Page 15 - Sports

4 Grand Slam champions get wild cards for Wimbledon; tournament from July 1

Former Grand Slam champions Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber and Emma Raducanu have all been awarded wild cards for Wimbledon. The grass-court tournament starts on July 1. Osaka a four-time major champion and former No. 1 player and three-time Grand Slam winner Kerber returned from maternity leave at the start of this season. Currently ranked 113th, Osaka was the only player to take a set from top-ranked Iga Swiatek at the French Open and followed that up with a quarterfinal spot last week in 's-Hertogenbosch, a warm-up event for Wimbledon. Former US Open champion Raducanu made her breakthrough at Wimbledon by advancing to the fourth round in 2021. She will be playing there for the first time in two years after undergoing wrist and ankle surgery in 2023. Kerber won the 2018 Wimbledon title and was runner-up at the All England Club in 2016. She is also a former top-ranked player. Wozniacki returned from maternity leave last August. She's never got past the fourt

Days after World Cup qualifier loss, AIFFS sacks head coach Igor Stimac

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday sacked Igor Stimac as the head coach of the country's senior's men's team following a disappointing campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Stimac, who was appointed as the head coach in 2019, was given an extension last year by the sport's apex body. India could not make the third round of the World Cup qualifier following a 1-2 defeat against Qatar in their final second round match. "Noting the disappointing outcome of the Senior Men's National Team's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign, the members unanimously agreed that a new Head Coach would be best placed to take the team forward," the AIFF said in a statement. "A notice of termination has been issued to Mr. Stimac by the AIFF Secretariat, and he stands relieved of his obligations with immediate effect." The 56-year-old Stimac, who was part of the Croatia team that made the semifinals of the 1998 World Cup, had taken charge of the Blue Tigers in 2019, after t

Euro Cup 2024: Weghorst's late goal helps Netherlands beat Poland 2-1

Netherlands forward Wout Weghorst loves to make a big impression off the bench and he did it again Sunday late in a 2-1 win over Poland at the European Championship. The giant striker struck with a low left-foot shot in the 83rd minute with his first touch after coming on to replace Memphis Depay who had wasted several shooting chances. Weghorst might not look like the most elegant player. Still, his reputation for being effective was earned at the 2022 World Cup with two late goals against Argentina to force extra time in a memorable quarterfinal against the eventual champion. This time, Weghorst's goal was worth a win that puts some pressure on Group D favourite France, which already beat the Dutch twice in qualifying last year and plays Austria on Monday. I said it this morning to my girlfriend: 'Scores level, 0-0, 1-1, 20 minutes to go. It was a bit later. But you feel it and visualize it for yourself," Weghorst told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Poland was forced to cope without its

Veteran sports journalist Harpal Singh Bedi passes away at age of 72

Veteran sports journalist Harpal Singh Bedi, who covered several highs and lows of Indian sports in a career spanning over four decades, served as the national Olympic contingent's press attache in 2012 and charmed the media box with his inimitable wit and warmth, died after prolonged illness here on Saturday. He was 72 and is survived by his wife Revathi and daughter Pallavi. The former sports editor of the United News of India (UNI) was among the tallest figures in Indian sports journalism and was working as a consulting editor of the Statesman newspaper for the last couple of years. His awe-inspiring work experience included on-ground coverage of eight Olympic Games, "hard to count" Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, World Cups of cricket and hockey, and world and national championships of athletics and other major Olympic sports. Not to be forgotten was his ability to be a mentor to young journalists in the press box. He could make nervous newbies comfortable with his tradema

Jacobs succeeded Bolt in 100-meter Olympic, still flies 'under the radar'

Hardly anyone outside of Italy had heard of Marcell Jacobs before he succeeded Usain Bolt as the Olympic 100 meter champion in Tokyo. Three injury-filled years have passed, and the Texas-born Italian is almost as big of a mystery now as he was then. American sprinter Noah Lyles is deservedly garnering the spotlight entering the Paris Games after sweeping three golds at last year's world championships. A host of other racers have dipped under the 10-second mark this year, too an achievement that Jacobs hasn't accomplished in nearly two years. So, Jacobs also has the unusual status of being both the defending champion while remaining an underdog for the biggest race of the Olympics. It's good because I can stay under the radar. I can do my preparation, my race, without think(ing) about what the other people think about me, Jacobs told The Associated Press. I don't need to win all the races, but I want to arrive at the Olympics and win again. Having dealt with a series of physical

French Open: Sabalenka marches into next round, defeats Erika Andreeva

Although Sabalenka is currently 20-5 all-time in Grand Slam opening rounds, she is almost impervious to an opening upset now

Indian sports industry get artificial intelligence boost from IIT Madras

Almost all sports in India are taking baby strides in AI, including cricket, chess, boxing, badminton, tennis, and wrestling

French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem loses in qualifying final match

Two-time runner-up Dominic Thiem lost in the second round of qualifying on Wednesday in his final match at the French Open. Thiem was beaten 6-2 7-5 by Otto Virtanen on Court Suzanne Lenglen and won't make an 11th and final appearance in the main draw of the clay-court Grand Slam. Thiem, who reached the final at Roland Garros in 2018 and 2019, announced earlier this month that he will retire at the end of the year after struggling to return to top form following a wrist injury. After his loss, Thiem received a standing ovation during a farewell ceremony, amid chants of "Thank you Domi, Thank you Domi." Thiem, a former US Open winner, has dropped to the 131st spot in the rankings and did not receive a wild card at the French Open. He did not hold a grudge. "I slowly built up a great, great relationship with the tournament, relationship with all of you guys, with all fans," Thiem said. "I've really enjoyed every single year of it." The 30-year-old Austrian won his only Grand Slam

Venu Sports: Disney-Fox-WBD sports-streaming venture to be launched soon

Announced in February, the service will try to woo younger viewers who are not tuned in to cable TV with bundled offering of the companies' broad portfolio of professional and collegiate sports rights

Federation Cup: Neeraj Chopra strikes gold in first domestic event in 3 yrs

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal in men's javelin throw event of the Federation Cup here, his spear shimmering through the balmy Wednesday evening sky after an unusually slow start in his first competitive outing on Indian soil in three years. The 26-year-old superstar struggled to get going in the competition and he was second after three rounds. He took the lead in fourth round with an effort of 82.27m and he did not take the final round as he was leading after DP Manu, who settled for silver, had finished his final round throw. Chopra last took part in a domestic competition at the same event on March 17, 2021, when he won a gold with a throw of 87.80m. Since then, Chopra has won a historic gold in the Tokyo Olympics, became Diamond League champion in 2022, world champion in 2023 and defended Asian Games gold in China. He also won three individual legs of Diamond League and claimed a silver in the 2022 World Championships. He is, however, yet to touch the 90m m

How this tech startup helps sportspersons raise their game using AI

Stupa Sports Analytics, founded by husband-wife duo Deepak Malik and Megha Gambhir, offers AI-driven solutions for advanced analytics of player performance and create innovations in sports industry

IPL 2024: Players will be selected on basis of impact, says Miller

For someone who has the ability to deliver maximum impact, South African batter David Miller reckons averages in T20 cricket will gradually lose relevance and strike rate will be the only barometer of success. Over the past couple of years, Miller has performed the finisher's role with distinction both for Gujarat Titans and his national team. With seven scores in excess of 250 plus this IPL season, the batters have taken the power game to the next level, fuelling the strike rate debate. We've seen some high scores this year. And it's been incredible batting by a few teams and few individual players in this IPL. And look, I always see everyone judges a batter on the average," Miller told PTI Videos. "But in T20 cricket, it can be difficult to judge someone purely on that. The top three batters, definitely you can because of the number of overs they get to bat. When it comes to the middle order, it has always been the strike rates and what kind of impact the batter has had in the ..

Legendary cricketer James Anderson to retire during England's home summer

Legendary James Anderson is set for his final appearance in Test cricket as the upcoming home season for England will be the last for cricket's most successful fast bowler, a report in UK media said. Having become the first fast bowler ever to take 700 wickets in Test cricket during England's tour of India earlier this year, legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne's tally of 708 wickets in the format could be on Anderson's target as he takes the field for one final run with the England team. According to 'The Guardian', Anderson has been told by England's Test team coach Brendon McCullum that they are looking at the future, with an eye on the Ashes 2025-26 in Australia, which means that end of the road is near for the 41-year-old. England are set to play Tests against West Indies and Sri Lanka at home this year and one of those fixtures is at Old Trafford Anderson's home ground and that game could be the last for the right-arm bowler. The report said that McCullum flew especiall

Neeraj Chopra, Kishore Jena to compete directly in Fed Cup finals

Star Indian javelin throwers Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena have been given direct entry into the Federation Cup finals here on May 15, having already bettered the minimum qualification mark of 75m multiple times in their careers. Olympic and world champion Chopra is coming off a fairly good outing at the Doha Diamond League last week where he finished second with a throw of 88.38m. Asian Games silver-winner Jena's Diamond League debut, however, ended in disappointment as he was eliminated after three rounds with 76.31m being his best. DP Manu, who finished sixth in the 2023 World Championships and who is looking to qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympics by breaching the 85.50m mark, will also compete directly in the finals. "All those who have crossed 75m will not compete in the qualifying round on Tuesday. There are nine of them from among those who had made entries, including Neeraj and Jena. They will directly compete in the final on Wednesday," Indian athletics head coach ...

Paris Olympics: Opted for athletics due to father's passion, says Jyothika

An academically-inclined child is a dream realised in most Indian households and that's why Olympic-bound runner Jyothika Sri Dandi aspired to be a doctor before she realised that her father would be happier seeing her excel in sports. The 23-year-old from Tanuku town in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, secured 97 per cent in Class X while studying at the Montessori School at her home town. But, her father Srinivasa Rao, a body-builder in his younger days, nudged her into taking interest in sports as he wanted to see her in the Olympics some day. That dream is going to be a reality in less than three months' time. Jyothika was part of the Indian women's 4x400m relay team that qualified for the Paris Olympics during the World Relays in Bahamas earlier this month. "I got 97 per cent in class X and when I was in school I actually wanted to be a doctor. But, once I started doing sports, I could not go back and think about becoming a doctor," Jyothika, who is taking part in the

A new maul game: How IPL's Impact Player rule has changed cricket

Batters are mauling bowlers this IPL like never before, as the impact player rule effectively gives every team 12 players. Where is it taking the game?

Nisha Dahiya secures India's fifth Paris Olympic quota in woman wrestling

Nisha Dahiya became the fifth Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the Paris Olympics after prevailing over Romania's Alexandra Anghel in the 68kg semifinals at the World Olympic Qualifiers here on Friday. This will be the first time India will have five women wrestlers at the quadrennial extravaganza. This was a day after all six Greco-roman wrestlers came up with forgettable performances. Nisha, a World U-23 bronze medallist and Asian Championships silver-medal winner last year beat Anghel 8-4 by points to enter the final and secure another Olympic quota for India. This will be the first time that five Indian woman wrestlers will be competing in the Olympics. Against Anghel, Nisha zoomed to a 8-0 lead with a flurry of attacks in the first period. She began with a right leg attack and converted that into a takedown. She quickly followed that up with a two-pointer and rolled her rival for a comfortable 6-0 cushion. Before the end of first period, she had taken what became an ...

India athletes will get sports-specific help from support staff: IOA chief

IOA president PT Usha on Friday assured Olympic-bound athletes of best possible assistance in Paris, saying sports-specific support staff would be housed closer to the Games Village in order to be able to provide help without wastage of time. Usha, who returned to India after finalising the arrangements of Indian athletes and support staff in Paris, said the IOA had also ensured that shooters and golfers stay closer to their respective event venues. The Chateauroux Shooting Centre is about two hours outside Paris, while the Le Golf National is an hour's drive from the Olympic hub. "We have been able to secure accommodation for a number of sports-specific support staff a short distance away from the Athletes' Village. We want to ensure no athletes are devoid of their support system and hence we have booked apartments in the vicinity," said Usha in a statement. "We have ensured that our shooters and golfers stay close to their respective venues," she added. Elaborating on the need f

Need to improve fitness, tactics to beat Chinese more often: Manika Batra

Manika Batra could not be more thrilled about bossing the World No.2 from China earlier this week but to beat the top-10 players more often, the Indian table tennis trailblazer knows she needs to do more on the tactical and fitness front. After becoming the first Indian female to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Smash (top tier events organised by World Table Tennis), the 28-year-old doesn't want to sit on her laurels and her focus is firmly fixed on the Paris Olympics in July-August. The Delhi-born player shocked Wang Manyu, the 2021 World Champion in women's singles and member of the Olympic gold-winning Chinese team at the Tokyo Olympics, before blanking 14th-ranked Nina Mittelham from Germany to make it a special week in Saudi Arabia. The loss in the quarterfinals came against fifth-ranked Hina Hayata, an opponent Batra has beaten before, but on Thursday the Japanese was better prepared for the challenge. Speaking to PTI after a successful run in Saudi Arabia, Batra said play

A city scarred by terrorism prepares an Olympic opening without walls

Since the 2015 deadly Islamist attacks, France has become sadly accustomed to terrorist threats and to soldiers patrolling its crowded squares and train stations