Maria Sharapova sponsors Nike, Head and Evian have placed brand value ahead of sport’s values by sticking with banned tennis star June 10, 2016 In the 24 hours following the news that Maria Sharapova has been banned for two years for taking banned substance Meldonium, the spotlight has invariably shifted to her sponsors to see their reaction. Many would have expected Nike, Head and Evian to pull the plug on their sponsorship deals with the former world No.1, but [...]
Rafael Nadal left to focus on Olympic Games after wrist injury forces his withdrawal from Wimbledon June 9, 2016 Former world No1 Rafael Nadal will now focus on returning to full fitness for the Olympic Games in August after withdrawing from Wimbledon having failed to recover from a wrist injury. Nadal, a 14-time grand slam champion, pulled out of Roland Garros before his third-round match after failing to shake off the hand problem which [...]
Maria Sharapova receives two year tennis ban for failing drugs test June 8, 2016 Maria Sharapova says she will fight a two year ban from tennis handed to her by the sport's authorities for violating anti-doping rules The five-time grand slam winner will not be able to play again until January 2018 by which time she will be nearly 31-years-old, following the ban imposed by an independent tribunal in London. Sharapova tested positive for [...]
Andy Murray hails class of rival Novak Djokovic as Serbian World No1 completes career grand slam with French Open victory June 5, 2016 Britain's Andy Murray paid tribute to the majesty of rival Novak Djokovic after the world No1 completed a career grand slam by claiming his maiden French Open title on the clay of Paris. Despite winning the first set in some style, Murray succumbed 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 as Djokovic became the first man since Rod Laver [...]
Murray eyes place in history as he storms past Wawrinka to secure place in French Open final June 3, 2016 Britain's Andy Murray revelled in producing one of the finest clay performances of his career after outplaying defending champion Stan Wawrinka to reach his first-ever French Open final. Murray had never previous claimed a set on clay against Wawrinka of Switzerland but prevailed 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 and will now face world No1 Novak Djokovic, who beat [...]
Novak Djokovic admits he’s a lucky boy after French Open tantrum almost lands him in hot water June 2, 2016 WORLD No1 Novak Djokovic admitted he was fortunate to still be in the hunt for a maiden French Open crown despite easing past seventh seed Tomas Berdych to reach a sixth successive Roland Garros semi-final. Djokovic comfortably dispatched Berdych in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3, but could have landed himself in hot water after angrily [...]
Roland Garros 2016: Watching Andy Murray at French Open as a TV executive provides conflicting emotions, says Eurosport boss Peter Hutton June 2, 2016 Andy Murray's torturous run to the semi-finals of this year's French Open has put fans through the ringer but provided conflicted emotions for TV executives. The world No2's passage to a third successive semi-final has not been completly smooth sailing, with the Scot playing 20 sets in his last five games and twice coming within a set of [...]
Wimbledon set to be broadcast on pay TV for first time after Eurosport strikes agreement with BBC June 2, 2016 Wimbledon could be set for a new home on pay-TV this year after Eurosport announced it is in advanced negotiations for a groundbreaking deal with the BBC to share coverage of the tennis grand slam. The agreement is still waiting on approval from TV regulator Ofcom but could be in place for the start of this year’s [...]
Britain’s Andy Murray confident of landing maiden French Open title after dispatching Richard Gasquet at Roland Garros June 1, 2016 Britain's Andy Murray believes a maiden French Open title is within reach after dispatching Richard Gasquet to reach the 19th grand slam semi-final of his career yesterday. World No2 Murray battled back from a set and 3-1 down in the second-set tie-break to prevail 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 6-0, 6-2 and set-up a last-four tussle with [...]
Murray’s worry as exhausted Brit limps into French Open third round after labouring against another unheralded opponent May 25, 2016 Exhausted Andy Murray admits he needs to slash his game time or risk any chance of winning the French Open after he was taken to a gruelling five-setter by a second consecutive unfancied opponent. World No2 Murray, who arrived in Paris with high hopes of a best Roland Garros yet, was blown away at times [...]