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World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka broke silence on rival Iga Swiatek‘s doping saga after landing in Brisbane for the city’s WTA 500 tournament beginning on December 27.

The news of Swiatek failing an out-of-competition drug test rocked the tennis world in November this year. In August, she tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), which, as per the Pole’s claims, reached her body through a contaminated non-prescription drug melatonin she was consuming to tackle sleeping problems.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled “No (and No Significant) Fault or Negligence” on the five-time Grand Slam champion’s part and banned her from the tour for only a month. The decision divided the tennis fraternity, with many deeming the punishment not being harsh enough.

Recently, Belarus’ Sabalenka faced a question on the same in Brisbane and dropped a blunt answer in response.

“I just feel like we’ll never know the truth,” she said. “I mean, people used to overreact at the first minute the big news come out. So, I feel like I don’t want to dig too deep into that case and I really believe in a clean sport. So, I don’t want to comment on that anyhow else.”

American Legend Questions Iga Swiatek’s 2025 Season After a Turbulent Year of Coaching Changes and Doping Saga

Iga Swiątek suffered ups and downs last season. First, she parted ways with her coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, in October after three years of partnership. Then, a month later, she tested positive for the banned substance Trimetazidine(TMZ). Now, the Polish player is gearing up for the 2025 season with her new coach Wim Fissette. Although she revealed her renewed zeal for the upcoming tournaments, the former pro, Andy Roddick, raised concerns over her next season.

In this week’s episode of Served podcast, Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim delve into the WTA Top 20 rankings at the conclusion of the 2024 season. They reflect on their own performance throughout the year, discuss their aspirations for 2025, and identify the areas they need to improve to achieve their goals. There, they also discussed Swiatek’s 2024 season, including coaching changes and doping saga, at length.

Roddick said, “My only concern about Iga Swiatek, at scale, is how she lands in Australia and how she deals with questions…she is sensitive…I am just concerned about her coaching change, this news coming out, how she shows up in Australia, obviously needs to perform a little bit better at slams outside of the French Open, which she is even listing she owns at this point.

The American former player’s statement highlighted his intrigue in seeing how Swiatek maintains her pace, given how her doping ordeal impacted her mental health. He also highlighted Swiatek’s coordination with her new coach Wim Fissette. Reflecting on this, Roddick believed Swiatek needs to show her brilliance outside the French Open’s clay court. Considering she has four of them already and just one hard court major(won at the 2022 US Open).

Fun fact: Swiatek has only advanced till the Semis in Australia. This happened in 2022. But she was defeated at the hands of Danielle Collins.

Iga Swiatek 

Like Roddick, former pro-Andrea Petkovic also raised questions about Swiatek’s potential in the upcoming Australian Open tournament. She believed after what happened with Swiatek last season, she might need more time to show her best form.

Andrea Petkovic believes Iga Swiatek’s first month in the 2025 season might have “some residue”

The German legend attended Rennae Stubbs’s podcast and delved into Iga Swiatek’s case after she failed the doping test. At the beginning, Petkovic believed that the Polish star would excel in the Melbourne Major, but her perspective shifted after Swiatek’s challenges in recent months.

Petkovic said, “I thought this was going to be the year, 2025, where Iga [Swiatek] does really well at the Australian Open, I know how her brain functions and I know she wants to get better at the things she is not as good at yet, and I know she has worked specifically in the off-season on that.” The German pro here highlighted Swiatek’s zeal and spirit to offer her best performance and show her growth in surfaces she might not be very comfortable with.

However, Petkovic brought a shift in her tone and said, “I just think that with her personality and her anxiousness there might be some residue in the first month, I just don’t know if she can bring it in the first month on a surface which traditionally doesn’t suit her well with all the residue of what happened at the end of the season. Once she shakes it off, I think she will start playing really well again, I think she will be great in 2025, even better than she was this year.”

Iga Swiatek’s bad times are finally over, but her 2025 still remains in doubt. However, following the Polish star’s spirit and zeal, it seems that she will soon overcome her mental barrier and showcase her brilliance on the court. Do you think she can do it?

Iga Świątek didn’t forget her admirers ahead of Christmas. The world No. 2, who is preparing for the upcoming season, shared a special photo on social media featuring her with Santa Claus, along with a simple but sincere message: “Merry Christmas.”

For Świątek, the holidays are a time to rest but also to prepare intensively for the upcoming competition.

On December 30th, she will begin her competition in the United Cup team event in Sydney.

“It’s hard for me to like date another man with power. ” Angel Reese had made her stance on relationships clear. While the “Chi-town Barbie” is happily enjoying her single era, her dating history continues to spark interest. While fans might remember her high-profile relationship with Cam’Ron Fletcher, which ended in 2024, her latest revelation offers a glimpse into another ex.

In a recent episode of her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, Angel Reese welcomed her agent, Jeanine Ogbonnaya, as a guest. During their conversation, Reese revealed a toxic trait in a past relationship which inspired her to channel her energy into achieving success beyond basketball.

“He was brainwashing the boy was brainwashing me saying like you don’t have to work anymore,” Reese shared about her ex-boyfriend during college times.

Jeanine Ogbonnaya took a moment to commend Angel Reese for how she handled the situation, saying, “But you know but you…were very smart about the situation as a young woman, especially as somebody in college and you were like I don’t want that to be the case he might make it to the NFL. However, like I feel like I could have a career in social media marketing outside of like basketball.” 

During her freshman year at Maryland, Angel Reese suffered a foot fracture after a layup, requiring surgery, a screw insertion, and 12 weeks of recovery. Faced with doubts and an ex-boyfriend’s suggestion to stop working, Reese briefly considered alternate career paths.

However, she persevered and thrived. At LSU, Reese’s NIL value soared to $1.8 million, earning her partnerships with top industry brands. In fact, Ogbonnaya had previously shared how Reese’s hard work post-championship fueled her rise.

Angel Reese

Angel Reese’s relentless drive post-LSU Championship

When Angel Reese was drafted by the Chicago Sky this year, she brought with her an exceptional collegiate resume. Her two standout years at LSU, following a transfer from Maryland, showcased her determination to achieve one clear goal: securing an NCAA championship. And she did just that. But instead of resting on her success, Reese’s ambition only grew stronger.

When The Money Game debuted on Prime Video, it gave fans a window into Angel Reese’s mindset after clinching the NCAA title. Her agent, Jeanine Ogbonnaya, who appeared in the series, shared, “Angel has not had a week, a day, an hour off since she won the national championship.”

Reese led LSU to the 2023 championship, making waves with her bold move against Caitlin Clark in the finals. Her stellar performance led to a surge of NIL opportunities. Emphasizing her long-term vision, she stated, “I am not doing a deal just for three months. I wanna work with these brands for a lifetime.”

The rookie also reasoned on the importance of deals and said, “And for the women’s side, stacking your money for four years straight is something that’s gonna be helpful, especially women that may not go the next level. You kind have to get it how you get it.” Therefore, the Chi-town Barbie’s journey reflects her determination and relentless work ethic, turning challenges into opportunities as she remained undeterred by her ex-boyfriend’s suggestion.

Angel Reese is enjoying her last few weeks not playing basketball while watching others play. It was all about her fit, though, and who she sat next to at an NBA game on Monday.

The Chicago Sky All-Star has had a memorable offseason of fits like her Wild ‘n Out bootytlicious look, and her unreal luxury fit while riding a camel in Dubai.

Reese is off until the new 3×3 Unrivaled league starts January 17 in Miami, Florida where she will play for the Rose Basketball Club.

Before then, Reese ventured to Central Florida for the Orlando Magic vs. the Boston Celtics game where she sat next to Magic player Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s wife McKenzie Caldwell-Pope, who Reese called a “HOT MOM” on her post.

The 33-year-old McKenzie and Kentavious have four children together: three sons and a daughter who was born this year.

Both women look amazing in the picture, but Reese’s fit definitely stood out as always with her furry stunner.

Angel Reese

Reese — who was on fire for home teams during appearances at NFL games this season — also witnessed the Magic beating the Celtics at home on Monday. Pope finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds.

Reese certainly brought the winning fit while sitting next to “hot mom” McKenzie.

The way Angel Reese enjoys luxury is, well, something else. From her fashion choices to unapologetic confidence, she’s become the poster child. Back in her college days, she was a standout among college athletes, cashing in on their name, image, and likeness. And it wouldn’t have been possible if she hadn’t transferred to LSU from Maryland. But do you know Reese almost didn’t end up at LSU? So, what made her change her mind?

Reese’s longtime manager, Jeanine, recalls how the transfer to LSU wasn’t initially a no-brainer for the star forward. “So, you transferred to LSU, and you know what? The deals started getting, like, way more interesting at that point,” Jeanine explained. Reese chimed in, “Do you remember when I sat down and talked to them about the NIL part? Honestly, LSU wasn’t even my option. I was scared to commit. I was going to go to South Carolina or Tennessee, I think.”

But then fate stepped in. “Kim called,” Reese shared, referring to LSU’s head coach Kim Mulkey. “I was like, okay, bet—I’ll just go. But I can’t even imagine what my life would look like if I hadn’t made that decision.” And, well, the rest is history.

Jeanine described the decision as nothing short of destiny. “Like if she would have gone out anywhere else, it was really The perfect Storm, and it was just Destiny; it was fate, it was God; it was all the things you believe in like you could never have dreamed it, but yeah, so you transferred LSU, and the deals start getting bigger they were bigger, bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger,” she said on Angel’s podcast Unapologetically Angel.

‘WNBA doesn’t pay my bills’, says Angel Rese!

Fast forward to her professional career, and the 22-year-old isn’t afraid to call it like it is. “I just hope you know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all,” she said during an Instagram Live. “I wouldn’t even be able to get a sandwich if I wanted to.” The Hooper’s annual WNBA salary sits at $73,439.

This is barely enough to cover her $8,000 monthly rent. But thanks to her NIL deals, she’s doing just fine. Her endorsements read like a who’s who of top brands Beats by Dre, Reebok, Tampax, Amazon, PlayStation, Bose, Raising Cane’s, and more. Last year, she signed a multi-year deal with Reebok to launch her “Angel’s Picks” collection.

Together, these partnerships rake in an estimated $1.8 million annually, far outpacing her basketball salary. Now, Reese is set to earn even more as she participated in the newly announced Unrivaled league. The Napheesa Collier led league premises to offer better opportunities and pay.

But looking back, it’s clear that LSU alumna’s decision to transfer to LSU was a turning point. Her success can be traced back to that moment when Coach Mulkey made the call. So, all in all, it’s safe to say none of this would’ve happened if it weren’t for Mulkey, fate, and Reese’s leap of faith.

Angel Reese has never been far from the celebrity scene, thanks to her fashion-forward personality and those “video vixen” vibes she’s embraced since stepping into the spotlight. So, of course, she couldn’t let the weekend go by without giving a shout out to rapper and singer Latto, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday. The ‘Chi-Town Barbie’ had a sweet message for Latto—no surprise considering the rapper was a guest on her podcast just a few months ago in September.

Reese and Latto have shared a tight bond since her college days, and that connection shone through again when the rapper celebrated her 26th birthday on December 22. Latto went all out for her big day, showing off a chic, airplane-themed birthday setup in a video she posted. However, when Reese noticed it, she didn’t just drop a casual comment and took it up a notch, reposting the video on her Instagram story with a heartfelt message for her longtime friend.

She shared the clip on her story, adding, “UGH CAN’T WAIT UNTIL TT BABY PLAYS BASKETBALL & A RAPPER,” followed by a smirk emoji. The Sky’s #5 seemed to hint at Latto’s future child inheriting basketball skills while also channeling their mom’s rapping talent.

Latto, meanwhile, had captioned the clip, “Check back in 9 months #26.”

Just weeks earlier, rumors had been swirling about Latto’s possible pregnancy after a clip from her recent ‘Sugar Honey Iced Tea’ tour stop in Atlanta, Georgia, went viral. In the video, Latto rocked jeans, a white T-shirt, and an Ed Hardy jacket while performing on stage.

Fans couldn’t help but speculate about a noticeable bump, sparking questions about whether the rapper might be expecting. But Latto quickly shut down the chatter with her trademark candor. Taking to X, she shared a screenshot of her verse from GloRilla’s track ‘Procedure,’ which read “B***h, I’m big mama, but ain’t none these **** worth my womb.” 

The singer’s recent birthday post could reignite those pregnancy rumors, even if it was all in good humor. Adding to the buzz, Angel Reese’s playful comment about Latto’s future kid pursuing basketball and rapping only adds more fuel to the swirling speculation. But that wasn’t the only message Reese shared on Latto’s special day. She also wrote a heartfelt note reflecting their strong friendship.

Angel Reese

Angel Reese and Latto’s cross-industry friendship

Prior to Latto sharing her birthday clip, Reese had already posted a four-photo collage that captured their close bond through candid moments. Along with the pictures, she wrote a heartfelt note that read, “happy birthday to my BIG MAMA! love you sis! thank you for always loving & supporting me! You keep getting FINE by TIME!” And Reese’s affection for the rapper is no surprise, as she’s previously shared that Latto’s music holds some of her best memories.

In an interview with Us Weekly, the Chicago Sky player revealed, “The song that brings back the best memories is ‘Put It on Da Floor Again’ by Latto and Cardi B. It reminds me of my championship season at LSU and being in the music video with two of my favorite artists.” This highlights her love for Latto’s music, and in a full-circle moment, Latto returned the favor by showing support for Reese during her debut.

Latto, famous for her courtside cheers for the Atlanta Hawks, turned her attention to the women’s game in May. On May 15th, when LSU alum Angel Reese made her debut with the Chicago Sky against the Dallas Wings, Latto made sure to attend the game in person to show her support.

During a sideline interview, when asked about her presence, Latto kept it simple with two words: “Angel Reese.” Now, Latto’s 26th birthday is another moment showcasing the strong bond between these two stars from different worlds—basketball and rap. What’s even more intriguing is whether Latto’s future child will follow Reese’s wish to pursue basketball, rap, or carve out their own unique path.

Angel Reese is showing out for her bestie, Big Mama style.

Today, the Chicago Sky forward shared some photos celebrating the birthday of her dear friend, rapper Latto.  First, Reese took to her Instagram Story, sharing a collection of pictures of her and the “Big Energy” rapper from over the years. In the grid are photos from the set of Latto’s “Put It On Da Floor Again” video, in which, Reese makes an appearance. The little grid also contains photos of the two at a basketball game, and out partying while wearing stylish accessories.

“happy birthday to my BIG MAMA!,” Reese wrote in text overlaying the photo grid. “love you sis! thank you for always loving & supporting me! you keep getting FINE by TIME!”

The 22-year-old WNBA superstar and the now 26-year-old rapper have enjoyed quite a few link-ups in recent memory. In addition to the “Floor” music video, Latto also appeared on an episode of Reese’s “Unapologetically Angel” podcast back in September.

It appears Latto has had a good birthday. The “Brokey” hitmaker shared a Reel from a villa, where tigers, flower petals, and cake were waiting for her upon arrival.

Did we mention that she got to the villa via private jet?

The Chicago Sky announced that their new assistant coach will be Courtney Paris, which seems like a great fit for forward Angel Reese.

  • WNBA News: Sky head coach Tyler Marsh explains why Angel Reese is ‘undervalued’
  • Magic Johnson compares Clark and Reese’s rivalry to his iconic battle with Larry Bird

Tyler Marsh is set to take the helm of the Chicago Sky for the upcoming season, and the team has announced a new addition to the coaching staff that has fans buzzing with anticipation—particularly regarding forward Angel Reese.

The franchise added former NCAA standout Courtney Paris as an assistant coach. Paris previously served as an assistant for the Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team (2020-21) and the Dallas Wings (2023-24).

Paris, who had a decade-long career, was a two-time rebounding leader in the WNBA, as well as holding the record for the longest double-double streak in the NCAA with the 112 games. Of course, Reese is also a great rebounder, so it seems like a great fit for her.

During her rookie season, the 22-year-old broke the record for the most consecutive double-doubles in a single season with 15, as well as the most double doubles by a rookie with 26. She averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds in her rookie season.

Despite having a successful first season, Reese, who was considered to be Caitlin Clark’s toughest rival when it came to the 2024 WNBA Rookie Award recognition, had to end it early due to a wrist injury. The Chicago Sky also failed to reach the Playoffs.

Reese’s Chicago Sky to open the 2025 WNBA season against Caitlin Clark’s Fever

The 2025 WNBA will start in May, and the Sky’s regular-season opener promises excitement as they go head-to-head with rivals Clark and the Indiana Fever. The anticipation ahead of the matchup made the tickets some of the most expensive in years.

However, Reese will first return to the court in January when the Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball league begins its debut season. She will play for Rose BC, joining forces with Lexie Hull, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Azura Stevens, and Brittney Sykes in the new league.

Emma Raducanu is rewriting her story once again. At 22, the former US Open champion is determined to shake off the ghosts of her stop-start career by teaming up with renowned fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura. Known for his work with Grand Slam winners Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka. Nakamura’s appointment signals a fresh attempt to transform Raducanu’s physical durability—a critical element she admits has yet to reach its potential.

Since her magical fortnight at Flushing Meadows in 2021, Raducanu’s career has been marked as much by her promise as by persistent injuries. Wrist and ankle surgeries sidelined her for most of 2023, but her struggles with fitness stretch back even further

This new partnership could be her ticket to staying healthy and becoming one of tennis’ most formidable athletes. “I think I can become one of the best athletes out there in tennis, and I’m just looking forward to seeing how much I can do,” she declared recently.

Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world, and fans look forward to seeing Raducanu’s next move. As it were, high-profile tennis tournaments have always been a hit with sport bettors, especially global events such as Wimbledon. Although Raducanu isn’t currently a favorite for the 2025 event, with odds of 50/1 according to Crypto Betting Limited, however, special bonuses and promotions are available during big tournaments that can help fans get better value for money. And when it comes to crypto, you can enjoy anonymity, security, and fast transactions.

Perhaps the Brit’s odds will shorten by the time the event comes around, thanks to the new trainer.

Indeed, for Raducanu, the choice of Nakamura is more than just a desire to overcome physical setbacks—it’s a strategic move. Historically, her career has been riddled with rapid transitions between coaches and training methodologies. Yet, her collaboration with Nakamura comes with an unusual commitment: he’ll be by her side for “pretty much most weeks of the year,” a rarity in her typically short-lived coaching partnerships.

Emma Raducanu

Raducanu’s rise from a virtually unknown teenager to a Grand Slam champion was meteoric. Winning ten consecutive matches at the US Open without dropping a set catapulted her to global stardom. It also set sky-high expectations, leaving little room for the growing pains often accompanying young athletes. The whirlwind of sponsorship deals and media attention gave her incredible off-court opportunities. Still, the lack of a stable foundation in her game has become increasingly evident as injuries and inconsistent results have taken their toll.

Nakamura enters a challenging but exciting dynamic. Raducanu’s independence and intellectual curiosity are well-known, but they’ve also been sources of friction in her past coaching relationships. In her words, she’s often parted ways with coaches who couldn’t keep up with her relentless questions.

As much as her physical state needs attention, Raducanu’s ability to trust and stick with a plan may be just as crucial to her future success. Her decision to revisit childhood coach Nick Cavaday after several short-lived partnerships suggests a yearning for familiarity and stability. This sense of returning to her roots might counter her high expectations and restless ambition.

Even so, there’s no denying the pressure Raducanu faces. The rare achievement of winning a major as a teenager has given her enormous latitude, but it has also been a double-edged sword. Critics point out the dissonance between her aspirations of becoming the “best athlete out there” and her inability to string together an entire season without setbacks. For now, however, Raducanu remains focused on putting in the work.