Latest news with #BelindaBencic
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Belinda Bencic withdraws from French Open, scratching first-round match with Elena Rybakina
Belinda Bencic has withdrawn from the French Open with an arm injury, scratching one of the most interesting first-round matchups of the tournament. Bencic, the world No. 39 who has been in strong form since at the end of last year returning from the birth of her first child, had been drawn against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. 'I will, unfortunately, miss Roland Garros this year. Just two days ago during a morning practice, I re-aggravated the arm injury that forced me to retire in Rome,' Bencic wrote in a statement announcing her withdrawal. The Swiss was last week forced out of her Italian Open match against Greek world No. 92 Maria Sakkari, having dropped the first set 6-2. Advertisement Bencic returned to the WTA Tour in October 2024, after giving birth to her daughter, Bella, in April that year. She opted to play on the third and second rungs of women's tennis to start her comeback, instead of returning directly to the top level, and profited from the experience of winning — and losing — when she lifted the Abu Dhabi Open title in February. She also defeated Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko and Naomi Osaka at January's Australian Open, before losing to Coco Gauff; Bencic then beat Gauff at Indian Wells, Calif., on the way to the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open. Rybakina will now play a lucky loser in her first-round match, while Bencic said that she hopes two weeks of rest will allow her to return to the court for the start of grass season. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Tennis, Women's Tennis 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Belinda Bencic withdraws from French Open, scratching first-round match with Elena Rybakina
Belinda Bencic has withdrawn from the French Open with an arm injury, scratching one of the most interesting first-round matchups of the tournament. Bencic, the world No. 39 who has been in strong form since at the end of last year returning from the birth of her first child, had been drawn against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Advertisement 'I will, unfortunately, miss Roland Garros this year. Just two days ago during a morning practice, I re-aggravated the arm injury that forced me to retire in Rome,' Bencic wrote in a statement announcing her withdrawal. The Swiss was last week forced out of her Italian Open match against Greek world No. 92 Maria Sakkari, having dropped the first set 6-2. Bencic returned to the WTA Tour in October 2024, after giving birth to her daughter, Bella, in April that year. She opted to play on the third and second rungs of women's tennis to start her comeback, instead of returning directly to the top level, and profited from the experience of winning — and losing — when she lifted the Abu Dhabi Open title in February. She also defeated Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko and Naomi Osaka at January's Australian Open, before losing to Coco Gauff; Bencic then beat Gauff at Indian Wells, Calif., on the way to the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open. Rybakina will now play a lucky loser in her first-round match, while Bencic said that she hopes two weeks of rest will allow her to return to the court for the start of grass season.
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Tennis players in the dark at Madrid Open as matches suspended due to major power outage
By MANU FERNANDEZ and ANDREW DAMPF Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] MADRID (AP) — Former U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff was preparing to shower in a dark locker room after play at the Madrid Open was suspended and then postponed Monday due to a major power outage in Spain and Portugal. Then Gauff realized the water was off, too. 'So I just had to take baby wipes and wipe myself,' Gauff said, 'and spray some perfume and call it a day.' Gauff managed to beat Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-2 shortly before the outage, which apparently cut off the sound as she was giving a post-match interview on the court. Then the 2023 U.S. Open champion posted an Instagram story showing only an emergency light working in an otherwise dark locker room. The power went out at 12:34 p.m. local time (1034 GMT), stopping two ATP singles matches and one doubles match that were underway. For the day, a total of 22 matches had to be canceled. 'The cut is preventing the use of electronic line calling systems and also left a spider cam dangling over the court inside Manolo Santana Stadium,' the ATP added. Tournament organizers said they 'had no choice but to suspend/cancel all sporting activity in order to guarantee the safety of the players, fans and personnel.' Spectators were told to leave the sports complex. Power was restored at night through most parts of Madrid, and organizers said play will resume on Tuesday. Second-ranked Alexander Zverev, a two-time Madrid Open champion, will face Francisco Cerundolo, while Alex de Minaur and Daniil Medvedev will also be in action. On the women's side, the remaining six fourth-matches were expected to be played on Tuesday, including top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka facing Peyton Stearns and second-ranked Iga Swiatek taking on Diana Shnaider. When play was stopped, Grigor Dimitrov was leading Jacob Fearnley 6-4, 5-4 inside the main stadium. Also, Matteo Arnaldi was leading Damir Dzumhur 6-3, 3-2 but that match continued later — apparently with manual line calling — and Arnaldi won 6-3, 6-4. The doubles was also completed and some players practiced despite the outage. The blackout brought much of Spain and Portugal to a standstill, knocking out subway networks, phone lines, traffic lights and ATM machines. Spanish power distributor Red Eléctrica declined to speculate on the cause of the blackout. Meanwhile, Gauff also posted a photo of candles being distributed. 'It's just crazy how much we depend on electricity,' Gauff said. 'It's really insane and puts it in perspective.' Another fourth-round women's match was also completed before the blackout: Mirra Andreeva beat Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-1, 6-4. ___ Dampf reported from Rome. ___ AP tennis:
Daily Tribune
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Massive blockout halts Madrid Open
Play has been cancelled at the Madrid Open for the rest of the day following a massive power cut in Spain and neighbouring Portugal, tournament organisers announced yesterday. A power cut affecting 'the whole of the Iberian peninsula and part of France', according to Portuguese electricity network operator REN, halted matches shortly after 10.30am GMT, before Madrid Open organisers called off the rest of the day's action four hours later. 'For reasons beyond the control of the organisation and in order to guarantee general safety, the nationwide power-cut experienced in Spain yesterday 28 April has forced the cancellation of both the day and night sessions at the Madrid Open,' the tournament announced on social media. Only three matches were completed yesterday before the outage. Women's world number four Coco Gauff beat Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-2 in the last 16 and teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva also progressed to the quarter-finals, beating Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-1, 6-4. Matteo Arnaldi, who knocked out Novak Djokovic on Saturday, reached the round of 16 with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Damir Dzumhur. Elsewhere, the match between Grigor Dimitrov and Jacob Fearnley was suspended when the Bulgarian 15th seed was leading 6-4, 5-4 with his opponent serving to stay in the match. Among the matches initially scheduled for yesterday and now postponed until today are the last 16 matches of women's world numbers one and two, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, who were due to take on Peyton Stearns and Diana Shnaider, respectively.
Toronto Sun
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Tennis watchdog adds ‘creepy' new shower rule for players
'Taking a shower is not a right ... the ITIA kindly requests players to shower while remaining in clear view of the chaperone observing them at all times.' Coco Gauff returns the ball to Switzerland's Belinda Bencic during their 2025 WTA Tour Madrid Open match. Getty Images Tennis followers are calling foul after a watchdog organization announced a new rule involving post-match showers that some have called 'creepy.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account In a bid to catch users of performance-enhancing drugs, chaperones will watch players shower if a urine sample hasn't been provided. The International Tennis Integrity Unit (ITIA) reportedly informed players of a new rule last week which will see drug tests conducted immediately after matches. However, it's an update regarding post-match showers that has gone viral. 'The ITIA and ITF have been working tirelessly to ensure that post-match showers can constitute an allowable delay for doping controls, especially when the absence of a shower can have a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of a player,' the ITIA statement read. 'However, taking a shower is not a right. For this reason, the ITIA kindly requests players to shower while remaining in clear view of the chaperone observing them at all times. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'If a player feels uncomfortable being watched during their shower, we suggest considering whether it is necessary to shower before providing the doping control sample.' Jon Wertheim, a journalist for Sports Illustrated , posted the release with the caption: 'This is … extraordinary.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Other fans called out the ITIA for the statement for social media, saying the policy is 'creepy,' among other comments. 'Chaperone in full view while the players are showering??? This is creepy, given how some players, males and females, are in their teens. Ew,' one fan posted on X. 'Next from ITIA: What if we put a hidden camera in the bathroom,' another user commented. 'This is unacceptable,' a third added. Read More Rennae Stubbs, a four-time Olympian and former World No. 1 doubles player, said the statement was just poorly worded and that drug testing officials always have been present once players leave the court. 'We always have had to shower with the door open,' Stubbs wrote on X. We always have had to shower with the door open. The drug testing people were with us every minute from the moment we walked off court including watching us shower. I don't know what they're putting this out now. — Rennae Stubbs ♈️ (@rennaestubbs) April 18, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The drug testing people were with us every minute from the moment we walked off the court including watching us shower. I don't know why they're putting this out now.' Celebrity Federal Elections Federal Elections Celebrity Canada
