Tennis

Iga Swiatek's remarkable Roland Garros triumph has been celebrated with a unique gift from her apparel sponsor, On. The 23-year-old Polish sensation has received a pair of custom-designed sneakers that pay homage to her illustrious career and personal passions.The white sneakers, adorned with gold accents, feature intricate details that narrate Swiatek's journey. A crown adorns the inside of one tongue, symbolizing her Grand Slam dominance. The other tongue bears a trophy emblazoned with the Roman numeral V, representing her five Grand Slam titles.Near the back of the right shoe, Swiatek's signature exclamation, "Jazda!" (Polish for "Let's go!"), serves as a reminder of her unwavering determination. However, the sneakers extend beyond tennis accolades.Swiatek's love for the iconic sitcom "Friends" is subtly etched on the side of the shoes. The phrase "The one where Iga wins her fifth Grand Slam" is written in glittering gold lettering, mirroring the show's episode title format.Swiatek's Parisian hat trick, which saw her win her fourth Roland Garros title, holds a special place in her heart. She describes it as "the one that's surreal," a testament to the emotional rollercoaster she experienced during the tournament."It was an emotional win, because I felt, you know, a lot of stress yesterday and today in the morning," Swiatek said. "And I knew if I'm going to just focus on tennis I can kind of fight through it, and at the end it all went how I wanted. So I just felt really proud of myself."The custom sneakers are a fitting tribute to Swiatek's achievements and her unique personality. They serve as a reminder of her dominance on the court, her passion for life, and the unwavering support she receives from her sponsors and fans.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning US Open and Wimbledon champion, will face Alexander Zverev in the French Open 2024 men's singles final on Sunday, June 9. The match will be played at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris and will start at 6:30 PM IST.Alcaraz, who is just 20 years old, is aiming to become the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces. He has already defeated world no. one Jannik Sinner in the semi-final and Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon last year.Zverev, on the other hand, is chasing his maiden Grand Slam title. The 27-year-old German will be playing his first major final since an agonizing defeat by Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open.Zverev holds a 5-4 winning record over Alcaraz heading into Sunday's final. However, Alcaraz won their last Grand Slam meeting last year during the US Open (quarterfinal).The French Open 2024 Men's Singles Final will be telecasted on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on SonyLiv's app and website.

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.

Alexander Zverev, the 27-year-old German tennis star, has defied adversity to reach the final of the 2023 Roland Garros. Despite a grueling third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor, Zverev has showcased his resilience and determination throughout the tournament.Zverev's journey to the final has been marked by both triumph and controversy. In 2020, he reached the US Open final but fell short of victory. Two years later, he suffered a devastating ankle injury at Roland Garros, sidelining him for months.However, Zverev has emerged from these setbacks stronger than ever. He has been serving with exceptional power, converting nearly 75% of his first serves and hitting numerous aces. Against Casper Ruud in the semifinals, he fired 19 aces and smacked 54 winners.Off the court, Zverev has faced allegations of domestic abuse. However, the case was recently settled, and the charges were dropped. Zverev has expressed relief and a desire to move on from the incident.Despite the challenges he has faced, Zverev remains focused on his tennis. He is determined to give himself the best chance of winning his first Grand Slam title. His opponent in the final, Carlos Alcaraz, is a formidable rival, but Zverev is confident in his abilities.Zverev's journey to the Roland Garros final has been a testament to his resilience, maturity, and unwavering determination. Whether he emerges victorious or not, he has already proven that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis.

Casper Ruud, the former world No. 2, has historically struggled on grass courts, with a career record of 4-7 on the surface. However, the Norwegian is determined to make a breakthrough at Wimbledon this year, the only major where he has yet to reach the second week.Ruud's technique, anchored by a heavy topspin forehand, is not typically conducive to grass, but he believes his more aggressive mindset could make the difference this time. He has amassed an impressive 39-10 record through the first six months of 2024, playing with a newfound attacking style."I think I have played maybe 50 matches already the first five months of the year," Ruud said. "It's going to be nice with a few weeks off and then I'm looking forward to getting on the grass."Ruud's preparation for Wimbledon will include a break from tennis to focus on golf, a sport he enjoys more than tennis on grass. He also plans to attend a Megan Thee Stallion concert in London during the tournament.Despite his struggles on grass, Ruud is confident in his ability to succeed on the surface. "I think it's a very fun surface, and I have been joking a little bit about certain things before, but I think it's a very fun surface to play on because it brings something completely different," he said. "It challenges me in a way that I think is good for my game in a way to be challenged."Ruud's determination to conquer grass is evident in his willingness to embrace the challenges it presents. He is eager to prove that he can succeed on any surface, and Wimbledon provides the perfect opportunity to do so.

Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish sensation, has etched his name in tennis history by becoming the youngest player in the Open Era to reach Grand Slam finals on all three surfaces: hard, grass, and clay. His remarkable achievement was secured with a hard-fought 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of Roland Garros on Friday.Alcaraz's triumph marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. He has already captured Grand Slam titles on hard and grass, winning the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon in 2023, respectively. By reaching the final of Roland Garros, he has completed the career set, becoming the first player to achieve this feat at such a young age.The previous record holder was Andre Agassi, who was 22 years old when he reached the Wimbledon final in 1992, having previously reached the Roland Garros and US Open finals. Alcaraz's accomplishment underscores his exceptional talent and versatility, as he has proven his ability to excel on all surfaces.Alcaraz's victory over Sinner was a testament to his resilience and determination. After dropping the first set, he fought back to win the next two, only to lose the fourth. However, he refused to be denied, digging deep to secure the fifth set and book his place in the final.The Spaniard's success is a testament to his unwavering belief in himself and his relentless pursuit of excellence. He has consistently pushed himself to the limit, seeking to improve his game and overcome any challenges that come his way.As Alcaraz prepares for the Roland Garros final, he will face the daunting task of defeating Rafael Nadal, the 14-time champion who is seeking to extend his dominance on the Parisian clay. However, Alcaraz has proven that he is capable of anything, and he will undoubtedly give Nadal a run for his money.

Carlos Alcaraz, the rising star of tennis, has once again proven his mettle by overcoming a formidable challenge at the Roland Garros semifinals. A year after his heartbreaking loss to Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz returned to Court Philippe Chatrier with a vengeance, battling through a grueling five-set marathon against Jannik Sinner.The match was a testament to the intense rivalry between the two young players. Sinner, the Italian sensation, started strong, taking the first set with ease. However, Alcaraz fought back, showcasing his resilience and determination. He clawed his way back into the match, winning the second set and taking a 2-1 lead.The third set was a rollercoaster of emotions. Alcaraz struck first, but Sinner responded with a break of his own. A right-hand cramp appeared to hinder Sinner, but he fought through the pain, erasing four break points before receiving medical attention. Sinner eventually took the third set, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.In the fourth set, Alcaraz's forehand came alive. He hit blistering shots and tracked down drop shots with ease. The crowd erupted in chants of "Carlos!" as he forced a fifth set.The final set was a battle of wills. Alcaraz broke Sinner early on and held his nerve throughout. Sinner made one last stand, pushing Alcaraz to deuce, but the Spaniard held firm, sealing the victory with a backhand crosscourt winner.Alcaraz's triumph marks a significant milestone in his career. He is now the youngest man in the Open Era to reach major finals on three different surfaces. His victory also extends his unbeaten record in five-setters to an impressive 10-1.The match was a showcase of the future of tennis. Alcaraz and Sinner are two of the most promising players in the world, and their rivalry is sure to produce many more memorable moments in the years to come.

The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the tennis season, is fast approaching, with tickets now on sale to the general public. To commemorate the 144th edition of the tournament, artist Chelsey Farris has created a vibrant and dynamic poster based on the theme "The Power of Tennis."Farris's artwork features 16 unique tennis balls, each representing a different aspect of the sport, from "community" to "tradition" to "entertainment." The primary poster showcases four of these balls against the US Open's signature blue and green court, symbolizing health and wellness, New York City, diversity and inclusion, and tradition.The poster and art will be prominently displayed throughout the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, as well as on merchandise and marketing materials. Farris's design is intended to be "scalable and adaptable," allowing it to be repurposed in various ways."Creating the theme art for the US Open is the type of project that fuels my love for design," said Farris. "Instead of a single static layout, I developed a scalable design system adaptable to multiple touchpoints, allowing the work to be repurposed in innovative ways."The US Open is renowned for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the 2024 poster reflects this spirit. The tournament celebrated the 50th anniversary of equal prize money last year, and continues to promote opportunities for players from all backgrounds.As the countdown to the US Open continues, fans can purchase tickets and explore the 2024 poster and art theme at the official website. The tournament promises to be an unforgettable celebration of the power and passion of tennis.

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.