Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
After years flirting with the top table, Alex de Minaur finally established himself as a mainstay in the world’s top 10 during a busy and memorable 2024. Buoyed by that progress, the Australian knows he can still do more – hampered by injury during the year’s middle section – as preparations ramp up before his home Major, seeking to improve upon consecutive fourth-round finishes. Continue reading “Why not? Alex de Minaur backs himself to build on from breakthrough 2024 season”
Jannik Sinner’s superb 2024 concluded with an impressive Davis Cup defence as he again led Italy, this time over an overachieving Netherlands side in Sunday’s final. Yet the 23-year-old admitted the off-court unknown surrounding doping accusations and his future has been heartbreaking as he awaits WADA’s appeal over being exonerated after two positive drugs tests for clostebol in March. Continue reading “Exhausting wait over doping appeal a sour note on Sinner’s sensational 2024 season”
Although he tried to mask the pain initially, two-time Major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas was in such discomfort that he withdrew from the ATP Finals three games into his second match against Holger Rune last month with a back injury that worsened. Still not 100% now, he’s hoping he’ll be fit enough to lead Greece at the United Cup in little over two weeks’ time alongside Maria Sakkari again. Continue reading “Tsitsipas details just how bad his back injury was, after ATP Finals withdrawal”
Highly-rated coach Darren Cahill has done wonders for Jannik Sinner since joining the Italian’s team in the summer of 2022. After a career-best year ended with Davis Cup success last weekend, it’s clear the 22-year-old will have revamped expectations placed upon him for the 2024 season – the Australian namechecking Major success and peaking for the Olympics in Paris as goals. Continue reading “Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill targets Major, Olympic success for surging Italian in 2024”
Yesterday, Jannik Sinner and team Italy were one point from being knocked out in the Davis Cup semifinals. Today, they can celebrate after the world no. 4’s gritty comeback win over Novak Djokovic helped them pip Serbia to Sunday’s showpiece event – where they emerged victorious vs. Australia without needing the decisive doubles rubber, capping a career-best year for the 22-year-old. Continue reading “Sinner stars in singles, doubles to finish career-best year as Italy clinch Davis Cup”
Novak Djokovic reserved his best for the final weekend of the season – Davis Cup notwithstanding – beating two of the fearless young guns challenging his throne in consecutive days to successfully defend his ATP Finals trophy, making more history doing so. Jannik Sinner made fervent Turin supporters believe anything was possible during a whirlwind week, but couldn’t get over the line. Continue reading “Djokovic spoils Sinner’s superb week to clinch a record seventh ATP Finals title”
2022 started with the now-former world no. 1 being embarrassed in Australia, deported as he prepared to defend his Grand Slam title – an easy target for vilification worldwide given his vaccination stance. It ends with Novak Djokovic clinching a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title despite Casper Ruud’s best efforts, another result during an eventful week in Turin setting up the new season perfectly with plenty of compelling questions now bubbling to the surface. Continue reading “ATP Finals: Djokovic outlasts Ruud to seal record-equalling sixth title, ending a memorable 2022”
Daniil Medvedev recovered from a set down to beat US Open champion Dominic Thiem and win this year’s Nitto ATP Finals, making history in London on Sunday. Eleven years after his Russian compatriot Nikolay Davydenko won the first edition at The 02, the 24-year-old defiantly rose to the occasion in a way that sets him – and others – up brilliantly for a promising 2021 campaign. Continue reading “Daniil Medvedev’s historic ATP Finals win sets up a very promising 2021”
Mo and Sports 