Al Jazeera English
중도 성향
스포츠
FIFA World Cup: the politics and profits of the beautiful game
The World Cup has yet to start, but politics, war, and controversy are already competing with football.
"COMPETING" · 총 116건
필터 보기현재 지수
50.3
0 = 부정 우세
50 = 중립
100 = 긍정 우세
최근 7일 기준 87,557건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 50.2(균형)입니다. 긍정 4,491건(5.1%)·중립 80,877건(92.4%)·부정 2,189건(2.5%)이며, 중립 비중이 뚜렷하게 높습니다. 성향 지수는 종합 15.3(중도 균형)입니다.
The World Cup has yet to start, but politics, war, and controversy are already competing with football.
Jules Rimet's brainchild has come a long way in 96 years. Fourteen teams accepted an invitation to take part in the inaugural tournament in 1930. In 2026, more than half of the 48 squads competing have battled through two years of qualifying games.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly bring their longtime rivalry to GLP-1 pills and prepare to make their pitch to seniors with Medicare.
Amazon Kuiper Kenya and Uber Kenya seek regulatory approval for internet and courier services, competing with Musk's Starlink in reshaping Kenya's tech landscape.
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers are opening a new front in their battle with Tesla: humanoid robots. After spending years competing on electric cars and autonomous driving technology, leading Chinese manufacturers including BYD and Xpeng are now accelerating plans to mass-produce humanoid robots, betting that advances in artificial intelligence will unlock a vast new market beyond transportation. The push is expected to strengthen China’s position as a global manufacturing powerhouse for...
Universities spent years competing with increasingly elaborate welcome packets featuring everything from microchips to deep-sea water. Now regulators are urging schools to return to a simple one-page letter.
Democratic Republic of Congo enter the first 48-team World Cup as Africa's ninth best side in the Fifa rankings. In the eighth instalment of a nine-part series on African squads at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, RFI looks at a nation competing for the first time in 50 years.
• Preliminary count has PPP ahead on 10 seats; PML-N has upper hand in six constituencies • Independents carve out leads on five seats; PTI-aligned candidates set to claim two districts; MWM ahead in one race • PPP, PTI complain of widespread irregularities PEOPLE cast their votes at a polling station during the Gilgit-Baltistan elections.—Dawn GILGIT: The PPP appeared to be leading in the unofficial, early tallies for 24 seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, even as political parties cried foul and levelled serious allegations of vote-rigging. The preliminary count from Sunday’s closely watched polls indicates the PPP is currently leading in 10 constituencies; with the PML-N ahead in six, and independent candidates holding the lead in five constituencies. Meanwhile, PTI-backed independent candidates, contesting without their party’s traditional electoral symbol, were ahead on two seats, while their ally, the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, was leading the race in one constituency. According to unofficial and unverified results, shared by the Gilgit Baltistan Election Commission, PPP regional president Amjad Hussain is leading in GBA-1 (Gilgit), while former chief minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman of the PML-N is ahead in GBA-2 (Gilgit). PTI-backed independent Sohail Abbas is currently leading the GBA-3 (Gilgit) constituency. In Nagar, Muhammad Ali Akhtar is leading in GBA-4 and Zulfiqar Ali Murad is ahead in GBA-5. Across the Skardu district and neighbouring areas, the PPP was also leading in five additional seats: Syed Tauqeer Mehdi in GBA-7 (Skardu), Fida Muhammad Nashad in GBA-9 (Skardu), Nasir Ali Khan in GBA-10 (Rondu), Iqbal Hassan in GBA-11 (Kharmang), and Imran Nadeem in GBA-12 (Shigar). The MWM’s sole lead is in GBA-8 (Skardu), where Muhammad Kazim is ahead. The PML-N demonstrates concentrated support in the Astore district, where Rana Farman Ali and Rana Muhammad Farooq are leading in GBA-13 and GBA-14, respectively. The party is also ahead through Kifayat ur Rehman in GBA-18 (Tangir), Abdul Jahan in GBA-20 (Ghizer), and Muhammad Ibrahim in GBA-22 (Ghanche). Independent candidates are currently leading across Diamer, Yasin, and Ghanche. Muhammad Dilpazir and Imam Malik are ahead in GBA-15 and GBA-16 in Diamer. In Yasin, Aman Ali is leading in GBA-21, while independents Anwar and Asad Shafiq are holding leads in GBA-23 and GBA-24 in Ghanche. Rounding out the preliminary results, PTI-backed independent Naik Nam Karim is leading in GBA-6 (Hunza). In Darel, PPP’s Muhammad Naseem is ahead in GBA-17, and his party colleague Syed Jalal is leading in GBA-19 in Ghizer. Rigging allegations Despite their early lead, the PPP was among the parties most vocal in their complaints of alleged irregularities and rigging. Both the PPP and the PTI separately accused officials of delaying the release of official paperwork used to verify results at the polling-station level. PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari alleged that presiding officers refused to provide Form-45, the official vote count prepared at each polling station. “We have contacted the chief election commissioner and informed him about the matter,” Bukhari said in a statement. PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri called the delay unacceptable, adding that altered voter lists and shifted polling stations indicated systemic rigging. The PPP, which is a coalition partner in the federal government, alleged that the Balachi polling station in Astore-II’s Bunji area was relocated from a roadside to a hilltop overnight, prompting residents to block the Gilgit-Skardu Road in protest. Concurrently, the PTI, whose candidates ran as independents after the party lost its electoral symbol, also alleged manipulation after initially claiming its candidates were ahead in several constituencies. In a statement, the party said its candidates were leading until 7pm, after which “suspicious results” began to emerge, including reported turnouts above 80 per cent and individual ballot boxes containing “700 to 800 votes”. It further said, “This is a blot on the entire electoral process and its transparency.” The PTI also alleged that its polling agents were not being issued Form-46, terming it a “clear violation of election laws that has further intensified fears of result manipulation”. It said reports had emerged of members of other parties being caught red-handed with fake ballot papers in multiple areas, including Nagar. “This rigging is part of a well-planned and systematic conspiracy,” the party has claimed. It alleged that before polling, voter lists were tampered with in specific constituencies, police and administration were used to change delimitation and polling schemes, and opposition candidates and workers were “systematically harassed and pressurised”. The PTI warned that any attempt to manipulate the results would have serious consequences. “PTI will employ every constitutional, legal, and democratic avenue to protect the votes of its supporters. We demand that authentic results from all polling stations be released immediately, Form-45 and Form-46 be provided to every candidate without delay, a swift inquiry be conducted into suspicious polling stations with strict action against those responsible, and the Election Commission fulfil its constitutional duty by ensuring complete transparency,” the party stated. The sharp accusations came after officials earlier presented a more positive picture of the voting process. Gilgit-Baltistan’s chief election commissioner, Raja Shahbaz Khan, visited about 10 polling stations across Gilgit city and said security arrangements were satisfactory. He also noted a high turnout among women, with 396,937 registered female voters in the region. Caretaker interior minister Sajid Ali Baig similarly described the day as generally peaceful, though he acknowledged minor irregularities and said authorities had responded quickly. The election was held after a four-month delay attributed to harsh winter weather. In total, 396 candidates contested the vote, including 266 independents and eight women, competing for 24 of the assembly’s 33 seats. Officials said 963,034 registered voters were eligible to cast ballots across 10 districts. The highly competitive race featured 23 candidates from the PPP, 22 from the PML-N, and a 22-candidate alliance between the PTI and Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen. Attention has now turned to the outcome and the likely contest for the chief ministership. Among the leading contenders are the PPP’s regional president, Amjad Hussain, contesting from GBA-1, and the PML-N’s regional president, Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, contesting from GBA-2 Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026
[Culture] : Sung Jae-seung, the 20-year-old South Korean ballet dancer, won the top prize at the tenth Helsinki International Ballet Competition last week, organizers said Monday. Competing in the young professionals category, the Korea National University of Arts student was awarded the Jane Erkko Grand Prix, the ... [more...]
Dutch shipbuilder IHC is competing for contracts to build vessels for the Royal Netherlands Navy, according to the
Police say they are increasing their presence this year in order to prevent confrontations, as they expect competing groups could gather along the route.
A heavy police presence is on site as tens of thousands participate in Toronto’s annual Walk With Israel on Sunday. Organizers expecting turnout similar to last year’s estimated 56,000 participants. Police say they are increasing their presence this year in order to prevent confrontations, as they expect competing groups could gather along the route. One […]
The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 has begun, and football fans around the world are preparing for what promises to be the largest edition of the tournament ever staged. For the first time in the competition's history, three nations—the United States, Canada and Mexico—will jointly host the World Cup, bringing the sport's biggest event to North America on an unprecedented scale.The tournament, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026 (June 12 to July 20 as per Indian time), will feature 48 teams, an expansion from the traditional 32-team format. With 104 matches spread across 16 host cities, the World Cup is expected to attract millions of spectators and generate a festival atmosphere across the continent.From iconic football grounds steeped in history to ultra-modern arenas equipped with cutting-edge technology, the host venues reflect the diversity and ambition of FIFA's vision for the 2026 tournament.FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Cities and StadiumsThe FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to make history as the biggest edition of the tournament ever staged. Hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the competition will feature 48 teams competing across 16 host cities and some of North America's most iconic stadiums.From Mexico City's legendary Estadio Azteca to the ultra-modern SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, each venue brings its own unique story, architecture and football heritage. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with matches spread across three nations and a diverse range of world-class stadiums.Host CityStadiumCountryCapacityNew York/New JerseyMetLife StadiumUnited States82,500Dallas (Arlington)AT&T StadiumUnited States94,000AtlantaMercedes-Benz StadiumUnited States75,000HoustonNRG StadiumUnited States72,000Kansas CityArrowhead StadiumUnited States73,000Los AngelesSoFi StadiumUnited States70,000MiamiHard Rock StadiumUnited States65,000PhiladelphiaLincoln Financial FieldUnited States69,000SeattleLumen FieldUnited States69,000BostonGillette StadiumUnited States65,000San Francisco Bay AreaLevi's StadiumUnited States71,000TorontoBMO FieldCanada45,000VancouverBC PlaceCanada54,000Mexico CityEstadio AztecaMexico83,000GuadalajaraEstadio AkronMexico48,000MonterreyEstadio BBVAMexico53,500FIFA Canada VenuesCanada will host matches in Toronto and Vancouver, with both cities playing a key role in the expanded tournament.Toronto – BMO Field (Capacity: 45,000)BMO Field is one of the few purpose-built soccer stadiums among the World Cup venues. Opened in 2007, it previously hosted matches during the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and is home to Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.The stadium will stage six matches, including Canada's opening game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 12, along with a Round of 32 fixture.Vancouver – BC Place (Capacity: 54,000)Located on Vancouver's waterfront, BC Place is widely regarded as one of the most scenic venues in the tournament. Opened in 1983, the stadium is home to the Vancouver Whitecaps and the BC Lions.The venue also played a major role during the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, hosting the final where the United States defeated Japan. BC Place will host seven matches, including two knockout-round encounters.FIFA Mexico VenuesMexico will host games in three cities, each boasting a rich football culture and passionate fan base.Mexico City – Estadio Azteca (Capacity: 83,000)Few stadiums can match the legacy of Estadio Azteca. Opened in 1966, it hosted the World Cup finals of 1970 and 1986 and witnessed unforgettable moments from legends such as Pele and Diego Maradona.In 2026, the stadium will become the first venue in history to host matches in three different FIFA World Cups. It will also stage the tournament opener on June 11 when Mexico takes on South Africa.Guadalajara – Estadio Akron (Capacity: 48,000)Recognized for its distinctive volcano-inspired design, Estadio Akron is among the most visually striking stadiums selected for the tournament.Since opening in 2010, the venue has hosted major events including the Copa Libertadores final and the Pan American Games ceremonies. Four group-stage matches will be played here, including Spain's clash against Uruguay.Monterrey – Estadio BBVA (Capacity: 53,500)Nicknamed "El Gigante de Acero" or "The Steel Giant," Estadio BBVA combines modern architecture with breathtaking mountain views.The stadium, which opened in 2015, is regarded as one of Mexico's finest football venues and will host four matches during the World Cup.FIFA United States VenuesThe United States will host matches in 11 cities, featuring some of the largest and most technologically advanced stadiums in the world.Dallas – AT&T Stadium (Capacity: 94,000)The largest venue of the tournament, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, can accommodate around 94,000 spectators. Home to the Dallas Cowboys, the stadium has previously hosted Super Bowls, major boxing events and international football matches.It will stage nine World Cup games, including a semi-final.New York/New Jersey – MetLife Stadium (Capacity: 82,500)MetLife Stadium will be the centerpiece of the tournament, hosting eight matches, including a semi-final and the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on July 19.Home to the New York Giants and New York Jets, the venue has previously welcomed major football events such as the Copa America Centenario final and the Club World Cup final.Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Capacity: 75,000)Known for its retractable roof and massive 360-degree video display, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is considered one of the world's most advanced sports venues.The stadium will host eight matches, including one of the two semi-finals.Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium (Capacity: 70,000)Often described as one of the most expensive stadiums ever built, SoFi Stadium reportedly cost around $6 billion. Home to the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, it will host eight matches, including the first World Cup game played on U.S. soil.Other Key U.S. VenuesSeveral other American stadiums will play important roles during the tournament:Gillette Stadium, Boston (65,000): Seven matches, including a quarter-final.NRG Stadium, Houston (72,000): Features a retractable roof and steep spectator stands.Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City (73,000): Famous as one of the loudest sports venues in the world.Hard Rock Stadium, Miami (65,000): Hosts seven matches and has extensive experience staging major football events.Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (69,000): Hosts six matches, including a fixture on U.S. Independence Day celebrations.Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara (71,000): Home of the San Francisco 49ers and a frequent host of major international sporting events.Lumen Field, Seattle (69,000): Renowned for passionate crowds and will host six matches, including knockout-round fixtures.A Tournament of Historic ScaleWith 16 host cities, 48 participating nations and a record number of matches, FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be unlike any previous edition. The combination of historic venues such as Estadio Azteca and modern architectural marvels like SoFi Stadium and Mercedes-Benz Stadium highlights the blend of tradition and innovation that will define the tournament.As preparations continue across North America, football fans can look forward to a month-long celebration of the world's most popular sport in some of the most spectacular stadiums ever assembled for a FIFA World Cup.
Hollywood scion Casey Wasserman faced criticisms as Los Angeles Olympics chief for his connections to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The post Daughter of 2028 Olympics Chair Dreams of Competing in LA — for Israel appeared first on The Intercept.
Last-minute visas are being issued for players competing in the FIFA World Cup. Al Jazeera's Mohammad Saleh explains.
THE people of Gilgit-Baltistan joined Pakistan at the time of independence after liberating the region from Dogra rule. It was a unanimous aspiration to become part of the Muslim state. Assuming the relationship would be formalised through constitutional inclusion and political empowerment, GB’s people aligned themselves with mainstream Pakistani political parties, unlike Azad Kashmir, where indigenous political parties continued to play a significant role. Unfortunately, instead of the evolution of a locally rooted political architecture or democratic compact specific to GB, governance came to be dominated by the PML-N, PPP and PTI, who viewed GB through the lens of national power politics, strategic utility, electoral expansion, patronage and resource control, rather than genuine political empowerment. Consequently, while there are elected governments, there’s no meaningful self-governance. The first problem is the absence of a consistent ideological commitment by these parties to resolving GB’s constitutional status. Promises of autonomy, reforms and provisional provincial status are repeatedly made during elections, but not one party has delivered on their pledge when in federal power. The unresolved constitutional ambiguity serves the interests of centralised authority because it allows decisive control without assuming full constitutional obligations. A second problem is the import of a confrontational mainland political culture into a socially sensitive and geographically isolated mountain society. Politics has become polarised around loyalties to party leadership in Islamabad. Local leadership often emerges not through grassroots struggle or public legitimacy, but patronage networks, loyalty to party centres and access to federal power. This weakens local institutions and stymies independent political consensus. The PPP introduced the 2009 Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, which created the current political structure. However, while the order established elected institutions, overriding authority remained concentrated within federally controlled structures. The PML-N focused on infrastructure and connectivity projects, but made little attempt at meaningful local empowerment. The party was reluctant even to take ownership of the Sartaj Aziz Committee’s report because it recommended full constitutional rights for GB. (It also provided the intellectual basis for the Supreme Court’s landmark 2019 judgement.) Instead, the PML-N’s 2018 order diluted the spirit of the report and even rolled back several powers granted under the PPP’s 2009 framework. People in Gilgit-Baltistan take part in elections and form governments, but the real levers of power are not in their hands. The PTI raised expectations by discussing provisional provincial status and constitutional reforms. However, when proposals concerning fuller constitutional status were presented, the party effectively ensured the continuation of the restrictive 2018 governance framework. All three parties converge on several core goals: maintaining political influence through patronage networks; using local elites dependent on federal authority; preserving centralised control over strategic geography and resources; avoiding a final constitutional settlement; expanding bureaucratic structures that cultivate political loyalties. The result is a political culture in which elections become contests for access to state patronage rather than serious debates on constitutional rights, fiscal autonomy, institutional reform, environmental sustainability, or long-term development. Another major impediment is the fragmentation of local political consciousness. Federal parties often exploit regional, sectarian, clan-based and constituency-level divisions for electoral advantage. The resulting divisions weaken the possibility of a unified political position capable of negotiating collective rights. Frequent shifts in political loyalty have normalised a culture in which the political process resembles an auction for legislative support. The result is a paradoxical system. People participate in elections, elect representatives and form governments, yet the real levers of power remain externalised. The assembly administers limited local matters, while strategic decisions, constitutional questions, resource frameworks and fiscal dependency are controlled from elsewhere. Roads, contracts, bureaucratic appointments and symbolic projects dominate political discourse, while deeper questions of political dignity, resource ownership, etc, remain unresolved. GB’s long-term challenge is to develop an indigenous political vision capable of transcending externally driven party competition. Such a vision must articulate demands for accountable governance, constitutional clarity, economic justice and genuine participation in decision-making. Ultimately, GB’s tragedy lies not merely in flawed governance, but also in the normalisation of a political charade. Every five years, elections are held under a constitutionally undefined framework that changes governments without altering the actual structure of power. The process is at its core a ritualistic transfer of authority among federally controlled political actors while fundamental questions of constitutional status, political rights, institutional accountability, etc, remain unresolved. This ambiguity facilitates elite capture through a flawed political system that enables control over local resources without meaningful accountability. Public resources continue to be consumed by expanding bureaucratic structures, patronage networks and non-development expenditures. More troubling is the ill-defined governance structure in which critical decisions, including appointments to senior judicial and institutional positions, are made through opaque processes. Such a system effectively guarantees immunity for unaccountable decision-makers, while ordinary citizens continue to bear the burden of weak institutions, unemployment, and political uncertainty. This has reduced Sunday’s election to an exercise in futility. Yet beneath this stagnant order, a transformation is taking place. A new generation is emerging in GB — educated, technologically connected, politically conscious and unwilling to accept symbolic representation in place of genuine rights and participation. This rising Gen Z, perhaps the most educated and politically aware generation in GB, may ultimately challenge the cycle of constitutional ambiguity and political misgovernance. No political structure built upon perpetual ambiguity, exclusion and managed dependency can endure indefinitely. If meaningful constitutional reform, institutional accountability, and genuine empowerment are delayed further, we will witness not merely political dissatisfaction, but also a far more assertive and organised demand for full meaningful constitutional integration with Pakistan, irrespective of competing political and strategic considerations. The writer, a former IGP Sindh, belongs to Gilgit-Baltistan. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt questioned California’s vote-counting system for the first time Saturday night as his lead over Councilwoman Nithya Raman shrank. Pratt, who is competing against Raman in the primary to challenge Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, held a less than 10,000-vote lead over Raman as of Saturday night, after leading by […]
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, during which they discussed the latter’s upcoming visit to Tehran, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The interior minister also briefed the prime minister on his recent engagements on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, the PMO added. “Consultations also took place between the prime minister and the interior minister regarding his upcoming visit to Tehran. The prime minister provided guidance related to the visit,” the statement added. A day earlier, Naqvi met his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni. The two ministers held an important meeting focusing on bilateral relations and the current regional situation. During the talks, both ministers exchanged views on Pakistan-Iran relations and recent regional developments, according to a post by the Interior Ministry. In the meeting today, a detailed exchange of views also took place on the country’s overall law and order situation and prevailing security conditions between the premier and the interior minister. The interior minister informed the prime minister about the measures being taken to maintain peace and security across the country and ensure the protection of citizens, the statement said. PM Shehbaz emphasised the need for close coordination among all relevant institutions and the adoption of a unified strategy to strengthen law and order and further enhance national security. On May 17, Naqvi landed in Tehran on a previously unannounced two-day visit, which diplomatic sources said was linked to Pakistan’s continuing efforts to revive the stalled Iran-US peace process after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest response to American proposals. Diplomatic sources in Islamabad said the unscheduled trip was part of Pakistan’s continuing shuttle diplomacy aimed at preventing the negotiations from collapsing entirely after momentum generated by earlier rounds of talks in Islamabad slowed sharply. The visit, officially framed around bilateral and border security cooperation, came as the fragile ceasefire brokered earlier through Pakistani mediation continued to hold unevenly amid intermittent tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and prolonged disruption to global energy shipping. During the visit, Naqvi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. According to Iranian media, the minister’s one-on-one meeting with the president was held at the Presidential Palace and lasted around 90 minutes. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were also present on the occasion, the official IRNA news agency reported. Naqvi later met Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who criticised “some regional governments” for believing that the presence of the United States would bring them security. “Recent events have shown that this presence not only fails to create security but also lays the groundwork for insecurity,” Ghalibaf was quoted as saying by IRNA. The US-Iran conflict is currently stalemated in a shaky ceasefire struck in April, which was followed by historic direct talks between the warring parties hosted by Pakistan. Though daily strikes throughout Iran and the Gulf have stopped since then, bursts of armed conflict have continued. Earlier today, tensions surged again when the US military said it struck radar sites in Iran after downing drones headed toward the strait. Shortly after, air raid sirens sounded in neighboring Gulf nations Kuwait and Bahrain — both US allies. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted “enemy bases in the area” with missiles in response to a US “invasion” of the country’s Sirik and Qeshm islands. The US and Iran also exchanged attacks on each other’s military targets on Monday. After the US military carried out strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran responded with a missile attack on Wednesday, damaging Kuwait’s airport and resulting in casualties. Since the conflict began, Iran has repeatedly attacked targets in the Gulf region home to US military bases. Nevertheless, diplomacy has continued with Trump under pressure to reach an agreement that would lift the US and Iranian competing blockades around the Strait of Hormuz, which have choked international oil supplies and threatened the global economy with rising prices.
The Russian sports official also stated that Russian sports federations should resort to every available instrument - legal, diplomatic and otherwise - to challenge the unjust suspension against the country competing internationally
Mirra Andreeva won her first Grand Slam title on Saturday by downing Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in straight sets in the French Open final. The 19-year-old Russian beat Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 to become the youngest Roland Garros women’s singles champion since Monica Seles, then aged 18, won her third straight title in Paris in 1992. With her first-ever major crown, Andreeva also became the first player, man or woman, born after 2005 to win a Grand Slam. Russia’s Mirra Andreeva reacts as she celebrates her victory over Poland’s Maja Chwalinska at the end of their women’s final singles match on day 14 of the French Open tennis tournament. — AFP The Coupe Suzanne Lenglen will now take centre spot in Andreeva’s burgeoning trophy cabinet, which already features two WTA 1000 titles. “I’ve been watching Roland Garros on TV since I was very, very young, so it’s also a big dream of mine to win this tournament and I honestly cannot believe that I’m holding this trophy right now,” Andreeva said on court, before thanking her team and notably her psychologist. “Congrats to Maja for these amazing three weeks, passing through qualies, winning so many matches, beating so many great players.” Defeat at the final hurdle brought to an end an astonishing run which started in qualifying for Chwalinska, who won nine matches in the French capital to become the first qualifier to reach the final in the Open era. “I will definitely not forget these three weeks,” she said. “Paris will stay forever in my heart.” However, the world number 114’s career will now be on a different stratosphere as she will climb to 21 in the rankings and be assured of competing regularly in tennis’ biggest tournaments. “Congrats to Mirra, you’re such an incredible player. You’re so young and talented, it’s so annoying,” Chwalinska said. “Congrats to you, congrats to your team for an amazing job, and I wish you all the best in the future. “I wish (the spectators) could see a better match today, but Mirra was just too good for me, so I guess it’s her fault.” True grit Chwalinska displayed some early nerves as she dumped two serves straight into the net on the very first point of the match. Both players seemed to be struggling with the occasion, a situation not helped by blustery conditions on centre court, as four consecutive breaks of serve started the match. Poland’s Maja Chwalinska poses with the runners up trophy on the podium at the end of her women’s final singles match against Russia’s Mirra Andreeva on day 14 of the French Open tennis tournament. — AFP First Chwalinska then Andreeva held as they continued to probe each other in their first meeting. The Russian dug in and moved back into the ascendancy as she showed the greater consistency of the pair to win the next three games. Two Andreeva errors and an unplayable drop shot gave the Pole the chance to instantly wipe out that advantage but the teen showed serious mettle to pull off a battling hold and at 3-0 the writing looked on the wall for Chwalinska. Andreeva then rattled through the next two games to move to the brink. But Chwalinska refused to give in and held to make it 5-1, before breaking Andreeva as she served for the match. However, the new world number six was not to be denied as she pounced in the very next game to claim the biggest trophy so far of her fledgling career. A backhand winner sent her crumpling to her knees as she surpassed her coach Conchita Martinez’s 2000 runner-up finish at Roland Garros. The winner of that duel, Mary Pierce, was present for the trophy ceremony, a fact not lost on Andreeva despite it taking place nearly seven years before her birth. “I don’t know if I should thank you, Mary, as you beat my coach here in the final,” she quipped. “But I’m joking of course, thank you so much! “