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Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are set to return and play in…
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are set to return and play in…
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic should compete at the season’s third Masters 1000 event in Monte Carlo! Two legends are on the official poster and the entry list, hoping to chase the title after missing Indian Wells and Miami.
Rafa and Novak have won 13 Monte Carlo titles since 2005, with the Spaniard lifting an incredible 11 trophies. The Serb and the Spaniard have not been among the champions since 2019, and they will be eager to change that between April 6-14 after not competing in March.
Nadal is the most prominent name in Monte Carlo Masters history, lifting 11 titles between 2005 and 2018. Rafa claimed the first title at 18 and became the most dominant player at a single Masters 1000 event. Nadal has not played since the Australian Open, experiencing a hip injury in the second round and skipping Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells, and Miami.
Rafa is back on the practice court, hoping to get ready for Monte Carlo and challenge the rivals from the top.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have been confirmed to play in Monte Carlo.
Djokovic is a two-time Monte Carlo champion and one of Nadal’s most formidable rivals in the Principality.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are set to return and play in…
World no. 1 could not enter the USA and play in Indian Wells and Miami due to his vaccination status. Novak hopes for a strong return in Monte Carlo in his first event since the Dubai semi-final loss to Daniil Medvedev. The Serb claimed titles in Adelaide and Melbourne at the start of the year, setting his eyes on Ivan Lendl’s 94 ATP crowns in the Principality.
READ MORE: Rafael Nadal Announced Good News
Like Nadal, Djokovic has not been at his best in Monte Carlo in the previous couple of years. Novak fell to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round a year ago, with the Spaniard scoring a 6-3, 6-7, 6-1 triumph in two hours and 54 minutes.
Djokovic claimed the second set but had nothing more left in the tank, struggling in the decider and experiencing his earliest Masters 1000 loss since Miami 2018. Struggling to impose his strokes in windy conditions, Novak sprayed too many mistakes and hit the exit door.
The Spaniard defended seven out of 11 break chances and delivered nine breaks from 20 opportunities to control the scoreboard in sets one and three. Novak fired 27 winners and 51 unforced errors, and Alejandro landed 37 winners and 34 mistakes for a much better ratio.
Djokovic should be among the favorites in a couple of weeks, alongside Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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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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