Tennis

Magnus Norman, a former world No. 2 tennis player, has found a new calling as a highly successful coach. After a promising playing career cut short by injuries, Norman returned to the sport as a coach, guiding two players to Grand Slam titles and establishing a renowned tennis academy in his native Sweden.Norman's coaching journey began with Thomas Johanssen, a fellow Swede and former doubles partner. Inspired by the experience, Norman decided to pursue coaching full-time. He then joined forces with Robin Soderling, helping the towering Swede achieve a career-defining upset over Rafael Nadal at the 2009 French Open.Norman's most notable coaching success came with Stan Wawrinka. Under Norman's guidance, Wawrinka transformed from an underachiever in big matches to a Grand Slam champion, winning three major titles. Norman instilled confidence in Wawrinka and helped him develop the mental toughness necessary to compete with the sport's elite.Beyond his professional coaching, Norman is passionate about developing young players. He established the "Good to Great" academy in Sweden, providing access to elite tennis instruction for aspiring juniors. Norman believes that hard work and dedication are essential for success, regardless of the level of play.Norman's legacy extends beyond his coaching accomplishments. He values being remembered as a good friend and a dedicated worker, both as a player and a coach. His humility and commitment to the sport have earned him respect and admiration throughout the tennis world.

Jelena Dokic's harrowing autobiography, "Unbreakable," is set to be brought to life on the big screen in a powerful documentary film. The film, also titled "Unbreakable," delves into the depths of Dokic's tumultuous journey, marked by both triumph and adversity.Dokic's autobiography, released in 2017, laid bare the physical and emotional abuse she endured at the hands of her father, Damir Dokic. The film chronicles her upbringing as the daughter of Croatian immigrants in Australia, her rise to tennis stardom, and the dark secrets that haunted her behind closed doors.The documentary features insights from tennis legends Pam Shriver and Lindsay Davenport, who witnessed Dokic's struggles firsthand. Journalist Christopher Clarey candidly reflects on the media's failure to uncover the truth during Dokic's early career."I'm 16 years old here, playing the world No. 1 Martina Hingis," Dokic narrates in the film's trailer. "I knew that if I lost, the consequences would be catastrophic."Now 41, Dokic has emerged as a beacon of hope for survivors of domestic violence. The documentary captures her emotional comeback to tennis, including her remarkable run to the Australian Open quarterfinals in 2009."To be able to tell my story but on screen is so powerful so I can’t wait for that to come out," Dokic said.The film, which has been in production for three years, will premiere in Australian theaters in November. It will be released worldwide on streaming platforms in 2025.

Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal's Shanghai Masters campaign came to an end in the first round on Wednesday, as he fell to China's Yibing Wu in straight sets. Nagal, ranked 134th in the world, put up a valiant effort but was ultimately outplayed by the 113th-ranked Wu, who won 6-3, 6-3.The match started with both players holding serve comfortably. However, Wu broke Nagal's serve in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. Nagal fought back to level the set at 3-3, but Wu broke his serve again in the eighth game to take the set 6-3.The second set followed a similar pattern, with both players holding serve until the sixth game. Wu once again broke Nagal's serve to take a 4-2 lead. Nagal managed to hold his serve in the next game, but Wu broke him again in the eighth game to seal the victory.Despite the loss, Nagal can take heart from his performance in Shanghai. He played with determination and showed that he has the potential to compete at the highest level. He will now turn his attention to the upcoming tournaments in the Asian swing, where he will be hoping to improve his ranking and secure a place in the Australian Open main draw.

The ATP Masters 1000 series resumes in Shanghai this week, boasting a star-studded field and a hefty prize pool of over $10 million. Nine of the world's top 10 players will compete, including Novak Djokovic, who makes his first appearance since his early exit at the US Open.The tournament's seedings have raised eyebrows, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the two most dominant players of 2024, seeded below Alexander Zverev and Djokovic. This discrepancy reflects the ATP's live rankings, where Alcaraz has recently reclaimed the No. 2 spot.Sinner faces a challenging path to the semifinals, with a potential quarterfinal clash against Daniil Medvedev. Alcaraz, on the other hand, has a more favorable draw, with a possible opener against local favorite Jerry Shang. Djokovic could face another young Chinese talent, Bu Yunchaokete, in the first round, followed by a potential quarterfinal against Andrey Rublev.Some intriguing early matchups to watch include Lorenzo Sonego vs. Denis Shapovalov, Shang Jungcheng vs. Alcaraz, and Tommy Paul vs. Alejandro Tabilo. If Matteo Berrettini wins his opener, he will face Holger Rune.Despite last year's upsets, which saw the top four seeds eliminated before the quarterfinals, it's likely that the tournament's favorites will prevail this time around. Sinner and Djokovic are projected to reach the semifinals, with Sinner ultimately emerging victorious in the final.

Novak Djokovic, a tennis legend, has achieved remarkable success in China, claiming 11 titles on Chinese soil, including the 2008 Masters Cup triumph in Shanghai. His undefeated reign over six trips to Beijing highlights his dominance in the region.Djokovic attributes his success to his love for Chinese dumplings and language. He believes these cultural connections contribute to his comfort and confidence on the court.Returning to China for the first time in five years, Djokovic is eager to compete at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Despite missing last year's Asian swing, he remains optimistic about his chances.During a practice session with Zhang Zhizhen, Djokovic assessed the court conditions as "pretty fast," similar to his previous experiences. He emphasized the importance of serving well, a skill he has been honing in preparation for the tournament.Djokovic's first tournament since his third-round exit at the US Open has provided him with ample time to prepare. He hopes to leverage his "freshness" to his advantage as he aims for his 100th career title."I just love playing here, love the conditions, love the support that I get," Djokovic said. "I also have an extra motivation of trying to go for my 100th title."Djokovic will begin his campaign against the winner of Alex Michelsen and Bu Yunchaokete. With his experience and determination, he remains a formidable contender for the Shanghai Masters title.

Carlos Alcaraz has cemented his status as the world's top tennis player with a thrilling victory over Jannik Sinner in the Beijing final. The 19-year-old Spaniard captured his fourth title of the year, adding to his triumphs at Indian Wells, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon.Alcaraz's victory was significant for several reasons. Firstly, it marked his second career win over a reigning world No. 1, following his triumph over Novak Djokovic in the Madrid semifinals earlier this year. Secondly, he became the first player to defeat Sinner three times in a single season, having previously prevailed in the Indian Wells and Roland Garros semifinals.Alcaraz's dominance over the top-ranked players is particularly impressive. He boasts an incredible 8-1 record against Top 5 opponents in 2024, with his only loss coming to Djokovic in the Olympic gold medal match.ALCARAZ VS TOP 5 PLAYERS IN 2024 (8-1):* d. No. 3 Sinner in Indian Wells SFs, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2* d. No. 4 Medvedev in Indian Wells F, 7-6 (5), 6-1* d. No. 2 Sinner in Roland Garros SFs, 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3* d. No. 4 Zverev in Roland Garros F, 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2* d. No. 5 Medvedev in Wimbledon SFs, 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4* d. No. 2 Djokovic in Wimbledon F, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4)* l. to No. 2 Djokovic in Olympics F, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2)* d. No. 5 Medvedev in Beijing SFs, 7-5, 6-3* d. No. 1 Sinner in Beijing F, 6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (3)Alcaraz's victory in Beijing further solidifies his position as the heir apparent to the "Big Three" of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. His exceptional talent, combined with his unwavering determination, suggests that he is poised to dominate the sport for years to come.

Denis Shapovalov, the former world No. 10, has achieved a significant milestone in his career by securing his 200th tour-level victory at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The Canadian defeated Lorenzo Sonego in a hard-fought first-round match, winning 7-6 (5), 7-6 (8).This victory marks a special moment for Shapovalov, as he becomes only the fifth player born in 1999 or later to reach 200 wins. He joins an elite group that includes Jannik Sinner, Alex de Minaur, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Carlos Alcaraz.Shapovalov's triumph also makes him just the third Canadian man to achieve 200 wins in the Open Era, following Milos Raonic and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Vasek Pospisil is the only other Canadian man to reach 100 wins, with 136 to his name.After a challenging period last year, where he missed the second half of the season due to a knee injury, Shapovalov has been steadily regaining his form. He has made impressive runs at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, reaching the third round at both events. He also reached the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 event in Washington D.C.Shapovalov's recent success has seen him break back into the Top 100, currently ranked at No. 101. With no ranking points to defend for the rest of the season, he has a great opportunity to finish the year well within the Top 100.In the second round of the Shanghai Masters, Shapovalov will face the No. 14 seed, Ben Shelton, who received a first-round bye.

Andrey Rublev, the current world No. 6 tennis star, recently shared a heartfelt message to his 12-year-old self in an ATP video. Reflecting on his journey and the challenges he has faced, Rublev emphasized the importance of finding happiness within oneself, regardless of external achievements."When you are Top 400 in the world, you'll be happier than when you're Top 10 in the world, having everything," Rublev said, addressing his younger self. "What I've learned is success isn't going to make you happy, only you can do that for yourself."Rublev's message highlights the importance of self-awareness and listening to one's inner voice. He advises his younger self to trust his instincts and make choices that align with his values. "You can't avoid difficult moments, but if you're happy with yourself, the difficult moments won't affect you as much," he said.Rublev's words resonate with his own experiences this season. Despite winning a Masters 1000 title in Madrid and reaching the final in Montreal, he has also faced setbacks and emotional outbursts. In March, he was defaulted in the semifinals in Dubai after an outburst at a line umpire.In August, Rublev admitted to struggling with depression and burnout, which reached a boiling point at Roland Garros, where he had another self-destructive episode. "Mentally I was out of order," he said. "I guess it was already a long moment of everything [building up] and I started to burn out."Rublev's message to his younger self serves as a reminder that happiness and fulfillment come from within. While external success can be motivating, it is ultimately up to each individual to find joy and contentment in their own lives.

Roger Federer's Legacy Embodied in Exclusive "Strings Attached" Collector's Edition Tennis ShoesFor ardent Roger Federer fans and sneaker enthusiasts, the ultimate collectible has arrived. On, the Swiss performance footwear brand, has unveiled an ultra-limited-edition version of its classic THE ROGER Pro tennis shoe, featuring an extraordinary memento from Federer's illustrious career: a string from his own racquet.Only three pairs of these "Strings Attached" shoes have been created, each paying homage to Federer's historic victory in the 2005 Wimbledon final. The white and red polyester string, threaded through the eyelets, serves as a tangible reminder of Federer's fifth Grand Slam title and his dominance during that era.Each pair comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Federer himself, making them truly unique collectors' items. Beyond their sentimental value, these shoes are also fully court-ready, boasting the same high-performance specs as the standard THE ROGER Pro model.The 100 percent carbon fiber speedboard provides maximum energy return, while the engineered mesh ensures breathability and support. The tread pattern optimizes grip and glide, aiding lateral movement on the court.The competition to acquire these highly coveted shoes is expected to be fierce, with only three pairs available. However, one pair has been made available to the public through a raffle in collaboration with On and Complex.To enter the raffle, visit the On website and follow the instructions. The raffle will be open from September 30th to October 9th, 2024, at 3:59 p.m. CET. Winners will be announced the week of October 14th, 2024.