Rafael Nadal's retirement ceremony was based on what he wanted, tennis official says

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal's relatively low-key retirement ceremony at the Davis Cup was defended by the head of the International Tennis Federation on Sunday as being dictated by the 22-time Grand Slam champion's wishes. “Rafa is an amazing player and has a legacy of...

Rafael Nadal retired after the Davis Cup. It's a rare team event in tennis

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal wanted to play his last match before retiring in Spain, representing Spain and wearing the red uniform used by Spain's Davis Cup squad. “The feeling to play for your country, the feeling to play for your teammates ... when you win, everybody...

Jasmine Paolini and Italy beat Slovakia to win the Billie Jean King Cup

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini capped a breakthrough season by leading Italy to its first Billie Jean King Cup title since 2013 on Wednesday, defeating Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 6-1 to seal a 2-0 victory over Slovakia in the final of the women’s team competition....

Jasmine Paolini clinches Italy's first Billie Jean King Cup title since 2013 with a victory over Slovakia in the final

From Novak Djokovic to Iga Swiatek, players reflect on Rafael Nadal's career and retirement

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — As Rafael Nadal retires from tennis, current and former players — from Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic to Iga Swiatek and Taylor Fritz and so many more — have been sharing their thoughts on what the owner of 22 Grand Slam titles meant to them and to their sport. ...

Swiatek helps Poland oust host Spain from Billie Jean King Cup Finals, Britain beats Germany

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Poland's Iga Swiatek beat home favorite Paula Badosa of Spain to knock out the host of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in the opening round on Friday, while Britain eliminated Germany. The world No. 2 Swiatek sealed Poland's spot in the quarterfinals against...

Elina Svitolina brings Ukraine's tennis team to Texas for 'home' matches in the Billie Jean King Cup

Elina Svitolina is a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist who's been ranked as high as No. 3 in the world, so she would love to be able to represent Ukraine this weekend in its Billie Jean King Cup playoff matches against Austria in McKinney, Texas, about 35 miles north of Dallas. ...

A $1 billion proposal is the latest plan to refurbish and save the iconic Houston Astrodome

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astrodome has been in limbo, waiting for its chance at a second life since being shuttered more than 15 years ago. It was a technological marvel when it opened in 1965. But its heyday has long passed and it hasn’t been home to a sports team since the...

Billie Jean King Cup Finals to begin with added attention given to victims of deadly floods in Spain

MADRID (AP) — The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will begin in Malaga this week in a closer partnership with the Davis Cup and with some added attention given to the victims of the deadly floods that recently devastated eastern Spain. It will be the first time that the women's team...

Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup encourage donations for Spanish flood recovery efforts

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — With the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup set to be played in Malaga, Spain, this month, the International Tennis Federation is making a donation to the Spanish Red Cross to support relief and recovery efforts for the recent catastrophic flooding in the...