Tennis

There’s a crop of young, talented players from around the globe who are eager to make a mark.

Tennis player Li Na never reached number one on the women’s world tour, and she only won two Grand Slam tournaments — most recently, this year’s Australian Open. But her retirement announcement Friday was greeted as a major event by the tennis world.

Another year at the US Open is nearly over — and it will be another year without an American keeping the men’s title at home. In fact, only two Americans are left among tennis’ top 50 men, and neither is a serious major contender. Sadly, it doesn’t look like this decline is going to end any time soon.

Tennis experts agree that French tennis star Gaël Monfils has serious game. But Monfils appears to be as much of an entertainer as he is a player. Even as he heads to the quarterfinals against Roger Federer, it’s his antics and on-court dancing that seem to endear him to the crowds.

Canada’s rising tennis star Eugenie Bouchard is looking for her first Grand Slam win.