Serena Williams says she intends to play at the behind-closed-doors US Open in August and bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam. The event will be held without fans in New York from 31 August, despite some players voicing concerns. But Williams, 38, said: “I really cannot wait to return to New York and play the US Open 2020.”
English Premier League Results – 17 June 2020
Aston Villa 0:0 Sheffield United
Manchester City 3:0 Arsenal
Napoli held their nerve to claim a first major trophy in six seasons by beating Juventus 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the Coppa Italia final. Arkadiusz Milik scored the winning spot-kick after Paulo Dybala had seen his first for Juve saved, before team-mate Danilo blazed the second over. This followed a hard-fought 0-0 over 90 minutes of few chances, played behind closed doors at the Stadio Olimpico.
The LPGA Tour will resume in July after being temporarily stopped by the coronavirus pandemic. The 2020 season will restart in Ohio on 31 July, with the three-day Drive On Championship at Inverness Club, Toledo.
Cyclist Niki Terpstra is in intensive care in hospital following a training crash in the Netherlands. The Team Total Direct Energie rider sustained multiple injuries, but they are not thought to be life-threatening.
The US Open will be held without fans from 31 August to 13 September, after plans were approved by governor of New York Andrew Cuomo. The Grand Slam will be held at Flushing Meadows, despite some players voicing concerns about travelling to New York. There have been no professional tennis events since March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bayern Munich celebrated in a near-empty stadium after securing an outstanding eighth successive title. Robert Lewandowski chested down Jerome Boateng’s chipped pass to net the winner against Werder Bremen – and seal the league with two games to spare.
FC Nantes took up their option on Monday to sign Nigeria international Moses Simon on a four-year deal after he impressed while on loan at the French club. Simon, 24, scored nine goals and provided eight assists in 30 games for Nantes after joining on a year-long loan from Spanish side Levante.
Tottenham will give some of their supporters the chance to be part of a live video fan wall during Friday’s home game against Manchester United. The English Premier League resumes this week, with all matches behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Spain’s World Cup-winning captain Iker Casillas has withdrawn his application for the presidency of the Spanish Football Federation. The former Real Madrid goalkeeper said he was reconsidering his candidacy because of the “exceptional social, economic and health situation that our country is suffering”.
An International Olympic Committee (IOC) rule that bans competitors from kneeling in support of anti-racism protests breaches human rights, says an international athlete-led movement. Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states political, religious or racial propaganda is not permitted in Olympic sites and athletes could face bans.
Liverpool winger Taiwo Awoniyi was taken to hospital after suffering a concussion playing for German club Mainz, where he is on loan. Awoniyi, 22, was hurt after a clash of heads with Augsburg defender Felix Uduokhai in the first half.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to boycott the NFL and US Soccer if players do not stand for the national anthem before matches. On Thursday, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) voted to repeal its ban on players kneeling during the national anthem, admitting the policy was “wrong and detracted from the important message of Black Lives Matter”.
Edinson Cavani and Thiago Silva are set to leave Paris St-Germain this summer after the conclusion of the club’s Champions League campaign in August. Uruguay striker Cavani, 33, is PSG’s record scorer with 200 goals and Brazil defender Silva, 35, is club captain. “It was a difficult decision to make – they are players who made their mark on the club’s history,” sporting director Leonardo told Le Journal du Dimanche.
Barcelona scored 66 seconds into their return to action as Lionel Messi completed a comfortable 4-0 win at Mallorca in La Liga. Arturo Vidal headed the opener and former Middlesbrough striker Martin Braithwaite added his first for the club before the break. Luis Suarez came off the bench to make his first appearance since early January and Jordi Alba made it 3-0.
English Premier League players’ names will be replaced on the back of their shirts with ‘Black Lives Matter’ for the first 12 matches of the restarted season. The Premier League will also support any player who chooses to ‘take a knee’ before or during matches. Players in Germany have made gestures of solidarity with people protesting about the death of George Floyd.
Norway’s Karsten Warholm set a world record in the seldom-run 300m hurdles as top-level athletics emerged from lockdown at the Impossible Games. Warholm, 24, took 0.7 seconds off the mark set by Britain’s Chris Rawlinson in 2002, clocking 33.78 in Oslo.
The NFL has pledged $250m over a 10-year period to help combat systemic racism in the United States. The fund will “support the battle against the ongoing and historic injustices faced by African Americans”. Last week, the NFL said players should be allowed to protest during the national anthem.
Thirteen-time winners Juventus reached the Coppa Italia final on the away goals rule at AC Milan’s expense as Italy’s football season restarted. After drawing 1-1 in Milan on 13 February, Juve could not find the net in a semi-final second leg played behind closed doors in Turin. Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty awarded for handball before Milan’s Ante Rebic was sent off.
The Japanese, Singapore and Azerbaijan Grands Prix have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Formula 1 has tried to find a way to hold the races in 2020 but announced on Friday that was not possible in the uncertain global situation.
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