Nirmal Sawlani

Cameron Norrie seeks Andy Murray’s advice | Nadal is not taking anything for granted

Cameron Norrie seeks Andy Murray’s advice | Nadal is not taking anything for granted

Ahead of Rafael Nadal clash, Cameron Norrie says he’ll “message Andy Murray & see what his thoughts are”

Cameron Norrie will confront Rafael Nadal for the 1st time ever in the 3rd round of the 2021 Australian Open on Saturday. And during his post-match interview after defeating Roman Safiulin in the 2nd round, Norrie divulged that he may possibly seek countryman Andy Murray’s advice to help him find a way past Nadal.

Andy Murray has played Rafael Nadal 24 times in his tenure, winning on seven occassions. The famous Brit was once part of the famed ‘Big 4’ of men’s tennis, alongside Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Cameron Norrie believes that his highly experienced compatriot may have a few tips on how to penetrate and dominate Rafael Nadal’s offence. However, the point to note here is that Murray has a totally different style and temperament then Norrie. We have to wait and see how much of this advice actually aids Norrie in the match today.

“I mean, that (texting Andy Murray for advice) would certainly be a good thing to do,” Norrie said. “I’m going to leave (the game strategy) up to my coach, but maybe message Andy Murray and see what his thought process is at this point. We play clearly pretty different, me being left handed, but he’s undeniably got some good tips in there.”

Britain’s Cameron Norrie clashes with world No 2 Rafael Nadal of Spain in the last match on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday (around 9.30-10am GMT).
Cameron Norrie’s praise for Rafael Nadal shows his respect. He mentioned that the Mallorcan’s game was largely flawless. The Brit emphasized on the significance of dictating the play against Nadal, because the Mallorcan never dithers to take the initiative.

“I think (Nadal has) apparently not really got many flaws, so I’m just gonna have to do what I do as well as I can and execute my game and strive to play the points on my terms,” Norrie said. “Otherwise if he’s the one controlling the game, it’s gonna be difficult and I’m gonna be running around a lot.”

Cameron Norrie has never competed against any member of the ‘Big 3’ before. The Brit has also never made it past the 3rd round of any Grand Slam to date.

That, coupled with Nadal’s remarkable record, makes Cameron Norrie the clear second best in this fixture.

Given that Norrie is the underdog, many believe that he has nothing to lose and will go out all guns blazing against Rafael Nadal. However, the Nadal contended that Norrie still has something to lose.

“That’s an old saying, nothing to lose, but don’t forget, he has a match to lose or to win, the same like me,” Nadal said.
Rafael Nadal added that he anticipates a difficult challenge from Cameron Norrie, since 3rd-round matches at Majors are never easy.

Watch the 2021 Australian Open with live streams of all matches. Click here to start watching!

“We are in the 3rd round of the first Grand Slam of the year. I cannot expect an easy challenger in front (of me),” added Nadal. “Norrie will not be an easy adversary.”

Hashtags: #rafa #rafaelnadal #vamosrafa #nadal #rafanadal

Watch how Naomi Osaka delicately frees a butterfly mid-match

February 12, 2021 Nirmal Sawlani Australian Open Naomi Osaka Spotlight

Watch how Naomi Osaka delicately frees a butterfly mid-match

Naomi Osaka displayed her instinctive soft touch when she had to deal with a butterfly landing on her mid-match at the 2021 Australian Open on Friday, but she was otherwise little worried as she sailed into into the last 16.

Naomi Osaka displayed her instinctive soft touch when had to deal with a butterfly landing on her mid-match at the 2021 Australian Open on Friday, but she was otherwise little worried as she sailed into into the last 16.https://t.co/51L00b7GqF
— NL. Sawlani (@NlSawlani) February 12, 2021

After the butterfly settled on her leg in the 2nd set, Osaka tenderly carried the insect trespasser to safety at the side of the court. But the butterfly snubbed her as it landed on her face, much to everyone’s enjoyment. “Even Australian butterflies are in love with you,” was the popular thread on Twitter.

It was a picture-perfect moment as Osaka gently tried to rid herself of the butterfly and returned to complete an easy 6-3, 6-2 victory over Tunisian 27th seed Ons Jabeur. The 3rd seed and champion in Melbourne 2 years ago, will now have a epic showdown with last year’s runner-up Garbine Muguruza.

The video of Naomi Osaka’s on-court encounter with a butterfly was widely shared on social media, with people remarking on how nicely she managed the whole incident.

Watch the 2021 Australian Open with live streams of all matches. Click here to start watching!

Naomi remained unnerved and unaffected by the insect as she dealt with the bizarre situation mid-match in the most compassionate and gentle manner.

Naomi is seen in this clip wearing a Nike tank top and pink skirt.

Hashtags: #naomiosaka #japaneseamerican #naomiosakatennis

Why did the woman show Nadal her middle finger at the Australian Open

February 11, 2021 Nirmal Sawlani Australian Open Players Rafael Nadal

Why did the woman show Nadal her middle finger at the Australian Open.

Woman gives the middle finger to Rafael Nadal during his second round match vs. Mmoh.

Why did the woman show Nadal her middle finger at the Australian Open

Woman gives the middle finger to Rafael Nadal during his second round match vs. Mmoh. https://t.co/E2bXquCnsC #Rafael Nadal #MiddleFinger #VamosRafa
— NL. Sawlani (@NlSawlani) February 11, 2021

Rafael Nadal and his funny response after a woman shows him the middle finger at the 2021 Australian Open.

Michael Mmoh and Rafael Nadal have just gotten themselves in a rather bizarre situation. While they were playing the 2nd round of the 2021 Australian Open, their match was interrupted as a woman started to act rather strangely.

The woman was making loud sounds when Nadal was about to serve to interrupt the game. Ultimately, when she was asked to stop, she pointed the middle finger to the Spanish superstar. The situation was so unreal that Rafa started having problems controlling his laughter. Eventually, the woman was removed from the stadium.

Rafael Nadal went on to defeat Michael Mmoh in that match in straight sets.

Hashtags: #Rafael Nadal #MiddleFinger #VamosRafa

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Rafael Nadal sports a million dollar Richard Mille limited edition

February 11, 2021 Nirmal Sawlani Players Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal sports a million dollar Richard Mille limited edition

While Rafael Nadal’s new collaboration with Richard Mille for their iconic watches may be a few months old at this point, it appears he wore something spectacular this week – a completely new, special edition of the model, maybe.

This is what most Rafa fans were thinking but the top brass at Richard Mille clarified that it was the very same watch with some design tweaks. What were the design changes?

On a closer inspection a new strap seems to be in play. Watch strap is a greater deal than it sounds. While some watch buffs equate the strap to a car’s tires – practical and replaceable – Nadal makes the case that the strap is more like a refreshing and new paint job.

And while Nadal’s customary lagoon-blue strap played smartly with the watch’s red and orange accents, his brand-new white strap notches up the contrast, makes the case seem darker in context and turns a once groovy and vibrant piece into something basically monochromatic.

What is unique in the Richard Mille model that Rafa is sporting?

Rafa wears a Richard Mille RM 27-04 and let us analyse what is so unique about it.

With the role of the strap understood, let us get down to valuing this particular piece. Richard Mille’s innovative design genius is noteworthy as they took a steel cable and strung it back and forth across the watch’s dial until it mirrored the design of a tennis racquet. The design’s motivation might be rather apparent, but Richard Mille found a way to make it practical, by using the cables as a stabilising influence for the watch’s movement. That’s the type of creativity that makes this – factually – a million-dollar watch.

How much is this Nadal watch valued at?

According to Haute Time, Nadal is currently sporting a custom-made Richard Mille watch called the RM 27-04 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal.

The watch is valued at $1,000,500, and there are only fifty of them available.

Nadal is a big emissary for Richard Mille and one of the very few athletes who are comfortable to wear their watch while participating in professional sport.

Rafael Nadal sports a million dollar Richard Mille Watch

Why is Rafael Nadal’s watch so pricey?

Rafael Nadal’s Richard Mille RM 27-04 Tourbillon is literally a James Bond in the watch industry.

The case is made of a brand new material limited to the watchmaking brand, TitaCarb which unites extreme endurance and lightness.

The similarity between a Formula 1 car and a Richard Mille watch is what justifies the price tag.

Rafael Nadal can be seen sporting this watch at the 2021 Australian Open.

Watch the 2021 Australian Open with live streams of all matches. Click here to start watching!

Hashtags: #richardmille #luxurylifestyle #luxurywatches

Why does the Italian brand Fila mean so much to Ashleigh Barty

February 10, 2021 Nirmal Sawlani Ashleigh Barty Players

Why does the Italian brand Fila mean so much to Ashleigh Barty

Top-seeded tennis star Ashleigh Barty been associated with the Italian brand Fila since 2016.

Australian tennis ace Ashleigh Barty has continued her collaboration with Italian sportswear manufacturer.

The 24-year-old world number one has been supported by Fila since 2016 and has subsequently gone on to bag the French Open Grand Slam title in 2019. The duration and monetary terms of the new agreement have not been disclosed.

The extension has been revealed days before the start of the 2021 Australian Open on 8th February, with Barty seeking to become the first Australian woman to win the tournament since Christine O’Neil in 1978.

Fila is celebrating the Barty era by creating the ‘Barty Bundle’ to celebrate her accomplishments and impact both on and off the court.

The bundle will be a special, limited promotional range from Barty and Fila, available to female budding tennis players at various tennis academies in Australia and the US, as well as via Ash Barty’s social media channels. The gifting will consist of a custom-made Ash Barty training tee and a face mask. Both pieces will display Barty’s brand-new ‘AB’ emblem.

“Ash’s impressive rise to the top of the tennis cosmos over the past several years has been phenomenal, and we couldn’t be more excited to continue our relationship with her,” said Gene Yoon, global head at Fila.

“Ash is a extraordinary individual who has made an deep impact not only through her play on-court but also through her activities off-the-court in her local society and she is a role model for young women around the world. We look ahead to being a part of her continued accomplishments for many years to come.”

Barty added: “Fila has been by my side during the most thrilling times of my career, and I could not be more pleased that they will go on to support me in my tennis journey. They have been an important part of my triumphs on the court, and I am privileged to continue to stand for such an iconic label with a rich legacy in tennis and beyond.”

The renewal with Barty revives Fila’s participation in tennis. In addition to event alliances with the likes of the BNP Paribas Open, the Tennis Hall of Fame Open and the Rogers Cup, the sportswear company is an official contractor to the Argentine Tennis Association (AAT), Tennis Canada and Junior Tennis Champions Center, among others.

Watch the 2021 Australian Open with live streams of all matches. Click here to start watching!

Hashtags: #ashleighbarty #ashbarty #ashleigh

Nick Kyrgios is the black sheep of tennis according to Stefanos Tsitsipas

February 10, 2021 Nirmal Sawlani Nick Kyrgios Players Stefanos Tsitsipas

Nick Kyrgios is the black sheep of tennis according to Stefanos Tsitsipas

Greek top seed and world number 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas has called unpredictable Nick Kyrgios the black sheep, adding that he likes attention and nothing is wrong with it.

Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas has elaborated in detail about his “not very close friend” Nick Kyrgios ahead of the 2021 Australian Open. Stefanos has applauded the mercurial Australian player but also called him the black sheep of tennis.

Nick Kyrgios, the Australian world number 47 is known for his electrifying shots and hot-headed mindset on the court. He can be very often seen puzzling the fans and the opposition with his natural talent. Also, he never shies away from expressing his view or blasting the champions of the game including the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. There have also been times when Nick Kyrgios has gotten into prolonged quarrels with the match officials during live matches.

“Nick, he is the black sheep of men’s pro tennis. He likes to do unstable stuff. He likes to be the center of attention, let’s not refute that. And there is nothing wrong with that.” Tsitsipas said on the No Challenges Remaining radio podcast from his quarantine in Melbourne.

Watch the 2021 Australian Open with live streams of all matches. Click here to start watching!

“He has his own character, which turns out, some people adore him for it. A lot of people despise him for it and don’t comprehend it. But there are some people who follow him almost as though he is some sort of cult leader. I think it’s absolutely fine and every sport needs that. It is entertaining and it is fun. It’s something exceptional and unique that not many players have.

“I wouldn’t say we share a very close friendship but we do connect on FaceTime occasionally and at strange times. Sometimes even at 1 am. I don’t get it.

“As long as he’s not discourteous,” he said. “He may have been a few times and that’s not cool but when he’s in full respect of the game and does the right thing, it’s certainly enjoyable to watch,” he added.

Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas have known each other since 2014 but it took 5 years for the pair to play doubles together at a event in Washington DC.

Nick Kyrgios himself has acknowledged in the past that he has been carefree about his tennis. But what Tsitsipas saw then was not the same. It was after the doubles pair lost in 3 sets in the round of 16.

“He is very manic. Despises any loss. Trust me. He just can’t stand to lose. I didn’t anticipate it myself,” Tsitsipas said from pre Australian Open 2021 quarantine in Melbourne on the No Challenges Remaining podcast

“We played doubles in Washington DC and after he came off the court he was so frustrated, so angry and I was in shock. I didn’t think he would react that way.”

Hashtags: #nick #kyrgios #nickkyrgios

Naomi Osaka takes to social media to criticize racism towards Asian community

February 10, 2021 Nirmal Sawlani Naomi Osaka Players

Naomi Osaka takes to social media to criticize racism towards Asian community

Japanese top seed Naomi Osaka showed her resolute position on anti-racism by recently using Twitter to criticize those who blame COVID-19 on the Asian community.

Osaka said the racism toward the Asian people concerns her as it shows a lack of social respect.

“The fact that this issue is not very broadly covered makes me concerned. I only noticed videos and information because I was browsing through my IG feed and by some algorithm it showed up,” said Osaka on Twitter.

She said that catch phrases such as “Ching Chong” and “shrimp fried rice” that are frequently used to mimic Asian people are not pleasant banter, and that people who make such jokes are “pitiful.”

“She is really brave. I’m sure this isn’t the 1st time I’ve heard her adopt such an anti-racism position. I’ll be on her side as all the time,” said a netizen on Sina Weibo.

“I like her forthrightness and I think she has done a great job to touch on a subject that people have a propensity to ignore,” said another.

Naomi Osaka’s words were backed up by netizens on China’s social media platform – Sina Weibo. Some pointed out that an increasing number of personalities in the entertainment and sports industries are taking a position against racism toward the Asian community.

“This makes me reminiscent of the two Daniels giving money as a reward,” said a netizen on Weibo, referring to actors Daniel Wu and Daniel Dae Kim who donated a total of US$25,000 as a reward for evidence about an episode in which a 91-year-old Asian-looking man was pushed over by a disguised man in Oakland’s Chinatown district.

Watch the 2021 Australian Open with live streams of all matches. Click here to start watching!

“Famous celebrities such as Daniel Wu are closer to the public. If they can convey such a positive message, it could prevent such discrimination,” said another.

Osaka’s mother is Japanese and her father is Haitian. She has been active in fighting for ethnic egalitarianism and rejecting social bigotry.

Naomi Osaka is currently in Melbourne and has been top of her form at the ongoing 2021 Australian Open.

Hashtags: #naomiosaka #japaneseamerican #naomiosakatennis

Age is just a number to the Williams Sisters

February 9, 2021 Nirmal Sawlani Australian Open Serena Williams

Age is just a number to Williams sisters and both Serena and Venus make a dream start to Australian Open

Serena and Venus rolled back the years on Monday as both stormed to straight-set wins in the 2021 Australian Open 1st round.

Serena Williams’ opening round win sends a loud message to her peers!

Serena, 39, hammered Laura Siegemund 6-1 6-1 shortly after her older sister Venus, 40, defeated Kirsten Flipkens 7-5 6-2.

Serena’s win was a proclamation of sorts as she bids for a record-equalling 24th career grand slam title.

In fact, Serena seldom has challenges with first-round matches at grand slams. She’s lost just one of 77 in her lengthy career and hardly looked unsettled against Siegemund despite coming into the contest nursing a shoulder injury.

Serena hit sixteen winners and 4 aces to brush aside Siegemund in less than one hour and set up a meeting with Serbia’s Nina Stojanovic in the 2nd round.

“This was a terrific start. Definitely classic ‘Rena,'” said Serena, who is a 7-time Australian Open champion, in her on-court interview after her triumph.
“It’s certainly good. I think I’m fairly good at pacing myself in a grand slam.”
“I was glad just to get through it. Wasn’t convinced how my serve would be post the shoulder injury, but it’s feeling good, I’m feeling great.”

Watch the 2021 Australian Open with live streams of all matches. Click here to start watching!

Venus Williams is in terrific form

It was also a great day for Venus Williams, who made a solid start to the 2021 Australian Open shortly before Serena took to the court.

The one year older sister Venus came from a break down in the first set to beat Belgium’s Flipkens in a formidable show of grit and resolve.

Venus, who has surmounted a host of injuries and health problems in her career, is playing in her 88th grand slam main draw in Melbourne.
“I’m aiming to get better every single day,” said Venus, who will face Italy’s Sara Errani in the second round.
“I think that no question what ensues on you in life, you always hold your head up high, you don’t leave any stone unturned. That’s what I do day in and day out. That’s something that I can be pleased of.”

Age is just a number to the Williams Sisters!

The Williams sisters’ wins came just hours ahead of 43-year-old Tom Brady secured his 7th Super Bowl title demonstrating yet again that in sport, as in life, age is just a number.

Serena Williams was all praise for Tom Brady and his performance at the Super Bowl.

Hashtags: #serenawilliams #Williamsisters #serena

Kyrgios’ response to Djokovic’s criticism amid the ongoing verbal fued

Kyrgios’ response to Djokovic’s criticism amid the ongoing verbal feud

February 9, 2021 Nirmal Sawlani Nick Kyrgios Novak Djokovic Players

Kyrgios’ response to Djokovic’s criticism amid the ongoing verbal feud.

Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic war of words continues as the Aussie called the Serb “A Very Strange Cat”. This is how Nick Kyrgios countered the criticism from Novak Djokovic after the world number one said he doesn’t have much respect for the Australian off court.

Kyrgios has instigated an ongoing verbal row with Djokovic, which was triggered by the Serb’s ill-fated Adria Tour exhibition series last year as the coronavirus pandemic raged.

Djokovic said in Melbourne over the weekend he had varied opinions on Nick Kyrgios, who not long ago called him a “tool”, recognizing his tennis abilities but not his off-court antics.

“It’s a weird one for me. I interpret his comments — he said he doesn’t respect me off the court,” said Kyrgios, who has also earlier attacked the 17-time Grand Slam winner as having “an fascination with wanting to be liked”. “It really would make perfect sense to me if he was like, ‘I don’t respect the guy on the court’, because I understand if he doesn’t concur with some of my antics on the court that I’ve done in the past. “I’m not quite sure how you can’t respect me off the court,” he added. “I feel like I’ve gone about things exceptionally well, especially throughout the pandemic.”

Kyrgios said during his time missing from the game last year, he provided food to people in need and was extremely careful to abide by Covid-19 guidelines, choosing not to travel for the US and French Opens. “I truly do a lot off the court,” he said. “But he’s a very weird cat, Novak is. A remarkable tennis player, but sadly someone who’s partying with his shirt off during a global pandemic, I don’t know if I can take any limp comments from that man.”

Watch the 2021 Australian Open with live streams of all matches. Click here to start watching!

Djokovic’s Adria Tour was established to plug the gap in the virus-hit tennis schedule last year, but was broadly condemned for a lack of mask-wearing and social-distancing.

The Serb was among numerous players seen partying at a crammed Belgrade night club despite the danger from the virus.

Fact remains that Djokovic had organized the Adria Tour considering the frame of mind of the tennis fraternity at the time of the lock downs. Many had considered this a welcome change and had looked forward to playing world class tennis.

Both Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic are now competing in the 2021 Australian Open and let us hope that they put their difference of opinions behind them and uphold the spirit of tennis.

Hashtags: #novakdjokovic #teamdjokovic #djokovic #nolefam

Serena Williams’ goes bespoke with one-legged catsuit triggers a stir at the Australian Open

February 8, 2021 Nirmal Sawlani Australian Open Serena Williams

Serena Williams’ goes bespoke with one-legged catsuit triggers a stir at the Australian Open

Serena Williams official outfit for the 2021 Australian Open is a bright and vibrant one legged catsuit. She does this time and again, and she has pulled off the unexpected in fashion terms and turned heads with her current outfit.

Serena Williams has displayed no signs of a shoulder harm as she walked into the Australian Open second round with a dominating win over German Laura Siegemund.
Dressed in a brightly-coloured one-legged catsuit on Rod Laver Arena, the 7-time champion lost the initial game but then brushed aside Siegemund 6-1 6-1 in less than an hour.

The 39-year-old, who is ranked 10th, had retracted from a lead-up tournament semi-final against Ash Barty owing to a shoulder injury but she seems to have recovered from it for now. Sports and injuries go hand in hand, and it is known that muscles have a memory and that memory holds good even for injuries. Let us hope that she doesn’t face a relapse and goes through the entire tournament without any hiccups.

Chasing her 24th grand slam women’s singles title Serena Williams will next face Serbian ranked 99 Nina Stojanovic, who defeated Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu in straight sets and with a truly impressive performance.

Serena Williams on the other hand, smacked 16 winners to Siegemund’s 4, with the world No.49 unable to find any way to halt the attack.

The eye-catching suit triggered a stir on social media, with tennis fans split on the daring choice.

‘Serena Williams just casually unveiled a one-legged jumpsuit,’ wrote one tennis fan.
‘While all those other suckers are wearing the same Nike uniform, Serena goes bespoke,’ added another.
‘Love this suit. She is definitely getting back to her peak physical form,’ wrote a third.

While all this was happening Serena was just keen to get off the court to watch the end of the Super Bowl and see the legendary Tom Brady (Tampa Bay quarterback), who is 43, in action.

‘I’m American and we love the Super Bowl and Tom Brady is in my age group so it’s exciting,’ she said. ‘He’s amazing – to be competing … at 43 is unheard of and it’s super inspiring for me at my ripe young age of 30-something.’

Hashtags: #serenawilliams #wilsontennis #seren