Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's second-ranked tennis player, made a stylish pit stop at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday, turning heads with a custom Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh jacket. The eye-catching piece featured a roaring tiger on the back, Sabalenka's signature animal, along with a tennis ball and her nickname, "Saby."Sabalenka's outfit, which included a black-and-white tank, a black skirt, and matching flats, was accessorized by the jacket's gray and white accents. The fashion house's insignia and a note reading "Exclusively made for Aryna Sabalenka" adorned the front.Sabalenka is not the first tennis player to collaborate with Off-White. Before his passing in 2021, Virgil Abloh worked with Serena and Venus Williams on several projects, including their match kits for the 2018 US Open and Roland Garros. He also designed Elina Svitolina's wedding dress.However, Sabalenka's custom jacket was not intended for the tennis court. She wore it during a pre-race tour of the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, courtesy of the MoneyGram Haas F1 team.Sabalenka met Danish driver Kevin Magnussen, who finished 12th in the race, and got up close to the cars trackside. "From the court to the track," she wrote on social media. "Thanks for the tour!"Sabalenka's off-court style will soon be replaced by another head-turning on-court look. She recently helped Nike unveil its 2024 tournament collection for Roland Garros. After winning her second Australian Open title in an exclusive red colorway of Nike's Melbourne line, Sabalenka hopes to replicate her success in a clay-court-inspired Parisian rust.

Iga Świątek, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has extended her winning streak on clay to 12 matches after securing her third Rome title with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 victory over Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday's final.Świątek, who has now won 28 consecutive sets on clay, will enter the French Open as the overwhelming favorite to defend her title. She is the first woman since Serena Williams in 2013 to win both the Madrid and Rome titles on clay in the same season.Despite her impressive form, Świątek remains cautious about her chances at Roland Garros. "Obviously I am confident. I feel like I'm playing great tennis, but that doesn't change the fact that I just want to stay humble," she said. "Grand Slams are different. There's a different pressure on the court and off the court."Świątek's victory over Sabalenka was a clinical display of tennis. She broke Sabalenka's serve twice in the first set and once in the second set to secure the win in just 79 minutes.Sabalenka, who has won the last two Australian Open titles, admitted that she did not play well in the first set. "I wasn't feeling my game well," she said. "In the second set, I tried to stay a little bit more aggressive, but I didn't use my opportunities."Świątek's victory in Rome is a testament to her dominance on clay. She has now won four of the last five clay-court tournaments she has played in, including the French Open in 2020 and 2022.With her victory in Rome, Świątek has extended her lead at the top of the WTA rankings. She is now 2,000 points ahead of second-ranked Sabalenka.

Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, and Frances Tiafoe are among the tennis stars set to don Nike's latest 2024 Paris Collection at Roland Garros. The collection, unveiled on Tuesday, features a range of stylish and functional pieces inspired by the French Open's iconic clay courts.Sabalenka, the world No. 2, will once again showcase her signature colorway in Paris. She will wear the NikeCourt Slam Women's Dri-FIT Tennis Dress in "Rust Factor" orange, featuring a unique moiré pattern that creates a mesmerizing optical illusion. The dress's high neckline, keyhole back cut-out, and pink or red colorway have become synonymous with Sabalenka's major appearances.The Paris Collection also includes a variety of separates for women, including tanks, tees, and skirts. The moiré pattern is featured prominently throughout the collection, adding a touch of French flair to each piece.For men, the collection offers a choice of DriFIT crew neck or polo tops, along with two-in-one shorts. Colorways include Rust Factor orange, Thunder Blue, and Vivid Sulfur yellow, complemented by contrasting black and white details.Frances Tiafoe, the brand's highest-ranked American ambassador on the ATP side, was featured in the campaign unveiling the Thunder Blue colorway. He is expected to play a significant role in Paris, especially with Nike's top two players, Alcaraz and Sinner, still recovering from injuries.Naomi Osaka and Rafael Nadal are also expected to compete at Roland Garros in custom kits from Nike. The brand has yet to reveal the designs for these former No. 1s, but fans can expect something special.The 2024 Paris Collection from Nike combines style, functionality, and a touch of French inspiration. It is sure to turn heads on the courts of Roland Garros and beyond.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's second-ranked tennis player, has once again found herself in hot water after accidentally cursing during a live TV interview.During an interview with Prakash Amritraj at the Tennis Channel desk, Sabalenka was discussing her popular "day in the life" videos when she let slip a profanity."I just had the idea. I saw that people want to see it more often. Now it's a goal in each city," she began."So far people like it. As soon as people start saying like, 'Stop it. We are tired of this bullsh--.'"Sabalenka immediately realized her mistake and put the microphone down in disappointment. Amritraj broke out in laughter, exclaiming, "Again, it's beep!""Before the interview started, she promised no F-bombs, no cursing, no nothing!" he said.Sabalenka owned up to her mistake, saying, "It's just something in my blood, cursing."Despite her slip-up, Sabalenka remains focused on her tennis. She will face Danielle Collins in the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, a rematch of their Mutua Madrid Open fourth-rounder."Danielle is in incredible shape and she's been crushing it," said Sabalenka.Collins, the 13th seed, defeated Sabalenka's countrywoman Victoria Azarenka to complete the semifinal lineup. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek meets third-ranked Coco Gauff in the top half of the draw."It's great for all of us, because it motivates us a lot to improve, to get better, be more consistent with the game, to get to the last stages of the tournament," said Sabalenka.

Aryna Sabalenka Cruises into Italian Open Semifinals with Dominant VictoryROME, Italy - Aryna Sabalenka displayed remarkable resilience on Wednesday, overcoming a recent marathon match to effortlessly defeat Jelena Ostapenko and advance to the semifinals of the Italian Open.Despite battling a back issue that required treatment during her previous three-set encounter, the second-seeded Sabalenka showcased no signs of discomfort. She dispatched Ostapenko in a mere 73 minutes, securing a 6-2, 6-4 victory.Sabalenka's dominance was evident throughout the match. She denied Ostapenko any break opportunities and sealed the victory with an ace on match point. The Belarusian star attributed her impressive performance to her recovery efforts."I didn't even practice yesterday," Sabalenka revealed. "I focused on treatment and recovery, and it clearly paid off. This was definitely my best performance of the tournament."Sabalenka's victory sets up a semifinal clash with the winner of the match between Victoria Azarenka and Danielle Collins. The top three women in the world have all reached the final four in Rome, with Iga Swiatek facing Coco Gauff in the other semifinal.Sabalenka's resurgence after her previous marathon match highlights her determination and resilience. She remains a formidable contender for the Italian Open title and will be eager to continue her impressive run in Rome.

Aryna Sabalenka's remarkable victory over Elina Svitolina in the fourth round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia showcased her newfound mastery of the drop shot. Despite facing adversity throughout the match, including an erratic start, a lower back problem, and three match points, Sabalenka's resilience and tactical brilliance prevailed.In the opening set, Svitolina seized the early advantage, breaking Sabalenka's serve and dictating the pace with her powerful forehand. However, Sabalenka's determination shone through as she fought back with a series of well-executed drop shots. These delicate shots forced Svitolina to scramble behind the baseline, disrupting her rhythm and creating opportunities for Sabalenka to attack.As the match progressed, Sabalenka's back flared up, causing her to decelerate on her serve. Svitolina attempted to capitalize on this weakness, but Sabalenka's unwavering spirit and the support of the crowd spurred her on. She continued to employ the drop shot effectively, using it both as a defensive tool and a means to set up her powerful forehand.In the third set, Sabalenka's drop shot proved to be the decisive factor. She used it to break Svitolina's serve at a crucial moment, moving ahead 4-2. Svitolina fought back, breaking back at love, but Sabalenka's resilience and determination ultimately proved too much.In the tense tie-break, Sabalenka faced three match points but refused to give up. She saved the first two with powerful serves and the third with a stunning forehand return. With the momentum on her side, Sabalenka closed out the match with an imposing forehand return that forced Svitolina to net her final backhand.Sabalenka's victory is a testament to her growing maturity and tactical awareness. Her ability to adapt to the challenges of the match and execute the drop shot with precision and effectiveness has elevated her to the forefront of the women's game. As she advances to the quarterfinals, Sabalenka will face a formidable opponent in Jelena Ostapenko, but her newfound confidence and mastery of the drop shot will make her a formidable contender for the title.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's second-ranked tennis player, has expressed her deep affection for the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, describing it as her "dream" tournament. Sabalenka's love for Rome extends beyond the tennis court, as she relishes the city's vibrant atmosphere, delectable cuisine, and picturesque streets.Despite her success at other clay-court tournaments, including two Mutua Madrid Open titles and three consecutive Porsche Tennis Grand Prix finals, Sabalenka has faced challenges at the Foro Italico. However, her determination to conquer Rome remains unwavering."Every time I was losing here, I was so sad," Sabalenka confessed. "I felt like I lost on the Grand Slam because it was one of the dream tournaments for me to win. It's still one of my dream tournaments."In her pursuit of the elusive Rome title, Sabalenka has made a significant sacrifice: she has sworn off sugar for the duration of the tournament. This means no indulging in Rome's famous gelato, a temptation she finds particularly difficult to resist."Stracciatella, pistachio, vanilla. I would go for all them, like a big bowl of gelatos. Dream snack," Sabalenka said with a laugh.Despite her dietary restrictions, Sabalenka has found solace in Rome's savory culinary delights. Her favorite pasta dishes include truffle carbonara and spicy red pasta with meat."Every pasta is my favorite here!" she exclaimed.Sabalenka's next challenge in her quest for the Rome trophy will be either two-time champion Elina Svitolina or No. 23 seed Anna Kalinskaya. With four wins standing between her and her dream, Sabalenka remains focused and determined to make her Roman dream a reality.

Aryna Sabalenka's 26th birthday celebrations have been a rollercoaster of emotions. After a heartbreaking loss in the Mutua Madrid Open final, she suffered a comical mishap while attempting to showcase her birthday treat on TikTok. However, the two-time Australian Open champion has taken it all in stride, even as her "tour soulmate" Paula Badosa and Ons Jabeur poked fun at her.Sabalenka's Madrid defeat was particularly agonizing as she failed to convert three championship points against Iga Swiatek in a thrilling three-hour match. The loss marked the end of her title defense and added to her recent struggles on the WTA Tour.Despite the setback, Sabalenka remains optimistic and is looking forward to the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. She has fond memories of the tournament and is eager to indulge in the city's culinary delights, particularly pasta and pizza.Sabalenka's close friendship with Badosa and Jabeur has been a source of support during her recent challenges. Jabeur has jokingly referred to herself as the "psychologist" in their trio, while Sabalenka has dubbed Jabeur her "bestie" and Badosa her "soulmate."Despite the playful banter, Sabalenka's love for Rome remains strong. She is determined to put her Madrid disappointment behind her and perform well in the Italian capital. With her trademark resilience and the support of her friends, Sabalenka is confident she can bounce back and reclaim her winning ways.

Iga Swiatek's dominance on the WTA tour continues as she extends her lead at the top of the rankings after claiming the Mutua Madrid Open title. The Polish star has increased her advantage over Aryna Sabalenka to 3,412 points, her largest lead since March 2023.Swiatek's victory in Madrid marks her fourth WTA 1000 triumph this season, following her wins in Doha, Indian Wells, and Miami. She has now won 28 consecutive matches, the longest winning streak on the WTA tour since Serena Williams' 34-match run in 2013.The 21-year-old has an opportunity to further extend her lead in Rome, where she has only quarterfinal points to defend. Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, her closest challengers, can also make up ground as they both fell early in Madrid last year.Meanwhile, Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime have made significant gains in the ATP rankings after their performances in Madrid. Rublev, a former world No. 5, has risen to No. 6 after winning his second Masters 1000 title, while Auger-Aliassime has surged from No. 35 to No. 20 after reaching his first Masters 1000 final.Marta Kostyuk has broken into the WTA Top 20 for the first time, while Mariano Navone continues his meteoric rise in the ATP rankings, moving up to No. 31 after winning the Challenger in Cagliari.In doubles, Spain's Marcel Granollers and Argentina's Horacio Zeballos have become the new co-No. 1s, replacing Australia's Matthew Ebden. The duo has won five Masters 1000 titles and reached three Grand Slam finals together.