Tennis

Marijn Bal's journey to becoming one of the most respected tennis agents in the industry is a testament to his unwavering determination and commitment to the sport. Growing up in the Netherlands, Bal's passion for tennis ignited both as a player and a fan. However, he recognized that his true calling lay in guiding the careers of aspiring tennis stars.After graduating from the University of North Georgia, Bal embarked on an unpaid internship at the IMG Academy in Florida. With an unwavering work ethic, he dedicated himself to outperforming everyone around him. His dedication paid off when he was offered an assistant's position, giving him the foothold he needed in the industry.Bal's success as an agent stems from his ability to adapt to the unpredictable nature of tennis and build strong relationships with his clients. He understands that each player requires a unique approach, and he tailors his support accordingly. "Sometimes you've got to push a little bit, sometimes you've got to pull back," he explains. "You just have to understand the situation."Bal's dedication extends beyond the court, fostering lasting friendships with his clients. He credits Petra Kvitova as one of the most influential people in his life, someone who constantly inspires him. His unwavering support has also led to remarkable achievements, including representing the last two female gold medalists in tennis, Monica Puig and Belinda Bencic.Bal's authenticity and passion for his work shine through in his interviews. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance, stating, "Never take no for an answer. You can be rejected 99 times, but if you try 100, there's at least going to be someone picking up the phone and saying yes."

Naomi Osaka's resurgence on clay came to an abrupt end in the fourth round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, as she succumbed to the power and consistency of Zheng Qinwen in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.Despite her struggles on the surface, Osaka had shown promising signs in Rome, notching back-to-back victories over Top 20 opponents. However, the No. 7 seed proved too formidable for the four-time Grand Slam champion, who bowed out in 84 minutes on Campo Centrale.Osaka's determination to improve her clay-court results was evident in her early arrival to the swing and her participation in a 250 event in Rouen. She carried that momentum into Madrid, where she reached the second round before falling to Liudmila Samsonova.In Rome, Osaka strung together her most impressive results on clay since 2019, when she reached the quarterfinals of both Madrid and Rome. She dispatched Porsche Tennis Grand Prix runner-up Marta Kostyuk and 2022 Roland Garros semifinalist Daria Kasatkina in straight sets, marking the first time in five years that she had won three consecutive matches on the surface.However, Zheng, another big hitter with a proven track record on clay, proved to be a formidable opponent. The 21-year-old Chinese star had reached the quarterfinals of Rome last year and made a strong start to the 2024 season, reaching her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open.Despite an injury setback in Stuttgart, Zheng looked in fine form in Rome, dispatching Shelby Rogers and Linda Noskova to set up her second career meeting with Osaka.The match began with an exchange of breaks, but Zheng quickly gained the upper hand, taking advantage of Osaka's inconsistent first serve percentage (27%) to break three times and claim the opening set in under 40 minutes.Zheng maintained her momentum in the second set, breaking Osaka early and holding on to a 5-4 lead with a chance to serve for the match. Osaka complained to the umpire about a potential hindrance from Zheng's delayed grunt, but her protest was dismissed. Zheng converted her second match point to reach another quarterfinal in Rome, where she will face either Coco Gauff or Paula Badosa for a spot in the semifinals.

Tennis Protests Escalate: Confetti-Scattering Incidents Disrupt Italian OpenTennis has once again been marred by protests, with multiple incidents occurring at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome on Monday. Protestors wearing orange vests stormed courts and scattered confetti on the clay, causing delays and disruptions to matches.In the fourth-round match between Madison Keys and Sorana Cirstea, a protestor ran onto the court with bags of confetti and proceeded to scatter them before being removed by security guards. Play was suspended while the court was cleaned.A similar incident occurred moments later on Court 12 during a men's doubles match between Édouard Roger-Vasselin and Santiago González against Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavić. Pavić confronted one of the two protestors, who also scattered confetti, leading to another suspension of play.These incidents follow a growing trend of protests during tennis matches in recent years. Notably, during the US Open semifinal between Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova, an environmental activist glued his feet to the Arthur Ashe Stadium stands, causing a 50-minute delay.At Wimbledon, puzzle pieces were scattered across the court during a first-round match between Grigor Dimitrov and Sho Shimabukuro, and later in a women's singles match between Katie Boulter and Daria Saville.The reasons behind these protests vary, but they often involve environmental or social justice issues. The protestors aim to raise awareness and disrupt the smooth running of events to draw attention to their causes.While the right to protest is important, the disruption of sporting events can be frustrating for players, fans, and organizers. Tennis authorities are faced with the challenge of balancing the need for security and the right to free expression.

The Internazionali BNL d'Italia witnessed a mixed bag of results for American tennis hopefuls on Sunday. While Danielle Collins and Taylor Fritz emerged victorious, Ben Shelton and Sofia Kenin faced setbacks.Collins continued her impressive form, dispatching Caroline Garcia in straight sets (6-3, 6-3). The 13th seed capitalized on five of six break points, extending her winning streak against the Frenchwoman to 10-0 in sets. Collins will now face Irina-Camelia Begu in the round of 16, aiming for her first WTA 1000 clay-court quarterfinal.Fritz also secured a comfortable victory, defeating compatriot Sebastian Korda (6-3, 6-4). The No. 11 seed has now won nine of 11 matches on red dirt this season. He will next face Grigor Dimitrov, who overcame Terence Atmane in straight sets.However, Shelton's run in Rome came to an end as he was defeated by Zhang Zhizhen (6-2, 6-4). The Chinese No. 1 advanced to the fourth round of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the third time. He will now face Thiago Monteiro in the round of 16.Kenin, who had upset Ons Jabeur in the previous round, was unable to maintain her momentum. She was edged out by qualifier Rebecca Sramkova in a three-set battle (6-4, 4-6, 6-4).

Lucas Pouille's remarkable comeback story reached a new milestone on Sunday as he triumphed in the Mauthausen Challenger, claiming his first ATP Challenger title in five years. The victory marks a significant step in the 30-year-old's inspiring journey back to the top of the tennis world.Pouille's rise to prominence began in 2018 when he broke into the ATP Top 10 and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open the following year. However, a right elbow injury in late 2019 derailed his progress, leading to a prolonged period of struggle.In 2022, Pouille's battle with depression and alcohol abuse nearly forced him to abandon the sport. However, he found the courage to reset his life in early 2023 and embarked on a determined comeback.Ranked No. 678 a year ago, Pouille has steadily climbed back up the rankings. He qualified for the French Open and won a main-draw match, reducing his ranking to around 350. The Grande-Synthe native has since returned to the Top 250 and began the 2024 season as runner-up at the Nonthabur Challenger in Thailand.Pouille's consistent performances have earned him a place in the qualifying draw of several tour-level events, including a return to the Indian Wells Masters 1000. As of Sunday, he was just four spots away from qualifying for the main draw of the French Open.With his victory in Mauthausen, Pouille is projected to jump to No. 163 in the world rankings on Monday. This impressive result could sway the French Tennis Federation to grant him a main-draw invitation to his home Grand Slam.Pouille's comeback story is a testament to his resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in his abilities. It serves as an inspiration to anyone facing adversity, demonstrating that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.

The Head Boom Pro tennis racquet, the second generation of its line, boasts an impressive blend of power, stability, and comfort. Its 98 sq. in. head size and 11.5 oz. weight provide a balanced feel, while the 7 pts. HL balance and 320 swingweight offer stability and control.The racquet's most notable feature is its Auxetic 2.0 carbon fiber construction, which enhances feedback at contact. This technology, previously found only in the yoke, has now been extended to the handle, resulting in a plusher and more stable response.Despite its heavier weight, the Boom Pro is surprisingly user-friendly. It requires minimal break-in and delivers impressive power for a 98 sq. in. racquet. Its constant beam design, which is neither too stiff nor too heavy, makes it easy to swing.Compared to its predecessor, the updated Pro offers slightly more flex and a more stable feel at contact. The broad, stable shoulders of the head shape, similar to the Yonex VCORE, raise the sweet spot and provide extra clout. The flexible throat and firmer head combination offer stability and power while maintaining arm-friendliness.The wide string pattern promotes a cushy pocket and an attractive spin window, making it ideal for kick and slice serves. The mixture of dimensions and Auxetic technology gives the Pro a solid and unique response, particularly when crunching volleys or nailing returns.However, the Boom Pro's power potential may come at the expense of precision. It is not as precise as some competing 98s and can become launchy if not swung with topspin. Additionally, it lacks the finesse for in-between shots, such as cheeky slice angles.Overall, the Head Boom Pro is a forgiving, modern player's frame that rewards users with power and stability. It is an excellent choice for players seeking a racquet that can handle aggressive baseline play and deliver impressive shots.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's second-ranked tennis player, has expressed her deep affection for the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, describing it as her "dream" tournament. Sabalenka's love for Rome extends beyond the tennis court, as she relishes the city's vibrant atmosphere, delectable cuisine, and picturesque streets.Despite her success at other clay-court tournaments, including two Mutua Madrid Open titles and three consecutive Porsche Tennis Grand Prix finals, Sabalenka has faced challenges at the Foro Italico. However, her determination to conquer Rome remains unwavering."Every time I was losing here, I was so sad," Sabalenka confessed. "I felt like I lost on the Grand Slam because it was one of the dream tournaments for me to win. It's still one of my dream tournaments."In her pursuit of the elusive Rome title, Sabalenka has made a significant sacrifice: she has sworn off sugar for the duration of the tournament. This means no indulging in Rome's famous gelato, a temptation she finds particularly difficult to resist."Stracciatella, pistachio, vanilla. I would go for all them, like a big bowl of gelatos. Dream snack," Sabalenka said with a laugh.Despite her dietary restrictions, Sabalenka has found solace in Rome's savory culinary delights. Her favorite pasta dishes include truffle carbonara and spicy red pasta with meat."Every pasta is my favorite here!" she exclaimed.Sabalenka's next challenge in her quest for the Rome trophy will be either two-time champion Elina Svitolina or No. 23 seed Anna Kalinskaya. With four wins standing between her and her dream, Sabalenka remains focused and determined to make her Roman dream a reality.

Novak Djokovic's reign at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia came to an abrupt end on Sunday as he suffered a stunning 6-2, 6-3 defeat to Alejandro Tabilo in the third round. The world No. 1, who was playing his first match since sustaining a bizarre head injury on Friday, was outplayed by the No. 29 seed in just over an hour.Djokovic's participation in the tournament was initially in doubt after he was hit by a falling water bottle while signing autographs. However, he appeared to have recovered from the incident and even practiced on Saturday wearing a bicycle helmet.But against Tabilo, Djokovic looked a step slow and struggled to keep up with the Chilean's aggressive play. Tabilo, who is ranked No. 32 in the world, broke Djokovic's serve twice in the first set and never looked back.The second set followed a similar pattern, with Tabilo breaking Djokovic's serve early and holding on to his advantage. Djokovic had a chance to break back in the sixth game, but Tabilo responded with some strong serving and forehands to hold on.Djokovic saved two match points in the eighth game, but Tabilo eventually sealed the victory with a forehand winner. The crowd at the Campo Centrale sat in stunned silence as Djokovic's 11-match winning streak at the tournament came to an end.For Tabilo, it was the biggest win of his career and his first victory over a Top 5 player. The Chilean will now face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals.Djokovic's defeat raises questions about his form and fitness ahead of the French Open, which begins on May 22. The Serbian has not won a Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2021 and has struggled with injuries and poor form in recent months.

Nitten Kirrtane, a seasoned Indian tennis player, continued to shine at the ITF Masters World Championship in Mexico City, adding a mixed doubles silver medal and a men's doubles bronze medal to his collection.After helping the over-50 Indian team secure their first-ever silver medal in the World Championship, Kirrtane faced off against the formidable Bart Beks of the Netherlands in the singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.In the singles quarterfinals, Kirrtane fought valiantly but ultimately fell to Beks in a close match, losing 5-7, 6-7(5). He then teamed up with Isabelle Gemmel of Australia in the mixed doubles, reaching the final before being defeated by Beks and Barbara Mulej.In the men's doubles, Kirrtane and Jagdish Tanwar made it to the semifinals, where they narrowly lost to Beks and Sebastian Jackson in a super tie-break, 10-6.Despite the physical toll of the team competition, Kirrtane remained determined in the individual events. "I played hard despite being exhausted," he said. "I ran into Bart in all three events, and he is a tough competitor. We played very close matches."Kirrtane expressed gratitude to his teammates, family, and sponsors for their support. He also urged the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and the Sports Ministry to recognize the team's historic achievement."We will be motivated to come back stronger next year if AITA and the Sports Ministry recognize our run for the nation," he said.