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Tag: grand slam tournaments

  • Billie Jean King Fast Facts | CNN

    Billie Jean King Fast Facts | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    Here is a look at the life of tennis champion and LGBTQ activist Billie Jean King.

    Birth date: November 22, 1943

    Birth place: Long Beach, California

    Birth name: Billie Jean Moffitt

    Father: Willard J. Moffitt, engineer for a fire department

    Mother: Betty Moffitt, Avon sales representative

    Marriage: Ilana Kloss (October 18, 2018-present); Larry King (September 17, 1965-1987, divorced)

    Education: Attended Los Angeles State College (now California State University, Los Angeles), 1961-1964

    Has won 39 Grand Slam championships overall in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, including 12 Grand Slam singles titles.

    Is the founder and first president of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

    Threatened to boycott the 1973 US Open if equal prize money was not awarded. The fight she started for equal pay in the Grand Slams took 34 years to reach fruition when Wimbledon became the last of the four to fall into line in 2007.

    She remained friends with “Battle of the Sexes” opponent Bobby Riggs off the court until his death from prostate cancer in 1995.

    READ MORE: What you should know about tennis champ Billie Jean King

    1959 – Makes her tennis debut.

    1961 – Wins her first Wimbledon title, in doubles with Karen Hautze.

    1966 – Wins her first Wimbledon singles title.

    1966-1968, 1972, 1973, 1975 – Wimbledon singles champion.

    1967, 1971-1972, 1974 – US Open singles champion.

    1968 – Australian Open singles champion.

    1971 – Becomes the first female athlete to win $100,000 in a single year.

    1972 – French Open singles champion.

    1972 – Wins the US Open and threatens to bow out the following year if the prize money for the men and women is not equal.

    1973 – The US Open becomes the first major tournament to award equal prize money to men and women.

    June 30, 1973 – Establishes the WTA.

    September 20, 1973 – At 29, wins the “Battle of the Sexes” match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, at the Houston Astrodome against 55-year-old Riggs. King earns the $100,000 winner-take-all prize.

    1973-1975, 1980-1981 – President of WTA.

    1974 – Is a founding partner, along with her husband Larry, of World Team Tennis, a competitive co-ed circuit league. She also helps establish the Women’s Sports Foundation.

    May 2, 1981 – Acknowledges that she is a lesbian after Marilyn Barnett files a palimony lawsuit against her. She becomes one of the first professional athletes to publicly disclose her homosexuality.

    1984 – Retires from professional tennis.

    2006 – The United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, is rededicated as the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The Center is the home of the US Open.

    August 12, 2009 – Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

    December 17, 2013 – Is named to the US delegation for the opening ceremony at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia by President Barack Obama. She later withdraws due to her mother’s illness.

    2014 – Establishes the non-profit, Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative.

    February 15, 2014 – King is named as part of the presidential delegation to the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Russia, after having to withdraw from the opening ceremonies.

    September 22, 2017 – The film “Battle of the Sexes,” opens. The film is about King’s 1973 tennis match victory over Riggs.

    January 12, 2018 – Calls for the Australian Open’s Margaret Court Arena to be renamed because of the Melbourne Park champion’s views on homosexuality. During a media conference King states, “I was fine until she said lately so many derogatory things about my community. I’m a gay woman … that really went deep in my heart and soul.”

    September 21, 2019 – The city of Long Beach, California, opens the Billie Jean King Main Library. The building is located in the new $533 million Civic Center. The City Council voted unanimously to name the building after the famous native.

    September 17, 2020 – The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announces that the Fed Cup, an international women’s tennis team competition, has been renamed the Billie Jean King Cup.

    August 17, 2021 – King’s memoir, “All In: An Autobiography,” is published.

    February 13, 2022 – King serves as the Honorary Coin Toss Captain for Super Bowl LVI and flips the ceremonial coin ahead of kickoff, helping the NFL mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX.

    June 3, 2022 – French President Emmanuel Macron presents King with the Legion of Honor, France’s highest civilian award.

    November 7, 2022 – In an interview with CNN, King reveals her “pet peeve” is Wimbledon’s “horrible” all white uniform policy. The next day in a statement to CNN, the All-England Tennis Club (AELTC) says: “Prioritising women’s health and supporting players based on their individual needs is very important to us, and we are in discussions with the WTA, with manufacturers and with the medical teams about the ways in which we can do that.”

    October 18, 2023 – King is revealed to be a contestant on season 10 of the show “The Masked Singer.”

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  • Wimbledon to allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete this year | CNN

    Wimbledon to allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete this year | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    Wimbledon will accept entries from Russian and Belarusian players for this year’s tournament if they agree to compete as neutral athletes and comply with “appropriate conditions,” organizers announced Friday in a statement.

    Tennis players from Russia and Belarus were banned from playing in last year’s championships following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, resulting in the men’s and women’s professional tours – the ATP and WTA – and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) stripping Wimbledon of its ranking points.

    Entry conditions for this year’s event, one of tennis’ four majors, include prohibiting “expressions of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” while players who receive funding from the Russian or Belarusian state will not be allowed to compete, including those receiving sponsorship from companies operated or controlled by them.

    “We continue to condemn totally Russia’s illegal invasion and our wholehearted support remains with the people of Ukraine,” Ian Hewitt, chairman of the All England Club, said in a statement. “This was an incredibly difficult decision, not taken lightly or without a great deal of consideration for those who will be impacted.

    “It is our view that, considering all factors, these are the most appropriate arrangements for The Championships for this year. We are thankful for the Government’s support as we and our fellow tennis stakeholder bodies have navigated this complex matter and agreed on conditions we believe are workable.

    “If circumstances change materially between now and the commencement of The Championships, we will consider and respond accordingly.”

    The All England Club said the entry conditions had been “carefully developed” through conversations with the UK government, the Lawn Tennis Association – Britain’s national governing tennis body – and international stakeholders.

    It added that the decision has the “full support” of the UK government, the LTA, ATP, WTA and ITF.

    “The ITF’s position on this issue has been clear and consistent from the start and remains the same,” the ITF, world tennis’ governing body, said in a statement.

    “We acted swiftly to suspend the Russian Tennis Federation and Belarus Tennis Federation from ITF membership and from participation in ITF international competitions until further notice.

    Russian and Belarusian players will have to compete as neutral athletes.

    “At the time we recognised that there would be specific responses from nations, and this is what we saw with the LTA and All England Lawn Tennis Club last year. Their collective position has now evolved, and we continue to work closely with them on this issue.

    “Tennis stands in solidarity with Ukraine.”

    In a joint statement released Friday, the WTA and ATP said it is “pleased that all players will have an opportunity to compete at Wimbledon and LTA events this summer.”

    “It has taken a collaborative effort across the sport to arrive at a workable solution which protects the fairness of the game,” the statement added.

    “This remains an extremely difficult situation and we would like to thank Wimbledon and the LTA for their efforts in reaching this outcome, while reiterating our unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s war on Ukraine.”

    Wimbledon takes place this year from July 3 to July 16.

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  • Elena Rybakina beats Victoria Azarenka in straight sets to reach Australian Open final | CNN

    Elena Rybakina beats Victoria Azarenka in straight sets to reach Australian Open final | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    Elena Rybakina powered her way past two-time champion Victoria Azarenka to reach the Australian Open final, winning 7-6 6-3 in just over an hour on Thursday.

    The huge-hitting Rybakina has now made two of the last three grand slam finals after her victorious Wimbledon run last summer and, at just 23 years of age, is likely to be a force on the WTA Tour for many years to come.

    When everything clicks, Rybakina’s game is almost unstoppable and a marvel to watch. Her ferocious serve and booming groundstrokes allow her to dictate points with ease, so long as she can maintain the consistency to go with the power.

    The momentum swung back and forth in the opening set and the more experienced Azarenka looked as though she had the upper hand going into the tie break, but Rybakina found her serve when she needed it most to take a crucial lead.

    The second set was a somewhat more straightforward affair, as Rybakina broke Azarenka three times en route to securing a place in her second grand slam final.

    “I’m super happy and proud, with my team also because without them it would be difficult to be here,” Rybakina said in her post-match interview. “And really thank you [the crowd] a lot because it’s an incredible atmosphere. I’m super happy to be in the final and play one more time here.

    “I’ve got a little bit of experience from Wimbledon, and I want to come on court and enjoy the moment and atmosphere because it’s amazing to play in front of you guys. We’ll see how it’s going to go – for sure, I’ll try my best. I’ll fight and, hopefully, I’m going to win.”

    More to follow…

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  • Novak Djokovic reaches Australian Open semifinals with crushing straight sets win over Andrey Rublev | CNN

    Novak Djokovic reaches Australian Open semifinals with crushing straight sets win over Andrey Rublev | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    Novak Djokovic continued his scintillating form at the Australian Open, brushing aside world No. 6 Andrey Rublev in straight sets to reach the semifinals.

    It was yet another near-perfect display of tennis from the 35-year-old, as he continued his seemingly inevitable march towards a record-equaling 22nd grand slam with a 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory in just two hours and three minutes.

    Djokovic is now playing arguably the best tennis of his career and has lost just 12 games over his last two matches, extending his winning run at the Australian Open to 26, tying Andre Agassi’s record.

    The early signs were ominous for Rublev, who looked to still be feeling the effects of his five-set epic against Holger Rune, with the Russian broken in only his third service game.

    It was a setback he never looked like recovering from, as Djokovic ran away with the match and took one step closer to winning a record-extending 10th Australian Open title.

    “I would rank this win as No. 2 [this year], but very close to the performance of two nights ago,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “I could not be happier with my tennis. I’ve been playing very solid from the back of the court, I love playing in these conditions … this court, I’ve said it before, it’s the most special court for me.

    “The scoreline in the first two sets doesn’t speak to the reality of the match, there were some close games we had. Andrey is a great opponent and great player, I have great respect for him. I knew what the gameplan was, but one thing is to imagine how you want to play and another thing is to execute on court. In the most important moments, I found my best tennis.

    “I’ve tried about any bio feedback machine on this planet in order to get my leg ready, it worked and I’m going to keep going. I miss tennis on my days off, but it’s important to be smart and wise with the body in these particular circumstances where it’s more important to get ready for the next challenge.”

    Djokovic will now face American Tommy Paul, playing in his first grand slam semifinal, for a place in Sunday’s Australian Open final.

    “Obviously, he doesn’t have much to lose, first time in the semifinals of a grand slam,” Djokovic said. “He’s been playing some great tennis in the last 12 to 15 months … so I’ve got to be ready mentally, not approach it anyway differently to the last couple of matches.

    “If I pay this way, I think I have a good chance to go through.”

    More to follow…

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  • Felix Auger-Aliassime’s loss means every player featured in Netflix’s ‘Break Point’ is no longer in Australian Open | CNN

    Felix Auger-Aliassime’s loss means every player featured in Netflix’s ‘Break Point’ is no longer in Australian Open | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    And then there were none. Felix Auger-Aliassime’s fourth-round loss at the Australian Open means none of the stars of Netflix’s new tennis documentary ‘Break Point’ have made it through to the second week in Melbourne.

    Such poor showing from the series’ stars has led to talk of a ‘Netflix curse’ as player after player crashed out of the tournament.

    Canada’s Auger-Aliassime was the last one standing, but the sixth seed fell 6-4 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 6-7 (3-7) to the Czech underdog Jiri Lehecka.

    The first five episodes of the documentary, which focuses on the next generation of tennis stars, was streamed earlier this month.

    Its aim is to showcase the sport’s younger talent to the world, the ones tipped to step out of the shadows of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic (and, at the time of filming, Roger Federer and Serena Williams as they hadn’t yet retired).

    Maria Sakkari, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Matteo Berrettini, Ons Jabeur, Thanasi Kokkinakis have all been eliminated from the first grand slam of the year – which began on January 16 – while Nick Kyrgios, Ajla Tomljanovic and Paula Badosa withdrew before the start of the tournament because of injuries.

    It means none of the show’s players, who have all featured in the world’s top 10 at some point in their careers, have made it to the quarterfinals.

    Speaking earlier this week, Auger-Aliassime laughed off talk of a so-called curse.

    “I thought it was funny,” he told reporters. “I don’t know; I don’t think it’s connected.

    “Maybe the players that lost, maybe they do feel like it’s connected, somehow. I don’t think they do. I don’t think it’s connected, anyhow. It’s funny how things work out sometimes.”

    The hashtag ‘NetflixCurse’ has been trending on Twitter, with many users writing that the “Netflix curse is now complete” following the Canadian’s exit.

    Earlier this week, Netflix’s UK & Ireland Twitter account tweeted: “To clarify: this is purely a coincidence,” in response to a tweet about the so-called curse.

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  • Women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek eliminated from Australian Open | CNN

    Women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek eliminated from Australian Open | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    Women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek is out of the Australian Open, after losing in the fourth round on Sunday.

    Elena Rybakina defeated the 21-year-old Polish tennis player in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena.

    Światek had been favored heading into this year’s tournament after reaching the semifinals last year and winning eight titles in 2022, including two grand slams.

    Rybakina, who was born in Russia but has represented Kazakhstan since 2018, won her maiden grand slam title at Wimbledon last year and the first for Kazakhstan.

    She will now face the winner of American Coco Gauff and Latvian Jelena Ostapenko in the quarterfinal.

    Gauff lost to Światek in the final of the French Open last year but finished 2022 ranked seventh and is considered a serious contender for all four grand slams this year.

    The 2023 Australian Open runs through January 29 in Melbourne.

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  • 5 things to know for Jan. 17: Storms, Gun violence, Biden, Crypto, Australian Open | CNN

    5 things to know for Jan. 17: Storms, Gun violence, Biden, Crypto, Australian Open | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    Prices for used cars have been high in recent years as inventory has been hampered by computer chip shortages and other pandemic-related woes. Luckily, for those who are currently shopping for a vehicle, many automakers are reporting they have more of the parts they need and are ramping up production – meaning used car prices will likely continue to plunge.

    Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

    (You can get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)

    After an onslaught of atmospheric rivers recently battered California with flooding, a much-needed break from the rain is finally in sight. Flood watches that covered millions in coastal Central California have expired, though crews will be busy cleaning up the damage over the next several weeks. The storm system is now advancing farther inland and is expected to bring heavy snowfall into the Four Corners Region. Up to two feet of new snow is expected in parts of Colorado by this evening, while rain is in the forecast for much of the Southwest. By midweek, the threat will be in the South. The Storm Prediction Center has already highlighted an area from East Texas to the Lower Mississippi Valley for the potential for strong storms.

    Another spate of shootings this week is shaking up communities across the US. At least six people, including a mother and her 6-month-old baby, are dead after a “cartel-style execution” occurred Monday in the town of Goshen, California. The shooting appears to be gang-related, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office said. Separately, eight people were shot Monday at a block party in Fort Pierce, Florida, where the community was gathering to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. An investigation is ongoing to identify the shooter, authorities said. This incident marks the 30th mass shooting in the country this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. So far in 2023, the US is averaging about two mass shootings per day.

    Following the discovery of misplaced classified documents from President Joe Biden’s time as vice president, House Republicans are demanding that the White House turn over more information – including any visitors logs to Biden’s private residence, where a batch of documents was found. The White House counsel’s office, however, said there are no visitors logs that track guests who come and go at Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware. “Like every President across decades of modern history, his personal residence is personal,” the counsel’s office said in a statement Monday. Some Republicans are crying foul, saying former President Donald Trump was treated differently when FBI agents searched his Mar-a-Lago residence last August. Meanwhile, the White House is labeling the Republican investigations into the documents as “shamelessly hypocritical.”

    The Biden Administration has no visitor logs for Biden’s private home, where classified documents were found


    04:19

    – Source:
    CNN

    Cryptocurrencies are rebounding after getting pummeled by losses for the better part of last year. This is prompting speculation that the so-called crypto winter – the digital asset world’s equivalent of a bear market – is over. Bitcoin, the world’s most popular crypto, is up 25% over the past month, hovering above $20,000 for the first time since November, following the collapse of the crypto trading platform FTX. Ethereum, the No. 2 crypto, is up more than 30% over the past month, trading above $1,500 on Monday. Still, Bitcoin is substantially down from its peak in November 2021, just shy of $69,000. Two months ago, when FTX imploded and sent shock waves through the industry, bitcoin plummeted to a two-year low of $15,480.

    Ben McKenzie cnntm intv

    Actor rips crypto as ‘largest Ponzi scheme in history’


    03:13

    – Source:
    CNN

    Some players at the Australian Open expressed irritation today after extreme heat postponed play for hours at the tennis tournament. As temperatures reached almost 97 degrees Fahrenheit, organizers announced at around 2 p.m. local time that matches on outdoor courts would come to a halt. Separately, a Russian flag that was displayed in the stands at the Grand Slam event has sparked controversy and a rules update from Tennis Australia. Fans will no longer be allowed to bring Russian or Belarusian flags to the site of the tournament, officials said, citing the conflict in Ukraine. The decision comes after Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia “strongly condemn[ed]” the Russian flag being displayed Monday during the first-round match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova.

    Selena Gomez responds to body shamers

    The singer and actress shared a message about body positivity after trolls on social media criticized her appearance at the Golden Globes. 

    Tampering with leopard and monkey enclosures prompts zoo closure

    There appears to be some monkey business at the Dallas Zoo… Police say the fencing of some animal enclosures was cut open in “an intentional act,” prompting the zoo to close Friday.

    ‘The Mandalorian’ season 3 trailer has arrived

    After much fanfare, Baby Yoda is back in action. Watch the new trailer here.

    Netflix plans its biggest-ever slate of Korean content

    Fans worldwide are buzzing over K-content! Netflix said over 60% of its members watched South Korean titles last year. Check out some of the international shows and films heading to the platform soon.

    Enjoying nature may lessen the need for some medications, study finds

    Here’s a sign to take the scenic route. According to a new study, visiting nature is associated with lowering the odds of using blood pressure pills and mental health medications.

    Gina Lollobrigida, a legend of Italian cinema, has died, according to members of her family. She was 95. Together with Sophia Loren, Lollobrigida came to symbolize the earthy sexuality of Italian actresses in the 1950s and 1960s. In addition to appearing in several European films, she made her English-language film debut in 1953 in John Huston’s “Beat the Devil,” alongside Humphrey Bogart.

    31

    That’s how many states have taken action to restrict TikTok on government devices, reflecting a wave of recent clampdowns by Republican and Democratic governors targeting the short-form video app. The accelerating backlash comes amid renewed security concerns about how the platform handles user data and fears that it could find its way to the Chinese government.

    “We don’t talk about a collapse, but it can happen any second.”

    – Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko, saying Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure remains severely threatened and could completely collapse if it were to be hit by Russian rockets. Klitschko’s warning comes as millions of Ukrainians continue to endure a winter without electricity, water, and central heating due to relentless Russian strikes.

    Check your local forecast here>>>

    16,000 antlers and counting

    This man searches the hills of Montana for antlers after deer and elk shed them each season. Check out his extensive collection. (Click here to view)

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