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Eugenie Bouchard, the former Wimbledon runner-up, has made a bold career shift from the WTA to the ATP—but not the ATP you might think. Bouchard has traded in her tennis racket for a pickleball paddle, becoming one of the most talked-about athletes in the rapidly growing sport.Bouchard's decision to pursue pickleball stemmed from a desire for a new challenge and to be part of a burgeoning sport. Despite her impressive tennis resume, she has embraced the learning curve in pickleball, acknowledging that she has "a long way to go."Her progress has been evident in recent tournaments. In October, she reached her first professional pickleball semifinal at the Rate Championships in Las Vegas. This week, at the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships in Dallas, Bouchard showcased her skills with an impressive "Around the Post" (ATP) shot, a tactic that requires exceptional agility and precision.The ATP shot, which involves hitting the ball outside the net post while being taken off the court, has earned Bouchard recognition and a place in the Top 10 on ESPN's SportsCenter. She has advanced to the round of 16 at the World Championships, further solidifying her status as a rising star in pickleball.Sam Querrey, another tennis player who has transitioned to pickleball, has praised Bouchard's talent, calling her the most underrated player in the sport. Bouchard's success in pickleball is a testament to her athleticism, adaptability, and determination to excel in a new arena.

Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has strong ties to tennis, with many professional pickleball players transitioning from the tennis court. Connor Garnett, currently ranked No. 3 in pickleball singles, is a prime example of this crossover.Garnett's tennis career began at Division I Santa Clara University. After graduating, he pursued a career in investment banking while also serving as Novak Djokovic's hitting partner. He also coached Simona Halep and other top tennis players.In 2022, Garnett made the switch to pickleball, quickly establishing himself as a top player. He earned silver in both singles and doubles in his first pro tournament and has since climbed to the top of the rankings.Garnett's success in pickleball is attributed to his exceptional athleticism and tennis background. His strong serve, quick reflexes, and court coverage skills have translated well to the pickleball court.The connection between pickleball and tennis is evident in the techniques and strategies used by players. Both sports require quick reflexes, precise shot placement, and a keen understanding of court positioning.As pickleball continues to gain popularity, it is likely that more tennis players will make the transition to the sport. The similarities between the two games make it an easy and rewarding switch for those with a tennis background.

Tennis Stars Embracing the Rise of PickleballThe world of professional pickleball is witnessing a surge of former tennis players, with over 22 individuals making the transition from the tennis court to the pickleball court. This trend is not limited to a few high-profile names like Jack Sock, Eugenie Bouchard, Donald Young, and Sam Querrey.Among the notable former tennis players now excelling in pickleball is Collin Johns, brother of pickleball sensation Ben Johns. Collin achieved a career-high ATP ranking of No. 978 in singles and No. 939 in doubles. Altalf Merchant, once India's top-ranked junior player, also made the switch. Parris Todd, who began competing on the ITF tour at age 14, has won over 85 titles.Remarkably, 12 of these former tennis pros also competed at the collegiate level. The PPA boasts first-team All-Americans like Lea Jansen, NCAA champions like Pablo Tellez, and accomplished doubles teams like brothers Yates and Hunter Johnson. Hunter Johnson notably defeated Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime during his ATP tour run and reached a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 198.Interestingly, a significant number of these former tennis players also coached, with some attributing their introduction to pickleball to their time at country clubs. Tyson McGuffin, who briefly competed collegiately and professionally, served as a head tennis pro for six years before discovering his passion for pickleball.For some pro pickleball players, tennis served as a stepping stone into the rapidly growing sport. Anna Leigh Waters, arguably pickleball's biggest star, played tennis and soccer before becoming the youngest pickleball pro at age 12. Alix Truong, a former high school tennis player who played first singles and doubles, also made the transition to pickleball.In conclusion, while Jack Sock, Eugenie Bouchard, Donald Young, and Sam Querrey are well-known names in both tennis and pickleball, they represent only a fraction of the former tennis players who have embraced the sport. With 90% of the 144 players currently listed on the PPA tour having a tennis background, it is evident that tennis and pickleball are becoming increasingly intertwined.

The Paris 2024 Olympics witnessed a series of astonishing upsets, proving that even the most dominant athletes can be dethroned.Tennis:Zheng Qinwen of China stunned the tennis world by defeating Iga Swiatek, the reigning French Open champion, in the women's singles semifinals. Zheng's victory marked the first time an Asian player had won Olympic gold in singles tennis.Athletics:Noah Lyles, the favorite in the men's 200m, was upset by Botswana's Letsile Tebogo. Lyles, who had won the 100m gold earlier in the Games, finished with a bronze medal. In the men's 1500m, USA's Cole Hocker set a new Olympic record and claimed the gold medal, leaving world champion Josh Kerr and defending champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen behind.Wrestling:India's Vinesh Phogat defeated Japan's Yui Susaki, the reigning Olympic champion in women's wrestling. However, Phogat's triumph was short-lived as she was disqualified for failing to make the weight cut for her final bout.Swimming:China ended the United States' 64-year unbeaten streak in the men's 4x100m relay swimming medley. The Chinese team delivered an incredible performance, with Pan Zhanle executing a remarkable comeback in the anchor leg.Table Tennis:Wang Chuqin of China, the world's top-ranked player, was upset by Swedish player Truls Moregard in the men's singles table tennis competition. Moregard fought back from a 2-0 deficit to win the match 4-2.Other Upsets:Jamaica failed to win a medal in the men's 100m, 200m, or 4x100m relay for the first time in decades. The U.S. women's water polo team, considered the most dominant in the world, was knocked out in the semifinals and failed to win a medal. The U.S. men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams also struggled, with the men's team failing to qualify for the Games and the women's team settling for bronze.These upsets serve as a reminder that even the most favored athletes can be defeated, and that the Olympic Games are a stage where anything is possible.

The Olympic Games hold a special allure for athletes, even those who have achieved immense success in their respective sports. From the tears of joy shed by Scottie Scheffler and Novak Djokovic to the stirring comeback of the French football team, the Tokyo Olympics showcased the enduring power of the Games.For some, the Olympics represent the pinnacle of their careers. Badminton star Viktor Axelsen, a two-time defending champion, declared that the Olympics are the "grandest stage of them all." Similarly, for Noah Lyles, Neeraj Chopra, Simone Biles, and countless others, the Games provide an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their talents and compete against the world's best.However, for athletes in certain sports, the Olympics may not hold the same level of significance. Men's football, golf, tennis, and basketball players often earn substantial salaries at their clubs and may prioritize those commitments over the Olympics.Despite this, many top athletes in these sports have chosen to participate in the Olympics, recognizing the unique experience and honor it represents. For example, Sergio Camello celebrated Spain's football victory by taking off his shirt, while Fermin Lopez described the summer as "unbeatable."In golf, Scottie Scheffler's tears of joy after winning the gold medal demonstrated the emotional significance of the Olympics, despite his substantial earnings on the PGA Tour. Rory McIlroy, who has won millions of dollars in prize money, explained that the Olympics has the potential to rival the Ryder Cup as one of the most prestigious events in the sport.In tennis, Novak Djokovic's victory at Roland Garros was particularly meaningful as it marked his first Olympic gold medal and placed him among an elite group of players who have won all four Grand Slams and the Olympics. Carlos Alcaraz, despite his disappointment in losing the final, expressed the honor he felt in representing Spain.Basketball legend Steph Curry also showed his commitment to the Olympics, scoring 36 points in the semi-final against Serbia to keep the United States' hopes of a fifth consecutive gold medal alive.The Olympics provide a unique platform for athletes to represent their countries and compete for the ultimate prize. While some may prioritize financial rewards, for many, the Olympic rings hold an unparalleled allure, symbolizing the pursuit of excellence and the spirit of sportsmanship.

Bollywood Stars Who Traded Sports for StardomIn a recent interview, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan revealed his past as a tennis enthusiast. The actor, who was once a part of the Maharashtra State Championship, had to give up the sport at his father's request. This revelation has shed light on the hidden athleticism of many Bollywood celebrities who once pursued professional sports before embracing the world of cinema.Deepika Padukone: Badminton ProdigyDeepika Padukone, known for her roles in films like "Piku" and "Padmaavat," was a national-level badminton player under the guidance of her father, Prakash Padukone, a badminton legend. She gave up the sport at age 16 to pursue modeling and acting.John Abraham: Football StarJohn Abraham, who will soon be seen in "Vedaa," was a professional football player in his youth. He played as a center forward in the Indian A-Division. His passion for football continues through his co-ownership of NorthEast United FC, a team that is making waves in Indian football.Saqib Saleem: Cricket AspirantSaqib Saleem, known for his role in "83," played cricket until he was 20. He aspired to play for the Indian national team but couldn't fulfill his dream. However, he got to live it out on screen in the film.Aparshakti Khurana: Cricket CaptainAparshakti Khurana, who has starred in films like "Stree" and "Luka Chuppi," was the captain of the Haryana Under-19 cricket team before becoming an actor.Rahul Bose: Rugby RepresentativeRahul Bose, known for his roles in "Midnight's Children" and "Bulbbul," represented India in rugby for 11 years. He is now the President of the Indian Rugby Football Union.These actors have demonstrated that athleticism and artistic talent can coexist. They have left a mark not only on the big screen but also on the playing field, inspiring others to pursue their passions in both sports and entertainment.