Stefanos Tsitsipas Archives

Are Nadal, Alcaraz, Djokovic playing Italian Open? When does it start?

May 2, 2024

The clay swing heads to Rome in May for the Italian Open as preparations continue for the French Open.

The combined ATP and WTA 1000 event is the last big tournament before players make their way to Roland-Garros, which starts on Sunday, May 26, live on Eurosport and discovery+.

Last year saw Daniil Medvedev and Elena Rybakina claim the singles titles, but will they repeat their respective triumphs this season?

The Italian Open will see almost all the top stars from both tours in action, and we run through all you need to know, including when it starts, what’s the schedule, when is the draw, and who’s playing…

When is the Italian Open?

Qualifying for the Italian Open starts on Monday, May 6 ahead of the main draw on Wednesday, May 8.

The finals will be held on the weekend of May 18.

As with the Madrid Open, the 32 seeds get a first-round bye so they enter the tournament in the second round.

Play will start at 10am UK time every day until Thursday, May 16 when it begins at midday. There will be evening sessions starting at 6pm each day until finals weekend, when play starts at midday on both days.

When is the Italian Open draw?

The draw is expected to be held on Monday, May 6.

Are Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal playing the Italian Open?

Both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal look set to play in Rome.

It will be the first clay tournament that the two tennis greats have contested since the 2022 French Open, when Nadal beat Djokovic on his way to a 14th title.

Djokovic missed the Madrid Open and has only played one clay tournament in Monte Carlo, where he made the semis.

He is a 10-time winner of the Italian Open and looks set to play the tournament for the final time ahead of his potential retirement this year.

Will Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner play the Italian Open?

Both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have injury concerns ahead of the Italian Open.

Alcaraz has been battling a forearm injury that forced him to miss Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He made the quarter-finals in Madrid but admitted to having “difficult feelings” towards the end of his loss against Andrey Rublev.

After a stunning start to the year the Italian could have a chance to get to world No. 1 in Rome if he is healthy to play.

Who else is playing the Italian Open?

Defending champion Daniil Medvedev will be back in Rome along with Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud.

Andy Murray will not be playing as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will lead the women’s draw.

Elena Rybakina celebrates winning the Italian Open in 2023

Image credit: Getty Images

Neither won the title last year as Swiatek retired with injury in the quarter-finals and Sabalenka was shocked in the second round by Sofia Kenin.

Elena Rybakina was the champion in 2023 and she will be aiming to continue her strong start to the season with another title run.

World No. 3 Coco Gauff could close the gap on world No. 1 Swiatek if she can go far in Rome.

Emma Raducanu’s participation is uncertain. She has not been announced as a wildcard entry but could enter qualifying with her protected ranking.

When is the French Open?

The 2024 French Open main draw starts on Sunday, May 26, with the tournament one of two Grand Slams, along with the Australian Open, that is run over 15 days instead of 14 this year.

The singles finals will be held on the weekend of June 8.

Play starts at 10am UK time every day except for finals weekend, and there will be an evening session scheduled from 7.15pm UK time every day until the semi-finals start on Thursday, June 6.

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Nadal gets revenge win over De Minaur, Tsitsipas crashes out

April 27, 2024

Rafael Nadal gained revenge over Alex De Minaur and booked his place in the Madrid Open third round with a 7-6(6) 6-3 victory.

Nadal started in ideal fashion after breaking De Minaur in the Australian’s first service game to move 2-0 in front, before the world No. 11 hit back immediately to halve the deficit.

After a further break of serve each for both players in a pulsating opener, the first set went to a tie-break that proved to be just as enthralling.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion delighted the Spanish crowd by moving 6-2 in front to get four set points in the bank, but they all came and went.

However, set point number five came after a stunning two-handed backhand, and Nadal drew first blood as De Minaur hit a long forehand return after an hour and 16 minutes of play.

Nadal took an early break at the start of the second set and moved 3-1 ahead with an emphatic hold to love.

The Spaniard was showing his class and moved daylight between himself at De Minaur at 4-2 with a wonderful backhand.

It was looking much more straightforward for Nadal, with De Minaur having few answers to a devastating array of shots from the former world No. 1.

It was that stunning backhand which came to the fore once again which set up two match points on De Minaur’s serve at 5-3, and the first came and went as a De Minaur double fault sealed the deal.

The 37-year-old can now look forward to a match against Pedro Cachin, after the Argentine overcame Frances Tiafoe earlier on Saturday.

Speaking after the match, Nadal said: I’m super happy to be competitive against a great player like Alex, playing two hours means a lot to me.

“The atmosphere here is a joke, so I can’t thank everybody enough.

“If I am able to play tennis for a few weeks in a row, then I will see how far I can go. It’s just a case of going step by step and seeing how things go.”

Tsitsipas stunned by Monteiro

Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas was stunned with a second-round defeat to Thiago Monteiro.

The Brazilian claimed a 6-4 6-4 win and faces Jiri Lehecka in round three.

Monteiro took an early break to move 2-1 up in the first set and drew first blood on his second set point after 39 minutes of play.

He moved a set and a break ahead at the start of the second, before Tsitsipas fought back and swatted away two match points to take a crucial hold at 5-4.

However, it only prolonged the inevitable, as the world No.118 progressed after a fourth match point to dump out the world No. 7.

Speaking after the match he said: “For sure it’s one of the biggest wins of my career. I knew it would be a tough match. I tried to just believe in myself all the time.

“I was feeling really good on the court and I’ve been playing for three matches already. I had a bit of rhythm and confidence. I just fought until the end and believed.”

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Exclusive: ‘No mercy for anyone’ – Tsitsipas reveals recollections of facing ‘ruthless’ Nadal

April 24, 2024

Stefanos Tsitsipas has described Rafael Nadal as “completely ruthless” and showing “no mercy for anyone” as he recalled his memories of facing the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

Tsitsipas and Nadal have met nine times, with the first coming in the 2018 Barcelona Open final.

Tsitsipas was 19 years old and was dismissed in 77 minutes as Nadal won 6-2 6-1 to lift the trophy for an 11th time.

A year earlier the court they were playing on in Barcelona had been named after Nadal.

Asked about his recollections of facing Nadal, Tsitsipas told Eurosport: “He is ruthless, has no mercy for anyone.

“I felt that for the first time when I played him in Barcelona and he was completely ruthless.

“I remember his energy after the coin toss. It just felt like the stadium belongs to him and I haven’t felt that with a lot of tennis players that I’ve played and it’s really intimidating in a way.

“As a youngster, you’re not used to this feeling when you’re facing someone. So it was definitely something that I still carry with me mentally – I remember that feeling.

“It took a while to get used to his ball to get used to also forget who is on the other side of the net. Because of course, I grew up watching him. I even had a poster in my room of him.

“So it’s difficult in the beginning. You’re like, he’s my childhood hero.

“It took a few times to get over it, and eventually I did get an amazing win against him in Madrid [in 2019], which I still remember vividly and it brings back a sense of a great accomplishment.

“I would definitely consider that one of my best wins against him. And I do have a lot of respect for him because he has done things that I don’t think any other tennis player has done besides Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

“These are three guys that have really pushed the sport to its limits. It doesn’t go any further and it sometimes shows us that these people are not even human beings in a way.”

It has been a welcome return to form after a below-par 12 months that had seen Tsitsipas drop out of the top 10 for the first time in five years.

“The goal is to keep a positive mindset and to just continue working hard every day,” said Tsitsipas, who is now at No. 7 in the rankings.

“I’m not going to think too much of myself cause we’re just getting started. We’ve only played two tournaments so far on clay and I want to do big things here as well, and in Rome. I really hope I can go for a far in these tournaments.

“Just let’s continue building on the mindset and getting step by step to the desired goals and the achievements that I want to pretty much outperform myself in a way.”

Reflecting on his improvements over the last few months, he said: “I was really committed to just try and get better.

‘Never played really well here’ – Sinner hoping for improved showing in Madrid

“Now this is a good opportunity and the work continues. I have no desire to stop and to just push further myself. I feel like the comeback has been good.

“I left the top 10 few weeks ago now I’m back and now I really need to push it further because I don’t want to be just in the top 10. I want bigger things than that.

“I want to come back in the top three, I would love to see myself there. But I know that it takes dedication to get back into the top three and not just dedication, the right results.

“I hope by Roland-Garros, this can take place, but of course, hope is not enough. I have to show the work on the court as well.”

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Ruud claims first ATP title of season with revenge win over Tsitsipas in Barcelona

April 21, 2024

Casper Ruud defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5 6-3 to win the Barcelona Open on Sunday afternoon.

Tsitsipas was looking to build on last weekend’s success, when he continued his campaign to get back into the top 10 of the men’s rankings, and crossed that threshold as he won the Monte-Carlo Masters for the third time in his career.

For Ruud, the final offered not just the chance to win his first tournament of the year so far, but to also get revenge on his opponent after Tsitsipas defeated him in Monaco.

Tsitsipas overcame Dusan Lajovic, while Ruud beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry in their respective semi-final ties on Saturday, but Tsitsipas may not have been as fresh. The Greek player needed to come back from a set down, while Ruud enjoyed a straight-sets victory.

Ruud also needed just two sets to claim the title in Spain as he won the first set 7-5, with a far more reliable service game.

He took 80% of his first serve points compared to Tstisipas’s 57%, and four double faults from the losing finalist hinted at struggles with his serve.

The second set was easier for Ruud as he grew into a more dominant position, breaking twice to secure a 6-3 margin to wrap up his win as he prepares for the upcoming clay Grand Slam at Roland-Garros in June.

The Norwegian was far more consistent from the baseline than his opponent, and the difference in quality took him to his 11th career ATP Tour trophy.

Reflecting on what had changed in a week, Ruud said after the match: “Just to kind of [bring] it to him a little bit more than last week.

“In the final in Monte-Carlo I was always on the back foot, too far behind, and he had too much time to control the game.

“It was a bit of a tricky start [here], I got broken right away. So not the best start, but I managed to settle in and broke him back. Clutched up and broke him in the end of the first, which was huge.

“It’s been two long weeks for both of us. It’s obvious that at some point fatigue is going to kick in. I think we were both fit enough to play today, it’s not about that, but winning the first set was huge probably for either of us.”

The defeat ends Tsitsipas’s winning streak of 10 matches.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Ruud claims first ATP title of season with revenge win over Tsitsipas in Barcelona

April 21, 2024

Casper Ruud defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5 6-3 to win the Barcelona Open on Sunday afternoon.

For Ruud, the final offered not just the chance to win his first tournament of the year so far, but to also get revenge on his opponent after Tsitsipas defeated him in Monaco.

Ruud also needed just two sets to claim the title in Spain as he won the first set 7-5, with a far more reliable service game.

He took 80% of his first serve points compared to Tstisipas’s 57%, and four double faults from the losing finalist hinted at struggles with his serve.

The Norwegian was far more consistent from the baseline than his opponent, and the difference in quality took him to his 11th career ATP Tour trophy.

Reflecting on what had changed in a week, Ruud said after the match: “Just to kind of [bring] it to him a little bit more than last week.

“In the final in Monte-Carlo I was always on the back foot, too far behind, and he had too much time to control the game.

The defeat ends Tsitsipas’s winning streak of 10 matches.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Madrid Open: Are Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz and Raducanu playing?

April 20, 2024

The Madrid Open will feature the top stars from the ATP and WTA tours.

Carlos Alcaraz has won the men’s title the last two successive years and is bidding to become the first player to win three in a row.

The women’s trophy was won by Aryna Sabalenka as she beat Iga Swiatek in the final.

Who’s playing the Madrid Open this season? Are Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz, Swiatek and Sabalenka playing? When is the draw?

When is the Madrid Open?

The WTA main draw at the Madrid Open starts on Tuesday, April 23 and the ATP main draw starts on Wednesday, April 24.

Play starts at 10am UK time every day until midway through the second week. From May 1 to May 3, play begins at midday UK time, and on finals weekend play starts at 2.30pm.

There are also night sessions running from April 26 to May 3 which start at 7pm.

The women’s final will be held on Saturday, May 4 and the men’s final will be on Sunday, May 5.

When is the Madrid Open draw?

The women’s singles draw will be held on Sunday, April 21 at 5pm UK time and the men’s draw will be on Monday, April 22.

Who is playing the Madrid Open?

The Madrid Open was set to be the first clay event that both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have played since the 2022 French Open – until Djokovic pulled out.

Djokovic has not given a reason for his withdrawal, but his absence means world No. 2 Jannik Sinner will be the top seed.

Nadal will be unseeded as he continues his comeback using a protected ranking.

Carlos Alcaraz’s status is unknown after he missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to an arm injury.

The world No. 3 is in Madrid ahead of the tournament, but said last week in Barcelona: “My goal is to try and go to the Madrid Open, but at the moment nothing is certain.

“I was given specific recovery times and I’ve respected them, but I haven’t felt good. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”

Alcaraz hasn’t played since losing in the Miami Open quarter-finals.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will headline the women’s draw.

The pair contested the final in Madrid last year and as the top two seeds could meet again with the trophy on the line.

Aryna Sabalenka won Madrid in 2023

Image credit: Getty Images

Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina will be among those looking to challenge for the title, while two-time champion Simona Halep and former runner-up Caroline Wozniacki have both got wildcards.

This will be Halep’s second tournament since returning to the tour after her doping ban was reduced from four years to nine months.

Naomi Osaka is also on the entry list but Emma Raducanu isn’t currently in the draw.

However, as she is not ranked high enough for entry, unless she gets a late wildcard she looks set to miss Madrid.

Djokovic set for Rome return

This is only the third time since 2015 that Djokovic has not won a title by this stage of the season.

The other two times were in 2022, when he was unable to play in Australia or the United States due to being unvaccinated for Covid-19, and 2018, when he had elbow surgery early in the year.

This season he had only played three tournaments before Monte Carlo, losing to Alex de Minaur at the United Cup, Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semis, and then the upset in the third round at Indian Wells against lucky loser Luca Nardi.

It looks like he is next going to play the Italian Open, which starts on May 8, as he builds up for the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympics.

“I want to reach my peak for Paris – that’s where I want to play my best tennis,” said Djokovic in Monte Carlo.

“Anything else is a bonus, so let’s see what happens.”

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Madrid Open: Are Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz and Raducanu playing?

April 20, 2024