Andy’s Reads: Navratilova’s Transgender Comments Trigger Debate, Nike Allows Players to Sell Patch Space

Novak Djokovic is the Laureus Sportsman of the Year. Naomi Osaka received the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award (Sports24)

Naomi Osaka says he split with coach Sascha Bajin was not related to money (The Strait Times)

Martina Navratilova’s comments on transgender athletes stirs debate (CBC Sports)

Amidst criticism from players and fans, footballer Gerard Pique defends Davis Cup changes.  Pique revealed that Lionel Messi was an also an investor in Kosmos, which is pumping money to fund the reworked Davis Cup (ESPN)

Marco Trungelliti’s match fixing experience changed his life (Tennis)

Nike loosens rules, allowing Chinese players to sell patch space on their clothing.

Tennis Analyst Jon Wertheim said “There are slides, and then there is the downhill run of Jack Sock. This is not a slump — it’s a slump that’s grown legs and a tail.”  Sock’s friend Nick Kygios came to Sock’s defense (Foxsports.au)

 

 

Continue ReadingAndy’s Reads: Navratilova’s Transgender Comments Trigger Debate, Nike Allows Players to Sell Patch Space

Mertens shocks Halep to win Doha

Belgium’s Elise Mertens rallied from a set down to beat top seed Simona Halep 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 and win at the Qatar Open on Saturday.

Mertens, ranked 21 in the world, recorded defeated three top 10 players in Doha this week on her way to winning the title.

“Honestly, I wanted to lift this beautiful trophy but Elise deserved it very much,” said Halep, who won the Doha title in 2014.

This was Halep’s first final appearance since August and she will rise one spot to No. 2 in the rankings on Monday. Naomi Osaka will remain the number one ranked player in the world.

See the highlights here.

Continue ReadingMertens shocks Halep to win Doha