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US Open 'Very Hopeful' Unvaccinated Djokovic Can Play

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 25, 2023 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his quarter final match against Russia’s Andrey Rublev REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 25, 2023 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his quarter final match against Russia’s Andrey Rublev REUTERS/Loren Elliott
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US Open 'Very Hopeful' Unvaccinated Djokovic Can Play

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 25, 2023 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his quarter final match against Russia’s Andrey Rublev REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 25, 2023 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his quarter final match against Russia’s Andrey Rublev REUTERS/Loren Elliott

After Novak Djokovic withdrew from tournaments in Florida and California because he still can't travel to the United States as a foreign citizen who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, a US Tennis Association spokesman said Saturday the group is “very hopeful” the top-ranked player will be allowed into the country for the US Open in August.

“Policies concerning access to the United States are determined by the White House. We are very hopeful that the policy preventing Novak Djokovic from entering the United States will be rescinded, or lapse, in the near future,” the USTA's Chris Widmaier wrote to The Associated Press. “No COVID-19 restrictions are in place at the US Open for any player, fan or other attendee. Novak, one of our sport’s great champions, would be welcome to compete at the 2023 US Open.”

The two-week US Open starts in Flushing Meadows on Aug. 28.

Djokovic, a 35-year-old from Serbia, was unable to get to New York for the season's last Grand Slam tournament in 2022, when he also missed the Miami Open and BNP Paribas Open because he never got the shots for the illness caused by the coronavirus.

A six-time Miami Open champion, Djokovic is out of the field for the event that begins next week, a spokesman for the Miami Open said Saturday.

Djokovic is No. 1 in the ATP rankings and is tied with Rafael Nadal — who is injured and also won't be in Miami — at 22 Grand Slam titles, the record for most won by a man. In 2023, Djokovic is 15-1 with two titles, including at the Australian Open in January.

But he will now have missed the first two Masters 1000 events of the season. He also pulled out of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, which ends this weekend.

Back in in April 2020, as the pandemic raged, Djokovic said he was opposed to needing to be vaccinated to travel. He later said he would not get inoculated even if it meant missing tournaments.

In January 2022, he tried to get an exemption to compete at the Australian Open and traveled to Melbourne. But after his case went to court, his visa was revoked and Djokovic was deported from the country.

Pandemic restrictions have been eased in Australia since, and Djokovic returned this year without a problem and won the season's first major championship.

Meanwhile, Nadal has been sidelined since hurting his left hip flexor during a second-round loss at Melbourne Park. He is aiming to return to action at the Monte Carlo Masters next month.

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Sports

Gauff Sweeps Paolini Aside to Revitalize WTA Finals Defense in Riyadh

Coco Gauff of the United States plays a shot against Jasmine Paolini of Italy during their women's singles match at the WTA tennis finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP)
Coco Gauff of the United States plays a shot against Jasmine Paolini of Italy during their women's singles match at the WTA tennis finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP)
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Gauff Sweeps Paolini Aside to Revitalize WTA Finals Defense in Riyadh

Coco Gauff of the United States plays a shot against Jasmine Paolini of Italy during their women's singles match at the WTA tennis finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP)
Coco Gauff of the United States plays a shot against Jasmine Paolini of Italy during their women's singles match at the WTA tennis finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP)

Coco Gauff claimed a much-needed 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jasmine Paolini to keep her WTA Finals title defense alive in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The American third seed had lost her opener two days prior to Jessica Pegula but was far more clinical against Paolini, whose second singles defeat of the week means she has no chance of advancing to the semi-finals.

"I'm really happy with how I played today, definitely a turnaround from my first match," said Gauff, who posted her 10th top-10 win of the season.

Against Pegula on Sunday, Gauff struggled with her serve, committing 17 double faults and winning just 28 percent of the points behind her second delivery.

Her performance in the first set of her second match was already a significant improvement, as she won nine of 11 points on her second serve, misfiring just twice for two double faults.

The 21-year-old leapt to a 3-0 lead and despite Paolini's attempted comeback, was able to reclaim her advantage to take the opening set in 40 minutes.

The second set was a straightforward affair as Gauff notched two breaks of serve en route to her second win in five meetings with the Italian this season.

"I was just trying to play relaxed. I've played a WTA Finals where I lost all three of my matches (in 2022). So I tried to avoid that today," said the two-time Grand Slam champion.

"I thought I served smart. I don't think Jasmine was 100 percent today and I would like to wish her well. Playing singles and doubles here is not easy."

In other Stefanie Graf Group action, world number one Aryna Sabalenka will take on fifth-seeded Jessica Pegula later in the day. A straight-sets victory for the top seed would guarantee her a place in Friday's semi-finals.

Sports

Ronaldo Reveals Emotional Retirement Will Come 'Soon'

Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Nassr v Al-Fayah - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 1, 2025 Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores their second goal from the penalty spot. (Reuters)
Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Nassr v Al-Fayah - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 1, 2025 Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores their second goal from the penalty spot. (Reuters)
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Ronaldo Reveals Emotional Retirement Will Come 'Soon'

Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Nassr v Al-Fayah - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 1, 2025 Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores their second goal from the penalty spot. (Reuters)
Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Nassr v Al-Fayah - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 1, 2025 Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores their second goal from the penalty spot. (Reuters)

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he plans to retire "soon" as the Portugal and Al-Nassr star prepares for a tearful end to his glittering career.

Ronaldo discussed his thoughts on retirement and his life after football in an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored.

The 40-year-old, who has scored a remarkable 952 goals, is one of the most decorated players in the history of the game, but the end is in sight for his astonishing career.

Asked when he would consider hanging up his boots, Ronaldo, who is under contract with Al-Nassr until 2027, replied: "Soon. But I think I will be prepared.

"It will be tough, of course. It will be difficult? Yes. Probably will cry, yes. I'm an open person. It will be very, very difficult, yes.

"But Piers, I prepare my future since 25, 26, 27 years old, I prepare my future. So I think I will be capable to support that pressure."

Ronaldo is confident he will be able to cope without football because he wants to focus on his family and his off the pitch interests.

"Nothing will be able to compare the adrenaline that we have for football to score a goal," he said.

"But everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. I have other passions. I'm going to have more time for me, I'm going to have more time for my family to raise my kids.

"I want to follow Cristiano Junior because he's at an age when kids do stupid things. I was the same. Mateo loves football as well.

"I want to do more fun things. I love playing Padel with my closest friends. We are getting quite good."

After starting his career with Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo enjoyed successful spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid, Juventus.

He won three Premier League titles and the Champions League among other trophies in his first stint in Manchester.

Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr after leaving United for a second time in 2022.

He still looks out for the Premier League club's results, given his affinity with their current manager -- his former Portugal team-mate Ruben Amorim.

But the five-time Ballon d'Or winner warned United fans to not expect miracles from Amorim, who is in the midst of a rollercoaster reign at Old Trafford following his arrival 12 months ago.

"He's doing his best," Ronaldo said. "What are you going to do? Miracles. Miracles is impossible.

"He's not going to do miracles. They have good players but they don't have, some of them, in mind what Manchester United is.

"Manchester United is still in my heart. I love that club. But we have all to be honest and look for ourselves and say, 'Listen, they are not in a good path'. So, they need to change and it's not only about the coach and players, in my opinion."

Sports

Xhaka Lifts Sunderland into Fourth after Everton Draw

Granit Xhaka scored Sunderland's equalizer. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP
Granit Xhaka scored Sunderland's equalizer. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP
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Xhaka Lifts Sunderland into Fourth after Everton Draw

Granit Xhaka scored Sunderland's equalizer. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP
Granit Xhaka scored Sunderland's equalizer. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

Sunderland climbed into the Premier League's top four after Granit Xhaka's deflected strike salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to Everton on Monday.

The Black Cats would have moved up to second with victory, but were outplayed in the first half and trailed to Iliman Ndiaye's brilliant individual effort, said AFP.

Everton were left to regret not making more of their first half dominance as Thierno Barry missed a glorious chance and Jack Grealish hit the post.

Sunderland took less than a minute of the second period to hit back when Xhaka's strike flicked off James Tarkowski to beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on his return to the Stadium of Light.

The home side then looked the more likely to claim all three points but Wilson Isidor fluffed Sunderland's best chance to snatch victory.

"The first 25 minutes was not good enough," Xhaka told Sky Sports. "At this level, you get punished but the second half was very good."

A point at least maintains Sunderland's unbeaten home record and their impressive start to a first top flight campaign in eight seasons.

Everton edge five points clear of the bottom three in 14th, but the Toffees glaring lack of a prolific number nine again cost them victory.

"For 20 to 30 minutes I thought I'd be disappointed going home with a point. By the end of the game, I was pleased we got a point from it," said Everton boss David Moyes.

"We missed a big chance to make it 2-0 and because we don't get that it gave Sunderland a bit of confidence and gave the crowd something to get behind."

A moment of magic gave the visitors the lead on 15 minutes as Ndiaye danced his way through four Sunderland defenders before firing into the top corner for his fourth goal of the season.

Grealish then hit the post from long range but it is Barry's miss that will live long in the memories of the travelling support heading back to Merseyside.

The Frenchman has still yet to score since his £27 million ($35 million) move from Villarreal in July and will not get a better chance than when he sliced horribly off target with the goal gaping at the back post from Grealish's cross.

Despite a sub-par first 45 minutes, Sunderland were level within 44 seconds of the second half when Xhaka netted his first goal since joining from Bayer Leverkusen.

A share of the spoils takes Sunderland above Tottenham and Chelsea and level on points with Liverpool.

But they will need to be much better to protect their unbeaten run at the Stadium of Light when leaders Arsenal visit on Saturday.