One of the stories of the Australian summer is continuing this week at the Sydney International. Alex de Minaur, the 18-year-old Aussie who reached the semi-finals of the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp last week (l. to Harrison), collected another win on Tuesday at the Sydney International. [ALSO LIKE] The #NextGenATP Aussie, who's from Sydney, saved six of seven break points and knocked out Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-2 in 76 minutes. De Minaur, who is receiving guidance from Lleyton Hewitt, will next meet seventh seed Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina. “It's definitely helping me out every day I'm out here on court and competing,” said de Minaur. “It's a huge boost in confidence, playing against high-level opponents...
Jason Kubler was sitting in his hotel room at the City of Playford Tennis International, a $75,000 event on the ATP Challenger Tour, when the phone rang. "I didn't expect it at all, but Lleyton called me and there were so many emotions. Six months ago I would have never guessed that I'd be in this situation." Lleyton Hewitt was on the other end, awarding his 24-year-old countryman with a main draw wild card into the Australian Open. As Kubler admits, the call was not expected, but, having finally found consistent success after years of physical struggles, it was more than well-deserved. "I didn't have Lleyton's number saved on my phone, so I said 'ok, I'll just answer this one'....
Who is going to rock the tennis world in 2018? The crystal ball of player improvement can sometimes be uncertain, but an Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers analysis highlights the group of players you should keep your eye on in the 2018 season, based on their promise and performance in 2017. For different reasons and at different rankings, these players look poised to make serious headlines in 2018. Let’s just say you heard it here first… 1. Next to be No. 1 = Grigor Dimitrov The jigsaw puzzle has finally come together for the talented 26-year-old Bulgarian. He started 2017 ranked No. 17 in the ATP Rankings, but surged all the way to No. 3 at the end of the...
Andy Murray, the five-time Australian Open finalist who withdrew from the event last week due to a hip injury, announced on social media that he underwent successful surgery on Monday in Australia. "Today I underwent successful right hip surgery at the St Vincent Hospital in Melbourne,” Murray wrote. "I'd like to thank Dr. John O’Donnell and all of the staff for looking after me. I look forward to returning to competitive tennis during the grass court season. Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes and support over the last few days. I'll come back from this.” The former World No. 1 has not played since Wimbledon, when he lost in the quarter-finals against Sam Querrey. The 30-year-old does not...
Denis Shapovalov is aiming to soar to greater heights than in 2017, a season which saw him rise up the ATP Rankings and build upon his experience at ATP World Tour events. After a nail-biting opening-round loss to Kyle Edmund at last week’s Brisbane International presented by Suncorp, the 18-year-old has returned to the practice courts to evoke memories of his off-season training. “I’ve worked hard in the off-season and I feel like my game’s there, so I’m ready to play these tournaments,” said Shapovalov at the ASB Classic in Auckland. “It’s always a little bit tough at the start of the year, you don’t know where your game’s at. But I’m confident in myself and I’m sure I’m going...
