Tennis

Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis player, is set to bid farewell to his professional career at the Davis Cup next month. However, before his grand farewell, Nadal will grace the courts of the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for two guaranteed matches this week.Joining Nadal in this star-studded event are his long-time rival Novak Djokovic, as well as top-ranked players Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune. The three-day tournament will commence on Wednesday, October 16th, with Sinner facing Medvedev and Alcaraz taking on Rune.Nadal and Djokovic, having received byes into the semifinal round, will make their appearances on Thursday, October 17th. The losers of their respective matches will compete in the third-place match on Saturday, October 19th, while the winners will battle it out in the championship match.All matches will be broadcast live on T2 and TennisChannel.com. The detailed match schedule is as follows:Wednesday, October 16th:* Sinner v. Medvedev – 12:30 p.m. ET* Alcaraz v. Rune – Not before 2 p.m. ETThursday, October 17th:* Djokovic v. Sinner/Medvedev winner – 12:30 p.m. ET* Nadal v. Alcaraz/Rune winner – Not before 2 p.m. ETSaturday, October 19th:* Third-Place Match – 12:30 p.m. ET* Championship Match – Not before 2 p.m. ETThis exhibition tournament provides a unique opportunity for tennis enthusiasts to witness some of the greatest players in the world compete in a thrilling and competitive environment. As Nadal prepares for his final farewell, the Six Kings Slam offers a glimpse of his exceptional talent and the legacy he will leave behind in the sport of tennis.

Thousands of dedicated fans braved torrential rain in southern Germany to witness the final match of one of the Tennis Channel Bundesliga's most celebrated stars, Dominic Thiem. The former US Open champion returned to TK GW Mannheim for a poignant farewell before his retirement later this year.The Bundesliga boasts a reputation as the world's premier tennis league, attracting a constellation of Top 100 players. Tennis legends such as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have graced the German club courts. Thiem, a fan favorite, has been instrumental in Mannheim's three Bundesliga titles between 2018 and 2021.His final appearance was a bittersweet affair. Despite a singles defeat, Thiem rallied to secure a doubles victory, earning a point for his former club. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, with ballkids, players, staff, and fans alike expressing their admiration."Thank you, that's the biggest word I can say," Thiem said, his voice filled with emotion. "And also a thank you to the fans who stayed so long because the weather was difficult.""I'm very emotional. It really was a wonderful farewell. Of course one of the most special tournaments I've had in my life, the home tournament where so many beautiful things happened."Earlier this summer, Thiem announced his decision to retire from the ATP Tour in 2024, citing a persistent wrist injury and a desire to pursue other passions."I want to give you a very important, very sad, but also very beautiful message: The 2024 season will be my last," he said in a statement. "I will end my career at the end of this season.""There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, my wrist is obviously not the way it should be and it's not the way I wanted it to be. The second reason is my inner feeling. I thought about this decision for a very long time. I thought about it very carefully."The Tennis Channel Bundesliga has been one of the few tournaments Thiem has participated in this year. After his recent return to Kitzbühel, where he triumphed in 2019, Thiem will decide on his participation in the US Open. He plans to join Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Frankfurt before making his final appearance at his home tournament in Vienna.

Andy Murray's Emotional Wimbledon Farewell Begins with Centre Court LaunchOn Thursday, Andy Murray embarked on his final Wimbledon campaign with a poignant launch alongside his brother Jamie Murray on Centre Court. The British duo received a thunderous standing ovation from a packed house as they became the first team to enter the iconic venue. Their opponents, John Peers and Rinky Hijikata, followed suit.The occasion was particularly emotional for Murray, who was joined in his box by his two eldest children, Sophia and Edie. His wife Kim and mother Judy were also present to witness the historic moment.Murray's decision to retire from Wimbledon after this year's tournament has been met with both sadness and admiration. The 35-year-old has been a mainstay at the All England Club, winning two singles titles and reaching the final on four other occasions.However, Murray has been plagued by injuries in recent years, and he has struggled to regain his former dominance. He has also been open about his desire to spend more time with his family.Despite the challenges, Murray remains a fan favorite and a respected figure in the tennis world. His farewell appearance at Wimbledon is sure to be a memorable one, and he will undoubtedly receive a hero's send-off from the crowd.

Dominic Thiem, the two-time French Open runner-up, bid farewell to Roland Garros on Wednesday with a second-round qualifying loss to Otto Virtanen. The 30-year-old Austrian, who announced his retirement earlier this month, received a standing ovation and chants of "Thank you Domi" during a farewell ceremony after his 6-2, 7-5 defeat.Thiem, who reached the final in Paris in 2018 and 2019, struggled to regain his top form after a wrist injury in 2021. Despite his recent struggles, he expressed gratitude for his time at the French Open. "I've really enjoyed every single year of it," he said.Thiem's career highlight came in 2020 when he won the US Open, becoming the first man to overcome a two-set deficit in the final in 71 years. He also reached the final of the Australian Open that year and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 3.However, his wrist injury in 2021 derailed his progress. He was sidelined for nine months and has struggled to regain his previous level of play. Despite his retirement announcement, Thiem remains optimistic about the future. "I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life," he said.Thiem's retirement marks the end of an era for Austrian tennis. He has been a role model for young players and has inspired a generation of fans. His legacy will live on as one of the most successful Austrian tennis players of all time.

Rafael Nadal's emotional farewell at the Mutua Madrid Open was a bittersweet moment for the legendary tennis star. Despite falling in straight sets to Jiri Lehecka in what is likely his final professional match at the tournament, Nadal's spirit remained high as he joked with the crowd and expressed his gratitude for their unwavering support.Nadal's extended family and team witnessed his valiant effort against the No. 30 seeded Czech, who ultimately prevailed 7-5, 6-4 in the fourth round. The match was a testament to Nadal's resilience, as he had been regaining his form with victories over No. 10 seed Alex de Minaur and Pedro Cachin in his farewell season.The Mutua Madrid Open paid tribute to its five-time champion with a series of banners depicting Nadal's iconic trophy bites from his 2005, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2017 titles. A humorous mishap occurred when almost every banner got stuck as it unfurled, but Nadal's humor prevailed: "That was a difficult one, it doesn't want to come down!" he quipped.Nadal received a commemorative trophy from the tournament organizers for his 59 matches and five titles won at the Madrid Open. Addressing the emotional audience, he expressed his gratitude for the unconditional love and support he had received throughout his career."Two days before leaving for Barcelona, I didn't really know if I would be able to play in a professional match again," Nadal said. "I've been able to play for two weeks, and this week has been unforgettable. All I can say is that I'm grateful. It's been an incredible journey that started when I was very small..."As Nadal walked off the court, organizers and staff formed a guard of honor to send him on his way to the sounds of a standing ovation from the Caja Magica. Tributes from fellow players poured in on social media, with former world No. 7 Fernando Verdasco summarizing it best: "Thank you Rafael Nadal for being the greatest!"