Tennis

The Laver Cup, a three-day tennis extravaganza, has once again crowned Team Europe as champions, marking their fifth victory in the event's seven-year history. This year's edition, held in Berlin, drew praise from tennis legends Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim.Roddick highlighted the event's unique format, which caters to players' needs. "It's an easy yes for the players," he said. "It's three days, tiebreaker for a third set, so even if you're playing a lot like Ben Shelton, you're playing indoors, it's predictable."Wertheim agreed, calling Laver Cup "absolutely right for disruption" and a welcome alternative to the "wreck" that Davis Cup has become. He also raised the question of whether women should compete in the event, arguing that it could improve competitive balance.Roddick countered that women's tennis should create its own successful event rather than relying on Laver Cup. However, both commentators recognized the standout performances of Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, and Ben Shelton at this year's Cup.Alcaraz's victory over Botic van de Zandschulp was seen as a reassertion of his dominance after a disappointing US Open. Roddick praised Fritz as "the lunch pail guy" who consistently delivers his best effort. Shelton, meanwhile, is showing increasing confidence against top-ranked opponents.The article also discussed the recent coaching changes in tennis, including Naomi Osaka's split with her coach and Jannik Sinner's addition of two members of Novak Djokovic's team. Roddick challenged Alcaraz to boycott mandatory events to force calendar reform, hoping that other top players will follow suit.

Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American tennis sensation, has made a significant change to her coaching team ahead of the China Open. Matt Daly, a former coach of ATP former No. 10 Denis Shapovalov, has joined Jean-Christophe "JC" Faurel as Gauff's new coach.Gauff's decision to part ways with Brad Gilbert, who had been her coach for 14 months, stems from her desire to "reset" and "refresh" her game. She believes that Daly and Faurel can help her address areas that need improvement, particularly her serve.Under Gilbert's guidance, Gauff enjoyed a breakout summer in 2023, winning titles in Washington, D.C. and Cincinnati before capturing her first Grand Slam title at the US Open. However, her form dipped in 2024, with early exits from Wimbledon, the Summer Olympic Games, and the US Open.Gauff's serving woes were particularly evident at the US Open, where she struck 11 double faults in the third set of her fourth-round loss to Emma Navarro. She acknowledges that improving her serve is a top priority with her new coaches."When I serve well, I play pretty well," Gauff said. "For me, that's the basis for my game."Daly, a 45-year-old college tennis alum from Notre Dame University, brings a wealth of experience to Gauff's team. He previously coached Shapovalov to a career-high ranking of No. 10 in the world.Gauff is the No. 4 seed in Beijing and will play her first match against France's Clara Burel after receiving a first-round bye. She is determined to make a strong showing in China and use the tournament as a springboard for a successful 2025 season.

The Tennis Premier League (TPL), a highly anticipated tennis tournament, has announced its player auction results, with Rohan Bopanna and Sumit Nagal emerging as key acquisitions for the Delhi Tigers and Gujarat Panthers, respectively.The auction, held on Wednesday, saw all eight participating teams select three leading players each. The remaining roster spots will be filled in due course for the TPL, scheduled to take place at the CCI courts in Mumbai from December 3 to 8.The TPL has attracted a star-studded lineup, including tennis legends Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza. Their presence at the auction added a touch of nostalgia and excitement to the proceedings. Bollywood celebrities Rakul Preet Singh and Sonali Bendre also graced the event, lending their glamour to the occasion."It was fantastic to see the tennis legends Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza gather together after so many years, to promote tennis in India and support the league," said Kunal Thakkur, one of the organizers.Mrunal Jain, co-founder of TPL, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season, stating, "The TPL has got off to a memorable start with the auction and promises an exciting season ahead."The team rosters are as follows:* Bengal Wizards: Petra Matic, Sriram Balaji, Niki Poonacha* Hyderabad Strikers: Harriet Dart, Benjamin Lock, Vishnu Vardhan* Chennai Smashers: Hugo Gaston, Conny Perrin, Rithvik Bollipalli* Bengaluru SG Pipers: Max Purcell, Ankita Raina, Anirudh Chandrasekar* Mumbai Eagles: Jaqueline Cristian, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, Karan Singh* Gujarat Panthers: Sumit Nagal, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vijay Sundar Prashanth* Delhi Tigers: Rohan Bopanna, Iryna Shymanovich, Aziz Dougaz* Punjab Patriots: Elina Avanesyan, Arjun Kadhe, S MukundThe TPL aims to provide a platform for Indian tennis players to showcase their skills and compete against international stars. The tournament is expected to generate significant interest among tennis enthusiasts and contribute to the growth of the sport in India.

Iga Swiatek's reign as world number one is under threat from Aryna Sabalenka, who has won two Grand Slams this year. Swiatek has significant points to defend from last season, including title runs at the WTA 1000 stop in Beijing and the WTA Finals.Swiatek's recent performances have been concerning, with the Pole committing errors with alarming frequency. She lost in straight sets to Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the US Open, following similar defeats in the third round of the Australian Open and Wimbledon.Despite her struggles, Swiatek is eager to fight the perception of burnout. She has opted to skip the WTA 500 event in Seoul and the WTA 1000 event in Beijing, citing "personal matters." However, her absence from these tournaments could significantly cut into her lead atop the WTA rankings.Sabalenka, on the other hand, has been in impressive form this year. She has won the Australian Open and US Open, and is now the favorite to win the WTA Finals. If she can continue her winning ways, she could dethrone Swiatek as world number one.Swiatek's motivation will be sky-high this fall, as she looks to regain her dominance and prove that she is still the best player in the world. However, she will need to find a way to improve her consistency and reduce her errors if she wants to achieve her goals.

Tommy Haas, the tournament director of the prestigious Indian Wells tournament, has a wealth of experience in team competitions, having represented Germany in the Davis Cup and played for Gruen Weiss Mannheim in the Bundesliga. He believes that team events like the Laver Cup are essential for the sport, offering a unique blend of camaraderie, pressure, and prestige.Haas emphasizes that team events differ significantly from individual tournaments. In team competitions, players feel a sense of responsibility to contribute to their team's success, which creates a different kind of pressure. "You might want to win more because you rarely experience it," Haas explains. "That's why it makes it all the more special."The Laver Cup, in particular, holds a special place in Haas's heart. He describes it as a "super, super great event" that brings together top-class players from Team Europe and Team World. The tournament not only offers prize money and a trophy but also a sense of prestige for the participants.Haas believes that team events are not only beneficial for players but also for fans. Spectators get to witness a variety of matches featuring top players throughout the day, including doubles action. The Indian Wells tournament, for example, has hosted exhibition tournaments and invitation-only mixed competitions featuring renowned tennis stars.Haas concludes by highlighting the importance of team spirit in team events. "It makes it more special to get points for a team," he says. "That's why you have more fun out there and try not to let your team down."

Brandon Nakashima Upsets Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton Advances in TokyoAt the ongoing Tokyo Open, Brandon Nakashima showcased his impressive form by defeating seventh seed Frances Tiafoe in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3. Despite Tiafoe securing an early break, Nakashima's superior serving proved decisive, as he fired 12 aces and prevented Tiafoe from creating another break point.Nakashima, currently ranked 36th in the world, has been in excellent form lately, having previously defeated fellow Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul on hard courts. He also reached the round of 16 at the US Open, where he defeated Holger Rune and Lorenzo Musetti.In the second round, Nakashima will face France's Ugo Humbert.Meanwhile, defending Tokyo champion Ben Shelton overcame a slow start to defeat Reilly Opelka, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. After dropping the first set, Shelton regrouped and converted three breaks to level the match. In the decider, Shelton faced a challenge in the eighth game when Opelka saved three break points to reach 4-4. However, Shelton remained composed and broke Opelka's serve in the next game to secure the victory.Shelton, who won his maiden ATP title in Tokyo last October, has a 13-15 record this year in matches where he dropped the first set.

In Tokyo, qualifier Alex Michelsen stunned fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, marking his first Top 20 victory since May. Tsitsipas, who appeared unwell during the match, dropped all five break points against his serve.Michelsen, playing his first event since the US Open, improved to 25-24 on the season. The 20-year-old has finished runner-up twice this season at the 250 level in Newport and Winston-Salem.In other action, Tommy Paul brushed aside Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-2. The No. 5 seed did not face a break point, thanks to his 15 for 17 success rate on his second serve. Paul is looking to make up ground in the ATP Finals race, currently ranked No. 11.Yoshihito Nishioka gave home fans a thrilling win, outlasting Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (5). Nishioka saved two match points on his serve at 5-6 in the decider.Fellow lefty Jack Draper also emerged victorious, beating Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-2. The US Open semifinalist will face second-seeded Hubert Hurkacz in the second round.

Adrian Mannarino, the 36-year-old French tennis star, has achieved a significant milestone in his career by securing his 300th tour-level victory. This triumph came in the opening round of the ATP 500 event in Beijing, where he overcame Lorenzo Sonego in a hard-fought three-set battle, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3.Mannarino's victory marks a resurgence in his form after a challenging period earlier this year. In 2023, he enjoyed a breakthrough season, winning three ATP titles and breaking into the Top 20 for the first time. However, his 2024 campaign started with a string of disappointing results, causing him to drop out of the Top 40.Despite the setbacks, Mannarino has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. Last week, he reached the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 event in Chengdu, China, and now he has started his Beijing campaign with a victory.Mannarino's 300th win places him among an elite group of French players in the Open Era. He is only the 12th Frenchman to achieve this milestone, joining the likes of Richard Gasquet, Gael Monfils, and Yannick Noah.In the next round in Beijing, Mannarino could potentially face his fellow Frenchman, Monfils, if Monfils can overcome Daniil Medvedev in his first-round match.Mannarino's resurgence is a testament to his resilience and determination. After a difficult period, he has shown that he still has the ability to compete at the highest level. With his 300th win under his belt, he will be looking to continue his momentum and add to his impressive career tally.

Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury: A Tennis Partnership EndsAfter six successful years, the dynamic doubles team of Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury has officially parted ways. The American-British duo announced their split on Wednesday, bringing an end to one of the most formidable partnerships on the ATP Tour.Ram, a veteran American player, shared an emotional post on social media, reflecting on their journey together. "Six years is a long time in the life of a professional tennis player," he wrote. "Joe and I had some amazing wins, some epic matches and moments, and some gut-wrenching losses."During their six-year partnership, Ram and Salisbury achieved remarkable success, capturing four Grand Slam titles. They won the Australian Open in 2020, followed by three consecutive US Open titles from 2021 to 2023. The pair also triumphed at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2022 and 2023, and ascended to the world No. 1 ranking in doubles in 2022.However, the reasons behind their split remain undisclosed. The duo parted ways after the US Open, where they failed to advance past the quarterfinals. Salisbury later revealed that he had faced "horrific abuse" on social media following their defeat, prompting him to take a break.Ram will return to action this week at the China Open, partnering with fellow American Austin Krajicek. The pair won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics and helped the USA reach the Davis Cup Final 8.The split of Ram and Salisbury marks the end of an era in doubles tennis. Their success and camaraderie on the court will be fondly remembered by fans and fellow players alike.