Latest news with #LaDecima
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Rafael Nadal's La Decima-winning French Open racquet sells for record price of INR 49 lakh
The Babolat racquet that Rafael Nadal used to complete La Decima at the Roland Garros eight years ago was sold at a Prestige Memorabilia auction on Sunday for a record price of $157,333.20 (INR 49.12 lakh), which included buyer's premium. It became the most expensive racquet sold at an auction, surpassing his previous record of $139,700 (INR 11.96 lakh), which he acquired at Sotheby's in 2023 by selling the racquet he used during the 2022 Australian Open, where he beat Daniil Medvedev in the final. In 2017, Nadal defeated Stan Wawrinka in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to complete an unprecedented 10th French Open win. The win was all the more significant as he did not drop a single set en route to the title, which he won four more times in his career before retiring from professional tennis in 2024. "To find a Grand Slam Final-used racket from Rafael Nadal is rare," reads the Prestige Memorabilia lot description. "To find one photomatched across an entire clay season (and more) -- capped by a French Open title -- is unprecedented." The custom-made racquet has a 'Rafa' emblem at the throat and a sticker reading 'RG 2017 Nadal'. Nadal attended the 2025 French Open for his farewell ceremony on Court Philippe Chatrier, which was graced by the other members of the Big Four. The organisers shared a small tribute clip as the crowd, donning 'Merci Rafa' shirts, gave a standing ovation. The organising committee ended the hour-long event by unveiling the iconic plaque on Court Philippe Chatrier, bearing Nadal's footprint along with the number 14 inscribed on it. 'When I (saw) that, I thought it was going to be just for this year. Knowing that's going to be forever there, it's a present that I can't describe in words,' Nadal said at his press conference later. 'For me it was and it is and it's always going to be a huge honor and very, very emotional to have this spot on the most important court of my tennis career, without a doubt. 'It's difficult to describe the feeling, but it's something that really touched me.'
eNCA
25-05-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Real Madrid 'legend' Alonso returns as new coach
MADRID - Real Madrid appointed Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti as coach on Sunday, with the Spaniard to take over from June 1 and lead the team at the Club World Cup. "Xabi Alonso will be the Real Madrid coach for the next three seasons, from June 1, 2025 until June 30, 2028," said Real Madrid in a statement. With veteran Italian coach Ancelotti taking the reins of the Brazilian national team, Madrid secured a deal with former midfielder Alonso, whom they have been linked with for months. Alonso, 43, leaves German side Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the Bundesliga season after finishing second. "Alonso is one of the biggest legends at Real Madrid and in world football," continued Los Blancos' statement. "He wore our shirt in 236 games between 2009 and 2014. During that time he won six trophies." Alonso will be officially presented on Monday at 1030 GMT. The Spaniard coached Leverkusen to a league and German Cup double in the 2023-2024 campaign, with his team unbeaten in the top flight, making him a target for Europe's top clubs. Basque coach Alonso had an agreement with Leverkusen to allow him to depart if one of his former sides, including Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, wanted to hire him. Ancelotti's Madrid endured a disappointing campaign, winning the European Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup but suffering Champions League quarter-final elimination by Arsenal. Barcelona beat Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey finals and then reclaimed the Liga throne from their arch-rivals, meaning they failed to win a major trophy. Madrid added French superstar Kylian Mbappe last summer but Ancelotti found it hard to include him in the team alongside Vinicius Junior without destabilising it. Mbappe netted 31 La Liga goals which should earn him the European Golden Shoe, but Alonso's main job will be to restore the team's solidity without compromising the attack. After losing two matches in the whole of the previous campaign, this season Madrid slumped to 14 defeats. - La Decima - Alonso will replace one of the most successful managers in Madrid's history, despite their struggles this season. Ancelotti, 65, took Los Blancos to 15 trophies during two spells at the club, spanning six years. The Italian won three Champions League trophies in Madrid, including La Decima -- Madrid's 10th -- in 2014, with Alonso as part of his squad, although he was suspended for the final. Alonso was also coached by Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Vicente del Bosque among others and is considered tactically adroit and an excellent organiser, which could be ideal for a Madrid side that has lacked balance. The midfielder won two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup with Spain as he helped La Roja dominate the international game. After retiring from playing in 2017 he coached Real Madrid and Real Sociedad at youth level before being appointed by Bayer Leverkusen in 2022. Real Madrid have already signed defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth this summer and Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to follow, with his contract coming to an end at Anfield. Madrid are trying to bring in the England international before the Club World Cup this summer, which will be Alonso's first chance to win silverware. rbs/bsp/nr
The South African
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
A full starting XI of Orlando Pirates players in the Bafana squad
You can build a proper starting XI from all of the Orlando Pirates players in the latest Bafana squad. What formation would they play in, though? Chaine; Van Rooyen, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Selepe; Mbatha; Maswanganyi, Mofokeng; Makgopa; Mabasa, Nkota. Sipho Chaine, Deano van Rooyen, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe, Thalente Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Patrick Maswanganyi, Rele Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota are the 11 Sea Robbers stars in the group. Bruce Bvuma, Yusuf Maart and Mduduzi Shabalala are the Chiefs trio included. Check the whole squad out below: Chaine; Van Rooyen, Sesane, Mbokazi, Letlapa; Mbatha, Makhaula; Appollis, Nkota, Mofokeng; Mabasa. Meanwhile, Letlapa headlines a list of names linked with Orlando Pirates Is Kekana the best PSL player in history? Hlompho Kekana was a combative and explosive character on the pitch, but off it, he's as humble as they come. Regarded by his teammates as a model professional and example, he took care of his body and was fit as a fiddle even at the ripe age of 36. Also, his devotion to a healthy diet didn't do him any harm either. The retired midfield general remains popular with journalists, too, having always made himself available for calls and interviews. In the aftermath of Sundowns' tenth ABSA Premiership title win, a triumph that completed a fabled 'La Decima', Kekana was effusive when praising his teammates. Those men fought alongside him to snatch the title on the very final day. Kekana was truly a team-oriented man. Check out Kekana's amazing story and CV Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Orlando Pirates whispers: Kekana, Makhaula, Mofokeng, Benni McCarthy
Today's Orlando Pirates rumour wrap involves the likes of Hlompho Kekana, Benni McCarthy and some big opinions on Makhehlene Makhaula and Rele Mofokeng. Hlompho Kekana is a huge fan of Makhehlene Makhaula's industry in midfield for the Sea Robbers. 'This is my Player for the Season [Makhehleni Makhaula],' said Kekana on SABC Sport's Soccer Zone. Click for the story Former Orlando Pirates, Bafana Bafana and FC Porto striker Benni McCarthy did a whole lot more than win the Champions League. Click for the story Benni's 2011 Rabbit Food diet Meanwhile, here's Benni in a Buccaneers jersey. Image: SoccerLaduma Hlompho Kekana was a combative and explosive character on the pitch, but off it, he's as humble as they come. Regarded by his teammates as a model professional and example, he took care of his body and was fit as a fiddle even at the ripe age of 36. His devotion to a healthy diet didn't do him any harm either. The retired midfield general remains popular with journalists, too, having always made himself available for calls and interviews. In the aftermath of Sundowns' tenth ABSA Premiership title win, a triumph that completed a fabled 'La Decima', Kekana was effusive when praising his teammates. Those men fought alongside him to snatch the title on the very final day. Kekana was truly a team-oriented man. Check out Kekana's amazing story and CV Hlompho Kekana admits he knew he had 'overstayed his welcome' at Mamelodi Sundowns when his game time became limited. Image: @iDiskiTimes / X Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
PSL GOAT revealed, Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates fans won't argue
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have produced some superb PSL footballers. However, the greatest the land has ever seen is a Sundowns icon. Hlompho Kekana was a combative and explosive character on the pitch, but off it, he's as humble as they come. Regarded by his teammates as a model professional and example, he took care of his body and was fit as a fiddle even at the ripe age of 36. His devotion to a healthy diet didn't do him any harm either. The retired midfield general remains popular with journalists, too, having always made himself available for calls and interviews. In the aftermath of Sundowns' tenth ABSA Premiership title win, a triumph that completed a fabled 'La Decima', Kekana was effusive when praising his teammates. Those men fought alongside him to snatch the title on the very final day. Kekana was truly a team-oriented man. Kekana let his football do the talking at Sundowns, collecting a treasure trove of silverware after making the switch from Bloem Celtic in 2011. 8 x Betway Premiership titles 1 x CAF Champions League title 1 x CAF Super Cup 2 x Telkom Knockout titles Hlompho Kekana admits he knew he had 'overstayed his welcome' at Mamelodi Sundowns when his game time became limited. Image: @iDiskiTimes / Twitter Kekana is the most decorated player in the history of South African top-flight football with eight league titles to his name. He was truly one of Pitso Mosimane's most trusted lieutenants in battle. Somewhat surprisingly, Kekana was only capped 21 times by Bafana Bafana but didn't allow that oddity to get in the way of his quest for club glory. It's hard to forget Kekana's match-winning display in the 2015 Telkom Knockout against Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Amakhosi were denied not once but twice from the penalty spot by the excellent Denis Onyango in goal, first from Siphiwe Tshabalala and then Camaldine Abraw. It would be Kekana who smashed home Sundowns' third from a sublime Themba Zwane backheel to seal a 3-1 win. As was the case on so many occasions throughout his career, Hlompho was on the winning side in a cup final. A year later, Kekana would lift African club football's biggest prize as Sundowns became CAF Champions League kings. Hlompho Kekana was more than a 6. He was also a marauding number 8. Photo: Deryck Foster/BackpagePix Kekana's evolution into a complete midfield player saw him reinvent his style on more than one occasion. Originally a pure defensive midfielder, he moved through the gears as a destructive box-to-box operator, later a classic number 8, and finally, he did a bit of everything on a football pitch with panache and authority. Nothing quite says 'the complete package' like a midfielder who chips in with crucial goals in big games, thunderbolts from range, curling free-kicks and a nomination for the Puskás award in 2016. Only players with massive personalities can pull off an audacious effort from around 60 yards like Kekana did against Cameroon some six years ago, and this man had those qualities and more in abundance. The Guardian called that goal 'Beckham-esque.' On March 4th 2012, Mamelodi Sundowns broke the South African record for most goals scored in a single match when they beat Powerlines FC 24-0 in the Nedbank Cup. Kekana helped himself to seven goals on the day as Sundowns showed no mercy to their amateur opponents. Back when there was a galaxy of Sundowns stars like Zwane, Zungu, Billiat, Modise, Dolly & Tau, Hlompho Kekana was the rock orbiting Lucas 'Masterpieces' Moripe Stadium for almost a decade. Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
