WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT

HOT NOVAK DJOKOVIC

BEYOND the militant wing of his fanbase, most have rolled their eyes at his actions in recent years. But what an incredible player and what a resilient mind — a combination that won him the Australian Open. He’ll never have Federer’s and Nadal’s popularity but by the end of 2022 he’ll probably have more Slams.

MICK McCARTHY

CARDIFF were 13 points outside the play-offs when they appointed him. Now they are sixth. There’s a snobbishness in football that tends to reveal itself around certain types of manager, particularly those of greater mileage. Usually overlooked is why they clocked up so many in the first place.

JAMIE WEBB

RECORDS are falling by the meet but there is an odd reluctance within athletics to discuss the new super spikes. Credit, then, to Webb, the British 800m runner, who spoke in detail about exactly how much they bring. It might be an insult to ascribe performances solely to shoes; it’s a bigger insult to fans to ignore the obvious.

NOT TIGER WOODS

WE STILL don’t know the extent of his injuries, or the circumstances around the crash that caused them. Is it the end? Is it another start? We don’t know those answers, either, or indeed a multitude of other mysteries around his psyche. If there’s a single certainty, it is that golf and all its professionals will be poorer for his retirement.

THE AHMEDABAD TEST

A BIT of a shambles, really. A shambles that covers the pitch, those who allowed it, England’s batting, England’s selection of seamers and whatever is going on around Dom Bess. For all that, it was probably one of the more entertaining Tests, which would be no bad thing were it not for the fact its pace resembled a rival format a little too closely.

BRITISH GYMNASTICS

THEY are now facing a group-claim lawsuit from 17 former gymnasts, who allege physical and psychological abuse. Their response to this entire saga has been awfully questionable, at best, but it is growing clearer that this issue will not go away.