Sports
‘I Beat Serena Williams at Wimbledon in 2022
A past opponent of tennis icon Serena Williams has spoken out on the American’s treatment towards her following a win over her at Wimbledon four years ago.
Williams is currently in the headlines and the topic of much discussion in the tennis landscape after recently announcing her return to the court after a four-year hiatus from the sport.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner returned to action at last month’s Queen’s Club Championships in the doubles event alongside young Canadian star Victoria Mboko.
The 44-year-old’s comeback was accelerated when she was announced to be playing in both the singles and doubles events at Wimbledon this year thanks to wildcards. The latter event will see her reunite with and play alongside her sister, Venus, once again.
Things did not turn out the way Williams would have hoped on her singles return to Wimbledon on Tuesday evening, however, as the unseeded Maya Joint got the better of her, claiming a memorable 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 triumph.
Following the loss, Williams shook the hand of her first-round Australian opponent before swiftly departing a packed out Centre Court. The American then decided to skip media conference duties after the match, instead opting to release a message to the press of her delight at competing at SW19 again.
In the moments after the contest concluded, French player Harmony Tan was quick to point out how she had been treated by Williams following their meeting at Wimbledon four years ago.
Harmony Tan Calls Out Serena Williams After Wimbledon Return
Tan was the last person to defeat Williams at the Grand Slam event in 2022 before the tennis great stepped away from the sport, inflicting an opening-round 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 loss on the American.
The French competitor, currently ranked 200 by the WTA in singles, posted a screenshot on her Instagram story of her attempting to find Williams’ official account on the social media platform.
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However, the image depicted Williams’ profile being unavailable to Tan, confirming that she had been blocked by the tennis icon.
Tan captioned her story, writing: “So, 4 years ago, after the handshake, she blocked me also on Instagram btw (by the way).”
The 28-year-old accompanied the message with both a stressed-out face and laughing emojis.
Williams’ actions are somewhat surprising, considering there is not thought to be any bad blood between the two players, only that they simply faced off against one another at Wimbledon in 2022.
Perhaps, the American did not want to be reminded of the last player to defeat her at Wimbledon during her period away from the court.
Tan is not featuring in this year’s main singles draw at Wimbledon after failing to get through the qualifying stages. She won her opening two games of the qualifiers against Mia Pohankova and Esther Adeshina, respectively. However, she then came up short against Tyra Caterina Grant, losing 6-4, 7-6 to the Italian.
Williams will be hoping for better luck in the doubles at Wimbledon, when she and her sister face the South American duo of Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio in Thursday’s opening round contest.
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Sandro Tonali Set to Join Tottenham After Rejecting Man City
Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on a deal to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali after he rejected a move to Manchester City.
Tottenham already delivered a huge bombshell on Tuesday evening when it was confirmed that they are set to beat Manchester United to the signing of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, with a £85m agreement reached between the two clubs.
However, Spurs look set to break their transfer record again for the second time this week as they also close in on a big-money deal to prise Tonali away from St James’ Park.
Should the Fernandes deal be completed, then Tonali would be their sixth signing of the summer after moves were also completed for Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Martin Dubravka.
Having secured three of those players on free transfers, Spurs chiefs are now flexing their financial muscle with other additions, and they are far from finished even if the Fernandes and Tonali deals do get over the line.
Attentions could turn to strengthening their attack next, with one suggestion that they could also look to add two new wingers and a centre-forward to the squad, should one of Richarlison or Dominic Solanke depart.
Tottenham Deal to Sign Sandro Tonali Imminent
According to a top Tottenham source on X, Spurs are now closing in on the addition of Tonali in a deal that will send shockwaves across the Premier League.
Manchester City may already be on the verge of landing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £115m upfront, but they also want to land a second central midfielder and had interest in Tonali.
However, it is reported that the Italy international has rejected joining the Premier League runners-up in favour of linking up with De Zerbi at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as they look to bounce back from successive 17th-place finishes.
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Man Utd Make Summerville Leading Transfer Target After Mateus Fernandes Blow
Manchester United have made West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville a leading transfer target following their failed bid to sign his teammate Mateus Fernandes, with Sky Sports issuing an update on the situation.
Man United may have got an early summer deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson over the line, with a move expected to be completed this month when the Brazilian returns from the World Cup, but their incoming business has slowed down since.
Red Devils chiefs had been working on a deal to bring Fernandes to Old Trafford after Manchester City won the race to sign their number one midfield target Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, and there appeared to be confidence that a deal would eventually get done despite the Hammers’ £85m valuation of the Portugal international.
However, Tottenham joined the race to sign the 21-year-old and it was confirmed on Tuesday that they had agreed a £85m fee with their London neighbours for the midfielder, that will see him move across the capital.
United were unwilling to match the fee Spurs offered, even though the player had shown a willingness to move to Old Trafford.
Now, they must start working on their Plan B option, while they are still keen to strengthen other areas of the pitch, such as on the wing.
Sky Sports: Summerville is Top Left Wing Target for United
According to Sky Sports, Summerville is emerging as a leading left-winger target for United as they continue their plans to strengthen their squad ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.
While the report says that the Red Devils’ focus remains on bolstering their midfield following the exit of Casemiro and injury suffered by Manuel Ugarte for Uruguay at the World Cup, Summerville is also firmly on their radar.
The future of the Dutchman is set to come under the spotlight following the Netherlands’ exit from the World Cup against Morocco, which saw Ronald Koeman resign as manager on Tuesday.
As things stand, the 24-year-old, who impressed with two goals and two assists for his country in North America, will be playing in the Championship next season with West Ham, but that is unlikely to remain the case.
Sky Sports claim that United are just one of a number of players interested in the ‘elite’ £50m-rated forward.
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Rashford Could Green Light Summerville Move
The report adds that any potential move for Summerville will likely depend on what happens to Marcus Rashford.
Following a successful loan spell with Barcelona last season, it would have been expected that they would exercise their £26m buy option and bring the England international to the Camp Nou on a permanent basis.
However, the La Liga champions didn’t do that and signed Rashford’s Three Lions teammate Anthony Gordon for £70m instead, leaving him in limbo at Old Trafford.
Barca are said to be keen on another temporary move for the 28-year-old, but United are only willing to agree a permanent deal as they look to offload his big wages once and for all.
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Mateus Fernandes Undergoing Medical at Hotspur Way
Tottenham are closing in on yet another deal, and reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that a player is currently undergoing a medical at Hotspur Way.
Spurs have been incredibly active in the summer transfer window so far, bringing in Jan-Paul Van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson to strengthen their defence.
Tottenham later confirmed the signing of Martin Dubravka, who joins the club as a back-up goalkeeper for Antonin Kinsky.
Tottenham certainly aren’t done there, though, and they are currently working on multiple deals to strengthen their squad.
The North London outfit are looking to prioritise strengthening their midfield options, and they are now closing in on their first addition in the middle of the park.
Romano: Newcastle Submit Bid to Sign ‘Future £100m Player’ From Tottenham
Newcastle have submitted an offer.
Tottenham: Player Undergoing Medical
According to Romano on his Instagram, West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes is currently having a medical at Hotspur Way ahead of a move to North London.
Reports emerged earlier this week that Tottenham had beaten Manchester United in the race to secure Fernandes’ signature, sealing a deal in the region of £85 million.
Spurs offered a better deal for the Portuguese man, with the £85m coming in guaranteed funds rather than add-ons.
With a deal agreed, Fernandes has now travelled to Tottenham to undergo a medical, and it looks as though he could be the fifth signing of Spurs’ summer transfer window.
It’s certainly a lot of money for a player who moved for around half that last summer, but Roberto De Zerbi’s side aren’t messing around.
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Tottenham Pushing for Tonali
Next on the list for Tottenham is looking likely to be Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
According to a report from the BBC, Tottenham now expect Tonali to join the club in the summer transfer window, and they are advancing in their efforts to secure his signature.
Despite bringing in Fernandes, Tottenham are still pursuing a deal for Tonali as they look to completely revamp their midfield in the summer transfer window.
How their midfield is going to shape up next season remains to be seen, but De Zerbi is clearly looking to overhaul his current squad.
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