Sports — International

Silver says, NBA no-risk free way to play but bubble safest

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — NBA commissioner Adam Silver says there are no risk-free options to finishing the season in a coronavirus pandemic but the league’s bubble plan is the safest, most responsible way. In a Time 100 online talk Tuesday, Silver addressed the NBA’s restart plan, with 22 teams playing games without spectators in Orlando under quarantine starting July 30, and said NBA relations with China have improved since last year. The league […]

Two Nets players positive for COVID ahead of NBA restart

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Brooklyn Nets center DeAndre Jordan will not play again this season and teammate Spencer Dinwiddie’s participation is also in doubt after both tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday. The NBA is planning to go ahead with its restart plans at Disney World in Orlando on July 30, despite Florida is battling a surge in coronavirus cases in the past few days. “Found out last night and confirmed again […]

Nets ace Chandler to skip NBA restart

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Brooklyn Nets forward Wilson Chandler ruled himself out of the NBA’s restarted season on Sunday, citing safety fears because of the coronavirus. Chandler told ESPN he had opted to skip the restart in Orlando in order to spend more time with his family. “As difficult as it will be to not be with my teammates, the health and well-being of my family has to come first,” Chandler told ESPN. […]

Panamanian boxing legend Roberto Duran hospitalized with COVID-19

  PANAMA CITY, Panama (AFP) — Panamanian Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran, six-time boxing world champion, was hospitalized in non-life-threatening condition Thursday with the novel coronavirus, his children said on the same day that Panama hit a new record of daily cases. “Test results have just arrived for my dad, and they confirm he is positive for COVID-19,” the legendary fighter’s son Robin Duran said on Instagram. “Thank God for now he doesn’t have symptoms […]

Brogdon positive for virus but vows he’ll play in NBA restart

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Indiana Pacers playmaker Malcolm Brogdon said Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19, but he expects to join his teammates when the NBA resumes play in Florida next month. “I recently tested positive for the COVID virus and am currently in quarantine,” he said in a statement issued through the team. “I’m doing well, feeling well and progressing well. I plan to join my teammates in Orlando for the […]

Lakers guard Bradley opts out of NBA return for family

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley has opted out of playing when the NBA resumes the 2019-20 season, telling ESPN he doesn’t want to risk his family’s health. Powered by four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James, the Lakers led the Western Conference at 49-14 when the league shut down March 11 after Utah’s Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus. The season is expected to resume next month in […]

Nuggets center Jokic reportedly positive for coronavirus in Serbia

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has tested positive for the coronavirus and is currently back in Serbia, the Denver Post reported Tuesday as the NBA begins ramping up preparations for a resumption of play. The Nuggets declined to comment, citing medical privacy. With the NBA planning to resume play after a coronavirus hiatus that began on March 11, players were to be back in their teams’ market on June 22, […]

Novak Djokovic, Grand Slam superstar but never the people’s champion

by Dave JAMES PARIS, France (AFP) — From growing up with NATO bombs raining down on Serbia to securing his place amongst the Grand Slam greats, Novak Djokovic never fails to both divide and unite. The 33-year-old world number one has seemingly everything he needs. Seventeen Grand Slam titles is just three behind the all-time record of Roger Federer who is five years older. He boasts $143 million in prize money alone. Despite his achievements, […]

NBA sets dates for virus return with October finals: reports

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The NBA has settled upon key dates for the upcoming resumption of its coronavirus-halted 2019-20 season, including an October NBA Finals and NBA Draft, according to multiple reports Saturday. ESPN and The Athletic said a league memo to clubs set August 25 for the NBA Draft Lottery, October 16 for the 2020 NBA Draft and October 18 for the start of free agency, although no signings can start until […]

Croatia’s Borna Coric tests positive for coronavirus

PARIS, France (AFP) — Croatia’s Borna Coric announced on Monday he has tested positive for coronavirus after playing in an exhibition tournament featuring world number one Novak Djokovic. “Hi everyone, I wanted to inform you all that I tested positive for COVID-19,” the top 50 player posted on Twitter. On Sunday, another player, Grigor Dimitrov, said he had tested positive after pulling out of the exhibition event. © Agence France-Presse

I’m so sorry’: Dimitrov tests positive for coronavirus after playing in Djokovic event

PARIS, France (AFP) — Grigor Dimitrov said on Sunday he has tested positive for coronavirus after pulling out of an exhibition tournament which also featured world number one Novak Djokovic. “I want to reach out and let my fans and friends know that I tested positive back in Monaco for Covid-19,” world number 19 Dimitrov wrote on Instagram. “I am so sorry for any harm I might have caused. I am back home now and […]

NBA players who skip the restart will have their pay docked

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The NBA says that players who decline to play in the restarted season in Florida next month must let their clubs know by June 24 and will face having their pay docked by up to 14 games. ESPN.com reported that the NBA Players Association informed its members on Tuesday that they have until June 24 to make a decision whether to take part in the games at the Walt […]