Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Andy Murray waved goodbye on Sunday and 24 hours later, it was the turn of 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal to begrudgingly do the same on Philippe Chatrier after an entertaining three-hour tussle against Olympic champion Alexander Zverev capturing everyone’s attention – family, fellow pros and the world’s media – as the Spanish legend’s uncertain future continues. Continue reading “French Open 2024: Zverev spoils the party for Nadal, who leaves door open to return”
Two-time French Open finalist Casper Ruud saved match point en route to a morning semifinal win over Flavio Cobolli in Geneva, before returning a few hours later and saving a set point against Novak Djokovic’s conqueror Tomas Machac in the finale – a fitting warmup before his latest trip to Paris. Continue reading “Casper Ruud reels off two wins in six hours, building grit with third Geneva title”
World number one Novak Djokovic made his return to court with a straight-sets victory in Rome, though headlines afterwards centred around him being accidentally struck in the head by a water bottle from up above as he signed autographs post-match. After medical checks, the Serb is okay and will face Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo on Sunday as his pursuit of perfection resumes.
Continue reading “Djokovic well-rested, plans a successful summer peak as Rome fortnight continues”
A niggling back injury has clearly played its role, but Stefanos Tsitsipas’ rough form across all surfaces over the past six months has seen many critics question what he’s doing, if anything, to keep pace with his younger counterparts at a juncture in the sport where the new generation – led by Carlos Alcaraz and new first-time Major champion Jannik Sinner – are quickly breaking new ground. Continue reading “Keen to steady his form, Tsitsipas knows Alcaraz and Sinner forcing him to evolve”
A week removed from his long-awaited first Miami Open title, world number two Jannik Sinner is back among home comforts on the French Riviera with another Masters 1000 event already in full swing. Having reached the tournament’s semifinal stage twelve months ago, can the Italian surpass that achievement on his return to clay as the sport’s in-form player right now? Continue reading “Having made history Stateside, Sinner looks to eclipse last year in Monte-Carlo”
After a disappointing start to 2024 by his exceedingly high standards, 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic’s announcement this week that he was ending his highly successful five-year coaching partnership with Goran Ivanisevic was both ruthless and said all it needed to. The world no. 1 is wading through another wave of talent hungry to knock him off his perch permanently. Continue reading “Djokovic’s Ivanisevic decision typifies the cost of being king – for better and worse”
He was aggressive, served beautifully for large periods and kept the defending champion honest during their longer rallies, but it wasn’t enough as Taylor Fritz suffered yet another defeat to Novak Djokovic as his Australian Open campaign ended in the last-eight. The American no. 1 should take heart from his display nonetheless, as Jannik Sinner prepares to face the Serb in Friday’s semifinals. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 24: Fritz faltered sure, but American can take heart from four-set loss”
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka experienced contrasting starts to their respective Australian Open title defences on Day 1 this year, where Croatian teenage qualifier Dino Prizmic pushed his idol to unexpected waters in a four-hour battle on Rod Laver to kick off the night session. Sabalenka meanwhile, will hope to produce more of the same devastating hitting given her draw… Continue reading “Australian Open 2024: Djokovic-Prizmic thrilled, Kyrgios’ media musings 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”
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”
The 28-year-old spoke about needing a break after a packed calendar where he dealt with a knee injury and Britain’s no. 1 player Cameron Norrie was typically bullish when speaking to media about facing Novak Djokovic during tomorrow’s Davis Cup quarterfinals against Serbia, after Jack Draper looks to give team GB a lead during the tie’s first of two singles matchups against Laslo Djere… Continue reading “Davis Cup: Feeling fresh, Norrie bullish as Great Britain gear up for Djokovic’s Serbia”
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”
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