Latest news with #BritishPlayers
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boulter and Kartal win on record-breaking day for British players
Wimbledon 2025 Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club Coverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online with extensive coverage on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs and mobile app. Full coverage guide. Advertisement Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal both produced impressive victories at either end of a record-breaking day for British players at Wimbledon. Former British number one Boulter took to Centre Court in the evening and secured a rare victory over a top 10 player as she beat Spain's Paula Badosa 2-6 6-3 4-6. Earlier, Kartal was the first player through from the 14-strong British contingent in action on day one with victory over 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko. In total, seven Britons in the men's and women's draw progressed to the second round on day one, making it the most successful day for British players at Wimbledon in the Open era. Advertisement Boulter, 28, and Kartal were joined by British number one Emma Raducanu - who beat compatriot Mimi Xu - Cameron Norrie, Arthur Fery, Oliver Tarvet and Billy Harris. "It's incredible with so many Brits in the draw," Raducanu, 22, said. "I think it's great for the spectators, too, to have so many Brits to follow in the draw. As we win matches, it's more and more exciting." Boulter will next face lucky loser Solana Sierra of Argentina. "I played some really good stuff and I'm happy to be through to the next round," Boulter said. "I played a lot of matches later where I started out great and then kind of let it slip, I did one at Queen's which hurt me a lot. I just tried to compete today and fight." Advertisement On a sweltering day at SW19, Kartal toppled the former French Open champion 7-5 2-6 6-2 to book her place in the second round. Kartal, 23, was one of 10 British women in action at the All England Club - the most since 1992. She had to come from behind to win the opening set on a lively court three. But a dominant deciding set secured her progression to round two for the second time in her career, following a breakout tournament at last year's Wimbledon where she reached the third round. "That was by far one of the toughest matches I've played," she said after the win, her third over a top-20 player this year. Advertisement "I would say I struggle against the big hitters. I've made a conscious effort this year to play the bigger matches and put myself under the most pressure out on court. "I knew I wouldn't get the results straight away but that it would eventually pay off, and that's what happened today." Boulter battles to big win This is the sixth successive time Boulter has reached the second round at Wimbledon, but this was one of her best opening-round wins against a tricky opponent, having only beaten a top-10 opponent three times before. Badosa is a former world number two but her recent struggles with injuries will have given Boulter hope of getting a result, something that looked likely in a first set she dominated. Advertisement Badosa had to withdraw from the Berlin Open earlier this month at the quarter-final stage because of a back injury and it appeared that may have still been a concern as she was twice broken in the opener. But it was a different story in the second set as Badosa showed her top 10 qualities, attacking Boulter on her serve to secure two breaks on her way to levelling matters. An absorbing third set had the Centre Court crowd enthralled, with Badosa, 27, getting a break in the first game but Boulter broke back immediately. From then on there was little to separate the two before Boulter got the decisive break at 5-4 to seal the win. Advertisement Kartal's remarkable rise Kartal has enjoyed a remarkable rise through the rankings in the past 18 months. At Wimbledon last year, she arrived as a wildcard ranked 281 in the world and went on to reach the third round. On her return this year, ranked 230 places above that, she cut a calm and mature figure. Ostapenko, 28, had beaten Kartal comfortably in the opening round at Eastbourne last week but the Briton maintained her composure as she fell 5-2 behind in the opening set. A wayward Ostapenko forehand into the net was the catalyst for Kartal to go on and win the next five games, saving set points at 5-4 before motoring ahead to take the set. Advertisement Ostapenko was left stunned when Kartal sent a ripping forehand round the net post but the former Wimbledon semi-finalist managed to cut out the errors and take the second set comfortably to level things up. That said, Ostapenko grew increasingly frustrated throughout the match - muttering under her breath and berating herself while shouting up at her coaches. Fans in the crowd were also on the receiving end of glaring looks as she complained that they were being too noisy, asking the umpire to tell them to be quiet before shouting at them and raising her arms in exasperation. But throughout that Kartal remained steadfast and raced through the third set, securing a double break before serving out for an impressive victory. Advertisement A total of 23 Britons had qualified for Wimbledon in the men's and women's singles at the All England Club - the most since 1984. While Raducanu, Boulter and Kartal progressed, there were exits for Harriet Dart, Hannah Klugman and Mika Stojsavljevic in the women's draw. Dart won the first set of her match against Hungary's Dalma Galfi but went on to lose 3-6 6-3 7-5. Teenager Klugman lost to Canada's 29th seed Leylah Fernandez 6-1 6-3 on her Grand Slam main-draw debut. The 16-year-old, who last month became the first Briton in almost 50 years to reach the French Open girls' final, was one of three British players aged 17 and under in the women's singles draw at the All England Club. Advertisement Stojsavljevic, also 16, was beaten 6-3 6-2 by American Ashlyn Krueger.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Raducanu beats compatriot Xu at 'favourite tournament'
British number one Emma Raducanu cruised to a comfortable victory over compatriot Mimi Xu to progress to the second round at her "favourite tournament", swiftly wrapped up the 6-3 6-3 win against 17-year-old Xu, who was making her maiden Grand Slam Welsh teenager showed glimpses of the potential that earned her a wildcard in this year's main draw at Raducanu quickly settled into her rhythm on court one and showcased some of the free-hitting style she has enjoyed at the grass-court warm-up 22-year-old looked unaffected by the still-sweltering conditions at the All England Club as she aims to better last year's run to the fourth round."It's really nice to be back. I just use it [expectation] as support and I love it," she said."It's my favourite tournament by far so I'm just so happy to get another match here."Victory comes after a successful opening day for the British players with victories for Sonay Kartal, Arthur Fery, Cameron Norrie, Billy Harris and qualifier Oliver tests await Raducanu with a meeting against former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in round two but she smiled and celebrated with the adoring home crowd after wrapping up the win.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Most Britons in a generation - home stars set for Wimbledon
British women's number two Katie Boulter is among 50-plus home players at Wimbledon [Getty Images] Wimbledon 2025 Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club Coverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online with extensive coverage on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs and mobile app. If you want to keep tabs on all the British players at Wimbledon this year, it may need to be a multi-screen experience. There are 23 Britons competing in the men's and women's singles at the All England Club - the most since 1984. Advertisement The home ranks exceed 50 when we add the doubles, wheelchair events and juniors. With the grass-court Grand Slam tournament starting on Monday, here are British names and storylines to keep an eye on. Why so many British singles players? Seven of the British contingent have qualified directly through their world rankings, with players inside the top 100 guaranteed a spot. It is only the second time this has happened since 2016. United States-based college student Oliver Tarvet came through the qualifying tournament, while a further 15 players were handed wildcards. Former British number one Dan Evans, 35, was notable on that list, while three teenagers - Mika Stojsavljevic, Hannah Klugman and Mimi Xiu - were also given opportunities. Advertisement Wimbledon's wildcard committee considers a variety of factors - including ranking, form and previous grass-court results - when deciding recipients. "We discuss what is right for the players and the event," British women's team captain Anne Keothavong, who is on the wildcard committee, told BBC Radio 5 Live. "We're fortunate to have a British Grand Slam and it is in everyone's interests to support British players where we can. "Where we can give British players opportunities and expose them to the highest level of tennis, we would like to do so." Having 14 players inside the world's top 200 - the most since 1984 - shows Britain's growing depth of talent. Advertisement Multiple factors have contributed to this improvement. These include Andy Murray's success inspiring the youngsters, a national tennis centre in Roehampton providing state-of-the-art training facilities, and players - notably Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley - developing in the US college system before turning professional. British women's number three Sonay Kartal says watching friends and peers enjoy success has also helped. "I'd say [the higher number of top-200 players] is a mix of things, there's not one specific reason," said Kartal. "We've got a lot of good sparring partners when we're back home and we're all pushing each other. I think there's a healthy rivalry and that adds to it." Draper takes centre stage in post-Murray era Jack Draper, ranked fourth in the world, leads home men's singles hopes. Advertisement The 23-year-old Englishman has become a title contender following a stunning rise over the past 12 months. No British player has been seeded as high as Draper since world number one and defending champion Andy Murray in 2017. Draper is one of 13 Britons in the men's singles, with Fearnley, Norrie and Billy Harris also earning direct entry. Wildcard Evans became emotional on the eve of Wimbledon when he discussed his recent struggles. The former world number 21 briefly slipped out of the top 200 this year but has justified his wildcard with recent eye-catching victories over top-20 players Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul. Advertisement "It's not the matches, it's when you feel like you've let people down, that's the tougher thing about it," said Evans. Further wildcards went to Jay Clarke, Oliver Crawford, George Loffhagen, Johannus Monday, Jack Pinnington Jones, Henry Searle and Arthur Fery. The home contingent increased when Tarvet - who cannot claim full prize money because of US college system rules - became the first British man to come through qualifying in eight years. Raducanu & Boulter lead women's challenge Emma Raducanu will capture plenty of attention as she looks to build on last year's run to the last 16. Advertisement Raducanu, 22, has regained her position as the British women's number one. Generally looking happier and more relaxed, the 2021 US Open champion has reached two WTA quarter-finals and returned to the world's top 40 - but she does not "expect much" at Wimbledon after a difficult build-up. Katie Boulter has fallen to 43rd in the rankings. The 28-year-old remains a threat on grass with her big-striking game but has drawn Spanish ninth seed Paula Badosa in round one. "I'm very, very excited," Boulter said. "I feel like it's a totally different situation for me coming in this year. Advertisement "I'm kind of like a dark horse and I like that feeling. I like the fact I can go out and swing free and I've got nothing to lose." Kartal is the third British woman with direct entry, having climbed almost 250 ranking places since her Wimbledon debut last year. Established players Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Francesca Jones and Heather Watson were also given wildcards. Can Brits continue doubles run? Queen's champions Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash are bidding to become the first all-British pair to win the men's doubles since 1936 [Getty Images] The British doubles scene - particularly the men's side - remains in rude health. Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool have emerged as the standout British pairing this year and the third best in the world. Advertisement In their first full season together, Cash and Glasspool have won three ATP titles - including back-to-back at Queen's and Eastbourne. Such form places them among the favourites for Wimbledon, with men's doubles proving fruitful for home players in recent years. Reigning champion Henry Patten, who made his breakthrough alongside Cash before the pair split two years ago, will look to defend the trophy alongside Finland's Harri Heliovaara. Neal Skupski won his first Slam title at the All England Club in 2023 and is looking for another with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury, whose major-winning CV is only lacking his home tournament. Advertisement In the women's draw, Olivia Nicholls is the lone British seed after enjoying a fine season with Slovakian partner Tereza Mihalikova. The pair won their first WTA title by shocking French Open champions Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani in the recent Berlin final. Hewett defends wheelchair crown In the wheelchair events, Alfie Hewett defends the men's singles he won last year to complete a career Grand Slam. Gordon Reid, champion in 2016, also has direct entry, with Ben Bartram and Dahnon Ward receiving wildcards. Lucy Shuker and Cornelia Oosthuizen - Britain's leading two women - also received wildcards, as did Greg Slade to join fellow 2024 Paralympic silver medallist Andy Lapthorne in the quad wheelchair draw. Advertisement
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Most Britons in a generation - home stars set for Wimbledon
Wimbledon 2025Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England ClubCoverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online with extensive coverage on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs and mobile app. If you want to keep tabs on all the British players at Wimbledon this year, it may need to be a multi-screen are 23 Britons competing in the men's and women's singles at the All England Club - the most since home ranks exceed 50 when we add the doubles, wheelchair events and the grass-court Grand Slam tournament starting on Monday, here are British names and storylines to keep an eye on. Why so many British singles players? Seven of the British contingent have qualified directly through their world rankings, with players inside the top 100 guaranteed a is the highest tally since States-based college student Oliver Tarvet came through the qualifying tournament, while a further 15 players were handed British number one Dan Evans, 35, was notable on that list, while three teenagers - Mika Stojsavljevic, Hannah Klugman and Mimi Xiu - were also given opportunities. Wimbledon's wildcard committee considers a variety of factors - including ranking, form and previous grass-court results - when deciding recipients."We discuss what is right for the players and the event," British women's team captain Anne Keothavong, who is on the wildcard committee, told BBC Radio 5 Live."We're fortunate to have a British Grand Slam and it is in everyone's interests to support British players where we can."Where we can give British players opportunities and expose them to the highest level of tennis, we would like to do so."Having 14 players inside the world's top 200 - the most since 1984 - shows Britain's growing depth of talent. Multiple factors have contributed to this include Andy Murray's success inspiring the youngsters, a national tennis centre in Roehampton providing state-of-the-art training facilities, and players - notably Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley - developing in the US college system before turning women's number three Sonay Kartal says watching friends and peers enjoy success has also helped."I'd say [the higher number of top-200 players] is a mix of things, there's not one specific reason," said Kartal."We've got a lot of good sparring partners when we're back home and we're all pushing each other. I think there's a healthy rivalry and that adds to it." Draper takes centre stage in post-Murray era Jack Draper, ranked fourth in the world, leads home men's singles 23-year-old Englishman has become a title contender following a stunning rise over the past 12 British player has been seeded as high as Draper since world number one and defending champion Andy Murray in is one of 13 Britons in the men's singles, with Fearnley, Norrie and Billy Harris also earning direct Evans became emotional on the eve of Wimbledon when he discussed his recent struggles. The former world number 21 briefly slipped out of the top 200 this year but has justified his wildcard with recent eye-catching victories over top-20 players Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul."It's not the matches, it's when you feel like you've let people down, that's the tougher thing about it," said wildcards went to Jay Clarke, Oliver Crawford, George Loffhagen, Johannus Monday, Jack Pinnington Jones, Henry Searle and Arthur home contingent increased when Tarvet - who cannot claim full prize money because of US college system rules - became the first British man to come through qualifying in eight years. Raducanu & Boulter lead women's challenge Emma Raducanu will capture plenty of attention as she looks to build on last year's run to the last 22, has regained her position as the British women's number looking happier and more relaxed, the 2021 US Open champion has reached two WTA quarter-finals and returned to the world's top 40 - but she does not "expect much" at Wimbledon after a difficult Boulter has fallen to 43rd in the 28-year-old remains a threat on grass with her big-striking game but has drawn Spanish ninth seed Paula Badosa in round one. "I'm very, very excited," Boulter said. "I feel like it's a totally different situation for me coming in this year."I'm kind of like a dark horse and I like that feeling. I like the fact I can go out and swing free and I've got nothing to lose."Kartal is the third British woman with direct entry, having climbed almost 250 ranking places since her Wimbledon debut last players Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Francesca Jones and Heather Watson were also given wildcards. Can Brits continue doubles run? The British doubles scene - particularly the men's side - remains in rude Cash and Lloyd Glasspool have emerged as the standout British pairing this year and the third best in the their first full season together, Cash and Glasspool have won three ATP titles - including back-to-back at Queen's and form places them among the favourites for Wimbledon, with men's doubles proving fruitful for home players in recent years. Reigning champion Henry Patten, who made his breakthrough alongside Cash before the pair split two years ago, will look to defend the trophy alongside Finland's Harri Skupski won his first Slam title at the All England Club in 2023 and is looking for another with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury, whose major-winning CV is only lacking his home the women's draw, Olivia Nicholls is the lone British seed after enjoying a fine season with Slovakian partner Tereza pair won their first WTA title by shocking French Open champions Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani in the recent Berlin final. Hewett defends wheelchair crown In the wheelchair events, Alfie Hewett defends the men's singles he won last year to complete a career Grand Reid, champion in 2016, also has direct entry, with Ben Bartram and Dahnon Ward receiving Shuker and Cornelia Oosthuizen - Britain's leading two women - also received wildcards, as did Greg Slade to join fellow 2024 Paralympic silver medallist Andy Lapthorne in the quad wheelchair draw.
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The Stevenage tennis player who is Taiwan's No.1
As the build-up to Wimbledon intensifies, inevitably a lot of the focus will fall on British Garland could have been one of the 23-year-old from Stevenage has chosen to play for Taiwan and is now the country's number one female tennis family moved there during her childhood before returning to Hertfordshire, and her mother is from the east Asian is no surprise then that Garland feels "a very strong connection" to Taiwan, a country that has supported her throughout her career."There was a period when I was questioning it," she told BBC Look East. "I was getting close to Grand Slam qualifiers, a potential wildcard for Wimbledon and I was torn about what to do."I saw Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal going to Wimbledon as British players thinking it doesn't get any better. So, I was questioning it."But playing for Taiwan is why I have had success. It was my childhood and some of the most important years of my life were in Taiwan. "I have a strong connection to the people, the coaches, and they were a big part of my life. I owe it to them." Sharing with cockroaches and mosquitos Garland was first taught tennis by her father John - who is a professional coach - when she was four years old. She reached a career high of 14 as a junior and turned professional in she was 14, she has been travelling to tournaments by herself, booking flights and organising her own schedule."I'm quite good at organising myself," she said."My mum, dad and grandmother have been so supportive. They never said no to anything that could have helped me – such as playing a tournament in Malaysia on my own. They backed me but they don't come and watch."It means that life on tour can get "very lonely" and accommodation as players aim to climb the rankings can be far from glamourous."You don't get picked up from the airport, free meals, or five-star hotels," Garland added. "The practice balls are dog balls. You question if you are capable. "I remember some of the dorms I stayed in, there was cockroaches and mosquitos, I don't think I slept."Anyone who's played tennis would have been there to try to win their first ranking points. These are the experiences that make this journey." Making her Grand Slam debut Garland's early years on tour have been beset by injuries, with her ranking falling to 551 at the end of last 2025 has been her best year yet. Her Women's Tennis Association (WTA) ranking has risen to 144, external thanks to winning four International Tennis Federation (ITF) W35 tournaments, external in Kenya and is coached full time in the Netherlands by Tim de Rooij and qualified for her first Grand Slam at the French Open last month, winning her first-round match against Katie Volynets from the United States."I got a horrendous cold after qualifying at the French Open," said Garland."I was in bed for three days. I didn't practice and I got no sleep. I was 3-0 down in the third set and somehow I won it 6-4. I just thought 'how on earth have I pulled this off?'."Her phone was inundated with messages from Taiwan."It was pretty overwhelming," she added. "I called my mum to tell her and she said her phone had gone mad too."Garland was beaten by 32nd seed Julia Putintseva in round two but then backed up her run at Roland Garros by qualifying for her first WTA tournament at s'Hertogenbosch, in the Netherlands, losing to Canada's Bianca Andreescu in the first now prepares to qualify for Wimbledon this week for the first time."I am in a good place and quite excited about the next few weeks," she said."I am nervous. There's pressure because of Roland Garros but if I can play my best tennis, I do think I can do it. Reaching Wimbledon would be something else."
