Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have been honoured by the International Tennis Writers' Association's as Ambassadors of the Year. The awards are usually given to one man and one woman, but the ITWA's 120 members voted overwhelmingly in favour of making the men's award a joint presentation to Federer and Nadal in Melbourne. The winner of the women's award will be announced next week. The ITWA represents the world's leading tennis journalists. Its awards recognise a combination of achievements on the court, conduct that shows tennis in the best possible light and co-operation with the media. Both Nadalvand Federer have won Ambassador of the Year honours in the past as individuals, but this is the first time they have been...
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...
Watch Rafael Nadal arrive in Melbourne and practise in Rod Laver Arena in preparation for the Australian Open. Video courtesy Tennis Australia. Playback not available in Australia. Photo: Getty Images
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has arrived in Melbourne and commenced training on Rod Laver Arena ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on 15 January. The Spaniard is set to begin his 2018 campaign in Melbourne after a terrific 2017 in which he not only re-gained the top spot in the ATP Rankings, but at 31 became the oldest player to finish year-end No. 1. The left-hander also became the first player in the Open Era to win 10 titles at the same event, achieving the feat three times with victories at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and at Roland Garros. He won six titles from 10 finals. [ALSO LIKE] Nadal, who has contested the...
Kei Nishikori will return to professional tennis in January, but not at the season's first Grand Slam in Melbourne. Nishikori has withdrawn from the Australian Open, but the former World No. 4 is planning on launching his comeback at the inaugural ATP Challenger Tour event at the Newport Beach Tennis Club in Newport Beach, U.S.A, to be held 20-28 January. The tournament is part of the inaugural Oracle Challenger Series, which also will include a Challenger event from 24 February – 4 March in Indian Wells, in the lead up to the BNP Paribas Open, the season's first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament. Both tournaments will feature $150,000 prize money. [ALSO LIKE] “I am very excited and looking forward...