Masur hails 'extraordinary' Boisson
French wildcard Lois Boisson has continued her fairytale run at Roland-Garros after defeating Mirra Andreeva.
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7NEWS
16 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Tennis great Novak Djokovic out of French Open and may not be backed: ‘I was a bit emotional'
Tennis great Novak Djokovic may not play again Roland Garros. After losing to the top-ranked Jannik Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in Friday's semi-final on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Djokovic has hinted that it is possibly his last time at the French Open. As he left the court, the 38-year-old was cheered by the crowd in a stirring send-off. An emotional Djokovic soaked it all up, and appeared to say goodbye to the red clay as he bowed down and touched the ground. The simple act left tennis fans in a spin. 'NOOOOOOOOO NOVAK DJOKOVIC NOOOOOOOOO 😭😭😭😭🥲🥲🥲🥲 what I am reading?' an emotional fan said, while sharing the image of the Djokovic gesture. And another: 'It's not the end but the gesture meant something — Djokovic touched the Roland Garros clay as he walked off the court. Maybe it's his last RG match (he also said it), maybe not (I hope) but so happy to have witnessed it.' And another: 'Why does it feel like he is not coming back next season. With Andy, Roger and Rafa gone, Nole hanging his boots up will truly be an end to the golden era of tennis.' And another: 'This makes me a little sad ... Much respect to his accomplishments, and all the wonderful things he brought to the sport.' After the loss to Sinner, the media also quizzed Djokovic about his French Open future. His response was also a little cryptic. 'This could have been the last match ever I play here,' he said. 'So ... I don't know ... that's why I was a bit more emotional in the end. 'But if this was the farewell match of Roland Garros for me and my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd. 'I said it could have been my last match, I didn't say it was. I don't know right now ... 12 months in this point of 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. 'So yeah, that's all I can say for the moment.' As for Sinner, he has set up a French Open final against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. He has become only the second Italian man to reach the final at Roland-Garros after Adriano Panatta, the 1976 champion. Djokovic, the men's record 24-time Grand Slam champion, simply could not counter Sinner's relentless accuracy and pounding forehands. In the earlier semi-final, Alcaraz led 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0, 2-0 against Lorenzo Musetti when the eighth-seeded Italian retired with a leg injury. Sinner extended his winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments to 20 matches, after winning the US Open and the Australian Open. Djokovic was bidding for a record-extending 38th Grand Slam final, and an eighth in Paris, where he was won three times. But he spent much of the match camped behind the baseline, sliding at full stretch and grunting loudly while Sinner sent him scurrying left and right like a windscreen wiper. A cross-court two-handed backhand winner from Sinner in the ninth game of the third set was executed with such pure timing that it drew applause even from Djokovic. Djokovic fought back in the third set but wilted in the tiebreaker, somehow missing an easy smash at the net to trail 3-0 and then lost on the second match point he faced when his forehand hit the net. Sinner said: 'These are rare and special moments. I'm very happy.' Alcaraz is attempting to become only the third man to retain his Roland Garros title this century, after Rafa Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten, 'It's never great to go through like this,' Alcaraz said, before hailing Musetti's achievement of reaching at least the semi-finals of all four elite claycourt events this year. 'He's a great player, he has had an incredible claycourt season ... I wish him a speedy recovery and I'm sure we'll be enjoying his tennis pretty soon.' Musetti twice denied Alcaraz the chance to break in the opening nine games before the 23-year-old suddenly dialled up the intensity and snatched the opening set when his Spanish opponent produced errors in a poor service game. A frustrated Alcaraz kicked his bench during the second set but finally found a way through Musetti's dogged defence to draw level after a tiebreak and then produced a dazzling display of power and precision to dish out a bagel in the third set. Musetti, who appeared to be hampered by a left thigh issue midway through the third set, threw in the towel after two games in the fourth. 'The first two sets were tough. I had chances to be up in the match but couldn't make the most of them,' Alcaraz added. 'When I won the second set, I was relieved and I knew that I needed to be aggressive and be myself. I was calmer. I could see clearer and I could play great tennis at the start of the third. 'I'm feeling great physically. It's been three intense weeks but I have one more step to take. I'm playing great tennis and I have great confidence. I've been doing great things in this tournament and now is the time to give 100 per cent in the final.'
Sydney Morning Herald
21 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
This is the Wallabies squad Schmidt should select to play the Lions
4 Nick Frost (Brumbies): Despite those occasional question marks about his defence, he is still a pretty complete second-rower and is highly disciplined: he doesn't give away many soft penalties. 5 Will Skelton (Stade Rochelais): He's never quite delivered his best for the Wallabies but should get a decent run-in to the first Test, especially if his French club do not go far in the Top 14 playoffs, or even make it (to be decided this weekend). 6 Rob Valetini (Brumbies): An easy decision, although he'll go into the series with a target on his back because Lions coach Andy Farrell will know that he is central to the Wallabies' momentum. 7 Fraser McReight (Reds): Hasn't reached the same heights as last year but is at the stage of his career where he doesn't need to keep proving himself in Super Rugby. Everyone knows the level he can reach, and for that reason he's ahead of Tizzano. 8 Harry Wilson (Reds): A far closer call than at the start of season, given his run of injuries. But he's still stepped up when needed for the Reds. Form will be closely watched against the Crusaders, because the back row is a unit where Schmidt has options. 9 Tate McDermott (Reds): He's played his way in by rediscovering his running game in and around the ruck. As brave as they come and would represent the dash of boldness the Wallabies need to break down the Lions defence. 10 Noah Lolesio (Brumbies): Schmidt showed last year that Lolesio was his man and there has been no compelling reason to change that. Understanding with Len Ikitau and Tom Wright is critical. 11 Max Jorgensen (Waratahs): A massive loss in the context of the Waratahs' season, but has the speed and game smarts to slot straight back into the Wallabies if he is fit. 12 Len Ikitau (Brumbies): Showed last year he can easily move into the No 12 jersey to be the real leader in the midfield. The class act that will be needed against the Lions in an area where they look strong. 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Waratahs): Limited to just seven games for the Waratahs, but showed enough to a major ball-carrying weapon for the Wallabies. Schmidt will desperate to engineer even the slightest amount of space on the outside for Suaalii. 14 Harry Potter (Force): Last year's Wallabies performances have informed the majority of my picks, but Potter has mounted a compelling case over the out-of-sorts Andrew Kellaway. The latter can change my mind with a good Test against Fiji, however. 15 Tom Wright (Brumbies): He really has developed into the all-round package at fullback. His ability to carry the ball in both hands to keep his options open is a world-class asset. Loading Reserves: Matt Faessler (Reds), James Slipper (Brumbies), Taniela Tupou (Waratahs), Jeremy Williams (Force), Pete Samu (Bordeaux-Begles), Jake Gordon (Waratahs), Tom Lynagh (Reds), Hunter Paisami (Reds). This is the area where it has been so difficult to make decisions. If the Lions show their hand early and run with three No 7s, Carlo Tizzano might have to come in on a 6-2 split with Paisami dropping off. Tom Hooper and Langi Gleeson are also pushing hard, but Samu's ability to cover all three back-row positions gives him the edge. Lynagh over O'Connor? The Rugby World Cup in 2027 has played a role with Lynagh's development critical to that tournament. Suaalii's ability to cover fullback (and wing at a push) also lessens the need for Ben Donaldson as a No 10/15 replacement.
The Age
21 hours ago
- The Age
This is the Wallabies squad Schmidt should select to play the Lions
4 Nick Frost (Brumbies): Despite those occasional question marks about his defence, he is still a pretty complete second-rower and is highly disciplined: he doesn't give away many soft penalties. 5 Will Skelton (Stade Rochelais): He's never quite delivered his best for the Wallabies but should get a decent run-in to the first Test, especially if his French club do not go far in the Top 14 playoffs, or even make it (to be decided this weekend). 6 Rob Valetini (Brumbies): An easy decision, although he'll go into the series with a target on his back because Lions coach Andy Farrell will know that he is central to the Wallabies' momentum. 7 Fraser McReight (Reds): Hasn't reached the same heights as last year but is at the stage of his career where he doesn't need to keep proving himself in Super Rugby. Everyone knows the level he can reach, and for that reason he's ahead of Tizzano. 8 Harry Wilson (Reds): A far closer call than at the start of season, given his run of injuries. But he's still stepped up when needed for the Reds. Form will be closely watched against the Crusaders, because the back row is a unit where Schmidt has options. 9 Tate McDermott (Reds): He's played his way in by rediscovering his running game in and around the ruck. As brave as they come and would represent the dash of boldness the Wallabies need to break down the Lions defence. 10 Noah Lolesio (Brumbies): Schmidt showed last year that Lolesio was his man and there has been no compelling reason to change that. Understanding with Len Ikitau and Tom Wright is critical. 11 Max Jorgensen (Waratahs): A massive loss in the context of the Waratahs' season, but has the speed and game smarts to slot straight back into the Wallabies if he is fit. 12 Len Ikitau (Brumbies): Showed last year he can easily move into the No 12 jersey to be the real leader in the midfield. The class act that will be needed against the Lions in an area where they look strong. 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Waratahs): Limited to just seven games for the Waratahs, but showed enough to a major ball-carrying weapon for the Wallabies. Schmidt will desperate to engineer even the slightest amount of space on the outside for Suaalii. 14 Harry Potter (Force): Last year's Wallabies performances have informed the majority of my picks, but Potter has mounted a compelling case over the out-of-sorts Andrew Kellaway. The latter can change my mind with a good Test against Fiji, however. 15 Tom Wright (Brumbies): He really has developed into the all-round package at fullback. His ability to carry the ball in both hands to keep his options open is a world-class asset. Loading Reserves: Matt Faessler (Reds), James Slipper (Brumbies), Taniela Tupou (Waratahs), Jeremy Williams (Force), Pete Samu (Bordeaux-Begles), Jake Gordon (Waratahs), Tom Lynagh (Reds), Hunter Paisami (Reds). This is the area where it has been so difficult to make decisions. If the Lions show their hand early and run with three No 7s, Carlo Tizzano might have to come in on a 6-2 split with Paisami dropping off. Tom Hooper and Langi Gleeson are also pushing hard, but Samu's ability to cover all three back-row positions gives him the edge. Lynagh over O'Connor? The Rugby World Cup in 2027 has played a role with Lynagh's development critical to that tournament. Suaalii's ability to cover fullback (and wing at a push) also lessens the need for Ben Donaldson as a No 10/15 replacement.
