Tennis

The year of activities in ATP ended, that is why the players of this circuit 2024 chose the best tournaments in each category. For the ATP Masters 1000, the most important category after the Grand Slams, the Indian Wells was chosen by the players as the best Masters 1000 tournament. In the ATP 500 category, the Cinch Championships at the Queen’s Club in London. While in the ATP 250, the Qatar ExxonMobil Open took the spotlight in this category. It should be noted, that these same tournaments repeated as best tournaments of the year, and in the case of Indian Wells, it celebrated its tenth consecutive nomination as best Masters 1000 of the year. Cover image: X (@BNPPARIBASOPEN)

After a seven-year absence, Serbian star Novak Djokovic will return to the Doha ATP in Qatar. With the tournament becoming an ATP 500, formerly ATP 250, Djokovic joins stars such as world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev as the Top 10 players confirmed for the Qatar Open. Nole has good memories of this tournament, as he has a 15-2 record in his favor in his participations, in addition to his titles won in 2016 and 2017, so it will be very interesting what Djokovic can achieve next year in Doha, from February 17 to 22, date to be disputed. Image: X (@qatarairways)

The Netherlands made history by qualifying for their first-ever Davis Cup final after defeating Germany 2-0, with victories from Van de Zandschulp and Griekspoor. They will face defending champions Italy, led by world number one Jannik Sinner. The Netherlands have written a historic chapter in the Davis Cup, earning their first-ever spot in the tournament’s final. After eliminating Spain, featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, in the quarterfinals, the Dutch team overcame Germany in the semifinals. Despite Germany missing Alexander Zverev, they were no easy challenge.     Just two singles matches were enough for the Netherlands to clinch a 2-0 series victory over Germany. In the first match, Botic van de Zandschulp defeated Daniel Altmaier in a hard-fought battle, winning 6-4, 7-6 (14-12 in the tiebreak). In the second match, it was Tallon Griekspoor’s turn to face the Germans, securing a victory over Jan-Lennard Struff with scores of 6-7 (4-7 in the tiebreak), 7-5, and 6-4. With these two wins, the doubles match was unnecessary, as Germany had no chance of overturning the series. Thus, for the first time in the 104-year history of the tournament, the Netherlands will play in the Davis Cup final.     You may be interested in: https://titansports.mx/se-acabo-rafael-nadal-disputo-su-ultimo-partido-como-profesional/ Italy Aims for Back-to-Back Titles Although the Netherlands have been the “dark horse” of this Davis Cup, they face a daunting task in the final against defending champions Italy. The Italian team boasts Jannik Sinner, the world number one, as their star player. Italy defeated Australia 2-0 in their semifinal series, with victories from Matteo Berrettini and the aforementioned Jannik Sinner. Cover photo: X (@CopaDavis)  

Rafael Nadal said goodbye to tennis after losing in the Davis Cup. He thanked his team and fans in an emotional tribute, with messages from sports stars such as Federer, Djokovic, Serena Williams and Spanish icons. A cycle in tennis came to an end Yesterday, the historic Rafael Nadal ended his career in the sport of racquetball after falling in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup against the Dutch Botic van de Zandschulp by a double 6-4. This result meant the elimination of Spain from the competition, after losing the series 2-1.     However, the result was the least important thing. All the spectators, players and TV viewers who followed this match were there only to witness Nadal’s last moments on the court. The Spanish multi-champion pleased the audience present and, after the match ended, he took the microphone to thank his fans for supporting him, motivating him and helping him to improve himself during his 20-year career. He also expressed his gratitude to everyone, especially the Spanish team, for allowing him to play his last match as a professional.     Nadal is honored with a touching video Words were not enough to recognize Rafa’s career. The tournament organizers paid tribute to the winner of 92 titles with an emotional video that compiled his best moments with the racquet. In the video, other world-class stars such as Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer himself -with whom Nadal starred in one of the greatest rivalries of the sport in the first decades of the 21st century-, dedicated messages of gratitude and recognition for his outstanding career. You may be interested in: https://titansports.mx/el-fin-de-una-era-en-el-tenis-rafael-nadal-anuncio-su-retiro/     In addition, Spanish sports figures such as Iker Casillas, Raúl González, Andrés Iniesta and the current Ballon d’Or, Rodri, also dedicated a few words to him, praising his achievements and his impact on the national sport. Another sportsman who congratulated Nadal was David Beckham. Cover photo: X (@CopaDavis)