Latest news with #RafaNadal
The Sun
07-08-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Emma Raducanu breaks silence on hiring EIGHTH coach as she reveals what ex-Rafael Nadal guru will be working on
EMMA RADUCANU hopes to draw on the 'bank of experience' that Rafa Nadal's former guru has garnered during a stellar coaching career. Yet she accepts she will have to remain 'patient' as she works on improving the 'quality of my shots' in those clutch moments against the elite. 2 2 Four years ago, the then 18-year-old went to New York and dramatically won the US Open title on her debut and as a qualifier. Since then, she has struggled to find consistent form, suffered multiple injuries and undergone three surgeries, which wiped out the second half of the 2023 campaign. There is hope that, aged 22, she can fight her way back to the top and the next ambition is to squeeze into the top-32 seeding spots for this month's New York Slam. Hooking up with Spaniard Francisco Roig, 57, is a real coup and with time, their partnership could transform her into a proper player. Though she has developed a reputation for hiring-and-firing coaches, Raducanu hopes Roig – who worked alongside Nadal 's uncle Toni from 2005 to 2022 and was part of all 22 of the Spaniard's Grand Slam victories – will be the difference. Speaking ahead of the Cincinnati Open, Raducanu said: 'It's going really well. 'It's my second day with him here. But I did a few days in London before I came out here. 'He has obviously got a bank of experience and I am very excited to continue working with him and to have him on my side. 'I am working on the quality of my shots to be better. You know, against the very top that is what it needs. It needs to improve. 'So I am hoping that with time, it does. I am pretty patient. I am going to try and be pretty patient but hopefully that will improve.' Raducanu lost to Iga Swiatek twice this year at the Slams – the Australian Open and French Open – and was then beaten by world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the third round at Wimbledon. The plan was always to have someone full-time in her camp and her team talked with Roig during the grass-court season. A trial in London went well and the first time they could work together was ahead of this week's Ohio event. Mark Petchey will remain by her side – Raducanu is good pals with his daughter Myah – but more as a consultant and friend, given his ongoing and lucrative TV work. The Kent star is seeded 30th in the draw and will face either British No.2 Katie Boulter or Serbian Olga Danilovic in round two.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
First Grand Slam full of 'pinch me' moments for Xu
Mimi Xu was the first Welsh player to enter the Wimbledon main singles draw in 20 years [Getty Images] 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 details. Advertisement With her smile lighting up the first week of Wimbledon, British wildcard Mimi Xu says her maiden Grand Slam has been filled with "pinch me moments." The 17-year-old from Swansea said it only felt like yesterday when she was waiting outside the practice courts asking Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal for autographs. But this week Xu was the one fans were approaching for selfies. "When I was at Aorangi, there's a fence along the side and people were saying 'oh Mimi can I get a picture', and I just remember when I was on the other side of the fence," she said. A promising junior, Xu concentrated on the ladies circuit this season and enjoyed notable success at the Birmingham Open, where she defeated the top seed Alycia Parks. Advertisement It would lead to her being awarded a wildcard to compete in the ladies singles and doubles at the prestigious All England Club. If that was not the stuff of teenage dreams, Xu drew British number one Emma Raducanu in the opening round, walking out to 15,000 fans on court one. Xu showed glimpses of her potential in her 6-3 6-3 defeat and said afterwards she "loved every single moment". And in a sincere show of appreciation, she used most of her allocation in her player box for her former coaches, with her mum joking there was very little room for family. Xu returned to court on Wednesday when she reunited with fellow British wildcard Ella McDonald in the ladies doubles. Advertisement They defeated Linda Noskova and Rebecca Sramkova 6-4 6-7 6-3 in an impressive showing for two teenagers. "After Monday, to be able to bounce back in doubles and get a first ever Grand Slam win, it's honestly a great feeling," said Xu. "The last time we played together was three years ago and we won that tournament, so to pick it up from there and carry on our winning streak, it feels great. "We're really positive and supportive of each other, so if we miss a volley or something, we just go to the next one." Despite the match being played on one of the outer courts, Xu said it was "such a great atmosphere". Advertisement Some of her former teachers were among the Welsh contingent in the crowd. "It was really funny because someone was shouting 'come on Olchfa' which was the secondary school I went to in Wales, it felt amazing," she added. Mimi Xu and Ella McDonald won their first round match in the ladies doubles [Getty Images] Xu and McDonald returned to court three on Saturday, where they faced seeded duo Caroline Dolehide and Sophia Kenin, with the Americans proving too powerful for the young Brits, winning 6-2 6-3. "It was a tough one obviously," said McDonald, "they played really well and took it out of our hands, but again we enjoyed it and being able to step out on court again." Advertisement Despite their disappointment, both she and Xu reflected on what had been an incredible experience at Wimbledon. "Everything, it's so nice, the whole set up on and off the court, being here is a privilege," said McDonald, while Xu added: "This is definitely one of my favourite tournaments, probably is my favourite, it's the atmosphere, the crowds, I couldn't ask for anything more being a British tennis player." Xu was back in action on Sunday in what will be her final Junior Wimbledon outing. It is a tournament she has previously enjoyed success in having reached the final of the girls doubles with Mika Stojsavljevic in 2024. Advertisement Xu came from a set down to beat American Thea Frodin 2-6 6-4 7-5 and to book her place in the second round. "It's really special that I get to do my first year of seniors and my last year of juniors, I'm really grateful for that," said Xu. "It's such a special place to be, Wimbledon, being my first ever Slam experience, it's so amazing." It has been a hectic year for Xu who has been balancing A Level exams with her playing career. She even took one exam while in full tennis kit such is her commitment to both. But one more test does lie ahead for Xu who was asked if she had anything planned for her prize money. "I'm doing an intensive [driving] course after this and hopefully my test soon," she said.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ageing and vulnerable seven-time champ is loved at last
Novak Djokovic has spent most of his Wimbledons wanting to be loved, sometimes painfully obviously. As his career enters its twilight, his wish is coming to fruition. The Wimbledon crowd's resistance to his charms was partly because his courting of them was too apparent, but mainly because his big rivals, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, were so popular, and unlike them, his game was perceived as more efficient than stylish. But longevity coupled with a new vulnerability creates an allure of its own. Now in his 39th year and without a grand slam title since September 2023, the Centre Court crowd have finally taken the Serb to their hearts. That was evident even as he dismantled a Brit, the plucky but outgunned local hope Dan Evans, 6-3 6-2 6-0 in the second round on Thursday. Djokovic never gave Evans a sniff as he delivered a superb all-round performance where he looked as sharp as ever. At the end, there were loud cheers of support, and his post-match interview was greeted with laughter and applause. He said the right things, obviously, praising Evans and complimenting the crowd, but they knew it was genuine when the seven-times champ said, "Wimbledon still stays the most special tournament in my heart and the one that I always dreamed of winning when I was a kid. Any history made here is very special for me." This was his 99th win at Wimbledon. Five more and he will achieve a 25th grand slam, finally eclipsing Margaret Court's tally. That's the target that keeps him looking forward, not back. "I don't pause to reflect," he said. "I don't have time. Being on the highest level on professional tennis requires a lot of dedication. "I don't play as much as I did before, but the weeks I don't play, I play at home with my kids. I don't reflect fully on everything I have been through. "Sip margarita on the beach with Federer and Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry" @rafaelnadal, @rogerfederer are you down? #Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2025 "I would like to, but I think that will come when I set the racquet aside and then sip margaritas on the beach with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry and everything." Djokovic now meets compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic, who defeated Jesper de Jong 1-6 6-3 6-2 6-4. Elsewhere, Jan-Lennard Struff completed a surprise four-set comeback victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime to set up a third-round date with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Struff, the only German man left in the draw, won 3-6 7-6 (11-9) 6-3 6-4 in a match suspended due to poor light on Wednesday after the second set. Seeds Jakub Mensik (15) and Flavio Cobolli (22) progressed and now meet each other, as did Grigor Dimitrov (19) and, in another match with an overnight delay, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (26). Spaniard Davidovich Fokina will next meet fifth-seed Taylor Fritz with the winner playing Jordan Thompson in the fourth round should the Aussie come through his third-round tie.
Reuters
01-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Powerboat racing-E1 seeks new stakeholder to fund growth with more boats
LONDON, July 1 (Reuters) - Electric powerboat racing's E1 World Championship is seeking 20 million euros ($23.55 million) of fresh capital to fund the growth of a series already backed by some of the biggest celebrities in sport and entertainment. Team owners include actor Will Smith, tennis great Rafa Nadal, NBA superstar LeBron James, seven-times NFL Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and former footballer Didier Drogba. Chief executive Rodi Basso told reporters on Tuesday the series wanted to expand from nine to 12 teams and 15 races from a current seven, adding venues in Asia and South America, and have a 500 million euro valuation by 2030. He was unable to provide a current valuation. "We're using Rothschild and Co. as an advisor and focal point. They have so far pitched our championship to, like, south of 50 family office VC (venture capital), all interested in sports," said Basso. "We so far had 20 management pitches, of which I think five went already to the second round. The target is by the Monaco race, which is 19 July, we should have more clarity on who's really interested." Basso said the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), investors in Formula E, Extreme H and E1 as part of an Electric 360 project, wanted to maintain their holding but not increase it. "They recognised if you get a strategic new stakeholder in the mix it could help the company to grow even better," he explained. "There's a lot of interest from the U.S. and 75% of the leisure boating market is from the U.S. and we have Tom Brady, Will Smith, Marc Anthony, Steve Aoki and LeBron James. We need to expand and explode in the U.S. "So if we have a strategic shareholder from there it will be very, very helpful." E1 has a 25-year exclusive licence from powerboating's global governing body, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), and seeks to promote innovation in sustainable marine technology and coastal conservation. Basso said the new investment would fund a second set of boats to be kept in Singapore or Miami to minimise freight between races and allow sustainable expansion in the Far East and Americas. The RaceBird boats combine foil technology with advanced electric propulsion systems and can hit 93kph or 50 knots, with crews of male and female pilots. Team owners pay two million euros initially, which they can recoup through sponsorship, and an operational fee with E1 providing and owning the boats in a "show up and race" format. Teams run to between five and 10 people. The boats will appear on London's River Thames for the first time on Wednesday in an early morning show run. The next race is in Monaco, followed by Lagos and then a finale in Miami. ($1 = 0.8493 euros) (This story has been corrected to change pounds to euros after an official correction)
Reuters
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Nostalgia, neglect and needle
In sport, the drama never stops. That's why, every week, this column will unpack the stories, the stakes, and the psychology of the competition ahead over the following few days. Whether it's tennis, soccer, motor racing, or mountaineering, we'll let you know what's happening, why it's worth your time—and even when it's not, why you'll still want to hear about it. Think of this as your weekend preview. Coming up: Wimbledon serves its first ace, soccer renews its awkward courtship with America, and Formula One's civil war simmers under the summer sun. TENNIS Forget the multi-million pound prize funds, the swing analysis, super slo-mo footage, service speed guns, and AI-powered line judges. Wimbledon's most powerful asset remains stubbornly analogue: nostalgia. As the world's oldest tennis Grand Slam prepares to open its gates next Monday, the ghosts of champions past still haunt the pristine lawns of southwest London. The Championships trigger different Proustian jolts for each generation. Some will be misty-eyed about mould-breaking great Martina Navratilova and her epic matchups with America's darling Chris Evert, or the ice cool precision of Bjorn Borg against John McEnroe's fiery rebellion. Others will be sent into a reverie by memories of the whipcrack of a Pete Sampras serve, while younger minds might drift into sporting reverie at the mere mention of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal — the twin titans who turned tennis into ballet with bite. This year, nostalgia at Wimbledon isn't just a wistful glance back at ghosts whispering through the rafters of Centre Court — Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have ignited tennis with a rivalry that feels startlingly familiar. In these two generational talents, tennis has rediscovered that most precious sporting commodity: a rivalry of perfect opposites. The Spaniard brings improvisational genius and shots that defy both physics and common sense, while the Italian offers metronomic precision and blistering power. Fire meets ice. Passion meets purpose. Sound familiar? Modern Wimbledon has evolved, certainly. Retractable roofs shield against British summer showers, digital queues have largely replaced overnight camping, and power frequently trumps subtlety in today's game. Yet when sunlight bathes Centre Court over the next few weeks, the essential magic will remain unchanged — a theatre where new legends perform while the spectres of past champions look on, many now present in broadcast booths and hospitality suites. Player to watch: Anyone with a social feed will have stumbled across the viral chaos that is Alexander Bublik — a walking highlight reel from Kazakhstan, whose matches unfold like circus acts with a scoreboard. Underarm serves, drop shots from all over the court, returns swiped between the legs — his anarchic repertoire would have sent the All England Club's old guard reaching for the brandy. But in today's game, he's box office. Fresh from felling world No. 1 Sinner on his way to the Halle title, Bublik arrives at Wimbledon as a player who might exit in a flurry of mishits or play himself into folklore. Either way, he'll be unmissable. The Wimbledon Championships, All England Club, London — June 30-July 14, 2025 SOCCER As everyone knows, crack America and you've made it. At soccer's brand new Club World Cup, blissfully indifferent locals tell a story FIFA president Gianni Infantino would rather rewrite. Despite all the governing body's marketing muscle, America's romance with the round-ball game remains stubbornly platonic — soccer still feels like an awkward suitor at the door, waiting for a nation that's barely looked up from its own sports page. In city after city, the Club World Cup has arrived with barely a ripple: a few half-hearted billboard ads here and there, but ask the average passer-by and they're none the wiser that a global tournament is in town. Inside the stadiums, though — particularly when Brazilian, Argentine or Arab clubs take the stage — the atmosphere is thunderous and utterly transported. But that is often the work of travelling fans and diaspora die-hards, not the American public. For all the colour and clatter inside, outside it's business as usual. The jury remains out — and barely paying attention. But for the global game's true believers — those scattered from São Paulo to Saint-Denis, from Miami to Marseille — any local ambivalence is background noise. The faithful don't need America's blessing; they've already anointed this weekend's matchups as sacred script. In one corner, the delicious theatre of Paris Saint-Germain v Inter Miami is a fixture brimming with narrative: Luis Enrique, architect of one of football's greatest comebacks, now staring down the very quartet — Messi, Suárez, Busquets, Alba — who executed his masterpiece in the twilight of the Camp Nou back in 2017. Parisian ghosts meet Catalan memory in a clash that is less football match than meditation on power, pride, and the passing of time. Elsewhere, on the other side of the continent, South America's heartbeat echoes through Philadelphia. Brazilian rivals Botafogo and Palmeiras don't do polite. They arrive with baggage—history, hunger, hymnals. Their fans bring thunder, their football brings heat. It's rhythm versus rhythm, a street-fight in symphony. So while the curious American masses may still swipe past the drama with a shrug, soccer stages its poetry regardless. FIFA Club World Cup, United States, June 14-July 13 MOTOR RACING Formula One hits the accelerator and heads to Austria this weekend, where city circuits will be swapped for Alpine scenery and high-speed drama. The venue is the Red Bull Ring, home ground for Max Verstappen's energy drink team and scene of his Mercedes rival George Russell's win last year. Russell will fancy his chances of a repeat after winning in Canada two weeks ago and also beating him when the two collided in Spain in the race before that, leaving Verstappen punished and on the brink of a ban. Will Red Bull protest Russell for the third time this season if he wins again? The George and Max show may not cast the longest shadow this weekend, however, with a McLaren civil war simmering. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris — once harmonious teammates, now title contenders with elbows sharpened — arrive in Austria still trailing fumes from their Montreal misstep, where ambition collided with loyalty and both men paid the price. It's the oldest story in sport: partnership turned power struggle, the narrow line between collaboration and competition. In Formula One, the drama isn't scripted—but it often feels classical all the same. FORMULA ONE: 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, June 27-29 EXTRA TIME MotoGP: Assen beckons with Marc Marquez in command, brother Alex on his heels, and Francesco Bagnaia praying for resurrection at his personal Dutch Cathedral of Speed. NHL: Come July 1, Connor McDavid can re-sign with the Oilers — or not — and with the NHL's brightest star weighing long-term loyalty, short-term leverage or 2026 free agency, the entire league is bracing for impact. Golf: Ian Poulter and son Luke tee off together on July 1 in British Open qualifying, a father-and-son quest for one of just five spots at Royal Portrush — where dreams, and legacies, hang in the balance. Boxing: Trump-backing Jake Paul walks into a storm in Anaheim, where Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the son of Mexican boxing royalty, awaits — backed by a fired-up Latino crowd with politics and pride in their corner. WNBA: Candace Parker's jersey joins the legends in the rafters at Arena, as the Sparks salute a WNBA queen who conquered L.A., Chicago and Vegas with equal grace and grit. MLB: Shohei Ohtani's 100mph fastball is back, but Dodgers boss Dave Roberts is handling the unicorn with kid gloves as baseball's most bankable arm takes baby steps post-surgery.
