Fremantle defender Joel Hamling and his partner Lily Pittard have welcomed their first child into the world.
The couple named their little boy Henry James Hamling and posted an adorable photo online on Saturday afternoon.
The post was flooded with comments of congratulations to the happy couple, who announced they were expecting in March.
“Congratulations brother ❤️,” wrote St Kilda player Bradley Hill.
“Congratulations my guy!” said Western Bulldogs player Hayden Crozier.
Pittard recently hosted an intimate baby shower ahead of her anticipated due date, where she donned a baby blue dress to signal her first child’s gender.
The AFL star sadly lost his father last December, and posted a touching tribute to Instagram at the time.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure Dad. I’m forever grateful for everything you have done for me,” he wrote.
“I’ll never ever forget what kind of bond we had. I bloody f*****g love you, mate. Until we meet again. RIP.”
Pittard also paid tribute to Hamling’s father. In her own post, she wrote: “I will always cherish the memories with you and the friendship you gave to Joel. Thank you for everything.”
After growing up in Broome, Hamling became the No.32 pick in the 2011 national draft.
He won a premiership with the Bulldogs in 2016 before being traded to the Dockers.
His recent seasons have been cruelled by injuries.
Widely tipped to become a Western Bulldog at season’s end, Fremantle big man Rory Lobb destroyed his likely future teammates at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Lobb put on a goal-kicking masterclass to inspire the Dockers to a pressure-releasing 17-point win – 14.11 (95) to 11.12 (78) – and all but cemented their finals spot.
The game-high four-goal haul, including three in the first half, to help his team end a three-game winless run and put them back in the top-four, for now at least.
Lobb was held goalless last week against Melbourne and was in doubt with a shoulder issue but showed no signs of any form or injury concerns.
He connected sweetly with four long bombs from around 50m before his first blemish of the night midway through the third term and finished with 4.2.
From rebound to forward pressure, slick ball movement and some imposing tall targets, everything the Dockers had been lacking in the past few weeks was back in the first half especially which helped setup the important four points.
Lobb marks. Credit: PRECIOUS ROB/AAPIMAGE
The win didn’t come without a cost however, with Matt Taberner – who kicked two first-quarter goals in a lively start – done before three-quarter time with a right calf strain in another injury blow to the key forward.
There was also a scare with WA’s Aaron Naughton, who kicked three to take his season tally to a career-high 47, and a couple of costly turnovers sparking a third-quarter Bulldog revival.
The Bulldogs were the better team around the ground in that term but Fremantle’s remarkable efficiency, with 4.4 from 10 inside-50 entries, saw them split it on the scoreboard.
Youngster Nathan O’Driscoll, who cost one of Naughton’s goals after an errant kick into the behind post down back, made up for it soon after with a stunning long-range goal on the run and huge celebration to go with it.
Caleb Serong was the star of the show in the midfield, helping Fremantle get on top in the clearance battle.
Serong had three center clearances on his own in the first quarter and finished with eight clearances all up from his 24 possessions.
The club’s games-record holder David Mundy, who announced his retirement during the week, showed he’s still got plenty left in the tank with some silver service inside 50, using it at 82 per cent efficiency.
Livewire Lachie Schultz had his best game in a while, tackling ferociously, nailing his kicks and providing a link between the midfield and forward-line.
Winger Blake Acres also bounced back from a lean run since returning from a hamstring injury, while Brownlow Medal fancy Andrew Brayshaw’s defensive efforts and two-way running was again on display.
Recalled mid Darcy Tucker was another important contributor, transferring his red-hot WAFL form to the top level to press his case for a permanent spot in the 22.
Tucker had a whopping 10 score involvements which was the equal-most on the ground.
Speedster Michael Frederick booted three goals including the sealer midway through the final term.
Caleb Daniel is tackled by Michael Frederick. Credit: Daniel Pockett/via AFL Photos
Fremantle’s three-pronged tall forward attack, Lobb, Griffin Logue and Matt Taberner all hit the scoreboard in the opening term including two majors from the latter as the visitors opened up a nine-point quarter-time buffer.
Taberner, who was under pressure to hold his spot, looked set for a big day before his injury which saw sub Liam Henry come on and do a few nice things.
The rebound from defense was excellent from the get-go with Luke Ryan, Heath Chapman and Jordan Clark particularly damaging.
Ryan’s ability to roll off his opponent Josh Bruce was important, as was his connection with wingers Blake Acres and O’Driscoll on his way to 32 disposals and 14 marks.
For the Bulldogs, prolific midfielder Josh Dunkley was their most consistent, captain Marcus Bontempelli lifted after half-time, Naughton was their main man up forward and Tim English has his moments in a see-sawing ruck battle against Sean Darcy.
on the mark
The Dockers’ uncontested-marking game caused their opponents headaches.
In the first half alone, the victors had a whopping 44 extra uncontested marks and 61 uncontested possessions.
Their ability to hit target after target proved crucial to setting up the win.
“We didn’t go into the game looking to take so many uncontested marks, it just sort of happened,” Longmuir said at half-time.
“But I think we’ve found the good balance with our ball movement, we’ve gone at the game when we’ve needed to and we’ve found a mark when we’ve needed to.”
That differential settled down in the second half but was still significant.
Son (and grandson) of a gun unearthed
A third-generation Bulldog made his AFL debut, fittingly as the club celebrated Retro Round by wearing their old Robodog jumper design.
Sam Darcy, son of club great Luke Darcy and grandson of David, got the call up after a stunning run of form in the VFL.
The 19-year-old, who stands at 205cm and weighs 94kg, started in defense and got the big job on Matt Taberner.
His first touch was an intercept mark about five minutes into the match, getting a massive round of applause, and he flew at the footy with confidence in a promising start to his AFL career.
Remarkably retiring Fremantle veteran David Mundy played against Luke in the early years of his decorated 19-year career, likewise with Scott West, whose son Rhylee was also out there.
AFL golden couple Nic Naitanui and Brittany Bown have revealed they are expecting a baby boy at a lavish baby shower in a Crystal Villa at Crown Perth on Saturday.
The Eagles ruckman and his psychotherapist partner of over two years revealed the news to their close friends and family at the intimate event.
Nic Naitanui and Brittany Bown are set to have a baby boy. Credit: Jaxon Foale/Drop AverageThe happy couple. Credit: Jaxon Foale/Drop Average
Naitanui and Bown’s family members were in attendance, as well as Bown’s fellow WAG friends including Dani Shuey and Aymee Redden.
The baby shower at Crown Perth. Credit: Jaxon Foale/Drop AverageDani Shuey, Brittany Bown and Aymee Redden. Credit: Jaxon Foale/Drop AverageThe baby shower at Crown Perth. Credit: Jaxon Foale/Drop Average
The guests were treated to free-flowing champagne and a decadent gourmet spread, as they overlooked the Perth skyline.
The baby shower at Crown Perth. Credit: Jaxon Foale/Drop Average
Their baby boy is due to arrive in late September.
The happy couple. Credit: Jaxon Foale/Drop Average
The pair first shared the pregnancy news in an exclusive STM interview, where they opened up about their shared joy in embarking on the next chapter of their relationship together.
“We were both stoked and super surprised, we had expected a bit more of a journey (trying to fall pregnant),” she said.
“I think culture will play a big part (in raising our child),” Naitanui, 32, added.
“I guess growing up in Australia, a big thing that I haven’t let go of is my Fijian heritage and my background there. So for me, I think it’d be good to teach our child Fijian. I’d love my kids to be bilingual and speak both languages. And also just have a sense of understanding of where they come from, and what’s come before.”
An ultrasound image of Baby Naitanui Credit: Supplied
STM wellness columnist Bown, 28, admitted that Naitanui’s relaxed outlook on life provides her with a sense of relief and confidence ahead of their journey as parents together.
“Nic is so fun, and I think he reminds me that sometimes that’s the best part of life,” she said
“I feel very comfortable going into parenthood knowing our child is always going to have someone to play with and make them laugh.
“He’s also not a panicker. He he’ll say ‘oh well, we’ll sleep later’, or ‘we’ll handle it’. I know as things come our way, if I’m stressed, he’s the type of person who will be OK, he will say it’s not a big deal and calm the whole situation down.
The front cover of Sunday’s STM. Credit: STM/Hellow Harlow Photogaphy
Father-to-be Naitanui mirrored Bown’s sentiment, saying his pilates instructor partner will be “perfect”.
“I think she’ll be perfect. Ella she’s pretty good around children and has a very caring nature. So I think she’ll fit perfectly in the role of being a mother,” he revealed.
The lovebirds’ anticipated due date comes at the pointy end of AFL season, although the Eagles star has a perspective on the bigger picture of life.
“(At the club) we always talk about the rollercoaster, you don’t get too carried away over the highs or too sad when there are lows,” he said.
During STM’s photo shoot this week in a field in Perth’s south, Naitanui, 32, says he is very much at ease around children. Credit: Hello Harlow Photography/Hello Harlow Photography
“A lot of guys have different life experiences throughout their journey, whether it’s birth or death or things like that.
“Footy is a big part of your life, but it’s not the whole thing… it’s something that’s really important to me but at the same time, there’s a lot of things that happen away from the footy field that mean just as much. ”
Marriage is on the cards, but the couple is in “no rush”.
“We’ve got a lot of room for a baby in our lives right now … the other stuff will happen but we’re not going to rush into it.”
A controversial penalty shootout blunder has helped Australia sink India to advance into the women’s hockey gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games.
After scores were locked 1-1 at fulltime in Friday night’s semi-final, the Hockeyroos triumphed 3-0 in the shootout.
You can watch the controversial play in the video above
Stream Seven’s coverage of the Commonwealth Games 2022 for free on 7plus >>
After Rebecca Greiner scored in the 10th minute, the Hockeyroos held sway until a late India leveler with just 11 minutes remaining in the semi-final.
And so, the match went to a nail-biting penalty shootout, which began in a blaze of controversy.
Australia’s Ambrosia Malone took the first shot and missed.
But in a baffling clanger, Malone was gifted a second attempt because the eight second countdown clock on the scoreboard hadn’t been activated.
“When they called the retake, I was thanking the universe for a second chance,” Malone said.
“I knew all of India would hate me if I put it in.
India’s coach is left fuming as the umpire explains the decision. Credit: SevenReplays showed the shot clock hadn’t been turned on when Australia’s Ambrosia Malone took her shot. Credit: Seven
“But I was just trying to think about my team and that final and I said to myself ‘if I get a second chance at this, I’m not missing it’.
“I felt for India at the time. But all our other girls got our shootouts in so it’s not like that one shootout was the be all and end all.”
Malone converted her second attempt and her teammates Kaitlin Nobbs and Amy Lawton also scored, before the Hockeyroos’ penalty expert goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram, who was brought on for the shootout, refused to let the rattled Indian players score.
Channel 7 commentator Alister Nicholson slammed the farcical passage of play that gave Australia the extra shootout goal and all the momentum.
“The clock may not have started, but it was perfectly obvious that Rosie Malone was not scoring,” Nicholson said in commentary.
“That is embarrassing. “That would be a national outrage if that happened to Australia.”
Malone scores on her second attempt. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
EVERYEVENT:Check out the full Commonwealth Games schedule
TALLY MEDAL:Every gold, silver and bronze at Birmingham 2022
LATEST RESULTS:Detailed breakdown of every event at the Games
Former Hockeyroos star Georgie Parker felt for the miffed Indians.
“It’s the most incredible way to win; most heartbreaking way to lose,” she said in commentary for Channel 7.
Well after the result was in the books, Nicholson and Parker were still trying to process what had just taken place.
“Your heart is still racing, having witnessed what took place,” Nicholson said after the match.
“We’d only just got over the first semi-final that went to a shootout.
“That decision to award a retake; that’s going to take a lot for India to digest. I know Australia was very clean in the aftermath of that, but there’s a psychological difference.
“I mean, how on earth could you not start the clock? That is absolute amateur hour.”
Parker agreed, but said India needed to put it behind them, and they failed to do so.
Amy Lawton celebrates the thrilling win. Credit: Alex Davidson/Getty Images
“Absolutely,” Parked agreed.
“But it happens, and India had to regroup and regather, and they didn’t.”
Elsewhere, England also secured their spot in the final with a 2-0 shootout triumph against New Zealand after a scoreless stalemate, setting up a mouth-watering final between the two leading countries on the gold medal tally.
Sunday’s final will be the third time Australia have met England in the gold medal match – the Hockeyroos have won both and have four Commonwealth titles in the six completed editions of the Games.
In Friday’s semi-final, the Australian exacted a semblance of belated revenge on the Indians for knocking them out of last year’s Tokyo Olympics at the quarter-final stage.
The Australians suffered an early blow when defending Karri Somerville was forced off seven minutes in when copping a nasty ricochet on her right cheekbone.
But just three minutes later, the Hockeyroos struck when a Mariah Williams darted along the left flank and launched a slick cross which was neatly deflected in by Greiner at the far post.
India almost squared scores nine minutes into the second quarter when Sangita Kumari found space inside the attacking circle and shot, but Australian goalkeeper Aleisha Power instinctively blocked the attempt with a reflex left-footed save.
The Australians continued to press for a second goal in the third term but went unrewarded despite a period of sustained attack punctuated by four consecutive penalty corners.
The scores remained 1-0 at the last change with Australia chalking up 22 attacking circle entries to just seven from India.
Early in the final quarter, Stephanie Kershaw sliced through India’s midfield and launched, only for her shot to be saved.
And against the flow in the 49th minute, India equalized when Vandana Katariya deflected into the net from close-range – the first goal the Australians conceded in the Games.
– With APA
Just like Tokyo 2020 on Seven, there will be one destination to watch every epic feat, every medal moment, every record attempt and every inspiring turn from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
7plus is the only place to watch up to 30 live and replay channels of sport, see what’s on when, keep up to date with the medal tally, create a watchlist to follow your favorite events and catch up on highlights.
In the video below: Aussie high jumper reflects on devastating injury
Marital harmony will doubtless prevail once more in the Lobban household. eventually.
But for one night only, it was Australian Donna Lobban who earned the bragging rights over Scottish husband Greg at the Commonwealth Games in squash’s ultimate game of (un)happy families – not that she was out to rub a unique victory in his face.
Watch the couple’s touching post-match moment in the video above
Stream Seven’s coverage of the Commonwealth Games 2022 for free on 7plus >>
“We’re not signing divorce papers after that – I think we’re still alright,” smiled the victorious Donna after she and her cousin Cameron Pilley defeated Greg Lobban and Lisa Aitken in a tense, tetchy, hugely entertaining mixed doubles quarter-final at Birmingham University.
She even forgave him for accidentally smacking her on the back of the leg with his racquet, during the physical close-quarters battle won by Australia’s reigning champions 9-11 11-8 11-8.
It was the only light-hearted moment in a compelling, intense contest, with Greg giving Donna an apologetic hug as Pilley pointed towards Greg gravely: “Oh, you’re in trouble now…”
Greg had to apologize to his wife midway through the match after an accidental strike. Credit: james ross/AAP
Naturally, on a day when Games historians desperately tried to recall when a husband and wife had ever gone head-to-head in sporting combat for different countries at a major championship, Donna ended up with the utmost sympathy for hubby.
“Usually you’d be just going ‘yeeeees!’ after a win like that but my heart kind of sunk. I was happy but gutted we were the ones who put them out of the tournament. Didn’t feel good,” she said.
After his defeat, Greg enjoyed a long embrace with Donna in the center of the court and told her: “I’m proud of you – now go on and win it.”
Greg’s kind words in this post-match hug may have just saved his marriage. Credit: james ross/AAP
EVERYEVENT:Check out the full Commonwealth Games schedule
TALLY MEDAL:Every gold, silver and bronze at Birmingham 2022
LATEST RESULTS:Detailed breakdown of every event at the Games
The match turned on a couple of controversial ‘no let’ calls from the referee late on which Greg had the odd wee cross word with the official.
Ironically, Donna felt she’d been the victim of a huge wrong call earlier in the day when she and Rachael Grinham were knocked out of the women’s doubles quarters.
On the final sudden-death point, a heartless ‘no let’ call granted victory to their Malaysian opponents Rachel Arnold and Aifa Azman which prompted Lobban, quite uncharacteristically, to hurl her racquet in fury flush against the backcourt glass.
Later, she protested they’d been “robbed” and had to cool herself down, regroup and get ready for a redemptive match six hours later.
Greg, who’d been watching in the morning, had helped her get back in the right frame of mind.
“I’m her husband – I support her every day, today’s no different – and I’ll be supporting her tomorrow in the semis,” he said.
In the video below: ‘Embarrassing’ penalty shootout farce helps Aussies
Donna said: “People were watching anything to talk about so we weren’t giving them too much.
“Er, I did whack me in the thigh but I’ll take that!
“Might have to put up with him being in a terrible mood for a while – but if I’d have lost, it would have been him putting up with me being in a terrible mood!”
She’d also made a bet with Greg before the match that if he lost, he’d have to make dinner for the next month.
Already she’s regretting it.
“I don’t know if I want him to cook actually – pretty grim,” Donna said.
“I should have made the bet that if I win, I’d get to shave off his mullet and his mustache! I don’t know why I didn’t think of that… too late now.”
Just like Tokyo 2020 on Seven, there will be one destination to watch every epic feat, every medal moment, every record attempt and every inspiring turn from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
7plus is the only place to watch up to 30 live and replay channels of sport, see what’s on when, keep up to date with the medal tally, create a watchlist to follow your favorite events and catch up on highlights.
The Hockeyroos will play for Commonwealth Games gold after scraping past India in a dramatic and controversial penalty shootout in the semifinal.
After being locked at 1-1 at the end of regulation time, Australia booked their spot in the final with a 3-0 win on strokes.
The penalty shootout was not without controversy through, with Australian Rosie Malone able to redo an unsuccessful first stroke after the clock did not start, which she would score.
With their quarter-final loss at last year’s Olympics firmly in their mind, Rebecca Greiner scored the only goal for Australia in the first quarter.
Having led for most of the game, the Hockeyroos conceded early in the final quarter before a dramatic final minute where Australia looked as if they were going to score a late winner, only to be denied by a tough Indian defence.
The Hockeyroos will now face hosts England for a gold medal after they defeated defending champions New Zealand on penalties earlier in the day.
Australia went on the attack early but were dealt the first blow when West Australian Karri Somerville was sidelined after a deflected ball hit her in the face early in the first quarter.
Stephanie Kershaw of Team Australia misses a chance whilst under pressure from Savita of Team India during the Women’s Hockey Semi-Final match between Team Australia and Team India on day eight of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at University of Birmingham Hockey & Squash Center on August 05 , 2022 on the Birmingham, England. Credit: Alex Davidson/Getty Images
It appeared to rattle the Hockeyroos momentarily as Somerville was taken from the pitch.
After a fantastic save from goalkeeper Aliesha Power denied India an early lead from a penalty corner scramble, the Hockeyroos counter-attacked.
And it ended perfectly for the Australians, with an excellent pass from Mariah Williams finding the stick of Greiner who deflected it into the back of the net to open the scoring.
India survived another scare when a defender managed to deflect an excellent penalty corner from Renee Taylor, who showcased her power.
Australia’s young defense was forced to weather a number of Indian attacks that threatened to level the scores in the second term, while there was drama with two controversial video reviews.
The Hockeyroos swung the momentum back their way and had India’s defense under immense pressure with numerous penalty corners, but India captain and goalkeeper Savita held her nerve to keep Australia at bay.
India finally found the equalizer early in the final term when Vandana Katariya deflected the ball into the net, the first goal they’d conceded all tournament, to set up a penalty shootout finish.
Italian decathlon athlete Alberto Nonino had a nightmare run at the U20s World Championships after his penis repeatedly flopped out of his shorts while competing.
The 18-year-old was running in the 400m portion of the Decathlon event in Colombia when he suffered a wardrobe malfunction just after making a promising start.
While the rest of the field were pumping their arms to stretch away from the line, Nonino’s were busy trying to repeatedly tuck his member away.
He stuck with the field through the first bend, but his penis refused to remain contained, crushing the Italian’s hopes as he came in last with a time of 51.57 seconds.
Reporter David Sanchez de Castro’s description of the incident has since gone viral.
“Perhaps I’ve explained myself poorly. His penis from him escaped out of the side of his shorts, and he had to hold it because it was n’t allowing him to run properly, which is normal when your dongle is swinging from side to side, ”he said.
Alberto Nonino of Team Italia competes in the High Jump of the Men’s Decathlon qualifying round on day one of the World Athletics U20 Championships Cali 2022 at Pascual Guerrero stadium on August 1, 2022 in Cali, Colombia. Credit: Peter Vilela/Getty Images
Nonino took to social media to express his fury at the coverage of his wardrobe malfunction.
“I’m aware it was obviously an accident, and I’d like to tell you I’m aware of the reaction, and you don’t need to send me the links to the blogs out there,” his post read.
“I’m trying to laugh about it now, but immediately afterwards, I felt terrible, and I’m thankful to my friends and family for helping me get over what happened a few hours later.”
Tennis star Novak Djokovic’s wife slammed Racquet Magazine for questioning the unvaccinated player’s decision to continue entering tournaments in countries he is barred from traveling to due to Covid-19 regulations.
Djokovic, 35, withdrew from the upcoming hard-court tournament in Montreal Thursday because he is not vaccinated against Covid-19 and is therefore not allowed to enter Canada.
For the same reason, as things stand now, he will also not be able to compete in the US Open later this month.
Racquet Magazine responded to the news Djokovic had pulled out of the Montreal Open by tweeting: ‘Dunno why this guy keeps entering tournaments hoping they’ll change their rules for him.’
His wife, Jelena, 36, was quick to come to his defense as she took aim at the publication as she quote tweeted: ‘Is this a real, international tennis magazine?! Wow.’
She also tagged the ATP Tour and one of their publicists, Nicola Arzani, along with a series of emojis displaying bewilderment and embarrassment.
The magazine responded, claiming they would ‘love’ to see the Serbian play in New York at the US Open later this month.
Hi Jelena! We’d love to see your husband play in New York, along with the rest of the tennis world, ‘she posted it. ‘Hopefully he’ll decide he can follow the rules.’
Tennis star Novak Djokovic’s wife, Jelena (left) came to the tennis star’s defense on Twitter
She slammed Racquet Magazine for questioning why the unvaccinated player continued to enter tournaments in countries he is barred from traveling to due to Covid-19 regulations
The Wimbledon champion will not be able to compete in the US Open as things currently stand
Jelena was quick to hit back with the specifics, questioning the logic behind the original tweet.
Hi! Based on tennis rules and ranking – Novak’s entry in the tournament was automatic,’ she said. ‘So, what was the logic behind your tweet?’
Racquet replied by insisting Djokovic should withdraw from all the events he cannot play due to his unvaccinated status now rather than wait until the last minute.
Jelena was quick to hit back with the specifics, questioning the logic behind the original tweet
It wrote: ‘As of right now, he’s also automatically entered into Cincy and the USO—is he gonna withdraw from them now knowing he doesn’t want to follow rules or wait until the last minute like he’s just done for Montreal?
‘Or maybe after the draw is made like he did in Indian Wells?
‘Not trying to disrupt your Friday night, but since you came our way, it’d be great to get him to take his stand by withdrawing from those events now so the whole tennis world isn’t talking about him not getting a shot for weeks to eat.
‘A stand is only a stand if one takes it.’
The publication claimed Djokovic should withdraw from the events he cannot play in now
Djokovic’s wife continued the spat as she argued that the publication should take a stand itself and stick to writing about tennis.
‘His most important stand is to be a tennis champion,’ she said. ‘And he took it. I mean, a stand is a stand.
‘Given that you are a tennis magazine- maybe focus on that in the weeks to come? Take a stand. Be what you are meant to be. A tennis magazine that writes about tennis.’
The 36-year-old fired back that the magazine should ‘take a stand’ itself
Djokovic has said he won’t get the shots, even if that means he can’t go to certain tournaments. He missed the Australian Open in January after being deported from that country and needed to sit out two events in the United States earlier this year.
Unvaccinated foreign citizens can’t go to Canada or the US, so Djokovic pulled out of Montreal a day before the draw is scheduled to take place for the tournament and is expected to have to sit out the US Open, which starts in New York on August 29.
However, the 21-time Grand Slam winner said on social media earlier this week that he remains hopeful he will be allowed in the tournament and will be ready to go should he get the OK.
‘I am preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to US,’ Djokovic wrote. ‘Fingers crossed!’
He proved he was preparing a he posted a video to his Instagram of him practicing.
Djokovic said he remains hopeful he will be allowed to play at the US Open in August
It is not the first time Jelena has been embroiled in an online slanging match as she was previously involved in a debate after prominent tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg called her husband an ‘anti-vax poster boy.’
After Djokovic’s win in the Wimbledon men’s final, Rothenberg asked him whether he would get vaccinated soon in order to compete at the US Open in August.
‘You do still have time to get vaccinated before New York to make it in time for the US. Is that something you’ve completely closed your mind to as an option going forward?’ asked Rothenberg in the post-match press conference.
Djokovic’s reply was strong and succinct: ‘Yes.’
Rothenberg then took to Twitter to label the star Serb an ‘anti-vax poster boy’ who has played in his last Grand Slam for the year, unless there is a ‘swift change in US immigration law’.
Jelena didn’t take too kindly Rothenberg’s description of her husband and kicked off the very public online spat by taking issue with the description.
It is not the first time Jelena has been embroiled in an online slanging match over her husband
The Boomers made bronze fashionable at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with their historic medal dubbed “rose gold” in the men’s basketball.
And at the Commonwealth Games, the rose gold glow is real.
By Australian standards, it has been a long wait for a wrestling medal of any color – 12 years.
Jayden Lawrence had been to two previous Games and missed a bronze medal in Glasgow 2014.
Lawrence competed in the men’s freestyle wrestling 74kg at the Glasgow Games in 2014, but just missed the medals.(Getty Images: Richard Heathcote)
He earned another shot at bronze, this time against South Africa’s Edward Lessing, in the men’s freestyle 86kg, and he won a tight match 12-11.
“Unbelievable, honestly. I’m stoked,” he said.
“This is what Australian wrestling has been after those two previous we didn’t medal at all in the Games.
“But I guarantee you, we’re gonna get more this time around. I guarantee it.”
Lawrence suffered a torn lateral cruciate ligament in his last match, “so last two wrestles I was battling [on] one and a half legs,” he said.
The 27-year-old from Sydney collapsed on his back and put his hands over his face as he soaked in the moment at the end of the clash.
“I’ve given up a lot to do this sport, but it’s so worth it,” he said.
“We don’t get paid too much; I get nothing. But I’ll do it again.”
At this stage, wrestling is not on the program for the Victoria 2026 Games, and Lawrence hopes his success will force a re-think.
“Hopefully this brings us over the line and we get the wrestling back.”
Bronze for new diving duo
At the diving, Sam Fricker was buzzing after claiming bronze with Li Shixin in the men’s synchronized 3m springboard.
“I’m so excited, it was a dream to make the Commonwealth Games to walk away with a medal is just incredible,” Fricker said.
The 20-year-old Fricker and 34-year-old former Chinese world champion Li — who has been competing for Australia since 2019 — were competing together internationally for the first time.
Li (right) came out of retirement to compete in Tokyo after becoming an Australian citizen.(Getty Images: PA Images/Tim Goode)
“This is the beginning. Sammy is young,” Li said.
“We have a long, long time. He’s Diving Australia’s future. I just help him get better.”
Li was recruited to Australia as a diving coach in 2014 – he earned citizenship in 2019, and came out of retirement to compete at last year’s Tokyo Olympics.
Fricker said he was honored to compete with his legendary teammate, and used some advice from one of the team veterans, Melissa Wu, to remain composed.
“You’ve just got to be in the moment,” he said.
“When you’re at breakfast, have breakfast, when you’re on the bus, enjoy the ride.
“When you have that one dive to do, that’s all you focus on, and that’s all you have control over. So whether we’re first or last, that’s what we try and do with that one moment.”
England’s Anthony Harding and Jack Laugher won gold, while the Australians finished just 2.25 points the Malaysian silver medalists Gabriel Daim and Muhammad Syafiq Bin Puteh.
Australia picked up a couple more diving medals at Sandwell Aquatics Centre, with Brittany O’Brien claiming silver in the 1m springboard, behind Canada’s Mia Vallee.
And Dom Bedgood and Cassiel Rousseau got bronze in the men’s 10-meter synchro, with gold going to England, and silver to Canada.
Anyone who thinks Michelle Jenneke’s pre-race ritual distracts her, just watch how she breezed through her heat in the Women’s 100m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The 29-year-old Aussie has been known as ‘The Dancing Hurdler’ ever since her pre-race warm-up went global.
See the dance – and Michelle Jenneke smash her heat – in the video player above
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On Friday, she cut a very relaxed figure despite being laned right next to Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan – the current world record holder at the event.
There were lots of dancing, and smiles all round. She was introduced to the crowd over the speakers as ‘The Dancing Australian’.
She waved with grin from ear to ear. It was a special moment for Jenneke.
Michelle Jenneke cut a very relaxed figure despite being laned right next to Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan – the current world record holder at the event. Credit: Seven
She’s in the best form of her career, coming off an exceptional performance at the world championships in the US earlier in July.
Jenneke knew she would likely have to again go close to her new PB of 12.66 seconds, just to make it through to the final.
And boy, didn’t she deliver.
Amusan, who won gold in the event at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018, flew home to win the heat in a time of 12.40 – a new Commonwealth Games record.
Jenneke, crossed the line in second to qualify for the final in a time of 12.63 – that’s the fastest she’s ever run.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 05: Michelle Jenneke of Team Australia reacts after qualifying in the Women’s 100m Hurdles Round 1 heats on day eight of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium on August 05, 2022 on the Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images
“She will be very happy with how she executed that race,” Aussie athletics legend and Channel 7 Tamsyn Manou said after the race.
“Michelle wasn’t overwhelmed by being in the same race as Amusan. She had a clean run. She has just really used her speed and her technical ability over those hurdles.
“She’s an incredible hurdler and she’s in great shape.
“She’s had so many issues with injuries that it’s been really hard for her to get a block of training done. Ella she comes into these championships with a block of training.”
See the original pre-race warm-up that made Michelle Jenneke a household name in the video player below
Michelle Jenneke at the Junior World Championships.
Michelle Jenneke at the Junior World Championships.
After the race, Jenneke told Seven’s Jason Richardson she is racing the best she ever has.
I’m in the shape of my life,” she said.
“It’s really exciting. I still feel like I’ve got a little more in the tank, so we’ll see how we go in a couple of days.”
Jenneke is now in with a great shot to hit the podium at the Commonwealth Games. And Manou won’t mind seeing the pre-race warm-up dance again.
“I think sometimes people forget just how talented she is as an athlete,” Manou said.
“Athletes come in and they know what works for their psyche. For Michelle, it’s about relaxing and enjoying herself and that’s how she gets the most about herself.”
After the race, Jenneke told Seven’s Jason Richardson she is racing the best she ever has.
Credit: Seven
Jenneke maintained that nothing is changing any time soon.
“Honestly, I feel like I run the best when I’m happy and relaxed and just soaking it all up,” she said.
“That’s what works for me, so that’s what I do.”
Australia’s Celeste Mucci will also race in the final after qualifying eighth fastest in her heat.
The 22-year-old equaled her personal best in a very clean run at her second Commonwealth Games..
