Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Serena thrills as 'Dream Team' turn mean machine at Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON'S Centre Court is the property of the All England Club, but on Tuesday (9) it belonged to Serena Williams.

After reaching her 37th Grand Slam singles semi-final, the American returned with Britain's Andy Murray in a fist-pumping, high-fiving, forehand-slapping frenzy as the mixed doubles 'Dream Team' put on a show for the thousands of fans who had hung around into the evening to watch.


'SerAndy' or 'Murrena', as the multiple Grand Slam-winning duo have been dubbed, eased into the third round with a 7-5 6-3 win over America's Raquel Atawo and France's Fabrice Martin.

Having beaten compatriot Alison Riske in three sets in the singles quarter-finals earlier in the day, Williams looked like she wanted to be anywhere but out on court again.

Not in a sulky sort of way. Far from it. She was in a fired-up frenzy to get off court as fast as possible as the evening drew in, smashing winners left and right, roaring, fist-pumping and pirouetting in celebration as each one flew off her racket.

"I am having a blast," she said. "Obviously it has been a great atmosphere playing out there with Andy, so it is great."

Any doubt over whether Williams would be in the mood for the mixed doubles was dispelled in the first game as she smashed a volley straight at Martin, apologising profusely after the ball cannoned off his body.

Playing with home favourite Murray, a twice Wimbledon singles champion, means Williams had the Centre Court crowd firmly in her corner and they loudly roared their approval throughout as she fired a string of superb return winners.

"I do not expect that to ever happen again. I'm convinced that was once in a lifetime. I just never hit returns like that in my life," said Williams.

The result of the match was never really in doubt, even if the first set was tight - but this partnership was never meant to be just about results.

Both players are using the mixed doubles as an opportunity to play matches in an effort to return from injuries, with Williams feeling her way back after a niggling knee problem and Murray feeling his way after hip surgery.

Williams' focus will return to her main task on Thursday when the 11th seeded American faces unseeded Czech Barbora Strycova in the semi-finals as she bids to claim a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.

Murray, however, is playing the long game, having made no immediate decision about when he will be ready to battle again with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer.

A truer test of their doubles credentials will come in the next round when they face top seeds Brazilian Bruno Soares and American Nicole Melichar.

Soares won Grand Slam doubles titles with Andy's older brother Jamie at the US and Australian Opens in 2016.

(Reuters)

More For You

Shubman Gill

Gill carved a niche for himself in the state’s cricketing history

Getty Images

Shubman Gill begins his Test captaincy as India face England in Leeds

Shubman Gill has become the first cricketer from Punjab to lead India in Test cricket, marking a historic milestone in his career. The 25-year-old was appointed as India’s Test captain on 24 May 2025 and officially led the team for the first time on 20 June in the opening match of the series against England at Headingley, Leeds.

Gill is the 37th player to captain India in the five-day format since the country’s debut in Test cricket in 1932. While players like Lala Amarnath, born in Kapurthala, Punjab, captained India in earlier years, he represented Southern Punjab in domestic cricket, a team based in what is now Pakistan. This makes Gill the first player from the Indian state of Punjab to take on the role in Test cricket.

Keep ReadingShow less
Yashasvi Jaiswal

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot on the opening day of the first cricket test match between England and India at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds on June 20, 2025.

Getty Images

England opt to bowl in first Test as India's Sudharsan makes debut

ENGLAND captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl first against India in the opening Test at Headingley on Friday.

The match began under clear skies and with a pitch showing only a slight green tinge, suggesting decent conditions for batting in the first game of the five-Test series.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jonathan Badyal joins Manchester United foundation as new trustee

Jonathan Badyal

Jonathan Badyal joins Manchester United foundation as new trustee

MANCHESTER UNITED FOUNDATION has appointed two new trustees to its board, including a communications expert with experience in music and government.

Jonathan Badyal, a partner at Trafalgar Strategy and former Universal Music UK director of communications, joined the board in March alongside Professor Saul Becker from Manchester Metropolitan University, a statement said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja

India captain Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja during a nets session at Headingley on June 18, 2025 in Leeds. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Gill takes charge as India face England without Kohli, Rohit

INDIA will begin their Test series in England on Friday with a new captain and without two of their most experienced batters — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill, who takes over from Rohit, will also bat at number four, filling the position vacated by Kohli.

Vice-captain Rishabh Pant confirmed on Wednesday that Gill would bat at four in the first Test at Headingley. “I think Shubman is going to bat at number four and I'm going to stick to number five as of now,” Pant said. “Obviously, it's a new start for us, big people have left. Yes, there will be a gap, but at the same time, it's an opportunity for us to build a new culture from here.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Kohli Rohit Test

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have recently announced their retirements from Test cricket. (Photo: Getty Images)

Geoffrey Boycott says India will miss Kohli more than Rohit

INDIA will miss Virat Kohli more than Rohit Sharma in the upcoming Test series against England, according to former England captain Geoffrey Boycott. Kohli and Rohit’s recent retirement from the format will affect India’s chances in the five-match series starting Friday, he said.

The two teams begin their new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with this series, which will be played over six weeks.

Keep ReadingShow less