Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her quest for a third Madrid Open title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Anna Blinkova in the second round at the Caja Magica on Friday. After racing to a double-break 5-0 advantage against Blinkova in the opening set, the World No.1 lost one of her breaks before taking the lead on her third set point on the 48-minute mark. The second set was a straightforward affair, with an early break of serve enough for Sabalenka to punch her ticket to the third round, where she awaits either her former doubles partner Elise Mertens or Colombia’s Camila Osorio. Sabalenka’s three Grand Slam titles have all come on hard courts, but the Belarusian power-hitter has shown she can fight hard on clay too, with two trophies clinched from nine finals reached on the surface. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
26 April,2025 09:22 AM IST | Madrid | AP | PTIIndia’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Friday said he has been bombarded with ‘hate and abuse’ for inviting Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem to next month’s Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru, clarifying that the Olympic champion’s presence was now ‘completely out of question’ in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. The Tokyo Olympics gold-medallist said he was deeply hurt to see his integrity being questioned in abusive social media posts. “After all that has taken place over the last 48 hours, Arshad’s presence at the NC Classic was completely out of the question. My country and its interests will always come first,” Chopra said in a lengthy post on X. “I usually am a man of few words, but that doesn’t mean I will not speak up against what I think is wrong. More so when it comes to questioning my love for our country, and the respect and honour of my family. The invitation I extended to Arshad was from one athlete to another — nothing more, nothing less,” he added. Chopra said that the invites for the tournament were sent out on Monday, a day before the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir which left 26 people dead, mostly tourists. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
26 April,2025 09:22 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIAmerican Dalilah Muhammad, 35, is among the world’s best women’s 400m hurdlers of all time. She has two Olympic gold medals (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020) and two silver medals besides twice previously holding the world record in the event. However, at most international meets, even at multi-disciplinary events like the Olympic Games, it’s the 100m dash that hogs all the limelight in the track and field category. Muhammad feels it’s high time middle-distance events get their due. “I think the 400m is definitely become a premier event now which was clearly not the case when I started out on the scene, but I would still love to see it receiving as much love as the 100m and 200m events get,” Muhammad, the brand ambassador of the TCS 10K Bengaluru International Event Ambassador in Bangalore, told mid-day in an email interaction. “I think myself, Sydney [McLaughlin-Levronne] and some of the other girls have pushed the boundaries about what’s possible in this event and made it one of the premier events, but we’re still not quite there yet. I’m sure it’s something that the fans definitely want. You just need the organisers to catch up,” added Muhammad. McLaughlin-Levronne has four Olympic gold medals to her name and also holds the current 400m hurldles world record. Interestingly, while Muhammad loves the 400m hurdles, she hates the 400m flat race. “For me, the 400m flat race hurts a lot more than the hurdles and I don’t know why. I simply love the training process for the 400m hurdles. I just like the technical aspect of the event where you have to hurdle. The combination of the [hurdles] event is just much better than the 400m flats,” added Muhammad.
25 April,2025 11:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Ashwin FerroThe Malaysian Hockey Federation has withheld an invitation to Pakistan for the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, citing outstanding dues amounting to USD 10,349 (Rs 8,83,859) owed to the Johor Hockey Association. The decision comes in the wake of a financial dispute stemming from Pakistan's tour to Malaysia for the Johor Hockey Cup in October 2023. News agency PTI reported, the Johor Hockey Association has issued a stern official letter demanding payment for accommodation, travel, and other expenses incurred by PHF officials and their accompanying family members during the tour, according to a source within the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). The Pakistan national team had traveled to Malaysia to participate in the Johor Hockey Cup, and several PHF officials, including the former president, joined the delegation, bringing their families along. “While the team's stay and expenses were to be borne by the organisers, the PHF officials which included the former President were told clearly they would have to clear all expenses themselves. These officials also stayed at the same luxury hotel where the teams were staying,” the source disclosed. The Johor Hockey Association has since escalated the matter, notifying the Malaysian Hockey Federation and warning that the issue will be taken up with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) should the dues remain unpaid. The unpaid amount is believed to cover a variety of costs incurred during the former officials' unofficial visit, which was not sanctioned for funding under the tour agreement. “The current PHF President and his team are in a fix because the federation is already cash strapped and they were not aware of these expenses by former PHF officials,” the source added, suggesting the current leadership had inherited the issue without prior knowledge of the financial commitments made during the previous administration. The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, a prestigious annual event on the international hockey calendar, is scheduled to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia from November 22 to 29. The absence of an invitation to Pakistan, a regular participant in the tournament, marks a significant setback for the nation's hockey ambitions.
25 April,2025 07:07 PM IST | Karachi | mid-day online correspondentDouble Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has opted out of the upcoming Asian Athletics Championship in South Korea, as India unveiled a 59-member contingent for the event on Friday. While the team largely includes athletes who excelled at the recently concluded Federation Cup in Kochi, Chopra’s absence does not come as a surprise. His 2025 season has been carefully planned around major global events such as the Diamond League Meetings and the World Championships scheduled for September. Additionally, Chopra is set to host the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on May 24. Chopra has not featured in the Asian Athletics Championship since the 2017 edition held in Bhubaneswar, where he clinched a gold medal. Since then, his focus has remained firmly on international circuits, particularly the Diamond League, World Championships, and the Olympic Games, prioritising elite-level competition over continental events. Meanwhile, Chopra has found himself at the center of an unexpected controversy following his invitation to Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem to participate in the NC Classic. The invitation, which had been extended well before the recent Pahalgam terror attack, drew criticism in the aftermath of the incident. Clarifying his stance, Chopra took to social media to explain the context. “There has been so much talk about my decision to invite Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic, and most of it has been hate and abuse. They haven't even left my family out of it,” he wrote in an emotional message on X (formerly Twitter). He further added that the invitation was merely 'an invite from one athlete to another', and not politically motivated in any way. 'It hurts' him, he said, to see his integrity and that of his family being questioned over a sporting gesture. pic.twitter.com/yMsX8ggnLA — Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) April 25, 2025 Nadeem, who defeated Chopra to win gold at the Paris Olympics, eventually declined the invitation, citing prior commitments. Despite the controversy, preparations continue for the event, which is expected to feature several top athletes and serve as a landmark event in India’s athletics calendar.
25 April,2025 05:53 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives and left several others injured, has cast a dark cloud over the upcoming Asia Cup men’s hockey tournament scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar. The heinous act, attributed to militants with alleged 'cross-border linkages', has provoked nationwide outrage in India and intensified diplomatic tensions with Pakistan. In the wake of the incident, the Indian government has taken a firm stance, revoking all visas issued to Pakistani nationals. This development has introduced a significant degree of uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup, slated to take place from August 27 to September 7, as reported by Telecom Asia Sport, according to DD News. The Asia Cup is a pivotal tournament, featuring eight competing teams, and serves as a key qualifier for the 2026 Hockey World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. In light of escalating tensions, many influential voices within India are advocating for a complete cessation of bilateral relations with Pakistan, including sporting engagements. This growing sentiment has fueled speculation in Pakistani media about whether India will permit Pakistan’s hockey team to enter the country for the prestigious tournament. Rana Mujahid, General Secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding their team’s participation. “We have good relations with Hockey India, but participation in the Asia Cup is a government-to-government matter. We will approach our government for permission. If they grant approval, we will go; if not, there is no possibility,” Mujahid said in a statement to Telecom Asia Sport from Lahore. He further emphasized the practical challenges posed by the current situation, adding, “Given the current situation, with India revoking all Pakistani visas, how can our team visit? That’s the reality. We will wait for our government’s direction.” On the Indian side, Hockey India is treading cautiously. General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh reiterated that the federation will defer to the central government’s decision. “We haven’t had any discussions about the tournament yet. We’ll wait to hear from the government and decide accordingly,” Singh told Telecom Asia Sport. Historically, Pakistan has participated in FIH-sanctioned events in India thrice over the past decade, the 2016 Junior World Cup in Lucknow, and both the 2018 Men’s World Cup and 2021 Junior World Cup in Bhubaneswar.
25 April,2025 04:30 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentHome favourite Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Madrid Open on Thursday due to a thigh injury. Also Read: Kujur sets 200m National mark with 20.4 secs The Spaniard sustained the injury during his Barcelona Open final defeat last Sunday to Holger Rune. “I did everything that was in my hands, but it [the injury] didn’t improve a lot over the [last few] days. If I play, I will be messed up for longer than expected” Alcaraz said. However, he was optimistic over featuring in the French Open next month. “I think I will definitely be at Roland Garros,” said Alcaraz, who is also dealing with a niggle in his left hamstring. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 April,2025 07:51 AM IST | Madrid | AFPOdisha sprinter Animesh Kujur ran a blazing 200m race as he smashed the national record, clocking 20.40 seconds to win the gold medal on the final day of the National Federation Senior Athletics Competition here on Thursday. Also Read: WCG rink hockey: Mumbai Customs beat Republicans Kujur, 21, bettered Amlan Borgohain’s previous national record of 20.52 seconds set in 2022. Kujur, however, missed the World Championships qualifying cutoff of 20.16 seconds. Meanwhile, In men’s triple jump, Praveen Chithravel equalled his own national record of 17.37m and qualified for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 April,2025 07:49 AM IST | Kochi | PTIMoses Pullanthara netted a hat-trick as Mumbai Customs beat Republicans 4-3 in an exciting men’s league match of the 44th Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana (WCG) rink hockey tournament at Santacruz. Nikhil Pardeshi scored the winner for Customs. For Republicans, Dnyanesh Vijkape, Sagar N and Shreekishen scored a goal each. Also Read: IPL 2025 | "Middle-order batsmen not getting a chance to bat, is a great sign for any team": Piyush Chawla In a veterans encounter, Sunday Sultans (SS) beat Savio Sports Hockey 4-3. Arun Barla, Nilesh Mane, Roger Mondia and S Pillay scored a goal each for SS while Ashish Franco, Roncy Patel and Shelton Carvalho reduced the margin for Savio Sports Hockey.
25 April,2025 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentFormer champion Novak Djokovic has returned to the Madrid Open for the first time in three years with hopes of achieving his 100th ATP tour-level title. Djokovic is seeded fourth and was placed in the same side of the draw as home favourite Carlos Alcaraz. However, the Spaniard pulled out due to an injury suffered at last week’s Barcelona Open final. That gives Djokovic, 37, a three-time Madrid-winner an edge. However, the Serbian has not been in the best of form since losing the title here to Alcaraz in 2022. He has lost four finals since then, most recently last month in Miami. Also Read: IPL 2025: Struggling CSK to face SRH at Chepauk Only two players have won 100 ATP titles so far —Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103). Spanish legend Rafael Nadal has won 92 titles. Djoko’s 99 ATP titles . Australian Open: 10. French Open: 3. Wimbledon: 7. US Open: 4. Olympic gold medal: 1 . ATP Tour Finals: 7. ATP Masters: 40. ATP 500 events: 15. ATP 250 events: 12 This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 April,2025 07:36 AM IST | Madrid | AP | PTIThe horrific Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives and left several others injured, has cast a pall over the forthcoming South Asian Senior Athletics Championships, leading to delays in visa approvals for Pakistani athletes. Terrorists opened fire at a popular tourist site in a scenic meadow in South Kashmir, roughly 30 miles southeast of Srinagar, on Tuesday. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. The assault is being described as one of the deadliest in the region in recent years. The athletics event was originally scheduled to take place from May 3 to 5 at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Ranchi. However, according to The Indian Express, the event is now expected to be pushed to June, although an official reschedule has not yet been confirmed. Meanwhile, athletes from Bhutan have already arrived in Ranchi and begun their training. As of now, there is no official clarity on the revised dates. This postponement marks the second time the South Asian Athletics Federation (SAAF) Senior Championships have been delayed within a span of seven months. The event was previously set for October 4–6, but was postponed just weeks prior to the original dates. “Reference to the Circular dated 4 April 2025 regarding South Asian (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships scheduled to be held from 3rd to 5th May 2025 at Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. In this regard, it is informed that the South Asian (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships 2025 have been postponed, and the new dates will be announced soon,” stated a letter issued by Athletics Federation of India (AFI) secretary Sandeep Mehta. The fourth edition of the Championships was expected to host athletes from across the region, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. However, ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan have complicated participation. India has suspended all ties with Pakistan under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, revoking previously issued visas. Pakistan had submitted a list of 43 athletes, including Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem. Several notable South Asian athletes such as Sri Lanka’s fastest sprinter Yupun Abeykoon and 400m bronze medallist Aruna Darshana had also confirmed their participation.
24 April,2025 07:42 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
