Tennis

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has officially confirmed that Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji will represent India in the men's doubles event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This decision marks a significant milestone for Indian tennis, as Bopanna and Balaji have qualified for the prestigious Games.Bopanna, a seasoned veteran with over two decades of experience, has set his sights on winning an Olympic medal in his final appearance at the Games. The 44-year-old has chosen Balaji as his partner, recognizing his exceptional court coverage and agility.The selection committee, led by former Davis Cup Captain Nandan Bal, carefully considered all options before making their decision. Yuki Bhambri, India's number two doubles player, was also in contention, but Balaji's superior mobility ultimately swayed the committee in his favor.Balachandran Manikkath, who is closely associated with Bopanna's Sports School in Bengaluru, will serve as the team's coach. Rebecca Van Orshaegen will provide physiotherapy support.The AITA expressed its excitement over the qualification of Bopanna and Balaji, stating, "Their journey to the Olympics marks a significant milestone for Indian tennis."Bopanna and Balaji will now focus on preparing for the Paris Games, aiming to make a strong impact on the world stage. Their experience and determination will be crucial as they strive to bring home an Olympic medal for India.

India's Sumit Nagal has made significant strides in his tennis career, climbing 18 places to 77th in the latest ATP rankings released on June 10. This impressive jump has all but secured his spot in the men's singles draw at the upcoming Paris Olympics.Nagal's rise in the rankings is largely attributed to his recent triumph at the Heilbronn Neckarcup 2024 Challenger event in Germany. In a thrilling three-set final, he defeated Switzerland's Alexander Ritschard 6-1, 6(5)-7, 6-3. The victory earned him 713 ATP points, propelling him up the rankings ladder.The Paris Olympics will feature a 56-player draw for both men's and women's singles. According to established criteria, the top 56 players in the rankings will automatically qualify for the Games. However, a maximum of four players from any single country can make the cut. This rule provides an opportunity for lower-ranked players like Nagal to secure a spot in the draw.With his current ranking, Nagal is well-positioned to claim the last available ranking-enabled spot. The last time India had a player in the Olympics main draw was in 2012, when Somdev Devvarman earned a wildcard entry.Nagal's victory in Heilbronn was his sixth ATP Challenger title and his second of the year, following his triumph at the Chennai Open earlier this year. The 26-year-old is currently the highest-ranked Indian singles player and has won four ATP Challenger titles since 2023. Notably, his win in Heilbronn was his fourth title on clay tennis courts.Nagal's success is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He expressed his elation after his victory in Heilbronn, stating, "I'm proud to have produced my best tennis when it mattered the most." He also emphasized the importance of playing good tennis, regardless of rankings.Nagal's qualification for the Paris Olympics would be a significant milestone for Indian tennis. It would mark the first time since 2012 that India has a player in the men's singles draw at the Games. Nagal's presence in Paris would not only inspire young Indian tennis players but also showcase the growing strength of Indian tennis on the international stage.

Tennis Stars Predict Gold Medalists for Paris OlympicsWith the Paris Olympics fast approaching, Tennis Channel surveyed WTA and ATP stars to predict potential gold medalists in various sports beyond tennis.Pole Vault:Elena Rybakina emerged as the favorite for pole vault, receiving four votes from Paula Badosa, Aryna Sabalenka, Jelena Ostapenko, and Ons Jabeur. Jannik Sinner followed closely with three nominations from Casper Ruud, Zheng Qinwen, and Arthur Fils.Table Tennis:Andrey Rublev topped the table tennis predictions with three votes from Carlos Alcaraz, Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff. Alexander Bublik and Rafael Nadal each received two votes.Boxing:Sabalenka, Gauff, Taylor Fritz, and Ben Shelton all expressed confidence in their own abilities to win gold in boxing. Rublev and Reilly Opelka tied with two votes each.Fencing:Reilly Opelka and Alex de Minaur shared the lead in fencing with two votes each. Other notable picks included Gauff, Jabeur, and Medvedev.Gymnastics:Novak Djokovic dominated the gymnastics predictions, receiving an overwhelming 9.5 votes. Gauff, Sabalenka, and Matteo Arnaldi also received support.Other Predictions:* Swimming: Sabalenka and Gauff predicted gold for Iga Swiatek.* Archery: Ons Jabeur and Gauff chose each other.* Basketball: Medvedev selected Caroline Garcia.* Volleyball: Jasmine Paolini was Andreeva's pick.

U.S. Tennis Announces Coaching Staff for Paris Olympics and ParalympicsThe United States Tennis Association (USTA) has appointed Kathy Rinaldi and Bob Bryan as coaches for the U.S. tennis teams at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Rinaldi, a former Billie Jean King Cup captain, will lead the women's team, while Bryan, a two-time Olympic medalist, will coach the men's team.Rinaldi, who also served as Team USA's coach at the Tokyo Olympics, brings a wealth of experience to the role. During her seven-year tenure as Billie Jean King Cup captain, she guided the team to victory in 2017. Bryan, on the other hand, will make his Olympic coaching debut. He and his twin brother, Mike, won a gold medal in doubles at the 2012 London Games and a bronze in Beijing four years earlier.For the Paralympics, Jon Rydberg and John Devorss will coach the U.S. teams. Rydberg, a four-time Paralympian, has extensive experience in wheelchair tennis. Devorss, who has coached the U.S. World Team Cup team, brings a strong track record in adaptive sports.The U.S. tennis players for the Olympics and Paralympics will be named at a later date. For the Olympics, the selections will be based on the WTA and ATP rankings on June 10, the day after the French Open concludes. Tennis for both the Olympics and Paralympics will be played at Roland Garros, the site of the year's second Grand Slam tournament. The Olympics will take place from July 26 to August 11, while the Paralympics will be held from August 28 to September 8.The USTA's decision to appoint experienced and accomplished coaches reflects its commitment to fielding competitive teams at the Paris Games. Rinaldi, Bryan, Rydberg, and Devorss will provide valuable guidance and support to the U.S. athletes as they strive for Olympic and Paralympic glory.

Rohan Bopanna, the world's fourth-ranked doubles player, is eagerly anticipating the upcoming French Open. The tournament holds special significance for him as it will be played at Roland-Garros, the venue for the Paris Olympics in 2024. Bopanna, who will be competing in the men's doubles category, is determined to make a strong showing.Despite a subpar clay-court season so far, Bopanna remains optimistic. He believes that the last three Grand Slams, where he reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, the final at the US Open, and won the Australian Open, have instilled confidence in him and his partner, Matthew Ebden.Bopanna acknowledges that clay is not their strongest surface, but he and Ebden are adapting and enjoying the challenge. They are confident in their abilities, having won a Grand Slam on clay (French Open 2017, mixed doubles) and Masters 1000s at Madrid (2015) and Monte Carlo (2017).The upcoming French Open will also mark a milestone for Indian tennis. For the second consecutive Slam, India will have representation in both doubles and singles, with Sumit Nagal qualifying directly into the main draw. Bopanna believes this is a significant boost for the sport in India.

Ayhika Mukherjee, the Asian Games bronze medalist in table tennis, has expressed her disappointment over being omitted from the three-member women's team for the Paris Olympics. Despite her impressive doubles performance, the selection committee chose Archana Kamath over Ayhika, citing her higher international singles ranking.Ayhika, who will travel to Paris as a reserve, believes she is not just a doubles specialist and can pair up with any player. She highlighted her strong doubles ranking (13th) and exceptional singles performances at both national and international levels. She also pointed out her successful partnership with Sreeja Akula in the past.Ayhika's omission has raised questions about the selection criteria. She played a key role in the women's team's qualification for Paris at the Team Worlds, defeating world No. 1 Sun Yingsha. However, Archana's higher singles ranking and previous doubles experience with Manika Batra may have influenced the decision.Ayhika expressed her disappointment but remained optimistic. She said, "My confidence is not broken and dreams have not shattered. I have faith in my hard work. No one can predict the future and anything can happen." She added that she will continue to train with Paris in mind.Ayhika also highlighted the financial challenges she faces as a non-TOPS athlete. Limited funds restrict her ability to travel abroad and compete in WTT tournaments, which could help her improve her individual ranking. She said, "With the federation's support, I can play maximum 5-6 events, and that too depends on my performance and ranking. Since I am not part of TOPS unlike other players, to play more tournaments and better my ranking, I have to self fund. And that is difficult."Despite the setback, Ayhika remains determined to prove her worth. She said, "I have always contributed and delivered results when it was expected from me, either at doubles or singles events in major tournaments. The reactions from everyone after the team announcement speaks for itself on how I would have felt."

Yuki Bhambri, India's No. 2 doubles player, is aiming for a berth at the Paris Olympics after a successful start to the season. Bhambri, who won his second ATP doubles title in Munich with Albano Olivetti, has set his sights on improving his Slam results and climbing the rankings.With the Olympics deadline approaching after the French Open, Bhambri is eager to represent India in Paris. However, the choice of partner remains uncertain, with Rohan Bopanna, the current world No. 2, likely to be the frontrunner. Bhambri acknowledges that the decision is out of his control but believes his recent performances make him a strong candidate.Bhambri has made significant strides in doubles since switching from singles last year. His partnership with Saketh Myneni helped him climb the rankings, and he has since competed consistently on the ATP tour. Bhambri has made three semi-finals and won a title this season, partnering with Robin Haase and Olivetti.The 31-year-old is focused on improving his net play and volleying, working with three coaches: Aditya Sachdeva, Balachandran Manikkath, and Raven Klaasen. He believes that their combined experience and guidance have contributed to his progress.Bhambri's immediate goal is to continue improving his rankings and competing for titles at the Masters and Slams. He is confident that he has the potential to succeed at the highest level and is determined to make the most of the upcoming opportunities.

Roland Garros Unveils Second Retractable Roof for French Open and Paris OlympicsThe French Open, one of the four Grand Slams in tennis, is set to unveil its second retractable roof on the opening day of the tournament next month. The roof over the 10,000-seat Suzanne Lenglen court will be inaugurated on May 26, providing greater flexibility in scheduling matches and ensuring play for fans and viewers worldwide.The new roof complements the retractable roof over the main 15,000-seat Philippe Chatrier court, which was installed in 2020. Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo hailed the new roof as a "most visible new feature" of the 2024 Olympic tournament, which will be held at Roland Garros from July 27 to August 4.The two roofed courts will ensure that the Olympic tournament remains on schedule, avoiding disruptions caused by weather conditions. At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, matches in open-air courts were affected by extreme heat and humidity.Mauresmo also addressed the status of Rafael Nadal, the record 14-time men's singles champion at Roland Garros. Nadal has expressed doubts about his participation due to injuries, but Mauresmo expressed hope that he would be ready. However, she ruled out any special seeding for Nadal, who has dropped to No. 512 in the rankings.The French Open is expected to be a sell-out event, with daily crowds of 75,000 anticipated in the first week. The tournament will also host boxing finals during the second week of the Olympics, adding to the excitement and demand for tickets.

Leylah Fernandez, Canada's rising tennis star, played a pivotal role in the unveiling of the country's official Lululemon outfits for the upcoming Paris Olympics. As the brand's first global tennis ambassador, Fernandez joined other aspiring medalists at the Liberty Grand in Toronto to showcase the national apparel for the Games.Fernandez's involvement in the reveal was a testament to her growing stature in Canadian sports. She had previously provided feedback to Lululemon on the design of the outfits, ensuring that they met the needs of athletes. The 21-year-old expressed her honor at being part of the big reveal, calling it a "core memory" in her journey towards the Olympics.The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic outfits feature several innovative design elements. Magnetic-close zippers and pull-on loops enhance accessibility for wheelchair-using Paralympians. SenseKnit technology, a high-wicking fabric, promotes breathability. The outfits also incorporate a fresh take on Canada's red and white colors and the iconic maple leaf imagery.Fernandez praised Lululemon's efforts in creating a unique collection. She expressed her eagerness to wear the outfits with pride at the Paris Olympics. The official team gear is now available for purchase in Canada and will soon be launched in the U.S. and select Paris retailers.Fernandez's Olympic debut in Tokyo saw her reach the second round in singles. However, her recent performances, including a quarterfinal appearance at Roland Garros in 2022 and a pivotal role in Canada's Billie Jean King Cup victory, suggest that she could be a medal contender in Paris.