New York – Rafael Nadal’s third United States Open and 16th Grand Slam title meant a familiar look for the landscape of men’s tennis – and a worrying wake-up call in the “City That Never Sleeps” for the next generation.
The 31-year-old Spaniard defeated Kevin Anderson to ensure that the last five majors have been won by men over 30.
From Wimbledon in 2003, an incredible 53 of 58 Slams have now been claimed by just five men – Roger Federer (19), Nadal (16), Novak Djokovic (12) and Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka with three apiece.
To hammer home their enduring appeal and dominance, Federer and Nadal shared the four Slams in 2017 – Federer beating Nadal in the Australian Open final before capturing a record eighth Wimbledon.
Nadal claimed an unprecedented 10th French Open before adding another US title on Sunday.
Both Federer and Nadal have five titles apiece for 2017, impressive for two men who were ranked 16 and nine respectively at the end of 2016.
With Murray, Djokovic and Wawrinka sidelined with injury, the US Open was to be the tournament where the “NextGen” was to make its mark.
However, it was grim fortnight for most of the young pretenders.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev, who was seeded four, fell in the second round to Borna Coric despite arriving in New York with five titles, including the US Open tune-up in Montreal.
The 20-year-old’s best Slam performance remains his fourth-round run at Wimbledon.
“I’ve been dealing with expectations from a very young age, so for my whole career. For me, this is just another step,” he said after his loss to Coric in a half of the draw thrown wide open after the injury-hit withdrawal of Murray.
“For me, nothing changes. I still have to go back to work and then try to win this title maybe in the future years.
“I know that I could have done some big things here. I know that I could have done something that I haven’t done before. But I won’t. It’s just as simple as that.”
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios lost first round to compatriot John Millman while sixth-seeded Dominic Thiem, 24, squandered two match points in a five-set defeat in the fourth round to Juan Martin del Potro.
There was some hope for the future stars.
Frances Tiafoe, just 19 and ranked at 70 to start the tournament, pushed Federer to five sets in the first round.
Grigor Dimitrov, who famously described himself as the “old next generation” was knocked out by 19-year-old Andry Rublev of Russia.
— AFP

New York – Rafael Nadal’s third United States Open and 16th Grand Slam title meant a familiar look for the landscape of men’s tennis – and a worrying wake-up call in the “City That Never Sleeps” for the next generation.
The 31-year-old Spaniard defeated Kevin Anderson to ensure that the last five majors have been won by men over 30.
From Wimbledon in 2003, an incredible 53 of 58 Slams have now been claimed by just five men – Roger Federer (19), Nadal (16), Novak Djokovic (12) and Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka with three apiece.
To hammer home their enduring appeal and dominance, Federer and Nadal shared the four Slams in 2017 – Federer beating Nadal in the Australian Open final before capturing a record eighth Wimbledon.
Nadal claimed an unprecedented 10th French Open before adding another US title on Sunday.
Both Federer and Nadal have five titles apiece for 2017, impressive for two men who were ranked 16 and nine respectively at the end of 2016.
With Murray, Djokovic and Wawrinka sidelined with injury, the US Open was to be the tournament where the “NextGen” was to make its mark.
However, it was grim fortnight for most of the young pretenders.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev, who was seeded four, fell in the second round to Borna Coric despite arriving in New York with five titles, including the US Open tune-up in Montreal.
The 20-year-old’s best Slam performance remains his fourth-round run at Wimbledon.
“I’ve been dealing with expectations from a very young age, so for my whole career. For me, this is just another step,” he said after his loss to Coric in a half of the draw thrown wide open after the injury-hit withdrawal of Murray.
“For me, nothing changes. I still have to go back to work and then try to win this title maybe in the future years.
“I know that I could have done some big things here. I know that I could have done something that I haven’t done before. But I won’t. It’s just as simple as that.”
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios lost first round to compatriot John Millman while sixth-seeded Dominic Thiem, 24, squandered two match points in a five-set defeat in the fourth round to Juan Martin del Potro.
There was some hope for the future stars.
Frances Tiafoe, just 19 and ranked at 70 to start the tournament, pushed Federer to five sets in the first round.
Grigor Dimitrov, who famously described himself as the “old next generation” was knocked out by 19-year-old Andry Rublev of Russia.
— AFP

FORMER Zimbabwe non-playing Davis Cup captain and Manicaland Tennis Academy head coach, Freeman Nyamunokora believes he is going to improve the quality of tennis in the country after acquiring useful skills at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Worldwide coaches’ conference that ended in Turkey at the weekend.

FORMER Zimbabwe non-playing Davis Cup captain and Manicaland Tennis Academy head coach, Freeman Nyamunokora believes he is going to improve the quality of tennis in the country after acquiring useful skills at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Worldwide coaches’ conference that ended in Turkey at the weekend.

TENNIS Zimbabwe (TZ) yesterday made an appeal for government support in its bid to steer the game back to the glory days of the Davis Cup.

TENNIS Zimbabwe (TZ) yesterday made an appeal for government support in its bid to steer the game back to the glory days of the Davis Cup.

Having already raked in three bronze medals at the African Games currently underway in Congo-Brazzaville, the Zimbabwe tennis team will be gunning for more medals when they compete in the elite team events on Thursday and Friday.

Having already raked in three bronze medals at the African Games currently underway in Congo-Brazzaville, the Zimbabwe tennis team will be gunning for more medals when they compete in the elite team events on Thursday and Friday.

Zimbabwe tennis ace Mark Fynn did the nation proud after picking up a bronze medal for Team Zimbabwe in the singles contest despite losing 6-2 6-2 to Benin’s Alexis Klegou in the semi-finals at the ongoing 11th African Games in Congo Brazzaville on Tuesday.

ZIMBABWE Davis Cup non-playing captain Martin Dzuwa believes his team’s underdogs tag could work in their favour in their 2015 Euro-Africa Zone Group II tennis tie which gets underway at Harare Sports Club tomorrow.

BOSNIA and Herzegovina have named their four-member Davis Cup team set to face Zimbabwe in a 2015 Euro-Africa Zone Group II tennis tie set for March 6-8 on the hard outdoor courts at Harare Sports Club.

ZIMBABWE Davis Cup tennis player Benjamin Lock continued his impressive run of success in the US after winning his maiden title on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures Circuit in Niceville, Florida, at the weekend.

ZIMBABWEAN tennis player Mark Fynn finally gave local tennis fans something to cheer about after reaching the semi-finals of the doubles competition at the ongoing NetOne Futures Tournament at Harare Sports Club yesterday.

ZIMBABWEAN tennis player Mark Fynn finally gave local tennis fans something to cheer about after reaching the semi-finals of the doubles competition at the ongoing NetOne Futures Tournament at Harare Sports Club yesterday.

ZIMBABWEAN tennis player Tinotenda Chanakira reached the second round of the NetOne Futures Tournament after defeating his Davis Cup captain Martin Dzuwa.

ZIMBABWEAN tennis players will be hoping for better fortunes during this week’s NetOne Futures Tournament.

ZIMBABWE’S hopes of a local tennis singles champion at the ongoing Twenty Third Century Systems Futures Tournament were brought to an abrupt end.

ZIMBABWEAN Tinashe Chikanda made a winning return to competitive tennis after registering a 6-4, 7-5 straight set win over South African qualifier Rayne Roselt in the first round of the Twenty Third Century Systems ITF Futures Tournament.

ZIMBABWEAN Tinashe Chikanda made a winning return to competitive tennis after registering a 6-4, 7-5 straight set win over South African qualifier Rayne Roselt in the first round of the Twenty Third Century Systems ITF Futures Tournament.

CARA Black has had a decent performance since her return to the Women’s Tennis Association circuit last year and her good showing partnering Indian Sania Mirza has seen her raking in almost half a million in earnings this season.

ZIMBABWEAN junior tennis ace Nicole Dzenga has set her sights on more success after an impressive run on the International Tennis Federation Junior Circuit in West Africa recently.

ZIMBABWE top female tennis player Cara Black suffered her second finals heartbreak in as many weeks after she and her Indian partner Sarnia Mirza were defeated in the China Open women’s doubles finals on Saturday evening.

ZIMBABWE’S top tennis player Cara Black and her Indian partner Sania Mirza progressed to the semi-finals of the China Open women’s tennis doubles in Beijing

ZIMBABWE’S top tennis player Cara Black and her Indian partner Sania Mirza eased through to the quarter-finals of the China Open women’s doubles in Beijing.

CARA Black and Indian partner Sania Mirza would be looking for revenge as well as a place in the Pan Pacific Open Women Doubles semi-finals.

CARA Black and Indian partner Sania Mirza would be looking for revenge as well as a place in the Pan Pacific Open Women Doubles semi-finals.