Tennis

Coldplay's Tennis Obsession: Band Follows Tennis Stars on InstagramBritish rock band Coldplay has sparked a frenzy among tennis fans after following a slew of top players on Instagram. The band's manager, Phil Harvey, revealed his passion for the sport, prompting the additions to their exclusive following list.The initial wave of tennis stars included the legendary Big 4 of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray. Current greats such as Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jannik Sinner were also added.As the post gained traction, fans questioned the absence of world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who had previously expressed admiration for Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Harvey promptly followed Swiatek, bringing the total to 13 tennis players.In the days that followed, Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu, Casper Ruud, and Serena Williams joined the fold. The players themselves seemed to acknowledge their new follower, with Stefanos Tsitsipas reposting a video from a Coldplay concert.Coldplay's "Music of the Spheres" world tour is set to resume in Europe soon, raising the possibility of tennis stars returning the favor by attending concerts. The band's newfound interest in tennis has delighted fans, who are eager to see if any collaborations or special events emerge from this unexpected connection.

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz's Olympic dream came to an abrupt end on Wednesday as they were defeated by American duo Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in the men's doubles quarterfinals. The Spanish pair, dubbed "Nadalcaraz," had captivated the crowds in Paris with their impressive performances in their first two matches. However, they were unable to overcome the doubles specialists Krajicek and Ram, who progressed to the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-4 victory.Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion, was broken in the opening game of the match on Court Philippe Chatrier. Alcaraz also lost his serve, allowing the US pair to take the first set. The Spaniards suffered another costly break in the seventh game of the second set, which proved decisive. Despite battling valiantly in the 10th game, they failed to convert three break points, and Krajicek and Ram sealed the victory on their second match point.Nadal's defeat in the doubles competition follows his painful loss to Novak Djokovic in the singles competition. The 38-year-old, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, has hinted that he may make a decision on his future after the Olympics. Alcaraz, on the other hand, remains in contention for a medal in the men's singles competition, where he will face US ninth seed Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals.The defeat of Nadal and Alcaraz marks the end of a memorable Olympic campaign for the Spanish duo. They have showcased their exceptional talent and determination throughout the tournament, but they were ultimately unable to overcome the experience and skill of Krajicek and Ram.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, continued his pursuit of an elusive Olympic gold medal on Wednesday, reaching the quarterfinals of the men's singles tournament at the Tokyo Olympics. Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles, defeated German Dominik Koepfer 7-5, 6-3 to become the first man to reach four Olympic singles quarterfinals.Djokovic, who has only ever won an Olympic bronze medal in 2008, will face 11th-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the quarterfinals. Tsitsipas, who lost to Djokovic in the 2021 French Open final, will be a tough test for the Serbian.In other men's singles action, defending champion Alexander Zverev of Germany will face Alexei Popyrin of Australia, while fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia will face Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.In the men's doubles, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain will face fourth-seeded Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the United States in the quarterfinals. Nadal, a 14-time French Open singles champion, is chasing a third Olympic gold medal after winning the singles title in Beijing in 2008 and doubles in Rio eight years later.In the women's singles, world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland will face Danielle Collins of the United States in the quarterfinals. Swiatek, who has won the French Open four times, is looking to claim her first Olympic gold medal.Three-time major winner Angelique Kerber of Germany will face Zheng Qinwen of China in the quarterfinals. Kerber, who will retire after the Olympics, is looking to end her career on a high note.Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic will face Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia in the quarterfinals. Krejcikova, who won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon this year, is looking to add an Olympic medal to her collection.In the remaining women's quarterfinal, Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine will face Donna Vekic of Croatia. Vekic, who reached the semifinals at Wimbledon this year, will be looking to upset Kostyuk and reach the semifinals.

Rafael Nadal's Olympic dream remains alive after he and teammate Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the men's doubles quarter-finals. The Spanish duo defeated Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof in a thrilling match tie-break. Nadal, who was eliminated from the singles competition by Novak Djokovic, expressed his enjoyment playing alongside Alcaraz.Andy Murray, in the final tournament of his career, once again displayed his resilience in doubles alongside Dan Evans. They saved match points for the second consecutive round, defeating Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen. Murray admitted to shedding "happy tears" after the emotional victory.In the women's draw, Coco Gauff's Olympic journey ended in disappointment. She was defeated by Donna Vekic in a match marred by a heated argument with the umpire. Gauff accused the official of unfairness, claiming her shot was compromised by an incorrect call.Top seed Iga Swiatek continued her impressive form, extending her winning streak on clay to 24 matches. She defeated Wang Xiyu in straight sets and will face Danielle Collins in the next round. Other notable winners included Angelique Kerber, Barbora Krejcikova, and Zheng Qinwen.With temperatures soaring, officials implemented a heat protocol, allowing a 10-minute break between the second and third sets. Nadal, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, said he will make a decision on his future after the Paris Games.

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, the formidable Spanish duo, have stormed into the quarterfinals of the men's doubles event at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Their impressive victory over Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 10-2, has set the stage for a potential medal-winning performance.The highly anticipated pairing of Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, and Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, has lived up to expectations. Their chemistry on the court has been evident, with Alcaraz's youthful exuberance complementing Nadal's experience and tactical brilliance.In their second-round encounter, the Spaniards faced a stern test against Griekspoor and Koolhof, a former Wimbledon champion. The first set was a tight affair, with both teams holding serve until Alcaraz and Nadal broke through in the tenth game.The second set was a different story, as both teams traded breaks and held serve with ease. The set eventually went to a tiebreak, where Griekspoor and Koolhof dominated, winning 7-2.Undeterred, Alcaraz and Nadal regrouped and dominated the deciding 10-point tiebreaker. They raced to an 8-1 lead, with Alcaraz's powerful forehand proving too much for their opponents.Their victory sets up a mouthwatering quarterfinal clash against No. 4 seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram, who have both won men's doubles major titles in recent years. The Spaniards will need to be at their best to overcome this formidable challenge and continue their quest for an Olympic medal.

Carlos Alcaraz, the world number three from Spain, has advanced to the last 16 of the Olympic singles tennis tournament despite battling a groin injury. Alcaraz defeated Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) on Monday, keeping his hopes alive for a gold medal to add to his four Grand Slam titles.Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, required medical attention on his right leg late in the second set and had to save a set point. However, he recovered to secure the victory and will now face Roman Safiullin of Russia in the next round."It's a pain that I've been dealing with the last tournaments so I know what I have to do," Alcaraz said of his injury. "It's normal for a tennis player as this game is so demanding. I will try to recover and be ready and at 100 percent in the doubles."Alcaraz is also scheduled to team up with Rafael Nadal in the doubles competition on Tuesday, where they will face Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof. Nadal, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the singles tournament, is seeking his second Olympic doubles gold medal after winning in Rio in 2016."When Djokovic is playing at this level it's really, really difficult to play against him," Alcaraz said of Nadal's defeat. "He was really aggressive, made no mistakes, moving very, very well. I saw Rafa playing let's say not his best tennis for sure. But when Djokovic is like this, he was the better one."Griekspoor, who has lost all three of his meetings with Alcaraz, expressed skepticism about the severity of the Spaniard's injury. "I didn't see any problems with him," said the Dutchman. "He went for every shot in the tiebreak. It's not like he fell down or twisted his ankle and that he couldn't walk anymore. For me, he was still all over the place."Despite the injury concerns, Alcaraz remains determined to compete at his best in both singles and doubles. He will be hoping to emulate his success at the Grand Slams and add an Olympic gold medal to his impressive resume.

Novak Djokovic's Olympic gold medal quest, once seemingly elusive, now appears within reach as he navigates the unique challenges of the quadrennial tournament. Despite his age and recent injury, Djokovic's experience and strategic approach have positioned him as a formidable contender.Djokovic's decision to focus solely on singles, unlike his rivals, provides him with a significant advantage. The demanding schedule and emotional toll of doubles can hinder singles performance, a lesson Djokovic has learned from past Olympics.The absence of key rivals like Jannik Sinner and Alex de Minaur further enhances Djokovic's chances. The unpredictable nature of Olympic tennis, however, remains a potential obstacle.Djokovic's impressive victory over Rafael Nadal in the second round has boosted his confidence. The match showcased Djokovic's dominance and Nadal's physical limitations, potentially signaling the end of Nadal's singles career.Djokovic's path to gold is not without challenges. Carlos Alcaraz, the young Spanish sensation, poses a formidable threat. However, Alcaraz's inexperience in Olympic tennis and the distractions of doubles could work in Djokovic's favor.The alignment of factors, including Djokovic's experience, strategic approach, and the absence of key rivals, suggests that the Olympic gold medal is within his grasp. This may be his last chance to claim the elusive honor, and the stars seem to be aligning in his favor.

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.

Rafael Nadal's Olympic journey came to an abrupt end on Sunday as he suffered a disappointing straight-sets defeat to long-time rival Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the Paris Games. The loss has cast a shadow over Nadal's future, with the 22-time Grand Slam champion hinting at a potential decision regarding his career after the Olympics.Nadal, who has won two Olympic gold medals in singles, displayed his trademark fighting spirit in the second set against Djokovic. Despite trailing 4-0, he rallied back to level the set at 4-4. However, Djokovic's relentless pressure proved too much for Nadal, who ultimately succumbed to a 6-4 defeat in the second set.Speaking after the match, Nadal expressed his disappointment but remained composed. "When this tournament is over, I will take the necessary decisions based on my feelings and sensations," he said. Nadal's comments have sparked speculation about his future, with some suggesting that he may consider retirement.Nadal has been battling a foot injury for several months, which has hampered his performance on the court. The Spaniard has also been vocal about his desire to spend more time with his family. It remains to be seen whether the Olympic defeat will prompt Nadal to make a decision about his future sooner rather than later.Despite the setback, Nadal's legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time remains intact. With 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, he is tied with Djokovic for the most men's singles Grand Slam titles in history. Nadal's determination and fighting spirit have inspired countless fans around the world, and his decision on his future will be closely watched by the tennis community.