Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Friday 21 September 2018
Roger Federer to play

doubles with Djokovic

at Laver Cup

By JAY COHEN bit exactly maybe either
AP Sports Writer who's going to take the
CHICAGO (AP) — Roger Fe- lead or, you know, how do
derer and Novak Djokovic we play exactly."
have played against each The pairing of Federer and
other 46 times. From Mona- Djokovic adds a little spice
co to Shanghai and every- to an event long on star
where in between. Regular, power and light on any
run-of-the-mill tournaments real stakes. While world No.
and major finals. 1 Rafael Nadal and No. 4
On Friday night, they play Juan Martin del Potro are
on the same side of the net out with injuries, the Laver
for the first time. Cup has seven of the top
Federer and Djokovic will 11 players in the ranking
close out the first day of and 10 of the top 20. In this Jan. 28, 2016, file photo, Roger Federer, left, of Switzerland and Novak Djokovic, right, of
the second edition of the But it arrives at the home Serbia, pose for a photo ahead of their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis champion-
Laver Cup when they take of the NBA's Bulls and NHL's ships in Melbourne, Australia.
on Jack Sock and Kevin Blackhawks just a couple Associated Press
Anderson in doubles at the weeks after Djokovic beat
United Center. Federer and del Potro in the US Open fi- Isner brusquely swatted to the victory last year in "Yeah, obviously going to
Djokovic are playing for nal for his 14th Grand Slam away a question about the Prague. The inaugural edi- be a legendary team," he
Team Europe, while Sock title. level of competition. tion also was marked by continued "We got a little
and Anderson are compet- There are no majors left "Honestly, that question re- a splashy doubles pair- bit of it last year."
ing for Team World in the this year and the next big ally annoys me," the 6-foot- ing involving Federer, who Djokovic and Federer last
Ryder Cup-style event. tournament isn't until next 10 American said. "One- teamed with Nadal for the played against each other
"We have had so many month in Shanghai. hundred percent serious. first time for a 6-4, 1-6, 10-5 in the Cincinnati final on
great battles in all the sin- While the event looks and This is not an exhibition at victory over Sock and fel- Aug. 19, when Djokovic
gles courts, and to finally feels like a glorified exhibi- all. At all." low American Sam Quer- won 6-4, 6-4 to become the
team up together I think tion — check out the un- Federer and his manage- rey. player to claim all nine ATP
is going to be very special usual black court and the ment team played a key Asked about the matchup Masters 1000 events since
for both of us," Federer said celebrations for the youth- role in the creation of the with Federer and Djokov- the series started in 1990.
Thursday. "I think we still ful Team World whenever event, and the Swiss star ic, Sock cracked: "Who's Djokovic leads the all-time
have to talk over it a little it wins a big point — John helped lead Team Europe that?" series with 24 victories.q

FIFA to upgrade flights, raise prize money for Women's Wcup

By GRAHAM DUNBAR, AP new FIFA pledge to women let the gender pay gap get
Sports Writer does not cover all teams wider in absolute terms on
LAUSANNE, Switzerland going to France. their watch," said Dodd, a
(AP) — In a concession Flight upgrades to business former Australia national
to women's soccer, FIFA class will be paid except team player.
will start funding business- for team flights under four FIFA will also raise standards
class flights for some of the hours, said Shaw, FIFA's for the 2019 Women's World
Women's World Cup teams head of women's football Cup by ensuring oppos-
traveling to France for next governance. Teams al- ing teams do not have to
year's tournament. ready qualified to play in stay at the same hotel. Ho-
Total prize money will also France include Australia, tel sharing is prohibited in
"significantly increase" Brazil, Chile, Japan, South men's World Cup rules.
from the $15 million shared Korea and Thailand. Shaw announced that
among 24 teams at the "It is definitely progress and, change Thursday, and said
2015 tournament, FIFA of- for those teams that travel FIFA also wanted to pay
ficial Emily Shaw said Thurs- enormous distances, it is preparation costs for Wom-
day at the Women In Sports In this, July 5, 2015 file photo, the United States Women's Na- going to come as a huge en's World Cup teams.
tional Team celebrates with the trophy after they beat Japan 5-2
Law conference. in the FIFA Women's World Cup soccer final in Vancouver, British relief," former FIFA Council Teams at the 2018 World
The total sum will be con- Columbia, Canada. member Moya Dodd told Cup got $1.5 million from
firmed by the FIFA Council, Associated Press The Associated Press at the FIFA in addition to prize
which meets Oct. 25-26 in conference. money of at least $8 mil-
Rwanda, she said. current cycle, World Cup among the 32 men's teams FIFA should increase the lion each. FIFA also wants
FIFA has been urged to champion France earned playing at the 2022 World women's prize fund by at to compensate women's
close the gap between $38 million from FIFA, while Cup in Qatar. least the same $40 million clubs for releasing players
women's and men's World the United States got $2 At the 2018 World Cup, FIFA raise in men's total prize to national team duty for
Cups in a new four-year million for winning the 2015 offered "business-class re- money from 2018 to 2022, the World Cup. FIFA shared
cycle of tournaments and Women's World Cup. turn flights for 50 people" she said. $209 million among men's
commercial deals that FIFA has pledged to share to all men's team delega- "Leaders in sport should not clubs whose players took
begins next year. In the $440 million in prize money tions going to Russia. The be content to sit back and part in World Cup games.q