Tennis

Pro tennis has made its grand debut in South Dakota with the inaugural MarketBeat Open, a Challenger event held in Sioux Falls. This historic tournament holds immense significance as it offers a coveted wild card entry into the Australian Open.Mark Vellek, the tournament director, played a pivotal role in bringing pro tennis to his home state. A former college tennis player, Vellek returned to South Dakota and dedicated himself to developing tennis in the region. When the opportunity arose to host a pro tournament, he was the ideal candidate to lead the charge.The MarketBeat Open is hosted at the state-of-the-art Huether Family Match Pointe club, boasting 10 indoor tennis courts and exceptional amenities. The Sioux Falls community is eager to witness elite tennis firsthand, reflecting their passion for sports.The tournament features a strong field of players, including Wimbledon quarterfinalist Chris Eubanks, rising star Zachary Svajda, and US Open qualifier Mitchell Krueger. With an Australian Open main draw spot on the line, the competition promises to be intense.Vellek emphasizes the significance of the tournament, stating, "The Road to Melbourne starts in Sioux Falls. A lot is at stake for these guys. Those types of things can change careers."The MarketBeat Open is a testament to the growing popularity of tennis in South Dakota. It provides an opportunity for local residents to experience the sport at the highest level and showcases the state's commitment to sports excellence.

Two-time French Open finalist Dominic Thiem's hopes of a wildcard entry into this year's tournament were dashed on Tuesday, forcing the former US Open champion to navigate the qualifying rounds to secure a spot in the main draw. The 30-year-old Austrian, who announced his retirement at the end of the season due to a persistent wrist injury, will now face an uphill battle to reach the Roland Garros main event.Thiem's absence from the wildcard list was not the only surprise, as 2018 French Open women's champion Simona Halep and 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu were also overlooked by the French Tennis Federation. Instead, the wildcards were awarded to Alexandre Muller, who was defeated in the fourth round of the Rome Open as a qualifier, and Alize Cornet, who will be making her final appearance at the tournament. American Nicolas Moreno de Alboran and Australian Adam Walton also received wildcards.The decision to deny Thiem a wildcard has raised eyebrows, given his impressive record at Roland Garros. The Austrian reached the final in 2018 and 2019, losing to Rafael Nadal on both occasions. However, his form has suffered in recent years due to his wrist injury, and he has struggled to regain his previous level of play.Halep's omission from the wildcard list is also surprising, considering her status as a former champion and her recent resurgence in form. The Romanian has won two Grand Slam titles and reached the semifinals of the French Open on three occasions. Raducanu's absence is less surprising, as she has struggled to maintain her form since her US Open triumph last year.The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the season, will get underway on May 26. The qualifying rounds will begin on May 22, and Thiem will be among the favorites to secure one of the remaining spots in the main draw.

Diego Schwartzman, the former world No. 8, announced his retirement from tennis next February. However, he hopes to play one last time in the main draw of Roland Garros, where he had his best-ever Grand Slam run four years ago.With a current ranking of No. 142, Schwartzman will need to qualify for the main draw unless he receives a wild card from tournament organizers. He has cheekily made his case on Instagram, garnering support from fans.Schwartzman's retirement news has been met with congratulations from the tennis community, including Grand Slam winners Juan Martin del Potro and Gabriela Sabatini. His compatriot Francisco Cerundolo praised his impact on Argentine tennis.Dominic Thiem, whom Schwartzman famously defeated en route to his Paris semifinal, called him an "absolute legend." John Isner, with whom Schwartzman reached the Rome doubles final, dubbed him "my forever doubles partner."Schwartzman plans to play out the 2024 season, hoping to compete at all his favorite events. He has expressed his desire to end his career with a "most beautiful ending" at his home tournament in Buenos Aires in 2025.