Sinner received an interesting Alcaraz question ahead of their US Open final showdown.
Archive of posts tagged player
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.
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.
Veteran Doubles Players Shine In U.S. Open’s Revamped Mixed Doubles Event
The U.S. Open's reimagined mixed doubles competition has kicked off with veteran doubles specialists outshining top singles stars in the early matches. The event, which now precedes the main singles draw, has attracted significant attention due to its innovative format and the participation of prominent players.
In the opening match, defending champions Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani, both seasoned doubles players from Italy, defeated the duo of Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz with a score of 4-2, 4-2. Their performance highlighted the depth of experience and coordination that seasoned doubles players bring to the court.
Similarly, the pairing of Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti showcased their doubles prowess by overcoming the team of Naomi Osaka and Gael Monfils, winning 5-3, 4-2. This match underscored the strategic play and synergy that veteran doubles players often exhibit, which can be challenging for singles specialists to counter.
The revamped mixed doubles format has been a focal point of discussion. Organizers have streamlined the event to feature 16 teams, with entries based on combined singles rankings and wild-card selections. This structure aims to elevate the profile of mixed doubles by involving high-profile singles players, thereby increasing fan engagement and media coverage.
However, the changes have not been without controversy. Some doubles specialists have expressed concerns over the new format and the allocation of wild cards, arguing that it may undermine the traditional doubles circuit. In response, organizers have reallocated last year's mixed doubles prize pool to traditional doubles events, aiming to balance player earnings and maintain the integrity of both formats.
The mixed doubles event has also seen unexpected developments. World number one Jannik Sinner withdrew from the competition due to illness, leading to the inclusion of American players Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison as replacements. Despite this setback, the event has garnered large crowds and enthusiastic responses, indicating a positive reception to the new format and its potential to rejuvenate interest in mixed doubles tennis.
As the U.S. Open progresses, the mixed doubles competition continues to evolve, offering fans a fresh perspective on the sport and highlighting the enduring appeal of doubles play. The outcomes of these matches may influence future tournament structures and the integration of singles and doubles events, reflecting the dynamic nature of professional tennis.
Venus Williams Returns To U.S. Open At 45 With Wild Card Entry
At 45, Venus Williams has received a wild card entry into the 2025 U.S. Open, marking her return to Grand Slam singles competition after a two-year hiatus. Williams, a two-time U.S. Open singles champion, last competed in a major tournament at the 2023 U.S. Open and hasn't secured a singles win there since 2019.
This wild card entry makes Williams the oldest player in the singles draw since Renee Richards in 1981. Her return follows a 16-month absence from the tour, during which she made a comeback at the DC Open, becoming the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since 2004.
In addition to her singles participation, Williams will compete in the newly introduced mixed doubles event alongside fellow American Reilly Opelka. The mixed doubles tournament, offering a $1 million prize, is scheduled for August 19-20 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Williams' return has garnered significant public interest, not only for her on-court achievements but also due to her recent engagement to Italian actor Nicholas Hammond. Her participation in the U.S. Open adds to the excitement surrounding the tournament, as fans eagerly anticipate her performance on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows.
The 2025 U.S. Open is shaping up to be a memorable event, with Williams' return adding to the rich history of the tournament. As the competition approaches, tennis enthusiasts are looking forward to witnessing the resurgence of a legend in the sport.
Steve Johnson believes Carlos Alcaraz will overtake Jannik Sinner
Alcaraz and Sinner’s rivalry went up a level this season
Roger Federer Return Set For Shanghai Exhibition Doubles
By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, August 11, 2025
Photo credit: Wilson
The Swiss Maestro will make the strings sing in Shanghai in October.
Former world No. 1 Roger Federer announced he will play an exhibition doubles match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on October 10th.
“Shanghai has always been a special place for me, with great fans, unforgettable memories and a real love for the game,” Federer said in a video message posted on the tournament’s social media channels. “I look forward to seeing you there on October 10th.
“Shanghai let’s meet.”
Roger Federer is coming back to Shanghai 🤩
Join us on October 10th for the @rogerfederer and Friends Celebrity Doubles Match!#rolexshanghaimasters pic.twitter.com/6gpnkFfl6B
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) August 10, 2025
The Roger Federer and Friends Celebrity doubles match will feature actors Wu Lei and Donnie Yen, and former Chinese tennis player Zheng Jie. The Federer exhibition doubles match will be played on Qizhong Stadium’s center court.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion returned to Shanghai last fall where he practiced with Carlos Alcaraz in a session starring two of the top shotmakers in Open Era history.
An immensely popular presence in Asia, Federer is a two-time Shanghai champion.
In the 2017 final, the second-seeded Swiss played a near-flawless match firing 10 aces against no double faults and permitting just eight points on serve in a 6-4, 6-3 win over top-seeded rival Rafael Nadal.
Federer captured his first Shanghai title in 2014 out-dueling Frenchman Gilles Simon 7-6(6), 7-6(2) in a one hour, 53-minute final. The third-seeded Federer stopped top-seeded Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4 in the 2014 semifinals.
In an interview with Tennis Now in New York City during the 2024 US Open, Federer said he had been hitting and was looking forward to potentially playing some exhibitions.
Visiting the Masters at Augusta National in April, Federer reiterated his desire to play some exhibitions.
“Honestly, I would love to play some more tennis again. Enough with the golf already for a moment now,” Roger told SNTV.
“I would seriously start playing 2 or 3 times a week again and hopefully get myself back on the exhibition court and hopefully maybe fill up a few nice stadiums around the world.”
In two months time, fans will see Federer back on court in Shanghai.
Medvedev Overheats and Poor Stretch Continues in Cincinnati
By Chris Oddo | Monday August 11, 2025
What happened to Daniil Medvedev? Remember the former World No.1, the guy who stood tall against the Big Three and racked up titles on hard courts like they were going out of style? Has anyone seen that guy?
There would not be a sighting in Cincinnati, where Medvedev appeared as a shell of his former self as he wilted in defeat to Australia’s Adam Walton on Sunday, 6-7 6-4 6-1.
It’s just odd to see the former juggernaut at No.15 in the world, carrying a record of 26-17 for the season. One of the most captivating, personable players on the ATP Tour, who earned his nickname the “slim reaper” thanks to his wiry frame and uncanny ability to outlast players with his trademark accuracy and resiliency, is only 29 years old. It’s not like he’s Kei Nishikori at 35 and on the way out, or Gael Monfils at 38.
Medvedev is 1-3 at the Grand Slams in 2025, and 11-7 at the Masters events. This is a player who won more than 60 matches in 2021 and 2023, and reached six major finals between 2019 and 2024. But he’s gone 12-20 against the Top-20 since the start of 2024, so his lack of success against the elite no longer comes as surprise.
Medvedev was a few games from winning yesterday’s match with Walton, but the extreme heat zapped him. He was suffering during courtside changeovers, dunking his head in a water cooler and sitting beneath an ice pack. On court he had nothing to give in the deciding set. It happens, but it shouldn’t. No excuses, this is the type of difficulty he has pushed through in previous years, as he became one of the best hard court players in tennis.
The 2021 US Open champion will head to the US Open next, where he is 33-7 lifetime. If a dose of New York energy can’t bring his game to life, we should all be worried.
Former ATP stars discuss Novak Djokovic's future
Novak Djokovic's next tournament will be the US Open – the last Major of the season – which will take place in New York from August 24 to September 7, preceded by the mixed doubles tournament in which the former world number 1 (together with Olga Danilovic) will also participate.
Against all odds, the Serbian legend has decided not to play either the 'Canadian Open' in Toronto or the Cincinnati Masters 1000 before the US Open and fans are wondering what his level will be in the Big Apple at the end of August. The 38-year-old from Belgrade had also made this decision last season, when he needed time to recharge his batteries after the Paris Olympics, but he was unable to give his best in NY and was eliminated already in the first week.
It is clear to everyone that Nole directs his schedule mainly towards Grand Slam tournaments and has been able to raise his level in those four tournaments this year, but he has never gone beyond the semifinals. In addition, he is starting to have more injuries than in the past and he has not hidden that it will be very hard to become the oldest player ever to lift a Major.
Nole is 38 years of age
Most experts and former players are convinced that Novak's career is not far from over, although he has repeatedly stated that he wants to try to continue until the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
On the latest edition of the 'Nothing Major' podcast, former American ace Sam Querrey asked John Isner when he thinks Djokovic will retire: “Do you think Djokovic is going to be a guy who announces his retirement like 2026 will be my last year?” Isner replied: “I think you’re right. I guess when you know you know. He might just reach that point where he wakes up one morning and it’s like man, I have had enough. Hopefully that is four years from now.”
Nole has not triumphed in a Major since the 2023 edition of the US Open.
Alcaraz Denies Dzumhur in Cincinnati Adventure
By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, August 10, 2025
Photo credit: Cincinnati Open Facebook
A month after Jannik Sinner dethroned Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, the world No. 2 renewed his rivalry with the top-ranked Italian driving the ball deep on an Ohio golf course.
Today, Alcaraz launched his Cincinnati return teeing off in the opening set before hitting himself into deep rough.
Ultimately, Alcaraz used every club in his bag to defeat Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 in his Cincinnati Open opener.
In his first match since losing to Sinner 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final, Alcaraz showed little rust in the first set, fell into a sloppy hole in the second set then broke twice in the decider to deter a tough Dzumhur.
This was Alcaraz’s first hard-court match since his surprising three-set loss to David Goffin in his Miami Open opener.
For the ✌️
The moment @carlosalcaraz finished off a wild one with Dzumhur to stretch his Masters winning streak to 12! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/Kw6nr8TiAb
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 10, 2025
Alcaraz converted five of 10 break points vs. the 5’9” Dzumhur, but didn’t save any of the three break points he faced, littered 44 unforced errors and suffered some concentration lapses. Alcaraz netted a few drop shots, built a 4-1 lead in the final set only to double fault and muff a serve and volley to hand the break back in the seventh game. Credit a tough Dzumhur, who took a set off two-time Roland Garros champion Alcaraz in Paris this year, for fighting all the way through.
Still, despite his mis-steps, Alcaraz drilled a deep forehand return then exploited his opponent’s lone double fault of the day to break back for 5-3.
Serving for the third round, Alcaraz unleashed a 131 mph blast and closed in one hour, 41 minutes.
After the hand shake, Alcaraz trotted back on the court and erupted in a “Vamos! Vamos!” scream expressing both excitement and relief.
The reigning Roland Garros champion scored his ATP-best 49th win of the season setting up a third-round clash with either Hamad Medjedovic or Tallon Griekspoor.
Alcaraz grew up looking up to tennis heroes Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
In the opening set, the Spaniard paid tribute to seven-time Cincinnati champion Federer featuring the Swiss Maestro’s famed SABR attack. Alcaraz ran down a challenging drop shot to earn set point in the seventh game.
Then the explosive Alcaraz recalled SABR taking a full sprint up to a second-serve return successfully forcing the error to score his third break and seize a one-set lead after just 29 minutes of play.
Though Alcaraz was in free flow through the first set he crashed in the second.
The five-time Grand Slam champion coughed up 17 unforced errors in the second set infusing Dzumhur with confidence and aggression.
In a sloppy fourth game, Alcaraz botched a volley, netted a forehand then ballooned a forehand drive well long gifting Dzumhur the break and a 2-1 lead.
The 33-year-old Bosnian ran off 12 of 13 points in one stretch wrapping a pair of love holds around that break for a 3-1 lead.
Struggling to win points off his second serve, Alcaraz pushed a routine volley long as Dzumhur scored his second straight break for 4-1.
Pumping his fist to his box, the world No. 56 backed up the break for 5-1. Alcaraz made successive return errors—his 16th and 17th of the set—as Dzumhur seized the second set to force a decider.
Alcaraz breezed through a love hold for a 2-1 lead in the decider. Then the pair produced a highlight reel game.
The speedy Alcaraz ran down a drop shot, dabbed a stretch volley then turned with his back to net sprinted back to the baseline and clubbed a tomahawk forehand pass extending the fourth game to deuce. Drilling a diagonal forehand gave Alcaraz the break and a 3-1 lead.
Bringing the HEAT 🔥
360 degrees of filth from @carlosalcaraz #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/a1F5kON4xd
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 10, 2025
Dabbing a drop shot, Alcaraz extended the lead to 4-1 and seemed to be in total command.
But a defiant Dzumhur kept battling and Alcaraz betrayed his cause with some wayward shotmaking as the grew tighter again.
"Alcaraz with the river card" 😱@carlosalcaraz #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/6fwa69NEwa
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 10, 2025
The Dzumhur double fault on break point gave Alcaraz a crucial 5-3 lead and he took care of business in the final game. An adventurous up and down win that sends the Spaniard into round three.
Frances Tiafoe recounts people 'clowning' him for thinking he'd be pro tennis player
Frances Tiafoe says people used to "clown" him for believing he would become a pro tennis player, but adds he is now the last one laughing.
The American tennis star, whose parents immigrated from Sierra Leone to the United States in the 1990s to escape the civil war that was happening at the time, celebrated his 27th birthday in January.
At 27, Tiafoe has achieved some notable stuff and he has been regularly participating in the main-level tournaments for several years now. In his collection, the current world No. 12 has three ATP titles and he is also a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. Also, he knows how it feels to be a top-10 player, having achieved a career-high ranking of No. 10 in mid-2023.
While Tiafoe has been one of the faces of American men's tennis for the past couple of years, he was once heavily doubted.
Tiafoe: People wouldn't take me seriously when I'd tell them I wanted to be a pro
“I’d tell guys from the [club] that I’d want to be a pro. They would just clown and not take it seriously. I was always like: ‘Don’t worry, man. I’m going to be the last person laughing.’ Here we are today," the 2022 and 2024 US Open semifinalist told The Guardian.
As mentioned above, Tiafoe has a solid resume and he has proven capable of doing some nice things. However, the world No. 12 believes the best is yet to come and that he will pull off much better accomplishments before he retires.
“I’m still young – I’ve still got a lot more to achieve. I still haven’t scratched the surface of my career," the American said.
Currently, Tiafoe is competing at the Cincinnati Masters, where he plays Ugo Humbert in the third round. Last year, the 27-year-old came close to winning the biggest title of his career in Cincinnati before losing to Jannik Sinner in the final.
Tiafoe is certainly hoping to go a step further this year and lift his maiden Masters title in Cincy.
Emma Raducanu admits she is not targeting Slams e WTA 1000 titles at the moment
Emma Raducanu says she is keeping her goals realistic at the moment and isn't expecting to win Grand Slam and WTA 1000 tournaments, but highlights that will change as soon as she gets to her desired level.
Prior to coming to Cincinnati, the world No. 33 made a splash move and hired Rafael Nadal's former long-time coach Francisco Roig. When addressing the collaboration for the first time, the 22-year-old noted that she hired Roig because she thought he could help her improve her shots and get to the level where she could legitimately challenge the very best in the game.
Since winning her first and lone title at the 2021 US Open, Raducanu hasn't made any finals. Also, she hasn't been ranked inside the top-10 since early 2022.
“I know there will be a time where I'll be targeting big tournaments, Masters and Slams, but to be honest, right now, that's not my goal. My goal is to improve as a player," the 22-year-old said in Cincinnati.
Raducanu's honest expectation for the upcoming Aryna Sabalenka match in Cincinnati
For a place in the Cincinnati round-of-16, Raducanu will battle against three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka. For the 22-year-old Briton, it will be a chance to register her first-ever win against a world No. 1. However, in their previous two meetings – of which the last came at Wimbledon – the Belarusian handled the business in straight sets.
Heading into their third meeting, the British tennis player suggests the Cincinnati surface favors more the top seed.
“I'm reasonable enough, and I guess honest enough with myself, to know that different surfaces favor different people, and where my game is at in comparison. So, I think the grass gave me a bit of an advantage (against Sabalenka), but we'll see how it goes," Raducanu explained.
A bit interestingly, Raducanu is only now making her second Cincinnati appearance. In her first and lone appearance at the American WTA 1000 tournament in 2022, she reached the last-16 before losing to Jessica Pegula.
Holger Rune joins Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner in exclusive 'Club 50'
Holger Rune celebrated a milestone victory in Cincinnati. The young Dane ousted Roman Safiullin 7-5, 7-6 in an hour and 58 minutes in the second round, prevailing and making a winning start.
Holger celebrated his 50th Masters 1000 victory, becoming the fourth player born in 2000 or later to achieve that. Rune joined Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime in the exclusive 'Club 50.'
The Dane claimed his first Masters 1000 win in Indian Wells three and a half years ago. He claimed the Paris Masters crown later that season following five straight top-10 triumphs!
Un triunfo especial💥
Holger Rune🇩🇰 consigue su primer triunfo en Cincinnati venciendo a Roman Safiullin🇷🇺 7-5 y 7-6
📌El danés ya registra 5️⃣0️⃣ victorias en Masters1000#CincyTennis
— Iván Aguilar (@ivabianconero) August 9, 2025
Holger was the finalist in Monte Carlo and Rome in the spring of 2023, and his most recent Masters 1000 final came in Indian Wells this March. The youngster will seek his fifth Masters 1000 final in Cincinnati.
The 7th seed had to dig deep in his first test in Ohio. He took six points more than Safiullin and prevailed in the decisive moments to avoid a decider. Rune lost serve two times and provided three return games from five chances.
They sprayed over 70 unforced errors, and the Dane reduced the number of errors. Holger forged the advantage in service winners but lost in from the baseline. He had the upper hand in the shortest exchanges, and Roman reduced the gap in the mid-range ones.
Holger Rune, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot
They traded breaks in the middle of the opening set. The Dane provided another break in game nine and served for the set at 5-4. Rune wasted two set points and lost serve.
However, he kept his composure and closed the opener with another break at 5-5 and a hold in game 12. The second set was much more fluid, with no break chances and 12 comfortable holds.
Rune grabbed two mini-breaks for a 5-2 advantage. Roman erased the deficit with a mini-break in the tenth point, locking the result at 5-5. Still, Holger claimed a decisive point on the return at 6-5, sealing the deal and making a winning start.
Nadal Family Welcomes Second Child, A Brother for Baby Rafa
Rafael Nadal and his wife Mery Perelló (Maria Francisca, or Xisca) have welcomed their second child at the Quirónsalud Palmaplanas Hospital in Palma, on October 7.
The baby has been named Miquel. According to the Europa Press news agency the name is a special tribute Nadal and his wife wanted to make to Mery’s father, who passed away in April 2023 at the age of 63.
Rafa and Xisca’s first child, Rafael, was born on October 8, 2022
Andrey Rublev reveals the main advice he received from Marat Safin
Andrey Rublev understood that he had to change some things to get out of the crisis that has affected him in the last year and a half, which is why he decided to start a new collaboration with his compatriot Marat Safin. The latter cannot travel with him to all the tournaments on the calendar, but he is helping him with his advice and some progress has been seen from the Russian ace.
The player from Moscow put in good performances during the Wimbledon Championships last month and did not disappoint at the Toronto Masters 1000 either, although he was unable to 'defend' the final reached in Montreal last year.
He is not far from the Top 10 of the ATP rankings right now and can aspire to achieve this goal by achieving good results at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 and especially at the US Open, two tournaments that should be suitable for his game.
Rublev opens up on Safin
During a recent interview with 'Tennis Bolshe', Andrey revealed that Safin is spurring him to add new weapons to his game to become more unpredictable: "I've understood for some time that I have to do something different if I want to become competitive again at the highest level. I knew that scoring more frequently was one of the main keys from a tactical point of view, but I was almost never able to do it until Marat came along. He told me that there were no other options and I had to try until I could do it."
Although Safin has a consulting role in Rublev's team, his main coach continues to be Fernando Vicente who has followed him since the beginning of his career. The latter has sacrificed much of his private life to help Andrey realize his dream and the Russian champion has never missed an opportunity to show him his enormous gratitude.
"Our relationship goes far beyond what is usually between a player and his coach. Fernando is a member of my family in some respects," Rublev said in a recent interview.
Jon Rahm returns where he robbed the bank
Joaquín Niemann, in full swing, has won five of the 11 LIV Golf tournaments this year, and Jon Rahm remains at zero, but with only two events remaining, the Spaniard can still take the season's No. 1 ranking from the Chilean and thus retain his 2024 crown.
The points system of the multimillion-dollar Saudi Super League and Rahm's consistency, finishing in the top 10 on every course except one, explain why the Basque player can still overtake Niemann, champion in Adelaide, Singapore, Mexico, Virginia, and Great Britain, the last tournament he played.
Jon Rahm, statements
"This is how the points system works right now. I think they should probably give more points for winning, that would be great for me, but it could be the other way around next year: if I'm not going to win and I still have a chance to win with two tournaments left, I'm fine with that. It all depends. In the current situation, I'd obviously love to have more points for winning, but this is how the system is set up now," reflected Niemann, 26.
The Chilean admitted that being consistent is "the hardest thing in this game" and, since "Jon Rahm is the most consistent player in the world," he understands why the Spaniard remains so close to him in the standings: Niemann has 206.80 points, 37.64 more than Rahm (169.16). American Bryson DeChambeau, third with 136.24, is the other golfer still with a mathematical chance of reaching the throne, albeit a very remote one.
Each victory at LIV Golf awards 40 points, second place earns 30, and the points continue to decrease from there, with the last players to earn a point being those who finish between 21st and 24th. No points are awarded outside the top 24.
Rahm's assault on the No. 1 ranking will begin this Friday at LIV Golf in Chicago, at Bolingbrook GC, where the Basque golfer will defend his title from last year, hoping to get closer to and even surpass Niemann in the overall standings if he wins.
“Someone told me that in the weeks he hasn't won, Joaquín hasn't been at his best or scoring many points, so with my consistency, I've had a chance to stay close,” conceded Jon, whose team, Legion XIII, leads the standings (218.66 points) ahead of the Crushers GC, captained by DeChambeau (172.00).
Rahm raided the bank last year in Chicago, which closed out the Saudi Super League season. The Spanish golfer won the four million reserved for the tournament champion and was crowned No. 1, also taking home the $18 million bonus. Jon pocketed $22 million in one day, about €19 million at current exchange rates.
Ben Shelton asked if he could pull off a Jannik Sinner after Toronto Masters win
Ben Shelton doesn't want to compare his path to Jannik Sinner's since he believes "everyone's story is different" but admits he is hoping that his Toronto Masters triumph is only the start of more great things.
On Thursday, the Shelton captured his maiden Masters win after completing an impressive 6-7 (5) 6-4 7-6 (3) final comeback against Karen Khachanov. For the 22-year-old American, it was his third ATP title, but by far the biggest one.
If you can recall, Sinner's first Masters triumph came two years ago at the exact same spot when he beat Alex de Minaur in the Toronto final. That pretty much marked a breakthrough in the Italian's game, as since then, he has won four Grand Slams and has been holding the world No. 1 spot for nearly a year now.
After Shelton became a Masters champion, a reporter remembered how the Toronto win did wonders for Sinner and asked the American if something similar could happen to him.
Shelton refuses to compare himself to Sinner: I think everyone has a different path…
"Yeah, yeah, you never know. I think everyone has a different path. Everyone's story is written differently. I've kind of done it my way. There's been a lot of guys to look up to, just because how young they have been when they have broken through, and have had so much success at big tournaments. Tennis seems to be a sport that has young champions all the time, which is not common or normal, it's ultra impressive," the 22-year-old explained.
Shelton may not want to compare himself to the best player in the game and put major expectations and pressure on himself. But he surely hopes to do some big things in the near future.
"Yeah, I hope that this week kind of kick starts me and gets me more consistent with the type of tennis that I want to play day-in and day-out," the 22-year-old added.
Kevin Na names golfers who bring Tiger Woods-level excitement
Tiger Woods is a person who is for many a symbol of golf as a sport. Throughout his long career, which is still ongoing, Tiger has shown qualities that we have never seen before. Brilliant performances, incredible mindset and focus are the reason why Tiger is such a beloved figure in the world of golf.
He is the reason why some people even started playing this sport, watching this sport and enjoying its charms.
In addition to the qualities on the golf course, the 49-year-old golfer has brought additional excitement to golf fans in various ways.
Are there golfers in this era who remind you of Tiger? Former PGA Tour player Kevin Na shared his opinion, saying that Bryson DeChambeau is the golfer who reminds him the most of Woods; at least in terms of excitement.
“I think Bryson [DeChambeau] is the closest to it, in terms of the excitement,” Na said, as quoted by the Golfing Gazette.
“I think Rory [McIlroy] is pretty exciting. I think [Jon] Rahm is pretty exciting, and Joaquin [Niemann] is becoming that player as well.
I think there are different characters to the game that bring that kind of energy. Obviously, Tiger was dominating with his power and was blowing the field away. Even though he was four or five behind with nine to play, it was like, ‘he is going to win, he is going to go on a crazy run.’"
Kevin Na was Woods fan
Kevin Na reveals that he was a Woods fan as a kid, just like most kids at that time. Most of them wanted to become a dominant figure on the golf scene, just like Tiger.
While some are not sure that there are golfers in the world of golf who can reach the heights that Tiger has reached, Kevin Na does not share this opinion. The popular golfer believes that there are some golfers who could leave at least a similar deep mark as the 49-year-old.
Speaking about the progress of golf in recent years, Na feels that golf has seen great progress, but that it has also become significantly more exciting and fun
“I remember watching as a kid and being a fan of Tiger. It was incredible. But I think there are characters that can follow in his footsteps or become maybe not that Tiger Woods icon level, but up close to that level, and we can have three or four guys kind of equal Tiger.
I think golf has become more entertaining and more exciting than before. In the 90s, I grew up watching golf, and I became a pro in the early 2000s, and I played with all these guys on the Senior Tour who are playing now, and I think golf has become more entertaining."- he concluded.
Ben Goes Big: Shelton Becomes Youngest American Masters Champion in 21 Years
By Chris Oddo | Thursday August 7, 2025
Blood, sweat, tears and – finally – triumph. Ben Shelton gave it all in Toronto and took home the hardware as the youngest American to win a Masters title since Andy Roddick in 2004, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-7(5) 6-4 7-6(3) in two hours and 47 minutes.
Shelton is the first American man to win the title in Canada since Roddick in 2003, and he will rise to a career-high ranking of No.6.
“I feel so blessed,” Shelton said. “Just to have opportunities like this. The joy that I feel today isn’t just because of the win. It’s because of the people that I get to spend every day with.”
It was a hard-hitting tussle with Khachanov, the pair’s second career meeting which saw Khachanov jump out in front on the strength of a solid first-set tiebreak.
But Shelton would not be denied. The 22-year-old American answered back, going unbroken in sets two and three and winning four of the final five points in the deciding set tiebreak to earn his third and biggest ATP title.
Shelton defeated No. 8-seeded Alex de Minaur and No. 4-seeded Taylor Fritz to advance to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 final, and survived third-set tiebreaks to defeat Brandon Nakashima and Flavio Cobolli earlier in the tournament.
When the victory was clinched, Shelton made his way to the crowd to share the moment with his coach and father Bryan. His coach encouraged him to step into the court and take balls earlier against Khachanov, and the strategy paid dividends.
“I love the way that he coaches me,” Shelton said. “He usually leaves stuff up to me. He gives me a lot of suggestions. He knows me better than anyone in the world, so he’s well qualified to give me those suggestions.”
Khachanov went more than six years between Masters finals, a record, but could not summon the magic that he displayed when winning the Paris title in 2018.
Still, he will rise to No.12 in the rankings after a strong effort that saw him save a match point while knocking off top-seeded Alexander Zverev in the semis.
“Definitely still it’s a positive, great tournament, great run,” he said. “I had some great battles, great wins against top guys. So that’s why I give credit to myself for doing that, and that’s it.
“I mean, you can win, you can lose, so you just try to regroup and be ready for the next tournament, it’s another Masters 1000, and then it’s a Grand Slam. So this is tennis, so sometimes you have to regroup quickly and be fit, be ready for the next match.”
Montreal Champ Mboko to Skip Cincinnati to Rest Wrist
By Chris Oddo | Friday August 8, 2025
18-year-old Victoria Mboko is the talk of the town in Montreal and around the tennis world after she claimed her maiden WTA title on Thursday evening with an emotional win over Naomi Osaka in the Omnium Banque Nationale final.
She’ll take some time away from the spotlight, however.
The Canadian has elected to pull out of the Cincinnati Open draw in order to rest the wrist she injured while falling during her semifinal win over Elena Rybakina in Montreal.
“I’m not planning on playing Cincinnati at the moment,” she said, after explaining that her right wrist was swollen on Thursday, and adding that she went to the hospital earlier that day for an MRI/X-Ray. “I just want to take care of my wrist a little bit right now, and I think it’s just very close and sudden for me to go there and play again I think in, like, two days.
“I think I’m just going to sit out on that one and prepare for the upcoming tournaments.”
Osaka, who reached her first WTA 1000 final since 2022 in Montreal, has also withdrawn from Cincinnati.
Mboko admitted that the swelling in her wrist was concerning but said it didn’t affect her play against Osaka too much.
“It was pretty swollen, and it was really stiff and hard to move,” she said. “So we decided to go to do an MRI and an X-ray just to make sure that nothing too serious was happening, that I could have the possibility of playing.
“When I got the green light, I just had to make sure I saw the physios, and we taped it up properly before the match and a very solid tape job. Yeah, I just did as much as I could to prepare for the match.”
Mboko, who rose from No.85 to No.24 in today’s WTA rankings, defeated four former Grand Slam champions during her run to the title in Montreal. It was just her seventh WTA main draw.
She says she doesn’t want to get over the moon about her success, however.
“I surround myself with people who have known me for so long, and I just like to keep a small circle,” Mboko said. “I like to be really relaxed and calm. So I think going forward, I just want to keep the same routines that I’m usually used to.
“I don’t want to put so much pressure on myself just because of something that happened this week, because life goes on. There’s always another tournament, whether win or lose. I’m just happy to live the moment. Once it’s passed, it’s passed.”
Victorious Victoria! 18-Year-Old Mboko Stuns Rybakina to Reach Montreal Final
By Chris Oddo | Wednesday August 6, 2025
Grand Slam champions keep stepping up to face teen sensation Victoria Mboko in Montreal, and the kid keeps knocking them down.
For the third time in six matches at the Omnium Banque Nationale, Mboko defeated a former major champion, as she advanced to her maiden WTA final with a 1-6 7-5 7-6(4) victory over Elena Rybakina.
“It was an incredible match,” Mboko, who has also defeated Sofia Kenin and Coco Gauff on her way to the final, told the Montreal crowd. “I want to say thanks to everyone who supported me tonight. It was electric, and I’m very happy – oh my god!”
Mboko battled over two hours and 45 minutes, rallying from a set down and twice from a break down in the final set as she saved a match point and finally pushed past the No.9 seed in a tiebreak, winning the final three points to lock up a spot in the final where a fourth former major champion – Naomi Osaka – will be waiting.
Osaka defeated Clara Tauson in Wednesday’s second semifinal, 6-2 7-6(7).
Mboko survived despite winning only 35 percent of her second-serve points, thanks to a 72 percent first-serve percentage and a very timely break game. With pinpoint returns, stellar defense, and plenty of guile she earned six breaks of Rybakina’s serve as she locked up her second consecutive Top 20 win and became the youngest woman to reach the final in Canada since Belinda Bencic in 2015.
What was Mboko most proud of?
“I would say my ability to kind of come back in the third set,” she said. “I feel like after I had that fall, I wasn’t in the greatest spirits. Of course, she was playing really great tennis on top of that, but I’m happy that I kept my composure, and I was kind of patient in the right moments.
“I just feel really happy that I was able to bounce back after being down. Even a match point…”
Mboko is also the only Canadian woman to ever defeat three former Slam champions in the same event in Open Era history.
“It was very difficult, Elena is a very good player, but anything can happen,” Mboko said.
The victory was not accomplished without adversity.
Mboko took a fall in the second game of the final set, and had her right wrist examined after the third game, but she was able to play through the pain to get the victory against the woman who knocked her out of the Washington, DC draw last week.
“Unfortunately I fell,” Mboko said. “But everybody was supporting me and pushing me through.”
A remarkable effort from a young woman who is playing in her seventh WTA main draw, and just her third at the WTA 1000 level.
Ranked 85 at the start of the week, Mboko is up to 34 in the WTA live rankings at the moment. She was outside the Top 300 when the season started but 41 wins and just eight losses across all levels have propelled the former junior world No.6 to her current perch.
A Battle Royale
It was tense from start to finish against Rybakina, who rallied from a break down to level at 5-5 in the second set, just two games from the win. But Mboko won eight of the final ten points of the set to force a decider.
In the third, Rybakina was in the driver’s set again, leading 4-2 and 5-3 with a break, but she failed to convert a match point while serving at 5-4 and was broken.
After breaking back in the next game, she was broken at love by Mboko and a tiebreak ensued.
The Canadian saved her best for last – a line-licking forehand that went for a winner and a 5-4 lead in the breaker. Two points later she sank to her knees in disbelief, another Grand Slam champion, another victim of a raw, talented phenom on the rise.
Ben Goes Big: Shelton Becomes Youngest American Masters Champion in 22 Years
By Chris Oddo | Thursday August 7, 2025
Blood, sweat, tears and – finally – triumph. Ben Shelton gave it all in Toronto and took home the hardware as the youngest American to win a Masters title since Andy Roddick in 2004, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-7(5) 6-4 7-6(3) in two hours and 47 minutes.
Shelton is the first American man to win the title in Canada since Roddick in 2003, and he will rise to a career-high ranking of No.6.
“I feel so blessed,” Shelton said. “Just to have opportunities like this. The joy that I feel today isn’t just because of the win. It’s because of the people that I get to spend every day with.”
It was a hard-hitting tussle with Khachanov, the pair’s second career meeting which saw Khachanov jump out in front on the strength of a solid first-set tiebreak.
But Shelton would not be denied. The 22-year-old American answered back, going unbroken in sets two and three and winning four of the final five points in the deciding set tiebreak to earn his third and biggest ATP title.
Shelton defeated No. 8-seeded Alex de Minaur and No. 4-seeded Taylor Fritz to advance to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 final, and survived third-set tiebreaks to defeat Brandon Nakashima and Flavio Cobolli earlier in the tournament.
When the victory was clinched, Shelton made his way to the crowd to share the moment with his coach and father Bryan. His coach encouraged him to step into the court and take balls earlier against Khachanov, and the strategy paid dividends.
“I love the way that he coaches me,” Shelton said. “He usually leaves stuff up to me. He gives me a lot of suggestions. He knows me better than anyone in the world, so he’s well qualified to give me those suggestions.”
Khachanov went more than six years between Masters finals, a record, but could not summon the magic that he displayed when winning the Paris title in 2018.
Still, he will rise to No.12 in the rankings after a strong effort that saw him save a match point while knocking off top-seeded Alexander Zverev in the semis.
“Definitely still it’s a positive, great tournament, great run,” he said. “I had some great battles, great wins against top guys. So that’s why I give credit to myself for doing that, and that’s it.
“I mean, you can win, you can lose, so you just try to regroup and be ready for the next tournament, it’s another Masters 1000, and then it’s a Grand Slam. So this is tennis, so sometimes you have to regroup quickly and be fit, be ready for the next match.”
Scottie Scheffler wants to expand his festival
The PGA Tour season enters its final stretch this Thursday. The FedEx St. Jude Championship kicks off, the first of three tournaments that will determine the 2025 FedEx Cup champion.
Three separate events—this week's St. Jude, next week's BMW Championship, and the Tour Championship in two weeks' time—will determine the victory of the tour's annual season. The winner of the Tour Championship will claim the tour title. On the other hand, this PGA Tour playoff is scheduled weeks before the Ryder Cup.
Scottie Scheffler, results
The points for the winners of these tournaments are quadrupled compared to the regular season tournaments, so 2,000 are distributed to the winners in the first two events, before the Tour Championship decides the champion. Furthermore, the various tournaments, which are played without a cut, are eliminatory: of the seventy participants at St. Jude, only the top fifty in the annual rankings will advance to the BMW. After that, the cut will be set at thirty for the final Tour Championship.
The winner of that last tournament will be taken into account to determine the FedEx Cup champion. However, as a novelty this season, the players' starting scores will not be taken into account the annual tour ranking. Everyone will start at par.
Thus, a total of seventy players, the best of the season in the FedEx Cup, have secured a ticket to a FedEx St. Jude tournament to be played at TPC Southwind in Memphis this weekend. All eyes will be on one man: Scottie Scheffler. The American, a strong favorite for the final victory of the season, enters this tournament as the solid leader of the annual rankings and in peak form.
The British Open champion just under three weeks ago, Scheffler returns with all eyes on him. He has won four of his last eight tournaments and hasn't dropped out of the top 10 since The Players in March. A testament to his absolute consistency.
As if that weren't enough, he's seeking his second consecutive FedEx Cup, a feat no one has achieved since the format's launch in 2007. It would be another milestone for a player who continues to shape the future of golf, with two majors (he also won the PGA Championship) and four wins this year, and is poised to be at full strength for the Ryder Cup in a few weeks.
Furthermore, Scheffler (4,806 points in the standings) will not have his greatest rival in the fight for the FedEx Cup, Rory McIlroy (3,444), in the opening tournament, which reaffirms his favoritism for this first tournament. The American and Northern Irishman have a solid grip on the top two spots in the annual rankings heading into the final tournament, a situation that has led a tired McIlroy to save his energy for the next two weeks.
Thus, Scheffler's biggest rivals in the first tournament are Sepp Straka (2,595 points), Russell Henley (2,391), and Justin Thomas (2,280). The world number one is aiming to make the final push to distance all his rivals by more than 2,000 points before the BMW Championship and, with that, lock down that top spot heading into the final event.
Of course, there will be no shortage of other big names. J.J. Spaun, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose, and Hideki Matsuyama are, among others, candidates to win this first tournament beyond the annual rankings. Players like Matthew Fitzpatrick, Schauffele, and Jordan Spieth are nearing the top 50 positions that qualify for the BMW Championship, so there's a lot at stake starting this week.
Humble & Hungry – Shelton Is Youngest American to Reach Masters Final in 21 Years
By Chris Oddo | Wednesday August 6, 2025
Ben Shelton broke new ground on Wednesday night in Toronto, defeating Taylor Fritz to become the youngest American to reach a Masters 1000 final since Andy Roddick in 2004.
The 22-year-old notched a 6-4, 6-3 over the top-ranked American, and has now earned back-to-back Top-10 wins for the first time in his career.
“I’m just looking for things in my game to steadily improve and I’ve seen so many big improvements in my game this week,” said Shelton. “That’s what I’m most happy about. The way that I’m playing, how I’m executing and how little I’m hesitating.”
Shelton saved both break points he faced in a flawless performance, and converted three of ten to pull away from the fourth-ranked American.
He cracked seven aces and won 25 of 29 first-serve points.
“When he is standing in one corner, he’s one of the best in the world at being behind the ball and hitting it harder and harder every time,” Shelton said of the 2024 US Open runner-up. “You have to keep him moving and I did a great job of that, moving the ball around the court today.”
In the first all-American Masters semifinal in 15 years Shelton improved to 1-1 vs Fritz and became the eighth player born in the 2000s to play a Masters final.
“It’s huge,” Shelton said. “Talked about how the Masters were the one level of tournaments that I’ve been struggling with, and my next step is being able to excel in these tournaments. So taking that first step and getting my first deep run under my belt is exciting.”
He’ll face Karen Khachanov for the title on Thursday evening.