The good news for Iga Swiatek is that, after two straight early exits in Melbourne, she returned to the Australian Open semis for the first time since 2022. This year, in her first five matches, Swiatek was exceptionally dominant, dropping just 14 games in ten sets. As Emma Navarro said after losing 6-1, 6-2 to Swiatek in an 89-minute quarterfinal, “I think something she does really well is she’s really quick, and she does everything with 100 percent conviction and intensity.”
Said Swiatek that day, “These tournaments are long. Even if you start amazing, like, something can happen during the two weeks. I wouldn’t say something feels super different. Probably, yeah, I feel like I’m relaxed and just focused on the right things.” Amid last year’s frustrating losses at Wimbledon and the US Open, as well as her recent drug suspension, it was refreshing to see Swiatek playing with renewed focus and precision.
Swiatek got within a point of reaching her first Australian Open final after an excellent week in Melbourne.
But then came the bad news. One point away from reaching her first Australian Open final, Swiatek was overcome by an inspired Keys in one of the best matches of the tournament, losing 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (8) in two hours and 38 minutes. “I felt like I had my chance,” said Swiatek. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. Maybe I’ll have more chances. I think I’m pretty spoiled in a way that I could always use these chances. When I had an opportunity to win, I always kind of win. Obviously it’s disappointing when it doesn’t happen, but this is sport, so it’s not always going to go my way.”
Both on and off the court, Swiatek’s 2024 was often mysterious, vague, ambiguous (such as the chronology of events surrounding the suspension). The thinking here is that she’s in excellent shape to step confidently forward as ’25 continues.
McDonald’s is partnering with WNBA and Unrivaled star Angel Reese for a new signature meal.
According to Front Office Sports, the Angel Reese Special will feature a BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese, fries and a drink:
While McDonald’s has collaborated with several celebrities and athletes over the years, this marks the first time a female athlete will have a signature meal at the iconic fast food chain.
Legendary NBA star Michael Jordan had his own signature meal called the McJordan Special back in 1992, but McDonald’s has focused more on musicians in recent years, such as Travis Scott, J Balvin, BTS, Saweetie, Mariah Carey, Cardi B and Offset.
Reese is bucking that trend, though, in the latest example of her immense and ever-growing star power.
The 22-year-old Reese first rose to prominence at the collegiate level, starring at Maryland and LSU. While at LSU, Reese won a national championship in 2023 and was named the NCAA tournament’s most outstanding player.
Reese went seventh overall to the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA draft, and although a fractured wrist cut her rookie season short, she still earned an All-Star selection and finished second to Caitlin Clark in Rookie of the Year voting by virtue of averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game.
She recently returned to the court as part of Rose BC in the brand-new Unrivaled three-on-three women’s basketball league.
While Rose BC are just 1-3, Reese has been productive with averages of 10.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
The Unrivaled season runs until March 17, and the 2025 WNBA season will begin about two months later in May.
The Angel Reese Special will be available at all participating McDonald’s locations beginning on Feb. 10.
Angel Reese just became the first female athlete to ever get her own signature meal with McDonald’s … but it might not be her go-to on gamedays — ’cause it’s a health nut’s nightmare.
The Golden Arches dropped the details of the limited-time combo on Thursday … saying the Chicago Sky star’s menu item will be called, “The Angel Reese Special.”
It comes with a medium Hi-C Orange Lavaburst drink, fries and a quarter pounder with “unapologetically bold and smoky BBQ sauce,” crispy bacon and cheese.
It sounds absolutely delicious, but consumers might wanna take a glance at the nutritional information.
According to the McDonald’s site, the meal has 1,230 calories, 82 grams of sugar, 50 grams of fat, 160 grams of carbs, 115mg of cholesterol and 1,790 mg of sodium.
All that being said, folks looking to indulge in Reese’s meal might wanna hit the gym beforehand.
Regardless, it’s still a big moment for Reese … who said, “It’s really a dream come true to be the first-ever female athlete to have my own meal and be a part of McDonald’s amazing basketball legacy.”
“I hope the Angel Reese Special inspires young athletes everywhere to never give up on pursuing their dreams.”
Reese now joins fellow celebs like Travis Scott, BTS, Cardi B and Offset and Saweetieas big names who have recently gotten a collab … and Michael Jordan did it way back in the day.
The meal will be available on February 10 … so, possible Valentine’s Day date?!
Coco Gauff Details Her Stalking Horror Following American Olympic Gold Medalist’s Bone-Chilling Account
In sports, fame is an inevitable part of a player’s journey. Once an individual’s name shoots to success, there’s no looking back. With enormous popularity, however, comes the risk of harassment – online or offline. One doesn’t even need to go back in time to look for examples. WNBA star from Indian Fever Caitlin Clark faced a harrowing incident this year itself – in early January. A 55-year-old man was charged with stalking after he was arrested. And on Thursday, Olympic Gold medalist Gabby Thomas revealed she was being followed by a group of men. It drew a reaction from compatriot and tennis star Coco Gauff, who recalled her own disturbing instances.
For the unversed, track and field athlete Gabby Thomas took to her TikTok and posted a video, dated January 30. Asking her followers for advice on what she should do in such cases, she reported that several men had been approaching her to sign stacks of photos at different airports. No matter where she goes, they follow her while asking for signatures. “It doesn’t matter what city,” she said as reported by NBC News on Thursday. “They’ve come when I was traveling to and from Chicago, they’ve come when I’m traveling to and from Miami. And they have my flight information.”
She also mentioned that she didn’t feel safe on most occasions while coming across these men. Especially while traveling alone. “What scares me is that they have my flight information even when I don’t even know what time I’m flying out sometimes — I don’t tell anyone my flight information,” she added. It didn’t take long for her close friend and 2023 US Open winner Coco Gauff to comment on Thomas’ TikTok video. “This happens to me too, I don’t know how it happens,” she wrote as reported by NBC News. Trying to give a possible explanation behind such instances she added, “My theory is maybe someone at the airport tips them off.”
However, stalking at airports isn’t the only scary thing to have happened to the 2024 WTA Finals winner. Even before she shot to fame with her title win at the Flushing Meadows, the 20-year-old had experienced a disturbing incident.
When Coco Gauff and her family had to take help from police
Back in July 2019, Coco Gauff became a huge sensation after she pulled off an incredible win against Venus Williams. At Wimbledon, Gauff faced the seven-time Major champion in the first round and eventually beat her 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets. It was perhaps the biggest upset of the event that time. As a result, a young Gauff was catapulted into the limelight, becoming a household name. But she soon came to realize the downsides of being popular. How, you wonder?
Talking to Teen Vogue, in August 2019, a 15-year-old Coco Gauff mentioned that she was followed by a car. She was traveling with her parents. The situation got so intense that they had to eventually stop their car and report to a police station. “We’ve just kind of been making sure we change our schedule every day so no one, like, I don’t know, figures out what we do. My dad’s crazy, so I think we’ll be OK,” she said.
But that instance didn’t deter her motivation to become a successful player. She knows that popularity and attention comes naturally when you reach a certain level. Previously, she didn’t witness such moments but now “I have people, like, stopping me on the street and everything,” while implying that “I guess it’s a plus.” Well that’s the spirit of a great player, isn’t it? One should always focus on the brighter side.
How Coco Gauff Is Cementing Her Status as a Top Tennis Player Following Her Latest Title with the U.S
Coco Gauff cemented her place as one of tennis’ most exciting young stars as she led the United States to victory in the 2025 United Cup in Sydney, playing a key role in clinching the title. The 20-year-old world number three delivered a clinical performance over Iga Świątek in the opening women’s singles match, setting the tone for a thrilling final.
Gauff’s 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Świątek was not just a crucial win for the U.S. but also a testament to her remarkable rise in the sport. This victory marked her second consecutive win over the Polish star, having also defeated her in the WTA Finals in Riyadh just two months ago. Świątek, struggling with a recurring thigh injury, called for a medical timeout at 5-4 down in the second set. However, the injury plagued her throughout the match, and she ultimately left the court in tears, visibly distressed by the loss.
After the match, Gauff reflected on her growing belief in her ability to compete at the highest level. “I think I have the belief that I am one of the best players in the world. When I play good tennis, it’s hard for me to be beaten,” she said, a comment that spoke volumes about her confidence and her ability to rise to the occasion.
Not only did Gauff remain undefeated in singles and doubles throughout the event, but her composure under pressure was evident as she helped her team secure the first point of the final. “Today I think I played great tennis, and I’m happy to get a point for my team on the board,” Gauff added. “It was tough today. I’m not gonna lie.”
Her performance was a far cry from the vulnerability we sometimes see in younger players. Gauff has now firmly established herself as one of the top players in the game, and her ability to handle such pressure, especially in a team event like the United Cup, demonstrates her maturity.
After Gauff’s victory, it was up to Taylor Fritz to seal the deal for the U.S. in the men’s singles, and while the task seemed monumental, Fritz rose to the occasion. His 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4) win over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz wrapped up the title for the U.S. with a tense third-set tie-break. Fritz dug deep when it mattered most, especially at 3-3 in the tie-break, hitting clutch shots to help the Americans secure a 2-0 win in the final.
The win marked a back-to-back United Cup title for the United States, adding another chapter to their dominance in this mixed team event. While Fritz’s triumph was certainly notable, it was Gauff’s clinical and dominant play that set the foundation for the U.S. victory.
Writer’s Comments:
Coco Gauff’s rapid rise to prominence is not just an exciting story for American tennis; it is an inspiring narrative for the entire tennis world. From a teenager thrust into the spotlight, Gauff has blossomed into a player whose talent is now matched by her mental fortitude. Her win over Świątek at the United Cup, a player she now has a winning record against, speaks volumes about Gauff’s readiness to challenge the very best in the sport.
It’s not just about the victories she’s racking up—it’s about the way she plays the game. Gauff’s demeanor on court, her calm in the face of pressure, and her belief in her abilities make her one of the most intriguing players to watch as she heads into the Australian Open. If this performance is anything to go by, Gauff is not just a future star; she is one of the best players in the world right now, and her future is brighter than ever.
Coco Gauff is celebrating her younger brother Cameron’s milestones publicly. Sharing a photo of him holding a trombone, the tennis star took to social media to share that Cameron performed in his first band concert.
“My little brother learned the trombone part of ‘Sticky’ by Tyler, the Creator, on his euphonium!” she wrote on her Instagram Story, according to Essentially Sports.
In a second post, she shared that Cameron is also a quarterback for Florida’s Delray Rocks, writing, “Qb1 and band member lol not a common duo his first band concert!”
“Aw, my little brother! I’m so proud of him and everyone on that team. Y’all get them next time!” Coco wrote on her Instagram Story in reaction to his interview, according to Essentially Sports. “Three seasons in a row undefeated and only one loss in four seasons. So impressive! Only up from here.”
Cameron is quite the overachiever: In addition to playing football, he runs track, is a javelin champion and won a tennis tournament in April, his mother Candi Gauff shared on Instagram. He received an honor roll award during graduation in May, his mother shared in an Instagram post.
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“We always poke fun that Cameron is the favorite because he’s the youngest,” Coco said in an interview with People in 2023. “But no, he just goes on his own path. He’s a true youngest sibling.”
Cameron even helped design a New Balance kids performance shoe. He sent some of his drawings to the brand after one of the designers gifted him a book on how to make sneakers. In 2018, Coco signed an athlete endorsement deal with New Balance, per Essence Girls United.
“I think that’s just like what’s fun about being a kid in general,” Coco said about her Cameron’s creativity, according to People. “As you get older, you tend to overthink things. But I feel like kids really trust their first instinct and that’s kind of what he did. He just said he just thought the colors look cool together.”
Emma Raducanu suffered a disappointing defeat in her first match since parting ways with coach Nick Cavaday. The 2021 US Open champion lost 7-5 5-7 5-7 to world No. 101 Cristina Bucsa in the opening round of the WTA 250 Singapore Open. The grueling contest lasted over three hours, with the British tennis star struggling to maintain her leads throughout the match.
Raducanu initially recovered from a 4-5 deficit in the first set to take the lead, but Bucsa fought back to claim the second set in another tight battle. In the deciding set, the 22-year-old led 2-0 and 3-1 but could not consolidate her advantage, as she was immediately broken back each time. At 5-4 in the final set, the 2021 US Open champion had a chance to close the match, but Bucsa reeled off three consecutive games to secure victory.
Serving Woes Cost Emma Raducanu
Raducanu’s performance was plagued by serving issues, and the statistics highlight her struggles. Despite hitting seven aces and landing 73% of her first serves, her second serve proved to be a significant weakness. The Brit won only 24% of her second-serve points, claiming just 8 of 33. The situation worsened in the third set, where she was broken four times, hit five double faults, and managed to win only one of 13 second-serve points, a brutal 8% success rate.
While Raducanu managed to break Bucsa serve eight times, she also lost her own serve on nine occasions. This inconsistency ultimately cost her the match and denied her the chance to face qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the second round.
Coaching Change and 2025 Developments
Last week, it was announced that Nick Cavaday had stepped down from his role as Emma Raducanu’s coach. The two had first worked together during the British junior days before reuniting last season, helping the Brit climb back into the WTA Top 100 after missing much of 2023 due to surgeries. Despite the British tennis star’s hopes for a long-term partnership, Cavaday cited personal reasons for his decision to step away.
In his absence, Raducanu had her mother, Renee, in the stands alongside her new fitness trainer, Yutaka Nakamura. However, she visibly struggled in the closing stages of the physically demanding match.
Raducanu had shown promise earlier in the season, reaching the third round of the Australian Open. However, her early exit in Singapore raises concerns about her form and ability to compete at the highest level without a dedicated coach. The British No. 2 will now need to regroup as she prepares for upcoming tournaments, hoping to regain her confidence and consistency on the court.
Coco Gauff, one of the biggest names in women’s tennis, has made a passionate appeal to Roger Federer to create a women’s edition of the iconic Laver Cup.
The annual event, co-founded by Federer, currently features only male players from Team Europe and Team World.
Gauff took to social media platform Instagram to voice her opinion, calling for the inclusion of top female players in such tournaments.
Career highlights
Gauff’s proposition comes amid her impressive performance
Gauff’s proposal comes at a time when she is one of the top 10 players in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings.
She shares the honor with fellow Americans Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, and the 2025 Australian Open winner Madison Keys.
Her suggestion for a women’s Laver Cup seeks to give these top-tier female players an opportunity to compete on an international stage.
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Discussions on women’s Laver Cup have been initiated
The idea of a women’s Laver Cup isn’t new. Tony Godsick, who worked with Federer to launch the original tournament, has previously spoken about the possibility of such an event.
“It will take a little time to think about a fitting format for a tournament with women,” he said last year, adding that careful consideration is needed before making this change.
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Women’s participation in existing Laver Cup dismissed
Despite suggestions for women to play in the current Laver Cup, Godsick has ruled that out.
He stressed on the uniqueness of the current format and its success, adding that including women would make it like the Hopman Cup, a mixed-gender event.
This shows a preference for keeping the distinct identity of each tournament rather than combining them into one competition.
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Gauff lost Australian Open quarter-final
Gauff recently suffered a quarter-final exit at the 2025 Australian Open, losing to Paula Badosa. The win saw Badosa enter a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time. The 27-year-old Spaniard beat Gauff 7-5, 6-4 at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.
Emma Raducanu succumbed to a damaging 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 defeat to world No. 101 Cristina Bucșa in the first round of the Singapore Open on Monday.
The Brit was again plagued by issues with her service game as she made seven double faults and won just 25% of the points on her second serve in a marathon contest that lasted more than three hours.
The match was Raducanu’s first since the announcement of her split with Nick Cavaday on Friday that left her searching for the seventh coach of her career.
The defeat, which follows the thrashing she received at the hands of Iga Swiatek in Melbourne on Jan. 17, scuppered Raducanu’s hopes of earning some decent ranking points at the WTA event. If she had reached the quarterfinal stage at the Kallang Tennis Centre, Raducanu would likely have broken back into the top 50.
Raducanu was seeded seventh in Singapore and it was felt that the draw that paired her with Bucșa was a fortuitious one for the 2021 US Open finalist.
The 22-year-old survived an early scare from Bucșa after the Moldovan-born Spaniard earned two break points in the opening set before Raducanu battled back to hold.
Doubles specialist Bucșa also struggled with her serve during the contest as the second set began with three breaks. But Bucșa managed to get keep her nose in front to win a seventh game and level the scores.
Raducanu let out a roar after breaking her opponent once again to take a 2-0 lead in the deciding set before she inexplicably surrendered her advantage as Bucșa rallied to win the draining contest after three hours and three minutes.
“I don’t play [three-hour matches] enough. But it was really good. Emma played so well from the first ball until the end. I’m so glad I kept going and kept believing in myself,” Bucșa told Sky Sports.
“It doesn’t matter if I have a day off, I have good endurance and I’m really happy to have my dad [who did a triathalon] with me. Thank you for the support.”
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, along with Roger Federer, are often at the center of the ‘greatest player of all time’ debate in tennis. Here’s what a former World No. 5 with major wins over the ‘Big 3’ has to say about it.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who retired after the 2022 French Open following a remarkable 18-year career in which he won 18 singles titles, has added his voice to the ongoing debate about the greatest tennis player of all time. As many other tennis legends, his choice is between two of the biggest names in the past two decades, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
In an interview with Le Republicain Lorrain in November 2023, Tsonga, a former World No. 5, was definitive in his assessment, naming Djokovic as the best in history. “The GOAT is Djokovic. And I think he can go for 25, 26, 27… maybe 28 Grand Slam tournaments. You never know,” the 38-year-old stated.
Djokovic currently holds the record in the Open Era with 24 Grand Slam singles titles. He still continues to build on an impressive career that also includes an Olympic gold medal, 40 Masters 1000 titles, and 428 weeks as world No. 1. The Frenchman, who beat all members of the Big 3, shared similar sentiments on Instagram in 2023.
“I’m rather from ‘Djoko’ school because I’ve been around him for many years,” he wrote, after a fan asked him to choose between the Serbian and Jannik Sinner.“I think he is the most complete player on the circuit. He is the one with the most guns on his asset. And he proved again this year that the level at which he evolved has not yet been reached.”
Tsonga previously said Nadal could be the GOAT
2K31J4K London, UK. 24th Sep, 2022. 23rd September 2022; O2, London England: Laver Cup international tennis tournament: Novak Djokovic of Team Europe speaks with Rafael Nadal and Rodger Federer during the break in their doubles match against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World Credit: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy Live News
While Tsonga now firmly places Djokovic at the top, his stance hasn’t always been the same. In 2021, during a press conference in French, Tsonga’s comments leaned toward Rafael Nadal as the greatest.
“Considering that he is five years younger than Federer, what he has done is exceptional. Today we cannot question that he was the one who won the most,” Tsonga said. At the time, Nadal was closing in on Federer’s then-record 20 Grand Slam titles.
Tsonga also added, “If he were to overtake Roger with the number of Grand Slam titles, there would definitely be no more debate on the greatest player of all time.” While Nadal briefly surpassed Federer, Djokovic has since gone further and cementing his status between the three legends.
Tsonga’s impressive stats against the Big 3
Tsonga’s career featured numerous battles against Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, and his record in these encounters highlights his exceptional talent. He is one of an elite group of players to defeat all three legends when they were ranked world No. 1.
This feat includes victories over Federer in Montreal in 2009, Nadal at Queen’s Club in 2011, and Djokovic in Toronto in 2014. The only other players to accomplish this are Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro.
Tsonga is one of the only three players, alongside Stan Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych, with wins against Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray at Grand Slam events. His triumphs include defeating Murray and Nadal during his breakthrough run at the 2008 Australian Open, Djokovic at the 2010 Australian Open, and Federer at both 2011 Wimbledon and 2013 Roland Garros.
