Soccer, Netherlands: Farewell for Arjen Robben: The former Bayern Munich player has finally said goodbye to his first and last professional club, FC Groningen. Before the 1-1 draw against RKC Waalwijk, the 37-year-old stepped onto the pitch again in the stadium of his youth club and received a standing ovation from the fans. “I would have liked to say goodbye as a player, but that didn’t happen,” he said. After a one-year break after saying goodbye to Bayern in 2019, Robben wanted to know again last season at Groningen. But after only seven competitive games, his fragile body thwarted his plans, as is so often the case.
In the summer he had finally decided on his successful career. He was still “glad I dared this adventure, but that was it,” said the Munich Wembley hero, who shot Bayern to the title in the 2013 Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. He will remain “forever a Groninger”, added Robben. “Servus, Arjen”, wrote his long-time team colleague Thomas Müller under Robben’s farewell tweet, Manuel Neuer wished “all the best” on Instagram. Bayern posted the scene of Robben’s winning goal in London once again and thanked their “legend”.
Darts, World Cup: The German Fabian Schmutzler becomes the second youngest participant in the history of the Darts World Championship. At the age of 16 and 57 to 63 days (depending on the first game date), the Hessian will make his debut at the biggest tournament of the year at Alexandra Palace in London from December 15 to January 3. Only Australian Mitchell Clegg was younger, who was 16 years and 37 days young at the 2007 World Cup. He bought his World Cup ticket at the age of 15. Schmutzler also displaces compatriot Max Hopp, who had previously occupied second place in this category. The “Maximiser” Hopp had congratulated Schmutzler on Sunday evening and attested him “massive potential”. Hopp himself has not yet qualified for the 2022 World Cup and has one last chance at a qualifying tournament at the end of November.
Tennis, Djokovic: Novak Djokovic won the ATP Masters in Paris and thus delivered a weekend for the tennis history books. In the meeting of the industry leaders, the Serb won the final against world number two Daniil Medvedev from Russia 4: 6, 6: 3, 6: 3, it was Djokovic’s first Masters success of the year – and at the same time a record. “It’s the first time my two children have seen one of my games together, it’s a very nice feeling,” said Djokovic. The moment is something “very special”. In the stands, his daughter Tara (4) and his son Stefan (7) watched the match with their mother Jelena.
With a total of 37 titles in the second most important tournament series, he was ahead of his arch-rival Rafael Nadal (Spain / 36). His semi-final success over Hubert Hurkacz (Poland) had already set a new record: Since Saturday it has been certain that Djokovic will finish the tennis year for the seventh time as number one in the world.