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Alexander Zverev accused of making himself ‘a puppet of oil sheikhs’ after signing up for Saudi Arabia event

German tennis star Alexander Zverev has come under fire after he signed up for the state-sponsored Diriyah Tennis Cup in Saudi Arabia. The tennis star was accused of becoming a puppet to the oil sheikhs of Saudi Arabia and facilitating the regime within the country. 

The German tennis star confirmed that he would be playing in the tournament after coming back from an injury. “I’m happy that I’ll finally be back on the court after my injury. It’s even nicer that I can make my comeback before the official start of the 2023 season,” Zverev said in a statement.

“I think the Diriyah Tennis Cup offers a very good opportunity for it and I’m looking forward to being in Saudi Arabia for the first time.”

Russian Daniil Medvedev will also be at the event for the second time after his inaugural appearance in 2019. The Russian said in his tournament preview: “When I have been in Diriyah in 2019, I loved everything there. The organization, the court, the fans, the people. Everything was super comfortable, so I’m really happy to have the opportunity to come back to Saudi Arabia in December.”

Saudi Arabia is blamed for sports-washing its reputation with sporting events to hide the atrocities of the totalitarian regime in the region. Journalists in Germany have defined Zverev’s appearance as problematic and unacceptable. 

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9V_g82gCK4

Nadal and Djokovic Agree that Roland Garros Quarter Final Started Too Late

French tennis ace Rafael Nadal has agreed with Novak Djokovic that their French Open Quarter-final clash started too late.

“It is too late, without a doubt,” said Nadal. He had requested not to go ahead with the evening session.

“I can’t complain because we have two days off now but if you only have one day off, or like [Alexander] Zverev had in Madrid when he had to play the final the next day, then it’s a big issue.”

“I understand the other part of the business, without a doubt, that television pays a lot of money. We need to find a balance.”

Djokovic believed the same as he appreciate the grace of Nadal’s tennis in the tough moments of the game.

“I think they are starting too late. But TV decides, that’s the world we live in,” said Djokovic.

“He was just able to take his tennis to another level in those particular moments in the beginning of all sets, except the fourth…”

“I had my chances but he showed why he’s a great champion, staying mentally tough… he deserved it.”

Rafael Nadal now inches closer to winning this year’s French Open. Only time will tell whether the King of Clay gets his hands on the trophy.

 

YouTube Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7vnjuYW8dE

 

Tennis Star Svitolina Asks Russian Player to Pick Side

Ukrainian tennis ace, Elina Svitolina has called all players from Belarus and Russia to publicly declare their views on the war and pick sides in their fight against her homeland.

Svitolina, who herself has taken an indefinite break from the game due to the ongoing conflict in her home, said that she will not take part in the French Open and will stay back home. This is the first time in a decade that the Ukrainian ace will miss the French Open.

“For us, for Ukrainians, it’s very important that they speak out, that they choose which side they take,” Svitolina told the Associated Press.

“We want to know, we want to feel safe about that. Because if they don’t say their opinion on this, we don’t know if they support their government, if they support the action of the army. Because in Russia and Belarus sport is a big propaganda. I feel like they need to speak up about their position, this is very important. Doesn’t matter if it’s in a Grand Slam or (another) tournament.”

“I think every Russian and Belarusian athlete should take their position, so that we know that there is no bad people among us.”

Svitolina was asked if any Russian and Belarusian players personally told her they are against the war.

“Very few. This is very sad because many athletes from different countries came up to us and showed us their support,” Svitolina added.

“That’s why it really hurts us and we don’t understand why exactly they (Russian and Belarusian players) didn’t.”

“For me it’s been a really rough couple of months mentally to hold everything on my shoulders. That’s why it was a better decision to take my time to really settle down. To be on top of the game you have to be 100% mentally and physically fit. For me it was not the case.”

Given what Ukraine has been going through, tennis is understandably not the 27-year-old’s focus right now. “I have lots of things on my plate right now,” she said. “I have my foundation; I try to do as much as I can for people who are in need. This is the priority, the foundation and my family.”

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_zmL_lXzmQ

Rafael Nadal calls for tougher sanctions on Officials Abuse

Tennis pro Rafael Nadal has said more stringent punishments should be levied in future for abuse of officials on the court. 

“It’s so difficult to talk in my position because from one point of view, I have a good relationship with Sascha (Zverev)– I like him and I practice with him very often,” Nadal said.

“I wish him all the very best and he knows that he was wrong, honestly, and he recognized that very early.

“So that’s a positive thing in his side, in my opinion.

“On the other hand … if we’re not able to control and create a rule or or a way to penalise this type of attitudes a little bit in a stronger way, then we as a players, we feel stronger and stronger all the time.

“We need to be a positive example, especially for the kids watching us.

“So from one side, I don’t want a penalization for Sascha because I like him and I have very good relationship with him.

“In the other hand … I’d like to see something harder for this kind of attitudes, not only him, I mean in general terms because this protects the sport and protects the referees.”

Nadal meanwhile is relishing the opportunity of another campaign in the Californian desert, where he has won three times in the past.

The Spaniard has enjoyed a blistering start to 2022, going unbeaten at 15-0 as well as snaffling his record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

“It was an unexpected moment for me to be in this position,” Nadal said.

“I’m enjoying it every day and trying to stay with the right attitude to enjoy the fact that I’m playing well and enjoying matches and winning titles.

“I have been able to find a way to adapt my game to what I need to be competitive – some days being more aggressive, some days being more tactical, more defensive.

“Then I have been brave enough to play with the right determination in the moments that I needed.”

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZD7iif4ei4

Novak Djokovic Slams BBC for Crucial Interview

Controversial Serbian tennis star has hit out at BBC for a public tell-all interview he did with them after his ordeal at the Australian Open. The Serbian tennis star was the topic of all discussions after he was refused entry into Australia due to his inability to get vaccinated in time.

While Djokovic held his tongue during the course of the tournament, he later went towards BBC and gave a tell-all interview that included all details.

However, the Serb star is now angry at BBC for the way they reported the interview and for the way they misinformed the public through their inadequate reporting measures.

“I was painted in a really ugly manner,” he told the Sport Klub, “I was humiliated, if I may say so, on a world stage.

“That is why it is important for me to have the opportunity to say something. I will repeat what I said to the BBC, because I don’t have more to add.

“I’ve done everything that was asked of me.

“There is a belief that I was privileged in a way, that I [got the exemption] because of my stature.

“I will keep saying it and repeat it like a parrot, although the BBC has cut that part of the interview: 10 days before me, a Czech tennis player and Croatian coach entered Australia with the same medical exemption.

“She played a tournament, he coached his player no problem at all. Suddenly I come and there is a problem. Why? You tell me.”

The 34-year-old Serb star is still to get a nod by organizers to play in the French Open. However, he will play in Rome to get back into competitive action. With Nadal leading the competition, Djokovic would like to get back in competitive action and be back in winning ways.

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNaIMC4XMhc