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Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Her gran says he's not good enough for her, but here are the clues that British tennis star Emma Raducanu and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz are a perfect pairing
As fairy-tale romances go, it certainly has all the components. During one heady summer in New York, two teenage tennis stars – both supremely talented and beautiful – burst on to the world stage on the hard courts of the US Open. Four years on, what better plot development could there be than a real-life romantic pairing between the ever-smiling Spanish charm of Carlos Alcaraz and the dazzling glamour of Emma Raducanu? Certainly, the world of tennis has been abuzz with rumours about a Hollywood-style love story, ever since it was announced last week that World No 2 Alcaraz – on a high after beating the World No 1 Jannik Sinner in an epic French Open final earlier this month – would be playing mixed doubles with Raducanu, who recently regained her spot as British No 1. She was seen cheering the strapping star on before his win at Queen's Club last weekend and there was even speculation that he had been spotted at the same hotel as her. So the question on every tennis fan's lips is: does the spark between the duo, both 22 (just look at them laughing on camera together as their sporting partnership is unveiled) signal the start of a genuine romance, or more of a convenient 'showmance'? Because even the merest hint that the hottest tennis love affair since Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi might be brewing must be the marketing equivalent of serving an ace at match point. Coincidentally – or not – the pair share both agents (sports marketing giant IMG) and sponsors (Nike and Evian). Emma's company, Harbour 6 Ltd, recorded a profit of £9.6 million in 2023 and she is said to make around £100,000 a year from each of the brands she works with; Carlos, meanwhile, is reported to have made $32 million in off-court endorsements last year. Then there are the organisers of the revamped US Open mixed doubles event, at which the pair will play together. What better publicity could there be than a frisson between the star athletes? Indeed, the US Open is familiar turf to IMG, in its role representing and advising the US Tennis Association (USTA) on international and domestic media rights. As one tennis insider told the Mail this week: 'As lovely as it would be, it all seems very well-orchestrated to me. 'Alcaraz has just won the French Open and is the talk of the town; he's the Wimbledon defending champion. And then there is Raducanu, who might not be winning tournaments but is certainly being talked about all the time. 'It's like a match made in heaven, at least from a marketing and sponsorship perspective.' However, the Mail has learned from others that far from being a partnership engineered by publicity savvy agents, this is more personal. According to a longstanding friend of Alcaraz: 'He was so nervous to ask her to play mixed doubles. Honestly, it was like he was asking her out on a date. He went bright red, like a schoolboy with a crush. 'I've always said Emma would be perfect for him and he blushes every time I mention it. Can you imagine what their children would look like? A super-race of gorgeous, talented athletes. 'I really hope they get together – it'd be wonderful for tennis, and great for Carlos. He's a decent chap. She could do a lot worse.' As to whether anything had actually happened between them, he says: 'If nothing has developed between them it's probably because of shyness, and perhaps they are worried about how it would affect their game. 'Watch this space though – perhaps when things calm down after Wimbledon?' Alcaraz, whose net worth is estimated somewhere north of £35 million, is by all accounts a family-loving young man, who thinks his mum's cooking is the best in the world and about whom no one seems to have a bad to say. He would, therefore, be viewed by many as a great catch. But one person who is unimpressed by him is Emma's granny, who feels he is not good enough for her granddaughter. Niculina Raducanu, 92, told the Mail on Friday she wasn't aware that the British star was seeing anyone. 'She is allowed to have boyfriends, she is 22. But she never talked to me about her love life,' she said. When presented with rumours that she was seeing Alcaraz, and shown a photo of the star, she said through an interpreter: 'I know him from TV, he's that tennis player. 'I'm surprised. I know her to be more particular. A bit picky when it comes to boys. To be honest, I'm not sure he is for her or that there is truth in this.' Using a Romanian phrase, which roughly translates to one who wears their heart on the sleeve, she added: 'I wish for her someone you can read their soul on their face.' So, with the tournament at the All-England Club starting on Monday, what exactly do we know of the friendship between two players with matching megawatt smiles and who grew up playing the junior tennis circuit at the same time? As Raducanu herself says, the pair 'go back a long way'. An old friend of the Bromley-raised star told the Mail that even on the junior circuit the two were close. 'Back in juniors they were always chatting, always gravitating toward each other. I thought they'd end up a couple. It started as a cheeky friendship, then a real bond . . . I think it's magical.' Whether the magic translates into romance or prizes (there's $1million up for grabs at the mixed doubles event) remains to be seen, but it was the US Open, in 2021, where their paths really began to merge. Raducanu made history when she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title, keeping an expectant home nation glued to their television screens in only her fourth-ever professional tournament. Fresh from completing her A-levels, and ranked at No 150 in the world, she delivered the fairy-tale finish nobody had dreamed of. Alcaraz also sprang to prominence, knocking out world No 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas in a five-set tiebreak to reach the fourth round in the biggest win of his career at that time. He went on to reach the quarter-finals, returning to take the title the following year. It is, therefore, fitting that it will be at Flushing Meadow again where they are set to debut as a pair. Since the announcement was made both players have been giddily talking about it. First we had Alcaraz declaring that he couldn't think of anyone better to play with than Raducanu. 'I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me. Yeah, I made that special request.' 'She's gonna be the boss,' he said, adding: 'I've known Emma since a really long time ago, so we know each other. I have really good relationship with her. So it's just gonna be interesting. 'We will try to win. But obviously it's going to be really, really fun.' And asked about the partnership by the BBC this week, Raducanu positively gushed in uncharacteristic fashion. 'He asked me earlier on in the year,' she said. 'I was very surprised, honoured and obviously excited. I just went through the formality of asking my coach, but of course, I was gonna say yes.' Cue coy giggles. There were more giggles when she was quizzed about internet rumours that the duo are 'destined for each other'. She replied, laughing: 'I'm glad the internet is having fun and we're providing some entertainment for everyone.' The pair are both prolific Instagrammers and often 'like' each other's social media posts, but it would seem there is a thread of something deeper, too. Raducanu has spoken of how she got to know the Spaniard at Wimbledon in 2021 and how they have remained friends even though his star has risen, while her career has been blighted by injury, poor performance and the challenge of finding a coach she can gel with. 'He's obviously overtaken me a lot, but it's nice that we have that from a while ago,' she says. 'I think for all of us, we really kind of value those connections that we had from when we were young. Because when you become a bit more known or a bit more successful, you just find yourself reverting back to people you knew from a young age because you're like, that's a real genuine connection, because it becomes very busy and you have a lot more friends, but the ones that you've known for a long time mean a lot more to you.' It would seem the rapport has been noted by those close to Raducanu, too. An agency insider says: 'They are close, and we've been ribbing them about the rumours, of course. 'They're both quite shy – not big daters – but they're comfortable with one another, which is lovely to see. They're almost like brother and sister . . . yet there's definitely a spark. You can feel it.' As for their respective relationship histories, Alcaraz is reported to have broken up with his girlfriend, amateur tennis player Maria Gonzalez Gimenez, in 2022. Raducanu, meanwhile, previously dated Carlo Agostinelli, the Harrow-educated son of billionaire financier Robert Agostinelli, but the two split last summer after a year together. There have been rumours of a frisson with fellow British player Jack Draper – who seems to have been overlooked as a mixed doubles partner (he's playing the same tournament with Olympic champion Qinwen Zhen). A stalwart presence in her player's box through the years has been her childhood friend and fellow child tennis star Benjamin Heynold, a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina, in the US. She's also had to cope with the upsetting ordeal of a stalker who has followed her to several tournaments this year and was recently blocked from buying Wimbledon tickets by organisers. During an interview last year, Alcaraz admitted he was single but added: 'I am looking for someone. It can be difficult as a tennis player to meet the right person because you are travelling all the time.' If anyone could empathise with that it must be Raducanu; her family – Romanian father and Chinese mother – kept a strict rein on her social life growing up. 'My parents were very much against that [boyfriends] as it interfered with training,' she said in an interview last year. 'When I was younger I wasn't even allowed to hang out with my girlfriends. A lot of the time I was very resentful. But it made me very confident and comfortable in my own company, which is also a big strength.' But she was wistful in an interview earlier this year, when she said: 'I think this year I've gone on loads of solo walks, solo coffee dates and just have a lot of time to kind of look inside . . . I've been enjoying it so far, even though it's not necessarily the easiest thing to do, especially when the tour is quite a lonely place.' Could Alcaraz be the man to change that? Sports marketing expert Tim Lopez, CEO of TLNT Global, says if the romance was genuine, it would catapult both players into the stratosphere. 'From a brand positioning profile and marketing perspective, it would be an absolute dream. They would be a good example of where one plus one makes three.' They would be hugely 'complementary', he adds. 'They would join ranks of other famous power couples such as Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi, or, outside of tennis, the likes of Becks and Posh.' And if it's all just rumour? 'Leaving aside the impact it may have on them personally,' he says. 'It will have done nothing but promote both their names in the public consciousness and add to their already high profiles. If it's strategic . . . bravo!' As a season of tennis unfolds, wouldn't it be the ultimate sporting fairy-tale if the marketing dream of 'Raducaraz' turned into a genuine love match.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Inside DAZN's £736m Club World Cup operation: Secret ingredient to their 24/7 work, why they're raising the next generation of pundits including a Premier League star - and how AI helps reach fans worldwide
DAZN's broadcast nerve centre is buzzing with activity, but the hive depends on one key ingredient to sustain its energy. 'The whole production is powered by chocolate,' says Mail Sport's tour guide as a flustered runner rushes past with a trolley full of goodies. No Twix bars for us, sadly. We're here at DAZN's Global English production hub, hosted at IMG's studios in a west London outpost, to learn more about their 24/7 operation for the Club World Cup, one involving hundreds of hands on deck and millions of eyeballs globally. In some ways, it's a glimpse at the future of sports coverage. DAZN are seemingly here to stay, spreading their tendrils across boxing, golf, football, and other sports since starting broadcasting in 2015 and now being watched in more than 200 nations. Big money is swilling around, too. In December, DAZN paid $1billion (£736million) for the rights to stream the FIFA Club World Cup, in the same month that Saudi company SURJ Sports Investment bought a stake in them for the same figure, and the same month that Saudi Arabia was named the 2034 World Cup host. In that time, and with that funding, DAZN have assembled a huge operation. Their team, quickly put together for the tournament, comprises experience across World Cups, Champions Leagues, and other major sporting events. It's a well-oiled machine. 'If I explain to anyone in this industry what we've achieved in this timeframe, they think I'm mad,' says Simon Corney, DAZN's senior executive producer for the tournament. 'I've never worked on anything like this.' DAZN and IMG believe this revamped Club World Cup is one worth watching - and a treasure chest of engagement opportunities. There's a reporter, camera operator, and producer stationed with all 32 teams and their content production goes far beyond simply live broadcasting. They've produced a series called The 32, covering quirky features relating to all the clubs involved, including on Monterrey's celebrity mascot Monty, Seattle Sounders' 'rabid' in-house band, and Manchester City and New York City's initiative building pitches across NYC. Another highlights show, The Press, feels like Match of the Day. Recapping all the day's games with an expert panel, the structure and graphics give a similar feel to the BBC favourite, but there are ways in which it is unique. The show is refreshing in its use of a tactics board to boost the analysis, while the pundits will often respond to questions submitted by viewers on social media. Boosting audience interactivity feels like a major value for DAZN in their project. The app features a 'fanzone' feature where supporters from across the world can interact over text while watching a game - not that the submissions to the chat are always the most edifying. Their broadcasts are going out in 15 languages, with breaks across the world timed simultaneously to the second and counted in by one worker with a particularly high-pressure role. While available pretty much worldwide, DAZN considers its core markets to be in the UK, the US, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Canada, Belgium, Portugal, and Taiwan, and offers particularly tailored content to these nations. On matchday, around 35 cameras are present at each stadium. Out in the United States, eight commentary pairs are staying together - alongside a pitchside reporter - in the belief that living in close quarters build better on-screen rapport. For now, the analysis and punditry - involving figures such as Ronaldo Nazario, John Obi Mikel, and Shay Given - is being done at IMG's Stockley Park base. However, from the quarter-finals onwards, all punditry will be done on-site in the United States to increase the production value and better capture the flavour of the atmospheres. DAZN are also keen to blood the next generation of pundits. Newcastle striker Callum Wilson, new to the punditry game, has been been brought on board and meets Mail Sport on Wednesday before Manchester City's 2-0 win over Wydad AC. His prospective bosses were impressed with how he had come across in interviews and on social media. 'The first thing you watch, you see he's got something,' says Corney. 'He's not afraid to speak his mind. He's calm, collected, and has played at the highest level. 'There's nothing better than having a current Premier League footballer on your talent roster because they're just talking in the moment. You've got to be refreshing the talent pool - you don't want the same old heads. You need a blend.' And why did Wilson choose the Club World Cup to make his punditry bow? 'It's just the excitement of it, teams playing against each other for the first time in their history. There's obviously the financial rewards for the smaller clubs that are involved and a platform for players to showcase their talent. A lot of players want to play in Europe eventually so it's a great opportunity for them. 'As someone who is watching from afar, it's enjoyable. It was crazy to cover the Boca Juniors-Benfica game, then you see the 10-0 with Bayern Munich and Auckland City, getting their name out there. 'It reminds me of FIFA, you know when you play against random selection teams and all of a sudden it's random matches you're never going to have, but in a competitive environment.' On Mail Sport's tour, DAZN emphasise the need for innovation - they want this to be a broadcast experience unlike any other. The jury is still out on that front, and DAZN do not really answer when Mail Sport asks what innovations they are proud of, but broadcasters are often beholden to the authorities. One new feature this time is the referee cam, mounted on the ref's ear, which gives a unique angle for replays, but that required approval from the International Football Association Board. Half-time interviews bring fans even closer to the action, and are more common in the American sports market, though there's a debate to be had around whether sportspeople should have to give that time up when they're 'in the zone'. DAZN have done a good job and their level of care shows. We ask Corney if they've looked to implement AI into their works process, but he gives an impassioned defence of using people for the important tasks. Highlights packages, for example, are still cut with a human eye. 'I'm not prepared to have our name and reputation next to a set of rubbish highlights,' says Corney. 'If you get an AI software to cut highlights, you need to have a human check it hasn't ballsed up anyway. So you might as well have a human do no substitute.' They do lean on AI for some tasks, though. All interviews are translated using a software called Limecraft, which uses Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and Neural Machine Translation (NMT) to subtitle them in the languages needed for their global audience. Arguably the biggest task is overhauling the public perception of a tournament which, for European teams, has typically been a procession. Only 3,412 fans attended Mamelodi Sundowns vs Ulsan Hyundai - quite far from Gianni Infantino's vision of '63 Super Bowls in one month'. Even Chelsea only drew 22,137 against LAFF, leaving almost 50,000 seats empty. Ultimately, the level of appetite for the Club World Cup is a question only the audience can answer. DAZN and IMG have done all they can to appeal - there's even a package of Lionel Messi highlights for each game, right from his arrival to his exit, for the particularly obsessed viewers.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Dreamlife Manifestation Retreat unites 300 business owners, led by Dr Vibin Raj & Shalu P Ram
In a powerful display of local entrepreneurship and community spirit, over 300 Malayali business owners and coaches gathered at a premier five-star venue in Thiruvananthapuram for the Dreamlife Manifestation Retreat (DMR) — a full-day transformational event hosted by renowned mind and business success coaches and entrepreneurs Dr Vibin Raj and Shalu P Ram, co-founders of the Dreamlife Manifestation Hub. Held on May 25, 2025, the exclusive retreat — open only to members of their thriving community — blended high-impact business coaching with mindset breakthroughs. At the heart of the event was a bold mission: to create 1,000 one-crore champions from Kerala and uplift the state's economy from within. Together, Dr Vibin Raj and Shalu P Ram have pioneered a results-driven ecosystem where business growth meets inner alignment. Their signature approach combines digital strategy, subconscious reprogramming, and energy mastery — empowering entrepreneurs not just to earn more, but to become more. Dr Vibin Raj, a certified hypnotherapist (USA), motivational speaker, mind power trainer, NLP Master Practitioner (UK), English fluency coach, hypnotic digital marketer, webinar selling expert, women's empowerment coach, musician and hypnotic business coach, has worked with institutions like IMG and the Kerala Police Department. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo His journey — from being left with just ₹2,000 during the pandemic to building a ₹7 crore business without an ad agency or tech team — demonstrates the power of clarity, belief, and systems. Shalu P Ram, co-founder and key architect behind Dreamlife Manifestation Hub's programmes, plays an instrumental role in designing the curriculum, leading energy alignment and healing sessions, and mentoring members on mindset and personal transformation. Her intuitive and spiritual approach complements Dr Vibin's system-led strategy — making them a powerful duo transforming Kerala's business landscape. Nine of their community's champions took the stage sharing how they broke mental and financial barriers with the Hypnotic Business Triangle System. Their stories are proof that extraordinary success is possible for ordinary people — with the right mindset, mentorship, and methods. 'This is not just about making money,' said Dr Vibin Raj. 'This is about shifting Kerala's business culture — helping individuals believe they are worthy of greatness, and then showing them how to achieve it step by step.' The retreat ran from 8:00am to 11:00pm, featuring sessions on digital marketing, energy healing, subconscious mastery, and business systems — all delivered in Dr Vibin and Shalu's high-energy, spiritually aligned style. The seeds were first sown by B T Babu Raj, Dr Vibin Raj's father, in 2008 when he started JJ Institute. Dr Vibin and his wife Shalu are now taking forward his vision of nurturing a wave of proud Malayali entrepreneurs — rooted in self-worth, family values, and digital-age confidence. It is not just building businesses — it's building a movement.
Qatar Tribune
18-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QA partners with IMG to launch next-generation in-flight sports streaming experience
Qatar Airways has partnered with IMG, a leading global sports marketing agency, to launch a next-generation in-flight sports streaming experience exclusively available on the airline's Starlink-connected aircraft. Qatar Airways said that thanks to this partnership, passengers will for the first time be able to enjoy high-definition coverage of Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra – IMG's premium live sports channels for the airline and cruise industries, via a dedicated web player on their personal electronic devices, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action at 35,000 feet. It added that cementing its position as an industry-leading digital innovator, Qatar Airways is the first global airline to offer Sport 24 as an integrated live sports streaming experience, powered by Starlink's high-speed internet connection. With seamless access on board via mobile, tablet, and laptop, passengers can now watch the world's biggest sporting events live, from the UEFA Champions League to Formula 1, and more. (QNA) page 16
Qatar Tribune
18-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Airways partners with IMG to launch Sport 24 via Starlink
DOHA: Qatar Airways has partnered with IMG, a leading global sports marketing agency, to launch a next-generation in-flight sports streaming experience exclusively available on the airline's Starlink-connected aircraft. For the first time, passengers will be able to enjoy high-definition coverage of Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra – IMG's premium live sports channels for the airline and cruise industries, via a dedicated web player on their personal electronic devices, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action at 35,000 feet. Cementing its position as an industry-leading digital innovator, Qatar Airways is the first global airline to offer Sport 24 as an integrated live sports streaming experience, powered by Starlink's high-speed internet connection. With seamless access on board via mobile, tablet, and laptop, passengers can now watch the world's biggest sporting events live, from the UEFA Champions League to Formula 1, and more. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Eng Badr Mohammed Al Meer, said: 'Our partnership with IMG marks another leap forward in redefining the inflight experience. As the first global airline to introduce Starlink's high-speed connectivity combined with live sports streaming, we are proud to bring passengers closer to the sporting moments that matter most - wherever they are in the world. From football fans to tennis enthusiasts, this new offering ensures our guests never miss a second of the action at 35,000 feet.' IMG President, Adam Kelly, said: 'Live sport is one of the last remaining appointment-to-view events that people prefer to watch in real time. As consumer viewing habits continue to evolve, passengers want more ways to enjoy live sport onboard so they never have to miss a moment of the action. Qatar Airways is now making that a reality for fans traveling anywhere in the world with Sport 24. We're continuing to drive product developments to make Sport 24 available on any international aircraft with connectivity.' Qatar Airways is currently the only airline in the MENA region and one of the few globally to offer the fastest internet in the skies, with broadband speeds comparable to those at home, across both its Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 fleets. As of June 2025, the airline has completed over 12,000 Starlink-connected flights with the entire Boeing 777-300ER fleet fully equipped. Passengers on Starlink-connected flights can access the Sport 24 web player simply by scanning a QR code on board and enjoy seamless access to IMG's premium content offering – the only live sports channels available on commercial airlines today. The launch comes ahead of a packed global sporting calendar available on Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra this summer including; FIFA Club World Cup 2025, UEFA Women's EURO 2025, Wimbledon Championships, the British Open, cricket, Formula 1, and more. The channels, produced at IMG's London studios, were viewed by over 10 million passengers last year and are now more accessible than ever onboard Qatar Airways' state-of-the-art Starlink-connected fleet. The national carrier of the State of Qatar is the Official Airline Partner of UEFA, Formula 1, AFC, Paris-Saint Germain (PSG), FC Internazionale Milano, Tennis Legend – Novak Djokovic, The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), MotoGP, the IRONMAN Triathlon Series, French Rugby Team – Section Paloise, The British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia 2025, The Brooklyn Nets NBA Team, and multiple other disciplines including Australian football, equestrian, motor racing, padel, squash, and tennis.
