Tag Archives: ITF

Laura Pigossi Defeats Maria Lourdes Carle to Claim Argentina Open Title

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Laura Pigossi is celebrating a special first…

The 29-year-old Brazilian professional tennis player defeated Argentina’s Maria Lourdes Carle 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday to win the Argentina Open.

Laura PigossiWorld No.137 Pigossi took 1 hour and 32 minutes to topple 175th-ranked Carle on the Argentine’s home soil. Pigossi is now 3-0 against Carle in their head-to-head, with all three of the Brazilian’s victories coming in straight sets.

In the process, Pigossi claimed her first-ever WTA Challenger title.

In the semifinals, she outlasted Mexico’s Renata Zarazúa 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (2).

Pigossi, currently ranked No. 137 in the WTA rankings, has won eight ITF titles in her career, as well as a bronze medal in women’s doubles at the 2020 Tokyo Games alongside compatriot Luisa Stefani.

Maria Lourdes Carle Defeats Julia Riera to Reach Argentina Open Final

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Maria Lourdes Carle has advanced to her first WTA Challenger final…

The 23-year-old Argentine professional tennis player, the No. 8 seed, has reached the final of the Argentina Open by defeating No. 7 seed Julia Riera 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday evening.

Maria Lourdes CarleCarle, ranked No 175, will play Brazilian Laura Pigossi, the No 5 seed, next.

In the previous rounds of the Argentinian WTA 125 tournament, Carle won against Brazilian Gabriela Ce (3-6, 6-0, 6-3), Ipek Oz (6-1, 6-3) and Frenchwoman Diane Parry, the top seed (7-6 (2), 6-3).

Riera, ranked No 163, defeated Frenchwoman Selena Janicijevic (7-5, 6-3), Romanian Miriam Bulgaru (6-2, 6-3) and Slovenian Polona Hercog (6-3, 6-4) earlier in the tournament.

On the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour, Carle has won 12 singles titles and five doubles titles.

International Tennis Federation Encouraging Rafael Nadal to Play it the 2024 Paris Games

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Despite the uncertainty surrounding Rafael Nadal’s return to competitive play, one organization is encouraging him to get back in the game in time for the 2024 Paris Games.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is planning to do everything it can to encourage the 37-year-old former world No. 1 to compete in the Paris Olympic Games, the global tennis body’s chief David Haggerty tells Reuters.

Rafael NadalNadal has been sidelined since hurting his hip flexor in a second-round loss to Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open in mid-January and has yet to confirm his plans for next season following surgery.

Nadal had previously said he expects to retire following the 2024 season and hoped to play in the Paris Games with the tennis tournament set to take place at Roland Garros, where he has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles.

Nadal won the Olympic singles gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Games and the doubles gold eight years later at the 2016 Rio Games.

“We know what a champion he is and a medalist a number of times so it certainly could be a storybook ending, so to speak, for him. It would be great. Whether he does or not, will be up to him,” Haggerty told Reuters in a video call on Monday.

“But we’ll do everything we can to encourage him to play, because I think it would be great. Knowing that it’s in Paris, at Roland Garros, where he’s had such tremendous success would be a great venue for him to be able to compete at.”

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said earlier this month Nadal would return to Grand Slam tennis at Melbourne Park, but the player’s representative said no timeline had been set for his comeback.

Nadal has been stepping up his recovery and releasing videos on social media of his training.

“I think the main thing for him is just being healthy and feeling he can compete at the level that he wants to, because that’s the kind of competitor he is,” Haggerty said.

“He wants to be at the top of his game and we wish him the best.”

Conchita Martínez Named Tournament Director of This Year’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals

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Conchita Martínez is overseeing the Cup…

The 51-year-old Spanish former professional tennis player, a former Wimbledon champion, has been named the tournament director for the Billie Jean King Cup finals.

Conchita MartinezTwelve national teams will play in Seville, Spain during the finals from November 7-12 in what is the 60th year of the competition formerly known as the Fed Cup.

The International Tennis Federation announced the appointment of Martínez at a news conference in London.

Martínez won Wimbledon in 1994 and helped Spain win five Fed Cups during the 1990s. She was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2020.

“I know today’s generation of players take as much pride in playing for their nations as I did, and I am excited to see that passion on show in Seville in November,” Martínez said in the ITF announcement.

Feliciano Lopez Appointed Tournament Director for Davis Cup Finals

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Feliciano Lopez’s Cup runneth over…

The 41-year-old Spanish tennis player has been appointed tournament director for the Davis Cup finals, the International Tennis Federation has announced.

Feliciano LopezLopez, who won the competition with Spain four times, plans to end his playing career after this year.

The group stage will take place from September 12-17 in four European cities followed by the last-eight event in Malaga, Spain, from November 21-26.

“I have some special memories of playing in this competition so I am very happy to be taking a leading role in delivering these events,” Lopez said in the ITF announcement. “As tournament director, my sole focus will be to build on the recent success of the competition and make it the best it can be for players and supporters across the world.”

The Davis Cup was included as an official part of the ATP calendar under an agreement last year between the ITF and the men’s tour. Attendance in February’s qualifying events was up 10%.

Spain and Serbia are together in Group C, setting up a possible meeting between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. The Czech Republic and South Korea are also in the group, which will play in Valencia.

The United States will face Croatia, Finland and the Netherlands in Group D. That group will be hosted by Croatia, although the city and venue has yet to be announced. Defending champion Canada is in Group A along with Italy, Sweden and Chile — playing in Bologna. Group B consists of host Britain, Australia, France and Switzerland, and will play in Manchester.

The top two teams in each group advance to the Final 8 tournament. A record 155 nations entered the competition this year.

Lopez represented Spain in the Davis Cup five times and helped his country win it in 2008, ’09, ’11 and ’19.

“He is a Davis Cup legend and embodies everything the competition is about — passion, entertainment and pride in representing your country,” ITF president David Haggerty said.

Lopez became tournament director of the Madrid Open in 2019.

A three-time quarterfinalist at Wimbledon, Lopez is set to play in the grass-court Mallorca Championships beginning June 25.

Rafael Nadal Wins International Tennis Federation’s Sportsmanship Award

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Rafael Nadalis a good sport…

The 33-year-old Spanish tennis star, and the world’s top-ranked player, has won his second consecutive Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award and third overall.

Rafael Nadal

The award, which was announced Thursday, is based on voting by other players.

The International Tennis Federationalso announced its year-end awards, with year-end No. 1s Nadal and Ashleigh Bartynamed ITF World Champions.

It’s Nadal’s fourth selection and Barty’s first.

Rafael Nadal Named the International Tennis Federation’s Player of the Year

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The 2017 tennis season may be over, but Rafael Nadal is still winning…

The 31-year-old Spanish tennis star has won the International Tennis Federation‘s male Player of the Year award.

Rafael Nadal

At 31, Nadal becomes the oldest ITF men’s world champion after a season in which he won a 10th French Open and a third US Open.

Nadal also became the oldest player to finish the year at No. 1 since the ATP rankings began in 1973.

But Nadal isn’t the only Latino award winner…

Garbine Muguruza was named the International Tennis Federation’s female Player of the Year.

The Spanish-Venezuelan professional tennis player and former world No. 1 dropped only one set en route to her first Wimbledon title and finished the year at No. 2 behind Simona Halep.

“Becoming ITF world champion in such a competitive year is amazing for me,” said Muguruza, who is also Spanish. “(Nadal) is a great role model for all of us, so it is a great moment for tennis in Spain.”

León García Has Been Appointed as Captain of Spain’s Davis Cup Team

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Gala León García is breaking down barriers while making history.

The 40-year-old Spanish former professional tennis player has been appointed as captain of Spain’s Davis Cup team by La Federación Internacional de Tenis, becoming the first-ever female coach of a Davis Cup team.

Gala León García

In a statement, the federation says León García will replace Carlos Moya, who stepped down as captain after Spain fell out of the World Group.

Without Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer, Spain lost to Brazil in the playoffs, dropping the five-time champions to the zonal groups for the first time since 1996. The team also lost to Germany earlier this year.

Andy Murray, who is currently coached by Amelie Mauresmo, tweeted his congratulations to León García.

“congrats to Gala Leon Garcia for becoming first female Spanish Davis cup captain today…” tweeted Murray, adding, “hopefully first of many!”

More details are expected in the coming days.

León García turned pro in 1990 and retired in 2004. She achieved her highest ranking of No. 27 in September 2000. She earned one WTA title and 6 ITF titles.