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

Iga Swiatek, Roland-Garros 2022
June 3, 2022

How all-conquering Iga Swiatek is prepared for failure, and success

Swiatek's sports psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, tells Tennis Majors why the world No 1...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Novak Djokovic, Roland-Garros 2022
June 2, 2022

Djokovic’s defeat by Nadal leaves more questions than answers

What looked set to be a turning point for Novak Djokovic ended up...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Rafael Nadal
June 1, 2022

With a clear mind, Nadal finds “level A” when few thought it possible

The 13-time champion knew he needed to play at his absolute best to...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Cori Gauff, Roland-Garros 2022
May 31, 2022

Maturing Gauff finding the consistency to match her talent, loving the clay

Tipped for the top ever since she broke through at Wimbledon in 2019,...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Daniil Medvedev, Roland-Garros 2022
May 29, 2022

Surprising even himself, Medvedev is becoming a threat on clay, too

It has taken some time but the Russian is starting to believe that...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Holger Rune, clay, 2022
May 27, 2022

Holger Rune hits out at “dangerous” court covers after “scary” fall in second-round win

The Danish teen hurt his ankle when he caught his foot under the...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Iga Swiatek, Roland-Garros 2022
May 26, 2022

Iga Swiatek: “I’m using No 1 to put more pressure on my opponents”

The Pole says hitting the top of the rankings is having a positive...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Holger Rune and Roger Federer
May 26, 2022

Exclusive: Holger Rune, the Danish teen making waves at Roland-Garros, has a dream: “I would like to play Roger Federer”

The Dane says he's signed up to play in Basle in hope that...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Benoit Paire, Roland-Garros 2022
May 24, 2022

Benoit Paire on Wimbledon: “I will get my prize money, as I would for an exhibition”

The Frenchman slammed Wimbledon and the ATP for their respective decisions in response...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Matteo Berrettini and Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2021 final
May 24, 2022

From Djokovic to top 100 contenders: players most affected by ATP/WTA’s removal of ranking points at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic is set to lose his No 1 ranking while others, especially...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Dominic Thiem, Roland-Garros 2022
May 22, 2022

Thiem ready to do an Agassi: “I’ll play Challengers to get my level back”

The Austrian says he'll drop down the Tour levels to get his confidence...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Naomi Osaka hits a forehand at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 20, 2022

“I dreamt I had to play Iga”: Naomi Osaka gets old foe Anisimova instead

The former world No 1 lost to Anisimova in the third round of...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Barbora Krejcikova at Cincinnati in 2021
May 20, 2022

Defending champion Krejcikova shrugs off fitness concerns: “I’m healthy right now”

The Czech has not played since February due to an elbow injury
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon in 2021
May 20, 2022

ATP, WTA remove ranking points from Wimbledon over Russians ban

Wimbledon had banned Russian and Belarusian players over Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, Roland-Garros 2021
May 20, 2022

Djokovic? Nadal? Swiatek? Jabeur? The big talking points ahead of Roland-Garros 2022 – updated with player interviews

From the race for most Grand Slams, to a young Spaniard trying to...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, 2022
May 20, 2022

Who’s the men’s favourite for Roland-Garros? Not me, says Djokovic; not me, says Nadal

It seems no one wants to stick their neck up above the parapet...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Stefanos Tsitsipas RG practice 2022
May 20, 2022

Tsitsipas insists he has no hangover from last year’s final: “I’m starting fresh”

The Greek says he's ready to try to go one better than in...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Rafael Nadal practice RG 2022
May 20, 2022

Rafael Nadal: “Yes, I didn’t have ideal preparation. But the same happened in Australia and I put myself in a position to have a chance”

The 13-time champion said he's intent on making himself as competitive as possible...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Roland-Garros, court Philippe-Chatrier general view
May 19, 2022

Djokovic, Nadal, Alcaraz all drawn in same half at Roland-Garros: everything you need to know about the men’s draw

Djokovic and Nadal are seeded to meet in the quarter-finals, while teenager Alcaraz...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Andy Murray, Madrid 2022
May 18, 2022

Roland-Garros 2022: From Federer and Murray to Pavlyuchenkova, who is missing, and why?

An updated list of all the marquee players who will not be competing...
Author avatar
Simon Cambers
Daniil Medvedev Geneva
May 17, 2022

Medvedev beaten by Gasquet on return from injury in Geneva

The Russian will now go into Roland-Garros next week woefully short of match...
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Simon Cambers