Tennis

Michael Downey to step down as CEO of Tennis Canada

Published

3 years ago

February 21, 2023

Nancy

Michael Downey to step down as CEO of Tennis Canada

PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRECHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES

Michael Downey at a press conference in 2018.

(Toronto) Michael Downey will step down as CEO of Tennis Canada at the end of December, the nation’s tennis organization announced on Tuesday.

The identity of the person who will succeed him at the head of Tennis Canada is unknown for the moment.

“Tennis Canada’s Board of Directors, with the support of a major recruitment firm, has already begun the search for a new CEO,” said the organization’s press release. .

Downey will therefore be retiring after a 15-year career spanning two stints with Tennis Canada.

During his first mandate, which lasted from 2004 to 2013, Downey notably distinguished himself by developing a plan to diversify and increase the revenues of the National Bank Open in order to reinvest them in high performance and the development of tennis in Canada.

“I was inspired by young and proud Canadians named Milos, Eugenie, Gaby, Aleks, Vasek, Rebecca, Félix, Bianca, Denis, Leylah Annie and, of course, the legendary Daniel [Nestor]. They rose to prominence through their accomplishments on and off the pitch. But their greatest legacy will be the influence they have had on the next generation of Canadian talent which, in due time, will ensure Canada remains a world leader in tennis,” Downey said in a statement.

Downey then served as CEO of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) from 2013 to 2017, before returning home in July 2017.

Source: lapresse

Nancy

I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.

Tennis

18-year-old Jovich swept Putintseva off the field and reached the quarter-finals of the Aus Open

Published

2 hours ago

January 25, 2026

Nancy

18-year-old Jovich swept Putintseva off the field and reached the quarter-finals of the Aus Open

18 year old American tennis player Iva Jovic (WTA 27), reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 Australian Open.

In the fourth round, the young American defeated the representative of Kazakhstan. Yulia Putintseva (WTA 94) in 53 minutes.

Australian Open 2026. 1/8 final

Yulia Putintseva (Kazakhstan) – Iva Jovic (AMERICA) [29] – 0:6, 1:6

Jovic had her first head-to-head match against Putintseva. Her next opponent will be world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Victoria Mboko in their fourth round match.

Iva reached the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career. This will also be Jovic’s fourth quarter-final at Tour level.

Besides Putintseva, Jovic also beat Katie Volynets, Priscilla Hong and Jasmine Paolini in Melbourne. He has 11 wins in 2026 (Auckland semi-final and Hobart final) – his best figure on the Tour.

Iva became the youngest tennis player to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open women’s singles without losing a set since Venus Williams in 1998.

Jovic also became the youngest tennis player to reach the quarter-finals in her first three tournaments in the calendar year since Maria Sharapova in 2005.

Video review of the match

Photo gallery of the match

Source: Sport UA

Nancy

I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.

Tennis

VIDEO. Wawrinka played his last match at the Aus Open and had a beer with the director

Published

2 hours ago

January 25, 2026

Nancy

VIDEO. Wawrinka played his last match at the Aus Open and had a beer with the director

40-year-old Swiss tennis player Stan Wawrinka (ATR 139) played the last match of his career at the Australian Open.

In the 1/16 major final on January 24, the Swiss lost to the world’s ninth ranked Taylor Fritz of the USA in four sets in 2 hours 45 minutes.

Wawrinka managed to outperform Laszlo Gyore and Arthur Hea in Melbourne. He spent a total of 10 hours and 24 minutes on the field over the course of three fights. Stan will end his professional career in 2026.

After the meeting ended, Wawrinka, who brought two cans of beer with him during his farewell speech, shared his last minutes on the field with Australian Open director Craig Tiley.

“This was my last time on the court as a player. I’ve gone through so many emotions over these 20 years, all thanks to you. It’s been an incredible journey. I won my first Grand Slam here. I’ve always loved coming back here, I’ve always felt supported. It’s largely thanks to you that I’ve continued to play for so long – because of the love and emotions you’ve given me. I’m sorry to leave, but it’s been a truly wonderful journey. I’ve seen how much you love tennis all these years, how you support us, how you know how to enjoy the moment. Now “It’s my turn, so I’d like to have a beer with Craig if you don’t mind.”

Wawrinka won the Australian Open cup in 2014. He has 45 wins and 19 losses on Melbourne courts.

Australian Open 2026. 1/16 finals

Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) – Taylor Fritz (AMERICA) [9] – 6:7 (5:7), 6:2, 4:6, 4:6

Video review of Stan Wawrinka vs Taylor Fritz match

VIDEO. Wawrinka played his final match at the Aus Open and had a beer with the tournament director.

photo gallery

Source: Sport UA

Nancy

I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.

Tennis

Australian Open Sabalenka eliminates Victoria Mboko and returns to the quarters

Published

3 hours ago

January 25, 2026

Nancy

Australian Open Sabalenka eliminates Victoria Mboko and returns to the quarters

(Melbourne) World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka dismissed young Canadian Victoria Mboko (16^e at 19) 6-1, 7-6 (7/1) Sunday in 8^are final of the Australian Open where she will return to the quarter-finals for the fourth time in a row.

“So young, she is incredibly strong so I am very happy to have won in two rounds,” commented the 27-year-old Belarusian, double winner in Melbourne (2023, 2024) and finalist last year.

She will face Kazakh Yulia Putintseva (94) on Tuesday.^e) or the American Iva Jovic (27^e) to try to find the last square.

Revelation of last year with his title at the WTA 1000 in Montreal, Mboko participated in his first Australian Open. She achieved her best Grand Slam run to date, after her debut in Majors last year. She lost in the third round at Roland Garros, the second at Wimbledon and the first at the US Open.

On Sunday, Mboko played with his right leg still wrapped in a huge bandage running from mid-thigh to mid-calf to protect his knee.

After missing two break points in the first game of the match, the Canadian then seemed completely helpless.

But, trailing 4-1 in the second set, she took advantage of a bad game from Sabalenka to steal her serve and then return to 4-3.

Sabalenka served for the match at 5-4 but failed to convert any of her first three match points, letting Mboko return to 5-5.

In the tiebreaker, however, Sabalenka immediately broke away 6/0 and concluded on her fifth match point.

“It’s in the head and we always have to play the best we can even if it’s not our best level,” stressed the Belarusian.

She has already won four Grand Slam tournaments with, in addition to her two Australian trophies, the US Open 2024 and 2025.

She will play her 13^e consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals since her third-round elimination at Roland Garros in 2021 (she did not participate in Wimbledon in 2022 or 2024).

Source: lapresse

Nancy

I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.