Latest news with #GrandSlam.
India Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Roger Federer recalls French Open 2009 win: Relieved I didn't face Rafael Nadal
For Roger Federer, the French Open was the one major title that had eluded him. That changed in 2009, when he defeated Sweden's Robin Soderling in straight sets in the final to claim his first - and only - Roland Garros Federer's breakthrough, Rafael Nadal had dominated the clay-court major, winning it four consecutive times since his debut in Federer may not have lifted the trophy if not for an upset earlier in the tournament. Nadal, who was widely expected to reach the final, was defeated in the fourth round by Soderling—clearing the path for Federer to avoid a head-to-head clash with his long-time rival. On Sunday, the French Open paid an emotional tribute to Nadal, who retired from professional tennis last November. Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray were present at Roland Garros to honour Nadal's incredible legacy, which includes a record 14 French Open titles - the most by any player at a single Grand Slam.'Pressure was immense'Reflecting on his 2009 triumph, Federer admitted he was relieved not to have faced Nadal, who still holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles at one meant a lot to me, because it was the last Grand Slam that I was still missing. For me, I had won all the others by 2004, so I had to wait a good five, six years maybe to win the French Open. So, of course, when I won it finally, on a rainy day here in Paris and I came through in the final, it was a beautiful moment,' Federer told Mary-Joe Fernandez on TNT.'The pressure was immense [the year I won] because I knew, 'Okay, maybe I don't have to go through Rafa'. That's how tennis works sometimes. But the relief was incredible, and I never got the chance again. Rafa was there at the door and said, 'Sorry pal, it is my turn again',' Federer Nadal and Roger Federer first faced each other at the 2024 ATP Masters 1000 in Miami. Over the course of their legendary rivalry, they played 40 matches, with Nadal leading the head-to-head 24– last singles encounter was in the 2019 Wimbledon semi-final, where Federer triumphed in four sets. The two also teamed up for doubles in Federer's farewell match at the 2022 Laver Reel
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Justin Rose Reveals What He Told Rory McIlroy After 2025 Masters Win
Despite losing the 2025 Masters, Justin Rose was thrilled for Rory McIlroy — and had kind words to share with the new winner. 'I just said, listen, this is a historic moment in golf, isn't it, someone who achieves the career Grand Slam,' Rose, 44, told CBS on Sunday, April 13. 'I just said it was pretty cool to be able to share that moment with him. Obviously, I wanted to be the bad guy today, but still, it's a momentous occasion for the game of golf.' Advertisement Rose previously lost in sudden death to Sergio Garcia in 2017 and tied for second with Phil Mickelson two years before, where Jordan Spieth took home the award. 'But listen, to make the putt on 18, the one you dream about as a kid, to obviously give myself an opportunity and a chance was an unbelievable feeling,' Rose said. 'Obviously, I've been in this position before, 2017. It's definitely tough, but I bounced back pretty well from that, too. Went on to be World No. 1 after that, so I used it to my advantage.' Rory McIlroy Shared Poignant Moment With Justin Rose's Wife After Masters Victory He continued, 'Last two majors I've played, I've come up in second place, but it's exactly what I'm trying to do with my career at this stage, and it's more evidence that I'm doing some really good work.' Advertisement Justin also shared his well-wishes for McIlroy via social media. 'I gave it everything….,' Justin wrote via X at the time. 'Congratulations @McIlroyRory on winning the @TheMasters and completing the Grand Slam.. very cool sharing the green with you in that moment… Thank you Team 🌹 as always for all the support during the week… We go again 👊🏻.'After his victory on Sunday, McIlroy, 35, shared a 13-second embrace with Justin's wife, Kate Rose. While hugging, Kate told McIlroy that she was 'really happy' for his win. (Kate and Justin, who tied the knot in 2006, share son Leo, 16, and daughter Charlotte, 13.) McIlroy gushed that Sunday was 'the best day' of his golfing life. 'This is my 17th time here, and I [had] started to wonder if it would ever be my time,' McIlroy told reporters. 'What came out of me on the last green there in the playoff was at least 11 years, if not 14 years, of pent-up emotion. I got the job done.' Advertisement Before McIlroy's win, Byrce DeChambeau shared that the Irish golfer was locked in on the game — and didn't have time to talk. '[He] didn't talk to me once all day,'' DeChambeau, 31, said on Sunday of McIlroy. When DeChambeau was asked whether he tried to 'initiate conversation' with McIlroy, he replied per 'He wouldn't talk to me. … [McIlroy] was just like — just being focused, I guess. It's not me, though.'
BBC News
15-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Scotland bum cheek away from converting' in Paris
Scotland were "a bum cheek away from converting" as they concluded their Six Nations campaign with defeat against France, says head coach Gregor Scots went down 35-16 in Paris and end the tournament in fourth place while their hosts clinched the title at England's visitors made nine visits to the French 22 and forced their opponents to attempt over 200 tackles, but scored only a solitary try through Darcy rued his team's luck, with Tom Jordan's score late in the first half ruled out as a prone Blair Kinghorn had been hauled into touch a phase after the break, Finn Russell's off-load went to ground, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey finished an 80-metre French breakaway."We asked the players to deliver a performance of effort and physicality and they did that," Townsend told ITV. "Our forwards played outstanding rugby at times, really fronted up. "We didn't get the breaks - the bad luck before half-time [with a disallowed try] and a mistake and they scored just after half-time. "We were a bum cheek away from converting in the first half when Blair was just in touch. You need to have patience and accuracy and that was little bit missing."Scotland opened their campaign with a staccato home win over Italy, before being comprehensively beaten by Ireland a week dominated England for long spells at Twickenham but poor finishing and wayward goalkicking denied them a fifth straight Calcutta Cup weekend, they raced into a 20-point lead against Wales, but wound up winning by a single score after losing their way in the second if Scotland deserved to place higher in the table, Townsend replied: "No, if we don't win when we have a lot of the game, that's where we are going to finish."It is a very tough competition. Teams can't play well every game and no-one won a Grand Slam."We are a quality side, it just didn't go our way this year."
BBC News
15-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
France 35-16 Scotland: What Townsend said
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend told ITV he has "mixed feelings" after his side's defeat."We asked the players to deliver a performance of effort and physicality and they did that," Townsend said. "Our forwards played outstanding rugby at times, really fronted up."We didn't get the breaks, the bad luck before half-time [with a disallowed try] and then a mistake and they scored just after half-time. We were in that game for a lot of it."We were a bum cheek away from converting in the first half when Blair Kinghorn was just in touch and they are a very good defence. You need to have patience and accuracy and that was little bit missing today."Townsend offered no opinion on Peato Mauvaka's sin binning, preferring to "leave that to others to decide." He added: "These things can be decisive as we know. I am just proud the team fronted up tonight and even at the end to deny France another try, a maul try, they were very aggressive."Asked if Scotland deserved to finish higher than fourth, he replied: "No, if we don't win when we have a lot of the game, that's where we are going to finish."It is a very tough competition. Teams can't play well every game no-one won a Grand Slam."We are a quality side, it just didn't go our way this year."
