CK Updates
9/11 anniversary: US Open commemorates 25-year anniversary of attacks on New York
Blake, who would later reach two US Open quarter-finals, was in Augusta for a sweat test, having struggled with cramp during the tournament.
His father, though, was still in New York, where he worked. With mobile phone networks overloaded, there was an uncomfortable wait to discover he was safe and well.
Blake was living in Florida at the time, and with planes grounded, took a hire car from Augusta back to Tampa.
His next tournament was in Hong Kong two weeks later, and he admits it was far from easy to board the plane.
“It was definitely scary because I think you get so isolated in tennis,” he said.
“You feel like the little bubble you are in, where you are a kind of travelling circus, is normal.
“And then when you realise how restricted travel can be, it wakes you up a little bit to the reality and how quickly things can change.
“It felt like there was a safety net around you. We lived in a bit of a dream world where you are living your dream of playing a sport for a living, and that can all be taken away.”
Many domestic sporting events were paused in the aftermath of the attacks, and the Ryder Cup – which had been scheduled to take place at The Belfry in England later that month – was postponed by 12 months.
In Blake’s view, the return of competitive sport helped enormously.
“I think that was one of the things that brought the country back,” he said.
“Sports were stopped, but when they came back having [then President] George W Bush throwing out the first pitch at a Yankees game – I’m not a Yankees fan, and I can’t say I was necessarily a George W Bush fan – I was almost in tears at that moment.
“It was special to have a sitting president [do that]. And it also signified we are back – we are going to have sports, we are going to continue on with our lives.
“The world seemed like it was back on track in a small way.”
Gary Hamilton has been linked with most Irish Premiership vacancies since he left his role at Glenavon in 2023.
Hamilton made 132 appearances and scored 70 goals for the east Belfast side and is already well respected at the club.
The 45-year-old has always had an eye for bringing in and developing younger talent, a skill which would benefit the Glens.
During his almost 12-year spell at the Lurgan Blues, he won the Irish Cup twice in 2014 and 2016, registered four third-place finishes and European football.
Hamilton currently manages Conference League side Ballymacash Rangers, who have won the Steel and Sons for the first time during his tenure.
A manager such as Hamilton, who has secured plenty of silverware during his career, will certainly tick a lot of the boxes that Glentoran would be hoping for in a new manager.
Whereas players in sports like football earn a salary based on a contract with the team that employs them, and athletes in individual sports like tennis and golf can earn a great deal from prize money at major tournaments, athletics competitors rely much more heavily on personal sponsorships and endorsements.
That is because they are paid no direct annual salary, and the only standardised prize money on offer is $50,000 (£37,000) for winning gold in one of the 48 track and field events at the Olympics.
That prize money was only introduced at the 2024 Games in Paris, and is paltry compared to the potential millions in winnings on offer in other major sports.
Some nations – including the USA – also choose to pay athletes who win medals from their own resources, but Britain does not.
Instead, athletes are awarded funding and grants by UK Sport, with the majority of the money coming from the National Lottery.
UK Sport ranks athletes by how likely they are to win medals at major events, and gives more funding to those whose chances it believes are better.
Athletes typically use that funding to pay for training camps, equipment, travel and, in some cases, personal support staff like physiotherapists, nutritionists and chefs.
So why would athletes be instructed to wear national team kit at the Ultimates?
The Ultimate Championship is billed as three fast-paced evenings with a record $10m (£7.4m) prize pot on offer for the biggest stars in athletics.
The condensed schedule and focus on star names is designed to appeal to viewers on television and social media – the latter likely playing a role in the focus on short, sharp bursts of action which can capture attention online.
Most viewers of athletics are used to watching athletes compete while wearing national kit at the Olympics and World Championships. Put simply, the use of a national kit makes it easier for the casual viewer to quickly spot who they should be rooting for and feel invested in the action.
But Kerr’s comments have highlighted the fact that something which may well improve the viewing experience can be felt as a direct financial negative by the athletes themselves.
With the next edition of the Ultimate Championship set to take place in September 2028, shortly after the Olympics in Los Angeles, the battle between brands and country could continue to heat up.
Former West Ham, QPR and Czech Republic goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has died at the age of 64.
Miklosko made almost 400 appearances for the Hammers from 1990 to 1998 and was much loved by supporters, who regularly sang his name long after he left the club.
He later returned as a goalkeeping coach.
Miklosko withdrew from cancer treatment in December 2024, three years after his diagnosis.
Days later he returned to West Ham’s London Stadium for a Premier League match against Liverpool to a hero’s reception.
A West Ham statement read: “It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United announces the passing of legendary former goalkeeper and coach, Luděk Miklosko.
“Rest in peace Ludek, our beloved, inspirational goalkeeper and gentle giant of a man.”
More to follow.
Irish Premiership: Who will replace Declan Devine as Glentoran manager?
Josh Kerr: Ultimate Championship 1500m winner ramps up debate over country vs brands kit
Ludek Miklosko: Ex-West Ham goalkeeper dies aged 64
US Open 2026 results: Alexander Zverev beats Ben Shelton for second Grand Slam title
Erling Haaland goal: Was Haaland’s derby winner a VAR error?
World Athletics’ stance on Russian athletes ‘won’t change’ – Sebastian Coe
Tom Aspinall: UFC to consider removing heavyweight title after almost year out injured
US Open 2026 results: Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to win New York title
US Open 2026 results: Alfie Hewett wins fifth men’s wheelchair singles title in New York
England vs Pakistan player ratings: Has Jordan Cox given selectors food for thought?
Josh Kerr: Ultimate Championship 1500m winner ramps up debate over country vs brands kit
