Federer and Nadal’s Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry is legendary. The pair played 40 tour-level matches, with some of the clashes among the best in the sport’s history.
Nadal made his comeback in Brisbane in what he called “a very positive week”. But the 37-year-old was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open due to a micro tear in a muscle.
Simona Halep will play an exhibition match in Cluj-Napoca as part of the Sports Festival, an event that will take place on June 15, according to the event organizers.
The former women’s world no. 1 will join two world tennis legends, Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi, who will participate in the Sports Festival. Halep and Andrei Pavel will play alongside the two great former tennis players in a match, according to Euronews.
Tickets for the exhibition match have been put on sale and range from RON 170 (EUR 34) to RON 245 (EUR 49), while a VIP ticket is RON 1,500 (EUR 302).
Simona Halep played her last official match in August 2022, when she was eliminated in the first round at the US Open by Daria Snigur. A few weeks after the match, the athlete failed an anti-doping test and was provisionally suspended. She is now under a four-year suspension from any official tennis event.
Halep has appealed the ban to the Court of Sports Arbitration. The hearing, the tennis star’s last chance to overturn the ban, will be held at the beginning of February.
Ever since Tiger Woods made his triumphant return from his sabbatical, he has consistently found himself in the media spotlight, with each instance capturing public attention for various reasons. The most recent being about his probable fallout with Nike. But amidst the Nike-Woods chaos, Charlie Woods’s alleged Greyson deal has stolen the limelight. The spotlight on Woods Jr., stealing the show at a mere 14 years old, paints a bigger picture.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Charlie, at just 14 years old, has probably signed a deal with Greyson Clothiers. He was welcomed into the Greyson Clothiers family by famous NFL player Larry Fitzgerald, who posted the news of Woods Jr. joining the pack on his Instagram account.
Adding fuel to this already heated situation is the intriguing detail from last week’s PNC Championship: while the five-time Masters winner adorned himself in Nike attire, Charlie sported garments from Greyson Clothiers. The timing of this apparel contrast is noteworthy, given that Tiger’s longstanding deal with Nike was set to conclude over the weekend following the father-son joint participation in the PNC Championship.
However, the most significant twist unfolded within hours after midnight, as Tiger’s Nike contract officially expired, marking a pivotal moment for Charlie, who promptly inked his first major sponsorship deal with Greyson. Notably, with his deal with the clothing brand, Charlie has outshined his father by almost 7 years! The 82x PGAT winner signed with Nike when he was 21, unlike Charlie, who bagged his first endorsement at just 14 years old.
Along with a passion for golf, Charlie Woods has also inherited a unique sense of style from his father. The 15-time major champion is one of those rare golfers who is not only excellent on the field but also has a huge following for his style.
Watch this story – Was the World to Me’: Tiger Woods Left Emotional After Charlie Woods Embarks On a New Journey
Woods Sr. has surely had a good run with Nike. In his three-decade-long partnership with Nike, he has served some serious fashion goals with the brand’s apparel, especially Sunday’s red
A look at Woods’ first brand endorsement
When Tiger Woods made his professional debut in 1996, he was already a towering figure in the golfing realm. Seizing the opportunity, Nike, which was a well-established name at the time, promptly secured Woods as its ambassador. Consequently, at the youthful age of 21, Woods signed his first endorsement with a giant brand. He received $40 million for a five-year deal. Then, he bagged $100 million to renew this deal after 5 years.
This symbiotic partnership flourished, proving mutually advantageous as both Woods and Nike reaped substantial rewards from their collaborative journey. Overall, throughout the past 27 years, the golfer has made upward of $500 million from his signings and renewals with Nike.
The financial details of the alleged deal between Charlie and Greyson remain undisclosed to the public at this time. After his father Wood Sr, it is now the son’s turn to enjoy some good brand deals from an early age. What do you think about Charlie Woods’s new endorsement? Tell us in the comments.
Paige Spiranac is not just a social media sensation; she is so much more! Along with being a sensational businesswoman, she is also a master of surprises. The 30-year-old has been keeping her fans on their toes all through 2023 with her witty, bold, and sometimes shocking posts. She just knows how to connect with people, and some of her 2023 moments have been a testament to it.
From her 31-day Halloween challenge to making a mock documentary about herself, she has made 2023 the best year for herself and her fans. As the curtains are about to fall this year, here is a list of the top five iconic moments from Spiranac’s 2023.
5. The Hoodie
The golf mommy is known for her unconventional and bold fashion choices on and off the golf course. She has faced a lot of criticism and backlash for the same, but she never really changed her style. However, just a few days before, she shocked her fans with her choice of clothes. She posted a video on Twitter of her practicing, and she was wearing a hoodie in it. Yes, a hoodie! Wearing a hoodie isn’t a big deal, but to the influencer’s fans, it sure came as a nice surprise.
4. Thе ‘Lеxi’ Twееt
The golf influencer is not shy about expressing her opinions on important matters. However, it is a rare sight for people to witness her commenting on the LPGA Tour and the female golfers. In October, she surprised everyone by tweeting about Lexi Thompson. The beautiful diva praised the golfer for her performance at the 2023 Shriners Children’s Open and complimented her for playing the same tees as the male golfers. Spiranac’s tweet came as a surprise for fans but was well-received as they liked the gesture.
1. Lexi is absolutely crushing it 2. Yes she is playing the same tees as the men pic.twitter.com/hvShftZSGt
3. The Golf Analyst
Paige Spiranac is not just a pretty face; she is also a smart and knowledgeable golf instructor. When Paul Azinger’s contract with NBC Sports was not renewed, she did not shy away from stepping up and offering to step in! In November, she surprised her fans by suggesting that she could be a golf analyst for NBC Sports. When NUCL Golf posted a tweet about Paul Azinger and NBC Sports parting ways, Golf Queen quickly reposted the tweet and wrote, “Fine, I’ll step in.” And her followers couldn’t agree more!
2. Thе Holе in Onе
Although Spiranac doesn’t compete anymore, she was once a professional golfer. She left the competitive aspect of the game but found solace in the business and knowledge aspects of golf. Proving that she still has the knack for the on-course aspect, the 30-year-old shot a pleasant ace this year.
In December, she surprised her fans by making a hole-in-one shot on camera. She was just playing some shots on the course when she hit an ace. She posted the video on Twitter and subtly called out everyone who claimed that she couldn’t play. The video beautifully captured her happiness after she made the spectacular ace and also showed glimpses of her ball landing in the hole.
This video went viral and received 2.9 million views. Some fans congratulated her for her incredible feat and praised her skills, while others accused her of faking the video. Spiranac later confirmed that the video was real and not edited. She claimed that it was one of the best moments of her life and was proud of it.
1. Thе Sandy Mounds Avatar
The golf queen is no stranger to criticism and online trolls. But this year, she took the matter into her own hands and decided to troll her trolls. Although she has always handled the negativity with sheer grace and dignity, earlier this year, it was time for ‘Sandy Mounds’ to make her way!
In May, she posted a satirical video that she had directed and written on her own. In the video, she referred to the fact that people on the internet shame her and how she should be a better ‘str***er’ than a golf influencer. Her video was iconic and surprising to the fans, and it took the entire internet by storm.
Some fun facts about the stripper video! Watch here if you haven’t seen it yet-https://t.co/ReVqIddvfz
1. Spinal Tap is one of my favorite movies and the inspiration for this video 2. I wrote and directed it 3. We learned graphite poles and shafts are better so upgrade your… pic.twitter.com/V6rxITSXen
2023 was indeed a special year for the golf influencer and her fans alike! Her milestones and her skills raised the fans’ expectations of her! With 2024 approaching fast, it would be exciting to see what she has in store for her admirers! Stay tuned to find out all the latest updates about Paige Spiranac.
Bill Haney says Gervonta Davis is a “manufactured” fighter that has brought along during his career against “slow-footed Mexican fighters,” and he feels he lacks confidence in himself.
Bill states that the three-division world champion Tank Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) has been matched against slower fighters throughout his career and has never faced anyone like Devin Haney.
Manufactured Fighter Claim
Although Bill doesn’t say what he means by mentioning his son, it appears he’s talking Tank, never having fought a slick mover who uses the pull-back style and clinches a lot whenever his opponents get close.
It’s valid that Tank has never fought a hit-and-run fighter, but many fighters haven’t. Those types of guys are avoided because it requires a lot of chasing around the ring, and Mayweather Promotions & PBC weren’t going to put Tank in the position of dealing with that type of opponent.
Bitter Motivation?
It’s obvious to some that Bill is still bitter about Tank Davis not being open to moving up to 140 and challenging his son, Devin Haney, for his WBC light welterweight title without any weight stipulations and a 50-50 split.
If Bill is harboring a grudge against Tank for not giving up his A-side privileges, it’s understandable why he’s lashing out. Without Tank, Haney’s options are slim and risky. Fight Subriel Matias and get roasted or move up to 147 and fight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis” and get destroyed.
Bill states that the more he sees Gervonta, the more he’s convinced that he lacks confidence. That is to say, he thinks Tank is scared of fighting high-level competition, like Devin and other top guys.
Of course, one could flip it around and say the same thing for Haney, who left the 135-lb division without fighting Shakur Stevenson, who rehydrates to 165, which means he’s essentially fighting four divisions outside of his natural frame by melting down to compete at 140.
Lack of Confidence
“Who would have thought that would have been the toughest task for the former face of boxing [Gervonta Davis]. The more I watch him, the less confidence I see in the kid,” said Bill Haney to Shawn Porter’s YouTube channel, talking about Gervonta Davis.
“The kid [Tank] is built up and manufactured against slow-footed Mexican fighters. He’s never fought anyone that resembles Devin,” Bill continued with his criticism of Tank Davis. “The last time we were in the ring together, he got cooked.”
Now, ask Shawn this question.if I beat his ass in the gym and he was over 147lbs..why tf would I be scared to fight a mf w just a nose..shit not adding up!
Lindsey Vonn, the former alpine skiing champion, has had a career worth looking up to for the little aspirants. With her 4 overall world championship titles and three more in the Winter Olympics, what presents the champion best isn’t just the impressive number by her name but the resilience that tags along. Throughout her 15-year career and beyond, Vonn underwent numerous injuries and over 10 surgeries, but the obstacles did not waver the love of sport for the icon.
It was back in 2019 that Lindsey Vonn retired from skiing due to injuries. ‘Upset and resentful’ stated Vonn over her decision. Nonetheless, after continuing on with an optimistic spirit across various roles, the champion has often been seen back on the skiing trails; reminiscing the long-held joy.
Lindsey Vonn shines on skiing trails
Despite retiring years ago, Lindsey Vonn has remained no stranger to skiing. Last year, the icon skied Kitzbühel at night, went over the turns of Aspen, and claimed her downhill position back numerous times over. Today, continuing with her interest and remaining resilient towards her last year’s surgery, Vonn has come back on the tracks. “Blue bird day with perfect groomers = ripping some fast turns!! Nothing better,” captioned her Instagram post, cherishing the clear skies and the even surface for some practice run.
Lindsey Vonn has suffered quite the injuries followed by grueling surgeries that put her out of skiing grounds often. The circumstances, Vonn reveals, had many people tell her that she wouldn’t be coming back. However, the update and more before, have been a testament to Lindsey Vonn’s shining force as she continues on despite consistent obstacles whilst paying heed to her health. Through difficulties and uncertainties, the champion has emerged stronger since last year.
The champion to aim for more
In the latter half of last year, Lindsey Vonn underwent yet another surgery concerning her knee. The skiing icon had crashed her body back in 2018, which left her with a torn ACL and MCL, and suffered joint damage. The incident invited upon multiple treatments and careful treading. The latest one involved bone repair, keeping her off the courts for about four to five months. However, upon completion of the required time, Vonn was back on adventure, well and better, as was evident from her social media.
What a year… from skiing Kitzbühel at night to traveling the world and back to laying on the couch after another surgery… it’s been real 2023… but let’s kick some ass 2024!!!!” Lindsey Vonn wrote welcoming the New Year. And with a well heeded mindset, the champion seems to be following along well.
Defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic said a confrontation with a spectator was the spark he “needed” to hold off Alexei Popyrin and avoid a shock second-round exit.
Djokovic, chasing a record-extending 11th men’s title in Melbourne, looked far from his best in the four-set win.
The Serb told one spectator to “come down and tell it to my face” during the fourth set after repeated heckling.
“Maybe that was needed for me to be shaken up a bit,” said Djokovic, 36.
The world number one said he did not “want to be in those types of situations” but added the incident helped him to “start to find the kind of intensity on the court” that was required for him to see out a 6-3 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 victory.
The inspired Popyrin, ranked 43rd, entertained the partisan home crowd as he won the second set to level the match before losing a pivotal third set in a tie-break after failing to capitalise on four set points.
With the fourth set level at 2-2, Djokovic – who admitted he felt “flat emotionally” – said he engaged with the fan because his patience had run out after “a lot of things” were shouted at him during the match.
“There was a lot of things that were being told to me on the court, particularly from that corner, and the same side in the other corner.
“I was tolerating it for most of the match. At one point I had enough, and I asked him whether he wanted to come down and tell it to my face.
“He didn’t have the courage to come down. That’s what I was asking him. If you have courage, if you’re such a tough guy, come down and tell it to my face, and let’s have a discussion about it.
“He was apologizing from far away. That’s all it is.”
Djokovic finds a way
Djokovic came through the longest first-round Grand Slam match of his career against teenage qualifier Dino Prizmic on Sunday, playing for four hours and one minute.
The early stages of his second match of the tournament suggested it would be a much quicker encounter for the Serb, who took 38 minutes to claim the opener after sealing the decisive break with a stunning cross-court winner to go 5-3 up before consolidating.
However, Popyrin – the world number 43 – proved to be a bigger threat than rankings suggested.
Having gone a break up in the fourth game, Popyrin missed the chance to serve out the second set, but he redeemed himself in front of his home fans with a sensational lob to break at 5-4 and level the match.
Djokovic survived four set points before racing through the tie-break to close out a dramatic third set and put himself in the driving seat.
And, after confrontating the heckler in the stands, the 24-time major winner thrived on the crowd’s hostility to break for a 4-2 lead. Missing out on four match points, he claimed victory with the fifth as the clock struck midnight at Melbourne Park.
“I don’t think I played at the highest level,” Djokovic said. “I didn’t do anything special – he was a better player for a set and a half. Things changed around and the momentum shifted in the tie-break.”
Djokovic will face Tomas Martin Etcheverry next after the Argentine 30th seed, who conquered Andy Murray in straight sets on Monday, won 6-4 6-4 6-4 against Gael Monfils.
Sinner working on ‘Baywatch’ physique
Sinner has never gone further than the quarter-finals at the Australian Open
Italian fourth seed Jannik Sinner stormed into the third round with a dominant win against Jesper de Jong.
The 22-year-old needed just 103 minutes to thrash the Dutch qualifier 6-2 6-2 6-2 under a closed roof on Margaret Court Arena on a rainy day.
Sinner, who will face Daniel Elahi Galan or Sebastian Baez in the next round, said he has been working in the gym on his off-days in Melbourne.
He joked he wanted a muscular physique like the actors in TV show Baywatch.
“Tomorrow I have a day off, trying to practise myself into the match rhythm. I [will do] also a little bit in the gym. Even if you can’t see it, I’m skinny, but it’s OK,” Sinner said.
“I’m happy with my physicality at the moment. Of course it’s a dream to have the ‘Baywatch’ physicality but it’s OK.”
Adrenaline rush carries Tsitsipas through tough test
Stefanos Tsitsipas said the adrenaline rush he felt was “insane” as he battled past Jordan Thompson in Wednesday’s night session on Margaret Court Arena.
The Greek seventh seed required three hours and 36 minutes to overcome the Australian home hope 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 7-6 (7-4).
“You live for these kinds of matches, the intensity was there today. We were both able to peak in terms of our tennis at some point during the match,” Tsitsipas added.
“The fact that I can go to sleep tonight and know I gave it all makes me extremely happy right now.”
He will face Luca van Assche in the third round after Italian 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of the French teenager, who fought back from 2-1 down to win 6-3 3-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-0.
American 17th seed Frances Tiafoe was another shock exit as he fell to a 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-5) loss against Czech world number 75 Tomas Machac.
Tiafoe’s American compatriots, 12th seed Taylor Fritz and 16th seed Ben Shelton claimed wins against French lucky loser Hugo Gaston and Australia’s Christopher O’Connell, respectively.
Elsewhere, Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev needed just 99 minutes to beat American Chris Eubanks 6-4 6-4 6-4, while Australian 10th seed Alex de Minaur swept aside Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi 6-3 6-0 6-3.
In August 2023, Claressa Shields revealed that she signed a multiyear deal with the PFL and would return to MMA in 2024. In this context, while she is set to step into the PFL SmartCage this year, ‘T-Rex’ hopes to win a championship in the MMA and display her improved skills. The CEO of PFL announced they were privileged to welcome “the most dominant” Shields.
On February 24th, in an event titled ‘Seize the Throne’, PFL champions will square off against Bellator champions in the cage. In one of the undercards of the event, Shields has been confirmed to feature. She will compete against a fighter out of Miami, Florida. Here is all you need to know about Shields’ upcoming fight.
The Professional record of Claressa Shields’ upcoming opponent
As Claressa Shields returns to MMA in the Lightweight division, she will face Kelsey DeSantis. While Shields is 1-1 in MMA, DeSantis is 1-2-0. DeSantis made her professional debut in March 2013 against Al-Lanna Jones; losing the fight via split decision, DeSantis stayed away from the cage for a decade. Then in September 2023, she returned against Amanda Bell to lose the contest via unanimous decision.
Following the loss to Bell, in October, DeSantis faced 28-year-old Kathleen Nelson who was only making her professional debut. Likewise, with someone as inexperienced as Nelson, DeSantis won the match via KO in the first round. On the other hand, Claressa Shields has had only two fights in the cage. In June 2021, Shields won in a 3rd-round KO against Brittney Elkin who arrived with a 3-fight losing streak. However, in the same year, when Shields faced younger fighter Abigail Montes, ‘T-Rex’ lost via decision.
Anyway, given the records of the fighters, on paper DeSantis, 35, doesn’t seem to be a very tough opponent for Shields. Meanwhile, being 7 years younger than DeSantis, Shields, 28, will certainly have an advantage on February 24th.
“Excited” Claressa Shields hopes to hold championships in boxing and MMA
Claressa Shields hopes that on returning to PFL SmartCage this year, she will win a title in MMA. As per ‘T-Rex’, her goal is to become the first athlete to “hold championships in boxing and MMA simultaneously.” In her opinion, she has grown a lot since her initial fights in the PFL. As a result, the 28-year-old finds herself excited to display the skills she has acquired over the years. “I am excited to return to a fighter-first organization and I can’t wait to return to the PFL SmartCage,” said Shields in August 2023.
Hopefully, Shields, the no. 1 on ESPN’s pound-for-pound list, will be able to offer her fans the show they desire this February. Anyway, what do you think of Shields’ upcoming opponent DeSantis? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Toto Wolff says he agrees with Formula 1 rival Max Verstappen that the sport is pushing the limits in terms of the sport’s ‘show’ factors.
Verstappen, who is dominating the sport with Red Bull, has voiced his opposition to show-business elements like sprint races and Las Vegas-style off-track events.
“The way I see it, Max is a purist and thinks about Formula 1 in much the same way as I do,” Wolff, who heads and co-owns key Red Bull rival Mercedes, told Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We think Friday and Saturday are about preparation and qualifying, and then on Sunday you have the main course, where you look forward to the start.”
However, Wolff says he is also realistic about the things F1 commercial rights holder Liberty Media has been doing to ramp up the sport’s ‘show’ appeal.
“You have to be open to changes,” Wolff said.
“We all love traditions, even Stefano Domenicali does. But we also need to reach new audiences and make the sport more modern for young people.”
Much more important to Wolff, who has signed on to remain Mercedes’ team principal at least until 2026, is that the Brackley based team returns to the very front in F1.
“We really have to climb Mount Everest,” said the Austrian, “because Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren are very strong. And 2026 is already around the corner.
“The most encouraging part is being part of that transition and using that to try and win again,” Wolff added, referring to the sweeping car and engine changes looming for 2026.
“Putting all of our energy on 2026 is dangerous, though,” he admits. “In the past some teams have done this to catch up and failed.
“You should always take on as many challenges as possible, because you learn from them. Red Bull is at the forefront in terms of package, including the driver, but it will be fun to try to beat them as early as 2024 or the season after that,” said Wolff.
Mercedes’ ace card, he added, is the full return of James Allison to the technical director role – having let Mike Elliot go last year.
“James is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met,” Wolff said. “It helped him to take a step back for a year, distance himself and return after Mike’s period.
“I couldn’t have hoped for anyone else to technically guide this team.”
Owens was not safe from jokes, even from his fellow NFL players
Jonathan Owens, husband of American Olympian Simone Biles, knows a thing or two about being the butt of a joke on a podcast.
But he probably didn’t expect for the latest people to crack a joke about his controversial statements about his relationship with Biles to be a duo of fellow NFL players: Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce.
On the latest episode of their chart-topping New Heights Podcast, the entertaining brothers proved that not even fellow NFL players are safe from their jokes.
Kelce brothers joke about Jonathan Owens
As they looked over the nominees for the People’s Choice Award Athlete of the Year award, which Travis Kelce was nominated for, Jason saw Biles in the same category and couldn’t pass up a chance to rip on Owens.
“How is Simone Biles on this but her boyfriend isn’t?” the older Kelce brother said in typical deadpan fashion.
He has proved repeatedly on the podcast that he is clued into trending social media topics, such as the Owens and Biles discourse. He is well known for dropping Easter eggs to Swifties on the show about Travis’ relationship with Taylor Swift.
The joke referenced Owens’ claim on The Pivot podcast that he was the “catch” in their relationship and that he did not who Biles was when they first met, despite her massive popularity and athletic achievement, especially compared to his.
Biles and Kelce nominated for debated People’s Choice Award
Biles inclusion in the Athlete of the Year nomination alongside mega stars like Kelce, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Coco Gauff and Lionel Messi underlines why many questioned Owens for not being aware of his future wife’s career.
Voted for Simone Biles at PCAs as Athlete of the year. Any idea who Sabrina Ionescu is? First time I heard of her. pic.twitter.com/VxYn6vuzBo
The People’s Choice Awards faced huge backlash on social media last week for its selection of finalists for Athlete of the Year. While many of the names were obvious, Sabrina Ionescu’s inclusion raised eyebrows, as fans felt there were better women’s basketball players who could be included, such as her MVP-winning teammate Breanna Stewart or WNBA Finals MVP A’ja Wilson.
