https://www.scmp.com/rss/322667/feed The French Open is one of tennis' four major championships, held over three weeks between late May and mid-June at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. It is the top clay court event in the world. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Reuters Reuters Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner turned 2025 into a gripping tug of war for tennis supremacy by carving up the grand slams for a second straight year, while the women’s game showcased depth and drama with four different major champions. Sinner’s dominant victory over Alexander Zverev at the start of the season helped him retain his Australian Open title and become the first Italian to capture three majors – moving past Nicola Pietrangeli, who won back-to-back French Opens in 1959-60. What... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3337729/year-tennis-sincaraz-rivalry-splits-mens-grand-slams-while-4-share-womens-titles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3337729/year-tennis-sincaraz-rivalry-splits-mens-grand-slams-while-4-share-womens-titles?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Dec 2025 06:00:16 +0000 Aaina Bhargava Aaina Bhargava If there’s one piece of advice Andre Agassi offers, it’s to dream while awake. “It’s way too easy to dream when you’re sleeping,” says the American tennis legend. “Don’t be scared to dream big because it takes as much effort to dream big as it does small.” He advises choosing your definition of success carefully. Even if you achieve it, it might not feel the way you expected. Fresh off his run as Laver Cup captain, Agassi was in Hong Kong in October for the Prudential NextGen Aces event, a panel... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3334499/andre-agassi-hong-kong-his-comeback-and-learning-live-present?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3334499/andre-agassi-hong-kong-his-comeback-and-learning-live-present?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Nov 2025 21:00:08 +0000 Aaina Bhargava Aaina Bhargava Aryna Sabalenka is living her best tennis life – travelling the world, eating well, soaking up the sun and winning big. Most recently, she took home the 2025 US Open title after a season marked by triumphs and near misses. “It’s a great feeling,” says the world No 1. “It’s just fun to be here, to travel around the world, to compete and win. All of it. I’m just really enjoying my tennis life.” Sabalenka is in Hong Kong for the Prudential NextGen Aces panel and exhibition match, speaking about... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3330242/aryna-sabalenka-loving-hong-kong-steffi-graf-and-inspiring-young-players?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3330242/aryna-sabalenka-loving-hong-kong-steffi-graf-and-inspiring-young-players?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:32:11 +0000 Hyewon Lee Hyewon Lee Mirra Andreeva did not immediately realise she had won the match against world No 10 Emma Navarro at Wimbledon on Monday. “I kept telling myself I’m not the one who is up on the score, I am the one who is down,” she explained in her on-court interview, per The Independent. “That helped me to stay focused and in the end I completely forgot the score. I’m happy that I did it because I think I would have been three times more nervous on a match point.” Watched on by her tennis idol Roger Federer in... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3317403/meet-mirra-andreeva-tennis-star-who-beat-emma-navarro-wimbledon-and-didnt-realise-first-18-year-old?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3317403/meet-mirra-andreeva-tennis-star-who-beat-emma-navarro-wimbledon-and-didnt-realise-first-18-year-old?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Jul 2025 22:00:23 +0000 Cherry Liu Cherry Liu Carson Branstine, 24, is set to make her debut on Wimbledon’s famous grass courts this summer. The Canadian tennis player, who was born in California to a Canadian mother and an American father, currently sits 194th in the World Tennis Association rankings and is set to face world No 1, Belarus-born Aryna Sabalenka, giving her the perfect opportunity to leave her mark on one of the sport’s biggest stages. During qualifiers for the tournament, Branstine bested French Open semi-finalist Lois... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3316392/meet-canadian-tennis-star-carson-branstine-she-funded-her-career-through-modelling-plans-get-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3316392/meet-canadian-tennis-star-carson-branstine-she-funded-her-career-through-modelling-plans-get-law?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Jun 2025 11:00:20 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer World No 5 Zheng Qinwen could find herself climbing to the top of a different rankings list after the Olympic tennis champion signed up her 15th commercial sponsor – making her potentially the highest-paid female athlete in the world. Zheng on Tuesday revealed her partnership with Chinese social media giant RedNote, a move that will only increase her off-court earnings, which surpassed US$15 million in 2024. State media outlets reported that with the country’s Instagram-style platform on board,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3315816/zheng-qinwens-court-earnings-set-top-us30-million-after-signing-15th-sponsor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3315816/zheng-qinwens-court-earnings-set-top-us30-million-after-signing-15th-sponsor?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:49:32 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese No 1 Zheng Qinwen said she was focusing on Wimbledon as she worked to move on from her painful defeat to Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open. The 22-year-old lost 7-6, 6-3 in the quarter-finals to the world No 1 but, despite her poor record against the Belarusian – who lost in the final to American Coco Gauff – she was disappointed with her own performance. The defeat came less than a year after she won Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games on the same courts, and Zheng said she felt the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3313623/top-seed-zheng-qinwen-thrilled-play-queens-club-she-moves-french-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3313623/top-seed-zheng-qinwen-thrilled-play-queens-club-she-moves-french-open?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Jun 2025 10:00:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Carlos Alcaraz said “real champions” are made in tough situations after the Spaniard saved three championship points and fought from two sets down to beat Jannik Sinner in the French Open final on Sunday. Reigning champion Alcaraz looked set to relinquish his Roland Garros title when he fell 5-3 behind in the fourth set, but the 22-year-old instead pulled off one of the greatest escape acts in grand slam history. Alcaraz held off three match points from 0-40 on his serve to outlast world No 1... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3313587/alcaraz-hails-real-champion-mindset-after-epic-french-open-win-over-sinner?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3313587/alcaraz-hails-real-champion-mindset-after-epic-french-open-win-over-sinner?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Jun 2025 02:32:53 +0000 dpa,Associated Press dpa,Associated Press Coco Gauff said her first French Open title win “wasn’t pretty” after she battled Aryna Sabalenka and the elements to reign on the Paris clay on Saturday. The 21-year-old American, seeded second, came from a set down to beat world No 1 Sabalenka 6-7, 6-2, 6-4. A stiff breeze swirled around Court Philippe-Chatrier, which contributed to a combined total of 100 unforced errors and 15 breaks of serve. It was Gauff who coped better with the conditions to add the Roland Garros title to her 2023 US... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3313529/coco-gauff-admits-french-open-final-win-over-aryna-sabalenka-wasnt-pretty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3313529/coco-gauff-admits-french-open-final-win-over-aryna-sabalenka-wasnt-pretty?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Jun 2025 05:09:24 +0000 Reuters Reuters Jannik Sinner said his battle for supremacy with fellow French Open finalist Carlos Alcaraz could become the defining rivalry of their era and is something the sport needed with its golden generation of players calling time on their careers. Sinner beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 in a generational battle on Court Philippe Chatrier to deny his Serbian opponent a record 25th grand slam and left him unsure whether he would ever return to Roland-Garros, where he has won three major trophies. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3313500/french-open-final-jannik-sinner-says-rivalry-carlos-alcaraz-tonic-tennis-needs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3313500/french-open-final-jannik-sinner-says-rivalry-carlos-alcaraz-tonic-tennis-needs?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Jun 2025 14:00:14 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer An emotional Zheng Qinwen said she had lost her French Open quarter-final against Aryna Sabalenka, rather than the world No 1 doing anything special to win it in straight sets. Playing in her first tournament at Roland Garros since becoming Olympic champion last summer, Zheng went down 7-6, 6-3 in an error-strewn performance on Court Philippe Chatrier. In her final post-match press conference of the event, a teary-eyed Zheng, who committed a total of 31 unforced errors, rued opening the door for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3312980/french-open-chinese-no-1-zhengs-tears-she-blames-herself-quarter-final-loss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3312980/french-open-chinese-no-1-zhengs-tears-she-blames-herself-quarter-final-loss?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Jun 2025 04:42:57 +0000 SCMP Sport,Agence France-Presse SCMP Sport,Agence France-Presse Zheng Qinwen’s French Open dream ended on Tuesday in an error-strewn loss to Aryna Sabalenka, a player she has beaten only once in eight attempts. After a surprise defeat in Rome last month, the World No 1 resumed normal service on the Paris clay, downing her opponent in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3. The top seed from Belarus needed less than two hours to end the Olympic champion’s winning streak at Roland Garros, sealing herself a spot in the semi-finals of the year’s second grand slam at the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3312922/top-seed-aryna-sabalenka-beats-chinas-zheng-qinwen-reach-french-open-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3312922/top-seed-aryna-sabalenka-beats-chinas-zheng-qinwen-reach-french-open-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:24:33 +0000 Reuters Reuters Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen continued her French Open campaign in battling fashion as the Chinese eighth seed overcame Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals at Roland Garros on Sunday. Zheng swapped a pair of breaks with her 19th-seeded opponent in the opening set and fought back from 4-2 down in the tiebreak to get her nose in front before allowing big-hitting Samsonova to hold in a tense first game of the second set. The Russian broke to love in the next game... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3312665/zheng-qinwen-battles-past-samsonova-reach-maiden-french-open-quarter-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3312665/zheng-qinwen-battles-past-samsonova-reach-maiden-french-open-quarter-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Jun 2025 14:48:01 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen became the first woman to qualify for the French Open last 16 on Friday with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko. Top women’s seed Aryna Sabalenka also eased through, as Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti rallied from a set down to book his ticket to the men’s fourth round. Chinese eighth seed Zheng claimed her Olympic gold at Roland Garros last year and has won nine successive matches at the venue after seeing off Mboko. “We had some really good points, it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3312503/french-open-zheng-qinwen-first-woman-last-16-after-beating-mboko?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3312503/french-open-zheng-qinwen-first-woman-last-16-after-beating-mboko?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 May 2025 10:53:01 +0000 Reuters,Agence France-Presse Reuters,Agence France-Presse Emma Raducanu admitted feeling exposed after a humbling second-round loss to defending French Open champion Iga Swiatek during her maiden appearance on Court Philippe Chatrier but the Briton said the experience had not left her demotivated. Meanwhile, China’s Zheng Qinwen, the last woman to win a title at Roland Garros having claimed Olympic singles gold last summer, said she would not be wearing kid gloves when she faced her next opponent on Friday. Zheng, who powered past Emiliana Arango of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3312255/french-open-raducanu-unbowed-after-swiatek-thrashing-zheng-qinwen-wary-next-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3312255/french-open-raducanu-unbowed-after-swiatek-thrashing-zheng-qinwen-wary-next-match?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 May 2025 05:41:11 +0000 Reuters Reuters China’s Zheng Qinwen powered past Colombia’s Emiliana Arango to reach the third round of the French Open on Wednesday as the Olympic champion again showed her liking for Parisian clay. The 22-year-old swept to the Olympic title at Roland Garros last August and her 6-2, 6-3 victory over Arango underlined why she is being tipped to win her first grand slam. On cool and drizzly Court Suzanne Lenglen, eighth-seeded Zheng had too much firepower for her tricky 85th-ranked opponent, breaking serve at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3312157/chinese-olympic-champion-zheng-qinwen-powers-french-open-third-round?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3312157/chinese-olympic-champion-zheng-qinwen-powers-french-open-third-round?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 May 2025 11:10:35 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Reuters Agence France-Presse,Reuters Former world No 1 Daniil Medvedev of Russia paid the price for an early meltdown as he stumbled out of the French Open with a 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 1-6, 7-5 first-round defeat by Britain’s Cameron Norrie on Tuesday. Medvedev’s composure disintegrated as he surrendered eight consecutive games after opening a 3-1 lead in the first set, his frustration boiling over in a series of animated gestures towards his bewildered coaching team. With the vocal support of the Simonne-Mathieu court crowd, however, the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3312021/daniil-medvedev-melts-down-russian-falls-cameron-norrie-first-hurdle-french-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3312021/daniil-medvedev-melts-down-russian-falls-cameron-norrie-first-hurdle-french-open?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 May 2025 13:54:44 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Emma Raducanu made a winning return to the French Open on Monday as she beat Wang Xinyu in three sets to set up a second-round clash with reigning champion Iga Swiatek. The 22-year-old Briton overcame her Chinese opponent 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in her first appearance at Roland Garros since 2022, on a day when Carlos Alcaraz began the defence of his men’s title with a straight-sets victory. Former US Open winner Raducanu fell in the second round three years ago in her only previous appearance at the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3311865/emma-raducanu-beats-wang-xinyu-set-clash-iga-swiatek-return-french-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3311865/emma-raducanu-beats-wang-xinyu-set-clash-iga-swiatek-return-french-open?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 May 2025 12:26:45 +0000 Reuters Reuters Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen eased past 2021 finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-3 in the French Open first round on Sunday to stretch her winning run on the Parisian clay to seven matches. The Chinese player has fond memories of the Philippe Chatrier court having won the women’s singles gold medal on the same court at last year’s Paris Games. Playing under a closed roof because of rain in the French capital on the first day of the tournament, Zheng broke the Russian in the second game to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3311739/french-open-chinas-zheng-qinwen-world-no-1-sabalenka-ease-second-round?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3311739/french-open-chinas-zheng-qinwen-world-no-1-sabalenka-ease-second-round?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 May 2025 13:32:30 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala believes she can move up to the next level after her impressive run in Miami this year as she becomes the first woman from her country to compete in a grand slam at the French Open. The 20-year-old will open her French Open campaign against another grand slam debutant, Emiliana Arango of Colombia, in the opening round on the red clay of Roland Garros on Sunday. “Being the first is a big deal because it gives other people courage to do the same and follow the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3311712/french-open-alex-eala-aims-show-philippines-positive-light-grand-slam-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3311712/french-open-alex-eala-aims-show-philippines-positive-light-grand-slam-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 May 2025 08:04:49 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse French taxi drivers will next week step up protest actions, including paralysing access to Paris airports and the French Open tennis championship, in an increasingly acrimonious stand-off with the government, their main federation said on Saturday. French taxi drivers have over the last week blocked roads at points across the country in a row with the government about payments for transporting patients which for many cab drivers form a major part of their businesses. Meanwhile grievances against... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3311684/french-taxi-drivers-threaten-paralysing-access-paris-airports-french-open-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3311684/french-taxi-drivers-threaten-paralysing-access-paris-airports-french-open-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 May 2025 15:18:46 +0000 Reuters,Agence France-Presse Reuters,Agence France-Presse If there is one tennis player who knows how to beat the odds when they are stacked against him, it is 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic. The 38-year-old Serbian’s bid for a fourth French Open crown looks more unlikely than in many years, with Djokovic struggling for form since his run to the Australian Open semi-finals back in January before retiring injured. Since then Djokovic, who has 99 tour titles to his name and is in the twilight of a glorious career, has reached only one final... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3311438/french-open-odds-against-novak-djokovic-time-runs-out-record-25th-grand-slam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3311438/french-open-odds-against-novak-djokovic-time-runs-out-record-25th-grand-slam?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 May 2025 15:00:09 +0000 Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong Chak-lam lost his first-round match at the Madrid Open on Wednesday, in his first foray onto a clay court this season. Wong, the highest-ranked player in Hong Kong’s history, lost 7-6, 6-1 to Italy’s Federico Cina in a match that lasted one hour, 18 minutes. After a tight first set, in which the 373rd-ranked Cina won the tiebreak 7-5, Wong failed to hold his serve in the second and soon fell behind 3-0 before clawing back to 3-1. The 18-year-old Italian, who has won an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3307631/madrid-open-hong-kongs-coleman-wong-loses-373rd-ranked-italian-first-round?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3307631/madrid-open-hong-kongs-coleman-wong-loses-373rd-ranked-italian-first-round?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Apr 2025 10:54:01 +0000 China’s world No 8 Zheng Qinwen has joined a call for more money from the grand slams to filter down to the lower ranks. “I think that’s going to benefit all the players, not only the top players, especially those that work hard during the year and need to get paid from the grand slams and have to survive,” she said. Zheng said tennis should follow the example of the NBA, where players earn in aggregate around 50 per cent of basketball-related income. “That’s really positive, because if you look... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3305251/chinas-zheng-qinwen-joins-call-tennis-grand-slam-prize-money-be-shared-more-fairly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3305251/chinas-zheng-qinwen-joins-call-tennis-grand-slam-prize-money-be-shared-more-fairly?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Apr 2025 09:19:54 +0000 For almost a century, Rolex has partnered with the world’s most prestigious sporting events. From golf to Formula One, the Geneva-headquartered watchmaker has long been associated with sporting achievement, part of a wider strategy to make Rolex synonymous with the pursuit of excellence. But while it doesn’t openly pick favourites, it seems to enjoy a special affinity with one especially stylish sport in particular. Over the years, Rolex has regularly added tennis players to its roster of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3271131/former-tennis-world-no-1-jim-courier-talks-winning-grand-slams-and-working-rolex?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3271131/former-tennis-world-no-1-jim-courier-talks-winning-grand-slams-and-working-rolex?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Jul 2024 06:00:15 +0000 Aryna Sabalenka is a former No.1 tennis player in the women’s singles and doubles, and the Belarusian athlete is currently ranked 3rd worldwide by the WTA. Much to fans’ delight, she also recently confirmed her relationship with Georgios Frangulis in an Instagram reel filmed at the Berlin Open. Just weeks before, 26-year-old Sabalenka had announced that she would not be playing in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Then she withdrew from Wimbledon hours before the tournament’s opening match in which... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3269380/meet-tennis-star-aryna-sabalenka-who-just-pulled-out-wimbledon-has-new-beau?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3269380/meet-tennis-star-aryna-sabalenka-who-just-pulled-out-wimbledon-has-new-beau?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Jul 2024 20:00:10 +0000 Holger Vitus Nødskov Rune wants to be the world’s number one tennis player and win grand slams – but he may first have to grow up. The 21-year-old won the 2022 Rolex Paris Masters, defeating Novak Djokovic, but has already earned a “bad boy” reputation for his on- and off-court antics, with a roller coaster career so far that has involved feuds with other tennis players. Here’s what we know about him: He followed his sister into tennis Born on April 29, 2003, in Copenhagen, Rune started playing... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3269263/meet-holger-rune-danish-bad-boy-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3269263/meet-holger-rune-danish-bad-boy-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jul 2024 22:00:09 +0000 Jannik Sinner has made his debut at No 1 in the ATP rankings this week, moving up one spot to replace the injured Novak Djokovic there. The 22-year-old is the first player from Italy to reach No 1 since the computerised rankings began in 1973. He will be the top-seeded man at Wimbledon, where play begins July 1. Sinner is 33-3 this season with three titles, including earning his first grand slam trophy at the Australian Open in January, part of a 19-0 run to begin 2024. Two of those three losses... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3266100/novak-djokovic-loses-no-1-spot-jannik-sinner-iga-swiatek-increases-lead-atp-rankings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3266100/novak-djokovic-loses-no-1-spot-jannik-sinner-iga-swiatek-increases-lead-atp-rankings?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jun 2024 06:00:17 +0000 Carlos Alcaraz said emulating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s successes would be “impossible” after winning his maiden French Open title on Sunday with victory over Alexander Zverev. The 21-year-old came from behind to win 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 and claimed his third grand slam triumph. Alcaraz’s victory made him the youngest man to win slam titles on clay, grass and hard courts. With Roger Federer retired, Nadal expected to hang up his racquet this year and Djokovic having a poor season by... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265983/french-open-champion-alcaraz-plays-down-chasing-impossible-nadal-djokovic-records?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265983/french-open-champion-alcaraz-plays-down-chasing-impossible-nadal-djokovic-records?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Jun 2024 01:14:42 +0000 Iga Swiatek described her French Open triumph as an emotional win and said she was proud to have handled the pressure of being the favourite to win a third consecutive title on the Parisian clay. World No 1 Swiatek steamrollered Italian surprise finalist Jasmine Paolini in straight sets on Saturday, winning 6-2, 6-1 to claim her fifth grand slam title, and fourth at Roland Garros, but said that being a perfectionist meant there had been an added challenge. “I’m a perfectionist, so there’s always... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265936/french-open-2024-iga-swiatek-handles-outside-pressure-way-three-peat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265936/french-open-2024-iga-swiatek-handles-outside-pressure-way-three-peat?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Jun 2024 04:48:57 +0000 Carlos Alcaraz will face Alexander Zverev in the men’s singles French Open final after coming through a thrilling five-set match with Jannik Sinner, while the German beat Casper Ruud in four sets. The Spaniard had started poorly and fell behind early in his semi-final and trailed two sets to one. By the end of the latest instalment in this burgeoning rivalry between two young, talented players, an engaging five-setter that lasted four hours and nine minutes, Alcaraz actually had accumulated... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265884/french-open-carlos-alcaraz-face-alexander-zverev-mens-final-first-both-players?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265884/french-open-carlos-alcaraz-face-alexander-zverev-mens-final-first-both-players?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Jun 2024 02:44:33 +0000 Jelena Djokovic has always been her husband Novak Djokovic’s biggest fan. But on day nine of the French Open earlier this week, she was seen sharing frustrated gestures and words with the tennis player during his match against Francisco Cerundolo. The exchange between the two seemed tense, with some misconstruing it as an argument, notes Essentially Sports. However, not only did their inaudible discussion work (the Serb made an impressive comeback after the exchange) but he explained... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3265807/why-fans-love-novak-djokovics-quirky-wife-jelena-djokovic-serbian-fashionista?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3265807/why-fans-love-novak-djokovics-quirky-wife-jelena-djokovic-serbian-fashionista?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Jun 2024 20:00:09 +0000 Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will face off in a blockbuster French Open semi-final on Friday, as they resume a budding rivalry that could dominate the men’s tour for years to come. With defending champion Novak Djokovic having pulled out of the tournament because of a knee injury, the winner of the tie will be the nailed-on favourite to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires and become the first new men’s singles French Open champion since 2016. Friday’s clash will be the first men’s singles... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265772/french-open-semi-finalists-carlos-alcaraz-and-jannik-sinner-resume-burgeoning-rivalry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265772/french-open-semi-finalists-carlos-alcaraz-and-jannik-sinner-resume-burgeoning-rivalry?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Jun 2024 09:00:16 +0000 Jasmine Paolini is struggling to believe she is into her first grand slam final. Paolini, who had never previously been past the fourth round at a major tournament, continued her run at the French Open by beating Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-1 in Thursday’s semi-finals. “It’s a great feeling to be in a grand slam final,” the 28-year-old Italian said. “I don’t know. It seems something impossible, you know, but it’s true.” She faces two-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in Saturday’s final, the day... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265765/jasmine-paolini-surprises-herself-reaching-first-grand-slam-final-french-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265765/jasmine-paolini-surprises-herself-reaching-first-grand-slam-final-french-open?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Jun 2024 07:26:14 +0000 Novak Djokovic said on Thursday the surgery on his right knee, which he injured during the French Open, “went well” and that he hopes to return to competition “as soon as possible”. Djokovic had an operation in Paris on Wednesday, two days after he hurt it early in the second set of a five-set victory against Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round. The 37-year-old withdrew from the clay-court grand slam tournament – where he was the defending champion – on Tuesday, and was unable to play in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265651/novak-djokovic-says-his-knee-surgery-went-well-and-he-wants-return-action-soon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265651/novak-djokovic-says-his-knee-surgery-went-well-and-he-wants-return-action-soon?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Jun 2024 10:55:38 +0000 Novak Djokovic withdrew from the French Open with an injured right knee on Tuesday, ending his title defence and meaning he will relinquish the No 1 ranking. The tournament announced the news, saying Djokovic has a torn medial meniscus in his right knee. The extent of the injury was found during an MRI exam a day after Djokovic was hurt during a fourth-round victory against No 23 Francisco Cerundolo that lasted five sets spread across more than 4 1/2 hours. The 24-time grand slam champion was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265395/french-open-novak-djokovic-withdraws-knee-injury-ending-title-defence-relinquishes-world-no-1?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265395/french-open-novak-djokovic-withdraws-knee-injury-ending-title-defence-relinquishes-world-no-1?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:36:12 +0000 An injured Novak Djokovic sealed a 15th consecutive French Open quarter-final with a thrilling comeback victory over Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round, while Daniil Medvedev became the highest seed to crash out at Roland Garros so far. A limping Djokovic looked to be heading for a shock defeat when 2-1 down in sets and 4-2 behind in the fourth set, but battled back from the brink to delight the Court Philippe Chatrier crowd by winning 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 after four hours... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265268/french-open-injured-djokovic-limps-quarter-finals-raises-fitness-fears-medvedev-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265268/french-open-injured-djokovic-limps-quarter-finals-raises-fitness-fears-medvedev-out?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Jun 2024 02:27:43 +0000 Aryna Sabalenka continued to power her way through the French Open draw by pummelling Emma Navarro to reach the quarter-finals. The big-hitting Belarusian won 6-2, 6-3 and has now dropped only 18 games over her four matches. Having won the Australian Open, Sabalenka’s record at grand slams this year now reads 11-0, and she has not lost a single set across those 11 matches. American Navarro had beaten Sabalenka at Indian Wells in March, but she was up against it from the start at Roland... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265238/french-open-day-9-round-aryna-sabalenka-eases-quarter-final-fourth-seed-elena-rybakina-also-last?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265238/french-open-day-9-round-aryna-sabalenka-eases-quarter-final-fourth-seed-elena-rybakina-also-last?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jun 2024 16:00:09 +0000 Novak Djokovic will aim to reach his 15th successive French Open quarter-final on Monday after setting an unwanted Roland Garros record. The defending champion and 24-time grand slam title winner made the last 16 by beating Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in a bruising five-set epic that ended at 3.07am on Sunday. It was the latest finish ever at Roland Garros, and the 37-year-old said there were certain things that “could have been handled differently”. “There is a certain beauty in winning the match... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265140/french-open-marathon-man-novak-djokovic-eyes-15th-successive-quarter-final-roland-garros-faces-23rd?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265140/french-open-marathon-man-novak-djokovic-eyes-15th-successive-quarter-final-roland-garros-faces-23rd?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jun 2024 04:57:43 +0000 Novak Djokovic avoided crashing to his worst defeat at the French Open in 15 years in the early hours of Sunday morning, while title rival Alexander Zverev was also pushed to the limit. Defending champion and 24-time grand slam title winner Djokovic came from two sets to one down to beat Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti 7-5, 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in a third round tie that ended at 3.07am local time. His victory, which took fours and 29 minutes, also allowed the 37-year-old world No 1 to equal Roger... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265043/french-open-novak-djokovic-battles-back-epic-while-title-rival-zverev-pushed-limit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3265043/french-open-novak-djokovic-battles-back-epic-while-title-rival-zverev-pushed-limit?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Jun 2024 03:09:43 +0000 China’s Zhang Zhizhen was beaten 6-3, 6-3, 6-1, by Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, who reached the fourth round of the French Open for the sixth year in a row. The 2021 finalist sent down more than 30 winners to wrap up the match in just 91 minutes, setting up a meeting with Italian Matteo Arnaldi, who stunned sixth seed Andrey Rublev earlier on Friday. Zhang became the first Chinese man in 86 years to win a main-draw match at Roland Garros last year en route to the third round, but could not... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264991/french-open-chinas-zhang-zhizhen-loses-former-finalist-stefanos-tsitsipas-iga-swiatek-carlos-alcaraz?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264991/french-open-chinas-zhang-zhizhen-loses-former-finalist-stefanos-tsitsipas-iga-swiatek-carlos-alcaraz?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Jun 2024 03:00:28 +0000 Rafael Nadal has been knocked out in the first round of the French Open this year, defeated by Alexander Zverev. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maria Francisca Perelló ♡ (@xiscaperellofans) “It’s difficult for me to talk,” the 37-year-old said in during on-court interview. “I don’t know if it’s going to be last time I’m going to be here in front of you. I am not 100 per cent sure, but if it is the last time, I enjoyed it.” He added, “It’s a big... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3264703/who-rafael-nadals-supportive-wife-and-childhood-sweetheart-mery-xisca-perello-22-grand-slam-champ?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3264703/who-rafael-nadals-supportive-wife-and-childhood-sweetheart-mery-xisca-perello-22-grand-slam-champ?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 May 2024 11:00:10 +0000 Belgium’s David Goffin claimed he was spat at by a French Open spectator and warned tennis is in danger of falling into the firm grip of “hooligans”. Goffin said a fan spat chewing gum at him as he defeated French player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 on a raucous Court 14 at Roland Garros. When the Belgian left the arena, he cupped his ear to all four sides to counter the jeers. “When you are insulted for three-and-a-half hours, you have to annoy the public a little,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264587/french-open-belgian-david-goffin-claims-he-was-spat-spectator-says-tennis-could-fall-grip-hooligans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264587/french-open-belgian-david-goffin-claims-he-was-spat-spectator-says-tennis-could-fall-grip-hooligans?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 May 2024 10:50:32 +0000 Novak Djokovic believes long-time rival Rafael Nadal could be tempted to play the 2025 French Open despite experiencing the “unique moment” of what was generally accepted to be the great Spaniard’s farewell. Djokovic and Nadal have met 59 times in their careers, with 10 of those clashes coming at Roland Garros. Djokovic was in a star-studded crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier on Monday as 14-time champion Nadal was knocked out in straight sets in the first round by Alexander Zverev. “It was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264548/french-open-novak-djokovic-believes-roland-garros-will-see-rafael-nadal-again-despite-farewell?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264548/french-open-novak-djokovic-believes-roland-garros-will-see-rafael-nadal-again-despite-farewell?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 May 2024 10:00:18 +0000 Seventh seed Zheng Qinwen powered past Alize Cornet 6-2 6-1 and into the second round of the French Open on Tuesday, sending the Frenchwoman into retirement with a heavy defeat at her home grand slam, where she has featured for 20 straight years. The 34-year-old Cornet, holder of the Open era women’s record for consecutive major main draw appearances, had previously announced that she would bring the curtain down on her career after the tournament. Cornet will still compete in the women’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264461/french-open-chinas-zheng-qinwen-ends-alize-cornets-grand-slam-singles-career-one-sided-triumph?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264461/french-open-chinas-zheng-qinwen-ends-alize-cornets-grand-slam-singles-career-one-sided-triumph?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 May 2024 13:15:15 +0000 Novak Djokovic begins the defence of his French Open title on Tuesday, confident his grand slam pedigree will help overcome his lacklustre season. The world No 1, seeking a fourth Roland Garros title and record-extending 25th major, is enduring his worst run since 2018. Djokovic, 37, has not won a title in 2024 and has yet to make a final. Semi-final spots at the Australian Open and Monte Carlo Masters remain his best performances. He also suffered the indignity of being accidentally hit on the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264371/french-open-2024-novak-djokovic-aims-overcome-bumps-road-he-opens-title-defence-against-pierre?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264371/french-open-2024-novak-djokovic-aims-overcome-bumps-road-he-opens-title-defence-against-pierre?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 May 2024 05:33:07 +0000 China’s Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Yafan got their French Open campaigns off to a strong start on Sunday, while Naomi Osaka reached the second round for the first time in three years at Roland Garros. His country’s only representative in the men’s singles, Zhang wrapped up a relatively straightforward 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic to get the day’s proceedings under way on Court 9. Compatriot Wang, one of four Chinese women in action on the first day, bounced back from... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264171/french-open-chinas-zhang-zhizhen-and-wang-yafan-make-winning-starts-osaka-second-round-paris?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264171/french-open-chinas-zhang-zhizhen-and-wang-yafan-make-winning-starts-osaka-second-round-paris?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 May 2024 13:16:57 +0000 Naomi Osaka and Carlos Alcaraz bring the curtain up on the French Open on Sunday as Roland Garros prepares to bid an expected farewell to Rafael Nadal. Osaka, a four-time major winner who has yet to get past the third round in Paris, is first up on the showpiece Court Philippe Chatrier against Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti. Alcaraz, the reigning Wimbledon champion, then begins his campaign against JJ Wolf of the United States, a lucky loser from qualifying. Andy Murray and his fellow three-time grand... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264133/french-open-naomi-osaka-carlos-alcaraz-bring-curtain-years-second-grand-slam-chinese-players-action?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3264133/french-open-naomi-osaka-carlos-alcaraz-bring-curtain-years-second-grand-slam-chinese-players-action?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 May 2024 05:00:12 +0000 With the tennis clay-court season in full flow, it’s time for second grand slam of year with the French Open. The tournament, organised by the French Tennis Federation, was first held in 1891 and is also referred to as Roland Garros, after the stadium which has hosted it since 1928. On the men’s side, Rafael Nadal is the all-time record holder with 14 triumphs – and is likely to be competing for the last time. While Chris Evert has the most victories on the women’s side with seven from 1974 to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3263604/when-french-open-2024-who-can-battle-novak-djokovic-where-can-i-watch-it-everything-you-need-know?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3263604/when-french-open-2024-who-can-battle-novak-djokovic-where-can-i-watch-it-everything-you-need-know?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 May 2024 06:22:50 +0000 Coleman Wong Chak-lam’s bid to play in the main draw of a grand slam ended at the first hurdle on Tuesday, as he went down in straight sets in the first round of qualifying at the French Open. Playing in the second match of the day on Court 10, the Hongkonger lost 7-5, 6-2 to Patrick Kypson of the United States, who is ranked 30 places higher, in little more than 90 minutes. In a first set that went with serve until the eighth game, five aces kept Wong in the fight until his 24-year-old opponent... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3263553/french-open-qualifying-hong-kongs-coleman-wong-falls-first-hurdle-hails-great-experience-roland?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3263553/french-open-qualifying-hong-kongs-coleman-wong-falls-first-hurdle-hails-great-experience-roland?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 May 2024 14:26:18 +0000