logo
McDonald wins all-German junior final

McDonald wins all-German junior final

Qatar Tribune6 hours ago

Paris: Niels McDonald became the first German in 28 years to win the French Open junior title on Saturday, 6-7 (5-7), 6-0, 6-3 over compatriot Max Schonhaus. Cardiff-born McDonald prevailed in a duel of 17-year-olds after 1 hour 40 minutes in the first ever all-German junior final at Roland Garros. He is the first German since Daniel Elsner in 1997 to win the junior event in Paris, and the first from his country at all majors since Alexander Zverev at the 2014 Australian Open. 'I am extremely happy to have won here,' McDonald said. 'But it is just the first step in the big dream I want to fulfil. We will celebrate today and tomorrow, but then it is back to work. So that I can play here on the big stage one day.' Having two players in the final is good news for the German Tennis Federation (DTB) which has come under criticism for a lack of success and rising talent. World number three Zverev is Germany's only top player but he is yet to win a Grand Slam title. (DPA)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Djokovic says semis loss ‘could have been last match' at French Open
Djokovic says semis loss ‘could have been last match' at French Open

Qatar Tribune

time6 hours ago

  • Qatar Tribune

Djokovic says semis loss ‘could have been last match' at French Open

PAMedia/DPA Paris Novak Djokovic admitted his French Open semi-final defeat by Jannik Sinner could be his last match at Roland Garros. The 38-year-old came up short in his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title in a 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) loss to the world number one. Afterwards he paused to wave goodbye to an appreciative crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where he won the title three times. He said: 'It was just a great sense of gratitude for the kind of support that I received tonight. It was incredible. 'I don't think I have ever received this much support in this stadium in my career in big matches against the best players in the world. So I'm very, very honoured to experience that, obviously. 'I mean, this could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don't know. That's why I was a bit more emotional even in the end. 'But if this was the farewell match at Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd.' Asked how long he has been pondering whether this may have been one final au revoir to Paris, the Serbian said: 'Not long. 'You know, I don't know. I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career. You know, I'm going to keep on keeping on, yes? 'Obviously Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament. I'm going to do everything possible to get myself ready. 'I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon, you know, to win another slam - or a faster hard court, maybe Australia or something like that. 'I said it could have been my last match. I didn't say it was. So I don't know right now - 12 months at this point in my career is quite a long time. 'Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months' time here again? I don't know. I don't know. 'So, yeah, I mean, that's all I can say for the moment.' Sinner, who will face second seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday - their first meeting in a Grand Slam final - paid tribute to Djokovic. 'I think we saw that the match was a very tough match for both of us,' he said. 'I tried to stay there, you know, mentally trying to play every point in the right way with the good intensity. 'I'm very, very happy. It's amazing to see him still playing this kind of level he produces and the physical shape he's in, it's amazing. 'So that was a very, very tough match, but I'm very happy to be in the final here.'

It's fun, and not fun – Sinner looks forward to final with Alcaraz
It's fun, and not fun – Sinner looks forward to final with Alcaraz

Qatar Tribune

time6 hours ago

  • Qatar Tribune

It's fun, and not fun – Sinner looks forward to final with Alcaraz

PA Media/DPA Paris Jannik Sinner says his blockbuster French Open final against Carlos Alcaraz will be 'fun, and not fun'. Italian world number one Sinner takes on second seed and defending champion Alcaraz in the first major final between the new generation of men's tennis superstars. It is a match-up tinged with extra significance after Sinner beat Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, with the 38-year-old Serb - the last of the old guard still just about standing - admitting it may have been his last Roland Garros. Instead it will be Sinner and Alcaraz who take centre stage in the first men's grand-slam final to be contested between two players born in this century. 'It's fun, and not fun, you know. It's both ways,' said 23-year-old Sinner of meeting the Spaniard, one year his junior. 'But I think we try to push ourselves in the best possible way. I believe when there is a good match, it's also good to play, you know. It's not only to watch, but also to play. It's very special. 'And the stage, it doesn't get any bigger now. Grand-slam finals against Carlos, it's a special moment for me and for him, too. 'He won here last year, so let's see what's coming. But for sure, the tension you feel before the match and during the match is a little bit different in a way, because we are both very young, we are both different, but talented.' It is an intriguing showdown between the two bright young things who have won the last five grand slams between them. Sinner, the reigning US and Australian Open champion, is on a 20-match winning streak at grand slams and, with Wimbledon on the horizon, could be five weeks away from holding all four titles. But standing in the way of the 'Sinner Slam' is Alcaraz, who has won their last four meetings including the semi-final here last year and in the final on the Rome clay last month, albeit in the Italian's first tournament back from a three-month doping suspension. Alcaraz is also bidding to become the first man to retain the title since his idol, Rafael Nadal, managed it in 2020. 'Jannik, he's the best tennis player right now. I mean, he's destroying every opponent,' said Alcaraz. 'I love that battle. But, you know, most of the time is just about suffering, being pushed to the limit. 'But my favourite thing is it gives you the feedback of how can I be better, a better player. I think that's important, and that's beautiful, even though if I win or not.'

Germany coach demands full motivation
Germany coach demands full motivation

Qatar Tribune

time6 hours ago

  • Qatar Tribune

Germany coach demands full motivation

Stuttgart: Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has urged an all-out effort from his team in Sunday's Nations League match for third place against France, naming a good result important ahead of World Cup qualifying in autumn. Nagelsmann told reporters he sees no reason for motivation problems as he highlighted the privileged life of his players. 'It is still the German senior national team. If I always have to motivate them in the dressing room, then I have to change something in the squad,' he said. 'It's football. It's something beautiful that we do. Nobody has to dig up a field with his hands. It's a great job that we do, something beautiful.' Germany had hoped to win their first title since 2017 in the Nations League but lost their semi-final 2-1 against Portugal on Wednesday. Nagelsmann said he would make some changes in the line-up, without giving names, and said that he would keep a close eye on how his players perform. 'We want to use the game, with reaching third place the least motivation,' he said, warning: 'I believe that every players also wants to be present in World Cup qualifying.' Pascal Gross is expected to be a new starter because he joined Nagelsmann at the news conference, and the midfielder confirmed he was highly motivated. (DPA)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store