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Andy Murray: A Legendary Farewell to Tennis After 19 Years of Triumph and Tenacity

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Andy Murray is leaving in his own way, after 19 years as a professional and, in fact, after a lifetime tied to his sport: tennis for breakfast, tennis for lunch, tennis for dinner. Tennis at all hours and everywhere. And his fine British irony, of course: “I never liked it anyway…”, he transmitted this week through his social networks, once his farewell was confirmed with the fall in the Olympic doubles, at the Chatrier. The end of an extraordinary career. Pure Nadalian school of struggle, suffering and commitment, but Scottish: ankles, back, hips, operating rooms, double metal prostheses in the waist… And eternally, unbreakable, an unstoppable desire to play and compete, whatever the circumstances. Few tennis players with so much faith, so much pride and such fierceness when it comes to fighting back. A trademark competitor.

“I am fully aware that my rivals have had much better careers than mine, but for a time, I competed with them in the most important tournaments. I managed to reach number one in the world while they were all playing,” says the Scot, who managed to make a place for himself in the front line of the showcase at a time when he coincided with none other than the three giants: Federer, Djokovic, Nadal. He challenged all three, and he was able to beat all of them at one time or another. It is enough to give an idea of ​​the harvest: the peak (2016), three majors (Wimbledon) and three majors (2018). [2013 y 2016] and the 2012 US Open), 14 Masters 1000 titles, two Olympic golds (2012 and 2016), the Davis Cup (2015) and 46 titles in total. But perhaps, above all, the recognition: Andy Murray, good guy. Andy Murray, synonymous with fight, with roars. Andy Murray, or a very bad time for the guy opposite.

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“He didn’t mind going out on court for hours every day. An incredible professional. Worth studying,” describes Nole, who he beat 11 times, the same as Federer; Nadal succumbed seven times. Murray went down another path, surely less plastic, less virtuous, more robotic. But he triumphed. He inspired respect in abundance. His thing was defending, counterattacking, cut shots, drop shots, slowing down. Intelligence. A strategist through and through. Inspiring. Roberto Bautista, the man who suffered that first threat of retirement, in 2019, Australia, knows him well. The man from Castellón explains.

Murray lifts the Wimbledon trophy in 2013 after beating Djokovic. Clive Brunskill (Getty)

“He leaves behind an unconditional love for this sport and I would say that we need many more people like him, who love it as much as he does. Being as he has been, he has stretched it until the very end,” he highlights; “he has been my example, a player I have looked up to a lot. Even with a metal hip and in very limited physical condition, he has played for three or four years at a very high level. I really enjoy my day to day life, I love it; getting up and going to training, adding improvements to my game, going to training thinking about the next goal… It is like a poison that tennis gives you and he, in that sense, has always been an example of constant improvement.”

He has been my example, I have looked up to him a lot; he leaves an unconditional love for our sport

Roberto Bautista, tennis player

Low cap, high ankles and the booming voice that has echoed around all the courts, spitting out all the frustration: “Fuuuuuuuuuck!”. On her bench, suffering the wrath and savouring the glory, from Leon Smith to Jamie Delgado, passing through Àlex Corretja (as technical advisor), Ivan Lendl and Amélie Mauresmo. A man (a figure) betting on a woman. Unheard of in tennis. “The level of sexism is unreal.” “If being a feminist means fighting for a woman to be treated like a man, then yes, I guess I am.” Fearless on the court, she was not afraid off it either. She openly expressed her support for Scottish independence in the 2014 referendum (“Let’s do it!”) and always defended equal pay between men and women in sport: “I am totally in favour.” Calm and familiar in his private life – he has four children with his wife, whom he started dating when he was 18 – in competition he was a veritable erupting volcano.

“His personality and character are unique,” ​​answers the German Boris Becker. “Andy is complicated. On the court he could be the opposite of what he is in life,” Mauresmo said in a statement collected by the ATP, referring to his bad temper. And the Mallorcan Jaume Munar adds: “He has always been a player who has fascinated me. I have seen him countless times and also when he used to come to train with Rafa sometimes. [Nadal] “In Mallorca, I think he has a complicated character in a good way, and that was fun for me as a spectator. He has managed to have the capacity to adapt and constantly improve. In a very difficult era, he has won everything. What more can you ask of him? He was extremely complete. I was one of those who, if he was playing on court 14 and I had the opportunity to go and see him, I did. It was very inspiring.”

Murray, Djokovic, Federer and Nadal at the 2022 Laver Cup.Cameron Smith (Getty Images for Laver Cup) READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

The 27-year-old Spaniard, ranked 72nd in the world, continues: “It’s not just what he achieved, but how he did it: he controlled his tempo very well, he served well, he returned well and he was very solid. He knew how to take matches to his own level. Beyond his character, he was much more balanced than people think. He had the ability to play faster or slower… In terms of variability, he was tremendous, and he played well on all surfaces. I think he had a phenomenal career that, in my opinion, is a little underrated by everyone; however, when you see what he has done in perspective, it’s amazing.”

Beyond titles and trophies, Sir Andy – who received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from the then Prince Charles – managed to put an end to the ghosts and the decadent stigma that hovered over British tennis, thanks to the double conquest of Wimbledon and his projection on the big stages. He does not forget the United Kingdom where the former tennis player comes from: Dunblane, scene in 1996 of the largest child massacre recorded there; 16 children died shot by a teammate. Murray was there, and before entering the classroom he took refuge in an office when he heard the shots. He tells it in Andy Murray: Resurfacing (Resurfacing; Amazon, 2019). “We knew the guy. Twelve months later, our parents divorced. It was a difficult time. And shortly after my brother left home. We did everything together, so it was very hard for me. For a year or so, I had a lot of anxiety. But the anxiety disappeared when I played tennis,” he reveals in the documentary.

He was extremely complete, he knew how to set the pace and take the games to his level.

Jaume Munar, tennis player

Now, absolutely against her will, she is retiring from the scene and those who come to take care of her legacy. Competing as a way of life. “I think what she has done is brutal,” responds Paula Badosa. “And now that I am living a similar situation [al competir con una lesión crónica en la espalda]“I find it even more brutal. He has a very great inner strength. I am sure that there were days when he woke up and couldn’t even move, because I have seen him in the gym myself. He is made of different stuff,” adds the Catalan, 26 years old. “Criticism for having continued playing? People criticize for criticizing, whether you are blonde or brunette. If you analyze it with common sense, what he has done is very inspiring. There is nothing to criticize there, because in the end he is a person who is fighting for his dreams and for his passion,” she continues.

And the president of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), American David Haggerty, concludes: “He has lived and breathed the values ​​of tennis throughout his long career, defending equality and helping to send the message that our sport is for everyone. He leaves a great mark on and off the court.”

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2024-08-04 03:15:00
#Paris #Olympics #Andy #Murray #inspiring #beast #leaving #Paris #Olympics

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SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

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The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>> READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

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Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

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