‘I have left a legacy’: Nadal retires from tennis

‘I have left a legacy’: Nadal retires from tennis
Spain’s Rafael Nadal waves during a tribute to his career at the end of the quarterfinal doubles match between Netherlands and Spain at the Davis Cup Finals at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena arena in Malaga, southern Spain, on Nov. 19, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 21 November 2024

‘I have left a legacy’: Nadal retires from tennis

‘I have left a legacy’: Nadal retires from tennis
  • Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, enjoyed a glittering and historic career over the past 23 years
  • Nadal was celebrated with a video montage on the many screens around the Martin Carpena arena in Malaga where over 10,000 fans saw his career come to a close

MALLORCA: Rafael Nadal said he has left both a sporting and personal legacy after retiring from professional tennis on Tuesday at the Davis Cup.

The 38-year-old was beaten in the opening singles rubber of the quarterfinals as Netherlands defeated Spain 2-1 to reach the final four.

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, enjoyed a glittering and historic career over the past 23 years.

“I leave with the peace of mind that I have left a legacy, which I really feel is not just a sporting one but a personal one,” Nadal told fans in Malaga in a speech during a ceremony to honor his retirement.

“I understand that the love I have received, if it was just for what happened on the court, would not be the same.”

Nadal paid credit to many who have helped him along the way, including his uncle Toni Nadal, who coached him as a child and for a large part of his career.

“The titles, the numbers are there, so people probably know that, but the way that I would like to be remembered more is like a good person, from a small village in Mallorca,” continued Nadal.

“I had the luck that I had my uncle that was a tennis coach in my village when I was a very, very small kid, and a great family that supports me in every moment...

“I just want to be remembered as a good person, a kid that followed their dreams and achieved (even) more than what I had dreamed.”

Nadal was celebrated with a video montage on the many screens around the Martin Carpena arena in Malaga where over 10,000 fans saw his career come to a close.

Former rival Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and other tennis greats left messages in the video, alongside former Spanish football stars including Raul and Andres Iniesta, who retired from playing in October.

“I leave the world of professional tennis having encountered many good friends along the way,” said Nadal in his emotional speech.

The Spaniard said he hoped to be a “good ambassador” for tennis in the years to come and was not afraid to begin his retirement.

“I am calm because I have received an education to take on what is coming next,” he explained.

“I have a great family around me who help me with everything that I need every day.”


Gloom deepens at West Ham as loss to Crystal Palace follows protests

Gloom deepens at West Ham as loss to Crystal Palace follows protests
Updated 8 sec ago

Gloom deepens at West Ham as loss to Crystal Palace follows protests

Gloom deepens at West Ham as loss to Crystal Palace follows protests
Many carried banners calling for change at the club which has been under the control of Sullivan and Brady since 2010
“Sold our soul — 15 years of destroying West Ham United,” one banner said

LONDON: West Ham United fans staged demonstrations against the club’s owners before their home Premier League derby against Crystal Palace on Saturday and a 2-1 defeat at the London Stadium only added to the early-season gloom at the club.
West Ham’s fourth defeat in five games left them third from bottom and with manager Graham Potter under increasing pressure.
Since being appointed as Julen Lopetegui’s successor in January, Potter has overseen only six league wins from 25 games.
By the final whistle there were swathes of empty seats and the cheers of the Palace fans was in marked contrast to the dejection of the home fans who had stayed to the end.
Thousands of them had gathered two hours before kickoff for two separate protests against the running of the club by chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.
Many carried banners calling for change at the club which has been under the control of Sullivan and Brady since 2010.
“Sold our soul — 15 years of destroying West Ham United,” one banner said, relating to the club’s move away from its atmospheric Upton Park to the London Olympic stadium in 2016.
“Sold us a dream, we are living the nightmare,” another read.
The protests, organized by fan groups Hammers United and Crossed Hammers, came two weeks after West Ham’s Fan Advisory Board issued a vote of no confidence in the club board, accusing them of not capitalizing on the club’s UEFA Conference League triumph in 2023 and of providing a poor match-day experience.
In response, the club said it had taken steps to implement a new strategy and approach — particularly in the area of player recruitment and appointing Potter as head coach.
While West Ham’s woes continue, Palace are flying high with nine points from their opening five games.
Jean-Philippe Mateta nodded in a rebound after goalkeeper Alphonse Areola had pushed Marc Guehi’s header against the bar in the 37th minute.
There were boos from the home fans at halftime but the mood was briefly raised when Jarrod Bowen equalized with a header soon after the interval.
But Tyrick Mitchell slammed in a volley to win it for Palace.
Another protest by West Ham fans is planned for the home game against Brentford on Oct. 20.

Tottenham battle back to earn 2-2 draw at Brighton

Tottenham battle back to earn 2-2 draw at Brighton
Updated 32 min 12 sec ago

Tottenham battle back to earn 2-2 draw at Brighton

Tottenham battle back to earn 2-2 draw at Brighton
  • Van Hecke turned in a cross by Mohammed Kudus in the 82nd minute of an entertaining clash
  • “We have to be more ruthless sometimes,” Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said

BRIGHTON, England: Tottenham Hotspur battled from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Brighton & Hove Albion with Jan Paul van Hecke’s own goal giving the visitors a deserved share of the spoils on Saturday.
Van Hecke turned in a cross by Mohammed Kudus in the 82nd minute of an entertaining clash on the south coast with the point moving Spurs into second place in the Premier League.
Tottenham could even have snatched a win but will be reasonably content to maintain their strong start to the season under new manager Thomas Frank.
After five games they have 10 points with their only league defeat coming at home to Bournemouth.
Brighton, who will also feel they should have picked up their second win of the season, have five points.
“We have to be more ruthless sometimes. Be more stable in some moments,” Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said.
“But we have to see the positives.”
Tottenham began the game in strong fashion with Kudus a lively presence but they fell behind to a sucker punch.
Brighton stopped a Tottenham attack and Georginio Rutter’s first-time pass sent Gambia forward Yankuba Minteh who was just onside, racing clear and he coolly rounded Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to score with ease.
Tottenham then gifted the hosts a second goal with Lucas Bergvall giving the ball away deep on the right before Yasin Ayari struck a right-footed angled drive that Vicario should have kept out after getting a hand to it.
Richarlison pulled a goal back just before halftime, stabbing in from close range after controlling a low pass into the area by Kudus and Tottenham dominated the second half.
Substitute Xavi Simons was especially lively and was denied by a great save from Bart Verbruggen before side-footing another chance wide after more good work by Kudus.
Tottenham plugged away though and when Kudus again delivered a dangerous ball across the area it struck the thigh of Van Hecke and nestled in the goal.


Runners celebrate Saudi national day at Jeddah historic district

Runners celebrate Saudi national day at Jeddah historic district
Updated 43 min 33 sec ago

Runners celebrate Saudi national day at Jeddah historic district

Runners celebrate Saudi national day at Jeddah historic district
  • Event organized in collaboration with Historic Jeddah Program, Masafat Club, Saudi Sports for All Federation and Ministry of Sports’ Makkah region branch

JEDDAH: Professional runners, amateurs, families and children of all ages took to the streets and alleys of Jeddah’s historic district early Friday morning for the Jeddah Green Spirit Run, part of the city’s 95th National Day celebrations.

The event was organized in collaboration with the Historic Jeddah Program, the Masafat Club, the Saudi Sports for All Federation and the Ministry of Sports’ Makkah region branch.

Offering 2km and 5km distances for all ages and skill levels, the run provided a patriotic community experience, encouraging participants to celebrate unity while staying active.

Runners followed a course winding through Historic Jeddah’s most iconic landmarks, giving them an opportunity to explore the city’s rich heritage. Key points along the route included Bab Jadid, the historic Hajj Route, Bab Al-Bunt, Beit Nassief and Al-Falah School.

Thirty-year-old Muhanad Abdulaziz, who participated alongside his wife, told Arab News: “Running is more than just a physical activity — it’s a way of connecting with our country and with each other. I insisted that my wife and I take part in this special day with all the runners who came from everywhere to enjoy the race and celebrate our National Day.”

An estimated 1,000 runners of various nationalities took part, including a significant number of Filipino participants. Jon Abella said: “It is a special day for Saudis, and we are here to share this happy occasion with them by running through this historic area.”

Meanwhile, 69-year-old Ahmed Al-Hamdan, who completed the 5km race, expressed his joy at participating alongside fellow veteran athletes.

He said: “We are here to show our spirit, enthusiasm and patriotism for our beloved country. At the same time, we want to prove that age doesn’t matter — we can do it just like the young runners.”


Mbappé and Militão strike from distance as Real Madrid deal Espanyol first loss

Mbappé and Militão strike from distance as Real Madrid deal Espanyol first loss
Updated 50 min 22 sec ago

Mbappé and Militão strike from distance as Real Madrid deal Espanyol first loss

Mbappé and Militão strike from distance as Real Madrid deal Espanyol first loss
  • It was Mbappé’s turn in the 47th when he had time to pick a spot in the bottom corner
  • Mbappé has seven goals in six games for Madrid this season

MADRID: Kylian Mbappé and Éder Militão scored from well outside the area to help Real Madrid ease past Espanyol 2-0 in La Liga on Saturday, dealing the Barcelona-based side their first loss.
Espanyol gave Militão a smidgen of space and the Brazil defender fired a right-footed screamer into the top corner in the 22nd minute. A diving Marko Dmitrovic got his fingers on the ball but couldn’t stop the powerful strike.
It was Mbappé’s turn in the 47th when he had time to pick a spot in the bottom corner and smashed a strike that Dmitrovic could only watch nestle into the net.
Mbappé has seven goals in six games for Madrid this season, including a double in their 2-1 win over Marseille to start the Champions League on Tuesday.
Madrid moved five points clear of Espanyol and Barcelona, which host fifth-placed Getafe at their 6,000-seat Estadi Johan Cruyff on Sunday.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham went on as a substitute for the final minutes in his first appearance since he underwent an operation on his left shoulder on July 16.


Kane treble helps Bayern to extend perfect Bundesliga start at Hoffenheim

Kane treble helps Bayern to extend perfect Bundesliga start at Hoffenheim
Updated 58 min 51 sec ago

Kane treble helps Bayern to extend perfect Bundesliga start at Hoffenheim

Kane treble helps Bayern to extend perfect Bundesliga start at Hoffenheim
  • It was Kane’s second hat-trick of the campaign, after a second-half treble in their season opener against RB Leipzig
  • The victory moved Bayern up to 12 points while Hoffenheim are six points behind in eighth place

BERLIN: Bayern Munich maintained their flawless start in the Bundesliga by beating Hoffenheim 4-1 away on Saturday after Harry Kane netted two penalties and bagged his ninth hat-trick for the German league leaders.
It was Kane’s second hat-trick of the campaign, after a second-half treble in their season opener against RB Leipzig, and he moved five strikes clear at the top of the scoring charts with eight league goals in four matches.
The victory moved Bayern up to 12 points while Hoffenheim are six points behind in eighth place.
Vincent Kompany made five changes to the team that beat Chelsea in their Champions League opener on Wednesday, with 17-year-old winger Lennart Karl becoming the second-youngest player to start for Bayern in the Bundesliga.
Hoffenheim created several promising chances early on, notably through Fisnik Asllani and Alexander Prass, with the home side testing Manuel Neuer multiple times while also hitting the post on one occasion.
Bayern looked like they might be made to work for their three points on a hot day in southwestern Germany and it was Karl who impressed with his energy and counter-pressing.
With the first half threatening to end goalless, the youngster delivered when he assisted Kane for the opener from a corner.
When the teenager spotted Kane losing his marker, he fizzed a low cross into the box which the English striker pounced on, firing the ball inside the near post to beat goalkeeper Oliver Baumann and giving Bayern the lead going into halftime.
Karl nearly grabbed their second goal when he ghosted in from the flank to steal the ball from Hoffenheim’s defenders, but his pace took him away from goal and he did not have the power to score as Baumann stopped his tame shot.

BAYERN EARN TWO PENALTIES
Bayern had the opportunity to double their lead early in the second half from the penalty spot when the referee spotted a handball in the box as the ball deflected off Albian Hajjdari’s arm, and VAR confirmed the decision.
Kane had missed a penalty in the DFB-Pokal cup competition but never in the Bundesliga and he maintained his 100 percent record despite a pause in his run-up, firing his shot low into the bottom corner to beat Baumann who had dived in the right direction.
Hoffenheim seemed to have the wind knocked out of their sails and it went from bad to worse when they conceded a second penalty after Michael Olize was fouled as he entered the box, with the referee checking the replay before pointing to the spot.
Kane stepped up again and this time he sent Baumann the wrong way.
Hoffenheim finally got on the board from a free kick where Vladimir Coufal sent the ball into the box with pace and Joshua Kimmich stuck out his leg to stop it, only to deflect it past Neuer who had no time to react.
The home side had nine minutes of injury time to try to find another goal but it was Bayern who put the game well out of reach when a rebound from Baumann’s save fell to Serge Gnabry, who fired home from a tight angle to make it 4-1.