Newfanzone 2015 Tennis And Table Tennis Review

With the end of the 2015 Tennis season, we at Newfanzone.com take a look at what happened during the course of the year in Nigeria, and also at the ATP and WTA levels.

NIGERIA

Egypt’s Omar Assar and Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri during the presentation for the men’s singles final won by the Egyptian at the ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium at the weekend

Unlike the amazing year we had in 2014 when it comes to Table Tennis, this year performance from our athletes was a bit below expectation.

In the Month of March, we had the ITTF World Tour (Lagos Open) at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall where big names on the Continent such as Omar Assar, Dina Meshref, Aruna Quadri, Ojo Onaolapo, Funke Oshonaike, Shagdy Magdy, Offiong Edem, and also Portuguese Stars such as Jieni Shao, Andre & Diogo Silva participated in the tournament. It was quite a poor outing for team Nigeria, where our only win came from the Men’s double final courtesy Aruna Quadri and Makanjuola Kazeem. The Lagos Open also showed that the future of Nigeria Table Tennis is promising if our administrators manage the crop of young players in the ranks such as Hassan Nurudeen, Muibat Bello & Ayobami Animashaun.

Victorious Nigerian Men’s Table Tennis Team at the AAG

The All African games also showed that apart from Egypt, Congo has also grown as a real threat and are ready to challenge Nigeria come 2016 when it comes to playing tennis on the table with the likes of Wang Jinan, Yuheng Li & Han Xing.

Team Nigeria had a fairly good showing at the AAG, winning the men’s team event and other medals.

In Lawn tennis, we saw the return of the Governor’s cup in which 38 countries participated in. The farthest Nigeria could go in the competition was the Quarter-Finals where Chris Paul fell at the hands of South-African Lloyd Harris 6-1,6-0. The competition which took place at the Lagos lawn tennis club in Onikan was won by Antal Van Der Dium ( Male) and Conny Perrin (Female). The final also witnessed the presence of the Minister of Youths and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalong and the Governor of Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode.

Governor Ambode presents runner up trophy of men’s singles to Zimbabwe

There were a few Positives to take home this year from Nigerian Tennis (especially Table Tennis) and with the necessary funds hopefully we would have a better 2016 when it comes to playing tennis either on the Table, Grass, Clay or Hard court.

The WTA Season

Serena Williams, French Open photo credit: Yann Caradec https:::creativecommons.org:licenses:by-sa:4.0:legalcode

The WTA season this year was quite one sided as the big players were not good enough to stop Serena Williams from winning 3 Grand Slam titles (Australian Open, Roland Garros & Wimbledon). The American lost 3 games out of 53 which further proves how consistent she has been throughout this year.

World No.2 Simona Halep was disappointing this season winning just 3 WTA titles. Halep could not even take her opportunity when Serena was beaten at the US Open and her absence during the season ending WTA finals as she was beaten by Flavia Pennetta and Agnieszka Radwanska respectively. Maybe Halep needs to change her Coach in Darren Cahill as she seem not to be getting it when it comes to the Slams.

Spaniard Garbine Muguruza has had a wonderful 2015 and she would hope she takes this sort of form next year especially during the Slams.

The 22 year old had a blissful campaign this season as she ended the year as world No.3 (Youngest Player in the top 10) behind “Miss Consistent” Serena Williams and Simona Halep.

Muguruza has emerged top pick to represent Spain in the forthcoming Olympics and she would also team up with Carla Suarez Navarro and Rafael Nadal in the doubles.

Maria Sharapova
photo credit: Ian Gampon
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/legalcode

Sharapova would need to be fit if she wants to have a go at any Grand Slam title this year. The former French Open Champion is still a winner any day, but she needs to be consistent and hope to be injury free come next season.

Top Performers

Serena Williams

Flavia Pennetta

Garbine Muguruza

Agnieszka Radwanska

Venus Williams

FLOPS

Caroline Wozniacki
photo credit: Marianne Bevis
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/legalcode

Simona Halep

Maria Sharapova

Petra Kvitova

Caroline Wozniacki

Player To Watch Next Season

Garbine Muguruza
photo credit: Si Robi
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode

Garbine Muguruza – The young Spaniard was very fantastic last season as she got to the final of Wimbledon which she lost to Serena Williams. Muguruza won WTA Singles title in this past season, and certainly the 22 year old would be eyeing a Grand Slam title come next season. With the epileptic form of her compatriots,apart from Serena,trust Muguruza to go all the way come next season.

The ATP Season

Novak Djokovic at Us Open
photo credit: Marianne Bevis
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/legalcode

Novak ruled the Men tennis in this outgoing season with fantastic displays winning three Grand Slam titles in the process, finishing the year as No.1 and ranked 5th for the all time weeks at world No.1 moving past Rafael Nadal and John McEnroe in the process.

The Serb knows how to turn up in the Slams and how to defeat the big boys when it matters most. One sad thing on Novak’s mind this season would be his loss on clay to Swiss, Stanislas Wawrinka after he had defeated “The Master Of Clay” Rafael Nadal in the Semis. Novak would no doubt put in much effort to see if he could win that much coveted Roland Garros title come next season.

Andy Murray, 2015 Davis Cup
photo credit: Marianne Bevis
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/legalcode

British No.1 Andy Murray, had had a fairly good season ending the year as the 2nd best player in the world. Murray who helped Britain win the Davis cup title after many years would have his sights at the Olympics in Rio come next season. Andy kept his manager Amelie Mauresmo at the end of this season which shows that he was satisfied with the level of performance he showed this season. Barring any injuries,Andy would give Novak a fight come next season.

Roger Federer Australian Open photo credit Chip_2904 https://www.flickr.com/photos/76384935@N00/3248048505/sizes/l

Roger Federer also had a decent season, though the Swiss would still want to win a Grand Slam title. It would be very difficult for Federer come next season with the form of the two players ahead of him in the rankings. On his day, the Swiss Master who became the 3rd player in the Open era to win 1000 Grand Slam titles, would defeat any player that come up against him.

Rafael Nadal would hope to forget this past season as injuries hampered him from competing at his peak. The Spaniard would sure look forward to his favorite surface (Clay) as a great chance to win yet another Grand Slam title come next year.

Top Performers

Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray

Roger Federer

Stanislas Wawrinka

Kevin Anderson

Flops

Rafael Nadal
photo credit: Marianne Bevis
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/legalcode

Rafael Nadal

Kei Nishikori

David Ferrer

Jo Wilfred Tsonga.

Player To Watch Next Season

Stanislas Wawrinka photo credit: Kate https:::creativecommons.org:licenses:by-sa:2.0:legalcode.

Stanislas Wawrinka – The Swiss international just has a way of doing his business quietly and getting results. Wawrinka won Roland Garros this year and has been consistent all year long making the Semis of Grand Slam tournaments and also winning ATP titles. He would definitely be a dark horse next year in any Grand Slam competition and trust the Swiss not to disappoint.

The tennis has been fantastic this season from the local athletes to their foreign compatriots and we at Newfanzone.com believes 2016 would be a much better year where new discoveries would be made especially when it comes to Nigeria.

Ademola Adejuwo

Summer Issue Of ITFWorld Magazine Published Online

The Summer 2015 issue of the International Tennis Federation’s official magazine ITFWorld has been published online and can be viewed at:

http://www.itftennis.com/news/211143.aspx

The 40-page magazine features Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinal hero Lleyton Hewitt on the cover and the following articles are included inside:

A Giant Leap: reporting on the battle to reach the semifinals of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, in which Belgium will host Argentina while Australia travels to Great Britain for a throwback battle between old rivals.

Serena Summer: a look back at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, where Serena Williams dominated to further her quest to capture the elusive Grand Slam, and Novak Djokovic’s attempt to do the same was foiled by Stan Wawrinka.

Francesco Ricci Bitti, ITF President, photo credit ITF.com

An Interview with Francesco Ricci Bitti: as he prepares to step down in September, the ITF President reflects on what has been achieved in his 16 years in office.

Rio Here We Come: an update on preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympic Tennis Event.

Williams And Wawrinka Crowned 2015 King And Queen of Clay At Paris Open

French Open Trophys

Serena Williams has won the French Open title for the third time after beating Lucie Safarova 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-2. In the Singles finals of the French Open.

The World Number one could have gifted Safarova the title without hitting a single ball as she had taken ill before the finals but the American dug in deep to produce the stuff that champions are made of in a match that saw The top-ranked American beat Lucie Safarova 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-2 Saturday.

Serena Williams photo credit: Yann Caradec https:::creativecommons.org:licenses:by-sa:2.0:legalcode

Serena now has 20 majors to her name and if she can go on to win at Wimbledon and also at the US Open she will tie with Steffi Graff’s 22 majors, although the record for the highest number of majors for women is held by Margaret Smith Court with 24 majors, but many are saying that Serena might just be in line to meet this tally or even Surpass it.

The Thirty three year old American is Also just five match victories from catching up with Graff on the al time list of players with the most victories, She currently on 273 while Graff is on 278, Martina Navratilova tops this list with 306 titles.

Serena Williams Major list:

6 US Opens

6 Australian Open

5 Wimbledon title

3 French open title

Stanislas Wawrinka photo credit: Kate https:::creativecommons.org:licenses:by-sa:2.0:legalcode.

Stanislas Wawrinka Is New King of Clay…

Stanislas Wawrinka today came back from one set down to put paid to world Number one Novak Djokovic’s plan of becoming only the eight man to complete the set of all majors at the same time.

Both men played a thrilling game that ended 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 in favour of the 30 year Old former Australian Open Champion.

Wawrinka Who had earlier defeated countryman and one time Olympic Doubles partner Roger Federer in the Semi-Finals gave good account of himself to overcome the 28 year old Serbian tennis ace.

Stanislas Wawrinka photo credit: Kate https:::creativecommons.org:licenses:by-sa:2.0:legalcode

This is the only the second Grand slam title in Wawrinka’s entire career after he defeated Rafael Nadal 6–3, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 last year to claim the Australian Open.

The Swiss star who at 30 became the oldest winner of the French Open in 25 years will climb to the number four position when the ranking are released monday.

Draw For 2016 Fed Cup By BNP Paribas To Be Held At Roland Garros On 3 June

The Draw for the 2016 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas will be held at the FFT Museum at Roland Garros in Paris on Wednesday 3 June at 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT). The Draw will be streamed live on the official Fed Cup website: http://www.fedcup.com

The 2015 finalists are automatically the top two seeds in the 2016 World Group, while the remaining seeds are based on the latest ITF Fed Cup Nations Ranking of 20 April 2015.

The four seeded nations in the 2016 World Group are: Czech Republic (1), Russia (2), Italy (3), Germany (4).

Each of the seeds will be drawn against one of the following unseeded nations: France, Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland.

The four seeded nations in the 2016 World Group II are: Australia (1), Serbia (2), Poland (3), Canada (4).

Each of the seeds will be drawn against one of the following unseeded nations: Belarus, Slovakia, Spain, USA.

The 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final between Czech Republic and Russia will take place in Czech Republic on 14-15 November.

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with 99 nations entered in 2015. The event celebrated its 50th birthday in 2013 in the ITF’s centenary year. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Fed Cup. Adecco (Official HR Sponsor) is an international sponsor and beIN SPORTS is the Official Global Media Rights Partner.

Follow all the action on http://www.fedcup.com, http://www.fedcup.com/es, http://www.twitter.com/fedcup, http://www.facebook.com/FedCup, http://www.Weibo.com/fedcupofficial and http://www.fedcup.tv.

NEWFANZONE FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW

The second Grand slam of the year takes center stage in France in a couple of hours away. Newfanzone.com takes a look at the chances of the big boys,possible upsets and how it will all go down I’m Roland Garros.

Novak Djokovic, photo credit David Jones
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidcjones/8325891736/in/photolist-dFJnxw-d9a1ys-7wiCww-oLHews-p2aXN1-p4cRkK-p2aVBC-d99anW-6s2NgT-dsVq2f-dsVd5D-9DrroJ-egS23A-egKS3H-egRBku-egKPFx-egKN22-egKHD4-egR9cq-egKj4F-8swdaw-8swcQG-8swaiE-8st5mV-8sw7fC-8st4rZ-8sw6qd-8sw5gE-8st2ga-8st1MX-8st1gB-ajKhAu-7iSNdT-7iSMYX-7iSMGZ-7iSMkX-d7LdZ5-egTSsb-egN5zB-egTPJ7-egTL6G-egTGyY-egTFxu-egMTVp-egMSvr-egMR6i-egMPPB-egMzS8-egMyNz-egMh6a

MEN’S PREVIEW

The man of the moment on clay Novak Djokovic goes into Roland Garros as the favorite to win it for the first time in his career.

This is the Serb French Open title to lose as he is playing at a different level now defeating players like Nadal, Federer, Murray and Nishikori in the process.

He is on a 22 match unbeaten streak and 10-0 on clay. If form is anything to go by ,then Novak Djokovic will take home French Open title.

King of clay Rafael Nadal won’t have a shortage of challengers this year as he has not won any European ATP clay court title in the lead up to the French Open for the first time in ten years.

Nadal defeated Djokovic in last year pulsating final but this time he doesn’t look like he might make it into Roland Garros final but never bet against the Madrid born star.

Roger Federer is another player to always look out for in big competitions such as Grand Slam tournaments. The second seed almost won the Rome Masters before succumbing to eventual winner Novak Djokovic in the final. The world No.2 will not be meeting either of Djokovic and Nadal before the final which means the Swiss Master might get to the final once again and might nick the second French Open title of his career.

Newly Married British No. 1 Andy Murray also looks favorite for the Roland Garros title as the Scott has performed well in the Masters competition leading into the competition in Paris. Murray has already defeated earlier this month in Madrid and could defeat any one who underestimate him on clay.

Newfanzone.com Player to watch for 2015 Kei Nishikori will also pose some threat in Paris. The Japanese who won the Barcelona Open can take any of the big boys on and could just get to play in the Final of the French Open.

Other Exciting Players to watch in France include; Stanislas Wawrinka, Thomas Berdych, Gael Monfils, Grigor Dimitrov and David Ferrer.

NOTABLE ABSENTEE

Sixth seed Milos Raonic will miss the French Open tournament due to a lingering foot injury.

Andy Murray, photo credit Kate
https://www.flickr.com/photos/43555660@N00/7381761806/in/photolist-cfisBh-cccBHE-9Q9NNi-9QcEx7-9QcENf-9Z5qp7-e54daR-mPmFn8-mRgT1h-cccD2E-dbsMQE-e5aJoq-cccCX9-bUQost-6cksF6-dfA9oT-bUQn8r-bUQnFK-bUQoUa-e559ne-bUQoxc-dbyNhi-nAZ51B-8kCqj3-6zTgmb-nAYhfu-6zPqXv-e6oK1H-9WDUCT-pLz9Z8-cccBu7-e5aMGS-mPnSnV-9sA5m8-9sA4AX-6zSRpj-9QcE4h-dbyR8b-dbyRum-efDT4N-eeKzKC-mPo7qn-ct8Rfw-9Z2u7K-9Z2tsz-9Z5q29-ct8Ww1-cccDgf-e51KYK-mjz5Pk

NOTABLE FIRST ROUND DRAWS

* Andy Murray vs Qualifier

* Novak Djokovic vs Jarkko Nieminen

* Richard Gasquet vs Qualifier

* Qualifier vs Bernard Tomic

* Tim Smyczek vs Kevin Anderson

* Grigor Dimitrov vs Jack Sock

* Quentin Halys vs Rafael Nadal

* Andreas Seppi vs John Isner

* Kei Nishikori vs Paul-Henri Mathieu

* Jo-Wilfred Tsonga vs Qualifier

* Qualifier vs Fernando Verdasco

* Luckas Lacko vs David Ferrer

* Qualifier vs Tomas Berdych

* Stanislas Wawrinka vs Marsel Ilhan

* Qualifier vs Roger Federer

* Marin Cilic vs Robin Haase

French Open Trophys

STATISTICS (MALE)

PRIZE MONEY : €1,250,000

TROPHY : Coupe des Mouquetaires

MOST TITLES (AMATEUR ERA) : Max Decugis (8)

MOST TITLES (OPEN ERA) : RAFAEL NADAL (9)

SURFACE : Clay

DEFENDING CHAMPION: RAFAEL NADAL.

Nadal Serves, Day one of the 2009 Davis Cup final: Spain vs. The Czech Republic. photo credit Beth
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mirsasha/4178978349/in/photolist-7nhmER-7nxFAF-7nqsFG-7nqbVy-69vykE-7nELyQ-7naxUk-byazFD-9dvWKH-bkfGV9-8aVP3M-dwnuys-dwnoW5-dwnp5S-4peBrh-FFgSP-fSQ6KA-fSPJYo-5pNLKX-5pNH1g-dwntHS-dwnprL-aEWLDV-dwns3f-aF1Nid-aF1zYs-aF1Adj-aEWGYz-aEX23t-aEWQtF-aEWVUc-aEWTS2-aF1TBU-aF1Dt7-aEWZBM-aF1PyA-aEX1TD-aF1GZJ-aF1UnY-dwnpCN-dwgTVr-a3foGh-661jkM-661vjn-6617c4-661mPZ-661tbB-661vPa-665KUo-6617U4

NEWFANZONE VERDICT

Rafael Nadal goes into this competition as the defending champion but looking at the form of all the players going into Roland Garros Novak Djokovic has to be the favorite.

WOMEN’S PREVIEW

Serena Williams serves Vs Tsvetana Pironkova at the French Open 2007, at Stade Roland Garros in Paris
photo credit: Derek Holtham
https://www.flickr.com/photos/derekholtham/523847049/in/photolist-NhRtF-eGrd3J-81WbwY-eGrjjS-4Lc8bn-drteQS-eGkjnP-eGjZft-oWyTfL-eGkdGB-rkxzq8-c9umc7-4Mymeq-ngBMZA-cawotL-eSkLmD-9Qkrhv-zS8aE-pLKxfW-8CaeH4-6sRpSL-7r1Uic-nhhUiZ-4LBzEz-91o6bF-4LrHTx-9QcQnb-gN9mxY-82GJdE-p4SDeQ-rCgi9L-o8YtLV-cshe1y-57tTz4-4MvQXr-4wZSeD-eGkfPr-eGrrsY-eGk1qB-eGkgpH-eGkd1i-eGrpUC-eGk5KM-eGki9R-eGk46v-eGkesB-eGk7ei-eGrjSA-eGraDh-eGk4ia

Serena Williams looks like the woman to beat in every Grand Slam competition as she will go in as favorite in Roland Garros once again.

The American top seed who pulled out of the Italian Open will look to still tell the world that she is the best when it comes to women tennis.

Serena will want to reach the magical 20 milestone but she will need to start well in Paris as she was defeated last year in the early rounds by Garbine Muguruza.

Maria Sharapova is in good form and might well retain her French Open title. The Russian who lost in the Australian Open final to Serena will once again hope the American suffers a shock exit in the hand of one of the exciting youngsters.

As defending champion Sharapova cannot earn any fresh ranking knowing that an early exit might see her drop from her No.2 spot in the world.

Petra Kvitova’s form in Madrid might mean that she is ready to fight when it comes to the Grand Slam for this year. The defending Wimbledon champion form in Paris does not look encouraging as her beat ever finish has been the semis in 2012.

Kvitova will have to bring her Wimbledon form back if she wants to at least get to the semi- final of Roland Garros.

Newfanzone.com player to watch for 2015 Simona Halep continues to improve as she has won three competitions earlier on this year but the world No.3 has been disappointing in the clay ATP competitions leading to the French Open. Simona Halep got to the final of this same competition last year and she might yet again just go a notch higher by winning the coveted prize.

Caroline Wozniacki is another player that has experienced a bit of resurgence since last year that got her to the US Open final. The former world No.1 might have lost to Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka in the build up to Roland Garros but underestimate her at your peril!

Other exciting names to look out for in Paris include; Carla Suarez Navarro, Eugenie Bouchard, Ekaterina Makarova, Agnieska Radwanska, Ana Ivanovic and Svetlana Kuznestova.

NOTABLE FIRST ROUND DRAWS

Sara Errani
photo credit: si.robi
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sirobi/14456955920/in/photolist-o2vFjG-nYN9BZ-fMrRWK-ffZQh8-d5rVbS-d5rT53-d5rSGy-ocfbTr-fMrRir-fMJrnY-fMJrgA-fMrRAM-fMJrFY-fMrRH2-pjw1H7-eEDC7N-qYBrch-nSYLFm-dfAMWp-ffZR3i-c7iqeA-oqzMTx-o969XV-o969JY-q3oGLq-qGWxfK-9UFVYs-nc2Lov-nc3tfc-nterXX-fm4uGa-ffZRAB-9UD5CB-p549eb-p553Gp-qGeJSH-pqmhy8-c7ip6w-9UFWmS-d5rUwh-nc2YpK-ntyLxh-ey3JNu-qGeJVZ-nvi7bK-p549hh-pmy6yc-oZ1sCd-oGxsYR-ntfoKo

* Serena Williams vs Qualifier

*Maria Teresa Torro-Flor vs Victoria Azarenka

* Sloane Stephens vs Venus Williams

* Petra Kvitova vs Marina Erakovic

* Alison Riske vs Sara Errani

* Kiki Bertens vs Svetlana Kuznestova

* Kristina Mladenovic vs Eugenie Bouchard

* Agnieszka Radwanska vs Annika Beck

* Kaia Kanepi vs Maria Sharapova

* Evgeniya Rosina vs Simona Halep

* Carla Suarez Navarro vs Monica Niculescu.

French Open Trophys

STATISTICS (FEMALE)

PRIZE MONEY : €1,120,000

TROPHY: Coupe Suzanne Lenglen

MOST TROPHIES (AMATEUR ERA): Adine Robson (5)

MOST TROPHIES ( OPEN ERA): Chris Evert (7)

SURFACE: Clay

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Maria Sharapova.

Maria Sharapova photo credit upi.com

NEWFANZONE VERDICT

Serena Williams has won the Australian Open this year but it seems she might not get to win Roland Garros as Maria Sharapova looks sharp and primed to defend her title in Paris.

Williams And Djokovic Named 2014 ITF World Champions

International Tennis Federation

The ITF announced today that Serena Williams of the United States and Novak Djokovic of Serbia are the 2014 ITF World Champions. Williams is named Women’s World Champion for the fifth time, while this is the fourth occasion that Djokovic has received the honour.

Americans Bob and Mike Bryan are named Men’s Doubles World Champions for the 11th time in 12 years, while Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy become Women’s Doubles World Champions for the third successive year.

Catherine “CiCi” Bellis of the United States and Russia’s Andrey Rublev are named ITF Junior World Champions, while the ITF Wheelchair World Champions are Japanese duo Yui Kamiji and Shingo Kunieda, who becomes men’s champion for the sixth time.

The ITF World Champions will receive their awards at the 2015 ITF World Champions Dinner on Tuesday 2 June, in Paris, during Roland Garros.

Serena Williams is named Women’s World Champion for the fifth occasion, after maintaining the No. 1 ranking throughout the year. The 33-year-old captured her 18th Grand Slam title at the US Open to equal the achievements of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. She won six other titles during the year, including the season-ending WTA Finals. Williams is the oldest player ever to be named an ITF Singles World Champion.

Williams said: “I’m so honored to be named ITF World Champion for the fifth time. This was a year of challenges and triumphs, so to win another Grand Slam and retain my year-end No. 1 ranking is an accomplishment I’m very proud of. I’m grateful to have the support of the tennis community in every way possible. I can’t wait for 2015.”

Novak Djokovic becomes Men’s World Champion for the fourth time after reclaiming the No. 1 ranking in 2014. The 27-year-old won his seventh Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, and was also a finalist at Roland Garros and semifinalist at the US Open. He won a total of seven titles during the year including the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals. Djokovic is one of only four men to be named World Champion four or more times, alongside Ivan Lendl, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer.

Bob and Mike Bryan become Men’s Doubles World Champions for the 11th time after capturing their 16th Grand Slam title and 100th title overall at the 2014 US Open. They won a total of ten titles during the year, including the ATP World Tour Finals, taking their total career titles to 103. They were also runners-up at Wimbledon. The brothers now stand within two trophies of the record of wheelchair tennis star Esther Vergeer, who was named World Champion 13 times.

Mike Bryan said: “The 2014 season was one of our best seasons on tour and it’s one we’ll fondly remember for a lot of reasons. We look forward to the awards dinner in Paris and sharing the stage with all the other world champions.”

Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci are only the second pair to be named Women’s Doubles World Champions on three occasions. The Italians completed the career Grand Slam with their first victory at Wimbledon, and were also champions at the Australian Open and runners-up at Roland Garros. They won a total of five titles during the year and finished 2014 co-ranked No. 1 on the WTA doubles rankings.

Errani and Vinci said: “We are both really happy to be Women’s Doubles World Champions for the third consecutive year. It is a great pleasure and honour to have finished this year as number one in the doubles ranking again. Our goal for 2015 is to defend our Australian Open and Wimbledon titles.”

Francesco Ricci Bitti, photo credit ITF.com

ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “All of our World Champions have demonstrated great consistency at the top of the game in one of the strongest eras for our sport. Serena Williams is one of the toughest competitors of all-time, while Novak Djokovic’s performances at the biggest events make him a deserving winner. Bob and Mike Bryan’s remarkable achievement is a testament to their continued drive and determination, while Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci have shown the importance of teamwork both on and off court.”

The ITF’s selection of its senior World Champions is based on an objective system that considers all results during the year, but gives special weight to the Grand Slam tournaments, and two ITF international team competitions, Davis Cup by BNP Paribas and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas.

Catherine “CiCi” Bellis is the second American in three years to become ITF Girls World Champion, and is the youngest world champion since 2006. The 15-year-old won four singles title during the year, sealing the year-end No. 1 ranking at last week’s Orange Bowl. She also led the United States to victory in the Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, one year after being a member of the USA’s 14-and-under ITF World Junior Tennis winning team.

Bellis said: “It was my goal to be the year-end No. 1 from when I started playing in the juniors two years ago and I am ecstatic that I was able to reach this milestone as a 15-year-old. It is an honour to be in such great company with all of the amazing and legendary juniors before me.”

Andrey Rublev is the first Russian male in any category to be named ITF World Champion after achieving the year-end No. 1 boys’ junior ranking. The 17-year-old was the most consistent performer on the ITF Junior Circuit, winning his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, and capturing singles bronze and doubles silver at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing. He reached a total of five singles finals during the year, winning two titles.

Rublev said: “I am happy to finish this year as World Champion. I thank my family, coaches and team for all the support I was getting all the time. I also understand that this is just the first step and will do my best to score further victories.”

Shingo Kunieda becomes Men’s Wheelchair World Champion for the sixth time after retaining the year-end world No. 1 ranking. The 30-year-old only lost one match all year, winning 12 singles titles on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour and boasting a 51-1 overall win-loss record. He won all three Grand Slam singles events, taking his total major titles to 17, and was also champion at the season-ending NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters.

Kunieda said: “I am very happy to be world champion six times. I played well this year and still feel I am improving my tennis. I’d like to thank my team and am already looking forward to next season.”

Yui Kamiji is named Women’s Wheelchair World Champion for the first time after dominating the Grand Slam tournaments. The 20-year-old captured her first two major titles at Roland Garros and the US Open, and was runner-up at the Australian Open. She also partnered Britain’s Jordanne Whiley to the women’s doubles Grand Slam. Kamiji won a total of eight singles titles during 2014 and is the first Asian woman to receive this honour.

Kamiji said: “2014 is definitely the year to remember in my career. I was proud to win my first two Grand Slam titles and reach the final of the Australian Open. It was also very special to achieve the doubles calendar Grand Slam and win the Doubles Masters with my best friend on tour Jordanne Whiley.”

ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “I would like to thank all the 2014 ITF World Champions for their contribution to another memorable year for our sport.”

Grand Slam® Tournaments Increase Funding To Grand Slam® Development Fund

International Tennis Federation

The ITF announced today that, starting in 2015 through 2017, the Grand Slam tournaments have agreed to increase their contribution to the Grand Slam Development Fund (GSDF) by 25 per cent to over $2 million annually in order to assist in the development of tennis worldwide. The ITF and Grand Slam Development Fund jointly fund tennis’s Development Programme.

The letter informing the ITF of the increase in contribution, signed by all four Grand Slam Chairmen, stated: “The Grand Slams are proud to continue our longstanding commitment to tennis.”

“We want to thank the Grand Slam tournaments for their continuing generosity to the development of the sport of tennis through the Grand Slam Development Fund,” said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. “Since it was founded in 1986, the Fund has contributed nearly US$42 million to provide opportunities for players to compete or to help them directly so that more nations and players will be represented in the mainstream of international competition. It is easy to see how successful this programme has been over the years with the ever-growing number of nations whose players compete at the highest levels.”

“The additional funding will greatly help us expand the activities of the Grand Slam Development Fund,” said Dave Miley, ITF Executive Director of Development. “The Fund will be able to help more players in more countries have a chance to achieve their goals of a professional career in tennis and we look forward to even more successful results in the future. We thank the Grand Slam tournaments for their continuing belief in and support of the programme.”

The four Grand Slam Chairmen are Philip Brook (Wimbledon) Jean Gachassin (Roland Garros), Dave Haggerty (US Open) and Steve Healy (Australian Open).

Draw for 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas to be held at Roland Garros on 4 June

Draw for 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas to be held at Roland Garros on 4 June
– Elena Baltacha to be recognised with Lifetime Fed Cup Heart Award –

The Draw for the 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas will be held at Tenniseum at Roland Garros in Paris on Wednesday 4 June at 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT). The Draw will be streamed live on the official Fed Cup website: http://www.fedcup.com

At the Draw there will be a special presentation on behalf of Britain’s Elena Baltacha, who sadly died of liver cancer in April. Baltacha will be recognised with a Lifetime Fed Cup Heart Award for her achievements in the competition that saw her contest 39 Fed Cup ties over a 12-year period. Baltacha’s husband Nino Severino will collect the award on behalf of her family, while the ITF will donate a cheque for $10,000 to the two charities, Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and The Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis, being supported by the ‘Rally for Bally’ events on Sunday 15 June.

The 2014 finalists are automatically the top two seeds in the 2015 World Group, while the remaining seeds are based on the latest ITF Fed Cup Nations Ranking of 21 April 2014.

International Tennis Federation

The four seeded nations in the 2015 World Group are: Czech Republic (1), Germany (2), Italy (3), Russia (4).

Each of the seeds will be drawn against one of the following unseeded nations: Australia, Canada, France, Poland.

The four seeded nations in the 2015 World Group II are: Slovak Republic (1), Argentina (2), Spain (3), Switzerland (4).

Each of the seeds will be drawn against one of the following unseeded nations: Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, USA.

The 2015 Fed Cup dates have been confirmed as follows:

World Group/World Group II first round: 7-8 February

World Group semifinals, World Group/World Group II play-offs: 18-19 April

World Group Final: 14-15 November

The three regional Zone Group I events in 2014 (Americas, Asia/Oceania, Europe/Africa) will be held in the week commencing 2 February 2015.

The 2014 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final between Czech Republic and Germany will take place in Czech Republic on 8-9 November. The venue will be confirmed in due course.

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with 95 nations taking part in 2014. The event celebrated its 50th birthday in 2013 in the ITF’s centenary year. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Fed Cup. Adecco (Official HR Sponsor) is an international sponsor, and Wilson Sporting Goods (Official Ball) is an international partner. Follow all the action on http://www.fedcup.com, http://www.fedcup.com/es, http://www.twitter.com/fedcup, http://www.facebook.com/FedCup and http://www.fedcup.tv.

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas results: 20 April

The ITF has announced the final results for the 2014 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group semifinals, and World Group and World Group II play-offs taking place on 19-20 April.

Czech Republic will host Germany in the Fed Cup Final on 8-9 November. In the semifinals, Czech Republic overcame Italy 4-0 in Ostrava, while Germany defeated Australia 3-1 in Brisbane.

Canada, France, Poland and Russia all won their World Group play-off ties and will join Australia, Czech Republic, Germany and Italy in the 2015 World Group.

Netherlands, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland all won their World Group II play-off ties, and will join the four World Group play-off losing nations, Argentina, Slovak Republic, Spain and USA, in 2015 World Group II.

The draw for the 2015 Fed Cup will be held at Roland Garros, Paris on Wednesday 4 June at 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT).

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with 95 nations taking part in 2014. The event celebrated its 50th birthday in 2013 in the ITF’s centenary year. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Fed Cup. Adecco (Official HR Sponsor) is an international sponsor, and Wilson Sporting Goods (Official Ball) is an international partner.

Follow all the action on http://www.fedcup.com, http://www.fedcup.com/es, http://www.twitter.com/fedcup, http://www.facebook.com/FedCup and http://www.fedcup.tv.

WORLD GROUP SEMIFINALS

CZECH REPUBLIC defeated ITALY 4-0
Venue: CEZ Arena, Ostrava, CZE (hard – indoor)

Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 64 61
Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Camila Giorgi (ITA) 64 62
Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 63 75
Lucie Safarova (CZE) v Camila Giorgi (ITA) – match not played
Andrea Hlavackova/Klara Koukalova (CZE) d. Camila Giorgi/Karin Knapp (ITA) 62 57 [11-9]

GERMANY defeated AUSTRALIA 3-1
Venue: Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane, AUS (hard – outdoor)

Andrea Petkovic (GER) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 61 76(7)
Angelique Kerber (GER) d. Casey Dellacqua (AUS) 61 60
Angelique Kerber (GER) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 46 60 64
Casey Dellacqua (AUS) v Andrea Petkovic (GER) – match not played
Ashleigh Barty/Casey Dellacqua (AUS) d. Julia Goerges/Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) 62 67(5) [10-2]

WORLD GROUP PLAY-OFFS

RUSSIA defeated ARGENTINA 4-0
Venue: Adler Arena, Sochi, RUS (clay – indoor)

Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. Paula Ormaechea (ARG) 63 63
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) d. Maria Irigoyen (ARG) 75 61
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) d. Paula Ormaechea (ARG) 61 62
Elena Vesnina (RUS) v Maria Irigoyen (ARG) – match not played
Valeria Solovyeva/Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. Victoria Bosio/Nadia Podoroska (ARG) 62 61

CANADA defeated SLOVAK REPUBLIC 3-1
Venue: PEPS, Laval University, Quebec City, CAN (hard – indoor)

Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d. Jana Cepelova (SVK) 46 75 75
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) d. Kristina Kucova (SVK) 76(0) 26 61
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) d. Jana Cepelova (SVK) 76(6) 63
Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) v Kristina Kucova (SVK) – match not played
Janette Husarova/Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) d. Gabriela Dabrowski/Sharon Fichman (CAN) 64 57 [11-9]

FRANCE defeated USA 3-2
Venue: Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, MO, USA (hard – indoor)

Caroline Garcia (FRA) d. Sloane Stephens (USA) 63 62
Madison Keys (USA) d. Alize Cornet (FRA) 67(4) 76(4) 63
Sloane Stephens (USA) d. Virginie Razzano (FRA) 62 64
Caroline Garcia (FRA) d. Madison Keys (USA) 64 63
Caroline Garcia/Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. Madison Keys/Sloane Stephens (USA) 62 75

POLAND defeated SPAIN 3-2
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Barcelona, ESP (clay – outdoor)

Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) 62 62
Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 46 60 61
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) 63 62
Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 61 63
Agnieszka Radwanska/Alicja Rosolska (POL) d. Anabel Medina Garrigues/Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) 64 62

WORLD GROUP II PLAY-OFFS

ROMANIA defeated SERBIA 4-1
Venue: BNR Arenas, Bucharest, ROU (clay – outdoor

Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 36 61 62
Simona Halep (ROU) d. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 62 64
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. Simona Halep (ROU) 63 76(2)
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 63 67(7) 63
Irina-Camelia Begu/Monica Niculescu (ROU) d. Jovana Jaksic/Nina Stojanovic (SRB) 1-0 ret.

NETHERLANDS defeated JAPAN 3-2
Venue: Maaspoort Sports & Events,’s-Hertogenbosch, NED (clay – indoor)

Kurumi Nara (JPN) d. Arantxa Rus (NED) 75 26 61
Kiki Bertens (NED) d. Misaki Doi (JPN) 60 76(3)
Kiki Bertens (NED) d. Kurumi Nara (JPN) 76(5) 46 97
Arantxa Rus (NED) d. Misaki Doi (JPN) 75 63
Shuko Aoyama/Risa Ozaki (JPN) d. Richel Hogenkamp/Michaella Krajicek (NED) 16 63 [10-8]

SWEDEN defeated THAILAND 4-0
Venue: Sparbanken Lidkoping Arena, Lidkoping, SWE (hard – indoor)

Johanna Larsson (SWE) d. Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (THA) 61 63
Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) d. Luksika Kumkhum (THA) 64 62
Johanna Larsson (SWE) d. Luksika Kumkhum (THA) 64 62
Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) v Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (THA) – match not played
Hilda Melander/Rebecca Peterson (SWE) d. Tamarine Tanasugarn/Varatchaya Wongteanchai (THA) 64 62

SWITZERLAND defeated BRAZIL 4-1
Venue: Clube de Tenis Catanduva, Catanduva, BRA (clay – outdoor)

Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d. Teliana Pereira (BRA) 63 63
Belinda Bencic (SUI) d. Paula Cristina Goncalves (BRA) 63 63
Teliana Pereira (BRA) d. Belinda Bencic (SUI) 63 64
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d. Paula Cristina Goncalves (BRA) 75 62
Belinda Bencic/Viktorija Golubic (SUI) d. Gabriela Ce/Laura Pigossi (BRA) 62 62