Category Archives: Sports

Kuppanda team wins Kodava hockey cup title in Madikeri

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Nearly a month after the Kodava hockey tournament started at Napoklu in Kodagu district, the finals were held on Sunday.

The Kuppanda family team beat 3-time champion Kulletira team by a margin of 4-2 goals in the shoot out. Kuppanda became champion for the first time in the 23rd edition of the hockey tournament.

Kuppanda team wins Kodava hockey cup title in Madikeri

Madikeri :

Nearly a month after the Kodava hockey tournament started at Napoklu in Kodagu district, the finals were held on Sunday. The Kuppanda family team beat 3-time champion Kulletira team by a margin of 4-2 goals in the shoot out. Kuppanda became champion for the first time in the 23rd edition of the hockey tournament.

Kulletira had won the tournaments in 1998, 1999 and 2002.

It entered finals for the first time since 16 years, while for the Kuppanda team it was their first shot at the title.

Kuppanda and Kulletira scored one goal each in the stipulated time period. Then they were given a shoot out opportunity which resulted in the Kuppanda team win the match by 4-2 goals. Kuppanda Somaiah scored a goal for his team in the 16th minute of play while Kulletira Avinash equalised the score for his team in the 22nd minute.

Kuppanda team received Rs 3 lakh cash and a trophy. Satisfied with the runners-up title, Kulletia team got two lakhs and a trophy. The winners will also get a rolling trophy given by the Kodava Hockey Academy. A cultural programme was organised before the final tournament. Kodava traditional dances were performed in the middle of the field , and many hockey fans from the district and outside the district took part, Kodava family members witnessed this exciting match in Napoklu in the scorching sun.

The 24th year of hockey is planned in 2024 by the Kundyolanda family team.

The main guests on the occasion were Pandanda Leela Kuttappa wife of the Kodava hockey founder late Pandanda Kuttappa, Air Marshal Baltikalanda U Chengappa, Kuttanda Sudhin Mandanna of Kaig Group, former Indian hockey captain Dhanraj Pilley, Olympian Cheppudira S Poonacha, Triple Olympian Zafar Iqbal, Olympian Anjaparavanda B Subbaiah, Cheranda Kishen, Ajjikuttira Kanchan Ponnanna and others.

Appachettolanda Mittu Erappa presided. Kodava Hockey Academy president Pandnada K Bopanna inaugurated. Convener of the tournament Appachettolanda Manu Muthappa was present.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Mysuru News / by G Rajendra, TNN / April 10th, 2023


Youngster Abhin Rai from Kodagu emerges as champion of Indian National Rally Championship

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Abhin was leading in points, was named the National Champion in four categories, and was declared the second runner-up at the Junior-level INRC rally.

Abhin Rai (centre) awarded the Rising Star trophy at Kodagu; Abhin Rai in action during the INRC rally. (Photo | Express)

Madikeri :

A youngster from Kodagu is emerging as the favorite driver in the motor rally world even as he was declared the National Champion 2023 at the Indian National Rally Championship. Abhin Rai, a 24-year-old motor enthusiast from the district, shares his dream and experience at the recent rally.

Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) is a pan-India rally championship that was held across six stages this year. The rally began at Arunachal Pradesh and then was held at Chennai, Coimbatore, Kodagu, and Bengaluru.

Abhin enthusiastically took part in this rally and has emerged as the champion. He was leading in points, was named the National Champion in four categories, and was declared the second runner-up at the Junior-level INRC rally. He also won the Rising Star award during the rally at Kodagu. 

“Ideal Racing has supported me throughout the rally and my Honda City was perfectly tuned by Amshad Pasha.

Each category has a different number of participants and they were over 60 in all. The overall experience was great despite facing technical issues in Hyderabad,” shared Abhin. He turned up first in three stages and fifth in Coimbatore. However, he did not finish the rally in Hyderabad due to technical troubles. Nevertheless, his unabated performance helped him emerge as the champion.

He started off rallying only in 2022 and he participated only at the K1000 rally last year. “I could not finish the rally then and it was like a test run,” he recalled.

However, in his second year as a rallyist, Abhin has made everyone’s head turn. “I started driving at a very young age and I drove at an autocross in a pickup. I later bought a race car without the knowledge of my folks and I attended races discreetly. However, after winning several trophies, I revealed my passion to my parents, who are now very supportive,” he added.

Apart from the national championship, Abhin has won 48 trophies in autocross even as he has bigger dreams for the sport.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / December 24th, 2023

Karnataka: Siddaramaiah unveils logo of Kogadu Hockey festival

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Kodagu, often referred to as the cradle of Indian hockey, boasts a rich legacy with more than 50 Kodavas representing India in various international hockey tournaments.

Karnataka: Siddaramaiah unveils logo of Kogadu Hockey festival
 Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah unveiling the logo of the Kodagu Hockey festival.

Madikeri: 

In a momentous event on Thursday, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah unveiled the logo of the Kodagu Hockey Festival, reinforcing the deep-rooted connection between Kodavas and the sport of hockey

Kodagu, often referred to as the cradle of Indian hockey, boasts a rich legacy with more than 50 Kodavas representing India in various international hockey tournaments.

March, April, and May are the months when the spirit of hockey comes alive in Kodagu a tiny district of the state with unique culture. The Kodava Hockey Festival, colloquially known as the ‘Kodava Cup Hockey’ tournament, stands as a testament to the unique relationship between the Kodava community and the sport of hockey. The festival, a friendly tournament held among Kodava families, is an unparalleled celebration of unity and sportsmanship.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, during the logo unveiling ceremony at the Home Office Krishna, expressed his support for the Kodava Hockey Festival. The event was attended by Virajpet MLA A S Ponnanna and representatives of the Kodava society, marking the significance of the festival in the region.

The Kodava Hockey Cup, initiated in 1997, was the brainchild of Pandanda Kuttappa and the Kashi brothers, retired employees of the State Bank of India and first-class hockey referees. The objective was to foster unity among Kodava families through a shared passion for hockey. The inaugural ‘Pandanda Cup’ tournament witnessed the participation of 60 families at the Karada village ground near Virajpet, with Kuttappa shouldering the financial expenses for the opening ceremony.

Over the years, the Kodava Hockey Festival has grown into the world’s largest hockey festival, making its mark in the Limca Book of Records, the Indian equivalent of the Guinness Book of Records. The tournament is a unique blend of competition, camaraderie, and cultural festivities, making it a cherished annual event for Kodava families.

The festival rotates among Kodava families each year, receiving widespread support and participation.

Families eagerly anticipate this sporting extravaganza, with many in the army making special arrangements to attend the tournament. The Kodava Hockey Festival, with its rich history and traditions, is poised to create yet another unforgettable chapter as it strives to secure a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

As the logo of the Kodagu Hockey Festival is unveiled, anticipation builds for the upcoming tournament, promising to showcase the enduring bond between Kodava and hockey in a spectacular display of hockey prowess and community spirit.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> India / by Diganth Kengeri / December 21st, 2023

ASICS India Brand Athlete Rohan Bopanna and Actress Gul Panag Unveil the Official Race Day Merchandise for Tata Mumbai Marathon 2024

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Tennis player Rohan Bopanna & Bollywood actress Gul Panag during the launch

Bangalore :

ASICS, the Japanese sportswear brand, today launched the limited-edition merchandise for Asia’s most prestigious Tata Mumbai Marathon 2024. ASICS Brand Athlete Mr. Rohan Bopanna along with actress & avid runner Ms. Gul Panag unveiled the new collection at ASICS store on Linking Road in Mumbai.

The vibrant design of this collection by ASICS conveys a strong story of energy, persistence and passion for running. The Gel Kayano™ 30 Limited Edition shoes are designed with a unique blend of colors like Electric Blue/Aquarium for Men and White Sun Coral for Women, to appeal both male and female runners.

The specially crafted GEL-KAYANOTM 30 running shoe has Mumbai 2024 emblazoned on the side. The shoe provides maximum comfort and style reflecting Mumbai’s colorful culture. The GEL-KAYANOTM 30 shoes is equipped with advanced features like a 4D Guidance System for stability and FF BLASTTM PLUS ECO cushioning for softness, the shoes aim to energize runner’s every stride of their run.

The limited-edition race day t-shirt design shows the circular pattern that encapsulates the spirit of unity via the “Enso” motif from Japanese traditions. It is crafted in seven symbolic colours denoting various facets of life, the collection aims to bring all marathon participants together in a harmonious cooperation towards a shared goal. The t-shirt and shoe bring out the complete essence of the city of Mumbai and will connect and bond well with the runners of Tata Mumbai Marathon 2024.

Mr. Rajat Khurana, Managing Director, ASICS India and South ASIA said, “We are delighted to have Mr. Rohan Bopanna and Ms. Gul Panag onboard to reveal our official merchandise for the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2024. Inspired by the dynamic energy of this city and event, our goal is to design apparel that empower athletes at every skill level to unleash their complete potential. This collection is a testament to our dedication in fostering a commitment to help individuals achieve their athletic goals.”

Commenting on the event, ASICS Brand Athlete, Rohan Bopanna said, “I am glad to be a part of this special day being a Brand Athlete for ASICS India and unveiling the official merchandise for the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2024 is truly special. As an athlete, I believe having the innovatively designed gear that seamlessly blends style with high performance is paramount. These specially crafted GEL-KAYANOTM 30 shoe and t-shirt perfectly captures the vibrant energy of the city.”

Mr. Anil Singh, Managing Director, Procam International, said, “ASICS has been a longstanding partner of the Tata Mumbai Marathon and the Procam Family. They have continuously set new benchmarks with top-of-the-line event merchandise which are highly sought after by our participants. As we gear up for the 19th edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon, here’s a race filled with inspiration, determination and the beating heart of India in every step #HarDilMumbai.”

The TATA Mumbai Marathon 2024, is a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race and will be hosted on Sunday, 21st January. The event will flagged off from the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal.

The official TATA Mumbai Marathon merchandise will be available to shop on flagship ASICS stores across the country and online brand store, link – https://www.asics.com/in/en-in .

source: http://www.passionateinmarketing.com / Passionate In Marketing / Home> Article / by Passionate in Marketing / December 13th, 2023

Guwahati Masters 2023: Ashwini Ponnappa-Tanisha Crasto clinch second Super 100 level title of the year

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Guwahati Masters 2023: Ashwini Ponnappa-Tanisha Crasto clinch second Super 100 level title of the year

The Indian duo defeated Chinese Taipei’s pair in straight sets

Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto clinched their second Super 100 level title of the year as they packed off Chinese Taipei’s Sung Shuo Yun and Yu Chien Hui 21-13, 21-19 in the women’s doubles final of the Yonex-Sunrise Guwahati Masters 2023 badminton tournament here on Sunday.

The second seeded Indians, who had finished runners-up in the Syed Modi International Super 300 event last week, began the final with an aggressive intent as Tanisha prowled the net with aplomb as the local favourites took the opening game with ease.

It looked like Ashwini and Tanisha could race through the match when they opened up a 12-6 lead in the second game. But the Taipei pair clinched five straight points to close the gap to just one point and the Indians faced a few nervy moments thereafter.

To their credit, Ashwini and Tanisha did not lose patience and were prepared to wait for their opportunities. Tanisha found a winner with a smart net push to warn them a match point and the Abu Dhabi Masters champions wrapped things up on the very first opportunity.

Later speaking about the match, Ashwini admitted that the drift did affect when they tried to push the shuttle to the back court. “There were some nervous moments but it was the support of the crowd that egged up on and I am happy that we handled the pressure well.”

This is the first time an international badminton event was being held in Assam since 2007 and the fans got behind the Indian combination during the 40-minute summit clash.

The pair will now head to Bhubaneshwar for the Odisha Masters, hoping to consolidate their position in the world ranking with another strong showing to end the year on a high.

In the other matches, Thailand’s Lalinrat Chaiwan and Indonesia’s Yohanes Saut Marcellyno bagged the women’s and men’s singles crowns.

Chaiwan upset fourth seed Line Christophersen of Denmark 21-14, 17-21, 21-16 in the women’s singles final before Marcellyno got the better of teammate Alvi Wijaya Chairullah 21-12, 21-17 in the men’s singles summit clash.

Second seeds Hee Yong Kai Terry and Tan Wei Han Jessica of Singapore clinched the mixed doubles title with a 21-19, 21-11 win over Mads Vestergaad and Christine Busch of Denmark while Choong Hon Jian and Muhammad Haikal of Malaysia bagged the men’s doubles crown with a 21-17, 23-21 win over Chinese Taipei’s Lin Bing-Wei and Su Ching Heng.

source: http://www.khelnow.com / KhelNow / Home> Badminton / by KhelNow / December 11th, 2023

Ashwini-Tanisha climb four spots to world no. 28

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The duo earlier won the Nates International Challenge and Abu Dhabi Masters Super 100. Ashwini, 36, and her 20-year-old partner Tanisha, who started playing together only in January this year, finished runners-up at the Syed Modi International Super 300 tournament in Lucknow on Sunday.

Ashwini-Tanisha climb four spots to world no. 28
India’s women’s doubles pair of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa (Pic: File Pic)

Indian women’s doubles pair, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, jumped four places to reach world number 28 in the latest BWF rankings.

Ashwini, 36, and her 20-year-old partner Tanisha, who started playing together only in January this year, finished runners-up at the Syed Modi International Super 300 tournament in Lucknow on Sunday.

The duo earlier won the Nates International Challenge and Abu Dhabi Masters Super 100.

Priyanshu Rajawat, who had reached the semi-finals in men’s singles, also gained a place to break into the top-30.


All other Indian singles players stayed static with HS Prannoy (8) remaining the top ranked shuttler from the country, followed by PV SIndhu (12), Lakshya Sen (17) and Kidambi Srikanth (24).

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty occupied the world number 2 spot, while Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand stayed at 19th position.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / Mid-Day / Home> Sports News> Other Sports News> Article / by PTI / December 05th, 2023

Suhem Kabeer from Madikeri shines in Asia Pacific Rally Championship 2023 in Indonesia

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The weekend turned out to be an exciting and rewarding one for JK Tyre Motorsport driver Suhem Kabeer from Coorg, Karnataka supported by Vamcy Merla Sports Foundation, who was participating at the final round of Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) 2023 in Indonesia.

He managed to keep the Indian flag flying high with his determined and focused drive at the Danau Toba Rally with multiple podium finishes.

The APRC was running concurrently with the Danau Toba Rally of the Indonesia National Rally Championship (INRC). The JK Tyre Motorsport team of drivers were vying for top spot in the overall APRC in the NVA (National Vehicles Approval) class and in the M2 class of the INRC.

Driving a 4-wheel drive car in the rally for the first time with a limited testing time of 6 kms, three Indian drivers finished the APRC finale held in Indonesia within top 8, the rally was held along with the Indonesian Rally Championship.

A total of 12 stages amounted to about 150kms of special stage from a total of 433kms. The Danau Toba Rally was spread across 12 all-gravel roads from conditions varying from wide open plantation sections to twisty winding mountainous sections.

The stages were challenging, technical and fast, while due to rain the surface was repeatedly changing the coarse, thus forcing all the participants to drive cautiously. Thus, a huge amount of dropouts of about 28 were on second day. Indian drivers showed much maturity to adapt to the surface condition and reach to the finish.

In the NVA category, Suhem Kabeer (driver) along with PVS Murthy (co-driver) was the winner followed by Lokesh Gowda and Ashwin Naik in second position while the pair of Jahaan Singh Gill and Suraj Keshav Prasad finished in the third position.

In M2 class which was part of the Indonesia Rally Championship, Suhem and Murthy finished second as Lokesh and Ashwin were in third. The celebration just did not end with the drivers ruling the podium as team JK Tyre Motorsport was awarded the best team performance award.

Among all the India participants, Suhem Kabeer along with PVS Murthy finished fourth, Lokesh Gowda along with Ashwin Naik finished in fifth position. Sanjay Takale and Musa Sherif finished sixth, Jahaan Singh Gill and Suraj Prasad finished in eighth position in APRC overall.

Suhem Kabeer along with PVS Murthy on day one was 17th fastest in SSS. They began their day two very cautiously since the track was bit slippery. In the second stage of the day, they spun once and lost some time and managed to reach the remote service with no reverse gear. But fixing this issue in remote service was impossible as it was meant only for tyre change and refuelling. Thus with no option left for further two stages, they had to manage. But it became much worse before the last stage before service they had to take on the stage with only 3rd gear working, which was later fixed in service. They began the final day with about 8 min difference with the leader and hence catching them up was out of question and they also had good lead on their follower in third position and hence decided to just nurse back the car to the finish in fourth position.

“It was one of the most difficult rallies that I have been part of. It was an uncharted territory for us with little knowledge of the terrain. The slush made the stages very slippery and I had to dig deep into my reservoir to finish the event unscathed,” Suhem said.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Karnataka / by Media Release / November 30th, 2023

Unsung Heroes: How a govt teacher has been fulfilling Kodagu’s sporting dreams for decades

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From raising funds to conducting door-to-door campaigns, PE teacher Poornesh Shetty has left no stone unturned to ensure a sports education for his students in Karnataka’s Kodagu.

Bengaluru Unsung Heroes
A hockey player himself, Poornesh Shetty has been training government school students in Kodagu in hockey since 1992. (Express photo)

While Poornesh Shetty is yet to accept himself as Kodagu’s Kabir Khan – a character essayed by Shah Rukh Khan in the famous sports drama Chak De India – the people of Karnataka’s Madikeri are already drawing parallels, he says. A physical education teacher, Shetty, 58, was recently recognised by the state government when he won the Best Teacher award at the state level for 2023-24.

From picking up the ball for hockey players at Somwarpet’s Blue Star Hockey Club in the 80s to captaining his school hockey team in Class 7, Shetty is now a proud physical education teacher in Boykeri, who counts hockey Olympians Arjun Halappa and S V Sunil as his students, among others.

A hockey player himself, Shetty has been training government school students in Kodagu in hockey since 1992. He later went on to pursue a C.Ped (Certificate in Physical Education). In 1994, Shetty was appointed the physical education teacher at the Boykeri Government Higher Primary School in Kodagu district’s Madikeri taluk.

“When I joined the government school in Boykeri as a PT teacher, I realised that the school did not have enough space for sports. I later called up the kids working at nearby coffee plantations and school students to dig up space and level the field for playing sports. By 1996, the school had a playground and I started training students in hockey and athletics,” says Shetty.

Shetty pooled money and sports equipment from donors and well-wishers to support aspiring hockey players. “My friend Dhananjay, who is a pilot, financially supported me to buy hockey bats, shoes, socks and T-shirts for the students to practice hockey,” he recalls.

Shetty is also instrumental in coaching government school girl students who later went on to participate in hockey tournaments at the state and national levels, including in Gujarat, Bihar and other states. While he helps students enrol in the District Youth Sports Hostel in Madikeri after Class 4, he also pushes students to join the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Ponnampet after Class 7 for further training in hockey.

Besides sports, Shetty was also recognised by the government for various academic interventions to ensure his government school in Boykeri did not close down. The school once had about 380 students from Class 1 to 7. However, over the years, the strength dropped to a mere 52. “To keep the government school going, we had to enrol children. So I decided to conduct door-to-door outreach creating awareness on education and more importantly, the benefits of enrolling children in government schools. We lost admissions significantly because of convent schools nearby. So I emphasised the fact that if their children enrolled in government schools, they would get eggs, milk, midday meals, and textbooks for free,” says Shetty.

He adds, “With this outreach programme, along with the help of teaching staff, we managed to register students right from the anganwadis. If we can get students to enrol from anganwadis, it would be easier for us to retain them till high school.”

In fact, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Shetty’s brother Hemanth, an MBBS doctor, and his friends collectively raised funds worth Rs 20 lakh to keep the government school running. Through this, Shetty managed to use Rs 15 lakh for building a dining hall, science laboratory, sports room, library, and toilets for the school.

In addition, Shetty also established Tycoon Sports Club along with 50 other sportspersons by pooling in Rs 25,000 each. With professional trainers, the club trains youngsters and adults in hockey, swimming, athletics and other sports. Shetty also teaches swimming in April every year to nearly 150 students in a day.

“I believe a lot of parents advise their kids on the importance of education but they will not lay much emphasis on sports. Which is why I believe in giving equal balance between sports and education, to ensure they either become employable or professional sportspersons in the future,” says Shetty.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Sanath Prasad, Bengaluru / September 09th, 2023

Madikeri: Aroor Vikram Rao from MRF racing wins overall 2nd at the Robusta rally

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Madikeri :

Mangalores Aroor Vikram rao from mrf racing and his Co driver ag somayya from Coorg won overall 2nd at the Robusta rally of Coorg driving a Volkswagen polo.

The 4th round of Indian National rally Championship was held in the Tata estates of Coorg which is organised by Blue band sports on 18th and 19th November 2023.

Total 61 participants participated from deferent states.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Karnataka / by Media Release / November 21st, 2023

ATP Finals 2023: Rohan Bopanna sets new world record in doubles, Djokovic, Alcaraz struggle in singles

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Rohan Bopanna, 43 of age, partnered with Matthew Ebden of South Africa to beat Rinky Hijijata and Jasin Kubler in their second match of the doubles at ATP Finals 2023 in Turin on Wednesday and became the oldest tennis player to win the match in tournament history.

Rohan Bopanna at ATP Finals 2023 in Turin on November 15 / Image Source : GETTY

India’s veteran tennis player Rohan Bopanna scripted history with a win at the ATP Finals 2023 in Turin on Wednesday, November 15. Bopanna partnered with Matthew Ebden to win the second group stage match in the men’s doubles and became the oldest player to win the ATP Finals match.

Rohan Bopanna, 43, broke the retired Canadian player Daniel Nestor’s record (aged 42 ) for the Oldest player to clinch a win in tournament history in 2014. Bopanna is showing no signs of slowing down having recently won the historic Gold in mixed doubles with Rutuja Bhosale at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou.

Bopanna earlier broke the record for the oldest player to win the ATP 100 masters title after a sensational triumph in the Indian Wells 2023 doubles event with Ebden. Bopanna-Ebden, third-seeded in Group Red,  lost their opening group match against Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury but recorded an easy 6-4, 6-4 win against Rinky Hijijata and Jason Kubler in the second round-robin match.

Carlos Alcaraz registers maiden win, Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic:

In the men’s singles events at the ATP Finals, the current no.2 Carlos Alcaraz registered his maiden win with a dominating 7-5, 6-2 win over Russia’s Andrey Rublev. Chasing his maiden title, the Spaniard lost the opening game against Alexander Zverev in the first match of the Red Group fixtures. Daniil Medvedev tops the group with two consecutive wins and faces Alcaraz in a mouth-watering clash on Friday, November 17.

Meanwhile, the world no.1 Novak Djokovic suffered a big blow on his way to record seventh ATP Finals title on Wednesday. The 24-time Grand Slam winner suffered a defeat against Italian youngster Jannik Sinner by 5-7, 7-6, 6-7 in his second match. Djokovic is set to face Hubert Hurkacz in his last group stage game on Thursday and remains favourite to top the Green Group.

source: http://www.indiatvnews.com / Indian TV / Home> English News> Sports> Tennis / by Sumeet Kavthale, New Delhi / November 16th, 2023