Tennis

Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, is known for his on-court performances and his equally entertaining off-court commentary. His matches are a spectacle, featuring not only his exceptional tennis but also his witty and often sarcastic remarks.Medvedev's unique personality first gained attention in 2019 when he famously told a hostile crowd at the US Open, "I want all of you to know when you sleep tonight, I won because of you." This sarcastic line, coupled with his animated gestures, became a defining moment in his career.Over the years, Medvedev has continued to entertain fans with his humorous antics. He has equated the atmosphere at the US Open to an Italian restaurant, joked about the slowness of the BNP Paribas Open's hard courts, and complained about the extreme heat conditions at last year's US Open.Medvedev's humor is not just for show. It serves as a coping mechanism for his inner tension and a way to air his grievances. He believes that a bit of sarcasm and humor can diffuse tense situations and make headlines.However, Medvedev is not immune to criticism. He has been accused of being too sarcastic and disrespectful. But he remains unapologetic, stating that he enjoys the spotlight and has no problem speaking his mind.Medvedev's off-court antics have made him a fan favorite. He has embraced his memeability and recognizes that his memorable moments on the microphone will be part of his legacy.Despite his efforts to be more "Calma" in 2024, Medvedev admits that he still has moments of frustration and humor. He believes that entertainment will always be a part of his game.

Coco Gauff's US Open title defense faced its first significant challenge against former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina. Despite dropping the opening set, Gauff rallied to secure a hard-fought 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory, extending her Flushing Meadows win streak to 10 matches.Svitolina, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist, posed a formidable threat, pressuring Gauff's forehand and breaking her serve in the first set. However, Gauff's resilience shone through as she saved a break point in the second set and seized the initiative with a forehand winner.The American's momentum carried into the decider, where she broke Svitolina's serve twice to establish a 2-0 lead. Svitolina fought back, but Gauff's determination proved too strong. Despite double faulting on her first two match points, Gauff remained composed and sealed the victory with a forehand winner.Gauff's victory sets up an intriguing third-round clash against either Emma Navarro or Marta Kostyuk, both of whom have previously challenged her. The 20-year-old American will be aiming to continue her impressive run and reach the second week of the US Open once again.

World number one Iga Swiatek cruised into the third round of the US Open on Thursday, dismantling 217th-ranked Ena Shibahara 6-0, 6-1 in a dominant display. The Polish star, seeking her second US Open title to add to her four French Open triumphs, looked shaky in her first-round victory but found her rhythm against Shibahara, who was making her Grand Slam main draw debut.Swiatek's victory was a testament to her mental fortitude. After struggling with focus in her opening match, she took time to reset and improve her mindset. "I kind of have the tools, but sometimes it's just hard to use them," Swiatek said. "I couldn't really focus well on my first-round match, and I wanted to improve that."The turnaround was evident in her performance against Shibahara. Swiatek won the first seven games before the Japanese player held serve to make it 1-1 in the second set. However, Swiatek's dominance was unwavering, as she saved three break points in a 13-minute game that would be Shibahara's only success.Swiatek's victory sets up a third-round clash with either 25th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Elisabetta Cocciaretto. The Polish star has won five titles this year, including the French Open, and is aiming to extend her impressive run of success.Despite her sustained dominance, Swiatek acknowledges that high expectations can sometimes hinder her performance. "Usually I don't feel well on court when I have too big expectations ... because of that I make wrong decisions on court," she said. "So I just try to kind of reset and to remember that I don't have to play perfect tennis all the time."Swiatek's mental reset has paid dividends, and she will be looking to continue her impressive form as she targets a deep run at the US Open.

Nick Kyrgios, the outspoken Australian tennis star, has criticized Jannik Sinner's handling of his recent steroids case. Sinner, the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up, failed two drug tests for a banned substance in March but was not suspended after successfully arguing his case in private.Kyrgios, who has been working as a pundit and on-court interviewer at the US Open, has been vocal in his criticism of Sinner's case. He believes that Sinner received preferential treatment compared to other players who have been suspended for similar offenses."It seems like every time one of these things comes up, there's always a different process for different players," Kyrgios said in an interview with ESPN. "It's nothing against Sinner personally at all. I know how important he is. He's one of the greatest tennis players we have right now... Nothing against him personally."If you look at Jenson Brooksby and other players who've had their careers taken away for up to a year... someone like Sinner just doing it his own way. I think he had it on his own terms for most of the time. I don't think that's fair and equal for the rest of the tour."Sinner has defended his handling of the case, insisting that he followed all the proper procedures. However, he has faced criticism from fans and fellow players, including Kyrgios."It helps me to see who my friends are and who are not my friends," Sinner said at a press conference at the US Open. "This is all part of a growing experience, no? I wish nobody has this experience to grow, because this is a 'different' way of experience. But you also realize that there is also a life outside of tennis, which (is) much more important than what we do because our daily routine is to hit tennis balls and go in the gym..."Tennis is big for me because it showed me what I am as a person and how important the sport is. But in the other way, there is a life outside of tennis, which is even more important."Kyrgios has said that he will not be as friendly with Sinner the next time they meet in the locker room. Sinner has not ruled out the possibility of being interviewed by Kyrgios on Arthur Ashe Stadium, but he said it would be "different."

In a captivating second-round clash at the US Open, two American women with contrasting motivations faced off: Sofia Kenin, a former prodigy seeking redemption, and Jessica Pegula, a steady climber aiming to break through a Grand Slam semifinal barrier.Kenin, once a Grand Slam champion at 21, has endured a tumultuous few years. Pegula, on the other hand, has steadily risen to the top of the game, currently ranked No. 6. Despite their different trajectories, both women shared a common goal: to prove their worth.Pegula, known for her consistency and composure, exploited Kenin's momentary lapses to secure a 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory. The match showcased Pegula's ability to maintain a high level of play, while Kenin struggled to close out crucial points.Kenin acknowledged Pegula's superior performance, stating, "She's a Grand Slam champion. She knows she can play at a high level." Pegula, in turn, praised Kenin's potential, saying, "She's capable of upsetting a lot of top players."Pegula's composure has become a hallmark of her game, allowing her to withstand the pressure of facing more powerful opponents. However, she admitted to a rare moment of frustration during the match, slamming her racquet after an unforced error.Despite her emotional outburst, Pegula remains committed to her calm demeanor. She believes that expressing too much emotion can be exhausting and detrimental to her performance.Kenin, on the other hand, is seeking to rebuild her confidence and create a bubble of comfort similar to the one she enjoyed as a young prodigy. She acknowledges the challenges she faces but remains optimistic about her ability to regain her former glory.

Naomi Osaka's return to the US Open ended in the second round, but the two-time champion expressed gratitude despite the straight-sets loss to Karolina Muchova. Osaka, who won the title in 2018 and 2020, missed last year's edition due to the birth of her daughter.Osaka's comeback has been marked by inconsistent results, with her first-round win over Jelena Ostapenko being her first top-10 victory in four years. She acknowledged that she has been struggling with her form since before her maternity break."I feel like I'm coming back from pregnancy, but also it wasn't like in 2022 I was the best version of myself," Osaka said. "So in some way I had to catch up to that, and then also I'm trying to pass it at the same time."Despite the loss, Osaka expressed appreciation for the support she received from the crowd. "It was really fun," she said. "I felt very grateful that there were so many people cheering. I missed it a lot."Muchova, who is also on the comeback trail after missing nine months due to wrist surgery, was satisfied with her victory. "It's a long journey," she said. "I'm for sure in a different position than I was last year. I don't even want to compare myself to last year -- it was kind of a bumpy road."Muchova praised the atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium, saying, "The court and the atmosphere is amazing. They were mostly cheering for Naomi, but that's natural. But I just think so many people coming out and the show and everything about that -- I would say it's why I play tennis and what I like about it, the atmosphere and the energy."

In a stunning upset that sent shockwaves through the tennis world, 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp stunned four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the US Open, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish sensation, was aiming to become only the third player in the Open Era to win Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open in the same season. However, his hopes were dashed by a relentless van de Zandschulp, who played with unwavering composure and precision.Alcaraz, who had not lost a set in his previous two matches at the US Open, struggled to find his rhythm against the Dutchman's powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes. The Spaniard committed a staggering 28 unforced errors, a testament to the pressure van de Zandschulp applied throughout the match.Van de Zandschulp, who had not advanced past the second round of a Grand Slam tournament in over two years, played with the confidence of a seasoned veteran. He broke Alcaraz's serve five times and saved all three break points he faced.The victory marks a remarkable achievement for van de Zandschulp, who has been steadily improving his game over the past year. It also raises questions about Alcaraz's form, who has not looked his best since winning the Madrid Open in May.Despite the setback, Alcaraz remains one of the most promising players in the world. He has already achieved more than most players his age, and he will undoubtedly bounce back from this disappointment.However, for now, the spotlight belongs to van de Zandschulp, who has proven that anything is possible in tennis. The Dutchman will face 12th-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta in the third round, where he will look to continue his dream run at the US Open.

Aryna Sabalenka's 2024 season has been a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges. After defending her Australian Open title, she faced personal tragedy and a shoulder injury that sidelined her from Wimbledon. However, the Belarusian star has emerged from these setbacks stronger than ever, finding solace in her close-knit team and the support of fellow players.Sabalenka's journey began with a triumphant Australian Open victory, fulfilling a dream she shared with her late father. However, just days before the Miami Open, her ex-partner took his own life. Despite the emotional turmoil, she drew strength from her team and played two matches before withdrawing.The injury to her shoulder forced Sabalenka to take a break from tennis, which she used to recharge and reflect on the challenges she had faced. She realized the importance of surrounding herself with people she could trust and talk to, and she leaned on her team for support.Upon her return to action, Sabalenka faced fears of re-injury. However, she gradually regained her confidence and stormed to the title in Cincinnati, defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the process. She is now back in top form and ready to make a strong run at the US Open.Off the court, Sabalenka has found joy in exploring New York City, enjoying fine dining, and creating Tik Tok videos with her team. She has also developed close friendships with fellow players Paula Badosa and Ons Jabeur, who provide her with support and laughter.Sabalenka's journey has been marked by resilience, determination, and the power of human connection. She has emerged from adversity as a stronger person and is ready to face the challenges ahead with the support of her team and the love of her fans.

In a captivating second-round clash at the US Open, Karolina Muchova stunned two-time champion Naomi Osaka in a thrilling 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory. The match showcased a captivating blend of power and finesse, with both players showcasing their unique strengths.Osaka, known for her formidable power, started the match aggressively, earning an early break point. However, a netted backhand seemed to dent her confidence, allowing Muchova to settle into the match. The Czech player's blend of precise serving, disruptive slice backhands, and well-timed drop shots proved to be a formidable challenge for Osaka.In the second set, Muchova's nerves got the better of her, allowing Osaka to seize the initiative. The Japanese star broke Muchova's serve and moved to the brink of taking the set. However, Osaka's nerves also played a factor, as she squandered three set points with a series of uncharacteristic errors.The match swung back in Muchova's favor as she regained her composure. In a pivotal tiebreaker, Muchova's resilience shone through. She overcame a 4-2 deficit, cracking two service winners and pulling off a stunning crosscourt forehand pass to earn two match points.Osaka saved the first match point with a powerful smash, but her attempt to force a deuce proved costly. She misjudged a volley and sent the ball wide, handing Muchova the victory.The abrupt and stunning conclusion left Osaka in shock, while Muchova celebrated her triumph with a mix of relief and disbelief. The Czech player, who had spent much of the 2024 season recovering from surgery, expressed her awe at the atmosphere and the surreal feeling of defeating a Grand Slam champion.