On Monday at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, it was world number seven and fourth-seeded Tomas Berdych who fell in upset fashion to Ivo Karlovic, 7-6(7), 7-6(4). Karlovic’s fourth win over Berdych in six FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings featured no breaks of serve. "It is really tough. I have played Ivo twice now in the past couple of months [also…
Maria Sharapova returned to action after four months on the shelf on Monday at the Brisbane International, defeating Caroline Garcia in straight-sets, 6-3, 6-0. Out since August with a right shoulder injury, Sharapova never faced a break point against Garcia in eight service games. "I think I was just really determined to get back on the court," Sharapova said. "It's…
Roger Federer has announced that he will work with his childhood idol, Stefan Edberg, for 10 weeks in 2014. Edberg will join Severin Lüthi starting at the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 13. "I am happy to announce that beginning in Melbourne, Stefan Edberg will join Severin Lüthi on my coaching team," said Federer in a statement. "Severin, who has been part…
Tennis Channel will bring viewers tournament coverage from the 2014 Hyundai Hopman Cup beginning Monday, Dec. 30, at 8:30 a.m. ET. The network’s telecast will include action from around the world as well as U.S. competitions and the championship final of the annual international mixed-doubles tournament. All Hopman Cup matches, which feature teams consisting of one man and one…
The Royal Guard Open in Viña del Mar will feature three top 20 players in 2014 with Nicolas Almagro, Fabio Fognini and Tommy Robredo set to play in the first tournament of the Latin American Golden Swing. "We've never had before three top 20 players," said Tournament Director Alvaro Fillol. "We will have a great tournament, and after last year with Rafael Nadal, this…
Serena Williams received yet another accolade for her phenomenal 2013 season, being named the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year for the third time. Serena amassed some incredible numbers in 2013, winning 11 WTA titles (including her 16th and 17th Grand Slam titles at the French and U.S. Opens) and 78 matches (including a career-best 34-match…
World number three David Ferrer has parted ways with long-time coach, Javier Piles, and will start the 2014 ATP World Tour season under the leadership of former top 100 player Jose Francisco Altur. The 31-year-old Ferrer, who reached his first Grand Slam final this year at Roland Garros, has been coached by Piles throughout his career. "After 15 years of hard work,…
Steve Johnson and Sachia Vickery each earned main draw wild cards into January’s Australian Open by winning a tournament they almost didn’t play. Vickery, 18, defeated fellow 18-year old Victoria Duval, 6-2, 6-3, while Johnson, 23, defeated 22-year old Tennys Sandgren, 4-6, 6-3, 0-6, 7-6(5), 6-1, in Sunday’s finals of the Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs at Life Time Athletic at…
The WTA has announced that it will add an extra grass-court tournament in Nottingham, England to its calendar starting in 2015 to give players more time to gear up for Wimbledon. The ATP and WTA Tours had previously announced that the break between the French Open and Wimbledon will be increased to three weeks rather than two starting…
Novak Djokovic has announced that Tennis Hall of Famer Boris Becker has joined his coaching staff as his head coach. Becker, a six-time Grand Slam champion, will travel with Djokovic and other coaches to tournaments, including 2014's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open. Becker will also accompany Djokovic to Dubai, Miami, Monte Carlo, Rome, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, the…