06/06/2025

FRIDAY | JUNE 6, 2025

29

SPORTS

‘Forget the age’

SHORTS ‘LIV move led to massive influencer role’ BRYSON DECHAMBEAU discuss ed his“fun side quests”yesterday as he prepared to return to his day job and start gearing up for the upcoming US Open. Since tying for second at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow last month, the two-time major winner’s busy calendar has included a lap around the track at the Indianapolis 500 and hitting golf balls with President Donald J. Trump on the White House lawn. DeChambeau, 31, acknowledg ed that playing the limited schedule of LIV Golf events has given him more time to expand his role as an influencer – he has more than 2 million YouTube subscribers – and also experience more of what life has to offer. “I think LIV afforded me the opportunity to spend more time thinking, strategizing, getting my body healthy, ready for majors in a pretty unique way,” he said. “For me, it was a great thing. I thought there was an opportunity to do other things in life, and look, do I want to win every single tournament I show up to? 100 percent.” DeChambeau met with repor ters at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va., where the LIV Golf Virginia event begins today. It will be the Saudi-funded league’s first event since DeChambeau won the LIV Golf Korea title on May 4. … as Mickelson praises league to having world’s best golfers PHIL MICKELSON has been vocal with his praise of LIV Golf since joining the upstart circuit in 2022, celebrating its direction and what he views as forward thinking. Mickelson applauded the addition of promising young stars yesterday as LIV Golf begins to bolster its case for having the world’s best golfers. “I think that we’re well on our way and not that far away from making that happen, and you’re seeing it with these good young players that are coming out,” the six-time major champion said. “If you look at the good young players from different parts of the world, not necessarily

Novak Djokovic. – AFPPIC

Djokovic downs Zverev to set up French Open semi clash with Sinner N OVAK DJOKOVIC said beating Alexander Zverev yesterday was a “testament” to his ability Court Philippe Chatrier over three and-a-quarter hours. break of serve as he clinched the opener against Djokovic. It was the first time former world No. 1 Djokovic has dropped a set at the French Open this year. “It was an amazing match,” summarised Djokovic.

doubters: “I think the win against (Carlos) Alcaraz in quarters of Australian Open (2025), to win quarters against Zverev tonight proves to myself and others that I can still play on the highest level, and I just thrive on these occasions.” A sentiment echoed by Zverev. “I think at the moment he’s a bit underrated, to be honest,” Zverev said of Djokovic. “I think like a lot of people count him out already, but this year he’s had wins over Carlos at the Australian Open, he has had a win over me at the French Open. Forget the age. I think for any player, those are pretty good results.” Defeat at the quarterfinal stage of the tournament in which he has reached at least the last four every year since 2021 brings an end to a disappointing clay-court season for Zverev. – AFP

The 24-time Grand Slam winner moves on to face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the last four, after the Italian earlier raced past the unseeded Alexander Bublik in straight sets. “Jannik is in tremendous form, and he has been the best player for the last couple of years,” said Djokovic. “It’s going to be of course semifinals of a Grand Slam against the No. 1 in the world. There is no bigger occasion for me, so I’ll try to do my best to step it up and perform as well as I did tonight. “I just hope that I will be able to physically keep up, you know, with Sinner in few days’ time. It’s a big challenge for me.” On centre court, last year’s runner-up Zverev roared out of the blocks with an immediate

to compete at the highest level as the 38-year-old reached the semi finals at Roland Garros to inch closer to a record 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic fought past third seed Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in a gruelling night session duel, which captivated

“Obviously beating one of the best players in the world on the biggest stages is something that I definitely work for, and I still, you know, push myself on a daily basis at this age because of these kind of matches and these kind of experiences. “It’s a proven kind of testament to myself that I can and to others that I can still play on the highest level.” A poor run of form earlier in the season and his advancing years had some questioning whether Djokovic could still match his younger rivals. But he had a response for his

Donnarumma ‘struggled’ to celebrate PSG’s Champions League win

GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA found it difficult to celebrate Paris St Germain’s Champions League win over Inter Milan with so many Italian teammates on the other side, the Italy keeper and captain said yesterday. Donnarumma was a spectator for much of Saturday’s final in Munich, with PSG strolling to a 5-0 win, and after the final whistle was seen consoling Inter’s shell-shocked players. The former AC Milan keeper has now joined up with Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella and Davide Frattesi at Italy’s training camp ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers and was asked what he said to them. “Nothing. There was a real heartfelt hug with those teammates after the game and I’m happy about that,” Donnarumma told reporters. “I also struggled to enjoy the Champions League victory to the fullest because on the other side there were my brothers with whom I share a lot. “Here, we haven’t spoken about that match, not even a few jokes. We only spoke about the next two games and giving everything together.”

has been linked with a move to Inter and was again asked about those media reports after his agent was seen at Inter’s headquarters yesterday. “I didn’t know he was at Inter, I’m fine in Paris and the club will decide on the renewal or not,” Donnarumma said. “I’m ready for anything, but now my first option is Paris because I’m fine, the fans love me and the team loves me. I hope to stay there for many years.” Donnarumma has not always convinced Italian fans and media, despite his penalty shootout saves leading to Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph, with the keeper often criticised for errors. Now, however, he feels he is in the best form of his career, and a lot of that is down to PSG manager Luis Enrique. “When you return to your own country and you’re not welcomed as you deserve, it’s not easy,” Donnarumma said. “Now I’m happy to have found confidence, balance and mentality. I am happy to have convinced all Italians. “With Luis Enrique I found balance on everything. He gave me a lot especially on a mental level.” Italy begin their qualifying campaign in Norway Saturday (2.45am in Malaysia), before hosting Moldova on Tuesday, having failed to reach the last two World Cups. – Reuters

the United States, you’ve got Jose Ballester (Spain) and Luis Masaveu (Spain) and Tom McKibbin (Northern Ireland) and these young guys from other parts of the world are really interested in wanting to come to LIV and they get what it’s about. “I think over time that’s just going to continue to grow just like it has exponentially in the last three years, and I think we’re not that far away from having it be what we all want it to be, which is all the best players in the world playing against each other.”

Donnarumma, who has one year left on his PSG contract,

Donnarumma