BELGRADE: Twelve-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury, he announced on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old Serb was forced to retire from his Wimbledon quarterfinal against Tomas Berdych earlier this month because of the problem, and will now sit out next month’s US Open.
In a live Facebook video post from Belgrade, the former world No. 1 said that after suffering from the injury for a year-and-a-half, he had “made a decision to not play any competition, any tournaments” for the rest of 2017.
“Unfortunately this is the decision that had to be made at this moment. Wimbledon was probably the toughest tournament for me in terms of feeling the pain that has escalated,” he said.
Between mid-January 2015 and June 2016, Djokovic won 17 of his 22 finals played in 24 tournaments. It seemed nothing could interrupt his dominance of world tennis.
But for months the Serbian national hero — now fourth in the world rankings — has been a shadow of his former self.
Since winning the French Open last year to complete the career Grand Slam, he has failed to claim another major title.
He crashed out of the Australian Open in the second round and the French Open in the last eight.
Djokovic said that, having spoken to various medical specialists, “they all agree that I need rest, that I need time.”
“This is one of those injuries when nothing can really help instantly, you just have to allow natural rehabilitation to take its course,” he went on.
“And professionally this is obviously not an easy decision for me, but I’m trying to look from the positive side of everything.”
The decision means he will also miss the semifinal of the Davis Cup in France in mid-September.
He said he would need a couple of months without the racket but that surgery was “not an option.”
With Andre Agassi continuing as his coach while he recovers, Djokovic now intends to be ready to start the new season at the beginning of 2018.
That would mean he could compete in January’s Australian Open, his favorite tournament and one where he is the joint most successful male player with the legendary Roy Emerson on six titles.
“I will take this time to heal, to do all the different suggested methods of rehabilitation or healing processes so I can get back on the court asap.”
Djokovic’s long-time rivals and fellow tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have also taken lenthy spells out of the sport to recover from injuries over the last two years, and both returned to win Grand Slam titles this season.
Djokovic out for season due to elbow injury
Djokovic out for season due to elbow injury
Govt. minister says England should play Afghanistan, despite growing calls for boycott amid women’s rights concerns
- The ICC’s policy requires nations granted Test-playing status, which Afghanistan was given in 2017, to support women’s cricket
LONDON: World cricket’s governing body is coming under increasing scrutiny for its stance on Afghanistan’s inclusion in the upcoming Champions Trophy tournament, despite the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights and sports participation.
The International Cricket Council has so far resisted calls to ban Afghanistan’s men’s team or press the Taliban regime to uphold its own rules surrounding the establishment of a women’s cricket team, citing a strategy to influence change through engagement.
The ICC’s policy requires nations granted Test-playing status, which Afghanistan was given in 2017, to support women’s cricket.
However, Afghanistan was accepted as a full member without an already functional women’s cricket program, citing religious and cultural reasons.
Despite efforts by the Afghanistan Cricket Board to establish a women’s team in 2020 “adhering to the traditional Afghan and Islamic values,” the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021 halted progress, with women and girls increasingly banned from sports and public life since.
More than 160 British MPs and peers have recently called for the England and Wales Cricket Board to boycott their match against Afghanistan, set to be played next month in Pakistan, Sky News reported.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to commit to such action, but said: “The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is in touch with our international counterparts on this issue. I welcome the England and Wales Cricket Board making strong representations to the International Cricket Council on Afghanistan’s women’s cricket team.”
South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has also supported calls for a boycott, but Cricket South Africa has deferred to the ICC, emphasizing adherence to tournament regulations.
However, British Culture and Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy has rejected the idea of a boycott, stating that such actions could penalize athletes and alienate fans.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Nandy said: “I’m instinctively cautious about boycotts in sports. I think they deny sports fans the opportunity that they love, and they can also very much penalize the athletes and the sports people who work very, very hard to reach the top of their game and then they’re denied the opportunities to compete.
“They are not the people that we want to penalize for the appalling actions of the Taliban against women and girls,” she added.
Instead, Nandy pointed to diplomatic measures to bring about change, highlighting past UK efforts to withhold symbolic support at sporting events, such as avoiding dignitary attendance at the Winter Olympics in China.
“When China hosted the Winter Olympics, I was very vocal, many of us were very vocal about making sure that we didn’t send dignitaries to that event, that we didn’t give them the PR coup that they were looking for when they were forcibly incarcerating the Uighurs in Xinjiang,” she said.
The ICC has reiterated its commitment to engaging with Afghanistan to foster inclusivity in cricket.
“The ICC remains closely engaged with the situation in Afghanistan and continues to collaborate with our members,” a spokesperson told Sky News.
“We are committed to leveraging our influence constructively to support the Afghanistan Cricket Board in fostering cricket development and ensuring playing opportunities for both men and women in Afghanistan.
“The ICC has established an Afghanistan Cricket Task Force, chaired by deputy chairman Mr. Imran Khwaja, who will lead the ongoing dialogue on this matter,” they added.
However, the ICC’s approach has drawn sharp criticism from Afghan women’s rights activists.
Khalida Popal, former captain of Afghanistan’s women’s football team, expressed disappointment in the governing bodies’ lack of action.
“The governing bodies have failed to stand by their own policies. There’s clear gender discrimination in sport, and they’ve ignored the women of Afghanistan,” she told Sky News.
England’s match against Afghanistan remains scheduled, and the ICC continues to engage with the ACB. But the Champions Trophy, set to take place next month, has become a focal point for global scrutiny of Afghanistan’s policies and the ICC’s role in upholding its principles.
28 Group 1 winners nominated for Saudi Cup 2025
- Laurel River, Sierra Leone and Romantic Warrior on course to clash in world’s most valuable race next month
RIYADH: A strong entry of 28 Group 1 winners have been put forward for this year’s Group 1 $20 million Saudi Cup, which will take place at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Feb. 22.
The winner of last year’s Dubai World Cup, Laurel River (USA), could face Breeders’ Cup Classic victor Sierra Leone (USA) along with three-time Hong Kong Cup winner Romantic Warrior (IRE), 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (USA), and last year’s Saudi Cup champion, Senor Buscador (USA).
Other notable runners that could feature in the 1,800m contest are last year’s Saudi Derby winner Forever Young (JPN), 2024 Japanese Derby winner Danon Decile (JPN), Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint star Soul Of An Angel (USA) and five-time Argentine Group 1 winner El Kodigo (ARG).
Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said: “On behalf of everyone at the JCSA, I would like to extend my thanks to owners and trainers from around the world for their nominations for the 2025 Saudi Cup meeting. We are proud to be top of mind for the trainers of the world’s best from more than 20 countries, including so many that have won at the highest level.”
Including the feature race, the two-day Saudi Cup meeting has attracted 1,123 entries — comprising 81 individual Group 1 winners — from a total of 21 countries, all set to fight it out for the $38.1m prize money on offer across Saudi Cup weekend on Feb. 21-22.
Japanese-trained Warp Speed (JPN), runner-up in the Melbourne Cup on his last start, holds an entry for the newly upgraded Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap and could be joined in the field by the UK-trained Al Nayyir (GB), who finished fourth in the 2024 renewal of the race, and Continuous (JPN), the 2023 St Leger winner.
Sir Alex Ferguson-owned Spirit Dancer (GB) has been given the chance to defend his crown in the Group 2 Neom Turf Cup and could line up alongside Japan Cup runner-up Shin Emperor (FR) and Danon Beluga (JPN), while dual Group 1 winners Measured Time (GB) and Al-Riffa (FR) could represent the UAE and Ireland respectively.
The Group 2 1351 Turf Sprint entries are headed by last year’s winner Annaf (IRE) and 2024 Prix Maurice de Gheest victor Lazzat (FR), with Japanese Group 1 winners Ten Happy Rose (JPN) and Ascoli Piceno (JPN) also entered.
Remake (JPN) is set to bid for consecutive wins in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, which will be run as a Group 2 for the first time. Other notable entrants include Golden Shaheen winner Tuz (USA) and Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner, Straight No Chaser (USA).
Last year’s Group 3 Saudi Derby saw a Japanese victor in Forever Young (JPN), and another Japanese horse tops the entries in the unbeaten Myriad Love (JPN), while Getaway Car (USA) for the USA, Al Qudra (IRE) and Argentine G1 winner Giustino (ARG) are also entered.
As well as thoroughbred action on Saudi Cup night, there is also the Group 1 Obaiya Arabian Classic for purebred Arabians, where 2022 race winner Hadi De Carrere (FR) holds an entry along with the exciting unbeaten HM Alchahine (FR). Saturday’s card also features the Saudi International Handicap, which has attracted horses trained in eight countries.
Feb. 21, the day before Saudi Cup night, features the Group 1 Al-Mneefah Cup for purebred Arabians, which has attracted a strong entry including seven-time PA Group 1 winner Abbes (FR) and Nour Al-Maury (FR), also a seven-time PA Group 1 winner, who could be joined by 2022 race winner First Classs (USA) and recent President Cup winner Heros De Lagarde (FR).
Local-bred champion Asfan Al-Khalediah (KSA), who won the Al-Mneefah Cup in 2023 before going on to land the Obaiya Arabian Classic last year, holds entries in both races. His stablemate, 2024 Dubai Kahayla Classic winner Tilal Al-Khalediah (KSA), is also double-entered.
The Friday program will also feature the International Jockeys Championship, with seven male and seven female jockeys from around the world participating.
Prince Bandar said: “Horse racing thrives on international competition, and we believe the Saudi Cup is the perfect event to showcase the best of global racing. The Saudi Cup itself is the pinnacle of our racing season and in a few short years has become a truly global race. This year’s renewal looks perhaps the strongest yet.
“Horse racing and celebrating the brilliance of both the thoroughbred and purebred Arabian are at the heart of traditional culture in Saudi Arabia, and events such as the Saudi Cup play a big role in engaging the local community in all aspects of the sport. As we continually improve our offering, through race upgrades and further investment, the Kingdom continues to grow as a destination for horse racing, both domestically and internationally.
“We look forward to welcoming all connections to King Abdulaziz Racecourse next month for what promises to be another unforgettable Saudi Cup meeting.”
Amorim keen to keep hold of Mainoo, Garnacho
- “I really love my players. I want to keep my players, especially the talented ones,” Amorim said
- “It’s a special moment in this club, it’s a hard moment, but, of course, I’m really happy with Kobbie, he’s improving, and also with Garna“
MACNEHSTER: Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has expressed his desire to keep talented youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho despite rumors the duo could be sold to ease the club’s financial pressures.
United sit 13th in the Premier League and have won only four of Amorim’s 12 games in charge so far.
The club’s ability to hand the former Sporting Lisbon coach, who took charge in November, significant funds to rebuild in the transfer market is limited by profit and sustainability rules.
United lost £113.2 million ($139 million) in the financial year to June 2024 — their fifth straight year in the red.
As academy graduates, any fee received for Mainoo or Garnacho would appear on the books as 100 percent profit.
Reports this week said United were therefore open to offers for the pair, as well as a number of other recently acquired signings such as Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt.
“I really love my players. I want to keep my players, especially the talented ones,” Amorim said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup trip to Arsenal.
“It’s a special moment in this club, it’s a hard moment, but, of course, I’m really happy with Kobbie, he’s improving, and also with Garna.”
Amorim has previously admitted United’s recruitment must be better and he stressed the need to also improve the club’s academy to help save money in the transfer market.
“When we are targeting players, we need to be sure that they will cope with the demands,” he added.
“I also said we have to improve our academy, to bring young kids that fills the club in the right way, and also with that rules, we are able to do some business and have some money to invest in the team.
“Our idea is always to keep the best players and the players that we build for this club.
“We know the position that the club is in at the moment, but we will see. I’m very happy, I like our players, especially the guys from our academy.”
Another United academy graduate — Marcus Rashford — does seem set to leave Old Trafford this month.
The 27-year-old reportedly held talks with AC Milan this week, with other European clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, also interested.
Rashford has not featured in United’s last six games and Amorim refused to be drawn on whether he could return at the Emirates.
The Portuguese coach did confirm that second string goalkeeper Altay Bayindir will feature ahead of Andre Onana despite his errors in a 4-3 League Cup quarter-final exit to Tottenham last month.
Habib is 1st Lebanese player in Open era to play in a Grand Slam men’s singles draw
- He advanced through three rounds of the qualifying at Melbourne Park, winning his third match in a tiebreaker 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8) over Clement Chidekh of France
- The 26-year-old Habib was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Lebanon as a young child, learning how to play there
MELBOURNE: Hady Habib isn’t likely to find anything too daunting at the Australian Open now that he’s become the first Lebanese player in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam men’s singles draw.
He advanced through three rounds of the qualifying at Melbourne Park, winning his third match in a tiebreaker 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8) over Clement Chidekh of France on Thursday to secure a place in the main draw of the tournament that starts Sunday.
It continued a rapid rise for Habib, who made his Olympic debut last year in Paris, running into eventual silver medalist Carlos Alcaraz, a four-time major winner, in the first round. It was two sets he’ll long remember.
Late last year, he made history at Temuco, Chile by becoming the first ATP Challenger Tour champion from Lebanon.
The 26-year-old Habib was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Lebanon as a young child, learning how to play there. He returned to the US to pursue a pro career and feels now like he’s representing of the spirit of Lebanese people.
“I know it’s just a sport, but I feel like representing Lebanon and sacrificing all the things I had to do to get here, it kind of resembles how our nation has fought back,” Habib told Australia’s SBS News this week.
His personal success has come at a difficult time during the war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
A fragile ceasefire deal was struck on Nov. 27 following nearly 14 months of war.
Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023 — the day after Hamas launched a deadly attack into Israel that ignited the ongoing war in Gaza. Subsequent Israeli air and ground assaults have killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon, including hundreds of civilians. At the height of the war, more than 1 million Lebanese people were displaced.
“Every morning, I was waking up during that challenging time, I was contacting all my family members, my friends, making sure they’re okay,” Habib told SBS News. “My heart’s just shattered to see what’s happening to our country and people.
“It was a hard time mentally for me, knowing that you can’t do anything to help, but I’m glad things are calming down now. Hopefully we’ll find some peace.”
The 219th-ranked Habib’s first-round opponent was determined Friday — it will be 65th-ranked Bu Yunchaokete of China.
Newcastle boss Howe eager to hang onto goalkeeper Dubravka
- Newcastle manager Eddie Howe still hopes goalkeeper Martin Dubravka will stay at St. James’ Park beyond the end of the January transfer window
LONDON: Newcastle manager Eddie Howe still hopes goalkeeper Martin Dubravka will stay at St. James’ Park beyond the end of the January transfer window.
The in-form 35-year-old Slovakia international has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab as he enters the final six months of his contract with the Magpies.
Dubravka has conceded just two goals in seven games in all competitions — all of them victories — while deputising for the injured Nick Pope during a run where Newcastle are closing in on a place in the English League Cup final and are fifth in the Premier League table.
“Martin’s been in a difficult situation,” Howe said Friday.
“Like any player that is coming out of contract in the summer, with every player that I’ve ever worked with, there’s always that feeling of doubt.
“He will naturally want some conclusion to his future, whether that’s a new contract with us, whatever the outcome. But he’s certainly played very well and I’ve been really pleased with him.
“He’s more than played his part in our recent run of fixtures. Again against Arsenal (a 2-0 win in the first leg of a League Cup semifinal), I thought he was very, very good, so hopefully we can come to some sort of agreement with him.”
Dubravka was seen to be in tears following the conclusion of Tuesday’s game against Arsenal, in what many observers interpreted as a farewell to Newcastle.
He was signed by former Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez, initially on loan, in January 2018, but has largely been a back-up to England international Pope for the last two-and-a-half years, a period which included a loan spell at Manchester United.
But he has shown his value in recent weeks with Howe, who must decide whether or not to rest Dubravka for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie against fourth-tier Bromley, saying: “I know how much Newcastle means to him and you can see that emotionally, he’s very invested.
“Of course, all those things will be playing a part in his decision-making and our decision-making and hopefully there’s a successful outcome at the end.”
Newcastle have been linked with a move for Burnley’s England under-21 international James Trafford should Dubravka move on.
And Howe refused to say whether Pope, who is back in training, remained his first-choice goalkeeper.
“It’s always in a state of flux,” he said. “It’s always changing and moving because that’s down to the player’s performances.”
