Tennis

Andy Murray, the legendary British tennis star, has bid farewell to the sport after a remarkable career that spanned two decades. His final match, a doubles loss alongside Dan Evans at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marked the end of an era for British tennis.Murray's journey was marked by unwavering determination and a fighting spirit that inspired countless fans. "I don't play in any tournaments to come second best," he once declared, reflecting his relentless pursuit of victory. Despite facing setbacks and injuries, Murray's resilience shone through.Beyond his on-court achievements, Murray became an advocate for gender equality. His decision to appoint Amelie Mauresmo as his coach in 2014 sparked controversy, but Murray stood firm in his belief that women should be treated as equals in the sport. "If being a feminist is about fighting so that a woman is treated like a man, then yes, I suppose I have," he said.Murray's legacy extends beyond his trophies and accolades. He became a role model for young athletes, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and hard work. "I think that's called perseverance," he said, referring to the 3,493-day gap between his first entry into the ATP Top 10 and his ascent to world No. 1.As Murray steps away from the court, his impact on the sport will continue to be felt. His fighting spirit, advocacy for equality, and unwavering determination have left an indelible mark on tennis history.

Dayana Yastremska, the Ukrainian tennis star, has been battling health issues since the Australian Open, but she is determined to perform at her best at Roland Garros. Despite her struggles, she has shown resilience and fighting spirit, winning tough matches in Madrid and Rome.Yastremska's health problems began after the Australian Open, where she reached the semifinals as a qualifier. She believes the quick turnaround to her next event in Linz may have contributed to her weakened immune system. She retired from her match against Emma Raducanu at the BNP Paribas Open and has been battling throat pain, a blocked nose, and a cough throughout the clay-court season.Despite her ailments, Yastremska has managed to win matches in Madrid and Rome, showing her determination and fighting spirit. She admitted to preferring quicker surfaces than clay, but she is embracing the challenge of improving her game on the terre battue.Yastremska is also dealing with the emotional fallout of the Russian and Belarusian invasion into Ukraine. She has recorded a charity single, "Hearts," to raise awareness for those affected by the ongoing conflict.Despite her health and emotional challenges, Yastremska is focused on performing well at Roland Garros. She is practicing as much as she can and is feeling better with each passing day. If she can stay healthy, she will likely have more to say in 2024.

Naomi Osaka's return to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden after giving birth to her daughter Shai was marked by a fighting spirit, despite a disappointing loss to Elise Mertens in the second round. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, praised her own effort and determination, even though she fell short of victory."I wanted to win more slams. That's why I came back," Osaka said in her post-match press conference. "But I think I determine success right now just by the effort that I put in, and I feel like today I don't think I played well at all, but I tried every point."Osaka's slow start against Mertens, a former Australian Open semifinalist, put her on the back foot early on. However, she showed resilience by fighting back and winning four consecutive games. Mertens, known for her consistent play, kept Osaka off-balance throughout the match, ending up with 25 unforced errors to 20 winners.Despite the loss, Osaka remained positive, noting her improvement since her previous tournament appearance in Doha. "I think I fought a lot harder, or I tried to fight a lot harder and find solutions to problems that were in front of me," she said.Osaka's experience as a former world No. 1 is helping her in her return from maternity leave. "I feel like I should be able to get to that level. Obviously—well, not obviously, but I feel like I've done it once before, so I should be able to do it again," she said.Looking ahead, Osaka is eager to return to the Miami Open, where she finished runner-up in 2022. "I haven't eaten Haitian food in, like, three years, so I'm very excited to go back to Miami," she said.