Ana Ivanovic announced on her website that she has split with her coach of three months, Craig Kardon.
Kardon, a former coach of 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova was hired on trial basis in February to replace Sven Groeneveld.
However, Ivanovic's ranking continued to drop from no. 8 to no. 13 in this week’s WTA rankings after her French Open title defense ended in the fourth round.
“I’d like to thank Craig for all his hard work,” Ivanovic said.
“He’s a great guy and I enjoyed working with him.”
While searching for a new coach, she will use temporary coaches for Eastbourne and Wimbledon later this month. (Via AP)
Finally, Roger Federer decided to pull out of the Gerry Weber Open, his usual grass-court warm-up for Wimbledon, saying he is “overwhelmed” and “exhausted" after his French Open victory.
The withdrawal came two days after Federer’s record-tying 14th Grand Slam victory at the French Open, the only major title that had been missing from his resume.
“I sincerely apologize to the tournament organizers, my competitors, and my fans in Germany," Federer said Tuesday on his website. "I only hope they will understand that I still feel emotionally overwhelmed and exhausted by the incredible events of the past few days."
“It is hard for me to admit, but I simply cannot imagine giving my best effort in another tournament right away and I don’t want to risk injury if I am not 100 percent prepared."
"I need to rest and recuperate,” the "Grand Slam Man" said.
Federer has won the tournament in Halle five times, and four of those years he went on to win Wimbledon.
(Via AP)
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Rafael Nadal held a press conference earlier today to announce his hope to defend his Wimbledon title.
Nadal will travel to London next Tuesday despite his knee injury.
The top-ranked Spaniard said after two days of medical tests in Barcelona he has decided to try physical therapy to prepare for the tournament, which starts June 22.
“I am going to give my 200 percent to be ready for the most important tournament in the world,” Nadal said.
“I will not go out and play, especially on the Wimbledon Centre Court, if I am not 100 percent ready to play."
“I have two difficult weeks ahead of me, especially because I won’t be doing what I like doing most, which is to play tennis.”
“I have been playing with pain on my knees for some months now and I simply can’t go on like this."
“The pain was limiting certain movements in my body, which affected me mentally as well.”
Spanish Tennis Federation physician Dr. Angel Ruiz-Cotorro said Nadal has tendinitis in both knees.
“His treatment will involve oral anti-inflammatories, physiotherapy, as well as muscular exercises for both quadriceps,” Ruiz-Cotorro said.
Nadal withdrew from the grass court warm-up event at Queen’s Club this week. He was the champion here last year.
Let's see in a week or two whether Nadal will confirmed his participation at this year's Wimbledon. (Via AP)
Andy Murray will begin his grass season in the newly-named AEGON Championships at the Queen’s Club in London this week hoping that this will be an ideal warm-up to this year’s Wimbledon.
Without the presence of defending champion and world no.1 Rafael Nadal, who opted out of the tournament due to a knee injury, Murray gets to be the no.1 seed.
However, the British top player believes that Nadal will be back in time for Wimbledon.
“I’ve played Rafa a lot of different times on a lot of different surfaces: we’ve practised together quite a lot as well, so we know we know each other’s games well,” said Murray.
“It’s nice that I won’t have to play him here but I’m sure he’ll be back for Wimbledon, trying to defend his title there.”
The Scot also said that the pressure on him to win his first Grand Slam is just a side show.
“I had a good run at the French and feel good coming in here but I guess it’s the same for everyone," he said.
"The grass takes a few days to get used to but I’ve felt good practising on it so far.
“I think everyone hypes up the pressure around Wimbledon time, but once you step on the court, you’re just playing tennis.”
Murray has been training in London since losing in the French Open quarter-finals last week.
He has spent some time on the grass courts at Queen's, where he has practised with Lleyton Hewitt, who will be his doubles partner this week.
Ana Ivanovic announced on her website that she has split with her coach of three months, Craig Kardon.
