Tennis

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 25-year-old Greek sensation, will face off against 23-year-old Italian newcomer Matteo Arnaldi in the fourth round of the French Open. Tsitsipas, a seasoned veteran with a strong clay-court game, has been in impressive form, dropping only one set in three matches. Arnaldi, on the other hand, has surprised many by upsetting higher-ranked opponents, including Andrey Rublev.Tsitsipas has been studying Arnaldi's game and recognizes his fighting spirit and tenacity. He plans to disrupt Arnaldi's rhythm by varying his attack, using his one-handed backhand and net-rushing abilities. Arnaldi, known for his baseline power and speed, will need to maintain his confidence and shot-making prowess to challenge Tsitsipas.In the women's draw, Ons Jabeur, the former Roland Garros favorite, will take on 21-year-old Dane Clara Tauson. Jabeur, now 29, has faced some challenges this season but has shown resilience in her two hard-fought victories. Tauson, a former junior world No. 1, has upset Jelena Ostapenko and possesses the power that made her a promising prospect.The highly anticipated clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Félix Auger-Aliassime will be a battle of two rising stars. Alcaraz, despite an earlier forearm injury, has regained his form and confidence, dropping only one set in three matches. Auger-Aliassime, known for his serve-plus-one strategy, has also been in impressive form, reaching the final in Madrid.With Alcaraz's penchant for mid-match lulls and Auger-Aliassime's growing belief in his game, this match promises to be a thrilling contest.

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis star, has recently regained her form, winning seven of her last 10 matches. This resurgence has made her a favorite against players outside the Top 50, including Clara Tauson in the Round of 16 at Roland Garros.Tauson has also been impressive lately, winning six of her last seven matches, including an upset over Jelena Ostapenko. However, her aggressive style of play, which relies heavily on power, may not be as effective on the slower clay courts of Roland Garros.Jabeur, on the other hand, is known for her versatility and trickery. She can slice, drop, and hit with heavy topspin, making her difficult to predict. This variety will likely give her an advantage over Tauson, who has a more limited game.One potential concern for Jabeur is her serve. If she struggles to make first serves, Tauson will have opportunities to punish her second serves. However, the weather forecast for Sunday does not call for rain, which means the match is likely to be played outdoors, where the conditions will favor Jabeur's style of play.Overall, Jabeur is the more likely winner in this matchup. Her versatility and experience on clay should give her the edge over Tauson's power.

Ons Jabeur, the trailblazing Arab women's tennis star, has raised her voice against the ongoing conflict in Gaza, urging the world to "speak more" about the humanitarian crisis. As the only Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam final and a former world number two, Jabeur's platform carries significant weight.Jabeur expressed her anguish over the devastating impact of the war, stating that she has been avoiding social media due to the disturbing images and videos. "It's horrifying what's happening in Gaza right now," she said. "I wish the world could speak more because it's really unfair what's happening. These kids, women, and men are suffering."The Tunisian star highlighted the silence of many countries amidst the ongoing conflict. "We are in 2024, and it's very sad to see that a lot of countries are silent about it," she lamented.Jabeur's humanitarian efforts extend beyond her tennis career. As a goodwill ambassador for the World Food Programme (WFP), she has been actively involved in initiatives to address the Gaza emergency. "I'm trying to send the great energy helping as a WFP Ambassador, trying to help as much as I can," she said.The Gaza war, sparked by Hamas's attack on southern Israel in October 2023, has resulted in the deaths of over 1,189 people, mostly civilians. Israel's retaliatory offensive has claimed the lives of at least 36,284 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.Jabeur's call for global attention and action underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Her voice adds to the growing chorus of international figures demanding an end to the violence and suffering in Gaza.

Tennis Stars Strike a Pose: Recreating the Eiffel Tower at Roland GarrosAt the 2023 Roland Garros tournament, ATP and WTA stars took a break from their media day duties to engage in a lighthearted challenge: recreating the iconic Eiffel Tower.Daniil Medvedev, the world No. 5, attempted the pose with elbows extended, while Paula Badosa, Sebastian Korda, and Jelena Ostapenko followed suit. Jannik Sinner also joined in, declaring, "That's enough."Ons Jabeur, who excelled in the Mona Lisa challenge last year, expressed her desire to win this competition as well. However, the competition proved to be fierce, with Mirra Andreeva tucking her arms over her face and Casper Ruud and Aryna Sabalenka extending their arms high above their heads.Andy Murray, a three-time major champion, took a unique approach by widening his stance to represent the base of the structure. Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, initially hesitated but eventually embraced the challenge, delivering a worthy pose.Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation, with Gauff exclaiming, "This looks so stupid, okay." Andrey Rublev concurred, adding, "It looks stupid next level."Despite the silliness, the challenge provided a moment of entertainment amidst the intense competition of Roland Garros. The players' creativity and willingness to have fun showcased the camaraderie and lighthearted spirit that often accompanies the sport of tennis.

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis star known as the "Minister of Happiness," has officially joined the ASICS global tennis roster. The partnership marks a significant milestone for both Jabeur and the Japanese sportswear giant.Jabeur, currently ranked No. 9 in the world, has been a long-time admirer of ASICS products, particularly their renowned tennis shoes. She expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating, "I have always loved ASICS as a brand, their tennis products are renowned as excellent on tour."Beyond the technical aspects, Jabeur also aligns with ASICS's core values, which emphasize mental well-being. The brand's motto, "Anima Sana In Corpore Sano" (A Sound Mind In A Sound Body), resonates deeply with Jabeur's belief in the importance of holistic health.On the court, Jabeur will don ASICS's Solution Speed FF 3 tennis shoe, known for its exceptional performance on all surfaces. She will also complete her ensemble with apparel from Kayanee, a Saudi Arabian women's health and wellness brand.Jabeur's addition to the ASICS roster strengthens the brand's presence in the tennis world. She joins a distinguished group of athletes, including Novak Djokovic, Alex de Minaur, Belinda Bencic, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Jasmine Paolini, who compete with ASICS shoes.Mitsuyuki Tominaga, President and COO of ASICS, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "Ons personifies the core values of ASICS, she will no-doubt be a strong ambassador for ASICS in the sport of tennis."Jabeur's positive attitude and success on tour make her an ideal representative for ASICS. The brand is committed to supporting her both on and off the court, as she continues to inspire fans and promote the importance of mental well-being in sports.

Ons Jabeur's trick shot challenge has sparked a wave of excitement within the tennis community, with Carlos Alcaraz emerging as the first to respond. The Tunisian star's Instagram post, where she showcased her impressive keepie-uppie skills combined with a serve on clay, caught the attention of several top players.Alcaraz, who has been struggling with a muscle edema in his right forearm, answered the call with a video of his own, demonstrating his agility and ball control. Jabeur was quick to approve, commenting "Very good bravo."The challenge has also attracted the interest of former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, who declared "My turn." Other players, including Aryna Sabalenka and Garbine Muguruza, expressed their admiration for Jabeur's trick shot.Alcaraz's participation in the challenge is particularly noteworthy given his recent injury concerns. The two-time major winner has played just one clay-court event in the lead-up to Roland Garros, falling to Andrey Rublev in the Madrid quarterfinals.Last year at Roland Garros, Alcaraz advanced to the semifinals for the first time before being halted by eventual champion Novak Djokovic. His performance in the challenge suggests that he may be regaining his form ahead of the French Open.The trick shot challenge has not only showcased the players' skills but has also fostered a sense of camaraderie within the tennis community. It remains to be seen who will be the next to take up the challenge, but it is clear that Jabeur's initiative has sparked a fun and engaging competition among the top players.

In the highly anticipated Round of 64 clash at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, two struggling stars, Sofia Kenin and Ons Jabeur, will face off. Kenin, once a top-ranked player, has endured a two-year slump, while Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, has also been grappling with inconsistent form.Despite her recent struggles, Kenin has shown signs of improvement. In her previous match against Lucia Bronzetti, she displayed impressive dominance as a returner, breaking five times in two sets. Her baseline shots were powerful and accurate, and her movement along the baseline was fluid.Kenin's record against Jabeur is also noteworthy. She holds a 5-2 advantage in their head-to-head encounters. Additionally, Jabeur has been struggling with her precision in slice and drop shots, which have been key components of her success in the past.Furthermore, Kenin's experience on clay courts is an advantage. She reached the finals of Roland Garros in 2020, demonstrating her ability to handle the slow and bouncy conditions. These conditions allow her to play more balls and extend rallies.On the other hand, Jabeur's serve has been a concern in 2024. Her hold percentage is a mere 64.2%, which could give Kenin ample opportunities to break her serve.Considering Kenin's recent form, her favorable record against Jabeur, and the conditions that suit her style of play, it is reasonable to expect her to cover the 4.5-game spread.

Ons Jabeur's resurgence at the Mutua Madrid Open is not just about her on-court performances. The Tunisian star has forged new connections and found support from unexpected sources, adding to her positive experience in the Spanish capital.Jabeur's friendship with Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka has blossomed into a close bond. The trio, dubbed "soulmates" by Sabalenka, share a playful and supportive relationship. Jabeur jokingly described herself as the "psychologist" between the two fashion-conscious players."They're both kids, you know. I'm here as a psychologist between them," Jabeur said. "I love both, obviously. I think Aryna and Paula have the connection of the fashion: 'I wore this, I wore that, I bought this new purse,' and I go to the real thing. 'What do you need? Let's go have dinner.'"Jabeur's connection with former world No. 7 Fernando Verdasco has also been a positive development. The Spaniard has been working with Jabeur in Madrid, providing insights and support in the absence of her full-time coach."Fernando is such an amazing person. We are close. I've known him for a long time. It's always nice to chat with him and have his vision about tennis; I've always been a fan of his as a tennis player and also a person," Jabeur said.Verdasco's guidance has helped Jabeur improve her backhand and make better shot choices. "My backhand is much better. I've been trying to be a lefty for a while, so I think it's working out," Jabeur joked."It's nice to get the insights of a professional tennis player and see how he thinks. I share sometimes my frustrations on court ... 'You think I should've done that, or this?' It's really amazing to see his insights."Jabeur's positive mindset and newfound support system have contributed to her success in Madrid. She will face former Roland Garros winner Jelena Ostapenko in the quarterfinals, aiming to continue her impressive run and challenge for the title she won in 2022.

Ons Jabeur, Tunisia's Minister of Happiness, has found solace in Stuttgart, Germany, where she is competing in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. The world No. 9 has been struggling with a knee injury and a five-match losing streak, but she broke the slump with a hard-fought victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova in her opening match.Jabeur's love for football was evident as she visited the home stadium of VfB Stuttgart, MHPArena, which is adjacent to the Porsche Arena. She witnessed Stuttgart's 3-0 victory over Frankfurt and later received a tour of the grounds from goalkeeper Fabi Bredlow.Despite being a Real Madrid fan, Jabeur displayed her football skills with Bredlow, showcasing her keepy-uppy abilities. The pair exchanged well wishes for their upcoming matches, with Stuttgart facing Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga and Jabeur continuing her campaign in the WTA 500 event.Jabeur's victory over Alexandrova was a testament to her resilience and determination. After losing the first set, she rallied back to win the next two, including a tiebreaker in the third set. She credited her Tunisian fans for their unwavering support, which has been a constant source of motivation for her."Tennis is such a tough sport and it's been such a tough period for me, so even confidence-wise I'm trying to build it up," Jabeur said. "Very grateful to be Tunisian, because wherever I go I find them!"Jabeur will face Jasmine Paolini in the second round, who advanced with a dominant victory over Sara Errani. The Tunisian star will be looking to continue her momentum and build on her positive experience in Stuttgart.