Sauber's success is an F1 anomaly as teams switch focus to 2026
Mercedes sent over a staffer to Sauber bearing bottles of Champagne and a message of congratulations after Nico Hülkenberg's surprise third place at the British Grand Prix on Sunday. It was his first podium as a driver and the team's best finish in 13 years.
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New York Times
39 minutes ago
- New York Times
In an era of men's tennis dominance, Wimbledon reminds the world of the randomness of sport
THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB, LONDON — At a time when men's tennis feels inevitable, Monday at Wimbledon offered a reminder of the lightning that can strike in top-level sport. Grigor Dimitrov proved that the seemingly invulnerable world No. 1 Jannik Sinner is actually fallible, before suffering an apparent pectoral injury that forced him to retire with a two-sets-to-love lead. He had just served an ace to hold for 2-2 in the third set, and was playing one of the best matches of his long career, when he collapsed to the Centre Court turf. It looked instantly serious, especially when Sinner ran over to see if he was OK. Advertisement He wasn't, and after going off court it was all over a few minutes later. Sinner was through. He survived unscathed, but the cloak of invincibility had been ripped off his back in the preceding few hours, during which time Dimitrov had blasted through his normally impregnable defences and made him look unusually human. There was randomness in getting to that point as well. Sinner landed awkwardly in the very first game and hurt his elbow, leaving him looking compromised at various points until he called for the trainer midway through the second set, trailing by a set and a break. Ultimately it was Dimitrov who had to withdraw, retiring hurt from his fifth straight Grand Slam. His career has had some great highs, like becoming the world No. 3, winning the ATP Finals, and reaching three major semifinals. But he will be remembered, fairly or otherwise, for coming so close, but never seeming to have luck on his side. It will be no consolation to Dimitrov, but his heroics on Centre Court Monday have given men's tennis a jolt. There was a risk that Sinner and Alcaraz were going to enjoy a procession to the final. They have evenly split the last six majors between them, and played at such an extraordinary level in the Roland Garros final last month that it felt as though no one could get near them. Other than Novak Djokovic, who was also tested Monday, trailing by a set to Alex de Minaur and having to battle from 4-1 down in the fourth to avoid a decider. Even in a Wimbledon of upsets, Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic had emerged unscathed from a chaotic first week. They may well remain unscathed for the rest of the tournament until they meet, and Wimbledon may still end up with a Sinner vs. Alcaraz final. But after 18 months of dominance at the top of the sport, a reminder that strange things can happen at any moment, even at the majors, is welcome. Advertisement One of those three could suffer an injury as Dimitrov did. One of them could suffer an off-day in the face of a peaking opponent. Sinner and Alcaraz felt like the only certainties left in the sport, until Dimitrov came along. Should they now meet in Sunday's final, that will feel less inevitable than it would have otherwise. That is something to be appreciated, and Sinner won't be taking anything for granted after this scare. Nor will anyone else in the draw.
New York Times
44 minutes ago
- New York Times
Leeds United pushing to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff
Leeds United are pushing to sign midfielder Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United. The newly-promoted side have submitted an offer to their Premier League counterparts worth £10million plus £2million in add-ons, which is a third proposal for the 27-year-old. It has yet to receive a reply from Newcastle but is close to the limit of how far Leeds will go, with other candidates on their radar if a move for Longstaff does not come to fruition. Personal terms are in place for the Englishman, who is into the final 12 months of his contract at Newcastle. Talks over a new deal last took place in winter 2024, and he has barely played for the St James's Park club since that point. As an academy graduate, Longstaff wants his boyhood team to be compensated rather than face losing him as a free agent next summer. Advertisement Leeds have identified Longstaff as a firm target to add quality and experience to their team, as reported by The Athletic on June 10. Having racked up 171 Premier League appearances over the past seven years, Longstaff's top-flight experience appeals to newly-promoted Leeds. He has predominantly been used as a central midfielder by Newcastle, with some variation between defensive and attacking duties. Last season, Newcastle triggered a one-year extension on the 27-year-old's contract to keep him at the club until June 2026.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Alcaraz loses at golf - can Norrie beat him on SW19 grass?
Wimbledon 2025 Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club Coverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online with extensive coverage on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs and mobile app. Full coverage guide. Advertisement As he prepares to face Cameron Norrie in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, Carlos Alcaraz does have one losing record against a British player this fortnight. The Spanish superstar might have been unbeatable on the tennis court - having won the Queen's title before moving confidently into the SW19 last eight - but Sir Andy Murray has been quick to reveal Alcaraz is not as dominant on the golf course. The pair have been playing together in south-west London over the past 10 days, with the recently-retired Scot edging a best-of-three contest at Royal Wimbledon Golf Club. "It's true he beat me. But golf is a sport that is really helpful for me to switch off my mind," Alcaraz said. Advertisement "I'm trying to play as much golf as I can on my days off." On Tuesday, Norrie - a decent golfer himself with a handicap of 13 - is aiming for more British success against two-time defending Wimbledon champion Alcaraz on Tuesday. "I'm going to have to play my best to have a chance with him," British number three Norrie, who reached the semi-finals in 2022, told BBC Sport. "[Grass] is probably his best surface. He's untouchable at the moment." Norrie copies Carlitos' way with Ibiza trip Beating 22-year-old Alcaraz is one of the most difficult tasks in the sport right now. Advertisement The five-time major champion is on a 22-match winning streak, having claimed the Rome and French Open titles on the clay before heading to Ibiza for a now traditional pre-Wimbledon break. Norrie, 29, decided to try the same strategy, spending time in Pacha nightclub as well as playing golf and chilling on the beach. "I was telling my team, let's see if the Carlos method can work because he went to Ibiza and he won Wimby," he told British newspapers. "Tennis is super important, but I think it's important to enjoy off the court in your own way. "When you come to the court fresh, and you've had a few days on the beach or a few days in the sun relaxing, you feel ready to compete again." Advertisement Alcaraz, who has won his past 16 grass-court matches, is the perfect example. Taking the time to recharge on the Balearic party island - like he did before each of his Wimbledon titles - is again paying off. But Norrie, who is ranked 61st in the world, is planning to end Alcaraz's hopes of becoming only the fifth man to win three consecutive SW19 titles in the Open era. The left-hander has beaten Alcaraz in two of their past three matches - in Cincinnati and Rio de Janeiro - but this will be their first meeting on grass. "I've played many times against him really tough and great battles, so I'm just really excited," said Alcaraz, who has already beaten one home player at Wimbledon in qualifier Ollie Tarvet. Advertisement "I know he's playing great tennis. He feels really comfortable on grass. "He's going to use the crowd and have the people on his side. I have got to be really focused and not thinking about the support." Norrie 'doesn't care' about being last Brit standing By edging past huge-serving Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry in the fourth round, Norrie became only the fourth British man in the Open era to reach multiple Wimbledon quarter-finals. Norrie's journey began in Johannesburg and, after moving to Auckland as a child and then studying at Texas Christian University in the United States, made a home in London. Advertisement With a Welsh mother and a Scottish father, he was always destined to represent the nation despite retaining a hint of a Kiwi accent. His parents, microbiologists David and Helen, have been a driving force in his life and are proudly sharing more of his finest moments at the All England Club. Along with his long-term partner Louise, they were among the 12,500 fans who cheered Norrie to a gutsy victory over Jarry. Norrie could not convert a match point in the third set but completed victory two hours later in a decider - making him the final Briton left in the singles. "I would have liked to have seen some more guys go deeper," said Norrie, who will be playing his first match on Centre Court this year when he takes on Alcaraz. Advertisement "But I'm not caring too much if I'm the last Brit standing or if they're all here. "I'm just taking care of my business and really enjoying my tennis at the moment." Norrie has endured a difficult time over the past couple of seasons, with a forearm injury last year contributing to his ranking plummeting towards the bottom of the top 100. But he has rediscovered his form over the past couple of months. He reached the French Open fourth round last month before forging another deep run at a Grand Slam. "It is nice to be back and nice to enjoy the tennis, enjoy the moments," he said. Advertisement "Carlos is confident and he's smiling. I'm going to have to enjoy my tennis as much as him and and execute everything to have a chance."
