Tennis Today: Another not so huge Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal claim
In Tennis Today, yet another admission from Roger Federer about Rafael Nadal while there is an update about Boris Becker’s diplomatic immunity case.
What’s on the site
Another week, another betting preview from our tennis pundit Deggsy Bilton, who is expecting a ‘fun week’ at Queen’s Club.
The Fever-Tree Championships is up and running, but you can familiarise yourself with the tournament by reading our facts and figures piece. It will come in handy for the quiz later today.
Today is D-Day for Andy Murray as he will finally make his return to competitive tennis at Queen’s Club. The Scot admits he hit the ‘lowest point’ of his career just before he had surgery.
Lleyton Hewitt has described Nick Kyrgios as “box office” and Tennis TV has come up with a compilation showing just why he is an entertainer along with Gael Monfils.
Results round-up:
ATP Queen’s Club
ATP Halle
WTA Birmingham
What’s in the news
Of course there is plenty about Andy Murray ahead of his return and in an interview with Telegraph Sport, Tim Henman “implored the tennis public to be patient” with the Scot.
“It’s just not about the results at this stage.”
The Boris Becker story looks like it is going to run and run.
If you have been living under a rock, the tennis legend was due to auction some of his trophies and other memoribilia as he has been declared bankrupt.
Becker then got creative and claimed diplomatic immunity as he was “sporting, cultural and humanitarian affairs’ attache” for the Central African Republic.
But now CAR’s Foreign Minister Charles Armel Doubane “denied he had approved the appointment”.
Germany’s Die Welt, via Daily Mail, reports that “Becker’s signature was required for a diplomat to be appointed – and he ‘never signed such documents’”.
The Daily Mail has gone a bit silly though as they also report “Boris Becker splashes the cash at his local off-licence following bankruptcy filing over £54M worth of DEBT… a day before he’s slapped with parking ticket”.
Express Sport goes with the headline “Roger Federer makes HUGE Rafael Nadal admission: ‘We miss playing each other'”
“We don’t play each other that often anymore because we don’t play as many tournaments,” he is quoted as saying.
“Especially in the recent years, me not playing the clay and him also being injured quite a bit in the last year and at the beginning of this year.
“We missed each other again on the tour playing each other. But it is always wonderful for both of us, you know, in the twilight of our career to have so much success.”
Staying with Express Sport and Nick Kyrgios is never one to hold back and he bluntly told a journalist “You have asked two terrible questions”.
“You’ve had a shocker. You’ve had an absolute shocker. He’s had an absolute shocker.”
What’s on social media
A nice welcome back message for Andy Murray from Nick Kyrgios.
Dear @andy_murray, @NickKyrgios has a message for you. #QueensTennis pic.twitter.com/YG6vwhFkdo
— Fever-Tree Championships (@QueensTennis) June 18, 2018
Watch out Halle, Roger Federer is looking to win at his “best hunting ground”.
Caroline Wozniacki enjoying life.
Backhand of note from Dominic Thiem.
What’s on TV
ATP Fever-Tree Championships
12:00-19:45
LIVE – BBC2 / Red Button / BBC Online
ATP Gerry Weber Open
11:00-18:30
LIVE – Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Arena / Sky Sports Mix
WTA Mallorca Open
11:00-21:00
LIVE – BT Sport 1
