Latest news with #USOpen
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Carlos Alcaraz's difficult girlfriend problem and Emma Raducanu's 'boyfriend ban'
Carlos Alcaraz's difficult girlfriend problem and Emma Raducanu's 'boyfriend ban' Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu are among the top tennis stars in the world, but their search for glory has had its setbacks in other departments Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu have had problems with relationships (Image: Tim Clayton, Corbis via Getty Images ) Life as an elite tennis player is not without its sacrifices. While innate talent is undoubtedly essential for success, it alone cannot propel athletes to the pinnacle of their sport. The demands of rigorous training regimens can be all-consuming, leaving little time for leisure activities, nurturing relationships or simply spending time with loved ones. And no one knows this better than Carlos Alcaraz. The 22-year-old has five Grand Slam titles under his belt as well as a world No. 2 ranking, and his dedication to his craft is evident. However, his intense training schedule and constant travel have taken a toll on his personal life, particularly when it comes to romantic relationships. In an interview with The Sunday Times last year, Alcaraz said: "I am single. 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." He also echoed similar sentiments in a conversation with Vogue a year earlier, saying: "It's complicated, never staying in one place. It's hard to find the person who can share things with you if you're always in different parts of the world," reports the Express. Whether Alcaraz's relationship status has changed since then remains unknown, but there have been no public reports linking him to anyone romantically as of late. Alcaraz is not alone in suggesting that the sport puts constraints on personal relationships. Article continues below Emma Raducanu, who has signed up to play mixed doubles with Alcaraz at the US Open later this year, has shared how her parents once forbade her from having a boyfriend during her early career. Recounting her parents' strictures, Raducanu told The Times: "My parents were very much against [boyfriends] as it interfered with training. When I was younger, I wasn't even allowed to hang out with my girl friends. A lot of the time I was very resentful, but it made me very confident and comfortable in my own company." Carlos Alcaraz has opened up about finding love as a tennis player (Image: Getty ) In her adulthood, Raducanu briefly dated Carlo Agostinelli, taking their relationship public in 2023. Yet, by the following year, the romance had come to a conclusion, with The Sun claiming that their time together had "run its course". Moreover, tennis veterans like Andy Murray have also experienced romantic complications due to the demands of the sport. Murray recently disclosed the significant influence his career had on his honeymoon with Kim Sears. After their 2015 wedding at the beautiful Dunblane Cathedral, the couple scarcely managed to escape to Barcelona before sporting commitments came calling. Regretful over the brief honeymoon caused by an intensive training schedule, Murray told GQ: "When we got married, our honeymoon was in Barcelona, and I was doing a training block. "Essentially, we got to spend a couple of nights with each other, but I was practising during the day, training and going to the gym and doing all my physio work. [A honeymoon] is very important for most couples. Andy Murray has been married to Kim Sears since 2015 (Image: Getty ) "Maybe for her it was too, but she was willing to sacrifice that to allow me to chase my goals. She's super important to everything I achieved, so now I'm trying my best to make up for all that." He added: "She's been a huge support and a massive, massive part of my career. When you're playing, you don't always appreciate that. I think a lot of individual athletes - me included - would be selfish at times. You think a lot about yourself and your own performance, and your mood is reflective of whether you've had a good match. Say, I won. I'm in a good mood. I lost, I'm in a bad mood. Article continues below "It's not really fair on the people around you. But even at the end, when I was struggling physically and was not winning many matches, and we had young children, Kim was always so supportive of me continuing to play because she knew I loved the sport and loved playing."
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wimbledon quarter-finalist breaks silence after being caught in affair with model
Wimbledon quarter-finalist breaks silence after being caught in affair with model Former tennis world No. 4 Kei Nishikori has spoken out after reportedly cheating on his wife with a model whose apartment he was photographed leaving recently Kei Nishikori has spoken about his personal life after withdrawing from Wimbledon (Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images ) Two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist Kei Nishikori has expressed "deep regret" over causing hurt to his family following reports of an affair with a model. The 35-year-old tennis player, recently spotted exiting the flat of Azuki Oguchi, has been at the centre of speculation. Reports in Japan have claimed Nishikori was involved in a years-long affair with Oguchi. He married Mai Yamaguchi, also known as Ako Mizuki, in 2020 after a five-year relationship. They have two young children, aged four and one. His recent withdrawal from Wimbledon due to injury was quickly followed by a public confession regarding his personal life. In a statement, Nishikori said: "I deeply apologise for causing discomfort to everyone who supports me: tennis fans, associations, sponsors, and other related parties, and for their concern and inconvenience due to my dishonest behaviour. Additionally, I deeply regret making my wife and children feel hurt." According to Shukan Bunshun, Nishikori and Oguchi began their liaison in 2022. The report claims the affair temporarily ended following an altercation with Oguchi's partner at the time but allegedly resumed last year, reports the Express. While his personal life has been in the spotlight, Nishikori aims to redeem himself through his sporting career. The veteran tennis star spoke about wanting to regain his family's trust and moving past the scandal. Article continues below Nishikori married Mai Yamaguchi in 2020 (Image: Instagram: keinishikori ) He added: "Moving forward, in order to fulfill my role as a responsible member of society, I will focus solely on tennis competitions and achieving results. We will do everything possible to regain their trust." Nishikori climbed to fourth in the world rankings in 2015, the same year he reached the quarter-finals of the French Open and Australian Open. He reached the US Open final in 2014 too. The Japanese star also enjoyed success at Wimbledon, reaching the quarter-finals in 2018 and 2019. Adding to his list of achievements, Nishikori holds a bronze medal from the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Nishikori is at the centre of an off-court scandal (Image: Getty ) The seasoned player's career has been plagued by injuries since 2021, causing him to drop to 61st in the men's rankings. Further complications led him to pull out of the French Open in May before withdrawing from Wimbledon. "You have to try to stay patient, otherwise it's very difficult," he admitted in April. "I've done that, and I've got used to the journey, the struggle. "My body is not the strongest, I know that, so I have to really take care of it. It's important to stay positive and patient. That's what I've learned. "I just enjoy playing now. I've set some goals. One was to be back in the top 50 and I'm nearly there." Article continues below Nishikori will not be involved when Wimbledon gets underway on June 30. Carlos Alcaraz and Barbora Krejcikova will hope to defend their respective singles titles at the tournament, which concludes on July 13.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu's hilarious exchange goes viral ahead of US Open Mixed Doubles
Carlos Alcaraz is set to team up with US Open 2021 champion Emma Raducanu in the upcoming US Open. The Spanish tennis sensation, who won his fifth Grand Slam at the French Open recently, will team up with Raducanu in the Mixed Doubles event of the tournament. Ahead of the event, Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu are still working to get on the same page. The official handle of the US Open dropped snippets of a hilarious interview featuring the two tennis stars. Alcaraz had earlier said that he requested Raducanu to partner with him for the US Open, Sports Illustrated reported. After some hesitation, the Briton, who is ranked 36 in the WTA, agreed. The clip starts with the players being asked to pick a coin flip. Both pick opposite sides, with Raducanu saying she always chooses tails. Alcaraz responded that his choice 'depends on the mood of the day.' The hilarious struggle continued when Alcaraz asked Raducanu what she would pick if they won the coin toss. Raducanu joked that she would let him pick. Alcaraz quipped, 'All the pressure is on me.' The clip ended with both players unable to stop laughing. A total of 16 teams have entered the event till June 16, as per the official website of the US Open. The matches will start from August 19 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. A prize money of $1 million will be awarded to the winning team. The format has undergone a revamp this year, with organizers filling it up with dream teams. The upcoming edition of the US Open will feature a blockbuster line-up of stars, including: • Emma Navarro and Jannik Sinner • Zheng Qinwen and Jack Draper • Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul • Jasmine Paolini and Lorenzo Musetti • Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz • Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev • Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe • Aryna Sabalenka and Grigor Dimitrov • Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud • Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas • Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz • Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev • Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic • Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton • Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori • Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios The Spaniard will play with top-ranked British tennis player Emma Raducanu. The Mixed Doubles event will start on August 19. The qualifying matches for the Singles tournament kick off on August 18. Yes, he defeated Jannik Sinner to win at Roland Garros this year.
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Rory McIlroy trails by two as Scottie Scheffler holds share of lead
Rory McIlroy made an impressive start to the Travelers Championship to sit two shots off the lead, before world number one Scottie Scheffler later laid down a marker to defend his title in Connecticut. Masters champion McIlroy had finished tied for 19th at the US Open over a punishing Oakmont course – but ended the weekend on a positive following a three-under-par final round, which was the joint best of the day. The Northern Irishman – who saw his driver ruled as 'non-conforming' ahead of last month's PGA Championship before then missing the cut at the Canadian Open – had been looking to build some momentum at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell as focus turns towards the Open at Royal Portrush. Rory McIlroy made an impressive start in Cromwell (Jessica Hill/AP) World number two McIlroy landed a birdie at the second and then sank two more ahead of the turn at the final PGA Tour Signature Event of 2025. After picking up another couple, a further birdie at the 17th – from the best part of 30 feet having hit a fine recovery shot out of the rough and over the water onto the green – saw him finish six under with 64 to sit in a tie for second, two shots behind early clubhouse leader Austin Eckroat. American Eckroat hit a fine eight-under round, which included an eagle at the par-three 13th and a sixth birdie at the 18th. Scottie joins Eckroat atop the leaderboard with a 62 (-8) of his own!👏 — TravelersChamp (@TravelersChamp) June 19, 2025 Scheffler was one of the late starters paired alongside newly-crowned US Open champion JJ Spaun – who unlike his playing partner endured a perhaps expected tough round to finish three-over following successive bogeys on the closing two holes. There was, though, no such trouble for Scheffler, who never looked back after three birdies from the opening four holes. The American – who landed a third major title with the PGA Championship crown at Quail Hollow during May – then picked up an eagle on the 13th and another birdie at 15, before a bogey at the 17th was the only blemish on his eight-under 62. McIlroy's playing partner Keegan Bradley is also at six-under, having dropped a shot at the 12th, alongside Wyndham Clark, the 2023 US Open champion. 'Overall it was a good start to the tournament, and I think when you're in a two-ball like that and we can sort of feed off one another a little bit too, that's nice as well,' McIlroy said after his opening round. 'I just want to see some good golf and see some better shots. I think if you concentrate on that and you are concentrating on your quality of golf and concentrating on just trying to play to the best of your ability, the result will take care of itself. 'There's no point in thinking about the result right now. I'm just trying to play as good as I can and make good swings, and if I do that enough, more than likely I'll find myself in a position to have a chance to win.' England's Tommy Fleetwood carded a first round of 66 to sit in a group tied for sixth. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, runner-up at Oakmont on Sunday, finished one over following a double-bogey six on the 17th. Jordan Spieth WD during the first round of the Travelers Championship with a neck/upper back injury. — PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) June 19, 2025 Jordan Spieth withdrew during his first round because of a neck/upper back injury. 'I may have just slept wrong and then something came along. I don't know what caused it,' he said. 'I think it was just a random one-off that unfortunately got worse and bad enough on a Thursday that I didn't feel like I could continue.'
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
JJ Spaun Shares Dodgers Star Who Reached Out amid U.S. Open Win
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The popularity of golf among celebrities is booming more than ever, as evidenced not only by Pro-Am events. Celebrities swing clubs whenever they have the opportunity, but they also follow professional events with the same enthusiasm as any other fan. Another example of this was the numerous calls and messages from celebrities that JJ Spaun received after winning the U.S. Open. During his pre-Travelers Championship press conference, Spaun revealed some of the stars who reached out to congratulate him on his victory at Oakmont: "I heard from George Lopez, comedian and actor from Los Angeles; [Los Angeles Dodgers star] Mookie Betts, who was actually my Pro-Am partner at Pebble Beach; [renowned sportscaster] Scott Van Pelt; a lot of people." "I'm still like halfway through my messages. [1988 and 1989 US Open winner] Curtis Strange, [1974, 1979 and 1990 US Open winner] Hale Irwin, just some great champions that have been there and know what it's like, people that I have never even talked to, but it was great." J. J. Spaun of the United States kisses the trophy after winning the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 15, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. J. J. Spaun of the United States kisses the trophy after winning the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 15, 2025 in Oakmont, also shared some details about the days after his win at Oakmont, which turned out to be quite a rollercoaster: "We were off to New York City. Had a nice dinner with my family on Monday night. We went to do all the media 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning." "It was literally nonstop. Didn't finish until 3:30, 4:00, hopped in a car, got driven up here. That was about 3 1/2 hours. Didn't walk through the front door of the hotel until 8:00 p.m." JJ Spaun won the U.S. Open with a score of 1-under, becoming the only player in the field to finish with a 72-hole score of par or better. His final-round performance was spectacular, as he birdied the final two holes to take a lead that proved to be definitive. To top it off, he sank a 64-foot putt on the 18th hole to secure his victory. With this victory, Spaun became the first PGA Tour Americas alum to win the US Open. The victory propelled him to the eighth spot in the world rankings and to the third spot in the rankings to make the Ryder Cup team. More Golf: Paige Spiranac Has Hilarious Request of New PGA Tour CEO
