Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz, the rising star of tennis, was overcome with emotion after losing to Novak Djokovic in the men's singles final at the Paris Olympics on August 4. The 21-year-old Spaniard had hoped to become the youngest-ever Olympic champion and emulate Rafael Nadal's feat of winning a gold medal in his first singles attempt.However, Alcaraz's dream was shattered by Djokovic, who triumphed 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) at Court Philippe Chatrier. The pressure of representing his country proved too much for Alcaraz, who admitted that he felt the weight of the Spanish people's expectations."I think I put more pressure on myself because I was playing for Spain, for the Spaniards," Alcaraz said. "I felt that I let the Spanish people down by not winning the gold."Alcaraz, who has won four Grand Slams in his career, said that the pressure he felt in the Olympics was different from anything he had experienced before."It was a different type of pressure," he said. "Everyone in Spain wanted me to win the gold, and I wanted to win the gold as well."Alcaraz believes that the extra pressure cost him in the decisive moments of the match."In those difficult moments I usually raise my level, but I wasn't able to do that today," he said. "Probably I felt the pressure in those situations. You play four Grand Slams every year, the Olympics is only once every four years."Despite the disappointment, Alcaraz said he was proud of his performance and the experience of competing in the Olympics."Obviously this week, this tournament has been really special for me," he said. "I'm going to take it for the rest of my life, for the rest of my career, for sure. Playing with Rafa, getting my first Olympics medal — hopefully not the last one — it's been a special one."Alcaraz arrived in Paris amid much hype, having played the doubles tournament alongside his childhood idol Nadal, who won the singles gold in his Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008. However, Alcaraz and Nadal lost 6-2, 6-4 to the American duo of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in last week's quarterfinals.In the final against Djokovic, Alcaraz was unable to match the Serbian's experience and composure in the big moments. Djokovic, who was playing in his fourth Olympic final, was relentless in his pursuit of the gold medal."In the close moments, in the difficult situations, in the tiebreakers, he played an impressive game," Alcaraz said of Djokovic. "He was hungry for the gold medal. He was going to go for it."

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider of Russia made history by becoming the first athletes from their country to win a medal, albeit as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The duo claimed silver in women's doubles, losing to Italy's Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini in a thrilling match tiebreaker.Andreeva and Shnaider's achievement marks a significant moment for Russian athletes, who have been banned from competing as a team at the Paris Games. Despite the political turmoil, the pair remained focused on their tennis, showcasing their exceptional skills and determination."I'm not going to answer anything about politics here," Shnaider stated at the post-match press conference. "I'm here to talk about tennis."The AIN athletes are prohibited from displaying any national symbols or flags on their uniforms. Andreeva and Shnaider wore plain white outfits, devoid of any markings related to Russia."For me, honestly, it doesn't matter," Andreeva said when asked about competing as AINs. "I just go out there, I play, and I fight."Prior to Andreeva and Shnaider's success, Ivan Litvinovich and Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya of Belarus had won the first medals for AIN athletes in trampoline. Litvinovich claimed gold for the men, while Bardzilouskaya secured silver for the women. Yauheni Zalati, also from Belarus, added a silver in rowing.Andreeva, at 17, became the second-youngest player to win an Olympic tennis medal, following Jennifer Capriati's gold in 1992. Shnaider, 20, played college tennis at North Carolina State before teaming up with Andreeva for the first time in doubles.Errani and Paolini's victory marked Italy's first tennis gold medal at any Summer Olympics. Lorenzo Musetti had previously won bronze in men's singles.Errani, 37, completed a career Golden Slam by adding the Olympic gold to her five Grand Slam doubles titles. Paolini, meanwhile, is enjoying her best season as a professional, having reached the finals in singles at the French Open and Wimbledon.Spain's Cristina Bucsa and Sara Sorribes Tormo claimed bronze by defeating Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic.

Novak Djokovic, the 37-year-old Serbian tennis legend, and Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish prodigy, are set to clash in the ultimate tennis men's singles final at the Paris Olympics 2024. This highly anticipated match promises to be a captivating spectacle, with both players vying for Olympic glory.Djokovic, a 21-time Grand Slam champion, is seeking his first Olympic gold medal. He has previously won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. A victory in Paris would make him only the fifth player to complete the Golden Slam, which includes all four Grand Slams and an Olympic title.Alcaraz, on the other hand, is aiming to become the youngest Olympic tennis singles champion in history. The Spaniard has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years, winning the US Open in 2022 and becoming the youngest world number one in ATP history.The match will take place on Sunday, August 4 (IST) at Stade Roland Garros, Paris. It is expected to start at 5:30 PM IST and will be telecast live on the Sports 18 Network. The match will also be live streamed on the JioCinema app.Djokovic and Alcaraz have faced each other twice before, with Djokovic winning both encounters. However, Alcaraz has shown remarkable improvement since their last meeting in 2022. He is known for his aggressive style of play and powerful groundstrokes.The final is expected to be a close and thrilling contest. Djokovic's experience and resilience will be tested against Alcaraz's youthful exuberance and attacking prowess. The winner will not only claim the Olympic gold medal but also etch their name in the annals of tennis history.

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, two of Spain's most celebrated tennis stars, will team up for the men's doubles event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The duo, widely regarded as the most formidable pairing in the tournament, will be aiming to secure a gold medal for their nation.Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, is no stranger to Olympic success. He has won two gold medals in singles, at the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2016 Rio Games. Alcaraz, on the other hand, will be making his Olympic debut in Paris. The 19-year-old is the reigning French Open champion and is widely considered to be the future of men's tennis.The Nadal-Alcaraz duo will face a tough challenge in the first round, as they will take on the Argentine pair of Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez. Molteni and Gonzalez are experienced doubles players who have won several ATP Tour titles.The match between Nadal and Alcaraz is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 27, at the iconic Stade Roland Garros in Paris. The match is expected to start at 10:30 PM IST and will be telecast live on the Sports 18 Network. It will also be live streamed on the JioCinema app.Nadal and Alcaraz will be hoping to emulate the success of the legendary Spanish doubles team of Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez, who won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. With their combined experience and talent, Nadal and Alcaraz have a strong chance of adding another Olympic gold to Spain's impressive tally.

Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis player, is set to participate in his final Olympics in Paris 2024. This will be a special moment for Nadal, as the tennis matches will be held at Roland Garros, where he has won the French Open a record 14 times.Nadal is aiming to win his third Olympic gold medal, having previously won singles gold in Beijing 2008 and men's doubles gold in 2016. If he succeeds, it will be a fitting end to his illustrious Olympic career.However, Nadal's participation in the Olympics has been cast into doubt due to an injury that forced him to end his practice session on Thursday. His coach, Carlos Moya, has expressed concern about Nadal's condition, saying that he needs to rest and undergo treatment.Despite the injury, Nadal remains determined to play in both the singles and doubles events. He is particularly excited about playing doubles with rising star Carlos Alcaraz, marking the first time they will compete together.Nadal's first-round opponent in the men's singles is Hungary's Marton Fucsovics. If he wins, he could potentially face Novak Djokovic in the second round.Nadal's future plans remain uncertain after the Olympics. He has not made any retirement announcements, but has indicated that he will make a decision after the Games. He has also confirmed his participation in the Laver Cup.Nadal's presence at the Paris Olympics is a testament to his enduring passion for the sport and his desire to leave a lasting legacy. Whether or not he wins a medal, his participation will be a memorable moment for fans around the world.

N. Sriram Balaji, the soft-spoken tennis player, is determined to make the most of his opportunity at the Paris Olympics. Chosen as Rohan Bopanna's partner, Balaji is eager to prove his worth and avoid disappointing his senior.Balaji's journey to the Olympics has been a long one. Despite years of toil on the ATP tour, he had to wait until the age of 34 for his chance to represent India in the Davis Cup. Now, with the biggest stage of all before him, the Coimbatore player is determined to make a mark."More than a player, I would like to be the best person on the court and off the court as well," Balaji said. "I never thought about (playing) the Olympics."Balaji's humility and desire to excel have impressed Bopanna, who has been a great mentor to the younger player. Even when Balaji makes mistakes, Bopanna remains supportive and encouraging."He wants to do everything perfectly, and Rohan is a great mentor," said Balachandran, the Indian tennis team's traveling coach. "Even if Balaji makes a mistake, or if he does not do well in practice sets, Rohan would not say much to Bala. Even if he is annoyed, he won't show."The Indian team, with a combined age of 78, faces a tough challenge in Paris. The field is star-studded, featuring the Spanish duo of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, among others. Balachandran believes that the team's performance in the opening match will be crucial."For me, the first match is the key," Balachandran said. "After that, every team is beatable. I will keep my fingers crossed for them to get through the first match, then I will put my money on them."The Indian team will open their campaign against the French duo of Fabien Reboul and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. The coach is hopeful that the prevailing hot conditions will work in their favor."Compared to the usual clay court tournament, here right now the conditions with the ball and the weather are a little faster," Balachandran said. "The ball is also traveling faster, which for our boys is the best condition."

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.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray has announced that he will not compete in the singles competition at the upcoming Paris Games, prioritizing the doubles event instead. This decision marks the final tournament of his illustrious career before retirement.Murray, 37, underwent surgery to remove a spinal cyst in late June, which forced him to skip the singles at Wimbledon this month. Despite initially entering both singles and doubles in Paris alongside Dan Evans, he has opted to focus solely on the doubles event."I've taken the decision to withdraw from the singles to concentrate on the doubles with Dan," Murray said in a statement. "Our practice has been great and we're playing well together. Really looking forward to getting started and representing Britain one more time."Murray's decision stems from his desire to maximize his chances of success in the doubles event. He has a proven track record in doubles, having won the mixed doubles silver medal at the London Olympics in 2012 alongside Laura Robson.The Scot's retirement announcement in June sent shockwaves through the tennis world. He has been a dominant force in the sport for over a decade, winning three Grand Slam titles and reaching the world number one ranking. However, persistent injuries have taken their toll, leading to his decision to step away from the game.Murray's legacy as one of the greatest British tennis players of all time is secure. His Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, as well as his Wimbledon title in 2013, will forever be etched in the annals of sporting history.

Holger Rune, the rising Danish tennis star, has regrettably withdrawn from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris due to a persistent bone bruise in his left wrist. The 16th-ranked player, who has twice reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that he had been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to represent his country.Rune's withdrawal is a significant blow to Denmark's Olympic hopes, as he was expected to be a strong contender in both singles and mixed doubles. He had been paired with former world No. 4 Caroline Wozniacki in the mixed doubles event, with the duo serving as the top alternate team.The wrist injury has plagued Rune throughout the clay and grass seasons, forcing him to retire from his quarterfinal match in Hamburg and withdraw from a warm-up event in Croatia. Medical examinations revealed that the injury was "not looking good," prompting Rune to prioritize his long-term health."I am really sorry that I will be unable to play the Olympics," Rune said in a statement. "It's something I've been looking forward to playing and being a part of. I have played with pain in my wrist throughout both the clay and grass season, so I have to take the medical recommendations seriously."Rune's absence from the Olympics is a setback for his career, as it delays his Olympic debut. He narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2020 Games in Tokyo. However, the 19-year-old remains optimistic and plans to cheer on his fellow Danish athletes from home."I will follow the Olympics from home and cheer on all the Danish athletes and I hope and believe that we can bring home many medals from Paris. Come on, Denmark!" Rune added.Rune's withdrawal highlights the importance of injury prevention and management in high-level sports. Despite his disappointment, he has made the wise decision to prioritize his health and ensure his long-term success on the court.