Tennis

Poland's Swiatek Stuns Badosa to Advance in Billie Jean King Cup FinalsMALAGA, Spain - World No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland delivered a stunning performance on Friday, defeating home favorite Paula Badosa of Spain to secure Poland's spot in the quarterfinals of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.In a thrilling encounter that lasted over two hours, Swiatek displayed her dominance on the indoor hard court, ultimately prevailing 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-1. The victory marked Poland's first win in the tournament and set up a quarterfinal clash against the Czech Republic.Badosa, ranked No. 12 in the world, fought valiantly to stay in the match, winning the second-set tiebreaker. However, Swiatek's resilience and determination proved too much to overcome. The Polish star roared back in the third set, breaking Badosa's serve twice and securing a decisive 8-3 advantage."She pushed me," Swiatek said after the tie was won 2-0. "There was a lot of pressure in the tiebreaker and it went her way, but I knew I could get back in it in the third set."Swiatek's victory was preceded by a hard-fought win from her teammate Magda Linette, who defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain 7-6 (8), 2-6, 6-4. Linette faced a 3-0 deficit in the decisive set but rallied to secure the victory.The match between Spain and Poland was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed due to heavy rain and flooding in Malaga. The incident highlighted the ongoing concerns about extreme weather events in the region.Swiatek's performance in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals has further solidified her status as one of the most formidable players in women's tennis. The five-time Grand Slam winner is now poised to lead Poland in their quest for a historic title.

Great Britain's Billie Jean King Cup team has stormed into the quarterfinals with a dominant 2-0 victory over Germany in Malaga, Spain. Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter showcased their prowess, securing straight-set wins against Jule Niemeier and Laura Siegemund, respectively.Despite a challenging build-up due to severe weather, both teams displayed contrasting approaches. While Germany opted for privacy and limited media exposure, Great Britain exuded a buoyant mood, celebrating Raducanu's birthday with yoga and cake.Raducanu's performance against Niemeier was a testament to her resilience. Despite a long layoff due to injury, she displayed agility and forced Niemeier into extended rallies. Unforced errors and double faults proved costly for the German, who fought valiantly but ultimately fell short.Boulter's victory over Siegemund was equally impressive. The 36-year-old German, known for her versatility and crowd-pleasing abilities, was unable to match Boulter's dominance. Boulter's aggressive play and control of the court led to a swift 6:1, 6:1 triumph.With two individual victories, Great Britain secured their quarterfinal berth without the need for a doubles match. They will now face defending champions Canada, led by Leylah Fernandez. Boulter, as the highest-ranked player, is likely to face Fernandez in a highly anticipated clash."She's a great player and I have a lot of respect for her," said Boulter. "It will be an absolute battle, but I'm looking forward to it."Great Britain's victory is a testament to their team spirit and determination. They have overcome adversity and are now poised to challenge for the Billie Jean King Cup title.

Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, two rising stars in the tennis world, are set to face off in a highly anticipated semifinal match at the ATP Finals in Turin. Both players have proven their worthiness throughout the season, and this match promises to be a thrilling battle.Zverev, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, has been in impressive form this year, winning the most matches in 2022. He is eager to prove that he deserves his ranking and is a legitimate contender for major titles. Fritz, ranked slightly lower, has also had a remarkable season, reaching the quarterfinals or better at three of the Slams and making his first major final at the US Open.In their previous encounters, Fritz holds a slight edge over Zverev, winning three of their last four matches. However, Zverev is determined to turn the tables and end his losing streak against his American rival.The surface in Turin is slower than the ones at Wimbledon and the US Open, which could favor Zverev's more clay-friendly game. However, Fritz will have the advantage of coming in after a day of rest, while Zverev will be playing 24 hours after his grueling match against Carlos Alcaraz.In a close rivalry like this, it's difficult to predict a clear winner. Zverev may be motivated by his recent victory over Alcaraz, while Fritz will be confident after his impressive performances in Turin. Ultimately, the outcome may hinge on who can execute their game plan better on the day.

Casper Ruud has secured his place in the semifinals of the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals, becoming the third player to qualify after Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. Ruud's qualification was confirmed after he won the first set of his final round-robin match against Andrey Rublev, guaranteeing himself a second-place finish in the John Newcombe Group.Ruud, the sixth seed, needed only to win one set against Rublev to advance to the semifinals, having split his first two round-robin matches against Alcaraz and Zverev. The Norwegian played a clean opening set against Rublev, breaking his opponent's serve once and serving out the set 6-4.Ruud will now face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, who finished first in the Ilie Nastase Group with a 3-0 record. The second semifinal will be between Zverev and No. 5 seed Taylor Fritz, who scored wins over Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur.Ruud has now made at least the semifinals in three of the last four ATP Finals, with 2023 being the only exception. After a subpar season in 2023, Ruud has put together a much more consistent year in 2024, winning his first ATP 500 title in Barcelona and reaching a second career Masters 1000 final at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.Despite his recent illnesses and injuries, Ruud has shown his resilience and determination by qualifying for the semifinals in Turin. He will be an underdog against Sinner, but he will be hoping to cause an upset and reach his second ATP Finals final.

Jannik Sinner's Doping Case: ATP Chairman Addresses ConcernsJannik Sinner's doping case has raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the anti-doping process in tennis. ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has acknowledged that there could have been better communication in explaining the rules involved in the case.Sinner, the world's top-ranked player, tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March. The case was not made public until August, after Sinner had won the US Open title.An independent tribunal cleared Sinner of wrongdoing, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the decision. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year.Gaudenzi emphasized that the anti-doping process was independent and that the ATP had no involvement in the investigation or decision-making. He also stated that the rules applied to Sinner were the same as those applied to all other players.However, Gaudenzi acknowledged that there could have been better communication in explaining the rules and the process to the public. He urged all parties involved to work together to improve communication in the future.Sinner has maintained his innocence, claiming that the banned substance entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist. WADA is seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner.The case has highlighted the challenges of enforcing anti-doping regulations in a sport where athletes travel extensively and are subject to a variety of treatments and supplements.Gaudenzi also announced that the future host of the ATP Finals will be announced on Sunday. The contract with Turin expires next year, and there is an option to move the event to nearby Milan.

The role-model effect in sports is a double-edged sword. It can inspire generations of athletes and create a thriving sporting culture, but it can also burden young athletes with unrealistic expectations. Qinwen Zheng, a rising star in tennis, has experienced both sides of this phenomenon.Inspired by her compatriot Li Na, the first Asian to win a Grand Slam singles title, Zheng has rapidly ascended the tennis rankings. She reached the Australian Open final in 2024 and won the WTA Finals in 2025. Her success has been attributed to her powerful serve, top-spin-heavy forehand, and relentless determination.Zheng's rise has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. She has defeated top players like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, but she has also faced challenges in maintaining consistency and handling pressure. Despite these setbacks, Zheng remains optimistic about her future prospects."I have a lot of confidence in Qinwen," said her coach, Pere Riba. "She has the tools, the weapons, and every month is better."Zheng's success has come at a time when women's tennis is experiencing a period of transition. While Swiatek and Sabalenka dominate the rankings, a new generation of players, including Zheng, is emerging to challenge their supremacy.Zheng's journey serves as a reminder of the power and pitfalls of the role-model effect in sports. While it can inspire and motivate, it can also create unrealistic expectations and pressure. Zheng has navigated these challenges with resilience and determination, and she is poised to become one of the leading players in women's tennis.

Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, is eagerly anticipating the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next week, where he will team up with the legendary Rafael Nadal for one final time. Nadal, who has announced his retirement from the sport, is set to hang up his racquet after the men's team event, and Alcaraz is determined to give him a fitting send-off."I think it's most important for Rafa, for his last tournament. I really want him to retire with a title," Alcaraz said after losing to Alexander Zverev in the Nitto ATP Finals. "It's going to be really, really emotional and a really special tournament for me."Alcaraz, who won the French Open and Wimbledon this year, has a special bond with Nadal. The duo teamed up at the Paris Olympics, falling just short of reaching the medal rounds. Alcaraz went on to win a silver medal in singles, finishing runner-up to Novak Djokovic.Djokovic, who withdrew from the season-ending championships, is a player that Alcaraz holds in high regard. "We've seen before that it doesn't matter that he doesn't play an official match for two, three, four months because he's going to come again and be able to win the tournament, be able to show a really high level of tennis," Alcaraz said."He's going to be fresh, for sure. A lot of time with his family, kids, wife. Have time to practice a lot, which is pretty good for a tennis player coming to a tournament with motivations."Alcaraz is currently ranked No. 3 in the world and has a 5-6 record against Zverev. If Casper Ruud wins one set against Andrey Rublev, Alcaraz will have to wait another year to make a run at the coveted ATP Finals trophy."This year, as I said, I've played great tournaments and really bad tournaments. My goal at the end to be there all the time. Every tournament that I'm going to play, at least reach the semifinal, final, give myself the chance to win the tournament," Alcaraz said."So I have to work. Thank God I'm young, I'm still super young, so I hope to have many years to get there."

Mike Tyson, the legendary heavyweight boxing champion, has found a new passion in tennis thanks to his daughter Milan's love for the sport. Milan began playing at the tender age of 3 and quickly developed a competitive spirit, competing in tournaments by age 7 and taking four lessons per week by age 9.Tyson, known for his ferocity in the ring, is equally supportive of his daughter's tennis aspirations. "She tells me she wants to be a professional tennis player," he said in a 2018 interview with Tennis Channel. "That's going to be difficult, but we're looking forward to the challenge."Milan's progress on the court has been impressive. She possesses a powerful serve and a groundstroke grunt reminiscent of her idol, Serena Williams. In a recent hitting session with Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena's former coach, Milan showcased her skills and determination.Tyson's pride in his daughter's accomplishments is evident. He envisions himself cheering her on at Wimbledon, even if his boisterous support may not be entirely welcome on Centre Court. "I'm not going to be quiet," he said. "I'm proud and I am ferocious out there when my daughter's playing."Milan's tennis journey is a testament to the transformative power of sports. It has brought her father, a former boxing icon, into the world of tennis and ignited a new passion within him. As Milan continues to develop her skills, it will be fascinating to witness her progress and the unwavering support of her famous father.

India's Rohan Bopanna and Australia's Matthew Ebden concluded their successful partnership with a dramatic victory over Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in their final group match of the ATP Finals in Turin on Friday. The Indian-Australian duo triumphed 7-5, 6-7(6), 10-7, capping off their 2024 season with a thrilling win.Despite being eliminated from semifinal contention after two earlier losses, Bopanna and Ebden displayed unwavering intensity. They played with composure, even during a tense second-set tie-break where they squandered two match points. However, the pair demonstrated resilience, eventually sealing the win in a Match Tie-break after a 1-hour, 42-minute clash.The victory was highlighted by Bopanna and Ebden's serving prowess, as they combined for 14 aces. This win also leveled their ATP head-to-head record with Krawietz and Puetz at 2-2, adding a positive note to the end of their partnership.Bopanna and Ebden's partnership, which began in January 2023, has been highly successful. Together, they won four tour-level titles, including the prestigious Australian Open this year, and both reached No. 1 in the ATP Doubles Rankings at different points during their time together.For Krawietz and Puetz, the loss was bittersweet. Despite the defeat, the German pair's 2-1 record in group play means they will progress to the semifinals on their ATP Finals debut. The outcome of their group will be determined after the result of the evening's match between Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic and Simone Bolelli/Andrea Vavassori, which will decide whether Krawietz and Puetz finish first or second in the Bob Bryan Group.