Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk said “people should be embarrassed” after she was booed off court following her first-round defeat by Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open. Kostyuk avoided shaking hands with second seed Sabalenka after the Belarusian’s 6-3 6-2 win. Belarus is an ally of Russia and allowed troops to use its territory to launch last year’s invasion of Ukraine. Sabalenka said Kostyuk “didn’t deserve to leave the court that way”. The pair did not have the traditional pre-match photo following the coin toss. After Australian Open champion Sabalenka sealed victory, Kostyuk walked straight to shake the umpire’s hand and then … Continue reading Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk booed after avoiding Aryna Sabalenka handshake at French Open 2023

A judge in Florida has ruled that Tiger Woods’ ex-girlfriend must abide by a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) she was seeking to have nullified. Erica Herman claimed the agreement was not valid due to a 2022 federal law that limits the enforceability of NDAs in cases of sexual harassment or abuse. But the judge ruled that she provided no evidence of any sexual misconduct. The case is part of a wider dispute between the pair related to a tenancy disagreement. Ms Herman, a former manager at a restaurant owned by the golfer, is suing Mr Woods and the home trust he … Continue reading Judge rules in favour of Tiger Woods in NDA dispute with ex-girlfriend

A Spanish judge on Tuesday denied Brazil defender Dani Alves’s second bail request while the footballer awaits trial for alleged rape. The 40-year-old was detained in January after he was accused of raping a young woman in the bathroom of a Barcelona nightclub late last year. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will remain in custody after the court investigating him said there was a “high risk” he would try to flee. It “rejected the request for release made by the defence”, the High Court of Justice of Catalonia said Tuesday. It said his wealth “could allow him to … Continue reading Judge rejects Brazil defender Dani Alves’s bail request

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has fined two players, including star batsman Virat Kohli, and a team mentor for an altercation caught on camera. Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants’ mentor Gautam Gambhir were fined 100% of their fee for an IPL match played on Monday. Afghan bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, who plays for the Giants, was also fined 50% of his fee. Both Kohli and Gambhir are former Indian captains. Gambhir retired from all forms of cricket in 2018. The altercation took place after a match in which Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated the Giants. The heated exchange was captured on cameras but no … Continue reading Cricketers Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir fined for altercation after match

Pelé, the nickname of the late football legend, has officially become synonymous with “exceptional, incomparable, unique”. The Portuguese-language Michaelis dictionary, one of the most popular in Brazil, added “pelé” as a new adjective to its online edition. The inclusion came after a campaign by the Pelé Foundation to honour the football star gathered more than 125,000 signatures. The only player to have won the World Cup three times, he is widely considered to be the best footballer in history. During his playing career spanning two decades, he scored a record 1,281 goals with Brazilian club Santos, Brazil’s national team, and … Continue reading Football great Pelé enters dictionary to mean ‘unique’

A top Scottish ultra-marathon runner has been disqualified from a race for using a car during part of the route. Joasia Zakrzewski finished third in the 2023 GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool 50-mile race – but is thought to have travelled by car for 2.5 miles. The 47-year-old GP, from Dumfries, is understood to have been tracked on GPX mapping data covering a mile of the race in just one minute 40 seconds. A friend said Ms Zakrzewski had felt sick and was sorry for any upset. The matter has been referred to UK Athletics. Wayne Drinkwater, the director of … Continue reading Top ultrarunner disqualified for using a car in race

The Women’s Tennis Association will resume tournaments in China this year having accepted an investigation into the sexual assault allegations made by former player Peng Shuai will not be carried out by the Chinese government. Former doubles world number one Peng said in November 2021 she was “forced” into a sexual relationship with former China vice-premier Zhang Gaoli. The WTA suspended its end-of-year events in China and said it would not return until there was an investigation and it had proof of Peng’s safety. After making the accusation in a social media post, Peng briefly disappeared from the public eye and she … Continue reading WTA tournaments will return to China after boycott over Peng Shuai allegations

The International Olympic Committee has recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to compete under a neutral flag – but has yet to make a decision on Paris 2024. This recommendation only extends to individual athletes, not teams. The IOC’s executive board has also told international federations and event organisers that athletes and support personnel who actively support the war in Ukraine, or who are contracted to the military, should not be permitted to compete. Regarding next year’s Olympics in Paris and the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026, the IOC said it would take a decision “at the appropriate … Continue reading IOC recommends Russian and Belarusian individual athletes compete as neutrals

The man who revolutionised the high jump in athletics, has died at the age of 76. Dick Fosbury, the legendary high jumper died on Sunday. The American leapt backwards over the bar to win gold at the 1968 Mexico Olympics in a technique which became known as the ‘Fosbury Flop’ and is used by high jumpers today. At the Games Fosbury set a then record of 2.24 metres using his method. Writing on Instagram, Fosbury’s agent Ray Schulte said his client had died on Sunday. “It is with a very heavy heart I have to release the news that long-time … Continue reading Legendary Olympian Dick Fosbury dies at 76

Police searched the home of a top Cincinnati Bengals player late on Monday night after a call reporting possible shots had been fired. Officers were banging on the door of star Bengals running back Joe Mixon, 26, at around midnight, local media reported. Crime scene tape appeared around Mr Mixon’s home, and a child was taken to hospital with minor injuries. It’s unclear if Mr Mixon was involved. Police left without making arrests. The extent of the child’s injuries has not been disclosed. Hamilton County Sheriff deputies first arrived at the scene at around 20:30 EST and applied crime scene … Continue reading Police enter the home of NFL star Joe Mixon after shots were reportedly fired

Tennis legend Bjorn Borg had to walk away from a ceremony to honour him in India’s Bangalore (Bengaluru) city after a top politician turned up almost two hours late. Borg was to be honoured on Tuesday by Basavaraj Bommai, the chief minister of Karnataka state, of which Bangalore is the capital. The programme was scheduled for 9.30am but Mr Bommai arrived at 11.15am. By then, Borg had stepped away to watch his son Leo’s tennis match. An unnamed official from the organising committee told the Deccan Herald newspaper that the chief minister was delayed due to “some of his other commitments”. … Continue reading Tennis legend Bjorn Borg leaves India event after minister runs late

The Kansas City Chiefs became NFL champions for the second time in four years after fighting back to claim a thrilling 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs trailed for much of Super Bowl 57 in Phoenix and were 27-21 down heading into the final quarter. But despite limping after aggravating an ankle injury, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and veteran coach Andy Reid orchestrated a route back in front of more than 67,000. Mahomes, who was named the season’s Most Valuable Player for a second time last week, made touchdown passes to Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore to put Kansas City … Continue reading Super Bowl 57: Kansas City Chiefs fight back to beat Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in thriller