Tennis

Casper Ruud, the world's sixth-ranked tennis player, made a fashion statement at the Tokyo Olympics by donning a blue-themed ensemble for his second-round match against Andrea Vavassori. The Norwegian's attire was a stark contrast to the red Yonex shirt he wore in his Olympic debut, which drew criticism for its lack of blue.Ruud expressed his disappointment with the initial kit, saying, "I would have liked to see a little more blue in it myself." However, he emphasized that he had no control over the design and simply wore what was provided.The red shirt also raised eyebrows among fellow Yonex athletes, including Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland, who joked about the "Scandinavian wins" and the "outfit." Holger Rune of Denmark, who missed the Olympics due to injury, also commented on the trend, saying, "People might think I play anyway 🇩🇰😂."In his second match, Ruud showcased a more patriotic look with a blue-heavy outfit. He overcame a slow start to defeat Vavassori in three sets, setting up a third-round clash with Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.Ruud's Olympic journey has been marked by both fashion and athleticism. His blue-themed ensemble has become a talking point, while his performances on the court have kept Norway's hopes alive in the men's singles competition.

Paris: The Roland Garros tennis complex was abuzz with anticipation as tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic faced off in a highly anticipated second-round match at the Paris Olympics. The match, their 60th encounter, drew an unprecedented crowd, with fans eager to witness the clash of two of the greatest players in tennis history.Nadal's towering steel statue, a testament to his dominance at Roland Garros, stood proudly at the entrance, attracting the attention of visitors. Inside Court Philippe-Chatrier, the atmosphere was electric as the two titans took to the court.The match began with Djokovic asserting his dominance, taking the first set 6-1. Nadal fought back in the second set, but Djokovic's relentless pressure proved too much, and he secured a 6-4 victory.Despite the result, the match was a spectacle for the ages. The crowd, a mix of Spanish and Serbian flags, cheered on both players, creating a deafening roar that echoed through the stadium.Nadal's fans, who had traveled from Spain, were disappointed but acknowledged the greatness of Djokovic's performance. "We don't know when we'll see Rafa here next," said one fan, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding Nadal's future.Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was palpable. Even before Iga Swiatek, the women's world No. 1, had finished her earlier match, the announcer began building up the "special match." The crowd erupted in unison when Nadal and Djokovic met at the net for the pre-match photo.Nadal's every move was met with thunderous applause, from his signature forehand winners to his determined rallies. The crowd was behind him, but Djokovic was relentless, showcasing the dominance that has made him one of the greatest players of all time.As Djokovic celebrated his victory, the crowd acknowledged his brilliance. Nadal, despite the defeat, received a standing ovation as he waved to the crowd, acknowledging their support.The match was a reminder of the enduring rivalry between Nadal and Djokovic, two players who have pushed each other to new heights. While their future encounters may be uncertain, the legacy of their rivalry will continue to inspire generations of tennis fans.

Rafael Nadal's Olympic journey came to an abrupt end on Sunday as he suffered a disappointing straight-sets defeat to long-time rival Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the Paris Games. The loss has cast a shadow over Nadal's future, with the 22-time Grand Slam champion hinting at a potential decision regarding his career after the Olympics.Nadal, who has won two Olympic gold medals in singles, displayed his trademark fighting spirit in the second set against Djokovic. Despite trailing 4-0, he rallied back to level the set at 4-4. However, Djokovic's relentless pressure proved too much for Nadal, who ultimately succumbed to a 6-4 defeat in the second set.Speaking after the match, Nadal expressed his disappointment but remained composed. "When this tournament is over, I will take the necessary decisions based on my feelings and sensations," he said. Nadal's comments have sparked speculation about his future, with some suggesting that he may consider retirement.Nadal has been battling a foot injury for several months, which has hampered his performance on the court. The Spaniard has also been vocal about his desire to spend more time with his family. It remains to be seen whether the Olympic defeat will prompt Nadal to make a decision about his future sooner rather than later.Despite the setback, Nadal's legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time remains intact. With 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, he is tied with Djokovic for the most men's singles Grand Slam titles in history. Nadal's determination and fighting spirit have inspired countless fans around the world, and his decision on his future will be closely watched by the tennis community.

Rohan Bopanna, India's veteran doubles specialist, bid farewell to his illustrious international career with a first-round exit at the Paris Olympics. Partnering with N Sriram Balaji, Bopanna succumbed to the French duo of Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gael Monfils in a thrilling encounter.Despite the disappointing result, Bopanna expressed contentment with his 22-year-long journey representing India. He acknowledged that an Olympic medal had eluded Indian tennis since Leander Paes' historic bronze in 1996, but he remained proud of his contributions."This will definitely go down as my last event for the country," Bopanna declared, ruling out any participation in the 2026 Asian Games. He had previously announced his retirement from the Davis Cup.Reflecting on his career highlights, Bopanna singled out his fifth-rubber victory against Ricardo Mello in the 2010 Davis Cup tie against Brazil as his most memorable moment. He also cherished his Grand Slam doubles triumph and his rise to world No. 1.Bopanna expressed gratitude to his wife, Supriya, for her unwavering support throughout his journey. He hinted at a potential future involvement in the administration of the All India Tennis Association (AITA).Regarding Sunday's match, Bopanna acknowledged the impact of Monfils' presence on the court. "He told me it was the best doubles match he's played," Bopanna said. "He was hitting the ball extremely heavy."Despite the loss, Bopanna praised Balaji's performance, noting that he played "extremely well" despite some crucial lapses.The Indian duo faced a passionate crowd supporting the French players, but Bopanna commended their respectful behavior during the match. "I don't think I've played in this kind of atmosphere even in Davis Cup in India," he remarked.

Holger Rune and Patrick Mouratoglou's tumultuous player-coach relationship has hit another roadblock, with the pair mutually agreeing to part ways once again. The announcement comes just four months after they resumed their partnership, which had previously yielded significant success for Rune.Rune, the 21-year-old Danish star, took to social media to confirm the split, stating that he and Mouratoglou had "mutually decided to part ways" after "good talks." He emphasized that Mouratoglou would remain a "great friend," but that the current setup with his fellow Dane, Kenneth Carlsen, was the best for his development.Rune's relationship with Mouratoglou and his academy dates back to his teenage years. They first worked together one-on-one from October 2022 to April 2023, during which time Rune ascended the rankings and claimed his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at Paris-Bercy. However, their first partnership ended abruptly, with Rune's mother and manager citing "ego clashes" as a contributing factor.In February, after brief stints with Boris Becker and Severin Luthi, Rune rehired Mouratoglou, expressing confidence in their shared "high goals." However, the reunion has proven short-lived, with Rune's ranking slipping to No. 17 in the world, his lowest since before his Paris-Bercy breakthrough.The news of the split coincides with a challenging health period for Rune, who was forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics due to a lingering bone bruise in his wrist. He was expected to compete in singles and mixed doubles alongside Caroline Wozniacki, but his Olympic debut was cut short.Rune remains optimistic about his future, stating that he is "looking forward to being healthy and back on track again." He will continue to train at the Mouratoglou Academy, which has been a valuable resource for his development.

The Paris Olympics are underway, and tennis is one of the first events to kick off the games. In this week's episode of Served with Andy Roddick, Roddick and Jon Wertheim break down this year's Olympic stories and discuss the significance of competing at the Games.Nadal and Djokovic to Face Off in Second RoundTwo of the Big Three, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, will face off in the second round of the Olympics after their first-round victories. This is the only time they will play each other this year, and there is little room for error.Low-Ranked Players in the DrawThe Olympics typically feature the best of the best, but in tennis, the top 64 ranked players would need to compete for that to be the case. However, due to the unique nature of the Games, lower-ranked players can qualify, such as Matt Ebden and Vavassori.Players Not ParticipatingSome top-ranked players have opted out of competing in the Olympics, including Iga Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Andy Murray. This is due to various reasons, including the timing of the Games and the importance they place on other events.From the Player's PerspectiveRoddick argues that the reality of competition behind the games can lead to players prioritizing their performance over participating in events like the opening ceremony. He uses Katie Ledecky as an example of this mentality.Roland Garros vs. OlympicsThe Olympics are being held at Roland Garros, but the experience for players and fans is different from a regular Roland Garros tournament. The best-of-three format for men, multiple events for players, and lack of sponsorship opportunities contribute to this difference.The Olympic Village CommuteThe Olympic Village is located far from Roland Garros, which could be a challenge for players who need to travel back and forth. Alcaraz and Nadal may consider staying closer to the venue to avoid the commute.Coco Gauff, Flag BearerCoco Gauff has been selected as the first tennis player and youngest athlete in Team USA history to be a flag bearer alongside LeBron James. This is a significant honor and reflects her maturity and popularity.Russian Athletes CompetingSeven of the 15 Russian athletes competing at the Olympics are tennis players. They are allowed to compete as "Individual Neutral Athletes" under a neutral flag.Draw OverviewRoddick analyzes the draw for both men's and women's singles. He believes Djokovic has a tough road to the final, while Alcaraz and Swiatek are the favorites in their respective draws.Weird Olympics Q&ARoddick answers questions about the "Love Island Villa" hook-up culture, which country goes at it the hardest, and the most memorable athlete he bumped into at the Olympics.

India's tennis campaign at the Paris Olympics ended abruptly on Sunday, with Sumit Nagal and the men's doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji suffering opening-round defeats to French challengers.Nagal, making his second Olympic appearance, fell 2-6, 6-4, 5-7 to Corentin Moutet in a hard-fought battle. Despite a strong start, Nagal struggled to maintain his momentum against Moutet's unpredictable style of play, which included underarm serves and effective use of drop shots and slices.In the doubles match, Bopanna and Balaji went down 5-7, 2-6 to Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gael Monfils. The French duo, buoyed by the partisan crowd, dominated the baseline exchanges and denied Balaji opportunities to finish at the net.Bopanna, 44, hinted that this could be his last multi-sport event for India, having already announced his retirement from Davis Cup.Nagal and Moutet have a history of close matches, with three of their last four encounters going to three sets. Nagal had the upper hand in their most recent meeting in April, but Moutet proved too strong on this occasion.The Indian team's exit marks the end of their Olympic tennis campaign, with India having won only one Olympic medal in the sport, a bronze by Leander Paes in 1996.

Andy Murray's illustrious tennis career received a dramatic extension at the Paris Olympics, as he and British partner Dan Evans defied the odds to secure a thrilling first-round doubles victory. Facing the Japanese duo of Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori, Murray and Evans found themselves trailing 9-4 in the decisive tiebreaker. However, they displayed remarkable resilience, saving five match points to emerge victorious with a 2-6, 7-6 (5), 11-9 triumph.The victory was met with an outpouring of emotion from Murray, who had previously announced that the Summer Games would mark the end of his competitive career. The 37-year-old had withdrawn from the singles bracket, leaving doubles as his sole Olympic pursuit.The British pair received unwavering support from the crowd inside Court Suzanne Lenglen, with British flags and Scottish kilts adorning the stands. Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion and two-time Olympic singles gold medalist, has been a beacon of British tennis for over a decade. His Wimbledon triumph in 2013 made him the first British man to win the prestigious title in 77 years.Despite battling a series of injuries in recent years, including a hip replacement in 2019 and a recent surgery to remove a cyst from his spine, Murray's determination remains unwavering. His performance in Paris showcased his unwavering spirit and the enduring legacy he has left on the sport.

The highly anticipated second-round clash between tennis titans Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympic Tennis Event has become a reality after both players secured first-round victories.Djokovic, the world's top-ranked player, made light work of Australia's Matthew Ebden, dispatching him in straight sets 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 minutes. Nadal, on the other hand, faced a tougher challenge against former Wimbledon quarterfinalist Marton Fucovics of Hungary. The Spaniard dropped the second set but rallied to win 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.This will be the 60th meeting between the two legends, with Djokovic holding a narrow 30-29 advantage in the head-to-head. Their last encounter was in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros in 2022, where Nadal emerged victorious in four sets.The pair's only previous Olympic meeting came in the semifinals of the 2008 Beijing Games, where Nadal triumphed in three sets. He went on to win his first Olympic gold medal in singles.The upcoming match-up promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with both players eager to add another Olympic medal to their illustrious careers. Nadal will be aiming to defend his gold medal from Rio 2016, while Djokovic will be seeking his first Olympic singles title.The winner of this second-round clash will face either Karen Khachanov of Russia or Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia in the quarterfinals.