Breaking News: Serena Williams reveals her sole real reason of retirement from tennis was based on controversies due to…
One of the social battles perpetuated by Serena Williams, as well as her sister Venus, Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, concerns the battle for social equality. Inclusion and equality are themes that we all fight for, on which we try to do our best, in small and large things. When an athlete like Serena – famous, loved and known all over the world – does it, her voice takes on great resonance, and can obviously be heard by many.
In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the American legend revealed how there is unequal treatment of black people and how she herself was proof that unfortunately racism is a plague that is still difficult to eradicate.
“I’m not a saint on the court. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m the most psychopathic person on the court. I’m crazy, and I probably deserved it. But in sports, I think it’s a little bit too much, if you think about it. But I’ve been judged a lot more harshly than people who have done the same thing,” she said.
In the same interview, Serena explained that she retired from tennis because she wanted a family and not because of injuries.
“It was a very hard decision to make when you know you can still play at a very high level, and then you have to say no, because you want to have a future and make a mark. I think if I didn’t have that, maybe I wouldn’t miss it so much. I always say the reason I stopped was not because of an injury. It was because I wanted to have a family,” she analyzed.
Answering a question about what Maria Sharapova had said about Serena, the American legend analyzed the relationship she has with her former Russian colleague. Recently Sharapova said how she believed Serena hated her for being the skinny girl who beat her – against all odds – at Wimbledon.
“Now that we’re in a different phase of our lives, I have so much respect for her. And obviously, I did that when I was playing. I had to gear up to win every single time, but now it’s a different kind of respect. It’s not a shame, because I don’t regret it, but I think we both had to be incredibly competitive. We always enjoy seeing each other. At the Met Gala, I was literally looking for her. I was like: Where is Maria? Where is she? I think she’s a super cool girl,” Serena said.
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Elina Svitolina compares Elena Rybakina to Serena Williams in this category
Svitolina dropped major praise on Rybakina following their Wimbledon match.
Elina Svitolina offered some very high praise for Elena Rybakina following their Wimbledon match, putting the Kazakh in the company of Serena Williams and ranking the 25-year-old’s serve as the top-5 she has faced.
After starting her Wimbledon run in a very impressive way, Svitolina was hoping to continue her fine form on Wednesday and upset No. 4 seed Rybakina. But the 2022 Wimbledon champion gave no chance Svitolina, beating the Ukrainian 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist with a 6-3 6-2 scoreline.
At the start of the match, Rybakina had a bad opening service game and she got broken in the first game But in the remainder of the match, the Kazakh was untouchable on her serve as she fired seven aces – won 85 percent of her first serve points – and didn’t face any break points.
Rybakina was especially dominant on her serve in the second set as she won all 11 of her first serve points and lost a total of five points on her serve during the entire set.
Svitolina: Williams had an unbelievable serve, Rybakina is there too
“For sure top-5. It’s a great serve that she has. I feel like Serena as well was an unbelievable server. I think Elena is someone that also returns quite good. Especially on grass. Grass is such a difficult surface already to return. When you have someone who hits the spots good, it’s extremely difficult,” Svitolina said.
Meanwhile, Rybakina and 29-year-old Svitolina played for the fifth time on Wednesday and the 25-year-old Kazakh now leads their head-to-head 3-2. After not meeting for three years, Rybakina beat Svitolina at this year’s French Open and now also at Wimbledon.
And after their latest meeting, Rybakina had some nice words for Svitolina.
“It’s always tough to play Elina. She’s a great player and fighter. No matter the score, it was not as easy as it might look like,” Rybakina said of Svitolina.
Photo: Emma Raducanu posts important just four days after Wimbledon exit
Raducanu didn’t want to rest too much after a successful grass season.
Emma Raducanu didn’t take too much rest after concluding her Wimbledon run as the 21-year-old has already started practicing on hard courts.
On Sunday, Raducanu finished her grass season after her promising Wimbledon run ended in the round-of-16 with a loss to qualifier Lulu Sun. For Raducanu, it was her 10th and final match of this year’s grass season – the Briton posted a 7-3 record on the green surface this summer.
Four days later, Raducanu hit the practice court with fellow Briton Francesca Jones. And by doing so, the 2021 US Open champion is kicking off her preparation for the North American hard swing early, which she is scheduled to start in Washington – that tournament is slated to start on July 31st.
Raducanu hopes to do extremely well in her second Washington appearance
When Washington kicks off later this month, Raducanu will be making her second appearance at the event but also hoping to translate her good form from grass to hard courts.
After earning her first two top-10 wins this summer and making her first WTA semifinal since 2022, the former world No. 10 wants to keep improving and make more notable results.
“I beat two top-10 players within two weeks [Jessica Pegula in Eastbourne and Maria Sakkari in Wimbledon third round], which is a pretty big deal for me, seeing as the whole US Open even I didn’t play one top-10 player,” Raducanu said.
“I think I have to take confidence from that. Six months ago when I was starting out after surgery, I would have signed for fourth round at Wimbledon.
“Of course I’m disappointed. Of course I want more. I think everything does happen for a reason. It just fuels the fire and makes me more hungry… I think I’m working there, tracking in the right direction. That desire and fire is back. I just want to keep building on that.”
In 2022, Raducanu was a quarterfinalist in her Washington debut.
Novak Djokovic collects ultimate Major milestone at Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic notched another notable record at Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic is through to the semi-final at Wimbledon, staying competitive at 37 and a couple of weeks after a knee procedure! As often on the most notable scene, Novak collected eye-catching achievements at Wimbledon. The Serb joined a selected group of players in a couple of records and continued improving his own.
Thus, Djokovic collected his 60th Major quarter-final at the All England Club, reaching the milestone number and leaving his closest rival, Roger Federer, at 58. Novak kicked off the season with 57 Major quarter-finals, matching his great rival already in Melbourne.
The Serb wrote history at Roland Garros despite withdrawing, becoming the player with the most Major quarter-finals in history. Now, Djokovic added the 60th Major quarter-final to his tally, raising the bar high and challenging Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and other young guns.
Novak reached the last eight at Majors for the first time at Roland Garros 2006, remaining competitive 18 years later! Djokovic gathered three Major quarter-finals in 2007 at 20 and set the standard for the years to come, achieving that in 14 seasons!
In addition, the greatest player of all time notched all four quarter-finals in eight seasons, reducing the deficit to Federer and passing him a couple of weeks ago. Novak could not play the Roland Garros quarter-final, beating four rivals before withdrawing due to a knee issue.
The Serb underwent surgery and started the race against time ahead of Wimbledon. The seven-time champion arrived in London and entered the competition with protection on his knee, hoping to endure the efforts. Novak took down Vit Kopriva in the opening round, dropping five games and passing the first test.
Novak Djokovic secured his 60th Major quarter-final at Wimbledon.
Djokovic dominated on serve and return, sailing over the top and setting the second-round clash versus Jacob Fearnley.
The Briton scored his first Major win at Wimbledon and gathered a boost, challenging the 24-time Major champion before falling in three hours. Fearnley stepped in and attacked in the third set, taking it with a late break and standing two points away from forcing a decider in the fourth!
However, Novak stayed focused and stole the rival’s serve in the closing stages, sealing the deal and avoiding spending more time on the court. Djokovic faced another stern test in the third round, losing the opening set versus Alexei Popyrin but moving over the top in three hours and five minutes.
Alexei made a reliable start before Novak responded in sets two and three. The veteran claimed the fourth set in the tie break, emerging over the top and arranging the fourth-round duel with Holger Rune.
Chasing his 60th Major quarter-final and the 15th at Wimbledon, Novak beat his good friend 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and three minutes, remaining on the title course and earning a milestone.
Djokovic endured stomach issues, his rival and hecklers from the crowd, standing strong and showing his incredible mental strength. Novak had the upper hand en route to his fourth win over Holger, taking 22 points more and outplaying the young Dane on serve and return.
Djokovic saved both break points he faced, keeping the pressure on the other side. Rune could not match that pace, serving at 54% and losing 40% of the points behind the initial shot. He faced four break points and suffered four breaks, enough to propel Djokovic over the top in straight sets.
Novak landed the same number of winners and unforced errors while welcoming 30 mistakes from Holger.
The more experienced player was off to a flying start, taking the opening 12 points and moving 3-0 in front in no time.
Rune faced another break point in the sixth game, saving it and remaining within one break deficit. Djokovic kept the strong pace in his games, providing fine holds in games seven and nine and taking the opener 6-3 in 29 minutes with an ace.
Holger followed Novak’s pace early in the second set, leading 3-2 and opening a 40-15 lead in game seven. Djokovic climbed back and stole the rival’s serve, earning a break and holding a few minutes later for 5-3. The young gun served to stay in the set in game nine and offered world no.
2 six set points.
Rune stayed focused and saved them, bringing the game home and extending the battle. Novak faced the first break point in the tenth game, denying it with a forehand winner and holding for a 6-3, 6-4 lead after 82 minutes.
Djokovic grabbed a break at the beginning of the third set and moved 3-1 up with two commanding holds. Holger generated his second and last break point in the sixth game, and Novak saved it with a serve & volley combo before opening a 4-2 lead.
Rune hit a double fault in the seventh game, losing serve and sending the veteran further in front. Djokovic served for the victory at 5-2 and landed a volley winner on a match point, earning a place in his 60th Major quarter-final.
Novak did not play a point in it, as Alex de Minaur withdrew ahead of their duel due to a hip injury. Thus, Djokovic will play against Lorenzo Musetti for a place in the final.
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