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☆ Rafael Nadal withdraws from French Open due to injury, says ‘next year is my last year’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Rafael Nadal will miss the French Open for the first time since he made his debut in 2005 after the 14-time champion announced on Thursday that he has withdrawn from the tournament due to injury, adding that “next year is my last year” in professional tennis. The Spaniard suffered a hip injury during his second-round Australian Open defeat to Mackenzie McDonald in January and initially said he hoped to be fit again within six to eight weeks. Rafael Nadal said next year will likely be his last playing tennis. In 2016, Nadal withdrew ahead of his third-round match against compatriot Marcel Granollers due to a wrist injury. Nadal has not played since the Australian Open and in March dropped out of the world’s top 10 for the first time since 2005.

☆ LIV Golf's DeChambeau grabs PGA Championship clubhouse lead
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Keegan Bradley, who won the 2011 PGA Championship, was two shots off the pace with Norway's Viktor Hovland and New Zealand's Ryan Fox. DeChambeau, who missed last year's PGA Championship as he was recovering from surgery on his left hand, started on the back nine and reached the turn at one under. "It was a grind today," said 2022 Masters winner Scheffler. It marked the first time the top player in the rankings had carded a six over or higher at the PGA Championship since Greg Norman in 1987. It marks Mickelson's return to the PGA Championship for the first time since 2021 when, aged 50, he defied the odds to become the oldest major winner in history.

☆ Fans speculate about Nadal's retirement before French Open announcement
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 36-year-old Nadal has not competed since January after sustaining a hip injury at the Australian Open and is expected to confirm whether he will skip the French Open, a tournament he has won a record 14 times. On the YouTube page that will stream Nadal's news conference later on Thursday, fans posted tearful emojis and speculated about him announcing his retirement. Nadal's 14 French Open titles are the most by any player at a single major. He boasts a stunning 112-3 record in Paris and is widely regarded as the 'king of clay'. The French Open begins on May 28.

☆ How to watch the PGA Championship: Start time, channels, and other things to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Rob Schumacher/USA Today Network Tiger Woods walks the 18th green during the second round on Saturday, April 8. David J. Phillip/AP Fred Couples waves to patrons after finishing his second round on Saturday. Patrick Smith/Getty Images Patrick Cantlay plays a shot from a bunker on the 18th hole on Saturday. Rob Schumacher/USA Today Network Adam Scott plays a bunker shot on the second hole Thursday. Rob Schumacher/USA Today Network Hideki Matsuyama, who won the tournament two years ago, looks over a putt on the second hole.

☆ Steady Scheffler stays hot on cold day at PGA Championship
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

While Scheffler, Masters champion in 2022, failed to make the cut last year in Tulsa, he has been a contender at the other two PGA Championships he has contested. "I came into today's round just trying to play solid golf," said Scheffler. "No matter what position I'm in going into tomorrow, I would be grinding it out. "You just try and stay in position, make the important par putts and just keep the momentum going. Reporting by Steve Keating in Rochester, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Rune repeats Djokovic upset to storm into Rome semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

For the first time since 2004, neither Djokovic nor the injured Rafa Nadal will be in the Rome final. Rune outlasted Djokovic in three sets in last year's Paris Masters final and the 20-year-old made the perfect start in search of another upset by breaking the world number one in the opening game of the match. "Obviously, I did it last year in Paris, but every match is a huge challenge when I play Novak. "He's one of the greatest to ever play the game so I knew I had to be at my best. Rune said he hoped to stay humble after another statement win on the ATP Tour.

☆ Rahm, Smith and Fitzpatrick form PGA Championship major attraction
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] May 15, 2023; Rochester, New York, USA; Jon Rahm tees off on the 8th hole during a practice round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA... Read moreROCHESTER, New York, May 16 (Reuters) - Spaniard Jon Rahm, Australian Cameron Smith and Briton Matt Fitzpatrick were put together on Tuesday in a star-studded group of major champions for the first two rounds of the PGA Championship. Another power threesome of PGA Championship winners heads out at 8:11 AM ET (1211 GMT) with reigning champion Justin Thomas opening the defence of his crown in the company of Northern Ireland's four-time major winner Rory McIlroy and double major winner Collin Morikawa. World number two Scottie Scheffler will partner twice PGA Championship winner and LIV Golf hope Brooks Koepka and 2019 U.S. Open winner Gary Woodland. Also carrying the LIV flag will be Phil Mickelson, the six-time major winner, partnered with world number four Patrick Cantlay and Rickie Fowler who will go out in the afternoon wave.

☆ PGA Tour and LIV take feud to PGA Championship
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ROCHESTER, New York, May 15 (Reuters) - The PGA Tour and LIV Golf take their feud to Oak Hill Country Club for the PGA Championship this week with the Saudi-bankrolled rebel circuit again seeking major validation. That was until world number one Spaniard Jon Rahm came to the PGA Tour's rescue, finishing top of the leaderboard to leave Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson runners-up. Like the Masters there will be 18 LIV members in the field led by twice PGA Championship winners Koepka and 52-year-old Mickelson and Australian Cameron Smith, who signed on with LIV after winning last year's British Open. Rahm and world number two Scottie Scheffler both are in top form coming into Rochester. Spieth, who withdrew from the Byron Nelson citing a left wrist injury, needs only a PGA Championship to join the elite club that includes, Woods, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus.

☆ Fábián Marozsán: World No. 135 provides 'shock of the season' by upsetting Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets at Rome Masters
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

135 Fábián Marozsán provided what the ATP Tour called the “shock of the season” by upsetting Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets at the Rome Masters on Monday. “I’m very happy, I couldn’t imagine this one,” Marozsán said after his remarkable victory. Marozsán and Alcaraz embrace after their match. The crowd, the weather, the court, so I’m just very happy I’m doing my job. Alcaraz is one of the favorites to win the French Open which begins later this month after an excellent season so far.

☆ Alcaraz stunned by Hungarian qualifier Marozsan in Rome
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Alcaraz raced to a 4-1 lead but Marozsan hit back in superb style to reel off six points and hand the world number two only his second defeat on clay in 22 matches this season. "It's not easy to say something," Marozsan said immediately after the biggest win of his career. World number three Daniil Medvedev earned a hard-fought 3-6 6-1 6-3 win over Spain's Bernabe Zapata Miralles to reach the last 16 in Rome for the first time. In the women's draw, Elena Rybakina saw off Marketa Vondrousova 6-3 6-3 to reach her first claycourt WTA 1000 quarter-final, where she will face either top-ranked Iga Swiatek, the twice defending champion, or Croatia's Donna Vekic. Tsitsipas had taken the first set 6-3 against Sonego while Zverev leads 6-4 3-3 against Wolf.

☆ Nadal turns down claycourt event wildcard as French Open looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, May 14 (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal has turned down a wildcard offer for next week's Challenger tournament in Bordeaux as the Spaniard's participation in the French Open hangs in the balance, the claycourt event director said on Sunday. Nadal has been struggling with a hip injury he suffered at the Australian Open in January, and fears the Spaniard may miss the Paris Grand Slam grew after he pulled out of this week's Italian Open. He very kindly told me that Nadal was continuing his preparation at home in Manacor, that he was not ready and was in a race against time to be ready for the French Open," Jean-Baptiste Perlant told French sports daily L'Equipe. Nadal skipped last week's Madrid Open and missed tournaments at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. The French Open, which Nadal has won a record 14 times including last year, starts on May 28.

☆ Alcaraz says focus will not change as French Open top seed
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Alcaraz, who turned 20 this month, captured the U.S. Open title in September to become the youngest man to top the world rankings. He will leapfrog Novak Djokovic into the number one spot again after the ongoing Italian Open. He is also assured of top billing at the May 28-June 11 French Open. "It doesn't change too much to be the number one or number two seed - I just focus on the tournament, on my game, on every match, and that's something that I try not to think about. "I grew up a lot in a year," Alcaraz said of his meteoric rise.

☆ Alcaraz powers to victory over Ramos-Vinolas on Rome debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Barcelona and Madrid champion Alcaraz, who is chasing his fifth title of 2023 and fourth on clay ahead of Roland Garros, overcame an early loss of serve amid heavy conditions at the Foro Italico to level up the opening set at 2-2. Alcaraz continued to build momentum and raced ahead 3-0 in the second set against a fading Ramos-Vinolas, wrapping up the match on serve to make it 12 wins in a row. "It wasn't easy," said Alcaraz, who will now leapfrog Novak Djokovic into top spot in the rankings on May 22. "The first round of every tournament is really tough and, of course, Ramos-Vinolas is a specialist on clay. Monte Carlo champion Andrey Rublev earlier overcame Alex Molcan 6-3 6-4 in a twice-interrupted match to book his place in the third round.

☆ Honda say Marquez fit for French Grand Prix
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 10 (Reuters) - Honda rider Marc Marquez will return at the French Grand Prix this weekend after recovering from a hand injury, the MotoGP team said on Wednesday. Marquez underwent surgery after breaking the first metacarpal on his right hand following a collision in the season-opening race in Portugal. "Now I am here and fully focused on riding, I have no worries about the injury since it's fully healed. Let's see what the French GP brings and most importantly, work to our maximum." The Spaniard has scored only seven points this season after finishing third in the sprint race in Portugal.

☆ Marquez will not serve penalty for Portugal crash, says FIM
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 9 (Reuters) - Honda rider Marc Marquez will not serve a double long lap penalty imposed for his crash with Miguel Oliveira in Portugal, the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) said on Tuesday. Marquez was granted a stay of execution last month on the penalty imposed after the six-times premier class champion locked up and barged straight into Oliveira, with both crashing out in the season-opener. "Marc Marquez is hence allowed to compete in the next race in which he will be able to participate, without any further sanction," FIM said in a statement. Marquez, who won his last title in 2019, has scored only seven points this season after finishing third in the sprint race in Portugal. The 30-year-old is targeting a return at the next round at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans, which will host the 1,000th Grand Prix in history.

☆ Drivers unimpressed by F1 plans for more splashy intros
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

That over-the-top scene seemed to go down quite well with fans but left drivers unimpressed, with some looking unsure of what to do beyond wave and smile. F1 says it plans similar splashy intros at eight races this season. "I just hope we don't have that every single time, because we have a very long season, so we don't need an entry like that every time," said Verstappen. The idea behind the catwalk is to provide more interaction between drivers and fans. But drivers say that engagement comes at a cost by taking away time they need to prepare to race.

☆ Nadal missing French Open would be 'brutal' for the sport - Federer
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 8 (Reuters) - Roger Federer said he hopes Rafa Nadal will recover in time for the French Open and that it would be a "brutal" blow for tennis if the 14-time Roland Garros champion is absent this year. Nadal has been dealing with a hip injury he suffered at the Australian Open in January, and fears that the Spaniard may miss the Paris Grand Slam grew after he pulled out of this week's Italian Open. Nadal skipped last week's Madrid Open and also missed tournaments at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. "It would be brutal, it would be tough for tennis if Rafa isn't going to be there," 20-times Grand Slam winner Federer told Sky Sports on Sunday at Formula One's Miami Grand Prix. Nadal has competed at the French Open every year since winning the first of his men's record 22 major titles in Paris in 2005.

☆ Leclerc says Ferrari 'struggling like crazy" with their car
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sainz finished fifth and Leclerc seventh in Miami as Max Verstappen led Sergio Perez to Red Bull's fifth win in five races and fourth one-two. "(It's a) very similar picture to the beginning of the year, we are competitive in qualifying (but) once we come to race day we are struggling like crazy," said Leclerc, who had been on pole position at the previous race in Azerbaijan. He had finished second in the sprint in Baku, raising hopes that Ferrari had made a step forward, and a lonely third in the Sunday race. Leclerc crashed in both practice and qualifying, when he looked competitive, at the same corner in Miami and said he had struggled with the car bottoming at speed and also affected by the wind. Leclerc was Verstappen's closest rival last season, winning two of the first three races before the challenge petered out in strategy errors, unreliability and driver mistakes.

☆ Alcaraz beats Struff to clinch back-to-back Madrid titles
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID, May 7 (Reuters) - World number two Carlos Alcaraz beat lucky loser Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the Madrid Open final on Sunday to defend last year's title and win his fourth ATP Tour trophy of the year and his tenth overall. Alcaraz, who had an injury-plagued start to the season, came back in top form last month to win the Barcelona Open for the second consecutive year. In Madrid, the 20-year-old Spaniard had to play his best tennis to beat a relentless Struff in three sets in a packed Caja Magica. The German fought back to return the favour, making things uncomfortable for the world number two with his aggressive tactics and relentlessly attacking Alcaraz’s serve. Struff nailed every return to break serve in the fourth game but the Spaniard produced another break and closed the set 6-4.

☆ Alonso starts on front row in Miami but win a long shot
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] May 6, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso (14) of Spain reacts after qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY SportsMIAMI, May 6 (Reuters) - Fernando Alonso will start the Miami Grand Prix on the front row alongside pole sitter Sergio Perez, providing Aston Martin the chance for a win, believes team principal Mike Krack. The Red Bulls of Verstappen and Perez have been in a league of their own this season winning every grand prix, with three of the four races one-two finishes. If you start from the first row your aim has to be to win the race. Verstappen, last year's winner in Miami, will start ninth but Alonso guessed that he will see him on his exhaust by lap 25.

☆ Alcaraz set to reclaim number one spot in Rome after Madrid triumph
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID, May 7 (Reuters) - Carlos Alcaraz is raring to get to Italy next week to compete in the Rome Masters for the first time in his career and reclaim the world number one spot from Novak Djokovic. To maintain the points won at an event a player must at least match the tally from the previous year. Alcaraz skipped the Rome Masters last year due to an ankle injury so has no points to defend while Djokovic won in Rome last year and thus cannot improve his overall points total. "I am an ambitious guy and I'm going full for the win in Rome," Alcaraz told a news conference on Sunday. I just have won my 10th title, my fourth Masters 1000, back-to-back titles here in Madrid and very close to reclaiming the number one world spot.

☆ Struff soaking in 'incredible journey' to Madrid final
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 6 (Reuters) - Jan-Lennard Struff is relishing his bid for a first ATP title following his "incredible journey" at the Madrid Open which has seen the German become the first lucky loser to reach the final of a Masters 1000 event. Struff claimed a 4-6 6-3 6-4 semi-final victory over Russia's Aslan Karatsev on Friday, days after losing to the same opponent in the final round of qualifying. Asked if he had expected to be in the final in Madrid, Struff told reporters: "No, of course not. I couldn't have imagined this ..."It's an incredible journey and story, here in Madrid, and very, very happy. He's a great athlete ... Really, really happy to be in the finals, and really looking forward to this match."

☆ Gundogan brace takes Manchester City four points clear at top of Premier League
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Leeds United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 6, 2023 Leeds United's Joel Robles in action as Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan misses from the penalty spot REUTERS/Molly DarlingtonMANCHESTER, England, May 6 (Reuters) - Hard-charging Manchester City went four points clear of Arsenal at the top the Premier League on Saturday, beating Leeds United 2-1 with a pair of near-identical goals from Ilkay Gundogan, stretching their winning league run to 10 games. Mahrez teed up Gundogan again eight minutes later in a carbon copy of his first goal. Allardyce admitted it looked bound to be a blowout at halftime, but Leeds "changed in terms of pushing up the pitch." Despite numerous scoring chances, and with the Etihad Stadium crowd cheering him on, Haaland was unable to extend the Premier League single-season record of 35 goals he set earlier in the week. Treble-chasing Manchester City, who play Real Madrid on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, are unbeaten in 20 games through all competitions.

☆ Man City climb four points clear of Arsenal in title race
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

City's victory, coupled with an Arsenal loss on Sunday to Newcastle United, would all but clinch the Premier League title for the treble-chasers who stretched their winning league run to 10 games. Liverpool notched up a sixth straight Premier League win to maintain their pursuit of a top-four spot. KANE HEADERKane headed Tottenham in front in first-half injury time to move up to second place in the all-time Premier League goalscorers list. The win vaulted Spurs to sixth in the table with 57 points from 35 games, six points behind fourth-placed United, who have played two games fewer. Wolves climbed 10 points clear of the relegation zone with 40 points, while Villa remained in eighth after their second consecutive loss.

☆ Guardiola wary of threat Leeds pose under new manager Allardyce
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MANCHESTER, England, May 5 (Reuters) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Leeds United will be dangerous opponents under interim manager Sam Allardyce given the injection of motivation change often brings. Allardyce was parachuted in on Wednesday in a last-ditch attempt to help Leeds, who are only outside the relegation places on goal difference, remain in the top flight. And again, it is a massive, massive important game for us." City's Erling Haaland could extend his record for most goals in a Premier League season on Saturday against a Leeds defence which is the worst in the top flight. Asked about Tuesday's Champions League clash with Madrid, Guardiola said City's sole focus was on the Leeds game.

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