Latest news with #MunichOpen
The Star
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Tennis-Griekspoor finds friendship during awkward waits in anti-doping process
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - ATP 500 - Munich Open - MTTC Iphitos, Munich, Germany - April 18, 2025 Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor in action during his quarter final match against Germany's Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Michaela Stache/File Photo PARIS (Reuters) -Dutch tennis player Tallon Griekspoor said he had formed an unexpected bond in the awkward moments of the sport's anti-doping process after striking a friendship with an official while waiting for the urge to pee into sample containers. Anti-doping protocols in tennis are based on the World Anti-Doping Agency code and its whereabouts rules require players to designate a 60-minute slot for each day they will be available to provide blood or urine samples to officials. The unglamorous process can take place at tournaments or out-of-competition in training venues, tournament hotels or even an athlete's home, with three missed tests in a 12-month period grounds for a doping violation. World number 35 Griekspoor said at the French Open that he found some positives in the burdensome process when his bladder failed to cooperate quickly. "A couple of times I peed and 30 minutes later the guy rings the doorbell and he's sitting on my couch for three hours. I'm not the best pee-er when somebody's watching," the 28-year-old told reporters. "At the same time it is what it is. I'm not the best in keeping the location up to date. Sometimes it's a struggle but overall it's fine. You get to know these people. "The guy who comes to my home is a pretty nice guy. I have fun chats with him sometimes." Griekspoor's comments come as tennis finds itself under the spotlight over high-profile doping violations involving Italian Jannik Sinner and Poland's Iga Swiatek, with both players back on the circuit after serving short bans. While vigilance remains the watchword, some players still complain about the inconvenience of the system, with four-times Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka saying she recently provided a blood sample at 5:00 a.m., a time she had allotted. The International Tennis Integrity Agency, which runs the sport's anti-doping programme, said it was committed to helping players navigate any issues. "We recognise that anti-doping testing can be challenging and uncomfortable for players, however it is vital that there is a robust programme in place to protect the sport," the body told Reuters via email. "This includes out of competition testing, as well as testing at events. We are here to help and support players and urge them to contact us if they have questions about testing or need help with the whereabouts process." Russia's former world number one Daniil Medvedev said the system sometimes disrupted carefully calibrated routines and led to missed tests. "It's a hassle, because I myself ... had two missed tests," Medvedev added. "It's actually very tricky. People think, 'Oh, how can he miss it? Try travelling 25 countries a year. Try not to forget one date that you're not in Monaco but in Paris already and change it. "It's not easy, but it is what it is." (Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar and Julien Pretot in Paris; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Saba Yemen
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Saba Yemen
World Tennis Rankings: Zverev Reclaims Second Place from Alcaraz
London - Saba: German Alexander Zverev has reclaimed second place in the ATP World Rankings, replacing Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz who dropped to third، Italian Jannik Sinner retained the top spot. Zverev benefited from his victory in the Munich Open, while Alcaraz lost the Barcelona final, which affected their rankings in the new rankings. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
CNA
21-04-2025
- Sport
- CNA
With new car and Munich crown, Zverev puts lean spell in rear-view mirror
Alexander Zverev arrived at the Munich Open on the back of his "worst period" since a career-threatening ankle injury in 2022 and it was little surprise the German was beaming from ear to ear after winning his first title of the season on Sunday. After failing to go past the quarter-finals in his last six events, Zverev sealed a 6-2 6-4 victory over Ben Shelton in the final in Bavaria and leapfrogged Carlos Alcaraz into second in the world rankings after the Spaniard lost the Barcelona final. Zverev also collected the keys to a shiny new BMW on his 28th birthday and will now look to leave his disappointing spell in the rear-view mirror. "It's extremely special," said Zverev, who has won 24 titles on the elite men's tour including six on home soil. "I always love winning tournaments in Germany. It's probably the most special thing that I can do. "It's definitely a great birthday present. I knew I had to play my best tennis, Ben has been playing extremely well," added Zverev, who got off to a fast start this year by reaching the Australian Open final. Zverev had banished memories of his brutal ankle injury at the French Open in 2022 by reaching last year's title clash and he will be primed to challenge holder Alcaraz again at Roland Garros when the year's second Grand Slam begins on May 25. "This was one of the best weeks you can have as a tennis player," Zverev added. "I don't think we need to talk about the last few weeks anymore. I'm just so happy with the title and with the level that I managed to play at."
Reuters
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
With new car and Munich crown, Zverev puts lean spell in rear-view mirror
April 21 (Reuters) - Alexander Zverev arrived at the Munich Open on the back of his " worst period" since a career-threatening ankle injury in 2022 and it was little surprise the German was beaming from ear to ear after winning his first title of the season on Sunday. After failing to go past the quarter-finals in his last six events, Zverev sealed a 6-2 6-4 victory over Ben Shelton in the final in Bavaria and leapfrogged Carlos Alcaraz into second in the world rankings after the Spaniard lost the Barcelona final. Zverev also collected the keys to a shiny new BMW on his 28th birthday and will now look to leave his disappointing spell in the rear-view mirror. "It's extremely special," said Zverev, who has won 24 titles on the elite men's tour including six on home soil. "I always love winning tournaments in Germany. It's probably the most special thing that I can do. "It's definitely a great birthday present. I knew I had to play my best tennis, Ben has been playing extremely well," added Zverev, who got off to a fast start this year by reaching the Australian Open final. Zverev had banished memories of his brutal ankle injury at the French Open in 2022 by reaching last year's title clash and he will be primed to challenge holder Alcaraz again at Roland Garros when the year's second Grand Slam begins on May 25. "This was one of the best weeks you can have as a tennis player," Zverev added. "I don't think we need to talk about the last few weeks anymore. I'm just so happy with the title and with the level that I managed to play at."
The Star
21-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Tennis-With new car and Munich crown, Zverev puts lean spell in rear-view mirror
Tennis - ATP 500 - Munich Open - MTTC Iphitos, Munich, Germany - April 20, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev celebrates with the trophy after winning the Munich Open REUTERS/Michaela Stache (Reuters) - Alexander Zverev arrived at the Munich Open on the back of his "worst period" since a career-threatening ankle injury in 2022 and it was little surprise the German was beaming from ear to ear after winning his first title of the season on Sunday. After failing to go past the quarter-finals in his last six events, Zverev sealed a 6-2 6-4 victory over Ben Shelton in the final in Bavaria and leapfrogged Carlos Alcaraz into second in the world rankings after the Spaniard lost the Barcelona final. Zverev also collected the keys to a shiny new BMW on his 28th birthday and will now look to leave his disappointing spell in the rear-view mirror. "It's extremely special," said Zverev, who has won 24 titles on the elite men's tour including six on home soil. "I always love winning tournaments in Germany. It's probably the most special thing that I can do. "It's definitely a great birthday present. I knew I had to play my best tennis, Ben has been playing extremely well," added Zverev, who got off to a fast start this year by reaching the Australian Open final. Zverev had banished memories of his brutal ankle injury at the French Open in 2022 by reaching last year's title clash and he will be primed to challenge holder Alcaraz again at Roland Garros when the year's second Grand Slam begins on May 25. "This was one of the best weeks you can have as a tennis player," Zverev added. "I don't think we need to talk about the last few weeks anymore. I'm just so happy with the title and with the level that I managed to play at." (Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
