Tag: Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic is on the cusp of winning it all at Wimbledon after tearing his knee up a month ago

I can’t believe this is happening.

This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.

Goooood morning, folks! Welcome back to the Morning Win. Thanks so much for rocking with us today. We appreciate you giving us a bit of your time.

We’re partying like it’s 2008 again, apparently.

Novak Djokovic came into Wimbledon playing on a torn meniscus. The prevailing thought was, “Man, it’s nice to see him out there, isn’t it?” Now it’s, “Hey, uh, can he actually win this thing?” Day after day the answer seems to keep gravitating toward yes.

Djokovic just advanced to a record-tying 13th semifinal at the tournament after Alex de Minaur withdrew due to a hip injury. Djokovic gets a breezy advance to the final four.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the bracket, Jannik Sinner lost to Daniil Medvedev in five sets on Tuesday, eliminating the world’s No. 1 player from the tournament. But now, after just getting by Sinner, Medvedev will have to play Carlos Alcaraz — the world’s No. 3 player. The bracket couldn’t have broken any worse for him.

Or, rather, it couldn’t have broken any better for Djokovic, who will see either Taylor Fritz (No. 13) or Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti (No. 25) in his semifinal matchup. No opponent should be overlooked — especially with how Fritz has been playing lately. But there’s no question that this is an easier path for Djokovic, who almost didn’t even play in this tournament because of his knee.

We’re a long way away from Djokovic winning it all here, but if he does? It’d be one of the greatest accomplishments of his already illustrious career. He’s already shattered the career Grand Slams mark. Him doing the impossible here would just be another feature in his GOAT cap.

Hate him or love him, this dude is great. There’s no denying that.

Messi and Argentina make the Copa Finals

(Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

Speaking of no denying, Lionel Messi and Argentina have landed a spot in the Copa América Finals after a 2-0 win against Canada. The Cinderella story is over courtesy of the GOAT.

Messi scored in the 50th minute of this match, putting to bed any questions about a miracle comeback for Canada in the late minutes of the game. It also happened to be Messi’s first goal in the tournament and might be the last ever in his Copa career.

Here’s Cory Woodroof with more:

“As Argentina faced off in the semifinals against a red-hot Canada team, Messi found the perfect lane to boot the ball in from a fair distance from the net.

It’s Messi’s first goal in the tournament, making this yet another edition of the Copa América where one of the greatest soccer players of all time registered a goal.

While we’re not sure if this is Messi’s last run with Argentina in the Copa América, we’re sure this excellent goal to give the team a 2-0 lead will be a special one for Messi and Argentina fans.”

Argentina will see a tough side in the final, with either Uruguay or Colombia advancing. But if they win the final, they’ll have won two back-to-back Copa titles with a World Cup sandwiched in between. That’d be an incredible feat with Messi steering the ship the entire way.

Did I mention the old men were running things again?

Oceans 11, but make it sports

This might be the wildest story you read today. Three guys pulled off a not-so-elaborate heist of $2 million in memorabilia from a stand run by Legacy Cardz at a sports card expo in Dallas.

Legacy’s owner, Ashish Jain, published footage of the caper. The three guys in hats distract his staff while a guy in blue snatches the briefcase.

The thieves knew precisely which briefcase to snatch. There were reportedly 170 cards inside, per The Athletic, including six 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards and two 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson.

This is wild. It almost feels like something you’d see in a movie — like all the Ocean’s movies, except for its sports instead of casinos.

There’s a $70,000 reward for information on the theft out there.

Quick hits: A list of things older than Lamine Yamal … WNBA Power Rankings … and more

— Lamine Yamal is an absolute star already … but he’s just 16 years old! Here’s Robert Zeglinski with a list of things that are older than him.

— Meg Hall has her latest WNBA Power Rankings out for you with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese absolutely hooping.

— Here’s Meg again with the heartwarming moment that Jayson Tatum and A’ja Wilson discovered they were cover athletes for NBA 2k25.

— Rece Hinds is giving us absolute MOON SHOTS with the baseball bat. Here’s Charles Curtis with more.

— Jack Gohlke is back in NBA Summer League. Tell Kentucky to watch out. Here’s Cory Woodroof with more.

— And here’s Cory again with everything you need to know about the Receiver docuseries coming up on Netflix

Thanks so much for reading, folks! We appreciate you giving us your time today. Check back in for more tomorrow. Peace!

-Sykes ✌️

Russell Westbrook meeting Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon had NBA fans making the same Nikola Jokic joke

You got the wrong Serbian star, Russell Westbrook!

Part of the Denver Nuggets’ master plan to win two NBA titles in three seasons reportedly involves eventually signing Russell Westbrook. Unfortunately for three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Westbrook remains in a holding pattern with the Los Angeles Clippers.

That doesn’t mean the legendary point guard can’t spend his offseason hanging out with other Serbian star athletes for the time being.

As Novak Djokovic awaits a quarterfinal match at Wimbledon 2024, he got a surprise guest — Westbrook, who apparently came to take in some world-class tennis. It’s a little too convenient that Westbrook happened to meet Djokovic, one of Jokic’s best friends, as the Nuggets recruit him in the background.

Isn’t it?

In all seriousness, Westbrook meeting Djokovic right before he might join Jokic’s Nuggets probably isn’t connected at all. It’s just so funny that Westbrook would hang out with another player who has a “Joker” nickname during a time when the Nuggets are waiting for him to become available.

NBA fans made the same Nikola Jokic joke after seeing Novak Djokovic hang out with Russell Westbrook

Highlights from Ben Shelton’s 2024 Wimbledon loss to No. 1 Jannik Sinner

The Gators star made the deepest run of his young career at Wimbledon this summer. Here are the highlights.

Former Florida tennis standout [autotag]Ben Shelton[/autotag] came into the 2024 edition of Wimbledon a 14th seed and managed to last three rounds before making his exit.

On Sunday, top-ranked Jannik Sinner defeated his fellow 22-year-old to move on to the quarterfinals, while the UF alumnus heads home with his head held high. While Shelton was eliminated in straight sets, he fought hard — especially in the final set – but simply did no have enough to upend the best player in the world right now.

Shelton came in having played every day of the tournament due to rain while also playing the maximum 15 sets through three matches, so it is difficult to rule out fatigue as a contributing factor.

Below is a look at highlights from Ben Shelton’s fourth-round loss to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon 2024.

Ben Shelton’s Wimbledon run ends in straight sets to No. 1 Jannik Skinner

Coming in as a 14th seed to this year’s Wimbledon event, Ben Shelton fell in the fourth round to the best player in the world.

Former Florida tennis star [autotag]Ben Shelton[/autotag]’s success at Wimbledon this summer finally came to an end at the hands of the top-ranked player in the world, Jannik Sinner, on Sunday in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(9).

Sinner was forced to work in the first two sets but Shelton showed tenacity in the third — and ultimately, final — set. The Gator alumnus forced several set points but his opponent kept his cool, earning a tie-breaking win under extreme duress to clinch the victory.

The victor neutralized his opponent’s serve for the most part, allowing wins on just 70% of Shelton’s first-serve points and four lost service games over the course of the two-hour and eight-minute match.

Shelton came in having played every day of the tournament due to rain while also playing the maximum 15 sets through three matches. Sinner dominated rallies of zero to four shots by an 81-62 margin and pushed his opponent well behind the baseline during many rallies.

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Jasmine Paolini had a super classy response after Madison Keys lost at Wimbledon due to injury

Jasmine Paolini comforted Madison Keys after a terrible Wimbledon injury.

Madison Keys was ready for a glorious Wimbledon moment on Sunday. But injuries and their unfortunate timing don’t always cooperate.

In a thrilling Round of 16 duel with Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, the American Keys was forced to retire at 5-5 of the third set after an upper-thigh injury she suffered mid-match became too much to overcome. The prospect of losing because of an ill-timed, mid-match injury understandably moved Keys.

She was in tears as she began walking off the Wimbledon court to a standing ovation from the watching crowd. She eventually greeted a remorseful Paolini, who clearly felt absolutely terrible for her opponent:

In her post-match interview, Paolini could’ve focused on boasting about winning her first-ever main draw match on grass. Instead, per Reuters, the Italian classily honored Keys, expressing some sincere sadness and grace in a challenging situation for any athlete:

“I’m so sorry for her [Keys]. To end the match like this it’s sad. We played a really good match. it was really tough, lots of up and downs. I feel a bit happy but also sad for her because it’s not easy to win like that,” Paolini said.

Paolini took things a step further on her Twitter account, where she wished Keys well in her injury recovery:

Good sportsmanship never goes out of style. If anything, it’s built for moments like this, where world-class tennis players understand that injuries can sometimes make any match a roll of the dice.

Highlights from Ben Shelton’s third-round 2024 Wimbledon win

Take a look at Ben Shelton’s Sunday win at Wimbledon as he continues his ascent up the world tennis ranks.

Former Florida tennis standout [autotag]Ben Shelton[/autotag] continued his run through the 2024 Wimbledon course, defeating left-handed Canadian Denis Shapovalov on Sunday to earn a matchup with the top-ranked player in the world next.

Once again, Shelton needed over three hours to complete yet another five-set comeback win, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, to keep his hopes alive in the grand slam event. Nonetheless, the 21-year-old American lives to play another day with his toughest challenge yet to come.

“We’re back, big dog,” Shelton said after the game, acknowledging the 30th anniversary of his father’s fourth-round run at the tournament. Bryan Shelton, who coached Ben at the University of Florida, is often shown on the broadcasts advising his son from the stands.

Take a look below at highlights from Ben Shelton’s third-round win over Denis Shapovalov on Sunday at Wimbledon.

 

 

Ben Shelton set to face World No. 1 Sinner in fourth round of Wimbledon

Ben Shelton has made magic happen on the grass at Wimbledon this year, and now he faces his toughest test — world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

Ben Shelton’s run at Wimbledon continued on Saturday as he advanced to the fourth round of the main draw with a win over left-handed Canadian Denis Shapovalov.

It took two days to complete the match. Rain forced tournament officials to suspend play on Friday after just five games. Shelton needed just over three hours to complete yet another five-set comeback win, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

“We’re back, big dog,” Shelton said after the game, acknowledging the 30th anniversary of his father’s fourth-round run at the tournament. Bryan Shelton, who coached Ben at the University of Florida, is often shown on the broadcasts advising his son from the stands.

Shelton will face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner next. The two have met three times, Sinner winning the two more recent contests. Shelton shrugged off the name when asked about his opponent, drawing a few chuckles from the crowd.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for me, a great challenge and test,” he said. “The biggest challenge in tennis is playing the top-ranked player in the world. But I’m never somebody to be scared of going into a match or feel unprepared. I’m always confident in my abilities no matter who is on the other side of the net.”

Doubles play suspended at Wimbledon

Shelton also began his run in the doubles bracket at Wimbledon with fellow American Mackenzie McDonald on Saturday.

The duo hasn’t played together competitively since last summer, but they nearly pulled off a two-set victory in the first round. However, the Italian pairing of Flavio Cobolli and Lorenzo Sonego won a second-set tiebreak, 6-3, to force a third set.

That deciding set will be played on Sunday after rain left the ground oversaturated and unplayable.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Wimbledon disrupted by rowdy England fans celebrating Euro 2024 win

Euro 2024 briefly took over at Wimbledon, where England fans got loud

England’s dramatic success at Euro 2024 is such a big deal that it’s impacting other major sporting events.

That includes Wimbledon, which saw a third-round match between No. 2-ranked Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin briefly halted as celebrations broke out in the stands at Centre Court.

It wasn’t a spectacular rally or match-winning ace that brought a roar out of fans on Saturday. Instead, as Popyrin prepared to serve in the second set, the crowd suddenly began loudly cheering and applauding.

In tennis, noise as a player prepares to serve is normally a faux pas, and announcements urging quiet are common in major finals. Fans can be ejected for the kind of behavior that, in soccer, is utterly normal.

This time, though, everyone knew the deal. Both players eased up for a moment, as it was quickly clear what was going on. Roughly 300 miles east in Düsseldorf, England had survived a penalty-kick tiebreaker at Euro 2024, seeing off Switzerland 5-3 after a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.

While it wasn’t being shown on any screens in the stadium, it became obvious that at least a few hundred attendees were also following Euro 2024 on their phones.

That meant that when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s penalty hit the back of the net, it was party time, regardless of what was going on between Djokovic and Popyrin.

As the crowd continued its applause, the tennis players even pantomimed a bit of soccer, with Djokovic pretending to kick a ball while Popyrin took on the role of goalkeeper.

Once Center Court calmed down enough for play to resume, Djokovic would go on to claim victory in four sets.

Watch England fans disrupt Wimbledon

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Highlights from Ben Shelton’s second-round 2024 Wimbledon win

Here’s a look at highlights from Ben Shelton’s Thursday win over Lloyd Harris at Wimbledon.

Ben Shelton earned a hard-fought victory in the first round of Wimbledon 2024 with a five-set win over 23-year-old Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci on Monday, moving him on to the next round of play.

The former Gator defeated South African qualifier Lloyd Harris in five sets on Thursday, with a scoreline of 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (7/5), 6-3, 7-6 (10/7). The 21-year-old needed three hours and 14 minutes to prevail over his opponent, showing great feel around the net under pressure in the match tie-break to earn the win.

Shelton advanced to the third round at The Championships for the first time with the victory. Below is a look at highlights from the match.

Highlights from Ben Shelton’s opening-round 2024 Wimbledon win

Take a look at highlights from Ben Shelton’s hard-earned win at Wimbledon last Monday over Mattia Bellucci.

Former Florida tennis standout and NCAA champion [autotag]Ben Shelton[/autotag] has had a meteoric rise through the professional ranks since leaving Gainesville, coming into the 2024 edition of Wimbledon as a No. 14 seed in the prestigious event.

The 21-year-old opened up the grand slam event with a five-set win over 148th-ranked Italian Mattia Bellucci, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. It was a tough match for Shelton, but he managed to prevail in the end.

“He was playing so well,” said Shelton. “Every ball that I hit big, he was hitting back bigger.”

However, the young star was able to make some changes to accommodate his opponent’s style of play.

“I’m happy with the adjustments I made,” said Shelton. “I tried to play instead of just hit the ball.”

Take a look at highlights from Monday’s match at Wimbledon below.