Tennis

Frances Tiafoe's frustration boiled over in a fiery outburst directed at chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote after his third-round defeat to Roman Safiullin at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The American's expletive-laden tirade stemmed from a time violation penalty he received at a crucial juncture in the final-set tiebreaker.With the serve clock ticking down, Tiafoe tossed the ball up but let it bounce before serving. Pinoargote promptly issued a time violation, resulting in the loss of Tiafoe's first serve. The American vehemently protested, claiming he was ready to serve, but Pinoargote remained unmoved.Tiafoe's frustration escalated as he lost the subsequent point at the net, handing Safiullin the advantage. The Russian ultimately closed out the match, prompting Tiafoe to unleash a torrent of profanities at Pinoargote."F— you, man! F— you. Seriously, f— you. You f—ed me in this f—ing match," Tiafoe exclaimed.Safiullin's victory earned him a quarterfinal clash with four-time champion Novak Djokovic, who had earlier dispatched Flavio Cobolli in straight sets.In the aftermath of his outburst, Tiafoe took to Instagram to express regret for his actions. "I really apologize for the way I acted tonight. That Is not who I am and not how I ever want to treat people," he wrote."I let my frustration in the heat of the moment get the best of me and I’m extremely disappointed with how I handed the situation. That’s not acceptable behavior and I want to apologize to the umpire, the tournament and the fans. I’ll be better for y’all.”The ATP has yet to announce whether Tiafoe will face any disciplinary action for his outburst.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, is embracing the lighter moments of his illustrious career. During his recent trip to Shanghai for the Rolex Shanghai Masters, Djokovic stepped out of his comfort zone for a unique photo shoot that captured the essence of his visit to China.The Serbian star, who has won the Shanghai Masters a record four times, showcased his playful side as he posed for the cameras in the bustling streets of the city. Despite his celebrity status, Djokovic managed to complete the photo shoot without being mobbed by fans, thanks to careful planning and quick execution."It was staged very well," Djokovic said with a laugh. "We took the photos very quickly. The longer we were there, the more people would start recognizing, and it would be becoming a little bit challenging... We kind of wanted to do it where there's most people."Djokovic's photo shoot was not just about capturing images; it was also about embracing the local culture and soaking up the "good vibes" of Shanghai. The 37-year-old donned a bright blue Lacoste sleeveless sweater and comfortable trousers for the outing, reflecting his relaxed and carefree approach to this stage of his career."I'm enjoying myself doing these kind of photo shoots and contents that are a little bit different from what I've done throughout my career," Djokovic explained. "Embracing the fashion and these off-court activities that really bring kind of good and joyful emotions to me."Djokovic's latest excursion to China has been a memorable one, not only for his on-court success but also for the off-court experiences he has had. In reflecting on his photo shoot, Djokovic was excited to discover a happy accident at one of the locations he posed at."China has incredible history and tradition and culture, so we (tried) to combine that with kind of a modern touch and I hope people like it," he said. "It was fun because, we didn't know at the time, but one of the photos was done in front of the sign that actually meant hot pot. I think it was quite fitting for me, sleeveless, to be in front of that sign."In his next match at the Shanghai Masters, Djokovic will face Roman Safiullin, who upset 13th seed Frances Tiafoe in a deciding tiebreaker. Djokovic will be looking to continue his winning ways and extend his record in Shanghai.

American tennis sensation Ben Shelton has set up a tantalizing fourth-round clash with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Shelton, who stunned Sinner at the same stage last year, is eager to repeat his heroics and break the Italian's impressive winning streak.Shelton's victory over Roberto Carballes Baena on Tuesday was a testament to his growing confidence and all-court prowess. The left-hander served impeccably, winning 35 of his 38 first-serve points and not facing a single break point."I thought I served extremely well, probably my best serving day this year," Shelton said. "I did a good job capitalizing in big moments to get my breaks."Shelton's serve-and-volley game has been a key factor in his recent success. He has won 35 of his 38 first-serve points in Shanghai, and his powerful forehand has been a constant threat.Sinner, on the other hand, has been in dominant form since winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year. The Italian has won two majors and reached world No. 1, despite an ongoing anti-doping case.Shelton is aware of the challenge ahead but remains optimistic. "It's always a big opportunity whenever you get to play one of the best two or three players in the world," he said. "I'm really looking forward to it, that will be fun."The American has a 1-4 record against Top 10 opponents this season, but his lone victory came against world No. 5 Daniil Medvedev at the Laver Cup. Shelton is hoping to become the first player to oust Sinner before the quarterfinal stage of an event in 2024."Obviously, huge serve and huge forehand," Sinner said when asked about the potential matchup with Shelton. "He has improved a lot, so hopefully I will be ready."In other quarterfinal matchups, seventh seed Taylor Fritz will face 12th seed Holger Rune, while eighth seed Andrey Rublev will take on 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz.

Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time champion of the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, has returned to the tournament with a warm welcome from the Chinese people, who affectionately refer to her as an "old friend." Sabalenka, who won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019, is eager to add a third trophy to her collection as the tournament returns to the calendar as a WTA 1000 after a five-year hiatus.Since her previous victories in Wuhan, Sabalenka has become a three-time Grand Slam winner in singles and the world No. 2. She is also the main rival for Chinese tennis hero Zheng Qinwen, whom she has defeated twice in US Open semifinals and once in the Australian Open final.Sabalenka's return to Wuhan has been met with great enthusiasm from fans, who have showered her with gifts and autographs. She has been particularly popular for her forearm tattoo, which is a nod to her being born during the Year of the Tiger (1998).In addition to her personal achievements, Sabalenka is also looking to cut down the gap in ranking points between herself and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who pulled out of the tournament. Victory in Wuhan would put Sabalenka less than 100 points from the WTA's top ranking.However, Sabalenka remains focused on her own performance rather than the ranking. "I prefer to focus on myself, and when I'm on court I'm just trying to bring my best tennis and fight for every point," she said. "If I'm able to play my best tennis, then I will become world No. 1."Sabalenka will face Katerina Siniakova in the second round of the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open.

Former world number two Paula Badosa has withdrawn from the Wuhan Open amid a racism row over an online photo. The Spaniard pulled out of the WTA 1000 tournament, citing a gastrointestinal illness, hours before her first round match against Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.The controversy stems from a photo posted on Instagram by Badosa's coach, Pol Toledo, last week. The image showed Badosa in a restaurant in Beijing, where she reached the semi-finals of the China Open, with chopsticks placed on the corners of her eyes.The photo sparked a social media uproar, with many accusing Badosa of racism. The image was subsequently deleted, and Badosa issued an apology on Monday."Hey guys! Really sorry didn't know this was offensive towards racism. My mistake," she wrote on social media platform X. "I take full responsibility. These mistakes will make me learn for next time. Hope you understand."Badosa's withdrawal from the Wuhan Open has been met with mixed reactions. Some have criticized her for her actions, while others have defended her, saying that she made an innocent mistake.The incident has highlighted the importance of cultural sensitivity in the sports world. Athletes are often role models for young people, and it is important for them to be aware of the potential impact of their actions.Badosa's apology suggests that she understands the seriousness of the situation. It remains to be seen whether she will face any further consequences for her actions.

Giuliana "GuGu" Olmos, a Mexican-born tennis star, has made a name for herself as a formidable doubles player. Her journey began at the age of 11, when she realized her passion for the sport. By 16, she had the honor of representing Mexico in international competitions.Olmos' collegiate career at the University of Southern California (USC) was marked by her exceptional leadership and sportsmanship. She earned the ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award and created the Rose Cup, an event that raises funds for breast cancer research. Her coach, Richard Gallien, played a pivotal role in shaping her competitive spirit and instilling in her the importance of enjoying the battle.Despite her initial struggles in singles, Olmos found success in doubles. In 2019, she partnered with Desirae Krawczyk to win the WTA event in Nottingham. As more ITF tournaments were canceled due to the pandemic, Olmos dedicated herself to doubles. In 2021, she teamed up with Sharon Fichman to achieve notable victories, including a win in Rome and a quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open.Olmos' doubles ranking soared into the Top 20 by the end of 2021, and she has since cracked the Top 10, peaking at No. 6 in 2023. Her upbeat attitude, sharp groundstrokes, and all-court versatility have also made her an excellent mixed doubles partner. She reached the finals of the US Open in 2021 and Wimbledon in 2023.In addition to her on-court achievements, Olmos is proud to represent Mexico. She became the first Mexican woman to compete in the Olympic tennis event in 24 years in 2021. Her husband, Reuben Peters, a former USC football player, provides unwavering support and understands the demands of her athletic career.Off the court, Olmos enjoys exploring different cultures and spending time with her close friend and physical therapist, Natalie Meinhold. Meinhold's upbeat attitude and constant supply of Haribo candy help Olmos maintain a positive mindset during competitions.At 31 years old, Olmos has several more years of doubles tournaments ahead of her. However, she is already looking ahead to a future in coaching, ideally at her alma mater, USC. Her passion for the sport and her desire to inspire future generations make her an ideal candidate for this role.

Grigor Dimitrov, the former world No. 3, exacted revenge on Alexei Popyrin in the first round of the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday. Popyrin, who had upset Dimitrov in the Canadian Masters 1000 two months prior, was no match for the Bulgarian this time around.Dimitrov, now 33, secured a hard-fought 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory over the 23-year-old Australian. The first set was a nail-biter, with both players holding serve until the tie-break. Dimitrov eventually prevailed in the tie-break, setting the tone for the rest of the match.In the second set, Dimitrov broke Popyrin's serve twice to take a commanding lead. Popyrin managed to hold serve once, but it was not enough to prevent Dimitrov from closing out the match in straight sets.The victory marked a significant milestone for Dimitrov, as it was his 40th win of the year. This is the fourth time in his career that he has achieved this feat, and the first time he has done so in back-to-back years.Dimitrov's win-loss record over the past 17 years highlights his consistency and longevity at the top level of tennis. He has won at least 18 matches every year since 2011, and has reached the 40-win mark four times.With his victory over Popyrin, Dimitrov has now advanced to the second round of the Shanghai Masters, where he will face either Andy Murray or Alexander Bublik.

Zheng Qinwen, the reigning Olympic champion, is experiencing an extraordinary homecoming at the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, her hometown tournament. The 22-year-old has become a celebrity in China after her breakthrough 2024 season, which included a Grand Slam final and an Olympic gold medal.Zheng's newfound fame has brought both excitement and pressure. "I can feel the passion already when I'm walking on the street," she said. "Once they recognize me, everybody starts to came around asking me signature, asking the photos."Despite the attention, Zheng remains focused on her tennis. "I'm also feeling the responsibility as a leader of the new generation," she said. "I will pay attention to my performance on court as well as my words off court. I need to be cautious."Zheng has struck a balance between her newfound celebrity and her tennis career. She has carried her Olympic momentum into a second consecutive US Open quarterfinal and reached the semifinals in Beijing.At the Wuhan Open, Zheng is seeded fifth and will face Romanian wild card Jaqueline Cristian in her first match. "It's not that important who you're facing," she said. "I need to focus on myself because it's really hard to control. I need to be myself the best to perform the best."Zheng also shared a message for young players, encouraging them to enjoy their childhood and not focus solely on winning. "To those children who are practicing tennis, I hope that you can enjoy your time in elementary school because that's a time when winning is not that important, just enjoy tennis."

Flavio Cobolli's historic victory over Stan Wawrinka at the Rolex Shanghai Masters was overshadowed by a controversial scoring error that sparked outrage on social media.In the pivotal third set, with Cobolli leading 1-0, chair umpire Carlos Bernades mistakenly recorded the score as 0-30 instead of 15-15. The error went unnoticed by both players and the crowd, and play continued as normal.Cobolli ultimately won the game, securing the only break of the match and setting up a third-round clash with Novak Djokovic. However, the scoring error cast a shadow over his triumph.Social media erupted with criticism of Bernades, who is set to retire at the end of the 2024 season. Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, who has had his own run-ins with Bernades, tweeted that the umpire "should of [sic] been fired years ago."Despite the controversy, Cobolli and Wawrinka shared a warm exchange at the net and have yet to comment on the scoring mishap."He is a legend of our sport," Cobolli said of Wawrinka. "It was a pleasure to play with Stan on this court."The incident has raised questions about the accuracy of scoring in tennis and the role of technology in preventing such errors. Some commentators have called for the introduction of electronic line calling or a review system similar to that used in cricket.However, others argue that the human element is an integral part of tennis and that the occasional error is simply part of the game.