Latest news with #tennis
Independent Singapore
an hour 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.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sinner releases duet with Italian tenor Bocelli
World number one Jannik Sinner has swapped his tennis racquet for a microphone to release a duet with fellow Italian and tenor Andrea pair have released a song called Polvere e Gloria, which means Dust and Glory, and includes Sinner, 23, repeating parts of his winning and losing speeches."I am very happy and honoured to be part of this project with Andrea, who for 30 years has been a unique and extraordinary voice, a flag for our country in the rest of the world," said Sinner, who is the first Italian to top the men's rankings."I could never have imagined hearing my voice in one of his songs. It's extremely moving."The song has both Italian and English lyrics and its accompanying video features scenes from Sinner and Bocelli recording the duet at the latter's studio in Tuscany as well as images from the pair's is the latest foray from 66-year-old Bocelli, who has been blind since the age of 12, into sport. He recorded a goodbye message for Gary Lineker's final appearance as Match of the Day presenter in May before singing out the show with Con Te also stood alongside former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri and performed Nessun Dorma at the King Power Stadium when the Foxes celebrated winning the 2015/16 Premier League won the US Open in 2024 and the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025.
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Emirates extends global partnership with ATP through 2030
DUBAI: Emirates and the ATP Tour have renewed their global partnership, with the airline continuing as the premier partner of the competition through 2030. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport First joining forces in 2013, Emirates and the ATP have built one of the longest-standing and most recognizable partnerships in professional tennis. Emirates will continue to showcase its premium hospitality at close to 60 ATP tournaments spanning six continents each season. The airline's signature net branding will remain a distinctive part of the viewing experience for millions of fans worldwide. Emirates will also continue to receive prominent marketing rights and high-value brand visibility across the season, maintaining one of the broadest footprints in tennis. From 2026, Emirates will further expand its brand presence by becoming the ATP's first umpire sleeve-patch partner. The initiative builds on Emirates' association with sport officiating across its major sponsorships, including the NBA, International Cricket Council, World Rugby, European Rugby Champions Cup and SailGP. Boutros Boutros, Emirates' executive vice president, corporate communications, marketing and brand, said this was an opportunity for Emirates to connect with tennis fans worldwide and build a consistent, authentic brand association with the sport. 'Through exceptional hospitality and strategic on-ground activations at the world's most prestigious tournaments, we're strengthening engagement with our loyal customer base to remain top-of-mind. 'We're committed to working closely with the ATP and leveraging this partnership further as we continue expanding Emirates' global tennis footprint.' Daniele Sano, ATP's chief business officer, said: 'Emirates has been a constant presence on the ATP Tour for over a decade, and this renewal is a big moment for both of us. 'It speaks to the strength of our relationship and everything we've built together. Right now, the Tour is in a really exciting place. We're seeing record attendance, growing commercial interest, and real momentum across the board. 'We're proud to keep building with a partner, and a truly premium brand, that shares our belief in the future of the sport.' In addition to leveraging the ATP's digital and social channels, Emirates will begin collaborating with players on digital promotions through a dedicated activation program. The ATP Tour connects Emirates with more than 5 million fans on-site each season, underscoring the global reach of both tennis and the world's largest international airline. Beyond the ATP Tour, Emirates is a sponsor of all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments: the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
News24
4 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.
Japan Times
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Alexander Bublik upsets No. 1 Jannik Sinner in second round in Halle
Defending champion Jannik Sinner lost his second-round match against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik on grass in Halle on Thursday in the Italian's first tournament since his loss in the French Open final. The world No. 1 fell 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 against the 45th-ranked Bublik and suffered his first defeat to a player ranked outside the top 20 since the summer of 2023. A few days before losing to Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the title match at the French Open, Sinner had easily dispatched Bublik in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, dropping only six games. On Thursday, ten days before Wimbledon, Bublik claimed his second victory in six matchups 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 beat Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets in the first round, cruised through the first set against Bublik without facing a break point. 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 set 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 quarterfinals after the Czech beat Hungarian Fabian Marozsan 6-2, 6-3. Earlier, world No. 3 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 semifinals. 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, leading 5-4 in the second set, dug deep to win the set before dominating the tiebreak in the final set. Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry also reached the quarterfinals after a three-hour duel against fourth seed Andrey Rublev ended with him winning 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (8-6). The world No. 63 saved two match points in the tiebreak of the deciding set to set up a meeting with Russia's Karen Khachanov.
