Tennis

2/18/2025 |  Djokovic says players believe there is favouritism in anti-doping system (Reuters Sports) DOHA, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic said a majority of players believe favouritism is at play in the tennis anti-doping system and called for it to be overhauled in the wake of cases involving Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek.
Sinner on Saturday accepted a three-month doping ban after testing positive for anabolic agent clostebol last year, while Swiatek served a one-month ban at the end of 2024 when the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) showed up in her test.

2/12/2025 |  US Open mixed doubles champions criticise format changes (Reuters Sports) Feb 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Open's revamped mixed doubles format is a "profound injustice" that disrespects the players, reigning champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori have said.
On Tuesday, the year's last Grand Slam announced that the mixed doubles competition, which will offer a $1 million winners' prize, is scheduled for August 19-20 - the week before the singles main draw.
The competition's format has been overhauled, with 16 teams participating - half the 32 that competed last year.

2/12/2025 |  Federer meets Kolisi on South Africa trip to support early learning (Reuters Sports) JOHANNESBURG, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Swiss tennis great Roger Federer met up with Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi on a visit this week to South Africa, where Federer's charitable foundation funds projects to try to get more children into schools and stop them dropping out.
Asked why he chose South Africa for his charity's work, Federer said it was a "natural fit" as his mother was from a Johannesburg suburb.
Sitting alongside Kolisi, the 20-times Grand Slam champion told reporters he was inspired by the rugby player's journey and wanted to do more to support early childhood education in the region.

2/11/2025 |  US Open revamps mixed doubles format and adds $1 million prize in quest to get singles stars to play (Associated Press (AP)) NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Open is moving its mixed doubles championship to the week before the tournament begins, hoping a revamped format and $1 million prize will persuade top singles players to chase a Grand Slam doubles title.
This year’s event will feature 16 teams competing over two days in shorter matches. Tournament organizers believe that can attract the sport’s biggest stars, many of whom have long passed on doubles to keep themselves fresh for singles.

2/11/2025 |  US Open revamps mixed doubles format, increases prize money (Reuters Sports) Feb 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. Open mixed doubles competition will now be played before the singles main draw, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) said on Tuesday as it announced an overhaul of the category's format and an increase in prize money.
The U.S. Open will also extend its main singles draw to 15 days, starting a day earlier on Sunday August 24 for the tournament's first weekend start in the Open Era.