Britain's Andy Murray expects some of the top male players to follow women's world number one Ash Barty in skipping next month's US Open in New York due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Australian Barty said on Thursday she is not comfortable travelling to the United States amid the pandemic for the hardcourt Grand Slam, which begins on August 31.
Angelique Kerber leapt into murky surroundings on Sunday, just hours after she became the first German since 1999 to win a grand slam tennis title by defeating world number one Serena Williams at the Australian Open. The 28-year-old's plunge into the Yarra River on Sunday, as a result of a bet with Eurosport journalist Matthias Stach, was an apt metaphor for what her life now holds. On Monday she is expected to rise to a career-high number two on the WTA Tour rankings. She can also expect a warm reception from her home country after she became the first German since her childhood idol Steffi Graf to clinch a grand slam, prompting congratulations from sportspeople and the country's President Angela Merkel. Kerber's victory also painted a large target on her back by proving that Williams was not invincible, though she was quick to acknowledge the American's powers were not on the wane.
More major trophies surely await if she can convert her irresistible hardcourt form to French Open clay and grass at Wimbledon.
Serena Williams, hoping to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title, will start her campaign against fellow American Kristie Ahn.
Sport and society remain stuck in the 'stone age' when it comes to women's rights, Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton said on Thursday.
Serena Williams was unseeded at the French Open last month due to an extended absence for the birth of her first child but she is not likely to face the same problem at the US Open.
Navratilova, who is openly gay, said it was vital for sports stars to speak out.
The 20-year-old Canadian, who has not competed since she suffered a knee injury last October, said on Twitter she made the difficult decision because the COVID-19 outbreak has compromised her ability to reach her highest level of form.
Roger Federer barely broke sweat as he eased into the second round of the French Open with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win against unheralded Slovakian Lukas Lacko on Sunday.
Serena Williams was the highest paid female athlete for a third consecutive year in 2018, according to an annual list published by Forbes on Tuesday that was dominated by tennis players.
A staggering number of athletes across sports seem to have found their best game in their 30s, 40s.
Images from Day 6 of the 2021 US Open in New York on Saturday.
Simona Halep has been in red-hot form and the absence of top-ranked Australian Ash Barty, who won her maiden Grand Slam in Paris last year, and US Open champion Naomi Osaka, will boost her chances further.
A difficult few months saw her fail to win a tournament, lose her number one ranking and crash out of Wimbledon in the first round.
Sania Mirza, who is bidding adieu to the game, says she never had the fear of losing in her heart because it makes a player defensive.
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.
Naomi Osaka not only wants to win Grand Slams and hoist trophies but also hopes to be a role model in the way she carries herself on court, her coach Wim Fissette said.
Form guide for American Serena Williams ahead of Thursday's US Open semi-final clash against Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova:
Factbox on Romanian Simona Halep, who beat Serena Williams 6-2, 6-2 to win the Wimbledon title on Saturday:
Before becoming the newest tennis sensation in India, Nagal was busy being the fanboy, posing for pictures with the 2015 Wimbledon Champions.
Multiple Grand Slam winner Martina Navratilova questioned the "silence" of the International Tennis Federation after one of its members described world number one Serena Williams and older sister Venus as "brothers".
Angelique Kerber said her dreams came true in just over two hours on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday when she upset defending champion Serena Williams 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to win the Australian Open.
Maria Sharapova's fellow players described her as inspirational and praised her fighting spirit following the Russian's announcement of her retirement from tennis at the age of 32 on Wednesday. The injury-plagued Sharapova, renowned for her never-say-die approach to the sport despite regularly being hampered by shoulder problems, won five Grand Slam titles.
Angelique Kerber has yet to lose a set in Flushing Meadows, but she has not faced the service firepower possessed by KarolinaPliskova, who has led the WTA Tour in aces in the last two seasons as well as at the US Open this year.
amiliar names, however, are tipped to take off with the winners' trophies. The following is a list of talking points at the Australian Open:
Venus Williams carrying the hopes of the Williams clan while her younger sibling takes time out to have a baby.
Victoria Azarenka, 31, won a bronze medal for Belarus in singles and a gold in mixed doubles at the 2012 Summer Games in London. Angelique Kerber, 33, won the silver in singles for Germany at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
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