Gael Monfils Practice Session with Elina Svitolina in Dubai
Couples that train together... Behind the baseline with Gael Monfils as he practices with Elina Svitolina at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 👀 SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/2dj6EhW WEBSITE: http://www.atptour.com/ FACEBOOK: https://ift.tt/2T3aGl9 TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ATP_Tour INSTAGRAM: https://ift.tt/2IoGZGP RADIO: http://bit.ly/2Dictrm PODCAST: http://bit.ly/2NilRRn About the Official ATP Tour YouTube Channel: Here you will find the latest videos from the ATP Tour, including hot shots, highlights, behind the scenes footage, documentaries and more. The ATP Tour showcases the best of the best, competing in 63 tournaments across 4 surfaces, all to be No. 1. Find all the action from on and off the court right here.
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Thursday 28 February 2019
Nick Kyrgios in X-rated rant about Rafael Nadal during Stan Wawrinka match
NICK KYRGIOS was once again involved in a bust up during his amazing Mexican Open run.
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Rafael Nadal retirement: Spanish star makes major admission - 'I'm not scared'
RAFAEL NADAL says he has no fears about calling time on his career when the time is right.
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Indian Wells Challenger Provides The Perfect Preparation
For players competing on the ATP Challenger Tour, the opportunity to test their talents at an ATP Tour venue is often a dream come true. There are currently five facilities that host tour-level and Challenger tournaments - Indian Wells, Shanghai, Chengdu, Zhuhai and Pune - but only one features both events in consecutive weeks.
The beginning of the 2019 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 season is just a few days away, as players begin to descend on Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open. And with unique conditions in the California desert, this week's Oracle Challenger Series Indian Wells provides the perfect preparation for those hoping to extend their stay.
The Coachella Valley is already buzzing with world-class tennis, boasting five Top 100 players including World No. 27 Kyle Edmund. Russian star Andrey Rublev and last week's Delray Beach finalist Daniel Evans are also in the field and will feature in Friday's quarter-finals.
Into the QFs without dropping a set... @AndreyRublev97!
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) February 28, 2019
The 🇷🇺 secures his place in the last eight @OracleChallngrs Indian Wells pic.twitter.com/Zegf5qnRpr
"Playing more matches is important, so I decided to come here," said Rublev, who is seeking a Top 100 return after struggling with a back injury last year. "I played the Masters 1000 three or four times and I always lost first round. I even came here a week earlier but it never helped. But now I'm playing real matches at the Challenger and feeling all the emotions here, so I'm better prepared. I just really love the Indian Wells atmosphere and it's my favourite trip of the year.
"It's a Challenger, but it's a really tough one. Yesterday, Istomin played Evans and that could be the second round of an ATP Tour event. There are so many good players and it's good to play with them at this tournament."
The tournament is particularly special for top seed Kyle Edmund, who is targeting a return to form in his comeback from a knee injury. The British No. 1 secured his first match wins of 2019 in defeating Tommy Robredo and Lukas Rosol to open his Indian Wells campaign. Now into the quarter-finals, the 24-year-old is hoping a deep Challenger run can kick-start his season.
"I'd only played two matches at the start of the year and did a physical block since," said Edmund. "But you can only play matches if you win and it's not easy here. With two tournaments at the same venue and being slightly different conditions in the desert, it makes sense to come here and try to basically start the year. So far, I'm happy with how I'm progressing.
"Especially for the guys playing the Masters 1000 event or even the qualies, it makes sense to come here early. Throughout the year we're constantly traveling and always moving from one tournament to the next every week. To be in the same place for two to three weeks is great."
While both Edmund and Rublev are looking to rediscover their elite level, Lloyd Harris is putting the rest of the tour on notice as he continues his ascent. One spot off his career-high ATP Ranking, the World No. 99 is coming off a title run at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Launceston, Australia, which propelled him to the Top 100 for the first time.
South Africa's newest star is gearing up for his first appearance in qualifying of an ATP Masters 1000 event. But first, he has his sights set on a fourth Challenger crown.
"I thought it would be really good preparation to get used to the courts and I think it was a good decision," Harris added. "By next week I will have had a week and a half here. And this doesn't feel like a Challenger to be honest. I just played a couple ATP 250s and this feels no different. Both my matches here have been incredibly tough."
A strong quarter-final slate is on tap for Friday, featuring Edmund, Rublev, Harris and Evans, along with Jason Jung, Alex Bolt, Yannick Maden and Salvatore Caruso.
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Kyrgios Thrives In Acapulco 2019 Atmosphere
Nick Kyrgios talks about his quarter-final win over Stan Wawrinka and why he loves playing at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com.
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Roger Federer DEFENDS Nick Kyrgios in wake of furious Rafael Nadal battle at Mexican Open
ROGER FEDERER has jumped to the defence of Nick Kyrgios for trying out an underarm serve in his epic win over Rafael Nadal in the Mexican Open.
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Blood, Sweat And Cramps: Kyrgios Defeats Wawrinka In Acapulco Thriller
In a match that started with blood and was filled with gripping drama for more than two-and-a-half hours, Nick Kyrgios outlasted Stan Wawrinka 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4 to reach the semi-finals at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Kyrgios will play fellow Aussie John Millman or third seed John Isner of the United States in the next round.
More to come...
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Sitak/Krajicek Upset Third Seeds In Acapulco
Artem Sitak and Austin Krajicek upset third seeds Robert Farah/Juan Sebastian Cabal of Colombia 7-6(5), 6-4 on Thursday for a place in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC semi-finals.
Krajicek/Sitak pressured the Colombians' serves all match, seeing 14 break points and converting three. The Kiwi/American duo will meet Marcel Granollers/Nikola Mektic, who beat Robert Lindstedt/Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-4.
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Spaniards Feliciano Lopez/Marc Lopez (no relation) fought past Mexico's Santiago Gonzalez and Pakistani Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi 5-7, 6-4, 12-10. The Lopezes will meet Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan or Alexander Zverev/Mischa Zverev.
At the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Indian qualifiers Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan/Purav Raja escaped Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber and Spain's Fernando Verdasco 7-6(3), 6-7(5), 10-8.
And at the Brasil Open, Argentines Federico Delbonis/Maximo Gonzalez toppled top seeds Pablo Cuevas/Horacio Zeballos 6-4, 7-6(5).
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What Do Federer And Alicia Keys Have In Common?
On the surface, there isn’t much in common between Roger Federer and Alicia Keys. One is an R&B singer who has hit the top of the music charts, while the other has hit the top of the ATP Rankings.
But, as it turns out, they're both entertainers.
Although Federer doesn’t sing or dance (unless you count his silky footwork on the court), he also fills stadiums and plays to adoring fans worldwide. The Swiss star explained in a recent interview that the similarities hit home when he watched Keys perform last week at the Dubai Jazz Festival.
“I saw how she was enjoying herself playing the piano for 12,000 people. People have bought an expensive ticket and she was trying to give them their money’s worth. I try to do the same to entertain people,” said Federer to the Gulf News.
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Federer also enjoys a celebrity status similar to Keys in other ways. Fans often show up to his matches wearing his UNIQLO gear or holding signs professing their love for him. Tournament security guards shepherd him from one location to another as cameras click and whir, all while fans shout his name or hold items for him to sign. The carnival atmosphere that his mere presence creates makes it clear that this is a man with star power.
The 99-time ATP Tour singles champion is keenly aware his fans are what enable him to enjoy a lucrative career, and has always made it a point to show them his best. Just as a standing ovation concert and lengthy autograph session by Keys in Dubai will encourage fans to see her the next time she’s in town, he knows a vintage performance on Centre Court will bring more people back to the Aviation Club Tennis Centre in 2020.
“You see the queues for tickets and all the love and affection of the fans. It makes you realise that maybe you’re more than a tennis player - an entertainer or ambassador of the game if you like,” he added to the Gulf News. “I do what I can to inspire people by shaking hands at a meet-and-greet or saying something in an interview. I want people to think [I] give the crowd 100 per cent and don't do anything half-hearted, so that they can come back to a tennis arena again.”
And just like Keys, the Swiss star is the antithesis of the A-list entertainer stereotype. There are no diva demands or temper tantrums. His ‘entourage’ is his family and long-time coaches Ivan Ljubicic and Severin Luthi. It’s often assumed that one makes it to the top of an industry by being cutthroat, but Federer has proven that isn’t necessary.
“I have been told in the past that [I’m] too nice to be successful, but I think I have been able to do both by being respectful to people,” said Federer. “You have to remember why you are in such a privileged position. I can’t thank my fans enough… so many of them have touched my life along the way.”
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Hot Shot: Kyrgios Rips Forehand Bullet vs. Wawrinka At Acapulco 2019
Nick Kyrgios brings the heat with this outrageous forehand at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com. Photo: Abierto Mexicano Telcel
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Video : Hot Shot: Kyrgios Rips Forehand Bullet vs. Wawrinka At Acapulco 2019
Hot Shot: Kyrgios Rips Forehand Bullet vs. Wawrinka At Acapulco 2019
Nick Kyrgios brings the heat with this outrageous forehand at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com. Photo: Abierto Mexicano Telcel
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Nick Kyrgios brings the heat with this outrageous forehand at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com. Photo: Abierto Mexicano Telcel
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Hot Shot: Wawrinka Wins Quality Exchange With Kyrgios At Acapulco 2019
Stan Wawrinka is rewarded for his scrambling against Nick Kyrgios at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com. Photo: Abierto Mexicano Telcel
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Video : Hot Shot: Wawrinka Wins Quality Exchange With Kyrgios At Acapulco 2019
Hot Shot: Wawrinka Wins Quality Exchange With Kyrgios At Acapulco 2019
Stan Wawrinka is rewarded for his scrambling against Nick Kyrgios at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com. Photo: Abierto Mexicano Telcel
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Stan Wawrinka is rewarded for his scrambling against Nick Kyrgios at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com. Photo: Abierto Mexicano Telcel
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Zverev Discusses De Minaur Victory At Acapulco 2019
Alexander Zverev had plenty of reason to be satisfied with his quarter-final win over Alex de Minaur at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com.
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Video : Zverev Discusses De Minaur Victory At Acapulco 2019
Zverev Discusses De Minaur Victory At Acapulco 2019
Alexander Zverev had plenty of reason to be satisfied with his quarter-final win over Alex de Minaur at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com.
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Alexander Zverev had plenty of reason to be satisfied with his quarter-final win over Alex de Minaur at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com.
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Zverev Continues De Minaur Dominance In Acapulco
Alexander Zverev continues to have Alex de Minaur's number. The German improved his FedEx ATP Head2Head against the #NextGenATP Aussie to 4-0 with a convincing 6-4, 6-4 win on Thursday to reach the semi-finals of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC.
"We played three times last year and we're going to play many more times in the future. He's a great young player with a lot of potential," said Zverev. "It's never easy to play him, especially after last night (vs. Ferrer), which was a very emotional match for me and the crowd. I'm happy to get through."
The second seed is through to the last four in Acapulco for the second straight year. He hasn't dropped a set in three matches this week and has been especially impressive on serve. Zverev fired 13 aces and won 91 per cent (29/32) of first-serve points against de Minaur, requiring a single break in each set to advance in 75 minutes.
Although de Minaur is off to an impressive start this season, including winning his first title last month at the Sydney International (d. Seppi) and building an 11-3 record overall, he is now 0-11 against Top 10 players.
Next up for Zverev is Brit Cameron Norrie, who reached his first ATP 500 semi-final by easing past American Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 6-2. McDonald was far from his best and finished the day with 13 winners to 35 unforced errors, but Norrie avoided complicating matters by saving all four break points he faced. The Brit, a runner-up last month at the ASB Classic (l. to Sandgren), improves to 8-4 this season.
"I was nervous. It was a big opportunity for both of us, but I played really solid today. I got a lot of rhythm from my match yesterday against Diego [Schwartzman] and I'm really stoked to get into my first [ATP 500] semi-final," said Norrie. "I've got nothing to lose tomorrow and all the pressure is on [Zverev]."
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Hot Shot: Zverev Rips Mammoth Forehand Winner vs. De Minaur At Acapulco 2019
Alexander Zverev doesn't hold back against Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com. Photo: Abierto Mexicano Telcel
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Video : Hot Shot: Zverev Rips Mammoth Forehand Winner vs. De Minaur At Acapulco 2019
Hot Shot: Zverev Rips Mammoth Forehand Winner vs. De Minaur At Acapulco 2019
Alexander Zverev doesn't hold back against Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com. Photo: Abierto Mexicano Telcel
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Alexander Zverev doesn't hold back against Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com. Photo: Abierto Mexicano Telcel
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Felix Will Go For Revenge Against Djere
#NextGenATP Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime will have another shot at Serbian Laslo Djere. The two Rio Open presented by Claro finalists will meet again on Friday in the quarter-finals of the Brasil Open in Sao Paulo.
Auger-Aliassime reached the last eight with a gritty 7-6(2), 7-6(5) win against 2017 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters finalist Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain. Auger-Aliassime hit 16 aces and won 85 per cent of his first-serve points.
One week after he reached his first ATP Tour semi-final, the 18-year-old has an opportunity to make back-to-back semi-finals. But the teenager insisted that he isn't looking ahead.
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“I've won two matches now. I'm not even halfway through the tournament, it's still very tough, very good players in the draw still,” Auger-Aliassime said. “I don't want to get too far ahead thinking about the future.
“In terms of the season, I think I've done a good job already. It's about keeping going and being consistent week after week, and my ranking is going to go high if I'm consistent.”
Auger-Aliassime is playing at a career-high ATP Ranking of No. 60 and is projected to crack the Top 50 if he wins his maiden title at the ATP 250 in Sao Paulo.
Djere celebrated his first ATP Tour title on Sunday by beating Auger-Aliassime. Both players were competing in their maiden final.
The Serbian advanced to the last eight in Sao Paulo by upsetting second seed Malek Jaziri of Tunisia 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(2). The match was as even as the scoreline suggests: Djere won only one more point than Jaziri (102-101).
“[My confidence] is at the highest possible level. I'm playing good tennis, so I will just keep pushing and trying to give each and every match my best,” Djere said.
#NextGenATP Norwegian Casper Ruud beat Portugal's Joao Sousa for the second consecutive week. Ruud knocked out the top seed 6-3, 6-4 to make his second consecutive quarter-final (Rio, Sao Paulo).
“I started very well and just kept on playing very good,” said Ruud, who's only ATP Tour semi-final came two years ago in Rio.
He will next face Bolivia's Hugo Dellien, who beat Cordoba Open champion Juan Ignacio Londero of Argentina 6-4, 7-6(3). Last week, Dellien qualified in Rio and became the first Bolivian to reach an ATP Tour quarter-final since Mario Martinez in 1983 (Washington SF).
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Kyrgios Talks Confidence Boost From Nadal Win At Acapulco 2019
Nick Kyrgios discusses what his win over Rafael Nadal at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC can mean for the rest of his season. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com.
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Norris Delighted With Maiden ATP 500 Semi-final at Acapulco 2019
Cameron Norrie is thrilled with his milestone moment after beating Mackenzie McDonald at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Watch live matches at http://www.tennistv.com.
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Uncovered: Ouch! The Most Bittersweet Victory Of Richard Krajicek's Career
ATP Uncovered presented Peugeot looks back on Richard Krajicek's bittersweet victory in Rotterdam in 1995 and how he came back to lift the trophy again two years later, under much happier circumstances.
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Coric Looks Ahead To Federer SF In Dubai
Borna Coric is pleased to be moving on into the semi-finals at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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Federer on Kyrgios' Underarm Serve: No Shame In Trying It
On Wednesday evening, Nick Kyrgios used an underarm serve to try to catch World No. 2 Rafael Nadal, who was standing near the back wall to return, off guard in their second-round match at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. While the Aussie didn’t make the serve, Roger Federer endorsed the move on Thursday after his quarter-final win at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
“Underarm is definitely a tactic, I believe. Especially when guys are hugging the fence in the back. From that standpoint, [you] shouldn't be ashamed if you try it out. [You] just look silly if you miss it sometimes. Why not try it?” Federer said. “The problem is in practice, you never really try it. When you come out in the big stage in front of a full crowd, [it is] tricky to pull off.”
Federer was asleep in Dubai as Kyrgios won a thriller against Nadal in a third-set tie-break. But the 37-year-old Swiss caught glimpses of the action on Thursday and was impressed with what he saw.
“I saw some highlights. The end was epic. [It] had everything, [it was] dramatic,” Federer said. “It was I'm sure definitely a good match to be in the stadium to watch as a fan.”
While it was not nearly as dramatic as Kyrgios saving three match points in his victory against Nadal — Federer won in straight sets against Marton Fucsovics — the second seed saved two set points to avoid losing the first set against the Hungarian. Federer acknowledged how important the mental aspect of tennis is in those tight moments.
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“I think the game of tennis is very challenging on the mind. We tend to push it away sometimes with a high pulse, high-intensity match. You think maybe less of what losing that point or winning that point could mean. You just focus on getting to the ball. I think it's very demanding,” Federer said. “I think it's all about trying to put yourself in the best position time and time again, sort of push luck on your side. Some days you get it, some days you don't.
“I do believe the better player wins, but not always. You have to battle hard because the margins are extremely slim in the game nowadays.”
Federer will hope to avoid drama on Friday as he continues his chase for tour-level title No. 100 in the semi-finals against Borna Coric. The Croatian has won the pair’s past two FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings, so Federer, who was pushed to three sets in his first two matches this week, knows he will have to be on the top of his game
“I believe I've gotten better as the tournament went on. But I think that's always a logical thing to happen. It's very rare that you come out and play a horrible match in the quarters or in the semis of a tournament because you've achieved a certain level and a sort of standard of play,” Federer said. “He was making me work hard tonight. I think this match is going to hopefully lift my game a notch for tomorrow.”
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Highlights: Federer, Tsitsipas Advance On Thursday In Dubai 2019
Watch highlights as Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas advance on Thursday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Watch live tennis at hptts://www.tennistv.com. Photo: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
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Video : Highlights: Federer, Tsitsipas Advance On Thursday In Dubai 2019
Highlights: Federer, Tsitsipas Advance On Thursday In Dubai 2019
Watch highlights as Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas advance on Thursday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Watch live tennis at hptts://www.tennistv.com. Photo: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
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Watch highlights as Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas advance on Thursday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Watch live tennis at hptts://www.tennistv.com. Photo: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
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Tsitsipas One Win From Top 10 Breakthrough
This week last year, #NextGenATP Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas was No. 82 in the ATP Rankings. But if the 20-year-old defeats Rotterdam champion Gael Monfils on Friday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals titlist will crack the world’s Top 10 for the first time.
“I'm thinking about it almost every day,” Tsitsipas said with a smile. “I want it badly. I want it to happen very much."
Tsitsipas began the week with 2,965 ATP Ranking points, and will drop 90 of those on Monday from his quarter-final showing in Dubai last year. But if the two-time ATP Tour champion reaches the final, he will add 300 points, which is a net gain of 210 points. That would bring his total to 3,175, pending his performance in the final.
World No. 10 Marin Cilic, who has been inside the Top 10 since 31 October 2016, lost in the first round in Dubai. While he did not compete this week last season, he adds no points, and will stay at 3,095. That means that Tsitsipas would pass the Croat by reaching the final.
“It's a good motivation, because I'm so close, to get it as early as possible. Me personally, I feel like I have the game to be there already, maybe even in the future, but as soon as possible. It's better if it happens as soon as possible. It's better for me, for my confidence as well.”
If Tsitsipas wins the Dubai title, the Greek can climb as high as No. 9, pending American John Isner's results at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Isner can maintain his ninth spot if he beats Aussie John Millman in the Acapulco quarter-finals.
| Player | ATP Ranking Points Per Round |
| John Isner | 3,315 (Acapulco QF), 3,405 (SF), 3,525 (Runner-up), 3,725 (Champion) |
| Marin Cilic | 3,095 (R1 loss in Dubai) |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | 3,055 (Dubai SF), 3,175 (Runner-up), 3,375 (Champion) |
Did You Know?
If Tsitsipas breaks into the Top 10, he will be the youngest player in the elite group. With Tsitsipas replacing Cilic, the average age of the Top 10 would be 29.
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Roger Federer wants Novak Djokovic ATP showdown talks: 'Good or bad, it’s going to happen'
ROGER FEDERER says he will hold talks with Novak Djokovic next month in a bid to weigh in on the future of ATP executive chairman and president Chris Kermode.
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Video : Federer 'Very Happy To Have Found A Way' In Dubai 2019
Federer 'Very Happy To Have Found A Way' In Dubai 2019
Roger Federer reflects on his quarter-final win against Marton Fucsovics at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and previews potential matches against Borna Coric and Nikoloz Basilashvili. Watch live tennis streams at http://www.tennistv.com.
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Roger Federer reflects on his quarter-final win against Marton Fucsovics at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and previews potential matches against Borna Coric and Nikoloz Basilashvili. Watch live tennis streams at http://www.tennistv.com.
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Federer 'Very Happy To Have Found A Way' In Dubai 2019
Roger Federer reflects on his quarter-final win against Marton Fucsovics at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and previews potential matches against Borna Coric and Nikoloz Basilashvili. Watch live tennis streams at http://www.tennistv.com.
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Roger Federer: Did Swiss superstar drop F-BOMB in Marton Fucsovics Dubai win?
ROGER FEDERER was handed an audible obscenity warning from the umpire after appearing to scream "f***" in his win over Marton Fucsovics.
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My Point: 'There Were Moments When I Didn't See The Way Out'
My right arm was tingling.
I was home in Miami in April 2013, when one morning I woke up at 8:00 am. At first, I thought I had slept in an awkward position. No big deal.
But then my wife asked me a question, and the corner of my lip started drooping. It only got worse from then on and as the hours went by, I lost feeling in my arm and my ability to speak. By the end of the day, I didn’t know my name or what year it was. When medical staff at the hospital asked me questions, I couldn’t respond.
There were days when I woke up and thought, ‘Okay, I’m still alive.’ But the headaches would get crazy. It reached a point where the pain was so unbearable, I almost wanted to die so it would stop. It turns out I had encephalitis, inflammation of the brain.
When I eventually left the hospital I was a different man, realising what was important in my life. Everything cleared up and I knew what I really loved to do: tennis.
Still, getting back on the court was difficult. I began by practising for five minutes. The next day it was eight minutes, then 10 minutes. It was not easy, and I was worried because I was still at risk of the encephalitis returning. I had always been scared of dying, but after this experience I thought that if it happened, it happened.
I was most scared when I had to get on an airplane for the first time since I got sick. There were so many thoughts going through my head: What if the pain came back during the flight? Would anyone understand what was happening to me? Would anyone be able to help?
As I sat on the plane, I noticed that I was completely wet, drenched with sweat. You would have thought that I had walked through a torrential rainstorm to get on the plane.
But as the days went on, things would gradually become more bearable. I was positive about one thing: I was 34 years old and while I understood it would take time to fully recover, there was no way I would finish my career on those terms. I wouldn’t let the disease take away my lifelong passion. Not after everything I’d been through.
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I started playing tennis when I was six years old, and to be honest, I didn’t really like it at first. I was young and I didn’t understand the game. Growing up in Croatia in the 1980s, everything was about soccer. That was all that was on TV, so of course I was more into that. Tennis? Barely anyone in my country knew the rules.
I remember watching Boris Becker win his first Wimbledon in 1985 when I was six, and I thought his all-silver Puma racquet was the coolest thing. It was expensive and almost impossible to find at home. A few years later he switched to a red-and-blue racquet, so in 1990 I was able to find a cheap, used version of the all-silver one that I had once looked upon in awe on my TV. I took it everywhere I went.
While living in Croatia at the time meant living in Communism, the one benefit was that sports clubs were basically free for kids. I could go there and practise every day and I didn’t have to pay anything. That was important, because my parents couldn’t afford much.
When I was 11 years old, the Croatian War of Independence started and that’s when everything changed. For the next three years, there were very few possibilities to play. It was a dangerous time, as there were airplanes flying above our city while we were all underground in shelters.
Even as it became safer outside towards the end of the war, tennis became very expensive. So I would always wait until the evenings when the courts were empty, because that’s the only time I was able to practise. There was nobody to play with, so all I was able to do was serve for hours and hours. I guess that explains some things.
When I became a professional tennis player, life didn’t get easier. I didn’t break into the Top 100 until I was 24 and there were moments when I didn’t see the way out. It was difficult to survive, so I played a lot of club matches in places like Croatia, Slovenia and Germany between tournaments to earn the cash I needed to travel to more events.
I was okay without having a lot of money and it was fine if I didn’t stay in the official tournament hotel. I was okay hustling because I did what I had to do to climb the ATP Rankings. I would do whatever it took to make a living as a professional tennis player.
But throughout almost all of last season, I lost the desire to train and compete. It was the worst at Roland Garros, where all I wanted to do was go home. It felt disgusting to even hold the racquet in my hand, and losing did not sting like it used to.
I was 39 and I have two kids at home. When I left them, it was difficult, and I didn’t have enough love for the sport to make it worth it. That is why my Ranking dropped to No. 138 in September. Overcoming encephalitis was one thing. Battling myself was another.
But then I set a goal: I wanted to get into the Australian Open. If I didn’t, I would retire. So I decided to play five ATP Challenger Tour events to try to make the main draw in Melbourne. I knew I had very little room for error and that gave me the will to fight again, because I had something to strive for. I ended up getting into the Australian Open and making the final in Pune, which has put me in good position to play many of the big ATP Tour events in the coming months.
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Today I turn 40 and I think I’m still doing pretty well. I’m just happy I’m still able to play tennis at a high level. Every time I have a good result I get mentioned with guys like Jimmy Connors and Ken Rosewall and even though it’s only while we’re talking about age, I still think that’s pretty cool. I don’t feel any weaker or any slower than when I was 38, so why not keep going?
I have worked hard all my life: I’ve served on a war-torn court, overcome financial challenges and health setbacks, yet I'm still swinging.
I’ve learned that it’s easier to go through tough moments if you really like what you’re doing. If you really want something, you will find a way. When there is desire, everything becomes easier. It is easier to train. It is easier to travel. It is easier to fight on the court. You just have to want it, and I still want this sport. I’m not done yet.
- as told to Andrew Eichenholz
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Roger Federer explains frustration after Marton Fucsovics win
ROGER FEDERER says he was frustrated at times with his performances as he beat Marton Fucsovics to reach the Dubai Tennis Championships semi-finals.
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Hot Shot: Monfils Anticipates Well For Dubai 2019 Winner
Watch Hot Shot as Gael Monfils, wide outside the court, anticipates well on Thursday for a winner against Ricardas Berankis in Dubai. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2EFqqmp
Federer Forges Forward In Pursuit Of History In Dubai
Roger Federer faced two set points in an opening-set tie-break on Thursday to lose a set for his third consecutive match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. But the seven-time Dubai champion stayed calm and eliminated Hungarian Marton Fucsovics 7-6(6), 6-4 in one hour and 56 minutes, continuing his pursuit of a historic 100th tour-level title.
Federer remains undefeated in Dubai quarter-finals, advancing to the last four at the ATP 500 tennis tournament, where he holds a 51-6 record, for the 11th time. He will face sixth seed Borna Coric or two-time ATP Tour champion Nikoloz Basilashvili for a spot in his 10th final at the event.
The 37-year-old Swiss is now just two victories away from earning his eighth Dubai crown and becoming the second player in the Open Era to win 100 tour-level trophies. The only other player to accomplish the feat is Jimmy Connors, who captured 109 titles.
Reaching the semi-finals was not easy, though. Fucsovics did well to maintain his court-positioning for much of the match, using his forehand down the line to keep the Swiss on the back foot and try to dictate play as much as he could. Federer was never able to consistently dominate rallies, making for a tense affair with entertaining points.
After Federer stormed to a 3/0 lead in the tie-break. Fucsovics won five consecutive points, and then earned two set points at 6/4. But the Hungarian showed some nerves, hitting a couple of forehands into the net to allow Federer to take the lead.
But despite Federer breaking early in the second set, Fucsovics battled hard and regained his rhythm on the forehand wing to break back. At 4-4, Fucsovics fended off three break points when a slight rain began to fall, forcing a break in play that lasted less than 10 minutes (the second short rain delay of the match). While Federer could not convert another opportunity he earned after play resumed, Fucsovics could not fend off a fifth chance, missing a forehand down the line wide to give the Swiss a crucial second break in the set.
Federer won just two more points than Fucsovics, but he was able to advance in straight sets for the first time this week. Federer won 45 per cent of return points agains the World No. 35.
Coric defeated Federer twice last year, to win the Halle title and reach the Shanghai final.. Federer lost just five games to Basilashvili three years ago in the first round of the Australian Open.
Federer now leads Fucsovics 2-0 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series after also defeating the Hungarian in straight sets at last year’s Australian Open.
Did You Know?
If Federer triumphs in Dubai, it will be the fourth tournament at which he has captured eight titles. He has lifted nine trophies in both Basel and Halle, while emerging victorious at Wimbledon eight times.
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Tsitsipas Reveals Plan For Monfils Rematch Dubai 2019
Stefanos Tsitsipas discusses his quarter-final victory against Hubert Hurkacz at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and looks ahead to his semi-final against Gael Monfils. Watch live tennis streams at http://www.tennistv.com.
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Roger Federer vs Marton Fucsovics LIVE: Dubai quarter-final updates as Swiss eyes semis
ROGER FEDERER VS MARTON FUCSOVICS LIVE: Express Sport brings you full coverage as the 20-time Grand Slam champion plays in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
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Video : Hot Shot: Tsitsipas, Hurkacz Battle Hard At Dubai 2019
Hot Shot: Tsitsipas, Hurkacz Battle Hard At Dubai 2019
Watch Hot Shot as Herbert Hurkacz scrambles on Thursday before Stefanos Tsitsipas finally finishes off the rally during their Dubai clash. Photo: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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Watch Hot Shot as Herbert Hurkacz scrambles on Thursday before Stefanos Tsitsipas finally finishes off the rally during their Dubai clash. Photo: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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Hot Shot: Tsitsipas, Hurkacz Battle Hard At Dubai 2019
Watch Hot Shot as Herbert Hurkacz scrambles on Thursday before Stefanos Tsitsipas finally finishes off the rally during their Dubai clash. Photo: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2Xwh5o3
Monfils Delighted To Reach Dubai 2019 Semi-finals
Gael Monfils admits he needed to raise his energy levels on Thursday against Ricardas Berankis to reach the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semi-finals. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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Video : Monfils Delighted To Reach Dubai 2019 Semi-finals
Monfils Delighted To Reach Dubai 2019 Semi-finals
Gael Monfils admits he needed to raise his energy levels on Thursday against Ricardas Berankis to reach the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semi-finals. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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Gael Monfils admits he needed to raise his energy levels on Thursday against Ricardas Berankis to reach the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semi-finals. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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Nick Kyrgios TAUNTS Rafael Nadal after Mexican Open win: 'I can smell the blood'
NICK KYRGIOS has appeared to taunt Rafael Nadal on social media after beating the Spaniard in dramatic circumstances at the Mexican Open.
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Nick Kyrgios makes honest confession about Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
NICK KYRGIOS says working hard is the only way he will ever be able to beat the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to Grand Slam titles.
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Why Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic do not want to face Nick Kyrgios - Rafael Nadal
RAFAEL NADAL says his fellow greats Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic do not like facing Nick Kyrgios.
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Video : Hot Shot: Monfils Anticipates Well For Dubai 2019 Winner
Hot Shot: Monfils Anticipates Well For Dubai 2019 Winner
Watch Hot Shot as Gael Monfils, wide outside the court, anticipates well on Thursday for a winner against Ricardas Berankis in Dubai. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/2dj6EhW WEBSITE: http://www.atptour.com/ FACEBOOK: https://ift.tt/2T3aGl9 TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ATP_Tour INSTAGRAM: https://ift.tt/2IoGZGP RADIO: http://bit.ly/2Dictrm PODCAST: http://bit.ly/2NilRRn About the Official ATP Tour YouTube Channel: Here you will find the latest videos from the ATP Tour, including hot shots, highlights, behind the scenes footage, documentaries and more. The ATP Tour showcases the best of the best, competing in 63 tournaments across 4 surfaces, all to be No. 1. Find all the action from on and off the court right here.
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Watch Hot Shot as Gael Monfils, wide outside the court, anticipates well on Thursday for a winner against Ricardas Berankis in Dubai. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/2dj6EhW WEBSITE: http://www.atptour.com/ FACEBOOK: https://ift.tt/2T3aGl9 TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ATP_Tour INSTAGRAM: https://ift.tt/2IoGZGP RADIO: http://bit.ly/2Dictrm PODCAST: http://bit.ly/2NilRRn About the Official ATP Tour YouTube Channel: Here you will find the latest videos from the ATP Tour, including hot shots, highlights, behind the scenes footage, documentaries and more. The ATP Tour showcases the best of the best, competing in 63 tournaments across 4 surfaces, all to be No. 1. Find all the action from on and off the court right here.
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Roger Federer vs Marton Fucsovics LIVE STREAM: How to watch Dubai quarter-final showdown
ROGER FEDERER live stream - Swiss star is in quarter-final action at the Dubai Tennis Championship against Marton Fucsovics and Express Sport brings you details on how to watch the match.
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Monfils Extends Winning Streak, Reaches Dubai Semi-finals
Gael Monfils will break back in the Top 20 of the ATP Rankings on Monday after extending his winning streak to eight matches by advancing to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semi-finals.
Monfils, who captured his eighth ATP Tour crown on 17 February at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam (d. Wawrinka), knocked out Lithuanian qualifier Ricardas Berankis 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-2 in one hour and 55 minutes on Thursday at the Aviation Club in Dubai.
Monfils, who has suffered a catalogue of injuries since rising to a career-high No. 6 on 7 November 2016, was last ranked in the Top 20 on 24 July 2017 (at No. 16). With a 12-2 record in 2019, the Frenchman will now face fifth-seeded #NextGenATP Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas or Hubert Hurkacz of Poland on Friday.
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Nick Kyrgios: This is the REAL reason I beat Rafael Nadal at Mexican Open
NICK KYRGIOS says simply competing hard was the key to his shock win over Rafael Nadal.
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Marton Fucsovics makes Roger Federer request ahead of Dubai Championships quarter-final
MARTON FUCSOVICS has asked the Hungarian supporters in the Middle East to come and cheer him on again when he faces Roger Federer this afternoon.
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Nick Kyrgios takes aim at Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal after Mexican Open win
NICK KYRGIOS says it does not take anything special to beat Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal after knocking the latter out of the Mexican Open this morning.
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Rafael Nadal fires Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic warning after Nick Kyrgios loss
RAFAEL NADAL has vowed to bounce back from his shock loss to Nick Kyrgios by beating Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to the Indian Wells title.
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Kyrgios: "It’s A Match I Will Never Forget"
Nick Kyrgios overcame food poisoning on Wednesday at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC to record his biggest match win in two years. In a match, the Australian said he “will never forget”, Kyrgios saved three match points to beat top seed Rafael Nadal at the Acapulco Princess Mundo Imperial for a place in the quarter-finals.
“I love going out and playing the big matches,” said Kyrgios. “It’s one of the best atmospheres that I’ve ever played in. You could tell the crowd was loving every minute of that match,” said Kyrgios. “That’s what we play for. To come to Acapulco, Centre Court, a packed crowd. They were never silent. They were cheering Rafa’s name, cheering my name. It’s a match I will never forget.”
Kyrgios did not break Nadal’s serve in the match, which lasted two hours and three minutes, but he saved three match points in the third set tie-break to win 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(6). The 23-year-old, who also beat Novak Djokovic at the ATP 500 tournament in 2017, later admitted that he had considered not contesting the match due to illness.
“I woke up today and had food poisoning,” said Kyrgios. “The physio gave me some tablets and it helped a bit, but I was feeling a little woozy. I’ve been dealing with a knee injury as well. Before the match, I wasn’t so sure if I was going to go out there. I was in the shower a half an hour before I played and just feeling really average. [But] the more I got into the match, the adrenaline kicked in. I’m just really proud of how I overcame a couple of things tonight and the way I competed.”
Kyrgios, who will face Stan Wawrinka in the quarter-finals on Thursday, added, "I’ve had a pretty shocking year to start… A win like this gives me a bit of confidence in myself. I just want to do my thing and find my way. Just to be able to compete and have fun again is something that’s been lost on me for a long time. To find it again today against a player like Rafa is pretty special."
Watch Kyrgios vs. Nadal Highlights From Acapulco
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Rafael Nadal provides injury update after surprise Nick Kyrgios loss in Acapulco
RAFAEL NADAL has provided an update on his fitness following his surprise defeat to Nick Kyrgios.
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Highlights: Kyrgios Beats Nadal In Thriller At Acapulco 2019
Watch Wednesday highlights from the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco with Nick Kyrgios beating Rafael Nadal and John Isner's 400th career win. Photo: Abierto Mexicano Telcel. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2VoTqUL
Video : Highlights: Kyrgios Beats Nadal In Thriller At Acapulco 2019
Highlights: Kyrgios Beats Nadal In Thriller At Acapulco 2019
Watch Wednesday highlights from the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco with Nick Kyrgios beating Rafael Nadal and John Isner's 400th career win. Photo: Abierto Mexicano Telcel. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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Watch Wednesday highlights from the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco with Nick Kyrgios beating Rafael Nadal and John Isner's 400th career win. Photo: Abierto Mexicano Telcel. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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Rafael Nadal fires second Nick Kyrgios dig when asked about getting REVENGE on Aussie
RAFAEL NADAL says he will not be gunning for revenge the next time he plays Nick Kyrgios, despite controversially losing to the Aussie at the Mexican Open.
from Daily Express :: Tennis Feed https://ift.tt/2H5oGEA
Roger Federer fans furious with Uniqlo decision: Statement released
ROGER FEDERER fans in Switzerland are fuming at a decision from Uniqlo not to sell their branded tennis gear in the country.
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Nick Kyrgios hits back in Rafael Nadal spat - ‘I’m not going to listen’
NICK KYRGIOS has hit back at Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard criticised his attitude.
from Daily Express :: Tennis Feed https://ift.tt/2XsHljn
Video : Kyrgios: 'I Left It All Out There' Against Nadal At Acapulco 2019
Kyrgios: 'I Left It All Out There' Against Nadal At Acapulco 2019
Nick Kyrgios reflects on beating Rafael Nadal in an incredible atmosphere on Wednesday night at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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Nick Kyrgios reflects on beating Rafael Nadal in an incredible atmosphere on Wednesday night at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
View on YouTube
Kyrgios: 'I Left It All Out There' Against Nadal At Acapulco 2019
Nick Kyrgios reflects on beating Rafael Nadal in an incredible atmosphere on Wednesday night at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco. Watch live tennis at https://ift.tt/2lGPDk4.
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from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2tINKcy
Wednesday 27 February 2019
Nick Kyrgios performs controversial move in win over Rafael Nadal at Mexican Open
NICK KYRGIOS had Rafael Nadal fuming during their Mexican Open clash this morning.
from Daily Express :: Tennis Feed https://ift.tt/2H70tOf
Rafael Nadal’s SHOCKING reaction to Nick Kyrgios loss: I’ve never seen Nadal act this way
RAFAEL NADAL gave Nick Kyrgios the coldest of handshakes after his defeat to the Aussie at the Mexican Open.
from Daily Express :: Tennis Feed https://ift.tt/2BYFyt4
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