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Wimbledon diary: Petra Kvitova takes the mic and Alexandra Eala flies the flag

Wimbledon diary: Petra Kvitova takes the mic and Alexandra Eala flies the flag

The 35-year-old was emotional when interviewed in front of an appreciative crowd following the defeat, leaving the scene of some of the greatest moments of her career with tears in her eyes.
She then took her last chance to usurp the moderator of her final post-match Wimbledon press conference, taking control of the loudspeaker to introduce her own media access to the journalists by announcing: 'I'm Petra Kvitova, and this is my last press conference here.'
*****
Twenty-year-old Alexandra Eala made her Wimbledon Centre Court debut when facing reigning women's singles champion Barbora Krejcikova in the first round.
The Filipino ensured the flag was flown for her nation not only via her performance – a gallant loss having taken the first set – but also through a unique accessory provided by sponsors Nike.
Eala wore a hairband shaped into the form of the sampaguita, the national flower of the Philippines, in a box that was printed with the Filipino proverb 'kung may tinanim, may aanihin' – 'if you plant, you will harvest'.
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Australian actress Cate Blanchett, star of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, was in attendance alongside compatriot Rebel Wilson, known for her roles in Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids.
New Zealander Russell Crowe was also present in the Royal Box, with the star of Gladiator and Les Miserables joined by his fiancee and fellow actor Britney Theriot.
From the same industry was Sarah Lancashire, beloved for her roles in Happy Valley and The Last Tango in Halifax, whereas from the sporting world golfer Justin Rose was joined by his wife Kate.
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'Would I want to play three-out-of-five? No. I would rather the men play two-out-of-three. I don't think we all need to start playing three-out-of-five. I personally will not watch a full five-hour match. People can't even hold their attention long enough they say these days with phones. How are they holding their attention for five hours? ' – Jessica Pegula when asked if women would switch to a best-of-five format.
You're very welcome, it was nothing! I hope your mum is doing well. Send her a kiss from me and take good care of her! ❤️
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) July 1, 2025
Emma Raducanu's second-round clash with Marketa Vondrousova will be a real draw on day three as two former grand slam winners meet at a relatively early stage in the tournament.
Raducanu won the US Open aged just 18, prior to which she made her main-draw Wimbledon debut during the same season and defeated Vondrousova in a memorable match on her way to the third round.
Vondrousova, who would go on to win Wimbledon in 2023, comes into their tie in good grass form having taken the Berlin Open earlier this month and will be hoping to turn the tables on the British star.
Cloudy changing to light rain by late morning with a maximum temperature of 26C, according to the Met Office.
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Oliver Tarvet's Wimbledon battle with Carlos Alcaraz flies flag for US college route to tennis
Oliver Tarvet's Wimbledon battle with Carlos Alcaraz flies flag for US college route to tennis

The Independent

time15 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Oliver Tarvet's Wimbledon battle with Carlos Alcaraz flies flag for US college route to tennis

Play the ball, not the player, said Ollie Tarvet before the biggest match of his life against reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz. The flaw was that the ball came at the world No 733 faster than ever before, with more topspin revs and at a more devilish angle. It was still the same sport as his wins on the US college scene in front of a few dozen spectators. And yet this was almost another game entirely, like how laying cheese on bread under the grill is, only technically, cooking. Alcaraz's 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory came in two parts. The first set felt like a regular muggle playing tennis against the world No 2 on Centre Court. Never before had Tarvet faced a player who combines such extreme levels of speed and spin with unerring accuracy, such that Alcaraz's groundstrokes rushed over the net before dipping into far-flung corners of the court, hitting 38 winners in all. 'I've played against really good players before but not quite the level of Alcaraz,' Tarvet said. 'As soon as I dropped to 95 per cent focus, I lost the game. When I missed the first serve, the guy's up on the baseline [for the second serve] and it's intimidating, he's ready to make you run.' Alcaraz generates around 3,200 rpm on his forehand compared to an average of 2,700 rpm on the ATP Tour, he averages 78mph from the baseline compared to a Tour average of 75mph, and his shot quality is rated as 8.62 by the ATP's data bods, above Djokovic (8.54) and behind only Jannik Sinner (8.80). The result was that routine groundstrokes stunned the Centre Court crowd, like a moment midway through the first set when he cracked a cross-court missile which brought audible gasps. 'He's so effortless,' Tarvet said. 'It doesn't feel like he's hitting the ball that hard but it comes through so quick and so heavy.' Alcaraz produced moments of magic, like at the start of the second set when he whipped the ball around the net post and on to the line – Tarvet's challenge gave the crowd the chance to appreciate Alcaraz's accuracy on the big screen. Yet the latter two sets of his victory were different. Tarvet's eyes began to calibrate, adjusting to the flight of the ball in the same way players adjust from clay to grass. He broke serve in the second set, and again in the third as if to prove it was no fluke. How many Centre Court debutants wilt in the spotlight against great champions? The 21-year-old blossomed in the afternoon sunshine, fist-pumping his way around the court, each point a little confirmation of what he already suspected: that he could cope out here. It proved Tarvet is far better than his lowly world ranking suggests. He has deliberately delayed his ascent to the professional ranks by taking the college route, enrolling at the University of San Diego on a communications and marketing course in order to mature in the nurturing, high-tech US system which shaped fellow Britons Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley. Along the way he has won college tournaments and ITF Tour titles, the third tier of men's tennis, honing his game in a sophisticated training environment against capable opposition. It is a route not commonly trodden by elite European players, who tend to get out on the professional circuit far quicker. But it offers access to elite coaching and facilities, and a place to grow physically and mentally without the financial pressures that come with travelling around the pro tour, even if the college system's draconian rules mean Tarvet can scoop only £10,000 of his £99,000 winnings for reaching the second round. 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The third set was tighter still and afterwards Alcaraz embraced Tarvet at the net, congratulating his opponent and telling him to keep working hard. 'The level we can see in college is pretty high,' Alcaraz said, pointing out the record number, 26, of US college students and graduates playing at Wimbledon this year. 'It's his second match on the tour and I just loved his game to be honest.' So perhaps it is no surprise that Tarvet will not be dropping out of college just yet, even if a career in the professional game is calling. 'Nothing's changed based on the last 10 days. I still want to go back to University of San Diego, it's been incredible. I think I have a few things, a few creases in my game I need to iron out. I think if you give me a year, especially with the coaches that we have at USD, I think I'll be in a much better spot.'

New Emma Raducanu romance rumour as tennis ace seen in stands after Carlos Alcaraz comments
New Emma Raducanu romance rumour as tennis ace seen in stands after Carlos Alcaraz comments

Wales Online

time25 minutes ago

  • Wales Online

New Emma Raducanu romance rumour as tennis ace seen in stands after Carlos Alcaraz comments

New Emma Raducanu romance rumour as tennis ace seen in stands after Carlos Alcaraz comments Emma Raducanu has been making plenty of headlines at Wimbledon, and not just for her performance on the court, as romance rumours continue to surround the British star Emma Raducanu has been romantically linked with a second tennis player following rumours about her relationship with Carlos Alcaraz (Image: PA Wire ) As Emma Raducanu's 2025 Wimbledon campaign gets into full swing, the spotlight isn't just on her tennis prowess. The British No. 1, 22, has sparked fresh romance rumours, with former tennis prodigy Benjamin Heynold spotted cheering her on from the stands at the All England Club. ‌ Heynold, 24, a student at the University of North Carolina, was seen in a light blue shirt and cap, watching intently alongside Raducanu's coach Nick Cavaday during her second round win over Marketa Vondrousova on Wednesday. ‌ Heynold and Raducanu share a deep history, having known each other since they were six years old and represented Team GB together in their junior tennis days. Their long-standing friendship, evidenced by a heartwarming 2016 photo of the pair which has been doing the rounds on social media, has fuelled speculation that their relationship may have blossomed into something more serious. This isn't the first time Heynold has been by her side. He was also spotted in her team's corner during her quarter-final run at Queen's last month. His consistent presence, including appearing in the background of a selfie Raducanu took during the tournament, has only intensified whispers of a romantic connection. Article continues below Former tennis prodigy Benjamin Heynold has been spotted supporting Emma Raducanu from the sidelines at Wimbledon (Image: PA ) However, Heynold isn't the only name linked to Raducanu. Rumours have also swirled around her friendship with reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, with whom she is set to partner in mixed doubles at the US Open in August. The pair have been close since kicking off their pro careers in 2021, and speculation surrounding a possible romantic entanglement intensified when Raducanu was seen supporting Alcaraz at Queen's. The young Brit was asked to comment on the romance rumours at a press conference ahead of Wimbledon last week, and poured cold water on the speculation. ‌ "We're just good friends," she told reporters. Emma Raducanu and Benjamin Heynold have known each other for years (Image: Emma Raducanu/ Instagram ) Adding a playful twist to the narrative, Nick Kyrgios suggested that Raducanu might be at the centre of a "love triangle" involving Alcaraz and British No. 1 Jack Draper. "I don't know, I think it's a love triangle," the Australian tennis ace said on talkSPORT. "Draper, Alcaraz, Raducanu. They're fighting over Raducanu I think." ‌ While Kyrgios' comments were tongue-in-cheek, they highlight the intense public interest in Raducanu's personal life as she navigates her rising stardom. Raducanu, who split from her former boyfriend Carlo Agostinelli last year, has previously spoken about her strict upbringing in Bromley, where her parents discouraged dating to focus on her training. Now, as she balances her professional resurgence with personal scrutiny, her performance at Wimbledon remains the focal point. ‌ Emma Raducanu has been romantically linked to Carlos Alcaraz (Image: Getty ) After breezing through the opening rounds with back-to-back straight-set wins, Raducanu now faces her toughest challenge yet: world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian, runner-up at both the Australian Open and French Open this year, heads into Friday's match as the favourite to finally capture her maiden title at the All England Club. Still, if Raducanu can overcome the three-time Grand Slam champion, she'll instantly be seen as a genuine contender for the crown. Article continues below Her recent performances hint at a return to the form that propelled her to a sensational US Open victory in 2021 – but this showdown with Sabalenka will serve as a true test of her technical sharpness and mental resilience.

Coco Gauff breaks down in tears as emotional Wimbledon exit finally hits home with tennis star ‘mentally overwhelmed'
Coco Gauff breaks down in tears as emotional Wimbledon exit finally hits home with tennis star ‘mentally overwhelmed'

The Sun

time31 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Coco Gauff breaks down in tears as emotional Wimbledon exit finally hits home with tennis star ‘mentally overwhelmed'

COCO Gauff was left emotional after an early Wimbledon exit on Tuesday. Gauff entered Wimbledon coming off a Grand Slam win at Roland Garros, but ended up losing in the first round. 3 3 Gauff was the No. 2 seed at Wimbledon, but was taken out in a stunning defeat to unranked Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska. In her presser after the match, Gauff shared that she was feeling mentally "overwhelmed" while wiping away tears. "I feel like mentally I was little bit overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards, so I didn't feel like I had enough time to do, I guess celebrate and then also get back into it," she said. "But it's the first time, in this experience, like coming off a win and having to play at Wimbledon, and I definitely learned about what I would and would not do again." Gauff lost to Yastremska in straight sets, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1. "I have faith that if I can make these adjustments, I can do well here, I really do want to do well here, I'm not someone who wants to write myself off grass this early in my career, but I definitely need to make some changes if I want to be successful," she said. Gauff has gone as far as the fourth round at Wimbledon, including last year's tournament. With the US Open approaching soon, Gauff is trying to keep her chin up for the home tournament. "I'm trying to be positive," Gauff said. "After the match I was definitely struggling in the locker room. Coco Gauff reveals real size of French Open trophy she gets to keep "I don't like losing, and I think for me the main thing I'm sure my team and everyone is going to tell me is 'you did well at Roland Garros don't be so upset' and things like that." Despite a positive mindset, Gauff was still incredibly upset about the first-round exit and wiped away tears throughout her presser. "I just feel a little disappointed in how I showed up today," she said. "I feel like I could have been a little bit better in those tough tiebreaker moments. 3 "Especially after Roland Garros when I felt like I learned a lot in those tiebreakers. "So yea obviously I'm not going to dwell on this too long because I want to do well at US Open and maybe losing here in the first round isn't the worst thing because of that. "But yea, it definitely sucks." Wimbledon runs through July 13 and the US Open begins on August 24.

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