Daily News 19

Tag: Grand Slam tennis

  • Frances Tiafoe’s Girlfriend Ayan Teases US Open Schedule from Bed

    Frances Tiafoe’s Girlfriend Ayan Teases US Open Schedule from Bed

    Frances Tiafoe understands that professional tennis demands far more physical exertion than life as a social media influencer. Yet his girlfriend, Ayan Broomfield, playfully highlighted the contrast in schedules during the U.S. Open.

    Broomfield’s Viral Instagram Post Captures Pre-Match Moment

    On Monday, one day before Tiafoe faced fellow American Alex Michelsen in a U.S. Open quarterfinal, Broomfield shared a video to her 113,000 Instagram followers. The clip opened with her lying in bed, looking toward Tiafoe standing in the doorway of their hotel room dressed in full tennis attire. She lip-synced a voiceover that said, “Bye, Sophia, see you later! Have a good day, Sophia!”

    Broomfield wore a wry smile as she pointed at Tiafoe, while the U.S. Open’s No. 11 seed shook his head and walked away. The post carried the caption: “saying goodbye to my man knowing he has to play at the us open for five hours meanwhile i have a 45 second cutesy grwm to edit.”

    Social Media Reaction and Tournament Context

    The post exploded online, surpassing 1 million views within its first hour. Engagement is expected to climb further ahead of Tiafoe’s Tuesday match.

    While content creation presents its own challenges, Broomfield’s lighthearted comparison underscores the grueling nature of Grand Slam competition. Tiafoe’s path to the semifinals hinges on defeating Michelsen, a win that would validate the long hours on court.

    Ayan Broomfield poses at the Cadillac Suite during the US Open 2026 tournament on Sept. 4, 2026, in Queens County, NY. BFA.com / BACKGRID
    Frances Tiafoe competes during the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, on Sept. 6, 2026.
    Frances Tiafoe competes during the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, on Sept. 6, 2026. BACKGRID
  • US Open 2026 Results: Novak Djokovic’s Tearful Exit Raises Fresh Questions About Tennis Great’s Future

    US Open 2026 Results: Novak Djokovic’s Tearful Exit Raises Fresh Questions About Tennis Great’s Future

    Novak Djokovic has repeatedly silenced doubts about his ability to compete at the highest level. But his latest US Open defeat has raised fresh questions about the 39-year-old’s future after an emotional first-round exit in New York.

    Djokovic was once again challenged to prove himself after falling outside the world’s top 20 during a two-year drought without a major title in 2018. He responded by winning four of the next five Grand Slam tournaments, taking his total to 12 majors over the following six years.

    Djokovic suffers emotional US Open defeat

    Three years have passed since Djokovic won his men’s record 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open. On Sunday night, however, the Serbian struggled to find a response as he fought back tears during his latest match at Flushing Meadows.

    Facing the prospect of his first opening-round Grand Slam defeat since 2006, one of the greatest players in tennis history was beaten 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 by Argentina’s Navone.

    Djokovic has spent years defying the effects of time and, at times, appeared to be improving with age. That was evident at this year’s Wimbledon, where he defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime, 14 years his junior, in a five-set quarter-final that became the longest in the tournament’s history.

    Even in his late 30s, Djokovic remained one of the players capable of challenging Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the leading forces in men’s tennis.

    At the Australian Open in January, Djokovic ended Sinner’s bid for a third consecutive title with a remarkable five-set comeback victory. He then took the opening set against Alcaraz in the final before fading to a four-set defeat.

    Australian Open may be Djokovic’s best remaining chance

    Following early exits in Paris and New York, there is an inevitable sense that Melbourne represented Djokovic’s strongest opportunity to win an outright record 25th major title and add another landmark to a career unmatched by almost every statistical measure.

    Djokovic was despondent after the match, saying he “despised every moment I spent on the court for that”.

    “When it comes to the match itself, and the overall feeling of how I felt with my body and playing, it was really not enjoyable,” Djokovic said.

    “But, from the perspective of the crowd and support, it was incredible.”

    “I’m very sorry that I didn’t perform as well as I should have, could have, or wanted – for them.”

    Source: www.bbc.co.uk

  • Djokovic Devastated and in Tears After Painful First-Round US Open Loss to Navone: “I suffered”

    Djokovic Devastated and in Tears After Painful First-Round US Open Loss to Navone: “I suffered”

    Argentina’s Mariano Navone produced a major upset at the US Open, defeating Novak Djokovic in the first round after the Serbian struggled with vomiting, cramps, pain and exhaustion during a five-set battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

    The world No. 49 overcame the No. 5 seed 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a match lasting 4 hours and 36 minutes. Djokovic made 70 unforced errors and appeared close to tears at several stages as he battled physical problems.

    I’m really trying to come to terms with what’s happening and see how far I can go like this

    Novak Djokovic

    I suffered throughout the whole match from the fourth game on. Again, I don’t want to take anything away from his victory. Congratulations to him. He’s a good guy, a fighter. But I didn’t enjoy it

    Novak Djokovic

    Djokovic, 39, is a four-time US Open champion and 24-time Grand Slam winner. He was competing at the tournament for the 20th time and had won all 37 of his previous matches in the opening two rounds in New York.

    The Serbian had not lost in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament since the 2006 Australian Open, a run spanning more than 20 years.

    I’ve been very proud of all the achievements of the past, but the present is the present. I’ve just come off the court and I’m still trying to manage my body

    Novak Djokovic

    Navone said the build-up to the match had been difficult because he was facing Djokovic, whom he described as the greatest of all time and a familiar presence on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

    “The lead-up was tough because I was going to play against the GOAT, against this rival, he has always been on this court (the New York center court). It’s a dream. Now I have to recover, I have to go to sleep and get ready,” Navone said after the match.

    Djokovic struggled with vomiting and pain

    Djokovic started strongly, opening a 3-0 lead and later going 4-1 ahead in the first set. However, his performance deteriorated as the match progressed.

    He vomited several times, received treatment from the physiotherapist after requesting a medical timeout at the end of the fourth set, and struggled to hold back tears after Navone moved 4-1 ahead in the deciding set.

    Djokovic was also seen taking pills in an effort to recover, but his bid to win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title will have to wait.

    The match ended when Djokovic hit a weak return, allowing Navone to respond with a shot that the exhausted Serbian could not stop.

    Djokovic had previously experienced vomiting during his second-round defeat by Thiago Agustín Tirante in Cincinnati.

    ‘Djokovic: “It’s something I’ve been dealing with this year: vomiting, nausea, a serious problem in that regard”‘

    Novak Djokovic admitted after the defeat that he had been dealing with vomiting and nausea in “practically in every match” he had played this year. He described the issue as “a serious problem” and said it had left him uncertain about how far he could continue.

    “I think it was obvious that on the court I had a horrible feeling. It is something that, unfortunately, I have been carrying practically in every match this year: vomiting, nausea, a serious problem in that regard. Afterwards, my whole body basically starts to break down with cramps and pain. In the end, my back and shoulder could not take any more, and I couldn’t close it out,” Djokovic said at the post-match press conference in statements reported by the EFE agency.

    “I had a break lead in the fourth set, but I suffered throughout the match from the fourth game on. Again, I don’t want to take anything away from his victory. Congratulations to him. He’s a good guy, a fighter. But I didn’t enjoy it,” he added.

    Djokovic had never lost in the first round of his previous 19 US Open appearances.

    “Yes, it’s a good record, another one. But, yes, the truth is I’m not thinking too much about it. Of course, I’ve been very proud of all the achievements of the past, but the present is the present. I just came off the court and I’m still trying to manage my body”.

    “Right now I’m not going that deep. I’m just really trying to cope with what’s happening and see how far I can go like this,” he added.

  • Roger Federer Brought to Tears During Hall of Fame Induction

    Roger Federer Brought to Tears During Hall of Fame Induction

    Roger Federer was overcome with emotion several times during his induction speech at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, on Saturday.

    As the sun set over Newport’s grass horseshoe court at the Hall’s entrance, the 45-year-old Federer walked onto the stage in a tan suit. After kissing and hugging his wife, Mirka, who had introduced him, he quickly realized the speech would be difficult.

    “Oh man,”

    Those were the first words from the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles.

    “This is very high level and a tough act to follow.”

    Federer joked:

    “I don’t know if you have been practicing secretly”

    before praising his wife’s presentation of the 274th Hall of Famer.

    Federer was inducted alongside Mary Carillo, the broadcaster and former player, who was presented by Hall of Famer Billie Jean King. Federer, known as the “Swiss Maestro” during the Hall’s first red-carpet show, said he “was a little stressed to be honest.”

    Roger Federer fought tears through much of his speech during his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Photo by Clive Brunskill/ITHF/Getty Images

    During his nearly 30-minute speech, Federer became emotional several times while reflecting on a career that included fluid movement, a quick approach to the net and a one-handed backhand. Those qualities helped him spend a record 237 consecutive weeks as the world’s No. 1 player in the ATP rankings.

    He first began to struggle midway through the speech while discussing his childhood hero, Stefan Edberg, although he described the emotion as “happy tears.”

    Federer became emotional again while speaking about his longtime coach, Severin Luthi. When he turned to thanking Mirka for supporting his journey, he paused and said:

    “Now the Mirka part,”

    He then broke into tears.

    “Oh gosh, this is such a mess.”

    Trying to lighten the moment, Federer told the crowd:

    “I need tissues and sunglasses, everything to protect me right now,”

    But the tears continued.

    Federer eventually regained his composure, much as he did while winning one of his five consecutive U.S. Open titles from 2004 to 2008 or reaching 10 straight Grand Slam finals, eight of which he won. He closed by thanking the ball kids and encouraging players to continue pushing tennis to new levels.

    Federer, who celebrated his 45th birthday three weeks ago, won eight Wimbledon titles and is one of only eight men to complete a career Grand Slam. He also won six Australian Open titles and captured the French Open in 2009.

    “I’m thrilled to have made the journey here,”

    he said.

    “It’s amazing to see yourself in a place like this. To immerse yourself in the history of the sport means a lot to me.”

    Carillo was inducted as a contributor and is a member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

    King said:

    “She has earned her spot in sports journalism, and she has earned her spot in Newport.”

    Carillo, 69, said she was touched to stand before several Hall of Famers.

    “To walk through these gates here in the company of you people, that was beyond my dreams,”

    she said.

  • US Open 2026: Why Does Venus Williams Receive So Many Wildcards?

    US Open 2026: Why Does Venus Williams Receive So Many Wildcards?

    Most tournaments prioritise their own national players when awarding wildcards, but places are also offered to players likely to bring commercial value to an event. Hale also refers to agreements as ‘trades’ with other national federations or agencies such as IMG, which manages players and, until recently, also owned the Miami and Madrid Opens.

    The clearest example of a ‘trade’ is the reciprocal wildcard agreement between the USTA, Tennis Australia and the French Tennis Federation. Each of the three Grand Slam nations offers one men’s and one women’s wildcard to the other two, ensuring that two of their players benefit when their counterparts host the tournament.

    Changing wildcard rules for past champions

    The Open Golf Championship has reduced opportunities for former champions to return. Twenty years ago, champions under 65 could play whenever they wished. Now, winners can return only until they are 55, potentially opening places in the field for younger, higher-ranked professionals.

    Golfers can remain competitive for much longer, but tennis has no equivalent age limit. Martina Navratilova received wildcards for both the 2004 French Open and Wimbledon when she returned to the sport at 47, winning a round on the grass.

    “You never want to put a player out there that you are unsure about,” said Hale, who believes Williams is still capable of winning matches.

    “Venus lost 6-4 6-1 to Kamilla Rakhimova, and the first set was really competitive. She’s still competitive, but just not winning these matches.”

    Should Venus Williams face a wildcard limit?

    The question is whether there should be a point when a tournament director gives a wildcard to a higher-ranked player seeking to advance their career.

    “When the time comes that Venus is not competitive in sets, then I think she will make that call,” Hale responded.

    “Venus and Serena have done so much for women’s tennis and the sport that they should be able to play as long as they want.”

    “I’m very happy they are continuing and they make their decision when they are ready, or each tournament makes their decision when they are ready.”

    British number one Katie Boulter expressed a similar view after partnering the “absolute icon” in the Madrid doubles in April.

    “Venus has given so much to our sport that she deserves to get what she needs back,” she said then.

    “We have to be grateful that she is still out there, doing the best she can.”