NEW YORK – Spain’s Rafael Nadal has already scored one big success before the US Open starts: he beat the pain. And that matters much more than his Tuesday night opener with 21-year-old, 198th-ranked Australian Rinky Hijikata. “He broke the
NEW YORK – Is Roger Federer coming back to say goodbye? Or is he coming back to come back, to play the 2023 season to the full and prove to himself that he is the one who will decide when,
LONDON – It’s not the retirement of a great tennis player, but it is the endpoint for a great tennis star. He is 76 years old and spent the last 45 years travelling the world to cover 147 Grand Slams.
(this is a translated version of CLAY’s twice-weekly newsletter in English) If you have had the opportunity to speak to Roger Federer in English and in German, one thing is clear: the Swiss is more precise, more subtle, more
LONDON – Djokovic hits a forehand in Aorangi Park, where the practice courts are located. The forehand lands at an angle. Djokovic applauds. The forehand of his opponent, Djokovic, is very good. “Have mercy!” Peter shouts, he’s the only person
PARIS – When your name is Babolat, your future is written. Or no, maybe it doesn’t have to be, says Eric Babolat, CEO of the world’s oldest tennis equipment company and proud partner of two of tennis’ biggest stars, Rafael
These days, Nikolay Davydenko is living a peaceful life coaching kids aged 9-11 years old, a group that includes his daughter Ekaterina. “And some clients, people who can pay money“, Davydenko said laughingly. Relaxed and in great spirits, the 41-year
Ion Tiriac invites to sit in the entrance to the presidential box at the Philippe Chatrier Stadium at Roland Garros. The journalist shouldn’t be there, but with a slight gesture from the Romanian, the waters open up. He is in
At the beginning of January 2022, tennis seemed to surrender to Novak Djokovic: the Serb would add several Grand Slam titles and neither Rafael Nadal nor Roger Federer would be able to stop him. The GOAT (or the most successful,
When Ash Barty announced her retirement in March, few people were more shocked than Iga Swiatek. The Australian had just won her home Grand Slam, the first woman to do so since 1978, and was riding high at the top
PARIS – When you talk to Martina Navratilova one thing is clear before the conversation starts: the answers will be direct, sharp. The nine-time Wimbledon champion speaks as she used to play, taking the net and without fear of risk.
PARIS – One day, Toni Nadal said “I’m leaving.” His nephew, Rafael couldn’t believe it, but Toni had his reasons: he no longer felt useful. Then, Toni decided to advise Felix Auger-Aliassime, but before signing a contract, he made one thing
