https://www.scmp.com/rss/323237/feed The US Open is the fourth and final grand slam event of the year. It is held on outdoor hard courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in New York City. Daniil Medvedev and Emma Raducanu are the men's and women's singles defending champions in 2022. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Kei Nishikori, Asia’s most decorated men’s tennis player, on Friday said that he would retire at the end of the season after a career ravaged by injury. The 36-year-old became the first Japanese player to reach a grand slam final at the 2014 US Open, eventually losing to Croatia’s Marin Cilic. He was the first Japanese man to climb into the top 10 in the ATP world rankings, reaching a career high of No 4, and won 12 titles on tour. Nishikori also won bronze in the men’s singles at the 2016 Rio... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3352128/japanese-tennis-trailblazer-kei-nishikori-retire-end-season-after-hanging?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3352128/japanese-tennis-trailblazer-kei-nishikori-retire-end-season-after-hanging?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 08:00:11 +0000 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 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Local tennis officials are banking on a gold medal at the National Games in November to strengthen the sport’s claim to keep its elite status at the Hong Kong Sports Institute. The tennis events will be contested at the Hengqin International Tennis Centre in Zhuhai, with medals up for grabs in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Previously, a sport needed to have been represented in three of the past four or the next two Olympics or Asian Games to qualify for elite funding from the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3329577/national-games-hong-kong-tennis-chiefs-hope-golden-november-will-boost-sports-elite-status?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3329577/national-games-hong-kong-tennis-chiefs-hope-golden-november-will-boost-sports-elite-status?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Oct 2025 01:00:33 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan My previous column explored how the fear of repercussions is driving widespread self-censorship within institutions and public discourse. Yet, at the same time, the world of sports is experiencing a troubling increase in toxic behaviour, where once-unifying arenas are becoming battlegrounds of hostility and division. At the recent Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York, Rory McIlroy and the European team faced relentless abuse, including verbal taunts, homophobic slurs and even outright... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3329131/hong-kong-can-showcase-true-sportsmanship-national-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3329131/hong-kong-can-showcase-true-sportsmanship-national-games?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka will go head to head in a Battle of the Sexes in Dubai in December, and not in Hong Kong as originally thought, the Post has learned. A clash between the two global stars had been rumoured to be set for Hong Kong in January, just before the Australian Open, but that has now changed, with December 28 floated as a potential date for the match. And when talking to the Post while in Hong Kong to attend the Prudential NextGen Aces event, world No 1 Sabalenka put her... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3329158/sabalenka-kyrgios-will-take-battle-sexes-dubai-hong-kong-misses-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3329158/sabalenka-kyrgios-will-take-battle-sexes-dubai-hong-kong-misses-out?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:16:28 +0000 Carla Thomas Carla Thomas Fresh off his latest US Open triumph, Carlos Alcaraz has once again proven why he’s one of the brightest young stars in tennis right now. The 22-year-old Spanish player beat his long-time rival Jannik Sinner on September 7, a reversal of fortunes after Sinner’s Wimbledon victory this summer. Alcaraz’s win also took his career prize money past the US$50 million mark, putting him among a select handful of tennis’ highest earners. Not that he needs the winnings to indulge in a luxury watch. As he... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3325669/carlos-alcarazs-impressive-rolex-collection-6-timepieces-worn-tennis-star?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3325669/carlos-alcarazs-impressive-rolex-collection-6-timepieces-worn-tennis-star?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Sep 2025 22:00:12 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Hong Kong No 1 Coleman Wong Chak-lam was brought crashing back down to earth at the Chengdu Open on Thursday, when he lost 6-3, 6-2 to Japanese veteran Taro Daniel. Wong went into the competition on the back of a historic run to the third round of the US Open and last weekend led Hong Kong to a 3-1 Davis Cup upset over fifth seeds Uzbekistan. But Wong was ultimately unable to bring that form to the first round at the Sichuan International Tennis Centre, as world No 168 Daniel knocked out the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3325996/chengdu-open-hong-kongs-coleman-wong-brought-down-earth-loss-japanese-veteran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3325996/chengdu-open-hong-kongs-coleman-wong-brought-down-earth-loss-japanese-veteran?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:29:03 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer American Taylor Townsend has apologised for a social media rant criticising the Chinese food at a hotel in Shenzhen, where she is competing in the Billie Jean King Cup. The tennis player, who was accused of having “no class” and “no education” by Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko during a row at this month’s US Open, posted a series of videos on Instagram on Tuesday saying she would “talk to HR” about the quality of the food and could not believe “these people” ate bullfrogs, which she thought were... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3325830/american-taylor-townsend-goes-social-media-rant-about-chinese-food-later-apologises?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3325830/american-taylor-townsend-goes-social-media-rant-about-chinese-food-later-apologises?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:30:56 +0000 Cherry Liu Cherry Liu Isabel Rose Machado, a 27-year-old actress and the long-time girlfriend of The Summer I Turned Pretty star Christopher Briney, recently sparked a lively fashion debate after their appearance at the 2025 US Open. Machado wore a low-cut denim Ralph Lauren maxi dress paired with brown sandals and a yellow purse, while Briney complemented her with white linen pants, a vest, blue tie and striped jacket. Their outfits prompted mixed reactions online. Influencer and Make America Hot Again creator... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3324825/who-christopher-brineys-long-term-girlfriend-isabel-machado?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3324825/who-christopher-brineys-long-term-girlfriend-isabel-machado?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Sep 2025 10:00:13 +0000 Reuters Reuters Carlos Alcaraz ended the reign of Jannik Sinner with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win to claim the US Open title on Sunday and tighten his grip on the era-defining rivalry between the torch-bearers of the men’s game. In a perfect echo of the triumph that first propelled him to the No 1 spot in 2022, Alcaraz’s second New York title lifted him back to the top of the world rankings as the 22-year-old Spaniard displaced Italy’s Sinner and took his grand slam trophy haul to six. As grey clouds hovered over... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3324676/alcaraz-outshines-sinner-claim-second-us-open-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3324676/alcaraz-outshines-sinner-claim-second-us-open-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Sep 2025 22:19:30 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press US President Donald Trump was loudly booed at the men’s final of the US Open on Sunday, where extra security caused by his visit led to lines long enough that many people missed the start of play, even after organisers delayed it. Wearing a suit and long, red tie, Trump briefly emerged from his suite about 45 minutes before the match started and heard a mix of boos and cheers from an Arthur Ashe Stadium that was still mostly empty. No announcement proceeded his appearance, and it was brief... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3324675/trumps-us-open-visit-sparks-boos-and-long-security-queues?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3324675/trumps-us-open-visit-sparks-boos-and-long-security-queues?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Sep 2025 21:42:47 +0000 Reuters Reuters US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka may be nicknamed “The Tiger”, but her New York triumph on Saturday was less about raw aggression and more poise, as the world No 1 steadied herself and regrouped in key moments to claim a fourth grand slam title. Determined to become the first woman since American great Serena Williams (2012–14) to defend her crown at Flushing Meadows, the Belarusian carried the weight of recent major setbacks to claim a 6-3, 7-6 win over Amanda Anisimova in the final and retain... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3324630/us-open-champion-sabalenka-hails-mindset-change-after-grand-slam-heartbreaks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3324630/us-open-champion-sabalenka-hails-mindset-change-after-grand-slam-heartbreaks?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Sep 2025 02:13:03 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Naomi Osaka’s final Labubu at the US Open was going to be Osaka herself. For Osaka, that was the real bummer about losing one match short of the final. “Oh, don’t make me cry, man,” the four-time grand slam champion said during her press conference early Friday morning after her 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 semi-final loss to Amanda Anisimova. “Oh my God, the most devastating question.” Osaka had been toting a different version of the popular plush toy attached to her racquet bag to each of her matches in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3324559/dont-make-me-cry-man-naomi-osaka-rues-missing-out-final-labubu-after-us-open-exit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3324559/dont-make-me-cry-man-naomi-osaka-rues-missing-out-final-labubu-after-us-open-exit?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2025 14:00:20 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Naomi Osaka said she felt inspired by her run at the US Open after she lost a gripping semi-final to Amanda Anisimova in New York on Friday. Anisimova, the world No 9 from the United States, progressed to her second consecutive grand slam final, seeing off Osaka of Japan 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 in a match that lasted almost three hours. The American had made headlines for unwanted reasons in the Wimbledon final in July, when she was demolished 6-0, 6-0 by Iga Swiatek, but she showed mental toughness in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3324443/us-open-naomi-osaka-halted-amanda-anisimova-hails-dream-come-true?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3324443/us-open-naomi-osaka-halted-amanda-anisimova-hails-dream-come-true?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2025 05:41:50 +0000 Reuters Reuters Naomi Osaka returned to the US Open semi-finals on Wednesday with a 6-4, 7-6 win over Karolina Muchova, as the four-time grand slam champion delivered a battling display to underline her resurgence on the sport’s biggest stage. Four years after winning the last of her four major titles, the Japanese 23rd seed, who returned last season after a lengthy maternity break, stretched her unbeaten run in major quarter-finals to 5-0 and booked a clash with Amanda Anisimova. Muchova, who had been on court... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3324259/us-open-naomi-osaka-semi-finals-after-battling-win-over-karolina-muchova?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3324259/us-open-naomi-osaka-semi-finals-after-battling-win-over-karolina-muchova?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 01:44:59 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Naomi Osaka is bringing the Labubu fad to the US Open – all the way to at least the quarter-finals. Osaka has played four matches at the grand slam tennis tournament so far this year, each time toting a different version of the popular plush toy attached to her racquet bag. And she’s won each time, too, including a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Coco Gauff on Monday. At her post-match news conference, four-time major champion Osaka pulled her latest US Open Labubu – a shiny, silver one – from the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3323993/meet-naomi-osakas-us-open-labubus-althea-glitterson-billie-jean-bling-and-arthur-flashe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3323993/meet-naomi-osakas-us-open-labubus-althea-glitterson-billie-jean-bling-and-arthur-flashe?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2025 03:49:07 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Coleman Wong Chak-lam returned to Hong Kong on Monday with the adulation of fans at the US Open still ringing in his ears, and said he hoped to build on his momentum for the city’s Davis Cup clash with Uzbekistan this month. As he was in New York, Wong and his teammates will be underdogs against their seeded opponents, but the 21-year-old, who has jumped 27 places to No 146 in the world on the back of his performance, said he had learned plenty of lessons from his historic run at Flushing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3323847/coleman-wong-eyes-davis-cup-success-hong-kong-after-historic-display-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3323847/coleman-wong-eyes-davis-cup-success-hong-kong-after-historic-display-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 31 Aug 2025 23:26:39 +0000 dpa dpa Billie Jean King expects Emma Raducanu to be a star of next month’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals in China. The British No 1 saw her US Open hopes ended in the third round with a crushing 6-1, 6-2 defeat by Elena Rybakina to end a promising summer campaign. Raducanu’s next appearance is expected to be when she leads her country in Shenzhen, with Britain facing Japan in the quarter-finals on September 18, and hoping to at least match last year’s run to the last four. Raducanu is on a five-match... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323811/emma-raducanu-will-shine-billie-jean-king-cup-finals-china-says-tennis-legend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323811/emma-raducanu-will-shine-billie-jean-king-cup-finals-china-says-tennis-legend?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 31 Aug 2025 23:00:46 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Coleman Wong said he had his sights set on breaking into the world top 100 after his historic run at the US Open came to an end in an enthralling five-set tussle with Andrey Rublev. The Hongkonger served notice of his improving game, taking the first and fourth sets and sending down 25 aces, but ultimately could not get past the world No 15, losing 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in New York on Saturday. In a week of firsts for the 21-year-old, his first time going the distance in a grand slam won him... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323790/us-open-hong-kongs-coleman-wong-finally-falls-after-5-set-battle-rublev?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323790/us-open-hong-kongs-coleman-wong-finally-falls-after-5-set-battle-rublev?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Aug 2025 21:20:53 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Coleman Wong Chak-lam’s coach has called on the young Hongkonger to leave nothing on the court when he faces world No 15 Andrey Rublev in the third round of the US Open on Saturday. Wong battled through three qualifying matches before beating world No 71 Aleksandar Kovacevic and then Adam Walton, ranked 85, at Flushing Meadows to record the city’s best showing in singles at a grand slam. Allemby said Wong, whose match is scheduled to start at just midnight Hong Kong time, had to use “all the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3323761/us-open-coleman-wong-urged-just-go-it-third-round-clash-rublev?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3323761/us-open-coleman-wong-urged-just-go-it-third-round-clash-rublev?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Aug 2025 09:05:46 +0000 Reuters Reuters Naomi Osaka said using words such as “no education” and “no class” to criticise a black tennis player were among the worst things to say as the debate over a heated row between Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko raged on at the US Open on Thursday. Townsend, who is black, overcame 2017 French Open champion Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 in a tough second-round battle a day earlier. But the real tension came shortly after match point, when the pair verbally duelled at the net, with the Latvian repeatedly... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323624/us-open-naomi-osaka-steps-slam-jelena-ostapenko-over-heated-row-black-player?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323624/us-open-naomi-osaka-steps-slam-jelena-ostapenko-over-heated-row-black-player?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Aug 2025 07:42:03 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Over the course of the past week across the US Open’s grounds, eight couples went on their first dates – on camera. They were all part of the tournament’s newest content creation venture, Game, Set, Matchmaker, the most recent play for Gen Z attention from the world of grand slam tennis. From Wimbledon to Flushing Meadows, the sport is starting to take risks in pursuit of a new generation of fans. “We’re always looking for new ways to engage new audiences,” said Jonathan Zipper, the senior... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3323497/inside-us-opens-new-youtube-reality-dating-series?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3323497/inside-us-opens-new-youtube-reality-dating-series?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Aug 2025 22:00:21 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Coleman Wong Chak-lam marched into the third round of the US Open and said he was “playing without any pressure”, despite doing something no Hongkonger has ever achieved. The world No 173 continued his fairytale run at Flushing Meadows on Thursday, serving up another upset to down Australian Adam Walton in four sets at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre. Wong reeled off 21 aces and 54 winners in an impressive performance on Court 10, triumphing 7-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in three hours. The first man... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323557/us-open-hong-kongs-coleman-wong-marches-third-round-downs-walton-4-sets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323557/us-open-hong-kongs-coleman-wong-marches-third-round-downs-walton-4-sets?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Aug 2025 18:25:57 +0000 Reuters Reuters The US Open second round kicks off on Wednesday, with Novak Djokovic pursuing his quest for a record 25th grand slam title, while women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka continues her title defence and home favourite Ben Shelton faces veteran Pablo Carreno Busta. Another interesting tie features Britain’s Emma Raducanu and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen, who play at 11pm, Hong Kong time. Raducanu beat qualifier Ena Shibahara in the opening round for her first victory at the tournament since winning the title... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323335/us-open-philippines-alexandra-eala-indonesias-tjen-join-big-guns-start-second-round?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323335/us-open-philippines-alexandra-eala-indonesias-tjen-join-big-guns-start-second-round?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2025 11:00:16 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Coleman Wong Chak-lam of Hong Kong is relishing his next date with US Open destiny as he prepares to face Australia’s Adam Walton in the second round in New York on Thursday. World No 173 Wong pulled off a stunning 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 victory over 71st-ranked Aleksandar Kovacevic of the United States at Flushing Meadows on Monday, to become the first men’s player from his city to win a grand slam singles match since the Open era began in 1968. Now, the 21-year-old has declared himself ready to make... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3323239/us-open-hong-kongs-coleman-wong-poised-another-history-making-mission?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3323239/us-open-hong-kongs-coleman-wong-poised-another-history-making-mission?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Aug 2025 23:00:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The historical significance was not lost on Coleman Wong, even at 21 years old. The excitement of winning his first main draw singles match at a grand slam tournament was not just about him. Wong knew full well that his first-round victory at the US Open on Monday made him the first men’s player from Hong Kong to win a grand slam singles match since the Open era began in 1968. “It’s a big moment for me and also my family, Hong Kong people here and back at home,” Wong said. “It means a lot.” Wong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323123/us-open-coleman-wong-happy-embrace-moment-ready-go-all-walton-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323123/us-open-coleman-wong-happy-embrace-moment-ready-go-all-walton-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:45:07 +0000 SCMP Sport,Agence France-Presse SCMP Sport,Agence France-Presse Coleman Wong Chak-lam extended his dream run at the US Open, stunning American Aleksandar Kovacevic in straight sets in New York on Monday, and rewrote the history books in the process. Ranked 173rd in the world, Wong downed a player listed more than 100 places above him, winning 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 in a thrilling first-round encounter that lasted two hours and 26 minutes. The Hongkonger sent down 38 winners, served 22 aces, and committed just 31 unforced errors to his opponent’s 47 in the clash on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323114/us-open-hong-kongs-wong-rewrites-history-books-first-round-win-over-kovacevic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323114/us-open-hong-kongs-wong-rewrites-history-books-first-round-win-over-kovacevic?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 17:54:03 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Coleman Wong Chak-lam will become the first men’s player from Hong Kong to feature in a grand slam tournament in the modern era when he makes his US Open bow on Monday. The 21-year-old is set to take on Aleksandar Kovacevic of the United States in the first round in New York. World No 173 Wong earned US$110,000 just for reaching the first round of the year’s final grand slam event, which he managed by winning three qualifying matches. Should Wong win on Monday, his prize money will go up to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323057/coleman-wongs-us-open-bow-all-you-need-know-hongkonger-prepares-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3323057/coleman-wongs-us-open-bow-all-you-need-know-hongkonger-prepares-history?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:00:25 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Alexandra Eala paid tribute to her supporters after she made history on Sunday by becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a tennis grand slam match in the Open era. The 20-year-old staged a remarkable recovery to beat No 14 seed Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 in their first-round match, after the Dane led 5-1 in the third set. The New York metropolitan area is one of the largest Filipino diasporas in the western hemisphere, with more than 260,000 people claiming heritage from the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3323020/filipino-tennis-star-eala-makes-history-us-open-first-round-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3323020/filipino-tennis-star-eala-makes-history-us-open-first-round-win?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 04:17:55 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Coleman Wong Chak-lam raised the bar for Hong Kong tennis players again in New York on Friday, when he became the first player from the city to reach the main draw of the US Open in the modern era. The 21-year-old swept aside Britain’s Billy Harris in straight sets, winning 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 17 minutes in his third and final qualifying match. Wong will face American Aleksandar Kovacevic in his first round match on Monday night, the second day of the tournament, and will earn his biggest... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3322894/coleman-wong-makes-more-hong-kong-history-reaches-main-draw-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3322894/coleman-wong-makes-more-hong-kong-history-reaches-main-draw-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:38:14 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Coleman Wong Chak-lam’s 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Italy’s Matteo Gigante on Thursday has put him one step away from history. Should the 21-year-old overcome Britain’s Billy Harris in the third round of qualifying, Wong will make the US Open proper and become the first Hongkonger to reach that grand slam. The win over Gigante was particularly impressive given the Italian’s ranking of 16 among qualifiers. Both Wong and coming opponent Harris are unseeded. Only two men representing the city have ever... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3322743/hong-kongs-coleman-wong-one-step-away-history-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3322743/hong-kongs-coleman-wong-one-step-away-history-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 03:54:13 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The new US Open mixed doubles tournament has already drawn plenty of criticism for everything from its format to its field. With mostly singles players – some who rarely play doubles at all – and an unusual scoring system, it felt so much like an exhibition that Jessica Pegula had to scold partner Jack Draper when he called it just that in their press conference. “He shouldn’t be saying that, but that’s OK,” Pegula said, later adding that “it’s not an exhibition.” No, it’s a real grand slam... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3322455/controversial-new-us-open-mixed-doubles-event-draws-plenty-criticism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3322455/controversial-new-us-open-mixed-doubles-event-draws-plenty-criticism?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 06:00:14 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer China’s No 1 tennis player Zheng Qinwen has shared a first glimpse of her road to recovery following the elbow surgery that ruled her out of this month’s US Open. The Olympic champion on Friday shared a video on social media that she said was “a late update” of her first week of recovery. Zheng had been battling an injury to her right elbow throughout the season and, after crashing out of Wimbledon in the first round for a third straight year, decided to take a break from the tour and undergo... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3321307/zheng-qinwen-gives-first-update-her-recovery-after-elbow-operation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3321307/zheng-qinwen-gives-first-update-her-recovery-after-elbow-operation?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Aug 2025 08:03:06 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Zheng Qinwen may have had elbow surgery only days ago, but she has been named in China’s team for September’s Billie Jean King Cup finals in Shenzhen, raising the possibility of an early comeback. Olympic champion Zheng said on Saturday that she would be out for weeks if not months following arthroscopic surgery on her right elbow, and on Monday her withdrawal from the US Open at the end of August was confirmed. But on Tuesday, organisers of the Billie Jean King Cup – formerly known as the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3319113/could-injured-zheng-qinwen-make-comeback-shenzhen-soon-september?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3319113/could-injured-zheng-qinwen-make-comeback-shenzhen-soon-september?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jul 2025 07:07:02 +0000 Hyewon Lee Hyewon Lee Alexandra Eala has a remarkable list of “firsts” at just 20 years old – among them, becoming the first Filipino woman to reach the main draw of Wimbledon in the Open era. Last week, Eala stepped onto the Centre Court for a first-round clash against former Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejčíková. Wearing Nike’s custom-made gift – a hair tie featuring a sampaguita, the Philippines’ national flower – Eala claimed the opening set 6-3, but the Czech player rallied to win the next two sets 6-2 and... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3318081/meet-alexandra-eala-first-filipina-reach-wimbledons-main-draw-born-sports-loving-family-she-studied?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3318081/meet-alexandra-eala-first-filipina-reach-wimbledons-main-draw-born-sports-loving-family-she-studied?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jul 2025 03:10:23 +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 Associated Press Associated Press Imagine Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu competing together for a grand slam trophy. How about Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe as a duo? Iga Swiatek alongside Casper Ruud? Or Naomi Osaka with Nick Kyrgios? Those are among the high-wattage pairs on Tuesday’s preliminary entry list for the reimagined US Open mixed doubles tournament on August 19-20, before singles competition begins on August 24. Ten of the top 11 women in the WTA singles rankings – Coco Gauff, who just won the French Open for her... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3314825/us-open-alcaraz-raducanu-keys-tiafoe-zheng-draper-among-star-mixed-doubles-pairings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3314825/us-open-alcaraz-raducanu-keys-tiafoe-zheng-draper-among-star-mixed-doubles-pairings?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Jun 2025 14:00:08 +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 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 Oh, young – nepo baby – love. The sports world is in awe of the new super athlete pairing of Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton, both 22, who confirmed their romance with a hard launch on Instagram earlier this week. Shelton shared a carousel of images including one of Rodman kissing him on the cheek as he smiles towards the camera in an elevator. The brand-new power couple are both extremely talented – and they also happen to have famous sporting fathers. Trinity is the daughter of former NBA... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3303094/meet-ben-shelton-rising-tennis-superstar-and-trinity-rodmans-new-boyfriend-no-14-ranked-atp-player?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3303094/meet-ben-shelton-rising-tennis-superstar-and-trinity-rodmans-new-boyfriend-no-14-ranked-atp-player?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Mar 2025 10:00:14 +0000 Olympic champion and China’s No 1 tennis star Zheng Qinwen has backtracked on previous claims that she is not in the sport to make friends, saying there are some people “I really want to befriend”. In November, the world No 9 said that she preferred to keep her distance from other players on the tour, saying that she finds it hard to compete against friends. But following Zheng’s 6-4, 7-5 win over Lulu Sun in the round of 32 of the Indian Wells Open on Monday, she told Chinese media that she was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3301943/china-no-1-zheng-qinwen-says-she-does-want-make-friends-tennis-after-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3301943/china-no-1-zheng-qinwen-says-she-does-want-make-friends-tennis-after-all?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Mar 2025 10:30:08 +0000 The mastermind behind Coleman Wong Chak-lam’s rise to his highest-ever world ranking said he needs to “wear many hats” as he attempts to push the Hongkonger towards his first Challenger title. Born in Canada to parents from the UK, James Allemby grew up in France before moving to Spain aged 13. The 34-year-old enjoyed a tennis career playing Futures tournaments – the lowest rung of the men’s professional ladder – and was sparring partner for some of the world’s best, including 22-time grand slam... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3296695/friend-tennis-coach-dictator-roles-played-man-behind-hong-kongs-coleman-wong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3296695/friend-tennis-coach-dictator-roles-played-man-behind-hong-kongs-coleman-wong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Jan 2025 03:30:13 +0000 Chinese Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen will head into the Australian Open in January without Spanish coach Pere Riba, the man who guided her through a groundbreaking 2024. Riba started working with Zheng in the summer of 2023 when she was 169th in the women’s rankings and took the 22-year-old to her first grand slam final and world No 5 ranking. Zheng will partner up with Argentine Dante Bottini for the first grand slam of the new season – from January 12 to 26 – as Riba is set to undergo hip... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3288143/chinese-olympic-champ-zheng-qinwen-tackle-australian-open-without-2024-coach-pere-riba?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3288143/chinese-olympic-champ-zheng-qinwen-tackle-australian-open-without-2024-coach-pere-riba?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Nov 2024 05:30:08 +0000 Zheng Qinwen needs to improve her concentration, cut out inconsistencies in her game and capitalise on her killer serve if she is going to sign off a career-defining season by winning the WTA Finals, a Chinese tennis expert has suggested. Should Zheng beat American Coco Gauff in Riyadh on Saturday night, she will become the second woman to win an Olympic gold medal and the end-of-season crown, a feat previously only accomplished by Serena Williams in 2012. Zheng sealed her place in the final... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3285902/key-zheng-qinwen-beating-coco-gauff-wta-finals-lies-killer-serve-cutting-out-mistakes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3285902/key-zheng-qinwen-beating-coco-gauff-wta-finals-lies-killer-serve-cutting-out-mistakes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Nov 2024 11:03:38 +0000 Li Na has suggested that players at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open last week were fatigued and could reach greater heights if they are better at selecting their competitions. Speaking to the media hours before Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese player to make it out of the group stage of the WTA Finals since Li in 2013, the retired two-time grand slam winner declined to offer her any tips for the tournament. On Wednesday, world No 7 Zheng beat Jasmine Paolini 6-1, 6-1 in Riyadh, and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3285557/players-hong-kong-open-looked-tired-should-manage-their-schedules-better-says-li-na?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3285557/players-hong-kong-open-looked-tired-should-manage-their-schedules-better-says-li-na?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Nov 2024 10:00:16 +0000 Carlos Alcaraz roared back from a set down to beat world No 1 Jannik Sinner in a thriller and win his first China Open title on Wednesday. The four-time grand slam champion from Spain edged a captivating final 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 for his fourth ATP crown of the year and 16th overall. Alcaraz, who is set to return to No 2 in the world behind Sinner, was 3-0 down in the final-set tiebreak only to fight back and win in three hours, 21 minutes. The dramatic triumph ended Sinner’s run of 14 victories in a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3280847/china-open-mens-final-carlos-alcaraz-fights-back-beat-jannik-sinner-thriller?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3280847/china-open-mens-final-carlos-alcaraz-fights-back-beat-jannik-sinner-thriller?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Oct 2024 14:20:35 +0000 In August, Nick Kyrgios made a sensational return to the court after a seven-month hiatus. The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up graced the US Open Mixed Madness charity event, shaking off the injuries that had sidelined him since last June. But this wasn’t just any old comeback – he also teamed up with the talented Naomi Osaka for some thrilling mixed doubles matches. Adding to the excitement, Kyrgios’ influencer girlfriend, Costeen Hatzi, was there to support him, and shared a snapshot from the event... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3277877/who-costeen-hatzi-nick-kyrgios-influencer-girlfriend-who-supported-him-during-his-comeback-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3277877/who-costeen-hatzi-nick-kyrgios-influencer-girlfriend-who-supported-him-during-his-comeback-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Sep 2024 22:00:09 +0000