Naomi Osaka wins on competitive return after four-month absence January 4, 2022 Naomi Osaka won on her competitive return to tennis after a four-month spell away from the sport. Competing in the furst round of the Australian Open warm-up tournament, Osaka overcame French player Alize Cornet 6-4 3-6 6-3. Osaka did not compete at the French Open or Wimbledon, citing mental health reasons. She competed for her [...]
Serbian-born TV mogul enters £100m deal to buy majority stake in Saints January 4, 2022 Southampton have confirmed a takeover deal led by Serbian-born cable television mogul Dragan Solak in a deal thought to be worth £100m. Solak is the lead investor of Sport Republic, who have purchased the shareholding of the club held by current owner Gao Jisheng (80%). They will work in partnership with Katharina Liebherr, who retains [...]
Australian Open: Djokovic gets medical exemption to compete January 4, 2022 Defending champion Novak Djokovic has said he’s received a medical exemption to compete at this month’s Australian Open. The tournament organisers had said that players and staff must be vaccinated against Covid-19 to compete, or have medical exemption status. The exemption was granted by an expert independent panel. Djokovic has won the Open nine times [...]
Murray begins 2022 with loss in Melbourne Summer Series January 4, 2022 British No5 Andy Murray suffered an opening round loss at the hands of world No 76 Facundo Bagnis in Melbourne. The Argentine beat the Brit 6-3 5-7 6-3 in the opening round of the Melbourne Summer Series. The competition is often used as a warm up for the Australian Open, which begins on 17 January. [...]
Cricket round-up: Ashes squads named and NZ Test in balance January 4, 2022 Ashes captains Joe Root and Pat Cummins have named their squads for the fourth Ashes Test while New Zealand’s cricket match against Bangladesh goes to the final day. Ashes Joe Root has named his squad for the fourth Ashes Test as Stuart Broad comes in for Ollie Robinson ahead of tonight’s start in Sydney. Broad [...]
Ashes: Root says ‘we’ve got to stay tight’ amid Covid-19 and poor series January 3, 2022 England captain Joe Root has said his touring Ashes side need “to stay tight” following a poor opening three tests and Covid-19 issues. The fourth Test begins tomorrow night – UK time – with England already 3-0 down and series losers. England have also been dogged by positive Covid-19 tests in the camp which includes [...]
Premiership Rugby five things: Subdued Saints and bamboozling Bristol January 3, 2022 England’s Premiership Rugby competition is one week shy of the halfway point. The league contains one winless side, one unbeaten side, and a competitive 11 teams in between. Here are five things we’ve learned from round 12 of action: Bamboozling Bristol Bristol’s game against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday was billed as game of the weekend, [...]
Chris Froome suffers knee injury ahead of cycling season January 3, 2022 Chris Froome says he might have been “pushing a little too much” in pre-season as his season suffered a set back with a knee injury. The Briton, who has won the Tour de France cycling event four times said: “I’m not too sure where I’m going to start the racing season. “This is definitely going [...]
Best of 2021: Athletic Bilbao’s two Copa del Rey finals, unique philosophy, and the roles of identity and loyalty in sporting success January 2, 2022 Athletic Bilbao are mid table in LaLiga but maintain their devotion to loyalty and philosophy. Here, Frank Dalleres looks at the oldest club in the Spanish top-flight. Originally published 31 March 2021. Athletic Bilbao manager Marcelino Garcia Toral could be forgiven for using the old cliche about every game feeling like a cup final. That’s [...]
Best of 2021:‘Let’s get a Premiership Rugby game in Singapore’ January 2, 2022 Premiership Rugby is nearing the half-way point this season and in December Matt Hardy spoke to title sponsor Gallagher’s CMO. Originally published 16 December. Premiership Rugby’s main sponsor, the US-headquartered insurer Gallagher, has called for the league to stage matches overseas in locations such as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. English club rugby’s top competition has [...]