Archive of posts tagged Jack Draper

The secret behind Ben Shelton's rise revealed

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Alexander Zverev

All the players who participated in the 'Canadian Open' that took place in Toronto knew they had a huge chance due to the numerous absences among the top players. World No.1 Jannik Sinner missed the prestigious Canadian tournament and World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz also made the chosen star, as well as 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and young English star Jack Draper.

This huge chance was exploited by Ben Shelton in the best way, with the American ace who was able to win the first Masters 1000 title of his young career thanks to an amazing run. The American talent had to overcome several difficulties during the tournament, but he showed that he has grown from all points of view and the final against Karen Khachanov certified his improvements.

The two top favorites to win in Ontario were Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, while Ben was better than them at handling the pressure and will try to extend his positive momentum at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 as well. His main goal is the US Open, scheduled from August 24 to September 7, a tournament that suits his game very well (where he reached the semifinals in 2023).

Roddick praises Shelton

On the latest episode of his famous podcast, former world No.1 Andy Roddick highlighted that he has noticed some progresses in Shelton's game: “His ability to drive the backhand, middle, and cross. He is not taking random cuts down the line with it, and when he does, it’s a finishing shot. But comfort in really taking big swings through the middle, through cross.

He has developed that shot, and you say the chip is a change-up, no, it’s more than that. It gives him the option to change the pattern of the entire rally. That is a big deal. Once it comes to his forehand, he has got options.”

Ben’s next opponent in Cincy will be Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut, who defeated Cameron Norrie in the previous round.

Paula Badosa Withdraws from US Open

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By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, August 8, 2025
Photo credit: Matthew Calvis

The US Open is over before it began for Paula Badosa.

Former world No. 2 Badosa has officially withdrawn from this month’s US Open.

Alize Cornet

Badosa, who has been battling a back injury in recent years, has not played a match since bowing to Briton Katie Boulter in three sets in her Wimbledon opener last month.

Badosa’s departure gives Swiss Jil Teichmann entry into the US Open main draw, the USTA announced today. Veteran Alize Cornet is now the first player out of the main draw.

Initially, Badosa and ex-boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas were on the entry list for the US Open Mixed Doubles tournament. After they split as a couple, the pair withdrew from the US Open Mixed Doubles.

On the USTA’s most recent entry list, Badosa was set to partner Jack Draper in a match of Indian Wells’ champions, but that will not happen with her Flushing Meadows withdrawal.

An Australian Open semifinalist in January, Badosa will miss the US Open in her birthplace of New York City for the second time in the last three years.

A year ago, Badosa reached the US Open quarterfinals losing to Emma Navarro 6-2, 7-5. Badosa went on to a successful Asian swing reaching semifinals at the WTA 1000 in Beijing and at the WTA 500 in Ningbo where she retired after dropping the first set to Daria Kasatina.

Due to her back issues, Badosa has either retired or conceded a walkover seven times in the last two years.

Reigning Champion Sinner and Alcaraz Lead Six Kings Slam Set for October

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By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Photo credit: Six Kings Slam

Tennis’ major kings return to Riyadh to chase a lucrative crown in October.

Reigning champion and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz and Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic lead the list of competitors for the 2025 Six Kings Slam.

The exhibition event, set for October 15-18th at the ABN Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, officially announced the six-player lineup today.

Sinner, who beat Alcaraz to collect a tennis-record $6 million champion’s check in Riyadh last fall, headlines the field that also includes American Taylor Fritz, Briton Jack Draper and Germany’s Alexander Zverev.

A year ago, Alcaraz defeated his tennis hero, Rafael Nadal, 6-3, 6-3 in one semifinal and Sinner stopped Djokovic 6-2, 6-7(0), 6-4 in the top-half semifinal.

In the exhibition event’s final, Sinner beat Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3 to capture the most lucrative payday in tennis history.

Holger Rune shares his frustration after his loss in Toronto

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Alexei Popyrin

There were huge expectations on Holger Rune in this edition of the Toronto Masters 1000, where the young Danish ace could benefit from the absence of several top players such as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper. The former world number 4 had started his run well in Canada and seemed to be able to go far in this tournament, but was eliminated by Alexei Popyrin in the round of 16.

The winner of the 2022 Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 lost to a very dangerous player on this surface, who is capable of shining at the 'Canadian Open' considering that he lifted the trophy in Montreal a year ago, but Rune showed all his weaknesses once again.

The former Top 5 player had the chance to practice alongside a legend like Andre Agassi before the start of the North American tournaments, but ruled out that the American will follow him around the world as he already has a very busy schedule.

Rune lost again

The feeling is that Holger needs new stimuli at this stage of his career, which has entered a stagnant phase and there do not seem to be effective solutions for the moment. With the exception of excellent performances in Indian Wells (where he reached the final) and Barcelona (where he lifted the trophy), Rune's 2025 has not been satisfactory so far and his results in Grand Slam tournaments have been far below expectations.

During his latest press conference in Toronto, the Danish star confided that he was quite disappointed: "I didn't play my best tennis and it was a disappointing performance, there's not much more to add. I didn't express the level I wanted, I struggled with my serve and I didn't feel comfortable on court. I have to adopt better strategies during matches and select my shots in a better way. When I can make this improvement, then my results will improve."

Rune's next tournament will be the Cincinnati Masters 1000, scheduled for August 7-18.

Andrey Rublev reveals if Marat Safin will be present at the US Open

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Andrey Rublev

Andrey Rublev is trying to turn his season and career around in recent times, having made the decision to hire Marat Safin as his new coach after going through a very negative period.

The Russian ace has a lot of points to defend at the 'Canadian Open' – which is taking place in Toronto right now – having reached the final in Montreal last year. The champion from Moscow can take advantage of the fact that numerous top players have decided not to participate in the prestigious Canadian tournament in this edition, preferring to recharge their batteries in view of the US Open scheduled for the end of the summer.

Without Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper – all absent for various reasons – Rublev can really try to achieve an exceptional result in Ontario, which would allow him to regain a lot of confidence in view of the last Grand Slam of the season. Last year's finalist had a strong debut in Toronto, where he defeated French star Hugo Gaston in straight sets.

Rublev opens up on Safin

During his press conference, he explained that the conditions are very different between Toronto and Montreal: "The courts are very fast here, the ball slips and it's not easy to control the shots. The situation is totally different from Montreal, where the surface is slower and the rallies are much longer. The conditions in Toronto are tougher in my opinion."

Rublev seems more confident and confident since Safin became his mentor and it is no coincidence that he put in excellent performances at the Wimbledon Championships, where he reached the round of 16 losing to Carlitos Alcaraz at the end of a hard-fought match (the Russian had won the first set, before suffering the comeback of the Spanish champion).

Andrey explained that Marat's presence in New York is not yet certain: "We hope he can be with me at the US Open, but it is not certain that he will be able to get his visa in time. If he doesn't succeed, we'll have to wait for the tournaments in Asia."

After breakup with Stefanos Tsitsipas, Paula Badosa finds US Open mixed dubs partner

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Badosa

Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas may not partner up at the US Open, but the Spanish tennis star has found herself a replacement and she will still feature in the mixed doubles event after she and Jack Draper have been confirmed as a pair.

In case you missed it, Badosa and Tsitsipas had been one of the star duos slated to play in the revolutionary US Open mixed doubles tournament. Then, in early July, it was reported that they called time on their love story. To no one's surprise, the two pulled out of the mixed doubles event shortly after. 

When the preliminary player field for the mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows was released, Draper and Zheng Qinwen were there as a team. That was before Zheng had to undergo surgery and withdraw from the last Grand Slam tournament of the year.

Despite the circumstances in which they found themselves, world No. 10 Badosa and fifth-ranked Draper still came up with the idea of how to feature in the star-studded doubles tournament in New York.

Tsitsipas and Badosa even shot a video together for the upcoming US Open mixed doubles tournament

In late June, the former couple appeared in a video for the last Grand Slam tournament of the year. There, the Greek spoke very excitedly about sharing the same side of the court with the Spaniard.

“I believe it's honestly one of the best feelings to be sharing the court with Paula. So, I've had a few instances where we played some mixed doubles and it worked out very well. We were able to enjoy the company of one another on the tennis court and make something great out of it," Tsitsipas said at the time.

Badosa and Tsitsipas played mixed doubles in New York last year and lost in the first round.

Holger Rune reveals his feelings about his time with Andre Agassi

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Agassi Holger

Holger Rune is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated players at the Toronto Masters 1000, where he has the chance to achieve a prestigious result given the numerous absences among the top players. There are no Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who occupy the top two positions in the ATP rankings, and Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper are not present in Canada either.

The young Danish star is not going through a brilliant moment in his career, especially considering that there were huge expectations on him when he took his first steps on the professional tour. He has had several injuries in recent seasons and has made several mistakes, changing coaches several times and never finding the necessary stability to fully express his talent.

At the beginning of his career, Rune was considered at the same level as Sinner and Alcaraz, but it is difficult to have the same opinion today given that the Italian has already won four Grand Slam titles and the Spaniard has won five Majors.

Rune opens up on Agassi

Holger – who also disappointed expectations at Roland Garros and the Wimbledon Championships – understood that something must change to turn his career around and practiced in Washington together with a legend like Andre Agassi, who was by his side for three days before the start of the event. The Dane was unable to participate in this tournament due to back discomfort.

In a long interview with 'Ziggo Sport' before the start of the 'Canadian Open', the former world number 4 reflected on his time together with Agassi: "It was a great experience to share the court with a tennis legend for a few days. I learned several things and we tried to understand how to perfect my tennis. Andre is very good at listening and gives great advice, which is why I am really grateful to him. It spurred me on to find more balance in my game and there I worked with maximum effort."

Rune will not have an easy debut in Toronto, as his first opponent will be French ace Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Former ATP ace praises Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz's new schedule

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Carlitos

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz – the top two players in the ATP rankings – both decided to skip the Toronto Masters 1000, which also had to suffer the forfeit of Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper. The Italian and the Spaniard have had to use a lot of energy in the last month and a half, particularly at Roland Garros and the Wimbledon Championships, where they faced each other in the final giving a show to fans around the world.

Their clash in Paris was one of the most electrifying of the modern era, considering that the 22-year-old from Murcia cancelled out three match points in a row to his top rival before winning in the fifth set after almost five and a half hours. The current world No. 1 got his revenge in the final act of Wimbledon just over two weeks ago, coming back from a set down and preventing Carlitos from lifting his third trophy in a row at Church Road.

Sinner and Alcaraz don't take risks

Both allowed themselves a period of relaxation after the third Major of the season and resumed practicing a few days ago, respectively in Monte Carlo and Spain. Fans will have to wait until the Cincinnati Masters 1000 to see these young champions in action, who have already set the US Open as their main goal this summer.

The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria will try to defend the top position in the ATP rankings in the second half of the season, while Carlos will be able to take advantage of the fact that he has not shone from Wimbledon onwards in 2024.

In a long interview with 'Il Corriere della Sera', former Italian ace Paolo Canè commented on Sinner and Alcaraz's choice to skip Toronto: "Although they are still very young, Jannik and Carlitos are already true champions. Not only do I agree with their decision to skip this tournament, but I am happy about it. It means that they have understood that they have to preserve their body and not just think about results, but about prolonging their careers. The secret in today's tennis is to play little and win often."

Reason why Alexander Zverev can't disappoint in Toronto

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Alexander Zverev

In recent days, fans and insiders have wondered if Alexander Zverev and Toni Nadal would start a stable collaboration in the second half of this season. The German ace has been training at Rafael Nadal's Academy in Manacor in the recent period, being intent on changing something after his premature elimination at the Wimbledon Championships. 

However, Uncle Toni has too many commitments and does not want to constantly travel around the world, which is why he gave the champion from Hamburg the chance to practice in his Academy whenever he needs to.

The former world number 2 is not going through a particularly brilliant phase of his career, especially after the defeat against Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final at the beginning of the year. Sascha believed he was ready to finally lift a Grand Slam trophy, but that match against the current world No.1 showed him how far he is still from the top two players in the ATP rankings.

Since then, Alexander has fallen into a very serious crisis and it is no coincidence that he has won only one title so far in the season (in Munich). 

Zverev will play in Toronto

Everyone expects a reaction from Zverev already during the American tournaments, with particular reference to Toronto and Cincinnati before the US Open at the end of the summer.

It's no secret that Sascha will have a huge chance in Canada, considering that most of the top players won't be in Toronto. The prestigious Canadian tournament lost world number 1 Jannik Sinner, world number 2 Carlos Alcaraz, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and young English star Jack Draper.

The German player will have a bye in the first round and will make his debut directly in the second round against Bonzi or Walton.

Sinner, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Draper Out of Toronto

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World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will be Toronto top seed.arm injury

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, July 20, 2025
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty

A quartet of talented contenders have stepped out of Toronto.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz, Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic and Indian Wells champion Jack Draper have all withdrawn from this month's National Bank Open in Toronto.

Tennis Express

Sinner dethroned two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to win his maiden Wimbledon crown earlier this month.

News of Alcaraz's withdrawal, reported by the Spanish outlet Marca, came after the tournament announced that Sinner, Djokovic and Draper had pulled out.

Draper, who picked up an arm injury after Wimbledon, will also miss Cincinnati. 

There has been talk that the ATP's committment to making Masters 1000 two-week events has dampened the enthusiasm of some of the tour's top players to play both. What formerly required a two-week commitment now requires over three weeks. 

Home players should enjoy strong support in Toronto, however. 

Three Canadians are ranked inside the ATP's Top 40 and earned direct entry into the main draw.

Montreal’s Félix Auger-Aliassime, currently representing Canada in Hopman Cup, will be making his eighth appearance at the NBO. The 28th-ranked Auger-Aliassime reached the 2022 quarterfinals.

No. 30 Denis Shapovalov, who won his second title of 2025 in Los Cabos last night, will also make his eighth appearance at the event. Shapovalov famously upset Rafael Nadal en route to the 2017 semifinals.

Big serving Montreal native Gabriel Diallo will play the Canadian Masters for the fourth time.

“Canada, I can't wait to be back at home and playing in front of all of you at this year's National Bank Open presented by Rogers,” said Félix Auger-Aliassime. "The atmosphere and fans in Toronto are always amazing, and it's not something I take for granted.

"I'm going to give it everything I've got, and I hope that we can go on a deep run together!”

Shelton's Top-10 Debut Makes Three Americans in the ATP's Top-10 for the First Time Since 2006

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The Americans could have four in the coming months. Andre Agassi

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday June 16, 2025

American men’s tennis continues to grow its momentum. After landing two men in the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros for the first time since 1996, the American men now have three players ranked inside the Top 10 for the first time since 2006.

Tennis Express

Enter Ben Shelton, who reached the semifinals last week in Stuttgart, and enters the Top-10 for the first time in Monday’s ATP rankings.

Shelton, 22, is the first American man born in the 2000s to achieve the feat.

Shelton is joined by Taylor Fritz, who returns to No.4 after winning the Stuttgart title, and Tommy Paul, who is at No.8, thanks to his quarterfinal run at Roland-Garros.

The last time three American men held Top 10 rankings at the same time was April 17th, 2006, when Andy Roddick was No. 4, James Blake was No. 7 and Andre Agassi was No. 10.


Shelton is the fourth ATP player – and second American, along with Paul – to make his Top-10 debut in 2024. The other two players are Jack Draper and Lorenzo Musetti.

Diallo Cracks Top-50

Canada’s Gabriel Diallo, 23, cracks the Top-50 at No.44 thanks to his title at ‘S-Hertogenbosch. Diallo became just the second Canadian to win a grass court title on Sunday, and the first since Greg Rusedski in 1993.

Italy’s Flavio Cobolli also cracks a career-high at No.24.

Zizou Bergs (+14 to No.49) and Reilly Opelka (+12 to No.75) were also among the big risers in this week’s ATP rankings. Opelka has risen over 200 spots since January. He played Brisbane at No.293 this year.

Bergs, who lost to Diallo in the ‘S-Hertogenbosh final, is back at his career-high.

Paris | Djokovic to face Zverev as Bublik knocks out Draper

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The first day of the second week of the French Open proved to be the last day of the British challenge as both Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie were defeated in their attempts to reach the quarter finals of the major clay court championships.

The post Paris | Djokovic to face Zverev as Bublik knocks out Draper appeared first on Tennis Threads Magazine.

Paris | Draper and Norrie score a first for GB

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Not since 1963 have two Brits reached the last 16 of the French Open so British fans were celebrating at the weekend following the excellent victories from Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie.

The post Paris | Draper and Norrie score a first for GB appeared first on Tennis Threads Magazine.