Tennis

Andrey Rublev, the top seed at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag, is determined to turn his season around after a string of disappointing results. The Russian has been working on "fixing his head" with the help of former world No. 1 Marat Safin.Rublev revealed that he had a "big talk" with Safin after his shock first-round defeat at Wimbledon. The two-time Grand Slam champion helped Rublev understand the importance of mental toughness and emotional control."It's gonna sound funny, but it's all thanks to Marat Safin," Rublev said. "He helped me... Big special thanks to him."Rublev believes that his struggles have been primarily mental rather than technical. He is confident that he can overcome his current slump and achieve success."Now, after Wimbledon, everything is in order now, thank God, so there will be a breakthrough soon," he said. "I'm confident now that everything will be alright."Rublev's journey has some similarities to Safin's. Both players left Moscow to train in Spain, and both have been known for their fiery temperaments. However, Safin was able to harness his emotions and achieve Grand Slam glory.Rublev is still seeking his first major title, but he is hopeful that he can learn from Safin's experience. The Russian is currently sitting out the Olympic Games and has few ranking points to defend until the US Open.Rublev will face Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the second round of the Croatia Open Umag. He is the top seed and the 2017 champion.

Madison Keys' Wimbledon exit due to a hamstring injury was a heartbreaking moment for the American tennis star. However, she is using her time off to focus on personal projects and her recovery.Keys and her fiancé, former ATP pro Bjorn Fratangelo, have been renovating their 1929 Orlando home. Recent updates include a new coffee bar and wallpaper in the laundry room. Plans for the future include painting the guest bathroom and upgrading the master bathroom.In addition to home improvement, Keys is also preparing for her wedding. She hinted that she will have multiple looks for her special day.Regarding her injury, Keys provided a positive update. "The leg is feeling a lot better and my rehab has been going really well. Luckily the injury wasn’t too severe so hopefully I’ll be back soon," she wrote.Despite being the fourth highest-ranked American, Keys opted to skip the Paris Olympics due to an earlier shoulder injury. She is expected to return to action at the WTA 500 in Washington, D.C., starting July 29.Keys' resilience and determination are evident in her approach to both her personal life and her tennis career. She is using this time off to focus on her well-being and prepare for her future on and off the court.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam singles champion, is gearing up for his fifth and likely final Olympic appearance in Paris. Despite being a dominant force in tennis, an Olympic gold medal remains elusive for the Serbian star.Djokovic has been diligently preparing for the Games, sharing his training regimen on social media. He has been practicing on clay courts and even took a break on a boat, trading his racquets for oars.In his previous Olympic appearances, Djokovic won bronze in Beijing 2008 but missed out on medals in London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020. He suffered heartbreaking losses in the bronze-medal matches in 2012 and 2021.Djokovic's recent form has been mixed. He was forced to withdraw from the French Open due to a torn meniscus but reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Carlos Alcaraz. Despite the setback, Djokovic remains determined to compete for a medal in Paris."I still have intentions to play Olympic Games [and] hopefully have a chance to fight for a medal for my country," Djokovic said after his Wimbledon loss.The draw for the tennis event will be revealed on Thursday, and fans will be eager to see who Djokovic will face. Potential semifinal opponents include Alcaraz and defending gold medalist Alexander Zverev.Djokovic's pursuit of an Olympic gold medal is a testament to his unwavering determination and competitive spirit. As he enters his fifth and likely final Games, he will be hoping to add the elusive Olympic title to his illustrious career.

Tennis Stars Opt for Points and Prize Money over Olympic GloryIn a surprising turn of events, several top tennis players have chosen to skip the upcoming Olympic Games in favor of competing in a lower-tier tournament in Washington, D.C. This decision has sparked debate within the tennis community, with some questioning the players' priorities.The Mubadala Citi DC Open, an ATP/WTA 500 hard-court tournament, will offer a significant amount of rankings points and prize money to its participants. This has enticed players such as Grigor Dimitrov, Aryna Sabalenka, Ben Shelton, Sebastian Korda, Frances Tiafoe, and Madison Keys to prioritize the event over the Olympics.These players have all qualified for the Olympics but have opted to withdraw, citing the lack of rankings points and prize money as their primary reasons. The Olympics, unlike other major tournaments, do not offer any financial incentives or points towards the world rankings.This decision has drawn criticism from some quarters, who argue that the Olympics represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement and should be prioritized over personal gain. However, the players who have chosen to skip the Games maintain that their decision is based on their individual goals and aspirations."I would never choose to play a 500 event over the Olympics," said defending Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev. "There are no thoughts on that."Despite the controversy, the players' decision has also had a positive impact on lower-ranked players. Marcos Giron, Chris Eubanks, and Emma Navarro have all benefited from the withdrawals, as they have been given the opportunity to compete in the Olympics due to qualification rules that limit the number of players from each nation.Ultimately, the decision of whether to prioritize the Olympics or other tournaments is a personal one for each player. While some may view the Games as the ultimate honor, others may prioritize their own financial and ranking goals.

Olympic Tennis: Team USA Prepares for Paris Games on ClayAs the Wimbledon Championships conclude, attention shifts to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, where tennis will be played on clay at Roland Garros. Team USA is preparing for the challenge, led by singles players Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.Bob Bryan, the men's Olympic tennis coach and Davis Cup captain, discussed the team's goals and expectations. "We're focused on getting the guys ready to do their best and try to win a medal," Bryan said. "It's challenging, but our guys are dangerous on anything."Bryan emphasized the importance of embracing the Olympic experience. "I would say enjoy it, soak it up," he advised the players. "Take the blinders off and meet all the other athletes. Hear their stories and do the pin trading."Despite the absence of Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, Bryan expressed support for their decisions. "Everyone's got their personal journey and individual goals for the season," he said. "I understand where they are coming from."Bryan shared memorable experiences from his own Olympic career, including meeting Kobe Bryant and LeBron James in Beijing. "Just being around such greatness was inspiring," he said. "Winning the gold in London was the pinnacle of our career."The team's preparation includes a decision on whether to stay in the Olympic village or a hotel. "We have an option to stay at a nice hotel, but some of the older players might prefer better sleep," Bryan said. "We'll see who decides to participate in the opening ceremonies."Bryan expressed excitement for the upcoming Games. "There's nothing like the Olympic energy," he said. "I believe in our guys and think we have some great chances to win some hardware for the U.S."

Mastering Tennis Shot Placement: The Power of the RacquetIn the competitive world of tennis, precise shot placement is paramount. Players spend countless hours honing their skills, aiming at specific zones and utilizing visual aids like cones. However, when errors accumulate, they often resort to overanalyzing their technique, neglecting a simpler solution: understanding the role of the racquet.The concept of "feeling the ball" refers to the point of contact between the ball and the racquet strings. This is crucial for all aspects of the game, but for shot placement, it's essential to recognize that the direction the racquet points determines where the ball goes.When the ball is hit late, it follows an inside-out trajectory because the racquet is pointing in that direction. Conversely, hitting the ball too early results in an extreme cross-court path due to the racquet's orientation.For beginners, focusing on the racquet's direction is a simple way to develop feel and gain comfort with the game. For intermediate and advanced players, it serves as a calming reminder to stick to the basics when problem-solving.Instead of straining the mind over technical components, it's more efficient to concentrate on the racquet's position. This reduces mental stress and allows players to focus on point play and mindfulness.By understanding the power of the racquet, players can improve their shot placement accuracy and consistency. It's a fundamental aspect of tennis that often gets overlooked, but it can make a significant difference in performance.

Marketa Vondrousova, the 2021 Wimbledon champion, has withdrawn from the upcoming Paris Olympics due to a hand injury. The Czech left-hander announced her decision on social media, expressing her disappointment but prioritizing her recovery for the US Open.Vondrousova's withdrawal is a significant blow to the Czech team, as she was expected to play both singles and doubles. She was set to partner with Karolina Muchova in doubles, but her place will now be taken by Katerina Siniakova. Linda Noskova will join Muchova in the doubles competition.In her Olympic debut in Tokyo, Vondrousova made a remarkable run to the silver medal. She defeated then-world No. 2 Naomi Osaka and other top players en route to the gold-medal match, where she lost to Belinda Bencic.Vondrousova's withdrawal means that two of the three medalists from the Tokyo Olympics will not be competing in Paris. Bencic is on maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter in April, while bronze medalist Elina Svitolina remains in the field.Vondrousova's injury woes have been a recurring issue throughout her career. She suffered a hip injury in a slip and fall at the pre-Wimbledon event in Berlin, which hampered her title defense at the All England Club. She lost in the first round to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, becoming only the second woman in the Open Era to lose in the first round of Wimbledon after winning the title the previous year.As a result of her early exit at Wimbledon, Vondrousova dropped from No. 6 to No. 18 in the WTA rankings. She will now focus on recovering from her hand injury and preparing for the US Open, which begins in five weeks.

John Isner, the former world No. 8 tennis player, has transitioned into broadcasting after retiring from the sport in 2023. In a recent episode of "Served with Andy Roddick," Isner shared his experiences and insights on his retirement and the current state of American men's tennis.Isner admitted that the transition to broadcasting has been a bit strange, especially with the change in parking privileges at tournaments. However, he emphasized that he had no plans to retire when he did, but his body forced him to make the decision.Despite missing certain aspects of tennis, Isner acknowledged that he is still adjusting to retirement. He noted that other former athletes have told him it takes 12-24 months to fully process the transition.Isner's retirement experience differed from Roddick's, who didn't miss tennis immediately after retiring. Roddick attributed this to his younger age and the fact that he didn't question his ability to still play.Isner also discussed the challenges of being a tall player, which required him to adjust his training regimen. He emphasized the importance of staying healthy and avoiding injuries.Isner praised the current generation of American men's tennis players, including Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton, but admitted that he has little in common with them. He joked that Tommy Paul, who chose to turn professional instead of attending college, made the right decision given his party-loving nature.Isner and Roddick will face the Bryan brothers in an exhibition match at the Atlanta Open. Despite their previous disastrous doubles experience at the 2012 Olympics, Isner believes they have a chance to win.

The highly anticipated Paris Olympics are set to commence on July 26, with tennis taking center stage as a captivating spectacle for global fans. The hallowed courts of Roland Garros will witness the return of tennis titans Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and rising star Carlos Alcaraz.Novak Djokovic, a seasoned Olympian with a bronze medal from 2008, has taken to social media to showcase his rigorous preparations. His Instagram post features a video of him executing impressive shots and drills, hinting at his determination to make a mark in Paris.Rafael Nadal, the reigning Olympic singles gold medalist from Beijing 2008 and doubles gold medalist from Rio 2016, has also arrived at Roland Garros alongside his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz. The duo will compete in both singles and doubles, forming a formidable partnership in the latter.Alcaraz, making his Olympic debut, has garnered high praise from Nadal. In an interview with Punto de Break, Nadal expressed his belief that Alcaraz has the potential to become one of the greatest players in history. He highlighted Alcaraz's exceptional tennis skills and his ability to remain competitive on any surface.According to reports, Nadal and Alcaraz will commence training at Roland Garros on July 22. While it remains uncertain if they will train together, Alcaraz has reserved a court from 11 am to 1 pm, while Nadal has booked a session from 3 pm.The Paris Olympics promise to deliver thrilling tennis matches, with the world's top players vying for glory. Djokovic, Nadal, and Alcaraz are poised to captivate fans with their exceptional skills and unwavering determination.