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☆ Pressure at its peak as Djokovic guns for Major number 23
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, June 10 (Reuters) - Pressure will be immense on Sunday when Novak Djokovic faces Casper Ruud in the French Open final with a record-breaking 23rd men's Grand Slam title and his position in the pantheon of tennis at stake. In 2021, Djokovic was on the brink of completing a calendar slam -- winning all four majors in the same year -- but was beaten in straight sets in the final in New York by Daniil Medvedev. "You remember the U.S. Open final he had with Medvedev after beating me in the semis still. "I put myself in another really ideal position to win a Grand Slam," said Djokovic, who will also snatch the world number one spot from Spain's Alcaraz if he lifts the Musketeers Cup. With the fickle French Open crowd often backing the underdog, Djokovic might face a few jeers, but he could not care less.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Djokovic, Philippe Chatrier, Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Novak, Alexander Zverev, Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, ", It's, I'm, Julien Pretot, Clare Fallon Organizations: Djokovic, Thomson Locations: Serbian, New York, U.S, Norwegian

☆ 2023 French Open men's final: Novak Djokovic on cusp of historic 23rd grand slam as he faces Casper Ruud for title
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Now, with Federer retired and Nadal injured, Djokovic has an opportunity to stake his own claim in that unending debate and win a record 23rd grand slam title on Sunday at the French Open, surpassing the mark he currently holds with Nadal. Standing in Djokovic’s way is Casper Ruud, who has now reached three of the last five grand slam finals, including last year’s final at Roland Garros where he was dismantled 6-3 6-3 6-0 by Nadal. If Djokovic can win on Sunday, he will also return to the top of the world rankings and become the first male player to win each grand slam tournament at least three times. Casper Ruud was defeated by Nadal in last year's French Open final. That semifinal performance will galvanize Ruud ahead of the final, as he seeks to upset the odds and take a first grand slam title.

Persons: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic –, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Roland Garros, “ I’m, it’s, ” Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Tim Clayton, Corbis, Karen Khachanov, Alcaraz, Djokovic coasted, Ruud, “, Rafa, Novak, ” Ruud, “ I’ve, Lisi Niesner, Reuters “, I’m, Holger Rune, Alexander Zverev, galvanize Ruud Organizations: CNN, tennis, ATP, Djokovic, cramp, Nadal, Guardian, Reuters Locations: Norwegian

☆ Alcaraz's take-no-prisoner approach faces Djokovic test at French Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Spaniard has been inspiring fear and dropping jaws at Roland Garros, and his take-no-prisoner approach faces the ultimate test on Friday in his semi-final clash against Novak Djokovic, who at 36 is hanging on to his dream of claiming a record-breaking 23rd men's Grand Slam title. The two-times French Open champion has been his usual metronomic self on the Parisian clay, where his defence system will come under heavy fire against Alcaraz. While excitement will be at its peak for Alcaraz, who won his maiden Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open last year before missing the Australian Open injured, the Spaniard is fully aware of his opponent's resume. "It's going to be his 45th semi-final in a Grand Slam. "I'm happy to be playing the way I'm playing here in Paris.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic, Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Lorenzo Musetti, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alcaraz, Philippe Chatrier, Kharen Kachanov, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Nadal, I'm, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Alcaraz, U.S, Australian, Thomson Locations: men's, Serbian, Italian, Paris

☆ Alcaraz vs. Djokovic: The Next Kid Up Faces the Game’s Steeliest Brain
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But when Djokovic faces Alcaraz, who has taken the No. 1 ranking from him twice in the past nine months, it will be a test against youth unlike anything Djokovic has faced before. The two have played only once, in May 2022, in Madrid; Djokovic and Alcaraz kept missing each other for one reason or another in the 13 months since. Daniil Medvedev, the world’s second-ranked player, and the only player currently in his 20s to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam final, said not long ago that it is nearly impossible to beat Djokovic until you have first lost to him several times. Alcaraz beat Djokovic in their lone meeting, in a deciding-set tiebreaker no less (albeit in a best-of-three-sets match).

Persons: ” Djokovic, Djokovic, Alcaraz, ” Lorenzo Musetti, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Roger Federer, Daniil Medvedev Organizations: Khachanov, Sampras, Court, Wimbledon, Djokovic Locations: Madrid, Italy

☆ Alcaraz has self-belief to achieve greatness, says coach Ferrero
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

I don't know if it's going to be this tournament, but of course I think he's ready," Ferrero, who has worked with Alcaraz for nearly five years, told reporters. "I'm impressed obviously about his level, but I'm with him now for almost five years so let's say I know the level he's able to play," Ferrero said. "The way he's playing, he's able to make any shots on the court. If you ask him to go to the net on match point, he's able to do it. If I ask to return and go to the net, he's able to do it and make the drop shot.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Ferrero, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Tsitsipas, I'm, he's, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ed Osmond Organizations: French, U.S, Djokovic, Thomson

☆ 'Nothing matters': Attitude adjustment helps Tsitsipas rediscover his rhythm
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But Tsitsipas said he has changed his mindset to play with a carefree attitude and not focus on the result, which helped him beat claycourt specialist Schwartzman in straight sets. "I've produced some really good tennis when I'm at a psychological state of 'nothing matters and I don't care anymore'. And I just want to play it, I don't care what the outcome will be," Tsitsipas told reporters. I guess there is lack of expectation, lack of thought... when you're out there because you're constantly analysing every decision. Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Stefanos Tsitsipas, Diego Schwartzman, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Tsitsipas, claycourt, Schwartzman, I've, Rohith Nair, William Mallard Organizations: Djokovic, Thomson Locations: Argentine, Bengaluru

The moment was a culmination for Dev, who began competing in spelling bees in third grade and has studied 10 hours each day for the past year, according to his mother. When his parents rushed the stage to hug him, he felt overwhelmed, Dev said in an interview after the competition. A fan of Roger Federer and the movie “La La Land,” Dev had competed in previous national spelling bees, tying for 76th place in 2021 and 51st place in 2019. In 2021, organizers introduced a vocabulary round, in which spellers have to identify the correct meaning of the word. Harini Logan, an eighth grader from San Antonio, won by correctly spelling 21 words.

Persons: Dev, ”, Roger Federer, ” Dev, Harini Logan Locations: La, Largo, St . Petersburg, San Antonio

☆ Federer serves up directions as latest voice on Waze navigation app
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The retired, polyglottic tennis star can offer directions in English, French, or German, and is the first person to record custom navigation in three different languages, the navigation app said on Wednesday. The 41-year-old Swiss offers a variety of motivational messages to drivers, on top of basic directions. "It's drive time - I can feel the adrenaline kicking in already," Federer says in one recording. I'm ready to coach you along the way." Federer joins an assortment of celebrity voices on the navigation app, which Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) acquired for $1 billion in 2013, including pop stars Christina Aguilera and the Jonas Brothers.

Persons: Europe's Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Team World's Jack Sock, Frances Tiafoe REUTERS, Andrew Boyers, Federer, Christina Aguilera, Jonas Brothers, Amy Tennery, Toby Davis Organizations: Laver, Team, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Swiss, New York

☆ Novak Djokovic gets French Open campaign off to winning start; matches Roger Federer record
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Novak Djokovic got his French Open campaign off to a winning start with a dominant victory over American Aleksandar Kovacevic in the first round. The victory continues his undefeated record in first round French Open matches, moving to 19-0 for his career. If Djokovic is able to claim a third French Open title, he would return to the top of the men’s world rankings. He also now has 86 wins at the grand slam, second only to Nadal’s 112. The 22-time grand slam champion will now face Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in the second round.

☆ Djokovic owes growth of his career to 'biggest rival' Nadal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Both players are tied on a record 22 Grand Slam titles but Djokovic can inch ahead at Roland Garros where he had managed to beat Nadal only twice in 10 meetings. I don't like seeing him in the draw of Roland Garros," Djokovic told reporters with a laugh. "I have had not so much success against him in our head-to-head record in Roland Garros. "Definitely a great motivational factor for me to keep playing and keep competing and keep pushing each other - who's going achieve more, who's going to do better." "It made me wonder, it made me think about my career and how long I'm going to play," Djokovic said.

☆ Djokovic says new generation has arrived after Rome quarter-final exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROME, May 18 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic said the long awaited "shift of generations" has finally come to men's tennis after the world number one lost to 20-year-old Dane Holger Rune in the Italian Open quarter-finals. Djokovic, who has now lost two in a row to Rune, said the next generation of players led by world number two Carlos Alcaraz is like a breath of fresh air for the sport. "A new generation is here already," Djokovic told reporters. When asked if Roland Garros would be the most open tournament in years, Djokovic smiled and said: "It depends if Nadal plays or not. "But next to him Alcaraz, Rune - these guys are right there in contention, some of the biggest favourites to win the title."

☆ Djokovic says 'Big Four' rivalries made him tougher
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Luckily for me, in my career, I managed to win more matches than I lost when I was facing difficult circumstances," Djokovic said. "I got stronger because of the rivalries, particularly with Federer, Nadal and Murray," he added. Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray were dubbed the 'Big Four' as they won a combined 67 Grand Slam titles in an unprecedented period of dominance and were involved in some of the most memorable matches over the last two decades. "Staying the course, staying patient and believing in the process and the journey," Djokovic said. "Understanding what works for you best, what's your winning formula mentally and also physically and emotionally, and then sticking to it."

☆ Messi and Fraser-Pryce win top Laureus awards
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Laureus World Sports Awards - Hotel d’Evreux, Paris, France - May 8, 2023 Footballer Lionel Messi poses after winning the 2023 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award REUTERS/Johanna GeronPARIS, May 8 (Reuters) - Argentina's World Cup winning captain Lionel Messi was named the Laureus Sportsman of the Year, while sprint champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce bagged the top women's honour at the awards ceremony on Monday. Messi also received an award on behalf of the Argentina men's football team, who were named World Team of the Year after their triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Messi also became the first athlete to scoop both the World Sportsman of the Year Award and the World Team of the Year Award in the same year. Tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, who won the 2022 U.S. Open and rose to number one in the ATP rankings, was named the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year. The Laureus World Sports Awards nominees are selected by the global media, while the winners are determined by the 71 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

☆ Nadal missing French Open would be 'brutal' for the sport - Federer
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 8 (Reuters) - Roger Federer said he hopes Rafa Nadal will recover in time for the French Open and that it would be a "brutal" blow for tennis if the 14-time Roland Garros champion is absent this year. Nadal has been dealing with a hip injury he suffered at the Australian Open in January, and fears that the Spaniard may miss the Paris Grand Slam grew after he pulled out of this week's Italian Open. Nadal skipped last week's Madrid Open and also missed tournaments at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. "It would be brutal, it would be tough for tennis if Rafa isn't going to be there," 20-times Grand Slam winner Federer told Sky Sports on Sunday at Formula One's Miami Grand Prix. Nadal has competed at the French Open every year since winning the first of his men's record 22 major titles in Paris in 2005.

☆ Dream big, think big - Alcaraz wants to become one of the greats
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The 'Big Three' of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic have dominated men's tennis for nearly 20 years, collectively winning 64 Grand Slams. While only Djokovic and Nadal of the three are still active, Alcaraz said reaching their level will be a daunting task. "Well, my dream in tennis right now is to become one of the best players in history," Alcaraz told reporters after beating Karen Khachanov 6-4 7-5 in the Madrid Open quarter-finals on Wednesday. "In this world, you have to dream big and you have to think big, as well," Alcaraz said. "I want to be part of the best tennis players in history and I'll work for it."

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo: Soccer star tops Forbes' highest-paid athlete list for 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has become the highest paid athlete in the world, with a move to Al-Nassr nearly doubling his salary, according to Forbes. According to Forbes, Ronaldo has an estimated $75 million playing salary and has cashed in on a number of marketing opportunities. Both have lost sponsors since joining the controversial Saudi-backed breakaway group but have more than made up for it in prize money. Ronaldo was last named the world's highest-paid athlete in 2017. The American wasn’t even in the top 50 highest-paid athletes in 2022 but has now jumped up to sixth.

☆ Ronaldo tops Forbes' highest-paid athletes list in 2023 after Saudi move
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 2 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo became the world's highest-paid athlete after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr nearly doubled his annual playing salary while Paris St Germain duo Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe round off the top three, according to Forbes. Ronaldo, who joined the Saudi soccer club on a deal until 2025 after leaving Manchester United last year, earned $136 million with Forbes saying his annual playing salary went up to an estimated $75 million. Ronaldo's contract has been estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($219.98 million). Los Angeles Lakers player and NBA great LeBron James ($119.5 million) and Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez ($110 million) rounded out the top five. Four-times NBA champion Stephen Curry ($100.4 million) and Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant ($89.1 million) are the other two basketball players on the list.

☆ Where the royal family goes in London, from Indian restaurants to theme parks
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Well, they’re not, obviously – but sometimes they do put down their tiaras, leave their palaces and join the hoi polloi at restaurants, bars and even theme parks. He once called Brilliant Restaurant in Southall, west London his favorite Indian restaurant – and Gordon Ramsay is also a fan. Stuart C. Wilson/Getty ImagesBack in the noughties, party Prince Harry was a regular at Mahiki, a Tiki-themed bar-club-restaurant in Mayfair. Simon Dack/AlamyIn his memoir “Spare,” Prince Harry wrote about popping out to shop for clothes at T.K. Toby Melville/Getty ImagesThe-then Meghan Markle was apparently spied In the heart of Chelsea while she was engaged to Prince Harry, getting a facial from Sarah Chapman.

REUTERS/Andrew KellyNEW YORK, May 1 (Reuters) - American basketball star Brittney Griner stepped onto the red carpet at the star-studded Met Gala on Monday, embracing a larger spotlight months after returning home from detention in a Russian penal colony. The twice Olympic champion has pledged to advocate for the release of other Americans detained abroad after she was freed from Russia in a high-profile prisoner exchange after nearly 10 months of detention. "I was able to come home," Griner told Vogue at the gala. "It is everything, to be here with my wife able to be here it means so much," Griner said. Twenty-times Grand Slam winner Roger Federer served as a co-chair of the event while China's twice Olympic champion freestyle skier Eileen Gu was also in attendance.

☆ Jared Leto wears giant 'Choupette' costume to Met Gala
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Ben Kellerman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Jared Leto, dressed as Karl Lagerfeld's cat Choupette, poses at the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute with this year's theme "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty", in New York City, New York, U.S., May 1, 2023. The invitation-only Met Gala, famed for its A-list celebrities and extravagant outfits, is a benefit for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and marks the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit. “Karl loved romantic but he also loved something a little edgy and nasty,” said American fashion designer Michael Kors. Meta Gala co-chair Dua Lipa wore a vintage 1992 Chanel Haute Couture Fall cream tweed gown and paired it with a never before seen 100 karat Tiffany diamond necklace. Reporting by Ben Kellerman in New York; Writing by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Met Gala 2023 fashion: The best looks from the red carpet
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The Met Gala theme is based on the Costume Institute’s spring show “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” which is a posthumous retrospective of the German fashion designer’s work. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesIce Spice Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesOlivia Wilde opted for a Chloé "violin" dress — one of Lagerfeld's designs from the 1980s — in white and gold. John Shearer/WireImage/Getty ImagesActor Ariana DeBose made an entrance in an Altuzarra fur-trimmed yellow hooded gown, arriving with designer Joseph Altuzarra. John Shearer/WireImage/Getty ImagesMet Gala co-chair Dua Lipa in a voluminous Chanel corset dress. Evan Agostini/Invision/APTop Photo: Gisele Bündchen (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

☆ Thiem at full power after recovering from wrist injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The power wasn't there last year even when I started to win matches and played better. In the inner season the power wasn't there yet. The shots are there, the power is there like before, but I was using it wrong. There's full trust again in the wrist and the forehand." "I needed a coach right away so we decided to start the relationship and give it a try."

☆ Inside Nike: Sources share claims of sexism, cheating, abuse at the world's wokest brand
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Joshua Hunt | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +51 min

The conservative blowback came as no surprise to Parker, who told Nike's board of directors to expect some short-term backlash. In late 2014, the BBC sent a film crew to Portland to interview several former Oregon Project employees. "He would be at the side of the track calling out runners' splits but wouldn't call Kara's out," Adam Goucher told me. When people asked why she left the Oregon Project, she said it was a "personal decision." "I don't think it has anything to do with who the CEO is," Goucher told me.

☆ Sinner says win over Alcaraz in Miami one of his best
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Youngsters Sinner and Alcaraz have formed one of the most exciting rivalries on the ATP Tour, each enjoying three wins in their six meetings so far. "For sure it's one of the best wins. I think we both played a very, very high-level match," Sinner, 21, told reporters. "The last one I lost obviously, but I'll try my best, I'll try to make some good changes like today against Carlos and let's see. "I had an opportunity to get the Sunshine Double, but I think I'm going to have more years to try to get it.

☆ Nadal out of top 10 for first time since 2005
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

World number four Casper Ruud, who lost to Nadal in the Roland Garros final last year, said he would not be shocked to see the 36-year-old lift the trophy once again. "It wouldn't surprise me because he'll probably use these weeks and these months, as he's preparing for exactly Roland Garros," Ruud told Eurosport as part of the 'Ruud Talk' series. The only thing that's probably on his mind these days is just to be fit, be healthy and be ready for Roland Garros." Djokovic, who turns 36 in May, has shown few signs of slowing down and drew level with Nadal on 22 Grand Slams by winning the Australian Open. "The only tournament is Roland Garros: if Rafa is fit there, it's exactly the opposite.

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