Serena Williams Returning To Tennis Is Unlikely, Says Wozniacki  - UBITENNIS
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Serena Williams Returning To Tennis Is Unlikely, Says Wozniacki 

The former world No.1 made the prediction as she paid tribute to the 23-time Grand Slam champion. 

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Serena Williams - US Open (photo Twitter @wta)

Caroline Wozniacki has played down speculation about the possibility that Serena Williams could return to the Tour by saying it would be ‘lucky’ if she played an exhibition event. 

 

Wozniacki, who is a long-time friend of Williams, believes the tennis great will not return to the Tour as she is busy with other ventures, such as her high-profile investment fund. Williams last played at the US Open after saying in an article for Vogue magazine that she is starting to evolve away from the sport. However, she hinted during a conference in San Francisco in October that the chances of her staging a return are ‘very high’ but nothing further has been said since then. 

Speaking about the chances of a comeback on The Tennis Channel, Wozniacki believes it is unlikely that her former rival will do so. The Dane retired in January 2020 and the last doubles match she played was alongside Williams at the ASB Classic in New Zealand that year. 

 “I don’t think so. If she plays an exhibition I think that would be lucky but I don’t see her back playing on Tour. There are just so many things going on.” She said. 
“I think she loves the game so much and it’s been her life for so many years. But at the same time, she is busy. I don’t think we will see her on a professional tennis court again.”

The two have clashed with each other 11 times on the Tour between 2009-2014 with Williams winning 10 of those meetings. Their meetings include the 2014 US Open final, the semi-final stage of the WTA Finals twice and the quarter-finals of the 2008 Olympic Games. 

“Playing at the same time as her was tough because there were a lot of tournaments that I felt that I could have probably won if she hadn’t been in my way,” Wozniacki reflected. “But at the same time what an honour it has been to have been there (on the Tour) at the same time as her because I get to play against the best player that ever played this game.”
“I think it was incredible to share a court with her, play against her and I have gained a lifelong friend along the way.”

Whilst being competitors on the court, the two have become good friends. Williams was even one of Wozniacki’s bridesmaids during her wedding with former NBA player Davis Lee in 2019. 

“She is just a great person. She is not only, in my opinion, the greatest tennis player of all time that I have played against. She pushed me and all the other women to play better and step up,” she continued.
“Also off the court, she is so thoughtful. She is the first person to call me if I went through anything to make sure I was okay. I really appreciate that.”

According to the International Tennis Integrity Agency, Williams has declared herself as retired from the sport.

The head-to-head record between Wozniacki and Williams 

YearNameRoundSurfaceWinning PlayerLosing PlayerScore
2014WTA ChampsSFHardSerena WilliamsCaroline Wozniacki2-6 6-3 7-6(6)
2014US OpenFHardSerena WilliamsCaroline Wozniacki6-3 6-3
2014Cincinnati MastersSFHardSerena WilliamsCaroline Wozniacki2-6 6-2 6-4
2014Canadian MastersQFHardSerena WilliamsCaroline Wozniacki4-6 7-5 7-5
2013BeijingQFHardSerena WilliamsCaroline Wozniacki6-1 6-4
2012Olympic TennisQFGrassSerena WilliamsCaroline Wozniacki6-0 6-3
2012Madrid MastersR16ClaySerena WilliamsCaroline Wozniacki1-6 6-3 6-2
2012Miami MastersQFHardCaroline WozniackiSerena Williams6-4 6-4
2011US OpenSFHardSerena WilliamsCaroline Wozniacki6-2 6-4
2009WTA ChampsSFHardSerena WilliamsCaroline Wozniacki6-4 0-1 Retired
2009SydneyQFHardSerena WilliamsCaroline Wozniacki6-7(5) 6-3 7-6(3)

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Arthur Fils beats Luca Van Assche in all-French semifinal at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah

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World number 36 Arthur Fils beat his friend Luca Van Assche 2-4 4-1 4-3 (7-1) 4-3 (8-6) in an all-French clash after 1 hour and 37 minutes to reach the final at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah. 

 

Van Assche, who was born in Belgium but moved to Belgium when he was three years old, broke serve in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead and served out the first set to 15. Van Assche won 12 of the last 14 points. 

Fils hit a couple of big forehands to earn three break points at 2-1 15-40. Van Assche saved one break point with a volley, but Fils converted his second chance to open up a 3-1 lead, as Van Assche netted a backhand. Fils served out with a hold at 15 to level the match at one set apiece. 

The first five games of the third set went on serve. Van Assche led 2-3 30-40 on Fils’serve to earn two set points. 

Fils saved them before racing out to a 5-0 lead. Van Assche won his first point with a forehand. Fils earned five set points and closed it out when Van Assche netted a backhand. 

Fils won 22 consecutive points on his first serve until 2-1 in the fourth set. Van Assche faced a match point at 2-3, but Van Assche saved it to force another tie-break. Fils opened up a 4-1 with a mini-break. Van Assche won three points to 4-4 before saving two match points at 4-6 and 5-6. Fils hit a forehand to earn a fourth match point and converted it when Van Assche sent a backhand over the baseline. 

Van Assche beat Fils in the boys’ singles final at 2021 Roland Garros. Fils won his first title in Lyon last May. 

“I played every point trying everything with my forehand, moving very good. I was very happy with the tie-break. Today was a tough match against a great friend. We have known each other since we were nine, so it was a little bit tough and I am happy with the win. I came onto the court with the mindset that I can win. The first set was tough, he was playing very good and defending so well, running very fast. I kept my focus and I am really happy with the win”, said Fils. 

Fils set up a final clash against Hamad Medjedovic, who advanced to the championships match, when Dominic Stricker was forced to withdraw in the second set due to a back injury in the semifinal. 

Medjedovic was leading 4-3 (7-5) 2-1 when Stricker walked to the net and ended the match. 

Medjedovic hit 12 winners to 3 unforced errors. The Serbian player won three matches in the round-robin group. 

Medjedovic won 93% of his first serve points in the first set. Stricker did not drop a point on his first serve. Medjedovic earned his only mini-break to seal the tie-break 7-5. 

Medjedovic earned an early break in the third game of the second set to take a 2-1 lead before Stricker retired from the match. 

Medjedovic reached two semifinals in Gstaad and Astana. He is coached by Viktor Troicki. Stricker advanced to the semifinals at the 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan. 

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World Tennis League: Swiatek And Medvedev Among Top Names To Play Exhibition Event

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image via ATP Twitter

During the off-season, some of the world’s best players will head to the United Arab Emirates next month to play in a four-day team event. 

 

The World Tennis League (WTL) will host its second edition between December 21-24 at the Yas Island’s Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The event features a total of 16 players split into four groups with each of those teams competing for the trophy. Every group will have their own coach and even an owner. 

Earlier this week, organizers confirmed the last players to be added to the line-up. Casper Ruud, Hubert Hurkacz and Taylor Fritz will all play in the event which will feature a combination of singles and mixed doubles matches. Those who have already confirmed their entry include Iga Swiatek, Daniil Medvedev, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

As for who is in what group, the SG Mavericks Kites features Sabalanka, Tsitsipas, Paula Badosa and Grigor Dimitrov. The owners of that team are SG Sports, the sporting arm of APL Apollo Tubes. An Indian-based structural steel tube brand. Their coach will be former Australian Open doubles champion Robert Lindstedt.

Team Eagles will be made up of Medvedev, Rublev, Sofia Kenin and Mirra Andreeva. Their owners are the Punit Balan Group. Balan is an Indian film producer and owner of several sporting teams. They will be coached by John-Laffnie De Jager who has previously worked with the likes of Kevin Anderson, Daniella Hantuchova and Ajla Tomljanovic.

The Honor FX Falcons is named after owners Honor FX features. Rybakina, Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Leylah Fernandez are in that group which will be led by Chris Groh. Groh has previously coached Fritz during his teenage years. 

Finally, The Hawkes team has Swiatek, Hurkacz, Ruud and Caroline Garcia. The team are the only one yet to have an official owner. Sweden’s Simon Aspelin will be their coach. 

“We’re thrilled to be announcing more star names to our exceptional tennis line-up for season two of the World Tennis League,” Rajesh Banga, chairman of the World Tennis League, said.
“These players are of the highest calibre and prominent names around the world so we’re pleased they will be competing in the unique tournament at our new home in Etihad Arena.”

The schedule of the event will be the following:-

DAY ONE: Hawks Vs Honor FX Falcons, Team Eagles Vs SG Mavericks Kites

DAY TWO: Honor FX Falcons Vs SG Mavericks Kites, Team Eagles Vs Team Hawks 

Day Three: Team Eagles Vs Honor FX Falcons, SG Maverick Kites Vs Team Hawks

Day Four: knockout rounds

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Luca Van Assche rallies from two sets to one down to beat Alex Michelsen

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Luca Van Assche came back from two sets to one down to defeat Alex Michelsen 4-3 (7-0) 3-4 (4-7) 3-4 (4-7) 4-1 4-3 (8-6) in 2 hours and 36 minutes at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah in the second longest match in the history of this tournament. 

 

Van Assche and Michelsen went on serve in the first three sets. Both players saved all five break points they faced in the first three sets. 

There were three consecutive breaks in the fourth set. Van Assche earned two of them and served out the set at love in the fifth game. 

Both players traded breaks in the fifth and sixth games of the fifth set. Van Assche earned a chance to serve for the match, but Michelsen pulled back on serve to force a tie-break. 

Van Assche built a 3-0 in the tie-break with an early mini-break. Michelsen saved two match points to draw level to 6-6. Van Assche sealed the win with another mini-break on the second match point. 

“He was playing very well the whole match. It was really close. Not a lot of breaks and it was difficult for me but I am very happy”, said Van Assche. 

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