Agnieszka Radwanska announces retirement from professional tennis

Former World No.2 Agnieszka Radwanska has announced her retirement from professional tennis.

In a statement, the Pole said: "I'd like to share with you one of the most important decisions of my life. Today, after 13 years of playing tennis competitively, I have decided to end my career. This was not an easy decision. I am grateful to have so many special memories, including 20 WTA titles, the WTA Championships in Singapore, a Wimbledon final, and so many others.

"Unfortunately I am no longer able to train and play the way I used to, and recently my body can't live up to my expectations. Taking into consideration my health and the heavy burdens of professional tennis, I have to concede that I’m not able to push my body to the limits required."

Radwanska was the first Polish player to reach a Grand Slam singles final in the Open Era, and the first to win the WTA Finals. She was also voted the WTA Fan Favorite for six consecutive years.

She thanked her family and support team, and added: "I’m hanging the racquet up and say goodbye to the pro tour, but I’m not leaving tennis. Tennis is and always has been special in my life. But now it’s time for new challenges, new ideas, equally as exciting as those on the tennis court, I hope.

"Throughout my career, I always did my best to represent my country in the best possible way. I hope that my tennis matches were the source of emotions and joy for you all. Your support, warm words and faith in me were with me in every single match I played and this is what I’m thankful for. Thank you for every sleepless night in front of the TV and all those Fan Favorite awards – that was the biggest honour and best reward for my hard work. I am truly grateful for having the best and most loyal fans in all of tennis."

In all, Radwanska won 20 career WTA singles titles. In addition to her Wimbledon exploits, she reached the semifinals of the Australian Open twice, the quarterfinals of the French Open once, and also regularly featured in the second week of the US Open.

“Congratulations to Agnieszka on an outstanding career,” said WTA CEO and Chairman Steve Simon. “Agnieszka embodies the qualities that make a true champion, on the court delivering world class performances and incredible displays of athleticism, and off the court with her poise, professionalism and support for her fellow players. Agnieszka leaves a legacy on the game across the globe and on behalf of the WTA, she will truly be missed.”

wtatennis.com

Tennis will not be the same without you Aga, every match was always exciting to watch just for the sheer amount of incredible shots.  

There's a reason why the media dubbed you the Polish Ninja. Not only is this a huge loss for the sport of tennis itself, but for Polish tennis in particular. 

I think it's going to be a while before we have another player that can reach the elite level the way she did.  

Aga has always been compared to Martina Hingis for her similar style when it comes to net play, which is the biggest complement one can receive when it comes to the sport.  

With both of them retired now, I hope the new generation of players that come along adapt some of those same play qualities. It would be a real shame if that got completely lost.

Thank you for 13 years of  outstanding athleticism, and for representing your country with absolute grace and respect, you will be sorely missed on the WTA tour.  All the best in the new chapter ahead. 

Players defend Roger Federer over Julien Benneteau's unfair advantage claims

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic leapt to the defence of great rival Roger Federer on Tuesday (AEDT) after claims that the Swiss enjoys preferential treatment on Tour.


Frenchman Julien Benneteau caused a stir during an interview on French radio station RMC Sport on Monday in which he said tournament referees were often kinder to Federer when it came to scheduling his matches.

Benneteau was particularly referring to the Australian Open where he said 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer played “12 or 13” of his 14 matches at Melbourne in the past two years at night, so avoiding the often scorching temperatures.

He also suggested Federer’s Laver Cup project, an exhibition team event in which Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley is also involved, represented a conflict of interest.

“When he [Federer] promotes the Laver Cup, there are a number of conflicts of interest that have become disturbing,” Benneteau said.

“In the organisation of this event, there’s Craig Tiley, the boss of the Australian Open, who deals with marketing and television rights. He is paid by Roger Federer’s agent and, on the back of that, as luck would have it, Federer played 12 of his 14 matches at 7.30pm.”

Asked for his thoughts after his round-robin victory over American John Isner at the ATP Finals on Tuesday, Djokovic said Federer had earned the right for special treatment.

“In the end of the day, in a way he deserves the special treatment because he’s six-time champion of Australian Open and arguably the best player ever,” Djokovic told reporters.

“If he doesn’t have it, who is going to have it? People want to see him play on the centre court, and they want to see him play in showtime, the best hours, which is 7:30 at night in Rod Laver Arena.

Asked for his thoughts after his round-robin victory over American John Isner at the ATP Finals on Tuesday, Djokovic said Federer had earned the right for special treatment.

“I understand Julien’s point because sometimes it does seem that maybe certain players get more favoured year after year in certain tournaments. On the other side, you have to understand that Federer is a driving force of tennis in terms of revenue, in terms of attention.

“Julien and guys like him are also benefiting from tennis, because of Roger, because of what he has done for the sport.”

Isner went even further, saying the likes of Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal should get even more privileges.

“If anything, maybe they should get more special treatment because those guys, the top players, have made other players below them a lot of money,” the American said after his 6-4 6-3 defeat.

“It is like the Tiger Woods effect in golf. So that is how you can look at a guy like Roger. He is men’s tennis in my opinion. He deserves everything and more that he’s ever had.”

news.com.au

Roger Federer stays alive at ATP World Tour Finals defeating Thiem in straights

On a one-sided day of competition in London, Roger Federer and Kevin Anderson win in straight sets – meaning everyone in the Lleyton Hewitt Group is still in the hunt for the semifinals.

Roger Federer shook off a rusty performance in his first match at the ATP Finals by beating Dominic Thiem in straight sets in his second outing in London on Tuesday.

The Swiss star brushed Thiem aside in just 66 minutes, winning 6-2 6-3 to get his campaign back on track.

The victory followed Kevin Anderson’s 6-0 6-1 thumping of Kei Nishikori, a result that saw Anderson head the Lleyton Hewitt Group standings with two-straight-sets victories. All four players remain in contention for the semifinals

.

Lleyton Hewitt Group

	Player	W-L	Sets	Games
1	Kevin Anderson	2-0	4-0	25-10
2	Roger Federer	1-1	2-2	21-18
3	Kei Nishikori	1-1	2-2	14-21
4	Dominic Thiem	0-2	0-4	14-25

It also continued a streak of one-sided matches at the season-ending event; not one of the six round-robin matches played so far in London have extended to three sets.

“Amongst the best (matches) I’ve played. I felt I did a fantastic job throughout really,” said Anderson, who next plays Federer.

Nishikori beat an error-strewn Federer on the first day of the ATP Finals, but in his second outing he could not content with Anderson, who landed 78 per cent of his first serves, smacked 10 aces and did offer up a break point during the 64-minute rout.

The Japanese hastened his own demise with 24 unforced errors – including 15 from his forehand alone.

Still, it wasn’t as many unforced errors as what Thiem produced.

The Austrian managed just 11 winners while spraying 34 errors in his first match against Federer in two years. He won just three of his 11 points at net, and like Nishikori was unable to earn a break point at any stage of the match.

Federer appeared much sharper than in his first match, dominating on serve and landing 80 per cent of his returns to neutralise Thiem’s delivery.

“It feels good, I’m very happy I showed a reaction after the last match against Kei,” Federer said.

“No match is easy here and it’s not something I’m used to, losing and then coming back and playing again, but it’s a great challenge and I’m happy with my attitude and how I played.”

His attention now turns to Anderson, whom he lost to in their most recent meeting in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

“I hope it’s not a match like Kevin played this afternoon,” Federer said. “It’s never easy to play against him, especially indoors. He deserved that win at Wimbledon but hopefully I’ll get my revenge.”

Anderson simply needs to win a set off Federer to secure his place in the semifinals.

The only way his misses out is if he loses in straight sets and Nishikori wins in straight – and even then he could qualify if the group standings require a count of games won and loss to determine the semifinalists.

tennismash.com

Roger Federer cancels practice ahead of Thiem clash at ATP World Tour Finals

Federer was due to prepare for his meeting with Dominic Thiem tomorrow at Queen's Club in west London.

The Swiss star has opted to use the ATP 500 grass courts, despite the ATP Finals taking place on a hard court.

But after storming away from the O2 Arena last night in a foul mood following his shock defeat to Kei Nishikori, the world No 3 cancelled his practice session.

Federer had moaned about not finding a practice court with similar conditions to the match court after his opening-round defeat.

"I've been feeling, I mean, fine. It's just that practice has been a bit all over the place," Federer said.

"I practised in Queen's, practised on the outside courts here, then centre as well. So it's not always exactly the same conditions."

Federer has once again been handed the evening slot tomorrow so he will clash with Thiem at 8pm.

A defeat will likely spell the end of his campaign with one round-robin match remaining.

"I've been feeling, I mean, fine. It's just that practice has been a bit all over the place," Federer said.

"I practised in Queen's, practised on the outside courts here, then centre as well. So it's not always exactly the same conditions."

Federer has once again been handed the evening slot tomorrow so he will clash with Thiem at 8pm.

A defeat will likely spell the end of his campaign with one round-robin match remaining.

The court is very weird," said Zverev.

"When you hit it flat and hard like Cilic does, the court is very fast.

"When you hit it with more topspin, the court takes it away and it bounces up.

"It's more different than other tournaments. For me, it is pretty quick.

"Also Roger wants to play on the fastest court possible, I guess (smiling)."

express.co.uk

This does not bode well, I guess we'll see tomorrow, but this is definitely not good. 

Roger Federer loses 1st round of round robin in straight sets at ATP World Tour Finals

Seventh seed Kei Nishikori defeated six-time former champion Roger Federer 7-6(4), 6-3 on Sunday night at the Nitto ATP Finals. Nishikori, who is a two-time semi-finalist at the season finale held at The O2 in London, had not beaten Federer since March 2014 in Miami.

Nishikori required 88 minutes to wrap up the Group Lleyton Hewitt round-robin match. It marked his 43rd match win of the season, which includes three runner-up finishes at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (l. to Nadal), the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships 2018 (l. to Medvedev) and the Erste Bank Open 500 in Vienna (l. to Anderson.

Nishikori dropped to 0/30 when serving at 5-6, but trusted his technique and attacked Federer’s backhand to work his way back to level terms with a net approach and half volley backhand on the stretch. Nishikori shut the door closed and in the tie-break won six of the first seven points to put pressure on Federer. The second seed recovered to 4/6, however Federer struck a forehand in the net to end the 51-minute opener.

The pair exchanged service breaks at the beginning of the second set, then Nishikori broke Federer’s serve for a 4-2 advantage when aggressive play from the baseline once again reaped dividends.

Federer, who has now competed at the year-end championships 16 times, lifted the trophy in 2003-04, 2006-07, 2010-11. He drops to a 46-9 match record on the season.

“I felt we both struggled throughout the first set,” said Federer. “I had my chances maybe a bit more than he did. Then I started to feel better in the second set. I think we both did. The level went up. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep the lead that I got early. That was important, I think, at the end. That was the key of the match, that sort of - I guess – [a] 10-minute swing at the end of the first throughout maybe 1-1 in the second.”

Federer will next play sixth-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem on Tuesday in the round-robin group. Thiem lost to first-time qualifier and fourth seed Kevin Anderson of South Africa during the afternoon.

atpworldtour.com

The up and down performances of 2018 continue, this was probably his worst one, or 2nd worst one after Wimbledon.  Paris was his best (even though he also lost), this was definitely his worst.  

He was looking all kinds of uncomfortable and unhappy, it wasn't the Roger we know and love that's for sure.

Neither player was particularly impressive in this one to be honest, but Nishikori did just enough in the end by cleaning up his unforced errors.   

It's the first time in years that he's lost the opening round of round robin at this tournament in straight sets (and 46 previous victories). So things will only be harder now. 

But I'm holding on to hope that he'll find a way to bounce back against Thiem on Tuesday. 

Roger Federer & the "Elite 8" looking dapper before Nitto ATP Finals in London

Roger Federer eager to end positive season with success in London

Heading into the Nitto ATP Finals, Roger Federer took a moment to reflect on his 2018 season as he looks to end his year with a milestone 100th tour-level trophy at The O2 in London.

After a stunning 2017 season which saw the Swiss capture seven titles, including Grand Slam crowns at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, Federer was clear that his 2018 season has been a success as he heads into the elite eight-man event. After defending his Australian Open title to win his 20th major trophy in Januay, Federer has lifted three further titles this year and compiled a 46-8 tour-level record.

"If I would have known that last year, this would have been the season [I would have], I would have taken it," said Federer. "I am very happy that I won a Grand Slam. I am very happy that I played as well as I did throughout the season. Maybe Wimbledon and the US Open didn't go the way I was hoping, but those were really the only two disappointments of the season.

"I won a bunch of tournaments again and played great at the Australian Open. Again, I won my home tournament in Basel... I have just had a really solid season. I stayed injury free also, for most of the year, so I am actually very happy with this season so far."

With a record six titles at the Nitto ATP Finals, second-seeded Federer is eager to capture his first trophy at the season-ending tournament since 2011. Including his debut in 2002, the 99-time tour-level champion has competed in 15 of the past 16 editions of the event. Only in 2016, after cutting his season short to aid rehabilitation from knee surgery, has the Swiss not appeared at the season finale.

"I love playing this event. I always have, ever since I qualified for the very first time back in 2002," said Federer. "It was a massive highlight in my career to be amongst the best eight and I actually had a great run too, that first time in Shanghai."

Two of Federer's six triumphs in the unique competition have come in London, having lifted back-to-back titles at The 02 in 2010 and 2011. Playing in front of a packed crowd, in a world-renowned venue, has always provided Federer with the perfect end to a successful season. More than 250,000 fans attend the event annually, with global viewership figures reaching an average of 95 million viewers each year.

"Here at The O2 we have really had some great crowds, a beautiful, great venue and also some good matches too," said Federer.

Having hosted the event since 2009, when Nikolay Davydenko defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the championship match, the 10th edition of the event begins with questions over the future location of the tournament. With a contract in place until 2020 at The O2, plans for the future of the event, from 2021 onwards, will be announced early next year. Alongside a number of interested cities, London will be up for consideration when the ATP World Tour makes its decision not before March 2019.

"If [the tournament] stays I think it is definitely a good choice," said Federer. "I don't know what the options are. I think the options are clearly important to look at... If The O2 is happy and the crowds keep coming here to this venue and the Tour has a good deal, why not stay here?

"I don't see a reason to change, unless there is somewhere else. A city that really wants it badly and is really willing to come in and support the Tour in a major way for many years to come... I have enjoyed playing in a city that knows tennis very well and has got a strong media following. It has been a good place for us players to showcase our talents."

atpworldtour.com