Latest news with #AussieOpen
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
KG Montjane paves way for kids to chase their Grand Slam dreams
Kgothatso Montjane, right, and playing partner Yui Kamiji of Japan hold up their 2025 French Open winners' plates at Roland Garros. Image: Daniel Kopatsch/ ITF Wheelchair tennis Grand Slam champion Kgothatso 'KG' Montjane can't help but wonder where she would have been and what she would have achieved in the sport had she started earlier. It was her steely determination to ensure that the same fate doesn't befall talented youngsters from similar backgrounds that drove the construction of a multipurpose tennis court at Lethaba Special School in Tzaneen, Limpopo, through her foundation. 'It has been an idea that has been lying in the pipeline, not being sure how I would be able to execute it. But having such a great team behind me speaking to some of the sponsors from tennis, we managed to make it a dream come true,' KG told Independent Media Sport exclusively on the sidelines of the project. 'This project just resonates with my story, my career, so it's been a long time for me, waiting for this to come true.' South Africa's top-ranked wheelchair tennis player can often be seen zipping around the court, executing lobs, cross-court forehand winners and drives down the line at the US Open, French Open, Aussie Open, and Wimbledon, yet her story has humble beginnings. 'When I started playing tennis, I started at a school where there was no tennis court. We went out to try to play tennis somewhere and then we came back. We didn't have a tennis court at school so we had to improvise,' KG said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'So for me, being able to do this is just a matter of saying I don't want the next generation – those who come from a similar background as me – to go through similar challenges that I went through.' She chose Lethaba Special School because it didn't have a tennis court, unlike Tshilidzini Special School and Helena Franz Special School, her alma mater. 'I just wanted to make sure that the next generation doesn't suffer, mostly those who come from the rural areas. Because I've lived that, I've experienced that and when you are talented and you realise that you were so late into that particular sport, you just feel like you were kind of left behind. I'm just trying to fill that gap.' The 'national treasure' from Seshego, in Polokwane, does admit that her late start has probably given her the longevity to continue to compete at the highest level at the age of 39. Her remarkable career has led her to four wheelchair tennis Grand Slam doubles titles – at the US Open, French Open (twice) and Wimbledon – alongside Japan's Yui Kamiji. Yet she has also lost none of her hunger for success. 'I feel like I'm starting to understand the game better and I'm improving. Even though I picked up the racket at the age of 19, here I am still able to win a Grand Slam or two, or reach a semi-final in Grand Slams,' she said. The children at Lethaba Special School in Tzaneen were thrilled to try out the new multipurpose tennis court made possible by tennis star Kgothatso Monjane's foundation. Image: Supplied
Herald Sun
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Australian Open Royal Melbourne: Adam Scott to play
Aussie golf great Adam Scott will add some star power to this year's Australian Open in Melbourne — and has called for the tournament to continue being staged in Victoria long-term. Scott said playing the Open at Royal Melbourne, which he labelled 'Australia's greatest venue' would help draw the best players, interstate and international tourists and show off the city's famed sandbelt to global audiences. 'I think it would be great for it to be on the sandbelt as often as possible,'' he said. 'It is the Australian Open and there are other cities with great courses as well. 'I know it's a business and all that has to get worked out and that's one of the reasons why it hasn't been down there. 'But there's something to it being down there. 'I think it would be good if it could stay on the sandbelt for a few years and if the momentum builds … really let the world know what the Aussie Open is all about and how great a tournament it is.'' Adam has called for Victoria to host the Open at Royal Melbourne long-term. Picture: David Berding Scott said playing the Open at Royal Melbourne for the first time since 1991 could help usher in a new 'golden age' of Aussie golf. The Herald Sun last week revealed Scott would return to Australia to play Cathedral Invitational in country Victoria and he on Wednesday confirmed he would join superstar Rory McIlroy at the Open in December. In an exclusive interview, Scott compared Melbourne's sandbelt with the famed links golf courses of the UK and Ireland and said it made sense to play Australia's most prestigious golf tournament there more regularly. 'This is a very unique pocket of golf with incredible golf courses, it's own unique style, it's own way of playing,'' he said. 'It's got some links elements to it, you know, we are very lucky to have it. 'And Royal Melbourne has forever been rated the best and, as a tournament venue it's hard to say there is better at home.'' The Open will be staged in Melbourne this year and next but its long-term future has not been decided and is likely to be the subject of a bidding war between Victoria, NSW and South Australia. Greg Norman watches his great recovery shot from the back of the green on the fourth hole in the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne in 1985. Golf. Picture: Supplied Despite being a proud Queenslander, Scott said: 'Melbourne does incredibly well out of huge sports events. 'I know every state likes to compete and have huge sporting events — Queensland's having the Olympics soon. 'So, it's a big thing in Australia, it just so happens that Melbourne has some of the greatest golf courses of the world. 'And the top players of the world today are really aware of that and they're also really keen to experience that. 'They obviously haven't ever played an Aussie Open at Royal Melbourne and I do my best to try and talk that kind of stuff up but I don't really need to''. 'There's a great reputation there.'' Scott said playing Cathedral days after the Open would be 'a fun way to end the year'' and he would try and convince McIlroy to play it in 2026. Scott hopes to return to Melbourne for the President's Cup in 2028. Picture: Andrew Milligan 'It really feels like golf has this energy behind the game in Australia, the last few years,'' he said. 'Having Rory come down, going to our greatest venue (for the Open) a lot of good things going for it. 'Let's hope it kind of channels those glory years.'' Scott also hoped to return to Melbourne for the President's Cup in 2028. 'Yes, I hope to,'' he said. 'It's hard to see more than a couple years down the road, I must say. 'But it's things like that event that would give me motivation to continue working at it and grinding at it. 'I still think I'm seeing enough signs that I can still do it. 'So at this point, I'd hope to be playing.''
Miami Herald
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Down 2 sets, top-ranked Jannik Sinner advances after Grigor Dimitrov's injury
Holding a two-set lead over World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a potential upset, No. 19 seed Grigor Dimitrov was forced to retire with an apparent pectoral muscle injury in the third set, allowing the Italian star to advance to the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Monday. Dimitrov of Bulgaria, who held a 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 lead at the time, was hitting a volley on Sinner's serve when he fell to the ground and grabbed his right pectoral with his left hand. After being tended to by trainers, Dimitrov walked to the bench to continue to receive treatment. He then left the court for medical timeout, returning soon after to concede the match to Sinner with a handshake. Dimitrov was seeking his deepest run at Wimbledon since the 2014 semifinals, but instead Sinner will continue his run to fourth Grand Slam win since the 2024 Australian Open. He also won the Aussie Open this year and claimed the U.S. Open title last September. Right off the bat, Dimitrov took control by breaking Sinner's first serve and didn't lose a service game in winning the first set 6-3. Dimitrov again broke Sinner's first serve in the second set. The Italian rebounded to avoid an 0-2 hole and eventually pulled even at 5-5. The Bulgarian, ranked No. 21 in the world, broke Sinner's serve and held on for a 7-5 win and a 2-0 lead. Sinner, who took a medical timeout during the second set for an elbow issue, secured his first break of the match after the timeout and appeared to be fine from that point. In the third set, both players held serve into a 2-2 tie before Dimitrov's match-ending injury. 'I don't know what to say,' Sinner said after the match. 'He is an incredible player, I think we all saw this today. He's been so unlucky in the past couple of years. 'Very, very unlucky from his side. I don't take this as a win at all. This is just a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us.' Sinner will take on No. 10 seed Ben Shelton, who had to work more than three hours to defeat unseeded Lorenzo Sonego of Italy, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (1), 7-5, and reach his first Wimbledon quarterfinals. Shelton, who has eliminated Sonego in each of the Grand Slams so far this year, dropped the first set after the Italian pulled out all the stops -- slices, lobs, drop shots, delayed serves -- to throw the American off his game. Sonego kept it up in the second set, but Shelton was on his game, including converting two break points to even the set with a 6-1 win. The third set when to a tiebreak, with Shelton earned the winning point on a lunging backhand return. In the fourth set, Sonego held his serve to forge a 5-5 tie as he looked to even the match, but after Shelton broke him, he drilled a pair of cross-court returns to close out the hard-fought victory. Novak Djokovic rebounded from a set down to defeat Australian Alex de Minaur 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and advance to the quarterfinals. The No. 6-seeded Serbian counts seven wins at Wimbledon among his 24 Grand Slam victories. He is seeking to join Roger Federer, who watched the match from the Royal Box, as the only men with eight singles titles on the grass court in London. In his post-match interview, the 38-year-old Djokovic admitted to being nervous ahead of the three-hour, 18-minute match, and it showed in the opening set. He double faulted four times and was broken on serve three times, while registering only eight winners against 16 unforced errors. But de Minaur, the 26-year-old Australian and No. 11 seed, couldn't capitalize on two big chances he had in subsequent sets. In the second, with Djokovic serving up 5-4, de Minaur had two break points but couldn't convert and lost the set. In the fourth, he took a 4-1 lead but allowed Djokovic to rattle off five consecutive games. 'I am still trying to process the whole match and what happened on court,' Djokovic said. 'It wasn't a great start for me; it was a great start for him. He broke my serve three times in the first set. Very windy, swirly conditions on the court. He was just managing better with the play from the back of the court. 'I didn't have many solutions but I managed to reset myself. It was kind of a tough game to close out the second set. Perhaps that was a momentum shift where I just felt like 'OK, I am back in the game.' It was a lot of cat-and-mouse play, a lot of slices and he is so good at it.' It was the 101st win at Wimbledon for Djokovic, who trails only Federer (105) in wins. He acknowledged Federer in the crowd in his post-match remarks and said he wish he had some of the tools of the Swiss great. 'It was a very difficult encounter, some very challenging moments for me. Sometimes, I wish I had a serve and volley and a nice touch from the gentleman who is standing right there, that would help,' Djokovic said. Up next for Djokovic is No. 22 seed Flavio Cobelli of Italy, who reached his first Wimbledon quarters by defeating Serbian Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3). The match lasted nearly 3 1/2 hours. Cilic had 19 aces but was undone by 64 unforced errors. Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Ultimate Fan Ranking: 10 Greatest Female Tennis Players in History
Image via Instagram Tennis fans love their champions larger than life—powerful serves, personality, and that magic moment on court or camera. Over generations, certain female athletes have transcended racquets to become cultural icons: from the trailblazing activists of the '70s to the powerhouse personalities of today's social-media era. Our fan-fueled ranking considers not just trophies but global fame—who sold the most merch, filled stadiums, lit up broadcasts, and became inescapable household names. This isn't a stats-only countdown; it's a popularity parade where charisma counts as much as championships. Ready to meet the ten women whose fame stretched beyond borders, sparked debates, memes, and fanclubs worldwide? Let's smash into it—quirky intros, juicy details, all the flair. 1. Serena Williams Image via Saltzburger Nachrichten No surprise: Serena Williams sits at the top as arguably the most popular female athlete ever. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 319 weeks at world No. 1 and a personality that sparked intense media attention, she became an unstoppable force on and off court . Memorable for that 128 mph ace at the 2013 Aussie Open, countless fashion statements, and championing equality, Serena embodied power, drama, and style. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3BHK Transformation Possible for ₹4.5 Lakh? HomeLane Get Quote Undo 2. Steffi Graf Image via CNN German phenom Steffi Graf revolutionized tennis: 22 Majors, a flawless Golden Slam in 1988, and a record 377 weeks at No. 1—plus a fanbase so devoted they still remember lines on clay and grass . Graf's effortless forehand and cool demeanor made her a global household name—even non‑tennis fans knew her, and some ex‑bodyguards say she still fills stadiums even now. 3. Martina Navratilova Image via Saltzburger Nachrichten Trailblazer Martina Navratilova dazzled with 18 singles Slams, 167 titles, and supersonic serve‑and‑volley—plus 31 doubles Slams and 332 weeks at No. 1 . Her athleticism and outspoken style made her beloved on‑court and off. She stormed into every arena she entered—fans adored both her volleys and her voice. 4. Venus Williams Image via People Magazine Even in her sister's shadow, Venus Williams carved her niche: Seven Grand Slams, 270 major match wins, fierce advocacy for equal pay—and a personality that blended elegance with grit . She's a hero not just for tennis, but for justice—asking Wimbledon, 'Would you want your daughter paid less?' was vintage Venus. 5. Chris Evert Image via CNN Calm, cool & ice‑cold: Chris Evert, the 'Ice Maiden', logged 18 Majors and a jaw‑dropping 89.97 % win rate, including a 94.55 % record on clay . Her 34 Slam finals and seven years as year‑end No. 1 cemented her place in fans' hearts as the queen of consistency. 6. Monica Seles Image via Before her tragic on‑court stabbing in 1993, Monica Seles blasted through slams—nine by age 20—totalling 53 titles and 178 weeks at No. 1 . Fans still wonder: what if? That 'what‑if' aura plus her aggressive dual‑handed style keeps her legacy alive and beloved. 7. Maria Sharapova Image via Sky Sports Teen prodigy Maria Sharapova exploded onto the scene in 2004, upset Serena to win Wimbledon at 17, and racked up five majors . Beyond court, she became a global brand—luxury endorsements, dramatic grunts, and a flair for selfies fueled her massive popularity. 8. Billie Jean King Image via New York Historical Champion, activist, citizen hero: Billie Jean King won 39 Grand Slam titles and literally changed the game—she founded the WTA, won "Battle of the Sexes," and fought for equality . Her charisma and courage earned her lasting admiration from fans worldwide. 9. Naomi Osaka Image via Eurosport Fresh, outspoken and globally adored, Naomi Osaka made history as the first Asian world No. 1, a four‑time Major champion and social‑justice activist . She connects with Gen‑Z on mental health and social media, a megastar in the making with a rapidly growing fanbase. 10. Justine Henin Image via Laureus Quintessential clay‑court sorceress Justine Henin may not top ranking charts, but fans remember her steely one‑handed backhand and emotional grit . With seven Majors, she remains a beloved icon, especially in Belgium and among technique-lovers worldwide. From Serena's power to Osaka's social impact, these ten women didn't just dominate courts—they captured hearts. Their fame combines titles, outspokenness, activism, and viral moments that made sports history. Whether smashing records or breaking cultural barriers, each player earned a unique place in fans' minds worldwide. And while Grand Slams glitter, it's that spark—unpredictability, personality, purpose—that keeps these women at the top of popularity polls. Here's to their legends, and here's hoping the next generation gives fans another set of idols to cheer, meme, and salute. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Sydney Morning Herald
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Keys reflects on Aussie Open fairytale
Madison Keys reflects on her Aussie Open fairytale with Stan Sport ahead of the French Open.
