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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Emotional Gauff blames switch from clay to grass for Wimbledon defeat
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Coco Gauff of the US (left) congratulates Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska on winning their first-round match. LONDON - A tearful Coco Gauff said she had not coped well with the switch from Paris clay to Wimbledon grass after she was dumped out of the championships in the first round on July 1. The French Open champion looked uncomfortable under the roof on Court One and failed to find any serving rhythm as she succumbed 7-6(3) 6-1 to Ukrainian world number 42 Dayana Yastremska. Gauff was eager to give her big-hitting opponent credit for the win but said she would probably change her tactics in future during the three weeks between Roland Garros and Wimbledon. 'I just feel like the surface I maybe could have used more matches. It's like finding the puzzle,' the American second seed said. 'It's a quick turnaround, so I think just trying to learn on whether it's better to train more and maybe play Bad Homburg or Eastbourne.' Gauff, 21, was knocked out in the first round at Berlin and had little other grasscourt practice before Wimbledon. Her win in Paris was the second Grand Slam victory of her career following last year's US Open triumph. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seniors can claim $800 SG60 vouchers from July 1; adults to get $600 in vouchers from July 22 Singapore NSman, 30, dies in hospital after collapsing outside Maju Camp Asia Thai PM's suspension could spell end of Shinawatra clan's era of political dominance Singapore Judge rejects woman's claim that she owns 99% of Bukit Timah condo mostly paid for by ex-boyfriend Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 Singapore Trial opens for 3 women who allegedly organised procession outside Istana Business Do not overcommit to a single solution in a multi-polar world, says ex-foreign minister George Yeo Singapore 1MDB saga: Standard Chartered Bank disputes $3.4 billion claim by liquidators in Singapore 'I feel like mentally I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards, so I didn't feel like I had enough time to celebrate and also get back into it,' she said. Gauff wiped away tears as she discussed her disappointment at failing to adjust to the surface, which she said was harder to adapt to than from clay to hard court. 'I have faith that if I can make these adjustments, I can do well here. I really do want to do well here. I'm not someone who wants to write myself off grass this early in my career, but I definitely need to make changes if I want to be successful here,' she said. 'I'm trying to be positive. After the match, I definitely was struggling in the locker room. I don't like losing.' Gauff slipped over several times early in the match, while Yastremska looked sure-footed as she pummelled the American with winners from the baseline. The Ukrainian had reached the final of the Nottingham tournament as well as the quarter-finals at Eastbourne in the run-up to Wimbledon. 'Dayana played great. I felt like I wasn't playing terrible in some points, and she was hitting winners.' Gauff followed compatriot and third seed Jessica Pegula out of the tournament in the first round on July 1. 'I feel like historically Wimbledon always has so many upsets in first rounds here... it's always a topic.' REUTERS
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Dalai Lama to meet senior Buddhist monks before likely reincarnation statement
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Dalai Lama will meet 11 senior Buddhist monks on July 2 morning before delivering a written statement likely on his successor. DHARAMSHALA, India - The Dalai Lama will meet 11 senior Buddhist monks on July 2 morning before delivering a written statement that will "most probably" talk about his eventual succession as the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhists, an official said. Tibetan Buddhists believe that enlightened monks are reborn to continue their spiritual legacy. The 14th Dalai Lama will turn 90 on July 6 and has long been expected to use the occasion to share possible clues on where his successor, a boy or a girl, could be found following his death. Beijing views the Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, as a separatist and says it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama has said his successor will be born outside China and has urged his followers to reject anyone chosen by Beijing. The northern Indian town of Dharamshala, where the Dalai Lama is based with thousands of other Tibetans, has already seen the arrival of the heads of various sects of Buddhism ahead of a July 2-4 religious conference that precedes the birthday celebrations on the weekend. "All the religious heads are here and they are going to talk to His Holiness, which may relate to reincarnation issues," said Tenzin Lekshay, spokesperson for the exiled government in Dharamshala, as mists and rains cloaked the Himalayan hills. On the first day of the conference, more than 100 religious figures including the senior monks will issue a declaration of gratitude to the Dalai Lama and discuss the way ahead, he said. The Dalai Lama will address them in Tibetan in a pre-recorded message but is unlikely to refer to reincarnation in that message, Lekshay said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seniors can claim $800 SG60 vouchers from July 1; adults to get $600 in vouchers from July 22 Singapore NSman, 30, dies in hospital after collapsing outside Maju Camp Asia Thai PM's suspension could spell end of Shinawatra clan's era of political dominance Singapore Judge rejects woman's claim that she owns 99% of Bukit Timah condo mostly paid for by ex-boyfriend Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 Singapore Trial opens for 3 women who allegedly organised procession outside Istana Business Do not overcommit to a single solution in a multi-polar world, says ex-foreign minister George Yeo Singapore 1MDB saga: Standard Chartered Bank disputes $3.4 billion claim by liquidators in Singapore The issue will "most probably" be covered in a written statement to be issued by the Dalai Lama late morning, he said. Another official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the written statement would refer to his reincarnation. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
Forum: Encourage independence while offering support to seniors
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox I refer to the letter ' Forum: Let seniors know it's OK to need help ' (July 1). The writer's concern about the emotional needs of seniors and the fear of becoming a burden is sincere and well-argued. As a senior myself, I would like to offer a slightly different perspective. While it's true that many older people may hesitate to accept help – sometimes out of pride, sometimes out of fear of being a bother – I believe there is also value in encouraging gradual independence, especially when the circumstances allow for it. Having cared for elderly family members, I've observed that doing everything for them can unintentionally make them more dependent. In some cases, it even diminishes their confidence over time. With gentle support and patience, many seniors can be empowered to do simple tasks on their own again. This isn't about ignoring their emotional needs or labelling them as a 'burden' if they need help. Rather, it's about striking a healthy balance between care and encouragement, ensuring they retain dignity not just through assistance, but also through self-worth that comes from doing what they still can. As a society, we should of course continue nurturing empathy and interdependence. But at the same time, we must not underestimate what seniors can still achieve when we believe in them. Encouraging independence is a delicate balance – but one worth the effort. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seniors can claim $800 SG60 vouchers from July 1; adults to get $600 in vouchers from July 22 Singapore NSman, 30, dies in hospital after collapsing outside Maju Camp Asia Thai PM's suspension could spell end of Shinawatra clan's era of political dominance Singapore Judge rejects woman's claim that she owns 99% of Bukit Timah condo mostly paid for by ex-boyfriend Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 Singapore Trial opens for 3 women who allegedly organised procession outside Istana Business Do not overcommit to a single solution in a multi-polar world, says ex-foreign minister George Yeo Singapore 1MDB saga: Standard Chartered Bank disputes $3.4 billion claim by liquidators in Singapore Gabriel Chia
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Second seed Coco Gauff knocked out of Wimbledon in first round
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Coco Gauff of the US (left) congratulates Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska on winning their first-round match. LONDON - American second seed Coco Gauff suffered a stunning Wimbledon defeat as the French Open champion was beaten 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 by Ukranian world number 42 Dayana Yastremska on July 1. Gauff was expected to make a strong run at the All England Club after her triumph at Roland Garros in June. But instead of building on her success on the Paris clay, the 21-year-old endured her earliest Grand Slam exit since another first-round loss at Wimbledon in 2023. Yastremska powered to victory in 78 minutes on Court One, with Gauff joining third seed Jessica Pegula and fifth seed Zheng Qinwen as high-profile departures from the tournament on July 1. Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion, has failed to get past the fourth round in each of her six visits to Wimbledon. She paid the price for an unusually error-strewn display featuring nine double-faults, 29 unforced errors and just six winners. Yastremska has previously claimed she has an allergy to grass, but the 25-year-old's shock success against Gauff extended an impressive recent run on the surface. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seniors can claim $800 SG60 vouchers from July 1; adults to get $600 in vouchers from July 22 Singapore NSman, 30, dies in hospital after collapsing outside Maju Camp Asia Thai PM's suspension could spell end of Shinawatra clan's era of political dominance Singapore Judge rejects woman's claim that she owns 99% of Bukit Timah condo mostly paid for by ex-boyfriend Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 Singapore Trial opens for 3 women who allegedly organised procession outside Istana Business Do not overcommit to a single solution in a multi-polar world, says ex-foreign minister George Yeo Singapore 1MDB saga: Standard Chartered Bank disputes $3.4 billion claim by liquidators in Singapore Known as one of the more glamourous players on the women's tour for her high-profile Instagram modelling, Yastremska made the Nottingham final and the Eastbourne quarter-finals in June. 'It was a great match today. I was really on fire, even my nails have fire on them,' Yastremska said. 'Playing Coco is special. These courts are made for the greatest players so I'm very grateful to play here. 'It's really unexpected. I love playing on grass. I feel this year we are kind of friends. I hope the road can continue for me.' AFP
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Kvitova bids farewell to the place that turned her from a 'nobody to somebody'
Jul 1, 2025; Wimbledon United Kingdom; Petra Kvitova (CZE) waves to the crowd after her final Wimbledon singles match, against Emma Navarro (USA)(not pictured), on day 2 of The Championships, Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images LONDON - It has been 14 years, or 5,113 days to be precise, since a beaming Petra Kvitova saw her name being added in gold print to the famed green honours board at Wimbledon moments after she had held aloft the Venus Rosewater Dish for the first time. Yet on Tuesday, after she signed off on her 17-year Wimbledon adventure with a first-round 6-3 6-1 defeat by American 10th seed Emma Navarro, the Czech wasted little time in giving a vivid blow-by-blow account of that magical fortnight. "I do remember very clearly what happened out there. I do remember (the semis) with Vika (Victoria Azarenka) was three sets. It was always big battles to play with her," said the 35-year-old Kvitova, who gave birth to her son during last year's Wimbledon fortnight. "To be honest, I don't know where the (6-3 6-4) performance came from in that final (against Maria Sharapova). I was very grateful that it came in the right moment, that I served it out for the match. That was something which I will never be able to describe because it was such a surprise. "I do remember the happiness I had when I was holding the trophy. I do remember my English wasn't in a good place either, so I was more nervous for the press conferences than for the matches." On Tuesday, she proved that her English had also come a long way as she charmed the Court One crowd with her farewell speech and even announced her own press conference to the world's media. "I will miss Wimbledon, I will miss tennis, I will miss you fans but I am ready for the next chapter of life as well," the 2011 and 2014 champion told the crowd after receiving a standing ovation. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seniors can claim $800 SG60 vouchers from July 1; adults to get $600 in vouchers from July 22 Singapore NSman, 30, dies in hospital after collapsing outside Maju Camp Asia Thai PM's suspension could spell end of Shinawatra clan's era of political dominance Singapore Judge rejects woman's claim that she owns 99% of Bukit Timah condo mostly paid for by ex-boyfriend Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 Singapore Trial opens for 3 women who allegedly organised procession outside Istana Business Do not overcommit to a single solution in a multi-polar world, says ex-foreign minister George Yeo Singapore 1MDB saga: Standard Chartered Bank disputes $3.4 billion claim by liquidators in Singapore "I can't wait to be back as a member." There really is no place like Wimbledon for Kvitova -- it is the only Grand Slam stage where she has won titles and it also where she got engaged to her coach, and now husband, Jiri Vanek in 2022. "This place holds the best memories I could wish for. I never dreamed of winning Wimbledon and I did it twice so this is something very special," she added. "I was lucky to have a beautiful court in my last match, which happened on the Court One, which I do have a lot of memories, as well. Even (as) I left, it was very, very special, emotional and happy place for me." While the popular Czech can look forward to returning to her "happy place" for years to come without the pressure of being a player, few can forget the horrendous injury she suffered in her racket-holding left hand after being attacked with a knife during a break-in at her home in 2016. With nerves severed, medical specialists gave her only a 10% chance of playing competitively again but five months later she was back on the WTA Tour. While she never managed to recapture her Wimbledon glory days, failing to go beyond the last 16 in seven subsequent appearances, she did contest the 2019 Australian Open final. After returning from a maternity break, she has won only one match, which made her decide that her body had had enough and that she would call it a day after this year's U.S. Open. "The second (Wimbledon) title was the best. That was... satisfying, proving that I can play well and I'm a good player," she said. "Wimbledon is the main thing (that) shaped me through my career. (I went from being a) nobody to somebody." REUTERS
