Timothée Chalamet walking into the Chelsea vs. Fulham game pretty much sums up how I logged into work after the holiday weekend: dressed in comfort, shades on, and coffee in hand. As I actively avoid my friends’ fantasy football plans, I’m obsessing over other sports headlines. One of the most outrageous stories I’ve come across? Yet another CEO scandal caught on camera — this time, at a tennis game. Meanwhile, I can’t stop looking at Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s transformation for the upcoming sports drama The Smashing Machine. Is this seriously the same man fromTooth Fairy? Until that film drops, I’m tuning in to this weekend’s stacked NWSL matchups, including Alex Morgan’s jersey retirement game — catch it Sunday at 8:30 pm ET on ESPN. Now, here’s what else you need to know…
— Maria Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI
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What to look out for in our latest episode.
Is Naomi Osaka Serving a New Era?
What's going on: This year’s US Open has brought plenty of game, set, matchmaking moments — both on and off the court. From Carlos Alcaraz’s accidental buzz cut and Jelena Ostapenko’s controversial comments to Ben Shelton’s surprise exit, all eyes are on the action at Flushing Meadows. But nobody has garnered more attention than No. 23 seed Naomi Osaka — and it’s not just because of her bedazzled Labubus. Earlier this week, she beat No. 3 seed Coco Gauff in a 2019 rematch to advance to Wednesday’s quarterfinals. Since returning to the tennis circuit in 2024, Osaka hadn’t made it past the third round at a major. She made first-round exits at the 2024 Australian Open and this year’s French Open. Now, some sports analysts are asking: Could this be her breakthrough tournament? Time will tell (and soon).
Our take: A US Open title would be a statement. But win or lose, Osaka’s performance at Flushing Meadows highlights how she’s still evolving as a player. After openly talking about her struggles with mental health and the difficulties of returning to the sport after giving birth to her daughter, Osaka now appears to be writing her next chapter with confidence, joy, and resilience. “This is my favorite court in the world, and it means so much for me to be back here,” Osaka said. “For me, the main [thing] I want to take away from this tournament is just smiling and having fun.”
