Latest news with #OlgaMorozova
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Andy Murray cements legacy with return to Queen's as tournament writes new chapter
Two weeks on from Rafael Nadal 's triumphant return to Roland-Garros, another grand slam champion returned to the site of his greatest success. Andy Murray 's return to Queen's Club, where he won a record five titles, was much more low-key. There was no emotional speech, just some banter about his growing prowess at golf; a brief knockabout with tournament director and former doubles partner Laura Robson, and two youth ambassadors, 10-year-old Gloria and seven-year-old Jay, instead of a photo opportunity with the rest of the 'Big Four'. 'My tennis is diabolical nowadays,' he joked, 'apologies for what you're about to witness!' 'This tournament and this court has had many special moments for me,' he added. 'It was my most successful event, I always loved coming back. I'm very grateful for whoever it was who decided to name the stadium!' The Scot won his first ATP Tour match here in June 2005, a straight-sets win over Santiago Ventura. And he won his 1,000th ATP match here nearly two decades later, against Alexei Popyrin last year. He was forced to retire with a back injury in the second round against Jordan Thompson, denying him the sendoff he wanted. A year on, he returned to inaugurate the Andy Murray Arena and to kick off the first women's tournament in 52 years, an occasion he described as 'brilliant'. Murray revealed he was coached by the last women's winner at Queen's, 1973 champion Olga Morozova, when he was 12 and 13; the Russian too will be recognised at this week's tournament as it celebrates icons past and present. 'This court has had many great matches on it. I think it's a great chance for the women to showcase themselves out here,' Murray said. Murray's return was about more than honouring his storied history at the tournament; it was about ushering in a new era for it. One of the Scot's most notable off-court qualities has long been his championing of women's tennis, always done in a matter-of-fact, understated way. From being the first top male player to employ a female coach – a choice which sparked derision at the time – to his quick corrections of sexist questions in press conferences and interviews, Murray was a constant champion of parity between the sexes during his lengthy career. He said working with coach Amelie Mauresmo 'opened [his] eyes' to the appalling abuse women in the sport face, with the Frenchwoman slated online after each of his losses. 'Inequality is something I started to see. And become passionate about,' he wrote in a column for L'Equipe in 2015. Things have only worsened since Mauresmo's spell as his coach, with female players routinely subject to a barrage of hideous abuse online after every loss, often from gamblers, and several the victims of harrassment, stalking, and threatening behaviour. Several female players, from Ons Jabeur to Caroline Garcia, have been open about online harassment; Emma Raducanu shared her horrifying ideal being stalked across Asia earlier this year. But in Murray's absence there does not appear to be an equivalent figure on the ATP Tour, someone who will draw attention to issues rather than shying away from them. After being told he was the first person to win two Olympic medals, after defending his London title in Rio, he deadpanned, 'I think Venus and Serena have won about four each'. His response to a journalist saying Sam Querrey, who reached the Wimbledon last four in 2017, was 'the first US player to reach a major semi-final since 2009,' was swift and decisive: first 'male player'. His contributions to the topic were significant in a sport which rarely sees top male players offering their support to their female counterparts, and in which full gender equality remains a long way away. That was only emphasised this past week at the French Open. The annual debate over women being shut out of the primetime night session on Court Philippe-Chatrier, and exclusively occupying the midday slot of death, reignited this year. But there was no change to the status quo despite the uproar and a defensive press conference called to address the issue. In other avenues progress is being made. The LTA recently announced that women competing at Queens' and Eastbourne would receive the same prize money as the men by 2029, ahead of a WTA target of parity at all tournaments by 2033. The sport has made leaps and bounds in advancing women's tennis, even just over the course of Murray's career – although it has sometimes felt like a case of one step forward, two steps back. Murray's appearance at Queen's was a tribute to the tournament's greatest player, in a week which opens the door to a female player to make history of her own in west London. So it seems fitting that the now-mixed tournament should name its show court after an icon of British tennis and a champion of women's sport, on the day that Queen's takes a major step in the direction of full equality. What better way to advance Murray's legacy?
The Hindu
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Zheng, Krejcikova headline strong field as women's event returns to Queen's Club after 52-year gap
Top-tier women's tennis returns to Queen's Club for the first time in more than half a century on Monday with the start of the WTA 500 event at the prestigious London establishment. While the men's event has become one of the key dates in the grasscourt season and the build-up to Wimbledon, a women's tournament was last held in 1973. In effect, Olga Morozova can claim to have been the reigning champion for 52 years, but not for much longer. A high-quality field has assembled in south west London, including Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, current Australian champion Madison Keys and former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina. There will also be strong home interest with Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter all in the draw. 'I've actually always said to myself, I wish there were a women's event here. I wish I got the chance to play on this court, because you can feel the history and you can feel how incredible it is,' Boulter said in the build-up. ALSO READ | Gauff used words and a mirror to persuade herself she could win the French Open One thing is for sure, it will feel a world away from when Morozova won the title with a wooden racket, spent the week staying in a cheap bed and breakfast in Earl's Court and took a public bus to the courts for her matches. She earned 1,000 pounds for her work that week, although coming from the former Soviet Union meant she could not keep it. The inaugural version of the revamped event will boast total prize money of $1.415 million, the highest for a WTA 500 event of its draw size on the Tour, with the singles champion receiving a cool $164,000. Organisers say they plan to have equal prize money with the men's event, which takes place the following week, by 2029. The ATP event has a total prize fund of $2.87 million. The WTA 250 event in Eastbourne will take place from June 23-28, in the week before Wimbledon. 'We are making significant increases this year to the women's prize money at Queen's and Eastbourne and want to achieve equal prize money as soon as possible,' Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Scott Lloyd said in a statement. 'The LTA is committed to growing women's tennis, both at professional and grass-roots level, and this move is an important part of that commitment,' Scott added.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Watch: Queen's Club - Women's Event Day One
Update: Date: 12:48 BST 8 June Title: The Queen's champion who reigned for half a century Content: Written by Sophie Brown & Laura Scott BBC Sport 1973 Queen's Club Championships, London, Saturday 23rd June 1973. Olga Morozova, Women's Final When Olga Morozova lifted the biggest trophy of her career, she might not have thought she would be the reigning champion for more than 50 years. But next week she will finally lose her crown when the Queen's Club Championships stages a women's event for the first time since 1973. The winner will get a new trophy, which has the previous champions engraved on it, as the original one could not be located. And the tennis world itself is also a different one to Morozova's days of wooden racquets and taking public transport to events. As Queen's prepares to welcome today's players to its grass courts on Monday, Morozova reflects on a time when rain meant matches were moved indoors on to a tricky wooden court, the event was sponsored by a tobacco company and her prize money for the title was £1,000. To continue reading, click here. Update: Date: 14:57 BST 6 June Title: Who to watch Content: BBC Sport Brits in Action The British women's number 1, Katie Boulter, will be looking to continue her good form on grass having won the Nottingham Open for the previous two years. She will be looking to be the first British women to win the event since Ann Haydon-Jones in 1969 and follow in her footsteps of winning both the Queen's Club Championship and Wimbledon in the same year. British men's number 1, Jack Draper, is looking to continue his fine year with another win before Wimbledon. Draper won at Indian Wells earlier this year beating Holger Rune in straight sets and currently sits 5th in the world rankings, the highest of his career. Best of the rest American Madison Keys won her first grand slam this year, winning the Australian Open in January. She'll be eyeing up her second grand slam at Wimbledon and a win at Queen's could put her in a good position. Keys has previous success on grass from a 2023 Eastbourne win. World number two Carlos Alcaraz will be looking to continue his dominance on grass as he sets to defend his Wimbledon title for a second time. The Spaniard has won Queen's once before in 2023, the year he won his first Wimbledon grand slam. Katie Boulter, Jack Draper, Madison Keys & Carlos Alcaraz Update: Date: 14:51 BST 6 June Title: Get Inspired: How to get into tennis Content: Get Inspired#GetInspired How do I start? What is it? Is it for me? What to expect when I start? This video can not be played 'Tennis saved my life'
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Strong field as women's event returns to Queen's after 52-year gap
LONDON - Top tier women's tennis returns to Queen's Club for the first time in more than half a century on Monday with the start of the WTA 500 event at the prestigious London establishment. While the men's event has become one of the key dates in the grasscourt season and the build-up to Wimbledon, a women's tournament was last held in 1973. In effect, Olga Morozova can claim to have been the reigning champion for 52 years, but not for much longer. A high-quality field have assembled in south west London including Olympic champion Zheng Quinwen, reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, current Australian champion Madison Keys and former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina. There will also be strong home interest with Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter all in the draw. "I've actually always said to myself, I wish there was a women's event here," Boulter said in the build-up. "I wish I got the chance to play on this court, because you can feel the history and you can feel how incredible it is." One thing is for sure, it will feel a world away from when Morozova won the title with a wooden racket, spent the week staying in a cheap bed and breakfast in Earl's Court and took a public bus to the courts for her matches. She earned 1,000 pounds for her work that week, although coming from the former Soviet Union meant she could not keep it. The inaugural version of the revamped event will boast total prize money of $1.415 million, the highest for a WTA 500 event of its draw size on the Tour, with the singles champion receiving a cool $164,000. Organisers say, they plan to have equal prize-money with the men's event, which takes place the following week, by 2029. The ATP event has a total prize fund of $2.87 million. The WTA 250 event in Eastbourne will take place from June 23-28, in the week before Wimbledon. "We are making significant increases this year to the women's prize money at Queen's and Eastbourne and want to achieve equal prize money as soon as possible," Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Scott Lloyd said in a statement. "The LTA is committed to growing women's tennis, both at professional and grass-roots level and this move is an important part of that commitment." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Tennis-Strong field as women's event returns to Queen's after 52-year gap
LONDON, - Top tier women's tennis returns to Queen's Club for the first time in more than half a century on Monday with the start of the WTA 500 event at the prestigious London establishment. While the men's event has become one of the key dates in the grasscourt season and the build-up to Wimbledon, a women's tournament was last held in 1973. In effect, Olga Morozova can claim to have been the reigning champion for 52 years, but not for much longer. A high-quality field have assembled in south west London including Olympic champion Zheng Quinwen, reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, current Australian champion Madison Keys and former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina. There will also be strong home interest with Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter all in the draw. "I've actually always said to myself, I wish there was a women's event here," Boulter said in the build-up. "I wish I got the chance to play on this court, because you can feel the history and you can feel how incredible it is." One thing is for sure, it will feel a world away from when Morozova won the title with a wooden racket, spent the week staying in a cheap bed and breakfast in Earl's Court and took a public bus to the courts for her matches. She earned 1,000 pounds for her work that week, although coming from the former Soviet Union meant she could not keep it. The inaugural version of the revamped event will boast total prize money of $1.415 million, the highest for a WTA 500 event of its draw size on the Tour, with the singles champion receiving a cool $164,000. Organisers say, they plan to have equal prize-money with the men's event, which takes place the following week, by 2029. The ATP event has a total prize fund of $2.87 million. The WTA 250 event in Eastbourne will take place from June 23-28, in the week before Wimbledon. "We are making significant increases this year to the women's prize money at Queen's and Eastbourne and want to achieve equal prize money as soon as possible," Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Scott Lloyd said in a statement. "The LTA is committed to growing women's tennis, both at professional and grass-roots level and this move is an important part of that commitment."
