Even couples with the strongest relationships and marriages have their disagreements. Don’t believe us? Just ask Simone Biles. The decorated Olympian opened up about the one subject she and her football star husband Jonathan Owens can’t seem to agree on — and, honestly, it makes a lot of sense.
During her appearance on Peacock’s Back That Year Up hosted by Kevin Hart and Keenan Thompson, Biles opened up about the disagreement she and Owens simply can’t resolve. “Who do you think is the better athlete in the house?” Thompson asked Biles. Biles was incredibly tactful with her response.
“I think we’re good at our own sports,” she said at first. “We’ve tried to pin each other against [one another] on, like, difficulty, ability and all that stuff. So, at the end of the day, gymnastics is harder, if he agrees or not.” Since Biles didn’t offer the clearest answer (though we could definitely pick up that she feels she’s the better athlete) Thompson stepped in to offer his two cents.
“Here’s the truth,” Thompson said. “I know your name, you know what I’m saying? That’s all I’m going to say. I know your name.” Thompson said what he said, and he should say it! Biles, who married the Green Bay Packers player in April 2023 after nearly three years together, also shared this debate has been an ongoing part of their relationship.
“We fought over it a couple of times, and then we vowed once we got married, we wouldn’t talk about it again,” the seven-time Olympic medalist said. “But it keeps coming up every time, but he has done my workout in the gym and he could barely do it, and then I went to their NFL workout and I crushed it.” Well, we think that settles that.
Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg’s recent jibe at Serena Williams over her loss to Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open 2021 has angered fans on the internet.
Osaka downed Williams in straight sets in the Melbourne Major semifinal in 2021, recording her third win against the American. Osaka then defeated Jennifer Brady in the final to lift the fourth Grand Slam trophy of her career.
This was the duo’s fourth and last meeting, with Williams retiring from the sport in September 2022. Osaka ended up as the head-to-head leader with a score of 3-1, including her win at the US Open 2018 final.
Journalist and author Ben Rothenberg has claimed that the Happy Slam was the final nail in the coffin of Serena Williams’ probability of winning more Grand Slam titles.
“This sequence effectively ended Serena’s decades long run as a contender for Grand Slam titles there and then,” Rothenberg wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Rothenberg also posted a snippet of a similar assertion in a forthcoming biography of Naomi Osaka written by him. His words have invited strong opposition from fans on X, with one fan saying:
“Bullsh*t. Even so, Serena remains the topic over a year after her retirement.”
Bullsh*t. Even so, Serena remains the topic over a year after her retirement. https://t.co/9iR2lKeDqg
Such poor analysis. She went 4R at the French then was injured R1 at Wimby. It was the injury that effectively sidelined her. Not this. https://t.co/R5fRBFfISc
Naomi Osaka is “nervous” and wants to “win” on her tennis comeback
Naomi Osaka has been gearing up for her return to tennis after a 15-month-long absence. She is scheduled to take on Tamara Korpatsch at the Brisbane International 2024 on Monday, January 1.
The former World No. 1 admitted to feeling the nerves during her pre-tournament press conference Down Under.
“I feel definitely I’m nervous, I haven’t played a match in a long time, but I’m competitive so I’m thinking I’m nervous and I want to win. There’s a lot of things that are going on in my head,” Naomi Osaka said.
Osaka further said:
“I think the biggest thing is just walking onto the court and sort of absorbing all the energy and experiencing the atmosphere for me is something that I’m definitely going to treasure a lot,” she added.
Coco Gauff will begin her title defense at the 2024 ASB Classic in Auckland against Claire Liu.
The American youngster enjoyed a career-best season in 2023. She finally claimed her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open with a win over Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Coco Gauff will take take on Claire Liu in the first round of the 2024 ASB Classic
Gauff also won titles in Washington and Cincinnati, as well as here in Auckland. She also reached the semifinals of the WTA Finals and finished the season ranked third in singles and doubles.
Gauff’s partnership with Jessica Pegula continued to blossom as the two won titles in Doha and Miami. They also finished as the runner-ups in Madrid and Rome, and made it to the semifinals of the Australian Open and the French Open.
Gauff won the title in Auckland without dropping a set in 2023. She has been given a rather easy draw, with most of the big names, including Elina Svitolina, Caroline Wozniacki and Emma Raducanu, being on the opposite half of the draw.
Given Gauff’s form and the draw, she’s expected to make another deep run here. With that, here’s a look at the details regarding her upcoming match:
Who is Coco Gauff playing against?
Claire Liu at the 2023 French Open.
Fellow American Claire Liu will be Gauff’s very first opponent of the new season. The 23-year old California native endured a tough 2023 season and accumulated more losses than wins.
A third round finish at the Miami Open, followed by second round appearances at the Australian Open and the French Open were Liu’s best results at big events. Other than that, a semifinal at the Budapest Grand Prix was the furthest she went in a tournament.
Coco Gauff vs Claire Liu match schedule
The first round contest between Coco Gauff and Claire Liu will take place either on Monday or Tuesday. The exact date and time will be known once the order of play is revealed.
Date: January 1/2, 2024.
Time: TBA.
Coco Gauff vs Claire Liu streaming details
Viewers from the following countries can catch the action live on their respective channels and sites:
Tennis Channel: USA, Germany, Austria, Swizterland & Puerto Rico
Emma Raducanu has said her spell out of the sport recovering from injury has “definitely reignited the fire” to compete ahead of her comeback at the ASB Classic in Auckland. The Brit required surgery on her ankle and both of her wrists in May, which left her sidelined for the majority of the 2023 season. She is now set to return in Auckland before attempting to qualify for the Australian Open.
Emma Raducanu believes she is a “better tennis player” now despite being out of action since April as she prepares to make her highly anticipated comeback
The Brit was forced to withdraw from the Madrid Open before her first-round match due to injury and subsequently underwent surgery on her ankle and both of her wrists.
That left Raducanu facing a frustrating spell on the sidelines but having ramped up her training both on the court and off, the 21-year-old believes she is in all-round better shape to return to the tour at the start of the new year.
Physically and tennis-wise in training and in practice over the last few weeks I’m hitting the ball really well,” Raducanu told Sky Sports. “I think I’m a better tennis player than I was actually before the break.
“I think the people around, at the LTA for example everyone can see that I’m training and playing really well.
“Physically, I’m pushing weight, I’m pushing things that I wasn’t pushing before, so I think in my body I actually have confidence in it, which is really nice. And tennis-wise I feel good too.
“It’s just about now putting it into a match, which is obviously completely different to practice. That part I couldn’t really replicate, you could do with sets but it’s never really the same feel.
“I know that will come in time though, as long as the level is there and improving.”
Raducanu admitted there were “a few hiccups” in her recovery but that her time away has “definitely reignited the fire” to compete with the world’s best once again.
The Brit famously came through three qualifying matches en route to lifting the US Open title in 2021, becoming the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam in the Open era.
She faces a similar task if she is to lift the Australian Open, which gets underway on January 14 live on discovery+.
Raducanu isn’t in the main draw but is set to headline the qualifying event, which begins on January 8.
Before all that, though, she will make her first appearance in more than eight months at the star-studded ASB Classic in Auckland.
Reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff is in the field, as are Elina Svitolina and Caroline Wozniacki, but Raducanu insists she is “excited” to take on anyone as she plots her return to the top of the game.
“The field here in Auckland is extremely strong,” she added. “Match-wise it might take a while to just adjust to the feeling of the pre-match nerves or match fitness, tight points, big points, that sort of thing.
“It might take me a while but level-wise I feel really good. So I’m excited to play anyone. It doesn’t matter to me.
“I think the Tour was pretty interesting last year but from what I was told because I didn’t really follow it to be honest.
“Wimbledon was a bit too close for home for me. I had to go there for a few days for some commitments but other than that I stayed far away and the US Open as well.
“So I think I did take my time away but now I feel good, I feel refreshed.”
WWE Superstar Rhea Ripley usually takes to social media to express her dislike for Canada whenever she’s in the country, with her most recent tweet being the latest one. Mami declared that she is very happy to leave the country following last night’s Live Event in Toronto.
The current Women’s World Champion retained her title in a triple-threat match against Ivy Nile and Shayna Baszler at the show. Ripley won after saving Dominik Mysterio from getting choked out by The Queen of Spades. Meanwhile, her Judgment Day pals didn’t fare so well.
Finn Balor lost to Sami Zayn in a Last Man Standing Match, while Cody Rhodes defeated Damian Priest inside a steel cage. Fortunately for the group, though, they are heading back to the United States. Rhea Ripley’s message to Canada sums their time up:
“Goodbye Canada… VERY happy to be leaving,” tweeted Rhea Ripley.
Mami is set to defend her Women’s World Championship against Ivy Nile at the Day 1 edition of RAW this coming Monday. It remains to be seen if WWE will spring a massive surprise on the show.
Who’s left to challenge Rhea Ripley?
Ripley will need new challengers following her likely win over Ivy Nile at RAW Day 1. She has beaten everybody who’s stepped up so far, including Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler in multi-woman matches. Either star could face The Eradicator in a singles match before WrestleMania 40.
However, when it comes to The Show of Shows, only one woman should face Rhea Ripley in Philadelphia. Or man. Becky Lynch looks set to return to the world title scene ahead of ‘Mania, where a marquee showdown with Mami is expected.
The two have teased a match for over a year through several intense staredowns. It is the biggest women’s match WWE can book at WrestleMania in 2024. Meanwhile, Liv Morgan would be a solid alternative, as she has a storied history with Ripley.
UFC legend Chuck Liddell revealed exactly how a street fight with Mike Tyson would end up as he made a huge claim about the boxing icon.
Liddell dominated inside the famed Octagon as he reigned over the UFC light-heavyweight division, beating the likes of Randy Couture and arch-rival Tito Ortiz during his prime.
Tyson, on the other hand, is regarded as one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time following his brutal spell as world heavyweight champion.
What would happen if Liddell and Tyson were to have a brawl in the streets?
Well, ‘The Iceman’ fancies his chances of beating ‘Iron’ Mike in a street fight.
He reckons he’d beat Tyson in a street fight, stating the legendary boxer would only have a puncher’s chance.
“In a street fight, I’d win,” Liddell told Ed Mylett on his podcast. “I mean, he’s got a puncher’s chance. He’s got a chance to catch me coming in. But other than that, it’s over.”
Liddell was UFC’s original superstar as he carried the promotion during the infancy stages of Dana White’s tenure as president.
He had his last UFC fight in June 2010 then came out of retirement to fight Ortiz under the Golden Boy Promotions banner.
As for Tyson, he retired after losing to Irish fighter Kevin McBride in June 2005. But, like Liddell, he came out of retirement to face fellow boxing great Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition bout.
And he gave a hilarious response when asked if he could have become a UFC fighter.
“I don’t know what I would do in the UFC, because I watched the UFC a couple of times, and I watched these guys step on people’s feet,” he told GQ Sports.
“And I have the worst feet in the world, and if somebody stepped on my feet, I would totally tap out and just give up.
Anthony Joshua is starting to look back to his best and is eyeing some big fights in 2024 after dispatching Otto Wallin.
AJ turned in a top display to stop the Swede in Saudi Arabia just before Christmas to make it three wins from three since back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua was in fine form against Wallin
The plan was for Joshua to face Deontay Wilder should he beat Joseph Parker, but the American lost via unanimous decision to leave those plans in tatters.
Anthony Joshua next fight: Is his next opponent confirmed?
No, Joshua’s next bout is yet to be confirmed.
The plan was for Joshua and Wilder to win their respective fights to set up a huge event in March 2024 between the two former world champions.
The deal between the two camps was all but agreed, but after Wilder’s defeat, those plans are ruined.
Instead, a date with Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgovic looks to be AJ’s next bout.
Hrgovic is the IBF’s current number one, and a mandatory challenge for that belt is long overdue.
Of course, Tyson Fury is fighting Usyk for that title in early 2024.
However, the duo have signed a two-fight deal, meaning the IBF belt will become vacant before their rematch, so Joshua would face Hrgovic for that title.
Hrgovic will probably be AJ’s next opponent
Meanwhile, Frank Warren suggested that Joshua should face Daniel Dubois.
The Brit recovered from his controversial defeat to Usyk to stop Jarrell Miller on the same card as Joshua’s fight against Wallin.
So that’s an option for AJ as well.
However, a potentially more glamorous bout than either of those two would be a clash against the winner of Fury vs Usyk.
Joshua has yet to face Fury in his career despite several rounds of talks over the years, but for whatever reason, it’s never happened.
It’s a fight that would capture the general public and could see the debate about who is better finally settled.
Fury and Joshua would be a massive fight
And if Usyk wins, you would think this new-look Joshua would love a crack at some revenge.
He’s faced the Ukrainian twice and comfortably lost both times, so he would want to right that wrong.
Therefore, there are plenty of options open to Joshua.
Anthony Joshua fight: When will it happen?
Joshua would have faced Wilder in Saudi Arabia on March 9, 2024, if all had gone to plan.
Of course, Wilder lost, so that looks to be off.
Any title fight with Hrgovic would have to wait until after Fury and Usyk’s clash on February 17, 2024.
That would also be the same if he were to fight the winner of that superstar fight.
Therefore, unless Joshua takes on Dubois, we could be waiting until mid-2024 to see AJ back in action.
Joshua is ready to take on anyone
Anthony Joshua next fight: What’s been said?
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed after the Day of Reckoning in Saudi Arabia that a date with Hrgovic was most likely to be AJ’s next bout.
He said: “It was a tough decision between the championship and Wilder.
“We signed for Wilder, he lost tonight.
“But maybe it’s a blessing because he wants to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.
“Now it’s gonna be AJ vs Hrgovic for the world title.”
Hearn wants to see Fury and Joshua finally clash, although thinks Hrgovic is more likely
However, Hearn also revealed he wants to see AJ face Fury.
He said: “I’ll be honest, I’d love to see him fight Fury.
“If Tyson Fury can beat Oleksandr Usyk, then I’d love to see him fight Tyson Fury. I’d love that fight.
“I hope that Tyson can be triumphant in that fight, but we’ll go away now – obviously coming into tonight, we had our plans for March, but now we reassess.”
Meanwhile, Warren is really pushing Dubois.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, he said: “For me, [Dubois] could fight any of those guys in the top ten. Even AJ would be a good fight. I’d watch that all day long.”
But AJ wants Fury.
Speaking immediately after dispatching Wallin, he was asked about his next opponent and said: “100 per cent Tyson Fury, but I’m not dodging Hrgovic, by the way.
Unexpected turns and revolutionary victories distinguished Lindsey Vonn’s pioneering career in alpine skiing. At the 2010 Winter Olympics, she became the first woman to win a gold medal in downhill skiing. Vonn retired as one of the sport’s icons after winning 82 World Cup championships. Aside from her athletic skills, her ambitious personality made her a darling among sports businesses, resulting in unique partnerships and tailored collections. She recently took solace because timeless movie star Rebel Wilson nestled her in a catamaran of love and kindness.
Lindsey’s influence beyond the slopes is well-liked by many cross industry personalities. Vonn gifted a specially curated collection to her friend Rebel Wilson, who thanked the Olympian with a sweet update. It’s heartwarming stuff like this we live for.
Lindsey Vonn shares collection with Rebel Wilson
In the latest 2023-24 collection with Head Sportswear, an American-Austrian brand, the 39-year-old former skier created skiwear. The Legacy Line collection promises the perfect blend of sartorial fashion and performance with 1970s elan. Vonn gifted Rebel Wilson the ‘Tiffany Lux Down Ski Jacket’ from the collection recently. Wilson acknowledged the same in her Instagram story with the message, “Thanks @lindseyvonn for sending this new @head_ski jacket.”
Reposting the sweet gesture, Vonn replied, “Of course! Gotta be looking your best on the slopes.” Vonn was named the official brand ambassador for HEAD Sportswear’s skiwear back in 2009, and ever since she’s used the brand’s performance ski clothing. This partnership resulted in the Legacy Line, and back then Vonn stated, “The partnership with the ski clothing division has opened up an entirely new challenge for me in my life and career after ski racing.”
Wilson and Vonn were last seen together on Day one of the 2022 U.S. Open at the USTA in Queens, New York. The star-studded audience brought an additional layer of glitz to the popular tennis event, displaying a perfect combination of athleticism and Hollywood charm. A similar cross-industry intersect is observed when Vonn and Head Sports release their limited edition drop.
The dual-collab with Head Sportswear
HEAD Sportswear introduced a unique and incredibly fashionable cooperation with the Olympian which was available only at Gucci Vault, presented inside the Vault Altitude released in the second week of this year. This partnership combined street style with high-performance features and went on to become a successful hit for the season due to its associated triple impact.
Vonn’s premium Legacy Collection takes inspiration from her hybrid looks for slopes and après-ski, giving designs that confidently blaze a path both on and off the slopes. More collaborations are what we strive to see from Vonn..
The new year is almost here, and everyone is ready with their New Year’s resolutions. Like everyone else, golf influencer Paige Spiranac is also ready with a set of goals for 2024. The year 2023 had its ups and downs for the 30-year-old as she opened up about her struggle with mental health issues.
But on the flip side, she rose to new heights in popularity among golf fans, coming close to the legend himself, Tiger Woods. Now she wants to continue this in 2024. To achieve that, Spiranac revealed one habit of hers that she will let go of to attain more positivity.
Paige Spiranac wants to just be herself in 2024
In her podcast, Playing a Round with Paige, the golf influencer listed some of her goals for 2024. She had a list of goals to achieve, ranging from diet changes to content creation. But a common theme among all her goals was positivity and mental health. For her final goal in 2024, Spiranac wants to be true to herself and her brand.
She has become the target of online harassment from time to time for her content. And the golf diva admitted that the criticism got to her. “I think there are times that when people come at me, I get defensive, or I try to always talk about my point of view or why I’m doing this and I want to stop doing that in 2024,” she said.
While the 30-year-old wants her brand to be more positive, that does not mean she will alter what she currently does. Rather than always defending her content, Paige Spiranac will now own what she creates. She said, “I love what I do, I own who I am. And that’s what I want to do, I want to continue to be a strong woman and be sexy at the same time, and put some content out there.”
The beautiful influencer somehow ends up defending herself, her content, and her choices to the people. This year, she opened up a lot about her journey to becoming a golfer and also shared the reason behind her bold attire choice. But for 2024, she does not wish to continue to do the same.
The golf influencer hints about a new type of content coming in 2024
Apart from stopping to defend her content, golf mommy wants to focus her energy on spreading positivity. Talking about her vision for her content in 2024, she said that she aims to use her voice in a very positive way. She elaborated and mentioned that she does not want to defend her actions and choices anymore, but she wants to push her strong message out there!
The former golfer talked about creating really fun content and continuing to speak about women’s empowerment. Spiranac has always been true to herself and her choices, and as per her, 2024 will be no different, as she will be truly herself and own who she is. With this bold declaration, the golf diva has hinted that fans can expect even bolder content to come from her side. However, at the crux of all her goals for 2024 are mental health and positivity.
Further video exists of Claressa Shields that would add further fuel to the fire after her hellacious sparring knockdown.
According to trainer Derik Santos, who oversaw the sessions between Shields and Arthurs Ahmetovs, he’s withholding the video to combat future allegations.
Shields has already claimed that Ahmetovs removed the padding from his gloves. She also states that Santos knew about it following the 2018 gym incident.
In a shocking twist, Shields confirmed he went to her car to get a knife and contemplated stabbing Santos.
Due to Shields’ statements, Santos confirms he sought legal advice over defamation of character. The coach also added that they would have no problem releasing the new clips if necessary.
More videos exist of Claressa Shields sparring with Arturs Ahemtovs
Asked by ProBox TV if he intends to post the videos soon, Santos said: “I am going to save it for now because it would make her look as ridiculous as her accusations are.
“I have always respected her as the champion that she is. I still do so this is not a question of trying to discredit her as a fighter.
“I’m only her because she is trying to defame me and this young man [Ahmetovs]. I feel I have to stand up for him, too.”
Santos believes Shields is embarrassed by being put down so severely by the Latvian.
“After the sparring, we were all in close proximity talking, and she was frustrated because she got dropped. She was like oh, I have never been dropped. She said let me see the gloves.
“Now there are videos out there where she is saying that I hid the gloves in a bag. Now [she is saying] the gloves were ringside on the other side of the ring.
“I said to John, go get the gloves. He looked at them and saw they were marked sixteen ounces. He also said it wasn’t the gloves [and that] your [Shields’] head was up in the air.
“I would never do that, much less to him, who is a mentor and a person I worked with for many years.
“All of this is ridiculous, but I will take it seriously when it comes to protecting myself, my livelihood, and my health. I am a coach, I am a father, and I am a grandfather.
“I dare anyone to find something bad about me in the whole boxing world.”
Derik Santons takes legal advice
Clarifying his legal intentions, Santos said: “I am considering legal action for defamation of character. I have spoken to some legal attorneys already.
“I haven’t slept since this really started. And I have worked hard all these years to be a guy who kept his reputation clean and never burned bridges anywhere.
“In this day and age, it’s scary when someone lies and slanders your name because that goes like a bushfire. It goes around the world. It hurt me as a human being.
“The truth is on my side. I made contacts to get the ball rolling. I was smart enough to have my proof and documentation.”
Concluding the chat, he was asked if there was any chance both sides could have a sit-down; Santos replied: “I would let my legal council handle that.”
