Tennis

American tennis star Sebastian Korda has undergone successful elbow surgery to address lingering issues that have hampered his recent performances. The 23-year-old announced the procedure on social media, expressing optimism about his recovery and return to the court.Korda's decision to undergo surgery came after consulting with his medical team. He had been experiencing discomfort in his right arm, which became evident during his second-round US Open loss to Tomas Machac. The American received a medical timeout during the match, indicating the severity of the pain.Despite the setback, Korda has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024. He cracked the ATP Top 20 for the first time, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 15 in September. Korda captured his maiden ATP 500 title in Washington, D.C., following in the footsteps of his father, Petr Korda, who won the same tournament 32 years prior.The father-son duo became the first to win the same ATP tour title and both reach the world's Top 20. Korda also reached the semifinals of the Canadian Masters 1000, defeating Alexander Zverev before falling to Alexei Popyrin. He partnered with Jordan Thompson to claim his first ATP doubles title at the Madrid Masters 1000.Korda's surgery is expected to keep him sidelined for an extended period. However, he remains positive about his recovery and is eager to return to competition. The American has received an outpouring of support from fellow players and fans, who have expressed their well wishes and anticipation for his comeback.

Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, has faced the challenge of late-night matches and quick turnarounds at the US Open. Despite the demanding schedule, Sabalenka has managed to maintain her performance by relying on her strong circadian rhythm and prioritizing sleep.After her third-round match against Ekaterina Alexandrova, which ended shortly after midnight, Sabalenka went straight to bed and slept for eight hours. She admitted that it was an unusual occurrence for her, but it allowed her to recover effectively."I was completely off," Sabalenka said. "I just fall asleep, which usually never happens like that, but I was able to get, like, eight hours of sleep, so I was okay."Less than 48 hours later, Sabalenka faced Elise Mertens in the fourth round. Despite the short recovery time, she felt physically prepared for the match."I felt actually okay," she said. "Even though we played three-sets match, but it was like an hour and 20 or 30 minutes, so it wasn't that physical match."Sabalenka's ability to recover quickly is crucial for her success in the tournament. She emphasized the importance of getting enough sleep, even if it means going to bed late."The main thing is that I'm really happy that I was able to sleep eight hours, which is, you know, not bad," she said.Sabalenka's consistent performance at the US Open is a testament to her physical and mental resilience. She has embraced the challenges of the tournament and found ways to optimize her recovery. As she advances to the quarterfinals, she will aim to maintain her focus and continue her impressive run.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has made a remarkable recovery from a meniscus tear in his right knee, returning to the gym just a week after undergoing surgery. The Serbian star shared a video on Instagram showcasing his progress, which included cycling, footwork drills, balance exercises, and resistance band circuits.Djokovic's knee injury flared up during the French Open, where he played nearly nine hours of grueling five-set matches in the third and fourth rounds. Despite the pain, he managed to win both matches before withdrawing from the tournament ahead of his quarterfinal against Casper Ruud.The Serb's return to training has been met with enthusiasm from both fans and fellow players. Stan Wawrinka and Donna Vekic expressed their support on social media, while Djokovic himself vowed to return to competition "as soon as possible."Djokovic's recovery timeline remains uncertain, with media reports speculating that he could miss Wimbledon, which begins on July 1. However, the 35-year-old has a history of bouncing back from injuries and is determined to return to the court as soon as he is physically ready.Djokovic's absence from Wimbledon would be a significant blow to the tournament, as he is a six-time champion and one of the most successful players in the history of the event. However, his health and well-being remain the top priority, and he will only return to competition when he is fully fit.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has undergone successful surgery on his right knee after sustaining a meniscus tear during the French Open. The Serbian star announced the news on social media, expressing his gratitude to the medical team and his determination to return to competition as soon as possible.Djokovic's injury occurred early in the second set of his fourth-round match against Francisco Cerundolo. Despite the pain, he battled through to win the match in five sets. However, the severity of the injury forced him to withdraw from the tournament, ending his hopes of defending his French Open title.The surgery, performed in Paris on Wednesday, was deemed a success by Djokovic. He is now focused on his recovery and rehabilitation, with the aim of returning to the court as soon as his knee allows."I'm going to do my best to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible," Djokovic wrote on social media. "My love for this sport is strong and the desire to compete at the highest level is what keeps me going."The exact timeline for Djokovic's recovery is unclear, but it is likely to impact his upcoming schedule. Wimbledon, where he has won seven titles, begins on July 1. The tennis events for the Paris Olympics start on July 27 at Roland Garros, the site of the French Open.Djokovic's absence from the French Open has opened up the tournament for a new champion. With both Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, the record 14-time winner, eliminated, someone will be holding the French Open men's trophy for the first time on Sunday.In the wake of Djokovic's injury, Jannik Sinner is set to become the first Italian man to reach the No. 1 ranking in the ATP standings. The new rankings will be released on Monday.

World number two Jannik Sinner is racing against time to recover from a right hip injury and participate in the upcoming French Open. The Italian star missed the Rome Open due to the ailment but has resumed training on a clay court in Monaco, eight days before the start of Roland Garros on May 26.Sinner's social media posts on Saturday evening featured images of him practicing with a racquet, accompanied by emojis representing a sword and the French flag, symbolizing his determination to compete in Paris.The Australian Open champion had previously stated that he would only participate in the French Open if he was fully fit. The hip injury forced him to withdraw from the Madrid Open at the start of the month before his quarter-final match."I don't want to go into details (of the injury)," Sinner said at a press conference announcing his absence from Rome. "We thought initially that it wasn't anything serious, but the scans showed that there was something that wasn't right.""One thing is sure, if I've not 100 percent recovered, I will take more time out as I do not want to lose three years of my career."Despite the setback, Sinner remains optimistic about his chances of playing in Paris. "My preparation for Paris won't be optimal because I won't have much time, but what is sure is that I will give everything in order to be in a position to play," he said.The 22-year-old has enjoyed a successful season so far, winning the Australian Open in January and claiming his second Masters 1000 title in Miami in March. His participation in the French Open would be a major boost for the tournament and would add to the excitement surrounding the second Grand Slam of the season.

Ten years after his historic US Open triumph, Marin Cilic remains determined to reclaim his former glory despite facing significant physical challenges. The 35-year-old Croatian has undergone two knee surgeries in the past year, but his motivation to return to the top of the tennis world remains unwavering.Cilic's latest surgery, confirmed in a social media post, is a testament to his unwavering belief in his abilities. Despite playing only six ATP main-draw matches in the last two seasons, Cilic's spirit remains unbroken."My desire to play again at the highest level hasn't faded, on the contrary, it is as strong as ever," Cilic stated. "I am hopeful that this additional surgery will help me get closer to being back on court."Cilic's journey back to the top has been arduous, but he remains grateful for the support he has received. "This journey the last 15 months has been challenging, but I am motivated to get back and thankful to you all for your support throughout," he said.Cilic's determination is evident in his performance on the court. In his first match of 2023, against Jan-Lennard Struff, he held nine match points before ultimately losing in a heartbreaking three-set battle.Despite the setbacks, Cilic's belief in his abilities remains unshaken. He is confident that he can overcome his physical challenges and return to the heights he once reached.

Tennis Stars Embrace Ra Optics Glasses for Enhanced Focus and RecoveryIn recent months, the tennis world has witnessed a surge in the popularity of Ra Optics glasses among top players. From Andrey Rublev to Novak Djokovic and Elena Rybakina, these glasses with colorful lenses have become a ubiquitous sight on the ATP and WTA Tours.Alexander Bublik, the No. 17 seed at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open, has shed light on the origins of this trend. In an interview with Tennis Channel, Bublik revealed that he had been wearing orange-tinted lenses for sleep for three years prior to discovering Ra Optics."I tried these on and I really enjoyed it, because it helps you be more focused," Bublik explained. "It stops the blue light, light from the phone, so it gives you maybe 10 or 15 (energy) percent back."Bublik was wearing a pair of gold-hued Clyde "Daylight" glasses, which filter out 95 percent of blue light from electronic devices. This helps reduce eye strain and fatigue, potentially enhancing recovery and performance.The trend reportedly began with Rublev, who first wore his own colorful lenses during the Australian Open. Word of mouth quickly spread, and by Indian Wells and Miami, players from both tours were sporting the look.Bublik admitted that he had initially mocked Sascha Zverev for wearing glasses indoors. However, after seeing Rublev's success with them, he decided to give them a try."I asked Andrey and he was much nicer to me," Bublik said. "He answered me, because I was not bothering him for one year, so then I said OK, let me try it."Bublik believes that the glasses provide him with an extra edge in recovery, which is crucial for his upcoming match against former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev. Despite his dislike for clay courts, Bublik has already achieved his best run in Madrid in years, reaching the fourth round for the first time in three years.

Andy Murray Returns to Practice Court After Ankle Injury, Eyes Paris OlympicsThree-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has made a significant step in his recovery from an ankle injury, returning to the practice court after confirming that he will not undergo surgery.The 36-year-old Murray suffered a torn ligament in his left ankle during a match at the Miami Open in March. The injury raised concerns about his future, as Murray had previously stated that he was unlikely to play beyond this summer.However, Murray's team announced this week that he had been cleared to resume training. "Andy is out of the walking boot and will not be having surgery," the statement read. "He is hoping to start hitting again on court soon."A video posted on Murray's Instagram account on Friday showed the former world No. 1 hitting forehands on an indoor court. While no timeline for his return has been announced, Murray's progress is a positive sign for his hopes of competing in the Paris Olympics.Murray has been a key member of the British Davis Cup team and has expressed his desire to represent his country at the Olympics one last time. The Paris Games will be held in July and August 2024, giving Murray ample time to recover and prepare.Murray's return to the practice court is a testament to his determination and resilience. Despite facing a potentially career-ending injury, he remains committed to his goal of competing at the highest level. His progress will be closely monitored by fans and fellow players alike, as he aims to add to his impressive legacy in the sport.

American tennis star Caty McNally is embarking on a new chapter in her career after undergoing successful elbow surgery. The 22-year-old, who reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 54 last May, has been battling elbow pain for the past 10 months.Despite conservative treatment, McNally's pain persisted, leading her to make the difficult decision to go under the knife. The surgery, performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Dugas at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama, was a success.McNally's injury troubles began shortly after her impressive run to the semifinals of the 2022 French Open. She missed the subsequent Wimbledon tournament and was sidelined for six months before making a brief return to the tour in February.During her brief comeback, McNally teamed up with Asia Muhammad to win the WTA doubles title in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. However, her elbow pain continued to hinder her performance, forcing her to withdraw from the Australian Open and miss both the French Open and US Open last year.McNally's fellow Americans, including Madison Keys, Jennifer Brady, and former doubles partner Coco Gauff, have expressed their support and well wishes for her recovery."Can't wait to see you back healthy," Keys wrote on Instagram."Wishing you a speedy recovery," added Gauff.McNally is now focused on her rehabilitation and is determined to return to the court as soon as possible. She has already begun the grueling process of physical therapy and is eager to regain her previous form.With her talent and determination, McNally is confident that she can overcome this setback and achieve even greater success in the future.