Tennis

Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has announced that Goran Ivanisevic will be her new coach for the 2025 season. The news came as a surprise to many, as Rybakina had recently parted ways with her long-time coach, Stefano Vukov.Rybakina, who is currently ranked No. 5 in the world, has been seeking a new coach to help her take her game to the next level. She believes that Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion and successful coach, is the ideal person to guide her."I'm really looking forward to this partnership," Rybakina said. "I think he's a great champion and he has so much experience. I'm really looking forward to start...for me [it] was important to get better."Ivanisevic, who has coached several top players in the past, including Novak Djokovic, is excited to work with Rybakina. He believes that she has the potential to become one of the best players in the world."I'm very happy to be working with Elena," Ivanisevic said. "She's a great player with a lot of potential. I think we can work together to achieve great things."Rybakina and Ivanisevic will begin working together during the pre-season and will continue their partnership into the 2025 season. Rybakina is confident that Ivanisevic can help her reach her full potential."I'm sure since he said 'Yes' he also, so...It's just very interesting for me," Rybakina said. "I want to learn. I'm just looking forward. As we just said, it's something new for me. Also, I've been with one coach for long time. I want to learn."Ivanisevic has a proven track record of success as a coach. He helped Djokovic win nine major titles, two ATP Finals titles, and seven Masters 1000s. Rybakina is hoping that Ivanisevic can help her achieve similar success.

The WTA Finals in Riyadh, the culmination of the women's tennis season, is set to commence on Saturday, November 2nd. This year's event showcases a diverse lineup of players, reflecting the season's key themes: the emergence of new talent, the search for form by Grand Slam champions, and the ongoing rivalry between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.New Blood: Jasmine Paolini and Zheng QinwenThe WTA has witnessed a surge of promising young players in 2024, including Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen. Paolini, a 28-year-old Italian, has defied expectations by reaching the finals of two Grand Slams, Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Zheng, a 21-year-old Chinese prodigy, has fulfilled her potential by winning Olympic gold, reaching a Grand Slam final, and cracking the Top 10.Slam Champs Searching for Form: Coco Gauff and Elena RybakinaCoco Gauff and Elena Rybakina, who won their first Grand Slams in 2022 and 2023, respectively, have faced challenges in replicating their success in 2024. Both have experienced Grand Slam disappointments and coaching changes. However, their presence in Riyadh suggests they are determined to regain their form.Long-distance Rivals: Iga Swiatek and Aryna SabalenkaThe rivalry between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka has dominated the WTA for the past three seasons. Swiatek has excelled on clay, while Sabalenka has been dominant on hard courts. A potential final-round showdown in Riyadh could determine who finishes the year as world No. 1.ConclusionThe WTA Finals in Riyadh promises to be a captivating event, showcasing the best of women's tennis. From the emergence of new talent to the search for form by Grand Slam champions and the ongoing rivalry between Swiatek and Sabalenka, the tournament will provide a fitting conclusion to a memorable season.

Aryna Sabalenka's Unintentional Soccer Shot Hits Photographer at WTA Finals EventWorld No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka's attempt at a penalty kick during a visit with youth soccer players in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, took an unexpected turn when her shot veered off target and struck a WTA Finals photographer in the head.The incident occurred as Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur, who is in Riyadh to support the event, were interacting with the young girls. Sabalenka's attempt to showcase her soccer skills went awry when her shot missed the goal and hit the photographer, who was kneeling to capture the moment.Sabalenka immediately rushed over to apologize to the photographer, who was not injured and took the incident in good humor. Jabeur also checked on the photographer's well-being, joking that she "didn't have insurance."The photographer later posted a video of the incident on social media, with a humorous caption acknowledging Sabalenka's "serious damages" in Riyadh.Despite the mishap, Sabalenka and Jabeur continued their visit with the youth soccer players, engaging in conversations and posing for photos. The two players were also presented with personalized Saudi soccer jerseys with their names and the number '34' on the back, representing the bid year for the 2034 World Cup.Jabeur, who has been a vocal advocate for the WTA Finals to be held in Saudi Arabia, expressed her belief that the country is making progress in terms of women's rights and that it is time for the WTA to support the event in the Gulf country.

Jessica Pegula's remarkable 2023 season has culminated in her qualification for the prestigious WTA Finals, a testament to her unwavering determination and the transformative impact of her new coaching team.After a disappointing start to the year, Pegula parted ways with her longtime coach, David Witt, seeking a fresh perspective. She found it in Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein, former ATP doubles standouts who brought a wealth of experience and a collaborative approach.Despite initial setbacks, including injuries and a surprising loss to a lower-ranked opponent, Pegula's fortunes turned dramatically after Wimbledon. She implemented a strategic plan with her team, prioritizing singles over doubles and focusing on her physical and mental well-being.The results were immediate. Pegula defended her Toronto title, reached the Cincinnati final, and played with renewed confidence and resilience. Her impressive North American run validated the team's approach and set the stage for her historic US Open run.At the US Open, Pegula reached the semifinals, her best Grand Slam result to date. Her performance showcased her growth as a player and the effectiveness of her new coaching partnership.Knowles expressed immense confidence in Pegula's progress, stating, "I feel like we're there." The WTA Finals represent a fitting capstone to Pegula's remarkable season, a testament to her hard work, adaptability, and the transformative power of a supportive coaching team.

The WTA Finals, the season-ending tournament for the top eight women's tennis players, has unveiled its draw for 2024. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek will lead their respective round-robin groups.Sabalenka, who regained the top ranking after winning the US Open and Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, will headline the Purple Group. Joining her are No. 4 seed Jasmine Paolini, No. 5 seed Elena Rybakina, and No. 7 seed Zheng Qinwen.Swiatek, the reigning WTA Finals champion, will lead the Orange Group. She will be joined by No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, No. 6 seed Jessica Pegula, and No. 8 seed Barbora Krejcikova.Sabalenka, who won two Grand Slams in 2024, will be looking to avenge her loss to Swiatek in last year's semifinals. Swiatek, who has won four Roland Garros titles, will be aiming to defend her WTA Finals crown.The 2024 WTA Finals will be held at the King Saud University Indoor Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The tournament will run from November 2 to 9, with round-robin play beginning on Saturday, November 2.

Jessica Pegula's tennis journey has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. Despite reaching the quarterfinal stage of Grand Slams six times, she had consistently fallen short in the latter stages. However, her performance at the 2022 WTA Finals and the US Open suggests a turning point in her career.At the WTA Finals, Pegula reached the final without dropping a set, becoming the first player since 2017 to achieve this feat. Although she lost to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Pegula remained positive, acknowledging her progress against the world's best.At the US Open, Pegula reached her first Grand Slam singles final, defeating Swiatek in the quarterfinals and rallying from a deficit against Karolina Muchova in the semifinals. Despite losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the final, Pegula's performance was seen as a major breakthrough.Pegula's success has been attributed to her resilience and determination. Despite facing criticism due to her privileged background, she has forged an exceptional career through hard work and dedication. She regularly plays doubles, a discipline often overlooked by top singles players, and represents her country whenever possible.Off the court, Pegula is known for her approachable and genuine nature. She connects with fans through social media and in person, fostering a loyal following. However, she remains aware of the preconceived notions surrounding her and refuses to let them define her.Pegula's recent success has been the culmination of a coaching change and a revised schedule. After splitting from her longtime coach, she found new guidance in Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein. By reducing her doubles commitments, she has been able to focus on her singles game, resulting in improved form and consistency.As Pegula enters the offseason, she reflects on her achievements and looks forward to the future. Despite the grind of professional tennis, she remains motivated and determined to continue improving. Her journey serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating the power of perseverance and self-belief.

Two of the biggest names in tennis, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, have arrived in Saudi Arabia to prepare for the season-ending WTA Finals. Both players have been out of action since the US Open, but they are now ready to return to competition.Swiatek, the world's No. 2-ranked player, has been working with new coach Wim Fissette in the two weeks since she officially tabbed the Belgian to lead her coaching team. She is eager to return to action and regain the top spot in the rankings, which she lost to Aryna Sabalenka on Oct. 21.Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has also undergone a high-profile coaching change this year. She parted ways with Stefano Vukov ahead of the US Open and has been shrouded under a cloud of uncertainty about her physical and mental health in the weeks since. However, she looked in good spirits as she traveled to Riyadh with her team.Both Swiatek and Rybakina have put to rest some of the lingering doubts about their respective statuses with their mere presence in Riyadh. However, it remains to be seen what sort of form they will bring to the match court when the tournament officially begins on Saturday.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player, has appointed Wim Fissette as her new coach. The partnership will officially commence at the upcoming WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, where Swiatek will defend her title.Swiatek's decision to hire Fissette follows her split with previous coach Tomasz Wiktorowski after the US Open. Under Wiktorowski's guidance, Swiatek captured four Grand Slam titles, including the 2023 Roland Garros.Fissette, a Belgian coach, boasts an impressive resume, having worked with several former world No. 1s and major champions. His previous clients include Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber, and Naomi Osaka.Swiatek expressed her excitement about working with Fissette, citing his "great attitude, vision, and huge experience at a very top level of tennis." She emphasized the importance of building a strong relationship with her new coach and expressed her eagerness to compete alongside him.The WTA Finals will serve as a crucial test for Swiatek's partnership with Fissette. The event features the world's top eight players, including Aryna Sabalenka, who has emerged as a formidable challenger to Swiatek's No. 1 ranking.Swiatek will need to perform well at the WTA Finals to maintain her year-end No. 1 ranking. Sabalenka currently trails Swiatek by less than 70 points, setting the stage for an intense battle for the top spot.Swiatek's decision to hire Fissette is a strategic move aimed at strengthening her game and maintaining her dominance in women's tennis. With Fissette's guidance, Swiatek will look to continue her success and cement her legacy as one of the greatest players of her generation.

Coco Gauff, the rising star of women's tennis, has finally tasted the "Breakfast of Champions" after being featured on the iconic Wheaties cereal box for the past few months.After a grueling 30-hour journey home from Wuhan, where she narrowly lost to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of the WTA 1000, Gauff indulged in her first bowl of Wheaties adorned with her own image.In a video shared on social media, Gauff expressed her delight with the cereal, particularly when paired with vanilla almond milk. She noted that it had been two months since she had enjoyed a bowl of cereal, making this moment even more special.The limited-edition Gauff Wheaties box is still available in stores, alongside the recently released Billie Jean King signature box. Gauff's recent success on the court has earned her a spot in the prestigious WTA Finals alongside Elena Rybakina, Jasmine Paolini, and Jessica Pegula. She also surpassed her countrywoman in the world rankings, securing the No. 3 spot.Gauff's Wheaties honor is a testament to her remarkable achievements at such a young age. She has consistently impressed with her powerful serve, aggressive baseline play, and unwavering determination. Her presence on the Wheaties box serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere, reminding them that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.