ATP

Roger Federer Shines In First French Open Match Since 2015

The long absence by the 20-time grand slam champion has officially ended.

Published

7 months ago

26/05/2019

Adam Addicott

Roger Federer (photo by Gianni Ciaccia)

After a lengthy hiatus lasting nearly four years, Roger Federer has marked his return to the French Open with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4, win over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the first round.

The 37-year-old has missed the past three editions of the clay-court major due to either injury or wanting to rest in order to prolong his career. It is fitting that Federer opted to return this year in what is the 20th anniversary of his first ever appearance in the main draw of a grand slam. The occasion drew a packed audience on the premier court of Roland Garros with the crowd cheering both Federer and the admirable efforts by his opponent.

“I missed you, thanks very much for the welcome,” Federer said to the crowd after his match. “I was quite tense at the start.”

Taking to the Philippe Chatrier Court, Federer’s test was 24-year-old Sanego. A world No.73 player who reached the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters earlier this year. In total, 11 out of his 14 tour level wins have occurred on the clay. Federer hasn’t lost to a player ranked as low as Sonego in a major since Sergiy Stakhovsky at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships.

Despite some impressive heavy hitting from the Italian underdog, experience prevailed as Federer guided himself to the straight sets victory. Whilst it wasn’t his most dominant of performances at Roland Garros, he triumphed with the help of five aces and 36 winners, alongside 15 unforced errors. Federer also won 84% of his first service points.

“Sonego, he’s good, he’s really strong. I saw that he had played a lot of tournaments on clay this year. It’s a relief (to win).” Federer commented about his rival.

The first two sets of the match were nearly identical with the 20-time grand slam champion securing a double break to open up a 4-0 lead in each frame. Awarding him a large enough margin to close out each set. Admirbally in the second, Sonego refused to be blasted off the court as he retrieved one of the breaks, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.

Closing in on his 343rd win in a grand slam, Federer still had to fight his way to the finish line. Thanks to some audacious play from his opponent, who at times played tennis at a higher level than his ranking suggested. At 4-4 in the third set, a backhand cross-court winner from the Swiss maestro gifted him another break in the match and a chance to serve for a place in the second round. An opportunity he seized with the help on a backhand error from Sonego on his first match point.

“Two breaks in the first set was very important for me and when I was leading 4-0 I could take more risks, be more aggressive,” the third seed reflected afterwards.
“I know that I can play very well on clay and I am very happy to win in straight sets.”

Basking in his 60th first round victory of a grand slam, Federer paid tribute to the multi-million pound redevelopment that tournament has undergone. Including the construction of the brand new Simonne Mathieu court.

“I felt great playing on this court. It looks great and attractive, so congratulations to everyone involved.” He said.
“Hopefully I can play here again for my next match.”

Awaiting the third seed next will be the German lucky loser Oscar Otte. 25-year-old Otte defeated Malek Jaziri in four sets to record his first ever main draw win in a major. He is currently ranked 145th in the world and his only Challenger title dates back to 2017.

ATP

Rival Backs Dominic Thiem To Win Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award

Only two players have won the award since 2004.

Published

1 day ago

09/12/2019

Adam Addicott

For the past 15 years only two players have managed to get their hands on the prestigious Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award, but one player thinks there could be a brand new winner this year.

Diego Schwartzman has lent his support behind world No.4 Dominic Thiem. The award recognizes those who have conducted the highest level of professionalism and integrity on the ATP Tour throughout the season. Established in 1977, Roger Federer has won the honour in 13 out of the past 15 years. The only other player to triumph during that period was Rafael Nadal, who won it in 2010 and 2018.

“I think Thiem can win it, he showed throughout the year a competitiveness and a respect with everyone that was spectacular,” Schwartzman told ole.com. “On top of that he is having great years of his career and this season was even better for the achievements he had.’
“He has a good chance of winning it.” He added.

Schwartzman, who reached the quarter-finals of the US Open earlier this year, has also been shortlisted for the award. Along with regular nominees Federer and Nadal. Only once has an Argentinian player won the title, which was José Luis Clerc back in 1981. At that time it was known as the ATP Sportsmanship award before getting renamed in 1996.

“I learned first (of getting nominated) through social networks rather than the official designation that the ATP sends you by mail.” The 27-year-old revealed.
“It is more spectacular than anything for the players I have next to me. It is a very important prize that recognizes a little what you do off the court, not only hitting the ball.”

Whilst he is dreaming of winning the honour himself, Schwartzman is just happy that he has been nominated.

“If I won this award, it would be spectacular. Now I am on that payroll that is very good and represents the values that I try to maintain on a day-to-day basis and that (my coaching teams over the years) have taught me. It is very nice to be recognized for that. “ He concluded.

The four nominees for the Stefan Edberg Award was shortlisted by the ATP. However, it will be the players who will decide the winner. The result will be revealed later this month.

Multiple winners of the Stefan Edberg/ATP Sportsmanship award

Roger Federer – 13
Stefan Edberg – 5
Pat Rafter – 4
Alex Corretja – 2
Todd Martin – 2
Paradorn Srichaphan – 2
Rafael Nadal – 2

ATP

Kei Nishikori In Doubt For The Australian Open

Asia’s highest ranked male tennis player is contemplating when he should return to the tour following surgery.

Published

5 days ago

05/12/2019

Adam Addicott

Kei Nishikori (photo by chryslène caillaud, copyright @Sport Vision)

World No.13 Kei Nishikori is refusing to rule out the prospect of skipping the first grand slam event of 2020 as he continues his recovery from surgery.

Nishikori hasn’t played a match on the tour since his third round loss at the US Open back in September. A month later he underwent a procedure on his right elbow in a move that brought his season to an early end. Currently undergoing rehabilitation, it is unclear as to when the Japanese player believes he will return to the ATP Tour.

“The prospect of a return from surgery on right elbow in January. Maybe February. In the second half of next year I want to be able to play well.” Nikkan Sports quoted Nishikori as saying.
“I don’t want to overdo it,” he added.

The Australian Open will get underway on January 20th in Melbourne. Should he miss the grand slam, it will be the second time he has done so in the last three years. Nishikori also withdrew from the 2018 edition due to a wrist injury. In January he reached the quarter-finals and therefore has 360 points to defend next year.

During his time away from the court, the 29-year-old has been kept busy making changes to his team. Recently it was confirmed that he has started working alongside Max Mirnyi, who is a former world No.1 doubles player. Mirnyi, who has won 10 grand slam titles in men’s and mixed doubles, will be working full-time with Nishikori alongside existing coach Michael Chang.

“I’m getting closer to retirement. I want to be cured and come back to play good tennis in the second half of next year.” Nishikori stated.

Despite the injury setback, Nishikori has enjoyed success in 2019. Reaching the quarter-finals in three out of the four grand slam tournaments. The first time he has ever done that in his career. He also claimed his 12th ATP title at the Brisbane International. Overall, he won 29 out of 43 matches played.

Nishikori will turn 30 on December 29th.

ATP

Family Of Venezuelan Doubles Star Launches GoFundMe Page For Cancer Treatment

Roberto Maytin was playing on the Challenger tour less than a month ago, but now faces a new battle.

Published

5 days ago

05/12/2019

Adam Addicott

One of Venezuela’s highest ranked players on the ATP Tour is facing challenges off the court after being recently diagnosed with cancer.

Roberto Maytin, who currently has a doubles ranking of 136th, is undergoing treatment for testicular cancer Non-Seminoma. Non-seminomas are made up of different types of tumour, such as teratomas, embryonal tumours, yolk sac tumours and choriocarcinomas. Maytin’s brother Ricardo has launched a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs. The tennis player made $19,441 in prize money this season, which doesn’t factor into account numerous expenses such as travel, accommodation and paying for his coaching team.

“If life gives you a chance to live longer, I think nobody would miss the opportunity. In this plane, we all want to be (alive) for years however we forget that we are with a 50% chance of leaving at any time every day.” The fundraising page reads.
“My brother was diagnosed with testicular cancer NO Seminoma, at 30 years old. He now faces a crucial match that life has put him for growth as an individual, as a man and as an athlete. He is forced to undergo 4 stages of aggressive chemotherapy in order to heal at all and leave no trace of a Cancer that has been moving for months causing some damage.”

A former top 25 junior player, Maytin is one of only two players from his country to be ranked inside the top 200 in either singles or doubles on the men’s tour. This season he has won four Challenger titles across America. However, he has only played in one ATP Tour event since the start of 2018. He achieved a ranking high of 85th in the doubles back in 2015.

Once a student at Baylor University in Texas, Maytin formed a successful partnership with former world No.2 doubles player John Peers. Together they earned All-American honours with a win-loss of 36-5 and reached the quarter-finals of the 2011 NCAA tournament.

Maytin is also a regular fixture in his country’s Davis Cup team. Since 2007 he has played 15 ties and won 10 out of 16 matches played.

“I am also clear that the family is the gift of God for each one of us, so in this way and in whatever way I will put my desire and my energy so that my Brother Roberto Maytin, a Venezuelan professional tennis player, is back to the courts, which is where he belongs as soon as possible.”

Almost $25,000 has been raised so far to fund Maytin’s treatment. Click here to visit his GoFundMe page.