In recent times, as the tennis world has been busy talking about Rafael Nadal’s shaky throne and Eugenie Bouchard’s sophomore slump, few have noticed Agnieszka Radwanska’s slide down the rankings.
Starting the year at No 6, the Pole has slipped to No 9 and has yet to make a final in 2015, her best showing being the semi-final at her home tournament in Katowice.
The 26 year old, who made it to the final at Wimbledon in 2012 and climbed as high as No 2 in the rankings, has been a dud at the bigger events this season, losing to Venus Williams in the fourth round at the Australian Open, Heather Watson in the third round at Indian Wells and Carlos Suarez Navarro at Miami in the fourth round.
Radwanska is 12-8 for the year in Tour matches and 1-6 against fellow top-10 players over the past 52 weeks, which the lowest-winning percentage for a top 10 against their peers.
So the rot is not new, though she has won every WTA Fan Favourite Singles Player of the Year award since 2011.
Sensing her own troubles, the Pole had added Martina Navratilova to her coaching team, but the American legend has now decided to step aside, citing her inability to give the required time.
Radwanska’s regular full-time coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, is on shaky grounds as well after being criticised by Radwanska’s father and former coach, Robert, last week.
This circus around her could probably be affecting Radwanska’s game, but the truth is her career has been on the southern route for some time.
A truly graceful and gifted player, Radwanska has never been very comfortable against the heavy hitters. It is only going to get more challenging from hereon.
arizvi@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
Which products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
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England 458
South Africa 361 & 119 (36.4 overs)
England won by 211 runs and lead series 1-0
Player of the match: Moeen Ali (England)
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
FA Cup final
Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
