Playing in neighboring countries, both Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki began their 2015 seasons on Tuesday. Although one was in Brisbane, Australia and the other was in Auckland, New Zealand, both rolled over their respective opponents with convincing straight-set victories. Sharapova is the top seed at the Brisbane International this week, and started her run…
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka started her 2015 campaign in disappointing fashion on Monday, falling to the Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-7(7), 4-6 in the first-round of the Brisbane International. A two-time champion at the Australian Open, Azarenka has had much success in the country to start her season in years past. However,…
It was not the start that Serena Williams had envisioned when she took the court at the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia on Monday. The top-ranked American, who is teaming up with John Isner at the international mixed team tournament, threw up a bagel in the first set against Flavia Pannetta, but rallied back in the…
While only an exhibition, the Mubadala Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi are a great way to do a little self evaluation before the season begins. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray hope that their play Friday is a sign of things to come, as both players routed their respective opponent and will meet in the final….
American Sloane Stephens has found her coach for 2015. The 36th ranked Stephens will work with Nick Saviano in the upcoming season, as first reported by Open Court's Stephanie Myles. Saviano worked with world number seven Eugenie Bouchard last season, helping the Canadian enjoy a breakout season. He hopes to do the same with Stephens,…
ESPN’s 2015 tennis season—its 37th since beginning in 1979 just one week after ESPN debuted—will be the biggest ever, with more hours on TV—more than, highlighted by first-time exclusivity at the U.S. Open—and an expanded schedule on ESPN3 exceeding 5,000 hours, representing the most live tennis of any media outlet in the U.S. The 2015…
World number six Andy Murray has inked a four-year sponsorship deal with Under Armour, the Baltimore-based company. Under Armour is an originator of performance footwear, apparel and accessories, designed to make all athletes better. Murray had previously been sponsored by Adidas for the last four years, but will now sport Under Armour apparel during his…
Marin Cilic has withdrawn from next week’s Brisbane International tournament with a right shoulder injury. The U.S. Open champion hopes of playing at 2015’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, are now in question. Cameron Pearson, the Brisbane tournament director said Cilic “lost his race against time to regain full fitness.” The shoulder injury keeping…
Last week, we looked at the young talent on the women’s side of American tennis. It is no secret that the progress on the men’s side has taken a step back over the last couple of years. Only two singles titles were won by an American this past year, as John Isner won in both…
The coaching carosuel in professional tennis continues to spin, as Wim Fissette has once again found himself involved in a hiring or firing. Fissette, who helped coach Romanian Simona Halep to a world number two ranking and WTA Finals runner up in 2014, has been hired by American teenager Taylor Townsend for the 2015 season,…