Sports
A Move by US President Biden Could Give Novak Djokovic a Shot
A Move by US President Biden Could Give Novak Djokovic a Shot
Despite a hamstring injury, the world No. 1 could again set his sights on winning all four majors as a change in U.S. policy likely opens the door to travelers who are unvaccinated against Covid-19
Once Novak Djokovic made it back to Australia, he hardly wanted to leave.
Djokovic had been in the country for almost a month and had not lost a single tennis match there—not in the Australian Open tuneups nor in the tournament itself, which he won for a record 10th time on Sunday. A year on from his Melbourne deportation fiasco, Djokovic had returned in conquering form and felt right at home again.
But more than 10,000 miles away, the rest of his season was already taking shape—and it could finally mean that Djokovic has something resembling a full Grand Slam season.
As the White House announced this week that President Biden would end the U.S. Covid-19 emergency declarations on May 11, Djokovic’s chances of returning to the U.S. Open and chasing a first men’s calendar-year Grand Slam since 1969 appeared set to improve dramatically.
A Move by US President Biden Could Give Novak Djokovic a Shot
Djokovic has been stymied in the U.S. by an order for most noncitizens to show proof of vaccination to enter the U.S. by air, and the White House announcement quickly raised hopes in the travel industry that the rule would fall.
“Hopefully the President’s announcement of the end of emergency measures in May means that this policy will be terminated,” U.S. Travel Association head Geoff Freeman said this week.
That won’t happen automatically, though. Whether Djokovic will be in Queens this summer depends on a decision from the White House to lift a separate presidential proclamation that the travel order is based on.
In the meantime, not even Djokovic is certain where he will play next.
“I have to reflect and sleep over a few nights and just realize what I’ve been through with my team,” Djokovic said here on Sunday, before the announcement. “Of course, it makes me incredibly proud, but it also is a huge relief because it hasn’t been smooth sailing, on and off the court, in the last three to four weeks.”
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Djokovic’s two objectives are the biggest in the sport. He wants to retain the No. 1 world ranking that he reclaimed in Australia. And he wants to add to his tally of 22 major titles, overtaking Rafael Nadal for the all-time lead. Returning to the U.S. Open, a tournament he has already won three times certainly helps.
But while the restrictions remain in place, Djokovic will miss two of the most prestigious dates on the men’s tennis circuit—and all of their ranking points—between now and the next major, the hard-court Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells, Calif., and Miami. Djokovic hasn’t said what he will do in the meantime, though Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley revealed on Australian television this week that Djokovic had won the tournament while carrying a 1.2-inch hamstring tear.
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.
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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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