Latest news with #AndyMurray
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Anyone for gardening? Just don't ask former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray!
Andy Murray and wife Kim have opened up about their love for gardening – although the retired tennis ace has admitted he is hopeless at it. The couple invited gardening supremo Monty Don to their luxury hotel Cromlix, in Dunblane, Perthshire, for a look and explained the work around the property has been inspired by Kim's own love for flowers and plant. But Sir Andy confessed: 'I'm definitely not green fingered and actually I don't even know what that means either. 'I'm assuming it is a gardening term that I should know.' The father-of-four left his wife in stitches with the comments but she later told Mr Don on BBC Gardners' World she aims to get him into gardening having just planted 6,000 tulips around their own estate. She added: 'He was not into art but I got him into art. 'And he noticed my tulips this year. 'Andy has more time in his hands now and he has a very curious mind so I think one day he'll get into it.' Mrs Murray said she was first invited to the Royal Chelsea Flower Show in 2013 when a hosta was named after her husband. She said: 'I was very excited to visit and I received a hosta named Andy Murray and I brought it home and I took great pride in planting it out and it got absolutely decimated by slugs really rapidly.' However, since then she has manged to oversee a kitchen garden at Cromlix which produces cut flowers for the house and ingredients for the kitchen and the bar.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
John McEnroe's Jack Draper prediction can be right if the stars align
Can Jack Draper win majors, as John McEnroe suggested? I'd say that the chances are better than 50-50, but it's still a brutally hard thing to do. At the moment, I'd put him in the category of players who are contenders but not dominant forces. He's in a similar bracket to the likes of Dominic Thiem, before his wrist injury, or Alexander Zverev, or Daniil Medvedev, a few seasons ago. These men do not generally find their way to the top of the world rankings, even if Medvedev stole a few weeks there at his peak. They can beat anybody on their day, but can they win seven matches back to back? Going back further, all of Great Britain's most significant names since Fred Perry fit into this pattern. Even if Andy Murray was clearly the best player on tour for the second half of 2016, we have never had a long-term world champion – male or female – in the manner of a Federer, a Sampras or a Graf. Given that the 2020s feel like the era of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner – with Draper's next opponent, 18-year-old Joao Fonseca coming up on the outside rail – it's pretty hard to see him becoming that guy who starts every major as the bookies' favourite and piles up major titles like a stamp collector. TOO GOOD FROM JOAO 💪 #RolandGarros — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2025 So then we find ourselves in the place we have been familiar with, as British tennis fans, since Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski. We are back to semi-finals, the odd final, and the question of whether form, opportunity, fortune and nerve can come together on any given grand-slam Sunday. If there is one thing in common between the Britons who made it this far, they have all been maximisers. Draper is the same. During his late teens, he chafed against the narrowness of the professional tennis lifestyle. But then, when he realised how good he could be, he locked on and committed to the grind. He does it intelligently too, by limiting his matchday workload. Where other players like Casper Ruud and Alex de Minaur have gone out of the French Open bemoaning their physical and mental exhaustion, Draper came in with only seven events to his name – the lowest number of any leading player. He hasn't chased the money, but instead he and his admirably understated coach James Trotman have worked to peak for the big events, already claiming a maiden Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells and then reaching the final in Madrid. Unless he becomes the French Open champion, the likelihood is that he will go into the grass-court season ranked at No 4 in the world. Jack Draper, the 2025 edition, is already a vast improvement on the version who lost in the first round of last year's French Open to world No 176 Jesper De Jong. As long as he continues to refine his game, and stays clear of serious injury, he has all the ingredients that make up a major champion.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Anyone for tennis? Not me but the ace Megasaray Club Belek serves up a stunning five star treat for holidaymakers
Michael Gannon headed to Antalya in Turkey to check out a stunning resort that is a regular stopping point on the tennis tour My new German chum recognised the Scottish accent but my gag was lost in translation. 'Ah, you are like Andy Murray, are you here for the tennis?' 'I'm more like Chic Murray,' I replied. Perhaps understandably he'd never heard of the legendary Scottish stand-up. I wasn't there for the tennis either. I was at the Megasaray Club Belek for a luxurious family break. And it was ace. In fairness to my new friend, it was a fair question. The superb resort in Türkiye's Antalya coast is renowned for tennis. With more than 20 top class courts, exceptional training facilities, including a SPA and wellness centre, along with a gym. Little wonder it's a regular staging point for World Tennis Association ranking events and a Mecca for amateur players looking to some game time in stunning weather. There are as many racquet bags as there are beach bags around the stunning complex. There are plenty of sublime golf courses on the doorstep as well. But we were not there to work up a sweat. We were there to relax and soak up some rays after a brutally long Scottish winter. And this place delivered and then some. Antalya has become a hot spot for tourists from the UK and beyond and there are a string of five star all includes right along the coast. The Megasaray Club Belek is more of a hidden gem to British holidaymakers though as it's been more of a haunt for travellers from the rest of Europe. It's time Brits got in on the secret though. This place served up a treat. We spent a week in late spring and it was a winner with my wife and six-yer-old daughter. The first impressions were, well impressive, and the standards never slipped for a second. Some of these huge resorts can feel a little overpowering but this one felt much more welcoming and relaxing, which is good going for a place with near 600 rooms and close to 1900 beds. It was busy without every feeling overcrowded, sprawling yet intimate. We felt right at home from the first minute. There are several pool areas with beautiful pine tree lined gardens. Each section caters for every taste. There's the main pool, the central hub with plenty of loungers and a winding river around it. There's also an adults only pool for those wanting some extra peace and quiet with a couple of other ones – hugged by bars – for folk to relax next to. But my wife's focus was honed in on one part of the hotel in particular – the beach. The Megasaray has it's only private sandy section with a stunning pier as well. And as a dedicated beach lover, it was right up her street. The soft sand and still water made it perfect for topping up tans and cooling off with a dip. The cabanas are sensational for those looking for a bit of coastal luxury, with food and drink dished out at a whim. The pier has loungers and it's own bar too, and it's a stunning spot for a drink, especially later in the afternoon when the sun is starting to dip. Likewise the cool bear bar perched on the water's edge. If all this sounds incredibly relaxing, you'd be right. But don't be fooled. There's also a thrilling waterpark for the young – and the young at heart. My we one is a daredevil at the best of times and her eyes lift up the moment she clocked the chutes and flumes. I barely got time to slap on the Factor 50 before she had me whisked off to give them a whirl. She had a ball – I had a bawl. Half of Antalya must have heard my scream when we rocketed down one of the four-storey chutes like the Jamaican bobsleigh team. It was great fun though and put to full use every single day. The rewards for her old day came elsewhere. Like the food and drink. And this is where the Megasaray really delivers. The dinning options were not just good, like they are in a lot of five star all inclusive resorts, they were exception. At some places, the buffets can be dull and the a la carte options limited. Not here. From a breakfast with more options than my mind could cope with, to the sensational street food stack corner and the evening buffet hub, it was full marks for the lot. It was the a la carte restaurants that were another level. We went for several options, including the Italian, the Mexican and the Chinese. It was tough to pick a winner as every one of them was top notch. But if pushed, the Mexican narrowly came out on top. Oh wait, the Italian. No, the Chinese… Mind you, the shrimp fajitas in the Mexican might just edge it. There was plenty for the fussy youngster in our group as well, with terrific kids menus. The kids club got a big thumbs up too, as did the entertainment at night which starts with mini discos before a succession of cracking shows for all the family. It was a hard place to leave but we did venture out to check out its sister hotel, the Megasasay West Beach Antalya, on the beautiful Konyaalti Promenade on the other side of the city. There was a different vibe there, with a hotel that could have been airlifted out of Miami, with cool design and trendy restaurants and bars. It's right on the beach and also close to the Antalya old town for people who fancy getting out and about to see the sights. Back at our HQ we went from a regular room – which was anything but regular with a stunning sea view – to a swim up suite that was something really special. The Megasaray Club Belek was a smash hit – and that's no joke. GET THERE Several airlines fly direct from Scotland to Antalya, including Jet2, TUI and Sun Express BOOK IT Rooms at the Megasaray Club Belek are available direct with the resort, with or packages with TUI and Jet2, prices variable
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Moment tennis fan spots Novak Djokovic cycling around Paris on the eve of French Open second-round clash
Novak Djokovic surprised fans in Paris as he biked around the French capital - and narrowly avoided a hairy encounter at the famously lethal Arc du Triomphe roundabout on Wednesday evening. The four-time French Open champion has returned to Roland-Garros in improving form after a challenging season on clay saw him knocked out in the first rounds of the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open. Djokovic then plumped to bypass the Italian Open, and at the start of this month split with his coach - and former Big Four rival - Andy Murray, in a decision that both men have gone to lengths to stress was mutual. Since calling time on his partnership with the three-time Grand Slam champion, Djokovic returned to the tour at the Geneva Open. The 38-year-old made history with his defeat of Hubert Hurkacz in the Swiss final, claiming his 100th ATP title and becoming just the second man in the Open era to do so. Tied with Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic comes to Paris hungry to break her longstanding record on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Ahahahah, mais Novak Djokovic 🇷🇸 il s'agirait de préparer correctement ton match face à Coco Moutet 🇫🇷 Il est en détente, il est heureux, j'aime ce mec sincèrement 📹 delphdrig (Tiktok) — Romain 🎾🇫🇷 (@RomainNextGen) May 28, 2025 In between matches, however, Djokovic was content to take a tour of the city on a bicycle, and was spotted by tennis fans navigating the multi-lane roundabout that rings one of Paris' most iconic landmarks. 'Djoko, Djoko!' Two fans driving on the roundabout screamed when they spotted Djokovic and a friend, slowing down and all-but blocking off the cyclists from turning. 'I am very proud, because I love you,' the driver told the Serbian serial champion. 'Thank you, I love you too,' Djokovic responded as he continues to pedal. 'But I have to go right.' Interaction recorded, Djokovic was allowed to pedal away and enjoy the rest of his day off. The tennis icon booked his spot in the second round after a rote straight sets defeat of Mackenzie McDonald on Tuesday, and after his match opened up on Murray's verdict on his results in the wake of their split. 'He did congratulate me, and he said, "now that you have a proper coach, you're winning tournaments",' Djokovic joked with the media. 'Of course he was joking, but, I think I have said enough but I will say it again: Andy is just an amazing person. The 38-year-old's travails in Paris will continue on Thursday as he steps up to play a home star 'For him to join my team and for us to give a shot to this player/coach relationship was really an incredible thing for tennis and for both of us. I was very privileged and honoured. 'I was enjoying myself very much regardless of the fact that we haven't had maybe the success we both wanted or people expected us to have.' Djokovic now has a tougher psychological test on Thursday when he goes toe-to-toe with Corentin Moutet. The Frenchman is guaranteed a raucous home crowd when the pair meet in the afternoon slot on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Novak Djokovic begins French Open title defence with a strong win after series of straight losses
Novak Djokovic had a thrilling win over American Mackenzie McDonald in his first-round match at the French Open. This marks a strong start to his journey towards achieving a historic 25th Grand Slam singles title. The athlete, who won his 100th ATP singles title in Geneva recently, was confident and took control of the match before securing the victory with a final scoreline of 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. This achievement marks his improvements and a favourable step towards his goal at the Roland-Garros. He will now play against French player Corentin Moutet in the next round, after Moutet defeated his countryman Clément Tabur in straight sets. Djokovic's season performance so far Djokovic competed at the Geneva tournament without a single clay-court win in 2025. He suffered early exits both in Monte Carlo and Madrid. The athlete also decided to end his six-month coaching partnership with former rival Andy Murray before the start of the French Open. However, he won his 100th career Tour-level title in Geneva, a success that he has been working hard for since claiming the career 'Golden Slam' at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This milestone has given the Serbian the boost and confidence to continue reaching for his Grand Slam goals, especially on the clay surface. His win over Mackenzie McDonald took just under two hours, and this marked his fifth straight victory after having three consecutive losses in his previous matches. Djokovic admitted that his last-minute decision to participate in Geneva was a right one, saying, 'I think it was a good move, to be honest, because I was struggling a little bit with [my] confidence level, doubting my game a bit… It was good that I got four matches under my belt, won a title.' He added, 'Coming into Roland Garros, it feels different than compared to the feeling I had three weeks ago… Let's see how far I can go, but I have a good feeling for now.' In the quarter-finals, Djokovic might play against Alexander Zverev. If he continues to move forward, he could face World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. He might also play against Carlos Alcaraz, last year's champion, in the final. In a social media post, Djokovic shared his victory with the caption, 'Oui go again. 🇫🇷' Netizens poured support in the comment section. One said,'Not gonna lie, I only watch tennis to watch Novak 😅', while another remarked, 'Oui will root for you from far away🔥❤️' 'The French Open will be yours 🏆🔥' another chimed in.
