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Tennis great Maria Sharapova hilariously picked up her son Theodore's mini tennis racket for a fun practice session. In other news, Carlos Alcaraz provided a hopeful ankle injury update ahead of his US Open campaign
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner's ex-physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi spoke out on his role in the Italian's failed drug test while Naomi Osaka’s US Open outfit has been revealed.
On that note, here's a recap of today's top tennis news:
Maria Sharapova tries out son Theodore's miniature tennis racket
Maria Sharapova shared an Instagram story showing her practicing with her two-year-old son Theodore's mini tennis racket. Sharapova also admitted that she secretly borrowed the racket while no one else was around.
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"When you order a racquet for your child but secretly use it yourself when no one is home," Sharapova wrote on Instagram story.
Carlos Alcaraz provides update on ankle injury ahead of his US Open campaign
Carlos Alcaraz shared a positive update on his ankle injury concerns ahead of his US Open campaign. Alcaraz was forced to abandon his US Open practice session with Francisco Cerundolo after rolling his ankle.
In his pre-tournament press conference, Alcaraz mentioned that he felt discomfort during the practice and ended the session as a precaution. Since the incident, Alcaraz hasn’t returned to the practice court but stated that he was feeling improved. The Spaniard also expressed optimism about returning to his full capacity and resuming practice by Sunday.
"Well, I think it is okay," Carlos Alcaraz said. "You know, I just stop my practice just for precaution. I didn't feel comfortable enough to keep practicing just in case if everything is going to be worse."
"But, you know, after a few hours later, I still feel good, you know, my feet, so tomorrow I will try to be practicing again 100% without thinking about it, but today I'll take care about it," he added.
The 2020 champion and third seed Carlos Alcaraz will take on Australian Li Tu in the first round on August 26. If the Spaniard wins, he will take on either Denis Shapovalov or Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round.
Jannik Sinner's ex-physiotherapist addresses his involvement in Italian's failed drug test
Jannik Sinner's former physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi has spoken out following the Italian's doping scandal. Earlier this week, it was revealed that Sinner tested positive for the performance-enhancing steroid Clostebol twice in March, but he avoided suspension after successful appeals.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared Sinner of any fault or negligence, concluding that his physiotherapist accidentally contaminated him with the banned substance, resulting in only a minor ranking point penalty and a fine.
Despite being exonerated, Sinner and his team were subjected to intense criticism from numerous tennis enthusiasts, and some players even accused the authorities of showing favoritism.
Naldi, who recently had to terminate his association with Sinner, reflected on their shared experiences and denounced the criticism that the tennis player and his team have been facing.
"It is true that there are two paths to justice: the real one sanctioned by the Courts and the one (unfortunately more effective) sanctioned by the media. The latter is too often superficial and rarely based on concrete facts, which in this case, moreover, are public," Naldi wrote on Instagram.
"As a spectator I have always wondered what the objective of spectacular legal cases, if not to judge, create or destroy people and their reputations. Today that I have confirmed that I am the star of it!" he added.
Top seed Jannik Sinner will lock horns with Mackenzie McDonald in the first round at the US Open.
Naomi Osaka's custom outfit for US Open revealed
Naomi Osaka's 2024 US Open outfit has been unveiled, drawing inspiration from the Japanese Lolita fashion style. Dubbed the 'Goth Lolita,' the outfit features an array of bows, frills, ribbons, and tulle.
According to the New York Times, it also features a bomber jacket with a large bow on the back, along with more bows attached to the back of the outfit and tiny ones on the shoes.
Check out the pictures here:
The two-time champion will face 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko in the first round in the Louis Armstrong Stadium. If the Japanese wins, she will take on either Karolina Muchova or Katie Volynets in the second round of the US Open.
