Category: 6. Sports

For four arduous years, so much of Emma Raducanu’s life has played out in public. Every decision relating to her career has been dissected and debated. The most banal details surrounding her personal life have been transfigured into headline news. In order to find herself on and off the tennis court, Raducanu has had to learn how to tune out the noise, which at times can be deafening.

Only one month ago at Wimbledon, the discourse surrounding the 22-year-old reached diabolical lows. Even though her on-court performances were strong, it was impossible to escape the speculation surrounding her personal life. In the bowels of center court at the Cincinnati Open, I offer my own blunt perspective: I have never cringed as much as I did while watching people trying to pry into her romantic relationships at the All England Club. “Yeah, and Cam’s questions, too,” Raducanu responds, laughing. “That was terrible. Terrible.”

Raducanu was referring to her compatriot Cameron Norrie’s post-match press conference, when a reporter asked him whether he was dating Raducanu. Norrie, who was being supported in his player box that day by his long-term partner, was as baffled as he was bemused. For Raducanu, though, such brazen intrusiveness from strangers has simply become part of her everyday life. “I know, I know,” she says, smiling. “I guess I’m like, it comes with the territory, people being so curious. I think they’re more curious about this news than any tennis results and tennis news. But I just keep myself to myself, my private life to one side. It’s always funny when people try to find something out, but I try not to read into it so much.”

That curiosity is not isolated to the internet and tabloids. When Raducanu is out in London, paparazzi photographers will find her, even when she is doing nothing more than stepping on to a 345 bus somewhere in Wandsworth. “It’s really freaky, because you don’t know that they’re there. And then you’ll see a photo of yourself the next day, and you’ll be like: ‘There’s no way they were there,’” she says.

Considering her well-documented encounters with stalkers – one was arrested and handed a five-year restraining order after stealing items from her front door in 2021 and another fixated person followed her across four different countries earlier this year – Raducanu has genuine concerns regarding her safety: “I think after the Dubai incident, that was probably the worst [public attention] I’ve had,” she says. “I remember straight afterwards, I found it very difficult going out. I definitely had a bit of a leftover lag effect. But I’ve been a lot more astute, a lot more, I’d say, safe and have someone with me. I don’t really go out on my own as much. No solo walks. Just always having someone watching my back.”

Everything leads back to those three fateful weeks at the US Open in the summer of 2021, where Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a grand slam title. The spoils of victory were significant but Raducanu’s rapid success yielded considerable challenges. Along with the difficult results and constant criticism, her body constantly betrayed her. In 2023, after struggling physically for a long time, she underwent surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle.

While she tried to prove herself on the court, Raducanu says, people within her team would tell her she wasn’t tough: “I was obviously like: ‘Oh, no, I am tough enough.’” says Raducanu. “And it wasn’t good to hear, because I always prided myself on being a hard worker and being tough. And I believe I am. I actually think it was more the people around me that were maybe incorrect, and I think it led me down to having three surgeries and double wrist surgery, because I was overtraining and just covering it up, not saying anything, and not saying I was in pain, even when I was. So it was really tough to hear. But I think as I’ve grown with experience, I kind of realised my body a bit more and trusted myself a bit more.”

Mentally, things were even more challenging. As she failed to follow up her breakthrough victory with similar results, there were times when her mind twisted her US Open triumph into a negative memory, the source of her struggles. It was not until this year that she understood how to focus on her improvement and daily work, however gradual, rather than comparing every result to the 2021 US Open. Still, it remains a work in progress. “It’s [comparisons to the US Open] something that never fully leaves you,” Raducanu says. “I think it’s been four years now, I don’t think it’s fully gone away. Maybe in a few years, maybe when I’m older, more mature, but it’s hard to put that aside completely. It’s always in the back of your mind, but it’s more just being aware of those thoughts and then not letting it crash your day or ruin the work that you’re doing, and bringing it back to what I’m doing now, and the process.”

Considering her many difficulties, an obvious question is whether sports psychology or therapy have been a part of her life over the past few years: “I’ve tried. I’ve tried,” she says. “I’ve been obviously recommended a lot to do it with what I went through. It was something that not many people, well, actually no one has gone through, which is probably the reason that I did like two sessions and I stopped. I was like: ‘Look, these guys, they don’t relate.’ And, to be honest, no other athlete has done what I’ve done, so I don’t know why I’m taking advice from them. So I was like: ‘OK, well, the only person who can help me is myself.’”

For a long time the four defining cities of Raducanu’s life were listed in her biographies across her social media platforms. Her parents, Ion and Renee, originally come from Bucharest, Romania, and Shenyang, China, respectively while she was born in Toronto, Canada, and grew up in London, England. Her mother’s solo immigration from China to Canada has been an inspirational tale throughout her life. “I would say it’s funny when people ask where you’re from,” she says. “Obviously, I feel British. I’ve always grown up there, But there are certain things, the way I think, I don’t think I am completely. So you have a little question about your identity. But I try not to read too much into it and try to just take the best from all the different worlds that I’ve been exposed to and grown up in.”

Regardless of the subject at hand, Raducanu frequently notes the support and significance of her parents. She describes her upbringing as rigid and strict, but their tough love has made her the person she is today: “I was always brought up with really high standards, high expectations of myself, not much sympathy,” says Raducanu. “So when I was younger, that was tough, and even now. But I think it really shaped me to be the player I am, the person I am; pretty down to earth. They never got impressed by anything glitzy or high or anything.”

Both Raducanu’s parents worked in finance and they passed on their numerical, logical mindsets. Over the past few years, however, part of her evolution as an adult has been understanding herself as a person. Her injury layoff in 2023, which initially seemed like a catastrophe, turned out to be essential for her personal development. Raducanu spent her time away from tennis travelling, including a long trip to China, trying different hobbies and gradually learning more about herself. She learned that she is also creative, which has significantly influenced her playing style on the court. “I kind of discovered the more artistic side – the piano, the painting, the reading, the philosophy, all of those things,” she says. “And I really think it opened my eyes to another world. Now I’m kind of seeing how I can find an area where those two intersect, and have the creative side, but also have the quantitative side.”

With age and experience, Raducanu also has a greater understanding of her preferences when making general decisions. While discussing her decision making, Raducanu’s mind shifts to another source of criticism: her coaching history. “I think I’m a lot more clear on what I do and don’t like,” she says. “I think the experiences that I’ve had with different coaches – people love to say I’ve had so many different coaches but, if I went into the details of a lot of them, people would not be kind of saying the same things. I just don’t do that, because I don’t want to ‘out’ these people. So keep it to myself.”

Is it ever tempting? “I would say, like, when you see things and you’re like: ‘Oh, Emma on her ninth coach’ or something, I’m like: ‘Guys, come on.’ Certain ones don’t count. If you’ve had a trial, you don’t have to carry on after the trial. A few have been trials, a few have been other situations. And I just try and take the high road,” she says. Then she laughs. “And try to do what the royal family would do.”

After years of rolling with the punches and gradually coming to understand herself, Raducanu seems to finally be in a positive place again. She speaks effusively about the great enjoyment she has found in her consistent daily work and she has thrown herself into becoming the best player she can be each day. Raducanu’s results are reflective of that shift and her ranking is clearly on the rise. Her time in Cincinnati, her first week with her new coach, Francisco Roig, ended with a colossal three-hour battle with Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, where she narrowly lost 7-6 in the final set. Over the next few days, she will return to New York for the US Open more self-assured than she has been since she won the title.

Our second conversation ends with a final question on Raducanu’s ambitions for the next few years beyond her results. After a beat, she shrugs. The hope, she says, is that the passion and joy she now feels each day about her daily work will endure. “I want to continue for the next few years, to just keep enjoying because I would rather not do anything else or be anywhere else,” she says, shrugging. “I see my friends, like, somewhere in the south of France, and they’re chilling on a boat or whatever, and I’m just like: ‘OK, well, it looks amazing,’ but when I’m putting in double session practices with the people around laughing, that fills me up so much more. So I’m really happy to have gotten to this place and [I want] to just continue that.”

We are shocked and disappointed by the UCI’s decision to disqualify several teams, including ours, from the Tour de Romandie Féminin.

Earlier this week, all affected teams sent formal letters to the UCI expressing support for rider safety but raising serious concerns about the unilateral imposition of a GPS tracking device to just one of the riders per team.

We made clear that:

• We would not select a rider ourselves, nor install, remove, or maintain the device.
• The UCI or its partner was free to select a rider and install the device at their own liability if they believe they are in their right to do so.

Despite our cooperation and the existence of a proven and collaborative safety tracking system already tested successfully in other major races (fully operational for the whole peloton and offered to the UCI), the UCI has chosen to impose this measure without clear consent, threaten disqualification, and now exclude us from the race for not selecting a rider ourselves. The reason why they don’t want to nominate a rider themselves is still unknown and unanswered.

Despite multiple requests by the teams over the last two days, the UCI commissaires were unable to demonstrate on the basis of which precise UCI rule teams are obligated to discriminate one rider against other riders in terms of obligations (except for officially refering to an email of the teams’ union) but have nevertheless decided to carry on and disqualify the teams with their riders.

This action disregards the rights of teams and riders, applies the measure in a discriminatory manner, and contradicts the UCI’s own stated commitment to dialogue with stakeholders.

We are always at the forefront to make cycling a safer sport, but it should be achieved through collaboration, not coercion.

UFC 319: DU PLESSIS vs CHIMAEV will take place Saturday, August 16 at United Center with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/7 pm PT on ESPN+ PPV. The prelims will be available on ESPN (joined in progress at 7pm ET), ESPN Deportes and Disney+, as well as simulcast in English and Spanish on ESPN+, at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. The early prelims will kick off at 6 pm ET/3 pm PT on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.

How To Watch UFC 319 In Your Country

Main event scheduled for five rounds. All other bouts scheduled for three rounds.

UFC 319: Du Plessis vs Chimaev Official Weigh-In Results:

CHORZÓW (Poland), Aug 15 — Record-breaking Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis has predicted a “super-sick” world championships in Tokyo, where he won his first Olympic medal in the Covid-delayed Summer Games, but insisted statistics were unimportant to him.

The US-born Swede has been in electric form, setting a 13th world record, of 6.29 metres, in Budapest on Tuesday to further seal his claim as one of the best track and field athletes in history.

But Duplantis shies away from the bravado often shown by sprinters, reiterating that he is not bothered by the numbers game.

“I’m just making sure that all the little details and everything are very polished and that I’m really ready to go at the most important time,” Duplantis said yesterday ahead of the Diamond League meet in Silesia, Poland.

“It’s a lot of recognition,” he conceded of setting multiple world records.

“It’s always an amazing feeling and I’m always super grateful, and it feels kind of surreal in a way every time I’ve been able to push the record a little bit higher.”

A return to Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium for the September 13-21 world champs, with a full crowd compared to the empty tribunes in 2021 because of the pandemic, left Duplantis “super excited”.

“I have super high expectations,” he said. “It’s going to super sick, honestly.

“I think the atmosphere is going to be insane. Then it’s just up to me to enjoy it and channel what everybody’s giving me and try to put on a good show.”

But the 25-year-old, who has used the same pole to set the last 10 world records, again played down expectations of how high he thought the bar might be raised to.

“I just love competing,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how many world records that I break.

“When it comes to sports in general, you always have to prove yourself on the day because nobody just gives you anything, it’s all earned.

“They don’t just give me the trophy because I’m the favourite. I still have to go out there and have to compete. I have to be on my A game, and I have to earn my title as the one that’s going to be the best and last man standing on that day every time.”

No special magic number 

As for the 6.30m mark and beyond, Duplantis added: “I don’t want to lie and make something up and act like there’s some special magic number that I’m aiming for that’s always in the back of my mind when it’s really not the case, because I’m really not very super fixated on anything in particular.

“I feel like I’m very much somebody that lives in the present moment and I try to maximise and achieve the most that I can in the now.”

That said, the Swede then fired out a warning, saying he knew he was going “to keep jumping higher, there’s a lot more to come, and I’m going to keep pushing it”.

“I just try to jump as well as I can every day and I know that if I jump the way that I should jump then I should be the best guy on the track and I should be the guy that’s the last man standing.”

Duplantis also said he had vastly improved, both physically and mentally, over recent years, allowing him an unprecedented consistency in competition.

“I’m just better in every way,” he said. “I’m more experienced. I have a better understanding… how to take care of myself and my body and what to do to remain in good shape, also just better performing and getting the most of myself on each given day.

“There’s going to be a day where I’m not going to jump very well, but that happens. Doesn’t happen that often, though, and it probably won’t happen two times in a row.” — AFP

James Hunt vs Niki Lauda: The drama of 1976

The 1976 Formula 1 season is one of the sport’s most legendary rivalries of two polar opposite characters. Niki Lauda, defending champion and methodical perfectionist, dominated early on, but his season – and life – nearly ended at the German Grand Prix. During a terrifying lap in torrential rain, Lauda lost control and crashed into the barriers before his car caught fire. He would suffer severe burns, lung damage, and face a battle for survival. Although he recovered by what the medical profession called sheer force of will, many assumed his championship hopes were over.

Enter James Hunt, the charismatic, risk-taking Brit whose season so far had been a rollercoaster of wins and close calls. With Lauda sidelined for recovery, Hunt clawed back points relentlessly, winning multiple races on the bounce and keeping his title fight alive. But then came Lauda’s jaw-dropping return. Just six weeks after the crash he was back; he was bandaged and burned, yet steely and determined, as he continued racing again at the Italian Grand Prix – against all odds.

Unsurprisingly, the turbulent championship fight came down to the final race in Fuji, Japan, with Lauda sitting just three points ahead of Hunt. Torrential rain and fog turned the circuit into a dangerous test of nerves, especially for Lauda – with debates over whether the race should be started at all. On Lap 2, Lauda drove into the pits to withdraw, as he believed the weather conditions were too dangerous, later stating: “My life is worth more than a title.”

The retirement left Hunt needing only fourth place to take the title. At first, he seemed on course – but as the track dried, Hunt’s pace faded and rivals surged past. Tyre issues forced an unscheduled pit stop, dropping him to fifth.

With the championship slipping away, Hunt launched a furious late charge, passing two drivers in quick succession to climb back up to third. Confusion reigned as the unofficial result initially placed him fifth, but after a tense review period, Hunt was confirmed as third, and had done enough to win the championship by a single point.

The storyline of this rivalry in 1976 proved so captivating that even decades later it grabbed the attention of Hollywood directors, who transformed the story into the movie Rush, released in 2013.

London [UK], August 15 (ANI): Aussie veteran batter Steve Smith believes the wickets in Australia for the last three to four years have been tricky, and it will be challenging for the England batters in the Ashes later this year.

The highly anticipated Ashes 2025-26 Test series between Australia and England will take place between November 21, 2025, and January 8, 2026, in Australia.

The five-game series, which is a component of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship, will represent yet another chapter.

In a video on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel, Smith said, “I think England have a good side at the moment. They’re obviously playing a really aggressive brand of cricket, and I think coming down to Australia, particularly for their batters, it’s going to be a big challenge. I think the wickets for the last three or four years have been tricky.”

Smith has a brilliant record in the Ashes series. He is the leading run-scorer in the 21st century in the Ashes, with 3417 runs in 37 fixtures at an average of 56.01 and 12 hundreds under his belt. He is also the only player with ten consecutive fifty-plus scores in the Ashes.

Smith feels Australia have a very experienced and successful bowling lineup, and he believes the Ashes will be a great series.

“We got a very experienced bowling lineup with guys that have played for a long period of time and been extremely successful. I’m looking forward to the summer. I think it’s going to be a great series,” he added.

Smith is the third-highest run getter in the Ashes, behind England’s John Hobbs (3636) and the legendary Don Bradman (5028). While in active players, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon is the highest wicket-taker in the Ashes with 110 scalps in 30 matches.

Pat Cummins’ Australia, the current holders of the Ashes, will face Ben Stokes’ England, which will aim to reclaim the urn on Australian soil. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) – Some may take a while to adjust, but Carlin Davison has been a personification of plug-and-play for a New Zealand team hungry for a breakthrough in the ongoing FIBA Asia Cup 2025.

All because he embraced his role fully the moment it was entrusted to him.

“It’s just the least I can do, you know,” offered the 1.98 M (6’5″) forward, who’s only turning 22 on August 21 – mere days after the continental spectacle in this city concludes. “Like, I don’t start, I come off the bench.”

“And I love the role that I play off the bench,” he added. “It’s awesome.”

Davison is playing in just his first-ever Asia Cup and there should be no denying how much he’s been wowing the live crowd – and fans online, too – with his ability to jump out of the gym due to his insane athleticism.

“

Hopefully we can make history and make it to the Final.

But he’s not one who goes after highlight-worthy plays for the thrill of it whatsoever. It’s simply him providing that solid spark off the bench, bringing energy that sure rubs off on his fellow Tall Blacks on the court.

It’s that very mentality that led to a solid showing in their 100-78 victory over Iraq on Opening Day, notching 12 points and 8 rebounds plus a block as he helped lead their fourth-quarter breakaway for a strong debut.

That’s why it no longer came as a surprise when the coaches brought him in entering the homestretch of their most important game of the 2025 Asia Cup to date – a Quarter-Final meeting versus Lebanon Thursday.

With the game tied at 75-all and almost the entire King Abdullah Sports City siding with the Cedars, Davison powered the decisive 9-2 run that gave New Zealand the lead for good, 84-78, with only 1:18 left to play.

He led as much with a pair of dunks, the last of which proved too painful for their West Asian counterparts as he got fouled by Karim Zeinoun and went on to complete the three-point play to cap off the rousing rally.

The Taranaki Airs standout was also crucial in the closing seconds when he hauled down Amir Saoud’s missed triple in a bid to tie, eventually leading to free throws by Flynn Cameron to make it an 89-83 spread.

New Zealand won, 90-86.

“It’s just energy,” said Davison, who finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block. “Any way I can bring some energy. If I need to dunk it or lay it up, or stop, get rebounds, I’m just there for the team.”

Lebanon could only bow their heads in disappointment as the loss dashed all hopes of replicating their magical 2022 run in Indonesia, where they went all the way to the Final before settling for silver versus Australia.

All because the Tall Blacks showed greater resolve, as they came back all the way from 22 down toward returning to the Semi-Finals for the third time in a row – and arranging a date with another unbeaten team in China.

That’s why Davison couldn’t be any prouder of what they did.

“I’m proud of all the boys. We were down the whole game but we didn’t give up, and we fought back. Proud of the brothers,” said the hooper from New Plymouth, who’s averaging 7.0 points and 7.5 rebounds.

Now, it’s all about shifting their focus on Team Dragon as he and New Zealand shoot for history, particularly in reaching the Asia Cup Final – something that the program hasn’t done since joining in 2017.

“It’s amazing to play for what’s on my chest,” he said, while pointing to his jersey. “It means everything, you know. It’s representing my family, where I’m from, all the people back home, and all the hard work.”

“Hopefully we can make history and make it to the Final,” Davison added.

FIBA