Ready to rattle women's order
The newly-crowned French Open champion, Coco Gauff, who has enhanced her game, is poised to break the duopoly of Swiatek and Sabalenka, writes Sidney Kiran
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Keeping it profesh… with a puppy face': What's happening between Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu?
Tennis is often portrayed as all grit, grind, and glory. But as it turns out, it isn't just about healthy rivalry, fierce competition, aces, break points, or the roar of Centre Court. Enter Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, two Grand Slam champions – a pair who, with goofy grins and playful banter, have taken the tennis world by surprise. The rise of ' AlcarCanu ' Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu's on-court professionalism and off-court charm have sparked the ultimate feel-good storyline. They've teamed up for the newly revamped mixed doubles event at the US Open's Fan Week (August 19–20), a high‑profile 16‑team draw with a $1 million prize. Their partnership isn't just a sporting alliance; it's become a fresh reminder that professionalism, at its best, never loses a sense of fun. 'She's going to be the boss!' But now, they're both in charge! Only last week, Carlos, fresh off his epic French Open victory and currently world No. 2, dropped a line that lit up social media: 'She's gonna be the boss!' Yes, he was talking about Emma Raducanu— whom he personally invited to be his mixed doubles partner at the US Open. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Order New Blinds Online & Get $199 Home Installation Learn More Undo Alcaraz emphasized, the decision was 'really fun' and rooted in 'a really good relationship with her.' The one-liner that blew up social media could have easily come off as boastful, but it's clear from his tone that this is all in good spirit. On the other hand, Raducanu didn't blush—she laughed, she teased, and she played along. Emma, not one to be fazed by the banter, replied to his bossy proclamation with a cheeky 'I'd let you pick…' When quizzed on who would make the calls on court, she quipped she'd 'take his lead.' The result? Uncontrollable laughter, cameras rolling, and fans everywhere falling in love with their chemistry. From friendship to flirtation: tastefully done Carlos and Emma's camaraderie didn't begin on the hard courts of New York. At London's Queen's Club, they were grilled by a tennis impersonator doing impressions of legends like Murray, McEnroe, and Nadal—Emma had to dodge a 'kiss/marry/kill' question about Federer/Djokovic/Nadal, and Carlos dissolved into giggles when hearing a cheeky Spanish accent mimicking Rafa. Their mutual support goes deeper than laughs. Emma turned up courtside during Carlos's final, and Carlos responded with a shy grin and said, 'I don't know… a lot of people came to see the final! You have to ask her!' In return, Carlos said he might attend one of EM's upcoming matches if schedules permit—an open door for cheers and high-fives. 'Keeping it profesh… with a puppy face!' Here's the sweet spot: on court, they are fierce competitors—Emma's unleashed fiery groundstrokes, Carlos's dive-for-and-win-it. Off court, they switch into a playful mode that reminds us that even the greatest athletes can have puppy-dog moments. Think of them as business calls with a side of puppy-faces—and I mean puppy-faces literally. The latest exhibit of the phenomenon: Emma was spotted in the stands at Queen's Club on Saturday afternoon, enjoying Carlos' semifinal win over fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut. When Alcaraz was asked about how he felt having the British tennis star in the stands, he said that he couldn't speak with her and that Raducanu's visit was not something they had planned beforehand. In his post-match press conference, Carlos said, 'I saw on social media she came up to watch my match,' the Spaniard said. 'I [am] just glad. I mean, I was focused on the match. I didn't see her (smiling). Just glad that she came to support, to watch my match. Yeah, I think it was great having her in the stands!' Cue to Sparks Fly; Taylor's Version! Star power, coupled with an ingenious PR game Let's face it: this mixed doubles pairing generated headlines not just for their trophies, but because the US Open organizers cleverly curated monster mixed-doubles fields to give fans the thrill of seeing singles powerhouses team up (or fall apart)—including Djokovic/ Danilovic, Osaka/Kyrgios, and Sinner/Navarro. But none captured hearts quite like Alcaraz and Raducanu. Their pairing isn't just social media fodder—it's a smart move by both players and the tournament. He's the reigning Roland Garros champ, she's the breakout 2021 US Open victor—together, they evoke nostalgia, excitement, and star-crossed energy. And they know it. But this is more than marketing; it's mutual admiration. Emma has praised Carlos for being 'genuine and kind off court'—in her eyes, greatness isn't just measured in trophies. Meanwhile, Carlos seems to soften around her—a grin, a blush, amidst all that grit! Jack Draper, another British player who missed out, was surprisingly supportive: 'She chose the best partner in Alcaraz… I don't blame her at all;' a statement which only added more to the already ongoing rumors of a potential romance off the court! What's next? Grit, Grand Slam glory, or just giggles and goofiness? As of now, all signs point to a standout mixed doubles run in New York, August 19–20. With the new format and explosive prize money, they'll be under the spotlight for both play and personality. At Flushing Meadows, expect gasps not just for clutch volleys, but for their shared chuckles, fist bumps, professional finesse, playful banters, synchronized celebrations, and *a lot of* charming content on the internet to swoon on! Wimbedon 2023 Finals: Aamir Khan watches match at Centre Court with Ira Khan; Lara Dutta enjoys the game with Mahesh Bhupathi and daughter Saira One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Maaya wins her first ITF Junior tennis title on European clay
Pune: It might be just another title in the junior tennis circuit, but for Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi, the trophy in the Grade 2 ITF event in Gladbeck, Germany, on Saturday was quite significant. The 16-year-old from Coimbatore, who set the courts on fire in the WTA 125 Mumbai Open by reaching the semifinals as an unranked, wildcard qualifier in February, defeated Switzerland's Noella Manta 6-2, 6-4 to capture her seventh title in the juniors. For once, the title was her first on European clay, a rare achievement for an Indian. She also finished runner-up in doubles in the company of Australian Koharu Nishikawa. Then, there is the context: It was her first week in action after the first-round loss in the qualifying of the French Open junior championships. "It definitely does matter to me a lot, because it's my first title in Europe as well (besides being on clay)," Maaya said after her win. "And I've been training on clay for the last one month, non-stop. I mean, with visa delays and all of that, I couldn't perform that well in the French even though I prepared very well," she said, referring to reaching Paris only hours before her match at Roland Garros. "But I'm happy to win the title on clay because I think there were so many people who were putting in the effort for me to train well on clay. I think that showed up. Yeah, I'm very happy that I had an opportunity to show that it worked." Maaya had won a Grade 1 junior event in January in New Delhi. So how would she rate her Grade 2 win in Europe? "It has been a while since I competed well in the first place. I think the last tournament that I played well was in Malaysia, probably a couple of months ago," she said. "So, for me, this is the last tournament on clay (this season), and it's a very positive finish to the clay season and to go on (to) grass. That is one thing. "And in India, I think over every tournament, my level was improving a little bit. Every match has been a learning, so I've been gradually climbing up the ladder. I think that's a very positive sign." Maaya trains at the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. The association began as an ad-hoc arrangement sometime in the middle of last year and a deal was officially signed in November. "The more I train with professional players, the more I'm surrounded by professional people, I'm learning to be a bit more professional," she said. "I think one of the main things is that you get really motivated. For example, I see a tennis match, a Grand Slam final, I'm like, I'm gonna go tomorrow and smack the ball. But you see a positive example in front of you every single day, that really motivates you. I think that motivation is very important, and I'm happy that I'm getting it." Maaya has trained outside India at various places earlier but Mallorca feels different in an ironic way. "This is a bit different because I haven't stayed at a place for a very long time outside India. And I'm studying here as well. So this feels a bit more like home now. I am kind of used to the place." Home but without friends. Constant travel to tournaments means she is not missed much by her school-mates. "Half of the school doesn't even know me. I'm hardly here. They know my name, but they don't know me in person." In keeping with the harsh realities of the sport, Maaya won't have time to celebrate her win either. "No, I have to, like rest, get back to training on Monday, because I have to go to London on Tuesday," where she is scheduled to play her next (Grade 1 junior) tournament in Roehampton. "I've never played on grass before, so it will be the first time for me." Knowing her ability to adapt to tough conditions, one can be sure Maaya will be slicing and volleying her way to more success.
News18
a day ago
- News18
Jiri Lehecka Stuns Jack Draper To Reach Queen's Club Final
Lehecka blasted 36 winners and hit 16 aces to end Draper's bid for a maiden final appearance at the Wimbledon warm-up event in west London. Czech world number 30 Jiri Lehecka stunned Britain's Jack Draper to reach the Queen's Club final with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory on Saturday. Lehecka blasted 36 winners and hit 16 aces to end Draper's bid for a maiden final appearance at the Wimbledon warm-up event in west London. The 23-year-old will face French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz or Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut in Sunday's final. 'It means a lot. You don't meet a player like Jack every day, he's an amazing competitor," Lehecka said. 'It's not easy to use my serve on grass, but I've been working on it for the last few weeks. I'm happy with it." Draper was hoping to become the first British singles champion at Queen's since five-time winner Andy Murray's most recent victory in 2016. After booking his spot in the semi-finals Draper revealed he had held the Queen's trophy as a child around 12 years ago. But Draper, ranked sixth in the world, will have to wait at least another year to get his hands back on the silverware after producing an unusually error-strewn display in sweltering conditions. Lehecka had already ended the hopes of one Briton at Queen's after beating Jacob Fearnley in the quarter-finals on Friday. The 23-year-old also defeated world number 12 Alex de Minaur in his opening match of the tournament, but knocking out Draper was his biggest win yet. Draper's careless double-fault gifted Lehecka a break in the opening game of the first set. The ice-cool Lehecka ignored the searing temperatures as he cruised through the rest of the set. Draper needed to apply pressure on Lehecka to get back in the match and he did exactly that in the fourth game of the second set. Even then, Lehecka staved off four break points and repelled another in the sixth. But Draper kept fighting from the baseline and finally landed a big blow with a winner down the line on set point. Rock legend and avid tennis fan Jon Bon Jovi, watching in the stands, rose from his seat to salute Draper's gritty fightback. Draper had been living on a prayer for two sets and his luck ran out in the 11th game of the deciding set when Lehecka crushed a backhand winner to break. Smashing his racquet into the advertising boards in frustration, Draper couldn't muster a response and Lehecka was soon celebrating his memorable success. (With inputs from AFP) First Published: June 21, 2025, 20:25 IST
