Tennis

Andy Murray, the recently retired tennis legend, embarked on a new adventure this week, trading his tennis racket for a golf club. The Scot participated in a celebrity pro-am event ahead of the BMW PGA Championship, an event on the DP World Tour.Accompanied by his father William as his caddy, Murray teamed up with fellow Scot Robert MacIntyre, England cricketer Jimmy Anderson, and Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke. Despite finishing 13 shots behind the leaders, Murray described the experience as "brilliant.""It's a different sort of nerves because you are comfortable in the tennis environment," Murray said. "Whereas here, you're sort of nervous about ... there's people standing like five metres away from where I'm driving, and I'm like, 'I'm useless at this game.'"Prior to the pro-am, Murray shared a moment with former top-ranked golfer Rory McIlroy, expressing his ambition to improve his seven handicap. MacIntyre, who paired with Murray, praised the tennis star's achievements."If I achieve half of what he achieved in his sport, then I'll have overachieved to be honest with you," MacIntyre said. "He's a sporting idol for many people."Murray's transition to golf highlights the challenges and excitement of embracing a new sport after a successful career in another. While he may not be a natural on the golf course, his competitive spirit and determination are evident.

Casper Ruud, the former world No. 2, has endured a challenging summer marred by illness. After recovering from a stomach parasite at Roland Garros, Ruud revealed that a week-long flu hindered his performances at the Omnium Banque Nationale and the Cincinnati Open."In Montréal, I caught a flu and fever, body aches for four or five days," Ruud said after winning his first round at the 2024 US Open. "Just a bit unlucky. But I'm ready now and hopefully the immune system is healed, stronger than ever, and I can have a good second part of the season now."Despite the setbacks, Ruud remains optimistic. He believes that everyone experiences challenges throughout the year and is grateful to be injury-free."It's ok. Worse things can happen in life, so it's not a problem," Ruud said. "Luckily, I'm injury-free, but can't really control if you catch a flu or something like this."Ruud's physicality remained largely unaffected by the flu, allowing him to resume training ahead of the US Open. He is eager to make up for lost time and perform well in the final Grand Slam tournament of the year."I'm really motivated because I've had a few tournaments where I didn't have the chance to perform as I wanted, big tournaments as well," Ruud said.During his sick days, Ruud indulged in his passion for golf. He has been playing since childhood and enjoys hitting the greens with fellow tennis star Carlos Alcaraz."I've been swinging golf clubs since I was young," said Ruud. "I never really practiced as seriously as I did with tennis, but I really enjoyed going to the driving range, and I still do."Ruud, the No. 8 seed, will face either Gaël Monfils or Diego Schwartzman in the second round of the US Open. Both opponents are sentimental favorites, adding to the excitement of the match.

Roger Federer, the legendary Swiss tennis player, has embarked on a new adventure: golf. The 20-time Grand Slam champion recently shared a video on Instagram of himself hitting the links, seeking advice from his followers.Federer, known for his exceptional skills on the tennis court, is now exploring the challenges of the golf course. In the video, he is seen wearing Uniqlo apparel, his signature "RF" logo cap, and stylish sunglasses. Despite his lack of experience, Federer displayed a natural swing, prompting encouragement from his fans and fellow athletes.Lindsey Vonn, the retired skier and close friend of Federer, expressed her support, writing, "Pretty sure you already nailed it!" Carlos Alcaraz, the rising tennis star, also chimed in, asking, "Is there something you are not good at?"However, it was LPGA world No. 1 Nelly Korda who offered Federer a unique opportunity. "Do you need a coach?" she quipped. The Korda siblings, including Sebastian and Jessica, also praised Federer's swing, with Sebastian simply saying, "Damn," and Jessica calling it "pure."Federer's foray into golf has sparked excitement among his fans and the golf community. His exceptional athleticism and competitive spirit suggest that he could potentially excel in this new sport. Whether he decides to pursue golf professionally or simply enjoys it as a hobby, Federer's presence on the golf course is sure to bring a touch of elegance and excitement.

Escape the summer heat and humidity to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where the Owl's Nest Resort offers a refreshing retreat with pleasant summer conditions. The resort boasts an award-winning playground of racquet sports, championship golf, fine dining, and outdoor adventures.At the heart of the resort is a world-class racquet-sports center, the only one in the country to feature tennis, pickleball, and platform tennis in one location. The 25 courts buzz with activity, hosting clinics, lessons, and tournaments. The eight red-clay tennis courts, sourced from Vermont quarries, provide a "feathery" playing surface that is less demanding on the body.The pickleball facility, with 13 courts, has been rated No. 2 in the world by Tennis Resorts Online. The tennis and pickleball programs run from May through October, while platform tennis on four heated courts takes over from October through April.Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the 18-hole course redesigned by Jack Nicklaus, offering breathtaking views and classic Nicklaus doglegs. The resort also owns another 18-hole course that will unveil a fresh design later this year.For relaxation, Owl's Nest offers an Olympic-size pool, a 25-person Jacuzzi, and yoga classes by the lake. Panorama Six82, the resort's restaurant, is hailed as the No. 2 restaurant in the White Mountains. Three more restaurants are set to open this year, including Hooks for seafood, Slice pizzeria, and Butch's New York-style deli.Accommodation options include family-friendly homes with one to four bedrooms and hotel rooms, half of which are oversized lakeside units with balconies.

Ash Barty, the three-time Grand Slam tennis champion, showcased her diverse athletic abilities this week in New Zealand. While she narrowly missed the cut at the New Zealand Pro-Am Championship in golf, she made headlines with her impressive performance on the tennis court.Barty, who also played cricket professionally for a brief period, displayed her exceptional hand-eye coordination and athleticism in both sports. Despite missing the cut in golf by two shots, she enjoyed a strong second round in the team event at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown.When asked about the possibility of pursuing professional golf or returning to professional tennis, Barty unequivocally stated, "The answer is no to both." She emphasized her love for playing tennis as a hobby and the joy she finds in spending time outdoors."I love playing as a hobby and it's obviously lovely to get outside for 18, go for a walk, and enjoy it," Barty said.Barty's retirement from tennis at the age of 25 after winning the 2022 Australian Open marked a remarkable end to her illustrious career. Since then, she has embraced motherhood and found time to indulge in her passion for tennis.Her recent performance in New Zealand serves as a testament to her enduring athleticism and the joy she derives from participating in sports. While she may not be pursuing professional golf or tennis, Barty's love for both sports remains evident.