The Tata Maharashtra Open is set to get underway this week with Marin Cilic heading a field of 28 players vying to start their 2018 ATP World Tour seasons off with a bang. Leading the charge for the first time in the West Indian metropolis of Pune, is World No. 6 and 2014 US Open champion Cilic. With nothing to defend in the opening week of 2018, Cilic will look to add on precious ranking points to nudge himself closer to the career-high of No. 4 in the Emirates ATP Rankings that he achieved late last season courtesy of his run to the Wimbledon final. The 29-year-old Croat is a two-time champion at Tata Maharashtra Open in both 2009 and...
Craving some tennis? You're not alone. The wait is nearly over as we tear the wrapping off a fresh season on the ATP Challenger Tour. While the stars of the ATP World Tour prepare to launch their campaigns in Brisbane, Doha and Pune, a trio of tournaments also mark the beginning of the Challenger season. The action is set to take off in Bangkok, Noumea and Playford, as players look to make an immediate impact in 2018 and #NextGenATP stars begin their quests in the Emirates ATP Race To Milan. For the 15th consecutive year, the French territory of New Caledonia kicks off the season. The island paradise, located off the eastern coast of Australia, welcomes players to the Ligue...
Novak Djokovic has been forced to postpone the start of his 2018 season due to a right elbow injury, withdrawing from the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, which begins on 1 January in Doha. The two-time defending champion announced on his website that he will instead continue rehab to ensure a strong return to the ATP World Tour. “Unfortunately, the situation with the elbow has not changed for better since yesterday. I still feel the pain,” Djokovic said. “I am sorry that I will not be able to play in front of my fans here. I have great memories of this tournament and the matches I played, like the final against Andy [Murray] from last year. The atmosphere at the stadium is...
Ready? Play. The ATP World Tour kicks off its 2018 season this week at the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp, the starting line for an exciting marathon of twists and turns, ultimately leading to the finish line: the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals in London. Seeded first is defending champion and winner of the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals, Grigor Dimitrov, who currently sits at a career-high of World No. 3 in the Emirates ATP Rankings as a result of his impressive triumph at the season-ending event. “That was definitely one of my biggest highlights,” said Dimitrov of his landmark victory in London last season. “It was such a long year ... so to be able to come to an end of...
Lleyton Hewitt, a former No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, is stepping out of retirement to play doubles with compatriot Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp. “I’m excited to play with Jordan in the doubles,” said Hewitt, who will partner his fellow Australian against 2017 Brisbane singles champion Grigor Dimitrov and Ryan Harrison in the first round. “There’s always such a great atmosphere at this tournament, and we’re looking forward to a tough match against Grigor and Ryan.” Hewitt's last tour-level match was also alongside Thompson, reaching the second round at Wimbledon in 2016. The former World No. 1 will also be playing doubles at the Australian Open with Sam Groth. It will be a thrill...
