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United Cup Mixed Team Event To Debut In 2023

November 3, 2022 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

LONDON – The world’s best players will unite to compete side by side at the United Cup, a stunning new team event set to launch the global tennis season in 2023.

The United Cup, an ATP-WTA event presented in partnership with Tennis Australia, will showcase equality at the highest level of the sport, with mixed teams from 18 countries competing across Brisbane, Perth and Sydney over 11 days, from Thursday 29 December to Sunday 8 January 2023.

The power and passion of team competition will come to life as the players unite to represent their countries with national pride and USD $15 million in prize money on the line. In a world first for a mixed team event, 500 Pepperstone ATP Rankings and WTA rankings points are also up for grabs. The first 12 countries will qualify via the six highest-ranked No. 1 players that enter, on both the ATP Tour and Hologic WTA Tour. The remaining six countries will qualify according to the best combined ranking of their respective No. 1 men’s and women’s players. Teams will feature three to four players from each Tour. Each city will host two groups of three countries, competing in a round-robin format, with ties comprising two ATP and two WTA singles matches, and one mixed doubles match. Each City Final winner will advance to the United Cup Final Four in Sydney (6-8 January), with the next best performing team from the group stages completing the quartet.

Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman: “The United Cup marks a major step forward for the game of tennis. Most importantly, it will create incredible new experiences for our fans. We’re excited to see the best men’s and women’s players competing together, with ranking points on the line, to launch the season like never before.”

Steve Simon, WTA Chairman and CEO: “The United Cup is an important and strategic collaboration between the WTA, the ATP and Tennis Australia that reflects a continued commitment in elevating our sport. This exciting singles and mixed doubles team event will bring together emerging stars and established athletes from both Tours to compete on the same stage, giving players and fans a unique experience in which the final outcome may be determined with women and men competing together.”
Craig Tiley, Tennis Australia CEO: “The United Cup presents a unique opportunity to unite both the men’s and women’s tour in a brand-new way that has never been seen before. We have the opportunity here in Australia to leverage tennis’ unique position to allow the world’s top men and women to compete side by side and represent their country at the highest level. We couldn’t be more delighted to see how this event unfolds in January.”

2023 ATP Tour Calendar Updates: In parallel, the ATP has today announced the relocation of the Sofia ATP 250 tournament license. From 2023, the event will be staged in Australia in Week 1 of the season alongside United Cup, providing additional playing opportunities in the swing ahead of the Australian Open. In addition, the Belgrade ATP 250 tournament scheduled for April 2023 will relocate to Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina). To view the updated 2023 calendar, click here. For more information on United Cup, please visit www.UnitedCup.com and follow @UnitedCupTennis on social media.

The last edition of the Hopman Cup mixed team event was in 2019, Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland beating Alex Zverev and Angelique Kerber of German in the final.

Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova Are WTA Finals Legend Ambassadors In Fort Worth

October 26, 2022 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

FORT WORTH, TX, USA – The WTA announced today that two of the game’s all-time greats, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, will attend this month’s 2022 WTA Finals Fort Worth as Legend Ambassadors to the season-ending event which runs at Dickies Arena from October 31–November 7.

During her career Evert, who won the first edition of the Tour’s season finale at Boca Raton, Florida in 1972, captured four WTA Finals singles titles. For her part, Navratilova holds the record for most singles titles (eight) and doubles titles (13) at the WTA’s crown jewel event and the tournament’s doubles trophy is named in her honor.

The two former World No.1s each won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and built an unmatched rivalry that ended 43-37 in Navratilova’s favor. Between them, they pocketed 12 of the first 16 editions of the WTA Finals and as Legend Ambassadors, will join forces to promote the game through a series of community engagement, sponsor and media initiatives.

“All these years later, it’s gratifying to reflect on the growth and global nature of women’s tennis, and I am thrilled to be part of the WTA Finals Fort Worth as our championships celebrate a wonderful milestone,” said Evert. “Over the past five decades the event has evolved significantly, but one thing hasn’t changed – the field features the best of the best, and fans are in for a treat.”

Said Navratilova: “I have great memories of playing the WTA Finals and can’t wait to see our sport’s elite singles and doubles players in action in Fort Worth – a city I used to call home. I’ll be cheering the athletes on as they finish the year on a high and I look forward to connecting with fans in a state that was very good to me when I first came to live in the States.”

The WTA Finals started out as the Virginia Slims Championships, the climactic event of the fledgling Virginia Slims Circuit. Although the tournament’s first staging pre-dates the formation of the WTA itself – by Billie Jean King in 1973 – its importance on the calendar was immediately recognized.

For the first staging in 1972, players accumulated qualifying points at 22 Slims events across the United States – the Grand Slams and other traditional tournaments were not part of calculations – and the $100,000 prize money purse marked an exciting new record for women’s tennis. A 17-year-old Evert, seeded No.4, defeated sixth seed Kerry Melville in the final – but due to her amateur status was unable to take home the unprecedented personal paycheck of $25,000.

In the years that followed, the event survived circuit restructures and date changes to become the spectacle players and fans enjoy today in 2022.

Fort Worth becomes the 12th city to play host and as part of commemorations for the 50th anniversary, the WTA today also announces that the round-robin group names for both singles and doubles will pay tribute to four prominent Americans who made their mark at the event in the Tour’s formative years – Hall of Famers Rosie Casals, Nancy Richey, Tracy Austin and Pam Shriver.

Singles Round-Robin (2 four-player groups)

Group Tracy Austin

Among her 30 career singles titles, Tracy Austin won the WTA Finals at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1980, defeating Navratilova for a victory that secured her the WTA World No.1 ranking for the first time (she had been runner-up to Navratilova the previous year). At Portland, Oregon in 1977, Austin became the first player to win a WTA title on her singles debut and the youngest-ever singles champion (14 years, 28 days). In 1979, she became the youngest US Open champion (16 years, 9 months), defeating Evert in the final, and she went on to capture the title again in 1981 with a win over Navratilova. She also won the mixed doubles title with her brother John at Wimbledon in 1980.

Group Nancy Richey

Former World No.2 and Texas native Nancy Richey reached six Grand Slam singles finals during her storied career, capturing the first major of the Open Era at Roland Garros in 1968 to add to her win at the Australian Championships the previous year. Among her 69 career singles titles she won the US Women’s Clay Court Championships a record six consecutive years and her other notable results included runner-up to Evert at the second staging of the WTA Finals in 1973. A four-time Grand Slam doubles champion from six finals, she is a member of the Original 9 founders of women’s professional tennis who competed at the groundbreaking first Virginia Slims event organized by promoter Gladys Heldman at the Houston Racquet Club in September, 1970.

Doubles Round-Robin (2 four-team groups)

Group Rosie Casals

Among her 11 career singles titles, Original 9 trailblazer Rosie Casals won the event that truly launched women’s professional tennis: the Virginia Slims Invitation at the Houston Racquet Club in September, 1970. Rising as high as No.3 in singles, she was a finalist at the US Open on two occasions, falling to Court in 1970 and to Billie Jean King in 1971. Her haul of 112 doubles titles, including five Wimbledon crowns with King among nine Slam wins, ranks second only to Navratilova; she also won three mixed doubles majors. Casals won the first two editions of doubles competition at the WTA Finals, with Margaret Court in 1973 and King in 1974.

Group Pam Shriver

Pam Shriver announced herself onto the world stage at the age of 16 by reaching the final of the 1978 US Open, where it took Evert to stop her. She went on to win 21 WTA singles titles and reach a career high ranking of No.3, while also building a legendary doubles career: 106 titles, including 21 Grand Slams (plus one mixed) and an Olympic gold medal with Zina Garrison at Seoul in 1988. Her formidable partnership with Navratilova led to the WTA World No.1 ranking and yielded no fewer than 79 titles, including 10 at the WTA Finals, and a calendar year Grand Slam sweep in 1984.

The 2022 WTA Finals features the top 8 singles players and doubles teams on the Race to the WTA Finals, competing in a round-robin format with the singles champion lifting the WTA Finals Billie Jean King Trophy and the doubles champions earning the WTA Finals Martina Navratilova Trophy.

Buy your tickets for 2022 WTA Finals via Ticketmaster.

How Easy Is It to Bet on Tennis?

October 19, 2022 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Tennis is one of the most graceful games ever played by us. If you’re an avid tennis fan, names like Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Martina Navratilova, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal are bound to excite you!

If you love the crux of tennis, and you feel knowledgeable on the subject, you may also be inclined to place a bet for the upcoming tournaments. The relaxation in the sports betting rules makes it more accessible than ever, particularly in the US.

However, all of this may seem like a daunting task when you’re a beginner. That’s why we’re providing a few tips to get you started today. Let’s dive into the tips for Tennis betting without wasting any more time.

Understand Season, Tournaments, Player Form, and Surfaces

Sharpen your understanding of the environment that surrounds tennis games. This skill will help you make sound choices when placing a bet.

Let’s begin with seasons. Half your dilemmas are solved if you know when a season starts and ends. If you’re a bettor, you can pitch in for the long odds based on pre-season player performances. Alternatively, you can develop odds according to the practice matches if you’re a bookie. Knowing the season timings ensures that you don’t miss a single game.

Additionally, knowing the type of surface and tournaments like Wimbledon, US Open, French Open, etc., can help you decide which players will likely come out on top. For instance, Rafa Nadal was the authority at the French Open. Similarly, Serena Williams, before she retired, was an absolute menace to players on Wimbledon’s grass surface!

Tennis Betting Strategies Are Important

When it comes to a complex point-system game like tennis, strategies are necessary for bets with reduced risk. Betting on a match result is often not a great way to bet in this game. Instead, we would like you to consider betting on points. When you’re observing a live match between two players, you can always choose to wager on the next point. The real gains lie here.

Betting on a stronger player in a match of two will not yield high rewards. Thus, we suggest betting on the weak player as the second strategy. Fine-tune your skills in reading the game and placing smart bets. Even if the weaker player loses the game, betting on points gained by the weak player gets you higher winnings!

Betting on the sets in a game is another low-risk strategy with a lot of potential. Instead of betting on a game, bet on individual sets. The probability of winning a set is lower than the entire game. Thus, you can make more significant winnings out of it.

Choose the Right Markets

Understanding your flair for predictions is essential before placing a wager. When choosing a market that suits your strengths, this comes in handy. Do you have a flair for tournament predictions? Or are you better at reading the outcome of the volleys exchanged on the pitch?

Different markets in tennis betting serve different kinds of opportunities. Once you know your strengths, you can easily choose between tournament, match, set, handicap, or the accumulator betting markets. Some other off-beat but lucrative markets include in-play betting, handicap betting, and the standard over and under-betting markets.

We also recommend this for you if you want to become a bookie. As a bookie choosing a market where your knowledge is unimpeachable is essential. It allows you to cook up the best odds and offer exciting offers to your punters!

Bankrolling

Bankrolling is one of the most concerted methods of ensuring responsible gambling. If you’re out to become a bookie, you must assist punters. It adds credibility and a ton of goodwill to your brand name.

Alternatively, if you’re a bettor, we recommend learning the bankrolling tips and tricks. When bankrolling, you learn to budget how much risk you can take. The general recommendation is not more than 20% of your current account balance. Additionally, before betting on tennis, ensure that any money you’ve deposited isn’t required for essentials.

Is Betting on Tennis Easy?

Betting on tennis is easy when you have an intricate idea about the game. If you’re a beginner in sports betting, we recommend you check out a few guides online before diving right in. Additionally, we recommend beginners not invest too much at the start. Spend time, learn the ins and outs, and gain the needed experience before wagering large stakes. The online sports betting industry is rising and is here to stay. Enjoy betting on tennis and play safe!

Serena Williams Falls for the Beauty of the State of Yucatan

October 13, 2022 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

Tennis superstar, Serena Williams, is the latest celebrity to fall for the beauty of the state of Yucatan’s natural wonder, traditions, gastronomy, and nature. Williams who posted on her Instagram account on her stay at the exclusive Chablé Resort last week, visited the state while on holiday with friends and family who also experienced the destination as part of an engagement celebration.

The athlete, who was ranked world No. 1 in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for 319 weeks and won 23 Grand Slams and 73 titles, and her friends toured the state of Yucatan extensively making their home base the “White City” of Merida.

The group visited the Tsukán Sanctuary of Life, where the group enjoyed the natural wonder of a cenote surrounded by nature and vegetation. Later, they saw the emblematic archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá, where they took pictures in front of the mystical and imposing temple. Finally, they visited the “Magical Town of Valladolid,” where they tasted the delicious gastronomy of the region in the restaurant “La Casona de Valladolid” by the Xcaret group.

Williams is the latest in a group of celebrates who have made the state of Yucatan a must for the holidays. Other athletes and personalities who have visited the state this year include The Batman’s Zoe Kravitz, Magic Mike’s Channing Tatum, Supermodel Cindy Crawford and her daughter, Kaia Gerber, Formula One race car drivers Estaban Gutiérrez and Charles Lecrerc, and Denver Broncos Cheerleaders. Visitors to the state of Yucatan will have cultural, gastronomic, and historical experiences that reliable and safe, particularly after the pandemic.

Team World Finally Wins Laver Cup

September 27, 2022 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Team World rallied to beat Team Europe 13-8 to win the Laver Cup for the first time after five attempts at the 02 Arena in London.

Team World trailed behind 8-4 after the first two days, but won three matches in a row in the last competition day on Sunday to dramatically win the wildly popular team event.

The Laver Cup, held from September 23 to 25, is a men’s tennis tournament played between players from Europe and players from the rest of the world. Each win secures one point on the opening day, two points on day two, and three points on the final matchday. The event was created by Roger Federer and his agent Tony Godsick.

On the final day, Felix Auger Aliassime of Canada paired up with America’s Jack Sock to defeat Italy’s Matteo Berrettini and British veteran Andy Murray 2-6, 6-3 and 10-8 in the doubles match. The 22-year-old then kept his momentum in the singles match, outplaying 21-time major champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia 6-3, 7-6 (3).

Djokovic, 35, admitted that a problem with his right wrist had affected him during the match, but insisted that Aliassime deserved the win with his outstanding performance.

America’s Frances Tiafoe eventually sealed the overall victory for Team World as the 24-year-old came from behind to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 1-6, 7-6(11), 10-8.

Tiafoe, teaming up with Sock, defeated Federer and Rafael Nadal in the doubles match last Friday, and joked that he would not apologize to the Swiss legend as the 20-time Grand Slam winner not only ended his professional tour journey with a loss, but had no chance to lift the Laver Cup with Team Europe.

“He has got a lot to apologize for the last 24 years after beating everybody on the tour,” quipped Tiafoe.

Federer, 41, announced his retirement last week and decided to play his last pro match together with long-time rival and friend Nadal at the Laver Cup.

“Being on court on Friday and having such a huge moment in my career, being surrounded by my biggest rivals like Novak and Andy and Rafa was truly unique, and I can never thank them enough for being there and staying there and going through it with me,” said Federer.

Federer has promised he will be on site at the 2023 Laver Cup in Vancouver, Canada to cheer for both teams as a fan. ■

Bob Bryan, Leylah Fernandez Win Champions Series Mixed Team Event at The Greenbrier

September 25, 2022 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

Bob Bryan and Leylah Fernandez each won singles matches and paired for a mixed doubles victory to claim a 3-0 team victory over Sam Querrey and Ashley Harkleroad Saturday to win the Greenbrier Champions Tennis Classic at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Bryan, fresh off subbing for Mardy Fish as U.S. Davis Cup captain last week in Glasgow, Scotland, posted a 7-6 (3) win over Sam Querrey in the event’s opening one-set men’s singles match. Fernandez, the 2021 U.S. Open runner-up, then registered a 6-3 win over former star Ashley Harkleroad, a last-minute replacement for Danielle Collins, who was unable to play due to illness.

Bryan and Fermandez then defeated Querrey and Harkleroad 6-3 to close out the event.

Bryan and Querrey, former U.S. Davis Cup teammates, both did not lose serve in their set, but Bryan was able to nudge ahead in the tiebreaker. In his post-match on-court interview, Bryan credited a live arm, a high percentage of first serves and, jokingly, the support he received from some rowdy fans sitting courtside and coaching from a group of ladies in the stands for his win.

“It’s great to be playing singles,” said Bryan who won 16 majors doubles titles with twin brother Mike. “It’s great to be back here at The Greenbrier. It’s such a beautiful place. This is my third time here.”

Bryan actually ended his pro career at The Greenbrier in 2020, participating in the World Team Tennis season which was played entirely at the West Virginia resort during the COVID pandemic. While Bryan’s pro career ended at The Greenbrier, it marked a new beginning for Querrey, the 2017 Wimbledon semifinalist who ended his 16-year pro career at the 2022 U.S. Open.

“Sam just retired a couple weeks ago so hats off to him on a great career,” said Bryan. “We were Davis Cup teammates. I saw him win titles all over the world and I was always proud to be on the team with him.”

With the victory, Bryan and Fernandez split the first prize of $50,000 while Querrey and Harkleroad split the runner-up payout of 25,000.

For more information on Champions Series Tennis, go to www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com

ABOUT INSIDEOUT SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT

InsideOut Sports + Entertainment is a Los Angeles based producer of proprietary events and promotions founded in 2004 by former world No. 1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. In 2005, InsideOut launched its signature property, the Champions Series, a collection of tournaments featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30. In addition, InsideOut produces many other successful events including “Legendary Night” exhibitions, The World Series of Beach Volleyball and numerous corporate outings. Since inception, InsideOut Sports + Entertainment has raised over $5 million for charity. In 2014, InsideOut Sports + Entertainment merged with Horizon Media, the largest privately held media services agency in the world. For more information, please log on to www.InsideOutSE.com or ChampionsSeriesTennis.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Bob Bryan, Leylah Fernandez, Ashley Harkleroad and Sam Querrey

Roger Federer To Continue Is His Legacy With Mercedes-Benz

September 21, 2022 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Stuttgart/London. 20 Grand Slam titles, a total of 103 tournament victories and 310 weeks at the top of the tennis world rankings – Roger Federer’s career is unique. On and off the court, he is respected and revered worldwide. With five Laureus World Sportsman of the Year awards, the Swiss is one of the absolute top stars in global sport and beyond. After 24 years of professional sport, Roger Federer is now ending his active sporting career and at the same time looking ahead: “As an athlete, I learned to constantly question and analyse myself, but also to always have the next match in mind. Today, I look back with gratitude and look forward to the future with anticipation.”

In addition to his active tennis career, Roger Federer has been closely associated with Mercedes-Benz for 14 years: as a key player in several advertising campaigns, as a brand ambassador and as a source of ideas. Now a joint initiative with several sub-projects is starting under the title “Neon Legacy”. The first result of the collaboration can already be seen at the Laver Cup in London from 23-25 September 2022: a one-off in the form of a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE, which is not freely available in this colour and will be adorned with Roger Federer’s personal signet. The neon-yellow colour pays homage to the yellow felt of tennis balls and marks the start of “Neon Legacy”. The communication for this will start in the next few weeks. The exclusive one-of-a-kind vehicle will be sold at auction at the end of the year and the proceeds will be invested in a charitable tennis project next year.

“Roger has shaped and inspired entire generations with his game and sportsmanship,” says Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Marketing & Sales. “We will certainly remember a sentence during his visit at our headquarters in Stuttgart last year: ‘The short term is my motivator, but the long term is my inspiration’. All of us wish Roger all the best for the future and look forward to collaborating even closer within our Neon Legacy initiative!”

Background to the Laver Cup
From 23 to 25 September 2022, the global tennis elite will serve at the Laver Cup for the fifth time. Since the first edition, Mercedes-Benz has provided the fleet of vehicles that ensure the mobility of the players, officials and selected guests. This year’s edition features two EQS vehicles – a blue one for “Team Europe” and a red one for “Team World”. The all-electric luxury sedan from Mercedes-Benz is thus emblematic of the tournament mode of the Laver Cup: since the first edition in 2017, sports stars from Europe have competed against the top players from Team World in a unique team competition every year.

Roger Federer Retires; A Career Retrospective From The ATP Tour

September 15, 2022 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

LONDON – Roger Federer announced his upcoming retirement Thursday, saying that next week’s Laver Cup will be his final ATP event.

“As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body’s capacities and limits and its message to me lately has been clear. I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years,” Federer said. “Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt and now I must recognise when it’s time to end my competitive career.

“The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the Tour.”

The Swiss legend held World No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for 310 weeks, the second-most since 1973 behind only Novak Djokovic. However, Federer held top spot for a record 237 consecutive weeks from 2 February 2004 until 18 August 2008.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said: “Roger’s impact on tennis, and the legacy he’s built, are impossible to overstate. Over 24 years as a professional, Roger brought millions of adoring fans into the game. He spearheaded an incredible new era of growth and elevated the popularity of our sport. Few athletes have transcended their field in such a manner. Roger made us all feel proud and fortunate to be part of the same sport.

“He redefined greatness on the court, while his champion spirit, sportsmanship, and the way he played the game thrilled audiences around the world for decades, inspiring so many to pick up a racquet. Beyond the court, he is and will continue to be a true role model and ambassador, always giving so much of himself to the fans. Roger’s steadfast commitment to the ATP Tour throughout his career, as well as his many years of service on the Player Council, helped drive progress for fellow players and the entire sport. His humanitarian impact has been equally profound through the RF Foundation.”

Federer served the sport as president of the ATP Player Council from 2008-14 and later rejoined the council from 2019-22. He was influential in securing significant prize money increases for players. Through the Roger Federer Foundation, the Swiss has assisted almost two million underprivileged children in Africa.

Gaudenzi added: “As we look ahead to Roger’s future endeavours, he will no doubt continue to make a remarkable difference. First, we wish him a memorable final event at the Laver Cup in London, where fans will have an opportunity to give him the send-off he truly deserves. Roger, you will be greatly missed on the Tour. On behalf of everyone at the ATP and the sport of tennis: thank you for everything!”

At Roland Garros in 2009, Federer completed the Career Grand Slam and at Wimbledon one month later, he broke Pete Sampras’ all-time men’s singles record by lifting his 15th major trophy. He went on to claim 20 Grand Slam trophies, which now only trails Rafael Nadal (22) and Djokovic (21). The Swiss earned six Australian Open triumphs, the 2009 Roland Garros title, eight Wimbledon trophies and five consecutive US Open victories (2004-08).

Federer earned 1,251 tour-level wins during his illustrious career, the second-most victories on record behind only Jimmy Connors’ 1,274. The Swiss also claimed 103 tour-level trophies, only trailing Connors’ 109. The Basel native claimed a record six titles, 59 wins and 18 qualifications at the Nitto ATP Finals. He also excelled at the ATP Masters 1000 events, where he won 28 titles. Federer is also the winner of a record 40 ATP Tour Awards: ATP Tour No. 1 (2004-07, 2009), Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of Year (2006, 2013), Comeback Player of the Year (2017), Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship (2004-09, 2011-17) and Fans’ Favourite (2003-21). He is also the most-decorated athlete in the history of the Laureus World Sports Awards, winning Sportsman of the Year five times (2005-08, 2018) and Comeback of the Year in 2018.

The Swiss climbed to the top of the sport for the first time aged 22, reaching World No. 1 on 2 February 2004. From there, he enjoyed a peerless reign. From 2004-06, he tallied an astonishing 247-15 record, a winning percentage of more than 94 per cent.

During that stretch, he lifted 34 tour-level trophies. From 2003-05, Federer won 24 straight matches against Top 10 opponents. Nadal and Djokovic then joined Federer at the top of the sport, creating the ‘Big Three’, an unprecedented era in tennis. In recent years, Federer showed great resilience and determination. After undergoing knee surgery in 2016, he returned in 2017 to play some of the best tennis of his career. As the 17th seed at the 2017 Australian Open, he won his 18th Grand Slam title and his first since Wimbledon in 2012. Later that year, he also triumphed at The Championships for the record eighth time. In 2018, he claimed his final major title in Melbourne.

Federer became the oldest World No. 1 in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on 19 February 2018 at age 36. The Swiss never retired from a match.

Roger Federer (photo by Justin Cohen Photography)

Carlos Alcaraz Assumes No. 1 Pepperstone ATP Ranking

September 12, 2022 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

Carlos Alcaraz today becomes the youngest World No. 1 in Pepperstone ATP Rankings history (since 1973) after winning his first Grand Slam title at the US Open Sunday.

Alcaraz entered the 2021 US Open as the World No. 55. With his win against 23-year-old Casper Ruud in the championship clash in New York, the 19-year-old is the first teenage World No. 1 and the fourth man from Spain to achieve the feat, joining his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Moya, and Rafael Nadal.

“It’s crazy for me. I’ve never thought that I was going to achieve something like that at 19 years old. So everything came so fast,” Alcaraz said. “For me it’s unbelievable. It’s something I dreamed since I was a kid, since I started playing tennis. Of course, lifting this trophy today is amazing for me.”

The Murcia-native arrived at Flushing Meadows as the No. 4 player in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. His leap to World No. 1 is tied for the biggest in history. Three other players have surged from No. 4 to No. 1 between one Pepperstone ATP Rankings release: Moya (15 March 1999), Andre Agassi (5 July 1999) and Pete Sampras (11 September 2000). Alcaraz has rewritten the record books en route to the pinnacle of men’s tennis. Earlier this year he became the second-youngest player to win two ATP Masters 1000 titles (Miami and Madrid), only behind Nadal, who did so in 2005. Alcaraz also became the youngest ATP 500 titlist in series history in Rio de Janeiro and claimed another crown at that level in Barcelona.

The 19-year-old leads the ATP Tour with 51 wins this season, moving him five victories clear of second-placed Stefanos Tsitsipas (46). With his US Open triumph, Alcaraz also climbed to first place in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin, putting him in pole position to become the youngest year-end World No. 1 in history.

Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman, said: ‘Carlos’ rise to the top of the sport has been nothing short of phenomenal. His game has reached incredible levels this year, capturing ATP Masters 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid, and now capped off with a first Grand Slam title and becoming the youngest ever No. 1. His fearless tennis, work ethic and sportsmanship make him an inspiration for many and has raised the bar for tennis’ next era. Like so many of our fans, I’m excited to watch his incredible journey continue.’

Alcaraz became the first player to reach the top of men’s tennis’ mountain the Monday after the US Open since his coach, Ferrero, ascended to No. 1 after the 2003 tournament. Alcaraz’s final against Ruud was the first men’s singles championship match at a Grand Slam in which both players who had never been World No. 1 were competing for the top spot.

Alcaraz is the 28th player to reach World No. 1, making him the sixth active player to climb to the top spot. The teen joins Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Nadal, Andy Murray and Daniil Medvedev, whom he replaced at the pinnacle. Alcaraz (19) and Ruud (23) are the second-youngest Top 2 in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, only trailing World No. 1 Jimmy Connors (22) and World No. 22 Bjorn Borg (18) in 1975. This is the first year since 2003 there have been two new World No. 1s in the same season (Medvedev and Alcaraz).

Carlos Alcaraz Persists To Win 2022 U.S. Open

September 12, 2022 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

Carlos Alcaraz won his first major singles title beating Casper Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open, becoming the event’s second youngest men’s singles champion and in the process becoming the youngest man to clinch the world No. 1 ranking.

Alcaraz, at age 19 years, 4 months and 6 days, is only three months older than Pete Sampras, when he won the U.S. men’s title in 1990 at the age of 19 years, 28 days. However, Alcaraz is well over a year younger than Lleyton Hewitt as the youngest world No. 1, Hewitt assuming the top ranking in 2001 at the age of 20 years and 268 days.

The young Spaniard persisted at the end of the tournament in what four-time U.S. Open champion John McEnroe called “one of the all-time great efforts you will ever see to win an event.” He won three straight matches in five sets, including two that finished after 2 am, to reach the final, a feat last achieved by Stefan Edberg in 1992, who famously came back from a service break in the fifth set in the fourth round, quarterfinals and semifinals. Alcaraz trailed by a service break in the firth set against 2014 U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic in the fourth round before winnign 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in three hours and 54 minutes in a match that ended at 2:23 am. He then saved a match point in his quarterfinal epic win against Jannik Sinner, which he won 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (0), 7-5, 6-3 in five hours and 15 minutes, the second longest U.S. Open match of all time, that finished at 2:50 am, the latest finish in U.S. Open history. In the semifinals, he again persisted in his five-set 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (5), 6-3, fighting against a roaring U.S. crowd.

Alcaraz spent a total of 23 hours, 40 minutes on court in the tournament.