WTA Stars Serve Up Style at National Bank Open

WTA Stars Serve Up Style at National Bank Open

Tennis Stars Showcase Streetwear Style at National Bank Open

Inspired by the pre-game fashion displays in the NBA and WNBA, the WTA Tour has introduced a behind-the-scenes photo series showcasing the off-court streetwear looks of its top stars. The initiative debuted at the National Bank Open in Toronto, highlighting the intersection of athletics and lifestyle.

Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, expressed her enthusiasm for the concept, stating that it allows players to showcase their personalities beyond the court. Coco Gauff, known for her custom New Balance kits, emphasized the potential for this trend to grow the sport by appealing to fans who appreciate both fashion and sports.

Among the players who participated in the photo series were Aryna Sabalenka, Naomi Osaka, and Ons Jabeur. Jabeur highlighted her partnership with Kayanee, a Saudi-owned fitness and lifestyle brand. Marta Kostyuk, Wilson’s on-court ambassador, and Leylah Fernandez, lululemon’s chief ambassador, also joined in.

Anastasia Potapova and Alycia Parks added a touch of whimsy by posing with their furry companions. As the tour approaches the US Open, one of the world’s fashion capitals, it is expected that more stylish serves will be on display.

The WTA’s embrace of streetwear fashion reflects a growing trend in sports, where athletes are increasingly expressing their individuality through their off-court attire. This initiative not only enhances the fan experience but also aligns with the broader cultural shift towards embracing personal style and self-expression.

Shnaider Stuns Gauff, Reaches Toronto Quarterfinals

Shnaider Stuns Gauff, Reaches Toronto Quarterfinals

Diana Shnaider’s meteoric rise in the tennis world continues to astound, as the 20-year-old Russian left-hander has now claimed a Top 10 scalp in the form of Coco Gauff. In a stunning display of poise and precision, Shnaider toppled the No. 1 seed 6-4, 6-1 in the third round of the National Bank Open in Toronto, marking her first quarterfinal appearance at a WTA 1000 event.

Shnaider, a former three-time junior doubles Grand Slam champion, has made rapid strides in her professional career since establishing a Top 100 ranking while playing college tennis at North Carolina State University. This year alone, she has captured three singles titles, including a 500-level triumph on grass in Berlin, and has ascended to the Top 50 and Top 40 in the rankings.

Her victory over Gauff, who had previously been undefeated against players younger than her, was a testament to Shnaider’s growing maturity and tactical acumen. Windy conditions played a significant role in Gauff’s downfall, as she committed a staggering 42 unforced errors, nearly double that of Shnaider.

Shnaider, known for her powerful groundstrokes, maintained a consistent and deep hitting strategy, forcing Gauff into numerous mistimed shots and serves. Gauff’s struggles were evident in her eight double faults and three breaks of serve, while Shnaider remained unyielding on her own serve, facing only one break point.

“I think she kind of knew to just stay steady because I was giving her a lot of errors,” Gauff acknowledged after the match. “She normally hits big when I see her play, but I think today I was just giving her too many errors, so it wasn’t necessary for her to do that.”

Shnaider’s victory sets up a tantalizing semifinal clash with No. 6 seed Liudmila Samsonova, who defeated Elise Mertens in straight sets. Samsonova, a finalist in Toronto last year, will pose a formidable challenge for Shnaider, but the Russian has proven time and again that she is capable of rising to the occasion.

Coco Gauff: Track and Field Star in the Making?

Coco Gauff: Track and Field Star in the Making?

Coco Gauff, the rising star of women’s tennis, has revealed that she could have pursued a career in track and field instead. Her mother, Candi, was a track and field athlete at Florida State University, and Coco’s natural talent in the sport was evident from a young age.

At the Paris Olympics, Gauff met with some of Team USA’s biggest track and field stars, including Noah Lyles, who suggested she would have excelled in the 400-meter hurdles. Gauff’s mother also believes she would have been successful in the 400-meter event.

Despite her talent in track and field, Gauff ultimately chose to focus on tennis. However, she still wonders what could have been. “I don’t know if I would have been as good as I was in tennis in track, but I strongly feel like if I would have trained I could have been an Olympian,” she said.

Gauff’s experience at the Olympics also inspired her. She was impressed by the resilience and determination of athletes like Tara Davis-Woodhall, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Sha’carri Richardson, and Gabby Thomas, who overcame challenges to achieve success.

“It does inspire me, and just also it puts perspective to my age,” Gauff said. “A lot of them are 24, between 24 to 27 range … I think I just learned to just trust in my training and trust in the journey, just with talking with them and learning about their stories.”

Gauff believes that her game will continue to improve as she matures. “I’m 20, so hopefully by, like, 24 I’m there,” she said.

National Bank Open Preview: Sabalenka Favored, Navarro a Potential Upset

National Bank Open Preview: Sabalenka Favored, Navarro a Potential Upset

The National Bank Open, a prestigious WTA 1000 tournament, returns to Toronto this week, featuring a star-studded lineup of players. While Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Jasmine Paolini will be absent, the tournament will showcase the talents of Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and many others vying for the coveted title.

The tournament’s fast court conditions favor players with powerful serves and baseline play. Aryna Sabalenka, known for her explosive power, is the tournament favorite at +300 odds. Coco Gauff, despite a disappointing Olympic outing, remains a contender at +340.

However, there are several players to watch who could challenge the favorites. Leylah Fernandez, the Canadian crowd favorite, has a favorable draw and the potential to make a deep run. Emma Navarro, a rising American star, has a strong all-around game and could surprise at +1600 odds.

Navarro’s defensive prowess, combined with her baseline power and precision, makes her a potential threat to the top seeds. She has previously defeated Sabalenka and could be poised for a breakthrough performance in Toronto.

Other players to keep an eye on include Naomi Osaka, Paula Badosa, and Ons Jabeur. Osaka, a former world number one, will be looking to regain her form after a challenging season. Badosa and Jabeur are both in-form players who could make a run to the latter stages of the tournament.

The National Bank Open promises to be an exciting tournament with a wide-open field. While Sabalenka is the favorite, there are several players who could challenge her and make a run for the title.

Coco Gauff Reaches 100 Weeks in WTA Top 10, Dimitrov and Hurkacz Make History

Coco Gauff Reaches 100 Weeks in WTA Top 10, Dimitrov and Hurkacz Make History

Coco Gauff, the American tennis prodigy, has reached a significant milestone in her career by spending her 100th consecutive week in the Top 10 of the WTA rankings. This achievement places her among the elite players in the world and highlights her remarkable consistency.

Gauff’s journey to the Top 10 began in September 2022 when she reached the quarterfinals of the US Open. Since then, she has maintained her position among the top players, showcasing her exceptional talent and determination. Her current streak is the fourth-longest active streak in the WTA Top 10, behind Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Jessica Pegula.

Grigor Dimitrov, the Bulgarian tennis star, has also achieved a notable milestone by spending his 100th career week in the Top 10 of the ATP rankings. However, his time in the elite has been divided into five separate stints. Dimitrov’s resurgence this year has been impressive, as he has won 20 of his first 25 matches and reached the semifinals or better at four of six tournaments.

Hubert Hurkacz, the Polish tennis player, has reached a new career-high ranking of No. 6, becoming the highest-ranked Polish player in ATP rankings history. Hurkacz’s rise is a testament to his consistent performances and his ability to challenge the top players in the world.

Sebastian Korda, the American tennis player, has also made a significant jump in the rankings, rising from No. 22 to No. 18 after winning the biggest title of his career in Washington D.C. Korda’s victory is a sign of his growing potential and his ability to compete at the highest level.

Paula Badosa, the former world No. 2, has made a remarkable comeback from a back injury by winning her first WTA title in more than two-and-a-half years. Badosa’s victory in Washington D.C. has propelled her up the rankings from No. 62 to No. 40, demonstrating her resilience and determination.

The achievements of Gauff, Dimitrov, Hurkacz, Korda, and Badosa highlight the depth of talent and competitiveness in the world of tennis. These players continue to push the boundaries of the sport and inspire future generations of athletes.

Coco Gauff's Olympic Hopes Dwindle After Doubles Exit

Coco Gauff’s Olympic Hopes Dwindle After Doubles Exit

Coco Gauff’s Olympic campaign in Paris took a disappointing turn on Wednesday as she suffered a second-round exit in women’s doubles, a day after her tearful departure from singles.

Gauff and her American teammate, Jessica Pegula, were the top-seeded women’s pair but were eliminated by the Czech duo of Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova in a thrilling match tiebreaker, 2-6, 6-4, 10-5.

The setback came on the heels of Gauff’s heartbreaking loss to Donna Vekic of Croatia in the third round of singles, where she was seeded second. The American had a heated exchange with the chair umpire near the end of that match over an officiating decision.

Despite the setbacks, Gauff still has a chance to salvage her Olympic experience in mixed doubles, where she is scheduled to partner with Taylor Fritz later Wednesday.

Gauff arrived in France as one of the most highly anticipated athletes in the Games. The 20-year-old from Florida won her first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open last September and collected her first major doubles title at the French Open in June.

Muchova, who was the runner-up to Iga Swiatek at the French Open last year, returned to action in June after missing 10 months due to surgery on her right wrist.

Noskova, 18, has emerged as a rising star in the sport. She made history at the Australian Open in January when she became the first teenager to defeat a No. 1-ranked woman at Melbourne Park since 1999.

The match between Gauff and Pegula and Muchova and Noskova was delayed by rain before the Czechs took the second set. They then dominated the match tiebreaker, with Noskova sealing the victory with a volley winner.

Nadal, Murray Advance in Olympic Doubles; Gauff Crashes Out

Nadal, Murray Advance in Olympic Doubles; Gauff Crashes Out

Rafael Nadal’s Olympic dream remains alive after he and teammate Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the men’s doubles quarter-finals. The Spanish duo defeated Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof in a thrilling match tie-break. Nadal, who was eliminated from the singles competition by Novak Djokovic, expressed his enjoyment playing alongside Alcaraz.

Andy Murray, in the final tournament of his career, once again displayed his resilience in doubles alongside Dan Evans. They saved match points for the second consecutive round, defeating Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen. Murray admitted to shedding “happy tears” after the emotional victory.

In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff’s Olympic journey ended in disappointment. She was defeated by Donna Vekic in a match marred by a heated argument with the umpire. Gauff accused the official of unfairness, claiming her shot was compromised by an incorrect call.

Top seed Iga Swiatek continued her impressive form, extending her winning streak on clay to 24 matches. She defeated Wang Xiyu in straight sets and will face Danielle Collins in the next round. Other notable winners included Angelique Kerber, Barbora Krejcikova, and Zheng Qinwen.

With temperatures soaring, officials implemented a heat protocol, allowing a 10-minute break between the second and third sets. Nadal, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, said he will make a decision on his future after the Paris Games.

Coco Gauff's Olympic Singles Dream Ends in Third Round Defeat

Coco Gauff’s Olympic Singles Dream Ends in Third Round Defeat

Coco Gauff’s Olympic singles debut ended in disappointment as she suffered a 7-6 (7), 6-2 defeat to Donna Vekic of Croatia in the third round of the Paris Olympics. The 20-year-old American, seeded second in the tournament, had won her first two matches comfortably but struggled against Vekic, who reached the Wimbledon semifinals earlier this month.

Gauff started well, taking a 4-1 lead in the opening set. However, she failed to close it out and Vekic fought back to win the tiebreaker 9-7. The Croatian continued her momentum in the second set, breaking Gauff’s serve twice to take a 4-2 lead. Gauff could not recover and Vekic sealed the victory in just over an hour and a half.

The match was marred by a heated argument between Gauff and chair umpire Jaume Campistol over a line call. With Gauff trailing 4-2 in the second set, she hit a serve that Vekic returned near the baseline. The line judge initially called the shot out, but Campistol overruled and awarded the point to Vekic.

Gauff was visibly upset and argued with the umpire for several minutes. She claimed that the ball had landed out and that she had not kept it in play. Campistol stood by his decision, and Gauff eventually resumed play.

Despite the controversy, Vekic played a solid match and deserved the victory. She hit 33 winners to Gauff’s nine and was more consistent throughout the match. Gauff, on the other hand, made too many unforced errors and struggled to find her rhythm.

The defeat ends Gauff’s hopes of winning an Olympic medal in singles. She is still competing in women’s doubles and mixed doubles, but her performance in the singles tournament will be a disappointment.

Tennis Takes Center Stage at Paris Olympics: Nadal, Djokovic to Clash in Second Round

Tennis Takes Center Stage at Paris Olympics: Nadal, Djokovic to Clash in Second Round

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 Round

Two 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 Draw

The 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 Participating

Some 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 Perspective

Roddick 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. Olympics

The 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 Commute

The 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 Bearer

Coco 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 Competing

Seven 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 Overview

Roddick 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&A

Roddick 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.

16 Elite Teams Confirmed for Paris 2024 Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament

16 Elite Teams Confirmed for Paris 2024 Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris is set to witness an electrifying mixed doubles tennis tournament, with the confirmation of 16 elite teams. The competition promises to be a thrilling spectacle, featuring some of the world’s top-ranked players.

Leading the charge are Americans Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz, who will make their Olympic debut as the No. 2 seeds. Gauff, a rising star in the sport, has already reached the singles final at Roland Garros and won the women’s doubles title this year. Fritz, known for his impressive clay-court performances, will add depth to the American team.

The No. 1 seeds are Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund, who won the gold medal in Tokyo 2020 and the 2024 Roland Garros mixed doubles title, respectively. Australia’s Matthew Ebden and Ellen Perez, this year’s French Open quarterfinalists, are the No. 3 seeds.

Another fan-favorite team is Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, who will once again join forces on the international stage. Mixed doubles is a unique event at the Olympics, being one of the few co-ed competitions.

The full list of 16 teams includes:

* Alexander Zverev / Laura Siegemund (GER)
* Taylor Fritz / Coco Gauff (USA)
* Matthew Ebden / Ellen Perez (AUS)
* Stefanos Tsitsipas / Maria Sakkari (GRE)
* Felix Auger-Aliassime / Gabriela Dabrowski (CAN)
* Andrea Vavassori / Sara Errani (ITA)
* Marcel Granollers / Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP)
* Alexander Bublik / Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
* Mate Pavic / Donna Vekic (CRO)
* Edouard Roger-Vasselin / Caroline Garcia (FRA)
* Daniil Medvedev / Mirra Andreeva (AIN)
* Zhang Zhizhen / Zheng Qinwen (CHN)
* Tomas Machac / Katerina Siniakova (CZE)
* Wesley Koolhof / Demi Schuurs (NED)
* Joe Salisbury / Heather Watson (GBR)
* Kei Nishikori / Ena Shibahara (JPN)

The draw ceremony for mixed doubles, along with all Paris Olympics tennis events, will take place on Thursday at Roland Garros. The tournament will kick off on Monday, July 29, promising an unforgettable experience for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.

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