
At Wimbledon, a player's lament about loneliness revives a conversation about mental health
In the time since, more and more players have spoken about the topic and seeking help, and whatever taboos there were seem to have faded. Still, the way three-time Grand Slam finalist Alexander Zverev discussed his state of mind after a first-round exit at Wimbledon this week revived the conversation.

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Winnipeg Free Press
21 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Phillies demote rookie pitcher Mick Abel to Triple-A 2 months after 9 strikeouts in his debut
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies demoted rookie right-hander Mick Abel, who has struggled since he struck out nine in his major league debut, to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The Phillies also recalled reliever Seth Johnson from Lehigh Valley ahead of Friday's game against Cincinnati. The 23-year-old Abel made six starts for the Phillies and went 2-2 with 5.04 ERA with 21 strikeouts and nine walks. 'Mick needed to go down and breathe a little bit,' manager Rob Thomson said. 'Just get a little reset. It's not uncommon.' A 6-foot-5 right-hander selected 15th overall by the Phillies in the 2020 amateur draft, Abel dazzled against Pittsburgh in May when his nine strikeouts tied a Phillies high for a debut, set by Curt Simmons against the New York Giants on Sept. 28, 1947. He hasn't pitched beyond the fifth inning in any of his last four starts and was rocked for five runs in 1 2/3 innings on Wednesday against San Diego. Abel was 3-12 with a 6.46 ERA last year for Lehigh Valley, walking 78 in 108 2/3 innings. He improved to 5-2 with a 2.53 ERA in eight minor league starts this year, walking 19 in 46 1/3 innings. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'This guy's had a really good year,' Thomson said. 'His poise, his composure is outstanding. He's really grown. We just need to get back to that. Just attack the zone and get through adversity.' The Phillies will give Taijuan Walker another start in Abel's place against San Francisco. Walker has bounced between the rotation and the bullpen over the last two seasons. He has made eight starts with 11 relief appearances this season and is 3-5 with one save and a 3.64 ERA. Thomson said he had not made a final decision on who will be the fifth starter after the All-Star break. Top prospect Andrew Painter has two more scheduled starts in Triple-A before the MLB All-Star break and could earn a spot in the rotation. ___ AP MLB:


Toronto Sun
31 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Red Bull's Christian Horner says Max Verstappen intends to stay despite Mercedes links
Published Jul 04, 2025 • 2 minute read Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands makes a pit stop during the first practice of the British Formula One Grand Prix in Silverstone, England, Friday, July 4, 2025. Photo by Darko Bandic / AP SILVERSTONE, England (AP) — Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has said Max Verstappen intends to stay with the team for next year despite speculation about a move to Mercedes which would shake up Formula 1. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Verstappen has repeatedly declined to say he's committed to Red Bull for 2026 following a suggestion last week from Mercedes' George that his team spoke with Verstappen. Russell doesn't have a contract for 2026. The four-time world champion has a contract through 2028 at Red Bull but there have been indications that a performance-related clause could allow him to exit earlier. The exact details are not public. 'The contracts between the drivers and the teams are always going to remain confidential. With any driver's contract there is an element of a performance mechanism, and of course that exists within Max's contract,' Horner said on Friday at the British Grand Prix. 'His intention is that he will be there and driving for us in 2026. It's inevitable that he's of huge interest to any other other team in the pit lane.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Horner suggested Russell 'probably triggered all this speculation' to strengthen his hand in talks with Mercedes. 'I think the most important thing is the clarity that exists between Max and the team and that's very clear,' Horner added. Horner also said of Verstappen: 'He's made it quite clear that he would like to finish his career in a Red Bull car from start to finish. I think that's quite special and unique for him.' Russell said on Thursday he believed there was an 'exceptionally low' chance he'd have to leave Mercedes for 2026. Horner added that Yuki Tsunoda will get the rest of 2025 to show he deserves to keep a seat at Red Bull, but signaled he'd consider a range of options inside and outside the wider Red Bull organization, including Liam Lawson and his rookie Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tsunoda was promoted to Verstappen's teammate in March after Lawson struggled in the first two races. 'Yuki has got until the end of the season to demonstrate that he's the guy to remain in the car,' Horner said. 'We have Isack also doing a good job and Liam finding his form as well. So within the Red Bull pool we have talent. Of course, you're also open to what is outside of that. We want to field the best lineup that we can for next year. We've gone outside of that pool in recent years. If we feel the necessity to do so, we wouldn't be afraid to do so again.' Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. Care for a wager? Head to our sports betting section for news and odds. Ontario Toronto Blue Jays Editorial Cartoons News Toronto & GTA


Winnipeg Free Press
36 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sarina Wiegman hints Lauren James could start against France for England's Euro 2025 opener
ZURICH (AP) — England's bid to retain its Women's European Championship title has been boosted by one of its star players nearing a return to full fitness. Lauren James, who was a major doubt ahead of Sarina Wiegman's squad selection, played her first match since April when she came on as a 63rd minute substitute in Sunday's pre-tournament friendly — a 7-0 thrashing of Jamaica. And Wiegman said James could even start when the Lionesses kick off their title defense against France on Saturday in Zurich. 'Well, I'm not going to give you the lineup, but she played 30 minutes last week so she can play more than that,' Wiegman said with a smile on Friday. 'I think that's saying enough.' Indeed, against Jamaica, James showed little sign of the hamstring injury that had kept her out since the start of April as she provided a sumptuous assist for Alessia Russo just eight minutes after coming on. 'She's in a good place,' Wiegman said. 'She's ready to get more minutes tomorrow.' The defending champion, which also finished runner-up to Spain in the 2023 World Cup, is one of the favorites at Euro 2025 but England faces more difficulties in Switzerland than it did three years ago on home soil. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. There has been upheaval in the squad in the buildup and this time around the Lionesses won't have the backing of a fervent home crowd. 'It's new territory,' England captain Leah Williamson said. 'We're not necessarily looking at it as a defense, but a new challenge and a new opportunity to do something new. We take any challenge that comes our way.' England also faces Wiegman's home nation, the Netherlands, in Group D as well as tournament debutant — and neighbor — Wales. ___ AP soccer: