Viva Las Vegas

summary: After a particularly nasty crash during the Las Vegas GP for the rookie Red Bull racer Y/n L/n, her boyfriend Logan Sargeant, is a mess, wanting to know what happened

pairing: Logan Sargeant x fem! driver

warnings: bad crash, medical attention

LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

It was already known that the 2023 Las Vegas GP was controversial, with the drain cover and refund, late times and over the top events, people had had enough.

“I feel so stupid wearing this..”, You mumble out, having to wear a race suit inspired by Elvis Presley for the Grand Prix.

“I dunno, I think it’s fun”, Max Verstappen says, a smile on his face as he admires the suit.

“I thought you said this Grand Prix was horrible”, you said narrowing your eyes at Max, “and that it was all show?”, you add on.

“Yeah well the suits are fun!”, he says, that smile still on his face.

“You just don’t want your boyfriend to see you in it that’s why..”, Max says teasingly, you let out an annoyed huff, rolling your eyes.

You were mostly annoyed because he was right, it was also a bit humiliating. You’re the female rookie driver who took Checos place after he retired in 2022, of course you’d want to be well respected.

You had proven your worth over the 2023 season, often placing P3 with Max on the podium, and of course you’d have your bad races, you are a rookie after all.

But your boyfriend had it much, much worse. Your boyfriend being Logan Sargeant. People thought it was an odd pair, since you were doing so well, but that made you more upset, knowing Logan has so much potential but wasn’t given enough time.

On the bright side he was showing his worth, improving over the season, but with no news on his contract.

“I was right, I knew it!”, Max says with a laugh, breaking you out of your trance, “Yeah..yeah whatever”, you mumble out, rolling your eyes at Max. Over time you and Max grew quite fond of each other, very similar to a sibling relationship.

“You two ready to win?”, You hear Christian ask, Max and you finally showing up in the garage, you both nod your heads at his question, focused on bringing back the win to Red Bull, which wouldn’t be hard with Max.

“Just one more lap to go! With how things are going now we’ll have both Red Bulls on the podium with Charles Leclerc splitting the two on the podium!”, you hear the announcer say.

“Just one more lap Y/n, push”, your engineer says, high hopes that you’ll push through for the P3.

Rounding the eighth corner you feel your break lag out for a moment, “Breaks lagging, doesn’t seem like a huge issue right now”, you say over radio to your engineer.

“Just keep it up for now”, you hear the reply, shaking it off you continue, going down the straight at nine, you’re ready to break for the slight curve at ten until your break, well, doesn’t break.

“Breaks gone! Can’t stop the car, shit!”, you shout over radio, nerves overtaking you as you let go of the steering wheel, your RB19 flying straight into the walls.

Your body thrashes about as your car hits the wall, and somehow, flips over. The force and momentum being too much it slams against the barrier, keeping you stuck in the car.

“Y/n are you alright?”, your engineer asks out, but is instead met with silence.

“It looks like a bad crash from the Red Bull of Y/n L/n!”, the announcer says, “There will be a red flag”

Darkness and silence is all that you’re met with, your body not being able to move.

“Was that Y/n?? Is she okay? Please tell me she’s okay!?”, Logan your boyfriend asks to his engineer as he gets back to the pit lane.

“I’m not sure”, his engineer replies.

As soon as Logan’s Williams is parked in the garage he is up and out of his seat, headset on as he watches the TV screen, anxiously waiting to see if you’re okay.

“Please baby..please be okay”, Logan mutters to himself, still watching as the medical car and staff rush to your aid.

“Y/n?? Are you okay? Please answer”, you can hear Christian ask out, you let out a soft groan.

“It’s all dark and- and I can’t move much, but I’m okay..” you softly reply over the radio, feeling the RB19 being moved and lifted.

Logan lets out a sigh, feeling a hand clap his back, he turns to see James Vowles.

James gives him a knowing look and nod, silently agreeing to let Logan go visit you once you’re sent to medical.

You feel yourself being lifted out of the RB19, both of your arms slung over medical staff as the walk you over towards the ambulance and drive you off to medical.

Once at medical, after you were checked and told you had a concussion, you were met with an anxious and worrisome Logan.

His arms are quick to wrap around you, his head burrowed into your neck as he takes in your scent, relief washing over him now that he has you in his arms.

“I was so worried baby..I thought I lost you..”, he mumbles into your neck, hands clutching at you.

“I wouldn’t leave you Log..you know that..”, you whisper out to him, trying to calm him down.

“It was scary Y/n, not knowing if you were okay or not…just seeing that Red Bull there..”, he says, pulling away from you just enough so he could look into your eyes.

Looking into his blue/green eyes you noticed how stressed he looked, and how bloodshot they were.

Giving him a reassuring smile, you lean up and press a kiss to his lips, pulling his body closer into yours you take in a deep breath.

“The important thing is, I’m here with you now”, you say, placing your head on his chest.

“Shame I couldn’t have been on the podium though…”, you mumble out, disappointment washing over you now.

“Yeah would’ve been nice to celebrate again like we did in Monaco..”, Logan says with a small chuckle, his eyes crinkling when he smiles.

You lightly slap his chest, letting out a small gasp, “Don’t say that!”

radio: Honestly felt this was rushed but I hope it was enjoyable nonetheless. Didn’t have a clue what I was doing for half of it 😭💙 (send in any requests!!)

tag: @treehouse-mouse

LOVE HOLD|⟮little miss maverick⟯

lando norris x wolff reader| wolff reader x f1 grid platonic (mostly)

a/n: there is no face claim, I just can't resist te perfection that is Anya Taylor-Joy(I wanted to save her for a Häkkinen!reader, but couldn't stop myself when I started the dior montage). those are little snippets from her life between the GQ video and Bahrain 23', to give some context. I gave names to y/n mother, sister, stepfather and etc, because I find mad confusing to put a bunch of y/mn, y/s/n, y/bff/n, it gets tiring and confusing especially if it comes one after the other in a social media tag or paragraph, thats the only reason I gave them names. there is a few tennis players in this story, not too crazy, but as it is a character a little bit inspired by break point some of those guys will show up and the netflix show will be mentioned. comment and give it a like if you like, I love to read what you guys have to say and your thoughts. I also gave a name to the series, it is very cliche but I couldn't think of nothing better.

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liked by lilymhe, lewishamilton and 865,678 others

(tagged: patrickmouratoglou; matsbahr; susie_wolff; lucy.abrams; british_airways; adidas; redbull; yonex_tennis; hbsc; hiltonhotels; hermes; charles_leclerc; carlossainz55; pierregasly; landonorris; benshelton; mariasherapova; the_kokk1; carlitosalcarazz; lewishamilton; georgerussell63; carmenmmundt)

y/name.wolff it wasn't easy but we did it! today my dream came true, in winning my twelfth title today, the fourth in a row this calendar year, I became the sixth grand slam champion in history, the fourth woman to do so and the very first brit. it takes a village and i would not have managed it without the amazing team i have behind me supporting me at every step. shout out to my coaches, my therapist, my sponsors and my family.🤍🏆🏆

thank u all for the flowers. i will be seeing a few of you in monza.

(i believe I tagged everyone, but my hands are shaking so much and is hard to see through my happy tears, so, if i forgot to tag you, consider yourself thanked)

view all 23,567 comments

pierregasly congratulations little wolff, never doubted you

↳y/n.wolff thank u 🍐

redbull #1!!!

↳y/name.wolff red bull gives you wings 😘

user1 mother is mothering😍😍

georgerussel63 #goat 🐐

landonorris 🔥🔥🔥

↳landonorris congratulations on yet another win, always knew you would🥇

↳ y/n.wolff thank you lan🤍

↳user4 the heart😍

↳user5 'lan' , oml

user2 girly is so delulu she forgot serenawilliams has like 30 grand slams

↳user3 serenawilliams has 23 titles from grand slams events, which eventually was a career grand slam, but she never managed all in a calendar year which is a true grand slam, y/n.wolff is the sixth tennis player to do so, and if she wins the WTA final in november she will have the super slam

benshelton #goat status🐐proud to see one of the greatest of our generation achieving something not even our heros did. keep going sis, next step is to make this a super slam 🥇

↳ y/n.wolff thank you little bro, you and those powerful serves next

mariasherapova little miss maverick. congrats kid, keep going marveling the world with your talent and breaking records along the way 🐐

↳ y/n.wolff🤍🤍🤍

11th Sep 2022

y/n.wolff added to her story:

Nov 9th 2022

liked by landonorris, charles_leclerc & 933,566 others

(tagged: opheliagatz; p.blanchard; cassandra.blanchard; giambattistavalliparis)

y/n.wolff 09·01·2023· the day is here, it only took you guys 20 years of living in sin, 15 years of engagement and raising two beautiful, charming, talented daughters together to finally put a ring on it. i am grateful every single day that in a world with 9 billion people, living in the same city, sharing common friends, you two manage to met outside a little cafe in milano in the summer of 03'(btw, i had the honor of witness this cosmic encounter, though i claim no recollection of the event). père phillippe, thank you for all the years as my bonus father and all the support you always gave me (there is no backing now).

love you two more than words can describe. thank u for trusting me with the role of maid of honour, hope i did a good job.

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landonorris congrats to mamma O and Phil❤️ beautiful cerimony

↳y/n.wolff 🤍

user1 was lando at the wedding???

Jan 10th 2023

y/n.wolff added to her story:

Jan 14th 2023

liked by pierregasly, dior & 933,566 others

(tagged: dior)

y/n.wolff i am happy to be (finally) able to announce that yours truly is now (officially) a dior muse and the new face of diorissimo🤍🤍🤍

view all 33,669 comments

mariagraziachiuri I am so happy to share this journey with someone I have seen grow into the beautiful woman she is today, such an example of timeless beauty and elegance, our true English Rose and the incarnation of the spirit Diorissimo.

↳y/n.wolff grazie mille Maria, thank you so much for the trust

Feb 27th 2023

y/n.wolff after three tournaments back-to-back and a brief pitstop in paris for fashion week, miss éclair wolff and I are heading to bahrain to watch 19 millionaires playboys going vrom vrom in circles for second place😊

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landonorris uncalled for ☹️

↳y/n.wolff as is your tractor 🙂

↳landonorris ☹️

↳y/n.wolff luv u sugarboo🤍

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tag list: @myescapefromthislife | @kapsylia | @biitch-with-wifi

Ready to send a new list. Part 1 of 2022. 1. January

So what happened in 2022. It started with a theatrical fall on the ice. She definitely will never participate in Dancing with the Stars. Because she isn't one but we might enter her into the Fallon F'lor awards.

01. January: The first Paparazzi call of the year. Location Miami beach. To portray the happy family. Let's ignore the nanny in the background.

February: she posted a picture holding hands that turned out to be taken from pinterest. It was edited to remove a bracelet and brighten the skin tone. She also posted pictures of a Valentine's gift. Roses with a gold rose and a teddy bear. Nonnies found out that this type of bear is not available to purchase from the Monaco florist shop for several months already.

February: Max is in Barcelona for preseason testing. One anon overheard him arguing with someone on the phone in English. "When I get back you better be gone"

February: Kelly sighted in Brazil. Rumors going around Brasilia Max and Kelly are on a break and Sophie supposedly was sighted in Monaco and stayed for some time

02 March: Cheating rumors from her birthday in December are talked about again with new information.

04 March: Max and Victoria celebrate their father's birthday in Ibiza.

07 March: Kelly is back in Monaco with Otitis. Oh no. But don't worry she let us know with creepy selfies. Do you have to take pictures while your boyfriend is kissing you? She also made sure to inform her army about her condition and that she won't make it to Bahrain for the official preseason testing on the 10th. And where was P? Left behind in Brazil.

15 March: in between testing and the official season opener Max went to Dubai for some marketing events. Kelly was allegedly overhead on the phone saying she did not know about the trip but she managed to get some pictures for ads.

20 March: Bahrain season opener. In the morning a nonnie says Max and Kelly were arguing at breakfast. She later spend watching the race from the tower instead of the box. Another nonnie saw Max after the race when she was clingy but after the DNF he just wanted to be left alone. She was also busy talking to her fanpages accounts and and wag pages to take down pictures she regarded as unflattering. Screenshots of the group chats were leaked.

27 March: Jeddah GP yay Max victory. No Kelly. 28 March: A Kelly stan Abril is spreading rumors Jos hit Kelly

30 March: Kelly signs up with a Dutch model agency "Talent Motherhood" 03 April: Max and Kelly celebrate his managers Raymond's birthday with a dinner in Monaco

05 April: Jos unfollows Kelly for a second time

06 April: Kryptic Kelly posts on her closed friends

07 April: Max changes his IG pfp 09 April: a mother of a 15 year old child who runs a Max fanpage reports about an unhappy exchange with Abril.

10 April: Australia GP. Sad DNF Max noises. No Kelly. Also Abril who ran hate accounts against Jos deletes her profile of kelly.piquet fan account

17 April: Kelly is deleting a lot of pictures on her IG feed.

17 April: alleged screenshots between Kelly and a guy she is having an affair with are published by a gossip account that is followed by Jos

24 April: Imola GP. Grand Slam Max. We see Max in normal clothes arriving to the GP. Nice leather jacket.

30 April: Arrival in Miami. Entire Piquet family and Sophie hanging out before the GP next week.

05 May: Kelly has a discussion on Motherhood. She's doing such a good job at it P had to demonstrate how well mannered she is taking the focus away from her. She also generously donated P's old clothes that don't fit anymore. Give her a sainthood now.  16 May: Christening of Victoria's children. Max is a Godfather. Kelly and P and rest of family present. Kelly used it as advertisement for Valentino, who never claimed to work with her

22 May: Kelly deletes most APM Monaco posts. Nonnies claim she was never a real ambassador like Charlotte and Charles are

25 May: Kelly on the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival for the Elvis premier for some reason. Looking every inch the model

28 May: Kelly shows up to Monaco GP with Elon Musks mother for some reason

29 May: Max comes 3rd on the GP. While waiting to go to the podium Kelly and Max are about 1 meter apart of each other. Her glare is fixated away from Max towards the camera that is filming race winner Checo. When the Camera follows Checo towards Max & Kelly she signals him to give her a kiss to be in frame of the camera

03 June: Vacation for Max and Kelly and a bunch of friends in St. Tropez

DAMN

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ripped into Michigan State University on Monday, accusing the school of "no clear unified leadership" amid rancor on the governing board and other unflattering incidents.

Whitmer's statement came after two trustees over the weekend said they would support the ouster of board chair Rema Vassar.

Separately, MSU apologized after an image of Adolf Hitler was displayed on the scoreboard before the Michigan-MSU football game Saturday night. Officials said it was part of a quiz by an outside contractor that provides pregame content.

WHITMER UNVEILS AD CAMPAIGN ENCOURAGING CITY-DWELLERS, COLLEGE STUDENTS TO MOVE TO MICHIGAN

MSU also is dealing with fallout from the firing of football coach Mel Tucker who was accused of sexually harassing a woman over the phone. Some critics say the school should have acted months ago.

The latest turmoil involves MSU's governing board. Trustee Brianna Scott accused Vassar of "bullying" other trustees in her role as chair and unilaterally trying to negotiate a settlement with a dean who was forced out in 2022.

Scott said Vassar has not agreed to have her phone examined to determine if a trustee leaked the name of Tucker’s accuser to former trustees.

"This university has been rocked by scandal after scandal with no clear unified leadership or direction and tragically no accountability either," Whitmer, a Democrat and MSU graduate, said in a statement. "Right now, there are too many questions and not enough answers. The university owes it to students, alumni and our entire state to get to the bottom of this and take appropriate action."

FORMER ADVISER TO US AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL CALLS ON WHITMER TO RESIGN AFTER 'FRAUDULENT' RESPONSE TO ATTACKS

Later, at an event in Grand Rapids, Whitmer acknowledged that she could remove Vassar from office under certain conditions.

An email seeking comment was sent to Vassar, a Democrat, who is a professor at Wayne State University in Detroit. Voters elected her to MSU's board in 2020.

MSU's leadership has been in a state of flux. Samuel Stanley Jr. quit as president a year ago because of what he considered to be meddling by trustees. Teresa Woodruff, who serves as interim president, said she has dropped out of consideration for the permanent job.

She is MSU's fourth leader since Lou Anna Simon quit in 2018 in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal. Nassar was a campus doctor who sexually assaulted athletes, mostly females who were gymnasts.

The Road to... Wrestlemania XL

Part 2: Becky Lynch vs. Rhea Ripley

One of the most transcendent wrestling stars of the past couple years has to be the The Eradicator. Already an accomplished wrestler in the WWE, she would defeat Charlotte Flair at Wrestlemania 39 for the Women's World Championship after winning the 2023 Royal Rumble. For the past year, she has been completely dominant over the WWE women's rosters. I'm sure you know her, it's Rhea Ripley.

Rhea Ripley "The Eradicator", leader of The Judgment Day and the youngest "Grand Slam Champion" in WWE history. Standing at 5'7'', from Adelaide, South Australia, she has held the Women's World Championship for over a year. Finishers: Riptide, Prism Trap

Alongside Finn Balor, Damien Priest, later JD McDonagh, and of course her precious "Dirty" Dom Mysterio, Ripley has been unstoppable on top of the Raw roster. Who could possibly step up to "Mami"?

Well, before Ripley, another woman had recently been the undeniable ceiling of the division. She had also challenged the male-dominated scene of the company, bringing about the first women's main event of Wrestlemania. She is "The Man" Becky Lynch.

Becky Lynch "The Man", one of the "Four Horsewomen" who brought about the Women's Evolution movement in WWE, coining her iconic nickname against fellow horsewoman, Charlotte Flair Standing at 5'6'', from Limerick, Ireland, she is a six-time world champion, reigning for over 800 combined days and holding both world titles simultaneously following Wrestlemania 35. Finishers: The Dis-Arm-Her, Manhandle Slam

She picked up a head of steam in the build-up to Wrestlemania 35, becoming arguably the most popular wrestler in the world before winning both world titles in the main event. She'd hold what is now the WWE Women's Title for over a year before vacating it due to pregnancy. After the birth of her daughter, she'd return not as the rowdy punk who forced her way to the top but as "Big Time Becks", pulling off some of the most stunning looks in wrestling history (seriously, check these out!). However, at Summerslam 2022, we would see Lynch stand up once again as a hero of the people. Across 2023, she would feud with the legendary Trish Stratus, as well as the up-and-coming Tiffany Stratton, before taking part in the War Games match on Team Belair. She would try to win the 2024 Royal Rumble, but would fall short. But at Elimination Chamber, she would win the titular women's match to become the number one contender to Ripley's title.

Two of the most dominant women's champions in WWE history clash at Wrestlemania XL, with both wanting to cement their legacy in the WWE women's division. "Mami is always on top" as Ripley says, but as Lynch said at the Wrestlemania XL Kickoff Event, she's going to "show her what it feels like to be a bottom"... Yes, that is a direct quote.

If you want to follow this storyline as it developed, WWE put out a compilation on their YouTube here!

Events 9.6 (after 1940)

1943 – The Monterrey Institute of Technology is founded in Monterrey, Mexico as one of the largest and most influential private universities in Latin America. 1943 – Pennsylvania Railroad's premier train derails at Frankford Junction in Philadelphia, killing 79 people and injuring 117 others. 1944 – World War II: The city of Ypres, Belgium is liberated by Allied forces. 1944 – World War II: Soviet forces capture the city of Tartu, Estonia. 1946 – United States Secretary of State James F. Byrnes announces that the U.S. will follow a policy of economic reconstruction in postwar Germany. 1952 – A prototype aircraft crashes at the Farnborough Airshow in Hampshire, England, killing 29 spectators and the two on board. 1955 – Istanbul's Greek, Jewish, and Armenian minorities are the target of a government-sponsored pogrom; dozens are killed in ensuing riots. 1962 – The United States government begins the Exercise Spade Fork nuclear readiness drill. 1962 – Archaeologist Peter Marsden discovers the first of the Blackfriars Ships dating back to the second century AD in the Blackfriars area of the banks of the River Thames in London. 1965 – India retaliates following Pakistan's Operation Grand Slam which results in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 that ends in a stalemate followed by the signing of the Tashkent Declaration. 1966 – Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd, the architect of apartheid, is stabbed to death in Cape Town, South Africa during a parliamentary meeting. 1968 – Swaziland becomes independent. 1970 – Two passenger jets bound from Europe to New York are simultaneously hijacked by Palestinian terrorist members of the PFLP and taken to Dawson's Field, Jordan. 1971 – Paninternational Flight 112 crashes on the Bundesautobahn 7 highway near Hamburg Airport, in Hamburg, Germany, killing 22. 1972 – Munich massacre: Nine Israeli athletes die (along with a German policeman) at the hands of the Palestinian "Black September" terrorist group after being taken hostage at the Munich Olympic Games. Two other Israeli athletes were slain in the initial attack the previous day. 1976 – Cold War: Soviet Air Defence Forces pilot Viktor Belenko lands a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 jet fighter at Hakodate in Japan and requests political asylum in the United States; his request is granted. 1983 – The Soviet Union admits to shooting down Korean Air Lines Flight 007, stating that its operatives did not know that it was a civilian aircraft when it reportedly violated Soviet airspace. 1985 – Midwest Express Airlines Flight 105 crashes near Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, killing all 31 people on board. 1991 – The Soviet Union recognizes the independence of the Baltic states Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. 1991 – The Russian parliament approves the name change of Leningrad back to Saint Petersburg. The change is effective October 1. 1995 – Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles plays in his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking a record that had stood for 56 years. 1997 – The Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales takes place in London. Well over a million people lined the streets and 21⁄2 billion watched around the world on television. 2003 – Mahmoud Abbas resigns from his position of Palestinian Prime Minister. 2007 – Israel executes the air strike Operation Orchard to destroy a nuclear reactor in Syria. 2013 – Forty-one elephants are poisoned with cyanide in salt pans, by poachers in Hwange National Park. 2018 – Supreme Court of India decriminalised all consensual sex among adults in private, making homosexuality legal on the Indian lands. 2022 – Boris Johnson resigns as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and is replaced by Liz Truss. Their meetings with Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle were the Queen's final official duties before her death two days later. 2022 – Russo-Ukrainian War: Ukraine begins its Kharkiv counteroffensive, surprising Russian forces and retaking over 3,000 square kilometers of land, recapturing the entire Kharkiv Oblast west of the Oskil River, within the next week.

But like why wont chock and bates retire? Do they want olympic gold? Cause I do get them staying for the 2022 olympics to try that with tessa and Scott out of the picture, but like they only got Silver at the team event in that, and with all the younger pairs coming in i dont think they will be able to get gold in 2026 either, since they havent yet. And also if they are just wanting to skate together for fun isnt it easier and less stressful for everyone if they just do tours and shows. Like if they actually were at the top i could see why they would continue and if they were it would be fun to watch but they are just not so its not fun for anyone.

I think they want to get the career grand slam or the gold medal like you said. I'm not sure how much Madi has to go until she gets it but I think all she needs left is the gold medal in Paris and I'm not sure about Evan either.

I agree with everything you said, they're not getting any younger and their bodies aren't going to be able to hold on much longer, Evan's especially. Wouldn't it be easier to retire at the career high they're in, settle down, have some kids, and do some show skating vs the high pressure they're under now?

They're riding the wave of undeserved high scores for as long as they can because they were always put on the back burner with VM, the Shibs, and HD in the mix for so long.

However, ice dance is tricky and the judges will grow bored of them. Two years is a long time to try and ride the wave of Olympic gold while having so many younger teams, who definitely deserve a chance and don't have as many injuries as they do, competing harder and faster and able to adapt better than Bock can.

Ether way you put it, it's dumb to take up space when you've gotten everything and only are sticking around for either Montreal worlds or an Olympic gold medal.

F1 star George Russell slams Australian Grand Prix in conversation with Novak Djokovic

F1 star George Russell slams the Australian Grand Prix in revealing conversation with tennis icon Novak Djokovic - and he doesn't mince words about the sport's punishing schedule  George Russell slams the Australian GP  Russell criticises sport’s governing body  Mercedes star calls Aussie GP 'a killer' By James Cooney For Daily Mail Australia Published: 22:10 EDT, 12 April 2023 | Updated: 22:10 EDT, 12 April 2023 Formula 1 star George Russell has been caught on camera complaining about the Australian Grand Prix in a conversation with tennis ace Novak Djokovic. The 24-year-old Mercedes driver showed up at the Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in France this week to watch the Serb superstar compete. Russell, a long-time tennis fan, watched on as the 22-time Grand Slam champion cruised past Ivan Gakhov in straight sets to make the third round. Following the match, the Brit met up with Djokovic and the pair posed for some photos and made small talk. 'What's the stage now? Where are you guys going for the next one?' asked Djokovic. Formula 1 star George Russell has been caught on camera complaining about the Australian Grand Prix in a candid conversation with tennis ace Novak Djokovic (pictured together) The F1 star didn't mince words when it comes to the Australian Grand Prix and the exhausting toll it takes on the drivers 'We've got Azerbaijan next. We've just come back from Melbourne,' Russell responded. Djokovic then questioned Russell about the recovery timeframe for drivers following the trip down under. The F1 star then admitted what he really thinks of the event and the exhausting toll it takes on the drivers.  'Melbourne's a killer,' Russell said. 'I mean, it's probably taken a week to come back. 'We were meant to go to China next week so we've actually got a couple of weeks off. Then Azerbaijan and then the season really kicks off. Then Miami.' Djokovic went on to slam F1 bosses for not coordinating taking drivers' needs into account with the sport's schedule. Russell indicated that those complaints had already been made to the competition's top brass, but to no avail.  Russell indicated that drivers' complaints about the F1 schedule have fallen on deaf ears Russell is pictured after suffering a nightmare exit from the Australian GP earlier this month 'No, no, no, we've had a few conversations about this because we are left, right and centre,' Russell says. F1 chiefs have indeed discussed freshening up the sport's calendar as they look to lower freight costs and reduce its carbon footprint. 'I think if you look at the calendar, it makes sense to group some of the races together,' Red Bull boss Christian Horner told media in 2022.  'Whether it's some of the American races, some of the Asian races, Europe, obviously. Some of the calendar this year when you look at the geographics of it, Azerbaijan to Montreal, going to Australia for a weekend, it's about as expensive as you could make it.' Share or comment on this article: F1 star George Russell slams Australian Grand Prix in conversation with Novak Djokovic via Formula One | Mail Online https://www.dailymail.co.uk?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

MYSME-FICTOBER 14 OCT '22

Sweets

October 14th 2022

“These look fantastic Yoosung!” MC squealed as her chocolate brown eyes took in the variety of sweets on display.

“You think so? I worked really hard on this one, the crew was amazing too. Not sure I’ve gotten much sleep in the last few weeks, but it’s well worth it.” The blond was proud of his creations and happy to hear the RFA’s opinions on them. This was the first Halloween fundraiser, and he was ecstatic that Jumin and MC had asked him to cater the event. It was a different role from the one he’d previously had with the organization, but Saeran had filled the vacancy with ease.

His amethyst eyes scanned the crowd, and he quickly spotted his redheaded boyfriend with a headset on and a tablet in his hands. The man could tap on the tablet and give verbal commands without missing a beat. His gaze was pulled away as Jumin made his way towards the table. His body elegantly attired in a masquerade black and silver suit and a matching mask.

“You really have outdone yourself Yoosung, I must thank Saeran for encouraging you to follow this path, although I have missed out on an excellent apprentice.” He chuckled as he picked up a pumpkin tart shaped like, well, a pumpkin.

“Not to mention the rest of the food you’ve created. My particular favorite is the spaghetti zombie brains.” MC said.

People were drawn to the buffet. A lot of chatter began as they partook of the feast. It made Yoosung blush to hear such compliments and watching the pleasure eating his food brought to everyone. He didn’t hear a single complaint.

“I should take care of the auction, if you will both excuse me.” Jumin bent his head as he turned and walked away.

“I should probably take care of my own responsibilities.” MC gave Yoosung a short hug and swished away in her golden gown, the tail trailing behind her and shining in the twinkling lights strung on the ceiling.

The blond went back into the kitchen to restock some of the sweets, as they were quickly disappearing. His people and those Jumin had hired to work the event were busy, running in and out of the kitchen, one almost slammed into him, thankfully, the man held the tray he carried effortlessly. After the near miss he headed towards the packed treats when he saw a familiar red head.

Saeran, tablet in hand, fingers tapping away faster than seemed possible, had a mummy finger sandie cookie in his mouth. Yoosung watched in awe as the man quickly chewed it up and the cookie disappeared into his mouth. The other man didn’t skip a beat, nor did he take his eyes off of the tablet, as he snatched up another treat and stuffed it in his mouth, fingers going right back to what he had been doing on the tablet.

“Save some for the guests babe.” Yoosung said as he stepped closer to his boyfriend.

“Mmph?” Saeran looked up, mint green eyes as wide as a child who had been caught stealing candy. It made Yoosung laugh. It also made his heart soar to see the joy his pasteries brought to not only the people out in the grand room, but to those closest to him. Saeran had been invaluable as a taste tester, and of course, since he had such a sweet tooth, he had loved the job.

“Mm, sorry…I couldn’t help myself.” He set his tablet down and gave Yoosung a sheepish smirk. “They taste so good! Just like you.” He grinned and pulled Yoosung into a hug, planting a sweet kiss on him.

Yoosung heard the snickers around them, but he didn’t care. He was happy, it was one of the best days of his life, and he was going to enjoy it!

@reneepaquette: A hunk sandwich 🥪

Novak Djokovic - All 24 Slams (Part 2)

The second part of my Novak's Slams post. Wimbledon 2019-US Open 2023. Enjoy!

2019 Wimbledon

Def. Roger Federer: 7-6, 1-6, 7-6, 4-6, 13-12

Milestones Reached

Fifth Wimbledon title from six finals.

Second consecutive Wimbledon title.

Sixteenth slam overall.

Third time beating Roger in as many Wimbledon finals, maintaining his perfect record.

Longest Wimbledon final in history, at four hours fifty-seven minutes.

First Wimbledon final to use a final set tiebreak.

Novak saved championship points deep in the fifth set, first time in his career he's been able to do that.

The last slam final of Roger's career.

Second time Novak needed five sets to win a title at Wimbledon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2020 Australian Open

Def. Dominic Thiem: 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

Milestones Reached

First five setter in an AO final since 2012 against Nadal.

Seventeenth slam overall.

Eighth Australian open title from as many finals, extending his own perfect record.

First time coming back from two sets to one down in a slam final.

First player in the open era to win slams in three different decades.

Returned to Number one in the rankings post tournament.

Second consecutive Australian Open title, his third winning streak at the event.

First AO victory as second seed (third seed in 2008 and 2011, top seed all other years)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2021 Australian Open

Def. Daniil Medvedev: 7-5, 6-2, 6-2

Milestones Reached

Ninth Australian Open title in as many finals.

Eighteenth slam title overall.

After beating Milos Raonic in the fourth round, he joined Federer as the second man to win 300 or more matches at grand slam events.

Shortest slam victory for Novak.

Historic second three-peat at the Australian Open, tying himself for consecutive titles won at the tournament.

Third consecutive Australian Open title.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2021 French Open

Def. Stefanos Tsitsipas: 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4

Milestones Reached

Second French Open title.

Historic Second Career Grand Slam, the first of its kind in the open era.

Double Career Grand slam on all three surfaces.

First time for Novak coming back from two sets to love down to win a slam title.

Nineteenth slam overall, one away from Federer and Nadal.

First player in history to come back from a two set deficit in two matches at the same tournament.

Defeated Nadal for the second time at the French Open, the only player to do so twice, and only one of two to ever defeat Nadal at the French Open.

Retained the Number One ranking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2021 Wimbledon

Def. Matteo Berrettini: 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3

Milestones Reached

Third three slam season in his career.

Third consecutive Wimbledon title

Sixth Wimbledon title from seven finals.

Twentieth slam title overall, tying Federer and Nadal

First Surface Slam (winning a slam on all three surfaces in one year)

Retained the Number one ranking.

Dropped just two sets all tournament, to Draper in round one, and Berrettini in the finals.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2022 Wimbledon

Def. Nick Kyrgios: 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6

Milestones Reached

Twenty first slam title overall.

Seventh Wimbledon title, tying Sampras.

Seventh title from eight finals, and fourth consecutively.

Fifth man in the open era to record a streak of four titles at a single major.

Record 32nd slam final.

First player ever to win 80 matches at all four majors after beating Soon-woo Kwon in the first round.

Sadly, due to no ranking points being awarded, Novak fell out of the top eight post tournament.

Nick was also the first unseeded slam finalist since Tsonga at the 2008 Australian Open, and the first Australian to reach the Wimbledon final since Mark Philippoussis in 2003. AS well as being the first Australian slam finalist since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2023 Australian Open

Def. Stefanos Tsitsipas: 6-3, 7-6, 7-6

Milestones Reached

Tenth Australian Open title from as many finals.

Twenty second slam title overall, tying Nadal.

Novak became the second man, after Nadal, to record ten or more titles at one major.

Extended his AO match wins streak to 28 matches.

Dropped just one set en route to the title.

Fourth straight set win in an AO final, and second in a row.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2023 French Open

Def. Casper Ruud: 7-6, 6-3, 7-5

Milestones Reached

Third French Open title.

Historic Third Career Grand Slam, first of its kind ever.

Record breaking twenty-third slam title overall, holding the outright lead for the first time.

Oldest Roland Garros champion in history at 36 years and 20 days old.

Reclaimed the Number One ranking.

First man in history to have at least three slams on each of the three surfaces.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2023 US Open

Def. Daniil Medvedev: 6-3, 7-6, 6-3

Milestones Reached

Fourth US Open title, tying both Nadal and McEnroe.

Fourth US Open title from a record ten finals.

Record extending twenty-fourth slam title overall.

Third straight sets slam win of the year.

Fourth three slam season of his career.

Oldest US Open champion in the open era at 36 years and 111 days old.

First AO-FO-USO triple since Mats Wilander in 1988.

Third season reaching all four slam finals (lost to Alcaraz at Wimbledon)

Regained the Number One ranking after winning his first round match.

Lost just two sets all tournament.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, that's all for now! Hopefully, Novak can get it together for Roland Garros, so I can add a 25th slam to this post!

round up // MARCH 24

This March Round Up is one of the most media-diverse I’ve ever published. Two books! Two miniseries! One museum! One telecast! And somehow, most of them eventually come back to the same topic: movies. 

Now that the Oscars have named their 2023 victors (“My eyes see Oppenheimer!!!”), it feels like the 2024 movie year has finally started, and one major Awards Season contender is already out. (Keep reading to see if it is Kong x Godzilla!) Three of my top 10 picks this month are new films, but this brief pause between Awards Season and summer blockbusters means I have time for indulgent activities like reading books and playing Turner Classic Movies roulette on the DVR. May lulls like these between your busy seasons be just as enjoyable with these pop culture faves…

March Crowd-Pleasers

1. The Fury by Alex Michaelides (2024?)

You know it’s a good book when it’s already past your bedtime, you see that you have 100 pages left, and still say, “Yeah, there’s no way I’m not finishing this tonight.” I made this my January Book of the Month because it sounded like Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (my favorite movie of 2022), but this doesn’t center on a Benoit Blanc-style detective. At the center is a charming, unreliable narrator (one I kept picturing as John Mulaney) recounting the murder of a starlet (whom I kept picturing as Carole Lombard) while on vacation with her friends and family. I read 75% of this murder mystery set on a private Greek in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down!

2. Road House (2024)

Thank goodness Jake Gyllenhaal seems to be losing interest in prestige projects because he’s best when he’s a lil’ crazy. That’s just one reason this Road House is even more fun than the original. Read my full review for ZekeFilm. Crowd: 10/10 // Critic: 7/10

3. Barbie: The World Tour by Margot Robbie and Andrew Mukamal (2024)

I have referenced Barbie in almost every Round Up since it came out, and I'm not slowing down now. This new book from Margot Robbie and her stylist Andrew Mukamal catalogs each of her Barbie press tour looks inspired the doll’s historical closet, giving side-by-side comparisons the head-to-toe looks on the doll and on Robbie. With designers’ sketches and insight into how Robbie and Mukamal made their sartorial choices, it makes for a gorgeous coffee table book.

4. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

Big things go smash! I stopped by KMOV to chat about the newest Godzilla/Kong team-up with Joshua Ray, which won’t send you away smarter but probably in a better mood. Watch the full review. Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 4/10

5. SNL Round Up

I’m noticing my Saturday Night Live Round Ups are shorter this year, which is probably thanks to a greener cast. But I am always rooting for Studio 8H, and these three were worth re-watching and sharing in the text thread: 

“Detectives” (4913 with Sydney Sweeney)

“Loud Table” (4913)

“Moulin Rouge” (4914 with Josh Brolin)

More March Crowd-Pleasers: Morgan Freeman, Keanu Reeves, and Rachel Weisz get caught up in a murder plot surrounding a new energy source in Chain Reaction (1996) // Before Zodiac, Kurt Russell was a Miami Journal reporter investigating a serial killer in The Mean Season (1985)

March Critic Picks

1. Art in Bloom at the St. Louis Art Museum

Every spring SLAM invites floral artists to create arrangements inspired by pieces in the museum’s collection. As always, this event inspires me to look at works I’ve seen dozens of times in new ways, and I always discover flowers that make me wish my thumbs were more verdant.

2. Dune: Part Two (2024)

Dune is weird, but I love that it hasn’t stopped it from sourcing an endless supply of memes. Even more, I love that a vision as grand as this one has taken root in pop culture, that a new crop of young actors are catapulting movie stardom into the next generation, and that this epic is as concerned with philosophy and the craft of filmmaking as much as blockbuster-style spectacle. Crowd: 8.5/10 // 9/10

3. The Sixties (2014)

And now I’ve finally finished CNN’s decade miniseries. Though these series aren’t revolutionary—The Sixties episodes include “The War in Vietnam,” “The British Invasion,” and “The Space Race”—they provide more depth and insight than a Wikipedia article with plenty of interviews and primary source footage. (And perhaps too much insight with an 85-minute episode about the JFK assassination, which is steeped in more conspiracy theories than are worth mentioning.) Each of CNN's decade series has impressed me with the connections drawn to today, and The Sixties is no exception.

4. The 96th Oscars

It’s a treat when the consensus is that the Oscars ceremony was…good? It’s been a few years since that was the popular opinion! Not only were the winners a pretty solid selection, but most of the bits worked, most of the musical performances were solid, and it finished…early? These were my favorite moments during the brisk evening:

Past Best Supporting Actress winners celebrate this year’s nominees and winner, Da’Vine Joy Randolph

Past Best Supporting Actor winners celebrate this year’s nominees and winner, Robert Downey Jr.

Past Best Actor winners celebrate this year’s nominees and winner, Cillian Murphy

Past Best Actress winners celebrate this year’s nominees and winner, Emma Stone (even though I was rooting for Lily Gladstone)

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito rib Michael Keaton and present Best Visual Effects to the charming Godzilla Minus One crew

John Cena demonstrates the value of our Best Costume nominees

Kate McKinnon and America Ferrera present Best Documentary (though they’re not always sure which films are fact and which are fiction)

Ryan Gosling (and many more Kens) perform “I’m Just Ken”

“My eyes see Oppenheimer!!”

5. The Power of Film (2024)

Onetime UCLA professor Howard Suber walks us through some of the most popular and memorable films in history in this new Turner Classic Movies miniseries. He explains why they’ve passed the test of time, analyzing storytelling motifs and themes like destiny, love, heroes vs. villains, and paradox. I’m still thinking about some of his insights (e.g. there are no good characters, only good character relationships), and I compiled the 275 films he uses as examples on in a Letterboxd list.

More March Critic Picks: A Letter to Three Wives (1949) is a light-on-its-feet melodrama about three women wondering which of their husbands is about to leave them // Naughty Marietta (1935) pulls off the princess-with-a-mistaken-identity rom-com trope with a dash of music // A Double Life (1947) is a killer thriller (pun intended) about the dangers of taking inspiration from Othello in real life // Before Mr. Deeds, Gary Cooper was a more earnest small town simpleton who stumbles into millions in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) // Susan Hayward more than earns her Oscar for her performance based on a semi-true story about a woman on death row in I Want to Live! (1958) // Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor didn’t make me cry like the remake does, but their relationship in Father of the Bride (1950) is still sweetly moving 70+ years later // Even if it didn’t star Rock Hudson and Lauren Bacall, Written on the Wind (1956) would still look phenomenal because it’s directed by Douglas Sirk, but thank goodness they both get to cook in his Technicolor vision

Also in March…

I chipped in on a ZekeFilm piece on the Oscar-nominated live action shorts with a paragraph about Wes Anderson’s “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”

I also reviewed the perfectly pleasant Kung Fu Panda 4 for ZekeFilm…

…and for KMOV, where I also made some Oscar predictions before the big night.

Photo credits: The Fury, Barbie. Art in Bloom my own. All others IMDb.com.

On the Hero Dubai Desert Basic, Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed Present Drama

Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed have a protracted historical past of dueling when it issues most. The rivalry has produced some epic golf matches, essentially the most stunning of which can have been final 12 months’s Hero Dubai Desert Basic, being performed once more beginning on Thursday on the DP World Tour within the United Arab Emirates. On the 2016 Ryder Cup, held at Hazeltine Nationwide Golf Membership in Minnesota, McIlroy and Reed have been additionally pitted in opposition to one another on the ultimate day of singles matches. The pair traded unbelievable pictures on the entrance 9, nevertheless it was the interaction between them — finger wagging, shushing, cupping ears to rile up the gang — that many keep in mind. However in an indication of sportsmanship, the 2 fist-bumped strolling off one inexperienced. Reed received the match on the 18th gap. Two years later on the Masters Match, it was Reed and McIlroy battling once more. It’s the one main that McIlroy nonetheless must win to finish the profession grand slam. (He has received the USA Open, the British Open and, twice, the P.G.A. Championship.) Reed had led the event for the reason that midway mark, and within the ultimate spherical McIlroy was three pictures again. Reed received by one shot, six forward of McIlroy. Their rivalry had extremely anticipated showdowns that have been fierce and aggressive. Then got here LIV Golf, and the game splintered into two rival teams: those who went to the Saudi Arabia-backed league and those that stayed loyal to the established skilled golf excursions, the PGA and DP World Excursions. McIlroy turned a participant spokesman for the PGA Tour, whereas Reed went to LIV and have become a part of the 4Aces GC, a workforce captained by Dustin Johnson. Reed filed defamation lawsuits in opposition to the Golf Channel and several other golf writers, however the lawsuits have been dismissed and have been appealed. In McIlroy’s case, he received a subpoena on Christmas Eve 2022 when he was at house along with his household that was a part of a lawsuit in opposition to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour filed by Reed’s lawyer, Larry Klayman. Eventually 12 months’s Hero Dubai Desert Basic, McIlroy wasn’t inquisitive about chatting with Reed on the follow vary. (Reed flicked a tee at McIlroy after Reed stated McIlroy refused to acknowledge him on the driving vary.) What was stunning was the depth of the event, which got here all the way down to a duel between Reed and McIlroy. Like its counterpart, the Sentry on the PGA Tour, the Hero is often a collegial entry into the DP World Tour’s season. Dubai has created a household resort across the programs. Because the week superior, McIlroy and Reed have been circling one another within the event, and it was clear that the competitors had taken on an even bigger significance for McIlroy than a daily victory. McIlroy had grow to be the main PGA Tour participant voicing his anger in opposition to the gamers who had gone to LIV. Along with Reed, McIlroy clashed with Greg Norman, the previous world No. 1 who's LIV’s chief government. “I believe Greg must go,” McIlroy stated earlier than the Hero. “I believe he simply must exit stage left.” After the primary three rounds of final 12 months’s Hero, it appeared like McIlroy was going to coast to victory. Within the fourth spherical, with a 4 shot deficit, Reed received off to a scorching begin. At one level on the again 9 he was briefly within the lead. McIlroy drew even after a birdie on the seventeenth gap. Stepping as much as the tee of the 18th gap, McIlroy wanted a birdie to win. Hitting his third shot shut, he watched the ball roll into the opening earlier than letting out a roar. Reed had mounted a ultimate spherical cost, however completed one behind McIlroy. “Mentally, in the present day was in all probability one of many hardest rounds I've ever needed to play as a result of it might be very easy to let your feelings get in the way in which,” McIlroy stated at a information convention. “I simply needed to actually deal with myself and neglect who was up there on the leaderboard.” He added: “That is in all probability sweeter than it needs to be.” The victory had the heightened really feel of their Ryder Cup duel. Whereas LIV golfers had been stripped of their PGA Tour membership for becoming a member of the rival league, they have been allowed to play whereas a courtroom in England mulled whether or not the DP World Tour may ban them. A 12 months later, McIlroy is hanging a unique tone about LIV and its defectors. The shift got here after his Ryder Cup teammate Jon Rahm joined LIV Golf on the finish of 2023. “Finally, you possibly can say what you need and do what you need, however on the finish of the day you’re not going to have the ability to change peoples’ minds,” McIlroy stated on the “Stick to Football” podcast earlier this month. He continued, “I wouldn’t say I’ve misplaced the battle in opposition to LIV, however I’ve simply accepted the truth that that is a part of our sport now.” He stated that he was involved about what the continued division in skilled golf would imply for the game and that he hoped Rahm would nonetheless have the ability to compete within the Ryder Cup. He added that he had been too judgmental of the lads leaving to go to LIV. “On the finish of the day, we’re skilled golfers and we play to make a residing and make cash, so I perceive it,” he stated. “However I believe it’s simply created this division that can hopefully cease quickly.” McIlroy’s supervisor, Sean O’Flaherty, stated McIlroy was making ready for the Hero and didn't have something extra so as to add past what he stated on the podcast. Reed declined to remark by way of his LIV representatives. Whereas one event doesn't dictate the tenor of a season, what made final 12 months’s Hero attention-grabbing to observe was the battle between McIlroy and Reed coming all the way down to the ultimate gap. McIlroy is frightened that such aggressive battles will grow to be rarer — confined to the majors — and damage curiosity within the common tour stops that depend on huge names to attract followers. With many stars and fan favorites gone to LIV, there's much less alternative outdoors of the 4 majors for prime gamers to compete. LIV, alternatively, ensures that its 48 gamers will probably be at each occasion. “I believe what LIV and the Saudis have uncovered is that you just’re asking for tens of millions of {dollars} to sponsor these occasions, and also you’re not in a position to assure to the sponsors that the gamers are going to indicate up,” McIlroy stated on the podcast. “I can’t consider the PGA Tour has achieved so properly for therefore lengthy.” Others agree. “I believe if golf isn’t cautious you get to the purpose the place individuals say, I’m not that fired as much as watch the Phoenix Open as a result of Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Rahm aren't there,” stated Hughes Norton, the agent who negotiated Tiger Woods’s first cope with Nike and the writer of the approaching guide, “Rainmaker: Superagent Hughes Norton and the Cash-Seize Explosion of Golf From Tiger to LIV and Past.” Already, longtime sponsors, together with Honda and Wells Fargo, have pulled out of PGA Tour tournaments. And different sponsors are questioning the elevated prices if their event is likely one of the eight signature occasions, which provide larger purses and assure that extra elite gamers attend, however at a price of an extra $7 million on prime of the $13 million sponsor charge, Norton stated. “Perhaps Wells Fargo stated there are six huge names who used to come back to our occasions and now they’re not there,” he stated. “Sponsors are stressed now.” If that’s the case, the game wants extra battles like final 12 months’s Hero showdown. Read the full article

Sumit Nagal wins Chennai Open Challenger title and set to enter top 100 for first time in career: Chennai Open 2024

On Sunday, Sumit Nagal won his fifth Challenger-level singles title by beating Italian Luca Nardi in the final of the Chennai Open. The top Indian player is expected to enter the top 100 worldwide in the updated ATP rankings set to be released on Monday after his 6-1, 6-4 victory. Nagal is expected to secure the 98th position in the updated rankings on Monday.

Nagal: The champion of the ATP “Chennai Open Challenger”

On February 12, 2024, Nagal, as the champion of the ATP Chennai Open Challenger, will achieve a world ranking of 98.

After winning the final on Sunday, the Indian wiped away tears, and it is revealing the significance of this recent milestone in his remarkable turnaround story.

This comes less than a month after he qualified for the 2024 Australian Open and defeated 27th seed Alexander Bublik in the first round.

Nagal is set to enter the top 100 of ATP's singles rankings for the first time in his career. This achievement is a result of his victory over top seed Luca Nardi of Italy with a score of 6-1, 6-4 in the Chennai title match.

The updated rankings on Monday:

The updated rankings on Monday will see him climb from 121 to 98. Reaching the top 100 in singles is a significant achievement for any pro tennis player, a milestone accomplished by only 10 Indian men since the introduction of ATP rankings in 1973.

This unique list includes the famous players such as Vijay Amritraj, Ramesh Krishnan, Leander Paes, and Somdev Devvarman. No new entry has been seen in the last five years, with Prajnesh Gunneswaran being the last in 2019.

Nagal achieved his previous career-best ranking of 122 in August 2020:

Sumit Nagal, aged 26, was expected to reach this milestone when he achieved his previous career-best ranking of 122 in August 2020.

He notably became the first Indian man in seven years to win a Grand Slam main draw singles match at the 2020 US Open.

A persistent hip injury in 2021 led to surgery: Impacting his progress

However, a persistent hip injury in 2021 led to surgery later that year, impacting his progress, rankings, rhythm, and confidence.

Over the past 12 months, as he pieced together his journey and secured a spot in the top 100, emotions overwhelmed Sumit Nagal.

When the ball from Nardi went out, Nagal dropped his racquet, extended his arms wide, and looked up.

Following that, he let out a triumphant roar, hurried over to embrace Milos Galecic, his fitness trainer, and Devvarman, his mentor and part-time coach.

Nagal achieved a significant milestone overwhelmed with tears:

Nagal achieved a significant milestone in Devvarman's city and, overwhelmed with emotions, he slumped into their arms and broke down.

Expressing his feelings after the match, Nagal said, "Very emotional. Every tennis player wishes to be ranked in the top 100 globally. Achieving this for the first time is something I believe I'll always remember. This week, Roger's match (referring to his set off Roger Federer in the 2019 US Open), playing the Olympics (being the first Indian man since Paes to win a singles match at the 2021 Tokyo Games) — you don’t forget such moments. It’s a big, big achievement for me."

Nagal’s past inspiring journey:

It's appropriate that this accomplishment happened in the Chennai Challenger, the tournament that signaled the start of his return after surgery last year.

Struggling in 2022 as he returned to competitive tennis after a six-month break, Nagal entered the qualifiers of the Chennai event with a ranking in the 500s, desperately seeking a boost.

In that same week last year, where he reached the semi-finals as a qualifier, he not only gained nearly 100 places in the ATP rankings but also found the encouragement he needed.

Winning a couple of Challenger titles later in the season, in Rome and Tampere, continued to contribute to his upward momentum and strengthened his confidence. Returning to the same tournament a year later, Nagal's mindset was completely different.

According to Nagal:

"Last year, I was happy to have just qualified. By the time I reached the semis, I was emotionally drained because I hadn’t made a semi-final in years,” Nagal said. “Now, you come here ranked 120, you know you can win the tournament if you do well. That was the difference.”

Sumit Nagal's game level was impressive. He didn't lose a set throughout the week and played a "clean" final. Nagal secured early breaks in both sets, tactically constructed points from the baseline, and effectively handled Luca Nardi's diverse playing style.

He won without losing a single point even he met many obstacles:

His calmness during the match was impressive, especially after getting his serve broken two times in the second set.

On both occasions, he swiftly recovered, and the second time, he even won without losing a single point. On both occasions, he swiftly recovered, and the second time, he even won without losing a single point.

The transition from being ranked below 500 to entering the top 100 has been relatively smooth, but it wasn't without its challenges, testing Nagal's resilience.

"The summer of 2022 was probably the toughest time. After returning from a six-month break, I played three tournaments and got injured again. It was a very tough period, questioning yourself, wondering 'why me.' I felt like I made a change in October, telling myself, 'I need to stop playing the victim'," Nagal shared.

Nagal: Stable minded person and self-motivated person

"I'm very pleased that I figured out how to push myself and create every opportunity to be here." Now, the challenge is to maintain a spot in the top 100. The journey begins immediately with this week's Challenger in Bengaluru, where Nagal has more points to defend and potentially gain.

While rankings may go up and down, Nagal is looking for stability in his physical condition. "The last 12 months have been good for me. Touch wood, I've been healthy. That's all I ask for because I know that if I give myself a chance to keep playing, I can perform at a higher level."

Top 5 @Wikipedia pages from yesterday: Wednesday, 24th January 2024

Welcome, ongi etorri, velkommen, 欢迎 (huānyíng) 🤗 What were the top pages visited on @Wikipedia (24th January 2024) 🏆🌟🔥?

1️⃣: Nikki Haley "Nimarata Nikki Haley (née Randhawa; born January 20, 1972) is an American politician and diplomat who served as the 116th governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017 and as the 29th United States ambassador to the United Nations from January 2017 to December 2018. A member of the Republican Party,..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0? by Gage Skidmore

2️⃣: 2023 AFC Asian Cup "The 2023 AFC Asian Cup is the ongoing 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, the quadrennial international football tournament organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It involves 24 national teams after expansion in 2019, with Qatar the defending champions.On 17 October 2022, the AFC..."

3️⃣: XXXTentacion "Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy (January 23, 1998 – June 18, 2018), known professionally as XXXTentacion, was an American rapper and singer-songwriter. Though a controversial figure due to his widely publicized legal troubles, XXXTentacion gained a cult following among his young fanbase during his..."

Image by State of Florida

4️⃣: 2023 Africa Cup of Nations "The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, known in short as the 2023 AFCON or CAN 2023 and for sponsorship purposes as the TotalEnergies 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, is the ongoing 34th edition of the biennial African association football tournament organised by Confederation of African Football. It is hosted..."

5️⃣: Australian Open "The Australian Open is a tennis tournament held annually at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The tournament is the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events held each year, preceding the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. The Australian Open starts in the middle of January..."

Image by Tennis Australia and Landor Australia