Sports

Federer retires after Laver Cup loss

Published

3 years ago

September 24, 2022

editor

A tearful Roger Federer waved goodbye to professional tennis after teaming up with fellow great Rafael Nadal on an emotional night at the Laver Cup.

The 41-year-old received a long ovation after walking off court for the final time as he retired as a professional.

The Swiss, who won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, is considered one of the best players in tennis history.

“It’s been a wonderful day. I’m happy, not sad. It feels great to be here. I’m happy I made it through,” he said.

Federer cried as he hugged Nadal and other players, then took acclaim from the thousands of fans who chanted his name at the O2 Arena in London.

Nadal also could not hold back the tears. The 36-year-old Spaniard cried as he sat alongside Federer while the pair listened to British singer Ellie Goulding, who rounded off a memorable night with a performance.

Federer and Nadal – for so long rivals at the top of the men’s game – joined forces to play doubles against American pair Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in the annual team event between Europe and the rest of the world.

Despite Federer not having played competitively for over a year, the veteran duo pushed Sock and Tiafoe before losing 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 11-9 as Team World levelled at 2-2 at the end of play on the opening day.

Federer and Nadal – affectionately nicknamed ‘Fedal’ – almost won it. The pair had a match point at 9-8 in the decider, but Federer could only lunge for a forehand which he pushed into the net.

The defeat brought the former world number one’s 25-year professional career to a close after his 1,750th competitive match across singles and doubles.

“It’s been the perfect journey. I’d do it all again,” said Federer as tried to hold back tears during his on-court speech.

(BBC News)

Sports

SL ranks 9th at U18 Asian Youth Athletics C’ships

Published

4 days ago

April 19, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka won another silver medal in the U18 Asian Youth Athletics Championships held in Saudi Arabia, this time in the women’s mixed relay event.

The Sri Lankan athletes clocked 2:14.25 minutes, setting a Sri Lankan youth record.

China claimed the gold medal with a time of 2:11:11 minutes, while Thailand won the bronze with a time of 2:15:00 minutes.

The four-day competition, organized by the Asian Athletics Federation, concluded yesterday (April 18) in Qatif.

Sri Lanka finished 9th in the overall medal standings, with a total of eight medals — one gold, three silver, and four bronze. It was also one of only 19 countries to win at least one medal.

China topped the overall medal standings with 19 gold, 12 silver and 5 bronze medals while Japan came in second with 3 gold, 3 silver and one bronze medal.

Host Saudi Arabia came in third place with 3 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals.

Sports

Dasun Shanaka gets IPL call up

Published

5 days ago

April 18, 2025

editor

Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has received a call-up to join the Gujarat Titans in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, replacing the injured Glenn Phillips.

The Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, have signed Shanaka for INR 7.5 million (over LKR 25 million).

Shanaka has played only one season of the IPL so far, when he got three games for GT, scored only 26 runs and didn’t get to bowl at all two seasons ago.

Phillips had picked up a groin injury while fielding against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Hyderabad just over ten days ago, and was later ruled out of the tournament to head back home to New Zealand.

Sports

SL U-19 squad for Youth ODIs, named

Published

5 days ago

April 17, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket’s Junior Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad for the first two Youth One Day Internationals (ODIs) against the touring Bangladesh Under-19 team.

The matches will be held from April 24 – May 08.