Emma Raducanu lands major sponsorship deal with Japanese clothing giants - and British star will have a role in designing her own kit
Uniqlo had teased the announcement on Monday by sharing a photo of a female tennis player holding a tennis racket with the caption 'We're proud to welcome a new face.'
Lothar Matthäus: Atalanta clash “clearly more important” than Bayern encounter for Dortmund
In what many consider the biggest game in German football, Borussia Dortmund will host Bayern Munich at the Signal Iduna Park in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Before that, however, the Black and Yellows face the second leg of their Champions League knockout round playoff against Atalanta in Bergamo on Wednesday, having won the first leg 2-0.
According to German legend Lothar Matthäus, the Champions League tie is far more important than the Bundesliga clash with Bayern and should be the full focus of Niko Kovač and his squad.
“For Borussia, the playoff second leg in Bergamo is clearly more important. It’s about advancing in the Champions League and about a lot of money. I would focus fully on Bergamo first, and that’s what Niko Kovač will do as well,” Matthäus wrote in a column for Sky Germany.
With Bayern sitting eight points ahead of Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga table heading into ‘Der Klassiker’, Matthäus doubts the Bavarians will let their lead slip, regardless of Saturday's result.
“If Dortmund play the way they did in the second half of the reverse fixture in Munich (a 2-1 win for Bayern, editor's note), I could imagine that BVB might not necessarily be the underdog in the Klassiker against Bayern on Saturday. With a win, Dortmund could close the gap to five points, and there would still be nine matches left to play.
“But this Bayern team, with these personalities, this atmosphere within the squad, this compactness and joy of playing, will not let the championship slip from their grasp. I believe the Dortmund players know that as well.”
🥐 Griezmann to MLS and 5️⃣ other great stories to start your day
The Champions League Super Tuesday will start heating up late in the afternoon, but here we leave you with five news stories to whet your appetite that could shape the football conversation of the day.
🤝 An MLS club negotiates for Griezmann
Last night, 'The Athletic' reported that Orlando City has begun talks with Antoine Griezmann to secure his signing.
The most striking part of the information is that the American franchise wants to close the deal before March 26, the date when their transfer window closes.
🧐 Pedri and Ferran reveal which Madrid player they would sign
Simple, Mbappé. Next question.
🛋️ Journey to Arbeloa's gray sofa
📸 PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA - AFP or licensors
Alfredo Matilla publishes an interesting report in As today about Arbeloa's strategy to motivate his pupils at Real Madrid: an explanation of his now-famous gray sofa. From whom did he learn the concept? How does he apply it?
"Talking to correct is as important as pressing" is one of the phrases that defines the Real Madrid coach's policy.
🏆 🎶 The Chaaaaaaaampions
📸 THOMAS COEX - AFP or licensors
Every matchday is special in the Champions League, but even more so when the tournament enters the (as Carlo Ancelotti would say) "knockout" phase.
Atleti must resolve at home the 3-3 they achieved in Bruges, Mendilibar will seek a miracle in Leverkusen, and Bodo aims to complete a historic feat against Inter.
The day concludes with a Newcastle-Qarabag match, a mere formality after the 1-6 in the first leg.
📺 What matches can you watch today?
18h45: Atlético Madrid – Bruges
21h00: Inter Milan – Bodø/Glimt
21h00: Leverkusen – Olympiakos
21h00: Newcastle – Qarabağ
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
Kevin Durant says he wants to play for U.S. men's basketball team at 2028 Olympics in LA
HOUSTON (AP) — Rockets forward Kevin Durant will be less than two months shy of his 40th birthday when the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics begin, but he said Monday night he told USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill he’d like to be considered for the U.S. men’s team when the time comes.
“I didn’t want to just take my name out of consideration just because of the simple fact that I’m older and I did it before,” Durant said after scoring 18 points for Houston in a 125-105 win over the Utah Jazz. “Grant understands my love for Team USA. That’s my family. The level of love I have for Team USA and the whole organization over there is unmatched, so I’d love to be part of it until I’m done playing.”
Durant has played in the last four Olympics, becoming USA men’s basketball’s career scoring leader in the process, but he says he doesn’t want to just be handed a spot on the 2028 team. He wants to earn it.
“I understand how tough that decision is for Grant, and how many great players are going to emerge the next year and a half, and I’m also very old compared to a lot of these players,” Durant said. “I know I've got my work cut out for me to make that team.”
During the 2024 Paris games, Durant became the first American player to win four Olympic gold medals in men’s basketball. United States stars Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird won five gold medals in women’s basketball, but Durant says joining that club is not his motivation for wanting to go through another Olympic cycle.
“I just love playing for Team USA. I love representing my country. That’s the first and most important thing — it’s putting that USA across my chest and representing where I come from,” he said.
Durant is averaging 25.9 points per game on 50.7% shooting in his 18th NBA season.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA