Tennis

Gael Monfils, the flamboyant Frenchman, has been a fan favorite for two decades on the ATP Tour. His unique playing style and infectious enthusiasm have made him a crowd-pleaser. This weekend, he graces the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) in Frankfurt, Germany, a revolutionary league featuring 40-minute matches, live coaching, and mid-match interviews.Monfils relishes the UTS format, which aligns with his personality. "It's a balance between show, competition, and experience," he says. "I love the creativity and freedom it allows."UTS Frankfurt boasts a star-studded lineup, including Ben Shelton, Jan-Lennard Struff, Denis Shapovalov, and Dominic Thiem, who is making his final professional appearance in Germany before retiring. Monfils holds Thiem in high regard, praising his versatility and Grand Slam triumph at the 2020 US Open."We're going to miss him," Monfils says. "He brings a different energy."Monfils' retirement is not on the horizon yet, but he acknowledges the recent departures of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray. "I feel lucky to still be playing," he says. "I've been blessed with fewer injuries."Off the court, Monfils is a devoted husband to Elina Svitolina and a doting father to their two-year-old daughter, Skai. Fatherhood has transformed his perspective. "She's my priority number one," he says. "It's changed my view and made me less selfish."Monfils plans to play a few exhibitions after UTS before spending the off-season with his family. Next season will be pivotal for him, but he's not thinking about retirement just yet. "I'm ready to play it and see what life gives me," he says.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan has withdrawn from next week's Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo due to a lingering back injury. The former world number one has been sidelined since retiring from her last-16 match at the China Open against eventual champion Coco Gauff earlier this month.Osaka's withdrawal from the Pan Pacific Open marks the latest setback in her injury-plagued season. She has struggled for consistency since returning to tennis in January after the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023. Her best results since becoming a parent have been two quarter-final appearances.The 27-year-old was set to compete at the Pan Pacific Open as a wild card, but organizers confirmed her absence due to a lower back injury. Osaka's appearance at the China Open was her first tournament under Patrick Mouratoglou, the Frenchman best known for being the long-time former coach of Serena Williams.China's Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, ranked number seven in the world, is now the top-ranked player at the Pan Pacific Open. Russia's Daria Kasatkina and Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia are also set to compete.Osaka's withdrawal is a blow to the tournament organizers, who were hoping to attract a strong field for the first edition of the Pan Pacific Open since 2019. The tournament was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Despite her recent struggles, Osaka remains one of the most popular and marketable players in tennis. She has won four Grand Slam titles, including the US Open twice, and has been ranked number one in the world. Her off-court ventures, including her own clothing line and skincare brand, have also made her a global icon.

Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion, has added another prestigious accolade to her resume by becoming a brand ambassador for Audemars Piguet. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the tennis star's career, solidifying her status as a global icon.Audemars Piguet, a renowned Swiss watchmaker established in 1875, is known for its exceptional craftsmanship and ultra-luxe timepieces. Sabalenka joins an esteemed roster of "friends of the brand," including Grammy-winning artists John Mayer and Travis Scott, and fellow tennis legend Serena Williams.Sabalenka's appointment as a brand ambassador is a testament to her unwavering determination and pursuit of excellence. Audemars Piguet recognized her relentless spirit and her ability to inspire a new generation of watch enthusiasts and sports fans worldwide.In her new role, Sabalenka will collaborate with Audemars Piguet to explore innovative horizons in watchmaking. She will also connect with fans and share her passion for the sport and the brand's exceptional timepieces.Sabalenka's partnership with Audemars Piguet was celebrated with a visit to the brand's headquarters in Le Brassus, Switzerland. She toured the museum and atelier, witnessing firsthand the intricate craftsmanship and horological evolution of the company."I am so excited and honored to join the Audemars Piguet family," Sabalenka said on Instagram. "Thank you for showing me around your beautiful grounds in Switzerland."The announcement of Sabalenka's ambassadorship comes shortly after her triumph at the Wuhan Open, where she claimed her third title. Her victory was marked by a stunning display of her growing Audemars Piguet collection, including a vibrant sky-blue strap watch that complemented her post-match attire.Sabalenka's partnership with Audemars Piguet is a testament to her exceptional talent, both on and off the court. As she prepares for the season-ending WTA Finals Riyadh, she will undoubtedly continue to inspire fans and showcase the brand's commitment to excellence.

Andrey Rublev, the world's seventh-ranked tennis player, has made a winning start to his BNP Paribas Nordic Open campaign in Stockholm. The Russian defeated France's Alexandre Muller in his opening match, 6-4, 6-1.Rublev's victory marks his 40th win of the year, continuing a remarkable trend for one of the most consistent players on the men's tour. He has now won 40 or more matches every year so far this decade, a feat unmatched by any other tennis player, male or female.Rublev's win-loss records this decade are as follows:* 2020: 41-10* 2021: 53-23* 2022: 51-20* 2023: 56-26* 2024: 40-20Rublev's latest achievement is particularly noteworthy as he is the first tennis player to win 40 or more matches every year so far this decade. Only one other player, Novak Djokovic, has managed to match this feat.Djokovic, who recently reached the final of the Shanghai Masters, currently has 37 wins this year. With three more wins, he will equal Rublev's record.Djokovic's win-loss records this decade are as follows:* 2020: 41-5* 2021: 55-7* 2022: 42-7* 2023: 56-7* 2024: 37-9Rublev's victory over Muller in Stockholm was a revenge win, as the Frenchman had defeated him in the third round of the Rome Masters earlier this year.The win puts Rublev through to his 12th quarterfinal of the year. He has won two titles this year in Hong Kong and Madrid, and has reached the final in Montreal. He has also been a semifinalist in Dubai and Umag, and a quarterfinalist at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Doha, Washington D.C., Cincinnati, and Beijing.Rublev will face former world No. 3 Stan Wawrinka in the quarterfinals. Wawrinka defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in three sets to advance.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player, has appointed Wim Fissette as her new coach. The partnership will officially commence at the upcoming WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, where Swiatek will defend her title.Swiatek's decision to hire Fissette follows her split with previous coach Tomasz Wiktorowski after the US Open. Under Wiktorowski's guidance, Swiatek captured four Grand Slam titles, including the 2023 Roland Garros.Fissette, a Belgian coach, boasts an impressive resume, having worked with several former world No. 1s and major champions. His previous clients include Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber, and Naomi Osaka.Swiatek expressed her excitement about working with Fissette, citing his "great attitude, vision, and huge experience at a very top level of tennis." She emphasized the importance of building a strong relationship with her new coach and expressed her eagerness to compete alongside him.The WTA Finals will serve as a crucial test for Swiatek's partnership with Fissette. The event features the world's top eight players, including Aryna Sabalenka, who has emerged as a formidable challenger to Swiatek's No. 1 ranking.Swiatek will need to perform well at the WTA Finals to maintain her year-end No. 1 ranking. Sabalenka currently trails Swiatek by less than 70 points, setting the stage for an intense battle for the top spot.Swiatek's decision to hire Fissette is a strategic move aimed at strengthening her game and maintaining her dominance in women's tennis. With Fissette's guidance, Swiatek will look to continue her success and cement her legacy as one of the greatest players of her generation.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, expressed his admiration for his idol, Rafael Nadal, ahead of their highly anticipated clash in the semi-finals of the "Six Kings Slam" exhibition event in Riyadh. Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, announced his retirement from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month.Alcaraz, who defeated Holger Rune 6-4, 6-2 to set up the meeting with Nadal, said, "Since I started to play tennis, I'm watching his matches. I look up to him and I grew up watching him. He was my idol, he is still my idol.""A really important person for my life, for my career and he was one of the reasons that I wanted to become a professional tennis player. Knowing he is going to retire is pretty tough for everyone, for me."Alcaraz and Nadal have met three times on the main ATP Tour, with Nadal holding a 2-1 advantage. The Spanish pair played doubles together at the Paris Olympics this year and are expected to team up again at the Davis Cup Finals.Nadal's last singles appearance was at the Olympics on the same Roland Garros courts where he won 14 French Open titles. His Olympic singles campaign was ended by Novak Djokovic in the second round.In the other semi-final in Riyadh, Djokovic will face Australian Open and US Open champion Jannik Sinner. Sinner, who defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-0, 6-3, said, "The semi-final against Novak will be a different match than the ones we played in the past.""We know each other quite well and we know what to expect from each other. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but I am just trying to play the best possible tennis, and we will see how it goes."

Six Kings Slam Semifinals: Popcorn Matches GaloreThe Six Kings Slam semifinals promise to be electrifying clashes, with two blockbuster matchups on Thursday. Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1, will face off against Jannik Sinner, while Rafael Nadal will take on rising star Carlos Alcaraz.Sinner, fresh off a stunning victory over Daniil Medvedev, will be looking to continue his impressive run against Djokovic. The Italian has won four of their last five encounters on hard courts, including a recent triumph in the Shanghai Masters 1000 final.Djokovic, however, is a seasoned veteran with a wealth of experience in big matches. He will be eager to avenge his loss to Sinner and secure a spot in the final.The other semifinal pits Nadal against Alcaraz, two Spaniards with contrasting styles. Nadal, a clay-court specialist, will be looking to extend his dominance on hard courts, while Alcaraz, a rising force, will be aiming to upset the veteran.Alcaraz has won one of their three previous encounters, but it was over two years ago. Nadal will be the favorite, but Alcaraz has shown that he is capable of beating the best in the world.The Six Kings Slam offers a hefty $6 million prize to the overall winner, making these semifinals even more enticing. All matches will be aired on T2, TennisChannel.com, and the Tennis Channel app.

The 2019 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic was a historic match that reshaped the landscape of men's tennis. It was the first Wimbledon tournament to feature a final-set tiebreak, and it became the longest Wimbledon final ever, lasting nearly five hours.Federer, the eight-time Wimbledon champion, was the heavy favorite going into the match. He had won their previous meeting in the semifinals and held a 20-15 advantage in Grand Slam titles. However, Djokovic had been playing some of the best tennis of his career in recent months, and he was determined to prove that he was the best player in the world.The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both players trading blows from the baseline. Federer was the more aggressive player, hitting more winners, but Djokovic was more consistent and made fewer unforced errors. The match went to a fifth set, and Federer had a chance to win it at 8-7, 40-15. However, Djokovic saved both match points and eventually won the tiebreak to claim the title.The win was a major turning point in the careers of both players. For Federer, it was a missed opportunity to become the oldest man to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open Era. For Djokovic, it was a fourth major title in the previous five tournaments, and it moved him to within two majors of Nadal and four of Federer.The match was also a reminder of the greatness of both players. Federer played some of the best tennis of his career, but Djokovic was simply too good on the day. It was a match that will be remembered for years to come as one of the greatest Wimbledon finals ever played.

The rivalry between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka has been simmering for years, but it has yet to reach its full potential. Despite their dominance on the WTA Tour, they have never met in a Grand Slam final.In 2024, the Madrid final between Swiatek and Sabalenka was hailed as a potential turning point. However, the summer that was supposed to be the "summer of Swialenka or Sabatek" failed to materialize. They played only twice, with both matches being one-sided affairs.Swiatek's dominance on clay continued, but she struggled on other surfaces. Sabalenka, on the other hand, found her form in the second half of the season, winning three consecutive titles.As the year-end No. 1 ranking hangs in the balance, the two players are separated by a mere 69 points. Swiatek must win the WTA Finals to retain her top spot, while Sabalenka can clinch it by reaching the final.The lack of a sustained rivalry between Swiatek and Sabalenka can be attributed to several factors. The tennis season is long and demanding, and even the best players experience peaks and valleys. Additionally, their schedules have often clashed, preventing them from meeting in major finals.However, there are signs of improvement. Sabalenka has realized the benefits of taking breaks, while Swiatek has made a coaching change in an effort to reset her mindset.The WTA Finals in Riyadh could provide a fitting climax to the 2024 season and give the Swiatek-Sabalenka rivalry the boost it needs. A season-ending showdown would not only determine the year-end No. 1 ranking but also set the stage for a more competitive and compelling rivalry in 2025.