32 C The Economic Times
Elections 2026Sports Others / The Economic Times
Serena and Venus Williams enjoyed their return to doubles play at the Cincinnati Open. They lost their opening round match to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns. The sisters had not played doubles together since the 2022 U.S. Open. Venus also competed in the singles draw, facing an early defeat. Both players expressed enjoyment despite the match results.
Saina Nehwal believes India must rank high in medal tallies to be a true sporting nation. She notes significant progress for women in sports over the past decade. Adequate financial backing and early support are crucial for young athletes across all disciplines. Improved promotion, marketing, and sponsorships are needed to nurture more talent. Better psychological and physical support systems will help produce more champions.
India's men's hockey team experienced a varied World Cup history, winning gold in 1975. The team secured bronze in the inaugural 1971 tournament and reached the final in 1973. Subsequent campaigns saw mixed results, including a fifth-place finish in 1982 and a twelfth-place finish in 1986. India hosted the event twice, finishing sixth in 2018 and ninth in 2023.