Category Sports News

French Open 2025

Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic began his latest bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title with a commanding win over Mackenzie McDonald.

The former world number one ended his wait for a 100th ATP singles title in Geneva last week and maintained his recent upturn in form with a 6-3 6-3 win over the 98th-ranked American.

Djokovic – who turned 38 last week – has now won all 21 of the first-round matches he has played at Roland Garros.

Djokovic arrived in Geneva without a win on clay in 2025, having suffered first-round exits in both Monte Carlo and Madrid.

But with his wait for a 100th Tour-level title finally over – one which had gone on since he completed the career ‘Golden Slam’ at the Paris Olympics last summer – the Serb will feel he is beginning to gain real momentum on this surface.

The one-sided victory over McDonald, completed two minutes short of the two-hour mark, was his fifth successive win following a run of three straight losses.

Djokovic faces a tough route to the trophy. He is projected to meet third seed Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals, world number one Jannik Sinner in the last four and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

But it is ultimately that pursuit which continues to drive him on in the twilight of his career, with one last record – surpassing Margaret Court for the outright number of Grand Slam singles title – still left to break.

Djokovic lost serve just once in the entire match and hit 32 winners compared to just 20 unforced errors.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Germany’s Zverev beat American Learner Tien 6-3 6-3 6-4.

Britain’s Cameron Norrie could face Djokovic in the fourth round after stunning Russian 11th seed Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-3 4-6 1-6 7-5.

After a brief break in the professional ranks, Heavyweight Delicious Orie has left the sport.

Orie, 27, made his professional debut in April, defeating Bosniac Milos Veletic in points, but he has since decided to leave the sport.

The Russian-born Briton represented Great Britain at the Paris Olympics and won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Orie said on Instagram, “I’ve decided to hang up my gloves and leave boxing to pursue my degree and work in the corporate world.”

“Over time, I’ve come to terms with the loss of the fire and love I once had for boxing.

As I’ve grown, I’ve prioritized being truthful with myself above all else.

“I hoped turning professional would rekindle my passion,” he said, “but it hasn’t.”

Orie graduated from Aston University with a first-class honours degree in Economics and Management in addition to boxing.

Orie turned down an offer from the WWE to continue boxing after 39 amateur fights.

Every fighter is aware that a deep love for the craft is necessary for success, and without it, there is no way to go.

It’s time to step aside with integrity out of respect for both the sport and my own.

He won the heavyweight title in Paris, but he unexpectedly dropped out of the competition too soon.

The Briton, who was once hailed as the “next Anthony Joshua,” was predicted to compete for the title in the coming years.

Tom Tunstall, who was seriously hurt in a horrific race accident at Oulton Park that claimed the lives of Owen Jenner and Shane Richardson, says he is “making some step-by-step progress every day.”

The injuries sustained in the 11-bike crash on the opening lap of the British Supersport Championship race at the Cheshire circuit on May 5 resulted in the deaths of father-of-two Richardson from New Zealand and British rider Jenner, age 21.

Tunstall, 47, received neck injuries and was taken to the Royal Stoke Hospital.

Before going on to detail the extent of his injuries in a Facebook post, Tunstall stated that he was “very happy to be out of hospital” following “a difficult few weeks.”

My tongue’s separation, damaged rotator cuff, and some nerve conditions are improving steadily.

I’m extremely grateful for the high standard of care I received from the trackside, medical center, and hospital because I have had the best chance of recovering.

Tunstall, a British rider, expressed his grief and sympathy for Jenner and Richardson’s passing.

“Sorely depressed to hear about the tragic loss of Owen and Shane, who were both great, sincere riders who left far too soon,” he continued.

Leinster v. Scarlets Rugby Championship quarter-final

Date: Saturday, May 31 Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Gareth Davies, the Scrum-half, will miss Leinster’s quarter-final of the United Rugby Championship.

Despite returning to the training ground after suffering a rib injury in the victory over the Lions in South Africa, Davies is unlikely to play in Dublin on Saturday.

Dwayne Peel, the head coach of the Scarlets, called him an outstanding operator this year.

He’ll have to work hard to make it this weekend, though.

If Scarlets made it to the semi-finals, Peel did not rule out a return for Davies.

Peel praised Davies’ replacement Archie Hughes and said he was “comfortable with his other nines.”

He claimed that “Archie has demonstrated his worth over the past two games in South Africa.”

Although it is in a time of off-field turmoil, Peel is preparing his team for their first play-off appearance in seven years.

Scarlets and Ospreys have received notification about their current contract, which expires in 2027, and have not yet signed up for the Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA).

Due to a new two-tier funding structure, they both may receive smaller budgets than Cardiff and Dragons, which are owned by WRU and have signed.

Additionally, the WRU has not yet admitted to cutting a region.

It’s not really overshadowed it within these four walls, according to Peel.

When asked how a smaller budget might affect recruitment, Peel responded, “Those kind of things will play out over the next couple of weeks; all we can do is keep our minds on the here and now.”

He is confident that Johnny Williams, a center for Wales, will leave next year.

“We’re having some positive conversations right now, and I’m hoping there will soon be some positive news,” Peel said.

He continued, “I have faith in our board to do the best for this region.”

French Open 2025

Location: Roland Garros, May 25 – June

As Coco Gauff prepared to enter the French Open, her face caught her attention and realized she had forgotten one crucial thing.

Her racquets

The confused world number two quickly raised the alarm for her team in the stands before continuing to highlight her status as one of the pre-tournament favorites.

Olivia Gadecki, the 2023 US Open champion, defeated her in just 71 minutes, 6-2, 6-2.

To play with a racquet is “the most crucial thing.” The 21-year-old joked later, “I was getting through the first step after finding them.”

“I probably relaxed myself before the match because it was just so funny,” I thought.

Before a ball kid delivered her empty bag to her team, Gauff was able to laugh about the situation and show them where her racquets should have been.

I thought they put the racquets in the bag, to be honest. Gauff told TNT Sports that my side court bag was filled with drinks to the point where I thought I had enough weight.

“Then I entered the court, and I opened the first zipper.” I said, “OK, no racquets,” and I was right. Oh my God, the second zipper. I played on the court without racquets.”

She continued, “I made fun of Frances Tiafoe] for it in Madrid, but I’ll stay quiet.”

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat Cristina Bucsa earlier in the day, despite jokingly saying she didn’t like her wake-up call.

The 18-year-old left Court Suzanne Lenglen early on Tuesday morning, leaving at 11:00 local time in Paris.

Andreeva won the first set 6-4, 6-3, coming back from a double break deficit to win her first Grand Slam as a top-10 seed.

Andreeva remarked, “Truly, it was very challenging.”

“I don’t like to wake up early, so I’m not really happy.”

Daniil Medvedev, the men’s world number 11, has also expressed concern about early starts and jokingly “boycott” morning games.

However, he did not perform as well as Andreeva, falling short of Cameron Norrie in a five-set epic.

Andreeva continued, “I had 35 minutes to pack my bags and do everything, and I had to wake up at 6:30.”

Then we had to wait for 30 minutes before arriving at the court for breakfast, and I spent 11 minutes in the locker room before warming up and playing.

It was very well thought out, he said.