Sports
A French Open without Rafael Nadal still has plenty of drama
The 2023 French Open is upon us and — spoiler alert — the event is going to have a markedly different vibe this year. Some familiar faces will be missing with the gigantic absence of Rafael Nadal for the first time since 2004, as well as former champions Simona Halep and Garbine Muguruza, along with the recent retirements of Serena Williams and Roger Federer. Notable names like Naomi Osaka, Andy Murray, Venus Williams, Nick Kyrgios, Emma Raducanu and Matteo Berrettini are also missing from the slate, so Roland Garros will be lacking some of its traditional star power.
But it won’t be lacking in talent, intense competition or compelling storylines.
The year’s second major is full of rising superstars like Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz, burgeoning new rivalries, young hopefuls seeking their first Grand Slam titles, and, not to mention, Novak Djokovic, who will be looking to make history in Paris.
Which players do you need to keep an eye on? What’s at stake for some of the game’s biggest names? Can anyone replace Nadal in the hearts and minds of fans at his favorite tournament? We try to answer all that and more ahead of Sunday’s opening-round matches.
After competing in every tournament since 2005 and winning a cool 14 titles along the way, Nadal has rightfully been dubbed the “King of Clay,” complete with his own statue on the grounds at Roland Garros. But all good things must come to an end. Nadal was forced to withdraw from his favorite event last week because of a hip injury sustained at the Australian Open in January. But Nadal, who also revealed the 2024 season would likely be his last on tour, did his best to keep things in perspective.
“Tournaments stay forever; players play and leave,” Nadal told reporters. “So Roland Garros will always be Roland Garros, with or without me, without a doubt. The tournament is going to keep being the best event in the world of clay, and there will be a new Roland Garros champion — and it is not going to be me. And that is life.”
Since winning the title in Paris during his debut at the event, Nadal has consistently been the favorite to hoist the trophy at the end of the fortnight, and it almost feels unnatural to be speaking of anyone else in this position. But for those curious, according to Caesars Sportsbook, the top five in order to win the men’s title are as follows: Alcaraz, Djokovic, Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
While no one can replace Nadal, it will be fascinating to see who steps up in his absence and takes advantage of the opportunity.
Another Slam for Djokovic?
As a two-time champion at Roland Garros, and one of the few to defeat Nadal at the event, Djokovic is the de facto top contender for the title in the eyes of many. He proved as recently as 2021 that he has what it takes to win on the red clay, and he has more motivation than ever this time around.
Currently tied with Nadal for the most major titles by a male player in history at 22, Djokovic could break the tie to take sole possession of the men’s record, as well as tie Serena Williams’ record for the most Grand Slam titles in the Open era.
For a self-professed historian of the game like Djokovic, he is more than aware of what’s on the line, and, having just turned 36 and with a crop of young talent now contending for titles, he knows these opportunities can’t be taken for granted. (ESPN)
Djokovic hasn’t exactly played his best tennis as of late, however. In his three tournaments on clay, he went 5-3 and failed to advance past the quarterfinals in any event and withdrew from Madrid with a right elbow injury. While he recorded quality wins over Grigor Dimitrov and Cameron Norrie in Rome, he ultimately fell to Rune, 2-6, 6-4, 2-6, in the quarters. Despite the setbacks, Djokovic said he remained confident entering the French Open.
“I know I can always play better,” Djokovic said after the loss to Rune. “Definitely am looking forward to working on various aspects of my game, of my body, hopefully getting myself in 100% shape. That’s the goal.
“I always like my chances in Grand Slams against anybody on any surface, best-of-five. Let’s see how it goes.”
Djokovic would potentially face Alcaraz in the semifinals, in which case: get your popcorn ready. (ESPN)
Sri Lanka won the toss and made the surprise call to bat first on a North Sound surface with a fair covering of grass. West Indies lead the two match series 1-0.
Dhananjaya de Silva’s focus at the toss was on picking up 20 wickets and Sri Lanka’s inability to do so in the first Test, which he cited as a primary reason for their heavy defeat. Roston Chase was quite happy to bowl first, stating that it was what he would have done had he won the toss.
There were changes for both teams, with several of those injury-enforced. West Indies welcomed back Shai Hope with Joshua Da Silva making way. Kemar Roach also missed out with an injury, with Anderson Phillip replacing him to keep four pacers in the playing XI.
Sri Lanka made three changes, as Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha missed out. Nissanka underwent a wrist surgery, while Kumara suffered a hamstring injury in the first Test. Lahiru Udara, Prabath Jayasuriya and debutant pace-bowling all-rounder Isitha Wijesundera all came in.
With the pitch described as even, with a fair covering of grass with a tinge of green on it, Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first caught a few off-guard. West Indies’ four-pronged pace attack will once more look to test the Lankan top order – particularly in the first hour of play. The pitch was also expected to show some uneven bounce with a few cracks on it. Sri Lanka do have the extra spinner in their lineup, and will be hoping that when it comes time for them to bowl there will be some assistance for the slower bowlers.
The weather remained dry, but there was some forecast for rain.
West Indies: John Campbell, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo Shai Hope (wk), Roston Chase (capt), Justin Greaves, Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis (wk), Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayake, Isitha Wijesundara, Asitha Fernando
(Cricinfo)
The much anticipated Juventus Training Camp organized by the Colombo Kickerz Football Academy will take place from 6th to 10th July at the CR&FC Grounds Colombo.
The Camp will be conducted by two official Juventus Academy coaches from Italy, and will provide 50 young footballers from across the country to participate in an intensive program based on the renowned Juventus methodology, focusing on technical development, tactical understanding, team work, discipline and personal growth.
Romario de Silva CEO of Colombo Kickerz Football Academy said that the objective of the Academy was to provide young footballers with access to world class coaching and international development opportunities.
He added that the Training Camp was made possible through the valued support of Hilton Colombo Residencies, Aitken Spence travels, The Pappare and Lady J.
Sri Lanka have been hit by a spate of injuries and an illness ahead of the secondbTest against West Indies, in North Sound, a game they must win to take something away from the series after suffering an innings defeat in the first.
The injuries have forced the team management to pick from a squad of 13, rather than the 17 they took on tour. The seam-bowling department has been especially hard hit, with Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando both going down with injuries.
The most serious injury, however, seems to be that of opener Pathum Nissanka, who left the squad on June 30 to undergo surgery on an injured wrist in the United Kingdom. Lahiru Udara will take Nissanka’s place at the top of the order for the second Test. Nissanka’s surgery casts a cloud over his Lanka Premier League participation as well.
Vishwa, meanwhile, has not sufficiently recovered from back and side pain to become available for the second Test. And Sri Lanka’s quickest bowler in the squad, Kumara, remains unavailable after having walked off the field with a hamstring complaint (a recurring injury) having delivered just one over in the previous Test.
These injuries, plus Kasun Rajitha’s modest performance in the first Test, have paved the way for seamer Isitha Wijesudera’s Test debut.
In addition, offspin-bowling allrounder Ramesh Mendis has contracted a bacterial infection on tour. As such, he is also unavailable for selection. Prabath Jayasuriya – Sri Lanka’s top specialist spinner over the last three years – will enter the XI.
(Cricinfo)
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