Tennis

Tsitsidosa: A Tennis Power Couple Set to Conquer Mixed Doubles at the US OpenPaula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, the dynamic tennis duo known as "Tsitsidosa," have officially announced their entry into the Grand Slam mixed doubles arena. After triumphing in the inaugural Mixed Madness event, the couple will make their main draw debut at the 2024 US Open.Badosa, a former world No. 2, expressed her excitement and confidence in their partnership. "I'm the responsible one on the mixed doubles team," she joked. "I carry us!"Their journey to the US Open has been marked by both setbacks and triumphs. Last summer, they were scheduled to play mixed doubles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but Badosa's back injury forced her to withdraw. Now fully recovered, they have proven their dominance as a tennis power couple.In the Mixed Madness event, Tsitsidosa defeated American teams Coco Gauff-Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz-Amanda Anisimova, claiming a whopping $250,000 prize. Badosa's highlight of the night was returning Shelton's blistering serve, which often reaches speeds of 150 miles per hour."Every time I see him, I'm like, 'I returned your serves!'" Badosa exclaimed. "It was so easy to return his serve, so I love it."Badosa attributes their success to their shared strength and off-court chemistry. "I think it helps that I'm a strong player who can handle the man," she explained. "That may be the most important part of the mixed, the fact that I can return the man's serve.""Of course, he's an amazing tennis player, so that helps so much," she added of Tsitsipas. "He has an amazing serve and an amazing volley. He makes my life very easy there, you know? I'm like, 'Ok, you just ace it, and I'm just there!'"Despite their individual talents, Badosa emphasizes the importance of teamwork and support. "Even though we're both good players, we can come together and not play good doubles. That could happen, you know? But in our case, we know how to handle the moments, and even when the two of us might be struggling a bit, we help and support each other very well. I think we enjoy it and that's really important."As the mixed doubles event at the US Open approaches, the question remains: can Tsitsidosa capture their first major title together? With their proven chemistry and determination, they are poised to make a significant impact on the Grand Slam stage.

Can Kalinskaya and Sinner Become the Next Power Couple to Triumph on the Same Weekend?After Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur's impressive double victory last week, Anna Kalinskaya and Jannik Sinner are poised to replicate their feat. The budding couple has been making headlines since their public display of affection at Roland Garros, and they are now on the cusp of achieving a significant milestone.Kalinskaya, ranked 24th in the world, has reached her first career grass-court final in Berlin. She overcame Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka in consecutive matches, showcasing her resilience and determination. Her boyfriend, Sinner, has also secured a spot in the Terra Wortmann Open final, marking his first grass-court final appearance.In a post-match interview, Kalinskaya expressed her admiration for Sinner's accomplishments and her desire to emulate his success. "I'm just trying to be a little bit as good as him," she said with a smile. "He's had an amazing year."Kalinskaya's victory on Sunday would be particularly significant as it would be her first WTA tour singles title. She has never reached a final before, making this an even more momentous occasion. Her opponent in the final will be either Coco Gauff, whom she defeated in Dubai, or Jessica Pegula.The potential for Kalinskaya and Sinner to become the next power couple to triumph on the same weekend is tantalizing. Their love and support for each other could provide the motivation and inspiration they need to reach the pinnacle of their respective sports.

Tsitsipas and Badosa Reunite for Mixed Doubles at Roland GarrosThe mixed doubles tournament at Roland Garros has gained prominence this year, with the return of tennis power couple Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa. The duo, who recently reunited, will face Ena Shibahara and Nathaniel Lammons in the first round.Tsitsipas and Badosa's participation has drawn attention due to their high-profile relationship and their potential to challenge for the title. The Greek and Spaniard are both accomplished singles players, with Tsitsipas ranked ninth in the world and Badosa a former world number two.In singles, Tsitsipas is considered a title contender, despite the uncertainty surrounding the men's game. He remains deferential to Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner, but believes he has the potential to challenge them on clay.Badosa, meanwhile, will face Katie Boulter in a high-profile first-rounder. She is eager to put her recent struggles behind her and make a deep run in Paris.The mixed doubles draw also features several other notable teams, including top seeds Ellen Perez and Matthew Ebden, and third seeds Demi Schurrs and Wesley Koolhof. Half of the 32 teams feature compatriots, adding an element of national pride to the competition.The mixed doubles tournament will take place at the same venue that will host the Olympic tennis event in a few months. This provides an opportunity for teams to familiarize themselves with the conditions and gain valuable experience.