Category: 6. Sports

  • Wimbledon 2025: Court choices, fastest serve and ball-bounce rules explained

    Wimbledon 2025: Court choices, fastest serve and ball-bounce rules explained

    BBC Sport has been asking for your questions during Wimbledon 2025.

    Hundreds of you have been in touch and we’ve picked out some of the best to take a look at.

    Read on for insight from our Ask Me Anything team into scheduling secrets, glamorous guests, and bathroom breaks…

    Why does Novak Djokovic always play on Centre Court?

    Michael in York

    Seven-time Wimbledon winner Djokovic may only be the sixth seed at this year’s tournament, but his status as a legend of the sport means big crowds are still very keen to watch him – more so than some of his higher-ranked rivals.

    That means that, more often than not, he is given highest billing.

    The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), which operates the Championships, told the BBC: “The scheduling of the order of play each day is a complex operation. We take great care when scheduling matches and allocating courts. All decisions are made with fairness and the best interests of the tournament, players, spectators and our worldwide broadcast audience at heart.

    “Novak is a 24-time Grand Slam singles champion so that is certainly a factor when scheduling.”

    The last time Djokovic played anywhere other than Centre Court at Wimbledon was in 2021, when he beat American player Denis Kudla in straight sets on Court One.

    He last played away from the two show courts in 2018, when he beat Horacio Zeballos in straights sets on Court Two.

    Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Novak Djokovic has won 101 singles matches at Wimbledon

    Are tennis umpires allowed toilet breaks?

    Natalie in Surbiton

    Yes, although they do their best to avoid it.

    An umpire’s job is to manage a tennis match as efficiently as possible, without impacting play. Therefore, taking a toilet break and delaying play is far from ideal.

    Umpires often restrict how much they eat and drink before matches in order to avoid having to take a bathroom break.

    In fact, when Swedish umpire Mohamed Lahyani officiated the longest match in Wimbledon history between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut in 2010, he did not take a bathroom break at any point.

    But sometimes, nature calls – in which case an umpire will aim to keep the delay as short as possible.

    What is the longest ever single game at Wimbledon?

    Andy in Northampton

    Isner and Mahut may have produced the longest ever match in Wimbledon history, but they didn’t play the longest individual game.

    The longest game played in the singles at Wimbledon was between Spaniard Tommy Robredo and Italy’s Potito Starace in the first round in 2004. Though 20th seed Robredo won in straight sets, their match included a game which reached a whopping 34 points.

    The second longest game was the 32-point epic produced during the 2023 final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. That lasted 26 minutes.

    Djokovic had eight game points on serve, but was unable to convert any of them, and Alcaraz managed to take advantage of his seventh break point on his way to victory.

    What is the fastest ever serve at Wimbledon?

    Amy in Cambridgeshire

    The fastest serve ever recorded at Wimbledon was hit this year by Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard during his first-round defeat by Taylor Fritz.

    The 6ft 8in 21-year-old smacked down a 153mph serve, though Fritz won the point.

    The fastest serve ever recorded was 163.7mph – by Australian Sam Groth at the 2012 Busan Open Challenger.

    That event is not recognised by the elite ATP Tour. The fastest ever serve at one of its competitions came from Isner during a 2016 Davis Cup tie against Australia.

    The fastest ever women’s serve was 136.7mph – by Spanish player Georgina Garcia Perez at the 2018 Hungarian Ladies Open, though the fastest on the elite WTA Tour was from Sabine Lisicki of Germany, who hit a 131mph effort at Stanford in 2014.

    At Wimbledon, the fastest women’s serve is the 129mph Venus Williams achieved in 2008.

    The point at which serve speed is measured is just after it leaves the racket.

    Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard celebrates during his first round match against Taylor Fritz in the first round of the men's singles at Wimbledon in 2025.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Mpetshi Perricard may have lost the match, but he walked away with a new Wimbledon record

    Why do post-match interviewers stand so far away from players?

    Duncan in Northampton

    When athletes finish a match in some sports, they are interviewed by a reporter who stands in close proximity to them.

    Not so at Wimbledon, where post-match interviews are conducted from a few feet away. The reason? Quite simply, so there is a clear view of the players.

    A clean shot of the players is better for broadcast, both live at the time and also for wider use on international news coverage and social media feeds in the aftermath.

    How many tennis balls are used at Wimbledon each year?

    Katie in Shrewsbury

    New tennis balls are used after the first seven games of a match, then after every nine subsequent games. New balls are used so that old ones with reduced air pressure from play do not compromise the quality of matches.

    The AELTC estimates about 55,000 balls are used per year.

    Some old balls are subsequently sold to the public, with the money raised going to the Wimbledon Foundation. Others may be donated to the Lawn Tennis Association for distribution to tennis clubs.

    A member of the ball crew holds four tennis balls in their hands behind their back at Wimbledon in 2025.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Spectators are encouraged to return any balls struck into the crowd

    How many times are players allowed to bounce the ball before serving?

    Keith in Poole

    There is no limit to how many times a player can bounce the ball before serving.

    The majority of players have a consistent ball-bouncing ritual – the strength of the bounces and the number depends on each player.

    The bouncing serves no practical purpose, but is designed to aid with concentration, giving the player a few seconds to focus on what kind of serve they are aiming to hit, to allow the crowd to quieten, and to create a rhythm between the ball and body while calming any nerves.

    Two things can, however, restrict a player’s bouncing of the ball.

    The first is the shot clock. From the end of the previous point, the server has 25 seconds to hit their first serve. Take longer and the umpire can call a violation. Violations can eventually lead to the concession of a point. Umpires are generally lenient with the shot-clock rule unless a player’s delays are especially egregious.

    If a player is performing a particularly high number of bounces before serves, or feinting to serve before continuing to bounce further, they could draw the ire of an irritated opponent.

    That happened when Chile’s Nicolas Jarry complained about British player Cameron Norrie at this year’s tournament.

    What is the device tennis players clip on to their rackets?

    Alisson in Glastonbury

    Some players attach small silicone or rubber shock absorbers to the strings of their rackets which are known as dampeners.

    There are two types of dampener – button (round) and worm (long but thin and woven through strings).

    They are used to reduce the level of vibration felt through the racket each time the ball is struck, especially if contact is made off-centre.

    The aim is to increase the player’s comfort and provide a more muted, softened feel when connecting with a shot.

    Dampeners also alter the sound that is made when the ball is struck – lowering the high-pitch ping into a thud.

    Not every player uses a dampener, though. Some prefer the more natural feel of bare strings.

    For example, Roger Federer did not typically use a dampener during his career, whereas Rafael Nadal did.

    A close-up shot of Paula Badosa's white heart-shaped dampener on her Wilson tennis racket during the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Dampeners can be made with a variety of designs

    What is the cut-off age for juniors at Wimbledon?

    Marilyn in London

    The boys’ and girls’ tournaments at Wimbledon feature players aged between 14 and 18 on 1 January each year.

    Junior players receive no prize money, but are awarded points which count towards their international junior ranking.

    Young players from around the world travel to participate.

    Of course, players below the age of 18 can participate in the senior Wimbledon tournament if they are ranked highly enough, come through the qualifiers, or are given a wildcard.

    Boris Becker was only 17 when he won the men’s singles in 1985.

    Some players even participate in both the junior and senior categories – British 17-year-old Mimi Xu played in both this year, for example.

    What is the difference between an unforced and forced error?

    Allan in Aberdeen

    Whether an error is ‘unforced’ or not involves an element of subjectivity, but is generally used to describe a shot missed by a player when they were in full control of their body and racket.

    For example, if a player is standing in the middle of the baseline and crashes a basic forehand against the back wall, that would count as an unforced error as they missed because of their own error.

    But if a player is under huge pressure from their opponent, and eventually misses a shot after being forced out wide and barely connecting with a powerfully struck shot, the error has been forced because their body movement and racket swing was heavily compromised by their rival’s play.

    Unforced error totals are an interesting way to measure how well (or not) a player is doing on court.

    Some players with a naturally more aggressive style may be more likely to rack up higher unforced error totals than those who employ a more defensive style.

    Aryna Sabalenka appears frustrated after a mistake at Wimbledon in 2023Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Players can often be visibly frustrated with themselves after committing an unforced error

    What is Ask Me Anything?

    Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions. Thanks, all!

    We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

    The team explores everything you need to know and calls upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits.

    We answer your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and go behind the scenes at some of the world’s biggest sporting events.

    Our coverage spans the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio.

    More questions answered…

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  • Texas Super Kings vs Washington Freedom – Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions – July 8

    Texas Super Kings vs Washington Freedom – Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions – July 8

    Here are the Fantasy Cricket Predictions and Betting Tips for the 2025 edition of the Major League Cricket, Qualifier 1, 31st match – Texas Super Kings vs Washington Freedom, to be played on the 8th of July, 2025 at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas.

    Points Table

    Texas Super Kings vs Washington Freedom – 8th July

    Match Details:

    Date: Tuesday, 8th June 2025.

    Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, Texas.

    Match Time: 5:30 AM IST | 7:00 PM Local/CDT | 1:00 AM BST

    Current Form:

    Texas Super Kings:

    The Super Kings ended third with just three losses in their season, and the form of their best players, Faf du Plessis and Adam Milne have ensured that the Super Kings have two shots at making the final.

    Washington Freedom:

    The table toppers, the Freedom have found even more contributions from a bunch of players and that is the reason they have ended up top with two opportunities at making the finals, continuing their performances from last season.

    Players to Watch:

    Texas Super Kings:

    Adam Milne – one half of a deadly bowling pair, Milne has 14 wickets in five games at 8.5, going at 6.67 an over and has struck once every 7.6 balls.

    Faf du Plessis – 409 runs in nine games, Faf is the leading run-scorer this season, while averaging 51.12 and has struck at 175.53, putting on a show and proving age is just a number.

    Akeal Hosein – the Trinidadian has taken nine wickets in five games, averaging 9.44 but has an economy of less than six, going at 5 an over, taking a wicket once every 11.3 balls.

    Washington Freedom:

    Jack Edwards – with 13 wickets in ten games, Edwards is amongst the leading bowlers in the tournament, taking his wickets at 20.5 and striking once every 14 balls.

    Glenn Maxwell – the captain of the Freedom has put on a show this season, with 237 runs at 33.85, while striking at 185 and has taken nine wickets at 15.33.

    Mitchell Owen the MVP of this season of the 2025 MLC, Owen has scored 313 runs in his ten games striking at 195.62 and has taken 14 wickets at 17.92.

    Batting Stats T20

    Head-to-Head (Last 3 Matches):

    The Washington Freedom have more wins in the last three match-ups between these two sides, but the Texas Super Kings have won the most recent battle between the two, promising this to be a very enthralling battle.

    Venue Stats – Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, Texas (2022-2025):

    Average 1st Innings Score:

    • 2023 – 167.41

    • 2024 – 167.81

    • 2025 – 203.75

    Bowling Averages and Economy Rates:

    Wickets Percentage based on Innings:

    Wickets Per Innings:

    Wickets per Phase:

    • Powerplay (Overs 1–6): 1.57 wickets

    • Middle Overs (Overs 7–15): 2.63 wickets

    • Death Overs (Overs 16–20): 2.31 wickets

    Dallas has turned into a batting paradise and the teams will be loving it back from Lauderhill where batting felt like a tough task at times.

    The spinners just about edge ahead here, with the pacers average a shade under 30 and going at almost one extra run to the over. But at the end of it all, it has been a batting paradise.

    Wicket Takers T20

    Squads:

    Texas Super Kings: Faf du Plessis ©, Devon Conway (WK), Nandre Burger, Donovan Ferreira, Akeal Hosein, Milind Kumar, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Mohammad Mohsin, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Noor Ahmad, Smit Patel, Shubham Ranjane, Calvin Savage, Joshua Tromp, Stephen Wiig and Zia-ul-Haq.

    Washington FreedomGlenn Maxwell ©, Andries Gous (WK), Amila Aponso, Mark Chapman, Justin Dill, Jack Edwards, Lockie Ferguson, Ian Holland, Lahiru Milantha, Mukhtar Ahmed, Saurabh Netravalkar, Mitchell Owen, Abhishek Paradkar, Glenn Phillips, Obus Pienaar, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Steven Smith and Yasir Mohammad.

    Match Prediction – Washington Freedom v Texas Super Kings

    Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions – PrePlay*

    Who will win the toss? — Washington

    Who will win the match? — Texas

    Top Batter (Runs Scored) — Faf du Plessis (Texas), Mitchell Owen (Washington)

    Top Bowler (Wickets Taken) — Adam Milne (Texas), Jack Edwards (Washington)

    Most Sixes — Faf du Plessis (Texas), Mitchell Owen (Washington)

    Player of the Match — Faf du Plessis (Texas)

    Team Scores Batting First — Texas 180+, Washington 170+

    Most 6’s T20

    *NB these picks and predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match, once the final starting teams have been announced – also, check out the % Win Prediction Widget which is live Pre-Play and InPlay and fluctuates with the latest market odds – we will soon be running other ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned…. and always remember…. when the fun stops… STOP

    ©Cricket World 2025

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  • Ryder Cup 2025: Open Championship and Scottish Open are biggest qualifying weeks – Donald

    Ryder Cup 2025: Open Championship and Scottish Open are biggest qualifying weeks – Donald

    Europe’s Ryder Cup hopefuls are entering “the two biggest weeks left before qualification ends” for the biennial match against the United States, says captain Luke Donald.

    This week’s Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club near Edinburgh is followed by the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

    And Donald, who led Europe to a 16½-11½ victory in Rome two years ago, is counting on his key players to step up this month.

    “These are big weeks against the strongest fields so you want to see the top guys play well,” Donald told BBC Scotland.

    “There are some guys that have pretty much staked a claim for their place in the team but there are a few spots definitely open and these weeks are big for those guys.”

    Rory McIlroy is the only player to have mathematically guaranteed his spot in the 12-strong team that will face the US at Bethpage Black in New York in September.

    English pair Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton are in second and third on the list, external with qualifying ending after the British Masters on 24 August – the US qualifying period ends on 17 August after the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship.

    The top six make the team with Donald picking the six others, while the US team will be selected in a similar way by their skipper Keegan Bradley.

    Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre is currently fourth on the European list and has really kicked on from making his Ryder Cup debut in 2023, where he was unbeaten, winning two-and-a-half points out of three.

    The 28-year-old from Oban followed victory at last year’s Canadian Open by winning the Scottish Open, which is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.

    “It helped him really grow as a golfer and gave him the belief that he could perform with the very best,” said Donald of MacIntyre’s Ryder Cup experience.

    And the Englishman added that he has been “very impressed” by the way MacIntyre has “adapted his game to the US”.

    The world number 14 has made 15 cuts from his 17 PGA Tour events this season, including his runner-up finish at last month’s US Open, where he finished one shot behind champion JJ Spaun at Oakmont.

    “When you make that transition from playing mostly in Europe to playing over there, it is difficult,” said Donald.

    “The fields are deeper. It’s harder. But he was still consistent and I was watching his stats quite a lot.

    “Even from when he qualified in Rome to where he was before the second place in the US Open, his stats were quite a bit better.

    “He won twice last year, in Canada and here [Scottish Open at Renaissance Club]. I saw the improvement in statistics and it was only a matter of time before he had a really, really good week and he almost pulled it off.”

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  • Williamson, Bracewell skip New Zealand’s tour to Zimbabwe

    Williamson, Bracewell skip New Zealand’s tour to Zimbabwe

    Kane Williamson © Getty Images

    Kane Williamson and Michael Bracewell will skip the upcoming two-test tour of Zimbabwe with the blessing of New Zealand Cricket, while paceman Ben Sears has been ruled out by a side injury.

    Rob Walter, who replaced Gary Stead as coach last month, named his first test squad on Tuesday, awarding a call-up to uncapped young fast bowler Matt Fisher and recalling experienced hands Ajaz Patel and Henry Nicholls.

    “Kane and Michael were up front with New Zealand Cricket about their availability for this tour during the contracting process,” Walter said in a news release.

    “While all test matches are hugely special and important, the fact these tests aren’t part of the World Test Championship did influence the discussions on this occasion.

    “We will obviously miss their talent and class, but it allows an opportunity to others and we’re lucky to be able to call on the likes of Ajaz and Henry who are both proven performers at test level.”

    All-rounder Bracewell has been allowed to miss the tour to play in The Hundred in England, while paceman Kyle Jamieson has elected to stay in New Zealand for the birth of his first child.

    Jamieson’s absence offers potential opportunities for Fisher and Jacob Duffy, who has played short-format matches for New Zealand but is yet to win a test cap, in the two matches in Bulawayo in late July and early August.

    TEAM: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young


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  • SANZAAR Teams Announced for World Rugby U20 Championship Matchday #3

    SANZAAR Teams Announced for World Rugby U20 Championship Matchday #3

    Round 2 in Italy brought four wins out of four for the SANZAAR teams. The big match in Round three is Australia v England with a Finals spot up for grabs to the winner. Unbeaten South Africa face Scotland having made the semi-finals, while New Zealand play Ireland, and Argentina play France in must win matches.

    Where is it?

    Rugby’s future stars will play matches across four cities in the Lombardia and Veneto regions of Italy – Calvisano, Rovigo, Verona and Viadana.

    What are the dates?

    The tournament runs from 29 June up to the final on 19 July.

    [Matchday 1: Sunday, 29 June]

    [Matchday 2: Friday, 4 July]

    Matchday 3: Wednesday, 9 July

    Matchday 4: Monday, 14 July

    Matchday 5: Saturday, 19 July

     

    Click HERE for official tournament website and information

     

    Loose forward Thando Biyela will lead the Junior Springboks in their third and final Pool A match at the World Rugby U20 Championship against Scotland at the Stadio San Michele in Calvisano.

     

    Even though the SA U20 side show several rotational changes from the team that beat England in their previous group match in Rovigo, the match-23 to face Scotland is a strong combination filled with experience.

     

    Fullback Gilermo Mentoe, right wing Cheswill Jooste, outside centre Gino Cupido, and flyhalf Vusi Moyo are retained from the starting fifteen that defeated England on Friday evening.

     

    Upfront, Matt Romao (loose forward), Jaco Grobbelaar (lock), Jean Erasmus and Oliver Read (both props), and Jaundre Schoeman (hooker) all provided impact off the bench against Australia and England, and are now in the starting pack.

     

    According to Kevin Foote, the Junior Springbok head coach, they’ve named a team that will play this important pool game with real purpose and pride against a very good Scotland side. A win will solidify the Junior Boks’ top spot in Pool A.

     

    “We are fortunate that the players in our match-23 have experience playing for the Junior Boks against Georgia, in the U20 Rugby Championship, and also in our warm-up matches against Kenya,” said Foote.

     

    “Thando has captained us already earlier this year, Stephanus Linde played for us against Georgia, while Matt Romao was our Man of the Match against Argentina in the Rugby Championship.”

     

    “Jaco Williams, Jaco Grobbelaar, and Oliver Reid have all seen a lot of action in the two previous group matches, while we have more experience that will come off the bench in Herman Lubbe, JJ Theron, Batho Hlekani, and Haashim Pead.”

     

    Foote said they have done their homework on Scotland, know what to expect from them, and have a very healthy respect for the Scottish.

     

    “We have a strong desire to improve and we are determined to keep building on our game model, and to make sure we maintain our synergy and cohesion as a team,” he said.

     

    “Everyone understands the threat that Scotland brings, and we feel they have played some good rugby. They attack well and their set piece has been solid; so, they will pose a very big threat for us, and we will not underestimate them. We are looking forward to meeting an exciting challenge on Wednesday.”

     

    Junior Springbok team to face Scotland in Calvisano:

    15. Gilermo Mentoe, 14. Cheswill Jooste, 13. Gino Cupido, 12. Dominic Malgas, 11. Jaco Williams, 10. Vusi Moyo, 9. Ceano Everson, 8. Stephanus Linde, 7. Matt Romao, 6. Thando Biyela (captain), 5. Morne Venter, 4. Jaco Grobbelaar, 3. Jean Erasmus, 2. Jaundre Schoeman1. Oliver Reid

    Replacements: 16. Siphosethu Mnebelele, 17. Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, 18. Herman Lubbe, 19. JJ Theron, 20. Batho Hlekani, 21. Haashim Pead, 22. Ian van der Merwe, 23. Demitre Erasmus.

    Australia U20s coach Chris Whitaker has turned to Sevens star Aden Ekanayake as they look to take down England.

    Ekanayake has been handed his first start of the year at number eight as part of several changes from the team that defeated Scotland.

    The Gordon product will link up with Reds flanker Charlie Brosnan, who started at lock against South Africa, and Tom Robinson in the back-row.

    Finn Baxter makes his return to the starting side at loosehead prop, with the second-row combination of skipper Eamon Doyle and Joe Mangelsdorf once again selected.

    Joey Fowler starts at flyhalf, partnering with Reds scrum-half James Martens, who had a hand in several tries during last week’s win.

    It’s the lone change to the starting backline, with Sid Harvey, Cooper Watters and Nicholas Conway staying as the back-three.

    Ollie Barrett and Eli Langi have been added to the bench as Whitaker opts for a 6-2 split.

    The Australians need a bonus point win over the defending champions and results to go their way if they are to keep their slim semi-final hopes alive. The top team from each pool and the highest-ranked second place team will advance to the finals, with the rest to play off for position.

    Australia U20 team to play England in Verona:

    1. Finn Baxter (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles), 2. Lipina Ata (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles), 3. Edwin Langi (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), 4. Joe Mangelsdorf (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 5. Eamon Doyle (c) (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 6. Charlie Brosnan (Queensland Reds, Brothers), 7. Tom Robinson (Queensland Reds, University of Queensland), 8. Aden Ekanayake (Australia Sevens), 9. James Martens (Queensland Reds, GPS Rugby Club), 10. Joey Fowler (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 11. Nicholas Conway (Queensland Reds, Wests Bulldogs), 12. Malakye Enasio (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles), 13. Liam Grover (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 14. Cooper Watters (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), 15. Sid Harvey (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)

    Replacements: 16. Ollie Barrett (Western Force, Associates RUFC), 17. Nathaniel Tiitii (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), 18. Trevor King (Queensland Reds, Souths), 19. Ollie Aylmer (ACT Brumbies, Gordon), 20. Eli Langi (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings), 21. Toby Brial (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), 22. Hwi Sharples (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 23. Joe Dillon (ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals)

    Argentina Pumitas, coached by Nicolás Fernández Miranda beat Spain by 33-30 in round two and now must beart France, which is the leader of the group after they beat Wales by 35-21.

    Carlos Mohapp, assistant coach of the U20, elaborated on the preparation for the last group stage match: “We are preparing well for the match with a  focus on defence, we believe that we have to improve some aspects. We are going to have to counter France’s attacks and we will try to make them uncomfortable from the contact side. W know that they are very strong in continuous play, so we will try to dominate at the points of contact.”

    “We are also focused on having a lot of the ball because they feed on disorderly play and lost balls. Another aspect that we want to improve is in the first minutes of the game, we have started slowly in past matches.”

    In addition, he referred to the possibility of qualifying for the semifinals: “The boys are eager and energetic because we are facing a unique and spectacular opportunity, we are just one step away from qualifying.”

    Pumitas team to play France in Verona:

    1. LEASH, Diego (CAE), 2. LEDESMA AROCENA, Tadeo (SIC), 3. RAPETTI, Tomás (Alumni), 4. DUCLOS, Tomás (Los Tordos RC), 5. NEIGHBORHOODS, Alejandro (Olivos), 6. BENITEZ, Franco (Tilcara), 7. STOREY, Pampa (CASI), 8. NEYRA, Santiago (Alumni), 9. GRIFFO, Fabricio (Palermo Bajo), 10. FERNÁNDEZ MIRANDA, Ramon (Hindu), 11. LESCANO, Baptist (CAE), 12. LEDESMA, Felipe (captain) (SIC), 13. COLL, Pedro (Tigres RC), 14. SILVA, Timothy (SIC), 15. SENILLOSA, Pascal (Hindu)

    Replacements:, 16. OTAÑO, Jerónimo (Los Tordos RC), 17. RINS, Nicanor (Uru Curé), 18. GALVÁN, Gael (Pucará), 19. GARCÍA IANDOLINO, Álvaro (Los Tordos RC), 20. DANDE, Tomás (Huirapuca RC), 21. REGGIARDO, Valentino (French Sport), 22. CORDERO, Matías (Los Tilos), 23. VIEYRA, Aquiles (Alumni).


    The New Zealand U20 team to take on Ireland at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship has been named. A win will guarantee progression through to the semi-final stage, as the team looks to beat their third-place finish in 2024.

    Captain Manumaua Letiu returns to the starting line-up, joining the Auckland prop duo of Sika Pole and Robson Faleafā in the front row. Pole, hailing from the Manukau Rovers Rugby Football Club, has started every game New Zealand has played this year.

    Also starting in every game this year is USA-born, Australian-raised lock Xavier Treacy. He will pair with Jayden Sa in the second row.

    On the wing are two New Zealand Sevens players, Frank Vaenuku and Maloni Kunawave. Both players made their debut at the Perth SVNS in January of this year, becoming All Blacks Sevens # 319 and # 320 respectively.

    New Zealand Under 20 team v Ireland in Calvisano:

    1. Sika Pole, 2. Manumaua Letiu (c), 3. Robson Faleafā, 4. Xavier Treacy, 5. Jayden Sa, 6. Finn McLeod, 7. Caleb Woodley, 8. Mosese Bason (vc), 9. Dylan Pledger (vc), 10. Will Cole, 11. Maloni Kunawave, 12. Jack Wiseman, 13. Cooper Roberts, 14. Frank Vaenuku, 15. Rico Simpson (vc)

    Replacements: 16. Shaun Kempton, 17. Israel Time, 18. Dane Johnston, 19. Aisake Vakasiuola, 20. Micah Fale, 21. Jai Tamati, 22. James Cameron, 23. Stan Solomon

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  • Potter re-commits to Australian Rugby, joins Waratahs for 2026

    Potter re-commits to Australian Rugby, joins Waratahs for 2026

    Rugby Australia are pleased to confirm Harry Potter has re-committed until the end of 2027, joining the NSW Waratahs for the next two Super Rugby Pacific seasons.

    Born in London and raised in Melbourne, Potter has taken the path less travelled to reach the highest level.

    A Moorabbin Rams junior, Potter moved to Sydney after school to study at Sydney University and ended up playing and winning two Shute Shield titles with the Students.

    He featured for the NSW Country Eagles and Melbourne Rising in the National Rugby Championship before joining the Rebels Super Rugby squad ahead of the 2020 season but didn’t make his professional debut.

    The following year, the versatile back, moved to his birth country, linking up with Leicester Tigers where he went on to become a key member of the 2022 Premiership winning side and finished with 67 appearances and 20 tries for the club over three seasons.

    He returned to Australia at the end of 2023, signing with the Western Force ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.

    He made his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Force in round one last year and went on to make his international debut, scoring against Scotland in Edinburgh.

    The 27-year-old had another standout year for his club in 2025 and started for the Wallabies on the wing in Sunday’s victory over Fiji.

    Wallaby number 989 and NSW Waratahs recruit Harry Potter said: “I’m really happy to have my future secured for the next two years.

    “I’d like to thank the Western Force for giving me the opportunity to come home to Australia and pursue my dream of playing for the Wallabies, and I’m looking forward to joining the Waratahs ahead of next year.

    “There’s some incredibly exciting opportunities on the horizon in Australian Rugby and I’ll be working hard to give myself every chance to be part of them in a gold jersey.”

    Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance, Peter Horne said: “While still relatively new to the Test arena, Harry brings a wealth of professional experience that adds real value to the national program.”

    “We’re delighted he has re-committed to Australian Rugby for the next two years and look forward to supporting him as he continues to grow and perform at the highest level, both on and off the field.”

    NSW Waratahs Head Coach, Dan McKellar said: “Harry brings experience. He’s been in programs where he’s won things … he has won trophies; and he’s got good versatility.

    “He’s got the ability to cover wing and can play 13. He played 13 at Champions Cup Quarter-Final. He can play fullback. He’s had a taste of Test match rugby as well.

    “There is the skill set that he brings … And we think his game suits the style and the direction that we’re heading in. We’re excited to have Harry on board.“

    Harry Potter

    Position: Outside back

    Height: 186cm

    Weight: 96kg

    Born: 15 December, 1997

    Place of birth: London, England

    Test debut: 2024 v Scotland in Edinburgh

    Wallaby number: 989

    Test caps: 3

    Super Rugby Pacific debut: 2024 v Hurricanes in Perth

    Super Rugby Pacific caps: 19

    2025 Wallabies Tests

    Wallabies 21 defeated Fiji 18 on Sunday July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

    British & Irish Lions Tour

    Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

    Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

    Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney

    The Flight Centre Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup

    Wallabies v South Africa at 1:10am AEST on Sunday August 17 at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg

    Wallabies v South Africa at 1:10am AEST on Sunday August 24 at DHL Stadium, Cape Town

    Wallabies v Argentina at 2:30pm AEST on Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

    Wallabies v Argentina at 2:00pm AEST on Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

    Wallabies v New Zealand at 3:05pm AEST on Saturday September 27, Eden Park, Auckland

    Wallabies v New Zealand at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth

    Spring Tour

    Wallabies v Japan at TBC on Saturday October 25 at National Stadium, Tokyo

    Wallabies v England, at 2:10am AEDT on Sunday November 2 at Allianz Stadium, London

    Wallabies v Italy at 4:40am AEDT on Sunday November 9 at TBC

    Wallabies v Ireland at 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 16 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin

    Wallabies v France at 7:10am on Sunday November 23 at TBC


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  • Wimbledon: Djokovic, Shelton, Sinner, Swiatek and 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva reach the quarterfinals

    Wimbledon: Djokovic, Shelton, Sinner, Swiatek and 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva reach the quarterfinals

    Right before Wimbledon began, Novak Djokovic declared it was the tournament that gave him the best chance to claim an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles trophy. Made sense, really, given that he’s won seven titles there already and reached the past six finals.

    For one uncharacteristically unsteady set in the fourth round on Monday (July 7, 2025), it sure didn’t look as if that would happen this year. Djokovic, though, turned things around and avoided what would have been his earliest exit at the All England Club since 2016, coming through for a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over 11th-seeded Alex de Minaur at Centre Court.

    With eight-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer sitting in the front row of the Royal Box, very little went right at the outset for the 38-year-old Djokovic on the grass below during a breezy afternoon with the temperature in the 60s Fahrenheit (teens Celsius), a week after matches were contested in record-breaking heat.

    “A lot of challenging moments for me,” Djokovic said right after the win, then later called it a “big, big relief” not to get pushed to a fifth set.

    He trailed 4-1 in the fourth — before taking the last five games and 14 of the final 15 points.

    “Lifted his level,” de Minaur said, “big-time.”

    Djokovic’s bid for an eighth Wimbledon title and 25th Grand Slam singles trophy overall will continue against No. 22 Flavio Cobolli of Italy. Cobolli reached his first major quarterfinal with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3) victory over 2014 U.S. Open champion and two-time major runner-up Marin Cilic.

    No. 10 Ben Shelton improved to 3-0 against Lorenzo Sonego at majors this year by beating him 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (1), 7-5. Shelton’s first Wimbledon quarterfinal will come against No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who moved on despite a painful right elbow and a two-set deficit when No. 19 Grigor Dimitrov quit because of an injured chest muscle.

    Against de Minaur, Djokovic made mistake after mistake, double-faulting four times in the first set alone. Djokovic lost five of his first seven service games against de Minaur, a 26-year-old Australian who accumulated 19 break points in all.

    Djokovic made 16 unforced errors in the first set alone.

    All in all, Djokovic was discombobulated, chalking it up afterward to nerves and a swirling wind. He rushed between points. He reacted to flubbed shots by rolling his eyes or shouting and glaring in the direction of his guest box or putting his arms wide as if seeking explanations from someone, anyone.

    At changeovers, he placed an ice-filled towel — usually wrapped around necks by players in steamy conditions — on his stomach, which he complained about during his first-round victory last week. But afterward, Djokovic dismissed the significance of that.

    A loss would have been Djokovic’s soonest at Wimbledon since he was eliminated in the third round by Sam Querrey nine years ago.

    Since winning his men’s-record 24th major title at the 2023 U.S. Open, Djokovic has come close to raising his total. He was the runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon last year — the second consecutive time they met in the final, with the results the same — and departed each of the first two Slams of 2025 in the semifinals.

    No man as old as Djokovic is now has won a major championship. He keeps showing why it’s not preposterous to think he could.

    “I didn’t have many solutions, to be honest,” Djokovic said, “but I just reset myself in the second.”

    By the very end, it’s almost as though de Minaur was resigned to defeat, knowing he’s only the latest — and perhaps not the last — opponent to succumb to a surging Djokovic.

    “I mean,” de Minaur summed up, “he’s been pretty good in big moments for a very long time.”

    No. 7 Mirra Andreeva, an 18-year-old Russian, became the youngest player to reach the women’s quarterfinals at Wimbledon since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007, beating No. 10 Emma Navarro 6-2, 6-3. Andreeva next meets Belinda Bencic, who defeated No. 18 Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6 (4), 6-4. Iga Swiatek, the five-time major champion who is seeded No. 8, was a 6-4, 6-1 winner against No. 23 Clara Tauson and will play No. 19 Liudmila Samsonova, who advanced to her first major quarterfinal with a 7-5, 7-5 victory against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

    The women’s quarterfinals are No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. Laura Siegemund, and No. 13 Amanda Anisimova vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The men’s quarterfinals are No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz vs. Cam Norrie, and No. 5 Taylor Fritz vs. No. 17 Karen Khachanov.

    Published – July 08, 2025 08:29 am IST

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  • South Africa coach stopped Wiaan Mulder from scoring 400 and breaking Brian Lara's world record: ‘Let the legends…’ – Hindustan Times

    1. South Africa coach stopped Wiaan Mulder from scoring 400 and breaking Brian Lara’s world record: ‘Let the legends…’  Hindustan Times
    2. Mulder: Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be  ESPNcricinfo
    3. ‘Legend’ Lara should keep Test record – Mulder  BBC
    4. Wiaan Mulder scores 367, fifth-highest score in Test cricket history  The Express Tribune
    5. Stats highlights: Wiaan Mulder’s record-breaking spree in Bulawayo  Cricbuzz.com

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  • ‘Small step forward’ for Konstas but ‘great opportunity’ beckons for domestic batters

    ‘Small step forward’ for Konstas but ‘great opportunity’ beckons for domestic batters

    Australia coach Andrew McDonald saw small signs of encouragement from Sam Konstas in the second Test against West Indies but has indicated there will “great opportunity” for players to push their case for Ashes selection early in the domestic season and in Australia A matches.

    Konstas made 25 in the first innings in Grenada before following that with a duck during a brief period of batting late on the second day. He will play the final match at Sabina Park, the ground’s first day-night Test, which provides an opportunity to finish on a high and leave himself near the head of the selection queue for the home Ashes series later in the year.

    “Four games in, eight innings, it’s probably early for anyone to judge, really,” McDonald said of Konstas’ early Test career. “I think the challenges in Test cricket aren’t necessarily always your skill level or your technique. It’s dealing with the moments, the pressure, all the other things that externally come with that as well. He’s a player finding his feet in the environment.

    “[It was] a small step forward in the last game with that first innings. I thought the way he structured up his first 20-odd balls, he had the positive intent, he was moving a lot better compared to the game before where it looked like he was stuck in the middle and didn’t know whether to play a shot and it was either ultra-aggressive or ultra-defensive.”

    Konstas will likely feature in the four-day matches on the Australia A tour of India in late September before being available for the opening Sheffield Shield matches in early October with four rounds expected before the start of the Ashes.

    “There’s great opportunity in domestic cricket at the start of the season, and there always is leading into any Test series,” McDonald said. “We saw with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last year, there was opportunity for players to put their hand up there. There’s also Australia A [against Sri Lanka A] in the Top End [Darwin] at the moment, so we’re watching that closely…so it’s really about the opportunity that presents.

    “First and foremost, we concentrate on what’s right here, right now. Everyone will be speculating around who can come in, what possibilities are, but we’re confident the players that we’ve got here can do the job.”

    Prior to the tour, McDonald said it may not be possible to draw huge relevance from this tour to the Ashes and it is a view he maintains despite it having been pace-bowler dominated rather than seeing a significant role for spin.

    “There’s been a lot of variable bounce and sideways movement, so it’s probably not similar to Australia,” he said. “Maybe some surfaces will be. I think Perth potentially, when it does crack a little bit, it can go up and down and a little bit sideways. But I think the first four rounds of Shield cricket will draw a better connection to the Ashes than what we’re seeing here.

    “What we are seeing here, though, is people getting exposed at Test level, and within that exposure, the mental challenges of Test cricket are real.”

    The continued scrutiny of the top-order was eased somewhat by Cameron Green’s half-century, but is countered by the struggles of Usman Khawaja. McDonald was keen to stress that Australia have ended as comfortable winners of both Tests. West Indies crumbled in both second innings – facing just 34.3 overs in Grenada and 33.4 in Barbados – having been on even terms after two days.

    “For every failure in the top-order, the middle-order’s been able to get us out of those situations and vice versa,” he said. “We’ve had times when the top-order’s prospered and the middle potentially hasn’t delivered what you’d probably expect.

    “Ultimately the game of cricket’s matching the bowling with the batting. At the moment we’re doing that. We’re finding ways through it. Would we like to have greater output from the top-order? There’s no doubt about that. And those players would want more runs. But they’ll come.

    “We’ve been able to find a way through the West Indies batting order…and they’ve been quite big victories.”

    McDonald added he did not foresee any changes for the final Test, which will be Mitchell Starc’s 100th, although they will assess players once in Jamaica.

    A decision on whether to release Marnus Labuschagne from the squad will be taken once play starts. There is an option for him to rejoin for Glamorgan in the County Championship or potentially head to Darwin for the second four-day game against Sri Lanka A which starts on July 20. However, giving him a break before the August ODI series against South Africa is also a possibility.

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  • Novak Djokovic teases crowd and De Minaur before reaching Wimbledon quarter-finals | Wimbledon 2025

    Novak Djokovic teases crowd and De Minaur before reaching Wimbledon quarter-finals | Wimbledon 2025

    Novak Djokovic won his 101st match at Wimbledon and advanced to his eighth consecutive quarter-final. Not that this was enough for the Serbian all-timer. In an act of grand generosity against his opponent Alex de Minaur, he also had his worst opening set at SW19, granting a rapt Centre Court crowd a rare moment of jeopardy at one of his matches.

    The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion was broken three times in the first set by the Australian 12 years his junior. Djokovic’s game was all over the place. In that short window it was possible to imagine a world in which decent, well‑rounded challengers such as De Minaur, the No 11 seed, might come into these matches with hope of something other than chastening defeat. It was a nice thought while it lasted.

    Everyone at this tennis sanctum knows better than to discount Djokovic, of course, at any point in a match. Even after such a disembodied display in the opening half-hour, the projected outcome was still success for the 38-year-old, and so it duly proved. The errors sharply declined, as if he had had a strong word with himself internally. The quality of his serve rose with each game to the point that it was the decisive weapon in the third set.

    The fourth set was a dogfight after going 3-0 down but Djokovic got his teeth into the contest and held on until De Minaur submitted. Next up is the Italian No 22 seed, Flavio Cobolli.

    “I was not feeling good, not finding the right timing,” Djokovic said of the first set, citing the swirling wind inside Centre Court.

    Roger Federer was in the royal box on Centre Court for Novak Djokovic’s match against Alex de Minaur. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

    “[De Minaur] was obviously feeling that. He was exposing my game, exposing my weaknesses, trying to mix things up, and returning extremely well. I think he’s one of the toughest opponents you can have on this kind of day where it’s very windy. He’s so quick, he constantly makes you play. He’s also a very smart player. On the grass, he knows how to use the slice and the angles.”

    Djokovic’s analysis was typically astute. With Roger Federer watching on from the royal box, something Djokovic claims has acted previously as a “curse” on his performance, De Minaur was dynamic, agile and clever. He could keep up with Djokovic’s power easily enough but could also read his range, responding to the lobs, drop shots and switches of side sharply. He bossed the longer rallies. His own error count was low and he bounced his way into the second set.

    Djokovic then did what he has almost always done in moments of adversity: he doubled down and turned the screw. The very first point of the second set was a blitz of furious stroke-making and the former world No 1 secured a break of serve at the first time of asking.

    To De Minaur’s credit he broke back straight away, but this was an arduous affair of seven deuces. Djokovic then stepped up and broke again. A second huge effort brought De Minaur level again but at 3-3 Djokovic broke him once more, this time to love and with the winning shot a delightful backhand slice across court that left the younger man frozen on his feet. As the Serb closed out the second set to level things up the familiar sense of inevitability began to rise.

    Alex de Minaur shows his disappointment as the match slips away against Novak Djokovic. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

    The third set went with serve for 10 games, but the sense of De Minaur having to scramble just to keep up was growing. Djokovic’s first‑serve percentage was at 80%, up from 48% in the first set. At the crucial juncture of 4-4 and with increasingly little room for error, the pressure finally told. Djokovic won a scintillating rally at 15-30 with a jaw-dropping volley on the slide back across himself, and then his opponent delivered a gift of a loose forehand to seal the break. A couple more errors from De Minaur and the third set was gone.

    Djokovic took his foot off the pedal for a moment at the start of the fourth and De Minaur stole a break of serve. He held it too, for a service game at least. At 4-2 it was all on the line and De Minaur found his best level for a final time, holding Djokovic to account in the rallies. It was not enough, though.

    By now Djokovic was hitting so well that he did not need to find a winner, just gradually, incrementally turn up the pressure in his favour. And so 4-2 became 4-3 then 4-4. In the blink of an eye he broke again and served out the match. All that early drama seemed a long way away.

    Djokovic is revving up for the opportunity to compete for the title once more. “I think I do have a chance – there’s no doubt about it,” he said.

    “I’ve been playing some really good tennis this year. So I feel good about myself. I feel confident. I feel motivated to go all the way. Let’s see what happens.”

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