Tennis

Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani etched their names in tennis history by capturing the US Open mixed doubles title on Thursday, a triumph that capped a remarkable year for Italian tennis. The No. 3 seeds overcame the spirited challenge of unseeded Americans Donald Young and Taylor Townsend in straight sets, 7-6 (0), 7-5, in a thrilling encounter that lasted an hour and 30 minutes.For Errani, a five-time women's doubles champion, this victory marked her maiden mixed doubles Grand Slam title. Vavassori, on the other hand, celebrated his first-ever Grand Slam triumph. The victory was a testament to the Italians' exceptional doubles prowess, having previously reached the finals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2024."It's a dream come true for me," Vavassori exclaimed during the trophy ceremony. "Being with Sara, an amazing person and player, is an honor. I've always admired her career, and it's been incredible to play alongside her at Wimbledon and the Olympics this year."Errani echoed Vavassori's sentiments, expressing her pride in Italy's recent tennis achievements. "It's an incredible year for me and for Italy," she said. "Jannik (Sinner) winning the Australian Open, Jasmine (Paolini) reaching the finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Simone (Bolelli) and Andrea (Vavassori) in the Australian and French Open doubles finals, and Jasmine and I winning Olympic gold in Paris. It's a special moment for our country."While the Italians celebrated their triumph, the Americans were left to reflect on a bittersweet ending. Young, who announced his retirement from professional tennis after the match, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to compete at the US Open one last time. "I can't think of a better place to go out," he said. "I've watched matches here as a kid and played with someone I've known my whole life."Townsend, a close friend of Young, acknowledged the significance of their journey together. "Standing here today with Donald means the world to me," she said. "He's been in my life forever. I don't know if I'd be here today if it wasn't for him and his family."Despite falling short of the title, Townsend emphasized the importance of representation for young athletes of color. "This isn't the trophy that we wanted," she said. "But at the end of the day, I'm the only Black woman left in the tournament. I hope that Donald and I standing here today, Frances (Tiafoe) in the semifinals, and Coco (Gauff) being the defending champion, shows people that look like us that it's possible."

Veteran Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna and his Indonesian partner Aldila Sutjiadi have advanced to the semifinals of the US Open mixed doubles with a hard-fought victory over Australian Matthew Ebden and Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic.The eighth-seeded Indian-Indonesian pair displayed resilience and determination in a thrilling quarterfinal match that lasted one hour and 33 minutes. After dropping the second set, Bopanna and Sutjiadi rallied back to secure a 7-6(4) 2-6 10-7 victory.Bopanna, 44, has been a formidable force in mixed doubles, having won the French Open title in 2017 with Gabriela Dabrowski. His experience and Sutjiadi's powerful serve proved to be a potent combination against the fourth-seeded Ebden and Krejcikova.In the first set, the match was evenly poised, with both teams trading breaks. However, Bopanna and Sutjiadi seized the initiative in the tiebreaker, winning it 7-4. The second set saw a resurgence from Ebden and Krejcikova, who broke Bopanna's serve twice to level the match.Undeterred, Bopanna and Sutjiadi regrouped in the decisive super tiebreaker. They played with renewed vigor, forcing errors from their opponents and capitalizing on their own opportunities. In the end, they emerged victorious with a 10-7 scoreline.Bopanna and Sutjiadi will now face American pair Donald Young and Taylor Townsend in the semifinals. The Indian veteran will be aiming to add another Grand Slam title to his impressive resume, while Sutjiadi will be looking to make history as the first Indonesian to reach a Grand Slam mixed doubles final.

Donald Young, the former tennis prodigy, has found a new lease on his sporting career in pickleball. After a 14-month hiatus from tennis, Young has teamed up with Taylor Townsend to compete in the US Open mixed doubles tournament.Despite being wild-card entrants, Young and Townsend have impressed with their performances, winning their first two matches in straight sets and prevailing in a dramatic 10-8 match tiebreaker in the third round. Their success has been built on Young's newfound skills in pickleball, a sport that emphasizes soft touch and precision.Young's transition to pickleball has been seamless, as evidenced by his victories over top-ranked players like Connor Garnett and Jay Devilliers. He has also teamed up with Devilliers to defeat Tyson McGuffin and Jack Sock, another tennis player who has made the switch to pickleball.While Young's focus is currently on pickleball, he has not ruled out a return to tennis. "We'll get to the end when we get to the end, but we're still playing," he said. "It's great to play here one more time."Young's resurgence in mixed doubles is a testament to his adaptability and resilience. Despite never reaching the Top 10 in singles, he has carved out a successful career in tennis and is now making a name for himself in pickleball.

Tsitsidosa: A Tennis Power Couple Set to Conquer Mixed Doubles at the US OpenPaula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, the dynamic tennis duo known as "Tsitsidosa," have officially announced their entry into the Grand Slam mixed doubles arena. After triumphing in the inaugural Mixed Madness event, the couple will make their main draw debut at the 2024 US Open.Badosa, a former world No. 2, expressed her excitement and confidence in their partnership. "I'm the responsible one on the mixed doubles team," she joked. "I carry us!"Their journey to the US Open has been marked by both setbacks and triumphs. Last summer, they were scheduled to play mixed doubles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but Badosa's back injury forced her to withdraw. Now fully recovered, they have proven their dominance as a tennis power couple.In the Mixed Madness event, Tsitsidosa defeated American teams Coco Gauff-Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz-Amanda Anisimova, claiming a whopping $250,000 prize. Badosa's highlight of the night was returning Shelton's blistering serve, which often reaches speeds of 150 miles per hour."Every time I see him, I'm like, 'I returned your serves!'" Badosa exclaimed. "It was so easy to return his serve, so I love it."Badosa attributes their success to their shared strength and off-court chemistry. "I think it helps that I'm a strong player who can handle the man," she explained. "That may be the most important part of the mixed, the fact that I can return the man's serve.""Of course, he's an amazing tennis player, so that helps so much," she added of Tsitsipas. "He has an amazing serve and an amazing volley. He makes my life very easy there, you know? I'm like, 'Ok, you just ace it, and I'm just there!'"Despite their individual talents, Badosa emphasizes the importance of teamwork and support. "Even though we're both good players, we can come together and not play good doubles. That could happen, you know? But in our case, we know how to handle the moments, and even when the two of us might be struggling a bit, we help and support each other very well. I think we enjoy it and that's really important."As the mixed doubles event at the US Open approaches, the question remains: can Tsitsidosa capture their first major title together? With their proven chemistry and determination, they are poised to make a significant impact on the Grand Slam stage.

Barbora Krejcikova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, may have fallen short of her Olympic dreams in singles and doubles at the Paris Games, but her Olympic experience extended far beyond her own performances.Krejcikova embraced her role as a passionate supporter, cheering on her fellow Czech athletes from the sidelines. She witnessed Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova's valiant effort in the women's doubles semifinals, despite their eventual loss to the Italian team.Undeterred, Krejcikova returned to Roland Garros to witness another Czech Olympic battle, this time in mixed doubles. Tomas Machac and Katerina Siniakova, despite their recent breakup, displayed remarkable chemistry on the court. They faced off against China's formidable duo, Xinyu Wang and Zhizhen Zhang.In a thrilling encounter, the Czech team emerged victorious, winning 10-8 in a deciding super tiebreak. Krejcikova's joy was evident as she celebrated the first Olympic medal for her country in Paris.While Muchova and Noskova aim to add a bronze medal to the Czech tally, Krejcikova's Olympic journey has taken a different turn. She has embraced the role of a fan, supporting her teammates and reveling in the Olympic spirit.Krejcikova's Olympic experience serves as a reminder that success can be found in many forms. While individual glory may not have been her destiny in Paris, her unwavering support and enthusiasm have made a lasting impact on her fellow athletes and the Czech Olympic delegation.

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris is set to witness an electrifying mixed doubles tennis tournament, with the confirmation of 16 elite teams. The competition promises to be a thrilling spectacle, featuring some of the world's top-ranked players.Leading the charge are Americans Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz, who will make their Olympic debut as the No. 2 seeds. Gauff, a rising star in the sport, has already reached the singles final at Roland Garros and won the women's doubles title this year. Fritz, known for his impressive clay-court performances, will add depth to the American team.The No. 1 seeds are Germany's Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund, who won the gold medal in Tokyo 2020 and the 2024 Roland Garros mixed doubles title, respectively. Australia's Matthew Ebden and Ellen Perez, this year's French Open quarterfinalists, are the No. 3 seeds.Another fan-favorite team is Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, who will once again join forces on the international stage. Mixed doubles is a unique event at the Olympics, being one of the few co-ed competitions.The full list of 16 teams includes:* Alexander Zverev / Laura Siegemund (GER)* Taylor Fritz / Coco Gauff (USA)* Matthew Ebden / Ellen Perez (AUS)* Stefanos Tsitsipas / Maria Sakkari (GRE)* Felix Auger-Aliassime / Gabriela Dabrowski (CAN)* Andrea Vavassori / Sara Errani (ITA)* Marcel Granollers / Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP)* Alexander Bublik / Elena Rybakina (KAZ)* Mate Pavic / Donna Vekic (CRO)* Edouard Roger-Vasselin / Caroline Garcia (FRA)* Daniil Medvedev / Mirra Andreeva (AIN)* Zhang Zhizhen / Zheng Qinwen (CHN)* Tomas Machac / Katerina Siniakova (CZE)* Wesley Koolhof / Demi Schuurs (NED)* Joe Salisbury / Heather Watson (GBR)* Kei Nishikori / Ena Shibahara (JPN)The draw ceremony for mixed doubles, along with all Paris Olympics tennis events, will take place on Thursday at Roland Garros. The tournament will kick off on Monday, July 29, promising an unforgettable experience for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.

Rajeev Ram, a four-time Grand Slam doubles champion and former world No. 1, has been honored by his hometown of Carmel, Indiana, with a street named temporarily in his honor. The 40-year-old American is set to make his third Olympic appearance in Paris, where he will team up with Austin Krajicek, his Davis Cup teammate, in the mixed doubles event.Ram's Olympic journey began in 2016 when he won a silver medal in mixed doubles with Venus Williams in Rio de Janeiro. He is eager to add to his medal count in Paris, where the 16-team mixed doubles field will be composed of players already qualified in singles or doubles.Carmel has a strong Olympic tradition, with three swimmers (Aaron Shackell, Alex Shackell, and Drew Kibler) and a swim coach (Chris Plumb) also qualifying for Paris. The town has dedicated streets to all four athletes, with "Chris Pumb Blvd." intersecting with Ram's street.Ram is excited about the prospect of meeting his fellow Olympians from Carmel. He and Krajicek are currently preparing for their Paris campaign at the ATP 500 in Hamburg, Germany, where they are the top seeds. The duo has won four of the five career Davis Cup matches they've played together and are looking to make a strong run in Paris.Ram's Olympic journey is a testament to his dedication and hard work. He is an inspiration to young athletes and a source of pride for his hometown.

Hsieh Su-Wei, the Taiwanese tennis star, has once again triumphed at Wimbledon, this time claiming the mixed doubles title alongside Polish partner Jan Zielinski. This victory marks Hsieh's fourth Wimbledon doubles title in her last four appearances, solidifying her status as a formidable force in the sport.After her impressive run in the women's doubles came to an end in the semifinals, Hsieh shifted her focus to the mixed doubles event. She and Zielinski proved to be an unstoppable duo, dominating their opponents with their exceptional teamwork and unwavering determination.In the final match, Hsieh and Zielinski faced off against the Mexican pair of Santiago Gonzalez and Giuliana Olmos. The Taiwanese-Polish duo displayed their superior skills, securing a 6-4, 6-2 victory. Hsieh's serve proved to be a decisive factor, as she closed out the match with an emphatic love game.Hsieh's Wimbledon triumph is a testament to her exceptional talent and longevity in the sport. She has now won four Wimbledon doubles titles, including the last three times she has competed in the tournament. Her first mixed doubles title at Wimbledon adds another feather to her cap, further solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest doubles players of all time.Zielinski, who also won the Australian Open mixed doubles title with Hsieh earlier this year, expressed his admiration for his partner's experience and leadership. "Su-Wei has done it a couple of times before in the past," he said. "Her experience helped us to get back on Centre Court after the second round, get through some tough matches."The mixed doubles final was played on Centre Court after Carlos Alcaraz's thrilling victory over Novak Djokovic in the men's final. It was a fitting end to a memorable Wimbledon tournament, showcasing the exceptional talent and determination of the world's top tennis players.

Emma Raducanu's decision to withdraw from her mixed doubles match with Andy Murray at Wimbledon has sparked controversy. The 2021 US Open champion cited a stiff wrist as the reason for her withdrawal, which effectively ended Murray's Wimbledon career.Raducanu's decision has been met with criticism, as it shattered Murray's hopes of one last appearance at the All England Club. The two-time Wimbledon champion was unable to play the men's singles due to a spinal cyst surgery and lost in the first round of the men's doubles with his brother Jamie.Murray expressed disappointment over Raducanu's withdrawal, while his mother, Judy, described the move as "astonishing." However, Raducanu defended her decision, stating that she had to prioritize her singles match and her body."I have to prioritize myself, my singles, and my body," Raducanu said. "I stand by the decision. Yeah, obviously it was a tough decision, though."Raducanu's withdrawal has raised questions about the importance of mixed doubles in tennis. Some argue that it is a valuable opportunity for players to compete with and learn from each other, while others believe that it should not take precedence over singles matches.Despite the controversy, Raducanu has expressed her admiration for Murray and his accomplishments. She hopes that he will play in the Paris Olympics and have another farewell there."Obviously disappointed because it's his last match," Raducanu said. "But, yeah, what a champion. I think that hopefully he'll play in the Olympics and have another farewell there."Raducanu's Wimbledon run ended in the fourth round with a loss to New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun. Despite the disappointing result, Raducanu believes that she has rediscovered her passion for tennis."I think that desire and fire is back," Raducanu said. "I just want to keep building on that."