Tennis

Bianca Andreescu of Canada plays a backhand return to Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Canada’s Andreescu, Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime win Aussie Open openers

Auger-Aliassime bounced Vernon, B.C., native Vasek Pospisil, Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino also lost

Bianca Andreescu of Canada plays a backhand return to Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
FILE - Naomi Osaka of Japan smiles during her first round match against Camila Osorio of Colombia at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Naomi Osaka is pregnant and plans to return to competition in 2024, the tennis star announced Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. The former world No. 1 posted a life update Wednesday on social media, including a picture of an ultrasound. (AP Photo/Simon Baker, File)

Naomi Osaka says she’s pregnant, plans tennis return in 2024

Osaka hasn’t played a competitive match since September

FILE - Naomi Osaka of Japan smiles during her first round match against Camila Osorio of Colombia at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Naomi Osaka is pregnant and plans to return to competition in 2024, the tennis star announced Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. The former world No. 1 posted a life update Wednesday on social media, including a picture of an ultrasound. (AP Photo/Simon Baker, File)
Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime celebrates after defeating Australia’s Alex de Minaur during the final Davis Cup tennis match between Australia and Canada in Malaga, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. Auger-Aliassime is being rewarded for his breakthrough season by winning the Lionel Conacher Award as The Canadian Press male athlete of the year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Joan Monfort

Auger-Aliassime voted Canadian Press male athlete of the year

22-year-old Montreal star rose from 11th to 6th in world rankings this year

Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime celebrates after defeating Australia’s Alex de Minaur during the final Davis Cup tennis match between Australia and Canada in Malaga, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. Auger-Aliassime is being rewarded for his breakthrough season by winning the Lionel Conacher Award as The Canadian Press male athlete of the year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Joan Monfort
Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime reacts as he plays Australia’s Alex de Minaur during the final Davis Cup tennis match between Australia and Canada in Malaga, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Joan Monfort

Canada beats Australia to claim its first Davis Cup tennis championship

Canada has automically qualified for the 2023 Davis Cup Finals

Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime reacts as he plays Australia’s Alex de Minaur during the final Davis Cup tennis match between Australia and Canada in Malaga, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Joan Monfort
Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime returns the ball during the men’s singles final against Sebastian Korda of the United States at the European Open tennis tournament in Antwerp, Belgium, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Olivier Matthys

Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime defeats Sebastian Korda for European Open title

Montreal-born star won the Firenze Open last week

Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime returns the ball during the men’s singles final against Sebastian Korda of the United States at the European Open tennis tournament in Antwerp, Belgium, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Olivier Matthys
Switzerland’s Roger Federer smiles during a media conference ahead of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 in London, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. Federer will meet with the media Wednesday to discuss walking away from the game at age 41 after 20 Grand Slam titles. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Roger Federer’s goodbye will be in doubles, maybe with Nadal

Smiles as tennis legend appeared at a news conference to discuss his retirement

Switzerland’s Roger Federer smiles during a media conference ahead of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 in London, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. Federer will meet with the media Wednesday to discuss walking away from the game at age 41 after 20 Grand Slam titles. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil (centre) and Team Canada celebrate Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime stunning win over world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz of the host country in Davis Cup action Friday, Sept. 16, Spain. (Facebook photo)

B.C. player helps Canada to Davis Cup tennis knockout stage

Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil and Team Canada go 2-1 in Spain to guarantee berth in next round

Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil (centre) and Team Canada celebrate Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime stunning win over world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz of the host country in Davis Cup action Friday, Sept. 16, Spain. (Facebook photo)
FILE - Switzerland’s Roger Federer waves during a 100 years of Centre Court celebration on day seven of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, on July 3, 2022. Federer announced Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022 he is retiring from tennis. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Roger Federer says he is retiring from pro tennis at age 41

Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles and finished five seasons ranked No. 1

FILE - Switzerland’s Roger Federer waves during a 100 years of Centre Court celebration on day seven of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, on July 3, 2022. Federer announced Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022 he is retiring from tennis. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, competes against Liudmila Samsonova, of Russia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Canadian star and 2021 runner-up Fernandez, No. 3 Sakkari ousted at US Open

Serena Williams beats No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit

Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, competes against Liudmila Samsonova, of Russia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
(Black Press Media Creative)

Serena Williams Wins First-Round Match at US Open

On Aug. 31, Williams will play Anett Kontaveit, who is ranked No.…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Bianca Andreescu, of Canada, reacts after a shot from Harmony Tan, of France, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in New York. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/John Minchillo

Andreescu advances to second round at US Open with three-set win over Tan

Ontario 22-year-old and 2019 champion, improved her all-time U.S. Open record to 11-1

Bianca Andreescu, of Canada, reacts after a shot from Harmony Tan, of France, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in New York. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/John Minchillo
Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, smiles during a “The Tennis Plays for Peace” exhibition match to raise awareness and humanitarian aid for Ukraine Wednesday, August 24, 2022, in New York. Leylah Fernandez and Bianca Andreescu learned their first-round opponents at the 2022 U.S. Open Thursday as the Canadians look to make another deep run at the final tennis major of the season. Fernandez, the highest seeded Canadian woman at No. 14, opens against France’s Oceane Dodin. Andreescu, who beat Williams in the 2019 final, opens against France’s Harmony Tan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Frank Franklin II

Path is set as Fernandez, Andreescu look for another deep U.S. Open run

Leylah Fernandez and Bianca Andreescu learned their first-round opponents at the 2022…

Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, smiles during a “The Tennis Plays for Peace” exhibition match to raise awareness and humanitarian aid for Ukraine Wednesday, August 24, 2022, in New York. Leylah Fernandez and Bianca Andreescu learned their first-round opponents at the 2022 U.S. Open Thursday as the Canadians look to make another deep run at the final tennis major of the season. Fernandez, the highest seeded Canadian woman at No. 14, opens against France’s Oceane Dodin. Andreescu, who beat Williams in the 2019 final, opens against France’s Harmony Tan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Frank Franklin II
Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil advanced to the Odlum Brown VanOpen semifinal with a 6-1, 7-5 win over France’s Gilles Simon Friday night, Aug. 19, 2022. (Joe Ng photo)

Semifinal berth for Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil in Vancouver

The tennis pro defeated France’s Gilles Simon in straight sets Friday night

Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil advanced to the Odlum Brown VanOpen semifinal with a 6-1, 7-5 win over France’s Gilles Simon Friday night, Aug. 19, 2022. (Joe Ng photo)
Canada's Eugenie Bouchard hits a return to Sara Sorribes Tormo, of Spain, during the women's final in the Abierto of Zapopan tennis tournament in Zapopan, Mexico, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Refugio Ruiz)

Bouchard bounced quickly in return to singles tennis action

Former world #5 competing for first time in 17 months due to surgery and rehab

Canada's Eugenie Bouchard hits a return to Sara Sorribes Tormo, of Spain, during the women's final in the Abierto of Zapopan tennis tournament in Zapopan, Mexico, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Refugio Ruiz)
Serena Williams, of the U.S.A celebrates after defeating Nuria Parrizas-Diaz of Spain, during the National Bank Open women’s tennis tournament in Toronto, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Serena Williams says she will retire after U.S. Open

Tennis icon: ‘I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give’

Serena Williams, of the U.S.A celebrates after defeating Nuria Parrizas-Diaz of Spain, during the National Bank Open women’s tennis tournament in Toronto, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil collected his 10th ATP Challenger Tennis Tour title Monday, Jan. 31, in Quimper, France. (camerawork usa photo)

Okanagan tennis player collects pro victory in France

Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil wins 10th title on ATP Challenger Tour circuit, and first since 2019

Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil collected his 10th ATP Challenger Tennis Tour title Monday, Jan. 31, in Quimper, France. (camerawork usa photo)
Fans take a selfie with a photo of defending champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia ahead of first round matches at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Djokovic was deported from Australia Sunday, Jan 16, after losing a bid to stay in the country to defend his Australian Open title despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)

Djokovic lands in Serbia as questions arise over French Open eligibility

Tennis star could be barred under a new French law intended to exclude unvaccinated from stadiums

Fans take a selfie with a photo of defending champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia ahead of first round matches at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Djokovic was deported from Australia Sunday, Jan 16, after losing a bid to stay in the country to defend his Australian Open title despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, center, rides in car as he leaves a government detention facility before attending a court hearing at his lawyers office in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. A federal court hearing has been scheduled for Sunday, a day before the men’s No. 1-ranked tennis player and nine-time Australian Open champion was due to begin his title defense at the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year. (James Ross/AAP via AP)

Ruled out: Australia deports Novak Djokovic for being unvaccinated

The decision dashes Djokovic’s hopes of winning a record 21st Grand Slam title

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, center, rides in car as he leaves a government detention facility before attending a court hearing at his lawyers office in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. A federal court hearing has been scheduled for Sunday, a day before the men’s No. 1-ranked tennis player and nine-time Australian Open champion was due to begin his title defense at the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year. (James Ross/AAP via AP)
Serbian priests hold a service for Novak Djokovic and his supporters outside the Park Hotel, used as an immigration detention hotel where Djokovic is confined in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. After four nights in hotel detention Novak Djokovic will get his day in court on Monday in a controversial immigration case that has polarized opinions in the tennis world and elicited heartfelt support for the star back home in his native Serbia. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Judge says Djokovic can stay in Australia but saga not over

Unvaccinated tennis star was released after being confined to an immigration hotel for four nights

Serbian priests hold a service for Novak Djokovic and his supporters outside the Park Hotel, used as an immigration detention hotel where Djokovic is confined in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. After four nights in hotel detention Novak Djokovic will get his day in court on Monday in a controversial immigration case that has polarized opinions in the tennis world and elicited heartfelt support for the star back home in his native Serbia. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada plays a shot against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev during their semifinal match at the ATP Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Christo)

Maple Leaf rules: Canada wins ATP Cup with win over Spain

Felix Auger-Aliassime saved 10 of the 11 break points he faced and had 15 aces

Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada plays a shot against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev during their semifinal match at the ATP Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Christo)