Serbia Target Davis Cup Progress with Djokovic Boost

Serbia's Novak Djokovic poses with the trophy after defeating Russia's Daniil Medvedev in the US Open tennis tournament men's singles final match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 10, 2023. (AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic poses with the trophy after defeating Russia's Daniil Medvedev in the US Open tennis tournament men's singles final match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 10, 2023. (AFP)
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Serbia Target Davis Cup Progress with Djokovic Boost

Serbia's Novak Djokovic poses with the trophy after defeating Russia's Daniil Medvedev in the US Open tennis tournament men's singles final match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 10, 2023. (AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic poses with the trophy after defeating Russia's Daniil Medvedev in the US Open tennis tournament men's singles final match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 10, 2023. (AFP)

Novak Djokovic could return to action in the Davis Cup later this week after capturing his 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open and Serbia team mate Miomir Kecmanovic said on Monday the 36-year-old can give them a huge advantage.

Djokovic beat Daniil Medvedev 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 in New York on Sunday to lift his third Grand Slam title of the year and equal Margaret Court's record haul of 24 major singles titles.

The world number one is set to travel to Valencia and join the Serbia team for their Davis Cup Finals group stage ties with South Korea, Spain and Czech Republic, although he is likely to feature only in the final two clashes.

"We can't wait to have him for Friday," Kecmanovic told a news conference before their Group C opener against South Korea on Tuesday. "It definitely takes a little bit of the pressure off since he always carried the team so well.

"But our focus is to get through Tuesday, hopefully get the win and then start a little bit more relaxed on Friday."

Spain will be without Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz when they take on Serbia on Friday, after the 20-year-old withdrew to recover following his US Open semi-final defeat by Medvedev.

"It was tough because Carlos is an important player, one of the best players in the world," Spain captain David Ferrer said. "But I trust my team. I'm very confident we can do a great week and can compete with everyone."

Sweden face Chile, France meet Switzerland and the Netherlands play Finland when the group stage kicks off on Tuesday across four cities - Bologna, Manchester, Valencia and Split.

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the knockout rounds in Malaga, which take place from Nov. 21 to 26.

Defending champions Canada clinched their first title in the men's premier team event beating Australia in last year's final.

They are joined by the 12 winners of the 2023 qualifiers - Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Britain, South Korea, Netherlands, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States - apart from wild cards Italy and Spain.



Spurs Midfielder Maddison Silences Critics with Winner Against Man United 

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Spurs Midfielder Maddison Silences Critics with Winner Against Man United 

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)

James Maddison delivered the perfect riposte to his doubters by scoring the winning goal against Manchester United after the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder had come in for some stinging criticism in the lead-up to Sunday's Premier League match.

Making his first start since suffering a calf injury in December, Maddison tapped in a rebound from close range to give his side a 1-0 win in London, celebrating his goal with a shushing gesture.

Earlier in the week, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane had said anyone who thought Maddison's return to the side would help Spurs break into the top six was living in "cuckoo land."

"He got relegated with Leicester and he'll get relegated with Spurs," Keane said on "The Overlap" podcast.

"There was a little bit of outside noise this week," Maddison, who joined Spurs from Leicester City in 2023, told Sky Sports.

"People will have their opinions, but I wanted to do my talking on the pitch. I hope there is a certain few that enjoyed me being the match-winner today.

"Nobody is more critical of myself than me," he added.

"To be fair to the gaffer, he always talks about blocking out the outside noise, but sometimes it's difficult, you know. It's constantly in your face, social media and WhatsApp."

Despite the win Spurs remain in the bottom half of the table, sitting in 12th spot on 30 points after 25 games. They visit Ipswich Town on Saturday.