Azarenka press conference australian open

Tennis Australia have defended the security team at Melbourne Park after a spectator was ordered to remove a t-shirt and banner that supported Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai. Peng’s whereabouts became a matter of international concern following a nearly three-week public absence after she accused former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault in a social media message posted on Weibo in early November. China condemned the ‘politicisation of sports’ on Thursday after the World Tennis Association (WTA) suspended their tournaments in the country as a result of the situation. The WTA reportedly remain unconvinced by the former Wimbledon doubles champion's public appearances since her seeming disappearance, and the topic has been blocked on China’s internet. Peng has since denied ever making the accusation that preceded her disappearance. Peng Shuai made a sexual assault allegation against a former high-ranking Chinese government official, leading to her whereabouts … [Read more...] about Australian Open defends event security after fan ordered to remove Peng Shuai t-shirt

Australian Open officials have decided to reverse their decision to ban T-shirts donning the slogan ‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ - but banners will remain forbidden from being displayed at Melbourne Park. Tennis Australia were forced to defend themselves after security at Melbourne Park ordered spectators to remove T-shirts and banners that supported Chinese tennis player Shuai . The decision received heavy criticism, including from 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, who branded the decision ‘cowardly’ . Victoria Azarenka , a member of the WTA Players’ Council, has also expressed her support for the doubles star while a protest has been planned for the women's final . Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley has since decided to allow such T-shirts as long as fans possess no ‘intent to disrupt’. But banners remain banned. Peng Shuai protests have taken place at the Australian Open this year ( Image: REUTERS) “If someone wants to wear a T-shirt … [Read more...] about Australian Open lift ban on fans’ Peng Shuai protest shirts after furious backlash

PARIS — Naomi Osaka cracked jokes at Roland Garros on Friday — and, yes, laughed at those jokes. She smiled after some reporters’ questions. She paused to contemplate, as is her wont, before offering answers. All of which seemed to confirm this assessment that she offered during an 18-minute pre-tournament French Open news conference, one year after she declared she would avoid talking to the media and then withdrew before the second round: “For the most part, I think I’m OK.” Osaka used those words at the conclusion of a lengthy and thoughtful reply about what it was like to come back to a place where her last trip was so much more about her well-being and off-court mind-set than her tennis. Which is saying something when the subject is a player who already owns four Grand Slam titles and has been ranked No. 1. “I’m not going to lie. When I first came here, I was very worried. I was just kind of worried if there would be people that — of course, I also didn’t like how I handled … [Read more...] about Rejuvenated Naomi Osaka says, ‘I think I’m OK’ ahead of French Open

The mental toll of professional tennis will be in focus as the curtain rises at the Roland Garros next week, a year since four-time major winner Naomi Osaka sparked fresh debate around athletes' mental health. The former world number one stunned the tennis world when she withdrew from the clay court major after boycotting post-match media duties , prompting a row with tournament officials. Also Read The cautionary tale in Osaka’s exit The Japanese player revealed she had been suffering from depression for almost three years, setting off a ripple effect as top athletes like Olympic gymnastics great Simone Biles put their well-being into focus. The saga also cast a spotlight on tennis majors' pressure-cooker post-match media mandates, as Roland-Garros organisers conceded they could "do better" on mental health. Osaka did not respond to a request for comment this week. Ready to address concerns Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo told reporters in March … [Read more...] about A year on, Naomi Osaka’s French Open exit blazes path for mental health discussion

Jonny Bairstow has not opened for England in too many matches in recent times but he is relishing his job at the top of the order for Punjab Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League. Bairstow's 66 off just 29 balls with the help of four boundaries and seven sixes laid the foundation for a 54-run win for Punjab Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 13. "I am happy with the way I have transitioned to opening the batting. It has been very enjoyable being back at the top," Bairstow said at the post-match press conference. Bairstow arrived late for this edition of the tournament and initially started in the middle order, where he struggled to find his groove. The team management then promoted him to the top and captain Mayank Agarwal moved himself down the order. The move yielded results as after scoring one in his first match as an opener against Gujarat Titans, Bairstow roared back to form with a 56 against Rajasthan Royals before Friday's 66. "It's one of those … [Read more...] about IPL 2022 | Bairstow enjoys opening slot for Punjab Kings after struggling in middle order

PARIS — Grand Slam losses by high-ranked, well-known and accomplished players to lower-ranked, lesser-known and less-accomplished opponents offer a rare opportunity for those unheralded winners to enjoy the spotlight. And for the first time in nearly a half-century, just three of the top 10 seeds in the French Open women’s draw made it to the round of 32. So meet Leolia Jeanjean: age 26; from Montpellier, France; ranked 227th; a wild-card entry after never being a Slam participant; seemingly destined as a kid for great things in tennis, with sponsorship deals before she was in high school — until, that is, an injured knee derailed things. She left the sport for a couple of years, wound up moving to the U.S., where she played college tennis at Baylor, then Arkansas, then Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., while pursuing studies in finance. At Lynn, she went unbeaten in singles and doubles, so it occurred to her maybe a pro career was worth a try. Good choice. Bad one for … [Read more...] about French Open: More women’s seeds ousted

A man arrested following Saturday's South Carolina mall shooting in which nine people were wounded had opened fire in self-defense in a confrontation with other shooters, his lawyer said Sunday. The man, identified as 22-year-old Jewayne Price, has been released under house arrest and ordered to wear an ankle monitor after a judge set a $25,000 surety bond. Police booked Price on suspicion of unlawful possession of a pistol after questioning him, the Columbia Police Department said. While police have not formally alleged he was a shooter Saturday, he was barred by Bond Court at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center Sunday from contacting victims of the attack, Columbia police said on Twitter. Price was one of three detained as "people of interest" for questioning, Columbia Police Chief W. H. “Skip” Holbrook said Saturday. The two others weren't involved and were released, police said in a statement released overnight. Investigators believe a fight between people … [Read more...] about Man opened fire at South Carolina mall in self-defense, his lawyer says

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2022: Hailed as the fourth pillar of democracy, journalists have time and again risked their lives and reputation to reveal the truth behind an incident, event or scandal. In a bid to appreciate their hard work, every year, May 3 is observed as World Press FreedomDay. The special day celebrates the spirit of journalism and recognises the dedication of journalists. It is extremely significant, as the United Nations considers it an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom across the globe, defend the attacks on media independence, and pay tribute to the journalists who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. Theme Every year, a specific theme is chosen for World Press Day, and this year’s theme is “Journalism under digital siege”. This year’s theme not only highlights the ways that endanger journalism but also the consequences of all this on public trust over digital communications. Mostly, … [Read more...] about World Press Freedom Day 2022: Theme, History, and Significance

PARIS — For the first time in a year, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are both entered in a major tournament — and, somehow, most of the buzz heading into the French Open is about Carlos Alcaraz, a teenager without one Grand Slam title to his name. There are plenty of reasons to keep tabs on Djokovic and Nadal when play begins Sunday. They’re two greats of the game who have played each other more than any other two men in the Open era, including nine times at Roland Garros. Thanks to Thursday’s draw, they would meet in the quarterfinals this year, if at all, with a possible matchup against Alcaraz awaiting in the semifinals. Nadal is a 13-time champion in Paris, owner of a men’s-record 21 Slam trophies overall and only recently returned from a rib injury. He’s also dealing with chronic pain in his left foot, an issue that kept him out of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year. “All of a sudden,” No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev said Friday after watching Nadal practice on-site, “his … [Read more...] about French Open preview: Carlos Alcaraz is player to watch

Mercedes principal and CEO Toto Wolff says Niki Lauda’s death has left him constantly on the verge of crying. The Silver Arrows team principal is set to oversee Lewis Hamilton’s bid to win the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, but following the British driver’s withdrawal from yesterday’s press conference in Monte Carlo – the world champion saying he was too emotional to speak about Lauda’s death – Wolff opened up for the first time about the loss of his Austrian compatriot. Lauda, who won three world titles and joined Mercedes as non-executive chairman in 2012, died on Monday night in Zurich. He was 70. “The last 48 hours have been terrible,” said Wolff, who cancelled a scheduled media session here on Wednesday. “I feel like a zombie. Every half an hour, I keep looking at pictures of him with tears in my eyes because he is not here anymore. “We knew that it wasn’t going well in the last days and it would be a matter of time before we received the message. I got a text … [Read more...] about Monaco F1 Grand Prix: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff opens up on the death of Niki Lauda