3 h. ago America’s men’s grand slam drought is not Taylor Fritz’s burden to carry

Back at the ATP finals one year after reaching the last hurdle, Fritz remains a top-five talent. It’s a reminder that a certain major-title drought is not his burden to bearI would like to have some words with ESPN broadcaster Chris Fowler about what he said after Novak Djokovic beat Taylor Fritz, for the 11th straight time, in the US Open quarter-finals. Look – Fritz is American, Fowler is American – and sports often lend themselves to nationalism. A little bit of disappointment was appropriate. Instead, Fowler invoked the continued drought of American men at the majors: none of them had lifted a trophy since Andy Roddick in 2003, and Fritz had been the last one standing in the tournament.We all love a narrative, myself included. But come on. Even if Fritz had beaten Djokovic for the first time, force of nature Carlos Alcaraz was waiting in the next round, who Fritz has yet to beat in an official match. And if he’d somehow survived that, it would have been defending champion Jannik...

Politics

16 h. ago Novak Djokovic withdraws from ATP Finals moments after winning 101st career title

Djokovic defeated Lorenzo Musetti to win the Athens Open, but then withdrew from the ATP Finals to grant the Italian a place in the tournament

Sport

16 h. ago Novak Djokovic wins 101st career title to deny Lorenzo Musetti ATP Finals place

Lorenzo Musetti was denied a place in the ATP Finals, unless Djokovic decides to withdraw from the tournament

Sport

26 h. ago Rafael Nadal picks his easiest opponent between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal faced off against Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on dozens of occasions during his illustrious career

Politics

39 h. ago WTA Finals tennis: Aryna Sabalenka beats Amanda Anisimova in semi

Sabalenka will face Rybakina in Saturday’s finalGet in touch! Send your thoughts to NiallFirst set: Pegula 2-2* Rybakina (*denotes next server) Rybakina had started the stronger but lost her way in that last service game. Can Pegula back up the break? An early double fault doesn’t help matters, and Rybakina outlasts her in a rally to earn break point. From the middle of the court, Rybakina lands an inside-out forehand on the line, and we’re back on serve.Cam Norrie is playing in the Metz semi-finals; he’s trailing Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 0-1. In Athens, Novak Djokovic is facing Yannick Hanfmann; it’s on serve in their semi-final. Continue reading...

Politics

41 h. ago WTA Finals tennis: Aryna Sabalenka v Amanda Anisimova in semi

Winner faces Elena Rybakina in Saturday’s finalGet in touch! Send your thoughts to NiallFirst set: Pegula 2-2* Rybakina (*denotes next server) Rybakina had started the stronger but lost her way in that last service game. Can Pegula back up the break? An early double fault doesn’t help matters, and Rybakina outlasts her in a rally to earn break point. From the middle of the court, Rybakina lands an inside-out forehand on the line, and we’re back on serve.Cam Norrie is playing in the Metz semi-finals; he’s trailing Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 0-1. In Athens, Novak Djokovic is facing Yannick Hanfmann; it’s on serve in their semi-final. Continue reading...

Politics

42 h. ago WTA Finals tennis: Elena Rybakina defeats Jessica Pegula in semi

Sabalenka faces Anisimova in second semi-finalGet in touch! Send your thoughts to NiallFirst set: Pegula 2-2* Rybakina (*denotes next server) Rybakina had started the stronger but lost her way in that last service game. Can Pegula back up the break? An early double fault doesn’t help matters, and Rybakina outlasts her in a rally to earn break point. From the middle of the court, Rybakina lands an inside-out forehand on the line, and we’re back on serve.Cam Norrie is playing in the Metz semi-finals; he’s trailing Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 0-1. In Athens, Novak Djokovic is facing Yannick Hanfmann; it’s on serve in their semi-final. Continue reading...

Politics

2 d. ago Novak Djokovic included in ATP Finals draw as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner groups revealed

Djokovic will face Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur if he plays in Turin

Sport

2 d. ago Novak Djokovic, 38, breaks down in tears on court after emotional tribute to late ‘tennis father’

NOVAK DJOKOVIC broke down in tears on court as a poignant tribute was paid to his late former coach Nikola Pilic. The Croatian, who began coaching Djokovic when the tennis superstar was just 12-years-old, died aged 86 in September. Pilic, who himself achieved a world No6 ranking, set up his own academy post-retirement - with...

Events

4 d. ago Novak Djokovic refuses request from wife as family suddenly interrupt press conference

Novak Djokovic was speaking to the media after beating Alejandro Tabilo at the Hellenic Championship before his wife, Jelena, and their children interrupted his press conference

Politics

4 d. ago Novak Djokovic's £3.8m decision 'confirmed' as tennis boss leaks message

Novak Djokovic's participation in the ATP Finals had remained uncertain after he withdrew from the recent Paris Masters – but an update has now been given

Economics

5 d. ago Novak Djokovic update on ATP Finals participation given after withdrawal speculation

Djokovic’s participation in the ATP Finals would leave just one last qualification spot ahead of Turin

Sport

6 d. ago Novak Djokovic's true colours clear with first ever message to his wife’s parents

Novak Djokovic has long possessed an unshakeable belief in his tennis abilities, as evidenced by the confident first words he uttered to future wife Jelena's parents

Politics

7 d. ago John McEnroe thought Novak Djokovic showed his true colours with conduct around Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic has been facing stern competition from the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz over the last two years

Politics

1 week ago Novak Djokovic’s new life in Greece takes bad turn as he’s booed alongside his son

Novak Djokovic and his family are setting roots down in Greece after moving from Serbia in the summer, but his reception was anything but warm during a recent public appearance

Politics

1 week ago Agonising unanswered questions in mystery of tourist who died after cruise ship left her

Suzanne Rees, 80, was only reported missing when she failed to arrive for dinner, some five hours after she vanished on Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia

Events

1 week ago Novak Djokovic’s wife proved right after tearful retirement chat as plans grow clearer

Novak Djokovic was on the brink of retirement a few years ago, but his wife Jelena and their children helped him make a sensational comeback which shows no sign of slowing

Politics

2 w. ago Novak Djokovic's family got last laugh after row with tournament chiefs and fan incident

Novak Djokovic's mother has revealed how an argument with tournament organisers cost her son a set in a Grand Slam final

Society

2 w. ago Novak Djokovic withdraws from Paris Masters after Six Kings Slam retirement

Djokovic hopes to play again this season but has withdrawn from next week’s Paris Masters following his retirement from the Six Kings Slam

Politics

2 w. ago Novak Djokovic's harsh truth as angry Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper take to social media

Jack Draper is the latest player to hit out at the ATP Tour schedule, with Taylor Fritz also agreeing, but Novak Djokovic has called for collective action from the players.

Events