ONS JABEUR'S historic Wimbledon campaign saw her reach the women's quarterfinals on Monday (5), beating Poland's 2020 French Open champion Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in their fourth round match.
The 26-year-old is the first Tunisian woman to reach the last eight at Wimbledon and will face Belarus second seed Aryna Sabalenka who defeated Elena Rybakina 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Sabalenka will be playing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Jabeur showed great poise to stay in the match after she let slip a 5-4 lead and serving for the first set only for the Pole to reel off three games on the bounce.
Swiatek, after a flat opening, had taken note of a young Polish fan holding up a board inscribed 'Jazda Iga' ('Come on Iga').
"It was a great match and I had to stay calm rather than get angry when I failed to close out the first set as getting angry would not have helped my cause," said Jabeur.
"Today I decided to change my game a bit as everyone knows I am doing drop shots and being aggressive was key today."
Jabeur never looked back once she had got over the loss of the first set.
Her breaking her 20-year-old opponent in the first game of the second set - set the tone for the rest of the encounter.
Indeed such was her dominance that Swiatek at one point having been out-witted by a Jabeur drop shot smashed the top of the net angrily with her racquet.
Muchova beats Badosa
Karolina Muchova reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the second time on Monday (5) beating Spain's 30th seed Paula Badosa 7-6 (8/6), 6-4.
The 24-year-old 19th-seeded Czech will play the winner of the match between 2018 champion Angelique Kerber and American Coco Gauff for a place in the semifinals.
Muchova, who beat world number one Ashleigh Barty to reach the Australian Open semifinals this year, reached the last eight in 2019.
Muchova could face Barty in a re-match if both win their quarterfinals.
Former champion Kerber brushes aside Gauff
Angelique Kerber, the 2018 Wimbledon champion, produced a superb display to beat American teenager Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-4 in 1 hour and 16 minutes to reach the quarterfinals on Monday (5).
The 33-year-old German former world number one fell out of love with the game for a spell but is back in the form she showed in 2018.
Kerber, the only Wimbledon women's champion remaining in the draw, will play Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic for a place in the semifinals.
For Gauff, 17, it was defeat at the same stage she exited two years ago when she won the hearts and minds of the Wimbledon crowd aged just 15.
BRITISH tennis players come under the spotlight at Wimbledon like nowhere else and the full glare will be trained on world number four Jack Draper as he leads a sizeable home assault at the All England Club starting on Monday (30).
The 23-year-old left-hander's rapid rise up the rankings means he is the highest British seed since two-time winner Andy Murray arrived as defending champion in 2017.
Draper's run to the US Open semi-final last year and his title this year at Indian Wells have raised expectations that he is ready to emulate Murray and win the title.
The hype is already building up and should he avoid any early banana skins and make a deep run, Draper knows the weight of expectation will grow more heavy on his broad shoulders.
Dealing with life in the Wimbledon pressure cooker will be a huge test for a player who has won only two matches in his three previous main draw appearances at the All England Club.
But he says employing breathing coach Ann Coxhead has helped him to cope with the anxiety he experienced earlier in his career and which occasionally led to him vomiting on court.
"It was important for me in tennis where there's such small margins, such small percentages," Draper told reporters at a sultry and tranquil Wimbledon.
"The work I've done with her has been invaluable. It's been a real asset to my tennis. I think I'm still a work in progress with it, but definitely my physicality and my general well-being on the court has improved."
Draper faces dangerous 38th-ranked Argentine Sebastian Baez in the first round on Tuesday (1) and things will not get much easier after that with former US Open winner and Wimbledon runner-up Marin Cilic a likely second-round opponent.
Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic is a potential quarter-final barrier and then it could be world number one Jannik Sinner and two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Sensibly, Draper is not looking too far ahead.
"I look at my first round, who I have. I respect every person in the draw. Obviously I've got Baez on Tuesday, and I'm not looking further than that," he said. "I know he's a strong player. He's here off his own merit."
Draper and British women's number one Emma Raducanu will lead a 23-strong home contingent in the singles draws, albeit including 14 wild cards, the most since 1984.
Emma Raducanu during a practice session REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
While Draper is happy to talk up his chances, Raducanu, who stunned the tennis world by winning the US Open as a teenaged qualifier in 2021, says she has lower expectations.
"Truthfully I don't expect much from myself this year," she told reporters. "I know I've just been dealing with certain things. I just want to go out there and embrace the moment. I want to embrace the occasion."
She will start on Monday against compatriot Mingge Xu, one of three British teenaged wild cards in the women's draw.
"I think it's a very dangerous match, very difficult. I think Mimi is a really, really good player," Raducanu said.
"For her it's one where there's nothing to lose. I remember when I had my first Wimbledon here and I was 18. It's a great feeling. You just feel, like, completely fearless."
Two British players have big incentives to reach the second round. Veteran Dan Evans, a wild card after falling outside the world's top 100, could seal a clash with seven-times champion Novak Djokovic if he beats fellow Briton Jay Clarke, while qualifier Oliver Tarvet, ranked 719, is one win away from a possible dream clash with defending champion Alcaraz.
"About 9,000 people have messaged me about it," Evans said.
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Djokovic (L) and Alcaraz embrace during practice prior to The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26.
CARLOS ALCARAZ will look to win his third consecutive Wimbledon title this year, reinforcing his position as the leading player on all surfaces. Jannik Sinner, who lost to Alcaraz in a closely fought French Open final, heads to London hoping to reverse the result.
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic will also be in contention. At 38, this could be his best chance to win a record 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic lost the last two Wimbledon finals to Alcaraz and will aim to reclaim the trophy at the All England Club.
With Andy Murray retiring, Jack Draper takes on the responsibility of leading British hopes. Other players in the mix include Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, both chasing their first Grand Slam title and looking to break the recent dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner.
Alcaraz aims to join elite group with hat-trick
Alcaraz won the longest French Open final in the Open Era, maintaining his hold on the title. Between him and Sinner, they have won seven of the last eight majors. If Alcaraz wins this month, he will become only the fifth man in the Open Era to claim three straight Wimbledon titles. He would join Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Djokovic.
Transitioning from clay to grass is often difficult, but Alcaraz has adapted well. He described the shift as "enjoyment and suffering" in equal measure.
"It's a bit of everything," Alcaraz said. He improved his win-loss record on grass to 29-3 after winning the Queen’s Club title.
"Ultimately it's a surface we don't play many matches on each year, and you have to learn from every experience on it, from every match you play.
"Every player is different with a different style on grass. You have to keep learning and getting to know yourself ... even when the numbers are in your favour."
Sinner still adapting to grass
Although Sinner has achieved more success than Alcaraz on hard courts, his grass record remains mixed. He exited early at Halle after losing to Alexander Bublik and now heads to Wimbledon with limited preparation. Last year, he reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
Sinner, who served a three-month ban earlier this year for doping violations, said he needed rest before the Championships begin Monday.
"I gave it my all after the Roland Garros defeat, it wasn't easy. Despite everything, I'm happy enough," Sinner said. He had three championship points in the five-set French Open final loss to Alcaraz.
"I played two matches before Wimbledon, if there had been more, it would have been better. Now I've got to boost myself both mentally and physically, that takes a little time."
Gentlemen's Singles - Projected Quarter-finals by Seeding
(1) Sinner vs (7) Musetti (4) Draper vs (6) Djokovic
(5) Fritz vs (3) Zverev (8) Rune vs (2) Alcaraz #Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 27, 2025
Djokovic hopes to bounce back
Novak Djokovic heads into Wimbledon after reaching the French Open semi-final in a year that has otherwise not lived up to his usual standards. He has not played any warm-up events on grass but remains a strong contender.
Djokovic is aiming to match Roger Federer’s eight Wimbledon titles and surpass Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slams.
"I'm going to do everything possible to get myself ready," Djokovic said after losing to Sinner in Paris.
"My best chances maybe to win another Grand Slam are Wimbledon, or a faster hard court, maybe Australia."
Zverev, Fritz and others look to challenge
World number three Alexander Zverev is also in the hunt, still chasing a maiden Grand Slam after three final losses. Taylor Fritz enters the tournament with momentum from winning in Stuttgart.
Others to watch include Daniil Medvedev, who finished runner-up in Halle, and Bublik, who defeated him there. Bublik’s unconventional playing style could pose a challenge for some top players over the next two weeks.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The Rugby Premier League (RPL) features six franchises and brings together top players from the World Sevens circuit with Indian players. (Photo: Rugby Premier League India)
NEARLY 150 years after the closure of the Calcutta Football Club led to the creation of rugby's oldest international trophy, a new sevens-format league has been launched this month to help revive the sport in India.
The Rugby Premier League (RPL) features six franchises and brings together top players from the World Sevens circuit with Indian players. The tournament follows rule variations suited to television broadcasts.
Organisers hope to grow the sport locally to the point where India qualifies for the Olympics. They also see potential for the format to influence rugby’s development globally.
‘People have not seen it’
“Rugby in India is not so popular and not because it's not played, it's played in more than 250 districts in India and there's a lot of talent pool available, but because people have not seen it,” said Satyam Trivedi, chief executive of GMR Sports, which is co-organising the league.
“It has not been commercialised, originally or globally. It is a very aspirational sport. In countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, it's a private schoolboy sport, which is not how it is seen in India.
I'm sure with the league getting commercials, going on broadcast, some of the finest athletes of the world coming and participating, the audiences will see it and the sport will catch up.”
The launch of the RPL comes as sevens rugby, which grew in popularity after being included in the 2016 Rio Olympics, faces challenges. Budget constraints have led Ireland to end its men’s programme, while Britain’s men’s and women’s teams are set to go part-time by the end of July.
World Rugby plans to introduce a three-division format in 2026 to increase the number of events and improve the sport’s cost-effectiveness and competitiveness.
Franchise model and international talent
RPL squads differ from national team-based World Sevens tournaments. Each franchise consists of five top-tier “marquee” players, five Indian players, and three international “bridge” players.
Scott Curry, who has played 321 matches for New Zealand’s All Blacks Sevens and now represents the Bengaluru Bravehearts, said the franchise model may offer a new path for the sport.
“The World Series has been changing a lot and there's a little bit of uncertainty there but to see something like this, a franchise league ... I think it could be the future of the game going forward for sure,” Curry said.
“Having franchises where players from all over the world can come and play together along with local Indian players is really exciting for our sport.”
Eyes on Olympic entry
Rugby India is also co-organising the league. Its president Rahul Bose believes the RPL could help raise the sport’s profile ahead of a potential Indian bid for the 2036 Olympics.
“After Indian hockey, we want to be the second team, and by that time (2036), it'll be 80 years that there's no other team that's gone to the Olympics from India,” Bose said.
“I'm not counting cricket, which is coming into the Olympics through a different route. But certainly when it comes to sports that have 100-plus nations playing it, like soccer and rugby, we've trained our eyes on that.”
Opportunities before 2036
Manuel Moreno of Spain, who featured in the World Sevens Series dream team last season and is playing for Hyderabad Heroes in the RPL, believes Olympic qualification could come sooner than 2036.
“It's a long way to try to compete with the best teams in the world ... the World Rugby Series, maybe is too far from now but maybe (India can qualify) for the Games as qualification is from the continent,” Moreno said.
“They (India) can do it in the next Olympic cycle. There are only two or three big teams in Asia. So I think they have a real possibility to be in the Los Angeles Games in 2028.”
India’s men finished seventh in the Asian qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the women placed sixth. However, organisers and players believe that exposure to international talent like Curry and Moreno can help local players develop faster.
It may not be long before Indian rugby is known for more than being the origin of the trophy contested annually by England and Scotland.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Beckham’s arm surgery linked to an old injury from a 2003 football match
David Beckham had surgery on his right arm following years of discomfort from a 2003 injury.
Victoria Beckham posted a hospital photo with the caption “Get well soon Daddy.”
Doctors removed a pin that failed to dissolve from an earlier procedure.
Fans flooded social media with support as Beckham begins recovery.
David Beckham has undergone surgery on his right arm after enduring years of pain from an old football injury. The former England captain was admitted to hospital this week, where doctors corrected a long-standing issue stemming from a 2003 match against South Africa. Beckham is now recovering, with his wife Victoria offering fans a glimpse into his post-op condition through an Instagram update.
Victoria Beckham's story Instagram screengrab/victoriabeckham
Victoria Beckham shares intimate post-surgery moment
Victoria posted a photo of David in a hospital gown and blue arm sling, lying in bed and smiling faintly at the camera. “Get well soon Daddy,” she wrote, along with a white heart emoji. In another story, she showed a friendship bracelet gifted to him with the message “Get well soon” spelled out in beads.
The public gesture quickly drew attention, prompting fans to ask questions and offer well-wishes across social media. With comments turned off on Instagram Stories, many took to Twitter to express their concern and admiration.
Victoria Beckham's story Instagram screengrab/victoriabeckham
Surgery linked to 2003 wrist injury, say sources
According to a source quoted by The Sun, the surgery was required due to complications from an old wrist injury Beckham sustained over two decades ago. A metal pin inserted at the time had not dissolved as expected and had started causing intense pain.
David Beckham of England feels the pain in his arm after being tackled and upended by Thabang Molefe of South AfricaGetty Images
“David had been in pain for years but didn’t think much of it,” said the source. “It got worse recently, so he went for a scan, which revealed the pin had not dissolved. The operation went well, and he’s in great spirits now.” Victoria reportedly stayed by his side throughout the procedure.
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Carlos Alcaraz plays a forehand against Novak Djokovic in the Gentlemen's Singles Final on July 14, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
CARLOS ALCARAZ will begin his attempt to win a third straight Wimbledon title against Italian Fabio Fognini, while women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka opens her campaign against Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine.
The draw, held on Friday at the All England Club, featured several notable first-round matchups.
Sinner, Djokovic face Italian, French opponents
Top men’s seed Jannik Sinner, who lost to Alcaraz in the French Open final, has been drawn to face fellow Italian Luca Nardi. Sixth seed Novak Djokovic, who is aiming to match Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon singles titles, will begin against Alexandre Muller of France, ranked 40th in the world.
In the women’s draw, defending champion Barbora Krejcikova, seeded 17th and recently withdrawn from the Eastbourne tournament due to a thigh strain, will face Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.
Second seed Coco Gauff starts her campaign against Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska. Third seed Jessica Pegula, a potential semi-final opponent for Gauff, plays Italian qualifier Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, last year’s runner-up, will meet Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova. Sabalenka is seeded to face Paolini in the semi-finals.
Big home presence for Britain
Britain has 23 players in the singles draws, its largest representation since 1984. Fourth seed Jack Draper leads the men’s challenge after a rapid rise in form. Draper begins against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez, ranked 38th. If he progresses, he could face 2017 runner-up Marin Cilic in the second round, and Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik in the third round – a player he lost to at the French Open.
Draper’s projected path to the title may include matches against Djokovic in the quarter-finals, Sinner in the semi-finals, and Alcaraz in the final.
Raducanu faces Xu in British clash
Emma Raducanu, Britain’s top-ranked woman, will take on fellow Briton Mingge (Mimi) Xu in the first round. Xu is one of three British teenage wildcards in the women’s draw. If Raducanu wins, she may face 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova or 32nd seed McCartney Kessler next.
Branstine, Sabalenka’s first-round opponent, advanced through qualifying by defeating former U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu. In the third round, Sabalenka could face either Raducanu or Vondrousova.
Key early matchups and returns
A possible second-round highlight could be Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, seeded five, taking on Japan’s Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner.
Alcaraz, who won Queen’s Club in preparation for Wimbledon, opens against Fognini. The 38-year-old Italian was once ranked as high as ninth but has not replicated that form in recent years. If Alcaraz advances, he could face British qualifier Oliver Tarvet in the next round. Tarvet, ranked 719, will meet Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi in the first round.
Alcaraz could face third seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. Zverev begins his campaign against France’s Arthur Rinderknech.
Centre Court schedule
As the defending men’s champion, Alcaraz will play the opening Centre Court match on Monday. That day will feature matches from the bottom half of the men’s draw and the top half of the women’s draw. Krejcikova will begin Centre Court action on Tuesday.