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Novak Djokovic ‘sacks coach during Nick Kyrgios charity clash because of…
Novak Djokovic ‘sacks coach during Nick Kyrgios charity clash because of…
Novak Djokovic pretended to ditch his coach during his pre-Australian Open charity match with Nick Kyrgios as he sought advice from a member of the crowd which proved successful in winning the next rally. Goran Ivanisevic then joked that he had been “fired in front of 15,000 people” and was ready to fly home without his charge.
Djokovic and Kyrgios treated the Australian Open fans to a pre-tournament exhibition match on Friday, taking to a packed Rod Laver Arena for what the tournament had billed as an “arena showdown” for their first clash since the Wimbledon final. It was the Aussie who pounced first to take the opening set in a tiebreak and the nine-time Australian Open champion turned to a member of the crowd for some advice to help him in the second set.
The world No 5 walked back on the baseline and gestured for a spectator to lean down to give him some help, following his advice for the next point and winning it. Djokovic then pretended to fire his coach in the middle of the match, with Ivanisevic sitting watching courtside.
And the retired Wimbledon champion-turned-coach gave his verdict a few games later, remarking that he had been axed in front of a full stadium. “Yeah, I lost my job in front of 15,000 people,” the Croat said when asked about the incident.
Novak Djokovic ‘sacks coach during Nick Kyrgios charity clash because of…
The 51-year-old was already ready to part ways with Djokovic after being fired, as he added: “I have a flight at 10:45, Emirates, so I am okay, just watch and go.” Ivanisevic was also offered another job as he was asked whether he would consider coaching Kyrgios but the 2001 Wimbledon winner responded: “I don’t think he needs a coach, he is a one and only.”
It seemed the 21-time Grand Slam champion didn’t need Ivanisevic though as he managed to take the second set 4-2 in the fast 4 format – something that Djokovic was left confused by at the start of the match as the emcee needed to bring him a sheet of paper explaining the rules.
With everything all square at one set-all, the charity clash went to a decisive match tiebreak where wheelchair stars David Wagner and Heath Davidson joined the two men on the court and turned the clash into a doubles match. And they were later subbed out by two younger ones as Kyrgios and his young partner saved three match points to win 4-2 2-4 10-9.
READ MORE: NADAL: Australian Open draw was ‘canceled’ and then rescheduled due to Novak Djokovic’s farce
Djokovic and Kyrgios then sat together for a post-match interview as the Serb got serious and thanked the crowd for a warm welcome in his first match on Rod Laver Arena before he was deported from Australia last year after causing controversy when he arrived in the country unvaccinated with a medical exemption.
“It just feels great to be back in Australia, back in Melbourne,” he said. “This is the court and the stadium where I created the best memories of my professional tennis career. Back in 2008 the first time I won a Grand Slam was here, 15 years later I’m here again and competing at a high level so I must be very grateful for this opportunity to be here so thank you, guys, for welcoming me, I appreciate 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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