SPORT Friday 4 May 2018 PAGES | 18 PAGE | 19 Khalifa Stadium to Roger Federer host DDL 2019: to start grass Dr Al Kuwari campaign in Stuttgart

Gill, Karthik Al Sadd, Al Duhail set up guide KKR to easy win thrilling semi-final clash over CSK IANS CHINTHANA WASALA THE PENINSULA KOLKATA: Top-order batsman Shubman Gill cracked an unbeaten DOHA: Even without three of 36-ball 57 while skipper Dinesh their key players, Al Sadd Karthik bludgeoned a 18-ball 45 not proved to be too strong for Al out to guide Khor as the Wolves marched (KKR) to a six- win over into the Emir Cup semi-finals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in an with a 4-0 win yesterday. (IPL) clash At the Abdullah Bin Khalifa at the Eden Gardens yesterday. Stadium, Ali Ferydoon, Yasser Chasing 178 for victory, Gill, an Abubaker, Pedro Miguel and U-19 World Cup winner, joined Akram Afif were on target as Al hands with Karthik for an unbroken Sadd saw off the struggling Al 83-run fifth wicket partnership off Khor to make it to the semi- 36 deliveries that took the game final in which they will meet away from MS Dhoni’s team despite QNB Stars League and Qatar their making early inroads. This was Cup champions Al Duhail on Gill’s maiden IPL fifty. May 11. Put in to bat, CSK rode Dhoni’s The Iranian forward Fer- unbeaten 25-ball 43 to post 177/5 in ydoon drew the first blood for 20 overs. Al Sadd in the 37th minute. In reply, KKR finished on 180/4 Ferydoon picked up the ball with 14 balls to spare to register from Afif who directed a free second win on the bounce and fifth kick from 30 yards away and overall in the tournament so far. beat the Al Khor goalkeeper KKR moved to third spot having Khalifa Ababacar with a clever 10 points from nine games while header at close range. Sunrisers Hyderabad pipped CSK to In the second half, Al Sadd the top of the table. players put more pressure on Pushed up the order, Gill’s Al Khor. Yasser Abubakar made innings was laced with six fours and a perfect assist in the 53rd two sixes as Karthik ably supported minute when his curling cross him hitting seven fours and a six. was headed into the net by Despite the early blows, KKR Pedro to leave Al Khor players kept pace with the target, racing to stunned. 2-0. 90/3 at the halfway stage, the same Abubaker accounted for as CSK albeit losing two more the third goal for his team . when he found a gap in the Al Al Sadd’s Ali Ferydoon scores their first goal against Al Khor during the first quarter-final of the Emir Cup at the Abdullah Bin (16) failed too before Khor defence in the 67th Khalifa Stadium in Doha yesterday. Gill and Karthik took the game by minute before Afif finished off the scruff of the neck, taking Asif for in style with a brilliant kick 21 runs in the 15th over which proved from top of the box and the ligament injury while training by Umm Salal throughout the Today, Al Gharafa will take secure the automatic qualifi- to be the game-changer. ball flew into the net, making on Monday while Xavi and game and neither of them suc- on Mesaimeer in the their last- cation into the quarter-final it 4-0 in favour of Jesualdo Bounedjah both missed the ceeded in scoring in the first eight clash at the The Grand stage of the tournament. Brief Scores: Ferreira’s men. quarter-final, having being sus- half. Both teams missed several Hamad Stadium. The match will kick off at Al Sadd were without their pended following the Qatar Cup chances to score. Finally, it was Giant-killers Mesaimeer 5.15pm. Chennai Super Kings: 177/5 influential forward Algerian final against Al Duhail. Al Duhail’s forward Almoez Ali made it to the last-eight when Later, at the same venue, (Dhoni 43; 2/20, Piyush Jugurtha Hamroun, in-form Later, at the same venue who broke the impasse when they defeated Al Sailiyah to con- Rodrigo Tabata-led Al Rayyan Chawla 2/35) Baghdad Bounedjah and Barca yesterday, Al Duhail laboured he picked up a pass inside the tinue their impressive run in the will vie for the remaining spot legend Xavi Hernandez. to a 1-0 win against Umm Salal. box and smashed a left footed Emir Cup last week. in the semi-finals when they Kolkata Knight Riders: 180/4 in Hamroun had been ruled out of The favourites, Al Duhail kick to score the winner for Al Gharafa finished fourth take on the home team, Al 17.4 overs (Shubman Gill 57 , the match after picking up a were offered a stiff resistance Djamel Belmadi’s team. in the QNB Stars League to Arabi. 45 not out) Barshim eyes stiff competition in Diamond Leaguegp opener

CHINTHANA WASALA Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Last year’s Diamond League “Coming to this season, last sea- at the stadium, it waswas justjust peoplepeople Barshim makes his THE PENINSULA Champion, Barshim started the 2018 son’s performances definitely give me doing the sport,rtrt, not fanfanss season on a high note when he won the much more motivation. I think our outside,” Barshimmmsa sasaid.idid. signature pose DOHA: Qatar’s celebrity athlete Mutaz gold at the 8th Asian Indoor Athletics target this season is to custom fit more “You see noww that during a press Essa Barshim will be seeking a tough Championships in Tehran, Iran, in Feb- records since there are no champion- you’re affecting ppeople,eople, conference held in challenge in the season’s opening high ruary and went on to secure the silver ships this year. I am definitely going to people are inspired,inspired, Doha yesterday. jump battle at Qatar Sports Club at the IAAF Indoor World Champion- focus on the Diamond League season,” changing. I havee manymany famfam-- Picture by: Salim Matramkot/The Stadium today. ships in Birmingham, UK in early March. Barshim said. ilies coming evenn to my hhouse,ouse, Peninsula Barshim, who was named the IAAF Russian athlete Danil Lysenko won “I’m super excited that the Diamond asking to go to thehe stastadiumdium witwithh World Athlete of the Year at the end of the gold in Birmingham with a 2.38m League season is back on track again,” me. I see the changes.anges. Sometimes last season, said he had trained well in jump, but the Qatari - who has cleared he added. it needs time, butut it’s comicoming,ng, defi-defi- the build-up to the first Diamond the 2.40-metre mark in more than 10 Barshim said he was pleased to nitely,” Barshimm observed. League competition. occasions - remains unfazed. make the field events more popular “I feel that I’mImI m insinspiringspiripirpir ngng “I love the sport. When I compete, “Most people ask me what hap- among the fans. people by doingg whathhtt I’mImI’I m I want everybody to be (fully) engaged. pened (in Birmingham)? Why you “Few years back, the attention doing and by alwaysalwl aysys You need to have a strong competition. failed, they asked. But nothing has hap- obviously wasn’t much on the field trying to be the bbebesbestst of I’d rather lose jumping 2.45 metres or pened. You need a little time to get back events. It was more on track thanks to the best and eveevenen 2.46 metres than winning with 2.30 into the rhythm,” Barshim said with his Usain Bolt and all the guys who have better. I wantt metres. I need a higher standard,” trademark smile in place. been running. But I’m really glad that people to enjoy Barshim said yesterday. Commenting on his previous I’ve been part of this revolution to bring this sport as a Barshim, 26, leads a star cast at the season, Barshim said he had little com- attention to the field events,” Barshim lifestyle and Diamond League series opener at the plaint about his performances in 2017. said. enjoy their time iinn Qatar Sports Club today. The tall Qatari “(The) previous season was great. The popular Qatari said he loves it, and not to thinkhinkhi - who has won a silver and a bronze at I won the World Championship gold competing in front of the home crowd. about the Olympicspipicscs the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games and topped it with the Diamond League Barshim said he has observed the as the first goaloal respectively - wants to get back to his trophy and then the World Athlete of growing number of spectators at the because it comesmess top form and rhythm as quickly as the Year Award. It was amazing,” Doha meetings over the last few years. step by step,” hehe possible. Barshim said. “Definitely, three, four five years ago warned. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 4 MAY 2018 Doha set for Diamond League blockbuster

FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Qatar is set to open the IAAF Diamond League season for the ninth consecutive year with 17 reigning world and Olympic champions and several promising athletes ready to vie for top honours in Doha today. With a stellar line-up vowing to give its best, the Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) has promised to host the best-ever meeting at Qatar Sports Club, which will be expecting a full-house. Qatar’s high-jumper Mutaz Barshim – the 2017 World Champion, Diamond League Champion and World Athlete- of-the-Year – is leading an array of superstars which also includes reigning Olympic, World, European and Diamond League Champion Katerina Ste- fanidi of Greece, two-time Olympic Champion, three-time World Champion and six-time Diamond League Champion Christian Taylor of the USA, Doha Diamond League record holder in the 3,000m Hellen FROM LEFT: Great Britain’s Nathaneel Mitchell-Blake, Thomas Rohler of Germany, Qatar’s high-jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim, Katerina Stefanidi of Greece, Qatar Athletics Obiri of Kenya, and reigning Federation (QAF) President Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Christian Taylor of the USA, Hellen Obiri of Kenya, Oceania Athletics Association President, Geoff Gardner Olympic Champion Thomas Rohler of Germany. and Jenny Simpson of the USA pose for a photograph during a press conference held at the City Center Mall in Doha yesterday. BOTTOM: Dr. Al Kuwari holding the Diamond Like the last year, all the League Trophy along with Barshim. Pictures by: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula aforementioned athletes assembled at City Center Mall yesterday for the pre-event press conference which was Khalifa Stadium to host DDL 2019: Dr Al Kuwari also open to public. The athletes and public FAWAD HUSSAIN scheduled to be held from the last edition at the were also welcomed by Pres- THE PENINSULA September 28 to October Qatar Sports Club which ident of the Qatar Athletics Fed- 6, 2019. is hosting the event for eration and Doha Diamond DOHA: The iconic Khalifa “The next year’s ninth consecutive year. League meeting organiser, Dr International Stadium – Diamond League at “Qatar SC is a very Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, venue of next year’s IAAF Khalifa Stadium will be a good venue and we will and Oceania Athletics Associ- World Championships - dress rehearsal for the decide on it after the next ation President and IAAF Exec- will replace Qatar Sports World Championships. year’s edition,” he said utive Board, Geoff Gardner. Club to host the Doha We are planning several before adding that tomor- The press conference for Diamond League (DDL) in other competitions row’s meeting will be the the first time was hosted by 2019, Qatar Athletics including the Asian Ath- best show yet in Doha. athlete MCs Jenny Simpson of Federation (QAF) Pres- letics Championships “We are improving the USA - the reigning 1500m ident Dr Thani bin Abdul- before Diamond league every year and the fans World silver medallist and rahman Al Kuwari said 2019. will see further Olympic bronze medallist, and yesterday. “We are determined improvement tomorrow 200m sprinter Nathaneel Speaking to The to host the best World as we are looking to host Mitchell-Blake from Great Peninsula, Dr Thani said Championships ever and the best Diamond League Britain, who is the World the next year’s Diamond we will give all our efforts event in Doha. 4x100m Champion and U20 League will be one of the to achieve our goal,” the “A lot of Olympic and Champion in the 200m from major events which the QAF president said. World champions will 2013. The unique press con- state-of-the-art venue Dr Thani, however, compete tomorrow which ference attracted many fans will host ahead of the ruled out the possibility will be a treat for athletics who were amazed to witness prestigious IAAF World that tomorrow’s Diamond fans in Qatar,” added Dr their favourite superstars. Championships, League meeting will be Thani. “I am super excited to start the season after an amazing 2017 in which I won every- thing,” Barshim said during the Germany’s Rohler, who America’s triple jump performance to start season on be taking part in various com- event. threw a stunning 93.90m in last champion - who will renew a high note. petitions. Apart from Barshim, “This year, I will be year’s edition in Doha, said he rivalry with Cuban-born Pedro “I love competing in Doha. outstanding performances can focusing on the Diamond can throw even farthest. Pablo Pichardo today - said he We come here after a rest and be expected from Abdellelah I am looking for my League and yes, the world “The 100m mark is going to was itching for action on the always look to give our best,” Haroun - the 2017 World record will be in my mind,” be a difficult because it’s just field. she said. bronze medallist in the 400m, best show. Yes, I the 26-year-old who has the start of the season and a lot “I will compete for the “I am ready and confident. Abderrahaman Samba, who believe I can throw recorded second highest jump of aspects come into count in victory. It’s going to be a very I will compete for the victory,” recently ran a World-lead time farther. The only in the history with a leap of javelin. But I am looking for my good competition and I am he said. of 47.89 in the 400m hurdles, 2.43m, just behind Cuban best show. Yes, I believe I can looking forward to it,” he said. There will be a plenty to and Ahmed Bader, who is the question is when and Javier Sotomayor’s mark of throw farther. The only Pole vaulter Stefanidi said cheer for home fans as a total 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games where: Thomas Rohler 2.45 m. question is when and where.” she was hoping for a special of 16 Qatari athletes will also Champion in the javelin. India’s Chopra eyes memorable Doha debut ARMSTRONG VAS won the Commonwealth Games gold. Pitkomaki, Chao Tsun Cheng and Julius THE PENINSULA “This time it will be different. Earlier Yego have crossed that barrier. I would compete with a free mind. Now “There are so many people who can DOHA: After winning gold at last I have to compete knowing the expec- throw 80m. But there is another feeling month’s Commonwealth Games, rising tations people have on me. There is a to be counted among those who can Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra is different pressure when you are sup- throw 90m. I have to get to 90m by the preparing for a busy season in the posed to bring him some medals,” time of the Tokyo Olympics. Earlier 80m coming few months. Chopra said. was a barrier, now 90m is the new The 2016 Under-20 World One thing Chopra is sure is that the target,” he said. Champion and the 2017 Asian Champion gold in Australia has raised his confi- Chopra believes he will get to that will make his Diamond League debut at dence level to new heights. mark. the Qatar Sports Club Stadium today. “The Commonwealth Games gold “Coach tells me that I could have Chopra threw the javelin 86.47m at has done a lot to boost my confidence,” thrown even more at Gold Coast. I could the Gold Coast last month, around three said Chopra. have got 2-3m more but everything has and a half meters short of the javelin “If I don’t do well, people will begin to come together to get that throw. gold standard of 90m. to say that he wasn’t able to perform at Hopefully I will touch the 90m mark “Right now, my mind is focused on the biggest stage. I have to perform. I have before the Tokyo Games,” he said. challenges that lie ahead - the Diamond won the Commonwealth Games so people Chopra is supported by JSW Sports League season and the Asian Games in expect big things from me. The Diamond group which is engaged in driving a August,” Chopra told The Peninsula League isn’t easy but now I have a repu- Commonwealth Games javelin throw champion, India’s Neeraj Chopra. variety of sporting programmes to PICS: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA yesterday. tation to maintain too,” he says. empower some of India’s best “Next year, I will be taking part in Chopra faces a stern test in Doha as athletes. the World Championships followed by he comes up against Olympic javelin to live up to the expectations and try to Chopra, who is trained by German He said more and more Indian Olympics in 2020,” he said, adding he champion Thomas Rohler and all three perform at my best,” said Chopra. legend Uwe Hohn, is aiming to touch sponsors are supporting Indian athletes will be aiming to touch the 90m mark medallists from London 2017 world Rohler last year wowed the crowds the 90m before the 2020 Tokyo in their pursuit for sports excellence. this season. championships. in Doha as he threw an incredible Olympics and has little doubt he will get “I am thankful to JSW Sports besides Chopra made his Diamond League “The Diamond League is a strong 93.90m to move him to second on the past that mark. my sponsors Nike and American sports last year but the 20-year-old says fans competition. Some of the best javelin all-time list behind world-record holder Only six active athletes - Johannes beverage manufacturer Gatorade for expect him to do well now that he has throwers are taking part here. I will try Jan Zelezny. Vetter, Rohler, Andreas Hoffman, Tero supporting me,” he said. FRIDAY 4 MAY 2018 SPORT 19 Aussies to fight for ‘respect’, India refuse pink ball day-night Test on says new team coach Langer Australia tour REUTERS the field really well, those out- Retired opening AFP comes will look after batsman Justin MELBOURNE: Newly appointed themselves.” Australia coach Justin Langer Langer speaks Along with Smith and NEW DELHI: India have refused to play a day-night Test during will charge his players with to the media Warner, young opening batsman the tour of Australia later this year because of doubts over the quality winning back the “respect” of the in Melbourne, Cameron Bancroft was banned of the pink ball, their board said yesterday. cricket world after a ball- Australia, for nine months, having been “Yes, it’s pretty clear that we are not playing a day-night Test in tampering scandal left the team’s yesterday. caught on camera with a piece Australia, no doubt about it,” BCCI administrator Vinod Rai said. reputation in ruins. of sandpaper while out in the Cricket Australia (CA) had wanted the first Test in Adelaide from Long touted as head coach- field during the third test in Cape December 6 played under lights to tap on the growing popularity of in-waiting, Langer was named Town. pink-ball cricket. as Darren Lehmann’s Langer said he was stunned But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said they did replacement yesterday, his pred- that “cricket tragics” Smith and not want to get involved in an experiment in a high-profile series. ecessor having resigned in the Bancroft had been involved in “We have been saying this all along that we are experimenting wake of the Cape Town scandal the ball-tampering, but they and with pink ball cricket in the Duleep Trophy (India’s domestic com- even though he was cleared of Warner would all be welcomed petition) and that’s it for now,” said Rai. wrongdoing. back into the side if they met CA chief executive James Sutherland has lobbied hard for top- A gritty opening batsman “standards” once their bans were ranked India to play a day-night match, but hinted the tourists were who played in some of Aus- Ashes series. He has had success career in some of Australia’s served. scared of conceding an advantage to Australia, who have won all tralia’s greatest-ever teams, coaching Western Australia state most successful and uncompro- A father to four daughters, three pink ball Tests at Adelaide. Langer takes over a depleted since 2012, guiding Perth mising teams in the 1990s and he also described himself as a “I think everyone in world cricket knows that, to be frank, I think side, with disgraced former Scorchers to three domestic early 2000s, led by captains that “hippy”, as well as a mentor, to they want to come out here and beat us,” said Sutherland. Steve Smith and his titles in the ‘Big Bash’, championed “hard, aggressive the amusement of reporters. He “There’s a sense, or a reality, that Australia has won each of the deputy David Warner serving making them the most successful cricket” and never apologised is also a man who meditates and pink-ball Test matches that have played in Australia and there may year-long bans in the fall-out franchise in the tournament’s for the use of targeted spends at least one month a year be a sense that it gives us a bit of an advantage,” Sutherland told SEN from South Africa. short history. to throw opponents off their growing a beard and walking Radio on Wednesday. Observers believe the tour could be one of “For me, I think one of the Appointed coach of Aus- games. around in bare feet during his India’s best chance to record a first Test series win in Australia as things that’s really important is tralia’s Test, one-day and T20 He felt Australia’s players down-time. the hosts’ star players Steve Smith and David Warner are serving we keep looking to earn teams for the next four years, would need to “modify their Rebuilding trust in Aus- 12-month bans for ball tampering. Rai, who heads a special com- respect,” the 47-year-old told Langer’s first on-field behaviour a bit”, but said the tralia’s dressing room, as well as mittee appointed by India’s Supreme Court to run the BCCI, said reporters in Melbourne assignment will be on tour nation expected their teams to the cricket world, will be crucial, India would not be forced into playing a day-night Test. yesterday. against England next month for play tough as well as fair. Langer said. “Nobody can put a gun on to our head and say play (day-night “To me, respect’s worth an ODI series. “The public will be disap- “We’ll have to work on that,” cricket). There have been doubts about the pink ball itself in Duke more than all the gold in the One of his jobs will be to par- pointed if we don’t play good, he said. “I would say, without and Kookaburra,” Rai said, referring to the English and Australian world. It’s not just about how we ticipate in a players’ review hard, competitive cricket,” said being in it (at South Africa), ball manufacturers. The powerful BCCI are one of the few national play our cricket, it’s about being aimed at improving team culture Langer, dressed in a dark suit camaraderie wasn’t as right as governing bodies to have avoided playing pink ball cricket at the good citizens and good Aus- and conduct, which former and tie alongside Cricket Aus- it needed to be. international level. India experimented with pink ball cricket in its tralians,” he said. players and media pundits have tralia boss James Sutherland. “I’ve said for years if you’ve Duleep Trophy domestic championship in 2016 but administrators Perth-born Langer scored long criticised as boorish and out “How people view us, that’s got that camaraderie, then it’s and top players are wary about playing at international level. India more than 7,500 runs in 105 of step with public really none of our business. like that glue that keeps every- are will tour Australia from November 21 to January 19 with four Tests, including 23 centuries, expectations. “We know in this world eve- thing together, particularly when Tests, three Twenty20 internationals and three one-day games on before retiring with a slew of Like his predecessor ryone’s got an opinion. If we go you’re under pressure,” Langer the schedule. greats at the end of the 2006/07 Lehmann, Langer carved out a about our behaviours on and off said. F1 seeking to hold race in Miami starting in 2019

AP managing director for com- to the Dolphins’ stadium complex Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton mercial operations. in Miami Gardens, a move that crosses the finish line to win MIMAI: Formula One announced The Miami race would be the will be enacted in time for next yesterday it wants to stage a latest move by Liberty Media, the year’s tournament. the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in street race in Miami starting in American ownership group that He’s also brought several Baku City Circuit in this April 29, 2019 and the city commission took over F1 in 2017. Liberty is international soccer events to 2018, file photo. has scheduled a vote next week pushing for ways to expand F1’s Hard Rock Stadium, which is on a proposal to formalise plans reach, including the possibility seeking to host World Cup for a 10-year deal. of adding new races in Asia, and matches in 2026. The series has long sought to a soon-to-launch live streaming The F1 plan also comes while enlarge its presence in the United service. a group led by soccer icon David States. A Miami race would be The Texas race gets about Beckham tries to bring an MLS the second in the US, joining the $25m annually in state and local franchise back to the Miami area. US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. tax money to pay F1’s rights fees Beckham and MLS formally It would be the fourth in North and other expenses. The Florida announced earlier this year that America, joining races in Canada race is supported by Miami a team is coming, but it’s still and Mexico City. Mayor Francis Suarez and Miami unclear where the stadium for Formula One officials said if Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, that club will be built and when approved, the Miami race could but financing details were not it will be able to start play. be targeted for October 2019, immediately available. Formula One races in cities which would place it close to the “From football and soccer to across the globe but left the US current calendar spot of the tennis and motorsports, Miami from 2008-2012. It returned with Texas and Mexico City races. deserves only the best in music, the US Grand Prix in Texas at the “Miami’s status as one of the food, art, fashion, and sports and Circuit of the Americas, a $300m world’s most iconic and glam- entertainment, and that is exactly facility built specifically for F1. A orous cities, combined with its what we plan on delivering with Miami street race would be the years with talk of races in New with the Mexico City race, which the Circuit of the Americas, did robust tourism infrastructure, a Formula 1 race,” Ross said. first F1 street race in the US since Jersey, Los Angeles or Miami. But joined the calendar in 2015 and not immediately respond to a makes Miami the perfect desti- Ross helped lead the plan to 1991 in Phoenix. more races in the US could pull is run a week after the US Grand request for comment but has said nation for Formula 1 and its relocate the Miami Open tennis The series has been inter- fans away from the Texas race, Prix. in the past adding more races in fans,” said Sean Bratches, F1’s tournament from Key Biscayne ested in a second US race for which already competes for fans Bobby Epstein, president of the US will help the sport grow.

Umpire says he was fired for Serbia’s player Novak Djokovic gestures during Federer to start grass a training session in discrimination complaint Belgrade, Serbia. AP campaign in Stuttgart Nimmons says he reported to the AFP nation’s governing body for pro- NEW YORK: A black former fessional tennis was an encounter tennis umpire said in a lawsuit with a white umpire at the 2013 PARIS: Roger Federer (pictured) has announced that he will start his that he was forced out of the sport US Open in New York City who grass-court season at the ATP tournament in Stuttgart in June, after skipping because he complained about allegedly taunted him by by the clay-court swing. racial bias, including that another saying, “Hey Tony, if you were a The 20-time Grand Slam champion decided to miss the clay-court umpire called him a “monkey,” hungry monkey and I told you season, as he did last year, in order to be fully prepared for Wimbledon, allegations that the United States there was a watermelon in the where he won a record eighth title last season. Tennis Association denied. tree - go get it! - how would you The week-long Stuttgart event starts on June 11, the day after the men’s The suit filed last week in feel?” At a lower-level tour- French Open final at Roland Garros. federal court in Brooklyn against nament in Dallas in 2012, he “On grass, my expectations are naturally high, so, I’m looking forward the USTA contends Anthony claims another white umpire to once again playing in Stuttgart,” Federer said in a statement on his Nimmons, who started umpiring yelled, “Tony, you should go back website. The 36-year-old also played the 2017 tournament, where he suf- in 1994, was demoted and ulti- to the ghetto!” fered a surprise loss in his first mately fired for speaking up about As a result of his complaints, match to German veteran a racist environment in the world he said: “I was stripped of my Tommy Haas, who has since of tennis officiating. It seeks work - including my diversity retired. unspecified damages. The USTA duties and travel to the Grand The Swiss is currently “strictly prohibits discrimination Slams tennis tournaments (e.g., second in the world rankings and retaliation in its workplace,” the Australian Open, French behind Rafael Nadal, but organization spokesman Chris Open-Roland Garros, Wimbledon depending on his long-term Widmaier said yesterday. “We and the US Open), to promote rival’s results on clay over the categorically deny the claims of diversity, and where I had oth- next six weeks, could arrive in Mr. Nimmons and will vigorously erwise officiated with approval Germany as the world number defend the suit,” he added. for decades,” Nimmons said in a one. Among the incidents statement included in the suit.