NOVAK DJOKOVIC remained firmly in cruise control on Monday (8) to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals as he swatted aside France's Ugo Humbert, the latest of tennis's up-and-comers to show promise but ultimately fall short.
Djokovic, capable of jaw-dropping feats of agility when pushed to the brink, has barely stretched a sinew in reaching the last eight and the 21-year-old Humbert proved incapable of applying any real pressure in a 6-3 6-2 6-3 defeat.
The Frenchman had let it be known after his third-round victory over the much-heralded Felix Auger-Aliassime that he too was part of tennis's "next generation", yet in the current climate that appears far from a badge of honour.
It is said that youth is wasted on the young and tennis fans surveying the current crop emerging in the men's game might be inclined to agree.
With the early Wimbledon exits of the game's brightest starlets -- Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov -- the hunt for a worthy successor to Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer seems as futile as ever.
The trio, who make up tennis's immovable oligarchy having won the last 10 Grand Slams and 53 between them, have dropped three sets in total in the opening four rounds and Djokovic is at a loss to explain why the younger generation cannot get a look in.
"I leave it to your creative spirit to understand why," he said.
This is the first Wimbledon in the professional era when players aged 30 or over outnumbered 20-somethings and teenagers in the men's round of 16.
The nine elder statesmen who reached this stage also equalled the record for the most men in their 30s to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam.
Significantly, that record was set at this year's French Open when once again tennis's old stagers remained stubbornly awkward to beat.
The top three, said Djokovic, have taken their rivalry to such a level that winning had become a lifestyle choice involving extraordinary levels of dedication.
"It takes hours of training, preparation, recovery. It's a lifestyle really. Dedication truly pays off.
"We have high aims all the time. I don't think any one of us plays for fun or to just be part of the tour. We play there to be the best in the world."
Humbert was not among the most feted of the rising stars and was ranked only 66 in the world but, after dashing the hopes of Auger-Aliassime, he became the youngest player left in the men's draw and a symbol of the future.
Humbert and the 23-year-old Matteo Berrettini, who also exited in the last 16, were the only players remaining in the draw under the age of 27, another statistic that paints as bleak a picture of the future of men's tennis as Humbert's performance on Court One.
Djokovic flashed a brilliant backhand return to break in the fourth game of the first set, which he took in 32 minutes, and broke again in the third and seventh games of the second set.
An opponent needs to be technically as solid as stone to trouble Djokovic but Humbert was occasionally ragged, gifting points to the world number one, who accepted them gleefully.
Djokovic, chasing a fifth Wimbledon title, broke serve twice more in the third set, sealing victory when Humbert netted a forehand to set up a last-eight clash with Belgium's David Goffin.
Goffin overcame 35-year-old Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 7-6(9) 2-6 6-3 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
CENTURIES from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill, his first as skipper, fired India to a commanding position in their series opener against England, closing day one of the first test on an imposing 359-3 on Friday (20).
Despite the clear, humid Headingley conditions seemingly favouring the batting side, England chose to bowl first, knowing each of the previous six Leeds tests had been won by the side bowling first.
Ben Stokes' decision seemed ill-advised, with India openers KL Rahul and Jaiswal both looking in fine form, but Rahul fell for 42, with the England captain quickly removing debutant Sai Sudharsan for a duck from the final ball before lunch.
Jaiswal and Gill steadied the ship in the afternoon session, however, the opener storming to his fifth test century, with Gill's classy ton, an unbeaten 127, putting England on the back foot from the off in the five-match series.
"It was very special, it meant a lot to me," Jaiswal told the BBC. "I really enjoyed it because I have worked so much before the series, after the IPL.
"I just wanted to get in and do something for my team, for my country and for myself after the work I have put it. I loved it. There is no secret. I just try to work very hard and have the will and desire to do well whenever I have the opportunity. I will just keep trying to put my team first."
The pressure was on Gill on his test bow as captain, with a nation expecting a smooth transition following the retirements of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
India's fifth-youngest captain at 25 found himself in the firing line in the blink of an eye, after England had toiled initially on an unusually humid Leeds day.
Missing numerous frontline pace bowlers through injury, it was left to Brydon Carse, making his first test start on home soil, to make the crucial breakthrough just as Rahul was settling in before debutant Sudharsan quickly followed him back to the pavilion.
Supported by Jaiswal, who sailed to his sixth half century in 10 innings against England, Gill showed his class with his fastest-ever test 50.
Jaiswal, despite receiving treatment for an injury to his hand throughout the afternoon session, quickly retook the limelight from the skipper storming to his fifth century from just 20 matches, a third against England, to pile the misery on the hosts’ beleaguered bowlers.
After Stokes struck to clean bowl Jaiswal, who departed for 101, ending the third wicket stand of 129, Gill and Rishabh Pant continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over, with a drive through the covers taking the skipper to his first test century outside of Asia.
Pant finished off a memorable day for India by reaching his half century with a bizarre-looking shot, leaving England with mountain to climb to avoid getting their summer off to a losing start.
"It was a tough day but we will get our opportunity to bat soon," England coach Tim Southee said. "We will come back tomorrow and try to make some inroads.
"The guys are good. The strength of this side is that things can be tough at times but they try to not to get too caught up in the emotions of bad days."
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot on the opening day of the first cricket test match between England and India at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds on June 20, 2025.
ENGLAND captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl first against India in the opening Test at Headingley on Friday.
The match began under clear skies and with a pitch showing only a slight green tinge, suggesting decent conditions for batting in the first game of the five-Test series.
Stokes said: "Headingley is generally a good cricket wicket, we have had some good games here over the years so we will look to use the early conditions and get a bit out of it (the pitch)."
England had already named their team, with two changes from the side that beat Zimbabwe by an innings at Trent Bridge. Chris Woakes returned in place of the injured Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse was included for his home debut.
India handed a debut to Sai Sudharsan, who was listed to bat at number three. New captain Shubman Gill was set to bat at number four.
India are aiming for their third Test series win in England, following previous victories in 1971, 1986 and 2007. Gill said: "Preparation has been amazing, I think all the boys are feeling in a good space mentally and physically."
The match also marks the start of a new cycle in the World Test Championship, following South Africa’s win over Australia in last week’s final at Lord's.
Both teams wore black armbands in memory of those who died in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, where all but one of the 242 people on board were killed.
Teams
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wkt), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
MANCHESTER UNITED FOUNDATION has appointed two new trustees to its board, including a communications expert with experience in music and government.
Jonathan Badyal, a partner at Trafalgar Strategy and former Universal Music UK director of communications, joined the board in March alongside Professor Saul Becker from Manchester Metropolitan University, a statement said.
The pair met other board members at Old Trafford on Wednesday (18), led by chair of trustees Collette Roche, who also serves as chief operating officer of Manchester United.
Badyal brings wide-ranging experience from his career in communications and strategy. He spent eight years at Universal Music, finishing as director of communications for the UK business. Before that, he worked for five years advising the UK government's culture and digital minister on policy and communications.
During his government role, Badyal developed a focus on widening access for young people to creative industries. He currently advises chief executives and creatives on communications and reputation through his work at Trafalgar Strategy.
His other roles include senior adviser to executive search firm Saxton Bampfylde, deputy chair of the Black Country Living Museum, and interim chair at the National Academy for Social Prescribing.
"As a lifelong Manchester United fan I have admired the work of the foundation from afar," Badyal said. "One thing that has been a constant and passionate focus of mine during my career is supporting young people and improving life chances, so to be able to support the life-changing work the Foundation delivers is truly an honour and I can't wait to get stuck in."
The foundation runs programmes in technology, medicine, media, retail and music alongside football coaching sessions and education courses. It partners with businesses in these areas to help young people find jobs, the statement added.
Badyal said his background in arts and creative industries could help the foundation's work. "The foundation's values strongly align with my own in terms of nurturing ambition and creativity, and offering opportunities to young people of all backgrounds," he said.
Roche said, "It gives me great pleasure to welcome Jonathan and Saul to Manchester United Foundation. Not only do they bring to the board a wealth of experience and expertise, but a dedicated passion for improving the lives of young people."
She added that the foundation needs to keep developing as an organisation. "I'm sure they will offer an invaluable new perspective to the governance and future of the Foundation," she said.
Keep ReadingShow less
India captain Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja during a nets session at Headingley on June 18, 2025 in Leeds. (Photo: Getty Images)
INDIA will begin their Test series in England on Friday with a new captain and without two of their most experienced batters — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill, who takes over from Rohit, will also bat at number four, filling the position vacated by Kohli.
Vice-captain Rishabh Pant confirmed on Wednesday that Gill would bat at four in the first Test at Headingley. “I think Shubman is going to bat at number four and I'm going to stick to number five as of now,” Pant said. “Obviously, it's a new start for us, big people have left. Yes, there will be a gap, but at the same time, it's an opportunity for us to build a new culture from here.”
Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket days after Rohit stepped down, ending a phase in which the pair led India’s batting for over a decade. Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar together scored over 21,000 runs from the number four position in 278 Tests.
Gill, 25, has a Test average of 35 in 32 matches, which drops to 29 in away games and below 15 in three previous Tests in England. The Headingley match marks the start of a new World Test Championship cycle. India last won a series in England in 2007, with their only other wins coming in 1971 and 1986.
Leadership transition and new combinations
Pant, who has returned to cricket after a serious car accident in 2022, said his close friendship with Gill would help them in leadership roles. “If you're good friends off the field, it eventually comes on the field. Me and him, we get along really well together,” he said.
India will also miss the services of experienced bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah, returning from a back injury, may be rested for two of the five Tests due to the schedule. Mohammed Shami is unavailable due to ankle surgery, and Ravichandran Ashwin has retired from Tests.
The selectors have named several fresh faces. Karun Nair could return to the XI, and Sai Sudharsan may get his debut. All-rounders Nitish Reddy and Shardul Thakur are being considered to strengthen the middle order, while there is also a chance Kuldeep Yadav could be included.
There are decisions to be made in the pace department. Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna are in contention to support Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Head coach Gautam Gambhir will face his first tactical test in a long series, with several selections yet to be finalised.
England without Anderson and Broad
England, who lost 4-1 in India last year, will be without James Anderson and Stuart Broad, their two most successful Test bowlers with 1,308 wickets combined. Their attack for the first Test will include Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and Shoaib Bashir, with Woakes set to bat at number eight.
Durham’s Carse, who will make his home debut at Headingley, said the changes offer opportunities. “I think it's a good chance for a couple of younger players, with slightly less experience, to stamp down some authority throughout the series.”
Ben Stokes’ side will be without Jofra Archer and Mark Wood due to injury. Broad told The Times: “Looking at England, with all the injuries they've got – where are they getting 20 wickets?”
Pant said India wouldn’t take the new-look England attack lightly. “It feels so good when both of them are not there. But at the same time, they have enough ammunition in the England bowling line-up.”
The series could hinge on key battles, including the one between Bumrah and Joe Root, who has scored over 13,000 Test runs. England will also rely on batters like Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook and Ollie Pope.
Squads
England (playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.
INDIA will miss Virat Kohli more than Rohit Sharma in the upcoming Test series against England, according to former England captain Geoffrey Boycott. Kohli and Rohit’s recent retirement from the format will affect India’s chances in the five-match series starting Friday, he said.
The two teams begin their new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with this series, which will be played over six weeks.
“The retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma hurts the chances of India beating England. Kohli is the biggest loss as he has been their best batsman and talisman in all three formats,” Boycott wrote in his column for the Daily Telegraph.
“With so much international cricket played by India, and so little rest, it takes its toll and the mind becomes fatigued.”
'Kohli won’t be easy to replace'
Boycott called Kohli’s exit a bigger loss, saying mental freshness is key in Test cricket.
“It does not matter how much talent or experience you have, if you are not mentally fresh and up for the challenge then it becomes draining.
“Rohit was a superb batsman. At his best, a beautiful stroke player, but he won't be missed as much as Kohli because his Test record was good rather than exceptional. In the last couple of years his batting was a little inconsistent, which was not surprising in his late 30s.
“Rohit was never a natural athlete like Kohli and he knows that opening the innings in England can be pretty tough because the new ball moves around more. You really have to be up for the challenge to have any chance of success.
“I just think that over time the wear and tear of opening the innings and being captain in all three formats wore him down,” Boycott wrote.
'England need to control Bazball'
Kohli and Rohit announced their retirement from Test cricket last month. Shubman Gill has since been appointed captain in Rohit’s place. India last won a Test series in England in 2007. England are coming into the series after winning a one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.
Boycott advised the Ben Stokes-led side to moderate their attacking ‘Bazball’ approach.
“England should beat India if they temper Bazball and use some common sense. At times their cricket has been thrilling and super enjoyable but also reckless batting has lost them Test matches.
“Their only thought should be winning because it is no use telling us how good you are when the last three World Test Championship finals have been played in our country but England have not qualified for any of them. They should be embarrassed. Their aim should be to make the next WTC final.
“The new cycle starts now and somebody needs to get through to the England players that being a winner is better than being known as an entertainer. If you can win and entertain, that is a bonus. At the moment England are like a one-trick-pony.”
'Don’t get complacent'
Boycott also warned England against taking India lightly, even in the absence of their senior players.
“It’s Bazball or Bazball and that is the way we play; take it or leave it. They don’t want to change or learn from their losses. It doesn’t seem to make any difference that so many top class ex-England Test players keep telling them to moderate their batting.
“So please, get your act together, bring your best game and apply some cricket nous,” Boycott wrote.