Good evening!

Despite not having played a professional tennis game since June 2023, Nick Kyrgios continues to pop up in the news every now and then.

This time he appeared as a guest on Louis Theroux’s podcast — aptly titled ‘The Louis Theroux Podcast’. The former world no.13 opened up about some personal off-court issues, as well as suggesting he wouldn’t be surprised if the Earth is flat.

With regards to the Australian Open, he said: "I could come back now and beat 50 per cent of players. But I don't want to do that… because my fans deserve a better version of myself”

P.S. On a separate note, the answer to yesterday’s Blurdle is at the bottom of the 2-minute.

I’ve got 10 seconds

Stat of the day

15.9 million
The number of people in Japan who tuned into Game 2 of the Major League Baseball World Series between the New York Yankees and LA Dodgers. The viewership is a playoff series record in Japan. The Dodgers’ biggest star, Shohei Ohtani, is Japanese, which is credited as a factor in the massive audience in his home country. The Dodgers are leading the best-of-seven series 3-0. 

Quote of the day

“The centre of the artwork features a wallaby and a lion in a direct reference to the series. Their relationship is presented as a battle underpinned by respect. Respect for our game, and respect for one another.”
Australian rugby union player and Wiradjuri Burray man Dylan Pietsch, who designed part of the Wallabies jersey for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour. Pietsch’s artwork appears on the lower back and under the arms of the jersey. The Wallabies will play the Lions three times in 2025 when the side, made up of English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh players, tour Australia for the first time since 2013.

Random fact of the day

Known as the “mother of all relays”, the ‘Hood to Coast’ relay takes place in the U.S. state of Oregon and covers 320km from the state’s highest peak, Mount Hood, to the coastal town of Seaside. The ‘Hood to Coast’ features approximately 12,600 runners and 19,000 total participants, making it the most participated relay in the world.

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In case you missed it…

🏉 The AFLW rising star nominee for Week 9 was Hawthorn’s Mikayla Williamson. During the Hawks’ win over Melbourne on the weekend, the 19-year-old had 14 disposals, four marks, four tackles and two score involvements. Hawthorn is currently in second place on the AFLW ladder with one game remaining in the regular season. 

🏉 England’s Rugby Football League (RFL) confirmed on Monday that it was liaising with the Australian Rugby League Commission with hopes of organising the first rugby league ‘Ashes’ series since 2003. The RFL said: "We are excited by the possibility of bringing the Kangaroos to these shores for a three-match series”. In the past decade, Australia’s men’s side has beaten England all four times they have played each other.

🏏 Australian cricketer Matthew Wade has retired from international cricket. The wicket-keeper and batsman will move into a coaching role for Australia’s men’s T20 squad and continue playing in the Big Bash League with the Hobart Hurricanes. After debuting in 2011, Wade played 36 Tests, 97 ODIs and 92 T20Is for Australia. He last represented Australia in June at the T20 World Cup. 

🚣‍♂️ Former Olympic rower Simon Burgess has been handed a suspended sentence for assaulting his ex-wife. The 57-year-old breached a family violence order by breaking into his ex-wife’s home, repeatedly slapping her, and threatening to choke her. Burgess, who pleaded guilty, is on a good-behaviour bond for the next 18 months. If he commits any punishable offences he will have to serve 83 days in prison. Burgess was a two-time Olympic silver medallist in lightweight rowing. 

1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732, or text 0458 737 732

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Matildas comeback to beat Germany as Cooney-Cross nets stunning first goal

The Matildas beat two-time FIFA World Cup Champions Germany for the first time since 2005. The match was played in Duisburg, Germany.

What happened

The Matildas started slowly, conceding a goal from Germany's Selina Cerci in the fifth minute. In the 43rd minute, however, they hit back with a stunning long-range goal from Matildas stalwart Kyra Cooney-Cross. It marked the 22-year-old’s first goal for the Matildas in 50 appearances. Clare Hunt then headed in the winning goal for the Australians, also her first, in the 77th minute.

What’s next?

The Matildas will now prepare for four matches at home. They will play two games each against Brazil and Taiwan. The first will be against Brazil on 28 November in Brisbane.

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Ballon d’Or awards and Manchester United coach Ten Hag fired

Two Spanish players won this year’s Ballon d’Or, with Aitana Bonmatí winning the women’s award and Rodri taking home the men’s award. The Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award, is given to the world’s best footballers as judged by a panel of sports journalists. Meanwhile, in Premier League football news, Manchester United has fired Erik ten Hag after two and half years in charge.

Women’s Award

Bonmatí, who won the award in 2023, became the second-ever women’s player to win the award two years in a row. The 26-year-old midfielder played a crucial role in Spain’s 2023 World Cup victory and triumph in the UEFA Women’s Nations League earlier this year.

At the club level, Bonmatí helped Barcelona retain the Women’s Champions League title and a fifth consecutive Liga F premiership.

She scored a career-high 19 goals across all levels this year.

Men’s Award

Rodri, who plays in the midfield for Manchester City and Spain, won his first Ballon d’Or award. The 28-year-old helped Spain to the 2024 Euros title and Manchester City to a fourth consecutive Premier League Championship.

He is the first Spanish player to win the award in 60 years, and the first from the English Premier League since five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo won in 2008 while at Manchester United.

Ten Hag fired

The Dutch football manager has overseen a poor start to the season for United, who have won only three of nine matches and are sitting in 14th on the Premier League table. The favourite to succeed Ten Hag is reportedly Portuguese manager Rúben Amorim, who is currently at Sporting Lisbon.

***Blurdle answer: Ash Barty

A message from our sponsor

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PE has long demonstrated benefits for physical, mental, and social health. Research has shown that students who engage with and enjoy PE at school will carry healthy habits into their adult life.

However, global trends suggest a decrease in physical activity in the past 25 years, coupled with an increase in screen time. Australia, which has long been considered a ‘sporting nation’ received a grade of D- on the Global Physical Activity Report card in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

The article suggests that this decline can be addressed by requiring greater curriculum time for PE and providing PE teachers with regular professional development and opportunities to develop partnerships between schools and universities.

Such efforts can help instill positive attitudes toward physical activity and overall well-being. Learn more about the vital role of sport and PE in education at Deakin University and its potential impact on future generations.

Think Beyond The Field. Study Sport at Deakin.

Looking back…

Looking forward… (All times are AEDT)

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