Connect with us

Sports

Jimmy Connors predicts who has the best chance of winning Wimbledon between Taylor …

Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton have been given a collective boost ahead of Wimbledon, with all three Americans now in the top 10 of the world rankings. Shelton has made his top 10 debut after reaching the semi-finals of the Boss Open, where he was beaten by Alexander Zverev. American ace Shelton has […]

Published

on

Jimmy Connors predicts who has the best chance of winning Wimbledon between Taylor ...

Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton have been given a collective boost ahead of Wimbledon, with all three Americans now in the top 10 of the world rankings.

Shelton has made his top 10 debut after reaching the semi-finals of the Boss Open, where he was beaten by Alexander Zverev.

American ace Shelton has risen two places to 10th in the ATP Tour rankings following the run, with Fritz rising three places to fourth after winning the tournament.

Fritz won his fourth grass title in Stuttgart, and is now behind only Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Zverev in the world rankings.

Paul meanwhile occupies eighth place, with three American men in the top 10 for the first time since 2006.

Taylor Fritz of United States poses with his trophy for the singles Champion at the Emirates net sign after winning the final against Alexander Zverev of Germany during Day 7 of the Boss Open at Tennisclub Weissenhof.
Photo by Mathias Schulz/Newhouse Media/MB Media/Getty Images

Jimmy Connors says who has best chance of Wimbledon win between Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton

In April that year, it was the iconic figures of Andre Agassi, James Blake and Andy Roddick who boasted such a feat.

Another American icon in Jimmy Connors has now shared his verdict on the current trio, discussing which of the three players has the best chance of winning Wimbledon.

READ MORE: Taylor Fritz suggests how a lot of ATP players are starting to feel when watching Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner play

“They have got big games, Fritz and Shelton,” he said on the Advantage Connors podcast. “They hit the ball hard, they serve big.

“But I like Tommy Paul. He has got guts. He doesn’t have the weapons but also on grass you have to remember that movement is a big part of it.

“So if he can get a little lucky draw and get stuck in there, some good things could happen for him too. Shelton is a lefty, on grass that is always tough.

“But you have just got to remember that no matter what cutting down on your errors is an important thing. It’s okay to go for your big shots and hit a winner but there is a right time and a right place for all of that.”

American men almost emulate American women after latest ATP and WTA rankings

It has been a long time coming, but American men have finally somewhat emulated their counterparts on the WTA Tour.

But American women do still hold the bragging rights over the men regarding the top 10, with four players on the list.

READ MORE: How much money the Wimbledon winners will receive this year as record total confirmed

Ben Shelton of the United States reacts in the Men's Singles Semifinal against Jannik Sinner of Italy during day 13 of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park.
Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula are ranked second and third in the world respectively, with Madison Keys in sixth and Emma Navarro in ninth.

But perhaps it is better to celebrate the latest achievement from American men as opposed to comparing them to their compatriots.

4 Taylor Fritz
8 Tommy Paul
10 Ben Shelton
13 Frances Tiafoe
26 Sebastian Korda
32 Brandon Nakashima
33 Alex Michelsen
43 Marcos Giron
67 Learner Tien
75 Reilly Opelka
10 highest-ranked American ATP players

Roddick remains last such player to win a Grand Slam, with the former world number one having won the 2003 US Open.

There is still a lot of work to be done, but the latest rankings could suggest another American male Grand Slam champion is now imminent.

Just like the women, the men are seemingly pushing each other to be better, while they should be desperate to be the person to end such a long major drought.

But it is quite simply a huge if, with European duo Sinner and Alcaraz certain to be near-impossible to get past at Wimbledon.

Sports

Student athletes head to World University Games

Eighteen University of Auckland students are heading to the World University Games in Germany. Engineering student Flynn Howarth will be representing Aotearoa New Zealand in water polo. Eighteen students from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland have been selected to represent New Zealand at this year’s FISU World University Games in Germany, held from 16-27 […]

Published

on


Eighteen University of Auckland students are heading to the World University Games in Germany.

Water polo player in swimming pool

Engineering student Flynn Howarth will be representing Aotearoa New Zealand in water polo.

Eighteen students from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland have been selected to represent New Zealand at this year’s FISU World University Games in Germany, held from 16-27 July.  

 

They’re part of a wider team of 84 student athletes competing across multiple sports at the world’s second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympics. The Games bring together more than 8,500 student athletes and officials from over 150 countries, and often serve as a stepping stone towards Commonwealth and Olympic Games representation. 

 

The University of Auckland athletes, who are all part of the University’s High Performance Support Programme, will compete in disciplines including archery, athletics, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, beach volleyball, fencing, rowing, and water polo. 

 

Four of them share their thoughts ahead of the Games.

Lex Revell-Lewis – Athletics

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Athletics

Lex Revell-Lewis is a New Zealand 400m record holder.

New Zealand 400m record holder Lex Revell-Lewis got his start in athletics through his local club as a young child. 

 

“Club nights were on Wednesday after school and my parents would take me along to participate in all the fun activities there were to offer. I started at a young age and haven’t looked back,” he says. 

 

At the Games, Lex will compete in the 400m, the 4x400m men’s relay, and the mixed 4x400m relay. He says he’s feeling “excited about the possibilities and curious about the outcomes.”

 

“My hopes are to lower my current national record in the 400m even further, which should put me in medal contention,” he says.

Isabella Matthews – Archery 

Bachelor of Arts

Archery

Isabella Matthews’ love of archery began at age ten.

Isabella Matthews says her love of archery began after reading Suzanne Collins’ dystopian series, The Hunger Games

 

“I was ten … I wanted to be Katniss Everdeen. I wasn’t very good at the sport, but I absolutely fell in love with it. Over time, the sport became its own thing for me, and I was doing it because I wanted to see how far I could go,” she says. 

 

Now representing Aotearoa New Zealand for the fifth time, Isabella will compete in the recurve division at her second major international tournament, just weeks after her first. 

 

“It’s super cool to be able to compete internationally back-to-back. I’m also excited to be competing against some of the world’s best archers and meeting other athletes. My hopes for the future are to win a medal at an international World Archery tournament, whether that’s individually or in a team.”

Arie Rasmussen-Magasiva – Rowing 

Bachelor of Commerce and Global Studies (Conjoint)

Rowing

Arie Rasmussen-Magasiva will be racing in the single sculls event in Germany. Photo: Sharron Bennett

Arie Rasmussen-Magasiva first gave rowing a go in high school after his friends signed up, and he hasn’t looked back. 

 

“I kind of just followed them in and thought it would be good fun, but ever since then I’ve been locked in,” he says. “My family never had a history in the sport and I’d never really heard much about it so rowing was very new to me, but now I can’t imagine what I’d do with my time without it.”

 

Arie will be racing in the single sculls event in Germany, where he’ll be competing internationally for the first time. 

 

“I’m feeling pretty nervous as it’s my first big international competition racing against athletes from countries all over. But I back myself, the training I’ve been doing and the effort I’ve put in, and I’m honestly just excited to give it everything and get as much out of this experience as I can.”

 

Arie’s long-term goal is to eventually make the Olympics. 

 

“LA 2028, that’s the big goal right now. To get there, I’ll need to earn a spot in the New Zealand Elite squad, so I’m going to keep grinding away over the next few years and see if I can make my dream come true.”

Havana Hopman – Rhythmic Gymnastics

Bachelor of Science

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Havana Hopman is a multiple New Zealand rhythmic gymnastics champion.

A multiple New Zealand champion, Havana Hopman first discovered rhythmic gymnastics at the age of seven while doing artistic gymnastics.

“I remember seeing a video of someone throwing a ball and catching it behind their head. I was mesmerised,” she says. “My parents sent me to try it out, and I’ve been in love with the sport ever since.”

Now, Havana is preparing to compete on the world stage.

“I can’t wait to get out there and perform everything we’ve been working on. I’m very proud to be representing the fern on my chest. I hope to just really enjoy it, soak it all up.”

Our other University of Auckland representatives:



Archery:


Ben McLean, Bachelor of Science

Artistic gymnastics:

Daniel Stoddart, Bachelor of Engineering 

Joshua Teitelbaum, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Athletics:

Isabel Neal, Master of Physiotherapy Practice

Tommy Te Puni, Master of Commerce

Hannah Adye, Bachelor of Science

Marielle Venida, Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Design (Conjoint)

Jordyn Blake, Master of Property Practice

Beach Volleyball:

James Sadlier, Bachelor of Commerce

Fencing:

Elsie Lins, Bachelor of Global Studies

Matthew Valkenburg, Bachelor of Science

Chantelle May, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Fine Arts

Helen Wang, Master of Commerce

Water Polo:

Flynn Howarth, Bachelor of Engineering

 

THE EVENT:

The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, 16-27 July

Read more

Some events will be broadcast live here



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Flying Bison rally late to beat Shadowcats

Herald Democrat ABILENE — The Sherman Shadowcats were unable to hold off a late push from the Abilene Flying Bison in a 7-5 loss at… Previous Post College Roundup — AC women’s water polo trio named All-Americans Next Post PHOTO: Vintage photo presentation Link 0

Published

on


Herald Democrat ABILENE — The Sherman Shadowcats were unable to hold off a late push from the Abilene Flying Bison in a 7-5 loss at…



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Chicago White Sox Trade With Toronto Blue Jays For Minor League Outfielder

CHICAGO –– The White Sox and Blue Jays wrapped up a three-game series at Rate Field on Wednesday, with Toronto winning two of three games. One day later, the teams announced a trade. The White Sox acquired outfielder Will Robertson in exchange for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. Robertson, 27, has spent […]

Published

on

Chicago White Sox Trade With Toronto Blue Jays For Minor League Outfielder

CHICAGO –– The White Sox and Blue Jays wrapped up a three-game series at Rate Field on Wednesday, with Toronto winning two of three games. One day later, the teams announced a trade.

The White Sox acquired outfielder Will Robertson in exchange for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. Robertson, 27, has spent a majority of the season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, but played three games with the Blue Jays in June.

Across 233 minor league plate appearances in 2025, the left-handed hitter slashed .292/.403/.578 with 14 home runs, 11 doubles, 44 RBIs, 39 runs, one stolen base, 36 walks and 57 strikeouts. He recorded one hit in 12 plate appearances with the Blue Jays, representing his first stint in the major leagues.

Robertson has played all three outfield positions this season, with the most coming in right field. He has spent his entire professional career with the Blue Jays, who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Creighton University.

The White Sox have no shortage of outfielders on the major league roster, including Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Benintendi, Mike Tauchman, Michael A. Taylor, Austin Slater. But the team also placed Brooks Baldwin on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a lower back strain. He had appeared in seven straight games in center field to begin July, and was replaced by first baseman Tim Elko.

The July 31 trade deadline is also approaching, and the White Sox are likely to be sellers due to their 31-62 record. That could create a path for Robertson to join the major league roster at some point this season.

The Knights have four road games against the Memphis Redbirds before the All-Star break. Thursday’s game is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET.

Continue Reading

Sports

Ringling College Hosts inaugural Symposium on Immersive Technology in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science

RocketKids Article SRQ DAILY THURSDAY FAMILY AND RECREATION EDITION THURSDAY JUL 10, 2025 | Ringling College of Art and Design proudly served as the host site for the inaugural Virtual Reality in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Symposium, held June 5 and 6, 2025, and presented by the International Virtual Reality Healthcare Association (IVRHA). This […]

Published

on


RocketKids Article

Ringling College of Art and Design proudly served as the host site for the inaugural Virtual Reality in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Symposium, held June 5 and 6, 2025, and presented by the International Virtual Reality Healthcare Association (IVRHA). This inaugural event brought together global thought leaders in healthcare, athletics, technology, and academia to explore how immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality are transforming sports performance, rehabilitation, and cognitive health. The symposium featured a diverse mix of clinical research, elite sports training, and design innovation, with presentations spanning football, baseball, cricket, tennis, track and field, fencing, and martial arts. These sessions emphasized the expanding role of immersive tools across both high-performance athletics and general wellness applications.

To learn more click here





Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Avery Skinner – 2025 VNL with Team USA

Baylor volleyball alumna Avery Skinner is making waves once again with Team USA, this time in the 2025 installment of the Volleyball Nations’ League (VNL) week 3 in Arlington, Texas. JULY 9 – VERSUS THAILAND Skinner entered the lineup for the first time this VNL tournament and had a heck of a showing with a […]

Published

on


Baylor volleyball alumna Avery Skinner is making waves once again with Team USA, this time in the 2025 installment of the Volleyball Nations’ League (VNL) week 3 in Arlington, Texas.

JULY 9 – VERSUS THAILAND

Skinner entered the lineup for the first time this VNL tournament and had a heck of a showing with a team-high 22 points, 19 kills and 10 digs, also tacking on two blocks and an ace. The native Texan had a .324 hitting efficiency in her 2025 VNL debut, helping the the U.S. Women’s National Team defeat Thailand, 3-1 (28-26, 21-25, 27-25, 25-15).

“Thailand is an amazing team. We knew the rallies were going to be long, so for us, it was about being patient, not trying to score necessarily on the first ball but when we got our chance, then going for it,” Skinner commented. “It was special. I have been so excited waiting for this match. I’m glad we could come out and get a win. It’s really fun being back with this group. Coming to Arlington is so fun because we get to play in front of our crowd. We are grateful for all the fans who have come out to support us.”

Full results for the match can be found here. The USA Volleyball recap for the match can be found here.

JULY 10 – VERSUS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Tickets in Arlington

JULY 10 – VERSUS CANADA

Tickets in Arlington

JULY 13 – VERSUS CHINA

Tickets in Arlington

 



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Beach Volleyball Announces Hiring of Emily Kubicsko as Assistant Coach

Story Links Jacksonville, Fla. – The Jacksonville University beach volleyball team announced Thursday the hiring of Emily Kubicsko as the team’s new assistant coach.  Kubicsko joins in a coaching role after a decorated four-year career with the team as a student-athlete.  “I am thrilled to welcome Emily to our staff this […]

Published

on


Jacksonville, Fla. – The Jacksonville University beach volleyball team announced Thursday the hiring of Emily Kubicsko as the team’s new assistant coach.  Kubicsko joins in a coaching role after a decorated four-year career with the team as a student-athlete. 

“I am thrilled to welcome Emily to our staff this year,” head coach Dylan Hough said. “Over the past four years, she has been a foundational part of our program’s growth, and I’m excited to see her continue to elevate JU Beach in this new role. Emily is an exceptional teammate, leader, student, and friend. Her character and work ethic have always set the standard, and I have no doubt she will thrive and make a lasting impact in this new position.” 

During her career as an athlete, Kubicsko etched herself as the program’s all-time wins leader. 

She made an immediate impact as a freshman, appearing in 34 matches and helping the Dolphins to their most single-season wins in program history. During that 2022 campaign, she broke the freshman wins record alongside Sydney Eckhardt, and set the single-season record at the 2’s flight with Eckhardt. 

The next year, she set a new record for wins by 1’s pair in a single season by seven wins with 24. After another 16 wins in her junior year, she was only five wins shy of the all-time win record in Jacksonville Beach Volleyball history. 

Heading into her senior campaign, Kubicsko earned preseason All-ASUN honors. Fourteen games into the 2025 season, she became the all-time wins leader in Jacksonville University history. She wrapped up her illustrious career with 72 wins, 11 more than the previous record holder.  

Her senior season earned her Second-Team All-ASUN honors. Her 2022 class graduated as the winningest in program history.



Link

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending