Latest news with #ATPChallenger
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Fonseca youngest to 3rd round after 2011
Mumbai: Joao Fonseca stood, arms outstretched, face towards the sky, soaking in the cheers from the crowd that began the moment Jenson Brooksby's return sailed long. Fonseca then bent and buried his head in his hat, rising up in a roar of 'Vamos.' Brazil's Joao Fonseca. (AFP) Later, he explained to the Tennis Channel what he was thinking in that moment of triumph. 'I realised that I'm in the third round,' the 18-year-old said, with a big smile. This was quite the achievement as Fonseca, on his Wimbledon debut, became the youngest man since Bernard Tomic in 2011 to reach the third round of the major. And that too in his first year as a professional tennis player. 'It's a thing to be proud of,' Fonseca said in the post-match press conference. 'It's a great achievement, and with the way that I played today also. I'm very happy with my development on this surface, I'm evolving, so I'm happy with it.' With the 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 win over Brooksby, the teen from Rio de Janeiro became the first Brazilian since Thomaz Bellucci in 2010 to reach this stage at Wimbledon. Fonseca's already the No.1 men's player in his country, and with that he has commanded a great following. There were long queues of fans outside Court 12 hoping to get a glimpse of him at work. Those who have seen Fonseca play know of the aggressive and hard-hitting style that has seen him rise rapidly in the ranking ladder. He started the year ranked 145 in the world, but came into the new season on the back of winning the ATP Next Gen Finals. Immediately, he started to pile on the victories, winning the ATP Challenger in Canberra, also his first tournament of the season. He continued that momentum to go through the qualifiers of the Australian Open and became the first man to beat a top-10 opponent – ninth-seed Andrey Rublev – in the first round of a Grand Slam since Mario Ancic beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2002. The form has not dipped since. Fonseca became the youngest South American to win an ATP title when he clinched the Buenos Aires Open in February. Last month, he reached the third round of the French Open on debut, losing to fifth-seed Jack Draper. With all that he has achieved in his first few months as a professional, Fonseca is now ranked 54 in the world. '(Life has) changed a lot. I'm proud of myself. I still need (time) to think about what is going on,' he said. 'A lot of change, people are knowing me more, a lot of expectations. I'm loving being on the tour, playing against big players at big tournaments, and evolving. That's the most important thing, as a person and as an athlete.' A part of the improvement was to learn how to grind his way to a win. He has the power, on both wings, to hit his way out of trouble. But Wimbledon demands an element of subtlety. Brooksby, who had also reached the third round on his Wimbledon debut in 2022, can be a handful on grass with his skill at redirection. The American is a defensive baseliner who thrives in long rallies. He came to Wimbledon having reached the final at Eastbourne. But Fonseca, who is still finding his feet on grass, managed to dig his heels in the tougher moments of the match – a credit, he said, to his improving mentality. 'The mentality of playing pro is very different,' said Fonseca, who hammered 50 winners in his second round win. 'Sometimes you will play your best tennis and lose the match because the other player can find a way on the important points. Sometimes you're tight on those important points. The thing I've most improved is the mentality.' A part of his preparation for the grass-swing was watching videos of his idol Federer playing at Wimbledon and Halle. 'It was good just to inspire you how to play,' he explained. Interestingly, Fonseca's kit sponsor is the Swiss company that Federer has invested in. The youngster is hoping to emulate his idol. But in the attractive way he plays and the large crowds he has started to pull, he is charting his own way.
Fox Sports
20 hours ago
- Business
- Fox Sports
Hall of Fame Open to feature highest purse at WTA 125 level
Associated Press NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Women's professional tennis returns to the International Tennis Hall of Fame next week with the highest purse at the WTA 125 level. Both the men's and women's tours will have tournaments at the Hall of Fame Open, with both the women's event and the ATP Challenger one featuring $200,000 purses. While the ATP Tour had continued with the post-Wimbledon event on the Hall's grass courts, the women's tour hadn't played there since the 1990s. In order to return with equal prize money, the tournament partnered with the MARGARET ('May All Resolve, Girls Achieve Real Equity Today') Fund, which supports programs that promote education about and compliance with Title IX. That allowed for a 60% increase in the women's tour purse to match the men's at the event. The Hall of Fame Open begins with qualifying on Sunday and runs through July 13. ___ More AP tennis: in this topic
Winnipeg Free Press
21 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hall of Fame Open to feature highest purse at WTA 125 level
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Women's professional tennis returns to the International Tennis Hall of Fame next week with the highest purse at the WTA 125 level. Both the men's and women's tours will have tournaments at the Hall of Fame Open, with both the women's event and the ATP Challenger one featuring $200,000 purses. While the ATP Tour had continued with the post-Wimbledon event on the Hall's grass courts, the women's tour hadn't played there since the 1990s. In order to return with equal prize money, the tournament partnered with the MARGARET ('May All Resolve, Girls Achieve Real Equity Today') Fund, which supports programs that promote education about and compliance with Title IX. That allowed for a 60% increase in the women's tour purse to match the men's at the event. The Hall of Fame Open begins with qualifying on Sunday and runs through July 13. ___ More AP tennis:
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Jack Pinnington Jones: From carpooling with Jack Draper to reaching Wimbledon
Once a top-10 junior and the best of his age in Britain, Pinnington Jones will make his first appearance in the men's singles at the All England Club on Tuesday against Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry. The 22-year-old only left Texas Christian University (TCU) a month ago having decided to skip his final year and turn professional but has already impressed on grass, reaching his first final on the second tier Challenger Tour in Ilkley earlier this month and rising to a career high of 281 in the rankings. 👏 JACK 👏 PINNINGTON 👏 JONES 👏#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA — ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 17, 2025 If TCU sounds familiar it is because it is also the alma mater of Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley, with the latter rocketing up the rankings since leaving last year. 'Cam recruited me even before I was looking at colleges,' said Pinnington Jones. 'He's always been great to the younger guys in British tennis. 'I was on the team for two years with Jake so he's one of my best friends. To see him have the rise he's had was special. It didn't shock me to see him in the top 100, as quickly as it was was a bit surprising but I'm just happy for him. 'Those guys are big inspirations and I want to be up there with them and have a little TCU core, that would be awesome and it almost gives me a bit more confidence knowing that those guys are doing it so why can't I, if I put in the same work and focus and have good people around me.' The legacy of our 𝗪𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗴𝘀 🌱 · Four national championships· Four NCAA semifinals· Eight Big 12 titles· 10 sets of All-American honors· 211 team wins — TCU Men's Tennis (@TCUMensTennis) June 28, 2025 Dan Evans was among those to question Pinnington Jones' decision not to turn professional earlier, but the Surrey player has no doubt he made the right decision. 'I didn't feel I was mature enough to do it at that age,' he said. 'I was watching all my friends go there (to college) and improving. I chatted to my parents about it and we were like, 'If you're good enough to be a tennis player and you still want to be, you'll get there'. 'We all decided as a family that college feels like the right fit. Looking back, it's the best decision I could have made for myself.' He is one of seven British players in the men's singles to have gone to US college, with Johannus Monday, Oliver Tarvet and Oliver Crawford also making their debuts. One of the first people to congratulate him on his wild card, meanwhile, was British number one Draper. The pair have been friends since their teenage years, with Pinnington Jones saying: 'He used to pick me up on his way into training when he passed his driving test and I hadn't passed mine. 'He hates sitting in traffic so he'd always be at my house at like 6.30am. It was brutal. I wouldn't hit until 11 and I'd be at the NTC (National Tennis Centre) at 7am. Him doing what he's doing in tennis is amazing to see.' Pinnington Jones was put in charge of the music selection while Draper sought the fastest route. 'He's got better,' said Pinnington Jones with a smile when asked about Draper's driving skills. One. Set. Away. ⏳ Wild card Pinnington Jones takes a razor-tight 7-6(8) opener over Schoolkate in the Ilkley final!#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA — ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 15, 2025 'I've seen him at his worst when he'd just passed his test. He was probably a bit too confident but he's a good driver. It was good times. He really liked Skepta so I'd always try to please him. I'm quite into my house music but at 6.30am it's tough to be pumping house music.' Another man who will be watching with interest from afar is Andy Murray, who used to mentor Pinnington Jones through his management agency. 'I played golf at his golf club (on Friday) and he said hello and good luck,' said Pinnington Jones. 'Andy's a great guy. Obviously he was a childhood idol growing up and he's always been very supportive. I'm sure I could ping him a message asking questions any time. I'm still a bit starstruck by him so I don't do it that much but he's amazing.'
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Jack Pinnington Jones: From carpooling with Jack Draper to reaching Wimbledon
Once a top-10 junior and the best of his age in Britain, Pinnington Jones will make his first appearance in the men's singles at the All England Club on Tuesday against Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry. The 22-year-old only left Texas Christian University (TCU) a month ago having decided to skip his final year and turn professional but has already impressed on grass, reaching his first final on the second tier Challenger Tour in Ilkley earlier this month and rising to a career high of 281 in the rankings. 👏 JACK 👏 PINNINGTON 👏 JONES 👏#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA — ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 17, 2025 If TCU sounds familiar it is because it is also the alma mater of Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley, with the latter rocketing up the rankings since leaving last year. 'Cam recruited me even before I was looking at colleges,' said Pinnington Jones. 'He's always been great to the younger guys in British tennis. 'I was on the team for two years with Jake so he's one of my best friends. To see him have the rise he's had was special. It didn't shock me to see him in the top 100, as quickly as it was was a bit surprising but I'm just happy for him. 'Those guys are big inspirations and I want to be up there with them and have a little TCU core, that would be awesome and it almost gives me a bit more confidence knowing that those guys are doing it so why can't I, if I put in the same work and focus and have good people around me.' The legacy of our 𝗪𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗴𝘀 🌱 · Four national championships· Four NCAA semifinals· Eight Big 12 titles· 10 sets of All-American honors· 211 team wins — TCU Men's Tennis (@TCUMensTennis) June 28, 2025 Dan Evans was among those to question Pinnington Jones' decision not to turn professional earlier, but the Surrey player has no doubt he made the right decision. 'I didn't feel I was mature enough to do it at that age,' he said. 'I was watching all my friends go there (to college) and improving. I chatted to my parents about it and we were like, 'If you're good enough to be a tennis player and you still want to be, you'll get there'. 'We all decided as a family that college feels like the right fit. Looking back, it's the best decision I could have made for myself.' He is one of seven British players in the men's singles to have gone to US college, with Johannus Monday, Oliver Tarvet and Oliver Crawford also making their debuts. One of the first people to congratulate him on his wild card, meanwhile, was British number one Draper. The pair have been friends since their teenage years, with Pinnington Jones saying: 'He used to pick me up on his way into training when he passed his driving test and I hadn't passed mine. 'He hates sitting in traffic so he'd always be at my house at like 6.30am. It was brutal. I wouldn't hit until 11 and I'd be at the NTC (National Tennis Centre) at 7am. Him doing what he's doing in tennis is amazing to see.' Pinnington Jones was put in charge of the music selection while Draper sought the fastest route. 'He's got better,' said Pinnington Jones with a smile when asked about Draper's driving skills. One. Set. Away. ⏳ Wild card Pinnington Jones takes a razor-tight 7-6(8) opener over Schoolkate in the Ilkley final!#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA — ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 15, 2025 'I've seen him at his worst when he'd just passed his test. He was probably a bit too confident but he's a good driver. It was good times. He really liked Skepta so I'd always try to please him. I'm quite into my house music but at 6.30am it's tough to be pumping house music.' Another man who will be watching with interest from afar is Andy Murray, who used to mentor Pinnington Jones through his management agency. 'I played golf at his golf club (on Friday) and he said hello and good luck,' said Pinnington Jones. 'Andy's a great guy. Obviously he was a childhood idol growing up and he's always been very supportive. I'm sure I could ping him a message asking questions any time. I'm still a bit starstruck by him so I don't do it that much but he's amazing.'
