Gilles Muller beat Daniel Evans 7-6(5), 6-2 on Saturday at the Apia International Sydney to capture his first ATP World Tour title. It was an emotional moment for the 33-year-old Luxembourg native, who had gone 0-5 in his previous ATP World Tour finals. ATPWorldTour.com spoke to Muller after his victory in Sydney. How does it feel to be holding your first ATP World Tour singles trophy at the age of 33? It feels great for many reasons. I’ve been waiting for this a long time. I’ve lost five finals before, so my biggest dream and goal was to win a title. Finally it’s here, so it’s great. It’s a lot of weight off my shoulders now. What does it mean...
The question has Albert Ramos-Vinolas stumped. Why, nine years after turned professional, is the 28 year old suddenly playing his best tennis? He didn't switch coaches – Ramos-Vinolas, like Rafael Nadal, still works with his boyhood coach. Ramos-Vinolas didn't drastically change his style of tennis, either. But there's no question his tennis has improved. In 2016, Ramos-Vinolas won his first title at the SkiStar Swedish Open in Bastad. The left-hander also reached his first hard-court final at the Chengdu Open and hiked to a career-high No. 26 in the Emirates ATP Rankings in October. “I don't know why this year I had the better results. I cannot tell you one thing,” Ramos-Vinolas told ATPWorldTour.com last season. “Maybe experience but I...
For several reasons, this year's Australian Open should be a much different experience for Andy Murray than the 2016 edition. The most obvious reason is the number next to Murray's name: 1. Murray, playing in his 12th Australian Open, is the top seed at a Grand Slam for the first time. The Scot ascended to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings last season at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris in November. Closer to home, Murray should have a more peaceful stay in Melbourne this January. Twelve months ago, his wife, Kim Sears, was pregnant and could have gone into labour at any point during the tournament. She gave birth to their daughter, Sophia Olivia, a week after Murray...