Sports

Swiatek reigns supreme at French Open

Published

2 years ago

June 12, 2023

Staff Reporter

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EMMANUEL DUNAND/ AFP

Poland’s Iga Swiatek continued her dominance on Parisian clay with a third French Open crown in the last four years, defeating unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova 6-2 5-7 6-4 in a thrilling final.

She captured her fourth Grand Slam title in the process.

Swiatek has now lost only two out of 26 Grand Slam matches since moving to world number one in April last year and the 22-year-old became the youngest woman to bag consecutive trophies at Roland Garros since Monica Seles, who won from 1990-92.

The US Open champion also joined Seles and Naomi Osaka as the only women in the Open Era to emerge victorious in each of their first four major finals, but she was made to work for it by a determined Muchova.

“First of all congratulations to Karolina,” said Swiatek, who became the first woman to successfully defend the Roland Garros women’s singles title since Justine Henin in 2007.

“I knew it would be a tough match. I hope you’re going to have many more finals. Congratulations to your team. I know how much teams are important I wouldn’t be here without my team.”

For Muchova, it was a first defeat against a player ranked in the top three in six meetings.

“I’ll keep it short because it’s bit emotional,” she said, with tears flowing and the crowd chanting her name. “It was so close yet so far but I played one of the best, Iga. I want to congratulate you out loud again and your team.

“To my box. When I look at those people, I feel I’m the winner. Thank you. I hope this is only the beginning. We’ve come a long way.”

Swiatek’s third win in Paris put her level with modern day three-time champions Serena Williams, Monica Seles and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.

Fourth seeds Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek later won the men’s doubles title as the Croatian-American pair defeated Belgians Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 6-3 6-1.

Canada Super 60 names Women’s Trophy after cricketing legend Mel Jones

Published

2 days ago

September 24, 2025

Staff Reporter

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Canada’s pioneering cricket league, Canada Super 60, has announced that its inaugural Women’s Trophy will be named in honour of Mel Jones, the former Australian cricketer, respected broadcaster, and tireless advocate for women’s cricket.
Canada Super 60 is the world’s first-ever ten-over-a-side event to launch with both men’s and women’s competitions from its inaugural season. The league will be staged under the roof of the iconic BC Place in Vancouver, showcasing international stars alongside homegrown Canadian talent.

As part of its commitment to celebrating women’s cricket and inspiring future generations, Canada Super 60 will name the Women’s Trophy each year after an international women’s cricket legend. This tradition will not only create awareness but also honour trailblazers whose contributions have shaped the women’s game.

This year, the league has chosen Mel Jones—not only for her outstanding career in cricket and broadcasting, but also for her leadership off the field. Jones has been a leading voice for women’s cricket worldwide, and the ICC has widely recognized her efforts. She played a pivotal role in supporting Afghan women cricketers forced to flee their homeland after the Taliban takeover in 2021, helping coordinate their evacuation to Australia, providing resources, and co-founding the Pitch Our Future initiative to support their education and sporting careers. In recognition of these efforts, she was honoured with the prestigious MCC Spirit of Cricket Award in 2025.

Thanks to her advocacy and international coordination, many of these Afghan players found refuge abroad including two who are now living in Canada, following the Canadian government’s support for their refugee applications. This aligns with the Canada Super 60 vision of using cricket as a platform for opportunity and inclusion. Mel Jones on Receiving the Honour said “This honour from Canada Super 60 truly humbles me,” said Mel Jones. “To have the Women’s Trophy named after me is something very special. What excites me most is the vision behind this initiative creating more opportunities and visibility for women’s cricket, especially in associate nations. Platforms like Canada Super 60 will inspire and empower a new generation of players. My hope is that one day, a Canadian cricket legend will have this trophy named after them, as the women’s game continues to grow in this country.”

The Canada Super 60 Women’s Trophy will be presented at BC Place, Vancouver, during the inaugural edition of the tournament, taking place from October 8–13, 2025.

Sports

DP World announces 2026 global schedule with record $157.5 million prize money and exciting new venues

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2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Golf fans, mark your calendars. The DP World Tour has announced its blockbuster 2026 global schedule, featuring 42 tournaments across 25 countries and a record-breaking $157.5 million prize fund (excluding the Majors).

Headlining the season are two exciting highlights:

The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship in Barcelona (May 7-10), making its debut at Real Club de Golf El Prat. The event celebrates Spain’s growing importance in world golf ahead of hosting the 2031 Ryder Cup.
A brand-new venue for the Amgen Irish Open, which will be staged at Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg, from September 10-13.

The 2026 schedule will once again be divided into five Global Swings, the Back 9, and the DP World Tour Play-Offs, culminating with the Race to Dubai finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November.

Dubai remains at the heart of the season with three tournaments:

The Dubai Invitational (January 15-18)
The prestigious Hero Dubai Desert Classic (January 22-25), part of the Rolex Series
The season-ending DP World Tour Championship (November 12-15)

Other Rolex Series events include the Genesis Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship, and the Abu Dhabi Championship, ensuring fans will see top fields competing for major points and prestige.

Key Changes for Players

The DP World Tour also confirmed updates to its membership structure to create more balance and clarity. Among the changes:

Only the top 100 players will keep full cards for 2027 (previously 110).
Fewer Qualifying School spots: 15 cards instead of 20.
Conditional categories for those finishing just outside the cut-off.

DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings said:

“Our 2026 schedule once again showcases our global talent in global destinations as we celebrate the diversity of the courses and cultures we visit.”

Events

Hero Dubai Desert Classic launches global Green Incubator Challenge

Published

2 weeks ago

September 10, 2025

Michael Gomes

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The Hero Dubai Desert Classic isn’t just about world-class golf anymore; it’s about shaping a greener future.

In partnership with Deloitte, the tournament has launched the Green Incubator Challenge, a first-of-its-kind global call for ideas that could transform how sports and entertainment events tackle climate change.

The challenge is open to entrepreneurs, start-ups, students, and companies worldwide. Organisers say they’re looking for both fresh concepts and ready-to-deploy solutions that can make events more sustainable.

And here’s the big prize: the winning idea will be rolled out at the 2027 DP World Tour and Rolex Series tournament — giving it a global platform.

To help participants succeed, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic team and Deloitte will provide expert mentoring, guidance, and evaluation, ensuring that the solutions are not only bold but also practical and scalable.

“Through this challenge, we aim to identify visionary ideas that will shape the future of sustainable events globally,” said Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The initiative is also part of the DP World Tour’s Green Drive programme, which is committed to achieving net-zero carbon by 2040.

Key Dates