logo
Sinner and Swiatek awkwardly dance at Wimbledon Champions' Ball but VIPs ‘drunk enough' not to judge

Sinner and Swiatek awkwardly dance at Wimbledon Champions' Ball but VIPs ‘drunk enough' not to judge

The Irish Sun14-07-2025
LAURA ROBSON joked that Wimbledon VIPs were 'drunk enough' that they would not have minded the awkward 1am dance between the new singles champions.
It has been a long-held tradition that the two individual
Championship
conquerors at the prestigious grass-court tournament share the stage at the Champions' Ball and have a little boogie.
6
Wimbledon champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek shared an awkward dance
Credit: Instagram @U_Penjanju
6
The world No1 gave Swiatek a spin
Credit: Instagram @U_Penjanju
6
The dance lasted just 20 seconds
Credit: Instagram @U_Penjanju
6
The pair will each collect £3million in prize money
Credit: Getty
6
Swiatek dazzled in a long dress at The OWO – Raffles London hotel
6
Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4
The act disappeared during the Covid years but has since returned, albeit it is begrudgingly done by the multi-millionaire winners – and they are usually not very good at it either.
They might have decent footwork on the Centre
Court
turf but not when it comes to dancing.
Jannik Sinner, who beat Spaniard
Yet before the Italian world No.1 could return to his table, Robson – the 2008 Wimbledon junior girls' singles champion – called up Poland's six-time Grand Slam champion.
READ MORE IN WIMBLEDON
Iga Swiatek, 24, had destroyed American
London
until Monday.
Swiatek, wearing a long silver gown and pearls, happily came up to the stage for the ceremonial dance.
The room contained All
England
Club top brass and committee members as well as respected BBC broadcaster
Annabel Croft
, who finished fourth in the 2023 edition of Strictly Come Dancing.
Robson said: 'Iga, if you would like to come on back up. You (Jannik) led me right into it.
Most read in Sport
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
'Now, no matter what you do, we are going to give it a ten out of ten.
'If Annabel is here with the Strictly cards, it's a ten out of a ten.'
Adorable moment Princess Kate asks Wimbledon winner to sign tennis ball for Prince Louis after he missed the final
The pair engaged in a 20-second dance, albeit at a slow pace and with one twirl, to the soundtrack of 'Feel It Still' by
Portugal
. The Man.
And as befits two introverted characters, who are not comfortable in the media spotlight, it was not exactly a Rock 'n' Roll routine.
Nonetheless, they received a warm reception from the audience at The OWO – Raffles London hotel – in Whitehall.
Robson said: 'Fantastic. Look at the moves. A round of applause for both. We will let you both go.
'We said 10 out of 10, I think everyone in this room is drunk enough that it doesn't even matter.
'So, it's all good. Enjoy your champagne, guys. Enjoy the rest of the night. Congratulations.'
Sinner and Swiatek individually earned a record £3million for winning seven matches over the course of two weeks.
Yet their wins were mired in controversy given that the pair – Sinner (three months) and Swiatek (one month) – had served
anti-doping
bans since the 2024 Wimbledon Championships.
Neither player had been accused of intentionally cheating or wrongdoing but the infringements that led to their suspension have been the subject of much discussion in the sport and beyond.
Sinner twice
Between February 9 and May 4, he was suspended from the ATP Tour after an out-of-court agreement with world drug busters.
Swiatek, meanwhile, tested positive for prohibited substance Trimetazidine (TMZ) in an out-of-competition anti-doping test.
She accepted a one-month suspension that was served in the off-season last year.
It was a result of taking contaminated melatonin tablets from
Poland
, which she had been using for jet lag and
sleep
issues.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Nepo-baby with superstar singer mum insists it ‘didn't help her' land movie role – can you guess who she is?
Nepo-baby with superstar singer mum insists it ‘didn't help her' land movie role – can you guess who she is?

The Irish Sun

time36 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

Nepo-baby with superstar singer mum insists it ‘didn't help her' land movie role – can you guess who she is?

THE daughter of an international superstar insists being a nepo baby "doesn't help" after bagging her first film role. The 22-year-old is studying at Central Saint Martins in London and said that having famous parents is often "disguised as a benefit". Advertisement 6 She is studying at Central Saint Martins and has modelled for MiuMiu Credit: Instagram / @d0lgur 6 Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney is the daughter of a huge pop star Credit: Instagram / @d0lgur Her mum earned 15 Grammy nominations throughout her 40-year career, and forged a path in the art and fashion industries. In the 1980s she shot to fame as the lead singer of The Sugarcubes. A decade later, she'd branched off and quickly established herself as a solo artist with instantly recognisable vocals. Have you guessed who this nepo baby is and who her famous parents are? Advertisement READ MORE ON NEPO BABIES It's Isadora Bjarkardottir Barney - the daughter of Iceland's most eccentric export, Isadora's dad, Matthew Barney, is an American contemporary artist and film director. She was born in London and grew up between New York and Reykjavik after her parents split in 2013. Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, she said: "People have preconceived ideas about me, based on what they think they know about my family. Advertisement Most read in Showbiz "I hope I don't sound bitter, because it's such a gift. I just mean that it's a challenge discerning what's what. But you get pretty good at it, eventually." She also said that her parents are the first people she goes to when she has an idea or needs creative advice. "But then there is the other kind of benefit that disguises itself as a benefit but doesn't really serve you, which is nepotism." Isadora admitted that financially, it's helpful to have wealthy parents, but said that in terms of "uncovering how she sees the world or how she relates to it", she said it "doesn't help". Advertisement Bjork has earned a reputation as being an art project in motion - and it seems Isadora is following in her footsteps. The youngster modelled for MiuMiu when she was just 20 years old. She was also on the cover of The Gentlewoman magazine in 2022. Isadora landed the lead role in The Mountain, where she plays Anna, a teenage musician trying to navigate her life after the sudden death of her mother. Advertisement The role came to her by chance after a former crew member she'd worked on a TV series with previously and remembered she'd acted before. In 2022, she played a small role in The Northman, which starred her mum. She played a singing Viking slave alongside Alexander Skarsgard, 6 Bjork and Isadora at the 2005 Venice Film Festival Credit: Getty Advertisement 6 Bjork and Matthew split in 2013 Credit: Getty 6 Bjork has enjoyed a huge career as a singer, performer and fashion icon Credit: Redferns 6 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 24: Bjork performing at the Blue Dot Festival in 2022 in Manchester Credit: Getty

Donegal v Kerry: Routes to the All-Ireland football final
Donegal v Kerry: Routes to the All-Ireland football final

RTÉ News​

timean hour ago

  • RTÉ News​

Donegal v Kerry: Routes to the All-Ireland football final

Donegal and Kerry face off in tomorrow's All-Ireland football final at the end of the first season under the new rules, which have changed Gaelic football. The brainchild of Jim Gavin's Football Review Committee have undoubtedly had a positive impact, if you're a fan of high scores and unpredictable outcomes. Defenders and goalkeepers who struggle with their kick-outs may disagree. With the modern GAA the only constant is change, and as we get used to new rules we are saying goodbye to another football championship structure - the All-Ireland group stage making way for a new system in 2026. Jim McGuinness may say good riddance, seeing as his team will tomorrow become the first to play 11 Championship matches in one campaign. The combination of a preliminary round game in Ulster (why the provincial champions play an additional game, go figure), losing to Tyrone and going down the preliminary quarter-final route meant that Donegal have played more games than any other side, without a single replay needed. Kerry, by dint of being the kingpins of six-county Munster, have had a more direct route. Even if their loss to Meath meant they also had to play a preliminary quarter-final. Donegal Donegal 1-25 Derry 1-15 After a cagey start Donegal began to assert themselves and before the break Ciaran Thompson won a kick-out and Dáire O Baoill strode forward to find the net and a flattering seven-point lead at half-time. Ahead by 1-23 to 1-12 deep into the last quarter it was just a matter of matching Derry scores and Donegal were able to bring in Jason McGee, Jamie Brennan and Oisin Gallen, the latter also getting on the scoreboard. Donegal 0-23 Monaghan 0-21 The much-fancied Donegal side were pushed right to the final hooter in Clones but ran out two-point winners, securing the 0-23 to 0-21 victory against the in-form Farney outfit. Donegal led by six points at the break, however, Monaghan fought hard to the death and were disappointed that the hooter brought an end to their comeback, as they had brought the tie to just one kick of the football by the end of the contest. Donegal 1-19 Down 0-16 It was a six-point win in the end and while Down had their chances, the sense was that Donegal always had the measure of the Mourne side. A first-half goal proved decisive, with Donegal pulling away after that and Down just unable to catch up. Donegal held the ball up for long spells in the second half, with their opponents chasing scores. Donegal 2-23 Armagh 0-28 Armagh had not held the lead at any point in normal time of the Ulster final, but Jarly Óg Burns edged them ahead in extra-time, and they held on to the advantage until after the hooter had sounded, when Niall O'Donnell brought the sides level again. But crucially Donegal were able to plunder the Orchard for a second goal on 83 minutes, Ciaran Moore accepting Michael Langan's assist to smash his shot past Rafferty. Rafferty levelled again with a two-point free, but Niall O'Donnell had the last say, Langan again the provider for his glorious 88th minute winner. Tyrone claimed the scalp of Donegal in a very entertaining All-Ireland series game in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey. Two first-half goals proved very important to the win as the visitors led by two at the break. Michael Langan and Michael Murphy got Donegal back level and then ahead in the second half with a two-pointer from Patrick McBrearty. But Tyrone finished the game stronger with Peter Harte delivering an orange flag which eventually clinched the win. Records indicate that Donegal's 3-26 was the highest score Cavan have ever conceded in championship football. Donegal's second-half performance was exceptional, with Cavan looking out on their feet for the final 20 minutes as the Ulster champions moved through the gears. Donegal 0-19 Mayo 1-15 This contest between Donegal and Mayo at King and Moffatt Dr Hyde Park was the last ever round-robin game in the All-Ireland SFC, following the springtime decision to do away with the group structure. Donegal were much more dominant than an interval score of 0-09 to 0-06 suggested. The finale was pure Hollywood. Fergal Boland sending over a majestic equaliser on 69:50 that seemed to save Mayo's season, followed by a Ciarán Moore score after the hooter that meant Cavan would take the Connacht county's place in the preliminary quarter-final draw. Donegal 2-22 Louth 0-12 The Wee County put it up to Donegal in the opening half, but a second goal from Ciaran Thompson on 49 minutes put the home side on their way. Thompson, playing in his 50th championship game for the county, took a crossfield pass from Oisin Gallen to find the corner of the net. From there the Louth challenge faded and the home side were able to keep the scoreboard ticking, finishing with 12 different scorers. Donegal 1-26 Monaghan 1-20 Donegal, playing their ninth game in the championship and their fourth in June alone, had goal chances that they wasted in the first 25 minutes or so. However, the energy and intensity of the second-half recovery, when they outscored Monaghan by 1-15 to 0-05, scoring 0-11 without response at one stage, underlined just why they are All-Ireland finalists. Michael Langan came alive with a huge second-half performance, scoring 1-03 in that period, while Shane O'Donnell kicked three important points and was named man of the match. Donegal 3-26 Meath 0-15 Donegal's five-point half-time lead looked ominous and the goals from Gallen and Moore before the 50th minute killed the contest entirely, the game petering out from there as the Ulster champions ran up the score. The 20-point margin at the finish was the largest in over three decades, equalling Cork's 5-15 to 0-10 win over Mayo in 1993. Kerry Cork 1-25 Kerry 3-21 A stunning goal from midfielder Joe O'Connor in extra-time saw Kerry squeeze through to the Munster final with a two-point win over rivals Cork. With five minutes remaining Kerry midfielder O'Connor stunned the Páirc with a rocket of a shot smashing into the roof of the net to edge Kerry back ahead by two with three minutes to play after an uncomfortable afternoon in Cork city. Kerry 4-20 Clare 0-21 It was Kerry's Jack O'Connor who triumphed over his predecessor Peter Keane, David Clifford starring with 2-05 as the Kingdom won their fifth Munster title on the trot thanks to an 11-point win over Clare. In what was the Kingdom's third provincial final win against the Banner in as many years, it was the hosts who eased into a comfortable 15-point lead – 4-10 to 0-07 at half-time, before the visitors narrowed the deficit to 11 by the close of business. Kerry 3-18 Roscommon 0-17 Kerry got their All-Ireland group stage off to a flying start with a convincing 10-point win as David Clifford starred for the Kingdom with 1-03. After what was, in truth, a lacklustre, pedestrian-like opening half, the Kingdom completely upped the tempo, and boosted by the introduction of playmaker Tony Brosnan, and Graham O'Sullivan in the 49th minute, Jack O'Connor's men scored 2-03 without response in the space of six minutes to open up a 13-point lead heading into the final 15 minutes. Cork 0-20 Kerry 1-28 Cork led 0-13 to 1-07 at the interval, and then got wiped out by a Kerry drive that saw Jack O'Connor's players hit three two-pointers during a 0-08 run in nine minutes. The Rebels did manage to force a few goalmouth scrambles late on, but at that stage Kerry were holding a commanding nine-point cushion. Meath 1-22 Kerry 0-16 Kerry kicked two early wides before Meath goalkeeper Billy Hogan converted a '45' and that seemed to set the tone: Kerry scraggly and loose, Meath crisp and on point. The Royals fully deserved 0-14 to 0-08 half-time lead. By the 50th minute Kerry were within two points, 0-16 to 0-14, but not exactly pulling up trees, while Meath never flinched as Kerry breathed down their necks. When Bryan Menton raised the game's only green flag Meath were ahead by 10 points with 13 minutes left to play. Kerry 3-20 Cavan 1-17 David Clifford's hat-trick of goals eased Kerry to victory, and on the surface things were going in the right direction in the Kingdom. But there were as many goal chances squandered – Clifford as culpable as anyone – and there was a spell in the second half when Cavan cut a 12-point deficit to six in with three shots. It was as close as Kerry came to a scare, but Clifford's third goal made it 3-16 to 1-15 on the hour mark and the home side saw it out from there. Kerry 0-32 Armagh 1-21 Kerry reignited their summer with a spectacular second-half display to dethrone All-Ireland champions Armagh at the quarter-final stage. A blistering 15-minute spell in which Kerry scored 0-14 without reply and laid waste to the Armagh kick-out provided the platform for a famous victory, avenging last year's painful semi-final loss. Kerry powered their way into an All-Ireland SFC decider thanks to a dominant second-half display, Tyrone's challenge fizzling out badly after a bright opening. David Clifford racked up 1-09 but the game's most influential figure was undoubtedly Joe O'Connor, who delivered an extraordinary, all-action display both defensively and in attack. Only leading by three at half-time having played with the wind, Jack O'Connor's side kicked for home in a dominant second-half display, racking up 0-09 without reply to kill the game and book their place in a third All-Ireland final in four years.

Jason Noctor reflects on Donegal regrets and Jim McGuinness' influence from Boston
Jason Noctor reflects on Donegal regrets and Jim McGuinness' influence from Boston

The Irish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Jason Noctor reflects on Donegal regrets and Jim McGuinness' influence from Boston

FROM DONEGAL to Dorchester, Jim McGuinness' influence never left Jason Noctor. Growing up in Killybegs, Noctor was a man of many talents. 2 Patrick McBrearty celebrates with Jason Noctor in 2011 - Noctor left inter-county football behind at the age of 22 2 Noctor still carries what he learned from Jim McGuinness 14 years ago The green up St Cummin's Hill was an eternal playground as the town hummed with love for football, soccer and fishing. Noctor thrived at them all but despite having been in and around McGuinness' He told SunSport: 'When I look back now at my 22-year-old self, I think, 'Why didn't I have patience?'' Boston is a bit further afield than the destination of an earlier departure from his home town when he followed old pal READ MORE ON GAA The following year, Coleman went to Noctor struggled to break into Paul Cooke's first team at The Showgrounds and after a brief stint at Finn Harps, home called once more. Following a couple of years in the League of Ireland, he missed He starred in Killybegs' run to the 2010 county final and the phone rang after that loss to Naomh Conaill. Most read in GAA Football That winter, the 21-year-old was in the Downings Bay Hotel as the man in front of him pointed to the hills, the houses and the people. Earlier that summer, their county's seniors had played just two Championship games, losing to Down and Armagh. Daniel O'Donnell and Daithi O Se have hilarious argument The year before, they reached an All-Ireland quarter-final but shipped 1-27 to Cork. They were waiting for a team. McGuinness was talking about Donegal and he was talking All-Irelands. Looking back now, Noctor was too young to fully take in what was going on as McGuinness captivated the room. The tenacious defender was a big fish in a small pond in Killybegs but this was totally different as he went to war for a jersey with men such as Neil and Eamon McGee, Paddy McGrath, Frank McGlynn, Kevin Cassidy and Karl Lacey. He was in the squad when Donegal conquered Ulster for the first time in 19 years in 2011 but training was full of ravenous characters and nailing down a place seemed impossible. After just one year, he left the fold. Now 36, Noctor added: 'When young lads come out here to Boston to play, I pass on my experience and tell them they have to be patient. 'Some lads are better at it than others but at club level, you're used to it being all about you and then next thing you know you're on the periphery of a squad. 'You're thinking, 'What's going on here?' You think you're doing the right things and you probably are, but the manager might see it differently. 'It was patience for me and maybe I wasn't mature enough, but I regret not sticking with it a lot. For me just newly coming in, I was 21 and what's actually happening goes over your head a bit. 'As a young fella, maybe it's not registering as much but you could see the likes of Rory Kavanagh, Neil McGee, Neil Gallagher, Karl Lacey and Michael Murphy — who was beyond his years — were such a big part of it. 'It was laid out what we needed to do and you could see it hitting home with those older players. "I was just maybe a bit naive to it or unaware of how bad things were and how it was affecting Donegal football. The culture had to change. 'We'd won the Ulster Championship and were beaten by Dublin in the semis. 'As winter training approached, I thought about it for a long time before deciding I didn't have the heart for it and made the call. "When I chose to walk away, I had a great conversation with Jim but he told me to put on a stone and a half — and that still hasn't happened.' Donegal climbed to the summit in 2012 but Noctor went on his own journey. Killybegs reached another county final in 2013 where Murphy's Glenswilly gunned them down. He saw the Tír Chonaill seniors make another All-Ireland final in 2014, losing out to Kerry, the county the current crop will face tomorrow. STATE SIDE Calls from the States tempted him and St Catherine's bagged a league and cup soccer double in 2015 before he finally took flight. Donegal Boston has been his team for over a decade and he helped them win their sixth championship in ten years last summer. The players are different but the colours are the same. He said: 'I didn't ring Jim so he'd convince me to stay. I'd played around four games for Killybegs that year because I was in a group of around seven players on standby, not allowed to play for their clubs. 'I just got frustrated at not being able to play for the club because we were struggling that year — and you feel guilty too. 'Rory Gallagher asked me to come back in for the 2015 campaign but I declined and Paddy McDevitt in Boston had reached out to me a few times. "Paul Martin McDaid from Malin was manager and he phoned me one day when I was down working at the boats in Killybegs. 'We'd just won the Donegal League with St Catherine's and I said I'd go, and in June 2015 I was gone. 'When you move out, you think you're going to America but then you go to training and everyone is from Donegal. 'After a couple of months I decided to stay and moved to Dorchester, where the core of the club are based and it's like living in an Irish town. 'We won the Boston championship that summer and I got sorted with a job, so I stayed. Every summer is just about football, and time has flown.' And Noctor's list of past and present team-mates is frightening. Diarmuid Connolly, Ger Brennan, Paul Mannion and Shane Carthy have flown the Dublin flag in Beantown. Current Donegal stars Ciarán Thompson, Jamie Brennan, Shane O'Donnell, Caolán McGonagle and Jason McGee have all played for the club and Armagh starlets Oisín Conaty and Darragh McMullan are out there now. Liam Silke, Emlyn Mulligan, Ray Connellan, Daire Cregg — the list goes on. Carpenter Noctor captained the club to their 2018 Boston championship title with Connolly in tow. Scores of players have come and gone since. He will look on at tomorrow's All-Ireland final between Donegal and Kerry from across the pond, hoping old team-mates McBrearty and Murphy can avenge their 2014 defeat to the Kingdom. LIVE AND LEARN But he still carries what he learned from McGuinness 14 years ago. He said: 'I'm often asked to name the best I've played with but I'm blessed to have played with so many between club and county at home. 'Then there's all the fellas that have come out here and sometimes you're like, 'How did I forget him?' 'I'm very fortunate because you've got Michael Murphy and Diarmuid Connolly in there, Karl Lacey, Séamus Coleman at home. 'But I'd have Lacey right up there. When I went in with Donegal, he was so good with all the young lads in the squad and was a huge role model for me. 'He'd always take you to the side and give you advice, he helped to really mould me. When people see lads coming out here, they think they're just happy to be squad players at home but they're not. 'They're building a platform for themselves to be proper inter-county players. 'A lot of that experience with Jim and Donegal in 2011 shaped me into who I am now. 'As an older player with Donegal Boston now, I try to be like how they were with me.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store