The 'world's first female jetpack pilot' says she hopes to inspire other women to make their dreams come true.

'World's first female jet suit pilot' hopes to inspire other women

The sport is male-dominated and the country is conservative, but that hasn't stopped Peshawar-born Kamal from making her mark -- she is the first and only international female boxing coach registered with the boxing federation of Pakistan and she's doing her best to nurture a younger generation of boxers.

Female boxing coach challenges barriers in conservative Pakistan

Sachin Tendulkar thanked his fans for a massive win at the Laureus Award for Sporting Moment. The Indian cricketing legend&nbsp;took to twitter to dedicated his award to India, his teammates, fans and well-wishers across the world who support Indian Cricket.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sports-news-sachin-tendulkar-wins-laureus-award-for-sporting-moment-for-his-2011-world-cup-victory-lap-281243">Sachin Tendulkar wins Laureus Award for Sporting Moment for his 2011 World Cup victory lap</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thank you all for the overwhelming love and support! 
 
I dedicate this <a href="https://twitter.com/LaureusSport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaureusSport</a> award to India 🇮🇳, all my teammates, fans and well wishers in India and across the world who have always supported Indian cricket.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SportUnitesUs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SportUnitesUs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Laureus20?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Laureus20</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SportForGood?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SportForGood</a> <a href="https://t.co/wiqx0D9e2E">pic.twitter.com/wiqx0D9e2E</a>
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) <a href="https://twitter.com/sachin_rt/status/1229638511109853184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Sachin Tendulkar's famous lap in Wankhede after 2011 ICC World Cup win has been awarded the prestigious Laureus Award. After ICC World Cup final win, Tendulkar was carried on the shoulders of his teammates. Virat Kohli (who was among those who carried Tendulkar), had said that "Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years; It was time we carried him."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-appeals-fans-to-vote-for-sachin-tendulkar-for-laureus-sports-awards-279775">Let's all come together and vote for Sachin Tendulkar: Virat Kohli appeals to fans ahead of Laureus Sports Award</a>

The category was open to public voting and the winner was to be decided based on maximum votes, Sachin Tendulkar won the award after receiving mammoth votes.&nbsp;

Sachin Tendulkar had been a key player for the Indian cricket team during his tenure for the Men in Blue (1989-2013) scoring 34,357 runs across all formats. He recently was a part of the 'Bushfire cricket Bash', where he coached Pontings' XI, and also played an over bowled by Ellyse Perry.&nbsp;

Six-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi jointly won the Sportsman of the Year award, whereas, American Gymnast Simone Biles won the Sportswoman of the Year award. &nbsp;

Sachin Tendulkar thanked his fans for a massive win at the Laureus Award for Sporting Moment. The Indian cricketing legend took to twitter to dedicated his award to India, his teammates, fans and well-wishers across the world who support Indian Cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar thanked his fans for a massive win at the Laureus Award for Sporting Moment. The Indian cricketing legend took to twitter to dedicated his award to India, his teammates, fans and well-wishers across the world who support Indian Cricket. Also read: Sachin Tendulkar wins Laureus Award for Sporting Moment for his 2011 World Cup victory lap Thank you all for the overwhelming love and support! I dedicate this @LaureusSport award to India 🇮🇳, all my teammates, fans and well wishers in India and across the world who have always supported Indian cricket.#SportUnitesUs #Laureus20 #SportForGood pic.twitter.com/wiqx0D9e2E — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 18, 2020 × Sachin Tendulkar's famous lap in Wankhede after 2011 ICC World Cup win has been awarded the prestigious Laureus Award. After ICC World Cup final win, Tendulkar was carried on the shoulders of his teammates. Virat Kohli (who was among those who carried Tendulkar), had said that "Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years; It was time we carried him." Also read: Let's all come together and vote for Sachin Tendulkar: Virat Kohli appeals to fans ahead of Laureus Sports Award The category was open to public voting and the winner was to be decided based on maximum votes, Sachin Tendulkar won the award after receiving mammoth votes. Sachin Tendulkar had been a key player for the Indian cricket team during his tenure for the Men in Blue (1989-2013) scoring 34,357 runs across all formats. He recently was a part of the 'Bushfire cricket Bash', where he coached Pontings' XI, and also played an over bowled by Ellyse Perry. Six-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi jointly won the Sportsman of the Year award, whereas, American Gymnast Simone Biles won the Sportswoman of the Year award.

Sachin Tendulkar thanks fans for Laureus Award win

Sachin Tendulkar's famous lap in Wankhede after 2011 ICC World Cup win has been awarded the prestigious Laureus Award. After ICC World Cup final win, Tendulkar was carried on the shoulders of his teammates.

Sachin Tendulkar's famous lap in Wankhede after 2011 ICC World Cup win has been awarded the prestigious Laureus Award. After ICC World Cup final win, Tendulkar was carried on the shoulders of his teammates. Virat (who was among those who carried Tendulkar), had said that "Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years; It was time we carried him." Also read: Let's all come together and vote for Sachin Tendulkar: Virat Kohli appeals to fans ahead of Laureus Sports Award The moment that had been nominated by the Laureus Sports Foundation was called "Carried On the Shoulder Of A Nation". The foundation launched this category for public voting, and Sachin Tendulkar got the most votes. 🔈 Sound on 🔈 A powerful, strong and moving tribute to a room full of sporting legends from @sachin_rt in honour of Nelson Mandela and the incredible power of sport to unite and inspire 👏#Laureus20 #SportUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/0z3mNatUFh — Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 17, 2020 × The Laureus Sporting Moment Award is for the moments when sports has been a reason for the unification of people. ICC World Cup 2011 was Tendulkar's sixth attempt since 1983, after the win players Sachin Tendulkar had been a key player for the Indian cricket team during his tenure for the Men in Blue (1989-2013) scoring 34,357 runs across all formats. He recently was a part of the 'Bushfire cricket Bash', where he coached Pontings' XI, and also played an over bowled by Ellyse Perry. Six-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi jointly won the Sportsman of the Year award, whereas, American Gymnast Simone Biles won the Sportswoman of the Year award. List of winners: Sportsman of the Year: Lewis Hamilton and Lionel Messi Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles Team of the Year: South Africa Men's Rugby Team Breakthrough of the Year: Egan Bernal Comeback of the Year: Sophia Floersch Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Oksana Masters Action Sportsperson of the Year: Chloe Kim Best Sporting Moment: 'Carried on the shoulders of a nation' – Sachin Tendulkar Lifetime Achievement Award: Dirk Nowitzki Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement Award: Spanish Basketball Federation Laureus Sport for Good Award: South Bronx United

Sachin Tendulkar wins Laureus Award for Sporting Moment for his 2011 World Cup victory lap

Lewis Hamilton, Lionel Messi, Simon Biles score big at Laureus Awards, here's the list of winners!

A buffalo jockey from Karnataka, Srinivas Gowda who recently went viral on social media for his Kambala victory has officially rejected the government offer for him to participate in national trials.

Kambala is a local sport where participants sprint through paddy fields with buffaloes.

Gowda, 28, reportedly finished the race in 13.42 seconds.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kiren-rijiju-calls-indias-usain-bolt-srinivasa-gowda-for-trials-280814">Kiren Rijiju calls 'India's Usain Bolt' Srinivasa Gowda for trials</a>

His performance drew comparisons with Usain Bolt, who currently holds the world 100 metre record of 9.58 seconds.

After garnering the attention of netizens, Gowda received official affirmation from the Sports Minister of India, Kiren Rijiju.

However, Gowda recently told BBC Hindi that he does not intend to participate in the national sprint trials.

&nbsp;"I have injured my leg and my focus is on Kambala. I am used to running with buffalo in the paddy fields," he told the BBC.

Kambala is a revered race in Karnataka, and was conducted earlier in February. However, the videos went viral only recently, triggering nationwide and global attention for the racer.

<img alt="pppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9f71f35a-eb8d-4926-bd43-c0084c26f664" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%281%29_0.jpg" />

On Saturday, Rijiju tweeted and said that the authorities had arranged train tickets for the racer, so that he could participate in the trials at one of the centres of the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

The Kambala Academy oversees the event. In conversation with BBC, the founder-secretary of the academy, Gunapala Kambada said that Gowda would not attend the trials this time.

"The problem is that he has Kambala [races] on the next three Saturdays," Kambada said.

But Kambada suggested that he may go for trials later if the circumstances allow.

While referring to the comparisons that were drawn between Gowda and Bolt, Kambada cautioned against it and claimed that the Olympic teams have improved scientific methods to measure speed.

Many experts and responders on social media dubbed the comparison ''inaccurate'', for Gowda's speed was perhaps accelerated by the buffaloes that were draggin him.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/100-metres-in-955-seconds-karnataka-man-beats-usain-bolts-record-280838">100 metres in 9.55 seconds; Karnataka man beats Usain Bolt's record</a>

Buffaloes can reach speeds of upto 56 kilometres per hour, which is definitely faster than Bolt. 
&nbsp; 
Gowda works as a construction worker in Karnataka and has participated in Kambala for seven years.

He told the BBC that he became interested in Kambal after watching it during his school days.

A buffalo jockey from Karnataka, Srinivas Gowda who recently went viral on social media for his Kambala victory has officially rejected the government offer for him to participate in national trials.

A buffalo jockey from Karnataka, Srinivas Gowda who recently went viral on social media for his Kambala victory has officially rejected the government offer for him to participate in national trials. Kambala is a local sport where participants sprint through paddy fields with buffaloes. Gowda, 28, reportedly finished the race in 13.42 seconds. Also read: Kiren Rijiju calls 'India's Usain Bolt' Srinivasa Gowda for trials His performance drew comparisons with Usain Bolt, who currently holds the world 100 metre record of 9.58 seconds. After garnering the attention of netizens, Gowda received official affirmation from the Sports Minister of India, Kiren Rijiju. However, Gowda recently told BBC Hindi that he does not intend to participate in the national sprint trials. "I have injured my leg and my focus is on Kambala. I am used to running with buffalo in the paddy fields," he told the BBC. Kambala is a revered race in Karnataka, and was conducted earlier in February. However, the videos went viral only recently, triggering nationwide and global attention for the racer. On Saturday, Rijiju tweeted and said that the authorities had arranged train tickets for the racer, so that he could participate in the trials at one of the centres of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The Kambala Academy oversees the event. In conversation with BBC, the founder-secretary of the academy, Gunapala Kambada said that Gowda would not attend the trials this time. "The problem is that he has Kambala [races] on the next three Saturdays," Kambada said. But Kambada suggested that he may go for trials later if the circumstances allow. While referring to the comparisons that were drawn between Gowda and Bolt, Kambada cautioned against it and claimed that the Olympic teams have improved scientific methods to measure speed. Many experts and responders on social media dubbed the comparison ''inaccurate'', for Gowda's speed was perhaps accelerated by the buffaloes that were draggin him. Also read: 100 metres in 9.55 seconds; Karnataka man beats Usain Bolt's record Buffaloes can reach speeds of upto 56 kilometres per hour, which is definitely faster than Bolt. Gowda works as a construction worker in Karnataka and has participated in Kambala for seven years. He told the BBC that he became interested in Kambal after watching it during his school days.

Srinivas Gowda, dubbed 'Usain Bolt of India' not attending national trials after official invitation

RB Leipzig eased past struggling Werder Bremen 3-0 on Saturday to reclaim top spot in the Bundesliga, two points ahead of champions Bayern Munich. Having failed to win in their last four games in all competitions, Leipzig were desperate to bounce back on their home ground and Lukas Klostermann's 18th-minute goal quickly put them in the driving seat.

RB Leipzig eased past struggling Werder Bremen 3-0 on Saturday to reclaim top spot in the Bundesliga, two points ahead of champions Bayern Munich. Having failed to win in their last four games in all competitions, Leipzig were desperate to bounce back on their home ground and Lukas Klostermann's 18th-minute goal quickly put them in the driving seat. Patrik Schick, who had set up Klostermann, then grabbed one himself, heading in his sixth league goal in the 39th minute before Nordi Mukiele latched on to a deep through ball to fire in their third goal a minute after the restart. [ Leipzig's French defender Nordi Mukiele (C) scores the 3-0 goal past Bremen's Czech goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka (R) during the German first division Bundesliga football match (Courtesy: AFP) ] Leipzig, who face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League last-16 on Wednesday, move up to 45 points, with Bayern, in action against Cologne on Sunday, on 43. Borussia Dortmund, winners 4-0 over Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday, are in third place on 42. "We played a good game and fully deserved to win," Czech international Schick told reporters. "I am happy for my goal but more importantly it is a big boost ahead of Spurs." Lars Stindl scored twice as Borussia Moenchengladbach stormed to a 4-1 win at Fortuna Duesseldorf - their first away win since November - to join Dortmund on 42 points. Also Read: Claudio Pizarro joins Werder Bremen for a fourth and final stint Former champions Werder, who have now lost eight of their last nine league games, are stuck in 17th place, a point above last-placed Paderborn. Bayer Leverkusen kept their Champions League hopes intact when Karim Bellarabi struck in stoppage time to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Union Berlin to keep them within striking distance of a top-four spot, in fifth place on 40. The game was repeatedly interrupted after fans lit flares and smoke bombs in the stands. Hertha Berlin made a winning start to life after Juergen Klinsman, beating Paderborn 2-1 with a goal from Dedryck Boyata and an own goal from Jamilu Collins, in their first game since their former coach's surprise departure this week. Klinsmann, a former Germany and U.S. national team coach, quit after only 76 days in charge, complaining about a lack of trust and support. Hertha's win lifted them further away from the relegation zone and into 13th place. Dutchman Wout Weghorst scored a hat-trick in VfL Wolfsburg's 3-2 victory over Hoffenheim, who twice come back from a goal down only to lose.

Bundesliga: Leipzig back on top with 3-0 win over strugglers Werder

Liverpool manager&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-klopp-may-pull-liverpool-out-of-league-cup-over-fixture-pile-up-258925" target="_blank">Juergen Klopp</a>&nbsp;said he had sympathy for his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola in the wake of the English champions' two-year ban from European football dished out by UEFA for allegedly breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

With City's domestic title challenge all but over, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-boss-juergen-klopp-says-players-are-psychologically-ready-179931" target="_blank">Liverpool&nbsp;</a>25 points ahead after beating Norwich City 1-0 away on Saturday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/we-might-need-105-points-to-win-title-says-juergen-klopp-185833" target="_blank">Klopp&nbsp;</a>said the news on Friday about the European ban for the Manchester club had taken him by surprise.

<img alt="Pep Guardiola" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="254c1184-8af6-40d3-814d-5c4ec6a07332" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2810%29_21.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-players-must-fight-with-every-fibre-juergen-klopp-196169" target="_blank">Liverpool players must fight with every fibre: Juergen Klopp</a>

"It was a shock. Complete wow!" he told Sky Sports. "The only thing I can say is about football. What they have done on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/it-was-clever-of-neymar-juergen-klopp-complains-of-psg-playacting-180211" target="_blank">the football pitch is exceptional</a>. The rest, I don't know. I feel for them, Pep and the players, but that is how it is. They can appeal so we will&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/juergen-klopp-hails-salahs-sensational-finish-267582" target="_blank">see what happens</a>&nbsp;then. It is serious."

"But the football they played was exceptional and will&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hes-still-an-influencer-in-football-says-juergen-klopp-on-wengers-outgoing-131709" target="_blank">always be exceptional</a>." European soccer's governing body UEFA said City had committed "serious breaches" of its FFP regulations by "overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dont-be-fooled-by-5-0-win-last-year-juergen-klopp-warns-liverpool-211084" target="_blank">break-even information</a>&nbsp;submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016."&nbsp;

City denied any wrongdoing and said they will appeal to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said he had sympathy for his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola in the wake of the English champions' two-year ban from European football dished out by UEFA for allegedly breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said he had sympathy for his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola in the wake of the English champions' two-year ban from European football dished out by UEFA for allegedly breaching Financial Fair Play rules. With City's domestic title challenge all but over, with Liverpool 25 points ahead after beating Norwich City 1-0 away on Saturday, Klopp said the news on Friday about the European ban for the Manchester club had taken him by surprise. [ Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Also Read: Liverpool players must fight with every fibre: Juergen Klopp "It was a shock. Complete wow!" he told Sky Sports. "The only thing I can say is about football. What they have done on the football pitch is exceptional. The rest, I don't know. I feel for them, Pep and the players, but that is how it is. They can appeal so we will see what happens then. It is serious." "But the football they played was exceptional and will always be exceptional." European soccer's governing body UEFA said City had committed "serious breaches" of its FFP regulations by "overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016." City denied any wrongdoing and said they will appeal to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Klopp shows sympathy for Guardiola after Manchester City European ban

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/basketball-giannis-powers-nba-best-bucks-to-win-lakers-rip-spurs-278710" target="_blank">NBA</a>&nbsp;commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday the league expects to lose "several hundred million dollars" due to a row with China over a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/celebrity-news-oscars-2020-nba-legend-kobe-bryant-to-be-honoured-on-the-awards-night-277345" target="_blank">NBA's</a>&nbsp;Chinese sponsors cut ties in a fierce mainland backlash following Morey's tweet in October, just before two NBA teams played preseason exhibition matches in China.

State broadcaster CCTV also stopped airing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/tonight-is-for-kobe-nba-legend-remembered-at-grammy-awards-hours-aftre-his-death-276826" target="_blank">NBA</a>&nbsp;games for the country's millions of ardent basketball fans and has not resumed.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba-fines-orlando-magic-coach-steve-clifford-25k-over-outburst-279415" target="_blank">NBA fines Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford $25K over outburst</a>

"The magnitude of the loss will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars," Silver told a press conference on the sidelines of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kobe-bryant-and-daughter-gianna-laid-to-rest-in-private-funeral-280401" target="_blank">All-Star</a>&nbsp;Weekend in Chicago.

"Probably less than $400 million, maybe even less than that," he said. However, "it's substantial", he added. "I don't want to run from that ... But I don't have any sense that there's any&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kobe-bryants-widow-vanessa-bryant-refuses-to-accept-death-of-her-husband-and-daughter-279982" target="_blank">permanent damage</a>&nbsp;to our business there."

The commissioner said he expected CCTV to resume broadcasts of NBA games but did not give a timeframe.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday the league expects to lose "several hundred million dollars" due to a row with China over a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday the league expects to lose "several hundred million dollars" due to a row with China over a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters. The NBA's Chinese sponsors cut ties in a fierce mainland backlash following Morey's tweet in October, just before two NBA teams played preseason exhibition matches in China. State broadcaster CCTV also stopped airing NBA games for the country's millions of ardent basketball fans and has not resumed. Also Read: NBA fines Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford $25K over outburst "The magnitude of the loss will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars," Silver told a press conference on the sidelines of the All-Star Weekend in Chicago. "Probably less than $400 million, maybe even less than that," he said. However, "it's substantial", he added. "I don't want to run from that ... But I don't have any sense that there's any permanent damage to our business there." The commissioner said he expected CCTV to resume broadcasts of NBA games but did not give a timeframe.

NBA loses 'hundreds of millions' in China over Hong Kong tweet

Olympic chiefs admitted Friday they face a "very big communications job" to soothe concerns over the coronavirus epidemic in the run-up to this summer's Tokyo Games.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympic-ceo-calls-coronavirus-concern-irresponsible-rumours-280473" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics CEO calls coronavirus concern 'irresponsible rumours'</a>

The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) coordination commission insisted there was no danger of Tokyo 2020 being cancelled or moved, despite <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-coronavirus-death-toll-rises-to-over-1480-japan-confirms-first-death-280603">fears over the fast-spreading virus</a> which has killed nearly 1,400 and infected around 64,000 most of them in China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/chinese-f1-grand-prix-postponed-due-to-continued-spread-of-novel-coronavirus-280489" hreflang="en">Chinese F1 Grand Prix postponed due to coronavirus</a>

But he said the IOC will send out information packs to reassure athletes that it's safe to come into contact with competitors from China.

"The advice we have received from the World Health Organization (WHO) is that there is no case for a contingency plan to cancel or move the Games," John Coates told reporters after a project review meeting.

"Certainly it's a very big communications job that needs to be undertaken," he added, noting that China is set to send more than 600 athletes to Tokyo.

"But we hear that most of the Chinese athletes are now out of China. I don't know how many were to be involved in test events here, but I don't see a problem if they're coming from another country."

Coates promised lessons would be learned from Rio four years ago, when concerns over the mosquito-borne Zika virus led to several top athletes pulling out of the Olympics, including golfers Jason Day and Rory McIlroy.

"The WHO pointed out the likelihood of Zika being a problem at the time of the Games was very low," he said.

"But we did lose some athletes Jason Day's wife was pregnant. We didn't communicate the information well enough."

Tokyo organisers have slammed "fake news" and scare-mongering over the coronavirus outbreak for causing panic ahead of the Games, which open on July 24.

More than 25 countries have confirmed cases of the flu-like disease, which the WHO has declared a global health emergency.

Japan, which registered its first fatality on Thursday of someone who had tested positive for the virus, is one of the worst-hit countries outside of mainland China.

There have been 33 cases on land and more than 200 positive tests of people quarantined on a cruise ship floating off Yokohama since last week.

Coates conceded that there could be fear among athletes about facing competitors from China.

"We did talk about that," said the Australian.

"The IOC is going to ensure (information) kits are sent to all national committees to explain what's happening around the world where Chinese athletes are competing," he added.

"But I can confirm Tokyo 2020 remains on track," insisted Coates, who revealed IOC president Thomas Bach will lay a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on the sidelines of the May 19-20 executive project review.

The virus has already impacted sporting events in Asia, including Olympic qualifiers for boxing and basketball -- both in China.

Formula One's Shanghai Grand Prix, scheduled to take place in April, has been postponed with the inaugural Vietnamese Grand Prix also under threat.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government has come under fire for its handling of the infection, especially quarantine measures seen as too lax in the early stages of the epidemic.&nbsp;

"We don't yet know who will be competing at test events so we can't say anything for sure," said Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto, when pressed to specify measures being taken to tackle the epidemic.

"But we will have information from the qualifiers that are underway and take the necessary steps."

Olympic chiefs admitted Friday they face a "very big communications job" to soothe concerns over the coronavirus epidemic in the run-up to this summer's Tokyo Games.

Olympic chiefs admitted Friday they face a "very big communications job" to soothe concerns over the coronavirus epidemic in the run-up to this summer's Tokyo Games. Also read: Tokyo Olympics CEO calls coronavirus concern 'irresponsible rumours' The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) coordination commission insisted there was no danger of Tokyo 2020 being cancelled or moved, despite fears over the fast-spreading virus which has killed nearly 1,400 and infected around 64,000 most of them in China. Also read: Chinese F1 Grand Prix postponed due to coronavirus But he said the IOC will send out information packs to reassure athletes that it's safe to come into contact with competitors from China. "The advice we have received from the World Health Organization (WHO) is that there is no case for a contingency plan to cancel or move the Games," John Coates told reporters after a project review meeting. "Certainly it's a very big communications job that needs to be undertaken," he added, noting that China is set to send more than 600 athletes to Tokyo. "But we hear that most of the Chinese athletes are now out of China. I don't know how many were to be involved in test events here, but I don't see a problem if they're coming from another country." Coates promised lessons would be learned from Rio four years ago, when concerns over the mosquito-borne Zika virus led to several top athletes pulling out of the Olympics, including golfers Jason Day and Rory McIlroy. "The WHO pointed out the likelihood of Zika being a problem at the time of the Games was very low," he said. "But we did lose some athletes Jason Day's wife was pregnant. We didn't communicate the information well enough." Tokyo organisers have slammed "fake news" and scare-mongering over the coronavirus outbreak for causing panic ahead of the Games, which open on July 24. More than 25 countries have confirmed cases of the flu-like disease, which the WHO has declared a global health emergency. Japan, which registered its first fatality on Thursday of someone who had tested positive for the virus, is one of the worst-hit countries outside of mainland China. There have been 33 cases on land and more than 200 positive tests of people quarantined on a cruise ship floating off Yokohama since last week. Coates conceded that there could be fear among athletes about facing competitors from China. "We did talk about that," said the Australian. "The IOC is going to ensure (information) kits are sent to all national committees to explain what's happening around the world where Chinese athletes are competing," he added. "But I can confirm Tokyo 2020 remains on track," insisted Coates, who revealed IOC president Thomas Bach will lay a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on the sidelines of the May 19-20 executive project review. The virus has already impacted sporting events in Asia, including Olympic qualifiers for boxing and basketball -- both in China. Formula One's Shanghai Grand Prix, scheduled to take place in April, has been postponed with the inaugural Vietnamese Grand Prix also under threat. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government has come under fire for its handling of the infection, especially quarantine measures seen as too lax in the early stages of the epidemic. "We don't yet know who will be competing at test events so we can't say anything for sure," said Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto, when pressed to specify measures being taken to tackle the epidemic. "But we will have information from the qualifiers that are underway and take the necessary steps."

IOC face 'big communications job' as virus jitters hit Tokyo Olympics

A group of girls from a remote village in Kyrgyzstan have come together to form the central Asian country's first all-female ice hockey team - Shapak.

Kyrgyzstan's first female team shatters stereotypes

Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry has smashed a slew of records in a sparkling cricketing career and now hopes to play a part in another by helping draw the biggest ever crowd to a women's sporting event at the T20 World Cup final next month.

Australian cricketer Ellyse Perry excited for potential record crowd for a women's sporting event

Nike unveiled it's Olympic Collection on Wednesday (February 5), gathering U.S. sport legends in an uptempo fashion show in New York to show off what the team will wear to the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Nike unveils Olympic Collection in New York

Argentina's female soccer league has long tackled stereotypes in the soccer-mad nation. Now, a first-division women's team in the country is breaking new barriers in the sport with a first-division transgender player.

Tackling discrimination: Meet Argentina's transgender soccer player

Pejo 3000 ski resort in Trentino has become Italy's first ski area to ban single-use plastic items.

Ski resort becomes first in Italy to ban plastic

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-bayern-seal-last-16-berth-as-lewandowski-strikes-again-260439">Bayern Munich scored</a> three goals in the opening 26 minutes to defeat Mainz 05 3-1 away on Saturday and go a point clear at the top of the Bundesliga with their sixth straight win. Top scorer Robert Lewandowski headed in his 22nd league goal in the eighth minute and Thomas Mueller and Thiago Alcantara added two more to lift the Bavarians to 42 points, one ahead of RB Leipzig who drew 2-2 at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bayern-demolish-schalke-lewandowski-strikes-early-276615">Bayern's fast start</a> was enough to kill off the game and Mainz, who cut the deficit on the stroke of halftime through Jeremiah St Juste, rarely threatened although Leandro Barreiro hit the post. The Bavarians also set a club record with 58 goals in their 20 league games in a boost for interim coach Hansi Flick, whose future at the club is still unclear.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-dortmund-loose-out-on-two-goal-lead-to-draw-3-3-with-rb-leipzig-268861">Football: Dortmund loose out on two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with RB Leipzig</a>

<img alt=" Benjamin Pavard" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="045e20c8-7192-46b9-b9a4-e39b48d5cf8e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T124532.290.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard in action (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

"I was fascinated by our opening 30 minutes," Flick said. "After that, we did too little. We took the speed and pace out of our game. "We defended well and brought the three points home," he said as Bayern prepare to face Leipzig next week. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bundesliga-hoffenheim-stun-borussia-dortmund-after-late-strike-269439">Borussia Dortmund</a> enjoyed an even more dominant afternoon, demolishing Union Berlin 5-0 with two goals from Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland, the first player in Bundesliga history to score seven goals in his first three matches.

Leipzig had to come from two goals behind to salvage a point against Gladbach thanks to Christopher Nkunku's 89th-minute equaliser. Gladbach, down to 10 men on the hour, had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half but a Patrik Schick goal in the 50th and Nkunku's shot rescued a point for the hosts. 
&nbsp;

Bayern Munich scored three goals in the opening 26 minutes to defeat Mainz 05 3-1 away on Saturday and go a point clear at the top of the Bundesliga with their sixth straight win.

Bayern Munich scored three goals in the opening 26 minutes to defeat Mainz 05 3-1 away on Saturday and go a point clear at the top of the Bundesliga with their sixth straight win. Top scorer Robert Lewandowski headed in his 22nd league goal in the eighth minute and Thomas Mueller and Thiago Alcantara added two more to lift the Bavarians to 42 points, one ahead of RB Leipzig who drew 2-2 at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach. Bayern's fast start was enough to kill off the game and Mainz, who cut the deficit on the stroke of halftime through Jeremiah St Juste, rarely threatened although Leandro Barreiro hit the post. The Bavarians also set a club record with 58 goals in their 20 league games in a boost for interim coach Hansi Flick, whose future at the club is still unclear. Also Read: Football: Dortmund loose out on two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with RB Leipzig [ Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard in action (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "I was fascinated by our opening 30 minutes," Flick said. "After that, we did too little. We took the speed and pace out of our game. "We defended well and brought the three points home," he said as Bayern prepare to face Leipzig next week. Borussia Dortmund enjoyed an even more dominant afternoon, demolishing Union Berlin 5-0 with two goals from Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland, the first player in Bundesliga history to score seven goals in his first three matches. Leipzig had to come from two goals behind to salvage a point against Gladbach thanks to Christopher Nkunku's 89th-minute equaliser. Gladbach, down to 10 men on the hour, had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half but a Patrik Schick goal in the 50th and Nkunku's shot rescued a point for the hosts.

Dortmund's Haaland scores; Bayern beat Mainz to reach the top

New Manchester United signing Bruno Fernandes was unable to inspire a victory on his debut on Saturday as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/with-rashford-sidelined-uniteds-solskjaer-eyes-signings-275370">Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side</a> were held to a 0-0 draw at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-manchester-united-hit-new-low-after-getting-defeated-by-burnley-276109">Premier League</a>. The result leaves United in sixth place, six points behind Chelsea who occupy the fourth Champions League spot, while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fa-cup-man-utd-held-by-wolves-man-city-cruise-through-272201">Wolves </a>are seventh, level on 35 points with United. Sheffield United are a point better off in fifth.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/solskjaers-man-utd-scrap-plans-to-set-training-camps-in-middle-east-amidst-high-tensions-274342">United </a>now have a two-week break before their crunch game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Feb. 17. Portugal international Fernandes, who joined United on Thursday from Sporting in a move which reportedly cost an initial 55 million euros ($61 million), was thrown straight into the starting midfield. The 25-year-old was heavily involved in United's build-up play, playing in an advanced role in the first half and then switching to a deeper holding role after the break.

<img alt="Premier League" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d18eba49-377a-4a06-b4d0-0db46f885320" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T125348.422.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Manchester United's Fred, Diogo Dalot and Jesse Lingard react (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

"Bruno is a top player," said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hard-night-ahead-for-manchester-united-solskjaer-271952">Solskjaer</a>. "It's the first game. First half everyone was getting the ball into feet and Bruno is one of those who, when he gets into feet, he wants players moving in front of him and we didn't (do that). He'll be a top addition." Fernandes had a good opportunity just before the break with the ball falling to him invitingly but his well-struck effort was straight at compatriot Rui Patricio in the Wolves goal.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fa-cup-solskjaer-needs-time-to-make-lasting-impact-at-manchester-united-guardiola-272687">FA cup: Solskjaer needs time to make lasting impact at Manchester United — Guardiola</a>

The midfielder tested the Wolves keeper with a long-range free-kick after the break and Juan Mata saw an effort flash just wide of the post. After Wolves striker Raul Jimenez tested David de Gea at the end of a swift counter-attack, Romain Saiss then missed a great chance, heading wide from inside the box. United could have snatched the points in stoppage time when Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivered a dangerous cross from the right but substitute Diogo Dalot's header was off target.

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo was satisfied with his team's effort."It was a good performance at Old Trafford and a good game for us. United are a good team. "It was balanced and both teams had chances and wanted to win. I'm happy with the performance," he said. 
&nbsp;

New Manchester United signing Bruno Fernandes was unable to inspire a victory on his debut on Saturday as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were held to a 0-0 draw at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.

New Manchester United signing Bruno Fernandes was unable to inspire a victory on his debut on Saturday as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were held to a 0-0 draw at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. The result leaves United in sixth place, six points behind Chelsea who occupy the fourth Champions League spot, while Wolves are seventh, level on 35 points with United. Sheffield United are a point better off in fifth. United now have a two-week break before their crunch game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Feb. 17. Portugal international Fernandes, who joined United on Thursday from Sporting in a move which reportedly cost an initial 55 million euros ($61 million), was thrown straight into the starting midfield. The 25-year-old was heavily involved in United's build-up play, playing in an advanced role in the first half and then switching to a deeper holding role after the break. [ Manchester United's Fred, Diogo Dalot and Jesse Lingard react (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "Bruno is a top player," said Solskjaer. "It's the first game. First half everyone was getting the ball into feet and Bruno is one of those who, when he gets into feet, he wants players moving in front of him and we didn't (do that). He'll be a top addition." Fernandes had a good opportunity just before the break with the ball falling to him invitingly but his well-struck effort was straight at compatriot Rui Patricio in the Wolves goal. Also Read: FA cup: Solskjaer needs time to make lasting impact at Manchester United — Guardiola The midfielder tested the Wolves keeper with a long-range free-kick after the break and Juan Mata saw an effort flash just wide of the post. After Wolves striker Raul Jimenez tested David de Gea at the end of a swift counter-attack, Romain Saiss then missed a great chance, heading wide from inside the box. United could have snatched the points in stoppage time when Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivered a dangerous cross from the right but substitute Diogo Dalot's header was off target. Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo was satisfied with his team's effort."It was a good performance at Old Trafford and a good game for us. United are a good team. "It was balanced and both teams had chances and wanted to win. I'm happy with the performance," he said.

Manchester United held by Wolves on Fernandes debut

Real Madrid twisted the knife into their wounded rivals Atletico Madrid as Karim Benzema fired them to a 1-0 home win in the city derby on Saturday which also underlined Real's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/la-liga-real-madrid-frustrated-by-athletic-and-fall-behind-barca-269641">La Liga</a> title credentials. Benzema's strike gave Real their first home <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/la-liga-sd-eibar-beat-atletico-madrid-for-first-time-in-league-history-275242">victory</a> over their neighbours in the league since 2012 and piled more pressure on Atleti coach Diego Simeone, who was subjected to taunts from the gleeful Santiago Bernabeu crowd.

The victory meant <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/real-madrid-keep-pace-with-barca-as-bale-suffers-hostile-reception-264159">Real </a>increased their lead over Barcelona at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/la-liga-casemiros-double-against-sevilla-takes-real-madrid-top-of-table-275245">top of the table</a> to six points, although the Catalans can reduce the margin to three if they beat Levante on Sunday. Atletico are fifth and trail their local rivals by 13 points, while their injury problems deepened when striker Alvaro Morata limped off early in the second half with a suspected muscle problem.

French forward Benzema had not scored in his previous four league outings but broke the deadlock in the 56th minute of a tight game by side-footing home a cross from Ferland Mendy after coach Zinedine Zidane had sprung a double substitution. Zidane had begun the match with a compact narrow formation containing five midfielders but after failing to break down Atletico he hauled off Toni Kroos and Isco at the start of the second half for natural wingers Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Jr.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/real-beat-atletico-on-penalties-to-win-11th-spanish-super-cup-273840">Real Madrid defeat Atletico Madrid on penalties to lift 11th Spanish Super Cup</a>

<img alt="Benzema " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="08487b16-6076-4308-b672-3d24a772c1d8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T123741.230.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

The change instantly gave Real more width and Brazilian teenager Vinicius helped burst open a stubborn Atletico with some patient play in midfield, taking out three defenders by releasing Mendy, who needed only one touch to pick out Benzema. "I wasn't happy with what I was seeing on the pitch so I made the chances to give us more wing play and more pressure in attack but it wasn't the players' fault, it was mine," Zidane told reporters.

"The substitutions changed the game but I don't like taking players off after the first half because it's harsh on the players but it's what I had to do. We were much better in the second half and I think we deserved the victory," he added. Atletico rarely looked like troubling a Real defence that has only conceded 13 goals in 22 league games this season, although they had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Casemiro sent Morata to the ground in the first half.

Morata's injury swelled Atletico's list of injured players to seven, less than three weeks before they are due to host holders Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Argentine has transformed Atletico's fortunes during his tenure including four wins at the Bernabeu but on this occasion, he was subjected to derisory from the home crowd, who chanted "Simeone please stay" as the final whistle approached. 
&nbsp;

Real Madrid twisted the knife into their wounded rivals Atletico Madrid as Karim Benzema fired them to a 1-0 home win in the city derby on Saturday which also underlined Real's La Liga title credentials.

Real Madrid twisted the knife into their wounded rivals Atletico Madrid as Karim Benzema fired them to a 1-0 home win in the city derby on Saturday which also underlined Real's La Liga title credentials. Benzema's strike gave Real their first home victory over their neighbours in the league since 2012 and piled more pressure on Atleti coach Diego Simeone, who was subjected to taunts from the gleeful Santiago Bernabeu crowd. The victory meant Real increased their lead over Barcelona at the top of the table to six points, although the Catalans can reduce the margin to three if they beat Levante on Sunday. Atletico are fifth and trail their local rivals by 13 points, while their injury problems deepened when striker Alvaro Morata limped off early in the second half with a suspected muscle problem. French forward Benzema had not scored in his previous four league outings but broke the deadlock in the 56th minute of a tight game by side-footing home a cross from Ferland Mendy after coach Zinedine Zidane had sprung a double substitution. Zidane had begun the match with a compact narrow formation containing five midfielders but after failing to break down Atletico he hauled off Toni Kroos and Isco at the start of the second half for natural wingers Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Jr. Also Read: Real Madrid defeat Atletico Madrid on penalties to lift 11th Spanish Super Cup [ Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The change instantly gave Real more width and Brazilian teenager Vinicius helped burst open a stubborn Atletico with some patient play in midfield, taking out three defenders by releasing Mendy, who needed only one touch to pick out Benzema. "I wasn't happy with what I was seeing on the pitch so I made the chances to give us more wing play and more pressure in attack but it wasn't the players' fault, it was mine," Zidane told reporters. "The substitutions changed the game but I don't like taking players off after the first half because it's harsh on the players but it's what I had to do. We were much better in the second half and I think we deserved the victory," he added. Atletico rarely looked like troubling a Real defence that has only conceded 13 goals in 22 league games this season, although they had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Casemiro sent Morata to the ground in the first half. Morata's injury swelled Atletico's list of injured players to seven, less than three weeks before they are due to host holders Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Argentine has transformed Atletico's fortunes during his tenure including four wins at the Bernabeu but on this occasion, he was subjected to derisory from the home crowd, who chanted "Simeone please stay" as the final whistle approached.

Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid; Karim Benzema scores home win

Former NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his thirteen-year-old daughter, Gianna's untimed death shook the whole world. He and his daughter along with seven other people were killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California on Sunday morning.&nbsp; The crash took place into a hillside in Calabasas, Califonia. The impact of the crash broke the chopper into pieces, debris created due to the crash stretched from about 500 to 600 feet.

&nbsp;Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba-legend-kobe-bryant-and-his-daughter-gianna-among-9-killed-in-a-chopper-crash-in-california-276748" hreflang="en">NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, among 9 killed in a chopper crash in California</a>

Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa Bryant is said to be 'numb' and 'heartbroken' after receiving this tragic news.&nbsp;

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/kobe-bryant-an-nba-champion-olympic-gold-medalist-and-a-basketball-giant-276818">Basketball champion Kobe Bryant: His life in pictures</a>

She made her first public statement through a heartfelt message in the first Instagram post since the crash.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B77K8XWDY7O/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B77K8XWDY7O/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B77K8XWDY7O/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B77K8XWDY7O/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time. Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them. We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri. We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately. There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved. We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon. I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them. But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way. Our love for them is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable. I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them. Have them here with us, forever. Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us. We ask that you grant us the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality. To honor our Team Mamba family, the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to help support the other families affected by this tragedy. To donate, please go to MambaOnThree.org. To further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundation.org. Thank you so much for lifting us up in your prayers, and for loving Kobe, Gigi, Natalia, Bianka, Capri and me. #Mamba #Mambacita #GirlsDad #DaddysGirls #Family ❤️</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vanessabryant/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Vanessa Bryant 🦋</a> (@vanessabryant) on <time datetime="2020-01-30T00:59:19+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 29, 2020 at 4:59pm PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

She had made her Instagram page private after the crash but on Wednesday it was public again. She had a new profile picture on&nbsp;it and gained almost 2 million followers. In the new profile photo, Kobe Bryant is seen hugging her young daughter Gianna. The picture was taken on February 14, 2016, before Bryant's final NBA All-Star Game.&nbsp;

In a recent investigation, it turned out that Kobe's chopper was missing an essential warning system which could have helped to avoid the crash.&nbsp;

Kobe married Vanessa in the year 2001, he succeeded by his wife and three daughters.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Former NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his thirteen-year-old daughter, Gianna's untimed death shook the whole world. He and his daughter along with seven other people were killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California on Sunday morning.

Former NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his thirteen-year-old daughter, Gianna's untimed death shook the whole world. He and his daughter along with seven other people were killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California on Sunday morning. The crash took place into a hillside in Calabasas, Califonia. The impact of the crash broke the chopper into pieces, debris created due to the crash stretched from about 500 to 600 feet. Also read: NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, among 9 killed in a chopper crash in California Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa Bryant is said to be 'numb' and 'heartbroken' after receiving this tragic news. Also see: Basketball champion Kobe Bryant: His life in pictures She made her first public statement through a heartfelt message in the first Instagram post since the crash. View this post on Instagram My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time. Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them. We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri. We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately. There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved. We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon. I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them. But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way. Our love for them is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable. I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them. Have them here with us, forever. Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us. We ask that you grant us the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality. To honor our Team Mamba family, the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to help support the other families affected by this tragedy. To donate, please go to MambaOnThree.org. To further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundation.org. Thank you so much for lifting us up in your prayers, and for loving Kobe, Gigi, Natalia, Bianka, Capri and me. #Mamba #Mambacita #GirlsDad #DaddysGirls #Family ❤️ A post shared by Vanessa Bryant 🦋 (@vanessabryant) on Jan 29, 2020 at 4:59pm PST × She had made her Instagram page private after the crash but on Wednesday it was public again. She had a new profile picture on it and gained almost 2 million followers. In the new profile photo, Kobe Bryant is seen hugging her young daughter Gianna. The picture was taken on February 14, 2016, before Bryant's final NBA All-Star Game. In a recent investigation, it turned out that Kobe's chopper was missing an essential warning system which could have helped to avoid the crash. Kobe married Vanessa in the year 2001, he succeeded by his wife and three daughters.

Kobe Bryant's wife posts heart-felt message, thanks millions of fans for support

Chelsea remain in pole position to claim fourth spot in the Premier League and a return to the riches and prestige of the Champions League next season.

However, a slump in form from Frank Lampard's men has left the door open for Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal to secure a much-needed return to Europe's top competition, while Wolves and Sheffield United are also aiming to reach the promised land for the first time.

AFP Sport looks at all six sides' ambitions heading into the final 15 league games of the season.

Chelsea - 39 points

The Blues still have a five-point cushion, but should already be out of sight for the chasing pack.

Chelsea have won just four of their last 11 league games, a poor run that includes defeats to Bournemouth, West Ham, Southampton, Newcastle and Everton.

Arsenal at home on Tuesday is followed by Leicester, Tottenham and Manchester United, giving them the chance to finally pull clear, but it could also hand those behind them another lifeline.

<h6><img alt="oooo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e3ecf015-cf44-4f52-915b-82219eaba814" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/123531-untitled-design-2.jpg" /> 
Chelsea's Mason Mount in action with Burnley's Jack Cork |&nbsp;Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

Man Utd - 34 points

United's challenge for the top four will depend largely on what business they do before the end of the January transfer window.

Top scorer Marcus Rashford will be out for at least six weeks due to a stress fracture in his back, while long-term injuries to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay have already left the Red Devils light in midfield.

United have what looks like the most appealing fixture run-in for the final seven games after the March international break.

However, they have to ensure they are still in the running by then with Wolves, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Sheffield United all to come before Rashford returns.

Wolves - 34 points

Wolves' stunning fightback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at in-form Southampton on Saturday reignited their Champions League challenge, which had stalled in recent weeks.

Nuno Espirito Santo's men face Liverpool in their 40th game of the season on Thursday and a short squad could well run out of steam, particularly as they return to Europa League action next month.

But as they proved in beating Manchester City twice and running Liverpool close with a much-changed side last month, Wolves are a match for anyone on their day and go to Stamford Bridge on the final weekend of the season in what could be a winner-takes-all clash for fourth.

Sheffield United - 33 points

Most Blades fans would have settled for survival in their first top flight season for 13 years, but United manager Chris Wilder demands much more of his players.

Wilder has led the club up from League One to seventh in the Premier League and was scathing of his side's performance for most of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Arsenal.

Another daunting task awaits when City visit Bramall Lane on Tuesday, but even Pep Guardiola is a big fan of Wilder's ways.

"If you can improve watching other games and other teams and other managers, then this is the one," said the City boss.

After City, a run of games against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton, Aston Villa, Norwich and Newcastle could propel Wilder's men further up the table.

<h6><img alt="iiiii" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4a5afe47-9e94-4249-9f6a-08e0e333b590" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/119579-untitled-design-10.jpg" /> 
Champions League - Group H - Chelsea v Lille - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 10, 2019 Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta celebrates scoring their second goal with Tammy Abraham and teammates | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

Tottenham - 31 points

Spurs are almost back to where they started under Jose Mourinho as early optimism and an upturn in results has fallen away in recent weeks.

The loss of Harry Kane for potentially the rest of the season is being felt in a lack of goals, with Mourinho's men taking just two points from their last four matches.

A return of 31 points from 23 games is 20 less than at the same stage last season.

Spurs have grown used to Champions League football over the past four seasons, but there has been little evidence from Mourinho's first two months in charge that they will put together the sustained run needed to overhaul his old club Chelsea.

Arsenal - 29 points

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted Tuesday's trip to Stamford Bridge is a must-win to maintain any hope of a top-four finish.

The Gunners' performances have improved since the Spaniard took charge last month, but they have won just one of five league games under Arteta.

1-1 draws with Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United have been symbolic of what has held Arsenal back this season.

Other than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a lack of clinical finishing at one end has been compounded by consistent errors from an unsettled defence.

Chelsea remain in pole position to claim fourth spot in the Premier League and a return to the riches and prestige of the Champions League next season. However, a slump in form from Frank Lampard's men has left the door open for Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal to secure a much-needed return to Europe's top competition, while Wolves and Sheffield United are also aiming to reach the promised land for the first time.

Chelsea remain in pole position to claim fourth spot in the Premier League and a return to the riches and prestige of the Champions League next season. However, a slump in form from Frank Lampard's men has left the door open for Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal to secure a much-needed return to Europe's top competition, while Wolves and Sheffield United are also aiming to reach the promised land for the first time. AFP Sport looks at all six sides' ambitions heading into the final 15 league games of the season. Chelsea - 39 points The Blues still have a five-point cushion, but should already be out of sight for the chasing pack. Chelsea have won just four of their last 11 league games, a poor run that includes defeats to Bournemouth, West Ham, Southampton, Newcastle and Everton. Arsenal at home on Tuesday is followed by Leicester, Tottenham and Manchester United, giving them the chance to finally pull clear, but it could also hand those behind them another lifeline. Chelsea's Mason Mount in action with Burnley's Jack Cork | Reuters Man Utd - 34 points United's challenge for the top four will depend largely on what business they do before the end of the January transfer window. Top scorer Marcus Rashford will be out for at least six weeks due to a stress fracture in his back, while long-term injuries to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay have already left the Red Devils light in midfield. United have what looks like the most appealing fixture run-in for the final seven games after the March international break. However, they have to ensure they are still in the running by then with Wolves, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Sheffield United all to come before Rashford returns. Wolves - 34 points Wolves' stunning fightback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at in-form Southampton on Saturday reignited their Champions League challenge, which had stalled in recent weeks. Nuno Espirito Santo's men face Liverpool in their 40th game of the season on Thursday and a short squad could well run out of steam, particularly as they return to Europa League action next month. But as they proved in beating Manchester City twice and running Liverpool close with a much-changed side last month, Wolves are a match for anyone on their day and go to Stamford Bridge on the final weekend of the season in what could be a winner-takes-all clash for fourth. Sheffield United - 33 points Most Blades fans would have settled for survival in their first top flight season for 13 years, but United manager Chris Wilder demands much more of his players. Wilder has led the club up from League One to seventh in the Premier League and was scathing of his side's performance for most of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Arsenal. Another daunting task awaits when City visit Bramall Lane on Tuesday, but even Pep Guardiola is a big fan of Wilder's ways. "If you can improve watching other games and other teams and other managers, then this is the one," said the City boss. After City, a run of games against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton, Aston Villa, Norwich and Newcastle could propel Wilder's men further up the table. Champions League - Group H - Chelsea v Lille - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 10, 2019 Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta celebrates scoring their second goal with Tammy Abraham and teammates | Reuters Tottenham - 31 points Spurs are almost back to where they started under Jose Mourinho as early optimism and an upturn in results has fallen away in recent weeks. The loss of Harry Kane for potentially the rest of the season is being felt in a lack of goals, with Mourinho's men taking just two points from their last four matches. A return of 31 points from 23 games is 20 less than at the same stage last season. Spurs have grown used to Champions League football over the past four seasons, but there has been little evidence from Mourinho's first two months in charge that they will put together the sustained run needed to overhaul his old club Chelsea. Arsenal - 29 points Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted Tuesday's trip to Stamford Bridge is a must-win to maintain any hope of a top-four finish. The Gunners' performances have improved since the Spaniard took charge last month, but they have won just one of five league games under Arteta. 1-1 draws with Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United have been symbolic of what has held Arsenal back this season. Other than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a lack of clinical finishing at one end has been compounded by consistent errors from an unsettled defence.

Premier League wobbles leave top four chase wide open

While cricket fans across the world continue to speculate about Mahendra Singh Dhoni's future, the BCCI has dropped the legendary cricketer from the annual contract list from October 2019 to September 2020.

BCCI drops MS Dhoni from central contract list

The countdown has begun for the 2020 Laureus World Sports Awards with the nominations for seven categories announced last night. Watch the video to know more:

2020 Laureus World Sports Awards nominees list out

The initial phase of the&nbsp;Indian Super League (ISL) did not start off as expected for the defending champions <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sunil-chhetri-extends-bengaluru-fc-contract-154243">Bengaluru FC</a>, with the team winning only one match out of the first three and only one goal scored.

However, under the guidance of former Barcelona youngster and team head coach Carles Cuadrat, Bengaluru have reclaimed their position as one of the top favourites to win this year's edition of the super league as well.

“We had a slow start. There were a few issues we had to iron out, and we have rectified them now. I think you are going to see a strong finish from our side at the end of the season,” he told sources.

Over the games this season, Indian superstar and team captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hungry-sunil-chhetri-wants-india-in-asias-top-10-240766">Sunil Chhetri</a> and Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu have proclaimed for themselves a position of great eminence on the field, having become the principal playmakers for the team.

Paartalu opened the scoring in the game with a goal from a corner within six&nbsp;minutes since the start of the game.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/manchester-city-owners-to-buy-65-stake-in-indias-mumbai-city-fc-265162">Manchester City owners to buy 65% stake in India's Mumbai City FC</a>

“In my position, you never really get noticed unless you score a goal and make an assist. I think I have four assists and two goals and it’s probably better than any tally I’ve had so far. I want to continue to build on that. This year is a big year for me and the club. We want to push for the Champions League spot,” Paartalu claimed.

Erik was referring to Bengaluru FC attempting to grab a spot in the Asian Football Confederations' <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/revamped-fifa-club-world-cup-important-for-asia-gianni-infantino-208343">(AFC) Champions League</a>, in which domestic rivals Chennaiyin FC hold a spot.

Chhetri doubled the score against the 'Men of Steel' by shooting&nbsp;a goal into the net in the 63rd minute.

The team is clearly making progress, taking into consideration their improving match performances and style of playing.

The initial phase of the Indian Super League (ISL) did not start off as expected for the defending champions Bengaluru FC, with the team winning only one match out of the first three and only one goal scored.

The initial phase of the Indian Super League (ISL) did not start off as expected for the defending champions Bengaluru FC, with the team winning only one match out of the first three and only one goal scored. However, under the guidance of former Barcelona youngster and team head coach Carles Cuadrat, Bengaluru have reclaimed their position as one of the top favourites to win this year's edition of the super league as well. “We had a slow start. There were a few issues we had to iron out, and we have rectified them now. I think you are going to see a strong finish from our side at the end of the season,” he told sources. Over the games this season, Indian superstar and team captain Sunil Chhetri and Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu have proclaimed for themselves a position of great eminence on the field, having become the principal playmakers for the team. Paartalu opened the scoring in the game with a goal from a corner within six minutes since the start of the game. Also Read: Manchester City owners to buy 65% stake in India's Mumbai City FC “In my position, you never really get noticed unless you score a goal and make an assist. I think I have four assists and two goals and it’s probably better than any tally I’ve had so far. I want to continue to build on that. This year is a big year for me and the club. We want to push for the Champions League spot,” Paartalu claimed. Erik was referring to Bengaluru FC attempting to grab a spot in the Asian Football Confederations' (AFC) Champions League, in which domestic rivals Chennaiyin FC hold a spot. Chhetri doubled the score against the 'Men of Steel' by shooting a goal into the net in the 63rd minute. The team is clearly making progress, taking into consideration their improving match performances and style of playing.

ISL: Holders Bengaluru FC thrash Jamshedpur 2-0

Two-time Grand Slam champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-prize-pool-jumps-to-49-million-biggest-gains-for-early-rounds-269945">Naomi&nbsp;Osaka</a>&nbsp;began her 2020 season with a 6-2 6-7(4) 6-3 victory over Maria Sakkari in the opening round of the Brisbane International on Tuesday.

Osaka&nbsp;fired 16 aces and broke her Greek opponent four times in the two hour, seven minutes encounter, but struggled in the second set tiebreak when Sakkari won five points in a row before squaring the match on an unforced error from the Japanese.

The pair traded breaks in the opening stages of the final set before former world number one&nbsp;Osaka&nbsp;clinched victory, despite double faulting on her first match point.

"I knew going into it that it was going to be a really hard match," world number four&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/naomi-osaka-serena-williams-to-compete-at-us-open-236864">Osaka</a>&nbsp;said. "I think in the second set I was just complaining a lot in the tiebreak. I was just trying to calm down and stay positive."

Former US&nbsp;Open champion Sloane Stephens, 24th in the WTA rankings, fell at the first hurdle to Liudmila Samsonova, who is ranked more than 100 places below her. The 129th ranked Russian won 6-4 2-6 6-3.

Samsonova next faces former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova who overcame a slow start and reeled off 12 of the last 13 games to down another Russian in Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 2-6 6-1 6-0.

Wildcard Maria Sharapova, playing her first match since losing in the first round of last year's US&nbsp;Open, was beaten 3-6 6-1 7-6(3) by Jennifer Brady.

The American qualifier will take on world number one <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-ashleigh-barty-wins-wta-finals-259738">Ash Barty</a> in the second round.

Eighth seed Madison Keys advanced with a 6-3 6-2 win over the Czech Republic's Marie Bouzkova.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka began her 2020 season with a 6-2 6-7(4) 6-3 victory over Maria Sakkari in the opening round of the Brisbane International on Tuesday.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka began her 2020 season with a 6-2 6-7(4) 6-3 victory over Maria Sakkari in the opening round of the Brisbane International on Tuesday. Osaka fired 16 aces and broke her Greek opponent four times in the two hour, seven minutes encounter, but struggled in the second set tiebreak when Sakkari won five points in a row before squaring the match on an unforced error from the Japanese. The pair traded breaks in the opening stages of the final set before former world number one Osaka clinched victory, despite double faulting on her first match point. "I knew going into it that it was going to be a really hard match," world number four Osaka said. "I think in the second set I was just complaining a lot in the tiebreak. I was just trying to calm down and stay positive." Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens, 24th in the WTA rankings, fell at the first hurdle to Liudmila Samsonova, who is ranked more than 100 places below her. The 129th ranked Russian won 6-4 2-6 6-3. Samsonova next faces former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova who overcame a slow start and reeled off 12 of the last 13 games to down another Russian in Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 2-6 6-1 6-0. Wildcard Maria Sharapova, playing her first match since losing in the first round of last year's US Open, was beaten 3-6 6-1 7-6(3) by Jennifer Brady. The American qualifier will take on world number one Ash Barty in the second round. Eighth seed Madison Keys advanced with a 6-3 6-2 win over the Czech Republic's Marie Bouzkova.

Tennis: Osaka sees off Sakkari challenge to advance in Brisbane

American qualifier Jennifer Brady claimed the first top 10 wins of her career with an upset 6-4 7-6(4) straight-sets victory over world number one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/djokovic-and-nadal-rally-for-merger-of-atp-cup-and-davis-cup-271915">Ash&nbsp;Barty</a> on Thursday to advance to the Brisbane International quarter-finals.

With the tournament moving into the Pat Rafter Arena at the Queensland Tennis Centre following the end of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/atp-cup-kicks-off-with-shapovalov-win-271903">ATP Cup</a> group stage, Brady had to contend with not only the Australian top seed, who was given a bye to the last-16, but also a vociferous home crowd.

Barty, who had never dropped a set to Brady in two encounters last year, was unable to muster a single break point while the American needed only one break of serve in the opening set before sealing the result in the second set tiebreak.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/djokovic-and-nadal-rally-for-merger-of-atp-cup-and-davis-cup-271915">Djokovic and Nadal rally for merger of ATP Cup and Davis Cup</a>

"I'm very happy to get the win," Brady said in a post-match interview. "Ash&nbsp;is obviously a great player and a great person.

"It's a little bit surreal. I'm super stoked and I'm shaking a little bit, but I really played well today."
<img alt="Jenifer Brady" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9d1fe49f-651e-46b3-bced-708dab1f98b4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_39.jpg" />
Barty, who exited the tournament in the first round in 2018, struck more winners than Brady but the 16 unforced errors opened the door for her American opponent who wrapped up the match in 91 minutes.

Brady, who beat <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sharapova-to-return-next-month-as-brisbane-wildcard-271149">Maria Sharapova</a> in the first round after coming through three qualifiers, became the fourth American to qualify for the quarter-finals after Madison Keys, Alison Riske and Danielle Collins.

American qualifier Jennifer Brady claimed the first top 10 wins of her career with an upset 6-4 7-6(4) straight-sets victory over world number one Ash Barty on Thursday to advance to the Brisbane International quarter-finals.

American qualifier Jennifer Brady claimed the first top 10 wins of her career with an upset 6-4 7-6(4) straight-sets victory over world number one Ash Barty on Thursday to advance to the Brisbane International quarter-finals. With the tournament moving into the Pat Rafter Arena at the Queensland Tennis Centre following the end of the ATP Cup group stage, Brady had to contend with not only the Australian top seed, who was given a bye to the last-16, but also a vociferous home crowd. Barty, who had never dropped a set to Brady in two encounters last year, was unable to muster a single break point while the American needed only one break of serve in the opening set before sealing the result in the second set tiebreak. Also Read: Djokovic and Nadal rally for merger of ATP Cup and Davis Cup "I'm very happy to get the win," Brady said in a post-match interview. "Ash is obviously a great player and a great person. "It's a little bit surreal. I'm super stoked and I'm shaking a little bit, but I really played well today." Barty, who exited the tournament in the first round in 2018, struck more winners than Brady but the 16 unforced errors opened the door for her American opponent who wrapped up the match in 91 minutes. Brady, who beat Maria Sharapova in the first round after coming through three qualifiers, became the fourth American to qualify for the quarter-finals after Madison Keys, Alison Riske and Danielle Collins.

Tennis: Barty stunned by qualifier Brady in straight sets in Brisbane

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-stokes-and-broad-bicker-as-england-end-first-test-with-a-loss-270971">Ben Stokes</a> took the last three wickets as England subdued a stubborn South Africa to win a thrilling second test by 189 runs late on day five on Tuesday, their first victory at Newlands since 1957.

Quinton <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-de-kock-leads-south-africa-fightback-against-england-270522">de Kock</a> and Rassie van der Dussen had frustrated England for 44 overs before Stokes provided late drama to finish the match with 8.2 overs to spare and level the four-match series.

The win will be especially pleasing for England for the way they stuck to their task on a flat fifth-day wicket, with Stokes's superb burst earning the all-rounder figures of 3-35.

"A great day's play and a great test match," England seamer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/james-anderson-and-stuart-broad-key-to-ashes-glory-says-harmison-239049">Stuart Broad</a> told Sky Sports. "We had to work incredibly hard, we knew we were going to have to do that.

"It was incredible discipline from South Africa throughout the day but we kept saying one bit of magic.

"We set some funky fields. One breakthrough and we could apply some pressure. You need a lot of character and skill to chase 10 wickets. We are proud of taking our chances."

Chasing a test record 438 to win, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-de-kock-leads-south-africa-fightback-against-england-270522">South Africa</a> looked relatively comfortable as they reached 237 for five with 26 overs remaining in the match.

For the second time in the innings, however, a key man gave his wicket away. De Kock (50) attempted to pull a dragged down delivery from part-time leg spinner Joe Denly and succeeded only in picking out Zak Crawley at mid-wicket.

It was an unnecessary stroke that opened the door for England and when Broad removed the obdurate Van der Dussen (17 from 140 balls), it was well and truly ajar.

Stokes accounted for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/south-africa-beat-england-by-107-runs-in-first-test-270868">Dwaine Pretorius</a> and Anrich Nortje in successive balls, both caught at slip, and sealed the victory in front of an ecstatic Barmy Army when Vernon Philander was caught fending a lifting delivery to Ollie Pope.

South Africa had given themselves a chance with some stern resistance, not least from debutant opener Pieter Malan who lasted 288 balls for his 84.

But England looked on course for victory at lunch after grabbing the key wicket of South Africa captain Faf du Plessis (19), who will be disappointed with his shot selection as he tried to take on spinner Dom Bess with a powerful sweep and picked out Denly at square leg.

"The boys fought very hard. They <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-archer-may-miss-test-against-south-africa-271563">bowled</a> really well and congrats to them," De Kock said.

"Obviously we tried to push them as far as we can. Unfortunately, we fell just short. I was disappointed because we had a good partnership going and I smoked one straight to a fielder."

South Africa won the first test in Pretoria by 107 runs.

The third match in the four-test series starts in Port Elizabeth on January&nbsp;16.

Ben Stokes took the last three wickets as England subdued a stubborn South Africa to win a thrilling second test by 189 runs late on day five on Tuesday, their first victory at Newlands since 1957.

Ben Stokes took the last three wickets as England subdued a stubborn South Africa to win a thrilling second test by 189 runs late on day five on Tuesday, their first victory at Newlands since 1957. Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen had frustrated England for 44 overs before Stokes provided late drama to finish the match with 8.2 overs to spare and level the four-match series. The win will be especially pleasing for England for the way they stuck to their task on a flat fifth-day wicket, with Stokes's superb burst earning the all-rounder figures of 3-35. "A great day's play and a great test match," England seamer Stuart Broad told Sky Sports. "We had to work incredibly hard, we knew we were going to have to do that. "It was incredible discipline from South Africa throughout the day but we kept saying one bit of magic. "We set some funky fields. One breakthrough and we could apply some pressure. You need a lot of character and skill to chase 10 wickets. We are proud of taking our chances." Chasing a test record 438 to win, South Africa looked relatively comfortable as they reached 237 for five with 26 overs remaining in the match. For the second time in the innings, however, a key man gave his wicket away. De Kock (50) attempted to pull a dragged down delivery from part-time leg spinner Joe Denly and succeeded only in picking out Zak Crawley at mid-wicket. It was an unnecessary stroke that opened the door for England and when Broad removed the obdurate Van der Dussen (17 from 140 balls), it was well and truly ajar. Stokes accounted for Dwaine Pretorius and Anrich Nortje in successive balls, both caught at slip, and sealed the victory in front of an ecstatic Barmy Army when Vernon Philander was caught fending a lifting delivery to Ollie Pope. South Africa had given themselves a chance with some stern resistance, not least from debutant opener Pieter Malan who lasted 288 balls for his 84. But England looked on course for victory at lunch after grabbing the key wicket of South Africa captain Faf du Plessis (19), who will be disappointed with his shot selection as he tried to take on spinner Dom Bess with a powerful sweep and picked out Denly at square leg. "The boys fought very hard. They bowled really well and congrats to them," De Kock said. "Obviously we tried to push them as far as we can. Unfortunately, we fell just short. I was disappointed because we had a good partnership going and I smoked one straight to a fielder." South Africa won the first test in Pretoria by 107 runs. The third match in the four-test series starts in Port Elizabeth on January 16.

Cricket: Inspired Stokes seals dramatic England victory

The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain on Sunday.

India had won the toss and opted to bowl first in their first T20I against Sri Lanka but rain played spoilsport.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took to Twitter and wrote: "Not the news that we would want to hear, but the 1st T20I between India and Sri Lanka has been abandoned due to rain. See you in Indore #INDvSL."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en">
Not the news that we would want to hear, but the 1st T20I between India and Sri Lanka has been abandoned due to rain. 
 
See you in Indore <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvSL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvSL</a> <a href="https://t.co/72ORWCt2zm">pic.twitter.com/72ORWCt2zm</a>
— BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1213859696756412416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/anushka-virat-ring-in-the-new-year-with-saif-kareena-and-varun-271448">Virat Kohli</a>-led team is scheduled to host Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I series. The second and third T20I will be played on January 7 and 10 respectively.

The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain on Sunday. India had won the toss and opted to bowl first in their first T20I against Sri Lanka but rain played spoilsport.

The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain on Sunday. India had won the toss and opted to bowl first in their first T20I against Sri Lanka but rain played spoilsport. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took to Twitter and wrote: "Not the news that we would want to hear, but the 1st T20I between India and Sri Lanka has been abandoned due to rain. See you in Indore #INDvSL." Not the news that we would want to hear, but the 1st T20I between India and Sri Lanka has been abandoned due to rain. See you in Indore #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/72ORWCt2zm — BCCI (@BCCI) January 5, 2020 × Virat Kohli-led team is scheduled to host Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I series. The second and third T20I will be played on January 7 and 10 respectively.

India's T20 against Sri Lanka called off due to rain

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-angry-djokovic-regains-calm-to-see-off-shapovalov-challenge-191382">Denis&nbsp;Shapovalov</a>&nbsp;won the&nbsp;battle&nbsp;of the up-and-comers against Greek Stefanos&nbsp;Tsitsipas&nbsp;to clinch Canada's opening tie in the inaugural&nbsp;ATP&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;men's team event in Brisbane on Friday.

The baby-faced left-hander, 20, handed Canada an unassailable 2-0 lead in the tie with a 7-6(6) 7-6(4) victory in the second rubber against world number six&nbsp;Tsitsipas&nbsp;at the Patrick Rafter Arena.

Canada went up 1-0 when Felix Auger-Aliassime claimed a breezy 6-1-6-3 victory over Michail Pervolarakis for the first win in the $15 million&nbsp;ATP&nbsp;Cup, which features 24 nations contesting in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney over 10 days.

The participating teams for the event have been determined by the singles ranking of their best player. Six of the top seven players in the world, barring Swiss great <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/federer-and-zverev-mexico-city-match-breaks-world-attendance-record-264207">Roger Federer</a>, have arrived in Australia.

The event, however, did not get off to the best possible start with the organisers playing a wrong national anthem for Moldova ahead of their tie against Belgium in Sydney.

Belgium's number two singles player and captain Steve Darcis won the rubber with a 6-4 6-7(4) 7-5 win against Alexander Cozbinov before world number 11 David Goffin settled the tie in the team's favour by defeating Radu Albot 6-4 6-1.

"At the start of the Moldova vs Belgium match we mistakenly played the wrong national anthem for Moldova," the organisers said on the official Twitter handle for the&nbsp;ATP&nbsp;Cup. "We are sincerely sorry and have apologised personally to Team Moldova."

The 21-year-old&nbsp;Tsitsipas&nbsp;was considered the favourite going into the match against&nbsp;Shapovalov&nbsp;having defeated Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem to win the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/atp-cup-2020-tennis-innovative-24-team-tournament-to-begin-from-january-3-271406">ATP</a>&nbsp;Finals in November.

But&nbsp;Shapovalov, who played brilliantly to lead Canada to its first Davis&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;final in November where they eventually went down to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nadal-murray-honoured-at-atp-awards-269400">Rafael Nadal</a>'s Spain, was the better player on the big points against the Greek.

After more than two hours of power-hitting from two of the&nbsp;ATP's most exciting&nbsp;next&nbsp;generation players in a match in which there was no break of serves,&nbsp;Shapovalov&nbsp;converted his first matchpoint when&nbsp;Tsitsipas&nbsp;double faulted on his serve.

"It's definitely a huge win for me,"&nbsp;Shapovalov&nbsp;said in an on-court interview. "Obviously, he had an unbelievable end to the season and he's definitely one of the top players in the world right now. He's got a great game.

"So to beat a guy like this in the first match of the year, it's really special for me. It means a lot.

"I think today it was just a couple points here and there, just tried to keep playing my game, keep playing every single point and wait for my chances and I just think that I took advantage really well in the tie-breaks."

Denis Shapovalov won the battle of the up-and-comers against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas to clinch Canada's opening tie in the inaugural ATP Cup men's team event in Brisbane on Friday.

Denis Shapovalov won the battle of the up-and-comers against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas to clinch Canada's opening tie in the inaugural ATP Cup men's team event in Brisbane on Friday. The baby-faced left-hander, 20, handed Canada an unassailable 2-0 lead in the tie with a 7-6(6) 7-6(4) victory in the second rubber against world number six Tsitsipas at the Patrick Rafter Arena. Canada went up 1-0 when Felix Auger-Aliassime claimed a breezy 6-1-6-3 victory over Michail Pervolarakis for the first win in the $15 million ATP Cup, which features 24 nations contesting in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney over 10 days. The participating teams for the event have been determined by the singles ranking of their best player. Six of the top seven players in the world, barring Swiss great Roger Federer, have arrived in Australia. The event, however, did not get off to the best possible start with the organisers playing a wrong national anthem for Moldova ahead of their tie against Belgium in Sydney. Belgium's number two singles player and captain Steve Darcis won the rubber with a 6-4 6-7(4) 7-5 win against Alexander Cozbinov before world number 11 David Goffin settled the tie in the team's favour by defeating Radu Albot 6-4 6-1. "At the start of the Moldova vs Belgium match we mistakenly played the wrong national anthem for Moldova," the organisers said on the official Twitter handle for the ATP Cup. "We are sincerely sorry and have apologised personally to Team Moldova." The 21-year-old Tsitsipas was considered the favourite going into the match against Shapovalov having defeated Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem to win the ATP Finals in November. But Shapovalov, who played brilliantly to lead Canada to its first Davis Cup final in November where they eventually went down to Rafael Nadal's Spain, was the better player on the big points against the Greek. After more than two hours of power-hitting from two of the ATP's most exciting next generation players in a match in which there was no break of serves, Shapovalov converted his first matchpoint when Tsitsipas double faulted on his serve. "It's definitely a huge win for me," Shapovalov said in an on-court interview. "Obviously, he had an unbelievable end to the season and he's definitely one of the top players in the world right now. He's got a great game. "So to beat a guy like this in the first match of the year, it's really special for me. It means a lot. "I think today it was just a couple points here and there, just tried to keep playing my game, keep playing every single point and wait for my chances and I just think that I took advantage really well in the tie-breaks."

2020 ATP Cup kicks off with Denis Shapovalov win

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rafael-nadal-powers-spain-into-davis-cup-semis-novak-djokovics-serbia-ousted-263989">Novak Djokovic</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nadal-murray-honoured-at-atp-awards-269400">Rafael&nbsp;Nadal</a>&nbsp;urged organisers of the ATP Cup and Davis Cup Finals to consider a possible merger, saying it makes little sense to have two men's team competitions on the tennis calendar.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/atp-cup-2020-tennis-innovative-24-team-tournament-to-begin-from-january-3-271406">ATP Cup</a>, which begins on Friday, will feature 24 nations contesting in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney over 10 days for the first time and will give the top men's players a solid platform to prepare for the Australian Open.

The tournament, however, comes just six weeks after the inaugural edition of the revamped Davis Cup, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-prize-pool-jumps-to-49-million-biggest-gains-for-early-rounds-269945">International Tennis Federation</a>'s flagship event, which was similar in nature and question remains if the two can co-exist in the future.

"We need to have one Super World Cup event, whatever you want to call it," world number two Djokovic, who heads the ATP players' council, told a news conference on Thursday.

"That's not going to happen next year... but if the two sides, the ITF, the Davis Cup, and the ATP get together very quickly, it can happen possibly for 2022.

"I hope it will happen because it's kind of hard to get top players to commit to play both events. And it's six weeks apart, so they're not really helping each other in terms of marketing, in terms of the value of the event and so forth."

Djokovic's concerns were echoed by world number one&nbsp;Nadal, who said having to play back-to-back team tournaments was confusing.

"For me personally that's not the ideal situation for our sport, but that's how it works today and I'm very excited that we can change that in the future," said&nbsp;Nadal, who won a fifth Davis Cup title with Spain in November.

The participating teams for the event have been determined by the singles ranking of their best player. Six of the top seven players in the world, barring Swiss great <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/federer-and-zverev-mexico-city-match-breaks-world-attendance-record-264207">Roger Federer</a>, have arrived in Australia.

Federer pulled out of the event to spend more time with his family. Britain's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/andy-murray-pulls-out-of-australian-open-with-injury-270808">Andy Murray</a> and Japan's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/miami-open-kei-nishikori-stunned-by-lajovic-in-second-round-204964">Kei Nishikori</a> are other notable absentees due to injury.

Australian Open holder Djokovic will make his ATP Cup debut for Serbia against South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday while&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;will lead Spain into action against Georgia in Perth on the same day.

Revamped Aussie summer

To accommodate the $15 million ATP Cup, which also offers 750 ranking points, this year's Australian Open has been pushed back from its usual mid-month start by a week and will kick off at Melbourne Park from January&nbsp;20.

The ATP Cup has also left no room in the revamped tennis calendar for the mixed-gender Hopman Cup, which is popular with players and has traditionally served as a warm-up for the year's first Grand Slam.

With Brisbane hosting matches in the ATP Cup, next week's Brisbane International will be a women's only tournament while the Sydney International - one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world dating back to 1885 - has also gone missing.

Sydney's loss proved to be Adelaide's gain as the city will host the Adelaide International from January&nbsp;12, where Djokovic and women's world number one Ash Barty are the top draws.

ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-champion-simona-halep-targets-strong-finish-in-asia-251694">Wimbledon champion Simona Halep</a> will also play in Adelaide.

Sydney, which will host both the knockout stage of the ATP Cup and the group stage, also has to deal with apprehensions about smoke from the devastating bushfires impacting play.

Britain's team captain Tim Henman played down those concerns.

"In the context of what this country is going through with the bushfires and for us having to deal with perhaps slightly poor air quality, I think right there is the perspective," he told reporters. "I don't envisage it being a problem at all."

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal urged organisers of the ATP Cup and Davis Cup Finals to consider a possible merger, saying it makes little sense to have two men's team competitions on the tennis calendar.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal urged organisers of the ATP Cup and Davis Cup Finals to consider a possible merger, saying it makes little sense to have two men's team competitions on the tennis calendar. The ATP Cup, which begins on Friday, will feature 24 nations contesting in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney over 10 days for the first time and will give the top men's players a solid platform to prepare for the Australian Open. The tournament, however, comes just six weeks after the inaugural edition of the revamped Davis Cup, the International Tennis Federation's flagship event, which was similar in nature and question remains if the two can co-exist in the future. "We need to have one Super World Cup event, whatever you want to call it," world number two Djokovic, who heads the ATP players' council, told a news conference on Thursday. "That's not going to happen next year... but if the two sides, the ITF, the Davis Cup, and the ATP get together very quickly, it can happen possibly for 2022. "I hope it will happen because it's kind of hard to get top players to commit to play both events. And it's six weeks apart, so they're not really helping each other in terms of marketing, in terms of the value of the event and so forth." Djokovic's concerns were echoed by world number one Nadal, who said having to play back-to-back team tournaments was confusing. "For me personally that's not the ideal situation for our sport, but that's how it works today and I'm very excited that we can change that in the future," said Nadal, who won a fifth Davis Cup title with Spain in November. The participating teams for the event have been determined by the singles ranking of their best player. Six of the top seven players in the world, barring Swiss great Roger Federer, have arrived in Australia. Federer pulled out of the event to spend more time with his family. Britain's Andy Murray and Japan's Kei Nishikori are other notable absentees due to injury. Australian Open holder Djokovic will make his ATP Cup debut for Serbia against South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday while Nadal will lead Spain into action against Georgia in Perth on the same day. Revamped Aussie summer To accommodate the $15 million ATP Cup, which also offers 750 ranking points, this year's Australian Open has been pushed back from its usual mid-month start by a week and will kick off at Melbourne Park from January 20. The ATP Cup has also left no room in the revamped tennis calendar for the mixed-gender Hopman Cup, which is popular with players and has traditionally served as a warm-up for the year's first Grand Slam. With Brisbane hosting matches in the ATP Cup, next week's Brisbane International will be a women's only tournament while the Sydney International - one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world dating back to 1885 - has also gone missing. Sydney's loss proved to be Adelaide's gain as the city will host the Adelaide International from January 12, where Djokovic and women's world number one Ash Barty are the top draws. ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and Wimbledon champion Simona Halep will also play in Adelaide. Sydney, which will host both the knockout stage of the ATP Cup and the group stage, also has to deal with apprehensions about smoke from the devastating bushfires impacting play. Britain's team captain Tim Henman played down those concerns. "In the context of what this country is going through with the bushfires and for us having to deal with perhaps slightly poor air quality, I think right there is the perspective," he told reporters. "I don't envisage it being a problem at all."

Djokovic and Nadal rally for merger of ATP Cup and Davis Cup

Australia's pacer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/peter-siddles-bowling-is-quite-similar-to-mcgraths-ricky-ponting-241379">Peter Siddle</a> on Sunday announced his retirement from international cricket. 
 
The player made an emotional announcement in front of his team-mates at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before the start of play on day four of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand, cricket.com.au reported. 
 
Siddle, who has been a vital cog in the Aussie bowling scheme of things, did not get a chance to play in the second Test against New Zealand. After announcing retirement, the player was seen exchanging hugs with his team-mates and support staff of Australia. 
 
Siddle ends his career at the 13th spot on the list of highest wicket-takers for Australia in the longest format of the game. He finishes with 221 wickets from 67 Test matches. 
 
Earlier this year, the player had starred in England to allow Australia to retain the Ashes. 
 
He had made his debut in 2008 against India at Mohali and went to dismiss Sachin Tendulkar to register his first scalp in the longest format of the game. 
 
Siddle also managed to take a Test hat-trick on his birthday during the 2010-11 Ashes. 
 
He also played 22 ODIs and two T20s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/residents-holidaymakers-urged-to-leave-australian-region-as-fire-conditions-worsen-270824">for Australia</a>. He is currently representing the Adelaide Strikers in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).

Australia's pacer Peter Siddle on Sunday announced his retirement from international cricket. The player made an emotional announcement in front of his team-mates at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before the start of play on day four of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand, cricket.

Australia's pacer Peter Siddle on Sunday announced his retirement from international cricket. The player made an emotional announcement in front of his team-mates at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before the start of play on day four of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand, cricket.com.au reported. Siddle, who has been a vital cog in the Aussie bowling scheme of things, did not get a chance to play in the second Test against New Zealand. After announcing retirement, the player was seen exchanging hugs with his team-mates and support staff of Australia. Siddle ends his career at the 13th spot on the list of highest wicket-takers for Australia in the longest format of the game. He finishes with 221 wickets from 67 Test matches. Earlier this year, the player had starred in England to allow Australia to retain the Ashes. He had made his debut in 2008 against India at Mohali and went to dismiss Sachin Tendulkar to register his first scalp in the longest format of the game. Siddle also managed to take a Test hat-trick on his birthday during the 2010-11 Ashes. He also played 22 ODIs and two T20s for Australia. He is currently representing the Adelaide Strikers in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).

Australian pacer Peter Siddle announces retirement from international cricket

sports-0

Sports, News on Sports, stories on Sports, articles on Sports, Sports stories at Wion, Sports news, Sports latest news

sports 0

'World's first female jet suit pilot' hopes to inspire other women

Female boxing coach challenges barriers in conservative Pakistan

Sachin Tendulkar thanks fans for Laureus Award win

Sachin Tendulkar wins Laureus Award for Sporting Moment for his 2011 World Cup victory lap

Lewis Hamilton, Lionel Messi, Simon Biles score big at Laureus Awards, here's the list of winners!

Srinivas Gowda, dubbed 'Usain Bolt of India' not attending national trials after official invitation

Bundesliga: Leipzig back on top with 3-0 win over strugglers Werder

Klopp shows sympathy for Guardiola after Manchester City European ban

NBA loses 'hundreds of millions' in China over Hong Kong tweet

IOC face 'big communications job' as virus jitters hit Tokyo Olympics

Kyrgyzstan's first female team shatters stereotypes

Kyrgyzstan's first female team shatters stereotypes

Australian cricketer Ellyse Perry excited for potential record crowd for a women's sporting event

Nike unveils Olympic Collection in New York

Tackling discrimination: Meet Argentina's transgender soccer player

Ski resort becomes first in Italy to ban plastic

Dortmund's Haaland scores; Bayern beat Mainz to reach the top

Manchester United held by Wolves on Fernandes debut

Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid; Karim Benzema scores home win

Kobe Bryant's wife posts heart-felt message, thanks millions of fans for support

Premier League wobbles leave top four chase wide open

BCCI drops MS Dhoni from central contract list

2020 Laureus World Sports Awards nominees list out

ISL: Holders Bengaluru FC thrash Jamshedpur 2-0

Tennis: Osaka sees off Sakkari challenge to advance in Brisbane

Tennis: Barty stunned by qualifier Brady in straight sets in Brisbane