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Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova back Naomi Osaka's decision to pull out of French Open
Naomi's decision to not speak to media due to mental health did not find acceptance with organisers of Grand Slam tournaments. She was fined $15,000 for skipping media interaction after her first-round win and was also warned of suspension from future Grand Slam events. Serena said she feels for Naomi and wanted to hug her but added that such moments has made her stronger.
Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open due to mental health issues
Naomi, 23, defeated Romania's Patricia Maria Tig on Sunday but did not turn up to face media. This prompted the organisers to fine her $15,000 and be warned that she faced expulsion from Grand Slam tournaments if she continued to do so. On Monday, Naomi posted a statement on Twitter, saying that she had "suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018".
Barcelona sign Man City legend Sergio Aguero on free transfer
"FC Barcelona and Sergio Aguero have reached an agreement for the player to join the Club from July 1 when his contract with Manchester City expires," Barcelona said on Monday. "The player will sign a contract until the end of the 2022-23 season and his buyout clause is set at 100 million euros."
French Open: Tamara shocks 6th seed Bianca; Iga wins in style
Tamara took three hours and 20 minutes to get the better of Bianca in the first women's match to extend past 6-6 in the deciding set at the Roland Garros. No.4 seed 2020 runner-up, Sofia Kenin of the USA, avoided becoming the second top-10 seed to fall when she overcame 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
French Open: Federer joins Nadal in third round
Federer notched a comfortable victory, as the 20-time Grand Slam winner beat another German player Oscar Otte 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday, Xinhua reported. Earlier in the day, Nadal eased past Germany's Yannick Maden 6-1, 6-2, 6-4, setting up a third round clash with No. 27 seed David Goffin.
ICC to discuss India's readiness to host 2021 T20 World Cup
"The ICC Board will meet on Saturday to discuss various issues. One of the points of discussion would be the T20 World Cup," confirmed an ICC official. The final decision could, however, be taken on July 18 at the ICC annual conference. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in India in October-November. However, rise in Covid-19 cases in recent times has led to doubts over whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would be able to host the tournament.
WC qualifiers: We were confident vs Qatar in 2019, says g-k Sandhu
"In Guwahati in 2019, after the 1-2 loss against Oman in our first match of the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifiers, there was pin-drop silence in the dressing room after the final whistle. There was disbelief that we lost after leading 1-0 for 80 minutes. But amidst all that disbelief, there was belief to better it," Sandhu told AIFF website.
NZ eye elusive Test win at Lord's against depleted England (1st Test preview)
Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer (both due to injuries), Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow (all rested after Indian Premier League) won't feature in the first Test giving Kiwis an opportunity to win only their second Test at the home of cricket.
Osaka fined, faces suspension for refusing to speak to media
The Japanese player had defeated Romania's Patricia Maria Tig 6-4 7-6 (7-4) late on Sunday but did not turn up to face media. The rules of Grand Slam tournaments state that players can be fined up to $20,000 for failing to meet media obligations which includes speaking at a post-match press conference.
French Open: Petra Kvitova saves match point to stay afloat
Staring down 30-40 at 6-5 in the second set, Kvitova finished off a seven-shot rally with a crosscourt backhand winner to stay in it and hardly looked back to seal the win in two-hour, 16 minutes. She forced a final set by winning the last three points of the tiebreak and surrendered just three points on serve in the decider.
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