CELEBRITY

SERENA WILLIAMS BECOMES FIRST STAR TO CONFIRM US OPEN ATTENDANCE

Published

5 years ago

June 17, 2020

Serena Williams led the from the front by becoming the first major player to confirm that she will play at the US Open after its dates were confirmed.

The 38-year-old American will try and win her 24th Grand Slam singles title when the event is staged under highly restrictive conditions from August 31 for two weeks.

‘I really cannot wait to return to New York and play,’ she said. ‘I feel the USTA (Tennis Association) is going to do a really good job of ensuring everything is amazing and everything is perfect and everyone is safe.’

She added that she will miss the fans who, along with the media, will be excluded under strict anti-Covid-19 protocols at what is normally a teeming and noisy Flushing Meadows.

Williams may have been swung by relaxations in the rules which will control how many people players can bring with them, and where they can stay.

In response to concerns already expressed by top players, they will now be allowed to stay privately if they wish to go to the expense, and not be bubbled in the official tournament hotel.

his will have to be done through an official US Open estate agent, who will not be offering properties in Manhattan. Players will also be allowed to bring three support staff on site, going some way to answer concerns of the big names.

The next month will determine whether or not there is a full turnout, now that both men’s and women’s tours have announced provisional calendars to try and salvage the season.

Having suffered severe constipation compared to other sports in producing comeback plans, a glut of information was released by tennis about its future schedule, which are all subject to wider developments in the coronavirus crisis.

The WTA Tour announced 20 events beginning on August 3 in Palermo, going through to late November.

The men announced a package of events going through to mid-October, with the Madrid, Italian and French Opens being confirmed. A further announcement will be made next month, but there is optimism that November’s ATP Finals at London’s 02 Arena can still happen, subject to government advice.

Early indications are that some players will still require some persuading to travel.

Nick Kyrgios complained via Twitter that there had been a lack of collaboration with the players and labelled ATP Tour Chief Andrea Guadenzi a ‘potato’.

More soberly, Wimbledon champion Simona Halep reiterated her opposition to travelling, although she promised she would reassess the situation.

Stacey Allaster, the US Open Tournament Director, also confirmed that the Cincinnati Open would be played at Flushing Meadows the week beforehand, at the expense of the Grand Slam’s qualifying event.

‘We have 59 days until we open the tournament hotel,’ she said. ‘We will be opening discussions (with players) to help them understand the plan.. They will make their own decisions.’

On the relaxation of accommodation restrictions she added: ‘We will provide options for the athletes. They are used to staying in private houses at Wimbledon and other places so if they want to invest in a private home they can.’

She did not want to put a figure on how many will actually turn up, but with a total of $60million on offer for the Open and the supplementary event moved from Cincinnati the large bulk of players can be expected to go.

They are working with local health authorities on removing quarantine restrictions for arrivals, and there will be a strict testing regime for everyone going on site. Provisions have been made to isolate anyone who tests positive.

Among the strange conditions will be a much reduced count of officials on duty. Outside the two main show courts there will be only three ballkids and no line judges, with all the calling done by Hawkeye.

Meanwhile a note sent to male players, seen by Sportsmail, has warned that there will be prize money reductions at the ATP Tour events remaining this season.

The first main tour men’s event back will be the Citi Open in Washington, taking place on August 14, while the lower tiers of the tennis tour will also resume in August.

CELEBRITY

Dalma Maradona Accuses Doctors of Causing Father’s Death

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Diego Maradona’s death “would have been avoided” if the medical team around him had done their job, his daughter Dalma accused on Tuesday at the trial of health professionals of the circumstances of the death of the Argentine football idol

Dalma, 38, the elder of Maradona’s two daughters with his ex-wife Claudia Villafañe, was a star witness on the 11th day of the trial in San Isidro (north of Buenos Aires). And like others since the start of the trial, she blamed the caregivers of her father’s final weeks and the framework of his convalescence.

” If they had done their job, (his death) would have been avoided,” Dalma said, referring to the medical team and in particular to three of the accused: attending physician and neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and psychologist Carlos Diaz.

” They deceived us (the family) in the most cruel way (…) They made us believe that the only possible option was to convalesce at home after his operation, in a house that was rented for the occasion in Tigre (north of Buenos Aires),” Dalma said.

According to them, ” it would be a serious home hospitalisation,” Diego would have everything like in a clinic, but in a house,” with 24/7 medical attention, medical equipment, an ambulance at the door permanently, she continued.

” It never happened,” she said in a statement often interrupted by tears. In this “disgusting, piss-smelling ” house, a doctor only came to see him from time to time.”

Maradona died at the age of 60 on November 25, 2020, from a cardiorespiratory crisis complicated by pulmonary oedema, in this private residence, where he had been convalescing for two weeks after neurosurgery for a head hematoma.

Seven practitioners – doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses – are accused of “homicide with possible intent”, characterised when a person commits negligence while knowing that it can lead to death.

Mr. Luque, who was close to Maradona, ” was his primary care physician, and I didn’t think he was recommending something that wouldn’t be best for my father,” Dalma continued.

With his sister Gianinna ” we didn’t have much influence, we could say what we thought but didn’t decide anything .” Sometimes someone from the care team or from the entourage would say “that Dad was sleeping, sometimes that he didn’t want to see anyone,” that the best thing was not to disturb him. “

” In hindsight, we should have decided.”

Last Tuesday, Veronica Ojeda, ex-partner and mother of Maradona’s son born in 2013, testified that the star’s close entourage “kept him as if he were sequestered” in the last months of his life.

The practitioners on trial, who deny any responsibility for the death, are seeking sentences of 8 to 25 years in prison. The trial is expected to last until July, with one or two hearings per week.

–Le360 (with AFP)

CELEBRITY

Mexican referee disciplined for seeking Messi autograph

Published

2 months ago

February 21, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava was sanctioned for asking Lionel Messi for an autograph. Photo: screenshot

Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava found out the hard way that there are consequences for seeking an autograph from eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup winner Lionel Messi — he was hit with a CONCACAF disciplinary sanction.

As the final whistle blew on Inter Miami’s 1-0 Champions Cup win over Sporting Kansas City, secured by a brilliant second-half goal from Messi, the referee known as ‘El Gato’ approached the Argentina international.

He appeared to be asking for the striker’s shirt to join the Messi-mania, but it turned out he was actually requesting an autograph for a relative with special needs.

Despite the heartfelt request, Ortiz’s actions did not comply with CONCACAF’s code of conduct for officials.

“Upon investigation, CONCACAF has learned that the referee approached the player to request an autograph for a family member with special needs,” the North American football governing body said in a statement to ESPN.

Although the exact nature of the disciplinary action was not disclosed, CONCACAF added that Ortiz accepted full responsibility for his actions and apologised for his breach of protocol.

The first leg of the premier continental tournament for clubs from North America, Central America and the Caribbean was initially postponed due to a winter storm warning in the area.

Inter Miami will host Sporting in the return leg at Chase Stadium on Tuesday.

“The referee’s actions were not in accordance with the confederation’s code of conduct for match officials and the procedures in place for these types of requests.”

Reuters

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CELEBRITY

The ranking of 10 highest-paid athletes in the world

Published

2 months ago

February 14, 2025

Kunle Solaja

The world’s top athletes don’t just dominate on the field—they lead the way financially, too.

From football icons to basketball superstars, these elite performers are earning staggering sums through salaries, endorsements, and off-field ventures.

Using data from Sportico, sportsunlimitednews breaks down the top 10 highest-paid athletes globally.

10. Jon Rahm

On December 2023, Jon Rahm announced he was joining LIV Golf after a very successful stint at the PGA, earning 11 PGA Tour wins since joining in 2016. Now signed under LIV Golf, the Spaniard is considered one of the best-paid athletes in the world, accumulating $85.6 (€82.3/£68.55) million in winnings and $20 (€19.2/£16) million on endorsement deals

9. Kylian Mbappe

Following his massive transfer to Real Madrid in 2024, Kylian Mbappe is now ranked the 9th highest-paid athlete in the world. The French forward earns $85 (€81.6/£68.9) million in salary and $25 (€24/£20) million in endorsements, totalling $110 (€105/£88) million—a ‘galactico’ price tag for one of the best players in the world.

8. Karim Benzema

Another former Real Madrid star, Karim Benzema is ranked amongst the top ten best-paid athletes in the world following his move to Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia). The French striker earns $108 (€103/£86.4) million alongside $8 (€7.6/£6.4) million in endorsements.

7. Oleksandr Usyk

Up next, we have an undisputed heavyweight champion, who took down Tyson Fury for a second time in 2024. Oleksandr Usyk is arguably one of the best fighters in the world right now, and his earnings reflect that. The Ukrainian makes an average of $120 (€115/£96) million in winnings alongside $2 (€1.9/£1.6) million on endorsements, standing on $122 (€117/£97.7) million.

6. Neymar Jr.

Neymar Jr. is in the final stages of his professional football career. The former Barcelona and PSG man has enjoyed a successful stint across multiple teams around the world. Now in Santos FC, the Brazilian star is still considered one of the highest-paid players in the world, earning a $108 (€103/£82) million salary and $25 (€24/£20) million in endorsements.

5. LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers veteran and NBA star is ranked fifth in the world following his jaw-dropping $85 (€81.6/£68.3) million endorsement deals with Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Alongside his endorsements, he cashes in a salary of $48.2 (€46.3/£38.6) million a year.

4. Lionel Messi

The Inter Miami star has one of the most lucrative contracts in world football. The Argentinian forward earns $60 (€57.6/£48) million a year, alongside $75 (€72/£60) million on endorsement deals. He is linked to Louis Vuitton, Mastercard and Pepsi.

3. Tyson Fury

The ‘Gypsie King’ is ranked third in the world, despite his recent losses and retirement announcement in late 2024. Fury cashed in $140 (€134.4/£112) million in winnings alongside $7 (€6.7/£5.6) million in endorsement deals, a very fruitful 2024 for the former British heavyweight champ.

2. Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry can still boast of having the highest-paying salary in the NBA for the eighth straight year. According to ESPN, his Golden State deal is worth around $55 (€52/£41.2) million this season. On top of that, the American point guard earns $100 (€95/£79.9) million in endorsements.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo still ranks at the top as the best-paid athlete in the world. The Al-Nassr star earns a jaw-dropping $215 (€206/£171.9) million salary, alongside $45 (€43.1/£35.9) in endorsements from Armani, Herbalife, TAG Heuer, and Clear Shampoo.

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