Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka's Unintentional Soccer Shot Hits Photographer at WTA Finals EventWorld No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka's attempt at a penalty kick during a visit with youth soccer players in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, took an unexpected turn when her shot veered off target and struck a WTA Finals photographer in the head.The incident occurred as Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur, who is in Riyadh to support the event, were interacting with the young girls. Sabalenka's attempt to showcase her soccer skills went awry when her shot missed the goal and hit the photographer, who was kneeling to capture the moment.Sabalenka immediately rushed over to apologize to the photographer, who was not injured and took the incident in good humor. Jabeur also checked on the photographer's well-being, joking that she "didn't have insurance."The photographer later posted a video of the incident on social media, with a humorous caption acknowledging Sabalenka's "serious damages" in Riyadh.Despite the mishap, Sabalenka and Jabeur continued their visit with the youth soccer players, engaging in conversations and posing for photos. The two players were also presented with personalized Saudi soccer jerseys with their names and the number '34' on the back, representing the bid year for the 2034 World Cup.Jabeur, who has been a vocal advocate for the WTA Finals to be held in Saudi Arabia, expressed her belief that the country is making progress in terms of women's rights and that it is time for the WTA to support the event in the Gulf country.

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.

Tennis Stars Embrace Soccer at Miami OpenWhile the Miami Open shares Hard Rock Stadium with the NFL's Miami Dolphins, soccer has captivated the attention of ATP and WTA stars during the Sunshine Double.Brazilian soccer icon Neymar witnessed Carlos Alcaraz's impressive performance on the court. Off the court, power couple Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas visited Inter Miami CF's training facility, meeting co-owner David Beckham and players like Leonardo Campana. Tsitsipas showcased his juggling skills with Campana, whose father represented Ecuador in the 1996 Olympics.Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner also visited Inter Miami FC to meet with the Italian national soccer team, the Azzurri. The team was preparing for the Euro 2024 tournament in a friendly against Venezuela."It was an amazing experience," Sinner said. "I love being in sport environments like football. It was a special moment."Sinner revealed that he plays "Call of Duty" with Italy's star goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, whom he considers a close friend.Will Sinner's soccer insights give him an edge in his Australian Open rematch against Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals? Only time will tell.