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Author: Chirag

Djokovic Talks About Medvedev Overtaking Him for Number 1 Spot

Posted on by Chirag

The current World No. 1 sits atop a long list of ATP candidates willing to win and take away the spot from the Serbian champion. 

Novak Djokovic has although almost lost his number one spot after being away from tennis due to legally not being allowed to play in Australia due to vaccine mandates. With the World Number 2, Daniil Medvedev reaching the finals in Australia, he jumped up the ratings drastically and is now very close to reach World No. 1

In an interview, Djokovic said, “It’s in his hands. He deserves to be No. 1,” Djokovic said Sunday before his season debut at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. “Eventually it’s going to happen. If it happens this week, I’ll be the first one to congratulate him.”

“The only scenario that I have in my head is to win every match that I play here,” Djokovic said.

“It’s great to be here. I’ve had some wonderful results in this tournament. It’s been a while since I played for the first time in [the] Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,” Djokovic said. “[I have] many wonderful memories on and off the court.”

“It’s always a very solid, very hard draw and field. Every match you get to play is really on a Grand Slam, ATP Masters 1000 level. It is a 500 category, but it feels that it’s stronger than that definitely with the field of players,” Djokovic said. “I’m excited. I haven’t played a match since Davis Cup in Spain last December. Can’t wait to start an official match tomorrow night.”

“Of course, [my] first match is going to be very important to kind of start off the campaign in this year’s tournament in a positive way,” Djokovic said. “I have a young, very talented, tricky opponent in Lorenzo Musetti, who has had a big win over [Hubert] Hurkacz a few weeks ago in Rotterdam.”

Rangnick Condemns Leeds After Coins Thrown on Him

Posted on by Chirag

Ralph Rangnick, the Manchester United Manager had a hard time on Sunday against Leeds United as the home fans threw coins at him and his players.

The atmosphere was amazing but this incident left a sour taste in the mouths of the visitors who beat Leeds 4 goals to 2.

“As far as I know, there is some investigation going on from Leeds United,” said United’s interim manager

“I don’t think that anything happened in the end. Anthony Elanga looked well and he was happy about scoring his goal.

“Obviously things like that should not happen and I think even more so this game. The atmosphere was great.

“At times we had to cool down things on the pitch a little bit but this is what I did when I walked onto the pitch (during a late melee). I didn’t want anything to happen – no yellow or red cards. In moments like this, I think it’s important to try and cool things down.”

While the Deputy Chief Constable released a statement saying, “High profile football matches, such as yesterday’s fixture can clearly attract some of the greatest concentrations of people and there were a few incidents both before and during the game.

“We had a large group of 70 people who turned up in Leeds without tickets and they were swiftly identified and issued section 35 dispersal notices before the game and were not allowed to enter the grounds. We also made a handful of arrests for a number of offences including public order, throwing of missiles and breach of banning order.

“Anyone with any information about any incidents or footage from the day, is asked to contact the police via 101 or online.”

Draws Announced for Acapulco and Dubai Duty Free

Posted on by Chirag

As the two ATP tournaments commence today, the draws were fully announced last night online. Stars like Medvedev and Nadal, Medvedev, Tsitsipas and Zverev all in the Acapulco Open in Mexico.

While over in Dubai, the Duty Free Tournament will play host to players like the returning World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Rublev, Murray and Cilic. 

This will be Novak’s first tennis tournament in almost 3 months as he missed this year’s first grand slam, the Australian Open after a controversial legal battle over his Anti Vax lifestyle. 

Meanwhile one of his greatest rivals, Rafael Nadal, who returned to tennis in late December after 4 months tending to injuries has been doing great. He did lose in the first round of a friendly tournament in Abu Dhabi on his return but managed to win an ATP title before winning his 21st career grand slam and becoming the first person to reach that incredible milestone. 

Nadal, drawn in the same side as Medvedev will face Riley Opelka in the first round and prediction wise might go toe to toe again with Australian Open 2022 finalist Daniil Medvedev in the semi finals.

While Djokovic has been drawn to face the Italian Musetti as he looks to bounce back to winning ways with an ATP title after a long time in Dubai. He will most probably face Rublev in the finals in Dubai within the next week and a half.

Barcelona Beat Valencia to Solidify 4th Place

Posted on by Chirag

FCBarcelona were meant to meet Valencia in their La Liga tie this week. With the match set up to be played in Valencia, La Blaugrana travelled away sitting at 6th place in the Liga with 2 less matches played then their rivals Atletico and Real Madrid.

The Barcelona side made a few minor changes to their squad with Pique out facing a red card 1 game suspension from last time. The blue and red started off great with their now usual aggressive and quick attacking which eventually got them the first goal. 

Aubameyang started his La Liga goal counter as he struck the ball into the net in the 23rd minute. He then followed it up with a 38th minute goal which would put Barcelona up 3-0.

The second goal was scored by Frankie de Jong as he slid in to touch the ball and get Barcelona the clear lead. However before the first half ended, controversy ensued as a Valencia goal was disallowed due to the ball being out of play earlier. Valencia would then come back with an opening goal for themselves before heading for a break.

Barcelona maintained their first half style in the second half as they managed to get back on the scoreboard and completely destroy Valencia’s chances of coming back into this game. 

Gavi would strike the ball from one side of the box only to be slightly deflected into the net by Aubameyang’s back, getting him the hattrick on a technicality. 

Busquets had the following to say about Pierre Emerick, “He’s working really well, he came here needing minutes but he is getting them now,” Busquets explained to Movistar+ after the final whistle.

“I hope he helps us like this because he is a great player and having him in the squad on a free transfer is a gift.”

Can Harry Kane be Manchester City’s New Striker?

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Harry Kane the Tottenham Hotspur Striker and English captain has been the hot topic in terms of transfer talks this week.

With Guardiola rumoured to be eyeing a new striker for his devastatingly amazing City side, Harry Kane has been topping the rumour list.

“Now you can say: ‘Harry Kane didn’t come and everything is going well’, but at the time I didn’t know it,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday.

“When we lost to Spurs and Leicester in the Community Shield, I didn’t know what would happen in the next few weeks.

“The club gave me these players, and I’m always delighted – and then it’s, ‘What can we do together?’

“So, this is the point: maybe if we had a proper striker, we would play with a striker. But with the players we have, we have to adapt.”

As City try to get things in order to buy striker teh calibre of Kane, they have also been looking at the likes of Eerling Haaland whose father was a former City legend. But with tough competition there, they have also been looking at Julian Alvarez the young Argentinian.

“Julian scored three goals in his last game for River and Man City made an incredible deal because he is a player who moves really well,” Guardiola enthused.

“The club is working, watching managers, keepers, full-backs, central defenders, attacking midfielders, strikers – it never stops.

“If you believe now we have a settled team and then five players say they want to leave, we have to be ready.”

Stan Wawrinka on Nadal’s Miracle in Melbourne

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Stan Wawrinka the Swiss tennis legend and close friend of Roger Federer has been around and on the court for a long time and has seen Nadal’s insane skills from his own point of view.

The Swiss was quick to praise the Spanish Giant’s amazing comeback from 2 sets down to the current World No. 2 to win the match 3 sets to 2 and lift his 21st grand slam trophy ahead of his rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

“Whatever happens we cannot compare Nadal with other tennis players, that’s for sure,” Wawrinka said on L’Equipe’s Air Open podcast. “Nadal has been out for four, five or six months almost every two years of his career, and whether the injuries were serious or not, he always managed to come back.

“And once again at this stage and level, with the difficult last year that he had, of course, it’s exceptional, just like all his career. It was brilliant to watch his win. I wasn’t surprised but I admire that he is still able to do it and as I say I am not surprised because we know that he is well above everyone else.”

“He’s proved that he’s able to do things throughout his career that others can’t. Sometimes, I feel, tennis is all written in advance. Before Australian Open I was talking to my coach, Dani [Vallverdu] and we discussed that Nadal will win Australian Open, because everything is written.”

“We saw what happened to Nadal last year, a year full of injuries and it would have been impossible to say he will win Australian Open last year. But his win is a bit similar to that Federer’s in 2017 and he has written history”.

“There are a lot who forget this when they turn professional—they take tennis too much like work. “What motivates me and pushes me still is I tell myself I’m going to play—that I’m going to have fun.”

Messi or Ronaldo? Sachin tendulkar Makes His Pick

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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the cornerstone of the modern era of football and statistically and arguably have shown the world that they are in fact two of the best players in the world of football ever. 

With the two competing against each other since they started out for their respective clubs, the two have overshadowed any and every talent that has come before or even after them and are continuing to show their value in clutch moments for their new clubs. 

Sachin Tendulkar, perhaps one of the greatest cricket players in the world and 2011 world cup winner has been an avid supporter of sports like tennis, golf and football over the years. He has been spotted at various PGTA events and Grand slams while also co-owning the ISL (Indian Super league) team Kerala Blasters for a period of time. 

In an interview when asked to choose between Messi or Ronaldo, Sachin said, “”Messi is more of my type.”

Meanwhile Messi, who’s team just beat Real Madrid 1-0 and stand a chance to make it to the UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals had this to say to the club’s magazine, “”It’s complicated to win the Champions League. Complicated, because it’s a competition that brings together the best teams, and where the smallest detail and the slightest mistake can eliminate you.

“I believe we have a team that can try to win it. We are excited about this idea and we really hope to get there, but we have to take things slowly. 

“I repeat, it is difficult to win the Champions League. It’s not always the best team that wins it and you really have to focus on all the details, thinking about being the strongest team possible. In the end, it is the strongest teams that achieve their goals. And we are on this path, seeking to become even stronger than what we are,” he commented.

Djokovic Arrives in Dubai As Nadal Lands in Acapulco

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The World No. 1 has been on a tennis hiatus since last year’s ATP finals post which he flew to Australia only to be controversially deported back to Serbia amidst an Anti-Vax row.  

The Serb has now been confirmed for the Dubai Duty Free tournament starting next week and arrived in Dubai yesterday. He now will start warming up today ahead of his first round match.

Meanwhile his Spanish counterpart and one of his biggest rivals Rafael Nadal arrived in Mexico.  Nadal, who won this year’s Australian Open to become the only male player with 21 grand slams in the open era leaving behind Djokovic and Federer by 1 insanely amazing comeback in Melbourne.

The two are expected to finally be in the same tournament after nearly a year and might even clash against each other after almost 2 years as both want to make it to the Indian Wells in California. 

“I’m proud to be on this stage,” Djokovic said after his wife Jelena gave a presentation about the foundation’s work with children. The serb seems excited to be back on the court and able to play tennis without any legal issues over his anti-vax opinions. 

“It feels great, it feels great to be here,” said the Serb. “I always loved Dubai, I loved coming here. I had plenty of tennis success [in Dubai] and I’m excited to go out on the tennis court next Monday.

“I miss tennis, honestly, after everything that has happened in the previous couple of months. And of course, the purpose of the visit to the Expo is obviously promoting our foundation’s work. I’m just glad that we managed to combine the schedule and it allowed me to be here with everyone.”

Djokovic Keen On Playing in Dubai Amidst Vaccine Drama

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The World No 1, Novak Djokovic has been quoted to be eager to play in Dubai after a controversial interview where he put his opinions and morales considering the vaccine on a higher level than any grand slam trophy this year. 

“I am excited to go back and play on Monday,” he told the media at Expo. “I miss tennis after all that has happened.”

“Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay,” he said.

“I was prepared not to go to Australia. I understand not being vaccinated today, I am unable to travel to most of the tournaments at the moment,” Djokovic added.

“The principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else,” he said.

“I was never against vaccination,” added Djokovic, who said he had received vaccines as a child. “But I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.”

ANother upcoming tournament is the Indian Wells in California which has only allowed vaccinated players to take part. However, Djokovic’s name has been included so it remains to be seen if the World No. 1 will be given exemption to enter the United States in a matter of three weeks. 

Barcelona Draw Against Napoli to Keep Europa League Hopes Alive

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FCBarcelona managed to keep their Europa League hopes alive after being ousted from teh UEFA Champions League earlier this season. 

The Blaugrana faced the Italian giants Napoli at the Camp Nou as the visitors took the lead with a goal in the first half.

The second half was a game played 90% in the Napoli side as Barcleona kept attacking but failed to find a way to crack the tightly knit defence. 

Eventually, when the referee checked for a handball late in the game, Barcelona received a penalty and a shot to equalise everything and fight for the win. Ferran Torres took the penalty and made no mistake as he scored his first European goal for Barcelona.

Debuting for Barcelona in European competition, Torres, Aubemayeng and Traore played very well and made it a point to be involved with the ball as often as possible. 

Now Barcelona will visit Napoli at the San Paolo Stadium as they look to beat the Italians and advance to the quarterfinals of the Europa League. Wth the away goals concept gone, there is no clear advantage any team has right now. The second leg will take place on Thursday night in Italy.