Kieren Fallon knew from the very first moment Russian Rhythm was a special filly. And so she proved when storming to Royal Ascot glory 20 years ago.
Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Fallon first got to sit on the daughter of Kingmambo on the gallops in Newmarket at the beginning of her racing journey and it did not take him long to realise he was aboard a thoroughbred of the highest order, with his mind already drifting 12 months down the line to when she would get to contest the 1000 Guineas.
Having completed Fallon’s prophecy by securing Classic honours at Newmarket in the spring of 2003, attentions turned to Royal Ascot where the Cheveley Park Stud-owned Russian Rhythm would be assigned the task of completing the 1000 Guineas/Coronation Stakes double.
Although a regular in the winner’s enclosure at the Royal meeting, Russian Rhythm would go on to fittingly provide Fallon with his sole Coronation Stakes victory, justifying odds-on favouritism to see off Soviet Song.
“She won the Coronation and she was an amazing filly,” said Fallon.
“She probably didn’t get the recognition I think she should have done. I remember the first time I ever rode her it was up the Limekilns and a place they call the golden mile. She was a two-year-old and it was one of her first pieces of work, and I said this filly was something else. All I could think about was the Guineas, she was always special.”
Following her Royal Ascot triumph, Russian Rhythm went on to add another Group One in the Nassau Stakes and although only one further success in the following year’s Lockinge Stakes was to follow as injury curtailed her on-track career, there are few fillies that Fallon holds in higher esteem.
He continued: “She was like a colt, she had some stamp to her and everything about her was amazing. It was like driving a Rolls Royce, she had this cruising speed and you just floated on her. I will never forget that filly.
“She was an exceptional filly. I won the 1000 Guineas four times, nine (Guineas) in all if you include the colts, but she stood out by a mile. I rode Ouija Board, Bosra Sham and Russian Rhythm – they were the three. They were all stamped the same, they were like colts and had serious engines and serious temperaments, and I was lucky to come across Russian Rhythm.”
The 2003 edition proved to be a fruitful Royal Ascot for Fallon as he also got his hands on the Gold Cup for the first time when steering Mr Dinos to a six-length victory over Persian Punch for Paul Cole in the week’s feature.
He went on to add a second Gold Cup three years later when guiding Yeats to the first of four victories in the race, and having ridden many big winners at the Royal meeting over the course of his decorated career, the five-day festival holds a special place in the six-time champion jockey’s memories.
“Royal Ascot is amazing. It’s unique,” continued Fallon.
“You go down there on the Tuesday and you stay there for the week, everyone comes together from all over the world, you can have your parties after racing on the evenings, it’s just amazing. You have the royal family there. The Queen was a highlight of the whole week from start to finish – forget the horses, sometimes people just wanted to see the Queen.
“For all the great horses I had to ride – and that was some feeling and a buzz – but it is also a buzz when you walked into the paddock and saw the royal family. It really is something not a lot of people experience and the pleasure you get from it you take to your grave.
“When you were on horses for Aidan (O’Brien) and Sir Michael you knew you were on live ones, but even to get rides down there was special.
“There were times when I was starting out when I could have had five good rides at Redcar or somewhere like that, but you’re not even thinking about that, you want to go to Ascot just to be part of it. It’s once-in-a-lifetime thing, Royal Ascot, it’s like heaven.”
Harald Brattbakk claims Kjetil Knutsen has “all the qualifications to become a success” if he ends up at Celtic.
The Bodo/Glimt boss is one of several names reported to be in the frame to replace Ange Postecoglou, who moved to Tottenham last week.
Reports also claim talks between the Norwegian and Ajax about a possible move to the Dutch club broke down.
Knutsen steered Bodo/Glimt to a 5-1 aggregate win over Celtic in the Europa Conference League last year.
Former Celtic striker Brattbakk, best known in Scotland for scoring the clinching goal in the Hoops’ 2-0 victory over St Johnstone in 1998 which won the league and ended Old Firm rivals Rangers’ dreams of an historic ’10-in-a-row’, said: “He would be a good candidate.
“He was picked by Bodo/Glimt, they had been scouting him for years, so they knew his qualities.
“He has all the qualifications to become a success.
“But it also depends on – if he should come – what conditions he would be working under as well.
“You know that in Scotland, one thing is winning the league but what you do when you come to Europe, that is the next step.
“But he has also proved with less resources that he can do well. So he would definitely be a good candidate.
“It would also depend on the squad he gets but he has also been very good at picking the players he needs and wants.
“Maybe he has more room to play at Celtic than at Bodo/Glimt so it will be interesting to see how that story unfolds.”
Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels is preparing for unsettled weather ahead of the start of the five-day Royal meeting next week.
The track has been bereft of any significant rainfall for the last few weeks and although isolated thunderstorms are forecast at the Berkshire venue until Tuesday morning, temperatures are set to remain high in the coming days.
Stickels is struggling to find much clarity from the metrological forecasts ahead of the meeting, which starts next Tuesday.
On Monday afternoon, he said: “We are very happy with where we are. The track is in lovely condition. The grass coverage is lovely and thick and it is a nice racing surface.
“At the moment we are just maintaining it so we can apply more water if we need to closer to the event. The forecast is tricky because we may get thunderstorms later today, then drier weather, then maybe a slightly trickier week next week.
“There are varying scenarios at the moment. Different models are giving us different information, but it will not be a settled week next week.
“It makes things more complicated when the forecast isn’t settled.”
The Queen Anne Stakes – which sees a potential clash between Breeders’ Cup Mile and Lockinge hero Modern Games, Coronation Stakes and Prix Jacques Le Marois heroine Inspiral, and last season’s Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Native Trail – is the first of three Group One races on the opening day.
Stickels and his team are pulling out all the stops to ensure they are not caught out by the vagaries of the weather.
He added: “From tomorrow (Tuesday) there will be daily going updates. GoingStick readings will be taken tomorrow, then on Friday, then every day from Sunday. We will be monitoring the situation and updating things.
“We have been watering every day. At present, we are a mixture of good, good to firm, and firm, depending on where we are with our watering.
“We haven’t had rain for months. You’d be rock hard if we didn’t water, but we are very happy with where we are at the moment.”
Novak Djokovic might have won the French Open, but Gilles Simon does not foresee too many more grand slam victories for the world number one.
Djokovic overcame Casper Ruud 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 7-5 at Roland Garros on Sunday to claim his 23rd major title, taking him clear of Rafael Nadal (22).
The Serbian turned 36 last month, however, and speaking before the tournament, former world number six Simon suggested Djokovic must enjoy the major triumphs while they are here.
Simon pointed to the now-retired Roger Federer and Nadal, who will retire next year, as prime examples of top players being unable to retain their level beyond the age of 37.
"There's a lot less serenity and so he's into his own thing," said Simon, speaking to Stats Perform at the Roland-Garros eSeries by BNP Paribas.
"[Djokovic winning the French Open] will stop the GOAT, not the GOAT debate. In fact, it won't stop it, but at least we'll stop talking about this famous number of grand slam records and we'll understand that, in the end, there are those for whom the best player is the best on the court, but he's already the one who has the best stats.
"Of course he doesn't have the easy road in the sense that he has not ten years in front of him. In other words, he's [winning] two more grand slams, maximum. It's not easy, so he better win slams now.
"He does not have time. He's 36, he's struggling and it's easy to see why. Roger, 37 years old, nothing after that. Rafa, 36 last year [37 now], and nothing after that. Novak will be no exception to the rule.
"Rafa, the last grand slam he won (2022 French Open), it was very hard physically. Novak, he's won several grand slams with the adductor tear, elbow, abs, whatever. It's been a long time since they won a slam by rolling over everyone, as they did before."
Sierra Brown Ton, a 23-year-old female wrestler hailing from the United States, is making waves in the wrestling world as she sets her sights on representing Jamaica at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
Despite having the opportunity to try out for the USA wrestling team, Brown Ton's desire to don the Jamaican colors stems from her deep-rooted connection to the country and her eagerness to promote and expand the sport in Jamaica.
Brown Ton's journey into wrestling began when she was just 13 years old. Inspired by watching WWE matches with her father, she had always aspired to be a wrestler.
However, it wasn't until her brother needed a practice partner that she had her first taste of the sport. Fearlessly stepping into a room full of boys, Brown Ton's determination and hunger for wrestling only grew stronger. Throughout middle school and high school, she competed against boys since there were no girls' teams available.
Attending Erickson Middle School and later Allen High School, Brown Ton's passion for wrestling grew alongside her dedication to academics.
She made the tough decision to focus on her studies, sacrificing state championships, in order to pursue her dream of wrestling in college. It was during her junior year in high school that she discovered women's wrestling in college, sparking a new goal in her wrestling career.
Currently studying business at the University of Iowa, Brown Ton aims to attend law school after graduation. She aspires to become a criminal attorney or specialize in litigation. Although she understands that her law career may evolve as she progresses through law school, her passion for the field remains strong.
Brown Ton's Jamaican roots play a significant role in her decision to represent Jamaica. While she was born and raised in the United States, her father and grandmother, Yulimira Stewart Ton are Jamaican.
They instilled in her a strong sense of Jamaican culture, and every summer, Brown Ton and her family would visit Jamaica to connect with their heritage.
“My father, my grandma, my mom’s dad, he’s from Jamaica and I may not have been raised in Jamaica but my father, my grandma, that side of the family always made it important and put effort for me to a part of Jamaican culture,” she said.
Her father, Esh’Chadar, a Muay Thai world champion, also influenced her athletic upbringing, imparting speed and athleticism to Brown Ton and her siblings – two brothers and two sisters.
Brown Ton officially obtained her Jamaican passport, solidifying her eligibility to compete for Jamaica.
She reveals that the decision to represent Jamaica though influenced by her roots, was hers and hers alone.
“I just thought it was an opportunity to expand Jamaica and put them on a platform. I mean, you heard about bobsledding. You don’t match that with Jamaica. And when you hear about female wrestling, you’re like ‘Oh, there’s female wrestling?’”
She recognizes that qualifying for the Olympics requires a rigorous process, including winning at the Pan American Games in May and participating in international tournaments.
However, she is resolute in her determination to reach the highest level of the sport, irrespective of the qualifying challenges.
The support from her family, coaches, and teammates drives Brown Ton's confidence. They believe in her abilities, and she mirrors their belief in herself.
Brown Ton's patient approach, paired with her unwavering determination, keeps her focused on her long-term goals. She remains unfazed by the opponents she may face, choosing to concentrate on her own performance rather than dwell on the names and reputations of her rivals.
Sierra's dreams of competing in the Pan Am Games were shattered when an unexpected setback forced her to miss out on the Olympic qualifier.
Unfortunately, an injury she had sustained earlier hadn't healed sufficiently, according to her coaches. It was a devastating blow for Sierra, who had been diligently working towards the Games for months including competing at the Caribbean Games qualifiers in December 2022.
The injury had initially occurred during a rigorous training session, and Sierra's coaches had played a significant role in her recovery process.
They had provided constant guidance, support, and expert medical advice, ensuring that Sierra received the best possible treatment. However, despite their efforts, time had not been on her side, and the injury didn't heal as quickly as anticipated.
Sierra's coaches, Head Coach Clarissa Chun, Associate Head Coach Gary Mayabb and Assistant Coach Tonya Verbeek, always focused on their athletes' well-being and long-term performance, made the difficult decision to prioritize her health over her immediate goals.
They understood the importance of allowing sufficient time for proper healing to prevent further damage and potential long-term consequences. Their influence and expertise were crucial in ensuring Sierra's overall well-being and athletic longevity.
Though disappointed, Sierra remained grateful for the guidance and care provided by her coaches. Their decision, while difficult, was made with her best interests in mind.
With their support, Sierra resolved to channel her energy into a comprehensive rehabilitation program, aiming to come back stronger and more resilient than ever.
While missing out on the Pan Am Games was undoubtedly a setback, Sierra's injury served as a valuable lesson in resilience and the importance of proper recovery. She recognized the influence of her coaches not only in her athletic development but also in their unwavering commitment to her overall well-being.
Sierra's journey is far from over, and with the support of her coaches, she was determined to overcome this obstacle and return to the competitive arena stronger and more determined than ever before.
Brentford have completed the permanent signing of German forward Kevin Schade for a club-record fee believed to be around £20million.
Schade, 21, initially joined the Bees on loan from Freiburg in January and has now signed a five-year contract.
Brentford director of football Phil Giles told the club’s official website: “When Kevin joined us on loan in January, we agreed with Freiburg that the move would become permanent this summer if certain conditions were met, which included Brentford remaining a Premier League team for next season.
“We have all been pleased with Kevin’s contribution so far, both on the pitch and his professionalism off it, so to have him with us now until 2028 is fantastic for the club.
“We all hope both Kevin and Brentford can make further progress from here and look forward to the challenge.”
Schade made 19 appearances for the Bees over the second half of last season.
Harald Brattbakk believes the Norwegian public are underestimating Scotland ahead of the crucial Euro 2024 qualifier in Oslo on Saturday.
Steve Clarke’s side began their campaign in March with a 3-0 home win over Cyprus and a thrilling 2-0 victory over Spain, also at Hampden Park, to leave them top of Group A with six points from six.
Norway, for their part, have one point after a defeat by Spain and a draw in Georgia.
Former Celtic and Norway striker Brattbakk, speaking at Hampden Park, where he was promoting Viaplay’s coverage of Scotland’s games against Norway and Georgia, said: “People in Norway don’t look at the Scottish team beating Spain, they just look at why we lost.
“The Scotland team is flying a little bit under the radar.
“I know everyone in the Norway team is taking Scotland seriously but if you ask the man in the street they will say Scotland is just a little hurdle to get over – but it is not.
“The Scottish team is strong, they have so many good players. You may not have heard of everyone but a lot of them play in the Premier League, there is some really good quality in the team. But the man in the street is underestimating Scotland as they are now.
“I was comparing the two squads in terms of Premier League players and that is obviously in favour of the Scotland team.
“We do have the two brilliant players in Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland and I would also say that is also the problem for Norway because we might be depending too much on them.
“So in that respect the game on Saturday will be more even than people will think.
“Norway will be depending on getting those two players to do well but on the other side the Scottish side is, maybe player by player, an inch better. So it is more close than people will think.”
Jon Lewis believes his England squad are ready for the “great challenge” of trying to win back the Women’s Ashes and revealed he has enlisted the help of an Australian to boost their cause.
Lewis selected a 15-player group for next week’s Test with Australia at Trent Bridge on Monday, with uncapped Western Storm duo Lauren Filer and Danielle Gibson included alongside white-ball international Alice Capsey, who is yet to play Test cricket.
England have not won the multi-format series since 2014, but have gathered information about the current 50-over and T20 world champions from Matthew Mott.
Queensland-born Mott, now England men’s white-ball coach, spent seven years in charge of Australia Women before leaving his role last year.
Lewis said: “I had a really good conversation with Matthew. We talked actually before the World Cup (in February) at quite a length about the Australian team.
“Unfortunately we didn’t get to play them at the World Cup but still got a lot of information from that conversation. He was really open with me about how to play against the Australians, their strengths and them as people.
“Obviously I have my own insight now in terms of the WPL experience. Alyssa (Healy) was the captain of UP Warriorz – where I was coaching – and Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris were there as well, so I have a good insight into how they go about their business.
“Yeah, Matthew was really helpful and shared some good information.”
Australia have won the past two Ashes series by a 12-4 score and while aware of the size of the task at hand, Lewis has belief in his youthful squad.
An aggressive style of cricket has been adopted since Lewis took over in November and it will be replicated again this summer in front of record crowds with more than 11,000 spectators set to attend the five-day Test.
Before the series opener on June 22, England face Australia A in a three-day warm-up fixture at Derbyshire on Thursday while England A take on Australia in Leicestershire, which will act as vital preparation considering the lack of red-ball opportunities in the women’s game.
“We will have to play our best cricket. We are very aware of the quality of the Australian side, we are very aware they are a formidable opponent and we are really keen to try and disrupt the flow of their game by playing the game the way we want to play it,” Lewis explained.
“If we can dictate the play more often than not, I think we have our best chance of beating the Australians but we’re incredibly aware of the challenge that lies ahead of us because they’ve been a very dominant team for a long period of time.
“I am really pleased with where the players are at with the preparation time we’ve had. I think they are in a really good head space, they are really clear about how we want to play and they are ready for the challenge ahead.
“Obviously the challenge is a great challenge and what will play out, will play out but in terms of whether they are ready to take on the Australians this week and next week? Yeah I feel they are in a good space.
“I think it is a huge summer for women’s sport in England. Last year it was with the Lionesses winning the Euros and there was a massive following for them.
“This summer it is Ashes and the Women’s Ashes in particular for us. As much as we can, we encourage people especially up in Nottingham to come through the gate and watch what will hopefully be some really entertaining cricket.”
Lewis admitted his final XI for next week’s Test is not decided and placed importance on this week’s warm-up fixtures with Danni Wyatt set to feature for England A to improve her chances of a Test debut while uncapped duo Filer and Gibson will get the opportunity to impress against Australia A.
Both have impressed for Western Storm this season, Gibson hitting two recent half-centuries in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and Filer claiming eight wickets in four Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy matches in 2023.
Lewis added: “Dani for me is one of the in-form cricketers in the country, she is a pretty dynamic player and gives us flexibility in terms of selection.
“Then Lauren Filer is a point of difference bowler, someone that bowls with more pace than probably anyone in the country.
“I’m really excited about both those cricketers.”
Alex McLeish believes Scotland’s stunning win over Spain has got teams “terrified” to face Steve Clarke’s side.
The Scots got off to a terrific start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in March with a 3-0 home win over Cyprus and a more unlikely 2-0 victory over Group A’s top seeds, also at Hampden Park.
With six points from six, Clarke’s side will travel to Norway for their June 17 clash before hosting Georgia in Glasgow three days later.
Speaking at Hampden Park, where he was promoting Viaplay’s live and exclusive coverage of the Norway and Georgia matches, the former Scotland boss said: “Every game is a threat and we can’t go into any game with complacency.
“The fact that we have beaten Spain has probably got everybody terrified of playing against Scotland so we now have that status.
“Any game is tough at international level, it is a whole new ball game but at the same time we have become a little bit fearful to a lot of countries who are going to play against Scotland because of recent results.
“The Spanish one elevated us to another level.
“First and foremost one of the things people fear is when they see results such as the Spanish one and they think, ‘Scotland beating Spain, God’s sake’.
“That is a wee bonus but of course you have to reach the same levels in every game.
“It is not going to be easy but if we can get a positive result, there is no looking back, we have to be positive.
“If we get the results we expect now from the Scotland national team that will stand us in good stead.”
Clarke’s side, in the first match of the double-header, have to stop Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
The 22-year-old helped Pep Guardiola’s side write themselves into history after finally claiming Champions League glory when they beat Inter Milan 1-0 in the Istanbul final on Saturday night, to complete the treble of league, FA Cup and Champions League triumphs.
The former Aberdeen and Scotland centre-back was asked how he would deal with Haaland, who scored 58 goals for club and country last season, if he were still playing.
McLeish said: “What a player he is. He is phenomenal.
“How would I deal with him? Well back in the day I would have dealt with him in a different way than you can now because of VAR etc.
“He is a handful but a great challenge for our defenders. They have grown in stature and to go against Haaland is another challenge for them. You can’t take your eye off him for a second.
“It is about concentration. The boys at the back have the capabilities of dealing with those types of players but you cannot let him be free at all in the box.”
Rory McIlroy played 81 holes of practice ahead of the Masters and is a member of the club which hosted the US PGA Championship.
But after missing the cut at Augusta National and finding local knowledge could not make up for a misfiring long game at Oak Hill, McIlroy will go back to basics for the 123rd US Open.
Los Angeles Country Club will stage the year’s third major championship and McIlroy is part of the vast majority of the field to never play the course before, although the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa were part of the winning Walker Cup team there in 2017.
“I have not played there yet,” McIlroy confirmed during his title defence at the RBC Canadian Open. “I’ll first lay eyes on it on when I get to LA.
“I’ve watched some videos on YouTube. I sort of know the look of the course and the topography a little bit and sort of what to expect. But you don’t get a real grasp of it until you’re actually out there and your feet are on the ground.”
McIlroy’s extensive practice ahead of the Masters came despite the year’s first major being the only one played on the same course, a course on which he has competed every year since 2009.
“Don’t worry, I was telling myself that for the two weeks afterwards,” the four-time major winner said with a wry smile.
“I’m like, ‘Why do I spend so much time here?’. I know it like the back of my hand. It’s the one course we play from memory, rather than what’s just right in front of us.
“And from my experience I play better when I just react to what’s in front of me, instead of playing by memory. Sometimes it’s nice playing courses a little blind.
“I really like playing the week before a major. There’s no better way to get sharp for a golf tournament than to play a golf tournament, I think.
“I’ve done it both ways. I’ve won majors not doing it and won majors doing it. But my favourite two weeks of the year were always Akron (for the Bridgestone Invitational), US PGA.
“I felt like Akron was a great tournament, but it also got you prepared for what you were going to face the next week. So I love those sorts of stretches.”
Boss Stephen Robinson vowed to “keep building” at St Mirren after agreeing a new deal until the summer of 2026.
Assistant manager Diarmuid O’Carroll has also agreed a new contract that keeps him in Paisley for the same period.
Robinson, who took over in February, 2022, led the Buddies to their most successful top-flight campaign since 1985 as well as finishing in the top six for the first time in the cinch Premiership’s current format.
Last season saw the Paisley side finish with 46 points, the highest points tally in the current format as well as winning nine home matches in a season in the top flight for the first time since 1987.
Robinson told the club’s official website: “I’m delighted and very grateful to the board and the fans for their support.
“Now it’s time to keep building and keep taking the football club forward.
“The contract was always going to get signed. There was a trust basis that we just wanted to finish the season and make sure we concentrated fully on that.
“I enjoy what we’re doing and enjoy the challenge of trying to defy the odds next season and get into that top six.”
Reflecting on tenure, the Northern Irishman said: “It’s been excellent.
“The club has grown over the period we’ve been here. We’ve tried to put structures in place that maybe weren’t previously here that can take the club and make it sustainable in the higher reaches of this division.
“It’s about building the club and doing everything in our power to make us sustainable first and foremost and successful at the same time.
“I thought it was very important that we got Diarmuid tied down as well on a longer-term deal as he’s been a part of the relative success we’ve had.
“He’s a young, clever coach. He’s very bright on and off the pitch in terms of analysis and technical awareness as well.
“He’s working at international level which is great for St Mirren in terms of player contacts. I’m delighted we’ve got both contracts sorted and was very keen to make sure Diarmuid stayed alongside myself as well.
“I get the credit at times and the stick when it doesn’t go well. It isn’t just one man that makes any football club successful, you surround yourself with good people.
“I think that’s the biggest thing we have here in Gerry Docherty, Jamie Langfield, Allan McManus, Garry McColl – to name the ones that work close to me. That’s important for the football club.
“The guys we have need to be very good and go above and beyond in their jobs. Every one of them does that and Diarmuid epitomises that.”
O’Carroll added: “I’m absolutely delighted to extend my deal at St Mirren.
“It was a very straightforward process once the contract was offered. I’m extremely excited at the direction the club is going both on and off the pitch.
“I’ve loved my time at the club since joining last February and I’m confident that myself, the manager and the staff can continue to drive standards and hopefully maintain our progression on the pitch.”
Haskoy, a leading contender for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, has been retired after straining a tendon.
Trained by Ralph Beckett, Haskoy did not make her racecourse bow until last July, when she ran out a seven-length winner on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.
The daughter of Golden Horn made rapid strides, winning a Listed race at York before coming home second in the St Leger, although the filly was demoted to fourth after causing interference in the closing stages.
Haskoy was as short as 5-1 for the Gold Cup after a game Group Three victory on her Newbury return last month, but the setback means she will now head to the paddocks rather than the Royal meeting.
Beckett tweeted: “Haskoy has strained a tendon, consequently she is being retired to the paddocks.”
Novak Djokovic became the most decorated men’s tennis player in grand slam history with his French Open success on Sunday.
The 23rd major title of his career broke the record he jointly held with Rafael Nadal and here, the PA news agency looks at his record and how he compares to his rivals.
King of the grand slams
Djokovic has won 10 Australian Opens and seven at Wimbledon, with three each now at the French and US Opens.
That makes him the first man ever to win at least three singles titles at all four grand slam tournaments – a measure of his all-round greatness.
Nadal, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson have won each at least twice with Fred Perry, Don Budge, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer the other men with a career slam.
Djokovic’s 10 Australian titles are a record, for the Open era or for a male player – Margaret Court won 11 women’s singles titles, seven of them in the amateur era.
He is the only man other than Nadal, with 14 French Open wins, to reach double figures at a single slam. Federer holds the record of eight at Wimbledon, with no man winning more than seven US Open titles, or five in the Open era.
Djokovic has won six of the last eight major tournaments he has played and three in a row and will head to the next, Wimbledon, as a four-time defending champion – a run dating back to 2018, with the 2020 tournament not being played due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since that wipeout, his only grand slam defeats came to perennial champion Nadal at Roland Garros in the 2022 quarter-final and at the US Open in 2020 – when he was disqualified for hitting a ball girl with a ball – and 2021 when Daniil Medvedev beat him in the final to end his dream of a calendar year grand slam. He is chasing that goal once more this year.
Djokovic has won 88 per cent of his grand slam matches, 348 of 395, and will surely pass 400 matches and 350 wins by the end of the year – more than likely during Wimbledon next month.
The big three
Federer was the first of the modern ‘big three’ to truly push forward the level of elite tennis, winning 16 of his majors by January 2010 when he completed his fourth Australia Open success.
At that point he had reached eight straight finals and at least the semi-final in 23 consecutive slams. He went on to extend his run of quarter-finals to 36, stretching from Wimbledon 2003 to the 2013 French Open.
His last major title came at the 2018 Australian Open, with Djokovic denying him another in the Wimbledon 2019 final before Federer retired last year.
Nadal’s 22 titles have of course been compiled primarily in Paris, with 14 titles from 18 visits. He won nine out of 10 from 2005 to 2014 and five out of six since 2017 before missing this year’s event due to injury.
One of the exceptions came when he withdrew due to injury before his third-round match in 2016, meaning he has lost only three matches at Roland Garros – two to Djokovic, in the 2015 quarter-finals and the 2021 semis and Robin Soderling in 2009’s fourth round – while winning 112.
The Spaniard has four US Open titles and two each at Melbourne and Wimbledon. The 2010 US Open made him the youngest man, aged 24, to complete a career slam.
Djokovic has now surpassed both men on the statistics sheet and with Nadal, 37, battling injury troubles and set to sit out the rest of this season, it seems Djokovic’s longevity and all-round quality will establish him as the consensus best of all time.
A PGA professional with cerebral palsy hopes his achievement will encourage more players with a disability to follow in his footsteps.
Gregor McDonald recently graduated from the PGA’s degree programme to become a fully qualified professional, successfully completing modules ranging from coaching and club repairs to sports science, business principles and finance.
McDonald’s physical limitations meant that he effectively had to perform club repairs with one hand, but the 27-year-old did not ask for any accommodations to be made for his condition.
“I’m very proud of myself,” McDonald, who is based at the Cluny Clays facility in Kirkcaldy, told the PA news agency.
“It was a massive weight lifted off my shoulders when I found out I’d passed and a massive achievement for myself. I didn’t think I would get there when I was younger so it’s good to be able to do something I’m passionate about as my job.
“I don’t actually know any other disabled PGA pros at the moment so I hope it inspires a lot of people to do this. There’s no limits on what you can and can’t do. You can always achieve what you want to.
“I’ve proved that a disability shouldn’t stop you from pursuing your goals.”
McDonald was introduced to golf by his father Steve and had to make numerous adjustments to his game due to his condition.
“My dad took me to a local driving range and taught me all the basics,” McDonald said.
“I wouldn’t say I was a natural, but my dad worked hard with me in terms of getting everything correct. There were a lot of compensations in how I hold the club and I play cack-handed.
“There’s very little strength in my right arm so it’s mainly all left-hand power. My right hand basically just holds on to the club and I have lighter shafts in my clubs to help me get a wee bit of extra distance.
“I went on to get lessons from Craig (Donnelly), who is now my boss, and then did a college course in professional golf at Elmwood and then the natural progression was to go on and do the PGA course.
“Graduating from that is a nice reward for all the hard work I’ve put in, as well as for those who have helped me.”
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
