I'm at the top and from there I want to say goodbye: Paola Longoria

▲ The racquetball player says last season was the last she played at 100 percent. AP Photo

Adriana Díaz Reyes

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, p. a12

If 2025 were racquetball player Paola Longoria's retirement year, she'd be saying goodbye to the courts without any slopes in her career. At 35 years old and with more than two decades of experience, the national team member is approaching the final phase of her sporting career, moving on to other facets of her life.

“If I had to stop playing today, I would be satisfied. I was fortunate to represent my country, have sponsors, and see many parts of the world. The last thing I needed was to regain my world number one ranking, and I achieved it after two years of falling in the rankings . I'm at the top, and that's the place from which I'd like to say goodbye,” shared the president of the Chamber of Deputies' Sports Commission.

Although she hasn't made a final decision yet, Longoria admitted that last season was the last she played at 100 percent.

I'm still analyzing a lot of things, but I can say that I won't be able to participate in all the tournaments anymore; I don't think I'll have that opportunity. I'll announce my plans soon; everything will depend on my activities because some very important reforms are coming , he explained.

Her new legislative role, Paola added, takes priority over her sporting commitments.

When I took on the role of federal representative, I committed to fighting for my country and the athletes; it's obvious I'm not going to skip a legislative session for a competition. It will be increasingly difficult with both roles. Fortunately, the tournaments are on weekends, and that helps me participate , she explained.

Years of high performance have taken their toll on the multiple Central American and Pan American champion.

"Sometimes I get home at 10 p.m. and still have to train. I'm getting more and more pain in my hip, arm, and other areas I didn't have before. The level of the tour is very high, and I don't know if I can continue to perform as well as I have been," he added.

Longoria's two passions have left her with little time for family and friends. That's why the racquetball player is seriously considering the possibility of saying goodbye to the court.

I have the big plan of becoming a mother. I've talked about it with my husband, and this year I want to fulfill that dream. I'd also like to visit my parents more often because I'm a very attached daughter and have had less and less time to spend together.

Paola's next sporting challenge will be the World Games , which will be held in China in August.

Racquetball is my passion, and wearing the uniform is always a source of pride. I'm going to do my best to achieve a good result, and then I'll analyze whether or not I stay active.

If he retires, Longoria assures that there is talent to keep the discipline at the top.

“There are several Mexican women playing on the professional tour , and I'm glad to have been part of the growth of racquetball. I'd be happy to see so many boys and girls moving in the right direction.”

In legislative terms, Longoria will seek to protect those selected for the Olympic cycle.

Our main project is a new Physical Culture and Sports Law, as the current one hasn't been changed in many years. We're also going to fight for a substantial budget so that athletes don't lack anything on their path to the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

▲ Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (right) had a problem with his right pectoral muscle during the third game. Photo AFP

Ap

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, p. a12

London. Just when luck seemed to be on Grigor Dimitrov's side, fortune tipped the scales in Jannik Sinner's favor. After leading by two sets and on the verge of causing an upset at Wimbledon, the Bulgarian tennis player suffered a right pectoral injury that forced him to retire in the round of 16 of the third Grand Slam of the season.

The match seemed to be under control for Dimitrov, who led 6-3, 7-5. However, in the third game of the third set, Grigor executed an ace and immediately grabbed his armpit and threw himself to the floor. Sinner ran to the net to offer assistance before Baby Fed left the court, but the latter returned moments later in tears, unable to continue.

I hope he recovers soon. It was very unlucky on his part , said Sinner. I don't consider this a victory. It's a very unfortunate moment for all of us. He's had a lot of problems with injuries, and seeing him like this is very, very tough , lamented Jannik, who will face Ben Shelton, who defeated Lorenzo Sonego, in his quarterfinal match.

Djokovic suffers, but advances

Novak Djokovic overcame an unusually shaky start to avoid what would have been his earliest Wimbledon exit since 2016. The Serb defeated 11th-seeded Alex de Minaur 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals.

With eight-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer sitting in the front row of the royal box, very little went right for the 38-year-old Djokovic early on. But Nole turned things around enough to take the middle two sets and then took control after trailing 4-1 in the fourth. He won the final five games and 14 of the last 15 points.

His bid for an eighth Wimbledon title and 25th Grand Slam singles title will continue against Italian Flavio Cobolli.

Bencic, in the quarterfinals

In the women's results, Belinda Bencic advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time at Wimbledon, 11 years after her debut at the All England Club , by beating Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6, 6-4.

The tennis player gave birth to her daughter Bella in April 2024 and returned to competition without a ranking in October of that year. She is now back at No. 35 after excellent performances, including a fourth-round showing at the Australian Open and the Abu Dhabi title in February.

Mirra Andreeva continues to play a level of tennis far ahead of her time. Yesterday, the 18-year-old defeated Emma Navarro 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals. She is the youngest player to do so since Nicole Vaidisova 18 years ago. Andreeva is also the first teenager to reach the top 8 since Victoria Azarenka and Sabine Lisicki in 2009.

▲ Photo Ap

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, p. a29

The Milwaukee Brewers routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-1 yesterday, marking their fourth consecutive loss. Andrew Vaughn (pictured) contributed a home run to his team's victory. In another game, Mexican Isaac Paredes hit his 19th home run of the season in the Houston Astros' 7-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.