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If Rafael Nadal‘s countless titles were not enough to cement his legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all-time, Netflix confirmed that they are releasing a docuseries about the Spanish legend.

The documentary series will “include unprecedented access with Nadal throughout his comeback to competitive play in the 2024 season” and “spotlight Nadal’s sterling career, as well as his life off-the-court, showcasing never-before-seen material from Nadal’s personal archive.”

David Ellison, Jesse Sisgold, Jason Reed, and Jon Weinbach for Skydance Sports will produce the landmark series, with Ellison stating:

“Rafael Nadal is truly one of the greatest players and inspirations in the history of tennis…Beyond that, he is a friend and working with Rafa, Zach, and Netflix to tell his story is both an honor and a privilege.”

Rafael Nadal

Nadal: I am sure the final product, the docuseries, will be amazing

The 22-time Roland Garros champion retired last month in Malaga at the Davis Cup Finals, and it is clear that Nadal was keen for his fans to have exclusive access to the winding down of his career:

“I never thought I’d do something like this, but I got a call from David Ellison and with his words together with an amazing project they put in front of my eyes it really convinced me this was the right thing to do. Everyone will be able to see how my life has been during my tennis career and particularly in this vey last year I had. It will also show how my life and my tennis career developed through the years. I am sure the final product, the docuseries, will be amazing and that it will be seen around the world.”

Netflix has firmly dipped its toes into the tennis world previously, releasing two series of ‘Break Point’, as well as live streaming an exhibition match – the ‘Netflix Slam’ – between Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz in March. Additionally, the streaming juggernaut will release docuseries about the latter next year, following the four-time Grand Slam champion’s incredible 2024 season.

It was in August this year when Angel Reese landed the most perfect deal with a brand that was practically written in the stars—Reese’s. But while this dream partnership might seem like destiny now, the journey to make it happen wasn’t as smooth as it looks. In fact, the initial lack of response from the $34.49 billion worth Hershey Company almost derailed it. So, what went down exactly?

Reese and her longtime manager, Jeanine Ogbonnaya, recently spilled the tea on Unapologetically Angel. The duo discussed how big brand collaborations aren’t just about name-dropping and striking deals overnight; they take months, sometimes even years, of groundwork.

Jeanine revealed, “For instance, the Reese’s Puffs deal people are seeing now—that’s been in the works for over a year and a half.” That goes back to when Angel was in Louisiana. When they started working together, the two brands the W star told Jeanine were her dreams were Reese’s and Barbie’s.

But when they first reached out to Reese’s, there was no reply. Jeanine joked on the podcast, “When I deal with Reese’s team now, they’re like, ‘Yeah, we remember you reached out.’ I’m like, yeah, you guys didn’t answer me.” Despite the rocky start, Reese’s Puffs—which licenses the Reese’s name from Hershey—eventually came through.

Now, the partnership is a reality, fulfilling Angel Reese’s childhood dream. The collaboration is iconic for more reasons than one. The Chi-Town Barbie became the first-ever WNBA player to team up with Reese’s, joining the ranks of sporting legends like Michael Phelps and Simone Biles.

“Not only does this fulfill my childhood dream of being on a cereal box, but there couldn’t be a better fit for me than Reese’s Puffs cereal,” Reese said. In October, “Angel X Reese’s Puffs” officially hit shelves, complete with four unique box designs featuring Reese herself.

Angel Reese 

And the baller couldn’t hide her excitement, sharing a fun video showing off the cereal box with her face on it. Just like that, the 22-year-old is absolutely crushing it in the endorsement game, but don’t think for a second that these deals fell into her lap.

Jeanine & Angel Reese discuss securing the bag isn’t always easy

As the Sky forward and Jeanine discussed, getting to this point required resilience and a lot of hard work. Back in 2022, right after her national championship win, Reese’s NIL valuation was $1.8 million. With offers pouring in from big agencies, Reese made a bold move by sticking with Jeanine and her boutique agency, Clearview Group.

 “I told agencies, if y’all aren’t letting Jeanine in on this, it’s dead,” Reese recalled. That loyalty paid off, paving the way for deals with Topps, Airbnb, Tampax, Beats by Dre, and Reebok, skyrocketing her net worth to $2 million. Jeanine pointed out that one of the challenges with bigger agencies is their lack of attention to detail.

“They have so many clients, they’re not as in tune with things like approving hair and makeup artists,” she said. This hands-on approach is what makes Reese’s team stand out. The baller has proven time and again that she’s more than just an athlete. With her loyal manager by her side and a growing list of dream collaborations, let’s watch her become a brand powerhouse.

Rafael Nadal opened up about the challenges of competing alongside two of tennis’ greatest players, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

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During the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia in October, Rafael Nadal faced Novak Djokovic in one final showdown. Together with Roger Federer, Djokovic has been one of Nadal’s fiercest rivals throughout his storied career.

In October, shortly after announcing his retirement from professional tennis, the Spanish legend gave an exclusive interview to Diario AS. He discussed his career, his rivals, and the factors that have shaped the dominance of Djokovic and Federer over the years.

Nadal acknowledged Djokovic’s unparalleled consistency and resilience as key to his success. “He’s a player who has managed to maintain a very high level of play and improve every year,” Nadal explained.

The numbers say he’s the best, which means his level of tennis has also been the best. Moreover, he’s the one who’s stayed furthest away from injuries,” he added. “When you don’t have significant, prolonged injuries, it not only helps you physically but also gives you a mental edge—an absence of fear.”

Nadal about his injuries

Nadal was candid about how injuries impacted his career, especially compared to his rivals. “It’s clear that I’ve missed more opportunities to win Grand Slams than all my rivals due to injuries, but that’s just how it’s been,” Nadal admitted. “I never dwell on the ‘what ifs.’ I’ve had a career I never imagined, and I’m more than happy with it.”

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer

Despite his competitive nature, Nadal emphasized that his pursuit of greatness was driven by personal ambition rather than obsession. “You want to be the best when you’re competing—it’s the nature of the sport,” he continued. But for me, it was always about personal motivation and pushing myself to be better. I believe in having big, healthy ambition. But as I said to Federer recently, when your career ends, it’s not about how many Grand Slams you’ve won.”

Nadal elaborated further: “I’m no more satisfied with 22 Grand Slam titles than Federer is with 20. And I wouldn’t feel any happier with 25 titles, one more than Djokovic’s 24. What matters is knowing you gave your all and turned your childhood hobby into a major part of your life.

The ‘Big Three’: A legacy beyond titles

For many, the “Big Three”—Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic—represent the pinnacle of tennis history. Their Grand Slam totals alone speak volumes about their dominance. However, Nadal argued that greatness isn’t solely measured by those numbers, nor does he believe his career would have been different without such fierce competition.

Trinity Rodman made the news this week for sharing thoughts about her father, Dennis, an NBA Hall of Famer.

During a recent appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast with Alex Cooper, Trinity Rodman explained how she was upset about her lack of a relationship with her father. She used a story involving WNBA player Angel Reese to drive her point home.

“I’m not throwing shade at anybody,” Trinity Rodman said. “I remember Angel Reese had wore his jersey to a game and there was a picture of them. I’m like, he is a really famous basketball player, style-wise, everything, inspiring. But I think as a daughter seeing that, it’s like, no shade, `I wish that was me.”‘

Trinity Rodman, who was a key contributor on the Team USA Olympic soccer team, basically said she doesn’t consider the NBA great a father.

“He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else,” Trinity Rodman said. “We tried to live with him, but he’s having parties 24/7, bringing random bitches in. He loves the spotlight.”

Rodman was one of the most intriguing figures when he played in the NBA. He led the league in rebounding multiple times while also drawing attention because of his on-court antics. He was a member of the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons in the 1980s before his dyed hair became a talking point with the San Antonio Spurs in the `90s. He later teamed with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen for the Chicago Bulls, helping them win three straight championships from 1996-98.

Still, Trinity Rodman said her father has been mostly absent from her life. After years of being absent from her life, she told a story of how he met up with her at a playoff game in 2021. Afterward, he immediately disappeared again.

“He was like, ‘I want to see you soon, I’m in DC,'” Trinity Rodman said. “I was like, ‘OK.’ And after that, radio silence. I didn’t see him again until like, this year. I didn’t talk to him or see him until, I think, right after the World Cup.”

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Back In The Day Hoops On SI. He can be reached at Shandelrich@gmail.com

This Friday, December 20, is a date that Joao Fonseca will never forget. The Brazilian had the luck to spend some time this morning with Rafa Nadal, accompanied by other players from the Next Gen ATP Finals 2024 in Jeddah. A moment that served to inspire him and showcase his best version on the court hours later. After defeating Jakub Mensik and confirming his advancement to the semifinals, the 18-year-old young talent shared all the emotions experienced in the past hours in the ATP microphones.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Joao Fonseca cuenta cómo fue conocer a Rafael Nadal en Jeddah

‘Looks crazy!’ – Angel Reese shows off impressive new physique and Steph Curry moves that make WNBA star look like ‘Splash Sister’

The Chicago Sky forward enjoyed a record-breaking rookie season in 2024 after being selected with the No. 7 overall pick in the WNBA Draft.

The 22-year-old set the WNBA record for the most consecutive double-doubles in a season with 15, set the WNBA record for the most double-doubles by a rookie with 26, and set the WNBA record for the most single-season rebounds with 446 (later broken by A’ja Wilson).

However, Reese’s season ended prematurely when she went down with a wrist injury with only a few games left in the campaign.

Reese was beaten to the Rookie of the Year award by longtime rival Caitlin Clark, but now the 6ft 3in forward is back with a vengeance and tirelessly working on her game.

The 22-year-old recently shared footage of her working out and preparing for the 2025 campaign.

Reese has always been a physical beast and a strong, low-post operator, so fans were surprised to see her honing the more finesse part of her game.

They remarked on her ‘bulky yet agile’ frame, as well as her commitment to improve her outside shooting which has always been a weakness.

Some joked she looked like Steph Curry as she jacked up 3s and honed her offensive skillset.

“Looks crazy,” posted one fan.

“As an Angel fan there was a clear difference in how she moved that LSU championship year and how she moved her rookie year with the sky. This looks closer to that junior year and I love that,” a second wrote.

“This is the Angel Reese footage that I want to see! I hope she is working out every day. If she comes back comfortable on offense with better touch around the rim and a consistent midrange jump shot the haters will be silenced,” another posted.

“Looking like Steph Curry,” said a fourth.

‘Splash Sister,” joked someone else, referring to Curry’s nickname as a ‘Splash Brother’.

Reese was subject to criticism throughout her debut campaign as a professional, particularly when it came to shooting.

She shot 39% from the field last year, as well as 18.8 percent from 3-point range and just 73.6 percent at the free-throw line. She also missed a number of relatively easy layups that led to widespread criticism online.

However, Reese, who’s game has always been about defending and rebounding, clapped back at a troll who recently tried to mock her over her poor shooting percentages.

“Do you realize I got drafted seventh in my class while ‘missing layups’ as a ROOKIE shooting 39% on the year and was STILL an All-Star and that was the worst you’ll ever see me?” Reese wrote on X. “Or you just laid up with your dog at home hating Adam?”

Angel Reese 

After playing in a professional 3-vs-3 league in January, Reese will spearhead an exciting Sky team heading into the 2025 season with a new coach and championship aspirations.

The 13-27 Sky failed to make the playoffs last season, prompting the franchise to part ways with former head coach Teresa Weatherspoon and replace her with Tyler Marsh.

The highly-regarded former Las Vegas Aces assistant coach recently spoke about Reese and what stood out to him about her last season.

“I think she handled her rookie year great,” Marsh said. “I mean, you set a record in rebounding and, to me, it’s still amazing that people kind of undervalue and undersell just what that was for a rookie.

“I think it’s kind of unfair, not just to Angel but a lot of the rookies in the W, they’re expected to do so much in so little time. They’re not given the grace to grow,” Marsh continued.

“We can’t take for granted just what Angel was able to do in her rookie year. And… she’s a winner. She’s doubted almost every year of her life and her career, and she continued to overcome, and that’s something you can build on.”

British player Emma Raducanu‘s days of struggle might be finally behind. Despite her enormous talent, this WTA star spent much of 2023 and 2024 off the court due to fitness issues. Now, she has taken a promising step forward by appointing a new coach who is known for working with stars like Naomi Osaka and Maria Sharapova. This decision reflects Raducanu’s renewed hope hinting at potential growth next year. And now, she is expressing her excitement.

Raducanu has started working with a new fitness coach for the 2025 season. This British player has already revealed her plans to attend the ASB Classic in New Zealand. Before that, she will be spending her Christmas in the with her best friend. Raducanu has started preparing for the Melbourne Major in advance.

Raducanu shared a photo on her IG story with her new fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura. The photo was shared by Nakamura on his IG profile with the caption, “New beginning.” Raducanu looked pleased as she posed alongside Nakamura for a selfie. Sharing Nakamura’s post on her IG story, the Briton wrote, “Let’s goo.” She also added a folding hands emoji highlighting her gratitude for the collaboration. Nakamura trained Raducanu alongside her coach Nick Cavaday at London’s National Tennis Centre. After the trial period, the Briton hired him and now they are practicing at the LTA National Tennis Center in Roehampton.

Raducanu is a skilled player. However half of the time, she failed to showcase her talent because of her prolonged and continuous physical issues. The Briton had to undergo ankle and knee surgery that forced her to miss most of the 2023 season. Then she missed the Asian swing for her ligament injury. Her continuous physical issues explain Raducanu’s urgency to hire a fitness coach so that in the next season she could perform without injury woes.

Emma Raducanu

Raducanu seems confident about her new partnership. In a recent revelation, she spoke highly of her new equation with Nakamura. Raducanu’s words ooze confidence for the coming season.

Emma Raducanu feels positive about her new partnership with Nakamura

According to BBC News, Raducanu has found her positivity working with Nakamura. “I think he is going to help me just really explore how far I can go, like athletically, I think it’s a big strength of mine that I have nowhere near fulfilled. I think I can become one of the best athletes out there in tennis and I’m just looking forward to seeing how much I can do,” she said. This WTA star’s statement truly reflects her confidence and positivity about how her new fitness coach might help her in her endeavors. Well, it’s something Raducanu needs right now.

Emma Raducanu’s new collaboration might prove fruitful for her next season. For now, she seems content and satisfied with her physical health. Whether her new partnership will help her in the upcoming season remains a million-dollar question. Do you think Raducanu can bring her A-game next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Emma Raducanu is already preparing for the 2025 season with a clear goal: to find greater regularity and consistency on the tennis court. Injuries continue to be her main enemy, preventing her from competing in tours continuously and hindering her every time she starts feeling good at an event. That’s why Emma has decided to take action: she has signed on the prestigious fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura, who previously worked with names like Naomi Osaka and Maria Sharapova, focusing on physical conditioning and aiming to prevent ongoing discomfort. What version of Emma can we expect in 2025?

Angel Reese Starts Miami Trip With Rolling Loud Visit as WNBA Star Gears Up for Unrivaled 35 Days Away

Before hitting the court for her next big game, WNBA star Angel Reese is doing what any 22-year-old in ‘Skyami’ would. Known for its pulsating nightlife, sun-kissed beaches, and year-round party scene, Miami is practically a playground for someone like Reese. And she’s making the most of it. The biggest hip-hop festival around, being her latest visit, might just speak about it.

The WNBA star shared her excitement with her Instagram followers, posting a snapshot of the iconic Rolling Loud banner with the location tagged as Skyami, FL. If you haven’t heard of Rolling Loud, it’s ‘the’ place to be for hip-hop fans.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the three-day festival took over Hard Rock Stadium with a star-studded lineup that included Playboi Carti, Future, Travis Scott, and country artist Shaboozey. From December 13 to 15, fans will experience the energy live. Reese, obviously, didn’t miss the chance to vibe with some of the biggest names shaping today’s hip-hop scene.

But her affair with Miami didn’t start with enjoying Rolling Loud. Back in November, she announced her big move from Chicago to Miami on Instagram, calling it her “new home” and asking for recommendations on beauty services and Pilates instructors.

Her move sparked curiosity. Was this just for the offseason fun, or was there more to it? Well, it turns out it’s both. Miami’s festive scene, as evident, might’ve been a factor, but the main reason for the relocation was the Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball league, which is all set to debut on January 17, 2025.

In the Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier-founded league, the Chicago Sky star will be going up against heavyweights like Jewell Loyd, Arike Ogunbowale, Brittney Griner, and Aliyah Boston among others. The draft happened in November, and Reese’s Rose Club is gearing up. But have you ever wondered how much she is making in the Miami-based league?

Angel Reese 

Angel Reese’s unrivaled payday

Angel Reese is set to earn $250,000 for the eight-week Unrivaled season. That’s nearly triple her annual WNBA salary of $81,096. And she is also getting an equity stake in the league. Meaning she’s not just playing, she’s investing in the future of women’s basketball.

But it’s not just about the money. Reese sees Unrivaled as an opportunity to grow her game and learn from some of the best in the business. As she put it in a recent interview, “I’m playing against 34 of the best WNBA players. Some of the best coaches, we got T-Spoon, we got Phil… I’m excited to really dial in and get better.” 

And the fact that she gets to do all this without the grueling overseas travel is just the cherry on top. Now that Unrivaled is just days away, Angel Reese is ready to transition from offseason vibes to do what she does best—stacking up double-doubles and making her mark.

At 6’3″, Angel Reese commands attention both on and off the basketball court. Known for her dominance as a forward and her bold personality, the Sky No. 5’s towering height is often a source of pride. But as she revealed in a candid moment during her podcast Unapologetically Angel, it also presents challenges that may as well be unique to her in her everyday life.

In a heartfelt conversation with Coco Jones, Reese opened up about feeling out of place when she steps outside. “Yeah, I don’t feel normal. No,” Reese admitted. “Also, I’m 6’3”. So obviously, I already don’t feel normal. So everybody already looking and they’re trying to see who that is.” Her words offer a glimpse into the reality of standing out not just for her talent but for her sheer physical presence.

Reese’s height, while a gift on the court, often draws unwanted attention in public spaces. “I don’t mind taking pictures,” she shared, “but sometimes I just want to like, yeah, sometimes I just want to be able to put on a sweatsuit and like maybe have my hood on, my bonnet on, some glasses, and keep pushing.” But that’s easier said than done. “I can’t do that. It’s like I got to go out the house, clean up tight.”

The constant stares and curiosity from strangers can feel overwhelming. It’s not just about being recognized as a basketball star; it’s the towering frame that makes her impossible to miss in any crowd. Reese’s reflections highlight the double-edged sword of fame and physical distinction—one that brings admiration but also a loss of anonymity.

Angel Reese

So, how does Angel Reese navigate the complexities of her star power?

Angel Reese: Finding the balance between fame and privacy

In a moment of vulnerability, during the podcast when Coco Jones asked, “Like, have you ever said no to taking a picture?” Angel Reese responded, “I have. Yeah.” She continued, elaborating on how it feels and stated. “It does make me feel bad, but most of the time I’m in a rush. Like I’m about to, I’m going somewhere.

Coco, clearly understanding, resonated with her response, “Yeah, that’s real.

Reese, however, shared a deeper frustration with the situation, “So like, and the people be so mean after they be like, ‘Damn.’ That’s I don’t live for that. But people don’t be understanding. Like, this is like, we can’t always do it.

The interaction revealed the emotional toll fame can take, especially when people don’t understand that celebrities, just like anyone else, have moments when they want to keep things simple. Reese’s honesty about saying “no” to taking pictures reflects her struggle to find a balance between her public persona and her personal need for space.

As Reese continues to navigate the complexities of fame, her story highlights the need for empathy toward public figures who face similar challenges. While they may seem untouchable from the outside, they too have their limits and moments when they simply want to live life, just like anyone else.

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