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Sharapova can’t shoulder the load and calls time on her tennis career

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After 28 years of tennis and five grand slam titles, Maria Sharapova has decided to step away from the tennis tour.

The 32-year-old Russian wrote an essay which was published on the Vanity Fair website.

She opened by saying “How do you leave behind the only life you’ve ever known? How do you walk away from the courts you’ve trained on since you were a little girl, the game that you love—one which brought you untold tears and unspeakable joys—a sport where you found a family, along with fans who rallied behind you for more than 28 years?

I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis—I’m saying goodbye.”
Embed from Getty Images
Sharapova enjoyed early success in her career winning the Wimbledon title in 2004 as a 17-year-old. Two years later she won the US Open. In early 2008 she won the Australian Open and then she completed a career Grand Slam in 2012 after claiming the first of two French Open titles. Her last came in 2014.

The determined Russian was world no. 1 for the first time on August 22, 2005 and last held the top spot on June 25, 2012.

Things started to go south for Sharapova after her admission that she had tested positive for the recently banned substance Meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open, where she had reached the quarterfinals. A 24-month suspension—later reduced to 15 months.

She won a total of 36 singles career titles, 645 singles matches and more than $38 million in on-court prize money. The Russian also amassed a fortune away from the court through endorsement and business.

Sharapova hinted at what will be in her future, ”

In the meantime, there are a few simple things I’m really looking forward to: A sense of stillness with my family. Lingering over a morning cup of coffee. Unexpected weekend getaways. Workouts of my choice (hello, dance class!).

Tennis showed me the world—and it showed me what I was made of. It’s how I tested myself and how I measured my growth. And so in whatever I might choose for my next chapter, my next mountain, I’ll still be pushing. I’ll still be climbing. I’ll still be growing.”

In the end her shoulder injuries became too much to overcome and that was where she said, “My body had become a distraction.”

All the best to Maria in what might come next.

Aussie Tennis – Year in Review

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At the start of 2019 we saw Ash Barty as the top-ranked female player at no. 15. Her goal was to crack the top-ten. Alex de Minaur was the top Aussie male at no. 31.

Sydney, Australia – 6 January 2018: Australia’s Ashleigh Barty wearing a Fila hoody on-board the super yacht ‘Cooroboree’ during a media opportunity for the Sydney International tennis. The Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are in the background. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)

Both of the top Aussies got off to a great start early in 2019. Barty reached the final in Sydney losing to Petra Kvitova while de Minaur won his first ATP winning in Sydney.

Sydney, Australia – 10 January 2019: Alex de Minaur during his Sydney International quarterfinal match on Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)

Barty would go on to achieve her best ever Australian Open result losing again to Kvitova, this time in the Quarterfinals. Next was the big breakthrough for Barty as she won the Miami Premier Mandatory event.

Bigger things were to come for Barty. The Queenslander claimed her first Grand Slam singles title at the French Open and she would rise to the no. 1 ranking on 24 June.

Naomi Osaka took the top spot back for a few weeks before Barty capped off an amazing year by winning the Shiseido WTA Finals in Shenzhen where she took home the largest prize money cheque of $4,420,000 US.

Unfortunately for Barty she was not able to complete the best of the best dream year when Australia lost the Fed Cup final to France.

Of the other Australian women’s players it was not such a good year for Daria Gavrilova. Poor form and injury saw her ranking tumble in 2019. She started the year at no. 34 and fell to no. 242 by year’s end.

Ajla Tomljanovic took over the no. 2 spot in the Australian rankings behind Barty. She started the year at no. 45 before rising to a career-high no. 39 in April. She ended the year at no. 51 and had the bonus of finally being cleared to play Fed Cup for Australia.

The highlights for Tomljanovic were reaching the Toyota Thailand Open final losing in controversial fashion to Dayana Yastremska and also reaching the semifinal at the Premier level tournament in Zhengzhou losing to Karolina Pliskova.

Other players that did well in 2019 were Astra Sharma who reached a career-high at no. 85 and also reached the final in Bogota losing to Anna Anisimova.

Canberra - 2 November, 2018: Australia's Astra Sharma against Apis Canberra International 2016 Champion Risa Ozaki from Japan. (Photo by Rob Keating - http://robiciatennis.com) #ApisCBRIntl #protour
Canberra – 2 November, 2018: Australia’s Astra Sharma against Apis Canberra International 2016 Champion Risa Ozaki from Japan. (Photo by Rob Keating – http://robiciatennis.com) #ApisCBRIntl #protour

Maddison Inglis took her ranking from no. 361 to a career-high of 128 on November 18 before ending the year at no. 130

Canberra, Australia – 28 March 2019: Maddison Inglis from Australia in a round two match. (Photo by Rob Keating http://robiciatennis.com )

The Australian Men

It was Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios leading the way for the Australian men. Both players claimed titles on the ATP tour.

de Minaur won his home tournament in Sydney, the last before the ATP Cup takes over that time slot on the calendar. He also added the Atlanta and Zhuhai titles and took his ranking to a career-high at no. 18.

Kyrgios won titles in Acapulco and Washington, both at the ATP 500 level. At the Acapulco event he defeated Rafael Nadal in the round of 16 and then easily beat Alexander Zverev in the final.

Washington was again a very impressive showing from Kyrgios. He defeated the hottest player on tour over the American swing, Daniil Medvedev. He also defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semis.

2019 was a mixed bag for Kyrgios. He had the highs of winning the two titles but he made headlines for all the wrong reasons when at the Cincinnati Masters he had a meltdown in his match against Russia’s Karen Khachanov and he was later fined $US113,000 for his behavior.

Another Australian player that made his mark in 2019 were Alexei Popyrin. He took advantage of a wildcard into the Australian Open and reached the third round where he lost a tough five set battle against France’s Lucas Pouille. Popyrin would also go onto play in all of the three remaining Grand Slam main draws reaching the third round of the US Open. He climbed to a career-high at no. 87 in July.

Jordan Thompson made the most of his rise in the rankings in 2018 achieved through good Challenger results. He reached s-Hertogenbosch final and reached his career-high ranking of no. 43 in July.

Sydney, Australia – 6 January 2018: Jordan Thompson from Australia serving in the first set against France’s Adrian Mannarino during a round one match at the Sydney International tennis on Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)

James Duckworth battled his way into the top-100 with some good results on the ATP Challenger tour winning titles in Pune, Playford, Baotou and Bangkok. He took his ranking from no. 238 at the start of 2019 to end the year at no. 100.

Photo of Australian tennis player James Duckworth at the Apis Canberra International. Photo by Rob Keating
Canberra – 30 October: Australia’s James Duckworth against Marc Polmans in the second set of their round one match. (Photo by Rob Keating – http://robiciatennis.com)

Christopher O’Connell made a late season run up the rankings going from no. 596 on 28 January to a career-high at no. 119 by early December. This came on the back of a Challenger title in Cordenons in August and then he was runner up in Sibiu won Fairfield and he was again runner up in Knoxville.

Christopher O’Connell warming up for his match against Gavin Van Peperzeel in the ATP Challenge Tour qualifying tournament.

Marc Polmans was solid but he could not close some key wins that could have seen him push close the top-100. He lost his first round match over five sets at the Australian Open after receiving a wildcard. And he lost a round of 32 match at the the ATP 500 event in Washington losing in a third set tie-breaker.

Canberra - 30 October: Men's round one singles match - Australia's Marc Polmans on centre court in his match against fellow Australian James Duckworth. (Photo by Rob Keating - http://robiciatennis.com)
Canberra – 30 October 2018: Men’s round one singles match – Australia’s Marc Polmans on centre court in his match against fellow Australian James Duckworth. (Photo by Rob Keating – http://robiciatennis.com)

Polmans did however claim Challenger titles in Zhangjiagang and Traralgon and reached his career-high of no. 132 in November.

2019 Australian player results for WTA and ATP tours

Davis Cup finals

Australia d Colombia 3-0
Nick Kyrgios d Alejandro Gonzalez 6-4, 6-4
Alex de Minaur d  Daniel Elahi Galan 6-4, 6-3
John Peers and Jordan Thompson d Juan-Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6).

Australia d Belgium 2-1
Nick Kyrgios d Steve Darcis 6-2, 7-6
Alex de Minaur d  David Goffin 6-0, 7-6
John Peers and Jordan Thompson lost to Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 6-0, 6-0 after injury withdrawal

Quarterfinal lost to Canada 2-1
John Millman lost to Vasek Pospisil 7-6(7), 6-4.
Alex de Minaur d Denis Shapovalov 3-6 6-3 7-5
John Peers and Jordan Thompson lost to Vasek Pospisil and Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-4.

Next Gen ATP Finals

Alex de Minaur (1) Rd Robin match 1 d Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (7) ESP 4-2, 3-4(5), 4-1, 4-1. RR match 2 d Miomir Kecmanovic 4-1, 4-3(4), 1-4, 4-0. RR match 3 d Casper Ruud 4-1, 4-0, 4-2. Semifinal d Frances Tiafoe 4-2, 4-1, 0-4, 4-2. Final lost to Jannik Sinner ITA 4-2, 4-1, 4-2.

Fed Cup Final

Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Kristina Mladenovic 6-1, 6-1
Ash Barty d Caroline Garcia 6-0, 6-0
Ash Barty lost to Kristina Mladenovic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(1)
Ajla Tomljanovic d Pauline Parmentier 6-4, 7-5
Ash Barty and Sam Stosur lost to Kristina Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia 6-4, 6-3.

WTA Finals Shenzhen

Round Robin Red Group – Ash Barty(1) d Belinda Bencic SUI (7) 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. Match two lost to Kiki Bertens 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Match three d Petra Kvitova CZE 6-4, 6-2. Semifinal d Karolina Pliskova CZE 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Final d Elina Svitolina UKR 6-4, 6-3.

ATP Masters 1000 Paris

Alex de Minaur d Laslo Dejere SRB 6-1, 6-4. R2 d Roberto Bautista Agut (9) ESP 7-6(2), 7-6(1). R3 v Stefanos Tsitsipas (7)

ATP 500 Basel

Alex de Minaur d Hugo Dellien BOL 6-1, 7-5. R2 d Taylor Fritz USA 6-3, 6-3. QF d Jan-Lennard Struff GER 6-4, 7-6(4). SF d Reilly Opelka USA 7-6(2), 6-7(4), 7-6(3). Final lost to Roger Federer (1) SUI 6-2, 6-2.
Alexei Popyrin (Q) lost to Fabio Fognini (5) 6-2, 6-4

ATP Challenger Traralgon

Final – Marc Polmans d Andrew Harris 7-5, 6-3

ATP 250 Stockholm

John Millman lost to Pablo Carreno Busta (5) ESP 6-4, 6-3.
Alexei Popyrin (Q) d Oscar Otte (LL) GER 7-6(6), 7-6(5). R2 lost to Denis Shapovalov (4) CAN 6-4, 7-6(3).

WTA Moscow

Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Varvara Gracheva (Q) RUS 6-3, 6-2.

ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai

Alex de Minaur lost to John Isner USA  7-6(1), 6-4.
John Millman (S) d Guido Pella ARG 6-3, 7-5. R2 lost to Andrey Rublev RUS 6-2, 6-0.

WTA International Tianjin

Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Veronika Kudermetova RUS 6-4, 6-2.
Sam Stosur (W) d Zh Yang (W) CHN 7-5, 2-6, 6-2. R2 lost to Yulia Putintseva KAZ 6-1, 6-2.
Astra Sharma lost to Yulia Putintseva KAZ 6-1, 1-6, 7-5.
Arina Rodionova (Q) lost to Wang Qiang (2) CHN 6-3, 6-4.

WTA Premier Event Beijing

Ash Barty (1) Rd 1 bye. R2 d Yulia Putintseva KAZ 6-4, 6-2. R3 d Zheng Saisai 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2. QF d Petra Kvitova (7) CZE 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. SF d Kiki Bertens (8) NED 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7). Final lost to Naomi Osaka JPN 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Ajla Tomljanovic d Wang Qiang 5-7, 4-5 retired. R2 lost to Alison Riske USA 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

ATP 500 event Beijing

no Australians

ATP 500 event Tokyo

Alexei Popyrin lost to Novak Djokovic (1) SRB 6-4, 6-2.
Jordan Thompson d Juan Ignacio Londero ARG 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. R2 lost to Taro Daniel JPN 6-4, 7-6(3).
Alex de Minaur lost to Lloyd Harris RSA 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(8).
John Millman d Adrian Mannarino FRA 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. R2 d Lloyd Harris RSA 6-3, 6-2. QF d Tara Daniel JPN 6-4, 6-0. SF d Reilly Opelka USA 6-3, 7-6(3). Final lost to Novak Djokovic (1) SRB 6-3, 6-2.

WTA Premier Event Wuhan

Ash Barty (1) R1 bye. R2 d Caroline Garcia FRA 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. R3 vs Sofia Kenin (15) USA. QF d Petra Martic CRO 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-3. SF lost to Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, 6-4.
Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Dayana Yastremska7-6(5), 6-2
Sam Stosur lost to Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

ATP 250 Chengdu

Alexei Popyrin lost to Fernando Verdasco ESP 6-2, 7-5

ATP 250 Zhuhai

Alex de Minaur (7) d John Millman 6-1, 6-3. R2 d Andy Murray 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. QF d Borna Coric CRO (4) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. SF d Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-2. Final d Adrian Mannarino FRA 7-6(4), 6-4

WTA International Event Seoul

Ajla Tomljanovic d Stefanie Voegele SUI 6-0, 6-2. R2 lost to d Priscilla Hon 6-3, 5-7, 6-1.
Priscilla Hon d Mihaela Buzarnecu ROM 6-3, 6-4. R2 d Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 5-7, 6-1. QF lost to Karolina Muchova (3) CZE 6-3, 6-3.

WTA International Event Guangzhou

Sam Stosur d Tereza Matincova (Q) CZE 6-2, 6-4. R2 d Bernarda Pera USA 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(5). QF d Nina Stojanovic SRB 6-2, 7-6(1). SF d Viktorija Golubic SUI 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-1. Final lost to Sofia Kenin (3) USA 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2.

WTA Premier Event Zhengzhou 

Ajla Tomljanovic d Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove (Q) NED 6-2, 6-0. R2 d Kiki Bertens NED 6-4, 7-6(1). QF d Zheng Saisai CHN 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-4. SF lost to Karolina Pliskova CZE 6-3, 6-2.

US Open

Women
Ashleigh Barty (2) d Zarina Diyas KAZ 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. R2 d Lauren Davis USA 6-2, 7-6(2). R3 d Maria Sakkari (30) 7-5, 6-3. R4 lost to Wang Qiang CHN 6-2, 6-4
Samantha Stosur (W) lost to Alexandrova Ekaterina RUS 6-1, 6-3.
Daria Gavrilova lost to Fiona Ferro FRA 6-3, 6-4
Alja Tomljanovic d Marie Bouzkova CZE 1-6, 7-5, 6-1. R2 lost to Anett Kontaveit (21) EST 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
Astra Sharma lost to Magda Linette POL 6-3, 6-4
Priscilla Hon (LL) lost to Margarita Gasparyan RUS 7-6(4), 6-4

Men
Nick Kyrgios (28)  d Steve Johnson USA 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-4. R2 v Antoine Huang (W) FRA. R3 lost to Andrey Rublev RUS 7-6(5), 7-6(5), 6-3
John Millman lost to Rafael Nadal (2) ESP 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Alex de Minaur d Pierre-Hugues Herbert FRA 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(6), 7-5. R2 d Cristian Garin (31) CHI 6-3, 7-5, 6-3. R3 d Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. R4 lost to Grigor Dimitrov BUL
Jordan Thompson d Joao Sousa POR 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. R2 lost to Matteo Berrettini (24) ITA 7-5, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-1.
Alexei Popyrin d Federico Delbonis ARG 6-1, 7-5, 7-6(5). R2 d Mikhail Kukushkin KAZ 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2. R3 lost to Matteo Berrettini ITA 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-6(2)
Thanasi Kokkinakis d Ilya Ivashka (Q) BLR 6-3, 7-6(10), 6-7(4), 6-2. R2 lost to Rafael Nadal (2) ESP walkover

Winston-Salem

John Millman round 1 bye. R2 d Marco Cecchinato ITA 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3.  QF lost to Steve Johnson USA 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.
Alexei Popyrin d Thiago Monteiro BRA5-7, 6-4, 7-6(7). R2 lost to Miomir Kecmanovic SRB 7-6(5), 6-3.

Cincinnati

Nick Kyrgios d Lorenzo Sonego ITA 7-5, 6-4. R2 lost to Karen Khachanov (8) RUS 6-7( 7-6(4), 6-2 and fined US$113,000.
Jordan Thompson lost to Yoshihito Nishioka (Q) 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.
Alex de Minaur d Marco Cecchinato ITA 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-2. R2 d Reilly Opelka 7-6(3), 6-4. R3 lost to Yoshihito Niskioka 7-5, 6-4.

Ash Barty (1) Rd 1 bye. R2 d Maria Sharapova RUS 6-4, 6-1. R3 d Anett Kontaveit EST4-6, 7-5, 7-5. QF d Maria Sakkari 5-7, 6-2, 6-0. SF lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova (W) RUS 6-2, 6-4

Montreal Masters 1000

Nick Kyrgios lost to Kyle Edmund GBR 6-3, 6-4
Alex de Minaur lost to Dan Evans (Q) GBR 6-4, 7-6(6)
Jordan Thompson lost to John Isner (12) USA 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6)
Bernard Tomic (Q) lost to Roberto Bautista Agut (10) ESP 6-3, 6-2
John Millman (LL) d Feliciano Lopez (Q) ESP 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 6-3

Toronto Premier 5

Ash Barty (1) Rd 1 bye. R2 lost to Sofia Kenin 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4
Ajla Tomljanovic (Q) lost to Iga Swiatek (Q) POL 4-1 Ret

Washington ATP 500

Alex de Minaur (12) bye. Rd 2 lost to Peter Gojowczyk 6-3, 7-6(6)
Nick Kyrgios d Thai-Son Kwiatkowski (Q) USA 7-5, 6-4. R2 d Gilles Simon (11) FRA 6-4, 7-6(5). Rof16 d Yoshihito Nishioka JPN 6-2, 7-5. QF d Norbert Gombos (LL) SVK 6-3, 6-3. SF d Stefanos Tsitsipas (1) GRE 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(7). Final defeated Daniil Medvedev (3) RUS 7-6(6), 7-6(4).
Marc Polmans d Malik Jaziri TUN 6-2, 6-4. R2 lost to Benoit Paire (10) FRA 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(5)
Jordan Thompson d Jack Sock (W) USA 7-5, 6-3. R2 d Jan-Lennard Struff (14) GER 6-7(8), 6-4, 7-5. Rof16 lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas (1) GRE 6-3, 7-6(4)
Matthew Ebden lost to Tim Smyczek (Q) USA 6-4, 6-4.
Alexei Popyrin lost to Miomir Kecmanovic SRB 7-6(6), 6-3
Bernard Tomic – withdrew due to a finger injury

Los Cabos ATP 250

Thanasi Kokkinakis (W) d Maxime Janvier (Q) FRA 6-4, 6-4. R2 d Lucas Pouille (4) FRA 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. QF lost to Radu Albot (7) MDA 6-3, 6-3.

Atlanta ATP 250

Alex de Minaur R1 bye, R2 d Bradley Klahn USA 6-4, 6-4. QF d Bernard Tomic 6-2, 3-0. SF d Reilly Opelka 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 6-3. Final d Taylor Fritz (2) USA 6-3, 7-6(2)
Jordan Thompson lost to Cameron Norrie GBR 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3
Alexei Popyrin d Denis Kudla USA 6-3, 6-4. R2 d Pierre-Hugues Herbert (4) FRA 7-5, 6-3. QF lost to Cameron Norrie GBR 7-5, 6-4.
Bernard Tomic d Frances Tiafoe (5) USA 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4). R2 d Matt Ebden AUS 6-4, 7-6(3). QF lost to Alex de Minaur AUS 6-2, 3-0 Ret back injury
Matt Ebden d Kamil Majchrzak (Q) POL 7-6(3), 6-3. R2 lost to Bernard Tomic AUS 6-4, 7-6(3).

Palermo WTA International

Daria Gavrilova lost to Jill Teichmann SUI 7-6(3), 7-5

Newport ATP 250

Jordan Thompson (3) Rd1 bye. R2 lost to Marcel Granollers ESP 6-2, 7-6(6)
Matthew Ebden Rd1 d Brayden Schnur CAN 6-1, 2-6, 6-3. R2 d Denis Kudla USA 6-2, 6-2. R3 lost to John Isner (1/W) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Alex Bolt (Q) lost to Alexander Bublik KAZ 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(4)

Lausanne WTA International

Daria Gavrilova R1 d Ylena in-Albon 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. R2 lost to Natalia Vikhlyantseva RUS 6-3, 6-2
Sam Stosur R1 d Barbara Haas (Q) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. R2 d Allie Kiick (Q) USA 6-3, 7-5. R3 lost to Fiona Ferro FRA 6-4, 6-2.

Bucharest WTA International

Jaimee Fourlis (Q) Rd 1 d  Irina Bara (WC) ROM 6-3, 7-6(6). R2 lost to Viktoria Kuzmova (2) SVK 7-5, 6-2.

Wimbledon

Ladies

Ash Barty (1) d Zheng Saisai CHN 6-4, R2 d Alison Van Uytvanck BEL 6-1, 6-3. R3 d Harriet Dart (W) GBR 6-1, 6-1. R4 lost to Alison Riske USA 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
Ajla Tomljanovic d Daria Kasatkina (29) RUS 6-3, 6-1. R2 lost to Victoria Azarenka BLR 6-2, 6-0.
Daria Gavrilova lost to Elina Svitolina (8) UKR 7-5, 6-0
Astra Sharma lost to Sofia Kenin (27) USA 6-4, 6-2
Sam Stosur lost to Carla Suarez Navarro (30) ESP 6-2 7-5
Arina Rodionova (Q) lost to Taylor Townsend USA 6-2 6-3 

Gentlemen’s 

Alex de Minaur (25) d Marco Cucchinato ITA 6-0, 6-4, 7-6(5), R2 lost to Steve Johnson USA 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
Nick Kyrgios d Jordan Thompson 7-6(4)3-6, 7-6(10), 0-6, 6-1, R2 lost to Rafael Nadal ESP 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(3)
Jordan Thompson lost to Nick Kyrgios 7-6(4)3-6, 7-6(10), 0-6, 6-1
John Millman d Hugo Dellien BOL 6-2 6-3 6-4, R2 d Laslo Dere SRB 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. R3 lost to Sam Querrey USA 7-6(3), 7-6(8), 6-3
Matthew Ebden lost to Diego Schwartzman (24) ARG 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6 
Bernard Tomic lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga FRA 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 
Alexie Popyrin (Q) d Pablo Carreno Busta ESP 7-6(2), 7-5, 6-2. R2 lost to Daniil Medvedev (11) RUS 6-7(6), 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Eastbourne

John Millman lost to Fernando Verdasco (5) ESP 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1

Ash Barty withdrew due to an arm injury
Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova RUS 6-2, 7-6(1)
Sam Stosur (Q) d Sofia Kenin USA 6-2, 6-3. Rd 2 lost to Angelique Kerber GER 6-4, 6-4
Daria Gavrilova (LL) d Viktorija Golobic (LL) SUI 6-0, 6-7(2), 7-6(6). R2 lost to Shuai Zhang CHN 6-3 6-1

Antalya

Jordan Thompson (3) Rd 1 bye. R2 d Bradley Klahn USA 7-6(7), 6-3. QF d Damir Dzumhur (5) BIH 7-5, 1-0 Ret. SF lost to Miomir Kecmanovic SRB 6-7(5), 6-7(5), 7-6(1)
Bernard Tomic d Andreas Seppi (7) ITA 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. R2 d Peter Gojowczyk GER 7-6(3), 6-3. QF lost to Pablo Carreno Busta (4) ESP 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-4
Matthew Ebden lost to Damir Dzumhur (5) BIH 6-4, 7-5

Wimbledon Qualifying

Men’s

James Duckworth d Jan Choinski GBR 6-1, 7-5. R2 lost to Viktor Galovic CRO 3-6, 6-3, 11-9
Marc Polmans d Mohamed Safwat EGY 6-1, 6-3. R2 lost to Soonwoo Kwon (24) KOR 6-2, 6-2
Andrew Harris d Enrique Lopez Perez ESP 6-2, 7-5. R2 d SergiyStakhovsky (17) UKR 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Rd3 lost to Corentin Moutet (1) FRA 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Jason Kubler d Henri Laaksonen (2) SUI 6-2,5-7, 7-5. R2 d Norbert Gombos SVK 7-6(5), 7-6(1). Rd3 lost to Yasutaka Uchiyama JPN 3-6, 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3
Alexei Popyrin (4) d Federico Coria ARG 6-2, 7-5. R2 d Mats Moraing GER 6-1, 3-6, 6-1. Rd3 d Bjorn Fratangelo (27) USA 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-7(4), 7-6(6)
John-Patrick Smith d Nicolas Mahut FRA 6-3, 6-4. R2 lost to Salvatore Caruso (18) ITA 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Alex Bolt d Jannik Sinner ITA 2-6, 7-5, 12-10. R2 lost to Dennis Novak (14) AUT 6-4, 6-2
Akira Santillan d Jurij Rodionov 6-3, 6-1. R2 lost to Ruben Bemelmans BEL 6-7(5), 6-3, 12-10

Women’s

Zoe Hives lost to Anna Blinkova (2) RUS 6-1,7-5
Destanee Aiava lost to Martina Di Giuseppe ITA 7-6(3), 6-4
Kimberly Birrell lost to Misaki Doi (4) JPN 6-1, 4-6, 7-5
Arina Rodionova d Asia Muhammad USA 7-6(6), 6(2)-7, 8-6. R2 d Misaki Doi (4) JPN 6-4, 6-2. Rd3 d Danielle Lao USA 0-6, 6-1, 6-1
Priscilla Hon (23) d Katarina Zavatska UKR 7-5, 6-3. R2 lost to Catherine McNally USA 6-4, 6-4.
Ellen Perez lost to Elena Rybakina (8) KAZ 6-1, 6-4
Kaylah Mcphee d Maia Lumsden GBR 6-4, 6-4. R2 lost to Liudmila Samsonova (31) RUS 6-2, 7-6(5)

London / Queen’s Club ATP 500

Alex de Minaur lost to Aljaz Bedene (Q) SLO 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
Nick Kyrgios d Roberto Carballes Baena ESP 7-6(4), 6-3. R2 lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime (8) 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 7-5.

Halle ATP 500

John Millman lost to Roger Federer (1) SUI 7-6(1), 6-3
Matthew Ebden lost to Radu Albot MDA 5-7, 6-1, 6-4

Birmingham WTA Premier

Ashleigh Barty (2) d Donna Vekic CRO 6-3, 6-4. R2 d Jennifer Brady USA 6-3, 6-1. QF d Venus Williams (W) USA 6-4, 6-3. SF d Barbora Strycova CZE 6-4, 6-4. Final d Julia Goerges GER 6-3, 7-5 to claim world no. 1.

Mallorca WTA International

Ajla Tomljanovic d Monica Puig PUR 6-4, 7-5. R2 lost to Anastasija Sevastova (2) LAT 6-2, 6-1
Samantha Stosur (W) d Zheng Saisai CHN 6-4, 7-5. R2 lost to Elise Mertens (4) BEL 6-3, 6-3

s-Hertogenbosch ATP 250 and WTA International

Alex de Minaur (3) R1 bye. R2 d Andreas Seppi ITA 7-5, 6-3. QF lost to Jordan Thompson 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Matt Ebden lost to Pierre-Henri Herbert FRA 6-4, 7-5
Jordan Thompson d Tommy Paul (Q) USA 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. R2 d Frances Tiafoe (6) USA 6-3, 6-2. QF d Alex de Minaur (3) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. SF d Richard Gasquet (8) FRA 7-5, 6-3. Final lost to Adrian Mannarino FRA 7-6(7), 6-3

Women

Priscilla Hon (Q) lost to Paula Badosa Gibert (Q) ESP 6-4, 6-3
Destanee Aiava (W) d Aryna Sabalenka (2) 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-4. R2 lost to Veronika Kudermetova RUS 6-3, 6-1

Stuttgart ATP 250

John Millman lost to Dustin Brown (Q) GER 6-4, 7-6(3)
Nick Kyrgios lost to Matteo Berrettini ITA 6-3, 6-4
Alexei Popyrin lost to Milos Raonic  (6) CAN 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(4)

Nottingham WTA International

Ajla Tomljanovic (6) d Danielle Lao (Q) USA 6-2, 6-3. R2 d Harriet Dart GBR 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-2. QF lost to Tatjana Maria (9) GER 6-3, 7-6(7)
Astra Sharma d Magdalena Rybarikova SVK 6-1, 0-0 Ret. R2 lost to Kristina Mladenovic (8) FRA 6-1, 7-5
Ellen Perez (Q) lost to Ivana Jorovic SRB 6-3, 6-4

French Open – Roland Garros

Men’s Singles

Bernard Tomic lost to Taylor Fritz USA 6-1, 6-4, 6-1
Nick Kyrgios withdrew from the tournament
John Millman lost to Alexander Zverev (5) GER 7-6(4), 6-3, 2-6, 5-7(5), 6-3
Matthew Ebden lost to Gregoire Barrere (W) FRA 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1
Jordan Thompson d Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (LL) ESP 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(3). R2 d Ivo Karlovic CRO 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-3. R2 lost to Juan-Martin Del Potro (8) ARG 6-4, 6-4, 6-0
Alexei Popyrin (W) d Ugo Humbert FRA 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(10), 6-3. R2 lost to Laslo Djere (31) SRB 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-4
Alex de Minaur (21) d Bradley Klahn USA 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. R2 lost to Pablo Carreno Busta ESP 6-3, 6-1, 6-1

Women’s Singles

Priscilla Hon d Timea Babos (LL) Hun 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. R2 lost to Madison Keys (14) USA 7-5, 5-7, 6-3
Ashleigh Barty (8) d Jessica Pegula USA 6-3, 6-3. R2 d Danielle Collins USA 7-5, 6-1. R3 d Andrea Petkovic GER 6-3, 6-1. R4 d Sofia Kenin USA 6-3, 3-6, 6-0. QF d Madison Keys (14) USA 6-3, 7-5. SF d Amanda Anisimova USA 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3. Final d Marketa Vondrousova CZE 6-1, 6-3
Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Simona Halep (3) ROM 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
Daria Gavrilova lost to Aleksandra Krunic SRB 6-3, 2-2 Ret
Sam Stosur d Barbora Strycova CZE 6-2, 7-6(3). R2 lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova RUS 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
Astra Sharma lost to Shelby Rogers USA 6-3, 6-3

ATP Tour

Geneva ATP 250

Matt Ebden (7) lost to Nicolas Jarry CHI 6-2, 7-6(4)
Jordan Thompson lost to Denis Kudla USA 5-7, 6-2, 6-4

Lyon ATP 250

Bernard Tomic lost to Steven Diez (Q) CAN 6-4, 4-1 ret.
John Millman d Pablo Andujar ESP 6-1, 6-3. R2 lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime CAN 7-6(3), 7-5

WTA Tour

Strasbourg International 

Astra Sharma (Q) d Zhang Shuai CHN 6-4, 6-1. R2 lost to Monica Puig PUR 6-3, 6-2
Daria Gavrilova d Diana Marcinkevica (LL) LAT 7-5, 7-5. R2 d Amandine Hesse (W) FRA 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. QF lost to Chloe Paquet FRA 6-3, 7-6(1)
Sam Stosur d Jessica Pegula USA 6-3, 6-1. R2 lost to Diana Yastremska (6) UKR 6-0, 6-2

Nürnberg International 

Ajla Tomljanovic (3) d Sabine Lisicki (W) GER 6-2, 7-5. R2 lost to Tamara Zidansek SLO 6-3, 6-4

Ash Barty wins the WTA Finals to cap off an amazing year but one prize still remains

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Australia’s world no. 1 Ash Barty faced Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the WTA Finals final. The winner would walk away with the largest winner’s purse in tennis history.

Barty opened the serving and dropped just three points on serve over the opening three games against Svitolina the defending champion.

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Ukraine’s Svitolina went into the final unbeaten and also held a 4-0 head-to-head record against the Australian world no. 1.

Both players were holding serve with ease and no player face deuce until Barty in the ninth game after she hit an unforced error into the net.

The first break opportunity came on the next point when Svitolina hit a winner. She could not convert as she hit wide. Barty brought up Ad with a great down the line passing shot.

Another Barty unforced error saw her go back to deuce. A few points later Barty was able to escape from that game to lead 5-4.

In the tenth game Svitolina opened with two unforced errors to fall behind 0-30. Barty eased the pressure when she missed badly on a second serve forehand return, then another unforced error got it to 30-30.

Barty earned her first break point when she hit a forehand winner from mid-court. It was also a set point for the Australian but she pushed a forehand wide to waste that opportunity. A well hit forehand which forced Svitolina to lob saw Barty smash a winner to earn a second set point.

Barty made a move to the net looking to claim the set but Svitolina handled the pressure and slotted a passing shot down the line.

A kind net cord for Barty saw the ball trickle over to bring up a third set point. Svitolina presented Barty a short second serve that Barty stepped into and hit a forehand winner to take the first set 6-4.

Barty held easily to open the second set before putting pressure on Svitolina’s serve in the second game but the Ukrainian escaped the game to see the score at 1-1.

Barty sliced long to fall to 15-30 in the third game of the set. A repeat of an unforced slice error, that this time went into the net gave Svitolina two break points. A double-fault handed the game to her opponent.

After Barty hit a drop shot to bring Svitolina to the net and then hit a second shot down the line that just caught the edge of the line the Australian was at 30-30.

A forehand winner gave her a break-back-point which she converted after great court coverage that was sealed by a smash winner.

Barty held to love to move to 3-2.

Svitolina called her coach to the sideline after that game.

A shot that was called in on the sideline was challenged by Barty and was shown to be out for Barty to move to 0-15 in the sixth game.

An unforced error from Barty and then a winner from Svitolina as she attacked the net saw the defending champion at 30-15 before she hit wide to have the score at 30-30.

A break point was for Barty after Svitolina hit a forehand into the net. As Barty had done earlier in the set it was a double fault by Svitolina that handed the break to her opponent. Barty was now ahead 4-2.

Some amazing court coverage by Barty on the third point saw her move to 30-15 but then a backhand into the net have Svitolina some hope. A double-fault served up a break-back-point to the Ukrainian. With the court open down the line Barty pushed her shot wide to let Svitolina back into the match.

The seventh game showed how quickly momentum could change. Barty looked set to move to 5-2 however a few errors and it was back on serve at 3-4 with Svitolina serving.

The players traded winners to open the eighth game. Another winner from Barty gave her 15-30. Barty was toying with Svitolina on the next point and she worked her way to the net to volley for 15-40.

The net cord this time favoured Svitolina as a Barty shot hit the net cord and then fell back on the Australian’s side. An unforced error then a forced error saw Svitolina move to Ad.

Svitolina hit a backhand into the net to see the score at deuce. Barty looked to be in control of the next point before a good lob from Svitolina saw her push Barty to the baseline before the Australian made an error.

Barty had Svitolina on the run before forcing an error from the Ukrainian for another break point. A backhand that went wide from Svitolina saw Barty move to 5-3 and with the opportunity to serve for the Billy Jean King trophy.

Svitolina was again off target as she hit wide to give Barty the first point. A backhand wide to the other sideline saw Barty two point from victory. Barty pushed Svitolina deep and it was championship point for Barty.

The title was hers after Svitolina hit a forehand into the net. The final score was 6-4, 6-3 after 1 hour 26 minutes.

Barty’s winning check of $4.42 million is the biggest ever in professional tennis.

This capped off an amazing year for Barty on the WTA tour but there is one more goal for the Australian as she will fly to Perth to lead Australia in the Fed Cup final against France.

France’s Kristina Mladenovic teamed up with Timea Babos to defend their doubles title. They defeated Hsieh Su-Wei and Barbora Strycova 6-1, 6-3.

Mladenovic will be facing Barty in Perth as part of the French team.

At the start of the year Robicia tennis shared a cruise on Sydney Harbour with Barty and several other players including then no. 1 Simona Halep.

Barty spoke about having all four of her wisdom teeth pulled out at the start of the off season, and about her four dogs who are “energetic and a good use for four extra pillows when you need them.” Barty also shared that her ultimate goal for the year is to get in the top 10, and she also wants to go deeper in the grand slams.

The likeable Australian exceeded all expectations in 2019.
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Barty fights back to book WTA finals berth

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World no. 1 Ash Barty has come back from a set down to defeat world no. 2 Karolina Pliskova and advance to the final where she will face the defending champion Elina Svitolina.

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The score was 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 with the match lasting 1 hour and 53 minutes.

Pliskova had eight break point opportunities in the first set and claimed one to give her the early advantage.

After dropping the first set the Australian had a chat with her coach and made some adjustments to her game. They paid off as she broke her Czech opponent twice in the second set.

It was Barty again that got the first break in the deciding set and that was enough to see her complete the win to advance to the final for the first time.

Barty hit 11 Aces and 36 winners to 23 for Pliskova. The unforced errors were 26 from Barty and 30 from Pliskova.

It was Barty’s movement around the court that helped her get the win.

Barty gets the better of Kvitova again to advance to the WTA finals semis

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After two tough losses to start the year against Petra Kvitova, Australia’s Ash Barty has recorded her third straight win over the Czech.
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This win came in a Red Group match to decide who would advance to the semifinals of the WTA finals in Shenzhen. Barty defeated Kvitova 6-4, 6-2.

Kvitova had defeated Barty in the Sydney International final and then at the Australian Open in the quarterfinals.

Barty secured top spot after the win.

The Australian served much better than during her previous match where she lost to Kiki Bertens. Barty was also cool under pressure and secured a break of serve in the fifth game of the first set.

Barty raced away with the match in the second set before securing the victory.

Belinda Bencic won her match after Bertens conceded the match at 1-0 in the second set. That win took the Swiss player into the semis.

Bertens subs in for Osaka and beats Barty for the first time

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Kiki Bertens has stepped in as an alternate to take the place of Naomi Osaka and face off against world no. 1 Ash Barty.

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Barty was in control in the first set and was twice up a break in the second set. Bertens however would not go away. She changed tactics and was often seen rushing the net.

A more aggressive game plan paid off and it was Bertens that took the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Osaka had injured her shoulder a few weeks ago in Beijing and thought after rest it would recover however after a tough match against Petra Kvitova she decided it was not up to playing another match.

Barty serving at 48% wasn’t good enough to fight off Bertens who served at 56%.

The winners favoured Bertens with 30 to 25 and the unforced errors were close with Bertens making 43 to Barty’s 41.

Red group is now wide open with all four players able to advance although if Bencic loses tonight she will be eliminated.

Tomljanovic into Round 2 of the China Open

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Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic was two points away from being sent packing in the first round of the China Open in Beijing, but her opponent, Chinese no. 1 Qiang Wang couldn’t finish the match due to heat cramping. Tomljanovic advanced to the second round, 5-7, 4-5 (ret.).

The match could have been over a lot sooner, with Wang storming out to a 5-1 lead, and serving for the first set, but the Australian found her form and fought back to level the score at 5 all. It still wasn’t enough for Tomljanovic, as Wang quickly finished up the last two games to win the first set.

Once again the Chinese dominated to lead 4-0, but Tomljanovic fought back again to 4 all as Wang began to suffer cramps in her right leg. She managed to hold on for one more game to lead again at 5-4, but with just two points from the second round, the pain became too much for Wang, and she couldn’t continue. She tried to stretch out her leg, with the Australian running over to help her, however, it did her no favour as her other leg began to cramp also. Wang was wheeled off court in a wheel chair with the Beijing crowd watching on in despair, having also just witnessed Chinese no. 2 Shuai Zhang lose a thriller to Angelique Kerber in the previous match.

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Photo: BEIJING, CHINA – SEPTEMBER 29: Qiang Wang of China gets injured while Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia tries to help during the women’s singles first round match of 2019 China Open at the China National Tennis Center on September 29, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Xinyu Cui/Getty Images)

Tomljanovic will face American Alison Riske in the second round.

Barty loses chance to return to no. 1

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Australia’s Ash Barty has lost to Russian wildcard Svetlana Kuznetsova. The former US and French Open champion winning the match 6-2, 6-4.

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Kuznetsova was down 2-0 and stormed back to win six straight games to claim the first set.
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If Barty reached the final she would have returned to no. 1. As it is Naomi Osaka will hold onto the top spot.

Barty had a poor serving performance, serving at just 51% compared with 73% from her opponent.

Kenin bundles Barty out of the Rogers Cup – Osaka one win from no. 1 ranking but Pliskova also in the hunt

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USA’s Sofia Kenin has defeated world no. 1 Ash Barty in a round two match at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. The world no. 29 coming from behind to take the match 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4.

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Kenin and simply was too good for Barty.

Kenin said, “I think today I wasn’t able to adapt quickly enough or well enough to play a match of the standard that I expect myself to play and I want myself to play. Sofia served today in the big moments. She served particularly well and got a lot of free points.

“I think these are courts where you need to be aggressive. You need to be confident and trust yourself and really hit through the ball, and today I didn’t have quite enough of that. And against a player like Sofia, who hits the ball so cleanly and so aggressive and takes it so early, that’s something you need.

“It wasn’t there today, but she played an exceptional match when she needed to, and in the big moments she played some really good stuff.”

Following the loss Barty’s world no. 1 ranking is at risk. The most recent world no. 1 Naomi Osaka just needs to defeat German qualifier Tatjana Maria in their round two match to retake the no. 1 ranking.

Depending on results, Karolina Pliskova could also take the no. 1 ranking.

Pliskova sends a warning ahead of Wimbledon

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Karolina Pliskova has shown just how well she can play on grass, defeating defending Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-4 to claim her second Eastbourne title.
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The first came two years ago where she would go onto Wimbledon and lose in the second round to Magdalena Rybarikova the world no. 87 at the time.

Despite the early exit, Pliskova would rise to no. 1 after Wimbledon.

This time heading into Wimbledon after winning the Eastbourne title, Pliskova is confident she will go further this year. The current world no. 3 has the 1994 Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez as her coach.

Could this be the edge she needs to go all the way and claim her first Grand Slam title.

Against Kerber the Czech player was in superb form. She was blasting winners and serving well to never let Kerber into the match.

Just two days earlier it was Kerber that was looking in great form as she defeated Simona Halep.

Pliskova opens her Wimbledon campaign on Monday against China’s Zhu Lin the world no. 101.

Kerber opens her title defence on Tuesday against fellow German and world no. 65 Tatjana Maria.