TENNIS
Venus Williams withdraws
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has withdrawn from her Australian Open warm-up event in New Zealand because of “health reasons,” placing her participation in the year’s first Grand Slam in doubt. Williams, who has been receiving treatment for Sjogren’s syndrome, an auto-immune disease, had been given a wild card for the Jan. 2 to Jan. 7 Auckland Classic. “After playing a number of recent exhibition matches, Williams told her agent Carlos Fleming she was not ready to play in Auckland,” a statement on the tournament’s Web site said. “We are disappointed to have lost a player of her caliber. While withdrawals of this nature are part and parcel of sport, we sincerely feel for the fans who will also be disappointed by the news of Venus’ withdrawal,” tournament director Richard Palmer added in the statement. Williams withdrew from September’s US Open with Sjogren’s, a disease where white blood cells attack moisture-producing glands that can cause dysfunction of organs and body systems.
BOXING
Berto to face Ortiz again
Andre Berto will try to avenge the only loss of his career when he faces Victor Ortiz in an all-US welterweight fight on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas, promoters announced on Monday. Southpaw Ortiz won a unanimous decision over Berto in April in a fight that saw Berto knocked down in the first round, Ortiz flattened in the next round and both fighters sent to the canvas in round six. Ortiz took the World Boxing Council welterweight title, but lost it in September to unbeaten US star Floyd Mayweather in a controversial fourth-round knockout while Ortiz was distracted while talking to the referee. “I’m prepared to go to war again with Berto,” Ortiz said. Berto, 28-1 with 22 knockouts, won the International Boxing Federation title in his most recent bout when Slovenian Jan Zaveck retired after five rounds because he could not see out of his right eye, but Berto dumped the title so he could make the 12-round rematch against Ortiz, 29-3 with 22 knockouts.
BOXING
Hopkins must face Dawson
Bernard Hopkins has been ordered by the World Boxing Council to fight Chad Dawson in a mandatory rematch after their first meeting was ruled no contest after a controversial finish, but Hopkins, who remains the World Boxing Council light-heavyweight champion and the oldest champion in history — he turns 47 on Jan. 15 — and Dawson were given a clause that opens the door to possible interim fights. The order came after Hopkins’ first fight against Dawson in October was changed from a loss to a no contest after the referee did not call a foul on Dawson for slamming Hopkins to the canvas. Hopkins landed on his shoulder, suffering an injury that stopped the fight.
FOOTBALL
Knox out for the season
If the Chicago Bears are going to reach the NFL playoffs, they will have to do it without receiver Johnny Knox, who was lost to season-ending back surgery on Monday. Bears coach Lovie Smith said on Monday that Knox would not play again this season after being carted off the field early in Sunday’s 38-14 home loss to Seattle. He had surgery to stabilize a vertebra in his lower back. The Bears said that Knox’s injury is not considered career threatening. Knox had the ball knocked from his grasp after making a catch on Sunday and as he moved to retrieve the ball, he was struck by Seattle’s Anthony Hargrove and bent backward. He was on the field for almost 10 minutes before being carried off and to hospital.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and