FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019 16 Novak says all good with Roger, Rafa Djokovic has dismissed suggestion of a rift with Federer as tennis politics persist

Manchester United’s caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) celebrates their victory with midfielder (L) after a match (file photo) Novak Djokovic maintains• he would Pogba wants ‘happy coach’ welcome the input of Roger Federer and Solskjaer to stay at Man Utd Rafael Nadal despite AFP | London Kermode ouster

aul Pogba hopes Ole Gun- AFP | Miami Pnar Solskjaer is given the When a player is Manchester United manager’s happy, he wants to ovak Djokovic played job on a permanent basis af- keep being happy. down a reported rift ter the Norwegian turned the Solskjaer deserves it. Nwith Roger Federer and club’s fortunes around. He knows the club, Rafael Nadal on Wednesday, The former United striker saying he welcomed their views has transformed the mood and he knows everything on the controversial ousting of results at Old Trafford, leading about the club ATP Chairman Chris Kermode. the club into the Champions PAUL POGBA Federer and Nadal ripped top- League quarter-finals and lift- ranked Djokovic, current presi- ing them into contention for a the players. This gave us the dent of the ATP Player Council, top-four finish in the Premier freedom to play and enjoy for failing to contact them over Novak Djokovic (L) and Roger Federer shake hands at the end of their tennis match in Paris (file photo) League. football again because maybe the decision to terminate Eng- “The player council is only the ATP was so big that every- because it has failed us many When Solskjaer was given we lost that with the results lishman Kermode, whose reign part of the structure. We are not one should have been consulted, times,” he said. the role following the depar- that we had before.” began in 2014 and concludes at part of the board or deciding raising the chance of a major “And many times when top ture of Jose Mourinho in De- It is a striking contrast to the year’s end after a vote at Indian anything. We are in consultation fall-out between the three stars. players wanted to be involved cember it was widely assumed final months of Mourinho’s Wells earlier this month. and collaboration with player “I have not noticed anything and be heard they felt like he was merely keeping the seat reign, with Pogba the player Serbian star Djokovic vocifer- board representatives. from their side or from mine,” everything they have said was warm for a bigger managerial who was repeatedly claimed to ously pushed for change despite “Federer and Nadal have been Djokovic said. not really followed through in a name but his success has led to be at odds with the Portuguese. many within the game strongly icons of our sport for so many “It’s not necessary for people way it was supposed to be.” a clamour for the appointment He declined to elaborate, advocating for Kermode to re- years and their opinions are to create any tensions or divi- Political conversations will to be made full-time and mid- saying only: “Maybe we lost main in charge. extremely important to every- sions between us. On the con- continue over the next few fielder Pogba has now added confidence, maybe things went Federer said Wednesday he one. If they want to be active trary, I have a good relationship months as Kermode’s successor his voice. wrong. A lot of talking outside was not “chasing” Djokovic for and part of it, either officially with both of them. We always is found, but for now Djokovic, “Of course we want him to that we weren’t used to. an explanation despite claim- or unofficially, I think it’s only respected each other. We are who suffered an early exit in stay,” the France midfielder “I don’t like to talk about the ing at Indian Wells it was “hard positive for us. rivals of course so it’s hard to California, will aim to transfer told Sky Sports. “The results past. I like to talk about the fu- to understand” why Djokovic “I saw Roger today. We were be friends. his energy into landing a sev- have been great. I have a great ture because that’s what mat- turned down a request to dis- cutting the ribbon at the open- “We need an open dialogue enth Miami title. relationship with him, he has ters. We are better now and cuss the situation. ing of the center court. We had a and for people to have different Djokovic, 31, enjoyed a stellar a great relationship with the the results have been brilliant.” Djokovic, however, maintains small chat but there was no time opinions. That’s what a demo- 2018, winning Wimbledon and players. Despite their good run, Unit- he would welcome the input of to talk about the political stuff. cratic society is. We all try and the US Open before taking his “When a player is happy, ed were beaten by Wolves in the Swiss and Spanish legends. Hopefully we will have time in be part of that.” major tally to 15 by reigning in he wants to keep being hap- the FA Cup quarter-finals on “We welcome them as well the next few days to go through Djokovic said many players Australia at the start of 2019. py. Solskjaer deserves it. He Saturday, a week after losing to as anyone else who wants to some things.” were frustrated at the current Federer, meanwhile, is chas- knows the club, he knows Arsenal in the Premier League join the political discussions,” system. ing his 101st career title after everything about the club. -- the only two domestic de- Djokovic said ahead of the ATP Novak sees no change “It’s frustrating for me per- narrowly losing to Austrian “He is a really happy coach feats since Solskjaer replaced Miami Open, where he is due to Nadal stressed the decision sonally and other players who Dominic Thiem in the Indian that gave confidence back to Mourinho in December. begin play Friday. to make a change at the top of have been part of the structure Wells final last weekend.

Disgruntled Icardi back training with Inter Giroud seeks France return to boost game time Reuters | Paris playing time under manager Maurizio Sarri. helsea striker Olivier Gir- Giroud has not started a Coud wants to move back to Premier League game for France when his contract ex- Chelsea since the club signed pires at the end Argentina international KNOW WHAT of the striker Gonzalo Higuain in after grow- January. ing frus - “The future may be hectic Chelsea are sixth in trated by a this summer,” Giroud told lack of French radio station RTL. “I’m the Premier League, not afraid to go down a lev - three points below el to have more playing time. the fourth and final It could be I end my career in Champions League France.” qualification place The striker, who won the currently occupied World Cup with France last by Arsenal year, scored 33 goals in 73 league appearances for Montpellier before mov- ’s forward Mauro Icardi (R) misses an opportunity to open the scoring during a match against Parma ing to Arsenal in 2012, and has attracted interest from that I will only play in the Eu- AFP | Milan But he returned to the fold ’s side have Olympique Lyonnais, accord- ropa League,” Giroud added. at the team’s Appiano Gentile crashed out of the Europa ing to reports in the French “I try to do what it takes to be isgruntled Inter Milan training centre, north of Milan, league and are now looking to media. as effective and as important as Dstriker Mauro Icardi re- training separately in a reduced consolidate next year’s Cham- The 32-year-old has been I can for the team.” turned to training with the club squad as many of his teammates pions League place. used mainly in the Europa Chelsea are sixth in the Pre- yesterday after a month on the are on international duty. Icardi -- joint top scorer League by Sarri and is the com- mier League, three points be- sidelines amid a protracted The strained relationship in last season with petition’s top scorer this sea- low the fourth and final Cham- contract dispute. had thawed in recent days with 29 goals -- has scored 15 son with nine goals in nine ap- pions League qualification The 26-year-old Argentine Icardi missing the team’s 3-2 goals in all competitions pearances, but does not believe place currently occupied by has been absent since February derby win over city rivals AC for the club this term. he can force his way into the Arsenal. 13 after being stripped of the Milan which moved them third He has not scored in the Italian coach’s Premier League Sarri’s side could also secure captain’s armband. in Serie A, two points ahead of league since December 15, with plans. Champions League football for He had complained of a knee their rivals. his last game against Parma on “Today, I have the impression next season by winning the Eu- injury but the club insisted a Inter are 22 points behind February 9. there’s clearly no competition ropa League, where they face Olivier scan has not revealed any new leaders Juventus, and 13 adrift Inter next play Lazio on (for places in attack) since Slavia Prague in the quarter-fi- Giroud injury. of second-placed Napoli. March 31. January. It’s like that, I know nals.