By Jason Cruz
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Welcome to another edition of The Layup Drill. This month, we look at Wimbledon, the World Cup, and a new draftee for the Seattle Kraken.
Zheng scores Wimbledon upset
The Wimbledon Championships, also known as Wimbledon, began last week at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. American Michael Zheng scored one of the first upsets at Wimbledon with a victory over former Wimbledon semi-finalist Cameron Norrie in his debut match. Zheng, a native of New Jersey, spent most of his younger years training on the hard courts of Queens, New York. The 22-year-old went on to Columbia University, where he became the first Ivy League tennis player to win Ivy League Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and First-Team All-Ivy in singles and doubles in the same season. In 2024 and 2025, he won back-to-back NCAA singles titles.
Michael Zheng of the United States celebrates after winning the men’s singles match against Cameron Norrie of Britain at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, June 29, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Zheng is no stranger to the grass courts of Wimbledon as he made it to the finals of the Junior Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2022.
Alex Eala wins first Wimbledon match
Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala broke into our minds with outstanding play last year in the U.S. Open. She continues her strong tennis this year at Wimbledon. The 20-year-old has cruised into the third round of Wimbledon singles with two easy wins and now must face the third ranked Ig Swiatek on July 4th to make it into the 4th round.
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates after winning against Renata Zarazua of Mexico after the women’s singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, June 30, 2026.(AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
With her play this week, she became the first Filipino woman to make it into the 3rd round of a Grand Slam. Her fans have lined up as early as 3:00 a.m. to get a chance to watch her play.
Naomi Osaka dazzles in Kimono-inspired outfit
28-year-old Naomi Osaka is known for her fashion statements on and off the court. But with strict limitations on what is worn at Wimbledon (primarily all athletes must wear white), fashionistas were intrigued on what she would do this year. Osaka donned a kimono-inspired ruffled gown in white as she entered the court to whoops and applause. The dress, made by famed Japanese designer Hana Yagi, was emblazoned with cranes and cherry blossoms. Osaka topped off the “warmup outfit” with a traditional kanzasi hair ornament.
Naomi Osaka wears a kimono before a first round women’s singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, on Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)
Osaka told reporters that the inspiration from the kimono was a reflection on her own Japanese heritage. She also pulled from Lucy Liu’s character in the action movie, Kill Bill, where Liu’s character is a former assassin dressed in a white kimono.
On the court, Osaka is taking care of business. She has not lost a set thus far at Wimbledon as she made her way through the third round of the singles bracket.
South Korea disappoints, Japan loses heartbreaker
The World Cup heads into the “knockout stage” in July, but it is without two of the bigger threats in the tournament.
South Korea had a disappointing World Cup as it could not pass the group stage. It started off well with a win over Czechia. However, the team suffered a loss to Mexico and then were upset by South Africa with a goal in the 63rd minute. The loss devastated South Korean fans and team members alike. The coach, Hong Myung-bo, was ousted a day after placing 3rd in its group.
South Korea’s soccer head coach Hong Myung-bo, center, who has resigned following the team’s early elimination from the World Cup, arrives at the Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Not only were the fans and team upset, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for an investigation into the team’s poor performance, including the firing of Hong. Although he was a national hero as a player for South Korea, Hong was criticized when he first took over the post as manager of the national team in 2013, as other more qualified managers were passed over. However, after not winning a game in the 2014 World Cup, he resigned from his post. That is why many fans were weary of his return in July 2024. President Myung’s investigation requests transparency from the national team as it will pick another manager.
Japan players react at the end the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Brazil and Japan in Houston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith)
Team Japan made its way out of the group stage. The Blue Samurai scored a 4-0 victory over Tunisia and then drew with the Netherlands and Sweden. It was good enough for second in its group and moved on to play Brazil in the knockout stage. Japan started off well with a goal by Kaishu Sano from 20 yards out in the 29th minute of the match. The game was a stalemate until a goal in the 56th minute by Brazil to tie it up. The heartbreak for Japan came in stoppage time as Brazil scored in “extra time” after the 90th minute, which sealed the victory and ended Japan’s run.
While Japan lost its lead in the game and were sent home, fans cheered and applauded the effort of the team as it returned home this week. A stark difference from the homecoming the South Korean team received when it returned home.
Kraken select Rylan Singh
The Seattle Kraken drafted defenseman Rylan Singh in the seventh round of the NHL Entry Draft. Singh is an 18-year-old from Pickering, Ontario, Canada. The 6 ‘0, 187 pound player played for the Guelph Storm in the Ontario Hockey League. Unfortunately for Singh, he had an appendectomy in February which sidelined him for 14 games for the Storm.
Singh joins the third overall pick, Caleb Malhotra, as players of Indian descent being drafted in this year’s NHL draft. Malhotra, also 18 years old, went to the Vancouver Canucks.
Jason can be reached at newstips@nwasianweekly.com.
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