Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's third-ranked tennis player, is back in action after a brief illness and a rejuvenating vacation in Greece. Sabalenka, who was forced to withdraw from the second weekend of Roland Garros due to a stomach bug, is now fully recovered and eager to make a strong run at Wimbledon.Prior to her quarterfinal loss in Paris, Sabalenka had been struggling with a stomach bug for several days. She appeared visibly unwell during her match against Mirra Andreeva, receiving medical attention multiple times. Despite leading by a set, Sabalenka was unable to maintain her level of play and eventually lost in three sets.After her disappointing exit from Roland Garros, Sabalenka took some time off to recharge and recover. She jetted off to Greece for a relaxing getaway, where she soaked up the sun, enjoyed the local cuisine, and took in the picturesque sunset views."A little slice of paradise," Sabalenka captioned one post on Instagram, which showcased her dancing in a bikini and drinking white wine.Following her self-described "reset," Sabalenka is now ready to hit the grass courts. The two-time Wimbledon semifinalist stopped by the All-England Club to officially start her road to the year's third Grand Slam.After falling two matches short of the goal last year, the 26-year-old is hoping to become the first player since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the Australian Open and Wimbledon in the same year.Before returning to SW19, Sabalenka will make a stop at the ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin next week. With world No. 1 Iga Swiatek withdrawing due to fatigue, Sabalenka is expected to be the second seed behind newly-minted world No. 2 Coco Gauff.The WTA 500 event in Berlin begins on Monday, and Sabalenka will be looking to build momentum ahead of Wimbledon.

Wimbledon 2024: Adidas Unveils FW24 London Collection for Enhanced Performance and ComfortAs the tennis world prepares for the prestigious Wimbledon Championships, Adidas has unveiled its latest FW24 London Collection, designed to elevate player performance and comfort on the iconic grass courts.The 10-piece collection prioritizes comfort with its seamless design, which minimizes friction in areas prone to movement, such as the underarms. Open hole areas in these areas, as well as the back and sides of the body, enhance ventilation and moisture management.Adidas's Freelift construction, featuring adaptive stretch in strategic locations, provides players with exceptional range of motion. To combat the summer heat, the garments incorporate Aeroready and Airchill technologies, which effectively wick away moisture and enhance cooling properties.The collection's textured patterns and mesh layers further optimize airflow. Raised structures on select pieces create the illusion of flowing shadows, paying homage to the unique light conditions on grass courts.Adidas athletes will don the FW24 London Collection at the upcoming summer tournaments in London. The pieces are available for purchase at adidas.com and select tennis specialty retailers.

Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka made triumphant returns to the tennis court on Tuesday at the Libema Open in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.Pegula, the top seed, cruised past qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 6-2 in her first match since suffering a rib injury that sidelined her for the entire European clay season. The American dominated the match, converting five of her seven break points and dropping serve only once."I've been healthy for a few weeks now," Pegula said. "I don't think much has really changed. Iga dominated the clay season, what else is new? Now we go into grass and I'm sure the grass-court players will do well."Pegula's victory marks her first on grass since reaching the quarterfinals of Wimbledon last year. She is hoping to build on that success and gain confidence ahead of the upcoming Grand Slam.Osaka, a four-time major winner, also impressed in her first grass-court match since 2019 Wimbledon. The Japanese star defeated fourth-seeded Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-4 in 69 minutes. Osaka powered past the Belgian with 21 winners and converted all three of her break point chances."I'm going to play two extra weeks on grass now," Osaka said. "Hopefully I can do well and make up some points or at least gain confidence and matches there and then be ready to go for the rest of the year."Osaka is seeking her first grass-court trophy. Prior to Tuesday, her last win on the surface came in June 2019 in Birmingham. All of her 11 previous tour-level final appearances have been on hard courts.The Libema Open is a WTA 250 tournament that serves as a warm-up event for Wimbledon. The tournament features a strong field of players, including former world No. 1 Simona Halep and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

The conclusion of Roland Garros witnessed the familiar triumph of Iga Swiatek, raising questions about her legacy. As the WTA tour transitions to Wimbledon, several storylines emerge with implications for the sport.Swiatek's Grass Court Challenge:Despite her dominance on clay, Swiatek's vulnerability on grass has been exposed in recent Wimbledon appearances. Her opponents have exploited her lack of aggression, using power and depth to overwhelm her. Swiatek acknowledges the need to adapt to the faster surface, but her preference for clay remains unwavering.Surprise Semifinalists:Major tournaments often feature unexpected semifinalists, and Roland Garros was no exception. Mirra Andreeva and Jasmine Paolini emerged as surprise contenders, demonstrating the depth of talent on the WTA tour. As Wimbledon approaches, another savvy veteran may seize the opportunity for a deep run.Osaka's Resurgence:Naomi Osaka's return to form has been evident at Roland Garros. Her performance against Swiatek showcased her power, movement, and confidence. While she may not reach her peak until the US Open, Osaka's progress suggests she is on the path to regaining her Grand Slam dominance.New WTA CEO's Challenges:Portia Archer's appointment as WTA CEO brings a fresh perspective to the organization. However, she faces numerous challenges, including navigating the complexities of the tennis landscape, addressing the implications of Saudi Arabia's involvement, and pursuing equal prize money.

Casper Ruud, the former world No. 2, has historically struggled on grass courts, with a career record of 4-7 on the surface. However, the Norwegian is determined to make a breakthrough at Wimbledon this year, the only major where he has yet to reach the second week.Ruud's technique, anchored by a heavy topspin forehand, is not typically conducive to grass, but he believes his more aggressive mindset could make the difference this time. He has amassed an impressive 39-10 record through the first six months of 2024, playing with a newfound attacking style."I think I have played maybe 50 matches already the first five months of the year," Ruud said. "It's going to be nice with a few weeks off and then I'm looking forward to getting on the grass."Ruud's preparation for Wimbledon will include a break from tennis to focus on golf, a sport he enjoys more than tennis on grass. He also plans to attend a Megan Thee Stallion concert in London during the tournament.Despite his struggles on grass, Ruud is confident in his ability to succeed on the surface. "I think it's a very fun surface, and I have been joking a little bit about certain things before, but I think it's a very fun surface to play on because it brings something completely different," he said. "It challenges me in a way that I think is good for my game in a way to be challenged."Ruud's determination to conquer grass is evident in his willingness to embrace the challenges it presents. He is eager to prove that he can succeed on any surface, and Wimbledon provides the perfect opportunity to do so.

Novak Djokovic's Roland Garros campaign has come to an abrupt end due to a torn medial meniscus in his right knee, raising questions about his decision to rely heavily on pain-killing medication to continue playing.Djokovic's injury occurred during his fourth-round match against Francisco Cerundolo, where he initially struggled with mobility and pain. However, after taking the maximum amount of medication allowed by the tournament doctor, he experienced a remarkable transformation, playing pain-free and ultimately winning the match.This decision has sparked concerns about the potential long-term consequences for Djokovic's career. The injury has put his immediate future in jeopardy, including his participation in Wimbledon and the Olympic Games.Djokovic's decision to continue playing despite the injury is puzzling, especially considering his age (37) and the potential risks involved. The injury is similar to one suffered by Roger Federer in 2016, which significantly impacted his career.Djokovic's injury also raises questions about the role of pain-killing medication in sports. While it can provide temporary relief, it can also mask underlying issues and potentially lead to further damage.The Serbian star has been experiencing mild discomfort in his knee for several weeks, but he dismissed it as nothing concerning. However, the severity of the injury suggests that he may have underestimated the problem.Djokovic's withdrawal from Roland Garros is a major setback for the tournament and for the player himself. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to recover in time for Wimbledon and the Olympics, and whether this injury will have a lasting impact on his career.

Sumit Nagal, India's top-ranked men's singles tennis player, has secured a spot in the main draw of the prestigious Wimbledon Championship. This marks a significant milestone for Indian tennis, as Nagal becomes the first Indian in five years to qualify for the main draw of the men's singles event at Wimbledon.Nagal's qualification comes after a string of impressive performances on the ATP Challenger Tour. He recently reached the semifinals of the Challenger tournament in Ostrava, Czech Republic, and the quarterfinals of the Challenger tournament in Heilbronn, Germany.Nagal's journey to Wimbledon has been marked by determination and perseverance. He has been working tirelessly to improve his game and has been training with some of the best players in the world, including Novak Djokovic.Nagal's qualification for Wimbledon is a testament to his hard work and dedication. It is also a source of inspiration for aspiring tennis players in India and around the world.In addition to Wimbledon, Nagal is also preparing for the upcoming French Open. He recently trained with Djokovic in Paris in preparation for the Grand Slam event.Nagal's performance at Wimbledon and the French Open will be closely watched by tennis fans in India and around the world. He has the potential to make a deep run in both tournaments and continue to raise the profile of Indian tennis.

Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, recently revealed a bizarre injury that occurred during his qualifying match at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships. While preparing to face wild card Marcus Willis, Medvedev accidentally hit his head on a cage at Aorangi Park, causing a bloody wound on his arm.Despite the injury, Medvedev played the match the following day but lost to Willis in four sets. Willis went on to make history by reaching the second round and facing Roger Federer on Centre Court.Medvedev's injury remained a secret until now, but he shared the story after witnessing Novak Djokovic's head injury from a falling water bottle at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. The incident reminded Medvedev of his own mishap, which he believes may have contributed to his loss against Willis."You always ask yourself after the match, 'Did I lose yesterday because I hit my head or not?'" Medvedev said. "That's a story which no one knew about. It's not a bad story either, but a story that I remember, yeah."Despite the injury, Medvedev has gone on to achieve great success, including winning the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in 2021. He is now the No. 2 seed in the tournament and will face Hamad Medjedovic in the round of 16.Medvedev also expressed his dislike for the dirty conditions of clay courts, but acknowledged that he is enjoying them more and more.

Wimbledon Girls Finalist Nikola Bartunkova Provisionally Suspended for DopingNikola Bartunkova, the 18-year-old Czech tennis player who reached the Wimbledon girls' singles final last year, has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for doping.The ITIA announced on Thursday that Bartunkova tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned heart medication, at tournaments in Trnava, Slovakia, and Maribor, Slovenia, in February and March, respectively. Trimetazidine, also known as TMZ, is a medication used to treat angina, a condition that causes chest pain. It is banned in sports because it can enhance endurance and performance.Bartunkova's positive tests are the latest in a series of high-profile cases involving TMZ. In 2021, Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for the medication at the Beijing Winter Olympics, sparking a major controversy. Additionally, 23 Chinese swimmers were found to have used TMZ while preparing for the Tokyo Olympics.Bartunkova, who is currently ranked 282nd in the world, has been banned from all sanctioned tennis events pending an ITIA hearing. She reached the singles semifinals and the doubles final at the 2022 Junior Roland Garros, and was considered one of the rising stars in women's tennis.The ITIA's investigation into Bartunkova's case is ongoing, and it is unclear at this time what penalties she may face if found guilty of doping. The agency has a zero-tolerance policy for doping and has been cracking down on the use of performance-enhancing substances in tennis.The news of Bartunkova's suspension is a blow to the sport of tennis and raises concerns about the prevalence of doping among young athletes. It is important for all athletes to compete fairly and ethically, and the ITIA's efforts to combat doping are essential to maintaining the integrity of the sport.