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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Brit tennis sensation Hannah Klugman becomes first Brit female since Sue Barker 49 years ago to reach French Open final
Scroll down to read her reaction Teen dream Brit tennis sensation Hannah Klugman becomes first Brit female since Sue Barker 49 years ago to reach French Open final SHOCKED Hannah Klugman will attempt to win a maiden Grand Slam on Saturday… aged 16. The Kingston-upon-Thames schoolgirl is the first British player to reach the French Open juniors final in almost 50 years. Advertisement 2 Hannah Klugman made history as the 16-year-old booked a spot in the French Open girls singles final Credit: Getty 2 She became the youngest to achieve the feat since Sue Barker Credit: Darren Fletcher The 16-year-old battled through the semi-finals with a gritty 1-6 6-3 6-3 win over Bulgarian Rositsa Dencheva. Michelle Tyler, now 66, claimed the girls' title in Paris in 1976, the same year Sue Barker won the women's senior event. Klugman will face Austrian Lilli Tagger, 17, in Saturday's final and she said: 'I'm just a bit shocked to be honest. 'I wasn't playing my best and I found it tough to get myself into the match. Advertisement 'I felt like as soon as I did that I was in a good space and I thought I could do well if I got into the match. 'I think I've been mentally very good this week. "I think I'm staying calm in big moments and also just trying to take it in. 'These moments don't happen a lot, so trying to enjoy it is a big part. Advertisement 'My coach and physio are basically saying: 'Go out there and enjoy it.' Because you never know if you'll be in the spot again.' Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski reached the final of the men's doubles as they beat Americans Christian Harrison and Evan King 6-7 6-3 7-6 in a deciding-set tie-break. Carlos Alcaraz stuns French Open fans with classy gesture as he wins rally but concedes point due to little-known rule They will meet Spaniard Marcel Granollers and Argentina's Horacio Zeballos for the Championship but the last British winners on this trophy were Fred Perry and Pat Hughes in 1933. Alfie Hewett beat Argentine Gustavo Fernández 6-4 4-6 7-6 to reach the wheelchair singles final – where he plays No.1 seed Tokito Oda – and he is trying to win a fourth title, a first since 2021.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Brit tennis sensation Hannah Klugman becomes first Brit female since Sue Barker 49 years ago to reach French Open final
SHOCKED Hannah Klugman will attempt to win a maiden Grand Slam on Saturday… aged 16. The Kingston-upon-Thames schoolgirl is the first British player to reach the French Open juniors final in almost 50 years. 2 Hannah Klugman made history as the 16-year-old booked a spot in the French Open girls singles final Credit: Getty 2 She became the youngest to achieve the feat since Sue Barker Credit: Darren Fletcher The 16-year-old battled through the semi-finals with a gritty 1-6 6-3 6-3 win over Bulgarian Rositsa Dencheva. Michelle Tyler, now 66, claimed the girls' title in Paris in 1976, the same year Klugman will face Austrian Lilli Tagger, 17, in Saturday's final and she said: 'I'm just a bit shocked to be honest. 'I wasn't playing my best and I found it tough to get myself into the match. READ MORE IN TENNIS 'I felt like as soon as I did that I was in a good space and I thought I could do well if I got into the match. 'I think I've been mentally very good this week. "I think I'm staying calm in big moments and also just trying to take it in. 'These moments don't happen a lot, so trying to enjoy it is a big part. Most read in Sport 'My coach and physio are basically saying: 'Go out there and enjoy it.' Because you never know if you'll be in the spot again.' Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski reached the final of the men's doubles as they beat Americans Christian Harrison and Evan King 6-7 6-3 7-6 in a deciding-set tie-break. Carlos Alcaraz stuns French Open fans with classy gesture as he wins rally but concedes point due to little-known rule They will meet Spaniard Marcel Granollers and Argentina's Horacio Zeballos for the Championship but the last British winners on this trophy were Fred Perry and Pat Hughes in 1933. Alfie Hewett beat Argentine Gustavo Fernández 6-4 4-6 7-6 to reach the wheelchair singles final – where he plays No.1 seed Tokito Oda – and he is trying to win a fourth title, a first since 2021.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Andy Murray could land lucrative Wimbledon job he ‘doesn't enjoy' after Novak Djokovic split
ANDY MURRAY is set to return to Wimbledon as a pundit rather than a coach after ending his six-month partnership with Novak Djokovic. The former tennis rivals issued a joint-statement yesterday to announce they would 'no longer be working together'. 4 4 4 It was announced 12 days before the start of the French Open in Paris and seven weeks before Wimbledon. Muzza, who turns 38 on Thursday, retired last summer and this surprise split means the Surrey-based star is now ready to give expert analysis on TV. But he's admitted he "didn't enjoy" being an SW19 commentator for the BBC when he tried out the role seven years ago after his first hip surgery. The grass-court tournament remains the jewel in the crown of the Beeb's sports coverage, costing them £60million annually. And working for the BBC is a very lucrative business — America's three-time singles champion John McEnroe, 66, was paid between £195,000-£199k for his punditry role in 2024, according to BBC accounts. Asked about his 2018 experience by Beeb icon Sue Barker last year, Murray replied: "I didn't [enjoy it] but not because of the people I did it with." He also moaned that "the commentary box was tiny - it was a long time to be in there". 4 Both Wimbledon and Murray's camp declined to comment when approached by SunSport but the 2025 line-up will be announced in the coming weeks. Two-time Wimbledon champion Muzza quit the sport after the Paris Olympics as injuries caught up with him. 'No injuries just yet' jokes Andy Murray as he takes up new sport for 2025 after tennis And he has spent a lot of his spare time since then improving his golf swing. It was following a trip to the range last November that Murray received an unexpected call from his old adversary, whom he faced 36 times, asking if he fancied becoming his temporary coach. Murray, a former world No 1, first trained with Djokovic, 38 next week, before Christmas and was then in his corner during the Australian Open in January. That proved to be quite a successful assignment as the Serb reached the semi-finals before pulling out injured. Murray said: 'Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months.' Djokovic 's last match was a shocker as he lost in straight sets to world No 44 Matteo Arnaldi at the Madrid Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion said: 'Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun and support over the last six months. "On and off the court, I really enjoyed deepening our friendship together.' If Murray does take up the mic, he'll hope to see entertainment as good as the contest he saw in 2018 - the men's quarter final between and Juan Martin Del Potro. After mentioning his cramped commentary position he added: "But the match was unbelievable - Nadal v Del Potro, it was like four and a half hours of amazing tennis."
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Phil Tufnell reveals devastating Question of Sport blow that was sadder than being axed
PHIL Tufnell has revealed the Question of Sport blow he found more devastating than his own axing from the show. The England cricketing legend was the victim of a BBC rebrand in 2020 that also saw fellow team captain Matt Dawson and show host Sue Barker sacked. 6 6 6 The long-running quiz show was rebooted the following year with Paddy McGuinness at the helm and hockey star Sam Quek and rugby ace Ugo Monye as captains. However, the reboot, which for the first time in the show's history allowed non-sporting guests to take part, was shelved for good in 2023 after more than 50 years on the box. It was a further blow for Tuffers, who had been a fan of the format since his childhood and was rooting for its continued success under the new stars. In an exclusive interview with The Sun, he said: "Sue always said you're only custodians of it. People come and go. We felt very sad when it stopped, not necessarily when we left, we'd been doing it for a long time, you can't do things forever. "It was part of my childhood with my mum and dad and brother, we'd split up into teams and play along with it. We wanted to see the show carry on as much as anyone. "Who knows maybe one day they might bring it back on." The trio did get a chance to relive their time together earlier this year when they went out on the road for a live tour, though with a slightly different name for copyright reasons. Its success was further proof that the Beeb was wrong to dismiss them from QoS. Phil said: "We had a great time. It was Sue, Matt and Phil: The Reunion... it took us hours to think of that new title for it [laughs]. "It was really well received. I think we sold out everywhere we went. We were getting like 3,000 people there, it was wonderful. A little bit nervous at the start but it soon fell away, the reception we got was so wonderful. Question of Sport's Phil Tufnell backs new wellbeing campaign to get people fishing " It was great to work again with Sue and Matt. We just fell back into it straight away. We're great friends anyway and it was a pleasure to go around having a laugh, and we're going to do it next year as well. The reception was so good we're doing it again next year." Since his cricket playing days ended in 2002, Phil has become something of a reality TV veteran. He won the nation's hearts when he was crowned King of the Jungle in the second series of I'm A Celebrity and returned to the show in 2023 in the celebratory All Stars version. In between his two wilderness stints he took part in Strictly Come Dancing and The Jump. He was banned from skiing in his sporting heyday, which made the prospect of taking on the death-defying Channel 4 slope all the more daunting. The show was famously shelved after a string of celebrities suffered serious injuries including fractures and dislocations. He says: "They asked me to do the The Jump, crikey having never skied before that was terrifying. We're great friends anyway and it was a pleasure to go around having a laugh, and we're going to do it next year as well. Phil Tufnell "We weren't allowed to go skiing in our contract, for sportsmen, because you can break your bloody leg or something so I was a bit of a novice, but I soon had to learn and that was a bit of a worry. "But again, great fun. I met some wonderful people and had a great time, a laugh and learned how to ski a little bit." While there's not much he'd say no to, Tuffers draws the line at nudity, and there have been offers. He says: "I won't necessarily do anything naked [laughs], though things have come in. I don't know about that, I'm getting on a bit now, I'm not quite at my fighting weight, but most things I'll have a look at." Celebrity Big Brother has had a major comeback after being rebooted by ITV and Tuffers says he'd have leapt at a stint in the house a few years back, however, the idea isn't as appealing now he's 59. "A few years ago I'd have jumped at it, but never say never," he says. "These things pop across your desk, you always have a look and weigh up if you fancy doing it." In a departure from TV, Phil has now teamed up with Andy's Man Club in a new Environment Agency rod licence campaign to highlight the mental wellbeing benefits of fishing communities. 6 It's a pastime he's loved since his days as an England cricketer when he would escape the stresses of professional sport by wiling away the hours by a lake. "Fishing has always been that perfect escape when I need to switch off and clear my head," he says. "Nothing beats being out by the water with old mates or just enjoying some peace and quiet. "There's always someone wandering around and to have a chat. Everyone's very forthcoming with tips and help." And the serenity and scenery is just as uplifting and good for the soul as the friendly company and shared tales. He continues: "The places you go are wonderful. A bit of peace and quiet, lovely wildlife and you get away from the hustle and bustle and the car noises and what have you and just sit there with a couple of mates, have a chat about the football, have a chat about what's going on in your life, have a chat about the cricket and just unwind. "That's why it's key to buy your rod licence. The money gets reinvested back into the sport to keep the environments and fisheries looking beautiful and well stocked with fish. "When you're sort of in that environment and that sort of safe space so to speak, it's a lot more easy just to feel that you can open up with a couple of mates." And he's not the only one to have those views, with The Angling Trust finding 80 percent of anglers agree community is essential for mental wellbeing, while 90 percent are more likely to discuss personal struggles while fishing with friends or relatives. Stuart Fawcett, South Area Manager at Andy's Man Club adds: 'The work we do at Andy's Man Club is rooted in providing men with a supportive community and all the benefits that come with it. This is why it made perfect sense for us to take part in this campaign to highlight the community and wellbeing benefits of fishing. "I've been an angler since childhood, but in my adult life, it has allowed me to forge meaningful friendships, which isn't always easy for men. "I remember having difficult weeks and receiving a phone call from a fishing buddy inviting me out for a spot of fishing. It was exactly the kind of support I needed at that time, without having to ask for it. "That's what's so key about the fishing community: it provides companionship and a shared interest that is essential for our wellbeing.' Independent research conducted by The Angling Trust on behalf of The Environment Agency, with a sample of 501 UK anglers aged 18+, conducted with Angling Trust audiences between Friday 4th April 2025 and Tuesday 8 th April 2025. The Angling Trust abides by the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Question of Sport star reveals hit lineup is reuniting to hit the road again after successful live tour
A MUCH-LOVED Question of Sport trio will reunite again after a successful live tour. Phil Tufnell, Matt Dawson and Sue Barker packed out theatres in March, five years after being axed by the BBC from the long-running panel show. The live tour, which followed a similar format but wasn't allowed to use the BBC show's famous name, went down a storm with sports lovers around the country. It was further proof that the Beeb was wrong to dismiss the trio for an ill-fated reboot with Paddy McGuinness at the helm. Speaking exclusively to The Sun, cricket legend Phil says: "We had a great time. It was Sue, Matt and Phil: The Reunion... it took us hours to think of that new title for it [laughs]. "It was really well received. I think we sold out everywhere we went. We were getting like 3,000 people there, it was wonderful. A little bit nervous at the start but it soon fell away, the reception we got was so wonderful. "It was great to work again with Sue and Matt. We just fell back into it straight away. We're great friends anyway and it was a pleasure to go around having a laugh, and we're going to do it next year as well. The reception was so good we're doing it again next year." While losing his team captain gig after 13 years was a bitter blow, Tuffers was even sadder when it was announced the show was being scrapped altogether. After 50 years on the airwaves, it screened for a final time in 2023. "Sue always said you're only custodians of it," he says. "People come and go. We felt very sad when it stopped, not necessarily when we left, we'd been doing it for a long time, you can't do things forever. "It was part of my childhood with my mum and dad and brother, we'd split up into teams and play along with it. We wanted to see the show carry on as much as anyone. "Who knows maybe one day they might bring it back on." Question of Sport's Phil Tufnell backs new wellbeing campaign to get people fishing Since his cricket playing days ended in 2002, Phil has become something of a reality TV veteran. He won the nation's hearts when he was crowned King of the Jungle in the second series of I'm A Celebrity and returned to the show in 2023 in the celebratory All Stars version. In between his two wilderness stints he took part in Strictly Come Dancing and The Jump. He was banned from skiing in his sporting heyday, which made the prospect of taking on the death-defying Channel 4 slope all the more daunting. The show was famously shelved after a string of celebrities suffered serious injuries including fractures and dislocations. He says: "They asked me to do the The Jump, crikey having never skied before that was terrifying. We're great friends anyway and it was a pleasure to go around having a laugh, and we're going to do it next year as well. Phil Tufnell "We weren't allowed to go skiing in our contract, for sportsmen, because you can break your bloody leg or something so I was a bit of a novice, but I soon had to learn and that was a bit of a worry. "But again, great fun. I met some wonderful people and had a great time, a laugh and learned how to ski a little bit." While there's not much he'd say no to, Tuffers draws the line at nudity, and there have been offers. He says: "I won't necessarily do anything naked [laughs], though things have come in. I don't know about that, I'm getting on a bit now, I'm not quite at my fighting weight, but most things I'll have a look at." Celebrity Big Brother has had a major comeback after being rebooted by ITV and Tuffers says he'd have leapt at a stint in the house a few years back, however, the idea isn't as appealing now he's 59. "A few years ago I'd have jumped at it, but never say never," he says. "These things pop across your desk you always have a look and weigh way up if you fancy doing it." In a departure from TV, Phil has now teamed up with Andy's Man Club in a new Environment Agency rod licence campaign to highlight the mental wellbeing benefits of fishing communities. 4 It's a pastime he's loved since his days as an England cricketer when he would escape the stresses of professional sport by wiling away the hours by a lake. "Fishing has always been that perfect escape when I need to switch off and clear my head," he says. "Nothing beats being out by the water with old mates or just enjoying some peace and quiet. "There's always someone wandering around and to have a chat. Everyone's very forthcoming with tips and help." And the serenity and scenery is just as uplifting and good for the soul as the friendly company and shared tales. He continues: "The places you go are wonderful. A bit of peace and quiet, lovely wildlife and you get away from the hustle and bustle and the car noises and what have you and just sit there with a couple of mates, have a chat about the football, have a chat about what's going on in your life, have a chat about the cricket and just unwind. "When you're sort of in that environment and that sort of safe space so to speak, you can just feel that things come up naturally, while you're sitting around the seats, it's a lot more easy just to feel that you can open up with a couple of mates." And he's not the only one to have those views, with The Angling Trust finding 80 percent of anglers insistent that the sport is important for their mental health. Stuart Fawcett, South Area Manager at Andy's Man Club adds: 'The work we do at Andy's Man Club is rooted in providing men with a supportive community and all the benefits that come with it. This is why it made perfect sense for us to take part in this campaign to highlight the community and wellbeing benefits of fishing. "I've been an angler since childhood, but in my adult life, it has allowed me to forge meaningful friendships, which isn't always easy for men. "I remember having difficult weeks and receiving a phone call from a fishing buddy inviting me out for a spot of fishing. It was exactly the kind of support I needed at that time, without having to ask for it. "That's what's so key about the fishing community: it provides companionship and a shared interest that is essential for our wellbeing.' Independent research conducted by The Angling Trust on behalf of The Environment Agency, with a sample of 501 UK anglers aged 18+, conducted with Angling Trust audiences between Friday 4th April 2025 and Tuesday 8 th April 2025. The Angling Trust abides by the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.
