Sports
Novak Djokovic makes cheeky Rafael Nadal comment about French Open semi-finals against Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic makes cheeky Rafael Nadal comment about French Open semi-finals against Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic cheekily compared Carlos Alcaraz to Rafael Nadal before the teenager’s French Open dismantling of Stefanos Tsitsipas on Tuesday night. Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero has previously declared that he does not like the comparisons between his player and his fellow Spaniard, a 22-time Grand Slam champion.
Alcaraz is just 20 and has currently only one Slam to his name – the US Open last year – but is widely regarded as the heir to the throne in men’s tennis once Nadal and Djokovic retire. After booking his place in the semi-finals at Roland Garros, the Serb ignored Alcaraz’s coach and compared the young talent to Nadal.
Nadal is a 14-time French Open champion but is absent this year after undergoing surgery and Alcaraz is looking to take advantage with the first clay-court Slam of his budding career. He dominated Tsitsipas in straight sets on the Parisian red dirt on Tuesday night to reach the last four for the first time.
And before the match, Djokovic – who saw off Karen Khachanov in his quarter-final earlier in the afternoon – was asked about Alcaraz’s impact on tennis, with the pair now set to face off in the semi-finals. Before learning he would face Alcaraz next, Djokovic said: “Well, he carries himself very well. No doubt very nice guy on and off the court. Brings a lot of intensity on the court.
Novak Djokovic makes cheeky Rafael Nadal comment about French Open semi-finals against Carlos Alcaraz
“Reminds me of someone [Rafa Nadal] from his country that plays with a left hand (smiling). He deserves his success, no doubt. He’s working hard, and he very a complete player already and only aged 20 – 19, 20?
“So we played only once in Madrid last year, 7-6 in the third for him. We haven’t played since. Yeah, you’re right, In most of the tournaments this year we were not in the same draw but here we are. If it comes to that match, that’s the match that, you know, a lot of people want to see.
“It’s the biggest challenge for me, you know, so far in the tournament. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. He’s a guy to beat here. I’m looking forward to that.
“But, he has to win against Tsitsipas, let’s not forget about that. We cannot disrespect Stefanos who has played finals here and is a top, a top player for many years. So let’s see what happens tonight.”
But despite Djokovic’s comments, Tsitsipas won a mere three games in the first two sets against Alcaraz. The Greek found himself trailing 6-2, 6-1, 5-2 but rallied late to give himself a chance and forced a third-set tiebreak ultimately though Alcaraz showed his character to see it through on his sixth match point after a deciding set that lasted longer than the first two combined.
READ MORE Novak Djokovic embraces pantomime villain act with blockbuster Alcaraz showdown looming
This is now his best career performance at a French Open. Alcaraz had reached the quarter-finals in 2022 before losing to Alexander Zverev. But he is a completely different prospect 12 months on and Tsitsipas – a two-time Slam finalist – simply could not live with his younger opponent on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Djokovic will face Alcaraz in the final four on Friday after dropping his first set of the tournament to Khachanov. The Serb added: “It’s always the end of the tournament to have even bigger challenges and players that have possessed a great quality that can win a set or two of you, and that’s what happened today. So I take it as a positive thing.
“I will analyze my game from today with my team, and be better prepared for the next one because I need to have a better start in the semis.” The other semi-final pairing will be decided on Wednesday. Zverev, the 22nd seed, faces Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry while Holger Rune takes on Casper Ruud in the other last-eight match.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
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.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
“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.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
