This year’s Elite Eight teams are all looking to change narratives with a Final Four run

Serena Williams’ astonishing row with umpire Carlos Ramos at the US Open final overshadowed Naomi Osaka’s maiden grand slam title. Williams erupted having received a code violation for coaching and a further punishment for racquet abuse, before she branded Ramos a “liar” and a “thief”, conduct which earned her a game penalty and, later, a $17,000 fine. In an attempt to understand Williams’ Flushing Meadows meltdown, Omnisport spoke to sports psychologist Andy Barton for his reading of the outburst.

Deandre Ayton, the No. 1 pick in the draft, has lofty goals for himself and is keenly aware that critics are ready to pick him apart. “You’ve just got to play up to the hype.”