Sports
Coronavirus shutdown has exposed ‘inequities’ of tennis—King
Tennis great Billie Jean King says the financial fallout from the coronavirus shutdown has exposed the unfairness of the sport and that it is important for the top players to lead the cause for change.
The tennis season was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown will continue at least until mid-July, depriving lower-level players, who depend solely on tournament winnings, of the chance to earn a living.
The sport’s governing bodies have joined forces to device eplans to provide relief and 12-times Grand Slam singles champion King said the sport had the chance to emerge stronger from the health crisis.
Kwara COVID-19 patients test negative, discharged
“This is a good time to reset and to have one voice in the sport, which we really never had. We need that desperately. “I hope they will all work together more after the COVID-19 situation calms down.
“Maybe some day, and i didn’t think it is possible, we might have a Commissioner. I don’t know. We are not the biggest sport in the world, we don’t have as much money as say soccer.
“So we need to stick together and everyone needs to help each other.
“The thing that’s also good is it shows the inequities that go on. So this is a good time to reset and think about how we want our sport to look in the future. What can we do to make it better, stronger and more secure?
“This is a really good chance to have a new normal for tennis,” King told the Tennis Channel.
While tennis is a lucrative sport for those at the top, those in the lower echelons often struggle to make ends meet.
The men’s ATP, the WTA, which runs the women’s circuit, the world governing body International Tennis Federation and the organisers of the four Grand Slams have come together to work on creating an emergency relief fund.
World number one Novak Djokovic has said he had been in touch with fellow men’s Player Council members Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal and the players were looking to contribute collectively to assist those in the lower rankings.
King said the WTA was also working on ways to provide financial relief for its players.
“Some money has gone out to the players but we need to think about more.
“The people who have to drive that are the top players. Because they have the big box, they have the money, it’s really important for them to step up,” said the 76-year-old American.
Sports
Transfer: Gabriel Jesus Could Leave Arsenal as Napoli Show Interest
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus could leave the club this summer, with Italian side Napoli reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian forward.
According to Sky Italia, Napoli’s new manager, Massimiliano Allegri, is a long-term admirer of Jesus and is keen to explore the possibility of bringing him to Serie A.
Jesus and Allegri share the same agent, Giovanni Branchini, who was reportedly spotted at Napoli’s pre-season training camp in Castel di Sangro on Friday.
A meeting could reportedly take place to discuss a potential move for the Arsenal forward.
Napoli’s interest could depend on their ability to offload one of their existing strikers. The club would reportedly need to find new destinations for Lorenzo Lucca, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, or Romelu Lukaku before making a move for Jesus.
Arsenal are reportedly willing to consider offers of around £18 million for the 29-year-old, who has entered the final year of his contract with the Gunners.
Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 and could now be heading for a new challenge in Italy if Napoli’s interest develops into a formal transfer.
Sports
Transfer: Liverpool Agree Loan Deal for Barcelona Defender Araujo
Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign Uruguay international Ronald Araujo on loan.
According to Sky Sports, the deal could be completed this weekend, with the 27-year-old defender set to move to Anfield on a straight loan arrangement.
Araujo renewed his Barcelona contract last year, extending his stay at the Catalan club until 2031.
However, the defender endured a difficult campaign last season and was subsequently granted an extended leave of absence from the team.
The proposed move to Liverpool would give Araujo an opportunity to revive his career in a new league and country.
The Uruguay international joined Barcelona from Uruguayan club Boston River in 2018 before making his first-team breakthrough a year later.
Sports
LaLiga: Mourinho Introduces Four New Rules at Real Madrid
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly introduced a series of new rules at the club after identifying what he considered bad habits within the dressing room.
Mourinho returned to the Spanish giants for a second spell this summer and has already begun implementing changes to improve discipline and professionalism within the squad, according to AS.
One of the new measures concerns players’ diets. The Portuguese manager has reportedly ended the freedom for players to eat whatever they choose, with the club’s nutritionist now responsible for overseeing their meals.
Under the new system, menus will be carefully structured and determined according to the nutritional needs of the players.
Mourinho has also introduced a disciplinary measure for players who arrive late to training. Such players will reportedly be required to undergo individual gym sessions.
Another rule concerns injury rehabilitation. Players recovering from injuries will now be expected to complete their rehabilitation at the club’s training ground under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical and fitness staff rather than working independently with external personnel.
The changes are part of Mourinho’s reported efforts to establish greater discipline and control within the Real Madrid squad following his return to the club.
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