In a surprising turn of events, Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz was handed a stunning defeat by Casper Ruud at the ATP Finals in Turin. The Norwegian player dominated the match, securing a 6-1 7-5 victory over the world No 3 in just 86 minutes. Alcaraz's lackluster performance only added to Ruud's impressive victory, which has shaken up the John Newcombe Group at the season-ending tournament.
In an attempt to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table, Manchester City will travel to St James' Park to take on Newcastle United. While Newcastle have had a decent start to the season with 10 points from their first four matches, their recent defeat to Fulham has highlighted the need for improvement. The Magpies were set to face AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup, but the game was postponed due to flooding, giving them extra rest before their challenging match against Manchester City. Newcastle have only beaten Manchester City once in their last 33 meetings, but will be hoping to cause an upset and close the gap at the top.
In a stunning upset, Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp defeats World No. #3 Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets at the US Open 2024. This was a major break in Alcaraz's 15-match Grand Slam win streak this year and eliminated the pre-tournament favorite and 2022 champion. Zandschulp, ranked World No. #74, becomes the first Dutchman to defeat a Top #3 player since 1996, preventing Alcaraz from potentially joining Rod Laver and Rafael Nadal in winning the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in the same season.
Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz's dream of winning the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in the same season came to a crushing end as he was defeated in the second round of the US Open by Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp, ranked 74th in the world. The 18-year-old, who was heavily favored to win the match, struggled to find his rhythm and was unable to mount a comeback against his opponent, who played an impressive game and secured a straight sets victory. This loss marked Alcaraz's earliest exit at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon.
Chinese tennis player Zhizhen Zhang, also known as Triple-Z, is gaining recognition in the sport with his recent accomplishments such as being the first Chinese man to play at Wimbledon in 2021 and winning an Olympic silver medal in the mixed doubles event. His unique and difficult-to-pronounce name has now been popularly shortened to Triple-Z, making it easier for non-Chinese speakers. With his impressive height and good looks, Triple-Z is not only a threat on the court but also a rising star in his home country.
Czech tennis player Marketa Vondrousova and British player Cameron Norrie have both withdrawn from the US Open as they continue to recover from injuries. Vondrousova, who withdrew from the Paris Olympics due to a hand injury, is focused on being ready for the Grand Slam in New York. Norrie, who reached the fourth round of the US Open in 2022, pulled out of the Olympics with a forearm injury and is taking time to rest and recharge before returning to competition.
Hollywood superstar Zendaya, along with co-stars Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor, took their dedication to their craft to a whole new level as they prepared for their roles as elite tennis players in "Challengers." With the help of renowned tennis coach Brad Gilbert, the trio spent months training like professional athletes, honing their skills and transforming their bodies. This intense preparation paid off as they delivered stunning performances in the steamy sports drama directed by Luca Guadagnino.
Tennis fans can look forward to seeing Aryna Sabalenka as the WTA World No. 2 once again, as she is set to overtake Coco Gauff in the rankings on Monday. Sabalenka has had a tough year, with sickness and shoulder pain causing her to miss out on playing at Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics. Gauff's defeat in the early rounds of the Cincinnati and Canadian Opens has also played a role in Sabalenka's ranking rise. Interestingly, Sabalenka and fellow top seed Iga Swiatek spent an impressive 71 weeks as the top two players in the WTA rankings, the most of any pair in the 21st century.
Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal shares an emotional video message for Great Britain's tennis legend Andy Murray at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The two rivals have shared many great moments on and off the court during their 19-year-long professional careers. Nadal bids farewell to Murray and congratulates him on his achievements while wishing him luck for his future endeavors.
Former world number one tennis player Boris Becker has recently clarified that he never passed any comments about Novak Djokovic accepting Carlos Alcaraz’s superiority after the recently concluded Wimbledon 2024 final. Becker made this clarification after Roger Federer’s former coach Ivan Ljubicic claimed that the German had told him in private about the same. After facing immense criticism, Becker ultimately had to prove his innocence on social media, much to the relief of his fans.