Tennis

Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, has proven her prowess not only on the tennis court but also in the realm of college basketball predictions. Gauff's uncanny ability to forecast the victors of the NCAA tournament has earned her the admiration of sports fans and fellow athletes alike.This year, Gauff correctly predicted the triumphs of both the University of Connecticut's men's team and the University of South Carolina's women's team. Her foresight was particularly impressive considering that she admitted to not following men's college basketball closely. Gauff attributed her UConn pick to former President Barack Obama's inclusion of the Huskies on his bracket.Gauff's success in predicting the tournament's outcome highlights the growing popularity of women's sports. Her doubles partner, Jessica Pegula, expressed her excitement about the recent surge in attention given to female athletes. Pegula noted the buzz surrounding Caitlin Clark, Danielle Collins, and Nelly Korda, emphasizing the positive impact it has on the visibility and recognition of women's sports.Even tennis star Ben Shelton, who missed the women's final due to a scheduling conflict, expressed his admiration for the level of play displayed by the teams. Shelton's comments underscore the growing respect and appreciation for women's basketball.Gauff's success in predicting the NCAA tournament serves as a testament to her keen eye for talent and her understanding of the game. Her ability to identify potential winners, even in sports she does not actively follow, demonstrates her exceptional analytical skills.

Steve Johnson, the former NCAA's greatest men's player, has bid farewell to professional tennis at the Indian Wells tournament, where his journey began. After falling in the singles qualifying round, Johnson played his final doubles match with Tommy Paul, losing to Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic.Johnson's decision to retire at Indian Wells was a sentimental one. "This was always home and it's where I wanted to kind of end," he said. "I'm very lucky, not everyone gets that opportunity to do it on their terms."Johnson's career was marked by his unwavering competitive spirit. "I'm most proud of the way I was a competitor," he said. "Never felt like I cheated the game of tennis. Never felt like I left anything up to question."Johnson's collegiate career at the University of Southern California was remarkable, culminating in a 72-match win streak. As a professional, he reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 21 and won four ATP titles, including two on grass and consecutive Houston trophies. He also captured a bronze medal in men's doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics with Jack Sock.At 34, Johnson realized it was time to move on. "The tennis started to feel more like a job and a chore than the enjoyment and fun that I had," he said. "But the competing still is fun. I love to go out there and compete with whoever it is. That will never get old."Johnson's legacy extends beyond his on-court achievements. He is remembered for his unwavering determination and sportsmanship. "I hope when competitors were going over their game plan to play me, their coach would have said, 'from first ball to last ball, he's gonna fight you for it,'" he said.As Johnson embarks on a new chapter, he is excited to spend more time with his family. "For now, I'm going to take some time off," he said. "Switch it up, do a lot more pick ups, drop offs at school. Maybe some more play dates in our future."