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Star Sports creates anticipation for Djoker’s historic opportunity
Mumbai: Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the US Open 2021, has launched a promo ‘The Wonderland of Tennis’ ahead of the event held between 30 August and 12 September. The event will start airing from 8:30 p.m. onwards on Star Sports Select.
The US Open marks the fourth and final major event that makes up the annual Grand Slam of tennis. Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic are the defending champions for this year’s tournament.
The last player to achieve a Calendar Slam was Rod Laver in 1969 and Stefanie Graf in 1988. Currently, Djokovic has drawn level with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with 20 Grand Slam singles titles under his belt. The promo by Star Sports focuses on Djokovic who first lifted the US Open title in 2018 and has claimed the first three major championships of the year well on his way to achieve a Calendar Grand Slam, that is, winning all four major championships in one discipline in the same calendar year.
The epitome of greatness is all set to create history this US Open. Don’t miss it! #TennisWonderland
STAY TUNED | Starts 30th August : 8:30 PM onwards, only on Star Sports Select 1/Select 1HD | Star Sports Select 2/Select 2HD | Disney+Hotstar pic.twitter.com/QeTrupsdpT
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 28, 2021
“Tennis enjoys a niche but dedicated following in India. And for Tennis fans, nothing is bigger than the grand slams,” said Star and Disney India, head – sports, Sanjog Gupta. “Star Sports Select & Disney+ Hotstar are proud to host the last slam of the year as it always delivers enthralling contests, heroic feats, and compelling narratives. This year, the spotlight is squarely on Novak Djokovic as he strives to become only the 6th player in history to win a calendar grand slam and to lift his 21st title, going past Federer & Nadal as the man with most grand slam wins.”
Alexander Zverev is expected to be a major contender for this year’s title. The German clinched his first Olympic singles gold medal in Tokyo beating Russia’s Karen Khachanov. Daniil Medvedev returns to US Open 2021 as the second seed. He was a finalist in the 2019 edition of the tournament losing to Rafael Nadal.
In the women’s field, Ashleigh Barty will enter the tournament after winning Wimbledon and Cincinnati Open in a row and is one of the major contenders for the title along with Naomi Osaka.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
