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☆ Nadal Prepares His Comeback. But Can He Be Rafa Again?
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The strangest year of Rafael Nadal’s career—the one where he played no competitive tennis for the first time since childhood—is about to come to an end. The 22-time major tournament winner is planning to return from injury for one last lap around the pro circuit next month in Australia before he says farewell to the game. But after 12 months away and a painstaking process to rehabilitate nearly every part of his body, even Nadal isn’t sure what to expect. In an ideal world, he would find his feet again, round into form for the clay-court season, delight his fans at the French Open, and possibly sign off with Olympic gold at Paris 2024, when the tournament will be held on the red courts at Roland-Garros that became his living room.

Persons: Rafael Nadal’s, —, Nadal, Garros Organizations: Paris, Roland Locations: Australia

☆ The NBA Tournament’s Burning Question: Is It Worth a Parade?
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

In the first year of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament, basketball fans have become used to a few new things: purple courts, weird scheduling, the concept of a group stage. But they’re still wrapping their minds around how much they should really care about this whole competition. Now, as the inaugural event moves into the quarterfinals and gets ready for this week’s Final Four in Las Vegas, officials at eight city halls across the country are beginning to wonder the same thing. The question that at least one of them will have to answer: Is winning the in-season tournament worth a parade?

Locations: Las Vegas

☆ F1, the NBA and a Super Bowl: Las Vegas Makes Its Play as America’s Sports Capital
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

LAS VEGAS—In the 48 hours leading up to Saturday night’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, Formula One’s $600 million project here had begun to look like it was skidding off the road. The sport’s world champion left no doubt that he hated it from the moment he landed. A $10 million Ferrari was torn up by a loose drain cover on Thursday’s opening night. And a group representing 35,000 fans was so incensed by the organizers’ decision to send them home during a delay in practice that they filed a lawsuit against Formula One.

Persons: Ferrari Organizations: VEGAS, Las Vegas, Prix, Formula One

☆ F1 Bet $600 Million on Las Vegas. Could It Be a Busted Flush?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

LAS VEGAS—As the Formula One drivers rose slowly onto hydraulic platforms in a storm of lasers, drones and light rain on Wednesday night, a few of them had to admit that they were no longer sure what they were doing here. Officially, they had traveled to Las Vegas for the 21st of 22 Grands Prix on this season’s calendar, ready to race around a new, purpose-built circuit along the Strip and into the desert. But in the middle of a thumping opening ceremony, any actual racing felt like an afterthought. The 20 jumpsuited drivers were there to smile, wave, and help F1 mark its latest, over-the-top push for expansion into the American market.

Organizations: VEGAS Locations: Las Vegas

☆ The F1 World Champion Who Can’t Be Stopped
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/sports/max-verstappen-red-bull-formula-one-las-vegas-3b2b1962

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Is This the World’s Most Dominant Athlete?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ The Relentless Longevity of Novak Djokovic
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Novak Djokovic isn’t going anywhere. A full two decades after turning professional as a skinny teenager in 2003, Djokovic is just one match victory away from finishing a record eighth season as world No. By all normal expectations, the 36-year-old Djokovic should be showing signs of wear by now. Or have a whole generation of players bidding to tear him down. But as he joked this season: “It ain’t happening.”

Persons: Novak Djokovic isn’t, Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, ”

☆ Tottenham Lost Its Star and Became the Premier League’s Surprise Contender
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The best striker in Tottenham history looked up last weekend, 60 yards from goal with the ball at his feet, and liked what he saw. The goalkeeper was far off his line—it was an invitation to shoot. So Harry Kane launched an effort that traveled half the length of the field, looped over the keeper, and instantly in as one of the goals of the season. It was the kind of inspiration that had dazzled Tottenham fans for a decade. The trouble was that Tottenham’s greatest forward no longer plays for Tottenham—Kane was making long-distance magic these days for Bayern Munich.

Persons: Harry Kane, Tottenham — Kane Organizations: Tottenham, Bayern Munich

☆ Saudi Arabia’s Lavish Sports Push Earns It the 2034 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Less than a decade after Saudi Arabia decided to make a push into global sports, the Kingdom is set to claim the prize it covets most: the soccer World Cup. The country learned on Tuesday that it was the only bidder left standing to host the 2034 edition of the tournament, after Australia formally withdrew from the process earlier in the day. Once the decision is formally ratified, likely without a vote or debate next fall at a meeting of the FIFA Congress, Saudi Arabia will reach the pinnacle of a multibillion-dollar process that is reshaping the world’s most popular sport and using it to remake the Kingdom’s image.

Organizations: Australia, FIFA Congress Locations: Saudi Arabia, Kingdom

☆ South Africa Holds Off New Zealand to Win the Rugby World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

On any given day, whichever 15 men happen to be wearing the jersey of the New Zealand All Blacks can be the most fearsome outfit known to rugby. New Zealand learned that lesson the hard way on Saturday inside the Stade de France, where the first ever red card in a Rugby World Cup final left the All Blacks a man short for nearly three-quarters of the match against South Africa, the No. 1 rugby union team in the world. The Springboks are a grueling enough machine to face when things go right. But when things go wrong against them from the opening minutes, you end up losing the World Cup.

Organizations: New Zealand, Blacks, Stade de France, Rugby, South, team, Springboks Locations: New Zealand, South Africa

☆ A World Cup Final of Rugby’s Super Heavyweights
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS—The Rugby World Cup, a tournament longer than the Summer and Winter Olympics combined, has been going on in France since the first week of September. But two months of bruising competition and occasional upsets have led exactly where history promised: The final that purists wanted to see between the two most decorated rugby nations in the world, South Africa and New Zealand. The Springboks and the All Blacks have each won the tournament three times, meaning that by Saturday night, one or the other will have been crowned champion in seven of the 10 World Cups ever held. And what makes this matchup so compelling is that these two squads couldn’t have taken more different approaches to get there.

Organizations: PARIS, The Rugby, Olympics, Springboks, Blacks Locations: France, South Africa, New Zealand

☆ Soccer’s LeBron James Has Arrived
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

When Birmingham City said goodbye to its best player in recent memory, the club took a page straight out of the American sports playbook. Midfielder Jude Bellingham had been more than a star for the Blues. They viewed him as an era-defining, homegrown talent, who represented the very best that the team and English soccer had to offer. So Birmingham City decided to retire his jersey. “Jude has become an iconic figure,” the club said.

Persons: Jude Bellingham, “ Jude Organizations: Birmingham City, Blues, Bellingham Locations: Birmingham

☆ Even Lionel Messi Couldn’t Save a Doomed American Season
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The first season of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi project was all going to plan. The greatest player of his generation ws banging in goals, driving subscriptions to Major League Soccer matches on Apple TV and selling out stadiums wherever he went. Messi seemed happy and engaged. He even looked good in Miami’s flamingo-pink kit. It turns out that adding a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner midway through the season wasn’t quite enough to turn around what had been one of the worst teams in MLS before Messi’s arrival.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Ballon Organizations: Inter, Major League Soccer, Apple, Miami, MLS

☆ The Billionaire Tycoon Who Can’t Stop Buying Sports Teams
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Jim Ratcliffe , the British petrochemicals billionaire, was on a 5,000-mile motorcycle journey through the Andes a few years ago and feeling pretty bored with the state of sports. No one was really going after the biggest barriers in human performance anymore, he thought. Then, somewhere on the road in Argentina, he settled on a sporting achievement that actually excited him: Ratcliffe wanted to see someone run a marathon in under 2 hours. So he hired some of the best scientists in sports and the best marathoner in the world to make it happen. And in 2019, on a closed course in Vienna, Eliud Kipchoge ran 26.2 miles in 1 hour and 59 minutes.

Persons: Jim Ratcliffe, Ratcliffe, Eliud Kipchoge Locations: Argentina, Vienna

☆ The Blown Call—by the Video Ref—That’s Driving Soccer Nuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: Dow Jones, luis, diaz, ac5be184 Organizations: tottenham Locations: liverpool

☆ The American Playbook That Won the Ryder Cup—for Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Andrew Beaton | Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/sports/golf/ryder-cup-rory-mcilroy-jon-rahm-viktor-hovland-7f3fbbf8

Persons: Dow Jones, ryder, mcilroy, jon, rahm, viktor, hovland

☆ Formula 1’s Nearly Invincible Car
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SUZUKA, Japan—Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen thought this season would be a little closer, if he’s being honest. He expected his Red Bull car to be above the rest of the field, but deep down, he felt sure that at least one or two rivals to be right on his tail.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Bull Locations: SUZUKA, Japan

☆ American Cyclist Sepp Kuss Set to Win the Vuelta a España
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/sports/cycling-kuss-vingegaard-roglic-jumbo-visma-vuelta-e6aa874c

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: e6aa874c

☆ Spain Soccer Chief Resigns Three Weeks After Forcible Kiss on Player
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/sports/soccer/luis-rubiales-spain-soccer-world-cup-jenni-hermoso-kiss-647159ed

Persons: Dow Jones, luis Locations: rubiales, spain

☆ Novak Djokovic Wins the U.S. Open and a 24th Career Major Title
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Novak Djokovic rarely misses an opportunity to remind people that he’s 36 years old—that he can’t quite recover like he used to, that his body might some day let him down. Even on court, he has to stretch more than he used to, and occasionally pauses to catch his breath. But then, Djokovic finds his groove and gives a different impression entirely.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Djokovic

☆ Coco Gauff Wins the U.S. Open, Her First Major Title
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Coco Gauff’s Second Chance at a First Grand Slam
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/sports/tennis/coco-gauff-madison-keys-us-open-protest-b82c99d1

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: madison

☆ Daniil Medvedev Sets Up a Match With Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open Final
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/sports/tennis/medvedev-alcaraz-us-open-djokovic-shelton-30258289

Persons: Dow Jones, medvedev Organizations: shelton

☆ Daniil Medvedev Stuns Carlos Alcaraz for a Place in the U.S. Open Final
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/sports/tennis/medvedev-alcaraz-us-open-djokovic-shelton-30258289

Persons: Dow Jones, medvedev Organizations: shelton

☆ An Unseeded 20-Year-Old American Blasts His Way to the U.S. Open Semifinals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/sports/tennis/ben-shelton-us-open-frances-tiafoe-djokovic-a0177188

Persons: Dow Jones, shelton, tiafoe, a0177188

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