Apr 21, 2020 | Andy Murray, GUARDIAN TENNIS, Sport, Tennis
The kid from Dunblane ended Britain’s 76-year wait for a male major tennis champion in one of the great Flushing Meadows finals
“Just take that ball and ride it baby,” said Boris Becker in the commentary booth at Flushing Meadows. The man too good not to win a major, Andy Murray, was leading 7-6, 4-0. The excitement turned Becker’s head and brought a finish line into view that had eluded Murray four times already.
Murray was comfortably ahead but each point had to be torn from Novak Djokovic’s grasp. The US Open’s defending champion would make the Scot fight for four hours and 54 minutes of brutal hitting that left both limping.
Related: No-vaxx Djokovic: why his spiritual world view can have a dangerous side
Related: My favourite game: Jofra Archer’s first-class debut v the Pakistanis, 2016
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Tue, 21 Apr 2020 11:00:44 GMT
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Apr 20, 2020 | GUARDIAN TENNIS, Novak Djokovic, Tennis, Vaccines and immunisation
The Serb’s views reflect how thin the line is between finding solace in spirituality and potentially projecting dangerous narratives, like opposing vaccination
After a cool hour of discussion on Instagram live, as Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic reminisced on their rapport of 22 years, the most revelatory moment came right at the end and in the form of a seemingly mundane question delivered by a fan: What are the first three things you do after you wake up?
Djokovic spoke slowly and deliberately in response: “Gratitude and prayer, a couple of long, deep breaths, hugging my wife and running to my children.” Murray nodded limply, he successfully kept a straight face and at some point he even awkwardly uttered: “Nice!” Then he gave his own answer: “For me, too much information, but I go for a pee.”
Related: ‘Once tennis is done, I’ll be just fine’: Murray and Djokovic ponder future
Related: Novak Djokovic’s anti-vaccination stance may stop his return to tennis
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Mon, 20 Apr 2020 18:26:03 GMT
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Apr 20, 2020 | Coronavirus outbreak, GUARDIAN TENNIS, Sport, Tennis
Vittoria, age 13, and 11-year-old Carola became social media sensations after they posted video of their game played between two rooftop terraces in Liguria, north-west Italy. on Saturday. Italy is currently under lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Mon, 20 Apr 2020 12:00:11 GMT
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Apr 20, 2020 | Coronavirus outbreak, GUARDIAN TENNIS, Novak Djokovic, Vaccines and immunisation
- Covid-19 vaccination seen as crucial for return of sport
- ‘Personally I am opposed to vaccination,’ says world No 1
Novak Djokovic says his opposition to vaccinations may get in the way of his return to competitive tennis.
“Personally I am opposed to vaccination and I wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel,” the world No 1 said in a live Facebook chat with several fellow Serbian athletes on Sunday. “But if it becomes compulsory, what will happen? I will have to make a decision.
Related: No-vaxx Djokovic: why his spiritual world view can have a dangerous side
Je crois qu’on va devoir tirer un trait sur la saison 2020 de tennis. Circuit international = des joueurs et joueuses de toutes nationalités plus les encadrements, spectateurs et les personnes venant des 4 coins du monde qui font vivre ces événements.
Pas de vaccin=pas de tennis
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Mon, 20 Apr 2020 00:43:46 GMT
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Apr 19, 2020 | GUARDIAN TENNIS, Sport, Tennis
Lower-ranked professionals were living off scraps even before the pandemic but now their plight may finally be recognised
At the exact moment the International Tennis Federation announced the immediate cancellation of all events in March, Panna Udvardy was deep in battle, breaking serve at a lowly ITF World Tennis Tour event in Olímpia, Brazil. While the sport’s commentariat descended into a collective state of shock, Udvardy was pumping her fist and peering towards her coach. She quickly realised he was not staring back.
“I looked at my coach and he was talking to the supervisor. I was like: ‘Come on, why are you talking to him? Watch the match!’ And then I won, I played like three hours, I came off court. My coach told me that at 3-1 the supervisor had talked to him and cancelled the tournament.”
A lot of players are waking up and saying, ‘Hey, I’m gonna stop. I’m already minus and I don’t think I can make it’
Related: ‘Once tennis is done, I’ll be just fine’: Murray and Djokovic ponder future
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Sun, 19 Apr 2020 19:00:46 GMT
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Apr 18, 2020 | Andy Murray, GUARDIAN TENNIS, Novak Djokovic, Tennis
- Rivals chat on Instagram with more than 20,000 watching
- ‘It’s really weird to be in one place more than one day’
When Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic chatted on social media in front of a captive audience of more than 20,000, they revealed their obsession with tennis – and how they will cope when it is all over.
Born a week apart and rivals since they were 11, there would appear to be little they do not know about each other, at 32. However, their Instagram exchange for more than an hour on Friday evening told a different story. They surprised even themselves, having never previously sat down together for any length of time.
Related: ‘I was just lost’: Coco Gauff says rapid rise and hype led to depression
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Sat, 18 Apr 2020 14:35:32 GMT
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