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?”
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”
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”
27 days after surgery on a torn meniscus, seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic returned to competitive action with a straight-sets win over Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva – kicking off another title charge at SW19, having come agonisingly close to making more history last season. Given the tournament’s flurry of injury withdrawals, he’ll be glad not to be among them. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2024: Djokovic pleased after Kopriva win on return from knee surgery”
20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer announced Thursday this week will be his final one as a professional – poised to feature at the Laver Cup in London – thus ending an illustrious sporting career after 24 years. Meanwhile this weekend, there were WTA 250 tournament victories for doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova and Czech teenage talent Linda Fruhvirtova. Continue reading “Tennis round-up: Federer retires, Siniakova stuns Rybakina while Fruhvirtova clinches Chennai title”
Paula Badosa, defending her 2021 Indian Wells title this week, is the latest player to issue a social media warning for the sport’s teenage sensations given their rapid rise in recent months. She’s concerned compatriot Carlos Alcaraz and US Open titlist Emma Raducanu in particular might not yet be prepared to carry the weight and pressures that come with their success.
Continue reading “Indian Wells 2022: Badosa warns Alcaraz and Raducanu over social media, as latter loses again”
Despite losing 6-3, 7-5 against familiar foe Andy Murray during his return from a troublesome foot injury, the 20-time Grand Slam titlist revealed he was happy with his own performance on memorable soil before what promises to be an intriguing 2022 campaign for both champions. Continue reading “Rafael Nadal update: Spaniard returns from foot injury in Abu Dhabi exhibition”
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”
After losing on her return in three sets vs. Su-Wei Hsieh in R1 of the Chicago Fall Tennis Classic to start this week, then suffering a straight-sets loss with doubles partner and compatriot Kirsten Flipkens on Tuesday, the 38-year-old former world no. 1 finds herself in a tough position…
Continue reading “After Chicago defeats on her return, how long can Kim Clijsters’ excitement remain?”
In his third Grand Slam final appearance, world no. 2 Daniil Medvedev produced a fantastic serving display and inpenetrable shot defence en route to blasting beyond a fatigued Novak Djokovic – clinching a maiden Grand Slam title, winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours 15 minutes.
Continue reading “US Open 2021: Daniil Medvedev beats Novak Djokovic, wins first Grand Slam title”
The list of high-profile withdrawals ahead of the year’s final Grand Slam continues, with Venus and younger sister Serena Williams revealing they won’t feature at Flushing Meadows. After news of Roger Federer (knee) and Rafael Nadal (foot) shutting down their 2021 seasons in the last fortnight, this will be the first Slam tournament without the latter trio playing since 1997. Continue reading “US Open 2021: Williams sisters withdraw with injuries, Kenin out with COVID”
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