Tennis

Eight years after her retirement, former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic made a triumphant return to the tennis court at the Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters. The 36-year-old Serb, who won the 2008 Roland Garros title, thrilled fans with her performance despite losing in the quarterfinals to Kirsten Flipkens.Ivanovic's return to competition was a rare sight, as she has largely stayed away from the tour since her retirement. However, she expressed her delight at being back on court, saying, "It was really nice to be on court again after eight years."Since retiring, Ivanovic has focused on her family, giving birth to three sons with her husband, retired German soccer star Bastian Schweinsteiger. She has also been active on social media, keeping up with the latest happenings on the tour.Ivanovic's return to competition was part of the Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters, an invitation-only exhibition event that features retired players. The tournament has attracted several major winners and former Top 10 players, including Martina Hingis, Flavia Pennetta, and Andrea Petkovic.In the quarterfinals, Ivanovic faced Flipkens, who defeated her in straight sets. Despite the loss, Ivanovic praised her opponent's performance, saying, "Kirsten played really well."Ivanovic's return to competition has sparked speculation about whether she might consider a more permanent comeback. However, she has not indicated any such plans, saying that she is enjoying her time away from the tour.

Danielle Collins, the world No. 9 tennis star, has announced her decision to postpone her retirement plans and continue competing in 2025. The announcement came as a surprise to many, as Collins had previously stated her intention to retire in 2024.Collins' decision stems from her ongoing health struggles with endometriosis and rheumatoid arthritis. She had hoped to start a family after retiring, but her fertility journey has not progressed as expected."Dealing with endometriosis and fertility is a massive challenge for many women and something that I am actively traversing," Collins wrote in a social media post. "It is just going to take longer than I thought."Despite her health challenges, Collins has enjoyed a successful 2024 season, winning back-to-back WTA titles at the Miami Open and Credit One Charleston Open. She also reached the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia and made her debut on the U.S. Olympic team.Collins' decision to postpone her retirement has been met with support from the tennis community. Many fans and fellow players have expressed their admiration for her resilience and determination."I'm so happy for Danielle," said former world No. 1 Serena Williams. "She's a fighter, and I know she'll continue to achieve great things on and off the court."Collins will kick off her 2025 season at the United Cup ahead of the Australian Open. She hopes to build on her momentum from 2024 and continue playing until she has more certainty around her personal fertility journey."The only guarantee for now will be some more epic matches," Collins wrote.

Gael Monfils, the flamboyant Frenchman, has been a fan favorite for two decades on the ATP Tour. His unique playing style and infectious enthusiasm have made him a crowd-pleaser. This weekend, he graces the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) in Frankfurt, Germany, a revolutionary league featuring 40-minute matches, live coaching, and mid-match interviews.Monfils relishes the UTS format, which aligns with his personality. "It's a balance between show, competition, and experience," he says. "I love the creativity and freedom it allows."UTS Frankfurt boasts a star-studded lineup, including Ben Shelton, Jan-Lennard Struff, Denis Shapovalov, and Dominic Thiem, who is making his final professional appearance in Germany before retiring. Monfils holds Thiem in high regard, praising his versatility and Grand Slam triumph at the 2020 US Open."We're going to miss him," Monfils says. "He brings a different energy."Monfils' retirement is not on the horizon yet, but he acknowledges the recent departures of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray. "I feel lucky to still be playing," he says. "I've been blessed with fewer injuries."Off the court, Monfils is a devoted husband to Elina Svitolina and a doting father to their two-year-old daughter, Skai. Fatherhood has transformed his perspective. "She's my priority number one," he says. "It's changed my view and made me less selfish."Monfils plans to play a few exhibitions after UTS before spending the off-season with his family. Next season will be pivotal for him, but he's not thinking about retirement just yet. "I'm ready to play it and see what life gives me," he says.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, expressed his admiration for his idol, Rafael Nadal, ahead of their highly anticipated clash in the semi-finals of the "Six Kings Slam" exhibition event in Riyadh. Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, announced his retirement from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month.Alcaraz, who defeated Holger Rune 6-4, 6-2 to set up the meeting with Nadal, said, "Since I started to play tennis, I'm watching his matches. I look up to him and I grew up watching him. He was my idol, he is still my idol.""A really important person for my life, for my career and he was one of the reasons that I wanted to become a professional tennis player. Knowing he is going to retire is pretty tough for everyone, for me."Alcaraz and Nadal have met three times on the main ATP Tour, with Nadal holding a 2-1 advantage. The Spanish pair played doubles together at the Paris Olympics this year and are expected to team up again at the Davis Cup Finals.Nadal's last singles appearance was at the Olympics on the same Roland Garros courts where he won 14 French Open titles. His Olympic singles campaign was ended by Novak Djokovic in the second round.In the other semi-final in Riyadh, Djokovic will face Australian Open and US Open champion Jannik Sinner. Sinner, who defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-0, 6-3, said, "The semi-final against Novak will be a different match than the ones we played in the past.""We know each other quite well and we know what to expect from each other. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but I am just trying to play the best possible tennis, and we will see how it goes."

Rafael Nadal, the legendary tennis icon, has announced his retirement from professional tennis, bringing an end to an illustrious career that has spanned over two decades. In a recent interview with Jon Wertheim on 60 Minutes, Nadal shared his thoughts on retirement, sacrifice, and the importance of human relations.Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, has always maintained a philosophical approach to his career. Five years ago, he expressed his acceptance of the inevitable end of his playing days. "I'm aware that everything has an end," he said. "And when the end arrives, I'll be ready for it."Nadal's journey has been marked by both triumph and adversity. He has endured numerous injuries and setbacks, but his unwavering determination and resilience have always shone through. "I never felt that what I was doing was a sacrifice," he said. "I trained, yes. I have worked very hard, at the maximum, yes. But I have enjoyed every single thing."Nadal's rivalry with Roger Federer has been one of the most iconic in tennis history. Despite their intense on-court battles, Nadal emphasized the importance of human relations beyond the game. "We … know that this is a game," he said. "And there are many other things in life that are more important than a game, than a match."As Nadal prepares to bid farewell to professional tennis, he reflects on his journey with gratitude. "I have done all of the things I enjoy doing," he said. "For me, a sacrifice means that you are doing the things that you don't like doing."Nadal's retirement marks the end of an era in tennis. His legacy as one of the greatest players of all time will forever be etched in the annals of the sport. His unwavering spirit, determination, and love for the game have inspired countless fans around the world.

Coco Gauff, the rising star of women's tennis, expressed her admiration and sadness upon hearing the retirement announcement of Rafael Nadal, the legendary 22-time Grand Slam champion.Nadal's decision to step away from professional tennis at the end of the season has sent shockwaves through the tennis world. Gauff, who has grown up watching Nadal dominate the sport, was particularly moved by the news."It's going to happen to everybody one day," Gauff said at the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open. "Watching the video, (I was) a bit emotional because Rafa is all I've known growing up."Gauff recalled Nadal's consistent support and encouragement, even towards younger players like herself. "Off the court he was always speaking to me, always saying congratulations to me whenever I did well," she revealed. "It's something that is very rare when you come across top players (who do that)."Beyond his remarkable achievements on the court, Gauff emphasized Nadal's human qualities. "I remember at one point he said congratulations to me the year I went to the finals of the French Open," she said. "I kind of did a double take, because I couldn't believe he was speaking to me."Gauff also shared a memorable encounter with Nadal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. "We were both waiting on the shuttle. It was the last shuttle of the day, like 11 p.m. I asked him if I could have one of his pins. He gave me one. ...He was super nice with that," she recalled."Just something like that I'll remember. And something I'll definitely tell my kids, because it meant a lot to me."Nadal's retirement marks the end of an era in tennis. Gauff, like many others, will miss his presence on the court but will cherish the memories and lessons he has left behind.

Richard Gasquet, the former world No. 7 tennis player, has announced his retirement from professional tennis after the 2023 Roland Garros tournament. The 38-year-old Frenchman has enjoyed a successful career, winning 16 ATP Tour titles, including the 2022 Auckland Open.Gasquet has also achieved notable success in Grand Slams, reaching the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2007 and 2015, and the US Open in 2013. He has also competed in the ATP Finals twice, in 2007 and 2013.Throughout his career, Gasquet has earned 605 tour-level wins, the third-most among active players behind only Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. He has also recorded 36 victories against Top 10 opponents.In an interview with French national sports daily L'Equipe, Gasquet explained his decision to retire: "I think that it is the best moment for me to do it. It is the best tournament to do it. It's magnificent, we have the chance being French to be able to stop in these kind of incredible places. An end, it's always complicated, all the former great players always told me it's not easy to announce. You never know when, how, where. Here, in any case, it is obvious."Gasquet's retirement will mark the end of an era in French tennis. He has been a consistent performer for over two decades, representing his country with distinction in Davis Cup and Olympic competition. His elegant style of play and unwavering determination have made him a fan favorite around the world.

Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer has paid a heartfelt tribute to his long-time rival and 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, who recently announced his retirement from the sport.Federer, who retired two years ago with 20 Grand Slam titles to his name, expressed his admiration for Nadal's remarkable career. "What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come," Federer wrote on social media. "Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It's been an absolute honor!"Their rivalry, which spanned almost two decades, began in March 2004 when Nadal, then just 17 years old, faced Federer, the world number one at the time. Over the years, they played some of the most memorable matches in tennis history, including their epic Wimbledon final in 2008, which Nadal won in a thrilling five-set battle.Nadal holds a slight edge in their head-to-head record, winning 24 of their 40 encounters. He also has a 6-3 advantage in Grand Slam finals, including his famous Wimbledon triumph in 2008.Despite their intense rivalry on the court, Federer and Nadal have always maintained a deep respect for each other. "When Roger leaves the tour, an important part of my life is leaving too," Nadal said after playing doubles with Federer at the Laver Cup in September 2022. "I'm very proud to be part of his career, but even happier to finish our career as friends after everything we shared on court as rivals."Federer has also expressed his admiration for Nadal's achievements. When Nadal equaled his record of 20 Grand Slam titles in 2020, Federer called it "the greatest achievement in sport.""I can call up Rafa and talk about anything," Federer said at his London farewell. "We enjoy each other's company. We have a million topics to cover. I always feel like any evening we ever spent together we never have enough time."The retirement of Nadal marks the end of an era in tennis. Federer and Nadal have been the dominant forces in the sport for over two decades, inspiring countless fans around the world. Their rivalry has been one of the most captivating in sports history, and their friendship off the court is a testament to their mutual respect and admiration.

Zheng Qinwen Pays Tribute to Retiring Rafael NadalWUHAN, China - Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen expressed shock and sadness upon learning of Rafael Nadal's retirement announcement."It's a shock news for me," Zheng said at a press conference during the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open. "I thought he would continue play one more year."Nadal, who won the Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008, announced that he would play his final match at the Davis Cup Finals in Spain next month. Zheng, who trained in Spain from a young age, spoke about the profound impact Nadal has had on her career."He's a leader of a generation," said Zheng, who became a national hero in China after winning gold in Paris this summer. "I watched his matches since I was a kid. There's lots of memories. Even now sometimes I will search Rafael Nadal and watch his old matches when he had 19 years old, 20, when he's at his primetime."Zheng praised Nadal's unwavering mentality and determination. "He inspires a lot to me," she said. "Even right now sometimes when I'm at a difficult moment, I will think how strong Rafael Nadal's mentality is in the tennis."While expressing disappointment that Nadal would no longer be competing on tour, Zheng acknowledged the inevitability of retirement for all athletes. "Every legend, there comes a time for them to retire," she said. "I wish he can continue enjoy life."Zheng's tribute to Nadal highlights the enduring legacy of the Spanish legend, whose exceptional achievements and unwavering spirit have inspired countless players and fans around the world.