Latest news with #ATP500
The Star
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Tennis-Griekspoor finds friendship during awkward waits in anti-doping process
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - ATP 500 - Munich Open - MTTC Iphitos, Munich, Germany - April 18, 2025 Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor in action during his quarter final match against Germany's Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Michaela Stache/File Photo PARIS (Reuters) -Dutch tennis player Tallon Griekspoor said he had formed an unexpected bond in the awkward moments of the sport's anti-doping process after striking a friendship with an official while waiting for the urge to pee into sample containers. Anti-doping protocols in tennis are based on the World Anti-Doping Agency code and its whereabouts rules require players to designate a 60-minute slot for each day they will be available to provide blood or urine samples to officials. The unglamorous process can take place at tournaments or out-of-competition in training venues, tournament hotels or even an athlete's home, with three missed tests in a 12-month period grounds for a doping violation. World number 35 Griekspoor said at the French Open that he found some positives in the burdensome process when his bladder failed to cooperate quickly. "A couple of times I peed and 30 minutes later the guy rings the doorbell and he's sitting on my couch for three hours. I'm not the best pee-er when somebody's watching," the 28-year-old told reporters. "At the same time it is what it is. I'm not the best in keeping the location up to date. Sometimes it's a struggle but overall it's fine. You get to know these people. "The guy who comes to my home is a pretty nice guy. I have fun chats with him sometimes." Griekspoor's comments come as tennis finds itself under the spotlight over high-profile doping violations involving Italian Jannik Sinner and Poland's Iga Swiatek, with both players back on the circuit after serving short bans. While vigilance remains the watchword, some players still complain about the inconvenience of the system, with four-times Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka saying she recently provided a blood sample at 5:00 a.m., a time she had allotted. The International Tennis Integrity Agency, which runs the sport's anti-doping programme, said it was committed to helping players navigate any issues. "We recognise that anti-doping testing can be challenging and uncomfortable for players, however it is vital that there is a robust programme in place to protect the sport," the body told Reuters via email. "This includes out of competition testing, as well as testing at events. We are here to help and support players and urge them to contact us if they have questions about testing or need help with the whereabouts process." Russia's former world number one Daniil Medvedev said the system sometimes disrupted carefully calibrated routines and led to missed tests. "It's a hassle, because I myself ... had two missed tests," Medvedev added. "It's actually very tricky. People think, 'Oh, how can he miss it? Try travelling 25 countries a year. Try not to forget one date that you're not in Monaco but in Paris already and change it. "It's not easy, but it is what it is." (Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar and Julien Pretot in Paris; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Observer
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Cobolli upsets Rublev to win Hamburg Open
HAMBURG, Germany: Italy's Flavio Cobolli won the biggest title of his career when he upset third seed Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 to win the Hamburg Open on Saturday. Ranked number 35 in the world, Cobolli had only one ATP 250 title to his name, having won the Romanian Open last month, but the 23-year-old now has two claycourt titles after beating Rublev in the final of the ATP 500 event. He is just the third player to win multiple titles on the ATP Tour this year after Carlos Alcaraz (three) and Felix Auger-Aliassime (also two), while the victory will see him rise to a career-high 26th in the rankings. "I think it is the best moment and match of my life for sure. I have to say sorry to Andrey because today I played unbelievable. I am so happy and proud of myself," Cobolli said. "I can see my family, friends, brother and girlfriend here and it is a surprise. I am really happy. I passed many battles this year and this kind of day is good for your mind. I am so happy, I just want to (lift) the trophy." After Cobolli convincingly took the opening set, Rublev went 3-2 up in the second but the momentum shifted after a 31-shot rally where the Russian tried to make Cobolli run for most points. Cobolli turned the tables when he fired a scorching forehand winner to get the point and as the Italian put his hand to his ear to get the crowd roaring, a spent Rublev bent over in exhaustion. Rublev never recovered and although he had seven break points in the contest, Cobolli saved six of them. The Italian converted all four of his own break points to wrap up the match in an hour and 28 minutes. He will have no time to rest, however, as he looks ahead to a match against former Grand Slam champion Marin Cilic in the first round of the French Open, which begins on Sunday. — Reuters
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Hamburg Open 2025: Cobolli upsets top seed Rublev to win title
Italy's Flavio Cobolli clinched the biggest title of his career when he upset third seed Andrey Rublev 6-2, 6-4 in the final at the Hamburg Open on Saturday. Ranked number 35 in the world, Cobolli had only one ATP 250 title to his name, having won the Romanian Open last month, but the 23-year-old now has two claycourt titles after beating Rublev in the final of the ATP 500 event. He is just the third player to win multiple titles on the ATP Tour this year after Carlos Alcaraz (three) and Felix Auger-Aliassime (also two), while the victory will see him rise to a career-high 26th in the rankings. 'I think it is the best moment and match of my life for sure. I have to say sorry to Andrey because today I played unbelievable. I am so happy and proud of myself,' Cobolli said. 'I can see my family, friends, brother and girlfriend here and it is a surprise. I am really happy. I passed many battles this year and this kind of day is good for your mind. I am so happy, I just want to (lift) the trophy.' After Cobolli convincingly took the opening set, Rublev went 3-2 up in the second but the momentum shifted after a 31-shot rally where the Russian tried to make Cobolli run for most points. Cobolli turned the tables when he fired a scorching forehand winner to get the point and as the Italian put his hand to his ear to get the crowd roaring, a spent Rublev bent over in exhaustion. Rublev never recovered and although he had seven break points in the contest, Cobolli saved six of them. The Italian converted all four of his own break points to wrap up the match in an hour and 28 minutes. He will have no time to rest, however, as he looks ahead to a match against former Grand Slam champion Marin Cilic in the first round of the French Open, which begins on Sunday.
Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Infosys and LTA Sign Strategic Technology Partnership for the Historic Tournament at Queens Club, London
The multi-year engagement will leverage Infosys Topaz to deliver a range of AI-powered innovations, including match insights and immersive fan experiences BENGALURU, India, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced a three-year strategic partnership through until 2027 with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the governing body of tennis in Great Britain. As part of this, Infosys will be the official AI and Innovation Partner for the HSBC Championships at the prestigious Queen's Club, London. Leveraging its technology and data analytics expertise along with its innovative AI-first offering, Infosys Topaz, powered by generative AI technologies, Infosys will enhance player performance insights, elevate fan engagement, and ensure operational excellence for the HSBC Championships. Beyond the AI-driven innovations and immersive experiences, this collaboration will also prioritize sustainability efforts and foster community-focused initiatives facilitated through digital platforms, paving the way for meaningful and lasting impact. Infosys is already a trusted partner for major global tennis tournaments like Australian Open, Roland-Garros, and has strong ties with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. It is now extending its support to the LTA for the HSBC Championships, a tournament that has been the cornerstone of London's rich sporting calendar for over 136 years. This year also marks a historic milestone for the HSBC Championships as it gets ready to host a women's Tour-level event (WTA 500) for the first time in over 50 years, alongside the long-standing men's (ATP 500) event. Chris Pollard, Managing Director, Commercial & Operations, LTA, said,"We are incredibly excited to witness the historic moment of the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club hosting both WTA and ATP 500 events for the very first time. This milestone marks a significant step in the growth and evolution of this prestigious tournament. We are thrilled to collaborate with Infosys, whose support will be instrumental in delivering an enhanced fan experience. Infosys' AI and technology innovations will bring a new level of engagement with real-time insights and interactive moments, creating memorable experiences for our fans and contribute to the continued success of the HSBC Championships." Sumit Virmani, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Infosys, said, "Building on our decade-long commitment to transforming tennis, Infosys is thrilled to join forces with the LTA and bring the power of AI and digital innovation to revolutionize the HSBC Championships. By leveraging Infosys Topaz, our enterprise-grade AI-first suite of technologies, we aim to enhance the player and fan experience for this historic tournament at the Queen's Club, London." About the LTA The LTA is the National Governing Body of tennis in Great Britain. We are here to govern and grow tennis, from grassroots participation through to the professional game. Our vision is "Tennis Opened Up" and we want to transform communities through tennis. We work with schools, with volunteers, with coaches and with venues across the whole country. We also represent the interests of over 2,000,000 Members, playing on more than 23,000 courts. The LTA runs and supports a network of 11,500 approved tournaments for players of all ages, the main cornerstones of which are the LTA's premier grass-court events at The Queen's Club, Nottingham and Eastbourne, leading up to The Championships, Wimbledon. For further information about the LTA and tennis in Britain, visit or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, and LinkedIn. Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace. Visit to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. 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Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. These filings are available at Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Six of the world's top ten confirmed as Draper and Alcaraz lead 2025 men's HSBC Championships lineup
The entry list for the ATP 500 event at the HSBC Championships at the Queen's Club has been confirmed today by the LTA, with a host of star names set to touch down in West London. With British number one and world number five Jack Draper and defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz already confirmed, the final list includes some of the sport's most notable figures, including six of the current world top ten with Alcaraz, Draper, Taylor Fritz, Lorenzo Musetti, Alex de Minaur, and Holger Rune. Italy's Musetti, who made last year's final and currently sits at a career-high of eight in the world, will return to the Queen's Club looking to go one step further in his bid for a first ATP Tour title since 2022. The man who beat Musetti last year, America's Tommy Paul, will return to defend his crown, whilst former champions Matteo Berrettini (2021 and 2022) and Grigor Dimitrov (2014) also seek to add their names to the honours' board again. In an entry list littered with star-quality, Frances Tiafoe, and rising stars Jakub Mensik and Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard will be looking to disrupt the top seeds and throw their names into the ring as potential champions. Other players set to appear include the USA's Seb Korda – a 2024 semi-finalist – and Ben Shelton, and former Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios. The full entry list can be found on the LTA website. This year's HSBC Championships sees 16 days of world class tennis at The Queen's Club, starting with qualifying for the WTA 500 event on June 7th, a week before the long-standing men's ATP event which has been such a staple of the pre-Wimbledon grass court season. Last year, the men's event was named ATP 500 Tournament of the Year for the third straight season at the 2024 ATP Awards, voted for by players. Jamie Murray, HSBC Championships ATP Tournament Director, said: 'We've got a very exciting HSBC Championships in store with the names we can confirm today for the ATP 500 event. "With six of the world's top ten and four former champions coming to Queen's, the tournament continues to attract the biggest players in the men's game, and we know there'll be some thrilling matches on court as they battle for one of the tour's most prestigious prizes.' The entry list for the WTA 500 event was confirmed earlier in May, with British number one Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu among the women set to take to the grass at the Queen's Club for the first time since 1973. The fortnight of the HSBC Championships will be broadcast live on the BBC, after the LTA and BBC Sport recently agreed a three-year broadcast rights extension.
