Tennis

Grigor Dimitrov has etched his name in tennis history by becoming the first player born in 1990 or later to achieve both 450 career wins and 300 hard-court victories. The Bulgarian star accomplished this remarkable feat by overcoming a spirited challenge from Andrey Rublev in a thrilling five-set battle at the US Open.Dimitrov's 6-3, 7-6 (3), 1-6, 3-6, 6-3 triumph not only propelled him to his second US Open quarterfinal but also marked a significant milestone in his illustrious career. With 450 wins, he surpasses Alexander Zverev as the first player born in the 1990s to reach this milestone.Moreover, Dimitrov's 300th hard-court win sets him apart as the only player born in his generation to achieve this feat. His dominance on this surface is evident in his impressive record, which includes victories at the 2017 ATP Finals and the 2018 Cincinnati Masters.Dimitrov's success is a testament to his unwavering determination and exceptional talent. He has consistently performed at the highest level, reaching eight Grand Slam quarterfinals and winning eight ATP Tour titles. His ability to adapt to different playing styles and surfaces has made him a formidable opponent for any player.As Dimitrov continues his journey at the US Open, he will face another formidable challenge in the quarterfinals against Daniil Medvedev. The Russian star is known for his relentless baseline play and exceptional defense. However, Dimitrov's experience and recent form suggest that he has the potential to upset Medvedev and advance to the semifinals.Regardless of the outcome of his remaining matches, Dimitrov has already cemented his place as one of the most successful players of his generation. His achievements at the US Open are a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in his abilities.

Paula Badosa's journey back to the top of women's tennis has been a testament to her resilience and determination. After a series of injuries threatened to derail her career, Badosa has emerged stronger than ever, reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open and setting her sights on a return to the WTA Finals.Badosa's struggles began during the clay court season, where she suffered early exits in several tournaments. The setbacks raised questions about her future in the sport, especially as she resorted to cortisone shots to manage her persistent back pain.However, Badosa refused to give up. She found solace in her relationship with fellow pro Stefanos Tsitsipas and explored opportunities off the court. But her competitive fire burned brighter than ever, and she resolved to give herself one more year to prove that she could still compete at the highest level.The hard-court season has been a turning point for Badosa. She won her first title in over two years at the Mubadala Citi DC Open and reached the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open. Her impressive form has propelled her into the last eight at the US Open, where she is now projected to make a Top 20 return.Badosa's victory over Wang Yafan in the fourth round was a testament to her newfound confidence and aggression. Despite being the overwhelming favorite, Badosa remained focused and executed her game plan flawlessly."I think I managed that, and I dealt with the pressure and the nerves pretty well," Badosa said. "I was really aggressive. I think today the forehand worked really well and especially also the serve. I'm really pleased with that."Badosa's next challenge will be an even tougher one. She will face either Emma Navarro or Coco Gauff, the defending champion, in the quarterfinals. While she is not expecting a home-court advantage despite being born in New York City, Badosa is relishing the opportunity to play on one of the biggest stages in tennis."I like these kinds of challenges," Badosa said. "I was born to play on big stages, and I'm really looking forward for that."Badosa's journey back to the top has been an inspiration to many. Her unwavering belief in herself and her ability to overcome adversity serve as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

Jessica Pegula's initial skepticism towards Adidas' Pro WOW Dress has transformed into admiration after experiencing its benefits on the court at the US Open. The eye-catching blue, black, and white dress, featuring long sleeves and underarm cutouts, has sparked discussions among tennis and fashion enthusiasts.Adidas' 2024 New York Collection, inspired by the high temperatures at Flushing Meadows, prioritizes body temperature management and range of motion. Pegula, along with other Adidas athletes like Caroline Wozniacki and Alexander Zverev, has embraced the collection.The Pro WOW Dress, priced at $210, boasts a cobalt blue colorway inspired by the tournament's hard courts. Its long sleeves with underarm cutouts, strategic color blocks, and mesh opening in the back enhance ventilation.Pegula initially found the dress's silhouette unusual, but after several rounds at the US Open, she has grown to appreciate its functionality. She describes it as "super lightweight" and has noticed the effects of the color-blocking during matches."I know that it somehow helped with air flow and heat based on the black and white on the sleeves and the shoulders... as well, I think, to block the sun off your shoulders," Pegula explained.Despite concerns about heat retention, Pegula found the dress to be breathable and comfortable. She has maintained a calm and composed demeanor on court, advancing to the fourth round without dropping a set.Pegula's next opponent, Diana Shnaider, is also known for her distinctive on-court style. The two players will face off on Monday for a place in the quarterfinals.

Casper Ruud, the Norwegian tennis star, will face off against American Taylor Fritz in a highly anticipated fourth-round clash at the US Open on Sunday. Despite being a three-time Grand Slam runner-up and ranked four spots higher than Fritz in the ATP rankings, Ruud is surprisingly the underdog in this matchup.Fritz has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, showcasing his exceptional hard-court skills. His career winning percentage on hard courts stands at 60.1%, rising to 64.9% over the past year. However, Ruud has also demonstrated significant improvement on this surface, boasting a 67.4% winning percentage over the last 52 weeks.Ruud's success on hard courts is attributed to his improved serve and backhand, as well as his aggressive playing style. He has also proven to be a consistent performer at the US Open, reaching the final in 2021. Fritz, on the other hand, has a more modest record at this Slam, with a quarterfinal appearance as his best result.Despite Fritz's home-court advantage, Ruud's experience and recent form make him a formidable opponent. He has a 2-0 head-to-head record against Fritz, including a victory on indoor hard courts earlier this year.Ruud's ability to hit deep topspin forehands and pounce on short balls gives him an edge over Fritz. While Fritz possesses more firepower, Ruud's superior court coverage and tactical intelligence make him a more complete player.While Ruud's recent form has been inconsistent, he has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament. His victories over Gael Monfils and Juncheng Shang demonstrated his ability to raise his level when it matters most.Overall, the oddsmakers' favoritism towards Fritz may be premature. Ruud's proven track record, recent improvement on hard courts, and head-to-head advantage make him a strong contender in this matchup.

Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old tennis prodigy, has emerged as a beacon of perspective and introspection at the US Open. After a challenging summer, Gauff shifted her focus from external expectations to her own inner growth."I have to do this and do that, but I don't have to prove anything to anyone except myself," Gauff said. "I have many more years coming back here, and I'm not going to win every year."Gauff's perspective extends beyond the tennis court. She wears Olympic jewelry as a "flex," uses social media to gauge public opinion on her outfits, and blocks online harassers without hesitation. However, she remains open to constructive criticism and finds solace in the wisdom of others."A couple days ago somebody commented on my TikTok and the comment said…'You've won literally and figuratively. Why stress yourself out over a victory lap?'" Gauff recalled. "I was, like, that's actually a good perspective. No one can take that from me so why stress myself over something that I already have."Gauff's historical awareness is also evident in her admiration for Kamala Harris's presidential nomination. "It is really incredible to see how far this country has come and people of color, Black people in general," she said.Gauff's unique personality shines through in her interviews. She discusses her daily Bible readings, her two journals, and her love of tennis history. "It's peak tennis," she said of the rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. "I don't know. It's crazy."Gauff's ability to articulate her thoughts and emotions makes her a compelling figure both on and off the court. She is a role model for young athletes and a reminder that success is not just about winning, but also about personal growth and perspective.

Iga Swiatek, the reigning world No. 1, has made a strong start to her 2024 US Open campaign, winning her first three matches in straight sets. Off the court, she has been enjoying the city's offerings, including dining out and building Legos.Swiatek has also been binge-watching the popular sitcom "Modern Family," which ran for 11 seasons from 2009 to 2010. She finds the show light and funny, a welcome distraction from the intensity of tennis."I'm not sure who recommended it to me," Swiatek said. "I think I just started watching it because I wanted something light. It was funny."Swiatek's favorite character is Manny, the eccentric and often hilarious son of Gloria and Jay. She also enjoys the show's ensemble cast, which includes Sofia Vergara, Ed O'Neill, and Julie Bowen."It changes every season, so I can't really say," Swiatek said when asked about her favorite character. "It was easier with Friends than with Modern Family."Swiatek's love of "Modern Family" is a departure from the more traditional binge-watching habits of tennis players, who often opt for long-running series like "Grey's Anatomy." However, it reflects her desire for something light and entertaining to balance her demanding on-court schedule.After her next off day, Swiatek will return to action on Labor Day to play No. 16 seed Liudmila Samsonova for a spot in the quarterfinals. She will be looking to continue her strong form and capture her second US Open title in three years.

Jannik Sinner, the world's top-ranked men's tennis player, continued his dominant run at the U.S. Open on Saturday, dispatching Chris O'Connell in straight sets to reach the fourth round. The 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory extended Sinner's winning streak to nine matches and further cemented his status as the favorite to claim the men's championship.Sinner's performance was a masterclass in tennis, as he controlled the match from the outset. He broke O'Connell's serve five times and never faced a break point himself. The Italian fired 15 aces and won more than twice as many winners as unforced errors."I felt like he was on from the get-go," said O'Connell. "I felt a little bit clueless, to be honest. ... Every single shot, I just felt like I had to do something with it, because he was just on me. He was suffocating me."Sinner's victory came just hours after the stunning upset of Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, by Alexei Popyrin. Two days earlier, Carlos Alcaraz, the French Open and Wimbledon winner, was also eliminated. These unexpected results have left Sinner as the clear frontrunner in the men's draw."It shows that this sport is unpredictable," said Sinner. "Whenever you drop a little bit of your level — if it’s mental, if it’s tennis-wise or physical — at the end, it has a huge impact on the result."In the fourth round, Sinner will face Tommy Paul of the United States. Paul, a 2023 Australian Open semifinalist, defeated Canadian qualifier Gabriel Diallo in four sets."He’s a great mover. He has improved a lot in the last period of time. It’s going to be a tough challenge," said Sinner about facing Paul. "He plays some great tennis, especially here in America."Sinner's victory also marked the first time since 2000 that the top two seeds in the men's draw were eliminated before the fourth round. This has opened up the tournament and given other players a chance to make a deep run.

Caroline Wozniacki, the former world No. 1, expressed her disappointment on Saturday after her close friend Serena Williams failed to attend her US Open match. Wozniacki, who is celebrating the one-year anniversary of her comeback from maternity leave, had hoped to see Williams in the stands."I'm pretty mad at her for not showing up to my match," Wozniacki joked during her on-court interview. "I think we have to talk about that a little bit later."Wozniacki later confirmed that she had gotten in touch with Williams, who has been one of her closest friends for the past ten years. "I love hanging with her," Wozniacki said after defeating Jessika Ponchet in straight sets. "I love talking to her. You know, I love the support that I get from her, as well."Williams was on the grounds for the first time in 2024, paying tribute to her 2004 denim skirt with a similar look. She caught up with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Wozniacki.Although Williams retired from tennis over two years ago, Wozniacki noted that her friend is as busy as ever. "I think when you've been such incredible at something, I think you'll always have the opportunity, you'll always be great at whatever you put your mind to," Wozniacki said.Wozniacki also commented on Williams' demeanor since retiring. "I feel like to me she's always been that upbeat and happy person," she said. "Obviously, we're all in the zone when we're about to compete, and so that's different when you don't play anymore. But at the end of the day, I think she's always been, you know, a happy and outgoing person."While it's unlikely that Williams will ever share the court with anyone other than her sister, Wozniacki hinted at the possibility of a legends doubles exhibition between the two friends in the future.

New York City: A Tennis Fan's Paradise Beyond the US OpenThe US Open, the final Grand Slam of the tennis season, draws thousands of fans, players, and media to New York City. While the Flushing Meadows tennis circus is the main attraction, the city offers a plethora of other experiences for visitors.Player-Approved RecommendationsBeyond the iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building and Times Square, tennis enthusiasts can explore hidden gems recommended by ATP and WTA players.* Nick Kyrgios in Juice Form: Joe & The Juice offers "The Big Smash by Nick Kyrgios," a refreshing coconut drink made with strawberries, pitaya powder, and protein.* Aryna Sabalenka's Refreshing Serve: Oakberry has collaborated with Sabalenka to create 'The Power Serve Bowl,' an açaí bowl with blueberry, peanut butter, and chia pudding.* The Suite Life in NYC: Top players often reside in Midtown hotels during the US Open. The St. Regis New York and The Lotte New York Palace are popular choices, with Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz staying there this year.Culinary DelightsNew York City is a culinary paradise, and tennis players have their favorite spots.* Get a Bagel, Any Bagel: Ess-a-bagel in Turtle Bay is a popular bagel spot for players before heading to Queens.* Italian Dining with Italian Players: Via Della Place in the East Village is a favorite among Italian players like Matteo Berrettini and Lorenzo Musetti.* French It Up: Le Baratin and The Odeon offer authentic French cuisine and ambiance for those craving Parisian nostalgia.Nightlife and EntertainmentAfter a day of tennis, visitors can dance the night away at popular destinations like Tao.