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John Fury has sent a stern warning to Anthony Joshua ahead of his fight with Francis Ngannou.

Former heavyweight world champion and Olympic gold medalist Joshua will take on ex-UFC champion Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 8 March.

Anthony Joshua seals unanimous points win against American opponent  Jermaine Franklin in London - Eurosport

The fight against AJ will be Ngannou’s second boxing match, having lost to Tyson Fury via a split decision on his debut.

Meanwhile, Joshua looked more like his old self when he dispatched Otto Wallin towards the back end of 2023.

Ahead of the bout, Fury senior has sent a stern warning to Joshua.

Speaking to LowKick MMA, via Free Bets, Fury said: “Ngannou is a big strong fella. He’s muscly, but he can also move. He’s athletic and if you’re there, he’ll take the top of your head straight off.

Anthony Joshua explainer: Has AJ opened the door for Tyson Fury fight in  2023? | Boxing News | Sky Sports

“And don’t forget he’s a lot more powerful a man than Andy Ruiz Jr. When he gets you in trouble, you’ll know about it and he won’t just do that with A.J. He’ll do it to anybody out there.”

During the press conference, Ngannou questioned Joshua’s chin.

He said: “I heard he doesn’t have a chin. I don’t know if it’s true or not. I hope I have the opportunity to test it out, that’s my wish.

“I’m the underground king. I might not be the champion in boxing, but I’m a life champion. I’m pretty good at finding my way to do my thing.”

Why is John Fury, father of Tyson and Tommy, banned from entering the  United States? | Sporting News

Joshua said: “His mind I have to conquer. You have to take someone’s soul, you have to take someone’s spirit. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“He gave Fury an unbelievable fight. I thought ‘hang on a minute here’. The fight was not something I was looking at straight away, but that’s someone who is going to cause a bit of chaos in the heavyweight division.”

Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu eased into the second round of the Abu Dhabi Open with a straight-sets victory over the Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova.

Facing a foe sitting 260 places higher than her in the WTA rankings, Raducanu overcame a sticky start to triumph 6-4 6-1 in her first-ever meeting with Bouzkova, taking 88 minutes to complete the job.

Emma Raducanu cruises into Abu Dhabi Open second round

The pair were due to lock horns at the 2022 Citi Open before Bouzkova withdrew, but the world number 36 would make the stronger start to Monday’s contest, breaking Raducanu in her opening service game.

However, that break represented one of six successive losses of serve between the pair before Raducanu stopped the rot in the eighth game, and the former US Open champion earned a remarkable fourth-straight break before taking her second set point.

Bouzkova saved one break point to hold at the start of the second set, but the Czech would have nothing else to cheer for the remainder of the match, as a ruthless Raducanu won six games on the spin to storm into round two.

The 21-year-old converted seven of the nine break points she brought up in a clinical display and also achieved a 70% win rate on second-serve return points to set up a meeting with Ons Jabeur, seeded second behind Elena Rybakina.

Novak Djokovic has been spending time relaxing with his family in Spain in recent days, but now his next tournament on the ATP Tour has been confirmed.

The world No 1 suggested he was struggling with a virus during the Australian Open and he turned in an unusually limp performance in his defeat against eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.

 

Novak Djokovic - Latest news, reaction, results, pictures, video - The Mirror

His comments in his final press conference in Melbourne left some doubts over whether he would have an extended break from the game, as he confirmed once again that his focus will be on Grand Slam events for the rest of his career.

“I still have high hopes, you know, for other Slams, Olympics, and whatever tournaments that I’ll play,” he said, looking ahead to the rest of 2024.

“It’s just the beginning of the season. It’s not the feeling that I’m used to. I mean, it kind of has been incredibly satisfying for me, you know, to start off most of my seasons with a Grand Slam win and never lost in semis or finals of the Australian Open.

“So this time it’s a bit different, but it is what it is. Let’s see. I don’t know.

“This tournament hasn’t been, as I said, up to my standard or criteria or the level that I would normally play or expect myself to play, but doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the beginning of the end, you know, as some people like to call it.

“It’s not a secret that I want to break more records and make more history of the game and the focus will be on the Slams from now on. That’s something that keeps on motivating me.”

After achieving the historic number one ranking for the longest weeks at number one, it’s going to be a relief for me because I’m going to focus all my attention on Slams mostly.

“When you are going for number one rankings, you kind of have to be playing the entire season.

“My goals will adapt and will shift a little bit, which means that I will have an opportunity to do that which, as a father and a husband, I’m really looking forward to.”

It sparked question marks over whether he will play at the Indian Wells and Miami Open ‘Sunshine Swing’ tournaments in March, but now it has been confirmed that the 24-time Grand Slam champion will make the trip to America next month.

Indian Wells officials have posted a social media post confirming Djokovic will be part of their draw for the first time since 2019, as he will aim to win his fifth title in the Californian event.

He is likely to also confirm his participation in the Miami Open that comes up straight after the Indian Wells tournament, which will give the Serbian a chance to increase his lead at the top of the ATP rankings.

Novak Djokovic

Indian Wells chiefs are also promoting the return of Rafael Nadal to the tournament, as they are hailing his comeback as ‘the return of The King’.

In the women’s draw, Naomi Osaka is one of the headline comeback acts being used to promote the event, with Caroline Wozniacki also part of the promotion ahead of a tournament that gets underway on March 6th.

Novak Djokovic once shared his thoughts on Rafael Nadal’s absence from the 2012 US Open, highlighting what a considerable loss it was for the tournament.

Djokovic entered the New York Major as the second seed and defending champion, on the hunt for his second US Open title. Nadal, meanwhile, pulled out of the Grand Slam event due to tendonitis. This injury had already led to his absence from the London Olympics and the Masters 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati, ultimately forcing him to conclude his season early.

Ahead of his title defense, Novak Djokovic shared his perspective on Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the event. He found the Spaniard’s absence “strange” given the rarity of the top four players – himself, Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray – missing a Grand Slam event, which he believed was indicative of the great era in men’s tennis.

“Well, it is strange because he hasn’t missed a slam for a long time. I think neither of us top four have really missed a slam for a long time, which can only work in favor of the sport,” he said in a press conference.

“I think that’s why it’s one of the reasons why we are experiencing a great era of men’s tennis, because all the top players are really committed in their performing and all the top events and, you know, reaching the final stages of those events,” he added.

The Serb lauded Nadal as a “great competitor” and expressed certainty that the Spaniard was dealing with a serious issue, as he would undoubtedly be competing in New York otherwise.

“So Rafa is a great competitor and somebody I know really well on and off the court. I’m sure that there is something serious going on, you know, because otherwise he would come here and play,” he said.

Djokovic went on to acknowledge Nadal’s absence as a great loss, not just for the tournament but for the sport as a whole, given his immense popularity. He also extended his best wishes to the Spaniard for a speedy recovery.

“So I know it’s in a way a loss for the tournament and, you know, for tennis itself, because he’s greatly appreciated, successful, and very popular athlete around the world. But, you know, I wish him a speedy recovery, obviously,” he added.

Novak Djokovic failed to defend his title at US Open 2012 in Rafael Nadal’s absence

2012 US Open - Day 15

Novak Djokovic clinched his maiden US Open title in 2011, claiming a 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-1 over Rafael Nadal in the final. The following year, the Serb kicked off his title defense with a 6-1, 6-0, 6-1 win over Paolo Lorenzi.

He secured similarly dominant straight-set victories over Rogerio Dutra da Silva and Julien Benneteau to reach the fourth round of the Major. Djokovic advanced to the quarterfinals after Stan Wawrinka retired from their fourth-round clash.

Rafael Nadal withdraws before Australian Open - NBC Sports

Subsequently, the Serb defeated seventh seed Juan Martin del Potro 6-2, 7-6(3), 6-4 to reach the semifinals. He then triumphed over David Ferrer 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, setting up a blockbuster title clash against third seed Andy Murray.

Murray dashed Djokovic’s hopes of a successful title defense at the New York Major, claiming a hard-fought 7-6(1), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 win over the Serb to secure his maiden Grand Slam title.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are two of the biggest stars in F1. They have a combined total of 10 world championships between them and lit the F1 world on fire with their 2021 world championship battle. They started their careers in very different eras, but still, these two generational talents have crossed paths, and treated fans to some brilliant racing action over the years. Their rookie seasons, on the other hand, were extremely contrasting, but unique in their own way.

Verstappen, now 26 years old, made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso back in 2015. Regarded as an exceptional driver who was aggressive and mature beyond his years, Verstappen had relatively less single-seater experience. But his performances, which reminded Franz Tost (former Toro Rosso boss) of Michael Schumacher, convinced Helmut Marko to sign him up for Red Bull’s sister team.

Hamilton, on the other hand, made his debut 8 years ago, in 2007, driving for McLaren. He was a part of their program for quite a long time and took the world of F1 by storm in his debut season by putting up a commendable title fight.

Statistics-wise, their rookie seasons could not have been more different.

Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen – Rookie season

Analyzing Hamilton and Verstappen’s rookie seasons
At first glance, it is evident that Hamilton’s rookie season was miles clear of Verstappen’s in pretty much every aspect. One thing has to be taken into consideration, however. It is the fact that Verstappen was driving for a team that was essentially a backmarker, scraping into the midfield.

The Dutchman’s teammate was Carlos Sainz, and the former was consistently better than him. Sainz finished P15 with 18 points to his name, three places below Verstappen. But just taking into account that Verstappen was driving for a weaker team cannot be done. The magnitude of the waves caused by Hamilton’s rookie season, especially considering the situation he found himself in, made it all that special.

Why Lewis Hamilton’s rookie season was special
Hamilton became the first black driver in the history of F1 when he joined the grid in 2007. He was put up against Fernando Alonso, who had won the 2005 and 2006 titles, as his teammate. The Spanish driver was not easy to deal with, and since McLaren was a race-winning team, there was added pressure on him to perform.

Max Verstappen: F1 – Red Bull Athlete Profile

Despite being a rookie, Hamilton went on to give Alonso a run for his money. They went toe to toe for the title, along with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. Unfortunately for Hamilton, Raikkonen finished in P1, but the Briton was just one point short of a historic rookie season.

He finished level on points with Alonso, and the Oviedo-born driver, unsettled with Hamilton’s rise in the team, joined Renault the following year. In 2008, Hamilton did not make any mistakes. He won his first world title, the first of seven.

While Simone Biles is all geared up for Paris 2024, what’s unforgettable is her 2016 Rio Olympics performance! Demonstrating extraordinary prowess, she left no room for doubt, clinching gold in the all-around, team, vault, and floor exercises and adding a bronze on the balance beam. Her remarkable achievements in the Rio Olympics are truly worth recalling.

In her autobiography, “Courage to Soar,” there’s a chapter titled “Starstruck in Olympic Village.” This chapter unravels the enchanting tale of Simone’s extraordinary encounters and unforgettable moments. She fondly describes this period as the “best week of my life.” From meeting famous faces to navigating strict rules and forming lasting connections, Simone’s experiences in the Olympic Village provide a behind-the-scenes look. It offers insights into the human side of these celebrated athletes.

Simone Biles’ epic week at the Rio Olympics village
Sthletic triumphs did not solely define Simone Biles’ ‘best week’ during the Rio Olympics. Unexpected encounters with global icons added a unique dimension. Simone received messages from former President Barrack Obama and Mrs. Obama, elevating her Olympic experience in the heart of the Olympic Village Rio de Janeiro. The thrill heightened as she found herself face-to-face with heartthrob Zac Efron. Beyond the realm of gymnastics, these encounters showcased the convergence of diverse worlds within the Olympic Village.

Amidst the excitement of meeting iconic figures, Simone and her teammates explored the Olympic Village with great enthusiasm. Anticipating interactions with renowned athletes, Simone’s eagerness to participate in camaraderie and shared experiences intensified. However, navigating the strict rules set by coach Marta Karolyi presented a unique challenge. The gymnastics team’s activities were confined to the cafeteria and the athlete lounge on the first floor, creating a longing to explore the broader dynamics within the USA Olympic House. This set the stage for Simone’s daring venture to connect with athletes from different disciplines. It led to amusing and memorable encounters indeed!

Navigating strict rules and hilarious swimmer encounters
Simone’s escapade into the Olympic Village took an adventurous turn. She decided to sneak upstairs to the floor where the swimmers resided. Despite the limitations imposed by Marta Karolyi, Simone’s curiosity led her to the door of swimmer Nathan Adrian. The exchange of pins with Nathan unfolded into an exhilarating introduction to none other than the legendary Michael Phelps. The towering stature of Phelps, standing at six feet four, sparked humor in the juxtaposition of their heights. These moments transcended the intense competition on the Olympic stage.
Watch Simone Biles' Gravity-Defying Floor Routine from Olympic Trials

Continuing the amusing encounters, Simone found herself standing back-to-back with 6-foot-8-inch volleyball player David Lee. The comical height differences captured in photographs shared on social media added a lighthearted touch to her Olympic journey.

Despite the initial surprise and laughter, these interactions emphasized the diverse physical attributes of athletes within Team USA. They created memorable snapshots that would endure far beyond the Rio Olympics. Fortunately, Simone’s courage and adventurous spirit led to connections that extended beyond height differentials. This fostered genuine friendships and shared moments with athletes like swimmer Simone Manuel.

After a disappointing 2023 season spent on the sidelines, 2024 saw a positive return for Emma Raducanu. The entirety of the 2023 season left fans yearning for her dazzling performances back from the US Open 2021. For Raducanu, it meant making sure she was ready for her comeback. Following the time spent in Brisbane and Melbourne, Emma Raducanu now prepares to mount a campaign for the WTA 1000 title in Abu Dhabi and makes her thoughts on her injuries plain.

Emma Raducanu gave an extensive interview on the real depth of her injuries from 2023, giving fans a real peek behind the curtain. Her revelations might just mean there was more to the injuries than she let on.

Did Emma Raducanu keep fans in the dark about more injuries?
Ahead of her match at WTA Abu Dhabi, Emma Raducanu spoke extensively about her time spent recovering from injuries. While fans certainly missed her, it seems her journey of getting better was tougher than she initially let on.

“I’ve never really had the chance to do proper training weeks back-to-back. For six or seven months, before I ended up having the surgeries, I was only practicing one or two hours a day just to limit the load on the wrists,” she said in an interview with The National News. The real trouble for Raducanu, it seems, was not just staying away from the sport she loves.

It was also to limit the kind of work that she could put into her game, especially since her wrists had been the root cause of the injury. Moreover, these comments might be indicative of underlying injury problems for the Brit, ones that plagued her even before she ventured towards the option of surgery. Not to mention, some struggles with sickness also appeared during her time in Australia.

Renewed Raducanu stands firm on making 2024 a positive season
Despite the numerous injuries Raducanu fought through, the ones on her wrist or even not being able to walk without crutches for a period of time, the Brit remains determined to step back onto the court. The first part of this was evident in her exploits in the land down under.

While she started off her campaign with two exits in the ASB Classic and the Australian Open, Emma Raducanu already shows positive signs when it comes to performances after injuries. While she may not have gone deep into tournaments, she surely looks on track to gain her old form back.

With the WTA 1000, the tennis world has a real chance to see what Raducanu can do when she is not limited by injuries. It will be interesting to see whether her performances change, and just how much did the injuries slow her down from the path to success.

Maria Sharapova has lavished praise on the new generation in women’s tennis, singling out Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva as particularly exciting talents.

 

Sharapova is set to feature in the second edition of the Pickleball Slam, joining forces with John McEnroe to take on Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf for a $1 million purse. The blockbuster showdown will take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Florida, on Sunday, February 4.

Despite making the transition to pickleball, Maria Sharapova remains connected to the tennis world, keeping a close eye on the rising stars in the women’s game.

In a recent interview with Forbes, the five-time Grand Slam champion disclosed that she was highly impressed by Coco Gauff’s triumph at the 2023 US Open and expressed delight in witnessing emerging talents like Mirra Andreeva making their mark on the tour.

“I’ve loved watching a new generation rise up to the occasion. I was so impressed with how Coco handled the [US Open] victory in New York last year. Also, it’s great seeing the rise of new names and opportunities for athletes like Mirra Andreeva,” she said.

Sharapova also conveyed her appreciation for the growing consistency in women’s tennis, calling it a “refreshing” development.

“We’re seeing so much more consistency in the women’s game and that has been really refreshing,” she added.

Coco Gauff after Australian Open SF loss: “Watching Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova lose, they didn’t let one match define their career”

Coco Gauff at the 2024 Australian Open
Coco Gauff at the 2024 Australian Open

Coco Gauff was on the hunt for her second Grand Slam title at the recently concluded Australian Open. The World No. 3 made an impressive run to the semifinals of the Major, where she took on defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. Sabelenka claimed a 7-6(2), 6-4 win over the American en route to her second consecutive title at the Melbourne Slam.

Following her loss, Gauff declared her intention to not dwell on it, drawing inspiration from tennis legends Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, who never allowed a defeat to define their careers.

“You know, I watched these matches growing up and, like, watching Serena and watching Sharapova lose, like, these matches. It seems like when you’re in it, it feels like the end of the world. But then when you look at history, they didn’t let one match define their career,” Coco Gauff said in her post-match press conference.

The 19-year-old conveyed her resolve to adopt a similar mindset, which aligned with the advice given by her coach, Brad Gilbert.

“I’m not going to let this match — I’m going to dwell on it tonight, but as Brad told me as soon as the match was over, the sun is going to rise tomorrow and you have a new chance to live a good day,” she added.

Media personality Paige Spiranac took to her Instagram story earlier this week to engage with some of her 3.9 million followers in Q&A format.

Fans Are Applauding Paige Spiranac's Selfie Skills Over This Pic - Swimsuit  | SI.com

While some people were interested in learning the 30-year-old golf instructor’s hobbies outside of sports, one fan wanted to know what it was really like working with Bryson DeChambeau. Spiranac and the 30-year-old, who is a LIV Golf League pro athlete, recently hit the links and created some content together.

“It was great. He is shockingly different in person than how a lot of us have perceived him over the years,” Spiranac stated of DeChambeau’s reputation. “He is kind and funny and very self-aware, and we had a conversation about that. I’m like, ‘I wish people knew this version of you,’ and although he might have matured and changed over the years, it’s drastically different and I feel bad that he had to endure that amount of like bullying. For me, like, I made jokes about him too, all of us did, and he’s the first one to like laugh at himself about those things that have happened.”

Paige Spiranac doesn't care if people are rubbed the wrong way by her  wardrobe choices | Marca

The two filmed a YouTube video together in which DeChambeau gave Spiranac a golf lesson. He posted it to his channel in late January, and the one-time SI Swimsuit model noted that their time together was “a lot of fun.”

“He just was really pleasant to be around and I learned so much,” Spiranac added. “He has like such an interesting brain when it comes to golf and how he views things.”

You couldn’t see their faces, but you could hear their voices, and that said it all. Tiger Woods, Jay Monahan, John Henry… This conference call was a big deal. And it was about a big deal. The people who have carved out a stable financial future of the PGA Tour were now sharing their work with the Tour membership for the first time. And the call began with an important voice: that of Woods, speaking to fellow board member Peter Malnati.

Tiger woods

“Hey Pete. Exciting day, huh, big guy?”

It was, indeed, an exciting day for those involved. The call represented the culmination of countless hours on meetings diving into the product that is the PGA Tour, from the way it is presented on television to the courses it owns and operates to the way it compensates its players. Finally, after months of reports and rumors, an investment from the Strategic Sports Group (SSG) was finalized.

Monahan gave opening remarks, communicating that a “landmark agreement” had been struck within the last 12 hours, implying the deal had been finalized late Tuesday night. The initial SSG investment is for $1.5 billion — on a valuation of $12.3 billion — and could grow to as much as $3 billion. More than two dozen entities submitted investment bids — unsolicited, Monahan was keen to note — totaling $20 billion, reiterating the fact that there are many wealthy people interested in owning a piece of pro golf.

“Close to 200 members” of the PGA Tour will become equity holders in PGA Tour Enterprises, a new, for-profit company, earning their initial bit from a total share value of $930 million. The size of each player’s ownership will be based on, as Monahan said, “career accomplishments, recent achievements and Tour status, with grants vesting over time.” An additional $600 million will be doled out to players in recurring equity grants beginning in 2025. On top of all that, player compensation (in the form of tournament purses) will be guaranteed for five years as a result of the SSG investment. Overseeing the company will be a 13-person board, with seven Tour pros ensuring player-majority control.

Monahan spoke for 10 minutes before ceding the floor to the people investing billions into his enterprise: John Henry, Sam Kennedy and Andy Cohen. After their pleasantries, Woods was up next.

“Hey everyone, this is Tiger Woods,” he began.

“Just wanted to say thank you, SSG, for believing in us and believing in our sport. Believing in the potential growth that we could enjoy together. Golf is an amazing sport. It has allowed communities to heal and grow. And we, as a team, are going to offer that according to what we believe is the true compensation and meritocracy that our sport has been built upon for all these years.

“As has been described earlier, as the Tour grows, we grow. So the more we invest into the Tour, the more we get the benefits of it. Which has never been — it’s never happened in sports history. So we’re the first. Exciting for me to be able to be part of that.”

The Tour is not the first sports league to dish out player equity, but it is undoubtedly the first to do it at this scope and in this way. As smaller sports leagues have shown, player equity is as important as it has ever been to establish full buy-in from its constituents. Woods will no doubt earn the greatest number of shares, for the unmatched value his playing days offered to the PGA Tour’s bottom line, a point that was underlined by the next person who spoke on the call.

“I actually think it’s kind of fitting,” added Peter Malnati, another player director, “that you just heard from probably the greatest player to ever play on the PGA Tour — definitely the greatest of our generation — share his enthusiasm and his excitement for this deal. And now I’m going to tell you that, as a guy who has been on Tour for 10 years and has never finished better than 86th in the FedEx Cup, this deal is equally exciting for me as it is for Tiger.”

What exactly the deal means for a player like Malnati versus Woods remains to be seen. Each Tour member will be treated differently as PGA Tour Enterprises gets established, and they’ll learn as much in forthcoming webinars and one-on-one consultation. Further investment may arrive from the Saudi PIF, which has been rumored to be just as valuable. Monahan noted those negotiations are ongoing and are not impacted by the SSG deal. But for now, as was noted repeatedly on the call, the Tour has established an influx of capital that will align its stakeholders to row in the same direction. Malnati described the last few weeks as “being in the trenches” of negotiations, but he believes the Tour has now taken the first step towards normalcy.

“I have seen and felt and been a part of the frustration, the distrust, the chasm in our organization,” Malnati said. “And I can sit here today and tell you honestly that today is a day to celebrate. Today is a day of incredible optimism. I’m exhausted from this process, but I am so energized by what is to come.

“This partnership with SSG is going to be good for the greatest player of all-time to help cement the tour that he cares so much about, and the players that he had mentored and shaped and all that. It’s going to be great for the Peter Malnatis of the Tour who have absolutely worked their tails off just to realize his childhood dream of playing golf on the PGA Tour and being here. Our Tour, we are all going to take an ownership stake in our Tour that is going to help align the interests of the players, our management team, our investors. And by doing that, we’re going to make our sport better, which is going to reward our fans, it’s going to increase the interest in our game.”