Tennis

Mastering the Return of Serve: A Strategic GuideThe return of serve is a crucial aspect of tennis, often overlooked in favor of the more glamorous serve. However, it is the first strategic move in a point, setting the tone for the ensuing rally. By effectively utilizing the return, players can neutralize the server's advantage, challenge their position, or even attack and seize control of the point.Neutralizing the ServeNeutralizing the serve is the last line of defense for a returner. When faced with a particularly strong or well-executed serve, the goal is to nullify the server's initial attack. This can be achieved by aiming for a larger target, high over the net. By forcing the server into a starting rally, the returner can minimize the impact of the serve and maintain their position in the point.Challenging the ServeChallenging the serve is the most desirable outcome for a returner. By making the server uncomfortable with their first shot, the returner can use the server's force against them. Aiming for a large target and ample height over the net, the returner should seek to move the server into an awkward position, making the next shot easier to control.Attacking the ServeAttacking the serve is a more viable option against second serves. While a return winner is a rare occurrence, attacking the serve should be viewed as an opportunity to flip the script. By taking the initiative and dictating the pace of the rally, the returner can gain an advantage and potentially seize control of the point.Varying the ApproachVarying these three approaches throughout a match is key to gaining an advantage as a returner. By keeping the server guessing, the returner can create chaos and disrupt their rhythm. Even the worst-case scenario defensive return can result in a winning point, highlighting the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking.ConclusionMastering the return of serve is essential for success in tennis. By understanding the different approaches and implementing them effectively, players can neutralize the server's advantage, challenge their position, or even attack and seize control of the point. Varying these strategies throughout a match is crucial for creating chaos and gaining an edge over the server.

Coco Gauff's resilience and assertive play propelled her to a hard-fought 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Paula Badosa in the semifinals of the China Open on Saturday.The opening set was a tale of missed opportunities for Gauff, who squandered 10 break points before finally breaking Badosa's serve in the marathon eighth game. However, Badosa immediately broke back and sealed the set with a forehand miscue from Gauff.In the second set, Badosa broke early but Gauff fought back valiantly, saving four break points and holding for 2-3. A crucial break at 4-3 gave Gauff the momentum, and she held her serve to level the match.The third set was all Gauff's as she went on an 18-for-20-point run, breaking Badosa twice and forcing unforced errors from her opponent. Badosa briefly regained her composure but handed the re-break back with a botched forehand. Gauff served out the match with an ace, securing her first final appearance since winning the Auckland title in January.Gauff's victory leveled her head-to-head record with Badosa to 3-3 and marked her second win over the Spaniard this season. She now awaits the winner of the other semifinal between Zheng Qinwen and Karolina Muchova in the final.

Jannik Sinner's remarkable season reached new heights in Shanghai on Saturday as he notched his 60th win of the year, becoming the first player, male or female, to achieve this milestone in 2023. The Italian prodigy also celebrated his 250th career victory, making him the first player born in the 2000s to reach this landmark.Sinner's dominance was evident in his opening match against Taro Daniel, whom he dispatched in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. This victory marked his 60th of the year, surpassing Iga Swiatek's 59 wins on the women's tour. Sinner is also the first man to record 60 or more wins in back-to-back seasons since Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray achieved the feat in 2015 and 2016.Sinner's 250th career win is a testament to his rapid rise in the tennis world. At just 21 years old, he has established himself as one of the most promising players on the circuit. He is the first player born in the 2000s to reach this milestone, and only the third player born this century to have 200 or more career wins.Sinner's success is not limited to this season. In 2022, he recorded 64 wins, making him the first man with 60 or more wins in consecutive seasons since Djokovic and Murray. His consistent performances have earned him a top-10 ranking and established him as a contender for Grand Slam titles.In Shanghai, Sinner will face Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the third round. The Argentine defeated Botic van de Zandschulp in a thrilling three-set encounter. Sinner won their only previous meeting in straight sets at the Australian Open last year.With his impressive start to the season, Sinner is poised to continue his ascent in the tennis world. His combination of power, precision, and mental fortitude makes him a formidable opponent for any player. As he continues to rack up wins, Sinner is setting himself up for a historic season and a bright future in the sport.

Zheng Qinwen, the rising star of Chinese tennis, shared a heartwarming moment with Olympic swimming champion Zhang Yufei at the China Open on Friday. Zhang, who conducted the ceremonial coin toss before Zheng's quarterfinal match, received a rare hug from the usually reserved Zheng.Zheng, who made history this summer as the first Chinese tennis player to win a singles gold medal, has been a fan favorite in her return to Beijing. However, she admitted that she is not typically a hugger."I don't usually give people hugs," Zheng said after the match. "On the tour, I don't usually give people hugs. I see my hugs as very precious. So I treat Yufei as a true friend."Zhang, who won six medals in Tokyo, including two golds, became a viral sensation for her struggles to find a place to put all her medals. Zheng said she and Zhang share a lot in common, including their positive energy."We have a lot of things in common," Zheng said. "We share positive energy together. I really appreciate this friend. Very happy she was here today to do the coin toss."In her first WTA 1000 semifinal, Zheng will face Karolina Muchova, who upset top seed Aryna Sabalenka. Zheng is seeking to make more history for her country by becoming the first Chinese woman to reach the singles final at the China Open since the tournament began in 2004.

At the Shanghai Masters, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas exacted sweet revenge on their previous conquerors. Medvedev overcame Thiago Seyboth Wild 7-5, 7-5, while Tsitsipas defeated Kei Nishikori 7-6 (8/6), 6-4.Medvedev, the world number five, faced a stern challenge from Seyboth Wild, who had stunned him in the first round of the 2023 French Open. The Brazilian broke first in both sets, but Medvedev's resilience and determination proved too much.Tsitsipas, who had suffered a shock loss to Nishikori in Montreal, displayed his fighting spirit. The Greek battled through a tight first set, winning the tiebreaker 8/6. Nishikori, hampered by injury, required a medical time-out in the second set, and Tsitsipas capitalized to close out the match.In a surprise upset, world number nine Casper Ruud fell to 91st-ranked Aleksandar Vukic in straight sets. The Norwegian's early exit follows another disappointing performance at the Japan Open.American Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul advanced to the third round with comfortable victories over Denis Shapovalov and Fabio Fognini, respectively. Veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils also progressed, defeating Sebastian Baez in a hard-fought three-set match.

Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, has announced his retirement from tennis due to a persistent wrist injury. As he prepares to hang up his racquet, the Austrian received heartfelt tributes from the legendary Big Three of tennis: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal.At the Lotterien Sporthilfe Gala 2024, Thiem was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Djokovic expressed his admiration for Thiem's career and wished him a memorable farewell tournament in Vienna. "I'm glad that you will have an opportunity to say goodbye in Vienna, one last dance," said Djokovic.Nadal also congratulated Thiem, acknowledging his respect and admiration for the Austrian. "Very well deserved. Very happy for you. You know how much I admire and respect you," Nadal said.Federer, in his message, reflected on their rivalry and friendship. "I enjoyed playing against you so much. Tennis will miss you very, very much," said Federer. "Your friendship was always important to me on the tour. As rivals, the fact that we got along so well was always great for me."Thiem responded to the tributes on social media, expressing his gratitude and admiration for the Big Three. "I really wouldn't have expected (the) three of you yesterday!" he exclaimed. "You guys are just incredible and I will never forget this moment!"Throughout his career, Thiem has achieved notable victories against Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal, showcasing his exceptional talent and competitive spirit. He has amassed 348 tour-level wins and reached the semifinals or better at all four Grand Slams.Thiem's retirement marks the end of an era in tennis, as he joins the ranks of other legendary players who have bid farewell to the sport. His contributions to the game will be remembered for years to come, and his legacy as a fierce competitor and respected sportsman will continue to inspire future generations.

USTA Northern California Inducts Tennis Luminaries into Hall of FameLast week, the USTA Northern California (NorCal) inducted five esteemed individuals into its Hall of Fame at the Round Hill Country Club in Alamo, California. The honorees included:* Cathie Anderson: A collegiate standout at UC Berkeley and a formidable tournament competitor.* Joel Drucker: A renowned tennis writer whose work has graced publications and broadcasts worldwide.* Jim McLennan (posthumous): A lifelong player, coach, and scientist who dedicated his life to the sport.* Carl Mendoza: A highly respected coach and instructor who has nurtured countless tennis enthusiasts.* Linda Seigel: A former US Open girls' champion who defeated Hana Mandlikova in the final.Among the inductees, Joel Drucker stands out for his exceptional contributions to tennis journalism. For over 35 years, he has captivated readers with his insightful writing, exploring the human stories and cultural nuances that make tennis more than just a game.Drucker's work has been featured in prestigious outlets such as HBO, CBS, Tennis Channel, Tennis.com, the New York Times, and Racquet. His articles have been recognized in the annual anthology, The Best American Sports Writing. As the historian-at-large for the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Drucker has played a pivotal role in preserving the sport's rich history.Driven by his childhood passion for tennis, Drucker began his writing career as a freelancer for Bay Area media outlets while working in public relations. In 1993, he transitioned to full-time freelancing, covering tennis events globally.Drucker's writing is characterized by its depth and engagement with the culture of tennis. He believes that the sport's human stories and textured layers contribute to its enduring appeal. One of his most acclaimed works is "Fingerprints," a twin profile of Hall of Fame player Pauline Betz and her daughter, poet Kim Addonizio.In addition to his journalistic contributions, Drucker has authored two books: "Jimmy Connors Saved My Life" and "Don't Bet on It," a tribute to his late wife, Joan Edwards.

Aryna Sabalenka's impressive 15-match winning streak was abruptly halted in Beijing on Friday by a familiar adversary, Karolina Muchova. The Czech player staged a remarkable comeback, erasing a break deficit in the decider to secure a 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4 victory over the No. 1 seed at the China Open.Muchova's resilience was evident from the outset, as she saved a pair of set points while serving at 4-5 in the opening set. Despite Sabalenka's apparent control of the match, Muchova rallied to claim the final 10 points of the encounter.Sabalenka's defeat marks her first loss since August 10, when she was eliminated by Amanda Anisimova in the quarterfinals of Toronto. While the setback prevents the world No. 2 from overtaking Iga Swiatek in the race to the WTA Finals, Sabalenka will have another opportunity next week at the 1000-level event in Wuhan.Meanwhile, Muchova has now extended her winning streak against Sabalenka to three matches, including a memorable victory in the 2023 French Open final. The 28-year-old is aiming to capture her first title in over five years, having last lifted a trophy in Seoul in September 2019.In the semifinals, Muchova will face home favorite Zheng Qinwen, who overcame a challenging serving day to defeat Mirra Andreeva in three sets. Zheng's victory marks her first WTA 1000 semifinal appearance.Zheng's path to the semifinals included a victory over Muchova in the Palermo title match in July, which preceded her gold medal triumph at the Paris Olympics. The Wuhan native will be eager to repeat her success against Muchova and advance to the final.

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek, the Polish tennis sensation, has parted ways with her long-time coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski. The decision, announced by Swiatek on Friday, marks the end of a successful three-year partnership that saw the Polish player ascend to the pinnacle of women's tennis.During their time together, Swiatek captured four of her five Grand Slam titles, including the French Open in 2020, 2022, and 2023, and the US Open in 2022. She also rose to the top of the WTA rankings, becoming the first Polish player to achieve the feat.Swiatek expressed her gratitude for Wiktorowski's contributions in a heartfelt Instagram post. "After 3 years of the greatest achievements in my career, together with my coach Tomasz Wiktorowski we decided to part way," she wrote. "I want to start with a big thank you and appreciating our work together."Swiatek credited Wiktorowski with providing her with the guidance and support she needed to reach new heights. "Coach Wiktorowski joined my team for three seasons, when I strongly needed changes and a fresh approach to my game," she said. "His experience, analytical and strategic attitude and enormous knowledge about tennis helped us to achieve things I've never dreamed of only a few months after we started working together."The decision to split comes after a challenging period for Swiatek. She has not competed since losing to Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the US Open and has withdrawn from recent tournaments due to personal reasons and fatigue.Swiatek indicated that she is ready to take the next step in her career and is in talks with non-Polish coaches. "I'm in the middle of first talks with coaches from abroad (non-Polish) because I'm ready to take the next step of my career," she wrote.Wiktorowski, who was voted the WTA's Coach of the Year by his peers last year, expressed his support for Swiatek's decision. "Coach, THANK YOU, I wish you all the best," Swiatek wrote. "I know that you would like to rest after these 3 years of hard work and traveling a lot and spending some well deserved time with your loved ones and I hope you'll get what you need."The split between Swiatek and Wiktorowski marks the end of a successful era in Polish tennis. Swiatek's dominance on the court has inspired a new generation of players and has brought unprecedented attention to the sport in her home country.