■ HOCKEY
Red Wings star retires
Dominik Hasek announced his retirement from ice hockey during a news conference in Detroit on Monday, only days after the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in six games over Pittsburgh.
“I don’t feel today that I’m ready to compete on the highest level,” Hasek said during a news conference at Joe Louis Arena. “Not because of the physical things, but because I need motivation every day ... Right now I don’t feel it’s there, and I don’t want to disappoint anybody.” Detroit general manager Ken Holland said Hasek’s place in NHL history is secured, calling him not only one of the greatest goalies of his era but also one of the best in league history.
“He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” Holland said. “And one of the greatest goaltenders to ever play the game.” Hasek ranks 10th in NHL career victories for a goaltender, 10th in goals against average, 18th in games and is tied for sixth in shutouts, according to STATS Inc, a sports statistics and information company. Hasek also led the Czech Republic to the Olympic title at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
■ SOCCER
Ferdinand made a chief
Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has been awarded a special chieftancy title by the Nigerian city of Lagos after he set the ball rolling for an annual tournament aimed at discovering fresh talent from the streets. Ferdinand was given the Fiwagboye of Lagos title by the Oba of Lagos for finding time to visit the city during which he kicked off a street soccer tournament to be organized by Lagos State government. Ferdinand spent three days in Lagos as a special guest of the Lagos government which is organizing a tournament that will attract several thousands of youngsters from across the state every year.
■ SOCCER
Party lands star in hot water
Mexico goalkeeper and captain Oswaldo Sanchez was arrested in a Chicago hotel when celebrations got out of hand following a 4-0 friendly win over Peru, a Mexican newspaper reported on Monday. El Universal said on its Web site that Sanchez was held for two hours after a group of players partied in a room and the noise disturbed other guests. “The police turned up to stop the trouble-makers and Sanchez resisted, for which he was held for two hours and had to pay bail of US$1,000,” said the report, adding that Sanchez would have to appear in court on July 11.
■ CYCLING
Valverde wins first stage
Spain’s Alejandro Valverde won a finish-line sprint to claim Monday’s first stage of the Dauphine Libere cycling race, while Norway’s Thor Hushovd took the overall lead. Valverde, who placed third in Sunday’s time trial prologue, finished the flat 194km first stage in 4 hours, 46 minutes and 36 seconds. Germany’s Bjorn Schroder, riding for Team Milram, placed third in the stage. The day’s surprise came from American Levi Leipheimer, riding for Astana. He placed sixth in the stage and slipped from his lead after the prologue to third in the overall standings. The eight-day race in southern France is seen as the traditional warmup for the Tour de France. However, not everyone in the race will be in the Tour. For instance, Leipheimer’s Astana team was banned from the Tour in February by race organizer ASO as punishment for doping problems in previous seasons. ASO’s decision also means that last year’s Tour champion Alberto Contador, another Astana rider who is not racing in the Dauphine Libere, won’t get to defend his title.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
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