Sinner More Confident Ahead of Wimbledon After First Grasscourt Title 

Tennis - Halle Open - OWL Arena, Halle, Germany - June 23, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. (Reuters)
Tennis - Halle Open - OWL Arena, Halle, Germany - June 23, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. (Reuters)
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Sinner More Confident Ahead of Wimbledon After First Grasscourt Title 

Tennis - Halle Open - OWL Arena, Halle, Germany - June 23, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. (Reuters)
Tennis - Halle Open - OWL Arena, Halle, Germany - June 23, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. (Reuters)

Jannik Sinner is primed for a Wimbledon title tilt after picking up his first grasscourt trophy at Halle on Sunday and the Italian said he is more confident on the surface heading into the Grand Slam that begins next week.

The 22-year-old became the eighth man since the ATP rankings were first published in 1973 to win his first tournament as the world number one after beating doubles partner Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(8) 7-6(2) in Germany.

"I'm looking forward to it (Wimbledon). Last year I made the semi-finals, I played some good tennis. Let's see what's coming this year," said Sinner, who won his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this year.

"I'm more confident for sure. And on this surface, obviously the grass might be a bit different from here and Wimbledon. But I have one week now to prepare for it, so hopefully it's going to be a good tournament."

It was not all good news for Sinner, however, as his girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya was beaten 6-7(0) 6-4 7-6(3) by Jessica Pegula in the Berlin final.

"My girlfriend Anna played in Berlin. She lost, with six (five) match points. I'm very sorry for her," said Sinner.

"She also had an amazing week."

Wimbledon runs from July 1-14.



Former Champion Kvitova Handed Wimbledon Wildcard 

Petra Kvitova. (AFP)
Petra Kvitova. (AFP)
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Former Champion Kvitova Handed Wimbledon Wildcard 

Petra Kvitova. (AFP)
Petra Kvitova. (AFP)

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has been handed a wildcard to the women's singles draw after being ranked too low for direct entry, organizers said on Wednesday.

The Czech, winner at the All England Club in 2011 and 2014, began her comeback from a 17-month maternity break last February.

The 35-year-old, a former world number two, is currently 572nd in the WTA rankings. She lost in the first round of a WTA 500 event on grass at Queen's Club earlier this month.

Kvitova was the only non-British player on the initial list of wildcards, which includes former British men's number one Dan Evans.