Tennis

Reilly Opelka's remarkable journey from injury-stricken rehab buddy to Infosys Hall of Fame Open quarterfinalist is a testament to his resilience and the power of friendship. During his nearly two-year hiatus from tennis, Opelka found solace in the support of fellow American Mackenzie McDonald, who had endured similar struggles with a torn hamstring.McDonald's unwavering support during Opelka's darkest days left a lasting impression. "He came down to my house just to hang out with me for a few days on his time off, just to check in on me," Opelka recalled. "That's just the kind of guy that Mackie is."Now, reunited in Newport, both players are thriving. Opelka defeated McDonald in a hard-fought quarterfinal, showcasing his signature serve that produced 27 aces. Despite being the lowest-ranked semifinalist in the ATP era, Opelka is playing with newfound freedom and confidence."These guys don't want to lose to a guy who hasn't played in two years," Opelka said. "So I'm playing with house money and it allows me to be a little bit more free."Opelka's injury woes began in 2022 with a benign tumor removal surgery. A subsequent wrist injury derailed his comeback attempt, requiring two surgeries. The setbacks forced him to confront the possibility of retirement."I was ready to pivot," Opelka admitted. "But I'm pretty confident I'll land on my feet."However, Opelka's love for tennis prevailed. He has embraced his second chance, winning over top seed Adrian Mannarino and Constant Lestienne in Newport. Next up is 19-year-old Alex Michelsen, who reminds Opelka of Taylor Fritz.Opelka plans to continue his comeback at Washington, D.C. and Cincinnati before returning to Grand Slam play at the US Open. His protected ranking will allow him to compete in his first major since Wimbledon two years ago.Opelka's journey is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, friendship and determination can pave the way for triumph.

Belinda Bencic, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in tennis, has made a remarkable return to the court just two months after giving birth to her first child. The Swiss star shared a video on social media showcasing her gradual comeback, with her daughter Bella adorably wiggling in her stroller in the foreground.Bencic, now 27, announced her pregnancy in November 2023, two months after her last tournament appearance in San Diego. Ranked No. 14 at the time, she had hinted at her desire to return to tennis, inspired by the success of other mothers in the sport.In her recent podcast appearance, Bencic expressed her admiration for fellow tennis moms, stating, "There are a lot of moms in tennis right now who are inspiring me, so I can see that it is possible."Bencic's return to training is a testament to her determination and resilience. The video shows her hitting groundstrokes gingerly from the service line, a sign of her cautious approach as she regains her fitness.Before her pregnancy, Bencic had a successful 2023 season, winning titles in Adelaide and Abu Dhabi and posting a 31-13 win-loss record. Her return to the court has sparked excitement among fans and fellow players, who are eager to see her back in action.Bencic's comeback journey is an inspiration to all athletes, particularly those who are balancing motherhood with their sporting careers. Her determination and positive attitude serve as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and support.

Rafael Nadal's return to competitive tennis has been met with mixed results, and his upcoming match against Jiri Lehecka in the Mutua Madrid Open presents a significant challenge. Nadal's recent victory over Pedro Cachin was hard-fought, raising concerns about his physical condition and ability to withstand the rigors of a long match.Lehecka, on the other hand, is a rising star with a powerful game that could pose problems for Nadal. Despite not being known as a clay-court specialist, Lehecka has shown impressive form on the surface, including a straight-set win over clay-court specialist Thiago Monteiro.Nadal has acknowledged Lehecka's heavy ball-striking ability, which could prove challenging for the Spaniard's aging body. Additionally, Nadal's serve has been inconsistent, making him vulnerable to breaks.Lehecka's reliability with the ball and his aggressive style could further exploit Nadal's weaknesses. The Czech player's ability to hit winners from both wings could wear down Nadal, who has struggled to maintain his peak performance in recent matches.Given the factors working against Nadal, including his recent physical struggles and Lehecka's impressive form, it may be prudent to consider fading Nadal in this matchup. Lehecka's momentum and aggressive play could prove too much for the Spaniard to overcome.

Mikael Ymer, the Swedish tennis star who dramatically announced his retirement in August 2023, has made a surprising U-turn. Ten months after bidding farewell to the sport, Ymer has revealed his decision to return to professional tennis upon completing his anti-doping suspension.Ymer's retirement announcement came as a shock to the tennis community, as the 25-year-old had reached a career-high ranking of world No. 50 in 2022. However, his promising career was derailed by an 18-month ban imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in July 2023.The ban stemmed from three missed out-of-competition doping tests in a 12-month period in 2021. Ymer initially accepted the first two missed tests but contested the third, claiming it was a result of a miscommunication with his agent.Despite being cleared by an independent tribunal in June 2023, the ITF appealed the decision, leading to CAS upholding the original two-year ban and imposing an 18-month suspension. Ymer vehemently denied using any banned substances and expressed his disappointment with the verdict.Following his suspension, Ymer received support from fellow players, including his brother Elias Ymer, Casper Ruud, Corentin Moutet, and Alize Cornet. However, he also faced criticism for his erratic behavior, including a default from a match in Lyon in May 2023 and a series of controversial tweets accusing tennis authorities of conspiring against him.Despite the setbacks, Ymer's return to social media and tennis has been met with enthusiasm from fans and fellow players. He will be eligible to return to competition in January 2025, and his comeback is eagerly anticipated by the tennis world.

Angelique Kerber's remarkable comeback reached a new milestone at the BNP Paribas Open, where she secured her first WTA 1000 victory since returning from maternity leave. The former world No. 1 defeated Petra Martic 6-3, 6-4, showcasing her unwavering determination and resilience.Kerber's journey back to the court has been nothing short of inspiring. After announcing her pregnancy in 2022, she welcomed her daughter Liana in February 2023. True to her promise, she returned to action at the start of 2024, eager to prove that motherhood had not diminished her competitive spirit.Despite a slow start to the season, Kerber looked rejuvenated in Indian Wells. She dispatched Martic in 90 minutes, demonstrating her trademark consistency and unwavering focus. The Croatian, ranked No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko, awaits Kerber in the second round.Kerber and Martic's rivalry dates back to 2008, when a young Kerber faced a lower-ranked Martic in Slovenia. Both players have since established themselves among the world's elite, with Kerber claiming three Grand Slam titles and reaching the pinnacle of the rankings.The match began with Martic struggling to find her rhythm against Kerber's relentless pressure. The German broke serve early, but Martic fought back to level the score. Undeterred, Kerber regained the initiative and served out the opening set.The second set followed a similar pattern, with Kerber breaking serve early and maintaining her advantage. Martic showed glimpses of her fighting spirit, saving three break points, but Kerber remained unyielding. Serving for the match, Kerber converted her second match point to seal the victory.Kerber's triumph is a testament to her unwavering determination and the power of motherhood. It serves as an inspiration to all athletes who aspire to balance their personal and professional lives. As she prepares to face Ostapenko, Kerber will be confident in her ability to continue her remarkable comeback and challenge for more titles.