Sports
Australian Open: Defending champion Rafael Nadal knocked out in second round
Tennis top seed Rafael Nadal’s defence of his Australian Open title has ended in defeat by American Mackenzie McDonald in the second round.
Nadal was knocked out by American world No 65 Mackenzie McDonald 6-4 6-4 7-5.
The top seed was already in trouble at a set and a break down to unseeded McDonald when he crouched down in obvious pain clutching his left hip after chasing out wide for a forehand, according to a Sky News report.
Nadal called for the trainer after limping through the rest of the game and headed off court for treatment.
The last time a top seed (Nadal) was ousted in the second round of the Australian Open was against Gustavo Kuerten in 2001.
A retirement seemed on the cards, with the Spaniard’s wife Maria crying in the stands, but he opted to continue despite limping around the court.
Nadal managed to hold his serve until the 11th game, roared on by fans still believing he could somehow turn things around, but it was a case of when not if McDonald would find a way through and he soon polished off the win.
Nadal later revealed he had come into the match with an issue in his hip that then became significantly worse.
He said: “It has been a couple of days like this, but nothing like today in that movement. We’re going to start talking about that now, but I don’t know what’s going on, if it’s muscle, if it’s joint.
“I have history in the hip. I had to do treatments in the past, address it a little [but there] was not this amount of problem. Now I feel I cannot move.
“I tried until the end. I don’t know if in good conditions I will win the match, I will have better chances without a doubt. But at the end, that’s it. I just tried. It was not possible.”
It was a hugely sad way for Nadal to exit the tournament a year after his near-miraculous run to the title when he feared his career may have been over because of a chronic foot problem, and there must be serious doubt over whether he will play again at Melbourne Park.
He went on to win a 22nd Grand Slam title at the French Open last year but has found the going tough since suffering an abdominal tear and pulling out of Wimbledon ahead of the semi-finals.
Nadal went into a first-round clash with Britain’s Jack Draper having lost six of his previous seven matches and, although he scrapped to a four-set victory, was some way below his best.
The same was true in the early stages against McDonald, a 27-year-old ranked 65th looking for his first victory over a top-five player at a Grand Slam.
The match was played under the roof on Rod Laver Arena on a wet day in Melbourne, and the indoor conditions certainly suited the flat-hitting McDonald.
Nadal, who complained before the tournament about the balls, produced a couple of trademark forehands but there were also too many errors, and more often than not it was he who broke down first in baseline rallies.
Asked why he did not retire, Nadal said: “I didn’t want to retire being defending champion here. Better like this at the end. I lost; nothing to say.”
Sports
Ex-Super Eagles Coach Westerhof Battles Colon Cancer in Critical Condition, Wife Seeks Help
Ex-Super Eagles Coach Westerhof Battles Colon Cancer in Critical Condition, Wife Seeks Help
Former Super Eagles coach Clemens Westerhof has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is reportedly in critical condition at a hospital in the Netherlands, prompting his wife to appeal for prayers and assistance.
Westerhof, 86, is receiving treatment at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, his hometown, according to his wife, Lilian, who disclosed the development in an interview with Vanguard’s Saturday Editor, Onochie Anibeze.
Lilian said doctors informed the family of the cancer diagnosis after Westerhof was taken to the hospital on Wednesday. She described the news as devastating and expressed concern about his condition.
“The doctor just told us he has colon cancer and we are all devastated. He is in a critical condition and emotional, talking about our two daughters. He wants to live. We need help. We need prayers,” she said.
The diagnosis comes as the former Nigerian national team coach continues to face other health challenges. According to his wife, Westerhof had previously been battling Alzheimer’s disease.
Lilian also expressed concern about the care her husband was receiving at the Arnhem hospital, saying she hoped to transfer him to a better-equipped medical facility in Amsterdam or Germany.
“They appear to have given up. I don’t understand,” she said, describing her concerns about his treatment.
READ ALSO:
- NRC Denies Ticket Racketeering, Says Abuja-Kaduna Rail Demand Exceeds Seats by 10-Fold
- FG Draws Red Line on Fuel Subsidy, Warns of Naira Crisis if Reforms Are Reversed
- NRC Denies Ticket Racketeering, Says Abuja-Kaduna Rail Demand Exceeds Seats by 10-Fold
Westerhof remains one of the most influential coaches in the history of Nigerian football, having led the Super Eagles through a celebrated period in the early 1990s.
The Dutch tactician took charge of Nigeria’s national team in 1989 and helped build a squad that became one of Africa’s most prominent sides. Under his leadership, Nigeria finished second at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Algeria and won bronze at the 1992 tournament in Senegal.
His greatest achievement with the team came in 1994, when Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia. That same year, he guided the Super Eagles to qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup, held in the United States.
Nigeria reached the round of 16 at the World Cup before being eliminated by Italy after extra time. The team’s performances during Westerhof’s tenure also helped it rise to fifth in the FIFA world rankings, a landmark achievement for Nigerian and African football.
His contribution to the development of the Super Eagles earned him a lasting place in the country’s football history, with many fans remembering the team’s attacking style and the emergence of several players who became household names.
News of Westerhof’s diagnosis is likely to concern Nigerian football supporters who remember his role in the national team’s successes during the 1990s.
As the former coach receives treatment in the Netherlands, his family is seeking support and prayers while expressing hope that he can access the care they believe he needs.
Ex-Super Eagles Coach Westerhof Battles Colon Cancer in Critical Condition, Wife Seeks Help
Sports
Real Madrid Demand Tebas’ Exit After Explosive Nazi Propaganda Row
Real Madrid Demand Tebas’ Exit After Explosive Nazi Propaganda Row
Real Madrid have demanded the immediate resignation of Javier Tebas as president of LaLiga and vice-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), escalating their dispute with the Spanish football chief over comments comparing the club’s communication methods to Nazi-era propaganda techniques.
The Spanish giants issued a strongly worded statement on Friday, October 16, describing Tebas’ remarks as offensive, unacceptable and incompatible with the responsibilities of his positions in Spanish football.
The latest confrontation followed comments by Tebas in which he compared the methods employed by Real Madrid’s management and its television channel, Real Madrid TV, to propaganda techniques associated with Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda minister under Nazi Germany.
Tebas argued that he was comparing communication methods rather than endorsing or referring to Nazi ideology. However, Real Madrid rejected the explanation, insisting that the comparison remained deeply offensive and inappropriate for someone occupying senior positions in the sport.
The club accused Tebas of repeatedly attacking its leadership, president Florentino Pérez and its media outlets, arguing that his public statements demonstrated a lack of neutrality, respect and impartiality.
Real Madrid also objected to what it described as attempts to attribute the actions and opinions of third parties to the club, insisting that it should not be held responsible for statements made by journalists or other individuals.
READ ALSO:
- Terrorists Abduct Catholic Priest in Benue as Police Launch Rescue Operation
- 2027: Kwankwaso Signals Fuel Subsidy Comeback as NDC Vows to Crash Petrol Prices
- NAF Deploys Pumps in Desperate Push to Recover Submerged Aircraft After Crash Killed 25
The dispute has also drawn attention to the long-running controversy surrounding the Negreira case, which concerns payments made by FC Barcelona to companies linked to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former vice-president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees.
Real Madrid said it had approached UEFA to seek clarification over the payments and called for measures to protect the integrity of football competitions. The payments have been the subject of legal scrutiny, but allegations of improper influence over refereeing must be distinguished from any conduct established by a court.
The club further called for a comprehensive overhaul of Spain’s refereeing system and football governance structures, including changes involving officials who held positions of responsibility during the period under scrutiny.
In its statement, Real Madrid argued that Tebas should focus on promoting transparency and addressing concerns about football governance rather than directing criticism at the club.
The club maintained that his repeated public attacks had undermined confidence in his ability to lead LaLiga impartially and serve the interests of all its member clubs.
The demand marks another escalation in the strained relationship between Real Madrid and Tebas, who has led LaLiga since 2013. The two sides have repeatedly clashed over refereeing, the league’s administration, broadcasting rights and the future direction of Spanish football.
Real Madrid had also called for Tebas to leave his position in September after he criticised the club’s complaints about refereeing following its 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the city derby.
On that occasion, Tebas dismissed claims of systematic refereeing bias against Real Madrid, while the club accused him of using his institutional position to discredit its concerns.
The latest dispute has broadened the disagreement beyond match officiating to include the conduct expected of football administrators and the standards of public communication in the sport.
Real Madrid said Tebas’ statements and conduct disqualified him from continuing in his current positions and formally demanded his immediate resignation as both LaLiga president and RFEF vice-president.
The demand does not automatically remove Tebas from either role, and no resignation was announced in the club’s statement.
The confrontation leaves relations between the Spanish football authorities and one of the country’s most prominent clubs under renewed strain, with the debate over neutrality, refereeing transparency and institutional accountability likely to continue.
Real Madrid Demand Tebas’ Exit After Explosive Nazi Propaganda Row
Sports
Yamal Inspires Barcelona Comeback to Sink Osimhen’s Galatasaray
Yamal Inspires Barcelona Comeback to Sink Osimhen’s Galatasaray
Barcelona delivered a stunning second-half performance to defeat Victor Osimhen’s Galatasaray 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, October 13, 2026, recovering from an early setback to silence the home crowd in Istanbul.
The Spanish giants fell behind in the first half but responded with four goals to secure an emphatic victory at RAMS Park, extending their winning run across all competitions to 10 matches.
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen played the full 90 minutes for Galatasaray but failed to score as Barcelona overturned the deficit with an impressive attacking display led by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
Galatasaray took the lead in the 28th minute when Aleksey Batrakov finished off a counterattack initiated by Rafael Leão. His effort took a deflection off João Cancelo before beating Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García.
The Turkish champions appeared poised to extend their advantage when Osimhen threatened from a corner, but a subsequent goal was ruled out for offside following a video assistant referee review.
Barcelona capitalised on the reprieve and restored parity shortly before half-time. In the 43rd minute, Cancelo collected a pass from Dani Olmo inside the penalty area and curled a superb finish into the far corner.
The equaliser transformed the contest, and Barcelona returned from the break with renewed intensity.
READ ALSO:
- Press Freedom: Judge Blocks Trump’s Ban on Three Major US Media Outlets
- Money Rituals: Four Arrested in Kwara Over Suspected Human Parts
- Osogbo Cultism Crackdown: Six Suspects Arrested as Police Recover Drugs, Charms
In the 50th minute, Yamal delivered an excellent cross that Fermín López headed into the net to put the visitors ahead for the first time.
Just three minutes later, Yamal produced another decisive contribution, creating the opportunity for Anthony Gordon to score Barcelona’s third goal and put the visitors firmly in control.
Gordon, who was making his first Champions League start for Barcelona, recovered from an earlier missed opportunity to find the net and extend the lead.
Barcelona completed the scoring in the 65th minute when substitute Karim Adeyemi fired home after coming off the bench, putting the result beyond Galatasaray’s reach.
Yamal’s two assists proved crucial to the comeback, with the young winger repeatedly exposing the home side’s defence after the interval. His performance earned him the Man of the Match recognition in Flashscore’s report of the encounter.
Osimhen, meanwhile, endured a frustrating evening as Galatasaray struggled to respond to Barcelona’s attacking pressure. The Nigerian forward had opportunities to threaten the visitors but could not find the breakthrough needed to revive his team’s hopes.
The defeat leaves Galatasaray without a point after their opening two matches in the Champions League league phase, increasing the pressure on the Turkish side ahead of their next European fixture.
Barcelona, by contrast, have collected six points from their first two matches after opening their campaign with a 5-1 victory over Feyenoord.
The result strengthens the Spanish club’s position in the early Champions League standings and provides another indication of their attacking strength under manager Hansi Flick.
Barcelona will next face Paris Saint-Germain in a potentially decisive European test, while Galatasaray are scheduled to visit Lille on October 21 as they seek to recover from their difficult start.
For Osimhen and his teammates, the immediate challenge will be to address their defensive shortcomings and regain momentum before their next European outing.
Yamal Inspires Barcelona Comeback to Sink Osimhen’s Galatasaray
-
metro1 day ago₦130m Toyota Tundra Wrecked: Lagos Dealer Questions Police Over Suspect’s Release
-
News1 day ago₦200m Fake Alcohol Packaging Uncovered as NAFDAC Raids Aba Market
-
metro11 hours agoSuspended Archbishop Ibezim Drags Anglican Primate to Court, Challenges Six-Month Leave
-
metro2 days agoBorno Woman Jailed Two Years for Sexual Exploitation of 16-Year-Old Girl
-
metro2 days agoOutrage as Residents Scoop Groundnut Oil From Lagos Tanker Crash Scene
-
Sports1 day agoReal Madrid Demand Tebas’ Exit After Explosive Nazi Propaganda Row
-
Politics2 days agoShettima Attacks Atiku Over Tinubu Remarks, Questions Subsidy Plan
-
Politics2 days ago2027: We Know How to Stop Tinubu From Getting Second Term – Momodu