Tennis

Polish tennis stars Magda Linette and Magdalena Frech faced a major hurdle on the eve of the Paris Olympics when the closure of French airspace threatened to derail their travel plans. The duo had just made history by contesting the first all-Polish WTA singles final in the Open Era at the Livesport Prague Open, with Linette emerging victorious.However, their Olympic dreams were put in jeopardy due to the late start of their Prague final and the subsequent airspace closure. With no flights available, Linette and Frech appealed to the public for help via social media.Their plea was answered by Polish billionaire Rafal Brzoska, CEO of InPost. Brzoska offered to assist the players, and within hours, Linette announced that they were on their way to the Olympics.Linette expressed her gratitude to Brzoska, calling him their "life saver." She also shared a photo of herself on his plane, acknowledging that "angels" exist and that they are named Rafal.Despite the travel scare, Linette and Frech's success in Prague had already ensured that they would miss the official commencement of the Games, where iconic singer Céline Dion was scheduled to perform. Linette expressed her disappointment, having missed previous opportunities to see Dion live.However, the players remain focused on their Olympic goals. Linette is set to face Roland Garros semifinalist Mirra Andreeva in the first round of singles, while Frech will take on Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria. Linette will also team up with Alicja Rosolska in doubles against the Ukrainian duo of Dayana Yastremska and Marta Kostyuk.Despite the challenges they faced, Linette and Frech are determined to make the most of their Olympic experience. Linette, who has gone 0-3 in her previous Olympic appearances, is hoping to secure her first win at the age of 32.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player, is poised to dominate the upcoming Paris Olympic Tennis Event. Her unparalleled success at Roland Garros, the venue for the Olympics, makes her the overwhelming favorite for the gold medal.Swiatek has established an astonishing 32-1 record at Roland Garros over the past five years, claiming four titles in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Her current 21-match winning streak on these courts is the fourth-longest in the Open Era for women.Beyond Roland Garros, Swiatek has extended her dominance to all clay surfaces. She has won the last three tournaments she played on clay, including Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros, amassing a 19-match winning streak.Her tour-leading 21-1 record on clay this year further solidifies her status as the clay-court queen. Her only loss came to Elena Rybakina in the semifinals of Stuttgart in April.In contrast to Swiatek's dominance, the men's field is more competitive. While four players have recorded 20 or more wins on clay this year, including Sebastian Baez, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, and Luciano Darderi, none have achieved Swiatek's level of success.Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros champion, has a modest 12-3 record on clay this year due to injuries. However, his talent and recent victory at Roland Garros make him a contender for the Olympic gold medal.With her unparalleled record at Roland Garros and her current form on clay, Iga Swiatek is the clear favorite to win the women's gold medal at the Paris Olympic Tennis Event. Her dominance on this surface is unmatched, and she will be difficult to dethrone.

Naomi Osaka, the Japanese tennis star, has emerged as a fashion icon at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her stylish presence has been captivating the fashion world and fellow Olympians alike.At the star-studded "Prelude to the Olympic Games" event hosted by LVMH and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Osaka showcased her impeccable style. She donned a flowy light blue button-down top, paired with an asymmetrical black skirt and black pumps. The highlight of her ensemble was a matching Louis Vuitton GO-14 Mini Malletage bag, reflecting her role as a global brand ambassador for the maison.Osaka's fashion statement extended beyond the event. On social media, she shared a mini-vlog from the Olympic Village, unboxing her Team Japan bag. The video revealed a range of red and white gear provided by ASICS, including sportswear, shoes, and bags. However, Osaka also highlighted unique Japanese care items such as miso soup, bandaids, and a bracelet.Osaka's Olympic journey will begin on Saturday, July 27, at the Roland Garros tennis venue. She faces a challenging path, with a first-round match against the retiring Angelique Kerber and a potential quarterfinal clash with No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula.Despite the competitive nature of the tournament, Osaka remains focused on her Olympic aspirations. She has expressed her love for the event and the camaraderie among athletes. Her stylish presence and determination to succeed make her a formidable force both on and off the court.

Elena Rybakina Withdraws from Paris Olympics, Shaking Up Women's Singles DrawShortly after the release of the women's singles draw for the Paris Olympics on Thursday, the withdrawal of Elena Rybakina sent shockwaves through the tournament. The No. 3 seed, behind Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, was slated to face a challenging path in the draw.No official reason was given for Rybakina's withdrawal, but the Kazakh has struggled with illnesses throughout 2024. She has withdrawn from several tournaments, including Indian Wells, Rome, Eastbourne, and Dubai. She also retired from her second-round match in Berlin.Rybakina's absence has significant implications for the draw. Caroline Garcia moves into her slot as the No. 17 seed, facing Jaqueline Cristian in the first round. Australia's Daria Saville now takes Garcia's place against sixth seed Zheng Qinwen.In mixed doubles, Rybakina and Alexander Bublik have been replaced by Argentina's Nadia Podoroska and Maximo Gonzalez, who will face third seeds Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz.Rybakina's withdrawal is a major blow to the women's singles competition. The 25-year-old is a former Wimbledon champion and one of the most dangerous players on tour. Her absence opens up the draw for other contenders, including Swiatek, Gauff, and Zheng.Rybakina's focus now shifts to the North American hardcourt swing, where she is scheduled to compete at the National Bank Open in Toronto beginning on August 6. It remains to be seen if she can regain her form and make a deep run in the remaining Grand Slams of the season.

India's top singles player Sumit Nagal will embark on his Paris Olympics campaign with a challenging first-round encounter against French opponent Corentin Moutet. Nagal, currently ranked 80th in the world, holds a 2-2 head-to-head record against Moutet, who is ranked 68th.If Nagal emerges victorious from the opening round, he could potentially face a formidable opponent in the second round: Australian world number six Alex di Minaur. Di Minaur, who reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals this year, withdrew from his last-eight clash against Novak Djokovic due to a hip injury.In the men's doubles, Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji will face the French team of Fabien Reboul and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Bopanna, a seasoned doubles specialist, has previously partnered with Roger-Vasselin on the ATP Tour.This Olympics marks Bopanna's final opportunity to secure an Olympic medal. In 2016, he narrowly missed out on a podium finish, placing fourth in the mixed doubles event with Sania Mirza.Nagal's Olympic debut is a significant milestone for Indian tennis. His performance in Paris will be closely watched by fans and experts alike, as he aims to make a deep run in the tournament and potentially challenge some of the world's top players.

Matthew Ebden, known primarily as Rohan Bopanna's doubles partner, has secured a spot in the men's singles main draw at the Paris Olympics. Despite being unranked in singles and not having played a singles match in two years, Ebden was included in the list of alternates and was selected when Andy Murray withdrew.The regulations stipulate that in the event of a withdrawal, preference is given to existing players already listed in the doubles draw. However, to add to the challenge, Ebden has been drawn to face Novak Djokovic in the first round at Roland Garros. If he manages to overcome Djokovic, he will face Rafael Nadal in the next round.Reacting to the draw, Ebden shared a humorous reel on Instagram, expressing his surprise at facing Djokovic and Nadal in consecutive rounds. Ebden, who was previously ranked No. 1 in doubles with Bopanna, is currently third in the ATP rankings. He has won three Grand Slam titles, including the 2022 Wimbledon and 2024 Australian Open men's doubles titles with Max Purcell and Rohan Bopanna, respectively. He also won the 2013 Australian Open mixed doubles title with Jarmila Gajdosova.Ahead of his match against Ebden, Djokovic acknowledged the skepticism surrounding his chances. "People tend to count me out, but it has happened before and it can always change," he said. "I feel more ready now than I was for Wimbledon."Djokovic emphasized the high expectations he places on himself and the pressure he feels representing his nation at the Olympics. "The objective is always the highest one," he said. "I'm hoping I can perform by best and get to the medal match."

Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, has become the most sought-after celebrity at the Paris Olympics. Despite being one of the tournament's top contenders, Alcaraz has been making headlines for his infectious enthusiasm and willingness to pose for selfies with fellow athletes.From Egyptian table tennis prodigy Hana Goda to badminton players Tiffany Ho and Thinaah Muralitharan, Alcaraz has been capturing the hearts of athletes from all over the world. Even his compatriot and doubles partner, Rafael Nadal, has joined in on the fun, making cameos in several of Alcaraz's snapshots.But it's not just his fellow competitors who are eager to get a piece of Alcaraz. Andy Murray, who is playing in his final tournament before retirement, made sure to grab a photo with the rising star, calling him his "favorite athlete."Alcaraz's joy and enthusiasm have been contagious, even for Olympic veterans like Nadal. "It reminds you of when you were 20," Nadal said. "He shows what a professional he is in the way he is with teammates, and that is the legacy you leave in sport."Beyond his social media presence, Alcaraz's infectious spirit has been evident on the court as well. He has been eagerly awaiting his Olympic debut, expressing his excitement about mixing with athletes from other sports and his lofty podium expectations.As the No. 2 seed behind Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz will face Lebanon's Hady Habib in the opening round. He and Nadal, who are unseeded in doubles, will open against the Argentine pair of Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzales.Alcaraz's presence at the Olympics has not only brought joy to his fellow athletes but has also served as a reminder of the power of sportsmanship and camaraderie. His infectious enthusiasm and willingness to connect with others have made him a true ambassador for the Olympic spirit.

Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis player, is set to make his final Olympic appearance in Paris, aiming to secure his third Olympic gold medal. The 38-year-old will compete in both the men's singles and doubles events, partnering with rising star Carlos Alcaraz.Nadal, who has already won a singles gold in Beijing 2008 and a doubles gold in Rio 2016, will be looking to add to his impressive Olympic legacy. The tennis matches will be held at Roland Garros, where Nadal has triumphed in the French Open a record 14 times, making the occasion even more special.Speaking to reporters in Paris, Nadal expressed his excitement about partnering with Alcaraz, who is widely regarded as the future of tennis. "I'm excited to play with the best player in the world right now and the one who will be one of the best in history," Nadal said.Alcaraz, for his part, hailed Nadal as a legend and said, "It is a dream to play with Rafa. It will be a memory that will remain engraved."Nadal's potential second-round clash against Novak Djokovic is another highly anticipated matchup. Djokovic, who has been drawn against Australian Matthew Ebden, will face Nadal if both players win their first-round matches.Tennis fans worldwide will be eagerly awaiting Nadal's performance in Paris, as he aims to cement his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Jannik Sinner Withdraws from Paris Olympics Due to TonsillitisItalian tennis star Jannik Sinner has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Paris Olympics, citing tonsillitis as the reason. The 22-year-old, who was ranked as the top seed in both singles and doubles, expressed his disappointment at missing the Games, which he had identified as a major goal for the season.Sinner's withdrawal comes after a strong week of clay training, during which he began to feel unwell. A subsequent doctor's visit revealed tonsillitis, prompting medical advice against playing. "Missing the Games is a huge disappointment as it was one of my main goals for this season," Sinner wrote on social media. "I couldn't wait to have the honor of representing my country in this very important event."Sinner's absence from the Olympics will have a significant impact on the men's tennis field. Novak Djokovic, who had been seeded second, will now take over as the top seed, while Carlos Alcaraz moves up to No. 2. Daniil Medvedev, competing as a neutral athlete, jumps from No. 5 to No. 4, while top-ranked American Taylor Fritz is raised from No. 9 to No. 8.Sinner's last competitive outing was at Wimbledon, where he reached the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Medvedev. The Italian had been hoping to make his Olympic debut in Paris, but his health issues have unfortunately prevented him from doing so.