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By V. Messana  18-year-old and making history. Brazilian tennis player, João Fonseca is currently ranked 145th in the world. The young talent stands out as one of the most promising young players in the world of tennis.
“It’s incredible how much I’ve improved physically and mentally,I’ve been very strong mentally, winning matches against Top 50 and Top 20 players. I’m proud of myself, but of course, I want more. My dream is to become number 1.” – Joao Fonseca Born in Rio de Janeiro in 2006, Fonseca had a remarkable junior career before turning professional. He started playing tennis relatively late, at age 11, after switching from futsal, which he quit due to an injury. From an early age, he showed talent in various sports, including soccer, swimming, and judo, but it was in tennis that he found his true passion. Despite his late start, Fonseca quickly made a name for himself in tennis. In 2022, he was a key player for the Brazilian team that won the Junior Davis Cup, showcasing his potential in international competitions. In 2023, he reached the top of the junior world rankings, becoming the first Brazilian to finish a season as world number 1. In addition to his US Open Junior title, Fonseca was the Australian Open doubles runner-up and reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, further solidifying his reputation in junior tennis. The number of sponsors Fonseca has attracted at such a young age reflects not only his athletic potential but also his ability to engage brands and expand tennis’s popularity in Brazil. “Fonseca is bringing back the pride of cheering for Brazil on the tennis courts.” - Ivan Martinho, a sports marketing professor at ESPM Joao is now fully focused on his professional career. He has already started competing in ATP tournaments and is receiving international attention for his performances. This last month during the Australian Open, the player called the attention of many tennis fans when winning from the world 9th, Andrey Rublev, and proceeded to the second round of the event. With talent, determination, and a winning mindset, Fonseca has everything it takes to become one of the biggest names in world tennis and truly represent the essence of Brazil out there.
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By T. Fakhoury  After Winning a Formula 1 Championship, at just 28 he joined Mercedes in 2013, with massive potential on his back, a small British lad, who would know that in 12 years he would amount numbers that nobody ever reached, his name? Sir Lewis Hamilton, is one of if not the greatest Formula 1 drivers to ever exist. After 105 total wins (84 of them being with Mercedes) and 7 World Championships, his time with Mercedes has eventually came to an end, deciding to end his Legendary Status, leaving Mercedes became one of the Closing Statements of his life.
After 12 Years with Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton has fulfilled any racer’s dream, having over 200 career podiums, this year Hamilton has decided not to re-sign with Mercedes after his past 3 Years, which have not been the most successful after Max Verstappen took the 2021 controversial World Championship off of Lewis’s hands, he seemed to have a lower self-esteem, and decided to move to Ferrari in 2025. Sunday 8 of December 2024 was his last race with Mercedes, in Abu-Dabhi, Lewis took his Helmet and sat in his car, knowing that he didn’t have to perform well, why you may ask? As his last race, this is the farewell that Lewis deserves, no pressure, no expectations, his status already solidified as one of the best, what else could he ask for? And as the race ended, tears of Joy fall through the helmets in his last lap, and when leaving the car, a massive round of applause echoed through the circuit, no matter what team you cheered for, all cheered and were happy to see Lewis Hamilton race one last time. And now Hamilton hopes to be successful in Ferrari as his final years approached, racing in high level at a staggering 39 years old is not easy, although Hamilton may not be as good as he was 4-5 Years ago, his legacy forever stands in the Formula 1’s History and all of their fans. By R. Thomas  The end of the year is a perfect time for reflection. What have you achieved? What didn't you? What do you want to concur next year? Did you join a new sport or physical activity? And if not, why not do it next year?
Sport is a very powerful tool for self-discipline, determination, and can even urge new social connections. Along with that, why not reach your goal health status by integrating a new hobby into your life? The school offers a variety of activities such as football, basketball, volleyball, swimming etc...and yet, still there is a large group of people who aren't a part of them. Being a part of a school team/ community can really improve this sense of integration with the Paulean roots, cheering with your peers after an amazing GOAL!!, planning a masterful spike, meeting people from different ages and schools during championships, and learning different perspectives on the same topic are just the start of the things the school sport teams can offer. Here are a few comments on the school sport teams to hopefully encourage you to join them next year/ term: I've been playing volleyball for a while now. The most important values I learned were teamwork and dedication, besides that I made many amazing friends that I get to laugh, cry and grow with. Learning day by day from each other, be it during practice, games or trips, these friendships are unmeasurable. Volleyball takes a lot of resilience and commitment; you need to show up to practice not only for yourself but because as a team, we all count on each other, and depend on each other... So yes, I recommend everyone- regardless of age, gender or previous experiences, to join the school's volleyball team, it's really been a phenomenal experience, one which I would not miss out on... -Nicole Buzaid (Varsity volleyball captain) Basketball motivates us all to work on our collaboration skills, proportionating an incomparable sense of unity. As a captain, I have been able to see the strong bond between all players getting more powerful after every practice, game or basket... Apart from a team, they have all become my friends, people I can rely on and trust. Additionally, the leadership skills and determination I have obtained from simply being a part of this community are truly amazing. -Lucia Valeri (Varsity basketball captain) Give a new sport a try! It might surprise you how much it can affect your life and own values... By: T. Fakhoury  4 Seconds Left on the clock, you are tied 90-90, if you win, you go to the NBA Eastern Conference-Finals, you know that you can score, but guarding you is a 2,13m Second Team All-Defensive Player... You know that you spent countless hours training and perfecting every single movement. But as an Athlete can you make this decisive shot, can you make this moment a moment of truth?
Athletes who understand the power of the present are ready to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. A basketball player who sees a game winning shot must. Be prepared to take it, both mentally and more specifically physically ready, knowing that these opportunities can decide a player’s career, understanding that the present moment cannot be underestimated as this moment is right now, unique and uncertain. By being confident and making a quick smart decision you position yourself for successes. The Example given in the first paragraph actually happened in the 2019’s NBA Playoffs, the Toronto Raptors and the 76er’s where tied at game 7, with 4 seconds left, and Kawhi Leonard, one of the coldest NBA players know, a guy who typically doesn’t speak or take leading action, was inbounded the ball with 4.2s left. He decided to shoot a fade-away shot from the corner with Joel Embiid right on his face, just as the buzzer sounds, the ball bounces 4 times around the rim, the hole arena stops, every single eye was looking at the ball, as it falls through the net, the whole stadium erupted. Who knew that after hitting that shot, in the 2 Round of the Playoffs, would mean that the Toronto Raptors Would eventually win the NBA Championship. This opportunity given to Kawhi, expanded his basketball opportunities and allowed him to play for many more years, as well as making him more valuable as a calm and collective player, this was one the most important moments in his career and eventually gave him the image of a prime example of how keeping your cool and being smart in those moments can expand your opportunities. Everybody can do it, but what can you do in moments that people show their weakness? That is pressure. It’s all about performing under pressure, in crucial moments, that will define you as a player and even as a person. By: R. Thomas  he ATP Nitto is the season ending most competitive tennis championship staring only the top eight single players. Year-round athletes run that bit faster, hit a serve a bit stronger, and put in a bit more work in every game just to increase their chances of winning a game, thus increasing their ranking and possibly joining this astonishing championship. This event is considered the most significant tennis event year-round, hosted since 2021 at Turin's Inalpi Arena in Italy, the largest indoor sporting arena. The event brings a new modern take to tennis games, where colorful flashy lights and participating Dj's with mood raising music, awaiting during intervals, are just some of the new entertaining modern additions.
The game is set on hard courts, and the championship has been established and ongoing since 1970. Of Course, the number which you readers and especially the participants are all after... $2,237,200 USD are won by the champion of the ATP Nitto; however, this isn't the only check the players receive! After winning a round Robbin match (any game which isn't the semifinals or the finals), the prize money is $396,500 USD for each match, and for winning the semifinals each player receives $1,123,400 USD. The latest winner received a whopping $4,881,500 USD, along with an outstanding trophy and recognition from the tennis community. This year, the eight finest and lucky players were Jannick Sinner, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverv, Casper Ruud, Carlos Alcaraz, Andrey Rublev, Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur. After an exciting series of matches, portraying frustration, physical exertion, mental exhaustion at its finest, and the pouring of sweat and tears, the final two players were Jannick Sinner (Italian) vs Taylor Fritz (American). The match is won by the first player to reach the best of 3 sets. Last point, Janick Sinner was serving, Fritz's forehand strongly returns the spinning bright yellow ball over the net, Sinner returns it with his staggering backhand in a diagonal shot, after a few more amazing shots and returns, Fritz's return finally fails... his shot, by a few inches' lands outside the vivid white lines, delivering the victory to the hands of Janick Sinner. He is now the official 2024 ATP Nitto final winner! The dedication, work and strength dedicated by both the Victor and the Semi Victor, is surelu something we should all be inspired by.... and understand how the moment of truth, for instance the last point in a tennis match, can influence and shape your life in a spam of seconds. By: A. Hemnani  Have you ever watched a sports game? If you have, you have definitely experienced and witnessed a moment of truth.
In every game there is always a moment in which one team wins, and another loses. That is the moment of truth. The game could be neck to neck, or a team could be winning, and the game turns around and they could end up losing. In the1998 NBA Finals, Bulls vs Jazz, the game was tied, and the Bulls had the chance to secure their sixth championship in eight years, possibly marking the end of Michel Jordan’s career. The score was tied at 86-86, Michael Jordan, having already taken control of the game, with less than 20 seconds remaining, the Bulls had the ball with the chance to win the game! After Michel Jordan’s "Last Shot" the score was at 88-86. Michael Jordan’s Last Shot against the Jazz is a great example of a "Moment of Truth". It was the result of years of hard work, determination, and skill, all coming together in a single, unforgettable moment. It wasn’t just the shot that made it special it was the situation of the game as a whole. Moments like this can define a player's career, and Michel Jordan’s surreal shot will always be remembered as one of the greatest moments in sports. By: V. Messana  “Visionary. Pioneer. Legend. As a tennis champion and social activist, Billie Jean King lives her life according to the principles of equality, empowerment, and access.” - The Official Website of Billie Jean King.
Billie Jean, born November 22, 1943, in California, U.S., is a former American tennis player whose influence and style dignified the status of women’s professional tennis. She won 39 major titles in her career, competing in both singles and doubles and even became the world’s number one Tennis player. But, how did Bille revolutionise the tennis world? One of King’s major achievements was getting equal prize money for men and women at major tournaments, such as the U.S. Open. When Billie Jean King won the U.S. Open in 1972, she didn’t make the usual remarks about hoping to win again. Instead, she threatened not to play at all the following year and added that no other women would either. For over 50 years now, all four semi-finalists in both singles draws of the US Open get $1 million apiece. In 1973, King formed the Women's Tennis Association and rallied more than 60 other women players to create it alongside her. The WTA is now the global leader in women’s professional sports. It is the principal organising body of women’s professional tennis and governs the WTA Tour, the worldwide professional tennis tour for women. In 1974, she co-founded World Team Tennis, the only professional, co-ed team sports league. She also co-founded Women’s Sports magazine and started the Women's Sports Foundation, dedicated to creating leaders by providing girls access to sports and to defending Title IX in lawsuits. King participated in “The Battle of the Sexes”, where she played a match against Bobby Riggs that drew over 30,000 fans and was watched by 90 million people worldwide. King won the match in straight sets. This led to a boom in women's sports participation, and empowered women to advocate for equal pay in all workforce sectors. In 2006, the United States Tennis Association renamed the National Tennis Centre to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, and in 2020, the Fed Cup, a global annual world cup of women's tennis competition, was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup. King was undoubtedly a remarkable woman, and these are just some of the many things Billie Jean King did that completely changed the sexist world of tennis and brought women to sports. By G. Ball  In the world of football, a new chapter is being written for England with the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England’s coach. Known for his innovative thinking, the German football manager and former player, will bring a new perspective to England. The burning question on every fans' mind – Can he be the one that finally brings football home?
Tuchel has previously taken charge of Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, guiding the Blues to the UEFA Champions League title in 2021. This will be the first time England has appointed an international coach. He had said in a previous interview, “I understood very quickly that it’s a big job” Tuchel said it suited his passion and strive to put a second star on the shirt. However, many England fans are wary of this choice. Appointing a German coach to lead England is a significant shift to England’s tradition and many supporters have wondered whether the manager will be able to connect with english football culture. For Tuchel, adapting to the expectations of English fans and players could be a challenging adjustment period. England’s fans, too, will have to embrace a period of change, where the usual familiarity is replaced by fresh tactics, new strategies, and possibly a different style of play on the field. This new chapter sparks curiosity and anticipation. Could this be the game changer that England has been waiting for? By: C. Gontijo  Sports analytics is the use of data to improve athletic performance and efficiency in sports. It involves collecting, processing and interpreting data to make decisions and solve problems. With all the current technological advancements, players and organizations are resorting to sports analytics as a critical component in decision-making in sports strategy. For example, one of the most compelling uses of data analysis in sports is the "Moneyball" strategy used by the Oakland Athletics in baseball. Instead of relying on traditional scouting methods, they used data to build their competitive team, which led them to a 20-game winning streak in 2002 and completely redefined the way teams approached recruitment and strategy.
Since the 80s, mathematical methods have been used to track a team's performance. In the beginning, they were majorly based on statistics and predictions. Fortunately, with all the technology available, data analysis has evolved into a more sophisticated approach, based on AI, machine learning and big data. Therefore, it is clear that coaches are changing the way they develop strategy, using data analytics. Data collected is used to analyze opponent's weaknesses, predict game outcomes and to optimize game decisions and strategy, like player substitutions and formations. NBA teams also use this technique to determine high-percentage shooting areas on the court and adjust their tactics according to results. These methods are also being used to enhance individual athlete performance and reduce the risk of injuries. Biometric data collection, for example, can be used to measure an athlete's physical conditions, fatigue levels and biomechanics. Professional teams use data analytics to calculate and monitor training loads and recovery processes, with the aim of preventing injuries. It is also amazing how this innovation is transforming the fan experience and the sports marketing world. Data has been used to personalize fan interactions, enhance live experiences and to create targeted marketing campaigns to improve fan engagement. However, it is important to also highlight the potentially negative side of using data analytics in sports. Issues regarding data privacy, the misuse of biometric information and the potential for unfair advantages in more data-advanced teams can emerge. For example, the debate surrounding data ownership is getting more serious, especially when athlete's personal health metrics are involved. In conclusion, we can say that the impact of data analytics on the entire sports industry is a transformative one. It has shifted sports into a more strategic, efficient and engaging route. And as technology continues to evolve, it is important that we continue exploring ways to protect athlete's privacy within data analytics, since its significance will only continue to expand, and therefore, shape the future of sports in ways we are just beginning to understand. By: A. Hemnani  Many of us play and enjoy sports in our day to day lives. Sports is something that brings us closer together in many ways, it is a way to de stress, and it is very significant in our lives. However, have you ever wondered what it would feel like for a person around you not to be able to do what everyone else does?
In 1960 the very first Paralympics took place in Rome. This was a thrilling and very innovative event, there were 400 athletes from 23 different countries. As the games progressed, they adapted to the opening and closing ceremonies. Even though there were many people against this movement Ludwig Guttmann persevered and managed to host the event after all. Trischa Zorn is an American swimmer; she has been blind since birth, yet she is still able to compete spectacularly in the events. She has won the most paralympic medals in the world! Trischa has competed in 7 Paralympics and has won 55 medals, 41 of those medals are gold. Even though Trischa Zorn was presented with many challenges early on in her life, that never stopped her from becoming the amazing person she is today, let this be a message to all of us, no matter how difficult the situation is, there is always a way to overcome them, with the right mind set. |
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