Facundo Medina prefers a move to Marseille over Bayer Leverkusen
According to L'Équipe, Facundo Medina (26) prefers a potential move to Marseille this summer over other clubs interested in his services, including Bayer Leverkusen. The Lens centre back's current contract expires in 2028, but is expected to leave the Ligue 1 club should a suitable offer arrive this summer.
Les Sang et Or value the Argentine international at €25m. The Artois club are yet to receive a formal offer for the 26-year-old. However, several clubs are interested in recruiting Medina, who has given his priority to Roberto De Zerbi's side in the hopes of becoming an OM player before the summer is over.
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Medina has discussed the prospect of playing for Les Phocéens with his international teammate Leonardo Balerdi (26). Marseille's interest in the centre-back is mutual, yet a potential move is not set to be completed before the beginning of July for financial and administrative reasons.
GFFN | Liam Wraith
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New York Times
29 minutes ago
- New York Times
Aryna Sabalenka's ‘terrible' French Open final and the intangibles of tennis
ROLAND GARROS, PARIS — Aryna Sabalenka made no effort to hide her disappointment after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff Saturday, repeatedly calling her performance 'terrible' and saying it was 'the worst tennis I've played in the last, I don't know how many months.' 'It's just a joke,' she said. Advertisement She offered that analysis once she'd left Court Philippe-Chatrier, after a 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 defeat. In her on-court interview, Sabalenka eschewed the usual platitudes and the customary opening line congratulating the winner and their team, and went straight for self-flagellation. After fighting back tears, she said: 'Honestly guys this will hurt so much, especially after such a tough two weeks, playing great tennis and in these terrible conditions playing such terrible tennis in the final — that really hurts.' 'Coco, congrats in these tough conditions. You were the better player than me. Congrats on a great two weeks,' she said. In her news conference, Sabalenka went for the jugular again. This time, she focused not on her own shortcomings, but on the weather conditions that had defined the type of tennis being played. 'Conditions were terrible, and she simply was better in these conditions than me. I think it was the worst final I ever played.' Sabalenka's devastation was understandable. She is the world No. 1 and has now lost two Grand Slam finals in a row, both in three sets, both having been the big favorite. Five months ago, Madison Keys beat her in Melbourne to win her first major, and in Paris Gauff thwarted Sabalenka's bid for the non hard-court slam that would rubberstamp her evolution into an all-court player. The match was on her racket, but Sabalenka hit 70 unforced errors compared to just 37 winners as she struggled to cope with the factors outside of her control. Namely the wind, an inspired Gauff and the pressure of what was at stake. Given the chance to praise Gauff's inspired defensive showing, Sabalenka said that her opponent had won the match 'by running and playing those high balls from the frame,' before saying directly that Gauff had framed, or mishit, numerous shots. Advertisement 'She was hitting the ball from the frame. Somehow magically the ball lands in the court … Yeah, it's just, you know, like — it felt like a joke, honestly, like somebody from above was just staying there laughing, like, 'let's see if you can handle this.' 'I think she won the match not because she played incredible; just because I made all of those mistakes from if you look from the outside, from easy balls.' Tennis is seen as a 50-50 battle, but matchups and gamestyles mean that this is not always the case. Gauff won Saturday's final by assuming the role of supporting actor to Sabalenka the protagonist, knowing that the match was not on her racket and making her greatest assets — her court coverage, lateral movement, and baseline defense — the most important things in the match. She played the conditions. Sabalenka did not, saying afterward that as the match wore on and it got windier, she became 'overemotional.' She compared her unraveling to the last time she played Gauff in a Grand Slam final, at the U.S. Open two years ago. 'Another terrible performance from me against Coco in the final,' she said. Sabalenka added that had the four-time champion Iga Świątek beaten her in Thursday's semifinal, 'I think she would go out today and she would get the win.' In her own news conference, Gauff responded. 'I mean, I don't agree with that. I'm here sitting here,' she said. 'Last time I played — no shade to Iga or anything, but I played her and I won in straight sets. Yeah, I don't think that's a fair thing to say, because anything can really happen.' This leaves Sabalenka in a strange place. She remains world No. 1 by a distance, but she hasn't won a Grand Slam title and has been way below her best level in both finals. Throughout the match, she seemed uncomfortable with the shifts in momentum occasioned, in part, by the complicated conditions. But a similar shift happened against Świątek: in both matches, Sabalenka led 4-1, had a point for 5-1, and was pulled back into a tiebreak, one under the roof and one in the open air. Against Świątek under the roof, Sabalenka reset, one less intangible to fight. Against Gauff, the collection of intangibles — the weather, the stakes, the history — appeared to overwhelm her. Advertisement And for regular watchers of her matches, her reaction to Saturday's defeat was essentially an extension of how she reacts to smaller moments of disappointment within matches: berating herself and not accepting that occasionally her opponents will be too good. This kind of mentality is part of what drives great champions. But is showing it always helpful? Her performance coach Jason Stacy was asked this question in a news conference Friday and pointed to one of the team's mantras: 'Don't fight it, don't feed it.' He expanded by saying: 'We don't want to fight this, because the stress, anxiety, the pressure, the mistakes, all those things are going to be there, so you can't pretend it's not going to be a thing, but you don't want to feed it either and give it too much energy or power.' Asked if Sabalenka's frustrations were a boost, Gauff said that she didn't read too much into it, but: 'Obviously when you see your opponent frustrated in any circumstance, if it's tough or not, obviously it does uplift you just because you know that they're frustrated.' Sabalenka will head to the Greek island of Mykonos to recharge and in her words indulge in 'tequila, gummy bears, and swimming.' She laughed as she said that she would be 'like the tourist for couple of days'. But even as she tried to lighten the mood and look ahead to her holiday, she couldn't help but go back to lambasting the events of the previous few hours. 'I just need couple of days to completely forget about this crazy world and this crazy — if I could swear, I would swear right now, about this crazy thing that happened today,' she said. 'I think everyone understands. I'm just trying to be very polite right now, but there is no other word that could describe what just happened today on the court.' All things being equal, Sabalenka is undoubtedly the best player in the world. But tennis matches are not equal. It's how she manages the intangibles that can shape them that will define the next phase of her career.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Sabalenka rues another missed chance against Gauff in French Open final: 'This one hurts so much'
PARIS (AP) — While Coco Gauff was taking selfies on Court Philippe-Chatrier to celebrate her triumph on the Parisian clay, her opponent on the other side of the umpire's chair was filled with anger and sadness. As Roland-Garros officials prepared the court for the trophy ceremony, Aryna Sabalenka sat with her gaze lost in the distance before she took a towel and covered her face. And when it finally came time to speak, Sabalenka was silent for a long moment, as if on the verge of tears. The assessment of her own performance, when she finally took the microphone to address the Roland-Garros crowd, was ruthless. 'Honestly guys, this one hurts so much,' she said. 'To show such terrible tennis in the final does really hurt.' The top-ranked Sabalenka won the first set as her high-risk approach brought dividends initially. But once Gauff found her stride, the Belarusian's errors became more and more frequent and she lost the match between the world's two highest-ranked players 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4. Sabalenka hit 37 winners but finished the match with a staggering 70 unforced errors — compared to Gauff's 30. Sabalenka also dropped her serve nine times. 'I think I was overemotional,' she said. 'I didn't really handle myself quite well mentally, I would say. So basically that's it. I was just making unforced errors. I think she won the match not because she played incredible; just because I made all of those mistakes from — like, if you look from the outside, kind of like from easy balls.' The disappointment was even greater given that Sabalenka has worked hard to adapt her game to the slow surface over the years, and after she ended Iga Swiatek's 26-match unbeaten streak at the French Open in the semifinals. 'You've been playing against a lot of tough opponents, Olympic champion, Iga, and then you go out, and you play really bad,' she said during her post-match interview. 'It was honestly the worst tennis I've played in the last, I don't know how many months.' Sabalenka also complained about the weather conditions. The retractable roof over the center court remained open during the final, and Sabalenka was visibly annoyed by bursts of wind sweeping across the court. 'Conditions were terrible,' the three-time major champion said. 'When she would hit the ball, at some point the wind would just let the ball fly like crazy, and you know, I was late every time.' This was the second major final Sabalenka lost to Gauff, after the 2023 U.S. Open, where she also won the first set. Sabalenka had won their most recent meeting on clay this year in Madrid and thought she had the weapons to beat the American on the biggest stage. 'It's another tough Grand Slam final against Coco,' Sabalenka said. 'Another terrible performance from me against Coco in the final. I have to step back, look at this from a perspective, and try to finally learn the lesson, because I cannot go out there every time against her in Grand Slam finals and play such terrible tennis and give those wins, not easily, but emotionally.' ___ AP tennis:
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Set point Sabalenka, again...
Follow live reaction to Coco Gauff's French Open victory after the 21-year-old American's thrilling three-set battle with the World No. 1 Getty Images The Athletic Coco Gauff fought back from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 in a rollercoaster French Open final. It is the second Grand Slam singles triumph of Gauff's career and her maiden Roland Garros title, adding to the US Open title she won in 2023, also by beating Sabalenka. 'I was going through a lot of things when I lost here three years ago,' Gauff said after her victory, referencing her straight sets defeat to Iga Swiatek in the 2022 final. 'I'm just glad to be back here. I was going through a lot of dark thoughts. Three finals ... I guess I got the most important win. That's all that matters.' Sabalenka recovered from a 4-1 deficit in an exciting first set tiebreak only to make a huge number of mistakes in the second and third as Gauff seized control. 'This hurts so much,' the World No. 1 said afterwards. 'Congratulations to Coco, she was a better player than me.' Get involved: live@ GO FURTHER French Open final: Coco Gauff beats Aryna Sabalenka to win second Grand Slam title Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images Gauff 6-6 (*5-6) Sabalenka Clever from the top seed. Sabalenka, grunting with exertion, cracks it into the corner, Gauff scrapes it out, Sabalenka sprints forward and looks for all the world like she will put loads of power on it, but pulls out at the last moment and just plops it delicately out of Gauff's grasp. Gauff goes 5-3 up as she turns Sabalenka around at the net, predicts which way the around-the-back forehand will come, then volleys it away. Exactly 50 points each in the first 100 of this match! Then Sabalenka crunches the ball back for 4-5, and we are back on serve in this breaker. A rocket of a backhand down the line beyond Gauff's grasp, five-all. We can get our teeth into a long rally now, which Sabalenka wins it with an acute volley at the net! Set point... Getty Images Gauff 6-6 (4-2*) Sabalenka Sabalenka eventually outlasts Gauff in a rally to get on the board, but Gauff's serve plus one is excellent, as she crouches down and stabs at a middling return. It flies away for a low, flat backhand winner. They swap ends. Who needs this set more? I would have said Gauff 100 per cent pre-match, but Sabalenka would have a job on her hands not to unravel if she lost it having had so many leads. Gauff 6-6 (*3-0) Sabalenka First point Gauff, Sabalenka takes the serve but slashes wildly with the backhand and it's well wide. 2-0 down. Then 3-0 as her accuracy is out the window. Gauff, the epitome of consistency, just watching her opponent's precision melt away into the Paris air. She takes the serve now, too. Getty Images Gauff 6-6 (*0-0) Sabalenka That's good from Sabalenka, who comes into the net and showcases her doubles technique, deft hands to cutely volley it away for 15-0. 11 points won at the net to Gauff's two, which is a significant difference. Watch out, Aryna! She groans after an errant backhand, her 15th unforced error on that side to Gauff's miserly four. 15-30. Break point Gauff now as Sabalenka rushes forward but nets. Gauff long, not enough conviction, but still has a crucial break point at 30-40. Gauff pushes it up high, surely Sabalenka will smash it away, she makes decent contact, Gauff in the corner... And she sends a ripper of a high passing shot down the line and into the corner! Tiebreak to end this first set... Getty Images There was a stretch of three or four games in which Sabalenka completely lost confidence in her variety and started trying to beat Gauff in a baseline endurance contest, which is just about the one meta in this matchup that she has no chance of winning. After that aforementioned break of serve, she's found a bit more confidence on her drop shot and touch. I said big moments, I wasn't quite expecting that level of psychodrama. Sabalenka misses two set points on her serve and is broken, but will get another chance to do it now after breaking again for 6-5. Getty Images Gauff 5-6* Sabalenka Aryna Sabalenka too good on the drop shot. Even Coco Gauff can't get there. At 0-15, Sabalenka throws the kitchen sink at a backhand down the line and the umpire rules it is a millimetre out (HawkEye confirms). It didn't need to be that good! With the wind swirling around Chatrier, you don't have to aim for the chalk. Low toss from Gauff, double fault, 15-30. What a wonderful point from both players! Several net cords, several tricky slices, and Gauff ends the point with a sort-of jumping shovelled under-hand forehand that just dies and bounces so quickly. Gauff mistake, 30-40, Sabalenka break point. The world No. 1 exhales heavily to slow her breathing. This could be the opportunity. Again, she forces it. The Hail Mary forehand return down the line marginally out. Deuce. A really well disguised drop shot again from the surprisingly subtle Sabalenka and Gauff can't make it from deep behind the baseline. Break point No. 2 in this game... Brilliant point. Great get from Gauff to her right, the American makes Sabalenka keep playing but she slings it perfectly away to break before throwing both her arms up in delight to elicit more noise from the crowd. Again, Sabalenka to serve for the first set. Getty Images Gauff *5-5 Sabalenka Sabalenka is really taking her time, bouncing the ball constantly as she waits for the wind to die down. The top seed sends four or five shots over the net with flames on them, but Gauff keeps returning and Sabalenka's drop shot is weak and she jumps frustratedly before it hits the net. Another break point Gauff, on her racket, and she whacks a return long, to which Sabalenka releases the tension by bellowing at the ground. Sabalenka errs long, and Gauff — after overdoing the last return — is over-tentative and Sabalenka treats it with the disdain it deserves. Deuce and nearly nine minutes in this 10th game of the first set. Incredible defence from Gauff, right to left and finally the shot is central, straight at Sabalenka at the net. But she rushes the volley, through the shot too early, and finds the net! Big serve, then serve plus one is a booming backhand. From another deuce, Sabalenka with a vanishingly rare mishit, off the edge of the racket I think, and it's Gauff's fifth break point more than 12 minutes into the match. Gauff, the human backboard, just keeps returning and Sabalenka goes long! Clenched fist and we are back on serve at five games apiece! Getty Images Gauff *4-5 Sabalenka Sabalenka at 15-0 up is hitting her groundstrokes so cleanly, but she tries to be too cute with a drop shot and gives Gauff a point back without making the American even hit it. She shrugs her shoulders up and throws her head back in evident frustration. Gauff goes long, 30-15, and Sabalenka with a primal roar. Sabalenka waits for the wind to die down before serving, but double faults anyway! Tension in the shoulders, maybe. Big serve next up, though, and it's 40-30 and set point. She double-faults again, and Gauff's return accidentally hits her back, to rub salt in the wound. Gauff makes another unforced error on a second serve, trying to hit diagonally past the net post, and is in the tramlines. Just hit it middle of the court and wait for the mistake! Advantage Sabalenka, another set point. But Gauff survives, and the Belarusian nets. As the clock ticks past five-and-a-half minutes for the game, Sabalenka overshoots a backhand down the line and Gauff signals it's out! The umpire agrees. Break point, and Gauff makes Sabalenka play an awkward high backhand. She tries the Hollywood backhand down the line, wide! 15 forced errors to Sabalenka's five. Deuce again! Getty Images Sabalenka has the champion's knack for fighting her way through patchy sets like these, which are actually pretty regular for her. Big moments coming up to see whether she can close this out... Gauff had climbed back in by making points stretch. and making Sabalenka hit more high-octane shots. Eventually one went out. But you need to hold your games. Getty Images Gauff 4-5* Sabalenka Now Coco Gauff is in the groove! Sabalenka is used to dictating points but she's being manipulated ruthlessly around the court, side to side, before a forehand winner. Sabalenka, though, takes James Hansen 's advice by watching a high ball drop out of the sky, letting it bounce rather than immediately smashing it, and taking us to 15-all. Then an ace, and an apology from Gauff, who re-tosses her ball after a gust of wind. Sabalenka this time does judge a Gauff ball correctly and watches it out. 30-all. Bit tentative from Gauff, she goes narrowly long, and Sabalenka likes that, nodding with satisfaction after earning break point. That's a poor end to the game from Gauff. Five breaks out of nine so far in this match. More breaks than service holds! Getty Images Gauff *4-4 Sabalenka Ah, Coco. Another unforced error from Gauff off the serve, forehand netted disappointingly. Sabalenka waits to serve, ticked off by noise in the crowd, drawing a word from the umpire. Gauff makes Sabalenka play one more shot from advantage and it's long, deuce again! Director Spike Lee shouts his congratulations to his compatriot. Sabalenka in total control of the point, Gauff slides desperately into an attempted lob and Sabalenka should just whack it away at the net. Instead, she thinks it's going out, lets it float over her, and it lands three feet in! How costly could that be? Pretty costly, as it turns out. Sabalenka slides narrowly long, the umpire confirms it's out. Three games in a row for Gauff, including two breaks. 4-4! When Iga Świątek came alive against her in their semifinal, Aryna Sabalenka had something of an insurance policy with the roof being on. When your play and feel for the ball is going away from you on the tennis court, any kind of variable out of your control — a gust of wind, some blown-up clay, the sun and the clouds — can feel like an irritant rather than something you have literally no power over. To be clear, I don't think she's being affected by the wind. Environment just adds another layer of complication when things are getting, well, complicated. Getty Images Gauff *3-4 Sabalenka Sabalenka goes long, 10 points in a row, and another unforced error, 11 on the bounce! Gauff has definitely stepped it up, but how has she lost that feel so quickly? Tennis is such a mental game at times like these. Sabalenka needs to slow things down, take her time, trust her processes. Oosh, wide and into the tramlines, 12 points in a row. She chews her lip unhappily. Three break points! One saved as Gauff isn't accurate enough. Two saved as Sabalenka whips a brutal forehand into space. And three saved, Sabalenka has dug herself out! Gauff goes down on her haunches to hit a flat backhand and Sabalenka just unleashes another winner. Deuce. Catharsis, thy name is Aryna. This game is still alive, though. Gauff goes for it, error, then nets a backhand return, back to deuce. Getty Images Nine straight points for Gauff, to go from 4-1, 40-0 down to 4-3. Spike Lee is loving it! Sabalenka rapidly going off the boil here. Up until this game, Gauff had committed more errors despite taking far less risk on her groundstrokes than Sabalenka is doing with her first-strike attack. Getty Images Gauff 3-4* Sabalenka Sabalenka maybe a touch over-aggressive, 15-0 down, five straight points lost and now Sabalenka is the one chuntering away unhappily and glancing uncertainly to her box. Oh, that's top. Long rally, covering the whole court, Gauff comes into the net and curls a looping parabola back over a helpless Sabalenka's head. Gauff goes 40-0 up, then holds to love. Not long ago, Sabalenka looked irresistible, borderline unplayable. Not so now.
