Tennis

Paula Badosa's Triumphant Return to Wimbledon's Second WeekPaula Badosa's emotional victory over Daria Kasatkina at Wimbledon marked a significant milestone in her comeback journey. The former world No. 2 battled through a grueling three-set match to secure her place in the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in two years.Badosa's triumph was particularly poignant given her recent struggles with a career-threatening back injury. In April, she revealed that doctors had warned her that her playing days could be numbered. However, her determination and resilience have propelled her back to the top of the game.After her victory, Badosa was overcome with emotion, holding back tears during her on-court interview. She expressed her gratitude to the crowd for their unwavering support, which has been a driving force in her recovery."One of the reasons I come back on the court is for you guys," she said. "Hearing my name and cheering for me, it's really for you guys. I really feel the love."Badosa's return to form has been gradual but steady. She reached the round of 16 in Rome, pushing Coco Gauff to a third set, and the third round of Roland Garros. Prior to Wimbledon, she reached her first quarterfinal of the season in Bad Homburg, a result that put her back inside the Top 100.Her victory at Wimbledon is a testament to her unwavering spirit and the support of her loved ones, including her boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek star was quick to congratulate Badosa on social media, writing, "Proud of you."Badosa's journey is an inspiration to all athletes who have faced adversity. Her determination and resilience serve as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and the support of those around you.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Wimbledon champion, faced his toughest test yet in his title defense, engaging in a thrilling five-set battle against the inspired Frances Tiafoe. Despite a slow start, Alcaraz displayed his resilience and determination, ultimately triumphing 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 in a match that lasted three hours and 50 minutes.Tiafoe, seeded 29th, had been candid about his struggles this season, but he played with renewed vigor against Alcaraz. The American took advantage of Alcaraz's sluggish start, winning the first set. However, Alcaraz regrouped and leveled the match by taking the second set.The third set was a tense affair, with Tiafoe breaking Alcaraz's serve in the seventh game to take a 2-1 lead. The fourth set was equally competitive, with both players holding serve until the tiebreaker. Alcaraz found his best form in the tiebreaker, winning the first five points and ultimately taking the set.In the deciding set, Alcaraz broke Tiafoe's serve twice to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Tiafoe fought back to hold serve in the seventh game, but Alcaraz proved too strong, sealing the victory with a forehand winner.Alcaraz's victory extends his record in five-set matches to 12-1, including nine consecutive wins. He will now face Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals, another rising star who has impressed at Wimbledon this year.

Beatriz Haddad Maia, the Brazilian tennis star, has emerged as a formidable force on grass courts, despite the common misconception that clay is her preferred surface. With two grass-court titles under her belt since 2022 and an impressive 21-10 record on this surface, Haddad Maia is poised to make a deep run at Wimbledon.While Danielle Collins has enjoyed a successful season, her game is less suited to grass than other surfaces. Her aggressive style can lead to rushed defense and serve inconsistencies. Despite her impressive break percentage, the low-bouncing grass courts favor servers, making it difficult for Collins to rely solely on her returning prowess.Haddad Maia, on the other hand, excels in these conditions. Her career hold percentage on grass is a remarkable 79.7%, significantly higher than her overall hold percentage of 68.4%. Her ability to maintain possession of the ball gives her ample opportunities to win points.Moreover, Haddad Maia's baseline aggression matches Collins's, but she possesses superior defensive skills and a keen understanding of point construction. As one of the top volleyers in the women's game, Haddad Maia frequently approaches the net, a significant advantage on grass.The oddsmakers may be underestimating Haddad Maia's chances against Collins, as the match is closer to a 50-50 proposition. Her grass-court prowess, combined with Collins's potential struggles on this surface, make Haddad Maia an enticing underdog pick at +155 odds.

Andy Murray's Wimbledon legacy extends beyond his historic singles triumphs. His memorable mixed doubles partnership with Serena Williams in 2019 stands as a testament to his versatility and commitment to promoting women's sports.Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside Murray in a heartfelt video message. "It was such a fantastic experience," she said. "It really was one of the highlights of my life."The duo, boasting a combined nine Wimbledon singles titles, won two mixed doubles matches before falling to the top seeds. Murray's advocacy for women's sports, both on and off the court, has earned him Williams' admiration."You were the leader in that," Williams said. "The things you spoke up about on—the things you said about myself and Venus, about how we were always so inspiring, and what we meant to you—it really went such a long way, in my heart."Murray's mother, Judy, has been a constant source of support throughout his career. His emotional interview after his doubles loss with brother Jamie highlighted her influence.Despite his recent doubles defeat, Murray's Wimbledon journey continues alongside Emma Raducanu in mixed doubles. The 2012 and 2021 US Open champions will face Marcelo Arevalo and Zhang Shuai on Saturday.Williams, an avid Murray fan, expressed her unwavering support. "I will always be cheering for you and rooting you on, whatever you decide to do next," she said.Murray's Wimbledon legacy is not solely defined by his singles victories. His mixed doubles partnership with Williams and his advocacy for women's sports have cemented his status as a true champion both on and off the court.

The highly anticipated practice session between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon has been postponed due to a combination of wet weather and scheduling conflicts. Kyrgios, who is currently working as a commentator at the tournament, had expressed his excitement to warm up Djokovic for his next match. However, Djokovic ended up practicing with Taylor Fritz on Wednesday and his son Stefan on Thursday.Djokovic expressed optimism that the practice session with Kyrgios could still happen later in the week. The two players have developed a close friendship in recent years, despite their previous rivalry. Djokovic has been vocal in his support for Kyrgios, who has been struggling with injuries."He's been struggling a lot with injuries. Talking about major injuries, he's had a few. I've been very fortunate to not be away from tennis for long," Djokovic said after his opening Wimbledon match. "As an athlete, I empathize with Nick and anyone who's struggling. You almost feel helpless at times that something isn't allowing you to come back to what you love most, and you're unable to do your profession for years."Djokovic could potentially face Kyrgios' compatriot Alexei Popyrin in the third round of Wimbledon on Saturday. With so many Australians in his future, Djokovic joked that he might as well practice with Kyrgios.The postponement of the practice session is a disappointment for fans who were eager to see the two players on the court together. However, it is understandable given the circumstances. Djokovic and Kyrgios remain close friends, and it is likely that they will find a way to practice together later in the tournament.

Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal has secured his spot in the men's singles event at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. This will mark Nagal's second Olympic appearance, following his debut at Tokyo 2020.Nagal's qualification was confirmed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) through their entry list released on July 4. The men's and women's singles events at the Paris Olympics will feature 64 players each. The top 56 eligible men's singles players, based on ATP Rankings as of June 10, secured quotas for their countries, with a maximum of four quotas available per nation.Despite being ranked 77th at the time the qualifying window closed, Nagal managed to secure a quota spot due to the withdrawal of several higher-ranked players and the fact that multiple players from certain nations were ahead of him in the rankings.Nagal's rise to prominence has been remarkable. He broke into the top 100 for the first time in January 2023 after winning the Chennai Open. A subsequent ATP Challenger title win in Germany helped him jump 18 places to number 77 and earn a ticket to Paris.Nagal will be joined by Rohan Bopanna, who will also partner with N Sriram Balaji in the men's doubles competition. Bopanna, ranked fourth in the world in men's doubles, secured his Olympic quota easily. The men's and women's doubles events will feature 32 teams each, with a maximum of two teams per nation.Both Bopanna and Balaji are currently competing at Wimbledon 2024. They will later head to Hamburg and Umaag for ATP 500 events ahead of the Paris Olympics.Nagal's qualification for the Olympics is a testament to his hard work and determination. He will be hoping to make a strong impact in Paris and represent India with pride.

On Thursday at Wimbledon, the spotlight shone on British tennis as Andy Murray bid farewell to Centre Court alongside his brother Jamie. The occasion marked a poignant moment in British tennis history, as the nation's greatest player since Fred Perry took his final bow.However, the day was not solely about the past. It was a showcase for the future of British tennis, as four of Murray's potential successors took to the courts. Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart, the top two British women, faced off in a thrilling battle, followed by Jack Draper and Cam Norrie, the top two British men.In a match filled with tension and drama, Dart emerged victorious over Boulter in a 10-point tiebreaker. The lower-ranked player triumphed over the higher-ranked opponent, demonstrating the pressure that comes with defending the top spot in front of a home crowd.The men's match between Draper and Norrie was a more straightforward affair. Norrie, the more experienced player, dominated the match, winning in straight sets. Despite Draper's recent success, Norrie proved that he remains a force to be reckoned with in British tennis.While no one can truly replace Murray, the performances of Boulter, Dart, Draper, and Norrie on Thursday provided a glimpse of a bright future for British tennis. They showcased the talent, determination, and passion that will carry the sport forward in the years to come.

Frances Tiafoe's recent struggles have been evident, with the American admitting to losing to "clowns" in recent times. While his choice of words may have been harsh, Tiafoe's performance has indeed dipped since his impressive semifinal run at the 2022 US Open.Tiafoe's third-round opponent at Wimbledon, Carlos Alcaraz, is no ordinary player. The Spaniard is the defending champion and has already won three Grand Slam titles, including the French Open last month. Alcaraz's dominance on clay and hard courts is well-known, but his grass-court game is still a work in progress.Despite Alcaraz's recent straight-set victories, his opponents have had their chances. Both Mark Lajal and Aleksandar Vukic took Alcaraz to a tiebreaker in the first set, while Lajal also lost a set 7-5. Tiafoe, with his powerful serve and comfortable net play, poses a greater threat than either of those players.Tiafoe's ability to hold his serve and his sharp baseline game make him a dangerous opponent on grass. If he can maintain his focus and avoid unforced errors, he has the potential to cover the 7.5-game spread against Alcaraz.While Alcaraz remains the favorite, Tiafoe's charisma and crowd support could give him an edge. The American has the ability to put pressure on Alcaraz and potentially even win a set.

Taylor Fritz, the fiery American tennis star, has ignited a spicy rivalry with French opponent Arthur Rinderknech, culminating in a heated post-match exchange at Wimbledon.The feud stems from their previous encounter at Roland Garros in 2023, where Fritz's victory was marred by his controversial shushing gesture towards the partisan French crowd. Rinderknech took offense, and ahead of their Wimbledon rematch, he publicly criticized Fritz's composure.Fritz, known for his calm demeanor, was unfazed by Rinderknech's comments. Instead, they fueled his determination to prove his worth. "As soon as I saw it, the match was basically over," Fritz said. "It just gives me extra fire."The tension was palpable during their Wimbledon clash, with Fritz ultimately prevailing in four sets. As they shook hands at the net, Fritz couldn't resist a parting shot: "Have a nice flight home."Fritz's spicy handshake aside, he has been in impressive form at Wimbledon, dropping only one set so far. His strong grass-court performances in the lead-up to the tournament have established him as a darkhorse contender.In the third round, Fritz will face Alejandro Tabilo, a rising star from Chile. The American will be looking to continue his fiery run and prove that he is not just a spicy margarita but a formidable force on the court.