CELEBRITY
SERENA WILLIAMS BECOMES FIRST STAR TO CONFIRM US OPEN ATTENDANCE
Serena Williams led the from the front by becoming the first major player to confirm that she will play at the US Open after its dates were confirmed.
The 38-year-old American will try and win her 24th Grand Slam singles title when the event is staged under highly restrictive conditions from August 31 for two weeks.
‘I really cannot wait to return to New York and play,’ she said. ‘I feel the USTA (Tennis Association) is going to do a really good job of ensuring everything is amazing and everything is perfect and everyone is safe.’
She added that she will miss the fans who, along with the media, will be excluded under strict anti-Covid-19 protocols at what is normally a teeming and noisy Flushing Meadows.
Williams may have been swung by relaxations in the rules which will control how many people players can bring with them, and where they can stay.
In response to concerns already expressed by top players, they will now be allowed to stay privately if they wish to go to the expense, and not be bubbled in the official tournament hotel.
his will have to be done through an official US Open estate agent, who will not be offering properties in Manhattan. Players will also be allowed to bring three support staff on site, going some way to answer concerns of the big names.
The next month will determine whether or not there is a full turnout, now that both men’s and women’s tours have announced provisional calendars to try and salvage the season.
Having suffered severe constipation compared to other sports in producing comeback plans, a glut of information was released by tennis about its future schedule, which are all subject to wider developments in the coronavirus crisis.
The WTA Tour announced 20 events beginning on August 3 in Palermo, going through to late November.
The men announced a package of events going through to mid-October, with the Madrid, Italian and French Opens being confirmed. A further announcement will be made next month, but there is optimism that November’s ATP Finals at London’s 02 Arena can still happen, subject to government advice.
Early indications are that some players will still require some persuading to travel.
Nick Kyrgios complained via Twitter that there had been a lack of collaboration with the players and labelled ATP Tour Chief Andrea Guadenzi a ‘potato’.
More soberly, Wimbledon champion Simona Halep reiterated her opposition to travelling, although she promised she would reassess the situation.
Stacey Allaster, the US Open Tournament Director, also confirmed that the Cincinnati Open would be played at Flushing Meadows the week beforehand, at the expense of the Grand Slam’s qualifying event.
‘We have 59 days until we open the tournament hotel,’ she said. ‘We will be opening discussions (with players) to help them understand the plan.. They will make their own decisions.’
On the relaxation of accommodation restrictions she added: ‘We will provide options for the athletes. They are used to staying in private houses at Wimbledon and other places so if they want to invest in a private home they can.’
She did not want to put a figure on how many will actually turn up, but with a total of $60million on offer for the Open and the supplementary event moved from Cincinnati the large bulk of players can be expected to go.
They are working with local health authorities on removing quarantine restrictions for arrivals, and there will be a strict testing regime for everyone going on site. Provisions have been made to isolate anyone who tests positive.
Among the strange conditions will be a much reduced count of officials on duty. Outside the two main show courts there will be only three ballkids and no line judges, with all the calling done by Hawkeye.
Meanwhile a note sent to male players, seen by Sportsmail, has warned that there will be prize money reductions at the ATP Tour events remaining this season.
The first main tour men’s event back will be the Citi Open in Washington, taking place on August 14, while the lower tiers of the tennis tour will also resume in August.
The legacy of Brazilian football legend Pelé has taken a new turn after Neymar Santos Sr, father of Brazil star Neymar Jr, confirmed the acquisition of the commercial rights to Pelé’s name and image through his agency, NR Sports.
Speaking at the Pelé Museum in Santos, Brazil, Neymar Sr said the deal marks a new chapter for one of the most iconic brands in global sport.
“We are proud. I think it’s a very strong brand. We want to strengthen its identity and adapt it to the current era,” he said, describing the project as deeply emotional and nationally significant.
Although financial details were not officially disclosed, Brazilian media estimate the acquisition at around $18 million. The rights had previously belonged to US-based company Sport 10, which many in Brazil accused of underdeveloping a national treasure.
A ‘Repatriation’ of Pelé’s Legacy
NR Sports described the agreement as a “repatriation” of Pelé’s brand—bringing back to Brazil “one of the greatest symbols in the history of world sport.”
Pelé’s daughter, Flavia, attended the announcement and welcomed the move, saying the family had tried—and failed—to reacquire the rights after Pelé’s death in 2022.
“There are no words to describe the emotion of bringing back a brand that embodies soul, humanity, and love. It’s priceless,” she told AFP.
The unveiling was accompanied by an emotional tribute at the Pelé Museum, which erected a massive green screen with Pelé’s iconic logo. A video shared on Pelé’s and NR Sports’ official accounts celebrated the “universal language” of Brazilian football, showing some of the King’s most memorable goals from his World Cup triumphs in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
Neymar Jr: ‘Pelé Was Born to Change Everything’
Neymar Jr, who recently returned to Pelé’s former club Santos and has surpassed the King as Brazil’s all-time top scorer, featured in a promotional video congratulating his father’s company.
“Some are born to play, others are born to change the game. Pelé was born to change everything,” the 33-year-old forward said. “Pelé never stopped being one of us, and now he is officially part of Brazil, again and forever.”
A New Era for an Underused Global Brand
For years, Pelé’s image rights were more prominently exploited abroad than at home—a situation that drew criticism from the family and Brazilian football circles. The new deal is expected to revitalise the Pelé brand through modern marketing, partnerships, and heritage initiatives anchored in Brazil.
“This is the beginning of a motivating project for us. We are very moved,” Neymar Sr added.
Pelé, who died in December 2022 at age 82, remains an enduring symbol in Santos, São Paulo state, where he played from 1956 to 1974 and where thousands still visit his mausoleum.
With the rights now back in Brazilian hands, NR Sports says the goal is clear: preserve, expand, and enrich the legacy of the King of Football for generations to come.
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Lionel Messi expressed his wish to one day return to Barcelona’s Camp Nou on Monday, having made a brief visit to see the newly revamped stadium where he spent 21 years of his illustrious career.
The 38-year-old Argentine World Cup winner, who joined Barca’s youth academy at age 13 and went on to become the club’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances, left the Catalan side in 2021 when they could not make it financially viable to keep him.
Having won 10 LaLiga titles, four Champions League crowns and three Club World Cups with Barca, Messi now plays for Inter Miami after two years with Paris St Germain.
Barca reopened the Camp Nou on Friday, 895 days after its closure, unveiling a revamped stadium by staging an open training session attended by 21,795 fans.
“Last night, I returned to a place that I miss with all my heart. A place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel a thousand times like the happiest person in the world,” the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner wrote on Instagram on Monday.
“I hope that one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to do.”
Messi extended his contract with Inter Miami in October, and has previously said that the Major League Soccer club would likely be his last.
“You’re always welcome at your home, Leo,” Barca posted on X.
-Reuters
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Argentina has paid a powerful tribute to its greatest football icon, Diego Armando Maradona, by unveiling a special commemorative silver coin celebrating both the late legend’s 65th birthday and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The coin, released on October 30 — the date that would have marked Maradona’s 65th birthday — honours his unforgettable solo goal against England in the 1986 World Cup, often described as “the goal of the century.”
The Central Bank of Argentina announced that the limited-edition coin features a football motif on one side, while the reverse captures Maradona’s legendary dribble from his own half, past five English defenders, before coolly slotting the ball home in Mexico City.
That match, etched in global memory, also produced another of football’s most talked-about moments — the “Hand of God” goal, scored just minutes earlier. Together, those two goals defined not only a game but an era, as Maradona led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, their second in history.
“This coin immortalizes a symbol of Argentine pride — a goal that transcended sport to become a moment of national identity,” said the Central Bank in a statement.
The release is also timed to build excitement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada — marking 40 years since Maradona’s most celebrated tournament.
Maradona, who passed away in 2020, remains one of football’s most revered figures. His blend of artistry, audacity, and passion continues to inspire generations of players and fans alike.
Across Argentina, tributes poured in from fans, clubs, and former teammates, with many visiting murals, statues, and shrines dedicated to the No.10. In Buenos Aires, street musicians played “Live is Life” — the anthem that once accompanied Maradona’s famous pre-match warm-up routine at Napoli — as a reminder of his enduring magic.
For Argentina, this special-edition coin is more than a collector’s item; it is a national homage to an eternal legend, a man whose left foot and spirit still define the heartbeat of Argentine football.
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