Latest news with #Wimbledon
Independent Singapore
27 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
'I have accomplished more than I could have ever imagined' — Petra Kvitova announces retirement from professional tennis
Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion and former World No. 2 in rankings, recently announced her retirement this season, specifically after the US Open. This will end her remarkable career spanning for over a decade. On social media, the athlete expressed: 'I've been privileged to reach incredible heights over the past 19 years since becoming a professional tennis player. From winning my two Wimbledon Championships, bringing home six Billie Jean King Cup trophies for the Czech Republic, reaching the world #2 ranking and so much more. I have accomplished more than I could have ever imagined and I am so grateful to everything that tennis has given me all these years.' She added: 'While no such decision is ever easy to make, for me this is a happy moment! I will leave the sport with the biggest smile on my face – the same smile you've seen from me on and off court throughout my whole career.' Netizens expressed their support by commenting on the post. One netizen admitted: 'Gonna miss you Petra. I hope you enjoy your next chapter as much as we've enjoyed being part of these recent chapter in your life. You've been an incredible champion and a true inspiration to so many. Thank you'. Another netizen declared: ' Congratulations on a wonderful career. It has been a pleasure to watch. May you succeed in everything you go onto in the next phase of your life.' More netizens stated: 'We will miss you Petra! Time to enjoy that family. You'll shine in anything you do!', 'God bless your future Petra. It's been a joy watching you', and 'Inspiring! Fearless fighter, the best attitude in every match, brilliant player. You will be missed' Kvitova's impressive tennis career At the age of 21, Petra Kvitova won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon by beating Maria Sharapova with a final scoreline of 6–3, 6–4. She became the first player born in the 1990s to win a major. That same year, Kvitova dominated the WTA Finals in her debut. She won all five matches and defeated Victoria Azarenka in the final. In 2014, Kvitova returned to Wimbledon's final and defeated Eugenie Bouchard with a final scoreline of 6–3, 6–0. Between 2011 and 2018, Kvitova was a key player for the Czech Republic's Fed Cup team, helping the squad win six titles with a record of 30 wins and 10 losses. The athlete also made a name on the clay court in Madrid, winning the tournament three times (2011, 2015, 2018). This record was later matched by Aryna Sabalenka. In her sporting career, she won nine WTA 1000 titles. Kvitova then won her 30th title at the Miami Open later in her career by winning against Elena Rybakina. She added a 31st title in Berlin that same summer, defeating Donna Vekic on grass court.
Metro
42 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
More schedule changes confirmed as EastEnders is pulled from BBC One
As the summer of sport begins, EastEnders will become the latest soap to have their schedule changed as a result. Due to the Wimbledon coverage on BBC One, there won't be any room for EastEnders to air in the usual 7:30pm slot. Don't worry, you won't miss a week of the soap, but you will have to flick over to BBC Two to watch the instalments. On the week commencing June 30, EastEnders will only air on the Monday and Tuesday, but will broadcast two episodes in a row, therefore effectively broadcasting a week's worth of episodes in just two days. It will air as follows: Monday, June 30 – 7pm and then again at 7:30pm. Tuesday, July 1 – 7pm and then again at 7:30pm. The drama taking place in Walford across those two days will involve Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) clashing, while Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) plots to catch someone out. It's been quite the week in EastEnders. On Monday, fans up and down the country got a huge shock as Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) returned to our screens. More Trending Staying with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) in a flat in London, it became apparent very quickly that Zoe wasn't in a good place, with our Stace concerned enough to notify Alfie Moon (Shane Richie). Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Alfie wasn't keen on the prospect of keeping Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) in the dark but Zoe urged him to keep schtum. When Kat showed up at the flat, however, Zoe was forced to hide and she subsequently made an escape, determined not to come face-to-face with her estranged mum. View More » Kat's suspicions were raised but Stacey and Alfie managed to cover their tracks – so far anyway! The question is: just what is 'so bad' that Zoe has to flee once more? MORE: All BBC Casualty spoilers for this week as Flynn makes a move MORE: 'Mind-bending' horror film available to stream for free as sequel wows critics MORE: Ruth Jones TV return confirmed after Gavin and Stacey with 'irresistible' period drama
Rhyl Journal
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Katie Boulter survives Sonay Kartal scare to keep Nottingham Open hopes alive
Boulter, who was replaced this week as British number one by Emma Raducanu, won her maiden WTA Tour title in Nottingham two years ago and backed it up last summer. And she extended her winning run in the city to 12 matches with a 6-4 1-6 7-5 victory over British number three Kartal. Boulter trailed 4-2 in the deciding set and had to save a break point to avoid going a double break behind, with the eighth seed struggling in the heat and consulting the doctor. But she rallied impressively to make it through to a quarter-final against American McCartney Kessler. 'I have so much respect for Sonay, she is such a tough competitor and I also know she's never going to give me anything at any point,' said Boulter on the BBC. 'I know she's going to surpass me at some point, she's got the game for it, she's got the head for it. I'm going to have to face that fact. 'But at the very end I just wanted to grit my teeth as hard as I possibly could and get myself over the line. I'm really pleased with myself today. It wasn't easy, for sure. 🤯 @katiecboulter wins a rollercoaster match over Sonay Kartal to make the Lexus Nottingham Open quarter-finals! #BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | @WTA — LTA (@the_LTA) June 19, 2025 'I feel like I step into my house when I come onto this court. I have such great vibes here but the heat was killing me today. 'I am definitely proper British because I can't handle the heat at all. I'm just glad I got over the line.' Boulter looked very comfortable on serve all through the opening set but Kartal took control at the start of the second set, winning five games in a row. The 23-year-old appeared to be heading for victory midway through the decider, with Boulter looking spent, but she roused herself and put aside the disappointment of missing two match points at 5-4, clinching victory two games later. Boulter is the only British player left in the draw after teenager Mimi Xu lost 7-5 6-1 to sixth seed Magda Linette. The 17-year-old, who will make her Wimbledon debut later this month after being given a wild card, won her first WTA Tour match in the first round before sitting an A level biology exam on Wednesday. She pushed Linette, ranked 31st in the world, very hard in the opening set but the Pole used her experience to come through a series of close games in the second.
Glasgow Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Katie Boulter survives Sonay Kartal scare to keep Nottingham Open hopes alive
Boulter, who was replaced this week as British number one by Emma Raducanu, won her maiden WTA Tour title in Nottingham two years ago and backed it up last summer. And she extended her winning run in the city to 12 matches with a 6-4 1-6 7-5 victory over British number three Kartal. Katie Boulter struggled with the heat (Bradley Collyer/PA) Boulter trailed 4-2 in the deciding set and had to save a break point to avoid going a double break behind, with the eighth seed struggling in the heat and consulting the doctor. But she rallied impressively to make it through to a quarter-final against American McCartney Kessler. 'I have so much respect for Sonay, she is such a tough competitor and I also know she's never going to give me anything at any point,' said Boulter on the BBC. 'I know she's going to surpass me at some point, she's got the game for it, she's got the head for it. I'm going to have to face that fact. 'But at the very end I just wanted to grit my teeth as hard as I possibly could and get myself over the line. I'm really pleased with myself today. It wasn't easy, for sure. 🤯 @katiecboulter wins a rollercoaster match over Sonay Kartal to make the Lexus Nottingham Open quarter-finals! #BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | @WTA — LTA (@the_LTA) June 19, 2025 'I feel like I step into my house when I come onto this court. I have such great vibes here but the heat was killing me today. 'I am definitely proper British because I can't handle the heat at all. I'm just glad I got over the line.' Boulter looked very comfortable on serve all through the opening set but Kartal took control at the start of the second set, winning five games in a row. The 23-year-old appeared to be heading for victory midway through the decider, with Boulter looking spent, but she roused herself and put aside the disappointment of missing two match points at 5-4, clinching victory two games later. Mimi Xu lost out to Magda Linette (Bradley Collyer/PA) Boulter is the only British player left in the draw after teenager Mimi Xu lost 7-5 6-1 to sixth seed Magda Linette. The 17-year-old, who will make her Wimbledon debut later this month after being given a wild card, won her first WTA Tour match in the first round before sitting an A level biology exam on Wednesday. She pushed Linette, ranked 31st in the world, very hard in the opening set but the Pole used her experience to come through a series of close games in the second.
News24
3 hours ago
- Sport
- News24
World No 1 Sinner suffers shock loss at Halle grass court event
Defending Halle champion Jannik Sinner suffered a surprising second-round defeat to Alexander Bublik It was the Italian world No 1's first loss to a player outside the top 20 since 2023. Sinner recently lost an epic French Open final to Carlos Alcaraz where he held three match points. For more tennis news, visit our dedicated section. Defending champion Jannik Sinner lost his second-round match on grass at Halle on Thursday to Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik, the Italian's first tournament since his French Open final defeat. The world number one fell 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to the 45th-ranked Bublik for the 23-year-old's first loss to a player ranked outside the top 20 since the summer of 2023. A few days before his defeat to Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the title match at the French Open, Sinner had easily dispatched Bublik in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, dropping only six games. On Thursday, 10 days before Wimbledon, Bublik claimed his second victory in six ties against Sinner. 'We are tennis players and we try to win every match we play but it is a special one,' Bublik said. 'I had never beaten a No 1 in the world. It is an accomplishment.' Sinner, who had beaten Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets in the first round, cruised through the first set against Bublik without facing a break point. TAKE A BOW BUBLIK! 🤩 Alexander Bublik becomes the first player outside of the Top 20 to defeat Sinner since Cincinnati 2023 (Lajovic) #TWO25 — Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 19, 2025 Sinner had three break points at the start of the second set but Bublik held and then went on the attack, hitting 20 winners in the set and gaining the break he needed in the sixth game. The 28-year-old broke Sinner's serve in the third with a flashing forehand. 'I had an amazing forehand to break in the third set and then I kept serving,' Bublik said. 'On grass, if you lose your serve, it is maybe tough and I am a guy who doesn't lose a lot of serves. I just kept serving and putting him in uncomfortable positions and it worked well.' 'He is an unbelievable player and I was not thinking that I could beat him,' said Bublik. 'But I had a few chances and executed them well.' The Kazakh will play Tomas Machac in the quarter-finals after the Czech beat Hungarian Fabian Marozsan 6-2, 6-3. Earlier world number three Alexander Zverev rallied from a set down to see off Italy's Lorenzo Sonego. The 28-year-old German won 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) against the 46th-ranked Sonego and next plays another Italian, Flavio Cobolli for a place in the semi-finals. A finalist in Halle in 2016 and 2017, Zverev recorded his fifth victory in as many meetings with Sonego, a year after beating him at the same stage of the same competition. Sonego took advantage of his only chance to break in the first set at 4-3. The German struggled throughout to break his opponent's serve. Zverev dug deep in the second set, leading 5-4, to win the set before dominating the tiebreak in the final set. Argentina's 63rd ranked Tomas Martin Etcheverry also reached the quarter-finals after a three-hour duel against fourth seed Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (8/6). The Argentine saved two match points in the tiebreak of the deciding set to set up a meeting with Russia's Karen Khachanov.
