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Jannik Sinner Officially Parts Ways with Longtime Coach Riccardo Piatti
The 20-year-old Italian is looking for a new coach. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday February 16, 2022
Jannik Sinner has parted ways with his longtime coach Riccardo Piatti, as well as the rest of his team. The news, which was speculated about for over a week, was officially announced on Sinner’s social media on Wednesday.
“After many successful years together, my coaching team and I have decided to part ways,” Sinner wrote. “I’d like to thank Riccardo, Dalibor, Claudio, Andrea, Cristian and Gaia for everything they have done for me from the beginning of my career until now. Riccardo especially, he taught me many things that will forever remain a part of my tennis. Many special memories were made and I’ll always look back on the time we spent together fondly.”
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) February 16, 2022
There is currently speculation that Sinner is looking to hire Magnus Norman, the former coach of Stan Wawrinka, but nothing official has materialized.
The tenth-ranked Italian is thought to be a potential Grand Slam winner. In 2020 at Roland-Garros he became the youngest quarterfinalist in Paris since Novak Djokovic in 2006. At the Australian Open this year he became the youngest to reach the quarterfinals since Nick Kyrgios in 2015.
Sinner already owns five ATP titles, and 86 career wins on tour.
Recovering Kvitova Plugs Into People Power
Petra Kvitova knocked off top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-4 to charge into the Dubai quarterfinals.
By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Petra Kvitova is still on wrist watch, but relishing her time on court these days.
Two-time Wimbledon winner Kvitova knocked off top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-4 charging into the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships quarterfinals where she will face 2017 Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko.
Novak: My Son Was Rooting for Rafa in AO Final
Hampered by a wrist injury that has limited her practice in recent weeks, Kvitova said she feels fueled and energized by the return of fans in Dubai and across the pro circuit.
"It's amazing. I have to say I really miss them," Kvitova said. "It doesn't matter where the in the world. I think tennis, it's pretty enjoyable when you do have the atmosphere, you're not playing without the people, like a practice. I mean, it's pretty boring.
"Definitely bringing atmosphere back, it's something which we really wanted. Yeah, I think maybe some players like to play without the people, without the pressure, without this energy. But it's not me. I'm for the people, for sure."
The 2013 Dubai champion has conceded just 10 games in two tournament wins over Sabalenka and Camila Giorgi.
It's been quite a turnaround for the 25th-ranked Kvitova who concedes her wrist injury grew progressively more painful during the Australian swing forcing her to sometimes skip practice to preserve her wrist for match play.
"It wasn't that bad from the beginning, but after my first match in Adelaide, it got just swollen," Kvitova said. "In the end it was inflammation which took me a little while to heal it after coming back from Australia.
"Whole month I actually just play only matches. Yeah, it was a bit tough for me mentally, physically, everything. I probably expect something more from me, of course, as always. It just didn't happen because I couldn't play. It's really tough."
Now, Kvitova is regaining her health and her range as she takes aim at a 20th career hard-court championship.
"I'm a player who doesn't have to practice like crazy. Still if it's hurting something, I can't play shots, it's different story," Kvitova said. "Yeah, I was pretty upset. But the health is always on the first side.
"It gets better. And I prefer to play some matches instead of practice. That's why I came to St. Pete. Yeah, I just have to take it slowly and not have the big expectations on me."
Photo credit: Getty
Murray Joins Djokovic in Dubai Field
The 2017 champion Andy Murray returns to Dubai for the first time since his title run.
Andy Murray will make a desert return this month.
Two-time Olympic gold-medal champion Murray will play the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, set for February 21-26th.
More: Del Potro's Tearful Farewell
It will be Murray's first Dubai appearance since he defeated Fernando Verdasco to capture the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship. Murray has a history of Dubai success: he toppled then world No. 1 Roger Federer in his 2008 Dubai debut.
Murray joins world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Andrey Rublev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Jannik Sinner and defending champion Aslan Karatsev in the field. Dubai does not require players to be vaccinated to play the event, which is why Djokovic can make his 2022 ATP debut in Dubai this month.
Photo credit: Getty
Wimbledon Will Raise Ticket Price for Ladies’ Final
A ticket for the 2022 Wimbledon ladies final will match the price of a men's final ticket, The Times reports.
Wimbledon pays equal prize money to men and women.
This year, the grass-court Grand Slam will raise ticket prices for the ladies' final to match the men's final ticket, The Times reports.
More: Del Potro's Tearful Farewell
Centre Court fans paid £200 to see Ashleigh Barty defeat Karolina Pliskova in the 2021 Wimbledon ladies' final last July. The next day, fans were charged £240 to watch Novak Djokovic triumph beat Matteo Berrettini in the men's final to capture his 20th Grand Slam championship.
The top ticket price for both the 2022 men's and ladies' finals will be d £240, according to The Times report.
The ladies' semifinals top ticket price will increase to £210, match the men’s semifinal ticket.
The Times reports Wimbledon is enacting the ticket price hike in an effort to ensure the ladies' event is viewed as equally important to the men's draw.
“All England Club officials have taken the decision to ensure that the women’s event is not perceived to be any less important,” The Times reports.
Photo credit: Getty
Why ‘Everybody Is Pumped Up’ About The Inaugural Dallas Open
Last Thursday, there was an ice storm in Dallas, Texas. This week, the only things falling from the sky have been booming aces.
The first edition of the Dallas Open is being played at the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex on the campus of Southern Methodist University. Excited fans have been out in bountiful numbers to support the ATP 250 event.
“Everybody has been pumped up about it. I go to restaurants and they see me with the Dallas Open hat on and go ‘Hey, we are looking forward to it!’ We are excited about what it represents bringing a professional ATP 250 level event to a city like Dallas,” Tournament Director Peter Lebedevs told ATPTour.com. “We [at GF Sports & Entertainment] are committed to developing, promoting and helping American tennis. That is why we own two of the American events.”
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The tournament was previously held on Long Island, where it was called the New York Open. Previous locations include Memphis and San Jose. Tournament officials have tried to create a distinct identity for the event by making the court red inside the lines and blue outside them. This is the only tournament in the United States that has used such a design.
“It is a combination of paying a little bit of respect to where we are, both state and school,” Lebedevs said of SMU and the state of Texas. “We thought it would be a great opportunity for us to do that with the court. And make it something that hasn’t happened very often and be unique in the United States.”
Lebdedevs explained how important it was to him that the Dallas Open created something new for fans and players alike.
“[It is] so people remember when you do something a little differently. We were successful with our black court in New York and this will be one of the first things people will remember,” Lebedevs said. “We think the ball shows up well on the red and blue as well, so it will be better for the players and TV. It is a good first impression to provide for the players and fans something a little bit different and unique.
“When they walk in they will know it is the Dallas Open with the red court. Everybody we have spoken to so far is very excited. The local community loves the idea of us showing that respect towards Texas and SMU.”
Photo Credit: Dallas Open/Alex Smith
Dallas resident John Isner said of the court, “It looks cool. It fits the scene here at SMU, so it’s a very good look.”
Reilly Opelka has competed in Dallas before, having played an ATP Challenger Tour event in the city twice before. The American, who won the New York Open in 2019, is looking forward to the week ahead.
“I’m excited. A new venue is always exciting. I think people forget how important geography and real estate are when it comes to tennis,” Opelka said. “Dallas is a great community for tennis… I think they deserve it based on the attendance they showed at the Challenger level… they’ve always proven themselves.”
Brandon Nakashima, another American, played his first-round match on Monday evening in front of a raucous crowd. The atmosphere has already proven electric early in the week, and Nakashima is happy to be part of it.
“It’s super nice here. Dallas is such a nice city and all these fans coming out to support the tournament is super cool to see, especially for a tournament that’s new this year,” Nakashima said. “I think they’ve done a really good job organising it and bringing the community together to make a great event.”
Herbert/Mahut Maintain Title Charge In Montpellier
Top seeds Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut continued their title pursuit at the Open Sud de France Friday, defeating Luca Van Assche and Sascha Gueymard Wayenburg 6-3 6-3 to reach the semi-finals.
The Frenchmen have won 20 tour-level titles together, including five Grand Slam crowns and two Nitto ATP Finals trophies. However, they are teaming for the first time this season this week on home soil in Montpellier.
In a dominant display against their countrymen, Herbert and Mahut won 92 per cent (22/24) of their first-serve points to advance after 55 minutes as they showed little sign of rustiness.
They will next play Jonathan Erlich and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the semi-finals.
Saville/Smith Soar Into Pune Final
Elsewhere, at the Tata Open Maharashtra, top seeds Luke Saville and John-Patrick Smith advanced to their first tour-level final as a team.
The Australians overcame Indians N.Sriram Balaji and Vishnu Vardhan 6-2, 6-4 in the semi-finals in Pune to end the home pairing’s run at the ATP 250 tournament. Saville and Smith did not face a break point en route to their 62-minute win.
They will face either second seeds Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar Ramanathan or Frenchmen Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul in the final. Bopanna and Ramanathan will meet Doumbia and Reboul on Saturday.
Martin/Weissborn Move Through In Cordoba
Andrej Martin and Tristan-Samuel Weissborn moved past Spaniards Roberto Carballes Baena and Jaume Munar 6-3, 3-6, 10-6 at the Cordoba Open to reach their first tour-level final as a team.
Following their 74-minute triumph, the pair will face either top seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Andres Molteni or fourth seeds Guillermo Duran and Maximo Gonzalez in the championship match. Martin and Weissborn have clinched one ATP Challenger Tour trophy together.
Federer: I’ll Know By April If Comeback is Achievable
"I want to come back strong and give it everything that I have," Roger Federer said.
When spring arrives, Roger Federer will know if his body can manage a summer comeback.
The 40-year-old Swiss superstar said he's back in the gym training and believes the next two months of training will reveal if his surgically-repaired knee can withstand the rigors of the pro tour.
"I think I have very interesting and important next sort of months ahead of me," Federer told his sponsor, Credit Suisse, in a video conference appearance on Wednesday. "I think I will know a lot more by April-May.
"The drive is still there. I am motivated to do my work."
The 20-time Grand Slam champion reiterated he's fully committed to a comeback if his surgically-repaired knee can manage the workload required to rejoin the pro circuit.
Federer said the next two months are crucial as he will be reintroducing jumping and more explosive movements into his training and will learn how his body responds.
"I want to come back strong and give it everything that I have," Federer said. "I'm back in the gym again tomorrow. I'm working as hard as I'm allowed to so it's still good times even though it's a little bit slow.
"I would love to do way more but the doctors and everybody's holding me back a little bit."
Last July, Federer deployed variety defeating Lorenzo Sonego 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 to become the oldest Wimbledon men's quarterfinalist in Open Era history. One round later, Hubert Hurkacz swept a flat Federer 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-0 storming into his first Grand Slam semifinal. The former world No. 1 was bageled for the first time at SW19 suffering his first Wimbledon straight-sets loss since he bowed to Mario Ancic in the 2002 first round.
The capacity Centre Court crowd stood and saluted the eight-time Wimbledon champion with a rousing extended ovation as Federer waved in an emotional exit after enduring just his third straight-sets loss in 119 career Wimbledon matches.
Federer paid tribute to Rafael Nadal after the 35-year-old Spaniard made history capturing a men's record 21st major title with a five hour, 24-minute conquest of Daniil Medvedev.
"It was nice to see his emotions after such a hard-fought victory," Federer said. "Rafa told me that he hadn't been feeling well with his body: now he's holding up the Australian Open trophy.
"He's a great example, a great role model."
Photo credit: Credit Suisse
Thiem Pulls Plug on Latin Swing, Sets Sights on Indian Wells
The Austrian suffered an injury to his right hand and needs time to recover. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday February 3, 2022
Dominic Thiem has backed out of the ATP’s Golden Swing and won’t begin his comeback until Indian Wells. The 28-year-old former World No.3 was planning to start his season this week at the Cordoba Open in Argentina, but had to pull out due to a hand injury.
Thiem was scheduled to play the Argentina Open, the Rio Open and the Chile Open over the next few weeks.
According to Austrian media, Thiem has pulled the plug on those plans and plans to practice in Miami to get ready for Indian Wells.
“Training was going well in Vienna and I am so happy that I’ve made a full recovery regarding my wrist. Unfortunately, I have suffered this minor setback in Santiago, which has forced me to temporarily stop training,” Thiem said.
BREAKING NEWS: Dominic Thiem has also withdrawn from the Argentina Open, Rio Open and Chile Open. He will look to make his comeback to competition at Indian Wells in March.
— Nikolaus Fink (@NikolausFink) February 3, 2022
Thiem hasn’t reinjured the wrist, but instead suffered an injury to his right hand. He was seen wearing a splint recently.
"In the last days, I suffered a minor injury between my knuckles, a little strain of my ligament,” the 2020 US Open champion said earlier this week. “The positive thing is the wrist is perfectly fine, but I'm suffering pain in my hand and also lacking practice, so I have to pull out. I'm very sad, but I'm going to come back once I'm 100 per cent fit, and thank you so much for the great and warm welcome I had here in Cordoba."
Tears of Joy for Nadal, After a Winter of Doubt
The Spaniard says he talked with his team about the possibility of his career ending. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday January 28, 2022
During a dark period last year, when Rafael Nadal’s left foot was not improving at the desired rate, the Spaniard sat down with his team and had some deep discussions. One of the things that was discussed? Maybe it’s time to say good-bye to tennis.
“I went through a lot of challenging moments, a lot of days of hard work without seeing a light there,” Nadal said on Friday after taking out Matteo Berrettini in four sets to reach his 29th Grand Slam final. “But still working and still receiving plenty of support from my team and from my family, too, without a doubt.
“Yeah, I mean, a lot of conversations with the team, with the family about what can happen or what gonna happen if the things continue like this, thinking that maybe is a chance to say good-bye.”
What it means to be back in an #AusOpen final 💙@RafaelNadal • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/OF29zQkF9i
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2022
That explains the heavy emotions that Nadal was feeling on Friday night after his triumph, which also represented his 500th hard court win and his 75th Australian Open victory. He was tearing up as he celebrated his victory and prepared for his post-match on-court interview, something that we don’t typically see from Nadal until after a tournament is over.
Nadal said the emotions are still raw, his struggles with the injury were not long ago.
“That was not a lot of months ago,” he said. “To be able to be where I am today, I don't know, I really can't explain in words how important is for me in terms of energy, in terms of personal satisfaction, in terms of being very thankful for all the support that I received from the fans and especially from the people really close to me.”
“For a long time I wasn't able to practice,” he said. “Sometimes I went on court and I was able to practice 20 minutes, sometimes 45, sometimes zero, sometimes two hours, but have been very, very rough in terms of imagine myself playing at the best-of-five at this moment.”
Nadal will bid for a record 21st major title on Sunday in Melbourne against either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Daniil Medvedev. Standing at the precipice of a historic achievement, the Spaniard says that, for him at least, it’s not about standing alone ahead of his Big Three rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic – it’s more about living the dream and still playing competitive tennis at 35.
“For me, I just feel happy to be part of this amazing era of tennis, sharing all these things with another two players,” Nadal said. “That's it. In some ways it doesn't matter if somebody achieve one more or one less, no? I think we did, everyone, we did amazing things and things that will be very difficult to equal each of us. So, yeah, I don't think much about this, all this stuff.”
In the Wrong Mood – Berrettini Proud of Australian Open, but Laments Inexplicably Slow Start Against Nadal
There are a lot of positives for Matteo Berrettini to take with him from Melbourne, but the negatives are currently weighing him down. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 27, 2022
After falling to Rafael Nadal in four sets in the Australian Open semifinals, No.7-seeded Matteo Berrettini was still trying to make sense of an up and down performance against the legendary Spaniard.
Happy to have reached his third major semifinal, Berrettini said he was disappointed by the way he handled Friday’s battle with the 20-time major champion. He drops to 0-7 against the Top-10 at the majors with the loss.
“The result wasn't bad,” Berrettini said. “It was good. First semis here, especially after last year. But obviously I'm disappointed for today's match. I expected from myself a little bit more, but it is what it is. I have to learn, if it's possible to learn, something from today, from the tournament. It was a tough one for so many reasons. Especially physically I have been struggling, but it was a good start of the year, I would say.”
It was a tale of two matches for Berrettini, and he later lamented the effort he put forth in the opening two sets, which were clearly dominated by Nadal.
Grazie, @MattBerrettini ❤️
Congratulations on an incredible fortnight 👏 #AusOpen · #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/n6atQdANfl
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2022
“I don't have anything to say about my tennis in the third and the fourth,” the Italian said. “I think it was a really good fight. I was playing good tennis and he was playing good tennis, and it was I think also fun to watch. I was having fun playing it.”
Berrettini, who has been knocked out by either Novak Djokovic (Roland-Garros '21 QF, Wimbledon '21 F, US Open QF) or Nadal in each of the last our Slams, was clearly disappointed with his effort in the first two sets, but he didn’t go into detail about the reasons for what he characterized as “being in the wrong mood.”
“The first two sets weren't what I expected, what I wanted from myself,” he said. I was, I wouldn't say flat, but I wasn't in the right mood, in the right mental mindset and for so many reasons. I think for the first set time I'm in the semifinals, against Rafa, so many – there can be so many reasons. But the fact is that I was just like that, and it was good that I had a really big and good reaction. This is the thing that I'm most proud and happy about.
“But you cannot be in the court I think like this for the first two sets against a player like Rafa. Even if I was like I was in the third and the fourth, I still don't know if I could have won the match, but for sure the attitude in the first two, it wasn't good enough. I think that the score proved it.”
