
The 16 greatest tennis matches in which cramps drew the drama
From the clay of Roland-Garros to the humid nights in New York, the history of tennis is littered with physical collapses that turned routine victories into legendary battles. Here are 16 times cramps dictated the narrative in the Open Era. Spoiler: two 2026 Australian Open matches are involved.

“You have to find a way to win in the era you are given” : why winning a major just as hard now as it was in days of the Big 3
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga claims it is easier to win a Slam now than when he was playing in the era of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. This statement needs to be challenged by facts and current players' viewpoints.

Alcaraz outlasts Zverev in legendary five-set epic to reach first Australian Open final
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 on Friday after 5h27, to reach his first Australian Open final. The 22-year-old world No 1 overcame physical cramps and a 5-3 deficit in the deciding set to move within one victory of becoming the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam.
THE LATEST
Australian Open : Match results and live scores
Jawdropping dominance: Sabalenka overpowers Svitolina to reach fourth straight Melbourne final
Unstoppable force: Rybakina navigates late tension to secure place in second Melbourne final
Stone cold Sinner: Jannik sweeps Shelton to set up heavyweight semifinal with Djokovic
Weirdest AO match ever? Musetti injury propels Djokovic into 13th Melbourne semifinal
Carlos Alcaraz masters Alex De Minaur to secure maiden Melbourne semifinal
Mature Shelton overpowers Ruud to reach third Melbourne quarterfinal
Beyond the flair: Musetti’s hard-court maturity seals quarterfinal set at the Australian Open
THE LAST FROM
THE 2026 AUSTRALIAN OPEN
The 16 greatest tennis matches in which cramps drew the drama
From the clay of Roland-Garros to the humid nights in New York, the history of tennis is littered with physical collapses that turned routine victories into legendary battles. Here are 16 times cramps dictated the narrative in the Open Era. Spoiler: two 2026 Australian Open matches are involved.
Alcaraz outlasts Zverev in legendary five-set epic to reach first Australian Open final
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 on Friday after 5h27, to reach his first Australian Open final. The 22-year-old world No 1 overcame physical cramps and a 5-3 deficit in the deciding set to move within one victory of becoming the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam.
“You have to find a way to win in the era you are given” : why winning a major just as hard now as it was in days of the Big 3
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga claims it is easier to win a Slam now than when he was playing in the era of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. This statement needs to be challenged by facts and current players’ viewpoints.
The Grand Slam Survival Guide: How to secure AO tickets before they’re gone
Everything you need to know about the ticketing process for the majors
Unstoppable force: Rybakina navigates late tension to secure place in second Melbourne final
Elena Rybakina defeated Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 on Thursday to reach her second Australian Open final vs. Aryna Sabalenka.
Jawdropping dominance: Sabalenka overpowers Svitolina to reach fourth straight Melbourne final
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday to secure her place in a fourth consecutive Australian Open final. The world No. 1 extended her 2026 winning streak to 11-0, moving within one victory of reclaiming her throne as the undisputed champion of Melbourne.
January 29, 2017: The day Roger Federer stunned Rafael Nadal in Melbourne to win his first Grand Slam title for five years
Every day, Tennis Majors looks back at the biggest moments in tennis history. On January 29, 2017, Roger Federer beat Rafael Nadal in a classic Australian Open final to win his 18th Grand Slam title – and first for five years.
January 28, 1996: The day Boris Becker won his final Grand Slam title
Every day, Tennis Majors looks back at some of the biggest moments in tennis history. On January 28, 1996, Boris Becker beat Michael Chang to win the Australian Open, the last Grand Slam title of his career.
Stone cold Sinner: Jannik sweeps Shelton to set up heavyweight semifinal with Djokovic
Jannik Sinner defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday night to reach his third consecutive Australian Open semifinal. The two-time defending champion and second seed will now face Novak Djokovic in a clash of titans, extending his Melbourne winning streak to 19 matches.
Weirdest AO match ever? Musetti injury propels Djokovic into 13th Melbourne semifinal
Novak Djokovic benefited from the abandonment of Lorenzo Musetti (4-6, 3-6, 3-1) on Wednesday night and will face the winner of the match between American Ben Shelton, the No 8 seed, and Italian Jannik Sinner, the second seed, in the next round
THE COURT REPORT
EXCLUSIVES & LONG READS
“You have to find a way to win in the era you are given” : why winning a major just as hard now as it was in days of the Big 3
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga claims it is easier to win a Slam now than when he was playing in the era of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. This statement needs to be challenged by facts and current players’ viewpoints.
The ‘fun’ factor: How new formats are winning over the Tour’s toughest
Whether it’s facing legends or battling amateurs for AUD $1 million, the 2026 Australian Open reveals an industry transformed, where even the fiercest athletes are trading the tension of the locker room for the shared joy of the stadium.
More data, less hype: Novak prioritizes biomechanical precision over betting on Big Four reversed forces this year in Melbourne
Far from 2025 Murray vibes, the 10-time champion has returned to Melbourne with a streamlined team and a clinical focus on the “kinetic chain”.
Once blessed with computer-like recall, memories fading for Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and others
Now that the intensity and need is no longer there, it seems the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are letting go much of their past.
Machac to Tennis Majors: “I traveled to Australia with big doubts about whether I could even play”
Tomas Machac arrived in Melbourne to face a daunting Australian Open draw and called back Tennis Majors to share his state of mind after a resilient start to 2026.
Sabalenka vs Kyrgios: Before the Battle of the Sexes, the Battle of Visions
One side calls it progress; the other calls it a stolen, hollow imitation. Sunday’s clash in Dubai between world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and maverick Nick Kyrgios resurrects the iconic 1973 gender face-off with a digital-age twist – but the fiercest fight is happening off the court.
Ruud, in his first UTS final off clay: “Try to hit shots you wouldn’t normally go for in a regular match”
The Ice Man fell short in the final against Alex de Minaur, but overall it was still a very positive weekend for him.
De Minaur after his UTS triumph : “My game suits up quite well”
The Demon, UTS champion for the second year in a row, talked about the strengths that make him a perfect fit for the UTS format.
Sinner calling for a “real Davis Cup”, Zverev naming the current form “an exhibition”, top players asking for massive changes
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev, the three best players in the world, have called for a renewal of the current Davis Cup system, advocating for a return to the traditional home-and-away format.
“Do we want gladiators into the lion’s den with no feelings?” – interview with Francisca Dauzet about mental toughness
Francisca Dauzet, a psychoanalyst who works with top athletes, tells Tennis Majors she was surprised by the public’s reaction to images of Medvedev at the US Open. Players’ feelings need to be understood, not judged, she says.
ALCARAZ x SINNER
Features on The NEW TWO reshaping tennis
The “sleeper” effect: How Carlos Alcaraz is building a first-class serve to serve his first-class ambition
While the world No. 1’s groundstrokes remain the most destructive in the game, it is the evolution of his serve into a “sleeper” weapon, modeled on the precision of Novak Djokovic, that highlights his relentless drive for improvement.
Carlos Alcaraz on Ferrero departure: “I have the same team, just one person missing”
The World described the split with Juan Carlos Ferrero as a natural conclusion to the foundational period of his career, at his arrival in Melbourne
Sincaraz Doubles Pair? Alcaraz and Sinner Tease Historic Partnership in Seoul
During their 2026 season opener in South Korea, world leaders Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner discussed the tantalizing possibility of a doubles pairing
‘Wounded’ Ferrero confirms 48-hour ultimatum, reveals details of Alcaraz split
Juan Carlos Ferrero breaks his silence to Marca. The 45-year-old coach details a breakdown in negotiations that shifted from the court to the boardroom, involving “non-sporting clauses” and a cold finality.
Was suspension to blame for Sinner missing No.1? He’s ‘happy to be here’and proud of an ‘amazing’ season
Jannik Sinner finally responded to the assumption that if he had not been suspended three months for his positive test, he could have been World No.1
Sinner: “Happy for him (Alcaraz) and let’s see next year”
Jannik Sinner expresses genuine respect and positivity towards Carlos Alcaraz after losing the year-end world No. 1 ranking, praising his rival’s remarkable 2025 season and reaffirming his own determination to return to the top in 2026.
“Winning is winning, but managing your emotions is what matters most”, Carlos Alcaraz on the process to reach No. 1
Carlos Alcaraz reflects on the mental journey behind his rise to world No. 1.
Alcaraz: “This is the best season I’ve ever had”
Carlos Alcaraz is competing in the Tokyo tournament for the first time. “People often ask me what my goal in tennis is. I always say that I want to measure up to the legends or the greatest players in history, but I’m not focused on that at the moment.”
The US Open masterclass: How Carlos became an Alcaraz 2.0 by scanning Sinner’s game after Wimbledon loss
The US Open victory wasn’t just a win, it was the culmination of a month-long mission for Carlos Alcaraz, who used a humbling Wimbledon loss to Jannik Sinner as the catalyst for his most “perfect” performance to date.
Alcaraz’s dream accomplished: Reclaiming No. 1 was ‘everything (he was) working for’
“When you achieve the goals you set up yourself at the beginning of the year, it feels amazing” said Carlos Alcaraz after his win at the US Open.
THE BIG THREE
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, forever in the tennis news
Once blessed with computer-like recall, memories fading for Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and others
Now that the intensity and need is no longer there, it seems the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are letting go much of their past.
Federer in Melbourne: What the Legend Really Thinks About Alcaraz, Serena, and the ‘Lies’ of Tour Life (in 9 key quotes)
Roger Federer spoke at the Australian Open on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s Opening Ceremony and exhibition match. Here are the 9 key takeaways from his press conference.
Djokovic severs ties with PTPA in major blow to player union
Novak Djokovic has severed ties with the PTPA, the breakaway union he co-founded in 2020, citing deep-seated concerns over transparency and governance.
Federer to Take Rod Laver arena for maiden Australian Open opening ceremony
Roger Federer returns to Melbourne for AO opening night exhibition alongside Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt. He hasn’t played in Melbourne since 2020.
Nadal on his rivalry with the Big Three: ‘You end up appreciating your rivals’
Rafael Nadal reflected in an interview on his competitive yet respectful rivalry with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, stating that he has grown to appreciate his rivals and is proud of the shared history.
Roger Federer elected to International Tennis Hall of fame’s class of 2026
Swiss legend Roger Federer will join tennis immortals at August ceremony.
Novak Djokovic becomes oldest ATP Tour champion with Athens victory
Novak Djokovic secured his 101st career title on Saturday, defeating Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a physically demanding 2-hour, 58-minute final at the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship in Athens.
Djokovic not ready to retire yet
“Longevity is one of my biggest motivations,” Djokovic said in Riyadh, downplaying any impression that he might retire soon.
Federer set for exhibition doubles return in Shanghai in October
Roger Federer is set to make his long-awaited return to the court in front of a crows this autumn, in a special exhibition doubles event at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The Swiss legend, who retired from professional tennis in September 2022 at the age of 41, will take part in a “Roger & Friends” event on October … Continued
Four years after his last match on Centre Court, Federer plays at Wimbledon again
Roger Federer published a video on his Instagram account in which he can be seen playing on the training courts at Wimbledon
Nadal’s Paris reflection : “The adrenaline of sports is impossible to find again, but I won’t be less happy”
On the evening of his emotional tribute at Court Philippe-Chatrier, Rafael Nadal spent an hour with international media, sharing a rare and honest perspective on his past as a champion — and his future as a devoted father and grounded man
Nadal’s emotional Roland-Garros tribute speech transcribed in full
Nadal’s emotional speech during Roland-Garros 2025.
On this day
IN TENNIS HISTORY
January 30, 2017: The day a pregnant Serena Williams became the oldest woman in history to hold the world No 1 ranking
Every day, Tennis Majors goes back in time to look at a landmark event on the tennis world. Today, we return to 2017 to see how, at the age of 35, Serena Williams, who had just won the Australian Open, became the oldest world No 1 in the history of women’s tennis
January 29, 2017: The day Roger Federer stunned Rafael Nadal in Melbourne to win his first Grand Slam title for five years
Every day, Tennis Majors looks back at the biggest moments in tennis history. On January 29, 2017, Roger Federer beat Rafael Nadal in a classic Australian Open final to win his 18th Grand Slam title – and first for five years.
January 28, 1996: The day Boris Becker won his final Grand Slam title
Every day, Tennis Majors looks back at some of the biggest moments in tennis history. On January 28, 1996, Boris Becker beat Michael Chang to win the Australian Open, the last Grand Slam title of his career.
January 26, 2002: The day Capriati made Hingis crack in the Australian Open final
Every day, Tennis Majors looks back at the biggest moments in tennis history. On January 26, 2002, Jennifer Capriati came back from one set and four games down to beat Martina Hingis in the Australian Open final
January 25, 1997: The day Swiss Miss Martina Hingis became the youngest ever Grand Slam champion
Every day Tennis Majors takes you back in time to celebrate a great moment in tennis history. Today, we go back to 1997 to witness how Martina Hingis, aged 16 years, 3 months, and 26 days, defeated Mary Pierce in the Australian Open to become the youngest Grand Slam champion of the Open era.
January 24, 2008: The day Tsonga crushed Nadal at the Australian Open with an awesome display of power tennis
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga became a crowd favourite and the third straight surprise men’s finalist at the Australian Open 13 years ago. His semifinal performance against Rafael Nadal was outstanding, as he hit 49 winners in three sets
January 23, 1988: The day Steffi Graf beat Chris Evert in the first indoor Australian Open final
Every day, Tennis Majors looks back at some of the biggest moments in tennis history. On January 23, 1988, Steffi Graf beat Chris Evert to win the first leg of her Golden Slam
January 22, 2003: The day Andy Roddick outlasted El Aynaoui in the longest fifth set in Grand Slam history
Every day, Tennis Majors looks back at the biggest moments in tennis history. On this day in 2003, Andy Roddick and Younes El Aynaoui played a record-breaking deciding set which lasted for two hours and 23 minutes
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This week rankings
ATP Tour
Singles
Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner
Alexander Zverev
Novak Djokovic
Lorenzo Musetti
WTA Tour
Singles
Aryna Sabalenka
Iga Swiatek
Coco Gauff
Amanda Anisimova