Latest news with #AustralianOpens
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Tennis Star Pete Sampras Spotted in L.A. During Rare Public Appearance After Retirement Over 2 Decades Ago
NEED TO KNOW Pete Sampras, the former tennis star known as "Pistol Pete," was spotted during a rare public appearance on June 3 The athlete was seen while he made a coffee run in Beverly Hills Sampras, who retired over two decades ago in 2002, is well-known as one of the greatest tennis players of all time Pete Sampras was seen out and about during a rare public appearance. The former tennis star, 53, was spotted making a coffee run in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Tuesday, June 3. Sampras wore a dark gray Nike T-shirt and gray shorts while he carried two drinks in a beverage holder in one hand and a shopping bag in the other. Advertisement The athlete was last seen publicly in December 2024. Before that, he made a rare public appearance at the 2019 BNP Paribas Open, where he played with Novak Djokovic in an exhibition match. London Entertainment / SplashNews Pete Sampras on June 3. Pete Sampras on June 3. Sampras — also referred to as 'Pistol Pete' for his serve — is well-known as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. He began his professional tennis career in 1988, when he was 16 years old. Sampras retired in 2002 after winning a then-record 14 Grand Slam titles and ending the year ranked as the ATP No. 1 player in the world from 1993 to 1998. The Hall-of-Famer, inducted in 2007, famously won seven Wimbledon titles, five U.S. Open championships and two Australian Opens over the course of his illustrious career. Advertisement Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Dimitri Iundt/Corbis/VCG via Getty Pete Sampras in 1990 Pete Sampras in 1990 In recent years, Sampras has remained largely away from the public eye. Back in October 2023, he revealed that his wife Bridgette Wilson-Sampras had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In a statement released via the AP Tour on X, Sampras said, "As most have come to know, I am a pretty quiet and private person. However, this past year has been an exceptionally challenging time for my family, and I have decided to share what's been going on." Advertisement "Last December, my wife, Bridgette, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer," Sampras continued at the time. "Since then, she has had major surgery, pushed through chemotherapy and continues with targeted maintenance therapy." CAROL NEWSOM/AFP via Getty Pete Sampras after defeating Andre Agassi on Sept. 9, 1990 Pete Sampras after defeating Andre Agassi on Sept. 9, 1990 The tennis star further opened up about how "hard" it was to "watch someone you love go through a challenge like this," and praised the couple's sons, Christian and Ryan, for "stepping up" and being "such strong supporters" for their parents. Sampras also shared praise for Wilson-Sampras in his statement, calling her an "incredible mom and wife through it all." Advertisement Sampras has been with his wife, a former actress who starred in movies like I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Wedding Planner, since 1999. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! The couple was introduced by former Los Angeles Lakers Vice President of Public Relations John Black. Sampras asked Black to connect him with Bridgette after seeing her in a film, which he shared in his 2008 book, A Champion's Mind. 'There was a bright spot to that otherwise terrible late summer — my injury was directly responsible for my wife and me meeting,' Sampras wrote. 'While I was hurt, I was watching this movie, Love Stinks, with a friend, John Black. Bridgette Wilson, an actress in the film, caught my eye. Actually, she blew me away when I saw her. I thought she was stunning.' Read the original article on People
India Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
French Open 2025, Day 1 Order of Play: Sabalenka, Paolini set for curtain raiser
Aryna Sabalenka, Qinwen Zheng, Jasmine Paolini and Lorenzo Musetti are some of the top seeds who will be in action on Day 1 of the French Open No.1 Sabalenka has won two Australian Opens and a US Open title, but is yet to win the French Open. The Belarusian will look for a dominating start in her opening match against World No.78 Kamilla Rakhimova at Zheng will also be in action on Centre Court when she faces Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in the opening match. Jasmine Paolini, who finished as the runner-up last season and recently won the Italian Open title, will face Yuan Yue of China in the opening round. Diana Shnaider, who recently rose to a career-highest ranking of No.9 following her impressive showing in Rome, will lock horns with Anastasiia Sobolieva at Court likes of Lorenzo Musetti, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul and Elina Svitolina will also play their opening round matches on got our first order of play, check it out here Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 24, 2025Here's the Order of Play for Day 1 of French Open 2025Philippe-Chatrier (from 12 am local time, 3:30 PM IST)advertisementAryna Sabalenka v Kamilla RakhimovaQinwen Zheng v Anastasia PavlyuchenkovaLorenzo Musetti v Yannick HanfmannBen Shelton v Lorenzo Sonego (not before 8:15 local time, 11:45 PM local time)Suzanne-Lenglen (from 11 am local time, 2:30 PM IST)Zeynep Sonmez v Elina SvitolinaGiovanni Mpetshi Perricard v Zizou BergsFrances Tiafoe v Roman SafiullinJasmine Paolini v Yuan YueCourt Simonne-Mathieu (from 11 am local time, 2:30 PM IST)Elmer Moller v Tommy PaulDiana Shnaider v Anastasiia SobolievaDonna Vekic vs Anna BlinkovaTomas Machac vs Quentin HalysMust Watch
Business Recorder
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Major coup for Australian Open as McIlroy signs up for two years
SYDNEY: Masters champion Rory McIlroy will play the next two editions of the Australian Open in a major coup for one of golf's oldest tournaments, which has struggled in recent years to get marquee names to undertake the long journey south. The Northern Irishman, who completed the career Grand Slam at Augusta last month, will vie for the Stonehaven Cup at Royal Melbourne in early December this year and at nearby Kingston Heath Golf Club in 2026. 'I'm proud to be committing to the Australian Open for the next two years, especially with it being played on the world-class Melbourne Sandbelt, somewhere I've always wanted to play professionally,' McIlroy said in a press release. 'The success of the Australian Open is important for the global game, and I'm incredibly confident it will thrive again this year.' The Australian Open was first played in 1904 and counts the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player among its former winners. McIlroy won a duel with Adam Scott on the final hole at Royal Sydney to win the title in 2013 and is likely to face his fellow former world number one again this year. A groundbreaking mixed format, where the men's and women's Australian Opens were played simultaneously, was scrapped in February in the wake of complaints from top players. The initiative, introduced in 2022, was aimed at rebooting the tournament after it was shut down for two years by the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Rory McIlroy, one of the best to ever play our game, playing on the world-renowned Melbourne Sandbelt, is a mouth-watering proposition for golf fans,' said Golf Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland. 'We are committed to elevating the status of our national championship, and this announcement is a significant step in that direction.'
Perth Now
13-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Rory McIlroy makes major Australian career announcement
Recently crowned US Masters champion Rory McIlroy is locked in to play in the Australian Open for the next two years. Just a month after achieving the career grand slam at Augusta National, McIlroy has confirmed he will be at Royal Melbourne Golf Club later this year when the tournament kicks off on December 4. Kingston Heath will play host to Australia's oldest and most prestigious golf tournament in 2026, which will be the third time in five years it has been staged there. World No.2 McIlroy last played at the Australian Open in 2014, a year after dramatically edging out hometown hope Adam Scott for the title in 2013. 'I'm proud to be committing to the Australian Open for the next two years, especially with it being played on the world-class Melbourne Sandbelt, somewhere I've always wanted to play professionally,' McIlroy said of his announcement. 'The success of the Australian Open is important for the global game, and I'm incredibly confident it will thrive again this year, especially with it being staged in one of the world's great sporting cities and on two of the finest golf courses in the world over the next two years: The Royal Melbourne Golf Club and Kingston Heath Golf Club. 'Melbourne is known for being one of the world's great sporting cities and I can't wait to be part of that atmosphere and soak in everything it has to offer, both on and off the course.' After three years as a joint men's and women's event, which received mixed reviews, the Australian Open men's tournament will switch back to a standalone format. World No.2 Rory McIlroy has confirmed he's heading Down Under for the next two Australian Opens. Credit: AAP 'We are confident that the revised format, with individual men's, women's and all-abilities events will give each event their own platform to showcase the incredible talent in golf,' Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said. Sutherland thanked the Victorian government for its support. 'The Victorian government truly understands the value that golf brings to the local economy,' he said. 'We appreciate their ongoing support and we look forward to partnering with them again as we host this year's men's Australian Open. 'Rory McIlroy, one of the best to ever play our game, playing on the world-renowned Melbourne Sandbelt, is a mouth-watering proposition for golf fans. 'We are committed to elevating the status of our national championship, and this announcement is a significant step in that direction.' The Australian Open will take place a week after the Australian PGA Championship. McIlroy, 35, is a five-time major champion and one of only six men to complete the career grand slam.
West Australian
13-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Masters champ Rory McIlroy to play Australian Open in Melbourne
Masters champ Rory McIlroy is coming to Australia not once but twice after being locked in to play the 2025 and 2026 Australian Opens in Melbourne. McIlroy, who collected his maiden green jacket at Augusta in April, will be at Royal Melbourne Golf Club this year when the tournament returns to the Melbourne Sandbelt from December 4. Then in 2026, the Australian Open will be staged at Kingston Heath Golf Club. McIlroy, 35 and the world No.2, last played the Australian Open in 2014 when he defended the Stonehaven Cup the year after he went head-to-head with Adam Scott in 2013 to eventually be crowned champion. 'I'm proud to be committing to the Australian Open for the next two years, especially with it being played on the world-class Melbourne Sandbelt, somewhere I've always wanted to play professionally' McIlroy said. 'The success of the Australian Open is important for the global game, and I'm incredibly confident it will thrive again this year, especially with it being staged in one of the world's great sporting cities and on two of the finest golf courses in the world over the next two years: The Royal Melbourne Golf Club and Kingston Heath Golf Club. 'Melbourne is known for being one of the world's great sporting cities and I can't wait to be part of that atmosphere and soak in everything it has to offer, both on and off the course.' It's a huge fillip for the tournament, which is moving back to a stand-alone event after three years playing as a dual-gender event, alongside the women's Australian Open, which received mixed reviews from players. McIlroy will head to Melbourne after playing out the PGA Tour season and then Ryder Cup in September. 'Rory McIlroy, one of the best to ever play our game, playing on the world-renowned Melbourne Sandbelt, is a mouth-watering proposition for golf fans,' Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland said 'We are committed to elevating the status of our national championship, and this announcement is a significant step in that direction.' The men's Australian Open will follow the BMW Australian PGA Championship, with both events again co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
