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Darderi goes from facing Alcaraz at US Open to claiming Challenger title

Luciano Darderi added more hardware to his trophy cabinet Sunday, when he won the ATP Challenger Tour event in Genoa, Italy to build upon his already memorable summer.

The Italian, who won back-to-back tour-level titles in Bastad and Umag in July, arrived in Genoa following a third-round run at the US Open, where he fell to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Darderi dropped just one set across five matches in Genoa and raced past countryman Andrea Pellegrino 6-1, 6-3 in the AON Open Challenger Memorial Giorgio Messina final. Darderi is set for his Top 30 debut in the PIF ATP Rankings thanks to his effort in New York followed by his title run on home soil.

The 23-year-old has won three of his four ATP Tour titles this season. He also reached the third round at Wimbledon. Darderi’s triumph in Genoa marks his fourth Challenger crown.

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How Casper Ruud used ATP Tennis IQ Powered by PIF to plot his Madrid final victory

It’s no secret that top ATP Tour players lean on data and statistical analysis to unlock marginal gains, and Casper Ruud did exactly that to claim the biggest title of his career at the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid in May.

Ahead of his championship-match clash with Jack Draper, the Norwegian turned to ATP Tennis IQ powered by PIF, using the platform to study his opponent's game and spot recurring patterns in his clay-court play. By digging into Draper’s tactical tendencies, Ruud arrived on court with a clear plan and the confidence to execute it under pressure.

“His typical left-handed approach to the clay game is penetrating your opponent's backhand with [the] forehand,” Ruud said of Draper. “I tried to cover it as good as I can. That was something I really thought about going into the match. I think I was ready for it, which was really important."

Watch Casper Ruud explain how he uses ATP Tennis IQ powered by PIF

ATP Tennis IQ powered by PIF is an enhanced performance-analytics platform that delivers richer match data, advanced scouting, video breakdowns, and wearable integration, all in real-time. The tool is now available to more than 2,000 ATP Tour and Challenger Tour players, as well as ATP coaches, bringing elite-level analysis within reach across the professional game.

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Alcaraz withdraws from Davis Cup Qualifiers R2

Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from Spain’s upcoming Davis Cup second-round qualifier against Denmark, which will take place in Valencia from 12-13 September, due to fatigue.

The 22-year-old Spaniard defeated fierce rival Jannik Sinner in the US Open final on Sunday and simultaneously sealed his return to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time since September 2023. Alcaraz owns a 5-1 career record at the Davis Cup, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, having made his debut in 2022.

Jaume Munar, Roberto Carballes Baena and Pablo Carreno Busta have replaced Alcaraz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina — who has also pulled out — in Team Spain’s lineup, which is led by captain David Ferrer.

Holger Rune headlines Denmark’s lineup, which also includes Elmer Moeller, August Holmgren, Christian Sigsgaard and Johannes Ingildsen.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

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Auger-Aliassime boosts Turin qualification hopes with US Open run

Felix Auger-Aliassime has reignited his push to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the second time in his career after a dazzling run to the US Open semi-finals.

With just two months remaining before the prestigious season finale, the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin is heating up. Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur also made gains during their campaigns at the year’s final major in New York.

ATPTour.com looks at the biggest movers in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin as of Monday, 8 September.

Felix Auger-Aliassime - 10th (2,705 points), +8
After a strong early-season that included titles in Adelaide and Montpellier, Auger-Aliassime looked well-positioned for a Nitto ATP Finals spot. A patchy mid-season dimmed these hopes, but his US Open resurgence has firmly put him back in the mix.

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On This Day: Ferrero debuts at No. 1 after Agassi shootout at US Open

Juan Carlos Ferrero came up short in the 2003 US Open final, but he received the ultimate consolation prize one day later: his debut at No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The Spaniard rose to the pinnacle of the men’s game on 8 September 2003, but he began laying the foundations for that milestone the previous season.

Behind a run to the final at the 2002 ATP Masters Cup, now the Nitto ATP Finals, Ferrero finished that year at World No. 4. He fell one set shy of the trophy at the season finale in Shanghai (l. to Hewitt), but won four singles crowns in a breakthrough 2023 campaign.

Ferrero lifted his lone Grand Slam title at Roland Garros that season and also triumphed at the ATP Masters 1000s Monte-Carlo and Madrid. While he initially struggled to back up his French Open success, he rose to the occasion at the US Open — where had never been past the fourth round — to earn his status as World No. 1.

In a battling run to the New York final, Ferrero notched just a single straight-sets result in six victories. A four-set quarter-final win against 2001 US Open champ Lleyton set up a semi-final showdown with World No. 1 Andre Agassi, a marquee matchup that doubled as a shootout for the top spot in the PIF ATP Rankings.

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Alcaraz turns focus to Career Grand Slam: 'It's my first goal'

Carlos Alcaraz continued to add to his resume on Sunday with his second US Open title and his sixth major overall. It will not take the 22-year-old long to turn his attention to his biggest goal: completing the Career Grand Slam.

The Spaniard has claimed two crowns apiece at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open. The only major left is the Australian Open, where he will try to secure glory at the start of next season.

“It's my first goal, to be honest. When I just go to the preseason to [see] what I want to improve, what I want to achieve, Australian Open is there,” Alcaraz said. “It's the first or second tournament of the year, and it is always the main goal for me to complete a Career Grand Slam, Calendar Grand Slam. So it's going to be great.”

Alcaraz did more than lift the US Open trophy. By defeating Jannik Sinner, the 23-time tour-level titlist also recaptured World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings from the Italian. It is the new No. 1’s first time at the top of the standings since September 2023.

“Since I got the chance to recover the No. 1, it was one of the first goals that I had during the season, just to try to recover the No. 1 as soon as possible or end the year as the No. 1,” Alcaraz said. “For me, achieving that once again, it is a dream. Doing [it] in the same day as getting another Grand Slam feels even better. It's everything I'm working for, and I'm really happy to be able to live these experiences.”

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Clay Tennis Courts

Clay tennis courts are a distinct surface type in the world of tennis, known for their unique playing characteristics and historical significance. These courts are primarily made from crushed brick, shale, or stone, which gives them their characteristic red or green color.Characteristics of Clay Courts Clay courts have several defining characterist...

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US Open Facts

The US Open is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, along with the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon. It is held annually in late August and early September. History The tournament was first held in 1881, making it one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world. It was originally known as the U.S. National Championship and wa...

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Tennis String Weight

Tennis string weight significantly impacts racket performance and player feel. The weight of a string is typically measured in grams per meter (g/m) or inversely, by its density. While the actual mass difference between various strings may seem negligible, its effect on swing weight, balance, and overall power and control can be substantial. Factor...

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Tennis Popularity

Tennis has long been a beloved sport, but its popularity has seen a notable resurgence in recent years. This document explores the factors contributing to this renewed interest and its impact globally. Factors Contributing to Increased Popularity Several elements are driving the increased engagement with tennis: Accessibility: Public courts and aff...

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Singles Strategy

Here's a focused guide on singles tennis strategy, designed to help you outplay your opponent with smart positioning, shot selection, and mental discipline: 1. Control the Center of the Court Stay near the center of the baseline after each shot to cut off angles. Avoid being pulled too wide unless absolutely necessary. Make your opponent run more t...

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Injuries and Scheduling

Professional tennis is a physically and mentally grueling sport. Players compete on hard, clay, and grass courts around the globe, often with minimal rest between events. As a result, injuries and over-scheduling have become serious concerns, especially among top-level and aspiring players alike. 1. Demanding Year-Round Calendar Tennis has no true ...

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Tennis Challenges

Here are some of the most common challenges in tennis, both for recreational and competitive players, along with brief strategies to overcome them: 1. Mental Toughness Challenge: Losing focus, getting frustrated after unforced errors, or choking under pressure. Solution: Practice mental routines between points, use deep breathing, and treat every p...

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Birth of Modern Tennis

The birth of modern tennis occurred in the 19th century, primarily in England, as the game transitioned from indoor, aristocratic "real tennis" to the outdoor sport we know today as lawn tennis. Key Developments in the Birth of Modern Tennis 1. The Shift to Outdoor Play By the mid-1800s, the Industrial Revolution made rubber balls more accessible, ...

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Rafael Nadal Dominates Clay Courts

Rafael Nadal on Clay: A Legacy Like No Other 1. 14 French Open Titles Nadal has won the Roland Garros title 14 times—more than any other player in history. His first win came in 2005, and he has gone undefeated at the tournament multiple times. 2. 112–3 Record at Roland Garros As of his most recent appearance, Nadal holds an astonishing 112 wins an...

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History of Tennis Rackets

Here's a concise timeline of the history of tennis rackets, showing how technology, materials, and design have evolved alongside the sport: 1. 12th–16th Century: The Origins Early tennis (jeu de paume) was played with the hand, then with a glove, and eventually with a wooden paddle. By the 1500s, rackets with wooden frames and gut strings appeared ...

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Tennis Is One of the Best Sports for Lifelong Fitness

Why Tennis Supports Lifelong Health and Longevity 1. Full-Body Workout Tennis combines: Cardio (running, quick bursts, endurance) Strength (especially legs, core, and shoulders) Agility and balance (constant movement, sudden direction changes) Flexibility (reaching, lunging, and twisting) All of this makes it a low-impact total body workout that sc...

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Types of Tennis Serves

Here's a clear breakdown of the different types of tennis serves, each with unique spin, speed, and tactical purpose: ? 1. Flat Serve Spin: Little to no spin Speed: Fastest type of serve Bounce: Low and quick Use: First serves to win points outright Best For: Aggressive, high-risk starts Drawback: Low margin for error; more likely to hit the net or...

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Most Grand Slam Titles

Men's Singles – Most Grand Slam Titles Novak Djokovic – 24 Grand Slam titles He holds the record for the most major singles titles won by a male player. Djokovic has won the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open multiple times across his career. Women's Singles – Most Grand Slam Titles Margaret Court – 24 Grand Slam titles Margaret C...

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Wimbledon Uses a Hawk to Keep Pigeons Away

At Wimbledon, tradition and precision extend even to pest control. To keep pigeons from disrupting matches or nesting around the courts, the tournament employs a trained hawk named Rufus. Who Is Rufus? Rufus is a Harris's Hawk, and he's been patrolling the skies over the All England Club for years. He flies early each morning during the tournament....

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