Tennis

Andy Murray's Emotional Wimbledon Farewell Begins with Centre Court LaunchOn Thursday, Andy Murray embarked on his final Wimbledon campaign with a poignant launch alongside his brother Jamie Murray on Centre Court. The British duo received a thunderous standing ovation from a packed house as they became the first team to enter the iconic venue. Their opponents, John Peers and Rinky Hijikata, followed suit.The occasion was particularly emotional for Murray, who was joined in his box by his two eldest children, Sophia and Edie. His wife Kim and mother Judy were also present to witness the historic moment.Murray's decision to retire from Wimbledon after this year's tournament has been met with both sadness and admiration. The 35-year-old has been a mainstay at the All England Club, winning two singles titles and reaching the final on four other occasions.However, Murray has been plagued by injuries in recent years, and he has struggled to regain his former dominance. He has also been open about his desire to spend more time with his family.Despite the challenges, Murray remains a fan favorite and a respected figure in the tennis world. His farewell appearance at Wimbledon is sure to be a memorable one, and he will undoubtedly receive a hero's send-off from the crowd.

Iga Swiatek's dominance on the tennis court continues unabated as she extended her winning streak to 21 matches with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Petra Martic in the second round of Wimbledon. This triumph marks another milestone in her remarkable 2024 season, where she has yet to taste defeat.Swiatek's winning streak began in April, following her loss to Elena Rybakina in the semifinals of Stuttgart. Since then, she has been unstoppable, claiming the Roland Garros title for the third time in her career. Her consistency has been unparalleled, as she has reached the third round of every Grand Slam event this decade, a feat unmatched by any other player.Her Grand Slam record in the 2020s is a testament to her unwavering determination and exceptional talent:* 2020 Australian Open: 4th Round* 2020 US Open: 3rd Round* 2020 Roland Garros: Champion* 2021 Australian Open: 4th Round* 2021 Roland Garros: Quarterfinals* 2021 Wimbledon: 4th Round* 2021 US Open: 4th Round* 2022 Australian Open: Semifinals* 2022 Roland Garros: Champion* 2022 Wimbledon: 3rd Round* 2022 US Open: Champion* 2023 Australian Open: 4th Round* 2023 Roland Garros: Champion* 2023 Wimbledon: Quarterfinals* 2023 US Open: 4th Round* 2024 Australian Open: 3rd Round* 2024 Roland Garros: Champion* 2024 Wimbledon: 3rd Round (so far)Swiatek's victory over Martic was a display of her unwavering focus and relentless aggression. She broke Martic's serve twice in the first set and once in the second, while holding her own serve with ease. Her powerful groundstrokes and precise shot-making proved too much for her Croatian opponent.As Swiatek advances to the third round of Wimbledon, she remains the favorite to claim her fourth Grand Slam title. Her incredible winning streak and unwavering determination make her a formidable force on the court. The tennis world eagerly awaits her next match, as she continues to rewrite the history books and cement her legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.

In the twilight of their illustrious careers, Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka engaged in an inspiring display of tennis artistry at Wimbledon's Court 2. The match, suspended the previous night, resumed with Monfils leading 2-0 and Wawrinka poised to serve at 5-all in the third set.Monfils seized the momentum, capturing 11 of the final 14 points to secure a 7-6 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (3) victory. The match, which lasted over two hours, showcased the enduring passion and skill of these veteran athletes.At 37 and 39 years old, respectively, Monfils and Wawrinka have witnessed the evolution of tennis over the past two decades. Monfils, once hailed as a potential successor to the "Four Musketeers," has carved out a unique path marked by dazzling shot-making and a captivating personality. Wawrinka, overshadowed by the brilliance of Roger Federer, has emerged as a Grand Slam champion with a relentless work ethic and a formidable backhand.Despite their contrasting journeys, Monfils and Wawrinka share a deep appreciation for the sport. "I love the competition. I love the sport. I love the game... it's a feeling that you can't have anywhere else," Monfils said.Their match at Wimbledon was a testament to the enduring power of tennis as a vehicle for self-expression and inspiration. It reminded us that even in the twilight of their careers, athletes can continue to inspire and entertain with their passion and artistry.

Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, a contender for the Wimbledon title, was forced to withdraw from his second-round match against Arthur Fils on Thursday due to a knee injury. The seventh-seeded Hurkacz, who reached the semi-finals in 2021 after defeating eight-time champion Roger Federer, sustained the injury while diving for a ball during the fourth set tie-break.Despite limping back to his chair on Court Two, Hurkacz continued for two more points before retiring, handing 20-year-old Fils his first Grand Slam third-round appearance. Fils had taken the first two sets 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, while Hurkacz claimed the third 6-2 and had a set point in the fourth before his premature exit."It's not nice to win like that against a friend. We had a very good match, he was diving everywhere," said Fils, ranked 34th in the world. "I hope he gets better quickly. Now I'm focusing on the next round."Fils will face either Roman Safiullin of Russia or Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic for a place in the last 16. "I didn't like grass very much in the past, but it turns out that I can play it quite well," said the Frenchman.Hurkacz's injury is a significant blow to his Wimbledon hopes. The 25-year-old has been in impressive form this season, winning the Halle Open on grass in June. He was considered an outside favorite for the Wimbledon title, but his withdrawal leaves the tournament wide open.Fils, on the other hand, has seized the opportunity with both hands. The young Frenchman has shown great resilience and determination in his first two matches at Wimbledon. He will be hoping to continue his impressive run and make a deep run into the tournament.

Novak Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, continued his impressive return to action at the 2024 Championships with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 victory over British wild card Jacob Fearnley.Despite undergoing surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his right knee just weeks ago, Djokovic showed no signs of rust as he dominated the opening two sets. However, Fearnley, making his Grand Slam main draw debut, put up a spirited fight, breaking Djokovic's serve for the first time in the tournament to take the third set.Undeterred, Djokovic regained control in the fourth set, saving two break points in the sixth game and breaking Fearnley's serve in the 10th game to seal the victory.Djokovic's performance was a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite the injury setback, he has returned to the court with the same level of intensity and focus that has made him one of the greatest players of all time.Fearnley, on the other hand, can take heart from his performance against one of the sport's legends. The 22-year-old showed glimpses of his potential, hitting some impressive shots and putting Djokovic under pressure at times.With the victory, Djokovic advances to the third round, where he will face either No. 30 seed Tomás Martín Etcheverry or Aussie Alexei Popyrin. The Serb will be looking to continue his impressive run at Wimbledon and add to his record-breaking tally of Grand Slam titles.

Tennis will make its grand return to the iconic Roland Garros for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The stage is set for a thrilling battle for gold, with a star-studded field of 184 players from 41 nations vying for glory.Defending champion Alexander Zverev will be looking to retain his men's singles title, while Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova aim to defend their women's doubles crown. Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic will also be back to defend their men's doubles gold.Tennis legends Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka will be seeking to add to their Olympic medal collections. Nadal, a two-time Olympic champion, will be aiming for his third gold in men's singles, while Murray, a two-time Olympic champion in men's singles, will be hoping to extend his medal count. Wawrinka, a 2008 Olympic champion in men's doubles, will be looking to add another medal to his tally.The singles draws will feature 64 competitors, while 32 teams will battle it out in men's and women's doubles. The 16 mixed doubles entries will be finalized on July 23.The field includes a mix of established stars and rising talents. Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Carlos Alcaraz are among the young players to watch, while Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, and Stefanos Tsitsipas will be looking to cement their status as the world's best.With a diverse field and a rich history, the tennis competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics promises to be an unforgettable spectacle. The battle for gold will be fierce, and the world's top players will be eager to etch their names into Olympic history.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, renowned for her intellectual curiosity and tennis acumen, has expressed her admiration for three retired tennis greats: Steffi Graf, Maria Sharapova, and Serena Williams. Swiatek believes that these legends can provide valuable insights into both the sport and the world beyond.Swiatek, who has already achieved remarkable success at the age of 23, is eager to expand her knowledge and business acumen. She sees Sharapova as a role model in this regard, citing her shrewd business decisions both during and after her playing career. Swiatek hopes to learn from Sharapova's ability to navigate the off-court aspects of the sport.Despite playing in different eras, Swiatek is drawn to Graf's mental fortitude and on-court intangibles. She believes that Graf's experience and wisdom could help her develop a stronger mindset and improve her overall game.Swiatek's desire to connect with these tennis icons may be fulfilled if she joins them in winning the Wimbledon title. As the top seed, she is aiming to become the first player since Williams in 2015 to win both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year.Swiatek's admiration for these retired greats highlights her commitment to continuous learning and her belief that there is always more to discover about tennis and life. By seeking guidance from those who have achieved greatness, she aims to enhance her own journey and inspire future generations of players.

Daria Kasatkina, the No. 14 seed, made a resounding statement at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships on Thursday, crushing British wild card Yuriko Lily Miyazaki 6-0, 6-0 in just 50 minutes on Court 18. This dominant victory marks Kasatkina's first double bagel on the tour level since 2015.Kasatkina, fresh off her seventh career WTA title at the Rothesay International Eastbourne, extended her winning streak to seven matches. The Russian star was relentless against Miyazaki, who had previously thrilled the home crowd with her first-ever main-draw victory at Wimbledon.Kasatkina's serve was untouchable, as she lost only three points behind her first serve and faced no break points. She struck 10 clean winners while committing only seven unforced errors. In contrast, Miyazaki struggled with her consistency, committing a staggering 31 unforced errors.This victory marks Kasatkina's second consecutive appearance in the third round of Wimbledon. She reached the quarterfinals in 2018 and will now face former world No. 2 Paula Badosa in the next round.Beyond her tennis prowess, Kasatkina has gained popularity for her YouTube channel, *What The Vlog?*, which she co-hosts with her girlfriend and fellow Olympic athlete Natalia Zabiiako. The channel has amassed over 50,000 subscribers and nearly six million video views.While fans will have to wait for Kasatkina's Wimbledon episode to air, they can expect her to provide an entertaining and insightful behind-the-scenes look at her Independence Day victory.

India's Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden have advanced to the second round of the Wimbledon men's doubles event with a comfortable victory over Robin Haas and Sander Arends. The Indo-Australian duo cruised past their Dutch opponents 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 11 minutes in a rain-interrupted match on July 3.Bopanna and Ebden, the second seeds and reigning Australian Open champions, will face Germany's Hendrik Jebens and Constantin Frantzen in the second round. The pair reached the semifinals of the season's third Grand Slam last year.Meanwhile, India's Sumit Nagal and his Serbian partner Dusan Lajovic were eliminated in the first round by Spaniards Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar. Martinez and Munar won 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and seven minutes.India will have further representation in the men's doubles first round through N Sriram Balaji and Yuki Bhambri on July 4. Balaji will partner Britain's Luke Johnson and face fourth seeds Mate Pavic of Serbia and Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador. Bhambri and France's Albano Olivetti will take on the Kazakh duo of Alexander Bublik and Alexander Shevchenko.