Latest news with #Italians'
eNCA
14-07-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Sinner eyes golden era after Wimbledon glory
LONDON - Jannik Sinner has warned Carlos Alcaraz that he will get even stronger after beating his arch-rival to win his first Wimbledon title on Sunday. Sinner avenged an agonising French Open final loss against Alcaraz as he battered the Spaniard into submission with a dynamic display of power hitting on Centre Court. The Italians' 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory ended Alcaraz's two-year reign as Wimbledon champion and gave Sinner his fourth Grand Slam crown. Sinner has reached the last four Grand Slam finals, winning three of them, and the world number one has no intention of resting on his laurels. "I don't think I'm at my best because at 23 I don't think you can be in your best shape ever. So hopefully I can keep improving," he said. "I keep looking up to Carlos because even today I felt like he was doing couple of things better than I did. "That's something we will work on and prepare ourselves because he's going to come for us again. "We have a big target on us, so we have to be prepared." It was a cathartic triumph for Sinner after he squandered a two-set lead and blew three championship points against Alcaraz at Roland Garros in June. Alcaraz had won five successive encounters against the 23-year-old, including finals in Paris, Rome and Beijing, prior to their showdown at the All England Club. Sinner admitted it was vital to finally beat the world number two for the first time since 2023. "It is important, for sure, because you know, when you lose several times against someone, it's not easy. But in the same time in the past I felt that I was very close," he said.
India Gazette
11-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"Have definitely come to watch him": Suryakumar on Djokovic ahead of Wimbledon semifinals
London [UK], July 11 (ANI): India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav said he has come to watch and support his 'inspiration' Serbian tennis icon Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of ongoing 2025 edition of the Wimbledon tennis tournament. Serbian superstar's challenger in the semifinal is world number one Jannik Sinner, with the Italian ending Ben Shelton's run in the competition with a 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 win Speaking at JioHotstar, Suryakumar said, 'I have definitely come to watch Novak Djokovic. I have been following his career for a very long time. I even read his book 'Serve to Win', which really inspired me. I made my international cricket debut a little later in life, though not quite as late as 30, but I could really relate to his journey and perseverance. The way he keeps going is phenomenal.' Djokovic took one step closer to record-levelling eighth-time Wimbledon glory as he battled past Flavio Cobolli to advance to a record 14th semifinal at the tournament on Wednesday. Having dropped the first set to Alex de Minaur in the final 16 clash recently, Djokovic found himself in the same situation. But as it is with champions of his calibre, Djokovic found his answers when it was needed the most, producing a clutch comeback to secure a 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 victory. Djokovic had a little scare, slipping on the baseline. However, after some leg stretches, he was back to his feet for a battle which lasted three hours and 11 minutes. Serbian struggled to keep up with the Italians' athleticism and shot-making in the first set. But his big match came in handy against his opponent, who was competing in his first-ever quarterfinal at Wimbledon. This is his 102nd win in the tournament and takes his season record to 26-8. Two more victories, and Djokovic will be able to secure his record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and his first since the US Open 2023. He will also level with Swiss icon Roger Federer for the joint-most Wimbledon titles, with eight each. The former world number one has not had a good time at title clashes in London as of late, having lost his previous two Wimbledon titles in successive years to defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. (ANI)
India Gazette
10-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"With Pant, you have to expect the unexpected...same with Alcaraz": Gavaskar draws parallel between two sporting superstars
London [UK], July 10 (ANI): Cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar, who is known for his love of tennis as much as cricket, has drawn an intriguing comparison between Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz. During his recent visit to Wimbledon, Gavaskar praised Alcaraz's unpredictable style of play and likened it to Pant's fearless approach on the cricket field. 'Alcaraz is moving around so well, and he's got all the shots in the book,' Gavaskar said on Star Sports and JioHotstar. 'He can be a bit of a showman sometimes, trying those drop shots when you think he should be finishing the point. But that's what people come to watch, it's like watching Rishabh Pant. With Pant, you have to expect the unexpected. Similarly, with Alcaraz, you have got to expect the unexpected. That's what makes him so exciting,' he added. The former India captain admitted that Wimbledon holds a special place in his heart. 'Every time I am in England around this time, I go to Wimbledon, but I hardly go to Lord's if India isn't playing there. So yes, one could say that I come here more often than I go to Lord's if India isn't playing there,' he remarked. 'So yes, one could say that I come here more often than I go to Lord's,' he added. Looking ahead to the business end of the tournament, Gavaskar shared his thoughts on the potential winner. 'I would like Djokovic to win because it would be his 25th Grand Slam title. Nobody has ever won 25 majors, so that would be fantastic. My heart says Djokovic, but I guess my mind says Alcaraz,' he said. 'Also, Alcaraz, simply because I think Sinner is injured. Whether he's going to be 100% for the remainder of the tournament, we don't know,' he added. Novak Djokovic took one step closer to record-levelling eighth-time Wimbledon glory as he battled past Flavio Cobolli to advance to a record 14th semifinal at the tournament on Wednesday. Having dropped the first set to Alex de Minaur in the final 16 clash recently, Djokovic found himself in the same situation. But as it is with champions of his calibre, Djokovic found his answers when it was needed the most, producing a clutch comeback to secure a 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 victory. Djokovic had a little scare, slipping on the baseline. However, after some leg stretches, he was back to his feet for a battle which lasted three hours and 11 minutes. Serbian struggled to keep up with the Italians' athleticism and shot-making in the first set but his big match came in handy against his opponent, who was competing in his first-ever quarterfinal at Wimbledon. This is his 102nd win in the tournament and takes his season record to 26-8. Two more victories, and Djokovic will be able to secure his record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and his first since the US Open 2023. He will also level with Swiss icon Roger Federer for the joint-most Wimbledon titles, with eight each. The former world number one has not had a good time at title clashes in London as of late, having lost his previous two Wimbledon titles in successive years to defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Serbian superstar's next challenger is world number one Jannik Sinner, with Italian ending Ben Shelton's run in the competition with a 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 win. Sinner has a slight upper hand ocer Djokovic, leading him 5-4 head-to-head, having beaten him in French Open semis last month. However, at Wimbledon, Djokovic has won two of their last meetings back in 2022 and 2023. (ANI)
Winnipeg Free Press
02-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
MLSE boss says cutting Italian stars loose offers opportunity for MLS franchise
TORONTO – In opening the MLSE vault to bring in Italian stars Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi midway through the 2022 MLS season, Toronto FC looked to change the struggling franchise's fortunes. It didn't happen. This week, the 4-10-5 team cut bait with the two designated players, agreeing to a mutual termination of contracts that ran through July 2026 for Insigne and December 2028 for Bernardeschi (who had previously triggered a contract extension). In other words, they agreed to a contract settlement less than the total money owed. Keith Pelley, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, sees the move as a necessary stepping-stone in the team's rebuild. 'The importance of the DP strategy in MLS is critical,' he said in an interview. 'And unfortunately, in the greatest of intentions, this strategy of bringing two high-profile Europeans doesn't fit the ethos of the club and our on-field identity going forward. So this provides us with the flexibility and the opportunity to make the changes that we believe are needed to make us a contender on an annual basis for the MLS Cup.' It comes with a massive bill, even for MLSE. The two players earned more than $64 million combined (all figures in U.S. dollars), not counting the unspecified contract settlement, since their debut. That outlay produced 22 regular-season wins and a long-distance view of the playoffs. Insigne and Bernardeschi, who played under four different coaches often with less-than-stellar service, combined for 45 goals and 40 assists in 175 games across all competitions in TFC colours. The departures leave Toronto with two open designated player spots, with the option of a third depending on what balance the club wants between DPs and U-22 initiative signings. GM Jason Hernandez says the club now has options. 'We just haven't had that conversation in quite some time because we were locked into a certain path. And now we no longer are. So it's a very different landscape today.' With the summer transfer window opening July 24, TFC is already eyeing new talent. Pelley said coach Robin Fraser was reviewing film of a possible target Tuesday night. And Hernandez said his phone has been busy since news of the Italians' departure broke. In cutting the Italians loose, TFC frees up their salary cap hits — pegged at $743,750 apiece, the maximum salary cap charge for a designated player — as well as half of the general allocation money involved. Pelley, who took charge of MLSE in April 2024, says despite the size of the payout, there will be funds to find new talent. 'I'm not going to get into the financials but it's a strong statement from ownership to allow us to negotiate a settlement with both players,' he said. 'We now will turn our attention to making the right move for the right player and to change the DP strategy moving forward.' Added Hernandez: 'I think the commitment will continue in the investment space. It will just be dedicated and allocated much more efficiently.' With a salary of $15.4 million, Insigne ranked second on the MLS pay scale behind only Lionel Messi's $20.5 million. Bernardeschi ranked sixth at $6.295 million. The next highest-paid Toronto player is Norwegian striker Ola Brynhildsen at $1,629,610. Seven players are earning less than $100,000. Fraser suggested the salary discrepancy between the Italians and the rest of the squad did not help foster team spirit. 'If the salaries are closer to being in line with the rest of the group — or even the rest of the league — I think it builds more of a team feeling,' Fraser said. 'And that's the thing that's really important — being able to make sure that the team functions like a team.' 'The key is that whatever we do in terms of spending, we need to bring in people that are going to continue to enhance the team feeling,' he added. 'Just by the disparity of salaries alone, there can be a sense of a great division within the team.' Norwegian defender Sigurd Rosted, however, had a different view. 'To be honest, players don't think about paycheque at all. That's more media, you guys, and probably the fans as well,' said Rosted, whose salary of $805,000 works out to about five per cent of Insigne's pay 'As teammates they always did everything they could for the club. They always worked hard,' he added. 'So as players they were amazing. As individuals they were amazing as well, so of course we're going to miss them.' Talks had been ongoing with Insigne's camp for 'probably a few transfer windows,' said Hernandez. But transfers to clubs in Italy, Spain, Turkey and Brazil were not accepted. Talks with Bernardeschi, meanwhile, started 'the last several weeks.' 'Both happened to come to fruition at the same time,' said Hernandez, who was promoted to GM from assistant GM in June 2023. Bill Manning, who oversaw the acquisition of the Italians as team president, was fired in July 2024. For Fraser, there is clarity now. 'The club has wanted to move in a direction of prioritizing looking at players for next year, evaluating the guys we have on loan, certainly evaluating the younger players,' he said. 'With injuries and that we're starting to see more and more of what we have.' Hernandez called Saturday's 3-0 win over the visiting Portland Timbers 'hopefully a small glimpse of actually what we want to look like on the pitch.' TFC starts life without the Italians on Thursday against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. NYCFC (8-7-4) currently sits ninth in the Eastern Conference, occupying the last playoff position, four places and 11 points above Toronto. Seven of those New York wins have come at home (7-1-1). Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. New York forward Alonso Martínez returns from international duty with Costa Rica but goalkeeper Matt Freese, the hero of the American penalty shootout quarterfinal win over Honduras, is still at the Gold Cup. Fraser said defenders Nicksoen Gomis, Zane Monlouis and Henry Wingo remain long-term casualties. Defenders Richie Laryea, back from Gold Cup duty with Canada, and Kobe Franklin are available for selection while midfielders Jonathan Osorio and Markus Cimermancic are nearing a return to action. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2,2 2025
CNN
30-06-2025
- CNN
This hilltop town is one of Europe's smallest — and most unusual — countries
From the endless beaches of Rimini to the culinary corridor of Bologna, Modena and Parma, visitors to northeastern Italy's Emilia-Romagna region have plenty to explore. They might also accidentally stumble into another country entirely. Tucked away in the hilly countryside just a few kilometers from the Adriatic coast is one of the world's smallest nations — the centuries-old republic of San Marino. There are no frontiers or checkpoints marking the border of this tiny state, just a sign along the highway welcoming arrivals to the 'Ancient Land of Freedom.' Those who make the journey may think themselves in just another picturesque Italian hilltop town, but despite its diminutive size and the fact that locals speak and eat Italian, it's an entirely separate country, with a long and determined history of independence. Founded in the fourth century, San Marino is actually the world's oldest republic. It covers an area of just 23.6 square miles (61.2 square kilometers). Although bigger than the European city-states of Monaco and the Vatican City, it is the continent's smallest democratic nation. It has its own heads of state — unusually, two at the same time — its own surprisingly successful national soccer team, its own flag, and a population of 34,000 'Sammarinesi' who proudly cling to their identity and traditions. It's a quirky place, full of contradictions, that attracts curious outsiders but relatively few Italians, most of whom have never seen it and don't know how it came to be. 'What's special about San Marino is its uniqueness,' Antonia Ponti, an official San Marino tourist guide, tells CNN. 'This republic has been independent and free for centuries, and although the local dialect and food are typical of Italy's Romagna (sub-region), never call locals 'Italians' because they'd feel insulted. 'They have their own flag, coat of arms, and passport; they have adopted the euro though they aren't part of the European Union.' Ponti admits that San Marino may be rivaled by other locations in surrounding Italy — 'it surely isn't the most beautiful place in the world…' — tourists are lured by the prospect of seeing what this tiny country within a country is all about. 'San Marino is just like any other walled hilltop Italian town you'd find in Tuscany, Latium, Marche or Umbria, but it has a special history-rich vibe and boasts unique views thanks to its geographical position,' says Ponti. But, in the same way visitors want to explore tiny European principalities like Liechtenstein or Monaco, San Marino seems to attract people enchanted with the idea of a microscopic republic. Once there, they're often delighted by its medieval architecture, Ponti adds. 'Many foreign tourists who visit Emilia-Romagna, mostly to indulge in its iconic recipes, often decide to hop over and visit San Marino. At the end of the tour, they never thought they'd discover such a charming place packed with ancient monuments, artisan boutiques and traditional performances,' she says. The country's main highlights and monuments are concentrated in the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site perched on the panoramic rocky Mount Titano, where views stretch to the Adriatic coast and on clear days across to Croatia. It's like walking in an open-air museum. The imposing medieval stone walls enclose the original settlement, a car-free maze of narrow cobblestone alleys. There are three massive towers linked by a path that runs along the ridge of the mountain. Once used as military lookouts to ward against enemy invasions, the towers are open to the public and feature dungeons, a museum of historical weapons and the so-called 'Witches' Path' walkway that offers great views. San Marino was, legend has it, founded in 301CE by a stonemason called Saint Marinus, an early Christian native of the island of Rab in Dalmatia, now in modern-day Croatia. He's said to have fled to Italy and climbed Mount Titano to escape from the Christian persecutions of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Bone relics purportedly of the saint are kept at the basilica, which also contains what is claimed to be the 'rock bed' where he slept, and which is believed to have healing powers. Marinus' masonry profession was continued by subsequent generations of Sammarinesi, according to Ponti. 'Stone cutting from the flanks of Mount Titano has been the main business here for centuries, and families were poor,' she says. 'Then after the Second World War, progress led to the flourishing of different artisan industries such as pottery, tiles, furniture and paper.' As they live on such a small patch of land the sense of community is strongly felt among the Sammarinesi, who stick together and are proud of their centuries-old identity as 'free people,' adds Ponti. Ancient protocols and rituals survive. San Marino's parliament, the Public Palace, is open to visitors and hosts a grandiose hourly changing of the guard ceremony daily during summer. It's a spectacle: the guards wear multicoloured medieval uniforms with red pants and striking pom-pom hats. The country has other ancient and unusual institutions. There are the two heads of state. Known as Captains Regent, these have been elected every six months since 1243. Held each year, on April 1 and October 1, elaborate appointment ceremonies are regulated by a strict protocol that has never changed over the centuries. Despite its size, San Marino's democratic principles reach right down to the grassroots. The country is divided into nine districts known as castelli, each headed by a captain also elected on a regular basis. Ponti explains that all these checks and balances, which may seem paradoxical in a tiny republic, were put into place to ensure that no single leader in the hierarchy could limit the power of the others. Visitors can get a sense of these different geographical jurisdictions by taking a panoramic cableway down from the old town to the castello of Borgo Maggiore, at the foot of Mount Titano. Another attraction, back in the old town, is the Stamp and Coin Museum which displays commemorative medals, historical stamps and the first Sammarinese coins, dating from to the 19th and 20th centuries. As well as its fairy-tale-like ancient center, San Marino is surrounded by nature and mountain trails. It's ideal for trekking, cycling, rock climbing and archery. And, as you'd expect from somewhere surrounded by some of Italy's best food destinations, the culinary traditions of San Marino closely resemble those of the neighboring Romagna and Marche regions. That means all kinds of homemade pasta and piadina stuffed flatbreads. It's also known for its liqueurs, like amaretto and pistacchione made with pistachios. Traditional desserts include Torta Tre Monti, or 'Three Hills Cake' — named after the city-state's three towers — made with layers of thin wafers sandwiching chocolate and hazelnut cream. For day-trippers who overindulge, luckily the trip back to Italy is all downhill.
