Tennis

WTA Finals: Stars Shine in Riyadh with Stunning FashionThe WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has kicked off with a dazzling display of fashion and athleticism. The world's top tennis players gathered for the traditional pre-tournament photo shoot and gala, showcasing their impeccable style and the latest trends.World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, defending champion Iga Swiatek, and the rest of the season-ending championship competitors stepped out in the historic district of Diriyah, adorned in garments from renowned designers.Zheng Qinwen turned heads in a vibrant red Christian Dior dress, while Coco Gauff opted for a delicate blush pink gown by Saudi-born designer Yousef Akbar. Elena Rybakina exuded elegance in Elie Saab, and Jasmine Paolini chose a sophisticated sand-colored gown by Brunello Cucinelli.Rybakina praised her fellow players' fashion choices, particularly Paolini's stunning ensemble. "Jasmine Paolini looked really good sitting by that chair," she remarked.The players' preparation for the photo shoot was a glamorous affair. Makeup artists and hairstylists worked their magic, transforming the athletes into fashion icons.The action on the court begins on Saturday, with Sabalenka facing Zheng and Rybakina taking on Paolini in singles action. In doubles, Siniakova and Townsend will face US Open winners Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko, while Hsieh Su-wei and Elise Mertens take on Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Ellen Perez.The WTA Finals in Riyadh promises to be a thrilling spectacle, both on and off the court. The players' stunning fashion choices have set the stage for an unforgettable event that celebrates the intersection of sports and style.

Two of the biggest names in tennis, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, have arrived in Saudi Arabia to prepare for the season-ending WTA Finals. Both players have been out of action since the US Open, but they are now ready to return to competition.Swiatek, the world's No. 2-ranked player, has been working with new coach Wim Fissette in the two weeks since she officially tabbed the Belgian to lead her coaching team. She is eager to return to action and regain the top spot in the rankings, which she lost to Aryna Sabalenka on Oct. 21.Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has also undergone a high-profile coaching change this year. She parted ways with Stefano Vukov ahead of the US Open and has been shrouded under a cloud of uncertainty about her physical and mental health in the weeks since. However, she looked in good spirits as she traveled to Riyadh with her team.Both Swiatek and Rybakina have put to rest some of the lingering doubts about their respective statuses with their mere presence in Riyadh. However, it remains to be seen what sort of form they will bring to the match court when the tournament officially begins on Saturday.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player, has appointed Wim Fissette as her new coach. The partnership will officially commence at the upcoming WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, where Swiatek will defend her title.Swiatek's decision to hire Fissette follows her split with previous coach Tomasz Wiktorowski after the US Open. Under Wiktorowski's guidance, Swiatek captured four Grand Slam titles, including the 2023 Roland Garros.Fissette, a Belgian coach, boasts an impressive resume, having worked with several former world No. 1s and major champions. His previous clients include Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber, and Naomi Osaka.Swiatek expressed her excitement about working with Fissette, citing his "great attitude, vision, and huge experience at a very top level of tennis." She emphasized the importance of building a strong relationship with her new coach and expressed her eagerness to compete alongside him.The WTA Finals will serve as a crucial test for Swiatek's partnership with Fissette. The event features the world's top eight players, including Aryna Sabalenka, who has emerged as a formidable challenger to Swiatek's No. 1 ranking.Swiatek will need to perform well at the WTA Finals to maintain her year-end No. 1 ranking. Sabalenka currently trails Swiatek by less than 70 points, setting the stage for an intense battle for the top spot.Swiatek's decision to hire Fissette is a strategic move aimed at strengthening her game and maintaining her dominance in women's tennis. With Fissette's guidance, Swiatek will look to continue her success and cement her legacy as one of the greatest players of her generation.

Iga Swiatek's reign at the pinnacle of women's tennis continues to reach unprecedented heights. This week marks her 50th consecutive week as the WTA world No. 1, a feat that places her among the most dominant players in the sport's history.Swiatek's first stint at the top lasted 75 weeks, from April 2022 to September 2023. After a brief eight-week hiatus, she reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in November 2023 and has held it ever since. This latest 50-week run makes her just the seventh player in WTA history to achieve multiple 50-week stints at the top.The Polish star joins an illustrious group that includes Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, and Serena Williams. These legendary players have all left an indelible mark on the sport, and Swiatek's inclusion in their ranks is a testament to her exceptional talent and consistency.Swiatek's dominance has been characterized by her relentless pursuit of excellence. She has won three Grand Slam titles in the past year, including the French Open twice and the US Open once. Her all-court game and unwavering determination have made her a formidable opponent for any player on the tour.However, Swiatek's reign at the top is facing a serious challenge from Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian has been in scintillating form this season, winning the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan and closing the gap on Swiatek in the rankings.With the WTA Finals approaching, the battle for year-end No. 1 is set to intensify. Swiatek will be defending 1,500 points for winning the title last year, while Sabalenka will be looking to make up ground with a strong performance.The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining who will finish the year as the world's top-ranked women's tennis player. Swiatek's experience and consistency will be put to the test against Sabalenka's power and momentum.

World number two Aryna Sabalenka believes her rivalry with top-ranked Iga Swiatek is crucial for the growth of women's tennis. The Belarusian advanced to the Wuhan Open third round by defeating Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-4, marking her 50th victory of the season.Swiatek is absent from the Wuhan field after splitting with her coach of three years, Tomasz Wiktorowski. Sabalenka has an opportunity to close the gap on the Polish world number one with a strong run in Wuhan, as the battle for the top spot is expected to come down to the wire at the season-ending championships in Riyadh next month."Having this rivalry with Iga is something big for tennis and something much-needed, I would say, in women's tennis," said Sabalenka, who will face Yulia Putintseva in the last 16. "To keep this competition going would be really good for tennis," she added.Sabalenka, 26, spent eight weeks at the summit of the rankings last season and aims to reclaim the world number one spot. "I hope she'll figure out the coach situation and she'll be back in the finals in her best shape," she said. "Hopefully we can play against each other there in... a fight for world number one."Coco Gauff followed up her China Open title in Beijing with a smooth 6-1, 6-2 win over Viktoriya Tomova. Gauff has a seven-match winning streak and faces 13th seed Marta Kostyuk in the last 16. Kostyuk received a walkover after her opponent Amanda Anisimova withdrew with a left hip injury."Both mentally and physically I'm a little tired, if I'm being honest," said Gauff. "But when I got on the court, I felt fine.""How I approached Beijing, I was like, I want to approach this how I would play tennis as a kid.""Sometimes I try to go back into that mindset and realise at the end of the day this is my dream now, and it was my dream as a kid."Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova crashed out to American qualifier and world number 102 Hailey Baptiste 6-3, 7-5 in just 94 minutes. Seventh seed Krejcikova let a 3-1 lead slip in the opening set, as well as a 5-3 advantage in the second.The 22-year-old Baptiste will next take on Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova for a place in the quarter-finals. Hometown hero Zheng Qinwen moved past Jaqueline Cristian 6-2, 6-4 to book a third-round meeting with Canadian left-hander Leylah Fernandez.The victory boosts Olympic champion Zheng's qualification chances for the WTA Finals in Riyadh as she tries to become the first Chinese player since Li Na in 2013 to reach the season-ending championships.

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.

Hubert Hurkacz, Poland's top-ranked male tennis player, is using his platform to raise awareness and support for his flood-stricken homeland. Following the devastating floods in the southwest region of Poland, Hurkacz has pledged to donate €100 for every ace he hits during the remainder of his season."For me, sport is not just a competition, but also a platform to drive impact," Hurkacz wrote on social media. "Starting today and until the end of the season, I will be donating €100 for every ace I hit to support those affected by the devastating floods in Poland."Hurkacz's initiative has already garnered significant attention, with the Polish star hitting 17 aces in his first-round match in Tokyo against American Marcos Giron. The three-set thriller ended in Hurkacz's favor, adding €1,700 to his donation tally.World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, another Polish tennis star, has also expressed her support for the flood victims. Known for her activism, Swiatek has shared her thoughts and provided a link to the Polish Red Cross Collection, a movement that has been providing aid since its founding in 1910."My thoughts are with all people affected by the flood, and the services and organizations that are providing help. You are not alone," Swiatek wrote on Instagram.Hurkacz's #acesforaid campaign will continue throughout his season, while Swiatek's support will extend through the WTA Finals in November. Their efforts highlight the power of sports to unite people and make a positive impact on society.

Iga Swiatek's reign at the pinnacle of women's tennis continues to extend, as she surpasses Ashleigh Barty to become the seventh-most weeks at No. 1 in WTA rankings history. With 122 weeks at the top, Swiatek has cemented her place among the all-time greats.Since the inception of the WTA rankings in 1975, only six players have held the No. 1 ranking for more weeks than Swiatek. Steffi Graf leads the pack with an astonishing 377 weeks, followed by Martina Navratilova (332), Serena Williams (319), Chris Evert (260), Martina Hingis (209), and Monica Seles (178).Swiatek's dominance has been remarkable, with her current streak of 44 consecutive weeks at No. 1 being the longest since Serena Williams' 186-week reign from 2013 to 2016. Her consistent performances and Grand Slam victories have solidified her position as the world's top player.However, Swiatek's grip on the No. 1 ranking could face a challenge in the coming months. Her withdrawal from the WTA 1000 event in Beijing due to personal matters has opened the door for World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka to close the gap. Sabalenka can potentially catch up to Swiatek in Beijing and further threaten her position at the WTA Finals, where Swiatek is defending the title.Despite the potential threat, Swiatek remains the favorite to retain her No. 1 ranking. Her exceptional form and determination will make it difficult for her rivals to dethrone her. As the season progresses, the battle for the top spot promises to be intense and captivating.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player, has made a significant change to her equipment setup for the 2024 season. After using the Tecnifibre Tempo 298 racquet for several years, Swiatek has switched to the Tecnifibre T-Fight 300 ISO.The T-Fight 300 ISO is designed for user-friendliness and accessible power. Its ISOFLEX technology provides variable racquet stiffness, creating a wider and more predictable sweet spot. The RS Section beam combines a square shape for feel and control with an elliptical shape for power.Swiatek's new racquet offers a firm response and a crisp, clean feel at contact. The 16x19 string pattern allows for excellent ball control and spin generation, which Swiatek utilizes effectively on her heavy groundstrokes.In addition to her racquet, Swiatek has also switched to On apparel and footwear. Her On Women's Court Tank is made of lightweight, breathable material and features a streamlined design for optimal movement. The Court Shorts have integrated tights for security and a built-in waistband for a customized fit.Swiatek's footwear of choice is the On The Roger Pro 2. This shoe provides a wide cut and lower arch profile, along with a carbon fiber Speedboard for stability and energy return. The mesh upper is now lighter and more abrasion-resistant, while the top cap is reinforced for durability. The outsole has an open herringbone pattern for a balance of grip and give.Swiatek's equipment changes are designed to enhance her performance and comfort on the court. The Tecnifibre T-Fight 300 ISO racquet provides her with the power and control she needs, while the On apparel and footwear offer breathability, mobility, and support.