Tennis

Wang Xinyu's remarkable victory at the Mutua Madrid Open has etched her name into the annals of tennis history. The 22-year-old Chinese sensation defied the odds, saving an astonishing 10 match points in a thrilling 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 triumph over Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria.Wang's resilience was tested to the limit as she trailed Tomova 7-5, 5-2 and faced three match points. Undeterred, she summoned her inner strength and saved all three, forcing the match into a nail-biting third set.The drama reached its peak in the eighth game of the third set, where Tomova served for the match. A staggering seven match points followed, with Wang displaying nerves of steel to save each one. After 12 deuces, Wang finally broke Tomova's serve, seizing the momentum and ultimately securing the victory.Wang's triumph is a testament to her unwavering determination and exceptional mental fortitude. The record for the most match points saved in a WTA main-draw match is unclear, but Wang's feat is undoubtedly one for the ages.In the men's circuit, Italian Adriano Pannatta holds the Open Era record for saving 11 match points against Kim Warwick in 1976. However, Wang's achievement is equally impressive, especially considering the rarity of such a feat in women's tennis.Wang's victory is not an isolated incident. On Tuesday, her compatriot Wang Xiyu also saved a match point to defeat Ana Bogdan. And later on Wednesday, Olga Danilovic of Serbia saved four match points to overcome Clara Burel.These remarkable performances highlight the rising talent and resilience of women's tennis. Wang Xinyu's historic win serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere, demonstrating that anything is possible with unwavering belief and determination.

TopSpin 2K25, the highly anticipated tennis video game, has finally arrived, bringing the beloved franchise back to life after a decade-long hiatus. Developed by Hangar 13 and 2K, the game features a roster of current and former tennis stars, including Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Iga Swiatek, and Carlos Alcaraz.Upon starting the game, players are greeted by John McEnroe, who guides them through a brief tutorial. The tutorial covers basic controls and introduces the concept of "no man's land," a crucial aspect of tennis strategy. Players can then create their own MyPLAYER, customizing their appearance, animations, and playing style.TopSpin 2K25 offers a variety of game modes, including MyCAREER, where players embark on a journey as a professional tennis player. In MyCAREER, players manage their player's energy levels, participate in tournaments, and earn rewards. Exhibition mode allows players to engage in one-off matches using playable pros or their own MyPLAYER.The gameplay in TopSpin 2K25 is both challenging and rewarding. Each shot has a Timing meter and a Power vs Control meter, which players must master to execute successful shots. The game's realistic animations and smooth match formats create an immersive tennis experience.The game also features a Centre Court Pass, a seasonal "Battle Pass" that encourages players to complete daily and weekly challenges to earn rewards. In-game currency can be used to purchase items in the Pro Shop, including exclusive bundles and rare items.While the game's graphics are impressive, some players have noted that the character models of playable pros can be inconsistent. Additionally, the roster of playable pros is somewhat limited, but Hangar 13 and 2K have confirmed that more players will be added in future updates.Overall, TopSpin 2K25 is a solid tennis video game that captures the essence of the sport. Its depth of detail, engaging game modes, and rewarding gameplay will appeal to tennis fans and gamers alike.

Fabian Marozsan's remarkable victory at the Mutua Madrid Open will undoubtedly be etched in his memory. On Wednesday, the Hungarian displayed unwavering resilience, surviving 11 set points before triumphing over Aslan Karatsev in a thrilling first-round encounter.Marozsan's triumph was a testament to his mental fortitude and unwavering determination. Karatsev, poised to secure a one-set lead, found himself on the brink of victory at 40-0 on his serve at 6-5. However, Marozsan's relentless spirit shone through as he fought back with an astonishing display of resilience.Karatsev's hopes of closing out the set were shattered by a series of unforced errors. He missed seven consecutive set points, including a double fault and a shanked forehand. Marozsan's deep hitting and precise shot-making proved too much for Karatsev, who appeared visibly frustrated.In the tie-break, Karatsev initially held a 6-2 advantage. Yet, Marozsan's unwavering belief propelled him to string together six consecutive points, snatching the set from the jaws of defeat. His inside-in forehand winner and well-placed body serve proved decisive.Karatsev, making his return to competitive tennis after a freak knee injury, struggled to find his rhythm. Marozsan capitalized on his opponent's rustiness, advancing to face No. 21 seed Francisco Cerundulo in the next round.Other notable winners on Wednesday included Borna Coric, Jack Draper, and Daniel Altmaier. These victories set the stage for an exciting tournament filled with thrilling matches and captivating storylines.

Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American tennis sensation, continues to make waves both on and off the court. Following her recent cover feature in Vogue, Gauff has now graced the cover of TIME magazine's May issue, solidifying her status as a rising star in the world of sports and beyond.In an in-depth interview with TIME writer Sean Gregory, Gauff reflects on her journey from a promising junior to a global icon. She discusses the transition from adolescence to adulthood, acknowledging the shift in focus from external expectations to her own aspirations."At first, I was scared to grow up," Gauff confides. "But now I'm embracing adulthood and womanhood."Gauff also shares personal experiences that have shaped her perspective. At age 12, she faced a racist incident at a junior tournament in France. While initially upset, she chose to move on, recognizing it as a reflection of societal ignorance rather than a defining moment."I just felt like that's just something that people experience, which is not a great thing," she says. "They just probably didn't grow up around other people that looked different."At 15, Gauff attended her homecoming dance in Boca Raton, Florida, but already felt a disconnect from her peers."I just think I was at a maturity level different from the kids around me," she explains. "No one has their life figured out at 15. But I, for the most part, did."Throughout her career, Gauff has consistently used her platform to advocate for issues she cares about. She remains committed to speaking out on matters of social justice and equality."I am not one to shy away from something that I feel informed about," she asserts.The article also explores Gauff's evolution as a sporting and cultural icon. She discusses her on-court goals for 2024, including her aspirations for an Olympic medal in Paris."I want to win gold so bad," she declares. "Representing the U.S. gives me goosebumps."Gauff is also eager to defend her US Open title later in the year."Sometimes people get unmotivated after winning one. That hasn't been a personal challenge for me," she says."My goal is to be relaxed and have fun and play with less pressure," she adds. "I know people are going to start talking about defending the US Open title later on in the year. I'm not worried about that."

Rafael Nadal's participation in the upcoming French Open remains uncertain as he battles ongoing physical limitations. The 14-time Roland Garros champion admitted that he would not be able to compete if the tournament were to start today.Nadal's return to tennis in January after a year-long injury layoff was short-lived. He sustained a muscle problem in Australia and has only played five matches this season. His comeback efforts have been hampered by persistent body issues that have limited his mobility and confidence."I don't know what's going to happen in the next three weeks. I will keep fighting and doing the things I believe I have to do so I can try to play in Paris, and if I can play, I play, if I can't, I can't," Nadal said at the Madrid Open.The Spaniard's clay campaign began in Barcelona last week, where he lost in the second round. He is set to face 16-year-old American Darwin Blanch in his Madrid opener on Thursday."I don't think I'm ready to play at my 100 percent but I'm prepared to go out and play tomorrow. It's important for me to play one last time here in Madrid, for me it means a lot," said the 37-year-old Nadal.Nadal's farewell tour has been bittersweet, as he has struggled to regain his former dominance. He admits that his physical limitations have made it difficult to enjoy the experience as much as he would have hoped."A few weeks ago, I didn't know if I will be able to play again on the professional tour, so today I am playing," he added. "It's not perfect, of course not perfect, but at least I am playing and I can enjoy again, especially in the few tournaments that are so emotional for me. I'm able to enjoy the fact that I can say probably good-bye on court."Despite his physical challenges, Nadal remains determined to compete in Paris one last time. He believes that if he can overcome his limitations, he has a chance to make a deep run in the tournament."I will only play in Paris if I feel capable enough to compete well," Nadal said. "If Paris were today, I wouldn't take to the court. That's the reality. I will only play in Paris if I feel capable enough to compete well."

Carballes Baena Poised for Triumph at Mutua Madrid Open Against KoepferThe Mutua Madrid Open's first round pits Dominik Koepfer against Roberto Carballes Baena, a match that may not initially captivate, but holds significant potential for an upset. Carballes Baena, a native of Spain, will enjoy the fervent support of the home crowd at this Masters event.Carballes Baena's dominance on clay courts is undeniable. With 78 career victories on the surface, he boasts a wealth of experience that Koepfer, with just 30 ATP-level clay matches, cannot match. The German's recent form on clay has been dismal, with four consecutive losses, including opening-round defeats to lesser-ranked opponents.Koepfer's strengths lie in his powerful serve and baseline play, but the Madrid conditions favor clay-court specialists. His hold percentage on clay is significantly lower than on hard courts, indicating the surface's impact on his game.Carballes Baena, on the other hand, excels in point construction on clay. His defensive prowess and ability to transition from defense to offense will prove invaluable against Koepfer's power. The Spaniard's 25.8% break percentage on clay further enhances his chances of victory.The home crowd's support will provide an additional boost to Carballes Baena's confidence. The adrenaline rush of playing in front of his countrymen will make it difficult for Koepfer to overcome the Spaniard's superior clay-court skills.

Caroline Wozniacki's return to red clay after retirement hit a roadblock at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open. The former world No. 1 fell to Sara Errani in a grueling three-set battle, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5.Wozniacki, who retired in 2020, made her comeback last summer with the Olympic Games in mind. However, her hopes of a medal on her least preferred surface suffered a setback against Errani, a former Roland Garros finalist.Despite winning the first set, Wozniacki struggled to close out the match. She squandered a break point in the eighth game of the second set, allowing Errani to break back and eventually level the match.In the decider, Errani maintained the pressure, breaking Wozniacki's serve early on. Wozniacki fought back to level the set at 4-4, but Errani's relentless return game proved too much. The Italian clinched the victory on her second match point, after attempting an underarm serve on her first.Wozniacki's defeat highlights her struggles in closing matches this season. Half of her losses have come after winning the first set, including at the Australian Open and Miami Open.Despite her setback, Wozniacki has enjoyed success at the Caja Magica in the past, reaching the final in 2009 and the quarterfinals in 2015. She will now turn her attention to the grass-court season, where she has had more success.Errani, meanwhile, advances to the second round, where she will face No. 11 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Sloane Stephens' Madrid Marathon: A Triumphant Victory and a Lesson in Self-CareSloane Stephens' day at the Mutua Madrid Open was supposed to be a relaxing one, filled with massages, cupping, and acupuncture. However, fate had other plans, as she found herself locked in a grueling three-hour and sixteen-minute battle against Martina Trevisan.Despite squandering a set and 5-3 lead, Stephens emerged victorious on Court 5, extending her win streak to six matches. The victory was a testament to her resilience and determination, as she refused to give up despite facing match points."I told Darian [King] as I was coming back from the bathroom, 'I'm going to die on this court today. I am not losing this match after having these match points. We're just going to be out here forever,'" Stephens said.The win in Madrid marked a successful start to Stephens' red-clay swing, which she typically begins at the Caja Magica. However, this year, she opted to compete at the WTA 250 event in Rouen to maximize her time on her favorite surface and minimize jet lag."I went there to try and fight the jet lag because I'd never really played that early in the clay season," Stephens explained. "I spent one day at home with my family before going out there and was like, 'I'm going to make a little sacrifice and see if it pays off, see if I can get adjusted earlier.'"Despite spending 10 days in Madrid, Stephens admitted that she was still jetlagged. "It didn't help at all," she said with a laugh.Stephens has made a conscious effort to play a fuller schedule in 2024, including rare appearances at Middle East events and a week of doubles in Charleston. She believes that winning breeds winning and that playing more matches will boost her confidence."Kamau always says, 'Winning breeds wining,'" Stephens said, quoting her longtime coach Kamau Murray. "So, the more you can get under your belt, the more matches, the more confident you can feel."With her victory in Madrid, Stephens has set her sights on continuing her good form in her next match against rival Elise Mertens. The two players have split their last four meetings, but this will be their first on clay."Clay neutralizes everything: you have a chance on every ball, you can get your racquet on every ball," Stephens said. "I think it helps my athleticism a little bit, gives me more room to run. The courts are a little bit bigger; there's more space."On her favorite surface with plenty of momentum, all that's missing for Stephens is a good night's sleep.

Belinda Bencic, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in tennis, has welcomed her first child, a daughter named Bella. The joyous news was announced by Bencic's longtime boyfriend, Slovak soccer player Martin Hromkovic, on Instagram on Wednesday.Bencic, 27, had previously announced her pregnancy in November 2023, when she was ranked No. 14 in the world. The announcement was met with an outpouring of love and support from her fellow WTA players, including Ons Jabeur, Jelena Ostapenko, Jil Teichmann, and Donna Vekic.Before going on maternity leave, Bencic had a successful season in 2023. She won titles in Adelaide and Abu Dhabi, and was the runner-up in Charleston to Jabeur. She also reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and the US Open, where she had match points against Iga Swiatek before falling in three sets.Bencic's return to tennis after giving birth is highly anticipated. She is known for her aggressive baseline play and powerful forehand. Her fans and fellow players alike are eager to see her back on the court and competing for more titles.