Resurgent Federer still hungry for major titles
Think Roger Federer's chances of winning another major title are over? Think again!
The 30-year-old father of two looks ready and raring to go after a fine finish to the 2011 season.
While his main rivals, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, whimpered out of the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London, the Swiss maestro sauntered through his round-robin group, beating Nadal 6-3 6-0 en route, before taking out Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final for the third time in two weeks. FULL POST
Should Djokovic have risked his reputation in Paris?
To play, or not to play, that was the question facing Novak Djokovic – or so some thought!
As World No.1, the Serb was entitled to a $2 million bonus if he played all eight World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments and $1.6 million if he played seven of the eight.
Having already missed the Shanghai tournament because of a back injury, Djokovic had to play in Paris, or else he’d end up with nothing -– but then there was that reoccurrence of a shoulder injury in Basel. . FULL POST
The dream moves of transfer deadline day?
The final day of the summer transfer market is set to be as frantic as ever. I have a few friends who are football agents and I know that on this day they don’t sleep, they don’t eat, and they don’t exist outside of any conversation that doesn’t involve transfers.
Like always, I expect a few big deals to be concluded on Wednesday. Some big clubs still have money to spend and managers are still hoping to convince their owners to splash the cash. Below you will find a list of ten deals I would like to see happen on Wednesday. Some you could say are a case of wishful thinking, but others could happen in the final hours of the market.
Luka Modric moves from Tottenham to Chelsea The Blues have courted the Croatian midfielder all summer long and he would definitely be a great addition to a side that desperately needs some creativity. Juan Mata was a good signing, but Modric would add a different dimension to Chelsea’s midfield. They would automatically become more dynamic and less predictable with him in the team. I know Andre Villas-Boas really rates Modric highly and he will try to convince Roman Abramovich to open the purse strings to bring him over to Stamford Bridge. Tottenham have resisted so far in allowing their star midfielder to leave but they don’t want a grumpy Modric in the dressing room all season long.
Likelihood of happening – 9/10
FULL POST
Tour champion Contador deserves respect
21 stages – 3,430 kilometers - that's the challenge facing the riders at the 2011 Tour de France. No wonder it's also called the Tour of Pain! And this year, as a way of honoring 100 years of climbing the giant Col du Galibier - the participants will go up not once, but twice - with the end of the 18th stage being the highest finish in the Tour's history.
Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck are expected to be the front runners for the overall leader's maillot jeune. FULL POST
Marvelous Mourinho record falls – but will it ever be beaten?
Nothing lasts forever. We hear it all the time, yet I have to admit I was shocked when Jose Mourinho’s home unbeaten league streak came to an end on Saturday in Spain.
This has to be hailed as one of the most impressive runs in the history of sport. He went 150 games without suffering a single home defeat in domestic championships with four clubs in four countries across nine years. No other coach in any other major sport has come close to this amazing record, and in my opinion no-one else ever will. FULL POST
Why Gattuso has to lose his cool
Don’t expect Gennaro Gattuso to change even if UEFA punishes him for his aggressive behavior in Tuesday's fiery Champions League encounter at the San Siro stadium in Italy.
The footage of AC Milan’s captain grabbing Tottenham’s assistant coach Joe Jordan by the throat and, later, head-butting him is sure to be a hit on video sharing websites, and a massive talking point in offices around the world. FULL POST
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