Tennis

Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 Roland Garros champion, has made a statement on and off the court this clay-court season with her bold fashion choices. Partnering with Latvian clothing brand DK ONE, Ostapenko has opted for eye-catching ensembles that reflect her aggressive playing style."I like to mix colors, bright colors with darker ones," she said. "The previous dress was orange, and I think that wouldn't look as good on clay because then it's orange with orange."Ostapenko's style has evolved since joining forces with DK ONE in 2022. She has embraced skirts and other variations, while still providing input on the designs."It's never easy when you're first starting something," she reflected. "Latvia is such a small country and they don't have the same opportunities as a big country, so we have to make the most of what we get."While she draws inspiration from the runway, Ostapenko has her own unique fashion sense."I like their shoes," she says of Balenciaga, "but some of their stuff is really crazy. It's all oversized, very oversized. I like oversized stuff but some of it is too much; it's all unisex and oversized, so the fit is a little bit strange. I like Dior's stuff, and also some less-high brands, like Cinq à Sept or Alice and Olivia. I do have some stuff from Zara too."Ostapenko's eclectic taste extends to her entertainment choices. She prefers historical documentaries and comedies, but draws the line at fantasy and superhero movies."I hate fantasy, superhero movies, any non-realistic movie. I really hate those. Obviously, you know that can't happen in real life, like a huge monster is going to come and attack people!"Off the court, Ostapenko enjoys spending time with fellow Russian speakers Anastasia Potapova and Daria Kasatkina."With Dasha, I don't know why we weren't friends in juniors. But that's in the past, and now we're good friends," she said. "Nastya is a little bit younger than me, and so I got to know her later. Dasha, I've known since we were younger because we're the same age. But they're both really nice girls, and we're able to spend some time going for dinner."After a satisfying meal, Ostapenko turns her focus to tennis, preparing for her third-round match against Sara Sorribes Tormo.

Elina Svitolina, the former world No. 3, has been battling persistent pain since her return from maternity leave last year. Despite a dominant start to her Internazionali BNL d'Italia campaign, Svitolina admits to struggling daily with pain levels ranging from 2 to 3 out of 10.The pain initially stemmed from a foot injury sustained during her impressive run to the Roland Garros quarterfinals in 2022. After a brief hiatus to give birth to her daughter, Svitolina returned with a more aggressive approach, resulting in a title in Strasbourg and a Top 10 victory over Daria Kasatkina.However, the foot pain persisted, leading to a shutdown of her season after the US Open. Despite healing over the off-season, Svitolina encountered further setbacks at the Australian Open, where her back went out ahead of a fourth-round match.Svitolina's injuries have limited her ability to play her higher-octane game, which had been a hallmark of her comeback. She has opted to continue playing despite advice from her performance team, citing the emotional weight she carries as a spokeswoman for Ukraine."For me when I step on the court, I just try to think about the fighting spirit that all of us Ukrainians have," Svitolina said.However, her results have been mixed since Melbourne, with a 4-5 record and only one instance of winning back-to-back matches. Svitolina's husband, Gaël Monfils, provides support by taking care of their daughter while she competes.Despite the challenges, Svitolina remains determined to improve her condition gradually. She is closely monitoring her body through scans and listening to its signals."For me, the worst is to play on an injury that can get worse and force me to be out for six months," Svitolina said. "It's important to evaluate every single day, and see how I can get many 1% better than the day before."

Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, recently revealed a bizarre injury that occurred during his qualifying match at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships. While preparing to face wild card Marcus Willis, Medvedev accidentally hit his head on a cage at Aorangi Park, causing a bloody wound on his arm.Despite the injury, Medvedev played the match the following day but lost to Willis in four sets. Willis went on to make history by reaching the second round and facing Roger Federer on Centre Court.Medvedev's injury remained a secret until now, but he shared the story after witnessing Novak Djokovic's head injury from a falling water bottle at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. The incident reminded Medvedev of his own mishap, which he believes may have contributed to his loss against Willis."You always ask yourself after the match, 'Did I lose yesterday because I hit my head or not?'" Medvedev said. "That's a story which no one knew about. It's not a bad story either, but a story that I remember, yeah."Despite the injury, Medvedev has gone on to achieve great success, including winning the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in 2021. He is now the No. 2 seed in the tournament and will face Hamad Medjedovic in the round of 16.Medvedev also expressed his dislike for the dirty conditions of clay courts, but acknowledged that he is enjoying them more and more.

Ten years after his historic US Open triumph, Marin Cilic remains determined to reclaim his former glory despite facing significant physical challenges. The 35-year-old Croatian has undergone two knee surgeries in the past year, but his motivation to return to the top of the tennis world remains unwavering.Cilic's latest surgery, confirmed in a social media post, is a testament to his unwavering belief in his abilities. Despite playing only six ATP main-draw matches in the last two seasons, Cilic's spirit remains unbroken."My desire to play again at the highest level hasn't faded, on the contrary, it is as strong as ever," Cilic stated. "I am hopeful that this additional surgery will help me get closer to being back on court."Cilic's journey back to the top has been arduous, but he remains grateful for the support he has received. "This journey the last 15 months has been challenging, but I am motivated to get back and thankful to you all for your support throughout," he said.Cilic's determination is evident in his performance on the court. In his first match of 2023, against Jan-Lennard Struff, he held nine match points before ultimately losing in a heartbreaking three-set battle.Despite the setbacks, Cilic's belief in his abilities remains unshaken. He is confident that he can overcome his physical challenges and return to the heights he once reached.

Rafael Nadal's participation in the upcoming French Open remains uncertain despite his second-round elimination at the Rome Masters. The 22-time Grand Slam champion had previously stated that he would only compete in Paris if he felt competitive, and his recent performance has raised doubts about his readiness.Nadal's defeat to Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets was a disappointing setback, especially considering his impressive run to the last 16 in Madrid. The Spaniard admitted that his physical issues are still a concern, but he is leaning towards playing at Roland Garros."The decision is not clear in my mind today," Nadal said. "But if I have to say what's my feeling, I am going to say to be in Roland Garros and try my best. Physically I have some issues, but not probably yet enough to say I'm not playing in the most important event of my tennis career."Nadal's dominance on clay has been unparalleled, but his recent struggles have raised questions about his ability to compete at the highest level. Hurkacz's victory over him was a testament to the changing landscape of the sport, with younger players emerging as serious challengers.Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has dismissed concerns about his fitness after being hit by a water bottle during a fan signing session. The world number one wore a cycling helmet to practice, joking that he was "prepared" for any further incidents.In the women's tournament, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, and Coco Gauff have all advanced to the last 16. Swiatek, the world number one, is aiming for her third Rome title, while Osaka is making a strong comeback after taking a break to have her first child.

Wilson, the official ball and racquet stringer of Roland Garros since 2020, has unveiled an exclusive collection of Paris-themed gear and fashion for the 2024 tournament.The centerpiece of the collection is a quartet of special-edition racquets: the Blade 98 (16x19) V9, Clash 100 V2, and a special "Session de Soiree" Shift 99 V1. The Roland Garros Shift's dark cosmetic, a departure from its usual icy appearance, evokes the tournament's late-night matches. Despite their unique exteriors, the racquets retain the same specifications and playability as their standard counterparts.Complementing the frames is a range of bags in similar colorways, offering varying capacities from 3 to 9 racquets. Three backpacks provide smaller storage options. Balls, overgrip, strings, and dampeners complete the equipment offerings.Wilson has also collaborated with Sports Professionals to create a clothing line inspired by the clay season. The lineup features jackets, polos, and dresses that blend on-court performance with off-court style.The entire collection is available at wilson.com, on-site at Roland Garros during the tournament, and at specialty tennis retailers.

Erna Drucker, a woman of remarkable resilience, found solace and joy in tennis after facing adversity. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1970, she turned to the sport as a means of recovery. With unwavering determination, she became a regular on the tennis courts, playing daily and inspiring her family to join her.Her passion for tennis extended beyond the court. She followed the professional game closely, becoming an avid fan of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. She also enjoyed attending tournaments, including the Pacific Southwest Championships and the ATP-WTA event in Indian Wells.Despite the challenges she faced, including the loss of her son to schizophrenia and the death of her husband, Erna never lost her love for tennis. She continued to play into her 80s, using it as a way to stay active and connected.Erna's resilience and positive attitude were evident both on and off the court. She believed in the power of laughter and found solace in the movies of Billy Wilder, who used sharp wit to explore the human condition.Her unwavering spirit and love for life inspired those around her. As a longstanding WTA coach remarked, "Used the sport as a way to recover from cancer. Enjoyed her time on the court. Played frequently into her 80s. That to me is a great player."Erna Drucker's legacy extends beyond her tennis accomplishments. She taught her family the importance of resilience, perseverance, and finding joy in the face of adversity. Her love for tennis and her indomitable spirit will continue to inspire generations to come.

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, has made a strong start to her clay-court season, reaching the fourth round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. Osaka, who has struggled on clay in the past, has credited a change in mindset and a focus on watching top players like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz for her improved performance.After a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Daria Kasatkina, Osaka admitted that she still needs more experience on clay to earn the nickname "Clayomi." However, she is confident that she is making progress and is grateful to be back on the court after giving birth to her daughter in 2023.Osaka's win over Kasatkina, a 2022 Roland Garros semifinalist, was her second Top 20 victory on clay this season. She had previously defeated Porsche Tennis Grand Prix finalist Marta Kostyuk. Osaka's success in Rome is a testament to her hard work and determination to improve on her least favorite surface.In the past, Osaka has struggled to adjust to the slower pace and higher bounce of clay courts. However, she has spent a significant amount of time practicing and studying the game on clay. She has also been watching videos of top players like Nadal and Alcaraz to learn how to play the surface more effectively.Osaka's next opponent in Rome is Zheng Qinwen, who reached the final of the 2024 Australian Open. Zheng is a big hitter with a powerful forehand and backhand. Osaka will need to be at her best to defeat Zheng and reach her second WTA 1000 quarterfinal of the season.

Camila Giorgi's Mysterious Retirement: Tax Troubles and Vaccine AllegationsFormer world No. 26 Camila Giorgi has reportedly retired from tennis under a cloud of controversy. According to an article by La Gazzetta dello Sporto, Giorgi's retirement may be linked to tax problems and allegations of forged COVID-19 vaccine documentation.Giorgi's sudden departure from the sport has raised eyebrows, as she has not made any public announcement or released a statement. Her last WTA tournament appearance was in March at the Miami Open, where she lost to Iga Swiatek. Since then, Giorgi has been unreachable, with no one reportedly able to contact her.The retirement filing was reportedly made on May 7, and it has now emerged that Giorgi and her family are being investigated by the Guardia di Finanza, an Italian law enforcement agency. The investigation is said to involve issues related to taxes and undeclared income.Giorgi was already scheduled to attend a hearing in Vicenza regarding an allegation of forging her COVID-19 vaccine documentation. Giorgi denied the allegation when it was first made public during the 2023 Australian Open. However, she allegedly received one of the vaccine doses from disgraced Dr. Daniela Grillone, who was arrested for falsifying vaccine certificates.According to La Gazzetta dello Sporto, Giorgi and her family are believed to have relocated to the United States. The investigation into her tax affairs and vaccine allegations is ongoing, and it remains unclear whether Giorgi will ever return to professional tennis.