https://www.scmp.com/rss/521479/feed Aryna Sabalenka is a Belarusian professional tennis player, currently ranked world No. 1. Known for her powerful, aggressive game featuring booming serves and explosive groundstrokes, she has achieved significant global success. Her accomplishments include three Grand Slam singles titles: the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024, and the US Open in 2024. She is also a former world No. 1 in doubles, securing two Grand Slam doubles titles. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse World No 2 Jannik Sinner powered past Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 to win the ATP Miami Masters 1000 for a second time on Sunday, adding the title to his Indian Wells crown. Sinner had to wait out rain delays before and during the match to complete his “Sunshine Double,” becoming the first man to sweep the elite hard-court tournaments in California and Florida since Roger Federer in 2017 and the first to do so without dropping a set. In fact, Sinner – who won Miami in 2024 but missed last year as he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3348340/jannik-sinner-powers-past-jiri-lehecka-claim-sunshine-double-miami-open-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3348340/jannik-sinner-powers-past-jiri-lehecka-claim-sunshine-double-miami-open-win?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 04:00:14 +0000 Tribune News Service,Associated Press Tribune News Service,Associated Press Aryna Sabalenka beat Coco Gauff in the Miami Open women’s singles final on Saturday, winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to become the first player to accomplish the “Sunshine Double” since Iga Swiatek in 2022. The world No 1 overpowered fourth-ranked Gauff in the first and third sets with sizzling groundstroke winners and followed up her win at Indian Wells with also taking Miami in the same season. Sabalenka took home the US$1.15 million winner’s cheque and became the fifth woman to complete the Sunshine... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3348276/miami-open-aryna-sabalenka-seals-sunshine-double-win-over-local-favourite-coco-gauff?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3348276/miami-open-aryna-sabalenka-seals-sunshine-double-win-over-local-favourite-coco-gauff?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 04:41:02 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina on Wednesday booked a blockbuster semi-final at the Miami Open in a rerun of their Melbourne grand slam decider. Defending champion Sabalenka held off big-hitting 45th-ranked American Hailey Baptiste 6-4, 6-4. World No 2 Rybakina beat fifth-seeded American Jessica Pegula – runner-up to Sabalenka last year – 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. They will return on Thursday at Hard Rock Stadium – home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins – to fight for a place in the final. Rybakina... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3347970/tennis-top-2-women-aryna-sabalenka-elena-rybakina-clash-again-miami-open-semi-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3347970/tennis-top-2-women-aryna-sabalenka-elena-rybakina-clash-again-miami-open-semi-final?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:30:16 +0000 Agence France-Presse,dpa Agence France-Presse,dpa Jannik Sinner set a record for consecutive sets won at ATP Masters 1000 events as the Italian and Aryna Sabalenka kept their “Sunshine Double” dreams alive with emphatic victories at the ATP/WTA Miami Open on Monday. Sinner and Sabalenka are bidding to join an elite band of players who have won Indian Wells and the Miami Open back to back, and arrived in Florida brimming with confidence after their respective victories in the California desert earlier this month. World No 2 Sinner beat French... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3347687/miami-open-sunshine-double-dreams-alive-sinner-breaks-record-sabalenka-beats-zheng?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3347687/miami-open-sunshine-double-dreams-alive-sinner-breaks-record-sabalenka-beats-zheng?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:05:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Sebastian Korda stared down Carlos Alcaraz on Monday, sending the world No 1 crashing out of the Miami Open third round 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, while China’s Zheng Qinwen beat former Australian Open champion Madison Keys before explaining her “double-coach” situation. Korda, ranked 36th in the world, notched his first victory over a world No 1, sending Alcaraz to his second straight early exit in Miami following defeat by 55th-ranked Belgian David Goffin in round two last year. Since that loss, Alcaraz... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3347568/miami-open-korda-sends-world-no-1-alcaraz-another-early-exit-sabalenka-face-zheng?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3347568/miami-open-korda-sends-world-no-1-alcaraz-another-early-exit-sabalenka-face-zheng?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 08:30:18 +0000 Reuters Reuters Former world ⁠No 1 Naomi ⁠Osaka said she is considering ⁠how best to balance her tennis schedule with motherhood after a 7-5 6-4 loss to Australia’s Talia Gibson in her opening match on Saturday at the Miami Open. Osaka returned to the tour in ‌2024 after a 15-month break following the birth of her daughter and reached the US Open semi-finals last year. She withdrew ahead of her scheduled third-round match at the Australian Open in January due to an abdominal injury. The four-time grand slam... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3347476/naomi-osaka-considering-how-balance-tennis-motherhood-ahead-clay-court-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3347476/naomi-osaka-considering-how-balance-tennis-motherhood-ahead-clay-court-season?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:16 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese swimming sensation Yu Zidi has been nominated for a Laureus World Sports Award, the youngest athlete to ever receive that honour. The 13-year-old is up for the Breakthrough of the Year Award alongside the likes of NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Formula 1 champion Lando Norris. There has been recognition too for Hong Kong charity Rugby for Good in the Laureus Sport for Good category. Yu made history at the World Aquatics Championships last year, becoming the youngest swimmer to ever... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345309/chinas-teen-swimming-sensation-yu-becomes-youngest-ever-receive-laureus-nomination?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345309/chinas-teen-swimming-sensation-yu-becomes-youngest-ever-receive-laureus-nomination?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:00:16 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Elena Rybakina took revenge over world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win a nail-biting Australian Open final on Saturday and clinch her second grand slam title. The big-serving Kazakh fifth seed held her nerve to pull through 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne in two hours 18 minutes. It was payback after the Belarusian Sabalenka won the 2023 final between two of the hardest hitters in women’s tennis. The ice-cool Rybakina, 26, who was born in Moscow, adds her Melbourne triumph to her... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341952/ice-cool-rybakina-gets-revenge-over-sabalenka-tense-australian-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341952/ice-cool-rybakina-gets-revenge-over-sabalenka-tense-australian-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 11:39:12 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Elena Rybakina battled past Jessica Pegula into her second Australian Open final on Thursday with the fifth seed setting up a repeat of her 2023 title match against Aryna Sabalenka. Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, who is targeting a second grand slam crown, downed the American sixth seed 6-3, 7-6 in a one-hour, 40-minute arm-wrestle on Rod Laver Arena and has yet to drop a set all tournament. She missed three match points on Pegula’s serve, then was broken twice while serving for the match. In the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341730/australian-open-rybakina-sabalenka-win-comfortably-set-rematch-2023-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341730/australian-open-rybakina-sabalenka-win-comfortably-set-rematch-2023-final?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:03:02 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport China’s Zhang Shuai has reached the final of the women’s doubles of the Australian Open, partnering Belgium’s Elise Mertens to a 6-3, 6-2 win over Ena Shibahara of Japan and Russian Vera Zvonareva in the semi-finals on Thursday. The fourth-seeded pair will face seventh seeds Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia and Anna Danilina of Kazakhstan in the final on Saturday. Krunic and Danilina beat the fifth seeds, Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani of Brazil, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 in the other... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341691/chinas-zhang-shuai-partners-elise-mertens-reach-womens-doubles-australian-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341691/chinas-zhang-shuai-partners-elise-mertens-reach-womens-doubles-australian-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:05:00 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Parts of Australia sweltered in record temperatures of close to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday as the country sweated through a prolonged heatwave. The rural towns of Hopetoun and Walpeup in Victoria state registered preliminary highs of 48.9 degrees, which if confirmed overnight would top records set on the day in 2009 when 173 people were killed in the state’s devastating Black Saturday bushfires. No casualties were reported from Tuesday’s heatwave, but Victoria... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3341450/australia-swelters-temperatures-near-50-degrees-record-breaking-heatwave?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3341450/australia-swelters-temperatures-near-50-degrees-record-breaking-heatwave?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:06:10 +0000 Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Carlos Alcaraz warned he was improving all the time as he swept into his maiden Australian Open semi-final on Tuesday and a clash with Alexander Zverev, while Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina stunned third seed Coco Gauff to face Aryna Sabalenka in the last four. And China’s remaining player in the main draw, Zhang Shuai, is into the quarter-finals of the women’s doubles, partnering Belgium’s Elise Mertens to beat Hailey Baptiste and Peyton Stearns of the US 6-4, 6-3. The fourth-seeded pair will now... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341383/australian-open-zverev-keeps-his-cool-see-rising-star-tien-sabalenka-beats-jovic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341383/australian-open-zverev-keeps-his-cool-see-rising-star-tien-sabalenka-beats-jovic?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:40:21 +0000 Christina Ko Christina Ko For the last year or so, there’s been a sleek, red, octagonal vessel seeking pride of place on your supplements shelf, targeted at replacing all your daily veggie caps in one aesthetically pleasing fell swoop. It’s called IM8, and it is the biggest disrupter the supplements industry has seen in a long time: an all-in-one powdered product that mixes with water to deliver a blend of 92 ingredients at clinically effective dosages designed to boost your health – from vitamins and minerals to... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/wellness/article/3341021/danny-yeung-and-david-beckhams-im8-shaking-supplements-industry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/wellness/article/3341021/danny-yeung-and-david-beckhams-im8-shaking-supplements-industry?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 20:00:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Carlos Alcaraz powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals on Sunday and Novak Djokovic joined him without hitting a ball, as the next generation roared. Aryna Sabalenka surged through but Coco Gauff was forced to fight at Melbourne Park, where temperatures eased to 22 degrees Celsius after the brutal heat of a day earlier. Top seed Alcaraz was in ominous touch at Rod Laver Arena, dismissing the American Tommy Paul 7-6, 6-4, 7-5 in a masterclass. The 22-year-old plays home hope and sixth... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341154/australian-open-alcaraz-has-djokovic-his-case-sabalenka-faces-hot-teen-prospect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341154/australian-open-alcaraz-has-djokovic-his-case-sabalenka-faces-hot-teen-prospect?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:30:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Reuters Agence France-Presse,Reuters Fast-rising Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko has been racking up a lot of firsts in recent months – including winning the Hong Kong Open – with a clash against the top seed on centre court at a grand slam tournament only the latest. The 19-year-old came through a gripping battle with Denmark’s Clara Tauson 7-6, 5-7, 6-3 on Friday to make the last 16 on her Australian Open debut. It set up a blockbuster showdown on Sunday with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka – who beat Russian-born Anastasia Potapova... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3340965/australian-open-hong-kong-champ-victoria-mboko-books-sabalenka-clash-alcaraz-gauff-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3340965/australian-open-hong-kong-champ-victoria-mboko-books-sabalenka-clash-alcaraz-gauff-win?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:30:34 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Reuters Agence France-Presse,Reuters Top seed Aryna Sabalenka called her Australian Open record “crazy and surreal” after beating tricky Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan to reach the third round, while six-time grand slam winner Carlos Alcaraz was put through his paces by a German journeyman before swatting him aside on Wednesday. A near-flawless Coco Gauff also surged through as three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev also stayed alive, though he needed four sets to keep his grand slam dream on track at a cooler and overcast Melbourne... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340669/australian-open-gauff-shines-alcaraz-does-it-harder-sabalenka-beats-chinese-qualifier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340669/australian-open-gauff-shines-alcaraz-does-it-harder-sabalenka-beats-chinese-qualifier?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 07:15:15 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka launched their Australian Open title bids with straight-sets wins, but there was no fairy tale for 45-year-old Venus Williams on Sunday. On a hot Melbourne day in which a ball girl fainted, last year’s men’s beaten finalist Alexander Zverev dropped a set before easing into the second round. World No 1 Alcaraz joined him, the Spaniard beating 81st-ranked home player Adam Walton 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena. Alcaraz, who is desperate to win the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340343/australian-open-no-venus-williams-fairy-tale-carlos-alcaraz-aryna-sabalenka-win-openers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340343/australian-open-no-venus-williams-fairy-tale-carlos-alcaraz-aryna-sabalenka-win-openers?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jan 2026 14:09:31 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Olympic tennis champion Zheng Qinwen has withdrawn from this month’s Australian Open, saying on Thursday she is not yet fit enough to compete with the world’s best. A former finalist at the year’s opening grand slam, losing to current world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2 in 2024, Zheng said pulling out of the tournament in Melbourne had been “incredibly difficult”. But the 23-year-old has played only briefly since undergoing elbow surgery after a first round defeat at Wimbledon last July, and she... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339185/chinas-zheng-qinwen-out-australian-open-says-shes-not-fit-enough-compete?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339185/chinas-zheng-qinwen-out-australian-open-says-shes-not-fit-enough-compete?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jan 2026 09:27:11 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Women’s world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka wants a rematch of her “Battle of the Sexes” showdown with Nick Kyrgios so she can get revenge. Australia’s Kyrgios beat the Belarusian 6-3, 6-3 in a highly publicised showdown in Dubai last Sunday, with modified rules that divided fans. Sabalenka’s side of the court was reduced in size by nine percent in an attempt to restrict Kyrgios’ power and speed advantage, while each player only received one serve. “I think I would definitely do it again,” she said on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3338428/sabalenka-wants-battle-sexes-rematch-and-revenge-rule-change?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3338428/sabalenka-wants-battle-sexes-rematch-and-revenge-rule-change?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 15:59:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are expected to continue their world domination in 2026, starting at the Australian Open, while Aryna Sabalenka is bubbling with confidence as she chases further grand slam success. The new season gets under way on Friday with the mixed-teams United Cup in Perth and Sydney, headlined by women’s world No 2 Iga Swiatek and men’s world No 3 Alexander Zverev. In Hong Kong, Coleman Wong Chak-lam will be joined by his fellow National Games medallists Wu Yibing and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3338256/alcaraz-sinner-set-elevate-rivalry-sabalenka-chasing-more-grand-slams-2026-tennis-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3338256/alcaraz-sinner-set-elevate-rivalry-sabalenka-chasing-more-grand-slams-2026-tennis-season?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Dec 2025 05:14:06 +0000 Reuters Reuters Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios defended their controversial “Battle of the Sexes” match and said they failed to understand why an exhibition aimed at showcasing tennis ‌drew so much negativity from the tennis community. Former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios defeated world number one ‍Sabalenka 6-3 6-3 at a packed Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Sunday despite several rule tweaks implemented by the organisers to level the playing field. Both players were only allowed one serve and Sabalenka’s half of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3338026/kyrgios-sabalenka-see-only-positives-battle-sexes-tennis-match-after-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3338026/kyrgios-sabalenka-see-only-positives-battle-sexes-tennis-match-after-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Dec 2025 11:00:08 +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 Cat Nelson Cat Nelson To be entirely honest, we started calling this edition The Power Issue in passing, and then the name just stuck. And really, it fits. What else do you call a line-up that includes a basketball icon turned business juggernaut, three of Hong Kong’s most influential finance leaders and a world No 1 tennis star who is not afraid to talk a little trash? Let’s start with Shaq. Mathew Scott heads to Macau, where the sports legend is front and centre for the NBA’s return to China after a six-year pause.... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3331035/week-postmag-women-charge-shaquille-oneal-and-aryna-sabalenka?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3331035/week-postmag-women-charge-shaquille-oneal-and-aryna-sabalenka?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Nov 2025 04:45:07 +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 World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka has called the packed tennis schedule “crazy” and said the sport’s governing bodies had to “do something” about it. Speaking to the Post on the sidelines of the Prudential NextGen Aces event in Hong Kong, Sabalenka is one of several high-profile players to weigh in on the issue in recent months. Last month, world No 2 Iga Swiatek said the season was too long and too intense, and hinted she may skip some mandatory tournaments in the future, while men’s world No 1 Carlos... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3329176/sabalenka-joins-calls-change-says-tennis-chiefs-have-fix-crazy-wta-tour-schedule?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3329176/sabalenka-joins-calls-change-says-tennis-chiefs-have-fix-crazy-wta-tour-schedule?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 03:00:11 +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 dpa,Agence France-Presse dpa,Agence France-Presse Emma Raducanu believes she is moving in the right direction, but acknowledged it was hard to quickly get over two painful defeats to Jessica Pegula and Barbora Krejcikova last month. Raducanu squandered three match points in a last-16 tie with former Wimbledon champion Krejcikova at the Korea Open on September 18 before, a fortnight later, history repeated itself with the British No 1 unable to close out victory against Pegula. The 2021 US Open champion had a 5-2 advantage over world No 7 Pegula... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3327928/wuhan-open-emma-raducanu-confident-she-moving-right-direction-after-painful-defeats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3327928/wuhan-open-emma-raducanu-confident-she-moving-right-direction-after-painful-defeats?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2025 13:00:10 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka is set to defend her title at next week’s Wuhan Open following a brief injury lay-off but local hero Zheng Qinwen is out. Sabalenka won her fourth grand slam crown in New York last month but missed this week’s China Open in Beijing with what she called a small injury. The 27-year-old from Belarus is expected to return to action for the WTA 1000 event in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where she is the reigning champion and a three-time winner. The main draw starts on Monday... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3327871/local-star-zheng-qinwen-out-wuhan-open-after-lay-aryna-sabalenka-defend-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3327871/local-star-zheng-qinwen-out-wuhan-open-after-lay-aryna-sabalenka-defend-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 07:46:32 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Zheng Qinwen is on the brink of making her return to competitive tennis after confirmation arrived from organisers that she would be playing in this week’s China Open in Beijing. China’s No 1 has been out of action since July, when she had surgery to fix an elbow injury that had plagued her season. Her last match was a defeat by Czech player Katerina Siniakova in the first round at Wimbledon that month. “Zheng Qinwen returns from injury, taking the court for the first time since Wimbledon in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3326345/zheng-qinwen-poised-comeback-week-china-open-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3326345/zheng-qinwen-poised-comeback-week-china-open-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Sep 2025 04:13:47 +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 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Hong Kong could play host to the next “Battle of the Sexes” with tennis stars Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka rumoured to be working on a rare man-versus-woman clash in the city. A potential match between the pair could take place in the lead up to the Australian Open in January, although Hong Kong officials said on Thursday that nothing had been confirmed at this stage. Peter Johnston, director of international events for the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association, added the governing body was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3324270/tennis-stars-kyrgios-sabalenka-clash-hong-kong-next-battle-sexes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3324270/tennis-stars-kyrgios-sabalenka-clash-hong-kong-next-battle-sexes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 02:54:01 +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 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 Reuters Reuters Women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka fought off inspired home favourite Emma Raducanu in a cauldron-like Centre Court atmosphere to keep her Wimbledon quest on track, but it was the end of the road for two other grand slam champions on Friday. Sabalenka edged a ferocious contest under the roof after requiring eight set points in the opening set and then roaring back from a 4-1 deficit in a sizzling second. “Wow! What an atmosphere, my ears are still hurting, it was super loud,” a relieved Sabalenka... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3317066/wimbledon-sabalenka-fights-raducanu-alcaraz-marches-keys-and-osaka-crash-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3317066/wimbledon-sabalenka-fights-raducanu-alcaraz-marches-keys-and-osaka-crash-out?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Jul 2025 05:00:57 +0000 Reuters Reuters After years of having a rather strained relationship with Wimbledon thanks to being “paralysed by fear” at the thought of playing on tennis’s fastest surface, Naomi Osaka feels she has finally found her grass court wings. The Japanese player, who has won all four of her grand slam titles on the hard courts of Melbourne Park and Flushing Meadows, has never found her comfort zone on the green, green grass of SW19, making only four previous appearances during her 10-year professional career. During... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3316720/osaka-ready-spread-her-wimbledon-wings-after-downing-zheng-conqueror-siniakova?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3316720/osaka-ready-spread-her-wimbledon-wings-after-downing-zheng-conqueror-siniakova?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:34:38 +0000 Agencies Agencies Top seed Aryna Sabalenka was given a tougher workout than she would have bargained for, but the top seed methodically dismantled Czech Marie Bouzkova 7-6, 6-4 to reach the third round of Wimbledon on Wednesday. As the sun played hide-and-seek with the grey clouds that hovered over Centre Court, Sabalenka kept knocking on the door in the opening set but was shut out by Bouzkova each time and dropped serve with a double fault in the 11th game. A frustrated Sabalenka let out a scream when she... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3316706/no-1-seed-aryna-sabalenka-sees-marie-bouzkova-reach-third-round-wimbledon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3316706/no-1-seed-aryna-sabalenka-sees-marie-bouzkova-reach-third-round-wimbledon?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:51:08 +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 Zheng Qinwen said she would be “fully prepared” for her opening match at Wimbledon on Monday against Katerina Siniakova, who knocked her out in the first round two years ago. The Olympic champion’s best performance at Wimbledon came on her debut in 2022, when she reached the third round. But, she has fallen at the first hurdle since then, losing to the 29-year-old from the Czech Republic in 2023 and Lulu Sun last year. The world No 5 and Siniakova, who has 10 women’s doubles grand slam titles to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3316274/wimbledon-zheng-qinwen-out-end-first-round-woes-fully-prepared-siniakova-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3316274/wimbledon-zheng-qinwen-out-end-first-round-woes-fully-prepared-siniakova-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Jun 2025 23:00:20 +0000 Reuters Reuters Wimbledon is a grass court grand slam organised by the All England Lawn Tennis Club. The tournament was first held in 1877. Here is what you need to know about the year’s third major after the Australian Open and French Open: When is Wimbledon 2025 taking place? The Championships will run from June 30 to July 13. Where is Wimbledon taking place? Wimbledon is held in London every year. The three main showcourts at the All England Club are Centre Court, Court One and Court Two. Unlike the other... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3315920/wimbledon-2025-dates-schedule-and-seeds-and-where-watch-grass-grand-slam-tv?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3315920/wimbledon-2025-dates-schedule-and-seeds-and-where-watch-grass-grand-slam-tv?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Jun 2025 08:00:13 +0000 Reuters Reuters The four grand slams offer a trophy and a place in the history books, as well as significant prize money. Here is what you need to know about the prize pot on offer at Wimbledon 2025, the third major of the year: When is Wimbledon taking place? The Championships will run from June 30 to July 13. What is the total prize fund? The total prize money is a record £53.5 million (US$71.63 million), a 7 per cent increase on 2024 and double what was offered a decade ago. How much will men’s and women’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3315908/wimbledon-2025-prize-money-how-much-do-winners-mens-womens-and-doubles-finals-get?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3315908/wimbledon-2025-prize-money-how-much-do-winners-mens-womens-and-doubles-finals-get?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Jun 2025 02:00:11 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Zheng Qinwen has enlisted the help of a coach who guided Rafael Nadal to 22 grand slam titles, ahead of another shot at a Wimbledon title and a draw that has placed her on a collision course with Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka. The world No 5 has struggled in South London in recent years, failing to make it out of the first round since 2022. On Thursday, the 22-year-old was captured training with Spaniard Francisco Roig, who coached Nadal from 2005 to 2023 and was involved in all of his major... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3316152/wimbledon-draw-zheng-qinwen-turns-nadal-coach-osaka-sabalenka-waiting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3316152/wimbledon-draw-zheng-qinwen-turns-nadal-coach-osaka-sabalenka-waiting?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Jun 2025 11:42:29 +0000 dpa dpa Wimbledon begins on Monday with Carlos Alcaraz and Barbora Krejcikova bidding to defend the titles they won last year. Here are 10 players to watch over the next fortnight. Coco Gauff The charismatic American heads to Wimbledon as the new French Open champion, but her grass ceiling remains the fourth round. Yet if her forehand and serve hold up, Gauff has all the weapons and athleticism to master her least favourite surface. The 21-year-old will be seeded second, so there should be little danger... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3315829/coco-gauff-emma-raducanu-zheng-qinwen-carlos-alcaraz-possible-headline-acts-wimbledon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3315829/coco-gauff-emma-raducanu-zheng-qinwen-carlos-alcaraz-possible-headline-acts-wimbledon?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:00:10 +0000