Latest news with #KenRosewall
CNA
2 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Evergreen Monfils to defend Auckland title in 2026
The ageless Gael Monfils will return to the Auckland Classic in January to defend his title, a year after becoming the oldest player to win an ATP Tour crown. The flamboyant Frenchman, who turns 39 next month, beat Belgian Zizou Bergs in the 2025 final, making him the oldest player to win a tour-level title since Ken Rosewall triumphed in Hong Kong aged 43 in 1977. Monfils, a 13-time ATP champion and former world number six, is the first player confirmed for the 2026 tournament, organisers said on Tuesday. "I love the game. I love to compete," Monfils said in a statement. "This title means a lot to me. It was definitely a week I will not forget." The tennis showman remains a huge crowd drawcard, capable of pulling off big wins in his inimitable style.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Evergreen Monfils to defend Auckland title in 2026
Aug 19 (Reuters) - The ageless Gael Monfils will return to the Auckland Classic in January to defend his title, a year after becoming the oldest player to win an ATP Tour crown. The flamboyant Frenchman, who turns 39 next month, beat Belgian Zizou Bergs in the 2025 final, making him the oldest player to win a tour-level title since Ken Rosewall triumphed in Hong Kong aged 43 in 1977. Monfils, a 13-time ATP champion and former world number six, is the first player confirmed for the 2026 tournament, organisers said on Tuesday. "I love the game. I love to compete," Monfils said in a statement. "This title means a lot to me. It was definitely a week I will not forget." The tennis showman remains a huge crowd drawcard, capable of pulling off big wins in his inimitable style. Monfils dumped fourth seed Taylor Fritz on a run to the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Crowd favourite Gael Monfils to defend ASB Classic title
Gael Monfils with the ASB Classic Trophy after his win in January. Photo: ASB Classic champion Gaël Monfils will defend his title in January. The Frenchman, a crowd favourite in Auckland, is the first player announced for the 2026 tournament. Monfils, who turns 39 next month, became the oldest player to win on the ATP Tour with his victory over Belgian Zizou Bergs in the Auckland final at the start of the year. He was also the oldest to win a tour-level title since Ken Rosewall won the Hong Kong Trophy as a 43-year-old in 1977. "I love the game. I love to compete. I am very passionate and I love waking up and getting ready for matches so I can be the best that I can. I feel that is what keeps me going," Monfils said after confirming his return to Auckland. "This title means a lot to me. It was definitely a week I will not forget. I love the tournament." The Frenchman is in his 21st season as a professional and has never finished a season outside the top 100 players since he joined the ATP Tour in 2004. He has won 13 ATP titles. Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin said it was thrilling that Monfils was returning. "It is good to have a champion back. However at nearly 39, we should not take for granted that he will play forever, and we should enjoy watching him while we can. "He is a wonderful person and still perhaps the most entertaining player in the world. "We could not have hoped for a better or bigger name to announce as we go on sale. "I am in negotiations with a range of players for both tournaments, and we expect to confirm several others in the coming weeks." Lamperin said the increased court size and new replacement grandstand at the Stanley St venue would add value to the centre-court experience. Tickets sales for the women's and men's tournaments in Auckland went on sale on Tuesday.
France 24
09-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Djokovic eyes Wimbledon history, wounded Sinner in spotlight
Djokovic, the seven-time champion, and world number one Sinner will book a blockbuster semi-final showdown if they win their last eight matches. But before that heavyweight showdown is secured, both Djokovic and Sinner have pressing issues to resolve. Djokovic will pass Roger Federer to take sole ownership of the all-time record for most Wimbledon men's semi-final appearances if he advances to the last four for the 14th time. The Serb is bidding to become the second man in the Open era to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals aged 38 or older after Ken Rosewall, who made that stage aged 39 in 1974. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is also aiming to reach a record extending 52nd major semi-final. That would take him within two wins of breaking his tie with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles by a man or woman. Success at Wimbledon has been child's play for Djokovic, who has reached the final in every one of his appearances since 2018. But it was a new experience for the sixth seed to watch his son Stefan take to the court against his quarter-final opponent this week. Cobolli and Djokovic are good friends, so the Serb was delighted to see the Italian 22nd seed practice with his 10-year-old. "They hit a few days ago. They played some he loves tennis. He has everyone's signature, except mine. But that's okay, I'll accept that! Djokovic said. "I'll have a conversation with my son and see what he has noticed in the game of Cobolli." Sinner concern Sinner sparked fears he may have to pull out of the tournament after injuring his right elbow in an awkward fall during his fourth-round tie against Grigor Dimitrov. The Italian top seed was trailing by two sets and on the brink of a shock defeat when Dimitrov pulled a pectoral muscle while serving and had to retire from the match. Sinner subsequently cancelled a scheduled practice session at the All England Club on Tuesday after undergoing an MRI scan on the injury. He is due to face American 10th seed Shelton later on Wednesday, when all eyes will be on the three-time Grand Slam champion's fitness. The 23-year-old beat Shelton in straight-sets in the Wimbledon fourth round last year and also eliminated him in this year's Australian Open semi-finals. Sinner, who has never made the Wimbledon final, is bidding to make history by becoming the first Italian player to reach the last four at the All England Club multiple times. Shelton, eyeing a third Grand Slam semi-final at just 22, has already surpassed dad and coach Bryan, who reached the Wimbledon last 16 here 31 years ago. In the women's tournament, Mirra Andreeva is the youngest Wimbledon women's quarter-finalist since 2007. Under the wing of former Wimbledon winner Conchita Martinez, the Russian seventh seed has breezed impressively through the first four rounds without dropping a set. But Andreeva faces former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, who is enjoying her best ever Wimbledon just over a year after giving birth. "I'm fighting with everything I have on the court, I still want to win very badly but it's much different now," Bencic said. A five-time Grand Slam champion, Iga Swiatek has conquered her demons on the grass by reaching her second Wimbledon quarter-final on the back of her first final on the surface at Bad Homburg. Her last eight opponent, Russian world number 19 Liudmila Samsonova, has won two of her five WTA titles on grass.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
What does 'Open Era' mean in tennis?
The 'Open Era' refers to the period since 1968, when professional players have been allowed to compete alongside amateurs at Grand Slam tournaments and other events sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).Put simply, the events are 'open' to all Open Era has brought about a shift in the professionalisation of tennis - allowing players to earn prize money through competing in tournaments. What happened before the Open Era? Tennis' four Grand Slam tournaments date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Wimbledon - the oldest Grand Slam - began in 1877. The US Open started in 1881, followed by the French Open in 1891 and the Australian Open in 1968, only amateurs - players who did not earn a living through tennis, nor any prize money through competing - were allowed to enter Grand tennis players competed in entirely different idea was to make the sport fair - it was thought professional players who could dedicate their time to training and were paid to do so would have an advantage over amateur players. What changed in 1968? The British Hard Court Championships - held in Bournemouth in April 1968 - was the first tournament of the Open titles were won by Australia's Ken Rosewall and Britain's Virginia Wade, who took home £1,000 and £300, external respectively in prize was the first Grand Slam to be 'open' but remains the only one not to include the word in its name. The French Championships became the French Open, the US National Championships became the US Open, and the Australian Championships became the Australian article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team. What is Ask Me Anything? Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio. More questions answered... Your top 10 Wimbledon questions answeredWhat are the heat rules at Wimbledon?Will there be line judges at Wimbledon 2025?
