Latest news with #Majors
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Scottie Scheffler shows true colours with brilliant response to golf rival's ultimate accolade
World No.1 gives line in self-depreciation after ultimate accolade by rival Admiring Jordan Spieth has paid rival Scottie Scheffler the ultimate accolade when he tagged him the best golf's ever seen in a key category. But the modest No.1 responded to the compliment by admitting he sometimes feels like he's swinging a foreign object. Scheffler's remarkable performances in the past two years has put him ahead of the rest in the sport with three Majors, made up of two Masters and last month's PGA Championship, already bagged. Spieth is amongst those trying to hunt him down and, when asked what impresses him the most about his American Ryder Cup colleague, he said: 'I'm not going to sit here and say that I've ever had the kind of ball striking or consistency that he's had, but certainly all of us have had weeks or months or half a year or whatever where we feel that kind of control. 'What impressed me the most is his club face control is elite. I mean, it's maybe the best there's ever been as far as club face control. His consistency is ridiculous. And then that just leads to his distant control being phenomenal. 'There's a shot in and the worst he's going to do is 15 feet. Most guys are going to hit a good shot there, but for him, that was like the worst shot. He's probably like, all right, yeah, I played that safe and cast a putt out and go to tomorrow. So it's elite consistency and it's because his tempo and club face control yields these kinds of results.' Scheffler took the comments in good grace, but had a line of self-depreciation as he responded: 'I mean, that's a nice compliment. I work hard on trying to control my golf ball and hitting a lot of different types of shots. "I have some interesting footwork in my swing. Sometimes I feel like I have really good control of the face and then other times it feels like I'm swinging a foreign object!' Scheffler is in line for another tournament success as he leads the way at The Memorial with just 18 holes to go. Spieth is chasing him again and not confident about is chances of overhauling the superstar as he admitted: 'I'm trying to react less, trying to understand that in a place like this, you're going to hit good shots that just end up a yard off and they're, they're just dead. "And then you're going to hit some that feed right into the hole. The bummer for me is Scotty's at eight and you can't count on him shooting even, so it would take something special, but all in all, just trying to shoot a few under each day.' You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Tennis icon inspiring Justin Rose to buck trend as he defies kick in the goolies
Evergreen English star back in the mood after Masters misery Flying Justin Rose has named Steve Stricker and Novak Djokovic as inspirations as he continues to buck the trends. The English star refuses to let age be a barrier and recovered from being 'kicked in the goolies' to post a brilliant second-round at The Memorial. Second at the Masters behind Rory McIlroy, Rose has finished runner-up in two of the last three Majors and remains a threat at the highest level with another Ryder Cup appearance looming in September. The 44-year-old is in contention at the tournament where he won his first-ever PGA title 15 years ago and his longevity in inspired by stars both in and out of his own sport. Rose revealed: 'I'm getting to that stage in my career where that is the goal now, sort of having pride in performance and trying to buck the trend of what is a natural kind of ageing process. There are things that are more difficult or get more difficult, but you don't want to kind of believe it. I still think my good is good, which is what I've seen this year and that's the most important thing to see. I'd rather that than the top 20th every week, just to know that if I do put things together, I'm capable of winning. I still believe that. 'Steve Stricker is a really nice example. I think he won maybe nine times in his 40s. And I think he did it living in the Midwest, locking things up for winter, having a great family, didn't sacrifice the world in order to do it. He's a really good role model from that point of view. If you could have a career like his in his 40s, think that's what I would say is doable, aspirational. If you choose to kind of go all in, there's other things in your life that suffer, right? So it just depends on the balance of that. 'But in other sports, obviously, Djokovic clearly is sort of the one pushing greatness in a sport where you do wear out pretty quick. 'Adam [Scott] is a huge benchmark for me and I think I am for him. We're both within a couple weeks of each other in terms of age. If you look at our careers, they're remarkably similar and good friends as well. 'There's things that he does really well that I need to push myself to still be competitive that way. I'm sure he looks at my game and thinks there's things that he needs to do to sort of compete with me. 'Sergio [Garcia] as well. We're sort of all like around 1980. We're the three players that have kind of kept the form and popping our names up on the leaderboard once in a while. 'I've been on tour over here since 2003. So there was seven years before breaking through. Now 15 years since. It's quite amazing when I think about it like that. The image I have is my little son Leo was kind of messing around in a bunker behind 18. I mean, now you lose him in these bunkers! But back then, you could still see him!' Rose carded six-under on Friday to show he's over a Masters hangover having lost the play-off to McIlroy and pulling out of the Truist with illness. He said: 'I was just sick there. The man flu. A sniffle. I was already seven over par and I was conscious that PGA was coming up the following week. PGA just was not out the gates and then obviously I felt like [Thursday] I was two under par through eight holes. I really prepared well this week and coming into this week, so was a real kick in the goolies. The PGA Championship was super disappointing, so delighted to have kind of gotten myself back into the tournament.' Asked about a Masters hangover he added: 'Not consciously. Quite possibly. There is stuff to process there and I think obviously a lot of people want to keep talking to you about it. It's just hard to put it 100 per cent behind you all the time. I had two weeks off after Hilton Head and felt like I did a little bit of work, but not a ton of work and I felt like there was a little bit of slippage in that period of time. 'So it's probably taking me a little bit of time just to really find that form again, I suppose. Traveling back and forth from England, this year I've definitely tried to change the way I'm approaching my weeks off at home. 'But I do kind of feel like it's my weeks off that are the problem, It's definitely a balance.'
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
‘Like a rat race': Injured Casper Ruud limps out of French Open in second round
A dejected and injured Casper Ruud leaving the court after losing his second-round match against Portugal's Nuno Borges. PHOTO: REUTERS 'Like a rat race': Injured Casper Ruud limps out of French Open in second round PARIS – Casper Ruud on May 28 blasted the ATP's ranking system as 'like a rat race' which forces players to compete with injuries, as the former two-time French Open runner-up slumped to a second-round defeat. The seventh seed from Norway lost 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-0 to Portugal's world No. 41 Nuno Borges as a knee injury he has been carrying the entire clay season took its toll. The 26-year-old said he first felt the problem at Monte Carlo in April. He won in Madrid and played in Rome but pulled out of Geneva last week in the hope of being in top form for Roland Garros. 'It's been with me actually the whole clay season on and off,' said Ruud, who reached the final in Paris in 2022 and 2023 before a run to the last four a year ago. 'Depending a little bit on how kind of physically tough some matches are, the day after it will either be a bit more sore or not. 'The scan didn't know show any structural damage, which is a good thing. There's liquid of inflammation in there that needs to settle. As we know, it's a hectic clay season, and I decided to push through it doing some anti-inflammatory pills and painkillers to try to get rid of it, which has helped to a certain degree. 'I will have some more time now to let it heal and rest for a long time.' He lamented the difficulty in taking time off on the ATP tour to fully heal an injury. 'It's kind of like a rat race when it comes to the rankings, as well,' Ruud added. 'You feel you're obligated to play with certain rules that the ATP have set up with the mandatory events. 'You feel like you lose a lot if you don't show up and play, both economically, point-wise, ranking-wise and opportunity-wise. It's a questionable system because on one hand you don't want to show up injured, and you maybe give the spot to another one.' Norway's Casper Ruud lost his match as a knee injury he has been carrying the entire clay season took its toll. PHOTO: REUTERS On May 28, Ruud won the first set against Borges but lost the next two. He had his leg massaged between the third and fourth sets, but to no avail, as he came back on court to lose the final set in 20 minutes. 'I wish I could stay longer. This is the Slam where I feel like I have a bigger chance of doing well,' said the Norwegian. He has not gone beyond the last 16 at any of the other three Majors since losing the 2022 US Open final to Carlos Alcaraz. 'It's hopefully nothing too serious,' added Ruud. 'I don't want to take anything away from Nuno, because I think he played a phenomenal match, a really high level.' Borges is through to the third round at Roland Garros for the first time and will play Australian 25th seed Alexei Popyrin for a place in the last 16. 'He obviously wasn't 100 per cent today,' said Borges, who reached the second week at the Australian and US Opens in 2024. 'It's a big milestone for me to be in the third round.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Business Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Times
Evert and Swiatek, the ‘Queens of Clay' on what makes Roland-Garros special
WHEN it comes to excelling on clay, there are perhaps only a handful of players out there who can truly claim to have dominated tournaments played on that difficult surface. Chris Evert and Iga Swiatek are two names that instantly come to mind, these two accomplished Rolex Testimonees who – generations apart – have both soared to the peak of the women's game and become the undisputed Queens of Clay. Collectively, they have 11 Roland-Garros singles trophies, dozens of Women's Tennis Association titles and all sorts of record-breaking runs – all achieved on clay courts around the world. Evert is now 70 and long retired, but she continues to be active and influential on the women's tennis scene. The American was ranked World No 1 for 260 weeks and finished as the year-end No 1 seven times. In all, Evert won 157 singles titles, among them 18 Majors – seven of which were at Roland-Garros. This year's Roland-Garros is a significant one for Evert, for it marks 50 years since she and her fellow Rolex Testimonee Bjorn Borg successfully defended their maiden Grand Slam singles titles in Paris in 1975. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up As for Swiatek, the 23-year-old from Poland is busy rewriting the history books with each passing season. She's spent a total of 125 weeks as the world's No 1 player, and is the proud owner of 22 singles titles, including five Majors – four at Roland-Garros, and one US Open crown. Recently, both Evert and Swiatek spent time together to discuss their respective journeys to achievement, while exchanging some precious words of wisdom with each other. Still a princess, not a queen The affable Swiatek kicked off the conversation in the most apt way with the admission: 'I'm still a princess; there's only one queen'. That short statement was both a respectful nod to the immense achievements and contributions to tennis by Evert, as well as a reflection of the modest nature of one of the sport's brightest young stars, one who is displaying all the right qualities and attributes that will pave the way for her to follow in the American's footsteps on the red clay. Evert, meanwhile, said she's watched Swiatek in action over the years and she's noticed many similarities between the two of them in the intangibles of the game. Both players are known to have an extremely strong baseline game, with powerful forehands and precise footwork. This was a style of play that Evert pioneered back in the 1970s, with Swiatek now taking on the mantle decades later. 'The mental toughness, the focus and the hunger which, to me honestly, is more than 50 per cent of tennis,' said Evert. 'You're not satisfied with winning one or two Grand Slams, whereas other people might be. It's like 'OK, when's the next one?' You want to play with longevity and to win a lot of majors.' During the conversation, Swiatek admitted she was surprised to learn that Evert did not feel comfortable coming to the net or becoming an all-court player until her mid- to late-20s. 'Is that really the case?', said the Pole. 'I'm very happy that you brought in ground strokes, and I prefer this game style, so it's a good choice. It makes tennis much more interesting. I love building rallies and embracing the tactical element of clay; you have to think everything through and plan each point wisely.' Special moments on clay At this point, the attention turns to Roland-Garros, a beloved tournament where Swiss watchmaker Rolex completed its calendar Grand Slam of partnerships in 2019 – more than 40 years after it became the Official Timekeeper of Wimbledon in 1978. During this golden era of tennis, Evert won a record seven of her 18 Grand Slam singles titles on the clay courts of Paris, as well as becoming a doubles champion on two occasions. Last year, Swiatek celebrated her fourth Roland-Garros singles title. And it was both fitting and appropriate that it was Evert who had the honour of presenting her with the prized Suzanne-Lenglen trophy – on the very same court where the American first experienced Grand Slam glory in 1974. Both players took some time to reflect on that very special moment they shared on a packed and emotional Court Philippe-Chatrier last June, and what it meant for them. Said Evert: 'I remember thinking I've won Roland-Garros seven times, Iga's now won it four times at a very young age, and there's no doubt in my mind that she can pass me and win it more than seven times. I think she is the perfect clay-court player and has what it takes. I know she loves to play on clay. I was very excited to present this trophy to her rather than anyone else because I felt like I had always related to her quietly, her style of game, her mentality and her love of clay.' Swiatek was surprised to hear and receive such words of praise from a legend of the sport whom she looks up to so dearly. 'I will always remember hearing you say that I can surpass your record. I really got this warm feeling from you. It was just so nice to hear, and it hit me harder than usual. You seem so mature, and you know that there are other things outside of tennis that are much more important,' said Swiatek. While Swiatek eventually won Roland-Garros last year to round off her most dominant clay court season to date, there was a time in the tournament when she was staring at the exit as she found herself match point down in the second round. 'I really thought I was out of the tournament. In the third set, I was 2–5 down and managed to save a match point and mentally I had to be at my top level to even believe I could come back. I might have won the match, but later when I was in the gym I cried for 15 minutes. I think it was the longest match I've ever played on clay and it kind of broke my heart. This was the most meaningful title of my career because of how close I came to losing,' she recalled. Evert, however, saw things differently and asked her: 'Don't you think that after a match like that you're much better off for the rest of the tournament? Swiatek responded in the affirmative, though she recognised that she had set her expectations too high at a tournament where she had typically excelled in. 'It wasn't logical but I remember I just wanted to work on my game because I felt like I could do much better. To be honest I felt like life had given me a second chance, so I had to take it,' she said. Evert added: 'You're tough on yourself, Iga. Look, do you know what I learnt after a long career; you just can't be 100 per cent mentally, physically and emotionally for every single match that you play. Recognising you're a little off and your game's not there is OK, it's all experience. I've seen you come back when you're not playing well and win matches, whereas other players might just be disappointed, they might mentally give up. That experience really has helped you to get through matches that maybe you shouldn't have won. And it's because you're a champion.' And it is precisely this champion's mentality and fighting spirit that have defined these two world-class athletes, and will continue to do so for years to come.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
French Open: Growing Sinner, Alcaraz duopoly faces a Djokovic test
Mumbai: 'OMG,' wrote Matteo Arnaldi with a fluorescent marker on the camera lens, in the post-match ritual reserved for the winner of a tour tennis match. Arnaldi had just won the biggest match of his career, beating 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Madrid Masters. This was Djokovic a few weeks short of his 38th birthday. A Djokovic who had not won a title in the season, one who was seemingly fading due to the march of time. But this was also a Djokovic whose aura transcends sport. He may be ageing, playing without a coach, and struggling for form – by his own exalted standard. But he is also one who can't be taken lightly. In the current era of men's tennis, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the world's top two players, rule the roost. They are the frontrunners for the French Open that begins on Sunday. But along with these young stars – Alcaraz will be defending his title – the Serbian war horse cannot be counted out. Having just turned 38, Djokovic is in the twilight of his career. He is the last of the Big 3 in tennis, of a golden era where Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic dominated almost every Slam. Djokovic, the youngest of the trio, went past the slam tally of Nadal (22) and Federer (20), to tie Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Majors. Capturing that 25th though has been elusive. His greatest rivals are retired, but they have been replaced by two energetic youngsters who are destined for big things. Italian Sinner, the man from the Dolomites, sits on the peak of tennis rankings. He first became world No.1 at the French Open last year and has not slipped since. He is a three-time Grand Slam champion, but all those Majors came on hard courts – of his 19 titles till date, the ATP 250 event in Umag in 2022 remains his only clay court conquest. The 23-year-old looks hungry to accomplish new summits. He gave a first big indicator last week at the Rome Masters when he reached the final in his first tournament back on tour after completing a three-month doping suspension. He cruised past opponents in Rome, including a 6-0, 6-1 decimation of world No.7 and two-time French Open finalist Casper Ruud. 'You just look at the guy and say: 'This is, kind of, next-level shit',' Ruud told The Guardian. Sinner is in the same half of the draw as world No.6 Djokovic. If the rankings hold, to get to the semi-final the Serbian will have to go past last year's finalist Alexander Zverev. The big-serving German has become more consistent in his Grand Slam pursuits, even reaching the Australian Open final earlier this year, but has lost each of the three Major finals he has reached. At the other end of the draw is Alcaraz. Last year, the Spaniard created history when he at 21 became the youngest man to win a Grand Slam on all three surfaces – he had won the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon in 2023. After his French Open high, he went on to defend his Wimbledon crown as well. With his win at Roland Garros, he extended a long tradition of Spanish players reaching the top in Paris. The man from Murcia though carries an extra burden as the one expected to assume the mantle of 'king of clay' left vacant after Nadal's retirement. Alcaraz though has made it clear he wants to live up to his own identity. The ever-smiling, showboating Alcaraz is the yin to the stoic Sinner's yang. They are the ones taking forward men's tennis, even sharing the four Slams between them last year. But Djokovic cannot be discounted. The last time a major event was held at Roland Garros, at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Djokovic beat Alcaraz to win gold. It was the only accolade Djokovic had not won. As he deals with ageing body and younger and confident adversaries, he has had to contend with the new reality, of 'trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,' as he said after losing in the Madrid Masters first round. But it is at the Grand Slams where Djokovic puts everything on the line. He's banking on that intensity again. '(It is) where it counts the most for me, at least where I would like to do my best,' he said. The younger rivals are the favourites, but Djokovic, champion in 2016, 2021 and 2023, will be determined to surmount all on the Parisian clay.
