Nadal, out of Australian Open, disagrees with Djokovic – Newstrends
Connect with us

Sports

Nadal, out of Australian Open, disagrees with Djokovic

Published

4 years ago

on

Rafael Nadal suffered a shock defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open quarter-finals after holding a two-set lead.

But he doesn’t agree with Novak Djokovic’s assessment that the 2021 season should be cancelled if players will need to continually enter quarantine before a tournament.

Nadal looked on course for a potential clash with Djokovic in the Australian Open final, having breezed through to the quarter-finals without dropping a set.

And he was in top form early on against Stefanos Tsitsipas, quickly taking a two-set lead.

But Tsitsipas quickly stepped up another gear while mistakes began to creep into Nadal’s game.

The 22-year-old capitalised and took his chances when it mattered most to pull off one of the most remarkable comebacks in modern Grand Slam history.

It brings an end to Nadal’s search for that elusive second Australian Open title for another year in what has proved to be a controversial tournament among the players.

They were forced to quarantine in the weeks building up to the Australian Open with some players being unable to leave their hotel rooms.

Djokovic, speaking after his quarter-final win over Alexander Zverev, called for an urgent review of the conditions looking ahead for the remainder of the season.

And the world No 1 even claimed that players would be against competing should the quarantine restrictions from Melbourne be copied at other tournaments over the world.

Nadal though doesn’t see the benefit of doing that, hinting that protecting players’ ranking positions could be a way forward.

When asked for his opinion on Djokovic’s view, Nadal said: “Honestly, this was the first event that we had to do this quarantine.

“We didn’t have events before that with this quarantine.

“I mean, we had maybe it was New York but was not the same at all. I mean, the situation that we are facing is tough, and the world is facing a very tough situation.

“That’s very clear. And he’s completely right that, for our sport, things are difficult because governments are changing the rules constantly.

“So it’s difficult to make predictions about how the things gonna happen.

“But there is a very clear thing, you know. There is two options. Two options is stop the tour or keep going.

“My personal feeling is it’s tough for the players, of course, have to do bubbles in every single event, flying just plus two, a lot of players have family and they cannot have the family with them, so that makes our tour probably tougher than ever, no?

“But in the other hand, if we stop the tour, why and how and when we will be able to come back, and a lot of jobs gonna suffer a lot.

“I mean, not only players. A lot of people are living for our sport, no? If we stop our sport again, a lot of people are going to suffer, no?

“So we need to have a little bit more – I mean, we need to think a little bit bigger, no? And of course we need to protect players.

“Probably we need to find a way to protect the players with the ranking, to not force them to keep playing, yes, 100%, because the situation is very tough for a lot of players depending on the countries.

“But that’s it. We need to find solutions and we need to adapt to this very tough times that we are facing.

“Not only us; world. We are here to find solutions. I mean, and we need to be grateful to life that we can keep doing what we are doing.”

– express.co.uk

Related Topics:
Advertisement
3 Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul

Published

8 hours ago

on

November 14, 2024

By

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul

Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul

Nearly 40 years after making his professional debut, and 19 years after being battered into retirement, a 58-year-old Mike Tyson will climb back into the ring on Friday for a Netflix-backed bout that has drawn widespread condemnation across the boxing world.

Tyson, who terrorised the heavyweight division during an imperious reign in the late 1980s, is lacing up the gloves once more to take on Youtuber Jake Paul, 27, in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.

The fight, which will be comprised of eight two-minute rounds, was initially due to take place in July but was postponed in May after Tyson required medical treatment on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles after vomiting blood due to a bleeding ulcer.

That gory mid-air emergency has provided another piece of ammunition for the numerous critics who have condemned Friday’s contest as a macabre circus act that poses an unacceptable level of risk for Tyson, who last graced a professional ring in 2005, when he was beaten via a technical knockout after quitting on his stool against Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.

– ‘It shouldn’t be happening’ –

“Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson retired from boxing, and was shot to pieces, right? I mean, completely shot,” the prominent British fight promoter Eddie Hearn said this week.

“If anyone thinks that Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no emotional feelings toward the man, or you’re an idiot. It shouldn’t be happening.”

READ ALSO:

Hearn’s rival promoter Frank Warren echoed those sentiments.

“Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting,” Warren said after the bout was announced. “It’s as simple as that.

“Anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it is ridiculous. You can be on a motorway stuck in a traffic jam and you get to the end of it and all it is is people who have stopped to look at a crash — and that’s what this is.”

Tyson, who US reports say is being paid around $20 million for Friday’s contest, has brushed off the concerns for his wellbeing, insisting when critics from the boxing world are motivated by jealousy.

“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” he said earlier this year. “The people who said that wish they were up here. No-one else can do this.”

At an open workout in Texas this week, Tyson declared that a gruelling training camp had left him with the conviction “that I’m tougher than I believed I was.”

“When I agreed to this fight and started training, I thought ‘What was I thinking of?’ But I’ve finished the process. The fight is the party. All the hard work is done.”

At a final press conference in Texas on Wednesday, a stony-faced Tyson pointedly declined to engage in the pre-fight hype.

“I’m just ready to fight,” he said. “I’m looking forward to fighting.”

– Injury fears –

A global audience of several million watching on Netflix, and tens of thousands inside the AT&T Stadium, will be watching on Friday to see whether Tyson’s hard work pays off.

His opponent Paul — who was born six months before Tyson bit off a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s ear in their infamous 1997 rematch — rose to prominence as a Youtuber, before turning his attention to boxing.

Since his first fight against a fellow Youtuber in 2018, Paul’s opponents have included a basketball player, mixed martial arts fighters and other professional boxers. In 11 fights he has won 10 (seven by knockout) and lost one.

“I feel really good, sharp, powerful and explosive. It’s going to be a short night for Mike,” Paul said at Tuesday’s open workout, where he appeared wearing a bizarre head-dress in the form of a rooster.

It goes without saying that a prime, 1980s-era Tyson would almost certainly have dealt with Paul within a few minutes.

Does he retain enough residue of the talent and destructive power that made him the youngest heavyweight champion in history in 1986, at the age of 20 years and four months? Bob Arum, the legendary 92-year-old boxing promoter who has seen it all, is unequivocal.

“The answer is no,” Arum told Secondsout.com last month. “A 58-year-old guy, no matter how good they were, no matter how athletic they were, are not gonna be able to fight.

“You can’t throw punches like you’re supposed to, you can’t do a lot of things. I hope Mike doesn’t get hurt, but I really give him relatively no chance.”

Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul

Continue Reading

Sports

Alleged fraud: South Africa FA President, Danny Jordaan, arrested

Published

1 day ago

on

November 13, 2024

By

South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan

Alleged fraud: South Africa FA President, Danny Jordaan, arrested

South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan was arrested on Wednesday amid allegations that he misused the organization’s funds for personal purposes, as reported by local media.

Jordaan, renowned for his pivotal role in securing South Africa as the host for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, sought to block his arrest on Tuesday by filing an urgent application.

However, the Johannesburg High Court is scheduled to hear his case only on Thursday, leaving him vulnerable to arrest.

READ ALSO:

The arrest stems from a raid by police on the SAFA offices in March, after which police spokesperson Katlego Mogale said the allegations are that “between 2014 and 2018, the president of SAFA used the organisation’s resources for his personal gain, including hiring a private security company for his personal protection and a public relations company, without authorisation from the SAFA board.”

Jordaan, 73, and his reported co-accused, SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling, are due to appear in court later on Wednesday.

Neither Jordaan nor SAFA responded to a request for comment from Reuters, but in his affidavit to court seeking to block his arrest, he denies any wrongdoing.

Alleged fraud: South Africa FA President, Danny Jordaan, arrested

(Reuters)

Continue Reading

Sports

Newcastle make Osimhen transfer target

Published

2 days ago

on

November 12, 2024

By

Victor Osimhen

Newcastle make Osimhen transfer target

Newcastle United have joined the race sign Victor Osimhen as the English club seeks to bolstering its attack with the prolific Nigerian star next year.

The club’s owners, Public Investment Fund is reportedly ready to activate the Nigerian’s £113m release clause.

Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder reports that the Magpies are among several clubs jostling for the service of the 25-year-old striker, who is currently on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray from Napoli.

The former Lille striker has been in an tremendous form since joining Galatasaray in September, netting eight goals in nine appearances across all competitions, including six strikes in six Turkish Super Lig.

His latest contribution came in Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Samsunspor, where he scored twice to maintain Galatasaray’s unbeaten run and extend their lead at the Turkish Super Lig summit to six points.

READ ALSO:

Napoli Sporting Director Giovanni Manna has set a minimum price for any potential suitor.

“There are many clubs interested in Victor Osimhen. Galatasaray cannot take Osimhen if it does not pay a net fee of €75m,” Manna stated.

Newcastle’s interest comes after an inactive summer transfer window, with manager Eddie Howe keen to strengthen his attacking options. Fans are already agog by the prospect of pairing Osimhen with current striker Alexander Isak, though profit and sustainability regulations at St James’ Park could hamper any potential deal.

Chelsea and several Saudi Pro League clubs maintain their interest in the striker following failed moves last summer, setting up what could be an intense battle for his signature in 2025.

Meanwhile, Fenerbahce Vice President Acun Ilıcalı have shown little interest in pursuing Osimhen, citing the club’s existing forward options.

“There is Dzeko, there is En Nesyri, and there is also Cenk. Who will play?” Ilıcalı questioned during a recent television appearance.

 

Newcastle make Osimhen transfer target

Continue Reading

Trending