Friday, 16 October 2026
Thursday, 15 October 2026
EAGLES QB JALEN HIRTS RULED OUT AGAINST THE PANTHERS WITH A 'SUPERFICIAL BLOOD CLOT'
Jalen Hurts is out against the Panthers. Barring any surprises, Tanner McKee will start in his place.
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| ERIC HARTLINE/IMAGN IMAGES VIA REUTERS CONNECT |
The Philadelphia Eagles announced on Thursday that Jalen Hurts has a "superficial blood clot" in his calf, and will not play Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers. The Eagles' full statement:
Or in more easily readable text:
“On Thursday, October 8th, Jalen visited the training room after practice requesting treatment for his calf. He informed the medical staff he had been cleated during the Rams game on October 4th. This was his first treatment session for the calf injury following the game, after having practiced in full both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Jalen received treatment, practiced in full, and was added to the practice report.
“Out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was performed on Saturday following the team’s flight to London and walkthrough. The ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot. Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play. Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia.
“Jalen played without limitation in the game Sunday, received treatment on Monday and Tuesday, and practiced in full on Wednesday, as reflected in the practice report. Throughout our time in London and this week, we have remained in communication with the league office regarding the matter.
"On Wednesday night, a follow-up ultrasound revealed movement in the small blood clot. Jalen will be out for Sunday’s game vs. the Panthers as we determine the appropriate course of treatment. His health and safety are our highest priority.”
Barring any unexpected roster moves, Tanner McKee will start in place of Hurts on Sunday.
The Eagles listed 24 players on their injury report on Wednesday. The offense currently has the following notable injuries (and other situations), by position:
• Quarterback: Jalen Hurts is ruled out for Sunday. Former QB2 Andy Dalton was cut after a bad performance Week 3 against the Bears.
• Running back: Saquon Barkley did not play Week 5 against the Jaguars, and did not practice on Wednesday. Tank Bigsby is on IR. Will Shipley will be out Week 6 vs. Carolina.
• Wide receiver: DeVonta Smith didn't play Week 5 against the Jaguars, and did not practice on Wednesday. Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown were both limited.
• Tight end: Nothing notable. Some of the depth guys were limited on Wednesday, like E.J. Jenkins, Grant Calcaterra, and Eli Stowers.
• Offensive tackle: Lane Johnson retired.
• Guard: Landon Dickerson is on IR, but had his 21-day practice window opened this week. Tyler Steen was limited with a shoulder injury.
• Center: Cam Jurgens was traded. Drew Kendall didn't play Week 5 with a knee injury, and he did not practice on Wednesday.
It's pretty safe to say that the Eagles' 2026 season is going poorly.
We will update as we learn more about the severity of Hurts' injury.
- JIMMY KEMPSKI
BREAKING: RAFAEL CAMARA JOINS HAAS
Rafael Camara will join the Haas F1 Team in 2027 on a multi-year contract, the American team officially confirmed. The 21-year-old Brazilian Ferrari junior driver will replace Esteban Ocon and is expected to partner Oliver Bearman.
Dominating the Junior Series
Camara's promotion to F1 is built on an impressive junior record. He won the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship and then claimed the Formula 3 title in his rookie season in 2025. Currently, he leads the Formula 2 standings by 7 points with two rounds remaining and could become the first driver to win FRECA, F3, and F2 titles in three consecutive seasons.
Impressing Haas in Testing
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu explained that the decision was made after a rigorous evaluation process including a TPC test at Portimão in August, where Camara drove the team's 2025 car: "He showed us more than just raw speed. Rafa managed to create an environment to get the best out of himself, it was very impressive and certainly the laps he completed were special."
A Proven Path from Ferrari Academy
Camara follows the same path as current Haas driver Oliver Bearman from the Ferrari Driver Academy. Team owner Gene Haas expressed confidence: "These younger drivers are well prepared, and they can make an immediate impact on a team."
CLUB LEGEND ROY KEANE BRANDS MAN UNITED A 'CIRCUS' AFTER LISANDRO MARTINEZ CRITICISM
'I think as a reflection of the club, it's obviously chaos there, like a bit of a circus'
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| CHAOTIC: Roy Keane has branded Manchester United a "circus" following Lisandro Martinez's outburst against the club's hierarchy. Picture: Bradley Collyer/the Press Association. |
Manchester United legend Roy Keane believes Lisandro Martinez's criticism of the club hierarchy reflects the "chaos" at Old Trafford.
Speaking on The Overlap podcast, Keane described United as "a bit of a circus".
Speaking after Tuesday's 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, Martinez said he had expected more investment in the squad in the summer and "more from our technical director". In a social media post on Wednesday he said he had spoken out of "anger and frustration".
United have won just one of their opening six Premier League games and are without a victory in any competition in five. They take on Leeds United this weekend.
"There will be some fans saying it's great and some saying you're letting the team down, especially from a player who hasn't been at his best, when the team is struggling," said Keane. "I think as a reflection of the club, it's obviously chaos there, like a bit of a circus.
Look at yourself
"When you're going through a difficult spell like United are, the issue I have with certain players saying things is you always have to start with the man in the mirror before you start coming out with all these comments."
Martinez is 28 and out of contract at the end of the season, though United have the option to extend his deal.
"I don't think it will be a big falling-out - because I think we have question marks over this dressing room anyway," Keane said.
I don't think there's enough characters, enough men in there, but I don't see him as a senior player at Manchester United. I see him as a centre-half who's making lots of mistakes."
Former United defender Gary Neville compared the incident to comments made by Wayne Rooney when they were team-mates in 2010.
Rooney pulled out of contract talks, saying he had not received "any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad". Two days later he signed a five-year deal and later said staying was the best decision of his career.
"I've got a problem with this from a player's perspective," said Neville. "That is a direct attack on the players you are playing with."
- Irish Examiner
MESSI'S INTER MIAMI BEAT NEW YORK CITY TO REACH THIRD STRAIGHT MLS PLAYOFF
Messi assist sets Inter Miami on way to 2-0 win against New York City FC as back-to-back wins guarantee playoff place.
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| Inter Miami's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi, flanked by Brazilian defender Casemiro, applauds after win in New York City FC [Chandad Khanna/AFP] |
Lionel Messi set up a Rodrigo De Paul goal, and German Berterame snapped his scoring drought as Inter Miami booked their place in the MLS (Major League Soccer) playoffs with a 2-0 win over New York City FC on Wednesday.
Victory gave Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez his first back-to-back wins since taking over as head coach last month, guaranteeing second-placed Miami at least a place in the wild card round of the competition in the United States, with five games left to play.
“I’m leaving happy. Obviously, there’s a lot to improve, but we’re making progress little by little,” Gonzalez said.
Messi – who had scored twice on Saturday after returning to his club side from last week’s emotional Argentina send-off – was again a dangerous presence, playing a hand in both first-half goals.
In the 20th minute, Messi trapped the ball just outside the penalty area and passed it to De Paul, who found Suarez on the byline with a diagonal looping ball.
Suarez rolled it flat across the face of the goal, giving Berterame a simple finish for his first goal since May.
De Paul grabbed Miami’s second on a quick counter with the final kick of the first half. Berterame brought the ball across the halfway line and was slightly fortunate to find Messi to his right with a mishit pass.
Messi drew in three defenders then laid it off with the outside of his left foot to De Paul, who slammed it high to the keeper’s right.
In a goalless second half, Messi sent a curling effort from just outside the box over the bar.
As the game clock hit 90, Messi played a short corner to De Paul, who unleashed a shot from outside the box towards the far top corner. United States national team goalkeeper Matt Freese made a superb diving save, tipping the ball onto the post.
New York City, on a dire streak of just one win in their last 11 MLS games, at least had a chance for a consolation deep in stoppage time with a penalty.
Ian Fray brought down fellow substitute Talles Magno, who turned sharply away from goal and ran into the defender’s trailing leg.
But Dayne St Clair made a brilliant save, flinging himself low and right to palm the ball around the bar.
It was Inter Miami’s second straight clean sheet, after none in their previous 10.
“I really liked how we handled dropping back into defensive shape. We didn’t get caught out on the counter and were very aggressive, breaking up plays whenever a sudden transition from them looked likely,” said Gonzalez.
“Perhaps our ball circulation was a bit too slow at times, but that’s just how the game played out.”
Even with first-place Nashville out of sight this year in the Eastern Conference, the win consolidated Miami’s grip on second and home-field advantage into the playoffs.
- Aljazeera
PSG BEAT MAN CITY IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THRILLER, BARCOLA HITS LIVERPOOL HAT-TRICK
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| Ousmane Dembele (L) celebrates with Achraf Hakimi after scoring Paris Saint-Germain's second goal in their 4-2 win away to Manchester City © AFP |
Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain romped to a 4-2 victory away to embattled Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, while Bradley Barcola hit his first Liverpool goals with a hat-trick in a 6-3 win over LASK in Austria.
Elsewhere on a prolific night of European action, Real Madrid came from 3-1 down to beat Roma 4-3 and Aston Villa demolished Fenerbahce 6-0 at Villa Park.
City were playing at home at the Etihad Stadium for the first time since being found guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules over almost a decade that have left them facing the prospect of severe sanctions.
That verdict appeared to be hanging over the City team as PSG raced into a three-goal lead just past the half-hour mark, with Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha all netting for the French side.
With former boss Pep Guardiola watching on, City produced a second-half fightback as Erling Haaland scored twice to take him to four Champions League goals already this season.
However, PSG got a fourth in between the Norwegian's strikes, with City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma unable to keep out a Maghnes Akliouche shot.
Donnarumma later made some amends by saving a Ferran Torres penalty, but City succumbed by the same margin as in their last Champions League meeting with PSG in January 2025.
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| Bradley Barcola bagged a hat-trick as Liverpool won 6-3 away to LASK in Austria © AFP |
"In the first half we were far superior to a great City side," Paris coach Luis Enrique told broadcaster Canal Plus. "You can think these games are over but it is never the case at this level, and we could have ended up losing."
Back-to-back title-holders PSG have won both Champions League games this season, scoring 10 goals in the process. They face Barcelona next week.
"Even with 3-0 in the first half, with the amount of chances we created in the second half, we deserved more," City coach Enzo Maresca told TNT Sports.
Barcola, a big-money summer signing from PSG, had not found the net for Liverpool before scoring three times at the Raiffeisen Arena after Ronald Araujo had broken the deadlock against the Austrian champions.
Jeremie Frimpong and Lewis Koumas also netted for Andoni Iraola's side, who were 4-0 ahead at one point before LASK scored three times in the space of 15 second-half minutes through Robert Ljubicic and Florian Flecker's brace.
"Obviously I think he has to enjoy this because to score a hat-trick in the Champions League is always very difficult," said Iraola of France forward Barcola.
- Real late show, Villa hit six -
There was a dramatic denouement in Italy, where a Marten de Roon goal and a Donyell Malen brace had Roma 3-1 up against Real Madrid inside the final 10 minutes.
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| Endrick (R) was among the scorers in Real Madrid's comeback victory against Roma © AFP |
However the visitors, who had earlier seen Kylian Mbappe score on his 100th Champions League appearance, produced an incredible late fightback.
Carlos Espi pulled one back in the 82nd minute and Brazil forward Endrick equalised before Antonio Rudiger grabbed a last-minute winner for Jose Mourinho's men.
Swiss international Johan Manzambi opened the scoring for Villa against Fenerbahce on his 21st birthday, setting his club up for their biggest ever European victory.
Nicolas Jackson scored twice before half-time, and Ross Barkley bagged a second-half brace including a penalty. Tammy Abraham completed the scoring, leaving the Turkish side stunned.
Fredrik Sjovold got the only goal of the game as Norway's Bodo/Glimt beat former European champions Borussia Dortmund 1-0, while Real Betis beat Porto 3-2 in Spain.
Abde Ezzalzouli put Betis ahead just after half-time, only for Gabri Veiga and Samuel Aghehowa to hit back for the Portuguese champions. However, Juan Hernandez levelled again and veteran Isco got a late winner.
In Rotterdam, Feyenoord beat Como 3-2 as the Dutch side's coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst got the better of Cesc Fabregas.
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| Shakhtar Donetsk fans enjoy the Ukrainian team's win over AEK Athens at Stamford Bridge © AFP |
Assane Diao gave the Italians the lead but Gjivai Zechiel and Anis Hadj Moussa struck for Feyenoord before an own goal by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made it 3-1. Anastasios Douvikas then pulled one back.
Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk were playing at home for the first time at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium, and they marked the occasion with a 3-1 win over AEK Athens.
Lovro Majer gave AEK the lead, but a Pedrinho penalty levelled matters before Vinicius Tobias and Gleiker Mendoza sealed the win to leave Shakhtar on four points from two outings.
Stuttgart won 3-0 away to Slovan Bratislava in the night's other game.
- AFP
NASCAR CEO: TOM CRUISE WANTS TO RACE IN ARCA FOR 'DAYS OF THUNDER 2'
"I’m not sure that’s going to happen, but he wants it to be as authentic as it can be."
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| Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/James Lang |
Over 25 years following Days of Thunder’s original release in 1990, the cult classic’s long-awaited sequel is slated to hit theaters in 2028, with Tom Cruise reprising his role as Cole Trickle, a dirt open-wheel racer who enters the NASCAR Cup Series despite zero experience with stock car racing.
According to NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell, who discussed the upcoming film at Front Office Sports’ Tuned In conference on Tuesday, Cruise, who is famous for doing as many of his own stunts as possible, wants to get behind the wheel for real this time around.
“I was shocked. We have an ARCA racing series … Tom wanted to go race in one of those,” O’Donnell said. “I’m not sure that’s going to happen, but he wants it to be as authentic as it can be.”
While preparing for the first film in 1987, Cruise tested a second-tier O’Reilly Auto Parts Series car at Daytona, topping out at nearly 180 MPH.
ARCA is a minor, semi-professional national touring series that serves as a feeder series into NASCAR. The ARCA Menards Series will begin its 20-race schedule for 2027 at Daytona on Feb. 20, making stops at other iconic racing tracks such as Talladega.
It’ll be up to the discretion of NASCAR, which acquired ARCA in 2018, whether a 64-year-old Cruise will be qualified to race in the series. However, the barrier to entry is relatively low compared to the Truck, O’Reilly, or Cup Series, with 15-year-olds and even YouTube star Cleetus McFarland competing in the past.
O’Donnell says that the Hollywood icon wants the sequel to be as authentic as possible. Several drivers have said they’ve communicated with the filmmakers to help achieve that authenticity, answering questions about racing, and offering advice on stories and scenes, per USA Today. Carson Hocevar, who drives the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, has been in communication with Cruise’s team since January for the film.
“I think if you look at the first one, it showcased what NASCAR was at the time. And so, in talking to Tom Cruise when he was at Daytona, it’s all about where we are today and going forward,” O’Donnell said. “It’s embracing, you know, instead of a car being put together back in the garage, it’s embracing the technology, everything that goes into the sport. And Tom’s message to us was, ‘I’m going to put you in front of an entirely new audience, and you need to be ready.'”
Jonathan Levine will direct the film, with Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway starring alongside Cruise, who is also producing the sequel with Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.
O’Donnell is looking at the upcoming blockbuster as a prime opportunity to grow the sport.
“Do people understand the point system? How does the Chase work? How long are your races? All these things to make sure that a new fan who may come out to the racetrack understands,” the CEO said. “Because for us, this is a whole new open door for us to bring new fans.”
- Qwame Skinner
Wednesday, 14 October 2026
FANS REACT TO SHAI HOPE AND KEEMO PAUL STAR IN WEST INDIES' WIN OVER INDIA TO LEVEL T20I SERIES 2-2
- West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the 4th T20I to level the five-match series 2-2.
- Shai Hope's century and Keemo Paul's five-wicket haul proved decisive in Hyderabad.
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| Fans react as Shai Hope and Keemo Paul star in West Indies' win over India to level T20I series 2-2 (Pic Source: X.com) |
Table of Contents
- Shai Hope’s century powers West Indies to a massive total
- Keemo Paul’s five-wicket haul seals West Indies’ victory
- Here’s how fans reacted:
West Indies produced a commanding performance to defeat India in the fourth T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday, October 14. The visitors defended a massive total in a high-scoring contest to draw level in the five-match series and take the battle to a decisive final match.
Captain Shai Hope led the charge with a magnificent unbeaten century before Keemo Paul dismantled India’s batting lineup with a five-wicket haul. Although the hosts put up a strong fight during their chase, they eventually fell short, prompting fans to react to the performances and the series result on social media.
Shai Hope’s century powers West Indies to a massive total
After India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field, West Indies made full use of the batting-friendly conditions to post a formidable 247/3 in 20 overs. Hope was the standout performer, smashing an unbeaten 102 off just 50 balls at a strike rate of 204.00. His innings featured four boundaries and nine sixes as he put the Indian bowlers under sustained pressure.
The West Indies skipper received excellent support from Sherfane Rutherford, who remained unbeaten on 49 off 26 deliveries, and Shimron Hetmyer, who hammered 33 off just 12 balls. Rovman Powell also contributed 24 runs to help the visitors finish with a daunting total. India’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring, with Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav both conceding 52 runs in their four-over spells. With 248 runs required for victory, India faced a challenging task in the second innings.
Keemo Paul’s five-wicket haul seals West Indies’ victory
India began their chase aggressively, with Sanju Samson providing an explosive start. The opener smashed 56 off just 23 balls, striking six fours and four sixes to keep the hosts in the hunt. Tilak Varma added 43 off 25 deliveries, while Nitish Kumar Reddy scored a quickfire 41 off 20 balls, including four sixes. Their contributions kept India’s hopes alive, but West Indies continued to strike at crucial moments.
Gudakesh Motie played an important role with figures of 2/13, removing key batters and slowing India’s progress. Paul then delivered the decisive blows, finishing with figures of 5/41 in four overs to break through the Indian batting order. Despite the efforts of India’s middle order, the hosts were bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs, handing West Indies a 24-run victory. The result levelled the five-match series at 2-2, setting up a winner-takes-all fifth T20I at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 17.
Here’s how fans reacted:
High-scoring epic! Despite a fierce fight from India, West Indies defend their 247/3 to register a thrilling 24-run win ⚡#INDvWI #westindiescricket pic.twitter.com/ZDrTBgFxhH
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 14, 2026
Shai Hope and Keemo Paul led an inspiring performance against India, setting up an enticing T20I series decider in Bengaluru 👊https://t.co/qvj17gCM6w
— ICC (@ICC) October 14, 2026
Terrific win by West Indies to level the series at two all with one to go. The series of “HOPE” continues.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 14, 2026
The West Indies are beating India at their own game, which is to outhit the opposition. 6s are the differentiators in the game and the West Indies have surpassed India so far.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 14, 2026
shai hope did the damage with the bat, keemo paul finished the job with the ball. brilliant from wi 👍
— Royal (@royalpinto007) October 14, 2026
🚨 WEST INDIES HAVE LEVELLED THE T20I SERIES IN HYDERABAD 2-2. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/wFnMtaourU
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 14, 2026
India won the 1st match.
West Indies won the 2nd match.
India won the 3rd match.
West Indies won the 4th match.
A PEAK T20I SERIES 🥶 Shai Hope, The hero of West Indies, We are witnessing greatness. pic.twitter.com/2ItpFqVcgt
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 14, 2026
Kitne aadmi the? Sirf do — Shai Hope aur Keemo Paul! 🔥 Ek ne batting se toda, toh doosre ne bowling se! 🥶#Indvswi pic.twitter.com/e6AI0xrQ4h
— Huzaifa Mir (@huzaifamir95) October 14, 2026
West Indies beat India by 24 runs in Hyderabad to level the T20I series 2-2. WI post 247/3; India are all out for 223 in 19.3 overs. Shai Hope hits 102*; Keemo Paul takes 5/41. Photo: PTI/India Today. File photo. Edited poster. #INDvWI #Cricket pic.twitter.com/bjWDeIoOEZ
— Harshit singh (@Harshit92135329) October 14, 2026
WEST INDIES WIN BY 24 RUNS, SERIES LEVEL 2-2.
Arshdeep Singh retired hurt (left-shoulder pain), ending the match. India finished 223/9. Shai Hope (century) and Keemo Paul (5-wicket haul) secured the win. pic.twitter.com/WP6ywi7g57
— Cricket Pakistan (@crickethub_pk) October 14, 2026
- Ekansh Rastogi
ALVARO ARBELOA HIT WITH £25K FA FINE AFTER SAYING REFEREE WOULD 'NOT LET MANCHESTER UNITED LOSE'
Arbeloa made the comments about match officials following Fulham’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United last month
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| Alvaro Arbeloa hit with £25k FA fine for Man United comments Alvaro Arbeloa has been fined (Bradley Collyer/PA) PA Wire |
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has received a £25,000 FA fine and a warning on Wednesday for post-match comments questioning the integrity of the referee following last month’s Premier League match against Manchester United.
Arbeloa accepted a charge that he had "acted in an improper manner" through remarks made after the 1-1 draw between the sides at Craven Cottage on 20 September.
"I think all fouls for them," the Spaniard stated following the match, in reference to United, who had lost to Manchester City the previous weekend due to a contentious goal.
"Every decision was for them," Arbeloa added, "and I knew, I knew after the game against Man City that they don’t let Manchester United lose here."
Written reasons published on Wednesday showed the independent commission investigating the incident "felt that those words suggested, not only that there was bias on the part of the match officials throughout the game on repeated occasions, but also that there may even have been an element of pre-meditation by them and/or others to try to make up for an error in a different match."
Arbeloa is currently in his first season at Fulham having left Real Madrid over the summer.
Fulham are currently bottom of the table after taking just two points from their opening six games. One of those draws came against United, while they also earned a point away at Liverpool. They have been beaten by Chelsea, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town.
Arbeloa’s side are due to return to action when they host newly-promoted Hull City on Saturday at Craven Cottage. They will then face another promoted club, Coventry City, seven days later before playing Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup for a spot in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Fulham’s final match in October will be a trip to Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have failed to bounce back after last month’s draw at Fulham. Since returning from the international break, Michael Carrick’s side have been held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Tottenham, and they were then beaten 2-0 by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
- Sam Brookes
CARLOS ALCARAZ REACTS TO DJOKOVIC'S SHANGHAI REMARKS AFTER SHOCK LOSS
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| © Tiempodetenis1 / X / Fair Use |
Carlos Alcaraz has agreed that there are some strange things about the playing conditions at the Shanghai Masters after Novak Djokovic complained about the speed of the courts at the Chinese tournament.
The Spaniard suffered a disappointing third-round exit on Monday after losing 7-5, 7-6(4) to Belgian Zizou Bergs. Following the match, the 23-year-old was asked about Djokovic's recent criticism of the courts and whether he had similar feelings.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had described the Shanghai courts as too quick after his second-round defeat to Hubert Hurkacz. Alcaraz, meanwhile, pointed out that the conditions felt completely different between his opening match and the encounter with Bergs.
"To be honest, I just felt the first round it was really, well, it was fast. Today I didn't feel the same way. So, it's weird that in just two days it can feel that I can feel the court, feel the conditions, way different," Alcaraz said.
"Obviously, the first round I played with the roof closed. Today I played outdoors. Yeah, I felt different. I felt the first round it was really quick. Today the ball was bigger, and it was a little bit slower. I don't know why. It's something weird, and something that they have to look after."
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| Carlos Alcaraz. © carlosalcarazbr / X / Fair Use |
Interestingly, the seven-time Grand Slam winner had praised the faster Shanghai courts just two days earlier, following his opening victory against Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
"The court is quite fast, which I like, but that's exactly why I didn't start very well. I couldn't find the rhythm or read his serve well, so I decided to try something different," the former world No. 1 explained at the time.
Djokovic and Fritz also had complaints in Shanghai
Djokovic was another player who struggled to adjust to the conditions in Shanghai. The 39-year-old arrived at the tournament after winning his seventh China Open title in Beijing, but his Shanghai campaign ended in his first match.
Hurkacz defeated the Serbian 6-4, 6-3, recording his first victory over the former world No. 1 after losing their previous eight meetings.
The Polish player hit 13 aces and 28 winners during the match, while Djokovic admitted that the fast conditions and his physical condition made things difficult.
The four-time Shanghai champion had enjoyed much better results at the tournament in previous years, winning the title in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018.
Taylor Fritz also had something to say about the balls used in Shanghai this year. The American complained that they were losing their speed too quickly, making it difficult to finish points even when hitting aggressively.
"Thank goodness they sped up the courts this year. The game is faster, so at least that helps a little," Fritz said.
"But these balls are so fast when they're new, and then they wear out at a crazy pace. Once they're worn, it's a nightmare trying to finish a point. It's so hard."
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| Taylor Fritz© Tiempodetenis1 / X / Fair Use |
However, Bergs did not completely agree with Alcaraz's complaints about the balls. The Belgian admitted that some bounces were not perfect, but claimed that the general conditions were good.
"The balls are exactly the same as those we used in the previous tournament, so I don't think the problem comes from there," Bergs said.
"It is true that, now and then, there was an odd bounce on the court. That is something I noticed even during the warm-up. You might encounter a bad bounce every ten or twenty shots. That exists, and I won't deny it, but I think that, in general, both the courts and the balls are very good."
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| Zizou Bergs. © ma__linharess / X / Fair Use |
Alcaraz also admitted his own performance was far from the level he wanted against Bergs. The world No. 3 made many unforced errors and struggled with his returning throughout the match.
"Today it wasn't a good match from my side. I didn't play good. I would say it was a really bad level from me, and it was a really good level from him," Alcaraz said.
The Spaniard had arrived in Shanghai after successfully defending his Tokyo title and winning seven consecutive matches. Since returning from injury, he has won 11 of his 13 matches.
Despite that record, Carlos admitted that finding anything positive immediately after the defeat was quite difficult.
"Right now, all the negative thoughts come to my mind and none of the positives. But I think I will take the good things about having matches," the Spaniard said.
"I can re-watch the matches with my coach, with my team. It's going to be really helpful for the next tournament."
Alcaraz is now expected to return at the Paris Masters in November, where he will try to improve on last year's result. In 2025, the Spaniard lost his opening match in Paris to Cameron Norrie.
- Sead Dedovic
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