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Iga Swiatek is given extra security protection at the Miami Open after being verbally harassed
The Associated Press | Updated March 26 - 4:23 p.m. | Save Story
Iga Swiatek was given extra security protection at the Miami Open after being verbally attacked during a practice session by a man who had sent the five-time Grand Slam champion harassing messages via social media.
Veteran Alizé Cornet to resume tennis career next month, less than a year after retiring
The Associated Press | Posted March 24 - 7:34 a.m. | Save Story
Veteran Frenchwoman Alizé Cornet is making a comeback less than a year after ending her tennis career. Cornet says in a statement relayed by Rouen tournament organizers that she will be playing at the indoor clay-court event next month. Cornet says she resumed training two months ago. She retired last year after a 6-2, 6-1 loss to No. 7 seed Zheng Qinwen in the first round of the French Open. The 35-year-old Cornet has been granted a spot in the main draw at Rouen through a wild card, organizers of the WTA 250 tournament said.
RFK Jr. and Djokovic share a passion for tennis along with their views about vaccines
The Associated Press | Posted March 23 - 4:31 p.m. | Save Story
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Novak Djokovic apparently share a passion for tennis along with their beliefs about vaccines. Kennedy, the nation's top health official, posted a photo on X on Sunday of himself and Djokovic standing on a tennis court holding tennis rackets. Kennedy, the secretary of Health and Human Services, has rejected an "anti-vaccine" label but has repeated his skeptical views of vaccines in interviews and other public statements. Djokovic missed multiple Grand Slam tournaments in 2022 because he would not get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Novak Djokovic wanted other players to step up by putting their names on tennis antitrust lawsuit
Howard Fendrich, Associated Press | Posted March 20 - 4:26 p.m. | Save Story
"because I want other players to step up."
Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios beats McDonald at the Miami Open for his first win in 2 1/2 years
Howard Fendrich, Associated Press | Posted March 19 - 5:44 p.m. | Save Story
Nick Kyrgios has won a match for the first time in nearly 2 1/2 years. The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up beat Mackie McDonald 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the Miami Open on Wednesday. Kyrgios was wearing a thick wrap of beige tape on his surgically repaired right wrist that he said was numb after he took five painkillers. Kyrgios is an Australian who turns 30 next month. He hadn't come out on the right end of an official contest since October 2022 in Tokyo. Since then, Kyrgios needed operations for a torn ligament in his wrist and on his knee.
Carlos Alcaraz doesn't support the lawsuit from the tennis players' group Novak Djokovic founded
Howard Fendrich, Associated Press | Posted March 19 - 2:37 p.m. | Save Story
Four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz says he was unaware there would be a class-action lawsuit filed in U.S. federal court against some of the groups that run tennis and made clear that he does not back the effort by the players' association co-founded by Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz was asked about the case at a pre-tournament news conference for the Miami Open. He said there are some things in the court filing he agrees with and some he doesn't. But he said the main takeaway should be that he does not support the suit.
Novak Djokovic's players' association sued the groups that run tennis. Why and what do they want?
Howard Fendrich, Associated Press | Updated March 19 - 6:14 a.m. | Save Story
The tennis players' association co-founded by Novak Djokovic has sued the main groups that run the sport in a bid to gain more money and control. The Professional Tennis Players' Association filed a class-action antitrust lawsuit in federal court in New York on Tuesday. They also are pursuing similar actions in Brussels and London. The athletes are hoping for a greater cut of revenues and to change the way the WTA and ATP professional tours, the International Tennis Federation and the International Tennis Integrity Agency oversee things.
Players' group founded by Novak Djokovic files an antitrust suit against tennis organizers
Howard Fendrich, Associated Press | Updated March 18 - 2:25 p.m. | Save Story
The players' association co-founded by Novak Djokovic has filed an antitrust lawsuit against the women's and men's professional tours, the International Tennis Federation and the sport's integrity agency. Tuesday's filing in federal court in New York calls the groups in charge of tennis a cartel. The filing on behalf of the Professional Tennis Players' Association says the organizations that run the sport hold "complete control over the players' pay and working conditions" and their setup constitutes "textbook violations of state and federal law" that "immunize professional tennis from ordinary market forces and deny professional tennis players and other industry participants their right to fair competition."
Coco Gauff heads home to the Miami Open after her 21st birthday and a bit of a rough patch
Howard Fendrich, Associated Press | Updated March 18 - 9:23 a.m. | Save Story
Coco Gauff heads to the Miami Open this week after celebrating her 21st birthday and going through a bit of a tough patch this season. Gauff is seeded third at the hard-court tournament that begins Tuesday for the women and Wednesday for the men. The 2021 U.S. Open champion went through a three-match losing streak in January and February and finds it amusing when people ask her if she is OK after a couple of defeats in a row. She understands that it's because of what she has accomplished. And she also says she expects more of herself.
Sinner adds Hamburg to his schedule for when he returns from doping ban
Andrew Dampf, Associated Press | Posted March 18 - 6:24 a.m. | Save Story
Top-ranked Jannik Sinner has added a clay-court tournament in Hamburg, Germany, to his French Open preparations for when he returns from a three-month doping ban in May. Organizers of the May 17-24 Hamburg Open announced Sinner's entry. Sinner will return at the Italian Open before his home fans earlier in May. A spokeswoman for Sinner confirmed to The Associated Press that he will play in Hamburg and the only Wimbledon warmup that the three-time Grand Slam champion plans to enter is in Halle, Germany. Sinner comes from the German-speaking Alto Adige region of Italy and is popular in Germany.
Iga Swiatek discusses nearly hitting a ball boy and three weeks she spent crying daily last year
Howard Fendrich, Associated Press | Posted March 17 - 5:42 p.m. | Save Story
Iga Swiatek has offered a revealing look at her emotional state in recent months and discussed online criticism she received for nearly hitting a ball boy during a match last week. The five-time Grand Slam champion posted a lengthy statement on social media on Monday as she prepares to compete in the Miami Open. Swiatek talked about coming to grips with knowing she might not return to No. 1 this season and spending three weeks crying daily. Swiatek lamented the constant judgment that happens online.
Jack Draper beats Holger Rune at Indian Wells for a first Masters 1000 title and a top-10 debut
The Associated Press | Posted March 16 - 6:04 p.m. | Save Story
Jack Draper has overwhelmed Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 in a little more than an hour in the final of the BNP Paribas Open to claim his first Masters 1000 title and earn his debut in the top 10 of the ATP rankings. Draper is a 23-year-old from Britain who was seeded 13th at the hard-court tournament in the California desert. He built up a 21-7 advantage in winners against Rune while also making fewer unforced errors Sunday. Draper's left-handed serve was particularly important: He hit 10 aces, won 21 of his 23 first-serve points and never allowed Rune to earn a single break point.
Mirra Andreeva beats Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells. Jack Draper wins the men's title
The Associated Press | Updated March 16 - 5:32 p.m. | Save Story
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva has come back to beat No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the BNP Paribas Open. Andreeva's victory on Sunday makes the 17-year-old the tournament's youngest champion since Serena Williams in 1999. Jack Draper of Britain easily defeated Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 in the men's final for his first Masters 1000 trophy. Draper will make his debut in the ATP's top 10 on Monday. The 11th-ranked Andreeva improved to 19-3 this season. That is the most wins by a woman on tour. She also collected her second Masters 1000 title of 2025.
Draper knocks off 2-time defending champion Alcaraz to reach Indian Wells final
The Associated Press | Updated March 15 - 7:05 p.m. | Save Story
won last year in Vienna and Stuttgart for his lone tour titles. Alcaraz was seeded second.
17-year-old Andreeva advances to Indian Wells final, beating Swiatek in chilly conditions
The Associated Press | Updated March 14 - 9:41 p.m. | Save Story
Russian teen star Mirra Andreeva advanced to the BNP Paribas Open final, beating defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6 (1), 1-6, 6-3 in chilly conditions Friday night to become the tournament's youngest finalist since 2001. The 17-year-old Andreeva, seeded ninth, will face top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Sabalenka routed fifth-seeded Madison Keys 6-0, 6-1. Andreeva and Swiatek both finished the match wearing pullovers, with the temperature dipping into the 50s in the final set. It was in the mid-50s when Sabalenka finished off Keys. Andreeva ran her tour winning streak to 11 and ended Swiatek's 10-match run in the California desert The Russian won her first WTA Tour title last month in Dubai to become the youngest player to win a WTA 1000 event.
Keys extends winning streak, gets Sabalenka again at Indian Wells after Australian Open title
The Associated Press | Updated March 13 - 10:52 p.m. | Save Story
Madison Keys has extended her winning streak to 16 matches, reaching the BNP Paribas Open semifinals with a 6-1, 6-1 wipeout of wild-card entry Belinda Bencic. The Australian Open champion needed just 65 minutes to hold up her end of a rematch with top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka. Keys beat Sabalenka for her Australian title. Sabalenka had no trouble with Liudmila Samsonova in a straight-sets victory. Iga Swiatek beat Qinwen Zheng in straight sets to reach the semifinals at Indian Wells for the fourth consecutive time in her bid to be the first three-time winner of the tournament.
At 22, Ben Shelton is youngest American man since 2004 to reach quarterfinals at Indian Wells
The Associated Press | Updated March 12 - 9:34 p.m. | Save Story
Ben Shelton has become the youngest American man since Andy Roddick in 2004 to reach the quarterfinals at the BNP Paribas Open. He topped Brandon Nakashima in straight sets on Wednesday. The 22-year-old Shelton beat his fellow American 7-6 (6), 6-1. Second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz hasn't dropped a set on his way to the quarterfinals. The four-time Grand Slam champion breezed to a 6-1, 6-1 victory over No. 14 seed Grigor Dimitrov. On the women's side, No. 3 seed Coco Gauff was upset in the round of 16 by unseeded Belinda Bencic and Australian Open champion Madison Keys extended her winning streak to 15 matches, beating Donna Vekic.
Sports on TV for Thursday, March 13
The Associated Press | Updated March 12 - 4:20 p.m. | Save Story
(All times Eastern)
Tennis chair umpire in the Dominican Republic is suspended for 6 years for corruption
The Associated Press | Posted March 10 - 9:18 a.m. | Save Story
A national-level chair umpire in the Dominican Republic has been suspended for six years and fined $6,000 by the International Tennis Integrity Agency for manipulating scoring during matches. The ITIA announced Monday that Juan Gabriel Castro was found to have committed 12 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program across three matches. Castro did not respond to the ITIA's notice of charge. He was accused of manipulating scoring to facilitate corruption. Castro has been provisionally suspended since last November, so his ban will end in November 2030.
Top seed Alexander Zverev beaten by Tallon Griekspoor in 2nd round at Indian Wells
The Associated Press | Posted March 7 - 7:15 p.m. | Save Story
Tallon Griekspoor upset No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) in a second-round match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. The loss came eight days after Zverev also was the top seed when he was upset by American teenager Learner Tien 6-3, 6-4 in Acapulco, Mexico. The Zverev-Griekspoor match lasted 3 hours, 7 minutes. Griekspoor collapsed on the court after converting his sixth match point. The 28-year-old from the Netherlands improved to 2-6 against Zverev, who's currently ranked No. 2.
Premier Padel tour to make its US debut with tournament in Miami
Andrew Dampf, Associated Press | Posted March 7 - 8:48 a.m. | Save Story
Lionel Messi likes to play padel in his free time with his Inter Miami teammates. Rafael Nadal was recently seen playing shots off the glass on a padel court at his academy in Spain. So what's all the fuss about this other racket sport? An American audience is about to find out as the Premier Padel tour makes its debut in the U.S. this month with a tournament in Miami. Padel is a cross between tennis and squash with players allowed to hit the ball off the glass and metallic mesh walls that surround the court. The tournament will be played March 18-23 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova says she is taking time off because of her shoulder
Howard Fendrich, Associated Press | Posted March 6 - 2:49 p.m. | Save Story
2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova will take a few months off the tennis tour because of continuing problems with her surgically repaired left shoulder. Vondrousova announced that she will take a break via a social media post on Thursday. The 25-year-old left-hander from the Czech Republic has played only eight matches so far in 2025. Her record is 4-4. That includes a second-round loss to eventual champion Mirra Andreeva at Dubai last month. She hasn't entered a Grand Slam tournament since a first-round loss at Wimbledon in July. Vondrousova had shoulder surgery in August.
4 news organizations win 'Grand Slam' awards in Associated Press Sports Editors contest
The Associated Press | Posted March 6 - 7:51 a.m. | Save Story
The Boston Globe, The Minnesota Star Tribune, The Washington Post and the Lincoln Journal-Star of Nebraska earned "Grand Slam" honors in the annual Associated Press Sports Editors Contest. The categories for Grand Slam recognition reflected the best print and digital work: a print portfolio combining weekday and Sunday sections; event coverage over a 48-hour span; project reporting; and digital content/presentation. The APSE contest – voted on by sports editors, writers and other journalists during judging in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, in late February and remotely from across the nation – honored the best sports journalism of 2024. In all, 178 organizations from across the United States entered the contest.
Australian tennis great Fred Stolle has died at age 86
The Associated Press | Updated March 6 - 4:27 a.m. | Save Story
Fred Stolle, a two-time major winner and member of three Davis Cup-winning teams, has died. He was 86. Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley described Stolle as an "iconic figure" in tennis as a player and later as a commentator. Stolle was part of Australia's successful era in the 1960s as tennis progressed from an amateur to a professional sport. Tiley says Stolle's "legacy is one of excellence, dedication, and a profound love for tennis." Stolle was born in Sydney but lived in the United States after his playing career. Tiley did not provide a cause of death.
Emma Raducanu says she struggled to breathe after seeing 'fixated' man in the crowd
The Associated Press | Posted March 5 - 3:43 a.m. | Save Story
Emma Raducanu says she "couldn't see the ball through tears" and struggled to breathe after spotting a man who was "fixated" on her during a match. The British tennis player and 2021 U.S. Open winner was left distressed during last month's Dubai Championships by the presence of the man in the stands. Raducanu told the BBC that the incident "could have been dealt with better" but that security improvements have now been made. Raducanu faces Japan's Moyuka Uchijima in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Thursday.
Machac beats Davidovich Fokina to secure his first career title
The Associated Press | Posted March 1 - 10:35 p.m. | Save Story
Tomas Machac has defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6 (6), 6-2 to win the Mexican Open for his first ATP title. The 24-year-old Machac became the third Czech player to win an ATP 500 tournament since the category started in 2009. The win propels Machac into the top 20 for the first time in his career. He is the first Czech player to do so since Tomas Berdych in June 2018.
Tsitsipas ends losing streak in ATP 500 finals by beating Auger-Aliassime to win Dubai Championships
The Associated Press | Updated March 1 - 11:07 a.m. | Save Story
Stefanos Tsitsipas secured his first ATP 500 title by beating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3 in the Dubai Championships final on Saturday. The 11th-ranked Tsitsipas lost the final of the tournament in 2019 and 2020 but needed just under 90 minutes to claim his 12th career title and first of the year. In total, the Greek player had lost all 11 previous finals he played in ATP 500 events. But he won the last four games of the first set and then clinched the win with an ace on his first match point.
Tsitsipas and Auger-Aliassime set up showdown in Dubai final
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 28 - 11:14 a.m. | Save Story
Stefanos Tsitsipas stands between Felix Auger-Aliassime and a tour-leading third title this year at the Dubai Championships. They will meet for the 10th time on tour in the final on Saturday. Tsitsipas leads 6-3 overall and has dominated their matchups since 2020 but they are 1-1 in finals. If Tsitsipas wins against Auger-Aliassime in Saturday's final, he will return to the top 10 for the first time since June. No. 11-ranked Tsitsipas beat No. 47 Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands 6-4, 6-4, without offering a break point in their semifinal on Friday. No. 21 Auger-Aliassime overcame French qualifier and No. 77 Quentin Halys in three sets for the second time in two weeks.
Griekspoor saves 4 match points in win over Medvedev to reach Dubai semifinals
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 27 - 2:07 p.m. | Save Story
Tallon Griekspoor saved four match points before beating top-seeded Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5 to reach the semifinals at the Dubai Championships. Griekspoor will meet fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas for a shot at the title. Tsitsipas beat Matteo Berrettini in three sets. Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated 2014 U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to set up a semifinal against qualifier Quentin Halys who eliminated Luca Nardi in a three-setter.
Jannik Sinner's nomination for Laureus sportsman of year withdrawn after ban
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 27 - 11:15 a.m. | Save Story
The nomination of Jannik Sinner for the Laureus sportsman of the year award has been withdrawn because of the top-ranked tennis player's three-month ban for his two positive doping tests nearly a year ago. Laureus World Sports Academy chairman Sean Fitzpatrick says in a statement that the Italian player's ban resulting from a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency prompted the decision. Sinner and WADA announced the settlement on Feb. 15. The International Tennis Integrity Agency had decided not to suspend Sinner for what the ITIA judged was accidental contamination by a banned anabolic steroid last March.
American teenager Tien beats Zverev and advances to the quarterfinals in Acapulco
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 27 - 1:11 a.m. | Save Story
American teenager Learner Tien beat top-seeded Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 to move into the quarterfinals of the Mexican Open in Acapulco. It was his second career win over a top-five player. The 19-year-old defeated Daniil Medvedev (5) in the second round of the Australian Open in January when he reached the fourth round. The left-handed Tien is the youngest player to win his first two matches against top-five opponents. Tien is next playing eighth-seeded Tomas Machac, who advanced after beating Daniel Altmaier 7-6 (3), 6-1.
A Las Vegas exhibition that originally featured Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz has been postponed
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 26 - 1:51 p.m. | Save Story
and replaced in the lineup by Casper Ruud. Then Fritz pulled out of this week's tournament in Acapulco.
Daniil Medvedev reaches Dubai quarterfinals, Marin Cilic also advances
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 26 - 11:58 a.m. | Save Story
Top-seeded Daniil Medvedev has reached the quarterfinals at the the Dubai Championships by beating hard-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 6-4. Up next for Medvedev is Tallon Griekspoor who advanced by beating fifth-seeded Ugo Humbert 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Marin Cilic, the 2014 U.S. Open champion who eliminated second-seeded Alex de Minaur in the first round, moved into the quarterfinals by beating Alexei Popyrin in three sets. The 36-year-old Croat will face Felix Auger-Aliassime for a spot in the last four.
Rublev loses in first round in Dubai three days after taking Doha title
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 25 - 1:32 p.m. | Save Story
Third-seeded Andrey Rublev followed up his Qatar Open title with a first-round exit at the Dubai Championships, losing to qualifier Quentin Halys 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5). For the 77th-ranked Halys it was his first victory over a top-10 opponent. The ninth-ranked Rublev had won the Dubai title in 2022. On Saturday, he beat Jack Draper to win the Qatar Open. Second-seeded Alex de Minaur lost to 2014 U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic in three sets. Top-seeded Daniil Medvedev beat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 7-6 (4).
Mirra Andreeva is the first 17-year-old ranked in the WTA's Top 10 since 2007
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 24 - 9:55 a.m. | Save Story
Mirra Andreeva has risen to a career-best No. 9 in the rankings. That makes the Russian the first 17-year-old in the WTA's Top 10 since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007. Andreeva moved up five spots thanks to her title Saturday in Dubai. She beat past Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova there en route to becoming the youngest player to claim the trophy at a WTA 1000 tournament. Australian Open winner Madison Keys also reached a career-high ranking on Monday. She moved up to No. 5 despite not playing a match since her triumph at Melbourne Park last month.
It turns out Venus Williams won't play at Indian Wells after the tournament announced she would
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 23 - 7:51 p.m. | Save Story
It turns out 44-year-old Venus Williams will not be playing at the BNP Paribas Open. The tournament in Indian Wells, California, revealed on Sunday that Williams won't play, days after it announced she would be competing there as a wild card. It was an odd backtrack that came several hours after audio made the rounds on social media of Williams saying she would not be competing at the tournament in the Coachella Valley next month. Williams hasn't competed anywhere on tour since a first-round loss at the Miami Open in March 2024. That was less than two weeks after she lost her opening match at Indian Wells.
Andrey Rublev credits his mental approach after beating Jack Draper to win the Qatar Open
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 22 - 11:25 a.m. | Save Story
Andrey Rublev credited his mental approach after beating Jack Draper 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 to win the Qatar Open for the second time. It was Rublev's third three-set win in three days. The Russian also dropped the second set in his two previous matches against Alex de Minaur and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Rublev says he "was really good mentally and didn't let frustration get over me." It was the 17th title of Rublev's career. He earned his first Doha trophy in 2020. Rublev improved to 4-0 in his career against Draper. Draper will still improve to a career-high ranking of No. 12 on Monday.
Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva wins title in Dubai and will enter the top 10 of the rankings
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 22 - 11:01 a.m. | Save Story
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat Clara Tauson 7-6 (1), 6-1 in the Dubai Championships to earn the biggest title of her career. The victory will earn Andreeva her debut in the top 10 of the rankings next week. She is the first 17-year-old to achieve that feat since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007. It caps quite a week for Andreeva. She also had wins over 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, five-time major champion Iga Swiatek and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina to become the youngest player to defeat three major champions at a single event since Maria Sharapova at the 2004 WTA Finals. Andreeva's only other title was the Iasi Open in Romania last year.
Rublev edges Auger-Aliassime to reach his third Qatar Open final where Draper awaits
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 21 - 2:05 p.m. | Save Story
Andrey Rublev has edged Félix Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 to reach another Qatar Open final. The 10th-ranked Rublev needed four match points to close out. He will face Jack Draper in the decider on Saturday. Rublev lost the 2018 final in Doha but won in 2020. In his 27th career final and first since August, he will play Draper, who beat Jiri Lehecka in another three-setter.
Teenager Andreeva upsets Rybakina to reach Dubai final against Tauson
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 21 - 11:57 a.m. | Save Story
Teenager Mirra Andreeva has become the youngest player to reach the Dubai Championships final after beating Elena Rybakina 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. The 17-year-old Andreeva trailed 3-1 in the third set before winning the last five games to reach her second tour final. She won in Iasi, Romania, last July. Clara Tauson, the Dane who knocked out world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, beat Karolina Muchova 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 in the other semifinal. Tauson already has a title this year, in Auckland. She leads the tour in match wins, with 15. Andreeva is the youngest player in the top 100, and her run this week has put her on the brink of a maiden appearance in the top 10.
Carlos Alcaraz stunned by Jiri Lehecka in Qatar Open quarterfinals
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 20 - 2:02 p.m. | Save Story
Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz lost for just the second time this year when 25th-ranked Jiri Lehecka beat him 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open. Alcaraz's only other defeat in 2025 was to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarterfinals. The 21-year-old Spaniard won the Rotterdam Open earlier this month. The 23-year-old Lehecka, who is from the Czech Republic, will next face eighth-seeded Jack Draper. Earlier, fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev saved one match point and needed eight of his own to subdue second-seeded Alex de Minaur in three sets. He'll next face Canada's Félix Auger-Aliassime.
Jannik Sinner is out of a Las Vegas exhibition because of his doping ban. Casper Ruud will fill in
Howard Fendrich, Associated Press | Posted Feb. 20 - 12:24 p.m. | Save Story
Jannik Sinner has been dropped from an exhibition event in Las Vegas next month while he is serving a three-month ban connected to a pair of failed doping tests. Casper Ruud is now slated to join Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul on March 2 as part of the MGM Rewards Slam at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The switch was announced Thursday in a news release. Last weekend, Sinner accepted the suspension as part of a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency. WADA had appealed a decision last year by the International Tennis Integrity Agency to exonerate Sinner.
Swiatek loses to teenager Andreeva in Dubai quarterfinals
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 20 - 11:59 a.m. | Save Story
she beat Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open quarterfinals last year. Clara Tauson, the Dane who knocked out Sabalenka on Wednesday, defeated Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic 7-6, 6-4 to reach her third semifinals of the year.
Dubai police detain man who caused Raducanu distress at Dubai tournament
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 20 - 9:40 a.m. | Save Story
Dubai police detained a man who caused Emma Raducanu distress by exhibiting "fixated behavior" toward the British star at a tennis tournament. The government of Dubai's media office says the 22-year-old Raducanu had been approached by the man at the Dubai Championships where he left her a note, took her photograph, and engaged in behavior that caused her distress. The government's statement described the unidentified man only as "a tourist." Raducanu ultimately decided to drop the charges against him. The 2021 U.S. Open champion had seen the man in the stands during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova on Tuesday night.
A tennis player was cleared of doping after blaming a positive test on contaminated Colombian meat
Howard Fendrich, Associated Press | Posted Feb. 20 - 8:43 a.m. | Save Story
A low-ranked tennis player from Brazil has been cleared in a doping case by the International Tennis Integrity Agency after saying his positive drug test for an anabolic steroid was caused by eating contaminated meat in Colombia. The ITIA said Thursday that Nicolas Zanellato can return to competition after sitting out for six months while he was provisionally suspended. The group that investigates and punishes doping and corruption in tennis announced that it ruled Zanellato bore no fault or negligence for an anti-doping rule violation, based on interviews, review of detailed documentation, and advice from independent WADA-approved scientists.
Carlos Alcaraz needs three sets to oust Luca Nardi at Qatar Open
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 19 - 1:31 p.m. | Save Story
Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz reached the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open by beating Luca Nardi 6-1, 4-6, 6-3. The 21-year-old Spaniard let his guard down in the second set, when his Italian opponent fought back from trailing 1-4 to force a decider. The third-ranked Alcaraz will next face Jiri Lehecka. Other quarterfinal matchups are second-seeded Alex de Minaur against fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev, and fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev against Félix Auger-Aliassime. Jack Draper eliminated Christopher O'Connell 6-2, 6-1. He will next play Matteo Berrettini.
No. 1 Sabalenka loses to Tauson in Dubai as Swiatek advances to quarterfinals
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 19 - 12:58 p.m. | Save Story
Clara Tauson didn't get much sleep but still beat No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the Dubai Championships. The 22-year-old Dane got to bed late after outlasting Elina Svitolina in a three-set victory in the previous round. She says "I slept maybe five hours last night. We went to sleep at 330 a.m." It was Tauson's first win over a No. 1-ranked player. Next up is Linda Noskova for a shot at the semifinals. The Czech player beat fifth-seeded Jessica Pegula. Defending champion Jasmine Paolini was ousted by Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-0. Second-seeded Iga Swiatek beat Dayana Yastremska 7-5, 6-0.
Venus Williams gets a wild-card entry for the Indian Wells tournament at age 44
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 19 - 12:57 p.m. | Save Story
and teenagers João Fonseca and Learner Tien.
Raducanu says 'I'll be OK' after man removed from stands at Dubai tournament
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 19 - 12:14 p.m. | Save Story
Emma Raducanu says she will be OK after what she called a "difficult experience" related to the presence of a man who had exhibited "fixated behavior" toward her at the Dubai Championships. The 2021 U.S. Open champion had approached the chair umpire early in her second-round match against 14th-seeded Karolina Muchova on Tuesday night. She was in tears, and the WTA later linked her reaction to the presence of the unidentified man. Raducanu says "Difficult experience yesterday but I'll be okay." She also thanked Muchova for her support. The WTA is working with Raducanu and her team "to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support."
Tennis participation grows to more than 25M players in the US even as pickleball's popularity surges
Howard Fendrich, Associated Press | Posted Feb. 19 - 4:00 a.m. | Save Story
The U.S. Tennis Association says participation in the sport around the United States rose to 25.7 million players in 2024. The USTA said Wednesday that is the fifth consecutive year of growth for tennis in the country. The group that runs tennis in the U.S. cited an analysis of numbers drawn from two studies not yet fully released. The USTA said the jump of 1.9 million tennis players from 2023's total of 23.8 million represents an 8% increase and means 1 in 12 Americans played tennis last year. USTA CEO Lew Sherr said his group aims to get the number of participants to 35 million by 2035.
Raducanu loses to Muchova after a spectator is ejected in Dubai
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 18 - 10:37 p.m. | Save Story
Emma Raducanu lost to Karolina Muchova after an emotional first set in which a spectator was ejected at the Dubai Championships. The 2021 U.S. Open champion appeared to be in tears as she went to the umpire's chair after the second game Tuesday and her second-round match was briefly paused on Court 2. Raducanu stood behind the umpire's chair and was consoled by Muchova. She wiped her face with a towel before the match continued. Organizers of the women's tour issued a statement later saying Raducanu was approached Monday "by a man who exhibited fixated behavior" and "this same individual was identified in the first few rows during Emma's match on Tuesday." The man was ejected.
Teenage sensation Fonseca loses in the first round in Rio days after winning his first ATP title
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 18 - 8:17 p.m. | Save Story
Teenage tennis sensation João Fonseca frustrated his home fans at the Rio Open in a first-round loss two days after winning his first ATP title. Fonseca lost 6-1, 7-6 (4) to Alexandre Muller of France on Tuesday. Fonseca appeared to be exhausted during the match and made 34 unforced errors against the No. 60-ranked Muller. The 18-year-old Brazilian won his career first ATP title at the elite level with victory in the Argentina Open final on Sunday.
Djokovic loses to Berrettini in Doha, says no pain in hamstring
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 18 - 1:19 p.m. | Save Story
Novak Djokovic was upset by Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (4), 6-2 at the Qatar Open in the Serb's first match since exiting the Australian Open with a hamstring injury. The 37-year-old Djokovic lost to the Italian for the first time in five career matches and will have to wait to join Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) as the only players in the ATP Tour's 100-win club. The 24-time Grand Slam champion reached the Australian Open semifinals but retired from the last-four match against Alexander Zverev because of a hamstring injury.
Murray to continue as Djokovic's coach likely through French Open
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 18 - 10:44 a.m. | Save Story
Andy Murray looks set to remain as Novak Djokovic's coach likely through the French Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion told the ATP Tour's in-house media channel that Murray has agreed to stay on as coach. Djokovic and Murray joined forces ahead of the Australian Open in what initially was seen as an unlikely pairing. After Murray retired last year, Djokovic reached out with the coaching proposition. The 37-year-old Serb reached the semifinals at Melbourne Park but retired from the last-four match against Alexander Zverev because of a hamstring injury.
Sports on TV for Wednesday, Feb. 19
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 18 - 8:10 a.m. | Save Story
(All times Eastern)
Djokovic says tennis players have a 'lack of trust' in doping agencies after Sinner case
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 17 - 5:14 p.m. | Save Story
Novak Djokovic says a majority of tennis players have lost faith in the anti-doping authorities following Jannik Sinner's three-month ban, and there's a widespread feeling that "favoritism" is being shown to the sport's biggest stars. The 24-time major winner called on both the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Tennis Integrity Agency to overhaul their processes for dealing with doping cases "because the system and the structure obviously doesn't work."
Alcaraz beats Cilic in straight sets to advance at Qatar Open
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 17 - 4:06 p.m. | Save Story
Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz overcame Croatian veteran Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4 to reach the round of 16 at the Qatar Open. The 36-year-old Cilic, the 2014 U.S. Open champion who has fallen to No. 192 in the rankings, was playing his first match of the season after recovering from a long-term knee injury. The Croatian led 4-3 and 0-40 on Alcaraz's serve in the second set, but the Spanish four-time major winner managed to recover and then broke in the next game. Earlier, seventh-seeded Grigor Dimitrov lost 6-4, 6-4 to Jiri Lehecka.
Azarenka rallies from set and a break down to advance in Dubai; Qatar champion Anisimova loses
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 17 - 2:03 p.m. | Save Story
Former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka rallied from a set and a break down to beat Anhelina Kalinina 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 Monday and reach the second round of the Dubai Championships. The 35-year-old Azarenka trailed 5-2 in the second set and was down 4-2 in the tiebreaker before winning the next five points. Just two days after winning the Qatar Open title in Doha, Amanda Anisimova lost 6-2, 6-3 to fellow American McCartney Kessler. No. 11-seeded Diana Shnaider ousted Magdalena Frech 6-2, 6-2 while No. 12 Mirra Andreeva beat Elina Avanesyan 6-2, 6-1 to set up a meeting with 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.
Brazilian teenager João Fonseca wins his first tour-level tennis title
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 16 - 6:34 p.m. | Save Story
Rising tennis star João Fonseca has finished what he called "an unbelievable week" with a straight sets victory over Francisco Cerúndolo in the final of the Argentina Open to claim his first tour-level title. The 18-year-old Brazilian, who won the Next Gen ATP Finals last December, beat his Argentine opponent 6-4, 7-6 (1) Sunday in the clay-court final. Local fans in Buenos Aires provided a lively atmosphere at the final of the ATP 250 event which at times resembled an Argentina vs. Brazil soccer match. The elite men's tour says Fonseca is the 10th youngest champion in ATP Tour history.
