Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Eager for a long-awaited change in fortunes among the elite, Australian Open quarterfinalist Hubert Hurkacz announced he’d be adding eight-time Major champion Ivan Lendl and Olympic gold medallist Nicolas Massu to his coaching team for 2025. Following another second-round exit at Flushing Meadows in August, he parted ways with Craig Boynton after their five-year partnership. Continue reading “Hope for Hubi? Hurkacz unveils new coaching team – Lendl and Massu for 2025”
After an underwhelming campaign by his exceedingly high standards, 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic declared a readiness to challenge the world’s top two players in Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at Grand Slams again as the scene of his most successful event returns centre-stage in Melbourne next month. At 37 though, is now too late for another late career renaissance? Continue reading “Djokovic defiant once more, but is he biting off more than he can chew?”
After 36 matches between them at the pro level and a friendly familiarity spanning more than 20 years dating back to their days as aspiring teenagers, 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic revealed a surprise update before 2025: hiring former rival and recently retired Andy Murray as his new coach – starting at the Australian Open, a Grand Slam he’s won a record 10 times. Continue reading “Murray excited, grateful before unique coaching role with former rival Djokovic”
Then there was one. Roger Federer held on as long as he could, pulling the curtain in 2022. Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have followed suit within months of each other during a whirlwind 2024 campaign seeing many of the younger generation assert themselves, while Novak Djokovic is the last man standing. His fiercest rival has said farewell and the sport far weaker for it. Continue reading “Adios, Rafa”
Jacob Fearnley’s main experience at SW19 came six years ago, as a practice partner for then-defending champion Roger Federer. Ranked outside the world’s top 500 in early June, the 22-year-old – fresh out of US college like many other rising Brits – seized this wildcard with both hands, pushing seven-time champion Novak Djokovic during what proved a competitive R2 four-set defeat. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Fearnley’s firepower a welcome sign despite Djokovic loss in four”
Andy Murray’s final hurrah – injury permitting – Novak Djokovic testing his limits again less than a month after knee surgery, new world no. 1 Jannik Sinner looking to unseat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz while Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter fly the Brits’ flag in an intriguing women’s draw. Will any Americans make some noise? How about youngsters with little to lose? Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Draw analysis as SW19 beckons again with storylines brewing”
Former world no. 1, three-time Major champion and double Olympic gold medallist Andy Murray waved farewell to the Philippe Chatrier court for perhaps a final time in his illustrious career, painfully hobbling off after being worn down during a straight-sets defeat by longtime foe and 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka – a fitting nightcap on Day 1 at this year’s tournament. Continue reading “French Open 2024: Wawrinka downs Murray in nightcap as r-word looms large”
In what is widely expected to be the 14-time champion’s final farewell in Paris this coming fortnight as retirement beckons, Rafael Nadal begins his French Open campaign against Rome champion Alexander Zverev after today’s singles draws were unveiled. The pair were engrossed in a thrilling Major semifinal battle here two years ago, before the latter suffered torn ankle ligaments. Continue reading “French Open 2024: Nadal’s nightmare draw starts with Rome champ Zverev in R1”
Andy Murray departed the Australian Open with a painful whimper on Monday, two other former champions have decisions to make after early exits elsewhere but the former world no. 1’s dilemma feels more pressing as retirement lingers. Meanwhile, the media adulation for a returning Emma Raducanu must be tempered if she’s to blossom as many expected would happen much sooner. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2024: Murray must regroup again, Raducanu back refreshed and more”
World no. 1 Novak Djokovic looks to make more history at the Major where he’s been most successful during his illustrious career, while Aryna Sabalenka returns to the scene of her career-best achievement twelve months ago knowing no woman has successfully defended their title since Serena Williams in 2014. Judging by the draws, completed yesterday, it’s easy to see why. Continue reading “Australian Open 2024: Draw analysis, storylines as year’s first Major beckons”
Whether 2024 proves the final season in an illustrious career for the Spaniard, only he and his body can decide that. However, 22-time Major champion Rafael Nadal has confirmed he will end a year-long layoff after a troublesome hip injury in Brisbane next month as the field across both tours intensifies at one of four 250 events in the country before the Australian Open begins on January 14. Continue reading “Brisbane International: Nadal marks his injury return to join ever-growing field”
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