The Telegraph Two of the surprise packages of this clay-court season have been British – initially Dan Evans, who made a deep run in Monte Carlo, and more lately Cameron Norrie, who played his second final in three weeks on Sunday. Unfortunately, Norrie wasn’t able to land a maiden ATP title in Lyon. But then he was up against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has been the dominant force of 2021 outside the slams, and now stands at No 1 in the table of most rankings points gained since January 1. Nevertheless, it had been a hugely creditable effort for Norrie to go this far, especially when you consider that he took out top seed Dominic Thiem on Thursday, and then trounced big-hitting Russian Karen Khachanov in Saturday’s semi-final, losing only two games in the process. Norrie has come to clay late in his career, but it feels like this is developing into his favourite surface. He has one of the heaviest left-handed forehands in the game, loaded with top-spin, and uses it like a miniature version of Rafael Nadal. The result has been a tally of 14 wins and only four losses since he began his European clay-court swing in Barcelona. So while the French Open, which starts next Sunday, has traditionally been a graveyard of British hopes, there are reasons to hope that this year’s event could deliver some more positive results. Norrie’s previous final in Estoril had been a nervewracking affair which he eventually lost on a deciding-set tie-break to the more experienced Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Sunday was more straightforward for Tsitsipas, who needed only 69 minutes to hammer home a 6-3, 6-3 victory. It was Tsitsipas’ second title of the clay-court sequence, after he won Monte Carlo in mid-April, taking out Evans in the semi-final along the way. He has become a serious contender to upset the establishment – specifically Nadal and Novak Djokovic – at Roland Garros over the next few weeks. “I felt in good shape from the beginning of the tournament,” said Tsitsipas afterwards. “I am proud of today’s match, I knew it would be a difficult one against Cameron, who has been showing great tennis this week. He has been winning against good players and showing what the left hand can do on clay. “It was not an easy match today. I had to handle the nerves and I am proud of my performance and the way I stayed focused towards my goal.” On this year’s results, meanwhile, both Evans and Norrie stand among the world’s 20 most successful men. Evans is at No 16 and Norrie No 14. The next challenge for them both is to convert that ATP Tour form into a deep run at a major.<doc-sep>Carmelo Anthony's one-season stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder might end up being a blip on what is likely a Hall of Fame career, but that doesn't mean his time there didn't affect the 34-year-old. Anthony officially signed with the Houston Rockets on Monday after being traded to and subsequently waived by the Atlanta Hawks, and on Tuesday he wrote a letter to the Thunder and their fans to express his gratitude. Via The Oklahoman: Thank You, OKC I know it was only one season, but from the time I arrived in OKC, I was greeted with so much love from The Team, The Organization, and of course the INCREDIBLE fans of this amazing city. Throughout the entire season, game after game, you cheered me on and rooted for us as a team. That is something I will always cherish and never forget. That genuine support kept me going all season long. IN LIFE, I've learned that things don't always turn out how you want. I wanted nothing more than to make it work here & help bring this city a championship. I'm sorry it didn't work out while I was here. Thank you to Russ, PG, Sam Presti, Coach Billy Donovan, my trainers and the entire staff who work so hard and diligently at Chesapeake Energy Arena and the practice facility. I appreciate you all very much. Last but not least, Thank You to (Thunder part-owner and chairman) Mr. (Clay) Bennett for believing in me. This chapter of my career may be coming to an end but my story is far from over. Love Always. STAYME7o It's no secret that Anthony struggled to fit into the Thunder system last season and their first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Utah Jazz was viewed as a disappointment, so this was a nice gesture from Anthony. Fans and media alike often blamed Anthony for the team's struggles, so he could have said nothing or offered a simple, canned Twitter post. Instead the letter appears heartfelt and earnest, and he even apologizes for not bringing the city a championship. Now Anthony will attempt to secure his first ring with the Rockets, who were one win away from making it to the NBA Finals last season. He's on a one-year deal, however, so if things don't work out he could be writing a similar letter to the city of Houston next summer.<doc-sep>Layne Murdoch/Getty Images Carmelo Anthony's time with the Oklahoma City Thunder didn't go as planned, but he was appreciative of it nonetheless. One day after officially signing with the Houston Rockets, Anthony penned a farewell letter to OKC for The Oklahoman as he prepares for the next chapter of his career. "Thank You, OKC. "I know it was only one season, but from the time I arrived in OKC, I was greeted with so much love from The Team, The Organization, and of course the INCREDIBLE fans of this amazing city. Throughout the entire season, game after game, you cheered me on and rooted for us as a team. That is something I will always cherish and never forget. That genuine support kept me going all season long. "IN LIFE, I've learned that things don't always turn out how you want. I wanted nothing more than to make it work here & help bring this city a championship. I'm sorry it didn't work out while I was here. "Thank you to Russ, PG, Sam Presti, Coach Billy Donovan, my trainers and the entire staff who work so hard and diligently at Chesapeake Energy Arena and the practice facility. I appreciate you all very much. Last but not least, Thank You to (Thunder part-owner and chairman) Mr. (Clay) Bennett for believing in me. "This chapter of my career may be coming to an end but my story is far from over. Video Play Button Videos you might like "Love Always. "STAYME7o" The Thunder acquired the 10-time All-Star from the New York Knicks late in the 2017 offseason, creating a supposed "OK3" with then-reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook and fellow All-Star Paul George. However, Anthony never seemed to fit in with his new team. The 34-year-old averaged career-lows in scoring (16.2 points per game), field-goal percentage (40.2 percent) and free-throw percentage (76.7 percent). Not only that, it was not uncommon for him to be on the bench during critical moments. It was clear early on in his Thunder career that coming off the bench wasn't something he was interested in doing: Anthony reiterated that stance after the Thunder were eliminated in the first round by the Utah Jazz, per ESPN's Royce Young: "I'm not sacrificing no bench role. So that's out of the question." Well, if Anthony does come off the bench next season, it won't be in OKC. After he picked up his $27.9 million player option for 2018-19 earlier this summer, the Thunder got his contract off the books by dumping him off to the Atlanta Hawks, who then bought out his contract. As a result, he was able to sign a $2.4 million veteran's minimum deal with the Rockets. The Anthony-Thunder relationship didn't end well, but the veteran forward made sure to leave town on good terms.<doc-sep>Carmelo Anthony finalised his move to the Houston Rockets this week FREE now and never miss the top F1 stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top F1 stories again When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Kawhi Leonard ‘Thank You’ Letter slammed by Spurs fans Kawhi Leonard finally broke his silence following his blockbuster trade from the San Antonio Spurs earlier this summer, penning a short note to fans thanking them for their support during his seven-year stay with the franchise. “I have been going back and forth the last few weeks trying to figure out the right things to say, and it comes down to two simple words: THANK YOU!” Leonard wrote. “There is not a more passionate or dedicated fan base than what I've witnessed in San Antonio. Through all the ups and downs — I'm glad there were many more ups! — I'll never forget what we have shared and accomplished together. Kawhi Leonard penned a thank you note to Spurs fans this week “While I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my career, I'll always remember the city and the people of San Antonio!” But the short letter angered many San Antonio fans after it arrived almost two weeks following his acrimonious departure from the franchise that drafted him in 2011. Speaking on the latest edition of the Spurs Insider podcast, host Chance Doorland explained the reasoning behind fans’ grievances. “From my perspective as a newer Spurs fan, I was put off immediately by what Kawhi didn’t do,” Doorland said. Kawhi Leonard thanks the San Antonio Spurs after Raptors trade “By his inaction, by his inability to communicate on this. You’re talking about the Spurs franchise and Gregg Popovich – they were talking about this, maybe they could have done things differently, but they were talking about it. “I would have been more comfortable with him not saying anything, continuing that, because it shows he was just so uncomfortable talking about this that is just sort of the handicap he is dealing with and that is why he didn’t talk about it before. “But the fact he has now eventually spoken about it makes me think he could have spoken about it earlier. I put the blame more in his court after the fact he now puts out this letter because what has made him wait this long? “I think now, thank you is a bad thing because he waited too long. He didn’t take any blame. The Spurs have talked about how they could have handled this differently – I didn’t get that from him. “I felt that this was a little bit just trying to make him look better. Trying to improve his image a little bit. This didn’t seem sincere to me.” Anthony and D'Antoni have history, having worked together in New York Mike D’Antoni on Carmelo Anthony’s arrival Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni says he is looking forward to working with new arrival Carmelo Anthony for the second time in his career, despite a disastrous end to his first spell coaching the 10-time All-Star. D’Antoni’s poor relationship with Anthony while in charge of the New York Knicks ultimately led to his decision to resign from his post back in 2012. But the 67-year-old claimed there are no hard feelings between Anthony and himself, suggesting this time around the superstar forward is a much better fit with the current roster. After a season in which Anthony produced a career-worst in both field goal percentage and points-per-game, there had been concerns about his ability to contribute for the Western Conference giants next season. Anthony, 34, had a season to forget in Oklahoma City last year<doc-sep>
In late September 2017, Carmelo Anthony was traded from the New York Knicks to the Oklahoma City Thunder. After about 10 months with the Thunder, Anthony was on his way out after the two sides agreed to part ways. The 10-time All-Star said, "it wasn't a good fit" with the team and that "Everything was just so rushed" to help get him acclimated with Russell Westbrook and Paul George last season. Following what was statistically the worst season of his career, Anthony was traded to the Hawks in a three-team deal, only to get immediately waived so he could join the Rockets on a one-year deal. Now that Anthony is settled and signed with a new team, he took the time to say thank you to the Thunder and their fans for his time there. Below is the letter Anthony sent to Erik Horne of The Oklahoman: Thank You, OKC I know it was only one season, but from the time I arrived in OKC, I was greeted with so much love from The Team, The Organization, and of course the INCREDIBLE fans of this amazing city. Throughout the entire season, game after game, you cheered me on and rooted for us as a team. That is something I will always cherish and never forget. That genuine support kept me going all season long. IN LIFE, I've learned that things don't always turn out how you want. I wanted nothing more than to make it work here & help bring this city a championship. I'm sorry it didn't work out while I was here. Thank you to Russ, PG, Sam Presti, Coach Billy Donovan, my trainers and the entire staff who work so hard and diligently at Chesapeake Energy Arena and the practice facility. I appreciate you all very much. Last but not least, Thank You to (Thunder part-owner and chairman) Mr. (Clay) Bennett for believing in me. This chapter of my career may be coming to an end but my story is far from over. Love Always. STAYME7O Anthony will be entering his 16th year in the league next season with Houston. Last season he posted career lows with 16.2 points and a 40.4% field-goal percentage.