<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="It may not be an official event, as tennis is shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but both Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou announced plans on Saturday to host numerous matches at their respective tennis academies in Europe.” data-reactid=”25″>It may not be an official event, as tennis is shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but both Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou announced plans on Saturday to host numerous matches at their respective tennis academies in Europe.
Mouratoglou announced the “Ultimate Tennis Showdown” on social media on Saturday. His academy, near Nice, France, is planning to play host 50 matches over five weeks starting May 16, with 10 matches each weekend without spectators present.
They also teased “millions of US dollars in prize money,” though didn’t specify how much would be awarded to the winner. On-court coaching and video coaching will reportedly be allowed, and fans will be able to interact in real time with the players.
“There is no doubt that the Ultimate Tennis Showdown, with thrilling singles matches and millions of US dollars in prize money, has the potential to be the world’s most exciting tennis competition,” UTS co-founder Alex Popyrin said in a statement. “Fans watching at home will feel closer than ever before to the stars of the world through our engaging format.”
They didn’t specify who all will be competing in the competition, however, teased the first match — Alexei Popyrin vs. David Goffin — on May 16.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="France is currently under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, and had more than 111,800 confirmed cases as of Saturday afternoon, according to The New York Times. The country’s current lockdown is scheduled to end on May 11, which would allow players and others to travel through the country to get to the event. No mass events will be permitted by then, however, which will prohibit fans at the competition. ” data-reactid=”34″>France is currently under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, and had more than 111,800 confirmed cases as of Saturday afternoon, according to The New York Times. The country’s current lockdown is scheduled to end on May 11, which would allow players and others to travel through the country to get to the event. No mass events will be permitted by then, however, which will prohibit fans at the competition.
Mouratoglou said they will “operate in full compliance with local physical distancing requirements to ensure the safety of players, coaches and a limited number of UTS staff onside.”
“The UTS is simply meant to be an alternative to what already exists,” Mouratoglou said. “It is a platform created to showcase the incredible talent, athleticism and personalities of the wide range of tennis players. It offers a new and innovative approach, targeting a younger tennis audience and proposes a different way to distribute the money among the players.
“The UTS defines itself as a player-centric league, and therefore features a system focusing on the redistribution of income among the players. This system could be particularly beneficial for lower-ranked players.”
Rafael Nadal hoping to open academy for training
Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal is planning something similar with his training academy in Mallorca.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Nadal’s academy is currently in talks with the ATP about how to proceed, according to the AFP, and is considering becoming "a campus where elite players can reside, train and compete between themselves in matches that will be televised so that fans around the world can enjoy them."” data-reactid=”42″>Nadal’s academy is currently in talks with the ATP about how to proceed, according to the AFP, and is considering becoming “a campus where elite players can reside, train and compete between themselves in matches that will be televised so that fans around the world can enjoy them.”
Like France, Spain was hit incredibly hard by the coronavirus. There were more than 191,700 confirmed cases in the country as of Saturday afternoon, the second-most among any country in the world behind only the United States. Spain is also in a similar lockdown.
“Right now tennis takes a back seat and the most important thing is everyone’s health, but if in the coming months the Academy can be used to help other professional players, I’d be delighted if they could come to train and also to compete,” Nadal said, via the AFP.
“I think that competing among ourselves would help us maintain our game for when the tour restarts.”
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="More from Yahoo Sports:” data-reactid=”46″>More from Yahoo Sports:
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
