Latest news with #InternazionaliBNLD'Italia
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Andy Murray in sudden split from Novak Djokovic
Andy Murray's management have announced that he is no longer working with all-time tennis great Novak Djokovic, after four tournaments and six months of on-off collaboration. Sources suggested that it was a mutual decision taken in the light of Djokovic's struggles this season. Advertisement The partnership shocked the tennis world when it was announced in November, and the two men seemed to settle into a profitable partnership during January's Australian Open, where Djokovic produced a performance for the ages to defeat Carlos Alcaraz. Since then, however, Djokovic's 2025 has been a thoroughly mixed bag. He made a run to the final of Miami in late March but also lost his opening match at four other events. Then he withdrew from the Internazionali BNL D'Italia in Rome, which would normally be the main build-up event to the upcoming French Open. Footage also emerged of Djokovic ranting into his towel during a practice session in Madrid, where he suffered his most recent defeat against Matteo Arnaldi. This was one of the four tournaments where Murray has accompanied him this season, along with Australia, Miami and Indian Wells. 'F--- this sport, f--- tennis, f---everything,' grumbled Djokovic. Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Madrid Open by Matteo Arnaldi - Getty Images/Tiziana Fabi Murray had been expected to work with Djokovic at Roland Garros, where the Serbian is a three-time former French Open champion. And then, it had seemed as though his most important contribution would probably come during the brief grass-court season that culminates in Wimbledon: the tournament where he had his greatest success. Advertisement Such expectations must now be shelved, after a brief statement in which both players offered short expressions of gratitude. Djokovic said 'Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun and support over last six months on and off the court, really enjoyed deepening our friendship together.' Murray replied 'Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months. I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season.' The announcement comes a day after it emerged that Murray – who has previously admitted to having a 'boring monotone voice' – has joined the books of Chartwell Speakers, a London-based agency for motivational speakers. Other names on the list include former Labour leader Gordon Brown, running legend Mo Farah and TV interviewer Graham Norton. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The South African
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Emma Raducanu races into Last 32 despite late opponent change
Such is the unpredictability of tennis, that anything can change at any time – including one's opponents. Great Britain's Emma Raducanu had prepared to face world No 20 Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia, but there was a change in plan just hours before the two were due to meet. Alexandrova had to withdraw from the Internazionali BNL D'Italia due to a right shoulder injury, and was replaced by 'lucky loser' Jil Teichmann of Switzerland. The world No 94 had lost to Hailey Baptiste in the final round of qualifying. Emma Raducanu didn't let the late change affect her. She adapted well to a different opponent and was in control from the start, serving particularly well on the clay surface. She served six aces against Teichmann's one, and was particularly impressive with her first serve win percentage at 73% against Teichmann's 52%. Raducanu won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, completing the match in just over 1 hour and 22 minutes on the Supertennis Arena at the Foro Italico in Rome. It was the first time that the world No 49 has reached the last 32 in Rome. After the match, the former US Open champion said: 'I still don't feel really comfortable [on clay].' But the win is certain to bring confidence and comfort to the British player who was able to adjust her game despite only discovering her new opponent hours before the match. This is laudable, given that Teichmann's game is very different to that of Emma Raducanu's original opponent, Alexandrova. Teichmann plays left-handed, with full topspin, whereas Alexandrova's game is more flat-hitting. Despite her comment about her discomfort on clay, the win for Raducanu will give her much to be confident about in her upcoming matches. Amisha Savani is reporting exclusively for The South African from the Internazionali BNL d'Italia at the Foro Italico, Rome. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Mirra Andreeva's star continues to rise in Rome
Under perfect weather conditions in Rome, world No 7 sensation Mirra Andreeva delivered a masterclass in clay court tennis. She demonstrated why clay is her favourite surface, and revealed the single most important thing that has been transformative for her game. On a warm breezy afternoon at the Foro Italico in Rome, the 18-year-old breezed past qualifier and world No 97 Emiliana Arango from Colombia, to secure a straight sets (6-2, 6-4) win in the second round of the Internazionali BNL D'Italia. The result was never in any doubt. Despite a slow start for the Russian star in the first set, she soon turned the set around by converting key break points, eventually dominating and winning 6-2. Arango fought back in the second set, showing some perseverance, but in the end, she couldn't quite pull off the key points, after which Andreeva took control. After the match, Amisha Savani of The South African asked Mirra Andreeva what was the most transformative thing in her game that coach Conchita Martinez had taught her. 'I would say that before I was like more of a defensive player, and I would just, you know, wait until the last moment for the right ball, to step in and attack and I think that now she's trying to teach me to, you know, as soon as I have a little opportunity to, you know, to create something and to start building the point by myself, she's trying to teach me to do it, so that's what we're working on, and I'm trying to, you know be more aggressive and to attack and build the point myself'. Martinez's influence is notable, as shown in Andreeva's steadily ascending ranking and her year to date. This time last year, she was ranked No 40. This year, Andreeva won her maiden two back-to-back WTA 1000 titles. She defeated three Grand Slam champions en route to clinching her first in Dubai (Vondrousova, Swiatek and Rybakina), and in her second in Miami, she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final. More recently, she reached the quarter-final stage in Madrid before losing to Coco Gauff. At the tender age of 18, Andreeva is already accustomed to facing the biggest players on tour. The coming weeks could be very promising for the teen star's continued rise on her favourite surface. Andreeva will face world No 30 Linda Noskova in the third round. Amisha Savani is reporting exclusively for The South African from the Internazionali BNL d'Italia at the Foro Italico, Rome Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
