CRICKET | Page 3 RUGBY | Page 5 Australia’s Beaumont says Langer reveals virus could how he almost spark rugby quit in 2001 calendar reform

Monday, April 20, 2020 TENNIS Sha’ban 27, 1441 AH ‘Big three’ plan to GULF TIMES help lowest-ranked players, says Djoko SPORT Page 6

FOOTBALL FOCUS OCA hails National Olympic Committees Neuer ‘irritated’ to protect its athletes from Covid-19

QNA impressive to see messages of Kuwait support and encouragement as Bayern Munich from the Asian Olympic com- mittees to their friends and col- he Olympic Council of leagues all over the world. This Asia (OCA) hails the highlights the special link that 45-member National brings together the Olympic TAsian Olympic Com- family, which makes it unique. mittee for its efforts to protect its Al-Musallam also praised the athletes during (Covid-19) pan- athletes for their participation contract talks stall demic. in new home training programs, Several National Olympic Com- challenges and online activities mittees have issued guidelines to that foster teamwork and unity If the talks fail, club captain Neuer could be free to leave German champs in June athletes and their staff, and some in their inside and outside their have launched campaigns on so- society, indicating that the Asian AFP cial media to encourage an active Olympic Council will do its best Berlin, Germany lifestyle despite the closure im- to assist the National Olympic posed in most countries. Committees and athletes on the Director General of the Asian way to the Tokyo Olympics. ayern Munich captain Olympic Council Hussein al- The pandemic imposed the and goalkeeper Manuel Musallam expressed his pride in postponement or cancellation Neuer told German the responses of the Asian Na- of major international sporting Bmedia yesterday he has tional Olympic Committees and events around the world, most become “irritated” with nego- athletes in this crisis. notably the Olympic Games that tiations to extend his contract, Al-Musallam said in a state- were scheduled in Tokyo in the which have reportedly stalled in ment today that there is a new summer 2020 and postponed to recent weeks. kind of Olympic spirit and it is the summer 2021. “All talks I have had since I have been here have been con- fidential... nothing has ever SPOTLIGHT leaked,” the 34-year-old told Germany’s most popular daily Bild. “But now, details about the Athletics group wants current talks are constantly ap- pearing in the media, and are often untrue. That irritates me. Olympic qualifiers It’s not something I am used to at Bayern.” The veteran goalkeeper’s un- possible from autumn usually candid comments come amid widespread reports that DPA “Several Euromeetings mem- his current contract negotia- Frankfurt, Germany bers” are still attempting to host tions have hit the rocks. meetings in 2020 for athletes If the talks fail, club captain “who want and need to com- Neuer could be free to leave Bay- he Euromeetings organ- pete,” the letter reportedly said. ern in June and attract the inter- isers of one-day athlet- The carrot of Olympic quali- est of the Premier League clubs. ics events have called on fication is key to convincing According to Bild, Neuer and Tgoverning body World sponsors and supporters of his agent Thomas Kroth are de- Athletics to rethink the policy of the need to hold meetings, the manding a five-year deal, with Bayern Munich’s goalkeepers Manuel Neuer (left) and Sven Ulreich take part in a training session in Munich, Germany, on Thursday. (AFP) freezing the qualification win- group said. a salary of 20mn euros ($22mn) dow for the 2020 Tokyo Olym- “Should the overall situation per season. of forward Thomas Mueller and form, be there for the team... since joining from Schalke in the end of the current campaign, pics Games, a report said yester- allow for athletics events to take In yesterday’s interview, Kroth head coach Hansi Flick, both and give 100%,” he said. 2011 and made 92 appearances and has reportedly been prom- day. place in autumn 2020, we would denied such details and said he until 2023. “The conditions have to be for Germany. ised at least 10 appearances per The insidethegames portal like to propose that it be possible was not “confronting the club Neuer hailed Flick as a “super right (for that),” he added. Undisputed number one for season. reported the group sent a letter for athletes to achieve Olympic with demands which will hit it coach” and said that the 55-year- Neuer, who helped Germany nearly a decade, Neuer’s future Yet Neuer dismissed the idea to World Athletics president Se- qualifying standards,” the letter hard in the coronavirus crisis”. old’s extension had convinced win the 2014 World Cup title, at Bayern has been thrown into that his number one jersey was bastian Coe asking to “re-con- was quoted as saying. With Bundesliga matches him too to stay on at Bayern. has been named world goal- doubt by the impending arrival under threat. sider” the decision to halt Olym- World Athletics halted Olym- currently suspended due to the “I want to have a contract keeper of the year four times. of young Schalke goalkeeper Al- “As long as I am performing, pic qualifying until December 1 pic qualification from April 6 to coronavirus, Bayern have re- which is a win-win situation for He has kept 191 clean sheets exander Nuebel. I will play. That is my assump- following the postponement of November 30 due to the corona- cently extended the contracts me and Bayern. I want to per- in 373 appearances for Bayern Nuebel, 23, will join Bayern at tion,” he told Bild. the Games until 2021. virus outbreak.

NEW BEGINNINGS Wuhan football team make emotional return to virus ground zero

AFP pleading for his players not to be Shanghai, China demonised. But when the virus began tak- ing hold in Spain in March, Zall uhan Zall, the Chi- made arrangements to fly back nese Super League to China, where the number of team from the epi- infections was slowing markedly. Wcentre of the coro- Wuhan was still sealed off so navirus pandemic, made an emo- the squad, via a prolonged tran- tional return to their home city sit in Germany, flew to China’s after more than three months southern city of Shenzhen on torn from their families. March 16. Zall endured a turbulent 104 They went into three weeks of days on the road — including be- quarantine, followed by train- ing stranded in Spain — because ing in the nearby city of Foshan, Wuhan was sealed off in January before taking a high-speed train when the virus killed and infect- from Guangzhou to Wuhan on ed thousands there. Saturday evening. The city is now emerging from Zall are preparing for a season its weeks-long lockdown and that still has no start date. The CSL hundreds of chanting fans met Wuhan Zall coach Jose Gonzalez arrives with his players at the railway station in Wuhan, China. (Right) Wuhan Zall officials welcoming the team members to the city.(AFP) was supposed to begin on Febru- the Zall players when they ar- ary 22 but could now kick off in late rived at Wuhan’s train station “After more than three months now spend a few days at home ished sixth last year in the top- They began training for the which time the city of Wuhan June, according to latest reports. late Saturday, state media said. of wandering, the homesick Wu- before resuming training on flight CSL. new Chinese Super League sea- and its 11mn people were under China’s government says it has Wearing masks, the players han Zall team members finally set Wednesday. “The club is very grateful for son, since postponed indefinite- harsh restrictions because of the curbed coronavirus at home, but had bouquets of flowers thrust foot in their hometown,” the team “The local players will be reu- the support and understanding ly, in early January in the south- coronavirus outbreak. on Friday admitted errors in tal- into their hands as supporters said on the Twitter-like Weibo. nited with their families, hav- of the players’ families.” ern city of Guangzhou. “They are not walking virus- lying the death toll in Wuhan and clad in the team’s orange colours The squad, led by their Span- ing not seen them for more than The squad’s return home is the They flew to Malaga, Spain es, they are athletes,” Gonzalez raised the count there by 50 per- held banners and sang. ish coach Jose Gonzalez, will three months,” said Zall, who fin- final chapter in a long saga. towards the end of January, by told Spanish media at the time, cent to 3,869. Gulf Times 2 Monday, April 20, 2020 SPORT

TOP OF THE LINE Hazard has recovered well from surgery: Belgium coach 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum Eden Hazard has recovered well from ankle surgery, Belgium’s coach Robert Martinez said yesterday but without offering a time frame for a return to action for the Real Madrid forward. Hazard had the launches health and fitness programme operation in Dallas last month after fracturing his ankle. The 29-year-old had looked set for another QNA lies who have to stay home during year but couldn’t wait as the goal The Museum was established worldwide. lengthy spell on the sidelines because of the injury Doha the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic of the online programme was to with the aim of inspiring community The Museum includes an exhibi- but the suspension of football due to the corona- and encourage everyone to stay ac- inspire the community to remain members and encouraging them to tion space of 19,000sq m contain- virus pandemic means that he could still feature tive. active and positive. He said that participate in sports and physical ac- ing hundreds of collections from this season depending on when action in La Liga -2-1 Qatar Olympic and The Museum said in a statement providing resources that encourage tivity, and to educate the community around the world, which make it resumes. Hazard was hurt in late February in Real Sports Museum launched that the programme will be broad- society to stay inspiring and active, about the origins of global, Olympic the largest of its kind in the world Madrid’s loss to Levante, having only just returned the ‘Health and Fitness cast on the Museum’s Instagram even while at home, embodies the and national sports. in terms of area, exhibition spaces weeks earlier after a three-month layoff. “I know he 3-2-1’ programme, which account ‘321qosm’ from Sunday to mission of the Museum. It also aims to preserve the histo- and content. is recovering well. He is not far from running again 3 and there are no complications,” Martinez said in is a daily series of workshops and Thursday at 2pm. He expressed hope that the pub- ry of sport, from its inception to the The Museum, located at Khalifa fitness challenges with athletes, Abdullah Youssef al-Mulla, 3-2- lic would enjoy the online resources modern era, making it accessible to International Stadium, will include an interview with several Belgian media outlets. trainers, experts and health profes- 1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Muse- and benefit from them, and looked Qatar residents and visitors. The interactive exhibits, inspirational “Everything went well with the operation, but you sionals in Qatar through internet, um Director said in a statement that forward to welcoming the public museum is also a member of the collectibles and unique activity also hope that everything goes well in the four to yesterday. despite the Museum had planned to the new Museum when it opens Olympic Museum Network, which spaces that encourage visitor par- five weeks afterwards without complications, and The series aims to support fami- to launch the programme later this next year. currently has 22 Olympic museums ticipation. there were none,” Martinez said. Mexico scraps relegation for FOOTBALL FOCUS five years to prop up football The Mexican Football League has suspending Roma coach, promotion and relegation for its top two divisions for five years to protect clubs hit financially by the coronavirus pandemic. League President Enrique players forgo Bonilla, making his first public appearance since he tested positive for Covid-19 on March 20, told a Turkmenistan media teleconference on Saturday that even before remainder of the pandemic, clubs had suffered in recent seasons from a fall in income from sponsorship and TV rights. Bonilla also said that the second division sea- season’s pay son, halted in mid-March, has been officially ended without a champion. The first division champion- AFP ship, which was halted after 10 rounds of matches, season restarts Roma, Italy is still awaiting “guidelines from the Ministry of Federation cites recommendations by health ministry and WHO Health,” he said. oma players and coach Paulo Fon- Wolfsburg given days off to AFP seca have agreed to go without Ashgabat, Turkmenistan pay for the rest of the season to prepare for Bundesliga return help the club’s finances during the R Wolfsburg players will be given time off in the com- coronavirus pandemic, the Serie A outfit urkmenistan rebooted said yesterday. ing week in anticipation of returning to focused its domestic football The deal means the players, Fonseca and training for the resumption of the Bundesliga. “We season yesterday, with his coaching staff will give up their salaries have now been in individual or group training for fans returning to stadi- for March, April, May and June, although five weeks and now we will have a break, above all T to keep the players mentally fresh,” coach Oliver ums in one of the few countries Roma said that should the current cam- yet to declare a case of corona- paign end up being completed “an incen- Glasner was quoted in Wolfsburg media yesterday. virus. tive plan to be paid subject to the achieve- The squad had recently returned to team training al- Around 300 people attended ment of certain sporting objectives” had beit in small groups and maintaining strict hygiene a top-of-the table clash be- been agreed. rules. Bundesliga football is suspended until at least tween last season’s champions They had also agreed to “collectively pay April 30 but on Thursday — when Wolfsburg will Altyn Asyr and league leaders the difference” to ensure that employees resume training — a German football league (DFL) Kopetdag in a 20,000-capacity who have been placed on a partial unem- meeting will discuss the possibility of closed door stadium in the capital Ashgabat. ployment scheme will receive their regular games from May. The two teams played out an salary, the club added. attritional 1-1 draw with both “(Captain) Edin Dzeko, all the players goals coming in the second half. and Paulo have demonstrated they under- Danish club plans drive-in Like several other fans inter- stand what this club stands for and we also football for fans viewed by AFP, none of whom thank them all for their superb gesture to- wore masks, Murad, a 60-year- Fans attend the Turkmenistan national football championship match between Altyn Asyr and Kopetdag wards the employees at this club,” said CEO Danish top-flight club Midtjylland plans to intro- old Kopetdag fan, said he had in capital Ashgabat yesterday. (AFP) Guido Fienga. duce drive-in football for fans when sports events no fear of the coronavirus pan- Italy has suffered more than 23,000 are allowed after the coronavirus outbreak. The demic and planned to continue countries around the world the gas-rich country. the Tajikistan’s Super Cup fi- coronavirus deaths, second only to the club based in central Jutland planned to use 2,000 attending games. when it suspended its eight- “Joy boosts our immunity,” nal earlier this month attracted United States, and all organised sport has parking spots around the MCH Arena in the city “Sport kills all viruses,” he team league in March just three joked Ashir Yusupov, a 34-year- a curious multi-lingual online been suspended since March 9. of Herning, where fans will be able to watch the joked. “When your favourite games into the season. old entrepreneur and fans said following. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) action on large screens. Denmark has, along with team wins, it lifts your immu- The national football fed- before the game. But Belarus, which has con- has said that it wants the season to be fin- many other countries, limited public gatherings nity!” eration cited recommendations “We have no coronavirus, so firmed 4,779 coronavirus cases, ished come the end of Italy’s Covid-19 to 10 people at most, which rules out spectators He hoped his team could stay by the health ministry and the why not restart our league?” has been strongly criticised for lockdown, currently scheduled for May 4. on the stands. Denmark on Saturday extended a the pace at the top of the divi- World Health Organisation for Three ex-Soviet states have allowing fans to attend games. Earlier this month, Serie A clubs unani- ban on public gatherings until May 11. When the sion. preventing the spread of the ill- bucked the global trend for sus- Tajikistan has begun its sea- mously agreed to cut the salaries of players, Danish Super League eventually gets the greenlight “This club is a legendary ness. pending professional leagues: son with matches held behind coaches and staff, with the exception of to resume competitive matches, it is unlikely that club,” Murad said. But a month later, and de- Belarus, Tajikistan and now, closed doors, even as its author- Juventus, who had already hammered out a spectators will be allowed for some time to come, spite international concerns Turkmenistan. itarian government, like that deal with their own players. Preben Rokkjaer, responsible for marketing, said on RINGING THE CHANGES that Turkmen authorities are Global interest in the Be- of Turkmenistan, continues to Each club’s squad will have to agree to the club’s website. The club estimated about 10,000 The deeply authoritarian Cen- underplaying the threat of the larusian league has surged on insist there are no cases in the waive between two and four months’ sal- spectators could watch the first drive-in football tral Asian state followed other virus, football made a return to the back of its decision, while country. ary. match. The match would be preceded by a joint song. Spectators would be offered match commen- tary in their cars by tuning in to a designated radio SPOTLIGHT frequency, the club said. Swiss prosecutor joined ‘secret meeting’ with FIFA’s Infantino: report Brighton open stadium for drive-in Covid-19 testing AFP allegations of collusion between tino and Swiss Attorney General the June 2017 meeting with Infan- ethics body (AS-MPC) that over- Berlin, Germany football’s world governing body Michael Lauber at the Schweiz- tino was also attended by Lauber, sees Swiss ministries during a dis- Premier League football club Brighton & Hove Al- and Swiss investigators. erhof Hotel in Bern on June 16, his spokesman Andre Marty and ciplinary hearing. bion have converted their American Express (Amex) Citing unnamed sources, Ger- 2017. Rinaldo Arnold, a friend of Infan- Yet an AS-MPC report in March Community Stadium into a drive-in testing centre Swiss prosecutor investi- man newspaper Sueddeutsche If proven, the allegation could tino and senior prosecutor for the said the meeting had taken place, for coronavirus. They become the second Premier gating corruption in foot- Zeitung (SZ) and Switzerland’s potentially compromise a number Upper Valais canton. and accused Lauber of “breaching League club to offer facilities after Tottenham Hot- ball met in secret with Luzerner Zeitung suggested that of high-profile football corruption Lauber, who is in charge of the several of his professional obliga- spur also transformed their stadium into a centre FIFA president Gianni In- Cedric Remund, 38, was the pre- probes of which Remund was di- investigation into FIFA corruption tions,” including “repeatedly not for National Health Service (NHS) staff and other A identified key workers. The Amex Stadium joins a fantino, German and Swiss media viously unidentified fifth person rectly in charge, claimed SZ. which opened in 2015, had previ- telling the truth” and “acting dis- alleged on Friday, further fuelling at a secret meeting with Infan- According to the newspaper, ously denied the meeting to the loyally.” network of 32 testing sites in the British govern- ment’s partnership with universities and research centres across the country. “It is hugely impressive, and a great triumph of both teamwork and hard La Liga, RFEF work,” said Brighton chief executive Paul Barber PHOTO OF THE DAY yesterday. “The Amex will be the biggest testing site Blast from the past and CSD reach anywhere on the south coast, and will be used for self-testing and assisted testing.” Barber added that With sporting events agreement over the club has already seen at least 50 NHS workers around the world grinding Spanish football since opening on Saturday and their results will be to a halt, Gulf Times Sport delivered in 48 hours. dived down the vault for The Spanish Football Federation some fantastic, sometimes (RFEF), La Liga and the Spanish offbeat stories that can be Sports Council (CSD) have No relegation if Premier told through pictures. agreed on the basis of a deal League season halted, says about the future of Spanish foot- Paris Saint-Germain’s ball amid the coronavirus health Brighton owner Brazilian forward Neymar crisis, the CSD said yesterday. watches the action at Red La Liga president Javier Tebas, The owner of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Bull Neymar Jr’s Five World RFEF president Luis Rubiales Albion, Tony Bloom, said yesterday that it would Final in Praia Grande, Brazil, and CSD president Irene Loz- be unfair to relegate teams if the season cannot on July 13, 2019. Started ano met on Saturday in Madrid be completed. All football in Britain is suspended in 2016, the five-a-side for over eight hours and indefinitely because of the coronavirus outbreak tournament, features reached some agreements. with nine rounds of Premier League fixtures left. 10-minute matches between Although no specifics were an- Representatives of all 20 clubs met on Friday to squads of players aged nounced in the CSD statement, discuss scheduling scenarios and said setting any 16-25. The rather fun rule for context the meeting took deadline to finish would be “tentative” at this stage. in the tournament is that place after a protocol was sent Initailly, it had been widely reported that a possible whenever a team scores, to clubs by La Liga on Friday, re- cut off date would be June 30 to protect player the opponents lose a player. garding their eventual return to contracts, but Bloom says leaving the Premier (Red Bull Content Pool) training. For Spanish football to League table as it stands would be problematic. resume in any capacity all three “It would be very difficult to relegate somebody, parties would have to agree on particularly from the Premier League, if the season the timing and conditions. La hasn’t played out,” Bloom told reporters. Any deci- Liga and the RFEF have long sion made on finishing the season would require a been at loggerheads. voting majority from 14 out of the 20 clubs. Bloom’s Over 20,000 people have died Brighton sit two points away from relegation in 15th in Spain because of the virus, so they would be safe from a drop. Bloom adds if with the country still on lock- the clubs came to an agreement on finishing with down and football suspended a formula of average points per game, it would still indefinitely. cause arguments. Gulf Times Monday, April 20, 2020 3 CRICKET

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Pujara loved the Dukes challenge, Australia’s Langer Ishant wanted to learn: Gillespie

IANS “You know what really Mumbai struck me about Ishant was reveals how he his thirst for knowledge, his willingness to listen, ask ques- ormer Australian fast tions, try new things, because bowler Jason Gillespie sometimes you can get senior believe India’s Test players, experienced players Fspecialists Cheteshwar who will just go about and do Puajra and Ishant Sharma have their thing. They know what left an indelible impression they need to do and that’s fine. almost quit in 2001 on him with their work ethic But Ishant was very much... during their county stints. he knew what he needed to Gillespie was speaking in a do to bowl well. He also knew ‘If you just hang in there, you never know what’s around the corner’ new series of interviews re- he wanted to get better,” said leased on YouTube called Cow Gillespie. Reuters Corner Chronicles. According to Gillespie, Is- Mumbai “We had Cheteshwar Pujara hant also made an impact on at Yorkshire a few years ago, the players in Sussex. when I was head coach there. “The Sussex players were ustin Langer wanted to We needed a batsman in the really impressed with Ishant’s return home midway top three who could do a job work ethic. They loved his through Australia’s Ashes for us in sometimes challeng- personality. He fitted in re- Jtour of England in 2001 ing conditions, Someone with ally well in the dressing room. and announce his retirement af- a very good temperament, But his capacity to learn, ask ter being dropped from the side someone who could absorb questions, try things. His work due to poor form, the current some very good bowling. ethic in the nets, or on the national team head coach has “Pujara fitted that bill - per track was phenomenal. It was revealed. fectly. I think he found it a really good for our young seam The left-hander, who used to challenge, the early season in bowlers at Sussex to see, that bat at the number three posi- county cricket with the Dukes this is what it takes for a Test tion, was short of runs and found cricket ball moving around in bowler. himself out of the side before the English conditions. He found “He is an Indian Test bowl- start of the opening test against that a challenge. I think that er, and he is bowling really the arch-rivals. He was recalled was really a good test for him hard and working really hard for the fifth and final test and as a player, a good learning to get better at his game, and asked to open the batting with curve for Cheteshwar,” said he has played about 80 Test fellow left-hander Matthew Gillespie about Pujara’s first matches (at the time). And Hayden for the first time – the stint with Yorkshire in 2015. he is still trying really hard to start of one of the most success- The other Indian crick- get better each and every day. ful opening partnerships in the eter to come under Gillespie’s So, it was really good for our history of the game. wings was fast bowler Ishant young bowlers at Sussex to see “Literally, the week before I Sharma. The right-arm bowl- such an experienced player, opened for the first time with er has thus far played 97 Tests who has played so much Test Haydos, I told all my family I’m picking 297 wickets. Ishant cricket, continually trying to getting on a plane and leaving played for Sussex in 2018 with improve and get better,” added (and) I’m going home,” Langer Gillespie as the coach. Gillespie. told the ABC’s One Plus One programme this week. “I couldn’t make a run, I thought I’d failed (and) I’d never play for Australia again. I’d been dropped at the start of the se- ries when I thought I was going to play. My wife had flown over because I was going to retire the week before. I was so down in the dumps... and out of nowhere, (captain) Steve Waugh rings me and says; ‘you’re going to open the batting tomorrow’.” Langer went on to score an unbeaten 102 at The Oval – the first of his 16 centuries as an opener. It proved to be the turn- ing point of the career for Langer, who scored 7,696 runs from 105 Tests, including 23 hundreds. “It was another great les- son,” he said. “If you just hang in there, you never know what’s around the corner.” Australian coach Justin Langer in action during a training session.

Taylor, Gilchrist predict big pay cuts for Australia players

Former Australia captain Mark Taylor indefinitely. “There will be haircuts, as and wicket-keeping great Adam Gilchrist we’ve seen from CA staff. Players will be believe pay cuts are inevitable for the next,” Taylor, a former member of the CA country’s cricketers as the sport gears board, said on the Nine Network. up to deal with the expected financial “I also suspect that Cricket Australia and crisis posed by the novel coronavirus. the ACA (Australian Cricketers’ Associa- Cricket Australia (CA), the governing tion) have been working together on body of the sport, on Thursday an- this. I hope they get their heads together nounced plans to lay off almost 80% of and sort out a good solution for the near its staff, putting them on 20% pay until future.” June 30. Cricket Australia would hope to earn Media reported on Saturday that CA significant revenue later this year when Chief Executive Kevin Roberts has told the country hosts the men’s Twenty20 staff a financial crisis was coming and World Cup in October and November the organisation would not have been before India’s tour for a widely antici- able to pay its bills at the end of August pated four-test series around the New without layoffs. Former Australia captain Mark Taylor (left) and Adam Gilchrist. Year. Gilchrist, who retired in 2008 after a glit- “Six months is a long time. It may not tering career spanning almost 12 years, “It’s going to get stripped back, right The spread of the coronavirus has be long enough in this pandemic, but said the players were next. back. Support staff numbers have to get forced countries to close their borders it might be long enough to get some “Without being aware of any numbers dragged back. and impose lockdowns. It has halted pro- cricket in October which may save and the financial side of it, I wouldn’t be “The revenue is going to go down fessional cricket, leaving most boards Cricket Australia and the players from surprised if we go back a decade or two significantly, 50% they are banking on bracing for significant revenue falls. taking too big a haircut,” Taylor said. to the level of payment that players get. at the moment and that’s an optimistic This year’s lucrative Indian Premier “Cricket Australia are trying to be proac- Even maybe further for a while,” Gilchrist position, I believe. The players will take League, which offers big pay cheques tive and making a move early to hope- Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie. told ABC Grandstand on Sunday. a whack.” for the players, has also been postponed fully save some pain later.”

Sachin was harder to dislodge COMMENT than Lara: Gillespie It was difficult to get both bit more expansive, with his of them out, but Sachin game. But I found Sachin’s ‘Dhoni’s ploy of recruiting international captains helped CSK’ Tendulkar was a bit harder to defence was very hard to get dislodge than Brian Lara, said through,” Gillespie said on IANS Bravo, obviously MS, (Suresh) tions on the field where the ball former Australia fast bowler Cow Corner Chronicles. Chennai Raina’s captained a bit – because goes all the time. We are lucky at Jason Gillespie. The Aussie “Look two fine players, I they want thinking cricketers,” CSK that we got a few very good rated Indian batting legend am just really glad that I the 35-year-old told CSK’s web- fielders. Jaddu (Ravindra Jade- Tendulkar along side West don’t have to bowl to them n recruiting international site. ja) is incredible, he has got the Indies’ Lara as the toughest anymore. They were just far captains who can be part of “So, there’s a lot of leaders strongest arm in world cricket. batsman to dismiss in his too good. It was actually for the leadership group, Ma- within group, that experience of Jaddu wants them to try and run. career. me personally was quite an hendra Singh Dhoni ensured thinking cricketers is what they He jogs to the ball because he “Two different types of play- honour, for all those names I ers, two equally difficult to that I just mentioned. Chennai Super Kings always had want and obviously it has proven knows if you run, you are out,” better chances of getting success to be very successful,” he added. he added. get out. I always felt, Sachin “It’s quite an honour for me in the Indian Premier League CSK has been a part of 10 out The 2020 IPL season, sched- was probably a little bit to be able to sit here and talk (IPL), feels former South Africa of 12 seasons of IPL and have uled to begin on March 29, has harder to dislodge, in terms to you and say that I bowled captain Faf du Plessis. never finished below the semi- been postponed indefinitely due of getting his wicket, but I against these guys. “A great thing that CSK has finals or play-offs. to the coronavirus pandemic. didn’t feel he would take you “It was a wonderful time to done over the years, and that’s “Chennai Super Kings is a South Africa’s Faf du Plessis. “The IPL, both for players and apart, in quite the same way be a cricketer, got to bowl credit to MS and (Stephen) great franchise to be a part of. fans around the world, has be- as Brian. “I always felt I was in against the best in the world. Fleming the coach, is they have MS has got such strong leader- former South Africa skipper his passion for fielding, adding come an integral part of the sea- with more of a chance to get For me that was very satisfy- targeted captains – (Brendon) ship. He leaves a massive hole said, heaping praise on Dhoni. the team had a few very good son. I was really looking forward Brian out because he was a ing,” added Gillespie. McCullum, myself, (Dwayne) when he’s not on the field,” the Du Plessis also spoke about fielders. “I love going to posi- to it this year,” he said. Gulf Times 4 Monday, April 20, 2020 SPORT

NBA Vanessa pays touching tribute to Kobe on wedding Lakers’ guard Caruso anniversary maintains GOAT status ‘WE WANT TO GO BACK File photo of Kobe Bryant and OUT THERE AND DO wife Vanessa Bryant. (TNS)

WHAT WE LOVE AGAIN’ AFP in virus isolation Los Angeles By Arash Markazi Los Angeles Times anessa Bryant cel- ebrated the 19th anni- leveland Cavaliers center Andre Drum- versary of her wedding mond had a vexing question about Alex Vto her late husband Caruso for former Lakers center DeMar- Kobe Bryant on Saturday with a cus Cousins as the two big men faced each touching Instagram post. C “My king, my heart, my best other in last week’s NBA 2K Players Tournament. “So what’s the hype about Caruso,” Drummond friend. Happy 19th wedding asked. “Why does everyone love him so much?” anniversary. I miss you so much. The stern-faced Cousins, who was getting I wish you were here to hold me blown out at the time, quickly flashed a smile. in your arms. I love you,” she “Man, he the GOAT,” Cousins said. “A.C. the wrote, posting a picture of the GOAT, dog. That’s it. He the GOAT.” couple. Drummond nodded his head. The answer was Five-time NBA champion Bryant now crystal clear to him. and the couple’s 13-year-old “Nothing else needs to be said, he’s just the daughter, Gianna, were among GOAT,” Drummond said. “I heard that. Alex Ca- nine people killed in a helicopter ruso, the GOAT.” crash in Los Angeles on January A nickname such as the GOAT, an acronym for 26. “greatest of all time,” is normally reserved for a Gianna, along with her superstar like LeBron James, but it was actually basketball teammates Payton James who first called Caruso that after fans re- Chester and Alyssa Altobelli, ferred to the follicly challenged Lakers 26-year- who also died in the crash, were old backup point guard as Bald Mamba and Bald honored at Friday’s WNBA draft Eagle. as honorary selections. “It’s funny,” Caruso said. “Every time it comes Vanessa Bryant recorded an up, it’s funny. It has kind of lost its pop to me be- emotional message for the draft cause everyone on the team says it now, but when broadcast, saying being drafted it first started happening it was funny and it was into the women’s league “would a good laugh. Everyone still enjoys it and they’re have been a dream come true” still saying it. for Gianna. “The outside world might be taking it in bas- After the conclusion of the ketball terms but I think when my teammates say draft on Friday night, the WNBA it, they’re just speaking to the kind of teammate I announced the creation of am and the kind of guy I am. I’m just another one the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA of the guys who happens to be really good at bas- Advocacy Award, given to “an ketball and don’t look like I should be.” individual or group who has Caruso and the Lakers should be preparing for made significant contributions the start of the NBA playoffs this weekend but in- to the visibility, perception and stead, like most everyone else, they remain stuck advancement of women’s and at home. After failing to make the postseason the girls’ basketball at all levels.” last six years, the Lakers were one of the cham- pionship favorites going into the stretch run this In this file photo taken on on Sunday, January 5, 2020, The Los Angeles Lakers’ Alex Caruso (left) celebrates his dunk against the Detroit Pistons’ Svi Mykhailiuk in the year. When the NBA season was suspended March fourth quarter at Staples Center in Los Angeles . (TNS) Finley interviews for 11 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lakers Bulls’ GM opening had a 51/2-game lead atop the Western Confer- ment to work out at home. “We have a group text that we started even be- get to know you as a person rather than just what ence. “We do group workouts on Zoom and we all got fore the season and that’s still going on right now. they see on TV.” Chicago native Michael Finley “It’s disappointing not being able to continue a little care package of weights, bands and yoga Even though we’re not seeing each other face to The chats on Caruso’s stream have enabled him interviewed for the Bulls’ playing basketball and get ready for the playoffs mats and we’re going through a normal workout face we’re sending each other funny videos and to connect with many Lakers fans, who embraced general manager opening, and chase our goal of winning a championship,” that we would go through with our trainers but we’re chopping it up and catching up and seeing him the moment he signed the team’s first two- according to ESPN. Caruso said. “It’s crazy. Everything is so unprec- with minimal weights obviously,” Caruso said. how everyone is doing.” way contract in 2017. It was the fans who placed Finley, 47, played 15 seasons in edented and no one has any answers. I’ve tried my “We’re doing the best we can with the home Caruso has kept in touch with many of his him fourth among Western Conference guards the NBA and is currently the best to take it day by day, but it’s hard. workouts, I got a treadmill, I’m riding a bike and friends and family through video games and when the All-Star vote totals were tallied, ahead Dallas Mavericks’ vice presi- “Everyone wants to see this season through. running. It’s been a struggle not having access to even started a Twitch channel where he streams of players like Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Do- dent of basketball operations. We want to win a championship but even teams our facility but we’re trying to make the best of it himself playing “Call of Duty: Warzone,” “Fort- novan Mitchell and Devin Booker, who actually Chicago fired longtime gen- that are playing for the eight seed want to see it and be ready to go when it’s time to come back.” nite” and “FIFA.” He sighed before one of his first played in this year’s game. eral manager Gar Forman on through because they’re trying to make the play- The hardest part of the season’s suspension, streams and said, “Oh man, I’m really about to be Caruso said it would be hard to imagine playing Monday. offs and see what can happen. It’s also just about Caruso said, is being away from his teammates, a pro streamer for a month.” games without fans but knows that may be part of Other candidates previously the love of the game. We all love playing basketball who had become an extension of his family after It looks like that may be the case for at least an- a new temporary normal that he said, “definitely linked to the Bulls’ search so much and we want to go back out there and do he signed a two-year, $5.5-million contract last other month or more as the NBA discusses vari- won’t feel normal.” include Los Angeles Clippers what we love again.” summer. After bouncing back and forth between ous options to continue the season, possibly at a “It’s been a fun journey with L.A.,” Caruso said. assistant GM Mark Hughes, Caruso considered going home to Texas — he the Lakers and their G League affiliate his first two neutral site without fans. “I came here on a two-way contract and spent my Orlando Magic assistant GM was born in College Station and attended Texas seasons, he had finally settled into a stable role. “I set it up a week after our season got suspend- first two years on two-way deals and Lakers fans Matt Lloyd and Philadelphia A&M — after the season was suspended but he “It’s been so hard being away from everyone be- ed,” Caruso said. “It was something I thought have gone through this journey with me and for 76ers senior vice president wanted to avoid airports so he decided to stay at cause we had so much fun playing together and we would be a good idea because I’m playing games them to accept me as part of the Lakers family is of player personnel Marc his South Bay home near the Lakers’ training fa- were really starting to find our groove before the regularly online with my buddies from back home, so special. It’s nice to be able to connect with the Eversley. cility, which has been shut down as well. season stopped,” Caruso said. “To be able to have a so I might as well stream it for people that want to fans and it makes my experience that much more Finley has been with the Mav- While he has been unable to train and play bas- group of guys like we do that clicked so easily and watch. A cool part of it is the fans get to interact enjoyable when I can go out there and hear them ericks’ front office since 2013. ketball there, the Lakers sent their players equip- just enjoy being around each other was special. with you. They get to ask you questions and they cheering for me. I can’t wait to do that again.”

NFL NHL Jaguars reportedly discussing No talks on specific neutral sites: Fehr

Reuters ter, N.H.; and Saskatoon, Sas- trading running back Fournette Los Angeles katchewan. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Reuters pension, the team reportedly Sununu told WEEI on Friday Los Angeles voided the remaining guaran- HL Players Associa- that he’s had talks with the tees in Fournette’s contract. tion executive direc- NHL and said playing the rest Earlier this week, Fournette tor Donald Fehr said of the season in Manchester is he Jacksonville Jag- campaigned for the Jaguars Nhe has not yet had “on the table.” uars have had trade to sign free agent quarter- discussions with the league Fehr said any decision about discussions with back Cam Newton, adding about any specifics related to the remainder the 2019-20 Tmultiple teams about that meant “no disrespect” neutral-site locations for a regular season and Stanley running back Leonard Four- to presumed starter Gardner potential Stanley Cup playoffs Cup playoffs is tied to current nette, ESPN’s Adam Schefter Minshew. this summer. guidelines on mass gatherings, reported Saturday. Drafted fourth overall out “Other than the general un- travel restrictions and health No other teams were of LSU in 2017, Fournette has derstanding that they’re look- recommendations. named, but the report sug- 2,631 rushing yards (4.0 av- ing at all possibilities, which “You’re going to want to gested a deal could hap- erage) and 17 touchdowns includes neutral sites — neu- know what the CDC says, pen soon, with the start of across 36 games through tral being defined as a place without any question at all. the NFL draft approaching three seasons. he also has 134 that isn’t a home base for an But in addition to that, as we all Thursday. receptions for 1,009 yards NHL team,” Fehr told ESPN know, the state governors and Fournette, 25, is coming and two scores. on Saturday. “We haven’t had the provincial prime ministers off a career-high 1,152 rush- The Jaguars have already those discussions yet.” have the basic responsibilities ing yards in 2019, his second acquired ample draft capi- The NHL season, like those over their own jurisdictions, 1,000-yard campaign in three tal by trading away players of all other major North Amer- so you’re going to have to work NFL seasons. He is due $4.17 over the last several months, ican sports leagues, was halted with them too,” Fehr said. “The mn in salary in 2020, and the including two first-round in mid-March due to the coro- implication of the question is team must decide by May 4 picks and a fourth-rounder navirus pandemic. whether it’s OK to play in some whether to exercise his 2021 for cornerback Jalen Ram- NHL deputy commissioner places and not others. I don’t option, which would cost sey, fourth-round picks for Bill Daly told ESPN last week know if that’s true. I assume around $8-9 mn. quarterback Nick Foles and that the league is listening to it’s certainly possible. If it is, Fournette’s roster status cornerback A.J. Bouye, and a offers from venues around we’ll see what makes sense.” was in question last year after fifth-round pick for defensive North America that are vol- All NHL teams had between he managed just 439 rushing end Calais Campbell. unteering to host neutral-site 11 and 14 regular-season games yards in eight games in 2018, Franchise-tagged defensive playoff games. Among the sites remaining when play was halt- missing time due to injury and end Yannick Ngakoue is also that could host games, prob- ed. The format to be used when a one-game suspension for believed to be available after ably without spectators, are and if action resumes remains fighting. Because of that sus- publicly requesting a trade. File photo of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette. (TNS) Grand Forks, N.D.; Manches- uncertain. Gulf Times Monday, April 20, 2020 5 SPORT

GOLF France’s Pinot can’t wait to be on the Koepka says playing without fans road again with Tour in mind will be ‘weird’ AFP some foul balls and the fans kind of Los Angeles help you find it,” he said. “I mean, guys are going to lose balls because of that.” Koepka’s comments came orld number three a day before the US PGA Tour said Brooks Koepka is brac- Thursday it is targeting a June 11 ing for a “weird” expe- restart at Colonial Country Club in Wrience of playing golf Texas, the first of four tournaments tournaments without fans as the US that will be played without fans in PGA Tour eyes a return to competi- attendance. tion in June. The RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, Reuters home trainer. “It’s going to be so weird, man,” South Carolina, the Travelers Cham- Paris “The home trainer is not Koepka said on the Pardon My Take pionship in Cromwell, Connecticut, my thing, it’s got nothing to sports podcast on the prospect of and the Rocket Mortgage Classic in do with the sensations you playing without galleries because of Detroit are scheduled to follow. renchman Thibaut usually have on the bike,” continuing coronavirus concerns. In announcing the revised sched- Pinot cannot wait Pinot, who has confined at “The energy that the fans bring, ule to a season halted after the first to be allowed to train home since March 17, told his that’s what we all live for, we all round of the Players Championship on the road again as Groupama-FDJ team website F yesterday. strive for,” Koepka said. “You want on March 12, tour commissioner Jay part of his preparation for to play coming down the stretch Monahan said officials would follow the Tour de France after the “I’m still doing it to say that I and have everyone cheering for you. the guidance of local and state health race was postponed amid the train but it is not a real part of Imagine this: you sink the putt on authorities. COVID-19 pandemic. my preparations. Virtual plat- the last hole and no one’s clapping. “The health and safety of all as- The Frenchman, third overall forms were fun for a couple of You’re just there by yourself, and sociated with the PGA Tour and our in 2014 and who was a top weeks but I’m over it.” you’re like ‘Yes!’ Just you, your cad- global community continues to be contender when he pulled Pinot, however, believes that die and just silence.” our number one priority, and our out injured two days before the new Tour de France dates, Lack of a gallery could have a more hope is to play a role — responsibly — File photo of Brooks Koepka the finish last year, has had from Aug. 29 to Sept 20, will concrete effect as well, Koepka said. in the world’s return to enjoying the of the United States. (AFP) enough of working on his suit him. “Every once in a while, we just hit things we love,” Monahan said.

RUGBY SPOTLIGHT British star Farah hails ‘mind-blowing’ WWII Beaumont says virus veteran fundraiser crisis may lead to calendar consensus ‘I’M PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT THERE WILL BE A VARIATION OF THE NATIONS CUP’

AFP Tom Moore, 99, walks to raise money for health workers in London Marston Moretaine, Britain, on Wednesday. (Reuters)

AFP phenomenon thanks to social orld Rugby chairman Bill London media. Beaumont believes the “We get celebrated for mak- “spirit of collaboration” ing the country proud winning Wthe sport has witnessed ritish distance great medals, but (other people) in response to the coronavirus pan- Mo Farah has said his should be celebrated too for demic will lead to a new international medal-winning ex- putting their lives at risk and calendar. Bploits “don’t mean doing the charity work.” Former England captain Beau- anything” compared to the With all major sport world- mont was behind plans for a new exploits of a 99-year-old Brit- wide suspended due to the two-tier Nations Championship — ish World War II veteran and outbreak and what should encompassing Europe’s Six Nations coronavirus fundraiser. have been this year’s Olym- and the southern hemisphere Rugby Tom Moore, a captain who pics in Tokyo postponed until Championship — that collapsed last served in India, has raised 2021, Farah has been involved year amid reports the likes of Scot- more than £25mn ($31mn, in some fundraising efforts of land were concerned by the risk of 29mn euros) for health work- his own on behalf of the UK’s relegation from what is currently a ers, having initially set out to National Health Service amid ‘closed’ event. raise just £1,000 by walking a national lockdown in Britain. But Beaumont, who must see off 100 laps of his garden. Farah recently completed a challenge from vice-chairman “It’s incredible — there the Run for Heroes 5K on a Agustin Pichot if he is to be re- are no real words to describe treadmill at his home after elected, believes the ongoing global Tom,” four-time Olympic being nominated by former shutdown of the sport caused by the gold medallist Farah told Sky Chelsea captain John Terry. virus has caused many within the Sports News yesterday. Those taking part are asked game to rethink their views. “I’ve won medals for years, to donate £5 after completing This week saw World Rugby but that doesn’t mean any- the event and to then nomi- launch a $100mn dollar virus re- thing really,” added Farah, nate five more further individ- lief package and Beaumont, 68, has the 5,000 and 10,000 metres uals to take up the challenge. been heartened by the co-operation champion at both the London “It’s really important to see shown by countries as they plan for 2012 and Rio 2016 Games. the work they are doing to help a time when rugby can resume. “To come back to reality and others. “I’m pretty confident that there realise you’re making a dif- “I got nominated by John will be a variation of the Nations ference for so many people Terry, who has been doing a lot Cup,” Beaumont told BBC Radio on who are putting their lives at of running. It’s nice to see so Saturday. risk — for someone at his age many people coming out and “I think there’s a real spirit of col- it’s mind-blowing,” added creating challenges. laboration between the north and Farah of Moore, who has be- “We have got the time on our the south, looking at what we can do come something of a global hands so let’s get involved.” with our playing windows and inter- national windows that can generate more funds in another competition. MOTORSPORTS “You have to look at the calendar File photo of World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont. (Reuters) — the British and Irish Lions tour every four years, the Rugby World of no more professional rugby this Cup every four years,” added Beau- year. England’s Watkins quits Titans as father Rins extends Suzuki mont, himself a former Lions skip- Rugby Australia alone is forecast- per. ing losses of AUS$120mn ($76mn) if diagnosed with coronavirus their entire season is wiped out. ngland centre Kallum Watkins has deal until 2022 ‘REALITY CHECK’ Former Pumas scrum-half Pichot quit Australian rugby league side “It’s a balancing act that you have to launched his bid to become chair- Gold Coast Titans to return home to AFP focused on achieving even do to fit everything into this jigsaw. man last week, with the 45-year-old Ebe with his father who has been diag- Paris better results.” “But I think in the past people saying the virus outbreak provided nosed with COVID-19. Two wins and a series of have been quite protective about an opportunity for the “global rea- The former Leeds Rhinos captain joined the good races landed Rins fourth what they have got, what we are lignment” of the game that should Titans in mid-2019 and played eight games in lex Rins has signed a place in the 2019 campaign, looking at now this is probably a re- see its commercial income “moving Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL). new deal with Suzuki but he is yet to race this year ality check in the sport — are we do- on from the time where those ben- Recovery from knee reconstruction hampered that will keep him at due to the coronavirus pan- ing things correctly? efits were for just a few”. the 29-year-old’s performances last year but the team until 2022, demic that has stopped the the Titans said he had enjoyed a “terrific pre- A “You are pretty foolish if you He promptly received backing the MotoGP outfit announced season from starting. don’t learn lessons,” insisted Beau- from former England coach Clive season”. yesterday. Ahead of him last year were mont, who had previously warned Woodward, who played in Test sides The 2020 NRL campaign was suspended “The renewal of the con- Maverick Vinales, Andrea there might be no more internation- captained by Beaumont. last month after just two rounds of matches tract between Suzuki Racing Dovizioso and reigning world al rugby played this year. Woodward said the equality and di- because of the coronavirus pandemic. Company... and the 24-year- champion Marc Marquez, who That would be a huge blow to the versity needed in the global game was The Titans said Watkins had been granted im- old Spaniard arrives during a in February signed an exten- sport given finances from interna- hampered by an imbalance of power mediate release from his contract on compas- a point and to test himself and felt confident very peculiar moment in his- sion with Honda until 2024. tionals help subsidise all levels of on World Rugby’s council that sees sionate grounds due to “serious family health about 2020,” he told the Sunday Mail. “We will tory,” Suzuki said in a state- Alongside Vinales at Yama- the game. the established Six Nations and Rugby concerns.” now look at all of his options back in the Super ment. ha for the 2021 and 2022 sea- The All Blacks accepted a 50% pay Championship countries have Watkins’ manager, Chris Orr, said the League.” Titans head coach Justin Holbrook “But this contract renewal sons will be Fabio Quartararo, freeze on Thursday as New Zealand’s three votes each, while the likes of player’s father had been diagnosed with said Watkins’ departure represented a “big confirms that Suzuki, the who will replace the 41-year- players’ association said it was pre- ‘Tier Two’ Fiji and Samoa have just coronavirus.“Kallum came to the NRL to prove loss” for the club. AFP team, and the rider are all old seven-time world cham- paring for the nightmare scenario one vote each. thinking about the future and pion Valentino Rossi.

Monday, April 20, 2020 GULF TIMES TENNIS

FOCUS Fifteen years on, how maiden Monte Carlo win sparked Nadal breakthrough

AFP the shores of the Mediterranean. has lost just five times. Despite his land Garros crowns have followed surfaces, the way he was bounc- Paris His 2005 triumph was one of maiden victory in Monte Carlo, for a Grand Slam haul of 19, just ing back from numerous injuries,” 11 titles Nadal captured that year however, Nadal wasn’t sounding one behind Federer’s record 20. said world number one Novak – eight of them on clay at Costa confident about his chances at Had it not been for a career- Djokovic. afael Nadal celebrates do Sauipe, Acapulco, Monte Car- Roland Garros later that season. long struggle with wrist and knee Djokovic holds a narrow 29-26 the 15th anniversary of lo, Barcelona, Rome, the French “No, no, no. I am not favourite, problems – which kept him out of career edge over the Spaniard. But his first Monte Carlo Open, Bastad and Stuttgart. He no. It’s my first Roland Garros,” nine majors – that figure would Nadal is 24-16 against Federer and RMasters title yesterday, also proved he was no slow-court the teenager told reporters in fal- likely have been even more im- 17-7 over Andy Murray, the other a victory which sparked a break- bully, ending the year with hard tering English, a language he was pressive. member of the ‘Big Four’. through season, a maiden Grand court victories in Canada, Beijing gradually mastering thanks to les- The ongoing coronavirus crisis “The resilience, the intensity he Slam triumph at Roland Garros and Madrid. sons of “20 minutes, 30 minutes” has robbed Nadal of the opportu- brings – when you see him jump- and set the Spaniard on the road That success was also reflected every day. nity to clinch a 12th Monte Carlo ing around before you walk onto to becoming one of the sport’s in the rankings. “I am playing good now, but I title. court, it already intimidates you. A greatest players. At the end of 2004, he was at 51; don’t know at the French Open if However, the pause has given mental giant and a physical giant,” Nadal was just 18 when he beat fast forward 12 months and he was I’m going to play good or I’m go- rivals time to reflect on Nadal’s 15 added the Serb. Murray agreed. “I Guillermo Coria in the 2005 Mon- the world number two. ing to play bad.” years at the top, with 209 weeks would say that, consistently, Rafa te Carlo final. Among his 85-trophy career He needn’t have worried. in the world number one spot. has been mentally the strongest,” Two years earlier, he had of- haul, 11 have come in Monte Carlo Just weeks later in Paris, Nadal He has not dropped out of the said the Briton. fered tennis a glimpse of the including a record eight in a row beat Roger Federer in the semi-fi- top 10 since Monte Carlo in 2005. “Even when he was 18, 19, future when, at 16, he stunned from 2005-2012 and three more nals and the now forgotten Mari- “It’s obvious he has a champion’s which is so rare for the guys com- Three-times defending champion Rafael Nadal in action during French Open champion Albert between 2016-2018. ano Puerta in the final, coming mentality, what he’s managed ing through. That’s normally the his victory against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in the third round Costa on the famous red clay on In 76 matches at the event, he from a set down. Eleven more Ro- to produce over the years on all part that takes the longest.” of the Monte Carlo Masters on April 18, 2019. (Reuters)

SPOTLIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT Serena Williams’ coach and Nadal ‘Big three’ plan to planning matches at academies

AFP help lowest-ranked Paris oth Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Moura- Btoglou announced plans on Saturday to stage matches at their tennis acad- players, says Djoko emies. With top-level professional tennis shut down until at least ‘We need to show them they still can rely on support of the top guys’ July 13, both academies said they were examining the pos- sibility of staging and broad- AFP casting matches so fans could Paris watch remotely. While the Rafael Nadal academy, based on the Span- Patrick Mouratoglou. ovak Djokovic said on ish island of Mallorca, said on Saturday that he, Rog- Novak Djokovic its website that it was in talks broadcast live at his academy er Federer and Rafael with the ATP on how to pro- on each of five weekends un- NNadal are organising ceed, Mouratoglou released a der the title “Ultimate Tennis aid for players struggling with statement unveiling a planned Showdown”. the paralysis of the game due to “league” of 50 matches at The competition will start the coronavirus pandemic. his academy near Nice in the on the weekend of May 16 “I spoke to Roger and Rafa south of France and talking of with a match between world a few days ago,” Djokovic, the “millions of US dollars in prize number 10 David Goffin and world number one, said in an money”. 20-year-old Australian Alexei Instagram chat with friend and The Nadal Academy said it Popyrin, who is training at rival Stan Wawrinka on Saturday. was considering becoming “a the academy and whose fa- “We had a long conversation campus where elite players can ther reportedly came up with about the near future of tennis, reside, train and compete be- the idea. The lineup for later what is going to happen, how we tween themselves in matches matches has yet to be decided. can contribute and how we can that will be televised so that The statement posted on so- help especially lower-ranked fans around the world can en- cial media said that the “UTS players, who are obviously strug- joy them.” aims to reinvent the way ten- gling the most.” It said Nadal had originated nis is usually experienced and “The majority of the players the idea and that the academy consumed.” who are ranked between 200, 250 had been in talks with ATP On-court coaching and in the world, and the 700th or chairman Andrea Gaudenzi. video coaching would be al- 1,000th do not have federation “Right now tennis takes a lowed and, said the statement, support, do not have sponsors. back seat and the most impor- fans watching remotely would They are completely independent tant thing is everyone’s health, be able to interact in real time and left alone,” he said. but if in the coming months with the players, listen to con- “Guys who are ranked between the Academy can be used to versations between the players 200-250, especially to 700...are help other professional play- and their coaches. thinking of leaving tennis right ers, I’d be delighted if they Mouratoglou said that the now.” could come to train and also to competition will be “player- He said players, the ATP and compete,” Nadal said. centric” could be “particularly the four Grand Slams “would all “I think that competing beneficial to lower-ranked get together and will contribute among ourselves would help players.” to a player relief fund that ATP us maintain our game for when The lockdown in France is will distribute.” the tour restarts.” scheduled to end on May 11, “It looks, hopefully, that there The academy has hosted which means players will be will something between $3 mil- a Challenger Tour event, the able to travel, although mass lion (2.75 million euros) and $4.5 Rafa Nadal Open, as well as events will still be banned, million that is going to be dis- other lower-ranked and junior so no spectators would be al- tributed,” he estimated. Djokovic tournaments. lowed. The Spanish govern- said the cash could come from Mouratoglou’s state- ment on Saturday proposed the prize money for the season- ment said he was planning 10 extending its lockdown until ending World Tour Finals or the closed-door matches to be May 9. final bonus pools for top players. “Maybe if we don’t have any tournaments this season, we can take a certain percentage from Patrick McEnroe praises New York our prize money from Australian drive-through coronavirus testing Open in January,” he said. Millman questions ‘big three’ plan to help tennis professionals “These guys are the grass roots Tennis personality Patrick slam champion John, said of tennis. The future of tennis. The planned initiative from tennis ‘big losing in the first round. Djokovic, who is McEnroe has recovered from on March 31 that he had a We need to show them they still three’ Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and also president of the ATP player council, the coronavirus, he said on confirmed case of the coro- can rely on support of the top Roger Federer to support lower ranked was quoted by French paper L’Equipe, in a Saturday while praising the navirus. guys.” professionals during the coronavirus crisis letter calling for the top 100 to make dona- efficiency of New York’s drive- New York City and the sur- According to reports in tennis has been questioned by Australian player tions on a sliding scale. While he and the through testing operation. rounding suburbs have been media, Djokovic, as president of John Millman yesterday. rest of the top five would donate 30,000 “Great news for me and my hard hit by the virus. the ATP Players’ Council, which “If the concern is to help players ranked dollars, Millman would be asked to donate wife Melissa. We both tested New York Governor Andrew also includes Federer and Nadal, 250-700 in the world why has it taken a glo- 10,000 dollars. negative for Covid-19,” McEn- Cuomo said on Saturday that proposed to members that play- bal pandemic to realize this? Surely over the Other contributions would come the grand roe said in a short video he about 2,000 people were still ers in the top 100 for singles and many years of top end heavy prize money slams and ATP Finals with the aim of giving posted o Twitter. being hospitalised every day, the top 20 in doubles contribute increases we maybe should have the players ranked 250-700 10,000 dollars “We just got the tests back though he expressed cau- according to their rankings. maybe distributed the spread a little each, which would require 4.5 million dol- this morning from New York tious optimism that the peak The proposed scale runs from more...” Millman, ranked 43 in the world, lars overall. state. We both went to the of the epidemic may have $30,000 for a top-five player to wrote on Twitter. Djokovic warned that many lower ranked drive-through which I had passed. $5,000 for those between 51 and However, the four grand slams have re- players may have to leave tennis if they gone to a few weeks ago. “I know we’re talking a lot 100. That would raise approxi- cently increased the amounts paid to those cannot make it work financially. “It was even more efficient about tests on TV,” McEnroe mately $1 million and the ATP this time, there were six lines said. “We need more of them, would make a similar contribu- to earn money and financially lose. “I’ve been quite touched “We are also talking with the standstill since the beginning of instead of two, lots more all know that, but it was great tion. On Friday, ATP chief And- struggling, so we will try to help,” by the top players who reached Grand Slams about it. They may March and will not resume until people helping out, a very to see this going so well. rea Gaudenzi echoed the call for he said, adding that the ATP out, the big names expressing want to join in the effort. I think mid-July at the earliest follow- efficient operation.” “Still thinking about everyone unity on the tour website. faced the problem of not know- their desire of helping the lower- it would be a great message for ing the postponement of Roland McEnroe, the younger on the front lines ... Gotta stay “Our guys are at home, ob- ing how long the crisis would last ranked players and putting those the sport.” Garros and the cancellation of brother of seven-times grand the course.” viously unable to play, unable and how much revenue it would players first. World tennis has been at a Wimbledon.