Tennis

The One That Got Away: Nadal's Heartbreaking Loss to Federer in the 2017 Australian Open FinalIn the annals of tennis history, the 2017 Australian Open final stands as a pivotal moment, a match that could have reshaped the landscape of the sport. Rafael Nadal, the indomitable clay-court king, faced off against his arch-rival Roger Federer, a maestro on all surfaces.Nadal, seeded ninth despite his recent injury struggles, had fought his way through a grueling tournament, surviving two five-set battles. Federer, on the other hand, had dropped to No. 17 in the rankings and was making his first Grand Slam final appearance in five years.The match began at a blistering pace, with Federer eschewing his usual slice backhand and opting for aggressive flat shots. Nadal, known for his relentless baseline play, found himself outmaneuvered by Federer's pace and precision.After four see-saw sets, Nadal managed to break Federer's serve and take a 3-1 lead in the fifth. However, Federer refused to yield, digging deep and playing with unwavering determination. He reeled off five consecutive games, crushing forehands and ripping backhands with surgical accuracy.Nadal, visibly disappointed, acknowledged Federer's brilliance: "He can put the balls in—or not. And he put a lot of balls in, taking a lot of risks, and taking the ball very early, playing very fast."The victory gave Federer an 18-14 lead in Grand Slam titles, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. Nadal, despite his disappointment, would go on to eclipse Federer's record, winning 22 Grand Slams.The 2017 Australian Open final remains a haunting reminder of the one that got away for Nadal, a match that could have altered the course of tennis history.

In the highly anticipated final of the Rolex Shanghai Masters, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner will face off against 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic for the first time since their memorable encounter at the Australian Open. Sinner emerged victorious in that match, ultimately claiming his maiden major title.Six months later, Djokovic acknowledged that he needed to improve his game to compete with the likes of Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. However, the Serbian has since showcased glimpses of his former brilliance, particularly in his triumph over Alcaraz in the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics.Sinner has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, dropping only one set en route to the final. His exceptional serving, returning, and baseline play have been instrumental in his success. Djokovic, on the other hand, has also impressed with straight-set victories over Flavio Cobolli and Taylor Fritz.While Sinner possesses superior movement and a more comprehensive game, Djokovic's recent encounter with Fritz, a powerful server, could prove beneficial. Sinner's serve is marginally better than Fritz's, but he has not faced an opponent with Djokovic's exceptional baseline ability in some time.Djokovic's motivation for this match is undeniable. With no Grand Slams remaining in the season, this is an opportunity for him to secure another 1000-level title and demonstrate his continued dominance in the sport. Additionally, a victory would mark his 100th career title, a significant milestone.While Sinner remains a formidable opponent, Djokovic's experience, determination, and recent form suggest that he has a strong chance of winning at least one set.

Coco Gauff, the rising star of women's tennis, expressed her admiration and sadness upon hearing the retirement announcement of Rafael Nadal, the legendary 22-time Grand Slam champion.Nadal's decision to step away from professional tennis at the end of the season has sent shockwaves through the tennis world. Gauff, who has grown up watching Nadal dominate the sport, was particularly moved by the news."It's going to happen to everybody one day," Gauff said at the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open. "Watching the video, (I was) a bit emotional because Rafa is all I've known growing up."Gauff recalled Nadal's consistent support and encouragement, even towards younger players like herself. "Off the court he was always speaking to me, always saying congratulations to me whenever I did well," she revealed. "It's something that is very rare when you come across top players (who do that)."Beyond his remarkable achievements on the court, Gauff emphasized Nadal's human qualities. "I remember at one point he said congratulations to me the year I went to the finals of the French Open," she said. "I kind of did a double take, because I couldn't believe he was speaking to me."Gauff also shared a memorable encounter with Nadal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. "We were both waiting on the shuttle. It was the last shuttle of the day, like 11 p.m. I asked him if I could have one of his pins. He gave me one. ...He was super nice with that," she recalled."Just something like that I'll remember. And something I'll definitely tell my kids, because it meant a lot to me."Nadal's retirement marks the end of an era in tennis. Gauff, like many others, will miss his presence on the court but will cherish the memories and lessons he has left behind.

Rafael Nadal's retirement announcement has left Novak Djokovic as the last remaining member of tennis's golden era. However, Djokovic's own future in the sport is uncertain, with major question marks surrounding his long-term prospects.Djokovic remains stranded on 24 Grand Slam titles, level with Margaret Court in the all-time total. For the first time since 2017, he will finish a season without a Grand Slam trophy. Despite winning Olympic gold in Paris, Djokovic has been overshadowed by the emergence of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have split the four Grand Slams between them in 2024.This year marked the first time since 2002 that at least one of the Slams did not go to Djokovic, Nadal, or Roger Federer. Djokovic's stunning third-round loss to Alexei Popyrin at the US Open was his earliest exit in New York since 2006.Djokovic's rollercoaster year has seen him lose his Australian Open title to Sinner, who also ended his reign as world number one. Alcaraz, 16 years his junior, succeeded him as French Open champion after Djokovic withdrew with a knee injury. Alcaraz then defeated Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, before Sinner claimed the US Open title.Djokovic's aura of invincibility has crumbled, with Popyrin describing his victory over the Serb as "way bigger" than his Montreal Masters triumph. Sinner's dominant US Open final victory made him the first man since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to win his first two Grand Slam titles in the same season.Alcaraz, two years Sinner's junior, already has four Grand Slam titles to his name. "It's nice to see new champions and rivalries," said Sinner. "I will always have players who make me better."Sinner and Alcaraz have six and four titles this year, respectively. Alcaraz is making Grand Slam history faster than Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. None of the three legends won four majors before their 22nd birthday. Alcaraz could claim a career Grand Slam while still 21 if he wins the Australian Open in January.Despite the challenges, Djokovic remains motivated. He is on the cusp of becoming the third man to win 100 career titles if he captures the Shanghai Masters this weekend. "My love for tennis will never fade away," said Djokovic.

Rafael Nadal, the legendary tennis icon, announced his retirement at the age of 38, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Known as the "King of Clay," Nadal's dominance extended beyond the red courts, as he amassed an astonishing 22 Grand Slam titles, the most by any male player in history.Nadal's journey began at the 2005 French Open, where he claimed his first major title at the tender age of 19. Over the next 17 years, he reigned supreme at Roland Garros, winning an unprecedented 14 titles. However, his success was not limited to clay. Nadal also triumphed at the US Open four times, Wimbledon twice, and the Australian Open twice.Beyond his Grand Slam achievements, Nadal's relentless athleticism, powerful strokes, and unwavering mental fortitude set him apart. His signature top-spin forehand was a formidable weapon, and his ability to withstand adversity and emerge victorious was unmatched.Nadal's career unfolded amidst the golden era of tennis, where he shared the spotlight with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, forming the dominant "Big Three." Despite the intense competition, Nadal's unwavering determination and resilience allowed him to thrive.Born in Mallorca, Spain, Nadal's tennis journey began in his hometown of Manacor. Coached by his uncle Toni Nadal, he developed his unique two-handed forehand and backhand style. Nadal's sporting prowess extended beyond tennis, as his uncle Miguel Angel Nadal played professional football for Barcelona.Nadal's legacy extends beyond his on-court achievements. He is known for his humility, sportsmanship, and dedication to the sport. His impact on tennis is immeasurable, and he will forever be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever grace the court.

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek, the Polish tennis sensation, has parted ways with her long-time coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski. The decision, announced by Swiatek on Friday, marks the end of a successful three-year partnership that saw the Polish player ascend to the pinnacle of women's tennis.During their time together, Swiatek captured four of her five Grand Slam titles, including the French Open in 2020, 2022, and 2023, and the US Open in 2022. She also rose to the top of the WTA rankings, becoming the first Polish player to achieve the feat.Swiatek expressed her gratitude for Wiktorowski's contributions in a heartfelt Instagram post. "After 3 years of the greatest achievements in my career, together with my coach Tomasz Wiktorowski we decided to part way," she wrote. "I want to start with a big thank you and appreciating our work together."Swiatek credited Wiktorowski with providing her with the guidance and support she needed to reach new heights. "Coach Wiktorowski joined my team for three seasons, when I strongly needed changes and a fresh approach to my game," she said. "His experience, analytical and strategic attitude and enormous knowledge about tennis helped us to achieve things I've never dreamed of only a few months after we started working together."The decision to split comes after a challenging period for Swiatek. She has not competed since losing to Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the US Open and has withdrawn from recent tournaments due to personal reasons and fatigue.Swiatek indicated that she is ready to take the next step in her career and is in talks with non-Polish coaches. "I'm in the middle of first talks with coaches from abroad (non-Polish) because I'm ready to take the next step of my career," she wrote.Wiktorowski, who was voted the WTA's Coach of the Year by his peers last year, expressed his support for Swiatek's decision. "Coach, THANK YOU, I wish you all the best," Swiatek wrote. "I know that you would like to rest after these 3 years of hard work and traveling a lot and spending some well deserved time with your loved ones and I hope you'll get what you need."The split between Swiatek and Wiktorowski marks the end of a successful era in Polish tennis. Swiatek's dominance on the court has inspired a new generation of players and has brought unprecedented attention to the sport in her home country.

Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury: A Tennis Partnership EndsAfter six successful years, the dynamic doubles team of Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury has officially parted ways. The American-British duo announced their split on Wednesday, bringing an end to one of the most formidable partnerships on the ATP Tour.Ram, a veteran American player, shared an emotional post on social media, reflecting on their journey together. "Six years is a long time in the life of a professional tennis player," he wrote. "Joe and I had some amazing wins, some epic matches and moments, and some gut-wrenching losses."During their six-year partnership, Ram and Salisbury achieved remarkable success, capturing four Grand Slam titles. They won the Australian Open in 2020, followed by three consecutive US Open titles from 2021 to 2023. The pair also triumphed at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2022 and 2023, and ascended to the world No. 1 ranking in doubles in 2022.However, the reasons behind their split remain undisclosed. The duo parted ways after the US Open, where they failed to advance past the quarterfinals. Salisbury later revealed that he had faced "horrific abuse" on social media following their defeat, prompting him to take a break.Ram will return to action this week at the China Open, partnering with fellow American Austin Krajicek. The pair won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics and helped the USA reach the Davis Cup Final 8.The split of Ram and Salisbury marks the end of an era in doubles tennis. Their success and camaraderie on the court will be fondly remembered by fans and fellow players alike.

Jannik Sinner, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has bolstered his team with the addition of trainer Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio. The announcement comes after Sinner's recent triumph at the US Open, his second Grand Slam title of the season.Panichi and Badio bring a wealth of experience to Team Sinner, having previously worked with Novak Djokovic. Badio parted ways with Djokovic after the 2022 season, while Panichi left in May.Sinner's decision to add Panichi and Badio to his team follows a tumultuous period in which he tested positive for the anabolic steroid clostebol twice in March. While an independent tribunal found that the substance entered his system unintentionally, Sinner lost trust in his former trainer and physiotherapist, who were the sources of the banned substance.The 23-year-old Italian is currently enjoying a stellar season, with a 55-5 record and a commanding lead in the race for ATP year-end No. 1. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency could still appeal the decision that exonerated him to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.Panichi and Badio join coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill in the new-look Team Sinner. Panichi recently began working with 19-year-old Jerry Shang, who reached the third round of the US Open.Sinner's decision to add experienced professionals to his team is a testament to his commitment to maintaining his dominance in the sport. With a strong support system in place, he will aim to continue his winning ways and cement his status as one of the world's top players.

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis star, has announced the premature end of her 2024 season due to a persistent shoulder injury. The three-time Grand Slam finalist made the difficult decision after consulting with her medical team.Jabeur's injury woes have plagued her in recent seasons. In addition to her current shoulder issue, a recurring right knee problem forced her to miss the WTA 1000 event in Dubai earlier this year. She also retired from her quarterfinal match against Coco Gauff at the grass-court event in Berlin in June.Despite her struggles, Jabeur reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and in Madrid this year. However, her ranking has dropped out of the WTA's Top 10, where she had been consistently ranked since October 2021.While sidelined, Jabeur plans to dedicate herself to charity work, aiming to make a positive impact on the world. She has expressed her determination to return to the court stronger in 2025, starting with the Australian Open.Jabeur's absence from the tour will be a significant loss for the sport. Her aggressive style of play and infectious personality have made her a fan favorite. Her return to full fitness will be eagerly anticipated by tennis enthusiasts worldwide.