Latest news with #Pospisil
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Tennis: Vernon's Vasek Pospisil bounced in final NBO appearance, calls it a career
TORONTO — The Toronto Farewell Tour was short-lived. Veteran tennis player Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, who announced last week that the National Bank Open in Toronto would be his final hurrah on the pro circuit, was eliminated Sunday in the first round of men's singles by qualifier Facundo Bagnis of Argentina at Sobeys Stadium. Bagnis won the best-of-three match on centre court 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in one hour, 57 minutes. Pospisil wrote on X before his match: 'Eighteen years of professional tennis. Looking forward to playing in front of you one last time Toronto.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The 35-year-old Pospisil had a career-high singles ranking of world No. 25, and No. 4 in doubles. Along with partner Jack Sock, he won the 2014 Wimbledon Championships and the 2015 Indian Wells Masters men's doubles titles. He also reached the quarterfinals in singles at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships. Against Bagnis, Pospsil had 17 winners, 39 unforced errors, six aces and five double faults. The winner had 20 winners, 25 unforced errors, 11 aces and two double faults. Meanwhile, 18-year-old wild-card entry Nicolas Arseneault of Richmond Hill, Ont., knocked off 24-year-old qualifier Valentin Royer of France 6-3, 7-6 (4) in one hour, 45 minutes on the grandstand court at Sobeys Stadium. Royer had more winners (21-14) than Arseneault, but had more unforced errors (48-23). The Canadian had five aces, four double faults, a first serve percentage of 68, and won five of 11 break points. Royer had three aces, six double faults, a first serve percentage of 61 and only won four of nine break points. Arseneault will next play 18th-seeded Alexei Popyrin of Sydney, Australia. In other action on Sunday, the world's 48th-ranked Gael Monfils of France lost to qualifier Tomas Barrios Vera of Chile 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3), while 80th-ranked Roman Safiullin of Russia lost his first set 6-4 to qualifier Ugo Blanchet of France, but bounced back with 6-2, 7-6 (9) wins. The 84th-ranked Adam Walton of Australia lost his first set 6-4 to Benjamin Bonzi of France but bounced back with 6-0, 6-3 victories.
The Province
a day ago
- Sport
- The Province
Tennis: Vernon's Vasek Pospisil bounced in final NBO appearance, calls it a career
Pospisil wrote on X before his match: "Eighteen years of professional tennis. Looking forward to playing in front of you one last time Toronto." Published Jul 27, 2025 • 2 minute read File photo: Vasek Pospisil at the Odlum Brown VanOpen in 2022 Photo by Joe Ng TORONTO — The Toronto Farewell Tour was short-lived. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Veteran tennis player Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, who announced last week that the National Bank Open in Toronto would be his final hurrah on the pro circuit, was eliminated Sunday in the first round of men's singles by qualifier Facundo Bagnis of Argentina at Sobeys Stadium. Bagnis won the best-of-three match on centre court 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in one hour, 57 minutes. Pospisil wrote on X before his match: 'Eighteen years of professional tennis. Looking forward to playing in front of you one last time Toronto.' The 35-year-old Pospisil had a career-high singles ranking of world No. 25, and No. 4 in doubles. Along with partner Jack Sock, he won the 2014 Wimbledon Championships and the 2015 Indian Wells Masters men's doubles titles. He also reached the quarterfinals in singles at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Against Bagnis, Pospsil had 17 winners, 39 unforced errors, six aces and five double faults. The winner had 20 winners, 25 unforced errors, 11 aces and two double faults. Meanwhile, 18-year-old wild-card entry Nicolas Arseneault of Richmond Hill, Ont., knocked off 24-year-old qualifier Valentin Royer of France 6-3, 7-6 (4) in one hour, 45 minutes on the grandstand court at Sobeys Stadium. Royer had more winners (21-14) than Arseneault, but had more unforced errors (48-23). The Canadian had five aces, four double faults, a first serve percentage of 68, and won five of 11 break points. Royer had three aces, six double faults, a first serve percentage of 61 and only won four of nine break points. Arseneault will next play 18th-seeded Alexei Popyrin of Sydney, Australia. In other action on Sunday, the world's 48th-ranked Gael Monfils of France lost to qualifier Tomas Barrios Vera of Chile 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3), while 80th-ranked Roman Safiullin of Russia lost his first set 6-4 to qualifier Ugo Blanchet of France, but bounced back with 6-2, 7-6 (9) wins. The 84th-ranked Adam Walton of Australia lost his first set 6-4 to Benjamin Bonzi of France but bounced back with 6-0, 6-3 victories. Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Whitecaps News BC Lions Sports
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Pospisil bounced in final NBO appearance by Bagnis in three sets
TORONTO - The Toronto Farewell Tour was short-lived. Veteran tennis player Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C., who announced last week that the National Bank Open in Toronto would be his final hurrah on the pro circuit, was eliminated Sunday in the first round of men's singles by qualifier Facundo Bagnis of Argentina at Sobeys Stadium. Bagnis won the best-of-three match on centre court 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in one hour, 57 minutes. Pospisil wrote on X before his match: 'Eighteen years of professional tennis. Looking forward to playing in front of you one last time Toronto.' The 35-year-old Pospisil had a career-high singles ranking of world No. 25, and No. 4 in doubles. Along with partner Jack Sock, he won the 2014 Wimbledon Championships and the 2015 Indian Wells Masters men's doubles titles. He also reached the quarterfinals in singles at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships. Against Bagnis, Pospsil had 17 winners, 39 unforced errors, six aces and five double faults. The winner had 20 winners, 25 unforced errors, 11 aces and two double faults. Meanwhile, 18-year-old wild-card entry Nicolas Arseneault of Richmond Hill, Ont., knocked off 24-year-old qualifier Valentin Royer of France 6-3, 7-6 (4) in one hour, 45 minutes on the grandstand court at Sobeys Stadium. Royer had more winners (21-14) than Arseneault, but had more unforced errors (48-23). The Canadian had five aces, four double faults, a first serve percentage of 68, and won five of 11 break points. Royer had three aces, six double faults, a first serve percentage of 61 and only won four of nine break points. Arseneault will next play 18th-seeded Alexei Popyrin of Sydney, Australia. In other action on Sunday, the world's 48th-ranked Gael Monfils of France lost to qualifier Tomas Barrios Vera of Chile 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3), while 80th-ranked Roman Safiullin of Russia lost his first set 6-4 to qualifier Ugo Blanchet of France, but bounced back with 6-2, 7-6 (9) wins. The 84th-ranked Adam Walton of Australia lost his first set 6-4 to Benjamin Bonzi of France but bounced back with 6-0, 6-3 victories. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2025.
Toronto Sun
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Tennis: Vernon's Vasek Pospisil retires with 'no regrets', but stays in fight to protect players
'Injuries played a huge factor the last three years. It gets very discouraging and you have to be realistic. I did everything I could. I left no stone unturned.' — Vasek Pospisil Vasek Pospisil of Canada took on Tennys Sandgren of the United States in second round 2019 U.S. Open match at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports Vasek Pospisil was always up for a good fight on the court, or off it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Whether competing against Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) elite, fighting for players' rights to combat suppressed earnings and off-court opportunities, or growing the game in his home province, the Vernon native met challenges with vigour. The 35-year-old Pospisil is retiring after accomplishments that include a 2014 Wimbledon doubles title, helping Canada capture the 2022 Davis Cup crown, and a string of strong singles and doubles finishes on the Grand Slam circuit. He received a main draw wild-card entry for the National Bank Open in Toronto next weekend for his final farewell. Pospisil, who turned pro in 2007, rose to a No. 4 raking in doubles (2015) and No. 25 (2014) in singles and finished with US$7.2 million in career earnings. He also endured a lot of pain. A trio of elbow tears, herniated disk surgery in 2019, and then another back setback last summer, in the long grind to keep mind and body in sync. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'There can always be a little bit of bittersweet, no question about it,' Vasek told Postmedia on Sunday. 'Tennis has been my whole life and all I ever wanted to do, and there's going to be a little difficulty saying goodbye, but I'll keep it in perspective. I'm ready to move on to the next thing. There's so much I want to do. 'The last three or four years have been very tiring and it's quite safe to say I'm burned out to a point where I'm not getting as much enjoyment out of training or being on the court. It's incredibly exhausting, and all year long, you're always on and always travelling. Vasek Pospisil (right) and Jack Sock celebrate 2014 Wimbledon doubles title at The All England Tennis Club. 'A lot of times, it's a very lonely sport with enormous stress. Eventually, that weighs on you and burns you out. I definitely feel like a shell of the player I was. The injuries played a huge factor especially the last three years. It gets very discouraging and you have to be realistic.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. However, it's also rewarding, if you put in the time to get to a rare level, and have the will to press on as the career clock ticks. Pospisil advanced to the Wimbledon singles quarterfinal (2015), fourth round of the U.S. Open (2020), and third round of the Australian Open (2014, 2015). In doubles, he also made the quarterfinals in the French Open (2015), Australian Open (2016) and third round of the U.S. Open (2013, 2014). It spoke to longevity and longing to always get his game to the next level. Does Pospisil believe he left it all out on the court and did the best under different circumstances? 'I do,' he stressed. 'Until 2022, I did everything I could. I left no stone unturned and confident to say I have no regrets.' Pospisil was named the ATP's comeback player of the year in 2020 for advancing to his first singles final since 2014, collecting his seventh doubles title and getting to fourth round of singles at the U.S. Open. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Pospisil didn't have to look very far find his work ethic. Two years before he was born in 1990, his parents Milos and Mila, along with older brothers Petr and Tom, escaped Communist Czechoslovakia by driving unlawfully to Austria. They worked long hours at low wages to save money for an eventual move to Canada and arrived in Vernon in the summer of 1989. Milos worked two jobs and took to tennis because his older sons started playing. He would coach on outdoor courts and a three-year-old Vasek tagged along as ball boy at practices. He even dragged a mini tennis racquet around the house and seemed destined for the sport. A young Vasek Pospisil works on his swing in Vernon. He's retiring from ATP Tour. Photo: Pospisil family. At age six, Pospisil won an Under-12 tournament and by 2002, it became apparent that the family had to move to Vancouver to find the right coach for the prodigy, who was home-schooled. They found the mentor in Vadim Korkh, who worked with Andrei Chesnokov while also a professor at the Central Sport Academy in Moscow. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In November 2002, Vasek went to Florida and won the Prince Cup, beating several of the best under-12 players from Europe. In 2004, he won the Canadian Nationals at the U14 level, to become best player in the country in his age group. His father saw the obvious potential and returned to coaching his son. 'I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for my parents and family and what they sacrificed,' said Pospisil. 'It made me the man I am today and I'm forever grateful for the tennis career I had. I still look back to this day as it's a family project. This is just so much — my dad quitting his job so he could coach me. 'I'm so lucky. They mean everything to me and this is a very important week.' So, when will Pospisil pick up a racket again? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It might take a while,' he laughed. 'It will be for fun, but who knows? I will say, I do have a love-hate relationship with the sport right now, but it is a huge part of me. I know that. I still love the game so much and when I'm hitting balls with my friends, it's so much fun. 'It won't take me too long to pick up a racket again.' How about the Oldlum-Brown VanOpen that returns in 2026? Pospisil won the singles title in 2013. 'Maybe that will be it,' teased Pospisil. Fighting the good fight off courts Pospisil's connection with the game is now a higher calling to protect players' rights. He formed the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) with Novak Djokovic in 2019. In March, a dozen players sued the sport's four major tennis organizations — they oversee four Grand Slam events and men's and women's pro tours — to contest economic restraints placed among competing players. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The PTPA alleges the organizations suppress tournament earnings and withhold opportunities for players to have additional opportunities to supplement incomes away from the courts. Potential earnings with name, image and likeness (NIL), are also reportedly under fire because organizations have players sign over the NIL right without compensation. Vasek Pospisil celebrates upset win over Milos Raonic at 2020 U.S. Open on Sept. 3, 2020 in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran / USA TODAY Sports 'It's one of the contentions with my injuries and eventually burning out,' said Pospisil. 'It (lawsuit) is for the right cause and something I really believe in. When you look under the hood, it (tennis) is very broken. It was important to stand up for what I believe in. It's something I'll continue to work on. It's in hands of the lawyers right now.' In 2024, a Spotrac list of 100th-ranked players of salary and incomes in a variety of sports had the ATP and WTA (Women's Tennis Association) ranked seventh globally. The NFL was first at $17.3 million, followed by the NBA ($14M), Major League Baseball ($13M), European Professional Soccer (EPL, $8.1M), NHL ($7.7M), PGA, LPGA ($3.1M) and ATP, WTA ($1.2M). 'Those (tennis) players are also paying their own expenses,' added Pospisil. 'Team sports have everything paid for and there's something wrong with it. Tennis is definitely broken.' bkuzma@ Celebrity Other Sports Toronto & GTA World Toronto Blue Jays
Canada News.Net
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
2014 Wimbledon doubles winner Vasek Pospisil to retire
(Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images) Canadian Vasek Pospisil, who won the men's doubles title at Wimbledon in 2014, announced he will retire after this week's Canadian Open in Toronto. Pospisil, 35, received a main-draw wild card entry. The tournament begins Sunday. 'It's never easy making a decision like this,' Pospisil said in a post to X. 'Tennis has been a huge part of my life, but it has become clear, both mentally and physically, that it's the right time to step away. I feel incredibly grateful to have had the career I've had, especially coming from a small town where this dream once felt so far away.' Pospisil racked up career earnings of $7.2 million, per the ATP, and recorded ranking highs of No. 4 in doubles (2015) and No. 25 in singles (2014). Pospisil partnered with Jack Sock to claim the Wimbledon doubles title. He was also part of Canada's Davis Cup-winning team in 2022.
