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Djokovic edges Musetti to win 101st career title in Athens | The Express Tribune

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Djokovic edges Musetti to win 101st career title in Athens | The Express Tribune



PARIS:

Novak Djokovic won the 101st title of his career when he came from behind to beat Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the final of the ATP event in Athens on Saturday.

The Serb is one of just three men to have racked up a century of titles – he still needs two to equal Roger Federer’s 103 while Jimmy Connors heads the list with 109.

At 38 years and five months old, the 24-time Grand Slam winner is the oldest tournament winner since Australia’s Ken Rosewall, who was 43 when he won in Hong Kong in 1977.

“An incredible battle… Three hours of a gruelling match, physically,” said Djokovic. “It could have been anybody’s match, so congrats to Lorenzo for an amazing performance. I’m just very proud of myself to get through this one.”

It was Djokovic’s second title of 2025, having won on the clay of Geneva in May.

“Novak, there are not many words to say about you and your career,” said Musetti, who fell to 1-9 against Djokovic.

“You are proving, still at your age, that you can kick us, like me today. Every time I share the court with you, I take it as a lesson, so thanks for that.”

Musetti had initially needed to win the title to secure the eighth and final place at next week’s ATP Finals. His defeat handed Felix Auger-Aliassime a spot in Turin instead, but Djokovic’s subsequent withdrawal paved the way for Musetti as well.

Musetti, who saved a match point in his semi-final win over Sebastian Korda, has lost each of his last six finals. His only ATP titles came at Hamburg and Naples in 2022.

Djokovic had long since qualified for Turin, but kept everyone guessing about his participation in the prestigious end-of-season tournament. He eventually decided to bring an early end to his season, skipping the ATP Finals for the second year in a row.

The Athens event, directed by Djokovic’s younger brother Djordje, was supposed to be held in Belgrade, as it was in 2024.

But in August, the ATP announced that the tournament would instead take place in Athens, without specifying the reasons for the relocation.

Djokovic, who had previously avoided making political statements, has in recent months on several occasions expressed support for the students who have been protesting for a year against the government of President Aleksandar Vucic.

Since then, he has fallen out of favour with the authorities in Serbia and become a target of pro-government tabloids.



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Olympic hopeful Jutta Leerdam, Jake Paul’s fiancée, bounces back after crushing fall during trials

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Olympic hopeful Jutta Leerdam, Jake Paul’s fiancée, bounces back after crushing fall during trials


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Dutch women’s speed skating hopeful Jutta Leerdam bounced back on Sunday in the 500-meter race as she hoped to make the Olympic team for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.

Leerdam finished in second place behind Femke Kok in the race. Kok, who set the women’s 500-meter world record in November, had a time of 36.873. Leerdam finished with a time of 37.242.

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Jutta Leerdam participates in the Staatsloterij Olympic Qualification Tournament at THIALF in Heerenveen, Netherlands, on Dec. 26, 2025.  (Caroline van Leusden/EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

It was a much better than Friday’s result.

Leerdam, who is the fiancée of boxer Jake Paul, crashed and fell on the ice during the 1,000-meter event. She was seen in tears as she skated off the ice.

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Jutta Leerdam is dejected

Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands looks dejected competing on the Women’s 500m on Day 1 of the Dutch Speed Skating Olympic Qualifiers at Thialf on Dec. 26, 2025 in Heerenveen, Netherlands. (Henk Jan Dijks/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

“I’m skating so well in practice. What those girls are skating here, I could have easily skated today,” she said, via Olympics.com. “I’ve skated 1:14 here 25 times, and I feel even better now than I have in the past two years. I’m really hitting it.”

There’s still hope for Leerdam to qualify for the Olympics as the national committee will ultimately make the determination as to whether Leerdam will mae the cut.

Leerdam won a silver medal in the 2022 Beijing Games in the 1,000-meter race. She finished just behind Japan’s Miho Takagi, who set an Olympic record time.

Jutta Leerdam on the podum

Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands receives the gold medal for the women’s 1000m during the ISU Speed Skating World Cup at Utah Olympic Oval on Nov. 14, 2025. (Peter Creveling/Imagn Images)

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She skipped the 2025 ISU Speed Skating World Cup in Hamar, Norway, to focus on Olympic trials.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





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Imad Wasim announces divorce after over six years of marriage

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Imad Wasim announces divorce after over six years of marriage


Pakistan’s former all-rounder poses after taking a wicket in an undated picture while representing Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). — Instagram/@imadwasim

Former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Sunday announced his divorce after more than six years of marriage.

Citing privacy, the cricketer requested fans and followers not to share the couple’s old photos on social media.

Taking to the social media platform Instagram, Imad urged fans and media outlets to refrain from sharing old pictures of the couple.

“After much thought, and due to repeated conflicts that could not be resolved over the past few years, I have filed for divorce,” Imad wrote. “I sincerely request everyone to respect our privacy and avoid using or sharing any old couple photos.”

The 37-year-old further asked people not to refer to Sania as his spouse going forward and cautioned against speculation or misinformation surrounding the matter.

“I request everyone not to engage in or believe any misleading narratives. Any attempt to defame or involve others in this personal matter will be addressed through the proper legal channels if necessary,” he stated.

Imad also addressed the situation regarding their children, reaffirming his responsibilities as a father.

“Regarding the children, I remain their father and will continue to care for them fully and responsibly,” he added, concluding the statement by thanking supporters for their understanding and respect.

Meanwhile, Imad’s wife also took to Instagram and said, “Like many marriages, ours had difficulties, yet it continued to exist.”

Imad Wasim and Sania Ashfaq tied the knot in 2019, and they have three children.





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PCB to operate Multan Sultans for PSL 11: Mohsin Naqvi – SUCH TV

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PCB to operate Multan Sultans for PSL 11: Mohsin Naqvi – SUCH TV



Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said that the cricket board would “operate Multan Sultans” this year, with plans to auction the franchise after the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The announcement comes a month after Ali Tareen said he was parting ways with the PSL franchise as his relations with the PCB had strained over the past year.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the PCB chief confirmed that the cricket board would operate the franchise this year, saying “the franchise will be auctioned after the PSL concludes”.

Sultans were originally awarded as the sixth PSL team to the Schon Group under a $5.2 million agreement, making it the most expensive franchise at the time.

However, the PCB terminated the agreement after the inaugural season when franchise payments were not made.

In 2018, Alamgir Tareen, along with his nephew Ali, acquired the franchise for $6.3 million.

Meanwhile, Naqvi said that the board wanted to begin the upcoming PSL season earlier than planned.

“We want to start the PSL from March 23 instead of March 26, and a final decision will be made after consultation with all franchises,” he added.

The PCB chief announced that former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram had been appointed as the PSL’s brand ambassador ahead of the upcoming edition.

On the league’s expansion, he said that the bidding for the two new PSL teams will take place on January 8 in Islamabad.

“It is an important day for us, and our teams will sell well,” he said, adding that ten parties have qualified for the second round of the auction.

The PCB confirmed the same a day earlier, saying that its bid committee had shortlisted 10 bidders for the second round of the auction to sell the rights for two new teams in the PSL.

The PSL, which began in 2016 with five franchises and later expanded to six sides in 2018, is set for further expansion with the addition of two new teams from its upcoming 11th edition, set to be played next year.

With the upcoming additions, the PSL will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, bringing the total number of franchises to eight.

On India-related cricket issues, the PCB chief said that whatever happens with India “will be on an equal footing”.

“If they do not want to shake hands, we have no such desire either,” Naqvi added.

He revealed plans to bring up the conduct of India’s Under-19 team before the International Cricket Council (ICC).

On team management, Naqvi stated that a final decision on the appointment of the red-ball team head coach has not yet been made, adding that a PCB team was currently reviewing the matter.



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