Tennis

Zendaya's Tennis-Inspired Fashion Reigns Supreme at "Challengers" Premiere AfterpartyZendaya, the star of the upcoming tennis-themed film "Challengers," once again showcased her impeccable style at the afterparty for the film's Los Angeles premiere. After gracing the red carpet in a stunning Vera Wang gown, Zendaya transformed into a custom Celia Kritharioti creation that perfectly captured the essence of her on-screen role.The floor-length gown, a vibrant tennis ball-yellow, featured an eye-catching detail: an actual tennis ball positioned at the bottom of the deep V-neck. This playful touch echoed the "method dressing" approach that Zendaya and her stylist, Law Roach, have adopted for the film's promotional tour.At the afterparty, Zendaya had the pleasure of meeting former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard. Bouchard, who attended the premiere alongside tennis legends Tracy Austin and Venus Williams, shared a photo with Zendaya on social media, dubbing her "the new tennis queen."Zendaya's encounter with Bouchard was just one of several interactions she has had with the tennis world during the press tour for "Challengers." Coco Gauff's coach, Brad Gilbert, served as the film's tennis consultant, while Venus Williams revealed that Zendaya had sought her out at the premiere.Despite her connections to the tennis world, Zendaya has yet to meet Gauff herself. However, after learning of Zendaya's desire to meet her, Gauff extended an open invitation from the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart."I'm such a fan and you're a huge inspiration for me," Gauff said. "Maybe one day we can meet up and even get a little hit in."Zendaya's viral tennis-themed fashion has garnered widespread attention and admiration. Her ability to seamlessly blend style and substance has made her a true fashion icon. As "Challengers" prepares to hit theaters, Zendaya's unique approach to dressing for the role is sure to continue captivating audiences.

Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, made a triumphant return to the clay courts in Stuttgart, Germany, overcoming a spirited challenge from Sachia Vickery in a thrilling three-set battle.Gauff, playing her first match since the Miami Open in March, initially dominated the proceedings, taking the first set 6-3. However, Vickery, a qualifier ranked outside the top 100, fought back valiantly in the second set, breaking Gauff's serve twice to level the match at 1-1.The final set was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both players trading breaks and holding serve. Vickery came within five points of pulling off a stunning upset, but Gauff displayed her resilience and determination, winning 12 of the final 14 points to secure a hard-fought 7-5 victory.Gauff's victory was particularly impressive considering Vickery's previous success against top-ranked opponents. In 2018, Vickery defeated then-world No. 3 Garbiñe Muguruza at the BNP Paribas Open.The win sets up a quarterfinal clash for Gauff against either No. 5 seed Zheng Qinwen or Marta Kostyuk, whom she faced in the last eight of the 2024 Australian Open.Gauff's performance in Stuttgart is a testament to her adaptability and mental fortitude. Despite a long layoff, she was able to quickly find her rhythm on the clay and overcome a determined opponent. Her victory bodes well for her chances of success in the upcoming French Open, where she will be aiming to defend her US Open title.

Tennis enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly anticipating the release of "Challengers," a Zendaya-led film that delves into the captivating world of the sport. The film, set to premiere in theaters next week in the U.S., has already garnered significant buzz, particularly among the star's close-knit circle.Zendaya's grandmother, an avid tennis fan, is particularly excited about the film's release. "She loves tennis, so she was so excited that I'm doing this movie," Zendaya revealed during a recent press appearance. "She's setting up a whole thing with all of her friends to go [see it]."Despite the film's R-rating and its exploration of mature themes, Zendaya expressed confidence that her grandmother would not be fazed by any potentially racy scenes. "She's also seen 'Euphoria,'" Zendaya said, referring to the HBO show for which she has won two Emmy Awards. "So it'll be fine."The Los Angeles premiere of "Challengers" on Tuesday saw Zendaya gracing the red carpet, where she expressed her admiration for one of the WTA's rising stars, Coco Gauff. "I love Coco [Gauff], I haven't met her yet, but I sure hope so!" Zendaya exclaimed. "I know Brad's [Brad Gilbert, the film's tennis consultant] her coach, so I'm like, 'I want to meet her!'"While Gauff was unable to attend the premiere due to her participation in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, the tennis community was well-represented by Brad Gilbert, Eugenie Bouchard, and Venus Williams.

Coco Gauff's journey to tennis stardom has been nothing short of remarkable. A recent viral video has resurfaced, showcasing an 8-year-old Gauff sitting courtside at the US Open, watching Venus Williams in action. This heartwarming moment has sparked a wave of inspiration, reminding us that dreams can become reality with hard work and determination.In 2012, a young Gauff attended the US Open's Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, where she danced enthusiastically to Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe." This clip went viral after her Grand Slam victory in 2022, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide.Now, another heartwarming moment from that same tournament has emerged. An eagle-eyed social media user spotted Gauff sitting behind Williams during her first-round match against Bethanie Mattek-Sands. The visor-wearing 8-year-old Gauff watched intently, her eyes fixed on the court.Gauff shared the moment on social media, expressing her disbelief and gratitude for the discovery. "If this isn't proof that your dreams are closer than you think, then idk what is," she wrote. The post quickly went viral, amassing millions of views.Reflecting on her younger self, Gauff acknowledged that she had the dream but may not have fully believed it. She emphasized the importance of holding onto dreams and working hard to achieve them. "Don't lose the dream. Keep having fun. ... Keep believing in that dream and don't let the doubters diminish that," she said.Gauff's journey serves as a testament to the power of dreams and the unwavering pursuit of goals. Her story inspires us to believe in ourselves and to never give up on our aspirations, no matter how big or small they may seem.

Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, has proven her prowess not only on the tennis court but also in the realm of college basketball predictions. Gauff's uncanny ability to forecast the victors of the NCAA tournament has earned her the admiration of sports fans and fellow athletes alike.This year, Gauff correctly predicted the triumphs of both the University of Connecticut's men's team and the University of South Carolina's women's team. Her foresight was particularly impressive considering that she admitted to not following men's college basketball closely. Gauff attributed her UConn pick to former President Barack Obama's inclusion of the Huskies on his bracket.Gauff's success in predicting the tournament's outcome highlights the growing popularity of women's sports. Her doubles partner, Jessica Pegula, expressed her excitement about the recent surge in attention given to female athletes. Pegula noted the buzz surrounding Caitlin Clark, Danielle Collins, and Nelly Korda, emphasizing the positive impact it has on the visibility and recognition of women's sports.Even tennis star Ben Shelton, who missed the women's final due to a scheduling conflict, expressed his admiration for the level of play displayed by the teams. Shelton's comments underscore the growing respect and appreciation for women's basketball.Gauff's success in predicting the NCAA tournament serves as a testament to her keen eye for talent and her understanding of the game. Her ability to identify potential winners, even in sports she does not actively follow, demonstrates her exceptional analytical skills.

Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, suffered a disappointing exit from the Miami Open on Monday, falling to Caroline Garcia in three sets. Garcia, seeded 23rd, displayed impressive form to defeat Gauff 6-3, 1-6, 6-2, marking her second consecutive victory over a Grand Slam champion after ousting Naomi Osaka on Sunday.Garcia expressed her delight at the triumph, acknowledging the significance of defeating a top-10 opponent like Gauff. She credited her support team for their unwavering positivity and motivation during challenging times.Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina, the fourth seed, advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Madison Keys. Rybakina will face Maria Sakkari, who received a walkover after Anna Kalinskaya withdrew due to injury.Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open winner, also secured a quarterfinal berth with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Katie Boulter. Yulia Putintseva joined the quarterfinalists after defeating Anhalina Kalinina in straight sets.World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and fifth seed Jessica Pegula were scheduled to play later on Monday.On the men's side, Alexander Zverev, the fourth seed, defeated Christopher Eubanks 7-6 (4), 6-3 to reach the third round. Alex de Minaur, seeded ninth, also advanced with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory over Jan-Lennard Struff. Top seed Carlos Alcaraz was set to take the court later in the day.

Miami Open 2023: Preview and Predictions for Zverev, Gauff, and Pegula's MatchesThe Miami Open 2023 is set to witness some thrilling matchups in the round of 16, with Alexander Zverev, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula among the top contenders.Alexander Zverev vs. Christopher EubanksBoth Zverev and Eubanks possess similar heights and ages, and their playing styles share striking similarities. Both players excel at holding serves and engaging in epic baseline rallies. Zverev has a slight edge in break point conversion, but Eubanks has faced fewer break points on his serve. Despite Zverev's straight-set victory over Eubanks on clay last year, the American has the potential to challenge Zverev on the faster hard courts of Miami.Coco Gauff vs. Caroline GarciaGauff and Garcia are tied 2-2 in their head-to-head record, with Garcia winning their last two encounters. Garcia is in excellent form, having recently been named one of TIME's Women of the Year. Gauff, the local favorite, is riding a wave of confidence and popularity. Both players have won two-thirds of their service games and around 40% of their return games. Garcia will face a formidable challenge in Gauff, who is determined to claim the Miami Open title.Jessica Pegula vs. Emma NavarroThis is the first meeting between Pegula and Navarro. Navarro has been making a name for herself, recently defeating Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells. Pegula, on the other hand, has a wealth of experience on the Miami Open courts, having reached the semifinals last year. Both players have similar service game win percentages, but Pegula has a slight edge in return game win percentage. Navarro will need to play at her best to overcome Pegula's experience and consistency.

Coco Gauff Storms into Miami Open Fourth Round with Dominant DisplayMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - American tennis sensation Coco Gauff showcased her resilience and dominance on Sunday, overcoming a slow start to defeat Océane Dodin 6-4, 6-0 and advance to the fourth round of the Miami Open.The third-ranked Gauff faced an early challenge from Dodin, who took a 4-2 lead in the opening set. However, Gauff's unwavering determination and Dodin's uncharacteristic nine double-faults proved pivotal. The American won 10 consecutive games, seizing control of the match and securing the first set.In the second set, Gauff's dominance became even more apparent. She broke Dodin's serve three times and held her own with ease, securing a bagel (6-0) victory.Gauff's impressive performance extends her remarkable run of form in the United States. She has lost just one of her last 23 matches on home soil, a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering focus.As the youngest American player to hold a top three seed at Miami, Gauff carries the hopes of her nation on her shoulders. The reigning U.S. Open champion grew up attending the Miami Open and expressed her desire to capture a title on home turf."It would be really cool to win here at home," Gauff said. "I think the best part about winning here is just being able to drive home with the trophy and not have to fly and pack."Gauff's next challenge will be the winner of the match between Naomi Osaka and Caroline Garcia. The American will be eager to continue her impressive run and move one step closer to her dream of a Miami Open title.

Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old tennis sensation, has returned to her roots to give back to the community that nurtured her passion for the sport. Before the Miami Open, Gauff visited Pompey Park, where she unveiled newly refurbished public tennis courts and hosted a tennis clinic for underprivileged children.Gauff's connection to Pompey Park runs deep. Born in Atlanta and raised in South Florida, she spent countless hours honing her skills on these courts. As a tribute to her humble beginnings, she etched the park's coordinates on the sole of her signature New Balance shoe, the Coco CG1s."It's been on my shoes since the (Coco) CG1 launched, so it's really special to come back and be able to do something for the community that did a lot for me," Gauff said.The refurbishment of Pompey Park is the first in a series of tennis court renovations planned throughout the country as part of the US Open Legacy Initiative, launched in honor of Gauff's maiden Grand Slam victory. The initiative is a testament to Gauff's commitment to making tennis more accessible and inspiring future generations."I strongly believe that tennis can continue to become a more accessible sport, and I would like to thank the USTA for continuing to commit to do so," Gauff said. "Investing in public parks and in our youth is very important."Since 2005, the USTA has awarded over $17 million in Tennis Venture Services (TVS) grants, benefiting 43,000 tennis courts and impacting over $610 million of infrastructure development. The US Open Legacy Initiative will further support these efforts, ensuring that more people have access to quality tennis facilities."All of us involved in tennis are aware of our sport’s life-enhancing benefits, and we are committed to protecting courts and partnering with others to spur new facility development which will ensure more access for more people in more communities,” said Dr. Brian Hainline, Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA.In addition to specific projects selected by Gauff, the US Open Legacy Initiative will also support any project that involves resurfacing public courts that meet the USTA's TVS grant criteria. All completed projects will receive a sign commemorating their refurbishment in honor of Gauff's US Open victory.