Tennis News Headlines

By Gregory Blachier and Chrystel Boulet-Euchin PARIS (Reuters) - After 30 years without a male grand-slam winner, France's tennis establishment is beginning to question whether the absence of success is purely down to a lack of natural-born winners. Since Yannick Noah's triumph at the French Open in 1983, France has endured …

By Martyn Herman LONDON, May 23 (Reuters) - Watching Rafa Nadal churn his way through the claycourt season over the past few weeks, it seems nothing much has changed since his French Open triumph a year ago despite a lengthy injury layoff. Titles in Barcelona, Madrid and Rome, where he dropped only three sets in the process, …

By Toby Davis LONDON, May 23 (Reuters) - Based on form, Serena Williams is a stand-out favourite to win a second French Open title but her record at Roland Garros means she approaches the tournament with a touch of apprehension and fearful of the "lady in the mirror". Williams is world number one, unbeaten in 24 matches …

By Gregory Blachier and Chrystel Boulet-Euchin PARIS, May 23 (Reuters) - After 30 years without a male grand-slam winner, France's tennis establishment is beginning to question whether the absence of success is purely down to a lack of natural-born winners. Since Yannick Noah's triumph at the French Open in 1983, France …

By Iain Rogers MADRID, May 23 (Reuters) - Milos Raonic would probably not feature on most people's list of potential French Open champions but the two-metre Canadian with the booming serve has been working hard on his clay game in Spain and has the potential to cause an upset. The Montenegro-born 22-year-old, who will make …

By Martyn Herman May 23 (Reuters) - Whether ripping shirts or forehand winners, or thumping down serves with frightening velocity, Jerzy Janowicz is making a big impression at the top of men's tennis and is ready to take Paris by storm again. The 22-year-old Pole, whose fiery on-court demeanour revives memories of a young …

PARIS (Reuters) - World number seven Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina has pulled out of next week's French Open tennis after failing to recover from a virus, organizers said on Wednesday. Del Potro, who reached the quarter-finals at the claycourt grand-slam event last year, flew home after losing to Frenchman Benoit Paire …

(adds confirmation) PARIS, May 22 (Reuters) - World number seven Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina has pulled out of next week's French Open tennis after failing to recover from a virus, organisers said on Wednesday. Del Potro, who reached the quarter-finals at the claycourt grand-slam event last year, flew home after …

PARIS (Reuters) - World number seven Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina has pulled out of next week's French Open tennis after failing to recover from a virus, Argentine media reported on Wednesday. Del Potro, who reached the quarter-finals at the claycourt grand-slam event last year, flew home after losing to Frenchman …

PARIS, May 22 (Reuters) - World number seven Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina has pulled out of next week's French Open tennis after failing to recover from a virus, Argentine media reported on Wednesday. Del Potro, who reached the quarter-finals at the claycourt grand-slam event last year, flew home after losing to Frenchman …

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Bernard Tomic will play at next week's French Open despite his off-court troubles if only to keep some momentum going for the grasscourt season ahead, Tennis Australia's Todd Woodbridge said on Wednesday. Tomic's father John faced a charge of causing criminal injury in a Madrid court earlier this month …

MELBOURNE, May 22 (Reuters) - Bernard Tomic will play at next week's French Open despite his off-court troubles if only to keep some momentum going for the grasscourt season ahead, Tennis Australia's Todd Woodbridge said on Wednesday. Tomic's father John faced a charge of causing criminal injury in a Madrid court earlier …

(Updates with Murray statement) LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - Britain's world number two Andy Murray has pulled out of the French Open after failing to recover from a lower back injury which he aggravated at the Italian Open last week. "It's a really tough decision and I love playing in Paris, but after seeking medical advice, …

ROME (AP) — After all these years, Rafael Nadal still knows how to dominate Roger Federer.

(Updates with Nadal win, adds quotes) By Eric Salliot ROME, May 19 (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal made short work of his great rival Roger Federer to win the Italian Open, his sixth trophy of the year, 6-1 6-3 on Sunday. The crowd sitting in the sunshine at Rome's Foro Italico watched Nadal race to victory in 69 minutes on the …

* Federer through to third Rome final * Nadal beats Berdych 6-2 6-4 * Serena sees off qualifier Halep (Adds Federer quotes) By Eric Salliot ROME, May 18 (Reuters) - Roger Federer will meet great rival Rafa Nadal in the Italian Open final after the Swiss held off a spirited challenge by unseeded Frenchman Benoit Paire on …

(Adds quotes) By Eric Salliot Rome, May 18 (Reuters) - Serena Williams crushed Romanian qualifier Simona Halep 6-3 6-0 to book her place in the Italian Open final and extend her winning streak to 23 matches on Saturday. World number one Williams, who is chasing a fourth consecutive tour title, will face Victoria Azarenka …

(Adds Federer result) May 17 (Reuters) - Czech Tomas Berdych snapped a run of 11 consecutive defeats by world number one Novak Djokovic to reach the semi-finals of the Rome Masters before Rafa Nadal was stretched to the limit against David Ferrer on Friday. Berdych clawed his way back from a 6-2 5-2 deficit to stun the …

The U.S. Open tennis tournament will leave CBS after nearly a half-century and move all TV coverage to cable starting in 2015 under an 11-year contract with ESPN.

May 15 (Reuters) - Reuters U.S. sports schedule at 2 PM ET on Wednesday: - - - - The duty editor is Steve Ginsburg, 202-898-8427 - - - - National Football League Whaley replaces Nix as Bills' GM Assistant general manager Doug Whaley will be named general manager of the Buffalo Bills today, following the succession plan …

PARIS, May 15 (Reuters) - Former French Open semi-finalist Gael Monfils, who has struggled for form after a string of injuries marred his 2012 season, has been given a wild card for the grand slam claycourt event, organisers said on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Frenchman, who reached the last four in 2008, has dropped down …

ROME (AP) — Beating one of the Williams sisters is an accomplishment any young tennis player should celebrate. Winning consecutive matches against both of them would likely be a career highlight.

By Iain Rogers MADRID (Reuters) - World number one Serena Williams racked up the 50th title of her illustrious 18-year career when she thumped Maria Sharapova 6-1 6-4 to defend her Madrid Open crown on Sunday. Williams' victory, her fourth tournament success of 2013 and only the seventh on clay since she turned pro in 1995, …