Tim Henman discusses why he's excited concerning the rising rivalry in males's tennis, the return of Emma Răducanu this season plus “wins across the nook” for out-of-form Andy Murray; watch from Sunday's launch of the Sky Sports activities Tennis Channel
Of Tim Henman, tennis knowledgeable
eight:18 UK Sunday 11 February 2024
As Sky Sports activities launches its first devoted tennis channel, pundit and analyst Tim Henman says the rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz is one that may have audiences on the sting of their seats this season.
Henman, who, together with Laura Robson and presenter Gigi Salmon, will information viewers by means of the principle storylines of this yr's males's and girls's tournaments, says she will't wait to see how the duel between Australian Open champion Sinner, 22, develops , and Alcaraz, 20 years outdated.
“If Alcaraz and Sinner keep harm free, they are going to be enjoying one another rather a lot within the largest and finest tournaments. Having these new rivals at such a younger age with so many alternatives is extraordinarily thrilling,” he mentioned. mentioned former no. 1 British. Henman.
“Sinner's efficiency in Australia was completely improbable and for me this was a continuation.
Highlights of the US Open last between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka at Flushing Meadows in New York
“He was undoubtedly essentially the most improved participant since 2023 after which to have the ability to take that kind into 2024 and win his first Grand Slam title was an unbelievable achievement and for Sinner it will likely be the primary of many, he’s that good. “
Whereas excited concerning the rising rivalry, Henman believes Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka will take some beating this yr.
Djokovic made historical past final yr by successful his fourth US Open title and 24th Grand Slam title with a straight units victory over Daniil Medvedev.
“Djokovic continues to be the participant to beat,” Henman mentioned. “He received three of the 4 majors final yr. By his personal admission, he didn't play effectively within the semis in Melbourne, however he's nonetheless the person to beat.”
In the meantime, Sabalenka has received back-to-back Australian Open titles after beating Grand Slam finalist Qinwen Zheng for the primary time in Melbourne final month.
“She is probably not no 1 Sabalenka on this planet, however she is the participant to beat,” he added.
“Iga Swiatek has had superb outcomes and deserves to be No. 1 on this planet, however with the drive and confidence Sabalenka has, it’s going to take a tremendous efficiency to beat her.”
Sabalenka stormed previous Coco Gauff in straight units to say her place within the last in Melbourne as she earned her revenge after the American was victorious in final yr's US Open last.
The Belarusian world No.2 has not dropped a set in seven matches and have become the primary participant since compatriot Victoria Azarenka 11 years in the past to win back-to-back titles in Australia.
“That win for Sabalenka towards Gauff was large as a result of she misplaced to her within the US Open last when she went a set and a break down and Gauff was capable of flip it round,” Henman mentioned.
“Once you assume again a couple of years in the past, the WTA Tour was so unpredictable, you could possibly in all probability give 15 or 20 gamers who may win a Grand Slam.
“Now I take a look at it and I believe the highest 4 have form of separated themselves, they're all main winners enjoying within the largest and finest occasions.
“Constructing these rivalries is so necessary and that's what we're going to get an opportunity to see.”
“Thrilling to see Raducanu in court docket once more”
The return of former US Open champion and Nice Britain Emma Răducanu has been one other attention-grabbing story for Henman thus far this yr – and one she might be following intently.
“It was extraordinarily thrilling to see Răducanu again on the sector in 2024. She has solely performed two tournaments however I used to be very impressed along with her,” mentioned Henman.
Emma Raducanu was crushed 6-Four, 6-1 in her spherical of 16 match towards Ons Jabeur on the Abu Dhabi Open
“If she will play a number of matches and tournaments with out having these accidents that break her momentum, then whatever the consequence, it might be a really optimistic factor for her as a result of her tennis recreation is so good. The outcomes will come.”
In the meantime, Henman believes victories are across the nook for Andy Murray, who’s winless on the ATP Tour since final October.
Finest motion from Andy Murray's match towards dwelling hope Benoit Paire within the Spherical of 16 on the Open Sud de France
Earlier this week, he suffered a straight units defeat to Tomas Machac within the first spherical of the Open 13 Provence in Marseille.
“Little doubt Murray doesn't wish to lose within the first spherical, which he has executed 3 times this yr, however he nonetheless has the religion and confidence that the wins will come,” Henman mentioned.
“His dedication and starvation and drive behind what he has achieved is unbelievable. I believe it’s important to understand that when he was going by means of the hip surgical procedure, he was out. [from the game].
“His bodily efforts are superb to be competing with a metallic hip. If he begins enjoying higher, they’ll have many extra wins.”
Sky Sports activities launches a tennis channel
Sky Sports activities has confirmed a brand new dwelling for tennis within the UK and Eire, with Sky Sports activities Tennis to launch on Sky and NOW from 11 February, making tennis content material obtainable daily to followers.
Check out Sky Sports activities' new tennis advert! Don't neglect, the sport begins on February 11th
Sky Sports activities will broadcast extra dwell tennis than wherever else, bringing over Four,000 matches FROM over 80 tournaments a yr on the ATP and WTA excursions, in addition to full protection of the US Open.
Sky Sports activities Tennis might be obtainable to Sky Sports activities clients with Full, Motion and Area packages, with viewers capable of entry a number of dwell court docket streams on the similar time by way of the Sky Sports activities cellular app, Sky TV app or the purple button and on NOW Bonus Streams, giving entry to extra many dwell matches.
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