Latest news with #QueensTournament
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Impressive Evans beats Tiafoe to reach last 16 at Queen's
Great Britain's Dan Evans made an impressive start to his Queen's tournament by beating world number 13 Frances Tiafoe 7-5 6-2 to reach the last victory was Evans' first against a top-20 player since since he defeated world number 12 Alex de Minaur at the 2023 Davis is looking to rebuild his ranking, having dropped from a career-high 21st in the world a couple of years ago to a wildcard entry at Queen's he was handed a tough start against American Tiafoe, who reached the quarter-finals of the French Open this Tiafoe has often struggled on grass and Evans took full advantage on a hot day in west London, playing some of his best tennis in years to claim an impressive straight-set made an encouraging start to this match, fending off a break point before securing the break himself at broke back immediately when Evans overcooked his forehand and momentum appeared to swing the American's way in a 10-minute spell where his opponent had little answer to him. But Evans, encouraged by the home crowd, dug in and battled from 5-4 down to secure a second break before closing out the momentum was now with Evans and a five-game winning streak put him 2-0 up at the start of the second got a stroke of luck at 3-1 up when his forehand clipped the net cord to drop over and secure a double then on he closed out the match before receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as he sealed his place in the next round.
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Boultucanu & home comforts - how historic Queen's unfolded
Packed crowds, British feel-good energy and the emergence of 'Boultucanu' - the historic women's tournament at Queen's has either Tatjana Maria or Amanda Anisimova lift the trophy on Sunday, they will end Olga Morozova's 52-year reign as women's champion at the iconic a women's event for the first time since 1953 is a moment many feel has been "a long time coming".There were concerns, however, over the impact on the grass courts, with the men's tournament beginning at the same venue on director Laura Robson said there had been no complaints over the courts after a week of absorbing action, while the success of the British contingent has contributed to the feel-good atmosphere in London. Quintessentially British experience embraced by fans When action got under way on day one the general feeling was 'it's about time'.Queen's has long been a staple of the men's schedule, and a huge draw for fans in the build-up to Wimbledon. The absence of a women's tournament had felt like a missed recalled watching the men compete, either on TV or as a spectator, and wishing they could take part. Britain's Katie Boulter later said she had been "dreaming" about playing on the main court."It has been a long time coming," former British number one Robson told BBC 5 Live."I didn't realise just how many players have watched this tournament on TV."To see it come together in the last few months has been stressful but in the best way, because you want it to be perfect."Walking around the grounds of Queen's does, in some ways, feel like a 'mini Wimbledon'.It is a quintessentially British tennis experience: punters dressed in their finery, Pimm's in full flow and a beautiful setting, with as much care taken of the flowers and greenery as the pristine has the same bustling feeling that envelops SW19, with fans queueing at the merchandise stalls or craning their necks at the practice courts for a glimpse of the it was fitting that British icon Sir Andy Murray, a long-time advocate and ally of the women's game, delivered the coin toss for the first women's match on the main court now bearing his name. "Hopefully in a few more years there'll be an arena named after a female player," said one fan. Britons relish in Queen's 'reward' The positive energy around the club was further fuelled by a successful week for the British contingent, who quickly made themselves at already live and train in London. Sleeping in their own beds and being around friends and family was a rare, welcome treat in a packed tennis Raducanu said the home comforts helped her rhythm and perhaps even contributed to what she called her "free and expressive" style at the tournament."I had a lot of joy playing here at Queen's," said Raducanu after her exit to top seed Zheng Qinwen."The crowd was amazing. The support the whole way through every match was really enjoyable for me."It was a welcome sight to see the 2021 US Open champion smiling and enjoying herself after a difficult few years. Her matches were always well attended, with cries of "we love you Emma!" heard number 37 Raducanu reached the quarter-finals while Boulter, Sonay Kartal and Heather Watson all lost in the who rode her bike to and from the site each day, said the tournament had "sort of Wimbledon vibes" because of the history."I played on Court One in qualifying and the stand was almost full," the 33-year-old said."Having a big tournament here in London, which is the home of British tennis, is huge and very special for us. It feels like a reward."Boulter's fiance, Alex de Minaur, reached the final at Queen's two years ago. This year, he was able to watch her play before beginning his campaign. "Queen's is everything I dreamed it would be," Boulter said."Every single day I have stepped on the court, it's been a great crowd."I have enjoyed it a lot. I wish it could have been longer." Perhaps the highlight of the tournament - particularly for those who queued for over an hour in the London sun - was Boulter and Raducanu's surprise doubles pairing. The duo, now fondly nicknamed 'Boultucanu', delighted the 1,000-capacity crowd with their first-round win. Held on the smaller, more intimate Court One, the pair laughed and joked together and chatted with fans at the changes of run was short and sweet, but the pair have teased a potential return at some point in the year. 'No complaints' over court quality Ticket prices were lower in the WTA week, which will not yet be able to raise anything like the revenue of the long-established men's over 80% of the tickets were purchased before the tournament began and Saturday's semi-finals were sold out."The two tournaments have different personalities and we want to make sure the women's event has its own identity," Robson told BBC 5 Live."From ticket sales we've noticed 55% of the tickets have been sold to women this week. That's not the case next week. "We've seen a younger, more diverse audience in the crowd, and that's something we hope to grow in many years to come. This feels like the start of something special."Attracting the biggest players is an ongoing challenging. With Queen's taking place straight after the French Open, only three top-10 players ultimately competed, with world number three Jessica Pegula a late total fund this week was £1.043m ($1.415m), compared with £2.122m (2.522m euros) for the men. The LTA has pledged to introduce equal prize money by no later than for the courts, they do show signs of wear and tear after a week of action, but that is to be expected. Tennis correspondent Russell Fuller compared them to "day three or four" at Wimbledon."I can't actually believe how well they've held up," said Robson. "It looks almost pristine still."The ground staff have done an incredible job and put in some serious hours."So far, no complaints from the ATP players on site, and long may that continue."Britain's Dan Evans, arriving on site while the tournament was ongoing, said the women's event being held before the men's had created a better buzz around the having a standalone women's event put the spotlight firmly on the female players as the British public begins to turn its attention towards Wimbledon."I think it's a really good opportunity for women's tennis," Boulter added."It was a massive schedule change and probably quite risky, because we are quite set in our ways."I think it's in a place that it should be - and it's pushing more and more towards where it could be."
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Emma Raducanu gets treatment for back injury in worrying scenes as she crashes out of Queen's 17 days before Wimbledon
EMMA RADUCANU took a medical timeout and struggled with a niggling back injury as she crashed out of the Queen's tournament. Seventeen days before Wimbledon opens its doors for the 2025 Championships, the biggest name in British tennis is once again having to manage her body amid physical problems. 2 2 After losing the first set of her quarter-final tie with Qinwen Zheng, on the hottest day of the year thus far, the Kent hitter went to the changing rooms to undergo treatment. It all relates to back spasms she suffered before the French Open and prior to arriving in Paris, the 22-year-old had to overcome her fear of needles to undergo acupuncture to help cure the pain. It was on these grounds nearly 12 months ago that Andy Murray injured his back and ended up never playing another singles match. It is not as severe as that but still, those in Raducanu's camp will be praying this incident does not disrupt her plans as she hopes to play in Berlin next week and then Eastbourne before a fourth appearance in the Wimbledon main draw. Zheng, the world No.5, won 6-2 6-4 in a drawn-out affair and will now face an American in the semi-finals – it will either be Emma Navarro or Amanda Anisimova on Saturday. Before walking out into the Andy Murray Arena, Raducanu made a point of taking AirPods out of her ears and putting them away, presumably because she wanted to hear the roar of the public for her entrance. How Zheng would cope mentally with a packed crowd cheering against her would play a significant role in the outcome of this contest. The Olympic singles champion, 22, was not exactly in the fans' good books when she decided in game six, while on break point on Raducanu's serve, to change her shoes. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS The Asian star slipped on the grass and told the umpire that she needed to swap her footwear. Pimm's-fuelled punters were not having any of it and slow-clapped while she sat on her chair and booed when she returned to the baseline, even though Zheng apologised several times for the interruption. Raducanu was unconvincing on her own serve and looked tense and nervous in the opening games and was even questioning some of the calls made by the new electric line calling system. There were two chances, at 4-2 down in the first set, where she might have broken back immediately but Zheng, a huge star in her homeland, fought off those moments. Zheng – who had only won FOUR matches on grass before facing the 2021 US Open champion – sealed the first set with 49 minutes on the clock. It was in bizarre circumstances as she was on the floor, having slipped over again, but Raducanu failed to find the open court, hitting the ball into the net. A set down, Raducanu went backstage and took a medical timeout as she had treatment on a troublesome lower back region. During the first set, she could be seen stretching her back during a changeover. These were worrying scenes but unfortunately a situation that has become all too familiar with Raducanu since that historic Slam win in New York in September 2021. Perhaps a surge of adrenaline explains how she came out looking like a different player in the second set, racing into a 3-0 and then 4-2 lead, the first break in game one courtesy of a Zheng double fault. But with the temperature gauge recording 27.5 degrees, Raducanu felt the heat and soon it was 4-4 apiece as she gifted a break to her opponent due to her sixth of seven double faults in the match. Though she managed to stave off three match points in game 10, Zheng progressed when Raducanu's forehand sailed long.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Boulter makes winning start at 'special' Queen's
British number one Katie Boulter made a winning start to her singles campaign at a Queen's tournament she had always "dreamt" of playing at. The 28-year-old overcame a stern test against Australian qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic 7-6 (7-4) 1-6 6-4 in a match of twists and turns on the Andy Murray is the first time Queen's has hosted a women's tournament since 1973 and Boulter said it feels "special" to play on the grass at the iconic west London venue after years of watching the men's tournament."I came out yesterday to watch Andy get his first court [named after him], which is special in itself," she said."To get the women back here feels very special. It's actually something I dreamt of, having come here the last couple of years to watch the men play, so I'm just really grateful to be on this court."The world number 34 is one of six women bidding to become the first Briton to win the women's title at Queen's Club since Ann Jones in Raducanu takes on Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa in her first-round match on Tuesday, while wildcard Francesca Jones takes on American McCartney Heather Watson beat Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva 6-4 6-3 to set up a last-16 meeting with fourth seed Elena Rybakina. Boulter got a feel for the grass in her doubles victory alongside Raducanu on Monday but faced a tough challenge in Tomljanovic in her first singles match of the season on the navigated a tricky hold where she saw off break points before impressively breaking to love, she missed the opportunity at 5-4 to serve out the Boulter relied on her serve to get her out of trouble in the first-set tie-break, smashing a forehand winner to take the set in just over an things spiralled rapidly for Boulter in set two as she struggled to find any rhythm, falling down a double break and struggling to find the having relied so heavily on a strong serve in the first set, she double-faulted on the first point of the opening game in the decider, laying the foundations for Tomljanovic to on a run of six games without a win for Boulter, the home crowd was flat and struggled to provide the Briton with the boost she came soon after, though, as Boulter immediately broke back and rediscovered some momentum to win three games in a to-ing and fro-ing followed as neither player could hold their serve but Boulter eventually kept her calm at 4-4, holding serve before taking the match when Tomljanovic's forehand dropped will face Poland's Magdalena Frech or fifth seed Diana Shnaider in the next round.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Why female tennis players are returning to Queen's after half a century
There are several reasons why female players will return to Queen's for the first time in 52 years, including an ongoing commitment to the growth of women's tennis, and the success of an event at Lawn Tennis Association - the sport's governing body in Britain - hopes the tournament will raise the profile of the women's game and increase the visibility of the sport at the beginning of the grass-court season."This year fans will be able to enjoy both men's and women's tennis on the biggest stages that we can offer," said LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd."We want to develop the tournaments so that the women's events deliver a path to profitability and greater visibility for the sport."Queen's will host the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 500 event that was previously at Eastbourne, which will now stage a 250 event in the build-up to Wimbledon, with Emma Raducanu on the entry list."Essentially, in 1974 the LTA decided to move the women's event at Queen's to Eastbourne," Queen's tournament director Laura Robson told BBC Sport. "It did extremely well and eventually became a combined event in one week. At Queens, logistically it wasn't possible. However, we can now create a two-week festival of tennis, which we know the fans want. This model is popular at other tour events when you can't combine simultaneously."Montreal/Toronto is probably the best example of having a combined event that's across different cities."The WTA Tour includes 250, 500 and 1000-level events - the categories denoting the number of ranking points awarded to the champion. Grand Slams award 2,000 points to the winner. Why have female players been absent from Queen's? Both men's and women's tournaments were held at Queen's under the name the London Grass Court Championship until women's tournament was then discontinued, and the men's event was not held at the venue from returned in 1977 as the Queen's Club draw has since grown from 32 players to 64, while the women's event found a new home in summer, however, there will be a new women's singles champion at Queen's for the first time since Olga Morozova won in 1973. What else has been said? Male players have raised concerns about the quality of grass they will compete on after the women's tournament ends, and also there being fewer courts available for those who arrive early to women's tournament will take place from 9-15 June, with the men's event following from 16-22 LTA has agreed to undertake a review after this year's has voluntarily increased the standard prize money for the women's event to £1.043m. With minimum prize money levels set by the tours, the men's event will offer a total prize fund of £ LTA has pledged to introduce equal prize money at the grass-court tournaments at Queen's and Eastbourne no later than 2029. Which women are playing at Queen's? The tournament will feature a strong line-up, with 10 of the world's top 20 in action. Rebecca Sramkova replaced world number three Jessica Pegula on Zheng (China)Madison Keys (US)Emma Navarro (US)Elena Rybakina (Kaz)Diana Shnaider*Karolina Muchova (Cze)Barbora Krejcikova (Cze) Amanda Anisimova (US)Daria Kasatkina (Aus)Donna Vekic (Cro) Beatriz Haddad Maia (Bra)Magdalena Frech (Pol) Leylah Fernandez (Can)Anna Kalinskaya*Yulia Putintseva (Kaz)Katie Boulter (GB)Emma Raducanu (GB) Rebecca Sramkova (Svk)Petra Kvitova (Cze)* Russian players currently compete as neutral athletes This 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... When does the tennis grass court season begin?Why does French Open not have electronic line calling?Who was Roland Garros?
