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Tennis: Serena headed to Wimbledon seeking return to form

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Serena Williams will bring her quest for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title to Wimbledon next week, where she will try to shake off a nagging knee injury and show the tennis world that her window of opportunity is still open.

Williams has been stuck on 23 Grand Slam titles, one behind the all-time record held by Margaret Court for over two years and has shown little evidence of late that she will be able to snap that drought at the All England Club.

“As long as she’s playing, she’s going to be a threat to win anything,” ESPN tennis analyst and former world number one John McEnroe told a conference call.

“But it’s just now there are more things that can go wrong, I suppose, like more days where she might not have it and other days where players won’t give in as easily. So that just makes it more difficult.”

The 37-year-old American’s time on the court has been limited to a handful of matches since the Australian Open in January, due in part to a knee injury that kept her from competing in a tune-up event ahead of Wimbledon, where the action begins on July 1.

After losing in the third round at the French Open, Williams did not exactly sound her confident self when asked if she would have enough time to get in optimal shape for Wimbledon, where she is a seven-time winner.

“I hope so. I’m still working on it and working on getting there,” said Williams. “So I think it will be, I think it is enough time. We’ll see, but I definitely hope so.”

When Williams was at the peak of her career, she was so far above the competition that she could barrel her way through a Grand Slam draw even if she was having an off day.

But the combination of injury, a limited playing schedule and an increased standard of women’s tennis over the past few years have left many to question whether she can again triumph in one of tennis’ blue riband events.

Williams won the most recent of her Grand Slam titles at the 2017 Australian Open when she was in the early stages of her pregnancy, which led to her taking a year off from competition.

She came back with a bang in 2018 and in spite of not playing at her best managed to reach the final at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

“It’s hard for me to bet against Serena. Look what happened last year: Two finals in Grand Slams,” said ESPN tennis analyst and 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert.

“The one difference that I see in Serena is since she’s come back, she’s been one or two steps slower than normal. I think that’s a little bit of fitness. I think it’s a little bit of match play. I think it’s a little bit of confidence.”

Healthy legs are key to any player’s game, but perhaps even more vital for someone like Williams who relies heavily on her physicality and court coverage to set up big shots.

Williams has been unable to deliver her trademark big serves on a consistent basis of late but will likely take comfort in the friendly confines of the All England Club given she is most effective on grass.

But unlike in her prime, Williams’ rivals know she is not the same player she once was and do not walk onto the court nearly as intimated as they once were when facing one of the game’s all-time greats.

“There are so many things that may be going against Serena, and she thrives on that, and she loves that, and that’s when she comes through,” said Evert.

“I would have said in January, if there was any Grand Slam she was going to win, it would probably be Wimbledon … and if her serve is on, she’s going to be tough to beat.”

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NFF Appoints Bruno Labbadia As New Super Eagles Coach

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The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the appointment of a German tactician, Bruno Labbadia, as the new Super Eagles coach, with immediate effect.

Labbadia’s appointment was disclosed in an early morning tweet on Tuesday via the NFF’s X handle, tweeting as #thenff.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that it has reached an agreement with German tactician, Bruno Labbadia, to become the Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team, Super Eagles.”

“The NFF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development sub-committee to appoint Mr Bruno Labbadia as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles,” according to the federation’s General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.

Labbadia becomes the 37th Head Coach of the Super Eagles after the resignation of former coach, Finidi George.

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Paris 2024: Amusan Pays Price for Late Start, Loses Chance to Bid for 100m Olympics Medal

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World Record holder, Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, failed to reach 100m Hurdles final at the Paris Olympics on Friday.

Amusan came third in the first semi-final, in a time of 12.55 (.548) seconds and had to wait to see the results of the two other semi-finals to see if she would squeezed through, but the third semi-final spoilt her wait as the two athletes who came third and fourth bettered her performance.

Amusan started late and she paid the price for that, a miss out in the final of the 100m Hurdles.

The first semi-final was won by Grace Stark of the United States of America (USA) in a time of 12.39 seconds, while Devynne Charlton of Bahrain came second in a time of 12.50 seconds, while Amusan andPia Skrzyszowska of Poland came third in a time of 12.55 (.548).

The World Record holder was Nigeria’s only medal hope as Team Nigeria members crashed out in other contests.

With her flop, Nigeria may be without a medal at the Paris Olympics, which ends in two days.

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Spain Berth in Euro 2024 Final, Beat France in Dramatic Comeback

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Spain have book a place in the final of the Euro 2024 championship after a 2-1 win against France on Tuesday night.

Dani Olmo’s 25th-minute right-footed strike sealed the Spanish side’s victory at the Allianz Arena, Germany.

Spain will face either the Netherlands or England in the competition’s final on July 14.

France opened scoring in the eighth minute through R. Kolo Muani before two quick goals from Spain’s L. Yamal in the 21st minute, and D. Olmo in the 25th sealed victory for the Spaniards. 

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