×
Why is A’ja Wilson’s TIME honor being used to push bad-faith narratives?

Why is A’ja Wilson’s TIME honor being used to push bad-faith narratives?

Sports news ,

A’ja Wilson, the 4x WNBA MVP winner and 3x WNBA Champion, was selected as TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year, it was announced Tuesday. Wilson is an excellent candidate, having won her 4th MVP award before the age of 30 in 2025, and has also collected various other awards, including the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, highest scorer, and Finals MVP awards, and became the fastest WNBA player in history to score 5,000 points.

Her dominance this year transcends sport and dives into culture as well. Wilson released her first signature shoe, the Nike A’One, this spring and the stock sold out in minutes. She is also a New York Times Bestselling Author for her debut book, Dear Black Girls: How to be True to You. Wilson has become a role model for girls, unapologetic about her skill and talent, all while preferring to let her game speak for itself and mastering the art of humble confidence.

The thing about Wilson is that she is never overly flashy about anything she does, yet her excellence just shines through; it’s a part of her being. She’s excellent at being unapologetic but not boastful, and everything she ever says about herself can be backed up by her accolades. She’s the kind of person who waits until there is undisputed proof of her greatness and then lets you know about it. She’s past the point now of having to prove herself, of course, and can hopefully enter a stage of her career now where she is celebrated and just enjoys everything that comes with creating a legacy in real-time.

As part of her TIME honor, the magazine wrote a feature on her that included sights and sounds from the Las Vegas Aces’ championship parade in October, as well as a one-on-one interview about a month later. The story talks about her iconic parade outfit, including the Marvel Thanos gauntlet she customized to include all her accomplishments from the 2025 WNBA season. She talked about the Aces’ historic turnaround this year, going from a .500-level team midseason to winning a championship, with Wilson calling it a “wake-up call.”

Another interesting part of the article was where the interviewer talks about the growth of the WNBA. Obviously, that is something being highlighted right now as the WNBA’s players negotiate what will be a historic Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the league. Wilson mentioned in the TIME article that the players “are not moving until we get exactly what we want.”

Despite this whole TIME honor being a celebration of Wilson’s achievements this year, it was interesting to see the feature bring up Caitlin Clark. Specifically, there was a part about Clark’s injury this season being “vindication” for the league, because despite Clark missing most of the season, they still recorded growth in viewership and attendance records (emphasis mine):

Her rocket-ship run comes at an opportune time. In 2024, Caitlin Clark’s rookie season helped the WNBA hit milestone TV and attendance figures. But Clark’s emergence created a toxic, racially divisive narrative that she was almost singularly responsible for salvaging a league whose foundation had been built by a mostly Black player base. This storyline bothered Wilson, who in 2024 earned her third WNBA MVP award and her second Olympic gold medal in Paris, where she was named tournament MVP. “It wasn’t a hit at me, because I’m going to do me regardless,” she says. “I’m going to win this MVP, I’ll win a gold medal, y’all can’t shake my résumé. It was more so, let’s not lose the recipe. Let’s not lose the history. It was erased for a minute. And I don’t like that. Because we have tons of women that have been through the grimiest of grimy things to get the league where it is today.”

The 2025 WNBA campaign provided a measure of vindication for many players. Despite Clark’s missing most of the season with an injury—something Wilson, to be clear, did not cheer—viewership for both the regular season and postseason was up 5% to 6% on a per-game average across ESPN networks. “Sometimes you need a proof in the pudding,” says Wilson. “The biggest thing for us, and why I was so happy, is that we continue to rise to the occasion. This was just a matter of time for us to really bloom and blossom. Because we have been invested in each other and our craft for a very long time. It was just like, ‘They’re going to pay attention.’”

Now, obviously, Clark is a huge part of every WNBA conversation these days, but it seems like a stretch to bring her up in a conversation that is supposed to be about A’ja Wilson’s year. Moreso, using a word like “vindication” promotes the bad-faith narrative that other WNBA players hate Clark, or are rooting for her downfall. The article made sure to include a disclaimer that Wilson did not celebrate the fact that Clark was injured, but why even bring it up at all?

There are so many other ways to quantify that the league saw growth this year. You can dive into the numbers — per ESPN, the 2025 season was the most-watched season in league history, averaging 1.2 million viewers and up 5% year-over-year. The WNBA Finals in 2025 were the second-most-watched WNBA Finals of all time, only following last season’s Finals between New York and Minnesota. You can dive into the support the WNBPA is receiving as they negotiate contracts — including fan support, and support from other leagues’ unions.

Objectively, it is true that Clark being out for most of the season and the WNBA not falling into ruin like some may have thought is a good sign for the entire league. Yet, at a time when the players need to be a united front, including a section that almost seems like it’s digging to find a reason to pull them apart, is lame. It wouldn’t even be as bad if the chosen word had not been “vindicated,” as the implication there is almost that players celebrated that they’d had success without Clark, rather than just celebrating their success.

Wilson’s quote in that section of the feature says it best — “… we continue to rise to the occasion. This was just a matter of time for us to really bloom and blossom. Because we have been invested in each other and our craft for a very long time.” It’s not about one specific person being in or out of the lineup; it’s that no matter what is thrown at these players, they will rise up to the occasion. They are best when they come together as a collective, instead of being pitted against each other by the media in order to fuel false narratives.

A’ja Wilson was the best women’s basketball player in 2025, by a long shot. She has been for many years. That doesn’t mean anyone else is made to be less than; it just means Wilson has a level of talent that, in her words, “is hard to catch up with.” That’s what she thinks the quest to be the Greatest of All Time is: Putting yourself in a position where it would be hard for anyone else to catch up. Not tearing everyone else down so you’re the sole person standing at the mountaintop.

The thing that makes Wilson so good at what she does, but also such a good role model, is that she never depends on anyone else for validation. She focuses on her work, on herself, and lets her starpower shine through that way. She’ll never need anyone else to falter to prove that she’s great; she just is.

Source link
#Aja #Wilsons #TIME #honor #push #badfaith #narratives

Tag

Related Posts

Deadspin | Pete Crow-Armstrong homers twice as Cubs outslug Orioles Jul 8, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) is congratulated by infielder Michael Busch (29) after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two of Chicago’s five home runs and the Cubs held on to beat the host Baltimore Orioles 9-7 on Wednesday night. Crow-Armstrong’s second long ball of the game and 21st of the season put the Cubs ahead for good, 4-3 in the fifth inning, before the teams combined for nine runs across the last three innings. Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back solo blasts in the fifth, then two batters later, Crow-Armstrong went deep. Crow-Armstrong earlier hit a solo shot in the third inning, and Seiya Suzuki added a three-run homer in the seventh. The Cubs, who will go for a sweep of the three-game series on Thursday, produced their offense with eight hits and four walks. They won for the eighth time in the past 10 games. Tyler O’Neill hit two home runs across the final three innings for the Orioles, and Pete Alonso and Coby Mayo also homered. Jackson Holliday rapped four of Baltimore’s 14 hits, but he never scored a run in what became the team’s third consecutive loss. Right-hander Colin Rea (7-5) won his second start in a row, allowing three runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out two. Jacob Webb was called upon to pitch the ninth, and the right-hander notched his fourth save by retiring the side in order. Baltimore right-hander Dean Kremer (1-2) gave up four runs on six hits in five innings in his second start after coming off the injury list. He fanned four and walked one. Following Crow-Armstrong’s third-inning home run, the Orioles built a 3-1 lead on Alonso’s two-run homer in the fourth. Chicago’s three-homer fifth inning was followed by a five-run seventh for a 9-3 advantage. O’Neill entered the game in the seventh as a pinch hitter and delivered his first homer of the game. The Orioles tacked on another run on Taylor Ward’s run-scoring single but stranded two runners on base while trailing 9-5. Mayo slugged a pinch-hit homer in the eighth before O’Neill made it back-to-back blasts for the Orioles. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Pete #CrowArmstrong #homers #Cubs #outslug #OriolesJul 8, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) is congratulated by infielder Michael Busch (29) after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two of Chicago’s five home runs and the Cubs held on to beat the host Baltimore Orioles 9-7 on Wednesday night.

Crow-Armstrong’s second long ball of the game and 21st of the season put the Cubs ahead for good, 4-3 in the fifth inning, before the teams combined for nine runs across the last three innings.

Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back solo blasts in the fifth, then two batters later, Crow-Armstrong went deep. Crow-Armstrong earlier hit a solo shot in the third inning, and Seiya Suzuki added a three-run homer in the seventh.

The Cubs, who will go for a sweep of the three-game series on Thursday, produced their offense with eight hits and four walks. They won for the eighth time in the past 10 games.

Tyler O’Neill hit two home runs across the final three innings for the Orioles, and Pete Alonso and Coby Mayo also homered. Jackson Holliday rapped four of Baltimore’s 14 hits, but he never scored a run in what became the team’s third consecutive loss.


Right-hander Colin Rea (7-5) won his second start in a row, allowing three runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out two. Jacob Webb was called upon to pitch the ninth, and the right-hander notched his fourth save by retiring the side in order.

Baltimore right-hander Dean Kremer (1-2) gave up four runs on six hits in five innings in his second start after coming off the injury list. He fanned four and walked one.

Following Crow-Armstrong’s third-inning home run, the Orioles built a 3-1 lead on Alonso’s two-run homer in the fourth.

Chicago’s three-homer fifth inning was followed by a five-run seventh for a 9-3 advantage.

O’Neill entered the game in the seventh as a pinch hitter and delivered his first homer of the game. The Orioles tacked on another run on Taylor Ward’s run-scoring single but stranded two runners on base while trailing 9-5.

Mayo slugged a pinch-hit homer in the eighth before O’Neill made it back-to-back blasts for the Orioles.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Pete #CrowArmstrong #homers #Cubs #outslug #Orioles">Deadspin | Pete Crow-Armstrong homers twice as Cubs outslug Orioles Jul 8, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) is congratulated by infielder Michael Busch (29) after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two of Chicago’s five home runs and the Cubs held on to beat the host Baltimore Orioles 9-7 on Wednesday night. Crow-Armstrong’s second long ball of the game and 21st of the season put the Cubs ahead for good, 4-3 in the fifth inning, before the teams combined for nine runs across the last three innings. Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back solo blasts in the fifth, then two batters later, Crow-Armstrong went deep. Crow-Armstrong earlier hit a solo shot in the third inning, and Seiya Suzuki added a three-run homer in the seventh. The Cubs, who will go for a sweep of the three-game series on Thursday, produced their offense with eight hits and four walks. They won for the eighth time in the past 10 games. Tyler O’Neill hit two home runs across the final three innings for the Orioles, and Pete Alonso and Coby Mayo also homered. Jackson Holliday rapped four of Baltimore’s 14 hits, but he never scored a run in what became the team’s third consecutive loss. Right-hander Colin Rea (7-5) won his second start in a row, allowing three runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out two. Jacob Webb was called upon to pitch the ninth, and the right-hander notched his fourth save by retiring the side in order. Baltimore right-hander Dean Kremer (1-2) gave up four runs on six hits in five innings in his second start after coming off the injury list. He fanned four and walked one. Following Crow-Armstrong’s third-inning home run, the Orioles built a 3-1 lead on Alonso’s two-run homer in the fourth. Chicago’s three-homer fifth inning was followed by a five-run seventh for a 9-3 advantage. O’Neill entered the game in the seventh as a pinch hitter and delivered his first homer of the game. The Orioles tacked on another run on Taylor Ward’s run-scoring single but stranded two runners on base while trailing 9-5. Mayo slugged a pinch-hit homer in the eighth before O’Neill made it back-to-back blasts for the Orioles. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Pete #CrowArmstrong #homers #Cubs #outslug #Orioles

Coco Gauff is a tremendously accomplished young tennis professional. Having defeated Venus Williams when she was just 15 years old in 2019, she has gone on to win two grand slam championships in the subsequent years, and become the 10th-highest earning women’s player of all time. Now 22, she is currently ranked No. 7 in the world, having ranked as high as No. 2 before, with a 308-126 career record on the tour. Most people a decade older than her in the sport would kill for her resumé.

And yet, it always feels like Coco is still a good distance away from what everyone believes she can be. For all of the deep tournament runs she’s made, most of them have felt fraught—fans of Gauff are unaccustomed to dominant, clinical performances. What they’re used to are long sequences of small, escalating heart attacks. Coco does not impose herself in matches so much as let her opponents impose themselves; with her sport-leading defense—powered by speed, athleticism, an unfailing backhand, and mega-deep wells of willpower—she traps them into winding mirror funhouses of themselves. She is the ultimate backstop, fireproof and ever-moving.

It’s worked quite well, obviously, but at the same time, anyone can see that life could be easier for her on the court. If she fully weaponized her physicality, she could take more time away from opponents, and get the ball to more unhittable spots. There is a clear pathway for at least some of her many frantic three-setters to become calm, calculated two-set victories. Like so many players who have captured the tennis world’s imagination, she makes you wonder if that kind of winning will ever be in the cards for her, or if she requires cinematic drama to find her best self.

Coming into this year’s Wimbledon, Gauff hadn’t won a match on grass in two years. Since the tournament started, she’s won five, landing her in a semifinal this Thursday against Czech striker Karolina Muchova. Though—in classic Gauff form—four of those wins have gone the distance, she has gotten here by playing her most confident and assertive tennis ever. She’s displayed real signs of evolution and maturity in her game, potentially giving us a preview of the player she’ll become as her twenties stretch on into her thirties.

In wins against Belinda Bencic and her former doubles partner Jessica Pegula, No. 11 and No. 4 in the world respectively, Coco found a needed new ingredient to success. In the tight spot both players put her in, release was at the net. Gauff has always been good at punishing players who move up too eagerly. Dating all the way back to her scene-exploding win against Venus, she’s known how to lob the ball artfully over a bully. What she’s only starting to do, now, is become the bully herself. Up closer to the dividing line, her quick reflexes, touch, explosive jumping, and ability to back-pedal allow her to press advantages she has historically been content to milk over long rallies. As she realized this late in her match against Bencic, she pulled away; winning, ultimately, just minutes before the 11:00 P.M. London curfew took effect. She tapped her wrist when the match ended, smiling in reference to the timely conclusion.

Years from now, we might look back at the memeable moment as when Coco announced that it’s time for her to play more boldly. In her quarterfinal match against Pegula, the net play came sooner than it did against Bencic, and her serve—a source of great double-fault consternation just a year ago—was a consistent well of power and edge after some first-set nerves. She also took gambles, enough of which paid off, with slicing drop shots. It still required a long, grueling while to beat the always poised and clinical Pegula (who maintains a 5-4 upperhand in the head-to-head matchup), but we saw a fresh new vision of Coco along the way: that of women’s tennis’ best athlete maximizing her risk margins, and becoming more than just a winner. She’s beginning to look unbeatable.

Her next opponent is no joke. Muchova found the limits of Naomi Osaka’s inspiring comeback in her own quarterfinal match, and is ranked just one slot behind Gauff at No. 8 globally. Muchova is both powerful and versatile, and will seize on any lack of strategy or poise that Coco brings to the match. Gauff leads their lifetime matchup, 6-to-1, but they’ve never played each other on grass. While that’s a major variable, Gauff has thus far played the surface at a level that makes her capable of taking down both Muchova and the remaining field (though FanDuel has her as a slight underdog in the semifinal at +100). There’s no question that Coco, further into this tourney than she’s ever been, can grab her first Wimbledon title this weekend. Her biggest remaining battle in pursuit of that goal is with herself, and with the game that she’s still mastering. Time to see who wins.

#dangerous #version #Coco #Gauff #finally #arrived">The most dangerous version of Coco Gauff has finally arrived Coco Gauff is a tremendously accomplished young tennis professional. Having defeated Venus Williams when she was just 15 years old in 2019, she has gone on to win two grand slam championships in the subsequent years, and become the 10th-highest earning women’s player of all time. Now 22, she is currently ranked No. 7 in the world, having ranked as high as No. 2 before, with a 308-126 career record on the tour. Most people a decade older than her in the sport would kill for her resumé.And yet, it always feels like Coco is still a good distance away from what everyone believes she can be. For all of the deep tournament runs she’s made, most of them have felt fraught—fans of Gauff are unaccustomed to dominant, clinical performances. What they’re used to are long sequences of small, escalating heart attacks. Coco does not impose herself in matches so much as let her opponents impose themselves; with her sport-leading defense—powered by speed, athleticism, an unfailing backhand, and mega-deep wells of willpower—she traps them into winding mirror funhouses of themselves. She is the ultimate backstop, fireproof and ever-moving.It’s worked quite well, obviously, but at the same time, anyone can see that life could be easier for her on the court. If she fully weaponized her physicality, she could take more time away from opponents, and get the ball to more unhittable spots. There is a clear pathway for at least some of her many frantic three-setters to become calm, calculated two-set victories. Like so many players who have captured the tennis world’s imagination, she makes you wonder if that kind of winning will ever be in the cards for her, or if she requires cinematic drama to find her best self.Coming into this year’s Wimbledon, Gauff hadn’t won a match on grass in two years. Since the tournament started, she’s won five, landing her in a semifinal this Thursday against Czech striker Karolina Muchova. Though—in classic Gauff form—four of those wins have gone the distance, she has gotten here by playing her most confident and assertive tennis ever. She’s displayed real signs of evolution and maturity in her game, potentially giving us a preview of the player she’ll become as her twenties stretch on into her thirties.In wins against Belinda Bencic and her former doubles partner Jessica Pegula, No. 11 and No. 4 in the world respectively, Coco found a needed new ingredient to success. In the tight spot both players put her in, release was at the net. Gauff has always been good at punishing players who move up too eagerly. Dating all the way back to her scene-exploding win against Venus, she’s known how to lob the ball artfully over a bully. What she’s only starting to do, now, is become the bully herself. Up closer to the dividing line, her quick reflexes, touch, explosive jumping, and ability to back-pedal allow her to press advantages she has historically been content to milk over long rallies. As she realized this late in her match against Bencic, she pulled away; winning, ultimately, just minutes before the 11:00 P.M. London curfew took effect. She tapped her wrist when the match ended, smiling in reference to the timely conclusion.Years from now, we might look back at the memeable moment as when Coco announced that it’s time for her to play more boldly. In her quarterfinal match against Pegula, the net play came sooner than it did against Bencic, and her serve—a source of great double-fault consternation just a year ago—was a consistent well of power and edge after some first-set nerves. She also took gambles, enough of which paid off, with slicing drop shots. It still required a long, grueling while to beat the always poised and clinical Pegula (who maintains a 5-4 upperhand in the head-to-head matchup), but we saw a fresh new vision of Coco along the way: that of women’s tennis’ best athlete maximizing her risk margins, and becoming more than just a winner. She’s beginning to look unbeatable.Her next opponent is no joke. Muchova found the limits of Naomi Osaka’s inspiring comeback in her own quarterfinal match, and is ranked just one slot behind Gauff at No. 8 globally. Muchova is both powerful and versatile, and will seize on any lack of strategy or poise that Coco brings to the match. Gauff leads their lifetime matchup, 6-to-1, but they’ve never played each other on grass. While that’s a major variable, Gauff has thus far played the surface at a level that makes her capable of taking down both Muchova and the remaining field (though FanDuel has her as a slight underdog in the semifinal at +100). There’s no question that Coco, further into this tourney than she’s ever been, can grab her first Wimbledon title this weekend. Her biggest remaining battle in pursuit of that goal is with herself, and with the game that she’s still mastering. Time to see who wins. #dangerous #version #Coco #Gauff #finally #arrived

tapped her wrist when the match ended, smiling in reference to the timely conclusion.

Years from now, we might look back at the memeable moment as when Coco announced that it’s time for her to play more boldly. In her quarterfinal match against Pegula, the net play came sooner than it did against Bencic, and her serve—a source of great double-fault consternation just a year ago—was a consistent well of power and edge after some first-set nerves. She also took gambles, enough of which paid off, with slicing drop shots. It still required a long, grueling while to beat the always poised and clinical Pegula (who maintains a 5-4 upperhand in the head-to-head matchup), but we saw a fresh new vision of Coco along the way: that of women’s tennis’ best athlete maximizing her risk margins, and becoming more than just a winner. She’s beginning to look unbeatable.

Her next opponent is no joke. Muchova found the limits of Naomi Osaka’s inspiring comeback in her own quarterfinal match, and is ranked just one slot behind Gauff at No. 8 globally. Muchova is both powerful and versatile, and will seize on any lack of strategy or poise that Coco brings to the match. Gauff leads their lifetime matchup, 6-to-1, but they’ve never played each other on grass. While that’s a major variable, Gauff has thus far played the surface at a level that makes her capable of taking down both Muchova and the remaining field (though FanDuel has her as a slight underdog in the semifinal at +100). There’s no question that Coco, further into this tourney than she’s ever been, can grab her first Wimbledon title this weekend. Her biggest remaining battle in pursuit of that goal is with herself, and with the game that she’s still mastering. Time to see who wins.

#dangerous #version #Coco #Gauff #finally #arrived">The most dangerous version of Coco Gauff has finally arrived

Coco Gauff is a tremendously accomplished young tennis professional. Having defeated Venus Williams when she was just 15 years old in 2019, she has gone on to win two grand slam championships in the subsequent years, and become the 10th-highest earning women’s player of all time. Now 22, she is currently ranked No. 7 in the world, having ranked as high as No. 2 before, with a 308-126 career record on the tour. Most people a decade older than her in the sport would kill for her resumé.

And yet, it always feels like Coco is still a good distance away from what everyone believes she can be. For all of the deep tournament runs she’s made, most of them have felt fraught—fans of Gauff are unaccustomed to dominant, clinical performances. What they’re used to are long sequences of small, escalating heart attacks. Coco does not impose herself in matches so much as let her opponents impose themselves; with her sport-leading defense—powered by speed, athleticism, an unfailing backhand, and mega-deep wells of willpower—she traps them into winding mirror funhouses of themselves. She is the ultimate backstop, fireproof and ever-moving.

It’s worked quite well, obviously, but at the same time, anyone can see that life could be easier for her on the court. If she fully weaponized her physicality, she could take more time away from opponents, and get the ball to more unhittable spots. There is a clear pathway for at least some of her many frantic three-setters to become calm, calculated two-set victories. Like so many players who have captured the tennis world’s imagination, she makes you wonder if that kind of winning will ever be in the cards for her, or if she requires cinematic drama to find her best self.

Coming into this year’s Wimbledon, Gauff hadn’t won a match on grass in two years. Since the tournament started, she’s won five, landing her in a semifinal this Thursday against Czech striker Karolina Muchova. Though—in classic Gauff form—four of those wins have gone the distance, she has gotten here by playing her most confident and assertive tennis ever. She’s displayed real signs of evolution and maturity in her game, potentially giving us a preview of the player she’ll become as her twenties stretch on into her thirties.

In wins against Belinda Bencic and her former doubles partner Jessica Pegula, No. 11 and No. 4 in the world respectively, Coco found a needed new ingredient to success. In the tight spot both players put her in, release was at the net. Gauff has always been good at punishing players who move up too eagerly. Dating all the way back to her scene-exploding win against Venus, she’s known how to lob the ball artfully over a bully. What she’s only starting to do, now, is become the bully herself. Up closer to the dividing line, her quick reflexes, touch, explosive jumping, and ability to back-pedal allow her to press advantages she has historically been content to milk over long rallies. As she realized this late in her match against Bencic, she pulled away; winning, ultimately, just minutes before the 11:00 P.M. London curfew took effect. She tapped her wrist when the match ended, smiling in reference to the timely conclusion.

Years from now, we might look back at the memeable moment as when Coco announced that it’s time for her to play more boldly. In her quarterfinal match against Pegula, the net play came sooner than it did against Bencic, and her serve—a source of great double-fault consternation just a year ago—was a consistent well of power and edge after some first-set nerves. She also took gambles, enough of which paid off, with slicing drop shots. It still required a long, grueling while to beat the always poised and clinical Pegula (who maintains a 5-4 upperhand in the head-to-head matchup), but we saw a fresh new vision of Coco along the way: that of women’s tennis’ best athlete maximizing her risk margins, and becoming more than just a winner. She’s beginning to look unbeatable.

Her next opponent is no joke. Muchova found the limits of Naomi Osaka’s inspiring comeback in her own quarterfinal match, and is ranked just one slot behind Gauff at No. 8 globally. Muchova is both powerful and versatile, and will seize on any lack of strategy or poise that Coco brings to the match. Gauff leads their lifetime matchup, 6-to-1, but they’ve never played each other on grass. While that’s a major variable, Gauff has thus far played the surface at a level that makes her capable of taking down both Muchova and the remaining field (though FanDuel has her as a slight underdog in the semifinal at +100). There’s no question that Coco, further into this tourney than she’s ever been, can grab her first Wimbledon title this weekend. Her biggest remaining battle in pursuit of that goal is with herself, and with the game that she’s still mastering. Time to see who wins.

#dangerous #version #Coco #Gauff #finally #arrived

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois believes his country can create a surprise at the World Cup and upset ​Spain in Friday’s quarterfinal after finally beginning to show some form.

“Everyone ‌on our team realises it’s possible. I think we have ​a strong squad with qualities that Spain will ⁠have to take into account,” he told reporters ahead of training on Wednesday.

“There are surprises in every tournament … the Champions League, the Europa League, ‌the World Cup.

“There are always surprises, and I think we can be one of them. Eliminating the European champions ‌would obviously be a huge upset. The confidence is ‌there,” ⁠he said after a 4-1 victory over co-hosts the ⁠United States in Seattle on Monday.

Belgium bumbled through the group phase, eventually topping the standings after beating New Zealand 5-1 in its last fixture after being held ​by Egypt and Iran.

The Red Devils then scraped by Senegal, coming back from two goals down with five minutes left to take the game to extra time and then win 3-2 with a last-gasp penalty.

ALSO READ | France’s ambition faces biggest test yet from old rival Morocco

“People were a ‌bit disappointed in us, but we’ve set that right. We’re ​getting better and better,” Courtois insisted.

“Spain is the favourite, of course. They are excellent in possession, and ⁠when they lose the ball, they press quickly. That’s where the key lies: knowing how to quickly exploit the space behind their ‌defence.”

Spain substitute Mikel Merino earned his team a 1-0 last-16 win when he scored against Portugal in the 91st minute on Monday.

“I think the goal against Portugal highlights their strengths,” added Courtois. “We know Lamine Yamal is incredibly talented in one-on-one situations; he’s fast, agile, and can beat two players if necessary.”

Courtois, rated among the best ‌keepers in world football, knows all about the Spanish threat having played ​at Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

“I’ve lived in Spain for 11 years, that’s a long time, of course. Life ⁠runs on a slightly later schedule there, and the weather is ⁠better. But ultimately, I remain Belgian.

“Spain is my second home, though, and I’ll probably keep living there after my ‌career ends.

“I also have two children who are naturally more Spanish than Belgian, but at the end of the day, ​tomorrow’s match is all about Belgium,” he added.

Published on Jul 09, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #Courtois #sees #Belgium #believes #side #beat #Spain">FIFA World Cup 2026: Courtois sees Belgium getting better and believes his side can beat Spain Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois believes his country can create a surprise at the World Cup and upset ​Spain in Friday’s quarterfinal after finally beginning to show some form.“Everyone ‌on our team realises it’s possible. I think we have ​a strong squad with qualities that Spain will ⁠have to take into account,” he told reporters ahead of training on Wednesday.“There are surprises in every tournament … the Champions League, the Europa League, ‌the World Cup.“There are always surprises, and I think we can be one of them. Eliminating the European champions ‌would obviously be a huge upset. The confidence is ‌there,” ⁠he said after a 4-1 victory over co-hosts the ⁠United States in Seattle on Monday.Belgium bumbled through the group phase, eventually topping the standings after beating New Zealand 5-1 in its last fixture after being held ​by Egypt and Iran.The Red Devils then scraped by Senegal, coming back from two goals down with five minutes left to take the game to extra time and then win 3-2 with a last-gasp penalty.ALSO READ | France’s ambition faces biggest test yet from old rival Morocco“People were a ‌bit disappointed in us, but we’ve set that right. We’re ​getting better and better,” Courtois insisted.“Spain is the favourite, of course. They are excellent in possession, and ⁠when they lose the ball, they press quickly. That’s where the key lies: knowing how to quickly exploit the space behind their ‌defence.”Spain substitute Mikel Merino earned his team a 1-0 last-16 win when he scored against Portugal in the 91st minute on Monday.“I think the goal against Portugal highlights their strengths,” added Courtois. “We know Lamine Yamal is incredibly talented in one-on-one situations; he’s fast, agile, and can beat two players if necessary.”Courtois, rated among the best ‌keepers in world football, knows all about the Spanish threat having played ​at Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.“I’ve lived in Spain for 11 years, that’s a long time, of course. Life ⁠runs on a slightly later schedule there, and the weather is ⁠better. But ultimately, I remain Belgian.“Spain is my second home, though, and I’ll probably keep living there after my ‌career ends.“I also have two children who are naturally more Spanish than Belgian, but at the end of the day, ​tomorrow’s match is all about Belgium,” he added.Published on Jul 09, 2026 #FIFA #World #Cup #Courtois #sees #Belgium #believes #side #beat #Spain

France’s ambition faces biggest test yet from old rival Morocco

“People were a ‌bit disappointed in us, but we’ve set that right. We’re ​getting better and better,” Courtois insisted.

“Spain is the favourite, of course. They are excellent in possession, and ⁠when they lose the ball, they press quickly. That’s where the key lies: knowing how to quickly exploit the space behind their ‌defence.”

Spain substitute Mikel Merino earned his team a 1-0 last-16 win when he scored against Portugal in the 91st minute on Monday.

“I think the goal against Portugal highlights their strengths,” added Courtois. “We know Lamine Yamal is incredibly talented in one-on-one situations; he’s fast, agile, and can beat two players if necessary.”

Courtois, rated among the best ‌keepers in world football, knows all about the Spanish threat having played ​at Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

“I’ve lived in Spain for 11 years, that’s a long time, of course. Life ⁠runs on a slightly later schedule there, and the weather is ⁠better. But ultimately, I remain Belgian.

“Spain is my second home, though, and I’ll probably keep living there after my ‌career ends.

“I also have two children who are naturally more Spanish than Belgian, but at the end of the day, ​tomorrow’s match is all about Belgium,” he added.

Published on Jul 09, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #Courtois #sees #Belgium #believes #side #beat #Spain">FIFA World Cup 2026: Courtois sees Belgium getting better and believes his side can beat Spain

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois believes his country can create a surprise at the World Cup and upset ​Spain in Friday’s quarterfinal after finally beginning to show some form.

“Everyone ‌on our team realises it’s possible. I think we have ​a strong squad with qualities that Spain will ⁠have to take into account,” he told reporters ahead of training on Wednesday.

“There are surprises in every tournament … the Champions League, the Europa League, ‌the World Cup.

“There are always surprises, and I think we can be one of them. Eliminating the European champions ‌would obviously be a huge upset. The confidence is ‌there,” ⁠he said after a 4-1 victory over co-hosts the ⁠United States in Seattle on Monday.

Belgium bumbled through the group phase, eventually topping the standings after beating New Zealand 5-1 in its last fixture after being held ​by Egypt and Iran.

The Red Devils then scraped by Senegal, coming back from two goals down with five minutes left to take the game to extra time and then win 3-2 with a last-gasp penalty.

ALSO READ | France’s ambition faces biggest test yet from old rival Morocco

“People were a ‌bit disappointed in us, but we’ve set that right. We’re ​getting better and better,” Courtois insisted.

“Spain is the favourite, of course. They are excellent in possession, and ⁠when they lose the ball, they press quickly. That’s where the key lies: knowing how to quickly exploit the space behind their ‌defence.”

Spain substitute Mikel Merino earned his team a 1-0 last-16 win when he scored against Portugal in the 91st minute on Monday.

“I think the goal against Portugal highlights their strengths,” added Courtois. “We know Lamine Yamal is incredibly talented in one-on-one situations; he’s fast, agile, and can beat two players if necessary.”

Courtois, rated among the best ‌keepers in world football, knows all about the Spanish threat having played ​at Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

“I’ve lived in Spain for 11 years, that’s a long time, of course. Life ⁠runs on a slightly later schedule there, and the weather is ⁠better. But ultimately, I remain Belgian.

“Spain is my second home, though, and I’ll probably keep living there after my ‌career ends.

“I also have two children who are naturally more Spanish than Belgian, but at the end of the day, ​tomorrow’s match is all about Belgium,” he added.

Published on Jul 09, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #Courtois #sees #Belgium #believes #side #beat #Spain

Post Comment