Tennis

Who's Badosa's Bestie? Sabalenka and Jabeur Put Friendship to the TestAt the ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin, the close-knit trio of Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur, and Paula Badosa have been the talk of the tournament, with their playful banter and affectionate interactions. The question on everyone's mind: who is Badosa's true bestie?Sabalenka and Badosa have long been inseparable, sharing a love for fashion and a deep connection on and off the court. However, this season, Jabeur has emerged as a formidable contender for Badosa's affections. In Rome, Sabalenka jokingly dubbed Jabeur her "bestie," while Jabeur playfully described herself as a "psychologist" between the two.To settle the debate once and for all, the WTA 500 grass-court event decided to put Sabalenka and Jabeur to the test with a quiz about Badosa's favorite things. The results were mixed, with Sabalenka initially joking that she was withdrawing from the tournament.Neither player could recall Badosa's favorite TV show, but both correctly guessed her favorite shot (forehand). Sabalenka, known for her fiery personality, couldn't resist a playful jab, saying, "We're not talking about tennis! I'm not asking Paula, 'Oh, girl, what's your favorite shot?'"Despite their competitive nature on the court, Sabalenka and Jabeur couldn't help but make light of the situation. When asked about Badosa's type of guy, Sabalenka quipped, "I mean, obviously Greek," referring to Badosa's boyfriend, Juan Betancourt.The quiz may not have definitively answered the question of who is Badosa's true bestie, but it did highlight the playful and affectionate bond between the trio. As the tournament progresses, the battle for Badosa's heart will undoubtedly continue, with Sabalenka and Jabeur vying for the coveted title.

Naomi Osaka's resurgence on the WTA Tour hit a roadblock at the ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin, as she succumbed to a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 defeat against rising star Zheng Qinwen. The former world No. 1, playing her first match since a narrow loss to Bianca Andreescu, faced a formidable opponent in Zheng, who unleashed an impressive 23 aces and secured her second victory over Osaka in as many meetings.Zheng's dominance on serve was evident from the outset, as she fired seven aces in the opening set to take an early lead. Osaka responded with her trademark power hitting, breaking Zheng in the second set and leveling the match. However, Zheng's resilience shone through in the decider, as she broke Osaka in the fourth game and held on despite Osaka's valiant efforts to save three match points.The rivalry between Osaka and Zheng has an added layer of intrigue, as both players have worked with the same coach, Wim Fissette. Zheng has expressed admiration for Osaka's determination to return to the top after becoming a mother, while Osaka has acknowledged Zheng's rapid rise in the rankings.Zheng's victory over Osaka is a testament to her growing confidence and ability on grass. The Chinese star, who has a 2-6 career record on the surface, will now face Czech qualifier Katerina Siniakova in the second round. Osaka, meanwhile, will look to regroup and continue her pursuit of a first Top 10 victory since 2020.

Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter, the Australian-British tennis power couple, have once again celebrated title victories in the same tournament week. However, this time, de Minaur missed the opportunity to witness Boulter's triumph in person due to a missed flight.Hours after de Minaur claimed the ATP grass-court title in 's-Hertogenbosch, Boulter successfully defended her WTA Nottingham crown on Sunday. The British No. 1 overcame a thrilling semifinal against Emma Raducanu, the former US Open champion, in a match that resumed after being halted on Saturday. Boulter then faced sixth seed Karolina Pliskova in the final, who had also fought back from a set down in her semifinal.Despite de Minaur's absence, Boulter prevailed in a hard-fought three-set battle against Pliskova, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. The victory marked Boulter's second WTA title of the season, following her triumph in San Diego in March.In a playful exchange on social media, de Minaur expressed his amazement at Boulter's latest achievement, while Boulter joked that they would have a serious conversation about his missed flight."How did that happen again 🤯🤯🤯🤯 @katiecboulter You are a joke!!! #doubletrouble," de Minaur wrote on X, formerly Twitter.Boulter responded during her on-court interview, "My boyfriend didn't make the trip even though I thought he might after his win in 's-Hertogenbosch. We will have to be talking about that tonight and see if we're gonna still be together. I hope he's listening to this because we've got some talking to do."Despite the missed flight, the couple's success on the tennis court continues to be a testament to their talent and dedication. Boulter is now set to compete in Birmingham, while de Minaur will head to London Queen's.

Bianca Andreescu, the former world No. 4, has stormed into her first final of the year at the Libema Open in the Netherlands, marking a remarkable comeback after a nearly 10-month absence due to a back injury.In her second tournament since returning to action, Andreescu showcased her resilience and determination, defeating Hungarian qualifier Dalma Galfi 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday. The victory extends her impressive record to 6-1 on the season, despite her current ranking of No. 228."It feels great," Andreescu said after the match. "All the hard work and perseverance is paying off. I played very well throughout the match, even though the conditions weren't easy."Andreescu's victory sets up a tantalizing final, where she will face either No. 3 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova or No. 2 seed Liudmila Samsonova. The rain-affected schedule has disrupted the tournament, forcing the suspension of their match due to darkness.Alexandrova, the two-time defending champion, advanced to the semifinals with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over American qualifier Robin Montgomery. Samsonova, meanwhile, was leading 6-3, 6-7 (1) when play was halted.Andreescu's resurgence is a testament to her unwavering spirit and the belief she has in her abilities. The Canadian will be aiming to capture her first WTA title since 2019, when she triumphed at the US Open for her lone Grand Slam trophy.The Libema Open final promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Andreescu looking to continue her impressive run and add another chapter to her remarkable comeback story.

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.

When Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu first faced off in the quarterfinals of the 2019 China Open, it seemed like the beginning of a fierce rivalry between two rising stars. However, injuries and mental health struggles have hindered both players' careers since then.Now, five years later, they will meet again in the quarterfinals of the WTA 250 Libema Open on grass courts in the Netherlands. Both players received wild cards into the tournament and have cruised through their first two matches.Andreescu, who turns 24 on June 16, is playing in just her second tournament since returning from a nine-month injury layoff. She reached the third round at Roland Garros, while Osaka has rebounded from a disappointing second-round loss to Iga Swiatek in Paris.In their previous encounter, Osaka snapped Andreescu's 17-match winning streak in a three-set thriller. Both players have since been open about their mental health struggles and have taken time off from tennis to address them.Despite their setbacks, both Andreescu and Osaka remain promising players with the potential to reach the top of the game. Their quarterfinal match at the Libema Open will be a reminder of what might have been and a glimpse of what's still possible for two players who have faced adversity with resilience and determination.The winner of the match will advance to the semifinals, a stage neither player has reached on grass before.

The National Bank Open (NBO) has announced a significant upgrade to its tournaments, which will take place over 12 days starting in 2025. This move elevates the NBO to an elite group of six extended combined events on the WTA and ATP Tours, bringing it closer to the format of a Grand Slam.The combined event, which alternates hosting an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 in Toronto and Montréal, will expand its respective fields from 56 to 96 players. This aligns with the format of other prestigious tournaments such as the BNP Paribas Open, Miami Open, Mutua Madrid Open, Internazionali BNL d'Italia, and the Cincinnati Open, which will also become a two-week tournament in 2025.The NBO's "redefinition" is part of a larger plan to introduce equal prize money at all 1000-level tournaments. This initiative was first announced in 2023 following the expansion of clay-court tournaments in Madrid and Rome.Valérie Tétreault, NBO Montréal tournament director, emphasized the importance of player voices in advocating for change. She believes that the new format will benefit players' physical and mental well-being."It's quite demanding on both the mind and body to be in a new city every week, to be playing back-to-back matches," Tétreault explained. "So, I think if you want to have a long career in tennis, you need to find the right balance to be able to have a life outside of the tennis courts. I think this new format will allow for that."The enhanced fan experience will include six night sessions and an extra round of action, culminating in a Thursday finals day that will crown both men's and women's champions.WTA player Leylah Annie Fernandez expressed her excitement about the changes. "It's always a highlight of the year to play at the National Bank Open in Montréal or Toronto, and I can't wait to see the positive impact this new format will have on the fans, the cities and Canadian tennis."The NBO's expansion is a testament to the growing popularity of tennis in Canada and its commitment to providing a world-class experience for players and fans alike.

Caroline Garcia, the former world No. 4 tennis player, and her partner Borja Duran have announced their engagement. The couple shared photos of their happy moment on social media, sparking congratulations from fellow players and fans.Garcia and Duran have been dating since last year and have since launched a podcast together called Tennis Insider Club. The podcast combines Garcia's on-court experience with Duran's off-court perspective, providing listeners with a unique insight into the world of professional tennis.Garcia has spoken about the positive impact that Duran has had on her career, particularly during a challenging period last year. She credits him with helping her navigate the behind-the-scenes aspects of the sport and providing a different perspective.The couple's podcast has been well-received, with Garcia noting that it has been a rewarding experience to share her knowledge and connect with fans in a different way. She also values the opportunity to create memories with Duran outside of the tennis court.Garcia is currently preparing for the upcoming WTA grass-court swing, including Wimbledon, where she has twice reached the fourth round. Despite dealing with a shoulder injury during Roland Garros, she remains optimistic about her chances on the grass.The engagement announcement has been met with an outpouring of support from the tennis community, with many players taking to social media to congratulate the couple. Daria Saville, Lucas Pouille, and Alizé Cornet, who has also been a guest on Tennis Insider Club, were among those who expressed their well wishes.

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.