Latest news with #Tour-level
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Novak Djokovic becomes only the third man to reach ridiculous tennis milestone
Novak Djokovic celebrated turning 38 on Thursday and had not won a title since claiming Olympic gold last summer, but claimed his 100th ATP Tour-level singles title in Geneva Novak Djokovic celebrated turning 38 on Thursday two days late - by claiming his 100th ATP Tour level singles title. The Serbian landed a hard-fought victory over Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the Geneva Open. Djokovic fought back from losing the first set and being a break down in the decider to beat Hurkacz 5-7 7-6 (2) 7-6 (2) in a gruelling contest lasting three hours and four minutes. It means that Djokovic is just the third man in the Open era – after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer – to win 100 ATP titles. It comes after Djokovic had failed to win a title since claiming Olympic gold in Paris last summer, having suffered immediate exits from previous clay court events in Madrid and Monte Carlo. And another painful defeat looked on the cards when he served two double faults to lose his serve in the opening game of the final set, but Hurkacz played an error-strewn eighth game to allow Djokovic to level at 4-4. More costly errors from the big-serving Pole then allowed Djokovic to ease through the tie-break and complete the perfect preparation for his bid to win a record-breaking 25th grand slam title in the French Open. 'I had to work for it, that's for sure,' a relieved Djokovic said in an on-court interview before the ball boys and girls physically formed the number 100 in tribute at the presentation ceremony. 'Huby was probably closer to the victory the entire match than I was. I had some chances to break his serve in the first set, I didn't do it and then had a bad game that ended up with a double fault on set point. 'All of a sudden the match went to his side in a sense and I was obviously just trying to hang in there. 'I don't know how I broke his serve, he probably broke himself in the third when he was 4-3 up but this is what happens on this level, the highest level, a few points decide the winner. 'An incredible match, 7-6 in the third with a full stadium, beautiful atmosphere. So I'm just grateful to clinch the 100th here.' Djokovic's win came after he saw off Brit Cameron Norrie in the semi-final. He will face American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round at Roland Garros, which starts on Sunday.
Business Upturn
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Infosys partners with LTA to bring AI-powered innovation to Queen's Club Tennis Championships
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on May 13, 2025, 15:33 IST Infosys has announced a strategic three-year technology partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), becoming the official AI and Innovation Partner for the prestigious HSBC Championships at Queen's Club, London. This collaboration aims to integrate AI-powered features to enhance player performance insights, fan engagement, and operational excellence, using Infosys' enterprise-grade AI suite, Infosys Topaz. Under the partnership, Infosys will bring its generative AI capabilities to deliver real-time match analytics and immersive digital experiences for spectators. The HSBC Championships will host both ATP and WTA 500 events this year — the first time in over five decades a women's Tour-level event will be held alongside the men's. Chris Pollard, Managing Director at LTA, called it a 'historic moment' and praised Infosys for its role in transforming fan engagement. Sumit Virmani, CMO at Infosys, emphasized the goal of 'revolutionizing the tournament experience through AI innovation.' This latest partnership adds to Infosys' global tennis portfolio, which includes Australian Open, Roland-Garros, and the ATP Tour. Disclaimer: Some of the statements in the announcement are forward-looking and subject to risks outlined in Infosys' filings with the US SEC. Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Struggling Tiger Woods hits all-time career low with unwanted milestone
Golf legend Tiger Woods has seen his official world ranking drop to an all-time low owing to his lengthy injury lay-off, with the 49-year-old not expected back anytime soon Tiger Woods has seen his ranking reach an all-time low as a result of his hiatus from golf due to injury, it has emerged. The 15-time major winner has not played since failing to make the cut at The Open last July. Woods, 49, is currently sidelined after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon and is unsure when he will be able to resume the dazzling career that has solidified him as one of the sport's all-time greats. But his enforced absence has not stopped him from tumbling down the rankings. Woods' latest Official World Golf Ranking is 1,341. This is his lowest career ranking, with his previous low (1,328) coming back in November 2023 after spending the majority of the year out. Things could yet get worse, though, with Woods' latest issue expected to keep him out for the remainder of 2025, meaning his ranking will continue to drop lower. Woods announced his latest injury setback shortly before The Masters, which saw Rory McIlroy complete the career Grand Slam. He has since undergone surgery to repair a rupture, which was confirmed in an official statement. He said last month: "As I began to ramp up my own training and practice at home, I felt a sharp pain in my left Achilles, which was deemed to be ruptured. "This morning, Dr. Charlton Stucken of Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida performed a minimally-invasive Achilles tendon repair for a ruptured tendon. "I am back home now and plan to focus on my recovery and rehab, thank you for all the support." Woods' last appearance at Tour-level was last summer, when headed to Royal Troon for The Open. Back surgery was behind his absence before the death of his mother saw him withdraw from the Genesis Invitational back in February. His back surgery was his sixth in 10 years. He suffered extensive injuries following a horror car crash in 2021, just two years after he shocked the world to win a fifth Masters title back in 2019.
The Independent
19-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Venus Williams to return from injury aged 44 at Indian Wells
Venus Williams will return to singles action at the age of 44 next month after being handed a wild card for Indian Wells. The seven-time grand slam singles champion will compete for the first time since March 2024 after an injury-hit year, while she has not won a Tour-level match since August 2023. Her only competitive action last year came after she received a wild card to this event and the Miami Open, losing both times in the first round, to Nao Hibino and Diana Shnaider respectively. Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova, who is about to make her return to the sport following the birth of her first child last July, has also been handed a wild card to the tournament. The 34-year-old announced two weeks ago she will compete at the WTA 250 in Austin later in February, her first event since the 2023 China Open. She is a three-time quarter-finalist at Indian Wells while Williams, who is entering her 32nd WTA season, has reached the semi-final on three occasions. Williams boycotted Indian Wells for 15 years following the heckling of her younger sister Serena during her win over Kim Clijsters in the final in 2001.
The Independent
19-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Venus Williams given Indian Wells wild card as she returns from injury aged 44
Venus Williams will return to singles action at the age of 44 next month after being handed a wild card for Indian Wells. The seven-time grand slam singles champion will compete for the first time since March 2024 after an injury-hit year, while she has not won a Tour-level match since August 2023. Her only competitive action last year came after she received a wild card to this event and the Miami Open, losing both times in the first round, to Nao Hibino and Diana Shnaider respectively. Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova, who is about to make her return to the sport following the birth of her first child last July, has also been handed a wild card to the tournament. The 34-year-old announced two weeks ago she will compete at the WTA 250 in Austin later in February, her first event since the 2023 China Open. She is a three-time quarter-finalist at Indian Wells while Williams, who is entering her 32nd WTA season, has reached the semi-final on three occasions. Williams boycotted Indian Wells for 15 years following the heckling of her younger sister Serena during her win over Kim Clijsters in the final in 2001.
