Carlos Alcaraz's tennis has lost its festive character as the season has progressed, as if it had become too long.. A new example of this was his defeat in his debut at the ATP Finals, whose last edition he could not compete due to being injured.. Various adverse circumstances came together for the winner this year at Wimbledon, Indian Wells, Madrid, Barcelona, Queen's and Buenos Aires. Under the inertia of the poor results since he lost to Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals of the United States Open, Alcaraz made his debut in the masters tournament on the traditional indoor surface, where he has his worst overall record, with 17 victories and now eight defeats. Opposite him was Alexander Zverev, the champion in 2018 and 2021, a man with better indoor skills, where he has won seven of his 21 titles.

“This is the fastest surface of the entire year, without a doubt. “I don't understand why they choose this surface at the end of the season when all the tournaments we have played on hard have been on a much slower terrain,” he noted, without disparaging his opponent and making self-criticism about his own performance.. “I have to analyze the things that I haven't done well, which are quite a few, including the second serve. I haven't been consistent either.. At the end of the second set and at the beginning of the third I threw several balls out at the first. “I look at Djokovic and he doesn't give you any points the first time.”

There has been, perhaps, a certain decompression once the options of finishing for the second consecutive year as number 1 became more complicated, one of the objectives he had as the culmination of his excellent season.. “If I want to win this title one day or close the year on a high, I have to improve and come to this part with the desire to win whatever I put my way.”. I have to reach this point of the year in better conditions, especially mentally.. “I attribute these defeats above all to mental fatigue, to carrying very high demands for so long.”

Losing streak

Alcaraz, which has a record of 63 wins and 11 losses in 2023, has lost four of its last nine games. He fell from the start with Roman Saffiulin in Paris-Bercy, after losing to Grigor Dimitrov in the round of 16 in Shanghai and with Jannik Sinner in the semifinals in Beijing. The setback against Zverev can still be amended, given that the tournament is played by the round robin system. “It is powerful in every blow. His right hand is one of the best on the circuit. “He hits each ball one hundred percent for three or four hours,” he said about Andrey Rublev, fifth seed, who will face this Wednesday for the first time in his career with the urgency of winning to keep his chances of being in the semifinals alive. waiting for Friday's duel with Medvedev, who completes the Red Group.

The world number two also addressed the controversy over balls, one of the most controversial issues in recent weeks. “They should do something, because it is incredible that we play three or four tournaments in a row with a different ball. It's crazy. There are many tennis players who get injured because of it. Each tour should be played with the same ball. “If the ATP wants the best players in every tournament, it should change it.”

Jannik Sinner reduced Novak Djokovic, 'Master' and number one, this Tuesday in the ATP Finals held in Turin with a score of 7-5 and 6-7 (5) and 7-6 (2), after more than three hours of intense battle that were decided in a tie-break in which the Italian swept 7-2, a historic moment for Italian tennis.

The young promise is the first Italian to win two matches in the Masters Cup and he could not do it in a more epic way, withstanding Djokovic's reaction in the second set and with a final push in the last breath that gave him the victory, although the classification will be decided on the last day.

The highlight of the Green Group, after the disappointing confrontation between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune, conditioned by the Greek's injury 17 minutes into the game due to back discomfort, faced two mass idols in Italy. On this occasion, for the first time in a long time, 'Nole', confronted with the audience at various times with ironic gestures, did not enjoy the affection he is used to in transalpine lands.

And Turin, as it could not be otherwise, is clear about its favorite, a Sinner who needed to win in two sets to qualify for the semifinals, a difficult task against the world number one, who had not lost since the Wimbledon final against Carlos Alcaraz, chaining 19 consecutive victories, and for whom it was only enough to win to access the semi-finals of the title in which he defends all the points and in which he seeks to win the crown for the seventh time, surpassing Roger Federer.

Sinner's start

It was the fourth time they met in their career officially – all with victory for the Serbian – but the first time indoors and on one of the fastest tracks on the circuit.. The first serves were key, there were up to 35 direct ones, but the battle, equal from the beginning, was decided by details, by the moods in which it went during the hectic contest.

The first set was a constant exchange of blows, a warning of what the match in general would be, which fell on the side of a Sinner who, thanks to the support of the Pala Alpitour, believed more in himself, trusted more and was more successful in the decisive moments with blows that made the public go crazy, delighted with the level exhibited on the court.

Sinner saved the first break ball in the sixth game to tie the score at 3. He returned the pressure to Djokovic quickly, in the next game, and the Serbian responded by saving another to make it 4-3. The serves continued, but the feeling was that the Italian was beginning to grow.

Already at 5-5, Sinner ended up establishing himself as the owner of the stake. Djokovic took a 40-0 lead with serve, but the Italian roared for a spectacular, aggressive comeback, which culminated with a beautiful break to take the lead, with serve in his favor, and close a set that he could not win. escaped with a blank set.

Sinner was better, confident in his possibilities, playing balls to the limit with precision, exhausting an overwhelmed Djokovic at that moment, serious, against the ropes.

Djokovic's reaction

But Djokovic is still Djokovic and, in the second set, he started strong, with the authority that comes from being the most experienced player and the current number one.. Sinner did not let go, he maintained his pace, his concentration and resisted the Serbian's attacks in another round just as close as the first, but with the Serbian very successful in the rest. 'Nole' smiled, he re-entered the match after the end of the first set in which he ended up angry, upset at not having been able to make it happen.

He received a cervical massage but continued without problems with a battle very similar to that of the first set, but in which there were no break options, although there was a new level of stratospheric tennis on the part of both that inevitably led to the tie. -break'.

A spectacular return from the Italian put him ahead on the Serbian's first serve. The Pala Alpitour chanted his name, while he, concentrated, prepared for his two serves. He confirmed the break with his first serve, but missed on the second (2-1). Djokovic also missed the net, but recovered with a perfect point to maintain the tie at 3. Maximum equality.

Two breaks kept the battle tied at 4, but a break by 'Nole' left him with two set points that he did not waste to stay alive.

And again a long set, also even, with no apparent cracks in anyone's game, although with Djokovic now more convinced and Sinner more subdued, aware that he had left the best in this invitation, one of the only ones who need the minimum. to survive and turn the situation around.

Outcome

However, his coach had to tell him from the stands to change the energy so that he could get back on his feet.. Something changed in Sinner and it worked, because he went 40-15 on Djokovic's serve, two break balls after a complete set without them, an opportunity that he did not miss to make it 4-2 on the scoreboard and have his serve.

Turin was already a boiler, but he could not celebrate the confirmation of the break because Djokovic responded again with another 'break'. The equality was maintained, the reproaches towards Djokovic from the Italian public as well, those to whom he responded as if it were music to his ears, with an ironic dance. The match had to be decided with a tie-break.

Sinner went 3-0 after two breaks. Turin chanted his name again, saw him as the winner. It was 5-0 with a serve in favor and the Italian did not let it escape. He reduced the 'Master' and left everything open to access the semifinals in a last day that seems like a heart attack and in which the calculator may be necessary.

When Joselu Mato (Stuttgart, 33 years old) is asked why he is so happy, he answers that he really enjoys seeing his children being able to stay with their cousins, and with their grandparents, because they, his children, Leo and Lucas, six and three years old, they didn't know what it was like to have family around. Then yes, of course, then Joselu talks about what it's like to play for Madrid, and for the national team, and to have reached both places, to have reached the summit, at 32 years old.. “Everything has to be in harmony,” resolves someone who left home to be a footballer at the age of 11, to Celta, and then, at 19, to the Madrid youth academy, and then, at 22, to Germany, and then, with 25, to England, and then, at 29, he returned to Spain, and then…

And then, after his thirties, Joselu, a normal guy, a good guy, was called up by the senior team for the first time (in March) and Madrid got him back 11 years after letting him go.. He is not stupid, he knows what is said and written about him. But he shrugs his shoulders and asks, “What am I going to tell them?”

Why do you think young people are so devoted to you? What does it give to the kids? I don't know. I guess they see that I can be an example for them, they see that I left here when I was 20 years old and that the opportunity to return is always there.. An example of not giving up and that all work has its fruit. At those ages, kids begin to realize what they want to be, and when they ask me, I always say that through work and sacrifice, dreams can be fulfilled. It is a good message for youth.. I don't know if today's kids have assumed that culture of effort. It's what I try to convey not only to children, but also to players who are in the Second Division at 20 years old.. It is not an option to give up as soon as you start.. You never know when the opportunity will come. I have worked, I have had a hard time, but I have never given up, and I thought: “Why not?”. And look, I'm in Madrid.

But, at 27-28 years old, did you never think that you would not achieve it? No. Man, if you had told me that at 33 years old Madrid would sign me, I would have told you: “I don't believe you”. But not because I wasn't going to try.. I've always had that in my head. I have always believed that something good was going to come to me. I have sometimes taken a step back to take two steps forward, and the option of playing for the national team and for Madrid came to me when I was 33, but I am enjoying it as if I were 25 again. Who has helped you the most on this path? so long? Above all my wife, she has been a fundamental pillar. It has been the one that has accompanied me since I debuted in Primera. She is the one who has guided me, the one who has eaten all the brown ones, the one who has always been there. Now we are enjoying it, but along the way there have been very hard moments. Do you remember any of those hard days? They are moments that become something very personal. For me, football is not a sport, it is my entire life, and the bad moments are very difficult, but I have been lucky that she knew how to guide and redirect me.. I have reset several times in my life and it has been very good for me. How has your life changed? Playing for Madrid and being international is the best there is. Of course life changes you for the better. My wife's family is from Madrid, my family is very close, my children are with their cousins, with their grandparents.. The eldest is six years old and had never experienced it, and that gives you a bonus, seeing that your family is calm is great.. Being in Madrid is the dream of my entire life. Is maturity referring to children when talking about happiness?. For me, my family, my wife, my children, it is the most important thing.. To be happy everything has to be in harmony and we have found it this year.

My mother says I look like a criminal because of my tattoos.

Is Madrid as big as it seems from the outside? Much more. And it shows in everything. What it feels like when you put on that shirt, and step into that stadium…. There are people who leave a salary to be able to go see Real Madrid. You are not aware until you are inside and you know that you are in the greatest team in the world. What did you learn from everything that happened with Rubiales? These are episodes that have happened, at the time we made a statement and with that we settled what happened. Let's see how I ask him this.. I don't know if you are aware that there are people who think: 'Joselu, at 33 years old, doesn't even believe where he is, in Real Madrid and in the Spanish national team'. Yes, of course I am aware. And what does he tell you? ?What am i going to say! These are people who do not value what a person does during an entire career.. I try to abstract myself a little from the negative comments. I don't give it importance. I'm really enjoying it. You seem like a normal guy, except for the tattoos, if you'll allow me. That's what my mother says, that I look like a criminal. And what do you say to your mother? Every time she tells me that, I tell her: ” I'm going to make another one” [laughs]. I have both entire arms, the entire left leg tattooed…And what do your children say to you? The children have participated in the selection of some. And what will you do when they want to get one at 14 or 15 years old? No no, Not at 15 years old.

Joselu, forward for Madrid and the national team. PABLO GARCÍA RFEF But if nothing happens, right? Yes, but not at 15 years old. How many were you the first with? Step word [laughs out loud]. What is the best thing about being a footballer? Being able to enjoy a profession that I have liked since I was born. Being able to make a living from this. And the worst? Maybe when you are not able to withstand the pressure or not being able to lead a normal life. But none of that happens to me. I try to enjoy it as much as possible because there will come a time when it will end. Sometimes it feels like footballers live oblivious to everything, in their bubble. It depends on the player.. It's just that sometimes it's difficult, because there are players who can't go out.. Vinicius, Bellingham… They can't go out on the street, they are not normal people in that sense, and mentally you have to be very strong. Who is the most critical person of you? People who know me, when I leave a game angry, if I don't I call or ask, they know it's better not to ask. If I go two days without talking to someone, my parents for example, the next question is: “How are the kids?”

I try to enjoy it as much as possible because there will come a time when it will end.. I have done a 'reset' several times in my life, and it has been very good for me.

Have you thought about what you will do when football is over? No, because I don't plan to retire.. They ask me this a lot, and it makes me angry, because I say: “Joe, these bastards already want me to retire!” What do you think I would have been if I hadn't been a footballer? A cafre [laughs]. No, I do not know. I left home at the age of 11 for the Celta youth team because I already felt like a footballer and I didn't really like studying. I consider myself a soccer player since I was four years old. That he knew he was going to make a living from football? Well, obviously not, but when I was four years old I thought I was Zidane, that is to say, I loved soccer so much that I truly believed I was a soccer player.

Real Madrid's streak survived the Fonteta, a rough night against a Valencia willing and convinced of being the first to make the whites fall after 18 games. But Alex Mumbrú's men, like so many others, ended up giving up, they on the shore, exhausted in the agony of a second half in which their offensive lucidity went out, in which there was no longer a trace of a Brandon Davies who had dawned like a cyclone. And in which Campazzo's temperance and Tavares' defensive power made the difference. [73-76: Narration and statistics]

Mumbrú remains unlucky against Chus Mateo, five defeats in five matches since both started on the bench last year. And his team now boasts of the fang it missed, the muscle that holds almost everyone's pulse and a great start to the course.. Recovered from the stomach virus that affected their squad (although Jared Harper is out), Real Madrid felt the local pressure from the very start. A Valencia in depth, equaling in energy and raising the bar of aggressiveness. He has the physique for it, that's what Mumbrú wanted his team to do, so as not to be intimidated by anyone, not even the most powerful in Europe.. But if anyone was going to get the whites off their nerves it was Brandon Davies.

Five points in a row from Deck and a triple from Musa, all well agitated by Campazzo, gave the first white lead (15-21). But, then, 'Rambo' deployed his entire arsenal of resources, openly against Tavares, as Damien Inglis did not have with Yabusele, a horrible night in defense for the Frenchman from Madrid. The former Barça player, who already scored 27 points for the whites playing for Zalgiris, scored 18 in a thunderous, impeccable first act: he only missed one of his nine shots.

And now with the second units, with Jovic at the controls and Ojeleye also on fire, the Taronjas felt powerful, dominating the one that no one dominates, advantages to believe (37-29). A first of fireworks, with success by both and exchange of blows.

Although it was going to take Chris Jones three seconds after half-time to score the first basket, Madrid was another. Now Tavares was capable of stopping Davies and Musa and Deck were true demons who took advantage of the transitions caused by the defense. The local advantage disappeared, but the bid remained, with the physical level at the heights of La Fonteta.

Few points, a lot of tension. The duel seemed like the end of the season. Neither was able to break, with the outcome approaching. But Valencia had a serious offensive problem. Each basket was a visit to the dentist, 24 points in the entire second part. Hezonja appeared with his infinite class, impossible actions. And in the finish line only Chris Jones was capable of creating something. The point guard scored on two consecutive possessions, but on the third, he fell short and local hopes died there. Because Campazzo did not fail in the other ring, another notch in the revolver of a completely differential player.

The Santiago Bernabéu and the Cívitas Metropolitano have been fighting for many months to become the Madrid venue for an official match of the NFL season. A path that the capital of Spain has taken with a certain timidity, letting itself be carried away by the interest of the American football league itself in expanding into new territories.. And the NFL, which this year has played matches in London (England) and Frankfurt (Germany), plans to add a new country to its list of international duels for the next campaign. The finalists: Brazil and Spain, with Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Madrid as candidates, and the latter as favorite. For all this, EL MUNDO has traveled to Frankfurt to see the New England Patriots – Indianapolis Colts and discover what the show that the Madrid and the red and white stadiums yearn for is like.

Eintracht's Deutsche Bank Park debuted this year as the venue for an NFL match. The league had already arrived at the Allianz Arena in Munich in 2022, in its first European adventure beyond London, and plans to return to Bayern's field in 2024, but this time the city on the River Main has won the jackpot.. The stadium has been key in its choice, but also the adjacent facilities, and this is where you have to start visualizing the surroundings of the Bernabéu and the Metropolitano to guess which one best suits the needs of the NFL.

Because the American league not only moves a game from the United States to another country in the world. Transfer your entire product, your entire show, your entire reason for being. Because the NFL, and American sports in general, is not only what happens on the grass or the track, it is also, and sometimes more important, everything that is generated around it.

In Frankfurt, after passing five security checks and observing the occasional sniper in the stadium towers, the fan finds several open areas in which to satisfy his desire for NFL and leisure. The classic food, drink and music food trucks are joined by a multitude of stands with different activities related to the NFL: throwing a field goal, acting as a receiver and catching a friend's pass, testing how high we can jump…. All this is called 'Game Day Experience' and it occupies the area of two football fields. Again, return to the Bernabéu and the Metropolitano.

“200-800 euros per purchase”

Still without entering the stadium stands, we continued on our way to look for the official NFL store, set up for the occasion in one of the attached pavilions.. It's not about selling Patriots or Colts clothing.. Here the experience is total and the NFL offers its fans a megastore where they can find t-shirts from the 32 teams in the league, sweatshirts, hats, scarves and all kinds of items from, we insist, all the clubs.. “It's crazy. Each person spends from 200 to 800 euros on each purchase. We sell millions every day,” says one of the shop assistants.. The store, open the three days before and on match day, is a river of people. The match held in Munich in 2022 generated an impact of more than 70 million euros. If this were achieved in Madrid, it would surpass events such as the Marathon (42 million) and would fight with the Mutua Madrid Open tennis event, one of the city's major sporting events, whose impact reaches 130 million over two weeks.

KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV AFP

The need for a large space in which to temporarily build stands, stalls, experiences and the official store is what could tip the balance in that Bernabéu-Metropolitano fight. During the week of September 11, NFL officials visited the two stadiums and the Chamartín stadium impressed them, in addition to the good idea they thought of joining the Real Madrid brand.. It would be the easiest option. But the Bernabéu is not yet completely finished and the club now plans to build two car parks under Castellana and Padre Damián.. The white coliseum will host concerts and events starting in January, but the NFL needs a lot of outdoor space, which is why, at least by 2024, they will also look favorably on the Metropolitano, its interior and its spacious surroundings.

Despite everything, the NFL has not closed venues or dates and has not ruled out two games being played in Madrid, just as two have been played in the Frankfurt premiere.. A few months ago the league divided its potential market worldwide and awarded certain franchises to certain countries to work on the ground on marketing and events issues.. For Spain he selected the Miami Dolphins and the Chicago Bears, so don't be surprised if one of these teams plays in Madrid in the future.

RONALD WITTEK EFE

Once inside the halls of the German stadium, the atmosphere transforms into a pure American spectacle. Cannons with t-shirts and chips, the American anthem a cappella, cheerleaders, costumes of all kinds and the classic video scoreboard camera with the kiss cam, an application for the public to choose the songs that are played, games for fans to show off in the central chamber of the stadium, famous like the soccer players David Alaba, Hummels and Goretzka or the skier Lindsey Vonn, an Under Armor athlete.. 50,144 spectators who vibrated with a meeting somewhat lacking in quality but never in show, in which tickets cost between 75 and 225 euros, with a 50% discount for those under 16 years of age in the cheapest seats. Tickets and VIP areas, many and of many types, are what gives the most benefit to the event, with prices ranging from 755 euros to 4,000 depending on the type of experience contracted.. The Colts won, if that matters, to the rage of the local public, who were with the Patriots.