Tennis

Rafael Nadal's illustrious career at the Roland Garros has been marked by unprecedented success, with the Spaniard claiming a record 14 titles at the prestigious clay-court Grand Slam. Amidst speculation about his potential retirement in 2024, the French Tennis Federation had planned a grand ceremony to honor his achievements at this year's tournament. However, the event was abruptly canceled after Nadal hinted that he might not be ready to bid farewell to the tournament just yet.Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo revealed that the federation had prepared a special tribute for Nadal, but respected his wishes to postpone the ceremony. "We had something planned for him, but he wants to leave the door open to come back next year as a player," Mauresmo said. "We're not going to push him to do anything. It's his decision when he wants to have a proper farewell."Nadal's decision to delay his retirement plans has left the possibility of his return to Roland Garros in 2025 open. The 38-year-old, who turns 39 in June, has hinted that he may continue playing for as long as his body allows. "I'm taking it year by year," Nadal said in a recent interview. "I don't know how much longer I'll be able to play, but I'm going to keep fighting as long as I can."Nadal's longevity and resilience have been remarkable, especially considering the physical demands of tennis. He has overcome numerous injuries throughout his career, including a chronic foot problem that has plagued him in recent years. Despite these challenges, Nadal remains one of the most competitive players on the ATP Tour, as evidenced by his recent run to the semifinals of the Australian Open.As Nadal prepares for his first-round match at Roland Garros against Alexander Zverev, the question of his retirement looms large. However, the Spaniard has shown no signs of slowing down, and his determination to continue playing at the highest level is unwavering. Whether he decides to retire in 2024 or beyond, Nadal's legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time is secure.

Former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka sent Andy Murray crashing out of Roland Garros in the first round on Sunday, likely ending the Briton's illustrious career at the claycourt Grand Slam.Wawrinka, 39, secured a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory under the lights at Philippe Chatrier court, extending his head-to-head record against Murray to 3-1 at the tournament.The Swiss veteran, who won the title in 2015, broke Murray's serve in the opening game and never looked back. He fired down a barrage of booming serves and unleashed a series of heavy single-handed backhands to keep the 37-year-old Murray at bay.Murray, who has hinted that he may retire after Wimbledon this summer, fought valiantly in front of a supportive crowd. However, his movement was compromised by a leg issue, allowing Wawrinka to dominate the baseline exchanges.A medical timeout for Wawrinka's left calf issue delayed the start of the third set, but it did little to slow down the Swiss. Murray's own physical limitations became increasingly evident as Wawrinka ran away with the contest.The victory marks a bittersweet moment for Wawrinka, who has struggled with injuries in recent years. It also serves as a poignant reminder of Murray's fading powers, as the former world number one continues to battle the effects of a career-threatening hip injury.

Dominic Thiem, the two-time French Open runner-up, bid farewell to Roland Garros on Wednesday with a second-round qualifying loss to Otto Virtanen. The 30-year-old Austrian, who announced his retirement earlier this month, received a standing ovation and chants of "Thank you Domi" during a farewell ceremony after his 6-2, 7-5 defeat.Thiem, who reached the final in Paris in 2018 and 2019, struggled to regain his top form after a wrist injury in 2021. Despite his recent struggles, he expressed gratitude for his time at the French Open. "I've really enjoyed every single year of it," he said.Thiem's career highlight came in 2020 when he won the US Open, becoming the first man to overcome a two-set deficit in the final in 71 years. He also reached the final of the Australian Open that year and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 3.However, his wrist injury in 2021 derailed his progress. He was sidelined for nine months and has struggled to regain his previous level of play. Despite his retirement announcement, Thiem remains optimistic about the future. "I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life," he said.Thiem's retirement marks the end of an era for Austrian tennis. He has been a role model for young players and has inspired a generation of fans. His legacy will live on as one of the most successful Austrian tennis players of all time.

Rafael Nadal's impending retirement from the French Open has sparked an outpouring of emotion and anticipation among his legions of fans. On Tuesday, thousands of devotees flocked to Roland Garros, eager to witness the Spanish legend's practice session, potentially his last at the tournament he has dominated for years.Vanessa Peltier, a 50-year-old fan from central France, embarked on a 500-kilometer journey to catch a glimpse of Nadal. "I woke up at 6 a.m. and drove from the middle of France to be here," she said. "Nadal has always had my support, and the support of France."The line of fans stretched for 200 meters, with many waiting patiently for hours to enter the stadium. Morgan Chevallier, another ardent supporter, said, "I could not pass on this opportunity. He is almost bigger than the tournament itself."Nadal's recent injury struggles have raised questions about his fitness for the tournament. However, his fans remain hopeful, recognizing that this may be their last chance to see him in action at Roland Garros. "I skipped work for Nadal," said Sergiu Popa, 26.During his practice session, Nadal showcased his trademark intensity and skill, drawing cheers and chants of "Rafa, Rafa" from the crowd. Outside the court, fans posed for photos with a life-size cardboard cutout of the Spaniard and purchased merchandise bearing his signature."It's not cheap, but it will be a nice memory once Nadal leaves us," said Frédéric Caubert, who bought a hat with Nadal's signature for his son. "It's like he is part of our family. When he's gone, family dinners won't feel the same."The tournament begins on Sunday, and Nadal's fans are eagerly awaiting his performance. Whether he triumphs or not, his legacy at Roland Garros will forever be etched in the annals of tennis history.

Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, has embarked on his final Roland Garros campaign with a hard-fought victory in the first round of qualifying. The 30-year-old Austrian, who announced his retirement at the end of the 2024 season, defeated Italy's Franco Agamenone 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Monday.Thiem, a two-time finalist at Roland Garros, was not among the wild card recipients for the men's singles draw. As a result, he must win three qualifying matches to earn a spot in the main event. This is the first time since the 2014 Australian Open that Thiem has had to enter Grand Slam qualifying.Despite dropping the first set, Thiem rallied to defeat Agamenone, a 31-year-old who has only made one Grand Slam main-draw appearance. Thiem struck 41 winners and converted five of 14 break point opportunities to secure the victory in two hours and 19 minutes.Up next for Thiem is 22-year-old Otto Virtanen of Finland, who also defeated an Australian opponent in the first round of qualifying. Virtanen, who has only played one Grand Slam main draw at the 2023 US Open, will pose a significant challenge to Thiem.Thiem's retirement announcement has cast a bittersweet shadow over his final Roland Garros campaign. The Austrian has enjoyed a successful career, winning 17 ATP titles, including the 2020 US Open. However, he has also struggled with injuries in recent years, which have hampered his progress.Despite the challenges, Thiem remains determined to make the most of his final season on the ATP Tour. He will be hoping to make a deep run at Roland Garros, where he has always performed well. A strong performance in Paris would be a fitting farewell to one of the most talented players of his generation.

Roger Federer's retirement from tennis was an emotional moment for fans worldwide. Amazon's Prime Video is set to release "Federer: Twelve Final Days" on June 20, offering an intimate glimpse into the tennis legend's final days on the court.The documentary, originally intended as a home movie, captures Federer's vulnerability and candidness as he prepared to bid farewell to the sport that had shaped his life. It features behind-the-scenes moments and revealing interviews with those closest to him, including his wife Mirka, who rarely speaks to the media.Federer's longtime rivals, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, also share their perspectives on the Swiss maestro's career and the camaraderie that exists beyond the court. The film explores the depth of Federer's relationships and the respect he has earned throughout his illustrious journey.Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, known for his documentaries on Ayrton Senna and Amy Winehouse, "Federer: Twelve Final Days" promises an unprecedented look into the life of one of the greatest tennis players of all time. It will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories, joining Amazon's growing collection of sports documentaries.

Camila Giorgi's Mysterious Retirement: Tax Troubles and Vaccine AllegationsFormer world No. 26 Camila Giorgi has reportedly retired from tennis under a cloud of controversy. According to an article by La Gazzetta dello Sporto, Giorgi's retirement may be linked to tax problems and allegations of forged COVID-19 vaccine documentation.Giorgi's sudden departure from the sport has raised eyebrows, as she has not made any public announcement or released a statement. Her last WTA tournament appearance was in March at the Miami Open, where she lost to Iga Swiatek. Since then, Giorgi has been unreachable, with no one reportedly able to contact her.The retirement filing was reportedly made on May 7, and it has now emerged that Giorgi and her family are being investigated by the Guardia di Finanza, an Italian law enforcement agency. The investigation is said to involve issues related to taxes and undeclared income.Giorgi was already scheduled to attend a hearing in Vicenza regarding an allegation of forging her COVID-19 vaccine documentation. Giorgi denied the allegation when it was first made public during the 2023 Australian Open. However, she allegedly received one of the vaccine doses from disgraced Dr. Daniela Grillone, who was arrested for falsifying vaccine certificates.According to La Gazzetta dello Sporto, Giorgi and her family are believed to have relocated to the United States. The investigation into her tax affairs and vaccine allegations is ongoing, and it remains unclear whether Giorgi will ever return to professional tennis.

Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, is reportedly set to retire from professional tennis at the Vienna Open in late October. The Austrian outlet SN claims that Thiem has informed sponsors of his decision.Thiem's career has been marked by both triumph and adversity. He has won 17 tour-level trophies, including the US Open in 2020. However, a right wrist injury in 2021 derailed his progress, and he has struggled to regain his former form.Despite his recent struggles, Thiem remains a respected figure in the tennis world. Novak Djokovic, who defeated Thiem in the 2020 Australian Open final, praised Thiem's character and determination."He's a great guy, very good person, someone that has very good manners, good values, family man, somebody that always took time to say hello, always showed respect on the court, off the court," Djokovic said. "I really like Dominic."Thiem's retirement will mark the end of an era in Austrian tennis. He is one of the country's most successful players, and his absence will be felt on the ATP Tour.

Diego Schwartzman, the former world No. 8, announced his retirement from tennis next February. However, he hopes to play one last time in the main draw of Roland Garros, where he had his best-ever Grand Slam run four years ago.With a current ranking of No. 142, Schwartzman will need to qualify for the main draw unless he receives a wild card from tournament organizers. He has cheekily made his case on Instagram, garnering support from fans.Schwartzman's retirement news has been met with congratulations from the tennis community, including Grand Slam winners Juan Martin del Potro and Gabriela Sabatini. His compatriot Francisco Cerundolo praised his impact on Argentine tennis.Dominic Thiem, whom Schwartzman famously defeated en route to his Paris semifinal, called him an "absolute legend." John Isner, with whom Schwartzman reached the Rome doubles final, dubbed him "my forever doubles partner."Schwartzman plans to play out the 2024 season, hoping to compete at all his favorite events. He has expressed his desire to end his career with a "most beautiful ending" at his home tournament in Buenos Aires in 2025.