"WHEN the crowd is chanting 'Roger' I hear 'Novak'," freshly-crowned Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic said with a smile on Sunday (14).
A fairly implausible claim, perhaps, but the comment hinted at the phenomenal feats of mental strength and focus the Serb deployed in beating Roger Federer in the longest singles final in the tournament's 133-year history.
"It sounds silly," he conceded, "but it is like that. I try to convince myself that it's like that. It's similar 'Roger' and 'Novak'," he added laughing.
The absurdity of the claim was comical, but the lengths to which Djokovic had to battle the almost blanket support for his adored Swiss opponent was no joke.
The Serb had fought his great rival, and most of the 15,000-Centre Court crowd, for almost five hours before securing a 7-6)5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 13-12(3) win for a fifth Wimbledon crown.
"It was probably the most demanding, mentally most demanding, match I was ever been part of," the 32-year-old said.
"I mean, that was one thing that I promised myself coming on to the court today, that I need to stay calm and composed because I knew that the atmosphere would be as it was."
Before the match, all the talk had been of records, statistics and places in history, but Sunday's showpiece boiled down to something far more elementary - a battle of artistry versus industry.
Ultimately, Djokovic's unyielding intensity and athleticism prevailed in the face of Federer's beautiful, hypnotic, flowing strokes as the two preternaturally gifted men toyed with their own different forms of perfection on one of the world's greatest sporting stages.
While Federer's mercurial shot play brought constant gasps of admiration from the crowd, Djokovic's superpower, while less obvious, prevailed.
The top seed and defending champion was mentally rocked solid. His concentration was absolute. His focus unwavering.
He never hit the ball with the same panache as the second-seeded 37-year-old Swiss, he never had the crowd shaking its head in disbelief, but he was a wall.
"I thought most of the match I was on the back foot actually. I was defending. He was dictating the play. I just tried to fight and find a way when it mattered the most, which is what happened," said the world number one.
"I just told myself before the match, I'm going to try to switch off as much as I can from what is happening around us, and just be there, be present.
"I thought I could have played better. But at the same time, one thing that probably allowed me to come back and save match points and win this match was the mental stability in those moments.
"You need to be constantly playing well throughout five hours if you want to win a match like this. I guess there is an endurance part. But I think there is always this self-belief. You have to keep reminding yourself that you're there for a reason and that you are better than the other guy."
Compared to Federer's flashing strokes, the 32-year-old Serb's obdurate defence is never likely to win a crowd over. But that is not to say there is not a form of brilliance in the Djokovic resilience.
It saw him claim a Bjorn Borg-equalling fifth Wimbledon crown and allowed him to narrow the Grand Slam gap in the spread between the 'big three'.
So ultimately, there was no escaping the statistics.
Djokovic now has 16 major singles titles, Federer has 20, with Spain's Rafa Nadal -- Federer's semi-final victim - squeezed between them on 18.
"It seems like I'm getting closer," Djokovic said. "But also they're winning slams. We're kind of complementing each other. We're making each other grow and evolve and still be in this game.
"The fact that they made history... motivates me as well, inspires me to try to do what they have done, what they've achieved, and even more.
"Whether I'm going to be able to do it or not, I don't know. I'm not just a tennis player, I'm a father and a husband. You have to balance things out."
Australia's Pat Cummins celebrates with the ICC Test Mace on the podium along with teammates after winning the World Test Championship final in 2023. (Photo: Reuters)
THE WINNERS of next month’s World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa will receive $3.6 million, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday after raising the prize money.
The ICC has increased the prize pool significantly. In the previous WTC final held in 2023, Australia won $1.6 million after beating India, who took home $800,000 as runners-up.
The losing team in the upcoming June 11-15 match at Lord’s will receive $2.1 million – more than the winners earned in the past two finals.
"The increase in prize money exhibits the ICC's efforts to prioritise test cricket as it looks to build on the momentum of the first three cycles of the nine-team competition," the ICC said in a statement.
Australia captain Pat Cummins said the team was prepared to meet any challenge in order to defend their WTC title.
"We are enormously proud to have the opportunity to defend the World Test Championship, especially at Lord's," Cummins said.
"It's a testament to all those involved across the past two years who have worked incredibly hard to reach the final, which is a great honour for all of us."
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said the team was focused on winning their first ICC title.
"Everyone understands the importance of test cricket and the World Test Championship lends context to this vital format of the game.
"Lord's is a fitting venue for this mega fixture and all of us will be out there trying to give our best against Australia," Bavuma said.
VIRAT KOHLI, one of the finest cricketers of the modern era, officially drew the curtain on his Test career on Monday (12), leaving behind a legacy that will be hard to match.
The announcement came in an emotional message on Instagram to his 271 million followers.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket,” Kohli wrote.
“I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me so much more than I could’ve hoped for. As I step away from this format, it’s not easy – but it feels right.”
Kohli, 36, had already retired from T20 cricket last year. But he is expected to continue in the one-day format, where his fitness and hunger still remain intact.
His decision did not come as a complete surprise. Over the past two years, his form in Test cricket declined, with an average of just 32.56, far below the standards he had set between 2011 and 2019, when he averaged close to 55.
His last Test match, played in Sydney earlier this year, was a tough one, with India losing the series 3-1 to Australia. Barring a century in Perth, he struggled throughout the series.
Kohli was a complete cricketer and a fierce competitor who wore his emotions on his sleeve. As captain, he led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 of them – a record that makes him the most successful Indian Test skippers of all time.
His leadership redefined India’s overseas attitude, making them more aggressive and confident in foreign conditions.
A man of unmatched intensity, commitment and determination, he became the heartbeat of Indian cricket for more than a decade.
Known as “King Kohli,” he was India’s batting mainstay across formats for much of his career. Whether it was the grinding pressure of Test matches, the fast pace of T20s, or the strategic battleground of ODIs, he always stood tall.
Kohli was also part of the legendary “Fab Four” of modern Test batting, alongside Australian Steve Smith, England’s Joe Root, and Kane Williamson from New Zealand. They dominated world cricket during the same era, pushing each other to higher standards. He, however, stood out with his flair and fitness, playing each game like it was his last.
He ends his Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85. With 30 tons and 31 half-centuries, he made his mark as a consistent match-winner and reliable No 4 batter. Kohli’s highest score in Tests, an unbeaten 254, remains a reminder of his ability to dominate any bowling attack.
His journey was never just about cricket. The number 18 jersey he proudly wore is the most popular cricket shirt in India, chosen in memory of his father, Prem, who passed away on December 18.
Kohli has over 26,000 international runs and 80 centuries across formats – achievements that place him in the rarest class of cricketers.
Many cricket stars paid tribute to Kohli after his announcement. India coach Gautam Gambhir called him “a man with lion’s passion.” Sachin Tendulkar, the man he is often compared to, wrote, “You have given Indian cricket so much more than just runs – you have given it a new generation of passionate fans and players.”
Kohli’s South African IPL teammate AB de Villiers called him “a true legend,” while Wasim Akram described him as “a modern-day great”.
Despite comparisons with Tendulkar, Kohli has always sought his own path. His biographer, Vijay Lokapally, remarked, “Virat never played for records. They happened as he progressed.” He also highlighted Kohli’s extraordinary work ethic and drive, drawing inspiration from past legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev.
However, Kohli’s time as captain was not without turbulence. His form dropped, and in 2021, he stepped down as T20 captain before being removed from the ODI captaincy.
In 2022, he gave up the Test captaincy and opened up about the mental stress he was under. He admitted being “snappy” at home, especially around his wife, actress Anushka Sharma.
But, he bounced back, scoring his first century in over 1,000 days during the 2022 T20 World Cup.
There remains one elusive dream – the Indian Premier League (IPL) title. Despite playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the league began in 2008, Kohli has not yet lifted the trophy.
His story is one of grit, ambition, and unshakable belief. In a time when Test cricket struggles for relevance, he carried it on his shoulders with pride.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said, “No individual has done as much for Test cricket as Virat Kohli.
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England’s Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) is among the players who will miss the latter part of the tournament, which is scheduled to end on June 3.
THE INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE (IPL) has announced that teams will now be allowed to bring in temporary replacements for the rest of the tournament, following the withdrawal of several overseas players.
The IPL resumes on Saturday after being paused due to the India-Pakistan conflict. The new schedule overlaps with international fixtures, leading to the unavailability of multiple players.
England’s Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) and Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk (Delhi Capitals) are among the players who will miss the latter part of the tournament, which is scheduled to end on June 3.
"Given the non-availability of certain foreign players due to national commitments or personal reasons or any injury or illness, Temporary Replacement Players will be allowed until the conclusion of this tournament," the league said in a memo to franchises seen by AFP.
"This decision is subject to the condition that the Temporary Replacement players taken from this point forward will not be eligible for retention in the following year.
"Temporary Replacement players will have to register for the IPL Player Auction 2026."
Overton, a bowling all-rounder, will be part of England’s white-ball squad for the home series against West Indies, beginning with a three-match ODI series on May 29.
Fraser-McGurk has withdrawn citing "personal reasons". Delhi Capitals have signed Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman as his replacement.
Delhi are also awaiting the return of Australia’s left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc. The Capitals are monitoring the availability of South African players Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs.
Stubbs is included in South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia, which begins on June 11 at Lord’s.
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said on Tuesday that he expects players to join the national squad on May 26, a day after the IPL final was originally scheduled.
The tournament resumes with Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, the first of 13 remaining regular-season matches.
(With inputs from AFP)
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Vendors pack their belongings as they leave Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium following the postponement of the Pakistan Super League match after the alleged shooting of a drone outside the stadium in Rawalpindi on May 8. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE Pakistan Super League (PSL) will resume on May 17 after being postponed last week due to attacks between India and Pakistan. Australian cricketer David Warner has confirmed he will return to play.
The match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, scheduled for May 8, was postponed after a drone attack occurred near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The PSL was initially expected to shift to the United Arab Emirates, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to postpone the tournament following the incident.
After both countries agreed to a ceasefire, the PCB announced that the league will continue from May 17.
“The PSL 2025 will resume on May 17, with the final on May 25. The League will pick up from where it left off, six teams with zero fear,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a post on X.
According to the PCB, the four remaining group-stage matches will take place in Rawalpindi, while the playoffs and final will be held in Lahore.
Thirty-seven overseas players are part of the PSL’s tenth edition, which began in Karachi on April 11.
Former Australian opener David Warner told the Sydney Morning Herald that he plans to rejoin Karachi Kings for the remaining games.
However, Pakistan media reported that eight New Zealand players, including former captain Kane Williamson, were hesitant to return, despite receiving security assurances.
The Indian Premier League, which was also suspended due to the conflict, is scheduled to restart on Saturday.
(With inputs from AFP)
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The other venues for the remaining league matches are Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
THE REMAINDER of the Indian Premier League will be held from May 17 to June 3 across six venues, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Monday.
The tournament was paused last week due to clashes between India and Pakistan. Following a ceasefire agreement, the BCCI has decided to conduct the 17 remaining matches.
"After extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all the key stakeholders, the board has decided to proceed with the remainder of the season," the BCCI said in a statement.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will host defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday. One of two double-headers will be played the following day.
The other venues for the remaining league matches are Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Venues for the four playoff matches, including the final on June 3, will be announced later.
Earlier, Hyderabad and Kolkata were scheduled to host the playoffs, with the final at Eden Gardens on May 25.
The first qualifier is now set for May 29, followed by the eliminator on May 30. The second qualifier will take place on June 1, with the final two days later.
India and Pakistan halted hostilities on Saturday.
The IPL was suspended last Friday, a day after a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abandoned in Dharamsala, located less than 200 kilometres from Jammu, where explosions had been reported earlier.
A special train was arranged on Friday to take players to Delhi after the airspace was closed. Overseas players began returning home on Saturday.
India launched missile strikes on Wednesday morning in response to a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir two weeks ago. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack.
Pakistan has denied involvement.
At least 60 people have been killed on both sides since Wednesday, AFP reported, in the worst violence in decades.