Tennis

Tommy Paul, the 27-year-old American tennis star, has emerged as a formidable contender at Wimbledon, set to face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. Despite a slow start to his career, Paul has developed the maturity and competitive fire of an elite athlete.Paul's journey to the top has been marked by a unique blend of athleticism, charisma, and a relaxed demeanor. He has earned respect and admiration in the locker room for his genuine nature and unwavering support for his peers.On the court, Paul's game is characterized by a deadly touch and a nuanced understanding of the game. He has mastered the art of managing expectations and pacing himself, as evidenced by his recent title run at Queen's Club and his impressive performance at Wimbledon.Paul's success on grass is a testament to his adaptability and hard work. Despite developing his game on clay, he has quickly adjusted to the unique demands of grass courts. He has learned to anticipate his opponents' tactics, such as Alexander Bublik's underarm serves, and has developed effective strategies to counter them.Paul's rise to prominence is a reminder that success in sports is not always about raw talent or early dominance. With patience, perseverance, and a genuine love for the game, even slow learners can achieve their dreams.

Five years ago, American tennis star Alison Riske-Amritraj made history at Wimbledon by reaching the quarterfinals. Her remarkable run included an upset victory over then-world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty.Today, Riske-Amritraj is celebrating a different kind of milestone: the birth of her first child, daughter Calen Ann Amritraj. The former world No. 18 and her husband, Stephen Amritraj, announced the arrival of their little girl on July 5th.Calen's unique name is a tribute to two of the most important women in the couple's lives: their mothers, Carol and Helen. Both women share the middle name Ann, which has now been passed down to their granddaughter."May she be full of the same grace, love, grit, and strength, (amongst many other wonderful things), as her namesakes," Riske-Amritraj wrote on social media.The tennis community has showered the new parents with well wishes. Coco Gauff, Emma Navarro, and Asia Muhammad were among the first to congratulate the couple.Riske-Amritraj last competed at Wimbledon exactly one year ago. She announced her pregnancy in March and has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of her daughter."Cheers to our 5th of July firecracker- may this life be everything you ever dream of," she wrote. "Dad & mom couldn’t be more excited and in love!!!!"Riske-Amritraj's journey to motherhood has been a testament to her resilience and determination. She has balanced her tennis career with her personal life, proving that it is possible to achieve both professional and personal success.As she embarks on this new chapter in her life, Riske-Amritraj will undoubtedly draw inspiration from the strong women who have come before her. Her daughter, Calen, will be a constant reminder of the love, support, and strength that surrounds her.

Lorenzo Musetti, the 22-year-old Italian tennis sensation, has continued his impressive run on grass courts by reaching his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Wimbledon. On Monday, Musetti defeated lucky loser Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in four sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2, to advance to the last eight.Musetti's victory marks a significant milestone in his career, as he had never previously reached the quarterfinals of a major tournament. His performance at Wimbledon is a testament to his growing maturity and confidence on grass, a surface that he has traditionally struggled on.In the match against Mpetshi Perricard, Musetti displayed his trademark aggressive style of play, generating 23 winners while committing only eight unforced errors. He broke his opponent's serve four times and saved all three break points he faced.Musetti's coach, Simone Tartarini, played a crucial role in his victory. Before the match, Tartarini advised Musetti to be aggressive on break points and to force Mpetshi Perricard to play from behind. Musetti followed his coach's instructions to perfection, breaking his opponent's serve at key moments in the match.Musetti's success at Wimbledon is a continuation of his strong form on grass this season. He reached the semifinals in Stuttgart and finished runner-up at the Queen's Club Championships in London. His 11 wins on grass this year are a testament to his adaptability and his ability to perform at his best on different surfaces.In the quarterfinals, Musetti will face either Alexander Zverev or Taylor Fritz. Zverev is a former world number two and a finalist at the French Open this year, while Fritz is a rising star who recently won the Eastbourne International. Musetti will be the underdog in either matchup, but he will be confident in his ability to cause an upset.Musetti's performance at Wimbledon is a reminder of his immense potential. He is a player with a bright future, and he is capable of achieving great things in the sport.

As the second week of Wimbledon unfolds, two former grass-court stars, Eugenie Bouchard and Sam Querrey, have engaged in a playful Instagram photo shoot that has delighted the internet.Bouchard, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist, sparked the fun with a series of outdoor photos in a gold-chained green string bikini. She captioned the post, "Sundays are for yard work," as she posed on a lawn chair, held a garden hose, and raked leaves.Querrey, the 2017 Wimbledon semifinalist, was inspired by Bouchard's post and decided to create his own photo montage. With his wife and children away on vacation, he had ample time to don a green swimsuit and mimic Bouchard's poses, complete with garden-hose water pressure.The results were a viral sensation, with fans, current, and former tennis players alike expressing their amusement. Reilly Opelka commented, "This went platinum," while Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez couldn't contain their laughter. Andreescu simply added, "OMG."Querrey credited PPA pro Wes Burrows for his artistic direction, saying he "did a stunning job of finding my good angles." Bouchard responded with good humor, saying, "Let's do a joint photo shoot next time."The playful exchange between Bouchard and Querrey highlights their camaraderie and the lighthearted spirit that exists within the tennis community. It also serves as a reminder that even the most accomplished athletes can find joy in the simplest of things.

Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has advanced to the quarterfinals for the third consecutive year, defeating Anna Kalinskaya in a match that ended prematurely due to injury.Rybakina, the fourth seed, faced a tough start against Kalinskaya, who took an early 3-1 lead. However, Rybakina rallied back, winning eight consecutive games to take the first set and establish a commanding lead in the second.Kalinskaya, who has been linked to ATP world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, was forced to retire after just 53 minutes on Centre Court due to an undisclosed injury. The Russian-born Kazakh had been playing well in her third main-draw appearance at Wimbledon, reaching the second week without dropping a set.Rybakina, who has been a consistent performer since her breakthrough season in 2020, has emerged as the favorite to win a second Wimbledon title. She has been in impressive form, losing just one game in her third-round match against former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.In the quarterfinals, Rybakina will face the winner of the fourth-round clash between 2023 semifinalist Elina Svitolina and China's Wang Xinyu, who knocked out No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula earlier in the tournament.

Emma Raducanu's decision to withdraw from her mixed doubles match with Andy Murray at Wimbledon has sparked controversy. The 2021 US Open champion cited a stiff wrist as the reason for her withdrawal, which effectively ended Murray's Wimbledon career.Raducanu's decision has been met with criticism, as it shattered Murray's hopes of one last appearance at the All England Club. The two-time Wimbledon champion was unable to play the men's singles due to a spinal cyst surgery and lost in the first round of the men's doubles with his brother Jamie.Murray expressed disappointment over Raducanu's withdrawal, while his mother, Judy, described the move as "astonishing." However, Raducanu defended her decision, stating that she had to prioritize her singles match and her body."I have to prioritize myself, my singles, and my body," Raducanu said. "I stand by the decision. Yeah, obviously it was a tough decision, though."Raducanu's withdrawal has raised questions about the importance of mixed doubles in tennis. Some argue that it is a valuable opportunity for players to compete with and learn from each other, while others believe that it should not take precedence over singles matches.Despite the controversy, Raducanu has expressed her admiration for Murray and his accomplishments. She hopes that he will play in the Paris Olympics and have another farewell there."Obviously disappointed because it's his last match," Raducanu said. "But, yeah, what a champion. I think that hopefully he'll play in the Olympics and have another farewell there."Raducanu's Wimbledon run ended in the fourth round with a loss to New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun. Despite the disappointing result, Raducanu believes that she has rediscovered her passion for tennis."I think that desire and fire is back," Raducanu said. "I just want to keep building on that."

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic is poised to reach his seventh consecutive quarterfinal at the All England Club on Monday. Aiming to equal the record of eight Wimbledon titles and claim his 25th Grand Slam crown, Djokovic overcame Australia's Alexei Popyrin in four sets on Saturday to advance to the fourth round for the 16th time.Djokovic's path to the quarterfinals presents a formidable challenge in the form of Danish sensation Holger Rune. The 15th-seeded Rune staged a remarkable comeback in the third round, rallying from two sets down to defeat Frenchman Quentin Halys. Djokovic acknowledged Rune's exceptional talent and competitive spirit, promising a thrilling encounter on Monday.Meanwhile, Yulia Putintseva, who stunned world number one Iga Swiatek in the third round, will face former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko for a place in the last eight. Putintseva's victory over Swiatek extended her impressive grass-court season, which included a title at the Birmingham Classic. Ostapenko, known for her emotional outbursts, will pose a significant threat to Putintseva's Wimbledon aspirations.Another intriguing fourth-round matchup features lucky loser Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The towering Frenchman, who initially failed to qualify for the tournament, has seized his unexpected opportunity with both hands. Mpetshi Perricard's colossal serve has propelled him to the last 16, where he will face Italian 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti. A victory for Mpetshi Perricard would mark a historic achievement, as he would become the first lucky loser to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals since 1995.As the Wimbledon tournament enters its eighth day, these three fourth-round matches promise to deliver captivating tennis and potentially shape the destiny of the championship.

Tenth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov's Wimbledon campaign came to an abrupt end on Sunday when he was forced to retire injured in the first set of his fourth-round clash against fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev.Dimitrov, who had been in impressive form throughout the tournament, started the match strongly, racing to a 3-0 lead. However, Medvedev fought back to break Dimitrov's serve and level the set at 3-3.Disaster struck for Dimitrov in the sixth game when he slipped on Court One. He attempted to continue playing but was clearly hampered by the injury. After losing the next two games, Dimitrov took a medical timeout.Upon returning to the court, Dimitrov struggled to move effectively. He managed to win one more game before Medvedev served three aces to take the eighth game and seal the set. Dimitrov then decided to retire from the match, handing Medvedev a place in the quarterfinals.Medvedev will now face top seed Jannick Sinner in the last eight. The Russian has a 6-5 head-to-head record against the Italian world No. 1, but Sinner has won their last five encounters.Dimitrov's injury is a major blow to his Wimbledon hopes. The Bulgarian had been playing some of his best tennis in recent months and was considered a potential contender for the title. However, he will now have to focus on recovering from his injury and preparing for the upcoming hard-court season.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the 6'8" French sensation, has taken Wimbledon by storm with his monstrous serves, leaving opponents bewildered and fans in awe. As the first men's lucky loser to reach the fourth round since 1995, Mpetshi Perricard has showcased his immense power and determination.His opponents have been left in disbelief, with Sebastian Korda admitting, "There wasn't much to do, just guess where the ball was going." Emil Ruusuvuori echoed the sentiment, calling Mpetshi Perricard "a very tricky opponent on this surface."Mpetshi Perricard's serve has been the talk of the tournament, with the Frenchman joining Ivo Karlovic and John Isner as the only players to tally 100 aces through three rounds in the past decade. Against Korda, he fired 51 aces, while against Nishioka and Ruusuvuori, he recorded 27 aces each.Despite his towering height, Mpetshi Perricard is not just a one-dimensional power hitter. He has shown finesse and variety in his game, particularly with his volleying, which proved crucial against Korda. He also credits his improved return game for his success on the clay in Lyon.Mpetshi Perricard's breakthrough in the last two months has been remarkable, winning the title in Lyon and emulating Arthur Fils' achievement. His ranking is set to climb to 44th, ensuring his participation in major events in the future.While French players are often known for their flair, Mpetshi Perricard's stature and power have set him apart. He is keen to improve his two-handed backhand, taking inspiration from John Isner's game.Despite the challenges of Wimbledon's unpredictable weather, Mpetshi Perricard remains confident and excited for his upcoming match against Lorenzi Musetti. With his powerful serve and growing confidence, he is a force to be reckoned with and a potential dark horse in the tournament.