Maria Sharapova
Tennis pro and five-time grand slam winner, Maria Sharapova is calling it quits for good.
The 32-year-old Russian made the retirement announcement in a column she wrote for Vogue and Vanity Fair.
How do you leave behind the only life you’ve ever known? How do you walk away from the courts you’ve trained on since you were a little girl, the game that you love—one which brought you untold tears and unspeakable joys—a sport where you found a family, along with fans who rallied behind you for more than 28 years?
In giving my life to tennis, tennis gave me a life. I’ll miss it everyday. I’ll miss the training and my daily routine: Waking up at dawn, lacing my left shoe before my right, and closing the court’s gate before I hit my first ball of the day. I’ll miss my team, my coaches. I’ll miss the moments sitting with my father on the practice court bench. The handshakes—win or lose—and the athletes, whether they knew it or not, who pushed me to be my best.
Looking back now, I realize that tennis has been my mountain. My path has been filled with valleys and detours, but the views from its peak were incredible. After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, though, I’m ready to scale another mountain—to compete on a different type of terrain.
In the final part of the article, she says:
Tennis showed me the world—and it showed me what I was made of. It’s how I tested myself and how I measured my growth. And so in whatever I might choose for my next chapter, my next mountain, I’ll still be pushing. I’ll still be climbing. I’ll still be growing.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has introduced a revamped format for the qualification process leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aiming to elevate African football.
The new format includes a single stage of qualification that will span almost two years and involve all 54 African nations divided into nine groups of six teams each. The group winners will qualify automatically, while the four best second-placed teams will enter a playoff stage for an additional spot.
The qualification campaign will begin in November 2023 and conclude in November 2025, lasting a total of 23 months. This extended timeframe allows for a more comprehensive and competitive qualifying process. African nations, including Uganda, see the increased slots as a golden opportunity to make history, as no team from the CECAFA region has ever participated in the World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature 104 matches instead of the usual 64, with the final taking place on July 19. The new format will have 12 groups instead of the previous eight, and the knockout round will include the top two teams from each group, as well as the eight best third-placed teams.
Victor Osimhen made history on Thursday night powering Napoli to win a Serie A title after 33 years.
The Nigerian forward scored the decisive goal in the second half as Napoli came back from trailing to Sandi Lovric’s opener at half-time.
Osimhen’s title-deciding strike against Udine was his 22nd goal in 28 league appearances and rightly caused bedlam among the massed ranks of away fans who took over Udine.
The Nigerian striker has had the best season of his career and been key to Napoli’s historic charge to glory, becoming, in the process, one of the most devastating centre forwards in European football, clattering in goals left and right.
Injury slowed down the 24-year-old striker’s scoring rate but between returning from a thigh injury in mid-October and the recent round of African Cup of Nations qualifiers last month, he averaged a goal a game.
Over that period, Osimhen scored 23 times in 23 matches in all competitions, propelling Napoli to the brink of a historic Scudetto and becoming a bona fide fan idol even before he scored the goal that secured the title on Thursday.
Napoli’s Thursday win saw an end to a 33-year title drought, thanks to Osimhen’s title-winning strike which powered the team to glory, one that was last won in 1990.
Napoli are leading second-placed Lazio with 16 points, leaving them with a month-long parade between now and the end of the season which will allow their long-suffering supporters to fully unload more than a generation of frustration.
Frank Leboeuf, a Chelsea legend, has advised Frank Lampard to step down from his role as caretaker ~ manager following the team’s most recent Premier League loss to Brentford at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard has suffered five consecutive defeats since taking over from Graham Potter at the beginning of the month. Leboeuf warns that Lampard might not win a game until the end of the season, and he encouraged him to depart quickly.
Leboeuf, speaking to ESPN, stated that there was nothing more to say regarding Lampard’s current situation at Chelsea. He believes that the team’s current form is disastrous and that they require a win to avoid relegation.
Some men confuse the specific color of clothes, accessories etc. that would complement their skin color. Check out two tips...
Ini Edo shines on the cover of the latest edition of Ibom Airline Magazine known as “Fulcrum Magazine”. The actress...
Do you want to look your best, stand out, have a sophisticated aura that attracts the women, why don’t you...
When it comes to dressing, there are so many rules guiding it and the least you could is have a...
Onion chicken sauce is a hearty and flavourful sauce made with onions, chicken, and a variety of seasonings and vegetables....
The Nigerian sensational artist Adekunle Gold has released an amazing new song titled “Do you Mind” and you will definitely...
Fans of K-drama will be excited to know that a new k-drama titled “Bloodhounds” will coming soon on Netflix and...
It’s a new week and it will be amazing to cook a delicious meal for your family and friends. You’re...
Are you addicted to sugar or products that contain sugar? Well too much intake of sugar isn’t highly recommended, they...
It is essential to prioritize your comfort and well-being when selecting footwear. If you choose to wear heels, consider opting...
6 Healthy Foods To Eat for Breakfast
How To Make Seafood Okra Soup By Hilda Baci
3 Iconic Tina Turner Songs of All Time
World Cup Africa Announces New Qualification Format
How To Style Bold Prints
7 Kinds Of People You Must Not Date
How To Lose Belly Fat By Abi’s Choice Remedy
7 Benefits Of Turmeric For Your Skin
