Claressa Shields is a unique fighter. An undisputed champion, she is a multi-weight titlist who has also competed in MMA and who will go for a title in a fourth division later this month.
She will challenge Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse for the WBC heavyweight championship in Detroit.
The Olympic middleweight gold medal has only been won by two women, Shields in 2012 and 2016, and most recently Wales’ Lauren Price, who triumphed at the Tokyo Games.
Price dropped down to welterweight after the Olympics and is only seven bouts into her professional career, but has won the inaugural women’s British title and the WBA world title already.
Lauren Price claimed the WBA world title after beating Jessica McCaskill on points and said it was the start of many more big nights in Cardiff
Shields does not rule out Price becoming one of her future rivals.
“It’s hard to put anything past Olympic champions. She won the Olympics 2021,” Shields told Sky Sports.
“I feel like when you’ve been all over the world and you’ve boxed and you’ve won World championships, it’s kind of destined for you to be great in the pros. I wish her the best of luck.”
They are not on a collision course in the immediate future. Price has plenty of ambitions to realise at welterweight and Shields is moving up in weight for the Lepage-Joanisse fight.
Lauren Price reflects on her victory over Jessica McCaskill to become Wales’ first female boxing world champion and discusses what’s next in her boxing career
But heavyweight is what the WBC calls its 12st 7lbs division, i.e. light-heavyweight (the WBO light-heavyweight title will also be on the line in their fight).
Shields has operated across several weight classes, super-welter and super-middle included, but is a natural middleweight.
Price’s greatest amateur successes were at middleweight, where she won World and European gold medals as well as the Olympic Games. Along the way, she also beat a light-heavyweight World champion at 75kgs.
Lauren Price received an incredible reception from fans after becoming Wales’ first female boxing world champion
Shields doesn’t think their current weight classes will necessarily keep them apart.
“She won the Olympics at 165lbs (75kgs) just as I did – two times – and if she ever wants to fight I would love to fight against her too,” Shields said.
“I believe anything is possible and I really want to fight anybody that wants to fight me. So if Lauren Price keeps winning and comes to 154lbs, 160, 168, we can fight and prove who’s the best Olympic champion.”
Lauren Price claims the WBA welterweight world title with a dominant win over Jessica McCaskill
Shields’ great rival is another Briton, Savannah Marshall. The American beat Marshall in their 2022 grudge match. But Marshall is now also competing in MMA as she pursues another clash with Shields.
“I beat her in the UK with 20,000 of her fans. She needs to come to America and fight me in front of 20,000 of my fans and let’s see if she can handle being booed and her national anthem being booed and people telling her she sucks!” Shields declared.
Savannah Marshall discusses the rematch with Claressa Shields and if we’ll see it in the boxing ring or the MMA cage
“I would love to fight her again and prove that I’m not just one time better than you, I’m two times better than you either inside the cage and definitely inside the ring. It really doesn’t matter which one.”
But first Shields has a more immediate task, winning yet another accolade against Lepage-Joanisse.
“I’m going for my fourth division,” she said. “It’s going to be big and it’s going to be history-making.”
Emma Raducanu is looking at the top of her game and the 21-year-old has realistic hopes of winning Wimbledon following the withdrawal of some big names in her half of the draw.
Raducanu powered her way into the third round of the women’s singles on Wednesday with a comfortable 6-1 6-2 victory against Belgian Elise Mertens.
The British No 3 has struggled for fitness since her stunning US Open triumph in 2021 but looked in fine fettle as she pummelled Mertens into submission from the baseline, shouting and fist-pumping at almost every point won.
The British wild card is now through to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since her title win at Flushing Meadows, raising tentative hopes of a first British women’s singles triumph at Wimbledon since Virginia Wade in 1977.
If she can maintain the form she showed against Mertens, ranked one place outside the seedings at 33, she could yet do some serious damage in this tournament.
Who’s next for Raducanu?
Take a look back at Raducanu’s incredible win at the 2021 US Open
She will play ninth seed Maria Sakkari on Friday in the third round. Raducanu beat the Greek in the semi-finals en route to her US Open win, when she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam in the Open era.
“[The] circumstances are different. Like, in a third round compared to a semi-final,” Raducanu said. “At the time the dynamics were also different. I was an unknown player pretty much.
“I’m expecting a really tough match. She’s top 10. It’s going to be a really difficult one.
“Again, it’s going to be one where I’m the complete underdog and I can just enjoy playing in [front of] my home crowd, home Slam, just keep having fun and trying to stay an extra day.”
Sakkari ‘pumped’ for Raducanu challenge
Image: Maria Sakkari has never played on Centre Court before
Sakkari defeated Netherlands’ Arantxa Rus 7-5 6-3 to set up the clash with Raducanu, which she feels is an “opportunity” for both of them.
“She’s also playing a top-10 player. Let’s not forget that. She’s an unbelievable player. She’s very talented. She’s very promising. Even after winning a Grand Slam, she’s still very young. Obviously, she’s going to be the favourite because she’ll be playing home. If anything, that’s normal,” said the Greek.
“But I’m excited. It’s another challenge. That’s why we play tennis. That’s what we play for. It’s going to be pretty exciting. I’m pumped.”
Sakkari has never played on Centre Court before, but she said: “I don’t feel like it’s something new for me. I’ve been a top-10 player for the last three years or even more, so I’ve played in big courts. It’s not like I’m just coming into this and it’s my first time.”
Raducanu’s projected path to the final
Image: A red-hot Daria Kasatkina could be in line to face Raducanu for a blockbuster meeting
Raducanu could face a very winnable fourth-round date with either New Zealand-Swiss player Lulu Sun or world No 61 Zhu Lin from China.
After that the Brit could take on Daria Kasatkina with the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist underlining her grass-court credentials with a title success at the Rothesay International at Devonshire Park.
She has already demolished fellow Brit Lily Miyazaki 6-0 6-0 and would be a tough opponent.
Image: US Open champion Coco Gauff could be a potential semi-final opponent for Raducanu
Other potential quarter-final opponents are Dayana Yastremska, Donna Vekic and former world No 2 Paolo Badosa.
There are two players who stand out as clear possible semi-final opponents for Raducanu with US Open champion Coco Gauff and French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini in the kind of form to reach the last four.
Who could Raducanu face in the final?
Image: Iga Swiatek is favourite to win her maiden Wimbledon title
There are a number of big names Raducanu could face in the final, scheduled for 2pm on Saturday July 23, including world No 1 Iga Swiatek who will be aiming to win her maiden Wimbledon title.
Former champion Elena Rybakina and two-time finalist Ons Jabeur are also in the frame.
Dan Khan and Raz Mirza give their thoughts on Andy Murray’s chances, as he pairs up with his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles and Raducanu in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
Find out all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours
In the run-up to the final Grand Slam of 2024 – the US Open – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the hard-court season.
Hamburg Open (ATP 500) 15-21 July
Newport Hall of Fame Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Swiss Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Bastad Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Palermo Ladies Open (WTA 250) 15-21 July
Hungarian Grand Prix (WTA 250) 15-21 July
Prague Open (WTA 250) 21-26 July
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Andy Murray has played his final Wimbledon men’s singles tournament after withdrawing from this year’s event due to injury.
Despite his best efforts after recently undergoing back surgery, the two-time champion at the All England Club announced on Tuesday morning that he would not be taking part in the singles – though he will play alongside his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles.
Wimbledon is a tournament which has defined the career of one of Britain’s greatest sportspeople after he ended the 76-year wait for a home men’s champion 11 years ago, and we take a look at the legacy he will leave behind.
Wildcard debut and the birth of Murray Mania
An 18-year-old Murray made his senior Wimbledon bow in 2005 and there were high hopes for the teenager after his victory at the US Open juniors the previous year. Wins over George Bastl and 14th seed Radek Stepanek only added to the hype.
Image: Murray stormed into the third round on his Wimbledon debut before defeat to 2002 runner-up David Nalbandian
He faced David Nalbandian in the third round and had the 2002 Wimbledon runner-up on the ropes and almost on the canvas – winning the first two sets – until cramp set in and Murray eventually lost in five thrilling sets 6-7 (4-7) 1-6 6-0 6-4 6-1.
The teenage wild card more than proved his world-class potential, as he became the first Scot to play in the last 32 at Wimbledon in the Open Era. He received a standing ovation from a Centre Court crowd gripped by a new phenomenon – Murray Mania.
Getting the crowd on side
In the early stages of his career, Murray was not yet universally popular with the British crowd. But that began to change after his epic comeback over Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the last 16 of Wimbledon in 2008.
At two sets down, Murray appeared to be heading out, but he edged a tight third set on a tie-break and won a memorable evening match 5-7 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 6-4.
Image: Murray served up a Centre Court classic in 2008, fighting back from two sets down to defeat Richard Gasquet and book his place in the quarter-finals
“It was tough, and I got a little bit nervous. The light was tough at the end, but it was the best moment that I’ve ever had on a tennis court,” said Murray.
“To come back from two sets to love down is an awesome feeling. It was a privilege and I’d like to say thanks to everyone for their support.”
Rafael Nadal and elimination would await Murray in the quarter-finals but it was clear, foundations were being laid, both on the court and in the stands.
Turning heartbreak to Olympic gold
Murray made the semi-finals in 2009, 2010 and 2011, suffering a narrow defeat to Andy Roddick before successive exits at the hands of Nadal.
Having taken full advantage of the newly-installed Centre Court roof and lights to beat Stan Wawrinka in a five-set thriller at 10.38pm in 2009 – Murray was at it again three years later.
His third-round victory over Marcos Baghdatis would set a new latest finish in the history of the Championships, with match point coming at 11.02pm, just in time for the Wimbledon crowds to catch the last tube home.
Image: So close and yet so far, as Murray’s first Wimbledon final ends in defeat at the hands of Roger Federer
Murray would become the first British man to reach a Wimbledon final since Bunny Austin in 1938, but a showdown with Roger Federer would prove a step too far. Murray won the first set of the final, but the classy Federer came back to win his seventh Wimbledon title in four sets 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4.
Cue tears of sadness and a memorable interview post-match. “I’m getting closer,” he sobbed, as the Centre Court crowd applauded for minutes. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be?
But in a testament to his character, Murray turned heartache into glory, avenging his defeat to Federer to strike Olympic gold at London 2012 on the very same court on which he had lost to the Swiss less than four weeks earlier.
Image: Less than a month after defeat in the Wimbledon final, Murray clinched Olympic gold on Centre Court with victory over Federer
Olympic silver in the mixed doubles alongside Laura Robson did put a silver lining on Murray’s grass-court campaign, but that increasingly elusive first Wimbledon crown was still missing.
Murray’s dream comes true
Following his first Grand Slam triumph at the 2012 US Open, Murray entered Wimbledon 2013 in good form after claiming his third Queen’s title.
Federer and Nadal both made surprise early exits, so it was Novak Djokovic this time who Murray needed to overcome in the final.
Andy Murray’s Wimbledon record
2005: 3rd Round
2010: SF
2015: SF
2020: –
2006: 4th Round
2011: SF
2016: WON
2021: 3rd Round
2007: –
2012: Runner-up
2017: QF
2022: 2nd Round
2008: QF
2013: WON
2018: –
2023: 2nd Round
2009: SF
2014: QF
2019: –
On a very hot day, Murray became the first British winner of the men’s singles title since Fred Perry in 1936 with a stunning 6-4 7-5 6-4 victory.
“It feels slightly different to last year. Last year was one of the toughest moments of my career,” said Murray.
“I don’t know how I managed to get through that last game with three match points, so I’m so glad to finally do it.”
Two-time Wimbledon champion
An incredible 2016 arguably saw Murray at his peak as he soared to world No 1 and defended his men’s singles Olympics title in Rio.
Amid all that, he won his second Wimbledon crown, helped by a thrilling 7-6 (12-10) 6-1 3-6 4-6 6-1 over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-finals.
Image: Murray became a two-time Wimbledon champion three years after his first triumph
In the final, he beat Canadian Milos Raonic in straight sets, and little did we know this would be Murray’s last Grand Slam triumph.
“This is the most important tournament for me every year,” he said. “I’ve had some great moments here, but also some tough losses. The win feels extra special because of the tough losses.”
Comeback delivers Murray magic in a different guise
In 2018 and 2019, Murray suffered career-threatening injuries and struggled to get back to his best.
He returned to Grand Slam tennis less than six months after having hip resurfacing surgery, playing mixed doubles with 23-time major champion Serena Williams in 2019, with the pair reaching the third round.
From 2021, whenever Murray was scheduled to play last on Centre Court, it become a must-watch fixture.
Image: Murray’s powers may have dimished after after a succession of injuries but he remained the hottest ticket at Wimbledon
On his singles return, he got the better of Nikoloz Basilashvili under the lights but lost in the third round.
The three-time Grand Slam champion could only reach the second round in 2022 and 2023, losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the latter.
That proved to be the last time Murray played at the All-England Club in the men’s singles, having withdrawn from this year’s tournament after undergoing back surgery on the morning of his scheduled first-round match with Tomas Machac.
The Wimbledon crowd will still be able to pay tribute to him in 2024 though as he contests the doubles alongside brother Jamie.
Thank you, Andy Murray, you made British summers shine that bit brighter.
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Andy Murray expects to decide on Monday evening whether or not he will make a
final singles appearance at Wimbledon.
The two-time former champion has been in a race against time since struggling with a back problem at Queen’s Club that led to weakness in his right leg, resulting in him undergoing surgery last weekend to remove a spinal cyst.
On Thursday, Murray rated it unlikely that he would be able to play singles, with an appearance in doubles alongside his brother Jamie more probable, but he gave a more upbeat assessment at a press conference on Sunday.
Murray is scheduled to play in the first-round of singles at the All England Club on Tuesday against Czech Tomas Machac.
Image: Murray is a two-time Wimbledon champion
“It’s been obviously a tough 10 days or so since Queen’s,” he said. “Obviously I had the operation on the back, which wasn’t insignificant. I’ve just been trying to do everything that I can to try and get ready to start the tournament here.
“I don’t know if that’s going to be enough. I’ve been practising for the last few days. I played a set today. It went pretty well, but I still don’t have 100 per cent feeling and sensation in my leg yet.
“It’s getting better every single day. Like I said a few days ago, I want to give it every single chance that I can to get there.
“I’m going to play another set again tomorrow. I’m doing some physical testing in the morning to see how far off I am from a physical perspective. Then I will probably make a decision tomorrow evening after that.”
Speaking to Sky News’ Jacquie Beltrao, Murray said: “It’s been really good, considering where I was eight days ago.
“I’ve been practicing on the grass, played a set today and went pretty well – feeling better every single day – hope it continues in the next 48 hours – just will see if it’s enough.”
The last time they met! Highlights of an epic encounter between Murray and Tomas Machac at the Miami Open
Murray could play on if he is not fit for Wimbledon or Olympics
Murray, who won Olympic gold at Wimbledon in 2012 and in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, was named in Great Britain’s squad for the 2024 Games.
He is hoping to play singles as well as in the men’s doubles with Dan Evans at Roland Garros from Saturday July 27.
“I can’t say for sure that if I wasn’t able to play at Wimbledon and I didn’t recover in time to play at the Olympics that I wouldn’t consider trying to play another tournament somewhere.
“But if I’m able to play at Wimbledon and if I’m able to play at the Olympics, that’s most likely going to be it.”
Olympic entries will be confirmed next week but there is an injury doubt around Evans, who suffered a knee injury after slipping and falling at Queen’s.
Murray said he has a family holiday scheduled after the Olympics and is not planning on travelling over to New York for the US Open, which is live on Sky Sports between Monday August 26 and Sunday September 8.
Murray got a feeling of what it’s like to chat with himself as he was interviewed by comedian and impressionist Josh Berry
‘Special sportsman Murray deserves to go out with a bang’
Sky News’ Jacquie Beltrao:
“Murray does want to say goodbye so it is the worst possible timing for him when he is planning his retirement.
“He wants that to go perfectly considering how much work he has put into this sport, into his multiple rehabs.
“He deserves to go out with a bang on a tennis court and not limping off the way he did at Queen’s. I think he feels that.
“Having won at Wimbledon twice, ending the 77-year wait for a British men’s singles champion, having won the Davis Cup, having won the ATP finals, having won the US Open… all of those things in the golden era of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
“He really is a special sportsman and deserves [a fitting send-off].”
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In the run-up to the final Grand Slam of 2024 – the US Open – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the hard-court season.
Hamburg Open (ATP 500) 15-21 July
Newport Hall of Fame Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Swiss Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Bastad Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Palermo Ladies Open (WTA 250) 15-21 July
Hungarian Grand Prix (WTA 250) 15-21 July
Prague Open (WTA 250) 21-26 July
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Novak Djokovic has declared himself “pain free” after overcoming Daniil Medvedev in an exhibition match ahead of Wimbledon.
The former world No 1 was expected to miss the tournament he has won seven times after having knee surgery less than three weeks ago but now appears almost certain to play against VÃt Kopriva in the first round on Monday.
Annabel Croft assesses what Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from the French Open to injury
Djokovic’s movement was not completely perfect in a 6-3 6-4 win over Medvedev at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at Hurlingham, with the 37-year-old, who wore strapping on his right knee, showing a reluctance to push off from that leg when out wide, but he served well and struck the ball crisply.
Asked about his fitness afterwards, the record 24-time Grand Slam winner gave a big sigh before saying: “I can tell you that I enjoyed myself really, really much today.
“I can tell you that pain-free tennis is the best tennis. I was pain-free and I’m really glad. It was a great test obviously against one of the best players in the world.
“I’ve played a couple of practice sets but I really wanted to test myself. The test was very successful so I’m obviously really glad. It’s been an intense three weeks after surgery, spending a lot of hours rehabbing.
“I kind of always wanted to give myself a chance to be in London. I think my surgeon is here. He’s the MVP for sure the last three weeks. I’m trying to take it day by day and see how far it goes.”
Image: Novak Djokovic lost out to Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s Wimbledon’s men’s singles final
Djokovic has been leaning on fellow athletes who have suffered similar injuries, including American Taylor Fritz, who faced the same situation three years ago and recovered in time for Wimbledon.
“I asked him, I asked many athletes – [Stan] Wawrinka, Lindsey Vonn, Zlatan Ibrahimovic – and they were all very kind to share some of their experiences and give me some contacts of people who could help me out,” said Djokovic.
Medvedev did not sense any physical weakness in his opponent but thinks there could still be question marks about how Djokovic will handle the demands of Wimbledon.
“He seems to be fine,” the world number five told the PA news agency. “You never know what he feels inside of him.
“It’s a five-set match on grass [at Wimbledon], never easy for the knee, so I don’t know how it’s going to go during the matches. But he seemed to be moving well, even if I got him off guard a little bit.”
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Emma Raducanu has cruised into the second round of the Rothesay International after a straight-sets win over fellow former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in Eastbourne.
Raducanu twice battled back from a break down to take the opening set before rattling through the second in impressive fashion, claiming a 6-4 6-0 victory to the delight of the home crowd.
The 2021 US Open champion has struggled with form and injuries in recent seasons, but said ahead of this week’s event that she was confident “good things are 100 per cent going to happen” after rekindling her love of tennis.
Raducanu, who has a wild card into Wimbledon next week, will play second seed Jessica Pegula – who received a bye – in the next round.
“It was a very close first set and I was down quite a bit all the way through and managed to break,” Raducanu said. “But it’s very difficult because Sloane is super athletic and, in the first set especially, she was making a lot of balls and counter-punching really well.
“It took a lot to try and hit through her but I managed to figure it out in the second set.”
Raducanu missed the entire grass-court season last year following surgery on both wrists and one ankle, yet she showed little sign of any fitness troubles as she warmed up for Wimbledon in devastating fashion by building on her recent run to the semi-finals of Nottingham.
British tennis stars Cameron Norrie and Raducanu revealed what their ideal days away from tennis would look like!
Having been cheered on to Centre Court by a supportive home crowd, Raducanu was aggressive from the outset. A succession of early holds was followed by four consecutive breaks of service during which the home favourite impressively dug in to prevent 31-year-old American Stephens gaining the upper hand.
A deft drop shot followed by an ace in game nine helped turn the contest in Raducanu’s favour before she unleashed a stunning backhand cross-court winner en route to sealing the set.
She then cruised through the second set as world No 45 Stephens, who triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2017, struggled to cope with her opponent’s power and precision.
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Find out all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours
Mallorca Championships (ATP 250) – June 23-29
Bad Homburg (WTA 500) – June 23-29
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Andy Murray will undergo a medical procedure on his back which will determine whether he plays at Wimbledon after he was forced to retire with an injury at Queen’s Club.
Murray was losing 4-1 in the first set of his second round match against Jordan Thompson when he pulled out, having received treatment around the lower back area and hips after three games. It was later confirmed Murray had an issue with his back and will have surgery on Saturday.
The 37-year-old is hoping to play at Wimbledon, which begins on July 1 for what is expected to be his last appearance at the Grand Slam.
But the two-time champion at the All England Club underwent a scan to determine the extent of the problem which left his right leg numb just before he walked onto Centre Court.
Murray said: “During my pre-match warm-up I was pretty uncomfortable and then I walked up the stairs, just before going on the court, I didn’t have the normal strength in my right leg. It was not a usual feeling.
“Then the first two balls I hit in the warm-up, my right leg, it was, like, so uncoordinated. I had no coordination. Then, yeah, my right leg just was not working properly.
“In hindsight I wish I hadn’t gone on there because it was pretty awkward for everyone.
“There is nothing I could do, and then there is part of you that wants to go out there and see if it gets better, you know, and maybe feel better with a bit of treatment or something, but that wasn’t the case.”
Former British tennis player Naomi Broady looks into what the future may hold for fellow Brits Murray and Emma Raducanu
Asked about whether he fears missing Wimbledon, Murray added: “I wouldn’t know.
“Like all tennis players, we have degenerative sort of joints and stuff in the back but it’s all predominantly been left-sided for me my whole career. I have never had too many issues with the right side.
“So maybe there is something that can be done between now and then, you know, to help the right side.
“I will get scans tomorrow [Thursday] and get it rechecked and see if there’s anything that can be done.”
Murray walked gingerly out onto the court and it quickly became clear he was not moving properly as he lost the opening two games.
Murray got a feeling of what it’s like to chat with himself as he was interviewed by comedian and impressionist Josh Berry
He held serve but lost two more games before deciding to retire, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as he waved to the spectators.
Murray, who only returned to action last month after eight weeks out due to damaged ankle ligaments in late March, is set to play in singles and the men’s doubles alongside brother Jamie Murray at Wimbledon.
The Olympic Games in Paris follow with Murray named in Great Britain’s squad after the International Tennis Federation awarded him a place having won singles gold in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Tennis at the Olympics begins on July 27, with Murray nominated to play singles and men’s doubles with Dan Evans.
He has indicated he will retire after this summer.
Image: Andy and Jamie Murray played doubles together in the Davis Cup final in 2015, when Britain won the tournament
A huge blow for Murray ahead of likely retirement
Sky Sports’ Nigel Chiu:
“This is a massive blow for Murray. He’s come back from injury so many times and got back into the world’s top 40 last year after career-threatening hip surgery in 2019, which no singles player had ever been able to come back from.
“Murray will do everything to play at Wimbledon, even if he’s only 60 per cent fit, but it’s not how he will want to play what will likely be his last appearance at the All-England Club.
“There are less than two weeks until Wimbledon and Murray will surely just rest up as much as possible before the start of July. Maybe this time it’s one step too far for Murray’s body. Can he recover one last time?
“It’s the second injury issue for a British player on two days at Queen’s after Dan Evans slipped and injured his knee.
“Evans said it would be hard to swallow if he misses Wimbledon or the Olympics, so there are two British players now in a race to get fit, but you can’t help but not feel too positive about either of their hopes.”
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Berlin Open (WTA 500) – June 17-23
Halle (ATP 500) – June 17-23
Mallorca Championships (ATP 250) – June 23-29
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Andy Murray was forced to retire from his second-round match against Jordan Thompson at The Queen’s Club on Wednesday.
Murray was losing 4-1 in the first set when he pulled out, having received treatment around the lower back area and hips after three games. It was later confirmed Murray had an issue with his back.
The 37-year-old is hoping to play at Wimbledon, which begins on July 1 for what is expected to be his last appearance at the Grand Slam.
“Never the way you want to go through, especially with a great champion like Andy. This tournament he’s dominated and he loves the grass,” said Thompson.
“I was looking forward to coming out and playing in front of everyone. A disappointing way to finish.”
Former British tennis player Naomi Broady looks into what the future may hold for fellow Brits Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu
Murray walked gingerly out onto the court and it quickly became clear he was not moving properly as he lost the opening two games.
He held serve but lost two more games before deciding to retire, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as he waved to the spectators.
Murray, who only returned to action last month after eight weeks out due to damaged ankle ligaments in late March, is set to play in singles and the men’s doubles alongside brother Jamie Murray at Wimbledon.
Andy Murray got a feeling of what it’s like to chat with himself as he was interviewed by comedian and impressionist Josh Berry.
The Olympic Games in Paris follow with Murray named in Great Britain’s squad after the International Tennis Federation awarded him a place having won singles gold in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Tennis at the Olympics begins on July 27, with Murray nominated to play singles and men’s doubles with Dan Evans.
He has indicated he will retire after this summer.
Image: Andy Murray and Jamie Murray played doubles together in the Davis Cup final in 2015, when Great Britain won the tournament
A huge blow for Murray ahead of likely retirement
Sky Sports’ Nigel Chiu:
“This is a massive blow for Murray. He’s come back from injury so many times and got back into the world’s top 40 last year after career-threatening hip surgery in 2019, which no singles player had ever been able to come back from.
“Murray will do everything to play at Wimbledon, even if he’s only 60 per cent fit, but it’s not how he will want to play what will likely be his last appearance at the All-England Club.
“There are less than two weeks until Wimbledon and Murray will surely just rest up as much as possible before the start of July. Maybe this time it’s one step too far for Murray’s body. Can he recover one last time?
“It’s the second injury issue for a British player on two days at Queen’s after Dan Evans slipped and injured his knee.
“Evans said it would be hard to swallow if he misses Wimbledon or the Olympics, so there are two British players now in a race to get fit, but you can’t help but not feel too positive about either of their hopes.”
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Bryson DeChambeau said he hopes for lots more final-round battles with Rory McIlroy and believes the Northern Irishman’s collapse over the final few holes of their epic US Open battle will only fuel his quest for a fifth major title.
DeChambeau took a three-shot lead into the final day at Pinehurst but found himself two behind before birdieing the 13th. McIlroy then bogeyed three of his final four holes, missing two putts from inside four feet over the closing stretch, handing the 30-year-old American his second US Open.
“Rory is one of the best to ever play,” DeChambeau said. “Being able to fight against a great like that is pretty special. I’d love to have a lot more battles with him.
Highlights from the final round of the US Open at Pinehurst No 2.
“I have nothing but respect for how he plays the game of golf… to be honest, when he was climbing up the leaderboard, I was like, ‘Uh-oh’, but luckily things went my way today.
“For him to miss that putt [on the 18th], I’d never wish it on anybody.
A look back at the big misses that cost Rory McIlroy a first major in 10 years on a dramatic final day of the US Open.
“I’m sure it will fuel Rory’s fire even more. He’s a strong-minded individual. He’ll win multiple more major championships, there’s no doubt.”
DeChambeau: Bunker save at 18 the ‘shot of my life’
McIlroy second missed put from short range, this one from inside four feet at 18, gifted DeChambeau a one-stroke lead, only for him to pull his tee shot into the native area and miss the green with his second.
Sky Sports’ Wayne Riley and Dame Laura Davies analyse Rory McIlroy’s late collapse at the US Open and assess his ability to bounce back.
What followed, however was extraordinary, with DeChambeau’s chip out of the front-right bunker hailed by Dame Laura Davies on Sky Sports as “one of the all-time greats up-and-downs to win a major championship”.
“That bunker shot was the shot of my life,” DeChambeau reflected.
“I knew where Rory was. After my tee shot, I was up there going, ‘Man, if he makes par, I don’t know how I’m going to beat him’. I just really didn’t know.
“Then I heard the moans. It was like a shot of adrenaline got in me. I said, ‘Okay, you can do this’.
“I’m so happy I got that shot up-and-down.”
Bryson DeChambeau wins his second US Open at Pinehurst No 2 with a final round one-over-par 71.
DeChambeau’s insistence on McIlroy’s ability to bounce back from this latest major near-miss is perhaps based on his win here following swiftly off the back of a second-placed finish to Xander Schauffele at the PGA Championship last month – albeit in not quite such heart-breaking fashion.
Reflecting on that disappointment, as well as his eagerness to win at Pinehurst, DeChambeau paid tribute to his father, who died in 2022, and one of his golfing idols, the late Payne Stewart, who was victorious on the same course at the 1999 US Open.
Bryson DeChambeau reflects on a dramatic US Open victory and the journey he has been on – both on and off the course – to earn a second major title.
“Oh, man, I didn’t want to finish second again,” DeChambeau said. “The PGA really stung. Xander played magnificent.
“I wanted to get this one done, especially at such a special place that means so much to me, SMU [Southern Methodist University where DeChambeau and Stewart both studied], my dad, what Payne meant to him, the 1000th USGA championship. Stack them on top.”
He added: “I don’t know what to think. It fully hasn’t sunk in yet. As much as it is heart-breaking for some people, it was heartbreak for me at the PGA. I really wanted this one.
Bryson DeChambeau’s put on a show for the Sky Sports cameras as he celebrated his US Open victory with the crowd.
“I was a little lucky. Rory didn’t make a couple of putts that he could have coming in. I had an amazing up and down on the last.
“I don’t know what else to say. It’s a dream come true.”
What’s next?
McIlroy is due to be back in action at the Travelers Championship, the latest of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events, with early coverage live on Thursday from 12.30pm via the red button and 5pm on Sky Sports Golf.
The final men’s major of the year is The Open, taking place at Royal Troon from July 18-21, where DeChambeau will again be among the pre-tournament favourites. Stream the PGA Tour, majors and more with NOW.
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Two-time major winner Angel Cabrera secure a first victory since his release from prison with an impressive win at the Paul Lawrie Match Play.
Cabrera, who won the US Open in 2007 and The Masters in 2009, beat South African James Kingston 3 and 1 in the final of the Legends Tour event at Hanbury Manor.
The 54-year-old Argentinian was convicted in 2021 of assault, theft and legal intimidation of former partner Cecilia Torres Mana and assault of another former partner, Micaela Escudero. He spent a total of 30 months in prison.
In an interview with Golf Digest following his release in August last year, Cabrera said: “I refused to listen to anyone and did what I wanted, how I wanted and when I wanted. That was wrong.
“I ask Micaela for forgiveness. I ask Celia for forgiveness. They had the bad luck of being with me when I was at my worst. I wasn’t the devil, but I did bad things. I am deeply embarrassed because I disappointed the people closest to me and everyone who loves me through golf.
“Golf gave me everything and I know I will never be able to repay the debt I owe this sport.”
Image: Cabrera was playing alongside James Kingston in the final at Hanbury Manor
Speaking after his win over Kingston in the Legends Tour event, Cabrera said: “I’m very happy. I worked hard in the last three months, very hard for this. Now, for this moment, I enjoyed it.
“I can say I feel very emotional now. I am going to play next week and then I have to keep working, I’ve got to keep working because this game is very difficult.”
Watch highlights from the 2024 Legends Tour season on Sky Sports, with the best of the action from the Paul Lawrie Match Play available later this month on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, majors and more with NOW.
