5 months ago
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CARLOS ALCARAZ delivered a cheeky five-word comment to the Spanish football team ahead of the Euro 2024 final.
Alcaraz retained his Wimbledon crown in scintillating fashion.
AFP
BBC
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The Spaniard demolished Novak Djokovic 6-2 6-2 7-6 in under two-and-a-half hours on Centre Court.
And that completed half of what could be an epic Sporting Sunday double for Spain.
Because Spain take on England in Berlin tonight in the Euro 2024 final.
Annabel Croft brought up the topic up of the football in front of the English crowd – prompting a smattering of playful boos.
But Alcaraz had a defiant message to his compatriots.
He said: “I’ve already done my job so let’s see about the football.
“I’ll watch with my team for, sure, I don’t know where but I will be watching.
“It will be a really difficult match, I’ll watch and let’s see who wins the Euros.”
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The omens bode well for Alcaraz.
In each of the recent years when a Spaniard won the men’s singles at Wimbledon – Nadal in 2008 and then 2010 plus Alcaraz in 2023 – Spain have won a major football trophy.
Tennis stars’ new careers
PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring.
But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best…
- I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun
- I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B
- I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer
- I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend
- I’m last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I’m singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts
- I’m former world No1 but quit aged 29 – instead I went on to play professional poker and golf
- I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist
In 2008, Fernando Torres scored the winning goal against Germany in the Euro 2008 final.
Two years later, Andres Iniesta broke Dutch hearts in the World Cup final in South Africa.
Then last year, Spain beat England in the Women’s World Cup final.
And Alcaraz will be hoping for the same result this evening – after a repeat result in the Wimbledon final.
Alcaraz was left blushing by Croft twice in the trophy ceremony.
Firstly, the BBC presenter labelled him “hot” which prompted hilarious laughs from the 15,000-strong crowd.
Then she quizzed the champion on his dancing skills ahead of the Champions Ball – and his dance with ladies’ winner Barbora Krejcikova.
A sheepish Alcaraz replied: “Let’s see… could be better I guess. I’ll try to do my best.”
EPA
Reuters
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