Tennis

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, two tennis titans with a combined 46 Grand Slam titles, face an unprecedented challenge as they enter the French Open with doubts surrounding their form and fitness.Nadal, the 14-time Roland Garros champion, has endured a difficult season marred by injuries. His early exits in Barcelona and Madrid, followed by a humbling defeat in Rome, have raised questions about his ability to maintain his dominance on clay. The Spaniard's physical condition and current level of play suggest that he may struggle to challenge the top contenders.Djokovic, the world No. 1, has also experienced a dip in form. After a disappointing Australian Open semi-final loss, he suffered shock defeats to lower-ranked opponents in Indian Wells and Rome. The Serb has parted ways with his coach and fitness trainer in a desperate attempt to rediscover his winning ways.Both Nadal and Djokovic face tough opening-round matches. Nadal will take on Italian Open champion Alexander Zverev, while Djokovic will face Karen Khachanov. These encounters will be crucial tests for the aging giants, who are far from the favorites they once were.Nadal's participation in the French Open is particularly uncertain. The 37-year-old has hinted that this could be his last appearance at Roland Garros, where he has lost just three matches in his illustrious career. If he fails to find his best form, his record-breaking reign on clay could come to an end.Djokovic's 24 Grand Slam titles are a testament to his greatness, but his recent struggles have raised concerns about his ability to maintain his dominance. The Serb is desperate for a spark to reignite his form and prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with.The French Open will be a pivotal moment for both Nadal and Djokovic. It will determine whether they can overcome their current challenges and reclaim their status as the top contenders in tennis.

Defending champion Iga Swiatek's quest for a record-breaking fourth French Open title could face a formidable challenge from four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka in the second round of the 2024 tournament. The draw, announced on Thursday, has placed Swiatek and Osaka in the same half, setting the stage for a potential blockbuster clash.Swiatek, who has dominated the women's tennis circuit this season, will begin her title defense against a qualifier or lucky loser. Should she advance, she could face Osaka, who will open her campaign against Italy's Lucia Bronzetti. Osaka, a former World No. 1, has struggled for form in recent months but remains a dangerous opponent on her day.Another potential obstacle for Swiatek is reigning US Open winner Coco Gauff, who is also in the same half of the draw. Gauff, who has emerged as one of the most promising young players in the world, could face a quarterfinal showdown with Swiatek.On the other side of the draw, two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will face Erika Andreeva in the first round. Sabalenka, currently ranked World No. 2, will be aiming to make a deep run in Paris after reaching the semifinals in 2021.Fourth seed Elena Rybakina, the only player to have defeated Swiatek on clay this season, will take on Belgium's Greet Minnen in her opener. Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022, could face seventh-seeded Chinese Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals.Other notable matchups in the projected quarterfinal line-up include reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova against Swiatek, and three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur against Gauff. Eighth-seeded Greek Maria Sakkari could meet Sabalenka in the quarterfinals.The 2024 French Open will take place from May 26 onwards at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris. Swiatek will be aiming to become the first woman since Justine Henin in 2007 to win four consecutive French Open titles.

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 impending retirement from the French Open has sparked an outpouring of emotion and anticipation among his legions of fans. On Tuesday, thousands of devotees flocked to Roland Garros, eager to witness the Spanish legend's practice session, potentially his last at the tournament he has dominated for years.Vanessa Peltier, a 50-year-old fan from central France, embarked on a 500-kilometer journey to catch a glimpse of Nadal. "I woke up at 6 a.m. and drove from the middle of France to be here," she said. "Nadal has always had my support, and the support of France."The line of fans stretched for 200 meters, with many waiting patiently for hours to enter the stadium. Morgan Chevallier, another ardent supporter, said, "I could not pass on this opportunity. He is almost bigger than the tournament itself."Nadal's recent injury struggles have raised questions about his fitness for the tournament. However, his fans remain hopeful, recognizing that this may be their last chance to see him in action at Roland Garros. "I skipped work for Nadal," said Sergiu Popa, 26.During his practice session, Nadal showcased his trademark intensity and skill, drawing cheers and chants of "Rafa, Rafa" from the crowd. Outside the court, fans posed for photos with a life-size cardboard cutout of the Spaniard and purchased merchandise bearing his signature."It's not cheap, but it will be a nice memory once Nadal leaves us," said Frédéric Caubert, who bought a hat with Nadal's signature for his son. "It's like he is part of our family. When he's gone, family dinners won't feel the same."The tournament begins on Sunday, and Nadal's fans are eagerly awaiting his performance. Whether he triumphs or not, his legacy at Roland Garros will forever be etched in the annals of tennis history.

Iga Swiatek and Courteney Cox Hit the Court in ParisFresh from her impressive Madrid-Rome double, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek has arrived in Paris for the French Open. And she's already made a new friend: Courteney Cox, the iconic actress who played Monica Geller on the sitcom "Friends."On Tuesday, Swiatek and Cox hit the court together at a special event organized by On, the performance apparel brand that Swiatek is now representing. The two had previously exchanged pleasantries on Instagram in October 2022, when Swiatek commented on a video of Cox practicing her serve."If we'd play doubles together, no one would have hit you," Swiatek wrote. Cox responded, "Ok come over and we'll take him on! I mean this."Tennis has a special place in the "Friends" universe. In one episode, Monica and Chandler Bing (played by the late Matthew Perry) team up for a doubles match against Bing's boss and wife. Monica, known for her competitive spirit, refuses to let them win."I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you just said," she responds when Bing asks her to let them win.Swiatek can probably relate to Monica's competitive nature. The 22-year-old has been dominating the WTA Tour this year, winning five titles in a row. She is aiming to pull off a Roland Garros three-peat and collect her fourth crown in five years at the season's second Grand Slam event.The draw for the French Open will be revealed on Thursday at 3 p.m. local time. Swiatek will be the top seed and will be looking to extend her winning streak to 35 matches.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has declared Rafael Nadal as his favorite to win the upcoming French Open despite Nadal's recent fitness struggles. Djokovic, who is preparing for the second Grand Slam of the year at the Geneva Open, believes that Nadal's unparalleled record at Roland-Garros makes him the frontrunner."When you talk about Roland-Garros and Nadal is there, he is always the biggest favorite for me," Djokovic said. "After everything he has done on the courts at Roland-Garros, it's normal, respectfully to put him as the biggest favorite."Djokovic acknowledged that Nadal's level of play has declined slightly due to injuries, but he emphasized that the Spaniard's experience and dominance on clay make him a formidable opponent. "Obviously it's a little different with his level of play," Djokovic said. "But it's Roland-Garros, and it's Nadal."Djokovic also identified other contenders for the French Open title, including Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. However, he believes that Nadal's legacy and familiarity with the surface give him an edge."This year is more open," Djokovic said. "But when you talk about Roland-Garros and Nadal is there, he is always the biggest favorite for me."Djokovic, who turns 37 on Wednesday, is seeking to regain his form ahead of the French Open. He has not won a title in the season so far and is using the Geneva Open as a warm-up."I'm searching for my highest possible level," Djokovic said. "It's not an obligation. It's truly my desire, my feeling, my passion, my love for tennis. That's the most important. I'm seeking to stay connected with that feeling."Djokovic expressed his fondness for Geneva, where he has cousins and a close connection to the local football club, Servette. He attended the Stade de Geneve on Monday to witness Young Boys win the Swiss football championship.

In the realm of tennis, where rankings reign supreme, the terms "underrated" and "overlooked" often come into play. Two such players who fit this description are Marketa Vondrousova and Casper Ruud.Vondrousova, a 24-year-old Czech, possesses a unique and unpredictable style that has earned her a cult following among tennis enthusiasts. Her ability to absorb pace and redirect shots can drive opponents to distraction. Despite reaching the Wimbledon final last year, her accomplishments have not received the widespread recognition they deserve.Ruud, a 25-year-old Norwegian, is a master of consistency and defense. His disciplined game has seen him rise to the Top 10, but his achievements have often been overshadowed by more flamboyant players. However, his recent success on hard courts, including a US Open final appearance, has forced tennis pundits to take notice.Vondrousova's uneven record can be attributed to wrist injuries, while Ruud's lack of charisma may have contributed to his underappreciated status. Nevertheless, both players have proven their mettle on the court. Vondrousova's ability to make opponents play poorly and Ruud's relentless determination make them formidable contenders.As the French Open approaches, Vondrousova and Ruud are poised to make a statement. Vondrousova's crafty game is well-suited to the clay courts of Roland Garros, while Ruud's recent upgrades have made him a threat on any surface.While they may not receive the same level of attention as some of their more high-profile counterparts, Vondrousova and Ruud are players to watch. Their unique styles and unwavering determination make them compelling to watch and potential dark horses for the French Open title.

India's top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal's hopes of a deep run at the Geneva Open were dashed in the first round as he succumbed to a fighting defeat against Argentina's Sebastian Baez. The world no. 94 went down 6-7 (7) 3-6 to the Argentine, a clay court specialist, in a match that lasted one hour and 52 minutes.Nagal started the match brightly, taking an early 4-1 lead over Baez and even earning a set point. However, the world no. 19 Baez, who has already won two titles on clay this season, showcased his class to force a tiebreaker, thanks to his exceptional first serve performance.In the second set, Baez continued to rely on his superb first serve, wrapping up the proceedings in just 38 minutes. Nagal, who has qualified for the upcoming French Open, expressed his disappointment on Twitter after the loss: "Gutted with the loss today. But good preparation ahead of Roland Garros. Paris next."Despite the setback, Nagal's performance in Geneva provides valuable preparation for the French Open, where he will be aiming to make a strong showing. The Indian ace has been in impressive form this season, reaching the semifinals of the ATP Challenger event in Bengaluru and the quarterfinals of the ATP Challenger event in Ostrava.Baez, on the other hand, continues his impressive run on clay this season. The Argentine has won two ATP Challenger titles on the surface and reached the semifinals of the ATP 250 event in Cordoba. He will be looking to carry his momentum into the French Open, where he will be aiming to make a deep run.

Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is likely to miss the upcoming French Open at Roland Garros after withdrawing from this week's qualifying tournament. The Briton, currently ranked 212th in the world, was a third alternate for the main draw, but her name did not appear among the qualifiers listed on the Roland Garros website.Raducanu's withdrawal is a significant setback for the 21-year-old, who has struggled with injuries since her historic US Open triumph. She has not played a match since losing in the first round of the Madrid Open last month, where she admitted to feeling "mentally and emotionally exhausted."In a statement quoted by British media, Raducanu explained her decision to withdraw from the French Open: "It's important for me to keep laying on the foundations and I will use the time to do a healthy block before the grass and subsequent hard court seasons to give myself a chance to keep fit for the rest of the year."Raducanu's only appearance at Roland Garros came in 2022, when she lost in the second round to Aliaksandra Sasnovich. She was not awarded a wild card for this year's edition.The Briton's absence from the French Open is a blow to the tournament, which is one of the four Grand Slams. Raducanu's star power and recent success would have undoubtedly drawn attention to the event.However, Raducanu's decision to prioritize her long-term health and fitness is understandable. The grass court season, which includes Wimbledon, is just around the corner, and Raducanu will be eager to make an impact on her home turf.