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Dhakshineswar says new approach paid off, calls it just the beginning | Other Sports News

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India’s newest Davis Cup hero Dhakshineswar Suresh says his dream run for the country is “just the beginning” as he prepares to step into full-fledged competition on the ATP Tour after completing his studies at a US university.


Pursuing communication studies at the Wake Forest University, the 25-year-old will complete his degree in May this year.


In just two ties since making his debut in September 2025, Dhakshineswar boasts an impressive 4-0 record, with three of those wins coming against the Netherlands in Bengaluru last weekend.


“It’s a long way to go. It’s just the beginning,” said Dhakshineswar, who matched Leander Paes’ feat of winning three matches in a single tie back in 2004 against Japan.

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Following Dhakshineswar’s superlative show, India edged the Netherlands 3-2 to progress to the second round of the Davis Cup Qualifiers, where they will meet Korea in September.


“I’ll go back to the US to finish my studies, then come down in May and figure out my schedule. Once that’s sorted, I’ll start getting into the Tour and prepare for the next Davis Cup,” he said.


On Dhakshinewar’s remarkable record, captain Rohit Rajpal said, “There aren’t many players who go 4-0 in Davis Cup rubbers, especially against quality opponents. He keeps coming up with big serves and big forehands. I hope he keeps enjoying his tennis and keeps performing.” 
Dhakshineswar said representing India had brought out a different side of his game.

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“It’s a different feeling when you’re playing for your country. You’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for the whole nation. I played some different tennis in these matches and I’m really proud of that,” he said.


The tall Chennai-born player, who played marathon singles and doubles matches over two days, credited the support staff and team environment for his recovery and consistency.


“The physios and everyone took care of me really well. Team chemistry on and off the court makes a huge difference. Everyone trusting me helps me play good tennis,” he added.


Rajpal also lauded an injured Sumit Nagal for leading the team despite being far from full fitness.

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“Sumit was not even 50 per cent fit. He had a grade two tear in his hip and we were working day and night with the physios. But he fought like a tiger and led the team like an India number one should.” 
Rajpal singled out the contribution of the support staff, especially the physios, and said the tie underlined India’s growing depth.


“With these guys, a strong doubles team and the bench strength we now have, India is a tough team to beat. If we play to our potential, we can take on anybody in the world,” he said.


Nagal, who lost both his singles matches after a three-week injury layoff, admitted it was a tough week but felt encouraged by his fight.


“It was disappointing to get injured before such an important tie, but to come out and compete after not playing or practising was not easy. The doubles point was crucial and DK played amazing tennis,” he said, adding that he would resume preparations in Chennai.

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Looking ahead to the next tie against Korea, Rajpal said planning would begin after the celebrations.


“We’ll start strategising tomorrow, where they play us, on what surface. I stay in constant touch with the players. Team selection and planning is a collective process,” he said.

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Does Project X’s new Titan shaft signal a new trend in shaft design?

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Over the last several years, Fujikura’s Ventus line of shafts has cornered the driver shaft market by helping players find the center of the face.

But with more and more players opting for drivers with more forgiving and efficient driver faces, is finding a shaft that gives you more clubhead speed now more important?

That’s what Fully Equipped co-hosts Johnny Wunder and Jake Morrow discussed on this week’s episode of the show, as Jake shared his first impressions testing the shaft.

“It felt like to me you had to be super late before you started to move your wrists forward or started to do any movement basically towards impact, which for me is not good at all, but it’s really great for people that want to generate speed and guys that are super, super wide and laggy,” Morrow said. “When I was able to do that and time it up properly and produce that swing, it was fast. I mean, it was like a good 1.5, almost 2 mph on some swings, faster. Clubhead speed.”

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Morrow was surprised the shaft felt so tight in the handle, saying it was stiffer at the top than even the new Ventus TR Blue with VeloCore+. Part of that may have been how he prepped the shaft by tipping it one inch and butt cutting to 45″.

“I think that bump in the EI curve moves up significantly once you cut the shaft,” Morrow said. “So I don’t know that the handle itself is actually super tight, or if the midsection transition is just way further up than you would think it is. And by the time you grip it and you put your hands on it, where that stiffness actually falls is so close to the hands that I think that’s what’s happening.”

Wunder said he’d heard similar feedback from Tour reps and that for the right player, they were getting swing speed gains out of the new shaft.

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With driver heads being so good now, Wunder pointed out that it could be shafts like the new Titan that end up being where the next frontier of speeds come from.

“The only way to really crack speed to separate them is with a shaft that you swing faster,” he said.

For more from Morrow and co-host Johnny Wunder, listen to the full episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped here, or watch it below.

Want to find the best golf shaft for your game in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

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‘Real Housewives’ alum Jill Zarin criticizes Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance 

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Real Housewives alum Jill Zarin has criticized Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime show performance. The Puerto Rican rapper created history as he became the first Latin artist to perform solo at the Super Bowl Halftime show.

Speaking on Instagram after Bunny’s performance, Jill Zarin expressed her dissatisfaction with the halftime show. He said:

“Now, we all agree. I said it before that, it was the worst halftime show ever, and it’s 250 years that we’re celebrating right now in the United States, and I just don’t think it was appropriate to have it in Spanish. And quite frankly, I didn’t see him grabbing his you know, G area. I think it was totally inappropriate. You’ve got all these young kids watching the Super Bowl, and he doesn’t have to be grabbing himself every five seconds. Is he so insecure?”

Zarin added:

“Seriously, I didn’t understand. I don’t speak Spanish. I would have liked to have known the words he was saying to me. It looked like a political statement, because there were literally no white people in the entire thing. I think it was a political statement, and I’m not taking a side one way the other. I just do.”

Zarin also alleged that Bad Bunny’s performance was an “ICE thing” and criticized Lady Gaga, who made a special appearance during the halftime show. She added:

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“I think it was an ICE thing. And I just think that the NFL sold out. And it’s very sad, because 75 years and, you know, shame, shame. And Lady Gaga got a facelift. I didn’t recognize her. I literally had to google her face to Google her face to see who it was, because we all couldn’t agree who it was. So that was kind of fun in the middle of halftime, at least it gave me something to do, because it was so hard to watch.”

Despite the controversial response, Bad Bunny‘s Super Bowl halftime show has garnered over 135 million views. The rapper created history as he delivered the halftime show in complete Spanish. In the end, the performance also delivered a message about the only thing being stronger than “hate” is “love”, allegedly interpreted as a message against ICE and Trump’s immigration policy.


Former Real Housewives star Taylor Armstrong opens up on Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime show

Super Bowl LX: New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks - Source: GettySuper Bowl LX: New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks - Source: Getty
Super Bowl LX: New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks – Source: Getty

In an Instagram story dated February 8, Taylor Armstrong also criticized Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime show, since it was completely in Spanish and featured a Cuban flag. She wrote:

“Were you entertained? I am embarrassed for the NFL and Apple for the Super Bowl halftime show totally in Spanish with a Cuban flag!!”

Apart from the Real Housewives and multiple other celebrities, President Donald Trump also expressed his dissatisfaction about the Super Bowl Halftime show. He described Bunny’s dancing as “disgusting” and called the performance “absolutely terrible” and “one of the worst, EVER.”

Apart from Bad Bunny’s headlining show, many other artists also made guest appearances during the performance. There was a set including Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, and Alix Earle. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars performed a salsa version of their hit track, Die With A Smile. Ricky Martin also took the stage to perform Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii.

Earlier this month, Bad Bunny also became the first Latin artist to win the Album of the Year at the Grammys. His album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, became the first Spanish-language album to win the honor.

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