Author Archives: TARIQ ABDULLAH

(AP)

PARIS, May 26: The tennis season is heating up with the French Open under-way. That means that racket-smashing moments can’t be far off.

In a sport known for its mental challenges, it’s part of the game to see top players lose their cool on court. In recent weeks, Daniil Medvedev and Daniel Altmaier have each had memorable, racket-mangling meltdowns on Europe’s clay courts.

But it’s nothing new, as anyone who remembers watching John McEnroe decades back can attest to.

So what goes on inside players’ heads that results in temper tantrums before packed stadiums? “It’s not about tennis,” said former top-five player Andrey Rublev, who is known for his on-court anger – he sometimes bloodies his hands and body when he punches his racket strings and slams his knees to get the frustration out.

“All (people) have this situation in life and you just lose it,” added the 13th-ranked Rublev, whose coach, Marat Safin, said he broke 1,055 rackets during his playing days.

“It doesn’t have to be tennis. It’s just the thing (in) tennis you are alone and they are watching you,” Rublev said. “Some people face it better, some let those emotions kind of control you. I’m one of those guys who let those emotions to take over me.”

Medvedev, a fellow Russian, is the same way.

Medvedev smashed his racket on the red clay seven successive times midway through an unusually poor performance from the former No. 1 player at the start of the clay-court season – a 6-0, “double-bagel” defeat to Matteo Berrettini at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Medvedev finished off his angry display by depositing his mangled frame in a court-side trash bin.

“When I broke the racket, I kind of didn’t (want to),” Medvedev said. “Usually I do want to do it when I do it. There I didn’t want to. But I was like, You know, it’s 6-0, 6-0. I cannot win one point.’ Maybe sometimes this can give you a boost. And it didn’t.”

Last week, German player Altmaier slammed his racket on the clay and then kicked the frame into the stands when his frustration boiled over during a tournament in Hamburg. He was fortunate that no spectators got injured because of his behavior.

Federer, Serena and Djokovic had their moments

Even Roger Federer was known for smashing his racket as a junior player. Then he cleaned up his act and become one of the classiest – and most successful – players in tennis history.

At the 2009 US Open, Serena Williams was penalized for shouting and cursing at a line judge who called a foot fault.

In 2020, Novak Djokovic was kicked out of the US Open for accidentally hitting a line judge in the throat with a ball – resulting in a stunning end to his 29-match winning streak.

Sabalenka’s emotions ‘were destroying my game’

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka has also been known to lose her cool. Although she’s improved in that department lately.

“My emotions were destroying my game and my level was dropping dramatically when I would start overreacting on everything,” Sabalenka said. “At the same time, my opponents would see that and they would step in and play better.”

Sabalenka said keeping her emotions in check has been “a huge improvement over the years in my career and really helped me to level up.”

When Coco Gauff’s off-court racket-smashing moment at the Australian Open was documented on camera, it opened up a debate about players’ privacy.

Naomi Osaka curses quietly

Naomi Osaka is another player known for keeping a steady demeanor on court. It wasn’t always that way, though.

“Honestly, I had a pretty bad attitude when I was younger and my dad had a stern talk to me about it,” Osaka said.

Osaka now releases her anger so quietly that it’s hardly noticeable.

“I actually do curse a lot on the court,” Osaka said. “I say it so softly you can’t hear it and I’m really glad, because I don’t want to get fined for that.”

Sorana Cirstea, the 36-year-old who this week became the oldest player to make her debut in the top 20, had a simple explanation for all the displays of emotion. “It’s such a mental sport. Also, to be able to sustain that mentality for three long hours with all the adrenaline and the pressure, sometimes you don’t handle it the best,” Cirstea said.

Members of the Meghalaya Kudo team pose with their medals after winning four golds and one silver at the 4th National Kudo Championship held in Pune, Maharashtra, from June 16 to 22. (ST)

NEW DELHI, May 26: Left-handed batter Hashmatullah Shahidi was on Tuesday named captain of the Afghanistan squad which will play a one-off Test and three ODIs against India from June 6 to June 20.

While the ODI squad features top players including Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Ibrahim Zadran, the Test team comprises a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent, with Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai forming the core of the batting group. Wicketkeepers Afsar Zazai and Ikram Alikhil have also been included, while the spin department will rely on Sharafudin Ashraf and Qais Ahmad.Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi and Saleem Safi will spearhead the pace department.Interestingly, Afghanistan have opted for a slightly different combination in the ODI setup, bringing back seasoned stars Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan for the white-ball leg of the tour.

Young opener Ibrahim Zadran, Sediquallah Atal and Darwish Rasooli bolster the batting unit, while AM Ghazanfar and Bilal Sami add depth to the bowling attack.

Young spinner Ghazanfar was rewarded for his exploits in the IPL. He snapped 15 wickets in 11 games for Mumbai Indians.

Afghanistan will start their tour with a one-off Test from June 6 to 10 at New Chandigarh before embarking on a three-match ODI series.

The first ODI will be held on June 14 at Dharamsala, followed by the second game on June 17 at Lucknow and the third ODI on June 20 in Chennai.

Squad for one-off Test

Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Abdul Malik, Sediquallah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafudin Ashraf, Nangyal Kharotai, Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, Saleem Safi.

Reserve Pool: Bashir Ahmad, Bahir Shah, Ismat Alam

Squad for the ODI series: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediquallah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharotai, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Malik, Bilal Sami.Reserve Pool: Qais Ahmad, Saleem Safi, Bashir Ahmad. (PTI)

(AP) BUENOS AIRES, May 26: Argentina forward Julian Alvarez has said the reigning world champions will head into the FIFA World Cup 2026 with the same winning mentality that guided them to glory in Qatar, insisting that the Albiceleste always aim to finish as champions.

Alvarez, who emerged as one of Argentina’s break-out stars during the 2022 World Cup campaign, reflected on how dramatically his role in the national team has evolved over the past four years. The 26-year-old travelled to Qatar largely as a back-up option be-hind Lautaro Martinez, who had been instru-mental in Argenti-na’s Copa America tri-umph in 2021. However, after making substitute ap-pearances against Saudi Arabia and Mexico, Alvarez earned a start-ing place in the final group-stage match against Poland and never relin-quished it.Now one of Scaloni’s most trusted players, Alvarez heads into the tournament as an estab-lished starter and one of the central figures in Ar-gentina’s attack alongside Lautaro Martinez.

(PTI) MUMBAI, May 26: Manya Balani (1653) produced an upset victory over higher ranked AGM Rajveer Nahar (1801) in the fourth season of the Mumbai FIDE Rated All India Chess Masters here on Tuesday. Both players launched aggressive attacks against each other’s kings, creating sharp tactical complications in the middle game. But Manya converted advantage to win in 35 moves. Top seed Shreyansh Somaiya (1973) continued his winning run with a convincing win over Vihaan Ravi Rao (1725), while Reyaansh Venkat (1906) defeated Ahaan Kataruka (1686) to remain among the leaders. A closely-fought contest between Aryan Sista (1658) and Kush Ajay Agarwal (1835) ended in a draw whereas Dhruv Muthe (1619) registered victory over Mayuresh Parkar (1781) in another notable result.

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PTI

(PTI) NEW DELHI, May 26: Grandmaster Iniyan Panneerselvam clinched double gold after winning both the Rapid and Blitz titles at the Commonwealth Chess Championship in Sri Lanka. The Tamil Nadu player scored 6.5 points from seven rounds in each format to emerge champion in both sections. In the Rapid event, Grandmaster Srihari took the silver medal, while GM Mitrabha secured bronze. In the Blitz competition, Grandmaster Rohith Krishna finished with the silver medal, while Srihari added another podium finish with bronze. The Classical title was won by Mitrabha while Sri Lankan player Ranindu Liyanage claimed silver and Srihari settled for bronze. The tournament, held from May 16 to 26, featured players from India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Malaysia, Singapore, Scotland and Canada.

GOALKEEPERS: Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City), Owen Goodman (Barnsley), Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami).

DEFENDERS: Zorhan Bassong (Sporting Kansas City), Moise Bombito (Nice), Derek Cornelius (Rangers), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Luc de Fougerolles (Dender EH), Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough), Jamie Knight-Lebel (Swindon Town), Richie Laryea (Toronto), Ralph Priso (Vancouver Whitecaps), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire).

MIDFIELDERS: Ali Ahmed (Norwich City), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choiniere (LAFC), Stephen Eustaquio (LAFC), Marcelo Flores (Tigres UANL), Ismael Kone (Sassuolo), Liam Millar (Hull City), Jayden Nelson (Austin), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto), Nathan-Dylan Saliba (Anderlecht), Jacob Shaffelburg (LAFC).

FORWARDS: Jonathan David (Juventus), Promise David (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise), Daniel Jebbison (Preston North End), Cyle Larin (Southampton), Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal), Jacen Russell-Rowe (Toulouse).

(AP) PARIS, May 26: Two-time reigning cham- pion Carlos Alcaraz is out injured. Promising 21-year-old French player Arthur Fils also pulled out with a physical issue. Jack Draper has been bothered for months by a right knee problem.

The list of candidates capable of challenging top-ranked Jannik Sinner, who enters the French Open on a three-month- long 29-match winning streak, has been dwindling.

Enter Rafael Jodar, the 19-year-old Spaniard who has been making waves on the ATP Tour.

Jodar continued to impress in his Roland Garros debut, dropping just five games in a 6-1, 6-0, 6-4 rout of American opponent Aleksandar Kovacevic on Monday despite boiling heat at the clay-court Grand Slam.

The last man to concede fewer games in a French Open debut was Novak Djokovic, who allowed three to Robby Ginepri in 2005.

“I did the things very well from the start,” Jodar said. “It’s just my first year (on tour) and I’m experiencing a lot of things in these past few months.” Mostly, Jodar has been experiencing victories: He’s won 16 of his last 19 matches, raised a trophy on clay in Morocco, reached the semifinals in Barcelona and had a run to the quarterfinals in Madrid ended by Sinner.

A year ago, Jodar was ranked No. 707 and playing challengers – tennis’ minor leagues – in the US after he competed at the University of Virginia. Now he’s No. 29 and is seeded 27th in Paris.

Jodar appears destined to become a top-10 player and a serious contender for the biggest trophies. And Jodar is in the bottom half of the draw in Paris – meaning he could meet Sinner only in the final.

PARIS, May 26: Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka took advantage of the heat wave at the French Open to impose her attacking game in the first round Tuesday.

Daniil Medvedev struggled, though, in a five-set loss to 97th-ranked Australian opponent Adam Walton.

Sabalenka beat 50th-ranked Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier with an array of approaches to the net and volley put-aways.

The unusually hot conditions at Roland Garros make net-rushing usually better reserved for hard and grass courts — a viable option because the court is drying out quicker and playing faster.

For a third consecutive day, the temperature in Paris was forecast to be at least 32 degrees Celsius.

Sabalenka reached the final in Paris last year, losing to Coco Gauff. She has won the Australian Open and the US Open on hard courts.

Gauff was opening her title defence later against fellow American Taylor Townsend.

Also advancing was 17th-seeded Iva Jovic, who beat good friend Alexandra Eala 6-4, 6-2.

Four-time champion Iga Swiatek eliminated 136th-ranked debutant Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 in her opener.

The only real issue for the third-ranked Swiatek came when she needed a trainer to re-tape the middle finger on her tennis-playing right hand for an apparent blister after the first set.

Swiatek has not won a title on clay this season and recently made a coaching change. She hired Francisco Roig, who previously worked with 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal.

Also advancing were Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, who beat Veronika Erjavec 6-2, 6-2; and recent Italian Open winner Elina Svitolina, who rallied past Anna Bondar 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (3).

Walton, who received a wild card invitation from tournament organizers, beat Medvedev 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 2021 runner-up to Novak Djokovic, was leading 6-2, 3-0 against Alexandre Muller when his French opponent retired. Muller wiped away tears as he left the court and later said he injured his right calf, three months after injuring his left calf.

Later, top-ranked Jannik Sinner looks to extend his 29-match winning streak when he opens against French wild card Clement Tabur in the night session.

French teenager Moise Kouame made the perfect start to his French Open career with a 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-1 win against veteran Marin Cilic.

The 17-year-old Kouame won one day after the 39-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils made his last appearance at Roland Garros.

He raised his arms in triumph and tilted his head back after defeating the 37-year-old Cilic, who won the 2014 US Open, finished runner-up at two other majors, and reached the French Open semifinals in 2022.

The ATP Tour said No. 318-ranked Kouame became the first man born in 2008 or later to win a Grand Slam match, and the crowd on a sun-baked Court Simonne-Mathieu showed their appreciation by chanting “Mo-ise! Mo-ise! Mo-ise!” and clapping in-between.

In March, he became the youngest winner in Miami Masters history when he beat Zachary Svajda in the first round — earning a congratulatory message from Djokovic.

Monfils bowed out for the last time after losing to fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-4) just before midnight.

Eighth-seeded Alex De Minaur defeated Toby Samuel 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 and No. 15 Casper Ruud – a two-time French Open runner-up – won against Roman Safiullin 6-2, 7-6 (5), 5-7, 0-6, 6-2. (AP)

(PTI) PERTH, May 26: The Indian women’s hockey team squandered an early advanatage to go down a 1-2 against Australia in the opening match of the four-game friendly series here on Tuesday. India struck first in the opening quarter, with Navneet Kaur converting a penalty corner to give her side an early lead. The Indian defence remained resolute for much of the first half, successfully maintaining their advantage through the second quarter. However, momentum shifted in the second half as Australia’s Abby Wilson capitalised on two penalty-corner opportunities, scoring in both the third and fourth quarters to secure a comeback win for the hosts. The two sides will meet again on Wednesday.