Tennis

Elina Svitolina, the former world No. 3 tennis star, has announced that she will undergo foot surgery, ending her 2024 season prematurely. The Ukrainian player has been battling a persistent foot injury since last season, which has significantly impacted her performance and daily life.Svitolina's decision to go under the knife comes after careful consideration and consultation with medical professionals. She hopes that the surgery will resolve the issue that has plagued her for over a year. The injury has not only affected her tennis but also caused back and hip problems."It's become harder to manage and has been impacting me more and more, not just with regard to tennis and training but in my every day life too," Svitolina wrote on social media.The 28-year-old last played at the US Open, where she lost to Coco Gauff in the third round. Despite the early exit, Svitolina had a respectable season, reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, finishing runner-up at the WTA 250 in Auckland, and making the fourth round at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.Svitolina's premature end to the season is a disappointment, especially considering her return from maternity leave in April 2023. However, she remains determined to return to the court stronger than ever."I am determined to do whatever it takes to get back on the court and compete at the highest level," she wrote. "I want to thank all of you for your support and encouragement during this challenging time. Your love and positivity mean the world to me, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all at the courts in 2025."Svitolina's injury and subsequent surgery highlight the challenges faced by athletes, particularly those who have recently returned from maternity leave. The physical demands of professional tennis can be unforgiving, and injuries can derail even the most talented players.

Polish tennis is experiencing a remarkable surge, with two significant milestones achieved within 24 hours. On Sunday, Magdalena Frech triumphed in the WTA 500 event in Guadalajara, securing her maiden WTA title. This victory propelled her to a career-high ranking of No. 32, making her the second-highest-ranked Polish woman behind world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.Meanwhile, Swiatek continues to dominate the WTA rankings, entering her 121st week at the summit. This achievement ties her with Ashleigh Barty for seventh-most weeks at No. 1 in WTA history. Swiatek is poised to surpass Barty next week and has a significant lead over No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in both the overall and year-to-date rankings.The WTA rankings also witnessed two Top 100 debuts this week. Olivia Gadecki of Australia, who reached the final in Guadalajara, soared to No. 88, while Sonay Kartal of Great Britain jumped to No. 96 after winning the WTA 250 title in Monastir, Tunisia.In contrast, the ATP rankings remained relatively unchanged due to the absence of ATP events last week. Most top players participated in the Davis Cup, which does not offer ranking points.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Li Na has been appointed as the new tournament director for the WTA 250 Hong Kong Tennis Open, scheduled for October 26 to November 3 at Victoria Park Stadium. This marks a significant milestone for the tournament and the tennis community, as Li becomes the latest former player to take on a leadership role in the sport.Li, who retired from tennis in 2014, has remained an influential figure in the tennis world. Her appointment as tournament director reflects her passion for the sport and her desire to contribute to its growth and development. As a former world No. 2 and two-time Grand Slam winner, Li brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her new role.In her video message announcing her appointment, Li expressed her excitement about the opportunity to lead the Hong Kong Tennis Open. She highlighted the city's vibrant culture and its status as Asia's leading events capital as key factors in her decision. Li also emphasized her commitment to providing a world-class experience for players and fans alike.The Hong Kong Tennis Open has attracted a strong field of players for its 2024 edition. Among the notable participants are 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, former Top 10 player Danielle Collins, Wimbledon quarterfinalist Lulu Sun, and defending champion Leylah Fernandez. The tournament promises to deliver thrilling matches and showcase the exceptional talent of the WTA Tour.Li's appointment as tournament director is part of a growing trend of former players assuming leadership roles in tennis. Garbiñe Muguruza, another two-time Grand Slam champion, was recently named the tournament director for the inaugural WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Amélie Mauresmo, James Blake, and Tommy Haas are among other former players who hold similar positions at major tennis tournaments.This trend reflects the increasing recognition of the value that former players bring to the sport. Their experience, knowledge, and passion for tennis enable them to make significant contributions to the development and promotion of the game. Li's appointment as tournament director for the Hong Kong Tennis Open is a testament to her dedication to the sport and her commitment to fostering its growth in Asia.

Sabine Lisicki, the former Wimbledon finalist, has welcomed her first child, a daughter named Bella. The 34-year-old German announced the birth on Instagram, joining a growing number of WTA players who have become mothers in recent years.Lisicki's announcement follows the births of daughters to Belinda Bencic, Petra Kvitova, and Alison Riske-Amritraj in 2024. Bencic welcomed her daughter Bella in April, while Kvitova and Riske-Amritraj gave birth to sons Petr and Calen in July.Lisicki, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 12 in 2012, has faced numerous injuries throughout her career, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2020. Despite these setbacks, she has shown resilience and determination, winning her first title in nine years at the ITF W60 event in Calgary in 2023.In March, Lisicki announced her pregnancy and promised "one more comeback." Her last WTA-level match win came in 2022, but she remains hopeful of returning to the court.Lisicki's announcement has been met with well wishes from her current and former WTA peers, including Timea Babos, Ashlyn Krueger, Magdalena Frech, Eva Lys, and Shelby Rogers.The birth of her daughter marks a new chapter in Lisicki's life, and she will undoubtedly draw inspiration from her role as a mother as she continues her tennis career.

Top-Ranked Swiatek Withdraws from Korea Open, Depleting Star PowerWorld No. 1 Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from next week's Korea Open, dealing a significant blow to the tournament's hopes of attracting top-tier talent. Swiatek's withdrawal comes just days after her participation was confirmed, citing fatigue following her quarterfinal loss at the US Open.The absence of Swiatek, who has won five Grand Slam titles in the past two years, is a major setback for the Korea Open, which was elevated to WTA 500 status in 2024. The tournament had hoped to showcase some of the world's best players, but with Swiatek's withdrawal, it has now lost all of its expected Top 10 stars.World No. 4 Elena Rybakina and No. 8 Emma Navarro have also opted out of the Korea Open. Rybakina cited a back injury, while Navarro, who made her Top 10 debut this week, noted a change in schedule.The withdrawals of Swiatek, Rybakina, and Navarro leave Daria Kasatkina, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Diana Shnaider as the top-ranked players in the field. Former US Open champions Sloane Stephens and Emma Raducanu have moved into the main draw, along with American Amanda Anisimova.The Korea Open, which will be held in Seoul from September 19-25, is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the WTA calendar. The tournament has been won by some of the biggest names in women's tennis, including Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Petra Kvitova.Despite the absence of Swiatek and other top players, the Korea Open is still expected to attract a strong field of competitors. The tournament offers a total prize pool of $757,900, making it one of the most lucrative events on the WTA Tour.

The Grand Slam season has concluded, leaving behind a trail of captivating storylines that continue to unfold in the WTA. Here are five key narratives to watch:The Reign of Aryna SabalenkaDespite not holding the official No. 1 ranking, Aryna Sabalenka has emerged as the dominant force in women's tennis. Her powerful game, coupled with improved mental fortitude and tactical acumen, has propelled her to Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and US Open this year. Sabalenka's unwavering determination to become world No. 1 again is evident in her relentless pursuit of excellence.Swiatek and Gauff's Summer StrugglesOnce ranked first and second in the world, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff experienced disappointing exits at the US Open. Swiatek's uncharacteristic errors and Gauff's serve struggles raised concerns about their mental and technical well-being. Both players may need a period of reflection and strategic planning to regain their top form.Pegula and Navarro: Triumph of Hard WorkJessica Pegula and Emma Navarro's US Open runs showcased the transformative power of hard work and dedication. Pegula, a late bloomer, overcame years of Grand Slam quarterfinal setbacks to reach the final. Navarro's ascent to the semifinals was the culmination of a decade-long partnership with her coach, Peter Ayers, who emphasized the importance of redefining mistakes and embracing a more aggressive approach.Czech Player DevelopmentFor the second consecutive major, a Czech player, Karolina Muchova, displayed an exceptional range of skills and tactics. Her ability to execute slices, volleys, and net returns effectively highlights the importance of comprehensive player development. Instructors should prioritize teaching these techniques from an early age to foster well-rounded players.Rybakina and Osaka's Uncertain FuturesElena Rybakina's withdrawal from the US Open and recent coaching change raise questions about her health and future prospects. Naomi Osaka's early exits at Wimbledon and the US Open suggest that she is still searching for consistency and tactical improvements. Both players face challenges in the coming months as they strive to regain their former dominance.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a veteran of the US Open, has been reflecting on her journey at the tournament over the past decade. Despite reaching the quarterfinals in 2011, she has struggled to replicate that success in recent years. However, she believes she is now on the right track to rediscover her form.Pavlyuchenkova admits that she put too much pressure on herself in her younger years, but she has since adopted a more relaxed approach. She is now focused on enjoying the process and fighting for every point. This shift in mindset has helped her achieve more consistent results, particularly at the Australian Open.Despite her success on hard courts, Pavlyuchenkova acknowledges that she has not always been as consistent as she would like. She has recently made significant changes to her team, including hiring a biomechanical coach to optimize her serve and groundstrokes. This decision has paid off, as she reached the quarterfinals at the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati and is now enjoying her best Grand Slam result of 2024 at the US Open.Pavlyuchenkova's team has expanded since the clay-court swing, but she remains grateful for the support of her partner, Mathias, who has been a constant source of encouragement. She also values the perspective of her hitting partner, Yannick Mertens, who is not from a tennis background.Ahead of her night-session clash with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Pavlyuchenkova is determined to improve on her previous performance against the Polish star. She is aware of the challenge she faces, but she is confident that she can put up a better fight.Pavlyuchenkova embraces the hectic atmosphere of New York City, which she believes adds to the excitement of the tournament. She is determined to channel the energy of the crowd and put on a performance that will remind fans of her potential.

Iga Swiatek continues to dominate the WTA rankings, extending her reign at the top spot to 118 weeks, surpassing Justine Henin for eighth-most weeks at No. 1. With a commanding lead of 2,679 points, Swiatek is poised to climb further up the all-time list, with Ashleigh Barty's 121 weeks within reach.Swiatek's dominance is evident in her massive point advantage over her closest challengers, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff. While Swiatek has 10,695 ranking points, Sabalenka and Gauff have 8,016 and 6,743, respectively.Meanwhile, several players have made significant moves up the rankings after impressive performances in recent tournaments. Czech teenager Linda Noskova has jumped 10 spots to No. 25 after winning the WTA 500 event in Monterrey, Mexico. Lulu Sun, who lost to Noskova in the final, has broken into the Top 50 for the first time, rising to No. 41.American McCartney Kessler has soared to a new personal best of No. 63 after capturing her first WTA title in Cleveland. Alex Michelsen has also made his Top 50 debut on the ATP rankings, rising to No. 49 after reaching the ATP final in Winston Salem.On the ATP side, Andrey Rublev has reached a significant milestone, becoming the 20th player to spend 200 weeks in the Top 10. Rublev has been in the Top 10 for 103 consecutive weeks, including 41 weeks at a career-high of No. 5.Currently ranked No. 6, Rublev is in strong form heading into the US Open. He has reached the quarterfinals or better in his last four tournaments, including a final appearance in Montreal.

Paula Badosa's remarkable resurgence has been a testament to her resilience and unwavering determination. After a career-threatening injury sidelined her for nearly a year, the Spanish star has returned with a vengeance, soaring up the WTA rankings and reclaiming her place among the elite.Badosa's meteoric rise began in 2021, when she ascended from No. 80 to No. 2 in just 12 months. However, a persistent back injury halted her progress in 2023, forcing her to withdraw from three of the four Grand Slams. Despite the setbacks, Badosa refused to give up.With the support of her coach, Pol Toledo Bagué, Badosa set a goal of being seeded at the 2024 Australian Open. Just one month and a half later, she had already climbed to No. 30 in the world, surpassing their expectations.Badosa's physical recovery has been equally impressive. Once known for her endurance in long matches, she has adapted to the faster conditions and lighter tennis balls, using them to her advantage. She credits her mental strength and positive affirmations for her ability to overcome adversity.Off the court, Badosa has also found solace in her relationship with Stefanos Tsitsipas. After a brief separation, the couple reunited and have been supporting each other through their respective challenges.As Badosa prepares for the US Open, she is eager to make a statement in the city where she spent her early years. Despite the challenges she has faced, she is confident in her abilities and determined to prove that she is back to her best.