Tennis

Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, two of the most iconic tennis players of all time, have finally put their long-standing rivalry to rest. In a recent interview, Williams declared that there was never any real animosity between them, despite the intense competition on the court."Not anymore," Williams said when asked about any lingering beef with Sharapova. "I mean, was there ever beef? I guess. It was just competitive though."The rivalry between Williams and Sharapova was one of the most captivating in tennis history. The two players met 22 times, with Williams holding a dominant 20-2 head-to-head record. Their matches were often intense and emotional, with both players pushing each other to the limit.However, off the court, Williams and Sharapova have always maintained a respectful relationship. They have attended events together and even posed for photos. This has led many fans to believe that their rivalry was more about competition than personal animosity.Williams' comments in the recent interview seem to confirm this. She said that she and Sharapova "both wanted to win" and that their rivalry was simply a matter of "do you want to win?"Sharapova retired from tennis in 2020, while Williams announced her retirement in 2022. With both players now out of the competitive circuit, it seems that their rivalry is truly over.However, Williams' recent cryptic tweet has left some fans wondering if she may be planning a return to the court. "I'm ready to hit some balls again," she wrote.If Williams does decide to make a comeback, it would be a major story in the tennis world. And if she were to face Sharapova again, it would be one of the most anticipated matches in recent memory.

Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend, celebrated his 37th birthday in style by notching his 1,100th tour-level victory, a remarkable milestone that places him among the most successful players in the Open Era.In a dominant performance at the Geneva Open, Djokovic dispatched German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, to reach the milestone. The victory marks a testament to Djokovic's longevity and unwavering excellence on the court.Djokovic now joins Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only three men in the Open Era to achieve 1,100 tour-level wins. Connors holds the all-time record with 1,274 wins, followed by Federer with 1,251.Beyond his impressive win total, Djokovic also boasts an exceptional career winning percentage of 83.5%, the highest among men in the Open Era. This statistic highlights his remarkable consistency and ability to maintain a high level of performance throughout his career.Djokovic's achievement is particularly noteworthy considering the competitive nature of modern tennis. The emergence of young stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas has made it increasingly challenging for established players to maintain their dominance.However, Djokovic has proven to be an enduring force, adapting his game to the changing landscape of the sport. His unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of excellence have enabled him to remain at the top of the game for over a decade.As Djokovic continues his illustrious career, he will undoubtedly add to his already impressive tally of victories. His pursuit of Connors' all-time record will be closely watched by fans and experts alike.

The 2024 clay-court season has been a rollercoaster of surprises, setting the stage for an intriguing Roland Garros tournament. Former champion Martina Navratilova shares her insights on the upcoming Grand Slam, analyzing the contenders and their chances of lifting the trophy.Men's Field: Djokovic's Experience vs. UncertaintiesRafael Nadal's dominance at Roland Garros has been unparalleled, but the 37-year-old's recent form has raised questions about his ability to extend his record-breaking 14 titles. Top seeds Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz all face uncertainties heading into Paris, with Djokovic recovering from a head injury and Sinner and Alcaraz battling physical issues."The unknowns are pretty large right now," Navratilova said. "If injuries come into play, then Novak is an even bigger favorite to win."Djokovic remains the betting favorite due to his experience and recent wild card acceptance into the Geneva Open. Navratilova believes that Djokovic's lack of tournament success in 2024 could motivate him to make the most of the chaotic field and capture his fourth Roland Garros title.Swiatek's Dominance: Evert-Like InvincibilityIga Swiatek enters Roland Garros as the defending champion and the highest-ranked player since Serena Williams in 2015. Her back-to-back victories in Madrid and Rome have solidified her position as the favorite.Navratilova compares Swiatek's dominance to that of Chris Evert, who won seven Roland Garros titles. "It's really impossible to find an opening against Iga on clay," Navratilova said. "Right now she looks pretty unbeatable."While Swiatek admires Nadal, Navratilova believes she has a long way to go to match his 14 titles. However, she acknowledges that Swiatek's early success and exceptional clay-court game could lead her to catch up to Evert's record.Evert's Legacy: Deserving of RecognitionThis year marks the 50th anniversary of Chris Evert's first Grand Slam title, which she won at Roland Garros. Navratilova believes that the French Tennis Federation should honor Evert's legacy with a statue, similar to the one erected for Nadal."If Rafa has a statue there, then Chris should have a statue, also," Navratilova said. "She's the OG queen of clay."Collins: A Sneaky ContenderDanielle Collins has emerged as a force in women's tennis, winning her first WTA 1000 title in Miami. Navratilova believes that Collins could be a surprise semifinalist or finalist at Roland Garros."She would be my pick for a sneaky semifinal or final," Navratilova said. "I know I wouldn't want her in my draw."Olympic Summer: Physical and Mental ChallengesRoland Garros marks the beginning of a grueling summer season that includes Wimbledon, the Olympics, and the US Open. Navratilova predicts that the physical and mental challenges of this stretch will test the players' limits."You basically have four majors in two or three months," Navratilova said. "The game is more physical [than when I was on tour] and the Olympics don't make it easier that's for sure."Navratilova is concerned about the potential for injuries and hopes that the players can maintain their health throughout the summer.

Andy Murray, the former world number one, will make a significant return to Roland Garros this year, competing in both singles and doubles for the first time since his main-draw debut in 2006. The tournament organizers announced on Wednesday that Murray and his compatriot Dan Evans had been awarded wild cards for the doubles event.Evans and Murray are the only non-French players among the 14 doubles teams to receive wild cards, with seven teams selected on each side. According to James Gay of The i, the British duo is the first entirely non-French men's doubles team to receive a Roland Garros main-draw wild card since Nicolas Kiefer and Marat Safin in 2001.The wild card request from Evans and Murray stems from their aspirations to compete at the Summer Olympics, which will be held at Roland Garros in August. Their combined ranking of 144 was insufficient to qualify them directly for the Olympics.Murray, who has won three Grand Slam singles titles, is seeking his fifth Olympic berth for Great Britain. He has previously stated that he would only participate in the Olympics if he believed he had a chance of winning a medal.Murray's return to Roland Garros comes after an ankle injury forced him to withdraw from the Miami Open in March. He made his comeback this week in Geneva, but lost in the first round to German Yannick Hanfmann.Murray, who reached the Roland Garros final in 2016, is contesting the clay-court major for only the second time since 2017. This could potentially be his final appearance in Paris, as he has hinted at retirement after this summer.

Casper Ruud, the former world No. 2, overcame a slow start to defeat Sebastian Ofner 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 at the Gonet Geneva Open on Wednesday. The victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with No. 5 seed Sebastian Baez.Ruud, who has been a contender for his first major title at this year's Roland Garros, had lost his last two matches after a strong start to the clay-court swing. However, he showed his resilience against Ofner, who had won his first set against a Top 10 player in 22 attempts.The Norwegian settled down after losing the first set and took control of the match, breaking Ofner three times in the second and third sets to secure the victory in just under two hours.Ruud's victory is a boost to his confidence ahead of Roland Garros, where he is considered a contender for the title. He will face Baez in the quarterfinals, a player he has a 2-0 head-to-head advantage against.Ofner, despite his defeat, showed his fighting spirit and ability to compete against top players. He will look to build on this performance in the upcoming tournaments.The Gonet Geneva Open is a key warm-up event for Roland Garros, and Ruud's victory is a reminder of his status as a contender for the French Open title.

Touched by a Champion: Sabalenka's Roland Garros Hopes Soar After Nadal's BlessingAryna Sabalenka's quest for her maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros has received an unexpected boost after a brief encounter with Rafael Nadal on the practice courts. A viral clip on social media captured the moment Nadal tapped Sabalenka on the shoulder as they passed each other, sparking speculation that the 14-time Roland Garros champion had bestowed a blessing upon her.Sabalenka herself acknowledged the clip with a humorous response, adding to the growing belief that she is destined to triumph in Paris. The world No. 2 has reason to be optimistic heading into the clay-court major, where she is seeded No. 2. Last year, she came agonizingly close to reaching the final, only to be denied by Karolina Muchova in a dramatic semifinal.Despite the setback, Sabalenka has vowed to return stronger and is confident in her abilities. She has already claimed one major title this year and is eager to add to her tally. While she acknowledges the challenge posed by world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who defeated her in the finals of both Madrid and Rome, Sabalenka remains undeterred."I'm going there with the confidence that I can do well there," Sabalenka said. "Being No. 2 seeded, it's tough to call yourself 'underdog.' I'm definitely not the favorite probably there. But at the same time I do feel that I can actually go for it."Sabalenka's determination is evident in her willingness to embrace the underdog role. She believes that it will allow her to focus on her own game and play without pressure. With her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, she has the potential to upset the odds and claim her first Grand Slam title.As the tournament approaches, Sabalenka's encounter with Nadal has become a source of inspiration for her and her fans. Whether or not it proves to be a premonition remains to be seen, but it has certainly added an extra layer of intrigue to her Roland Garros campaign.

Sumit Nagal, India's top-ranked men's singles tennis player, has secured a spot in the main draw of the prestigious Wimbledon Championship. This marks a significant milestone for Indian tennis, as Nagal becomes the first Indian in five years to qualify for the main draw of the men's singles event at Wimbledon.Nagal's qualification comes after a string of impressive performances on the ATP Challenger Tour. He recently reached the semifinals of the Challenger tournament in Ostrava, Czech Republic, and the quarterfinals of the Challenger tournament in Heilbronn, Germany.Nagal's journey to Wimbledon has been marked by determination and perseverance. He has been working tirelessly to improve his game and has been training with some of the best players in the world, including Novak Djokovic.Nagal's qualification for Wimbledon is a testament to his hard work and dedication. It is also a source of inspiration for aspiring tennis players in India and around the world.In addition to Wimbledon, Nagal is also preparing for the upcoming French Open. He recently trained with Djokovic in Paris in preparation for the Grand Slam event.Nagal's performance at Wimbledon and the French Open will be closely watched by tennis fans in India and around the world. He has the potential to make a deep run in both tournaments and continue to raise the profile of Indian tennis.

Dominic Thiem, the two-time French Open runner-up, bid farewell to Roland Garros on Wednesday with a second-round qualifying loss to Otto Virtanen. The 30-year-old Austrian, who announced his retirement earlier this month, received a standing ovation and chants of "Thank you Domi" during a farewell ceremony after his 6-2, 7-5 defeat.Thiem, who reached the final in Paris in 2018 and 2019, struggled to regain his top form after a wrist injury in 2021. Despite his recent struggles, he expressed gratitude for his time at the French Open. "I've really enjoyed every single year of it," he said.Thiem's career highlight came in 2020 when he won the US Open, becoming the first man to overcome a two-set deficit in the final in 71 years. He also reached the final of the Australian Open that year and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 3.However, his wrist injury in 2021 derailed his progress. He was sidelined for nine months and has struggled to regain his previous level of play. Despite his retirement announcement, Thiem remains optimistic about the future. "I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life," he said.Thiem's retirement marks the end of an era for Austrian tennis. He has been a role model for young players and has inspired a generation of fans. His legacy will live on as one of the most successful Austrian tennis players of all time.

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis star known as the "Minister of Happiness," has officially joined the ASICS global tennis roster. The partnership marks a significant milestone for both Jabeur and the Japanese sportswear giant.Jabeur, currently ranked No. 9 in the world, has been a long-time admirer of ASICS products, particularly their renowned tennis shoes. She expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating, "I have always loved ASICS as a brand, their tennis products are renowned as excellent on tour."Beyond the technical aspects, Jabeur also aligns with ASICS's core values, which emphasize mental well-being. The brand's motto, "Anima Sana In Corpore Sano" (A Sound Mind In A Sound Body), resonates deeply with Jabeur's belief in the importance of holistic health.On the court, Jabeur will don ASICS's Solution Speed FF 3 tennis shoe, known for its exceptional performance on all surfaces. She will also complete her ensemble with apparel from Kayanee, a Saudi Arabian women's health and wellness brand.Jabeur's addition to the ASICS roster strengthens the brand's presence in the tennis world. She joins a distinguished group of athletes, including Novak Djokovic, Alex de Minaur, Belinda Bencic, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Jasmine Paolini, who compete with ASICS shoes.Mitsuyuki Tominaga, President and COO of ASICS, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "Ons personifies the core values of ASICS, she will no-doubt be a strong ambassador for ASICS in the sport of tennis."Jabeur's positive attitude and success on tour make her an ideal representative for ASICS. The brand is committed to supporting her both on and off the court, as she continues to inspire fans and promote the importance of mental well-being in sports.