Tennis

Iga Swiatek: A Swiftie with a Playlist of Favorites from 'The Tortured Poets Department'World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has shared her thoughts on Taylor Swift's latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department" (TTPD), revealing that she has a playlist of seven songs she particularly enjoys.Swiatek, who is known for her love of Swift's music, listened to the album after her victory at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. She praised the album's lyrical complexity, noting that Swift focused more on the words than the music itself."I feel like the words are so complicated that she focused more on that than the music itself," Swiatek said. "It's less poppy. There's not much beat or whatever."Despite her preference for the dreamlike production of Swift's previous albums, "Folklore" and "Evermore," Swiatek still appreciates the different vibe of TTPD."I feel like the melody is kind of adjusting to the words, if you know what I mean...but I like it. Totally different vibe than Midnights," she said.Swiatek's favorite songs from the album include "So Long, London," "The Alchemist," "The Albatross," "Fortnight (featuring Post Malone)," "Florida!!! (featuring Florence and the Machine)," and "Chloe...""I'm not the best kind of Swiftie, but... Don't judge me!" she joked, acknowledging that she may not remember all the song titles perfectly.Swiatek's love of Swift's music extends beyond her personal listening habits. She is also hoping to attend The Eras Tour in 2024, where Swift will perform songs from her entire career.Swiatek's success on the tennis court has drawn comparisons to Swift's prolific excellence in the music industry. Coming into the seventh WTA 1000 tournament of the season, Swiatek has already won three Grand Slams and is the top seed in Rome.As she aims for another "Fortnight" to remember in Rome, Swiatek will undoubtedly have Swift's music on her playlist, providing inspiration and motivation for her on-court performances.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked tennis player, graces the cover of the June issue of Elle magazine in Poland, showcasing her style and athleticism. The cover shoot captures the cultural moment that tennis is experiencing, with Swiatek's historic partnership with Lancôme cosmetics and Zendaya's "method dressing" for her film "Challengers."Swiatek's cover features two striking images. In one, she wears a black gown with a cutout waist and long sleeve, accessorized with simple earrings and bracelets. In the other, she opts for a bold red dress, her hair down and hoop earrings.The magazine highlights Swiatek's evolution since her previous Elle cover in 2022. She reflects on her journey from a rising star to a seasoned competitor, acknowledging the challenges and expectations that come with her success."I'm no longer just a tennis player," Swiatek says. "My role is not as easy as I imagined, dreaming of a career as a 12-year-old."Despite her accomplishments, Swiatek remains grounded and appreciates the opportunity to express her femininity and style. "I appreciate when I can dress elegant, feel feminine, and attractive," she tells Elle.The cover shoot has garnered praise from fans and fellow athletes alike. Magda Linette, Swiatek's Polish compatriot, called it "perfection," while skier Lindsey Vonn exclaimed "Wow!"Swiatek's Elle cover is a testament to her status as a global icon, both on and off the court. As she prepares for the Paris Olympics this summer, she continues to inspire a generation with her athleticism, style, and authenticity.

Diego Schwartzman, the former world No. 8, announced his retirement from tennis next February. However, he hopes to play one last time in the main draw of Roland Garros, where he had his best-ever Grand Slam run four years ago.With a current ranking of No. 142, Schwartzman will need to qualify for the main draw unless he receives a wild card from tournament organizers. He has cheekily made his case on Instagram, garnering support from fans.Schwartzman's retirement news has been met with congratulations from the tennis community, including Grand Slam winners Juan Martin del Potro and Gabriela Sabatini. His compatriot Francisco Cerundolo praised his impact on Argentine tennis.Dominic Thiem, whom Schwartzman famously defeated en route to his Paris semifinal, called him an "absolute legend." John Isner, with whom Schwartzman reached the Rome doubles final, dubbed him "my forever doubles partner."Schwartzman plans to play out the 2024 season, hoping to compete at all his favorite events. He has expressed his desire to end his career with a "most beautiful ending" at his home tournament in Buenos Aires in 2025.

The 2024 Met Gala witnessed a remarkable convergence of tennis and fashion, with tennis stars and celebrities alike gracing the red carpet in stunning ensembles.Tennis has long been intertwined with style, dating back to the iconic Ted Tinling. This year's Gala saw a surge in tennis-inspired looks, led by "Challengers" star Zendaya.Venus and Serena Williams, along with Maria Sharapova, made their customary appearances, embodying the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" theme. Venus dazzled in glittering gold, while Serena opted for a radiant silver gown. Sharapova exuded elegance in a tennis ball-inspired dress.Zendaya, who portrayed a tennis player in the film "Challengers," showcased her versatility with multiple red carpet looks. She channeled an enchanted princess theme, captivating onlookers with her ethereal gowns.The tennis takeover extended beyond the red carpet. Sharapova shared a playful selfie video with Venus and Serena, capturing their camaraderie.The Met Gala has emerged as an unofficial fifth Slam, where tennis stars and fashion icons converge to celebrate the intersection of sports and style.

The WTA tour shifts its focus to Rome for the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, where the world's top players will vie for the title on the iconic red clay of the Foro Italico. After a thrilling Madrid Open, the women's draw in Rome promises more captivating matches and potential upsets.World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, fresh off her Madrid triumph, will be the player to beat. The Polish star has a remarkable 14-2 record in Rome, including two titles. Her quarterfinal draw appears manageable, with Marketa Vondrousova and Ekaterina Alexandrova as potential obstacles.Coco Gauff, ranked third in the world, will be eager to prove her clay-court credentials. Despite a disappointing start to the season on clay, Gauff has a strong record in Rome, reaching the semifinals in 2021. She could face a stern test against former Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round.Elena Rybakina, the reigning Rome champion, will be another contender. Her serve-based game has proven effective on clay, as evidenced by her Stuttgart title and Madrid semifinal appearance. Danielle Collins, who defeated Rybakina in the Miami final, could be a potential threat in her quarter.Aryna Sabalenka, the Madrid runner-up, will be looking to bounce back from her heartbreaking loss to Swiatek. However, her record in Rome is less impressive, and she could face a tough quarterfinal against Ons Jabeur or Dayana Yastremska.The semifinals could feature a rematch of the Madrid final between Swiatek and Sabalenka, while Rybakina and Gauff could clash in the other semifinal. The final could be a repeat of the Madrid semifinal, with Rybakina seeking revenge against Swiatek.With a star-studded field and the Roland Garros just around the corner, the Internazionali BNL d'Italia promises to be a thrilling spectacle of women's tennis.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra has achieved the biggest win of her singles career by defeating World No. 2 Wang Manyu of China at the Saudi Smash tournament. Batra, ranked 39th in the world, stunned the second-seeded Chinese player 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10 in just 37 minutes.Batra's victory is a significant milestone in her career, as she has previously struggled against top-ranked opponents. In the World Cup last month, she lost 0-4 to Wang Manyu. However, in this match, Batra displayed exceptional resilience and determination.After losing the opening game, Batra fought back to take the next two games quickly. Wang Manyu kept herself in the match, but Batra remained composed and claimed the last two points to seal the victory."It is the biggest achievement of my singles career," Batra said after the match. "I am really happy that I won against her. I have been working hard in my training sessions with my coach Aman Balgu and my trainers."In mixed doubles, Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade also had a successful outing, defeating the Spanish fifth-seeded pair of Alvaro Robles and Maria Xiao 3-2 (11-5, 5-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-7) to reach the quarterfinals.Asian Games bronze medallists Ayhika and Sutirtha Mukherjee also advanced to the pre-quarters in women's doubles, defeating Mariam and Marwa Alhodaby 3-0 (11-7, 1-3, 11-4).However, Sreeja Akula, who recently surpassed Manika in the world rankings to occupy the No. 38 position, lost 7-11, 11-3, 11-9, 12-14 to Jieni Saho after leading the Portuguese player in two games.Other Indian players, including A. Sharath Kamal, Archana Kamath, Manav Thakkar, and Sutirtha Mukherjee, also put up good fights in singles but ultimately fell short.

Mirra Andreeva, the 17-year-old Russian sensation, is set to make her debut at the prestigious Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. The rising star, who celebrated her birthday during the Mutua Madrid Open, expressed her excitement at facing Paula Badosa, a former world No. 2.Andreeva has already proven her mettle against top-ranked opponents, boasting an impressive 8-7 record against Top 20 players. In Madrid, she defeated reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova en route to the quarterfinals."I feel like when you face a good player, you become better and you're always challenging yourself until the last moment," Andreeva said. "It challenges me to be a better person and I feel even better and happier after winning these matches."Badosa, despite her recent struggles, remains a formidable opponent. She reached the quarterfinals in Rome last year and has won several titles on the WTA circuit. However, Andreeva is unfazed by the challenge."I'll be excited for tomorrow because it'll help me improve my game and myself," she said.Andreeva's journey has been guided by her new coach, Conchita Martinez, a four-time winner of the Rome tournament. While Andreeva has yet to watch footage of Martinez's matches, she has learned about the venue's history from her mentor."She has a special thing here in Rome," Andreeva said.Andreeva's love for tennis began with the 2017 Australian Open final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Her passion for the sport is evident in her unwavering determination and her infectious enthusiasm."If ever I see gelato, I always take stracciatell. It's my No. 1," she said, revealing her favorite post-match treat.Andreeva's debut in Rome is a testament to her rapid rise in the tennis world. With her talent, determination, and unwavering spirit, she is poised to make a lasting impact on the sport.

Aryna Sabalenka's 26th birthday celebrations have been a rollercoaster of emotions. After a heartbreaking loss in the Mutua Madrid Open final, she suffered a comical mishap while attempting to showcase her birthday treat on TikTok. However, the two-time Australian Open champion has taken it all in stride, even as her "tour soulmate" Paula Badosa and Ons Jabeur poked fun at her.Sabalenka's Madrid defeat was particularly agonizing as she failed to convert three championship points against Iga Swiatek in a thrilling three-hour match. The loss marked the end of her title defense and added to her recent struggles on the WTA Tour.Despite the setback, Sabalenka remains optimistic and is looking forward to the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. She has fond memories of the tournament and is eager to indulge in the city's culinary delights, particularly pasta and pizza.Sabalenka's close friendship with Badosa and Jabeur has been a source of support during her recent challenges. Jabeur has jokingly referred to herself as the "psychologist" in their trio, while Sabalenka has dubbed Jabeur her "bestie" and Badosa her "soulmate."Despite the playful banter, Sabalenka's love for Rome remains strong. She is determined to put her Madrid disappointment behind her and perform well in the Italian capital. With her trademark resilience and the support of her friends, Sabalenka is confident she can bounce back and reclaim her winning ways.

The 2023 Rome Masters, the second of the two-week Masters 1000 events, is set to commence with a star-studded field despite some notable withdrawals.Novak Djokovic, a six-time champion in Rome, returns after skipping Madrid. His quarter features Casper Ruud, who defeated him in Monte Carlo. Djokovic's form remains uncertain after parting ways with his coach and physio.Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov, once promising contenders on clay, have struggled this season. Zverev's quarter includes Mariano Navone and Alexander Bublik, while Dimitrov could face Lorenzo Musetti and Taylor Fritz.Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, winners of the previous two clay Masters 1000s, lead the third quarter. Rublev faces Arthur Fils, while Tsitsipas could encounter Alex de Minaur or Felix Auger-Aliassime.Defending champion Daniil Medvedev remains in the draw despite an injury in Madrid. His quarter features Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Tommy Paul, and Frances Tiafoe. Rafael Nadal, playing his final Rome tournament, will face a qualifier in the first round.Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have withdrawn due to injuries, leaving a void in the field. However, the tournament promises exciting matchups and a chance for players to fine-tune their game before the French Open.