Tennis

Grigor Dimitrov, the world No. 10 tennis player, has taken on an additional role at the 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin: Team Europe's DJ. Dimitrov's eclectic music tastes, ranging from Linkin Park to Hans Zimmer, have made him the perfect choice for the job.Stefanos Tsitsipas, Dimitrov's teammate, revealed his unofficial title during an on-court interview after his opening singles victory on Friday. Tsitsipas praised Dimitrov's playlist, saying he had introduced him to new and cool songs.Dimitrov's musical contributions have added to the already vibrant atmosphere at the Laver Cup. The Bulgarian's love for music is well-known, and he has often shared his playlists with fans on social media.Tsitsipas's victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis was a significant moment for the Greek player. It was his first match win since July, and he credited outgoing Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg for his improved performance."I came on the court with a big sense of determination from the very beginning," Tsitsipas said. "I really didn't want to repeat what happened at the US Open."Tsitsipas expressed his gratitude to Borg, saying he wanted to make him proud. He also joked that the Swede should be his new coach.The Laver Cup is a unique event that brings together the best players from Europe and the rest of the world. The tournament is played over three days and features a variety of singles and doubles matches.Team Europe has won the Laver Cup four times in a row, and they will be looking to extend their streak in Berlin. With Dimitrov providing the soundtrack and Tsitsipas playing with renewed confidence, Team Europe is well-positioned to continue their dominance.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the world No. 11, has endured a challenging period, losing three of his last four matches and parting ways with his father as his coach. His struggles have been particularly evident at the US Open, where he has never advanced beyond the third round.Tsitsipas's weakness on the backhand wing, where he employs a one-handed shot, has been exploited by opponents. The US Open's fast courts provide limited time for him to set up his backhand, making him vulnerable to aggressive players like Thanasi Kokkinakis.Furthermore, Tsitsipas's forehand, typically a potent weapon, has been misfiring. His inability to punish opponents with this shot has further weakened his game. Additionally, his return game has been subpar, leaving him susceptible to early breaks.In contrast, Kokkinakis has enjoyed a resurgence since May, winning 11 of his last 18 matches. He has defeated notable players such as Alexei Popyrin, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Gael Monfils. Kokkinakis's aggressive style, featuring powerful strokes and quick holds, poses a significant threat to Tsitsipas.While Kokkinakis has faced physical issues this year, his absence from Cincinnati suggests he will be well-rested for the US Open. If healthy, he has the potential to push Tsitsipas to the limit and even secure an upset victory.

Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas Triumph in Inaugural Mixed Madness Event at US Open Fan WeekThe 2024 US Open Fan Week kicked off with a bang as Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas emerged victorious in the inaugural Mixed Madness event. The tournament, held on Tuesday, featured a star-studded field of teams competing for a $250,000 prize.Badosa and Tsitsipas, who have been in a whirlwind romance, reunited on the court for the first time since their brief breakup earlier this year. The duo showcased their chemistry and skill, defeating Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton in the semifinals and Amanda Anisimova and Taylor Fritz in the final.Badosa, who recently reached the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open, took to social media to celebrate their victory, calling it the "best date night ever." The four-team mixed doubles event also featured appearances from tennis legends Billie Jean King and Andre Agassi, adding to the star power of the occasion.The Mixed Madness event proved to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the excitement and camaraderie of the tennis community. Badosa and Tsitsipas' triumph marked a memorable moment in the lead-up to the US Open, which is set to begin on Monday.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the former world No. 3, has overcome a slow start and off-court upheaval to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff at the Cincinnati Open. Tsitsipas, who recently parted ways with his father as his head coach, admitted to being in a "bad place" after losing the first set. However, he rallied to win the next two sets and secure a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.Tsitsipas's win comes amidst a period of transition in his career. He is now working with childhood friend Dimitris Chatzinikolaou as he weighs more permanent coaching options. Tsitsipas acknowledged the challenges of such changes but emphasized the importance of focusing on his own abilities and finding the right people to support him."The right people adjust and they make it work for you and they make it work around you," Tsitsipas said. "Once you find these people, it's a big relief for your tennis because you're able to communicate in great ways."Tsitsipas also expressed gratitude for the emotional support he has received from his girlfriend, Paula Badosa, a former world No. 2. He clarified that his decision to part ways with his father was his own and not influenced by anyone else."This was entirely my decision, not influenced by anyone else," Tsitsipas said. "It was a difficult one to make, and I didn't actually advise with her, which I guess would have been a normal thing to do when you're in a relationship."Tsitsipas will next face Jack Draper, who holds a 1-0 head-to-head advantage over the Greek star. Tsitsipas is hoping to build positive momentum ahead of the 2024 US Open, where he will aim to add to his two Grand Slam runner-up finishes.

The one-handed backhand, a once-ubiquitous stroke in tennis, has faced a decline in recent years. However, a group of ATP Tour stars, including Grigor Dimitrov, Lorenzo Musetti, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, are determined to keep the shot alive.In a humorous tribute video, these players poked fun at the challenges of transitioning to a two-handed backhand. Dimitrov joked about the difficulties of using two hands for everyday tasks, such as brushing teeth and eating lunch.Despite the lighthearted tone, the video underscores the players' commitment to preserving the one-handed backhand. Dimitrov, now 33, has long been a vocal advocate for the shot. Earlier this year, he declared himself the "biggest supporter" of the one-handed backhand.In February, for the first time since the inception of the ATP rankings in 1973, there were no players with a one-handed backhand ranked in the Top 10. However, Dimitrov and Tsitsipas have since rectified that situation.Dimitrov believes that the one-handed backhand is a unique and beautiful shot that deserves to be preserved. He encourages other players to continue using the shot and pushing its boundaries."I think the beauty of the one hand is just there's so much to it in order to hit the ball right with one hand," Dimitrov said.The one-handed backhand may be facing challenges, but it is far from dead. With players like Dimitrov, Musetti, and Tsitsipas leading the charge, the shot is sure to continue to grace the courts for years to come.

Stefanos Tsitsipas's frustrations boiled over after his second-round loss to Kei Nishikori at the ATP Montreal Masters, as he launched a scathing attack on his father-coach, Apostolos. The Greek star, who has plummeted to 11th in the ATP rankings, has endured a disappointing two-season stretch, winning only two titles.Tsitsipas's outburst stemmed from his belief that his father has not been an effective coach, particularly in handling match situations. "Masters 1000 matches are important, I need a coach who listens to me as a player," he said. "My father has not been very smart in handling some situations, in trying to read what is happening on the court."This is not the first time Tsitsipas has expressed dissatisfaction with his father's coaching. In late 2022, he brought on Mark Philippoussis as an assistant coach, but that partnership ended in May 2023, paving the way for Apostolos's return.Apostolos Tsitsipas has a reputation for being overly vocal during matches, often providing unsolicited advice between points. This behavior has drawn criticism in the past, and it appears to have reached a breaking point for his son."It has been a poor performance from my father and it's not the first time," Tsitsipas said. "I'm disappointed with him."Tsitsipas emphasized the importance of collaborative coaching, where the player's perspective is valued. "The coach needs to listen. The player is the one holding the racquet," he said. "I have power here to some degree but it should be a collaborative effort on both sides, for me to develop my tennis."It remains to be seen whether Tsitsipas will make a permanent change to his coaching setup. However, his public criticism of his father suggests that he is seeking a more supportive and effective partnership.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, continued his pursuit of an elusive Olympic gold medal on Wednesday, reaching the quarterfinals of the men's singles tournament at the Tokyo Olympics. Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles, defeated German Dominik Koepfer 7-5, 6-3 to become the first man to reach four Olympic singles quarterfinals.Djokovic, who has only ever won an Olympic bronze medal in 2008, will face 11th-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the quarterfinals. Tsitsipas, who lost to Djokovic in the 2021 French Open final, will be a tough test for the Serbian.In other men's singles action, defending champion Alexander Zverev of Germany will face Alexei Popyrin of Australia, while fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia will face Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.In the men's doubles, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain will face fourth-seeded Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the United States in the quarterfinals. Nadal, a 14-time French Open singles champion, is chasing a third Olympic gold medal after winning the singles title in Beijing in 2008 and doubles in Rio eight years later.In the women's singles, world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland will face Danielle Collins of the United States in the quarterfinals. Swiatek, who has won the French Open four times, is looking to claim her first Olympic gold medal.Three-time major winner Angelique Kerber of Germany will face Zheng Qinwen of China in the quarterfinals. Kerber, who will retire after the Olympics, is looking to end her career on a high note.Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic will face Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia in the quarterfinals. Krejcikova, who won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon this year, is looking to add an Olympic medal to her collection.In the remaining women's quarterfinal, Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine will face Donna Vekic of Croatia. Vekic, who reached the semifinals at Wimbledon this year, will be looking to upset Kostyuk and reach the semifinals.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have emerged as the semifinalists at the 2023 Roland Garros, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown on Friday. Alcaraz, the No. 3 seed, continued his impressive run by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-4.Alcaraz dominated the opening set, breaking Tsitsipas in the first game and wrapping it up with another break in the eighth. The second set was more competitive, with Tsitsipas breaking back after trailing 2-0. However, Alcaraz regained control in the tie-break, winning four consecutive points to take the set.In the third set, Alcaraz broke Tsitsipas early and held on to his serve to secure the victory. The match was marred by some controversy, as Tsitsipas complained to the umpire about Alcaraz's grunting.Earlier in the day, Sinner defeated Grigor Dimitrov in three sets, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Sinner controlled the match from the start, breaking Dimitrov twice in the first set and once in the second. Dimitrov fought back in the third set, but Sinner proved too strong in the tie-break.Alcaraz and Sinner have now both reached 50 career Grand Slam wins, becoming the first men born in the 2000s to achieve this milestone. Alcaraz has advanced to the semifinals or better at five of the past six majors he has entered, while Sinner has reached the quarterfinals or better at four of the past five.The semifinal clash between Alcaraz and Sinner promises to be a captivating encounter. Alcaraz has won four of their previous eight meetings, but Sinner has prevailed in their only clay-court clash. With both players in excellent form, the match is likely to be decided by fine margins.

Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek emerged victorious in their respective matches at the French Open on Sunday, setting up intriguing quarterfinal clashes.Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spanish sensation, produced a dominant performance to defeat Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Despite a recent injury setback, Alcaraz showcased his exceptional talent, hitting 34 winners and displaying impressive consistency. He will now face Stefanos Tsitsipas, who overcame a spirited challenge from Matteo Arnaldi in a thrilling four-set encounter.Meanwhile, Swiatek, the world number one, continued her relentless pursuit of a third consecutive Roland Garros title with a ruthless 6-0, 6-0 demolition of Anastasia Potapova. The Polish star conceded a mere 10 points in the shortest completed match of her career, showcasing her unwavering focus and determination.In other men's action, Jannik Sinner overcame a slow start to defeat Corentin Moutet 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. The Italian will face Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.Coco Gauff, the 2022 French Open runner-up, cruised past Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1, 6-2. The American will now take on Ons Jabeur, who defeated Clara Tauson in straight sets.As the tournament progresses, the competition intensifies, with Alcaraz, Tsitsipas, Swiatek, and other top contenders vying for a place in the semifinals. The French Open continues to captivate tennis fans worldwide with its thrilling matches and unpredictable outcomes.