Tennis

Tennis will make its grand return to the iconic Roland Garros for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The stage is set for a thrilling battle for gold, with a star-studded field of 184 players from 41 nations vying for glory.Defending champion Alexander Zverev will be looking to retain his men's singles title, while Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova aim to defend their women's doubles crown. Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic will also be back to defend their men's doubles gold.Tennis legends Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka will be seeking to add to their Olympic medal collections. Nadal, a two-time Olympic champion, will be aiming for his third gold in men's singles, while Murray, a two-time Olympic champion in men's singles, will be hoping to extend his medal count. Wawrinka, a 2008 Olympic champion in men's doubles, will be looking to add another medal to his tally.The singles draws will feature 64 competitors, while 32 teams will battle it out in men's and women's doubles. The 16 mixed doubles entries will be finalized on July 23.The field includes a mix of established stars and rising talents. Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Carlos Alcaraz are among the young players to watch, while Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, and Stefanos Tsitsipas will be looking to cement their status as the world's best.With a diverse field and a rich history, the tennis competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics promises to be an unforgettable spectacle. The battle for gold will be fierce, and the world's top players will be eager to etch their names into Olympic history.

Sumit Nagal, India's top-ranked tennis player, has secured his berth at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking a significant milestone in his career. Nagal's qualification is a testament to his remarkable rise in the sport, which has seen him achieve the joint-fourth highest ATP ranking among Indian men since the inception of computerized rankings in 1973.Nagal's journey to the Olympics began with his impressive performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he became the first Indian man since Leander Paes to win a singles match at the Games. His victory over Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin in the first round was a historic moment for Indian tennis.In the past year, Nagal has continued to excel, with his ATP ranking soaring to 71. His recent triumphs include winning the Heilbronn Challenger in Germany and reaching the finals of the Perugia Challenger in Italy. These performances on clay courts were part of Nagal's strategic preparation for the Paris Olympics, which will also be played on the iconic Roland-Garros clay courts.Before the Olympics, Nagal will shift his focus to the prestigious Wimbledon Championships, where he will make his main draw debut. This opportunity will provide him with valuable experience and help him fine-tune his game ahead of the Games.Nagal's qualification for the Paris Olympics is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering determination. It is a proud moment for India and a significant achievement for Nagal, who has become a role model for aspiring tennis players across the country.

The 2023 French Open witnessed a surge in attendance and viewership, setting new records for the tournament. A staggering 675,080 spectators flocked to Roland Garros, marking a 6.6% increase from the previous year. This influx of fans contributed to an electrifying atmosphere throughout the two-week event.The men's singles final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev captivated a massive audience. On French national television, the peak viewership reached an impressive 7.34 million, representing an audience share of 40.6%. The match also drew a peak audience of 1.5 million in Poland, where Alcaraz's victory was celebrated as a national triumph.The women's singles final between Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini, while not as widely viewed in France, still garnered significant attention. The match attracted a peak audience of 2.2 million viewers on Eurosport in Germany.Beyond television, the French Open also dominated digital platforms. The tournament's various platforms recorded over 1 billion video views, more than double the number from 2022. The official Roland Garros website received over 83 million page views, demonstrating the tournament's global reach.The French Tennis Federation (FFT) attributed the record-breaking attendance and viewership to several factors, including the return of full capacity crowds after the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence of young stars like Alcaraz and Swiatek, and the tournament's continued commitment to innovation and fan engagement.The success of the 2023 French Open underscores the enduring popularity of tennis and the tournament's status as one of the most prestigious events in the sporting calendar. The FFT's efforts to enhance the fan experience and promote the sport have paid dividends, ensuring that Roland Garros remains a must-see event for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.

Daria Kasatkina and her doubles partner Natalia Zabiiako have shared their experiences at the Roland Garros Grand Slam in their latest "What the Vlog" episode. Kasatkina, a self-proclaimed Pokémon enthusiast, received a special birthday surprise from her compatriot Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.Pavlyuchenkova had spotted a limited-edition necklace from the Tiffany & Arsham Studio & Pokémon collaboration and alerted Kasatkina, who was thrilled to receive the pendant featuring the character Cubone. The necklace was flown in from Denmark, as the collection had only been released in New York and Tokyo at the time.In a playful gesture, Pavlyuchenkova presented the necklace to Kasatkina on one knee, complete with the iconic Tiffany blue case. Kasatkina was joined by Mirra Andreeva in the episode, and the trio engaged in friendly games of Uno and Rock, Paper, Scissors.Andreeva's attempt to start the game with scissors was quickly countered by Zabiiako's rock, forcing Andreeva to shuffle the deck. The episode offers a glimpse into Kasatkina's perspective on the Roland Garros tournament, showcasing her love for Pokémon and her playful interactions with her fellow players.

Carlos Alcaraz's triumph at Roland Garros 2023 marked a historic milestone in his career, solidifying his status as one of the most promising young stars in tennis. His remarkable journey to the title showcased his unwavering determination and exceptional talent.Alcaraz's victory was particularly impressive considering his recent injury struggles. Despite missing most of the clay-court lead-up season, he displayed remarkable resilience and determination to regain his top form. His ability to overcome adversity was evident in his thrilling comebacks from two-sets-to-one down in both the semifinals and final.With his victory, Alcaraz achieved several notable milestones:* He became the first man in the Open Era to win back-to-back five-setters in the semifinals and final of Roland Garros, a feat last accomplished by Rod Laver in 1962.* At 21, he became the youngest man ever to win a Grand Slam title on hard, grass, and clay.* He extended his perfect record in Grand Slam finals to 3-0, joining an elite group of players to achieve this feat.* He moved three-quarters of the way towards a Career Slam, with only the Australian Open title remaining to complete the set.* He became the fifth active men's player with three or more Grand Slam titles, joining the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka.* He became the first man born in the 2000s to win Roland Garros, and the first man born since 1990 to do so.* He surpassed all other men born since 1990 combined in terms of Grand Slam titles.* He broke a tie with Jannik Sinner for most career tour-level titles for a man born in the 2000s.* He surpassed $30 million in career prize money, becoming the 14th man in ATP history to achieve this milestone.* He rose to No. 2 in the ATP rankings, marking the first time that the Top 2 players were both born in the 2000s.Alcaraz's triumph at Roland Garros is a testament to his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and bright future in the sport of tennis. As he continues to develop and mature, he has the potential to become one of the greatest players of all time.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's third-ranked tennis player, is back in action after a brief illness and a rejuvenating vacation in Greece. Sabalenka, who was forced to withdraw from the second weekend of Roland Garros due to a stomach bug, is now fully recovered and eager to make a strong run at Wimbledon.Prior to her quarterfinal loss in Paris, Sabalenka had been struggling with a stomach bug for several days. She appeared visibly unwell during her match against Mirra Andreeva, receiving medical attention multiple times. Despite leading by a set, Sabalenka was unable to maintain her level of play and eventually lost in three sets.After her disappointing exit from Roland Garros, Sabalenka took some time off to recharge and recover. She jetted off to Greece for a relaxing getaway, where she soaked up the sun, enjoyed the local cuisine, and took in the picturesque sunset views."A little slice of paradise," Sabalenka captioned one post on Instagram, which showcased her dancing in a bikini and drinking white wine.Following her self-described "reset," Sabalenka is now ready to hit the grass courts. The two-time Wimbledon semifinalist stopped by the All-England Club to officially start her road to the year's third Grand Slam.After falling two matches short of the goal last year, the 26-year-old is hoping to become the first player since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the Australian Open and Wimbledon in the same year.Before returning to SW19, Sabalenka will make a stop at the ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin next week. With world No. 1 Iga Swiatek withdrawing due to fatigue, Sabalenka is expected to be the second seed behind newly-minted world No. 2 Coco Gauff.The WTA 500 event in Berlin begins on Monday, and Sabalenka will be looking to build momentum ahead of Wimbledon.

Swiatek and Paolini Withdraw from Berlin Grass-Court Event After Roland Garros TriumphsWorld No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Roland Garros runner-up Jasmine Paolini have withdrawn from next week's WTA grass-court event in Berlin, citing physical and mental fatigue after an intense nine-week stretch.Swiatek, who extended her winning streak to 35 matches with her third consecutive Roland Garros title, expressed the need for rest and recovery. "I had these ideas, like, doing preseason on grass so I can learn how to play there," she said. "But yeah, for sure it's a huge challenge."Paolini, who reached her first Grand Slam singles final and the doubles final in Paris, withdrew due to an unspecified injury. Her impressive performance at Roland Garros propelled her to career-high rankings in both singles and doubles, including a Top 10 debut in singles.The Berlin tournament, which begins on Monday, will still feature the remaining eight players ranked in this week's Top 10, including newly-minted world No. 2 Coco Gauff.Swiatek's withdrawal highlights the challenges of transitioning from clay to grass courts. Despite reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year, she has struggled on the surface, with a 9-4 record in four previous appearances at the All-England Club."I feel like every year it's easier for me to adapt to grass," Swiatek said. "So I think there is no need to do that. I just need to continue the work that I've been doing."The Berlin event will provide an opportunity for other top players to gain momentum ahead of Wimbledon, which begins on July 1.

Carlos Alcaraz, the newly crowned Roland Garros champion, has embarked on a celebratory vacation in Ibiza, a tradition he has maintained since his first visit in 2023. After his grueling five-set victory over Alexander Zverev in the final, Alcaraz sought respite on the party island.Social media has been abuzz with images of Alcaraz and his companions enjoying Ibiza's nightlife. One particularly memorable moment captured on video shows the 21-year-old belting out Queen's "We Are the Champions" at a nightclub, albeit with a charmingly off-key rendition.Beyond his karaoke escapades, Alcaraz is also commemorating his historic triumph with tattoos. Inspired by Marketa Vondrousova, he has already inked the dates of his 2022 US Open and 2023 Wimbledon victories on his body.For his Roland Garros victory, Alcaraz plans to immortalize the moment with a tattoo of the Eiffel Tower and the date on his left ankle. "It's going to be the left one ... with the Tour Eiffel with the date of today," he declared after the final.Alcaraz's post-tournament celebrations reflect his joy and relief after a grueling clay-court season. His victory in Paris marks a significant milestone in his career, solidifying his status as one of the most promising young players in tennis.

Roland Garros, the prestigious clay-court Grand Slam, has concluded, but the fashion moments continue to captivate. A day after Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek emerged victorious, they showcased their sartorial prowess in photocalls on the tournament grounds.Carlos Alcaraz: Louis Vuitton AmbassadorAs the global face of Louis Vuitton, Alcaraz exuded elegance in a bespoke double-breasted suit jacket and pants. The Spaniard's partnership with the French fashion house extends beyond the court, with a personalized Malle Vestiaire and a recent modeling stint for the 2024 men's collection. Alcaraz's winning look was complemented by a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch, featuring an 18 karat yellow gold case and a meteorite dial.Iga Swiatek: Polish Style IconSwiatek, the world's top-ranked player, made a statement in satin for her photo shoot with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. She donned a cream-colored silk wrap-neck top and wide-leg cupro trousers by Polish designer Magda Butrym. The brand, known for its collaborations with independent artisans, has gained recognition in tennis circles after Swiatek's previous appearances in their designs. Swiatek completed her look with a Rolex Lady-Datejust watch in 18 karat Everose gold.Fashion and Tennis: A Symbiotic RelationshipThe Roland Garros photocalls highlight the growing intersection between fashion and tennis. Players are increasingly embracing high-end brands and using their platforms to showcase their personal style. This trend not only enhances the glamour of the sport but also provides opportunities for designers to reach a wider audience.