Tennis

The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) is undergoing a $3 million renovation to enhance its museum experience and prepare for the induction of legendary players like Roger Federer and Serena Williams. The project aims to double the exhibit space and redesign the plaque gallery, creating a more immersive and interactive experience for visitors.The centerpiece of the renovation is a new display for inductees, replacing the traditional plaques on the wall with a lineup of markers featuring golden tennis rackets. These rackets, mirroring the ITHF logo, will symbolize the prestige of being a Hall of Famer and will be presented to inductees during the enshrinement ceremony.The gallery of inductees will be relocated to the end of the museum tour, allowing visitors to appreciate the historical significance of the Hall before exploring the exhibits. A new retail store will also be added to enhance the visitor experience.The renovation is the first major upgrade to the ITHF since 2015 and addresses the need for a more modern and accessible museum. The exhibits will be redesigned to blend seamlessly with the historic architecture of the 19th-century building, while also incorporating interactive elements and digital displays.The ITHF hopes to double its annual visitor count of 30,000 by making the exhibits more accessible online for those unable to visit in person. The renovation is scheduled to begin in November and be completed by May 2024.With the retirement of Federer and Williams, the ITHF is preparing for a new era of tennis legends. The organization is also planning new events to replace the Hall of Fame Open, which lost its spot on the ATP calendar after this season.

Nine American Women Advance in Wimbledon QualifyingNine American women have successfully navigated the first round of qualifying for the Wimbledon main draw, taking a crucial step towards securing their place in the prestigious tournament.Leading the charge is top seed Katie Volynets, who overcame a spirited challenge from Francisca Jorge of Portugal in a three-set battle. Volynets, currently ranked 71st in the world, is aiming to qualify for her fourth consecutive major after earning direct entry into the French Open and Wimbledon this year.Another notable victory came from Amanda Anisimova, a former quarterfinalist at Wimbledon. Anisimova dispatched Valentini Grammatikopoulou in straight sets and will now face compatriot Hailey Baptiste in the second round.McCartney Kessler also impressed in her opener, edging out Rebecca Marino in a thrilling three-set encounter. Marino had recently triumphed at the Ilkley Trophy, an ITF 100 event.Other American winners include Alycia Parks, Robin Montgomery, Kayla Day, Varvara Lepchenko, and Sachia Vickery.Among the international players, Olga Danilovic, who upset Danielle Collins at the French Open, defeated Lucrezia Stefanini in straight sets. Second seed Bai Zhuoxuan and third seed Renata Zarazua also advanced with comfortable victories.However, sixth seed Maria Timofeeva suffered an early exit, falling to Olivia Gadecki in straight sets. Gadecki, a qualifier at the Australian Open, had previously knocked out Caroline Wozniacki and Beatriz Haddad Maia.The American contingent will now look to continue their strong form in the second round of qualifying, with the hope of securing one of the coveted spots in the Wimbledon main draw.

Master the Art of Breathing Through the Shot for Tennis SuccessIn the realm of tennis, players strive to refine their techniques and achieve their goals, whether it's executing a flawless backhand or dominating the net. While various aspects contribute to improvement, one fundamental technique can yield immediate results: breathing through the shot.Exhaling at the point of contact is the key to unlocking optimal performance. This technique allows the body to relax and release tension, resulting in a more fluid and controlled swing. During inhalation, the body generates energy, while exhalation facilitates muscle relaxation.By contrast, holding one's breath during the swing and contact point hinders performance. It restricts energy flow and disrupts the body's pH balance, forcing the brain to work harder to restore equilibrium.In the demanding sport of tennis, where players must simultaneously focus on opponent positioning, shot placement, and recovery, breathing through the shot becomes even more crucial. It reduces the mental and physical strain, allowing players to think more clearly and react more effectively.The benefits of breathing through the shot extend beyond physical performance. It enhances mental clarity by ensuring a steady flow of oxygen to the brain. This improved cognitive function enables players to make better decisions and execute shots with greater precision.To master this technique, players should practice exhaling forcefully at the moment of contact. This may result in grunting, which is a natural byproduct of the exhalation process. By incorporating breathing through the shot into their game, players can unlock a new level of performance and experience the transformative power of this simple yet effective technique.

Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova, the reigning Wimbledon champions, face the challenge of proving their triumphs were not flukes. Rybakina, a 25-year-old Kazakh, possesses a powerful serve and a top-4 ranking. Vondrousova, a 24-year-old Czech, is known for her crafty left-handed game.In 2022, Rybakina won Wimbledon in a field without Russian and Belarusian players due to the Ukraine invasion. Vondrousova's victory was aided by Ons Jabeur's struggles in the final. This year, the tournament is open to all, making the competition more intense.Rybakina has had a mixed year, battling health issues but still boasting a strong record. She believes Wimbledon suits her game, where she has a 14-2 record. Her athleticism and flat game are well-suited for grass.Vondrousova, known for her composure under pressure, has a unique left-handed style that allows her to control the tempo of matches. She has a knack for being in the right place at the right time.Both players have faced criticism that their Wimbledon wins were flukes. However, they have the opportunity to silence the skeptics this year. Vondrousova is recovering from a hip injury, while Rybakina withdrew from Eastbourne due to illness.If healthy, Rybakina and Vondrousova are strong contenders for the Wimbledon title. Their unique styles and determination make them formidable opponents.

Chris Eubanks' title defense at the Mallorca Championships came to an abrupt end in the first round, as he was upset by 18-year-old Jakub Mensik 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Mensik, playing only his second tour-level match on grass, outplayed the No. 8 seed with his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play.Mensik, who became the youngest match winner in tournament history, credited his serve and forehand as his biggest weapons. He has enjoyed a breakout season, reaching his first ATP title match in Doha and securing two Top 10 wins. However, injuries prevented him from making his French Open debut.Eubanks, who won his first ATP title in Mallorca last year, is projected to fall outside the Top 60 next week. He will face a tough challenge in defending his Wimbledon quarterfinal points.Meanwhile, Alex Michelsen, who lost to Eubanks in the first round last year, advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over No. 3 seed Adrian Mannarino. Michelsen, a rising star on the grass, finished runner-up in Newport last year and qualified for the 500-level event in Halle.Other British players, Paul Jubb and Adam Walton, also won their main-draw openers after coming through qualifying.

Tennis Channel is set to provide extensive coverage of the prestigious Wimbledon tournament, the oldest major in tennis, from July 1-14, 2024. The network will dedicate close to 65 unique hours to the event, including six-hour and four-hour match segments, analysis, interviews, news, and feature reporting.Tennis Channel's coverage will feature Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova, Lindsay Davenport, and Jim Courier, who will offer their expert insights and perspectives on the tournament. Navratilova, with her record-breaking nine Wimbledon singles titles, will provide invaluable commentary on the women's game. Davenport, a former Wimbledon singles and doubles champion, will share her knowledge of the tournament's unique challenges. Courier, a Wimbledon singles finalist, will offer his analysis of the men's competition.In addition to the on-court action, Tennis Channel will provide in-depth analysis and interviews with players, coaches, and experts. Announcers Brett Haber and Steve Weissman will provide commentary, while Jon Wertheim, author and CBS' 60 Minutes correspondent, will offer special reports throughout the tournament.Tennis Channel will also follow Wimbledon on its Tennis.com and social media platforms, as well as its Tennis Channel Podcast Network. Viewers can participate in the channel's Match Point Predictor Game and "Racquet Bracket" for a chance to win prizes.Tennis Channel is the exclusive U.S. home of all men's ATP World Tour and women's WTA Tour competitions, as well as the four majors: US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and Australian Open. The network's comprehensive coverage of Wimbledon provides tennis enthusiasts with unparalleled access to the world's most prestigious grass-court event.

Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, continued her impressive start to the grass-court season with a dominant 6-4, 6-0 victory over Sloane Stephens at the Rothesay International Eastbourne.Raducanu, who received a wild card into the tournament, displayed her exceptional form, winning the final nine games of the match to secure a second-round clash against No. 2 seed Jessica Pegula.The 21-year-old Brit started the match cautiously, with Stephens, a former world No. 3, proving to be a formidable opponent. Stephens broke Raducanu's serve to take a 4-3 lead in the first set.However, Raducanu's resilience shone through as she fought back to win the first set 6-4. From that point on, she dominated the match, not dropping a single game.Raducanu's performance was characterized by her aggressive play and impressive shot-making. She hit 24 winners to Stephens' 11, while keeping her unforced errors to a minimum (13 compared to Stephens' 15).The victory marks Raducanu's second win over Stephens, having previously defeated the American in three sets at the 2022 Australian Open.Raducanu's success at Eastbourne comes after a semifinal finish in Nottingham, where she narrowly lost to Katie Boulter. She opted to skip Roland Garros to focus on preparing for the grass- and hard-court seasons, a decision that appears to have paid off.In the next round, Raducanu will face Pegula, who is also enjoying a strong comeback after winning the title in Berlin. The match promises to be an exciting clash between two of the most promising players on the WTA Tour.

Jules Marie, the French tennis player who rose to fame as a vlogger, has finally made his Wimbledon debut after a six-year hiatus from professional tennis. Marie, currently ranked No. 246, had been an alternate in the qualifying field and was hoping for a withdrawal to secure his spot in the main draw.In a bold move, Marie reached out to Andy Murray on Instagram, asking the three-time Grand Slam champion to withdraw from the tournament to allow him to play. While Murray did not respond, Marie's luck turned when his fellow Frenchman, Calvin Hemery, withdrew just minutes before his scheduled match against Luca Van Assche.Marie took to social media to announce his milestone, writing "BREAKING NEWS: WIMBLEDON" on Instagram. However, his Wimbledon debut was short-lived as he lost to Van Assche in a third-set tiebreak, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(8).Marie's journey to Wimbledon has been an unconventional one. After stepping away from professional tennis in 2016, he launched a YouTube channel with his twin brother, Arthur, to provide virtual coaching to recreational players. The channel has since amassed over 120,000 subscribers and 22.5 million video views.Marie's return to professional tennis has been documented on his YouTube channel, where he shares his experiences and insights with his followers. His determination and perseverance have inspired many, and his Wimbledon debut is a testament to his hard work and dedication.

Top seed Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the Rothesay International in Eastbourne ahead of Wimbledon, citing a "change in schedule." The Kazakh star has been plagued by illnesses throughout the season, forcing her to withdraw from several tournaments, including the WTA 1000 events in Indian Wells and Rome.Despite the setbacks, Rybakina has enjoyed a successful season, winning three WTA 500 titles. She is aiming to clinch her first grass-court title since her historic Wimbledon triumph in 2022.Rybakina's withdrawal from Eastbourne has opened the door for lucky loser Sofia Kenin, who will face Harriet Dart in the second round. Other notable winners on Monday included Jelena Ostapenko, Leylah Fernandez, and Magda Linette.On the men's side, Marcos Giron upset reigning champion Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets, while Jerry Shang defeated No. 7 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry in a thrilling three-set battle.Rybakina's absence from Eastbourne is a blow to the tournament, but it remains a competitive field with several top players vying for the title. The event serves as a crucial warm-up for Wimbledon, which begins on June 26th.