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Qualification for Wimbledon: Roehampton – the holy place for tennis purists

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Status: 27.06.2024 21:40

Roehampton in southwest London has a lot to offer when it comes to tennis: as a qualifying venue for Wimbledon, it is a kind of mecca for tennis purists.

In the week leading up to the third Grand Slam of the year, the eyes of fans are on the small town of Roehampton, where the qualifying rounds for Wimbledon are being held, and fans are flocking there to admire tennis in its most authentic form.

Eva Lys sank to the ground. The German had just won her decisive match against the American Amanda Anisimova on Court 3 of the Wimbledon qualifying facility in Roehampton, deep in southwest London, five kilometers from the actual tournament grounds. Lys defeated the former French Open semi-finalist in three close sets and thus secured her ticket for the main competition at the most traditional Grand Slam tournament in the tennis calendar for the first time.

Ticket for Wimbledon

But the victory is more than just a ticket for the first round. It is also the entrance ticket to the sacred turf on Church Road, and Lys has never seen it up close, as she revealed to Sportschau on Thursday (June 27, 2024) after her victory: “Sometimes you drive past the facility and look very sadly out of the car and then you drive on to Roehampton. If you never make it to the facility, it is of course bitter. But if you do make it, it is a sweet reward.”

It takes hard work to earn the sweet reward. The qualifying competitions for Grand Slam tournaments are not just for big names like Anismova. They are also full of all those who are just about to make the big jump, others who have been at the top and have fallen back in the rankings, and, last but not least, those who are hoping for one last big chance. Tough competition, in an unfamiliar environment.

Airplane noise in the backdrop of England’s past

Every minute, the large planes roar over the large field that used to be a cricket pitch and is now used for the Wimbledon qualifying matches on their approach to Heathrow Airport. If you walk from the imposing entrance, which looks as if it is letting you into the world of British boarding schools, towards the courts, you take a little journey back in time: behind the players’ lounge, there are tennis courts as far as the eye can see.

This is what tennis must have looked like many decades ago. You hardly have to queue anywhere to get to one of the courts. The hardcore fans, tennis nerds, coaches and the numerous ball boys who are already practicing here for the real thing starting next week stand and sit on camping chairs they have brought with them. It is the festival for all those who love tennis in its original form.

Sitting tennis for “spectators”

There is a small hill at the edge of Court 6, where spectators have also settled down, mostly with a drink in their hand. They have the opportunity to watch world-class tennis from very close up. Apart from the applause of the people and the minute-by-minute roar of the aircraft turbines, there is an almost relaxing calm to be heard.

A lot of the noise is absorbed by the grass and if you look across the grounds from the path that frames pitch 6, you can see the referee’s chairs lined up like a string of pearls. An antiquated place, then, where there is so much drama in a small space that you might only find in a Jane Austen novel.

Because on this inconspicuous large lawn, the fate of 128 qualifiers who want to win one of the 16 precious places in the main field will be decided. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

The lawn must be protected

In contrast to the other three Grand Slam tournaments in Melbourne, Paris and New York, Wimbledon allows itself the somewhat quirky luxury of playing the qualifying matches not on the courts that will be used from Monday, but in Roehampton.

There is a reason for this, of course. The grass courts at the Wimbledon facility cannot withstand three weeks of tournament tennis. And since there are not enough courts available at the Church Road facility, they have to use this court instead.

At least: players who reach the main draw automatically receive a cheque for 60,000 pounds. For professionals like Marina Stakusic from Canada or the Estonian Mark Lajal, who both reached the main round of one of the four Grand Slams for the first time, this is a career booster. At least the next six months are financially secured, flights can be booked, the world rankings are moving up, and the tournament year becomes more plannable.

Day ticket for 15 pounds

The organizers of Wimbledon have only pushed the commercialization of the qualifying tournament to a microscopic extent. While there used to be no entry fee at all, tickets for a whole day of tennis now cost no more than 15 pounds.

There are no merchandise stands at all on the huge field. A small area is reserved for food trucks. People who have made the journey to southwest London can eat something under a tent roof.

Apart from the large show court, which is also shown live on the Wimbledon website, there are only two other courts that have any spectator seating. The rest of the courts are so close together that a maximum of two people can fit behind each other. Luxury? Not at all.

Luxury? No! But perfect conditions

But the quality of the playing conditions means that players can expect perfection here too. The grass courts are in the same condition as the facility in “SW19,” confirms Eva Lys: “I don’t know what they’re doing here, but no grass court can compare to the courts in Wimbledon.”

It is not yet certain how long the qualifying tournament will continue to be played in Roehampton. The organisers in Wimbledon have acquired another piece of land that was previously used as a golf course and want to bring the qualifying tournament closer to the main courses. Then the commercialisation will certainly be further advanced.

Until then, this week of tennis before the third Grand Slam of the year remains a gem for tennis purists – and for players like Eva Lys, the springboard from the small tennis park to the most important facility that this sport has to offer: the Wimbledon tournament facility.

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SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

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The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

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Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

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