Wellington Struggles to Fill Early World Cup Matches 

South Africa's Refiloe Jane, center, take the ball as Sweden's Elin Rubensson, right, chases during the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP)
South Africa's Refiloe Jane, center, take the ball as Sweden's Elin Rubensson, right, chases during the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP)
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Wellington Struggles to Fill Early World Cup Matches 

South Africa's Refiloe Jane, center, take the ball as Sweden's Elin Rubensson, right, chases during the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP)
South Africa's Refiloe Jane, center, take the ball as Sweden's Elin Rubensson, right, chases during the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP)

Host city Wellington hopes the arrival of their Football Ferns will help stir more excitement for the Women's World Cup this week, as early matches failed to fill the 33,132-capacity Sky Stadium.

A record crowd of 42,137 watched the New Zealand team claim their first-ever World Cup victory, a 1-0 win over Norway, at Eden Park on Thursday but the tournament has gotten off to a tepid start in the New Zealand capital.

Friday's match between Spain and Costa Rica failed to reach 70% of stadium capacity, with 22,966 in attendance, while Sunday's affair between Sweden and South Africa was at 55% capacity.

"I thought it'd be a bit more, like a bit more people dressed up," said 43-year-old Sweden supporter Larna Tigerholm.

Co-host Australia drove the momentum for early ticket sales, as FIFA boasted over a million sold more than a month before the tournament had even begun.

But New Zealand residents were slower to pounce, prompting the global soccer governing body to offer 20,000 for free days ahead of kick-off.

"What (organizers) really need to do is to inform people of what is the uniqueness about being able to go along and see two teams play that are not the national team and may not even be particularly highly ranked," said Kevin Argus, a senior lecturer from RMIT University. "A lot of storytelling needs to occur."

There will be no back story needed, however, when the Ferns arrive for Tuesday's showdown with the Philippines, as a win over the World Cup debutants would keep alive their dream of exiting the group stage.

That game is sold out along with Thursday's match between four-times champions the United States and their 2019 final foes the Netherlands.

"We're looking ahead to the games after that and how we can build on that momentum and really encourage New Zealanders and different communities (to watch)," said Warrick Dent, the general manager of WellingtonNZ for events and experiences.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and we're pretty confident that New Zealanders will get in behind it as the tournament goes on."



Rublev Eyes Long Coaching Partnership with Idol Safin

Russia's Andrey Rublev (R) hits a return to USA's Ben Shelton during the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) tournament in the Nimes arenas on April 4, 2025. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)
Russia's Andrey Rublev (R) hits a return to USA's Ben Shelton during the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) tournament in the Nimes arenas on April 4, 2025. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)
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Rublev Eyes Long Coaching Partnership with Idol Safin

Russia's Andrey Rublev (R) hits a return to USA's Ben Shelton during the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) tournament in the Nimes arenas on April 4, 2025. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)
Russia's Andrey Rublev (R) hits a return to USA's Ben Shelton during the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) tournament in the Nimes arenas on April 4, 2025. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)

World number nine Andrey Rublev has added two-time Grand Slam champion Marat Safin to his coaching team ahead of the European claycourt swing but the Russian said he is well aware that his compatriot will only stick around if he enjoys the job.
Rublev has struggled to keep his emotions in check at times during matches and his outbursts have overshadowed his game, but the 27-year-old said after a run to the Doha title in February that conversations with his idol Safin had helped him.
Having formally hired the former world number one ahead of this week's Monte Carlo Masters, Rublev is hoping for a long and successful partnership with the former Australian Open and US Open champion.
"I hope for really long, but it depends if he will enjoy to work with me or he will suffer," Rublev told reporters.
"Because if he would feel that I'm not doing the things or I'm not listening, I don't think he will waste his time.
"For the moment I'm just trying to listen and to try new things. We'll see how it will work, or what it will bring, or what's going to happen."
Safin was no stranger to outbursts, having broken dozens of rackets on court during his career and Rublev hoped the 45-year-old's experience in dealing with his problems would be useful, Reuters reported.
"He had his own struggles that he went through and I was always afraid to ask (about) those things, but inside I always wanted to," Rublev said.
"In the end, when I found out that he was also ready and he was looking maybe to work in tennis, it was like, 'Okay, I have to at least try ... I have to ask'."
Rublev takes on French veteran Gael Monfils in the second round of Monte Carlo.