Latest Rafael Nadal News

Rafael Nadal says he thought about taking a mental health break a few years ago

Dec. 17, 2024 12:42 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Rafael Nadal thought about taking a mental health break from tennis a few years ago but “conquered it by always moving forward” and “slowly became myself again,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion writes in an essay posted online Tuesday, less than a month after the last...

Pegula returns to New York after US Open breakthrough for MSG exhibition that includes Alcaraz

Dec. 04, 2024 22:30 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — When Jessica Pegula agreed to play in an exhibition tennis event at Madison Square Garden, she had no idea how her career would change before she got there. The Buffalo native always loved playing in New York, but the U.S. Open was just like the other three tennis...

Jannik Sinner leads Italy past the Netherlands for its second consecutive Davis Cup title

Nov. 24, 2024 16:24 PM EST

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Italy went nearly a quarter-century without winning the Davis Cup. Then along came Jannik Sinner, and now the country is celebrating its second consecutive title. The No. 1-ranked Sinner clinched the championship in the annual team event and capped his...

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

Nov. 24, 2024 10:06 AM EST

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...

Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini lift Italy past Australia and back to the Davis Cup final

Nov. 23, 2024 13:33 PM EST

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini won matches Saturday in front of a supportive crowd to lift defending champion Italy past Australia 2-0 and back into the Davis Cup final. Sinner extended his tour-level winning streak to 24 singles sets in a row...

Andy Murray will coach Novak Djokovic through the Australian Open

Nov. 23, 2024 11:52 AM EST

The recently retired Andy Murray is going to team up with longtime rival Novak Djokovic as his coach, they both announced Saturday, with plans to prepare for — and work together through — the Australian Open in January. It was a stunning bit of news as tennis moves toward its...

AP Week in Pictures: Global

Nov. 23, 2024 08:24 AM EST

Nov. 15-21, 2024 A new volcanic eruption started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. Indigenous communities attended the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. A Palestinian girl waited for food, in Deir al-Balah, on Gaza Strip. An...

The man who ended Nadal's career helps the Netherlands beat Germany to reach the Davis Cup final

Nov. 22, 2024 16:56 PM EST

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — The last man to face — and beat — Rafael Nadal in professional tennis, 80th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp, converted his 10th match point Friday to finally close out a 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3 victory over Daniel Altmaier and help the Netherlands reach its first Davis Cup...

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

Nov. 22, 2024 08:52 AM EST

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...

Jannik Sinner leads Italy back to the Davis Cup semifinals and a rematch against Australia

Nov. 21, 2024 17:18 PM EST

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner won matches in singles and doubles to lead defending champion Italy to a 2-1 comeback victory over Argentina on Thursday, earning a return trip to the Davis Cup semifinals. “I’m here trying to do the best I can in the singles,”...