Bencic’s sleep could well be broken, though, as her 14-month-old daughter, Bella, is with her in London – not that she is worried.
“I don’t adjust anything, I’m just being a mum at home. When she cries in the night, I’ll wake up,” said Bencic, who is seeking to become the first mother to win a Wimbledon singles title in 45 years.
“It’s not something that’s going to affect me for my [match].”
Earlier during Wimbledon, she explained: “I see myself as a mum first, and then tennis player. My priorities are clearly with my family.”
It has been nearly six years since Bencic last reached the final four of a Grand Slam, ultimately losing in straight sets to Bianca Andreescu in the 2019 US Open semi-finals.
Having been on maternity leave from September 2023 to October 2024, she said she has been “surprised” by how quickly the positive results have come.
Bencic started the year ranked 489th in the world and is now projected to break back into the world’s top 20 after Wimbledon. Success this year has also included winning the Abu Dhabi WTA 500 title in February.
She said motherhood has had a positive impact on her approach to being a professional player, making her “more relaxed” and ensuring she has less time to think about tennis.
Wiegman knows what it means to be under the spotlight, having led England to back-to-back major tournament finals.
When you have set that standard, anything less is a disappointment.
England’s level dropped dramatically against France which increased scrutiny on Wiegman, who suffered her first defeat at a Euros after winning 12 games in a row over the previous two tournaments.
It was also the first time the reigning women’s European champions had lost the first match of their defence at the following finals.
Wiegman admitted the scrutiny was “hard” but she focused on the task in hand.
“I always knew ahead of this tournament that it was a very hard group. It can happen but then you need to win the other games,” she said.
“So yes, I was excited, but at the same time I felt a little tense too. I think that’s completely normal as you really want to stay in the tournament and you want to win.
“I just had to focus on my job, review well and think about how we could bring people together.”
Wiegman has often delivered in the big moments and no manager has won more Euros matches than the Dutchwoman (13 – level with Germany’s former manager Tina Theune).
She also boasts the best goals-per-game rate in the competition among managers to take charge of four or more matches, with her sides scoring 40 in 14 games.
Having come under criticism for her decision to start Lauren James in the number 10 role against France – which left England vulnerable defensively – Wiegman made all the right choices against the Netherlands.
James started on the right wing, with Manchester United’s Ella Toone starting in the number 10 role. They scored three of the four goals on the night.
Jess Carter, who struggled against France at left-back, was moved into central defence, swapping with Alex Greenwood, and England kept a clean sheet.
“The priority was that we wanted to skip and exploit space. The Netherlands pushed up so we wanted to go over them. That worked really well,” said Wiegman.
“When you’re in their half of the pitch, you can start playing. We had some nice crosses and we spoke about that too.
“[James] came in good positions but she can also do that in midfield. In midfield today we wanted Ella [Toone] because she can make good runs in behind.”
The plan worked.
Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema had just eight touches in the first half and the Dutch conceded more than two goals in a single match at a major women’s tournament for the first time.
They also managed just four shots against England – their fewest on record (since 2011) at a major tournament.
Harry Brook, an England cricket player, has just become the No. 1 Test batter in the world, overtaking his English teammate Joe Root, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings.
This exciting shift comes alongside big performances from India’s Shubman Gill, South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder, and Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka, who are also making waves in cricket’s global rankings.
Harry Brook’s Big Win
Brook, the 26 year old right handed batsman,, scored 158 runs in a Test match at Edgbaston. His big score helped England stay strong in the game and pushed him to the top of the Test batting rankings, 18 points ahead of Joe Root, who’s now No. 2. Brook’s success shows he’s great at staying focused in the long, tough Test format. Other top batters include New Zealand’s Kane Williamson (No. 3), India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal (No. 4), and Australia’s Steven Smith (No. 5).
Shubman Gill’s Amazing Performance
India’s Test team captain, Shubman Gill, had a huge moment in a match against England. He scored 269 runs in one innings and 161 in another, helping India win by a massive 336 runs. Gill’s performance jumped him 15 spots to No. 6 in the Test batting rankings, with a personal best 807 rating points.
Jamie Smith to the Rescue
England’s Jamie Smith, the wicketkeeper batsman, also had a great game at Edgbaston. When England were in trouble, losing 5 players for just 84 runs, Smith stepped up. He scored an unbeaten 184 runs and added 88 runs in the second innings. These efforts lifted him 16 places to No. 10 in the Test batting rankings.
Wiaan Mulder’s Record Breaking Day
South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder scored 367 runs without getting out in a Test against Zimbabwe. That’s one of the biggest scores ever in a single innings. It sent him soaring 34 spots to No. 22 in the Test batting rankings. Mulder, an allrounder, has also climbed 12 spots to No. 3 in the allrounder rankings, behind only India’s Ravindra Jadeja at No. 1. and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh) at No. 2 with 305 rating points.
Sri Lanka’s ODI Stars
In ODIs format, Sri Lanka’s players shone in a series against Bangladesh. Kusal Mendis scored 225 runs, including a big 124 and a solid 56, earning him the Player of the Series award. This pushed him 10 spots into the top ten ODI batting rankings.
Sri Lanka’s captain, Charith Asalanka, scored 106 and 58 in two games, helping his team win 2-1 and moving him two spots to No. 6 in the ODI rankings. Their performances show Sri Lanka’s strength in the faster-paced ODI format.
Why This Matters
The ICC rankings are like a leaderboard, showing who’s hot in cricket right now. A single big game can change everything. More cricket matches are around the corner, and these rankings could change again. Brook’s at the top now, but Gill, Smith, Mulder, Mendis, and Asalanka are showing they’re ready to compete.
Christian Horner has shared his first public comments after being replaced as Red Bull Racing’s CEO and Team Principal, saying he leaves the operation “with a heavy heart” but “immense pride” over their Formula 1 journey and achievements.
A former racing driver and Formula 3000 team boss, Horner was given the chance to lead Red Bull into their first F1 season back in 2005 – becoming the sport’s youngest team boss at just 31 years of age.
Making key hires across the board, Horner oversaw Red Bull’s rise from points scorers to World Champions, with their tallies now standing at a whopping 107 pole positions, 124 race wins, 287 podiums, six Teams’ Championships and eight Drivers’ Championships.
Following Wednesday’s announcement of a managerial reshuffle, which sees Racing Bulls Team Principal Laurent Mekies take over as Red Bull’s new chief, and Alan Permane slot into the Frenchman’s former role, Horner took to social media to share his thoughts.
“After an incredible journey of 20 years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the team I have absolutely loved,” read Horner’s message, which followed tributes from current Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda.
“Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved. Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one and I will never forget that.
“It’s been a privilege being part of and leading this epic team and I am so proud of our collective accomplishments and you all.
“Thanks to the amazing partners and fans who enabled us to go racing. Your support has helped grow the team from its humble beginnings to an F1 powerhouse that laid claim to six Constructors’ Championships and eight Drivers’ Championships.
“Equally, thank you to our rivals, with[out] whom there would be no racing at all. You’ve pushed us, challenged us, and enabled us to achieve accolades we never dreamed possible. The competition has made every victory sweeter and every setback an opportunity to develop and grow.
“Formula 1 is a sport built on relentless ambition, passion, and respect. The rivalries have been fierce, but the mutual drive to innovate and raise the bar is what has made this journey so special.
“It’s been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport. I leave with immense pride in what we’ve achieved and also with what’s in the pipeline for 2026 – and huge respect for everyone who’s made F1 the pinnacle it is today.”
The newly elected Executive Board of the IFSC convened in person for the first time in Torino, Italy, from 7 to 9 July. Over the course of three days, Board members engaged in a series of productive discussions focused on the Federation’s strategic direction and upcoming projects.
The gathering marked a significant moment for two long-serving representatives: it was the final in-person Board meeting for IFSC Athletes’ Commission President Shauna Coxsey of Great Britain and Vice President Sean McColl of Canada, both of whom have played instrumental roles in elevating the voice of athletes within the Federation.
Swiss Surroca proves swift on debut: Yohan Surroca made a strong impression on his Junior ERC debut to the extent he came within 5.5sec of the podium, finishing fifth after an unlucky spin on the penultimate stage. Explaining his decision to enter the young driver category, 23-year-old Surroca, who was co-driven by Pierre Blot, said: “I choose ERC because it’s a dream for me. The ERC pass near my home in 2014 [during Rallye International du Valais] and I say I want to do one ERC event in my life. I wanted to be close to the guys in the front and be in the top five so this was really good. I hope I can go to Croatia Rally but it’s not confirmed.”
Kevin Saraiva built his confidence on return from injury
Saraiva bounces back: With Beatriz Pinto co-driving his hired Peugeot 208 Rally4, Kevin Saraiva returned to Junior ERC action after he suffered rib injuries in a final-stage crash on 42nd Rally Sierra Morena – Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad. And the 20-year-old from Portugal deservedly achieved his goal of reaching the finish. “I’m trying to build up my pace after Sierra Morena and the crash,” he explained. “I need to build again my pace and confidence.”
Keelan Grogan finished eighth for the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy
Double first for Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy stars: While Craig Rahill was “absolutely over the moon” to bank his first Junior ERC podium following a standout drive to third place, a result he said he “will cherish for a long time”, his Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy team-mate Keelan Grogan secured eighth position after achieving his own first with a difference during the Colosseo ACI Roma super special on Friday evening. “It was cool, my first time seeing the Colosseum and it was hard to believe I was doing it in a rally car with big crowds,” Grogan said.
Ioan Lloyd is the best Junior ERC rookie after four rounds
Lloyd still the top rookie despite podium near miss: Ioan Lloyd continues to occupy second place in the Junior ERC standings as the highest ranked rookie after four rounds. The Welshman, who claimed his maiden stage win on SS11, could have banked more than the 19 points he scored had it not been for a time-consuming brake issue on Saturday afternoon. “When you look at how close the race was from second to fifth, we were only 4.3s from second and just 1.2s from third,” said the 22-year-old. “When you look back at the first round in Spain, compared to the front guys, it’s a lot, lot closer now. It’s really rewarding to see our progress.”
Luca Pröglhöf was out of luck on Junior ERC return
Unlucky Pröglhöf’s return ends “unhappily”: Austrian talent Luca Pröglhöf, the 2024 ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup winner, bounced back from his illness-enforced absence from ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland to set back-to-back top-six stage times before he rolled into retirement on SS4, fortunately without injury to either he or co-driver Christina Ettel. “It’s a shame that this great rally ended so unhappily for us,” said Pröglhöf. “Friday alone, with the police escort through Rome and the first stage at the Colosseum, was a cool experience. Saturday started well with the sixth-fastest time in SS2. In the fourth stage, the car understeered so badly in a fast right-hand corner following a surface change that I couldn’t correct it. Christina and I are fine. We’re not going to let it get us down, but want to keep learning.”
Barum Czech Rally Zlín is next on the agenda for the Junior ERC crews from 15 – 17 August.
Wimbledon 2025 – Taylor ‘Taylawn’ Fritz in the hunt for grass supremacy
Although a slew of seeds were sent packing in the first few days of Wimbledon, four of the top six players in the ATP rankings make up the men’s semi-final lineup in London.
Olympic silver medallist Alcaraz is one match away from a sixth Grand Slam final, a scene where he holds a 100 per cent winning record. On a 23-match winning streak in all competitions, the Spaniard has also won his last 17 consecutive bouts on grass.
Lying in wait for the 22-year-old is debut Wimbledon semi-finalist Fritz, another potent player on the surface who has claimed half of his career titles on grass. Can the man nicknamed ‘Taylawn’ reach his second Slam final in the past 12 months?
Elsewhere, there was doubt over whether world no. 1 Jannik Sinner would be fit for his quarter-final against Ben Shelton after having an MRI scan on his shoulder. It was no issue for the Italian, who cruised through in straight sets to make his second semi-final in SW19.
The three-time major champion was projected to meet one particular opponent in the final four, and sure enough, Sinner will face seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic. This will be their 10th meeting – Italy’s Sinner has more wins overall, while Olympic champion Djokovic has won both previous meetings at Wimbledon.
Mitchell Starc will become just the second Australian fast bowler behind Glenn McGrath to play 100 Tests when he takes the field at Sabina Park, in a match where he could also reach 400 wickets. ESPNcricinfo picks out ten of his best performances which take in feats at both home and abroad.
Galle 2016 vs Sri Lanka
In conditions where Sri Lanka’s spinners ran roughshod over Australia’s batters, Starc put in a herculean effort to prove unequivocally that he did not need a swinging pink ball or fast bouncy pitches to be a force in Test cricket. He took 5 for 44 in the first innings and 6 for 50 in the second, which were his best Test figures until last season, to single-handedly give Australia a chance in a game they lost by 229 runs.
He took wickets in all three phases of each innings, too, knocking over top-order players when the pitch was at its best with the new ball, removing set middle-order players like Kusal Mendis with a 45-over-old ball, before blowing away the tail with reverse swing.
Colombo 2016 vs Sri Lanka
Having already lost the series, Starc again gave his side a chance in Colombo for a face-saving win with 5 for 63 from 25.1 overs in the first innings after Sri Lanka had won the toss at the normally batter-friendly SSC ground. He stormed through the top order with the new ball, taking three wickets, to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 24 for 4.
He later broke a 211-run stand to remove Dinesh Chandimal for 132 with extra pace in the 104th over of the innings before claiming a deserved fifth to finish the innings. It helped Australia claim a first-innings lead. Starc also took two in the second to finish with seven for the match and 23 in the series. Only one other wicket in the match was taken by a seamer on either team, as Rangana Herath took 13 to skittle Australia twice and seal a 3-0 series win.
Pune 2017 vs India
Starc had made 99 on his first tour of India in Mohali on a very flat pitch but his batting in Pune in 2017 had as much of an impact on Australia’s victory as Steven Smith’s. In the first innings he walked out to bat with Australia 190 for 6 and peeled off 61 from 63 balls, adding 64 with Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood who contributed one run between them to set up a vital first innings total of 260.
It will be remembered as O’Keefe’s match with the ball, but before the left-arm spinner broke through, Starc had already removed the two danger men in three balls in the 15th over. He reared one from a length at searing pace to the immovable Cheteshwar Pujara to have him caught behind off the glove. Two balls later, he nicked off Virat Kohli.
In the second innings, Starc smacked 30 off 31 including three sixes and added 42 with Smith, who made a stunning 109 to take the game out of India’s reach. Starc’s aggregate of 91 with the bat for the match was only bettered by Smith and Matt Renshaw as Australia won handsomely.
Durban 2018 vs South Africa
A few weeks before the Sandpaper storm in Cape Town, Starc’s nine-wicket haul in Durban had handed Australia a 1-0 series lead during a match that set in motion a chain events that would have a seismic impact on global cricket. He took 9 for 109, including 5 for 34 and 4 for 75 and was virtually unplayable. The majority of his success came with the old ball in a masterful display of reverse swing. He blew away South Africa’s tail in both innings as Australia won by 118 runs.
Canberra 2019 vs Sri Lanka
Starc’s performance at Manuka Oval won’t be high on many people’s lists of his best in Test cricket but it deserves as much praise as any of his best bowling efforts. On a pitch where Australia racked up 534 for 5 and 196 for 3 and four batters made centuries, Starc took 10 for 100 with a searing display of pace bowling, coming after three Tests where wickets had dried up. Among his ten, he forced Dhananjaya de Silva to hit his own wicket while trying to avoid a brutal bouncer. Most of the wickets were top-order players with the newer ball as there was no reverse swing to speak of.
Perth 2019 vs New Zealand
Starc’s fitness and durability is one of the most underrated aspects of his career. Never was it more evident than in oppressively hot conditions at Optus Stadium when Australia lost Josh Hazlewood to injury after eight balls of New Zealand’s first innings. Without the aid of an allrounder in the XI to fill the void, Starc took 5 for 52 from 18 overs in the first innings and 4 for 45 from 14 in the second. He also added 30 with the bat in the first innings to complete a Player of the Match performance and help Australia to a thumping win.
Lahore 2022 vs Pakistan
Australia’s quicks had bowled themselves into the ground across the first two drawn Tests. In the series decider, Starc and Pat Cummins dug deep with a mighty two-man effort to rip the series away from Pakistan. The hosts were 214 for 2 after Australia had posted a potentially under par 391. Starc took 4 for 33 from 20.4, tearing the heart out of the middle order including pinning an in-form Babar Azam lbw, while Cummins took five to bowl Pakistan out for 268 and establish a vital first innings lead that helped win the series 1-0.
Leeds 2023 vs England
Starc very nearly stole the third Test and the series from England with a phenomenal performance, having initially been left out of the first Test at Edgbaston due to his middling record in the country. The hosts were chasing 251 for victory and would have cantered home without Starc making life incredibly difficult.
He removed Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow at regular intervals to leave England wobbling at 171 for 6. A brilliant partnership between Harry Brook and Chris Woakes steadied the chase before Starc bounced out Brook to create more drama with 21 still needed. But Starc’s five came with minimal support at the other end and England squeezed home by three wickets to change the course of the series.
Adelaide 2024 vs India
Starc turned Australia’s fortunes around in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar series. Having been battered by Yashasvi Jaiswal in Perth, who had accused Starc of bowling too slow, he blew the opener’s pad off with the first ball of the match on his way to a career-best 6 for 48. It was yet another pink-ball masterclass from Starc, but this was done entirely in broad daylight as India lasted just 44.1 overs after opting to bat first. It set up a 10-wicket win and levelled the series at 1-1, with Australia going on to reclaim the trophy for the first time in ten years.
Lord’s 2025 vs South Africa
This was another standout performance from Starc in a losing cause. After Australia posted an underwhelming 212 in the first innings of the WTC final, Starc wrestled back the momentum by knocking over both openers. He also had a straightforward catch dropped by keeper Alex Carey that would have bagged him the top three. Australia still claimed a 75-run first innings lead before they lost 7 for 73 when batting a second time.
Starc ground out his first half-century in six years and one of his longest Test innings, making 58 not out off 136 balls and sharing a 59-run last wicket stand with Josh Hazlewood to give Australia 282 to defend. Again, he removed Ryan Rickelton early before ending a 61-run stand between Wiaan Mulder and Aiden Markram.
He should have had Temba Bavuma caught at second slip in his next over, but Smith spilled the edge standing very close and injured his finger badly in the process. Instead of having South Africa 75 for 3, with Starc claiming all three, Bavuma and Markram produced a match-winning stand of 147.
Industry and football experts outside Old Trafford have identified numerous reasons why completion in 2030 may be unlikely, with one saying privately if the spades are in the ground within two years, United will have done very well.
Early discussions over how to fund the £2bn project have begun, although this is being done at the same time as the club are in negotiations over the refinancing of significant chunks of United’s current debt.
While those specific loans are not set to expire until 2027, informed sources say they need to be refinanced a year before that. In their latest financial statement in June, United confirmed £327.9m of its ‘senior secured notes’ and £180m of its revolving credit facility is set to mature on 25 June 2027.
It is thought highly unlikely United will look to load its stadium debt on to that sum at a time when global interest rates are rising.
Ratcliffe and co-owners the Glazer family have the option of putting in the sums themselves, or reducing their stake in the club through a share sale, but neither of these options are felt to be realistic either.
Outsiders think the most likely option is having a subsidiary company own the stadium, which could bring in investment.
Yet others feel the economics of building a 100,000-capacity stadium from scratch requires the men’s first team to be a far more attractive proposition than they are now because a significant number of corporate tickets will have to be sold to make it financially viable.
A secondary complication is whether there is a possibility of being able to buy nearby land currently being used for the Freight Liner terminal.
There is still time to tone down some of the more expensive elements of the vision Ratcliffe unveiled in March.
United’s chief operating officer Collette Roche will lead the club’s drive on the project, with fan focus groups set to discuss key aspects, including seating and pricing options, in a series of meetings next week.
It is not known yet when planning permission will be submitted, although issues such as transport expansion will be dealt with at local government level, with United’s input.
“This is about so much more than just a stadium,” said Lord Coe.
“It’s about listening to and working with residents to create a vibrant, inclusive district, with high quality housing, green spaces, world class leisure and education facilities, and improved transport links.
“Twenty years on from securing the Olympic and Paralympic Games for this country, I’m ready to help deliver a vision of equal scale and ambition. I can’t wait to get started.”
