Tennis

The Olympic tennis tournaments are set to culminate in thrilling gold medal matches, with Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz vying for the men's singles title, Zheng Qinwen and Donna Vekic battling for the women's singles gold, and exciting doubles finals in both categories.Men's Singles: Djokovic vs. AlcarazThe highly anticipated men's singles final pits the experienced Novak Djokovic against the rising star Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic, the top seed and a living legend, has been chasing Olympic gold since 2008, while Alcaraz, 16 years his junior, has shown remarkable focus and determination in Paris.Despite Djokovic's physical issues, he has displayed an unwavering will to win, overcoming challenges in his previous matches. However, Alcaraz is the favorite, having recently defeated Djokovic in the Wimbledon final and showcasing exceptional form throughout the tournament.Women's Singles: Zheng vs. VekicThe women's singles final will feature a surprise matchup between Zheng Qinwen and Donna Vekic. Zheng, ranked seventh, upset Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, while Vekic, ranked 21st, overcame Coco Gauff.Zheng possesses superior athleticism and a higher ranking, but Vekic has been in impressive form, particularly with her forehand. Both players have faced adversity in Paris, saving match points and knocking out top seeds.Men's Doubles: Ebden/Peers vs. Ram/KrajicekThe men's doubles final will showcase the experience of Matthew Ebden and John Peers against the American duo of Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek. All four players have Grand Slam titles in doubles and are over 30 years old.Ram and Krajicek have defeated strong singles-oriented teams, while Ebden and Peers have a wealth of doubles experience. The Americans' combination of Ram's serve and Krajicek's left-handed balance may give them an edge.Women's Doubles: Errani/Paolini vs. Shnaider/AndreevaThe women's doubles final will feature a clash between the experienced Italian duo of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini and the young Russian pair of Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva.Shnaider and Andreeva stunned the Tokyo gold medalists, while Paolini and Errani reached the Roland Garros final earlier this year. The match will showcase a mix of playing styles and experience, with the more established Italian team favored to prevail.

Novak Djokovic, the tennis legend, is on the cusp of completing his illustrious career with an Olympic gold medal. After securing a spot in the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics, Djokovic is now just one win away from achieving this elusive accolade.Djokovic's journey to the final has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite facing a determined Lorenzo Musetti, the Serbian maestro displayed his unwavering resilience, rallying from a break down twice in the second set to emerge victorious with a 6-4, 6-2 scoreline.This triumph marks Djokovic's 140th career final, a testament to his exceptional longevity and dominance in the sport. His impressive record of 98-41 in finals speaks volumes about his ability to perform under pressure and deliver when it matters most.Djokovic's pursuit of an Olympic gold medal has been a long-held ambition. Having won every Grand Slam event at least three times and every Masters 1000 event at least twice, an Olympic gold would be the crowning jewel in his unparalleled career.With his sights set firmly on the gold medal, Djokovic will face a formidable opponent in the final. However, his unwavering determination and unwavering belief in his abilities make him a formidable force.As the world eagerly anticipates the gold medal match, Djokovic stands on the threshold of history. A victory would not only complete his remarkable career but also cement his legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Tennis has undergone a remarkable transformation in its relationship with the Olympic Games. Once seen as a mere sideshow, it has now become a prestigious event that attracts the sport's biggest stars.In the past, tennis was often overshadowed by other sports at the Olympics. The legendary Steffi Graf's "Golden Slam" in 1988 was a rare exception. Pete Sampras, the dominant player of the 1990s, only competed in one Olympics, and that was when he had yet to win any of his 14 Grand Slam titles.But in recent years, the Olympics have become a major priority for top tennis players. They now cherish the camaraderie and the opportunity to represent their countries."You can only play a match at the Olympics once every four years and it's a different feeling when you're wearing the outfit with the national colours," said Angelique Kerber, a three-time Grand Slam champion.This shift in attitude has been driven by several factors. First, the Olympics have become more inclusive, with a wider range of countries now fielding competitive tennis teams. This has given players from smaller nations a chance to shine on the world stage.Second, the Olympics offer a unique opportunity for players to compete against the best in the world in a team environment. The Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup) are the only other major team competitions in tennis, but they are not as prestigious as the Olympics.Third, the Olympics have become a more lucrative event. In 2016, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) introduced prize money for the first time. While the prize money is still relatively small compared to the Grand Slams, it is a significant incentive for players to compete.The transformation in tennis' relationship with the Olympics has been a positive development for the sport. It has made the Olympics more competitive and exciting, and it has given players from all over the world a chance to experience the thrill of competing for their countries.

Coldplay's Tennis Obsession: Band Follows Tennis Stars on InstagramBritish rock band Coldplay has sparked a frenzy among tennis fans after following a slew of top players on Instagram. The band's manager, Phil Harvey, revealed his passion for the sport, prompting the additions to their exclusive following list.The initial wave of tennis stars included the legendary Big 4 of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray. Current greats such as Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jannik Sinner were also added.As the post gained traction, fans questioned the absence of world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who had previously expressed admiration for Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Harvey promptly followed Swiatek, bringing the total to 13 tennis players.In the days that followed, Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu, Casper Ruud, and Serena Williams joined the fold. The players themselves seemed to acknowledge their new follower, with Stefanos Tsitsipas reposting a video from a Coldplay concert.Coldplay's "Music of the Spheres" world tour is set to resume in Europe soon, raising the possibility of tennis stars returning the favor by attending concerts. The band's newfound interest in tennis has delighted fans, who are eager to see if any collaborations or special events emerge from this unexpected connection.

Novak Djokovic's Olympic gold medal quest faces a setback as he battles knee pain. The 24-time Grand Slam champion advanced to the semifinals of the Paris Games with a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas, but expressed concern about the state of his surgically repaired right knee.Djokovic, 37, felt "sharp pain" early in the second set against Tsitsipas at Court Philippe Chatrier, the same stadium where he originally tore his meniscus in June. He underwent surgery shortly after but returned to action at Wimbledon, where he reached the final before losing to Carlos Alcaraz.Despite wearing a knee sleeve, Djokovic required medical attention during the match and took anti-inflammatory pills. The medication provided temporary relief, but Djokovic acknowledged that its effects would fade by the following morning."I'm hoping I can be ready," said Djokovic, who will face Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals. "I have to go and examine the knee now with my physio and with the medical staff of the tournament. And then let's see."Djokovic's Olympic title pursuit has been a priority this season, as the only major trophy missing from his illustrious resume. He has not lost a set through his first four matches at the Games, including a victory over rival Rafael Nadal.However, the knee pain casts a shadow over his chances of winning his first Olympic gold medal. Djokovic's resilience and determination will be tested as he seeks to overcome the physical challenge and continue his quest for tennis history.

The Olympic Games in Paris have witnessed a captivating blend of familiar and unexpected moments on the tennis courts. Andy Murray's retirement, Iga Swiatek's surprising defeat, and the resilience of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have marked a memorable day in the tournament.Swiatek, the world's top-ranked woman, faced a formidable challenge in Zheng Qinwen. Despite her impressive record at Roland Garros, Swiatek struggled to contain Zheng's powerful groundstrokes and erratic serve. Zheng's determination and physical prowess proved too much for Swiatek, who suffered a 6-2, 6-4 upset.Meanwhile, Djokovic and Alcaraz showcased their exceptional abilities in their respective quarterfinal matches. Alcaraz, known for his spectacular play, saved a set point against Tommy Paul with an astonishing cross-court pass. Djokovic, despite struggling with a knee injury, displayed his trademark resilience against Stefanos Tsitsipas, saving three set points in a tense tiebreaker.Andy Murray's Olympic journey came to an end alongside his doubles partner Dan Evans. Despite saving seven match points in previous matches, they fell short in their quarterfinal against Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz. Murray's retirement marks the end of an illustrious career that included Wimbledon titles, Olympic gold medals, and a stint as world No. 1.Throughout his career, Murray carried the weight of British tennis on his shoulders. He became the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1938 and led the Davis Cup team to its first title in decades. His final Olympic appearance was a fitting tribute to his unwavering dedication to his country.

Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova's Olympic singles journey came to an end in the quarterfinals, as she succumbed to a 6-4, 6-2 defeat against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia. Schmiedlova's victory marked the elimination of both Wimbledon finalists, having previously defeated runner-up Jasmine Paolini in the third round.Krejcikova, seeded ninth in Paris, has enjoyed success on the clay courts of Roland Garros, winning the French Open singles and doubles titles in 2021. However, the oppressive heat and humidity proved to be a challenge for the Czech player.Schmiedlova, ranked 67th, capitalized on Krejcikova's unforced errors, which totaled 32 compared to Schmiedlova's 15. The Slovakian also converted five of her 11 break points, while Krejcikova struggled with her serve, committing five double-faults.In the men's draw, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Dominik Koepfer of Germany. Djokovic will face Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, who defeated him in the first two sets of the 2021 French Open final before Djokovic rallied to win.Other notable results in the men's third round saw Tommy Paul of the U.S. defeat Corentin Moutet of France, while Taylor Fritz of the U.S. was eliminated by Lorenzo Musetti of Italy.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, continued his pursuit of an elusive Olympic gold medal on Wednesday, reaching the quarterfinals of the men's singles tournament at the Tokyo Olympics. Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles, defeated German Dominik Koepfer 7-5, 6-3 to become the first man to reach four Olympic singles quarterfinals.Djokovic, who has only ever won an Olympic bronze medal in 2008, will face 11th-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the quarterfinals. Tsitsipas, who lost to Djokovic in the 2021 French Open final, will be a tough test for the Serbian.In other men's singles action, defending champion Alexander Zverev of Germany will face Alexei Popyrin of Australia, while fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia will face Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.In the men's doubles, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain will face fourth-seeded Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the United States in the quarterfinals. Nadal, a 14-time French Open singles champion, is chasing a third Olympic gold medal after winning the singles title in Beijing in 2008 and doubles in Rio eight years later.In the women's singles, world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland will face Danielle Collins of the United States in the quarterfinals. Swiatek, who has won the French Open four times, is looking to claim her first Olympic gold medal.Three-time major winner Angelique Kerber of Germany will face Zheng Qinwen of China in the quarterfinals. Kerber, who will retire after the Olympics, is looking to end her career on a high note.Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic will face Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia in the quarterfinals. Krejcikova, who won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon this year, is looking to add an Olympic medal to her collection.In the remaining women's quarterfinal, Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine will face Donna Vekic of Croatia. Vekic, who reached the semifinals at Wimbledon this year, will be looking to upset Kostyuk and reach the semifinals.

World number two Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from next week's ATP Canadian Open tournament in Montreal, Tennis Canada announced on Monday. The 24-time Grand Slam champion from Serbia has reached the third round of the Paris Olympics with a victory over Spain's Rafael Nadal.Djokovic, 37, has won 98 career ATP titles but will not compete in the hardcourt tune-up event for the US Open, which begins on August 26. Djokovic's withdrawal will give Roman Safiullin, a 26-year-old Russian ranked 66th in the world, a spot in the main draw."While we're disappointed that Novak will be unable to take part in this year's tournament, we understand his decision and wish him the best at the Olympics and the remainder of his season," tournament director Valerie Tetreault said.The schedule at Montreal was changed from the usual Monday-Sunday format due to the Olympics, with main draw action starting Tuesday, August 6 and the finish on Monday, August 12.Djokovic's withdrawal is a blow to the Canadian Open, which is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the ATP Tour. However, the field is still strong, with world number one Daniil Medvedev, third-ranked Rafael Nadal, and fourth-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas all set to compete.Djokovic's decision to withdraw from the Canadian Open is likely due to a combination of factors. He has played a lot of tennis in recent months, and he may be feeling the need for a break. He is also preparing for the US Open, which is the final Grand Slam of the year.Djokovic's withdrawal from the Canadian Open is a reminder that even the best players in the world need to take time off to rest and recover. It is also a reminder that the tennis calendar is very demanding, and players need to be careful not to overextend themselves.