Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa, the "Sabadosa" duo, are set to face off for the third time in 2024 at Roland Garros. Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, has expressed her admiration for Badosa, calling her a "great fighter" and a "tour soulmate."Despite her aversion to watching women's tennis, Sabalenka has made an exception for Badosa, who has twice faced her this season. In Miami, Sabalenka was playing her first match after the tragic loss of her ex-partner, while in Stuttgart, Badosa nearly upset Sabalenka before suffering an injury.Badosa, who has been struggling with chronic back issues, is excited to face Sabalenka again. She believes the match will be a "fun" and "great battle." Sabalenka, for her part, agrees that it will be a tough match but is confident in her ability to separate court and life.The "Sabadosa" friendship began at the Tie Break Tens event in 2022 and has blossomed since then. Sabalenka credits the relationship with helping her mature as a person and competitor. She believes that the top players on the WTA Tour are now more friendly off the court, despite being fierce opponents on it.Sabalenka has been in impressive form on clay this season, losing only to Iga Swiatek in her last two tournaments. Badosa has had a tougher time but has shown resilience in both of her matches at Roland Garros.The match between Sabalenka and Badosa is sure to be a highlight of the tournament. The two friends will put their friendship aside for a competitive battle on the court, but their bond will remain strong off it.

Irina-Camelia Begu Poised to Upset Linda Noskova at Roland GarrosThe rain-soaked Roland Garros tournament has finally resumed, and Day 5 promises an exciting clash between Irina-Camelia Begu and world No. 29 Linda Noskova. Despite Noskova's higher ranking, Begu's clay-court prowess and recent form make her a formidable opponent.Begu's season started late due to an injury, but she has since played a heavy clay-court schedule, reaching the fourth round in Rome. Her ability to construct points and her impressive hold and break percentages on clay give her an edge over Noskova, who has limited experience on the surface.Noskova, on the other hand, has had success on hard courts but has struggled on clay, winning only four of her 10 matches at the WTA level. Her shaky performance against Harriet Dart in the first round raises concerns about her ability to handle the challenges of clay.Furthermore, Begu has a history of performing well at Roland Garros, reaching the fourth round in 2021. Her experience and familiarity with the conditions could prove crucial against Noskova.While Noskova defeated Begu in Indian Wells last year, the clay-court surface presents a different dynamic. Begu's ranking of 127 does not reflect her true potential on clay, and she is likely to pose a significant threat to Noskova.

Elena Rybakina, the No. 4 seed at Roland Garros, made a stylish statement on Tuesday with her new cream-colored Yonex dress. The unique outfit, featuring olive contrasts and burnt orange details, set her apart from her Team Yonex teammates, who have been wearing the brand's 2024 Paris Collection in orange and olive.Rybakina's on-court look sparked speculation that it could be a custom fit, as it wasn't featured in Yonex's pre-tournament promotions and is not available online. However, when asked about the dress in a press conference, Rybakina initially seemed annoyed before shutting down the line of questioning."These colors? These colors I didn't choose," she replied. "It was the brand who chose for me, so some other questions?"Despite her reluctance to discuss her outfit, Rybakina's performance on the court was impressive. She fired 36 winners and dropped serve only once in a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Greet Minnen.As Yonex's highest-ranked head-to-toe athlete, Rybakina's unique kit could be a sign of her growing marketability. However, the lack of promotion from Yonex and Rybakina's own disinterest in discussing it has created a sense of confusion and speculation.Rybakina's press conference also raised questions about players' press obligations. When asked about a range of topics, including the conditions, her rivalry with Aryna Sabalenka, and the upcoming Olympic Games, Rybakina kept her answers short and declined to elaborate.Her tense interaction with the press sparked a debate on social media about the balance between players' obligations to the media and the media's responsibility to keep things interesting for them.Despite the controversy surrounding her press conference, Rybakina remains focused on her progress in Paris. She will face Arantxa Rus in the second round on Thursday.

Despite the relentless rain that has plagued Roland Garros, Sofia Kenin and Stefanos Tsitsipas have emerged as beacons of hope, reaching the third round of the tournament with impressive performances.Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, displayed her trademark efficiency in a 6-3, 6-3 victory over No. 21 seed Caroline Garcia. The American dominated the match, winning over 80% of her first-serve points and breaking Garcia four times. Kenin's resurgence is a testament to her hard work and determination, as she has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form this season.Tsitsipas, the No. 4 seed, also advanced to the third round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4 victory over Daniel Altmaier. The Greek star faced a brief scare when Altmaier took the third set in a tiebreaker, but Tsitsipas quickly regained control of the match. His resilience and ability to overcome adversity are key factors in his status as a title contender.Kenin will next face either Jelena Ostapenko or Clara Tauson, while Tsitsipas will take on Lorenzo Sonego or Zhang Zhizhen. With the rain expected to continue, the resumption of play remains uncertain. However, both Kenin and Tsitsipas have shown that they are ready to embrace the challenge and continue their pursuit of Roland Garros glory.

Tennis Stars Strike a Pose: Recreating the Eiffel Tower at Roland GarrosAt the 2023 Roland Garros tournament, ATP and WTA stars took a break from their media day duties to engage in a lighthearted challenge: recreating the iconic Eiffel Tower.Daniil Medvedev, the world No. 5, attempted the pose with elbows extended, while Paula Badosa, Sebastian Korda, and Jelena Ostapenko followed suit. Jannik Sinner also joined in, declaring, "That's enough."Ons Jabeur, who excelled in the Mona Lisa challenge last year, expressed her desire to win this competition as well. However, the competition proved to be fierce, with Mirra Andreeva tucking her arms over her face and Casper Ruud and Aryna Sabalenka extending their arms high above their heads.Andy Murray, a three-time major champion, took a unique approach by widening his stance to represent the base of the structure. Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, initially hesitated but eventually embraced the challenge, delivering a worthy pose.Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation, with Gauff exclaiming, "This looks so stupid, okay." Andrey Rublev concurred, adding, "It looks stupid next level."Despite the silliness, the challenge provided a moment of entertainment amidst the intense competition of Roland Garros. The players' creativity and willingness to have fun showcased the camaraderie and lighthearted spirit that often accompanies the sport of tennis.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's second-ranked tennis player, has emerged as a vibrant personality on and off the court. Known for her powerful serve and groundstrokes, Sabalenka has also gained recognition for her infectious laughter and bubbly demeanor. However, she admits that it took time for her to embrace her personality, especially during the intense atmosphere of Grand Slams like Roland Garros.In a recent interview, Sabalenka reflected on her journey of self-expression. "I think it all comes with experience," she said. "When I first came here, I was so tight and intense because it's a Grand Slam. But with the years, you realize this is just another tournament and you have to have fun."Sabalenka's approach has evolved over the years. She now embraces her fun-loving nature, creating pre-tournament TikTok videos with her coaching team and actively engaging with her fellow WTA players on social media. These efforts aim to reduce stress and maintain a positive mindset."You have to be positive because there's enough tension on court," Sabalenka explained. "If you bring that tension off court, it's just too much. So for me, the better way to loosen up and keep it mentally good is to have fun."Sabalenka also values tradition, particularly those she creates herself. During her title defense at the 2024 Australian Open, she initiated a unique ritual of signing the bold head of her fitness coach, Jason Stacy. "We just like to do weird shit!" she joked. "We started this before the first match, and after I won, I told Jason, 'Well, I guess it's a routine right now.'"The ritual proved successful, as Sabalenka secured her second Grand Slam title. She confirmed that the tradition has continued in Paris, potentially posing a threat to her upcoming opponents.Sabalenka's journey highlights the importance of self-expression and finding a balance between intensity and enjoyment in competitive sports. As she advances to the second round of Roland Garros, her vibrant personality and unwavering determination will undoubtedly continue to captivate fans.

Ben Shelton, the rising American tennis star, has embraced the unique atmosphere of Roland Garros, where he recently triumphed over Frenchman Hugo Gaston in the first round. Despite the partisan crowd cheering for Gaston, Shelton relished the experience, describing it as "pretty special."Shelton's love for clay courts and European tennis culture is a departure from the traditional American aversion to the surface. He believes in adapting to the nuances of clay rather than resisting it. This mindset has led to solid results on clay, including a title in Houston and a 3-3 record on traditional red clay.Shelton's success on clay is not solely attributed to his physical attributes but also to his positive attitude. He thrives on the energy and atmosphere of clay-court events, even when the crowd is against him. This resilience stems from his experience playing in front of boisterous and hostile fans during his collegiate career at the University of Florida.Shelton's journey on clay is a testament to the changing attitudes of American players towards the surface. Inspired by the success of Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Sebi Korda, younger players like Shelton are embracing the challenges and rewards of clay-court tennis.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has begun his quest for a fourth Roland Garros title with a hard-fought opening victory over French wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert. The 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-4 win was a testament to Djokovic's resilience and determination, as he navigated a tricky three-set battle under the lights of Court Philippe-Chatrier.Djokovic, who must reach at least the final to maintain his No. 1 ranking, has been searching for his best form in 2024. He began the season with a surprising semifinal defeat at the Australian Open to Jannik Sinner and withdrew from the Miami Open after a shock opening-round loss to Luca Nardi. Despite these setbacks, Djokovic remains one of the favorites to win in Paris, where he has triumphed three times before.Herbert, a former world No. 36, has since fallen out of the Top 100 but made the most of his night session scheduling in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. He broke back after trailing by a break in the second set and forced a tiebreaker, which Djokovic ultimately won.In the third set, Herbert continued to keep things close, saving a pair of break points in the fourth game. However, Djokovic's relentless pressure eventually paid off, as Herbert committed an ill-timed double fault that put him two points from defeat. Djokovic sealed the victory with a strong forehand winner and a backhand down the line, sending Herbert over the finish line.Awaiting Djokovic in the second round is Roberto Carballés Baena, who overcame a late surge from Constant Lestienne to defeat the Frenchman in four sets. Djokovic has beaten the unseeded Spaniard twice at Grand Slam tournaments, most recently at the 2023 Australian Open.

Jannik Sinner, the world's No. 2 tennis player, has once again made a fashion statement on the court, this time with a one-of-a-kind duffle bag designed by Gucci in collaboration with his racquet sponsor, Head. The bag, which features Head's performance materials and Gucci's signature green and red Web stripe, is a testament to the growing partnership between the Italian tennis star and the luxury fashion house.Sinner's partnership with Gucci began in 2022, when he became the brand's global ambassador. However, Gucci's ties to tennis extend back to the 1970s, when the brand unveiled its first tennis-inspired pieces. Gucci's visionary decision to sign Sinner, then a rising star ranked outside the Top 10, has proven to be a wise one, as he has since ascended to the top of the game and become a national hero in Italy.Last year, Sinner made history by bringing Gucci's signature monogram duffle bag on court at Wimbledon, with the brand receiving special approval from the ATP, ITF, and Wimbledon. The bag has since become a symbol of Sinner's unique style and the growing influence of fashion in the world of tennis.Sinner's latest on-court accessory is a testament to the continued collaboration between Gucci and Head. The bag perfectly blends sportswear and luxury fashion, featuring both Head's leading performance materials and Gucci's signature design elements. Sinner is set to carry the bag at all competitions this season, further solidifying his status as a fashion icon in the world of tennis.Beyond his fashion sense, Sinner is also a formidable competitor on the court. Despite struggling with a hip injury in recent weeks, he made a strong return at Roland Garros, defeating Christopher Eubanks in straight sets. The victory boosted confidence in Sinner's quest for a second Grand Slam title and put him back in the running to finish the fortnight as the ATP's new world No. 1.Sinner's next challenge will be against France's Richard Gasquet on Court Philippe Chatrier in the second round at Roland Garros. With his unique style and determination, Sinner is poised to make a deep run in the tournament and continue his ascent to the top of the tennis world.