Tennis

Dominic Thiem and Diego Schwartzman, two beloved tennis stars, are set to embark on a poignant journey next week as they attempt to qualify for one final appearance at the prestigious Roland Garros tournament.Thiem, a two-time finalist at the French Open, and Schwartzman, a former semifinalist, are among the players vying for a spot in the main draw. Their participation is contingent on no player withdrawals over the weekend that would allow Thiem to automatically qualify.The Austrian and Argentine have a long history of competition and friendship. On Friday, Schwartzman shared a heartfelt message on social media, expressing their shared determination to make one last run at Roland Garros."Let's try one more time @domithiem," Schwartzman wrote.In 2020, Schwartzman narrowly defeated Thiem in a thrilling quarterfinal that lasted over five hours. Since then, they have combined for only one additional Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, with Schwartzman reaching the last eight at Roland Garros a year later.Both players have recently announced their plans to retire from professional tennis. Thiem will bid farewell in Vienna this fall, while Schwartzman intends to hang up his racquet in his hometown of Buenos Aires next February.Thiem's last competitive match was a second-round qualifying loss to Thanasi Kokkinakis in Madrid. His only previous Grand Slam qualifying attempt was a successful one at the 2014 Australian Open.Schwartzman, known affectionately as "El Peque," first qualified for Roland Garros in 2012. He was eliminated in the first round of Australian Open qualifying earlier this year.The upcoming Roland Garros qualifying tournament will be a bittersweet moment for Thiem and Schwartzman. It will be their last chance to compete on the hallowed clay courts of Paris and to create more memories in a sport that has brought them so much joy and success.

Novak Djokovic to Make Rare Pre-Grand Slam Appearance at Gonet Geneva OpenLast week's announcement of Andy Murray as a wild card for the Gonet Geneva Open has been followed by an even bigger coup for the ATP 250 event. On Friday, it was confirmed that world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will make his debut at the tournament, marking a rare appearance for the Serbian star in the week leading up to a Grand Slam.Djokovic's decision to play in Geneva is driven by his desire to gain match practice ahead of his Roland Garros title defense. The 24-time major champion has been searching for his first title of the year, with his best results being semifinal showings at the Australian Open and Monte Carlo.The Geneva Open will provide Djokovic with an opportunity to test his fitness after a head injury sustained in Rome. The incident, which occurred when a fan's metal water bottle slipped from a backpack, forced Djokovic to withdraw from his quarterfinal match against Alejandro Tabilo.Despite the setback, Djokovic has reportedly received the all-clear from doctors and is eager to return to action. With his 37th birthday approaching next Wednesday, the Serbian is determined to find his form before the French Open.Djokovic's entry into the Geneva draw has bumped 2022 champion Casper Ruud to the No. 2 seed. The Norwegian, who was defeated by Djokovic in last year's Roland Garros final, will be looking to avenge that loss.Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton are expected to be seeded third and fourth, respectively. Defending champion Nicolas Jarry has withdrawn to focus on his Masters 1000 semifinal clash with Tommy Paul in Rome.The Gonet Geneva Open will take place from May 14-21, providing a crucial warm-up event for players ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year.

French Open: A Legacy of Champions and Unforgettable MomentsThe French Open, one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, has witnessed countless iconic moments and crowned legendary champions throughout its rich history. From the amateur era to the modern open era, the tournament has been a stage for some of the greatest players to grace the sport.Amateur Era DominanceIn the amateur era, which spanned from the tournament's inception in 1891 to 1968, a select few players dominated the French Open. Margaret Court, an Australian legend, holds the record for the most women's singles titles with 11, while Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver, both Australians, have won the men's singles title eight times each.Open Era RevolutionThe open era, which began in 1969, marked a significant shift in the tournament's landscape. Professional players were now allowed to compete, opening the door to a wider pool of talent. Rafael Nadal, the "King of Clay," has emerged as the most successful player in the open era, winning a record 14 men's singles titles. On the women's side, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf have each won seven singles titles.Memorable MomentsBeyond the individual triumphs, the French Open has also been the setting for some unforgettable moments. In 1983, Yannick Noah became the first French player to win the men's singles title since 1946, sparking national pride and inspiring a new generation of French tennis players. In 2017, Jelena Ostapenko became the first unseeded player to win the women's singles title in the open era, showcasing the tournament's ability to produce unexpected results.Doubles DominanceThe French Open has also been a platform for exceptional doubles partnerships. The Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, have won a record 16 men's doubles titles, while Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver have won seven women's doubles titles. Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, the Indian duo, have won two men's doubles titles in 1999 and 2001.Legacy of ExcellenceThe French Open continues to attract the world's top tennis players, eager to etch their names into the tournament's illustrious history. The tournament's unique clay surface, known as "terre battue," provides a challenging and unpredictable playing field, adding to the allure of the event.As the French Open celebrates its 132nd edition, it remains a testament to the enduring legacy of tennis and the pursuit of excellence. The tournament's rich history, iconic moments, and legendary champions have cemented its place as one of the most beloved and prestigious events in the sporting world.

Alexander Zverev's impressive run at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia continued with a dominant 6-4, 6-3 victory over Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals. Despite a nasty spill early in the match, Zverev showcased his resilience and exceptional form.Zverev's next challenge comes in the form of Alejandro Tabilo, who has upset the likes of Novak Djokovic and Karen Khachanov. However, Zverev's current level of play suggests that he is a formidable opponent on clay.Statistically, Zverev holds a significant advantage over Tabilo. On clay, Zverev boasts a career record of 136-53, while Tabilo stands at 25-18. Over the past 52 weeks, Zverev's hold percentage is 86.2% and his break percentage is 28.7%, compared to Tabilo's 83.5% and 23.7%.Zverev's baseline play has been particularly impressive in Rome. His backhand remains a potent weapon, but his forehand has also shown remarkable improvement. Zverev's ability to generate topspin and depth on his forehand, as well as flatten it out when necessary, makes him a formidable opponent.Tabilo, a clay-court specialist, will need to find a way to disrupt Zverev's rhythm and exploit his weaknesses. However, Zverev's current form suggests that he is well-equipped to handle any challenges Tabilo may present.With his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros within reach, Zverev is playing with a confidence and precision that makes him a heavy favorite against Tabilo.

American tennis players are rediscovering the joys of playing on red clay, as evidenced by the recent success of Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz at the Rome Masters. Paul, who grew up playing on green clay, has been particularly impressive, reaching the semifinals of the tournament. He credits his success to a long training block on clay, which allowed him to develop his game and become more comfortable on the surface.Fritz, who defeated Paul in the junior final of the Roland Garros championships in 2015, has also found renewed success on clay this year. He has played four consecutive tournaments on the surface, including three Masters 1000 events, and has upset several top players. Fritz believes that playing on clay is essential for his development as a player, as it allows him to use elements of his game that may not be as effective on hard courts.The success of Paul and Fritz is a welcome sign for American tennis, which has struggled to produce top players on clay in recent years. The last American to win the French Open was Andre Agassi in 1999. However, the current generation of American players seems to be more open to playing on clay, and they are beginning to see the benefits of doing so.If Paul and Fritz can continue their success on clay, they could help to usher in a new era of American dominance on the surface. They are both young and talented players, and they have the potential to be among the best in the world.

Tommy Paul, the 26-year-old American tennis star, has finally achieved the breakthrough tournament on red dirt that he has been striving for. Nine years after winning the Roland Garros junior title, Paul has reached the semifinals of the ATP Masters 1000 clay-court event in Rome.Paul's journey to the semifinals has been impressive. He defeated defending Rome champion Daniil Medvedev in the second round and then battled past No. 8 seed Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals. Paul's performance has caught the attention of Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey, who posted on social media, "Looks like the early year @TommyPaul1 train is back on track after it was interrupted by the ankle. Looking good TP. Roll."Paul's success in Rome comes after a strong start to the year. He reached the final four of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March before rolling his ankle in Miami. Despite the injury, Paul has returned to form in Madrid and Rome.If Paul can reach the final in Rome, he will become the first American to do so since Taylor Fritz in 2021. He will also supplant Fritz as the No. 1-ranked American come Monday.Paul's opponent in the semifinals will be Chile's Nicolas Jarry, who defeated Paul in four sets in the second round of Roland Garros last year. Paul will be looking to avenge that loss and reach his first 1000-level final.

In a thrilling turn of events, the top two players in women's tennis, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, will face off in the final of the Rome Masters, marking the first time since 2000 that the No. 1 and No. 2 players on the WTA rankings have played each other twice in a two-week span.Swiatek, the reigning French Open champion, defeated Coco Gauff in the first semifinal, while Sabalenka overcame Danielle Collins in the second. This rematch comes just two weeks after Swiatek's victory over Sabalenka in the Madrid Open final.The last time the top two players met twice in a two-week span was in 2000, when Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport faced off in the Indian Wells and Miami finals. Hingis and Davenport split those meetings, with Davenport winning the Indian Wells title and Hingis taking the Miami title.This is also the first time in over a decade that the No. 1 and No. 2 on the WTA rankings have played each other twice in the same year. In 2014, Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka in the Brisbane final and Li Na in the Miami final.The Rome Masters final promises to be a captivating clash between two of the most dominant players in women's tennis. Swiatek has won four titles this year, including the Qatar Open, Indian Wells Masters, and Miami Open, while Sabalenka has won two titles, including the Australian Open.With both players in top form, the Rome Masters final is sure to be a thrilling spectacle that will test the limits of these two tennis titans.

Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, and Frances Tiafoe are among the tennis stars set to don Nike's latest 2024 Paris Collection at Roland Garros. The collection, unveiled on Tuesday, features a range of stylish and functional pieces inspired by the French Open's iconic clay courts.Sabalenka, the world No. 2, will once again showcase her signature colorway in Paris. She will wear the NikeCourt Slam Women's Dri-FIT Tennis Dress in "Rust Factor" orange, featuring a unique moiré pattern that creates a mesmerizing optical illusion. The dress's high neckline, keyhole back cut-out, and pink or red colorway have become synonymous with Sabalenka's major appearances.The Paris Collection also includes a variety of separates for women, including tanks, tees, and skirts. The moiré pattern is featured prominently throughout the collection, adding a touch of French flair to each piece.For men, the collection offers a choice of DriFIT crew neck or polo tops, along with two-in-one shorts. Colorways include Rust Factor orange, Thunder Blue, and Vivid Sulfur yellow, complemented by contrasting black and white details.Frances Tiafoe, the brand's highest-ranked American ambassador on the ATP side, was featured in the campaign unveiling the Thunder Blue colorway. He is expected to play a significant role in Paris, especially with Nike's top two players, Alcaraz and Sinner, still recovering from injuries.Naomi Osaka and Rafael Nadal are also expected to compete at Roland Garros in custom kits from Nike. The brand has yet to reveal the designs for these former No. 1s, but fans can expect something special.The 2024 Paris Collection from Nike combines style, functionality, and a touch of French inspiration. It is sure to turn heads on the courts of Roland Garros and beyond.

In the highly anticipated Rome semifinal, Iga Swiatek once again proved her dominance on clay, defeating Coco Gauff in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. This victory extended Swiatek's winning streak against Gauff to 10-1, highlighting the vast gap between the two players' clay-court prowess.Swiatek's relentless aggression and pinpoint accuracy forced Gauff into numerous errors, particularly on her weaker forehand. The American's second serve, which she has been working to improve, proved to be a liability, with Swiatek capitalizing on its weakness. Gauff saved seven of the 11 break points she faced, but the constant pressure proved too much to handle.Despite Gauff's valiant efforts, Swiatek's all-around game and superior clay-court skills were simply too much to overcome. The Polish star has now won 10 of their 11 career meetings, with Gauff's lone victory coming in Cincinnati last year.Swiatek's victory sets up a potential rematch of the Madrid final against Aryna Sabalenka or a clash with Danielle Collins, who has been enjoying a resurgence this spring. Gauff, on the other hand, will need to find a way to improve her clay-court game if she wants to challenge Swiatek's dominance.