Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
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?”
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”
For the first time in history, the Australian Open have this week announced their Grand Slam tournament will be extended to 15 days – much like Roland Garris in Paris – a decision prompted after increasing backlash as five-time finalist Andy Murray finished one of his thrilling wins at 4am local time this season. Continue reading “Australian Open joins Roland Garros as second Major extending to 15-day event”
The world no. 4, twice a Major finalist over the last twelve months, has slipped to a 5-6 win-loss record on what has quickly proven an arduous start to the season following a rough three-set defeat by Botic van de Zandschulp overnight in Miami – dropping over 500 ranking points as his struggles with form persist. Continue reading “Casper Ruud’s alarming slump continues, after painful Miami defeat overnight”
Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka is planning a return to competition in time for this year’s Roland Garros, having been absent from the ATP tour since undergoing left foot surgery after last March’s Qatar Open. Meanwhile, Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic said she’s still struggling with the after-effects of COVID-19 after contracting the virus in December.
Continue reading “Wawrinka targeting April return date, Bencic reveals COVID-19 complications”
Having announced her retirement on Dec. 1, Britain’s Johanna Konta – a three-time Major semi-finalist and former world no. 4 – was plagued by troublesome injuries and some streaky form, underselling the country’s greatest hope in the women’s game across the last decade and more. Here, I look back as the 30-year-old waved goodbye quietly before the new year. Continue reading “Johanna Konta’s retirement: Injuries don’t cloud her legacy as Britain’s tireless hope”
After being blasted out of Wimbledon by Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on July 7, Roger Federer underwent another round of knee surgery and stressed he wouldn’t rush a return in 2022 – which was one of the topics his coach Ivan Ljubicic has expanded on, during a recent interview. Continue reading “Roger Federer update: Swiss legend’s coach Ivan Ljubicic talks recovery and retirement”
Having dethroned reigning champion Rafael Nadal during an unforgettable semi-final battle on Friday night, Novak Djokovic remarkably managed to recover from two sets down, leaving first-time finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas (#5) heartbroken – while securing his 19th Major title.
Continue reading “French Open 2021: Djokovic recovers to overwhelm Tsitsipas in five-set epic final”
World number one and last year’s beaten finalist Novak Djokovic won 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 against Matteo Berrettini overnight, booking yet another Grand Slam semi-final – second to only Roger Federer in the all-time ranks (50). However, it wasn’t without a few dicey moments late on…
Continue reading “French Open 2021: Djokovic’s defiant defence helps him roar past Berrettini”
Armed with 33 winners and almost half the unforced error count to boot, Stefanos Tsitsipas (#5) avenged his humbling straight sets defeat four months ago in Melbourne with a gritty 6-3, 7-6, 7-5 win over the world number two – progressing into a third successive Grand Slam semi-final. Continue reading “French Open 2021: Tsitsipas shines brightest, downing Medvedev in straight sets”
Without intending to jinx the two-time Grand Slam finalist, who is seeded second in Paris, he has earned gritty wins over Alexander Bublik and Tommy Paul, though big-serving American Reilly Opelka will present his biggest test yet later today. Continue reading “French Open 2021: Has Daniil Medvedev finally cracked his clay curse?”
The world number two beat Patricia Maria-Tig before being fined $15,000 by the tournament for not honouring her media obligations – something preemptively addressed on Twitter last week. The 23-year-old ultimately withdrew, not wanting to act as a distraction for the tournament. Continue reading “French Open 2021: Naomi Osaka withdraws after being fined for media no-show”
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