Tennis

Alexander Zverev Withdraws from Stuttgart Open, Citing Physical FatigueWorld No. 4 Alexander Zverev has withdrawn from this week's BOSS Open in Stuttgart, Germany, due to physical fatigue following his grueling run to the French Open final.Zverev, the top seed and lone Top 10 player in the field, announced his withdrawal on Tuesday. "I've played a lot of tennis in the last few weeks and reached the final in Paris, where I played five tough sets," he said in a statement. "I feel that my body is not ready to go from clay to grass now."During his runner-up finish at Roland Garros, Zverev spent an astonishing 23 hours and 46 minutes on the court. His five-set loss to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz lasted four hours and 19 minutes, marking his second Grand Slam final defeat in a deciding set.Zverev's withdrawal from Stuttgart is a significant blow to the tournament, which is part of the ATP 250 series. Lucky loser Richard Gasquet has replaced him in the draw and will face American Brandon Nakashima in the second round.Zverev is now set to compete at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, Germany, next week. The ATP 500 event is expected to feature a star-studded field, including world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and defending champion Alexander Bublik.Zverev's decision to prioritize his physical recovery over immediate competition highlights the demanding nature of the tennis calendar. With the Wimbledon Championships just around the corner, players must carefully manage their schedules to avoid burnout and injury.

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and the French Tennis Federation (FFT) have inked a groundbreaking 10-year deal worth an average of $65 million annually, securing the exclusive U.S. broadcast rights to the prestigious French Open tennis tournament. This marks a significant increase from the previous $25-30 million per year received by the FFT from NBC and Tennis Channel.The agreement, which commences in 2024, will see TNT Sports emerge as the primary network for French Open coverage, with additional matches airing on TBS and truTV. Notably, every single match from the tournament will be available for streaming on Max, WBD's streaming platform.TNT Sports chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing their vision to engage not only tennis enthusiasts but also general sports fans. "We want to talk to the sports fan overall," Silberwasser stated.The new contract elevates the French Open to the same level of coverage as the other three Grand Slam tournaments, which are all carried by ESPN. This means that every match from every court for the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open will now be accessible to U.S. viewers.FFT president Gilles Moretton hailed the agreement as a major step forward for the tournament's global reach. "This new agreement will enable the federation to ensure maximum exposure for Roland Garros in the USA and help further promote the tournament," Moretton said.WBD has a long-standing history with the French Open, having aired the tournament on Eurosport since 1989 and distributing coverage to 55 countries outside the United States. TNT is expected to begin promoting the French Open during its coverage of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in March and continue throughout its coverage of the NHL and NBA playoffs.While TNT will air two College Football Playoff games on December 21 and has four NASCAR races beginning next year, its future as an NBA broadcaster remains uncertain as negotiations with the league continue.

The highly anticipated French Open final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev promises to be a thrilling battle between two of the most promising players in tennis.Zverev, despite being the lower seed, holds a 5-4 head-to-head advantage over Alcaraz, including victories in their previous Roland Garros and Australian Open encounters. His recent 12-match clay-court win streak further bolsters his confidence.Alcaraz, however, possesses the higher ceiling and has shown an ability to dominate Zverev in their past meetings. His superior speed, forehand, variety, and volleying skills, coupled with his experience in reaching the latter stages of Grand Slams, make him a formidable opponent.Zverev's exceptional mental fortitude has been evident throughout the tournament, as he has overcome adversity in several matches. His powerful serve and solid groundstrokes have also been key to his success.Alcaraz's motivation to conquer Paris, following in the footsteps of his countrymen, is undeniable. However, he is aware of Zverev's previous victory over him at Roland Garros.Zverev, on the other hand, may have even greater motivation, as he seeks his first Grand Slam title at the age of 25. His career-defining moment has arrived, and he is determined to seize it.While Alcaraz has the potential to reach greater heights, Zverev's consistency and recent form make him a formidable challenger. The outcome of this final is truly up for grabs, with both players possessing the skills and determination to emerge victorious.

Coco Gauff's French Open semifinal loss to Iga Swiatek was marred by a controversial line call that left the American fuming and calling for the implementation of video replay technology in tennis.During the second set, Swiatek hit a serve that was initially called out. However, as Gauff swung to return the ball, the call was reversed to "In," awarding the point to Swiatek. Gauff vehemently disagreed, claiming that she was affected by the original "Out" call and should have been allowed to finish her swing.Chair umpire Aurélie Tourte dismissed Gauff's protest, stating that the call did not affect her shot. This prompted an outburst from Gauff, who accused Tourte of being wrong and "should be ashamed."The incident highlighted the ongoing debate over the use of video replay in tennis. Gauff argued that it is "almost ridiculous" that the sport does not have such technology, especially considering its prevalence in other sports. She pointed out that the U.S. Open introduced replays for certain calls last year, and that tennis needs to "evolve" and embrace technology.Swiatek agreed with the principle of using replays but expressed concerns about its logistical implementation. She questioned when players would be allowed to request replays and whether it would be up to the umpire's discretion.The controversy underscores the need for a more consistent and fair system of officiating in tennis. While human error is inevitable, the use of video replay could help minimize incorrect calls and ensure that players are not penalized for decisions that are beyond their control.As the sport continues to grow and evolve, it is imperative that tennis adopts modern technology to enhance the fairness and integrity of its competitions. The implementation of video replay would not only benefit players but also improve the overall fan experience by providing greater clarity and transparency.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, two rising stars in tennis, are set to face off in a highly anticipated French Open semifinal on Friday. The match promises to be a thrilling spectacle, as both players have proven their exceptional skills and determination throughout the tournament.Sinner, 22, has been in impressive form this year, winning the Australian Open in January and rising to No. 1 in the rankings. His aggressive style of play, characterized by powerful groundstrokes and quick reflexes, has earned him a reputation as one of the most promising young players in the sport.Alcaraz, 21, is another rising star who has made a name for himself with his exceptional athleticism and all-court ability. He won two Grand Slam titles in 2022 and spent time at No. 1 in the rankings. His ability to cover the court with ease and hit winners from any position makes him a formidable opponent.The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has been building for some time, with each player winning four of their eight previous encounters. Their most recent match, a semifinal at Indian Wells in March, was a thrilling three-set victory for Alcaraz.The French Open semifinal is expected to be another close and competitive match. Both players have dropped just one set through five matches in the tournament, showcasing their consistency and resilience.Mats Wilander, a former world No. 1 and three-time French Open champion, believes that Sinner and Alcaraz are the future of tennis. "No one has ever played like Alcaraz. No chance. And Sinner? The same thing," he said. "They’re like, ‘Whoa! What and where did they come from?’”The other men's semifinal features Casper Ruud of Norway, twice the runner-up in Paris, against Alexander Zverev of Germany, a finalist at the 2020 U.S. Open and an Olympic gold medalist. Zverev is currently involved in an ongoing court case in Berlin related to allegations of domestic violence.While the Ruud-Zverev match is intriguing, it is the Sinner-Alcaraz clash that has captured the attention of tennis fans worldwide. Their rivalry is a testament to the changing landscape of the sport, with a new generation of players emerging to challenge the established order.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked female tennis player, has advanced to her fourth Roland Garros final in five years, defeating Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-4 in the semi-finals. Swiatek, who has won 20 consecutive matches in Paris, will face either 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva or Italy's Jasmine Paolini in the championship match.Swiatek, who has won 10 of her previous 11 meetings with Gauff in straight sets, broke the US Open champion in the opening game of the match and never looked back. She withstood break points in her first two service games before breaking again to move up a double break at 4-1. Swiatek closed out the first set without trouble.Gauff threatened a fightback in the second set, taking a 3-1 lead after wiping away tears following an argument with the chair umpire over the timing of a line call. However, Swiatek responded immediately, winning four consecutive games to surge to the cusp of victory. Gauff saved two match points, but Swiatek eventually served it out at the fourth time of asking."It was intense," said Swiatek. "In the second set it was tight because we were breaking each other. I was consistent with my tactics, didn't overthink stuff and just went for it in the end."Swiatek improved to 34-2 at the French Open after beating Gauff at Roland Garros for the third tournament in a row. She has won all four of her previous Grand Slam finals and could become only the fourth woman to win four Roland Garros titles in the Open era -- after Justine Henin, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf.Swiatek is also on track to join Serena Williams as the only women to complete the treble of French, Madrid and Rome Open titles in the same year.In the other semi-final, Andreeva, the youngest Grand Slam semi-finalist since Martina Hingis in 1997, will take on the unheralded Paolini. Andreeva stole the headlines in the quarter-finals with a shock victory over world number two Aryna Sabalenka, who was hit by a stomach bug, becoming the youngest woman to reach a Slam semi-final since Hingis at the US Open 27 years ago.Paolini, the 12th seed, also got through with a surprise win against former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Both Andreeva and Paolini had never reached the quarters at a major tournament before this week, but are now just one match from the final.With another win, Andreeva will also be the youngest Slam finalist since Hingis, who won the 1997 US Open aged 16.Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has confirmed that he has undergone an operation on his right knee, which he injured during his last-16 win at Roland Garros. The 24-time Grand Slam winner was forced to withdraw ahead of his quarter-final against Casper Ruud after a scan revealed a torn medial meniscus in his right knee."In the past day, I had to make some tough decisions after sustaining a meniscus tear during my last match," Djokovic posted on social media. "I'm still processing it all but I am happy to update you that the surgery went well."Djokovic made no mention of whether he would be fit to take part at Wimbledon, which begins on July 1, but added that he was going to "do my best to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible."

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has undergone successful surgery on his right knee after sustaining a meniscus tear during the French Open. The Serbian star announced the news on social media, expressing his gratitude to the medical team and his determination to return to competition as soon as possible.Djokovic's injury occurred early in the second set of his fourth-round match against Francisco Cerundolo. Despite the pain, he battled through to win the match in five sets. However, the severity of the injury forced him to withdraw from the tournament, ending his hopes of defending his French Open title.The surgery, performed in Paris on Wednesday, was deemed a success by Djokovic. He is now focused on his recovery and rehabilitation, with the aim of returning to the court as soon as his knee allows."I'm going to do my best to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible," Djokovic wrote on social media. "My love for this sport is strong and the desire to compete at the highest level is what keeps me going."The exact timeline for Djokovic's recovery is unclear, but it is likely to impact his upcoming schedule. Wimbledon, where he has won seven titles, begins on July 1. The tennis events for the Paris Olympics start on July 27 at Roland Garros, the site of the French Open.Djokovic's absence from the French Open has opened up the tournament for a new champion. With both Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, the record 14-time winner, eliminated, someone will be holding the French Open men's trophy for the first time on Sunday.In the wake of Djokovic's injury, Jannik Sinner is set to become the first Italian man to reach the No. 1 ranking in the ATP standings. The new rankings will be released on Monday.

Iga Swiatek vs. Coco Gauff: A Clash of Titans at Roland GarrosThe highly anticipated semifinal clash between Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff at Roland Garros promises to be a captivating battle between two of the most formidable forces in women's tennis. Swiatek, the world No. 1 and reigning French Open champion, holds a commanding 10-1 record against Gauff, including four consecutive victories on clay.Gauff, despite her impressive talent and recent resurgence, has struggled to find a way to overcome Swiatek's dominance. In their most recent encounter on clay in Rome, Swiatek cruised to a 6-4, 6-3 victory.Gauff's challenge lies in finding a strategy that can disrupt Swiatek's rhythm and force her into uncharacteristic errors. In their previous match in Cincinnati, Gauff had success with high-bouncing forehands and a powerful serve. However, Swiatek has since adjusted her game and is unlikely to be caught off guard by the same tactics.Another option for Gauff is to take the initiative in the rallies and try to outpace Swiatek. Naomi Osaka nearly pulled off this strategy in the second round, but Swiatek's exceptional speed and court coverage proved too much to overcome.Ultimately, the outcome of this match may hinge on Gauff's ability to execute her forehand effectively. Whether she chooses to slug it or loft it, she must find a way to make it a potent weapon. However, given Swiatek's remarkable consistency and dominance on clay, Gauff faces an uphill battle.

17-year-old Mirra Andreeva has achieved a remarkable milestone in her young career by defeating world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals of the French Open. The victory marks the biggest win of Andreeva's career and sends her into her first Grand Slam semifinal.Andreeva's triumph was not without its challenges. Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, had won 23 consecutive sets at Grand Slams and was looking to extend her streak. However, Andreeva remained composed and focused, breaking Sabalenka's serve twice in the first set and ultimately winning 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4.The match was a tale of two halves. Sabalenka dominated the first set, winning the tiebreaker 7-5. However, Andreeva fought back in the second set, breaking Sabalenka's serve twice and winning 6-4. The third set was a tense affair, with both players holding serve until Andreeva broke Sabalenka in the final game to seal the victory.Andreeva's victory is a testament to her talent and determination. She has been one of the most exciting young players on the WTA Tour in recent months, reaching the second week of three of her last four major appearances. Her win over Sabalenka is a sign that she is ready to compete with the best in the world.In the semifinals, Andreeva will face fellow debutante and No. 12 seed Jasmine Paolini. Paolini stunned No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina earlier in the day.