A former world junior number one and three-time Grand Slam junior champion, Monfils, by his own admission, perhaps did not fully fulfil his potential in the senior ranks, but he insists his “bucket list is full”.

Over the course of his 23 seasons in professional tennis, he has won 13 ATP titles, reached at least the last eight at three of the four majors – Wimbledon is the exception – and achieved a career-high ranking of sixth in the world.

There were 38 wins over top-10 ranked players, including multiple victories over both Federer and Nadal, and two Davis Cup finals with France.

Such is his longevity, this was his 70th appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam and 19th at the French Open. He holds the record for most Slam match wins by a male French player in the Open era, even if a major title has been elusive.

But Monfils will be best remembered for his on-court showmanship, athleticism and outrageous shot selection. His near physics-defying slides along the baseline and basketball-like hangtime before smashes have cemented his status as a fan favourite.

“I was never quite good enough to win a Grand Slam,” reflected Monfils before the French Open. “But maybe I won something more important than that – a tennis career I’m proud of.”

In a testament to his popularity on and off the court, the farewell festivities began last Thursday with a charity event on Philippe-Chatrier – fittingly named ‘Gael & Friends’ – featuring appearances from stars such as Jannik Sinner, Djokovic and Naomi Osaka, as well as fellow Frenchmen – both retired – Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Gasquet was also in attendance for Monfils’ final bow against Gaston, as were French tennis royalty Mauresmo – the tournament director – and Henri Leconte.

This offseason, the Minnesota Vikings had plenty of cap considerations to manage as they looked to get compliant and reshape the roster.

Among those that seemed somewhat likely to move on from veteran tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Hockenson Must Prove He Still Belongs Near the Top

It’s not as though Hockenson isn’t a legitimate threat in the passing game or can’t provide value in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. It’s more about the reality that he’s an expensive asset, and one that has not lived up to expectations of late.

Acquired from the Detroit Lions four years ago, there was plenty of hype when he came to replace the injured Irv Smith Jr. He lived up to the hype in year one with 960 yards and five touchdowns. Then the receiving total was halved in 2024, and he failed to find the end zone.

Last season, Hockenson returned from his devastating knee injury and played in 15 games for Minnesota. He scored three touchdowns but contributed a career-low 438 receiving yards. Despite being on the chopping block, Minnesota opted to keep him around, and now he’s the fifth most expensive player on the Vikings roster.

This season, the Vikings will have arguably the best receiving corps they have had since going three-deep with Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed. They have athletic running backs in Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and the speedy Demond Claiborne. They also have Hockenson back at tight end.

Kyler Murray, assuming he’s the starting quarterback, will have no shortage of options to target. Hockenson should be a safe and reliable checkdown. He must prove that he is still capable of that, and can’t disappear for another year or another season. Hockenson is too expensive to be an afterthought offensively, and he’s unlikely to see a substantial market next offseason at 30 if things don’t trend back upwards.

Minnesota decided they didn’t want to prioritize a rookie like Kenyon Sadiq, and they didn’t want to reallocate Hockenson’s funds through a release. They have to hope they are right, and Hockenson is the only one who can prove it to them.

Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler

Rajasthan Royals are set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator match of IPL 2026 on Wednesday in Mullanpur. Riyan Parag and Co sealed their Playoffs berth with a convincing 30-run victory over Mumbai Indians in their final league-stage match. Batting first, RR posted 205/8 in 20 overs and later restricted MI to 175/9. With this result, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders were knocked out of the Playoffs race. Ahead of the Eliminator clash, the RR squad departed from Mumbai and arrived in Mullanpur.

At the airport, RR’s young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shared a light-hearted moment with skipper Riyan Parag. At just 15, Sooryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm with his power-packed performances and has quickly become a favourite among the paparazzi, who are eager to capture the Bihar-based batter on camera.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, photographers were seen requesting Parag to pose with Sooryavanshi. However, the RR captain declined, saying, “We aren’t film stars,” before walking away. Reacting to his captain’s remark, Sooryavanshi gave a puzzled look but continued posing for pictures.

Look at Vaibhav Suryavanshi‘s reaction when the paparazzis said to Riyan Parag, “Riyan, Vaibhav ke saath ek photo please,” and Riyan replied, “Hum koi film star nahi hain.” After hearing this, Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s smile disappeared.

Later, the paparazzis said to Vaibhav,… pic.twitter.com/sXsyhTGgCb

— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) May 26, 2026

There is no denying that Sooryavanshi has enjoyed strong backing from Parag within the RR setup. Following the departure of former head coach Rahul Dravid, Parag has stood firmly in support of the teenager.

Meanwhile, the win over MI confirmed RR’s place as the fourth and final team in the IPL 2026 Playoffs.

“Obviously it’s good when things go to plan. I know we’ve won the game, we’ve qualified, but a lot of areas that we can do better. Wanted the set batter to play a little longer (the move to have Jofra at 7, Jaddu at 9). We needed runs. It’s a wicket where you can’t have two players batting in the middle and going at a run a ball. Wanted one guy to take the initiative, take the risk. And the other guy could stay a little bit longer. And Jadeja is as reliable as always. I knew back-end he would get us at least 20 off 10 which he did,” said Parag after win against MI.

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Tushar Deshpande’s Brilliant Final Act Ensures Thrilling Win For RR Over Gujarat Titans

Last summer, controversy swirled when it was revealed that former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, in his role as a Florida high school football coach, paid for his team’s meals and transportation. Evidently strictly forbidden, Bridgewater eventually left his job and returned to the NFL. He was also suspended. Fast forward to May 2026, and Florida lawmakers changed the rules.

Bridgewater’s generosity became a fight over rules, but Florida lawmakers ultimately sided with common sense.

The Bridgewater Act now allows exactly what the man provided: aid.

The Bridgewater Act Flips Last Summer’s Controversy

They got this one right.

The Bridgewater Act Goes into Law

It’s done. Associated Press reported Saturday: “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the ‘Teddy Bridgewater Act’ into law Friday, meaning high school coaches in the state will now be able to use their own money to help their players with expenses such as food, transportation, physical therapy and rehabilitation services.”

“The Bridgewater Act is named for the Florida native and longtime NFL quarterback who coached his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High, to a state championship in 2024. But he was suspended for the 2025 season after revealing that he personally paid for meals, ride-share services and treatments for some players.”

Bridgewater was totally miffed by the outrage last summer.

“There will be strict rules regarding how — and how much — coaches can spend. It would apply to a team’s head coach only, cannot be used in recruiting, must be reported in full to a state agency and is capped at $15,000 per team per year,” AP added.

FL Governor on the Law

Bridgewater had Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on his side, paving the way for change.

DeSantis said before signing the bill into law, “He got into this situation where he was paying for meals and rides for some of his players who were underprivileged and he was using his personal funds to do this. These were people that he was mentoring and that somehow got him suspended because of the way the rules were written.”

“Look, there’s some possible downsides if you don’t have a structure like we have. But I also think the previous rules didn’t allow for the upside for a coach that really wants to make a difference in folks’ lives.”

NFL fans and Florida residents largely sided with Bridgewater’s cause last summer, embracing the Robin Hood feel of his deeds. In that vein, it wasn’t difficult to see his intent.

A Bizarre Grievance

Bridgewater personally funded Uber rides, meals, clothing, and strength-and-conditioning support. When the story broke in July, many people simply shrugged. A wealthy former NFL quarterback using his own money to help high school players didn’t strike most as a major scandal.

The FHSAA, however, viewed the situation differently.

From their perspective, Bridgewater’s generosity provided certain athletes an unfair advantage. Since other high school players lacked access to similar resources, this, by their rules, rendered the entire arrangement illegal.

The public’s reaction was far simpler: “Who cares?”

Bridgewater wasn’t accused of exploiting children, steering them toward agents, or running a clandestine recruiting operation. The sole complaint was that he had simply provided too much assistance. Most people found this perfectly acceptable; “He’s not hurting anyone,” was the obvious response, and it’s difficult to argue otherwise.

Bridgewater, 10 months ago, said about the allegations: “I’m protective, and I’m a father first before anything. And when I decided to coach, those players became my sons. And I wanted to make sure that I just protected them in the best way that I can.”

“I think that’s what came about. Miami Northwestern in a tough neighborhood and sometimes things can happen when the kids are walking home and things like that. So I was just trying to protect them and give them a ride home instead of having to take those dangerous walks.”

Bridgewater Back with Lions

Meanwhile, Bridgewater has not returned to high school football — the FHSAA suspended him — and is now the Detroit Lions’ backup quarterback. He’d be the first line of defense if something happened to Jared Goff.

Bridgewater played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025.

It’s unclear if Bridgewater will return to coaching when he formally retires (again) from the NFL. He did, though, effectuate change.

Bridgewater will turn 34 in November and was the Vikings’ main ray of hope at quarterback in 2014 and 2015. The Vikings and Lions will lock horns for the first time in 2026 on November 1st.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

The Minnesota Vikings’ defense was the backbone of the team, keeping the 2025 Vikings competitive while the offense struggled all season. There have been some changes to the unit this offseason, and there could be room for one more move. Here are three Vikings trade candidates to boost the defense ahead of the 2026 season.

Defensive Depth Could Become Minnesota’s Trade Focus

I recently wrote about Pro Football Focus’s selection of Blake Cashman as a potential trade candidate. The three players named here appear in the same article and are players the Vikings should be interested in if they want to improve their team.

Minnesota isn’t blessed with a ton of salary cap space, but that can be worked around if you want it to. If the Vikings really want to be competitive in a tough division, here are three defensive players who can make a difference.

Ronnie Hickman (S), Cleveland Browns

Safety was one of the big areas of concern in Minnesota coming into the offseason, and there hasn’t been much done to alleviate those concerns other than drafting Jakobe Thomas in the third round of this year’s draft. Adding a player like Cleveland’s Ronnie Hickman would give the team a solid starter who thrives on coverage, and at a good age to be a long-term solution. Here is what PFF says about Hickman and his trade potential.

Although the Browns were widely lauded for assembling one of the league’s best draft classes, their rookie crop might have ripple effects on someone like Hickman.

The 24-year-old has been sneakily good since being an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State, producing at least a 70.6 overall PFF grade in every year. In 2025 specifically, Hickman thrived in coverage with a 75.3 PFF coverage mark — the 10th-best among qualified safeties — while averaging a sound 29.0 snaps per reception.

After Cleveland drafted Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the second round, it suggests that either Hickman or Grant Delpit isn’t in the team’s long-term future. Both are on expiring contracts, although Hickman seems like the better trade piece given his superior production and younger age.

Jeremy Chinn (S), Las Vegas Raiders

Chinn is the more veteran option at safety with six seasons accrued in the league. He would be a solid option and would improve the Vikings’ safety unit, but he’s not the coverage guy I believe the team needs. Here is what PFF says about his availability.

Chinn enjoyed a resurgent season with the Raiders, but his future with the team might be in doubt.

The former second-round pick played to a 67.7 overall PFF grade in his first campaign in Las Vegas, his best since 2021. Chinn’s 69.5 PFF run-defense grade placed in the 67th percentile at the position, and he missed a modest 9.9% of his tackle attempts.

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The Raiders made a splash when they selected versatile Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes with the 38th overall pick. While Stukes may play all over the secondary, he figures to be more of a traditional safety considering the team also acquired slot corner Taron Johnson. As a result, organizations could call about Chinn with just one year left on his contract.

Jer’Zhan Newton (DT), Washington Commanders

Minnesota bolstered its interior defensive line in this year’s draft, selecting both Caleb Banks (first round) and Domonique Orange (third round). So did Washington, and that could leave former second-round pick Jer’Zhan Newton available. Newton has struggled in run defense, but he has proven he can be an effective pass rusher, and at the right price, Brian Flores could make good use of him as a pass rush specialist. Here is PFF’s lowdown on Newton.

The Commanders relentlessly fortified their ailing defense this offseason, including along the defensive line. However, that negatively affects someone like Newton.

The 36th overall pick in 2024 hasn’t blossomed as Washington would’ve hoped, notching a career 50.0 overall PFF grade with a 38.6 PFF run-defense grade. Yet what has been encouraging is Newton’s pass-rushing, as his 9.3% pass-rush win rate placed in the 63rd percentile last year.

The Commanders inked former Texans interior defender Tim Settle to a three-year, $25.5 million contract during free agency, which only pushes Newton down the depth chart. The 23-year-old former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year could garner attention for teams looking to bet on his upside.

Of these three options, Hickman would be the top prize and the player I’d most like to see the Vikings pursue. However, Newton would also be an intriguing option. It remains to be seen if Minnesota has any desire to be in the trade market.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

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Spain has announced World Cup squad, which includes no Real Madrid players. Bruno Génésio is leaving LOSC. In Italy, AC Milan is undergoing a major shake-up following its disastrous end to the season. 

The second-ranked Texas Longhorns softball team clinched the Austin Super Regional and earned a trip Women’s College World Series, with a 5-0 win over Arizona State on Sunday. But the victory was overshadowed by an explicit hot mic moment.

ESPN microphones picked up an unidentified person whispering obscene remarks after Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan got ahead 1-0 against the opposing batter.

A male voice was then heard over the microphone directing listeners — and likely viewers — to lick a specific part of his anatomy, video showed.

The remark, however, did not seem to distract play-by-play announcer Kevin Brown, who continued the broadcast without acknowledging it.

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A general view of Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin, Texas, before the SEC college softball game between Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers on April 12, 2025. (David Buono/Icon Sportswire)

“You’re going to compete for national championships as an assistant, and then they’re going to send you off,” Brown said while discussing Arizona State manager Megan Bartlett’s track record of developing assistants.

UMPIRE CURSES HIMSELF OUT ON HOT MIC AFTER MISSING CALL

Sunday’s moment was just one of several surprising developments leading up to the tournament.

An Arizona State Sun Devils softball helmet is shown during a college softball game between the CSUN Matadors and Arizona State Sun Devils at Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., on Feb. 10, 2019. (Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire)

A celebration involving former NBA star Jason Williams and his daughter, Mia, led to Williams’ ejection during Texas Tech’s game against Florida over the weekend.

Mia hit a two-run homer to help push the Red Raider past the Gators, her former team, last Friday.

NCAA signage is displayed before the Division II women’s softball championship game between the UT Tyler Patriots and Western Washington Vikings at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, Fla., on May 25, 2024. (Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

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Texas will take on the Tennessee Volunteers on Thursday in the double-elimination round of the Women’s College World Series.

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Captain Dean Henderson has challenged Crystal Palace to “finish the movie off” when their Conference League final brings down the curtain on Oliver Glasner’s glittering spell in south London.

The Austrian manager has already guided the Eagles to an historic FA Cup and a Community Shield, and on Wednesday night in Leipzig could leave Palace with the ultimate parting gift, should they beat Rayo Vallecano and require even more room in their trophy cabinet.

Henderson inherited the armband following Marc Guehi’s January departure to Manchester City, and, despite admitting to feeling “depressed” during the post-FA Cup comedown, wants nothing more than to polish off a “sensational” script for his departing boss.

“The togetherness in this group is phenomenal,” said the England goalkeeper. “All the lads are pushing in the right direction for each other. All the staff at the training ground, everyone.

“It’s just like a family club. We’re all pushing towards the same end goal. Obviously, it would be a great way to finish the movie off for Glasner as well. Everyone wants that happy ending and everyone’s working towards that.

“It’d be unbelievable for him, wouldn’t it? Obviously the best manager this club’s ever had and to finish on such a high would be sensational.”

Henderson was instrumental in Palace’s 2025 FA Cup triumph over Manchester City, saving Omar Marmoush’s first-half penalty in their 1-0 win at Wembley, where they secured their first major silverware and a proper European campaign.

The passionate and popular skipper is candid about how he felt after that day, admitting: “The high to the low. I remember after the FA Cup final, three days after, I didn’t want to get out of bed. I was like, ‘what has gone on here?’

“I swear. I don’t know whether that was alcohol, or… but I actually think it was like, I felt depressed. It was mad. But I don’t know why. I’ve never really spoken about it.”

Henderson admitted Wednesday’s European final has been playing on his mind during the final stages of the campaign.

“Naturally, you’re thinking about it,” he said. “Even for the last couple of weeks, you’re probably thinking, ‘let’s try and win the final’. It’s natural. No one speaks about it. No one speaks about it to each other. It’s just about your individual battles, isn’t it?”

While it remains uncertain who will follow in Glasner’s indelible footprints, when the credits finally roll on Palace’s topsy-turvy campaign, Henderson and his fellow Premier League protagonists want to be holding a trophy.”

He added: “When the tournament’s got real, we’ve turned up haven’t we? We’ve delivered some great performances and some good results, obviously, since we got out of the group stage.

“So, yeah, as I say, we’re looking forward to it. We won’t freeze. We’ll play with no fear and we’ll have confidence.”