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Alcaraz plans to play full clay-court season ahead of French Open title defence  Carlos Alcaraz said Sunday it “feels amazing” to be back on clay and that he is aiming to play in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome before his Roland Garros title defence.The world number one, who gets his bid for a second straight Monte Carlo Masters title underway next week, has never played a complete European clay-court season.He also won the Italian Open last year, with his only defeat on clay in 2025 coming against Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final.“I miss clay every time that the clay season is over. I just miss it,” Alcaraz told reporters in Monaco.“It’s been [a] long [time] since Roland Garros that I just haven’t touched clay.“The first practices that I got, I just said to my team, ‘It’s time to get to the dirty socks again’. It feels amazing to be back on clay.”Alcaraz won the Monte Carlo title on only his second appearance at the tournament 12 months ago, but skipped the Madrid Open.Last year was also only the second time he had played in Rome, but this campaign he is hoping to play a full schedule.“That’s my idea,” said the Spaniard. “Obviously the clay season is really…..it’s too demanding, physically, mentally.“But obviously I would say the week of Barcelona should be the week that I have to take off.“But Barcelona is a really important tournament for me.“A special feeling that I just used to play (there) when I was under 14. A lot of friends there, playing at home, it’s always great.“So let’s see how it’s going to be, the body and mentally.”ALSO READ | Uppal confident that Indian women have enough depth to make it to playoffsAlcaraz will face either Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez in his opening match in the second round in the principality, having received a first-round bye as the top seed.He practised with three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka on Saturday and hopes to face him for the first time before the Swiss retires at the end of the year.“It’s incredible to see him around, still having him around.“I will try to enjoy as much as I can his matches, the matches he plays until the end of the year.“But hopefully (I) play against him at least once and say that I just played a match against a legend like Stan.”Published on Apr 05, 2026  #Alcaraz #plans #play #full #claycourt #season #ahead #French #Open #title #defence

Alcaraz plans to play full clay-court season ahead of French Open title defence

Carlos Alcaraz said Sunday it “feels amazing” to be back on clay and that he is aiming to play in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome before his Roland Garros title defence.

The world number one, who gets his bid for a second straight Monte Carlo Masters title underway next week, has never played a complete European clay-court season.

He also won the Italian Open last year, with his only defeat on clay in 2025 coming against Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final.

“I miss clay every time that the clay season is over. I just miss it,” Alcaraz told reporters in Monaco.

“It’s been [a] long [time] since Roland Garros that I just haven’t touched clay.

“The first practices that I got, I just said to my team, ‘It’s time to get to the dirty socks again’. It feels amazing to be back on clay.”

Alcaraz won the Monte Carlo title on only his second appearance at the tournament 12 months ago, but skipped the Madrid Open.

Last year was also only the second time he had played in Rome, but this campaign he is hoping to play a full schedule.

“That’s my idea,” said the Spaniard. “Obviously the clay season is really…..it’s too demanding, physically, mentally.

“But obviously I would say the week of Barcelona should be the week that I have to take off.

“But Barcelona is a really important tournament for me.

“A special feeling that I just used to play (there) when I was under 14. A lot of friends there, playing at home, it’s always great.

“So let’s see how it’s going to be, the body and mentally.”

ALSO READ | Uppal confident that Indian women have enough depth to make it to playoffs

Alcaraz will face either Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez in his opening match in the second round in the principality, having received a first-round bye as the top seed.

He practised with three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka on Saturday and hopes to face him for the first time before the Swiss retires at the end of the year.

“It’s incredible to see him around, still having him around.

“I will try to enjoy as much as I can his matches, the matches he plays until the end of the year.

“But hopefully (I) play against him at least once and say that I just played a match against a legend like Stan.”

Published on Apr 05, 2026

#Alcaraz #plans #play #full #claycourt #season #ahead #French #Open #title #defence

Carlos Alcaraz said Sunday it “feels amazing” to be back on clay and that he is aiming to play in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome before his Roland Garros title defence.

The world number one, who gets his bid for a second straight Monte Carlo Masters title underway next week, has never played a complete European clay-court season.

He also won the Italian Open last year, with his only defeat on clay in 2025 coming against Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final.

“I miss clay every time that the clay season is over. I just miss it,” Alcaraz told reporters in Monaco.

“It’s been [a] long [time] since Roland Garros that I just haven’t touched clay.

“The first practices that I got, I just said to my team, ‘It’s time to get to the dirty socks again’. It feels amazing to be back on clay.”

Alcaraz won the Monte Carlo title on only his second appearance at the tournament 12 months ago, but skipped the Madrid Open.

Last year was also only the second time he had played in Rome, but this campaign he is hoping to play a full schedule.

“That’s my idea,” said the Spaniard. “Obviously the clay season is really…..it’s too demanding, physically, mentally.

“But obviously I would say the week of Barcelona should be the week that I have to take off.

“But Barcelona is a really important tournament for me.

“A special feeling that I just used to play (there) when I was under 14. A lot of friends there, playing at home, it’s always great.

“So let’s see how it’s going to be, the body and mentally.”

ALSO READ | Uppal confident that Indian women have enough depth to make it to playoffs

Alcaraz will face either Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez in his opening match in the second round in the principality, having received a first-round bye as the top seed.

He practised with three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka on Saturday and hopes to face him for the first time before the Swiss retires at the end of the year.

“It’s incredible to see him around, still having him around.

“I will try to enjoy as much as I can his matches, the matches he plays until the end of the year.

“But hopefully (I) play against him at least once and say that I just played a match against a legend like Stan.”

Published on Apr 05, 2026

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How Los Angeles Lakers Might Need Bronny James in NBA Playoffs | Deadspin.com <div id="section-1"> <p>The Los Angeles Lakers just can’t catch a break.</p><p>After Luka Doncic’s regular season ended with a hamstring injury, the Lakers just got another dose of brutal injury luck. Austin Reaves is also <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25414702-austin-reaves-diagnosed-oblique-injury-latest-lakers-stars-status-nba-playoffs-timeline" target="_blank">done for the remainder of the remainder of the regular season</a> due to an oblique strain.</p><p>There’s no timetable for Doncic or Reaves, arguably the best two Lakers players, to return. Of course, Los Angeles will remain hopeful that they can play in the NBA Playoffs, but there’s still five more regular season games to get through before those decisions.</p><p>For years, a viral internet social media post that reads, “accidentally became important at work and it’s ruining my life,” has become quite the viral meme.</p><p>For Lakers point guard Bronny James, that meme might’ve turned into a reality.</p><h2 id="could-bronny-really-play-in-the-postseason" class=" uppercase break-words">Could Bronny really play in the postseason?</h2><p>Without Doncic or Reaves, Luke Kennard is the only healthy ball handler in Los Angeles that has gotten consistent minutes throughout the regular season. Of course, LeBron James is a ballhandler and can efficiently run an offense – but that takes him out of his current role.</p><p>There’s a real world, if Doncic and Kennard can’t suit up, that Bronny could end up playing significant minutes in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.</p><p>Lakers coach JJ Redick has been trusting Bronny a bit more in his second NBA season. As a rookie, he played in just 27 games. This year, he’s already appeared in 37 games. That could be as many as 42 games – especially with the new need for a point guard in Los Angeles.</p><p>Bronny averaged just a tick under eight minutes per night when he was called on to enter action for the Lakers this season. He’s played a much bigger role for the South Bay Lakers, where Bronny has played six games this season. In those 14 <a href="https://deadspin.com/maybe-bronny-james-isnt-as-bad-as-you-all-thought/" target="_blank">G League appearances</a>, Bronny has averaged 15 points per game.</p><p>That’s not exactly the sort of production that screams to the Lakers that the 21-year-old is ready for action in the NBA Playoffs. The lights are brighter, the pace is faster and the game is way more physical in the postseason.</p><p>But out of necessity, could Redick find himself desperate?</p><p>In reality, Bronny isn’t going to see postseason minutes. The Lakers still have Kennard and Jake LaRavia would be ahead of Bronny in a playoff rotation if push came to shove. </p><p>The Lakers are currently the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Right now, they’d be matched up with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. However, there’s still more than one week in the regular season, and the seeding can change with all of this injury news.</p><p>Before his injury, Doncic was playing at an MVP level. <a href="https://deadspin.com/lebron-james-is-embracing-being-the-second-option-with-los-angeles-lakers/" target="_blank">LeBron has enjoyed his role</a> as “OG in residence,” contributing as a consistent third option with Doncic and Reaves handling the workload every night.</p><p>If Doncic and Reaves can’t suit up for Game 1 of the postseason, James is back to being the No. 1 option for the Lakers. </p><p>In that scenario, nobody should be surprised if Bronny gets a few minutes of run in the postseason. If the Lakers find themselves with their backs against the wall without their best two players against an athletic Anthony Edwards or a talented Houston Rockets team, they might as well bank on chemistry and genetics.</p> </div> #Los #Angeles #Lakers #Bronny #James #NBA #Playoffs #Deadspin.com

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Deadspin | Capitals look to keep climbing, visit rookie-fueled Rangers <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28663125.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28663125.jpg" alt="NHL: Buffalo Sabres at Washington Capitals" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 4, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Ryan Leonard (9) scores a goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Suddenly the scoreboard is showing an abundance of favorable results for the Washington Capitals.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>A late season surge is also helping their cause and the Capitals attempt to keep gaining ground in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race Sunday night when they visit the New York Rangers.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Washington (39-29-9, 87 points) trailed the Boston Bruins by six points for the final wild-card spot following a 3-1 loss in Boston on March 7. Since then, the Capitals are 8-3-2 in their past 13 games and are now one point behind the Ottawa Senators for the last wild-card spot with five games left.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings also have 88 points but have a game in hand on Washington. Columbus also has 88 points and has played the same number of games as the Capitals.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The Capitals inched closer after earning a 6-2 victory over the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. They are taking the ice in New York after Detroit hosts the Minnesota Wild and Philadelphia hosts the Bruins in Sunday afternoon games.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Washington also will take the ice in New York two hours after Ottawa starts its home game with the Carolina Hurricanes.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“We can only control what we do out there for 60 minutes and we’re just trying to do everything we can to stay alive and get ourselves in,” Washington forward Ryan Leonard said.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>On Saturday, the Capitals scored three goals in the opening period and Jakob Chychrun, Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael each finished with a goal and an assist.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>The Rangers lost two of three meetings with the Capitals earlier this season and are playing better of late. Following a six-game losing streak (0-5-1), New York is 4-1-0 in the first five contests of a seven-game homestand.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>New York has scored 19 goals over its last five games and aided the Capitals’ cause by cruising to a 4-1 win over Detroit on Saturday night.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Rookie Gabe Perreault recorded his first career hat trick while first-year forward Jaroslav Chmelar also scored. The Rangers played five rookies Saturday and since March 2, New York’s first-year players have 17 goals and 38 points.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>“Means a lot,” said Perreault, who has 10 goals in 44 games this season after appearing in five games last season. “Teammates made some nice plays, so had a couple of easy ones tonight. But it definitely feels good to get the hat trick, but most importantly, get the win.”</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Perreault became just the fourth Rangers rookie in the past 30 years to score a hat trick, joining Chris Kreider (2013), Derek Stepan (2010) and Jan Hlavac (2000).</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“At the start, I was kind of fighting it the first couple of shifts, so I didn’t necessarily think I was going to finish like that, but once we started generating chances and I got that first one and that second, you’re obviously thinking about the third one,” Perreault said. “Lucky enough, I was able to get out there and get the third one.”</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Capitals #climbing #visit #rookiefueled #Rangers

Even 45 dot balls couldn’t mask the lapses as many of Gujarat Titans’ bowlers “were just a little bit off their rhythm and lines in particular,” admitted batting coach Matthew Hayden after a six-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals in a boundary-laden IPL contest here on Saturday.

The Titans conceded 13 wides, which proved costly in a narrow defeat. “(Mohammed) Siraj had an off day. Simple as that. When we reviewed his pitch map, it was a little bit too short and a little bit too wide,” he said.

Hayden felt “the game was absolutely in the bag,” pointing to key decisions against an on-song Ravi Bishnoi (four for 41) and a costly run out of Shahrukh Khan. The 54-year-old called for a “little bit of cohesion” in the “entire batting line-up,” adding that there was a need for “that little attention to detail around winning a game amongst a partnership that does start.”

Hayden said Kagiso Rabada (23 n.o.) “was magnificent with the bat,” adding that he “showed, as a frontline bowler, that commitment to batting counts, especially in run chases.”

Player-of-the-Match Bishnoi revealed his most effective tactic of the night. “There was a big boundary on one side, and there were many left-handers in the opposition. So, I was trying to bowl googlies from middle and leg (stumps). The attempt was to make the left-handers hit the balls going away towards the longer end. Sai (Sudharsan) and Washi (Washington Sundar) both got out. So, that tactic I discussed with the captain (Riyan Parag) and Dhruv (Jurel) behind (the stumps) worked,” he said.

Published on Apr 05, 2026

#IPL #Bowlers #day #cost #Gujarat #Titans #Rajasthan #Royals #Matthew #Hayden">IPL 2026: Bowlers’ off day cost Gujarat Titans against Rajasthan Royals, says Matthew Hayden  Even 45 dot balls couldn’t mask the lapses as many of Gujarat Titans’ bowlers “were just a little bit off their rhythm and lines in particular,” admitted batting coach Matthew Hayden after a six-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals in a boundary-laden IPL contest here on Saturday.The Titans conceded 13 wides, which proved costly in a narrow defeat. “(Mohammed) Siraj had an off day. Simple as that. When we reviewed his pitch map, it was a little bit too short and a little bit too wide,” he said.Hayden felt “the game was absolutely in the bag,” pointing to key decisions against an on-song Ravi Bishnoi (four for 41) and a costly run out of Shahrukh Khan. The 54-year-old called for a “little bit of cohesion” in the “entire batting line-up,” adding that there was a need for “that little attention to detail around winning a game amongst a partnership that does start.”Hayden said Kagiso Rabada (23 n.o.) “was magnificent with the bat,” adding that he “showed, as a frontline bowler, that commitment to batting counts, especially in run chases.”Player-of-the-Match Bishnoi revealed his most effective tactic of the night. “There was a big boundary on one side, and there were many left-handers in the opposition. So, I was trying to bowl googlies from middle and leg (stumps). The attempt was to make the left-handers hit the balls going away towards the longer end. Sai (Sudharsan) and Washi (Washington Sundar) both got out. So, that tactic I discussed with the captain (Riyan Parag) and Dhruv (Jurel) behind (the stumps) worked,” he said.Published on Apr 05, 2026  #IPL #Bowlers #day #cost #Gujarat #Titans #Rajasthan #Royals #Matthew #Hayden

Deadspin | Gabriel Arias, CJ Kayfus help Guardians split twin bill with Cubs  Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; The Cleveland Guardians celebrate a win over the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images   Gabriel Arias’ RBI single highlighted a three-run eighth inning for the Cleveland Guardians, who rallied to beat the visiting Chicago Cubs 6-5 in the nightcap of a Sunday doubleheader.  The Guardians overcame deficits of 3-0 and 4-3 to wrangle a split with the Cubs, who won the opener 1-0. CJ Kayfus went 2-for-2 with a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth to make it 3-1. With one out in the eighth, he rallied from an 0-2 hole to smack his first home run of the season to right field off Jacob Webb (0-1) and tie the contest 4-4.  Chase DeLauter followed with a single, and Rhys Hoskins walked to bring up Arias, who lined a shot into left field to score DeLauter.  Cleveland reliever Cade Smith gave up a run on two walks and a hit in the ninth. Ian Happ’s single cut the lead to one, but Smith got Carson Kelly looking to earn his third save of the season and give the Guardians their second win in the three-game series.  Chicago used the long ball to get up early. Matt Shaw led off the Cubs third with his first of the season.  That was the only run Cleveland starter Parker Messick gave up over five innings. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out six.   Dansby Swanson hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot off Matt Festa, in the sixth inning. After the Guardians tied it with a three-run sixth, Happ’s lead-off homer in the eighth off Shawn Armstrong (1-0) put the Cubs back ahead.  Cleveland chased Cubs starter Shota Imanaga after Steven Kwan started the sixth with a double. Ben Brown relieved Imanaga but gave up a walk to Angel Martinez. One out later, Kayfus singled and DeLauter hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. After Hoskins walked, Arias singled up the middle to score Kayfus and tie the game.  Arias went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.  Imanaga allowed just one run in five-plus innings, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out four.  Webb was charged with all three eighth-inning runs, giving up three hits and a walk in a third of an inning. Despite allowing the go-ahead homer, Armstrong got the win, striking out two in 1 1/3 innings.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Gabriel #Arias #Kayfus #Guardians #split #twin #bill #CubsApr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; The Cleveland Guardians celebrate a win over the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Gabriel Arias’ RBI single highlighted a three-run eighth inning for the Cleveland Guardians, who rallied to beat the visiting Chicago Cubs 6-5 in the nightcap of a Sunday doubleheader.

The Guardians overcame deficits of 3-0 and 4-3 to wrangle a split with the Cubs, who won the opener 1-0. CJ Kayfus went 2-for-2 with a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth to make it 3-1. With one out in the eighth, he rallied from an 0-2 hole to smack his first home run of the season to right field off Jacob Webb (0-1) and tie the contest 4-4.

Chase DeLauter followed with a single, and Rhys Hoskins walked to bring up Arias, who lined a shot into left field to score DeLauter.

Cleveland reliever Cade Smith gave up a run on two walks and a hit in the ninth. Ian Happ’s single cut the lead to one, but Smith got Carson Kelly looking to earn his third save of the season and give the Guardians their second win in the three-game series.

Chicago used the long ball to get up early. Matt Shaw led off the Cubs third with his first of the season.


That was the only run Cleveland starter Parker Messick gave up over five innings. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out six.

Dansby Swanson hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot off Matt Festa, in the sixth inning. After the Guardians tied it with a three-run sixth, Happ’s lead-off homer in the eighth off Shawn Armstrong (1-0) put the Cubs back ahead.

Cleveland chased Cubs starter Shota Imanaga after Steven Kwan started the sixth with a double. Ben Brown relieved Imanaga but gave up a walk to Angel Martinez. One out later, Kayfus singled and DeLauter hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. After Hoskins walked, Arias singled up the middle to score Kayfus and tie the game.

Arias went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Imanaga allowed just one run in five-plus innings, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out four.

Webb was charged with all three eighth-inning runs, giving up three hits and a walk in a third of an inning. Despite allowing the go-ahead homer, Armstrong got the win, striking out two in 1 1/3 innings.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Gabriel #Arias #Kayfus #Guardians #split #twin #bill #Cubs">Deadspin | Gabriel Arias, CJ Kayfus help Guardians split twin bill with Cubs  Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; The Cleveland Guardians celebrate a win over the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images   Gabriel Arias’ RBI single highlighted a three-run eighth inning for the Cleveland Guardians, who rallied to beat the visiting Chicago Cubs 6-5 in the nightcap of a Sunday doubleheader.  The Guardians overcame deficits of 3-0 and 4-3 to wrangle a split with the Cubs, who won the opener 1-0. CJ Kayfus went 2-for-2 with a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth to make it 3-1. With one out in the eighth, he rallied from an 0-2 hole to smack his first home run of the season to right field off Jacob Webb (0-1) and tie the contest 4-4.  Chase DeLauter followed with a single, and Rhys Hoskins walked to bring up Arias, who lined a shot into left field to score DeLauter.  Cleveland reliever Cade Smith gave up a run on two walks and a hit in the ninth. Ian Happ’s single cut the lead to one, but Smith got Carson Kelly looking to earn his third save of the season and give the Guardians their second win in the three-game series.  Chicago used the long ball to get up early. Matt Shaw led off the Cubs third with his first of the season.  That was the only run Cleveland starter Parker Messick gave up over five innings. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out six.   Dansby Swanson hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot off Matt Festa, in the sixth inning. After the Guardians tied it with a three-run sixth, Happ’s lead-off homer in the eighth off Shawn Armstrong (1-0) put the Cubs back ahead.  Cleveland chased Cubs starter Shota Imanaga after Steven Kwan started the sixth with a double. Ben Brown relieved Imanaga but gave up a walk to Angel Martinez. One out later, Kayfus singled and DeLauter hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. After Hoskins walked, Arias singled up the middle to score Kayfus and tie the game.  Arias went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.  Imanaga allowed just one run in five-plus innings, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out four.  Webb was charged with all three eighth-inning runs, giving up three hits and a walk in a third of an inning. Despite allowing the go-ahead homer, Armstrong got the win, striking out two in 1 1/3 innings.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Gabriel #Arias #Kayfus #Guardians #split #twin #bill #Cubs

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