<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/francisco-cerundolo">Francisco Cerundolo</a> has done it. After falling short in the decider twice, the world No. 19 finally got over the hump in his third Argentina Open final to win the tournament for the first time in his career.



“Winning here is special … I wanted to win here,” admitted Cerundolo in his postgame press conference after taking down Luciano Darderi (6-4, 6-2) on Sunday, with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en">Bolavip</a> in attendance.



The trophy in his native Buenos Aires had been quite elusive for the 27-year-old, who lost to fellow countryman Diego Schwartzman in the 2021 final before being upset by Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca in the title game last year.



<h2>Cerundolo wants to build on Buenos Aires triumph to succeed in Brazil</h2>



This time, Cerundolo redeemed himself in a memorable week where he won all his games in straight sets. But as happy as he feels about this unforgettable triumph in front of his family and friends, Cerundolo is already setting his sights in his next challenge on the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/atp">ATP</a> tour: the 2026 Rio Open.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/15183927/francisco-cerundolo-celebrates-1920x1080.webp" alt="Francisco Cerundolo celebrates after winning the 2026 Argentina Open." class="wp-image-580591"></figure><figcaption>Francisco Cerundolo celebrates after winning the 2026 Argentina Open.</figcaption></figure>



“This sport is tough, tomorrow I’m taking a plane to Rio and I already have to change the mindset,” Cerundolo said. “I will try to give my best in Rio, I know there’s 500 points at stake, it’s a lot of points and I would also like to continue winning.”


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Fresh off his 2026 Argentina Open victory—the fourth ATP title in his career—Cerundolo will be back on the tennis court soon. On Tuesday, he’s playing fellow Argentine Mariano Navone in the 2026 Rio Open round of 32.



<h2>Cerundolo’s goals for 2026 involving Grand Slams and top opponents</h2>



Speaking to reporters after the Buenos Aires final, with Bolavip in the press room after following him throughout the tournament, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis/atp-world-no-19-francisco-cerundolo-reveals-ambitious-grand-slam-goals-after-tough-2025">Cerundolo also referred to his Grand Slam goals for 2026</a>.



“I don’t set a fixed goal for myself, I just want to perform better in those tournaments because it’s what I lacked last year,” he explained, days after mentioning that one of his goals for 2026 is to improve his performance at the Majors.



“I think I had a great tournament at the Australian Open, reaching the round of 16 and losing to a player who was better than me and almost beat (Carlos) Alcaraz in the semis,” Cerundolo said in reference to German star Alexander Zverev.



“My goal is to play my best tennis every week and face the world’s best players. If one wants to improve and climb in the ranking, you have to face the best in those stages and aspire to beat them.”



<h2>A promising start to 2026 for Cerundolo</h2>



It is a promising moment in Cerundolo’s career. At 27, he’s finally establishing himself as the best <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis">tennis</a> player in Argentina, winning the only tournament played in the country while being the nation’s best-ranked player.



2026 is all about improvement for Cerundolo. He’s already won a tournament he’d been chasing for years now, and finds himself only one spot behind his career-best ranking (No. 18 on May 5, 2025).



When the time comes, Cerundolo will hope to get past the fourth round at the Roland Garros, having reached that round of the French Open twice already (2023, 2024). But first, the reigning Argentina Open champion will be looking to build on his recent triumph to make another deep run in Brazil.

Argentina Open champion Francisco Cerundolo already sets sights in Rio after strong start to 2026

Argentina Open champion Francisco Cerundolo already sets sights in Rio after strong start to 2026 - Bolavip US

miniaturas

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/alex-de-minaur">Alex de Minaur</a> emerged victorious at the ATP 500 tournament in Rotterdam and, speaking after the match, the Australian revealed that he is aiming to win even bigger titles this season as he chases a Grand Slam title.



De Minaur won the match comfortably against Felix Auger-Aliassime at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en">Bolavip</a> had the chance to ask both finalists a couple of questions after the game.



The Australian was a happy man after winning his first indoor title, and claiming the trophy in Rotterdam after losing two consecutive finals in that tournament meant a lot to him.



“I am super happy I finally got the title here in Rotterdam. I mean, I have lost two finals in a row, but they were against (Jannik) Sinner and Carlos (Alcaraz), and they are not the worst to lose against. I was trying to tell myself that as well when I lost last year,” de Minaur said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/15131643/de-minaur-1-right-size-title-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-580392"></figure><figcaption>Alex de Minaur celebrating winning a match</figcaption></figure>



“I have not been playing my best tennis this week, but I played extremely well today. I stepped up to the occasion, so I am super proud of myself. I am really happy to get my first indoor title.”



<h2>Auger-Aliassime credits de Minaur after Rotterdam Open final</h2>


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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/felix-auger-aliassime">Auger-Aliassime</a> acknowledged that his opponent on the other side of the net was simply too good on the day, which the scoreline also showed, as he suffered a straight-sets defeat of 6-3, 6-2.



“Big credit to Alex, he is a very tough competitor,” the Canadian said. “With my level today, it was simply not enough to beat him. I was aware of the challenge, but he was just too good today. There is a reason why he was the No. 1 seed. He is super consistent and you have to play at your best to beat him.”



During the second set, Auger-Aliassime received an off-court medical timeout, but he assured his fans that they do not have to worry: “No, no, there is no reason to be worried, it is not an injury. I was just feeling some tightness in my left leg, but I am definitely not worried about it. I have just played a lot of matches in a row now, but it is nothing to be worried about.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/15131726/felix-right-size-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-580393"></figure><figcaption>Felix Auger-Aliassime trying to reach the ball</figcaption></figure>



<h2>De Minaur sets big Grand Slam goal</h2>



Neither de Minaur nor Auger-Aliassime have ever won a Masters 1000 or a Grand Slam title, despite consistently being among the best players on the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/atp">ATP</a> Tour. But they are hoping for that to change in the near future as they both chase glory at the Majors.



“My whole life and my whole career, I haven’t been one to speak with words out loud. I let my actions do the talking, but of course I am dreaming about winning Grand Slams. One hundred percent. That is the ultimate goal for me and every tennis player, and I will do everything in my power to win a Grand Slam,” said de Minaur, who elaborated that he is aiming to win one already this year.



“I suffered a very tough defeat at the Australian Open, but I got back up and the year is long. There are still three more Grand Slams and countless Masters, so I am hoping to step up and win some of those big titles.”



<h2>De Minaur names the key for him to succeed</h2>



The Australian revealed that his self-belief has increased significantly as he has learned more about his game over the past year, and he specifically pointed to his serve as being key when facing top players, as what used to be his weak spot has improved a lot, according to him. Curiously, his mobility also drew praise from <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis/francisco-cerundolo-names-jannik-sinner-carlos-alcaraz-and-novak-djokovic-to-build-the-ideal-atp-player">Francisco Cerundolo when building the ideal ATP player</a>.



“I think I have improved so much, so I believe I can compete for these titles. My serve has improved, which is super important for me. Everyone knows what I can do from the baseline, and if my serve can help me get more free points, then it makes my life a lot easier, and it will definitely be easier to win the big titles,” added de Minaur, who improved his first-serve percentage a lot this season, getting more first serves in and also winning more points behind his first serve, something he is aiming to keep focusing on.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/15132053/de-minaur-featured-image-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-580401"></figure><figcaption>Alex de Minaur celebrates during a game</figcaption></figure>



“The key for me is to make a lot of first serves. This week I haven’t been bombing serves, because I don’t always need to do that. I need to hit a high percentage, and I am finally finding the balance so I am not jeopardizing that first serve.



“But it is a tough balance between having a high enough percentage and still doing enough with my serve. In the past, my percentage has been too low, which has cost me crucial matches against the best players in the world, like Sinner and Alcaraz. I have made it difficult for myself in the past.”



<h2>Auger-Aliassime eyes Grand Slam glory as well</h2>



Despite losing the match, Auger-Aliassime shared some big dreams for the rest of the season, as he revealed that he is chasing a top-eight spot so that he can qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin, but more than that, he is going for the big titles, including a Grand Slam.



“First of all, my goal for this season is to be back in Turin. That would be great and that is my main goal for the season. If you qualify for Turin, that shows that you have been super consistent throughout the season,” Auger-Aliassime said.



“In terms of tournaments, I haven’t won a Masters 1000 or a Grand Slam yet, so I am really chasing these titles now. That is what I am trying to do, and I will do everything I can to achieve it soon. I have improved a lot in the last few years and I am serving much better now. I used to have a lot of ups and downs and be a bit more inconsistent.”



<h2>Auger-Aliassime believes Mboko can also chase Grand Slam success</h2>



Victoria Mboko reached the final in Doha and Denis Shapovalov reached the semifinal in Dallas, which made this week quite a good one for Canadian <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis">tennis</a> players, despite not winning a single title, and that is something Auger-Aliassime is happy about:



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/15131801/Mboko-right-size-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-580395"></figure><figcaption>Victoria Mboko celebrating winning a point</figcaption></figure>



“I am always happy when the other Canadian tennis players are doing well. Gabriel Diallo had a great year last year and he is a really good friend of mine. Shapovalov did well in Dallas, Mboko did amazing things in Doha, so I am really happy.



“The thing is, compared to American, French or Italian players, we do not have as many. Obviously, the population is a lot smaller than in the USA, but we really pride ourselves on every player we have.”



Mboko had a marvelous week despite losing to Karolina Muchova in the final of the Masters 1000 event in Doha, and her compatriot Auger-Aliassime had some very kind words to share about the 19-year-old, saying that she has the potential to win many Grand Slams.



“We all support each other so everyone can have the best career possible. We are all very good friends, and on the women’s side as well, it is amazing to see a girl like Mboko being so young and playing such amazing tennis. She is playing at an incredibly high level,” Auger-Aliassime said.



“She really has the chance to have an amazing career and win many Grand Slams, and I will be behind her if she ever needs me. She can take care of herself, she is already a great player, but I will always be here for her.”

De Minaur and Auger-Aliassime aiming for Grand Slams after 2026 Rotterdam Open final

De Minaur and Auger-Aliassime aiming for Grand Slams after 2026 Rotterdam Open final - Bolavip US

Francisco Cerundolo is making headlines at the 2026 Argentina Open, where <a href="https://bolavip.com/en">Bolavip</a> witnessed him reach his third final. Back in the decider for the second straight year after losing to Joao Fonseca in 2025 and having already fallen to fellow countryman Diego Schwartzman in the 2021 final, Cerundolo is looking to get over the hump once and for all on home soil.



Before finding out that Luciano Darderi would be his opponent on Sunday, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/francisco-cerundolo">Cerundolo</a> addressed the media after his semifinal win over fellow Argentine Tomas Etcheverry (6-3, 7-5).



With Bolavip in attendance, Cerundolo was asked to build his ideal player choosing different active players at the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/atp">ATP</a>, including himself. He started by naming Jakub Mensik or Hubert Hurkacz for the serve.



Required to include himself, Cerundolo selected his forehand as his biggest strength. For the backhand, he went with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jannik-sinner">Jannik Sinner</a>. In mobility, Cerundolo opted for Alex de Minaur, while naming Carlos Alcaraz for overall play and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/novak-djokovic">Novak Djokovic</a> for the return of serves.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/14183422/francisco-cerundolo-press-1920x1080.webp" alt="Francisco Cerundolo at a press conference" class="wp-image-580074"></figure><figcaption>Bolavip is at the 2026 Argentina Open, where Francisco Cerundolo reached his third final.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Cerundolo chasing first Argentina Open title in year of big Grand Slam hopes</h2>



Earlier in the tournament, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis/atp-world-no-19-francisco-cerundolo-reveals-ambitious-grand-slam-goals-after-tough-2025">Cerundolo revealed his ambitious Grand Slam goals for this year after a tough 2025</a> where he failed to get past the third round at the Majors. He got off to a better start in 2026, reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open—tied with the 2023 and 2024 French Opens as his best Grand Slam results.


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But first he has to take care of business in Buenos Aires, where he’s looking to win a title that has been elusive so far. It’s a tournament where <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/carlos-alcaraz">Carlos Alcaraz</a> emerged victorious in 2023, and a victory would certainly boost Cerundolo’s Grand Slam aspirations in 2026.



The first upcoming Major on the schedule is Roland Garros, and a successful ending in Argentina could give Cerundolo hope ahead of the biggest tournament played on clay.

Francisco Cerundolo names Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic to build the ideal ATP player

Francisco Cerundolo names Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic to build the ideal ATP player - Bolavip US

Francisco Cerundolo is living up to the expectations at the 2026 Argentina Open, where <a href="https://bolavip.com/en">Bolavip</a> is witnessing the action with him as the first ranked player of the main draw following Lorenzo Musetti’s withdrawal due to injury.



The Argentine player, currently No. 19 in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/atp">ATP</a> world ranking, made it to the semifinals in Buenos Aires after defeating Czech player Vit Kopriva on Friday (6-4, 6-3). Now, he’s set to face fellow countryman Tomas Etcheverry, who took down the Chilean Alejandro Tabilo earlier in the same court (1-6, 6-3, 6-4).



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/francisco-cerundolo">Cerundolo</a> is now just one win away from making it to the Argentina Open final for the second straight year, having lost to Joao Fonseca in the 2025 decider. It was the second time he fell short in the final, having already lost to fellow Argentine Diego Schwartzman in 2021.



<h2>Cerundolo targets Grand Slam improvement in 2026</h2>



And while he’s excited about the shot at redemption in his land, Cerundolo has already set bigger goals for this year. After struggling to get results in the 2025 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/grand-slam">Grand Slams</a>, he hopes to make deeper runs in the 2026 Majors.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/13182045/francisco-cerundolo-1920x1080.webp" alt="Francisco Cerundolo speaking to reporters" class="wp-image-579491"></figure><figcaption>Bolavip was at Francisco Cerundolo’s press conference after the 2026 Argentina Open quarterfinals.</figcaption></figure>



“I had a great year in 2025 but I feel like I failed in the Grand Slams, so I wanted to focus on that this year. I’m currently at No. 19, to keep progressing in the ranking I must perform well in the big tournaments where you get more points,” Cerundolo said at his postgame press conference, with Bolavip in attendance.


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“So one of my goals this year is to get as many points as possible in the Majors so that then the 250 or 500 tournaments also help. Since I feel like I failed in that regard last year, one of the goals I set for myself this year is to have better performances in the Grand Slams.”



<h2>Cerundolo’s performance at the Majors</h2>



Cerundolo’s best result in a Grand Slam last year came at the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/australian-open">Australian Open</a>, where he reached the third round. That performance was followed with consecutive first-round exits at the French Open and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/wimbledon">Wimbledon</a>, respectively, before a second-round elimination at the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/us-open">US Open</a>.



The Argentine player, who boasts three ATP 250 titles at 27, recently matched his best Grand Slam result, having reached the fourth round of the 2026 Australian Open—a stage he reached twice at the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/french-open">French Open</a> (2023, 2024).



Now just one spot shy of his career-high at the ATP world ranking (No. 18 on May 5, 2025), Cerundolo is looking to build on a promising performance at the Majors to take a step further in his career.

ATP World No. 19 Francisco Cerundolo reveals ambitious Grand Slam goals after tough 2025

ATP World No. 19 Francisco Cerundolo reveals ambitious Grand Slam goals after tough 2025 - Bolavip US

Wednesday’s game between Hubert Hurkacz and Alexander Bublik at the Rotterdam Open has already sparked a lot of debate, and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en">Bolavip</a> spoke to both players after their match, with them having very different approaches to the interview. The encounter was dramatic from start to finish, but the post-match reactions may have generated just as much attention as the tennis itself.



Bublik beat Hurkacz 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, and even though the scoreline alone was intense, it was Bublik’s on-court antics that drew the spotlight. His comments during the match quickly caught attention not only inside the arena but also across social media, where fans reacted strongly to his remarks.



The Kazakhstani repeatedly directed comments toward Hurkacz throughout the match. While tennis fans are accustomed to Bublik’s emotional outbursts, this time they seemed to resonate more widely than usual. After the match, Bolavip spoke to both players about the incidents and their perspectives.



<h2>Hurkacz shuts down: No comment</h2>



During the match, Bublik said there are 20 players in the Rotterdam draw who “can’t play <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis">tennis</a>,” adding that he was frustrated to draw Hurkacz, against whom he had a negative head-to-head record, with the Polish serve specialist leading 6-1 before this encounter. Despite the pointed nature of the comment, Hurkacz did not want to respond. “I don’t have any comments on that,” he said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/11125745/Hurkcz-right-size-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-578054"></figure><figcaption>Hurkacz disappointed after losing a game</figcaption></figure>



Furthermore, Bublik remarked that Hurkacz’s game consists of “ace, ace, double fault, double fault, shank.” Once again, Hurkacz refused to engage in any back-and-forth regarding the statement, saying: “I don’t want to comment on it.”



A decisive moment in the match came when Hurkacz served for it in the second set and produced three double faults in a single game. It was clearly a disappointing stretch for the Pole, especially given the timing. Reflecting on that moment, Hurkacz said: “Obviously it was disappointing, but I was just trying to focus on the next game. It is always difficult to play against him. He is a great player and it is always a battle.”



<h2>Nothing positive to take away from this match</h2>



Despite coming away with the victory, Bublik was far from satisfied with his own performance. In fact, he was unusually critical of himself during his conversation with Bolavip. His assessment of the match was blunt from the very beginning.



“Today was a very low-level match. I was lucky to win, I didn’t deserve the win, but he just gave me the match. I didn’t do anything well, he just gave me the win,” Bublik began in his interview.



He continued by explaining how little confidence he had during the contest, even revealing that he mentally prepared for defeat before the turning point. “When I saw the draw I already thought, why should I come here? During the match, I already packed my stuff before he made three double faults, because I was 100% sure I was going to lose, but then he gave me the three double faults. There is nothing positive to take away from this match,” said Bublik, clearly unhappy with his level.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/11125825/Bublik-right-size-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-578055"></figure><figcaption>Bublik with a cheeky smile</figcaption></figure>



When asked specifically about the comments he made during the match, the world No. 10 insisted they were not meant as criticism but rather as a description of what he felt was happening on court. He emphasized that he was simply stating what he observed about Hurkacz’s playing style.



“I was not criticizing him, I was just stating the fact that he only made aces, double faults and a shank. I looked like Djokovic because I actually had a rhythm, that is it,” Bublik added, making his stance very clear regarding his earlier remarks.



“Well about the comment on the draw, I just meant what I said about getting him in my draw. He is the only player in the draw I have that bad of a head-to-head against. Except for Daniil, but he was seeded, so I couldn’t play him in the first round. I guess that was what I meant.”



Another topic that has sparked a debate in Rotterdam is the balls. Recently, we spoke to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis/atp-stars-alex-de-minaur-arthur-fils-voice-frustration-over-head-tennis-balls">Alex de Minaur and Arthur Fils, both of whom expressed frustration with the balls</a>. However, Bublik does not share those concerns and offered a different perspective: “Compared to what we played in Astana, this is a beautiful ball and a beautiful fast court,” implying that he has definitely seen worse in his career.

Alexander Bublik sets record straight on his antics, Hubert Hurkacz refuses to comment

Alexander Bublik sets record straight on his antics, Hubert Hurkacz refuses to comment - Bolavip US

Stefanos Tsitsipas was through a rough season last year, where he was dealing with a serious back injury, and now the Greek shares his very honest thoughts in this exclusive interview with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en">Bolavip</a>.



Last year was unlike anything he had experienced before. Battling a serious back injury, Tsitsipas endured a difficult season that saw him drop out of the top ten, now being ranked just 32 in the world.



In an exclusive interview with Bolavip at the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/atp">ATP</a> 500 tournament in Rotterdam, Tsitsipas opened up about the toll the past year has taken on him, sharing his honest feelings about injury, uncertainty, and how it affected his love for the game. The Greek star began the interview on a light note, joking: “Did it look like I was moving well on the court? It didn’t always feel like that.”



<h2>Feeling like an observer</h2>



From September onward, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stefanos-tsitsipas">Tsitsipas</a> only participated in one tournament—the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia. Aside from that single match, he was sidelined with injury, something he had never experienced before.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/11093915/Tsitsipas-right-size-2-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="Stefanos Tsitsipas playing" class="wp-image-577824"></figure><figcaption>Stefanos Tsitsipas struggled with injuries over the past year.</figcaption></figure>



“I had a long period without playing <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis">tennis</a>, which I had never had before during my career. I felt like I was away from the court and the competition. Suddenly, I was just an observer of tennis and the ATP Tour, rather than an active participant,” Tsitsipas told Bolavip.



Despite feeling relatively fit during his match against Arthur Rinderknech, Tsitsipas admitted that his back is still giving him trouble, and he’s trying to manage it: “It felt very odd and frustrating because I couldn’t do much. My back is like it is, and there are only so many things I can do. If it refuses to heal, all I can do is wait and consult as many specialists as possible.”



<h2>Uncertainty and priorities</h2>



Tsitsipas also revealed the emotional toll of his struggles. “I experienced a lot of uncertainty for many months. Even when I won the tournament in Dubai, I wasn’t sure if I could sustain that level or even continue playing. It kept getting worse during the spring, and eventually, I stopped enjoying the game.



“The game becomes less important, and health becomes the most important thing in your life. Even earlier this year, I still had a lot of uncertainty about my future,” Tsitsipas concluded the interview with Bolavip.



Tsitsipas won his match against Arthur Rinderknech and will face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp next. Given his recent revelations, it will be fascinating to see whether his body can keep up with the demands of the matches.

Exclusive: Stefanos Tsitsipas honestly admits he stopped enjoying tennis

Exclusive: Stefanos Tsitsipas honestly admits he stopped enjoying tennis - Bolavip US

Two ATP players have now joined the criticism voiced by Daniil Medvedev regarding the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tennis</a> balls, following his outspoken remarks during his match against Ugo Humbert.



Medvedev was visibly frustrated with the balls throughout his encounter with the Frenchman, repeatedly stating that tournaments should not buy or promote Head balls. He even claimed that the balls were not properly round.



Now, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/alex-de-minaur" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alex de Minaur</a> and Arthur Fils have publicly supported Medvedev’s stance, offering a frank assessment of the balls after their match against each other and voicing their clear frustration.



“I have struggled a lot in practice. I have actually been quite frustrated with the balls in practice, which is not like me. I do get what Daniil says about the balls,” de Minaur said in an interview with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en">Bolavip</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/10164546/De-Minaur-right-size-650x433.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-577617" width="650" height="433"></figure><figcaption>Alex de Minaur celebrating a point.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>It suits the big hitters</h2>



Alexander Zverev has previously pointed out that an increasing number of balls used on the ATP Tour favor certain playing styles, and de Minaur agrees with that view.


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“They are definitely not my favourite. I don’t think they are anyone’s favourite balls. They are very difficult to control,” the Australian explained to Bolavip before elaborating further:



“It is tough to explain it, but it is a very dead ball. It does suit the big hitters, the players that have a big revolution on the ball and are able to hit through that.”



Despite his criticism, de Minaur emphasized the importance of adapting rather than complaining. “But again, it is what it is. The ball or the court is not going to change and my job is to adapt and do my best and continue doing that.”



<h2>ATP has to do better</h2>



Arthur Fils was even more direct in his evaluation, stating that the balls fall well below the standards expected at the highest level of professional tennis, something that could impact the course of a game. “They are terrible. Really terrible. The ball is very bad. It is unbelievable.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1280" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/10165035/Arhutr-Fils-right-size-1-1920x1280.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-577622"></figure><figcaption>Arthur Fils kissing the Japan Open trophy.</figcaption></figure>



“When we are playing at this level, literally playing professionally, very good players, then watching the balls after two games getting bigger and very slow, that is not normal.”



Fils called on the ATP to take responsibility and address the issue. “I don’t know who is in charge of it, maybe ATP or whatever, but they have to do better, because it is not normal to play with these balls at our level,” he said.



Alex de Minaur won the match 7-6, 6-2 against Arthur Fils and will be playing the winner of Aleksandar Vukic and Stan Wawrinka, still with the same controversial balls, though.

ATP stars Alex de Minaur, Arthur Fils voice frustration over Head tennis balls

ATP stars Alex de Minaur, Arthur Fils voice frustration over Head tennis balls - Bolavip US

Mikael Ymer was beaten by his brother Elias Ymer in Stockholm on Tuesday, but after the match, Mikael decided to stay silent when Bolavip asked him about the consistency in doping cases.



The Swede was given an 18-month suspension back in 2023, when he missed out on three whereabouts, which is another term for unannounced doping tests.



Back then, he called his punishment unfair. But eventually, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis">tennis</a> world has seen other cases with different types of violations where the punishment has been shorter than the one Ymer received.



<h2>‘A lot could be said, but I don’t want to get suspended again’</h2>



During his postgame press conference, Bolavip asked Ymer about the consistency in doping cases after today’s match, but he didn’t want to comment on the case, as he implied he could get suspended again.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251014_BUS_509058_GettyImages-2196354957-1-1024x576_40a126f0.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-509066" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Mikael Ymer after winning a point. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



“There is a lot to be said and that could be said, but I don’t want to become suspended again, so I am gonna keep my mouth closed,” Ymer said.



Bolavip then asked Ymer the following question as a follow-up: “Do you fear you would be suspended if you say what you really think?”



“I do not want to comment further on it. I don’t want to put myself in a situation where people that I don’t… Yeah, I do not want to answer,” Ymer replied.



Bolavip would have liked to ask more questions about what Ymer meant and the transparency in these cases, but the interview ended on that note.

Ymer declines to comment on doping cases: ‘I don’t want to be suspended again’

Mikael Ymer decided to stay silent when Bolavip asked him about the consistency in doping cases in the tennis world.

Ymer declines to comment on doping cases: 'I don't want to be suspended again' - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/casper-ruud">Casper Ruud</a> is competing at the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm this week, and Bolavip had the chance to ask the Norwegian some questions on the first day of the tournament — including his performance in 2025, the ATP schedule, and his thoughts on Novak Djokovic‘s recent comments.



The 26-year-old won his biggest title this season when he secured the Masters 1000 title in Madrid, and the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis">tennis</a> star calls it a memorable year. However, he is not fully satisfied with the way he has performed in 2025 so far.



But Ruud is still aiming to end a long season with a spot in the ATP Finals, despite currently being nearly 1,000 points away from the number eight spot in the live race to Turin.



Speaking of ending a long season, Ruud pointed out the fact that the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/atp">ATP</a> calendar is still too long, specifically mentioning the Paris Masters as an issue. He also commented on the economic motivation to play as many tournaments as possible, as the players get a cut in the bonus if they miss out on a mandatory event.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251013_BUS_508182_casper-ruud-norway-1024x576_78f43b5f.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Casper Ruud during a match." class="wp-image-508297" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Casper Ruud during a match.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>A season of highs and lows for Ruud</h2>



As mentioned earlier, Ruud won the biggest title of his career, but on the other hand, the Norwegian failed to win back-to-back matches in the Grand Slams this season. Hence, Ruud is not super satisfied with his 2025 season.


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“It has been a mixture of highs and lows,” Ruud tells Bolavip. “This is the first season where I have experienced being out a few weeks in a row with my knee. That was a new challenge, obviously.



“It was a memorable season because of the Madrid title, but I am not sitting here being super satisfied overall. There were too many early losses in tournaments, but I try to learn from those. Like I said, it will be memorable because I won the biggest title in my career this year, and I was playing some really good tennis during that time.”



<h2>All or nothing mentality</h2>



The 26-year-old still has a chance of reaching the ATP Finals, however, it will require some massive results at the end of the season. He says that he is still hoping to qualify for the prestigious event.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251013_BUS_508182_ruud-laver-cup-1024x576_59e133c7.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Casper Ruud at the Laver Cup." class="wp-image-508409" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Casper Ruud at the Laver Cup.</figcaption></figure>



“The season is not over yet, and I hope I can finish it strong and maybe climb my way towards having a chance to reach the ATP Finals. But it is going to be really tough, so I am just trying to play well these last three weeks, and then we will see after Paris,” Ruud adds.



“If you are finishing 11 or 15, I mean, what is going to make the difference? Nothing, in my opinion, so it is kind of all or nothing at this point. I am going to try to use that as a motivation and give it a final push.



“There are other players in the same situation. The race is always like this. I will focus on one match at a time and not on points and that stuff, because last year I was thinking too much about points.”



<h2>Ruud understands Djokovic</h2>



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis/novak-djokovic-takes-a-subtle-shot-at-carlos-alcaraz-and-iga-swiatek-for-criticizing-the-atp-schedule">Novak Djokovic recently made a comment about the scheduling</a>, which got a lot of attention, with one of the things being said that the players are not united enough and investing enough time into changing things.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251013_BUS_508182_djokovic-ruud-1024x576_38015e71.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Novak Djokovic (left) and Casper Ruud." class="wp-image-508300" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Novak Djokovic (left) and Casper Ruud.</figcaption></figure>



Multiple players have recently criticized the number of tournaments and matches, and Ruud, who has played 47 matches this season and dealt with an injury, backs Djokovic.



“Of course, Novak has a point,” Ruud explains. “He has more experience than any other player. Sure, you can pick and choose in a way, because we are not hired by the ATP, we are bosses of our own schedule. What I criticized and talked about at the French Open was that there is an economic motivation to play and not skip any Masters 1000s with the bonus and everything.



“But yeah, sure, if you are in the top 10, top 15, you make a lot of money, but you also spend a lot of money with all the expenses that you have, so you don’t want to miss out on any money if you don’t need to.”


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Ruud continues by saying that there is an economic motivation to play, as the players will be punished financially if they don’t play the mandatory events.



“I know that if you are not healthy or not eligible to play, you won’t be put in jail if you don’t play, but there is also an economic incentive to play, and some people care more about it than others. But I think the season is long,” he says.



<h2>Planning changes</h2>



While the schedule has been demanding for Ruud, the Norwegian is taking it as a lesson to prepare things differently next season, hoping to find more consistencty throughout the year.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251013_BUS_508182_casper-ruud-interview-1024x576_8d326658.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Casper Ruud answering questions from Bolavip." class="wp-image-508294" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Casper Ruud answering questions from Bolavip.</figcaption></figure>



“To have a mandatory event like Paris that late in the season makes the season really, really long. It’s the same for everyone, but going forward I will plan the schedule a bit differently, maybe skipping a few events here and there.



“I had a very hectic 3–4 years since I reached the top 10. I played a lot of events, and I played some exhibitions in the preseason, so those are some choices that I have made, which I look back on and think I shouldn’t have done. For the future, that is something I will take into consideration.”



Ruud is seeded as number two, with Holger Rune being the top-seeded player in Stockholm, where Bolavip will be present all week.

Casper Ruud talks to Bolavip about his season, the ATP schedule, and Djokovic’s comments

Casper Ruud speaks to Bolavip about scheduling, his own season and his goal for the rest of the season.

Casper Ruud talks to Bolavip about his season, the ATP schedule, and Djokovic's comments - Bolavip US

Casper Ruud on his season, ATP schedule, and Djokovic's comments

Renowned for his dominance on the clay courts and his unmatched success at Roland Garros, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/rafael-nadal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rafael Nadal</a> is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. His insights carry significant weight in the tennis community, and recently, Nadal shared his thoughts on rising star Carlos Alcaraz and his potential in the ATP circuit.



At a recent event in Europe, where Nadal was in attendance, the media sought his opinion on <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/carlos-alcaraz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alcaraz</a>’s future in tennis. With conviction, Nadal weighed in on Alcaraz’s prospects and the possibilities if he maintains his current performance level in the upcoming challenges.



“Of course, he can [achieve my level of success]; his career seems to be on a trajectory towards something extraordinary. I hope he enjoys a long career, but much like in my case, injuries could play a role. However, let’s focus on him and not compare,” Nadal stated to the media.



Nadal’s remarks subtly acknowledged the external pressures placed on athletes by the media and other stakeholders, often overshadowing the pressures from the sport itself. Nevertheless, the Spanish legend expressed optimism about seeing Alcaraz ascend to a prominent position in the tennis world.



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">ALCARAZ BEATS SINNER TO WIN THE US OPEN 🏆 Carlos Alcaraz joins Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Mats Wilander as the only men all-time to win multiple major titles on each surface 👏 <a href="https://t.co/CXVGBWyBNm">pic.twitter.com/CXVGBWyBNm</a>— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1964804492420898946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Nadal’s advice to Alcaraz</h2>



As Nadal reflects on his storied career, he believes that fellow Spaniard Alcaraz has the potential to surpass his own achievements in terms of stats and records. Nadal was candid about what Alcaraz, a rising star and US Open champion in 2025, could do to cement his place among the world’s best players. He shared some key pieces of advice with the young phenom.


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“What you have to do is enjoy the moment and keep working. Even if you are the best, there is always room for improvement,” Nadal said of Alcaraz. “He is a very special player and could achieve great things in the future.”



<h2>Alcaraz’s stats so far</h2>



Alcaraz has already amassed 23 singles titles, boasts a 270-62 career record, has claimed 6 Grand Slam titles, 8 ATP Masters 1000 titles, and one ATP Finals championship. At just 22 years old, he has many more milestones to reach. 



With Nadal’s guidance, Alcaraz has the opportunity to further develop his career and possibly become one of the greatest—if not the greatest—players in tennis history, much like Nadal was considered during his prime.


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Rafael Nadal issues definitive statement on Carlos Alcaraz’s prospects in ATP circuit

Rafael Nadal issues definitive statement on Carlos Alcaraz's prospects in ATP circuit - Bolavip US

Alexei Popyrin has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting players in Australian tennis. His professional breakthrough came in 2021 when he lifted his maiden <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/atp">ATP</a> title in Singapore. Since then, Popyrin has continued to sharpen his skills on both hard and clay courts, steadily climbing the ATP rankings.



The real turning point in Popyrin’s career came in 2023 and 2024, when he added two more titles to his name, including his first Masters 1000 crown in Canada—arguably his biggest achievement so far.&nbsp;



By August 2025, Popyrin reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 19 in the world, becoming Australia’s second-ranked male player. So, here’s everything to know about this tennis player, including his age, height, family and more.&nbsp;



<h2>How old is Alexei Popyrin?</h2>



Alexei Popyrin was born on 5 August 1999, which makes him 26 years old as of 2025. Over the past decade, he has transitioned from a promising teenager on the junior circuit to a fully established ATP contender.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="578" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250828_BUS_480720_alexei-popyrin-1024x578_d3ee300e.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=578" alt="" class="wp-image-480729" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Alexei Popyrin celebrates during the 2025 US Open (Getty Images) </figcaption></figure>



<h2>Alexei Popyrin’s family</h2>



Popyrin was born in Sydney to Russian immigrant parents, Alex and Elena. He grew up with three siblings: his brother Anthony, who also played college tennis in the U.S., and sisters Sonia and Anna. The family relocated several times due to his father’s work, living in Dubai and later Spain, which gave Alexei international exposure at a young age. His father also co-founded the innovative Ultimate Tennis Showdown with renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou.&nbsp;


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<h2>How tall is Alexei Popyrin?</h2>



Standing at 6’5” (196 cm), Popyrin is one of the taller players on the ATP Tour. His height gives him a significant advantage on serve, where he consistently generates power and angles that trouble opponents.



<h2>Who is Alexei Popyrin’s coach?</h2>



As of 2025, Popyrin is working with Neville Godwin and Wayne Ferreira, a coaching duo that has helped shape his recent surge in form. Ferreira, a former world No. 6, joined Godwin to bring a fresh perspective to Popyrin’s game. Their guidance has been instrumental in improving his consistency.&nbsp;



<h2>How much money has Alexei Popyrin earned?</h2>



By 2025, Popyrin has accumulated $8,177,799 in career prize money. This figure reflects his success across the ATP Tour, including three singles titles and deep runs at major events.&nbsp;



<h2>Who is Alexei Popyrin’s girlfriend?</h2>



Alexei Popyrin is engaged to Amy Pederick, a physiotherapist who has been a constant source of support throughout his career. The two first met as children in Dubai and began dating in 2018. Their long-term relationship culminated in an engagement in November 2024, marking an important milestone in Popyrin’s personal life alongside his professional success.

Alexei Popyrin’s profile: Age, height, family, girlfriend, earnings and more

Djokovic reveals the player he’d like to coach after retirement: ‘I’m going to be very expensive for him’

Novak Djokovic surpasses Roger Federer with historic feat after US Open win over Svajda

Alexei Popyrin's profile: Age, height, family, girlfriend, earnings and more - Bolavip US

Learner Tien has been generating significant buzz on the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ATP" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ATP</a> circuit. The American tennis player is seen as one of the promising prospects in tennis’s challenging landscape. Having secured a spot in the U.S. Open, Tien is set to face off against Novak Djokovic in his debut match. This year, he has also made appearances in the French Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open.



Of the three Grand Slams, Tien’s most remarkable performance came at the Australian Open in January. He advanced to the fourth round after entering through the qualifiers and notably ousting Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller.



Another significant triumph for Tien occurred at the Citi Open, where he defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets. These performances underscore his potential, as he has consistently participated in nearly every ATP circuit tournament this year.



Tien has gained valuable experience, and as we explore his statistics in the following sections, it becomes evident how determined he is to carve out his path in the ATP ranks, alongside other emerging talents like Joao Fonseca and Carlos Alcaraz.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">As good as it gets! A magnificent dropper from Learner Tien 💫<a href="https://twitter.com/NBOtoronto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBOtoronto</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBO25?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBO25</a> <a href="https://t.co/XS6PhjIYEx">pic.twitter.com/XS6PhjIYEx</a>— ATP Tour (@atptour) <a href="https://twitter.com/atptour/status/1951697437715820935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>How old is Learner Tien?</h2>



Learner Tien celebrated his 19th birthday on December 2, 2024. Born in Irvine, California, he attended the University of California. Despite his young age, Tien has competed against top players such as Cameron Norrie, Daniil Medvedev, Matteo Arnaldi, and Alexander Zverev.


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<h2>How tall is Learner Tien?</h2>



Learner Tien stands at 5’11” (1.80m). Although not considered tall relative to other players, he leverages his height to enhance speed and agility, particularly utilizing his backhand stroke effectively against taller opponents.



<h2>Is Learner Tien single?</h2>



The American tennis player has kept his relationship status private. While details about his personal life remain sparse, Tien has openly shared the supportive role his parents have played throughout his career. 



Additionally, he embraces his multicultural heritage, with his father being of Vietnamese descent. Despite this, Tien identifies proudly as American and represents the country at various international tournaments.



<h2>Who is Learner Tien’s head coach?</h2>



Learner Tien has been coached by Erik Kortland since his days in the ITF circuit. Kortland, an experienced American head coach, has been nurturing young U.S. prospects as part of the USTA since 2017.


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<h2>Learner Tien’s career highlights so far</h2>



Though he is yet to claim a major title, Tien holds a respectable 17-18 record on the ATP circuit. His standout performance includes reaching the finals of multiple U.S.-based challenger events. In ATP 250 tournaments, his best run has been a quarterfinal appearance at Winston-Salem.



Tien achieved his career-high ATP ranking of 48th on August 18, 2025. Remarkably, he has accumulated over $1.6 million in prize money, thanks to his participation in numerous Masters 1000 and ATP 500 tournaments.

Learner Tien’s profile: Age, love life, injury, career, ranking and more about the tennis player

Learner Tien’s profile: Age, love life, injury, career, ranking and more about the tennis player - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jannik-sinner">Jannik Sinner</a> and Carlos Alcaraz have defined the most compelling rivalry in today’s tennis, especially this year, as they have clashed in several finals. After the Spaniard claimed the Cincinnati title <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis/jannik-sinner-withdraws-from-cincinnati-open-final-vs-carlos-alcaraz-what-happened-to-the-italian">following the Italian’s retirement,</a> Alcaraz now holds six titles this season.



Meanwhile, Sinner (who was sidelined for three months due to a suspension related to a doping case) has captured two titles so far: the Australian Open, before his absence, and Wimbledon. He has posted a 31-4 win-loss record this year and has earned $9,035,053 in prize money, according to the ATP Tour.



Sinner also reached the finals at Roland Garros and Rome, losing both to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/carlos-alcaraz">Alcaraz. </a>The Spaniard’s other titles this season include Queen’s, Monte Carlo, and Rotterdam. Alcaraz owns a 54-6 record and has earned $10,631,652 in prize money this year.



In Cincinnati, Sinner was unwell, affected by the heat, and trailed 5-0 on Monday before deciding to retire from the match. The result leaves their head-to-head at 9-5 in favor of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/tennis/carlos-alcaraz-sends-heartfelt-message-after-jannik-sinner-retires-from-2025-cincinnati-open-final">Alcaraz, who sent a heartfelt message to his rival.</a>&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="578" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250819_BUS_475169_jannik-sinner-and-alcaraz-1024x578_acbc43d2.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=578" alt="" class="wp-image-475170" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/19094915/jannik-sinner-and-alcaraz-1024x578.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/19094915/jannik-sinner-and-alcaraz-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/19094915/jannik-sinner-and-alcaraz-768x433.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/19094915/jannik-sinner-and-alcaraz-1536x866.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/19094915/jannik-sinner-and-alcaraz-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/19094915/jannik-sinner-and-alcaraz.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz after the 2025 Cincinnati final (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



“I’m super, super sorry to disappoint you. Since yesterday I haven’t felt great… I tried to come out and at least make it a small match, but I couldn’t handle more. I’m very, very sorry for all of you,” Sinner told the crowd in Cincinnati.


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<h2>Doubts ahead of the US Open</h2>



While the action in Cincinnati wrapped up yesterday, all attention now shifts to New York for the US Open. It has been confirmed that Sinner has withdrawn from the mixed doubles event, where he was set to partner with Czech player Katerina Siniakova, the world No. 2 in doubles.



The singles tournament begins on August 24, giving Sinner more time to recover. He enters New York as the defending champion, having defeated Taylor Fritz in last year’s final. If he successfully defends his crown, he will become the first man since Roger Federer in 2008 to win the US Open back-to-back.

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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ben-shelton">Ben Shelton</a> kicked off the 2025 North American hard-court swing in style, claiming his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open in Toronto. The 22-year-old American powered past Karen Khachanov in the final. The victory places Shelton on the brink of a rare and historic achievement in Cincinnati.&nbsp;



In the modern ATP Masters 1000 era, only four men have pulled off the Canadian–Cincinnati double in the same season: Andre Agassi (1995), Patrick Rafter (1998), Andy Roddick (2003), and Rafael Nadal (2013).&nbsp;



What makes Shelton’s bid even more compelling is his age and style of play. None of the previous double winners were as young as the left-handed American when they achieved the feat.&nbsp;



As the fourth top seed, Shelton defeated Flavio Cobolli, Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz on route to the final in Toronto. He then defeated Khachanov in a three-set battle to earn his first Masters title.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250811_BUS_470274_ben-shelton-5-1024x578_f8d83a19.webp&amp;width=650&amp;height=366" alt="" class="wp-image-470371" width="650" height="366" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/11132437/ben-shelton-5-1024x578.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/11132437/ben-shelton-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/11132437/ben-shelton-5-768x433.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/11132437/ben-shelton-5-1536x866.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/11132437/ben-shelton-5-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/11132437/ben-shelton-5-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/11132437/ben-shelton-5-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/11132437/ben-shelton-5.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></figure><figcaption>Ben Shelton celebrates in Toronto (Getty Images) </figcaption></figure>



“It’s a surreal feeling,” Shelton said after the win. “It’s been a long week, not an easy path to the final. My best tennis came out when it mattered most. I was clutch, I persevered, I was resilient. All the qualities I like to see in myself.”


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<h2>Shelton’s new ranking and US Open seeding&nbsp;</h2>



Shelton’s triumph in Toronto vaulted him to a career-high ATP ranking, earning an extra 450 points and moving him past Novak Djokovic, who currently sits at 4,130 points and has skipped both Toronto and Cincinnati. The ranking jump not only boosts Shelton’s seeding for the US Open but also puts him in a prime position to avoid early clashes with other top contenders.&nbsp;



Should he claim Cincinnati, Shelton would enter New York chasing one of tennis’ rarest achievements: becoming only the fourth man to sweep the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open, and US Open in the same season.

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Australian tennis has produced legends like Rod Laver, John Newcombe, Pat Cash, Patrick Rafter, and Lleyton Hewitt. In recent years, new talents have emerged, but some—like Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic—have attracted more attention for off-court incidents than on-court achievements.



Born in Australia on October 21, 1992, Tomic picked up the sport at an early age under the guidance of his father, John—a hands-on presence who would later spark several controversies. As a junior, Tomic stood out, winning two Grand Slam titles: the 2008 Australian Open and the 2009 U.S. Open.



Back in 2009, Tomic was one of Australia’s hottest tennis prospects, while Lleyton Hewitt was still the face of Australian tennis—a proven Grand Slam champion and Davis Cup stalwart. That September, a story from Hewitt’s then-manager, David Drysdale, caused quite a stir.



Drysdale recalled: “We turned around and saw Tomic’s fans nearby, and I thought, ‘Oh, maybe he got our message and is here to hit with Lleyton.’ So Hewitt’s physio went over to Bernard’s coach and asked, ‘Is Bernard here to practice with Lleyton?’ Rudy didn’t know anything about it, but said, ‘Look, Bernard is looking for a hitting partner, and I think he’d like to.’ But then Bernard’s agent walked in and said, ‘No, he’s not here to practice with Lleyton—Lleyton’s not good enough’”.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250810_BUS_469454_tomic-hewitt-1024x576_1e8ea916.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-469456" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213023/tomic-hewitt-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213023/tomic-hewitt-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213023/tomic-hewitt-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213023/tomic-hewitt-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213023/tomic-hewitt-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213023/tomic-hewitt-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213023/tomic-hewitt-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213023/tomic-hewitt.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Bernard Tomic and Llewton Hewitt of Australia look on during the official draw ahead of the Davis Cup Tie between Australia and the United States. (Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



According to Drysdale, those were the exact words: “Lleyton’s not good enough”. The comment stunned Hewitt and his team. “Lleyton just couldn’t believe it,” Drysdale said. “And the more he thought about it, the angrier he got”. Ironically, years later, Tomic and Hewitt would end up sharing the court—this time as teammates for Australia in the Davis Cup.


 

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<h2>Breakthrough on tour</h2>



Tomic cracked the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/atp">ATP</a> Top 100 and reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2011. He won his first ATP title in January 2013, added back-to-back Bogota crowns in 2014 and 2015, and peaked at a career-high No. 17 in 2016.



<h2>Wimbledon sanctioned Tomic twice</h2>



Wimbledon is one of the crown jewels of the tennis calendar—an event every player dreams of competing in. But for Bernard Tomic, two appearances at the All England Club ended in controversy and fines rather than glory.



The first incident came in 2017, when Tomic fell to Mischa Zverev—brother of Alexander—in the opening round. After the match, he admitted in a press conference that he had faked an injury to slow things down, which led tournament officials to hit him with a £13,000 fine. In that same presser, Tomic made headlines with a blunt statement: “I don’t care if I make the fourth round of the U.S. Open or lose in the first round. I’m going to play another ten years, and I know after I retire I won’t have to work again”.



Two years later, in 2019, Tomic faced Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first round and lost 6-2, 6-1, 6-4—in just 58 minutes, an unusually short duration for a best-of-three-sets match at the Slams. Wimbledon officials determined that Tomic had violated the tournament’s code of conduct by failing to put forth his best effort. As a result, they withheld his £45,000 prize money.



<h2>Tomic’s Challenger Tour controversies</h2>



After several seasons where he appeared increasingly disconnected from the sport, Tomic’s performance and ranking took a significant hit. No longer in the ATP’s spotlight, the Australian was forced to return to the Challenger Tour—where he once again drew headlines for all the wrong reasons.



In 2024, two incidents stood out. The first came in August at the Santo Domingo Challenger, where Tomic lost in the quarterfinals to Andy Andrade. When Andrade later played Damir Dzumhur in the final, Tomic showed up in the stands and began heckling him, leading to his ejection from the venue.



Just two months later, Tomic reached the final of the Fairfield Challenger against Learner Tien, but suffered a lopsided 6-0, 6-1 defeat in only 39 minutes. The opening set lasted just 16 minutes, making it the shortest final in Challenger history.



<h2>Return to the ATP stage with a new mindset</h2>



After improving his ranking, Tomic earned opportunities to compete in higher-level events again. In 2025, he entered qualifying rounds at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros, and also played in several ATP tournaments. In June, he secured his first ATP Tour victory in four years.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250810_BUS_469454_bernard-tomic-1024x576_609cf558.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-469457" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213225/bernard-tomic-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213225/bernard-tomic-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213225/bernard-tomic-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213225/bernard-tomic-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213225/bernard-tomic-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213225/bernard-tomic-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213225/bernard-tomic-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/09213225/bernard-tomic.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Bernard Tomic of Australia plays a forehand during a practice session ahead of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. (Graham Denholm/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



Speaking to Punto de Break in March 2025, Tomic reflected on his career and personal growth: “When you have an engine and a purpose, you get up every day with something to focus on, something to do. Everyone needs a purpose in life. I felt I played really well in my career during the first five, six, or seven years, but after that I wasn’t playing this sport enough. Now I’d rather not have that much attention—being in the media spotlight isn’t good”.

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