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Secure the bag: Wimbledon’s fashion revolution is sparked by Sinner’s Gucci deal

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Most carrying activities have their personal “catwalk” these days. The Premier League has its crew bus-to-changing room stride, and the NBA its “tunnel fashion”.

At Wimbledon, it’s the corridor-to-court walk. But when Jannik Sinner, the 21-year-old Italian and men’s world No 8, emerged from the tunnel carrying a leather-trimmed canvas duffel bag blanketed in Gucci’s GG monogram, some thing felt different.

Could it be that Wimbledon’s all-white, logo-lite rule creep had been overthrown by using a 6ft 2in redhead but to win a grand slam title?

The grand slams have inflexible rules. No sweatshirts, even in the warmup. Want to put on your personal grass shoes? You need to put up a pair ninety days earlier than stepping on to court. But none extra so than at the All England Club, where, staggeringly, 2023 is the first yr girls are allowed to put on dark-coloured shorts in case they have their period. Otherwise, the all-white rule is mostly obeyed.

“The quantity of work it took to get that bag out on to Centre Court was once sincerely something,” says Hikmat Mohammed, an editor at Women’s Wear Daily. “But excessive trend finds a way to adapt to anything. I think about Gucci noticed the giants of game – Nike and Adidas – and how they’ve benefited from deals, and thought: why no longer try?”

That, Mohammed says, used to be partly down to the Emma Raducanu effect: “I think about the large manufacturers all sat up when Emma commenced signing [as company ambassador] to Dior and Tiffany in 2021.”

Since René Lacoste delivered the emblem polo shirt in the 1920s, gamers have pushed the stylistic boundaries of the game’s extra typical rulebook. Arthur Ashe plumped for picture tops and outsized colors at some stage in the late 1970s. John McEnroe wore his Sergio Tacchini microshorts with a scarf a decade later. Andre Agassi used to be so connected to his vibrant package that he refused to play at Wimbledon from 1988 to 1990 due to the fact of the all-white rules.

Sinner, who grew to be an ambassador for Gucci remaining year, has hardly ever pushed the sartorial envelope on court docket – he prefers white, as a rule. But in accordance to the Italian label, this bag was once the “first time a high-end luxurious baggage piece has been added on court”.

As the BBC commentator James Burridge stated at some point of Sinner’s suit in opposition to Quentin Halys on Friday: “He’s emerge as the discuss of the locker room – a fashion icon.” That the bag then sits courtside for various hours is a accessible bit of advertising for the brand, too.

Stuart Brumfitt, the editor of tennis journal Bagel, thinks this pushback in men’s tennis is inevitable as the new shield – he counts Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune alongside Sinner – commence to displace the likes of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

“Tennis gamers have constantly had that trend affiliation however it’s now not talked about in the equal way as, say, footballers,” Brumfitt says.

“I assume a lot of it comes from their engagement on social media, and being greater open in press conferences. You’re seeing a return of personality players. There’s stress on them to come to be personalities, and their garments tie into this.”

There is additionally opposition from more moderen video games together with pickleball and padel, says Brumfitt, with trend manufacturers such as Varley and Staud releasing pickleball clothing. Tennis has responded: Danish garb line Ganni has collaborated with the tennis company Prince, and Slazenger with the menswear label Percival.

Brumfitt put Frances Tiafoe, the 25-year-old American tennis player, in a basketball pinnacle on the Bagel cover, “because that was once what he wore to teach in”. “I’m no longer a stylist however I desire to seize the casualness and the actuality of tennis, which is now not all white caps.

“Young gamers appear conscious of how they seem off-court,” Brumfitt says. Alcaraz has been doing press conferences in a bucket hat; the French-American Maxime Cressy has turn out to be well-known for his beard and chain; even the British participant Cameron Norrie is flashing a blond streak in his hair.

The Australian participant Nick Kyrgios, absent this yr due to the fact of injury, wears crimson Air Jordans (which he modifications out of on court), a baseball cap and has double loops in his left ear.

But breaking from culture has mostly been a women’s game. “They have constantly pushed for a greater flamboyant style, and I assume there’s been extra of a focal point on them,” says Brumfitt, referring to Serena Williams, the catsuit controversy of 2018 and her predilection for Off-White tennis dresses, however additionally Suzanne Lenglen and her hemlines and tennis bracelets.

Tennis fashion for guys has been slower on the uptake, however now tends to go one of two ways: heritage or future-facing, says Brumfitt. Sinner is going for the “old-school look, a bit like Federer”. It’s telling that Alcaraz is subsidized by means of Louis Vuitton, a rival manufacturer from a rival superconglomerate. “It feels like the two faces of men’s tennis are going distinctive methods – the first rate seem to be and a greater characterful one.”

It’s additionally indicative of tennis broadening out into wider, youthful culture. Luca Guadagnino’s movie Challengers follows a love triangle in tennis with costumes designed through Loewe’s Jonathan Anderson, whilst Fifteen-Love, a darkish and racy tennis TV drama starring Poldark’s Aidan Turner, sees a return to the blazers and polo shirts of us of a membership tennis later this month.

Sinner additionally includes a Head tennis bag for his rackets, so the actual query is what precisely used to be in his ludicrously capacious Gucci version? The company declined to remark however given he pulled out his hydration drinks, it in all likelihood wasn’t simply about fashion.

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India Takes 1-0 Lead as Gill’s 87 and Rana’s Three-Wicket Haul Sink England

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India Takes 1-0 Lead as Gill’s 87 and Rana’s Three-Wicket Haul Sink England

India started their three-match ODI series against England on a winning note, securing a four-wicket victory in the first match at VCA Stadium on Thursday. The win was powered by Shubman Gill’s 87-run knock and a three-wicket haul from debutant Harshit Rana.

England’s Innings: A Strong Start but a Sluggish Finish

After winning the toss, England skipper Jos Buttler opted to bat first. Openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett gave their team a flying start, adding 73 runs in just 53 balls. Salt was particularly aggressive, smashing 43 off 26 deliveries, including three sixes and five boundaries. However, a mix-up between the wickets led to his unfortunate run-out.

England then suffered a setback, losing two wickets in quick succession. Harshit Rana struck on his debut, dismissing Duckett (32) with a brilliant diving catch by Yashasvi Jaiswal. Soon after, Harry Brook was dismissed for a three-ball duck, reducing England to 77/3.

Veteran batter Joe Root (19) tried to stabilize the innings alongside Buttler, but Ravindra Jadeja trapped him LBW before he could make a significant impact.

Buttler and Bethell’s Effort Goes in Vain

Despite the setbacks, Jos Buttler played a responsible innings, scoring 52 off 67 balls, marking his first ODI half-century in India. He stitched a crucial partnership with Jacob Bethell, who contributed 51 off 64 deliveries, including three fours and a six.

However, once Buttler fell to Axar Patel in the 33rd over, England collapsed from 170/4 to 206/7. Rana sent Liam Livingstone (5) back to the pavilion, and Mohammed Shami cleaned up Brydon Carse (10). Jadeja then struck again, dismissing Bethell LBW, leaving England all out for 248 in 47.4 overs.

India’s Bowlers Shine

  • Harshit Rana (3/53) made an impressive debut.
  • Ravindra Jadeja (3/26) was economical and deadly.
  • Mohammed Shami (1/38) kept the pressure on.

India’s Chase: Gill Anchors the Innings

Chasing 249, India had a shaky start. Yashasvi Jaiswal, playing his maiden ODI, was caught behind for 15 off 22 balls. Skipper Rohit Sharma’s poor form continued, as he departed for just 2 runs.

Despite early setbacks, Shreyas Iyer took charge with a 31-ball half-century. His 59-run knock, featuring two sixes and nine boundaries, shifted momentum in India’s favor. He also shared a 94-run stand with Gill in just 64 balls, accelerating India’s chase.

Gill and Patel Take India Home

After Iyer’s dismissal, Axar Patel was promoted to No. 5, forming a 108-run partnership with Gill. Patel played a composed innings, scoring his maiden ODI fifty (52 runs off 58 balls).

Gill, on the other hand, paced his innings brilliantly. Battling cramps, he played some exquisite shots, hitting 14 boundaries in his 87-run innings off 96 balls. Unfortunately, he missed out on a century when Saqib Mahmood cramped him for room, leading to a catch at mid-on.

Despite his departure, India comfortably chased the target in 38.4 overs, winning with 11.2 overs to spare.

Series Status and Next Match

With this win, India leads the three-match series 1-0. The second ODI will be played in Cuttack on Sunday, where England will look to bounce back.

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NFC Secures Pro Bowl Games Victory with Flag Football Win Over AFC

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NFC Secures Pro Bowl Games Victory with Flag Football Win Over AFC

For the third year in a row, the NFC dominated the Pro Bowl Games and showcased its strength in flag football.

One week before the Kansas City Chiefs sought their third straight Super Bowl title, the NFC achieved its own three-peat, beating the AFC 76-63 in all events, including a 56-50 victory in the flag football matchup on Sunday.

Flag football’s dominance continues


Since the Pro Bowl switched to flag football in 2023, the NFC has gone undefeated in the new format.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff led the charge, earning Offensive MVP honors after completing 11 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. made a huge impact in his first Pro Bowl, intercepting New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and returning him eight yards for a touchdown, earning him the Defensive MVP award.

A competitive leap with a big incentive

The shift to flag football has increased competition as players are not as concerned about injury risks compared to the previous tackle format.

However, a financial incentive also played a role in the NFC’s determination to win.

“We prepared to win,” exclaimed Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. “They told us what the price was, and I thought, ‘Maybe we should do something more.'”

Each member of the winning team took home $92,000, while the member of the losing team received $46,000.

A winning formula for the future of the Pro Bowl


After years of debate over the format of the Pro Bowl as a result of the declining intensity of tackle football, the flag football model appears to have revived the event.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who has played in both versions, has expressed a clear preference for flag football.

“I like this more because it gives the fans a chance to see our faces and who we are off the field,” Baker said. “We compete, but we keep it very civil.”

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold agreed: “Vlag is a lot of fun, especially after the season where the guys have been kind of chill for three weeks. It’s good to make a game like this.”

Skills Battle Highlights


In Sunday’s additional skills challenges, the NFC continued its dominance by winning the relays and tug-of-war competitions, while the AFC vouched for a victory in the “Point Perfect” event.

With three consecutive Pro Bowl victories, the NFC has cemented itself as the team to beat in the new era of flag football.

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Lamar Jackson Expresses Frustration After Ravens’ Playoff Exit Against the Bills

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Lamar Jackson Expresses Frustration After Ravens' Playoff Exit Against the Bills

After another disappointing playoff exit, Lamar Jackson made it clear he wouldn’t pin the Baltimore Ravens’ 27-25 AFC Divisional loss to the Buffalo Bills on Mark Andrews’ dropped pass during a critical late-game 2-point conversion.

Instead, the reigning NFL MVP channeled his frustration toward the Ravens’ three uncharacteristic turnovers.

“Every time we’re in situations like this, turnovers play a role,” Jackson said, slapping one hand against the other. “We can’t have that, and that’s why we lost the game. You can see it — we’re moving the ball beautifully, but we need to hold on to the ball. I’m sorry for my language, but this is frustrating. I’m tired of it.”

Despite the turnovers — including two by Jackson — the Ravens had a chance to force overtime in the fourth quarter. Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for a 24-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 27-25 with just 1:33 remaining.

On the ensuing 2-point conversion, Jackson’s pass hit Andrews in the chest, but the ball slipped through his hands as he fell backward in the end zone.

“There’s no one with more heart or fight than Mark,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. “We wouldn’t even be in this position without him. Destiny is shaped by how you handle moments like these, and Mark will respond with resilience.”

Andrews declined to speak with reporters following a game in which he made rare mistakes. Before Sunday, he hadn’t dropped a pass since Week 6. Against the Bills, he dropped two, including the pivotal 2-point conversion, and fumbled near midfield during the fourth quarter — only the second fumble of his career.

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton defended his teammate. “One play doesn’t define anyone,” he said. “Mark is the all-time-leading touchdown receiver in Ravens history. For anyone to criticize him is unfair. He’s been a consistent leader and workhorse for this team.”

Jackson also offered words of support for Andrews. “I’m just as hurt as Mark,” he said. “This loss isn’t on him. It’s a team effort. Everyone played a role. Mark has been incredible all season, and sometimes things just don’t go our way. We need to figure it out as a team.”

Jackson, however, wasn’t immune to errors. After throwing a career-low four interceptions all season, he threw one early in the game and fumbled on the following possession while scrambling under pressure. It was an uncharacteristically erratic performance, marking his fourth postseason game with both an interception and a fumble.

“Protecting the ball is the top priority, and I didn’t do that,” Jackson admitted. “As the leader, I need to set the example, and I didn’t deliver today. That’s on me.”

The Ravens have yet to win back-to-back playoff games during Jackson’s seven seasons as their starter. Now, he’ll face another offseason with the elusive Super Bowl remaining just out of reach.

“I have to get past this because we’re so close,” Jackson said. “I’m tired of being right there. We need to seal the deal, punch that ticket, and get it done. It starts with getting better in the offseason.”

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