Tennis

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has proven that he is still a force to be reckoned with at the age of 37. Despite a challenging start to his Roland Garros campaign, Djokovic rallied to defeat Lorenzo Musetti in a thrilling five-set match that ended at 3:07 a.m.Djokovic's victory was a testament to his unwavering belief in his abilities. "I have always had that conviction inside of me that I can win a Slam," he said. "That's why I'm still competing at this level."The match was a rollercoaster of emotions for Djokovic. He struggled in the third and early fourth sets, but the crowd's support gave him a much-needed boost. "At 2-2 in the fourth set, I became a different player," he said. "That was perhaps the best match I ever played here."Djokovic's performance was a reminder of his exceptional skills and determination. He hit blistering forehands and chased down every ball with relentless energy. Musetti, a rising star in the tennis world, gave Djokovic a run for his money, but in the end, the experience and class of the Serbian prevailed.Djokovic's victory sends a clear message to his rivals: he is not ready to give up his throne. "Beware, one and all," he said. "I have planted my flag in the red dirt."However, Djokovic's late-night triumph comes with a caveat. The grueling schedule and late finish could take a toll on his body in the later rounds of the tournament. "I don't want to get into it," he said of the schedule. "But I have my opinions."Despite the potential physical challenges, Djokovic remains confident in his ability to win another Grand Slam title. "I'm on a high," he said. "I'm not letting go of that stranglehold that I created on Lorenzo."

Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, recently revealed his dream dinner party guests from tennis history: Novak Djokovic, John McEnroe, and Yevgeny Kafelnikov. Medvedev emphasized that he would prioritize honest conversations about life rather than tennis.Medvedev's choice of Djokovic stems from his desire to delve into the Serbian's mindset and perspectives. McEnroe, known for his fiery on-court demeanor, would bring a unique and entertaining element to the table. Kafelnikov, a former Roland Garros and Olympic gold medalist, could provide valuable insights on navigating a demanding clay-court season.Medvedev's recent success on clay, including a Masters 1000 victory in Rome and two second-week appearances in Paris, suggests that he may be approaching the form necessary to make his dream dinner party a reality.During his third-round victory at the French Open, Medvedev experienced a peculiar incident involving an injured pigeon. The bird's presence on the court provided a brief respite, allowing Medvedev to catch his breath and regain focus.Medvedev's ability to adapt to different surfaces and his growing comfort on clay indicate that he is a serious contender for this year's Roland Garros title. Should he continue his impressive run, he may soon have the opportunity to share a meal with his tennis idols and engage in the thought-provoking conversations he desires.

Novak Djokovic stands on the cusp of history as he prepares to face Lorenzo Musetti in the third round of the French Open on Saturday. A victory over the Italian would see Djokovic equal Roger Federer's record for most Grand Slam match wins, with both players currently sitting on 368.Djokovic, the defending champion at Roland Garros, has been in impressive form so far in the tournament, not dropping a set in his first two matches. He will be wary of Musetti, however, who pushed him to the brink in their fourth-round encounter at the French Open in 2021.Despite his recent struggles, Djokovic remains confident in his ability to win another Grand Slam title. "There is always that kind of conviction and belief inside of me that I can win a Slam," said the 37-year-old. "That's the reason why I'm still competing at this level."Another player to watch in the men's draw is Alexander Zverev, who has reached the semi-finals in each of the last three years. Zverev faces Tallon Griekspoor in the third round and will be looking to continue his impressive start to the tournament.In the women's draw, second seed Aryna Sabalenka will face close friend Paula Badosa in a highly anticipated third-round clash. Sabalenka has reached at least the third round in her past 14 Grand Slam appearances, while Badosa is a former world number two.Another intriguing matchup in the women's draw is between 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva and Peyton Stearns. Andreeva, ranked 38, upset former world number one Victoria Azarenka in the second round and will be looking to make the last 16 of a Slam for the third time.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic cruised into the third round of the French Open on Thursday, extending his remarkable streak of reaching the last 32 at Roland Garros to 19 consecutive years. The 37-year-old Serbian maestro dispatched Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2, in a dominant display that showcased his unwavering class.Djokovic, who is chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, will next face either Frenchman Gael Monfils or Italian 30th seed Lorenzo Musetti. The Serb holds an unblemished 19-0 record against Monfils and has defeated Musetti four times in five meetings. However, Musetti gave Djokovic a significant scare at the 2021 French Open, winning the first two sets before retiring injured in the decider.Despite dropping his opening service game against the 63rd-ranked Carballes Baena, Djokovic quickly regained control of the match. From 4-4 in the first set, he reeled off 14 of the last 17 games, overwhelming his opponent with an impressive array of 43 winners.Djokovic's victory was a testament to his enduring dominance on clay. He has now won 86 matches at Roland Garros, second only to Rafael Nadal's 105. The Serb is also aiming to become the first man in the Open Era to win all four Grand Slams twice.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has begun his quest for a fourth Roland Garros title with a hard-fought opening victory over French wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert. The 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-4 win was a testament to Djokovic's resilience and determination, as he navigated a tricky three-set battle under the lights of Court Philippe-Chatrier.Djokovic, who must reach at least the final to maintain his No. 1 ranking, has been searching for his best form in 2024. He began the season with a surprising semifinal defeat at the Australian Open to Jannik Sinner and withdrew from the Miami Open after a shock opening-round loss to Luca Nardi. Despite these setbacks, Djokovic remains one of the favorites to win in Paris, where he has triumphed three times before.Herbert, a former world No. 36, has since fallen out of the Top 100 but made the most of his night session scheduling in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. He broke back after trailing by a break in the second set and forced a tiebreaker, which Djokovic ultimately won.In the third set, Herbert continued to keep things close, saving a pair of break points in the fourth game. However, Djokovic's relentless pressure eventually paid off, as Herbert committed an ill-timed double fault that put him two points from defeat. Djokovic sealed the victory with a strong forehand winner and a backhand down the line, sending Herbert over the finish line.Awaiting Djokovic in the second round is Roberto Carballés Baena, who overcame a late surge from Constant Lestienne to defeat the Frenchman in four sets. Djokovic has beaten the unseeded Spaniard twice at Grand Slam tournaments, most recently at the 2023 Australian Open.

The US Open Unveils Epic Ad Campaign Narrated by Fat JoeThe countdown to the 2024 US Open has officially begun, and the tournament is pulling out all the stops to hype up fans. The latest addition to the excitement is a pair of captivating ad spots narrated by renowned New York rapper Fat Joe.In the first spot, titled "Experience," Fat Joe's voiceover sets the tone for the tournament's unparalleled atmosphere. "Get your game face on and your game day fit on too," he proclaims over footage of stylish players and fans. The ad captures the essence of the US Open as a celebration of both tennis and fashion.The second spot, "Players," shifts the focus to the exceptional talent that will grace the courts at Flushing Meadows. Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff take center stage, along with rising stars Aryna Sabalenka, Frances Tiafoe, and Jannik Sinner. Fat Joe's narration highlights the "next chapter of spectacular" that awaits fans.For Fat Joe, the connection to tennis runs deep. His autistic son, Joey, has a profound love for the sport. "He has a tennis ball in his hand for his whole life," Fat Joe reveals in a behind-the-scenes video. "Tennis feels like protection to him."The US Open's partnership with Fat Joe is a testament to the tournament's commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. By featuring a narrator with a personal connection to the sport, the US Open is sending a message that tennis is for everyone.Tickets for the 2024 US Open are now on sale. Fans can also subscribe to the US Open's official YouTube channel for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes footage.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, begins his quest for a fourth French Open title on Tuesday, despite enduring a lackluster season. Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slams, is seeking to extend his record and equal Rafael Nadal's 14 Roland Garros titles.However, Djokovic has not won a title in 2024 and has yet to reach a final. He has suffered from a stomach problem and was accidentally hit on the head by a metal water bottle in Rome, causing nausea and dizziness.Despite these setbacks, Djokovic remains confident in his ability to perform well in Grand Slams. "I have always looked ahead, what is the next challenge, and what it takes for me to be better than I was last week," he said.Djokovic will face French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the first round, a player he has defeated in their only previous meeting. Herbert, ranked 142nd in the world, has not won a match on the main tour this year.Also in action on Tuesday is Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two and two-time Australian Open champion. Sabalenka is seeking her first Roland Garros final and is the only woman to beat world number one Iga Swiatek in a final on clay since 2019.Sabalenka will face Russia's Erika Andreeva in the first round. Fourth seed Elena Rybakina, who reached the quarterfinals in 2021, will take on Greet Minnen of Belgium.In the men's singles, Argentine qualifier Roman Andres Burruchaga, son of 1986 World Cup winner Jorge Burruchaga, will make his Grand Slam debut against Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff.

Novak Djokovic, the 37-year-old Serbian tennis legend, is set to defend his Roland Garros title amidst a challenging season. Despite a lack of titles and a turbulent coaching situation, Djokovic remains a formidable force at Grand Slams. His hopes are buoyed by the absence of his long-time rival, Rafael Nadal.Djokovic's first-round opponent is Pierre-Hugues Herbert, a 33-year-old French doubles specialist. Herbert's acrobatic serve and arcing kick may pose a threat, but Djokovic's experience and dominance on clay make him the clear favorite.In another intriguing first-round matchup, Katie Boulter faces Paula Badosa. Boulter has risen into the Top 30, while Badosa has been ranked as high as No. 2 in the world. Badosa's clay-court prowess gives her an edge, but Boulter's recent form and home crowd support could make it a competitive contest.Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, a rising French star, will take on David Goffin. Perricard's height, power, and recent title win make him a threat, but Goffin's experience and former Top 10 status should not be underestimated.

Rafael Nadal's quest for a record-extending 15th French Open title got off to a star-studded start on Monday, with arch-rival Novak Djokovic, successor Carlos Alcaraz, and WTA No. 1 Iga Swiatek among the spectators at the Phillippe-Chatrier court.Nadal, who has been battling recurring injuries, faces a tough first-round challenge against Alexander Zverev, who is in fine form after winning the Italian Open. The Spaniard holds a 7-3 win record against Zverev, including a victory in the 2022 French Open semifinal.However, Zverev is confident heading into the match, saying, "Ideally I would have liked to play him in at a later stage of the tournament, but it is how it is now. He is unseeded this year, I am seeded. It's a tough draw but it's a tough draw for both of us and we'll see how it goes."Nadal, who has hinted at the possibility of 2024 being his swansong year in tennis, is aware of the challenges ahead. "At some point somebody told me the draw. I mean, the reaction is something that I expected in some way. When you’re not seeded, anything can happen. That’s part of the business," he said.The match between Nadal and Zverev is expected to be a close and competitive affair. Nadal's experience and clay-court prowess will be tested against Zverev's power and recent form. The winner will face either Richard Gasquet or Hugo Grenier in the second round.