Netflix Break Point: 6 things to know about tennis player Ajla Tomljanovic

Every edition of the World Cup since 1966 has had its own official mascot. World Cup Willie, the mascot of that tournament, was the first mascot of a World Cup and one of the first ever to be paired with any sporting event.

The designers of these dolls try to represent a typical topic of the host nation (culture, tradition, flora, fauna, etc.).

The mascots of the World Cup have children as target and often cartoons or various gadget are created to match this figure and the event in general.

Messi and Ronaldo are iconic. The pair of eternal rivals will compete in the fifth World Cup of their careers. Like them, six other players enter this particular record.

In addition to the two phenomena there are the German Matthaus, the Mexican Carbajal and the compatriot Rafa Marquez, Gigi Buffon, Guilleromo Ochoa, Andres Guardado.

Among these, Buffon did not play in all editions: in 1998 he was only called, but never took the field. The same goes for Ochoa, who never took the field in 2006 and 2010.

What is the most strenuous sport in the world?

According to a research promoted by Espn, a US television station entirely dedicated to sport, the discipline that implies a greater overall effort of our body, resulting therefore the most tiring ever (as well as one of those that involves the greatest risk of serious injuries), is boxing.

The study took into account, for each discipline analyzed, multiple parameters including strength, endurance, speed, agility and coordination required in the race, to be related to the average expenditure of energy, both physical and mental.

What do Harry Potter, chess, camels, mud and especially giant logs have in common? They are all protagonists of some of the strangest sports in the world!

Totally crazy disciplines, invented and practiced all over the world, from Italy to Australia to the United States and beyond: these sports really exist and some are even protected by official federations.

Here are some of the most bizarre and fun sports that really exist: browse the photo gallery to know them!

In these days the first Grand Slam of 2022 began, it is the Australian Open. The fame of the tournament is really deserved, daughter of an event kissed by the Australian summer, immersed in the greenery of a beautiful, livable and cosmopolitan city, where you can move even on foot without stress. 

"Down under" the welcome is warm and relaxed, the public enthusiastic and competent, all ideal ingredients for a top-level tournament. 

We launch the first seasonal Slam telling some curiosities about Australian Open, including history, innovations and records.

How much were the players worth when they retired?

In this photo gallery we have selected 8 players with the highest market value at the time of withdrawal.

The player with the highest market value is Enock Mwepu, who had to retire at the age of 24 on October 10, 2022, following the discovery of an inherited heart disease, ending his career early.

He currently coaches the Under 9 of Brighton.

Imagination, intuition, keen eye and speed of execution. Formula 1 drivers employ these skills, on the track, to try to file down a tenth of a second in each corner, and off the track to taunt their colleagues.

When they take off their helmets, some prefer to relax, locking themselves in motor homes, alone or with family members.

Others, however, are eager to have fun and often do so by pulling pranks on teammates or other team members. We have chosen some of the most successful ones on and off the track.

Superstition can really reside in any person, and perhaps without realizing it, one is led some times to perform superstitious rituals so that a particular event will end in the best possible way.

Superstitions are a common phenomenon in sports, and basketball champions are no exception.

From ritual at the time of ritual free throws to eating habits, basketball players have some of the most bizarre and interesting superstitions.

In this article we will explore the most curious superstitions of the NBA champions, including those of some of the greatest players of all time.

Leticia Bufoni is one of the most recognised names in the skateboarding world, a six-time gold medallist at the X Games and a participant in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics in street.

Her ability to make the most complex stunts look easy has won her fans all over the world. But there is much more behind this formidable Brazilian athlete, a US citizen since 2021.

Here are eight curiosities you might not have known about Leticia Bufoni, a benchmark for skateboarders.

Alana Blanchard is more than just a professional surfer with numerous appearances on the ASP World Tour, the world's premier professional surfing championship.

Known the world over for her extraordinary skills on the board, Alana Blanchard is also a successful model, influencer and Hawaiian lifestyle icon. 

But how much do we really know about this talented sportswoman? Here are six facts you might not have known about Alana Blanchard the queen of the surfboard.

The 16-year-old is collecting world records, such as the one in the 400 medley, thanks to which she overtook Katinka Hossu's seven-year old record in the 400 freestyle, with which she also overtook Ariane Titmus.

After the record she said: "Obviously this is really fantastic and I'm really happy to get another world record!"

It doesn't end there: during the week she also set other national and junior records and became the first female swimmer to hold world records in the 400 freestyle and 400 mixed at the same time. During the weekend, she also won the 200 butterfly and tried the 200 freestyle as well.

Her presence comes as no surprise to swimming fans. The formidable swimmer, at 14, had been the youngest of the entire North American delegation at Tokyo 2020 and also became the first Canadian since 1984 and 1967 to take two world records in the long pool.

Forbes' has compiled the ranking of the highest-paid sportsmen in 2023. At the top is footballer Cristiano Ronaldo thanks to his millionaire contract with his current team, Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

Two other footballers complete the podium, but in the top 10 there are athletes from four sports: basketball, tennis, golf and...boxing. NBA stars known to all sportsmen and women, and golf champions who have rich prize money at tournaments.

The ranking takes into account both earnings from sports and 'off the field' earnings from sponsorships and image rights.