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Metro
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
What time does Rory McIlroy start at The Open? Round Two tee times
Rory McIlroy remains in the mix after a topsy-turvy start to his Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The pressure got the better of the Northern Irishman the last time the tournament was held in his home country, and the World No2 got off to a slow start with a bogey on his first hole. But despite battling his driver throughout the round, the 35-year-old signed off for a respectable one-under-par 70 to leave him three shots off the lead. Matt Fitzpatrick is one of five players in a share of the lead at -4 as the former US Open champion bids to become the first Englishman to win the Open since 1992. World No1 Scottie Scheffler is finely poised just one shot back from the lead, while Lee Westwood and Justin Rose produced solid opening rounds to leave themselves in contention at -2. Defending champion Xander Schauffele, still battling his way back from an early-season injury, signed off for an even-par opening round to leave him four back of the lead. Ahead of the second round, here is everything you need to know, including the tee times, TV schedule, and how to watch and stream in the UK. McIlroy will tee off for his second round at the Open at 10.09am on Thursday. The 35-year-old is joined once again by European Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood and two-time major champion Justin Thomas. Selected groups, all times BST. 09:36 – Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley, Min-Woo Lee 09:47 – Bryson DeChambeau, Robert MacIntyre, Justin Rose 09:58 – Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland, Jordan Spieth 10:09 – Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas 14:59 – Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, JJ Spaun 15:10 – Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler Full tee times for rounds one and two can be found here. Friday 18 July: Round Two action, with live coverage from 6.30am till 9.30pm. More Trending Saturday 19 July: Round Three action, with live coverage from 11am till 8.30pm. Sunday 20 July: Round Four action, with live coverage from 10am till 7.30pm. All four rounds from the Open will be shown on Sky Sports Golf or Sky Sports Main Event in the UK, while viewers can also live stream the action via Sky Go. If you're not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass to watch without a subscription. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: What time does Rory McIlroy start at The Open? Round Two tee times, TV schedule, and how to watch MORE: Tyrrell Hatton: 'US Open near-miss stung – but I'm positive about The Open' MORE: Nick Faldo names his favourite to end 33-year English drought at The Open
Metro
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Wimbledon finalist announces break from tennis to 'rediscover the joy of living'
Two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur has announced she will step back from professional tennis for her own wellbeing. Jabeur reached a career-high ranking of number two in the world, but has endured a difficult run and now sits 71st in the world. The Tunisian made an emotional exit from Wimbledon in the first round this year after she was forced to retire injured during her match against Viktoriya Tomova. And the 30-year-old has now announced she intends to step away from the sport to look after her mental and physical health and 'rediscover the joy of living'. 'For the past two years, I've been pushing myself so hard, fighting through injuries and facing many other challenges,' she said in a statement on social media. 'But deep down, I haven't truly felt happy on the court for some time now. 'Tennis is such a beautiful sport. But right now, I feel it's time to take a step back and finally put myself first: to breathe, to heal, and to rediscover the joy of simply living. 'Thank you to all my fans for understanding. Your support and love mean the world to me. I carry it with me always. 'Even while I'm away from the court, I'll continue to stay close and connected in different ways, and share this journey with you all. Ons.' More Trending Jabeur made history when she became the first African and Arab woman to feature in a major singles final at Wimbledon in 2022 but fell to defeat against Elena Rybakina. Jabeur went on to reach the US Open final later in the year and made it back to the final of Wimbledon the following summer, but she fell short on both of those occasions as well. The defeat to Marketa Vondrousova on Centre Court stung in particular for Jabeur, who later went on to describe it as 'the most painful loss of my career'. Speaking after her first-round exit at SW19 this year, Jabeur said: 'I'm pretty sad, it really doesn't really help with my confidence and what I keep pushing myself to do, even though it has been a very tough season for me.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: British tennis star given four-year doping ban 18 months after being cleared of wrongdoing MORE: I'm the tennis-mad fan who proposed on Henman Hill at Wimbledon MORE: UK soap star congratulates brother on Wimbledon win
Metro
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
What it's like to stay in the £1,800-a-night McLaren Suite at the London Hilton
After filming F1 content for Metro Sport in the McLaren Suite at the Trafalgar St. James hotel, Hilton kindly invited me and my fiancé to stay the night in the £1,800-a-night papaya paradise before it opened to the public. As a motorsport fan, how could I say no to what's essentially an F1 penthouse, complete with its own gaming rig and private bar? I was just glad I wasn't footing the bill, as a standard room starts at £368. Available only 10 nights a year, the suite celebrates 20 years of Hilton and McLaren's partnership and, yes, you get to step into the driver's seat. Here's what I loved, what stood out, and what I'd tweak next time. The hotel has sweeping views of Trafalgar Square, and is a short stroll from Leicester Square and Covent Garden. It's walking distance from numerous theatres, bars and restaurants, ideal for combining sightseeing with a luxury escape. The hotel is well-served by public transport. Charing Cross station is five minutes away and multiple bus routes stop outside, providing easy access to the rest of London. It couldn't be more convenient. Stepping through the hotel's front door, luxury hit me instantly. Right away, I was greeted warmly and my bags whisked off with a smile. Check-in was smooth and before I knew it, I was on a private tour of the suite. This was a lovely added touch, and I recommend it because there's so much to soak up. The suite opens with a bold papaya-orange door. The iconic McLaren shade, this colour scheme continues throughout. Inside, you're met with a massive orange sofa, a 50-inch TV, and the snacks and drinks Lando and Oscar love. The super king bed? A dream. And the twin Molton Brown bathrooms, complete with deep baths and walk-in showers? Pure luxury. You'll feel fresh and sleep like a champion. But it gets better. You're welcomed with a custom gift box featuring a built-in video from McLaren team principal, Zak Brown. All guests are given complimentary McLaren robes and slippers, Nutribullets, sunglasses, signed Lando and Oscar hats, F1 LEGO sets, travel bags, Reiss collab jackets, and a secret grid pass that takes this place to the next level. You're not just booking a room — you're leaving with merch, memories, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, the best is yet to come. That special pass I mentioned? That opens a private door to your own F1 games room. Think: a full bar (more on that later), bean bag-style F1 tyres, a pit wall media setup with four screens showing race highlights, interviews, and live race-day content. But best of all, your very own top-tier McLaren F1 racing simulators. These aren't your average gaming chairs. They are full wraparound screens, force-feedback wheels, and the exact rigs Lando and Oscar used just 48 hours before my stay. I lost hours battling Max at Silverstone and crashing at Monaco. I even roped my fiancé in for a few laps, on condition of post-race champagne to settle any arguments. Now, about that bar I mentioned… This wasn't just a minibar, it rivalled actual hotel bars I've visited. Included in the price was a private happy hour called 'Garage Hour' where a mixologist came to the suite to shake up custom F1 cocktails in race-themed glassware, complete with bar snacks. And if you go a little too hard on the spritz? No worries — they've got you covered with a fresh smoothie delivered to your room the next morning. Now that's five-star recovery. Enjoy cocktails from £17 on the rooftop bar with stunning skyline views or head down to Rockwell Bistro for stylish dining, anytime from 6:30am to 11pm. Think Wagyu beef tartar and small plates like king prawns, sea bass, and Ibérico ham croquetas, all around £13. They also offer 3 dishes for £23 between 12pm and 4pm daily. Prefer to stay in? Room service has you covered. And if none of that suits, you're in central London, so countless great spots are just a short stroll away. Luckily, breakfast is included as it is on the pricier side. Walk-ins will pay £32 plus a 13% service charge, but you can pre-pay for £25 and save a bit. My honest take? The Suite is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you've got a spare £2,000 lying around, I'd 100% say go for it, it's unforgettable. More Trending The price tag is steep, and while it's not for everyone, the experience delivers. It's clearly designed for a high-end crowd, and it lives up to that standard. Would I stay again? Hell yes. Check in/check out: You can check in from 3pm, and check out before 12pm. Disability access? Yes. The hotel has lifts and wheelchair access. Standout feature: The location, the McLaren F1 simulators and the private bar. Perfect for: Couples and F1 fans. Not right for: Anyone on a budget. MORE: Open-top tourist bus smashes into tree in central London MORE: Thousands without water across south east London after burst pipe floods roads MORE: Drake's friend stabbed in mob attack hours after seeing star's Wireless performance
Metro
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
The tragic story behind Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova's father
Amanda Anisimova could win her first tennis Grand Slam when she takes on Iga Swiatek in the women's singles final at Wimbledon today. This is the 23-year-old first Grand Slam final following an impressive showing at SW19, which included beating world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals. It's a remarkable and emotional turnaround for Anisimova who failed to qualify for the main draw last year and who previously took seven months out from the sport to focus on her mental health. From the age of 15, the American has been touted for major success with her parents a large driving force behind her rise to the top of tennis. Should she be crowned champion today, her victory will no doubt be dedicated to them. Amanda Anisimova was born in New Jersey to Olga Anisimova and Konstantin Anisimov. Her parents both worked in the finance sector and emigrated from Russia to the USA in 1998, a few years before Amanda was born, in order to give her older sister Maria better opportunities in life. Amanda was inspired to take up tennis after watching Maria play it at college level, with Konstantin acting as her coach at the very start of her career despite never having previously played the game. Konstantin later sought out Nick Saviano, who had coached legendary men's doubles players Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, to train his younger daughter. Keen to realise her potential, Amanda was home-schooled with Olga setting up a tennis camp so her daughter could still have a fun childhood. 'It's why my mom created a tennis camp, so Amanda could hang out with kids her own age, so she didn't miss out on anything,' Maria said in 2020. 'Many of her friends today are friends from that camp.' As Amanda's career took off, her dad remained part of her coaching set-up but was always grounded when it came to setting expectations for his daughter. 'Definitely pressure is big and especially pressure is growing when she is doing unexpectedly good,' Konstantin told The New York Times in 2017. 'Because then it's very difficult to stay on course and be realistic and don't be delusional. 'I saw a lot of parents who got immediately delusional and those stories end up in a very bad way. You can't overtrain. You can't over-push.' Tragically, Konstantin Anisimov died from a heart attack at the age of 52 in August 2019, just a week before Amanda's 18th birthday. More Trending It was also just days before the US Open and Amanda immediately withdrew from the competition. 'It was the worst thing that ever happened to me, it was very tough,' the then-teenager said in 2020. 'But you can't change it, and you have to get back to life.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner? Roger Federer predicts Wimbledon champion MORE: How an unknown British player is helping Carlos Alcaraz's Wimbledon title bid MORE: Wimbledon prize money: How much will Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova get?
Metro
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
'I cried' - Boris Becker reaches out to Wimbledon player after 'very sad' moment
Boris Becker has revealed he 'cried' watching Alexander Zverev's emotional press conference at Wimbledon and reached out to the world number three to 'check everything was okay'. Zverev gave an emotional press conference following his gruelling five-set first-round defeat to Arthur Rinderknech at the All England Club. The 28-year-old, who has reached three Grand Slam finals, said he felt 'very alone' and 'empty' on and off the tennis court. 'I feel very alone out there at times,' Zverev said. 'I struggle mentally. I've been saying that since after the Australian Open. 'I'm trying to find ways, trying to find ways to kind of get out of this hole. I keep kind of finding myself back in it. 'I don't know. I feel, generally speaking, quite alone in life at the moment, which is a feeling that is not very nice.' Pressed on his struggles, Zverev added: 'I've never felt this empty before. 'Just lacking joy, just lacking joy in everything that I do. It's not necessarily about tennis. Just lacking joy outside of tennis as well.' Six-time Grand Slam champion Becker watched the press conference live and says he was reduced to tears by Zverev's comments. Becker was even compelled to reach out to his compatriot 'straight away' and offer his support. 'I watched the press conference live and I cried,' he said the Becker Petkovic podcast. 'A person opened up and said, 'I have problems, I have mental problems, help me. I don't have anyone around me except my daughter, who is four years old, with whom I like to spend time, where I laugh and smile'. 'This was a person who revealed himself and that's why, for the first time, I'm a little worried about his mental health. He can play tennis, he'll win tournaments, he'll lose a few, but how is he doing personally? 'And that's a very important point for the rest of your life, because at some point your career will be over and it will be great. More Trending 'But how are you then? How are you as a person? What is your environment? Where is your anchor that catches you? Where is your bed? Right, the one where you can lie down, where you can take care of it emotionally… 'I have never seen him so honest, he basically revealed himself, let his emotions simmer and I found it incredibly sad. 'Of course I contacted him straight away and checked everything was okay, he gave me the thumbs up and so on.' While Zverev has reached three Grand Slam finals – losing them all – he has never got past the fourth round at Wimbledon. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Scott McTominay reveals connection to 'one of the best Wimbledon clips of all time' MORE: Carlos Alcaraz is on the brink of Wimbledon greatness and nothing can stop him MORE: Tennis player ends 21-year career and retires at Wimbledon after John McEnroe advice
