(NEW YORK) — Naomi Osaka on Saturday withdrew from the Melbourne Summer Set due to an abdominal injury, saying she needed to rest before the Australian Open.
“I had a lot of fun playing here in Melbourne. Unfortunately I have an abdominal injury which I need to rest and prepare for the #AusOpen. Thank you to the tournament and the fans,” Naomi Osaka said in a statement released by the Australian Open over Twitter.
“I had a lot of fun playing here in Melbourne. Unfortunately I have an abdominal injury which I need to rest and prepare for the #AusOpen. Thank you to the tournament and the fans.” – Naomi Osaka.
Sad to withdraw due to injury from my match today, my body got a shock from playing back to back intense matches after the break I took. Thank you for all the love this past week ❤️ I’ll try to rest up and I’ll see you soon!
“Sad to withdraw due to injury from my match today, my body got a shock from playing back to back intense matches after the break I took,” Osaka said via Twitter.
Osaka was scheduled to play in a semi-final match the day she withdrew. Her scheduled opponent, Veronika Kudermetova, will advance immediately the final.
The Australian Open is scheduled to start Jan. 17.
Representatives for Osaka and the Australian Tennis did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
(NEW YORK) — A high school ice hockey player has died after sustaining a skate injury during a game, in what school officials called an “unimaginable tragedy.”
The accident occurred Thursday evening during a junior varsity game at Brunswick School, a preparatory school in Greenwich, Connecticut. The visiting team was from St. Luke’s, a prep school in New Canaan.
During the game, a St. Luke’s player fell to the ice and a Brunswick player unable to stop collided with him, police said.
“Game play was stopped and 911 was called,” Greenwich Police Department Captain Mark Zuccerella said in a statement.
The St. Luke’s player’s neck was cut by the skate blade, Brunswick school officials said in a letter sent to alumni Friday. The boy was treated by Brunswick medical staff before he was transported to a local hospital, but “tragically, he did not survive the operation,” Brunswick officials said.
The New Canaan Police Department identified the St. Luke’s student as sophomore Teddy Balkind.
“Teddy skated for the New Canaan Winter Club throughout his youth hockey career and was known to all as an all-around incredible young man, son and brother,” the department said on social media. “The men and women of the New Canaan Police Department offer our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Balkind family and all of those impacted by this tragic incident.”
Brunswick officials described the game before the accident as “entirely normal and unremarkable.”
“We are devastated; an unimaginable tragedy,” Brunswick Head of School Thomas Philip said in a statement to ABC News. “I have, of course, met with the Head of School at St. Luke’s and have contacted the boy’s family to offer whatever help, support, or assistance we can during such a challenging time.”
St. Luke’s was closed Friday and did not hold any classes or after-school activities.
“Our community is mourning,” St. Luke’s Head of School Mark Davis said in a statement to ABC New York station WABC-TV Friday. “Yesterday, we lost a precious young man in a tragic accident. Both St. Luke’s School and Brunswick School are in shock as we work to support our students and families. St. Luke’s singular focus at this moment is to care for our devastated community.”
Brunswick officials said the school has arranged counseling and support for the hockey team as needed in the coming days.
The accident sent shockwaves throughout the heartbroken hockey community in Connecticut and beyond.
“We woke up this morning with the heaviest hearts after hearing of the tragic loss of one of New Canaan’s own,” New Canaan Hockey said on Twitter. “Teddy was a wonderful young man, always smiling, a terrific teammate. No words are adequate for the grief we are all feeling.”
The North Attleboro High School Hockey in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, called it an “incomprehensible loss of a young hockey player.”
“Our BIG RED HOCKEY family sends our thoughts, love and prayers to the St. Luke’s and Brunswick hockey communities,” the team said on Twitter.
ABC News’ Victoria Arancio, Will Reeve and Darron Reynolds contributed to this report.
(NEW YORK) — It was a New York buzzer-beating win for the books, heading into the weekend. The New York Knicks RJ Barrett launched a game-winning shot into the basket with 1.5 seconds left in Thursday night’s game, capping off a 25-point comeback for the team.
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Thursday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
New York 108, Boston 105
Memphis 118, Detroit 88
New Orleans 101, Golden State 96
Phoenix 106, LA Clippers 89
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Pittsburgh 6, Philadelphia 2
New Jersey 3, Columbus 1
San Jose 3, Buffalo 2
Tampa Bay 4, Calgary 1
Minnesota 3, Boston 2
Dallas 6, Florida 5 (SO)
Colorado 7, Winnipeg 1
Arizona 6, Chicago 4
Vegas 5, NY Rangers 1
Nashville 4, Los Angeles 2
Toronto at Montreal (Postponed)
Ottawa at Seattle (Postponed)
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
UCLA 96, Long Beach St. 78
Southern Cal 77, California 63
Indiana 67, Ohio St. 51
Wisconsin 87, Iowa 78
San Francisco at Gonzaga (Postponed)
UCLA at Stanford (Postponed)
(HONG KONG) — The world’s top-ranked tennis player, Novak Djokovic, remains on Australian soil — for now at least — after having his visa to enter the country cancelled on arrival in Melbourne late on Wednesday evening for the Australian Open.
Djokovic’s legal team launched a challenge against a decision to deport him, but he will need to wait until Monday to learn if he can stay on to play in the tournament, which begins on Jan. 17.
In the meantime, it appears that the 34-year-old Serb will be staying in immigration detention at the Park Hotel in inner Melbourne, which normally houses asylum seekers.
In a statement, the Australian Border Force confirmed that Djkovoic’s evidence for a medical exemption did not meet the requirements for entry after arriving in Dubai.
Among the considerations raised at the court hearing on Thursday was whether Djokovic was able to be moved to another hotel with tennis facilities. Tennis Australia also made a request that the issue be sorted by Tuesday because it would muck up scheduling. To that, Judge Anthony Kelly said, “the tail won’t be wagging the dog here.”
The Serbian tennis star announced on Tuesday evening that he’d been granted a medical exemption to play at the Open, where he’s chasing a record 21 grand slam titles.
The announcement sparked a massive public backlash down under, with social media platforms, letters-to-the-editor and talkback radio in Australia flooded with criticism towards Djokovic, who has refused to divulge his COVID-19 vaccination status but last year said was opposed to it.
Omicron cases have exploded in Australia in recent weeks since domestic borders were opened, and Victorian residents have suffered some of the strictest COVID-19 controls in the world over the past two years. More than 90% of Australia’s over-16 population is fully vaccinated, but some people still cannot travel internationally or interstate because of the measures.
There appears to be a blame game between the federal and state governments over the Djokovic debacle. Minister Karen Andrews, who is leading the charge for the Australian government, says that “the Victorian government has questions to answer.” But the Victorian government denies there’s any “finger-pointing,” saying “State Governments in Australia can’t grant a visa. That’s a fact.”
Australia is expected to hold a federal election sometime in the coming months, which could help explain why the claws are out and why political points are out to be won here — and Australia is currently run by a Liberal Party government, while the Victorian state is run by the rival Labour Party — so the friction was already there.
And there is now a diplomatic spat at play, with Serbia clearly slighted over Djokovic’s treatment down under.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Djokovic was a victim of “harassment” and vowed to help through diplomatic channels. Vucic said the whole nation was behind him.
Morrison said the decision was not linked to “any particular position in relation to Serbia,” adding that the country was a “good friend” of Australia.
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Wednesday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Charlotte 140, Detroit 111
Philadelphia 116, Orlando 106
Houston 114, Washington 111
San Antonio 99, Boston 97
Dallas 99, Golden State 82
Brooklyn 129, Indiana 121
Minnesota 98, Oklahoma City 90
Toronto 117, Milwaukee 111
Utah 115, Denver 109
Atlanta 108, Sacramento 102
Miami 115, Portland 109
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Toronto 4, Edmonton 2
Pittsburgh 5, St. Louis 3
NY Islanders at Vancouver (Postponed)
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Michigan St. 79, Nebraska 67
Iowa St. 51, Texas Tech 47
Houston 83, South Florida 66
Alabama 83, Florida 70
Tennessee 66, Mississippi 60
Villanova 75, Creighton 41
Arizona St. at UCLA (Postponed)
(NEW YORK) — Fury, shock and widespread confusion unfolded on social media in Australia after tennis great Novak Djokovic announced Tuesday that he was granted a medical exemption to play at the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 17.
However on Thursday, the Australian Border Force confirmed Djokovic’s visa has been canceled and he will be denied entry into the country. He could be deported, officials said.
“The Australian Border Force will continue to ensure that those who arrive at our border comply with our laws and entry requirements. The ABF can confirm that Mr. Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled,” the Australian Border Force said in a statement. “Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also confirmed Djokovic will not be allowed into the country.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on his verified Instagram page that he had spoken to Djokovic on the phone, and “the whole of Serbia is with him, and that our authorities are taking all measures to stop the harassment of the best tennis player in the world.” It was not clear if he spoke to Djokovic before or after his visa was canceled.
Djokovic’s announcement Tuesday was mostly met with heated replies. Other social media platforms, letters to the editor and talk radio in Australia were also flooded with criticism toward Djokovic, who has refused to divulge his COVID vaccination status but said last year he was opposed to it.
“We have been taken for fools,” tweeted former Australian football player Kevin Bartlett.
“Many Australians have not been able to return home for two years. There has been little free movement across borders. So regardless of your views on vaccinations, the issue is the consistent rule bending for a selected few … Grubby decision,” said Australian broadcaster Shane Anderson.
“Though we now know that Djokovic plans to play the #AusOpen, there will still be considerable speculation about the legitimacy of his exemption. What ‘acute major medical condition,’ as listed here by Australian authorities, could a healthy #1-ranked athlete have?” said journalist Ben Rothenberg.
There were some voices of support from his Australian fans — after all, Aussies are a sporting nation and he is one major away from breaking a tie with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who also have 20 grand slam singles titles. But he would do it in a city that has mixed feelings about the tennis star.
Omicron cases have exploded in Australia in recent weeks since domestic borders were opened, and Victorian residents have suffered some of the strictest COVID controls in the world over the past two years. More than 90% of Australia’s over-16 population is fully vaccinated, but some people still cannot travel internationally or interstate because of the measures.
Deputy Victorian Liberal Leader David Southwick called the exemption decision “a disgrace” and a “kick in the guts” to residents.
Prominent Australian emergency physician and former president of the Australian Medical Association Stephen Parnis said the exemption sends the wrong signal to others who have sacrificed to stop COVID.
“I don’t care how good a tennis player he is. If he’s refusing to get vaccinated, he shouldn’t be allowed in … If this exemption is true, it sends an appalling message to millions seeking to reduce COVID-19 risk to themselves and others. Vaccination shows respect, Novak,” Parnis said.
Organizers said the defending champion has not been given special status, and insist exemptions are decided by a group of independent doctors on a panel, which makes a blank medical assessment based on whether a candidate has had major surgery, an adverse reaction to a COVID vaccine or if they are in recovery from the virus. Defending the process, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said, “no one knew who the applicant was.”
The Australian government said it’s not up to them to decide who gets granted exemptions — saying it’s a matter for the Victorian government, which hosts the tournament each year.
Speaking ahead of Djokovic’s arrival in Melbourne, Morrison said Djokovic would not be treated differently from anyone else.
“There should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic at all. None whatsoever,” Morrison said.
“If that evidence is insufficient, then he won’t be treated any different to anyone else, and he’ll be on the next plane home.”
Atilano Garcia/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
(MELBOURNE) — Fury, shock and widespread confusion unfolded on social media in Australia after tennis great Novak Djokovic announced Tuesday that he was granted a medical exemption to play at the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 17.
The announcement was mostly met with heated replies. Other social media platforms, letters-to-the-editor and talk radio in Australia were also flooded with criticism towards Djokovic, who has refused to divulge his COVID vaccination status but last year said he was opposed to it.
“We have been taken for fools,” tweeted former Australian football player Kevin Bartlett.
“Many Australians have not been able to return home for two years. There has been little free movement across borders. So regardless of your views on vaccinations, the issue is the consistent rule bending for a selected few … Grubby decision,” said Australian broadcaster Shane Anderson.
“Though we now know that Djokovic plans to play the #AusOpen, there will still be considerable speculation about the legitimacy of his exemption. What “acute major medical condition,” as listed here by Australian authorities, could a healthy #1-ranked athlete have?” said journalist Ben Rothenberg.
There were some voices of support from his Australian fans — after all, Aussies are a sporting nation and he is one major away from breaking a tie with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who also have 20 grand slam singles titles. But he would do it in a city that has mixed feelings about the tennis star.
Omicron cases have exploded in Australia in recent weeks since domestic borders were opened, and Victorian residents have suffered some of the strictest COVID controls in the world over the past two years. More than 90% of Australia’s over-16 population is fully vaccinated, but some people still cannot travel internationally or interstate because of the measures.
Deputy Victorian Liberal Leader David Southwick called the exemption decision “a disgrace” and a “kick in the guts” to residents.
Prominent Australian emergency physician and former president of the Australian Medical Association Stephen Parnis said the exemption sends the wrong signal to others who have sacrificed to stop COVID.
“I don’t care how good a tennis player he is. If he’s refusing to get vaccinated, he shouldn’t be allowed in … If this exemption is true, it sends an appalling message to millions seeking to reduce COVID-19 risk to themselves and others. Vaccination shows respect, Novak,” Parnis said.
Organizers said the defending champion has not been given special status, and insist exemptions are decided by a group of independent doctors on a panel, which makes a blank medical assessment based on whether a candidate has had major surgery, an adverse reaction to a COVID vaccine or if they are in recovery from the virus. Defending the process, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said, “no one knew who the applicant was.”
The Australian government said it’s not up to them to decide who gets granted exemptions — saying it’s a matter for the Victorian government, which hosts the tournament each year.
Speaking ahead of Djokovic’s arrival in Melbourne, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Djokovic would not be treated differently from anyone else.
“There should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic at all. None whatsoever,” Morrison said.
“If that evidence is insufficient, then he won’t be treated any different to anyone else, and he’ll be on the next plane home.”
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Tuesday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Toronto 129, San Antonio 104
Memphis 110, Cleveland 106
New York 104, Indiana 94
Phoenix 123, New Orleans 110
LA Lakers 122, Sacramento 114
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Tampa Bay 7, Columbus 2
Florida 6, Calgary 2
Boston 5, New Jersey 3
Detroit 6, San Jose 2
Colorado 4, Chicago 3 (OT)
Winnipeg 3, Arizona 1
Anaheim 4, Philadelphia 1
Nashville 3, Vegas 2
Washington at Montreal (Postponed)
NY Islanders at Seattle (Postponed)
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Baylor 84, Oklahoma 74
Duke 69, Georgia Tech 57
Kansas 74, Oklahoma St. 63
Auburn 81, South Carolina 66
Texas 70, Kansas St. 57
LSU 65, Kentucky 60
Marquette 88, Providence 56
Colorado St. 67, Air Force 59
Seton Hall 71, Butler 56
Xavier at Georgetown (Postponed)
