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[VIDEO] “Father Time will catch up to him”: ‘Maybe’ Novak Djokovic’s time is running out

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Novak Djokovic US Open

Novak Djokovic was dumped out of the US Open by Alexei Popyrin and Martina Navratilova sees it as a sign that perhaps his career is heading closer to its conclusion.

Navratilova was asked about Djokovic in a Q&A for Sky Sports and said that Father Time could be catching up on him and he could yet decide to end his career.

Albeit with the caveat that a certain Margaret Court 25 Grand Slam record looms large that he will want to tackle, but it has left many including Navratilova pondering about what his future holds.

“He got the one he really wanted, which was the Olympic gold medal, but he also still wants that 25th, because then he has one more than Margaret Court,” said Navratilova on Sky Sports.

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“Father Time will catch up to him… and maybe it already is a little bit, because he really wasn’t himself in that last match.

“It depends how much the fire is still burning. If it’s still burning, I’m never going to say ‘you shouldn’t play’, because he’s never going to tarnish his legacy – it’s ridiculously good.

“I’m sure his wife is saying: ‘it’s time to hang it up, how many more of these do you need?’.

“Maybe just one more… but, then again, if he wins the Australian Open, he’s going to want to play Roland Garros and Wimbledon, right? He’s not going to quit then.

“It’s up to him. Either way, you can’t criticise because what a fantastic career. I would probably hang it up but if he loves, it why not?”

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TENNIS

Coco Gauff fires back at fan questioning her knowledge of university life

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Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff recently responded to a fan who asked how she knows what a university campus is like while she was sharing her experience in the Olympic Village.

The 2023 US Open champion clarified that she has friends her age who are university students.
The American No. 1 was sharing her experience in the Paris 2024 Olympic Village, where around 14,000 athletes were housed while participating in the tournament, although several chose to stay in nearby hotels for reasons such as comfort, logistics, etc.
However, Gauff decided to stay in the Olympic Village to fully experience being part of Team USA’s delegation at the Olympic Games. While speaking in an interview with Tennis Channel last Friday, Gauff described her days in the Olympic Village and compared it to a university campus.
Coco Gauff set to launch second signature shoe with New Balance

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A fan commented, questioning how she knows what a university campus is like, but the American had a response for that: “I’m a 20-year-old who is friends with other 20-year-olds who are not all pro athletes. Not too hard to put together,” Gauff responded.
The world No. 3 began her professional career at 14 in 2018, and her family opted for homeschooling while trying to balance the demands of her tennis career with her high school studies. She finally completed high school in 2022 through Florida’s online education program.
In the video shared by Tennis Channel, Gauff described her experience in the Olympic Village: “I decided to stay because I really was fine. I thought it would have been more of a hassle for me to pack up all my stuff and move, and I was just having a good time in the village. I met some friends. The track team was super nice to me; I was hanging out with them the days that I was there,” Gauff said.
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GOLF

Scottie Scheffler lashes out after embarrassing shot during first PGA Tour event since Olympics victory

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Scottie Scheffler PGA Championship

Scottie Scheffler had a moment of frustration all golf fans could relate to during the opening round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship Thursday. 

The World No. 1, playing his first tournament back on the PGA Tour since winning Olympic gold in Paris, lost his temper, despite shooting a four-under 66 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.

Four-under thru 12, the Masters champion’s tee shot at the 13th found a bunker 185 yards from the pin. His second shot failed to find the green, suffering a similar sandy fate.

Scottie Scheffler: PGA Championship showing that the conquest of strife and struggle are the essence of sport - The Economic Times

READ: PGA V LIV GOLF: Rory McIlroy disagrees with Jon Rahm on divisive PGA Tour topic as LIV star’s stance clear

Faced with getting up and down from the trap to the right of the green, Scheffler splashed out over the pin with his ball coming to a stop 13 feet away from the hole.

Despite his shot safely finding the dancefloor and setting up a good look at a par save, the two-time major winner was less than impressed.

Scheffler immediately slammed his club into the bunker before his ball could even land, before furiously kicking the sand to cover his tracks and shaking his head in disgust.

As he exited the sand trap, he took one last aim at the ground with his club before striding away.

Scheffler ultimately missed the par putt and was forced to tap in for bogey – his lone dropped shot of the round.

However, he picked up another birdie at the par-five 16th to card his 66 and head into the second round Friday with a seven-way share of fifth.

Scheffler’s rare outburst came one day after the Olympian ripped into the PGA Tour’s ‘silly’ playoff format.

Arriving with a freshly-won gold medal around his neck, Scheffler was pressed on the one trophy that had eluded him throughout his glittering career so far: The FedEx Cup.

‘I talked about it the last few years, I think it’s silly,’ said Scheffler, who has started the past two Tour Championships at East Lake Golf Club at 10-under – at least two shots better than the rest of the field.

‘You can’t call it a season-long race and have it come down to one tournament.

‘Hypothetically, we get to East Lake and my neck flares up and it doesn’t heal the way it did at the Players. I finish 30th in the FedEx Cup because I had to withdraw from the last tournament? Is that really the season-long race? No, it is what it is.’

Scheffler, whose 2024 earnings total $36,148,691 so far, will tee off alongside PGA Championship and The Open Championship winner Xander Schauffele at 10:35am ET in the second round Friday with the BMW Championship following next week before the PGA Tour’s season finale on August 29.

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TENNIS

Novak Djokovic is about to discover if his tennis career is coming to an end

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Novak Djokovic Olympic

Novak Djokovic has admitted he is writing the final few chapters of his career and his emotions over the next few weeks could be crucial to deciding when he retires.

After achieving his last great goal in tennis by winning the Olympic gold medal with a win against Carlos Alcaraz in the Paris 2024 final earlier this month, what comes next is a question Djokovic will be asking as he prepares for the final months of this year.

After struggling for motivation and slipping to some surprise defeats in the first half of this year, Djokovic bounced back into form as he performed heroically to come through some tight matches at the French Open.

Olympics 2024: Novak Djokovic defeats Carlos Alcaraz to win gold in men's singles final at Roland Garros | Tennis News | Sky Sports

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His run at Roland Garros was ended by a knee injury that required him to undergo surgery on June 5, but he made a remarkably quick recovery to play at Wimbledon and reach the final, where he lost against Alcaraz.

Djokovic then bounced back to serve up some passionate performances and claim the Olympic gold medal for Serbia allowed him to complete his record of claiming every major title in tennis.

“I thought in 2012, carrying the flag of my country in the opening ceremony was the best feeling an athlete could have – until today,” the 24-time Grand Slam winner said.

“This supersedes everything that I imagined and hoped I could experience and feel. The fact I won the bronze in my first Olympic Games and ever since then failed to win a medal despite playing in three semi-finals, I couldn’t overcome that obstacle.

“Now, at age 37, I beat a 21-year-old that is probably the best player in the world right now. When I take everything into consideration, this is probably the biggest sporting success I’ve had in my career.

Djokovic’s declaration that he now has everything he could ever need from his tennis career inspired questions over how long the greatest player of them all would continue to play at the highest level.

He has openly admitted that playing in ATP Masters series events is no longer driving his ambition and with the Olympic dream no longer on his horizon, what more can Djokovic aim for?

This is a player with more Grand Slam titles than any male in tennis history, who has been world No 1 for more than two years longer than anyone else, so what is left for Djokovic now?

He could extend his lead in the Grand Slam title race and target an eighth Wimbledon title to equal Roger Federer’s all-time record next summer, but that achievement would not define his legacy.

Djokovic has won his battle with Rafael Nadal and Federer to be etched into the record books as the greatest tennis player of all-time and with the Olympic dream complete, he admits there are doubts over what comes next.

“It’s complete,” he said of his career. “I completed all the achievements with this gold medal, but I love this sport. I don’t just play only to win the tournament.

“I play because I love the competition, training my body, perfecting my game. This sport has given me so much in my life and I try to give back to the sport with dedication and the sacrifice I put on the court when no one else is watching.

“I do it as hard as any young player out there, so these successes are no accident.

“I don’t know about the future. I have worked very hard, sacrificed a lot to get to this moment. Now it’s about happiness, joy and celebration.”

Djokovic will need to get back onto hard courts imminently as he prepares to defend his US Open title, but he will not play in any warm-up events after pulling out of the Toronto and Cincinnati Masters events.

The Serbian has proved time and again that he cannot be written off in any tournament, but Alcaraz and world No 1 Jannik Sinner appear to have been a step ahead of him over the course of 2024 and for the first time in many years, Djokovic may not arrive in New York as US Open favourites.

Beating Alcaraz in a best-of-three-set match that meant more to him than any other in recent years is an achievement he will cherish forever, but can Djokovic still win a Grand Slam against the young guns snapping at his heels?

The great man himself will get some answers to that dilemma when he steps on court at the US Open for the first time because if his motivation wanes for a second on the biggest stages in tennis, even the great Djokovic will be swept aside by his youthful rivals.

If Djokovic steps back on the court and does not feel the drive and passion to continue to strive for perfection, he won’t wait for too long to accept he sport he as loved and completed has given him all he needs.

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TENNIS

Sinner gives his thoughts on the Djokovic-Alcaraz ‘high level’ Olympic final

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Jannik Sinner Novak Djokovic Carlos Alcaraz

Despite his preparations for the upcoming North American hardcourt season, World No.1 Jannik Sinner found time to watch the men’s Olympic final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, and was quick to praise the quality of tennis.

Djokovic and Alcaraz faced off on the clay courts of Roland Garros, which played host to the tennis event at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. An Olympic gold medal was the only accolade missing from Djokovic’s resume, and the Serbian finally struck that accomplishment off his list as he prevailed in a 7-6(3) 7-6(2) victory.
In a rematch of the 2024 Wimbledon final, it was Djokovic who emerged victorious during their encounter at the Olympics. The 24-time Grand Slam champion seemed determined to achieve the one accomplishment that had eluded him his entire career, and dropped to the ground in tears following his victory.
Carlos Alcaraz Novak Djokovic

READ: Serena Williams slams Paris restaurant after claiming they turned her and her kids away

In an interview after the final, Sinner, who withdrew from the Olympics after consulting with his medical team, was asked to give his thoughts on the historic encounter.
“Yeah, of course, I watched a little bit,” responded Sinner. “Because in the beginning I was practicing, so when I came back I watched the whole second set. Yeah, it was a very high level match. I think everyone agrees with that. I think it was a very physical match.
“And you know when two of the best players in the world face each other at the moment, they are producing something very special so it was a pleasure to watch this kind of match and I think everyone of us enjoyed it, this kind of level. We don’t see it everyday so yeah, it was an amazing match.”

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TENNIS

Carlos Alcaraz reveals what Novak Djokovic told him straight after Olympic heartbreak

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Carlos Alcaraz Novak Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz was defeated by Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with the pair sharing an emotional moment after their thrilling match

Carlos Alcaraz has opened up about the heartfelt words Novak Djokovic shared with him after their epic Olympic final clash.

The young Spaniard was bested in an edge-of-your-seat match that ended 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) to Djokovic, who exacted revenge for his Wimbledon defeat. The aftermath of the match was charged with emotion as both men broke down crying.

Carlos Alcaraz reveals what Novak Djokovic told him at the net as he vows 'to be better than Djokovic'

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For Djokovic, the victory marked a long-awaited triumph, securing his first Olympic gold at the fifth attempt to add to his bronze from Beijing 2008. Despite the overwhelming joy of his own success, the 37-year-old Serb took a touching moment to commend his 21-year-old rival, who snagged the silver medal in his debut Olympics.

Alcaraz shared Djokovic’s seven-word comment at the net during his post-match press conference, telling reporters (via the Express): “He told me that ‘I will win Olympic gold one day’. We are going to work for that. I’m sure my time will come.”

With Djokovic driven to complete the career golden slam, Alcaraz felt he couldn’t match his opponent’s insatiable drive. “His tears at the end of the match reflect the desire he had for this moment to come and he deserves it because he has played very well,” he continued.

“Today I had a Novak Djokovic in front of me who wanted to win the gold more than I did. At certain times he played better tennis and deserved the victory.”

As for his own emotions, which saw him have to pause his on-court interview, Alcaraz explained it was the disappointment of falling short in the crucial tiebreaks. But he insisted he held no regrets over his performance.

Carlos Alcaraz crying after defeat

“Those tears were because I felt that I didn’t achieve the goal of all Spaniards, but winning an Olympic medal is never easy and that is why I am also proud,” Alcaraz added. “It was a difficult moment to manage because I wanted more, I wanted the gold, but I am proud. In the end, I tried everything and I fought until the last ball.”

He also mentioned the pressure of his nation’s expectations, something he’s not felt so far in his career, potentially affecting his performance. However, he won’t have long to dwell on it as he is set to head to the upcoming Cincinnati Open later this week.

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GOLF

‘Not Technically the Strongest Field’: Scottie Scheffler’s Olympic Gold Not Enough Doubts

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Scottie Scheffler Olympic

‘Not Technically the Strongest Field’: Scottie Scheffler’s Olympic Gold Not Enough to Eliminate LPGA Champ’s Doubts About Controversial Format

The men’s Olympic golf event in Paris has ended, with Scottie Scheffler standing tall atop the podium, a gold medal around his neck. Yet as the dust settles, some questions are beginning to arise about the Olympics stroke play format. Is golf’s traditional format fit for the Olympic stage? LPGA golfer Jenny Shin ignited a fierce debate on social media with her bold and provocative proposal.

Jenny Shin, the LPGA star, shared her unvarnished viewpoint on her X handle. Shin’s comments suggest the current Olympic format may not be the most engaging. The traditional 4-day individual stroke play, used in most professional golf tournaments, might not be the best fit for the Olympics.

Olympic gold in hand, Scottie Scheffler says emotional display isn't as rare as we thought

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The Rolex Rankings No. 48, wrote, “Not my idea, however, I wonder how fun it would be if golf in Olympics was a different format than its regular 4-day event. 2-person team play, men & women team play from each country. After all, it’s not technically the strongest field compared to every other tournament they play.” Her post sparked a lively discussion on the future of Olympic golf, with many weighing in on her suggestion.

Moreover, Shin also believes that golf could benefit from a more collaborative and inclusive approach if a team-based or similar format is included in the Olympics. The results of this approach could potentially lead to more competitive, exciting, and unpredictable outcomes.

For those unfamiliar with the current format, the stroke play format means that the player with the fewest total number of shots after four days and 72 holes wins. The no-cut format, however, may not be the most fitting for the Olympic stage, according to the 31-year-old. Notably, it is similar to the LIV Golf format, which features a 54-hole format and is a day shorter, or like other alternative formats that could potentially, be explored.

But is Jenny Shin the only one who wonders about a different format for the quadrennial event?

Jenny Shin voiced the fans demanding a change

The golf community has been echoing similar sentiments for quite some time. When golf returned to the Olympics in 2016, many were thrilled, but some critics pointed out that the format didn’t provide a suitable platform for the sport. It is criticized for being ‘Boring’ and predictable, with many calling for a change.

Building on the momentum, fans and golf enthusiasts demand a change. They suggest alternative formats like stroke play and match play or team competitions. Furthermore, with the Olympics holding the authority to innovate, the golf community expects a more exciting and unpredictable format for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

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TENNIS

Carlos Alcaraz left in floods of tears as Olympic Games gold medal dream dissipates against Novak Djokovic

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Novak Djokovic Carlos Alcaraz Olympic

Carlos Alcaraz was left in floods of tears as his Olympic Games gold medal dream dissipated against Novak Djokovic losing out in two tie-breaks 7-6(4) and 7-6(5) to the greatest of all time.

Djokovic’s destiny was sealed with the Serbian only needing the gold medal to complete a career golden slam. But despite being at the start of his career and still being well within his 20’s when he plays in LA. It still showed how much it meant to Alcaraz.
A player who is not one to show emotion was in tears as he only took home the silver medal. Similar to Iga Swiatek who was in tears in losing the semi-final, Alcaraz is usually one to see the positive side.
Alex Corretja spoke to him on Eurosport and Alcaraz said that he gave everything but it wasn’t enough as he made him smile by the end of the interview amid tears. It was an emotional moment all around with Novak Djokovic also on tears.
Carlos Alcaraz BREAKS Down In Tears After Losing To Novak Djokovic In Paris Olympics Gold Medal Match : WATCH | Times Now

READ: Novak Djokovic sends threat to Carlos Alcaraz as Serb seeks revenge for Wimbledon

His famous IDEMO celebration saw him sat on his bench at the end of it with a towel wrapped around his eyes as he cried completing a career goal. He had never even reached a final of an Olympic Games no mind winning it.
On his final attempt ever, he has done it. A player who long couldn’t complete the yearly Golden Slam and just fell short didn’t do so again. Also against all the odds with some giving him minimal chance of winning against a player who seems to have his number. Alcaraz will be back but Djokovic proves again and again that he can’t be counted out and adds the final piece to the puzzle.

 

 

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TENNIS

Novak Djokovic sends threat to Carlos Alcaraz as Serb seeks revenge for Wimbledon

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Novak Djokovic Carlos Alcaraz Olympic

Novak Djokovic has admitted he’s on the lookout for revenge when he meets Carlos Alcaraz in the Olympic singles final.

Djokovic missed out on a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title last month, having been schooled by Alcaraz in the final at the All England Club.

Alcaraz romped to a straight-set victory during the pair’s mid-July encounter, while confirming back-to-back Wimbledon final victories over 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic.

But Djokovic has vowed to go all out when he takes to court Philippe-Chatrier tomorrow afternoon for the Paris 2024 gold medal match against Alcaraz.

When is the Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic Olympic tennis gold medal match? | ATP Tour | Tennis

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Speaking after his semi-final victory over Lorenzo Musetti, Djokovic said: “Although we played once [here], I beat him in the semis, I lost to him in the final of Wimbledon quite comfortably.

“Different surface… I feel like I’m playing and moving better than I did at Wimbledon, so hopefully I’ll come out and play my best tennis and in a way, I have nothing to lose as I’ve already secured a medal, so I’m going to go for it.”

There’s an added pressure on Djokovic heading into the gold medal match, given the 37-year-old has never topped the podium at the Olympics.

Making his debut at the Beijing Games 14 years ago, Djokovic does boast an Olympic medal, but only a bronze one – something he’s keen to change this weekend.

He added: “It was such a tense match [against Musetti], a lot of emotions. So much expectation and stress coming into today’s match, particularly [trying] to secure a medal for my country.

“A first final of the Olympics for me [so] I’m thrilled. Obviously I want to win the gold, in a few days’ time.

“I’m going to do my best to do that, but already this is a huge result for me under these circumstances and I was very nervous today, and before the match, I lost three out of four semi-finals of the Olympic Games that I’ve played in my career, so I really wanted to get through this hurdle.”

Remarkably, Djokovic enters the clash as the underdog, with Alcaraz the form player heading into Sunday’s match as the form player.

Alcaraz has won two of his last three tournaments, both of them Grand Slams, with the 21-year-old looking to add to his already illustrious honours list.

Gold at his debut Games will only serve to enhance Alcaraz’s status as one of – if not the – best in the tennis world right now.

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