Anisimova had a special message for Osaka after edging out the Japanese in a three-hour US Open semifinal battle.
Archive of posts tagged United States
Carlos Alcaraz downs Novak Djokovic, reaches US Open final
Carlos Alcaraz will compete in his seventh Major final at 22
Jannik Sinner storms over Lorenzo Musetti, reaches US Open SF
Jannik Sinner will face Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the title clash
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
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.
Scottie Scheffler praises J.J. Spaun’s talent and grinding mentality
Scottie Scheffler had a strong showing at the last tournament, the FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025, finishing in third place with a total score of 15 shots under par. The 29-year-old golfer played 3 under par (67 shots) in the final round, but he failed to celebrate this time.
Justin Rose celebrated in a dramatic playoff against J.J. Spaun.
In an interview with the media, Scheffler reflected on his performance.
The world number 1 pointed out that he was satisfied with the game this week, but there were some moments where Scottie expected more from himself.
"Yeah, did a lot of good stuff, fought pretty hard most of the week. Like I said, today was a day where I executed really well, hit my lines on the greens, hit a lot of good shots going into the greens. Just ball wasn't going in. Just a little bit off, I guess.."- he said.
Scottie Scheffler on J.J. Spaun
J.J. Spaun is having a dream season. While the seasoned golfer hasn't been a dominant figure on the PGA Tour in recent years, he seems to be an unstoppable enigma to many this year.
Scheffler had nothing but praise for him, praising various aspects of Spaun's game.
There are many things that make this golfer so superior and great, and it looks like he could continue to be just as strong in the future.
"Yeah, he's a great player. He's got a ton of talent. He hits it really, really solid. To win a U.S. Open you've got to grind really hard, and he's a guy that he gets the ball in play, hits it really solid and he holes a lot of putts. He's a tough guy to beat.
You love seeing guys like that have success, guys that work hard and get the most out of their games, and J.J. is definitely one of those guys that's a grinder out here. You always see him practicing, see him in the gym. Definitely happy to see him having the success that he has.."
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.
Rahm reforms the LIV: a possible expansion
The possibility of the LIV becoming part of the world ranking system seems closer than ever, given that last month the Saudi Super League reapplied to join the system. The system now has new leadership in South African Trevor Immelman and a more favorable context for evaluating the case amid the lull that has dominated the relationship between the circuits for some time now.
Jon Rahm spoke on the matter this Wednesday before taking part in this year's 12th leg of the circuit (6:15 p.m., Movistar Golf) at the Bolingbrook Golf Club in Chicago (USA). Whether more or less veiled or more explicit, the Basque native has gradually hinted that he would welcome certain modifications to the LIV format, particularly in terms of world ranking points, which would facilitate access to the top players for its players, currently limited to qualifying, invitationals, and the few exemptions its members still retain. But also, even though he hasn't said it publicly, the truth is that the tournament structure is more suited to his style of play on the PGA and European tours.
Rahm, statements
“There's an open process to enter the rankings, and once we're in, we can see what changes can be made to get the maximum number of points possible without losing our core. Let's say we currently have 20 points. If you add a fourth round, you'll go down to 25. It may or may not be worth it. It could also be a cut or something, but with the number of players we currently have and the team situation, I don't see it happening. Another thing would be to expand the league, say to 15 teams and 60 players. You can make it work. There are many possibilities I'm thinking about, but all of this is completely hypothetical because I haven't talked about it with anyone on the tour. But there are things we could do to get more ranking points if necessary, and surely the world ranking guys and Scott (O'Neil, CEO of LIV) have even more in mind that I can't think of,” Rahm commented on the matter.
Because the truth is that, if he were to make the cut, the number of points that the LIV tournaments could award would initially be rather small, given that the system assigns one point or another based on parameters such as the number of golfers playing, the number of rounds in the tournament, and the ranking of its participants, which in this tour's case has been severely affected by years of being unable to score points beyond their occasional appearances in tournaments on the Asian Tour, the European Tour, or the majors.
On the other hand, Rahm again addressed his situation regarding his eligibility for the European team that will face the US in the Ryder Cup next September. "There's nothing I can confirm or deny. Luke (Donald, European captain) communicates with me just as he does with others. I don't think he's assured anyone anything yet. It's too soon for that. He'll be waiting until the end of August, and in my case, I think I'm just another name on his list."
On a strictly sporting level, Rahm faces the need for a strong showing this week, combined with a poor performance from Joaquín Niemann, as he attempts to catch the Chilean at the top of the LIV annual standings. With the last three tournaments remaining, just over 37 points separate them, a surprising figure given that Joaco has been the clear dominator this season, in which he already has five wins to the Spaniard's none, who, in contrast, has been a prodigy of consistency when it comes to scoring top-10 finishes. He has achieved this at every stop except one, in Dallas, including two second places. In the team standings, his Legion XIII does rule the roost, having won four titles and well on track to reach the team final in Michigan in first place.
Coco Gauff teases American men over lack of Grand Slams: No competition
Coco Gauff jokes there "has not been much of a competition" between American men and women at Grand Slams simply because the women have had much more success over the last two decades.
As you probably know, the last US male tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles title was Andy Roddick. After winning his maiden Major at the 2003 US Open, the former world No. 1 appeared in four more Major finals but never won his second title on the biggest level.
After Roddick's 2009 Wimbledon final defeat to Roger Federer, it took US tennis 15 years to get another male Grand Slam finalist – Taylor Fritz reached the 2024 US Open final but stood no chance there, losing in straight sets to Jannik Sinner.
When it comes to American WTA stars, their Slam success over the past two decades is well-documented. In the most recent history, Gauff landed two Grand Slams in the last two years.
Gauff takes a playful shot at US ATP players
"For the men, I feel like the women, it hasn't been much of a competition, no offense to them, but now it is kind of was it three or four straight Slams with American in the finals. So I think we're we're doing pretty good on our end. They have to catch up. But no, I think it's great to see so many so much representation of like our country in the sport," the 2023 US Open winner said.
After making it clear that she thinks American male tennis features some pretty quality players, Gauff revealed her big wish was to witness an American male and female winning the same Grand Slam. Last year, Fritz and Jessica Pegula came close to making that happen, but lost their respective US Open final matches.
"I would love to see in my lifetime like a woman and an American woman and male when the same Slam that would be that would be great. We got it US Open. They were both in the final so hopefully maybe this U.S. Open some magic can happen," Gauff added.
In early June, Gauff won her first French Open title. Now, the 21-year-old is an Australian Open and Wimbledon title away from completing a Career Grand Slam.
Paula Badosa Withdraws from US Open
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.
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.
Sabalenka Set to Appear with Dude Perfect At Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day
By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, August 7, 2025
Photo credit: Al Bello/Getty
Aryna Sabalenka will launch her US Open title defense joining forces with Dudes to entertain kids at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day.
World No. 1 Sabalenka will partner Dude Perfect at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Saturday, August 23, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the USTA announced today. The USTA said there will be free admission to the US Open grounds and all on-site activities.
Reigning US Open champion, who will launch her return at this month’s Cincinnati Open, shared and update of her time off from tennis on her YouTube Channel.
The Dude Perfect crew – Tyler “The Beard” Toney, “The Twins” Cory and Coby Cotton, Garrett “The Purple Hoser” Hilbert, and Cody “The Tall Guy” Jones – will perform their popular sports entertainment stadium show for the fourth consecutive Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, at a new time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Dudes are scheduled to do a meet and greet with fans afterward, the USTA said in a statement.
Here’s more info on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day from the USTA press release today:
Following the Dude Perfect show, a blockbuster lineup of young music and entertainment stars will headline the Fountain Plaza Stage for fans of all ages to enjoy. The lineup includes: R&B vocal group 2BYG; multi-talented vocalist and actor Liamani; singer-songwriter and TikTok sensation Magnus Ferrell; breakout singer, rapper and actress That Girl Lay Lay; and rising actor and hip hop artist Young Dylan, who will also co-host the show. Fountain Plaza Stage performances will run from 1-3:30 p.m.
A festival atmosphere will permeate the National Tennis Center on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. Featured practices starring some of the game’s most popular players will entertain fans in the US Open’s main stadiums, while many of the field courts will feature tennis activities for kids. On-court lessons, drills, contests and competitions will take place from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET, while the rest of the grounds will offer plenty of off-court fun, such as face-painting and temporary tattoos, storytelling, hair-braiding and beading,balloon artists and roving entertainers. The US Open also will offer a specially priced $10 meal for kids and their families.
Magic & Misery: Wild Card Mboko Stuns Osaka to win Maiden Title in Montreal
By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, August 7, 2025
Photo credit: Omnium Banque Nationale Facebook
A diving Victoria Mboko hurled herself at the ball, flicking a flying reply unleashing a resounding roar from Montreal fans.
The Canadian wild card crashed to the court chasing a dropper in wrapping a wild ride. Mboko scored a stunning 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over a detached Naomi Osaka to capture her maiden championship in a fairy-tale finish to the Omnium Banque Nationale Open.
The 18-year-old Mboko took home fans on a thrill ride that was unpredictable, unruly and downright ugly at times as former world No. 1 Osaka mentally unraveled in the face of the teenager’s fierce competitiveness, roaring crowd support and her own self-sabotage.
It ended with a crash landing and will go down as a historic flight. Mboko is the second-youngest woman in WTA history to defeat four Grand Slam champion—Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Osaka—en route to a championship. Only legendary Serena Williams, who was a 17-year-old dynamo clad in canary-colored Puma dress when she knocked off four major champions, including world No. 1 Martina Hingis to win the 1999 US Open, was younger.
The explosive Mboko is the third wild card to win a WTA 1000 championship following soon-to-be Hall of Famer Maria Sharapova (2011 Cincinnati) and compatriot Bianca Andreescu (2019 Indian Wells). Playing with a sore wrist she sustained falling to the court in her semifinal win over Rybakina, Mboko refused to let pain or pressure slow her roll.
“It feels unbelievable right now. I mean, words cannot really describe how today
went,” Mboko told the media in Montreal. “Today was such an eventful day actually. I woke up this morning, and I actually had my wrist a little bit swollen from yesterday’s fall, and we quickly went to the
hospital actually to do an MRI and an X-ray before I came to the courts to practice today.
“So once we got the green light that nothing too serious was going on in the wrist, I came here and practiced real fast and prepared for my match. So I think today regarding all
the events that I did, it feels a lot sweeter.”
World No. 85 Mboko, who was ranked No. 358 a year ago, is the second-lowest ranked woman to win a WTA 1000 title after No. 133 Kim Clijsters, who won the 2005 Indian Wells championship.
In the end, the net divided an immense emotional expanse between four-time major champion Osaka and first-time finalist Mboko.
The teenager played with more poise and deeper desire than a disconsolate Osaka, who incurred a code violation for belting a ball into the stands, appeared annoyed by her opponent toweling off as she was set to serve and looked vacant at the very end.
A determined Mboko flew through the final five games dropping to her knees in exhilaration after earning a two hour, four-minute triumph.
Truth be told it was a bizarre final popping with some brilliant shot-making from both and periods where neither woman could seem to keep the ball between the lines for sustained stretches. Mboko overcame 13 double faults and a 27 percent second-serve percentage, while Osaka often had her opponent on defense only to sail the kill shot in several instances. Mboko converted seven of eight break points and applied her speed and determination to extend points and her knack for the down the line strike to exterminate them.
The winning moment ✨
Victoria Mboko captures her first WTA title in Montreal, defeating Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.#OBN25 pic.twitter.com/OveLB47YMZ
— wta (@WTA) August 8, 2025
At times, this final was like watching virtuoso musicians hit pitch perfect high notes then shriek through stretches of atonal music.
Yet, Mboko showed her grit, guts and star power riding a wave of support that overwhelmed Osaka into fretful frustration.
At the outset, Osaka delivered a dose of forehand medicine to Mboko that she received from Liudmila Samsonova in round two.
In her 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 comeback conquest of 13th-seeded Samsonova, Osaka was getting beaten repeatedly in crosscourt exchanges for a set and a half. The Japanese was sometimes taking one big step rather than the short, precise preparation steps to give herself ideal spacing between her body and the ball.
Tonight, Osaka came out straddling the baseline ripping crosscourt forehands basically telling the teenager: let’s see if you can hang and bang in crosscourt forehand fireworks.
Showing the shotmaking that made her a two-time US Open champion, Osaka fired a forehand down the line streaking to a 4-1 lead. Whipping forehands with menacing intent, Osaka broke again to take the opener in 37 minutes.
The world No. 49 seemed to be in control, but soon Mboko’s speed and persistence and the crowd’s growing participation spooked Osaka into strange and sour places.
Facing a red-hot, fearless opponent, thousands of screaming Canadian fans and the prospect of winning her biggest title in four years all amped up the angst Osaka was feeling. That’s completely understandable.
Still, if you’re as experienced as Osaka you cannot be wishing balls out as she did a couple of times pointing to marks she thought were wide on balls that actually landed inside the sideline. You’ve got to play the actual call and not the call you hope to hear—yet it showed the nerves the Japanese superstar was feeling even up a set.
When Osaka dropped serve for the second straight time to fall behind 1-2 in the second set she dropped her blue Yonex stick to the court in a visible show of frustration.
Across the net, the 18-year-old Mboko meant business. After blowing a 40-15 lead and double-faulting back the break in the fourth game, Mboko blasted a big return to break again for 3-2—the sixth straight break of this hard-hitting final.
Shaking off a double fault, Mboko geared into groove drawing a wild forehand error to hold at 30 for 4-2—the first hold since Osaka went up 5-2 in the opening set.
A rattled Osaka was staring up at the sky as if searching for answers from above, while Mboko raced through a love break extending her lead to 5-2.
Cutting a forlorn figure as she paced near the back wall, Osaka looked dejected. Then Mboko threw her a life line.
The teenager totally lost her serve motion spit up three double faults and watched Osaka rope a return down the line to break back in the eighth game. Osaka whipped the wide serve stamping her first hold of the set for 4-5 and shifting pressure back on Mboko’s shoulders.
After asking her coaching box for advice on serve, Mboko took pace off the serve. That approach worked as she rallied from 15-30 down winning three points in a row to snatch a jittery and wild second set and force a decider after 82 minutes of play.
“Naomi came out playing really great tennis,” Mboko said. “I think she always had that aggressive kind of
game style, and I knew she was that good of a player. When I lost the first set, I kind of told myself to regroup a little bit and start fresh. I knew she was going to — going into the second set, I knew she was going to also keep playing aggressive, so I kind of had to rely on my
defending skills most of the match.
“Since she hits such a powerful ball, it was really hard for me to kind of replicate what she was putting in through. But I think at the end of the day I just did everything I possibly could to pull through the match, and thankfully I came out for the win.”
Despite dumping 12 double faults through two sets, the wild card was one set from her first career title. Osaka left the court to reset before the decider.
In retrospect that break was a big mistake as Mboko spent the down time hitting practice serves and finding her groove while Osaka was trying to set her mind back on track.
Just when you thought a crazy final couldn’t possibly get more unstable, it did. Both women double faulted away breaks to start the final set. Osaka squandered a 30-15 lead, then belted a ball into the stands, incurring a code violation warning for ball abuse as Mboko converted her sixth break edging ahead 2-1.
Throughout this magical Montreal run, Mboko’s poise under pressure, creativity on the run and sheer resilience have been her super-powers. She showed all of that in a draining fourth game.
Dripping sweat, Mboko fought off four break points in a dramatic six-deuce game dabbing a dropper to hold for 3-1 as the entire stadium seemed to rise to its collective feet roaring.
If you’ve watched Osaka win any of her four Grand Slams you know she can be a premier power player with a knack for the devastating first strike.
This final reinforced the fact for all her wondrous gifts as a ball striker, Osaka’s aversion to the net remains a vulnerability. Time and time again, Osaka had the teenager on the move in the fifth game, but stubbornly remained stuck to the baseline trying to squeeze shots closer to the lines. In the end she hit herself into oblivion as Mboko broke a seventh time for 4-1.
Mentally, Mboko was soaring on this magical flight and Osaka was grounded in misery.
When Osaka tapped a casual drop shot, a soaring Mboko raced forward went full dive and crashed to the court flicking a forehand and losing her Wilson racquet in the process. The chair umpire called for a replay to make sure Mboko got it on one bounce, but Osaka, who looked like she just wanted to get off the court, didn’t even wait and played through that request.
“In that game I was, like, Oh, I’m super close. At that point I had the fighting mentality,” Mboko said. “I
just wanted to run and put as many balls back in the court as possible. I wanted it so badly that I think falling was a little bit worth it.
“I mean, in that situation I wanted to just stay in there with her. Naomi was playing such aggressive, and she was hitting some pretty clean shots. So I wanted to run and retrieve everything that even didn’t seem possible.”
Mboko completed a magical run dropping to her knees as Osaka came around the net to offer congratulations. Back in 2018, Osaka overcame legendary Serena Williams and 23,000 screaming American fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium to win the US Open in a moment she called “bittersweet”.
Tonight, it felt like a bit of a role reversal with Mboko riding the wave of Canadian crowd support and Osaka looking positively muted by the end.
This victory vaults Mboko past compatriot and Washington, DC champion Leylah Fernandez to No. 25 as the highest-ranked Canadian woman. Mboko said afterward she will skip Cincinnati to rest her sore wrist and prepare for the US Open. Despite the disappointing finish, Osaka rises to No. 24 in the rankings.
There’s a lot to like about Mboko’s game and her commitment to the cause and based on what we saw tonight both women will be dangerous threats at this month’s US Open.
The LIV confirms its return to Virginia in 2026
The 2026 LIV schedule continues to take shape. This Wednesday, the Saudi Super League announced that Virginia (USA) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) will once again be among its stops next season. The former will take place from May 8-10, and the latter will once again serve as the opening venue, from February 5-7.
Liv Golf, calendar
The new development is that this time the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club will not be the venue for the LIV Virginia, which will also have a new sponsor in Maaden, the Saudi state mining company. Instead, a property owned by Donald Trump, with whom the organization has maintained good relations since its inception, was chosen not far from there: Trump National in Washington, D.C.
“I'm excited to welcome the LIV. The last time it was here, we broke attendance records, and next year it will be even bigger. I'm looking forward to once again showing the world one of the most iconic courses in existence and welcoming the best golfers in the world,” said Eric Trump, Donald's third son and one of the heads of the family's businesses.
Virginia and Riyadh are the sixth and seventh stops, respectively, confirmed for the LIV's upcoming schedule. The LIV will also travel to Adelaide (February 13-15), South Africa for the first time (March 20-22), Mexico City (April 17-19), the United Kingdom (July 24-26), and Singapore (March 13-15).
The Rules of Golf are a set of standards and procedures by which the sport of golf should be played. They are jointly written and administered by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the governing body of golf worldwide, except in the United States and Mexico, which are governed by the United States Golf Association. An expert committee composed of members of the R&A and the USGA oversees and refines the rules every four years. The latest revision took effect on January 1, 2016. Amendments to the Rules of Golf are generally divided into two main categories: those that improve understanding and those that reduce penalties in certain cases to ensure balance. The rulebook, entitled "Rules of Golf," is published regularly and also includes rules governing amateur status. In Italy, the Italian Golf Federation is responsible for overseeing competitions by enforcing the rules issued by the R&A, ensuring that these rules are observed by clubs, associations, and their members, and managing the resulting sporting justice, protecting their interests abroad.
Venus Williams had hilarious explanation for playing pro tennis at 45
Venus Williams is keeping it light at the start of Cincinnati as the 45-year-old jokes she is still playing tennis because it does well for her body "figure."
As you probably know, the seven-time Grand Slam champion pleasantly surprised the tennis community when she accepted a late wildcard into the WTA 500 tournament in Washington. And the former world No. 1 made some noise in the United States capital, defeating Peyton Stearns in her first match in 16 months, for her first win since 2023.
After a solid Washington round-of-16 outing, Williams also received a main draw wildcard into this week's WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati. In her pre-tournament presser, the American tennis icon was asked to address playing pro tennis in her mid-forties and she didn't disappoint with her answer
“It’s obviously no secret that you get great legs and great arms from playing tennis. So, I figured I’d at least keep my figure if that’s the very least we do!" the 45-year-old joked.
Williams then got serious and explained what really allowed her to play at 45
Williams may not have played much over the last couple of years. However, she always remained active, from hitting balls on the practice to doing regular gym exercises.
"I never stopped hitting the ball, even when I was away—not as intensely as you would if you were replaying playing tournaments, but still going out there. When I was on the court, I was always working on my game. I didn’t just let it all fall apart. Even if it was just a half hour, I still wanted to get something out of it," the former world No. 1 explained.
Meanwhile, in the Cincinnati first round, Williams will take on world No. 51 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro – the two have no previous meetings.
Heading into the match, Bouzas Maneiro is playing some of the tennis of her life and she is coming off a quarterfinal showing in Montreal.
Williams probably enters the match as the underdog but there is no doubt that will put up a big fight, just as she did in Washington.
Jannik Sinner revives Wimbledon glory: 'Even I was surprised by my level'
World no. 1 Jannik Sinner is preparing for the title defense at the Cincinnati Masters. The Italian heads to Cincinnati following a historic triumph at Wimbledon, becoming the first player from his country with a trophy at the All England Club.
Sinner is preparing for the North American hard-court swing with renewed motivation, hoping to defend the ATP throne from Carlos Alcaraz. As was expected, the 23-year-old enjoyed his break from tennis after conquering Wimbledon.
The world's best player spoke about the emotional high of the final against Alcaraz and acknowledged that the experience felt very different to his other Major finals.
Jannik Sinner. Wimbledon Champion. pic.twitter.com/5vGbxt7j0Z
Five weeks earlier, Jannik squandered three match points against Carlos in that epic Roland Garros final, suffering a heartbreaking 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 defeat in five hours and 29 minutes.
The Italian recovered and made a fresh start at the All England Club. He survived a major scare in the fourth round against Grigor Dimitrov and entered the last four with a win over Ben Shelton.
Sinner outplayed the seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets and arranged his first Wimbledon title clash against Alcaraz. The Spaniard took the opener, but the Italian kept his composure and provided a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory in three hours and four minutes.
Jannik Sinner, Cincinnati 2025© X – Cincinnati Open
Jannik experienced different sensations from his previous Major finals, especially after what happened in Paris. The four-time Major winner revealed he was surprised with the level he produced, especially against his greatest rivals in the latter stages.
The first-time Wimbledon champion took a couple of days off the court, spending quality time with family and friends. Sinner then returned to Monte Carlo and started his preparations for Cincinnati and the US Open.
The Italian has to defend both titles and 3000 ATP points. The pressure is there, but Jannik looks recharged and eager to build on his incredible season and add more silverware to his growing collection.
Jannik Sinner, 2025© Stream screenshot
Will anyone stop him? Only time will tell in the next five weeks.
"The final at Wimbledon provided a different sensation because of what happened a month earlier at Roland Garros. Bouncing back in London and performing at that level surprised me, too.
I was thrilled to spend some time off the court after London and see my family and friends. After spending time with important people around me, I returned to the practice court and gave my best to prepare for the US swing, an important part of the season.
Winning Wimbledon felt very special," Jannik Sinner said.
Ben Shelton's meteoric rise – College champ becomes ATP centurion
World no. 7 Bern Shelton is enjoying his career-best run at a Masters 1000 level in Toronto. The young American bested Alex de Minaur in straight sets to notch his first semi-final at this level and remain on the title course.
A left-hander prevailed over Flavio Cobolli in the fourth round, celebrating his 100th ATP victory and earning a notable milestone. Ben's rise from college sensation to ATP star has been nothing short of electric.
The American needed only three years since turning professional to claim his 100th ATP win, marking the milestone and gathering momentum ahead of the semi-final duel with his compatriot, Taylor Fritz.
✅ Atlanta 2022: 1st tour-level win
✅ Toronto 2025: 100th tour-level winA full-circle moment for @BenShelton 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hY4YkO4xk3
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 4, 2025
Shelton claimed the 2022 NCAA singles title for Florida Gators and turned pro a few weeks later. A left-hander with a booming serve claimed his first ATP win in July at home in Atlanta.
Ben wrapped up his first professional season with three ATP triumphs under his belt. The young gun flew from the US for the first time at the beginning of 2023! He lacked experienced but presented incredible will and desire.
Shelton ended the season with respectable 26 ATP victories, proving himself and setting the stage for an even stronger run in 2024. Ben claimed his second ATP title in Houston and counted 42 triumphs, becoming world no. 13 but ending the season just outside the top-20.
Ben Shelton, Toronto 2025© Stream screenshot
The young American gained a boost ahead of 2025 and extended his great streak, collecting 26 wins before Toronto and becoming world no. 7. Shelton reached the Australian Open semi-final and lost the final of the ATP 500 event in Munich.
He fought well against Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros before reaching the quarter-final at Wimbledon. Ben entered his first Major event as a top-10 player and fell to Jannik Sinner after a solid resistance.
Ben Shelton, Toronto 2025© Stream screenshot
Shelton suffered the semi-final defeat in Washington and headed to Toronto with 97 ATP wins. A left-hander embraced a deep run in Canada and provided his 100th victory only three years after turning pro.
His blend of power and charisma continues to excite fans and push boundaries. From college courts in Florida to ATP milestones, Shelton's journey is moving fast, with no signs of slowing down.
The US Open is just around the corner, and the home players will be among the players to beat at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Figures prove that Portrush was a triumph
The 153rd edition of The Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club (July 17-20, 2025) set a new standard in attendance, television viewership, and digital engagement, as the tournament's return six years after Irishman Shane Lowry's success on the iconic Antrim coast provided an unforgettable spectacle that captivated fans worldwide.
A record 278,000 fans marked the highest attendance ever recorded for The Open, with the exception of St Andrews, once again highlighting the immense passion that exists for golf in Ireland. For the first time, all practice days were sold out with a record 90,000 fans in attendance, while 19,000 children were able to enjoy The Open as part of the Kids go Free initiative. More than 1.2 million applications were received for the ticket draw.
Portrush, results
The Open's reach extended well beyond Royal Portrush, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. In the UK, Sky Sports recorded its most-watched Open ever with 21.2 million hours watched, representing a significant 36% increase over the previous year. The final round marked Sky's second-largest Sunday audience since 2021. In the US, NBC/Peacock's coverage of the final averaged 4.1 million viewers, a 21% increase over 2024, and Sunday's audience reached over 6.1 million viewers. Overall, NBC Sports' coverage was its most-watched since 2022.
These record-breaking figures are a testament to the enduring appeal of The Open and fans' passion for the links. “The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush truly set a new standard for attendance, television audiences, and digital engagement,” said Neil Armit, Chief Commercial Officer of the R&A. “The incredible support from fans at The Open and those watching around the world, combined with the exceptional performances on the course, created an atmosphere that will be remembered for years to come. These record-breaking numbers are a testament to the enduring appeal of The Open and the fans’ passion for the links. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved together with our partners.”
Digital platforms played an equally crucial role in the tournament’s success by connecting with fans in innovative and interactive ways. TheOpen.com experienced record traffic, reaching its highest number of users and page views in a single day, with a 60% increase in page views compared to 2024. The Featured Groups stream also reached all-time highs in watch time and weekend performance, contributing to the second-highest live stream views ever, up 15% compared to 2024.
The official app also saw its highest daily user count ever, up 21%, with four days recording over 400,000 users. New features such as the lock screen leaderboard and improved access to live streaming contributed to a significant 96% increase in average session duration.
Social media engagement exploded, with nearly 400,000 new followers, a 178% increase over 2024, and generated over 436 million views across platforms. Key follower milestones were reached across all major platforms, including 795,000 on Instagram.
The launch of ticket sales for the 154th The Open at Royal Birkdale also saw the highest number of requests since 2022 for the 150th edition, which was then held at St Andrews.
Tennis Channel and ITF Extend Media Rights Agreement
By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, August 4, 2025
Photo credit: Matt McNulty/Getty for ITF
Tennis Channel will remain your television ticket to Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup competition.
Under the new multi-year agreement, Tennis Channel will remain the exclusive U.S. home for both tournaments continuing a relationship that began in 2009, TC and the ITF said in a joint announcement issued today.
The extension runs through 2027 for the Billie Jean King Cup and 2028 for the Davis Cup.
“The extension also marks a significant expansion of Tennis Channel’s international reach, with rights to broadcast in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the United Kingdom,” TC announced. “Additionally, rights for the Billie Jean King Cup have been secured in Spain – a new and important market where interest in women’s tennis continues to see strong growth.”
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will be contested in Shenzhen, China, September 16-21st. The Davis Cup Final 8 is set for Bologna, Italy, November 18-23rd.
“For many years Tennis Channel has helped bring the World Cup of Tennis to millions of people around the world and this extension is great news for both Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup,” ITF President David Haggerty said. “We look forward to continuing to work alongside Tennis Channel to continue this growth for years to come.”
Djokovic Withdraws from Cincinnati
By Chris Oddo | Monday August 4, 2025
24-time major champion Novak Djokovic has pulled out of next week’s Cincinnati Open.
The three-time champion also withdrew from the event last year, and last played the event in 2023, when he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in an epic final that was one of the best in tournament history.
No reason has been cited for his withdrawal, but it is thought not to be related to a serious injury and he is expected to take his place in the US Open men’s singles draw, which commences play on August 24.
The 38-year-old, ranked sixth, will be bidding for his record 25th major title in New York. He is 392-54 lifetime at the majors, and 26-9 for the season.
Wyndham Championship for Cameron Young
Historic success for Cameron Young. The American, thanks to his feat at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina, distinguished himself as the thousandth player to win on the PGA Tour. In his 94th appearance on the circuit, and at the age of 28 years, 2 months and 27 days, the professional from Briarcliff Manor (New York) broke a true taboo. A seven-time runner-up on the PGA Tour, he dominated the par-70 Sedgefield Country Club course, beating his compatriot Mac Meissner by six shots with a score of 258 (63 62 65 68, -22). Meissner was second with a 264 (-16), ahead of another American, Mark Hubbard, who was third with a 265 (-15), like Swede Alex Noren. In the final tournament of the regular season, Matteo Manassero made the cut, shooting 76/0 with a 138 (65 73, -2), and leading the way in the first round with a 65 (-5), boosted by an eagle and four birdies, with one bogey.
Wyndham Championship, results
"I've been waiting for this victory for a long time. I never thought I could be this emotional. I gave myself a chance, and this time, I couldn't let it slip away," Young said with satisfaction. In the final and decisive round, after an early bogey, he recorded five consecutive birdies, allowing himself the luxury of two more bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes.
The twelfth player to win for the first time on tour this season, Young is now 16th in the FedEx Cup. From August 7th to 10th in Memphis, Tennessee, he will be among the top 70 players competing in the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first of three playoff events. From 44th to 21st in the world ranking, his victory in the Wyndham Championship earned him $1,476,000 out of a total prize pool of $8,200,000.
The Rules of Golf are a set of standards and procedures by which the sport of golf should be played. They are jointly written and administered by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the governing body of golf worldwide, except in the United States and Mexico, which are governed by the United States Golf Association. An expert committee composed of members of the R&A and the USGA oversees and refines the rules every four years. The latest revision took effect on January 1, 2016. Amendments to the Rules of Golf generally fall into two main categories: those that improve understanding and those that reduce penalties in certain cases to ensure balance. The rulebook, entitled "Rules of Golf," is published regularly and also includes rules governing amateur status. In Italy, the Italian Golf Federation is responsible for overseeing competitions by enforcing the rules issued by the R&A, ensuring that these rules are observed by clubs, associations, and their members, and managing the resulting sporting justice, protecting their interests abroad.
Osaka: Three Reasons for Montreal Resurgence
By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, August 4, 2025
Photo credit: Omnium Banque Nationale Facebook
Being fitter makes you smarter on court, Andre Agassi famously observed.
Naomi Osaka points to improved fitness as one of three main reasons for her Montreal resurgence.
Former world No. 1 Osaka crushed former US Open semifinalist Anastasija Sevastova 6-1, 6-0 in a 49-minute thrashing that was the shortest match of her accomplished career.
It is Osaka’s fourth straight win equaling her longest winning streak of the season which came in Auckland in January. It sent Osaka into her first Canadian Open quarterfinal and vaulted her to No. 34 in the live rankings—as she moved within striking distance of a US Open wild card.
Osaka attributes her career-best Montreal to three primary reasons: she’s fitter on court, happier off court and believes her trial with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski is working well so far because of the Polish’s coaches direct, no-nonsense style.
“Honestly, I think for me what’s working well is I am very confident in my fitness,” Osaka said. “I’m really
comfortable just getting balls back now, and I really enjoy Tomasz. I don’t know if to say his name is ‘Thomas’ or ‘Tomasz.’ I’m so sorry.
“But I enjoy his coaching style. He’s very direct and to the point. For someone like me, who my thoughts scatter around often, it’s very helpful.”
At times this season, Osaka was getting beaten by deep balls in the corner and sometimes tried playing big strikes down the line rather that playing back a deep ball to give herself time to recover back to the center of the court.
In fact, as recently as her 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 comeback conquest of 13th-seeded Liudmila Samsonova in round two, Osaka was getting beaten repeatedly in crosscourt exchanges and sometimes taking one big step rather than the short, precise preparation steps to give herself ideal spacing between her body and the ball.
The 2023 Montreal finalist Samsonova held double match point at 6-4, 5-4, 40-15 when Osaka dug down and denied two match points sparking her stirring comeback.
In retrospect, it’s possible that comeback win could change the course of Osaka’s season if she sustains this winning streak. Saving those match points, Osaka started putting productive points together rather than resorting to try to end points prematurely with one big strike.
Similarly, Osaka said she’s now focusing on achieving “Mini goals” at tournaments as she tries to stack more wins together and pursue her ultimate goal of a Top 10 return and eventually competing for Slam titles again.
“It’s weird. I talked to my dad, and he said, like, Just being healthy and happy is a form of success,” Osaka said. “I agree with that, but I want more.
“I mean, definitely, of course I would want to win slams, of course I would want to be in the top 10, but I
think I need to pace myself and go for the mini goals, and they’ll eventually turn into the big goals. Yeah, I think being in the quarterfinals here is a step to hopefully getting to the semis and the finals, so I’ll try to treat it more like that.”
Osaka scored her 20th win of the season in Montreal which matches her total 2024 victory output. Now, she’ll try to sustain her roll facing 10th-seeded Elina Svitolina for a semifinal spot. The 27-year-old Osaka has won four of seven meetings vs. Svitolina, who will test the Japanese power players patience with her precision.
LPGA and LET: first Major for Miyu Yamashita
The Japanese dominated from the opening round in the AIG Women's Open, and in the end, the title of the fifth and final women's Major of the season went to Miyu Yamashita, who finished with a 277 (68 65 74 70, -11) shot, two ahead of compatriot Minami Katsu and England's Charley Hull, who finished second with 279 (-9).
Miyu Yamashita, results
On the par-72 Royal Porthcawl Golf Club course in Porthcawl, Wales, in the tournament organized by the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, another Japanese player, Rio Takeda, finished fourth with a 281 (-7), along with South Korean A Lim Kim. Taiwanese Wei-Ling Hsu and American Megan Khang finished sixth with a 282 (-6), and eighth with a 284 (-4) was the eagerly awaited Englishwoman Lottie Woad, who recently turned professional and already has two LET wins (one as an amateur), Australian Stephanie Kyriacou, and the strong Spanish amateur Paula Martin Sampedro, winner of the European Ladies' Amateur Championship at the end of July.
American Nelly Korda, world number one, and New Zealand's Lydia Ko, the defending champion, were disappointed, finishing 36th with a 291 (+3), while Alessandra Fanali's first Major ended in the cut, finishing 106th with a 151 (73 78, +7).
Miyu Yamashita, 24, from Neyagawa, inaugurated her trophy case—which spans both the LPGA Tour, where she plays, and the Ladies European Tour—with a Major, but before playing in the US, she had won 13 titles on the LPGA of Japan Tour. She closed her winning run, which began as the leader in the second round, with a 70 (-2, three birdies, one bogey) and received a check for $1,425,000 on a prize pool of $9,500,000.
The rules of golf are relatively complicated compared to other sports because they are played outdoors, close to nature and animals. Respecting the rules is a fundamental element in the game of golf, which, almost always based on self-control and the free conscience of the players, often sees distorted results, sometimes consciously, but often unconsciously or through carelessness, due to the failure of many players to comply with the rules of the game. In addition to the rules, golf adheres to a code of conduct, known as etiquette, which generally means playing the game with due respect for the golf course and other players. Etiquette is an essential component of this sport.
Knockout Night: Mboko Sweeps Top-Seeded Gauff to Roar Into Montreal Quarterfinals
By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, August 2, 2025
Photo credit: Minas Panagiotakis/Getty
Victoria Mboko expected a tough fight from Coco Gauff.
Before an electric home crowd, the Canadian teenager delivered a knockout.
Eighteen-year-old Mboko repeatedly beat Gauff to the punch toppling the top-seeded American 6-1, 6-4 to score her biggest career win and roar into the Montreal quarterfinals.
“It was one of the biggest matches I could have played so far in my career. So far I feel really happy with how it went,” Mboko told the media in Montreal. “Playing Coco is obviously never easy. She’s No. 2 in the world, and it’s been such a great opportunity for me to play against someone like her. I was just happy I kept my composure today and I pulled it through.”
A dynamic Mboko broke at 15 in the first and last games and spent much of the match playing off the front foot staying one step ahead of the two-time Grand Slam champion.
“I mean, it is tough. I knew she would come in with a lot of confidence, and she’s won her
first couple of rounds easily,” Gauff said. “Honestly, I haven’t played the best this tournament, so I
knew that it would be tough.
“I don’t know, I just felt like I could do better today, but I also knew that if I took my foot off the gas a little bit, that she would take advantage of those moments, and she did.”
It was Mboko’s first career Top 10 win and she displayed both power and poise pulling it off.
Mboko, who swept former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in round two, made history as the third Canadian teenager to beat multiple Grand Slam champions at a single event. The explosive Mboko joins Bianca Andreescu (Auckland, Indian Wells and US Open in 2019) and Leylah Fernandez (2021 US Open) in achieving that impressive feat.
When things got tight tonight at 4-all in the second set, Mboko did not crack and continued driving the ball deeper than the two-time Grand Slam champion in avenging a three-set loss to Gauff in Rome.
“Honestly, I don’t think she played much different. I think it’s two different surfaces, and I felt like my
level was a little bit higher in Rome, so I think the matchup was better,” Gauff said. “But still, I knew in Rome when I played her, it would be a tough match, and it was.
“I knew today it would be hard, and she’s playing, like, high-level tennis. Yeah, I think that’s what showed today. I think she was the better player today.”
Reigning Roland Garros champion Gauff committed 23 double faults—nearly a full set of doubles—in her opener vs. Danielle Collins yet still squeezed out a 7-5, 4-6 7-6(2) victory relying on her grit and legs to get it done in two hours, 56 minutes. In round two, Gauff clanked 14 double faults fending off Veronika Kudermetova 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
Today, Gauff hit just six double faults—one more than the Canadian wild card—but Mboko often handcuffed the top seed slashing returns right back through the middle. Mboko converted all four of her break point chances and frequently controlled the forehand to forehand exchanges.
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Gauff skipped Washington, DC to spend time in the Florida heat working on her serve. That shot was suspect in Montreal this week revealing her service game is still very much a work in progress as she heads to Cincinnati before the start of the US Open later this month.
This match was a rematch of the Rome second round in May when Gauff rallied for a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 win.
On the faster Montreal court, Mboko showed she’s one of the few women who can run with the speedy Gauff as she prevailed in some of the crackling crosscourt running rallies.
Reflecting on that Rome defeat helped Mboko remain focused throughout the second set.
“Yeah, I was actually really thinking about it a lot during the match, especially after I won the
first set. I kind of had flashbacks to when I played her in Rome a little bit,” Mboko said. “I just remember when she kind of came out playing even better and stepped it up a bit better when I played her in
Europe, I was thinking about that.
“I kind of wanted to step my game up a little bit more and make sure I matched whatever she was producing, and I wanted to stay right there with her.”
Taking the ball earlier than Gauff at times Mboko burned the world No. 2 blasting drives down the line.
Deadlocked at 4-all in the second set, Mboko cracked a backhand drive down the line then flashed a clenched fist toward her box holding at 30 for 5-4.
Serving to extend the match, Gauff was down double match point when she hit the slider serve wide. On the full stretch, Mboko flicked a forehand return back into play. Gauff got up to the ball but tried to play a short slice and found the net instead.
Clad head-to-toe in blue Wilson apparel, Mboko tossed her racquet aside and covered her face with her hands in an eruption of emotion as Montreal fans exploded with cheers.
Gauff was gracious in defeat crediting the teenager with outplaying her.
“She’s very athletic. She’s a great ball striker, and she seems pretty positive out there on the
court, doesn’t get really too negative,” Gauff said. “I mean, I don’t know her too well, but I’ve gotten to talk to her a little bit over the course since Rome. I think she has a great support system around her, and I think that’s important when you’re young and on tour.
“Yeah, hopefully we have many more battles, and I look forward to playing her again in the future.”
Mboko is the first Canadian teenager to reach the quarterfinals since Andreescu won the title in 2019—and based on this performance she’s poised to do even more damage in this North American summer hard court season.
Popyrin Stops Rune, Keeps Title Defense Hopes Alive in Toronto
Alexei Popyrin north of the US border? That’s a good thing for the 25-year-old Aussie, who rallied past Holger Rune on Saturday night in Toronto to stretch his winning streak in Canada to nine victories, 4-6 6-2 6-3.
After the match he signed the camera “I love Canada X 2”.
Last year’s champion in Montreal reached his second Masters quarterfinal of 2025, and his fourth overall as he took out the 22-year-old World No.9 with an inspired effort.
“I just feel comfortable on these courts, I think the surface is a little bit quicker,” Popyrin said. “I don’t know if it makes sense, but it lets me have a little bit more time on the court, because I hit my first aggressive shot and I can dictate from there.”
Popyrin hit 30 winners against 24 unforced errors; Rune hit 24 winners and 39 unforced.
Ranked 26 and seeded 18 in Toronto, Popyrin has now won consecutive matches against former Top-5 players.
The Aussie went 0 for 11 in break opportunities in the opening set, but converted three break points across the final two sets to level his lifetime head-to-head with Rune at one apiece.
“After the first set I was pissed,” Popyrin said. “But when I came back out to return again, it felt like I was in control of the match. I told myself to be aggressive on the next break point that I got, and from then on I felt quite comfortable.”
Popyrin, who toppled former World No.1 Daniil Medvedev in the third round, is into his first hard court quarterfinal since he claimed the title in Montreal last year, defeating Andrey Rublev in the final.
He will face either top-seeded Alexander Zverev or Francisco Cerundolo in the last eight.
Popyrin saved a pair of break points while serving at 3-1 in the third, after breaking in the previous game. He didn’t look back from there, winning 12 of the final 15 points and breaking Rune again for good measure in the final game.
Coco Gauff confesses one mistake she probably made after Montreal run ends in R16
Coco Gauff made an honest admission following her Montreal exit as the American tennis star admitted that she probably should have played in Washington and tried to kickstart her summer on hard courts in the United States capital.
After losing in the Wimbledon first round, Gauff went a full month without playing a match. This week, the world No. 2 returned to action by kicking off her North American hard-court swing at the WTA 1000 in Montreal. In Canada, the two-time Grand Slam champion heavily struggled with her serve and rhythm, but still managed to clinch ugly wins over Danielle Collins and Veronika Kudermetova before world No. 87 Victoria Mboko handed her a 6-1 6-4 loss.
Across her three matches played, Gauff served 43 double faults and committed over 100 unforced errors. After the Mboko loss, the reigning French Open winner was asked if she had an idea why it was so hard to find her game and rhythm in Montreal.
Gauff: Deciding to practice over playing in Washington maybe wasn't the right decision…
"I don't know. That's a good question, honestly. I felt like in practice I was playing well the last few weeks just practicing. I decided to take some time off and not play DC to actually focus on that, and maybe that wasn't the right decision. Maybe it was better to get more matches under my belt. But you know, it's the first tournament on the hard court season, so I'm hoping that in Cincy and in New York I can find that rhythm," the world No. 2 explained.
In four days, the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati is starting. While Gauff's Montreal run wasn't an impressive run, the 21-year-old still got some matches under her belt and that's a positive thing.
Cincinnati is a special place for Gauff, who lifted her maiden WTA 1000 crown in front of her home fans two years ago.