Nadal 'Feels Great' despite Practice Partner's Wimbledon Exit

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 28, 2022 Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his first round match against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo REUTERS/Toby Melville
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 28, 2022 Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his first round match against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo REUTERS/Toby Melville
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Nadal 'Feels Great' despite Practice Partner's Wimbledon Exit

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 28, 2022 Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his first round match against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo REUTERS/Toby Melville
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 28, 2022 Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his first round match against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo REUTERS/Toby Melville

Rafael Nadal said he "feels great" even though Wimbledon practice partner and 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini withdrew from the tournament with Covid on Tuesday.

Italy's Berrettini, widely regarded as one of defending champion Novak Djokovic's biggest threats and a potential semi-final opponent for Nadal, said he was "heartbroken" to pull out.

He joined 2017 runner-up Marin Cilic, who also tested positive before his first-round match, in withdrawing.

French player Alize Cornet added to questions over the health protocols in tennis by saying there had been an "epidemic of Covid" at the recent French Open but "nobody talked about it".

Nadal practiced with Berrettini at Wimbledon last week but the Spanish star shrugged off any concerns over his health.

"It's difficult to be a close contact when you are outside, when you are practicing," AFP quoted Nadal as saying.

"For the moment I am feeling great, no problems at all. The main thing is I feel very sorry for him because he was playing fantastic, winning two tournaments before the tournament starts."

The All England Club said in a statement that protocols remained in place to minimize the risk of infection.

"We are following UK guidance around assessment and isolation of any potential infectious disease," the statement said.

"Our player medical team also continue to wear face masks for any consultation."

Wimbledon was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic while the 2021 edition was run at reduced capacity with players confined to a bubble.

Cornet claimed that at Roland Garros earlier this month there had been an "epidemic" of coronavirus.

"In the locker room, everyone had it and we said nothing," said Cornet. "I saw girls wearing masks, perhaps because they knew and did not want to pass it on."

Hours later, Cornet rowed back on her claims, writing on social media that she only "suspected a few cases of Covid during Roland Garros, without having any proof".

"It was above all to emphasize that the virus was now part of our lives and that we had to deal with it," she said.

Nadal said he had been told by a physio from the ATP men's tour that it was up to players to decide whether they tested or not.

"Now if you tell me even if you are positive, you can keep playing, this is something I didn't know. The only thing I used to know is up to you, even if you feel bad, if you want to be tested or not."

Nadal was speaking after overcoming a scare in his Wimbledon opener, fighting back from dropping the third set and falling a break down in the fourth to eventually see off Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo.

The second seed, playing on grass for the first time since his 2019 Wimbledon semi-final loss to Roger Federer, triumphed 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 over 41st-ranked Cerundolo, who was making his All England Club debut.

But the 36-year-old Spaniard, who has already captured the Australian and French Opens this year to stand halfway to the first men's calendar Slam since 1969, did it the hard way.

After coasting through the first two sets on Centre Court, he surrendered an early break in the third set and then had to claw his way back from 3-1 and 4-2 down in the fourth.

"Three years without being here on this amazing surface, it is amazing to be back," said Nadal.

Nadal, the 2008 and 2010 Wimbledon champion, arrived at the tournament with question marks over his durability for the two weeks having played the entire French Open with his troublesome left foot anesthetized.

He has since undergone a course of radiofrequency stimulation, a treatment aimed at reducing nerve pain in his foot.

Nadal will take on Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania for a place in the last 32.



Sandro Mazzola, Italy and Inter Milan Soccer Star, Dies at Age 83

FILE - Inter Milan's former players Sandro Mazzola, second left, with Jair of Brazil, left, Mario Corso and Luis Suarez, right, prior to the start of the Champions League first knockout round, second leg soccer match between Inter and Ajax at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, March 14, 2006. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
FILE - Inter Milan's former players Sandro Mazzola, second left, with Jair of Brazil, left, Mario Corso and Luis Suarez, right, prior to the start of the Champions League first knockout round, second leg soccer match between Inter and Ajax at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, March 14, 2006. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
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Sandro Mazzola, Italy and Inter Milan Soccer Star, Dies at Age 83

FILE - Inter Milan's former players Sandro Mazzola, second left, with Jair of Brazil, left, Mario Corso and Luis Suarez, right, prior to the start of the Champions League first knockout round, second leg soccer match between Inter and Ajax at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, March 14, 2006. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
FILE - Inter Milan's former players Sandro Mazzola, second left, with Jair of Brazil, left, Mario Corso and Luis Suarez, right, prior to the start of the Champions League first knockout round, second leg soccer match between Inter and Ajax at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, March 14, 2006. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

Sandro Mazzola, the former Inter Milan captain who was one of Italy’s most acclaimed players, has died. He was 83.

His death was announced on Saturday by Inter, the soccer club where he spent his entire 17-year playing career. No cause of death was given, The Associated Press said.

“FC Internazionale Milano, its President Giuseppe Marotta, Vice President Javier Zanetti, head coach Cristian Chivu and his staff, the players, and everyone at Inter mourn with profound sorrow the passing of Sandro Mazzola, a Nerazzurri and world football legend,” Inter said in an emotional statement.

“Sandro Mazzola was one of the greatest footballers in history. Not only in the history of the Nerazzurri.”

Mazzola, an attacking midfielder or second striker, scored 158 goals in 565 matches for Inter, helping the Nerazzurri to four Serie A titles and two European Cups.

He also won the European Championship with Italy in 1968.


Arabian Gulf Cup Marks Historic Milestone in Jeddah's Long-Standing Football Heritage

Arabian Gulf Cup marks historic milestone in Jeddah's long-standing football heritage. (SPA)
Arabian Gulf Cup marks historic milestone in Jeddah's long-standing football heritage. (SPA)
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Arabian Gulf Cup Marks Historic Milestone in Jeddah's Long-Standing Football Heritage

Arabian Gulf Cup marks historic milestone in Jeddah's long-standing football heritage. (SPA)
Arabian Gulf Cup marks historic milestone in Jeddah's long-standing football heritage. (SPA)

For decades, football has formed an integral part of Jeddah's social fabric, with neighborhood pitches serving as foundational training grounds that have nurtured generations of talent for local clubs and national squads, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The city's institutional sporting history began in 1950 with the opening of Al-Sabban Stadium in Al-Qurayyat district. As the Kingdom's first official sports venue, the 12,000-capacity facility hosted the inaugural King's Cup final and successive title matches. In 1973, it drew massive crowds when it hosted Brazilian club Santos, led by global football icon Pelé, for an exhibition training session.

Jeddah's sports infrastructure expanded in 1970 with the opening of the Jeddah Youth Welfare Stadium in Al-Waziriyah, accommodating roughly 22,000 spectators. Renamed Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in 2001, the venue underwent extensive modernization beginning in 2012, reopening in 2021 as a 27,000-seat stadium within the integrated Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City.

In 2014, the opening of King Abdullah Sports City, featuring a stadium exceeding 62,000 seats, further reinforced Jeddah's capability to stage elite global and continental tournaments.

For the first time in the tournament's history, Jeddah will host the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup from September 23 to October 6, 2026. Featuring eight Gulf national teams, matches will be staged across both King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City, continuing the coastal city's tradition of drawing record crowds and hosting premier regional competitions.


Carrick Confident Man Utd Can 'Work Through' Tough Time

FILED - 16 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick reacts during the English Carabao Cup third round soccer match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 16 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick reacts during the English Carabao Cup third round soccer match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire/dpa
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Carrick Confident Man Utd Can 'Work Through' Tough Time

FILED - 16 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick reacts during the English Carabao Cup third round soccer match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 16 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick reacts during the English Carabao Cup third round soccer match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire/dpa

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick said he expected to have to ride out a storm at some point this season after a dreadful start to the current campaign.

Carrick was appointed on a permanent basis after his successful temporary spell at the end of last season secured third place in the Premier League and a return to the Champions League.

But United have taken just four points from their opening four league games this season and were dumped out the League Cup in a 3-2 defeat by Brighton in midweek after blowing a two-goal lead at Old Trafford for the first time in 50 years.

"History tells you that any team that's successful goes through periods when you have to work through it, come through it and improve," Carrick said ahead of Sunday's trip to Fulham, according to AFP.

"We've had a small period, in recent time, when it hasn't been exactly what we want it to be.
"I was expecting a point when we would go through it, it was going to come. We had such a good spell last season, going into this season."

Former United and England midfielder Carrick also has reason to bemoan his side's luck in recent weeks.

United received a swift apology from referees' chiefs after Erling Haaland's winning goal for Manchester City last weekend was wrongly awarded because the VAR officials did not spot an offside against Enzo Fernandez in the build-up.

Carrick's men were also heading for three points at Everton last Sunday before until Toffees defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles produced a stunning strike into the top corner from long range.

"It is a week or two, the games haven't gone our way," added Carrick. "It's tiny margins in some of those games. We will work through it. Winning games is always the answer, it can cover up a lot of things at times as well.

"Sometimes it's the small disappointments that lead to something a bit bigger. It's part of coping and being at this great football club."

United could be boosted by the return of Luke Shaw from injury for the visit to Craven Cottage.

Carlos Baleba is also in contention to make his first appearance since a £70 million ($95 million) move from Brighton.