Tennis

Wimbledon 2023: Unexpected Crossovers and Star-Studded Watch PartiesThis year's Wimbledon Championships witnessed an array of unexpected crossovers and star-studded watch parties, adding a touch of glamour and excitement to the prestigious tennis tournament.Among the notable attendees were rapper Lil Wayne, who enthusiastically cheered on cult favorite Jelena Ostapenko, and singer P!nk, who met with both the Ladies finalists. However, it was the presence of NBA star Jimmy Butler and Formula 1 driver Lando Norris that sparked a social media frenzy.The Miami Heat small forward, a renowned tennis enthusiast, and the McLaren driver hosted their own mini-watch party to witness Carlos Alcaraz's second Wimbledon triumph. Butler shared an Instagram Story video capturing their jubilant celebration, with Norris holding up a victory sign."Two in a row, Carlitos! Vamos!" Butler exclaimed.The pair also shared relatable snaps of their viewing experience, huddled together and watching Alcaraz's straight sets victory over Novak Djokovic on the small screen of an iPhone. Butler has been a regular fixture at tennis matches, particularly as an Alcaraz fan, having witnessed his performances at various tournaments over the years.On Sunday, Butler and Norris watched the action live from Berlin, where they were attending the 2024 European Championship final between Spain and England. They weren't the only high-profile figures tuning in to the year's most expensive sporting event.Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, watched from Bastad, Sweden, where he was preparing for his first competition in nearly 20 years ahead of the Olympics. Nadal heaped praise on the 21-year-old Alcaraz, writing in Spanish:"Congratulations Carlos!!!! What a great moment, another great one. Big hug!!!!"Alcaraz himself expressed his disbelief hours after securing his fourth Grand Slam title, becoming the sixth man in the Open Era to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year. His opponent, Djokovic, acknowledged Alcaraz's superiority, vowing to "rise and learn and get stronger."Messages of support and admiration poured in from across the sports world, including Alcaraz's beloved soccer team Real Madrid and numerous peers and legends on the ATP and WTA Tours.

Novak Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, showcased his exceptional tennis skills to defeat Lorenzo Musetti, the 25th-seeded Italian, in a thrilling three-set match (6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4) on Friday. This victory marks Djokovic's 10th Wimbledon final appearance, where he will face the reigning champion, Carlos Alcaraz, in a highly anticipated rematch of their 2023 encounter.As Centre Court gradually filled up after Alcaraz's hard-fought victory over Daniil Medvedev, Djokovic seized the initiative in the opening set. In a breathtaking 26-shot rally, he broke Musetti's serve in the sixth game. Djokovic's passionate celebration ignited the crowd, but Musetti responded with a powerful forehand to break back and level the set at 4-5. However, a shaky service game from Musetti handed the set to Djokovic.Musetti made a strong start in the second set, showcasing his impressive backhand pass to take a 3-1 lead. Djokovic remained composed, gradually regaining control and elevating his performance. He clinched the tiebreak with a dominant display, setting the stage for a potential sixth consecutive All England Club final.With the prospect of a 24th Grand Slam title within reach, Djokovic seized the opportunity in the third set. He broke Musetti's serve in the opening game with a backhand crosscourt winner. Djokovic's tactical brilliance shone through as he mixed up his game, employing serve-and-volley tactics to keep Musetti at bay. Despite a late comeback attempt from the Italian, Djokovic held firm, saving a breakpoint and securing the victory on his fourth match point.

Wimbledon 2023: Hindi Commentary Adds a New Flavor to the Grand SlamAs tennis fans worldwide eagerly await the live telecast of the Women's and Men's Wimbledon championship matches on July 13 and 14, Indian viewers are set to savor the action on Centre Court in their native Hindi language.Star Sports Network has partnered with the All India English Club to introduce Hindi commentary on its Star Sports 1 Hindi channel, marking a significant milestone in the accessibility of tennis in India. The live broadcast, featuring former Davis Cup player and current national and Davis Cup coach Zeeshan Ali, sports commentator Raman Bhanot, and host Suren Sundaram, has brought the matches alive for Hindi-speaking tennis enthusiasts.While a 30-minute show by Raman and Suren continues to air the highlights on the channel daily at 10 am, live commentary for the matches was initially slated for only two days (July 1 and 2). However, buoyed by the overwhelming response, the Network has extended the commentary for the finale."Commentating in Hindi was a different but enjoyable experience," said Zeeshan, who had previously commentated in English for Star Sports on Wimbledon in 2014 and 2015. "Having a chat with the production team about what was needed for the broadcast made it easier too."The matches covered by the team included the single matches between India's Sumit Nagal and Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic, Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) versus Dusam Lajovic (Serbia), and Carlos Alcaraz versus Mark Lajal.Although the technical terminology remains unchanged, the commentary in colloquial Hindi makes it easy to understand. "Like in cricket, tennis too has words specific to the game that cannot be changed irrespective of the language we speak," said Zeeshan, giving examples of terms such as forehand, backhand, overhead, volley, and serve.Raman Bhanot emphasized the importance of building content for Hindi viewers. "People who follow tennis and listen to English commentary know the backstory behind certain events. But Hindi commentators need to build in the content for Hindi viewers and explain the story behind their funny exchange."Conciseness and brevity are crucial in tennis commentary. Commentators must let the match play on and avoid talking while the rally is in progress. They should speak succinctly the moment a point is over, as the chair umpire might announce the score or faults."Hindi commentary is a welcome move that helps the game; it takes the sport to more people, cutting across language barriers," said Zeeshan.As you watch your favorite tennis star make their opponent run end to end on the baseline and follow it up with a drop shot, you might hear Raman say, 'Pura court napwaya diya' (He made him run all over the court)!

Wimbledon 2023 has witnessed an unprecedented number of thrilling five-set matches, breaking the record for a single major event. With Daniil Medvedev's victory over Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals, the tournament has now seen 36 such contests.Medvedev's triumph marked his seventh victory over a world No. 1, snapping a five-match losing streak to Sinner. The Russian's resilience was evident as he overcame a two-set deficit to prevail 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3.The tournament has been a showcase of intense battles and remarkable comebacks. On Day 1, Ugo Humbert and Alexander Bublik both rallied from two sets down to secure victories. Frances Tiafoe also staged a comeback against Matteo Arnaldi, while Arthur Cazaux and Aleksandar Vukic prevailed in marathon five-setters.Day 2 saw Ben Shelton and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard overcome seeded opponents, while Jack Draper and Thiago Seyboth Wild also emerged victorious in five-set thrillers. Tommy Paul, Thanasi Kokkinakis, and Roman Safiullin continued the trend on Day 3, with Miomir Kecmanovic, Tomas Machac, Emil Ruusuvuori, and Arthur Rinderknech also triumphing in extended matches.Day 4 brought more drama, with Grigor Dimitrov, Ben Shelton, Quentin Halys, Alejandro Tabilo, Lorenzo Musetti, Alexei Popyrin, and Francisco Comesana all winning in five sets. Denis Shapovalov also overcame Daniel Altmaier in a thrilling encounter.On Day 5, Carlos Alcaraz showcased his fighting spirit by defeating Frances Tiafoe in a five-set battle. Day 6 saw Ben Shelton continue his impressive run with a victory over Denis Shapovalov, while Holger Rune and Arthur Fils also prevailed in extended matches.Day 8 witnessed Taylor Fritz's stunning upset of Alexander Zverev, while Day 9 brought the record-breaking 36th five-set match, with Daniil Medvedev emerging victorious over Jannik Sinner.

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic is poised to reach his seventh consecutive quarterfinal at the All England Club on Monday. Aiming to equal the record of eight Wimbledon titles and claim his 25th Grand Slam crown, Djokovic overcame Australia's Alexei Popyrin in four sets on Saturday to advance to the fourth round for the 16th time.Djokovic's path to the quarterfinals presents a formidable challenge in the form of Danish sensation Holger Rune. The 15th-seeded Rune staged a remarkable comeback in the third round, rallying from two sets down to defeat Frenchman Quentin Halys. Djokovic acknowledged Rune's exceptional talent and competitive spirit, promising a thrilling encounter on Monday.Meanwhile, Yulia Putintseva, who stunned world number one Iga Swiatek in the third round, will face former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko for a place in the last eight. Putintseva's victory over Swiatek extended her impressive grass-court season, which included a title at the Birmingham Classic. Ostapenko, known for her emotional outbursts, will pose a significant threat to Putintseva's Wimbledon aspirations.Another intriguing fourth-round matchup features lucky loser Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The towering Frenchman, who initially failed to qualify for the tournament, has seized his unexpected opportunity with both hands. Mpetshi Perricard's colossal serve has propelled him to the last 16, where he will face Italian 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti. A victory for Mpetshi Perricard would mark a historic achievement, as he would become the first lucky loser to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals since 1995.As the Wimbledon tournament enters its eighth day, these three fourth-round matches promise to deliver captivating tennis and potentially shape the destiny of the championship.

World number one Jannik Sinner displayed his dominance on the Wimbledon grass, overcoming the challenge of big-serving American Ben Shelton in a thrilling three-set encounter. The Italian maestro secured a 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(9) victory, earning a spot in the quarter-finals.Shelton, known for his powerful serves, attempted to unsettle Sinner with an aggressive approach, employing serve-and-volley tactics. However, Sinner remained unfazed, breaking Shelton's serve twice in the opening set to take an early lead.In the second set, Sinner consolidated his advantage with an early break and sealed the set with a booming ace. Shelton, who had endured three-set battles in his previous rounds, faced an uphill task.The third set saw Shelton surge ahead 4-1, igniting hopes of a comeback. But Sinner's relentless power and precision proved too much for the American. The Italian drew level after eight games and saved a breakpoint to force a tiebreak.In the tense tiebreak, Shelton squandered four set points, allowing Sinner to seize the opportunity and secure the victory. The Italian's composure and determination under pressure were evident throughout the match.Sinner's victory sets up a quarter-final clash against either fifth seed Daniil Medvedev or 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov. The Italian will be aiming to continue his impressive run at Wimbledon, where he is yet to drop a set.

Wimbledon 2023: Swiatek, Hurkacz, Draper, and Murray Brothers Set for ActionThe Wimbledon Championships are underway, and the women's tournament is poised for an exciting start with Iga Swiatek's highly anticipated debut on grass. The world No. 1 has dominated the clay courts this season, but can she carry her momentum to the faster surface?Swiatek's first-round opponent, Petra Martic, is a formidable grass-court player with a game suited to the surface. However, Swiatek's improved serve, which saw her fire six aces in her opening match, could give her an edge.In the men's draw, Hubert Hurkacz is a potential dark horse for the title. His serve-based game thrives on grass, and he has a strong track record at Wimbledon, reaching the semifinals in 2021. His first test will be against Arthur Fils, a rising star with impressive groundstrokes.Another intriguing matchup is between British players Jack Draper and Cam Norrie. Draper has emerged as the new British No. 1, while Norrie has struggled for form recently. Their clash on Thursday will be a battle for supremacy among the home favorites.Finally, Andy Murray will make his final Wimbledon appearance alongside his brother, Jamie, in the doubles draw. The Murray brothers will face John Peers and Rinky Hijikata in a first-round match that is sure to evoke nostalgia and emotion.

Defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and fifth seed Daniil Medvedev overcame early challenges to advance to the third round, while eighth seed Casper Ruud suffered a disappointing exit on a rain-affected Wednesday.Alcaraz faced a stern test from Australian Aleksandar Vukic, narrowly escaping a first-set loss before finding his rhythm to secure a 7-6(5) 6-2 6-2 victory. The Spaniard expressed confidence in rediscovering the form that propelled him to the title last year.Medvedev also encountered difficulties against Alexandre Muller, ranked 102nd in the world. The Russian struggled on Centre Court but eventually prevailed 6-7(3) 7-6(4) 6-4 7-5.Second seed Coco Gauff displayed signs of improvement despite a shaky start against Anca Todoni. The American acknowledged the need to minimize errors after winning 6-2 6-1.Wild card Emma Raducanu showcased her dominance with a 6-1 6-2 victory over Elise Mertens. However, former U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka's Wimbledon journey ended with a 6-4 6-1 defeat to American Emma Navarro.Rain disrupted play on the outer courts, leading to the early elimination of Ruud. The Italian Fabio Fognini upset the Norwegian 6-4 7-5 6-7(1) 6-3. Ruud expressed disappointment but acknowledged his limitations on grass courts.Later in the day, world number one Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini will face off in a highly anticipated Centre Court clash.

Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1, will face Emma Navarro, a rising star, in a captivating first-round clash at Wimbledon. Osaka, known for her powerful groundstrokes, will be tested by Navarro's versatility and court coverage. The match will hinge on Osaka's ability to control the pace and Navarro's capacity to disrupt her rhythm.In the marquee second-round encounter, Italian rivals Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini will battle for a place in the third round. Sinner, the current world No. 1, has dominated their previous meeting, but Berrettini, a Wimbledon finalist in 2021, will seek redemption on his favored surface. The key to the match will be the return of serve, with both players possessing formidable serves.Another intriguing first-round matchup features veterans Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka. Monfils, known for his acrobatic play, will face Wawrinka, a one-handed backhand specialist. Despite their age and injuries, both players remain capable of producing spectacular performances. The match promises to be a battle of experience and resilience.