The Sportsletter - Wimbledon's Youth Slam

BY JEFF YODER

JULY 17, 2023 | SUBSCRIBE | WEB VIEW

Welcome Back 👋

It was a fun mid-summer sports weekend to say the least. From first-time Wimbledon champs to the Messi welcome party and the WNBA All-Star Game, there was a bit of something for everyone.

And no matter the season (or sport), Steph Curry reminded us that his range is limitless. What can’t he do?

Letter Rip!

WIMBLEDON

New Champs of Wimbledon

Photo: Handout / Getty Images

#1 Carlos Alcaraz (Men) & Marketa Vondrousova (Women) Win Historic 1st Wimbledon Titles

New champs at the All-England Club! The finals weekend at Wimbledon pitted two first-timers in the women’s finale and another clash of legend vs. prodigy in the men’s last act. Unseeded Marketa Vondrousova downed Ons Jabeur to win the women’s title on Saturday before Carlos Alcaraz beat out Novak Djokovic in a five-set epic on Sunday morning. Here’s how Wimbledon went down over the weekend.

Women’s Final

M. Vondrousova def. #6 O. Jabeur (6-4, 6-4)

Unseeded Marketa Vondrousova captured the crown in her furious dash through the women’s draw, concluding with a straight-set victory over #6 Ons Jabeur on Saturday morning. The 24-year-old Czech star was nearly unblemished in her Wimbledon run, dropping just two sets in seven matches and beating five seeded opponents. Vondrousova had never won a major. She’s the first unseeded player to win Wimbledon, ever. She’s now the No. 10 player in the women’s tennis rankings.

Men’s Final

#1 C. Alcaraz def. #2 N. Djokovic (1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4)

Sunday’s must-see match was another duel between 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz and 36-year-old legend Novak Djokovic. The Djoker entered Sunday as the winningest grand slam winner in men’s tennis history (23), including four consecutive Wimbledon titles. Djokovic ousted Alcaraz in the French Open semifinals just one month prior, but Sunday marked Alcaraz’s revenge. The Spanish prodigy rallied from a blistering first set before a five-round bout ensued. Alcaraz flustered Djokovic with his speed before claiming the fifth set (6-4) and falling to the ground in celebration. He’s now won his second grand slam in less than a year (2022 U.S. Open).

After two weeks in England, the third tennis major of the season is complete. We’ll have one more two-week showdown from the U.S. Open in August-September.

USA Today: Alcaraz Wins Wimbledon, Denies Djokovic Record 24th Grand Slam

NPR: 42nd-Ranked Marketa Vondrousova Becomes 1st Unseeded Woman to Win Wimbledon

SOCCER

Miami Unleashes Messi

Photo: Chandan Khanna / Getty Images

Lionel Messi Officially Unveiled in Epic Inter Miami Welcome Party

The wait is over. Lionel Messi is officially donning the pink and black of Inter Miami after last night’s rainy celebration at DRV PNK Stadium. A sold-out crowd waited through a rain delay to see the soccer iconic officially welcomed alongside Sergio Busquets. The celebration featured a welcome video “La PresentAsion” and a walk-out applause with cheers, music and fireworks. Messi had an uncontrollable smile on his face throughout the party as the warm welcome set in. Team owners David Beckham and Jorge Mas were all smiles, too. All that’s left?

The Messi Debut

The circus will continue throughout training this week as the American media will certainly have a field day at Inter Miami practices. Messi’s first match is scheduled for this Friday (July 21) in Leagues Cup action against Cruz Azul. His first MLS match will likely come against Atlanta next Tuesday (July 25).

Watch: Inter Miami Welcomes Lionel Messi to the MLS

The U.S. Women’s National Team will command the World Cup attention in the weeks ahead, but stateside soccer fans are all eyes on Messi for the moment.

CBS Sports: Messi Mania Officially Underway at Inter Miami

NFL

Titans Add D-Hop

Photo: Chris Caduto / Getty Images

WR DeAndre Hopkins Signs 2-Year, $26 Million Contract With Tennessee Titans

The latest NFL free agency splash came Sunday afternoon when the Titans signed WR DeAndre Hopkins to a 2-year, $26 million deal with an additional $6 million in incentives. Hopkins was released by the Cardinals in May, and he was long considered the most valuable free agent receiver on the market following the NFL Draft. The move makes Tennessee into a potential AFC South contender despite a vast quarterback controversy. Ryan Tannehill is still the incumbent QB, but Malik Willis and rookie Will Levis are on the roster.

Nuk in a Nutshell

The wideout, known by his nickname as ‘Nuk’ Hopkins, was once prolific with the Texans before three injury-riddled seasons in Arizona. He’s racked up 853 receptions, 11,298 receiving yards and 71 touchdowns over 10 seasons. Now 31, Hopkins is likely nearing the end of his high-end production. He was rumored to be in talks with the Chiefs and Patriots, but ultimately lands as the Titans’ No. 1 receiving option on a team that will be run heavy behind RB Derrick Henry.

Yahoo! Sports: DeAndre Hopkins Reportedly Signing With Titans; Where Should He Go in Fantasy Drafts?

WNBA

All-Stars of the 'W'

Photo: Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Team Stewart Beats Team Wilson (143-127) Behind Jewell Loyd’s Record-Setting 31 Points; Sabrina Ionescu Sets 3-Point Record

The “Gold Mamba” dominates the All-Star Game! In a revenge win from 2022, Team Stewart (Breanna Stewart) beat out Team Wilson (A’ja Wilson) in the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday. Jewell Loyd (Storm), aka the “Gold Mamba,” set the All-Star Game record with 31 points (31-6-4) en route to the MVP. Brittney Griner (Mercury) dunked twice and racked up 18 points and 13 boards for the winning side. On Team Wilson, Vegas teammates Kelsey Plum (30) and Wilson herself (20) led the scoring. The weekend also featured a record-breaking performance from Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty) in the 3-point contest. She fired 37 points out of a possible 40. The previous WNBA record was 30, and the NBA record in the same format was 31 (Steph Curry, 2021).

Contest Winners

Skills Challenge: Chelsea Gray & Kelsey Plum (Aces)

3-Point Contest: Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty)

WNBA All-Star Game Top Performers

J. Loyd (Storm): 31 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists

K. Plum (Aces): 30 points, 5 assists

N. Collier (Lynx): 20 points, 6 rebounds

A. Wilson (Aces): 20 points, 5 rebounds

S. Sabally (Wings): 19 points, 8 rebounds

S. Ionescu (Liberty): 18 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists

B. Griner (Mercury): 18 points, 13 rebounds

A. Ogunbowale (Wings): 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists