Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz's Wimbledon quarterfinal victory over Tommy Paul was not just a tennis triumph but also a testament to his unwavering passion for soccer. The 21-year-old Spaniard, an avid fan of his national team, had been eagerly anticipating the UEFA European Championships throughout the tournament.When Spain's semifinal clash with France coincided with his own quarterfinal match, Alcaraz faced a scheduling dilemma. Determined to catch as much of the action as possible, he expressed hope that the matches would not overlap. However, fate had other plans.As the first set slipped away from Alcaraz, his focus shifted to the soccer match. But with his tennis match in the balance, he knew he had to regain his composure. Summoning his determination, Alcaraz rallied back to win the next three sets and secure a spot in the semifinals.Despite his victory, Alcaraz's mind was still on the soccer match. He reportedly arrived late to his post-match press conference because he was glued to the television, watching Spain's nail-biting 2-1 victory over France.Alcaraz's passion for soccer extends beyond mere fandom. He has a close relationship with Spain forward Alvaro Morata, and they have developed a "lucky" tradition of communicating before their respective matches. According to Alcaraz, Morata has told him that every time they speak, both teams win.As Alcaraz prepares to face Daniil Medvedev in the Wimbledon semifinals on Thursday, he knows that the stakes are high. But with Spain's Euro 2024 final scheduled for the same day, he will be juggling his tennis commitments with his unwavering support for his beloved national team.

Novak Djokovic, the second seed at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, has once again overcome a shaky start to reach the round of 16. On Saturday, he faced Alexei Popyrin in the third round, losing the opening set before rallying to claim victory.This win marked Djokovic's 50th Grand Slam match victory after turning 35, making him only the third player in the Open Era to achieve this feat after Ken Rosewall (64) and Roger Federer (62).The match was interrupted by a sudden eruption of cheers and applause from the Centre Court crowd, who had learned that England had reached the semifinals of the ongoing Euro 2024. Djokovic was initially startled, while Popyrin pulled out of his service routine.Both players saw the humor in the situation, with Djokovic mimicking taking a penalty and Popyrin acting as goalkeeper. The crowd's enthusiasm for England's success momentarily overshadowed the tennis match.After the match, Djokovic inquired about the score of the England game and joked about his mock penalty attempt. "I assumed it was a penalty shootout between England and Switzerland," he said. "I tried to shoot a penalty, I'm left-footed but Alexei defended it well."Despite the interruption, Djokovic remained focused and ultimately secured his place in the next round. His resilience and ability to overcome adversity once again proved his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Wimbledon champion, paid homage to England's rising star Jude Bellingham by replicating his signature goal celebration on Friday. After a grueling five-set victory over Frances Tiafoe, Alcaraz spread his arms wide as he basked in the applause on Centre Court, mirroring Bellingham's iconic celebration.Alcaraz, a self-proclaimed Real Madrid fan, holds Bellingham in high regard. The 21-year-old Spaniard had previously copied the footballer's celebration at the 2023 US Open, posting a photo on social media with the caption "Hey, Jude.""We're in London," Alcaraz explained. "He is England. So that's why. I told him that the big win deserves a big celebration."Alcaraz's admiration for Bellingham extends beyond their shared love of sports. The world number three also respects the midfielder's on-field demeanor. "He's a great player," Alcaraz said. "He's very humble and he works hard. I think he has a great future ahead of him."Bellingham, who scored a spectacular overhead winner for England against Slovakia at Euro 2024, has become a fan favorite for his skill and charisma. His trademark celebration, which involves spreading his arms wide and running towards the corner flag, has been widely imitated by fans and players alike.Alcaraz's gesture not only acknowledges Bellingham's talent but also highlights the growing bond between the worlds of football and tennis. As both sports continue to captivate global audiences, it is becoming increasingly common for athletes to draw inspiration from each other.