Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz's triumph at Roland Garros 2023 marked a historic milestone in his career, solidifying his status as one of the most promising young stars in tennis. His remarkable journey to the title showcased his unwavering determination and exceptional talent.Alcaraz's victory was particularly impressive considering his recent injury struggles. Despite missing most of the clay-court lead-up season, he displayed remarkable resilience and determination to regain his top form. His ability to overcome adversity was evident in his thrilling comebacks from two-sets-to-one down in both the semifinals and final.With his victory, Alcaraz achieved several notable milestones:* He became the first man in the Open Era to win back-to-back five-setters in the semifinals and final of Roland Garros, a feat last accomplished by Rod Laver in 1962.* At 21, he became the youngest man ever to win a Grand Slam title on hard, grass, and clay.* He extended his perfect record in Grand Slam finals to 3-0, joining an elite group of players to achieve this feat.* He moved three-quarters of the way towards a Career Slam, with only the Australian Open title remaining to complete the set.* He became the fifth active men's player with three or more Grand Slam titles, joining the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka.* He became the first man born in the 2000s to win Roland Garros, and the first man born since 1990 to do so.* He surpassed all other men born since 1990 combined in terms of Grand Slam titles.* He broke a tie with Jannik Sinner for most career tour-level titles for a man born in the 2000s.* He surpassed $30 million in career prize money, becoming the 14th man in ATP history to achieve this milestone.* He rose to No. 2 in the ATP rankings, marking the first time that the Top 2 players were both born in the 2000s.Alcaraz's triumph at Roland Garros is a testament to his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and bright future in the sport of tennis. As he continues to develop and mature, he has the potential to become one of the greatest players of all time.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's third-ranked tennis player, is back in action after a brief illness and a rejuvenating vacation in Greece. Sabalenka, who was forced to withdraw from the second weekend of Roland Garros due to a stomach bug, is now fully recovered and eager to make a strong run at Wimbledon.Prior to her quarterfinal loss in Paris, Sabalenka had been struggling with a stomach bug for several days. She appeared visibly unwell during her match against Mirra Andreeva, receiving medical attention multiple times. Despite leading by a set, Sabalenka was unable to maintain her level of play and eventually lost in three sets.After her disappointing exit from Roland Garros, Sabalenka took some time off to recharge and recover. She jetted off to Greece for a relaxing getaway, where she soaked up the sun, enjoyed the local cuisine, and took in the picturesque sunset views."A little slice of paradise," Sabalenka captioned one post on Instagram, which showcased her dancing in a bikini and drinking white wine.Following her self-described "reset," Sabalenka is now ready to hit the grass courts. The two-time Wimbledon semifinalist stopped by the All-England Club to officially start her road to the year's third Grand Slam.After falling two matches short of the goal last year, the 26-year-old is hoping to become the first player since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the Australian Open and Wimbledon in the same year.Before returning to SW19, Sabalenka will make a stop at the ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin next week. With world No. 1 Iga Swiatek withdrawing due to fatigue, Sabalenka is expected to be the second seed behind newly-minted world No. 2 Coco Gauff.The WTA 500 event in Berlin begins on Monday, and Sabalenka will be looking to build momentum ahead of Wimbledon.

Swiatek and Paolini Withdraw from Berlin Grass-Court Event After Roland Garros TriumphsWorld No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Roland Garros runner-up Jasmine Paolini have withdrawn from next week's WTA grass-court event in Berlin, citing physical and mental fatigue after an intense nine-week stretch.Swiatek, who extended her winning streak to 35 matches with her third consecutive Roland Garros title, expressed the need for rest and recovery. "I had these ideas, like, doing preseason on grass so I can learn how to play there," she said. "But yeah, for sure it's a huge challenge."Paolini, who reached her first Grand Slam singles final and the doubles final in Paris, withdrew due to an unspecified injury. Her impressive performance at Roland Garros propelled her to career-high rankings in both singles and doubles, including a Top 10 debut in singles.The Berlin tournament, which begins on Monday, will still feature the remaining eight players ranked in this week's Top 10, including newly-minted world No. 2 Coco Gauff.Swiatek's withdrawal highlights the challenges of transitioning from clay to grass courts. Despite reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year, she has struggled on the surface, with a 9-4 record in four previous appearances at the All-England Club."I feel like every year it's easier for me to adapt to grass," Swiatek said. "So I think there is no need to do that. I just need to continue the work that I've been doing."The Berlin event will provide an opportunity for other top players to gain momentum ahead of Wimbledon, which begins on July 1.

Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, has expanded her off-court portfolio by becoming an executive producer for an upcoming documentary on junior tennis. The documentary, titled "Top Class Tennis," will be released on Amazon Prime and will chronicle the journey of four American junior players as they prepare for the prestigious Orange Bowl.Stephens' involvement in the project marks a significant step in her transition from tennis star to media mogul. In addition to her new role as executive producer, Stephens also hosts the podcast "Sincerely, Sloane," which features interviews with athletes, celebrities, and other notable figures.The documentary is being produced by Uninterrupted, LeBron James' athlete-storytelling venture. Uninterrupted has a history of producing high-quality sports documentaries, including a recent film on former world No. 1 Stan Smith and a 2021 Netflix documentary on Naomi Osaka.Stephens' role as executive producer has been praised by SpringHill's head of unscripted and documentaries, Philip Byron. Byron said that working with Stephens has been "akin to having the best doubles partner in the world."The four-episode miniseries will follow Ariana Anazagasty-Pursoo, Joseph Oyebog, Jr., Stephanie Yakoff, and Stiles Brockett as they navigate the challenges of junior tennis and strive to make their mark on the global tennis scene.The documentary is expected to provide an intimate look at the lives of these young athletes, showcasing their determination, resilience, and passion for the sport. It is also expected to shed light on the challenges and opportunities facing junior tennis players in the United States.Stephens' involvement in the project is a testament to her commitment to giving back to the sport that has given her so much. The documentary is sure to inspire young tennis players and provide a valuable glimpse into the world of junior tennis.

When Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu first faced off in the quarterfinals of the 2019 China Open, it seemed like the beginning of a fierce rivalry between two rising stars. However, injuries and mental health struggles have hindered both players' careers since then.Now, five years later, they will meet again in the quarterfinals of the WTA 250 Libema Open on grass courts in the Netherlands. Both players received wild cards into the tournament and have cruised through their first two matches.Andreescu, who turns 24 on June 16, is playing in just her second tournament since returning from a nine-month injury layoff. She reached the third round at Roland Garros, while Osaka has rebounded from a disappointing second-round loss to Iga Swiatek in Paris.In their previous encounter, Osaka snapped Andreescu's 17-match winning streak in a three-set thriller. Both players have since been open about their mental health struggles and have taken time off from tennis to address them.Despite their setbacks, both Andreescu and Osaka remain promising players with the potential to reach the top of the game. Their quarterfinal match at the Libema Open will be a reminder of what might have been and a glimpse of what's still possible for two players who have faced adversity with resilience and determination.The winner of the match will advance to the semifinals, a stage neither player has reached on grass before.

Carlos Alcaraz, the newly crowned Roland Garros champion, has embarked on a celebratory vacation in Ibiza, a tradition he has maintained since his first visit in 2023. After his grueling five-set victory over Alexander Zverev in the final, Alcaraz sought respite on the party island.Social media has been abuzz with images of Alcaraz and his companions enjoying Ibiza's nightlife. One particularly memorable moment captured on video shows the 21-year-old belting out Queen's "We Are the Champions" at a nightclub, albeit with a charmingly off-key rendition.Beyond his karaoke escapades, Alcaraz is also commemorating his historic triumph with tattoos. Inspired by Marketa Vondrousova, he has already inked the dates of his 2022 US Open and 2023 Wimbledon victories on his body.For his Roland Garros victory, Alcaraz plans to immortalize the moment with a tattoo of the Eiffel Tower and the date on his left ankle. "It's going to be the left one ... with the Tour Eiffel with the date of today," he declared after the final.Alcaraz's post-tournament celebrations reflect his joy and relief after a grueling clay-court season. His victory in Paris marks a significant milestone in his career, solidifying his status as one of the most promising young players in tennis.

The National Bank Open (NBO) has announced a significant upgrade to its tournaments, which will take place over 12 days starting in 2025. This move elevates the NBO to an elite group of six extended combined events on the WTA and ATP Tours, bringing it closer to the format of a Grand Slam.The combined event, which alternates hosting an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 in Toronto and Montréal, will expand its respective fields from 56 to 96 players. This aligns with the format of other prestigious tournaments such as the BNP Paribas Open, Miami Open, Mutua Madrid Open, Internazionali BNL d'Italia, and the Cincinnati Open, which will also become a two-week tournament in 2025.The NBO's "redefinition" is part of a larger plan to introduce equal prize money at all 1000-level tournaments. This initiative was first announced in 2023 following the expansion of clay-court tournaments in Madrid and Rome.Valérie Tétreault, NBO Montréal tournament director, emphasized the importance of player voices in advocating for change. She believes that the new format will benefit players' physical and mental well-being."It's quite demanding on both the mind and body to be in a new city every week, to be playing back-to-back matches," Tétreault explained. "So, I think if you want to have a long career in tennis, you need to find the right balance to be able to have a life outside of the tennis courts. I think this new format will allow for that."The enhanced fan experience will include six night sessions and an extra round of action, culminating in a Thursday finals day that will crown both men's and women's champions.WTA player Leylah Annie Fernandez expressed her excitement about the changes. "It's always a highlight of the year to play at the National Bank Open in Montréal or Toronto, and I can't wait to see the positive impact this new format will have on the fans, the cities and Canadian tennis."The NBO's expansion is a testament to the growing popularity of tennis in Canada and its commitment to providing a world-class experience for players and fans alike.

Caroline Garcia, the former world No. 4 tennis player, and her partner Borja Duran have announced their engagement. The couple shared photos of their happy moment on social media, sparking congratulations from fellow players and fans.Garcia and Duran have been dating since last year and have since launched a podcast together called Tennis Insider Club. The podcast combines Garcia's on-court experience with Duran's off-court perspective, providing listeners with a unique insight into the world of professional tennis.Garcia has spoken about the positive impact that Duran has had on her career, particularly during a challenging period last year. She credits him with helping her navigate the behind-the-scenes aspects of the sport and providing a different perspective.The couple's podcast has been well-received, with Garcia noting that it has been a rewarding experience to share her knowledge and connect with fans in a different way. She also values the opportunity to create memories with Duran outside of the tennis court.Garcia is currently preparing for the upcoming WTA grass-court swing, including Wimbledon, where she has twice reached the fourth round. Despite dealing with a shoulder injury during Roland Garros, she remains optimistic about her chances on the grass.The engagement announcement has been met with an outpouring of support from the tennis community, with many players taking to social media to congratulate the couple. Daria Saville, Lucas Pouille, and Alizé Cornet, who has also been a guest on Tennis Insider Club, were among those who expressed their well wishes.

Roland Garros, the prestigious clay-court Grand Slam, has concluded, but the fashion moments continue to captivate. A day after Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek emerged victorious, they showcased their sartorial prowess in photocalls on the tournament grounds.Carlos Alcaraz: Louis Vuitton AmbassadorAs the global face of Louis Vuitton, Alcaraz exuded elegance in a bespoke double-breasted suit jacket and pants. The Spaniard's partnership with the French fashion house extends beyond the court, with a personalized Malle Vestiaire and a recent modeling stint for the 2024 men's collection. Alcaraz's winning look was complemented by a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch, featuring an 18 karat yellow gold case and a meteorite dial.Iga Swiatek: Polish Style IconSwiatek, the world's top-ranked player, made a statement in satin for her photo shoot with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. She donned a cream-colored silk wrap-neck top and wide-leg cupro trousers by Polish designer Magda Butrym. The brand, known for its collaborations with independent artisans, has gained recognition in tennis circles after Swiatek's previous appearances in their designs. Swiatek completed her look with a Rolex Lady-Datejust watch in 18 karat Everose gold.Fashion and Tennis: A Symbiotic RelationshipThe Roland Garros photocalls highlight the growing intersection between fashion and tennis. Players are increasingly embracing high-end brands and using their platforms to showcase their personal style. This trend not only enhances the glamour of the sport but also provides opportunities for designers to reach a wider audience.