World No 2 received a one-month suspension after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine
Continue reading...‘I was shocked’: Iga Swiatek explains positive trimetazidine result – video
Iga Swiatek, the world No 2 women’s tennis player, has spoken out following the International Tennis Integrity Agency's announcement that she would receive a one-month ban after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine. In a video statement posted on Instagram Swiatek said: 'It was a blow for me, I was shocked and this whole situation made me very anxious,' as she explained that a batch of her melatonin, which she takes for jet lag and sleep issues, had been contaminated. The ITIA has accepted that Swiatek’s positive doping test had been caused by her contaminated medication.
Continue reading...Iga Swiatek accepts one-month ban after testing positive for trimetazidine
- World No 2 deemed her level of fault ‘at the lowest end’
- Pole’s medication for jet lag and sleep was contaminated
Iga Swiatek, the world No 2 women’s tennis player, has received a one month ban after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) in August 2024.
In a statement on Thursday, the International Tennis Integrity Agency, which governs the tennis anti-doping programme, ruled that Swiatek’s anti-doping rule violation was not intentional and that she bore no significant fault or negligence for the positive test on “the lowest end of the range” and they imposed a one month ban.
Continue reading...‘Nightmare’: Juan Martín del Potro lives with daily pain after tennis career
- US Open champion’s career was scarred by injury
- Argentinian will face Novak Djokovic in farewell match
Former US Open champion Juan Martín del Potro has detailed the toll injuries took on his career and the pain he still experiences.
The 36-year-old’s last professional tournament came in February 2022 at the Argentina Open, when he hinted his career was over after a first-round loss. He had not played in the three years before that after fracturing his knee at Queen’s in 2019.
Continue reading...Jannik Sinner’s biggest opponent is off the court after astounding rise to the top | Tumaini Carayol
Italian has enjoyed a sublime 2024 on tour but Wada’s appeal after he was cleared over two positive doping tests looms ahead
At the end of the 2023 tennis season, as Jannik Sinner had elevated his game to new heights and his Italy team to their first Davis Cup title in 46 years, there was one comparison to note. Thirteen years earlier, Novak Djokovic had found his way after a difficult period by winning the Davis Cup, a victory that provided a platform for one of the greatest tennis seasons in 2011 and the start of his decade-plus reign.
Sinner’s first triumph for Italy at the Davis Cup has similarly preceded a staggering breakout season and, one year on, he ends 2024 as by far the best and most consistent tennis player in the world.
Continue reading...Jannik Sinner ‘proud’ to secure Italy’s second consecutive Davis Cup victory – video
Jannik Sinner clinched Italy’s second consecutive Davis Cup title and capped his breakthrough season at the top of tennis by beating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (2), 6-2 to complete a 2-0 win over the Netherlands in the final of the team competition. Sinner said he was 'proud of the whole team' and spoke of the competition's importance to Italy.
Continue reading...Jannik Sinner tops off dream year as Italy retain Davis Cup title
- World No 1 seals 2-0 triumph over Netherlands
- Berrettini beat Van de Zandschulp in first match
The rise of Italian men’s tennis has been forecast by many for years as a special generation of young, talented players gradually climbed towards the top of the game. It is fair to say that they have arrived. One year on from their second ever triumph in the competition, Italy won the Davis Cup for a second straight year by defeating the Netherlands 2-0 in Malaga.
In a rematch of Italy’s group-stage victory in September, Matteo Berrettini opened the tie with a dominant 6-4, 6-2 win over Botic van de Zandschulp, providing the perfect platform for Jannik Sinner, the world No 1. After edging a tough opening set against an impressive Tallon Griekspoor, Sinner opened up his shoulders and marched to a 7-6 (2), 6-2 victory.
Continue reading...Jannik Sinner overpowers Alex de Minaur to put Italy into Davis Cup final
- Italy beat Australia 2-0 in repeat of last year’s final
- They will face Netherlands, who beat Germany 2-0
Italy moved into the Davis Cup final after a 2-0 win over Australia on Saturday as Jannik Sinner defeated Alex de Minaur in straight sets to follow up Matteo Berrettini’s victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis for the defending champions.
A repeat of last year’s final ended with the same result and with Sinner, the world No 1, again seeing off De Minaur. That sent Italy into Sunday’s final where they will meet the Netherlands, who have reached the decider for the first time after a 2-0 win over Germany.
Continue reading...Andy Murray to coach Novak Djokovic for Australian Open
- Djokovic ‘excited to have a great rival on same side’
- Murray retired as a player at Paris Olympics
During Andy Murray’s emotional retirement ceremony this summer at Wimbledon, his interviewer, Sue Barker, wondered whether Murray would be keen to return purely as a spectator. She noted he had many options; a spot among the club members, an invitation into the royal box or even the commentary booth.
Murray, however, had other thoughts: “I’d probably be more comfortable sitting up there in a coaching box than somewhere else,” he said, pointing to the seats his own coaching team occupied.
Continue reading...Thanasi Kokkinakis and doubles pair inspire Australia to Davis Cup win over USA
- Doubles pair Jordan Thompson and Matt Ebden seal victory
- Italy or Argentina await in semi-final
Inspired captaincy, a nail-biting underdog’s win for Thanasi Kokkinakis and good old-fashioned Australian doubles pedigree has powered Australia into the semi-finals of the Davis Cup in Spain.
Lleyton Hewitt outduelled his USA counterpart Bob Bryan in the key captaincy decisions of their quarter-final tie in Malaga on Thursday as Australia defeated the Americans 2-1 in the battle between the two nations who have won the men’s “World Cup of tennis” more than any other.
Continue reading...Paolini sweeps aside Sramkova to secure fifth BJK Cup triumph for Italy
- Paolini and Bronzetti power Italy past Slovakia in final
- Raducanu reflects on ‘great’ run despite Britain’s defeat
Jasmine Paolini put on a masterclass to steer Italy to a fifth Billie Jean King Cup title as she beat Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 6-1 in the second singles rubber to wrap up a 2-0 win over Slovakia in the final on Wednesday.
A year after Italy suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Canada in the decider and over a decade since their last title in 2013, the charismatic Paolini demolished Sramkova before celebrating wildly with her teammates and jubilant Italian fans, including the men’s world No 1 Jannik Sinner.
Continue reading...‘His legacy is going to be eternal’: Alcaraz hails Nadal after final game – video
Carlos Alcaraz said Rafael Nadal's legacy will be 'eternal' after Spain were knocked out of the Davis Cup, where Nadal played the final match of his career. Alcaraz admitted Nadal's legacy will be hard to live up to, but said it was 'great to have had Rafa in tennis, in Spain, and in my life'.
Continue reading...Rafael Nadal: a career in pictures
One of the greatest tennis players of all time has retired from the game. We look back at some memorable moments of a glittering career
Continue reading...Rafael Nadal says farewell as his playing career ends after Davis Cup defeat – video
Rafael Nadal was defeated 6-4, 6-4 by Botic van de Zandschulp, his first Davis Cup singles loss in 20 years after winning 29 matches in a row. The quarter-final tie ended with the Netherlands defeating Spain 2-1 to end Nadal’s career. Afterwards, Nadal remained on court for a special ceremony and addressed the crowd, thanking all who had supported him through his career
Continue reading...‘You made me reimagine my game’: Federer pays tribute to retiring Nadal
- Swiss publishes emotional letter on social media
- Spaniard bidding goodbye at Davis Cup finals
Roger Federer has published a long letter paying tribute to great rival Rafael Nadal ahead of the Spaniard’s retirement, saying: “Your old friend is always cheering for you.”
Nadal is bidding goodbye to tennis at the Davis Cup finals in Malaga this week, with Spain beginning their campaign against the Netherlands later on Tuesday. Federer and Nadal’s rivalry defined one of the greatest eras in the sport, with the pair locking horns 40 times between 2004 and 2019.
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