Tennis

The Paris Olympics, which commenced with torrential downpours during the opening ceremony, faced a stark contrast on Tuesday as temperatures soared to a scorching 35 degrees Celsius. Adding to the meteorological turmoil, France's meteorological service issued a major storm alert for the capital, warning of potential thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, and lightning in the evening.The anticipated return of wet weather may provide some respite for athletes, spectators, and officials who endured the relentless heat throughout the day. A report released last month, backed by climate scientists and athletes, had raised concerns about the dangers posed by extreme high temperatures. Paris has experienced a series of record-breaking heatwaves in recent years.At Roland Garros, where Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz competed in men's doubles, stadium announcers advised tennis fans to seek refuge from the scorching heat in cooler areas of the grounds. British player Jack Draper described the conditions as "brutal," lamenting the inability to keep water cool despite being provided with refillable bottles. "We were drinking hot water out there," Draper said after his defeat to Taylor Fritz of the United States. "It's not fun in those sort of conditions at all."Tennis officials implemented a heat protocol, allowing a 10-minute break between the second and third sets. The stark contrast with Friday's opening ceremony, which was marked by heavy rain and cooler temperatures, was not lost on German hockey player Christopher Ruehr. "It was a big, big step from the past days where it was raining and 20 degrees," said Ruehr after scoring in a victory over South Africa. "But everyone has to cope with that, and now we're going to have an ice bath."British equestrian Carl Hester emphasized the importance of keeping horses cool during the competition at the sun-drenched Chateau de Versailles. "If you're really thinking about your horse, you warm up in the covered arena to keep the sun off them and then you just come out for the performance," he said.Spectators at open-air events faced similar challenges, despite some venues providing lamppost-like devices that offered a weak shower-like spray of water. At a fan zone in the heart of the capital at the Hotel de Ville, visitors fanned themselves with whatever they could find and welcomed the occasional light sprays of water.Despite the heat, spectators remained enthusiastic about the sporting spectacle unfolding on the screens. Brazilian tourist Enzo Calgano, 30, said, "At the end of the day, the Olympics are more important than the hot weather." Gabriela Rincon, a 34-year-old Mexican tourist, agreed, saying, "The truth is that there's a great atmosphere and it's worth it."

Coco Gauff's Olympic singles debut ended in disappointment as she suffered a 7-6 (7), 6-2 defeat to Donna Vekic of Croatia in the third round of the Paris Olympics. The 20-year-old American, seeded second in the tournament, had won her first two matches comfortably but struggled against Vekic, who reached the Wimbledon semifinals earlier this month.Gauff started well, taking a 4-1 lead in the opening set. However, she failed to close it out and Vekic fought back to win the tiebreaker 9-7. The Croatian continued her momentum in the second set, breaking Gauff's serve twice to take a 4-2 lead. Gauff could not recover and Vekic sealed the victory in just over an hour and a half.The match was marred by a heated argument between Gauff and chair umpire Jaume Campistol over a line call. With Gauff trailing 4-2 in the second set, she hit a serve that Vekic returned near the baseline. The line judge initially called the shot out, but Campistol overruled and awarded the point to Vekic.Gauff was visibly upset and argued with the umpire for several minutes. She claimed that the ball had landed out and that she had not kept it in play. Campistol stood by his decision, and Gauff eventually resumed play.Despite the controversy, Vekic played a solid match and deserved the victory. She hit 33 winners to Gauff's nine and was more consistent throughout the match. Gauff, on the other hand, made too many unforced errors and struggled to find her rhythm.The defeat ends Gauff's hopes of winning an Olympic medal in singles. She is still competing in women's doubles and mixed doubles, but her performance in the singles tournament will be a disappointment.

Paris: The Roland Garros tennis complex was abuzz with anticipation as tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic faced off in a highly anticipated second-round match at the Paris Olympics. The match, their 60th encounter, drew an unprecedented crowd, with fans eager to witness the clash of two of the greatest players in tennis history.Nadal's towering steel statue, a testament to his dominance at Roland Garros, stood proudly at the entrance, attracting the attention of visitors. Inside Court Philippe-Chatrier, the atmosphere was electric as the two titans took to the court.The match began with Djokovic asserting his dominance, taking the first set 6-1. Nadal fought back in the second set, but Djokovic's relentless pressure proved too much, and he secured a 6-4 victory.Despite the result, the match was a spectacle for the ages. The crowd, a mix of Spanish and Serbian flags, cheered on both players, creating a deafening roar that echoed through the stadium.Nadal's fans, who had traveled from Spain, were disappointed but acknowledged the greatness of Djokovic's performance. "We don't know when we'll see Rafa here next," said one fan, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding Nadal's future.Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was palpable. Even before Iga Swiatek, the women's world No. 1, had finished her earlier match, the announcer began building up the "special match." The crowd erupted in unison when Nadal and Djokovic met at the net for the pre-match photo.Nadal's every move was met with thunderous applause, from his signature forehand winners to his determined rallies. The crowd was behind him, but Djokovic was relentless, showcasing the dominance that has made him one of the greatest players of all time.As Djokovic celebrated his victory, the crowd acknowledged his brilliance. Nadal, despite the defeat, received a standing ovation as he waved to the crowd, acknowledging their support.The match was a reminder of the enduring rivalry between Nadal and Djokovic, two players who have pushed each other to new heights. While their future encounters may be uncertain, the legacy of their rivalry will continue to inspire generations of tennis fans.

Rohan Bopanna, India's veteran doubles specialist, bid farewell to his illustrious international career with a first-round exit at the Paris Olympics. Partnering with N Sriram Balaji, Bopanna succumbed to the French duo of Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gael Monfils in a thrilling encounter.Despite the disappointing result, Bopanna expressed contentment with his 22-year-long journey representing India. He acknowledged that an Olympic medal had eluded Indian tennis since Leander Paes' historic bronze in 1996, but he remained proud of his contributions."This will definitely go down as my last event for the country," Bopanna declared, ruling out any participation in the 2026 Asian Games. He had previously announced his retirement from the Davis Cup.Reflecting on his career highlights, Bopanna singled out his fifth-rubber victory against Ricardo Mello in the 2010 Davis Cup tie against Brazil as his most memorable moment. He also cherished his Grand Slam doubles triumph and his rise to world No. 1.Bopanna expressed gratitude to his wife, Supriya, for her unwavering support throughout his journey. He hinted at a potential future involvement in the administration of the All India Tennis Association (AITA).Regarding Sunday's match, Bopanna acknowledged the impact of Monfils' presence on the court. "He told me it was the best doubles match he's played," Bopanna said. "He was hitting the ball extremely heavy."Despite the loss, Bopanna praised Balaji's performance, noting that he played "extremely well" despite some crucial lapses.The Indian duo faced a passionate crowd supporting the French players, but Bopanna commended their respectful behavior during the match. "I don't think I've played in this kind of atmosphere even in Davis Cup in India," he remarked.

India's tennis campaign at the Paris Olympics ended abruptly on Sunday, with Sumit Nagal and the men's doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji suffering opening-round defeats to French challengers.Nagal, making his second Olympic appearance, fell 2-6, 6-4, 5-7 to Corentin Moutet in a hard-fought battle. Despite a strong start, Nagal struggled to maintain his momentum against Moutet's unpredictable style of play, which included underarm serves and effective use of drop shots and slices.In the doubles match, Bopanna and Balaji went down 5-7, 2-6 to Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gael Monfils. The French duo, buoyed by the partisan crowd, dominated the baseline exchanges and denied Balaji opportunities to finish at the net.Bopanna, 44, hinted that this could be his last multi-sport event for India, having already announced his retirement from Davis Cup.Nagal and Moutet have a history of close matches, with three of their last four encounters going to three sets. Nagal had the upper hand in their most recent meeting in April, but Moutet proved too strong on this occasion.The Indian team's exit marks the end of their Olympic tennis campaign, with India having won only one Olympic medal in the sport, a bronze by Leander Paes in 1996.

Andy Murray's illustrious tennis career received a dramatic extension at the Paris Olympics, as he and British partner Dan Evans defied the odds to secure a thrilling first-round doubles victory. Facing the Japanese duo of Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori, Murray and Evans found themselves trailing 9-4 in the decisive tiebreaker. However, they displayed remarkable resilience, saving five match points to emerge victorious with a 2-6, 7-6 (5), 11-9 triumph.The victory was met with an outpouring of emotion from Murray, who had previously announced that the Summer Games would mark the end of his competitive career. The 37-year-old had withdrawn from the singles bracket, leaving doubles as his sole Olympic pursuit.The British pair received unwavering support from the crowd inside Court Suzanne Lenglen, with British flags and Scottish kilts adorning the stands. Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion and two-time Olympic singles gold medalist, has been a beacon of British tennis for over a decade. His Wimbledon triumph in 2013 made him the first British man to win the prestigious title in 77 years.Despite battling a series of injuries in recent years, including a hip replacement in 2019 and a recent surgery to remove a cyst from his spine, Murray's determination remains unwavering. His performance in Paris showcased his unwavering spirit and the enduring legacy he has left on the sport.

Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis star, has decided to participate in the singles event at the Paris Olympics. The 38-year-old Nadal, who has been battling injuries in recent seasons, will face Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in the first round on Sunday.Nadal's decision to play singles comes after he and Carlos Alcaraz won their first-round doubles match on Saturday night. Nadal had initially expressed uncertainty about his participation in singles, but after a practice session on Sunday morning, he opted to face Fucsovics.Nadal's participation in the Olympics has sparked speculation that it could be his final event before retirement. However, Nadal has not confirmed this, saying, "I never said that. I don't know."If Nadal defeats Fucsovics, he could potentially face longtime rival Novak Djokovic in the second round. Djokovic, who holds a record 24 Grand Slam titles, has faced Nadal more than any other player in the Open era.Nadal's participation in the Olympics is a testament to his enduring legacy in the sport. He has won Olympic golds in singles at Beijing in 2008 and in doubles with Marc López at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. He is also the record holder for Grand Slam titles with 22.Nadal's presence at the Olympics has generated excitement among fans, who gathered outside the main stadium on Sunday morning to take photos with his statue. The match between Nadal and Fucsovics is expected to be a highly anticipated event, with fans eager to witness the legendary Spaniard in action.

Naomi Osaka's Olympic journey in Paris ended prematurely with a disappointing first-round loss to Angelique Kerber. The former world No. 1, who has struggled to regain her dominant form since taking a mental health break in 2021, expressed a sense of disappointment but remained hopeful for the future.Osaka's defeat marked a stark contrast to her performance at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, where she was expected to shine as one of the star attractions. However, the pressure of playing in front of her home crowd proved overwhelming, and she exited in the third round.In Paris, Osaka faced a formidable opponent in Kerber, a silver medalist in Rio 2016. The German veteran, who is set to retire after these Games, played with determination and precision, forcing Osaka into uncharacteristic errors.Osaka's serve, usually a potent weapon, faltered against Kerber's relentless defense. She finished with 30 unforced errors, while Kerber committed only 11. The Japanese star also struggled to break Kerber's serve, managing to do so just once while losing four of her own service games.Despite the setback, Osaka remained optimistic about her future prospects. She acknowledged the need to "learn how to win again" and expressed a willingness to face top-level competition to regain her winning ways.Osaka's journey has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. She rose to the pinnacle of tennis, winning four Grand Slams and becoming the highest-paid female athlete. However, she has also faced mental health struggles and taken time off to focus on her well-being.Her return to the tour has been gradual, but she has shown glimpses of her former brilliance. At the French Open earlier this year, she pushed eventual champion Iga Swiatek to three sets and held a match point.While clay may not be her preferred surface, Osaka remains determined to improve her game and regain her status as one of the world's best players. Her resilience and determination suggest that she has the potential to overcome her current challenges and return to the top of the sport.

The Olympic Games in Paris commenced with a flurry of action, despite the inclement weather. Top seeds Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek emerged victorious in their opening singles matches, while Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz made their highly anticipated doubles debut.However, Nadal downplayed the hype surrounding a potential second-round clash with Djokovic. The prospect of a match-up between the two clay-court legends had ignited excitement among tennis enthusiasts. Djokovic himself described it as a "spectacle" and a "last dance."Nadal, however, remained cautious. He dismissed the notion of it being his final encounter with Djokovic, emphasizing that he still had to navigate his first-round match against Marton Fucsovics. Concerns had been raised about Nadal's participation in singles due to an injury setback, but he appeared to be in good spirits during his doubles match with Alcaraz.Nadal also expressed frustration with the scheduling of his singles match, which was set for 2:00 p.m. on Court Philippe Chatrier. "It's outrageous to me," he said.Despite the scheduling hiccup, Nadal acknowledged the significance of his participation in the Opening Ceremony. He received the Olympic torch from French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane and passed it on to Serena Williams, Nadia Comaneci, and Carl Lewis."Yesterday was a super emotional moment for me," Nadal said. "I'm still with the emotions very high. I'm just enjoying every single moment and let's see what's gonna happen."While the potential Djokovic-Nadal clash may not materialize, it is likely that this will be Nadal's last Olympic appearance. The 38-year-old Spaniard expressed his gratitude for the honor of carrying the Olympic torch and his excitement for the tournament ahead.