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Casper Ruud shared his thoughts on Jannik Sinner’s suspension after the world No. 1 accepted a three-month ban from WADA. The three-time Grand Slam champion had been waiting for the resolution of his doping case appeal but reached an agreement to avoid a longer sanction.
Back in March 2024, Sinner tested positive for Clostebol twice during Indian Wells. The case remained out of the public eye for months until August when the ITIA accepted Sinner’s appeal and ruled that there was "no fault or negligence," leaving the Italian without a sanction.
"I know Jannik very well. I stand with him; I think he’s a good guy," Ruud said. "Of course, after this, he will still be the best player in the world." Added the Norwegian, a three-time Grand Slam runner-up, who competed this weekend at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Guadalajara.
Sinner was forced to withdraw from the Doha Open this week, where he was set to be the top seed. He will also miss tournaments such as Indian Wells, the Miami Open, and the Monte-Carlo Masters. His return is expected at the Rome Open, just before the start of Roland Garros.
At the same time, former world No. 7 Richard Gasquet, who also took part in the UTS this weekend, defended Sinner during this difficult moment. "Jannik is a great guy, he has a great personality, and he’s very pleasant on the court. He’ll be back soon, and that’s the most important thing."
The 23-year-old faces a three-month suspension, allowing him to skip a new trial phase and return to the Tour with full clearance once the ban is served. Despite his time away from the courts, Sinner’s substantial lead at the top of the rankings ensures he will remain world No. 1, at least until his return. Alcaraz and Zverev have chances to overtake him, but they will have to wait a few more months.
More must-reads:
- Giants' Jaxson Dart discusses how he has already improved during training camp
- Jets RB Breece Hall opens up about uncertain future amid rumors
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
'I won my second Slam after I won my first': Naomi Osaka's blunt retort about Emma Raducanu comparison prior to defeat
Naomi Osaka was well beaten today by a superb Emma Raducanu who saw off the former World No.1 6-4, 6-2 at the DC Open in Washington. But did comments pre match come back to bite her. She was asked about comparisons to Raducanu which she promptly brushed off. She said that there can't be comparisons made as she went on to win many more Grand Slams after her first. While clarified by the journalist, it was perhaps an easy question for Osaka to brush away given the content before she then lost. “I won my second Slam after I won my first Slam,” she said prior to their match which the Brit won earlier today. It was then asked to try and navigate the question further about how she suddenly rose to become a celebrity after winning a Grand Slam kind of like Osaka did. Albeit the former World No.1 as she ascertained continued to win. The Japanese ace said that she feels for her in terms of how she has been treated though on a less blunt note. “I mean, honestly, I feel like for her, it must be really tough, because I read online, like, she had a stalker. “I don't know if it's allowed to say out loud. I don't really know. I saw in Dubai or something there was - honestly, I really feel sad for her, because that video was, like, one of the most saddest videos I've ever seen. “And I just hope she has a lot of really good people around her. I think that there must be a lot of pressure from - I don't know how British media is, but they don't really seem the kindest. I think she's navigating it really well.” Albeit having followed her journey, Osaka said that it was cool that their paths have finally crossed. It was a first meeting between the pair. “I have seen her, I guess when she first did well at Wimbledon before she won the US Open, like moments like that, and I knew she was a good player. So I guess for our paths to finally cross is really cool,” the former No. 1 said. It perhaps could be said that Raducanu had the last laugh in the end. But also Osaka has never been one to particularly hold back from questioning that perhaps is searching for a specific soundbite in a press conference and dismissing that. Raducanu moves on albeit with some question marks She now moves on to Canada while Raducanu continues in Washington. The Brit had previously said earlier this week about struggling to develop from the rigours of clay to grass to hard courts. In reality she has barely played certain surfaces as she hasn't strung together a full season really since the US Open. So seeing her back in the States injury free as such apart from the back issue that lingers around her over recent months is very much one of intrigue. She has also enlisted the help of Mark Petchey albeit the call has been there from others that she needs to find perhaps a full-time solution. He has worked wonders but also his work with Tennis Channel and ESPN means that he would rather take the stable income than throw it away for a coaching job. Perhaps understandable but means that Raducanu gets peaks and troughs. From grass where Petchey barely worked a broadcast schedule so he could help her to now where of course Tennis Channel showing all these events means that he is needed. So while she is still winning there are still factors that perhaps need addressing. For Osaka, it is continuing to find what she had before which is proving difficult to find. Unlike Raducanu who returned at the similar time albeit through injury over becoming a mother, she hasn't found that switch yet to get back to her best which has frustrated her and a loss like this will do so again. Match Statistics Raducanu vs. Osaka
Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
Ichiro had the most backhanded compliment for Marlins during Hall of Fame speech
Ichiro Suzuki delivered an amazing speech as he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, and it even included a surprising swipe at one of his own former teams. During the iconic speech, Ichiro took the time to thank each of of the three MLB teams that he played for across his 19 MLB seasons. When he arrived at the Miami Marlins, he made a hilarious wisecrack about how he had never heard of the team before they offered him a contract in 2015. “And to the Miami Marlins: I appreciate David Samson and Mike Hill for coming today. Honestly, when you guys called to offer me a contract for 2015, I had never heard of your team,” Ichiro joked. Many were surprised to hear Ichiro deliver his speech in English, as he almost always used an interpreter in interviews during and after his playing career. The fact that the 51-year-old was able to entertain the crowd while not speaking in his native language made the speech even more iconic. While thanking the New York Yankees, Ichiro had a funny comment about how his former teammates were only there to support CC Sabathia, who was also being inducted into Cooperstown. Ichiro is one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, and fans have enjoyed seeing the less serious side of him in recent months. Earlier this year, he also took a hilarious shot at the lone Hall of Fame voter who snubbed him. Ichiro called out the voter again during his speech on Sunday.
How Giants rookie QB, star WR bonded during intense pickup basketball game
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is fiery. New York wide receiver Malik Nabers learned that during an intense pickup basketball game. During a Friday interview with Bleacher Report, Nabers revealed he and Dart "got into it" during a pickup game at Giants QB Russell Wilson's house this summer. The second-year WR said he got into the rookie passer's face, asking what he was "going to do?" He then showed the pass-catcher he wasn't going to back down. "I stepped right back to him, no hesitation at all," Dart said Sunday at training camp, via Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com and The Record. "I don't ever want to be in a position where I'm gonna lose, so [Malik] challenged me, I challenged him right back. If you're not going to give it you're all in everything you do, then you're probably gonna lose." In doing so, Dart earned the respect of Nabers. Asked his opinion of the 22-year-old QB, the one-time Pro Bowler said he's "a dog." Dart's confidence is one key reason he's making progress at training camp after a rocky start. The Ole Miss product threw a pick-six on his first pass of 11-on-11 drills on July 23. During his fourth practice on Sunday, however, he looked much sharper. According to Stapleton, he went 11-of-13 during team drills, despite rainy weather at the team's facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Dart isn't expected to be the team's QB1 this season. The Giants signed Wilson, a Super Bowl champion, to a one-year deal in free agency. Head coach Brian Daboll confirmed he's the starter at the start of camp. The Giants still want Dart to become the guy. New York traded back into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to grab him with pick No. 25. It bodes well for New York that Dart is already improving. It's also good that Nabers — who led the team in receiving yards (1,204 in 15 games) last season— is gravitating toward him.
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