Circuit de la Sarthe legend Henri Pescarolo started in an incredible 33 Le Mans 24 Hours - 30 of those being consecutively between 1970 and 1999 😲
The Frenchman won Le Mans four times outright in 1972-4 and 1984, with a further two class wins in 1976. and 1992.
Pescarolo also started 57 F1 world championship grands prix between 1968 and 1976.
#LeMans24 #MotorSport
The quiet champion who shaped Muhammad Ali's story leaves behind a powerful legacy of love, sacrifice, and brotherhood
The boxing world paused in reflection this week as news spread of Rahman Ali's death at the age of 82.
Known to millions as the younger brother of Muhammad Ali, Rahman's name was often an afterthought in the shadow of his sibling's global celebrity.
Yet for those who understood the story of the Ali family, his life reveals another side of what it means to be a champion-not just in the ring, but in character and loyalty.
Rahman Ali's journey, in many ways, mirrors the quiet power that so often supports greatness from behind the scenes.
Born Rudolph Arnett Clay in Louisville, Kentucky, he shared a close bond with Muhammad - then Cassius Clay - from childhood, following him to the gym after a stolen bicycle prompted the brothers to learn to box.
Their paths diverged when the older Clay seized the spotlight at the 1960 Rome Olympics and launched a career that would transform sports and culture.
Rahman, meanwhile, honed his skills in amateur bouts, turning professional the same night his brother won the heavyweight crown against Sonny Liston in 1964.
A Boxer's Journey in the Shadow of a Legend
Rahman's own career was more modest in scale but notable for its consistency. Amassing a record of 14 wins, three losses, and one draw, he boxed as a heavyweight until 1972, spending much of his career undefeated.
For six years, he was a steady presence in the sport. But it was his role in Muhammad Ali's corner that defined his adult life.
"I was a very good boxer myself, but I helped my brother, so I cut my career to help my brother and had one hell of a time," Rahman said in a later interview. "My boxing career was very good."
For decades, Rahman was more than a sibling, he was a sparring partner, a confidant, and a fixture in his brother's camp through some of boxing's most iconic moments.
He remained by Muhammad's side through political storms and historic bouts, their shared faith in Islam binding them closer in turbulent times.
Rahman's story is also one of humility and pride. In interviews and memoirs-including That's Muhammad Ali's Brother! My Life on the Undercard-he recounted their sparring matches and the lessons learned, not just in boxing, but in life.
"To spar with Muhammad Ali, he kept me sharp, and he made me a better person," he recalled. "He turned down nobody when it came to autographs. He was a big sweetheart. Alongside my wife, Muhammad Ali was my best friend."
When Muhammad Ali passed away in 2016, Rahman remained in Louisville, dedicating his time to preserving his brother's legacy, especially through the Muhammad Ali Childhood Home Museum.
He wrote books, spoke to young fighters, and was often seen at events celebrating the family's contributions to sport and social justice. Even as he battled Parkinson's disease, Rahman embodied the strength and humility that defined the Ali family.
His death was announced by the Muhammad Ali Center and confirmed by Muhammad's daughter Rashida Ali, whose social media tribute captured the affection so many felt for Rahman: "May Allah ease our heart and grant Uncle Rahman the highest place in Jannah.
"Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return. Uncle Rock was a source of love, laughter, and light, and his kindness touched all who knew him. RIP Uncle Rock."
It's easy to forget the importance of those who live in the wings of fame. Rahman Ali's life proves that legacy is not only measured by world titles or headlines, but also by loyalty, sacrifice, and the quiet courage to support those we love.
In his own words, "He'll always be with me-in my heart, in my bones, in my mind. I miss him but I will see him again in heaven."
With Rahman Ali's passing, boxing loses not only a link to its golden age, but a reminder of the humanity that shapes greatness.
The story of Muhammad Ali could never be complete without his brother's steadfast presence, and now, both men belong to history, remembered together.
- SAM, MARCA
The goalkeeper who has concededed less goals in football history is Dino Zoff! He holds an incredible record of 1,142 minutes without conceding a goal in selection, set between 1972 and 1974. This is really impressive!
Dino Zoff is considered one of the best goalkeepers of all time. He won the World Cup with Italy in 1982 and was European Champion with Juventus. He is also the oldest World Cup winner, having lifted the trophy at the age of 40 years, 4 months and 13 days 1.2.
Other goalkeepers also have impressive records, such as Peter Shilton who has played 125 games for England without conceding a goal, or Iker Casillas who has won the Champions League three times with Real Madrid. But Dino Zoff remains the least goalkeeper in football history 1-2!
The NBA's all-time winningest coach will transition to the role of Spurs president of basketball operations.
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| Gregg Popovich, the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, amassed 1,422 wins as head coach of the Spurs. |
Gregg Popovich stepped down as coach of the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, ending a three-decade run that saw him lead the team to five NBA championships, become the league’s all-time wins leader and earn induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said.
He will transition to team president. Mitch Johnson, a Spurs assistant who filled in for Popovich for the season’s final 77 games, becomes the team’s coach.
Popovich, 76, missed all but five games this season after having a stroke at the team’s arena on Nov. 2. He has not spoken publicly since, though he had addressed his team at least once and released a statement in late March saying that he hoped to return to coaching.
That won’t be happening.
“I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me,” Popovich said.
Popovich’s career ends with a record of 1,422-869, which does include the 77 games — 32 wins and 45 losses — that were coached by Johnson this season. He also won 170 playoff games with the Spurs, the most by any coach with any one team and the third-most overall behind only Phil Jackson’s 229 and Pat Riley’s 171.
“The best there ever was,” Spurs great Manu Ginobili said last year of Popovich.
Popovich was a three-time NBA Coach of the Year, led the U.S. to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and coached six Hall of Famers in San Antonio — Ginobili, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Dominique Wilkins and Pau Gasol. He went up against 170 different coaches during his time in the NBA and there have been 303 coaching changes made in the league, including interim moves, during the Popovich era.
“I’ve got a video on my phone that’s, like, priceless,” said Chris Paul, who played for the Spurs this past season — going there, in large part, because of the lure of playing for Popovich. “It was us in Oklahoma City, before shootaround, and Pop is doing ballhandling stuff. All these years I’ve always seen Pop coaching in a suit, but I didn’t know how hard of a worker he was when it comes to training.”
That work ethic, Paul said, carried over into this year after the stroke and Popovich’s commitment to his rehabilitation process.
“I was the first one to get to the arena for games, and I would walk past the training room and Pop would be on the treadmill,” Paul said. “I actually had a chance to be in there while Pop is doing rehab or whatnot. So, to see how hard he works, that’s what I’m glad I got a chance to see. It had nothing to do with basketball. It just showed who he is.”
Popovich, in his role as general manager of the Spurs, made the move to fire coach Bob Hill and promote himself into that job on Dec. 10, 1996. The timing seemed, at best, awkward. The Spurs were 3-15 at that point, having played all 18 of those games without Robinson, who was just about to come back from injury. Popovich took over on the day that Robinson returned to the lineup.
“A change in direction was necessary,” Popovich said that day.
The Spurs hadn’t changed direction again since.
“Coach Pop’s extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs and the game of basketball is profound,” Spurs managing partner Peter J. Holt said. “His accolades and awards don’t do justice to the impact he has had on so many people. He is truly one-of-one as a person, leader and coach. Our entire family, alongside fans from across the globe, are grateful for his remarkable 29-year run as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.”
The fortunes changed — Duncan was picked No. 1 overall in the 1997 Draft — but the direction under Popovich always stayed the same. The first championship came in 1999; others followed in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. In his first 22 seasons as coach, the Spurs had 22 winning records, the first 20 of those seasons winning at least 60% of the time.
His decision to step away now comes with the Spurs having just completed the second year of a rebuild around French star Victor Wembanyama, who arrived touted as the next San Antonio great and has done nothing to suggest he won’t live up to that billing.
Popovich played at the U.S. Air Force Academy, famously wasn’t picked in a bid to make the 1972 U.S. Olympic team — some still say he merited a spot on that team — and wound up becoming a coach who might have been perfectly content to run Pomona-Pitzer, a Division III program in California, for the entirety of his professional life. That school had lost 88 consecutive conference games when he arrived; it didn’t take long for Popovich to deliver a conference championship.
Eventually, the NBA called. In time, Popovich would be paired with Robinson, then the patriarch of a dynasty fueled by Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. And out of that, Popovich put together a career like none other.
“Everyone knows the amazing job he’s done and all the accomplishments,” longtime coach Larry Brown said in 2021. “I wish more people really could know the type of person that he is.”
He was famously grumpy, liked to clash with reporters, rarely offered any details of his basketball or private life other than what was necessary. It was simultaneously real and an act; Popovich has a much softer side as well — he quietly championed causes like the San Antonio Food Bank for years and wasn’t afraid to make his political views known. And those lucky enough to know him find him hilarious.
“He has an amazing sense of humor,” Boston forward Jayson Tatum said while playing for Popovich during the Tokyo Olympics four years ago. “I guess the casual fan sees the person who does those interviews postgame, but that’s not the case of who he is at all. I absolutely love spending time with him.”
A loss in the 2013 NBA Finals crushed Popovich, whose Spurs were in position to close out the Miami Heat in six games, lost Game 6 in overtime after Ray Allen’s 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds remaining in regulation kept the Heat alive, then fell in Game 7. But in the moments after the final horn, as Miami coach Erik Spoelstra embraced his staff, Popovich joined the hug with a wide smile.
"Spoelstra, who became coach of the Heat in 2008, becomes the league’s longest-tenured in his current position.
“He’s always just been an incredible example of class, dignity,” Spoelstra said of Popovich. “To be able to do that after wins or losses, I just think it’s a great example that you can still have class regardless of how the outcome comes during a game.”
When the Spurs beat the Heat for the title in a finals rematch in 2014, it was Spoelstra who felt the sting of losing. And once again, it was Popovich who sent congratulations on a job well done.
“There is no one out there like Pop,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said.
Popovich’s was a tenure like few others. Popovich coached the Spurs for 29 seasons, a span nearly unmatched in U.S. major pro sports history. Connie Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years, George Halas coached the Chicago Bears for 40 years and John McGraw managed the New York Giants for 31 years. Those three tenures — all wrapping up well over a half-century ago — are the only ones exceeding the length of Popovich’s coaching run with the Spurs; his 29-year era in San Antonio was matched by the Dallas Cowboys’ Tom Landry and the Green Bay Packers’ Curly Lambeau.
“It means I’m old,” Popovich said last year."
Popovich broke a gender barrier of sorts in the league when he hired Becky Hammon as the league’s first female full-time paid assistant coach. Hammon, now coach of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, would also become the first female head Summer League coach in the NBA and first female acting head coach when she replaced Popovich for a game in 2020.
“Basketball is basketball,” South Carolina women’s coach Dawn Staley said when asked about Popovich in 2017. “It doesn’t have a gender. It has a mind. It has an approach. It has a willingness. Given the opportunity, women can excel in this game. As you can see. Becky Hammon is doing a great job. You need more people like Coach Popovich to give them opportunities to learn, to grow, and to embrace it. I don’t think he sees gender. I think he sees someone that has a great basketball mind, that’s tireless. Once you’re given that opportunity, you see great things come out of it.”
Popovich spoke about wine whenever he could and offered his views on politics and current events but rarely offered much insight into coaching decisions or personnel matters. It was almost military-like secrecy, which made sense given that Popovich was a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and was an expert on, among other things, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union.
His love of country led to him taking a small side job during his San Antonio tenure — that being coaching USA Basketball for the 2019 World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics two years later. His World Cup team finished seventh, the worst placing ever for a U.S. team with NBA players. His Olympic team won gold.
“It’s impossible to separate it if you have been in the military,” Popovich said when asked about the parallels of being at the Air Force Academy and coaching the country’s national team. “I’ve had classmates that have fought in wars — I have not — and some of them are no longer with us. You get an appreciation for people who have sacrificed. So, when you have an opportunity to do this for your country, it’s impossible to say no. I love being part of it.”
- NBA.com News Services
Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 liters V8 engine - Acceleration from 0 to 100 km in 6.5 seconds.
It had 250 hp and an automatic transmission. It was one of the fastest four-door cars in the world at the time and was built from 1967 to 1972.
It is with profound sadness that the European Chess Union announces the passing of Boris Spassky, the 10th World Chess Champion and one of the greatest players in chess history.
A legend who shaped modern chess, Spassky's elegant style and sporting spirit made him one of the most respected figures in our community. His historic World Championship match against Bobby Fischer in 1972 transcended chess, capturing the world's imagination.
Today, we not only mourn a champion but celebrate a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of chess players.
Rest in peace, dear Boris. Your moves will be studied and your games will be played for generations to come. ♟️
https://www.europechess.org/boris-spassky-1937-2025-chess-world-champion-and-legendary-grandmaster/
#ChessLegend #BorisSpassky #Chess #ECU #ChessHistory
Eusebio da Silva Ferreira (1942 – 2014) was one of the greatest players in world football. Strong in acrobatics, powerful in conclusions, he scored in any way. Let it be witnessed by the fact that, with Benfica, in 614 matches, both official and friendly, he scored 638 goals.
Born in Mozambique, today Maputo, at the time Portuguese colony, arrived in Lisbon very young and wore the Benfica shirt for 15 years winning 11 championships (the first in 1960-61, the last in 1971-72); 5 Portuguese Cups and a Champions Cup (1961-62).
He was 7 times the top scorer of the Portuguese league, Ballon d'Or in 1965 and twice the Golden Boot (the first edition in 1968 and 1973).
He played three more Champions Cup finals and was the trophy's top scorer in 1965, 1966 and 1968.
He was, of course, a pillar of the Lusitanian national team with which they won third place in the 1966 World Cup and was the top scorer of the 9 nets event.
The 91-year-old former coach calls his last game Sunday after 35 seasons behind the mic, including 18 NBA Finals.
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| Brown has been with ESPN since 2004. / Justin Ford-Imagn Images |
Hubie Brown received tributes from across the NBA community as the former coach and longtime broadcaster headed into retirement after spending more than half a century in pro basketball.
The 91-year-old Brown called his final game Sunday as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 135-127. He was awarded the game ball after the final horn sounded.
“I have so many things to be thankful for, but my family and I can never thank everyone enough,” Brown said at the end of the telecast. “We just want to send them the love that I’ve seen today right back with a big hug. It was a fantastic ride.”
Players from both teams approached him before the game to shake his hand. He received a standing ovation during the opening timeout as a video honoring him aired on the Fiserv Forum scoreboard. Brown responded by blowing kisses to the crowd and mouthing “Thank you.”
Brown indicated he almost cried as that video aired.
He considered it fitting that he was in Milwaukee for his final game as a broadcaster. His first NBA coaching job was as an assistant with the Bucks on Larry Costello’s staff, a two-season stint that began in 1972.
“When I came here to the Milwaukee Bucks and Larry Costello, I received a master’s degree and a doctorate’s degree in basketball in two years,” Brown said at the start of Sunday’s telecast.
That launched an illustrious career on the bench and behind a microphone.
Brown coached 15 seasons with the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels (1974-76) and NBA’s Atlanta Hawks (1976-81), New York Knicks (1982-87) and Memphis Grizzlies (2002-05). He won an ABA title with Kentucky in 1975 and was voted the NBA Coach of the Year in 1978 and 2004.
He spent 35 years as a national TV and radio analyst, covering 18 NBA Finals. Brown was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005.
“I’m sure he’s seen so much growth and so much change not only in the game of basketball but in the league,” Bucks guard Damian Lillard said after the game. “It’s come so far in a lot of ways, and I think that obviously you’re going to have the commissioners and you’re going to have players come along, but I think it’s the people who love on the game and love the league and the contributions that come from people like Hubie Brown is what has allowed it to become what it is, is what makes it special.”
Mike Breen, the play-by-play broadcaster for Sunday’s game, called it the “ultimate honor” to have Brown as a colleague. Breen spoke for other play-by-play broadcasters who worked alongside Brown by saying “you’ve been like a father to many of us, our NBA father.”
“Could we pause, as I have a tear here,” Brown replied.
ABC started its Sunday telecast by showing footage of Brown’s very first NBA broadcast, a 1981 game airing on USA Network. NBC’s Mike Tirico, Brown’s former broadcast partner, joined the telecast remotely to pay his respects late in the first quarter.
During breaks in the telecast, ABC showed highlights from Brown’s coaching and broadcasting career along with testimonials from various NBA figures.
“You brought so much passion to every telecast,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said during one of those breaks. “You took great joy in teaching the finer points of basketball.”
Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse presented Brown with a tiny replica of the Liberty Bell in the green room before the game. Bucks assistants wore a T-shirt with the message “Thank You Hubie” and a heart during pregame warmups.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers said before the game that Brown remains one of the former coaches he often seeks out for advice.
“He was one of my first calls all the time and still is when things are rough or I’m trying to figure out something to me that’s complicated,” Rivers said.
Rivers said he often sought Brown’s counsel in those situations because he figured there wasn’t any kind of situation that the longtime coach and broadcaster hadn’t encountered at some point in over a half-century in professional basketball.
Bucks veteran center Brook Lopez made sure to talk to Brown before the game and say how much the former coach and broadcaster had meant to the NBA.
“That was one of my real first, real cool ‘welcome to the league’ experiences, was having him call one of my games and to see him in person, get to meet him, hearing he was a fan of me and my game, appreciated my game,” Lopez said. “He’s always had good tips for me. He’s still coaching, even though he’s commentating. It’s in his DNA and in his blood, trying to help players get better.”
As the Bucks prepared for Sunday’s game, Rivers asked the youngest players on the roster what they knew about Brown. When they weren’t aware of Brown’s accomplishments, Rivers got Lopez to offer a primer.
“He gave a very impressive history run on Hubie and even knew the reason his last game was in Milwaukee is because this is where it all started, with him and Larry Costello,” Rivers said.
Brown said that’s what made it so appropriate to finish his career in Milwaukee.
“For me to end it here is very meaningful because I learned so much here,” Brown said.
- Nba.com Staff
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France's Gael Monfils celebrates with the trophy after defeating Belgium's Zizou Bergs in the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland. AP |
Gael Monfils broke Roger Federer’s record to become the oldest player to win an ATP Tour title after winning the ASB Classic in Auckland on Saturday. The French veteran achieved the feat after defeating Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 in Auckland, claiming his 13th tour title – 20 years after winning his first – at the age of 38 years and 132 days.
Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, was 38 years and 74 days old when he won the Swiss Indoor title in Basel in 2019, the final tour title of his iconic career.
Monfils currently is ranked 52 and is the oldest player in the history of the ATP Tour to be ranked in the top 100.
Pancho Gonzalez was 44 years, 7 months and 4 days old when he won a Kingston, Jamaica singles title in 1972, prior to the formation of the ATP Tour in 1990.
The Auckland final was delayed on Saturday by a medical emergency in the crowd but Monfils showed the same mixture of aggression and tenacious defense to claim his first title since the Stockholm Open in 2023.
Prior to the start of the Auckland tournament, Monfils spoke about how his love of tennis kept him going.
“I love tennis. I love what I’m doing so of course all the sacrifices you do, they are a little bit easier. When you love something, it’s easier to keep pushing," he said.
“I’ve been enjoying myself since the first day I played tennis and (at) 60 years old I will still have this joy. Practice, it’s easy. It’s in the DNA. Stay in shape, it’s easy. It’s more the travel.”
After collecting the Auckland trophy, Monfils headed straight to the airport for a flight to Melbourne where he will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round of the Australian Open.
With AP inputs
- FP Sports
🔴 The first on the right is Gerd Müller, the only player to have won all possible individual and team titles.
He won the World Cup, the European Championship, the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the Bundesliga, and the German Cup. He was the top scorer in the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, Bundesliga, and German Cup, and scored in the finals of the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, and German Cup.
He won the Ballon d'Or and was named the best player in the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, and Bundesliga.
⚪️ The second is Franz Beckenbauer, one of the best defenders in history. He won the World Cup both as a player and as a coach with Germany.
He was named the best player in Germany twice (1974 and 1976). He won the European Cup with Bayern Munich three consecutive times (1974, 1975, 1976), as well as the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1972.
He won the Bundesliga four times and the German Cup four times with Bayern Munich, and the American Soccer League three times with Cosmos. He also won the European Championship with Germany in 1972 and earned the Ballon d'Or twice.
At a time when the German national team had the best defender and the best striker in the world.
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| Franz Beckenbauer passed away at the age of 78 in January this year. Werner Schulze/ullstein bild via Getty Images |
Bayern Munich have honoured club and Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer by retiring his No. 5 jersey.
Widely regarded as Germany's greatest ever player, Beckenbauer passed away at the age of 78 earlier this year.
He led his country to glory at the European Championships in 1972 and the 1974 World Cup, and also won three successive league titles and a hat trick of European Cups at Bayern.
His contributions and persona on the field saw him dubbed "Der Kaiser," which translates as "The Emperor."
He had two spells as manager at Bayern, winning the Bundesliga in 1994 and the UEFA Cup in 1996, and also served as club president.
"Forever our Kaiser," Bayern wrote in a post on X.
"In memory of Franz Beckenbauer: FC Bayern will never again give out jersey number 5."
- ESPN
What is The Davis Cup?
The Davis Cup is the foremost international team competition in men’s tennis, governed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). It’s an annual showdown that brings together teams representing over 140 competing countries from around the world. The Davis Cup is not just any tennis tournament; it is a celebration of national pride, fierce competition, and the camaraderie that transcends borders. It is where individual tennis stars unite to form national teams, vying for the coveted title of World Champions.
Davis Cup History: A Journey Through Time
The history of the Davis Cup is a captivating tale that begins in the late 19th century, rooted in the vision of James Dwight, the first president of the U.S. National Lawn Tennis Association. Dwight aspired to pit the best American and British players against each other in a sanctioned match. While his initial attempts didn’t bear fruit, the idea of international competition took root.
International Competitions Pre-Davis Cup
Before the Davis Cup’s inception in 1900, international tennis competitions were already underway. England and Ireland, for example, engaged in annual national team competitions, laying the groundwork for the Davis Cup’s format. In 1896, American player William Larned toured the British Isles, and this tour planted the seed for international team competition.
The Birth of Davis Cup
In the summer of 1899, four members of the Harvard University tennis team embarked on a journey across the United States to challenge west-coast talent. Upon their return, Dwight Davis, one of the Harvard players, conceived the idea of a tennis event that would pit national teams against each other. He ordered the iconic sterling silver punchbowl trophy, now known as the Davis Cup, to be crafted. Contrary to the myth, Davis did not solely devise the idea but played a crucial role in its realization.
First Davis Cup Match
The inaugural Davis Cup match took place in 1900 between the United States and the “British Isles” team. The Americans, captained by Dwight Davis himself, won the first three matches, setting the stage for a long and storied history.
Evolution of Format
The Davis Cup format evolved over time. Initially, it was a challenge cup, with teams competing to face the previous year’s champion. In 1923, the competition introduced the concept of zones, including the “America Zone” and the “Europe Zone,” to determine the challenger for the cup. In 1955, the “Eastern Zone” joined the fray. In 1966, the “Europe Zone” split into “Europe Zone A” and “Europe Zone B,” further expanding the competition.
Australia’s Dominance
From 1950 to 1967, Australia dominated the Davis Cup, winning an astounding 15 times in 18 years, cementing its place as a tennis powerhouse.
Open Era and Professional Players
Before 1973, only amateurs and national registered professional players were allowed to compete in the Davis Cup. The Open Era, which began in 1968, gradually led to a more inclusive policy. Australian legends Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall, who had turned professional prior to the Open Era, were allowed to compete in the Davis Cup for the first time in years.
Tiered System
In 1981, a tiered system was introduced, distinguishing the top 16 national teams in the World Group from others competing in regional zones. This system created a more balanced and competitive landscape.
Knockout Tournament
Starting in 1972, the Davis Cup adopted a knockout tournament format, ensuring that the defending champion had to compete in all rounds. This change injected more excitement and unpredictability into the competition.
Diversity of Champions
While the early years of the Davis Cup were marked by the dominance of a few nations, the tournament’s history saw the rise of “outsider” nations, such as Sweden and others, who captured the coveted trophy.
The Davis Cup Structure
The Davis Cup is not just a tennis tournament; it’s an intricate competition with a unique structure that sets it apart. Here’s a breakdown of the structure:
World Group: The top 18 national teams in the world compete in the World Group, the elite level of the Davis Cup. These teams play a four-round elimination tournament, with seeding based on ITF rankings.
World Group Playoff: The losers of the first-round matches in the World Group face winners from Group I of the regional zones in the World Group playoff. The winners secure their spots in the World Group for the following year.
Regional Zones: Davis Cup features three regional zones – Americas, Asia/Oceania, and Europe/Africa. Teams in these zones compete in groups, with promotion and relegation at stake.
Group I and II: Teams in Groups I and II of the regional zones play elimination rounds, and the losing teams face relegation to lower groups.
Groups III and IV: Teams in Group III and IV of the regional zones play round-robin tournaments with promotion and relegation.
FAQ – The Davis Cup
What is the Davis Cup?
The Davis Cup is the premier international men’s tennis team competition, featuring teams from over 140 countries.
How did the Davis Cup begin?
The Davis Cup started in 1900 as a challenge between the United States and Great Britain.
Who are the most successful nations in Davis Cup history?
The United States and Australia have historically dominated, with numerous titles.
How has the Davis Cup format evolved?
The format has changed over time, including the introduction of zones and a knockout tournament.
- Luke L
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| President Joe Biden noted the Word Series champion Texas Rangers were once the Washington Senators before they moved to Texas in 1972. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images |
WASHINGTON -- The Texas Rangers visited the White House on Thursday to celebrate their 2023 World Series victory with President Joe Biden, who noted that the team was making a triumphant return to the city where its franchise was born.
"You're back in the nation's capital as world champions, and you deserve it," Biden said, referencing a team that was once the Washington Senators before it moved to Texas in 1972. "I think there's a word you all embody: resilience."
It's a long-standing tradition for professional and collegiate championship teams to come to the White House and be recognized by the president. The visit meant a rare public appearance by Biden since his July 21 announcement that he was dropping his bid for reelection and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket in November.
The Rangers now play in Arlington, outside Dallas, and Biden said that city and region had grown accustomed to championships in football, basketball and hockey that left many wondering "if baseball would ever join them."
He noted that the Rangers failed to win last year's American League West division, which "was as tough as it's ever been." The team made the playoffs as a wild card and topped Tampa Bay and Baltimore before getting "revenge on the Houston Astros," Biden said, to make the World Series -- which they clinched in five games over the Arizona Diamondbacks in November.
"You never gave up," Biden said. "You kept the faith."
The event in the East Room began with the band playing an orchestral version of "Higher," the 1999 hit by Creed that became the 2023 Rangers' unofficial anthem. In the midst of their current season, the Rangers lost at home to the Astros on Wednesday and headed to New York after the ceremony for a series against the Yankees.
It was the Rangers' first championship, but the fourth for their manager, Bruce Bochy, who previously visited the White House after winning titles with the San Francisco Giants in the 2010, 2012 and 2014 seasons -- and celebrating them all while Barack Obama was president.
Biden noted that Bochy was running out of fingers on one hand for his World Series rings and that, if he were to win a fifth, he'd "need another finger" unless he put a ring on his thumb. "I don't know how you'd do that, man," Biden added.
Rangers general manager Chris Young called last season "a roller coaster."
"It was filled with highs and extreme lows, and there were moments where it didn't feel like we could possibly win the World Series," Young said. "But this group of guys, they never gave up hope. They never veered off course."
He said the players "forever changed the perception of our franchise" and fans had "waited a long time for this championship."
"You all deserve this," Young said. "We thank you for your patience."
As the players and Biden spoke, the World Series trophy sat on a table nearby, along with a No. 46 Rangers jersey with Biden's name on it and Rangers cowboy boots -- which the president declared would "give me another two inches."
"I had a hell of an arm," Biden joked as he held up the jersey. "I don't have it anymore."
- Associated Press
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| Reuters |
Bill Walton, a two-time NBA champion and member of the basketball Hall of Fame, whose brilliant but injury-riddled career led to a second act as a free-spirited broadcaster who waxed philosophical on the air, died on Monday at the age of 71, the National Basketball Association announced.
Walton, who had a prolonged battle with cancer, was surrounded by his family when he died, the National Basketball Association said.
"Bill Walton was truly one of a kind," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement that recalled his many accomplishments on the court and his "insightful and colorful commentary" as a broadcaster. "But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life."
Walton, a 6-foot-11 (211-cm) center who moved gracefully despite his height, rose to stardom in college where he was part of the University of California, Los Angeles, dynasty under Coach John Wooden, winning National Collegiate Athletic Association championships in 1972 and 1973.
The first overall pick of the 1974 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Walton established himself as a force early in his professional career, leading Portland to the championship in the 1976-77 season, and he was named Most Valuable Player the following year.
But with brittle bones in his feet, Walton missed three of the next four seasons, mostly as a member of the San Diego Clippers, and later came back as a bench player for the Boston Celtics, helping them win the NBA championship in 1985-86.
In the years following his NBA career, Walton turned to sports broadcasting and was involved with multiple charitable and philanthropic organizations, clinics and camps. He served as both a studio analyst and a color commentator.
'TREMENDOUS IMPACT'
Multiple injuries, including from a bicycle accident, continued to afflict him after his playing days, interrupting his career as a whimsical broadcaster who could intersperse criticism of the officiating of a game with riffs on human consciousness.
He was also known as an avid fan of the Grateful Dead, going on the road with the psychedelic band, often wearing a tie-dye T-shirt common with the group's fan base.
Walton suffered from myriad injuries throughout his life, requiring 38 orthopedic surgeries, according to an interview with the Advanced Medical Technology Association.
In his 2016 autobiography "Back from the Dead," Walton begins in the summer of 2009 when he was in so much pain from his injuries that he was forced to live on the floor of his San Diego home for most of the previous 2-1/2 years. He wrote, "If I had a gun, I would use it."
But with time, as well as inspiration from thinkers as diverse as Coach Wooden, George Bernard Shaw and the Grateful Dead, he was able to convalesce from spine surgery and resume broadcasting, Walton wrote.
While at UCLA, Walton broke multiple school records and stands atop the school's career rebounding list while also ranking among the top 10 leaders in program history in multiple statistical categories.
"It's very hard to put into words what he has meant to UCLA's program, as well as his tremendous impact on college basketball," UCLA's men's head basketball coach Mick Cronin said in a statement.
"Beyond his remarkable accomplishments as a player, it's his relentless energy, enthusiasm for the game and unwavering candor that have been the hallmarks of his larger than life personality."
- Daniel Trotta
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| Getty |
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Trail Blazers started five rookies in Saturday's 114-111 loss to the Denver Nuggets, only the second time that has happened since starters were first tracked on NBA box scores more than 50 years ago.
Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the draft, was in the lineup along with Duop Reath, Kris Murray, Toumani Camara and Rayan Rupert against the reigning NBA champions.
That was the first time an NBA team sent out five rookies to start since the Golden State Warriors did so on April 26, 2012, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Klay Thompson started that night against the San Antonio Spurs along with Charles Jenkins, Chris Wright, Jeremy Tyler and Mickell Gladness in their final game of that lockout-shortened season.
Starters were first tracked on NBA box scores during the 1971-72 campaign.
The Trail Blazers have the second-worst record in the Western Conference. They are missing key players Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, Shaedon Sharpe and Malcolm Brogdon because of injuries.
The Nuggets were missing stars Nikola Jokic (back/hip) and Jamal Murray (ankle).
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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| Franz Beckenbauer won the World Cup with Germany in 1974. Werner Schulze/ullstein bild via Getty Images |
Franz Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner with West Germany as a player and coach who was regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has died at the age of 78.
German news agency DPA said the family confirmed Beckenbauer's death via statement.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family," the family said.
"We ask that you allow us to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions."
Beckenbauer, born in Munich, shaped German football as a player, coach and official. His elegance and leadership qualities on the pitch with Bayern Munich and his country won him the nickname "Der Kaiser," which translates as "The Emperor." Pelé called him "one of the best I ever saw play."
He won the 1972 and 1976 Ballon d'Or awards and was named Germany's Footballer of the Century in 2000. He received the FIFA Centennial Player and Football Personality Award in 2004.
Beckenbauer defined the role of the Libero, the free player behind the defensive lines who set the pace of the game.
Winning 103 caps for Germany between September 1965 and February 1977, he led Germany's "golden generation" to the 1972 European Championship and triumphed on home soil at the 1974 World Cup.
Beckenbauer is one of three people to have won the World Cup as both a player and coach, alongside Mário Zagallo with Brazil and Didier Deschamps with France.
At club level in Germany, he won three European Cups, a European Cup Winners' Cup, five Bundesliga titles and four German cups with Bayern Munich and Hamburg.
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| Rais wa zamani wa Sudan Jaafar Muhamad an-Nimeiry akisalimiana na Omar Zimbwe (Africa Sports-Tanga) |
