Djokovic urges schedule change as players struggle with Tokyo heat

Published

4 years ago

July 24, 2021

World number one Novak Djokovic on Saturday in Tokyo called for organisers to rethink the Olympic tennis schedule because of the hot and humid conditions in the city.

Djokovic eased to a 6-2 6-2 victory over Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien on Saturday.

But tougher assignments lie between him and a much-coveted gold medal for Serbia, and the weather could yet prove his most difficult opponent.

It is well known that Djokovic struggles with heat and humidity, and he said with a wry smile: “I’m still waiting to meet the player that likes this kind of weather.

“Playing in extreme heat and humidity that is 90 per cent, or God knows how much, is very challenging.

“Obviously it’s the same for everyone and it’s something we’ve known coming into Tokyo, we expected that the conditions were going to be very tough.

“But before you come here and experience that, you don’t really know how difficult it is.

“I felt like there was trapped hot air that was absorbed by the surface. It was tough, and probably tougher for the earlier matches.”

Matches played at ATP and WTA tournaments held in similar conditions often do not start until late afternoon.

But in Tokyo all courts start at 11 a.m, meaning players are competing in the hottest part of the day.

Later starts were actually considered.

But the organisers, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), needed to plan for potential rain or extreme heat breaks, as well as a lack of infrastructure for very late finishes.

A daytime schedule was therefore deemed best.

An ITF spokesperson said: “Player health is paramount and great consideration has been given to the 11 a.m or a later start.

“The decision to retain 11 a.m was made based on data, a nine-day event and to accommodate factors such as local authority restrictions due to COVID-19 and the unpredictability of the weather.

“Extreme conditions will always put pressure on a schedule and make an optimum schedule challenging. Rainfall is as much of an issue as extreme heat. An Extreme Weather Policy is in place.

“Tokyo 2020 competition officials have set procedures to monitor the heat stress index which determine whether play should be modified and have implemented these procedures today.”

Djokovic added: “I don’t really get why ITF doesn’t want to move the matches. This was the last centre court match and it was finished before 5 p.m.

“There is hopefully some kind of an understanding from ITF on what they’ve seen.

“All the athletes train and dream of being at an Olympic Games and then playing for half an hour and retiring, you don’t want to have the Olympic experience that way.

“But we have to accept whatever the circumstances are.”

Zarina Diyas was the only player to withdraw mid-match but many struggled.

Explaining how he felt on court, Djokovic said: “You’re constantly dehydrated, you feel you have weights on your shoulders because there’s so much heat and humidity and stagnated air.”

Djokovic, who is bidding to become the first man to win a Golden Slam of all four major titles and singles gold in the same year, will next take on German Jan-Lennard Struff.

Second seed Daniil Medvedev also found the conditions tough in a 6-4 7-6 (10-8) victory over Alexander Bublik.

Medvedev said: “Like they do in Mexico, the matches maybe should start at six (p.m) because the heat actually gets much, much lighter. We all try to practise at six.

“The fact that we have only one minute between changeovers is a joke. If you ask, let’s say 200 tennis players that are here, I think 195 will tell you that one minute is a joke. It should be 1:30.”

In the women’s draw, sixth seed Iga Swiatek followed in her father’s footsteps by making her Olympic debut with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Mona Barthel.

Tomasz Swiatek competed for Poland in rowing at the Games in Seoul in 1988.

Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens played the last singles match of her career on Saturday, losing 4-6 6-3 4-6 to Marketa Vondrousova.

But there were wins for French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova and ninth seed Belinda Bencic.

dpa/NAN

Ajibade, Oshoala, Nnadozie Lead Super Falcons’ 24-Woman Squad for WAFCON

Published

2 weeks ago

June 20, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

Super Falcons’ Head Coach Justine Madugu has unveiled a 24-woman squad for Nigeria’s campaign at the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with star names Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Francisca Ordega, and Asisat Oshoala making the cut.

The squad announcement marks the beginning of the team’s march toward a record-extending 10th continental title, with the tournament set to take place from July 5 to 26 in Morocco.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a portion of the squad began training in Abuja on Thursday and will continue sessions on Friday and Saturday before departing for a final training camp in Lisbon, Portugal, on Sunday.

Also included in the list are Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre, American fan favourite Michelle Alozie, veteran centre-back Osinachi Ohale, and midfielders Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, and Christy Ucheibe.

Home-based talents like goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu and defenders Sikiratu Isah and Miracle Usani have also been called up, while midfield general Halimatu Ayinde returns to bolster the team’s engine room.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed friendly matches to sharpen the team ahead of their Group B fixtures against Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria. The Falcons will face Portugal in Lisbon on Monday and square off against the Black Queens of Ghana in Morocco on June 29.

Full List of Super Falcons for 13th WAFCON Finals:

Goalkeepers:

Chiamaka Nnadozie (just finished contract with Paris FC, France)
Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)
Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders:

Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)
Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy)
Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)
Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia)
Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons)
Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey)
Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)

Midfielders:

Rasheedat Ajibade (just finished contract with Atletico Madrid, Spain)
Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenburg, Sweden)
Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA)
Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France)
Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England)
Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Forwards:

Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia)
Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)
Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France)
Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada)
Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China)
Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)

With high expectations and an experienced squad, the Super Falcons are poised to make a strong push for another continental crown in Morocco.

Sports

Plumptre Joins Fight Against Child Trafficking as Mission 89 Ambassador

Published

5 months ago

February 7, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

Super Falcons defender, Ashleigh Plumptre, has been named an ambassador for Mission 89, a global research and advocacy organization dedicated to combating child trafficking in sports.

The appointment, conveyed in a letter on Friday by Mission 89’s Executive Director, Lerina Bright, highlights the organization’s commitment to protecting young athletes and preserving the integrity of football.

Bright emphasized that the partnership with Plumptre comes at a crucial time as the sports industry grapples with rising challenges in safeguarding young talents from exploitation. She praised Plumptre’s dedication to social justice, noting that her influence will strengthen Mission 89’s efforts.

“Her extensive experience at the highest levels of professional football, alongside her passionate advocacy for ethical practices, positions her as an exemplary representative for this vital cause,” Bright said.

She further stressed the urgency of tackling sports trafficking, calling for immediate action from stakeholders, including governments, advocates, sports leaders, professional athletes, and policymakers.

Plumptre, in her acceptance remarks, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging that her experiences as a footballer would play a key role in her new position.

“As a footballer, I have observed firsthand how aspirations can serve as both a source of hope and a potential vulnerability for young athletes,” she said.

“My experiences in professional sports have taught me that talent alone is insufficient; protection, education, and ethical pathways are vital components.”

The Leicester City defender described Mission 89 as more than just an organization, but a platform for reshaping the narrative around youth in football.

“We are not merely preventing trafficking; we are reclaiming the true spirit of the game — a spirit characterized by opportunity, dignity, and hope,” she said.

Plumptre reaffirmed her commitment to using her platform to protect young players who see football as a means to a better future.

“Football has the potential to transform lives. However, it is imperative that we ensure this transformation is both positive and secure,” she added.

Headlines

Wike to honour FCT athletes, pledges support for sports

Published

6 months ago

January 14, 2025

Saadatu Sahabo

Wike visits scene of collapsed building, insists structures without approval will go down

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged to honour victorious athletes that recently represented the FCT in various sporting events.

Wike made the pledge in a statement from the FCT sports department on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that a reception, scheduled for Thursday, is in recognition of athletes that represented the FCT at the 2022 National Sports Festival, the 7th and 8th National Youth Games.

According to him, the honour is to appreciate the athletes for their acts of sacrifice, patriotism and determination that have brought glory to the FCT.

“We are committed to the development of sports in the FCT, and we will continue to create the enabling environment for sports to thrive.

“This is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s focus to engage youths to help discover their potentials and empower them to be better,” he said.