Tag: Australian Open

  • Tennis legend Martina Navratilova diagnosed with early-stage throat and breast cancer

    Tennis legend Martina Navratilova diagnosed with early-stage throat and breast cancer

    Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer.

    Later this month, the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, who was previously diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, will begin treatment in New York.

    Both malignancies, according to 66-year-old Navratilova, were discovered at an early stage.

    “The double whammy is serious, but fixable, and I’m hoping for a favourable outcome,” she said. “It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight with all I have got.”

    According to CNN, Navratilova discovered a swollen lymph node in her neck while competing in the WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, in November.

    Following a biopsy, stage 1 throat cancer was discovered. A lump in her breast was also found during the testing, and it was later determined to be unrelated to cancer.

    “Both of these cancers are in their early stages with great outcomes,” Navratilova’s representative Mary Greenham added.

    Navratilova was scheduled to broadcast from the Tennis Channel studio in Melbourne to cover the Australian Open this month, but she will instead make sporadic remote appearances.

    The nine-time Wimbledon singles winner admitted that she felt “helpless” following her cancer diagnosis in 2010, but she made the decision to share the news in order to support other women going through comparable medical issues.

  • Medvedev slams his way to the top, replaces Djokovic as world number one

    Medvedev slams his way to the top, replaces Djokovic as world number one

    Daniil Medvedev replaced Novak Djokovic as world number one on Monday. Djokovic held the top spot in men’s tennis for a record 361 total weeks. In January, Rafael Nadal beat Medvedev in a nail-biting Australian Open final.

    US Open champion Medvedev is the third Russian man after Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin, and 27th player overall, to rise to the top of the ATP rankings.

    “Of course I am happy to reach number one. It was my goal since I was young and especially my goal in the latest times,” said Medvedev.

    The 26-year-old Russian was guaranteed to move above Djokovic after the Serb’s quarter-final loss in Dubai. 

    Rafael Nadal rose one place to fourth after claiming his third title of the season and 91st of his career.

  • Djokovic says he’s not anti-vax ‘but will sacrifice trophies if told to get jab’

    Djokovic says he’s not anti-vax ‘but will sacrifice trophies if told to get jab’

    Serbian tennis ace Novak Djokovic has said he was not against vaccination but would skip Grand Slam tournaments if he was forced to take the jab against Covid-19.

    Read More – Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic owns biotech firm developing Covid drug

    Djokovic, who is unvaccinated and according to Reuters, was deported from Australia after an 11-day rollercoaster experience involving two visa cancellations, two court challenges and five nights in two stints at an immigration detention hotel where asylum seekers are held.

    “Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay,” the 34-year-old Serbian told the BBC, adding that he was aware that he would not be able to travel to most tournaments in the world currently because of his unvaccinated status.

    The 20-times major champion is set to return to competitive action at an ATP tournament in Dubai next week for the first time since he was deported ahead of the Australian Open, this year’s first tennis Grand Slam.

    Another win at Melbourne Park, where Djokovic has won nine titles, could have taken him to a men’s record 21 major titles, but instead it was his long-time rival Rafa Nadal who stepped ahead by lifting the trophy last month.

    Read More – ‘Proud to share this era’: Roger Federer congratulates Rafael Nadal on winning 21st grand slam title

    Djokovic said he was ready to sacrifice his shot at the milestone over the “freedom of choice” but he was keeping an open mind about taking the jab in the future.

    “I was never against vaccination,” he said, adding that he took vaccines as a child. “But I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.

    “I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus.”

  • Daniil Medvedev trolls crowd at the Australian Open

    Daniil Medvedev trolls crowd at the Australian Open

    After battling verbally with the chair umpire, crowd and even ball kids during his Australian Open final, Daniil Medvedev wasn’t done.

    The Russian was seen mouthing the words ‘boring’ while standing in the background early in the trophy ceremony after the men’s singles final.

    Tennis Australia chair Jayne Hrdlicka was delivering the opening speech after Rafael Nadal’s five-set win when she began to address Medvedev.

    Medvedev didn’t appear to enjoy the message, pulling faces and turning to the side to say “boring” to no one in particular.

    He then repeated it before muttering something that couldn’t easily be lip-read but quite clearly wasn’t positive.

    The Russian star, while thanking Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley, said: “I want to thank Tennis Australia, especially Craig. I think tournament director is a tough job, and this year, you will be able to tell me if it was the toughest in your career. I think you are an amazing tournament director, and I hope you stay at least 15 years that I am here, or maybe 10 years.”

    By tough, he most likely meant Novak Djokovic’s visa fiasco.

    Medvedev did not have a great time with the crowd of Australia. In his speech after losing the match, he talked about many things but did not thank the Australian Open crowd.

    While talking about the reality of the most testing loss of his career, having already thanked his team during the speech, Medvedev appeared to be building up to thank the crowd, beginning, “Last but not least”, before saying, “just wanted to thank my team again.”

    Twitterati reacted to his trolling.

    Even in the post-match media talk, Medvedev was lamenting about crowd’s behaviour. He said: “Before Rafa serves even in the fifth set, there would be somebody like one guy screaming, ‘C’mon Daniil’ but a thousand people would be ‘Tsss, Tsss, Tsss’. That sound. It’s disappointing, it’s disrespectful. I’m not sure I’m going to want to play tennis.”

    Earlier in the semi-final, Medvedev got involved into a heated exchange with match referree, calling him ‘stupid’ and ‘bad’.

  • ‘Proud to share this era’: Roger Federer congratulates Rafael Nadal on winning 21st grand slam title

    ‘Proud to share this era’: Roger Federer congratulates Rafael Nadal on winning 21st grand slam title

    Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer has congratulated Spain’s Rafael Nadal on winning his 21st grand slam singles title after beating Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in a nail-biting Australian Open final.

    Taking to Instagram stories, Federer shared a picture of Nadal celebrating his victory and wrote: “To my friend and great rival @RafaelNadal. Heartfelt congratulations on becoming the first man to win 21 Grand Slam Singles Titles.”

    The Swiss star revealed that he and Nadal were joking about both being on crutches. “Never underestimate a great champion.”

    “Your incredible work ethic, dedication and fighting spirit are an inspiration to me and countless others around the globe. I am proud to share this era with you,” he added.

    Federer further said that he is honoured to play a role in pushing Nadal to achieve more. He ended by saying, “I am sure you have more achievements ahead but for now enjoy this one.”

    Nadal fought back from two sets down to win the next three sets in order to win a nail-biting match.

    In the dramatic final set, Nadal broke Medvedev’s serve in the fifth game but the Russian broke back in the 10th game to level the set.

    Nadal, however, broke back immediately to clinch victory and become the first ever man in the history of tennis to win 21 grand slam titles.

    The Spaniard surpassed the previous men’s record of 20 he held jointly with Federer and Serbian player Novak Djokovic.

  • Ash Barty beats Danielle Collins to end 44-year wait for home Australian Open Champion

    Ash Barty beats Danielle Collins to end 44-year wait for home Australian Open Champion

    Ashleigh Barty beat Danielle Collins to win the Australian Open title, ending the home nation’s 44-year wait for a Grand Slam women’s singles champion.

    Ace player Barty fought back from 5-1 down in the second set to win 6-3 7-6 (7-2) on a jubilant Rod Laver Arena.

    The 25-year-old Queenslander has won the title without dropping a set in Melbourne this fortnight.

    After winning the 2019 French Open and last year’s Wimbledon title, she now claims three of the four majors.

    The Australian star player thanked all the staff as the ballkids stand on ceremony.

    “It’s been one of my favourite experiences,” said Ashleigh, adding, “this is just a dream come true. I’m so proud to be an Aussie.”

  • Are you stupid? You are so bad’: Medvedev yells at referee in Australian Open semi-final

    Are you stupid? You are so bad’: Medvedev yells at referee in Australian Open semi-final

    Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev sealed his place in a second consecutive grand slam final by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 but not without drama after he lost his temper with Jaume Campistol and called him ‘stupid’ and a ‘bad’ umpire during the semi-final clash.

    Medvedev took a close first set in a tie-break but was then broken at 4-4 in the second to hand the Greek an opportunity to level the match at a set a piece.

    As both players headed to the changeover, Medvedev was warned for a “visible obscenity”, after which he started screaming up at umpire Campistol, complaining about Tsitsipas’ father and coach Apostolos talking to him about the match. (Coaching players during a match is banned in men’s tennis.)

    Campistol was unmoved, which enraged Medvedev further.

    “Are you mad? His father can’t talk every point. No, are you stupid? Can you answer my question please? Oh my God you are so bad,” Medvedev added.

    “How can you be so bad in the semi-final of a grand slam. Look at me! I’m talking to you,” he yelled.

    Campistol then called time, to which Medvedev shouted: “what time?”, and then watched as the Russian could not stop Tsitsipas serving out the set.

    “Next time, it should be a code violation. If you don’t [call it], what can I call [you]? A small cat?”

    The US Open champion took himself off court at the end of the set but as he left, once again implored Campistol to do something about what he felt was blatant coaching.

    Medvedev is shooting for back-to-back major titles after upsetting Djokovic in last year’s US Open final.

    Like in New York last September, when he stopped Djokovic from completing a calendar Grand Slam of titles, Medvedev will be trying to derail Nadal’s tilt at making men’s tennis history.

    Spanish star Nadal will be playing against world number two Medvedev in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday.

  • ‘Getting older’: Sania Mirza opens up about retirement plan

    ‘Getting older’: Sania Mirza opens up about retirement plan

    Indian tennis player Sania Mirza on Wednesday (January 19) announced that 2022 will be her final season on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour after her first-round loss in women’s doubles at the Australian Open.

    The 35-year-old Sania Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok suffered an opening-round loss in the women’s doubles event of the ongoing Australian Open.

    “There’s a few reasons for it. It’s not as simple as ‘okay I’m not going to play’. I do feel my recovery is taking longer, I’m putting my 3-year-old son at risk by travelling so much with him, that’s something I have to take into account. I think my body is wearing down,” the 35-year-old said.

    “My knee was really hurting today and I’m not saying that’s the reason we lost but I do think that it is taking time to recover as I’m getting older,” said Mirza on Wednesday.

    The tennis star added that it’s difficult for her to find motivation everyday to come out. The energy is not the same anymore.

    “There are more days than there used to be where I don’t feel like doing that. I’ve always said that I will play until I enjoy that grind, the process which I’m not sure I’m enjoying as much anymore,” the athlete said.

    “Having said that, I still want to play the season because I’m enjoying it enough to play the year. I’ve worked very hard to come back, get fit, lose weight and try to set a good example for mothers, new mothers to follow their dreams as much as they can. Beyond this season, I don’t feel my body doing it,” Mirza added

  • ‘Disappointed’: Djokovic reaches Dubai after deportation from Australia

    ‘Disappointed’: Djokovic reaches Dubai after deportation from Australia

    Serbian Tennis Ace Novak Djokovic has been deported from Australia after his visa was cancelled by the Australian government. The dream of his 10th Australian Open title was dusted when an Australian court upheld a government deportation order.

    As per details, three Federal Court judges on Sunday sided with Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s decision made to cancel the Serb’s visa on public interest grounds.

    Shortly after the ruling, federal agents escorted unvaccinated Djokovic to the airport in Melbourne, where he boarded an Emirates flight bound for the United Arab Emirates.

    The 34-year-old landed in Dubai on Monday morning.

    Before his departure, Djokovic said he was “extremely disappointed” by the Australian court’s ruling, but said he respected the decision.

    “I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open,” he said in a statement.

    “I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love,” he added.

    After landing in Australia, the Serb star fought for his visa for almost 11 days. The tennis ace was participating in the tournament eyeing his 21st Grand Slam Title.

    The country’s immigration minister cancelled his visa on the grounds that Djokovic’s presence in Australia may be a risk to the health and “good order” of the Australian public and “may be counterproductive to efforts at vaccination by others in Australia”.

    Djokovic was scheduled to play his first-round Australian Open match today (Monday).

  • Australia cancels unvaccinated Tennis Star Novak Djokovic’s visa, reportedly lied on visa application

    Australia cancels unvaccinated Tennis Star Novak Djokovic’s visa, reportedly lied on visa application

    Australia has cancelled Serbian Tennis ace Novak Djokovic’s visa for a second time in a row over his right to remain in the country unvaccinated.

    The decision by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke means that the 34-year-old tennis star will be deported.

    However, Djokovic can still launch one more legal challenge to remain in the country.

    The men’s tennis number one was scheduled to play in the Australian Open, which is set to begin on Monday.

    “Today I exercised my power… to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so,” the minister said in a statement.

    The move also means Djokovic likely faces a three-year ban on obtaining a new Australian visa.

    Djokovic’s visa was first revoked shortly after his arrival in Melbourne on 6 January, after Australian border Force officials said he had “failed to provide appropriate evidence” to receive a vaccine exemption.

    After a legal battle in Australia, the star player’s visa was reinstated by a judge, who ordered his release, ruling that border officials ignored correct procedure when he arrived.

    But on Friday evening in Melbourne, Mr Hawke cancelled Djokovic’s visa under separate powers in Australia’s Migration Act.

    As per details, the act allows him to deport anyone he deems a potential risk to “the health, safety or good order of the Australian community”, however Djokovic can still appeal this.

    It comes after Djokovic addressed allegations that he had made a false declaration on his travel form which stated that he had not travelled in the 14 days prior to his arrival in Australia, when in fact he had been to Spain.

    He said the mistake was made by his agent, calling it “human error” and adding that it was “not deliberate”.

    He also admitted meeting a journalist and having a photoshoot after testing positive for Covid-19.

    Earlier, a conversation between two Australian newsreaders on Novak Djokovic’s visa saga had gone viral, after a video of it was leaked online. In the video, the newsreaders can be heard talking against the tennis star while saying that “he’s going to get away with this”.