Djokovic Says Body Feeling Good Ahead of China Open Comebackhttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5323737-djokovic-says-body-feeling-good-ahead-china-open-comeback
Djokovic Says Body Feeling Good Ahead of China Open Comeback
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after wining a point against John Isner of US during their men's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, October 9, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
Djokovic Says Body Feeling Good Ahead of China Open Comeback
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after wining a point against John Isner of US during their men's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, October 9, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
Novak Djokovic said he was encouraged by the way his body was responding ahead of the China Open as the 24-times Grand Slam champion looks to regain momentum at a happy hunting ground after recent fitness concerns.
Djokovic will return to action for the first time since his shock opening-round defeat by Mariano Navone at the US Open late last month, when the 39-year-old struggled with shoulder and back problems and vomited midway through the match.
The world number 11 will look to put those problems behind him when he takes on Portugal's Nuno Borges in the first round in Beijing this week.
"Yeah, feeling good so far," six-times China Open champion Djokovic told reporters on Monday.
"Let's see. Obviously it's completely different when you're playing an official match compared to practice sets or practice sessions. But so far so good.
"I was looking forward to coming to China, as I always have. My record speaks for itself on Chinese soil.
"Knowing that, it also brings this dimension of confidence that I really need. Overall, it's been really good so far with the body, the way I'm feeling and playing."
The former world number one is a massive draw in Beijing, where he won the title in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and holds a 29-0 win-loss record at the ATP 500 tournament.
The pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title remains one of the few major targets left for Djokovic, who has become increasingly selective about his tournament schedule in recent years.
"At this stage of my career it's really also about the tournaments where I enjoy to play, where I've had the success in the past, where I feel like I'm also welcomed by the fans in a positive light, in a positive way," Djokovic added, according to Reuters.
"The history of my results on Chinese soil has been incredible. I haven't played here 11 years. I was trying to make it work in the past years with the schedule, but it worked in such way where I played only Shanghai.
No Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane Set for Another Record and What to Know About the Nations Leaguehttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5340219-no-cristiano-ronaldo-harry-kane-set-another-record-and-what-know-about-nations
UEFA Nations League - England Press Conference - Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, London, Britain - November 11, 2026 England's Harry Kane during the press conference. (Reuters)
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No Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane Set for Another Record and What to Know About the Nations League
UEFA Nations League - England Press Conference - Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, London, Britain - November 11, 2026 England's Harry Kane during the press conference. (Reuters)
The post-Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi era in international football has officially begun.
Ronaldo's retirement from the Portuguese national team last week followed Messi's decision to step down from Argentina after the World Cup earlier this year.
The stage now belongs to the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and newly-crowned Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane, who are all in Nations League action over the next week.
Winning the Nations League with Portugal last year was Ronaldo's final great act with his country. And despite his public fall out with coach Jorge Jesus during the last round of fixtures, prompting the forward's retirement, the team has already secured its place in the quarterfinals with a 100% record.
So too has World Cup winner Spain. For England, France and Germany, however, there is still work to be done before they can book their places.
Here's what to know about the next round of Nations League games:
Life after Ronaldo
Ronaldo bowed out of international football as the all-time men's leading goal scorer (146) and appearance maker (234).
While he ultimately fell short of leading his country to a World Cup crown, he won three major honors, including the European Championship and two Nations League titles.
Yet, his final years with Portugal were often overshadowed by questions about whether he had gone on too long or was holding back a golden generation of talent.
Perhaps the answer to that will become clearer as coach Jesus leads a Portugal team without its greatest player for the first time in more than two decades.
A flawless start to the Nations League, with Ronaldo playing a limited part, suggests the future is bright with top players like Bruno Fernandes, Joao Neves and Vitinha leading the way.
Goncalo Ramos may also finally get the chance to establish himself in attack four years after his World Cup hat trick in Qatar appeared to usher the end of Ronaldo's reign.
Portugal plays Denmark Saturday and Wales Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland's Norway sits bottom of Group A4 with just three points. Norway, one of the surprise successes of the World Cup, plays Wales Saturday and Denmark Tuesday.
France's head coach Zinedine Zidane (L) speaks with France's forward #24 Rayan Cherki during a training session, third days ahead of France's UEFA Nations League football match against Italy, in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, near Paris, on November 9, 2026. (AFP)
Spain targets another title
Can Spain add the Nations League to its list of titles in recent years, which includes the European Championship in 2024 and the World Cup?
It has already qualified for the quarterfinals with a 100% record and can confirm its place as Group A3 winner ahead of England.
Spain plays Czech Republic on Thursday when it will be confirmed group winner by bettering England's result against Croatia on the same night.
Spain plays England in the final group match on Sunday.
England will book its place in the quarters if it avoids defeat against Croatia.
Another landmark for Kane
Fresh from being crowned the best player on the planet, Kane will become England's all-time record appearance maker on 126 caps when he takes to the field against Croatia, with coach Thomas Tuchel having said his captain “will start for us, of course.”
The 33-year-old Kane is already England's top scorer with 91 goals, ahead of second-place Wayne Rooney on 53.
"It’s definitely up there as the biggest (achievement),” Kane said of his impending record. “I think it showcases the consistency at the highest level and I think any great player wants to be able to perform year on year.
“I think it’s one of the biggest milestones in my career. I don’t like to put limits on anything. We spoke obviously in the last camp about the 100 goals for England, I think that’s another incredible milestone to try and reach as soon as possible."
Kane also holds records for the most goals by an England player at the World Cup (14) and the European Championship (seven, equal with Alan Shearer).
Kane is equal third, with Messi, for the most goals scored at major tournaments, with 21 in total. Ronaldo tops the list with 25 and Mbappe is second with 23.
Asked if the Bayern Munich star was England’s greatest-ever player, Tuchel said with a smile: “I don’t know. He is up there of course and it’s now proven."
German national soccer team coach Jurgen Klopp leads a training session in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026. (dpa via AP)
Tough start for Klopp
Jurgen Klopp was hired to bring the good times back to German football, but he has failed to make an immediate impact.
Germany won only one of four games as Klopp took charge for the first time in September and October, suggesting there is no quick fix for one of the traditional powerhouses.
Klopp avoided becoming the first Germany coach not to win any of his first three games, but he also oversaw the country’s first loss to Greece, which spoiled his home debut.
Germany is third in Group A2 and battling to advance to the quarterfinals, three points behind co-leaders Netherlands and Greece with two games to go.
Klopp responded to his team's mixed form by making the surprise call to drop Barcelona winger Karim Adeyemi and Juventus forward Nick Woltemade from his latest squad. He handed a first callup to 17-year-old Wael Mohya.
Germany plays Serbia on Friday and Netherlands on Monday.
Zidane off to flying start with France
France and Italy are also under new management.
Legendary former player Zinedine Zidane has led France to the top of Group A1 with three wins and a draw from his first four games since succeeding Didier Deschamps after the World Cup.
On Thursday, France plays Italy, where Roberto Mancini has started his second spell in charge, and will be confirmed group winner if it avoids defeat in Milan. Italy is in second place on seven points.
Belgium, under new coach Marc van Bommel, is third on six points and plays Türkiye on Thursday.
Belgium's game against Italy on Sunday is crucial in determining who advances, depending on other results.
Mbappe Misses France Training Ahead of Italy Clashhttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5340084-mbappe-misses-france-training-ahead-italy-clash
France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (C) arrives for a training session third days ahead of France's UEFA Nations League football match against Italy in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines outside Paris on November 9, 2026. (AFP)
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Mbappe Misses France Training Ahead of Italy Clash
France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (C) arrives for a training session third days ahead of France's UEFA Nations League football match against Italy in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines outside Paris on November 9, 2026. (AFP)
France captain Kylian Mbappe did not take part in team training on Wednesday and remained "under treatment" ahead of his country's Nations League match against Italy, Les Bleus' coaching staff said.
The French coaching staff did not provide any further details regarding the 27-year-old's physical condition.
The Real Madrid forward is back in the France squad for this camp after missing their last three matches through injury.
Mbappe scored the winning goal in Zinedine Zidane's first match as coach against Türkiye in September in the Nations League, but had to leave the pitch shortly afterwards due to pain in his left knee.
After three wins and a draw in four matches, France top Group A1 of the Nations League and are well on course to qualify for the quarter-finals ahead of their final two pool-stage fixtures against Italy on Thursday in Milan, and Türkiye on Sunday in Bordeaux.
Ngumoha Has Ballon d’Or in His Sights After Taking Inspiration from Kane’s Triumphhttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5340077-ngumoha-has-ballon-d%E2%80%99or-his-sights-after-taking-inspiration-kane%E2%80%99s-triumph
UEFA Champions League - Fenerbahce v Liverpool - Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye - November 4, 2026 Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha, Kostas Tsimikas and Dominik Szoboszlai during the warm up before the match. (Reuters)
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Ngumoha Has Ballon d’Or in His Sights After Taking Inspiration from Kane’s Triumph
UEFA Champions League - Fenerbahce v Liverpool - Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye - November 4, 2026 Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha, Kostas Tsimikas and Dominik Szoboszlai during the warm up before the match. (Reuters)
Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha said Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or victory can inspire a new generation of English footballers, including himself, to follow in the Bayern Munich striker's footsteps and be recognized as the world's best.
Kane was awarded football's highest individual honor last month, becoming the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.
Ngumoha, who was called up to the England squad for this week's Nations League games against Croatia and Spain, said Kane was an inspiration.
"Harry Kane winning the Ballon d'Or is definitely a big thing," the 18-year-old told British media.
"It's also helped English football now because everyone's seen one of us win the Ballon d'Or, it is definitely encouraging many more people to want to be known as the best player in the world.
"For me, I would like to achieve it and I think I can do it."
Ngumoha was a bright spark for Liverpool last season and has become a key part of the squad, inspiring them to a 4-3 comeback victory over Villarreal in the Champions League last month.
He has played three times for England since making his debut in June.
England host Croatia at Wembley on Thursday, before travelling to Madrid to face world champions Spain on Sunday.
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