PH SPORTS EXPO

to what you had maybe 40, 50, 60 years ago where you played three out of four slams were played on grass.

“It does take time—more than any other surface—to really get used to it. But I think in the past 10 years of my career, I’ve adapted very quickly. I think the results here are a testament to that.”

Djokovic’s 86 match wins at Wimbledon are only bettered by the now retired Federer and are more than the rest of the current top 20 put together.

Of those players, only two—Cameron Norrie and Hubert Hurkacz—have made the semi-finals of Wimbledon.

Among his top five rivals, not one has got beyond the last 16. Two-time champion Nadal is sitting out the rest of the year through injury.

A 24th major for Djokovic would take him level with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam titles won by one player.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz will be Djokovic’s biggest threat, especially as the young Spaniard now has a maiden grass-court title in his collection after his win at Queen’s last weekend.

However, Alcaraz conceded key ground by admitting that the stress and tension of facing Djokovic in the semi-final at the French Open caused cramping that sparked his defeat.

‘Like a Ninja’

Ivanisevic described Djokovic as “unbelievable”.

“He’s still moving like a cat on the court. He’s there. Like a Ninja, he’s everywhere. He’s going to find some kind of motivation to win 24, maybe 25, who knows where is the end.”

At stake in the Group A tournament, which also features Nilo Ledama, Eric Tangub, Jeleardo Amazona, Noel Salupado, John David Velez and John Alejandre, is the top P80,000 purse out of the total of P450,000 prize fund put up by Vice Gov. Mohammad Khalid RakiIn Adiong, the man at the helm of the host province’s youth development programs, particularly tennis.

He also spearheaded the rehabilitation of the province of Lanao del Sur and the City Marawi after the five-month conflict in 2017 with Marawi now ready and capable of hosting top sports events at the newly-built Sarimanok Sports Stadium and Convention Center.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic speaks during a press conference ahead of of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. AFP

Not surprisingly, Alcaraz has attempted to shift all the focus onto Djokovic. AFP

FiberKinetics wants to help build well-equipped facilities for athletes

GOVERNMENT leaders, sporting legends, national athletes, business figures and sports enthusiasts gathered at the inaugural Philippine Sports Expo on June 30 in Okada, Manila.

Esteemed guests in the three-day event organized by CX Build, was Senate President Sen. Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri, who also heads the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann, and basketball legend Ramon Fernandez, among others

Exhibitors included key suppliers in the industry, including FiberKinetics, a leading provider of quality sports equipment, flooring systems and specialized products for sports facilities.

Ian Navarroza, FiberKinetics Executive Director, announced during the expo one of their projects in Malaybalay and expressed his desire to contribute to the continuous improvement of Philippine sports by helping build well-equipped facilities that inspire and engage athletes of all skill levels.

Aside from Arcilla and Olivarez, others vying in the week-long event, part of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby Castro and held as part of Lanao del Sur’s 64th founding anniversary celebrations, are Jude Ceniza, John Sonsona, Aslan Carbonilla, Evan Bacalso, Nicolas Gutierrez, Francisco Santos, Ibarra Ortega and Dave Mosqueda. Arcilla and Ledama also brace for a repeat of their title feat in the men’s doubles where P50,000 is up for grabs, while the four Legends age-group events (30s, 40s, 50s and 60s) offer P10,000 to each winner. For details, contact tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Multi-titled boxer Suarez joins forces with Singson, Top Rank

SPORTS patron Luis Chavit Singson and the LCS Group have joined forces with multi-title boxer Charly Suarez.

Together with Luis Christian Singson, Suarez, who has King’s Warrior as a moniker, signed a contract with Top Rank Inc. last July 1, 2023, in preparation for his fight against Yohan Vasquez of the Dominican Republic on August 26, 2023 at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma USA.

Suarez is unbeaten, with a record of 15 wins with 9 knockouts to his name. He is the current IBF Asia super featherweight, IBO Inter-Continental, WBA Oceania at WBC Asian Boxing Council super featherweight titles.

As an amateur, Suarez represented the Philippines at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Suarez credits Singson and the LCS group for this collaboration with Top Rank. He also points to his great love and thanks to his father, who is his coach, cornerman and supporter.

Yohan “La Fiera” Vasquez is fighting out of Bronx, New York and holds a record of 25-3-0 (win-loss-draw). He hopes to become a world champion in the near future.