Tennis

Taylor Fritz has etched his name into the history books of the Rothesay International in Eastbourne, becoming the first man to win the coveted trophy three times. The American star defeated Max Purcell in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, to secure his third title at the prestigious grass-court event.Fritz's triumph marks a remarkable achievement in the tournament's 29-year history. He joins an elite group of players who have won the title multiple times, including Greg Rusedski, Jonas Bjorkman, Richard Gasquet, Ivo Karlovic, and Feliciano Lopez. However, Fritz stands alone as the only player to have won the trophy three times.The ATP 250 event has been held in two locations over the years. It was initially held in Nottingham from 1995 to 2008 and then again from 2015 to 2016. Since 2009, the tournament has found a permanent home in Eastbourne, where it has been held every year except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Fritz's victory in Eastbourne is a testament to his exceptional grass-court skills. He has now won three of the four grass-court tournaments he has played this season, including the Halle Open and the Rothesay International. His success on this surface has propelled him to a career-high ranking of No. 12 in the world.The American's triumph in Eastbourne is a significant boost to his confidence ahead of Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year. Fritz has never advanced past the third round at Wimbledon, but his recent form suggests that he could be a contender for the title this year.

Seagulls Crash Julia Riera's Hotel Room Ahead of Rothesay InternationalAhead of the upcoming Rothesay International tennis tournament, known for its boisterous seagull population, WTA player Julia Riera encountered an unexpected guest in her hotel room: a brazen seagull.The 22-year-old Argentine, who made her Grand Slam main draw debut at Roland Garros last month, arrived in the seaside town of Eastbourne to find her lodging already occupied by a winged visitor. The seagull was perched on the desk chair, seemingly unfazed by Riera's presence.While Riera escaped the encounter unscathed, her hotel room bore the brunt of the seagull's visit. A video posted to her social media account showed the aftermath, with feathers scattered across the floor and a trail of droppings on the bed. It remains a mystery how the bird managed to enter the room through the seemingly closed window.Seagulls are a common sight at the Rothesay International, which is situated on the coast of the English Channel. Last year, the birds famously interrupted a match between Coco Gauff and Bernarda Pera, and returned to cause more mischief during another of Gauff's matches later in the week.Despite their reputation for causing disruptions, seagulls are also known to be curious and playful creatures. They have been observed watching tennis matches with interest, even in the rain. Some even believe that it is good luck if a bird poops on your head, a superstition that Riera may soon test.As the Rothesay International approaches, Riera will be hoping for a more peaceful stay in her hotel room. However, with the seagulls' reputation for unexpected visits, anything is possible.