The Italian Open in Rome will not host Novak Djokovic, a record 24-time Grand Slam champion, from May 7 to May 18 according to tournament organizers.
Novak Djokovic has stated that he won’t participate in #IBI25. Nole, the clay court tournament’s organizers, announced on social media that “see you next year.”
The organizers did not explain why Djokovic, 37, withdrawn.
After pulling out of the Masters competition in the Italian capital, where he has won six times, most recently in 2022, the Serb is still waiting for his 100th ATP title.
After enduring a turbulent start to the year 2025, Djokovic is yet to win a trophy this year.
His most recent gold was won at the Paris Olympics last year, where the following Grand Slam will take place in May/June, at Roland Garros.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts to Alejandro Tabilo’s reaction to his match against Alejandro Tabilo of Chile at the Foro Italico in Rome on May 12, 2024. (Photo by Tiziana FABI/AFP)
Before suffering early exits on the clay in Monte Carlo and Madrid, Djokovic lost to Czech teenager Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final last month.
After losing to Matteo Arnaldi in his first match of the Monte Carlo Masters, Alejandro Tabilo, who had earlier lost to him in his opener, lost to him in the Madrid Open.
In a new video game that lets players choose their favorite cardinals as the new pontiff, thousands are already doing so as cardinals prepare to elect a new pope.
Since its launch last week after Pope Francis’ passing last week, almost 60, 000 people have reportedly signed up for Fantapapa, an online game that plays on Italians’ love of football and the Church, according to its creators on Tuesday.
One of the website’s two founders, Pietro Pace, 42, told AFP: “People are enthralled by Vatican power dynamics.
“Playing allows them to try to unravel some of the mystery that surrounds them” says one player.
The game resembles fantasy league, a popular sport where players pretend to be the head coaches of professional teams. The Italian “Fantacalcio” is a football fantasy league.
A captain (the “most papable” cardinal) and a goalkeeper (the least likely winner) are selected from a squad of 11 cardinals, according to Fantapapa, an Italian word for pope, giving an overview of the frontrunners’ votes on the website.
Also read: Conclave to begin voting for a new Pope on May 7th, Vatican
The two creators of the Fantapapa, Mauro Vanetti and Pietro Pace.
Matteo Zuppi was the cardinal with the most votes as of Tuesday, followed by Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Luis Antonio Tagle, and Pietro Parolin, all of whom were roughly in line with bookmakers’ expectations.
However, some dark horses made the top ten.
According to Pace, Cardinal Fabio Baggio placed seventh, perhaps because he and Italian football legend Roberto Baggio shared the surname.
In order of first place, Jose Advincula of the Philippines placed sixth, making him a quick pick for users who were rushing to finish their roster.
Most players do not think Mykola Bychok will become pope because of his top goal selection, which is currently the world’s youngest cardinal.
The new pope’s political leaning, his religious order, his language, and his new name are also given points, respectively.
Francis, John, Pius, Paul, and Leo were the choices that received the most votes in this category.
Fantapapa, the brainchild of Mauro Vanetti and Pace, an AI worker, is unpaid because its creators are anti-gambling activists.
Instead, Pace claimed, winners will receive “eternal glory.”
On April 21, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88. On May 7, the conclave to choose his successor will start.
Prior to the Champions League semi-final first-leg against Manchester United, Louis Enrique claims Paris Saint-Germain are “a much better team” than they have been since October’s defeat to Arsenal.
The French champions return to London on Tuesday after enduring a difficult league season that included defeats to Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Arsenal (2-0).
“Seven or eight months ago,” the statement read. I have replayed the game. Luis Enrique stated on Monday that our current team is a much better one.
“We had a very competitive league phase, in which there were many matches that might have been finals.
Even at the worst times, it was very helpful to us.
There is only one way to advance to the final now, the official says.
READ MORE: Arteta urges Arsenal supporters to “Bring Boots” to the Champions League clash against PSG.
Luis Enrique (R) of Paris Saint-Germain reacts following the UEFA Champions League game between FC RB Salzburg and Paris Saint-Germain in Salzburg, Austria on December 10, 2024. (Franck FIFE/AFP photo)
The Parisians won their fourth straight Ligue 1 title this month, but they are struggling following a draw with Nantes and a disappointing defeat to Nice.
The Spanish coach said, “I don’t worry about it.”
The squad has an extraordinary spirit, according to the coach.
He continued, “Imagine how the others feel because I’m the saddest member of the squad.”
After losing to Borussia Dortmund at the same time last year, PSG made a second consecutive Champions League appearance.
Since taking over the Qatari club in 2011, the Qatari owners have made it their top priority to win the trophy.
We are ambitious, according to Luis Enrique, “but this pressure doesn’t put us in jeopardy.”
“We talk about making history when we discuss doing something that no one has done before.”
Since we were at the same stage of the competition last year, he continued, “The goal is to go one step further.”
As Arsenal prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, Mikel Arteta urges fans to “bring your boots” and kick every ball.
The Gunners, who have never been crowned European champions, defeated fellow champion Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the final eight to reach their first semi-final since 16 years.
On the day of the Emirates’ opening game against the French champions, Arsenal manager Arteta was upbeat.
The Spaniard remarked, “Girls, bring your boots, bring your shorts, bring your T-shirts, and let’s play every ball together,” adding that “I’m not exaggerating.
“We want to do something special, and that location must be something special, unique, and unheard of.”
And I really hope that everyone who visits the Emirates tomorrow and everyone who is following and watching us also brings that energy with them.
Arteta urged his men to “take the next step.”
He said, “Go there with that conviction and feel the conviction around it. I believe it to be crucial.”
We’ll be much more likely to win the game if we can generate that energy.
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On January 25, 2025, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal play at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England, with the support of Spanish manager Mikel Arteta celebrating on the pitch following the English Premier League game. (Photo by Darren Staples/AFP)
Despite the pressure, Arteta said it was crucial to enjoy the moment despite the fact that their team appears to be coming in second in the Premier League for the third straight season.
He said, “We are so fortunate to be where we are. Because we faced a lot of difficulties, we were able to make it with our work and enthusiasm.
“And we spent ten months competing at a high level.” So we now have it. Be present and experience the moment. A lovely moment to remember.
However, he downplayed claims that the Gunners are the favorites to win the tournament after beating 15-time champions Madrid.
He said, “We go back to the history because we never did it,” noting that “when you look at the history, we do it.”
There is a lot to do, then. Hopefully, it will be because of the team’s strong performances and their ability to defeat the formidable opposition. If so, please.
Arteta received a significant injury boost from Mikel Merino during Tuesday’s training.
With Thomas Partey suspended, the Spain international could return to midfield if fit. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli may take the place of Leandro Trossard, who could be in charge of Arsenal’s attack.
Martinelli predicted that the match would be his most significant of his life.
He said, “It’s a dream to be here.” It is amazing that I started playing football when I was five or six and that I wanted to play in the Champions League and the semi-finals.
The opportunity we have now is here. We will enjoy the situation, but we must have a winning mindset.
Antonio Rudiger, a Real Madrid defender, will miss up to eight weeks following knee replacement surgery on Tuesday.
The German center-back was kicked out for throwing an object at the referee during his team’s Copa del Rey final defeat against Barcelona on Saturday.
Rudiger’s outburst in Seville is expected to cause him to miss four to twelve games.
READ MORE: Inter Milan Slump Puts Season At Risk Before Daunting Barca Trip
Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo play in the Spanish league football match on March 10, 2024 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, with German defender #22 Antonio Rudiger celebrating Celta’s owngoal. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)
Without specifying how long Rudiger would be out, Real Madrid announced in a statement that “he had surgery today to repair a tear in the outer meniscus of his left knee.”
Rudiger will miss between six and eight weeks while he recovers, according to Spanish media.
The 32-year-old may still be able to take part in Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign in the US this summer, which will begin on June 14.
Rudiger was substituted in extra-time for Madrid after his aggressive protests from the sideline resulted in his dismissal.
With five games left, Madrid, who is second, is four points clear of La Liga leader Barcelona. The matchup will take place on May 11 at the Olympic Stadium.
