Emma Raducanu has sadly had to retire from the ASB Classic in New Zealand after suffering yet another injury with the Australian Open just 11 days away. Absolute gutter.
The 20-year-old Brit was forced to pull out of her only warm-up games ahead of the first grand slam of the season, despite having kicked off her round of 16 match with an unstoppable 6-0 opening set and fighting hard against Viktória Kužmová, who took the second set 5-7.
However, Raducanu ultimately had to call it quits after rolling her left ankle and a lengthy medical break ended in the clearly emotional world no. 78 leaving the court in tears. We really feel for her.
This comes just two days after she grabbed her first win of 2023 in the Auckland series, declaring that she feels “stronger and better” than ever, with her New Year’s resolution being nothing more than staying fitter and healthier for longer. Heartbreaking.
The official ASB account took to Twitter to share their condolences with Radu, thanking her for her “incredible play” in the opening two rounds of the tournament.
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Though it still remains unclear at this stage, it seems highly unlikely she’ll recover again in time for the opening major of the calendar year.
Adding this latest setback to her already long list of injuries, the young sports star has now had to withdraw from various competitions on six different occasions since making her debut on the WTA Tour back in June 2021.
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Speaking before the match began, former Swedish tennis player and world number one Mats Wilander told Eurosport that while he believes she is “unbelievable” and can become “one of the best players in the world, she has to find an identity”, insisting that the right coach that can bring the X factor out of her.
Mats Wilander is backing Emma Raducanu to get back to the top of tennis 📈
Raducanu is now on her fifth trainer in just over a year, having appointed German coach Sebastian Sachs back in December. It seems keeping her fit will be the primary task for now.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
Sport
Manchester City release limited-edition Blossoms shirts exclusively in new flagship store
Daisy Jackson
Manchester City have released a limited run of special Blossoms shirts, which will be available exclusively at the new flagship City Store.
Etihad Airways has donated the front-of-shirt space for the special drop, which celebrates the Stockport band’s lifelong support of Man City and will fundraise forCity in the Community’s 40th anniversary.
The Manchester City x Blossoms collab features the band’s logo across the chest of the 2024/25 season’s away shirt – one of the Club’s most popular designs in recent years.
Profits from sales of the shirts will be donated to CITC to support its 40th anniversary fundraising, which empower healthier lives with city youth through football.
Blossoms have just secured their fifth UK number one album with their latest release, ‘Songs From The Wedding Cake’, and will soon be heading on an arena tour that includes two massive shows at the Co-op Live.
There’s a very limited run of the Man City Blossoms shirts, available in sizes small to large, which will exclusively be sold at the new flagship CityStore.
The shirts have dropped in-store this morning, with further drops to be released around the band’s tour dates this November and December.
As for that new City store – it’s a whopping 21,000 sq ft, three-floor space at Medlock Square, right beside the Etihad Stadium, and is the biggest shop in the club’s history.
The new flagship has opened today in collaboration with PUMA and Stichd, and features a new, interactive ‘Make It Yours’ customisation station as well as an expanded range of Manchester City products.
Danny Jones -
5th January 2023 
