Carlos Alcaraz turned heads at the 2025 US Open with a near-shaved buzz cut after his brother botched a pre-tournament trim. He leaned into the look, calling it a fresh reset, and some see superstition at play—Alcaraz wore short hair when he won the 2022 title. The haircut stole the spotlight, even stunning fellow pros like Frances Tiafoe, as Alcaraz opened with a win and aims to erase last year’s early exit.
Club América’s Ramón Juárez asked for fair officiating before the Toluca final, pointing to disputed calls in the first leg and a string of high-profile controversies around América. The debate sharpened after the 2024 title win over Cruz Azul on a VAR-awarded penalty and a heated Toluca match in March 2025. The league faces growing pressure to restore confidence in referees during its biggest games.
The Cincinnati Reds beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-1 on August 18, 2025, behind Gavin Lux's two-run homer and a rare three leadoff triples. Brady Singer picked up the win, Scott Barlow notched his first save, and the Reds moved closer to a playoff spot, stretching their win streak over the Angels to nine games.
The Cincinnati Reds made bold roster changes ahead of their series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers, recalling Will Benson and Connor Phillips, while sending Joe La Sorsa to Triple-A and designating Jake Fraley. As they aimed to snap a long losing streak to Milwaukee, the team sat 1.5 games from an NL Wild Card spot.
Akshay Bhatia fired a career-best 62 to lead the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first round of the PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoffs. His hot finish and mental approach put him on top, trailed by Tommy Fleetwood and with Scottie Scheffler further behind. The first playoff event decides who stays in the race.
Jannik Sinner, fresh off his Wimbledon win and back on court at the Cincinnati Open, said his elbow has fully healed but he might keep wearing his now-famous sleeve for comfort and performance reasons, not just protection.
Victoria Mboko, just 18 and already shaking up the tennis scene, has charged into the National Bank Open semifinals. She began the season ranked far outside the top 300 but has rapidly risen with a stellar 33-3 record, multiple international ITF titles, and strong Grand Slam showings. Canadian fans are rallying behind this new sensation as she moves towards a spot in tennis history.
The Phoenix Mercury targeted frontcourt depth in the 2023 WNBA Draft, picking Destiny Harden and Kadi Sissoko in the third round. Harden didn't make the season roster, while Sissoko played every game before being waived the next year. Mercury's approach shifted to selecting guards in the 2024 draft, continuing their search for the right roster mix.
Orlando City SC snapped up Spanish defender Adrián Marín from Portugal’s Braga on a deal through 2026, with an option for 2027, pending visa approval. The seasoned left-back is expected to provide stability for the Lions’ back line as they push forward in their current campaign.
Tigres UANL and LAFC square off on August 5 in a high-stakes 2025 Leagues Cup Phase One battle at BMO Stadium, fighting for a quarterfinal spot. Streaming is on Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass, with top teams aiming for Concacaf Champions Cup berths.