Sports
Djokovic Triumphs Over Nadal to Keep Olympic Gold Medal Hopes Alive
Novak Djokovic demonstrated his exceptional form by defeating long-time rival Rafael Nadal in their Olympic second-round match, keeping his pursuit of the coveted gold medal alive. The Serbian, aged 37, showcased his dominance over Nadal in a commanding performance, winning 6-1, 6-4 on the famous Roland Garros clay.
From the onset, Djokovic appeared to be in a different class than the 38-year-old Spaniard. Djokovic quickly took control, leading 4-0 in the second set, silencing the strong local support for Nadal. Although Nadal, known as the King of Clay for his 14 French Open titles at the venue, mounted a comeback to level the set, Djokovic shifted gears to break for 5-4 and served out the match.
“I’m very relieved,” Djokovic remarked post-match. “Everything was going my way, I was 6-1, 4-0 up but I played a sloppy service game and gave him chances.”
Despite Nadal’s storied success at Roland Garros, he could not contend with Djokovic’s caliber, especially with his thigh injury hampering his movement. The two legendary players, who together boast 46 Grand Slam singles titles, exchanged a warm embrace at the net, with Djokovic respectfully applauding Nadal as he left the court.
This match marked the 60th encounter between the two, furthering the most-played rivalry in men’s tennis history. Djokovic now leads their head-to-head with a slender 31-29 advantage. Reflecting on their enduring rivalry, Djokovic said, “I never thought back in 2006 that we’d still be playing each other almost 20 years later.”
For Djokovic, the Olympic gold remains a significant career goal yet to be achieved. Meanwhile, Nadal will continue his Olympic campaign at Roland Garros, joining forces with Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, for the men’s doubles representing Spain.
Sports
Jack Draper Advances to Japan Open Last 16 with Win Over Bellucci
British tennis player Jack Draper has secured a spot in the Japan Open last 16 after defeating Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in straight sets. Draper, ranked world number 20, claimed a 6-4, 6-2 victory, marking his first win since his US Open semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner earlier this month.
The 22-year-old’s triumph in Tokyo comes as a welcome return to form following a challenging Davis Cup in Manchester, where he lost both of his singles matches to Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo and Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, contributing to Great Britain’s failure to reach the knockout stages.
After a tightly contested first set against world number 103 Bellucci, Draper dominated the second set, building a 5-1 lead before closing out the match. He will face Polish second seed Hubert Hurkacz in the next round on Friday.
Sports
Wolves Defender Yerson Mosquera Likely Out for Season with Knee Injury
Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Yerson Mosquera is expected to miss the remainder of the season following a serious knee injury sustained in Wolves’ 3-1 loss to Aston Villa. The 23-year-old Colombian twisted his knee after a collision with Villa’s Morgan Rogers in the 82nd minute and was stretchered off the pitch.
Scans confirmed that Mosquera suffered damage to both the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which will require surgery. Wolves’ head of high performance, Phil Hayward, said, “We will be visiting specialists to finalise the plan for surgery, and it’s highly unlikely he will feature again this season.”
Mosquera had been a key part of Wolves’ defense this season, starting all five Premier League games after returning from a loan spell at Villarreal. His absence further deepens Wolves’ defensive issues, as they did not secure a replacement for Max Kilman following his £40m move to West Ham.
Wolves, currently winless and sitting at the bottom of the Premier League, face Liverpool at home in their next match.
Sports
Ex-Real Madrid & Manchester United Defender Raphael Varane Retires at 31
Raphael Varane, former defender for Real Madrid, Manchester United, and the French national team, has retired from professional football at the age of 31. Varane, who joined Italian side Como in July, sustained a knee injury on his debut, prompting his decision to step away from playing. He will remain at Como in a non-playing capacity.
In an emotional Instagram post, Varane wrote, “It takes a big dose of courage to listen to your heart and your instinct,” explaining his desire to leave the sport on his own terms.
Varane began his career at Lens before a decade-long stint at Real Madrid, where he won 18 major trophies, including three La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns. He later joined Manchester United in 2021, making 95 appearances and winning the Carabao Cup in 2022.
Internationally, Varane earned 93 caps for France, winning the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League. Reflecting on his career, Varane expressed pride in both his achievements and staying true to his values.
He hinted at future projects with Como, adding, “Something I am looking forward to sharing more about soon.” Varane has also been vocal about the dangers of head injuries in football, having played through concussions during his career, and he has called for better protection for players.
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