TENNIS BITS & PIECES – Sabine and Martina split. Maiden wins for Bautista Agut and Keys. Haas out for the rest of the year. Almagro withdraws from Wimbledon. Happy birthday to Gasquet and Venus. Emmrich’s on court proposal to Krajicek. Joshua Bosco
Lisicki and Hingis split
2013 Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki took to Facebook to announce her split with coach Martina Hingis after just five months of collaboration.
The split came as a result of a mutual agreement, said Lisicki, who will now be coached by her father Richard for the immediate future.
Murray given Freedom of Merton
Just three days before he steps back on Centre Court as defending champion, Andy Murray was awarded the Freedom of the London Borough of Merton for his merits in tennis, especially last year’s win at SW19.
“Everyone knows how much this tennis tournament means to me, so I’m delighted […] I can’t wait for the tournament to start this year, fingers crossed I can defend my title” said Murray, who begins his title defence today against Belgium’s David Goffin.
Keys and Batista Agut first win
American teenager Madison Keys won her first career title after defeating No.5 seed Angelique Kerber in the final of the AEGON International in Eastbourne.
The young American hit 60 winners – and the fifth fastest serve ever on the WTA Tour, since records began in 1989, at 126mph – to beat the German 6-3 6-7(5) 7-5. “It was a bit surreal playing in my first final but I tried to stay calm and not over-think it” said Keys, who will now move into the Top 30 for the first time.
In ‘s-Hertogenbosch Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain also collected his maiden title defeating another German, Benjamin Becker, 2-6 7-6(2) 6-4. It was a perfect way to celebrate a fantastic first half of the season for Bautista Agut, who started the year ranked No.78 in the world and today reached a new career-high of No.23.
Emmrich proposes to Krajicek
A year ago 29 year old doubles player Martin Emmrich met Michaella Krajicek, singles player and half-sister of 1996 Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, on the terrace of the clubhouse at ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
On Monday, after Krajicek’s win against Jana Cepelova at the same tournament, Emmrich stepped on court to propose to his girlfriend. After a speech punctuated by applause from the crowd, an emotional Krajicek didn’t hesitate to say yes!
Watch Emmrich propose to Krajicek
Haas out for the year
Another blow for Tommy Haas as the German was forced to undergo yet another operation on his right shoulder last Tuesday.
It’s the end of a season already marred by continued withdrawals for Haas, who has promised to come back next year and end his career on his own terms and not because of injuries.
Almagro out, Pospisil in
World No.26 Nicolas Almagro, who was seeded No.25 at Wimbledon, has been forced to pull out of the tournament due to a left foot injury.
His place was has been taken by Vasek Pospisil, who is now the No.31 seed and will play his first match against Robin Haase. The youngster is the second Canadian seed along with Milos Raonic, who is seeded No.8.
Happy Birthday Gasquet & Venus
Last Tuesday former World No.1 and seven time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams turned 34. The American, now ranked World No.26, will begin her Wimbledon campaign today against Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor of Spain.
On Wednesday World No.14 Richard Gasquet celebrated his 28th birthday beating Bernard Tomic 6-4 3-6 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals at the AEGON International. The Frenchman, who went on to lose in the final to Feliciano Lopez, will open his Wimbledon tournament with a first round match against James Duckworth.
Happy Birthday to both of them!
