British wildcards Katie Swan and Arthur Fery are among the remaining home players at Wimbledon, following a strong performance from Novak Djokovic who moved into the third round. Swan achieved a significant victory, becoming the first British player to reach the second round after overcoming previous injury challenges. She is now set to compete against Madison Keys, the 26th seed and a former Australian Open champion.

Swan described her win as the best of her career, having faced a period where she struggled with back spasms and an injury that threatened to end her professional journey. She had considered retirement and started coaching at a tennis club in Kansas. After seeking alternative treatment on the recommendation of her coach, she discovered that her nerves were not functioning correctly. Swan spent approximately eight months recovering before she felt physically capable of competing at a professional level again.

Ahead of her match against Keys, Swan expressed her contentment at reaching the second round, acknowledging the significance of the moment in her career. She noted that Keys, a slam champion who recently won Eastbourne, will present a difficult challenge. Their previous encounter in Australia in January 2023 was close, with Keys winning the third set 6-4. Keys also enters Wimbledon with more grass court victories than any other player on the WTA circuit this season.

British Players in Action

Arthur Fery, one of three wildcards in the men’s singles draw, is facing Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen. Virtanen previously caused an upset by defeating fifth seed Ben Shelton in the first round. Fery’s match saw him secure the second set against Virtanen.

The Princess of Wales was present on Court 18 to watch Fery’s match. During the first set, Fery experienced a nosebleed. Virtanen, known for his powerful serve, concluded the first set with a disguised forehand. Following Fery, Jacob Fearnley, who completed a five-set comeback, and Jan Choinski are scheduled to play Jaume Munar and 17th seed Frances Tiafoe, respectively.

Elsewhere in the tournament, reigning champion Iga Swiatek is competing against former finalist Karolina Pliskova. The match between Matteo Berrettini and Arthur Fils has also been highlighted for Centre Court. Naomi Osaka advanced to the third round after a swift 67-minute victory over Anastasia Gasanova.

Djokovic’s Dominance Continues

Novak Djokovic secured his place in the third round with a straight-sets victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas. The match was described as a masterclass from Djokovic, who delivered an impressive performance.

Matches between Djokovic and Tsitsipas have historically been significant, including two Grand Slam finals where Djokovic was the victor. Despite Tsitsipas having led Djokovic by two sets in the 2021 French Open final, Djokovic ultimately prevailed. Tsitsipas has seen a decline in his ranking in recent years and entered this match as a significant underdog against Djokovic.

Djokovic’s performance was particularly notable given his age, as he aims for a 25th Grand Slam title. He served exceptionally well from the outset on Centre Court, efficiently winning his service games and hitting key shots precisely. He effectively dismantled Tsitsipas’s second serve and was dominant on crucial points, converting four out of five break points. Djokovic finished the match with 33 winners and only seven unforced errors.

Djokovic expressed his joy and satisfaction with his play, stating that he feels privileged to compete on Centre Court at his age. He will next face 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech of France. Tsitsipas, currently at his lowest ranking since January 2018, is navigating a challenging period in his career, marked by physical issues and difficulties with his one-handed backhand and return of serve. He recently announced a definitive split with his father, Apostolos, who had been his coach for most of his life.

In other news, Mirra Andreeva was eliminated from Wimbledon after losing 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 to two-time Grand Slam winner Barbora Krejcikova on Centre Court. Following the final point, Andreeva launched her racket towards the umpire’s chair. She later became emotional during her post-match press conference, acknowledging her mistakes and Krejcikova’s strong play.

Meanwhile, Dan Evans departed Wimbledon after a 6-2, 6-4 exit in the first round of the men’s doubles, in what was his last professional match.

Source: independent.co.uk

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Williams’ return to Centre Court

Serena Williams made her return to Wimbledon‘s singles draw, facing Maya Joint in a match that saw the 44-year-old American narrowly defeated in three sets. The match marked Williams’ first singles appearance at the tournament in four years, following her last outing at the All England Club against Harmony Tan.

Williams received a warm reception as she stepped onto Centre Court, a venue where she has previously secured seven singles titles and six women’s doubles titles. Her return came 1,462 days after her last point at the club, demonstrating a resilient spirit by saving a match point and pushing the contest to a deciding set against an opponent 24 years her junior.

Despite the crowd’s support, Australia’s Joint maintained her composure to secure a 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 victory. Following the match, Williams congratulated Joint at the net and acknowledged the ovation from the crowd as she exited the court.

Joint’s perspective on the match

Maya Joint expressed her disbelief and excitement after her win against Serena Williams. In her on-court interview, Joint mentioned her difficulty sleeping the night before the match, staying awake until 2am contemplating the upcoming game. She described feeling overwhelmed upon entering the court, noting that her legs were not moving as she had forgotten her warm-up routine.

Joint, who had experienced a series of 11 consecutive losses at WTA Tour-level matches prior to this encounter, delivered what was described as her best performance of the season under significant pressure. She acknowledged Williams’ legendary status and the aura she brings to the court, stating that she had dreamt of such a moment since childhood.

The 20-year-old Joint’s victory marks her first win at Wimbledon, a significant milestone in her career. Her performance against one of the sport’s icons highlighted her ambition and determination to compete at the highest level.

Williams’ reflections and future plans

Serena Williams opted not to hold a mandatory post-match news conference, instead releasing a statement about her return. She conveyed her enjoyment of being back at Wimbledon, an experience she had not anticipated. Williams described the atmosphere and walking out onto the court as amazing, stating that she relished and missed the moment, enjoying it more than anything else.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion had made her competitive return to women’s doubles earlier in the month, nearly four years after indicating she was stepping away from the sport. She had shown glimpses of her previous form alongside Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko at Queen’s and with Karolina Muchova in Berlin, though questions remained about her physical readiness for singles play.

By returning, Williams became the second oldest player to participate in the women’s singles draw at Wimbledon. Her initial struggles in the opening set, particularly in baseline rallies against Joint’s powerful down-the-line winners, suggested that her time away from the sport had taken a toll. However, she gradually improved, battling back from a break down twice in the second set to force a tie-break.

Williams saved a match point with a powerful forehand winner and a 120mph serve, delighting the Centre Court crowd by extending the match. This effort, however, appeared to come at a cost, as she was unable to maintain the pace with Joint in the deciding set. Williams’ motivation for her comeback reportedly included the desire for her two daughters, Olympia, who is eight, and Adira, who is almost three, to watch her play. Both daughters, along with her husband Alexis Ohanian and sister Venus, were present in her players’ box.

The Williams sisters are scheduled to compete together in the doubles draw later this week. The pair, who have won six doubles titles at Wimbledon, are set to face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in their first-round match.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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Serena Williams experienced a first-round defeat in her return to singles tennis at Wimbledon, losing to Australian player Maya Joint. The match, held on Centre Court, marked Williams’ first professional singles appearance since 2022.

Williams, at 44 years old, was defeated with a score of 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3. Despite saving a match point in the second set to force a decider, she ultimately ran out of momentum. This marks her third consecutive first-round exit at the All England Club, following similar outcomes in 2021 and four years prior.

Williams’ Return and Joint’s Performance

The 23-time Grand Slam champion had announced her return to the sport earlier this month and had participated in two doubles matches before Wimbledon. Her presence at the tournament generated considerable anticipation, with many supporters holding signs and wearing apparel expressing their excitement for her comeback.

Williams received a warm reception as she entered the court, and the crowd’s energy intensified when she secured the second set. She became the second-oldest player to compete in the Wimbledon women’s singles in the Open era, following Martina Navratilova, who reached the second round at 47 in 2004.

Maya Joint, a 20-year-old, expressed her nervousness about the match, stating she had little sleep the night before. Joint, ranked 87th in the WTA, had lost her previous 11 tour-level matches dating back to January. Despite a second-set lapse, she maintained her composure against Williams.

Joint’s performance included securing the first break of the match for 5-3 in the first set, which she then closed out. In the second set, she earned another break early on, but Williams fought back, breaking twice to level the score and eventually win the set in a tiebreak.

Williams’ serve, a key aspect of her game, showed potency, with serves recorded at 123 mph and an ace at 121 mph. However, sustaining her high level of play proved challenging over the course of the match. Joint ultimately broke Williams twice in the deciding set to take a 5-2 lead, eventually converting her third match point.

Other Matches and What’s Next

In other Wimbledon matches, reigning champion Iga Swiatek overcame a second-set challenge to defeat Taylor Townsend 6-1, 2-6, 6-3. Swiatek made 16 unforced errors in the second set but managed to win the decider, setting up a second-round encounter with former world number one Karolina Pliskova.

Second seed Elena Rybakina also secured a victory, battling past Lois Boisson in three sets. Amanda Anisimova advanced with a straight-sets win against Lina Gjorcheska.

In the men’s draw, French Open champion Alexander Zverev progressed after a challenging first-round match against Alexander Blockx, winning 6-4, 6-7 (8/10), 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/0). However, fourth seed Ben Shelton was eliminated by Otto Virtanen in a fifth-set tie-break.

Following her singles defeat, Serena Williams will now focus on the women’s doubles competition, where she is scheduled to play alongside her sister, Venus Williams. The sisters have won six doubles titles together at Wimbledon.

Williams released a statement after her match, expressing her enjoyment of the moment and the atmosphere. She noted that she never expected to be back at Wimbledon and relished the experience.

Joint will next face Alexandra Eala, the 29th seed, who dropped only three games in her first Wimbledon win against Renata Zarazua.

Source: aljazeera.com

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Serena Williams is making her return to singles tennis at Wimbledon, facing Maya Joint in her first match since the 2022 US Open. This comeback follows her participation in doubles events in London and Berlin. Williams had previously stated in 2022 that she was “evolving away” from the sport, but later clarified that she was not retired, suggesting a return was possible.

Her decision to accept a singles wild card for Wimbledon surprised some, including Monica Puig, who noted that Williams had previously indicated she would ease her way back into singles play. Puig, the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist, expressed excitement for tennis and Wimbledon, highlighting Williams’ champion mindset and competitive nature.

Comeback and preparation

Williams’ return to competitive play began with doubles matches. She impressed in her opening doubles match at Queen’s Club alongside Victoria Mboko. However, Mboko’s injury unfortunately limited Williams to just one match there. Her subsequent appearance in Berlin saw her suffer a first-round loss with Karolina Muchova.

Despite the limited competitive singles play, Williams has been active. She re-entered the anti-doping testing pool late last year, a commitment necessary for professional tennis players. The grass-court season was seen as a logical choice for her return due to her comfort on the surface and its comparatively lower physical demands than clay courts. Williams is also competing in doubles at Wimbledon with her sister Venus Williams.

Lindsay Davenport, a former world No. 1, observed that Williams appears to be in excellent physical condition, possibly better than when she initially stepped away from the sport. Davenport acknowledged that grass is a demanding surface to start on, being fast, low, and physical, requiring significant bending.

Expert views on her return

Monica Puig believes that Williams would not have accepted a wild card if she did not feel fully fit, especially given the challenging nature of grass courts. Puig suggested Williams might adopt a “nothing-to-lose” mentality or a “champions mentality” focused on winning, emphasising the need to take it day by day.

Williams’ serve is expected to be a crucial asset, with Puig noting its ability to get her out of trouble. At Queen’s Club, Williams’ serve reached an impressive 120mph. Puig also highlighted Williams’ sharpness at the net and with her groundstrokes. Keeping points short will be key on grass, a surface that can be mentally exhausting due to its quick pace and momentum shifts.

Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli expressed concerns about the physical demands of returning at Williams’ age, particularly after two pregnancies. However, Bartoli noted that playing in front of her children seemed to give Williams strength, and she was thrilled to see her back on court, particularly after her strong serving performance in her first doubles match at Queen’s.

Mats Wilander, a tennis expert, believes Williams’ comeback is not short-term and expects her to compete at the US Open. He also suggested that Williams might be aiming for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, given her past success with multiple gold medals in singles and doubles. Wilander considers Williams to have arguably the best women’s serve of all time, which is a significant advantage on grass courts where the serve and return of serve are paramount.

Financial standing and future aspirations

Williams returns to Wimbledon as one of the wealthiest female athletes. By the time she initially stepped away from tennis, her estimated pre-tax income from her professional career, which began in 1995, was almost $450 million. Her lifetime earnings are now estimated at roughly $620 million, with a net worth of $400 million, making her the world’s richest woman who primarily earned her fortune as an athlete.

Her financial success extends beyond prize money, with ten long-term sponsors including Audemars Piguet, Lincoln, Nike, and Wilson Sporting Goods. She has also diversified her business ventures, engaging in speaking engagements, publishing a children’s book, and launching Nine Two Six Productions. Her investment firm, Serena Ventures, has funded 16 unicorns as of 2022 and raised $111 million for its inaugural fund. Williams has also invested in sports teams, including a stake in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, Angel City FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, and the Toronto Tempo of the WNBA.

Williams has stated she is putting no pressure on herself for her return, viewing it as an opportunity to compete possibly one last time. Her opponent, Maya Joint, is a 20-year-old Australian who is unseeded and ranked 53rd in the world. Wilander noted that Williams’ aura will likely be a significant factor against such a young opponent who has never played her before.

Williams’ return to singles tennis at Wimbledon marks her first competitive singles match since the 2022 US Open.

Source: skysports.com

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Draper’s Withdrawal and Injury History

British tennis player Jack Draper has withdrawn from Wimbledon just a day before his scheduled first-round match, citing a recurrence of a long-term arm injury. This marks a significant setback for the player, who was due to compete against American sixth seed Taylor Fritz on Centre Court. Draper expressed his devastation, stating that while he has experienced many painful moments over the past 12 months, this withdrawal is “definitely the absolute worst.”

The arm problem, identified as bone bruising in his serving arm, has significantly impacted Draper’s career over the last year. He had previously taken nearly seven months off due to this issue after Wimbledon last year. His initial return earlier this season was further complicated by tendinitis in his knee, leading him to miss almost the entire clay-court season. Draper had not played for over two months before his recent return at Eastbourne.

This withdrawal means Draper will miss a third consecutive Grand Slam tournament. The arm issue first emerged during the 2025 clay-court season and also affected his performance at last year’s Wimbledon, where he exited in the second round. After winning one match at the US Open in August, he ended his season early due to the injury.

Impact and Broader Concerns

Draper’s withdrawal follows that of Emma Raducanu, who pulled out on Sunday due to a stress fracture in her right leg, marking a challenging period for British tennis. The 24-year-old Draper, a former world number four who is currently ranked 131st, had recently shown promising form, reaching the quarter-finals at Indian Wells in March, where he had been the defending champion and defeated Novak Djokovic.

Despite his recent return to the ATP Tour in February and a semi-final run at Eastbourne last week, the arm injury has resurfaced. He retired from his only match during the clay swing in Barcelona in April and subsequently withdrew from Queen’s, stating his recovery was progressing but required additional time. Draper had practiced at Wimbledon over the weekend but did not appear on court on Monday before his withdrawal.

Former British number one Tim Henman commented on Draper’s struggles, noting that his body has not been able to withstand the demands of the sport, despite playing some of his best tennis a year ago. Draper himself has raised concerns about the prevalence of injuries in elite tennis, particularly among younger players. He mentioned issues affecting players such as Lorenzo Musetti, Arthur Fils, and Carlos Alcaraz’s wrist, suggesting a need for closer examination of the demands placed on athletes on tour.

Future Outlook and Coaching Partnership

Draper reflected on the mental toll of his recurring injuries, describing it as an “incredibly long process” that has been mentally draining. He acknowledged the difficulty of accepting setbacks when not expected, especially after previous challenges. He expressed a need to rebuild and “start again almost” after seeing his ranking drop.

In an effort to address his physical challenges and continue his development, Draper brought former world number one Andy Murray into his coaching team for the grass-court season. While their partnership will not be seen at the All England Club this year, both hope to continue working together long-term. Murray had previously stated that the primary goal of their collaboration is to help Draper compete more consistently on court.

Draper’s withdrawal from Wimbledon highlights the ongoing battle with injuries that has impacted his career, preventing him from building on breakthrough moments such as his run to the US Open semi-finals two years ago and his triumph at Indian Wells.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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Early action on day one at Wimbledon

The Wimbledon Championships have commenced, with several British players featuring in early matches across various courts. On No.1 Court, Harriet Dart is scheduled to face Jelena Ostapenko. Meanwhile, on No.2 Court, Cameron Norrie, seeded 26th, is set to play against Michael Zheng. British interest also extends to No.3 Court, where Felix Gill is scheduled to compete against Rafael Jodar, who holds a seed ranking of 23.

Further British representation is seen on Court 4, with Alicia Dudeney facing Alycia Parks. On Court 12, Oliver Tarvet is scheduled to play against Arthur Rinderknech, seeded 25th, and Jack Pinnington Jones will compete against Brandon Nakashima, seeded 28th. Additionally, Max Basing is set to face Shintaro Mochizuki on Court 14.

Other British players in action include Mimi Xu, who is scheduled to play Daria Kasatkina on Court 16. On Court 17, Francesca Jones is set to compete against Diane Parry. Finally, Mika Stojsavljevic is scheduled to play Belinda Bencic, seeded 11th, on Court 18, and Emma Raducanu, seeded 30th, is listed to play Antonia Ruzic on a court yet to be assigned.

Centre Court features and tournament traditions

The Centre Court schedule for the opening day includes several high-profile matches. Jannik Sinner, seeded first, is set to begin his title defence against Miomir Kecmanovic. Following this, Aryna Sabalenka, also seeded first, will play against Teodora Kostovic. The final match on Centre Court features Novak Djokovic, seeded seventh, against Yibing Wu.

The Wimbledon Championships maintain a strong tradition of offering fans the opportunity to purchase tickets on the day of play. The All England Club accommodates over 40,000 spectators daily, providing an accessible entry point for tennis enthusiasts. A key part of this experience is ‘The Queue’ located at Wimbledon Park, which is a short walk from Southfields tube station.

Dedicated fans often brave overnight camping or an early morning start to secure tickets for Centre Court or Court 1 during the initial ten days of the tournament. Typically, 500 tickets are allocated for each of these show courts, making early arrival important for those hoping to obtain a spot. Upon joining ‘The Queue’, fans receive a dated and numbered Queue Card, which must be kept until ticket sales begin.

Ticket sales officially commence at 9:45 am in Wimbledon Park, with the grounds opening shortly after at 10 am. Play on the outside courts is scheduled to start at 11 am, followed by Court 1 at 1 pm, and the main action on Centre Court at 1:30 pm.

Additional matches across the courts

Beyond the main courts, numerous other matches are scheduled. On No.1 Court, Marin Cilic is set to play Daniil Medvedev, seeded eighth, and Magda Linette will face Mirra Andreeva, seeded fifth. No.2 Court will see Jessica Pegula, seeded fourth, against Darja Vidmanova, and Felix Auger-Aliassime, seeded third, against Aleksandr Shevchenko. Also on No.2 Court, Tamara Korpatsch is scheduled to play Coco Gauff, seeded seventh.

On No.3 Court, Casper Ruud, seeded 11th, will compete against Hubert Hurkacz. Elsa Jacquemot is scheduled to play Naomi Osaka, seeded 14th, and Barbora Krejcikova will face Hannah Klugman. Court 4 features Emilio Nava against Ignacio Buse, seeded 31st, and Thiago Agustin Tirante against Fabian Marozsan. Solana Sierra is also scheduled to play Anna Bondar on Court 4.

Court 5 will host matches including Marco Trungelliti against Martin Damm, Soonwoo Kwon against Martin Landaluce, Oleksandra Oliynykova against McCartney Kessler, and Dayana Yastremska against Aoi Ito. On Court 6, Denis Shapovalov is set to play Pablo Carreno Busta, Bianca Andreescu against Shuai Zhang, Adolfo Daniel Vallejo against Nicolas Mejia, and Anastasia Gasanova against Emiliana Arango.

Further matches include Aleksandar Kovacevic against Botic van de Zandschulp on Court 7, and Aleksandar Vukic against Jenson Brooksby on Court 8. Court 9 features Luca Van Assche against Marton Fucsovics, while Court 10 will see Sara Sorribes Tormo against Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva. On Court 15, Jaqueline Cristian will play Iva Jovic, seeded 16th, and Ann Li, seeded 28th, will face Zeynep Sonmez. Andrey Rublev, seeded 12th, is scheduled to play Roman Safiullin on Court 16.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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Emma Raducanu’s participation in Wimbledon appears uncertain after she ended her practice session early on Saturday. The British number one postponed her pre-tournament media commitments shortly after concluding a practice set against Anna Kalinskaya with 10 minutes remaining.

Raducanu, who is the 30th seed at the All England Club, is scheduled to begin her campaign on Monday against Antonia Ruzic of Croatia on Court One at 13:00 BST. She did not train on Thursday or Friday due to what is believed to be a shin issue, but returned to the court on Saturday to assess her fitness.

Wearing strapping on her lower right leg, Raducanu displayed caution during an hour-long session with her team on the Aorangi Park practice courts, where her mobility was not extensively tested. Following this, she moved to Court Three to hit with Kalinskaya, but after losing four games in their practice set, she decided she could not continue.

Injury Concerns and Preparations

Less than 30 minutes after leaving the court, it was announced that Raducanu’s news conference, originally set for around 16:00 on Saturday, had been cancelled. Wimbledon organisers stated that her media duties would be rescheduled for Sunday.

Even if Raducanu is deemed fit enough to play Ruzic, her disrupted preparation raises concerns for the demands of a Grand Slam tournament. She has faced a series of injury problems since her US Open victory in New York five years ago. A viral illness also meant she played only six matches from early February until the start of Queen’s earlier this month.

Raducanu has been managing a foot problem since reaching the Queen’s final this month. She was seen at the All England Club on Saturday with her right ankle secured in protective tape. Her team confirmed she is dealing with a niggle, and she did not appear on the practice schedule for Friday.

The 23-year-old took part in a training session at the Aorangi training park at midday before her practice session on Court 3 with Kalinskaya, the world number 20, at 1pm. Despite initially appearing in good spirits, Raducanu concluded the session approximately 10 minutes ahead of schedule after losing four consecutive games.

Raducanu’s scheduled press conference for later in the afternoon was subsequently rearranged for Sunday, with the exact time of her pre-tournament media appearance yet to be confirmed. It seems Raducanu is allowing herself as much time as possible to manage the injury, with time becoming a factor before her first-round match on Monday.

Recent Form and Tournament History

Reaching the final in London, where she lost in straight sets to Donna Vekic of Croatia, marked a significant positive step. Raducanu showcased the aggressive style of tennis she aims to regain after reuniting with Andrew Richardson, the coach who guided her to her US Open triumph before their immediate separation.

However, playing five matches in six days, which was the most she had played since February, has reportedly taken a toll. Raducanu reached her third career final two weeks ago, battling impressively to the final of Queen’s in front of her home supporters in west London, where she lost to former Wimbledon semi-finalist Vekic.

The former US Open champion made it to the fourth round of Wimbledon in her debut at the tournament in 2021. She matched that result in 2024 before being defeated by top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the third round last year. Raducanu, the 30th seed at Wimbledon, is set to open play on Court No 1 at 1pm on Monday, facing Ruzic, the world number 60 from Croatia.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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