Bayern’s Davies Feared He Might Not Play Again Due to Heart Problem

19 July 2022, US, Washington: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies attends a press conference during the team's tour in the United States of America. (dpa)
19 July 2022, US, Washington: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies attends a press conference during the team's tour in the United States of America. (dpa)
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Bayern’s Davies Feared He Might Not Play Again Due to Heart Problem

19 July 2022, US, Washington: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies attends a press conference during the team's tour in the United States of America. (dpa)
19 July 2022, US, Washington: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies attends a press conference during the team's tour in the United States of America. (dpa)

Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies feared he might not play again after doctors were unable to give him a timeline for his return when he was sidelined by a heart problem last season.

The 21-year-old was diagnosed with a minor heart condition in January following a COVID-19 infection in December, and did not play in a competitive game for Bayern until April. He also missed out on Canada's CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.

"That was very scary, especially (because) the doctors are saying that they don't know how long I was supposed to be out," Davies told ESPN on Tuesday. "I think that was the scariest part.

"At that time I had doubts in my head, whether I'm still going to be able to play football, but everything worked out at the end. I'm happy and I'm grateful to the doctor for taking such good care of me.

"I'm happy that I can be back on the pitch."

Looking ahead to the coming season, Davies said Bayern will miss striker Robert Lewandowski, who joined LaLiga side Barcelona this week, but added that the signing of Sadio Mane from Liverpool will help fill the void left by the Polish striker.

"(Mane) is a good player, he's a big piece to (add to) the team," Davies said. "So we're excited to have him and we're looking forward to what he can bring to this team.

"An important piece left, but also an important piece arrived."

Bayern, who won the Bundesliga for a 10th straight time, kick off their league campaign on Aug. 5 with a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.



Hady Habib Becomes 1st Man Representing Lebanon to Win Grand Slam Singles Match

Lebanon's Hady Habib hits a shot against China's Bu Yunchaokete during their men's singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 12, 2025. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)
Lebanon's Hady Habib hits a shot against China's Bu Yunchaokete during their men's singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 12, 2025. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)
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Hady Habib Becomes 1st Man Representing Lebanon to Win Grand Slam Singles Match

Lebanon's Hady Habib hits a shot against China's Bu Yunchaokete during their men's singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 12, 2025. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)
Lebanon's Hady Habib hits a shot against China's Bu Yunchaokete during their men's singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 12, 2025. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)

Hady Habib's history-making run at the Australian Open will continue after the first man to represent Lebanon in a Grand Slam singles tournament in the Open era became the first to win a match, defeating Bu Yunchaokete of China 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6) on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Habib won three matches in qualifying rounds just to get into the field of 128 players.
Now he'll be one of the 64 to make it into the second round after his victory on Day 1 at Melbourne Park, which was achieved with the help of 61 winners, 36 more than his opponent, The Associated Press reported.
Habib, who is ranked outside the top 200, was born in Houston, Texas; his father is Lebanese.
Habib went to Texas A&M University.
He represented Lebanon at the Paris Olympics last year, losing to four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the first round.