All articles tagged with #tennis
American tennis star Sloane Stephens and soccer ace Jozy Altidore are divorcing after four years of marriage; the pair, who began dating in middle school in Boca Raton and wed in January 2022 at a Miami Beach resort, announced the split on social media and asked for privacy as Stephens continues her comeback to tennis.
Carlos Alcaraz crushed Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-1 in just 50 minutes to win the Qatar Open, extending his perfect start to 2026 to 12 wins for the year and 26th career title, after becoming the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam in Melbourne earlier in the month.
Jessica Pegula defeated Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 in Dubai to win her 10th WTA title and first of 2026, capping a run of seven straight semi-finals; the American world No. 5 celebrated a strong start to the year as she approaches her 32nd birthday.
Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava announced her retirement, criticizing the sport's culture as racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile, describing tennis as a 'toxic' relationship that cost her time and wellbeing; she peaked at world No. 147 at 17 and is currently No. 235, and thanked supporters while saying she will pursue a life of purpose beyond the tour.
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in four sets to win the Australian Open and become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, overturning a one-set deficit to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final, calling the victory a dream and praising Djokovic as an inspiration for his ongoing pursuit of greatness, while noting he was nervous during the match and later celebrated with his team and loved ones.
Carlos Alcaraz, 22, has quickly established himself as a tennis icon, with peers describing his energy, all-court versatility, and ability to dictate points on any surface. Opponents from Djokovic to Medvedev say his relentless pressure, rapid adaptation, explosive movement, and growing serve make it feel like there are few safe options, often leaving rivals frustrated and forced into mistakes. His combination of speed, anticipation, and tactical tweaks—plus durability in long matches—has driven his rise to the career Grand Slam and a reputation for an almost unplayable level when he’s at his best.
Carlos Alcaraz completed the career Grand Slam by beating Novak Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final (2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5) at age 22, after a dramatic semifinal against Alexander Zverev that featured cramps and a long back-and-forth battle; the victory solidifies his status as tennis’s rising force and keeps Djokovic and Jannik Sinner as major threats in the era.
Aryna Sabalenka lost the Australian Open final 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to Elena Rybakina. Patrick Mouratoglou criticized Sabalenka’s mental discipline and a late tactical switch on break point—trading a line repeated to winner for a cross‑court shot—calling for sticking with effective tactics. The result adds to Sabalenka’s streak of Grand Slam final losses (three out of four).
Jon Wertheim’s AO26 column delivers 50 takeaways from the Australian Open, led by Carlos Alcaraz’s historic Open Era career Grand Slam and Novak Djokovic’s enduring relevance, Elena Rybakina’s title and a rising Sabalenka, while also reflecting on injuries to young stars, the growth of college tennis influence, shifting media coverage, governance debates, and the Open’s festival-like evolution into a broader tennis experience.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Australian Open final defeat to Elena Rybakina underscored a familiar paradox: unparalleled consistency in reaching major finals (five of the last six slam finals, 12 semi‑finals in 13 slams) yet recurring nerves in decisive moments, as she ceded a 3‑0 third‑set lead and five straight games. At 27, with four majors, a long spell as world No. 1 and 22 titles, she faces a career crossroads and is addressing mental‑toughness work with a sports psychologist while vowing to chase another final opportunity.
Novak Djokovic, 38, says he still believes he can win a 25th Grand Slam after losing the Australian Open final to Carlos Alcaraz, who completed the Career Grand Slam. Djokovic had edged Jannik Sinner in a five-set semi but couldn’t finish in Melbourne. He notes that lowering expectations helped reduce pressure, keeps him motivated to contend at majors, and that one or two moments can swing momentum in big matches.
Carlos Alcaraz won the AO 2026 men's singles, becoming the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam and to own seven majors, after defeating Novak Djokovic in the final. Elena Rybakina captured the women's singles, the first AO title for a Kazakhstani. The tournament featured dramatic semifinals, standout runs by Sinner and Zverev, and numerous doubles and wheelchair titles, with attendance at a record 1.37 million across Melbourne Park.
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in the Australian Open final to become the youngest man ever to complete the career Grand Slam, denying Djokovic a 25th major.
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in four sets to win the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the career Grand Slam and rise to world No. 1.