By BEN NAGLE, US SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 17:55 EST, 18 December 2025 | Updated: 11:02 EST, 19 December 2025

Eugenie Bouchard may be retired from professional tennis, but she is still making headlines after sharing a series of snaps from a recent Caribbean vacation.

The former tennis star hung up her racket in July at the age of just 31, and has since turned her attention to the world of professional pickleball.

But the swap in sports has given her a little more time on her hands – and she this week headed to the British Virgin Islands to enjoy some winter sun.

At the end of the trip, Bouchard posted a series of stunning snaps, proving that despite not being at the top level of tennis any more, she is still working hard to stay in shape.

Alongside the caption ‘no schedule these days’, the Canadian gave fans a glimpse into the trip – including snorkeling adventures, nights on the dancefloor, and lazy days by the pool.

It was back in July that Bouchard shocked fans by confirming plans to bring the curtain down on her tennis career at the National Bank Open in Montreal. 

Eugenie Bouchard poses for a mirror selfie during her vacation in the British Virgin Islands

The ex-tennis superstar, still only 31, has plenty more time on her hands in retirement

‘Tennis has given me so much,’ she said at the time. ‘I am filled with so much gratitude for this sport and the people that helped me along the way’.

Bouchard reached No. 5 in the WTA rankings and in 2014 won her lone singles title. She lost to Petra Kvitova in the Wimbledon final after also reaching the semifinals that year at the Australian Open and French Open.

She got back to the quarterfinals in Australia in 2015, but her career was never the same after she slipped on a wet locker room floor at the U.S. Open later that year and suffered a concussion that forced her to withdraw before her fourth-round match.

She sued the US Tennis Association and a jury found that the organization was 75 percent at fault and she was 25 percent to blame.

Bouchard also helped Canada win its lone Billie Jean King Cup title in 2023.

Bouchard gave fans a glimpse into life by the pool as she got some winter sun this week

Alongside the relaxing, there was also some adventure and partying on the island menu

‘She has been one of the most important figures in the history of our sport in Canada and a trailblazer who redefined what Canadian tennis could be,’ said Valerie Tetreault, the National Bank Open tournament director. 

‘We are proud of everything she has done, as a player and role model, and we can’t wait to see her in action one last time at IGA Stadium this summer.’

Bouchard burst onto the scene thanks to her 2014 final appearance at SW19, which she ultimately lost to Petra Kvitova.

That year, she would also record her tournament best finishes at each of the Australian Open (semi-final), French Open (semi-final) and US Open (fourth round), at one point reaching No 5 in the world.

Bouchard, 31, was quickly overcome with emotion as she spoke to fans after her final match

Bouchard burst onto the scene after making the 2014 Wimbledon final (pictured)

However she would never reach the same heights again, dropping away and proceeding to encounter more than her fair share of injury problems throughout her career.

And as she plummeted down the world rankings, Bouchard began to pursue more high-profile endeavors away from the court.

She made the top 10 of Forbes’ World’s Highest-Paid Female Athletes list in 2017 and 2018.

However, in a 2024 interview with The Times, she opened up on the ‘hate’ she received for her activity on social media, having been part of a number of sponsorship campaigns and attended her fair share of A-list events during her career.

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Tennis glamour girl Genie Bouchard sets pulses racing with stunning vacation snaps after retiring at age 31

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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has played down growing speculation linking him with a future move to Manchester City, insisting reports that he could replace Pep Guardiola are untrue.

The Italian, who previously worked as Guardiola’s assistant at City, has been mentioned in recent discussions as the club begins planning for the long term amid uncertainty over whether Guardiola will remain in charge beyond next season.

Since arriving in 2016, Guardiola has become one of the most influential figures in City’s history, guiding them to six Premier League titles and the Champions League crown in the 2022-2023 campaign.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Newcastle on Saturday, Maresca said: “It doesn’t affect me at all because I know that is 100% speculation. And at this moment, there is no time for these kinds of things.

“First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029 probably. And my focus, I said many times, is just about this club and I’m very proud to be here. But again, it’s speculation. One week ago I was in Italy, the same with Juventus. So I don’t pay attention because I know that is not true.

“It’s important to understand why this news was there but it is just speculation.”

Maresca took charge at Stamford Bridge in June 2024 and is contracted until 2029, with an option for a further year. His immediate focus is on maintaining Chelsea’s strong league form, with the Blues sitting fourth ahead of Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. kick-off against Newcastle.

The City rumours surfaced shortly after Maresca admitted he had endured his “worst 48 hours” since joining Chelsea, despite overseeing a 2-0 home victory over Everton last weekend.

Those comments sparked suggestions of a possible rift between the manager and the club’s leadership, including co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali and sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

When asked whether he had discussed the situation with those figures, Maresca sought to ease concerns.

“We are in the same building, so we speak about different things. But about the Everton press conference, no,” he said.

The Chelsea boss also moved quickly to reassure supporters about his future, replying “absolutely, yes” when asked if he would still be in charge next season.

He added a direct appeal to fans to “continue to support the team”.

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Sébastien Haller has withdrawn from Cote d’Ivoire squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations due to injury, DAILY POST reports.

Haller picked up the injury while in action for Dutch club, FC Utrecht last weekend.

The former West Ham United striker has been replaced by Evann Guessand.

Guessand, who plays for Premier League club, Aston Villa was initially named on the reserve list.

Haller scored the winning goal in the Elephants’ 2-1 final victory over the Super Eagles of Nigeria in last edition of the competition.

He is one most experienced players in Emerse Fae’s squad.

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England player Cole Palmer enjoyed a festive night out with his new girlfriend at Winter Wonderland on Thursday – and she looks exactly like his ex. 

The footballer, 23, who split from nail technician Connie Grace in July, headed out for a date with beauty specialist Olivia Holder, 23, and she bears a striking resemblance to his old flame. 

Cole went incognito in a balaclava and a hoodie for their romantic evening, at London’s Hyde Park. 

The pair were spotted enjoying the attractions, with the duo managing to scoop two big prizes as they carried huge stuffed animals around the park. 

Olivia looked glamorous as she wrapped up warm in a brown fur coat which she teamed with a pair of distressed jeans and Ugg boots. 

She runs a beauty clinic alongside her aesthetics nurse sister which offers treatments such as semi-permanent makeup and injectable skin treatments in Bromley. 

England player Cole Palmer enjoyed a festive night out with his new girlfriend Olivia Holder, 23, at Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park on Thursday

The footballer, 23, split from his ex Connie Grace (pictured left) in July with aesthetic nurse Olivia Holder (pictured right) bearing a striking resemblance to his old flame

It is unknown how long Olivia and Cole have been dating, with her sharing photos to Instagram from Stamford Bridge earlier this week. 

Cole and his influencer ex Connie unfollowed each other on social media just days after the Chelsea star won the Club World cup in July.

The Chelsea star and his partner also removed all pictures of one another from their respective accounts. 

He starred in the Club World Cup final, scoring two goals and claiming an assist for Joao Pedro, as Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain to become world champions.

Grace had travelled to the US during the tournament but was not among the wives or girlfriends who celebrated the win on the pitch at the MetLife Stadium. They later unfollowed one another on Instagram.

Cole said afterwards that he was looking forward to being reunited with his girlfriend, but that he first wanted to visit St Kitts and Nevis.

Daily Mail Sport exclusively accompanied the footballer as he returned to his ancestral Caribbean homeland for the first time, where his paternal grandfather was born. 

He was given a hero’s welcome as he arrived on the island, 4,000 miles from the Manchester suburb of Wythenshawe where the Chelsea and England star grew up.

Cole tried to go incognito in a balaclava and a hoodie for their romantic evening, at London’s Hyde Park

The pair were spotted enjoying the attractions, with the duo managing to scoop two big prizes as they carried huge stuffed animals around the park

Olivia looked glamorous as she wrapped up warm in a brown fur coat which she teamed with a pair of distressed jeans and Ugg boots

She runs a beauty clinic alongside her aesthetics nurse sister which offers treatments such as semi-permanent makeup and injectable skin treatments in Bromley

It is unknown how long Olivia and Cole have been dating, with her sharing photos to Instagram from Stamford Bridge earlier this week

Cole and his influencer ex Connie unfollowed each other on social media just days after the Chelsea star won the Club World cup in July (pictured in November 2024) 

Meanwhile, Connie continued to enjoy a holiday in Miami, posting a picture of herself in the city on her Instagram. 

Cole and Connie went public together in November last year at the GQ Men of the Year Awards.

Grace is a nail technician and Instagram influencer who is also from Manchester. The duo met when they were 17 through mutual friends.

In March she said: ‘Cole now is still the same Cole that I met when I was 17. Obviously, he’s changed, he’s grown up, and his life now is completely different, but he’s still the same boy, he’s still laid-back Cole.

‘Cole will adapt to whatever situation he’s in. He’s not bothered that he’s that far from home because all he wants to do is play football and if it means leaving home and being in a place which is completely different to where he’s from, he’ll do it.

‘He’s not bothered about the whole fame side of it and he’s not bothered what people think of him. 

‘He is only just bothered about scoring goals and doing well for his team, doing well for his country, and you’ve got to love him for that.’ 

Palmer was born in Wythenshawe, Manchester, in 2002 to Marie and Jermaine, with two older sisters.

His hero growing up was Wayne Rooney but he was scouted by Manchester City at the age of eight and came through their academy to make his debut in September 2020.

In 2023 he took the bold step of joining Chelsea for £42.5million, penning a seven-year deal at the opposite end of the country.

Cole starred in the Club World Cup final, scoring two goals and claiming an assist for Joao Pedro, as Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain to become world champions

Connie had travelled to the US during the tournament but was not among the wives or girlfriends who celebrated the win on the pitch at the MetLife Stadium

In the documentary, he opens up on how moving to Londoner has been something of a culture shock.

‘Going from Wythenshawe to meeting people in Chelsea, it’s different ends of the spectrum,’ he said.

‘The accent, the size of it, the people. No one knows each other in London because it’s so big. 

‘Even on my road, if that was Wythenshawe, people would be stood in the garden in pyjamas and that, you know what I mean? Just chatting to each other and having a cup of tea. But obviously here it’s a completely different way.

Connie added: ‘Cole couldn’t become a Londoner, are you crazy? Have you ever spoken to him? That accent isn’t changing. No, he’s a Manchester boy.’

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Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has released his predictions for a busy Premier League weekend, with Newcastle United tipped to claim a narrow home win over Chelsea at St James’ Park.

Writing on BBC Sport, Sutton has gone for a 2-1 victory for Newcastle in Saturday’s early kick-off, a result that would heap more pressure on both sides as the season edges towards its midpoint.

The former England international also expects Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool to cancel each other out in North London, while backing Manchester City to see off West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal are tipped to grind out a slim away win at Everton, and Sutton believes Aston Villa will be too strong for Manchester United on Sunday evening.

Below are Sutton’s full predictions:

Newcastle United 2-1 Chelsea

Bournemouth 2-0 Burnley

Brighton 1-0 Sunderland

Manchester City 3-1 West Ham United

Wolves 1-1 Brentford

Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Liverpool

Everton 0-1 Arsenal

Leeds United 1-1 Crystal Palace

Aston Villa 2-0 Manchester United

Fulham 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Premier League Matchday 17 fixtures and kick-off times

Saturday

1:30 p.m.: Newcastle United vs Chelsea

4 p.m.: Wolves vs Brentford

4 p.m.: Manchester City vs West Ham United

4 p.m.: Brighton vs Sunderland

4 p.m.: Bournemouth vs Burnley

6:30 p.m.: Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool

9 p.m.: Leeds United vs Crystal Palace

9 p.m.: Everton vs Arsenal

Sunday

5:30 p.m.: Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Monday

9 p.m.: Fulham vs Nottingham Forest

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Ex-France striker, Thierry Henry, has told Arsenal that they cannot make any excuses as the Premier League title race hots up.

According to Henry, injuries and the crazy fixture schedule are also affecting other clubs.

The Gunners have been on the verge of an injury crisis at several points this season.

But Mikel Arteta’s men are however top of the log, sitting two points ahead of Manchester City

“Injuries, the busy calendar – let’s not talk about that. Everybody has their own problems. Let’s see who’s going to be there at the end,” Henry told BetWay

“I won’t change my tune from the beginning of the season – we must win the league.

“It has to be this year. I believe the team can do it and I just hope we can cross that line.”

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Born on the 27th of August 1952 in Lagos, Patrick Olusegun Odegbami remains one of the most iconic figures in Nigerian and African football. The ex-captain of the Nigerian Green Eagles and sports journalist, who played as a forward, won 46 caps and scored 23 goals for the Nigeria national team which he guided to its first Africa Cup of Nations title at the 1980 tournament in his homeland. The “Mathematical” as he is fondly called, is admired not only for his brilliance on the pitch, but for the discipline, intelligence, and restraint that defined his game

Related: SPORTS PLANET Podcast…EPISODE 40: The Mathematical Segun Odegbami Football Journey

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By MICHAEL PAVITT, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 06:42 EST, 19 December 2025 | Updated: 06:54 EST, 19 December 2025

Legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted it could take ’10 or 11 years’ for the club to return to the summit of the game, but has offered his backing to current boss Ruben Amorim.

Ferguson had led Man United to 38 trophies in his 26-year reign, including delivering 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League triumphs.

Man United are yet to win either competition since Ferguson’s retirement at the end of the 2012-13 season.

The Red Devils endured a nightmare 2024-25 campaign which saw Amorim – who was appointed mid-season – lead the club to a 15th placed finish, their worst in the Premier League era.

Amorim’s side have shown signs of improvement this season and currently lie sixth in the table, two points shy of the top four and guaranteed Champions League qualification.

Speaking to Press Box PR in Bahrain, Ferguson offered his backing to Amorim amid the challenge of trying to restore Man United’s status at the top of English football.

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted it could take Man United ’10 or 11 years’ to win the Premier League title again

Ferguson offered his backing to Man United boss Ruben Amorim in his efforts to turn around the club’s fortunes

He cited the example of Liverpool, who endured a lengthy title drought, when reflecting on how long it could take for his former club to win the Premier League again. 

‘He [Amorim] is a good personality, it is not easy,’ Ferguson said.

‘I remember looking back on my own time there, starting off when Liverpool were the bee’s knees. They were a fantastic club winning the European Cup four times and all that, but then it took them 31 years to win the league again.

‘We are now in the same situation. It could be ten years, could be 11 years, because of that cycle. 

‘It has to be thought out carefully and we have to make sure the recruitment is going to be better than what it was.’

Ferguson has suggested Man United’s summer recruitment has helped their improved form so far this season.

The 83-year-old recently lauded the addition of goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who joined from Royal Antwerp in a £21.7million move.

The Belgian shot-stopper has established himself as Man United’s first choice goalkeeper and has made several impressive stops in his 10 Premier League appearances to date.

Ferguson repeated his recent praise for Senne Lammens and suggested the goalkeeper could become ‘inspirational’

Ferguson again praised Man United’s decision to sign the 23-year-old, suggesting he could be an ‘inspirational player’, while also highlighting the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

‘I think the appointment of the goalkeeper [Lammens] has made a difference,’ Ferguson added.

‘He’s young at 23, he’s quick, a big lad, good feet and hands, and I think that helps. I think they have needed that player. United have always had inspirational players over the years. I think that has helped.

‘The other two, [Bryan] Mbeumo and [Matheus] Cunha, they look as if they will contribute to the recovery of our form.’

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Sir Alex Ferguson offers warm backing to Ruben Amorim but admits it could take ’10 or 11 years’ for Manchester United to recapture the glory days

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Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has launched a blistering critique of Nigeria’s build-up to AFCON 2025, accusing the Nigeria Football Federation of failing to get its house in order weeks before the tournament begins.

Speaking on his ObiOne podcast, Mikel said he was deeply unimpressed by the state of preparations for the finals in Morocco, which kick off on Sunday. He questioned how a national team coach could still be owed salaries at such a sensitive moment for Nigerian football.

“I’m not impressed at all with the preparation. After everything that happened with the World Cup qualifiers, you would expect things to be better,” said Mikel, who has previously called for the resignation of the NFF board following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“How do you owe a coach money at this stage? It’s shameless! This is not how serious football nations operate. When issues like this are in the public space, it affects everyone, the coach, the players and even the fans.

“This was supposed to be the time to save face and show that lessons were learned. Instead, it’s the same story again. You can’t go into the AFCON with unresolved problems. Everything must be sorted now. Nigeria deserves better. Our football deserves better.”

Reports had claimed that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle was owed three months’ salary and bonuses by the NFF ahead of the 2025 AFCON.

However, Naija News reports that the National Sports Commission chairman, Shehu Dikko, revealed on Monday that the commission had stepped in to cover Chelle’s wages, despite not being a party to his contract.

“The NSC have been paying the salaries of Eric Chelle (Super Eagles coach) on behalf of the NFF even though we’re not a party to the contract,” Dikko said on Arise Television. “This is part of our support to the NFF.”

Nigeria will compete in Group C at AFCON 2025 alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania, with their opening fixture against Tanzania scheduled for December 23 in Fès.

The Super Eagles head into the tournament on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in their only pre-AFCON friendly, played on Tuesday in Cairo.

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Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche has said Ola Aina is making progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury, DAILY POST reports.

Aina sustained the injury while on international duty with Nigeria in September.

The 29-year-old was left out of the Super Eagles squad to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations due to the injury.

The full-back featured for Forest’s U-21 side against Millwall this week in a bid to build his fitness.

Dyche revealed Aina is recovering fast from the injury.

“Ola is halfway through his progress in fitness, training more regularly with the team now, so that is good. Obviously, it’s been a long-term injury, so we have to be careful with that one,”

The former Chelsea star is expected to return to action for Forest in the new year.

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