By: Amanda Schwartz
ATLANTA – Athletes aren’t solely the players on the field, court, green, pitch, or whatever other surface I’m missing. Outside of their sport, athletes are human beings – and just like the rest of us, they aren’t perfect. Every week, the athletes of the world give us a glimpse into their personal lives, and it is our duty to sit back and indulge in the drama. From Atlanta’s airwaves to your screens, it’s time to spill the latest sports tea!
STORY 1: There’s Drama in Wimbledon! Tennis WAG & Influencer Morgan Riddle Calls Out Alexander Zverev’s Messy Past on Her Social Media, and Alex Didn’t Appreciate It.
It is very well known that London is all about their tea – and this week at Wimbledon, the tea is piping hot.
If you’re anything like me, you’re not watching Wimbledon just for the tennis – you’re tuning in to spot your favorite celebrities, make a mental note of the chic fashion, and if it arises, indulge in the off-court drama. Wimbledon 2024 has brought it all.
On Monday, American tennis star Taylor Fritz came back from two sets behind to defeat German player Alexander Zverev, which is a very impressive comeback for the sport. After the match, viewers couldn’t help but notice a heated conversation between Fritz and Zverev while the former opponents shook hands. Of course, us drama-lovers had to know what the exchange was about.
Lucky for us, a member of the Wimbledon press is a fellow drama-lover and asked Zverev what the confrontation entailed. Zverev went on to accuse members of Fritz’s box of going ‘over the top’ after his impressive comeback. Enter Taylor Fritz’s influencer girlfriend, Morgan Riddle.
Morgan Riddle is a famous influencer who caught a ton of attention from showing off her lavish lifestyle as a tennis WAG. Of course, she is present at Wimbledon to cheer on her man and capture every moment to share with her more than 800K social media followers along the way.
It is probably important to note here that Alexander Zverev has a messy past. He was accused of previously assaulting two women, including the mother of his child back in 2020. He eventually reached an “out-of-court settlement” in the case with his ex, resulting in a fine of €150,000 to the state and €50,000 to charity.
Prior to her boyfriend’s match against Zverev, Riddle posted an Instagram story of the court with a caption “cheer loud ladies”, insinuating that women should rally for Fritz because of the allegation against his opponent.
Then comes the heated moment between Frtiz and Zverev.
When Fritz was asked about the altercation, he noted that it was regarding his team cheering loudly for him when Zverev was visibly injured.
After the match, Riddle doubled-down with a since-deleted TikTok of her celebrating her boyfriend’s win over Zverev with a drink in her hand and the caption “when your man wins 4 the girls”. Ballsy move Morgan, but I like it.
Taylor Fritz lost to Lorenzo Musetti today in the quarter-finals.
STORY 2: Olivia Culpo & Christian McCaffery are Defending her Wedding Dress while on their Honeymoon!
The WAG wedding of the year took place between model Olivia Culpo and San Francisco 49ers tight end Christian McCaffery in Rhode Island on June 29th – and it was everything we could have hoped for… well, mostly.
The Dolce & Gabbana inspired wedding was covered by Vogue, so it’s fair to say the public had high expectations for the day – as did the bride. Culpo talked to Vogue about the day, including her simple, yet elegant wedding-day look.
“I never felt more beautiful than when I was in my ceremony dress and under my veil — I really wanted the simplicity of each component to harmonize perfectly,” said Culpo in her Vogue spread.
Social media disagreed. Once pictures of Culpo’s wedding dress were released, there was an influx of opinions on social media with an overwhelming consensus that she dropped the ball (something her husband could never do).
Culpo and McCaffery, however, are not taking the critiques well. The newlyweds are adding fuel to the fire by responding to some of the dress haters on TikTok while on their honeymoon. Culpo responded to an influencer who said her dress has “no personality”:
“Wow what an absolutely evil person you are. I hope no one ever tears you apart in this way because it’s extremely hurtful. I love this dress and it was everything I ever wanted and more,” said Culpo on the influencer’s TikTok.
McCaffery commented on the same post using the same language:
“What an evil thing to post online. I hope you can find joy and peace in the world, the way my beautiful wife does,” said McCaffery.
If you are wanting my opinion, it’s two-fold. On the one and, when you sign up to have your wedding day covered by Vogue, public criticism should be expected. At the same time, Culpo made it clear in the article that she felt beautiful in her gown, and it is her day to feel stunning in whatever she chooses to wear. Plus, she’s Olivia Culpo, she would look beautiful in a plastic bag.
The bottom line is that the newlyweds are now married, and the world is officially blessed with the newest NFL power couple. That is, until Taylor and Travis decide to join the club.
STORY 3: Zach Wilson is Engaged! And So is His Ex-Girlfriend… To His College Roommate…
The type of people who are perfectly unbothered by their friends dating their exes are better than I could ever be. Apparently, that includes the Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson.
Wilson and his model/dress designer girlfriend, Nicolette Dellanno, announced that the two got engaged back in June while on vacation in Italy. The pair have been dating since 2022, just a few months after him and his high school sweetheart, Abbey Gile, broke up.
Why did Wilson and Gile break up, you ask? Great question. Back in 2022, there were social media rumors that Gile had left Wilson for his BYU football teammate and roommate, Dax Milne, as the two were rumored to be dating shortly after her breakup with Wilson. Gile was quick to deny those claims and instead hinted at something a little messier. Gile claimed that she broke up with the future NFL quarterback because he had slept with his mom’s best friend. I guess they’re called the BYU Cougars for a reason.
This rumor was never confirmed, but Wilson and Gile broke up, nonetheless. Within months, Gile went on to date future Washington Commanders wide receiver, Dax Milne, and Wilson went on to date the stunning and talented Nicolette Dellanno.
Fast forward to earlier this week, just about one week after Wilson and Dellanno announced their engagement, Gile and Milne are now engaged as well! This leaves me with just one question:
Will they be guests at each other’s weddings? Couldn’t be me.
