Sport

Naomi Osaka out of Wimbledon, but teams up with Nick Kyrgios in new venture

Published

6 months ago

June 21, 2022

Holly Stearnes

Shock withdrawal as Tennis star Naomi Osaka pulls out of Wimbledon with an Achilles injury

The Japanese star has confirmed she will not be competing in the iconic grasscourt tournament.

The 24-year-old has now been placed on the withdrawal list, which will see her out of the event that is scheduled to begin on June 27.

It’s been a rough few years for the four-time grand slam champion, after citing an ankle injury in May which forced her out of the French Open.

Previously, Osaka also took a break from the game to focus on her mental wellbeing.

“After the storm comes the calm.”
“I feel like life keeps dealing cards and you’re never gonna be used to them. But it’s how you adapt to uncomfortable situations that really says stuff about your character.
Naomi osaka
Twitter post

Naomi Osaka
Photo Credit: The New York Times

my Achilles still isn’t right so I’ll see you next time 🥹🌱👋🏾 pic.twitter.com/mryWdKnitN
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 18, 2022

Here’s me running on a underwater treadmill because my Achilles is being stubborn still 😬 I must be aging or something. pic.twitter.com/vjEIvnxZxX
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 9, 2022

New business venture

While Osaka’s future on the court might be on hold, she is steaming ahead with her newest business venture.

She has launched a sports agency called ‘Evolve’ with her long-time agent Stuart Duguid. They want the agency to be “focused on brand partnerships, investing, creating athlete-owned businesses and philanthropy”.

Now, Australian tennis icon Nick Kyrgios has just confirmed he will be signing up as the first athlete. Let’s just say he’s pretty happy with the announcement.

“When I learned that Stuart and Naomi were starting an agency focused on supporting athletes like me, it made complete sense to join,
I have consistently tried to do things differently throughout my career and bring my entire personality to the game of tennis.
I’m excited to work with Stuart and Naomi and continue building on what we’ve started and push the game of tennis forward.”
nick Kyrgios statement

You GUYS ALREADY KNOW ☘️☘️☘️ https://t.co/rulrajhBK9
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) June 20, 2022

Duguid and Osaka believe that Kyrgios embodies what ‘Evolve’ is about. Many people have been speculating that Kyrgios and Osaka would team up, and now it’s official.

“EVOLVE is a unique place for a small number of generational athletes who can transcend their sport and influence broader culture — Nick is most definitely in that category.
“Love or hate him, you definitely can’t keep your eyes off him. If you go to any junior tennis tournament, you will see Nick’s influence.
“For Gen Z and younger, he is absolutely the icon.”
stuart duguid

Stuart Duguid
Photo Credit: Sports Business Journal

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Holly Stearnes

Holly is an anchor and reporter at Ticker. She's experienced in live reporting, and has previously covered the Covid-19 pandemic on-location. She's passionate about telling stories in business, climate and health.

Sport

Emergency World Cup departure by England’s Raheem Sterling

Published

1 day ago

December 6, 2022

Holly Stearnes

In a nightmare situation for the English national football team, Raheem Sterling has returned home after intruder broke into his family residence

Football superstar Raheem Sterling has returned home on an emergency flight, after intruders broke into his family residence.

Police are investigating the burglary at Sterling’s home in a town called Leatherhead, just south of Central London.

Reports suggest a number of expensive items were stolen, including watches and other jewellery.

Sources close to Sterling say he is “shaken” and “concerned” about the wellbeing of his loved ones and wants to be home to “support his family.”

There have been nothing be best wishes and support from fellow team mates and staff.

“For the moment the priority is clearly for him to be with his family…

We are going to support that and make sure he has as much time as he needs…

At the moment it’s a situation where he needs time with his family and I don’t want to put him under any pressure with that…

Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing and family should come first.
Gareth Southgate – ENGLAND FOOTBALL MANAGER

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – International Friendly – England v Ivory Coast – Wembley Stadium, London, Britain – March 29, 2022 England manager Gareth Southgate before the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

It comes as England get set for a big semi-finals match against France.

Sport

China hides maskless crowd by editing World Cup broadcast

Published

1 week ago

November 29, 2022

Holly Stearnes

China has made an effort to hide the rest of the world from its citizens by editing out crowd scenes from World Cup coverage

A China coverup has come to light as the country attempts to censor its World Cup broadcast.

Protests against China’s strict zero-covid strategy are engulfing its major cities, as Chinese TV feeds are edited to steer clear of crowd scenes.

State television removed camera shots of maskless crowd goers and instead shows closeups of coaches and players.

So I thought it was BS that China’s govt broadcaster was censoring shots of fans at the World Cup due to lockdown anger back home. But it’s true.
Here are live feeds from SBS & CCTV (which has a 32 second delay). As ⁦@DreyerChina⁩ explained, CCTV avoids crowd close ups: pic.twitter.com/wWui0cTdkC
— Bill Birtles (@billbirtles) November 27, 2022

This has its citizens questioning why the rest of the world is getting on with normality, while they remain under strict lockdown.

The World Cup comes at a turbulent time for China, as millions remain shut away from the rest of the world.

It also comes just weeks after Xi Jinping secured a third term, with many are now demanding an end to his rein.

Sport

Tech giant could bid for Man Utd

Published

2 weeks ago

November 25, 2022

Ahron Young

Apple could be the next owner of English football giant Manchester United.

Reports suggest the American tech giant is considering a billion-dollar bid to take over the club.

It was confirmed earlier this week that the American Glazer family’s ownership of the football club is set to end.

The family sent a note to the New York Stock Exchange saying they’re exploring “strategic alternatives” for the English football club.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is apparently keen to explore opportunities that owning Manchester United could provide, and is weighing up an official bid for the club in the region of $7 billion.