Verbeek and Siniakova win Wimbledon mixed doubles title
Facing home favourite Salisbury and Stefani on Centre Court, the Czech-Dutch duo held their nerve, while Stefani appeared to be hampered by a leg issue in the second set.
As Siniakova sealed victory with an overhead smash, the duo celebrated their first title together, Siniakova's maiden mixed doubles Grand Slam and Verbeek's first Grand Slam triumph of any kind.
"It's very special, I mean it means a lot -- we had a lot of fun on the court and I really enjoyed it, it was a really amazing time here," Siniakova said after lifting the trophy.
For the 29-year-old Siniakova, the win added to her 10 Grand Slam women's doubles titles, including the Australian Open crown with American Taylor Townsend in January.
"Katerina, thank you so much, it's been an honour to compete next to such a great doubles legend, one of the best to ever do it and thank you for making this a Thursday I will remember for the rest of my life," the 31-year-old Verbeek said.
Salisbury, who faced the disappointment of home fans hoping to see a British champion, said margins did not fall in his and Stefani's favour.
"It's always tough to lose a final but they played amazing so congratulations. They were too good in the tie-breaks today," Salisbury said.
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Times
10 hours ago
- Times
Sarina Wiegman: what makes England head coach so special
If this is a 'proper England' team, the mantra that has helped a fearless and at times scrappy squad reach the European Championship final, then the unshakeable figure at its very core is typically Dutch. Immediately, she made us all wait. For 13 months the FA, which had announced her signing in August 2020, patiently watched Sarina Wiegman finish her contract with the national team of her homeland. She was loyal, and no amount of money or prestige would change that, eventually taking charge in September 2021. As it transpired, 13 months was rather inconsequential to the 56 years of hurt Wiegman ended by lifting the European Championship trophy on home soil in the heady summer of 2022. The 55-year-old's strong character was forged growing up in the Hague, where girls were not allowed to play in boys' teams. Instead, she cut her hair like a boy and carried on regardless, alongside her twin brother. Many times, in her formative years, she was told 'girls should not be doing that'. She resolved to take no notice. She had enough talent not just to defy the critics, but to play for her country. The 1988 Fifa Invitational Tournament was her first taste of the truly international game, as a teenager in China. She remembers the luxury of the White Swan hotel, where the Netherlands were based, something she had never experienced before. Her other memory of that tournament is that despite the thousands in attendance, they were not fans of women's football and would laugh when the players made mistakes or misplaced a pass. She did not believe a career in football, or coaching, was possible for a woman, so became a PE teacher, the basis of many skills which are now useful in her professional career. She juggled that alongside her playing years, winning 99 caps for the Netherlands, with the same steely determination and 'serious' attitude she has today. She became assistant coach of the Netherlands in 2014 and was given the head coach role on a permanent basis in January 2017, six months before the start of their home European Championship. Just as she replicated in England in 2022, she used the pressure of the home nation as a positive. She made difficult decisions too, dropping the captain Mandy van den Berg, whom she considered a friend, for the majority of the tournament. There was the cut-throat side to Wiegman which Steph Houghton, and several others, would later experience. Yet it is the foundation for her success. Euro 2025 is her fifth major tournament as a head coach — two with the Netherlands, three with England. She has reached the final in all five. To do so, her key coaching philosophies have remained the same, but she has tweaked her attitude and relationships with players. When she first arrived at the England camp in 2021, those present say there was immediately an aura around her, not least because she was someone who had done what everyone at St George's Park was so desperate to do: win. She was struck by the very English habit of talking around difficult topics instead of tackling them head on — more of a straightforward, typically Dutch approach. She told staff and players she would prefer them to be direct. 'You can just say what you think and still be very respectful,' she explained. Initially she was irritated by the jewellery and watches players wore, such were the fine details she focused on. Over time she has relaxed, realising that the players have thrived with the trust she has given them — as the bonds have grown, so too has the mutual respect. While other England teams, men's and women's, have had cliques and negative rivalry within, she has trusted them to sit with whom they wish, and authentically create friendships. Love Island, it is fair to say, is not Wiegman's cup of tea. But she is happy for her players to sit together and watch it, if it is something that helps them to relax. She has also encouraged players to share their footballing stories with one another. 'We've made ourselves very vulnerable . . . Sarina herself has made herself really vulnerable,' Beth Mead, the England winger, told the BBC. 'I think that gives us so much more togetherness, so much more trust in each other, that we're willing to share really tough moments with each other and how can we help each other. Sarina has really instilled that into us as a team. She's got our back, we've got her back.' The squad has dealt with difficult off-pitch events too. Mead lost her mother, June, to cancer, the same disease that Ella Toone's dad, Nick, died of. Wiegman's elder sister, Diana, died in June 2022 from ovarian cancer. Wiegman now has a tattoo on her right wrist, an infinity symbol featuring a small rose, as a tribute to Diana, and of endless love. Keira Walsh reflects that Wiegman has been more open, particularly in her celebrations and what the team has meant to her, in recent months. 'She's probably one of the best managers I've played for in terms of trying to make everyone feel loved,' the midfielder added. As Izzy Christiansen, the former England midfielder said on The Game podcast, Wiegman is the kind of manager players wish they had the chance to play for. She does so, with a hug — like the one she gave Michelle Agyemang after her semi-final heroics — but also with blunt honesty. Each player knows their role in the squad, as starter, or finisher, her version of substitutes. That has been hugely effective in all three of her tournaments in charge, despite clear weaknesses in squads at left back, and midfield depth. She has faced criticism for her late use of substitutes (Agyemang was not brought on until the 85th minute of the semi-final against Italy), but there is no one in the footballing world — at least the women's game — less influenced by the sway of public opinion than Wiegman. She believes wholeheartedly in the way she does things and will not change. 'She's not forcing me [to start her],' Wiegman said of Agyemang. It does not matter how dire the situation, how deep into borrowed time her team appear to be, they will look over and see Wiegman calm and collected. That honesty and directness also created a pre-Euros crisis, of sorts, when Mary Earps and Millie Bright both withdrew from selection for the squad, citing mental and physical fatigue. Wiegman would have liked to select both, but it is understood she had told them that they might not be guaranteed starters. During the 2023 World Cup, Wiegman was asked whether Lauren James's brilliant performances had 'let the cat out of the bag', amusing those in the press conference room as she looked utterly confused at the idiom. Now Wiegman considers herself more English, even stating she 'doesn't beat around the bush' when explaining those conversations with Earps and Bright. She enjoys a roast dinner and chicken tikka masala, as well as the country's obsessive sporting culture. She likes to relax with yoga, which she has perfected in the close confines of hotel rooms, and walks in nature. Her family — her husband, Marten, and their daughters, Sacha and Lauren — will explore the local areas around where England play, and that suits Wiegman, to know they are happy, and every now and again touch base with a coffee. She is not able to relax fully, in 'work mode' for the length of the tournament, but finds the increased spotlight on her baffling. Her family are one of the reasons she has continued to live in her homeland. She could have tried to change herself to be the Lionesses head coach — and there were plenty of detractors saying she should have been forced to move to England — but she has done things unapologetically her way. Mark Bullingham, the FA chief executive, said before the tournament that even if England had departed early, Wiegman's job would be safe. He has since added there is 'no price at all' which would see the FA part with her. Her contract lasts until after the 2027 World Cup and whenever she does choose to depart, it will be as a national hero — and with an honorary CBE which could be upgraded to a damehood if England win on Sunday. Wiegman never likes to make headlines or give any focus to non-performance matters, but she does understand, and is proud of, the wider ability of the Lionesses to effect societal change. After Euro 2022 and their celebrations in Trafalgar Square, squad members, including the defender Lotte Wubben-Moy, spoke on the team bus of how important it was that their victory should make real change for young girls. That was the foundation of a government pledge to ensure that girls and boys are offered the same sports during PE lessons and extracurricular periods. Wiegman was fully supportive and encouraged her players to use their platform for things they were passionate about. Aside from the external significance of Sunday's final, it is also the final match in which she will sit alongside her assistant, Arjan Veurink, on the touchline. He will depart to become the head coach of the Netherlands, having been integral to England's success. In the 2023 World Cup, his suggestion to change formation took an injury-hit squad all the way to the final. The duo are close, often huddled on the bench looking over an iPad or tactics board and if anyone is to convince Wiegman a different approach is needed against Spain, it will be him. There lies the complexity of Wiegman's leadership, an ability to delegate, valuing the opinion of others, with a caring touch of someone whom the players consider as similar to a mum. Make no mistake though, her word is final, her approach steadfast. In doing so, she has forced change, on the pitch and in society, in a way that felt simply impossible to deny. Now her team operate in the same manner, never beaten, even when the odds are stacked against them — the same grit that led Wiegman to the grandest of stages in the first place. England v Spain
BBC News
14 hours ago
- BBC News
Catchin' Sachin - Joe's route to 15,921
In the fourth round of the 2001 Wimbledon Championships, Roger Federer played his first and only competitive singles match against Pete Pete was a seven-time champion at the All England Club. Federer, a 19-year-old with a terrible ponytail and no major titles to his name, stunned the GOAT in five sets. Sampras played one more Wimbledon and Federer would go on to outstrip the American with eight is littered with torch-passing moments. Some obvious, others that reveal themselves in the fullness of 2012. Joe Root, days shy of his 22nd birthday, was called into the England Test side for the first time. Facing a four-pronged India spin attack, he impressed batting in his brand new navy blue cap. Scores of 73 and 20 not out helped England to a draw that sealed a famous 2-1 series the India team was Sachin Tendulkar. It was the singular occasion he shared the same field with Root in international cricket. Tendulkar, 39 at the time, played just six more Tests and did not make another hundred. He retired a year later with an unfathomable 15,921 to anyone at the time, the long pursuit had begun. Root was catchin' Sachin. At Old Trafford on Friday, Root was back against India. Surely no other Yorkshireman has ever been so at home in Manchester? Root's 38th Test century was as flawless as it was inevitable. Some 3,234 other men to have played Test cricket behind him. Only Tendulkar began the third Test fifth on the all-time run-getters' list. A score of 30 was needed to go past Rahul Dravid, 31 to edge ahead of Jacques would have been a flex to take down two greats with one swish of the blade, yet that is not Root's style. Each legend was given due respect. A single to pass Dravid, another to beat Kallis. Bowlers have contemplated heavy duty machinery to knock off either man. Root did it in the space of three deliveries and acknowledged the applause of the crowd with a bashful wave of his hand. There is a Rootian rhythm to batting, and he kept the beat throughout with all the greatest hits. Iron-straight defence, dabs to third man and shuffles off the hips. Urgent scampering between the wickets. Sweeps and reverses. The occasional glorious straight a century was what held most interest for Root, then the number 120 was what the Old Trafford crowd came for. Overhauling Ricky Ponting, the Australian run-machine. Someone call Sydney and tell them our man has more than yours.A steer behind point for one more, Ponting pushed down to the bronze-medal position. Up went Old Trafford, much to the confusion of Root's batting partner Ben Stokes, who did not appear to know what all the fuss what about. The Party Stand was still singing Root's name when Anshul Kamboj trudged in to bowl the next was ended on 150 by Ravindra Jadeja, a man who made his debut in the same Test as Root. The gap to Tendulkar is 2, list of records is already extensive: most Test runs for England, most Test hundreds for England, most matches as England captain, most wins as England captain, most catches by a fielder in Tests, most Test runs at Lord' the unbreakable looks within reach. Root is 34, not 35 until December. Yes, he is already a year older than Alastair Cook when England's previous best run-getter called it quits in 2018, but Root is showing no signs of slowing schedule is mapped out until the end of the home summer in 2027, when Root would be 36 – still a perfectly passable age for a Test now and then, they have one more Test this summer against India. There are five this winter in Australia, then three each against New Zealand and Pakistan at home next year. The winter of 2026-27 is three in South Africa, two in Bangladesh and a special 150th anniversary match against the Aussies in following home summer comprises six Tests, including an Ashes series. England could also reach the World Test Championship final. That makes a possible 25 in the next two the purpose of these calculations, we'll use Root's average runs per match, rather than runs per his 13-year, 157-Test career, Root is averaging 85.4 runs per match. At that rate, he would need 30 more Tests to get to Tendulkar. Deliciously, that would probably come in early 2028, on a tour of Root's output is improving. Since the beginning of 2021, he has averaged 93 runs per Test across 60 this is the kicker. Remember the reverse-scoop to Jasprit Bumrah in the third Test in India last year? The one that caused pelters to rain down from all angles? Since then, Root is averaging 101 runs in 19 he goes at that rate for the next two years, Root would be bang on course to pass Tendulkar in the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval in 2027. Just imagine a Root record and a 5-0 Ashes clean sweep. They would have to declare bank holiday week. Arise, Sir Joseph. Professional sport is seldom so straightforward. Root has been blessed thus far. He has missed two Tests since making his debut and neither were for injuries. Broken fingers are a batters' occupational hazard. Root has occasionally struggled with his back. None of us are getting any now, it feels more likely than not Root will complete the ultimate ascent. If he falls short, he will have to make do with the leading place in the lineage of England batting Grace was the game's first superstar, Jack Hobbs the first cricketer to be knighted. No England player has scored more runs in a single series than Wally Hammond, Denis Compton was the Brylcreem boy. Geoffrey Boycott has not played for 40 years and is still one of the most famous cricketers in the country, David Gower's cover drive made grown men Gooch is thought to have more runs in professional cricket than any other man, Kevin Pietersen emptied bars. Cook conquered Australia and India. Now there is Root, with Tendulkar in his sights, albeit with another unticked achievement that would probably give him more all of the runs and records, Root has not made a hundred in Australia. Never past double figures in 14 Tests and three tours of 2013-14, the young Root was dropped for the final Test, taken out of the firing line of the rampaging Mitchell Johnson. Four years later, he pushed himself so hard as captain in the Sydney heat he ended up on a drip in hospital. In 2021-22, he literally put his balls on the line in is the final itch for Root to scratch. It is hard to see how England return from Australia next January in possession of the urn unless Root performs. He will be acutely down under and beyond are all part of the chase of Tendulkar. The Oval next week, to Australia and back again. Maybe on to Durban and baby born in Sheffield, who left hospital with a cardboard bat cut out by his father, hunting down the Little Master from Sachin. Joe is on the route to 15,922.
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Daily Mail
On the Right Track: Dreams of being an F1 superstar may be on hold, but British speedster Jamie Chadwick's drive to inspire next generation of female racers is stronger than ever
There was a time, not so long ago, when Jamie Chadwick was being hailed as Britain's brightest hope for a female driver in Formula 1. Not since Scotland's Susie Wolff entered the fray in 2014 has a British woman attempted to make it onto the infamous grid. Wolff took part in practice sessions that year but, before her, only Maria Teresa de Filippis in the 1950s, and Lella Lombardi in the 70s, actually contested any races. Whoever succeeds them will, without a doubt, become a sporting mega-star. At one point, Chadwick seemed to be on course to do the business. The first woman to clinch an Indy NXT victory on a road course, the first female and youngest ever winner of the British GT, holder of three consecutive titles in the W Series and the founder of her own karting series for young girls, Chadwick is motorsport's marketing dream. Yet for all her remarkable achievements, F1 now seems a distant memory for the 27-year-old, who is carving her own history in the world of endurance. After Wolff worked for a while as a development and test driver for Williams, Chadwick followed suit, joining Williams as a development driver in 2019. She appears, however, to have ruled out a life in the fast lane of Formula 1; the hypercar of endurance racing her new target, and one which is infinitely achievable, should she continue to impress in the cut-throat world of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). 'I think now, having transitioned into endurance racing, it's the place where I see a great opportunity,' said the Monaco-based driver. 'Yes, it is the goal now. I think Formula 1, when you're in single-seaters, is every driver's ultimate goal. But now, the way my career has taken me, endurance racing-wise, I want to find a career and a home here and I'm really enjoying it so far this year.' Her recent performance at the 24hr Le Mans race in France should certainly give her confidence. Despite her team failing to finish, thanks to problems with their car, Chadwick was quick to impress on her debut at La Sarthe. 'I think you take a lot away from it in terms of the roller coaster of emotions,' she told Mail Sport. 'You have to remember that Le Mans doesn't owe you anything. 'I think if anything, our expectations became a bit too high as the race went on, because of how smoothly it was going initially. However, I think that makes you more motivated. You know that it can be taken away from you in a heartbeat.' One of the hurdles for female drivers trying to get into F1 is that there is lack of power steering in F2 cars: the traditional pathway to F1. The strength therefore required to drive those cars puts women at a physical disadvantage, although — ironically — there is power steering in F1. 'It's a barrier that might not need to be there,' admitted Chadwick. 'The power steering or lack of power steering is a hurdle that could be a factor and it might be something that will prohibit women from having success. 'I know previously in junior categories the steering loads of a Formula 4 car or a Formula Regional car are as heavy as a lot of other cars and when you're a 16-year-old trying to drive these cars it's incredibly tough physically. 'I think it's something we can definitely think about. The reality is we do need more women coming through the system to verify this, and actually, they have changed a lot the steering ratios and everything to make it not so heavy to allow for drivers to have less issues with steering in the high loads. 'They have it (power steering) in Formula 1, they have it in Japan in different championships so I'm sure it's something they could put in there. 'Importantly, we need a woman to be knocking on the door of Formula 2 first before I think we're going to see this change.' This, however, may be some way off, should F2 cars remain such an obvious challenge. Tatiana Calderon became the first woman to drive the series in 2019, but failed to score a single point. Tom Stanton, CEO of More Than Equal — which was founded by David Coulthard and which enrols talent into a fully-funded Driver Development Programme designed with female drivers in mind — says there's no reason why women cannot compete alongside their male counterparts in Formula 2 — and he has called for changes to be made to cars in order for more women to be able to compete effectively. 'You could say its a red herring, but in fact it's the real truth,' he said. 'When you get to F2, those cars are super fast, super simple, super powerful, super difficult to drive. That's the same for both men and women. Is the female physiology slighter than their male equivalents? Yes, it is. There IS a real thing there about power steering. Why not put it in those cars? 'The oft-given response is cost, but I know plenty of team managers who would say that the cost is actually negligible. If you were learning to fly a fighter jet, you wouldn't be training in a helicopter. So why does the series preceding F1 have a different methodology, a different set up? 'I do think they should bring in power steering to F2 cars, because I don't think the reasons not to are valid. It helps everyone — not just female drivers.' Stanton, who played a vital role with British Cycling as Head of Academy and worked across Olympic and Paralympic cycles, has a long history of science and performance in sport. He told Mail Sport part of the challenge here remains around 'opportunity' — but he's adamant that women will compete one day in Formula 1. 'Everybody wants the first female F1 driver on the grid. Nobody necessarily wants to be responsible for developing them. I don't think it's fair to say, however, that that's their fault. 'Rather, I would acknowledge that a rising tide raises all boats, so everyone has to have some positive action in order to get there. 'I believe, having been a physiologist in performance sport, and in performance science for 20 years, that there's no physical reason why you can't get a female to be physically capable of turning that wheel at speed. 'There are fewer females there, but routinely, the biggest difference between male and female drivers is how much time they have for testing and racing, and how much physical prep they've completed. There's a significant gulf there between the most successful male drivers and the females in that space.' Chadwick, meanwhile, says she's confident motorsport is going in the right direction — as long as participation continues to grow. 'It's just a case of numbers for me,' said Chadwick, who is working with Mobil 1, a company investing heavily in women's sport. 'Ultimately, we will see a woman get to Formula 1 at some point, but I think the focus in the first instance, just needs to be on an increase in participation in the sport.'
