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☆ Why Wimbledon is the Grand Slam title that every player craves
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +15 min

After she’d won her fourth Grand Slam title and her third French Open, while still just 22 years old. GO DEEPER The trick to winning on Wimbledon grass? Gilbert had never watched one of his players win Wimbledon from the coaches’ box. Barty won Wimbledon in 2021 for the first and only time, then won the Australian Open the following January. “Every year it’s easier for me to adapt to grass,” Swiatek said.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, she’d, Swiatek, Iga, Zac Goodwin, “, ” Swiatek, ”, —, Joe Toth, Grass, Serena Williams, Julian Finney, haven’t, Greg Norman, Casper Ruud, Ivan Lendl, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Carlos Alcaraz, Roland Garros, Brad Gilbert, Coco Gauff, Zendaya, Gilbert, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, ” Gilbert, Gauff, Sofia Kenin, Daniel Leal, Rod Laver, ” Laver, it’s, Cliff Drysdale, ” Drysdale, Drysdale, Mark McCormack, Ash Barty, Barty, Matthias Hangst, Nick Kyrgios, Novak Djokovic, Marketa Vondrousova, ” Djokovic, He’s, Paris, Djokovic, ” Sinner, Sinner, Jason Bourne, volleying, Gavin MacMillan, Aryna Sabalenka, they’ve, ” MacMillan, Shi Tang, Eamonn Dalton Organizations: Tennis, Wimbledon’s, England Club, French, of Fame, Wimbledon, Getty, Augusta, dodger, Roland, Slams, ESPN, All England, U.S, Broadway, La Scala, Bolshoi Theater, Court, Central Press, Hulton, National, West, IMG, Olympic Games, U.S ., Players, “, Deutsch, The Athletic Locations: SW19, London, Paris, Italy, Halle, Augusta, Wimbledon, California, New Jersey, Basel, Australia, New York City, Bentleys, Australian, Serbia

☆ Wimbledon 2024 storylines: Djokovic’s knee, Iga Swiatek on grass, Hawk-Eye challenges
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Charlie Eccleshare | Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +19 min

Is Iga Swiatek going to make her move on grass and further cement her position as the player to beat across the WTA? Probably not, since that meniscus belongs to one Novak Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champion and the world’s best grass-court player. Then he showed up in London this week and started testing out the knee with practice sessions on the grass. Charlie EccleshareWill Swiatek win her first Wimbledon title? She’s never been past the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and her game isn’t a natural fit on the grass.

Persons: Novak, Matt Futterman, Charlie Eccleshare, Will Novak Djokovic, Novak Djokovic, Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Clive Brunskill, Carlos Alcaraz, Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Felix Auger, Frenchman Arthur Fils, Andy Murray’s, Murray, Jack Draper, Shaun Botterill, Tim Henman’s, Draper, Charlie Eccleshare Will Swiatek, Iga, She’s, Roland Garros, Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, it’s Boulter, Sloane Stephens, Jessica Pegula, don’t, Boulter, Raducanu, Stephens, Jonathan Nackstrand, Hannah Klugman, Agassi, Serena, Venus Williams, It’s, Coco Gauff, Aryna, she’s, Swiatek, Gauff, Daniel Leal, Pegula, Marketa Vondrousova, Danielle Collins, Tommy Paul, Paul, Sebastian Korda, Korda, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, there’s, Sally Bolton, John Walton, —, Wimbledon Charlie Eccleshare Will, Princess Catherine of Wales, Roger Federer, Rob Newell, CameraSport, Sebastian Bozon, Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, Murray didn’t, ”, Jelena Ostapenko, “, Glyn Kirk Organizations: Wimbledon, WTA, Olympic Games, Court, Djokovic, England Club, British, Queen’s, London, Paris, Rothesay International, Nottingham, Eastbourne, Getty, Orange, Sampras, Wimbledon —, Swiatek, Alycia Parks, Queen’s Club, All England, U.S, All England Club, U.S ., Athletic Locations: Paris, London, Canada, SW19, Stuttgart, Warsaw, Rothesay, Eastbourne, Britain, Nottingham, Great Britain, AFP, Alycia Parks, British, Florida, American, Australia, France, Berlin, Wimbleson, Alycia, Israel, Palestine, there’s

☆ French Open final analysis: Carlos Alcaraz beats Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( Charlie Eccleshare | Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

Carlos Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev in the French Open final at Roland Garros 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 on Sunday. But in the second set, Zverev’s impressive durability really kicked in, and he completely flipped things, taking 14 of 20 points that were five-to-eight-shot rallies. Zverev was even able to ride the momentum of the second set into the third, in which, despite the fluctuating scoreline, he was much the better player. Alexander Zverev’s serve has been superb all tournament, but it faltered when he needed it most. He did it again in the final game at 15-15.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Roland Garros, oscillated, Jannik, Alcaraz, Charlie Eccleshare, Matt Futterman, Zverev, moonballs, Alexander, Novak Djokovic, Emmanuel Dunand, Alexander Zverev’s, Clive Brunskill, duff, didn’t, “, I’m, Eurosport Alcaraz, It’s, Tim Goode Organizations: U.S, Wimbledon, Getty, Eurosport Locations: Paris, AFP

☆ How Carlos Alcaraz won the French Open by beating his biggest opponent: His body
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +11 min

More specifically, it’s Alcaraz’s body, but also his mind — to the extent that it so often dictates how his body feels. AdvertisementAlcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish star who makes tennis fans gasp like no one else can, beat Alexander Zverev of Germany on Sunday to win his first French Open title. Alcaraz’s first French Open is a triumph of perseverance (Frey / TPN via Getty Images)A year ago, it was anything but inevitable. GO DEEPER Game, Set, Match: Carlos Alcaraz beats Alexander Zverev to win first French OpenThe weeks before the French Open had been filled with doubts. Alcaraz at the 2021 ATP Next Gen finals, which he won, beating Sebastian Korda in the final.

Persons: there’s, Carlos Alcaraz’s, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev of, Philippe, Chatrier, Alcaraz’s, Frey, TPN, physiotherapists, ”, Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz, That’s, Sebastian Korda, Julian Finney, Indian Wells, Novak Djokovic, Djokovic’s relentlessness, Djokovic, Sinner, Andrey Rublev, Jan, Lennard Struff, J.J, Wolf, “ I’m, “ It’s, Clive Brunskill, He’d, “, Zverev, Alain Jocard, cramp, We’re, ” Zverev, hadn’t, Roland Garros, Tim Goode, Antonio Borga, Dan Goldfarb Organizations: PARIS, Mousquetaires, Getty, U.S, ATP, Miami Open, Wimbledon, Getty Images, Australian, Rio, The Athletic Locations: Italian, Alexander Zverev of Germany, South America, Indian, Paris, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, AFP, Eurasia

☆ French Open women’s semifinals: Coco Gauff wants tennis VAR after Swiatek defeat
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Matthew Futterman | Charlie Eccleshare | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Follow live coverage of the 2024 French Open todayWelcome back to the French Open briefing, where The Athletic will explain the stories behind the stories on each day of the tournament. Thursday brought the latest, in the second set of the French Open semifinal between Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. A line judge erroneously called a Swiatek serve out instead of in. Hawk-Eye is not in use at the French Open. 1, four Grand Slam titles, and another Grand Slam final with a serve that has a lot of work to be done on it?

Persons: Roland Garros, Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Glyn Kirk, Gauff, Aurelie Tourte, “, ”, Iga, Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Naomi Osaka … Jelena Ostapenko, it’s, Laura Siegemund, Edouard Roger, Vasselin, Siegemund, Sofia Kenin, Frenchman, Nicolas Mahut, “ I’m, ” Siegemund, Desirae Krawczyk, Neal Skupski, Roger, Iga Swiatek, Jasmine Paolini, Mirra, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Robert Prange, Eamonn Dalton Organizations: U.S, Getty, Sofia, The Athletic Locations: Gauff, France, Germany

☆ Iga Swiatek beats Coco Gauff to reach fourth French Open final
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Iga Swiatek beat Coco Gauff in straight sets (6-2, 6-4) on Thursday to reach her fourth French Open final. After 10 days of mostly solid tennis, Gauff’s tournament ended in a flurry of scorching winners and spraying errors, against a player who generally makes opponents pay for nearly every one. Yet, with the win on Thursday, Swiatek expanded her career-long domination of Gauff to 11 wins in 12 matches. Swiatek broke Gauff’s serve in the next two games, the second time without Gauff winning a point. After Gauff saved two match points, and a third on Swiatek’s serve, the fourth was too far — Swiatek sailing through the finish line in 97 minutes.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Serena Williams, Roland Garros, Naomi Osaka, Swiatek, Gauff, Aurelie Tourte, Gauff’s, Jasmine Paolini, Russian Mirra, Mustafa Yalcin Organizations: Floridian, Getty Locations: Poland, Gauff, Cincinnati, Italian, Russian, Anadolu

☆ French Open quarterfinal recap: Breaks of serve and semifinal surprises
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Charlie Eccleshare | Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

On Day 11 of Roland Garros 2024, there were breaks of serve galore, semifinals surprises and doubles lessons for single players. If you’re a fan of players holding serve, I’m afraid Wednesday’s day session on Court Phillippe-Chatrier was not for you. There were 26 breaks of serve in the six singles sets played, an average of more than four breaks per set. Neither had ever reached even a Grand Slam quarterfinal before, while Rybakina, Sabalenka and Swiatek had been the best players of the clay court swing, alongside Danielle Collins. With less than 24 hours to recover before taking on Paolini, Andreeva told her partner Vera Zvonareva that she needed to rest.

Persons: Roland Garros, I’m, Phillippe, Chatrier, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva, Aryna Sabalenka, Alain Jocard, It’s, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Swiatek, Danielle Collins, Monica Seles, Steffi Graf, Gabriela Sabatini, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Loup Gautreau, Rybakina, Sabalenka, Jannik, Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Andreeva, Vera Zvonareva, John McEnroe, Serena Williams, ”, Paolini, Sara Errani, Alexander de Minaur, Iga, Eamonn Dalton Organizations: Getty, Swiatek, The Athletic Locations: AFP, Jean

☆ Novak Djokovic out of French Open with knee injury
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

World No 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the French Open with a knee injury sustained in his round of 16 win against Argentine 23rd seed Francisco Cerundolo. Although Djokovic was able to get through on painkillers and adrenaline, the extent of the problem is too great for him to continue. If Djokovic chooses to undergo surgery on the tear, he would likely miss not just Wimbledon, which begins on July 1, but also the Olympic Games and US Open later this summer. Djokovic said Monday night, after another of his miraculous comebacks, that he had been experiencing pain in his right knee for several weeks. As of Tuesday evening in Paris, there was no decision yet on whether Djokovic would undergo surgery to repair the meniscus.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Francisco Cerundolo, Roland Garros, ”, Casper Ruud, Djokovic, Ruud, Alex de Minaur, Alexander Zverev, Matthew Futterman, hasn’t, He’s, He’d Organizations: Argentine, French Tennis Federation, Norwegian, Olympic Games, Athletic, Wimbledon Locations: Serbian, Paris

☆ French Open quarterfinal recap: Sinner world No. 1, Roland Garros feels like clay again
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Matthew Futterman | Charlie Eccleshare | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Follow live coverage of Day 10 at the 2024 French OpenWelcome back to the French Open briefing, where The Athletic will explain the stories behind the stories on each day of the tournament. On Day 10 of Roland Garros 2024, the men’s tour got a new world No. Today’s headline was defending champion Novak Djokovic withdrawing from the French Open. 1 on Monday, regardless of who wins the French Open title. Ons Jabeur may have lost, but her French Open run has been a boost to her confidence.

Persons: Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Ash Barty, Aryna Sabalenka, Grigor Dimitrov, Djokovic, Sinner, “ It’s, ”, Dimitrov, Coco Gauff, what’s, Gauff, Jabeur, “, It’s, Carlos Alcaraz, Tsitsipas, Alcaraz, Swiatek, Rafael Nadal —, Marketa Vondrousova, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, Mirra, Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur, Christian, Eamonn Dalton Organizations: U.S, Bulgarian, Wimbledon, French, Getty, The Athletic Locations: Paris, 3400RPM

☆ Iga Swiatek beats Naomi Osaka in French Open classic
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

With her biggest triumph in years, Naomi Osaka lost to world No. 1 and three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek at the French Open today, Wednesday May 29. Few even considered that Osaka, less than a year after giving birth, with little success on clay, would stand a chance. Swiatek saved a match point, then let Osaka’s errors bring her back on serve. A killer cross-court backhand winner brought her to match point, and then she watched Osaka send one more backhand long.

Persons: Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek, It’s, Swiatek, Roland Garros, Philippe, Osaka, Richard Gasquet, Mateo Villalba Organizations: Wednesday, Osaka, Getty Locations: Osaka, California

☆ French Open day 4 recap: Swiatek wins, Kenin shocks Garcia, crowds and schedule frustrate
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( James Hansen | Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

🇫🇷 Caroline Garcia (21), 6-3, 6-3Caroline Garcia (21), 6-3, 6-3 🇬🇷 Stefanos Tsitsipas (9) def. 🇳🇱 Jesper de Jong (Q), 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2🇳🇱 Jesper de Jong (Q), 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 🇷🇺 Andrey Rublev (6) def. 🇪🇸 Pedro Martinez, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3🇪🇸 Pedro Martinez, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek (1) def. 🇸🇮 Tara Zidansek, 6-3, 6-4🇸🇮 Tara Zidansek, 6-3, 6-4 🇮🇹 Jannik Sinner (2) def. 🇫🇷 Richard Gasquet, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4🇫🇷 Richard Gasquet, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 🇷🇺 Pavel Kotov def.

Persons: Roland Garros, Naomi Osaka Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek, Ash Barty, Philippe, Chatrier, Swiatek, Tim Clayton, Corbis, she’s, “, ”, Naomi Osaka, Ben Shelton, Kei Nishikori, queueing, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Jannik, Richard Gasquet, Sofia Kenin, Caroline Garcia, Garcia didn’t, Jesper de Jong, Jesper De Jong, olin e Garcia, Garcia, 7-5, Coco Gauff, 6-4 🇮🇹, 🇫🇷 Rich, Katie V, Dani, oren, Mathieu 🇺🇸 Madi, Clive Br Organizations: Getty, Swiatek, Philippe Locations: Osaka, Swiatek, Paris, 6-2, 6

☆ Rafael Nadal loses to Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

PARIS, France — There will be no magical run, no age- and injury-defying push into the deep end of the competition. AdvertisementThe end officially arrived at 6:28, with a final miss off the Spaniard’s racket, forced by Alexander Zverev, who prevailed 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. A clump of two dozen that is used to getting choice seats clogged the entryway to the president’s box. Ultimately, that is what doomed him on a chilly and dreary afternoon and evening under the roof on Chatrier. He hit serves that became easy chances for Zverev to go on the defensive, and groundstrokes into the middle of the court that Zverev pounded for winners.

Persons: Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros, Alexander Zverev, Nadal, Philippe, Chatrier, ”, Emmanuel Dunand, He’d, hadn’t, Zverev, Brenda Patea, he’d, Mateo Villalba Organizations: Nadal, Getty Locations: PARIS, France, AFP, Paris, German, Berlin, Germany

☆ Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev preview: Nadal’s French Open aura is an opponent
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-26 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +10 min

Fans streamed through the gates, packing Roland Garros, lining up for crepes and champagne and Aperol spritzes. If that latter court is his living room, then the grounds at Roland Garros are his estate. Ever since then, Zverev has wanted another shot at playing Nadal at Roland Garros — though not in the first round, more like a semifinal or a final. The idea of playing Nadal on this clay sends chills through the spines of so many players. In 2022, I remember he came into Roland Garros not winning Monte Carlo, not winning Madrid, not winning Rome.

Persons: France —, Roland Garros, spritzes, —, Ostapenko —, squandering, Lucia Bronzetti, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams ’, Rafael Nadal, Suzanne Lenglen, Nadal, Court Philippe, Chatrier, Uber, Alexander Zverev, Tim Clayton, Corbis, ” Nadal, He’d, Zverev, hadn’t, ” Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Misha, punking, ‘, “, ”, Rafa, Tsitsipas, Philippe, Roger Federer, it’s, “ I’m, Iga Swiatek, Rafa Nadal, he’s, “ There’s, Monte, Casper Ruud, Gao Jing, Felix Auger, Aliassime, Hubert Hurkacz, I’m, Clive Brunskill Organizations: France — Officially, — Alcaraz, Ostapenko, Roland, Getty, NBA, Nadal, Rafa, Monte Carlo, Madrid, TennisViz Locations: PARIS, France, Osaka, Court, Australia, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Rome, Xinhua, tennis

☆ French Open draw: Nadal’s nightmare draw with Zverev? And who will stop Swiatek?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

Follow live coverage of the first day of the French Open 2024 today and game-by-game coverage of Stan Wawrinka vs Andy MurrayOnce upon a time, there was a tennis tournament called the French Open. When it was over, the greatest clay-court player of all time learned that he would have to play a rematch of the 2022 French Open semi-final, where Zverev tore ligaments in his ankle after pushing Nadal to his limits. They’re French Open finalists the past three years, and two of the best clay-court players in the world. She has won three of the past four French Open titles, and has become nearly unbeatable on clay. Ostapenko won the French Open in 2017 (Julien de Rosa/AFP via Getty Images)Ostapenko has beaten Swiatek all four times they have played, and won this tournament in 2017.

Persons: Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Andres Gomez, Carlos Moya, Thomas Muster, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Gaston Gaudio, Rafael Nadal, Nadal, Alexander Zverev, David Ramos, Novak Djokovic, Zverev, Rafael Nadal's, It’s, Carlos Alcaraz, Monte, Andrey Rublev, JJ Wolf, Next, hasn’t, Julian Finney, Pierre Hugues, Herbert, Luca Nardi, Alejandro Tabilo, Tomas Machac, Roland Garros, Chris Eubanks, there’s, Casper Ruud, They’re, Tsitsipas, Marton Fucsovics, Ruud, Jakub Mensik, Felipe Meligeni Alves, Nicolas Jarry, . Jarry, Corentin Moutet, Tabilo, Men’s, Ra, s 🇨🇿 Toma, Macha, Ben Shelto, 🇬 🇧Dan Evans, She has, Elen, Leo l ia Je, ike Nosk, ina, Ry, aki, Sara S orri, 🇰🇿 Yulia Putin, Cornet 🇷🇴 Sor, lina (15) Organizations: Nadal, Getty, Monte, adal Locations: German, Berlin, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Madrid, Geneva, Italy, Chile, Czech, Ost

☆ How One Family’s Pursuit of Tennis Success Ended in Heartache
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Four years ago, David Lewis received a phone call from the coroner’s office in Washington, D.C. His oldest daughter, Carolina, a former college tennis player, had been found dead in a hotel room. The Lewises are tennis royalty in their native New Zealand. Another brother, Chris, played in the 1983 Wimbledon men’s singles final, losing to John McEnroe. For a time, Carolina and her sister, Jade, carried on the family tradition. When they showed promise on the court as young teenagers, their parents moved the family to the United States so the girls could chase tennis stardom.

Persons: David Lewis, Lewis, Carolina’s, Mark, Chris, John McEnroe, Jade Organizations: Wimbledon Locations: Washington ,, Carolina, New Zealand, United States

☆ Novak Djokovic Wins the U.S. Open and a 24th Grand Slam Title
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Novak Djokovic has won so many Grand Slam singles titles in so many different ways, it is getting extremely difficult to keep track of them. Djokovic, a Serb, further solidified his reputation as the greatest player of the modern era on Sunday with a clinical, straight-sets win over Daniil Medvedev of Russia. He did it on an Arthur Ashe Stadium court where he spent most of his career playing the villain in matches against underdogs or longtime crowd favorites like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The nearly 24,000 spectators welcomed him with a massive roar, then showered him with the biggest one when Medvedev dumped a shot into the net to give Djokovic the title that has been surprisingly hard for the greatest hardcourt player in the sport’s history to win. “This means the world to me,” he said to the crowd just before lifting the trophy for the fourth time of his career.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Djokovic, Medvedev, Monte, Arthur Ashe, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, ” Organizations: Russia Locations: Monte Carlo

☆ Amid U.S. Open Fanfare, U.S.T.A. Fights Questions of Its Handling of Sexual Abuse
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In a statement, Chris Widmaier, chief spokesman for the U.S.T.A., said the organization had “no intention of revictimizing or shaming” McKenzie in any way. Shriver testified that U.S.T.A.’s top lawyer, Staciellen Mischel, last year warned her to “be careful” about her public statements on sexual abuse in tennis. in the McKenzie case asked Shriver whether anyone at the U.S.T.A. had discouraged her from speaking out about sexual abuse, she responded: “Depends how you interpret the conversation from Staciellen. And in that interpretation, meaning don’t say too much.”When asked about Mischel’s conversation with Shriver, Widmaier said the organization had deep sympathy for Shriver.

Persons: Chris Widmaier, ” McKenzie, ”, Shriver, Staciellen Mischel, McKenzie, Widmaier, “, Anibal Aranda, Aranda Organizations: The New York Times Locations: Staciellen, California, Florida, Paraguay, United States

☆ Medvedev Stuns Alcaraz to Meet Djokovic in U.S. Open Finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Just when the U.S. Open was on the verge of its dream weekend, Daniil Medvedev did perhaps the most Medvedev-like thing and messed it all up. With a stunning win over Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning champion and 20-year-old wunderkind of the sport, Medvedev, the game’s happy troll, playful wiseguy and unorthodox baseliner took a wrench to the popular plans to watch the next chapter of the Alcaraz’s mounting generational rivalry with Novak Djokovic. Instead of a rematch of an epic Alcaraz-Djokovic final in the tuneup to this tournament three weeks ago, which was a rematch of the Wimbledon final in July, which was a rematch of their semifinal showdown at the French Open in June, Sunday will bring a rematch of 2021 U.S. Open final between Medvedev and Djokovic. On that day, Medvedev, the 27-year-old Russian with the funky strokes, goofy one-liners and dead fish victory celebration, left Djokovic’s quest to become the first man in 50 years to win all four Grad Slam titles in a calendar year in tatters, drubbing the seemingly unbeatable Serbian champion in three sets.

Persons: Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, Medvedev, baseliner, Novak Djokovic, Djokovic Organizations: U.S ., Medvedev, Wimbledon, Grad Locations: tatters, Serbian

☆ Novak Djokovic Beats Ben Shelton to Play for a 24th Grand Slam Singles Title
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

That was never more true than when Shelton trailed 2-4 in the third set, desperately trying to extend the match. He found himself with a point to break Djokovic’s serve and did not disappoint, drawing Djokovic into a wide forehand that generated a brain-rattling sound. There was still a little more Shelton and Djokovic for the packed stadium to enjoy. Shelton saved match point and sent the third set to a tiebreaker, then stuck around a bit when he went down, 5-1. But Djokovic had things to do and a rightful place in his 36th Grand Slam final.

Persons: Arthur Ashe, Shelton, Djokovic

☆ Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka to Meet in U.S. Open Final
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

During the delay, Gauff and Muchova headed off the court and tried to stay loose in the locker room and the warm-up area. Muchova got a massage and jogged lightly in the hallway outside the locker room. She said later that she woke up Thursday morning thinking that a climate protest might break out, as they had at the French Open in 2022 and Wimbledon this year. She and her family celebrated in Paris, then she won six matches at the French Open before losing to the world No. Over the past four years, Gauff has evolved into the most likely candidate to fill the void, breaking out at Wimbledon when she was 15 and making her French Open run last year.

Persons: Muchova, Iga Swiatek, Serena Williams, Gauff Organizations: United States Tennis Association, Wimbledon, U.S . Locations: Paris, American

☆ Coco Gauff Beats Karolina Muchova to Reach Her First U.S. Open Singles Final
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

They grow up fast these days, and none faster than Coco Gauff. In September, she is a U.S. Open finalist, the star attraction of her home Grand Slam tournament and the new face of her sport in America. Gauff, the 19-year-old prodigy from steamy South Florida, beat Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 7-5, to reach her first U.S. Open singles final on a warm and heavy Thursday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Muchova’s all-court game and the strangest of atmospherics tested her as never before, but in the end the night went her way in front a crowd that exploded for her over and over along the way. “Some of those points were so loud I don’t know if my ears are going to be OK,” she said in her on-court interview.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Karolina Muchova, Arthur Ashe, atmospherics Locations: U.S, America, steamy South Florida, Czech Republic

☆ At the U.S. Open, Stifling Heat Causes Some Players to Lose Their Cool
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In most years, there is a very specific climate pattern at the U.S. Open. The tournament starts at the end of the dog days of August, in the lingering heat and humidity of a New York summer. By the final matches, at the end of the first full week of September, it’s a good idea to bring a light sweater or a windbreaker to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Not this year. It is heat and humidity so oppressive that it parks itself in the brain, sparks fear and makes it difficult to focus on anything else, especially returning serves of 130 miles per hour and chasing forehands and backhands around the court for as many as five hours.

Persons: it’s, Billie Jean King, forehands Organizations: U.S ., Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Locations: New York

☆ Zheng Qinwen Is Coming Into Her Own
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Zheng Qinwen, the brightest of China’s growing cohort of bright tennis lights, was 7 years old when she first picked up a racket. Almost instantly, she was among the best children her age in her hometown, Shiyan, by Chinese standards a smaller city with 1.1 million people. Since she had done well, she would not be coming home with him and instead would stay in Wuhan to train. “I cried a lot,” Zheng, 20, said during a recent interview. But every two weeks when her parents would come to visit, she would beg them not to go.

Persons: Zheng Qinwen, “, ” Zheng Locations: Shiyan, Wuhan

☆ This Year’s U.S. Open Belongs to Coco Gauff, Win or Lose
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

player Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat is one of the many boldface names who have come out for her matches. They were in the house on Friday for Gauff’s third-round win over Elise Mertens. Butler was there, too, and returned for her fourth-round win over Caroline Wozniacki on Sunday. He started putting her on the court in matches against players who were more advanced in their development than she was. More often than not, she found a way to win.

Persons: Jimmy Butler, Justin Bieber, Hailey, Elise Mertens, Butler, Caroline Wozniacki, Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams, Mouratoglou Organizations: Miami Heat, Gauff

☆ At the U.S. Open, It Feels Like the Fourth of July
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Matthew Futterman | More About Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“We always believed this would happen,” said Martin Blackman, the general manager for player development at the U.S.T.A., who has known all five players since their early years. That was last year, though, and there was no guarantee that they or any of their compatriots would reproduce the magic of some of those days. Looking at the draw in the middle of last week, Fritz’s eyes drifted to the quarter just above him, where Shelton, Paul and Tiafoe were crowded together. Some big names were out, and his people were still very much alive. Immediately he thought, “One of them is going to be in the semis,” and that was pretty cool.

Persons: ”, Martin Blackman, Serena Williams, —, Shelton, Paul Organizations: Gauff, Tiafoe, Sunday Locations: ”

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