• Sinner’s historic season. It was a historic season for Jannik Sinner, who rose to world No. 1 in the ATP Rankings and won eight trophies, including his first two major titles - the Australian and US Open. Across 79 matches this year, the 23-year-old Italian also achieved a feat previously accomplished only by Swiss legend Roger Federer back in 2005, i.e., he never lost in straight sets. Sinner, who finished 2024 with a 73-6 win-loss record, and Federer are the only players in the Open Era to achieve this feat (minimum 20 matches played).

• Whatever we can catch, we take, and the rest we learn. After winning the season-ending ATP Finals, his eighth title of the year, Sinner said, “This year, there was no specific goal of winning a Grand Slam or being No. 1 or whatever. It’s going to be the same next year. Whatever we can catch, we take, and the rest we learn.” In 2005, Federer had a 81-4 record. He also won two major titles that year.

Photo Credit: © Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY NETWORK

• The last challenge. Juan Martin del Potro will play Novak Djokovic in a ‘goodbye’ match titled ‘The Last Challenge’ in front of his home crowd in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 1. “I want to arrive at that match in the best possible shape. It’s a match to say goodbye. Djokovic was generous in accepting my invitation. If at least for one, two or three hours I can be in peace and happy on court, it will be beautiful,” said Del Potro.

• A future with some quality of life. In a post on social media, the former world No. 3 and US Open champion, who retired in 2022, also talked about how he’s coped with injuries in recent years. Del Potro spoke about the difficulties of day-to-day life, the limitations imposed by a battle-weary body and a desire as simple as it is valuable: to be able to look forward to a future with some quality of life.

• Final bow. Rafael Nadal took to the court for the last time as a professional player during Spain’s Davis Cup quarterfinal tie against the Netherlands. Later, surrounded by his teammates, with whom he had just bowed out of the Davis Cup, Nadal addressed the crowd. “It’s been 20 years of a career in which you have always buoyed me. During good moments, you helped me win the next point and in difficult moments, you pushed me to keep fighting. In Spain and the world in general, I’ve felt super fortunate to receive so much affection.”

• Rafa doesn’t want to stop playing tennis, but his body has given up. Nadal, went on to add, “The reality is that you never want this moment to come. I’m not tired of playing tennis, but my body doesn’t want to play anymore. You have to accept the situation. I feel super privileged. I’ve been able to turn one of my hobbies into a career, and it was much longer than I would have imagined. I can only be grateful.”

• It all began in 2020. As far as match preparations go, Daniil Medvedev’s team, including his coach Gilles Cervara, tend to rely on wearables. “It all started in 2020. One of our teammates, who earlier worked in sports like rugby and soccer, had experience with GPS. He gave us the idea to use it during practice because at that time, we couldn’t use it in matches,” Cervara told ATPTour.com, referring to wearables.

• Dealing with worst-case scenario. “We created our own analysis to have numbers of the different movements. We put the GPS on during practice to also have numbers to compare,” added Cervara. The idea was to create what Cervara called a “worst-case scenario”. What would be the toughest situation Medvedev would face on court? In that scenario, how many times would he need to change direction? How many times would he need to sprint? At what speed? Fourth seed Medvedev is currently playing at the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals, where he will take on top seed Jannik Sinner shortly.

Photo Credit: © Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

• Resilience will take her far. Former world No. 1 Justine Henin believes Coco Gauff has demonstrated a “resilience that will take her far”. Gauff, 20, suffered a dip in form in the summer, but bounced back and finished the year as world No. 3 after claiming the 2024 WTA Finals crown. “Her resilience will take her far, in terms of what she will win in her career. She has the capacity to bounce back and that’s the sign of a potentially big future. Her end of season has been really exceptional,” Henin told Eurosport.

• She’s demanding of herself. “Gauff has a lot of heart. She plays with her weaknesses, flaws, but never gives up. We must also not forget that she’s still young and we’re demanding with her. She’s demanding of herself,” added Henin. Gauff and Jessica Pegula won’t be competing for the USA at the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain.

Photo Credit: © Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

• On course for third season finale crown. Alexander Zverev beat sixth seed Casper Ruud 7-6(3) 6-3 to win his second straight match at the ongoing 2024 Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. With his ATP Tour-leading 68th victory of 2024, Zverev improved to 2-0 in the John Newcombe Group. He is chasing his third season finale crown, having previously won in 2018 and 2021.

• Back in business. Having lost to Ruud in their opening match, Carlos Alcaraz defeated eighth seed Andrey Rublev 6-3 7-6(8). Sporting a pink nasal strip to aid his breathing, Alcaraz has now taken a 2-1 lead against Rublev in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Next up for Alcaraz, as he chases a semifinal spot for the second straight year, is a clash against Zverev. That match could decide who finishes the year as world No. 2. Zverev is currently No. 2, 505 points clear of third-placed Alcaraz. Having lost both his matches so far, Rublev will play Ruud next.

• Sinner wins second straight match. World No. 1 and home favourite Jannik Sinner beat fifth seed Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4 to win his second straight match at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. Sinner, who beat Fritz in the final of this year’s US Open, currently stands on top of the Ilie Nastase Group and also leads the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series 3-1. Chasing his ATP Tour-leading eighth title of 2024, Sinner was the runner-up at last year’s season finale.

• Medvedev is still in the hunt. In the group’s other match, fourth seed and 2020 champion Daniil Medvedev defeated seventh seed Alex de Minaur 6-2 6-4. This was Medvedev’s first indoor win since the 2023 ATP Finals. He now leads the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry 7-3. The second straight loss is a blow to de Minaur’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage on his debut appearance at the season finale.

• Outstanding 2024 season. The WTA recently celebrated Aryna Sabalenka and Katerina Siniakova’s year-end No. 1 rankings. Both the players were presented with the coveted trophies following their outstanding 2024 season. Sabalenka secured the year-end singles accolade for the first time in her career, while it’s Siniakova’s fourth season-ending doubles finish in the No. 1 position, after 2018, 2021, 2022. Only the great Martina Navratilova (5) has finished more seasons at the top than Siniakova.

• Both players say ‘Thank you’. For the first time in her career, the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion (Sabalenka) officially becomes the WTA year-end world No. 1. After receiving the trophy, Sabalenka took to her social media to post this, “Year-end No. 1! Wouldn’t be able to hold this beautiful trophy without all of the support and love I received throughout the season. Thank you.” On her social media, Siniakova simply said, “Thank you everyone! I feel special.”

• I’m the author of my story. The criticism of her summer form made Coco Gauff even more determined not to “let anybody write me off”. The American just beat China’s Qinwen Zheng to win the 2024 WTA Finals. But back in summer, after her Cincinnati loss, there were headlines like ‘Gauff’s Slump Summer’. “I looked at that and was like, ‘I have to turn it around somehow’. Many people were critiquing my season, you know, ‘flop era’. I think for me, it was just motivation. I’m the author of my own story and will not let anybody write me off,” said Gauff.

• Beating ‘bad season’ allegations by winning season finale. After winning the season finale, Gauff took to social media to express her gratitude. “I’m grateful for all the support the last few weeks. Getting to win the last tournament of the season and it also being the second biggest title of my career so far, is insane.”

Photo Credit: © Mike Frey-Imagn Images

• Celebrating with your home crowd is always a good feeling. An emotional Jannik Sinner was celebrated for earning ATP year-end No. 1 presented by PIF honours in front of his family, including parents, and team at Turin’s Inalpi Arena. “It’s a nice feeling. It’s special sharing these kinds of moments here in Italy with the crowd,” said Sinner, who was presented with the award by ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, former world No. 1 Boris Becker and head of corporate brand and strategic advisory at PIF Mohamed Alsayyad.

• Sinner keeps making history. Sinner, who’s currently playing at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals, later took to his social media to post: “Finishing the year as No. 1 is a huge honour. I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me achieve it. Grazie mille!” On June 10, Sinner, 23, became the first Italian player - man or woman - to become the world No. 1 since computerised rankings were introduced in 1973.

• Looking for his third trophy at the season finale. World No. 2 Alexander Zverev won his opening match against eighth seed Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-4 at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. Zverev, the 2018 and 2021 ATP Finals champion, is looking for his third trophy at the season finale. Zverev will now play sixth seed Casper Ruud, who earlier upset third seed Carlos Alcaraz in the John Newcombe Group.

• Alcaraz starts off with a loss. Ruud, who reached the championship match in his previous ATP Finals appearance in 2022, upset Alcaraz 6-1 7-5 at the Inalpi Arena. It was Ruud’s 50th ATP Tour win of 2024. The defeat is an early blow to Alcaraz’s hopes of reaching the semifinals for the second straight year. Chasing his fifth ATP Tour title of the season, Alcaraz, who appeared below his physical best, will take on Rublev next.

• Off to a good start. Jannik Sinner won his opening match against seventh seed Alex de Minaur 6-3 6-4 at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. The world No. 1 and home favourite is chasing an ATP Tour-leading eighth trophy of the year. A finalist at last year’s season finale, Sinner has now improved to 8-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with ATP Finals debutant de Minaur. He now has a joint Tour-leading 66 wins this year, alongside second seed Alexander Zverev.

• Fritz moves past Medvedev. Fifth seed Taylor Fritz began his ATP Finals campaign with a 6-4 6-3 win over fourth seed and 2020 champion Daniil Medvedev. This is Fritz’s second appearance at the season finale. He reached the semifinals on his debut in 2022. The pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series is now levelled at 1-1. The season finale is being played at Turin’s Inalpi Arena and the champion will be crowned on November 17.

• A hard-fought victory. Third seed Coco Gauff beat seventh seed Zheng Qinwen 3-6 6-4 7-6(2) in over three hours to clinch the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was Gauff’s first year-ending championship title and ninth WTA Tour crown. It was also the event’s longest final since time stats started being tracked in 2008. Gauff received close to $5 million, or $4,805,000, in prize money, the largest payout at a WTA Tour event. She has also clinched the season-ending world No. 3 ranking for the second straight year.

• Staying resilient. In her post-match press conference, Gauff said, “… Just staying resilient, fighting for every point. I was a couple points away from losing, but I tried to stay in the moment and am really proud of myself.” Meanwhile, in the doubles final, second seed Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe beat eighth seed Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend 7-5 6-3.

Photo Credit: © Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

• The stage is set for season finale. Top seed Jannik Sinner and fourth seed Daniil Medvedev will lead the Ilie Nastase Group at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals, it was revealed at the draw in Turin, Italy. Fifth seed Taylor Fritz and seventh seed Alex de Minaur, who’s making his tournament debut, will also be in the group. Meanwhile, second seed Alexander Zverev and third seed Carlos Alcaraz headline the John Newcombe Group, which will also feature 2022 finalist and sixth seed Casper Ruud, and five-time qualifier and eighth seed Andrey Rublev.

• Favourite Sinner looking to lift the trophy in front of home crowd. Sinner made a memorable run to the championship match in front of his home fans at Turin’s Inalpi Arena last year. He will try to go a step further this year. Two of the eight competitors have lifted the trophy before - Zverev (2018 and 2021) and Medvedev (2020). The season finale kicks off on November 10.

• Ready for the season finale. Former Spanish player Alex Corretja believes that the upcoming 2024 Nitto ATP Finals come at a great time for compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, despite his early exit from last week’s Rolex Paris Masters, where he lost in the third round. “He didn’t play his best tennis in Paris. The court was a little fast for him. Carlos is going to arrive (at the ATP Finals) a little fresher than last season. I trust him. I think he’s a happy, explosive player for great events and the ATP Finals is one,” Corretja told Eurosport.

• Who’s better: Sinner or Alcaraz? Meanwhile, former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic was recently asked to choose between world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz. “When they’re at their best, I believe Sinner is better. He’s more consistent, whereas Alcaraz can go from hitting incredible shots to making easy mistakes,” said Ivanisevic, who will begin coaching Elena Rybakina from 2025.

Photo Credit: © Amber Searls-Imagn Images

• Federer was a perfect player, but there were complicated moments. Ivan Ljubicic has opened up about coaching Swiss legend Roger Federer. In 2015, Ljubicic, a former world No. 3, became Federer’s coach and helped him win the last three of his 20 major titles. “… All the things that he did, he did great. There were many days when I didn’t know what to say because he was perfect… Everyone thinks that everything is easy for Roger, but we’ve had some difficult times mentally,” Ljubicic told Eurosport.

• Ljubicic isn’t too sure if Djokovic is still as motivated as he used to be. Ljubicic expressed his uncertainty over Novak Djokovic’s motivation to keep playing. “I don’t know and I believe he doesn’t know either at the moment. In my opinion, his goal is definitely the tournaments and not the ranking because to climb higher, he would have to play more… When he wants to compete, he can challenge the best,” Ljubicic told Sky Sports.

Photo Credit: © Mike Frey-Imagn Images

• Year-end world No. 1 ranking in sight. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has made it to the semifinals at the ongoing 2024 WTA Finals Riyadh after beating fourth seed Jasmine Paolini 6-3 7-5. Having won both her matches so far, Sabalenka improved to 2-0 in the Purple Group and, combined with seventh seed Zheng Qinwen’s win over fifth seed Elena Rybakina earlier, ensured her finish as the group winner. Having won 22 of her last 23 matches, Sabalenka is one win away from securing the year-end world No. 1 ranking for the first time.

• Zheng’s first career win over Rybakina. Zheng, who lost to Sabalenka in the opening round match, beat Rybakina 7-6 (4) 3-6 6-1. It was Zheng’s first career win over Rybakina in three attempts. Having lost both her matches so far, Rybakina, who faces Sabalenka next, has been eliminated from contention. Zheng will take on Paolini next.

• A recent practice session with Rafa left Rune impressed. World No. 11 Holger Rune believes that Nadal could keep competing at the highest level after training with the Spanish legend at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia recently. “… I remember training with Rafa in Riyadh and it’s surprising. This guy is almost retired and he trains with such intensity that you think: ‘You shouldn’t retire’. He’s had an incredible career and achieved so much. It’s not for nothing that both Rafa and Novak (Djokovic) give their all in every training session,” said Rune, as per Tennis365.

• Calling time on his career on home soil. Nadal, 38, who’s won 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open crowns, will call time on his career at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals on his home soil in Malaga later this month. He announced his decision to retire in a social media post last month.

Photo Credit: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

• New beginnings. Elena Rybakina has announced that Goran Ivanisevic, who earlier worked with former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, will be her new coach for the 2025 season. Both Rybakina (2022) and Ivanisevic (2001) are former Wimbledon champions. Ivanisevic worked with Djokovic for six seasons. He helped Djokovic to win 12 out of his record 24 major titles, and also oversaw Marin Cilic’s 2014 US Open triumph.

• I want to learn. Rybakina, 25, split with her long-term coach Stefano Vukov just before the US Open in August. On her new coaching partnership with Ivanisevic, Rybakina said, “It’s something new for me. I’ve been with one coach for a long time. I want to learn. I think he (Ivanisevic) is a great champion and has so much experience. I’m happy and looking forward to working with him. We will see what we can do together.” Fifth seed Rybakina is currently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the WTA Finals.

Photo Credit: © Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

• Record prize money on offer. The total prize money on offer at the upcoming 2024 Nitto ATP Finals is just over $15 million. If the champion takes the title with a perfect record, he will earn close to $5 million ($4,881,500). Last year, the winner, former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, took home a whopping $4,801,500. Following on from previous years, three matches at this year’s season finale will be worth more than $1 million. Each semifinal will yield the winner more than $1 million, and the winner of the championship match will receive $2,237,200.

• Five out of eight players are through to ATP Finals. This year’s ATP Finals will be held at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy, from November 10-17. As of now, only five out of eight players, i.e., Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz, have qualified for the event.

• Tough start to proceedings. Second seed Iga Swiatek rallied to stun eighth seed Barbora Krejcikova 4-6 7-5 6-2 at the ongoing 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was the first win for Swiatek in two months. It keeps alive her flickering hopes of reclaiming the No. 1 ranking from Aryna Sabalenka, who earlier beat seventh seed Q.W. Zheng 6-3 6-4. Sabalenka will now take on fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, who defeated fifth seed Elena Rybakina 7-6 6-4. Rybakina will next play Zheng.

• Gauff joins Swiatek atop Orange Group. Third seed Coco Gauff joined Swiatek atop the Orange Group after beating sixth seed Jessica Pegula 6-3 6-2. It’s worth noting that Pegula won four of her five previous meetings against Gauff, including the last three. Gauff will next take on Swiatek, with the winner taking control of the Orange Group. Pegula will next face Krejcikova.

Photo Credit: © Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

• Climbs up to world No. 2. Alexander Zverev produced a near-flawless display to beat Frenchman and home favourite Ugo Humbert 6-2 6-2 in the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters, the season’s final ATP Masters 1000 event. It’s the second ATP Masters 1000 title of the year for Zverev and the seventh of his career. He’s now overtaken Carlos Alcaraz to become the world No. 2 player. It was also Zverev’s 65th win of the year and he’s now tied with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner for the most wins on the ATP Tour this season.

• A stellar season for Zverev, but he’s still looking to keep improving. “For me, it’s about improving a few things. I feel like Jannik and Carlos are doing a few things better than me at the moment,” Zverev, 27, said after the match. The German, who improved to 23-13 in tour-level finals, is set to compete at the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals to be held in Turin, Italy, from November 10-17.

• End of an era. After much speculation, Rafael Nadal has finally announced that he will retire at the end of the 2024 season. The Spanish legend’s final professional event will be the 2024 Davis Cup Finals on his home soil in Malaga in November.

• A difficult decision. It took Rafa a while to arrive at this decision, and it wasn’t easy.

… I’m retiring from professional tennis. There have been a few difficult years, the last two especially. It’s a difficult decision, but in life, there’s a beginning and an end. It’s the right time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.

• A full circle moment. 20 years ago, Nadal led Spain to a famous Davis Cup victory in Seville. Today, as he announces that he will retire at the 2024 Davis Cup, his tennis career comes full circle–a fitting end to an extraordinary journey.

My last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country. I’ve come full circle since one of my first great joys as a player was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004.

Picture Credit: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

• Time to hang up his racquet. Richard Gasquet, the fan-favourite Frenchman who reached a career-high ranking of world No. 7 in 2007 and won 16 ATP Tour titles, will retire from professional tennis at Roland Garros next year. Once known as the ‘little Mozart of French tennis’, Gasquet, 38, impressed tennis fans around the world with his exceptional one-handed backhand. He didn’t win a Grand Slam title, but was a member of the French team that won the 2017 Davis Cup.

• The best place to end things. In an interview with L’Équipe newspaper, Gasquet confirmed that he will call time on his 22-year career after the 2025 French Open.

I think that it’s the best time for me to do it. It’s the best tournament to do it… The end is always complicated, as all the former great players have often told me. You never know when, how, where. In my case, it’s obvious.

Picture Credit: © Jerry Lai-Imagn Images

• Breaking away from long-standing tradition. The world’s oldest tennis tournament will have a new look on court come 2025. Faults and out calls will no longer be made by line umpires at Wimbledon. The All England Club (AELTC) has announced that live electronic line calling (ELC) will go into effect on every court at next year’s event. Also, the men’s and women’s singles finals will now start at 4 p.m., instead of 2 p.m.

• Right time to take this important step. Sally Bolton, Chief Executive at the All England Club, said, “The decision was made following a significant period of consideration and consultation. Having reviewed the results of the testing undertaken at The Championships this year, we consider the technology to be sufficiently robust and the time is right to take this important step in seeking maximum accuracy in our officiating. We take our responsibility to balance tradition and innovation at Wimbledon very seriously.”

Picture Credit: © Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

• Easy wins for top players. Fourth seed Novak Djokovic, seventh seed Taylor Fritz and ninth seed Grigor Dimitrov scored straight sets wins over their rivals to reach the Round of 16 at the ongoing Rolex Shanghai Masters. Djokovic beat Flavio Cobolli 6-1 6-2 and will face Roman Safiullin next. Fritz moved past Yosuke Watanuki 6-3 6-4 and will now take on 12th seed Holger Rune. Dimitrov won over Alexei Popyrin 7-6 6-2 and faces Jakub Menšík next.

• Mouthwatering clashes. Top seed Jannik Sinner will take on 16th seed Ben Shelton, who beat Roberto Baena 6-3 6-4. Third seed Carlos Alcaraz, who recently beat Sinner to lift the 2024 China Open trophy, faces Gael Monfils, who sent 16th seed Ugo Humbert packing 7-6 2-6 6-1. Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev will play 10th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who dispatched Alexandre Müller 6-3 7-5.

Photo Credit: © Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

• Not looking for immediate gains The project that 2024 China Open winner Coco Gauff undertook with her coaches Jean-Christophe Faurel and Matt Daly, isn’t designed for immediate gains. Her focus is on the future. “I’m still in the developmental phase of my career and nothing is going to be great. Most of the people doing well are 25 and older in the Top 10. We have a long way to go. I still have a lot that I need to work on. But I’m proud of myself thus far. I didn’t have a complete game at 15 and don’t have one right now. But I’ve been playing on the tour almost every week, trying to be better,” said Gauff, 20.

• From Beijing to Wuhan. The American player will take to the court at the 2024 Wuhan Open on October 9. The fourth seed will take on Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova in a Round of 64 match.

• Winning streak. When Carlos Alcaraz beat Wu Yibing in the third round of the ongoing Rolex Shanghai Masters 7-6 (5) 6-3, he extended his fall winning streak to 11 straight matches. It was also his 50th win of the year. He’s now won 50 or more matches in each of the last three years, having won 57 in 2022 and 65 in 2023. Iga Swiatek is the only woman who has won 50 or more matches in each of the last three years.. She won 67 in 2022, 68 in 2023 and is at 59 so far in 2024.

• More milestones. Alcaraz’s win over Wu was also the 100th hard-court win of his career. He’s the third man born in the 2000s to reach that milestone, and the first man born in 2002 or later to do it. Having led Team Europe to Laver Cup glory, followed by lifting the China Open trophy, Alcaraz will take to the court for his pre-quarterfinal clash shortly.

• Will she play again this season? Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the upcoming Japan Open due to a back injury and one wonders whether she will play again this season. At the just concluded China Open, the injury had forced her to retire from her last 16 clash against Coco Gauff, who went on to win the tournament.

• Making light of the situation “Due to injury, Naomi Osaka has decided to withdraw from the tournament,” read a Japan Tennis Association statement. Earlier, Osaka took to social media to explain her injury, “So, I locked my back up during practice and honestly wasn’t sure if I could even play, but I just wanted to try. Unfortunately, things just got progressively worse…” She also posted a photo of herself wearing a hospital gown after her China Open withdrawal, “How the day started - how it ended lol.” The China Open was Osaka’s first tournament with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

Photo Credit: © Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

• A Gauff comeback Fourth seed Coco Gauff had her work cut out for her in the quarterfinals of the 2024 China Open at Beijing’s National Tennis Center. After dropping the first set to unseeded Yulia Starodubtseva 2-6, Gauff won the remaining two sets 6-2 6-2 and the match to make it to the semifinals. It was Gauff’s 45th win of the 2024 season.

• Badosa ends Shuai’s run. 15th seed Paula Badosa ended veteran Chinese player Zhang Shuai’s run with a straight sets 6-1 7-6(4) win to book her place in the last four. Having lost 24 matches in a row before the China Open, Zhang had earlier said that she’s capturing magic at her favourite place just like Rafael Nadal does at his, i.e., the French Open. In the remaining two quarterfinals, top seed Aryna Sabalenka will take on unseeded Karolína Muchová, while fifth seed Zheng Qinwen will play against 17th seed Mirra Andreeva.

Photo Credit: © Mike Frey-Imagn Images

• Eyeing the $10 million The 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters has already kicked off, with top players like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic scheduled to take to the court shortly. It’s the first time Djokovic is playing in an event in China since 2019. Hubert Hurkacz, the defending champion and world No. 8, recently withdrew from the event. The players are all vying for more than $10 million in prize money.

• Favourites include Sinner, Alcaraz and maybe Djokovic. With two Grand Slam titles each this season, Sinner and Alcaraz seem like the top picks for the title. And, one knows how dangerous Djokovic can be. The Shanghai seedings, meanwhile, don’t quite reflect the live ATP race. World No. 1 Sinner is rightfully the top seed, but world No. 2 Alcaraz is seeded third. Sinner and Alcaraz are in the top half together. World No. 3 Zverev is seeded second. He and fourth seed Djokovic are in the bottom half.

• Game recognizes game. Carlos Alcaraz thinks highly of his rival Jannik Sinner. After a hard-fought three sets win over Sinner in the 2024 China Open final, Alcaraz said,

He could [have won] in two sets, I could have won in two, he could have won in three. It was a close match. Jannik, once again, showed that he’s the best player in the world, at least for me. The level at which he’s playing is unbelievable. Physically, mentally, he’s a beast. I played great tennis during the week. I felt great on court. I felt great off the court as well with my team. I couldn’t have asked for a better week.

• Proud and happy. After clinching his fourth tour-level trophy of 2024, the Spaniard took to his social media. “A very special trophy to end the week after a huge battle with @janniksin! Very proud and happy!” Alcaraz has won all three of his encounters with Sinner this season (Indian Wells, Roland Garros and now Beijing).

Photo Credit: © Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

• Looking for his 100th title. Out of Novak Djokovic’s 99 career titles so far, 11 have come on Chinese soil. It all started with his 2008 Masters Cup (today known as the Nitto ATP Finals) win in Shanghai. So, what’s the secret behind his success, which includes an undefeated reign over six trips to Beijing? Dumplings said Djokovic, during his pre-tournament press conference at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. He will be competing in China for the first time in five years.

I love dumplings and Chinese language. I think that helps

• From China, with love. The country clearly seems to hold a special place in Djokovic’s heart. Ever since he landed in China a few days ago, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal winner has taken to social media to document his trip. “Glad to be back in beautiful China,” one of his posts read.

• Battle between two Frenchmen. Arthur Fils won’t forget his run at the 2024 Japan Open anytime soon. The unseeded Frenchman, who earlier dispatched top seed Taylor Fritz followed by defending champion Ben Shelton, beat his compatriot Ugo Humbert 5-7 7-6 6-3 to claim the title. What’s remarkable about the win is that Fils was down a championship point earlier in the match.

• A bright young star. Fils is one of the brightest young stars in the world of tennis. Currently placed first in the ATP Live Race to Jeddah, Fils is still learning new things about tour life. Earlier, ATPTour.com caught up with him to learn about what he enjoys about travelling, his favourite places to visit, and more.

• British pair comes out on top. In the men’s doubles final, the British pair of Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash beat Ariel Behar of Uruguay and American Robert Galloway 6-4 4-6 12-10.

Photo Credit: © Mike Frey-Imagn Images

• Clash of the top two seeds. World No. 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner beat unseeded Bu Yunchaokete of China 6-3 7-6 to advance to the finals of the 2024 China Open. Sinner will meet second seed Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz for the title. Earlier, Alcaraz beat third seed Russian Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-3.

• Alcaraz stays focused. Alcaraz is fresh off leading Team Europe to the 2024 Laver Cup trophy, but hasn’t lost his focus. In his post-match interview, he talked about how staying focused helped him beat Medvedev.

I think we both started the match pretty well… I’m happy that I didn’t lose focus in the first set. I recovered as soon as I got broken… Once you’re one set up, it’s a little bit easier to play against Daniil

• Seventh ATP Tour final for Humbert. Unseeded Ugo Humbert has reached the finals of the 2024 Japan Open at Tokyo’s Ariake Coliseum. The Frenchman beat Czech player Tomáš Macháč 6-3 3-6 6-2 to reach his seventh ATP Tour final.

• Feels good, but it wasn’t easy. After winning the match, Humbert said, “It feels good. It was not my best match this week, but I still have the win so I’m very proud of that. It was not easy. I had difficulties in the second set, but in the end, I found the solution and stayed calm. I’m into my seventh ATP Tour final, so I’m very happy.”

• Fils’ hot streak continues. Arthur Fils is having a tournament for the ages. After knocking out top seed Taylor Fritz in the first round and defending champion Ben Shelton in the quarters, Fils beat sixth seed Holger Rune 7-6 7-6. And he’s not done yet—he’s set to face Humbert in the final.

• Alcaraz wins, rises to world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz beat Karen Abgarovich Khachanov 7-5, 6-2 to advance to the semifinals of the 2024 China Open being played at Beijing’s National Tennis Center. “I always try to be aggressive and hit strong shots… I’m hitting the ball really well. I’m moving well. I’m not letting my opponents show their best tennis. It’s like the match is in my style. That’s what I like and want in every match,” said Alcaraz, who will now overtake Alexander Zverev as world No. 2.

• Medvedev’s bid for maiden 2024 title continues. In the semifinals, Alcaraz will take on Daniil Medvedev, who’s looking to win his first title of 2024. The third seed easily dispatched Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-4 in the quarterfinal. World No. 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner takes on Jiří Lehečka and fourth seed Andrey Rublev will play Yunchaokete Bu in the remaining two quarterfinals shortly.

• Shaky start for Sinner. Defending champion Jannik Sinner lost the first set to big-hitting Nicolas Jarry before winning the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. After the match, Sinner said, “In the first set, I was struggling to return his serve and he broke me. I just tried to stay there mentally.” Next up for Sinner is Roman Safiullin in the round of 16.

• Alcaraz cruises through, but not without some drama. After leading Team Europe to a Laver Cup victory last week, Alcaraz won his first-round match at the China Open, defeating Giovanni Perricard 6-4, 6-4. Earlier, Alcaraz vented his frustration at the umpire after receiving two time violations in the first set. “This is not tennis. I’m always very quick, I never get warnings. You gave me two in one set. It’s impossible to play tennis like this.” He will now take on Tallon Griekspoor in the round of 16.

• The upsets continue. After top seed Taylor Fritz was sent packing in the opening round, the second seed was also shown the door in the second round. Hubert Hurkacz lost to Jack Draper in straight sets 4-6 4-6.

• A relatively easy win for Shelton. After being taken to three sets in his opening round match, eighth seed Ben Shelton advanced to the quarterfinals with a comfortable 6-4, 6-3 victory over Mariano Navone. Shelton, the defending champion, will now take on Arthur Fils on September 29.

• Ruud’s woes continue. Meanwhile, Casper Ruud hasn’t had the best season. In his latest outing, the third seed fell to Jordan Thompson in straight sets, 6-7, 1-6, in the first round. World No. 9 Ruud, who was part of the winning Team Europe in last week’s Laver Cup, now has his work cut out for him, as only the top eight players will qualify for the ATP Finals in Italy in November.

• Setting an example for other players. Stefanos Tsitsipas is a fan of Carlos Alcaraz, especially after the latter’s performance in the 2024 Laver Cup last week. Both Alcaraz and Tsitsipas were part of Team Europe that beat Team World to lift the Laver Cup trophy. Speaking to the ATP, the 26-year-old Greek No. 1 said “To get to see him play live… It’s so different from watching him on TV or any other type of competition… He is currently one of the best players in the world, has won two Grand Slam titles this year… I really want to follow in his footsteps.”

• From Laver Cup highs to Japan Open lows. Fourth seed Tsitsipas just took to the court in the first round of the 2024 Japan Open at Tokyo’s indoor Ariake Coliseum. After winning the first set against American Alex T. Michelsen, Tsitsipas lost the remaining two sets and the match – 4-6 6-1 6-2 – in a shocking turn of events.

Photo Credit: © Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

• Sinner isn’t having any of it. Many top players, including Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev of Germany, have voiced their concerns about the packed ATP Tour calendar. But world No. 1, Jannik Sinner of Italy, isn’t on the same page as other players. The tennis season includes 12 mandatory events: the four Grand Slams and eight Masters 1000 tournaments. “The schedule is quite long, obviously. But we players can still choose what to play and what not to play. If you want to play, then play. If not, don’t play,” Sinner, 23, said.

• Top seed at the China Open. After cementing his world No. 1 status by winning the US Open, Sinner is the top seed at the China Open. The tournament gets underway at the National Tennis Center in Beijing on September 26. Sinner takes on Chilean player Nicolás Jarry Fillol in the first round.

• Great to be back. If his social media is anything to go by, then Sinner, who won the 2023 China Open, is looking forward to the event.

Photo Credit: © Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

• The year-end climax to the ATP Tour season. Carlos Alcaraz has become the third player, after Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev of Germany, to qualify for the ATP Finals to be held in Turin’s Inalpi Arena from November 10-17. Only five singles spots now remain at the prestigious season finale. The 21-year-old Spaniard made it to the ATP Finals last year as well. In 2022, however, he didn’t compete due to injury.

• Good acting skills. Alcaraz is coming fresh off Laver Cup triumph, where he helped Team Europe lift the trophy. The four-time Grand Slam champion joked that the key to his Laver Cup performance wasn’t his forehand, backhand or even serves, but his acting skills. “I’m pretty good actor. I mean, I was nervous, I’m not going to lie. But I tried not to show it. I tried to be calm and hit (the ball) well.”

Photo Credit: © Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

• Back with a bang Marin Cilic made a triumphant return to the ATP tour by beating Zhang Zhizhen of China in straight sets - 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) - to claim the Hangzhou Open title. It was the 777th ranked Croatian player’s first ATP title since 2021. What’s more, Cilic also became the lowest-ranked player in ATP history to win a tournament.

• Overcoming the obstacles. It’s been a difficult few years for Cilic, who’s won 21 tournaments in his career, including the 2014 US Open and the Hangzhou Open. Age, injuries, among other things, saw the soon-to-be 36-year-old’s ranking plummet. After winning the Hangzhou Open crown, Cilic said, “I hope I made it worthwhile, during the whole week. I’m so happy and proud. This victory is not only for me, but for [my team] as well.”

• Climbing up the rankings. Cilic will now be ranked world no. 212 after winning his 16th career hard-court title. This one feels extra special, he posted on Instagram.

• Nadal and Alcaraz will lead a strong Spanish team. Former world no. 1 Rafael Nadal has been included in Spain’s Davis Cup squad, alongside Carlos Alcaraz, for the quarterfinals in Malaga, starting November 19. The team will be captained by David Ferrer. Nadal, 38, has not competed since the Paris Olympics, where he played doubles with 21-year-old Alcaraz. In the quarterfinals, Italy will face Argentina, the US will play Australia, Germany will take on Canada and the Netherlands will battle Spain.

• Sinner named in Italian team. World no. 1 Jannik Sinner will lead the top seeded Italian team. Sinner helped Italy win the 2023 Davis Cup trophy, the country’s first one since 1976. He will be looking to repeat the feat this year as well. Filippo Volandri will be captaining the Italian squad.

Photo Credit: © Amber Searls-Imagn Images

• The Federer-Alcaraz comparison begins. Remember Roger Federer’s all-conquering 2005 season? Well, Carlos Alcaraz’s Laver Cup opponents – Team World – think he’s been playing like Roger in 2005. They nicknamed him ‘Fed 05’ after he led Team Europe to a 13-11 win at Berlin’s Uber Arena over the weekend.

• No chance, says Alcaraz. Alcaraz, 21, humbly rejected his new nickname. “I’m too far away from that level, he said. “Hopefully, one day, but it’s going to be impossible. So, they have to change my name because ‘Fed 05’ is going to be forever him.”

• Federer’s dominance in 2005. In 2005, Federer had a season for the ages. He won the Wimbledon and US Open titles and reached the semi-finals of the other two Grand Slams – the Australian and French Open. His incredible 95.2% win rate that year remains one of the highest ever recorded by a player in a single season, bettered only by John McEnroe’s 96.4% win rate in 1984.

• Complicated history. All is well between Daniil Medvedev of Russia and Germany’s Alexander Zverev, at least for the time being. The two players haven’t seen eye to eye with each other in the past. Remember the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters tournament where Zverev was unhappy with Medvedev’s behaviour during their three-set thriller? And then Medvedev dryly retorted to the press, “He should look in the mirror!”

• From rivals to teammates. Well, the two players just played at the 2024 Laver Cup as teammates. They were part of Team Europe that came out on top eventually. When asked about his arguments with Zverev, Medvedev commented, “I don’t find it difficult to support others. In the past, we played a few matches, there were arguments and someone said something about it in press conferences. And, that’s fine. But a month later, it’s forgotten.”

• Bidding farewell. The just-concluded 2024 Laver Cup marked the last time John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg took to the court as Team World and Europe captains respectively. Borg came out on top in the nail-biting seventh edition of the annual event at Berlin’s Uber Arena, thanks to a scintillating display by Carlos Alcaraz of Spain on the final day. McEnroe and Borg had led their respective teams ever since 2017, the inaugural edition of the prestigious event, up until now. Borg led Team Europe to victory an impressive five times.

• All eyes on the future now. It looks like tennis, the Laver Cup in particular, is entering a new era. In 2025, two more legends of the sport – American Andre Agassi and Yannick Noah of France – will take charge of the two Laver Cup teams. Agassi takes over from McEnroe as Team World captain. Noah, on the other hand, will succeed Borg as the captain of Team Europe.

• Some ideas may surprise you. If you thought that the American icon Billie Jean King was done with tennis, well, you’re wrong. The former world no. 1 and 12-time Grand Slam champion still has quite a few ideas up her sleeve, as is evident from this video she posted on her social media. “People ask me all the time about the future of the game we all love, and what, if anything, I would change about it if I could. So, here are my thoughts. Some of these may surprise you,” she said.

• Online chatter. King’s ideas have resulted in a lot of chatter online. People are chiming in with their own takes on what, if anything, they’d change about tennis. Meanwhile, former world no. 1 Andy Roddick told Tennis Channel Live that he was particularly not ‘a fan’ of shortening matches to best-of-three. Paul Annacone and Mark Knowles liked the idea of innovating apparel, but also cited the complexity of a player’s clothing contract, as a hindrance.

• The importance of Laver Cup. German legend-turned-commentator and expert Boris Becker has fond memories of playing in the Davis Cup. In an interview with Tennis Channel DE during the 2024 Laver Cup, Becker said, “I’m a big fan of team competitions. I liked playing in the Davis Cup. I’ve always watched the Laver Cup. This is my first time here (in Berlin) in person. And, I feel very proud to have been invited to the German capital.”

• Tennis boom. The former world no. 1 and six-time Grand Slam champion also touched upon the growth the sport is experiencing lately. “We are currently experiencing a tennis boom internationally and in Germany, too, many people are watching more tennis than before. So, it’s important to have tournaments like the Laver Cup, where the best in the world play,” he said.

• Surrounded by greatness. While enjoying the Laver Cup, Becker took to his social media to post a photo of himself with the ‘greats’ – Bjorn Borg, Yannick Noah, Roger Federer, John McEnroe and Andre Agassi.

• Team Europe’s thrilling 13-11 comeback win. All eyes were on Team Europe’s Carlos Alcaraz and Team World’s Taylor Fritz as the duo took to the court at Berlin’s Uber Arene for the winner-takes-all match at the 2024 Laver Cup. And, it was the Spaniard who came out on top in 90 minutes in straight sets – 6-2, 7-5 – to help Team Europe claim a thrilling 13-11 comeback win against Team World.

• Fifth Laver Cup crown for Team Europe. It was the seventh edition of the prestigious annual team event, and Alcaraz ensured that the great Bjorn Borg ended his seven-year stint as Team Europe captain with his fifth Laver Cup win.

• A proud Team Europe captain. During the trophy presentation ceremony, Borg said, “First of all, I’m very proud of my team. What we did today. If you look at this morning, I thought we were not going to have a really good chance, but we came through. Thank you guys, we had a good week. Thank you very much for what you did.”

• Hoping for a memorable second encounter. Carlos Alcaraz first met Roger Federer when he was a junior player at Wimbledon. The meeting didn’t go as planned. Alcaraz attributes it to his nerves and the fact he didn’t speak much English. Fast forward to the 2024 Laver Cup, where Alcaraz is a part of Team Europe and Federer is around to support the event. Alcaraz is now looking to spend more time with the Swiss legend and talk about other things.

• Will do whatever it takes to lift the Laver Cup. Making his Laver Cup debut in Berlin shortly, Alcaraz has his eyes firmly on the prize. “I’m really excited to be part of this event… I’m going to do whatever it takes or whatever I have in my hand to help Team Europe to bring back the trophy and let’s see - it’s going to be a tough one, I think we have a good team,” Alcaraz said.

• Get ready for action. The Laver Cup kicks off on Friday, September 20. For updates, check the official website.

Photo Credit: © Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

• After 14 months of incredible team effort, it’s over. Brad Gilbert will no longer be coaching Coco Gauff. Gilbert, who’s coached top players like Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray in the past, made the announcement on his social media.

• Looking ahead. Gilbert, the 63-year-old former player-turned-coach, posted, “Thanks to Coco Gauff and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort. Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead.”

• The writing was on the wall. The split didn’t come as a surprise to many. Gauff has had a tough 2024 season after winning the 2023 US Open women’s singles title. She responded to Gilbert’s post by simply thanking him.

• A rare interview, indeed. Bjorn Borg was just 26 when he announced his retirement from the world of tennis. The former world No. 1 won 11 Grand Slam titles – six at the French Open and five consecutive at Wimbledon. But what if he hadn’t walked away from the sport at such a young age? He could have easily won more Grand Slams. In a recent interview with the New York Times, the 68-year-old Swedish legend talked about his multiple attempts to get back into the tennis world, his son Leo, who’s an upcoming player, his rivalry with John McEnroe, stepping away from Laver Cup duties and more.

• McEnroe is stepping away from the Laver Cup too. Both Borg and McEnroe are stepping away from their Laver Cup roles. Yannick Noah and Andre Agassi will take over from Borg and McEnroe as Team Europe and Team World captains respectively. If you want to know more about the Laver Cup, visit this website.

• The legend that is Billie Jean King. Not that she needed another award to cement her legendary status in the world of tennis and beyond. Billie Jean King, 80, will soon be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Up until now, no individual female athlete had been honoured with the US civilian award.

• Cementing her legacy. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania said, in a press release, “With this bill getting signed into law, we are cementing Billie Jean’s legacy as both a champion of tennis and equality, whose impact will continue to inspire and empower future generations.”

• Humbled and honoured. In her response, King simply said, “Thank you. I am deeply humbled and honoured.” In 2009, then US President Barack Obama awarded King the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work advocating for the rights of women as well as the LGBTQ+ community. She was the first female athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

• ATP Finals? Not on Djokovic’s radar. After winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, many thought that Novak Djokovic would easily triumph at the US Open as well as the end-of-season ATP Finals. After all, the former world No. 1 from Serbia won both the events in 2023. Well, his US Open defense ended in a third-round defeat at the hands of Aussie Alexei Popyrin. And now it seems that the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, in November, isn’t his priority. He wants to, instead, focus on Grand Slams and playing for Serbia.

• Back with a bang after US Open loss. Playing in his first match since the US Open, Djokovic, 37, annihilated world No. 770, Ioannis Xilas of Greece, in a mere 38 minutes in a Davis Cup match. He won 6-0, 6-1, dropping only 15 points during the match.

• Focus on fitness. World number one Jannik Sinner has hired two former members of Novak Djokovic’s team – trainer Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio. Fresh off his US Open win, the 23-year-old Italian took to social media to introduce Panichi and Badio to his followers.

• The timing. Sinner’s move comes ahead of WADA’s decision to possibly appeal his doping violation exoneration. Sinner had tested positive for the anabolic steroid clostebol twice in March, as per the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). An independent tribunal later found that it had entered his system unintentionally through “no fault or negligence”.

• Meanwhile, Djokovic’s wife enters the picture. In a tongue-in-cheek response to a social media post, Jelena Djokovic has said that she will not give in. Her remark about staying with Djokovic comes as several of his team members are leaving for greener pastures.

• The annual team event is back. Twelve players – six from Europe and six from the rest of the world – are set to compete in Laver Cup 2024. The seventh edition of the event will take place in Berlin’s Uber Arena from September 20-22.

• It’s Borg versus McEnroe again. Led by Bjorn Borg, with Thomas Enqvist serving as the vice-captain, Team Europe includes Carlos Alcaraz, Grigor Dimitrov, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev. John McEnroe is the captain of defending champions Team World, with his brother Patrick McEnroe serving as the vice-captain. The team includes Francisco Cerundolo, Taylor Fritz, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Ben Shelton, Alejandro Tabilo and Frances Tiafoe.

• Expect an electric atmosphere in Berlin. There’s always quite a bit of excitement surrounding the three-day event. Here’s what the players from the two sides have to say in the lead up to the event.

• Heartbreak for Ons Jabeur. A nagging shoulder injury has brought an end to Ons Jabeur’s 2024 season. The 30-year-old Tunisian player took to social media to break the news to her followers. She will now be dedicating herself to charity work for the rest of the year. The three-time Grand Slam finalist signed off the post by saying, “I will see you back on the court in Australia 2025.”

• A tough year. Alongside her shoulder woes, Jabeur has also been grappling with a recurring right knee issue. For Jabeur, 2024 has been a year of early exits and injuries. She was beaten in the second round of the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam tournament, but managed to reach the French Open and Madrid quarterfinals. In July, she dropped out of the WTA’s top 10. She had been a part of the top 10 for all but one week since October 18, 2021.

• Yet another milestone for the young Polish star. Having spent 121 weeks at the top of the WTA rankings, Iga Swiatek, 23, is now tied with retired Aussie player Ashleigh Barty. Both players occupy the seventh spot in the list of most career weeks as WTA No. 1 (since 1975). At 377 weeks, Steffi Graf tops the list followed by Martina Navratilova (332), Serena Williams (319), Chris Evert (260), Martina Hingis (209) and Monica Seles (178).

• On the downside, fatigue hits. Although there is much to celebrate for Swiatek at the moment, the demanding WTA schedule seems to have taken a toll on her. She has been forced to skip the prestigious ‘World Cup of Tennis’ for the third straight year. Swiatek also opted out of the ongoing Korea Open at Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center due to fatigue.

• Lansdorp bids adieu. Robert Lansdorp, widely regarded by many in the world of tennis as an expert on ground strokes, has passed away. He was 85. The news of Lansdorp’s death was reported by Tennis Channel’s Jon Wertheim on his social media account.
• Coach to the best. Lansdorp coached four players, including Pete Sampras, Maria Sharapova, Tracey Austin and Lindsay Davenport, to the top of the world rankings. “Robert taught me to hit properly,” said Sampras, while Austin added, “Robert was a big part of my success. You know he’s going to make you tougher, to make you stronger, to make you mentally tough.”
• A master of groundstrokes. Lansdorp advocated for a consistently powerful and flat hitting technique, commonly referred to as the ‘Lansdorp Forehand’. Also, for years, Lansdorp criticized the spin-heavy approach taught at tennis academies, dismissing it as what he called the ‘Academy ball’.

• Taylor Fritz wins a thriller in New York. In a five-set marathon that lasted three hours and 18 minutes, Fritz defeated fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the US Open semifinal on Friday. With this victory, Fritz reached his first-ever major final.

• A milestone for American tennis. Taylor Fritz is the first American man in 15 years to reach a Grand Slam singles final. And the last time an American won a men’s singles major? That was Andy Roddick, way back in 2003.

• The stage is set for an electric US Open final: Sinner vs. Fritz. Sinner defeated Jack Draper in three sets in the other semifinal to set up a Sinner vs. Fritz US Open final clash on Sunday. Their head-to-head is 1-1, with both of their previous matches coming at Indian Wells.

• German Eagle: True to his country’s national animal, the eagle, Alexander Zverev is flying high this season. He crushed Khachanov in the Cincinnati Open 6-3, 6-2 to become the first men’s player to reach 50 wins.

• Efficient? Perhaps not: The sheer number of wins Zverev has amassed is no joke - but the number of losses keep piling up. When compared to the top 5 players, Zverev sits bottom of the list losing out to the likes of Sinner, Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Ruud. Sinner, for example, has won nearly every game he has played, with a win-loss record of 44-5.

• Practice Makes Perfect: By playing the most of his peers, Zverev hopes to collect as many titles, wins, and confidence as he can. With each win - he gets closer to his dream of winning a grand slam. 2024 may be the year of the eagle.

• Heartbreak for Naomi in Cincinnati. Naomi Osaka suffered a shock defeat to Ashlyn Krueger in the final round of qualifying at Cincinnati. The 6-3 2-6 6-3 loss means Naomi won’t be featuring in the Cincinnati Open main draw this year.

• Naomi is ‘scared’, but not because of the loss. In an emotional post on Instagram, Naomi said after the match that she isn’t worried about the loss, but about the fact that she doesn’t feel like she’s in her own body. ‘The racquet should feel like an extension of my hand… this should be as simple as breathing but it’s not”, she said.

• Can she pull off a comeback in New York? Osaka is set to compete at the US Open, where she will either need a wild card to enter the main draw, or face the challenge of playing the qualifiers again. She has won two titles there, the last of which was the 2020 ‘Covid Open’ victory in an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium. Can she do it again? We’re certainly rooting for her to bounce back strong.

• Popyrin makes history in Montreal. Popyrin defeated world #6 Andrew Rublev in straight sets in the final in Montreal to win his first ever Masters 1000 title. With this title, Pupryin became the first Aussie to win a Masters 1000 event in 21 years, since the famous back-to-back wins for Lleyton Hewitt in Indian Wells in 2002-2003.

• It was a title run for the ages. Popyrin saved three match points to upset Dimitrov in the third round 4-6 7-6 (5) 6-3. In the quarterfinals, Popyrin was down 3-6 1-3 against Hurkacz, but managed to stage a remarkable comeback to win in three sets.

• Alexei was elated after the match. Understandably so. “The best match that I’ve played in my life”, he said, and we can’t help but agree. Defeating five top-20 players in the same tournament is no small feat.

• Rafa says no to New York. Rafael Nadal posted on X this week that he will not be participating in this year’s US Open. The reason? He doesn’t think he will be able to “give his 100% this time”.

• All eyes on Berlin instead. Rafa’s remaining schedule remains unchanged. In his post, he said that his next event will be in September, at the Laver Cup in Berlin.

• Rafa has a rich legacy at the US Open. He has won 4 titles there, the last of which came in 2019, when he defeated Medvedev in a a remarkable five-set epic that lasted nearly five hours.

• Speculations are rife that the end may be near. Rafa has stated previously that 2024 could be his last year on tour. With this latest withdrawal, social media noise about Rafa’s impending retirement continues to grow louder.

• There’s a storm brewing in Paris. Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz defeated Dutchmen Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof in a nailbiter to storm through to the quarterfinals of the Olympics doubles. Nadal and Alcaraz took the first set 6-4, and after losing the second set in a tense tiebreak, they dominated the deciding super tie break 10-2.

• Nadalcaraz keeps rolling. After a hard-fought first round match against Argentina’s Gonzalez and Molteni, Nadal and Alcaraz, dubbed ‘Nadalcaraz’ on social media, played with more synergy, with both players showing proof of their firepower at different stages of the match. “We knew that this match was going to be better than the first one,” Alcaraz said, also noting that he’s becoming a better doubles player with every match.

• Rafa and Carlos are bonding off the court. When they teamed up, nobody quite knew what to expect. The pair has surprised many with their dominating performance, which has been helped, in part, by the fact that both players are getting along off the court too. “I think we have a positive relationship outside of the court that helps inside”, Nadal said. A video surfaced on social media, of them playing Rafa’s favourite game “Parchis” before their match.

• There’s a whole lot at stake. Nadal and Alcaraz are the first Spanish duo to reach the Olympic doubles quarterfinals since Nadal and Marc López’s golden triumph in Rio 2016. This is Nadal’s last Olympics, and he’s hinted that 2024 might be his last year. After a straight-sets singles loss to Djokovic, Nadal is more determined than ever to clinch a gold in doubles, his final chance at Olympic glory.

• A wild showdown in Paris. The schedule for the Olympics is out. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are in the same half of the draw, and could face each other as early as in the 2nd round. With both stalwarts in the twilight of their careers, this could very well be the last time they face each other—their last dance.

• Rafa and Novak are on their last legs. Nadal has been grappling with injuries for nearly two years now, and has hinted that this season might be his last. Djokovic isn’t in top form either. Still reeling from a knee injury that forced him to withdraw at the French Open, he was defeated by Alcaraz in an unusually lopsided Wimbledon final, with some calling it one of the “worst drubbings of his career”.

• A rivalry for the ages. The longest rivalry in tennis history, Nadal and Djokovic have played each other 59 times, and their head-to-head is as close as it can get (30-29 to Djokovic). For the last 2 decades, the big three—Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic—have dominated tennis, collectively winning 66 grand slams.

• Expect fireworks on court. At least, that’s what Djokovic says. We’ll take his word for it. When asked about the potential match-up, Djokovic relished the idea of playing his old rival on the biggest stage in world sports, the Olympics. “It’s going to be a spectacle”, he said. It sure is, and we’ll be watching.

• Here’s how social media reacted to the news:

• Sluggish serb: Djokovic, returning from a knee injury that halted his French Open run, is still regaining his movement, speed and agility. “I felt late on the balls that I’m normally not late on. That’s the part which I guess comes with matches.”

• Bouncing back Even with his movement still a bit hindered, Djokovic is confident he won’t reinjure himself. His goal? To find his rhythm and improve as the tournament progresses. “Can I be playing better and moving better? Absolutely. I hope as the tournament progresses I’ll be feeling much better.”

• Last round recap: In the second round at Wimbledon, Djokovic faced a tough challenge from Jacob Fearnley, who is ranked outside the top 500. Fearnley gave Djokovic a run for his money, nearly pushing the match to a fifth set, but Djokovic clinched the win in four: 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5.

• There’s a whole lot at stake: With seven Wimbledon titles already under his belt, Djokovic hopes to make history by equaling Roger Federer’s record of eight titles at the All England Club. This tournament isn’t just about recovery for him; it’s about legacy.

Alexander Zverev has expressed confidence in his chances at this year’s Wimbledon, and believes that this could be his year to break through at the All England Club.

“It’s the first time I really feel like I’m here to be a competitor, to maybe win the title,” Zverev said in his pre-tournament press conference.

The 27-year-old also said that this year’s Wimbledon is perhaps “the most open Wimbledon in 20 years.” His opinion holds weight, considering that the Big Four - Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray - have won 19 of the 20 Wimbledon championships since 2003. The one year someone else won? Last year, when Alcaraz beat Djokovic in a mammoth five-set final that lasted 4 hours and 42 minutes, the third longest in Wimbledon history.

This year, the field seems more open than ever. Nadal has chosen to skip Wimbledon and instead use this time to prepare for the Olympics. There are doubts about Djokovic too, who is returning from a knee injury that had forced him to withdraw from the French Open at the quarter-final stage.

The odd-makers have Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic as the three favorites, with Zverev a distant fourth. It will be interesting to see if Zverev can make a deep run at Wimbledon, a tournament that has historically been his weakest.