A look back on a summer of sport

From Wimbledon to the World Cup, there has barely been a weekend to catch your breath. With champions crowned and records broken, here is a recap of some of the summer’s biggest sporting highlights.

Wimbledon delivered its usual mix of tradition and surprise. Jannik Sinner defended his men’s title with a four-set win over Alexander Zverev, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4, claiming his fifth Grand Slam title. The women’s final was even harder to predict. Linda Noskova beat fellow Czech Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 to win her first major. At 21, Noskova became the youngest Wimbledon champion since Petra Kvitova in 2011.

England finished third [in the World Cup] after a chaotic 6-4 win over France

Then came the World Cup. The first 48-team edition, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, ended with Spain beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium. Substitute Ferran Torres scored the winner in the 106th minute, giving Spain their second men’s World Cup title. England finished third after a chaotic 6-4 win over France, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick.

Closer to home, Glasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games. The 10-sport programme, including six Para sports, was concentrated across four venues. Josh Kerr won the Commonwealth Mile, which returned to the Games for the first time since 1966, breaking the world record in the process. Elsewhere, Wales’ Emma Finucane won four cycling golds and became the most successful Welsh woman in Commonwealth Games history.

Even Warwickshire had its moment in the sporting spotlight…as the Tour of Britain Women rolled into Leamington Spa

Great Britain enjoyed a highly successful European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, finishing second in the medal table with 19 medals, including nine golds. Amy Hunt made history by becoming the first athlete to win four golds at a single championship, while Dina Asher-Smith became the most decorated athlete in championship history with 11 medals. Matthew Hudson-Smith also became the most decorated male athlete, with nine medals.

Even Warwickshire had its moment in the sporting spotlight on 23 August, as the Tour of Britain Women rolled into Leamington Spa for its dramatic 77-mile finale, where Kim Le Court-Pienaar become the first African winner to claim glory at the race.