Sports
Novak Djokovic, marked by controversy, glories of Rafa Nadal
Novak Djokovic, marked by controversy, glories of Rafa Nadal.
Tennis had a historic 2022, with champions of the old guard and Carlos Alcaraz who began to encourage himself to break with the hegemony of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
In addition, the greatest exponent in the history of this sport, Roger Federer, retired. For many, the player who came to change all levels of world tennis.
Between the Swiss, the Serbian and the Spanish, tennis entered an almost galactic orbit since for more than 10 years they were the owners of this sport.
Australian Open, the controversy with Djokovic, and the glory of Nadal
The year began with the Australian Open and a controversy that paralyzed the world. The number 1 at that time, Novak Djokovic, could not play in the tournament because he did not want to get vaccinated against Covid 19. But that Australian Open, anyway, was historic.
Against all odds, the winner was Rafael Nadal. At the age of 35, he brought out all his experience in the Australian heat and won his 21st Grand Slam, making him the tennis player with the most major titles in history. In the final he defeated the Russian Daniil Medvedev after going two sets down, he won the match 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4, and 7-5.
Roland Garros, another satisfaction for King Nadal
The year continued at Roland Garros, with Djokovic in attendance. But Nadal was indomitable. The man from Manacor beat Félix Auger Alliassime, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev, and in the final, he thrashed Casper Ruud 6-3 6-3 6-0.
Thus the Spaniard reached his 22nd Grand Slam and added his 14th title at the French Open. It should be noted that the match with Djokovic in the quarterfinals was one of the best in recent times. In addition, the eighth against Alliassime took them in five sets.
Novak Djokovic, marked by controversy, glories of Rafa Nadal
Wimbledon, Kyrgios was close, but Djokovic came back
At the Cathedral of Tennis, Wimbledon, the best was Djokovic. The Serbian claimed his 21st Grand Slam championship after beating Australian Nick Kyrgios in the final in four sets and after losing the first. Novak went from less to more during the tournament and had matches to remember. In the quarterfinals, he lost the first two sets to the Italian Jannick Sinner and came out to play the last three sets in disarray. In any case, what was achieved by Kyrgios took all the flashes.
Us Open: Carlos Alcaraz breaks hegemony
The year closed in Flushing Meadows with the US Open and the consecration of 19-year-old Spanish Carlos Alcaraz. The young wonder had had a very good Roland Garros and had won some titles, but in the United States, he confirmed his present and defeated the Norwegian Casper Ruud in the final.
The Spaniard had three games that marked him: the round of 16 with Marin Cilic, the quarterfinals with Jannick Sinner, and the semifinals with Frances Tiafoe.
READ MORE: Novak Djokovic risks missing many tournaments in 2023
In all of them, he had to define in the fifth set and they ended in the wee hours of the morning. Thus. Carlitos added his first big championship and was encouraged to break with the hegemony of the Big Three .
READ MORE: “Australia at it again” Novak Djokovic suffers fresh Covid blow again in the new year.
But the news that stole all the flashes in the tennis world was Roger Federer‘s retirement at the Laver Cup. After a career full of successes and 20 Grand Slam victories, the Swiss put an end to his career at the age of 41.
The good news is that in 2023, Rafa Nadal will continue playing tennis and will seek to continue expanding his numbers. Same case for Djokovic who will try to overcome it.
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H. Marko lashes out at Steiner: Defend Mick Schumacher
Helmut Marko believes Mick Schumacher deserves a return to Formula 1, naming two teams he thinks would consider the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. The 81-year-old Austrian lashes out at Guenther Steiner, who sacked the German at Haas F1 just under two years ago.
“Mick is one of the politest and nicest people in the whole paddock, which is a disadvantage for him. He also has the handicap of a big name,” Marko said in an interview with Sport1.de. “In sporting terms, he has already achieved a lot. He won the Formula 3 championship, he won the Formula 2 championship, that alone made him interesting for Formula 1 teams.”
Schumacher made his Formula 1 debut at Haas F1 in 2021. There, he lasted two seasons. After a disappointing season in 2022, Guenther Steiner showed him the door and they opted for more experience with Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
Marko: ‘Netflix superstar’ Steiner treated Schumacher unfairly
“As far as we were concerned, there were no sporting reasons why we never got together,” Red Bull Racing’s team advisor explained. “He was a Ferrari junior at the time, but Mercedes took him into the team [afterwards]. So he wasn’t even on the market.”
“At Haas, he was not treated fairly by Netflix superstar Guenther Steiner. That’s a fact. Once you drive outside Formula 1, it becomes a difficult story. But behind the scenes, you only hear good things about him. Toto Wolff praises him to the skies. I think Alpine and Audi are seriously considering him. I wouldn’t begrudge him, because he deserves it,” Marko said.
Verstappen and Hamilton CRASH as FIA take action in Hungary
Max Verstappen was involved in a dramatic collision with Lewis Hamilton for P3 at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman attempted an overtake on his rival into Turn 1, going though the inside but locking up as Hamilton’s front right collided with Verstappen’s rear left.
In dramatic fashion the Red Bull was launched into the air, and was lucky to remain in the race, falling behind the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen has been placed under investigation by the stewards, with the FIA calling a 4.50pm UK time summons, where the sport’s governing body confirmed their findings.
F1 RECAP: Piastri claims STUNNING maiden victory as FIA announce Verstappen penalty verdict
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton crash in Hungary
A nightmare Hungarian GP for Max Verstappen
It was a difficult race for the champion who went wide on the opening lap, and was forced to give the position back to Lando Norris after claiming P2.
The Red Bull star accused the Brit of running him wide, and continued to deliver a series of furious radio messages to his team during the grand prix.
Verstappen’s frustrations came to the fore as he attempted to overtake Hamilton, with the pair lucky to not be embroiled in more devastating contact.
In the end Hamilton claimed P3 and a podium in Hungary, with Verstappen languishing back in fifth.
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“It’s going to be emotional for me” – Chase Briscoe on honoring Tony Stewart’s legacy
Chase Briscoe, in a recent media session, shared his emotions about racing on the oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Briscoe will be driving the No. 14 car, a number famously associated with his current team owner, Tony Stewart.
Stewart won several races and the 2011 championship with this car. He also co-owns NASCAR team Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), which will be shutting down after this season.
NASCAR first raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in 1994, which was the first race there besides the Indianapolis 500 in 1916. Since then, many different racing series have raced at IMS. As the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Brickyard 400 after three years off, Chase Briscoe, who grew up in Mitchell, Indiana, faces an emotional weekend.
“It’s going to be emotional for me, I mean full transparency I cry every year just on the ride around deal so with it being on the oval and doing it in the 14 all that it’s going to be definitely, probably emotional,” said Briscoe.
“It’s really special to be back here at home in Indiana. Every race car driver dreams of racing at Indianapolis, but for me, it’s even more special because I grew up here,” he added.
Chase Briscoe eyes playoff spot and #14 legacy
A win this weekend will help Chase Briscoe secure a spot in the 2024 Cup playoffs. It would also be a fitting end to SHR’s legacy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Briscoe has raced at the Brickyard before, twice in the Xfinity Series and won on the road course layout in 2020.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever get a chance to race on the oval. So being able to do it this year means a lot to me,” Briscoe stated.
The #14 car has a special place in NASCAR history. After Stewart retired in 2016, Clint Bowyer took over and won two races in 2018. Chase Briscoe then drove the #14 in 2021 and earned his first win in 2022. Other notable racers like Fonty Flock, Hershel McGriff, and A.J. Foyt, also drove this famed car.
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