GOLF
Barty takes swing at tourney
Former tennis world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty is to play in a golf exhibition tournament, organizers said yesterday, heightening speculation that she could become a golfer after her shock retirement. The three-time Grand Slam champion last month stunned the tennis world when she stepped away from the sport, and the multi-talented 25-year-old was coy about her plans. Icons Series organizers said that she would be among the sports stars competing in the US event in June. US Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya are among other famous competitors due to take part at the Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey. The 28 competitors are to be split into Team USA, led by Fred Couples, and Team Rest of the World, led by Ernie Els. The US tournament is the first in a series, with plans to host editions around the world. “It’s such a unique opportunity to have fun, test yourself and compete against the world’s greatest athletes in a sport that we are all so passionate about,” Barty told the Sydney Morning Herald.
CYCLING
Wiggins ‘groomed’ by coach
Bradley Wiggins has alleged that he was sexually groomed by a coach when he was 13 years old. Wiggins, the first Briton to win the Tour de France and a three-time Olympic champion, said that he had “buried” what had happened because he had no one to turn to at the time. “I was groomed by a coach when I was younger — I was about 13 — and I never fully accepted that,” Wiggins said in an interview with Men’s Health UK about his allegations, which goes on sale today. Asked if he was groomed sexually, the 41-year-old added: “Yes. It all impacted me as an adult ... I buried it.” Wiggins said he had been unable to confide in his stepfather as he used to beat him and criticize him for wearing cycling gear. “My stepfather was quite violent to me, he used to call me a faggot for wearing Lycra and stuff, so I didn’t think I could tell him,” he said. “I was such a loner. I just wanted to get out of the environment. I became so insular. I was quite a strange teenager in many ways and I think the drive on the bike stemmed from adversity.”
SOCCER
Ronaldo’s newborn son dies
The soccer world yesterday rallied around Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, after they announced that their newborn son had died. The 37-year-old Manchester United forward had said on social media in October last year that the couple was expecting twins. In a post released on Twitter on Monday, they confirmed the birth of a girl. “It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away. It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel,” Ronaldo and Rodriguez said in a jointly signed statement. “Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness.” The announcement was met with widespread sympathy. “Your pain is our pain, Cristiano,” Manchester United wrote on Twitter. “Sending love and strength to you and the family at this time.” On their web page, Real Madrid said that the club “joins the grief of the whole family and wants to show them all our love and affection.” Rival clubs, among them Leeds United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, also sent condolences.
Manchester United on Tuesday confirmed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season, tasking him with leading the Red Devils back into the UEFA Champions League. “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honor,” said Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United. The former midfielder previously had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in 2021. Carrick then took on his first permanent managerial role at second-tier Middlesbrough in October 2022 and was sacked in June last year after the club finished 10th in the
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday sparked defending champions Oklahoma City to victory, while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s last-minute fightback to beat San Antonio. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points while adding eight assists and five rebounds in the Thunder’s 124-112 home victory over Miami, improving the NBA’s best record to 33-7 after outscoring the Heat 70-53 in the second half. “We locked in defensively. We were finally able to get some stops,” Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins said. “We were able to get out in transition a little bit, get going offensively and find the flow.” Jalen Williams scored 18 points, while
Mohamed Salah’s Egypt knocked reigning champions Ivory Coast out of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 3-2 win in the quarter-finals on Saturday, while Victor Osimhen starred as Nigeria beat Algeria 2-0 to set up a clash with hosts Morocco. In Agadir, Morocco, a thrilling last-eight tie saw Omar Marmoush and Ramy Rabia net in the first half for the Pharaohs before an own goal by Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh brought the Ivorians back into it. Salah then got Egypt’s third early in the second half and they held on after Guela Doue again reduced the deficit. Egypt is to face Senegal
Brandon Miller scored 18 points, LaMelo Ball had 17 and the Charlotte Hornets built a 47-point lead in the first half of a 150-95 rout against the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. It was the second-biggest win in franchise history for the Hornets and their largest on the road. The Hornets bounced back from a pair of frustrating losses in a big way, having fallen to Toronto by one point and Indiana by two in their last two games. Charlotte pounded the NBA champion Thunder by 27 in Oklahoma City before those defeats, previously the Hornets’ most lopsided victory of the season. Tre
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