Real Target Jeddah Super Cup Final Success in Clasico to Atone for Barca Mauling

 Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference in Jeddah on January 11, 2025, on the eve of their Spanish Super Cup final football match against Barcelona. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference in Jeddah on January 11, 2025, on the eve of their Spanish Super Cup final football match against Barcelona. (AFP)
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Real Target Jeddah Super Cup Final Success in Clasico to Atone for Barca Mauling

 Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference in Jeddah on January 11, 2025, on the eve of their Spanish Super Cup final football match against Barcelona. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference in Jeddah on January 11, 2025, on the eve of their Spanish Super Cup final football match against Barcelona. (AFP)

Real Madrid's humiliating 4-0 home loss to Barcelona in October still haunts the club as the rivals prepare for their second Clasico of the season in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.

LaLiga leaders Real recovered from that setback and are on a five-match winning streak ahead of defending the Super Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but coach Carlo Ancelotti is cautious.

"We have to think about what happened in the first game because they beat us (in LaLiga)," Ancelotti told reporters on Saturday as he looked forward to Real's second cup final in a month, having won the Intercontinental Cup in December.

"We've made a pretty clear assessment, so we'll have to repeat the good things we did and avoid the mistakes. A Clasico is always a Clasico, but a final puts a bit more pressure on you."

Ancelotti has all the players who travelled available for the final including England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who experienced some muscle issues during the semi-final where he scored the first goal in a 3-0 win over Mallorca.

"He's fine, he's recovered well," the Italian said of Bellingham who is Real's third-highest scorer and joint-top with assists in their current LaLiga campaign.

The coach said the Super Cup was an important title, and statistically Real had a good season every time they won it.

"When we haven't won it, it hasn't gone well. It's a competition that gives you a lot more motivation," said Ancelotti, whose last two Champions League trophies with Real have coincided with Super Cup wins.

"Barcelona are a historic rival and the matches are always very competitive. It's difficult for us and for them. The result of the match cannot be predicted," he added.



Navarro Says Players' Demand for More Prize Money at Majors is About Fair Treatment

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - APRIL 02: Emma Navarro of United States celebrates her win against Hailey Baptiste of United States during the Credit One Charleston Open at Credit One Stadium on April 02, 2025 in Charleston, South Carolina.   Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - APRIL 02: Emma Navarro of United States celebrates her win against Hailey Baptiste of United States during the Credit One Charleston Open at Credit One Stadium on April 02, 2025 in Charleston, South Carolina. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
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Navarro Says Players' Demand for More Prize Money at Majors is About Fair Treatment

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - APRIL 02: Emma Navarro of United States celebrates her win against Hailey Baptiste of United States during the Credit One Charleston Open at Credit One Stadium on April 02, 2025 in Charleston, South Carolina.   Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - APRIL 02: Emma Navarro of United States celebrates her win against Hailey Baptiste of United States during the Credit One Charleston Open at Credit One Stadium on April 02, 2025 in Charleston, South Carolina. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

American Emma Navarro said she had put her name to a letter signed by the world's top tennis players calling for significant improvements in prize money at the four Grand Slams as a way to ensure players receive equal treatment.
French outlet L'Equipe reported late on Wednesday that the top 20 ATP and WTA players had sent the letter to the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open recently demanding a more equitable distribution of revenue.
While those at top of the game are able to benefit from increased prize money, players at the lower levels often struggle due to a lack of steady sponsorship as well as expensive coaching, travel and accommodation.
"I talked a little bit to the other players about it and felt like it was a good idea to sign," the world number 11 told reporters at the Charleston Open on Wednesday.
"I think there have been some sort of unfair pay ratios - I don't know the correct terminology - but in the past.
"I think it's a good cause to come together as players and make sure we're getting treated fairly."
The United States Tennis Association, which runs the US Open, confirmed it had received the letter and said it "welcomes open and direct conversations with players," while noting that it was proud of its history of leadership on player compensation.
"This includes offering equal prize money to men and women for more than 50 years and awarding the largest purse in tennis history at the 2024 US Open," the USTA said in a statement to Reuters.
"As the national governing body of tennis in the US, we are also focused on ensuring that we can properly support and fund our mission of growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere."
Reuters has also contacted the other three Grand Slams seeking comment.
In 2024, a record $254 million in player compensation was awarded at the Grand Slams, up $23 million from 2023, and the trend is set to continue with the Australian Open in January boosting its prize money by 11.56% from last year.
At Melbourne Park this year, the champions collected nearly $2.2 million while players going out in the first round picked up around $83,000.
World number eight Zheng Qinwen told reporters more money from the Grand Slams would filter down to the lower ranks.
"I think that's going to benefit all the players, not only the top players, especially those that work hard during the year and need to get paid from the Grand Slams and have to survive," she added.
Zheng said tennis should follow the example of the NBA, where players earn in aggregate around 50% of basketball-related income.
"That's really positive, because if you look at basketball, they all get paid 50-50. The players, we're working really hard, because I'm a tennis player I know how much I've worked to arrive here," added the Olympic champion.
Zheng said she was unsure if the Grand Slams would listen to the demands of the players.
"We try to do what we can, and then let's see what the gods brings to us. But at least we're trying."