Connect with us

Sports

Djokovic Defeats Rinderknech to Make More Wimbledon History

Published

on

Djokovic Defeats Rinderknech to Make More Wimbledon History

Novak Djokovic continued his remarkable record at The Championships, Wimbledon by overcoming a determined challenge from Arthur Rinderknech to reach the fourth round and add another milestone to his illustrious career.

After producing an impressive display against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the previous round, the seven-time Wimbledon champion faced a much tougher examination on Centre Court before eventually securing a 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4) victory.

The win marked Djokovic’s 105th singles victory at Wimbledon, leaving only Martina Navratilova, with 120 singles wins, ahead of him on the tournament’s all-time list.

Advertisement

The triumph also saw the 39-year-old equal Roger Federer’s record of 18 appearances in the Wimbledon fourth round, another landmark in a career already filled with historic achievements.

Speaking after the match, Djokovic joked about matching Federer’s total of 105 Wimbledon victories.

“I propose a match between me and Roger for 106! Whoever wins it, gets it. Let’s just stop this here and let’s call him down.”

Advertisement

Reflecting on his latest achievement, Djokovic added:

“To be able to make history on this court is a huge honour and privilege. This was always a childhood dream of mine.

“I’m not really thinking about how many more I can get, I’m just really trying to win the match on a given day.”

Advertisement

The men’s record 24-time Grand Slam champion will next face Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin for a place in the quarter-finals after Safiullin produced a dominant 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Brazilian rising star João Fonseca.

Meanwhile, defending Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner also progressed to the fourth round, defeating American Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

Djokovic initially appeared to be cruising toward another straightforward victory as he claimed the opening two sets with confident serving and trademark shot-making. During the first set, he delighted the Centre Court crowd with a spectacular full-stretch volley before taking a bow and cupping his ear in celebration.

Advertisement

Although both players exchanged early service breaks, Djokovic gradually established control and looked poised to finish the contest quickly after earning another crucial break in the second set.

However, Rinderknech, who famously eliminated Alexander Zverev at Wimbledon last year, refused to surrender. The Frenchman raised his level significantly in the third set, breaking Djokovic’s serve twice in succession and dominating the set to force the contest back into life.

Encouraged by a lively Centre Court crowd, Rinderknech continued to play with confidence throughout the fourth set, pushing Djokovic into a tense tie-break. But the Serbian’s vast experience proved decisive as he held his nerve to seal victory and continue his pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Mikel Arteta signs new contract with Premier League champions Arsenal

Published

on

Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract with Premier League champions Arsenal, extending his stay at the club beyond the end of this season.

The Spaniard took charge of the Gunners in December 2019, meaning the new deal could see him remain at the Emirates for a decade.

Arteta’s previous contract was due to expire at the end of the current campaign. His new agreement includes an increase on his existing £10m-a-year salary, with a further £5m available in bonuses.

Advertisement

The Arsenal manager had reportedly benchmarked his value against the salaries of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, who are both believed to earn more than £20m per year.

“This club is unique, its character and the way it makes you feel, and I have a great sense of privilege that our journey together will continue,” Arteta said.

“We have already built a special bond and created memories that will last a lifetime, and what is so exciting is that this is only the beginning of what we can achieve together.”

Advertisement

The 44-year-old has guided Arsenal to a Premier League title and an FA Cup during his time in charge.

He also led the club to the Champions League final in May, where Arsenal were beaten by Paris St-Germain.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Jannik Sinner ends season early to undergo knee treatment

Published

on

Jannik Sinner has ended his season early to undergo treatment on a knee injury.

The Italian has not played competitively since defending his Wimbledon title in July.

The five-time Grand Slam champion said he had “needed to think about my long-term career” before deciding to end his season.

Advertisement

“Me together with the doctors have decided that I need a course of treatment for my knee,” the 25-year-old said in an Instagram video.

“The last couple of years gave me so many beautiful feelings and emotions, which this year is going to be way different.

“I will do everything possible to get back 100%.”

Advertisement

Sinner was the dominant player for much of the year, winning 44 and losing just three of his singles matches.

He won five Masters 1000 titles in a row between March and May, becoming the youngest man to complete the career Golden Masters.

His injury means Alexander Zverev is highly likely to replace him as world number one by the end of the year.

Advertisement

Second-ranked Zverev, who has won the French Open and US Open this year, trails Sinner by 1,280 points in the live rankings.

However, Sinner will be unable to defend the points he earned by winning titles in China, Vienna, Paris and the ATP Finals at the end of last year.

Sinner won six titles in 2026 across all three surfaces and lost just one singles match between March and July.

Advertisement

He reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in five sets, but suffered a shock second-round defeat by Juan Manuel Cerundolo at the French Open in May.

The defeat in hot and humid conditions in Paris ended Sinner’s 30-match winning streak.

He responded strongly at Wimbledon, where he was pushed to five sets in the first round and suffered a bleeding foot during the match before recovering to beat Zverev in the final and successfully defend his title.

Advertisement

Sinner and his generational rival Carlos Alcaraz, who met in three of the four Grand Slam finals last year, played each other only once in 2026.

Sinner won that meeting, defeating the Spaniard in the Monte Carlo Masters final to reclaim the world number one ranking.

He finishes the year with a 10-1 record against top-10 players, with his only defeat coming against Djokovic in Melbourne at the start of the year.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Mbappe Explains Ceuta T-Shirt Gesture and Says He Stands With Victims

Published

on

Kylian Mbappe has explained why he rolled up his pre-match T-shirt before Real Madrid’s game at Elche on Tuesday, partially covering a message in support of Ceuta.

The shirts carried the slogan “Todos somos Caballas”, meaning “We are all Caballas” — a nickname for people from Ceuta.

Real Madrid team-mates Vinicius Jr and Ibrahima Konate also rolled up their shirts.

Advertisement

Mbappe said the decision to wear the shirts was made by the club and stressed that his gesture was not intended to oppose the people of Ceuta.

“I want to explain this clearly so people understand. It was the club’s decision to include the T-shirt and to have us wear it. We players had to wear it,” the France international said.

“The first thing I want to say is that I stand in full solidarity with Ceuta and with all the victims.”

Advertisement

Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, bordering Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.

More than 100 people died when tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the territory from neighbouring Morocco in July.

“Because before I’m a player, I’m a human being. But I also wanted to make a gesture and spare a thought for all the immigrants who have lost their lives and who are also living in harsh conditions,” Mbappe added.

Advertisement

He acknowledged that his decision could be misunderstood.

“It wasn’t an easy position to take. It was difficult because, in the end, people might think I’m against the people of Ceuta. But no, absolutely not.

“I have nothing against them, and I support them 100% in my thoughts. But I also wanted to spare a thought for all the people who are suffering because, at the end of the day, I’m human, and I don’t want to prioritise one form of suffering over another.

Advertisement

“There are people who are suffering, and it breaks my heart to see that happening in the world. I’m a young man who wants the best for the world we live in.

“I aim to send a message of positivity and peace, and I hope this situation is resolved quickly.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending