Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz's unwavering self-belief has propelled him to the brink of a historic Channel Slam, despite facing adversity in both Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year.At Wimbledon, Alcaraz overcame a one-set deficit against Tommy Paul, showcasing his resilience and ability to find solutions under pressure. Despite making numerous unforced errors and falling behind early, Alcaraz gradually wore down Paul, dictating the pace and forcing his opponent into mistakes.Paul acknowledged Alcaraz's unique ability to maintain his level and build momentum, even after making errors. "He can play some seriously amazing tennis," Paul said. "When he starts building energy, it feels different than most other guys."Alcaraz's confidence stems from his understanding of the length of Grand Slam matches. "I have more time to recover," he said. "I believe I can be back if I'm struggling a little bit."This belief has been evident in Alcaraz's ability to recover from setbacks. In Paris, he rallied from two sets down in both the semifinals and final. At Wimbledon, he faced a similar challenge against Frances Tiafoe, but managed to turn the match around.Alcaraz's next opponent, Daniil Medvedev, is expected to provide a tougher test. However, Alcaraz remains optimistic, hoping for a similar result to their semifinal encounter last year.Alcaraz's journey to the Channel Slam has been marked by his ability to downshift at the right time, much like Serena Williams. Even when his game falters, he can find his range and elevate his level when necessary."When I'm not playing my best tennis, I'm going to try to find solutions just to be a bit better, just to beat the opponent," Alcaraz said.Alcaraz's unwavering self-belief and ability to overcome adversity make him a formidable opponent. As he prepares to face Medvedev, he remains confident in his ability to achieve one of the sport's most challenging feats.

Iga Swiatek, the reigning French Open champion, is poised to embark on a daunting challenge: securing a Channel Slam by winning both the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back. With four Grand Slam titles to her name, an impressive 19-match win streak, and a versatile all-around game, Swiatek has sparked hopes of becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to achieve this feat.However, the Channel Slam is an elusive accomplishment, requiring exceptional versatility, physical stamina, and mental fortitude. Only seven women and five men have managed to pull it off in the pro era. Swiatek's grass-court record is not as impressive as her clay-court dominance, but she has shown signs of improvement on the surface.Despite pulling out of the WTA grass-court event in Berlin due to fatigue, Swiatek remains confident in her abilities. She believes that her exceptional athleticism and recent improvements in touch and slice backhand will serve her well at Wimbledon.Swiatek's fate may ultimately be determined by intangibles, such as the pressure of her winning streak and the heightened quality of her opposition. However, she has gained experience and maturity since her disappointing Wimbledon performance in 2022.With an improved serve and a stable forehand, Swiatek is well-equipped to handle the challenges of grass-court tennis. Her dynamic movement and ability to hit winners or play opponents off the court make her a formidable contender.Swiatek's motivation to win Wimbledon is evident. She aspires to become a player who can excel on all surfaces and prove her status as one of the best in the world. A Channel Slam would be the ultimate validation of her abilities.