I lost to a better player: Roger Federer after shock defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas
Melbourne, Jan 20: Roger Federer crashed out of the Australian Open on Sunday after a 7-6(11), 6-7(3), 5-7, 6-7(5) loss to 20-year old Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece at the Rod Laver Arena. Federer was looking for a hat-trick of Australian Open titles in Melbourne but was stopped by a rising tennis star, who was just 6 weeks old when Federer won his first professional match.
Tsitsipas produced a stunning display of tennis in front of a packed house in the Melbourne Arena and forced Federer into making errors. With his power strokes and exceptional and confident net play, Tsitsipas's gritty play earned him the victory.
Out of the 12 break points Federer had earned, he did not convert a single one and that shows exactly how Tsitsipas fought his way to victory.
"I lost to a better player who was playing very well tonight. Hung in there, gave himself chances at some point, stayed calm. It's not always easy, especially for younger guys. Credit to him for taking care of that," Federer said after the match.
Despite the fact that Tsitsipas was playing some inspired tennis, the Rod Laver Arena crowd was behind their defending champion and cheered each and every point Federer earned.
"I loved the crowd. I think they were fantastic. That there was an occasional excited guy screaming in the rally, that's okay. I'd rather have it that way than the silent guys who don't make a sound. It was good fun. I enjoyed it."
Federer has always been a fan favourite wherever he goes and as he waved his hand to the crowd while leaving the arena, the crowd gave him a standing ovation.
It was a match between the oldest and youngest players left in the men's draw and the old guard fell.
Tsitsipas could not believe that he had toppled Federer, a player he had been idiolising since he was a little child.
"Roger is a legend of our sport, so much of respect for him. He showed such good tennis over the years. I have been idolizing him since the age of 6 and it was just a dream come true being on Rod Laver Arena facing him. Winning at the end, I cannot describe it," Tsitsipas said in the on-court interview after the match.
Roger Federer also confirmed that he is not looking for a long break again and will participate in the French Open this year for the first time since 2015.
For the last two seasons, Federer has been giving the clay court season a complete miss in order to get ready for the grass and hard court season post that.
2019, however, is going to be different. Federer will grace the clay again.
"It's a bit of a desire. I'm in a phase where I want to have fun and I've missed not doing it.
"I don't feel it is necessary to have a big break again," Federer said.
Federer also gave an insight into Tsitsipas's style of play and said a couple of aspects in Tsitsipas's play was similar to his.
"He has a one-handed backhand and I used to have long hair, too," said the world number three.
"Yeah, so maybe a little bit, sure. He has more of a continental grip than players nowadays. That's a bit more my way than, let's say, Rafa's way.
"I see him definitely being high up in the game for a long time. That was a good night for him tonight.
"I have massive regrets, you know, tonight. I might not look the part, but I am. I felt like I have to win the second set.
"I don't care how I do it, but I have to do it. Cost me the game tonight.
"There is always multiple factors that play into a match like this.
"But it definitely didn't go the way I was hoping on the break points. I also didn't break him at the Hopman Cup, so clearly something is wrong how I return him, what I'm trying to do."
.@StefTsitsipas has been idolising Roger Federer since the age of six.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2019
At 20-years-old, he's speechless ?#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/VOe2cfhzP0
What an effort!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2019
Please don't forget us @rogerfederer! ?#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ttj97ebHDI
Courtesy: www.indiatoday.in
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Dhyan Chand lifetime award to be replaced by Arjuna lifetime
New Delhi, Oct 24: The sports ministry on Thursday announced the discontinuation of the Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement from this year onwards and the introduction of the Arjuna Award Lifetime in its place in a bid to "rationalise" the various sporting honours of the country.
Instituted in 2002, the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Award, named after hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand, is given to individuals in disciplines that are part of the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, among others.
In 2023, the award was given to former shuttler Manjusha Kanwar, ex-hockey exponent Vineet Kumar and kabaddi player Kavitha Selvaraj.
"The various schemes for sports awards have been rationalised wherein Arjuna Award (Lifetime) has been introduced in place of Dhyan Chand Award. To recognise the efforts of coaches at grassroots/development level, they are now eligible for the Dronacharya Award," said a ministry statement.
"The Arjuna Award (Lifetime) has been introduced and will be given for life time contribution to sports development.
"Further, to recognize the Khelo India scheme, the Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy will be given to the University for Overall Top Performance in Khelo India University Games," it added.
The last date for applying for the national sports awards for 2024 is November 14.
