ITVDI Ray is set to make a huge return to ITV[/caption]
ITVParminder Nagra and Maanuv Thiara played DI Rachita Ray and MPS Tony Khatri respectively[/caption]
ITVThe series will see the titular character confront her own personal misgivings[/caption]
The actor originally played Owen Armstrong on the long-running soap but is back as Superintendent Ross Beardsmore.
Four episodes made up the first series of the limited series when they made their way to ITV in 2022.
Crime dramas on ITVX
Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.
Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
The Beast Must Die:This series follows a mother’s grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake’s novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
The Twelve:This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
Manhunt:Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.
ITVSeries two will see the detective investigate a high-profile murder[/caption]
ITVSensitive race issues threaten to escalate as the cop needs to avert a turf war on the street of Birmingham[/caption]
ITVCan she overcome her personal misgivings?[/caption]
DI Ray will return to ITV1 from 9pm on 20 October.
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on From ‘bum sunbathing’ to animal yoga and bee venom therapy – the 10 most bizarre wellness fads of 2024
‘BUM sunbathing’, wellness vaping and animal yoga are the most baffling wellness fads of 2024, a study has found.
The poll of 2,000 active adults found the practice of ‘bum sunbathing’, which apparently increases energy, and puffing on devices which claim to deliver vitamins and supplements directly to your lungs for quicker absorption, have left exercise-goers the most baffled this year.
GettyAnimal yoga is one of the most baffling wellness trends of 2024, a poll found[/caption]
Other confusing crazes include yoga with animals, as well as ear candling, which is alleged to suck out toxins and earwax.
Gen Z are the quickest to try their hand at a wacky trend with 38 per cent admitting they’ve tried a new one this year, compared to only 16 per cent of Millennials and two per cent of Gen X.
The average person has tried at least three different wellness trends in their lifetime – with the main motivators being wanting to improve wellbeing (44 per cent), their current routine not giving them the desired outcome (30 per cent) or seeing celebs and influencers try them (30 per cent).
However, in a bid to get healthy, almost a third (31 per cent) had invested in fitness equipment which was trendy at the time, but no longer use it at all.
The sheer number of social media posts about wellness trends left almost half (48 per cent) confused, and not sure where to turn to for real information which works.
And half said they had seen fitness and nutrition trends which contradict advice they’d seen previously.
Donna Collins, head of product at Virgin Active, said: “We know that people are confused about where to turn to for wellness advice that actually works.
“Our members often come to us and ask for our help in distinguishing between real advice and fleeting fads offering unrealistic and unsustainable health benefits.
“We want to make sure we offer wellness without the BS and it’s important for people to join a community where they can be themselves.”
It’s hard to know where to turn to online for real wellness advice, which is why 16 per cent of active individuals have unfollowed a fitness or wellness influencer on social media.
The top reasons being that the content wasn’t relatable (41 per cent), the content was annoying (39 per cent) and they post too much and clog up my feed (33 per cent).
For people looking to improve their wellbeing, 31 per cent said sticking to a healthy diet was the hardest part, while 19 per cent felt taking part in exercise was a struggle.
The main motivators behind exercise include health and wellbeing (66 per cent) and improving mental health (48 per cent) according to the OnePoll figures.
Other factors which get people going include socialising with friends (13 per cent) and being incentivised by rewards (eight per cent).
Most confusing fitness and wellness fads of 2024
Perineum sunning – also known as “bum sunbathing”, this ancient Taoist practice involves exposing the perineum to the sun. Some claim that it can increase energy, improve sleep, and more.
Wellness vaping – these devices claim to deliver vitamins, essential oils, and supplements directly to your lungs for quick absorption.
Goat or puppy yoga – a yoga class with an animal such as a goat or puppy.
Ear candling – a treatment that supposedly removes earwax and toxins.
Crystal healing – the belief that certain crystals can balance energy and heal ailments.
Oxygen bars – inhaling pure oxygen is believed to increase energy and detoxify.
Ozempic or Wegovy – Ozempic, a medication originally used to treat diabetes, popular for its off-label use for weight loss (it also has on-label use for weight loss when marketed as Wegovy).
Moon juice powders – superfood powders touted for anti-ageing and brain-boosting benefits.
The ‘75 hard challenge’ – requires people to do four things: follow a strict, specific diet of their choice with no alcohol or “cheat meals,” do two 45-minute workouts each day, drink a gallon of water every day and take daily progress pictures.
Bee venom therapy – Promoted for reducing inflammation and treating conditions like arthritis.
Chessie King, online personality and wellness guru, added: “The list of fitness fads I’ve witnessed since being on social media is endless and I can put my hand up saying I’ve been a part of those fleeting trends.
“Going to the extreme of competing in a bikini competition which was highly influenced by Instagram, I know firsthand how easy it is to be manipulated by all the noise online and offline.
“You can wish for a quick fix or cheat code to achieving your wellness goals but longevity is key.
“I work out now for future me, 80-year-old Chessie will be so grateful for the time I’ve spent looking after her.
“That’s why I think it’s so important for everyone to be able to distinguish between a fad or fleeting trend.”
SWNSChessie King, online personality and wellness guru, says she has fallen for social media wellness trends[/caption]
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on FOX confirms major broadcast change with prime time football game bumped to make way for Dodgers-Padres MLB decider
FOX has made a major change to the schedule for Friday night after facing a huge sporting clash.
The network has decided to bump their regular Friday college football game.
APThe Dodgers and Padres are going to a Game 5 in their NLDS, which will be live on Fox[/caption]
GettyFox was due to carry a college football game between Northwestern and Maryland on Friday night[/caption]
And instead they will show a Game 5 of the National League Division Series in the Major League Baseball playoffs.
Sundays in the fall are dominated by National Football League games and this weekend is no different.
But Fox will also broadcast the entire NLCS in the Major League Baseball playoffs, beginning this Sunday.
A time or channel has yet to be confirmed by the MLB or Fox for Sunday’s game.
Fox's Sunday sports schedule
(NFL) 1 pm ET - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
(NFL) 1 pm ET – Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles
(NFL) 1 pm ET – Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers
(NFL) 4.25 pm ET – Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
(NFL) 4.25 pm ET – Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
(MLB) TBC – New York Mets at Dodgers/Padres
It is currently listed as either Fox’s main channel or FS1 on Sunday with game two the following day.
Fox is also showing a double header of NFL action in the afternoon.
They will have three games at 1 pm ET with two more at 4:25 pm ET.
The 1 pm slot sees the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the New Orleans Saints, the Cleveland Browns face the Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals visit the Green Bay Packers.
At 4:25 pm, Fox will also show the Detroit Lions face the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Falcons take on the Carolina Panthers.
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Apple Black Friday 2024: what to expect this November
APPLE devices are always a wise investment and Black Friday is the perfect time to pick up the tech for less.
Once again, we’re expecting to see huge Black Friday deals across a range of products including iPhones and Apple Watches to Airpods, Macbooks, and more.
ReutersDeals on Apple products are always popular during the Black Friday weekend[/caption]
Whether you’re upgrading a current product, or maybe even getting a jump on your Christmas shopping, you’ll be able to secure the latest Apple models and SIM-free offerings for less in the November sale.
Read on to find out more, including how to bag this year’s best Black Friday deals.
When is Black Friday 2024?
Black Friday lands on November 29 this year.
As always, Black Friday comes after the US Thanksgiving celebrations and marks the start of a busy spending period leading up to Christmas.
Black Friday was once an American-only event, but it’s now just as big here in the UK, with tens of thousands of brands and shops taking part.
Best live Apple deals
VerySave on Apple products ahead of Black Friday[/caption]
Ahead of Black Friday, we’ve handpicked several Apple deals that you can shop today.
What to expect from Apple’s Black Friday sale 2024?
In previous years we’ve seen significant price drops on a range of Apple tech, with Apple Watch Black Friday deals and Airpods Black Friday deals proving some of the most popular.
Make sure you plan your purchase ahead of time and research what your exact specifications are, as Apple products get snapped up fast on Black Friday.
We’ll bring you all the latest deals here in this guide, so keep checking!
What was in the Apple Black Friday sale last year?
Last year saw huge discounts across some of Apple’s best-selling devices.
A wide range of retailers offered rival deals in a bid to entice shoppers, and here are some of the highlights below.
Discover more top deals and savings at your favourite tech retailers by heading to Sun Vouchers. Sun Vouchers is the one-stop shop where you can find hundreds of discount codes for top chains including Currys, Argos, AliExpress, Dyson and more.
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Moment cops rescue abandoned dog cruelly tied to pole in nick of time as Hurricane Milton barreled in
VIDEO shows cops rescuing an abandoned dog before Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc on Florida.
Troopers freed the stranded animal that had been tied to a pole.
A dog was rescued by troopers before Hurricane Milton hit FloridaFHP TampaDebris strewn across the roads in St Petersburg after a crane tumbledAPAFPCars were left abandoned in floodwater near gas stations[/caption]
On Tuesday, footage shared on X showed an officer navigating the waterlogged grass near Interstate 4 in Tampa.
The cop tutted at the dog before reassuring the animal, saying: “It’s ok.”
The trapped pooch, tied to metal wiring, was staring back at the officer as it was stuck in the water.
The dog then started barking and growling before the officer said: “I don’t blame you.”
At a press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis updated Floridians on the dog’s health.
He said the animal had a clean bill of health but was left irritated by the ordeal.
DeSantis blasted people who acted foolishly and warned the person who tied the dog to the pole “should have the book thrown at them.”
“We’ve got very good laws in Florida against animal cruelty,” he said.
“We’ve got dogs that are going to be helping in the storm.”
DeSantis warned the state doesn’t have the tolerance for animal cruelty cases.
“I thought it was outrageous that someone would do that,” he said.
The dog was rescued just hours before Milton made landfall.
Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, located around 67 miles from Tampa, on Wednesday evening as a Category 3 hurricane.
The tempest, which pummelled Florida’s west coast with 120mph winds, has since weakened as it moves across the state.
It has wreaked havoc, delivering up to 16 inches of rain in the Tampa area, shredding a baseball stadium’s roof, and leaving millions without power.
More than three million Floridians are currently without power, according to PowerOutage US.
APHundreds were evacuated to local gyms as they sought refuge from the storm[/caption]
The Mega AgencyHundreds of tornado warnings were issued as twisters spawned across the state[/caption]
ReutersTornados ripped through homes[/caption]
APThe impact of the twisters saw gas stations destroyed[/caption]
The impact of the storm shredded the roof of a state-of-the-art baseball arenaRex
Even though Milton has weakened, officials at the National Hurricane Center have warned Americans are not yet out of the woods.
Meteorologists have warned of the dangers of life-threatening storm surges along the east coast.
Homeowners have been urged to stay away from windows, given the risks of hurricane-force winds.
NHC chiefs have also warned of the risks linked to flash flooding in urban areas.
Shocking pictures have captured the devastation that Milton has inflicted on the state.
The roof of Tropicana Field, a baseball stadium in St Petersburg, has been shredded.
Roads are covered in debris, and the sheer force of the winds sent a crane tumbling near the Tampa Bay Times offices.
Americans were also seen navigating treacherous flood waters in Fort Myers Beach.
‘A WAKE UP CALL’
Tampa Bay was expected to feel the brunt of the storm, and fears mounted that the city could be pummelled by storm surges as high as 15 feet.
Earlier this week, NHC chiefs warned Milton could be one of the west-central region’s most destructive hurricanes on record.
Jane Castor, the Tampa Bay mayor, urged residents to heed evacuation advice.
She urged people not to try and ride out the storm.
“Helene was a wake-up call,” she told CNN on Monday.
“If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re going to die.”
Days before Milton made landfall, drivers clogged up the interstates as they rushed to evacuate Tampa.
She graduated with a degree in business management and administration from the University of Palma and in 2016 became project director for the Rafael Nadal Foundation.
A source told Diario de Mallorca: “Both the mum and her baby, born in the 37th week of her pregnancy, are doing well.
“The birth took place in a private clinic on the island where Mery had to remain under observation and rest completely in the last few weeks.”
Xisca Perello in the stands at Wimbledon watching her partner Rafa NadalGetty Images - WireImage
Why is Xisca often absent from Nadal’s tennis matches?
In one of her only interviews, Xisca revealed that she chooses not to attend most of Nadal’s tennis matches in a bid to preserve their relationship.
She added that she is concerned she would disrupt her fellow Spaniard’s focus if she appeared at all events.
However, she is sometimes seen at some of his biggest matches.
In an interview with The Telegraph in 2011, Xisca explained: “He needs his space when he is competing, and just the idea of me hanging around and waiting on his needs all day tires me out.
If I followed him everywhere, I think there’s a risk we might stop getting along.
Xisca Perello
“It would asphyxiate me.
“And then he would have to be worrying about me… No.
“If I followed him everywhere, I think there’s a risk we might stop getting along.”
However, she was a more frequent visitor at the 2020 Australian Open, and watched all of Nadal’s four-set win over Nick Kyrgios.
Xisca Perello is not frequently seen supporting Nadal at his matchesGetty Images - Getty
Does Xisca Perello use Twitter or Instagram?
Xisca doesn’t have any public social media channels.
However, admiring fans have set up social media accounts to share pictures.
MOST READ IN THE SUN
IN A TSITSI
'Cry baby' Tsitsipas REFUSES to play then tells umpire 'I hope you get FIRED'
WILL AND A WAY?
Venus Williams gives shock retirement update aged 44 after 30-year career
Xisca has previously spoken out about avoiding fame and celebrity status.
She explained: “It’s not a world I want to be part of, nor do I think Rafa would have chosen to be with a woman who looked for that in life.”
What has Nadal said about his retirement?
“I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis,” he said in an emotional statement on his social media channels.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially.
“I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.”
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Watch moment ALLIGATOR leaps from Hurricane Milton floodwater & attacks car as beasts are washed towards stricken locals
THIS is the moment a deadly alligator leapt from Hurricane Milton’s floodwater and attacked a car – leaving the driver shocked.
Wildlife experts have warned about the deadly creatures being carried miles by rushing floodwaters just hours before the storm made landfall.
NBCA North Fort Myers resident captured video of a gator appearing from the floodwaters during Hurricane Milton.[/caption]
NBCThe car driver opened the door of their car and the alligator can be seen biting the car’s tyre and side panels[/caption]
BAY news 9Another Lakeland resident had a surprise visit from a deadly gator that arrived right at their doorstep[/caption]
Broken utility poles downed by strong windsNational Weather Service Miami-South FloridaA tornado forming in southeast Florida hours before Hurricane Milton’s landfall[/caption]
It comes as the hurricane sparked 126 tornado warnings in Florida – the most ever in a single day.
Millions of terrified residents have fled the state after President Joe Biden warned Milton would be “one of the most destructive hurricanes of the century”.
It comes as…
Hurricane Milton, with 120mph winds & 15-foot storm surge waves, made a direct hit on Florida
Two deaths have been confirmed by local officials in St Lucie County, with multiple others rushed to hospital after the hurricane spawned at least 19 powerful tornadoes.
But after days of warnings of apocalyptic-style devastation, the hurricane appears to be weaker than feared after twice making Category 5.
Milton plowed into Florida as a Category 3 storm, and around 90 minutes after making landfall was downgraded to Category 2.
Eerie videos circulating on social media showed dozens of abandoned communities, many of which are still in ruins from the onslaught of Hurricane Helene two weeks ago.
In Gulfport, police drove slowly through a debris-riddled neighborhood, playing a recording on the loudspeaker informing residents of a mandatory evacuation, according to a video by reporter Brian Entin on X.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for 13 counties in Florida, including Sarasota, Hillsborough, and Volusia.
Aerial images showed Interstate 75’s northbound lane jam-packed with bumper-to-bumper traffic as hundreds of terrified residents fled their homes to seek shelter.
Meanwhile, dramatic footage showed the moment the devastating hurricane tore an entire roof off Tampa Bay Ray Stadium.
The stadium was being used as a shelter for first responders.
It’s understood no one was injured at the site – despite at least 13 people being at the site when the roof came off.
In the days leading up to the storm’s arrival, millions across west-central Florida stocked up their vehicles with essential items and personal belongings, driving north or south away from Milton’s intimidating path.
Ferocious winds tore the roof off the Tropicana Field stadiumAPDebris covers the ground near a crane that fell onto a building along 1st Avenue South in St. Petersburg[/caption]
A tornado ripped the roof from a house
Storm surge forecasts are predicting 10 to 15 feet of water along with devastating waves driven by hurricane-force winds.
Shortly before the hurricane made landfall, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged: “You have to shelter in place and just hunker down.”
He added: “Unfortunately there will be fatalities.
“I don’t think there’s any way around that.”
Milton is forecast to maintain hurricane intensity while crossing Florida later on Thursday morning but after moving into the Atlantic it is likely to gradually lose tropical characteristics and slowly weaken.
In a state already battered by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, as many as two million people were ordered to evacuate, and millions more live in the projected path of the storm.
Much of the southern US experienced the deadly force of Hurricane Helene as it cut a swath of devastation through Florida and several other states.
Both storms are expected to cause billions of dollars in damage.
‘SIGNIFICANT COASTAL CHANGE’
Scientists at the US Geological Survey fear that Milton could completely change Florida’s west coastline forever.
“The significance of the coastal change forecast for Milton’s impact to the Florida west coast cannot be overstated as I believe communities are more vulnerable to this storm’s impacts due to the erosion that occurred recently from Helene,” Kara Doran, a USGS scientist, said.
“Our initial analysis looking at imagery collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration after Helene shows most of the west coast experienced overwash or inundation and complete erosion of dunes, so those protective dunes are no longer in place for many locations.”
Experts predict Milton’s ferocious storm surge could cause 95% to 100% of Florida’s west coast beaches to experience erosion and overwash.
Overwash occurs when water levels reach higher than the top of the dunes.
When a beach is overwashed, sand can be pushed and deposited inland, causing significant changes to coastal landscapes and blocking roadways, according to the USGS.
Florida is still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in late September, which has left over 220 people dead across the southeast United States.
What is a hurricane and how do they form?
A HURRICANE is another name for a tropical cyclone - a powerful storm that forms over warm ocean waters near the equator.
Those arising in the Atlantic or eastern Pacific are called hurricanes, while those in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean are dubbed typhoons or cyclones.
North of the equator they spin anticlockwise because of the rotation of the Earth, however, they turn the opposite way in the southern hemisphere.
Cyclones are like giant weather engines fuelled by water vapor as it evaporates from the sea.
Warm, moist air rises away from the surface, creating a low-pressure system that sucks in air from surrounding areas – which in turn is warmed by the ocean.
As the vapour rises it cools and condenses into swirling bands of cumulonimbus storm clouds.
The system grows and spins faster, sucking in more air and feeding off the energy in seawater that has been warmed by the sun.
At the center, a calm “eye” of the storm is created where cooled air sinks towards the ultra-low pressure zone below, surrounded by spiraling winds of warm air rising.
The faster the wind, the lower the air pressure at the center, and the storm grows stronger and stronger.
Tropical cyclones usually weaken when they hit land as they are no longer fed by evaporation from the warm sea.
But they often move far inland – dumping vast amounts of rain and causing devastating wind damage – before the “fuel” runs out and the storm peters out.
Hurricanes can also cause storm surges when the low air pressure sucks the sea level higher than normal, swamping low-lying coasts.
Incredible satellite images show Hurricane Milton before making landfall in FloriaAPA photo by astronaut Matthew Dominick shows Hurricane Milton from the International Space Station[/caption]
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on I lost my house and car during Hurricane Helene – rental car shops were like a ‘war zone’ as Milton hurtled toward us
A DRIVER who lost her home and car to Hurricane Helene says she was left fighting through “war zone” rental shops to try and evacuate before Hurricane Milton hit.
The “catastrophic” storm made landfall last night, leaving millions without power and causing widespread flooding.
ReutersHurricanes Helene and Milton have left a trail of destruction across the south-eastern US[/caption]
The first two deaths have already been confirmed in St Lucie County, Florida and more than 120 homes have been destroyed.
Milton is battering communities still reeling from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene last week, which left billions of dollars in damage in its wake.
Tampa Bay resident Vicki Donohue was one of the millions scrambling to get out of Florida as Milton approached.
Vicki, 67, lost her house and car to the storm, leaving her trapped in the state unless she could get a rental car.
As Helene swept the Bay, she found herself standing in the dark with water rising above her shoulders as she and her son took turns sitting on the narrow kitchen counter.
She told the Tampa Bay Times: “It’s the most scared I’ve ever been.
“I can’t live through that again.
“I’m going to Atlanta to stay with my son.
“I just need a car. Please, I just need a car.”
Vicki recalled that her entire neighbourhood had been devastated, with debris littered across the street, while all her possessions had been washed away.
In desperation, she made her way to the local Enterprise rental shop to try and get hold of a vehicle to make the trip to safety.
Panic set in when the attendant told her that stock was low due to an understandable rush to get out of the area.
Millions have hit Floridian roads this week under mandatory evacuation orders.
If you fear that your area is about to be flooded, government advice is to turn off your gas and electricity where safe to do so and move to higher ground.
During a flood, try and stay at the highest point possible and keep exits clear in case you need to escape rising water.
Do not touch any electrical sockets or devices when standing in water.
It is also strongly advised that you do not attempt to use flooded roads as you could be left stranded – remember the water may be deeper than it looks.
If your home is flooded you can apply to your local council for temporary accommodation until it becomes habitable again.
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Rafael Nadal RETIRES from tennis at 38 as 22-time Grand Slam champ releases emotional five-minute video
RAFAEL NADAL has confirmed his retirement from tennis after an incredible career.
The Spaniard, 38, won 22 Grand Slams including a staggering 14 at his beloved French Open.
Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from tennis aged 38Getty
https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal/status/1844308861492318594
But he has called time after struggling with injuries in recent years.
Nadal will make his final appearance as a professional at next month’s Davis Cup finals in Malaga in front of an adoring home crowd.
The tennis superstar – who bows out as one of the all-time greats – shared an emotional five-minute video on social media this morning which was captioned: “Many thanks to all.”
He said: “I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially.
“I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.”
Nadal secured his first Grand Slam on his debut at the French Open in 2005, two days after his 19th birthday.
Incredibly, he won his first 31 matches at Roland Garros and picked up the trophy in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
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Nadal retires with a ridiculous 112-4 win-loss record at his beloved tournament.
Despite being a natural clay-court expert thanks to his Spanish upbringing, Nadal won Wimbledon in 2008.
He lost the 2006 and 2007 finals to Roger Federer before eventually beating his great rival in 2008 in arguably the best tennis match ever.
Nadal secured his maiden Australian Open in 2009 then completed the Career Grand Slam in 2010 by winning the US Open – adding to his French Open and Wimbledon titles that year.
It is fitting he says goodbye flying the flag for Spain having won Olympic gold medals in singles and doubles as well as securing five Davis Cup triumphs for his nation.
Nadal added: “I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could ever have imagined.
“I’m very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country.”
Injuries and physical struggles took their toll throughout his career, particularly in his knees and his foot, but his dominance as the King of Clay continued.
A resurgence from 2017 saw him win four more French Opens in a row while adding two US Opens and reaching two Australian Open finals and two Wimbledon semis.
Then in 2022, Nadal came from two sets down in the Australian Open final to beat Daniil Medvedev and beat Novak Djokovic on his way to French Open No14.
An abdominal injury forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon before his semi-final with Nick Kyrgios – and that gruelling win over Taylor Fritz in the quarters would prove to be the last time he took to the famous All England Club lawns.
An early defeat in Australia last year was followed by a brutal first-round draw against Alexander Zverev in his French Open farewell this year.
Nadal hinted at the end of 2023 that this season would be his final year on the tour – especially now he has welcomed a baby son with his wife.
And so it has proven.
Nadal spent 209 weeks ranked as the world No1, has won 1080 singles matches, collected 92 titles and earned £103million in prize money on the court.
But even the absurd numbers – including 912 consecutive weeks inside the world’s top ten – only tell half the story of a man who, along with Federer and Djokovic, made up the greatest era of tennis.
Nadal teamed up with Federer in doubles at the Laver Cup two years ago when the Swiss maestro drew the curtain on his exceptional career.
Now the Spaniard, synonymous with his bulging biceps, roaring celebrations and biting his trophies, may well sign off sharing the court with Carlos Alcaraz, the heir to Rafa’s throne.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
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2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on I had to call kit manufacturers to make me XXXXXL shirt after joining English giants to fit mega 6ft 8in, 22st frame
TACKLING Le Roux Roets should be X-rated — well perhaps XXXXX-rated!
Sale’s new cult hero, at over 6ft 8in and 21st 12lbs, needed an SOS call to the club’s kit manufacturers for a XXXXXL shirt.
RexLe Roux Roets has opened up about his arrival at Sale Sharks[/caption]
And the bbq steak-loving second row revealed he has to watch his weight – or he would break the scales.
Monster South African Roets, 29, who also has size 14 boots, is literally the biggest Premiership signing of the season.
He told SunSport: “If I ate as much as I wanted I wouldn’t stick at 138kg.
“If I fed the beast you’d see me probably at 150kg. I do love food. I just can’t always give in to the urges.
“I love to braai (barbecue) and I was lucky to arrive in England before we said goodbye to the sun so I capitalised on that opportunity to light the fire.
“But I have to stay pretty disciplined. The boring part of being a rugby player is you need to stay healthy.”
Sharks got him a shirt big enough just in time for Roets’ first Premiership appearance against Gloucester last week.
He added: “I was always a big kid. In my final year at high school when I was 18 I weighed 127kg.
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“I’ve always been one of the big boys. But I have size 14 boots so everything we can talk about is in proportion.”
Gravel-voiced enforcer Roets arrived in the north-west with wife Samantha and two-year-old daughter Olivia from the Sharks’ namesakes in Durban where he understudied Springbok legend Eben Etzebeth.
He said: “I have been privileged to learn from some of the best. What I learned from Eben was to play like it is your last game and always give it your all for the jersey.
Sale boss Alex Sanderson was delighted to have got his man after an attempt to sign him two years ago fell through because of work permit issues.
He said: “He sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator and he is a big man but honestly it’s the size of his personality which was most attractive.
“It’s a big ask to get someone to move continents with a young family so I needed to know he was in it for the right reasons and how passionately he spoke about stepping out from the shadow of Etzebeth and proving himself just excited me.
“Second to his character was his movement. He doesn’t move like he is 22st, he moves like he is a lot lighter with his ability to get off the deck, to reload in attack and to get set to smash people.”
After a power-packed debut off the bench, which helped extend Sale’s unbeaten league record to five matches, Roets is in action again on Friday night at the Salford Community Stadium against Newcastle.
“I’m looking to help the team wherever I’m needed but the priority will be scrum, lineout and getting go-forward on the gainline,” he said.
“I enjoyed being out there on the field with my new club and my new brothers.
“It was time for me to make a change and I’m ready for this opportunity.”
