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Halep shrugs off maiden Grand Slam title talk
Paris, May 25 (IANS) Top-ranked Simona Halep is reluctant to talk about her first Grand Slam tournament title chase and says she is focused on her opening match at Roland Garros.
“It’s not that difficult to do that (stay focused). Every match is going to be very tough. It’s a Grand Slam. Everyone is at the highest level here,” said the women’s singles world No. 1 at a press conference here on Friday, reported Xinhua news agency.
“I’m not thinking about the title, because it’s really far. I’m just thinking of my first match. It’s going to be a tough one, but I have my chance,” she added.
Halep let the French Open title slip away to Latvian underdog Jelena Ostapenko last year despite a 6-4, 3-0 lead in the final.
Coming into the tournament again this year, Halep admitted that she has more pressure of defending points, while feeling more confident at the same time after seeing a great result last year.
She won two previous head-to-head matches with her first round opponent Alison Riske of the US.
“She is a fighter, so she will not give up at all. I have just to be the same and stay focused for every ball.
“I expect it to be a tough one, because in the first round of the tournament, it’s normal to be a little bit nervous, but I know I have my chance, and for sure I will fight for it,” commented Halep.
About Serena Williams’ return to major tournaments after giving birth to a daughter last year, she says that it is great for tennis, adding that the 23-time Grand Slam singles winner maybe needs a little bit more time to get used to the tournaments again and playing every day.
“I said it many times, she’s able to come back and to win tournaments again. She knows how to handle the pressure and all situations. She’s there for so many years.
“She will come back, and she will be good again,” said Halep.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.