Tennis - World news, culture and opinion

Russian tennis player Blinkova switches allegiance to France

Moscow-born Anna Blinkova has previously represented Russia in the Billie Jean Cup.

Published on September 19, 2026, at 12:51 am (Paris), updated on September 19, 2026, at 1:42 am Le Monde with AFP

US Open 2026: Elena Rybakina claims her third Grand Slam title in New York

The 27-year-old Kazakhstani denies Aryna Sabalenka a third straight US Open title and takes her spot as world number one.

Published on September 13, 2026, at 3:17 am (Paris) Le Monde with AP

News

Gaël Monfils says farewell to Grand Slam tennis after US Open defeat

The 40-year-old Frenchman, who is planning to retire at the end of the year, was knocked out 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 by Learner Tien, who at 20 is half Monfils' age. Monfils received a standing ovation after his final shot went into the net.

Published on September 4, 2026, at 5:35 am (Paris), updated on September 4, 2026, at 9:51 am Le Monde with AP

News

Tennis: Kyrgios admits to 'huge mistake' after failing cocaine test

After failing a doping test on June 22, Australian former world number 13 player Nick Kyrgios was provisionally suspended from August 4. He said he took 'full responsibility' for having made 'a huge mistake,' calling it a 'wake-up call.'

Published on August 19, 2026, at 12:41 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

Sinner outlasts Zverev to win second straight Wimbledon title

Twenty-four-year-old Jannik Sinner wore down French Open champion Alexander Zverev, securing a 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3, 6-4 win on Sunday. 'You never know how many times you are going to come back,' said the world No. 1. 'I never take it for granted.'

Published on July 12, 2026, at 10:43 pm (Paris), updated on July 13, 2026, at 9:34 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Noskova defeats fellow Czech Muchova to win first Wimbledon

21-year-old Linda Noskova, the youngest woman to win Wimbledon in 15 years, defeated her compatriot Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, taking home her first Grand Slam title on Saturday.

Published on July 11, 2026, at 7:46 pm (Paris), updated on July 11, 2026, at 10:32 pm Le Monde with AP and AFP

News

Serena Williams beaten at Wimbledon in first singles match in four years

The legendary American tennis player, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, had made a sensational comeback at the age of 44.

Published on July 1, 2026, at 1:22 am (Paris), updated on July 1, 2026, at 11:00 am Le Monde with AFP

Profile

Wimbledon: Corentin Moutet, the 'fanciful' player still haunted by his demons

The Frenchman manages to outmaneuver far more powerful opponents thanks to his tactical sense and instinctive shots. He will need those skills on Tuesday when he faces Marcos Giron in the first round at Wimbledon.

Published on June 30, 2026, at 4:01 pm (Paris) Jérôme Porier

News

Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon, in a comeback raising questions

Four years after announcing her retirement, the 23-time Grand Slam winner is making her singles comeback at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

Published on June 30, 2026, at 2:57 pm (Paris) Jérôme Porier

News

Alexander Zverev is no longer a king without a crown

After losing three Grand Slam finals, the German defeated Italy's Flavio Cobolli in the French Open on Sunday.

Published on June 8, 2026, at 10:25 am (Paris), updated on June 29, 2026, at 3:04 pm Jérôme Porier

News

Germany's Zverev wins 2026 French Open

Alexander Zverev beat Italy's Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 for his first title at Roland Garros on Sunday.

Published on June 7, 2026, at 8:10 pm (Paris), updated on June 8, 2026, at 7:12 am Le Monde with AFP

News

2026 French Open: Mirra Andreeva defies all odds to win first Grand Slam

The 19-year-old Russian prevailed on Saturday in the final (6-3, 6-2) against Poland's surprise contender Maja Chwalinska. The result capped two weeks in which the world number 8 handled the pressure, unlike the other tournament favorites.

Published on June 7, 2026, at 10:35 am (Paris) Valentin Moinard

News

Russian player Andreeva wins French Open

Mirra Andreeva, 19, won her first Grand Slam title on Saturday by beating Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in straight sets in the French Open final.

Published on June 6, 2026, at 4:58 pm (Paris), updated on June 6, 2026, at 6:10 pm Le Monde with AFP

Column

Did Rafael Jodar really push that ball girl? That's beside the point

Whether the Spanish tennis player did or did not shove a young volunteer ball girl during the Roland-Garros tournament hardly matters; for many social media users, what counts most is chiming in.

Published on June 6, 2026, at 4:37 am (Paris), updated on June 6, 2026, at 10:02 am Ophélie Neiman

News

2026 French Open: Cobolli to face Zverev in final after Arnaldi pulls out

Italian Matteo Arnaldi withdrew from the tournament because of illness, sending Flavio Cobolli into his first Grand Slam final.

Published on June 5, 2026, at 7:17 pm (Paris), updated on June 5, 2026, at 8:04 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

2026 French Open: Zverev powers past Mensik to move within one win of first Grand Slam title

Alexander Zverev reached the fourth major final of his career after beating 20-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the Roland Garros semifinals on Friday.

Published on June 5, 2026, at 6:41 pm (Paris), updated on June 5, 2026, at 8:04 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

French Open 2026: Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska stuns Diana Shnaider to book place in final

The world's 114th-ranked player became the first qualifier in history to reach the French Open final when she beat 25th seed Diana Shnaider of Russia 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 on Thursday.

Published on June 4, 2026, at 8:26 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

2026 French Open: Andreeva of Russia beats Kostyuk of Ukraine to reach final

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva reached her first Grand Slam final by beating Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 at the French Open on Thursday.

Published on June 4, 2026, at 4:43 pm (Paris), updated on June 4, 2026, at 5:07 pm Le Monde with AP and AFP

News

2026 French Open: Sabalenka crashes out in stunning quarter-final defeat to Shnaider

The world number one led by a set and a double-break before exiting the tournament in a blaze of unforced errors, collapsing to a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss in blustery conditions in Roland-Garros on Wednesday.

Published on June 3, 2026, at 4:08 pm (Paris), updated on June 3, 2026, at 4:15 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

French Open 2026: Ukraine's Kostyuk sets up clash with Russia's Andreeva in semi-final

Marta Kostyuk beat compatriot Elina Svitolina in their three-set quarter-final on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Mirra Andreeva breezed into the next round with a comprehensive defeat of Romania's Sorana Cirstea.

Published on June 2, 2026, at 4:44 pm (Paris), updated on June 2, 2026, at 5:23 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Serena Williams announces her return to tennis

The 44-year-old tennis icon will make her return playing doubles at the Queen's Club tournament, starting on June 8, she announced in a social media post on Monday.

Published on June 1, 2026, at 5:08 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

French Open 2026: France's last hope dashed after Diane Parry defeated by Maja Chwalinska

The Polish player won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, in Paris on Monday.

Published on June 1, 2026, at 4:56 pm (Paris), updated on June 2, 2026, at 10:11 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Teenager Moïse Kouamé’s French Open run ends in third round defeat

The 17-year-old lost in the French Open's third round to Alejandro Tabilo 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (9).

Published on May 31, 2026, at 3:58 am (Paris) Le Monde with AP

News

French Open 2026: Qualifying for the second week, Diane Parry lifts French hopes

The last Frenchwoman standing, the world number 92, secured victory on Saturday in her duel against American Amanda Anisimova (world No. 6). After a lengthy injury layoff, the former junior world champion is finally living up to her early promise.

Published on May 30, 2026, at 6:48 pm (Paris) Jérôme Porier

News

2026 French Open: Moïse Kouamé's meteoric rise

Poised for greatness, the 17-year-old French player has won his first two matches at the Paris Grand Slam and faces Chilean Alejandro Tabilo on Saturday in the third round. It is a spectacular ascent for a player already recognized as a young phenomenon.

Published on May 30, 2026, at 11:40 am (Paris), updated on June 4, 2026, at 4:00 pm Valentin Moinard

News

Djokovic knocked out in French Open third round by Fonseca

João Fonseca defeated Novak Djokovic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 in the third round of the French Open on Friday. 'I was trying to hit the ball as fast as I could. Djokovic, he does not miss,' Fonseca said. As for Djokovic, he said his opponent 'deserved to win,' and when asked if he would be back next year, he twice replied: 'I don't know.'

Published on May 29, 2026, at 9:41 pm (Paris), updated on May 29, 2026, at 11:01 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

French Open: Home hope Kouamé, 17, becomes youngest man into Grand Slam third round since Nadal

Wildcard Moïse Kouamé survived a comeback from Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo to claim a remarkable win after four hours and 56 minutes on a raucous, and boiling hot, Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Published on May 28, 2026, at 4:40 pm (Paris), updated on May 28, 2026, at 8:29 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

French Open: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner crashes out in second round

The Italian player, who seemingly struggled with the heat, lost to rank outsider Juan Manuel Cerundolo on Thursday.

Published on May 28, 2026, at 4:01 pm (Paris), updated on May 28, 2026, at 5:47 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

French Open heat is 'insane,' Czech player says after collapsing on court

The 26th seed Jakub Mensik collapsed after winning his match that lasted almost five hours in crippling heat on Wednesday.

Published on May 28, 2026, at 10:37 am (Paris), updated on May 28, 2026, at 11:11 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Second seed Rybakina dumped out of French Open by Starodubtseva

It is Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina's earliest exit from any WTA tournament since the 2025 Miami Open.

Published on May 27, 2026, at 6:35 pm (Paris), updated on May 27, 2026, at 6:38 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Loïs Boisson's comeback after long injury ends in early exit

Defeated in straight sets (2-6, 2-6) by Russia's Anna Kalinskaya in the opening round, the French player, in far from her best form, could not recapture the magic that had carried her to the semi-finals of the 2025 tournament.

Published on May 27, 2026, at 1:45 am (Paris), updated on May 27, 2026, at 12:32 pm Jérôme Porier

News

French Open: Moïse Kouamé, 17, makes a splash on big debut

The Frenchman made a successful Grand Slam debut by defeating Croatia's Marin Cilic in the first round (7-6, 6-2, 6-1) on Tuesday. He is the youngest player to reach the second round since 1991.

Published on May 26, 2026, at 6:04 pm (Paris) Valentin Moinard

News

Out-of-form Loïs Boisson returns to stage of her breakthrough

The top-ranked French player and a surprise semifinalist in 2025 spent seven months off the court due to a series of physical issues. Still searching for her best tennis, she faces Russia's Anna Kalinskaya in the first round on Tuesday.

Published on May 26, 2026, at 12:09 pm (Paris), updated on May 27, 2026, at 12:32 pm Jérôme Porier

News

Gaël Monfils bids farewell to the French Open, closing a chapter in French tennis history

In his final appearance at the Roland-Garros stadium, the Frenchman, who plans to retire at the end of the season, was eliminated in the first round on Monday by his compatriot Hugo Gaston. Having delivered some of his most memorable matches on the Parisian clay, he leaves behind the legacy of a truly exceptional showman.

Published on May 26, 2026, at 5:39 am (Paris), updated on May 26, 2026, at 11:26 am Jérôme Porier

News

French Open: How players are adapting to the scorching heat on the courts

The Paris Grand Slam tournament, which began on May 24, is facing an early heatwave that is sweeping across France. Not all athletes are equally equipped to handle these oppressive temperatures.

Published on May 26, 2026, at 2:07 am (Paris), updated on May 26, 2026, at 7:56 am Jérôme Porier

News

Djokovic fights through tough Roland Garros opener

The 39-year-old Novak Djokovic battled the big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard as the clay-court Grand Slam got underway on Sunday.

Published on May 25, 2026, at 2:03 am (Paris), updated on May 25, 2026, at 9:14 am Le Monde with AFP

Explainer

2026 French Open: New crop of French tennis talents emerges

Moïse Kouamé and Ksenia Efremova are two of France's most exciting emerging tennis talents. But at just 17 years old, they will need to learn to balance promising skills and intense scrutiny.

Published on May 24, 2026, at 4:24 pm (Paris), updated on June 4, 2026, at 4:01 pm Valentin Moinard

News

French Open starts amid a heatwave in Paris

The night match of Roland Garros features three-time champion Novak Djokovic against French tennis player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Published on May 24, 2026, at 12:15 pm (Paris), updated on May 29, 2026, at 10:41 pm Le Monde with AP and AFP

News

French Open: Arthur Fils, top-ranked French player, pulls out

The 21-year-old said his hip 'was bothering me a lot' and while exams didn't reveal any issues he still felt 'a lot of pain.'

Published on May 23, 2026, at 5:45 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AP

News

French Open draw sets up tough matches for French players

Loïs Boisson will face world No. 24 Anna Kalinskaya in the opening round. Arthur Fils will take on Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka in his first match.

Published on May 21, 2026, at 4:22 pm (Paris) Valentin Moinard

News

French Open players plan media protest over prize-money share

Players are reportedly planning to limit their conversations with reporters to 15 minutes during Friday's traditional pre-tournament media day.

Published on May 20, 2026, at 5:32 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AP

News

Two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from French Open with wrist injury

The 22-year-old Spaniard said he will miss the 2026 French Open, having already withdrawn from the Madrid Masters 1000.

Published on April 24, 2026, at 6:37 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

French Open increases prize money to €2.8 million for winners

The announced amount represents a 9.5% increase from last year. The tournament at Roland Garros will begin on May 24.

Published on April 16, 2026, at 3:36 pm (Paris), updated on April 16, 2026, at 3:38 pm Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

The French Tennis Federation wants to counter the decline of clay courts

The organization hopes to double the proportion of courts with the surface material across the country by 2032. Nearly 13,000 porous concrete courts could be renovated and covered with artificial clay, which requires little watering and maintenance.

Published on April 7, 2026, at 1:53 am (Paris), updated on April 7, 2026, at 10:30 am Jérôme Porier

News

Alcaraz's unbeaten run ends in Indian Wells with semi-final loss to Medvedev

'Super happy to beat someone as strong' as Carlos Alcaraz, former number one Daniil Medvedev said on Saturday after the 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) win. 'It's a great feeling.'

Published on March 15, 2026, at 2:05 am (Paris), updated on March 15, 2026, at 2:08 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Australian Open: Loïs Boisson withdraws with injury

The No. 35-ranked player said she took the decision to skip the Australian Open to be able to compete 'at 100% for the rest of the season.'

Published on January 12, 2026, at 2:10 pm (Paris), updated on January 12, 2026, at 2:14 pm Le Monde with AP

News

Djokovic pulls out of Australian Open lead-up in Adelaide

World No. 4 tennis pro Novak Djokovic shared on Instagram that he's 'not quite physically ready to compete' in next week's Adelaide International. 'My focus is now on my preparation for the Australian Open,' he added.

Published on January 6, 2026, at 2:24 am (Paris), updated on January 6, 2026, at 8:14 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Venus Williams gets wildcard to play Australian Open aged 45

It will make the seven-time major singles champion the oldest woman ever to play at the season-opening Grand Slam and will be her first time competing in this tournament in five years.

Published on January 2, 2026, at 7:41 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

French tennis player Quentin Folliot receives 20-year ban for match-fixing

The 26-year-old professional player was convicted of 27 offenses, including manipulating match outcomes, accepting money to underperform and attempting to corrupt other players.

Published on December 12, 2025, at 9:22 am (Paris) Le Monde with AP

Investigation

Inside a major investigation into tennis match fixing linked to gambling

Three French tennis players were charged on October 18. They are suspected of having agreed to deliberately lose matches in exchange for money and of encouraging other players to do the same.

Published on December 8, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Damien Leloup Lucie Soullier

Profile

'Decapitated bodies, death threats, that's our daily life': Tennis players, helpless targets of angry gamblers

For many players, abusive messages and threats from disappointed gamblers have become a part of daily life, as French tennis player Alice Tubello has experienced.

Published on December 8, 2025, at 3:00 am (Paris) Thomas Saintourens

Obituary

Nicola Pietrangeli, two-time French Open winner and symbol of Italian tennis, dies

Italy's tennis federation announced on Monday the death of the first Italian to win a Grand Slam tournament and captain of the national team that claimed the Davis Cup in 1976.

Published on December 1, 2025, at 2:23 pm (Paris), updated on December 1, 2025, at 2:23 pm Clément Martel

News

Sinner triumphs over great rival Alcaraz at ATP Finals

Jannik Sinner, who beat Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5, at the ATP Finals on Sunday, has now won 31 consecutive matches on indoor hard courts. Praising the 'brilliant atmosphere' in Turin amid loud cheers, the Italian compared the fan energy to a football match: 'I'm really happy to have given something positive to all of you.'

Published on November 16, 2025, at 10:49 pm (Paris), updated on November 16, 2025, at 10:54 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Novak Djokovic, an idol for Serbian people and a target for President Aleksandar Vucic

The 38-year-old tennis player is facing intense pressure after siding with students in their fight against both corruption and the government in Belgrade.

Published on November 16, 2025, at 12:24 am (Paris), updated on November 16, 2025, at 9:37 am Jean-Baptiste Chastand Jérôme Porier

News

Sinner to face off with Alcaraz in ATP Finals tennis showdown

Jannik Sinner, 24, who defeated Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-2 earlier on Saturday, will face off with 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who was already confirmed year-end world number one and beat Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-2, 6-4 in Turin on Thursday.

Published on November 15, 2025, at 10:41 pm (Paris), updated on November 16, 2025, at 10:07 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Alcaraz beats Sinner to year-end world number one after defeating Musetti at ATP Finals

Alcaraz, who has won four of his five meetings with Sinner this season – and 70 matches overall for this season as well – beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-1 at the ATP Finals in Turin on Thursday.

Published on November 14, 2025, at 3:39 am (Paris), updated on November 14, 2025, at 8:17 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Djokovic pulls out of ATP Finals with shoulder injury after winning 101st career title

Novak Djokovic had been set to face Carlos Alcaraz at the season-ending event, which starts on Sunday in Turin. The record seven-time ATP Finals winner also skipped the tournament last year due to injury.

Published on November 8, 2025, at 11:06 pm (Paris), updated on November 8, 2025, at 11:18 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Sinner wins first Paris Masters, reclaims No. 1 ranking

The Italian beat Canadian 9th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) in Paris on Sunday.

Published on November 2, 2025, at 5:26 pm (Paris), updated on November 2, 2025, at 5:39 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Paris Masters: Sinner one step from reclaiming No. 1 after demolishing Zverev

The Italian player took just 61 minutes to beat the German 6-0, 6-1 on Saturday. He will face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final.

Published on November 1, 2025, at 6:44 pm (Paris), updated on November 1, 2025, at 7:03 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Sinner and Zverev march into Paris Masters last eight

The Italian four-time Grand Slam champion is yet to drop a set in the tournament as he hones in on what would be a fifth title of the season.

Published on October 31, 2025, at 1:54 am (Paris), updated on October 31, 2025, at 9:16 am Le Monde with AFP