On court, Novak Djokovic is a technical, machine-like guy but for me, he is like family; my brother from another mother.
I got to know Novak on and off the court during my three-year spell as his coach between 2013 and 2016. Since then our relationship has only become stronger.
I have seen the way he is with his family and friends. I have seen the important work he does – together with his wife, Jelena – on his foundation. I got to see his heart – and it’s a good one.
He is 36 now. That longevity is his greatest strength and it’s a quality he shares with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Anybody can have a good week, even a good year, but to do it over 17, 18 years is exceptional. That’s what sets those three players apart.
Novak is still winning – he’s the reigning Australian and French Open champion and who would bet against him at Wimbledon? But his game has changed since I coached him. It had to. The locker room doesn’t sleep. They watch you, study you, search out your weaknesses. If you don’t improve constantly, then you’re going to be left behind.
How has Novak done that? When you are 36 and the guy on the other side of the net is 22, you don't want to get into too many 20-stroke baseline rallies. His serve has improved, so has his net play. It all leads to him winning points a bit quicker.
Another thing that sets Novak, Roger and Rafa apart is mentality. So much of tennis is in the mind, and they use the smallest sign of weakness to their advantage. It’s about match management, how you react in a situation. The up-and-coming generation must learn more about that than just forehand, backhand and serve.
But they are learning. I like Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune. Sinner has everything you need to be a successful tennis player: he’s got the supporting cast, the attitude, he’s good on all surfaces and has a fighting spirit. Rune could also go a long way – he’s a bit more aggressive than Sinner. I like watching them play each other.
And then there is Carlos Alcaraz... it's as if it was written in the stars for him.
When I first saw him play, I could see he was something special. You always look for the X-factor with young athletes and he definitely had it.
He’s not just a talented young player, he’s already the world No1. It’s very difficult to win your first Grand Slam, especially as a teenager. It’s even harder to win again. From the hunter, you become the hunted.
But Alcaraz is already a dominating presence in tennis – and that's coming from Spain, where they have a guy called Nadal. It’s quite a heavy burden to carry, but he does so with ease.
Nadal won his first Slam at 19. So did Alcaraz. Nadal won the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award in 2006 and it was only fitting that Alcaraz won it this year after picking up his first Grand Slam, the US Open, in 2022.
I have been involved with Laureus from the very beginning. In 2000, I was honoured to be asked to be a founding member of the Laureus World Sports Academy.
I’ve since formed deep friendships with all the other academy members. We’re now up to 71. We’re colleagues, friends and people fighting for the same cause – using sport as a tool for change. I have so many memories from those 20-plus years. I’ve been to projects in India, Germany and USA. Every time, you see how the language of sport is such a strong communicator.
Boris Becker is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time and a member of Laureus - a sporting movement supported by the world's greatest athletes, which celebrates and harnesses the power of sport. @LaureusSport
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Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
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In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
More coverage from the Future Forum
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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