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SUNRISE, FLA. (WSVN) – Olympic star Simone Biles is taking her talents around the country with the Gold Over America Tour and South Florida will be one of her stops.

Simone Biles is about is about show fans and their cities across the U.S. what has made her the most decorated gymnast in history: 11 Olympic and 30 World Champion medals.

“We try to connect with the fans as much as possible, get as close to the crowd with an interaction. We try to engage as much as possible in each of our numbers so that everybody feels seen and heard,” said Biles.

It’ been a whirlwind since the Paris Summer Games, now Biles will be joined by some of her teammates in the Gold Over America tour. The performance is being held in over 30 arenas.

Oct. 11 it comes to Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.

“The show is non-stop, high-energy, pop-style the whole time, so it’s very engaging. Very fun and fast, but we also tell a story line too. So, it’s been so fun so far,” said Biles.

Biles view this tour as a way to connect and celebrate with fan who cheered and supported her at home. She also hopes it inspires the next generation of gymnast.

Simone Biles says she knew people would 'go crazy over' her 'GOAT' necklace

“I think it’s a privilege that I have such a big platform that I can share that with everyone. We try to have as much fun and tell our stories because the kids can resonate with that,” said Biles. “And I feel like in our cast and crew, there’s representation and so, any of the kids can see themselves in us. Which is really sweet because I think the sport has grown.”

After a stressful Olympic run, Simone says she’s just happy to be able to share her craft who watched her at the recent Summer Games.

“I’m having fun to because this is like hard, but easy work. To learn numbers was hard, but after that this is easy. We’ve already done the hard part in Paris, so now we get to celebrate our success,” said Biles.

Simone will be joined by Olympic teammate Jordan Chiles when the tour makes at stop at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Oct. 11.

Simone shared that she fully supports Chiles, who had filed a second appeal with the court the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland after being stripped of her bronze medal in Paris.

Simone Biles is showing her support for husband Jonathan Owens!

Decked out in Chicago Bears colors, Biles shared a quick kiss on the sidelines with Owens before the team’s victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Sept. 29.

The 11-time Olympic medalist also posted a clip of the moment to her Instagram Stories.

Since returning from Paris where she made Olympic history over the summer, Biles made sure to show up to support Owens during the preseason. Her appearance at Soldier Field marked her first time attending a regular-season game since Owens signed with the Bears.

In a clip posted on X by the Bears, Biles, 27, was seen walking inside the stadium as she flashed a peace sign and pouted at the camera.

Owens, 29, returned the favor a day earlier when he surprised his wife at the nearby Milwaukee stop of her Gold Over America Tour.

On Saturday, Sept. 27, Biles shared on her Instagram Stories that Owens had paid her a visit amid their their busy schedules.

Ahead of her Saturday performance at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, Biles uploaded a clip that appeared to be of her and Owens holding hands. She then confirmed the surprise appearance from her husband when she shared another image of the Bears safety holding up a massive array of roses, shaped like a heart, while he smiled at her.

Gervonta Davis has taken to social media to give his first reaction to the news that Devin Haney is now suing Ryan Garcia.

On Friday, news broke that Haney has filed a lawsuit against his last opponent alleging battery, fraud and unjust enrichment, relating to their fight in April.

The highly controversial bout saw Garcia dominate Haney, flooring him three times in a ruthless beatdown which he won on points.

However, it later emerged that he failed multiple drugs tests on the day before and the day of the fight.

As a result, Garcia’s team accepted a settlement with the New York Commission which saw him handed a one-year ban and fined $1million, with the win overturned to a no-contest.

Gervonta Davis

Now, Haney is taking things into his own hands which further legal action.

Haney’s attorney Pat English wrote in a 16-page filing that his client is seeking punitive damages (damages awarded separately from the actual damages from an event).

“At no time did Devin Haney consent to engage in a bout against a boxer who was positive for a performance-enhancing drug, and would not have proceeded with the bout had he known,” the lawsuit reads .

“The New York Commission would not have permitted the bout had it known of the positive finding or of Garcia’s IV use.

“Adding insult to the Commission and to the sport of boxing, Mr. Garcia has alleged that he was ‘high as f*** during’ his bout with Mr. Haney.

“This very clearly brings disrepute on the sport of boxing and by derivation on the New York State Athletic Commission…

“The Actions of Ryan Garcia and those who assisted him evince a high degree of moral turpitude and demonstrate wonton dishonesty as to imply criminal indifference to his civil obligations as well as wilful or wanton negligence, or recklessness, or where there is a conscious disregard of the rights of others or conduct so reckless as to amount to such disregard.”

Gervonta Davis

In relation to the battery count, English added: “[Haney] at no time agreed to engage in a bout against an individual who had taken a performance-enhancing drug.

“His consent was limited to a bout held fairly and under the rules and prohibitions set forth above.

“Thus, the fighting (touching) by Garcia was non consensual.

“Devin Haney suffered damages in that he suffered physical injury, reputational damage which will amount to millions of dollars, and emotional and mental distress.”

The fraud count is connected to Garcia’s signed documents vowing he would not use performance-enhancing drugs.

And the unjust enrichment count stems from Haney’s legal team’s assessment that Garcia doesn’t deserve to keep his purse and pay-per-view profits.

The news of the lawsuit has set the boxing world alight.

One person who initially didn’t give any reaction is Haney’s lightweight rival Davis, who is friendly with Garcia after they fought last year.

Tank has now tweeted about the lawsuit though.

In response to a fan who tweeted: “Didn’t Bill Haney say they were sending in Devin Haney to kill Ryan Garcia? Said he really wants Ryan to die in the ring? Now Team Haney is saying they could’ve died and wanting to sue. Lol, b**ch move.”

Davis simply gave his thoughts by replying: “Crazy how life works.”

Charlie Woods is charting his own course. The talented son of golf legend Tiger Woods has been making headlines, for his skills at times, and sometimes for missing cuts. However, recently it’s not his game but the college plans that have become a topic of interest. Golf fans assume Woods Jr. would naturally follow his father’s path to Stanford University. However, a revealing insight from his coach at The Benjamin School suggests otherwise.

According to Toby Harbeck, the 15-year-old golfer has already indicated that he’s not interested in attending Stanford. In a surprising departure from family tradition, Charlie Woods is instead drawn to schools in the Southeast, Harbeck revealed. With college still three-plus years away, this early indication of his preferences has sparked curiosity about his future in golf.

Tiger Woods causes a stir watching Charlie play at US Junior Amateur

However, as Woods Jr. boldly forges his own path, the golf world is excited. Currently, it seems his college plans are shrouded in mystery. But one thing is clear: Charlie Woods is poised to write his own story, separate from his father’s illustrious legacy. “Our biggest thing that we’ve tried to teach him is that we want Charlie to be Charlie. We don’t want Charlie to be Tiger,” said the Benjamin High School coach. Embracing the challenge of being a trailblazer, he is proving that his own unique journey is worth watching.

This newfound attention is no surprise, given Woods Jr.’s flourishing talent. In the meantime, he has already cultivated a devoted following. His coach, Toby Harbeck, witnessed the growing popularity of the 19-year-old firsthand. Recalling a telling anecdote, he noted as per Golf.com, “When I returned to school after the state championship in November 2023, I found four letters for Charlie in my mailbox. People wanting stuff signed and sent back to them.”

Tiger Woods' controversial reason for sacking caddie with ridiculous net worth

The coach couldn’t resist poking fun at Charlie’s newfound fame during the team’s end-of-season awards dinner, days later. With a chuckle, Harbeck exclaimed, “I’m not in charge of your fan club anymore. You need to find somebody else to do that.” Well, it’s his golf game and skills that have attained him a flock of fans. The coach raves about Woods Jr.’s game: “He can bomb it out there 300-plus in a heartbeat.” The 15-year-old’s swing is packed with power, defying his 5-foot-6 frame, he noted.

Additionally, off the course, Charlie Woods’ calm, reserved nature, and sharp intellect get praised. Harbeck said. “He’s the kind of kid that when you tell him something once, you don’t have to tell him again; the point’s been made. He knows.” But as he faces comparisons to his illustrious father, Tiger Woods’s approach to their relationship reveals a thoughtful and intentional parenting style.

Balancing legacy and parenthood, Tiger Woods’s supportive stance

Tiger Woods‘s parenting philosophy takes a refreshing turn when it comes to his 15-year-old son. Rather than leveraging his golf expertise, Woods deliberately stepped back from coaching his son. That mindful approach stems from his own experiences with his father, Earl Woods. It was his father’s intense coaching and mentorship that shaped the 48-year-old’s golfing career. But their relationship was also marred by criticism for being overly demanding.

Determined to avoid replicating that dynamic, Woods prioritizes his son’s enjoyment and autonomy. “I don’t want him to fall into that trap,” he emphasized, highlighting his desire to strike a healthier balance between guidance and freedom.

Last year, as Charlie Woods’ golf career gained momentum, coach Harbeck recalled a telling exchange with the 82-times PGA Tour champ. During one of Woods Jr.’s games, Woods Sr approached him, seeking guidance on how to support his son. “He came up to me and said, ‘Coach, what can I do? What can I not do?’” To which he advised, “You can talk to him between holes.” Woods asked, “How close can I get?” Harbeck replied, “As close as you want, just don’t step into the fairway.”

This lighthearted conversation revealed Tiger Woods’s humility and willingness to navigate the fine line between being supportive and overbearing as a golfing parent.

The gymnastics women’s floor final controversy seems to be far from over. Now, new evidence seems to point out that even Simone Biles may have been affected by judging errors. Footage from an upcoming Netflix docuseries has surfaced showing that she could have won another gold at the Paris Olympics.

Video from ‘Simone Biles: Rising’ was submitted to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland in connection with the bronze medal battle between Jordan Chiles and Ana Barbaso, also shows Team USA coach Cecile Landi submitting a separate inquiry on behalf of Biles’s unregistered split leap — which went unresolved.

In the appeal video, Biles asked her coach if Landi’s husband, Laurent, had inquired. After Laurent exchanged a few words in French, Landi turned to Biles and said, “They didn’t send it,” gesturing helplessly.

Biles’s score of 14.133 in the floor final included a 6.9 for difficulty. The split leap would have increased her score to 14.233, surpassing gold medallist Rebeca Andrade’s 14.166.

While fans took to social media to protest what could have been Biles’s eighth gold medal overall, Biles herself, who eventually took silver, seems to be taking it all in stride.

“Honestly not a big deal for me, Rebeca had a better floor anyways,” Biles, 27, wrote, and added a hand-heart emoji. “Upsetting how it wasn’t processed but I’m not mad at the results,” she wrote on X.

The gymnast goes on to support her teammate on the platform, adding “Justice for Jordan” in reference to the ongoing bronze medal appeals.

The floor exercise final at the Paris Olympics turned out to be even more surprising than we initially thought. Following the controversy surrounding Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal, Simone Biles faced her own challenge. In her Netflix docuseries, Simone Biles: Rising, it was revealed that a scoring inquiry was submitted regarding a split leap Biles performed during her routine, one that ultimately remained unseen.

If Biles’s score had been adjusted, she could have achieved a 14.233, surpassing Rebeca Andrade’s 14.166. It’s wild to think that with a few changes, Biles could have walked away with four gold medals instead of her final count! And thus, Simone Biles wrapped up the Paris Games with three gold medals and one silver, bringing her total to 11 overall.

Despite all the talk about that one missed gold, Biles made it clear that it didn’t weigh heavily on her. She took to X to share her thoughts, saying, “Honestly, not a big deal for me; Rebeca had a better floor anyway. Upsetting how it wasn’t processed, but I’m not mad at the results.”

So, does this setback dim Simone Biles’ shine? Not at all! According to a recent report by The Medal Count on X, Biles is still dominating, outscoring any other gymnast in the modern era. Well, ever since the modern 6-event era in gymnastics kicked off in the mid-20th century, the sport has really shown athletes’ skills in a structured way.

For women, this includes vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise, while men compete in floor exercise, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bars. And there too, Biles has achieved some amazing milestones, like winning at least four gold medals in single competitions during this era. Yes, true!

Biles snagged four World Championship golds in both 2014 and 2015, and then she made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Games in Rio. She took home five medals, four of which were gold in team, all-around, vault, and floor exercise. Then in 2018, her winning streak didn’t end there; at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, she added five more medals, including four golds. Now she has a total of 41 career medals.

Yes, Larissa Latynina also did it, but in just a single year, i.e., 1958. Then ten years later, Vera Caslavska achieved a feat in 1968, followed by Ludmilla Turischeva in 1974 and Ecaterina Szabo in 1984. However, none quite compare to Simone Biles’s wins in modern gymnastics. But still, Biles is trailing behind the 89-year-old legend.

 

Simone Biles is second to none, yet trailing the 89-year-old gymnast

Looking at what gymnasts today do, I’m a little afraid.” This was said by Larisa Latynina back in 2021 after seeing Biles, who withdrew from Tokyo 2020 due to twisties. But she might be Biles’s next target. Why? read below.

Till now, Simone Biles has earned a total of 11 Olympic medals; however, she still trails behind Larisa Latynina, 89, who holds the record with 18 Olympic medals. Even though out of 11 Biles medals, seven are gold, along with two silvers and two bronze medals that she secured across the games held in Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024! And that’s not all. There are accomplishments to celebrate!

Simone Biles holds the title of being the most decorated gymnast in World Championship history with a collection of 30 medals under her belt. Moreover revealing her skills and talent on the gymnastics floor, she also boasts of having five moves in artistic gymnastics named after her. Yes, you read that correctly. As outlined by the International Gymnastics Federation, a move earns this recognition when a gymnast successfully executes it during competition at a specified level of difficulty.

At the 2013 World Championships, when Biles was 16 years old, she executed a layout with a half twist known as “The Biles” as her initial maneuver. Then there’s the Biles (Vault), a half-twist onto the vaulting table followed by a front double full somersault, which she showed off at the 2018 World Championships.

In 2019, Biles added the Biles II (Floor), a triple-double with two flips and three twists, and a beam dismount also named “The Biles,” featuring two twists and flips. Most recently, at the 2023 World Championships, she unveiled the Biles II (Vault), a Yurchenko-style vault with two flips in a pike position. But in the future, she is supposed to do one more.

Before the Paris Olympics started, Biles submitted a new skill for the uneven bars! It’s a hip circle forward with 1.5 turns into a handstand. Unfortunately, she didn’t get to show it off in the Olympics, but she might show that’s kill in 2028 if she were part of it. This proves Biles isn’t just a gymnast; she’s a living legend, inspiring countless fans around the globe with her talent!

Some of the world’s elite gymnasts made their way to San Jose on Saturday for the Gold Over America Tour, where they performed an array of impressive aerial feats.

Led by the GOAT, 11-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles, the athletes performed a “high-energy and high-flying, gymnastics-meets-pop-concert spectacle” in a packed SAP center.

The company lineup features Jade Carey, Hezly Rivera, Joscelyn Robenson, and Jordan Chiles — who is currently appealing a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport that stripped her of a bronze medal after an improper coach’s scoring appeal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Since the CAS ruling, the medal was given to Romania’s Ana Barbosu.

Representing Team USA’s male competitors are Paul Juda, Brody Malone and Frederick Richard.

The cast’s international delegation includes Canada’s Peng-Peng Lee and Ellie Black, France’s Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos, and the Netherlands’ Casimir Schmidt.

The crowd cheered as Biles and the rest made their way out on the floor.

 

 

Some of the over 10,000 attendees drove all the way from Sacramento to see the most decorated gymnast in history perform.

“Her cool moves inspire me to work hard and try my best,” said 8-year-old Lauren Duncan, who attended the show with her sister Clair. The pair wore special Simone Biles outfits.

San Jose is just the fourth stop on the tour, which will also include Denver, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, and Orlando. The tour will conclude in Detroit on November 3.

The 32-arena showcase debuted in Oceanside on Monday before making its way to Phoenix. On Wednesday, at the Footprint Area, the cast was welcomed by Phoenix Mercury basketball stars Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, and Kahleah Copper.

Before making their way to the Bay Area, the company stopped in Los Angeles.

This is the second GOAT tour Biles has led, with the inaugural showcase in 2021. The original tour was made up of just female gymnasts with the intention of inspiring the next generation of female athletes.

The tour is probably not the last time fans see Simone perform. The Spring, Texas resident said she hasn’t entirely dismissed the idea of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“Obviously, we are going to start off with this tour,” Biles said in an interview with NBC San Diego. “We have 30 cities and 32 shows. Let’s focus on that and I think after this, we deserve a well good break. So then we’ll see.”

A closer look at the equipment of the four-time Roland Garros champ and current world No. 1.

Racquet: Tecnifibre T-Fight 300 ISO ($249)

Swiatek had formerly been using her signature Tempo 298 racquet, but decided to switch to the T-Fight 300 at the start of 2024. With its user-friendly weight and accessible power, the 300 is the most used of the T-Fights. The ISO in its name stands for ISOFLEX—it’s essentially variable racquet stiffness depending on the location of the frame to promote a wider, more predictable sweet spot that’s also more forgiving on off-center contact. The other notable design is the RS Section beam that combines a square shape to promote feel and control with an elliptical shape to produce more power. It has a firm response that offers a crisp, clean and solid feel at contact. The 16×19 string pattern helps put lots of shape on ball, which Swiatek takes advantage of on her heavy ground strokes.

Apparel: On Women’s Court Tank ($70) and Court Shorts ($80)

Swiatek put On on the tennis apparel map. Her Court Tank is made of a soft, lightweight material with a streamlined design that moves as she does. The neck and armholes are also tailored to limit distractions. The top is slightly longer in the back to provide additional coverage when she’s flying across the court. And the bold coloring makes a strong statement.

The Court Shorts have integrated tights for added security and a built-in waistband for a customized fit. Like the Tank, it’s also extremely lightweight, with a side seam slit to allow total freedom of movement. Bonded hems mean chafe-free comfort no matter how long the match goes. And a discreet zipper pocked on the rear allows stored valuables to stay out of your way.

Shoes: On The Roger Pro 2 ($200)

Swiatek was previously sponsored by Asics. When she came over to On, she continued to wear an Asics model because her foot didn’t jibe with the original Roger Pro. However, she’s now sporting the second edition of the shoe. It boasts a fairly wide cut and lower arch profile. A carbon fiber Speedboard in the midsole provides stability and energy return into the next step. To boost durability, the mesh on the upper is now lighter, with more abrasion-resistant material, the top cap is reinforced to protect against foot dragging, and a TPU clip and upper overlays give additional structure and support. The outsole has also be revamped with an open herringbone pattern for a better combination of grip and give. There’s also a clay-court version with a tighter tread to help Swiatek perform long, controlled slides at Roland Garros.

As the 2024 tennis season draws to a close, one of the most exciting narratives that will define the rest of the season is the intense battle for the year-end No. 1 ranking between World no. 1 Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka, who currently ranks second. Both players have had remarkable seasons, solidifying their positions at the top of the women’s game. This fight for supremacy reflects not only their individual brilliance but also the shifting dynamics of the WTA Tour.

Iga Świątek’s Dominance and Consistency

Iga Świątek, the Polish phenom, has been a dominant force in women’s tennis since she burst onto the scene with her stunning French Open victory in 2020. Since then, she has become a model of consistency and excellence, especially on clay courts, where her game has flourished.

In 2024, Świątek continued her impressive form, winning multiple titles and reaching the final stages of nearly every tournament she entered. Her extraordinary performance at the French Open, where she claimed her third Roland Garros title, further cemented her place at the top of the rankings. Her ability to maintain a high level of play across surfaces has been a key factor in her success, particularly as she has shown improvement on faster surfaces like hard courts.

Swiatek’s mental toughness and tactical acumen make her a formidable opponent. Her forehand, widely regarded as one of the most potent weapons on the WTA Tour, coupled with her ability to move effortlessly around the court, has allowed her to dominate opponents and remain a constant threat in every tournament. As she vies for the year-end No. 1 spot, her consistency and resilience have given her an edge in the race.

Aryna Sabalenka’s Statement Year

Aryna Sabalenka has also enjoyed a groundbreaking year in 2024. Sabalenka demonstrated she has evolved into a more settled version of the player her unique style of play always held promise for, which has elevated her to the top tier of women’s tennis. Her transformation from a big-hitting yet inconsistent player, into a multiple Grand Slam champion has been one of the defining stories of the year.

Sabalenka’s second Major triumph came at the 2024 Australian Open, where she successfully defended her maiden Grand Slam title from 2023. This victory was a testament to her improved mental game, as she demonstrated newfound composure under pressure, something that had often been her achilles heel in previous years. Throughout the season, she added more titles to her resume and reached deep into major tournaments, finally culminating in yet another Grand Slam title at the US Open, which further solidified her position as Świątek’s primary rival for the No. 1 ranking.

Key Moments in the Race for No. 1

The year-end No. 1 battle between Świątek and Sabalenka has been defined by key moments throughout the season. Each Grand Slam and major tournament has carried significant weight in the rankings race, with both players exchanging victories and crucial points.

Świątek’s dominance on clay, particularly her triumph at Roland Garros, was a crucial moment that allowed her to stay ahead of the chasing pack in the rankings. On the other hand, Sabalenka’s victory at the Australian Open and deep runs in other hard-court events gave her a significant boost, closing the gap between the two.

What’s at Stake

For both Świątek and Sabalenka, the fight for the year-end No. 1 ranking represents more than just a number. For Świątek, retaining her top spot would validate her dominance and consistency over the past few seasons, proving that she is the player to beat in women’s tennis. For Sabalenka, she would hope to replicate her dominant finish to the year from 2023 which not only saw her topple Iga from the No. 1 spot but equally earned her first finish as the year end No.1 in the rankings.

The stretch from September to November was crucial in the battle for the year-end No. 1 ranking in 2023 and all the signs point to an even more intense battle this time around. Świątek’s early exit at the US Open allowed Aryna Sabalenka to take over as World No. 1 in 2023, and although Świątek performed well in the later months, she couldn’t make up the points difference at the WTA Finals.

Her semifinal finish in Cancun, coupled with Sabalenka’s title win, sealed Świątek’s fate as World No. 2 for 2023. However, her performances in this period showed that she remains a top contender heading into 2024, and the fight for the top spot is far from over.

With plenty of points to play for and defend for both exceptional players, the race for the year-end No. 1 spot has injected excitement into the closing months of the 2024 season. Both Świątek and Sabalenka have pushed each other to new heights, and their rivalry will undoubtedly shape the future of women’s tennis. As the final tournaments unfold, fans around the world will be watching closely to see who will claim the ultimate prize: the title of year-end world No. 1.

Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov put on an entertaining contest in Bulgaria.

Four years on from his controversial Adria Tour event spectacularly backfiring, it’s fair to say that Novak Djokovic has made amends with Grigor Dimitrov.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic knocked out of US Open | Tennis News | Al  Jazeera

On Tuesday night, the pair faced off in an entertaining exhibition match in Bulgaria, which left a sold out crowd enthralled and entertained in equal measures.

It was the home hero who eventually ran out winner, levelling the match at one set all before taking the deciding tie-break 10-6.

But the result seemed largely academic, with both stars topless at one point and taking part in a dance-off to huge cheers in Arena Sofia Hall.

Djokovic also sang to his rival afterwards, adding to a spectacle which raised funds for Dimitrov’s foundation. Formed in 2020, the charity helps underprivileged children in Bulgaria develop physical and emotional skills.

The presence of the 24-time Grand Slam champion undoubtedly helped raise publicity for the event as well as sell tickets after he prioritized the exhibition over representing Team Europe in the Laver Cup this week.

Djokovic however, also seemingly owed Dimitrov one, something he admitted to in the build-up to the match. Back in 2020, it was Djokovic who sought to defy Covid-19 fears by arranging the Adria Tour during lockdown.

The mini-tour was due to consist of tournaments in Belgrade, Serbia and Zadar, only for Dimitrov to duly announce he had tested positive for the virus in Croatia.

2024 US Open - Day 9
Dimitrov launched his own foundation in 2020.

His most recent opponent, Borna Coric, then confirmed he had Covid-19 before Viktor Troicki and Djokovic himself also tested positive.

The tour was then cancelled under a siege of criticism, after players ignored social distancing guidelines throughout.

“With Grigor, he came to Serbia to play in the Adria Tour exhibition a few years ago,” explained Djokovic prior to Tuesday’s match. “And then we agreed that I’m going to play with him in Bulgaria when the time arrives and it’s suitable for both of us.

“So, now is the time, and I look forward to it. I never played in Bulgaria, and we are obviously culturally very similar nations and people. So, that’s going to be fun.”

It’s unlikely any ill feeling lingers on behalf of Dimitrov now. He emotionally addressed the crowd after the contest, which was watched by football legend Hristo Stoichkov and Levski coach Stanislav Genchev.

“I am filled with happiness. I want to thank you. I always get very excited when I play in front of you,” he said on court afterwards.

Djokovic responded with: “Brother, thanks for this match. Grigor is a good friend and it’s an honour and a privilege to support his foundation. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

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