Suresh Dhakshineswar advances to doubles quarter-finals at ATP Winston-Salem Open
India’s Suresh Dhakshineswar and British partner Luca Pow caused a big upset in the first round of the doubles event at this week’s ATP 250 Winston-Salen Open with a win over sixth seeds Ariel Behar/ Andrés Molteni in a deciding match tiebreak. Dhakshineswar/ Pow, who play together for Wake Forest University in the NCAA US College circuit, took an early break to go up 2-0 in the first set and held on to their serve to claim the opening set 6-4. The second set went with serve for the first 11 games before Behar/ Molteni broke in the 12th game to win it 7-5. The Indo-British duo, who received a wildcard into the main draw, regained the momentum to win the deciding match tiebreak 10-8 and advance to the last eight where they will meet Gonzalo Escobar/ Aleksandr Nedovyesov. This is Dhakshineswar’s first ATP Tour main draw appearance. On Sunday, Dhakshineswar went down in his final round qualifying match of the singles draw. After beating world No 337 Alexey Zakharov in straight sets in the opening round, the 24-year-old Indian was defeated by 18-year-old American Learner Tien, ranked No. 232 in the world, in straight sets, 3-6, 4-6. Nagal heads to New York for the US Open after first round loss India’s top-ranked singles player, Sumit Nagal, also saw his singles campaign at the tournament come to an end on Sunday as he was defeated 4-6, 2-6 by former world No. 12 Borna Coric, of Croatia. Nagal, who turned 27 last week, now heads to New York for the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season which begins on Monday August 26, 2024. The Sportz Planet Desk,Haresh Ramchandani
Steve Smith Keen On Representing Australia At LA 2028 Olympics
With the inclusion of cricket in the LA Olympics 2028, cricketers have been buzzing to be a part of the mega event. One of such cricketers is Australia’s Steve Smith. In a recent interaction with the media Smith revealed his intentions to feature in the Los Angeles Olympics which is to be held in 2028. Smith seems to be ready to prepare himself and walk in the Road To LA28 as he states to play the T20 format for a longer period of time. “I could still be playing T20 cricket in four years, so you never know. It’s a format I can see myself playing probably for a lot longer than some of the others, especially with the franchise stuff around the world. I’ve signed on here for three years so it’s only another year after that. It would be cool to be part of an Olympics,” Smith said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “I don’t have any plans. I’m just enjoying playing at the moment, I’m pretty relaxed and looking forward to this summer,” he added further. Steve Smith’s exclusion from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 came as a surprise to many, as Australia bowed out of the tournament in the Super 8 stage. Despite this setback, the Australian remains active in the Big Bash League, where he continues to represent the Sydney Sixers. Smith recently secured a three-year contract with the franchise, fueling his ambition to return to Australia’s T20I team ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles—a milestone event as cricket makes its Olympic debut. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Premier League 2024-25: What Top Clubs Still Need
While the 2024-25 Premier League season gets underway, top clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool have opened their campaigns with mixed results. However, while the ball has started rolling on the pitch, these teams still have a number of pressing issues to sort out in the transfer market before the summer window closes on August 30, 2024. Manchester City Manchester City may seem watertight on the back of their 2-0 win at Chelsea, but the departure of Julián Álvarez has left them exposed up front. Pep Guardiola may target Brentford’s Ivan Toney to ensure they have the depth that can see Erling Haaland through a season of demands. Arsenal Arsenal have been very quiet this summer, with only Riccardo Calafiori arriving at the club. Despite possessing great firepower last season—excluding Gabriel Jesus—the Gunners are still missing an out-and-out center-forward. Mikel Arteta should ensure a striker is added before the window closes if they are to challenge City genuinely for the title. Liverpool Speaking about Liverpool, less of a priority has been the signings, more about securing important contracts—Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold most recently. Real Madrid has been sniffing around Alexander-Arnold; Liverpool needs to tie his future down quickly. Aston Villa Ashton Villa has prepared adequately for the return of Champions League football but hasn’t yet found its forward of real class, with Joao Felix going cold on them. Tottenham The Spurs have been doing lately is only working on attack but no depth in defense. That’s something they really need to consider these upcoming days. Chelsea Chelsea is overstretched with a first-team bloated squad of 41 players. New coach Enzo Maresca needs to send out players like Lukaku and Conor Gallagher to trim the size for manageable teams. Manchester United The Red Devils desperately need a prolific goal-scorer. With their recent signings in the backline under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United are greatly lacking a striker who can hit his mark, hence making this their most urgent need with the window deadline drawing nearer. Well these are the things some of the top Premier League clubs still are hunting for as they battle it out in the Premier League 2024 season. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Why Countries Vie for Summer Olympics: A Peep into the Motives Behind the Bid
With the road to LA28 being paved, cities around the world finalize their bids, which are driven by motives stretching beyond the sporting spectacle itself. The idea is that hosting the Olympics is an honor of great potential benefit associated with it, despite its being extremely expensive. Pride and National Image One major reason countries would want to host the Olympics is to develop national pride and enhance their image on the international platform. Take the instance of the Paris Olympics 2024, which emphasized the active culture and resilience amid political unrest France is facing. This was the opportunity to be part of French people under one same pride that united citizens during that moment, which echoes the bigger picture effect that hosting the Games adds to national morale. Similarly, past host cities, like Barcelona and Tokyo, used the Olympics to regain their position on the world stage and generate infrastructure that would endure for generations. Economic Development and Infrastructure The financial cost of hosting the Olympics can be crippling in the short term, as the costs almost always end up being far higher than the projected budgets. Still, the potential for long-term economic benefit is too high to ignore. New infrastructure, such as transportation systems and sports venues, can induce further development. For instance, it was Tokyo’s 1964 Games that paved the way for extensive improvements in transport infrastructure through the construction of the Bullet Train. In contrast, costs can be heavy. Greece slipped into a financial crisis as it struggled to pay off billions of dollars in debts run up hosting the 2004 Olympics. Rio de Janeiro missed the 2016 financial targets for its Olympics. Tourism and Trade This can also help in improving tourism and trade. The 1992 Olympics in Barcelona gave the tourist profile a drastic makeover, turning the city into one of the top destinations in Europe. Similarly, the 2008 Olympics in China helped facilitate entry into the World Trade Organization, opening up new trade opportunities. These long-term gains thus show how hosts could cash in through their exposure to the world. The Road to LA28 With the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 in the future, it remains banked on the exploitation of existing infrastructure to avoid falling into the financial pitfalls of previous host cities. As LA keeps this balance between cost and opportunity, it can set a precedent for future hosts. As nations like India weigh their bids for 2036, they shall look at the successes and challenges of past hosts to help navigate the complex decision of whether to embrace this global event. Although the task of hosting the Summer Olympics is both extremely expensive and a logistical nightmare, potential returns in citizens’ pride and global image, together with long-term economic benefits, make the Olympic opportunity quite attractive to many countries around the world. As the Road to LA28 unfolds, future hosts will be watching closely to get a feel for what the ultimate return on their investment is. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Suresh Dhakshineswar scores big win in ATP Winston-Salem Open qualifying
India’s Suresh Dhakshineswar made a winning start in his ATP Tour debut with a win over Russian Alexey Zakharov in the opening round of the ATP 250 Winston-Salem Open qualifying draw. The 6 foot-6inch Dhakshineswar, ranked No. 1089 in the world, defeated Zakharov, ranked more than 700 spots above him at No. 337, in straight sets. The 7-6(5) 6-2 win, which included 14 aces for the Dhakshineswar, puts the Indian into the second and final round of qualifying and one win away from making his ATP Tour main draw debut at the ATP hardcourt event. He will be hoping to join countryman Sumit Nagal in the main draw. Nagal, who received a direct entry into the tournament, faces former world No. 12 Borna Coric in the first round on Sunday. Suresh Dhakshineswar to face rising American Learner Tien in second round Suresh Dhakshineswar who plays for Wake Forest University in the U.S. college tennis circuit and received a wildcard into the qualifying draw, has yet to turn pro. That means he will not be able to collect the prize money he would receive for winning his first-round match here. The Indian will play 18-year-old American Learner Tien in the second qualifying round on Sunday. Tien, a left-hander who is currently ranked No. 232 in the world, had won 28 matches in a row on the ITF/ ATP Challenger Tour between late May and early August, which included one ATP Challenger title and four ITF titles. Meanwhile, over in Cleveland, India’s Sahaja Yamalapalli was defeated in the first round of the WTA 250 Tennis in the Land event. Yamalapalli, who was also playing her first WTA Tour level qualifying event and is ranked No 305 in the world, down to 2-6, 1-6 to world No. 91 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, of Spain. The Sportz Planet Desk,Haresh Ramchandani
The Man Behind Sports Science At The Premier League
In 1997, Chris Barnes was given the pioneering brief to create a sports science department at Middlesbrough Football Club. It was a kind of experiment seen as eccentric, so great skepticism was attached to it. Fast track two decades on from this—to now—every Premier League club has a sports science department. This alone demonstrates the transformative nature of Barnes’ work. One such character is Barnes, who has since turned out for Newcastle, Everton, West Bromwich Albion, and is currently with Nottingham Forest. He recently opened up to Yahoo Sport about his journey and how sports science had evolved in football. The Genesis at Middlesbrough It all started with then-chairman Steve Gibson, an enlightened leader who wanted to bring leading sports science practices into the game, inspired by what was happening across the Continent. Middlesbrough was the first Premier League club to have a real sports science department within its structure, and Barnes, it seems, became one of its first employees. “I moved to Middlesbrough in 1997. Steve Gibson was keen to look at how European clubs used sports science to enhance their training. We were the first in England to set up a department specifically for this purpose,” Barnes recalled. He spent 12 years with the club and saw sports science move from being generally accepted to becoming significantly developed. First Reactions, Changing Attitudes The introduction of sports science came up against players who felt the new statistical insights were tools of scrutiny rather than support. “Initially, there was a lot of kickback and resentment,” Barnes said. “Managers used the data to criticize players, which led to friction.“ However, the view of sports science has changed dramatically. Today’s footballers are very much used to these technologies and consider them as a useful tool for improvement rather than one of criticism. “Modern footballers grow up in a world where technology is the norm. They now appreciate how it helps them prepare and recover,” Barnes explained. Fitness then and now: Comparing He went on to compare the fitness standards of the players in 1997 with those of today, saying the transformation was dramatic. “The players at Middlesbrough two decades ago worked hard; however, the understanding of diet, science, and technology has come a long way since then. We now have a much more in-depth knowledge of how an athlete’s body works,” he said. The Overload of Data He also addressed the volume of data managers are presented. “I have sympathy for managers who have so much physical and technical information coming at them. It can be hard to process it all effectively,” he said. He highlighted the importance of relevant, actionable data over an excess of statistics. The Future of Sports Science “We haven’t even scratched the surface,” opined Barnes, adding, “I believe the next big wave for professionals and others in sport, and indeed in other areas of life, is in using sports science knowledge to open new areas to explore“. Fitness and performance enhancement, he went on to say, are, as a result, areas where further development and innovation will take place. Taking Technology to the Amateurs Now, Barnes focuses his work on extending high-tech sports science to amateur athletes with the help of Catapult’s PLAYR GPS device. The wearable technology was designed to step up the level of preparation, performance, and recovery of the game among players at non-professional levels. “There is a great interest in using professional equipment even if you are not a top athlete in order to improve your personal performance,” he said. As sports science continues its evolution, Barnes’ pioneering efforts at Middlesbrough form something of a bedrock for a fuller embrace of technology in football today in its efforts to benefit all from top to bottom. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
LA28: Los Angeles Is Preparing to Host LA28 with a Legacy of Community Impact and Gender Equality.
After the glittering, star-studded closing ceremony at Paris Olympics 2024, the Olympic flag was finally passed to Los Angeles, the host city of the 2028 Olympic Games. However, the impact of the LA28 Games is already being felt across the city, with Los Angeles continuing to reap the benefits accruable from its sporting legacy, dating back to the 1984 Olympics. A Legacy of Accessibility to Youth The 1984 Olympic Games impacted Los Angeles long before the event started. Out of the surplus accrued from the 1984 Games, a foundation—the LA84 Foundation—was established, which has become very influential in local youths’ participation in sports, with a special focus on young girls and women. Their programs have reached over 3 million young people from the year 1984 to the year 2017, with female participation gladly standing at 42 percent. More recently, the PlayLA program allowed youth of all abilities and backgrounds to engage in sport activities at an affordable cost. This initiative was funded by the IOC and the LA28 Organizing Committee and developed by the LA City Recreation and Parks Department. To date, since 2018, it has given over 500,000 young people an opportunity, thus setting the tone for the upcoming Games with resonance in inclusivity and accessibility. Progress in Gender Equality It was the Games that did many firsts in terms of women in sport. Front and center were the first-ever ladies competing in the Olympic women’s marathon, artistic swimming, and rhythmic gymnastics, as well as totally new disciplines for both men and women like 3000 and 400m hurdles, road cycling, and shooting. The representation would be a then-record high of 23% females, setting the stage for future equality in sports. Fast-forward to Paris 2024, where the IOC nailed an exact 50:50 split between male and female athletes, further sealing the gains that began several decades ago in Los Angeles. The dedication to this gender equality continues to inspire the upcoming LA28 Games—the promise of a stage where athletic excellence knows no gender. Preserving Venue Legacy What organizers are touting with LA28 is sustainability and “radical reuse.” That means no new permanent venues will be built in Los Angeles for the games. Actually, 21 out of the 26 existing venues used during the 1984 Games are still operating today. This means that sports, cultural, and leisure activities at these locations can still be used by athletes and citizens alike. One of the most iconic venues is the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which has an Olympic legacy second to none—hosting the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 1932 and 1984 Games, besides track and field events. The Coliseum will have once again been one of the primary venues for the LA28 Games, continuing to grow its legendary status as an Olympic landmark. Social, Economic and Environmental Legacies Though its legacy extends down the playing field, the path-breaking new financial model of the Los Angeles 1984 Games was set through corporate sponsorships, which future Games followed. These Games set in motion a youth movement to spread Olympic values, fostered neighborhood volunteer engagement, and initiated city-wide environmental projects. More than 20,000 trees and bushes were planted in Los Angeles under clean-up initiatives, showing that there is some concern for the environment through the Games. It is in the process of building on this rich heritage, making sure that when the 2028 Games come, the spirit of the Olympics leaves a mark that will be remembered here in Los Angeles City, just like it happened 40 years ago. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Controversy erupts as India name new Davis Cup team, coach
Soon after the All India Tennis Association (AITA) announced the new coach and the squad for India’s away Davis Cup tie next month against Sweden, controversy erupted with India’s No. 3 singles player Sasikumar Mukund lashing out at the officials in a social media post. On Friday, the AITA announced that 41-year-old Ashutosh Singh, former world No 150 in doubles and world No 525 in singles, would be the new coach of the Indian Davis Cup squad, following Zeeshan Ali’s decision to step down in that role. The AITA also announced the squad for India’s next Davis Cup tie in mid-September with Sumit Nagal, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Sriram Balaji, Niki Poonacha, Siddharth Vishwakarma and Aryna Shah (reserve) getting the call and Rohit Rajpal continuing as captain. Selection Committee says Yuki Bhambri did not make himself available for the tie However, two notable absentees in the squad were the country’s No. 2 ranked doubles player Yuki Bhambri and No. 3 ranked singles player Sasikumar Mukund. “Yuki (Bhambri) was not available for selection and he has not given any reason for his non-availability,” selection committee chairman Nandan Bal told PTI. “We were given a list of available players and his name did not figure there, so we picked players who were available.” As per the PTI report, Mukund “was handed a two-tie suspension by the Executive Committee for his consistent refusal to play for the national team. He did it three times in a row, so he was not to be considered for two ties. This is the first tie and he will not be considered in the next one too.” Sasikumar Mukund lashes out in online post Soon after the news was out in the public, Mukund reacted harshly with a post on social media, stating that he was not even aware that he was under suspension. “I was asked to play by the captain (Rohit Rajpal) and coach (Ashutosh Singh) and I chose not to play because: a) I don’t have a visa, b) I didn’t want to be there due to bad management, c) I think I hurt somebody’s ego so they came up with a ban that nobody knew about including me,” the world No 476 in singles said. Mukund also called into question the behaviour of officials involved in the Indian Davis Cup squad. ‘If I have to be banned for something, then a lot of officials have to be banned for life for the amount of players’ money they spend on single malt whiskeys for every tie.’ India will travel to Stockholm Sweden for the World Group 1st round tie on September 14-15. The winner of the tie will move ahead to the 2025 Davis Cup Qualifiers while the losing team will compete in the 2025 World Group I Play-offs. India have never defeated Sweden in five ties the two nations have played in the Davis Cup, the last of which came in 2005. The Sportz Planet Desk,Haresh Ramchandani
Cricketers with Family Members Who Took the Olympic Stage
Cricket is all set for a grand comeback at the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 after an absence of 124 years from the world’s biggest sporting stage. While athletes from across the world shone brightly in the Paris Olympics 2024, it is of importance to note that despite its gigantic following, cricket has never been included since 1900. Then, it was only 24 players who participated in a two-day Test match between Great Britain and France; gold went to the former. Fast-forward to 2028, and cricket will again feature but in a much more modern format: T20 International. Though cricket itself has spent over a century out of the way, some family members of cricketing legends have enjoyed their share of limelight at the Olympics. So, here is a brief look at three cricketers whose relatives have graced the grand Olympic stage: 1. Mitchell Starc’s Brother, Brandon Starc, at Paris 2024 The Starc family indeed does have sport running through its veins. While Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has had success in cricket’s biggest tournaments with his lethal bowling and record-breaking IPL deals, it is his younger brother who represents the family name in the Olympics. Brandon is an Australian high jumper who has been persistent at the Games since Rio 2016, moving on to Tokyo 2020, and recently Paris 2024. His experience includes a silver medal in the 2010 Youth Olympics and gold in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The Olympic podium hasn’t seen Brandon yet. 2. Keith Thomson’s Brother, William Thomson, at Mexico 1968 New Zealand’s Keith Thomson was known for his brief career as a test cricketer, playing one test match against India in 1968, before moving to become an umpire. However, it was his brother William Thomson who made the news in another sport. William was a member of the New Zealand men’s hockey team during the 1968 Mexico Olympics. What was expected to be a straightforward victory for the Kiwis did what no one had thought they would–defeat reigning champions India in the opening match. Unfortunately, New Zealand couldn’t sustain that momentum, finishing third in their group and out of the semifinals despite a solid record of three wins and four draws. 3. Winston Benjamin’s Son, Rai Benjamin, at Paris 2024 Son of the former West Indies pace bowler Winston Benjamin, Rai Benjamin, made a name for himself in athletics and captured gold at the Paris Olympics 2024 in the 400m hurdles. Rai’s time of 46.46 seconds secured him a top spot at Stade de France, building on his already distinguished list of accolades including a silver medal at Tokyo 2020 and a raft of awards won at the World Championships. His victory in Paris was extra special for his family but also offered a glimpse into the future of sporting greatness. These stories remind us that while cricket as a game was not present, the fighting spirit of the loved ones of cricket stars never went out of existence as we prepare ourselves for cricket’s comeback in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. Now, the whole world will wait for 2028—cricketers are going to get their chance to blaze the Olympic podium again. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
3 Years Since Virat Kohli’s Fiery One-Liner At Lords
2 sessions of play were left on that day at the Lord’s. India had posted a target of 272 with just 60 overs remaining in the 2nd test match against England in 2021. The Indian Cricket Team makes a huddle. In walks then skipper, Virat Kohli and throws a fiery one liner that was going to be remembered for ages. “For 60 overs they should feel hell out there” said Virat. And that was the exact thing that happened next. That was a shattering blow to England from the Indian pace unit, particularly Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, as both combined to dismantle the English batting line-up at the Home of Cricket. The struggles of England started right at the beginning as openers Dom Sibley and Rory Burns fell for ducks, with Bumrah and Shami laying the groundwork in the very first over. Captain Joe Root was attempting to graft the innings, but was dismissed for 33 following an excellent catch by Virat Kohli in the slips off an inch-perfect delivery from Jasprit Bumrah. Ishant Sharma joined in with the fall of Haseeb Hameed and Jonny Bairstow to reduce England to 67/4 in an extremely precarious position. Despite the best efforts of Root, England collapsed for a meager 120 all out against the target of 272 runs. Siraj led from the front in the late attack on England’s tail with four timely wickets; Bumrah added three to his tally to close out the game and secure the dominating 151-run victory for India. The Indian bowlers, with spicy spells and continuous pressure, ensured a delightful victory that is going to be there in memory for any debacle encountered by India. Kohli’s words probably acted as the fuel to the fire. The 2021 Lord’s test match between England and India is surely the one remembered for the ages. Courtesy – Virat Kohli and his words of wisdom. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye