01-13-2020, 08:10 AM
SUN CITY, South Africa -- The first time he met Nelson Mandela, Gary Player got on his knees and kissed the former political prisoners feet. Remembering his "very tearful" first encounter with Mandela, the nine-time major winner paused Friday to compose himself and hold back more tears. Mandela, the beloved former South African president and Nobel laureate, died Thursday at 95. Renowned as a fierce competitor on the golf course, Player was invited to meet Mandela at his office in Johannesburg after the anti-apartheid leaders release after 27 years in prison. But he didnt expect to do what he did, Player said. "I knelt down and I kissed his feet and I said, I have never kissed anybodys feet in my life, and I said, I have so much admiration for you. I said to him, It is remarkable, how can you not have revenge?" Mandelas reply, according to Player, was: "You have got to start a new life and forgive and go ahead." Player, speaking at the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City, said Mandelas ability to inspire with compassion left him amazed then -- and still does. "It was very tearful for me, because when you think of a man that has gone to jail for all those years for doing the right thing, not the wrong thing, it is hard to comprehend that a man can come out and be like that," Player said. "He was an exceptional man." From that first meeting, Player and Mandela would cross paths regularly as the golfer, one of South Africas greatest sportsmen, worked with the president on charity projects. Once, Player remembered with a big smile, Mandela landed at a charity tournament in a helicopter to lend support. "I had to meet him when the helicopter arrived and open the door. Now I had been around him all these years raising money for young black children and I opened the door, and he says Good morning Gary, do you remember me?" Player recalled, imitating Mandelas unique rasping voice. "Just wonderful." Although Player wasnt sure if he ever saw Mandela swing a golf club, he knew that the anti-apartheid leader "realized the value of sport" and even followed Players career overseas while he was imprisoned by South Africas former racist regime. "He said to me, When I was in jail, I used to watch you playing. He was very complimentary," Player said. Yogi Berra Jersey . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. Aaron Judge Jersey . But this time, the Gunners weathered the storm. Arsene Wengers team was on the ropes in the early stages of a lively FA Cup tie, until Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a goal against the run of the play. http://www.customyankeesjersey.com/. 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It elevated a certain pressure or demand of having to serve close to the lines.That weighs on your shoulders when the guy is playing as well as he did today.Despite the disappointing finish to the Masters tournament, Raonics season has been extended. His play in Paris has helped him qualify for next weeks World Tour Finals in London for the first time.Djokovic, who did not drop a set during the whole week, won the indoor tournament for the third time on Sunday and claimed the 20th Masters title of his career. The Serbian limited his opponents serve, with Raonic scoring only nine aces after reaching double figures in many of his matches this week.Djokovic also made a big step in his bid to finish the year at the No. 1 spot for a third time, extending his lead over Roger Federer before the finals in London from Nov. 9-16.The 23-year-old Raonic, who has never beaten Djokovic in their four meetings, appeared apprehensive and could not convert his few openings.Djokovics only scare came in the first set when Raonic won eight straight points but failed to convert three consecutive break opportunities.Raonic saved the three break points in the sixth game, two of them with aces. Djokovic then recovered from 0-40 down to hold a game later for 5-2 before taking the opening set in 43 minutes.The key points of the match was to get as many returns back in play (as possible). Its easier said than done when somebody serves regularly around 220 kkilometres an hour, said Djokovic.dddddddddddd Milos uses that as his big weapon, throughout the week that was his best shot. He relies on the serve very much in his game.If you can make him play an extra shot, maybe hes going to drop the percentage of first serves and I can step in and maybe take initiative on the second.Raonic dropped to 0-2 in the second set on a double-fault and saved two match points in the penultimate game with a service winner and a pass before Djokovic closed out the win a game later, firing a forehand winner down the line to clinch victory.He played some great tennis; neutralized my serve well, said Raonic. Even when I was able to open him on the backhand side, he was moving really well. He was always getting two hands on it. It was never sort of defending with a slice.He was always playing deep and didnt really give me too many looks. Even on the break chances I had, he played them well. He just made life difficult for me today.Raonic, who won his first career match against a member of the top three tennis elite in the quarter-finals when he upset Roger Federer, had backed up that success in the semis, beating fifth-ranked Tomas Berdych.But Djokovic was not going to be another victim.I was feeling good about things, said Raonic. In the last two matches, Ive been playing some really good tennis. I felt ready to face on the challenge and try to make the most of the opportunity.As he heads to his World Tour Finals debut, Raonic is nursing some minor doubts.The toughest thing — especially for the first time in London — is going to be to adapt to is not really having those early round matches where you sort of find your way into the event, tournament, said Raonic.Raonic is the first Canadian to play in the year-ending singles tournament. Torontos Daniel Nestor, playing with Serbian partner Nenad Zimonjic, will be in the doubles competition. ' ' '