Tennis

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, made a triumphant return to the Mutua Madrid Open, defeating Greet Minnen in straight sets to advance to the second round. Osaka, who had been sidelined for the 2023 season due to the birth of her daughter, displayed impressive form on her second clay-court match since 2022 Roland Garros.Despite her struggles on slower surfaces in the past, Osaka looked confident and determined against Minnen. She broke serve early in the first set and maintained her lead throughout, winning 6-4. In the second set, Osaka's dominance became even more evident as she won six consecutive games to seal the victory 6-1.Osaka's victory marks a significant step in her comeback from maternity leave. She has previously expressed her desire to become a more well-rounded player, capable of competing on all surfaces. Her performance in Madrid suggests that she is making progress towards that goal.In the second round, Osaka will face No. 15 seed Liudmila Samsonova, who received a bye. Samsonova is a formidable opponent, but Osaka will be confident after her impressive display against Minnen.Osaka's return to form is a welcome sight for tennis fans. Her unique style of play and captivating personality have made her one of the most popular players on tour. As she continues her comeback, she will undoubtedly be a contender for major titles in the future.

Simona Halep's eagerly anticipated tennis comeback has been temporarily delayed as the former world No. 1 has withdrawn from the WTA 1000 Mutua Madrid Open. Halep, a two-time champion in Madrid, was expected to receive a wild card for the tournament but was not included in the draw released on Sunday.In a statement posted on social media, Halep explained her decision, citing the need for additional time to prepare her body for the rigors of competitive tennis. "My body needs a little more time to be ready," she wrote. "It's tough because I want to be back on tour asap, but experience tells me not to rush."Halep's withdrawal from Madrid comes after she made her return to the court at the Miami Open in March, losing in the first round to Paula Badosa. It was her first match since the 2022 US Open, where a positive test for the banned substance roxadustat led to a nearly two-year suspension.The Romanian star had also planned to compete in the WTA 125 event in Oeiras, Portugal, this week but withdrew due to a knee injury. Halep, now 32, has acknowledged the physical challenges she faces after an extended absence from the tour."I will need to practice harder because the level is very high these days," she said after her Miami match. "I came here just because the boost, the love for tennis, just brought me here."Despite the setbacks, Halep remains determined to return to her former glory. She has been awarded a wild card to the WTA 1000 event in Rome, which begins on May 8. The Italian capital holds special significance for Halep, as she won her first WTA title there in 2013.

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.

Simona Halep, the former world No. 1 tennis player, has returned to the court after a 15-month doping ban. In an exclusive interview, Halep spoke candidly about her ordeal, her innocence, and her plans for the future.Halep tested positive for Roxadustat, a substance that increases oxygen levels in the blood, in late 2022. She vehemently denied any wrongdoing, claiming that a contaminated supplement was the source of the positive test. After a successful appeal, her four-year ban was reduced to nine months, making her eligible to return to competition immediately.Despite the damage to her reputation, Halep remains determined to clear her name. She acknowledges that some may still associate her with doping, but she believes that hiding will not restore her good name. Instead, she is facing her critics head-on, providing a detailed account of her experience.Halep admits to being angry at a system that she believes failed her. She also considered quitting tennis altogether. However, she ultimately decided to return to the sport she loves. She is realistic about her chances of winning multiple majors again, but she is determined to compete and prove her innocence.Halep's comeback will not be easy. Her ranking has plummeted, and she will need to rely on wild cards to enter tournaments. She is also aware that she lacks match play and rhythm. Nevertheless, she is confident in her abilities and is eager to face her opponents and the questions that will inevitably come her way.Halep's story is a reminder that even the most successful athletes can face adversity. Her resilience and determination are an inspiration to all who face challenges in their lives.

Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion, has expressed optimism for her future after three months of her comeback to professional tennis. In a social media post, Osaka acknowledged her recent loss but expressed gratitude for the support and excitement for what lies ahead.Since her return, Osaka has compiled a 7-6 record in six tournaments, reaching the third round at both Indian Wells and Miami. Her victory over Elina Svitolina in Miami was a significant milestone, with Osaka describing it as "definitely the best match I've played so far."Despite her progress, Osaka remains determined to improve her performance. "I definitely do think it was one of my best matches, if not the best match," she said, "but I also want myself to play better and better every match."Osaka's next challenge will be the clay and grass surfaces, where she has historically faced difficulties. She has accepted a wild card to the WTA 250 event in Rouen, France, which begins on April 15. This tournament will mark her first clay-court action since Roland Garros in 2022.Osaka acknowledges the challenges of playing on clay but remains optimistic. "It's different but fun, let's see what happens," she wrote.Having started the season unranked after her maternity leave, Osaka is projected to return to the Top 200 in the latest WTA rankings. Her determination and positive outlook suggest that she is poised for a strong comeback in the coming months.

Sir Andy Murray has achieved a significant milestone in his tennis career by defeating No. 29 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round of the Miami Open. This victory marks Murray's first win over a Top 30 player in over 10 months, since his triumph over Tommy Paul in the Aix-en-Provence Challenger final last May.Murray's 7-6 (0), 6-3 victory over Etcheverry was a testament to his resilience and determination. The Scot battled through a tight first set, winning the tiebreaker 7-0, before dominating the second set to secure the win.This victory is a major boost for Murray, who has been working hard to regain his form after a series of injuries. It is his first third-round appearance at an ATP event since the Masters 1000 event in Canada last August.Murray's performance in Miami has been impressive, showcasing his trademark grit and determination. He has overcome a challenging draw, defeating qualifier Emilio Gomez in the first round before upsetting Etcheverry.The victory over Etcheverry is a significant step forward for Murray as he continues his comeback. It provides him with valuable match experience and confidence as he aims to return to the top of the tennis world.

Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, faced a stern test in her opening match at the Indian Wells Masters, battling back from the brink of defeat to secure a thrilling 6-7 (2/7), 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) victory over American qualifier Payton Stearns.Sabalenka, ranked second in the world, struggled from the outset against the 64th-ranked Stearns, who pushed the Belarusian to the limit in a match that ebbed and flowed throughout. The American outsider served for the upset at 5-4 in the third set, but Sabalenka broke back and saved four match points to force a tiebreaker.In the tense tiebreaker, Sabalenka's resilience shone through as she saved another match point with a blistering backhand winner. Stearns, feeling the pressure, tightened up, allowing Sabalenka to break back for 5-5. The American broke Sabalenka again, but couldn't serve out the match, and Sabalenka ultimately prevailed in the tiebreaker.The double Grand Slam winner advanced into the third round after a grueling three-hour battle, letting out a roar of triumph and relief. "This match will definitely go into the book of craziest matches and the best matches of my career," she said.Despite rolling her ankle during the intense match, Sabalenka expressed confidence in her fitness for her next match. "I was trying so hard to get to every ball and to put every ball back," she said. "Now I feel OK, we'll see tomorrow. But I have a great team, and I'm pretty sure they will take care of it so for the next match I will be ready."Sabalenka praised Stearns' performance, acknowledging that she had to dig deep to overcome the American's challenge. "I'm super happy that I didn't give up on that score, and I was really pushing myself hard," she said. "Even though I didn't play my best tennis and she was crushing it like crazy, I was trying to stay in the game and keep fighting for every point."Sabalenka, who finished runner-up to Elena Rybakina in Indian Wells last year, will face 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu of Britain in the third round.

Angelique Kerber's triumphant return to the BNP Paribas Open was marked by a hard-fought victory over Jelena Ostapenko, a testament to her unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing a formidable opponent and challenging conditions, Kerber displayed her trademark grit and tenacity to overcome a set and a break deficit, ultimately prevailing 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.Kerber's victory marked a significant milestone in her comeback from maternity leave, as it was her first Top 10 win since the 2021 Billie Jean King Cup Finals. The German veteran, now ranked 607th in the world, showcased her unwavering spirit and competitive fire throughout the match.After initially trailing 3-1 in the opening set, Kerber rallied to win four consecutive games and held two set points. However, Ostapenko, who has enjoyed a successful season with titles in Adelaide and Linz, fought back to break Kerber's serve and take the set 7-5.Undeterred, Kerber refused to let the momentum slip away. She broke Ostapenko's serve twice in the second set to level the match at 1-1. The third set was a tense affair, with both players trading breaks early on. Kerber eventually seized control of the match with her eighth break of the day, forcing Ostapenko's backhand into the net.In a nail-biting finish, Kerber faced four match points in a 12-point game. With nerves of steel, she unleashed an unreturned serve to seal the victory."This is why I am back," Kerber declared on-court after the match. "It's really an important win for me. Coming here, playing against one of the top players again and winning the match like this, gives me for sure a lot of confidence."Kerber's victory marked her first consecutive match wins since Wimbledon 2022, while Ostapenko's record against the German dropped to 1-3.

Sabine Lisicki, the former Wimbledon finalist, has announced her pregnancy and vowed to make "one more comeback" to professional tennis. The 34-year-old German has endured a litany of injuries throughout her career, but her determination remains unwavering.Lisicki's journey has been marked by both triumph and adversity. In 2012, she reached the Wimbledon final, where she lost to Serena Williams. She also won four WTA titles and achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 12. However, injuries have plagued her since then, including two major knee injuries, ankle problems, a shoulder issue, and mononucleosis.Despite these setbacks, Lisicki has shown remarkable resilience. In 2023, she won her first title in nine years at the ITF W60 event in Calgary, Canada. This victory came after an 18-month absence due to her second knee injury.Lisicki's return to form has been inspiring. She has qualified for the WTA 500 in Charleston and reached the quarterfinals of the grass-court event in Bad Homburg. Her current ranking is No. 374, but she is determined to climb back up the ladder.Lisicki's pregnancy announcement has been met with both joy and anticipation. She and her fiancé are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their child, but she is also committed to returning to the court. Her unwavering spirit and determination suggest that she has one more comeback in her.