Month: December 2021

Rafael Nadal said it felt “special” to be back on court as the 20-time grand slam champion began his latest comeback with defeat to old foe Andy Murray in Abu Dhabi.

The Spaniard was beaten 6-3 7-5 by Murray at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, an exhibition event that for the 35-year-old marks an important step towards a full ATP tour return.

Nadal is coming off a year disrupted by the foot injury that caused him to miss Wimbledon, the Olympics and the US Open, playing just one event after June.

With the Australian Open a month away, there is plenty of work for these two still to do, but this was a feast for the eyes as the multiple grand slam champions jostled hard for supremacy.

Murray is down at 134th in the ATP rankings and continues to battle his own body after hip and groin problems. However, eye-catching wins late in the season against the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Hubert Hurkacz, Jannik Sinner and Frances Tiafoe have suggested there might be good times ahead for him in the new year.

Here the Scot broke Nadal’s serve to 15 in the sixth game of the first set to seize the initiative. Nadal appeared to be finding a familiar rhythm in the second set, hitting some tremendous clean winners, and at 0-30 down at 4-4 he serve-volleyed twice in succession to get out of trouble.

A contentious line call gave Murray two break points at 5-5, and although Nadal saved one, he fired long at the end of a super rally on the next point. Murray closed out the contest on his second match point, with Nadal flinging a full-throttle backhand long, 

“It’s been special to be back in competition,” Nadal said in an on-court interview. “At the same time, it’s been a while since we played against each other. I’m super happy to see Andy playing at this great level after all the things he went through.

“For me, as a comeback it was not a bad match for me. It’s been a long time since I was out on court in a professional match so I’ve got positive feelings.”

These wily old rivals had met 24 times previously at competitive tour level, all of those encounters coming between 2007 and 2016 with Nadal leading 17-7 in the head-to-head.

Nadal won the ATP’s comeback player of the year award way back in 2013, and he finds himself looking to prove himself again in 2022, locked together on 20 slams with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Murray, who has won three slams but also been a runner-up eight times in the majors, said: “It’s great to be back on the court, able to play at a high level again after a very long time. Me and Rafa have played so many tough matches, but we’ve not played for five or six years.

“That shows both of us have gone through lots of injury troubles and issues, and it’s great to just have the opportunity to be on the court with him again.

“Certainly when I was younger I wasn’t appreciating it as much as I do now. It’s great to be back on the court, I’m so happy that Rafa’s back, and I look forward to the next few years.”

Murray will play Andrey Rublev for the title on Saturday, while Nadal features again too, taking on Denis Shapovalov in a third-place match.

Rafael Nadal declared his Abu Dhabi mission a success despite suffering a second consecutive defeat at the Mubadala Tennis Championship on Saturday.

After a hard-fought battle with Andy Murray on Friday served up a reminder of many a classic match between the pair, it was Denis Shapovalov who beat Nadal in his second comeback clash.

Since losing to Novak Djokovic in the French Open semi-finals in June, Nadal had played only two matches due to a worrying foot injury.

That has been a long-term problem and the 35-year-old Spaniard chose this week’s event to test how it would stand up to match conditions.

Canadian Shapovalov beat his fellow left-hander 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 10-6, but Nadal has done enough in his two matches, and in a practice session with Andrey Rublev, to be persuaded his prospects for 2022 are looking up, with the Australian Open just a month away.

The 20-time grand slam champion said: “Maybe it was too tough to start after a long time.”

But he was laughing as he said that, and added: “The goal is achieved: to be back on court. I’ve played two matches and played more or less four hours on court.

“I enjoyed it. Congrats to Denis today. I wish you all the very best for the next season, and I’m going to try to keep going with my road.”

Nadal said he would return to the tournament in future years, as long as he remains fit and still on tour.

“If I’m still playing tennis, I am always super happy to be here playing,” he said. “Hopefully I can keep coming during the next couple of years.”

Shapovalov, 22, is one of the ATP Tour’s most talented youngsters, striving to make a telling impact while the likes of Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Murray reach the twilight years of their careers.

He said of Saturday’s win over Nadal: “Any time I get to go on court against a guy like Rafa is an honour for me.

“It’s great to just see you back on the court and see you healthy. Hopefully you can grab a great season and keep going.”

Andrey Rublev became the first Russian to win the Mubadala World Tennis Championship by beating Andy Murray in straight sets on Saturday.

World number five Rublev secured a 6-4 7-6 (7-2) victory over the three-time grand slam champion in the final in Abu Dhabi.

Murray had beaten Rafael Nadal in the exhibition event, but was unable to end the year on a high note.

Rublev claimed the only break of a tight first set and dominated a second-set tie-break after Murray had fought back from failing to hold in the opening game.

Murray had been given a way back into the contest when Rublev threw in three double faults in the eighth game of the second set to be pegged back at 4-4, but was unable to force a decider.

Nadal suffered another loss as he works his way back from injury, with Denis Shapovalov coming from a set down to beat the legendary Spaniard 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 10-6.

Dominic Thiem will skip the Australian Open if he is not happy with his fitness at the end of December, the former US Open champion said on Sunday.

The 28-year-old has not played on the ATP Tour since suffering a wrist injury at the grass-court Mallorca Championships in June.

Thiem missed Wimbledon and could not defend his grand slam title at Flushing Meadows, with injury fears lingering ahead of the new season.

Despite not requiring surgery on the damaged wrist, Thiem has been unable to play competitively and experienced a fresh setback this month when he pulled out of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.

In announcing that decision on December 14, Thiem said he was “not yet ready to compete at the highest level”, and there was little to inspire confidence when he issued an update confirming he would not travel to play in two events ahead of the Australian Open.

Although Thiem still wants to play at Melbourne Park, where the slam begins on January 17, his prospects are hinging on him feeling significantly more optimistic about his game and fitness in a matter of days.

Thiem wrote: “After speaking to my team, we have decided to return to Austria, instead of flying directly to Australia.

“Unfortunately, I caught a cold [and tested negative for COVID-19] while in Dubai and was unable to practise last week. I will therefore not be in the physical condition required to be able to play the ATP Cup and Sydney ATP 250.

“After not competing for the last six months I can’t take the risk of coming back too soon and picking up a further injury.

“Overall, the time I spent in Dubai was great as I’ve increased the intensity and level of practise and my wrist is almost at 100 per cent.

“My aim is still to play the Australian Open but we will make a final decision about my participation by the end of December.”

Peng Shuai denied making an accusation of sexual assault against a Chinese government official, amid ongoing concerns for her wellbeing.

Peng has been widely considered as missing since making sexual assault allegations against Zhang Gaoli, the ex-vice premier and member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee.

The two-time doubles grand slam winner posted the allegations on social media site Weibo, though her post has since been removed.

But she now claims there had been “a lot of misunderstandings” about the post.

In a video interview posted by Singaporean Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao, Peng said: “First, I need to stress one point that is extremely important, I have never said or written that anyone has sexually assaulted me, I have to clearly stress this point.”

Peng, who seemed surprised by the interview’s questions, also said: “Why would anyone monitor? [I have] always been very free.”

Peng was speaking at a sporting event in Shanghai in what was the first time she has addressed the alleged incident publicly on camera.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it had twice spoken to Peng before and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) welcomed the IOC’s pictures, which showed the 35-year-old speaking to IOC president Thomas Back via a video call, but suspended its upcoming tournaments in China owing to its ongoing concerns.

That decision came after WTA chairman Steve Simon said he struggled to believe Peng had sent him an email that claimed the sexual assault allegations were false and that she was safely at home.

Peng, however, said she had written the email in Chinese herself, and that the English translation of the message to Simon published by Chinese state media was accurate.

Australian Open chief Craig Tiley wants Novak Djokovic to participate in Melbourne but will not ask the world number one to disclose any medical reason he has for being unvaccinated against COVID-19.

The first grand slam of 2022 begins on January 17, but it is unclear if reigning champion Djokovic will be competing.

The Serbian, a nine-time Australian Open winner, is yet to disclose his vaccination status.

Following guidance from the Victoria state government, all players, staff and spectators at Melbourne Park must have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus or hold a medical exemption.

Djokovic has been named on the list for the draw and is also due to represent Serbia at the ATP Cup in Sydney, which runs from January 1 to 9.

“If Novak shows up, he’ll be vaccinated or have a medical exemption,” Australian Open chief executive Tiley told the Australian Associated Press.

“If any player, fan [or] workforce is on site here, you’re either vaccinated or you have a medical exemption that’s approved and you’re on the Australian Immunisation Register.

“That provides us with safety and an extra level of comfort on site.

“We want to have the best players here; I’d love to have Novak here. If he meets those conditions then great, if not, it’s disappointing.”

Tiley added he does not expect Djokovic to reveal any medical reason for which he may not have received the vaccine, should he receive a medical exemption to feature in the tournament.

“Medically, he doesn’t talk to anyone about it. I’m not going to ask Novak that, it’s none of my business,” Tiley continued.

“[It’s] his choice on his medical condition, it’s his choice to keep personal and private like all of us would do with any condition we may or may not have. We are not going to force him or ask him to disclose that.

“[If he is here] I will know that he fulfils one of those conditions.”

Rafael Nadal is set to play in Melbourne, though that is in doubt after the Spaniard tested positive for COVID-19 this week, following his appearance at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Dubai.

Tiley, however, believes Nadal will have recovered in time.

“I’m confident Rafa will be here,” said Tiley. “Players that are testing positive now will complete a period of time until they are no longer infectious and they will be fine.

“If you are going to test positive and you want to play the Australian Open, your timing would be now.”

Andy Murray will compete at the Australian Open for the first time in three years after being awarded a main-draw wildcard.

Murray has finished as a runner-up five times at Melbourne Park – most recently in 2016 when he was beaten by Novak Djokovic 6-1 7-5 7-6 (7-3).

The Scot has since struggled with a hip injury that had him on the verge of retirement, while he dropped to 134th in the world rankings.

However, the former world number one was in action at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi last week, where he defeated Rafael Nadal before eventually falling to Andrey Rublev in the final of the exhibition event.

Murray was due to feature at the Australian Open in 2020 before a positive coronavirus test stopped him from playing, but the 34-year-old is thankful for the chance to compete in Melbourne again.

“I’m really excited to be back playing at the Australian Open and grateful to Craig [Tiley] and the team for the opportunity,” Murray said on his wildcard, as quoted by the tournament’s website.

“I’ve had some great times in Australia playing in front of the amazing crowds and I can’t wait to step back out on court at Melbourne Park.”

Tournament director and Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley added: “Andy is renowned for his fighting spirit, passion and love of the game, and I’m delighted to welcome him back to Melbourne in January.”

American Stefan Kozlov and Frenchman Lucas Pouille join Murray as the men’s singles wildcards so far, with the other four spots likely to go to Australians and another to an Asia-Pacific player.

The Australian Open gets underway on January 17 with the final set to take place 13 days later.

Alexander Zverev believes he will form a big three with Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev in 2022 but hopes he will not get the chance to become world No1 at the Australian Open.

The German is knocking on the door near the top of the rankings after a fine year that saw him win six titles, including the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin and an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.

Zverev, currently ranked third, could go top of the rankings if he wins the Australian Open, which starts next month, but that is only possible if current world No1 Djokovic does not play.

And Zverev is hopeful the Serbian will take part despite continued uncertainty over his participation in the tournament amid intense debate over his COVID-19 vaccine stance.

Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open winner, has yet to disclose his vaccination status.

Tournament chief Craig Tiley said this week he is still hoping to see the tour’s top player participate if he meets the required conditions, which are either being vaccinated or having a medical exemption.

“The situation with Novak and Australia is still a big question mark,” Zverev said in a podcast appearance with Eurosport Germany. 

“Of course, I hope that he will be allowed to play, that is very clear.

“There are thousands of mathematical calculations, if he doesn’t play Australia and I win the Australian Open, then I’m number one in the world and so on and so forth.

“At the end of the day, now is not the time to think about [being world number one]. Now is the time to prepare as best as you can so you’re physically able to play for it.”

As well as his silverware, Zverev made the last four of the French Open and US Open, and the 24-year-old believes his experience has begun to come to the fore.

Zverev had a 59-15 record this season and recorded at least one victory against every other player inside the top 10 of the ATP year-end rankings.

“I’ve become much calmer and I’m also getting older,” he added.

“I’m not 18 or 19 anymore. I understand maybe a bit more things about life and understand that you just have to keep calm in important situations. That has had its effect on me this year.

“I think next year could be very similar to the last six months from this year.

“Before, there used to be always talk about Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic – now the big titles were the Olympics, US Open, Turin and Wimbledon, and they were all won by Medvedev, Djokovic and me. 

“I don’t expect it to be any different next year.”

Dominic Thiem has withdrawn from next month’s Australian Open.

Thiem has not played on the ATP Tour since suffering a wrist injury at the Mallorca Championships in June.

The 2020 US Open champion was due to feature in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi this month, but withdrew after suffering a setback.

Thiem on Tuesday revealed his wrist is in “optimal condition”, but the Austrian will miss the first grand slam of the year at Melbourne Park and will instead make his comeback at the Cordoba Open next month.

The Austrian tweeted: “As you all know, I came back home to Austria to recover after hard practice sessions I had in Dubai and the slight setback in my preparation. 

“I am now feeling well again, my wrist is in optimal condition and I am practicing normally with a very good intensity.

“After my short holidays, my team and I have assessed all matters and we have decided to make some changes to my initial tournament schedule.

“I will start the season in South America at the Cordoba Open in Argentina, end of January, and therefore I will not play this year at the Australian Open in Melbourne, a city that I love and where I have great memories of unforgettable matches in front of amazing crowds. 

“I will miss the Australian fans but I will be back in 2023.

“We believe this is the right decision in order to have a good return to competition. For the moment I will remain in Austria for a few more days and then head to practice outdoors and get ready for my first event of the season.”

The 28-year-old was a runner-up in the 2020 Australian Open before going on to claim his first major title at Flushing Meadows.

World number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Cup in Sydney amid ongoing uncertainty over his title defence at next month’s Australian Open.

Djokovic has not yet confirmed his place at January’s Grand Slam due to the COVID-19 mandate in Victoria.

The 34-year-old’s father, Srdjan, has previously said that the nine-time Australian Open champion is unlikely to feature in Melbourne unless vaccination rules are relaxed.

World number 33 Dusan Lajovic will now lead the Serbia team at the ATP Cup.

Meanwhile, Austria have been replaced by France at the event following the withdrawals of Dominic Thiem and Dennis Novak. The French will be led by world number 35 Ugo Humbert, alongside Arthur Rinderknech, Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Fabrice Martin.

Russia’s Andrey Rublev, Aslan Karatsev and Evgeny Donskoy have withdrawn, with Evgeny Karlovskiy joining the team, while Team USA’s Austin Krajicek has also pulled out.

The ATP Cup will begin on New Year’s Day at both Ken Rosewall Arena and Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park.