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Ben Shelton gives poignant patriotic message after Australian Open victory

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Ben Shelton gives poignant patriotic message after Australian Open victory


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A reporter at the Australian Open has been asking American tennis stars their thoughts on the country and what it’s like to represent the Stars and Stripes.

Ben Shelton apparently gave his answer without even being asked.

After a victory over Valentin Vacherot in the third round of the Australian Open early Saturday morning, Shelton took part in the tennis tradition of signing a camera but delivered a pointed message.

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Ben Shelton of the United States reacts in the Men’s Singles Third Round match against Valentin Vacherot of Monaco during day seven of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Jan. 24, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Shi Tang/Getty Images)

“USA ‘til it’s backwards,” Shelton signed. The phrase is a play on modern slang used to signal unwavering support or “standing on business” for a cause.

Taylor Fritz, Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Amanda Anisimova and Naomi Osaka have all been asked similar questions by a single reporter at the Australian Open. Anisimova was specifically asked if she had any feelings on playing for the country “in the context of the last year of everything that’s been happening in the U.S.,” and if it “complicate[d]” her thoughts.

“I don’t think that’s relevant,” she fired back.

John Isner and Tennys Sandgren slammed the reporter on social media.

Ben Shelton celebrates

Ben Shelton of the U.S. celebrates after defeating Lorenzo Sonego of Italy in their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.  (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

TENNIS STAR MOCKS JEERING CROWD WITH PROVOCATIVE DANCE AFTER AUSTRALIAN OPEN VICTORY

“Popular opinion: Let’s ask tennis questions to the players at a tennis tournament. This is so lame,” Isner wrote on X.

“Bug reporter,” Sandgren added. “Go write for the Economist if you have the chops. If not ask her how her backhand felt and move on.”

Gauff was asked about her thoughts on the “state of the U.S.” one year into President Donald Trump’s second term.

“I hope forward that we can have a lot more peace in our country and more kindness in the way we speak to each other about different topics and things like that,” she said, via The Tennis Letter. “Obviously, I’ve been pretty vocal about how I felt. At this point, I feel a bit fatigued talking about it just because of the fact that it is hard also being a Black woman in this country and having to experience things, even online, and seeing marginalized communities being affected. And knowing that I can only donate and speak out. I try my best to do that.

Coco Gauff looks on

Coco Gauff of the United States in action against Olga Danilovic of Serbia in the second round on Day 4 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Jan. 21, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)

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“But, yeah, I hope that as time continues that we can reach a state that we’re not currently in, and we keep moving forward. I posted the video of Martin Luther King and that was kind of saying, ‘We must keep moving forward,’ even as things may not be as calm as I’d like it to be right now.”

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter





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LeBron James hypes up Caitlin Clark as she gears up for third Fever season

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LeBron James hypes up Caitlin Clark as she gears up for third Fever season


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The Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever’s opening game is only days away from tipping off and the superstar WNBA player received a message from LeBron James.

The Lakers star hyped up Clark after she posted a message on Instagram, “Year 3!!! See you all soon.”

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark stands on the court before the game against the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 30, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

“LFG!!!!!!!!” James in the comments section of the post.

James appeared to be a big fan of Clark as he posted about the Fever sharpshooter before the beginning of her second season in the WNBA.

“Good luck and DO YOU per usual this season!!!”

Year 2 didn’t exactly work out for Clark. She started off the season hot, finishing in double figures in scoring in eight straight games before she was held to just six points in 31 minutes against the Seattle Storm.

Clark reached at least 12 points in the final three games she appeared in. On July 15, Clark suffered a hamstring injury before the All-Star break and she wouldn’t return to the floor for the rest of the year.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers during an inbounds play at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers compete during an inbounds play in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 30, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

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She said last month she was “100% healthy” going into the 2026 season.

“I’m a person that doesn’t want to sit out a single rep, like I want to be in there every single time,” Clark told reporters in April. “But I think just being a little bit smarter with my body…whether that’s recovery, whether that’s pre-court treatment, whatever it is.”

She proved it as much so far during the preseason.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shooting a basketball during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shoots the ball in the second half against the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 30, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

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The Fever will begin the season on Saturday against the Dallas Wings.



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2025-26 NBA Odds: Thunder, Knicks Favored to Meet in Finals

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2025-26 NBA Odds: Thunder, Knicks Favored to Meet in Finals


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The most likely NBA Finals matchup this season? The defending champs and a team that hasn’t seen the Finals in nearly three decades.

Let’s check out the odds for which squads will advance to the NBA Finals as of May 5 at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

NBA Eastern Conference winner

Knicks: +110 (bet $10 to win $21 total)
Pistons: +270 (bet $10 to win $37 total)
Cavaliers: +340 (bet $10 to win $44 total)
76ers: +950 (bet $10 to win $105 total)

NBA Western Conference winner

Thunder: -260 (bet $10 to win $14.35 total)
Spurs: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Wolves: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Lakers: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)

Here’s what to know about this oddsboard:

Finals Favorites: The Thunder won it all last season, and the season before that, the Celtics reached the top of the mountain. So, entering the postseason, the two squads were favored to meet in a seven-game series with the title on the line, meaning one of the two franchises could have been approaching dynasty territory if the odds had rung true. However, the Celtics suffered a shocking first-round defeat at the hands of the Sixers, despite leading the series 3-1. Now, Boston is at home, while the Thunder will face the Lakers after sweeping the Suns in Round 1. The new favorite to come out the East? The New York Knicks, who haven’t been to the Finals since falling 4-1 to San Antonio at the conclusion of the 1998-99 season. N.Y. beat Atlanta in six games in the first round and is up 1-0 on Philly in the second round.

The Challengers: The Spurs are next in the mix from the West. Keep in mind, San Antonio and OKC faced off five times this season, and the Spurs won four of those matchups, including the first three. In terms of the East, after New York, things are up in the air, with the Pistons, Cavs and Sixers all in the mix. Detroit, after being one of three teams to win 60 games in the regular season and the only East team to accomplish the feat, has not been getting much respect on the oddsboards, including this one. However, it could have something to do with the Pistons trailing 3-1 to Orlando in the first round, and having to overcome a 60-38 halftime deficit in Game 6 in order to force a Game 7, which they ultimately won.



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PCB tightens grip on PSL stakeholders | The Express Tribune

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PCB tightens grip on PSL stakeholders | The Express Tribune



KARACHI:

Clear your dues or face termination of contracts” the Pakistan Cricket Board has launched a recovery campaign against defaulters. Notices have been issued to all concerned parties, directing them to make payments within the stipulated deadline.

According to details, the 11th edition of the PSL has now concluded, and the PCB had already begun its recovery drive during the tournament. Sources revealed that billions of rupees are currently outstanding from various stakeholders. After repeated reminders failed, officials adopted a stricter stance.

Recently, notices were sent to several entities, including early PSL franchises, clearly stating that contracts would be terminated if payments were not made by April 29. Following this, several franchises cleared their full dues.

When officials were questioned about the unpaid PKR 400 million owed to each franchise, they responded that payment of franchise fees is mandatory under the agreement. They added:
“How can we pay you until we receive payments from other stakeholders?”

In the past, the practice was that after partial payment of fees, the remaining amount would be adjusted from the central revenue pool. However, a different approach has been adopted this time.

For the 10th PSL edition, each franchise was supposed to receive PKR 975 million (97.5 crore) as its share. However, a key stakeholder owes the PCB PKR 4.7 billion, a major portion of which is related to the PSL. This stakeholder has been avoiding payment, citing financial losses, preventing the finalization of accounts.

Due to this issue, the PCB did not allow two TV channels to participate in bidding for the current edition’s media rights. However, surprisingly, the new company that acquired the broadcasting rights permitted those same channels to air the matches.

Learning from past experience, the PCB has now secured a bank guarantee from the new media rights holder, which can be cashed in case of non-payment.

Meanwhile, sources stated that both new teams and the new owner of Multan Sultans had already paid their full franchise fees in advance. Since this is their first year, they are not entitled to any share from previous central revenue pools.

Owners who purchased teams at high prices had already been assured a minimum of PKR 850 million (85 crore) annually from the central pool for the first five years. However, the final amount will only be determined once the accounts are fully settled.



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