The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Venus’ withdrawal because of Sjogren’s Syndrome eclipses action in Open
- Champs in buoyant mood
- Eternal teenager Muliaina excited by World Cup finale
| Venus’ withdrawal because of Sjogren’s Syndrome eclipses action in Open Posted: 01 Sep 2011 06:07 PM PDT US OPEN The US Open witnessed a major shock without a ball being struck in anger on Wednesday when Venus Williams quit the tournament after revealing she was suffering from an illness that could threaten her tennis future. After a buildup to the last Grand Slam of the year in which the event was threatened by an earthquake then a hurricane, the American's revelation was perhaps the most earth-shattering news of the week. The two-time champion told officials of her withdrawal from the tournament less than an hour before she was due to face Germany's Sabine Lisicki in the second round. Then she dropped the bombshell, revealing for the first time exactly what had kept her recent playing time down to a bare minimum. "I have recently been diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome," she said in a statement. "(I) wish I could continue but right now I am unable to." The disease drains victims of their energy and causes joint pain. For a professional tennis player, that spells trouble but Venus said she had no thoughts of retiring. "I am thankful I finally have a diagnosis and am now focused on getting better and returning to the court soon," she said. At 31, speculation about her future in the sport is sure to intensify but fellow American Andy Roddick, who has been friends with the Williams sisters since they were children, said her health was the most important issue. "I do know one thing. I'm very concerned, because if Venus isn't playing at the US Open, it's got to be something," he said. "She didn't withdraw because she's sneezing too much." Venus was not the only high-profile casualty at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday but her illness did overshadow most of the on-court action. Andy Murray, Britain's perennial major hope, made a bright start to his campaign while Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro enjoyed a successful return to Flushing Meadows two years after his stunning title success. However, three seeded women made early exits at the hands of lower-ranked players. Marion Bartoli, Dominika Cibulkova and Yanina Wickmayer all departed while the only male seed to lose was Nicolas Almagro of Spain, although sixth seed Robin Soderling pulled out because of injury. The Swede had been regarded as one of the few players able to challenge the big four of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Murray, but threw in the towel before his first round match. Murray launched his campaign with a 7-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Somdev Devvarman of India. The Scotsman played below his best but still had plenty in reserve. "It's all about just winning," Murray said. "That's all that matters at the end of the day." Del Potro upset Federer to win the men's title two years ago but was unable to defend it because of a wrist injury that sidelined him for nearly nine months. He finally returned to the scene of his greatest triumph and the towering Argentine was in a hurry to make up for lost time, crushing Italy's Filippo Volandri 6-3, 6-1, 6-1. "It's my favourite tournament," Del Potro said. "I'm really happy to get the opportunity to play here again." The women's draw, already depleted by the absence of Kim Clijsters and the early defeats of Petra Kvitova and Li Na, lost Bartoli to American Christina McHale and Cilbulkova to Irina Falconi, another American, giving rise to hope that the US may eventually find a successor to the Williams sisters. Russia's Vera Zvonareva, last year's runner-up, was never in any real danger of joining the casualty list even though the second seed had a tough workout against Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko before triumphing 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Third seed Maria Sharapova concluded the day with a late night 6-1, 6-1 romp past Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus in a match that started in August and finished in September because it trickled past midnight. "A big part of our sport is adjusting to whatever comes our way, whether it's the time of a match or opponents or conditions on the court," Sharapova said. "It's one of the toughest things in our sport: sometimes you never know exactly what you're going to get." — Reuters |
| Posted: 01 Sep 2011 06:05 PM PDT JOHANNESBURG: The intense build-up and huge public expectation have given defending champions South Africa tremendous energy as they head to the World Cup, captain John Smit said yesterday. The Springboks, hoping to become the first team to retain rugby's premier title, will fly out of Johannesburg later in the day after a public farewell in the tourist centre of Sandton that is expected to attract 100,000 fans. South Africa, who beat England in the final four years ago in France, overcame this year's World Cup hosts New Zealand 18-5 in the Tri-Nations last month to boost players' confidence and fans' hopes ahead of the tournament starting on Sept 9. "There are similarities to 2007 in terms of preparation, but there's far greater expectation this time. In 2007, we hoped we'd do well, but this time the country really needs us to do well," Smit told a news conference. "That expectation doesn't cage us though, it empowers us." The 2007 World Cup-winning captain said the team had stepped up their training since the Aug 20 victory over New Zealand in Port Elizabeth, while public support had also grown over that same time. "The last two weeks have been incredible and have provided unbelievable energy for the squad," the 33-year-old said. "It's amazing to think there'll be close to 100,000 people to send us off this afternoon and the harder we work, the more the excitement seems to build. As a squad, we would like to just say 'thank you' for the energy we've received from outside. "We've had a massive week-and-a-half of really hard training, it was time to put the hammer down, and when the players slump in their seats in the aeroplane tonight, I think they'll all be relieved that there's nobody to chase us around a field for the next 36 hours." Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said he was happy the South African public were getting behind his team. "There has been a lot of negativity about the Springboks, but for the last two weeks, that has changed and it's what the team needed," he said. "Before, they were going over to New Zealand to satisfy themselves, but now they're going over to satisfy themselves, the rest of the team and the whole country too. "They like the responsibility and I ask the public to support us, but don't be soft on us, be hard on us. That pushes us to the edge and brings out the best in the players." — Reuters |
| Eternal teenager Muliaina excited by World Cup finale Posted: 01 Sep 2011 06:03 PM PDT WELLINGTON: All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina expresses a snort of humorous derision when asked if he feels old. "Mate, I have just spent the whole day saying that I'm not!" the 31-year-old told Reuters at the New Zealand team's media day in Auckland. "Experience is a better way to put it, especially when you have guys like (lock) Brad Thorn (36) who is five to six, maybe 10 years older than me and I'm getting tagged as the old guy in the team. "Experience is a nice way to put it," he added with a smile. Whether he likes it or not, Muliaina is one of the oldest members of the 2011 World Cup squad, having accumulated 98 Test caps to sit tied with captain Richie McCaw for the most number of appearances for New Zealand. Few are doubting the pair will reach the 100-cap milestone together and while McCaw looks an automatic choice for the early pool games given the injuries to fellow loose forwards Adam Thomson and Kieran Read, Muliaina is under pressure for his place from young pretenders like Israel Dagg and Isaia Toeava. Not that it concerns him. "I think it's exciting that there are guys there wanting to be in that fullback position and take your spot," he said of the possible challenge from Dagg in particular, who was electric in the All Blacks' loss to South Africa last month. "I have occupied it (the position) for a reasonable amount of time and you know when guys are nipping at your heels. "But there is an excitement factor with these guys and it's bringing the best out of a lot of guys, I have seen that and it's doing it for me. "You only occupy the jersey one week after another, certainly with the talent we have got then I definitely want to start, but if that's not the case and I'm not good enough to be out there then my job is to make sure that guy does the best he can and we win this damn thing." Winning the Webb Ellis trophy has been something of a goal for Muliaina, who is making his third successive World Cup appearance, having been an integral part of the All Blacks since his international debut against England in June 2003. An exciting counter-attacker, he formed a potent back three with Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett eight years ago only for the All Blacks to crash out in the semi-finals to Australia, while he played centre in the 2007 quarter-final defeat to France. That surprise 20-18 loss in Cardiff had motivated him to stay in New Zealand and attempt to make the 2011 World Cup squad and help the perennial favourites lift the trophy for the first time since they won the inaugural competition 24 years ago. "I think looking back if it had all gone well, I probably wouldn't be here today," said Muliaina, who is leaving New Zealand for a two-year stint with Japanese club NTT Docomo after the World Cup. "It took me about a year to really look at myself and look at whether I would be here (in New Zealand) in four years time. "I had to look at my mind and the body, though the drive was still there to be an All Black and I had a word to a couple of coaches and I'm glad that happened ... and that I'm part of this tournament. "I know now this is the last one and I just have to make sure that it's successful." — Reuters |
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