Tennis

Top-seeded Novak Djokovic and his long-time rival Rafael Nadal could face off in the second round of the Paris Olympic tennis tournament. Djokovic will open his campaign against Australian Matthew Ebden, while Nadal will take on Hungarian Marton Fucsovics. The winners of those matches will meet in Round 2.Nadal, 38, has won a record 14 of his 22 major trophies at the French Open. He claimed gold in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in doubles with Marc López at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz will face Lebanese player Hady Habib in the first round. Top-ranked Iga Swiatek of Poland will take on Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania, while second-seeded American Coco Gauff will play Australian Ajla Tomljanović.Djokovic and Swiatek have yet to win Olympic gold. Djokovic has 24 Grand Slam trophies, more than anyone else in tennis except Margaret Court, but his only Olympic medal is a bronze from Beijing in 2008. Swiatek has won the French Open four times in the past five years on the same clay courts at Roland Garros.Men's and women's first-round play begins on July 27, but the top-ranked man will not be playing. Jannik Sinner withdrew on Wednesday due to tonsillitis. The 22-year-old Italian announced on social media that he had taken medical advice to sit out the Summer Games.

Team USA's Olympic Uniforms: A Stylish Display of American PrideAs the Olympic Games approach, Team USA's athletes are not only preparing for competition but also making a fashion statement with their stylish new uniforms. Led by tennis stars Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz, the American contingent has arrived in the Olympic Village sporting a range of outfits designed by Ralph Lauren, the official outfitter of Team USA for the ninth consecutive year.For the Opening Ceremony, athletes will don navy blazers and jeans, a classic and sophisticated look that embodies the spirit of American style. However, it's the Closing Ceremony outfits that have captured the attention of tennis fans. Gauff, Tommy Paul, and Emma Navarro have shared sneak peeks of an all-white ensemble that evokes the thrill of NASCAR racing.The white moto-inspired jacket, crafted in New York City from US-grown cotton, features a stand-up collar, snap buttons, and "Team USA" patches reminiscent of sponsor logos. Matching white denim moto-pants, a polo shirt, socks, and a red, white, and blue cap complete the look."Our team is dedicated to showcasing the best of American tailoring," said Gabrielle Ferrara, COO of Ferrara Manufacturing, which assembled and manufactured the racing jacket. "So much care and attention to detail goes into those garments, and they truly are an amazing representation of American craftsmanship on the world stage."In addition to the Opening and Closing Ceremony outfits, Ralph Lauren's Team USA collection includes a cozy "Villagewear" set for casual lounging. All garments are proudly made in American factories, highlighting the brand's commitment to domestic production.Gauff and Fritz, the top-ranked Americans in Paris, will lead Team USA's charge for gold medals. The singles competition begins on Saturday, July 27, at Roland Garros. The men's team is coached by 2012 Olympic doubles gold medalist Bob Bryan, while the women are guided by Kathy Rinaldi, the USTA's head of women's tennis.

Olympic Fever Grips Tennis World as Alcaraz and Nadal Team Up for ParisThe countdown to the Paris Olympics has officially begun, and the tennis world is abuzz with excitement as some of the biggest names in the sport descend upon the transformed grounds of Roland Garros. Among them are two superstars who are set to make their Olympic debut together on the global stage: Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.On Tuesday, Alcaraz shared a special photo from inside Court Philippe Chatrier, standing alongside his doubles partner, Nadal. Alcaraz, who recently completed the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double, will be making his Olympic debut after raising his major title collection to four trophies. Nadal, fresh off a runner-up effort in Bastad, has previously brought home gold in both singles (2008 Beijing) and doubles (2016 Rio de Janeiro) for Spain.The iconic duo has yet to decide on a nickname, with Alcaraz open to suggestions from fans. "Raflitos? Nadalcaraz?" he pondered.The draws for all events are due to be released on Thursday, with tennis action launching on Saturday with first-round singles and doubles action.In addition to Alcaraz and Nadal, several other familiar faces have been spotted at the venue, including:* Novak Djokovic, the reigning Wimbledon champion and a two-time Olympic bronze medalist* Daniil Medvedev, the reigning US Open champion and a former Olympic silver medalist* Stefanos Tsitsipas, the reigning Monte-Carlo Masters champion and a former Olympic silver medalist* Alexander Zverev, the reigning Madrid Open champion and a former Olympic gold medalist* Iga Swiatek, the reigning French Open champion and a former Olympic gold medalist* Ons Jabeur, the reigning Wimbledon finalist and a former Olympic bronze medalistWith such a star-studded field, the Paris Olympics are sure to provide plenty of thrilling moments and unforgettable matches.

Facundo Diaz Acosta, the rising Argentine tennis star, has expressed his disappointment at missing out on the Tokyo Olympics despite his impressive performances on the international stage.Diaz Acosta, who won his maiden ATP Challenger title in Buenos Aires earlier this year, was initially hopeful of qualifying for the Games after winning gold at the Pan American Games in Santiago last October. However, the emergence of Mariano Navone and an acute right shoulder injury dashed his hopes."There was a lot of confusion in Argentina," Diaz Acosta told TENNIS.com at Wimbledon. "All the people thought I was in. I got a lot of messages of congratulations. I had to say to everyone, 'No, no, no, I'm not in.'"The 23-year-old had been targeting the Olympics since 2018, when he finished the week at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. He won silver in the singles and gold in doubles alongside Sebastian Baez, who will be competing in Tokyo.Diaz Acosta also claimed gold at the South American Games in Paraguay in 2022, further bolstering his credentials. However, the injury and Navone's strong performances on the clay swing ultimately proved too much to overcome."When I got injured, I knew I had points I was going to lose," Diaz Acosta said. "And Mariano was doing pretty well during the clay swing so I knew he was going to go."Despite the setback, Diaz Acosta remains optimistic about his future prospects. "If not this time, maybe Los Angeles," he said, referring to the 2028 Olympics. "Clay, and Paris, one of my favorite cities. It was like the perfect conditions to play."

Tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympics promises to be an unforgettable spectacle, with a captivating blend of legendary rivalries, rising stars, and compelling storylines.The iconic Roland Garros will host the tennis events, providing a fitting stage for the potential final curtain call of Rafael Nadal, the undisputed king of clay. Nadal, aiming for his third individual gold, will face a formidable challenge from his long-time rival Novak Djokovic, who seeks to complete his illustrious career with an elusive Olympic gold.Another captivating narrative will unfold as Andy Murray, a three-time Olympic medalist, prepares for his swansong. Amidst these veterans, a new force has emerged in the form of Carlos Alcaraz, who has stormed to victory at the French Open and Wimbledon this year.The prospect of Alcaraz and Nadal teaming up for Spain in the men's doubles adds an intriguing twist to the tournament. This potential passing of the torch from Nadal to Alcaraz creates a Shakespearean-esque storyline.For India, Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji will represent the nation in the men's doubles, while Sumit Nagal will compete in the men's singles.The tennis competition at Paris 2024 will feature five categories: women's singles, men's singles, women's doubles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles. The bronze medal will be awarded to the winner of the match between the two losing semi-finalists.The United States holds the most Olympic gold medals in tennis, both in the Open era and all-time. The Williams sisters have won the most individual medals, with Venus holding a slight edge over Serena. Among active male players, Andy Murray has three medals, including two men's singles golds.Leander Paes remains India's only Olympic tennis medalist, having won a men's singles bronze in Atlanta 1996.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam singles champion, is gearing up for his fifth and likely final Olympic appearance in Paris. Despite being a dominant force in tennis, an Olympic gold medal remains elusive for the Serbian star.Djokovic has been diligently preparing for the Games, sharing his training regimen on social media. He has been practicing on clay courts and even took a break on a boat, trading his racquets for oars.In his previous Olympic appearances, Djokovic won bronze in Beijing 2008 but missed out on medals in London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020. He suffered heartbreaking losses in the bronze-medal matches in 2012 and 2021.Djokovic's recent form has been mixed. He was forced to withdraw from the French Open due to a torn meniscus but reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Carlos Alcaraz. Despite the setback, Djokovic remains determined to compete for a medal in Paris."I still have intentions to play Olympic Games [and] hopefully have a chance to fight for a medal for my country," Djokovic said after his Wimbledon loss.The draw for the tennis event will be revealed on Thursday, and fans will be eager to see who Djokovic will face. Potential semifinal opponents include Alcaraz and defending gold medalist Alexander Zverev.Djokovic's pursuit of an Olympic gold medal is a testament to his unwavering determination and competitive spirit. As he enters his fifth and likely final Games, he will be hoping to add the elusive Olympic title to his illustrious career.

Tennis Stars Opt for Points and Prize Money over Olympic GloryIn a surprising turn of events, several top tennis players have chosen to skip the upcoming Olympic Games in favor of competing in a lower-tier tournament in Washington, D.C. This decision has sparked debate within the tennis community, with some questioning the players' priorities.The Mubadala Citi DC Open, an ATP/WTA 500 hard-court tournament, will offer a significant amount of rankings points and prize money to its participants. This has enticed players such as Grigor Dimitrov, Aryna Sabalenka, Ben Shelton, Sebastian Korda, Frances Tiafoe, and Madison Keys to prioritize the event over the Olympics.These players have all qualified for the Olympics but have opted to withdraw, citing the lack of rankings points and prize money as their primary reasons. The Olympics, unlike other major tournaments, do not offer any financial incentives or points towards the world rankings.This decision has drawn criticism from some quarters, who argue that the Olympics represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement and should be prioritized over personal gain. However, the players who have chosen to skip the Games maintain that their decision is based on their individual goals and aspirations."I would never choose to play a 500 event over the Olympics," said defending Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev. "There are no thoughts on that."Despite the controversy, the players' decision has also had a positive impact on lower-ranked players. Marcos Giron, Chris Eubanks, and Emma Navarro have all benefited from the withdrawals, as they have been given the opportunity to compete in the Olympics due to qualification rules that limit the number of players from each nation.Ultimately, the decision of whether to prioritize the Olympics or other tournaments is a personal one for each player. While some may view the Games as the ultimate honor, others may prioritize their own financial and ranking goals.

Tennis Stars Scramble for Olympic Momentum Amidst Unconventional PreparationPreparing for the Olympics is a unique challenge for tennis players, who typically have only four Grand Slam events to prepare for each season. This year, the schedule has thrown them a curveball, with Wimbledon's grass courts followed immediately by the clay courts of Roland Garros.Despite the lack of ideal preparation, several players have seized the opportunity to build momentum in the lead-up to the Games. Arthur Fils, the rising French star, captured the 500-level title in Hamburg, defeating defending champion Alexander Zverev in a grueling three-and-a-half-hour battle. Zheng Qinwen, the Asian Games champion, also claimed a title in Palermo.Rafael Nadal, the clay-court master, reached the final in Bastad but expressed dissatisfaction with his performance. Zverev, the defending Olympic gold medalist, also made the final in Hamburg but fell short of victory. Karolina Muchova, a former Grand Slam finalist, reached the final in Palermo in her third tournament back from injury.Fils' victory in Hamburg has raised expectations for his performance at the Olympics. The 20-year-old has shown impressive athleticism and determination, and his win over Zverev suggests he is peaking at the right time.Zverev's performance in Hamburg was a mixed bag. While he reached the final, he also lost in straight sets to Fils, raising questions about his ability to close out big matches.Nadal's loss in Bastad was a reminder of his age and the challenges he faces in maintaining his dominance. However, he also showed flashes of brilliance, suggesting he could still be a contender in Paris.Zheng and Muchova are dark horses on the women's side. Both have Grand Slam experience and have shown a liking for clay. Zheng's powerful hitting and Muchova's ability to disrupt opponents make them potential threats to the favorites.As the Olympics approach, players will face the pressure of representing their countries and the challenge of performing at their best on unfamiliar surfaces. Those who can adapt and find their rhythm in the short time available will have the best chance of success in Paris.

Zheng Qinwen, the world No. 7, has emerged victorious at the Palermo Ladies Open, securing her first title of the year and a boost of confidence ahead of the Paris Olympics.In a thrilling final against former Australian Open finalist Karolina Muchova, Zheng displayed resilience and determination to triumph 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. The match was a rollercoaster of breaks, with both players struggling to hold serve consistently. However, Zheng's improved first-serve percentage in the decider proved crucial.Despite Muchova's valiant efforts to level the score, Zheng's unwavering focus and aggressive play ultimately prevailed. The Chinese star clinched the victory when Muchova's backhand found the net, securing her second Palermo Ladies Open title.Zheng's triumph marks a significant milestone in her career. She has now extended her unbeaten streak at the WTA 250 event to 10 matches, showcasing her dominance on clay. The victory also serves as a testament to her hard work and dedication, as she continues to rise through the ranks of women's tennis.Meanwhile, Muchova's performance in Palermo was a positive sign of her recovery from a nine-month injury layoff. The Czech player, who underwent right wrist surgery in February, demonstrated her fighting spirit and determination to return to her former glory.Both Zheng and Muchova will now turn their attention to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. They will represent their respective nations, China and the Czech Republic, and aim to make a mark on the world's biggest sporting stage.