Naomi Osaka has four major titles under her belt but the second round at Flushing Meadows, Wimbledon and Roland Garros was as good as it got this year for the Japanese 26-year-old, who exited the Australian Open in the first round.
As Rafael Nadal prepares to ride off into the sunset after a stellar career, his fellow professionals from eras old and new agree on one thing - the Spaniard remains an inspirational role model whose legacy has shaped tennis over the last 23 years.
'To be honest at one point we had cars all over the place. It was quite an adrenaline experience, but I don't think I will repeat that.'
Teenager Andreeva shows her mettle, Pegula advances at French Open
Norway's Casper Ruud won his first Masters 1000 title on Sunday, as he stormed to a 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory over fifth seed Jack Draper in the Madrid Open final with a gutsy performance that showcased his clay-court mettle.
Penpix of the top men's contenders at the 2021 French Open which begins on Sunday:
Novak Djokovic moved to the brink of his 100th tour-level title after recovering from a second-set blip to beat British qualifier Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-1 in the Geneva Open semi-finals on Friday.
Andreeva bids for Paris glory after stellar start to season
'I'm happy to be part of this Italian movement. People, they start to play tennis now more and more, which is great to see. I think that's the most important.'
Andy Murray's illustrious career finally came to an end as he and doubles partner Dan Evans were beaten 6-2, 6-4 by American pair Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul in the Olympics quarter-finals at Roland Garros on Thursday.
A Wimbledon social media post featuring both Alcaraz and Djokovic together teased fans
Wimbledon champion and world number three Elena Rybakina pulled out of a warm-up event in Eastbourne.
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek of Poland faces Irina-Camella Begu of Romania in the opening round of the women's draw with second-seeded American Coco Gauff taking on Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.
Nadal had previously said this year could be his final one on the tour.
Big-serving Elena Rybakina will aim to retain her title but other players have emerged as serious contenders:
Novak Djokovic said he is still hoping for a final chapter in their storied rivalry.
It was sweet victory for Japan's Miyu Kato as she bagged the mixed doubles crown with Tim Puetz after being disqualied from the women's doubles.
With the Champions League final kicking off on Saturday evening, authorities are bracing for both sets of spectators to spill out onto the streets of western Paris around the same time.
Novak Djokovic battled from a set down to clinch his 100th tour-level title by beating Polish sixth seed Hubert Hurkacz 5-7, 7-6(2), 7-6(2) at the Geneva Open on Saturday.
The British duo squandered two match points in a nerve-jangling second set tiebreak and looked to be heading out as the Belgians moved ahead in the third set, leading 9-7.
Gaston keeps French flag flying at Roland Garros.
Iga Swiatek demolished Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in just under an hour to clinch her first Wimbledon title and fifth Grand Slam crown overall.
Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Madrid Open on Thursday after the second seed said he was struggling with hamstring and groin injuries.
Jannik Sinner's bid to win back-to-back Halle Open titles was ended on Thursday
Teenager Andreeva marches into Wimbledon last 16
India's top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal made a first round exit from the Geneva Open after going down fighting against Argentina's Sebastian Baez.
IMAGES from the French Open played at Roland Garros, in Paris, France, on Monday.
Coco Gauff said she will never again make the mistake of doubting Rafael Nadal's chances at French Open
Coco Gauff, 18, is the youngest finalist at Roland Garros since Kim Clijsters in 2001.
'I don't want to use any excuses or anything like that, so my entire focus is on how can we come to solutions, solve certain things.'
Images from Day 3 of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Tuesday.
A look at the top men's contenders at the 2020 French Open.
Iga Swiatek bulldozed her way to a maiden Wimbledon title on Saturday to take her Grand Slam tally to six
'It's a different surface and I've not had much time to get used to this tournament so my expectations aren't that high.'
Defending champion Iga Swiatek made it to her third final in four years at Roland Garros.
Alcaraz was impressive in his first Grand Slam match since his US Open triumph last year
The duo will face El Salvador's Marcelo Arevalo and Netherlands' Jean-Julien Rojer in the semi-finals.
Fashion statements from Roland Garros...
The world number two was supreme in the opening two sets but then inexplicably took his foot off the gas before bouncing back from 3-1 down in the fourth set to subdue his 33-year-old opponent for a 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory.
The two great rivals meet at Roland Garros for the first time in eight years in Friday's French Open semi-final.
