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Follwing Rafa Nadal’s legacy: Carlos Alcaraz rises as the new King

By Al Faqiih May 20, 2025

Follwing Rafa Nadal’s legacy: Carlos Alcaraz rises as the new King of Clay in Rome

Carlos Alcaraz’s victory at the 2025 Rome Masters 1000 has further cemented his reputation as the natural heir to Rafael Nadal’s legacy on clay. By defeating world number one Jannik Sinner in straight sets, 7-6(5), 6-1, Carlitos not only silenced the passionate Italian crowd but also confirmed his status as the dominant force on this surface.

Alcaraz’s performance in Rome was nothing short of masterful. Facing Sinner, who entered the final riding a ridiculous 26-match winning streak and had not lost since October, the Spaniard showcased his mental and tactical prowess.

The first set was a tense battle, decided by a close tiebreak. The former world No. 1 saved two set points while serving 5-6, proving once again his fight spirit and relentless aggression and composure.

The second set was a tactical beating, with Alcaraz moving Jannik from corner to corner and keeping the Italian guessing. The reigning Roland Garros champion outplayed Sinner, breaking his serve twice on his way to victory.

This win marked Alcaraz’s first Rome title and his seventh Masters 1000 crown, making him only the fifth player to win three different Masters 1000 events on clay, joining legends such as Marcelo Rios, Gustavo Kuerten, Novak Djokovic and of course, Rafael Nadal.

At just 22 years old, Carlitos also became the fifth youngest player to claim 10 clay-court titles, following in the footsteps of Mats Wilander, Bjorn Borg and again his tennis hero, Rafa.

Nadal’s legacy rests in good hands

With Rafa’s retirement in 2024, the tennis world has been searching for a new clay-court king. Well, now that search seems to be over due to Alcaraz’s multiple titles in Madrid, Monte-Carlo and now Rome, mirroring the dominance once displayed by the 14-time French Open champion.

Since last year, Alcaraz owns a very impressive record on the surface: 26 wins and only two losses, one against Rune in Barcelona a couple of weeks ago, and the other one against Djokovic, in the 2024 Olympic final.

What’s up next?

Carlos Alcaraz’s triumph in Rome propels him back to world number two and sends a clear message ahead of Roland Garros, where he will arrive as the defending champion and the top contender. There’s no wonder why he has drawn all the recent comparisons with Nadal, but the new world No. 2 continues to forge his own path, blending power, speed and tactical prowess.

Only time will tell if Alcaraz can match Nadal’s absurd records, but his victory at the Foro Italico was an absolute statement: the new era of clay-court dominance has begun.

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Iga Swiatek ‘always dangerous’ on ‘her favourite court on the planet’ at

By Al Faqiih May 19, 2025

Iga Swiatek ‘always dangerous’ on ‘her favourite court on the planet’ at Roland-Garros as Pole targets fifth French Open title – Amelie Mauresmo

Iga Swiatek will have plenty of questions to answer when she begins her Roland-Garros defence later this month. The 23-year-old has not been her usual impregnable self in recent weeks, but could change that narrative completely with a fifth French Open title in Paris. Much stranger things have happened according to tournament director Amelie Mauresmo, who is not betting against Swiatek this year.

Amelie Mauresmo believes it would be foolish to write off Iga Swiatek ahead of Roland-Garros, despite the Pole’s indifferent form heading into the second Grand Slam of the year.

Swiatek won the French Open for a fourth time last year but has not claimed a title since.

She has also slipped to No. 5 in the world rankings following Jasmine Paolini’s win at the Italian Open.

In a bid to get ahead, Swiatek has already travelled to Paris to begin training before the clay-court major begins on May 25, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

“She came very early this year, and she hasn’t had many wins on the clay this year,” Mauresmo told Eurosport France.

“I’m thinking she wants to really take the atmosphere of this centre court, the court she loves, maybe her favourite court on the planet.

“It’s nice to see her come so early. I think it’s one of the first times that we have this kind of player, a high-profile player, coming so early in the tournament.

“Usually, it happens at the beginning of next week, like Monday of the opening week, Monday, Tuesday, Monday, most of the time.

“But I guess she needs to practise on-site, and that’s what she feels she needs. We’re happy to have her here.”

It has been a sobering start to 2025 for former world No. 1 Swiatek following a 6-1 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Coco Gauff in Madrid, either side of defeats to Jelena Ostapenko and Danielle Collins in Stuttgart and Rome respectively.

Nevertheless, Mauresmo believes that victories in the opening rounds at the French Open can build up some much-needed winning momentum.

“I think that she can still have a chance,” Mauresmo said. “I think the beginning of the tournament will be key, definitely, to have this confidence going again. You need these first few matches, one, two, three, to get the rhythm going, get the confidence a little bit higher, getting it up a little bit.

“But Iga on this court is always dangerous. She’s always going to be a problem to any player she’s going to face. Now, the fact that she’s coming here with confidence being pretty low is probably something new for her. It’s also going to be interesting to see how she reacts to this mentally.”

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Mauresmo assessed the main challengers to Swiatek, and highlighted the potential threats coming from Aryna Sabalenka, Gauff and Madison Keys.

“Aryna has been unbelievable all season, basically,” she added.

“Coco is starting to put it together, and Madison won in Australia [2025 Australian Open]. I’m still very interested to see if Iga can perform, and how she can turn the tables.

“It’s a very open women’s draw, and it’s a little bit more open this year.”

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Iga Swiatek Sinks in WTA Rankings Before Roland Garros

By Al Faqiih May 19, 2025

Iga Swiatek has dropped to WTA World No. 5 ahead of Roland Garros 2025.

The WTA Rankings have been updated following the Italian Open, and there were major shakeups at the top of the list. No player was more negatively affected than Iga Swiatek.

In the updated rankings released on May 19, Swiatek dropped three spots to World No. 5. The Polish superstar has hemorrhaged valuable rankings points as she has failed to defend her titles throughout clay court season.

Even worse, there will not be a chance for Swiatek to improve her standing before Roland Garros. Swiatek, the winner of the last three French Opens, must defend her title as the fifth seed.

The main draw has not yet been announced, but Swiatek is guaranteed to face a much more challenging path to the final.

After losing to Danielle Collins in the third round of the Italian Open, Swiatek shut down any speculation about Roland Garros.

She has since spent her long break practicing in Paris a full two weeks early. The official Roland Garros social media team has shared sneak peeks at Swiatek’s training at Philippe Chatrier.

Swiatek has not won a title, much less reached a finals match, since she won Roland Garros 2024 last June. Since then, the five-time Grand Slam champion has trudged through the roughest stretch of her career.

Over the past year, Swiatek has dealt with the doping scandal, subsequent ban, and a coaching change that has yet to pay off.

Four of Swiatek’s five Grand Slam titles have come on the clay courts at Roland Garros, so she should always be considered a contender to win the tournament. However, her dark horse status for 2025 was unfathomable this time last year.

Roland Garros runs from May 25 – June 8. Stay locked into Sports Illustrated’s Serve On SI for all of your tennis news from the court and beyond.

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Robert Griffin III makes Angel Reese blush again after her reaction to

By Al Faqiih May 19, 2025

Robert Griffin III makes Angel Reese blush again after her reaction to Caitlin Clark and brings Chennedy Carter into the picture

Caitlin Clark‘s dazzling triple-double during the Indiana Fever‘s 93-58 blowout win over the Chicago Sky should have been the defining moment of the WNBA‘s season opener. But as has often been the case with Clark and her chief rival Angel Reese, the spotlight shifted away from the basketball and onto controversy. T

his time, it stemmed from a third-quarter flagrant foul committed by Clark, and an emotionally charged reaction from Reese that instantly became a viral talking point.

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III wasn’t shy about weighing in. During a recent episode of his podcast “Outta Pocket with RGIII,” he dissected the altercation and argued that Reese’s visible outburst confirmed what he’s long believed: that the Chicago forward harbors genuine animosity toward Caitlin Clark.

“You guys remember last year when Angel Reese celebrated Chennedy Carter getting that flagrant foul on the hip check against Caitlin Clark? You remember that?” Griffin asked. “On the sideline, just, yeah, baby, get her, you get her. Who celebrates like that for a flagrant foul on another player if they don’t dislike that player?”

Griffin says Reese’s bias toward Clark is clear

Griffin’s argument hinged on what he described as inconsistent behavior from Reese depending on who’s involved.

He referenced a moment from the 2024 season when Reese was violently fouled by Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun – an incident that led to Thomas receiving a flagrant two and an automatic ejection. In that case, Reese remained relatively calm.

“So, where was this type of reaction last year, when Angel Reese got chokeslammed by Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun?” Griffin continued. “Y’all remember that? She got fouled so hard, they kicked Alyssa Thomas out the game with a flagrant two foul. What did Angel Reese do? Nothing. She didn’t get up and try to swing on her.”

According to Griffin, Reese’s comparatively tame response to a more dangerous hit – contrasted with her escalation of what he called a “routine” foul by Clark – highlights what he views as personal disdain toward the Indiana star.

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Coco Gauff strives for progress after losing Italian Open final: Lot to improve

By Al Faqiih May 18, 2025

Italian Open 2025: Coco Gauff said that she needs to work on her game before the French Open after losing back-to-back finals on clay in Madrid and Rome.

In Short

Coco Gauff has lost back-to-back finals on clay
On Saturday, Gauff lost to Jasmine Paolini in Rome
Gauff is set to become the World No.2

Coco Gauff said that she needs to up her game to win her maiden French Open title. The American youngster has lost back-to-back finals on clay and is looking to get third time lucky when she plays at Roland Garros. Earlier this month, Gauff lost to World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Madrid Open final.

On Saturday, Gauff went down to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, who became the first Italian woman in 40 years to win the Rome Masters. Paolini, who is set to reclaim her No.4 spot in the WTA rankings, won the match 6-4, 6-2 on Centre Court.

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Coco Gauff on area that is ‘definitely something I have to improve and do better’

By Al Faqiih May 18, 2025

Coco Gauff acknowledges that there is one crucial part of her game that is “something I know I have to improve and do better” following the Italian Open final.

The American reached back-to-back WTA 1000 finals as she lost in the Madrid Open final against Aryna Sabalenka at the beginning of May before going down against Jasmine Paolini at Foro Italico a fortnight later.

After surviving a three-hour, three-setter against Zheng Qinwen in the semi-final in Italy, Gauff was no match for the local hero in the final as Paolini won 6-4, 6-2.

There is no doubt Gauff was her own worst enemy, but she was quick to point out that her opponent forced her to make errors.

“Jasmine played I think great tennis today. I think it was one of her best levels today. I also didn’t play my best level. I think it’s both,” she said.

“It’s not to discredit my opponent. She forced me to play that way. Yeah, maybe I could have served better and put more balls in the court, could play better. I definitely could and can.”

Gauff served seven double faults in the final and 15 in the semi-final while her total unforced error count against Paolini was an astonishing 55 to go with the 70 against Zheng.

Asked if she was slightly concerned by those figures, the 21-year-old replied: “Yes and no. I knew today I was trying to be more aggressive because I felt like if I was being passive, she would run me across the court.

“I think for me I guess, yeah, with the double-faults, it’s something I know I have to improve and do better. If I want to make it to the next level, it’s definitely something I have to improve.

“Unforced errors? I mean, I was just going for my shots. In the semi, I mean, there is context behind that in the semi-final. The court was super slow. We were both missing balls. It’s not so easy to hit a winner. The only way to win the points is to force your opponent to make an error or they make an unforced error.

“Today I think it was just a tough day for me.”

Coco Gauff News

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But there is no doubt Gauff’s performances in Madrid and Rome will give her a boost ahead of the French Open where she will be seeded second behind world No 1 Sabalenka.

She reached the semi-final at Roland Garros last year, the quarter-final in 2023 and finished runner-up to Iga Swiatek in 2022.

“I think it’s both confidence and motivation to do better. Hopefully I can get to the final in Roland Garros and maybe the ‘third time is a charm’ thing is a real thing. That’s looking so far ahead,” the American said.

“Overall I lost to two quality opponents, Aryna in Madrid and Jasmine here. So yeah, I think I have a lot to improve, a lot that I can work on.

“I made the final with those errors. Made the final maybe not playing my best tennis. It just gives me confidence if I can find that good form heading into Roland Garros, I can do well there.”

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Italian Open 2025: How Much Money Will Coco Gauff or Jasmine Paolini Earn

By Al Faqiih May 17, 2025

Italian Open 2025: How Much Money Will Coco Gauff or Jasmine Paolini Earn After Clinching the Title?

Clay is more like an Achilles’ heel for most American tennis players unless it’s Coco Gauff! She won her first career junior Grand Slam tournament title at the 2018 French Open, and then four years later, she reached the finals of the 2022 French Open. If we look at her performance this season, she was struggling a bit on the hard courts earlier, but on clay, she has yet again found her winning momentum. Gauff has a win-loss record of 11-2 on clay this season, and while speaking on her performance, she recently said, “There’s something about clay that I have always felt comfortable on. I feel like this year, more than ever, I am moving the best that I have, especially so early in the clay season.” After reaching the QF in Stuttgart, she has now made it to two consecutive finals (Madrid and Rome). Gauff will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the final of the 2025 Italian Open, and guess what? There is a lot at stake for these two superstars in this match…

It’s time for a Buona Fiesta in Rome as the two Top 10 players face off against each other in a do-or-die match! Home-favorite Jasmine Paolini has now become the first home finalist on the women’s side in more than a decade, and she will be keen to clinch her third WTA title and her second at the WTA 1000 level. If she manages to seal a victory against Gauff, she will not only secure her first title on clay but also become the new world number 4! On the other side, irrespective of the result, Coco Gauff will return to her career-high ranking of number 2, replacing Iga Swiatek on Monday.

Other than that, in monetary terms, both Gauff and Paolini have already assured themselves €456,735 in prize money, and whoever wins the final will take home €877,390. Interestingly, despite a 2023 commitment of equal prize money for both men and women since the 2025 season, the tournament website confirmed that the prize money for the men’s winner will once again be a little higher than the women’s champion. In the previous season, Alexander Zverev took home €963,225, while Swiatek received €669,690. This year, although the gap has reduced quite significantly, with the men’s champion taking home €985,030 (around $1,123,566), it’s still not equal.

This has now indeed become the talk of the town before the finals. Now, coming back to the two finalists, Coco Gauff is currently ranked third in the world, and she has a net worth of $35 million. Gauff has an overall prize money of $23,817,810, and her earnings this season are $2,235,821. If we make a comparison, Jasmine Paolini (5) has a net worth of $4 million. She has an overall prize money of $9,765,349, with $1,295,362 (in 2025).

Who will add more to these numbers with a win on Super Saturday? It’s going to be Coco Gauff’s grit and resilience versus Jasmine Paolini and the Italian crowd! Gauff (21) has now become the youngest woman ever to reach the finals in Madrid and Rome. On the other hand, Jasmine Paolini is the third-oldest woman to reach her first Italian Open final. So, intensities are quite high, and also the stakes in this epic duel. What did both of these tennis stars say before the match?

Coco Gauff snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat in her previous match against the number 8, Qinwen Zheng. It took her 3 hours and 32 minutes to beat Zheng in the previous match by 7-6(3),4-6,7-6(4) in the SF. Following this match, Gauff admitted that she wasn’t at her best level, but she was happy to be in yet another final.

With this win against Zheng, Gauff became the first American woman in nine years to reach the Rome final, and now she will look forward to clinching the title for the first time (as an American woman’s player) since Serena Williams’ heroics in 2016. On the other hand, Jasmine Paolini became the first Italian women’s singles champion at this event since Raffaella Reggi in 1985.

Talking about their H2H record, although Gauff has a 2-1 lead over the Italian, Paolini had the last laugh in the 2025 Stuttgart Open. She defeated her in the QF of the Stuttgart Open by 6-4,6-2. While sharing her thoughts about their previous encounter and this upcoming battle, Coco Gauff said, “[The Stuttgart quarterfinal vs. Paolini] was a tough match. She played well. She’s a tough opponent. I think especially here with the home crowd behind her, she’s going to be playing some great tennis. I have to expect that. Hopefully, I can bring a better level and hopefully win the title. If not, I’m proud just really of this [semifinal] match, too.“

On the other hand, the 2024 French Open champion, Jasmine Paolini, said, “I’m trying to be in the mindset that last year was a great year, but it give me a lot of confidence.” Who has the real edge in this battle on the red clay court? Share your thoughts in the comment box.

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Jannik Sinner surpasses Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer on

By Al Faqiih May 15, 2025

Jannik Sinner surpasses Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer on key milestone at Italian Open

Jannik Sinner, the current world No. 1, broke a record previously held by the Big Three, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer, after his match at the Italian Open.

Former World No.1 ‘shocked’ by some top 10 players’ decision ahead of Roland Garros
Rafael Nadal makes huge prediction about Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s future

Italian star Jannik Sinner continues to make headlines at the Italian Open, matching a historic milestone once held by Bjorn Borg while surpassing legends Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal. The world No. 1 advanced to the quarterfinals with a strong comeback win in the Round of 16, his first tournament appearance after a three-month layoff.

Now set to face Madrid Open champion Casper Ruud, Sinner looks in top form despite the extended absence. His return has been nothing short of remarkable, and with another title in sight, the 23-year-old appears more motivated than ever to continue his dominant run on the ATP Tour.

With his win over Francisco Cerundolo, Sinner surpassed Juan Martin del Potro’s record as world No. 1 and matched Borg’s astonishing mark of 50 wins in his first 53 matches while holding the top spot. Notably, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic never achieved that level of efficiency at No. 1.

Sinner is now right on the heels of the “Big Three” in terms of victories as world No. 1. Federer notched 50 wins in 54 matches at the top, while Nadal needed 56 to reach the same milestone.

Sinner reflects on return after three-month absence

After reaching a key milestone in his career and drawing comparisons to legends like Borg, Jannik Sinner shared his thoughts ahead of a highly anticipated match against Ruud. The Italian star discussed his return to the ATP Tour following a three-month layoff due to a doping suspension.

“I’m happy to be back after three months out,” Sinner said before his quarterfinal matchup at the Italian Open. “In every situation, I feel fortunate and lucky. Let’s see what happens, whatever comes, comes.”

Sinner also spoke about his current form and overall performance since returning to the tour. “I’m very happy because today I felt I raised my level,” he added. “Game-wise, I felt a little bit better, which makes me very glad.”

Sinner aiming for first Italian Open title

Returning to competition on home soil could prove meaningful for Sinner as he advances to the later stages of the tournament. Despite his success on the ATP circuit, the Italian has yet to win a title in his home country. This year, with strong momentum and crowd support, he may finally have the opportunity to lift the trophy in Rome.

His first major test will be against Ruud, who enters the match in excellent form after winning the Madrid Open. Should Sinner move past him, he would face one of the breakout stars of the tournament: American Tommy Paul.

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‘Hurt’ Iga Swiatek in ‘vicious circle’ that could come to head at French Open – Justine Henin

By Al Faqiih May 15, 2025

Justine Henin believes Iga Swiatek has been in a “vicious circle of hurt” since last year’s French Open, and it could come to a head on her return to Paris.

Swiatek has had a difficult start to 2024, with even a switch to her favourite surface of clay yet to bring out her very best.

Indeed, in Madrid she was thrashed 6-1 6-1 by Coco Gauff, and in Stuttgart and Rome she lost to two opponents who have caused her problems in the past, Jelena Ostapenko and Danielle Collins.

Swiatek will now head to the French Open having not won a title since her victory at the Grand Slam a year ago.

Former world No. 1 Henin thinks Swiatek’s recent struggles on clay are causing her “hurt”.

“It wasn’t a problem until now. Now we are on the clay that she loves so much, approaching the tournament that she has won four times, if there was a time to find herself, it was now,” Henin told Eurosport France.

“Now, it will take on another level. Against Collins [in Rome], she went through a very complex emotional state. She arrived at the press conference with red eyes. You can feel that it hurts, deep down.”

Kyrgios set for French Open return
Henin ‘not surprised’ by Djokovic, Murray split

Henin thinks Swiatek’s recent struggles can even be traced back to last year’s French Open, most notably when she rebuked the crowd for making noises during points after her battling win over Naomi Osaka in the second round.

“In her speech to the crowd after her victory against Osaka, we already felt that she was not particularly well, she was off the subject, on edge,” said Henin.

“I think it had been very hard to go and get this title. She’s been going through complex things for a while. I think one of the bases is her very perfectionist side. She wants to do things in a certain way.

“The status she has had, the domination she has had, especially on clay. We felt at certain moments in her young career how much pressure it was sometimes difficult to bear.”

Swiatek has been the dominant force on clay since 2022, winning three straight French Open titles to add to the one she won as a 19-year-old in 2020.

But last year was not plain sailing as she split with long-time coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and was also given a one-month suspension after a positive test for a banned substance.

This will be the first time she hasn’t won a clay title in the lead-up to the French Open since 2020.

Swiatek could also enter the Grand Slam as world No. 4, which would be her lowest ranking since early 2022.

“The fact of feeling that her game on other surfaces was not evolving as quickly as she thought or wanted weighed [on her],” added Henin.

“Her victory at the US Open [in 2022] was not enough to free her. Something was gradually setting in. There is competition that is progressing.

“All of this puts pressure on her. She’s in a vicious circle. It’s not surprising to see her struggling.

“But perhaps this is the moment when it needs to explode, so that things come out, so that she can analyse, understand what is happening to the great perfectionist that she is.

“We say to ourselves that it’s perhaps there, at Roland-Garros, that she’ll finally sink before, perhaps, starting again.”

Gauff: Expect best from Swiatek in Paris

Swiatek’s recent form has cast doubts over whether she will make it four in a row at the French Open.

Gauff will be one of the leading contenders looking to dethrone Swiatek in Paris and should be buoyed by her crushing win against the Pole in Madrid.

However, Gauff is not writing off Swiatek given her impressive history at the Grand Slam.

“I think for sure it changes some things when you maybe see someone who won Roland-Garros that many times not having the best results,” said Gauff in Rome.

“I think it definitely gives players a lot of confidence when they come to face her.

“You also have to respect that she’s a four-time champion at Roland-Garros. I always think if someone wins a tournament that many times, regardless of what shape they’re in, they can definitely figure out a way to win again.

“If I were to play her at French Open, I would throw away the results in Madrid, not even think about it, expect her to play her best tennis.”

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Watch: Iga Swiatek Hits Roland Garros Practice Court 2 Weeks Early

By Al Faqiih May 15, 2025

Iga Swiatek surprised tennis fans by practicing at Roland Garros two weeks before the French Open.

Roland Garros shared a sneak peek at Iga Swiatek’s surprisingly early practice session before the French Open.

Iga Swiatek is battling through the worst slump of her professional career. The Queen of Clay no longer looks unstopped on her favorite surface and has not won a title since last year’s French Open.

Danielle Collins upset Swiatek in the third round of the Italian Open (Internazionali BNL d’Italia), giving Swiatek an extra long break before Roland Garros. It perhaps is not the best thing for a player struggling to find her form.

While some fans and media members speculated that Swiatek could add a tournament in the meantime, it is now apparent that she plans to spend her time in Paris gearing up for the second Grand Slam of the season.

On Thursday morning, the official Roland Garros social media channels shared a quick 27-second video of Swiatek training with her team inside an empty Philippe Chatrier. Swiatek arrived a full two weeks ahead of her first match at Roland Garros.

Four of Swiatek’s five Grand Slam titles have come at Roland Garros, including last year’s dominant victory over Jasmine Paolini. She is comfortable in the stadium and looks to regain her form before defending her title.

However, Swiatek has not won a tournament at any level since last year’s French Open. Even worse, she has not even made the finals of an event since last June.

There are plenty of reasons that can be attributed to Swiatek’s title drought. She has cited anxiety and a loss of confidence after dealing with her doping scandal, a coaching change, and family issues off the court.

Swiatek is currently the WTA World No. 2 with a record of 27-9 with zero titles. However, she will slide in the WTA Rankings after the conclusion of the Italian Open. She could be a fourth seed in the 2025 French Open.

The 2025 French Open runs from May 25 – June 8. Stay locked into Sports Illustrated’s Serve On SI for all of your tennis news from the court and beyond.

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