Upbeat Djokovic Still Hunts Milestones with 20th Wimbledon Looming

Tennis - Hurlingham Grass Court Exhibition Tournament - Hurlingham Tennis Club, London, Britain - June 27, 2025 Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his match against Russia's Karen Khachanov Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Tennis - Hurlingham Grass Court Exhibition Tournament - Hurlingham Tennis Club, London, Britain - June 27, 2025 Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his match against Russia's Karen Khachanov Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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Upbeat Djokovic Still Hunts Milestones with 20th Wimbledon Looming

Tennis - Hurlingham Grass Court Exhibition Tournament - Hurlingham Tennis Club, London, Britain - June 27, 2025 Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his match against Russia's Karen Khachanov Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Tennis - Hurlingham Grass Court Exhibition Tournament - Hurlingham Tennis Club, London, Britain - June 27, 2025 Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his match against Russia's Karen Khachanov Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Novak Djokovic says he is still hunting more career milestones as he prepares for his 20th Wimbledon bidding to match Roger Federer's record of eight men's singles titles.

The emerging duopoly of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has shifted the focus away from the 38-year-old Serb who will be seeded sixth this year, his lowest since 2018.

Despite that, no one will be dismissing the threat he poses as he chases an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title.

Asked whether it felt like he was now more hunter than hunted, after being knocked off his perch by the young guns, Djokovic said his goals remained the same, Reuters reported.

"In a sense you're always hunting because you're always going for the titles, and in my privileged position, the records and more history," he told reporters after practicing at a sunny and warm Wimbledon on Saturday.

"I do feel that I'm always in that position of going for something with the attitude of trying to win rather than trying to defend."

Djokovic has reached the final of the last six Wimbledons, losing the last two to Spaniard Alcaraz.

He has not added to his Grand Slam collection since the 2023 US Open, since when Alcaraz and Italian Sinner have shared them, winning three apiece.

He admits he was outplayed by world number one Sinner in the French Open semi-finals but had taken encouragement from that run in Paris. A return to Wimbledon perhaps offers him the best chance of breaking their stranglehold and becoming the oldest Grand Slam champion in the professional era.

"I would probably agree that Wimbledon could be the best chance because of the results I had, because of how I feel, how I play in Wimbledon, just getting that extra push mentally and motivation to perform at the highest level," he said.

"Let's see. I like the way I feel right now physically. Tennis-wise I've been playing good on the practice sessions. Obviously completely different when you start a tournament.

"But yeah, I'll try to have a very good tournament and go as far as I can."

Djokovic opens his latest Wimbledon quest against Frenchman Alexandre Muller on Tuesday needing just three victories to become only the second man to reach 100 match wins at the grass court Grand Slam. Federer won 105.



Benzema Scores Hat-trick on his Debut for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Okhdood v Al Hilal - Prince Hathloul Bin Absulaziz Sport City Stadium, Najran, Saudi Arabia - February 5, 2026  Al Hilal's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal with Nasser Al Dawsari REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Okhdood v Al Hilal - Prince Hathloul Bin Absulaziz Sport City Stadium, Najran, Saudi Arabia - February 5, 2026 Al Hilal's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal with Nasser Al Dawsari REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
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Benzema Scores Hat-trick on his Debut for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Okhdood v Al Hilal - Prince Hathloul Bin Absulaziz Sport City Stadium, Najran, Saudi Arabia - February 5, 2026  Al Hilal's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal with Nasser Al Dawsari REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Okhdood v Al Hilal - Prince Hathloul Bin Absulaziz Sport City Stadium, Najran, Saudi Arabia - February 5, 2026 Al Hilal's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal with Nasser Al Dawsari REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick and grabbed an assist on his debut for Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal as they thrashed lowly Al-Akhdoud 6-0 on Thursday.

The 38-year-old joined Al-Hilal on Monday.

The former France striker made an immediate impact for his new side as he broke the deadlock in style with a back-heel touch after seizing on a loose ball inside ⁠the area shortly after the half-hour mark.

Benzema doubled ‌the score with a ‍low, close-range drive ‍in the 60th minute and four ‍minutes later completed his hat-trick with another close-range effort.

The Frenchman set up Malcom for Al-Hilal's fourth, shortly before being substituted in the 71st minute.

"It was an important game today. So we ⁠are happy, we play well, we do a clean sheet and we score so we are happy," Reuters quoted Benzema as saying.

"Everybody is good with me they give me everything so when I am on the pitch I give everything for them," he added.

Salem Al-Dawsari, the AFC Player of the Year ‌for 2025, completed the rout with a brace.


Strasbourg Beats Monaco 3-1 to Reach French Cup Quarterfinals

Strasbourg's Paraguayan midfielder #10 Julio Enciso (2nd R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French Cup round of 16 football match between RC Strasbourg Alsace and AS Monaco at the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France, on February 5, 2026. (Photo by Frederick FLORIN / AFP)
Strasbourg's Paraguayan midfielder #10 Julio Enciso (2nd R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French Cup round of 16 football match between RC Strasbourg Alsace and AS Monaco at the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France, on February 5, 2026. (Photo by Frederick FLORIN / AFP)
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Strasbourg Beats Monaco 3-1 to Reach French Cup Quarterfinals

Strasbourg's Paraguayan midfielder #10 Julio Enciso (2nd R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French Cup round of 16 football match between RC Strasbourg Alsace and AS Monaco at the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France, on February 5, 2026. (Photo by Frederick FLORIN / AFP)
Strasbourg's Paraguayan midfielder #10 Julio Enciso (2nd R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French Cup round of 16 football match between RC Strasbourg Alsace and AS Monaco at the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France, on February 5, 2026. (Photo by Frederick FLORIN / AFP)

Paraguay midfielder Julio Enciso scored twice as Strasbourg beat Monaco 3-1 at home to reach the French Cup quarterfinals on Thursday.

Winger Martial Godo put Strasbourg ahead in the seventh minute to quickly end Monaco's bid for a fourth straight clean sheet.

Enciso struck twice in quick succession in the second half before striker Mika Biereth replied for Monaco in the 58th, The Associated Press reported.

Strasbourg's reward is a home game against second-tier Reims, last year's runner-up. Reims is the only team left not playing in Ligue 1.

Brazil forward Endrick's fifth goal in five games on loan from Real Madrid helped Lyon win on Wednesday.

Lyon will host Lens, while Marseille faces Toulouse and Nice is at Lorient in the other quarterfinals held next month.


Lookman Shines as Atletico Madrid Cruises Past Real Betis to Reach Copa Semis

Atletico Madrid's Ademola Lookman (R) celebrates scoring the 0-3 goal during the Copa del Rey quarter-final soccer match between Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, in Seville, Spain, 05 February 2026.  EPA/Jose Manuel Vidal
Atletico Madrid's Ademola Lookman (R) celebrates scoring the 0-3 goal during the Copa del Rey quarter-final soccer match between Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, in Seville, Spain, 05 February 2026. EPA/Jose Manuel Vidal
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Lookman Shines as Atletico Madrid Cruises Past Real Betis to Reach Copa Semis

Atletico Madrid's Ademola Lookman (R) celebrates scoring the 0-3 goal during the Copa del Rey quarter-final soccer match between Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, in Seville, Spain, 05 February 2026.  EPA/Jose Manuel Vidal
Atletico Madrid's Ademola Lookman (R) celebrates scoring the 0-3 goal during the Copa del Rey quarter-final soccer match between Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, in Seville, Spain, 05 February 2026. EPA/Jose Manuel Vidal

Ademola Lookman scored on his Atletico Madrid debut in a 5-0 rout of Real Betis on Thursday that sent Diego Simeone's team to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey.

David Hancko, Giuliano Simeone, Antoine Griezmann and Thiago Almada also scored for Atletico as it advanced to the last four for the third straight season.

Atletico will try to reach its first Copa final since winning the competition for the last time in 2012-13.

The draw for the semifinals — which also includes Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad — will be on Friday.

Hancko opened the scoring for the visitors in the 12th minute and Giuliano Simeone added to the lead in the 30th before Lookman got his first goal for Atletico on a fast breakaway in the 37th.

“I'm very, very happy, very proud to make my debut tonight, especial performance from the team,” said Lookman, who had only a couple of training sessions before being added to the starting lineup.

“Obviously the team and the staff and everybody has welcomed me very nicely. It has made it easy for me to settle in,” The Associated Press quoted him as saying.

Griezmann scored the fourth goal in the 62nd — with an assist by Lookman — and Almada closed the scoring in the 83rd.

“He came to help us and hopefully we can help him so he can continue to improve,” coach Simeone said of Lookman. "He has different qualities than the players we have and that will make us better.”

Lookman was signed from Atalanta near the end of the winter transfer window. The 28-year-old Nigeria forward had requested to leave Atalanta citing broken promises and poor treatment.

“We always open the doors to everyone who arrives here from the very beginning,” Griezmann said. “We have to enjoy these new player and hope that they help us like they did tonight.”

Mexico midfielder Obed Vargas also made his Atletico debut after being signed from the Seattle Sounders. He came off the bench in the 79th to replace Lookman. Another winter signing by Atletico, midfielder Rodri Mendoza, came on in the 66th.

Atletico and Betis will meet again on Sunday in the Spanish league, with Atletico as the host. Atletico is third in the league, with Betis in fifth place but 10 points behind Atletico.

On Wednesday, Iñaki Williams scored six minutes into stoppage time as Athletic Bilbao won 2-1 at Valencia to reach its sixth Copa semifinal in seven seasons, while Basque Country rival Real Sociedad made it to the last-four for the third straight season by winning 3-2 at Alaves.

On Tuesday, Barcelona beat second-division Albacete 2-1. Albacete had eliminated Real Madrid in the round of 16.