Digest

TENNIS

Barty back on the road after pandemic hiatus

Ashleigh Barty

World No 1 Ashleigh Barty is ready to spend the rest of the season on the road as she prepares to defend her Miami Open title this week in her first overseas appearance since the pandemic.

The 24-year-old from Queensland elected not to travel outside Australia after the WTA Tour resumed last year, skipping both the US Open and the rescheduled French Open at Roland Garros in September.

However with COVID-19 in retreat in some parts of the world, and authorities more adept at managing safety protocols, Barty has traveled to Florida for the first stop of what should be a grueling year.

The Aussie got a taste of international travel in the age of coronavirus when her journey to the United States ended up taking nearly 50 hours.

"It was a long one," Barty said Tuesday. "It was about 48 hours door to door. We had a flight cancellation leaving Australia, another flight cancellation when we got to LA. It was quite a wriggle around.

"Tough playing tennis after traveling again. Quite a while since I've done that. I'm looking forward to feeling good in another day's time."

SOCCER

Dembele 'doing well' after collapse scare

Moussa Dembele

Atletico Madrid forward Moussa Dembele collapsed during a training session on Tuesday due to a reported drop in blood pressure, and images of his dramatic slump and medical response were widely reported in the Spanish press.

Dembele, 24, was stretching with teammates in the center circle at the club's headquarters before falling to the ground, a leg shaking as he lay on his back.

The Frenchman's worried Atletico teammates, coaches and medical staff rushed to help him and an ambulance was in attendance at the scene. The former Celtic striker regained consciousness on the field, walked to the pitch-side vehicle and eventually left the stadium at the wheel of his own car.

Spanish press reported Dembele had a drop in blood pressure but is doing well. Dembele joined Atleti on loan from Lyon in January and is yet to score in two appearances.

Bale planning Madrid return after Spurs loan

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale said Tuesday that he plans to resume his Real Madrid career once his loan at Tottenham Hotspur expires at the end of this season.

Wales forward Bale returned for a second spell with Tottenham in September after being frozen out by Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane.

He has endured a difficult time back in the Premier League, plagued by fitness issues, inconsistent form and a dispute with Spurs manager Jose Mourinho over his readiness for an FA Cup tie at Everton.

The 31-year-old's Madrid contract runs until the end of the 2021-22 season and he revealed he will head back to Spain after the delayed Euro 2020 this summer.

"There's no distraction for me," Bale told a news conference. "I think the main reason I came to Spurs this year was to play football first and foremost.

"Going into the Euros I wanted to be match fit. The original plan was to do a season at Spurs and after the Euros still have a year left at Real Madrid. My plan is to go back."

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Houston star Watson facing 16 sex lawsuits

The number of lawsuits filed by women alleging sexual misconduct by Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson rose to 16 on Tuesday as a lawyer for the NFL star hit back at the legal onslaught.

After a 14th civil case against Watson was filed on Monday, two more cases alleging similar misconduct were filed in Texas on Tuesday.

Watson, 25, has been accused by multiple female masseuses of sexual misconduct during therapy sessions he had booked privately.

Allegations against Watson include forcing a masseuse to perform a sex act and touching others with his genitals.

The Texans superstar, who is regarded as one of the best quarterback in the NFL, has strongly denied wrongdoing. A lawyer for Watson's alleged victims said last week more than 22 women had come forward with allegations against the player, which are the subject of an investigation by the NFL.

Xinhua - Agencies