IT’S GREAT TO WIN THE $9 MILLION but I just don’t want to lose to him and give him the satisfaction because the bragging rights are what is going to be even “worse than the money,” "THE SUPER CUP WILL BE DECIDED BY ITS GUESTS," Read Catalan sports daily Mundo Deportivo on Friday. "Second in the league against semi-finalist in the cup." SPORTS 11 12 January 2020 FEDERER On Course to Become First Billionaire in Tennis This Year Real Madrid Face Atletico As Imposters Gatecrash Super Cup Final In Saudi LONDON: Lionel Messi has predictably been nament to Saudi, a title showdown between campaign and perhaps a valuable psycho- in La Liga's title race, and Atletico, who are the star attraction but there will be no Clas- Real and Barcelona would very likely have logical boost too. trying to close a five-point gap. ico in Saudi Arabia this weekend, as Atletico been top of the organisers' wishlist. Certainly, Barcelona and Valencia will re- Atletico have been gaining momentum in Madrid's defeat of Barcelona set up a clash The draw kept the clubs apart in the semis sume in La Liga with their rhythm jolted and the league and their victory over Barcelona with rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super and a new four-team format ensured Real confidence knocked. will be a major boost ahead of what prom- Cup final on Sunday. and Atletico were able to participate at all, - Gaining momentum - ises to be a tough second half of the season. Messi was cheered by fans at the King given they would not have qualified for the After seven games unbeaten, Valen- They sit third in the league table with Abdullah Sport City Stadium from the mo- traditional two-legged showdown between cia were outplayed in their 3-1 semi-final trips to Camp Nou and the Santiago Berna- ment he jogged out to warm up, yet At- league champions and winners of the Copa defeat by Real while Barca's late collapse beu to come while in the Champions League Roger Federer will join the likes of Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods letico were the ones celebrating at the end del Rey.Including the two other highest- against Atletico brings doubts around coach they face Europe's most feared team, Liver- and Floyd Mayweather as billionaire sportspersons by the end of of Thursday's semi-final in the competition placed finishers in La Liga all-but ensures Ernesto Valverde rushing back to the surface. pool, next month. the year. that has been expanded and controversially entry for Barcelona and Real Madrid every Already on Friday, reports in the Spanish Yet even if they were on the back foot for Roger Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam Champion and currently shipped to a different continent, to a country year but, as this competition has shown, press were linking the club's former mid- long spells of their 3-2 win on Thursday, At- the third-highest ranked male tennis player in the world, is with a long-condemned record on human there is no guarantee of progress. fielder Xavi Hernandez -- who has been letico defied their creative problems with expected to join the club of billionaire sportsperson by the end of rights. "The Super Cup will be decided by its coaching in Qatar -- with taking his job in three goals and at least two good chances 2020. According to the official ATP figures, Federer has won over Atletico scored two late goals to beat guests," read Catalan sports daily Mundo the summer. for more. USD 129 million prize money from wins in singles and doubles Barca 3-2, with a derby final now to come Deportivo on Friday. "Second in the league "There is always instability when you "It is important for the club, we beat the competitions. against Real Madrid. against semi-finalist in the cup." lose," admitted Valverde. best attacking team in the world," Atletico At present, there are only three male sportspersons in When the Spanish Football Federation An all-Madrid final in Jeddah offers both Just as defeat to a rival creates instability, coach Diego Simeone said. "You saw our bite, the billionaire club - Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Floyd signed a three-year contract worth 120 mil- Atletico and Real the chance t o victory could prove affirming for Real, who our belief, our desire. It's what this club is all Mayweather. lion euros ($133.4 million) to move the tour- claim a first trophy of the look to con- vert form into a lead about." The total figure that Federer has earned in as a sportsperson is comparatively lesser than his earnings from endorsements and appearances that he has made. According to a report by Forbes, Federer's annual earnings, including prize money and sponsorships, have reached the mark US World Cup star Rapinoe of USD 93.4 million. Federer has been sponsoring for brands including Barilla, slams IOC 'no protest' policy Credit Suisse Group (ADS), Mercedes-Benz, Rolex, Uniqlo, Wilson Sporting Goods. LONDON: United States World A report by TENNIS.com mentioned that for his association with Cup icon Megan Rapinoe Friday Nike, the shoes that Federer wears on the tennis court, the sports vowed that athletes "will not be star earnings has neared to USD 900 million. silenced" after the International The report further said that if Federer becomes a billionaire, it Olympic Committee warned would be for the first time a tennis player will make it to the club. against political protests at the The 38-year-old tennis legend is in Melbourne prepping for the Tokyo Games. "So much being done about the protests," Rapinoe said in an Instagram post. "So little being done about what we are Xavi on top of Barca protesting about. "We will not be silenced." Rapinoe's comments were wishlist with Valverde accompanied by a graphic showing fists raised through the interlocking rings -- under the under pressure crossed out words "kneeling, hand gestures, signs." LONDON: Barcelona have asked The post comes after IOC chief former captain Xavi to take over Thomas Bach reiterated that from the under-pressure Ernesto athletes, coaches, trainers and and on the medal podium. Valverde as head coach, Spanish officials are banned from political "If this political neutrality is media reported on Friday. protests on the field of play, at not respected, then the Olympic The club's sporting director the Olympic Village, during the Games will divide, and not unite, Eric Abidal has reportedly spoken opening and closing ceremonies the world," Bach insisted. to the boss of Qatari side Al Sadd about arriving on a two-year-deal, with radio station Cadena Ser As runs flow again, Maxwell claiming the former midfielder No changes to S A could return this season if says has banished demons in head Valverde is sacked. team despite defeat Al Sadd's general manager MELBOURNE (REUTERS) : Austra- benefits now, I’ve got no demons the back of my mind, I don’t have Turki Al-Ali refused to rule out a lia’s Glenn Maxwell attributed his in my head,” Maxwell told Cricket any of these other thoughts. It’s CAPE TOWN (REUTERS) : South they are available to their teams to move back to Barca for Xavi. red-hot form in the ongoing Big Australia website. been nice and calm out there.” Africa have kept the same team for help boost the competition,” Cricket "The issue of Xavi going to Bash League to the break he took “I’ve been able to get everything He has been left out of the the last two tests against England South Africa said in a statement on Barcelona is normal and expected to address his mental health is- off my chest and been able to deal upcoming one-day series in despite their 189-run defeat at Friday. “They will join the national because he will be at his club and sues and said he has banished his with things better India after an underwhelming Newlands this week that left the team if and when required.” it's his first home and he must demons. “I’m still talking to people about 12 months of 50-overs cricket, series level at 1-1. The third test at St George’s Park return there in the future, but as The explosive all-rounder managing different parts of my life including a poor World Cup outing wThe starting team from the is followed by the last at the of today, Xavi is the coach of Al flagged his struggle with mental and making sure I’ve still got that in England. Cape Town test, which England Wanderers in Johannesburg from balance.” Maxwell doesn’t believe his Big Sadd," Al-Ali said in a statement. health in October and spent much won in a thrilling finish, plus bowler Jan 24-28. South Africa won the first Maxwell is the second highest Bash purple patch would pave the "Xavi and his team are focusing of the subsequent seven weeks Dane Paterson will travel to Port test in Pretoria by 107 runs. run-accumulator at this edition of way back into the Australian one- on tomorrow's match against Al- with friends and family before Elizabeth for the third test, which Squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), the tournament, 20 runs behind day squad. Rayyan, and we know that a club quietly returning to action. starts on Thursday. The rest of the Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, team mate Marcus Stoinis (331) “This is T20 cricket.