NBA Commissioner Adam Silver believes the league will eventually return to China, five years after a controversy over the Hong Kong democracy protests led to a backlash in the Chinese market.   In 2019, then-Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey posted a pro-Hong Kong message on social media, sparking outrage in China. As a result, China stopped broadcasting NBA games, and corporate sponsors pulled out, causing significant financial losses for the league. Despite this, Silver reiterated that the NBA stands by its values, stating, "Anybody in our league has the right to speak out on political matters." Chinese state broadcaster CCTV resumed airing NBA games in 2022, and tensions appeared to ease when All-Star Jimmy Butler toured China during the summer of 2023. [caption id="attachment_896" align="aligncenter" width="666"]

  Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players in history, announced his retirement after the upcoming Davis Cup Finals in November. The 22-time Grand Slam champion, known for his record 14 French Open titles, has battled injuries in recent years, with a hip surgery limiting his play in 2023. Nadal’s surprise inclusion in Spain’s Davis Cup team, from Nov. 19-24, will be his final tournament, bringing an end to his illustrious career.   “I’m here to announce my retirement from professional tennis,” Nadal shared in an emotional video on social media. “The last few years have been tough, and I haven’t been able to play without limitations. It’s time to close a chapter that’s been more successful than I ever imagined.” [caption id="attachment_888" align="aligncenter" width="666"]

  At Athletes for Freedom, we celebrate the incredible achievements of women in all fields, including sports, where they continue to make groundbreaking strides. In a major leap forward for women's basketball, the WNBA has announced that starting in 2025, the Finals will expand to a best-of-seven series for the first time ever.   This is a huge moment, signaling that women's basketball is matching the competitive spirit and visibility long associated with men’s sports, and it’s happening where it matters most — on the Finals stage. [caption id="attachment_878" align="aligncenter" width="666"]