bid to win a record-breaking 21 men's Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open ended on Sunday with a court decision to uphold the government's cancellation of his visa.
Rohit Sharma was named the captain of the T20 World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament after leading India to their second T20 World Cup crown.
Carlos Alcaraz powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time on Monday
IMAGES from Day 10 of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Former world number one Novak Djokovic will miss the US Open after he said on Thursday that he will not be able to travel to New York for the tournament, having chosen not to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Rafael Nadal will miss next week's ATP tournament in Buenos Aires following a stomach bug that has hindered his recovery from the back injury he sustained at the Australian Open.
Djokovic still undecided on next year's French Open after semi-final exit.
Zheng Qinwen saw off a spirited challenge from Diana Shnaider to secure a hard-fought 7-6(5), 6-3 win in their Pan Pacific Open semi-final on Saturday and set up a title clash against American Sofia Kenin.
The depleted Aussies will look at Travis Head and captain Smith for inspiration as they chase the title that they last won in 2009.
Ahead of the mini-auction, scheduled to be held in Doha on December 26, the 10 franchises have released their list of retained and released players.
Naomi Osaka has four major titles under her belt but the second round at Flushing Meadows, Wimbledon and Roland Garros was as good as it got this year for the Japanese 26-year-old, who exited the Australian Open in the first round.
It was an emotional win for Aryna Sabalenka, who missed Wimbledon last month due to a shoulder injury.
Sabalenka crashed to a 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva
Novak Djokovic will prepare for a tilt at an 11th Australian Open title by representing Serbia at the United Cup mixed team tournament while old rival Rafael Nadal and former women's world number one Naomi Osaka return at Brisbane after time away.
Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden have clinched a spot in the prestigious season-ending ATP Finals, marking the Indian's fourth appearance in the tournament.
The duo made the men's doubles semi-finals at Wimbledon and the final of the US Open in the same season.
Carlos Alcaraz got his grasscourt campaign up and running with a 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over Australian Adam Walton
Organisers have been criticised by players attempting to make the main draw of the season opening Grand Slam for continuing to play matches despite the poor air quality from bushfires.
Novak Djokovic will begin his quest for a record-extending 10th Australian Open title against Roberto Carballes Baena.
Danielle Collins will exit the Australian Open as public enemy number one after roasting a hostile crowd at the Grand Slam and the American said following her defeat on Saturday that it was up to the fans if they wanted to repair their relationship.
The ravages of two decades on tour mean Rafael Nadal has rarely been able to prepare for majors like other players, forcing him to rely on skills and mental fortitude.
Here is a quick glance of all the highs and lows from Nadal's stupendous career:
Shelton blasted an ace on match point to seal the win and avenge his five-set loss to Tiafoe at last year's U.S. Open as the 22-year-old continues to make strides in his breakout season.
Yuki Bhambri cleared the first hurdle in his quest to get a wild card for the 2014 Australian Open by beating Michael Venus 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 in his opening round of the play-off tournament, in Shenzhen, china, on Wednesday.
Carlos Alcaraz said he thought the trio of teenagers who have lit up the first week of the Australian Open have the skills to play the game at the top level
