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After a long season, especially for Coco Gauff who started the year in Auckland and closed it with the WTA Finals trophy, it’s time to analyze to some extent what has been achieved to focus on preparing for the next year. The young American has shown in these last months how insatiable she is, always seeking to give that extra on the court to achieve everything possible in that final push. Once the competition was over, the American confesses that she likes to relax on her rest days.

Her way of recharging

“I like to do nothing,” Coco confessed to People referring to those days when she has no obligations. “Like after the Olympics. On Sundays, I was with my brother watching Love Island together. I don’t know if I should watch Love Island with my 11-year-old brother, but he has older siblings, so I feel like that’s how it goes.” The American explained that doing nothing with her brother helped her recharge her batteries.

“Sometimes I feel like even self-care is too much work. What I want is to do nothing, sit and rot, literally. So those were the best days, honestly, especially when you’ve been busy, and having someone to do it with was nice.”

Hate on social media

“It’s something many people can identify with; most people have seen how Internet trolls or many people from their workplace do not believe in them. Sometimes I purposely read the comments to encourage myself and use it as motivation to prove them wrong.”

Novak Djokovic made offer to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as future link-up mooted

Novak Djokovic is the last man standing from the Big Four era. Roger Federer retired in 2022 before Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal joined him this year.

The current world No. 7 has already reached out to one of his old rivals, hiring Murray as his coach for the off-season and Australian Open.

But he also previously made a different offer to Federer and Nadal, as he hopes to strengthen their relationship in retirement.

Djokovic somewhat gatecrashed the Federer and Nadal party. The Serb broke through later than his two competitors, winning his first Grand Slam title in 2008 and reaching world No. 1 for the first time in 2011.

But he came from behind to surpass both in the record books and now holds 24 Major trophies and the most all-time weeks at the top of the rankings with 428. Their intense rivalry meant, as Djokovic previously confessed, the trio weren’t “friends”.

The 37-year-old wants to change that as he previously extended an offer to the two multi-Grand Slam champions, sharing his hopes that they can all “sit down and reflect” on their careers together when they have all retired.

During an appearance on 60 Minutes at the end of last year, the Olympic champion was asked whether he could have a friendly future. “I would like to,” he replied.

“I would really like to. Personally, I would like to. I mean, I know that obviously we didn’t get along so well throughout our careers in, like, off court.

“And we are not friends because, you know, we’re rivals and it’s difficult as competitors to be very close and kind of share and give insights to you know, to your life or to how you feel because, you know, it could be used against you.”

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

While it has been difficult to open up to his biggest rivals, the world No. 7 is hopeful that they can spend more time together when all is said and done. He continued: “But we have shared the stage for so many years.

“And I think the greatest respect is always there, at least from my side, towards them. So yeah, I hope that one day, when the curtains are slightly more closed, that we are, yeah, able to sit down and, and reflect. It would be amazing.”

Djokovic has already been able to share some closer moments with Federer and Nadal this year. He caught up with the Swiss star when Federer came to watch him compete in the Shanghai Masters final.

The Serb also ran into Nadal on their flight to Indian Wells back in February. They spent time together in Riyadh during the Six Kings Slam exhibition in October, enjoying activities with their younger rivals, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic has also turned to another old foe, hiring Murray as his new coach. After explaining how difficult it would be to share insight with his competitors, the two 37-year-olds will be in the same corner talking tactics.

“I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach,” Djokovic said, announcing the news.

“Looking forward to start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on the Australian soil.”

Former world number one Rafael Nadal remains one of the most searched athletes in Spain. The 38-year-old is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category, having won as many as 22 Grand Slam titles.

Nadal, who retired from professional tennis recently after struggling with fitness concerns, remains one of the most searched athletes on Google in his country. As per the latest report, the former world number one is the second-most non-football athlete searched in Spain. He was closely followed by young Carlos Alcaraz, who was in third place. Interestingly, a similar trend has not been followed in Switzerland and Serbia when it comes to searching for other Big Three rivals such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Nadal finished his career recently after representing his country in the Davis Cup. The legendary tennis star struggled with fitness concerns throughout his career, especially towards the latter stages, which forced him to miss a lot of major competitions. The 22-time Grand Slam winner stayed out of action for nearly 12 months before returning to action earlier this year. He missed six out of last eight Grand Slams.

His only appearance in a mega-event in 2024 was in the French Open, where he was knocked out after losing in the first round to Germany’s Alexander Zverev in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. Overall, Nadal played just 19 matches in his final season,n where he won 12 matches and suffered seven defeats.

Nadal is also renowned as the ‘King of Clay’, that is because he won the Roland Garros title 14 times, which is also a record in the competition’s history. His last major event interestingly was also the French Open in 2022 where he defeated Norway’s Casper Ruud in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-3, 6-0.

“He didn’t need pomp and ceremony”: Rafael Nadal’s farewell ceremony sparks comparisons with Steffi Graf’s quiet exit

Former Serena Williams’ coach Rennae Stubbs likened Rafael Nadal’s personality to that of tennis legend Steffi Graf following a subdued farewell ceremony marking the Spaniard’s retirement at the recent Davis Cup Finals.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion had struggled with injuries in his final years on tour. Nadal played his last professional match against the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp, losing in straight sets.

After Rafa’s defeat, Spain’s hopes of advancing in the Davis Cup and extending the former World No. 1’s career rested on Carlos Alcaraz. Despite Alcaraz defeating Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets, the Spanish doubles team of Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers fell to Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof, sealing the Netherlands’ victory and Nadal’s retirement.

Following the series, a brief 10-minute farewell ceremony was held for Nadal. However, it lacked the presence of high-profile colleagues such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who participated only through pre-recorded video tributes.

The 14-time Roland Garros champion bid farewell through tears, expressing heartfelt gratitude to his fans. However, the simplicity of the ceremony drew criticism from figures like Nadal’s coach Carlos Moyá and Spain’s Davis Cup captain David Ferrer, who lamented the absence of Federer and Djokovic at the event.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic
2K31J4K London, UK. 24th Sep, 2022. 23rd September 2022; O2, London England: Laver Cup international tennis tournament: Novak Djokovic of Team Europe speaks with Rafael Nadal and Rodger Federer during the break in their doubles match against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World Credit: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy Live News

“It’s like Steffi. It’s interesting because Steffi just dropped the mic and walked away because she was hurting,” commented Rennae Stubbs on her podcast. “Her body was hurting, her knee was hurting, her foot was hurting, her back was hurting. She was in love. She’d just met Andre, and they were dating, but she was different so she just stopped.'”

“She just walked away, but she’s very different to these personalities. She didn’t love the spotlight, she just loved playing. I think Rafa is more similar to Steffi than Roger or Novak or Andy,” she added.

“Even the way he retired, just the whole circumstances around it, it was more about playing at home, being with his family, there was no other players there. There was just his teammates and it was kind of low-key and it was kind of like for Rafa that was enough.”

“For Steffi it was like, ‘Yeah, I don’t need all that pomp and ceremony.’ The first thing I said to her when she told me she was retiring, I was like,’Wait what? The US Open is in like three weeks. Why don’t you do it there?’ And she’s like, ‘Nah, I’m good.'”

Angel Reese isn’t holding back to close 2024 off with her fit game. Her latest is easily one of her best of the year.

The Chicago Sky All-Star has had many fashion hits since the offseason hit like her Wild ‘n Out in Chicago in bootylicious shorts, and her insane Poison Ivy painted green Halloween costume, and a naughty secretary look to announce her new shoe.

Recently, Reese attended the 2024 Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York City where she wore a stunning fit while going fangirl with Rihanna, and posing for an epic photo with Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas.

Right before Christmas, Reese dropped her latest holiday fit that will definitely land her on Santa’s naughty list in her see-through leopard-print look and the blonde streaks to match.

Wow, now that’s an All-Star-worthy look right there.

Reese finished her WNBA rookie season averaging a double-double averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 points per game. She has a month off before playing in the new Unrivaled 3×3 league in January in Miami.

The 22-year-old already looks to be in Miami Barbie mode with this latest look — a clear winner for her in 2024.

Just a few months after the doping case involving Jannik Sinner came to light, the tennis world was once again faced with a similar situation, this time in the women’s circuit. The different parties involved wasted no time in speaking out publicly to offer their perspectives, including Iga Swiatek herself. The ITIA itself shared the conclusion that the positive test resulted from a contaminated medication, but controversy was already guaranteed. With all WTA Tour matches played, the Polish player could also take a moment to see how this entire situation unfolded, triggering hundreds and thousands of opinions from both current and former players.

“It’s unfortunate for her. She provided a negative test in Paris at the Olympics, negative doping tests in New York (US Open), so this wasn’t an ongoing issue. It’s [expletive],” Andy expressed in his Podcast (Served with Andy Roddick) regarding the recent case of the current world number 2. “The dumbest people in our sport say: ‘Oh, doping!’ I’ve taken melatonin before, who can guarantee that ours isn’t contaminated?”

Roddick trusts the statements of expert scientists

“Are we going to cling to a billionth of a gram of something that hasn’t enhanced performance? What are we trying to solve with the ITIA and then with the WADA? What do we aim to solve? Performance enhancement. If we’re seeing, and all the scientists are telling us in independent hearings, those kinds of people are saying, ‘It didn’t enhance performance at all.’ So why do we care?” concluded the former American player, who decisively addresses the issue, clarifying what he believes were Swiatek’s intentions, as she couldn’t gain any advantage from consuming this amount of the substance for which she tested positive in an anti-doping test.

Andy Roddick has defended Iga Swiatek over her ban for failing a doping test as he criticised punishing players in cases where performance could not have been enhanced. 

It was announced on Thursday that Swiatek had tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine in August, shortly before the Cincinnati Open.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced in a statement that Swiatek had received a one-month suspension as it was deemed she carried “no significant fault or negligence.”

Swiatek was provisionally suspended from September 12 to October 4, which means the 23-year-old Polish star had already served 22 days of her ban on the day the news emerged.

Therefore, the five-time Grand Slam champion and world No 2 will be able to compete at her next two scheduled events: the United Cup and the Australian Open.

Iga Swiatek News

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The 5 women with the longest winning streak on the WTA Tour in 2024: Iga Swiatek out in front

Speaking on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, Roddick weighed in on Swiatek’s doping case.

Iga Swiatek

“I can’t call it doping. It’s like taking a melatonin for jet lag at 2:30 in the morning in Cincy and having… think about how many things had to go wrong for Iga Swiatek to get popped for melatonin and something that was contaminated,” the 2003 US Open winner said.

“It’s just unfortunate for her obviously. A negative test in Paris at the Olympics, negative tests in New York. So this isn’t some ongoing thing. It just sucks. It just sucks ’cause the headlines people will say, the dumbest people in our sports, ‘Ah, doping!’

“I’ve taken melatonin before. Who’s to say ours weren’t contaminated and are we going to continue to clutch pearls about one billionth of a gram of something or contaminated melatonin that didn’t have any performance enhancement.

“What are we trying to solve with the ITIA and then to WADA, what are we trying to solve for? Performance enhancement. We want to stop performance with drugs.

“Now if we’re foreseeing simply, if we’re seeing all the scientists are telling us in the independent tribunals with people that know a lot more about all this crap, the people that knew what clostebol was six months ago or four months ago, those types of people are saying ‘well, it didn’t enhance performance at all’, then why the f**k do we care?”

Coco Gauff: The Highest-Paid Female Athlete of 2024 with $30.4 Million in Earnings and $27.1 Million Net Worth

Some things are just meant to happen. The rise of Coco Gauff, from a bright-eyed teenager to the highest-paid female athlete of 2024, is one of those moments in sports history that feels almost fated.

As the 20-year-old continues to captivate the tennis world, her incredible achievements are only overshadowed by her even more remarkable ability to manage her career, endorsements, and personal growth.

Coco Gauff’s journey from the courts of Florida to global fame shows that she has more than just her skills; she’s got the business acumen and the charisma to match. Coco Gauff’s Rise to the Top In a year when many athletes would be basking in their success, Coco Gauff is raising the bar. She just clinched the title of the highest-paid female athlete in 2024, with a jaw-dropping $30.4 million in earnings, according to Sportico. Coco’s earnings include a lucrative mix of winnings and endorsement deals that have skyrocketed her into the spotlight. It’s not just her athleticism on the court that’s making waves—her off-court deals and savvy brand partnerships have also catapulted her to the top of the leaderboard.

This achievement wasn’t handed to her on a silver platter. Coco’s journey has been years in the making, and it’s no surprise that tennis remains a dominant force in the earnings of female athletes. Of the 15 highest-paid women in sports this year, nine are tennis players. From endorsement deals with major brands like New Balance, Rolex, and Bose, to her impressive prize money, Coco has carved a path for herself that goes beyond sports.

Coco GauffThis achievement wasn’t handed to her on a silver platter. Coco’s journey has been years in the making, and it’s no surprise that tennis remains a dominant force in the earnings of female athletes. Of the 15 highest-paid women in sports this year, nine are tennis players. From endorsement deals with major brands like New Balance, Rolex, and Bose, to her impressive prize money, Coco has carved a path for herself that goes beyond sports.

Coco Gauff’s Endorsements: The Real Game Changer While her tennis prowess is undeniable, it’s her ability to build lasting partnerships off the court that has played a pivotal role in her rise. As Sportico reported, out of her $22.7 million earnings in 2023, a staggering $16 million came from endorsements. And it’s easy to see why companies want to align with Coco. Her partnerships with top-tier brands like New Balance, Baker Tilly, Barilla, and UPS reflect a star who is not just a tennis player, but a lifestyle icon.

In fact, she’s so much more than a one-dimensional athlete. Coco has worked with Bose to promote their QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and teamed up with Ray-Ban and Meta to promote their new smart glasses. With her partnerships, Coco has shown the world that athletes aren’t just competitors; they’re multifaceted individuals who balance sports with real-world passions and interests. Her personality shines through in these collaborations, where she gives her fans a glimpse of what she’s like off the court.

Coco Gauff Net worth Coco Gauff’s story is only beginning. With a $27.1 million net worth (via Forbes) and more milestones ahead, she is the embodiment of where talent, hard work, and business savvy can take you.

She’s a force to be reckoned with on and off the court, and as her career continues to unfold, we’ll likely see even more records broken and expectations surpassed. As the tennis world watches her every move, one thing is clear: Coco Gauff is not just the highest-paid female athlete of 2024. She’s the future of tennis, a multi-dimensional athlete who is carving out a legacy that will resonate for years to come.

Coco Gauff : The Next Grand Slam Champion? A Tennis Analyst Weighs In

Coco Gauff is firmly focused on achieving Grand Slam triumph by 2025, following a spectacular conclusion to her 2024 season, where she clinched the WTA Finals title. At just 20 years of age, Gauff is already a role model for women around the globe, aiming to augment her collection of prestigious titles.

Bursting onto the scene at age 15 with a stunning victory over tennis icon Venus Williams at Wimbledon, Gauff is now setting her ambitions even higher after securing a WTA Finals championship.

Last week, tennis enthusiasts were taken aback when Gauff announced her preparations for the 2025 season had already commenced, showcasing her intense dedication to the sport and a laser-focus on major titles.

Renowned coach Rick Macci, who has guided numerous tennis luminaries, has underscored Gauff’s unique skill set, which echoes that of Venus Williams.

“Coco is doing something that no player has done since Venus Williams,” Macci noted. “She seamlessly blends power and athleticism with a newly discovered mental resilience.”

Gauff’s early achievements and relentless spirit make her a formidable contender as she continues to refine her skills and mature on the court. The tennis community eagerly anticipates her quest for Grand Slam accolades in 2025.

As she draws comparisons to the legendary Venus Williams, Macci has also highlighted Gauff’s remarkable speed and agility on the court.

“Coco, the human Loco, possesses an incredible speed. Even when facing a short reply with her forehand, her recovery speed is unmatched in the WTA since the original Compton Comet herself, Venus,” he expressed on X (formerly Twitter).

Macci further speculated that refining her serve could propel Gauff’s performance even higher.

“If we can adjust her serve biomechanically and move her to a platform stance, it would transform her second serve from a liability to an asset, potentially catapulting her to the number one spot,” he tweeted.

While Venus Williams’ legacy may be overshadowed by her sister Serena’s achievements, she remains a potent symbol for upcoming athletes like Gauff. At only 20, Gauff’s journey has already been remarkable, yet the weight of expectation grows as she strives to fulfill her vast potential. With Venus’ seven Grand Slam titles as a benchmark, Gauff faces the vital task of turning her explosive talent into consistent tournament victories, establishing her legacy among tennis greats.

NEW YORK – Coco Gauff is reshaping the landscape of American tennis. Following a decisive win over Jelena Ostapenko in the US Open quarterfinals, the 19-year-old prodigy has become the first American woman since Venus Williams in 2002 to reach the semifinals of the tournament in consecutive years. Her commanding performance, marked by powerful serves and relentless groundstrokes, solidifies her status among the elite players globally. The crowd erupted with excitement at each triumph, recognizing the historical significance of her achievements.

“It feels fantastic,” Gauff said after her match, her smile brightening the arena. “Reaching the semifinals again is truly a dream come true. I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve received.”

Gauff’s path to the semifinals has displayed remarkable poise and determination, revealing her growing confidence on tennis’s grandest stages.

Her success has sparked enthusiasm among fans across the nation. “Coco is a role model for young athletes everywhere,” one fan expressed. “She exemplifies that with hard work and dedication, anything is achievable.”

As Gauff gears up for her semifinal bout, she carries both the weight of history and the encouragement of her fervent supporters surrounding her. With her undeniable talent and relentless determination, she aims to etch her name further into tennis history.

Coco Gauff

After a dazzling end to 2024, crowned by a thrilling victory at the WTA Finals, Coco Gauff has set her sights set squarely on Grand Slam glory in 2025. This 20-year-old sensation, who first stunned the world at 15, appears poised for even greater accomplishments. But can she possibly seize a major title next year?

To gain insight into Gauff’s prospects, we spoke with the esteemed tennis coach Rick Macci, who has trained tennis legends such as Venus and Serena Williams.

“Coco has achieved so much at such a young age,” we asked Macci. “What distinguishes her from her peers?”

“Coco showcases a unique blend of physical prowess, athletic ability, and mental resilience,” Macci replied. “She reminds me greatly of Venus in that regard.”

“She’s not just physically talented; her ability to evolve and adjust her game is commendable. The way she handled pressure at the WTA Finals was astonishing.”

“Coco has mentioned starting her preparations for 2025 already,” we probed. “That level of dedication is certainly notable. Do you believe she can clinch a Grand Slam next year?”

“Nothing is set in stone in tennis, but Coco undoubtedly has the potential. She possesses all the right tools – talent, dedication, and mental strength. What she requires now is experience. Grand Slams present unique challenges, demanding consistency and resilience that can only develop with time,” Macci responded.

“So, potential is evident, but experience will be pivotal?”

“Exactly. If she can translate her skills and commitment into consistent performances throughout a Grand Slam tournament, she will be a fiercely competitive player,” Macci concluded.

“Exciting times await Coco Gauff,” we remarked. Macci replied warmly, “My pleasure.”

It certainly seems that Coco Gauff possesses all the essential elements for future Grand Slam glory. With her steadfast commitment and the guidance of experienced mentors like Rick Macci, the tennis world will be on the edge of their seats as she pursues her dreams in 2025.

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash has revealed Rafael Nadal is the one person he would choose to play a match for his life as he declared the Spanish legend played “like nobody else.”

Nadal brought the curtain down on his incredible 23-year career after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga last month.

The 38-year-old Mallorcan was beaten by Botic van de Zandschulp in his last-ever match as Spain lost to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the team event.

The former world No 1 won his 14th Roland Garros crown, 22nd Grand Slam and 92nd and final career title at the 2022 French Open.

Following Nadal’s farewell, Cash hailed the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s unique game and the way he continuously improved.

“Nadal has brought something to the game of tennis that we’ve never seen before. I always say that he’s a he’s a turbo charged Guillermo Vilas,” the Australian said in an interview with Tennis Majors.

“Vilas came out hit more top spin than anybody’s seen. He was fitter than anybody had seen. He just used to run, run non stop. He used to train like crazy. You know, he’s obviously a turbo charged version of that. But we’ve never really seen anybody play like Nadal, though.

“I mean, he had modern rackets. He had his follow through on his forehand. It was unusual. Just had so much top spin. And the competitiveness.

Rafael Nadal

“He’s very, very special. I’ve always said that if I had one person to play for my life, one match somewhere, it would be Nadal. Because if an alien came down from outer space and said, ‘OK, I know how to play tennis. I’ll beat [anyone], give me your best’, you’d throw Nadal out there. Go on, handle his slice serve, try to handle this top spin.

“He just plays like nobody else. His competitiveness, ferociousness. Every season was interesting because you’d watch him, you’d go, ‘what’s he changed now? What’s he improved now?’

“He just kept doing that. He kept changing his serve, getting it better. Kept doing different tactics, doing this, this and that.

“Top players tend to do that. You go, either improve, or you stand still, as they say, and he was great at that.”