Ayoola Atitebi

Zhang Zhizhen concludes 2024 as he began it, representing China in international competition, now at the United Cup starting Friday in Perth. The 28-year-old's landmark year saw him reach World No. 31, achieve his first tour-level final at the Hangzhou Open, and secure an Olympic mixed doubles silver medal with Wang Xinyu in Paris. His success has broader implications for Chinese tennis. "If people are watching us do something and then trying to follow us, that's great news for us," Zhang shared in Perth. "Most Chinese people are watching table tennis or badminton at the Olympics, not tennis. But suddenly they're watching [our] final live on TV. Right away, more people are knowing us and more people are trying to play, trying to learn." Zhang's pioneering role has coincided with the emergence of fellow Chinese players Shang Juncheng and Buyunchaokete […]

The United Cup mixed teams event kicks off Friday in Perth, with Sydney's competition set to begin Saturday. Australian hope Alex de Minaur enters the tournament with momentum, following his career-best season that included ATP Finals qualification and a memorable victory over Novak Djokovic in Perth last year. De Minaur's preparation continued Thursday under national captain Lleyton Hewitt's guidance, including practice with Czech player Tomas Machac. A historical footnote connects the teams, as Czech captain Daniel Vacek holds a 1-1 record against Hewitt, including a five-set victory at the 1998 Australian Open. Italy's campaign features WTA World No. 4 Jasmine Paolini, alongside men's singles representative Flavio Cobolli and potential mixed doubles asset Andrea Vavassori, who was part of 2024's Fans' Favourite doubles team with Simone Bolelli. Argentina's hopes rest with Tomas Martin Etcheverry in Group F, which includes Australia and […]

Former world number one Simona Halep has withdrawn from Australian Open qualifying and the Auckland Classic due to knee and shoulder pain experienced after competing in the World Tennis League exhibition event in Abu Dhabi. The 33-year-old Romanian had recently received a wildcard entry from tournament organizers. Halep, who was cleared to return to competition after her four-year doping ban was reduced to nine months, announced her decision on Instagram after consulting with her team. Currently ranked 877th in the world, the former French Open and Wimbledon champion plans to make her comeback at her home event in Cluj, Romania in early February. The two-time Grand Slam winner, who finished runner-up at the 2018 Australian Open to Caroline Wozniacki, had maintained her innocence throughout the doping case. The Australian Open qualifying tournament is scheduled for January 6-9, with the main […]