Alcaraz-Nadal in historic 1-2 in final ATP rankings
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal end the year first and second in the ATP rankings, the first time Spain has had the top two in the final standings.
Taylor Fritz Sport News
Djokovic sweeps past Ruud to win sixth ATP Finals crown
TURIN, Italy: Novak Djokovic claimed a sixth ATP Tour Finals title on Sunday with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Norway’s Casper Ruud, to match Roger Federer’s record. The 35-year-old Serb, the oldest player to win the Finals, ended in style after a season in which he missed two majors because of his vaccine status but also claimed his seventh Wimbledon title. The win, which also brings a cheque for $4.7 million, came seven years after his last ATP Finals victory and will lift him from eighth to fifth in Monday’s new rankings. “I made him run, made him play,” said Djokovic. “I was really pleased with the way I played. I was looking to be very aggressive and it worked great. I am really pleased with the performance.”
Djokovic downs Fritz to face Ruud for ATP Finals title
Novak Djokovic remained on course for a record-equalling sixth ATP Tour Finals title after a 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (8/6) win over Taylor Fritz in Turin on Saturday.
Time for Qatar’s footballers to deliver on World Cup debut against Ecuador
DOHA: The preparation for Qatar finally ends on Sunday when the team begin their World Cup campaign.
Benzema injured in training, could miss entire WCup
DOHA: France striker Karim Benzema was reportedly injured Saturday during training in Qatar and is set to miss the defending champion’s World Cup opener against Australia — and possibly the entire tournament. L’Equipe reported that the 34-year-old Benzema, this year’s winner of the Ballon d’Or, “will not participate in at least the first match” of France’s campaign with a risk of not playing in any games.
Cristiano Ronaldo gambles on World Cup to restore reputation
DOHA: Not for the first time, Cristiano Ronaldo is trusting himself to deliver on the big stage. A man of seemingly boundless self-belief is struggling to accept the effects of age and banking on the World Cup to launch a glorious final act to his remarkable career. His explosive interview with Piers Morgan this week has set the stage for a make-or-break few weeks for the 37-year-old Portugal forward and left him with little room to maneuver if it goes wrong.
Unprecedented popularity of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix points to bright future for regional motorsports
ABU DHABI: The drivers themselves may play it down, but a year on from the last Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, few racing fans or pundits can resist recalling that famous final lap, which saw Max Verstappen overtake Lewis Hamilton to win his first-ever title. This season, Red Bull’s Dutch driver has retained his championship several weeks ago in less dramatic circumstances, but the memory of the 2021 finale lingers. “It was a historic race,” said Saif Al-Noaimi, the CEO of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management.
Djokovic defeats Fritz to reach ATP final
Novak Djokovic beat American Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals on Saturday, despite having a bad day in his own opinion, to move to within one win of matching Roger Federer's record of six titles at the season finale.