Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka's Grand Slam triumphs have been marked by unique gestures from her team, and the 2024 US Open was no exception. Fitness coach Jason Stacy paid homage to Sabalenka's "Tiger" nickname by sporting a giant head tattoo of a tiger.Sabalenka, who defeated Jessica Pegula to claim her third Grand Slam title, joked about the tattoo, saying, "It's permanent." She later revealed that her entire team, including coach Anton Dubrov, had similar temporary tattoos.This gesture was a departure from Sabalenka's 2024 Australian Open ritual of signing Stacy's bald head. The world No. 2 is already brainstorming new ideas for their next Grand Slam adventure in Melbourne."Just always come up with something new," she said. "It was signature, and now it's, like, tiger tattoo. I'm really curious what's going to be next, Jason."Sabalenka's team has been instrumental in her rise to the top, having worked together since 2020. They have formed a close bond, which is evident in their social media interactions."The best advice I would give is to surround yourself with the right people," Sabalenka said. "People you can trust, people you can talk to about anything. It's so important to have someone you can talk through whatever's going on."With the Asian Swing and WTA Finals approaching, Team Tiger aims to end the 2024 season on a high note. They have compiled a 12-match win streak through title runs in Cincinnati and Flushing Meadows.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has adopted a strategic approach to the 2024 season, prioritizing preparation for Grand Slams and the Olympics over early tournament success. Despite playing only three tournaments so far, Djokovic is confident in his plan and eager to perform well at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome.Djokovic's absence from the Mutua Madrid Open was a deliberate choice, as he focused on training and recovery. This approach aligns with his goal of peaking at the most significant events on the calendar. The six-time Rome champion has enjoyed success at the Foro Italico in the past, and he is determined to continue that trend.While Djokovic has not won a title in the first four months of the season, he has made adjustments to his team, rehiring longtime fitness coach Gebhard Gritsch. The Serb believes that this change will enhance his performance on the court.Djokovic's clay-court campaign began with a promising semifinal appearance at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. He is now the freshest of his main rivals at Roland Garros, as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have withdrawn from Rome due to injuries.Despite the absence of some top players, Djokovic faces a challenging draw in Rome. He is set to face Grigor Dimitrov or Holger Rune in his first match, and could potentially meet Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals.Djokovic is confident in his preparation and believes that the training sessions with top-ranked opponents will help him build momentum. He is eager to kickstart his tournament run and continue his pursuit of Grand Slam glory.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has parted ways with his long-time fitness coach, Marco Panichi. This latest shakeup in Djokovic's team comes ahead of the French Open, the second major of the season.In a heartfelt message on social media, Djokovic expressed his gratitude for Panichi's contributions to his success. "We reached the summit, won titles, broken records," he wrote. "But most of all, I have enjoyed our most 'ordinary' days of training in and out of the gym."Panichi's departure follows the recent split between Djokovic and his coach, Goran Ivanisevic. The Serbian star also made a change in management at the end of last season, replacing Edoardo Artaldi and Elena Cappellaro with Mark Madden.Djokovic, who turns 37 in three weeks, is currently without a trophy in 2023. He skipped the Mutua Madrid Open and is expected to return to action next week in Rome. The Italian Open will provide Djokovic with an opportunity to fine-tune his game ahead of his Roland Garros title defense.Despite his recent setbacks, Djokovic remains a formidable force on the ATP Tour. He is currently ranked No. 1 in the world and has won 93 career titles. However, he faces a significant challenge from Jannik Sinner, who is a viable threat to challenge for the top ranking.Sinner, who withdrew from the Madrid quarterfinals with a right-hip injury, is expected to be a major contender in Rome and at the French Open. His results in these tournaments will have a significant impact on the race for the No. 1 ranking.