General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: July 4, 2026, 2:35 AM ET

Wimbledon Dominance and Upsets Continue

The Wimbledon Championships are underway, with Novak Djokovic matching Roger Federer's record of 105 men's singles match wins after a tough battle with Arthur Rinderknech. Meanwhile, qualifiers are proving their mettle, with Roman Safiullin and Shintaro Mochizuki setting their sights on top seeds Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner after causing significant upsets. British hopeful Arthur Fery continues his surprising run as the sole Briton left in the singles draw, preparing to face Zizou Bergs in the third round. Defending champion Iga Swiatek powered past Karolina Pliskova to reach the third round, though she marked herself down despite a strong performance, while compatriot Amanda Anisimova rallied behind 20 aces to avoid an upset against Sofia Kenin. Serena Williams' return to singles play, which drew an average of 1.8 million viewers, was met with a plea from Djokovic to "cool off a little bit" from criticism, though her status for doubles remains uncertain after suffering a knee injury.

Cycling's Grand Tours and Road Races

The Tour de France has begun, with Tadej Pogacar looking to secure his fifth title and sporting a new hairstyle reminiscent of US rap star Eminem. Rivals are being urged to challenge his dominance, while fellow contender Biniam Girmay aims to reclaim the green jersey with his new team. Great Britain's cycling legend Chris Froome has retired after a distinguished career highlighted by four Tour de France victories. In other cycling news, Josh Tarling will make his Tour de France debut just three weeks after breaking his collarbone.

Rugby Union's Nations Championship and International Fixtures

The inaugural Nations Championship is set to kick off with Wales facing Fiji in Cardiff. Off-field disruptions for Wales have been resolved, with head coach Steve Tandy glad the pay dispute was settled before the match. Fiji aims to make Cardiff feel like home, as they look to replicate a home atmosphere. Scotland faces a daunting summer, with away fixtures against Argentina and South Africa before hosting Fiji. England, meanwhile, backs an inexperienced bench for their match against the Springboks in Johannesburg, hoping to overcome the altitude and revitalize the regime with a historic win. Ireland faces a challenging start to the Nations Championship, with injuries impacting their squad as they prepare to face Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.

Basketball's WNBA Season Heats Up

The WNBA season is eight weeks in, and Angel Reese has voiced her disappointment over the Eastern Conference-leading Dream having no starters in the All-Star Game, calling it "disrespectful." A ranking of the 50 best players WNBA includes former MVPs and promising rookies. Power rankings show the Lynx have risen to the top spot, with the Aces holding firm at number two. Meanwhile, discussions continue on who should be starters for the upcoming All-Star Game in Chicago.

Boxing's Global Impact and Rankings

Boxing is experiencing a surge, with a Mexican contender and an American prodigy proving the sport's resilience. ESPN's latest pound-for-pound rankings reflect this, with Jaron "Boots" Ennis climbing after becoming a two-division champion. Analysts are also weighing in on the best of the sport in the first half of 2026, with picks for best fighter, fight, and KO. The UK is seeing a boom in heavyweight talent, with numerous elite boxers emerging from Britain.

American Football and College Recruiting

In the NFL, there are high expectations for Chop Robinson with the Miami Dolphins in 2026. The college football recruiting scene is heating up, with Ohio State adding to its pipeline by landing five-star receiver Jett Harrison. Texas A&M is also making significant moves, adding to its impressive recruiting haul with 23 five-star players. ESPN's college football staff has also undertaken the task of ranking the best player ever for each jersey number.

Other Sports News and Developments

Joey Chestnut is aiming for his 18th Mustard Belt on Friday, his dominance marked by an extraordinary number of wins and calories consumed. Mexico is increasing security and capping crowds at public viewing areas for Sunday's World Cup match between Mexico and England following fan deaths. The 2026 World Series of Poker main event is underway in Las Vegas, with Mota currently leading in chips. In cricket, Notts Outlaws remain atop the T20 Blast North Group, while Glamorgan women reached their T20 Blast League Two final. Swimmer Bethany Firth broke her own S14 100m backstroke world record at the Dutch National Championships. In motorsports, Lewis Hamilton was fastest in practice at the British Grand Prix, noting that Silverstone will feel "a completely different circuit" with the new cars. Amidst financial challenges, Scarlets rugby club reported a £2.1m loss. In a bid to fund their ambitions, Wales' men's hockey team for their World Cup campaign.