Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are both on over 10,000 ATP points
Archive of entries posted by Richard
Jannik Sinner on ugly wins, center court pressure, and relaxing at sea
The famous tennis player received several interesting questions, which were somewhat bizarre, significantly different from anything he had received so far.
Seoul: Barbora Krejcikova thrashes rival and sends warning to Emma Raducanu
Krejcikova made light work of Tatiana Prozorova and now could meet Raducanu in the Seoul round-of-16.
US Open: Aryna Sabalenka complicates but fends off Amanda Anisimova for title
Sabalenka has just won her second US Open title and overall her fourth Grand Slam.
Jannik Sinner answers if he will 'ever get sick of bumping into Carlos Alcaraz'
Sinner received an interesting Alcaraz question ahead of their US Open final showdown.
Amanda Anisimova reveals what she told Naomi Osaka after winning US Open SF thriller
Anisimova had a special message for Osaka after edging out the Japanese in a three-hour US Open semifinal battle.
Carlos Alcaraz downs Novak Djokovic, reaches US Open final
Carlos Alcaraz will compete in his seventh Major final at 22
Roaring Return: Sabalenka Edges Pegula for Third Straight US Open Final
Aryna Sabalenka battled into her third straight US Open final.
Watch: Annoyed Iga Swiatek snaps at US Open journalist: You need a mental break…
Swiatek had a bizarre exchange with a journalist following her US Open quarterfinal exit.
US Open: Naomi Osaka reaches SF and shares why it 'lifted weight off her shoulders'
Osaka defeated Karolina Muchova to make her first Grand Slam semifinal since returning to tennis as a mother.
Jannik Sinner storms over Lorenzo Musetti, reaches US Open SF
Jannik Sinner will face Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the title clash
US Open: Coco Gauff heating up, ousts No. 28 seed to easily reach R16
Gauff earns her best win of this year's US Open after easily handling Magdalena Frech.
Novak Djokovic manages back scare to top Cameron Norrie – From twinge to win
Novak Djokovic will play in the last 16 at the US Open at 38
What to Watch on Day 4 of the US Open
Day 4 at the US Open promises to be a blockbuster as second-round action kicks off with some of the biggest names in tennis taking the court. Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz look to continue their progress, while American fans will be cheering on 2024 runner-up Jessica Pegula. Women’s top seed and defending champ Aryna Sabalenka and 2021 champioon Emma Raducanu also face tough tests.
Djokovic’s Next Test
Four-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic, 38, survived a gritty first-round win over Learner Tien but admitted he struggled with fitness and recovery during long exchanges. “I don’t have any injury or anything. I just struggled a lot to stay in long exchanges and recover after points,” Djokovic said.
After two days of rest, Djokovic will face American qualifier Zachary Svajda on Wednesday. The Serbian, who hadn’t played since Wimbledon, is looking to find his rhythm and start building momentum in New York.
American Men in Action
Day 4 at Flushing Meadows will feature several big American vibes. 2024 finalist Taylor Fritz and No. 6 seed Ben Shelton will be on court, with Fritz facing a challenging opponent while Shelton takes on Pablo Carreno Busta.
Two-time US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe will meet qualifier Martin Damm, and Marcos Giron goes up against the man who toppled Daniil Medvedev, France’s Benjamin Bonzi. Overall, eight of the remaining 11 American men in the draw will be in action on Day 4.
A Big Day For Teens
Day 4 at the US Open will also spotlight the next generation, with several teenage players in action. Joao Fonseca, Mirra Andreeva, Iva Jovic, and Jakub Mensik will all take to the court, giving fans a glimpse of the sport’s rising stars and plenty of exciting young talent to watch in Flushing Meadows.
Philippine sensation Alexandra Eala and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen will also be back in action, each looking to make history for their countries. Eala, the first player from the Philippines to ever win a Grand Slam match faces Cristina Bucsa of Spain, while Indonesian star Tjen takes on 2021 champion Emma Raducanu.
Gauff Struggles at Times, Still Tops Tomljanovic
What does it take to win a match when your serve is still a work in progress and the crowd expects perfection? For Coco Gauff on Tuesday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium, it took grit, patience, and a refusal to give in.
The 21-year-old American survived a bruising first-round encounter with Ajla Tomljanovic, edging the Aussie 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5 in a three-hour scrap that tested her resolve. Tomljanovic, who stunned Serena Williams here three years ago en route to the quarterfinals, looked poised to spoil another story under the Ashe lights. She broke Gauff six times, forced a deciding set, and nearly silenced the crowd when the third seed faltered while serving for the match at 5-4.
But Gauff regrouped. She steadied herself, leaned on the Ashe faithful, and closed the door at the second time of asking. Four aces, ten double faults, and one hard-earned victory — not a masterpiece, but a survival story.
“The match was—it is what it was. I’m so used to these long battles,” Gauff said afterward, acknowledging that her serve remains very much a work in progress. “The practice week was tough because I was spending a lot of time on court literally serving until, like, my shoulder was hurting. Yeah, it’s just tough.”
The numbers back that up, but the American insists she’s moving in the right direction with new coach Gavin MacMillan, the biomechanics specialist who helped Aryna Sabalenka successfully rework her serve. “For me it’s trying not to go back to old habits in those tighter moments, and I think I did that today, especially in the third set,” she said. “Hopefully this time next year I’ll be serving much better.”
For now, there’s little time to dwell. The next test looms large: Croatia’s Donna Vekic in round two.
Alcaraz Has the Lead on No.1 at US Open
Carlos Alcaraz is in pole position to make his return to World No.1 status at the US Open.
The five-time champion is in better position than his rival Jannik Sinner, due to the fact that Sinner has 2000 champion points to defend, while Alcaraz only is defending 70 points for reaching the second round last year.
If Alcaraz reaches the same round as Sinner or outperforms the Italian in New York, he will return to No. 1 for the first time since 10 September 2023.
If you’re scoring at home, Sinner has spent 64 weeks at No.1; Alcaraz has spent 36.
Caroline Garcia Bids Grateful Good-Bye To Tennis After US Open Defeat
By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, August 25, 2025
NEW YORK—With one final wave of her racquet, Caroline Garcia closed the curtain on her career.
The 31-year-old Garcia, who starred in so many Sundays on courts all over the world, said good-bye to tennis on a sun-splashed Monday in New York City.
World No. 65 Kamilla Rakhimova defeated Garcia 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in today’s US Open first round.
The former world No. 4 took a wild card into Flushing Meadows and says farewell to the sport three years after her run to the US Open semifinals.
“Yeah, obviously it’s not really easy to step on the court when you don’t know it’s your last match or if you win maybe you have another last match,” Garcia said. “It’s kind of a tricky moment. But a lot of emotion before the match, even if I got a lot of emotion out in Roland Garros.
“But, yeah, it meant a lot for me to play one more time US Open.”
In a glorious career, Garcia won 11 WTA singles titles, including defeating Aryna Sabalenka to capture the 2022 WTA Finals championship.
Though she never contested a major singles final, Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic captured the Roland Garros doubles championship twice. Garcia was also 2016 US Open doubles runner-up alongside Mladenovic, one of 11 trips to doubles finals in her career.
An aggressive player who scored success on all surfaces, Garcia says good-bye to the game with gratitude.
“It’s kind of weird to say, but, you know, I’m very happy,” Garcia said. “It was a great run. I did a
great thing on court, and I went until what I could achieve. You know, obviously you can always achieve more, and I was dreaming of achieving more. But I’m very happy and in peace with my decision to move forward with my life and close the chapter of being a tennis player.”
Last month, Garcia, married long-time boyfriend Borja Durán in a beautiful and joyous ceremony.
The happy couple shared exquisite images from their wedding ceremony on social media.
“The most beautiful day of our lives,” Garcia posted on social media.
The July 19th wedding came nearly 13 months to the day after the couple announced their engagement.
Borja Durán is a Catalan university professor who has lived in Barcelona.
The couple launched their own podcast, The Tennis Insider Club, last year.
They’ve interviewed several stars, including Gael Monfils, Alize Cornet, Andrey Rublev and Victoria Azarenka for the podcast. Garcia said she plans to continue producing the podcast and remain connected to the sport.
“I think I want to keep going the podcast. Obviously, you know, it’s little by little it’s growing,” Garcia said. “We believe we are doing some good things and giving back, sharing tips, sharing behind the scenes,
sharing tips from the best players and coaches.
“If it can help some young players out there, like, it would be the best reward I could get. Yeah, now I see a future for myself in tennis, and 12 months ago it was not the case.”
Garcia, who famously celebrated victories with mimicking a jet plane in flight said she’s looking forward to being grounded and living life in one place.
“Not much planned. We have a wonderful wedding of my brother-in-law to attend, so some great
emotion, more emotions,” Garcia said. “But not much. We want to enjoy a bit, relax, stay in one place. Get out all the things from the suitcase for once and just be chill.”
What Swiatek and Gauff Must do to Get to No.1 at US Open
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is in danger of surrendering the top ranking, but only if she can’t reach the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows.
Givn that Sabalenka has reached at least the quarterfinals in her last 11 Grand Slam main draw appearances, it’s a safe bet that she’ll get the job done.
But if she falters, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff will have a shot during this year’s Flushing fortnight.
As the defending US Open champion, Sabalenka is defending 2,000 points in New York. Without those her effective total at the start of the tournament is 9,225, compared with 7,503 for Swiatek and 7,634 for Coco Gauff, giving both a shot at the crown come week’s end.
If Sabalenka makes the quarterfinals, she would lock down the top spot regardless of other results.
Sabalenka will face Polina Kudermetova in second-round action, while Swiatek and Gauff will kick off their campaigns with first-round matches on Tuesday, Day 3.
Carlos Alcaraz begins US Open versus Reilly Opelka – Big test, big confidence
Carlos Alcaraz will launch his US Open campaign against Reilly Opelka. World no. 2 chases his second crown in New York and the ATP throne, standing in a good position to pass Jannik Sinner and return to the top after two years.
The Spaniard and the American will battle under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, embracing one of the most anticipated first-round encounters at the final Major event of the season.
Alcaraz understands that starting a Major against one of the game's tallest and most powerful servers is no easy assignment. However, he approaches the duel with calm determination and confidence!
It was a close one! Carlos Alcaraz beat Taylor Fritz in a round of pickleball at the Lotte New York Palace Invitational ahead of the 2025 US Open 🎾🗽 pic.twitter.com/OLn27c8epq
— Page Six (@PageSix) August 22, 2025
Opelka's booming delivery can put any rival under pressure, especially in front of the partisan crowd at the beginning of the tournament when rhythm is still building. Carlos is fully aware of the challenge in front of him.
Still, he is confident in his ability to handle the big serve and create opportunities in the more extended exchanges. The plan is simple! The Spaniard will center his approach on staying sharp and capitalizing whenever his first ball comes back into play.
The confidence is well founded! The five-time Major winner has enjoyed a remarkable run since April, embracing seven straight finals and lifting five trophies while collecting a 39-2 score.
His consistency and form have established him as one of the leading contenders in New York alongside Jannik Sinner, especially after conquering the Cincinnati Masters crown.
Emma Raducanu & Carlos Alcaraz, US Open 2025© X – Tenis España / LTA
As he steps onto Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night, Alcaraz combines respect for Opelka's strengths with the belief that his level will be enough to move through and remain perfect in the opening round at Majors.
The stage is set for a fascinating opening-round clash, and the Spaniard is confident in his abilities.
"It will be a very tough match. I have never played against Reilly, and we all know his style of play. I have to be very focused on the return and prepared to take my chances.
I have to return as many of his serves as possible, and then we will see. My confidence is high, and I feel very good on the court," Carlos Alcaraz said.
Medvedev’s Chaos Can’t Stop Bonzi
It didn’t take the 2025 US Open very long to create the type of wild, frenzied night session match that it has become known for over the years. Less than a day, in fact.
Daniil Medvedev riled the fans up after a photographer lost his bearings and walked onto court during match point for Benjamin Bonzi, and what followed was six minutes of sheer madness as the Russian seized the moment and brought the Louis Armstrong crowd into the match in one of the craziest night session moments in recent memory.
With Medvedev trailing two sets to love and 5-4, ad-in, Bonzi hit a fault. Then bedlam broke loose as a rogue cameraman emerged on the court, stopping the players in their tracks, while umpire Greg Allensworth chastised the offender and awarded Bonzi another first serve.
The cameraman hung around for a while, snapping pictures in the pit, but was later removed from his post.
Allensworth’s decision to give Bonzi another first serve drove Medvedev batty, and the Russian pleaded his case while gesturing to the fans to make some noise. They did just that, and continued hollering through the five-minute delay. They did not stop until Bonzi had squandered his match point and the break advantage.
Medvedev pushed through the fourth, notching a bagel against a stunned Bonzi, but credit the Frenchman for finding his resolve in the final set as he righted the ship after two trades of breaks, saving five break points to hold for 4-3, before breaking Medvedev a final time in the tenth game. It was Bonzi’s fourth career five-set win, and second consecutive win over Medvedev.
2021 US Open champion Medvedev drops to 15-11 on hard courts this season, and 1-4 at the majors.
Bonzi will face American Marcos Giron in the second round.
Novak Djokovic Issues Challenge to Serena Williams
By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, August 24, 2025
NEW YORK—Novak Djokovic is not only Grand Slam king—he’s a devoted tennis fan.
The 38-year-old Serbian superstar, like many tennis fans around the world, celebrated the sight of Serena Williams inducting former rival and now good friend Maria Sharapova into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday night.
Djokovic was so invigorated by the sight of Serena at the iconic Newport Hall, he took time out during his US Open press conference to night to issue a challenge to his fellow GOAT.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic challenged the 23-time major title holder Serena Williams, his former Wimbledon dance partner, to make a competitive comeback in 2026.
“Of course, seeing Serena in any shape or form around tennis is great. You know, we miss her,” Djokovic told the media after defeating American Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2. “She still hasn’t
officially retired (smiling).
“So I invite her, I challenge her. Because she’s such a great competitor, when somebody challenges her, she never refuses. So I challenge Serena, come back on the tour next year.”
The owner of 100 career titles, Djokovic is good friend with both Sharapova and Williams and said the sight of the former rivals embracing on stage and Serena’s touching tribute to Maria was “a wonderful moment” for both champions and the sport.
“It was surprising, but very nice gesture from Serena to be there for Maria,” said Djokovic, who reunited with fellow Big 4 icons Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal at a powerful Roland Garros tribute ceremony to the King of Clay earlier this season. “They had some really intense rivalries and incredible matches over the years.
“But they said it, they were honest I think during their speeches. Serena I think mentioned that Maria or people probably think about Serena as one of the last people that would be there to introduce. But at the same time, as she said in her speech, which I think she beautifully, eloquently explained, that people thought that they are miles apart in their differences, but they were actually very much the same in terms of they wanted the same thing and competed on the same tour for so many years.
“No, it was great. It was great. It was wonderful moment, and I think Maria deserves it.”
US Open: Novak Djokovic tops Learnen Tien in his 80th Major event!
Novak Djokovic defeated Learnen Tien in the first round of the US Open. The veteran and a teenager met at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and the four-time champion notched a 6-1, 7-6, 6-2 victory in two hours and 25 minutes.
Thus, Novak started his 80th Major event with a strong victory, improving his perfect score in the first round in New York to 19-0. Learnen played his first match as a top-50 player.
He fought well against the legend on the biggest scene and generated a set point in the tenth game of the second set. The Serb denied it and sealed the deal without spending more time on the court.
Tiebreak Novak engages, and he takes the second set over Learner Tien.
He's a set away from Round 2. pic.twitter.com/YQFhS7gWCN
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 25, 2025
The 7th seed claimed 33 points more after landing 26 winners and 34 unforced errors. Novak played better behind the first and second serve and rushed to the net, where he performed well.
The veteran grabbed six breaks from nine chances and erased six of eight break points, including that set point that could have made the things interesting. Djokovic dominated the opener and closed it in 24 minutes.
He grabbed a break in the second game after a massive forehand error from a left-hander. The Serb received a time violation warning in the third game on a break point but saved it and moved 3-0 in front.
The veteran attacked on the return at 4-1 and drew the rival's mistake for a break at love and a bigger lead. Novak held at 15 in game seven, wrapping up the first part of the duel in no time.
Novak Djokovic, US Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Learnen saved a break point at the beginning of the second set and another at 2-2 after the rival's forehand error. Tien stepped in on the return in the next one and generated three break points with a forehand winner.
Djokovic saved them and held after Tien's backhand mistake for 3-3. The American saved a break point in the ninth game and created a set point on the return at 5-4.
Novak denied it and claimed the tie break 7-3 after eight mini-breaks in ten points! The Serb received a medical timeout for a minor foot issue ahead of the third set and continued without problems.
They exchanged breaks in the early games before Djokovic provided two more for a 5-1 advantage. Learnen saved a match point on the return in game eight and pulled one break back.
However, Novak provided another break at 5-2 to seal the deal and emerge at the top.
US Open: Ben Shelton kicks off title chase with a solid victory
Ben Shelton ousted Ignacio Buse in the first round at Arthur Ashe Stadium
Carlos Alcaraz may have indirectly pressured Jannik Sinner with this US Open comment
Alcaraz praises Sinner's level but also warns the Italian that he will 'have a big target on his back' at the US Open.
Sabalenka Tested Early Before Soaring to Start US Open Title Defense
Defending US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka earned a straight sets victory to reach the second round in New York.