Category: Tennis Events

Tennis Stars Get Paid to Drive These Luxurious Cars

Tennis stars are supported by millions of fans and all the major stars has partnered with one of the leading automobile brands. In promoting some of the most luxurious cars via social media or adverts, there are many benefits to both the sports starts as well as the companies. In return for promoting the automobile brands, the tennis players receive tons of cash, and they get to drive the car of their choice.

Rafael Nadal Ambassador for Kia Motors

Rafael Nadal has been the promoter of choice for Kia Motors, and since the start of 2004, he was at first the primary ambassador for the brand in Spain. Since 2006, only two years after becoming the ambassador for Kia Motors in Spain, Nadal became the Kia Motors ambassador for the global brand.

Roger Federer Partnered with Mercedes-Benz

Since 2010, Roger Federer is the Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador, and this means that he receives a new car from Mercedes every six months.

Maria Sharapova Associated with Porsche

Maria Sharapova is a huge Porsche fan and became the brand ambassador for the brand in 2012.

Kei Nishikori is the Ambassador for Jaguar

Nishikori loves everything about Jaguar, and by 2014 he got the deal of a lifetime when he became the brand ambassador for the brand in Japan.

Serena Williams Choose Lincoln Motors

Serena Williams selected Lincoln Motors which is the Ford Motor Company’s luxury car division. In 2018 the tennis superstar was appointed as the brand ambassador for none other than the 2018 Lincoln Navigator model. Williams has also been allied with German automakers previously, which included Aston Martin and BMW’s Mini brand.

Andy Murray is the sports Celebrity promoting Jaguar.

Andy Murray first became the Ambassador for the Jaguar brand in 2016 and is known by most as the Jaguar man.

Dominic Thiem

Since 2015, Dominic Thiem is the Kia Motors brand ambassadors in Austria while Rafael Nadal is the ambassador for the Kia Motors brand worldwide.

Alexander Zverev

Since March 2017, Zverev is the brand ambassador for the luxury automobile brand, Peugeot.

Garbiñe Muguruza

Garbiñe is the official ambassador of Mazda since 2014. While the deal is not active at the moments, it could be prolonged in future.

While tennis superstars get to drive the most luxurious cars around, it is also interesting to know which earns the most. According to Forbes, the wealthiest tennis superstars in the world makes around $77.2 million per annum. The yearly income of $77.2 million was for the period June 2017 up to June 2018, which have increased considerably since then. His/her income does not determine the highest earner only as a $300 million endorsement deal signed by Federer for the next 10-years almost ensures that he will remain at the top of the list. The top-earning female tennis star remains Serena Williams who earned for the same period an income of $18.1 million.

The top earners include Novak Djokovic at around $23 million per year, Kei Nishikori earning a yearly income of $34.6 million and Rafael Nadal earning $41.4 million. At the top of the list is Roger Federer earning $77.2 million.

Is the WPA About Lack of Dominant Tennis Players or Depth?

When Naomi Osaka claimed her second Grand Slam title in succession during January at the Australian Open, it seemed like the WTA could have located a player with sufficient dignity to surpass Serena Williams. The primary obstacles that are standing in her way appear to be three other Grand Slam champions, including Angelique Kerber, Petra Kvitová, and Simona Halep.

The hype was enormous. Referring to Osaka and Williams, a news article published in The Atlantic stated: “Women’s tennis is currently a two-headed monster while the rest are still lurking.”

The WTA Becomes a 14-Headed Monster

However, Osaka managed to draw a blank with the weeks that followed after the Australian Open. She was knocked out before the quarterfinals in two large tournaments, including the Miami Open and the BNP Paribas Open, which are both considered the most significant tournaments when it comes to Grand Slams. Perhaps more intriguing is the fact that her demise wasn’t the handiwork of Grand Slam champions, but instead at the hands of Su-Wei Hsieh and Belinda Bencic, neither of whom were ranked in the top 20.

Now, after 12 weeks into 2019, the WTA is not regarded as a two-headed monster anymore, but a 14 headed monster due to the number of single tournaments along with different tournament champions that have been produced in the new year. Meanwhile, Kerber, Kvitová, and Halep have one title between them which Kvitová managed to secure in Sydney. So what gives?

“It’s fantastic, isn’t it?” stated Ashleigh Barty after she claimed the Miami Open tournament earlier this month. “Especially when you look at the women’s side, I believe everything has evened out while the depth has grown considerably over the last couple of years.”

There’s no denying that the days when a top 8 seed could sleepwalk through to the quarterfinals without having to surrender more than a couple of matches are long gone. However, it still took the tour a couple of generations to fully achieve and mature the competitive depth we have now. The young generation, players up to 22 years of age, might be the strongest yet. Ashleigh Barty, currently ranked at number 9, might be its talisman.

The WTA Tournament Group

Ashleigh Barty was so well disciplined and schooled that she managed to burn out just after she turned 18. She decided to leave the tour for over a year and made her return in the minor league in May 2016. She’s only 22 years old at the moment, and there’s no one else that has claimed a WTA tournament on the hard courts in 2019. In recent years, some winners were considerably younger. The WTA tournament group includes Jelena Ostapenko who was the French Open Champion in 2017, Belinda Bencic, a struggling 21-year old who claimed a Grand Slam event, and Bianca Andreescu who was the first wild card entry to claim victory at Indian Wells. So there’s no denying that the competition is getting more difficult with each passing year.

Tennis Events

Roger Federer Wins at Miami Open


Roger Federer managed to win the 101st single title of his career during the Miami Open in March. There were several signs that Roger Federer could secure the title – and a handful that indicated that he wouldn’t – when he started his journey ten days ago. No tennis player in the world has won more than 1 title in a total of 19 ATP tournaments in 2019. The top seed in Miami, Novak Djokovic, managed to win the last 3 Grand Slam events and looked keen to rebound from a third-round defeat at Indian Wells.

Roger Federer at the Miami Open

Roger Federer had some severe doubts at the Miami Open. He was defeated in Miami during the second round in 2018 and returned after an Indian Wells final defeat at the hands of Dominic Thiem. “To be honest, it would have been quite easy to say that last year simply didn’t work out for me, let me rather not come back,” Federer stated in a news conference after he defeated John Isner in the final. “I’m delighted I decided to change my mind.”

Other ominous signs started to develop in real time for Federer. He was forced to produce an 11-hour rally against Radu Albot who was his first opponent to take down in the tournament. All spectators then turned to the group of young players who managed to run roughshod through the tournament where two teenagers managed to end in the semi-finals. The role of Federer seemed to transform from a primary candidate to elder statesman and then dangerous veteran to everyone’s role model.

Roger Federer, who is currently 37 years old, didn’t assist his cause with the phenomenal way he fielded all the unanswered questions about the promoting, young, gifted kids who wanted to replace Federer in the brackets. However, that’s the MO for Federer: Love and lull them to death.

“I was highly impressed and kept asking myself how old he actually was and how good will he eventually get?” Federer stated after he recalled the first time he witnessed Denis Shapovalov who was his semi-final opponent with a superb backhand. “He was, and the same can be said about his serve. It felt like he truly belonged in the tournament with a beautiful swinger.”

Federer continued by stating that he was extremely excited to play against Shapovalov who he managed to defeat without any remorse or mercy, 6-4, 6-2.

Roger Federer’s Opponents in the Miami Open

The assignments for Federer always give the impression of scripts from Mission Impossible. Eliminate Rafael Nadal in Europe on the red dirt. Outsmart Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon on spongy lawns. Outfox Andy Murray in Asia on hardcourts. However, the week at the Miami Open felt more like a lumberjack operation. Chop down the timber in 3 consecutive matches during the semi-final. Federer’s opponents included Daniil Medvedev, Kevin Anderson, and Isner who all offered dangerous serves, and he managed to defeat them all.

Tennis Events

Bianca Andreescu Wins Indian Wells Women’s Title

If Dominic Thiem required a clear reminder that anything is possible before his incredible three-set upset against Roger Federer at the BNP Paribas Open in the men’s final. Bianca Andreescu certainly provided that pep talk. She is only 18 years of age.

Bianca Andreescu vs Angelique Kerber

With her remarkable 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Angelique Kerber, a three-time Grand Slam champion. Bianca Andreescu managed to become the first wild card to claim the Indian Wells women’s title. She is now regarded as the youngest tournament winner since Serena Williams back in 1999. Bianca is considered the fourth unseeded tennis player to raise the prestigious trophy, joining Naomi Osaka, Kim Clijsters, and Serena Williams.

Towards the end of the third set, Bianca Andreescu was visibly exhausted, played injured, and had cramps in her legs against one of the toughest, fittest women in the world of tennis. However, for one day, the 18 years old Canadian managed to outsmart one of the greatest fighters in the sport.

“This is undoubtedly one of the most difficult matches I’ve played in my career,” Andreescu stated after the match. “I realised how much determination I have, and regardless of the score, anyone can come back. I certainly believe that I proved that anything is possible today.”

From Sunday’s first ball, Andreescu didn’t show any signs of the nerves that usually accompany players during their first WTA final. Mainly when she played against a tennis pro. Who was there to contest for her 29th final and was ranked number 8 in the world. On the other hand, Andreescu already managed to take down 5 Top 20 players in 2019, three in this tennis tournament alone, and accumulated more match wins than any other female tennis player.

Dominic Thiem vs Roger Federer

Even though he dropped the first set against Federer, who seemed every bit the champion. Thiem managed to rally to take the second set and during the 11th game of the last set. This prevented Federer from scoring on a back-to-back drop shot attempts before breaking him with a brilliant crosscourt forehand.

The 25-year-old from Austria then managed to close the match on his serve. This allowed him to claim his first Masters 1000 title along with the most significant tournament of his career with an astonishing 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 win. Thiem was instantly grabbed in the head, he dropped to the ground, and his legs/arms were splayed out. This was similar to how Andreescu did when she won the most significant single title on the history of Canadian tennis.

“It’s quite unreal what occurred in 10 days throughout the tournament,” Thiem stated after his victory. “I had terrible form in most categories, and I’m not the Indian Wells champion. It feels truly unreal. It’s remarkable that I managed to get here, my first massive title.”

Main, Tennis Events

Serena Williams Retires at Indian Wells

The return of Serena Williams to the world of tennis, following a five-week break, ended rather early when she decided to retire from the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday due to a viral illness.

Williams vs Muguruza

Williams managed to race to an incredible 3-0 lead against Garbine Muguruza, a two-time major champion, in their third-round match before dropping six successive games as well as the first set 6-3.

“When you look at the score, it might have seemed that I started great. However, I wasn’t feeling physical well at all,” Williams stated in a recent interview.

Between sets when the changeover occurred, Williams requested to speak to her trainer. She managed to go out and unfortunately lost the first game during the second set. Soon after that, the match was declared over, and Serena Williams walked off the court.

“Before the match, I didn’t feel too great, and it just got worse from there with extreme fatigue and extreme dizziness,” Williams stated. “I will get better and prepare for Miami.”

Muguruza is the only tennis player to have defeated both Venus and Serena Williams in tournament finals. “It’s undoubtedly a weird feeling as I don’t feel like I won,” Muguruza stated to reporters. She merely looked forward to the next time the two will meet on the court.

Muguruza credited Serena Williams for being extremely dominating when the match was underway. “I quickly had to adapt my positions a little bit on the court, especially when it came to how I was hitting the ball. It took a few tries to get it right,” Muguruza stated. “I felt far more comfortable once I did.”

Serena Williams

Serena Williams, who is currently 37 years old, played her first major tournament since late January during the Australian Open where she, unfortunately, lost during the quarterfinals.

This is the second time in 4 years where Serena Williams had to withdraw from a tennis tournament. She managed to return to the desert during 2015 following a 15-year boycott. During the same year, she managed to reach the semi-finals before she had to withdraw from playing against Simona Help. She also missed 2017 due to her pregnancy.

Rafael Nadal managed to breeze past Jarden Donaldson, while Roger Federer defeated Peter Gojowczyk in the second round. Federer was able to save 6 of 7 break chances while playing the Germany-born opponent he lost only two points on his serve during the set.

“If I perhaps served a little better, I believe things would have progressed faster,” Federer stated. “However, towards the end, it was a complicated second set, and its perhaps also exactly what I required.”

Federer has managed to reach the desert tournament final in his last four appearances, claiming victory two years ago. Overall, he boasts with a total of 5 titles at Indian Wells. He also managed to win his 100th title in his career in Dubai last weekend.

Tennis Events

Nick Kyrgios’ Impressive Win Against Rafael Nadal

Nick Kyrgios only played his 6th match in 2019 before he faced Rafael Nadal in the Acapulco ATP 500 on Wednesday evening. Kyrgios certainly made up for lost time when he upset the top seed of the tournament in an electrifying 3-hour match in glorious fashion.

The curious factor about the match is that the action most witnessed as unsporting or inflammatory weren’t the kind of defenceless transgressions that have earned Nick Kyrgios notoriety.

The Controversial Bits of the Match

The controversial bits that occurred during the match on Wednesday evening were an injury timeout during the second and first sets. The underarm serves Kyrgios attempted, and a complaint regarding the amount of time Rafael Nadal took between points which occurred during the third set.

Nadal fumed after the game, stating to reports: Nick is someone that has enormous talent on the court. He can easily win several Grand Slams and battle it out for the top position. However, there’s a good reason why he is still ranked at number 72 in the world. He merely lacks respect for his rivals, for the public, and more importantly, towards himself.”

Rafael Nadal, who never actually criticises other players in public, was merely giving voice to the opinions shared by other tennis players and fans. Kyrgios is a careless, aggressive player who usually lacks a filter. Nick has treated highly regarded players with insolence and failed horribly to provide his best effort. He has also been known to make disparaging remarks regarding his profession — this all taking place while still reaping the rewards when it comes to his lavish lifestyle.

The Match Between Nadal and Kyrgios

Kyrgios managed to suck up all the oxygen from the match, and there’s no doubt that it irritated Nadal from start to finish. Nadal managed to win the first set before taking a timeout for injury. This is quite a common feature in tennis these days. Nick informed the trainer that he had lower back pain and was feeling sick. A microphone managed to catch him stating that if he decided to quit the media would blow it out of proportion.

Kyrgios managed to fight back during the match after the first set. During the third set, he attempted an underarm serve to take full advantage of the return position of Nadal deep in his court. The gamble provided a double fault along with a contentious debate over Twitter. Most regard the underarm serve as being unsporting. However, it does not violate the rules of the game in any way. Several players have attempted it before Kyrgios as well.

The final aspect of the match was the third-set complaint by Kyrgios regarding Nadal’s slow speed of play. Nadal enjoys using the full 25 seconds. However, Kyrgios possesses a fast pace when he serves. The rule of tennis state that plays must proceed at the speed of the server. So, although Kyrgios won the match, it’s the last thing fans thought about after the game.

Main, Tennis Events

Can Novak Djokovic Be Considered for the GOAT?

When we look back at the 2019 Australian Open in a couple of years, we will mostly remember that it marked the place and time at which Novak Djokovic managed to rekindle the debate for the greatest player of all time.

Djokovic’s victory against Rafael Nadal in the final on Sunday earned him his 15th Grand Slam title, placing him just two behind Rafael Nadal and ahead of Pete Sampras. He is also only five titles behind Roger Federer who currently boasts with 20 Grand Slam titles.

Novak Djokovic as the GOAT

Considering his excellent health, age, his obsession for clean living and his healthy appetite for domination, it’s quite impossible to escape the fact that he can now be considered for GOAT honours. Djokovic has managed to win three consecutive majors since his resurgence a year ago.

“I am absolutely speechless,” Djokovic stated to the crowd at Melbourne after he defeated Rafael. Fans and pundits, most of whom were expecting a 5 hour plus battle on the blue floor at Rod Laver Arena, couldn’t believe how amazing Djokovic played against Nadal.

Nadal, who essentially didn’t compete for more than five months, only had one caveat to hold onto while giving full credit to Djokovic for playing a phenomenal game: “Facing such a big challenge, I required something else to successfully compete at such an elite level. However, its something that I do not have as of yet.”

It’s a valid point. However, its far more likely that Novak Djokovic, following a mid-career crisis due to an elbow injury and private issues, is playing better than ever. He has managed to recover his game as well as his focus. He is also placing a sizable amount of daylight between him and his rivals due to the fact that his fitness and age are increasingly affecting his games with them.

At 32 years old, Nadal is only a year older than Novak Djokovic which isn’t much, to be honest. However, there’s no denying that Nadal’s career is far more difficult. He has a lot more miles on the clock and his body needs more than just a simple routine check. On the other hand, Federer is in fantastic shape. However, he is already 37 years old.

Djokovic vs Nadal

This victory managed to boost Djokovic’s record against Rafael Nadal to 28-25. This record has some incredible aspects that have to be sobering for each of his rivals. The 28th victory over Nadal is considered the most wins by one pro against another. Djokovic also boasts with a 13-3 record against Nadal on every tennis surface imaginable since Rafael Nadal managed to beat him in the 2013 US Open final.

Djokovic spoke quite highly about Nadal after his win stating, “I’m quite positive that we still have loads of matches to look forward to against each other on various surfaces. I sincerely hope we will as this rivalry has been quite significant for more.”

Tennis Events

Novak Djokovic to Face Rafael Nadal in the Final of the 2019 Australian Open

On Friday, Novak Djokovic continued his quest to claim his seventh crown in the Australian Open after defeating Lucas Pouille to advance to the final where he will face his ultimate rival, Rafael Nadal. The world number 1 provided a flawless display at the Rod Laver Arena who has managed to move into a first decider in Melbourne since 2016.

“It’s without a doubt one of the best matches that I have played on this court,” stated Djokovic, who managed to hit a total of 24 winners and only had five unforced errors. “Everything worked out exactly how I imagined it would prior to the match.

“It’s an upsetting time for Lucas, but thankfully he had a phenomenal tournament, and I sincerely wish him all the best for the remainder of the season,” he added. Novak Djokovic, unfortunately, lost during the fourth round of the tournament in 2018, followed by a poor form and elbow surgery until he managed to win at Wimbledon and turn everything around.

“It was impossible to imagine that I would be where I am today 12 months ago,” stated Djokovic. However, as I stated before, I will continue to have loads of self-belief which I think is something that manages to always prevail.”

The Australian Open Final

Novak Djokovic will now need to face Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final. The two world-renowned tennis players have met a total of 53 times on court and eight times during a Grand Slam final. In 2012, they delivered the longest final in the history of Grand Slams when it comes to time played at the Australian Open. Novak Djokovic managed to edge a thrilling battle during the fifth set after playing for 5 hours and 53 minutes.

During Djokovic’s 34th semi-final in the Grand Slam, he took a mere 83 minutes to defeat Lucas Pouille who made his debut at the Australian Open this year. Pouille is also Djokovic’s regular practice partner.

The 14-time title winner of the Grand Slam was quite fresh after winning the quarter-final this year as his opponent, Kei Nishikori, was forced to quit after only playing 51 minutes. During the semi-final against Pouille, Djokovic managed to dish out an awful 6-0 bagel during the first set which only took 21 minutes. Pouille managed to hold his first ever service game during the second set which was met with a massive ovation from fans at centre court. However, Djokovic was a picture of precision on both return and serve and didn’t allow Pouille to make a comeback at all.

Djokovic vs. Nadal

Rafael Nadal currently holds an incredible 3-4 loss-win record against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the Grand Slam which includes all three meetings since their marathon at Melbourne Park seven years ago. Both tennis players will be chasing a milestone on Sunday too.

If Nadal wins, he will be the first player to win all Grand Slam titles twice, while a win for Djokovic will provide his 7th title which places him above Emerson and Federer.

Tennis Events

Simona Halep Becomes Major Champion During French Open


Some tennis champions are transformed by pressure. They see, move, and think differently. One tennis player that reacts in this way is Sloane Stephens. When she entered the French Open, she had a record of 6-0 in her final matches. During September of last year, she managed to win the U.S Open. There’s no denying that pressure lights her up. The bigger the stadium, the quicker she is on her feet and the brighter her smile becomes.

Simona Halep as a Tennis Player

Things are quite different when you look at Simona Halep. Before the French Open this year, Halep was leading the final of major tournaments a total of three times and managed to lose each of them. When she accepted the trophy at Roland Garros as the runner-up a year ago, she didn’t attempt to hide her devastation. Halep stated that she was sick to her stomach due to emotion and perhaps wasn’t ready to claim it just yet. Only a handful of players have managed to speak so honestly and openly about the struggle with self-doubt.

Despite her losses, she went up against Stephens in the final of the French Open on Saturday and was the clear favorite as she was ranked number 1 in the world. During the semi-finals, she managed to defeat Garbine Muguruza, the former Wimbledon and French Open champion, controlling points from the start of the game thanks to her deceptive power and superior movement. However, when she faced Stephens, she was skittish in the beginning. She was unable to get the ball past Stephens as her fluid footwork managed to carry her to each and every ball. The first set was taken by Stephens, and continued on a break to begin the second. However, Halep soon adjusted, smashing moon balls to disconnect Stephen’s rhythm and pacing forward during short shots. In fact, Halep managed to win 8 of 10 points while she was at the net. She also starting to realize that she could survive the extremely long shots.

Halep’s Endurance to Win the Major

Stephens is one of a handful of players can that rival the athleticism of Halep. However, she was unable to match the stamina of Halep. The forehand speed of Stephens started dropping, and the effectiveness in her serve was lost. Even her footwork started slowing down. On the other hand, Halep was starting to extend points that sometimes came with unworldly retrievals. An unbelievable 55 points in the game managed to last for 9 shots or more. Although the 1-6 score line may have looked one sided, it was certainly very competitive throughout.

Halep had quality in her movement as well as something in the way she managed to lift her feet off the ground during her finals match against Stephens. Once the match ended, several chants came from the crowd, cheering “Simona”. Her dream finally came true and she was absolutely thrilled with her first ever Major at the French Open.

Tennis Events

The Best Tennis Courts in the World


Tennis stadiums vary in surface, style, and size. Some play host to the largest tournaments in the world, while others play host to smaller tournaments, yet still quite prestigious. Most of them feature a phenomenal and rich history that has assisted to shape the sport as we know it today. For those that consider themselves to be the ultimate tennis enthusiast, we highly recommend visiting the below tennis stadiums at least once in your lifetime.

Indian Wells Tennis Garden – Indian Wells, California

The Indian Wells Masters is hosted at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The hard surface outdoor court situated at Stadium 1 is considered the largest capacity arena at Indian Wells, seating over 16,000 tennis fans. Both the WTA Tour and ATP World Tour participate at the Indian Wells Masters which makes it the 5th biggest tennis tournament across the globe. Established in 2000, the facility is worth $77 million as is regarded as a favourite among both fans and players.

The O2 Arena – London, England

The O2 Arena situated in London, England is the largest building in the world when it comes to floor space. The hard surface indoor court played a significant role on the ATP Tour and hosted the Finals from 2009. This glorious arena can seat 17,500 fans which makes it the 2nd largest when it comes to capacity in the world of tennis.

Uniprix Stadium – Quebec, Canada

The Uniprix Stadium is home to the Canadian Open, also referred to the as Canada Masters or the Rodgers Cup. This hard surface outdoor court also plays host to both the WTA Tour and ATP World Tour. The stadium can seat an impressive 11,700 fans.

The Lindner Family Tennis Center – Mason, Ohio

Situated in Mason, Ohio, the Lindner Family Tennis Center is home to both the Southern and Western Open. The centre can seat more than 11,000 fans is an outdoor hard surface arena. The Southern and Western Open is a favourite among fans and players on both the WTA Tour and ATP World Tour.

Louis Armstrong Stadium – Queens, New York City

The Louis Armstrong Stadium forms part of the USTA Billie Jean Tennis Center, hosting the US Open and can seat over 10,000 spectators. The Louis Armstrong Stadium is an important aspect when it comes to the Grand Slams and features a hard surface outdoor court. It’s named after a famous jazz musician and is set to increase its seating capacity to 15,000 in 2019.

Court Philippe Chatrier – Paris, France

The Roland Garros tennis court plays host to the French Open and can seat up to 15,000 spectators. Established in 1928, the tennis complex is 21 acres in size and features 20 different courts. The clay outdoor surface is located in Paris, France and is a favourite for tennis superstar, Rafael Nadal.

Centre Court Wimbledon – London, England

This outdoor grass court plays host to the WTA Tour and ATP World Tour for the prestigious Wimbledon Championship. The stadium can seat more than 15,000 fans and comes with a retractable roof which was added in 2009.

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