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In NY, all seems caught up in NBA Finals hoopla except Knicks

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8 June 2026

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The New York Knicks practice prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, June 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

2026 NBA Finals schedule: San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks

NEW YORK — Madison Square Garden has seen just about everything in sports and entertainment, from the first Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier fight to the first Wrestlemania.

It just hasn’t seen much of the NBA Finals.

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The New York Knicks have brought the finals back to their home court for the first time since 1999 and can make sure they don’t leave again this year. Fans are spending astonishingly high prices for tickets and the potential to witness a celebration more than five decades in the making.

READ: Donald Trump, Knicks fan, heads back to New York for NBA Finals

With a 2-0 lead over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks are halfway to their first championship since 1973. They are the biggest thing in the Big Apple, and it seems everyone is caught up in the hoopla except the Knicks themselves.

“I know the fan base is really excited, as they should be,” captain Jalen Brunson said. “But as a team, us inside the locker room, we have more work to do.”

Game 3 is Monday, with President Donald Trump in the building. Whether they’ve played in the arena or sat way up in the cheap seats — not that there is such a thing this time with tickets reselling for more than $10,000 — people know this night will be different.

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“I think it’s going to be through the roof,” Spurs guard Dylan Harper said. “I think it’s going to be everything that I’ve kind of seen or dreamed of times 10.”

It will be the first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden since June 25, 1999, which ended with the Knicks watching the Spurs celebrate their first championship after winning Game 5.

That series, and one in 1994, were the only finals games played at MSG since the Knicks won the 1973 title. They were rarely close again until this 13-game winning streak, the second longest by any team in one playoffs, with the atmosphere around the city seemingly becoming more raucous with each victory.

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READ: NBA Finals: Down 0-2, Wembanyama says he’s ‘built for’ pressure

“Fans have earned the right and deserve the right to see finals basketball be played here at Madison Square Garden,” Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said. “For this to be the first game in a long time that they have seen finals basketball, it’s up to us to bring it, give them something to cheer for, give them something to get loud for and also give them something to believe in.”

Wembanyama, Brunson and the rest of the players will be only part of the scene Monday, sharing it with the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game and the celebrity fans who surround the court. Some of them were already there Sunday for practices, with Knicks coach Mike Brown finally getting to meet actor Ben Stiller, then having his news conference extended when rapper Fat Joe insisted on a chance to speak from the back.

Wembanyama got to show his stuff at MSG in his second season, when the Spurs were given the leadoff game on the NBA’s marquee Christmas schedule and he scored 42 points. Opportunities like that, which the Spurs increasingly have been treated to since drafting the 7-foot-4 phenom from France, could help them with what they will face Monday.

“This arena’s like no other. The added circumstances will be on top of that,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “We’ve been fortunate to play some games in this arena recently that have been, again, not finals, but a Christmas game. Again, I just think added attention around Victor and being in this arena a few times, we’ve experienced that. I would expect tomorrow will be more than that.”

The Knicks have been so dominant during this run that they haven’t gotten to see MSG much. They have played only four home games since May 4, when they opened the second round of the playoffs. So even the home team struggles to put into words exactly what Monday will look and sound like.

READ: NBA Finals: Knicks bench shines vs Wembanyama, Spurs in Game 2

“I’ve seen a lot of crazy atmospheres,” guard Deuce McBride said. “I don’t think I’m going to know what to expect, but I’m just proud to be here, I’m so blessed to play here and I know the fans are going to bring it and we’re going to do everything we can.”

The arena that shook when Willis Reed walked onto the court for Game 7 in 1970 will be rocking again Monday. The current MSG had opened just a couple of years earlier, and the previous one never even saw the NBA Finals. The Knicks made it three straight years from 1951-53, but those games were played at the 69th Regiment Armory on Lexington Avenue because the Garden was hosting the circus.

Game 3 kicks off a massive sports week in the New York region, with a World Cup game scheduled for Saturday in nearby East Rutherford, New Jersey, which will host the final. Knicks forward Josh Hart had signed on in an ambassador role for the local World Cup committee but knows the Knicks have put even the world’s biggest sporting event on the back burner for the moment.

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“I love football, man, so obviously a little bummed I can’t go to some of those matches, but I have something a little more interesting right now going on in my life,” Hart said. “It also adds to the energy of the city.”

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Nelly Korda nearly yanked 3-footer for U.S. Open glory. Here’s what happened

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8 June 2026

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As Nelly Korda stared down a 9-foot-2-inch putt on the 71st hole of the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera on Sunday, she knew exactly what was at stake: the grandest title in the women’s game and one that had eluded her in 11 previous attempts. Hole the putt for a birdie 4 and Korda would take a one-shot lead into the home hole; miss and . . . well, she’d need to make par on Riv’s brutish par-4 18th just for a spot in a playoff. “I knew that I needed to make it,” Korda said later.

She also knew the putt would move quickly and hard from left to right. Leaning on a tactic she’d been employing all week, Korda picked an immediate target between her ball and the hole, locked in on that spot and coolly jarred the birdie — moving her to two under for her round and eight under for the tournament, one clear of clubhouse co-leaders Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez. Later, in her winner’s press conference, Korda said, “That putt is the reason why I’m here.”

Really, though, every one of Korda’s other 68 shots on Sunday mattered just as much, including all four of the swipes that came after her clutch 4 at 17: her smashed tee shot on 18 that left her just 145 yards into the green; her smooth approach to the fat of the green that left her 35 feet from glory; and, from there, her solid lag putt that all but sealed the deal when it petered out just 2 feet 10 inches from the hole. Thirty-four inches. A kick-in. A formality. A gimme, if only there were such a thing in the professional game.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Korda is flawless, this year especially. Her graceful swing, which deserves its own wing at the Met, is one thing. But her stats are even more awe-inspiring: In eight starts in 2026, Korda has now won four times (including two major titles) and finished runner-up on four other occasions; she is gaining more than 4 strokes per round on her “competition”; and her 68.26 scoring average is a stunning 1.15 shots clear of her closet rival. If this LPGA season were a boxing match, the referee would have called it weeks ago.

And yet no golfer is perfect. Not Babe. Not Hogan. Not Jack. Not Tiger. Not Nelly Korda. Her humanness surfaces on the greens, often over short putts in nervy moments. In March, at the Fortinet Founders Cup, Korda’s hopes of victory were spoiled when she missed a two-and-a-half footer on the 71st hole. “Stupid mistake,” she said after the round. Missed shorties also cost her dearly at the 2021 AIG Women’s Open and at the 2023 Chevron Championship. Korda’s short-putt shakiness was evident even at this year’s Chevon, which she won by five. Korda’s victory could have been even more dominant if not for three missed 4-footers over her last 11 holes. “I want to show kids at home that it’s okay to miss shorts putts and still win a major championship,” Korda said afterward. “You’re gonna do it. You’re gonna make mistakes but you have to mentally still be in it 100%.”

Not all 34-inchers are created equal, and the one Korda left herself on Riviera’s 18th green on Sunday — with thousands of fans and the ghost of Hogan peering down on her from the natural amphitheater above — fell somewhere between a tickler and a terrorizer. “I had to honestly a couple times tell myself, okay, stay in the moment, because I was dreaming of hoisting the trophy a little too early,” Korda said. “I kept reverting back; I’m like the job’s not done.”

Her final task: a delicate left-to-righter, wind off her left, golf history in the balance.

“I was like, good lord,” Korda said. “Pretty much, like, why did I leave myself such a long putt to make par?”

As Korda addressed her putt, her ball sat in the shadow created by her right leg. Also between her putterhead and the hole was the shadow created by her left leg — insignificant distractions under most circumstances but . . . yeah, not optimal given the weight of the moment. Korda said she had one stroke thought, and it wasn’t a positive one.

“I knew that I didn’t want to miss it right,” she said.

So she played prevent defense.

“Maybe had aimed a little bit too far left and pulled it,” she said. “I mean, your heart rate is going.”

Same was true for anyone watching from home.

The ball came off Korda’s blade left and stayed left. Inches from the hole, it looked like she’d yanked it. An inch from the hole, it was clear she had yanked it. Mercifully, the ball grabbed the hole’s edge and horseshoed around it like a skateboarder peeling around a swimming pool. Korda’s Titleist didn’t quite complete a 360 but it came close before finally disappearing. The new champion raised her right hand to her mouth, the international sign for OMG.

“She thought she’d missed it,” NBC analyst Morgan Pressel said on the telecast.

Korda hadn’t. Instead, she’d made history.

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Charley Hull is every reason we watch pro golf

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8 June 2026

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PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — You and I will never know how it feels to contend in a U.S. Open; to look up at a leaderboard to see our last name with a “1” next to it. Solo leader.

Charley Hull knows how it feels, of course, but Charley is Charley. You never know what she’s going to think, what she’s going to say, what she’s going to do. She is fantastically unpredictable. So just steps off the 11th green, right after grabbing the solo lead for the first time all week, why wouldn’t she stop, mid-round, to sign a couple autographs? And moments later, when she saw her name atop the leaderboard, why didn’t eight under feel like enough on a windy day at the U.S. Open? Charley is Charley. She wanted to get to 10.

It doesn’t really matter that 10 under wasn’t in the cards, for Hull or anyone else. Or that the score she had at the time would have been plenty for a playoff. That’s not how she plays golf.

“If you always aim super, super high and you just come short, you’re still going to do really well, if you get what I mean,” Hull reasoned aloud Sunday night, maybe three hours after signing those flags while holding the solo lead.

“Like big expectations,” she continued. “If I’d have thought, ‘Oh, seven [under] is going to win,’ I’d probably finish five [under]. Do you get what I’m trying to say?”

Oh, we get it. The logic in there says a lot about Hull — how she plays this sport and how she lives her life. But it’s all a major reason why we tune in for it. She is, as the kids say, all gas, no brakes. Rope-hooks and recoils. She gets a bounce in her step when putts go in. She frowns at the hole when they don’t. On a tour where it can be difficult to find a fist pump, Hull’s bravado isn’t just welcomed — it’s sorely needed. Her Saturday mentality was two words long: “F—k it” — aiming at every flag with reckless aggression. And Sunday?

“Today was ‘F—k it’, pretty much,” she said. “Just go for it, you know what I mean?”

In that English Midlands accent, she rips through those five words.Youknowwhatimean?

Hull admitted that the opening rounds of a tournament make her feels caged in, when the course is littered in threesomes and you’re supposed to be patient. But she busts out on the weekend, when there’s room to run and leaders to chase.

“I love playing golf like that,” she said.

And Charley, we love watching it.

At 30 years old, Hull’s stature in the game outweighs her victories. Her record is modest — three wins on the LPGA Tour, five in Europe, zero majors — but her way of being is captivating. You have to watch. When she hits a tee shot she likes, she barely watches it. It’s a race with no one to scoop her tee fast as possible. She struggles to find motivation in non-major weeks — when the stakes aren’t so great — an admission that will no doubt be tossed back at her until she wins one. But that’s the treat of Charley in contention. She tells you everything. Like three years ago, when she finished second at Pebble Beach and, instead of ‘F—k it’, had an even better north star: Shy girls don’t get sweets.

If anything, Hull is an epic counterbalance to the person who pipped her Sunday. When Nelly Korda says ‘F—k’ it’s only in a hushed voice after a bad drive. Hull says it gleefully in front of a mic. Korda is careful about how much golf she plays. Hull left Riviera for a three-day golf trip with her boyfriend. Korda was raised by two pro athletes and attended the IMG Academy, where pro careers are groomed. Hull quit school at 13 and turned pro at 16. Korda’s father, Petr, is very present, often hovering nervously in the crowd. Hull’s family doesn’t travel the world with her. Rather, it was just her cousin, Jodie, as her on-site kin this week, and the one who begged Charley to take her to Malibu. This being her first trip to Los Angeles, Jodie wanted to see if Malibu was just the way Hollywood portrayed it — beach bods and all. The way Charley retold the story created headlines, because of course it did.

On Saturday night, their sidequest required braving the traffic of Sunset Boulevard to have B-level Mexican food at a restaurant up on a hill with an A-plus view of the city. It was fully worth the journey, Jodie said. But about 24 hours later, the good vibes changed. Once Charley signed for a week-long tally of seven under, they watched the final groups finish out on a television in a back room of the clubhouse, hearing the tepid roar of Korda’s winning putt before it played out on the screen.

“It’s just,” cousin Jodie began, “you feel sick.”

That’s five second-place finishes for Hull in the majors, zero firsts. Charley called it frustrating and annoying, but has no plans to change her tantalizing approach. If anything, she said she may engage ‘F it’ mode even earlier next time. Her next chance to do it, and our next chance to revel in it, is just three weeks away.

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Florentino Pérez Defeats Riquelme, Backs Mourinho Return as New Real Madrid Era Begins

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8 June 2026

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Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has been re-elected until 2030 after defeating businessman Enrique Riquelme in the club’s first genuinely contested presidential election in two decades.

However, within hours of victory, attention quickly shifted from the election itself to Pérez’s biggest football promise — the return of José Mourinho.

According to reports from Spain, Mourinho’s comeback was a major part of Pérez’s campaign messaging, with the veteran president immediately signalling a new era focused on restoring Real Madrid to the summit of European football.

Riquelme mounted Madrid’s biggest challenge in years

Riquelme’s candidacy created the most politically competitive Real Madrid election in recent memory.

The entrepreneur campaigned on promises of structural reform, transparency and football renewal. He also reportedly pushed ambitious sporting ideas involving club legends and high-profile transfer plans.

Although Pérez ultimately secured victory comfortably, Riquelme’s campaign generated major support among younger Madridistas and ensured the election became far more than a routine confirmation process.

Following the result, Riquelme congratulated Pérez but insisted:

“This is not the end.”

That statement immediately fuelled speculation that internal political battles at Real Madrid may continue well beyond this election cycle.

Mourinho return becomes immediate headline

Despite the election result dominating Spanish football headlines, Mourinho quickly became the centre of discussion among supporters.

Pérez reportedly told supporters:

“The fight for the 16th Champions League starts today.”

He also praised Mourinho publicly, calling him:

“One of the world’s best coaches.”

The Portuguese manager previously coached Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga with a record-breaking 100-point season and helping end Barcelona’s domestic dominance under Pep Guardiola.

Many Madrid supporters still regard Mourinho as the man who rebuilt the club’s mentality before the Champions League dynasty that followed.

Now, more than a decade later, Pérez appears ready to bring “The Special One” back to the Santiago Bernabéu.

The president behind the Galácticos era

Pérez first became president of Real Madrid in 2000 and immediately transformed the club into football’s biggest commercial powerhouse.

His first spell saw the arrival of stars like:

Zinedine Zidane
David Beckham
Ronaldo Nazário
Luís Figo

That famous “Galácticos” project changed football marketing forever and helped transform Real Madrid into a global entertainment empire.

After returning to power in 2009, Pérez oversaw arguably the greatest era in the club’s modern history, including:

Six UEFA Champions League titles
Multiple La Liga triumphs
The redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabéu
Record-breaking commercial growth
The signings of stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham

Under Pérez, Real Madrid strengthened their reputation as Europe’s ultimate big-stage club.

More than Mourinho: Pérez planning another Galáctico era

Mourinho’s expected return may be dominating headlines, but sources in Spain suggest Pérez’s plans go far beyond the dugout.

Real Madrid are reportedly already exploring defensive reinforcements, with names such as Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries linked to the club ahead of the new season.

Even more intriguing are reports that Pérez has teased another blockbuster “Galáctico” signing potentially worth around €150 million.

The identity of that player remains unknown, but the speculation has already exploded across Europe as fans wonder who could become the next superstar at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It would not be the first time Pérez has shaken world football with a statement signing.

Across his presidency, Real Madrid have consistently targeted the biggest names in the sport, including:

Luís Figo
Zinedine Zidane
Cristiano Ronaldo
Kaká
Gareth Bale
Jude Bellingham
Kylian Mbappé

That strategy helped transform Real Madrid from a football giant into arguably the most powerful sporting brand on the planet.

A reign measured in trophies

Across his two spells in charge, Pérez has overseen one of the most successful periods any football club has ever experienced.

During his presidency, Real Madrid have won:

Multiple UEFA Champions League titles
Numerous La Liga crowns
FIFA Club World Cups
Copa del Rey trophies
UEFA Super Cups

The club also became one of the richest and most powerful sporting institutions in the world under his leadership.

Few presidents in football history can match Pérez’s combination of sporting success, commercial influence and global brand growth.

What comes next for Madrid?

Reports in Spain suggest Pérez’s new term could immediately usher in another major rebuild.

With Mourinho potentially returning, transfer plans already taking shape and another Galáctico signing being teased, Pérez appears determined to launch one final era capable of delivering Real Madrid’s long-awaited 16th European crown.

For Pérez, the election victory was important.

But for many Madrid fans, the real excitement begins now.

Because if his latest promises become reality, José Mourinho is returning to the Bernabéu — and another era of Galácticos may be about to begin.

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PV Sindhu Eyes Title Breakthrough, Ayush Shetty Leads Men’s Challenge At Australian Open

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8 June 2026

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Two-time Olympic-medallist PV Sindhu will look to end a prolonged title drought, while rising star Ayush Shetty will spearhead India’s men’s singles campaign at the Australian Open Super 500 badminton tournament beginning on Tuesday. Sindhu, seeded third, enters the tournament with a favourable draw as she searches for her first BWF World Tour title since winning the Syed Modi International in 2024. The former world champion’s best result this season remains a semifinal finish at the Malaysia Open in January.

The 30-year-old will open against Peru’s Ines Lucia Castillo and is likely to face the winner of the first-round clash between fellow Indian Isharani Barua and China’s Han Qian Xi.

Sindhu comes into the event after a round-of-16 finish at the Indonesia Open, where she lost to Paris Olympics champion and old nemesis and world No.1 An Se-young of South Korea.

If she progresses as expected, Sindhu could run into Japan’s world No.3 Akane Yamaguchi in the semifinals.

The Indian enjoys a slender 15-13 head-to-head advantage over the Japanese star. A potential final could pit her against second seed and world No. 8 Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand, against whom Sindhu leads 7-5.

India will have a sizeable presence in the women’s singles draw as Tanvi Sharma faces fifth-seeded Chiu Pin-Chian of Chinese Taipei, while Malvika Bansod takes on Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei.

Anmol Kharb has been handed a tough opener against former world champion and fourth seed Nozomi Okuhara of Japan.

Aakarshi Kashyap faces Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching, while Tanya Hemanth takes on USA’s Ishika Jaiswal.

In men’s singles, world No. 20 Ayush Shetty, seeded sixth, will begin against a qualifier as he seeks a good run after a pre-quarterfinal exit at the Indonesia Open last week.

Former world championships bronze-medallist HS Prannoy opens against Indonesia’s Moh. Zaki Uba, while world No. 49 Kiran George will face Malaysia’s Justin Hoh in the first round.

India’s challenge in men’s doubles will rest on two pairs.

Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun, who are fresh from a quarterfinal appearance at the Indonesia Open, face a stiff opening-round test against eighth-seeded Chinese Taipei duo Lee Fang-Chih and Lee Fang-Jen.

Achutaditya Rao Doddavarapu and Pochana Arjun Reddy will take on China’s Huang Di and Liu Yang.

India have no representatives in the women’s doubles main draw.

In mixed doubles, sixth-seeded Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto will open against Hong Kong’s Chan Yin Chak and Ng Tsz Yau. PTI TAP BS PM TAP PM PM

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Canada upsets U.S. to win first FIBA U18 AmeriCup

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8 June 2026

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It was a historic day for Canadian basketball.

Canada upset the United States 67-65 on Sunday to win the first FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup in program history.

Team USA had won the previous seven tournaments before the Canadians took the crown on Sunday.

Canada trailed the U.S. by one after the third quarter, but then outscored the Americans 19-16 in the fourth to come away with the gold medal.

Point guard Javion Tyndale, 17, led the way for the Canadians with 19 points, eight assists and three steals in the win over the U.S.

The Mississauga, Ont., native was named tournament MVP after leading the Canadians in both points and assists.

Tyndale was also named to the tournament’s All-Star Five alongside Canadian teammate Lyris Robinson.

Robinson scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds in the final.

“The thing that fuelled me was just the chemistry on our team,” Robinson said after the win, per Canada Basketball. “We knew coming into this tournament that we were one of the best teams here, and that we had a chance to win it all. I’m a player that loves to win and make winning plays, so seeing my teammates fight the same way I was fighting — that’s what it takes to win a championship.

“From training camp, we kept saying we wanted to prove Canada was the best team in the world. I think now people are going to respect Canada Basketball even more. We put the world on notice this week.”

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Diamondbacks trade rumors heat up as Ketel Marte frustrates organization

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8 June 2026

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte has reportedly been frustrating people within the organization with the MLB trade deadline looming.

Marte, a switch-hitter with power from both sides of the plate, is someone Arizona has tried to trade this past winter despite his talent and six-year extension that kicked in this season.

But USA TODAY reported Marte “continues to frustrate segments of the organization by opting to take days off.” Most recently, Marte decided to sit for last week’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where superstar Shohei Ohtani was pitching, and he then proceeded to hit a walk-off home run the next day for the D-Backs.

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Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks looking on at T-Mobile Park in Seattle

Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks on before the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington, on May 30, 2026. (Maddy Grassy/Getty Images)

The reason for Marte missing the game last Wednesday was a mixture of his decision as well as the second baseman dealing with lower-back and hamstring ailments, per Arizona Sports. Marte didn’t want to risk any further injury.

“We’re all human, and we all need a day here and there,” Marte said through a translator following the walk-off homer he hit on Thursday’s game.

KETEL MARTE RECEIVES STANDING OVATION FROM DIAMONDBACKS FANS IN FIRST HOME GAME SINCE CONTROVERSIAL HECKLING

This also isn’t new for Marte, who created some tension in the clubhouse due to absences and off-day requests near the All-Star break. It was reported that Marte’s teammates didn’t appreciate trying to time his off-days, leading to an apology later on.

Ketel Marte batting during a baseball game at T-Mobile Park in Seattle

Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks bats during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington, on May 30, 2026. (Maddy Grassy/Getty Images)

With Marte being involved in trade rumors in the past, they will certainly pick up with MLB’s trade deadline scheduled for Aug. 3 this year. It’s later than usual, but with teams dealing with injuries as well as trying to bolster their lineups, rotations and bullpens, players with Marte’s talent will surely lead to calls to those in the Arizona front office.

Marte should be sold at a high price, if at all, given he is under contract through the 2030 campaign at a relatively low price after signing his six-year, $116.5 million contract. He also has a player option for the 2031 season, where he will be age 37.

While second base is his usual spot on the field, Marte has played shortstop as well as center field in his 12-year career. The Dominican Republic product has earned three All-Star nods, including each of the past two seasons.

Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrating after hitting a home run at Chase Field

Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz., on May 23, 2026. (Norm Hall/Getty Images)

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This year, Marte is slashing .250/.304/.450 with a .754 OPS — the lowest mark since his 2022 campaign in Arizona (.727). He has hit 11 homers, driven in 37 runs and scored 37 times across 60 games.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

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World Cup 2026: Scotland captain Andy Robertson – inside the fairytale journey

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8 June 2026

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“He doesn’t like talking about his story,” John McGinn told the Scottish FA.

“He’ll no like hearing it – but that’ll never happen again. Part-time football to go so quickly to Hull, Liverpool, Champions League winner, Premier League winner, captaining your country at a World Cup. That’s fairytale stuff.

“It’s a documentary I can’t wait to sit back and watch, the Andy Robertson documentary.”

His manager at Hull, Steve Bruce, cited Robertson’s ability to grow and meet bigger challenges as they came along. Strachan said his intelligence meant he learned extremely quickly.

Robertson mainly ascribes his ascent to “luck” in having coaches and managers who were willing to give him a chance, as well as his work ethic.

“What I could control is I went into football with: ‘I will give this 100% and, if I don’t make it, at least I can look back and go, you know what, I gave that absolutely everything and wasn’t for me.”

Robertson is on his way to surpassing the great Dalglish’s record of 102 caps for Scotland and already has the most appearances as captain.

The McTominay mural marking the midfielder’s overhead kick in the defining game against Denmark adorns a tenement next to Hampden, only a few miles from where Robertson grew up. It may need some company.

Robertson is the boy who went from posting about being broke to ruffling Lionel Messi’s hair on his way to winning the Champions League.

From answering the Hampden phones to ending Scotland’s World Cup hurt in the same place, 14 years on.

He might not like to hear it, but it is a story that should inspire young Scots for generations.

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Keely Hodgkinson pipped to 800m crown despite personal best at Stockholm Diamond League

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Keely Hodgkinson had to settle for second place behind Switzerland’s Audrey Werro in the 800m at the Diamond League in Stockholm.

After Hodgkinson finished seventh in the 400m in Rome on Thursday, the Olympic champion was back in her favoured heat but was stunned by Werro, who finished first in one minute 53.98 seconds – the third fastest women’s 800m ever and quickest in 2026.

Hodgkinson and Werro raced away from the field in Stockholm, but the British athlete was unable to keep the pace with her Swiss rival despite a personal best time of 1:54.33.

“Massive respect to Audrey. That was incredible racing from her and she helped me to run faster,” Hodgkinson said.

“I was glad of her pushing me throughout the race and then fighting me to the line, but I won’t let that happen again. I wasn’t expecting that from her and I thought she’d come back to me at the end, but such a surprise is good for me and for each other.

“She’s getting the best out of me and I still believe in myself – the world record is still my goal in London next month. I still believe I can do it.”

There were other shocks in Stockholm with pole vault champion Armand Duplantis suffering a shock loss to Kurtis Marschall after he failed to clear 6.05m.

Duplantis said: “I felt a bit unfocused today and I really did not want to lose here in front of my family and fans. I have not lost in what three years? But hats off to Kurtis today who beat me fair and square and I have no excuses.”

Earlier in the day there was a personal best for British runner Amy Hunt in the 200m, but she finished second behind world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden.

PA

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Denis Shapovalov vs Marin Cilic preview, head-to-head, odds, prediction & betting tips

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2 hours ago

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8 June 2026

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Match Details

Fixture: (7) Denis Shapovalov vs Marin Cilic

Date: June 8, 2026

Tournament: Libema Open

Round: First Round (Round of 32)

Venue: Rosmalen, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands

Category: ATP 250

Surface: Grass

Prize Money: €723,435

Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports | Canada – TSN+

Denis Shapovalov vs Marin Cilic preview

Denis Shapovalov at the French Open 2026. (Source: Getty)

Seventh seed Denis Shapovalov will face Marin Cilic in the first round of the Libema Open 2026.

Shapovalov was sent packing in the second round of the Australian Open by Cilic. His title defense at the Dallas Open concluded in the semifinals with a three-set loss to Ben Shelton. A third-round finish at the Indian Wells Masters was squeezed in between opening-round exits from the Dubai Open and the Miami Open.

Shapovalov’s clay swing was quite disappointing. He made the quarterfinals of the BMW Open in Munich, the only tournament where he won matches on clay. He wrapped up his time on the red dirt with a first-round exit from the French Open, his fourth consecutive loss on the surface.

A semifinal at the Dallas Open, followed by third-round appearances at the Australian Open and the Miami Open, were Cilic’s best results on hardcourts. The clay swing was quite underwhelming for the former US Open champion.

Cilic went out in the second round of all three Masters 1000 tournaments on clay. He then lost to 17-year-old Moise Kouame in the first round of the French Open, thus leaving the clay court Major without a win for the second year in a row.

Denis Shapovalov vs Marin Cilic head-to-head

Their rivalry is tied at 3-3. Cilic won their previous encounter at the Australian Open 2026 in straight sets.

Denis Shapovalov vs Marin Cilic odds

Player	Moneyline	Handicap Bets	Total Games
Denis Shapovalov	+130	-1.5 (+270)	Over 23.5 (-110)
Marin Cilic	-165	+1.5 (-450)	Under 23.5 (-135)

(Odds via BetMGM)

Denis Shapovalov vs Marin Cilic prediction

Marin Cilic at the French Open 2026. (Source: Getty)

Both players will be eager to bounce back after a forgettable clay swing. Shapovalov has put together an 8-11 record this year. He’s currently on a four-match losing streak as well. He won only one of his three matches on grass last year.

Cilic’s record for the season stands at 11-10. He won a Challenger title on grass last year, and followed it up with a fourth-round finish at Wimbledon. He’s a former Wimbledon finalist as well, losing to Roger Federer in the 2017 final. This will be his third appearance at the Libema Open. He lost in the first round on his debut in 2006, and made the semifinals in 2017.

Shapovalov lost his first meeting against Cilic, and then won their next three matches. Cilic has fought back to even the rivalry by winning their last two matches. The Croat won their only showdown on grass at the Stuttgart Open 2021.

Only one of their six matches has gone the distance. Cilic has already beaten Shapovalov once this season, and given their results this year, another win for Cilic wouldn’t be surprising in the least.

Pick: Marin Cilic to win in straight sets.

Denis Shapovalov vs Marin Cilic betting tips

Tip 1: The match will have at least 24 games.

Tip 2: There will be at least one tie-break.

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