Author: lehang

Medvedev ranted in French but forget that the chair umpire could understand everything because she was from France.

Daniil Medvedev found himself in a bizarre but also funny situation during his Cincinnati Masters match against Jiri Lehecka as the Russian used some foul language in French but forgot that chair umpire Aurelie Tourte was also from France and could perfectly understand him.

After a first-round bye, No. 4 seed Medvedev started his Cincinnati run on Thursday and it didn’t start well after he lost a tight opener in a tie-break to 35th-ranked Lehecka.

In the second set, things weren’t getting any better for 2019 Cincinnati champion Medvedev and he started ranting to himself during a changeover. But Tourte overheard everything and slapped the 28-year-old Russian with a code violation.

“Why are you giving me a code violation? I’m talking to myself. What’s the problem? In the other match, when I was talking to myself, you didn’t do anything. I’m speaking to myself.. what’s the problem?” Medvedev asked Tourte.

Responding to Medvedev, the French official simply explained that she heard what words he used and that she had no choice but to react.

Medvedev went on to lose to Lehecka

After the incident, Medvedev ended up crashing out of Cincinnati in his opening clash as Lehecka completed a 7-6 (2) 6-4 win.

In the first set, Medvedev had break points in three separate games but failed to realize. And Lehecka made him pay for that after opening an early 4-1 lead in the tie-break before converting his first set point. Daniil Medvedev© Getty Images Sport – Dylan Buell

At the start of the second set, Medvedev missed out on another two break points in the fourth game before Lehecka finally got the first break of the match in the seventh game.

Up by a set and a break, Lehecka had three match points on Medvedev’s serve in the ninth game but didn’t convert. However, the Czech remained unfazed and realized his fifth match point on his serve in the following game.

For Medvedev, this was another disappointing loss this summer on hard courts as he previously got stunned by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his Montreal Masters opener last week.

It has been a lackluster North American hard-court swing for Medvedev so far and it will be interesting to see how he will look at the US Open after not doing well in the lead-up tournaments.

After a long layoff, the WNBA is back in action. The games resume on Thursday with the majority of the league resuming play on Friday. Once again, the conversation on both Rookie of the Year and WNBA MVP can continue.

Back on July 18, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson led the odds to win the award, with New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu and Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark at No. 2 and 3, respectively.

On Thursday, BetMGM released a new WNBA MVP odds list, and Wilson was once again at the top. However, Clark slipped down to No. 4 on the list.

A’ja Wilson still holds a commanding lead at -5000, with Alyssa Thomas and Ionescu tied for second (+8000), followed by Clark (+9000).

Earlier in July, Clark was outside of the Top 8 altogether in the WNBA MVP odds, but her recent play propelled her up.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.

© Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Prior to the break, Clark scored 24 against the Dallas Wins in a loss and had 29 against the Washington Mystics in another loss.

However, the rookie scored 20 or more points in three of the final six games before the break. On top of that, she had double-doubles in five of those six, including a triple-double against the Liberty on July 6.

As of now, it is Wilson’s award to lose, but Ionescu, Thomas and Clark are going to make it interesting down the stretch.

The Fever begin the second half with a home game against the Phoenix Mercury on Friday, while Wilson and Ionescu face each other on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Matteo Berrettini has had many physical problems in recent years

Matteo Berrettini has had many physical problems in recent years and he could not stay at the top of the men’s tour. The 2021 Wimbledon finalist had sunk into the ATP ranking last year and wondered if he still had the strength to continue playing tennis at the highest levels. Matteo Berrettini© Clive Brunskill / Staff Getty Images Sport

Matteo’s body has been subject to many injuries and it was not easy for him to handle these mentally difficult situations. The Italian player has worked hard in recent months, as well as replacing his long-time coach Vincenzo Santopadre with Francisco Roig. Berrettini achieved very good results in 2024, having won three ATP titles (respectively in Marrakech, Gstaad and Kitzbuhel). The former Top 10 player also reached the final in Stuttgart, losing to Jack Draper after winning the first set.

The Italian had dreams of making it far to the Wimbledon Championships, where he reached the final three years ago, but had to give up on his compatriot Jannik Sinner in the second round. The match between Berrettini and Sinner on the Centre Court was certainly one of the most spectacular of this edition of the Championships.

Berrettini lost to Rune

Matteo didn’t shine in Cincinnati this week and was eliminated at his debut by Hoger Rune. Berrettini will not be among the top seeds at the 2024 US Open. Matteo Berrettini’s run at the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati is over. The Italian tennis player, after winning the 250 tournaments in Gstaad and Kitzbuhel, stops immediately in North America, defeated in the first round by the young Danish talent Holger Rune. Matteo Berrettini© Clive Brunskill / Staff Getty Images Sport

Once again – as happened at Wimbledon – Berrettini pays the classes that forced him to face a Top 20 and in case of victory would take him to the third round, probably, against the Spanish champion Carlos Alcaraz. Condition not yet at 100%, Matteo starts well and manages to win the first set then collapses at the distance and Rune dominates the second partial. In the third and decisive set Berrettini starts badly, Holger immediately makes the break and thus gets an important victory. Even the Dane did not live a simple moment and this victory is moral.

Despite the defeat, Matteo Berrettini still wins an important and curious record, beating compatriot Jannik Sinner. Berrettini won 21 consecutive sets during the tour, beating Sinner’s previous record of 20. While Matteo gave in at the first round of Cincinnati Jannik managed to win instead despite a rather precarious condition. The Italian ace has adjusted in two sets the American Michelsen and thus found additional matches to face to improve his preparation. In the round of 16, the world’s number one will face Australia’s Jordan Thompson, who won in two sets over Sebastian Baez.

Matteo pays tribute to Djokovic

Just before the start of the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati, Berrettini was a guest on the podcast hosted by former American champion Andy Roddick. During the interview, Matteo paid tribute to Novak Djokovic: “Talking about Novak and what he’s accomplished, it’s incredible. I’m getting goose bumps. I don’t know how he does it. He’s a cyborg because at 37, he still plays at this level. Personally, I don’t know if I’m going to play again at 37, because of my injury history, I don’t know.” Novak Djokovic© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill

Berrettini also reflected on the excellent moment of Italian tennis: “Jannik, Lorenzo and the others are still so young. When I was their age, I wasn’t even in the top 100! In Italy, we are living in a fantastic time. Football is the national sport. But now, when there’s an important match like me against Jannik or Lorenzo, when Musetti plays for the bronze medal, or Jannik in the final of the Australian Open, the country stops for a while. And then we also won the Davis Cup, which had a real impact.”

Matteo was also one of the protagonists of the Netflix series ‘Break Point‘: “Personally, it was a good experience. Before doing it I was like if I do it I will do it all the way. I am not going to cut anything unless I’m too pissed and don’t wanna talk to anybody, even my coach. I don’t like cameras around me but I was like, you guys could see it. My room was a mess.”

Berrettini will have to hope for a favorable draw at the 2024 US Open, where he reached the semi-finals in 2019. During last year’s edition, Matteo had a serious ankle injury and had to skip the last part of the season. The Italian will try to be among the top seeds at the 2025 Australian Open.

 

Isiah Thomas said that he believes LeBron James is a better basketball player than Michael Jordan, who he is currently on bad terms with.

Michael Jordan is not the GOAT according to Isiah Thomas (Image: Getty)

Isiah Thomas has provided his two cents on the “Greatest of All Time” debate between LeBron James and Michael Jordan – and his answer should hardly come as a surprise. On Thursday, the 63-year-old described the active NBA star as “the best ever,” showing there’s still no love lost between him and his biggest rival.

While speaking to MLive’s Kory Woods, Thomas had nothing but good things to say about James, who recently secured the third Olympic gold medal of his decorated career with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I think when you look at, like I say, he’s touched and he leads in almost every statistical category,” Thomas said. “He’s passed Kareem in scoring. I think he’s got the most playoff points. Not only that, when you look at the assist column, I know where I stand on the assist record. I think he’s passed me; I think he’s passed Magic on the assist record.

“I mean, so when you talk about passing, scoring, rebounding, we’ve never had a player in the NBA that has touched every statistical category and leads in some of these statistical categories that we’re talking about. There’s never been another player like him. Now, everyone has their favorites, but if the numbers don’t lie, the numbers don’t lie. And he definitely passes the eye test. So to me, he’s the best that I’ve ever seen from a team standpoint and also as a basketball player.”

LeBron James is the best basketball player ever according to Isiah Thomas (Image: Getty)

Thomas’ unsubtle dig at Jordan marks just the latest incident in the pair’s longtime rivalry that’s spanned multiple decades. The Hall of Famers’ bitter feud was reignited four years ago by “The Last Dance” documentary, in which Jordan portrays Thomas in an unflattering light.

During the 10-part series, Jordan described Thomas as an “a——” while reliving the frequent playoff clashes between the Bulls and Pistons. Chicago fell to Detroit in the second round of the 1988 playoffs, the 1989 Eastern Conference Finals and the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals.

The comments clearly didn’t sit well with Thomas, who expressed no interest in rekindling a relationship with Jordan unless he issues a public apology. “No. This dude got on international television and called me an ——-. Somebody who’s been really good to him,” he said on The Draymond Green Show back in March.

“Until he apologizes on international television, ain’t no conversation. You can’t apologize and have a private dinner when you embarrassed me publicly. If you didn’t mean it, say it publicly. Now, if you meant it, let it stand. I’m good with that.

“I never knew this dude felt the way he felt until ‘The Last Dance,’” he continued. “All these years you’ve been standing behind a tree throwing stones and letting someone else take the fall for it. Had I known you felt that way, I definitely would have treated you differently.”

Travis Kelce won’t be kneeling on the ground and pulling out a ring for Taylor Swift without an “ironclad prenup,” Life & Style reports.

“There’s just no way Taylor would walk down the aisle without a prenup,” an insider told the publication for a report released Wednesday.

While the pair are reportedly talking about what their agreement will look like, they haven’t solidified anything yet.

Travis Kelce won’t propose to Taylor Swift without a rigid prenup, Life & Style reported Wednesday. The pair can be seen walking in Las Vegas in February 2024 above.Danny Mahoney/Wynn Las Vegas / MEGA

An insider told the publication there is “no way Taylor would walk down the aisle without a prenup.”GC Images
“The formalities are just their schedules that have gotten in the way, as well as the logistics of a prenup, which is obviously complicated by the vast amounts of money involved on both sides,” the source explained.

“This is a lot further along than either Taylor or Travis would care to admit, since they’ve considered themselves unofficially engaged for a while and are both 100 percent committed to spending the rest of their lives together and starting a family.”

Page Six did not receive an immediate response from reps for Swift or Kelce.

The pair are reportedly talking about a prenup but their busy schedules and complicated lives have slowed the process.andrewspruill/Instagram

The Life & Style source added, “They’ve considered themselves unofficially engaged for a while and are both 100 percent committed to spending the rest of their lives together and starting a family.”andrewspruill/Instagram
We exclusively reported in December 2023 that the football star asked the singer’s father, Scott Swift, for permission to ask for her hand in marriage. We were told he “wholeheartedly” gave Kelce his support.

Furthermore, a person close to Kelce’s camp told Page Six earlier this month that an engagement is “happening soon.”

The “Karma” singer and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, both 34, have been dating for just over a year.

They took their relationship public in September 2023 when Taylor cheered him on at his NFL game against the Chicago Bears on his home turf at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

The pair, pictured on vacation in the Bahamas above, have been dating since July 2023.Mega/BackGrid

A source told Page Six in August a proposal is “happening soon.”Getty Images

Shortly after going public, Kelce made it clear he was serious about Taylor when he purchased a $6 million mansion for more privacy.

She ended up rooting the Chiefs on at a total of 13 games last season, including at Super Bowl LVIII, where she watched her man win his third championship.

Kelce has also traveled across the globe to South America, Asia and Europe to watch Taylor perform at her record-breaking Eras Tour.

He even surprised fans by joining her on stage at one of her London shows in July.

Page Six also reported in December 2023 that Kelce already asked Swift’s father for her hand in marriage.Getty Images

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Swift confirmed last December that she and Kelce would support each other publicly and shamelessly.Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Although the Eras Tour will continue into the 2024-2025 football season, an insider told People in July the 14-time Grammy winner will “attend as many games as possible.”

She made it clear last December that she would shamelessly support her man, even if it meant being in the public eye.

“When you say a relationship is public, that means I’m going to see him do what he loves, we’re showing up for each other, other people are there and we don’t care,” she said during her Time 2023 Person of the Year profile.

Reminder: Caitlin Clark Set to Make Her Return This Friday!

Basketball enthusiasts, take note: Caitlin Clark is poised to make a grand return to the court this Friday, and it promises to be an event you won’t want to miss. After a rejuvenating month-long break, Clark is coming back with renewed vigor and sharpness that could spell trouble for the WNBA.

Clark, renowned for her electrifying performances and unmatched skill, has used her time off to rest and recalibrate. This period of recovery and preparation has likely allowed her to refine her game even further, making her return a highly anticipated event for fans and competitors alike. Her absence has certainly been felt, and now, her comeback is expected to bring a fresh wave of excitement and intensity to the league.

The WNBA, known for its fierce competition and high level of play, might be in for a real challenge with Clark back in action. Her previous performances have demonstrated her ability to take over games with her scoring prowess, strategic playmaking, and relentless drive. With a month of rest behind her, Clark is expected to come back stronger and more focused, ready to make an immediate impact on the court.

Clark’s return is not just a personal milestone but also a significant moment for the league. Her dynamic presence has the potential to shift the balance of power and elevate the excitement of the games. Fans are eagerly anticipating how her skills will translate after a period of recovery, and whether she will continue to dazzle with her exceptional talent.

As the anticipation builds, basketball fans are advised to clear their schedules for Friday’s game. Caitlin Clark’s return is bound to bring a new level of energy and competition to the WNBA, making it a must-watch event. Prepare for an exhilarating game as one of the league’s brightest stars makes her comeback.

Goldberg continued her remarks by stating, “We’re not journalists; we’re actors. You decided to leave, and that was entirely within your right. But I feel some regret because I don’t believe that people were truly viewing these women in the way you describe. I think they were more focused on the financial aspects.

That’s the nature of television, my dear. So what exactly did you expect? You must have known what the show was all about.”

Despite her criticisms of the show, Markle expressed gratitude for the experience, explaining that she was seeking a role that was more aligned with her educational background and her prior experience gained through her internship at the U.S. Embassy in Argentina.

On Wednesday’s episode of ‘The View,’ Goldberg seemed to take issue with Markle’s comments about feeling “objectified” during her short stint on the game show. Specifically, Markle had shared with Paris Hilton on the ‘Archetypes’ podcast that she left the show because she felt her role reduced her to merely being a hostess.

Goldberg responded by suggesting that the sense of objectification might stem from Markle’s own perceptions of how women were portrayed on the show, rather than the show’s intent. Goldberg emphasized that as performers, accepting a role comes with the territory, and it’s important to adjust one’s perspective accordingly.

Goldberg pointed out that iconic figures in the industry, like Vanna White, have managed to maintain their professionalism while continually evolving their on-screen personas. She suggested that it’s essential for performers to adapt and understand that their roles are part of the broader entertainment landscape.

There have been speculations circulating about it, and the singer has clarified them.

In recent times, there have been rumors going around that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have broken up, which has added an additional layer of mystery to their high-profile relationship.

Taylor Swift’s public support for Travis during the Super Bowl LVIII ring ceremony appears to contradict the claims that have been made, despite the conjecture that has been going on. Fans are eagerly expecting any new information regarding the couple’s current situation.

 

In spite of the fact that they were separated owing to their various commitments, Taylor Swift made public statements of praise for her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. The performance of Taylor’s 100th show on the Eras Tour, which took place in Liverpool on Thursday night, was a significant milestone in her career.

However, because of this significant occasion, she was unable to attend the Super Bowl LVIII ring ceremony, which was an important event in Travis Kelce’s life. Taylor, on the other hand, asserts that it is very evident that the couple is not going to split up and that they are still in the honeymoon phase at the moment. To be more specific, at this present moment, they are more likely to be married than they are to be breaking up with each other.

In what way was the ceremony?

During the ceremony, which was for the purpose of celebrating the win of the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis and his teammates were presented with their championship rings. Taylor made careful to express her support from a distance, despite the fact that Travis chose to attend the ceremony while dressed in the distinctive red of the Chiefs.

Although her absence was felt, she was able to fill the void through the use of social media.

Through her sincere comments on social media posts about the event, Taylor had the opportunity to express her love and pride for the occasion. She started out by posting three heart-eye emoticons, and then she followed that up with a message of congratulations. She expressed her excitement and support by writing, “Joining the party from Liverpool, let’s go!” despite the fact that she was located a great distance away.

Taylor revealed that she was suffering from a cold while she was performing in Liverpool, which undoubtedly made the evening even more difficult. On the other hand, she did not let this issue prevent her from enjoying Travis’s accomplishment. The texts she sent were concluded with three heart emojis. “I have to go to sleep, it’s very late here,” she wrote, expressing her affection for the recipients.

The public demonstration of affection and support that Taylor has shown for Travis Kelce is evidence of the deep bond that exists between them, even when they are not together. Fans who were present during this heartwarming exchange felt their hearts warmed by her remarks, which not only inspired Travis but also moved them.

Taylor Swift returned to the stage at Wembley Stadium on Thursday for the first time since the foiled terror plot that resulted in her Vienna concerts being canceled last week.

This marks the first Swift concert since the three shows, previously scheduled for Aug. 8, 9, and 10, were canceled following authorities’ arrest of three suspects in the alleged plot.

Fans at Wembley, which holds 90,000 people, saw “Shape of You” singer Ed Sheeran take the stage with Swift as a surprise guest performer.

“Taylor & Ed’s era. 🫶,” tweeted Wembley Stadium during the show, including a picture of the pair on stage.

Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran perform onstage during “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at Wembley Stadium on Aug. 15, 2024 in London.
TAS2024/Getty Images

Ahead of the show, a message on Wembley Stadium’s website warned non-ticketed fans to steer clear of the surrounding areas.

“Anyone without a ticket should not travel to Wembley Stadium. No one is allowed to stand outside any entrance or on the Olympic Steps at the front of the stadium,” the site reads.

A general view of the heightened security outside Wembley Stadium in north west London, ahead of Taylor Swift’s latest Eras Tour concert the venue, on Aug. 15, 2024.
Lucy North/PA Images via Getty Images

Last week, Barracuda Music, the concert organizers in Austria, posted to social media on Aug. 7 announcing the Vienna show cancellations.

“We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety,” a message from Barracuda Music said. “All tickets will be automatically refunded.”

The suspects allegedly radicalized themselves online, Franz Ruf, director-general for public safety in the Ministry of the Interior, said at a press conference.

Taylor Swift performs on stage during the “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at Wembley Stadium, on Aug. 15, 2024, in London.
Kate Green/Getty Images
After the concert cancellations, fans of the singer gathered in the streets of Vienna to sing her songs.

Thursday’s Wembley show marked the beginning of a five-show stretch at the venue to close out the European leg of the “Eras Tour.” The tour will return to North America in November ahead of its December close in Vancouver.

Novak Djokovic, the World No. 2 and the recently crowned Olympic gold medalist, is not playing at the ongoing Cincinnati Open. He had also pulled out of the Canadian Open, which concluded last week.

Djokovic will play at the US Open next

With two consecutive withdrawals, the 37-year-old Serb will next play at the US Open 2024, which gets underway on Monday, August 26. He has won the title in New York four times and will look to win his 25th Grand Slam title there.

Djokovic has been giving his body some much-needed rest:

Djokovic is still going strong in the tennis circuit, but it does not mean that he is getting any younger. He has played in all three Grand Slams this year, aside from the Olympics and three Masters 1000 tournaments in Monte Carlo, Indian Wells and Rome.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is still supremely fit, but, at this stage in his career, he should focus solely on increasing his Majors tally. He has already won 40 Masters 1000 titles, four more than the tally of Rafael Nadal, who is second on the list.

Hence, the only real motivation for the Serb, at the moment, should be to win Grand Slams; meaning he should take part in Masters 1000 tournaments only sporadically.

Djokovic will lose some ranking points as a result:

The Serb won the Cincinnati Open title last year, beating Carlos Alcaraz in a gripping final amid scorching heat. His decision to skip the tournament this time around means that he stands to lose 1000 ranking points.

It will cause his world ranking to drop to No. 3, with both Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz positioned above him. However, with possibly a few years left in him at the top level in tennis, Djokovic should not worry much about his ranking at the moment.

Instead, he should emphasize more on recharging his batteries for the upcoming US Open. Winning his fifth title in New York will take him five ahead of Roger Federer’s Grand Slam tally and three in front of Nadal’s, his nearest rival among men in that regard.

As mentioned earlier, at this stage of his career, increasing the deficit with his two nearest rivals in terms of the Grand Slam count should mean much more to Djokovic than anything else. Hence, his decision to skip the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open makes a lot of sense and appears logical.

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Edited by Vaishnavi Iyer