Category Sports News

French Open 2025

Location: Roland Garros, May 25 – June

The French Open this year will start off somewhat strange.

Rafael Nadal, the man who won 14 singles titles and is a fixture of the tournament, has retired as Roland Garros for the first time.

There is a chance for someone to continue to strive to be the new “King of Clay” thanks to his abdication.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, who has long been the heir apparent, is the slight favorite to win this year’s competition.

The 22-year-old defending champion has a 15-1 win-loss record this year, and more match practice than Jannik Sinner, who is a natural clay-courter.

The other strong candidate is Sinner from Italy.

The world number one has dominated in the last 18 months, but he only recently came back from a three-month doping ban.

Sinner only lost one set to reach the Italian Open final, including Casper Ruud, who had previously lost in the French Open twice, in a brutal quarterfinal.

It is challenging to ignore the other leading seeds if Alcaraz and Sinner are not competing in a battle royale.

Novak Djokovic, who turned 38 on Thursday, has been battling it out for a 25th Grand Slam singles title, but he has recently seemed unmotivated.

However, a successful return to the Geneva final might be all the motivation needed for the three-time Paris champion.

Ruud, the seventh-seeded Norwegian, reaffirmed his clay-court prowess by defeating Draper to claim the Madrid title. Ruud lost to Nadal and Djokovic in the 2022 and 2023 finals.

And don’t forget Alexander Zverev, the third-seeded German, and Alexander Zverev, who finished last year.

Zverev is regaining confidence after finishing just short of his first Grand Slam title in January, and has reached at least the semi-finals four of his previous four appearances in Paris.

The main draw includes Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley, who are also included in Draper.

Fearnley, 23, will make his French Open debut after a stunning year of growth for the former Texas Christian University student.

He won his first ATP Tour clay match in April, placing him 54th overall in the world after only a year as a professional, and has since won eight of his 13 matches.

Norrie, the former world no. 8, has since dropped down the rankings, but he made it to the Geneva Open semi-finals just before Roland Garros.

After winning Wimbledon and the Australian Open, Britain’s Henry Patten and Finn partner Harri Heliovaara are aiming for their third Grand Slam title together in 12 months.

Additionally in the draw are American Rajeev Ram and two all-British partners, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, and Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski.

Residents of Bielefeld are fed up with the city’s current online joke.

Nobody knows anyone from or has been to North-Rhine-Westphalia, so the Bielefeld Conspiracy makes the claim that the city isn’t actually there. Everyone from politicians to social media influencers refer to it.

The same can no longer be said of the city’s football club, Arminia Bielefeld.

The third division team will face top-flight VfB Stuttgart in the showpiece match at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on May 24 after defeating four Bundesliga clubs in the first DFB Pokal final in their history.

“I’ve gone through every ups and downs at this club, but this up is the most memorable.” For me, it’s very emotional.

That’s Ulrich Swetz – a lifelong Arminia fan and football commentator at Radio Bielefeld who has covered the club since 1994.

Eight Bundesliga promotions, eight relegations, and four distinct third-tier spells were among those ups and downs.

15 years ago, the club’s financial situation was terrible.

Arminia have only featured in 19 of the Bundesliga’s 62 seasons, never finishing higher than eighth, and last played in the top flight in 2021-22, before suffering back-to-back relegations and narrowly avoiding a first drop to the fourth tier.

After being promoted a week earlier, they won the third division title last Saturday, but nothing could possibly stop them from doing so.

Given where we came from and the relatively new team, no one really believed this was possible, according to Eva-Lotta Bohle, a season ticket holder for Arminia.

Last summer, sporting director Michael Mutzel oversaw a squad overhaul that gave manager Michel Kniat, who has never managed above the 3. 13 new arrivals in Liga.

Arminia’s league form didn’t really come until February, but their cup campaign started last August with a 2-0 defeat of second-place Hanover 96.

Fans gathered close to the pitch create a vociferous and intimidating atmosphere at Arminia’s 99-year-old home, which is an old-school, English-style ground.

Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso even compared it to Liverpool’s Anfield, such was the noise generated during the semi-final.

After 17 minutes, Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah bundled home from Arminia for the first time in their cup run, but the underdogs continued to win.

By half-time, the hosts had turned the ball around through Maximilian Grosser, typifying their intensity and perseverance. Marius Worl grabbed a loose ball and curled a shot into the bottom corner.

Arminia rode their luck at times after the break – Patrick Schick hit the post with a header, prompting goalkeeper Jonas Kersken to kiss the woodwork in gratitude – but the holders could not find a way through.

I felt like I was going to break down when the game came to an end and we had defeated them,” says Ulrich.

This was not the Arminia that young fans were familiar with, according to Eva.

At the full-time whistle, substitutes, coaches and fans streamed onto the pitch to get the party started.

According to Arminia captain Mael Corboz, “One player was in the nightclub with his five-month-old baby because they had no one to watch over the child at home.”

After the game, I forgot to eat, so I quickly became intoxicated. That wasn’t the smartest decision. The stadium was where we had a great night’s sleep. The city was on fire, and it was a good time.

Defeat Stuttgart at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, and Arminia will become the first third division side to win the Pokal.

It never will sink in, Corboz said, “perhaps it will only do so when we’re on the field in Berlin.”

We’ll look back and say, “I can’t believe we actually did that in five, ten, twenty years.”

Arminia became the first third-division club to eliminate four Bundesliga sides in a single Pokal campaign after finishing just six points above the relegation zone last year.

” Every round after the Hannover game, we felt that we didn’t have anything to fear, “Mutzel told BBC Sport.

“Sometimes the league games were more challenging than the cup games. We played better teams every game.

While Arminia are arguably the fittest team in the third tier and have several exciting young talents – they began the season as the third-youngest side in the division – a sense of unity and belief has helped them against the elite.

When you play against these teams, you physically and technically exceed your limits, Corboz said.

Head coach Kniat has made a significant impact since joining Mutzel in 2023.

Before each cup game, Mosesel said, “He was so confident in winning,” and he later shared that with the team.

” He believes we can beat anyone. We normally wouldn’t have a chance, but we are certain we can defeat Stuttgart.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, who provided commentary on the semi-final for broadcaster ARD, best summed up Arminia’s ability to improve their performance against the best teams.

” I didn’t see a two-league difference between the teams today, “he said”. I didn’t even notice a single league difference, really.

For a third division club, Arminia’s total revenue from the competition this season would be estimated at £10 million.

Victory in Berlin would secure the club a place in next season’s Europa League which, according to football finance publication the Swiss Ramble, would earn Arminia a further £10m approximately.

Mutzel’s main concern is keeping a talented squad together for the upcoming season, but these sums are eye-watering amounts.

Everyone in Germany has watched the cup matches, and of course the players — some of whom are still young and talented.

For Corboz – a Lyon fan born in the United States to French parents – playing in the Europa League is a dream he never thought might become reality.

He said, “It would be unbelievable to play against teams I used to watch as a fan.” It would represent my career’s pinnacle.

The biggest sporting and cultural moment in Bielefeld’s history is here.

Arminia’s club shop has completely sold out of home shirts, while giant screens have been erected in Bielefeld’s Jahnplatz.

At least 20, 000 fans who purchased tickets are anticipated to travel to Berlin anyway, using any means available. Some people have walked and cycled to raise money for charities.

“We have this one-in-a-lifetime chance of winning the cup, winning a lot of money and going to Europa League which would be incredible for the club and the city”, said Ulrich.

Regardless of the outcome, this is my career’s highlight.

Arminia fans have been raving about this final for a long time.

“One day, the German Sport Club (DSC) will play in the final, the final in Berlin.

Generations have passed away without playing this game.

Our children will sing this song about thousands of Arminia fans in the capital to celebrate this incredible victory if we pass away one day.

In recent weeks the words ‘ one day is now ‘ has been spotted graffitied across the city.

The Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 114-109 to reach the NBA Eastern Conference play-off finals, going 2-0 up.

The Pacers won their sixth consecutive play-off game by scoring the first 11 points from Madison Square Garden, which the three-time All-Star had already won.

On Monday, at 1:00 a.m. BST, Indianapolis will host Game Three of the best-of-seven series.

Siakam, who has scored more than 20 points for six straight seasons and won the NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, said, “I just came out aggressive.”

We work together,” he said. Whoever scores is irrelevant. That’s why I adore this team so much.

Tyrese Haliburton added 14 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, while Myles Turner had 16 points.

With two minutes and 25 seconds left, the fourth-seeded Pacers were 10 points ahead, but Josh Hart layup with 14 seconds left and OG Anunoby’s two free throws and Jalen Brunson’s five points with 10 more to play brought the Knicks to within one point of 110-109.

However, the Pacers won thanks to Aaron Nesmith and Aaron Turner making two free throws.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges both had 20 points and seven rebounds, while Brunson added 36 points to the Knicks’ total of 19 30-point games.

Although it is a long series, Bridges said, “I know it’s 2-0.” Simply put, we must find new ways to advance.

In the Western Conference championship game, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 2-0 up against the Timberwolves.

Northampton Saints vs. Bordeaux-Begles in the Investec Champions Cup final

Cardiff Principality Stadium Date: Saturday, May 24 Kick-off 14:45 BST

Northampton’s pre-game dressing-room playlist included Nina Simone’s Sinnerman.

However, after the game, Northampton channeled Kendrick Lamar as they celebrated a semi-final victory in Aviva Stadium.

He told the players, “It’s all about connection.” Our DNA is where it originates.

He said, “They are not like us,” and he pointed to Leinster as he passed through the dressing room wall.

Saints have kept this theme alive throughout their Champions Cup campaign as well as on that day.

In their pre-game huddle at Aviva Stadium, captain Fraser Dingwall said, “I promise you, the connection they have with them isn’t built like ours.”

“Our bond, which we cultivate daily, is much stronger.”

It appears to be obvious from a distance as well.

When the pressure is on, Northampton has risen together rather than splintered apart, at home against the Bulls, at home against Munster, and away to Leinster in the Aviva.

Dingwall claims that the club’s management system helped them come to terms with their common goal rather than by chance.

He told Rugby Union Weekly, “First of all, we all grew up together.” The academy system is what the entire club is built upon.

More than half of Northampton’s senior squad should be self-promoted. They made it happen this year, with 32 of the 61 first-team players graduating from college.

The bonds have a long history.

Dingwall, now 26, was 16 when he first met George Furbank, who he has shared the captaincy with this year.

The pair cohabitated for two years as teenagers in one of the clubs’ facilities for young people. Alex Mitchell, the scrum-half, would turn around and play console games.

Dingwall continued, “You don’t necessarily have to have a lot of people in this town, but what you do have is the people who live there,”

Because you spend so much time together, both at the club and off the field, you become more than just coworkers. You also become friends, and your friendships become very close.

Performance and development are influenced by that connection and how important each teammate is to one another.

She says, “You guys are so close.”

The bonding is natural in the academy because there are four or five houses in the club and people are constantly hanging out with one another.

Dingwall and Mitchell are now senior figures.

Since Lewis Ludlam, Courtney Lawes, and Alex Waller left last summer, they have updated their own homes and moved to the “Mayfair” section of the Franklin’s Gardens dressing room, which is a little more spacious and far from the toilets.

However, the band-of-brothers ethos is still strong and is being strengthened by freshmen.

Teams travel, social gatherings, late-night tricks, and a meal are available this month.

Dingwall smiledly and unfazed that he had missed the opportunity to celebrate Mitchell, Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, and Henry Pollock’s selections for the British and Irish Lions squad.

Other members of the huddle, a different generation riffing on the same ensemble, have been replaced by the summer’s lack of senior voices.

When asked about dressing room leaders, Mitchell responded, “George Furbank is a good captain, very similar to Dingwall, and he can send a rocket up you if needed.”

Fin Smith is a fantastic actor. Although Henry Pollock enjoys jeffing and effing, he also brings a lot of energy.

Curtis Langdon will be the first to attack the opposition, according to Alex Coles, who is really good.

Bordeaux-Begles, a new team with higher pay and lower odds, will face off on Saturday.

Can Saints come up with the words to sum up their union and snuff out the stars once more?

It might be the difference in a final of fine margins.

Dingwall remarked, “I’m sure every other dressing room will say the same thing, and it’s not disrespecting the other team.”

“I just completely agree that the group we have this year is so invested in what we’re trying to do, and so emotionally detached from the pitch that you get 1% more fight out of people.”

Vic Akers was in charge of Arsenal when they last won the Women’s Champions League. He had then ruled the organization for the entire 20 years.

No manager has succeeded in capturing the British side’s title in 2007 and advancing the club to the top of Europe.

That might soon change.

Renee Slegers has a chance to restore Arsenal’s European glory just four months after taking over as the club’s permanent head coach.

However, how has the Dutchwoman, who is referred to as the “next Sarina Wiegman,” risen in the ranks and become one of Europe’s most promising young coaches?

Slegers has a long history with Arsenal, having joined the club’s academy when he was 17 years old in 2006.

After making one senior appearance the following year, Akers was crowned champions of the Champions League, or Uefa Cup, as it was known at the time.

Little did Slegers know that after nine years, her professional career would be over, and that she would once again lead Arsenal to a second European championship.

Before a serious knee injury ended her career in 2016, what was Slegers’ character as a football player like? Leonne Stentler’s 55-cap Netherlands midfielder has the word “intelligent” in her mind.

Stentler, who played alongside Slegers for the Dutch national side, said, “You see in everything she does that she’s very intelligent.”

She takes intelligent decisions every time she goes on the field. She was very technical, which was a beautiful technique, and she knows where she needs to be.

The Dutch side Willem II midfielder spent time with Djurgardens and Linkoping before moving to Sweden where she spent time before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a friendly against England, just nine months before the Netherlands won the Euro 2017 championship under Wiegman.

A promising future in coaching was officially announced with the end of her professional playing career.

Slegers who studied communication sciences while still playing the sport weren’t always sure what they wanted to do.

She was “overly intelligent to do something in coaching,” Stentler said. She would go to work for a company that would manage a lot of people and pursue a similar kind of career, I would advise.

People started taking notice, however, when word spread that Slegers was using her Uefa coaching license.

Some women’s football experts in Holland said, “OK, we should wait until Renee Slegers gets her Uefa pro license.” She would then be the best successor to Sarina Wiegman, Stentler continued.

Everyone would always believe Renee Slegers would make the best coach when a coach was fired or simply quit, according to Sutter. Everyone has a strong belief in her.

Slegers began her coaching career in Sweden by taking over Limhamn Bunkeflo and Sweden’s Under-23s before moving to Rosengard to lead their B team.

She was promoted to head coach of the first team when Jonas Eidevall assumed control of Arsenal in 2021. Eidevall then demanded an individual player development position at Arsenal in 2023.

Rosengard’s head of youth coaching, Jonathan Bartling, who is still close friends with Slegers, her partner, former Linkoping defender Maja Krantz, and their three-year-old son, said, “I was playing with her son at the time, but we were on the walk when Jonas called and asked her if she was interested in that position.”

I spent two years working with Jonas, who I believe is very, very driven and knows his football. So I believe it was a fantastic opportunity, especially given where she is right now; it’s a nice projection there.

Jen Beattie, a former Scotland defender, claimed that she “always gives you the time” while Slegers was a player development manager at Arsenal.

Slegers has moved up the ladder at Arsenal, starting as Rosengard’s assistant before resigning in October after a disappointing first-half of the season.

Her impact was immediate. In her first 11 games in charge, she won without a defeat, which turned out to be a nearly flawless audition for the permanent position.

Arsenal left-back Katie McCabe praised Renee for stabilizing the situation.

She gave us a belief and a sense of confidence. She exudes self-assurance, which is what I have faith in from the team’s leadership.

Since Slegers took over as Arsenal’s new manager, there have been some bumps along the way, but two spectacular comeback victories over Real Madrid and Lyon have secured Arsenal’s place in the Champions League final.

Stentler claims that having a “knowledge of communication” with her players is essential to Sleger’s success, while Beattie claims that the Dutch coach has improved the confidence of Arsenal players.

“That’s typical Renee,” Stentler said, “to make sure you know every player you’re working with, know how you approach them, and how you should communicate with them, and how you can get them to consider tactical ideas and pitch them to you.”

Beattie continued, “What she’s done is listen to players, getting their minds clear, and giving them confidence.” I believe everyone can see the players’ lack of confidence right now.

Slegers has cut a composed figure on the touchline while Arsenal have repeatedly put their fans through the wringer this season.

The 36-year-old said following Arsenal’s comeback victory against Lyon that despite coming off as “doing nothing,” she is “not just calm and composed.”

She never fails to be true to herself. There is a balance between her and her, according to Stentler, who is calm and has a lot of calmness over her.

Nobody I know would not like her, I don’t know. It’s simple to share a room with Renee.

Bartling also notices Slegers’ side, who frequently visits him in Sweden and frequently collaborate on “handiwork projects.”

She appears to be [a very similar person] to the pitch. Although there might not be the same amount of adrenaline on the sidelines, he said, “he said he likes to be quite handy. He is very friendly, family-oriented, and down to earth.

We’ve been putting a lot of effort into renovating. It’s like having a small house on top of an allotment garden, which is what you call it in English.

“We’ve been planting and harvesting vegetables in one of those outside rooms, renovating the floor of that room, and installing new window panes there.”

Slegers’ biggest coaching experience so far is undoubtedly her final on Saturday, but the 36-year-old is already a “role model” for many.

We discuss whether or not to believe in your dream, and I believe she is a role model. She is a role model for me in my work with youth coaches, she said.