Author: lehang

Djokovic’s US Open run ended much earlier than expected

Novak Djokovic’s US Open run ended much earlier than expected. The former world number 1 was defeated by Alexei Popyrin in four sets in the third round on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium and will close a Grand Slam-untitled season for the first time since 2017 (when he suffered a serious elbow injury).

The level of the Serbian champion in the Majors this year was rather low, with only one final reached at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships and lost to Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. The 37-year-old from Belgrade had previously been defeated by Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals and had to retire at the French Open due to a knee injury (before the quarter-finals). Novak Djokovic, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot

Having failed to defend her title in New York last year, Nole will lose several positions in the ATP ranking at the end of the last Grand Slam of the season. During the press conference, the 24-time Grand Slam champion admitted that he was tired after his amazing feat at the Paris Olympics and had never found the right pace at this US Open.

Novak has spent a lot of energy to achieve the last great dream of his career, managing to win the gold medal he was missing. The feeling is that next year will be decisive to see if Djokovic can win more Grand Slam titles before retirement. Despite having achieved a great feat at the Paris Olympics, many think that Djokovic started his descent parable at 37.

Nole has not shone in NY

Nole had not accustomed his fans to times of similar difficulties. The constant advancing of age, the loss of motivation, some physical ailments too much, have led the Serbian star to live one of the worst seasons of his career, from a physical point of view. For the second time since 2011, Nole will not lift a Slam title for a whole year.

Novak Djokovic, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot

The 37-year-old from Belgrade, despite his recent victory at the Olympic Games in Paris, the only joy of his grey year, had a 2024 marked by many difficult moments. The elimination in semifinal at the Australian Open, by our Jannik Sinner, the withdrawal to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, for a knee problem, the final lost by Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon, and finally the debacle of New York, where his path has stopped in the third round.

To find a similar situation, you have to go back in time to 2017, with a Djokovic conditioned by a serious elbow problem. His year started with one of the most unexpected defeats in his career, against Denis Istomin, in the second round. At the French Open, he was eliminated by Dominic Thiem in the quarterfinals. At Wimbledon he started his ordeal for physical problems, which led him to give up even Flushing Meadows.

The Serbian legend was empty

The former world number 1 admitted that he had many problems on court: “It’s clear that right off the court, the bitterness you have in your mouth is bitter. Despite having many more victories than defeats in this tournament and any other, you don’t like to lose. You have to draw the line, of course. If you look at it from a more global perspective, of course, I should be happy. However, right now it’s hard to see that big picture. You’re angry and upset about having lost and about how you played, that’s it. Tomorrow is a new day though, and I will think about what I can do next.”

Novak Djokovic© YouTube screenshot

Last spring, after six years of victories and triumphs, the team of Novak Djokovic has undergone important changes, starting with the departure of coach Goran Ivanisevic. Another important figure for the Serbian champion who said goodbye to the team was the physical trainer Marco Panichi. The Italian trainer, who currently works with Jerry Shang, gave an interview to Tennis Majors in which he told about his experience with Serbian, successes, joys and difficult times.

The athletic trainer described his partnership with Nole: “It was an incredible experience, an amazing journey. I learned a lot in those days, how to be more professional and focus on what we had to do. I have learned to be ready to organize plans A, B and C if necessary, with great athletes there are always many things going on, many things happening behind the scenes, so you must always be prepared to change plans at the last minute. But the best thing I take away is the relationship I have with a great person.” Meanwhile, it has been announced that Djokovic will help Serbia in the Davis Cup tie against Greece scheduled on 14th and 15th September in Belgrade.

Novak Djokovic fell to Alexei Popyrin in four sets in the third round

Novak Djokovic experienced his earliest US Open defeat since 2006, falling to Alexei Popyrin in the third round. The Serb could not defend his title in New York or chase the 25th Major crown. However, he will not feel too much disappointed, claiming the Olympic Games gold medal less than a month ago and fulfilling his dream.

Finding the motivation just a couple of weeks later and seeking a Major crown proved difficult for the greatest player of all time, embracing a rare season without a notable trophy by his name. The legend took a break following that epic victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the gold medal clash, skipping Montreal and Cincinnati and losing rhythm.

Novak traveled to New York without matches in his hands and did not look good in his opening two encounters. The defending champion served at 47% and hit ten double faults against Radu Albot in the first round, playing below his best but sealing the deal in straight sets.

Djokovic faced Laslo Djere in the second round and served below 50% for the second straight time. Alexei Popyrin & Novak Djokovic, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot

The more experienced Serb overcame a deficit in the second set and moved through when his rival retired early in the third.

Thus, the four-time champion reached the US Open third round for the 18th time from as many trips to New York. Still, his journey ended against an in-form Alexei Popyrin, with the Aussie toppling the legend 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in three hours and 19 minutes, delivering Djokovic’s earliest US Open loss in 18 years.

Two rivals embraced their third match at Majors this year, and the Canada Masters champion felt ready to topple the legend. Novak had his chances to prolong the battle, generating 16 break points and converting only four, three in the third set.

On the other hand, Alexei secured five breaks from 12 chances, taking three points more than world no. 2 and sealing the deal in four sets. They hit a similar number of aces, and the Serb wrecked his chances after 14 double faults, struggling behind the initial shot again and missing his usual pace!

  Novak Djokovic, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot

Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest US Open loss in 18 years.

Popyrin took charge and controlled the pace with 50 winners and unforced errors. World no. 2 missed his chances in sets one and four, losing the pivotal points and suffering an early loss, the worst at Majors in seven and a half years.

Djokovic was off to a good start, serving well in the opening four service games and creating chances that could have sent him in front. The Aussie sprayed a forehand error in the sixth game, playing against five break points!

The veteran played a loose drop shot on the first, and that miss would cost him dearly. Alexei saved the remaining four with service winners, producing a crucial hold and remaining on the positive side. The younger player held after a deuce in the eighth game and stepped in on the return in the next one.

Popyrin fired a forehand winner at 4-4, generating three break chances and drawing the rival’s error on the first for the first advantage. The Canada Masters champion served for the opener at 5-4 and created three set points with a smash winner.

  Alexei Popyrin, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot

The Aussie fired a service winner on the first, rattling off ten points and wrapping up the opener 6-4 in 45 minutes. Alexei served well in the second set, keeping the pressure on Novak.

The defending champion held after deuces in the first game before experiencing more issues at 2-2. The lower-ranked player generated three break points with a fine lob and grabbed the third after the rival’s mistake, moving 3-2 in front and gaining confidence.

The 28th seed held in the next one with a forehand winner and brought the eighth game home after a deuce with a service winner for a 5-3 lead. Popyrin served for the set at 5-4 and landed a serve & volley combo, holding and building two sets to love advantage after an hour and a half.

The Serb shifted into a higher gear in the third set, providing three breaks and kicking off his comeback. Djokovic broke in the second game and held after a deuce for 3-0, boosting his chances. Novak Djokovic, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot

Alexei pulled the break back in the fifth game after Novak’s loose backhand, returning to the positive side and closer to the finish line.

The Serb made another push on the return in game six, overcoming a 40-15 deficit and passing his rival at the net for a break and a 4-2 lead. The veteran fired a service winner in the seventh game and completed the set with another break at 5-2, reducing the overall deficit after two hours and 12 minutes.

The 28th seed saved two break points in the second game of the fourth set and created four break opportunities at 2-2. Djokovic denied three before Popyrin cracked a forehand winner on the fourth, opening a 3-2 advantage and roaring in joy.

World no. 2 responded with a smash winner in the sixth game, generating two break chances and hoping to erase the deficit. Novak Djokovic, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot
The Aussie denied them with winners and held with an ace for a 4-2 lead.

Novak experienced another blow in the seventh game, missing game points and placing a forehand long to suffer a break and fall 5-2 behind. The Serb created four break points in the eighth game while his rival served for the win, converting the last with a forehand winner and extending the duel.

The defending champion held after a deuce in the ninth game and wished for another break at 4-5. However, Popyrin held at love after the rival’s forehand error, moving over the top and celebrating his career-best victory.

 

Connors says the competition noticed that Djokovic was beatable at this year’s US Open.

Jimmy Connors is warning Novak Djokovic that the competition definitely can sense when he is beatable and highlights that the youngsters are the ones especially preying on chances to beat the record 24-time Grand Slam champion.

At this year’s US Open, the defending champion never looked like his usual self as he was mightily struggling with his serve and overall it was evident that he wasn’t physically or mentally where he needed to be. And Alexei Popyrin took full advantage of it, stunning the No. 2 seed 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 in the third round to give the 37-year-old Serb his earlier exit at Flushing Meadows in 18 years.

Following his shock exit, Djokovic ripped his performance in New York as “one of the worst tennis” he had ever played and also confirmed that he wasn’t in the best condition to go out there to compete.

Stephen A. Smith recently criticized NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal for his remarks against JJ Redick, the recently hired coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Smith addressed O’Neal’s comments on “The Big Podcast with Shaq” in July.

Shaquille O’Neal, Stephen A. Smith, JJ Redick (Image Source: Getty Images)

The four-time NBA champion discussed how Redick must win the respect of every one of his teammates. He also said he would not play for a coach he had only played against four or five years prior.

Smith said, “Stop lying. Cuz they would be paying you and you know that check was in the mail, you’d play. Stop that big boy, you know I know better than that.”

Smith continued by referring to JJ Redick as one of the best collegiate basketball players ever. He said that Redick had played basketball for 15 years in the NBA and was well-versed in the sport. Smith claims that the Lakers players won’t doubt the depth of their new coach’s expertise in the game.

But the ESPN pundit also made fun of Redick’s appointment. He did not waver in his conviction that Lakers superstar LeBron James influenced Redick’s hiring.

What Comments Did Shaquille O’Neal Make On JJ Redick After His Appointment As Lakers HC?

Shaquille O’Neal discussed Redick’s employment in an episode of his podcast, “The Big Podcast with Shaq.”

He said, “It’s crazy that a guy with no experience can overshadow someone like Sam Cassell, who’s been in the league for 15 years. No disrespect to JJ, but I think Sam should also get the same consideration.”

Shaq added, “I’m happy for JJ, but there’s a lot of pressure. Winning games won’t be enough. The expectation when you take the Lakers job, or the Miami Heat job, is to win championships.”

O’Neal’s remarks highlight the scrutiny Redick will face when he begins his coaching career with the Lakers—a franchise with a legendary past and huge expectations.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan are regarded as two of the greatest basketball players ever. Many NBA analysts and players often debate who deserves the title of the greatest player of all time. However, a former NBA player believes that when discussing James, who recently slammed Caitlin Clark haters, as the greatest player in NBA history, fans only bring up Jordan’s name.

Michael Jordan and LeBron James (Image Credits: Getty Images)

During a recent appearance on the “Above the Rim with DH 12” podcast, Gilbert Arenas joined Dwight Howard for an unfiltered conversation about basketball and life. The former NBA player also discussed who the actual GOAT of basketball is.

“They will never bring up Michael Jordan because he’s not real today. He’s real like we know who he is but the only people who bring him up is when LeBron James’ name gets mentioned. That’s the only reason Michael Jordan’s relevant. They’re combating the stats… Once LeBron James is solidified ‘you are the GOAT’, Jordan swindles. That’s why people are like yo ‘why nobody talk about Kobe being a GOAT?’ Because he got surpassed already. There’s no point of talking about number three, it’s only one and two now” Arenas said.

The former NBA player mentioned that no one talks about the legendary player Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020, as the GOAT player. According to Arenas, people believe that Bryant comes after James and Jordan.

A Comparison of the Careers of Michael Jordan and LeBron James

Jordan and James have done enough to be considered basketball greats in the history of the NBA. The Lakers star will play his 22nd NBA season in two months. During his professional career, the 39-year-old achieved several milestones, including four NBA championships, 3 Olympic gold medals, 4 MVP titles, four finals MVP awards, and appeared in the NBA All-Star game 20 times. Additionally, James is the all-time points leader.

On the other hand, Jordan had a remarkable 15-season NBA career, during which he achieved several achievements. He won 6 NBA championships, was named MVP 5 times, earned six finals MVP awards, and appeared in the NBA All-Star game 14 times. Additionally, the Bulls legend played a crucial role in popularizing basketball and the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s.

Jordan played for 15 seasons before retiring in 2003, but James, who was recently named the 2024 Paris Olympics MVP, is still competing to add more honors to his collection.

Sheryl Swoopes continues to dig herself a bigger hole when it comes to Caitlin Clark.

Sheryl Swoopes and Caitlin Clark (Photos via Getty Images)

WNBA Hall of Famer and current Dallas Wings broadcaster Sheryl Swoopes has been receiving a lot of backlash for not liking Clark as she continues dominating the league.

In response to it, the former Houston Comets legend responded to a fan on X who accused her of being “unfair” to Caitlin Clark with screenshots of alleged text messages.

On Monday, Swoopes posted three images of messages on her X account she sent to a contact named Caitlin Clark that she claims took place back in February when she was still playing at Iowa.

The first image showed Swoopes apologizing for an incorrect statement about the length of Clark’s college, as it read, “Hey Caitlin, I wanted to personally reach out to you and say I made a mistake on what year this is for you, COVID year has me all confused,” Swoopes wrote. “I also have nothing but respect for you and your game and appreciate your skill. Congrats on everything you have accomplished thus far. Be blessed.”

The next two messages show that Caitlin Clark responded by thanking Sheryl Swoopes for reaching out and her contributions to the WNBA.

“No worries at all I appreciate you reaching out and there’s no hard feelings. I appreciate all you have done for women’s bball and for inspiring girls like me and building the foundation and platform we have today!” Clark responded.

While some may have praised her, others ripped Swoopes for leaking such private messages:

Caitlin Clark has emerged as one of the WNBA’s best players in her first season, and yet, Sheryl Swoopes can’t seem to stop her true feelings about her despite those messages.

Sheryl Swoopes Causes More Friction With Caitlin Clark With Silence

Six-time All-Star and four-time champion Sheryl Swoopes said absolutely nothing about Caitlin Clark and is being ripped for it.

Swoopes, who has never shied away from expressing her opinions, especially when it comes to Clark, drew negative attention to herself for her silence during a recent broadcast.

Swoopes remained silent on air for 50 seconds as her co-commentator Ron Thulin highlighted Clark’s accomplishment.

Sheryl Swoopes’ silence was so loud that it actually spoke volumes about how she really feels about Caitlin Clark.

Basketball fans are teeing off on a WNBA legend over her controversial take on rookie superstars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese (Photos via Getty Images)

Caitlin Clark, the first overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft, is a virtual lock to win Rookie of the Year honors. The 22-year-old is playing like an MVP candidate, averaging 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

Angel Reese broke the WNBA rebounds single-season record on Sunday against the Minnesota Lynx, surpassing the mark of 404 that Sylvia Fowles set in 2018. Reese is already up to 418 on the year.

After Reese broke the record, Basketball Hall of Famer and two-time WNBA Champion Lisa Leslie took to X/Twitter and stated that both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese deserve to win Rookie of the Year honors:

I don’t care what comparisons you make both @Reese10Angel and @CaitlinClark22 deserve the Rookie of the Year Award! The pressure and the weight of this season has forever changed the @WNBA and both rookies rose to the top and exceeded all our expectations! Take a bow ladies👏🏽👏🏽

— Lisa Leslie (@LisaLeslie) September 2, 2024

Needless to say, plenty of fans weren’t buying Leslie’s hot take:

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are both having remarkable and historic rookie seasons, but it’s hard to argue that the Chicago Sky star will win the award over the Iowa product.

The Fever haven’t finished above .500 since 2015, and they last made the postseason in 2016. Clark joined an Indiana team that went 6-16, 6-26, 5-31 and 13-27 over the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have played significant parts in growing the WNBA this year, and they’ll continue to do so for years to come. But without a doubt, the Rookie of the Year Award is Clark’s to lose.

Caitlin Clark & Fever Have A Playoff Spot In Their Grasp

Barring an awful collapse of historic proportions, the Fever (17-16) will end their eight-year playoff drought this year. They have been on fire coming out of the Olympic break and sit 5.5 games clear of the ninth-seeded Atlanta Dream, who are on the outside looking in.

A playoff spot is essentially locked up. All the Fever have to do now is try and secure home advantage for the opening round.

Caitlin Clark, the standout player for the Indiana Fever, was highly anticipated before the WNBA draft. After being selected as the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Fever, Clark promptly displayed her skills on the court.

Shannon Sharpe and Caitlin Clark (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Despite the Fever’s early struggles, the 22-year-old, who was recently praised by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, continued to deliver dominant performances in the league. However, Clark also became a target for her opponents, a matter recently addressed by an NBA analyst.

In a recent appearance on the Nightcap podcast, former American football tight end Shannon Sharpe claps back at Caitlin Clark’s haters by claiming her to be a double-edged sword.

“She busting y’all ass… Caitlin Clark doin’ the thing on them… She’s sharp on both sides, cutting ass left and right… Don’t be resentful of it. Embrace it.” Sharpe said.

Clark delivered a commanding performance in the 100-93 win against the Dallas Wings on Sunday. The 22-year-old rookie scored 28 points, made 12 assists, and secured four rebounds in her 37 minutes of play.

Caitlin Clark Faces 17% of WNBA’s Flagrant Fouls

During the discussion with Chad Johnson, Sharpe presented an intriguing statistic about this WNBA season, noting that Caitlin Clark has been the target of 17% of flagrant fouls, with the Chicago Sky responsible for 80% of those fouls.

“Ocho, 17% of the WNBA’s flagrant fouls this season have been committed against Caitlin Clark,” Sharpe said. “The Chicago Sky were responsible for 80% of the flagrant fouls committed against Clark…. If unnecessary roughness happened to one player 17% of the time, that’s not an anomaly. That’s not an outlier.” Sharpe said.

The popularity of women’s basketball has recently increased significantly, largely due to the success of WNBA player Caitlin Clark. However, some players in the league have shown hostility towards her because of her exceptional abilities and interactions with fans.

Nonetheless, several NBA players and commentators have supported Clark and presented their arguments in various debates. The Fever star will play the next game against

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant have both left a lasting legacy on the basketball court, serving as ideal role models for aspiring young players. Their names frequently surface whenever the best player’s debate is discussed.

Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Micahel Jordan (Images Credit: Getty Images)

Recently, this discussion heated up again when former NBA star Dwight Howard made a bold claim about Bryant’s legacy over Jordan’s.

During his appearance on “Gil’s Arena Live” with Gilbert Arenas, the former NBA star expressed his belief that Kobe Bryant was a more skilled player than Michael Jordan.

“I think Kobe better than MJ skill-wise. He took everything Jordan did and multiplied it. He did it better. He had the fadeaway, the drive, the pump fake,” Howard said.

Fans React to Dwight Howard’s Bold Statement Favoring Kobe Bryant’s Legacy Over Michael Jordan

Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan have played each other eight times in their careers. During these matchups, Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers won five games, giving him a slight edge in their head-to-head meetings. However, Michael Jordan holds a more impressive record when it comes to championships and accolades.

Jordan has six NBA championships under his belt, compared to Bryant’s five. Jordan also has six Finals MVP awards and five regular-season MVP awards, while Bryant earned two Finals MVPs and one regular-season MVP.

The debate between fans of these two NBA legends is never-ending, with each side passionately defending their player’s legacy. Recently, former NBA star Dwight Howard’s bold statement favoring Kobe Bryant over Michael Jordan reignited this debate.

Jordan’s fans were quick to respond, criticizing Howard’s comments and claiming Jordan’s superior achievements. They argue that Jordan’s impressive record makes him the greatest player ever.

Kobe was a copy paste version of Jordan, and maybe that’s why he was also a POS teammate and person.

Kobe got a lucky headstart with his career as well, because he wasn’t even the best player on the team until SHAQ left. SHAQ was the most dominant force in modern basketball

— drunklander (@redk0va) August 31, 2024

On the other hand, Bryant’s fans supported Howard’s assessment, praising his view as a fitting tribute to the late NBA star. They believe that Bryant’s skills and impact on the game were on par with, if not greater than Jordan’s.

This ongoing debate between fans of these basketball icons showcases the enduring legacies of both players and their impact on the sport.

Caitlin Clark is receiving the Michael Jordan treatment from many teams in the league, but one team has treated her the worst.

Caitlin Clark (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

On Friday, Clark was on the receiving end of two flagrant fouls from the Chicago Sky.

One of these flagrant fouls came in the third quarter of Indiana’s 100-81 win when Sky guard Michaela Onyenwere failed to give Caitlin Clark free space to land after shooting a three.

The second flagrant foul on Clark was easily the worst one when Sky guard Diamond DeShields suddenly barreled into the 22-year-old during a fast break in the fourth quarter.

After those two flagrant fouls, the Chicago Sky’s total of flagrant fouls committed on Caitlin Clark during the 2024 WNBA regular season was four.

That means 80% of the flagrant fouls Clark has been subject to this season have come from the Sky, per acrossthetimeline.com.

17% of the WNBA’s flagrant fouls this season have been committed against Caitlin Clark.

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese has one flagrant foul on Clark, which was talked about a ton after she smacked her across the head while trying to block her shot.

Shannon Sharpe Calls Out WNBA Players Committing Flagrant Fouls Against Caitlin Clark

The Indiana Fever have been the most talked-about team in the WNBA as they continue to push for a playoff spot.

Clark is the huge reason why that is, as she has been talked about since college.

Many expected her to struggle in the league against grown women, and while it may have started that way, she has found her footing.

It has now led to many players committing hard fouls against her.

Former NFL star and current ESPN analyst Shannon Sharpe was on his podcast, the “Night Cap,” when he mentioned that 17% of flagrant fouls have been committed against Caitlin Clark.

He stated this physical play against Clark is happening because she is “busting their a–.”

“Ocho (Chad Johnson), 17% of the WNBA’s flagrant fouls this season have been committed against Caitlin Clark,” Sharpe said. “The Chicago Sky were responsible for 80% of the flagrant fouls committed against Clark.”