If the Belarusian is to play Swiatek in Paris she will need to reach the final for the first time in her career, but Sabalenka is trying not to ‘obsess’ over beating the three-time Roland Garros champion.
“If I have one thing clear, it is that I cannot obsess over beating Iga, but rather I must focus on myself and everything I must do to be a better tennis player,” said Sabalenka. “If I manage to do that, I know that I will have opportunities to provide myself against her.
Aryna Sabalenka has spoken about her rivalry with Iga Swiatek, revealing that she is motivated by the world No.1’s success at Roland Garros.
Sabalenka is the second seed heading into the Paris major, coming off back-to-back final defeats to Swiatek in Madrid and Rome.
If the Belarusian is to play Swiatek in Paris she will need to reach the final for the first time in her career, but Sabalenka is trying not to ‘obsess’ over beating the three-time Roland Garros champion.
“If I have one thing clear, it is that I cannot obsess over beating Iga, but rather I must focus on myself and everything I must do to be a better tennis player,” said Sabalenka. “If I manage to do that, I know that I will have opportunities to provide myself against her.
“Here, I know she has achieved impressive things in this tournament, but I love difficult challenges. It motivates me especially and gives me great energy to fight for goals as complicated as beating Iga in this event.”
Despite Swiatek and Sabalenka dominating the WTA clay court season, the latter was keen to point out other rivals including US Open champion Coco Gauff and world No.4 Elena Rybakina.
“The duel we [Sabalenka and Swiatek] are creating is fantastic, but we are not alone since Coco and Elena also fight for the maximum goals,” explained Sabalenka. “Rivalries like this help me to be better every day and give me extra motivation. I hope we continue to find each other in the last rounds of big tournaments.”
Sabalenka will begin her 2024 Roland Garros campaign against Erika Andreeva on Tuesday, while Swiatek starts her title defence against French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean on Monday.
Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek are two warriors who’ve crossed paths many times on the tennis battlefield. Swiatek, the reigning champion, has emerged victorious most of the time, leading their head-to-head battles with a commanding 4-1 score. This season alone, Swiatek has twice bested Keys. But here’s the twist: despite the string of defeats, Keys’ unwavering respect for her opponent has become a sideline story itself.
During a media interview after her tournament, the former World No. 7, Madison Keys’ shared her reflections on battling with Iga Swiatek on-court. A clip of that interview has surfaced on X, where Keys was found giving a detailed analysis of her opponent’s performance. Although she admitted that losing against the Pole “sucks”, her statements further highlighted the refined skills of the 22-year-old player.
“She is really good. I think she moves really well on clay. She kind of times everything really well and she doesn’t get wrong-footed very often. And she is just able to kind of reset the point over and over again,” Keys stated. Further adding to it, the 29-year-old American tennis pro added, “So, you feel like you never really get ahead. And then you start trying to make something out of nothing and that’s when people start missing more and going for too much. She does a really good job at constantly keeping pressure on you.”
Madison Keys’ clay court excellence has improved a lot this season. Especially after she switched his coach to his fiance, Bjorn Fratangelo, into the scene since last year. And together, they have weathered many storms on-court. This season, she even qualified for the semifinals of the Madrid Open and then the quarterfinal in Rome as well. This was how Iga emerged victories in both these events against Keys that too in just 13 days. To take it even further, she won her final match in the Internationaux De Strasbourg against Danielle Collins as well.
But her dominance on the clay court has consecutively faced a pause when it comes to facing Iga Swiatek. In a dominant display, Iga Swiatek secured back-to-back victories(each at Madrid and Rome) over Madison Keys within a remarkable 13-day span. Surprisingly, she has never won against her on clay out of their three matches on the surface. Keeping that in mind, she described the reason by providing an analytical insight into Swiatek’s play at the press conference. However, fans found her response to be quite straightforward and genuine.
Fans react to Madison Keys’ reflections on Iga Swiatek
The last time Iga Swiatek played against Swiatek on clay was in the Italian Open quarterfinal. There, she lost to Swiatek with a score of 6-1, 6-3. However, even then, Madison took home some insightful lessons from his opponent’s performance. Therefore, referring to that one fan wrote on X, “She said out loud what every other player thinks too, bravo MaddieIt’s ok to admit it.” And truly, Keys’ words further reflect her emotions perfectly on the subject.
Another fan, however, has a different perspective. Posting a clip of a girl laughing and smoking, the fan wrote, “These girls are so damn sick of Iga.” This fan’s indication is to Iga Swiatek’s prowess on the court. With four titles to her name, she is currently holding a record of 38-4. Therefore, beating Swiatek this season has indeed been a challenge for many players this season, including Keys herself.
Another fan simply wrote, “Without mincing words”. It highlighted Keys’ outspoken nature and appreciation of her opponent, even if it involves losing against them. Another fan wrote, “thats mother”, signifying the American player’s sweet gesture for the Madrid Open champion, Swiatek. Although, even in Madrid, Swiatek ruled over Keys in straight sets, Keys’ reflection on Swiatek is not of taking revenge but showering praise over her opponent’s expertise on-court.
One fan wrote, “need Madi to have deep run at RG so bad I love her.” Madison Keys is soon going to face Renata Zarazua in her first match in Roland Garros, although, last year she couldn’t get past the second round. As the French Open draws near, fans are hoping to see more of Madison Keys’ intense matches on clay, especially against Iga Swiatek.
Also in this week’s Olympic notebook, French Open also means last chance for Olympic tennis hopefuls, U.S. qualifies largest rowing team in 12 years
Simone Biles shows no sign of rust in return
The most decorated gymnast ever (when factoring both Olympic and World Championship medals) looks like she could get a shot to add more hardware to her collection this summer in Paris.
Simone Biles made her return to competition this past Saturday at the U.S. Classic in Hartford, and her first event of 2024 was a rousing success.
Now 27, Biles finished first in the all-around event and showcased the form that has won her seven Olympic medals and 30 world championship medals.
It didn’t qualify her for the Olympics, but the performance certainly showcased she should be one of the favorites at the event that will determine who makes it to Paris, the U.S. trials from June 27-30 in Minneapolis.
Biles is trying to make her third Olympic team and is looking for redemption after she pulled out of multiple events at the Tokyo Olympics due to mental health struggles.
While Biles showed had a successful showing at the U.S. Classic, the same couldn’t be said for another veteran gymnast looking to get back to the Olympics, Gabby Douglas.
Attempting a comeback after last appearing at the Olympics in 2016, the 28-year-old Douglas fell twice on the bars and ended up withdrawing from the competition.
French Open means more than just second tennis grand slam tournament of year
The annual French Open tennis tournament begins on Monday, but this year’s tournament will have definite Olympic vibes to it in addition to being the second grand slam tournament of the year.
One, the site of the French Open, Stade Roland Garros, will also be the site of the tennis competition at the Olympics, so potential Olympians can further get a preview.
Two, the tournament will also serve as the final qualification event for the Paris Olympics.
Qualifiers for the U.S. team in Paris will determined by world rankings following the French Open. Each country can have up to 12 players (6 men, 6 women) who qualify. One U.S. player who already qualified is Coco Gauff, who mathematically clinched a spot in March.
U.S. to field largest rowing team in 12 years
It’s been a great qualification period for the U.S. rowing team, which will send 42 athletes to Paris. That is the most for the squad since the 2012 Olympics in London.
The Americans qualified competitors in 12 of the 14 events in an effort to rebound from a disappointing showing in Tokyo, where the U.S. didn’t win a medal. It was the first time that happened at an Olympics where the U.S. sent rowers to compete.
Simone Biles, despite being the gymnastics queen of the US, has had a rough road to fame. Dealing with major complications from her mental health troubles in Tokyo, Biles took a leave to recover. Once she came back, things did seem to get back to normal. Unfortunately, the demons of her previous years threatened to come back when Biles tried to go full throttle. Competing at the 2023 Antwerp World Championships, Simone Biles had an unexpected tumble.
While running in for a dance pass on floor exercise, Biles jumped and went straight to the ground. Embarrassed at her inability to nail a proper landing, Biles immediately got up and smiled. Sadly, the damage was being done by then. However, recollecting the memories, a considerate Cecile Landi explained how she helped Simone Biles get over the shock.
Cecile Landi knows the best way to train Biles
Simone Biles, the legend she is, managed to overshadow her mistake in subsequent rounds. Delivering a sublime performance, Biles came back strong to clinch her 6th all-around championship title. While Biles basked in all the glory, one person smiled silently. It was Biles’ coach, Cecile Landi, without whom, the turnaround would have been impossible. Catching up with an earlier interview with GymCastic, Landi detailed how exactly she tackled Biles’ initial failure.
Landi stated that she was very proud of Biles’ antics out on the mat. And when she came back after the tumble, Landi said, “it was okay.” She then went on to explain that Biles herself was taken aback by her words. But Landi knew exactly what she was doing. Reflecting on her words, Landi pointed out, “I said you have enough skills don’t worry lower sty value but you should be fine.”
Well, it was this act of compassion that triggered Biles to do something better and present her coach with a happy memory. And surely she did. Biles also took time to return to action in 2024. After spending quality time with her husband Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles made a thumping comeback at the 2024 Core Hydration Classics. The time off from the mats was a crucial factor for Biles as she is a huge advocate of mental wellness.
Simone Biles advocates for mental health
After her dismal Tokyo outing, she openly discussed ‘twisties’. According to her, under such circumstances, the mind loses the ability to fathom the existence of space and land. Thus, it made Biles face immense difficulties while in the air. However, once she got out of the mess, the 27-year-old began to preach about the importance of having a sound mental state.
Speaking about the same, Biles stated, “We have to protect our body and our mind … It just sucks when you’re fighting with your own head. Whenever you get in a high-stress situation, you kind of freak out. I have to focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and well-being.”
And surely, Biles has backed her talks. After coming back from her extended vacation, Biles showed her class in the Core Hydration Classics. Dominating every routine, Simone Biles scored 59.500. This was an impressive debut because Biles’ score was almost a couple of points clear of the second-placed Shilese Jones. Thus, with things looking great for Biles, it remains to be seen how well the US gymnastics queen performed in the Olympics.
Simone Biles is preparing herself for the next target–the 2024 Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships, which will take place from May 30- June 2. The excitement of watching Biles create magic isn’t only among her fans. Once again, the youngest Biles family member, Ronni, aka Baby Biles, is ready to be her aunt’s biggest cheerleader.
A few days ago, Ronni donned multiple leotards in her recreational moments, emulating Simone Biles. One such leotard came as a gift from Simone’s coach, Cecile Landi. Surprisingly, in choosing another leotard, the one-and-a-half-year-old preferred to pick the one her aunt wore in the 2024 Core Hydration training camp. Now, another similarity has come to the fore.
In a recent update on TikTok, Ronni showed up in a pink leotard, a replica of Simone Biles’ leotard. The leotard came from GK Elite, the same brand that the legendary gymnast endorses and prefers as her sporting wear. So visibly elated, Sammi Biles, Ronni’s mom, framed the first excitement of Simone’s niece while trying out the leotard for the first time.
That led to a merrier caption as it conceded, “POV: your toddler loves the mirror while trying on her new leotard.” Furthering the similarity, the proud mom also wrote, “loving this confident era[emoji] clearly pumped about her TT replica leotard from @GK Elite.” The visual showed Baby Biles throwing her hands in the air while watching herself in the mirror, dressed in the new pink leotard.
However, it seems the pink leotard comes at the top of Ronni Biles’ chosen list. In the past as well, the loving niece put on the same color while giving a remembrance of Simone Biles when the latter was involved in her exercise regime. But while acknowledging a splendid performance in the sport, Ronni Biles does not show partiality to her aunt, Simone. Rather, her choice chases a perfect showdown irrespective of the gymnast’s identity. The followers witnessed one such example a few days back.
Simone Biles remains backstage while her rival makes the cut
Simone’s sister-in-law, Sammi Biles, keeps updating fans and communities about the gymnastic activities of her daughter. In one such activity, Ronni ended up cheering for Melanie Santos, the 23-year-old French rival of Simone Biles. The artistic moves of the French gymnast seemed to impress the budding ‘gymnast’ as she took a thorough interest in watching them.
This French connection somehow worked again when Ronni Biles appeared in the World Champion Centre this month to witness Simone Biles’ training under the tutelage of Cecile Landi, the former French gymnast. There, Baby Biles acted as a mindful student, trying to get a hold of the routines.
After watching such a presence on the sideline, the elated aunt took to social media to relish her joy. While sharing a photo from that moment, Simone Biles kept the caption, “WCC’s newest elite team member, my niece Ronni.” That episode of embracing the sport continues as Baby Biles thoroughly emulates her aunt. However, Simone started her gymnastics move at the age of 6, on a day-care field trip. Is Ronni going to beat her by starting early? Well, if that happens, nobody will be far more elated than Simone Biles herself!
Tyson Fury has been told he will come to regret his comments about the Ukraine war after his defeat by Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury was beaten on points in his undisputed fight with Usyk in Saudi Arabia last weekend as he fell to the first defeat of his professional career. The Brit was in control of the bout until the halfway stage when Usyk turned the tide and almost stopped his rival.
After the decision was announced, Fury suggested the war in Ukraine had influenced the judges’ decision. “I believe I won that fight, I think he won a few if those rounds but I won the majority of them. His country is at at war, so people are siding with the country at war,” he said.
Former European champion Spencer Oliver has now said he feels Fury will regret his comments. “I think he didn’t do himself any favours by the way and I do understand this, using Anthony Joshua as an example again when Joshua threw the belts in the ring. When there’s a little bit of concussion going around, which there probably was there, and emotions running high,” he told GiveMeSport.
“Fury did something very stupid in saying ‘I thought I won the fight.’ Well, that’s fair enough if you thought you won the fight, that’s an opinion. ‘I thought I won the fight, but the reason why I didn’t win the fight because of what’s going on in Ukraine and the war, and they give it to him (Usyk) for that reason.’ I thought that was terrible and I think he’ll regret saying that.”
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has defended his fighter, insisting Fury’s bipolar condition is to blame. “I get quite angry. I’ve just got back [from Riyadh], and I’m reading some of the reports,” Warren told talkSPORT.
“Tyson is bipolar. If you go on the NHS [National Health Service] site and look at what the symptoms are of bipolar, some of the things he is saying are exactly what is on your mind. If it’s in your mind, you say it. That is one of the symptoms, unfortunately.”
The 2024 United States Presidential Election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden is drawing near. And as the nation prepares for the election, some sports stars have already made their opinions about the candidates known previously, and that includes PGA Tour superstar Tiger Woods, who once made his opinion of Trump very clear.
During an interview at a golf tournament back in 2018, Tiger Woods was asked for his thoughts on Donald Trump and he made it clear that he respected Trump as the current president of the United States – just as he would any other president.
“Well, he’s the president of the United States. You have to respect the office. No matter who is in the office, you may like, dislike personality or the politics, but we all must respect the office,” Woods said back in 2018 according to ESPN.
As for his more personal feelings toward Trump, Woods revealed that he knew Trump for “a number of years” previously and had even played golf with him.
“Well, I’ve known Donald for a number of years,” Woods told reporters. “We’ve played golf together. We’ve had dinner together. I’ve known him pre-presidency and obviously during his presidency.”
Obviously, this doesn’t necessarily mean Woods will be voting for him in the upcoming election, but it is clear that he has a pretty cordial relationship with Trump.
And it sounds like whoever wins the upcoming election, Woods will respect them.
[ESPN]
The post Tiger Woods has clear opinion of Donald Trump appeared first on Next Impulse Sports.
At Augusta National Golf Club, where tradition rules and phones are a no-go, the old-school scoreboards are the only way fans keep up with the action. On a gusty Friday, April 12, 2024, during the second round of the Masters, something incredible went down. Around 3:30 p.m., the scoreboard operator at the 18th green put up a name and score that lit up the crowd.
“WOODS,” it read, with a single green number: 1.
The place exploded with cheers as hundreds of fans around the green celebrated with pure joy. One super excited fan even shouted, “Tiger is making the cut!” The applause was wild, spreading like wildfire through the crowd.
A Record-Breaking Achievement
History was made on this day. Tiger Woods had broken yet another record, making his 24th consecutive cut at the Masters, surpassing the previous record held by golfing legends Freddie Couples and Gary Player, who both achieved 23 consecutive cuts.
“I’ll be able to text Freddie and give him a little needling,” Woods said with a smile afterward amidst a scrum of reporters, clearly relishing the moment.
A Feat Against All Odds
Tiger Woods’ achievement is beyond amazing and almost hard to believe. At 48 years old, he’s still defying the odds, showing the kind of resilience and determination that have defined his stellar career. With metal wiring, screws, and plates holding his body together, Woods is practically a bionic man at this point. Despite all the injuries and personal challenges he’s faced, his ability to still compete at the top level is nothing short of incredible. Every time he steps onto the course, it’s a testament to his grit and love for the game – it’s a real inspiration, proving that with enough passion and perseverance, you can overcome just about anything.
How Woods’ Wins Inspire Newbies to Dive into Golf
Tiger Woods’ epic victories have a way of lighting a fire under both seasoned golfers and newbies alike. Seeing him crush records makes everyone want to step up their game and invest more into their golfing journey. With the summer season just around the corner, new players are gearing up by checking out all the essential gear. From golf balls to quality clubs and even their own golf carts which can significantly improve their game, everyone wants a piece of the action. Woods’ success isn’t just about the wins—it’s about inspiring a whole new generation to hit the course with excitement and serious dedication.
April 12, 2024, will forever be etched in golfing history as the day Tiger Woods set a new benchmark at the Masters. His 24th consecutive cut is more than just a record – it is a narrative of resilience and an inspiring tale for future generations of golfers. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a young enthusiast picking up a club for the first time, Woods’ journey is a powerful reminder that perseverance conquers all.
Anthony Joshua could fight for a world title as soon as September after Oleksandr Usyk is stripped of one of his belts.
The Ukrainian became the first undisputed heavyweight king in 25 years with his thrilling points victory over Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Fury’s team has indicated he will take the rematch, which is planned for October, back in Riyadh. In that case, it is unlikely that all four belts would be on the line again, with the IBF set to strip Usyk of their title for not fighting number one contender, currently Filip Hrgovic, the Croatian who is due to fight Britain’s Daniel Dubois in Riyadh on June 1.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, reckons it is unlikely Usyk will be stripped of the IBF strap in time for that belt to be on the line in Hrgovic vs Dubois. However, it could be on the line when Joshua potentially faces the winner of that bout at Wembley in September.
“He can step in and fight anybody,” Hearn told Boxing News on Thursday. “But if the rematch takes place, it’s very likely that AJ fights the winner of Hrgovic-Dubois. We’ll see what happens, anything is possible.”
Meanwhile, Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, still expects the rematch to go ahead as well. He said: “There will be a rematch and that will be confirmed and announced in due course.
“I think it will be better than the original fight. They both know each other, they’ve shared the ring and they’ll be looking to use what they’ve gained from the fight as an advantage to beat their opponent.”
Asked why Fury would win the rematch, Warren said: “He’s a fighting man, it’s what he brings to the ring. He’s been caught a couple of times in his last couple of fights but he gets up and shows what he’s made of.
“I don’t want to see that happen. But like Usyk, he’s very similar, they’re very cute guys who know their boxing and I have confidence in Tyson. That fight has taken a lot out of both of them so we will see.”
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For celebrities and sports stars, life in the spotlight often means that their personal lives become the subject of public discourse. Simone Biles, the indomitable seven-time-medal-winning Olympian, has become the focus of chatter; not for her skill on the gymnastics mat, but for her marriage. Following her recent victory at the 2024 Core Hydration Classic, Biles took a moment to address the ongoing scrutiny surrounding her marriage to husband, Jonathan Owens.
After years of medal after medal news, the spotlight shifted from her gravity-defying flips to her personal life, and she wasn’t about to let it slide. Simone Biles’ marriage has captivated fans and media alike, but she has made it clear that her relationship is not up for public debate.
With grace and poise, Biles emphasized the importance of boundaries and the strength she draws from her support system, showcasing that her resilience is as unwavering in her personal life as it is in her athletic career. Her candid response serves as a powerful reminder that behind every superstar is a human being deserving of respect and privacy.
How did the controversy on Simone Biles’ marriage begin?
The controversy began with a seemingly innocuous “The Pivot” podcast episode where Jonathan Owens,Biles’husband and safety for the Chicago Bears, mentioned that he didn’t know who Biles was when they first met on a dating app in 2020. Owens humorously claimed he was“the catch” in the relationship. His words sparked a social media frenzy, with debates raging on whether his comments were harmless or subtly dismissive.
The backlash and Biles’ response
As Biles continued to dominate the gymnastics world, most recently taking home the all-around gold medal at the U.S. Classic, the online negativity towards her marriage persisted. Critics latched onto Owens’ comments, using them as fodder for disrespect toward the couple’s relationship.
Biles, known for her poise and resilience, addressed the disrespectful comments head-on. In a fiery Instagram story, she defended her marriage and her husband, stating,“I’m going to quickly address this. The joke was never a joke! Y’all are blatantly disrespectful to my relationship and my husband.”“So I’m going ahead and saying this one time. Respectfully, f— off.“
Setting the record straight
But Biles didn’t stop there. She clarified Owens’ intentions during an appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast.“He never said I wasn’t a catch,”she emphasized.“He said he was a catch because he is. I’ve never met a man like him. A lot of people that meet him are like, ‘Oh my gosh. I want a man like that, like Jonathan.’”
As the criticism persisted, Biles admitted that the discourse deeply affected her.“Then, like, one night, I broke down, and I’m like, ‘Why are you guys talking about my husband like this? That hurt that they were talking about my husband like that,‘” she revealed.“Because for me, it’s like talk about me all you want, but don’t come for my family.”
The support for Black love
Amidst the controversy, there was a strong undercurrent of support for Biles and Owens. Many voiced their admiration for the couple’s relationship, highlighting the importance of celebrating Black love and the positive representation it provides. This sentiment was echoed across various media outlets, emphasizing the need to applaud rather than scrutinize the personal choices of public figures.
Love in the limelight
Despite the negative attention, Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens continue to support each other wholeheartedly. Owens celebrated his wife’s recent victory on Instagram, expressing his admiration for her accomplishments. Similarly, Biles acknowledged her husband’s unwavering support, calling him her“whole heart”and“the best supporter”in an Instagram post. As she gears up for the 2024 Summer Olympics, the gymnast remains steadfast in blocking out negativity. Addressing her critics directly, she warned,“If you keep commenting or tweeting at me I’m just going to block you. Simple as that. @ everyone else that supports us, we love y’all so much.”
The impact of online negativity
This situation sheds light on the broader issue of online negativity and its impact on individuals, especially those in the public eye. Biles’ experience is a stark reminder of the personal toll that such unwarranted criticism can take. Despite her status as a decorated athlete and her obvious mental strength, the online disrespect towards her marriage affected her deeply, as she expressed on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast.
Simone Biles’ stance against the disrespect of her marriage is a powerful statement against online negativity. By speaking out, she has not only defended her personal space but also set a precedent for how public figures might handle similar situations in the future. Her message is clear: respect is paramount, and boundaries must be honored.
Love prevails
The scrutiny of Simone Biles’ marriage is a testament to the challenges celebrities face in maintaining their privacy.Biles’ response to the critics serves as a reminder of the strength and dignity with which she approaches both her professional and personal life.
The story of Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens is more than a tale of controversy; it’s a narrative of love, respect, and the triumph of positivity over online negativity. As the couple continues to navigate their lives in the spotlight, they do so with the grace and fortitude that have become their hallmark. Simone Biles’ message to her critics is more than a personal retort; it is a societal call to action: to foster respect, celebrate love, and reject the baseless judgment that too often pervades the digital world.
