King of sarcasm: Daniil Medvedev on speaking his mind, adjusting to slow courts, and making the most of Sinner’s absence

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Updated 12 March 2025
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King of sarcasm: Daniil Medvedev on speaking his mind, adjusting to slow courts, and making the most of Sinner’s absence

  • Russian former world No. 1 tennis star recently spoke to Arab News in Dubai about his plans to recapture his best form

After his opening round victory in the Indian Wells Open tennis tournament a few days ago, Daniil Medvedev scribbled a sarcastic message on the camera lens.

“6-2, 6-2, 1h 36m, very fast courts,” wrote the former world No. 1.

Medvedev has never been a fan of the slow hard courts at Indian Wells.

One of his most famous mid-match rants came at this very tournament two years ago when he became so frustrated at the speed of the court, he told the umpire between sets: “It’s a disgrace to sport, this court. It’s not a hard court. I know what is hard court, I’m a specialist on hard court.”

This year, the courts have been redone and several players have said they felt the surface has been playing faster than usual. Not Medvedev, though, who made sure to point out that his 6-2, 6-2 win over Bu Yunchaokete last Friday should not have taken him more than 90 minutes to complete. 

 

 

 

Last month in Dubai, Medvedev mocked the net-cam for failing to show whether his opponent had touched the net or not on a video replay, and suggested on social media he should be refunded the $60,000 fine he paid for breaking the net-cam during the Australian Open a few weeks earlier.

“What is this $60k camera doing there, if it cannot show if he touched the net or not?” said Medvedev in the post-match press conference.

Whether he is losing his cool on court, taunting the crowd, or speaking his mind in press, Medvedev has become a fan favorite for being both funny and authentic. Even his peers find his openness refreshing, with one player recently telling me he particularly enjoys watching Medvedev’s press conferences because “he is true to himself.”

Medvedev found that amusing when I told him and did not hesitate when I asked him if he had a personal favorite public speaker.

“I definitely love Jose Mourinho. That’s my favorite one,” Medvedev replied in a recent interview in Dubai.

“He’s the king of sarcasm. I can be like this sometimes, but I don’t really, in a way, like to do it during press. I could be, but in press I try to be more serious. But I absolutely love his sarcasm. It’s like so on point all the time. Because there is sarcasm, which you are like looking and you think it’s stupid, but he’s on point 99 percent of the time.”

 

 

 

 

Most people will say that Medvedev’s sarcasm is also “on point,” although he admits he sometimes should hold back when he is on court.

“The thing is that here (in press), I speak what I think,” he said in Indian Wells this week.

“On the court sometimes I say things which I don’t really think. It’s just because of the adrenaline, the stakes, the pressure of the moment, I sometimes say things which after the game I can clearly say I did not think this, it’s not true.”

Has he ever been discouraged by anyone from his entourage to be less forthcoming to avoid controversy?

“I could be discouraged, but only from myself,” he said.

Tennis can be seen as a polished sport, with most players advised to keep things diplomatic when speaking to the press, especially in this age of social media when statements can easily be taken out of context.

It is why someone like Medvedev can stand out, as one of a only a few who try to share their honest thoughts about difficult subject matter.

As an entertainment product, tennis faces stiff competition from other major sports and the endless content available on streaming platforms. Medvedev is a sports fan and realizes tennis can be lagging in certain areas on the business front, but is unsure what the tour can adopt from other leagues or disciplines in order to boost its popularity.

“When I look at tennis as a sport and what it is and which players we have and how many people watch it, that there could have been something that much better and maybe tennis would be... I would not be surprised if it would be even second after football, maybe, which it’s not in a way,” he said.

“But for this, I don’t know what needs to be done.

“I’m sure that something could have been done better because I see that tennis is struggling in some parts of business. And at the same time, I’m not the one to change it.”

 

 

 

 

One thing that has kept tennis in the headlines in recent weeks is the three-month ban handed to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol, which authorities accepted was transmitted into his system via an over-the-counter cream used by his former physiotherapist to treat a wound in his hand.

Sinner, who won eight titles last season, including two Grand Slams, will be out of action until May. Does Medvedev believe the Italian’s absence can open the door for him to scoop some silverware?

“It depends because in the big picture, not having Sinner, who’s winning probably lately one out of two tournaments he’s in, maybe even a bit more, is definitely favorable in terms of results for everyone on the tour, not only me, literally everyone,” said Medvedev.

“And at the same time, the way my results were lately, I don’t care in a way about Sinner because last many, many tournaments, I haven’t even faced him because I was not far enough to face him. So it depends.

“But I like what Carlos (Alcaraz) said, that the most important is to look at yourself, try to do what you can best, win matches. You play Sinner, you try to win, you play someone else, you try to win, and that’s the most important.”

In Medvedev’s own words, his start to the season has been “slow,” with an early exit at the Australian Open and just one semifinal appearance in five tournaments contested so far in 2025.

The 29-year-old dropped out of the top five in January, for the first time in two years and is ranked No. 6 this fortnight at Indian Wells.

Owner of 20 career titles, Medvedev has not lifted a champion’s trophy since May 2023, which he mostly attributes to the heavier balls introduced by the ATP Tour in recent years.

“It brings some disadvantages to some players. It brings some advantages to some others. And that’s normal. The only thing I’m asking is, we have slow balls, no problem. We have slow courts, no problem. Let’s sometimes make fast balls and fast courts. Fast courts do exist. Fast balls, I don’t think they exist anymore,” he said.

“And that’s a problem for some players. So when some players go down the rankings and we’re like, upset, upset, upset. No, there is a real reason for this.”

 

 

 

 

Some players, like Stefanos Tsitsipas, have reacted to the introduction of slow balls by making some drastic changes, like switching their equipment. Tsitsipas recently changed his racket, using a blacked-out-framed Babolat instead of his previous Wilson, and immediately won the title in Dubai as a result.

Medvedev describes himself as someone who is “resistant to change,” but admits he has tinkered with strings and some specs to his racquet in the past in an attempt to adapt to the new conditions on tour.

He remains convinced he can get back to winning ways with these balls in play, but it remains a work in progress.

“In 2023, the balls were already like this and I managed to win, what was it, four out of five tournaments. So, I can do it. I need a lot of confidence. I need a lot of mental toughness, which maybe sometimes I didn’t have lately,” he said.

“But I can do it. This, I’m sure. What I always said, this put some disadvantages to my game because I know my strong sides. It kind of keeps my strong sides but makes my weak sides worse, the slow balls.

“Some other guys, it advantages them. It’s no problem to have it sometimes. I would love it 50/50. Sometimes fast balls, sometimes slow balls. But it’s not the case right now. I did already try many different things: racket, strings, whatever. Some worked, but then the other tournament they don’t work.”

Medvedev feels he has played many close matches this year and not finding his best at the most important moments is what cost him dearly. He is certain those slim margins will swing his way sooner or later.

“When I play good, I’m one of the best in the world and I want to try to find it again,” he said.

Edging closer to the 30-and-over club, Medvedev maintains he is as hungry as ever to contend with the world’s best.

He said the love of competition is what drives him the most, and it is something that has never waned.

“I like to compete. A lot of things we as tennis players do, you know, I just came from the lounge and there, I see like three tables playing cards and they all want to win. And that’s how we are,” he said.

“We play games, someone on the phone, PlayStation, cards. Even when I have a car trip, if it’s more than three, four hours, we try to find games to play when you are in the car, you know, let’s count, I don’t know, yellow cars, whatever.

“So, for me, it’s about competition. I like to compete. I like to win. I miss it a little bit and I’m trying my best to find it back.”


Canelo Alvarez to face Terence Crawford in Riyadh Season Las Vegas showdown

Updated 9 sec ago
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Canelo Alvarez to face Terence Crawford in Riyadh Season Las Vegas showdown

  • Fight between 2 of boxing’s biggest generational athletes will be streamed on Netflix
  • They will compete for the unified Super Middleweight championship on Sept. 13

LONDON: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will face off against Terence Crawford on Sept. 13 in Las Vegas, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and president of the Saudi Boxing Federation, and Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, have announced.

The highly anticipated fight between two of boxing’s biggest generational athletes will be streamed on Netflix for more than 300 million subscribers on the platform.

White, Alashikh and Saudi events firm Sela will collaborate to promote the event, which is part of Riyadh Season.

The showdown will be promoted through a promotional tour with stops in Riyadh on June 20, New York City on June 22 and Las Vegas on June 27.

The venue for the fight in Las Vegas, scheduled for September, will be announced at a later date. The boxers will compete for the unified Super Middleweight championship.

Alalshikh said on Tuesday: “Canelo and Crawford, two legends of boxing, will finally compete against each other in the fight of the century.”

Dana White described the anticipated fight in Las Vegas as historic. He added: “Turki wants to make the biggest fights that the fans want to see in boxing and this is right up my alley ... it’s literally a once in a lifetime fight.”

Mexican star Canelo is ready to prove he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. “I’m super happy to be making history again and this time on a Riyadh Season card that will be broadcast on Netflix,” he said.

Crawford, the undefeated American superstar, is confident that his record speaks for itself. “I am the best fighter in the world and no matter the opponent or weight class, I have always come out on top,” he said.

“On Sept. 13, my hand will be raised once again as the world watches greatness,” Crawford told fans.


Baseball United and Tokyo Broadcasting System launch reality show to find Japan’s next baseball stars

Updated 10 June 2025
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Baseball United and Tokyo Broadcasting System launch reality show to find Japan’s next baseball stars

  • The national competition, ‘Tryout: Plan D,’ will give hopeful players a chance to compete professionally in the Dubai league

DUBAI: A partnership between Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, and leading Japanese broadcaster Tokyo Broadcast System will give young baseball players a shot at becoming professional stars.

The reality show, “Tryout: Plan D,” will feature hundreds of hopefuls competing for two roster spots on the Mid East Falcons, one of Baseball United’s founding franchises. The winners will play for the Falcons during the inaugural season in Dubai, which begins on Nov. 14.

Participants will compete in several stages of the competition, starting in July and ending in November. Ultimately, one pitcher and one batter will be selected after a series of intense challenges measuring skill, mental toughness, physical fitness and passion for the game.

The partnership will be anchored by TBS’s long running and widely respected show, バース・デイ(“Birthday”), a documentary series that has chronicled the triumphs and struggles of athletes across Japan for the last 20 years.

Airing on Friday nights, it explores its subjects’ personal transformations and emotional journeys. “Tryout” will bring to life a compelling mix of reality television, human interest and competitive action, while providing real opportunities for Japanese baseball prospects.

“Japan is one of the greatest baseball nations in the world,” said Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Baseball United.

“Baseball is engrained into the culture, history and future of this country. And we know there are a lot of talented players that just need an opportunity to showcase their ability. ‘Tryout’ is more than just a competition — it’s a celebration of culture, a catalyst of opportunity and a testament (to) resilience. We are honored to collaborate with TBS and the legendary ‘Birthday’ team to bring this vision to life.”

Tryout will begin airing on TBS in July, with behind-the-scenes content and exclusive footage shared across Baseball United’s global channels. The two winners will be officially introduced as members of the Mid East Falcons before the team’s game against the Karachi Monarchs on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

“Our program バース・デイ has always sought to showcase the untold stories behind athletic greatness,” said show producer Hidemitsu Takahashi.

“Partnering with Baseball United allows us to elevate that mission by offering young Japanese players the opportunity of a lifetime — to transform their lives through sport, and to do so on a truly international platform. We can’t wait to have our two winners take the field in Dubai.”

Baseball United was co-founded by Shaikh, John Miedreich, and MLB Hall of Famers Barry Larkin and Mariano Rivera in November 2022. Its ownership group now includes 20 MLB legends, including Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre and stars Felix Hernandez, Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Ronald Acuna Jr., Robinson Chirinos, and Matt Barnes. The league currently has four franchises, the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Arabia Wolves and Mid East Falcons, who will all compete in the league’s first season from Nov. 14-Dec. 14. All games will be played at Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai.


SHE RUNS 2025: UAE’s largest women’s fitness event set for return

Updated 10 June 2025
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SHE RUNS 2025: UAE’s largest women’s fitness event set for return

  • Previously known as the Women’s Run, it will take place at Expo City on Nov. 2

DUBAI: The UAE’s most iconic women’s fitness event is making a comeback under a new identity titled SHE RUNS.

Reimagined to reflect the spirit of a new generation, the event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Expo City Dubai, celebrating inclusion, strength, and the collective power of women.

Formerly known as the Women’s Run, this 12th edition marks more than a name change, it signals a transformative movement toward wellbeing, leadership, and community connection, according to the organizers.

Participants of all ages and fitness levels — whether running, jogging or walking — can join across multiple race categories, including 1 km, 3 km, 5 km and 10km.

Dedicated tracks for young girls, Emirati women, and People of Determination reflect the event’s commitment to diversity and intergenerational participation.

“In embracing inclusivity, SHE RUNS does not just count miles, it counts moments. Each step is a testament to the power of community driving change,” said Dr. Harmeek Singh, founder and CEO of Plan b Group, the event’s organizing partner.

This year’s edition runs under the banner “For Voices. For Connection. For Change.” This is in alignment with the UAE’s Year of the Community.

Backed by the Dubai Sports Council and integrated into the Dubai Fitness Challenge 30x30, SHE RUNS is also a strategic partner of the Dubai Active Show, further anchoring its role as a national movement in health and wellness.

“SHE RUNS reflects the very essence of what the Dubai Fitness Challenge is about; empowering individuals through movement and bringing communities together in the spirit of wellbeing,” said a spokesperson from the Dubai Sports Council.

Also returning for 2025 is the high-energy SHE RUNS Power Hour, a pre-race activation featuring motivational talks, dynamic group warmups, and outreach programs for schools, universities and corporate teams.


Madrid to host grand prix as Formula One announces 2026 calendar

Updated 10 June 2025
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Madrid to host grand prix as Formula One announces 2026 calendar

  • Spain will host two Formula One grands prix in 2026, with the new race in Madrid joining Barcelona, after organizers on Tuesday announced the calendar for a season

HONG KONG: Spain will host two Formula One grands prix in 2026, with the new race in Madrid joining Barcelona, after organizers on Tuesday announced the calendar for a season that could bring big changes on the grid.
The 2026 campaign will open for the second successive season in Australia at Melbourne’s Albert Park street circuit on March 6-8.
The race in the Spanish capital Madrid is on September 11-13 and will bring the curtain down on the European segment of the season.
The new Madrid circuit will have both street and non-street sectors.
The 24-weekend campaign will again conclude in Abu Dhabi, on December 4-6.
Montreal in Canada will now follow Miami in May to cut down on traveling for the teams.
The 2026 season promises to look radically different with Cadillac becoming the 11th team on the grid and sweeping new regulations on aerodynamics and power units.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, said: “Next year’s FIA Formula One World Championship marks a significant new chapter for our sport.
“A new race, new teams, and the arrival of new manufacturers, all ushering in a fresh era of innovation and competition.”

Formula One 2026 calendar:
March 6-8: Melbourne, Australia
March 13-15: Shanghai, China
March 27-29: Suzuka, Japan
April 10-12: Sakhir, Bahrain
April 17-19: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
May 1-3: Miami, United States
May 22-24: Montreal, Canada
June 5-7: Monaco
June 12-14: Barcelona, Spain
June 26-28: Spielberg, Austria
July 3-5: Silverstone, Great Britain
July 17-19: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
July 24-26: Budapest, Hungary
August 21-23: Zandvoort, Netherlands
Sept 4-6: Monza, Italy
Sept 11-13: Madrid, Spain
Sept 25-27: Baku, Azerbaijan
Oct 9-11 Singapore
Oct 23-25 Austin, United States
Oct 30-Nov 1: Mexico City, Mexico
Nov 6-8 Sao Paulo, Brazil
Nov 19-21 Las Vegas, United States
Nov 27-29 Lusail, Qatar
Dec 4-6: Abu Dhabi, UAE


Italy struggle but give sacked Spalletti winning send-off against Moldova

Updated 10 June 2025
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Italy struggle but give sacked Spalletti winning send-off against Moldova

  • Italy’s first threat came when defender Luca Ranieri, making his international debut, hit the crossbar with a header, and they found the breakthrough five minutes before the break

ITALY: Sacked Italy manager Luciano Spalletti bowed out with a victory after his side labored to an uninspired 2-0 home win over Moldova in their World Cup qualification match on Monday thanks to goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso.
Spalletti announced his own dismissal on Sunday following Italy’s 3-0 loss in Norway in their opening group game on Friday, but took charge for one final time where again the performance showed why a change of leadership was required.
Norway, who won 1-0 in Estonia with Erling Haaland netting the winner, top Group I on 12 points from four games, with Israel on six points after three matches while Italy are third with three points from their two games.
“I asked the guys to let me go out with a victory,” Spalletti told Sky Sport shortly before kickoff.
While his players duly obliged, it was perhaps a fitting end to Spalletti’s time on the bench as another lacklustre showing failed to light up a far from full Stadio Citta del Tricolore.
With Italy’s slow, predictable build-up play failing to break through the visitors’ rearguard, the hosts were given an early wake-up call when Ion Nicolaescu found the net only for his goal to be ruled out for offside.
Italy’s first threat came when defender Luca Ranieri, making his international debut, hit the crossbar with a header, and they found the breakthrough five minutes before the break.
A headed clearance fell to Raspadori in the box who struck first time into the bottom corner but Moldova almost levelled before halftime when Oleg Reabciuk’s shot from distance was parried away by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Artur Ionita’s follow-up effort went wide of the far post and Daniel Dumbravanu’s header from a corner was cleared off the line by Federico Dimarco as Italy hung onto their lead.
Italy doubled their lead five minutes into the second half when substitute Riccardo Orsolini sent a low cross into the area which Davide Frattesi knocked on to Cambiaso who fired past keeper Cristian Avram.
The two-goal cushion failed to inspire Italy. Frattesi was sent through on goal from a ball over the top by Alessandro Bastoni but he sent his shot straight at the keeper and Moldova continued to create chances of their own.
“We struggled again tonight,” Spalletti told Rai Sport.
“When you are the coach of the national team you cannot have alibis because he chooses the players and if they don’t do well he can change them.”
Spalletti’s name was booed by large sections of the crowd when read out before kickoff, and the game failed to improve the mood, and Italian fans will hope for better when a replacement, rumored to be Claudio Ranieri, is installed.