Tennis

Wimbledon 2024 has witnessed a star-studded affair, with celebrities gracing the hallowed grounds of the Grand Slam event. Among them, Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar stole the limelight during Alexander Zverev's third-round victory over Cameron Norrie.Tendulkar's presence at Centre Court elicited a thunderous standing ovation from the capacity crowd. Dressed in an elegant beige suit, he acknowledged the warm welcome with a wave of his hand. The camera also captured the presence of other sporting icons, including Ben Stokes and Joe Root.Meanwhile, tennis legend Roger Federer was also in attendance, and a photo shared on Wimbledon's social media handles showed him catching up with Tendulkar. The caption read, "You never know who you'll bump into at #Wimbledon."After his victory, Zverev expressed his admiration for Tendulkar. "It was an honor to play in front of such a legend," he said. "He's an inspiration to all of us."Zverev also revealed that he had a message for Pep Guardiola, who was present for the match. "When I saw Pep, I got so nervous for a few games there," he joked. "Bayern Munich needs a coach, man. And if you're tired of football, you can coach me on the tennis court anytime."The presence of these legendary figures added to the grandeur of Wimbledon 2024, showcasing the enduring appeal of sports and the camaraderie among its icons.

Fourth seed Alexander Zverev overcame an injury scare and a marathon third-set tiebreak to defeat Cameron Norrie of Great Britain 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(15) at Wimbledon on Saturday. The victory marked Zverev's third appearance in the fourth round at the All England Club.Zverev's serve proved to be a formidable weapon throughout the match, as he dropped only two points on serve in the third set. However, one of those points came via a double fault that handed Norrie an early advantage in the tiebreak.Norrie, who had upset new British number one Jack Draper in the previous round, fought valiantly and had five set points of his own to extend the contest. Zverev's knee, which he appeared to strain in the second set, also raised concerns.Despite the injury and Norrie's spirited resistance, Zverev remained unyielding. He struck the ball with clinical precision and served magnificently, ultimately converting his sixth match point under the Centre Court roof."I do feel like a cow on ice sometimes (on grass)," Zverev admitted after the match. "But I managed. I do feel restricted on some of the movements, but I'm pleased I was able to play the way that I did."Norrie, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, played his best tennis in the tiebreak, but Zverev's unwavering focus and superior shot-making proved too much to overcome.The match featured an incredible conclusion, with 29 of the first 31 points of the tiebreak going with serve. The tension was palpable as both players refused to blink. Zverev eventually prevailed, but the match could have broken a Wimbledon tiebreak record had it gone on for a few more points.

Tennis will make its grand return to the iconic Roland Garros for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The stage is set for a thrilling battle for gold, with a star-studded field of 184 players from 41 nations vying for glory.Defending champion Alexander Zverev will be looking to retain his men's singles title, while Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova aim to defend their women's doubles crown. Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic will also be back to defend their men's doubles gold.Tennis legends Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka will be seeking to add to their Olympic medal collections. Nadal, a two-time Olympic champion, will be aiming for his third gold in men's singles, while Murray, a two-time Olympic champion in men's singles, will be hoping to extend his medal count. Wawrinka, a 2008 Olympic champion in men's doubles, will be looking to add another medal to his tally.The singles draws will feature 64 competitors, while 32 teams will battle it out in men's and women's doubles. The 16 mixed doubles entries will be finalized on July 23.The field includes a mix of established stars and rising talents. Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Carlos Alcaraz are among the young players to watch, while Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, and Stefanos Tsitsipas will be looking to cement their status as the world's best.With a diverse field and a rich history, the tennis competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics promises to be an unforgettable spectacle. The battle for gold will be fierce, and the world's top players will be eager to etch their names into Olympic history.

Alexander Zverev Withdraws from Stuttgart Open, Citing Physical FatigueWorld No. 4 Alexander Zverev has withdrawn from this week's BOSS Open in Stuttgart, Germany, due to physical fatigue following his grueling run to the French Open final.Zverev, the top seed and lone Top 10 player in the field, announced his withdrawal on Tuesday. "I've played a lot of tennis in the last few weeks and reached the final in Paris, where I played five tough sets," he said in a statement. "I feel that my body is not ready to go from clay to grass now."During his runner-up finish at Roland Garros, Zverev spent an astonishing 23 hours and 46 minutes on the court. His five-set loss to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz lasted four hours and 19 minutes, marking his second Grand Slam final defeat in a deciding set.Zverev's withdrawal from Stuttgart is a significant blow to the tournament, which is part of the ATP 250 series. Lucky loser Richard Gasquet has replaced him in the draw and will face American Brandon Nakashima in the second round.Zverev is now set to compete at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, Germany, next week. The ATP 500 event is expected to feature a star-studded field, including world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and defending champion Alexander Bublik.Zverev's decision to prioritize his physical recovery over immediate competition highlights the demanding nature of the tennis calendar. With the Wimbledon Championships just around the corner, players must carefully manage their schedules to avoid burnout and injury.

Carlos Alcaraz's frustration boiled over during the Roland Garros final against Alexander Zverev, as he voiced his displeasure with the court conditions. Alcaraz, who was serving for the third set at 5-2, saw his lead evaporate as Zverev fought back to take the set 7-5.The Spaniard's frustration stemmed from the playing surface, which he felt was too hard and not conducive to clay-court tennis. During the final changeover, Alcaraz confronted chair umpire Renaud Lichtenstein, expressing his dissatisfaction."Do you think it's normal? We are playing a final of a Grand Slam on clay court, but it seems like it's hard court," Alcaraz exclaimed. "It's unbelievable. It's unbelievable. Unbelievable."Zverev capitalized on Alcaraz's frustration, serving out the set to take the lead for the first time. However, Alcaraz responded with a dominant performance in the fourth set, winning the first four games and eventually forcing a decider by taking the set 6-1.Despite his complaints about the court, Alcaraz praised Zverev's performance and acknowledged that the German deserved to win. "He played an incredible match," Alcaraz said. "He was the better player today."The incident highlights the importance of court conditions in tennis, particularly on clay. The surface can significantly impact the style of play and the outcome of matches. Alcaraz's frustration serves as a reminder that even the best players can be affected by suboptimal playing conditions.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning US Open and Wimbledon champion, will face Alexander Zverev in the French Open 2024 men's singles final on Sunday, June 9. The match will be played at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris and will start at 6:30 PM IST.Alcaraz, who is just 20 years old, is aiming to become the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces. He has already defeated world no. one Jannik Sinner in the semi-final and Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon last year.Zverev, on the other hand, is chasing his maiden Grand Slam title. The 27-year-old German will be playing his first major final since an agonizing defeat by Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open.Zverev holds a 5-4 winning record over Alcaraz heading into Sunday's final. However, Alcaraz won their last Grand Slam meeting last year during the US Open (quarterfinal).The French Open 2024 Men's Singles Final will be telecasted on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on SonyLiv's app and website.

Alexander Zverev, the 27-year-old German tennis star, has defied adversity to reach the final of the 2023 Roland Garros. Despite a grueling third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor, Zverev has showcased his resilience and determination throughout the tournament.Zverev's journey to the final has been marked by both triumph and controversy. In 2020, he reached the US Open final but fell short of victory. Two years later, he suffered a devastating ankle injury at Roland Garros, sidelining him for months.However, Zverev has emerged from these setbacks stronger than ever. He has been serving with exceptional power, converting nearly 75% of his first serves and hitting numerous aces. Against Casper Ruud in the semifinals, he fired 19 aces and smacked 54 winners.Off the court, Zverev has faced allegations of domestic abuse. However, the case was recently settled, and the charges were dropped. Zverev has expressed relief and a desire to move on from the incident.Despite the challenges he has faced, Zverev remains focused on his tennis. He is determined to give himself the best chance of winning his first Grand Slam title. His opponent in the final, Carlos Alcaraz, is a formidable rival, but Zverev is confident in his abilities.Zverev's journey to the Roland Garros final has been a testament to his resilience, maturity, and unwavering determination. Whether he emerges victorious or not, he has already proven that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis.

Alexander Zverev Case Dropped After Settlement and FinesGerman tennis star Alexander Zverev has avoided a criminal conviction after reaching an out-of-court settlement with his former partner, Brenda Patea. The Berlin District Court dismissed the case on Friday, following Zverev's agreement to pay fines totaling 200,000 euros ($218,000).Zverev was facing charges of causing bodily harm to Patea during an argument in Berlin in May 2020. Prosecutors alleged that he pushed her against a wall and choked her, but Zverev denied any wrongdoing. The case went to trial after Zverev contested a penalty order issued in October, which required him to pay fines of 450,000 euros ($490,000).However, the trial was halted after lawyers for Zverev and Patea reached an agreement to end their disputes. Judge Barbara Lüders stated that the former couple wished to move forward and focus on their joint custody of their child.Zverev, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, did not appear in court on Friday as he was scheduled to play in the semifinals of the Roland Garros tournament. Patea testified as a witness in a closed session.The settlement includes fines of 150,000 euros to the state and 50,000 euros to charitable organizations. Zverev has expressed relief at the outcome of the case and stated that he is eager to put the matter behind him.

Alexander Zverev's resilience was tested once again at the French Open as he battled through a grueling five-set marathon against Holger Rune in the last 16. The German fourth seed emerged victorious after four hours and 11 minutes of intense play, securing a 4-6, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 triumph.Zverev's victory sets up a quarter-final clash against Alex de Minaur. It also marks the second-latest finish in the tournament's history, ending at 1:40 am local time, just behind Novak Djokovic's 3:07 am win over Lorenzo Musetti on Sunday morning."What a match," exclaimed Zverev after the epic encounter. "I'm lucky to be through."The German is aiming for his fourth consecutive Roland Garros semi-final appearance, having reached the last eight for the sixth time in seven years. However, his performance comes amidst an ongoing trial in Berlin over allegations of assaulting an ex-girlfriend.Zverev's path to the quarter-finals has been far from straightforward. In the third round, he overcame Tallon Griekspoor in a deciding set, despite trailing by a double-break at 4-1."I've played a total of eight-and-a-half hours over the last three days, so I need to recover," said Zverev. "I need to do everything possible to be ready for the quarter-final match."Zverev's victory highlights his determination and ability to overcome adversity. Despite the challenges he faces both on and off the court, he remains a formidable force in the world of tennis.