Picture Credit: X
Former India tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi lashed out at RCB and said that it's time the team should be sold to a new owner. Former India hockey drag specialist Rupinder Pal Singh said that the Indian men’s hockey team can counter Australia’s strategy, with proper coordination.
Read below to learn what happened in sports in the last 24 hours:
Hockey
Australia’s hard press can be countered, high level of coordination is required: Rupinder Pal Singh
Former India hockey drag specialist Rupinder Pal Singh said that the Indian men’s hockey team can counter Australia’s strategy, with proper coordination. Singh’s comments came after India lost to Australia in the five-Test series in Perth. He said, “We lost the first match 5-1. After that the team improved and the scorelines were close. We missed some chances. Some work needs to be done prior to the Olympics. The series was a preparation for the Paris Olympics as new variations and players were tried out. Australia’s hard press can be countered, high level of coordination is required for that, defender-to-defender ball transfer, quick passes from defenders to the mid-field, overhead passes would be useful in countering such a style of play.”
Tennis
BCCI needs to enforce the sale of RCB to new owner: Indian tennis great
Former Indian tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi called for Royal Challengers Bengaluru to be sold to a new owner and BCCI to enforce its sale. The 49-year-old said that the RCB should be sold to owners who would care to build a franchise like others. Bhupathi’s remarks came after RCB’s continuous poor performance in the tournament. The four-time Grand Slam winner tweeted, “For the sake of the Sport, the IPL, the fans, and even the players I think BCCI needs to enforce the Sale of RCB to a New owner who will care to build a sports franchise the way most of the other teams have done so. #tragic.”
We all know what Rafa is capable of: Stefanos Tsitsipas on Rafael Nadal
Stefanos Tsitsipas heaped praise on Rafael Nadal and said that everyone knows what he is capable of without having played at all. He said, “I would say that Rafa, regardless of whether he hasn't played at all or if that's his first tournament, we all know what Rafa is capable of and how quickly he can adjust to one of his favourite surfaces, which is a clay court.” He added, “I would not be surprised if we saw Rafa be in the finals of Barcelona, because that is something that he has done over and over again for years and years and years.”
Stefanos Tsitstipas achieves notable record after winning Monte Carlo Masters
Stefanos Tsitsipas achieved a notable record after winning the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters. With the win, he not only returned to form and found a spot in the top 10 of the ATP men’s singles rankings but also took home a whopping prize of $990K. With this, he became the first tennis player to be born in 1998 or later to cross the $30 million prize money mark. Tsitsipas’ prize money earnings are the 12th highest in the all-time prize money list, and he is only one place behind American tennis legend Andre Agassi. Stefanis has won 11 ATP titles so far, and the best of them remain his three Monte Carlo Masters wins in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Sumit Nagal pleads for UK visa to represent India at Wimbledon 2024; deletes post later
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal, who rose to fame earlier this year at the Australian Open 2024, took to X (formerly Twitter) to get an appointment for the UK visa. The 26-year-old took to X, pleading for an urgent appointment for a UK visa after he failed to get one. He also extended his request to the concerned officers, adding that he wants to represent India. “Hi @UKinIndia, @VFSGlobal, and Respected @CScottFCDO Ma’am I am in urgent need of a UK Visa appointment in New Delhi to represent India at Wimbledon this year. However, I’m unable to find any appointments, could you kindly assist me urgently? Thank you!” he captioned his post on X.
It's one of the reasons I like to come back home: Iga Swiatek on the Porsche car she won at Stuttgart in 2023
Iga Swiatek talked about the Porsche she won at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart in 2023. He said, "Well, I've been using it. So, yeah, it's fun. I use it on a daily basis at home. I feel like actually it's one of the reasons I really like to come back home because I can drive my own car. We don't have many opportunities on tour to do that. We have here, but in other tournaments, it's not so easy.” She added, "I'm working on my driving skills. Really not using the full potential of the Porsche car because I would probably have too many tickets (smiling). Just driving around and having, like, a huge pleasure of it, yeah.”
It’s going to be a major football war: Xavi Hernandez ahead of Barcelona-PSG game
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said that his side is ready for the clash against Paris Saint-Germain in the return leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. In their last week clash, Barcelona outpowered PSG 3-2 in the first leg. Hernandez said, “It’s going to be a major football war. We are not a team that speculates, we will want to take the ball away from PSG and win the game. Hopefully, we’ll be at our best. They’re going to demand a lot from us.” He added, “We have to control our emotions, our temperament... It’s a game of heads or tails. We want to be in control with the ball, and we want to show the best side and personality of the team.”
It’s possible Xabi Alonso will become Real Madrid manager one day: Bayer Leverkusen CEO
Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has hinted that their current manager Xabi Alonso could join his former club Real Madrid in the future. Alonso was at the helm as Leverkusen ended their trophy drought and won the Bundesliga this season in the 29th match by claiming 79 points with 25 wins and four draws. Carro said, "It’s possible that Xabi Alonso will become Real Madrid manager one day, yes. Many clubs want Alonso, maybe one day he can work for one of them, especially those where he used to play, but he’s happy here now, that’s why he’s staying. Release clause? It’s a confidential matter between us.”
Major football results
England-Premier League
Chelsea 6-0 Everton
Spain-LaLiga
Osasuna 0-1 Valencia
Italy-Serie A
Atlanta 2-2 Hellas Verona
England-National League
Gateshead FC 2-1 Chesterfield