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?”
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”
Having split their two previous H2H meetings in Lyon and Paris, it felt fitting that Cameron Norrie would show his steely resolve on the road back from niggling injuries and outlast Corentin Moutet to reach his first ATP tour-level final for almost two years as the arduous 2024 calendar grinds to a close. Continue reading “Metz: Norrie beats Moutet to reach first ATP final for 21 months after injury woes”
Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka. Now it’s the turn of world number one and reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek as the latest top player searching for a new coach before the 2025 campaign begins, having announced her split from Tomasz Wiktorowski after three successful seasons together. Continue reading “Coaching carousel continues as Swiatek splits from Wiktorowski after three years”
Team USA sealed Olympic gold in Paris last month but only just, with a series of scares along the way from Nikola Jokic’s Serbia and eventual silver medallists France as well as South Sudan in a pre-tournament friendly prior. The world’s depth has become increasingly clear in recent seasons and players departing the NBA bubble for leagues worldwide isn’t as surprising as it once was. Continue reading “Depth in Paris shows Evan Fournier’s Olympiacos choice not one to be sniffed at”
24 hours. Two stunning results on Arthur Ashe. Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, as well as defending titlist Novak Djokovic both beaten before the second week at a Major for the first time in a while, just weeks removed from their Olympic exertions on Parisian clay left the pair undercooked and lacking energy needed for a deep Flushing Meadows foray. Continue reading “US Open 2024: Olympic hangover sees Alcaraz, Djokovic both stunned in 24 hours”
Four-time Major champion Carlos Alcaraz will look to make it a fabulous five in New York this coming fortnight, but allayed fears over a rolled ankle injury sustained during his practice session alongside Francisco Cerundolo on Saturday. The reigning French Open and Wimbledon titlist, who lost a three-setter vs. Gael Monfils in Cincinnati last week, should be okay after some rest. Continue reading “US Open 2024: Alcaraz assures rolled ankle injury is merely minor, fine for Tuesday”
Jannik Sinner improved to 48-5 in 2024 thus far at Frances Tiafoe’s expense on Monday, racking up his second Masters 1000 title of the calendar year – third in twelve months – before the Italian’s latest achievement was quickly overshadowed some 12 hours later as news broke about him being cleared of wrongdoing over two failed March anti-doping tests not before made public.
Continue reading “12 hours after Cincinnati title, Sinner’s silent drugs ban cleared – questions asked”
Two-time Major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas has, at long last, announced his father Apostolos will no longer be coaching him after publicly criticising the 56-year-old after his straight-sets defeat by Kei Nishikori at the Canadian Open in Montreal this past week. Struggling for consistency and conscious younger rivals are progressing while he stagnates, what next for the 26-year-old? Continue reading “Tsitsipas cuts coaching ties with father Apostolos after Toronto exit – what now?”
Although fans were hopeful of a final US Open appearance when his name featured on the entry list earlier this summer, 22-time Major champion Rafael Nadal today announced his withdrawal from the final Grand Slam tournament of 2024, with many fearing a retirement announcement is forthcoming. Continue reading “US Open 2024: Nadal confirms he’s not 100%, will not feature at year’s final Major”
Canada seek their first men’s basketball Olympic medal since clinching silver back in 1936 and know they must sustain their excellent group stage play to do so. The bulk of the focus surrounds Team USA for obvious reasons but as RJ Barrett and Dillon Brooks have played important support roles, Canada’s star guard leads by example – Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Continue reading “Olympics: SGA leading the way for Canada before France quarterfinal – of course he is”
Three weeks after being outplayed in the Wimbledon final, 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic avenged his disappointment with aplomb, producing an inspired display to skilfully outfox Carlos Alcaraz after two thrilling sets of tennis lasting just under three hours as the 37-year-old ended his career-long pursuit of Olympic gold for Serbia while making more individual history. Continue reading “Olympics: Djokovic clinches elusive gold medal after epic straight-sets Alcaraz win”
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