Tennis

Donna Vekic, the Croatian tennis star, has made waves at the US Open not only with her impressive performances but also with her bold new hairstyle. The Olympic silver medalist recently debuted bangs, a daring move that has sparked a buzz among fans and media alike.During a press conference, Vekic couldn't resist sharing her excitement about her new look. "Nobody is going to ask me about my bangs? I just cut them," she exclaimed, interrupting a question about tournament traffic.Vekic's decision to cut bangs stems from a long-held desire to experiment with her appearance. "I've always wanted to cut my bangs, but a friend pushed me to do it," she said with a laugh.Beyond her new hairstyle, Vekic has been making headlines with her strong play at the US Open. Coming off a career-revitalizing season, she has already reached the second week of the tournament, her best result in New York since 2019."I didn't come to New York thinking I was going to win the US Open," Vekic admitted. "But once you get through the first couple of rounds, everything is possible."The 24th seed believes that every player has a chance to win a Grand Slam, emphasizing the importance of feeling confident and playing well on the day. "It's the toughest thing ever in tennis, but I do believe I have a chance," she said.Despite her success on grass, Vekic has struggled with the quickening court conditions at the US Open. However, she has gradually adjusted to the surface, citing her improved serving as a key factor in her recent victories."If I'm serving well, it helps me get some free points," she said.In the next round, Vekic faces a rematch of the Olympic final against No. 7 seed Zheng Qinwen. The Croatian star is determined to continue her impressive run and match her best US Open result.

Donna Vekic, the Croatian tennis star, has had a remarkable resurgence in her career, reaching the semifinals of Wimbledon and winning a silver medal at the Olympics. Despite her success, Vekic has a surprising aversion to New York City, citing the heavy traffic as her main gripe.Vekic's journey to the top has been marked by injuries and setbacks. However, she has overcome these challenges with determination and resilience. Her success has inspired young tennis players in Croatia, and she is passionate about working with children.Off the court, Vekic has launched her own lifestyle brand, including a clothing line and a collection of candles and fragrances. Despite her success, she remains humble and down-to-earth.Vekic's Olympic medal holds a special place in her heart. She nearly skipped the Games due to an arm injury, but the support of her fans pushed her to compete. Her victory was a testament to her perseverance and the power of belief.Looking ahead to the US Open, Vekic is cautiously optimistic about her chances. She feels that her recent successes have motivated her even more, but she is also aware of the challenges that lie ahead.Vekic's journey is a reminder that success is not always easy. It requires hard work, dedication, and the ability to overcome adversity. Her story is an inspiration to anyone who dreams of achieving their goals.

Zheng Qinwen's historic triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics has etched her name in the annals of Chinese tennis. Sixteen years after Li Na's near miss in Beijing, Zheng became the first Chinese player to win an Olympic singles gold medal, defeating Donna Vekic in a thrilling final.Zheng's victory is a testament to her remarkable breakout season. After reaching the Australian Open final earlier this year, she has consistently performed at the highest level, earning a career-high ranking of No. 7. Her impressive run in Paris included a stunning upset over world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.In the final, Zheng faced a determined Vekic, who had enjoyed a resurgence in her career. However, Zheng's aggressive play and powerful groundstrokes proved too much for the Croatian. She raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set and never looked back, winning 6-2, 6-3.Zheng's victory is a significant milestone for Chinese tennis. It follows in the footsteps of Ting Li and Sun Tiantian, who won women's doubles gold in Athens 20 years ago. Zheng's triumph is a testament to the growing strength of Chinese tennis and its bright future.

Coco Gauff's Olympic singles debut ended in disappointment as she suffered a 7-6 (7), 6-2 defeat to Donna Vekic of Croatia in the third round of the Paris Olympics. The 20-year-old American, seeded second in the tournament, had won her first two matches comfortably but struggled against Vekic, who reached the Wimbledon semifinals earlier this month.Gauff started well, taking a 4-1 lead in the opening set. However, she failed to close it out and Vekic fought back to win the tiebreaker 9-7. The Croatian continued her momentum in the second set, breaking Gauff's serve twice to take a 4-2 lead. Gauff could not recover and Vekic sealed the victory in just over an hour and a half.The match was marred by a heated argument between Gauff and chair umpire Jaume Campistol over a line call. With Gauff trailing 4-2 in the second set, she hit a serve that Vekic returned near the baseline. The line judge initially called the shot out, but Campistol overruled and awarded the point to Vekic.Gauff was visibly upset and argued with the umpire for several minutes. She claimed that the ball had landed out and that she had not kept it in play. Campistol stood by his decision, and Gauff eventually resumed play.Despite the controversy, Vekic played a solid match and deserved the victory. She hit 33 winners to Gauff's nine and was more consistent throughout the match. Gauff, on the other hand, made too many unforced errors and struggled to find her rhythm.The defeat ends Gauff's hopes of winning an Olympic medal in singles. She is still competing in women's doubles and mixed doubles, but her performance in the singles tournament will be a disappointment.

Wimbledon: A Tale of Triumph, Disaster, and the Eternal Nature of TennisCentre Court at Wimbledon, a hallowed ground where tennis legends are forged, witnessed two contrasting semifinals that showcased the captivating blend of personality and skill that makes the sport so compelling.In the first semifinal, Jasmine Paolini's unwavering optimism and tenacity triumphed over Donna Vekic's power and experience. Vekic's early dominance gave way to frustration as Paolini's positive demeanor and relentless defense proved too much to overcome.The second semifinal featured a clash of contrasting styles between Barbora Krejcikova and Elena Rybakina. Krejcikova's grit and versatility neutralized Rybakina's formidable serve and power, leading to a hard-fought victory.Both Paolini and Krejcikova displayed remarkable composure throughout their matches, embodying the spirit of the famous quote inscribed above Centre Court's doorway: "If you can meet with triumph and disaster, and treat those two imposters just the same."Paolini's journey to the final has been marked by her ability to overcome adversity, while Krejcikova's resurgence after a back injury is a testament to her determination and adaptability.As they prepare to face each other in the final, Paolini and Krejcikova represent the enduring power of resilience, optimism, and the pursuit of excellence that defines the sport of tennis.

In a thrilling Wimbledon semifinal, Jasmine Paolini staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Donna Vekic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8). The Italian, seeded seventh, rallied from a set down and twice trailed by a break in the final set to reach her second consecutive Grand Slam final.Paolini, who reached the final at Roland Garros earlier this year, has enjoyed a breakout season. She won her first WTA 1000 title in Dubai and has been in impressive form on grass, losing just one set en route to the semifinals.Vekic, 28, was also in inspired form. The unseeded Croat had never reached a Grand Slam semifinal before, but she had upset Lulu Sun in the quarterfinals and was playing with confidence on her favorite surface.The match began with Vekic taking control. She broke Paolini's serve in the opening game and won the first set comfortably. However, Paolini fought back in the second set, saving three break points and winning seven of the next eight points to level the match.The third set was a tense affair. Vekic broke Paolini's serve early on, but the Italian broke back immediately. Vekic regained the lead, but Paolini broke back again to level the set at 3-3.Vekic then took the lead once more, but Paolini refused to give up. She broke back again and held her serve to take a 5-4 lead. Vekic saved one match point, but Paolini converted her second to seal a memorable victory.Paolini will now face either Elena Rybakina or Barbora Krejcikova in the final.

Wimbledon's pristine white dress code has long been a symbol of tradition and elegance. However, players like Donna Vekic are finding subtle ways to express their individuality on court, even within the tournament's strict guidelines.Vekic, the 28-year-old Croatian, has become a fan favorite at this year's Wimbledon, reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal. Along with her impressive performance, her Wimbledon-themed manicure has caught the attention of eagle-eyed tennis enthusiasts.The manicure features the tournament's signature green and purple colors in a modern twist on French tips. It's a subtle yet stylish way for Vekic to pay homage to the tradition of Wimbledon while still expressing her own personality.Vekic is not the only player who has embraced nail art at Wimbledon. Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva, and others have also showcased their creativity with Wimbledon-inspired designs. According to Gauff, it's a way for players to express themselves while still respecting the tournament's dress code."Honestly at Wimbledon there's not too much you can do in the color department," Gauff said. "But I just think of Wimbledon as a tradition. Even with my nails, I always get, like, French (tips) or white here just to match that elegance of it."Vekic's Wimbledon journey has been a testament to her resilience and determination. Once a touted tennis prodigy, she has faced setbacks due to injuries. However, she has persevered and is now enjoying one of the best moments of her career."I think I'm a different person now compared to six years ago," Vekic said. "I feel like I've matured more. Maybe I'm enjoying it more."Vekic will face No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini on Thursday for a spot in the Wimbledon final. With her Wimbledon-themed manicure and newfound confidence, she will be looking to continue her fairytale run and make history at the All England Club.