Tennis

Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1 tennis star, has channeled his inner John McEnroe in a hilarious new video for Pepperstone, the ATP Tour's rankings sponsor. Known for his fiery personality and epic meltdowns, Medvedev has drawn comparisons to the American tennis legend.In the video, Medvedev is practicing on grass courts when McEnroe, a three-time Wimbledon champion, interrupts with an "idea" to elevate Medvedev's game. Medvedev, known for his deadpan humor, responds with a quip about feeling "ridiculous."The next scene reveals Medvedev transformed into McEnroe's signature attire: a polo shirt, tiny shorts, red sweatband, and wooden racquet. While Medvedev's style may have been retro, his performance on grass has been anything but.Despite admitting to feeling less comfortable on the lawns of Wimbledon, Medvedev has reached the fourth round for the second consecutive year. He defeated Jan-Lennard Struff in a hard-fought match, showcasing his resilience and determination.Medvedev's best result at Wimbledon remains his semifinal run last year, where he lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. However, he remains optimistic about his chances this year, stating, "I'm looking forward... It's going to be a tough, tough road. I will try to go all the way."Medvedev's transformation into McEnroe is not only a nod to the tennis legend but also a testament to his willingness to embrace his own unique personality. Like McEnroe, Medvedev is known for his outspoken nature and fiery on-court demeanor.

Ons Jabeur's Wimbledon woes continued on Saturday as she suffered a heartbreaking 6-1, 7-6(4) defeat to Elina Svitolina in the third round. The Tunisian, who reached the final in 2021 and 2022, was left to rue missed opportunities as she crashed out of the tournament in her earliest exit since 2018.Jabeur started brightly, earning a break point in Svitolina's opening service game. However, the Ukrainian held firm and broke Jabeur in the next game to take an early lead. Svitolina continued to dominate, winning the first set in just 25 minutes.The second set was a more competitive affair, with Jabeur fighting back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2. The Tunisian had a chance to take the set at 6-5 up on Svitolina's serve, but her forehand down the line fell just wide. Svitolina seized the opportunity and broke Jabeur to force a tiebreak.In the tiebreak, Svitolina raced into a 4-0 lead and never looked back. Jabeur saved two match points, but a backhand error on the third gave Svitolina the victory.The defeat was a bitter blow for Jabeur, who had been hoping to make history by becoming the first Arab woman to win a Grand Slam title. However, she will have to wait at least another year to fulfill her dream.Svitolina, meanwhile, will face China's Wang Xinyu in the fourth round. The Ukrainian is in good form and will be confident of making a deep run in the tournament.

Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden suffered a disappointing exit from the Wimbledon men's doubles tournament in the second round. The second-seeded duo fell to unseeded German pair Hendrick Jebens and Constantin Frantzen in straight sets, 3-6, 6-7 (4), on Saturday in London.The match began with Bopanna and Ebden conceding a break in the first set, which proved costly as Jebens and Frantzen held on to their advantage to take the set 6-3. The second set was a more closely contested affair, with both teams holding serve until the tie-breaker.However, the German duo seized control in the tie-breaker, racing out to a 4-1 lead. Bopanna and Ebden were unable to recover, and Jebens and Frantzen sealed the victory with a 7-4 win in the tie-breaker.The match was briefly suspended due to rain when the second set was level at five games. Upon resumption, the momentum shifted in favor of the German pair, who capitalized on their strong serve and aggressive play.Bopanna and Ebden, who won the Australian Open doubles title earlier this year, were hoping to make a deep run at Wimbledon. However, their hopes were dashed by the unseeded German duo, who played with impressive consistency and determination.

Fourth seed Alexander Zverev overcame an injury scare and a marathon third-set tiebreak to defeat Cameron Norrie of Great Britain 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(15) at Wimbledon on Saturday. The victory marked Zverev's third appearance in the fourth round at the All England Club.Zverev's serve proved to be a formidable weapon throughout the match, as he dropped only two points on serve in the third set. However, one of those points came via a double fault that handed Norrie an early advantage in the tiebreak.Norrie, who had upset new British number one Jack Draper in the previous round, fought valiantly and had five set points of his own to extend the contest. Zverev's knee, which he appeared to strain in the second set, also raised concerns.Despite the injury and Norrie's spirited resistance, Zverev remained unyielding. He struck the ball with clinical precision and served magnificently, ultimately converting his sixth match point under the Centre Court roof."I do feel like a cow on ice sometimes (on grass)," Zverev admitted after the match. "But I managed. I do feel restricted on some of the movements, but I'm pleased I was able to play the way that I did."Norrie, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, played his best tennis in the tiebreak, but Zverev's unwavering focus and superior shot-making proved too much to overcome.The match featured an incredible conclusion, with 29 of the first 31 points of the tiebreak going with serve. The tension was palpable as both players refused to blink. Zverev eventually prevailed, but the match could have broken a Wimbledon tiebreak record had it gone on for a few more points.

Vic Seixas, a legendary tennis player who dedicated his career to the Davis Cup, passed away at the age of 100. From 1951 to 1957, Seixas represented the United States in the Davis Cup final, facing the formidable Australians.In 1954, Seixas and his team achieved a historic victory in Sydney, breaking Australia's dominance. Seixas played a pivotal role, defeating Ken Rosewall in a thrilling four-set match. The Americans emerged victorious in the doubles as well, securing the Davis Cup for the first time since 1949.Seixas' Davis Cup record stands at an impressive 38-17. Beyond the Cup, he won the Wimbledon singles title in 1953 and the U.S. Championships singles title in 1954. He also claimed 13 Grand Slam doubles titles, including five in men's doubles and eight in mixed doubles.Born in Philadelphia in 1923, Seixas began playing tennis at the age of five. He excelled in various sports at Penn Charter, including tennis, baseball, track, squash, and basketball. Despite his love for baseball, he pursued tennis due to his superior skills.Seixas' tennis career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Army Air Corps and Air Force. After returning to college, he continued to excel in tennis, basketball, and squash.In 1950, Seixas embarked on a global tour, reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and the semifinals at Wimbledon. He supplemented his income by working in his father's store, despite being one of the top ten players in the world.Seixas' greatest triumph came at Wimbledon in 1953, where he defeated Lew Hoad and Mervyn Rose in thrilling five-set matches. He went on to win the singles title, earning a 25-pound gift certificate as his reward.A year later, Seixas won the U.S. Nationals singles title at the age of 31. He also won the men's doubles with Tony Trabert and the mixed doubles with Doris Hart. Seixas played in the event a record 28 times, even defeating a young Stan Smith in 1966 at the age of 42.Outside of competition, Seixas served as the U.S. Davis Cup captain three times and held various positions in tennis administration. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971.

Andy Murray's Wimbledon farewell has been cut short after Emma Raducanu withdrew from their mixed doubles match due to a wrist injury. The pair were scheduled to play on Saturday evening, but Raducanu's withdrawal means Murray's Grand Slam career has come to an end.Murray, 37, was honored with a special tribute on Centre Court on Thursday night after losing his men's doubles opener with brother Jamie Murray. The tribute marked the end of an era for British tennis, as Murray is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.Raducanu's withdrawal is a major blow to Murray's hopes of ending his career on a high. The 21-year-old is one of the most promising young players in the world, and her partnership with Murray would have been a formidable one.However, Raducanu's wrist injury has forced her to withdraw from the tournament. In a statement, she said: "Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist, so therefore I have decided to make the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles tonight. I'm disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but got to take care."Murray's mother, Judy, expressed her disappointment at Raducanu's withdrawal on social media. She wrote: "Astonishing. Emma Raducanu withdraws from mixed doubles with Andy Murray at Wimbledon due to a 'stiff wrist'. She played 3 tough sets yesterday and looked fine. Makes no sense."Murray is expected to retire from tennis after the Paris Olympics later this month. He has entered singles and men's doubles with Dan Evans.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Wimbledon champion, paid homage to England's rising star Jude Bellingham by replicating his signature goal celebration on Friday. After a grueling five-set victory over Frances Tiafoe, Alcaraz spread his arms wide as he basked in the applause on Centre Court, mirroring Bellingham's iconic celebration.Alcaraz, a self-proclaimed Real Madrid fan, holds Bellingham in high regard. The 21-year-old Spaniard had previously copied the footballer's celebration at the 2023 US Open, posting a photo on social media with the caption "Hey, Jude.""We're in London," Alcaraz explained. "He is England. So that's why. I told him that the big win deserves a big celebration."Alcaraz's admiration for Bellingham extends beyond their shared love of sports. The world number three also respects the midfielder's on-field demeanor. "He's a great player," Alcaraz said. "He's very humble and he works hard. I think he has a great future ahead of him."Bellingham, who scored a spectacular overhead winner for England against Slovakia at Euro 2024, has become a fan favorite for his skill and charisma. His trademark celebration, which involves spreading his arms wide and running towards the corner flag, has been widely imitated by fans and players alike.Alcaraz's gesture not only acknowledges Bellingham's talent but also highlights the growing bond between the worlds of football and tennis. As both sports continue to captivate global audiences, it is becoming increasingly common for athletes to draw inspiration from each other.

Emma Raducanu's stunning 2021 US Open victory, where she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam, remains a remarkable achievement. However, the years since have been challenging, with Raducanu struggling to replicate that success.Despite her struggles, Raducanu has shown signs of resurgence this summer on home soil. She reached the semifinals in Nottingham and the quarterfinals in Eastbourne, where she recorded her first Top 5 win over Jessica Pegula.On Friday, Raducanu continued her impressive form at Wimbledon, steamrolling the No. 9 seed, Maria Sakkari, 6-2, 6-3, in front of a packed Centre Court. Raducanu displayed a focused and determined performance, executing her game plan with precision.Her serve was a key factor in her victory, with Raducanu winning points with her wide slice into the deuce court and using her hard, flat first delivery to bail herself out of trouble. She also aggressively fired her two-handed backhand down the line, even against Sakkari's powerful second serve.Raducanu's ground strokes were also impressive, as she gave herself big, safe targets crosscourt but sent the ball there with shape and force. She also showcased her versatility with drop shots and topspin lobs.Raducanu attributed her improved performance to a renewed focus on big points and a more aggressive approach. She also emphasized the importance of having an inner passion in practice and trying to win every day.With her victory over Sakkari, Raducanu has set up a potential clash with Paula Badosa or Donna Vekic for a spot in the semifinals. While it remains to be seen if she can replicate her 2021 US Open success, Raducanu's recent performances suggest that she is on the right track.

Emma Navarro's meteoric rise in professional tennis continues as she prepares to face Coco Gauff in the Wimbledon fourth round. The former NCAA champion has consistently exceeded expectations, showcasing her problem-solving abilities and unwavering determination.After a stunning victory over Naomi Osaka in her Centre Court debut, Navarro faced a formidable challenge in Diana Shnaider. Despite losing the first set, she rallied back with impressive resilience, ultimately securing a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory. This comeback highlighted Navarro's ability to adapt and execute under pressure.Navarro's upcoming match against Gauff is a pivotal moment in her career. While she has previously defeated Aryna Sabalenka, the stakes are higher in this all-American clash. Navarro seeks her first Grand Slam quarterfinal berth, a testament to her hard work and belief in her abilities.Gauff, too, has her sights set on a Wimbledon milestone. Despite her previous victory over Navarro in Auckland, she acknowledges the threat posed by her compatriot. Navarro's all-court game and recent tournament performances have earned her respect.Navarro believes she has the potential to overcome Gauff, despite their previous encounter. She has practiced with Gauff this year and believes she has improved since their match in New Zealand.Navarro's journey to the top has been marked by her unwavering determination and ability to learn from her experiences. She has consistently proven that hard work and self-belief can overcome any obstacle. As she prepares to face Gauff, Navarro is confident in her abilities and ready to take the next step in her remarkable career.