News for 'Rafa'

PHOTOS: Petkovic reaches first Slam semi-final in Paris

PHOTOS: Petkovic reaches first Slam semi-final in Paris

Rediff.com5 Jun 2014

Germany's Andrea Petkovic reached her first Grand Slam semi-final on Wednesday, thrashing 10th seed Sara Errani 6-2, 6-2 after a lengthy rain delay at the French Open.

PIX: How Djokovic demolished Nadal to win Australian Open

PIX: How Djokovic demolished Nadal to win Australian Open

Rediff.com27 Jan 2019

IMAGES from the Australian Open final played on Sunday

French Open Photos: Nadal gains momentum, Ferrer eases through

French Open Photos: Nadal gains momentum, Ferrer eases through

Rediff.com30 May 2014

A round-up of the fifth day's play at the French Open.

Can Nadal surpass Federer's title tally?

Can Nadal surpass Federer's title tally?

Rediff.com11 Sep 2017

Rafael Nadal is hungrier than Roger Federer and is likely to overhaul his Swiss rival's grand slam title tally to become the most decorated player ever, according to former world number one Mats Wilander.

Aus Open: Tennis stars pay tribute to Kobe Bryant

Aus Open: Tennis stars pay tribute to Kobe Bryant

Rediff.com27 Jan 2020

Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic led the tennis world in mourning for "mentor" Kobe Bryant on Monday after Melbourne Park awoke to the news that the NBA great had died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter and seven others. Djokovic had spoken fondly of his relationship with the former Los Angeles Laker in an interview at the weekend and the 16-times Grand Slam champion signed off his Tweet of condolence with the words: "RIP my friend".

AO PHOTOS: Thiem slays Nadal, meets Zverev in semis

AO PHOTOS: Thiem slays Nadal, meets Zverev in semis

Rediff.com29 Jan 2020

German seventh seed Alexander Zverev recovered from a slow start to beat former champion Stan Wawrinka 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the Australian Open on Wednesday to reach his first career Grand Slam semi-final. Swiss Wawrinka, who won the first of his three Grand Slams at Melbourne Park in 2014, broke Zverev twice early in the opening set to breeze through the opening set but the 22-year-old German came roaring back into the contest.

Soccer: Antonio sets record as West Ham thrash Leicester

Soccer: Antonio sets record as West Ham thrash Leicester

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

Having headed into the match tied on 47 league goals with West Ham's former stalwart Paolo Di Canio, Antonio was delighted to have surpassed the Italian as he celebrated by lifting a cardboard cut-out of himself at the side of the pitch.

What to expect at French Open Day 5

What to expect at French Open Day 5

Rediff.com31 May 2018

Serena Williams faces her first seeded opponent at the French Open on Thursday and will hope to use her booming serve to beat Australian Ashleigh Barty in the second round.

Ronaldo backs Zidane after second straight win

Ronaldo backs Zidane after second straight win

Rediff.com18 Jan 2016

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo gave a ringing endorsement of new coach Zinedine Zidane and handed a rebuke to his sacked predecessor Rafa Benitez after Sunday's 5-1 La Liga victory at home to Sporting Gijon. Real have comfortably won both their matches since Zidane took over this month, a 5-0 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna and Sunday's demolition of lowly Gijon, and Ronaldo said the players had a better relationship with the former Real and France great, who is known as 'Zizou', than with the unpopular Benitez. The former Valencia, Liverpool, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Napoli manager was discarded after less than half a season in the job after an indifferent run of results left Real trailing city rivals Atletico Madrid and champions Barcelona in La Liga. "To be honest, with some coaches you have more empathy than with others," Ronaldo told reporters after netting a double at the Bernabeu. "The truth is, don't ask me why, that the players have more empathy with Zizou," the Portugal forward added.

Will Djokovic lose No. 1 spot to incredible Nadal?

Will Djokovic lose No. 1 spot to incredible Nadal?

Rediff.com10 Sep 2013

Novak Djokovic believes Rafa Nadal may soon displace him as world number one and has plenty of time to break Roger Federer's benchmark 17 major titles after the Spaniard roared to the US Open title at Flushing Meadows on Monday.

Federer qualifies for ATP Finals for record 15th time

Federer qualifies for ATP Finals for record 15th time

Rediff.com18 Jul 2017

Roger Federer has secured his place in the ATP Finals for a record 15th time after the Swiss world number three won a record eighth Wimbledon title on Sunday, the Association of Tennis Professionals confirmed on Monday.

Security breach as fan attempts selfie with Federer

Security breach as fan attempts selfie with Federer

Rediff.com24 May 2015

Security was breached at the French Open on Sunday when a fan jumped onto Court Philippe Chatrier and attempted to take a selfie with Roger Federer.

Yedlin joins Newcastle on five-year deal

Yedlin joins Newcastle on five-year deal

Rediff.com25 Aug 2016

DeAndre Yedlin has joined Championship (second tier) side Newcastle United on a five-year deal from Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee, the clubs have announced.

'He's the one to win it'

'He's the one to win it'

Rediff.com22 May 2018

Australian great Ken Rosewall will bestow the French Open trophy on the men's singles champion next month and sees only one grateful player ready to claim it -- Rafael Nadal.

ATP Cup starts off with gaffe ...

ATP Cup starts off with gaffe ...

Rediff.com3 Jan 2020

Organisers played a wrong national anthem for Moldova ahead of their tie against Belgium in Sydney. Denis Shapovalov won the battle of the next generation against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas to help Canada to an emphatic 3-0 victory in the inaugural ATP Cup men's team event in Brisbane on Friday.

Venus pulls out of Brisbane International

Venus pulls out of Brisbane International

Rediff.com1 Jan 2020

Venus Williams has pulled out of the upcoming Brisbane International after suffering a 'setback' in training

2013 belonged to Nadal, Serena while Murray ended British wait

2013 belonged to Nadal, Serena while Murray ended British wait

Rediff.com20 Dec 2013

A year in which a British man won Wimbledon, Roger Federer's star began to fade and doping reared its ugly head was defined by the dominance of two players - Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams.

Boris Becker slams Murray over doping suspicions

Boris Becker slams Murray over doping suspicions

Rediff.com18 Apr 2016

German tennis legend Boris Becker has issued a stringing rebuke against second-ranked Andy Murray for saying that he has been suspicious of his opponents doping in the past and described his comments as "totally out of order".

Full Real Madrid squad available to Benitez for El Clasico

Full Real Madrid squad available to Benitez for El Clasico

Rediff.com20 Nov 2015

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez has a full squad available, including forward Karim Benzema, for Saturday's La Liga Clasico at home to Barcelona.

Coach Ancelotti motivated by Madrid's Champions League record

Coach Ancelotti motivated by Madrid's Champions League record

Rediff.com17 Sep 2013

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said it was a "special feeling" and an extra motivation knowing he is poised to become the first man to coach six different clubs in the Champions League.

PHOTOS: Federer quells late fightback from Murray to set up Nadal semi-final

PHOTOS: Federer quells late fightback from Murray to set up Nadal semi-final

Rediff.com22 Jan 2014

Read on to know how Federer mauled Murray during their quarter-final natch at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

PIX: Ronaldo takes Man United past Villarreal; Chelsea, Barca lose

PIX: Ronaldo takes Man United past Villarreal; Chelsea, Barca lose

Rediff.com30 Sep 2021

A summary of Wednesday night's action in the UEFA Champions League.

Throwback 2020: Thiem breaks 'Big Three' hold on Grand Slams

Throwback 2020: Thiem breaks 'Big Three' hold on Grand Slams

Rediff.com1 Jan 2021

The professional tennis circuit, which requires players to jet around the world, was forced into shutdown in early March as countries went into lockdown and closed their borders to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Nadal has family, celeb support at French Open final

Nadal has family, celeb support at French Open final

Rediff.com10 Jun 2013

Having achieved the glittering distinction of becoming the only man to win eight singles titles at the same Grand Slam tournament, French Open champion Rafa Nadal was soon dreaming of another priceless thing on Sunday -- to be left alone.

Wimbledon PIX: Djokovic, Kyrgios, Sabalenka advance

Wimbledon PIX: Djokovic, Kyrgios, Sabalenka advance

Rediff.com30 Jun 2021

Images from Day 3 of the Wimbledon tennis championships played in London, on Wednesday.

Find out why Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Real Madrid

Find out why Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Real Madrid

Rediff.com31 May 2015

Portugal footballer Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Real Madrid this summer, after reportedly being miffed over club president Florentino Perez's growing closeness with teammate Gareth Bale.

Nadal to make Davis Cup return for Spain

Nadal to make Davis Cup return for Spain

Rediff.com2 Sep 2013

Rafa Nadal has returned to the Spain team as they seek to maintain their Davis Cup World Group status with a playoff tie against Ukraine in Madrid later this month, captain Alex Corretja said on Monday.

Tour Finals: Djokovic makes Nadal dance and ends year on high

Tour Finals: Djokovic makes Nadal dance and ends year on high

Rediff.com12 Nov 2013

The message from Novak Djokovic could not have been more emphatic after the Serb retained his title at the ATP World Tour Finals with a crushing victory over Rafa Nadal on Monday.

Tour Finals: Nadal, Djokovic make final as Federer, Wawrinka are no match

Tour Finals: Nadal, Djokovic make final as Federer, Wawrinka are no match

Rediff.com11 Nov 2013

Switzerland's challenge at the ATP World Tour Finals melted away like an Alpine glacier in a heatwave on Sunday as Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic marched on to the grand finale.

PHOTOS: No worries Wawrinka, it's Rafael to the rescue

PHOTOS: No worries Wawrinka, it's Rafael to the rescue

Rediff.com9 Nov 2013

If Stanislas Wawrinka's life depended on the outcome of one tennis match he would surely want Rafa Nadal fighting his corner, and while the stakes were not as high as life or death on Friday the Swiss player's fate was in safe hands.

Nadal returning to Queen's for Wimbledon warmup

Nadal returning to Queen's for Wimbledon warmup

Rediff.com24 Mar 2015

Rafael Nadal will return to his old routine in a bid to recapture the Wimbledon crown.

The famous five: Usual suspects eyeing US Open glory

The famous five: Usual suspects eyeing US Open glory

Rediff.com24 Aug 2013

Before we choose our favourites for the US Open men's singles title this year, let's get one fact in place -- since the 2005 French Open, only five men have won Grand Slam singles titles but rarely have all five been in contention at the same event.

Federer not finished yet; reaching No 1 not his priority, reckons Nadal

Federer not finished yet; reaching No 1 not his priority, reckons Nadal

Rediff.com29 Oct 2013

Been there, done that. Roger Federer does not need to be World No 1 anymore and he might well be a top contender at next year's Australian Open, his chief rival Rafa Nadal said.

Real Madrid manager Benitez reportedly sacked

Real Madrid manager Benitez reportedly sacked

Rediff.com4 Jan 2016

Rafa Benitez has been sacked as coach of Real Madrid, according to reports in the Spanish press. Sunday night's 2-2 draw with Valencia has proved to be the final straw for president Florentino Perez with the club likely to confirm the news soon. France legend Zinedine Zidane - the coach of Real Madrid's second team, Castilla - is expected to take over.

Djokovic, Nadal in Montreal semi-final showdown

Djokovic, Nadal in Montreal semi-final showdown

Rediff.com10 Aug 2013

Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal advanced to a mouthwatering semi-final showdown at the Rogers Cup after they crushed their quarter-final opponents in ruthless fashion on Friday.

Benitez joins Napoli after leaving Chelsea

Benitez joins Napoli after leaving Chelsea

Rediff.com28 May 2013

Former Inter Milan, Liverpool and Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez will return to Italy to take charge of Serie A club Napoli.

Chelsea's Terry, Hazard unlikely for Europa League final

Chelsea's Terry, Hazard unlikely for Europa League final

Rediff.com15 May 2013

Chelsea winger Eden Hazard will miss Wednesday's Europa League final against Benfica with a hamstring strain while John Terry's ankle problem is still being assessed, interim manager Rafa Benitez said.

Beaten Nadal's Australian Open injury jinx strikes again

Beaten Nadal's Australian Open injury jinx strikes again

Rediff.com26 Jan 2014

For the third time in five years, Rafa Nadal's Australian Open title hopes were ended by injury as he was beaten by Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka in the final on Sunday.

Playing Federer always brings out my best, says Nadal

Playing Federer always brings out my best, says Nadal

Rediff.com24 Jan 2014

Rafa Nadal said playing Roger Federer always brings the best out of him after he bludgeoned his way past the Swiss on Friday to reach the final of the Australian Open.

Nadal accepts he got lucky after edging Dimitrov

Nadal accepts he got lucky after edging Dimitrov

Rediff.com22 Jan 2014

A battle-scarred Rafa Nadal admitted he got lucky as he moved into the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Wednesday with a 3-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (7), 6-2 win over Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov.