Sports
Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry to ignite Wimbledon after epic French Open
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner didn’t just serve up a thriller in Paris – they stamped their rivalry as the next defining saga of men’s tennis, now heading to Wimbledon with all eyes watching.
Sunday’s French Open final was nothing short of historic. After five grueling sets and a nerve-racking fifth-set tiebreak, Alcaraz edged out Sinner 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2) in a match that stretched over 5.5 hours – the longest final in Roland-Garros history.
It was a comeback for the ages, with Alcaraz clawing back from two sets down and facing three championship points against him. His refusal to quit – “keep believing until the last ball is gone,” as coach Juan Carlos Ferrero put it – showcased the grit of a true champion.
The match’s significance goes beyond the scoreboard.
It is a beacon of hope for tennis post-Big Three.
Roger Federer, the sport’s iconic 20-time Grand Slam champion, celebrated on social media: “3 winners in Paris today – Alcaraz, Sinner and the beautiful game of tennis. What a match!”
For Alcaraz, 22 years old and already a five-time Grand Slam winner, this victory cements his status among legends. His flawless 5-0 record in major finals is rivaled only by Federer’s 7-0 start. Few have reached such heights so young – a club that includes Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, and Nadal.
Sinner, 23, isn’t just a worthy adversary; he’s a force in his own right. Holding the No. 1 ranking for a full year, the Italian has reached the finals of his last eight tournaments, echoing Djokovic’s dominant streak from a decade ago. His record: 47 wins in his last 50 matches, with all three losses coming at Alcaraz’s hands – a rivalry dynamic reminiscent of Federer’s battles with Nadal.
On Court Philippe-Chatrier and across global broadcasts, fans witnessed a rivalry destined to headline the sport for years. Alcaraz’s fiery emotion – fist pumps, ear cupping, and “Vamos!” echoes – contrasts with Sinner’s composed, calculated approach. Alcaraz’s explosive speed and legendary drop shots meet Sinner’s pure, relentless ball-striking and long reach. Both men wield groundstrokes that test even the toughest opponents.
Yet, their rivalry remains a work in progress. Sinner has never won a four-hour match; Alcaraz occasionally loses focus. Both are evolving – Sinner debuted a new return stance post a doping suspension; Alcaraz refined his serve and backhand. The future is wide open.
Their shared dominance is clear: the past six Grand Slam titles split between them, eight of the last 11. Wimbledon, beginning June 30, offers the next stage. Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, and Sinner promise another epic chapter.
Federer foresaw this era. Back in 2019, he predicted a new wave of players dominating majors – not a lone star, but a duo or trio inspired by the Big Three’s legacy. “Players are going to believe more,” he said.
Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu has thrown his full backing behind the Crescent-Stars head coach Vincenzo Montella, revealing that the Italian tactician not only enjoys deep-rooted respect in the squad, but sees himself as part of the country’s cultural fabric – so much so that even his daughter now wears the national jersey.
Speaking during the national team’s U.S. training camp in North Carolina, Hacıosmanoğlu painted a vivid picture of a tight-knit, college-like spirit that Montella has nurtured inside the Turkish setup.
“He’s not just a coach, he’s one of us,” Hacıosmanoğlu said. “The players love him, we love him. It’s not a boss-employee dynamic; it’s a friendship. We walk together.”
The bond, it seems, goes beyond the dressing room. Montella recently showed a video of his daughter, surrounded by American friends, cheering for Türkiye in national colors during their friendly against the U.S., even flashing the iconic Bozkurt gesture.
“If a foreign coach’s child is feeling that connection from afar,” Hacıosmanoğlu said, “then he’s passed that love for Türkiye to his family. He truly feels Turkish.”
Hacıosmanoğlu made it clear that Montella has no plans to leave. “He’ll serve for many years,” he said. “That’s his only goal.”
Golden generation
The TFF boss believes Türkiye has the talent, heart, and now the harmony to qualify directly for the next FIFA World Cup.
He cited the Euro 2024 journey, especially the dominant win over Austria, as evidence of their potential. “After we beat Austria, I thought we were on our way to the final,” he said. “The loss to the Netherlands hurt – my 9-year-old daughter saw my reaction and told me, ‘Don’t be angry, Baba, become the football boss and win the World Cup.’ That pure faith pushed me to run for TFF president just 12 days before the election.”
He stressed that this current crop of players should form the national backbone for at least a decade.
“This generation will stick together for over 10 years,” he said, singling out captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu. “Hakan is the brain of the team – a character shaped by pain and perseverance. He lost two Champions League finals, but we told him: ‘You’re destined to lift the World Cup instead.’”
A new kind of ‘lejyoner’ pride
According to Hacıosmanoğlu, this is a new era of Turkish talent. “We used to talk about other teams filled with ‘lejyoner’ players,” he said. “Now, we’re that team. Wherever we go, local fans fight to take photos with Kenan Yıldız. That’s pride. We need more of that.”
On Gaza, Guardiola, and conscience
Shifting from football to humanity, Hacıosmanoğlu praised high-profile coaches like Pep Guardiola and Roberto Mancini for condemning violence in Gaza and urged others to follow suit.
“This isn’t about religion,” he said. “If you can’t feel for slaughtered children, you’re not human. Today it’s our children, tomorrow it could be yours.”
He expressed disappointment in wealthy Muslim nations’ tepid responses to the crisis, urging solidarity and moral courage. “If they united, this suffering would end,” he said. “May God awaken their conscience.”
Türkiye’s national football team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Mexico in their first-ever meeting, a physical friendly at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Despite dominating large stretches of the match and outshooting Mexico by a 3-to-1 margin, Vincenzo Montella’s men lacked finishing precision – a shortcoming that proved costly.
First-half slip
Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda netted the lone goal in the 45th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse following a long throw-in from Jesus Gallardo.
Luis Romo teed up Pineda near the penalty spot, and the midfielder calmly slotted it past Turkish keeper Berke Özer to make it 1-0.
Türkiye had shown promise earlier.
Midfielder Kaan Ayhan and İsmail Yüksek each tested Mexico’s Luis Malagon with powerful strikes in the opening 20 minutes.
A disallowed goal for offside in the 24th minute gave Mexico an early scare, and Irfan Can Kahveci came close with a thunderous shot just before the break.
Second-half push comes up short
Both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances after halftime.
Mexico nearly doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Cesar Huerta’s strike clipped the post. Türkiye’s best opportunity came 11 minutes from time when Kenan Yıldız squared the ball for Kerem Aktürkoğlu, whose quick-fire shot whisked just wide.
Türkiye couldn’t find an equalizer, closing out their U.S. training camp with a loss after previously beating the United States 2-1.
Debutants and development
Two young names wrote their first pages in the national team’s story. Defender Yasin Özcan, 18, started and played 45 minutes, while 20-year-old midfielder Demir Ege Tıknaz came on in the 77th minute.
Özcan, who completed the season with Kasımpaşa, is set to join Premier League side Aston Villa. Tıknaz, on Beşiktaş’s books, spent last season on loan at Portugal’s Rio Ave.
Montella: “We didn’t deserve to lose”
Postgame, head coach Vincenzo Montella praised his team’s effort and stressed that the result didn’t reflect their performance.
“We created more, took three times as many shots, but our accuracy was poor,” Montella said. “We made a single mistake when everyone was behind the ball, and they punished us. That’s football.”
Montella, who has led Türkiye from 40th to 27th in the FIFA rankings, said the camp was a success in terms of building squad depth and spirit. “Everyone played their role. I saw fight, team cohesion, and progress – that’s more important in this phase,” he said.
He emphasized the physical challenge of playing a mid-season team like Mexico while many Turkish players were coming off 50-game seasons and limited rest.
“Arda in No. 10?”
Asked whether Arda Güler would continue wearing the coveted No. 10 shirt, Montella brushed it off: “I’ve made mistakes before with shirt numbers – that’s not something I want to get into again.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was awarded an honorary doctorate Monday by the University of Manchester, recognizing his extraordinary impact on the city through his football success and philanthropy.
In a powerful acceptance speech at Whitworth Hall, Guardiola pivoted from celebration to somber reflection, addressing the ongoing war in Gaza with a deeply personal plea for compassion.
Since joining City in 2016, the 54-year-old Spaniard has transformed the club into a global powerhouse, guiding the team to six Premier League titles and the coveted 2023 Champions League trophy.
But Guardiola’s contributions extend beyond the pitch.
The university honored his charitable efforts through the Guardiola Sala Foundation, which works to improve lives in Manchester and beyond.
“Manchester means so much to me,” Guardiola said. “I have spent nine years here, and it has become home. The people, the culture, my incredible football club, my colleagues – it is all so special to me and my family.”
Yet, the mood shifted as he addressed the devastating conflict in Gaza, where violence has escalated sharply since Oct. 7, 2023, which has led to the death of around 55,000 Palestinians.
“It’s so painful what we see in Gaza. It hurts my whole body,” Guardiola said, his voice heavy with emotion. “This is not about ideology or politics. It’s about the love of life and caring for your neighbor.”
He paused, painting a chilling picture of innocent children caught in the crossfire. “Maybe we think it’s not our business when we see four-year-olds killed by bombs or hospitals turned to rubble. But be careful – the next four- or five-year-olds will be ours.”
Holding his three children in his heart, Guardiola shared his fear and sorrow. “Since this nightmare started, I see the infants in Gaza every morning, and I am scared.”
The university’s chancellor, Nazir Afzal, presented Guardiola with the degree, while Professor Duncan Ivison, president and vice-chancellor, praised the manager’s role in making Manchester a global success story.
“Pep is an innovator and a winner who has inspired millions,” Ivison said. “We are honored he accepted this degree.”
When the 2024-25 season kicked off, Kylian Mbappe was already anointed the heir to football’s vacant throne, left behind by the twin greats, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
This year’s Ballon d’Or, once dominated by familiar names and spreadsheet stats, is now in the hands of younger, freer footballers.
For the first time in decades, two of the top three contenders had never even cracked the top 30.
It’s more than a generational shift, it’s a philosophical one.
As Neymar prepares to hang up his boots and Luka Modric eases into twilight, football is shedding the skin of system-heavy tactics and rigid analytics.
In its place: flair, risk, expression. Less Guardiola’s City, more Brazil in ’58.
Young blood
At season’s start, Barcelona put their faith in a 17-year-old prodigy. Lamine Yamal was thrust into the spotlight as Hansi Flick’s side took on the daunting mission of dethroning a star-studded Real Madrid.
Madrid, the defending La Liga champions, had just added French superstar Mbappe to a squad already boasting Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. On paper, they were runaway favorites. Barcelona were underdogs – young, raw, uncertain.
And yet, the defining symbol of this footballing revolution wasn’t wearing white. It was Yamal in blaugrana.
At just 17, the Barcelona and Spain sensation is reshaping how the world sees elite football.
Under Flick, Yamal isn’t just part of the system, he is the system.
In the 2024-25 campaign, he’s tallied 18 goals and 25 assists across all competitions, including nine goals and 12 assists in La Liga and four goals and five assists in the Champions League.
He was the undisputed star of Spain’s Euro 2024 title run, claiming the Young Player of the Tournament after a string of dazzling displays–one goal, four assists, and an aura that screamed Pele in Stockholm.
What sets Yamal apart isn’t just his numbers.
It’s his gravitational pull and opponents swarm him the way they once did Messi, or Steph Curry in the NBA.
Yamal’s versatility speaks to the times.
He shifts from right wing to false nine to deep-lying creator with ease, freeing Barcelona from the shackles of positional rigidity.
His Champions League semifinal performance against Inter Milan, though in a losing cause, was fearless: seven shots on target, one off the post, and constant menace.
Gary Lineker labeled him “a generational talent,” while Rio Ferdinand marveled at his maturity beyond his years.
Despite Barcelona falling short in the Champions League, Yamal’s Ballon d’Or case remains firm.
His youth, output and narrative make for a compelling package.
He’s leading La Liga’s top team, helped deliver a European crown for Spain last summer, and is set to become the youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever, surpassing Ronaldo’s 1997 record at age 23.
The competition heats up
Yet the path hasn’t been without resistance.
Erling Haaland has netted roughly 25 goals for Manchester City this season.
Madrid’s Mbappe has around 20.
Vinicius Junior delivered too – 15 goals and 10 assists.
These are proven forces on Champions League-winning squads.
While Yamal redefines roles, voters may still favor the simplicity of goal tallies. The “Spreadsheet FC” mindset lingers. Still, a 30%-40% chance of winning feels fair for Yamal. Even a top-three finish would be historic.
Raphinha and Dembele: The dark horses
Behind him in the conversation are two names with contrasting styles and trajectories – Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele.
Raphinha, also at Barcelona, just had a career-best season.
At 28, he stepped out of the shadows and into leadership.
With 18 goals and 12 assists in La Liga, plus 13 goals and nine assists in the Champions League, he’s been crucial to Flick’s tactical puzzle.
His moment of brilliance came in a 4-2 win over Real Madrid, where he scored twice and set up another, silencing the Bernabeu.
What Raphinha lacks in stardust, he makes up for in grit and balance.
He presses hard, averaging 2.5 tackles per game, and plays across the front line with an energy few match.
But unlike Yamal, he doesn’t warp defenses.
He contributes consistently, yes, but doesn’t command the same focus or awe. It’s unlikely he lifts the Ballon d’Or.
A top-10 finish is more realistic. Still, for someone who had never made the top 30 before, his rise is emblematic of 2025’s theme: opportunity knocking for the previously overlooked.
Then there’s Dembele.
Now thriving at Paris Saint-Germain, the 27-year-old Frenchman is enjoying a resurgent year.
He has emerged as PSG’s offensive spearhead in the 2024-25 season, dazzling with electrifying pace and unpredictable flair within their free-flowing attack.
In Ligue 1, he netted 21 goals and provided six assists over 29 appearances, sharing the league’s top scorer honors with Marseille’s Mason Greenwood.
His impact carried into the Champions League, where he tallied eight goals and six assists in 15 matches, highlighted by a hat trick against VfB Stuttgart and decisive performances in victories over Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City, plus two assists in PSG’s dominant 5-0 Champions League final win against Inter Milan.
Across all competitions, Dembele amassed 33 goals and 15 assists in 49 appearances, earning Ligue 1 Player of the Year, UEFA Champions League Player of the Season, and a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.
His lethal dribbling, completing 66 successful take-ons at a rate of 2.08 per 90 minutes, and prolific shooting (73 shots with 49 on target in Ligue 1) have cemented his status as PSG’s top attacking force, even outpacing Mbappe in overall output.
Dembele’s blistering pace and unpredictability make him a nightmare for defenses in open space, especially within PSG’s fluid attacking trio, where his creativity and threat continue to shine.
But here’s the catch: Ligue 1 wrapped up in January. PSG ran away with it. And while Dembele’s numbers impress, the context hurts. Ligue 1’s lower difficulty rating, paired with Dembele’s more supporting role to Mbappe in the national team, diminishes his Ballon d’Or weight.
He’s never been in the top 30 either, and though his Champions League showings have bright moments, he hasn’t seized the spotlight the way top contenders do.
He may crack second place. But gold? A miracle is needed.
Deniz Öncü scribed his name into Turkish motorsport history Sunday with a thrilling wire-to-wire win at MotorLand Aragon, becoming the first Turk to claim victory in a Moto2 World Championship race.
Racing for Red Bull KTM Ajo, the 21-year-old snatched the lead in the dying meters from Brazil’s Diogo Moreira, crossing the line just 0.003 seconds ahead – the closest margin in modern Moto2 history.
It was a battle of nerves, tires, and timing across 19 laps, and Öncü played it perfectly.
Race for ages
Moreira, on pole after a record-setting qualifying lap, led early, but Öncü wasted no time. Launching from third, he dove past Barry Baltus into Turn 1 and took the lead by Turn 8.
The race exploded into chaos on Lap 1 when Daniel Holgado crashed at Turn 12, collecting teammate David Alonso, both promising rookies out early.
Baltus temporarily led after Öncü ran wide at Turn 3 on Lap 2, but it was championship contender Aron Canet who stormed to the front by Lap 6. A tight lead group of Canet, Öncü, Baltus, and Moreira began to break away.
Öncü found another gear on Laps 13 and 14, setting consecutive fastest laps to reclaim the lead.
Moreira clawed back on the final lap, overtook Öncü at Turn 5, and seemed set for glory – until Öncü unleashed a stunning exit from the final corner to win by the width of a tire.
Baltus finished third, 3.2 seconds adrift.
Tears on podium
As the Istiklal Marşı (the Turkish National Anthem) echoed through Aragon, a teary-eyed Öncü stood on the podium, soaking in a moment years in the making. “I’m from Türkiye,” he said emotionally. “Kenan and Toprak are the best teachers in the world. I gave everything. My rival passed me, but I didn’t quit.”
Öncü paid tribute to his mentors – Kenan Sofuoğlu, five-time Supersport champion, and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, reigning WorldSBK ace. Both have helped shape his journey from Moto3 upstart to Moto2 trailblazer.
The Türkiye Motorcycle Federation called the victory a “historic success,” and Turkish media exploded with pride. Social media lit up with posts lauding Öncü’s grit, precision, and national symbolism.
Shaking up standings
Öncü’s 25-point haul boosts him to seventh in the championship with 62 points.
The title fight is heating up: Manuel Gonzalez and Aron Canet are tied at 118 points. Gonzalez charged from 18th to ninth after a qualifying crash; Canet faded to sixth.
Moreira’s runner-up finish places him third overall with 90 points, just ahead of Baltus (89). Joe Roberts (82 points) sits fifth after a P7 finish. Senna Agius and Filip Salač, finishing fourth and fifth respectively, remain dark horses.
While Öncü isn’t yet in the title hunt, his Aragon win hints at what’s to come – with confidence mounting and the Kalex under him, he’s poised for more fireworks.
Comeback forged in pain
This triumph marks a remarkable rebound for Öncü. After a rocky Moto2 debut in 2024 and a fractured hand that sidelined him for three rounds, he returned stronger. His third-place finish at Aragon last year was a turning point; now, he’s a winner.
The Red Bull KTM Ajo team has backed him fully, pairing him with rookie Collin Veijer and handing him the reins after parting with Celestino Vietti.
Öncü’s aggressive style suits the Kalex chassis, and Aragon proved he can outwit veterans and fellow rising stars alike.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu stood under the dim lights of Pratt & Whitney Stadium, sweat still clinging to his brow, yet his eyes shimmered with something beyond the friendly win over the U.S. – a vision of Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup.
After scoring in Türkiye’s 2-1 comeback win against the United States in a testy friendly, the Benfica winger didn’t sugarcoat the performance. “We didn’t start well,” he said. “A little hesitant, maybe tired – but we adapted, found our rhythm, and pulled through.”
Kerem acknowledged the jet lag, long season and punishing schedule that left the team physically worn ahead of the match. “It wasn’t a beautiful performance,” he admitted, “but the result gives us a mental lift ahead of the Mexico game. We want to end this camp with full confidence.”
Not just a dream, a duty
With Türkiye’s last World Cup appearance dating back to 2002, the hunger runs deep. And for this generation, most of whom were either toddlers or not yet born then – it’s personal.
“Our only goal is the World Cup,” said Kerem with quiet conviction. “We’re not thinking about anything else. We believe this generation deserves to be there. We owe it to ourselves and to our people.”
Quoting Turkish FA President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu’s bold claim that Türkiye will qualify directly, Kerem doubled down. “He believes in us. So do we. It’s time to end the drought.”
But for Kerem, qualifying is only part of the mission. “Just getting there isn’t enough. We want to make an impact.”
More than goals
Though he found the net in Hartford, Kerem insists his role goes beyond the scoreboard. “Scoring, assisting – yes, they’re big for attackers. But even when I don’t score, I want to give everything to the team.”
Adaptability has become his trademark, thriving in any position the coach places him. “Wherever the coach needs me, I’ll give it my all. Thankfully, the goals are coming too.”
Focus shifts to Mexico
With another major test looming against Mexico on June 11, Kerem stressed the importance of improvement over results. “Mexico’s a strong side. It won’t be easy. But it’s not just about winning – it’s about playing better, building chemistry, and getting mentally ready for the qualifiers.”
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