"We knew that we could be good enough, it was just about going and doing it, and we've done it.”

Arsenal’s Alessia Russo on their Champions League Final win 🍾🏆

Welcome … how could we not lead with this remarkable win? Since 2007, Barcelona and Lyon have dominated the Champions League but now Arsenal have joined them. What a result! Congratulations Arsenal - what a win for English football.

But there has been other news. This week we’re featuring tennis, cricket, F1 Academy and netball.

Tennis - Amelie Brooks

The second Grand Slam of the year began at the weekend at the beautiful site of Roland Garros for the French Open. There is good representation for GB women - let’s hope they make it into the second week.

Four Brits will take to the French clay in the women’s main draw singles event: Jodie Burrage, Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal, and Katie Boulter.

Jodie and Sonay will team up for the doubles, joined by Harriet Dart, Emily Appleton, Olivia Nicholls, and Maia Lumsden - all with their respective partners.

Jodie, Emma and Katie took to the courts on Monday for their first-round matches.

Jodie battled hard against the experienced Danielle Collins, pushing her to a first set tiebreak but eventually losing in two sets.

However, both Emma and Katie succeeded in challenging three set matches to reach the second round. This win also marks Katie’s first ever main draw singles win at Roland Garros - congrats Katie!

Cricket

England completed a dominant 3-0 series whitewash over the West Indies in their women’s T20 series. This was their first test under Charlotte Edwards and with Nat Sciver-Brunt as captain… and we think it went pretty well!

In the first test in Canterbury, Sophia Dunkley scored an unbeaten 81 off 56 balls, anchoring England’s chase and setting the formidable tone for the series. If the name sounds familiar then her fantastic catch in the second series in Hove may be filling your timeline - if you haven’t seen it, check it out here. And we recommend following Dunkley through the summer - she’s one to watch for sure!

In Hove, the star batter was captain Nat Sciver-Brunt who smashed 55 (not out) off just 30 balls, powering England to another strong win.

And in the third match, played in Chelmsford, Essex, it was ex-captain Heather Knight who found her form: she scored a crucial 66, her first fifty in 44 T20I innings in England. Emily Arlott made her debut, helping Knight set a competitive total.

The West Indies did not sit back and take it! Hayley Matthews led the West Indies attack with three wickets for 32 runs, and 19-year-old Jahzara Claxton impressed for the West Indies, taking 1-15 on debut and claiming her first international wicket.

They will next play the West Indies in a one-day international (ODI) series starting this week on 30th May.

F1 Academy - Scarlett Archer

Netflix BTS show begins this week!

If you’ve seen or heard of Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’ then you might know what a phenomenon that programme has become. Excitingly, the Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon has produced a new seven-part docuseries on Netflix showcasing the journeys of the F1 Academy female drivers as they navigate the racing world. The series is set to premiere on May 28.

Image courtesy Alamy

Here’s the background:

In March 2023 Suzy Wolff, a very experienced racing driver and former Williams F1 test driver was appointed managing director of the F1 Academy, a racing series designed to develop and promote female drivers. The goal is for drivers to gain experience and further develop their skills to reach higher levels of motorsport, including Formula 3, Formula 2 and Formula 1.

In the series girls between the ages of 16-25 drive ‘One-Make series’ Formula 4 cars which are all identical. These are used to emphasize driver skill on a ‘level playing field’. F1 Academy provides more visibility which can lead to more opportunities and sponsorship.

There are three drivers on each team and this year there are six teams so 18 drivers on the grid. All drivers can only compete in two seasons. They also need to hold a Grade B, C or D international circuit FIA license.

The format for race weekends includes up to two forty-minute free practice sessions, one qualifying session and two 30-minute races. In the first race the drivers compete on a reverse grid format which means the top eight qualifiers start on a reverse grid, 8th place takes first place and so on. In the second race the women race based on the original qualifying results.

Enjoy the show!

Netball

The Netball Super League has delivered high stakes matches and extra-time drama in the last week. The Grand Final is at The O2 on 6 July.

A standout fixture saw league leaders London Pulse face reigning champions Loughborough Lightning at the Copper Box Arena. Lightning struck (yeah, we know predictable 😂) for the win. Final score was 58-53.

London Mavericks and Leeds Rhinos played to a dramatic draw, leading to an extra-time showdown, a new feature introduced this season adding some extra 🌶️. Mavericks were the top guns, taking home the win, 57-48.

The tourney continues…

What to watch this week:

Golf: The US Open begins on Thursday from Erin, Wisconsin. Charley Hull and Caley McGinty are there from GB as well as the amateur Lottie Woad (2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur). You can follow them round the course on Sky Sports.

Tennis: As we’ve mentioned the French Open is underway and we already have two women through to the second round. Available on TNT Sports and Discovery +.

Cricket: England vs West Indies will be on Sky Sports. Will England dominate in the longer one day format?

Share your sporting stories with us - it’s really easy! We read every email and DM and we may well include your story in next week’s newsletter.

The WAGIS Team x

Newsletter: 27th May 2025