Wimbledon's remarkable run of first-time champions continues
Spaniard Muguruza avenged her 2015 final defeat by Serena Williams and won her second grand slam title with a straight-sets win over 37-year-old five-time champion Venus Williams.
Muguruza, 23, saved two set points in the first set and won the last nine games in a 7-5 6-0 victory under the Centre Court roof.
German 11th seed Kerber spoiled Serena Williams' comeback as a new mother with a 6-3 6-3 success.
Williams had been the favourite despite competing in only her fourth tournament since giving birth to her daughter Olympia the previous September but Kerber, 30, added Wimbledon to her 2016 Australian Open and US Open crowns.
Williams reached the final again, her 11th appearance, but this time ran into 2018 French Open champion Halep.
The Romanian, 27, won 6-2 6-2 in only 56 minutes in front of a stunned Centre Court crowd and afterwards admitted it was her 'best match'.
With no Championships held in 2020 due to Covid, Australia's Barty took the next title by edging out Karolina Pliskova 6–3 6–7 (4) 6–3.
Barty never played at Wimbledon again, announcing her retirement from the sport the following March, as world number one, aged 25.
Wimbledon had banned Russians from the Championships due to the Ukraine invasion but Moscow-born 17th seed Rybakina claimed the title under the flag of Kazakhstan.
The 23-year-old hit back from dropping the first set to beat third seed Ons Jabeur 3-6 6-2 6-2, becoming the youngest winner since Petra Kvitova in 2011.
Jabeur reached the final again but the popular Tunisian was left heartbroken after 24-year-old Vondrousova became the first unseeded player to win the women's title.
The Czech won 6-4 6-4 to leave sixth seed Jabeur, 28, in tears after her third defeat in a grand slam final.
Another surprise Czech champion, 31st seed Krejcikova won a gripping final against Italian Jasmine Paolini 6–2 2–6 6–4.
An emotional victory meant Krejcikova, 28, emulated her late friend and coach Jana Novotna, who won the title in 1998.
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
‘I am tough' – Emma Raducanu on legacy of US Open win, stalking ordeal and why therapy won't help her
For four arduous years, so much of Emma Raducanu's life has played out in public. Every decision relating to her career has been dissected and debated. The most banal details surrounding her personal life have been transfigured into headline news. In order to find herself on and off the tennis court, Raducanu has had to learn how to tune out the noise, which at times can be deafening. Only one month ago at Wimbledon, the discourse surrounding the 22-year-old reached diabolical lows. Even though her on-court performances were strong, it was impossible to escape the speculation surrounding her personal life. In the bowels of Center Court at the Cincinnati Open, I offer my own blunt perspective: I have never cringed as much as I did while watching people trying to pry into her romantic relationships at the All England Club. 'Yeah, and Cam's questions, too,' Raducanu responds, laughing. 'That was terrible. Terrible.' She was referring to her compatriot Cameron Norrie's post-match press conference, when a reporter asked him whether he was dating Raducanu. Norrie, who was being supported in his player box that day by his long-term partner, was as baffled as he was bemused. For Raducanu, though, such brazen intrusiveness from strangers has simply become part of her everyday life. 'I know, I know,' she says, smiling. 'I guess it comes with the territory, people being so curious. I think they're more curious about this news than any tennis results and tennis news. But I just keep to myself, my private life to one side. It's always funny when people try to find something out, but I try not to read into it so much.' That curiosity is not isolated to the internet and tabloids. When Raducanu is out in London, paparazzi will find her, even when she is doing nothing more than stepping on to a 345 bus somewhere in Wandsworth. 'It's really freaky, because you don't know they're there. And then you'll see a photo of yourself the next day, and you'll be like: 'There's no way they were there,'' she says. Considering her well-documented encounters with stalkers – one was arrested and handed a five-year restraining order after stealing items from her front door in 2021 and another fixated person followed her across four different countries earlier this year – Raducanu has genuine concerns regarding her safety: 'After the Dubai incident, that was probably the worst [public attention] I've had,' she says. 'I remember straight afterwards, I found it very difficult going out. I definitely had a bit of a leftover lag effect. But I've been a lot more astute, a lot more, I'd say, safe and I have someone with me. I don't really go out on my own as much. No solo walks. Just always having someone watching my back.' Everything leads back to those three fateful weeks at the US Open in the summer of 2021, where Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a grand slam title in the open era. The spoils of victory were significant but Raducanu's rapid success yielded considerable challenges. Along with the difficult results and constant criticism, her body constantly betrayed her. In 2023, after struggling physically for a long time, she underwent surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle. While she tried to prove herself on the court, Raducanu says, people within her team would tell her she was not tough. 'I was obviously, like: 'Oh, no, I am tough enough,'' she says. 'It wasn't good to hear, because I always prided myself on being a hard worker and being tough. And I believe I am. I actually think it was more the people around me that were incorrect, and it led me to having three surgeries and double wrist surgery. I was overtraining and just covering it up, not saying I was in pain, even when I was. So it was really tough to hear. But as I've grown with experience, I kind of realised my body a bit more and trusted myself a bit more.' Mentally, things were even more challenging. As she failed to follow up her breakthrough victory with similar results, there were times when her mind twisted her US Open triumph into a negative memory, the source of her struggles. It was not until this year that she understood how to focus on her improvement and daily work, however gradual, rather than comparing every result with the 2021 US Open. Still, it remains a work in progress. 'It's [comparisons to the US Open] something that never fully leaves you,' Raducanu says. 'I think it's been four years now, I don't think it's fully gone away. Maybe in a few years, maybe when I'm older, more mature, but it's hard to put that aside completely. It's always in the back of your mind, but it's more just being aware of those thoughts and then not letting it crash your day or ruin the work that you're doing, and bringing it back to what I'm doing now, and the process.' Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Considering her many difficulties, an obvious question is whether sports psychology or therapy have been a part of her life over the past few years. 'I've tried. I've tried,' she says. 'I've obviously been recommended to do it a lot, with what I went through. It was something that not many people, well actually, no one has gone through, which is probably the reason I did two sessions and I stopped. I was like: 'Look, these guys, they don't relate.' And, to be honest, no other athlete has done what I've done, so I don't know why I'm taking advice from them. So I was like: 'OK, well, the only person who can help me is myself.'' For a long time the four defining cities of Raducanu's life were listed in her biographies across her social media platforms. Her parents, Ion and Renee, originally come from Bucharest, Romania, and Shenyang, China, respectively while she was born in Toronto, Canada, and grew up in London, England. Her mother's solo immigration from China to Canada has been an inspirational tale throughout her life. 'I would say it's funny when people ask where you're from,' she says. 'Obviously, I feel British. I've grown up there, But there are certain things, the way I think, I don't think I am completely. So you have a little question about your identity. But I try not to read too much into it and try to just take the best from all the different worlds that I've been exposed to and grown up in.' Regardless of the subject at hand, Raducanu frequently notes the support and significance of her parents. She describes her upbringing as rigid and strict, but their tough love has made her the person she is today. 'I was always brought up with really high standards, high expectations of myself, not much sympathy,' says Raducanu. 'So when I was younger, that was tough, and even now. But I think it really shaped me to be the player I am, the person I am; pretty down to earth. They never got impressed by anything glitzy or high or anything.' Both Raducanu's parents worked in finance and they passed on their numerical, logical mindsets. Over the past few years, however, part of her evolution as an adult has been understanding herself as a person. Her injury layoff in 2023, which initially seemed like a catastrophe, turned out to be essential for her personal development. Raducanu spent her time away from tennis travelling, including a long trip to China, trying different hobbies and gradually learning more about herself. She learned that she is also creative, which has significantly influenced her playing style on the court. 'I kind of discovered the more artistic side – the piano, the painting, the reading, the philosophy, all of those things,' she says. 'I really think it opened my eyes to another world. Now I'm kind of seeing how I can find an area where those two intersect, and have the creative side but also have the quantitative side.' With age and experience, Raducanu also has a greater understanding of her preferences when making general decisions. While discussing her decision making, Raducanu's mind shifts to another source of criticism: her coaching history. 'I'm a lot more clear on what I do and don't like,' she says. 'The experiences that I've had with different coaches … People love to say I've had so many different coaches but if I went into the details of a lot of them, people would not be saying the same thing. I just don't do that, because I don't want to 'out' these people. So I keep it to myself.' Is it ever tempting? 'When you see things like: 'Oh, Emma on her ninth coach', I'm like: 'Guys, come on.' Certain ones don't count. If you've had a trial, you don't have to carry on after the trial. A few have been trials, a few have been other situations. I just try and take the high road,' she says. Then she laughs. 'And try to do what the royal family would do.' After years of rolling with the punches and gradually coming to understand herself, Raducanu seems to finally be in a positive place again. She speaks effusively about the great enjoyment she has found in her consistent daily work and she has thrown herself into becoming the best player she can be each day. Raducanu's results are reflective of that shift and her ranking is on the rise. Her time in Cincinnati, her first week with her new coach, Francisco Roig, ended with a colossal three-hour battle with Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, where she narrowly lost 7-6 (5) in the final set. Over the next few days, she will return to New York for the US Open more self-assured than she has been since she won the title. Our second conversation ends with a final question on Raducanu's ambitions for the next few years beyond her results. After a beat, she shrugs. The hope, she says, is that the passion and joy she now feels each day about her daily work will endure. 'I want to continue for the next few years to just keep enjoying because I would rather not do anything else or be anywhere else,' she says. 'I see my friends, like, somewhere in the south of France, and they're chilling on a boat or whatever, and I'm just like: 'OK, well, it looks amazing,' but when I'm putting in double session practices with the people around laughing, that fills me up so much more. So I'm really happy to have gotten to this place and [I want] to just continue that.'
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Diogo Jota tribute ‘powerful' as Liverpool players deal with emotion
The Portugal striker died in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva six weeks ago and his family were back at Anfield to see the outpouring of emotion which left Mohamed Salah, scorer of the fourth goal, in tears at the final whistle. 'The main emotion I think should be how impressive and how powerful the tribute for Diogo was,' said Slot. Liverpool manager Arne Slot (centre) stood during a minute's silence in memory of Diogo Jota (Peter Byrne/PA) 'The banner that the Kop showed, the way 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was sung, the way they sung the song for Diogo before the game, in the first minute, after 20 minutes, after the game. It was all so, so impressive and so powerful. 'And then there was even a game that ended in 4-2 where a lot of things happened. 'I actually didn't want to go in after the game because I found it so special, how our fans reacted today. 'I think Mo felt, after the game, how special that was. He probably also felt the emotion because we all knew his (Jota's) family is here, his wife is here, his children are here. 'For them, it might be special to hear how much he is loved over here. What the fans did. But we also feel the emotions of how much grief they still have. 'That mixed emotions maybe led to Mo being emotional. I think I felt the same without being in tears, but I definitely felt the same emotions.' On the football front Slot believes Federico Chiesa has a future at the club after the almost-forgotten Italy international came off the bench to score their decisive third goal. The forward, who barely played in his first season after struggling with fitness, volleyed home in the 88th-minute after seeing his team-mates concede a 2-0 lead given to them by new signing Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo. But after Antoine Semenyo, the subject of an isolated incident of alleged racist abuse in the first half, scored twice, fan-favourite Chiesa registered his first Premier League goal, which was followed by a customary opening-day goal for Salah. 'The fans sung for him so many times last season and it is very nice for him to give them something in return. Unbelievable atmosphere in the final minutes,' added Slot on the Italy international, who looked destined for a move this summer. 'He is here at Liverpool and I have no reason to believe it is going to change. He had a hard time last season getting his fitness ready and unfortunately for him, he then missed the Asian tour. 'At 2-2 you need a number nine: I brought him in and he delivered and that is always positive for your future at the club.' Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola praised Semenyo for his reaction to the first-half incident, which saw play halted so referee Anthony Taylor could speak to both managers. 'I didn't notice live but straight away Anthony explained the situation,' he said. 'It is a shame that in the first game of the Premier League, playing a really good game, we have to start talking about these things. 'It is a shame because the news will be about this thing. It is something that is still a big problem and we should be talking about what a good game it has been. He is really, really good at football. — AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 15, 2025 'In the heat of the moment I think Antoine understood the situation. He was calm. We asked him if he is OK to continue. 'The head always goes in these things and for sure he is asking why this is happening today. 'Antoine started the season the same way he finished the last one. Different goals, the first more a combination to the left and he arrives well, the second one more he takes it by himself and a good finish.'
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Rybakina happy to have controversial coach back as she beats Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina has described herself as satisfied by the return of her coach Stefano Vukov as she produced an imperious performance at the Cincinnati Open, dismantling Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1 and defending champion, 6-1, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, put together a performance of the highest quality on Friday afternoon as she served efficiently and completely overpowered one of the most destructive shotmakers in the world. Until the past few weeks, Vukov had been banned from coaching at WTA tournaments and the grand slam events after the WTA found that he had engaged in abusive conduct towards Rybakina. His suspension was lifted upon appeal, allowing him to train with and support her onsite throughout the past two weeks in Cincinnati. 'It's great that he's here in the box, finally, so it's a good thing,' she said. Since Vukov's suspension, Rybakina had repeatedly expressed her frustration about the ban and she was critical of the WTA. After he was provisionally suspended in January pending the outcome of its investigation, Rybakina said: 'I don't agree with a lot of things what the WTA do in the sense of my relationship with Stefano. As I said before, I have never made any complaints or any of these things. I always said that he never mistreated me.' Although he was banned from receiving credentials to tournaments, Vukov continued to train with Rybakina away from events. She has been working with the Italian former player Davide Sanguinetti since February. This week, Vukov and Sanguinetti have been providing her with advice in training and matches. During her post-match press conference, Rybakina opted not to speak in depth about her work with Vukov. Asked about how helpful it has been to have him onsite again, she responded curtly: 'It's always a help when the whole team is here with me.' Another significant match awaits Rybakina as she rekindles her rivalry with the third seed Iga Swiatek, who remains in excellent form since her Wimbledon victory and defeated the 28th seed Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-4 to advance into the semi-finals. Later on Friday, the men's second seed Carlos Alcaraz held firm against a quality performance from Andrey Rublev, the 11th seed, as he narrowly reached the semi-final with a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 win. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion 'Today I maintained the positive thoughts all the time even though I lost focus a few times in the match in the second set,' said Alcaraz. 'That game serving that he broke me, I lost a few points that playing in matches against someone like Andrey, when you lose the focus for two or three points, it costs you the set or almost the match.' Although Alcaraz has not been at his best this week in Cincinnati, he continues to show his growing maturity in the decisive moments. Here, Alcaraz initially appeared to weather the storm as he broke serve for a 5-3 third-set lead but he missed a slew of first serves as he attempted to serve out the match and quickly found himself back at 5-5. Despite missing his first opportunity, Alcaraz maintained his composure and closed out the victory. Alcaraz will face either Ben Shelton or Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. He and Jannik Sinner are again one round away from facing each other in what would be their fourth consecutive final against each other.
