Sports
Murray out of Olympic singles but will play doubles
Andy Murray, the esteemed three-time Grand Slam champion, has announced his withdrawal from the singles competition at the Olympics but will still compete in doubles in Paris, marking the grand finale of his remarkable career. Murray has confirmed that this event will be his last, bringing an end to an extraordinary journey spanning five Olympic Games.
The final singles match of Murray’s career was against Jordan Thompson in the second round at Queen’s in June, where he had to retire due to a back injury. This injury also led to his withdrawal from singles at Wimbledon. However, he did manage to participate in a final doubles match at Wimbledon, the venue where he clinched two of his three major titles, showcasing his enduring passion for the sport.
In Paris, Murray will team up with fellow Brit Dan Evans, and the duo is set to face Japan’s Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori in the first round. The pairing promises an exciting challenge and a fitting opportunity for Murray to leave his mark on the Olympic stage once more.
Reflecting on his Olympic journey, Murray shared, “The Olympics has been incredibly special for me, and there have been some amazing memories on the court – particularly in London. I’m happy I get to do this one more time. It’s unfortunate not playing in singles – I trained to get ready to play both, but I’m getting a bit older now, so it gets harder to recover from injuries. I ran out of time.”
As the draw unfolded, it also revealed the thrilling possibility of Rafael Nadal facing his long-time rival Novak Djokovic if both secure victories in their first-round ties. This potential match-up adds to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the Olympics, promising memorable moments for tennis fans worldwide.
Paul Pogba’s four-year doping ban has been reduced to 18 months after a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). The Juventus midfielder will be able to return to training in January 2025 and resume playing by March of the same year. Initially suspended after testing positive for elevated testosterone levels in February, Pogba had consistently maintained that he did not knowingly breach any anti-doping regulations, attributing the result to a supplement prescribed by a doctor.
In a statement, Pogba expressed his relief, saying, “Finally the nightmare is over,” and thanked the Cas judges for their decision. He acknowledged the strict liability of the offence but reaffirmed his commitment to integrity in the sport. Without the reduced ban, Pogba would have been sidelined until 2027.
This marks the end of a challenging chapter in Pogba’s career, allowing him to focus on returning to the pitch in 2025.
FIFA is set to consider potential sanctions against the Israel Football Federation (IFF) following a proposal from the Palestine Football Association (PFA). The PFA’s call for sanctions stems from the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with the association accusing Israel of violating FIFA regulations.
The issue was raised by the PFA in March, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the FIFA Council would make a decision after a legal assessment. The council will review the matter during its upcoming meeting on Thursday, October 3rd, where the PFA’s proposal is officially listed on the agenda.
The Palestine FA is seeking sanctions against Israel’s national teams and clubs, citing violations of FIFA’s regulations. In response, IFF President Shino Moshe Zuares condemned the proposal, calling it “a cynical political and hostile attempt” to undermine Israeli football.
Israel has been playing its Nations League home matches in Hungary due to security concerns, and recent international games have been relocated for similar reasons. They are slated to face France and Italy during the upcoming international break.
Carlos Alcaraz staged a remarkable comeback to defeat world number one Jannik Sinner in a thrilling China Open final. The 21-year-old Spaniard fought from a set down to win 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 7-6 (7-3), marking his fourth ATP Tour title of the year and the 16th of his career.
In a match filled with high drama and intense rallies, Alcaraz praised Sinner’s performance, calling him “unbelievable” and recognizing the Italian’s exceptional level of play. Despite losing the first set in a closely contested tie-break, Alcaraz remained resilient, ultimately turning the match in his favor.
Reflecting on his victory, Alcaraz said, “I never lose hope. I knew I had to give everything I had to give myself the opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Britain’s Dan Evans, 34, faced a tough loss in the first round of the Shanghai Masters. Despite leading 4-2 in the deciding set, Evans was eventually beaten by Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild, who won 6-2 4-6 7-6 (7-3) to progress to a second-round clash with Russian world number five Daniil Medvedev.
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