SPORT SPORT | 06 SPORT | 07

QORC: Dominant Shutdown may Abdulla help Serena's registers another Grand Slam victory quest: Coach THURDAY 11 JUNE 2020 Federer to miss rest of season after knee op

AFP — PARIS ahead of his longtimengtime rivalsrivals NadalNadal in Cape Town in earlyearly careercareer in whichw he has won 103 Rafael Nadal (19)) and Novak February.February. singlessingles tititles,t including all four Twenty-time Grand Slam Djokovic (17) on the all-time Tennis groundground to a halthalt in majors.majors. singles champion Roger Federer list. MarchMarch becausebecause of thethe corona-corona- HeHe hhada arthroscopic surgery said yesterday he will be side- I plan to take the The biggest titletle hehe hhasas yet virus,virus, andand tthehe globetrottingglobetrotting onon hhisis llefteft knee -- the first oper- lined until 2021 after under- necessary time to win is an Olympicmpic singles sportsport faces an uncertain route ation of hish career -- in early going his second knee operation gold medal. toto recovery given crippcripplingling 20162016 afterafte suffering a freak in a matter of months. to be 100 percent The Tokyo Gamesames -- seenseen traveltravel restrictions.restrictions. injuryinjury whilewh running a bath for The 38-year-old Swiss said ready to play at my as Federer’s finalal opportunity InIn April,April, FeFedererderer saisaidd hhee was hishis daughters.daugh he underwent follow-up arthro- to complete a careerareer ““golden”golden” “devastated”“devastated” wwhenhen Wimbledon,Wimbledon, But afafter failing to win a title scopic surgery “a few weeks highest level. I will be Grand Slam -- haveave bbeeneen pospost-t- wherewhere hehe hashas won a recordrecord thatthat yyearea Federer returned ago” after undergoing a similar missing my fans and poned until next year bbecauseecause eighteight titles, was cancelled for stronglystrongly inin 2017, winning seven keyhole procedure in the tour dearly but I of the pandemic,, andand FedererFederer thethe firstfirst timetime ssinceince WWorldorld WWarar tournamentstourname including the Aus- February. will turn 40 on thethe day of the II.II. traliantralian OpenO and Wimbledon Federer, whose last Grand will look forward to closing ceremony.y. Federer,Federer, knownknown forfor hishis ---- hishis mostmo prolific season in a Slam win was the 2018 Aus- seeing everyone back After the initialial operation,operation, elegant style of play, decade.decade. tralian Open, said he “experi- on tour at the start Federer had originallyinally pplannedlanned hashas got offoff He is stills six ATP titles short enced a setback during (his) to return for the nowow cacancelledncelled lightlylightly witwithh of JimmyJimmy Connors’ all-time initial rehabilitation”. of the 2021 season: grass-court seasonason thisthis injuriesinjuries recordrecord ooff 109. “I plan to take the necessary Roger Federer month. His last tournamenturnament duriduringng TouTour-levelr- tennis has been time to be 100 percent ready to match was on Januarynuary 30 inn a suspendedsuspende until the end of July play at my highest level,” he the Australian Openpen semisemi-- at thethe earearliest,l with the US Open said in a statement on Twitter. retirement for Federer, who finals, where hhee llostost too scheduledscheduled to start on August 24 “I will be missing my fans holds the record for men’s eventual championhampion andand the rescheduled French and the tour dearly but I will Grand Slam singles titles and Djokovic. OpenOpen on SSeptember 20. look forward to seeing everyone last month topped Forbes’ list His last appearanceearance on FedererFeder has not won the back on tour at the start of the of the world’s highest earning court was in frontnt ofof 51,954 ttitleitle aat either Flushing 2021 season.” athletes. fans -- touted by ororganisersganisers Roger Federer MeadowsMeado or Roland Garros The announcement is likely Federer, who won his first as a world recordd forfor tennistennis sincesince his only French Open to renew speculation about major trophy in 2003, lies just -- at a charity matchatch againstagainst triumphtriu in 2009. Pakistan legend QNB Stars League teams resume training Italian Akram warns saliva MotoGP at ban will make Mugello bowlers ‘robots’ cancelled

AFP — KARACHI AFP — PARIS

Legendary Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram The MotoGP Italian Grand Prix, warned yesterday that bowlers would become originally scheduled for May “robots” after cricket officials temporarily banned 31 at Mugello and then post- shining the ball with saliva as a coronavirus poned, has been cancelled, the precaution. International Motorcycling Bowlers traditionally get the ball to move or Federation (FIM) announced swing in the air by applying shine to one side Al Shahania team’s players attend a training yesterday. using sweat or saliva. session as QNB Stars League (QSL) sides “Despite the communal The International Cricket Council, however, returned to training pitches yesterday ahead effort made to find a practical has temporarily banned the practise over virus of the July 24 restart. Teams are training at solution, the impossibility of transmission fears as teams prepare to return to the Khalifa International Stadium, Indoor staging an event that is open the pitch in the coming weeks. Players can still stadium in Aspire, Training grounds for Qatar to spectators, as well as the apply sweat to the ball. 2022 FIFA World Cup and Clubs’ training difficulties that have arisen “It will make bowlers robots, coming and grounds. INSET: Umm Salal players leave from this exceptional situation, bowling without swing,” Akram said, adding they team's hotel for a training session. QSL have not allowed us to find a would have to be patient and wait for the ball to was halted due to coronavirus pandemic new date for the Italian Grand age naturally. “It’s a quizzical situation for me as in March. Prix,” said Paulo Poli, CEO of I grew up using saliva to shine the ball and to Mugello Circuit in an FIM swing it,” he added. statement. “I am all for precautions in these tough times, The FIM said this will be so bowlers have to wait for the ball to get old and the first time in nearly 30 years rough for them to get swing. Sweat alone was that the Tuscan circuit will not unlikely to generate swing as in some countries Virtual crowds and stadium host the Italian motorcycling it was too cold," said Akram. Grand Prix. “Sweat is just something of an add-on, a The season was originally top-up. Too much use of sweat will leave the scheduled to start on March 8 cricket ball too wet,” he said. noise greet return of La Liga in Qatar, but only the Moto2 Akram, who took 414 Test and 502 one-day and Moto3 events were raced. international wickets in a storied career, believes The FIM and the promoter artificial substance could potentially help as he REUTERS — BARCELONA what they are trying to sell of the MotoGP championship, encouraged officials to keep searching for as the return of football the Spanish group Dorna, have alternatives. The usually scorching feels to us like a lack of yet to present a revised cal- “I believe that they will need to find a rea- derby between Sevilla and respect to the fans they endar for the World Champi- sonable solution. Artificial substances like vaseline Real Betis kicks the La want to replace,” said onship, which has been put on could be used to swing the ball but how much of Liga season back into Emilio Abejon of fans hold by the coronavirus it? “Let’s see, we have this England versus the action today but while the group FASFE. pandemic. West Indies series to judge how it goes, because Sanchez Pizjuan stadium “We’ve spent years The Italian MotoGP is the I have never experienced this thing.” will be eerily quiet without protesting against the fact eighth race to be cancelled. International cricket resumes with England spectators, the television that La Liga wants to Dorna CEO Carmelo hosting the West Indies in a Test series later this broadcast will offer a far make us the props for Ezpeleta indicated in early month . Akram said suggestions that limited ball- livelier experience. their broadcasts but with June that he expected to tampering be allowed should also be considered With virtual crowd this move they have gone present a new calendar soon. by officials. visuals and noise, La Liga one step further. Now all “If all goes well, we will “When can you tamper the ball? Right from hopes to compensate for they need to do is replace start on July 19th in Jerez and the first over or after 20-25 overs? They will need the enforced empty sta- the players and they’ll the last races will take place in to sit down and do brainstorming,” he added. diums when the season have reinvented video November, from 12 to 13 “The game is already tilted more in favour of resumes after a three- games.” races,” he said. the batsmen.batsmen.” month break due to the La Liga responded by Dorna has asked the COVID-19 pandemic. Barcelona’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi (centre) saying: “We want to give Spanish government for per- La Liga’s partnership attending a training session in Sant Joan Despi. viewers a good experience mission to hold two races Wasim with Norwegian broad- and that’s why during this behind closed doors on July 19 Akram casting technology firm chances and fouls. industry. Sitcoms and late unusual time we have and 26 at the Jerez circuit in Vizrt means viewers will “Our aim was to night shows add applause opted for virtualisation of Andalusia, but has not yet see to-scale images of reproduce the same and laughter and we think the stands. Everyone received an answer. seated fans wearing the entertainment experience the audience will under- watching it will know it home club’s colours in that viewers had before so stand that this will give a isn’t real, but it will The FIM said this will be “virtualised” stands. we developed and better atmosphere to the enhance the viewing the first time in nearly They will also hear selected technologies to games.” experience. 30 years that the Tuscan simulated noise created create the same atmos- Yet not everyone is “We want fans back circuit will not host the by video game developer phere,” La Liga’s audio- pleased by the prospect of into the stadiums as soon Italian motorcycling EA Sports FIFA, drawn visual director Melcior a simulated fan as that can be done Grand Prix. The Italian from a back catalogue of Soler said. experience. responsibly. Fans are key chants from actual sta- “This is something “The use of virtual to the atmosphere around MotoGP is the eighth diums which will adapt to which is not so strange in images and sounds in the football, both in the race to be cancelled. game events such as goals, the entertainment television broadcasts of stadium and on TV.” 06 SPORT THURSDAY 11 JUNE 2020 Dominant Abdulla registers another win

THE PENINSULA – DOHA QORC WRC8 FRENCH RALLY: RESULTS Adel Abdulla (pictured) once again GROUP A showed his prowess by prevailing over 1. Adel Abdulla 45:27.497, 2. his Group A opponents to secure an Mohamad Al Thefiri +3:32.487, 3. eight-point lead in the overall Misfer Al Hajri +4:44.672 standings after two rounds of the Q GROUP B atar Online Racing Championship 1. Mansour Dbeissy 44:48.203, 2. (QORC) virtual WRC8 French Rally. Ahmed El Khouly +42.996, 3. Nasser On Tuesday, the former FIA World Saadoun Al Kuwari +4:39.797 Cup for Cross-Country Rallies T2 GROUP C champion created a three and half- 1. Zakariya Al Aufi/ Oman 45:11.647, minute gap between him and his 2. Hamad Al Sulaiti +1:12.795, 3. closest rival Mohamad Al Thefiri Ahmed Al Kuwari +3:33.081 during the second qualifying round by GROUP D completing eight stages in 45:27.497. 1. Ammar Bulushi 44:32.110, 2. The popular driver, has now col- Khalid Al Maraghi +1:04.469, 3. lected 40 points with two victories as Mishari Al Thefir +1:40.210 drivers head for the third and final qualifying round before the final series in which only the top drivers are finished second behind Dbeissy while STANDINGS (AFTER TWO QUALIFYING ROUNDS)) GROUP A allowed to compete. Nasser Al Kuwari clinched the third Misfer Al Hajri, the group’s second- spot. # Driver R1 R2 Pts 1 Adel Abdulla 40 40 80 place winner of the first round on Hamad Al Sulaiti and Ahmed Al 2 Misfer Al Hajri 36 33 69 Sunday, completed the French Rally Kuwari secured the second and third 3 Patrick Roux 33 31 64 podium. spot in Group C. GROUP B Al Hajri is second in the overall Group D winner Ammar Bulushi 1 Mansour Dbeissy 36 40 76 Group A standings whereas Al Thefiri was the only other driver apart from 2 Ahmed El Khouly 40 36 76 stays at the bottom after competing in Abdulla to win consecutive races in 3 Nasser Al Kuwari 31 33 64 only one out of two qualifying events. the series. GROUP C Mansour Dbeissy (Group B, Khalid Al Maraghi finished second 1 Zakariya Al Aufi 36 40 76 Zakariya Al Aufi of Oman (Group C) in Tuesday’s event while Kuwaiti 2 Hamad Al Sulaiti 40 36 76 and his compatriot Ammar Bulushi Mishari Al Thefiri completed the 3 Ahmed Al Kuwari 30 33 63 (Group D) were the other group podium in their group. GROUP D winners on Tuesday. The next WRC event takes place 1 Ammar Bulushi 40 40 80 In Group B, QORC Touring Car today on a virtual QRC Argentina Rally 2 Khalid Al Maraghi 36 36 72 series champion Ahmed El Kholay route. 3 Mishari Al Thefiri 31 33 64 NASCAR to allow limited spectators at select races

REUTERS — NEW YORK and the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway ranges between President Daryl Wolfe said in a Superspeedway. NASCAR, 80,000-175,000. statement. NASCAR will allow a limited which postponed racing in mid- Among the safety measures “We believe implementing number of spectators to attend March due to concerns over the in place, NASCAR said guests in this methodical process is an two June races in Florida and novel coronavirus and resumed attendance will be screened important step forward for the Alabama amid the COVID-19 action in mid-May, said it will before entering, required to sport and the future of live pandemic, the organisers of the welcome up to 1,000 invited wear face coverings and sporting events. popular racing series said. military members to the Miami maintain social distance. NASCAR was the first major The plan to reintroduce race while Talledega will allow “We have tremendous sport in the United States to guests at select NASCAR Cup up to 5,000 guests. respect and appreciation for the return to action amid the Ty Dillon, driver of the #13 GEICO Chevrolet, races during Series races will begin with the Homestead-Miami can nor- responsibility that comes with COVID-19 pandemic when it the NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 in June 14 Dixie Vodka 400 at mally host up to 46,000 fans integrating guests back into our held a May 17 race in South Hampton, Georgia, in this in this June 07, 2020 file photo. Homestead-Miami Speedway while the capacity at Talladega events,” NASCAR Executive Vice Carolina without spectators. Manchester City to FIFA report rates Australia/NZ bid learn fate on European ban next month best for 2023 women’s World Cup REUTERS — MANCHESTER

AFP — LAUSANNE City were banned by World soccer’s governing body UEFA and handed a €30m FIFA has rated the joint Manchester City will learn ($34m, £27m) fine for Australia/New Zealand bid for whether their appeal against a allegedly overstating the 2023 Women’s World Cup two-season ban from European sponsorship revenue to as the best to host the tour- competition has been hide that they had not nament. successful “during the first half FIFA said in a statement complied with financial of July”, the Court of Arbitration yesterday that it had received for Sport (CAS) announced fair play (FFP) rules official ‘bid books’ from three yesterday. between 2012 and 2016. contenders -- Colombia, Japan City were banned by UEFA and the joint Australia-New and handed a €30m ($34m, season, which is due to restart Zealand bid. £27m) fine for allegedly over- on June 17. City have a 12-point FIFA’s ruling council will stating sponsorship revenue to lead over fifth-placed Man- decide which of the three con- hide that they had not complied chester United and seem tenders will host the tour- with financial fair play (FFP) certain to secure qualification nament during an online rules between 2012 and 2016. for next season’s Champions meeting of its ruling council on The reigning English cham- League on the field. June 25. pions have steadfastly refuted However, if they are The organisation’s bid eval- UEFA’s allegations. excluded, whoever finishes fifth uation report gave the Aus- A three-day hearing on the will take their place in the tralia-New Zealand bid an case was held via videocon- Champions League. Just six average score of 4.1 out of 5, US players celebrate after winning the Women’s World Cup with the trophy in Lyon, France, in this ference due to coronavirus points separate United from with Japan on 3.9 and Colombia July 7, 2019 file photo. restrictions. Crystal Palace in 11th. 2.8. “The decision is expected No matter the outcome of Brazil withdrew its can- testimony to the tremendous whether the Colombian bid had if this level of investment will to be issued during the first half the appeal, City will be able to didacy on Monday saying the momentum women’s football the necessary financial backing. be available”. of July 2020. The exact date will complete their campaign in the government did not consider it has generated and we are The report said Colombia The report said the Aus- be communicated in advance,” 2019/20 Champions League. wise to offer financial guar- looking forward to building on would need “a significant amount tralia/New Zealand bid CAS said in a statement. Pep Guardiola’s men won antees in the midst of the this to take women’s football to of investment and support from appeared to “present the most “At the end of the hearing, 2-1 at Real Madrid in the first COVID-19 pandemic. the next level at the FIFA both local stakeholders and FIFA commercially favourable both parties expressed their leg of their last 16 tie before the The 2019 tournament in Women’s World Cup 2023,” in order to elevate organisational proposition”. satisfaction with respect to the competition was halted by France broke records in terms said FIFA Secretary General conditions to those of the other Japan’s bid was praised for conduct of the procedure.” COVID-19. of television audiences and was Fatma Samoura. two bids. the quality of venues and infra- The verdict should be UEFA are planning to com- seen as the most high-profile FIFA’s bid evaluation report “Based on the documen- structure along with the ability known before the end of the plete this season’s European edition so far. said all three proposals met the tation submitted and the infor- to attract television audiences delayed Premier League competitions in August. “The quality of the bids is requirements but questioned mation provided, it is not clear across Asia. Coe gets Olympic membership nod after wait Manfred close to ‘nuclear’ option,

REUTERS — BERLIN the IOC since the departure of conflict of interest with other virtual news conference. Apart shortened season, says report Coe’s predecessor Lamine posts he holds. from his role at World Athletics, NEW YORK World Athletics President Diack in 2015 amid a corcor-- “Seb Coe has committedc Coe, who won 1,500m gold in REUTERS — citing three Major League Sebastian Coe (pictured) ruptionruption scandal anandd himself to chchanginga his 1980 and 1984, is also Group Baseball executives. yesterday was nominated for subsequentsubsequent trial. statusstatus withinwit the Chairman of consultancy firm MLB commissioner Rob MLBPA has the latest membership to the Interna- TheThe IIOCOC hhadad companycompany he iis currently CSM which also works with the Manfred is close to using his proposal on the table -- 89 tional Olympic Committee repeaterepeatedlydly snubbedsnubbed runningrunning as managing IOC. “nuclear option” to end the games, full prorated salaries pending proof he has stepped Coe, a federation directordirector to a passive “Because the executive acrimonious negotiations and playoff expansion for this down from an active role in a vice-presidentvice-president under positionposition anandd the nec- board has full confidence in our between players and owners, season and next -- but ESPN consultancy firm, the IOC Pres- DiackDiack andand BritishBritish essary documen- friend Seb Coe they have USA Today reported. reported owners considered ident said. sporting tationtat will be decided to put the candidature Manfred wields the option of the length of the season a Coe’s membership is linked ggreat,reat, providedpr to forward subject to the delivery shortening the 2020 season “nonstarter.” to the two-time Olympic cham- saying ththe IOC of such documentation with without good faith negotia- The 89-game plan was a pion’s role as president of the theret h e r e ethicset com- which the concerns of the ethics tions with the MLB Players counter to the 114-game federation and ends a five-year was missionm by commission would be gone,” Association and plans to use schedule which drew harsh wait for one of the Games’ most thet first of Bach said. that power if the sides can’t criticism from players. popular sports. July,”J IOC For decades, membership close on an agreement within The deal was formally The athletics body has not PresidentP of the IOC for the head athletics a week, USA Today said, rejected. had any representation within potentialpotenttiaal ThomasThhomo as BachB told a was almost automatic. THURSDAY 11 JUNE 2020 SPORT 07 English players’ union warns of Australia’s ‘legal dispute’ in rugby pay row ‘Super Rugby AU’ competition AFP - LONDON In this file photo taken on March 7, 2020, France’s The English Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) flanker Charles Ollivon attends the Captain’s Run training confirmed for warned yesterday of a “significant legal dispute” session on the eve of the Six Nations international if pay cuts introduced in response to the coro- rugby union match between Scotland and France navirus became a permanent feature in the at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. English Premiership. July 3 restart Many players accepted a temporary 25 percent pay cut after professional rugby union REUTERS - MELBOURNE ground to a halt in March because of the pandemic. But with the season now set to resume on Australia’s domestic “Super Rugby AU” schedule has August 15, well beyond its original finish date been confirmed for July 3 to September 19 after getting and at a time when a number of contracts have approval from broadcasters, Rugby Australia said expired, the RPA said it was “unequivocally” yesterday. opposed to making the cuts permanent. The competition, featuring the country’s four Super England’s 12 top-flight clubs met earlier this Rugby teams and Perth-based Western Force, will have week and the RPA said yesterday they had “unan- 10 weeks of round robin play before a two-week playoff imously agreed to reduce unilaterally the salary series. cap”, even though there has been no “Our focus is now back where it should be, getting... announcement to that effect from Premiership Super Rugby AU up and running next month and Rugby Limited (PRL). watching our five Australian teams go head-to-head in The salary cap currently stands at £7m ($9m). week after week of Aussie derby action,” RA interim “Most of the players have already had tem- CEO Rob Clarke said in a statement. porary 25 percent pay cuts since March and April Australia will become the second nation as a result of the unprecedented financial chal- towards a significant legal dispute to resume professional rugby after the coro- lenges exposed by COVID-19,” RPA chairman unless meaningful and genuine dia- navirus shutdown, with New Zealand set to Mark Lambert said in a statement. logue takes place urgently,” he said. open “Super Rugby Aotearoa” this weekend. “PRL have been seeking agreement to reduce Lambert added it was “totally The broader Super Rugby season, which fea- players’ wages permanently by 25 percent across unacceptable” that players at some tured teams from New Zealand, South Africa, all PRL clubs. clubs were “being served with ulti- Argentina and Japan, was suspended in “This was unanimously rejected by the matums” to sign amended contracts March after seven rounds following the players’ board.” through what he called the “manu- instalment of travel restrictions and border Lambert called for talks with the PRL. factured deadline” of June 18. controls to curb the spread of COVID-19. “This latest situation could have been entirely “Players should not engage with RA confirmed Super Rugby had been avoided with a collaborative and transparent this approach,” he said. “abandoned for 2020”. South Africa’s Super approach and we now find ourselves heading “The RPA will continue to fight Rugby teams are expected to play in a home- for our members throughout this based competition but Argentina’s Jaguares England’s 12 top-flight clubs crisis.” and the Tokyo-based Sunwolves face an A Premiership spokesman said uncertain future. met earlier this week and they had nothing to say in response “The decision around the Jaguares was the RPA said yesterday they to the RPA’s statement “at this stage” The Rugby Australia building in Sydney. largely taken out of our hands with the coun- had “unanimously agreed to and nor was there an announcement try’s travel ban being extended until 1st Sep- regarding any salary cap tember 2020,” Super Rugby’s governing body reduce unilaterally the salary reductions. SANZAAR said in a statement yesterday. cap”, even though there has The row takes place against the backdrop of Premiership drop a rule allowing clubs to have Super Rugby AU will kick off with the Queensland the Saracens scandal, which will see the reigning two “marquee players”, whose wages are exempt Reds hosting the New South Wales Waratahs in Brisbane been no announcement to Premiership champions relegated to the second- from the current regulations. on July 3. The competition, which will take place at closed that effect from Premiership tier next season for breaches of the salary cap. Harlequins chief executive Laurie Dalrymple venues pending government advice on allowing spec- Rugby Limited (PRL). Saracens’ conduct led PRL to commission a said this week they would be “supportive” of the tators, will be a welcome boost for RA, which has battled review into its rules led by former British gov- salary cap being lowered, given “virtually all clubs to stave off a financial crisis exacerbated by the coro- ernment finance minister Paul Myners. Among are losing more money than they are bringing navirus shutdown. Myners’ suggested reforms was that the in”. Pakistan’s Babar wants to emulate Indian skipper Kohli

REUTERSREUTERS - ISISLAMABADL and win matches for my “I’m rarely satisfied with my people because I’ve seen them thought it meant “strong country.” performance because I always (racial jibes) in domestic stallion,” that it was “uplifting,” PakistanPakistan bbatsmanats Babar Azam’s Babar, who is Pakistan’s lim- see room for improvement.” cricket,” Pathan said yesterday. and he would gladly tell people sparklingsparkling fformor has earned him ited-overs captain, said there Pakistan are scheduled to “Some of our cricketers from the that’s his name. comparisonscomparison with Virat Kohli were some style similarities. play three Tests and the same south, especially, have faced that He was enlightened and dis- butbut thethe eleganteleg right-hander “Asian batsmen have the number of Twenty20 Interna- in the northern and western gusted after watching Hasan sayssays he has a long way to go same technique and strokeplay. tionals against England in parts of the country. Minhaj, a US comedian of Indian beforebefore he can be considered the I guess some of our shots look August-September though exact “What happens is among the descent, reveal in his Patriot Act IndianIndian skipper’sskipp equal. similar,” he added. dates and venues are yet to be crowd, someone tries to act like show on Netflix that kalu was BothBoth top-ordertop batsmen The 25-year-old says he finalised. a jester. It’s not because people used in a discriminatory way in scorescore ffreelyreely and play the cover closely follows the careers of ** MEANWHILE former are racist, but it’s like someone India. drivedrive partparticularlyi well. the top batsmen, watching how India Test pace bowler Irfan trying to be popular by saying Pathan said he wasn’t aware BabarBabar averages above 45 they master challenging condi- Pathan said he has witnessed something seemingly funny that of any such racial jibes at in tests anda 50-plus in both tions and overcome difficult players in Indian domestic amounts to crossing the line on Sammy. one-dayerso ne- and phases. cricket being racially abused. certain occasions.” “I was there with him TTwenty20we Interna- “I don’t look to compare Pathan’s comments come Sammy, who is black, said (Sammy) in 2014. I feel had this tionals,tion putting him in myself with the greats,” he said. the day after former West Indies in a video on Instagram he was really happened, the matter theth top five of all “When I’m playing, I’m not captain Darren Sammy asked frequently called “kalu” by would definitely have been dis- threeth formats. trying to show off or prove any fellow cricketers in the Indian smiling and laughing Sunrisers cussed, so I’m not aware of such “He’s one of the point to anyone. For me, it’s Premier League to clear the air Hyderabad team-mates while things as nothing was discussed bestbe players. I’m still about whether I’m satisfied with after learning they may have playing in the IPL in 2013 and in a larger way,” Pathan was behindbe him,” Babar my performance. been mocking the color of his 2014. quoted in ThePrint, an Indian toldtold ththe Cricbuzz website. “I’m happy as long as I can skin. Kalu is Hindi for black, but digital platform for news reports Babar Azam “I’ll“IllI’ll trttryry to be as good as him help Pakistan win matches. “We need to educate our Sammy said on Monday he and analysis. Djokovic may skip US Coronavirus shutdown may help Open for French Open Serena’s Grand Slam quest: Coach AP - BELGRADE REUTERS - MUMBAI Serena Williams of the US hits a shot as her Top-ranked Novak Djokovic is thinking of skipping the US coach Patrick Mouratoglou looks on during Open -- if it is played -- and instead returning to competition Serena Williams is as motivated as ever to a training session at the Australian Open on clay ahead of the rescheduled French Open. Speaking to add to her 23 Grand Slam singles titles and in Melbourne, Australia, in this January 11, Serbia’s state broadcaster RTS on Tuesday, Djokovic said the the COVID-19 shutdown could end up helping 2017 file photo. restrictions that would be in place for the Grand Slam tour- her in that quest, the American’s long-time nament in New York because of the coronavirus pandemic coach Patrick Mouratoglou has said. would be “extreme” and not “sustainable.” Williams, who turns 39 in September, has “Most of the players I have talked to were quite negative reached four Grand Slam finals since giving on whether they would go there,” Djokovic said. “For me birth to daughter Olympia in 2017 but failed currently, as things stand, most probably the season will con- to win any of them and remains one major tinue on clay at the beginning of September.” title short of Margaret Court’s record of 24. Like many sports, tennis went on hiatus in March because The tennis season came to a halt in March of the COVID-19 outbreak. All sanctioned tournaments have when world sport went into lockdown due to been scrapped until at least late July. That includes the French the novel coronavirus outbreak and the hiatus Open, which was supposed to end last weekend but was will continue at least until the end of July. postponed until September, and Wimbledon, which was can- Frenchman Mouratoglou said Williams celed for the first time since 1945. had been able to recharge during the break The US Tennis Association is expected to make a decision and that her appetite for titles had not waned. as soon as next week about whether to hold the US Open. “First of all it was good for Serena because Main-draw play is scheduled to begin Aug 31. If that tour- she had time to rest and her body needed rest,” same for Roger or Rafa or Novak, they have clarity over the sport’s return. There are con- nament is played, possible precautions that Djokovic said he he said by telephone. so much experience that being out of compe- cerns professional tennis may not be able to wouldn’t appreciate include: “Second, her motivation hasn’t changed. tition for a few months doesn’t affect their return at all this year given the amount of ** A 14-day quarantine required for people arriving from She’s still as motivated as before to win more game so much,” said Mouratoglou. international travel required to get players to outside of the US. Grand Slams.” “And we’ve seen the best, someone like tournaments. ** Restricted access to courts, which he said means players Mouratoglou, who has been working with Roger for example, coming back from six “I think that for all the players it’s “wouldn’t be able to train.” the American since 2012, said experienced months injury and winning a Grand Slam extremely challenging because it’s a situation ** A limit of one person per competitor at matches, instead players like Williams, Roger Federer, Rafa straightaway (in 2017). So, only those guys can that is completely new,” said Mouratoglou, of the larger entourages some players travel with. Nadal and Novak Djokovic were best equipped do that. So for Serena, it’ll be fine.” whose Ultimate Tennis Showdown league ** Limited ability to move around New York, including to hit the ground running when tennis restarts. Mouratoglou was less sure about how well kicks off at his academy in Nice from keeping players at hotels near the tournament site in Queens “For someone like her, and probably the other players would cope given the lack of Saturday. and not letting them go to Manhattan.