Isner gave a rather astonishing (and late) reason for not defending his title in Auckland this week. Tired? I mean, we're all tired, aren't we?

There's only one way to avoid a repeat of the lamentable withdrawal by John Isner from the Heineken Open but it will take some lateral thinking by the ATP.

David Skipwith identifies five players to keep an eye on at the Heineken Open.

Williams rebounded from an underwhelming first set to reverse her fortunes in a dominant second and hold her nerve during a tense third, eventually winning 2-6 6-3 6-3.

Herald tennis writers Michael Burgess, David Skipwith and Kris Shannon provide the latest updates from day six of the ASB Classic in Auckland.

With a few exceptions, male tennis players are a pretty generic bunch. They hit the ball hard - the touch players, the serve and volleyers are long gone - and they hit the cliches even harder.

Caroline Wozniacki completed her first marathon last November - and was almost forced to run another in last night's ASB Classic semifinal.

Champagne bottles glistened in buckets of ice as beautiful people in stylish sunhats, designer glasses and perfect tans followed theaction at the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland yesterday.

Bowing out of the doubles at the ASB Classic was something of a mixed blessing for Marina Erakovic.

Marina Erakovic is out of her home-town tournament but will head into the Australian swing with a positive outlook.

If Rafa Nadal decides to come to Auckland next week, it would lift the Heineken Open into a sporting stratosphere rarely seen in this country.

Two of our most successful sports names from oval-ball codes were transformed into everyday fans yesterday - in awe of two global tennis superstars.

You won't hear Poland's Urszula Radwanska complain about life among the qualifying ranks of the WTA tour circuit.

Caroline Wozniacki walked off centre court last night with Neil Diamond's famous anthem playing around Stanley St, as the former World No1 made a impressive start to her Auckland campaign.

Get professional help now. That was the sobering message from leading sport psychologist Jeff Bond to Sam Stosur after yet another home-court meltdown, this time at the Brisbane International.

Venus Williams loves playing in Auckland - and the feeling is certainly mutual.