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September 11 1999: The day Serena William will never forget
September 11 1999: The day Serena William will never forget.
The 1999 US Open final between world No 1 Martina Hingis and American rising star Serena Williams had started way before the last Saturday of the tournament. It all began when Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena, saw that his daughters were in opposite parts of the draw and predicted that they would face each other in the tournament’s final. Irritated by what she took for arrogance, the Swiss harshly said in a press conference: “They (the Williams family)have a big mouth. They always talk a lot. It’s more pressure on them. Whether they can handle it or not, now that’s the question.”
It wasn’t long before the Williams family replied. The first to respond in his own fashion was Richard, quoted by The New York Times.
”I don’t think there’s more pressure on them. I think pressure is doing what I did, working 9 to 5. I still believe there will be two Williamses in the finals. What Martina said is not a shock. I think she has the right to say what she wants to say. I’m going to ask her for her autograph. I love her. If you see her, tell her I love her.”
His daughter Serena didn’t seem to share her father’s love for Hingis, though.
“She’s always been the type of person that…says things, just speaks her mind,” she said. “I guess it has a little bit to do with not having a formal education. But you just have to somehow think more; you have to use your brain a little more in the tennis world.’”
The days went by, and the Williams sisters both advanced to the semi-finals, Hingis facing Venus, whom she had beaten in the final in 1997. When Serena defeated Lindsay Davenport and qualified for the final, pressure increased on Hingis’ shoulders, but although she was down 3-2 in the last set, she eventually prevailed (6-1, 4-6, 6-3) and commented: “They’re three against me. With talking, I can’t beat them. I know that. So I have to try to beat them on the court. That’s all I can do. I don’t want to fight with words. As I said before, I can’t beat them with words. Because the results and the rankings show it all.”
In the early games of her first Grand Slam final, Williams did not show any signs of nervousness. Helped by her big serve, she kept Hingis in the defensive and hit 19 winners to take the first set, 6-3.
The Swiss got better at handling Serena’s power in the second set. Hitting more balls on the rise, she started moving Williams around the court and prevented her from dictating the game so outrageously as in the first set. Serena kept attacking as much as possible, and it resulted in very high-level tennis. The American still proved herself stronger until she led 5-3 and obtained two match points on her serve. At this moment, she was suddenly struck by pressure and couldn’t seal her victory, engaging into longer rallies and losing control of the match.
Soon, Hingis was back and Williams was pushed into a tie-break. In front of an overexcited crowd, the two young women played an outstanding tie-break, which Serena won 7-4, converting her third match point. The youngest of the Williams sisters was the first to claim a Grand Slam title.
In the end, despite the war of words that had been raging all week, Williams and Hingis shook hands and hugged. During the trophy ceremony, Serena felt very emotional. “I didn’t know what to do – laugh or cry or just scream – so I think I did it all,” she said.
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H. Marko lashes out at Steiner: Defend Mick Schumacher
Helmut Marko believes Mick Schumacher deserves a return to Formula 1, naming two teams he thinks would consider the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. The 81-year-old Austrian lashes out at Guenther Steiner, who sacked the German at Haas F1 just under two years ago.
“Mick is one of the politest and nicest people in the whole paddock, which is a disadvantage for him. He also has the handicap of a big name,” Marko said in an interview with Sport1.de. “In sporting terms, he has already achieved a lot. He won the Formula 3 championship, he won the Formula 2 championship, that alone made him interesting for Formula 1 teams.”
Schumacher made his Formula 1 debut at Haas F1 in 2021. There, he lasted two seasons. After a disappointing season in 2022, Guenther Steiner showed him the door and they opted for more experience with Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
Marko: ‘Netflix superstar’ Steiner treated Schumacher unfairly
“As far as we were concerned, there were no sporting reasons why we never got together,” Red Bull Racing’s team advisor explained. “He was a Ferrari junior at the time, but Mercedes took him into the team [afterwards]. So he wasn’t even on the market.”
“At Haas, he was not treated fairly by Netflix superstar Guenther Steiner. That’s a fact. Once you drive outside Formula 1, it becomes a difficult story. But behind the scenes, you only hear good things about him. Toto Wolff praises him to the skies. I think Alpine and Audi are seriously considering him. I wouldn’t begrudge him, because he deserves it,” Marko said.
Verstappen and Hamilton CRASH as FIA take action in Hungary
Max Verstappen was involved in a dramatic collision with Lewis Hamilton for P3 at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman attempted an overtake on his rival into Turn 1, going though the inside but locking up as Hamilton’s front right collided with Verstappen’s rear left.
In dramatic fashion the Red Bull was launched into the air, and was lucky to remain in the race, falling behind the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen has been placed under investigation by the stewards, with the FIA calling a 4.50pm UK time summons, where the sport’s governing body confirmed their findings.
F1 RECAP: Piastri claims STUNNING maiden victory as FIA announce Verstappen penalty verdict
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton crash in Hungary
A nightmare Hungarian GP for Max Verstappen
It was a difficult race for the champion who went wide on the opening lap, and was forced to give the position back to Lando Norris after claiming P2.
The Red Bull star accused the Brit of running him wide, and continued to deliver a series of furious radio messages to his team during the grand prix.
Verstappen’s frustrations came to the fore as he attempted to overtake Hamilton, with the pair lucky to not be embroiled in more devastating contact.
In the end Hamilton claimed P3 and a podium in Hungary, with Verstappen languishing back in fifth.
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“It’s going to be emotional for me” – Chase Briscoe on honoring Tony Stewart’s legacy
Chase Briscoe, in a recent media session, shared his emotions about racing on the oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Briscoe will be driving the No. 14 car, a number famously associated with his current team owner, Tony Stewart.
Stewart won several races and the 2011 championship with this car. He also co-owns NASCAR team Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), which will be shutting down after this season.
NASCAR first raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in 1994, which was the first race there besides the Indianapolis 500 in 1916. Since then, many different racing series have raced at IMS. As the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Brickyard 400 after three years off, Chase Briscoe, who grew up in Mitchell, Indiana, faces an emotional weekend.
“It’s going to be emotional for me, I mean full transparency I cry every year just on the ride around deal so with it being on the oval and doing it in the 14 all that it’s going to be definitely, probably emotional,” said Briscoe.
“It’s really special to be back here at home in Indiana. Every race car driver dreams of racing at Indianapolis, but for me, it’s even more special because I grew up here,” he added.
Chase Briscoe eyes playoff spot and #14 legacy
A win this weekend will help Chase Briscoe secure a spot in the 2024 Cup playoffs. It would also be a fitting end to SHR’s legacy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Briscoe has raced at the Brickyard before, twice in the Xfinity Series and won on the road course layout in 2020.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever get a chance to race on the oval. So being able to do it this year means a lot to me,” Briscoe stated.
The #14 car has a special place in NASCAR history. After Stewart retired in 2016, Clint Bowyer took over and won two races in 2018. Chase Briscoe then drove the #14 in 2021 and earned his first win in 2022. Other notable racers like Fonty Flock, Hershel McGriff, and A.J. Foyt, also drove this famed car.
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