Simon Cambers

Born in Wimbledon (yes, honestly), Simon Cambers has been covering the ATP and WTA Tours for more than 25 years, reporting from the four Grand Slams and at events all over the world. Having started at Bloomberg News, he has been a freelance writer specialising in tennis since 2002, working for numerous publications including The Guardian, The Times, Reuters, New York Times, ESPN.com and most recently Tennis Majors. An experienced broadcaster, he be heard commentating for ATP Tennis Radio, Radio Roland-Garros and AO Radio, while he has also been the co-president of ITWA, the International Tennis Writers' Association, since 2019. Simon competed to a good level as a junior and still plays when he can, though not quite as well as he would like, a few dozen levels below his childhood sporting idol, John McEnroe. He lives on the south coast of England.
Match Points #43

Why Djokovic is the real world No 1 ahead of Alcaraz, tennis should not be seen as basketball for the fans – Match Points #43

April 7, 2023
Match Points Podcast #45

Why Djokovic is the real world No 1 ahead of Alcaraz, tennis should not be seen as basketball for the fans – Match Points #45 podcast edition

April 7, 2023
Match Points #41

Alcaraz, Rune, Garcia, Serena-Federer: Our 2022 overview and our predictions for 2023 – Match Points #41

December 21, 2022
Match Points 2022

Alcaraz, Sinner, Swiatek, Serena-Federer: Our 2022 overview and our predictions for 2023 – Match Points #43 podcast edition

December 18, 2022
Match Points #40

Serena’s legacy; Novak’s absence and US Open talking points: Match Points #40

August 27, 2022
Match Points Podcast #41 - © Tennis Majors

Serena’s legacy and expectations for her farewell, why the US Open is one of the most open of the last 10 years – Match Points #41 podcast edition

August 27, 2022

Earthquake in women’s tennis and the ATP’s lack of authority over players’ bad behaviour – Match Points #38 podcast sample

April 6, 2022

Djokovic’s legacy at risk, Nadal flips the GOAT script – Match Points # 37

February 20, 2022

VIDEO: “Novak Djokovic is badly advised”

February 19, 2022

VIDEO: “No one would have thought that the Grand Slams race will be determined by Djokovic’s vaccination status”

February 18, 2022
Match Points by Tennis Majors about Novak Djokovic unvaccinated

Djokovic’s legacy at risk – Match Points #37 podcast sample

February 16, 2022

Is there a legitimate rivalry between Djokovic and Medvedev? – Match Points #36

December 20, 2021

Sets of first to 4 games: Future of tennis or an insult to the players? – Match Points #35

December 6, 2021

The record-breaking Novak Djokovic – The Volley Podcast #16

November 8, 2021

The Volley Podcast #16: The record-breaking Novak Djokovic

November 8, 2021

What should be done about team tennis competitions? – Match Points #34

October 22, 2021

Why no hard court is the same on the Tour – The Volley Podcast #15

September 30, 2021

The Volley Podcast #15: Why no hard court is the same on the Tour

September 30, 2021

Laver Cup needs stars like Raducanu and Fernandez – Match Points excerpt

September 25, 2021
Novak Djokovic, Match Points #33 Extrait 1

“The pressure on Djokovic and the energy he spent all year was ultimately too much” – Match Points excerpt

September 24, 2021

Why Novak Djokovic fell short in Calendar Slam quest, and what it means – Match Points #33

September 24, 2021

“Osaka could learn a lot from Maria Sharapova about how to have some control of her career” – Match Points excerpt

September 24, 2021

Is Raducanu real thing or fluke? – Match Points #32

September 17, 2021

Djokovic and the calendar Grand Slam, tennis’s ultimate achievement – The Volley Podcast #13

September 10, 2021

The Volley podcast #13: Djokovic and the calendar Grand Slam – tennis’s ultimate achievement

September 9, 2021

Wimbledon and the All England Club: pendulum swings between tradition and modernity – The Volley Podcast #8

August 27, 2021
Naomi Osaka - The Volley

One year after the restart, how tennis had to evolve, and how it continues to adapt – The Volley Podcast #11

August 27, 2021
The volley #10 Home

Our Tokyo Olympics debrief, and why tennis and the Games work together – The Volley Podcast #10

August 27, 2021

Tokyo Olympic games and why it matters for tennis – The Volley Podcast #9

August 27, 2021
Naomi Osaka Match Points #31

“It’s not because Osaka is winning big and is millionaire that she’s happy” – Match Points excerpt

August 24, 2021
Naomi Osaka: Match Points 31

Has Naomi Osaka’s career gone off the rails? – Match Points #31

August 23, 2021
Naomi Osaka - The Volley

The Volley podcast #11: One year after the restart, how tennis had to evolve, and how it continues to adapt

August 19, 2021

“Every time Djokovic has played for history he has succeeded” – Match Points excerpt

August 17, 2021
Match Points #30 Extrait 1

Federer won’t “end his career on a bagel in Wimbledon” – Match Points excerpt

August 13, 2021
Match Points #30

Djokovic, Nadal and Federer struggle with their bodies before the US Open: how serious is it? – Match Points #30

August 10, 2021

The volley podcast #8: Wimbledon and the All England Club : pendulum swings between tradition and modernity

July 19, 2021

The Volley podcast #6: The present and future of British tennis

July 11, 2021

The present and future of British tennis – The Volley Podcast #6

July 11, 2021

Comparing the ATP’s stability and WTA’s wild uncertainty: “Both tours would do well with just 10 percent of what the other has” – Match Points excerpt

July 1, 2021

Djokovic, Federer, Serena and other GOAT questions before Wimbledon 2021 – Match Points #29

June 26, 2021

The rise of Greek tennis – The Volley Podcast #4

June 13, 2021

How did French tennis sink to a new low? – The Volley Podcast #2

June 8, 2021

The volley podcast #2 : How did French tennis sink to a new low ?

June 8, 2021

Naomi Osaka, mental health and media attention – The Volley Podcast #1

June 5, 2021

The volley podcast #1 : Naomi Osaka, mental health and media attention

June 5, 2021
Match Points #28, Extrait 2 Sabalenka

Sabalenka isn’t ready to win a Grand Slam…yet – Match Points excerpt

June 2, 2021
Match Points #28 Extrait 1

Federer, Serena face harsh reality on clay – Match Points excerpt

May 29, 2021
Match Points #28

What to expect from Roland-Garros (besides a Nadal win and a Djokovic fight of course) – Match Points #28

May 22, 2021

“The French government has a say on Roland-Garros decision” – Match Points excerpt

April 29, 2021

“Hosting a global sport event is still a risk, especially in France” – Match Points excerpt

April 28, 2021

Roland-Garros one week later: Why do the French think it will change anything? – Match Points #27

April 27, 2021

“Linespeople must not be replaced by Hawk-Eye Live, they’re part of the show” – Match Points excerpt

April 22, 2021

“If the ATP doesn’t replace Federer and Nadal, they’re going to suffer” – Match Points excerpt

April 19, 2021

Is the ATP Tour ready for the post Federer and Nadal era? – Match Points #26

April 17, 2021

Isner and his “broken system”: “It’s ridiculous” – Match Points excerpt

March 31, 2021

What should the ATP Tour do about Benoit Paire? – Match Points excerpt

March 28, 2021

Paire and Isner, ATP’s pain in the neck – Match Points #25

March 27, 2021

Training for clay instead of playing in Miami, the right choice for Federer? – Match Points excerpt

March 25, 2021

Where does Federer stand now? – Match Points #24

March 23, 2021

“Djokovic, Nadal and Federer are not ready to leave the place” – Match Points excerpt

February 28, 2021

“There’s no necessity for a player to talk about an injury before a match” – Match Points excerpt

February 28, 2021

The ATP gap after the Big 3, and who can break through it? – Match Points #23

February 27, 2021

For Osaka, “ten slams is still really far away” – Match Points excerpt

February 26, 2021

“I don’t think Serena’s made up her mind yet” – Match Points excerpt

February 25, 2021

Debating 10 Slams for Osaka, 24 for Serena – Match Points #22

February 24, 2021

Understanding the lack of consistency on the WTA Tour – Match Points #19

November 9, 2020

WTA: “The strength in depth is better now”, but not the overall level – Match Points excerpt

November 7, 2020

“Federer proved in the past that writing him off is not a very wise move” – Match Points excerpt

October 29, 2020

Why Nadal’s Roland-Garros triumph will push Federer and Djokovic to new heights – Match Points excerpt

October 28, 2020

Is Rafa the GOAT after Roland-Garros? – Match Points #18

October 27, 2020

“The video cuts out the lack of trust” – Match Points excerpt

October 10, 2020

“I can’t count on my opponent to be fair-play” – Match Points excerpt

October 10, 2020

Should video technology be used to help the umpire? – Match points #17

October 7, 2020

How should the tennis world handle a season with Covid-19? – Match Points #16

October 5, 2020
The French Insider #5 Zverev

Zverev shouldn’t have played with Covid-like symptoms – Simon Cambers

October 5, 2020

Change best-of-five format, but in what way? – Match Points excerpt

October 4, 2020

Appealing to youth and quality over quantity in the best-of-five debate – Match Points excerpt

October 4, 2020

Why the 5-set format is no longer the future of tennis – Match Points #15

October 2, 2020

“Having as many spectators just seems incredibly risky” – Match Points excerpt

September 21, 2020

The French Open with Spectators: Good or Bad Idea? – Match Points excerpt

September 21, 2020

Will Serena Williams ever win slam No 24? – Match Points excerpt

September 19, 2020

US Open finals: Amazing comebacks or unbearable collapses? – Match Points #14

September 15, 2020

Osaka “would have been told to leave the politics behind if she lost early” – Match Points excerpt

September 15, 2020

“Thiem could barely swing the ball – I knew that feeling” – Match Points excerpt

September 15, 2020

Latest articles

Novak Djokovic, Monte-Carlo 2023
April 9, 2023

Djokovic motivated and fresh as he chases first Monte-Carlo title since 2015

The world No 1 looks fit and strong as he plays his first...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Wimbledon 2022
April 7, 2023

Marion Bartoli: Wimbledon were left with no choice but to end ban on Russian and Belarusian players

In the latest edition of Match Points, the panel says Wimbledon was forced...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Novak Djokovic
April 7, 2023

Djokovic, Sinner, Medvedev all in loaded top half of Monte-Carlo Masters draw

The world No 1 has not played since Dubai and faces a tough...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Naomi Osaka
April 5, 2023

Naomi Osaka says she wants to win “eight more” Grand Slam titles and Olympic gold at Roland-Garros

The 25-year-old wants to return at the Australian Open in 2024, which would...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Kaja Juvan
April 5, 2023

Slovenia’s Juvan reveals she’s taking a break to grieve after her father’s death

The 22-year-old issued a heartfelt Instagram post in which she explained how bereft...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Felix Auger-Aliassime clay
April 5, 2023

Felix Auger-Aliassime to miss Monte-Carlo, hopes to return in Madrid

The Canadian has been struggling with a knee injury
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Garbine Muguruza portrait 2022
April 3, 2023

Muguruza to miss clay and grass seasons to spend more time with family

The former world No 1 has lost all four of her matches in...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
David Haggerty, ITF chairman
April 3, 2023

ITF announces Tour to return to China in 2023

The ITF says it is pleased to be returning to China for the...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Holger Rune and Patrick Mouratoglou
April 3, 2023

Mouratoglou and Rune end their “6-month adventure”

The pair worked together twice as long as originally planned
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Wimbledon Centre Court
March 31, 2023

Wimbledon lifts ban on Russian, Belarusian players; will insist on players signing declarations of neutrality

The threat by the ATP and WTA to remove all the British grass-court...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
“First of all, it’s a very difficult mantle to take over,” Becker told CloudFest. “Federer, Nadal and Djokovic weren’t only tennis heroes, they are sporting heroes. They are cultural icons. “You talk about the young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz as the next hot thing. He’s amazing, he plays great, he looks good and has the full package as a tennis superstar. But there’s a lot more to it than playing tennis. You have to come back, you have to defend your titles, you become a representative of your country and you’re getting into boxes you didn’t think existed before.” Can Alcaraz go on to reach those giddy heights of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic? Only time will tell. And of course, the competition is hotter than ever with the likes of Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Sinner and more waiting to pounce. “We have to be careful. Nobody is perfect and we have to watch that these tennis players are people. And people make mistakes.”
March 30, 2023

Boris Becker reflects on his life choices: “Mistakes are bound to happen. I’ve paid dearly for mine”

In an interview, which will be released in full at a later date...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Novak Djokovic
March 21, 2023

Djokovic ready to focus on clay-court season; no regrets about missing Indian Wells and Miami

The 35-year-old is set to begin his clay-court campaign in Monte-Carlo next month
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Carlos Alcaraz wins Miami 2022
March 20, 2023

Alcaraz and Medvedev kept apart in Miami draw; Spaniard could play Andy Murray in third round

Alcaraz could face former world No 1 Andy Murray in the third round
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Elena Rybakina Indian Wells trophy
March 20, 2023

Rybakina up to career-high No 7 after Indian Wells win

The Wimbledon champion is still a distance behind No 1 Iga Swiatek
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Carlos Alcaraz trophy Indian Wells
March 20, 2023

Alcaraz regains world No 1 ranking; must win Miami to stay top above absent Djokovic

The Spaniard is just 260 points ahead of Djokovic but will relinquish top...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
March 20, 2023

Medvedev looking forward to Miami with renewed confidence despite loss in Indian Wells final

The Russian heads to Miami with his win streak broken but his confidence...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Rafael Nadal, Melbourne 2023
March 20, 2023

End of an era: Nadal out of world’s top 10 for first time since April 2005

One of the most incredible streaks in men's tennis has come to an...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Daniil Medvedev, Indian Well 2023
March 18, 2023

Medvedev survives “crazy” finish to beat valiant Tiafoe and reach first Indian Wells final

The Russian needed eight match points to finally get the job done and...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Novak Djokovic backhand
March 18, 2023

Djokovic denied Covid-19 travel exemption to enter US to play Miami; now likely to return on clay in Monte-Carlo

The world No 1 is now likely to return to action at the...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Elina Svitolina smile
March 17, 2023

Svitolina to return to WTA Tour after motherhood; set to play Charleston in April

The 28-year-old will play her first event since giving birth to her daughter...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Carlos Alcaraz at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells || 260302_0187
March 17, 2023

Alcaraz relishing prospect of another battle with Sinner, this time in Indian Wells: “He forces the opponent to the limit”

The Spaniard says Sinner forces him to play his very best, on every...
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Simon Cambers