'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Rafael Nadal's wife Maria Francisca Perello delighted at the Spaniard and her baby son's enthusiasm during the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony. In other news, Novak Djokovic humorously pleaded for his first Olympic gold in his TikTok debut.
Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe opened up about teaming up with Venus Williams and Jessica Pegula's former coach David Witt at the Atlanta Open. Carlos Alcaraz cleared up compatriot Rafael Nadal's injury speculations ahead of their Paris Olympics campaign.
Also, Alex de Minaur and his girlfriend Katie Boulter shared a hilarious exchange ahead of their Olympics debut in Paris.
On that note, here's a recap of today's top tennis news:
Rafael Nadal and baby son's excitement at Paris Olympics opening ceremony delights wife Maria Francisca Perello
Rafael Nadal and his baby son were a picture of excitement during the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, with their enthusiasm bringing a radiant smile to the face of the Spaniard's wife, Maria Francisca Perello.
Trending
Joined by his family, Nadal and his son shared matching smiles and fist pumps. The Spaniard joyfully wrapped his son in the Spanish flag and showed him the procession.
Checkout the pictures here:
Later, Rafael Nadal participated in the iconic torch relay alongside sporting legends Serena Williams, Amelie Mauresmo, and Zinedine Zidane, culminating in the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
Checkout pictures and videos from the opening ceremony here:
Nadal will begin his singles campaign against Hungary's Marton Fucsovics and will also partner with Carlos Alcaraz in men's doubles, facing Argentina's Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez in the first round.
Novak Djokovic humbly pleads for first Olympic gold in hilarious TikTok debut
Novak Djokovic made his debut on TikTok with a video of himself humorously praying for his first Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Watch the video here:
The Paris Games, which could be Novak Djokovic’s last Olympics, will be his fifth time competing. The Serb got bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, made it to the semifinals in London 2012, lost in the first round in Rio 2016, and came in fourth in Tokyo 2020.
Top seed Novak Djokovic will take on Australia's Matthew Ebden in the first round on July 27.
Frances Tiafoe discusses new partnership with former Venus Williams and Jessica Pegula coach David Witt
Frances Tiafoe has elaborated on his decision to partner with Venus Williams and Jessica Pegula's former coach David Witt.
Following his 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Aslan Karatsev in the Round of 16 at the Atlanta Open, Tiafoe elaborated on the new collaboration with Witt and the rationale behind his decision. In his post-match interview, Tiafoe disclosed that they had been working together for nearly ten days and praised Witt's track record with Williams and Pegula.
“It’s been good. It’s been about a week and a half. He’s super chill, just like me, and he’s obviously done a great job with Venus and he did a great job Pegula. It’s good to have him on the team, we’ve been friends for a long time. I just wanted a fresh start with someone, and I thought he was the perfect guy,” Tiafoe said.
Frances Tiafoe concluded his Atlanta campaign with a 7-6(2), 6-2 loss to Yoshihito Nishioka in the quarterfinals. Tiafoe will now participate in the Mubadala Citi DC Open, along with doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis. The American-Australian duo will take on fifth-seeds Lloyd Glasspool and Santiago Gonzalez in the Round of 16 on July 30.
Carlos Alcaraz addresses Rafael Nadal's injury concerns ahead of Paris Olympics
Carlos Alcaraz has eased fears that Rafael Nadal's recent injury could impact his availability for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Concerns first arose on Thursday (July 25) when Nadal's coach, Carlos Moya, disclosed that the Spaniard had delayed a training session with Alexander Zverev after experiencing right thigh discomfort. This led to speculation that Nadal might only compete in doubles.
However, speaking to CLAY magazine on Friday, Alcaraz calmed Spanish fans by stating that Nadal was doing well.
“The guy is fine, he’s at his best. He’s always fine, like always!” Alcaraz said to CLAY.
Alex de Minaur and girlfriend Katie Boulter share a lighthearted banter ahead of their Olympic debut in Paris
Alex de Minaur and his girlfriend Katie Boulter engaged in a humorous exchange ahead of their Olympic debut in Paris.
Boulter shared glimpses of her time at the Olympic Village on her Instagram, including a photo with fellow British tennis player Heather Watson and a collage of all the athletes representing Great Britain.
"MADE IT TO MY FIRST OLYMPICS," Boulter exclaimed.
De Minaur playfully commented, asking for his "pin" back, to which Boulter hilariously replied that he should message her first.
"Give me my pin back," de Minaur wrote.
"@alexdeminaur stop pin hunting and reply to me for once," Boulter responded.
Fifth seed Alex de Minaur will take on Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff, while Katie Boulter will face Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in their respective first-round matches.
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here
