The French Open is picking humans over technology. Novak Djokovic thinks that's a bad call
PARIS — For Novak Djokovic , this is a relatively easy call: He, like many players, thinks the French Open is making a mistake by eschewing the electronic line-calling used at most big tennis tournaments and instead remaining old school by letting line judges decide whether serves or other shots land in or out.
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Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
DeMarcus Cousins kicked off Puerto Rican basketball team after heated exchange with fans turns physical
Former NBA star Demarcus Cousins was booted from his team in Puerto Rico for the remainder of the season after an ugly altercation with fans during a game Monday. The Baloncesto Superior Nacional league announced Tuesday that Cousins was kicked off the Mets de Guaynabo after a vile gesture toward a fan, grabbing his genitals to mock the fan as the fan flipped both his middle fingers. Cousins then grabbed the fan's arm as the incident started turning physical. Another fan from behind the courtside seat where the first fan was seated came to the first fan's aid, swiping at Cousins, who started to bark something back to him. Cousins was ejected from the game, but things got even uglier as he tried to leave the court. Cousins, flipping off the crowd as he was walking to the tunnel, grabbed at a fan yelling at him. They made contact with one another, and the fan proceeded to throw a beverage at the former NBA All-Star. Other fans joined in, throwing drinks and other objects at Cousins. Cousins was irate and had to be held back from going after fans. In addition to being banned for the rest of the season, Cousins was fined $4,250. Cousins' fine could increase to $10,000 if he fails to "show cause" as to why it shouldn't. Cousins, the former Kentucky Wildcats star taken fifth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, last played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season, when he played for the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets. Cousins was a four-time All-Star during his 11 NBA seasons. Since his last game with Denver, Cousins has played in Mongolia, Puerto Rico and the Big3 League run by actor and rapper Ice Cube. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Association Of Pickleball Professional Fires Next Salvo In Battle For International Expansion In The Sport
United States-base pickleball associations continue their quest to expand their influence abroad, in an ongoing battle amongst titans in the sport to tap into burgeoning markets for pickleball underneath the (more than reasonable) assumption that the sport will experience similar growth abroad that is has here domestically. The latest salvo in that battlefront has been launched. On June 11th, 2025 The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) announced a pair of agreements (one new, one the extension of an existing collaboration) that will help elevate the talent level in events abroad while also bringing the APP's marketing and logistics expertise into play for growing markets in the sport. The APP is announcing a new agreement with Global Sports Pickleball (GSP), the leading pickleball organization in India and extending their long-standing relationship with Pickleball England, the national governing body (NGB) of the sport in England and operators of the English Open. I caught up with the principals of each group to discuss their organizations and these new collaborations; Ken Herrmann (Founder of the APP), Shashank Khaitan (co-founder of Global Sports), and Karen Mitchell (Chairperson of Pickleball England) to talk about these deals and the future of international pickleball. The APP is entering its 4th year collaborating with Pickleball England on the English Open, and have for years been sending both its top touring Pros and its top NextGen stars across the pond to compete. Per Mitchell, the sending of the top US pros 'helps elevate the level of play in our events. People want to play where the pros play. This gives people added excitement of playing against that caliber of player. The APP also helps us with sponsorships, streaming of our event to APP-TV, and promotional help on social media.' The collaboration has helped make the English Open not only the largest current tournament in Europe, but the largest outside of the US (they're projecting to nearly 2,200 players at this year's event). The English Open is essentially the leading fund-raising event for Pickleball England (the UK equivalent of USA Pickleball), and allows the NGB to fund the operations of the rest of its goals. Says, Mitchell, "Our focus is grassroots. We've developed curriculum to create and train coaches, which we feel will develop more players. We're going into schools and universities. We're trying to reduce the average age of players. We want to be the Carlsberg of events. [side note: I did not at first understand the context of this comment about Carlsberg. Only after some pointed googling did I learn about Carlsberg Beer's advertising campaign where they claim to 'Probably be the Best beer in the world.' I may have to incorporate this English idiom into my day to day speech]. Pickleball England was more than happy to extend its relationship with the APP. Says Mitchell, 'I believe that the APP does such great work, both in the US and helping to expand pickleball's reach internationally. They do right by the players and they genuinely are interested in growing the game internationally.' The timing of announcing the two collaborations together is not without some history; as it turns out, Herrmann of the APP first met Shashank Khaitan of GSP at the English Open two years prior. GSP got its start three years ago, held its first major tournament in February of 2023, and now plays host to three marquee events each year: the Monsoon Championships (held in August), the Indian Open (held in February), and the Global Sports Pro league, which debuted in February this year and featured 100 pro players from all over the globe participating for a total prize purse of $550k. (Note: if you're reading this and you're wondering which of the multiple India-based organizations GSP is, I suggest reading The Dink's Eric Tice's excellent comprehensive January 2025 overview of all things Pickleball in that region of the world. It provides an overview of GSP and its evolution of partnerships with other orgs in the region, some of which are now defunct). Khaitan describes the beginnings of the APP collaboration, which has been two years in the making, 'We first met at the English Open. We saw APP Next Gen players competing and were really impressed. We started a relationship with some of the APP pros there and became very close with Rob Nunnery in particular. This led to Nunnery and his partner Andrei Daescu traveling to play in the 2024 Indian Open." Nunnery and Daescu won the doubles title in that event, and in the final they played Armaan Bhatia & Harsh Mehta, who stretched them to three games before falling. This of course is the same Bhatia who has now come to the US and medaled in both the US Open and the APP's NYC Open in May 2025. This turned out to be a seminal match in Indian pickleball, as (in Khaitan's words), 'it showed Indian players where they needed to go, and when Bhatia & Mehta played the American pros in the final, they realized they really could compete against the best.' The most immediate and apparent impact of the APP-GSP collaboration will be the cross-pollination of US-based APP pros in GSP-run events going forward, and vice versa. The top 12 APP Male and Female pros will be offered seeded slots at the forthcoming 2025 Monsoon Open, and will be entered into the league auction for the 2026 iteration of the GSP League. Conversely, GSP will work with the APP to provide more opportunities for both established Asian pros and up-and-coming Indian & Asian players at the APP's Fort Lauderdale training facilities and academies. Both organizations clearly have respect for one another, and they both share some of the same values when it comes to growing the game. Says Herrmann, 'GSP has proven themselves as the premier leading organization in India, and as the APP continues to grow internationally it's always been my goal to keep my inner circle credible and full of quality people.' Khaitan agrees, 'We believe our ideology with APP is similar; we don't want to lock players down and want to give players growth experience opportunities.' Herrmann mentioned that the APP is now working on the development of international camps, both at the Fort in December and potentially at Mumbai-based events in 2026. Perhaps the most interesting takeaway from my conversations with Khaitan and Herrmann were the statements of their collective visions of international pickleball. One of Herrmann's longer term goals with partnerships like these is the pursuit of a global ranking system. He says, 'I want and foresee results in India to count towards APP rankings. If the No. 1 player from India comes here and there's a question where to seed him or her, there's a proven record of results for that player in international events, whether they're in India or in England or wherever.' Khaitan is more expansive. 'We want to set a common goal, see how to build towards it. We want to build something global. Tennis and the ATP really shifted when they globalized and held events all around the world, and we feel the same thing will happen with pickleball.' One thing is for certain; every year that US-based pros extend their presence in major international tournaments and leagues is a year where we get close to these goals. We've already seen a top player from India come to the US and succeed at the pro level, and it's just a matter of time before that becomes a regular occurrence.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Free beginner BMX clinic to be held at Cargill Park in Shreveport
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Cargill Park BMX is hosting a free clinic for new riders and anyone interested in learning more about BMX. More than a game: How sports can support mental health Certified BMX coach and current Zero Moto team member Wells Cornette will host the clinic. 'BMX racing is a sport for everyone! We have pedal bike riders just starting out and guys who raced for Team USA at the World Championships. No one sits the bench! The track is a fun and safe space for everyone. CPBmx is also home to THE BEST track operators, dirt guys, and certified USABMX coaches in the business. Come check us out!' a press release stated. According to the release, the benefits of BMX include: Physical Health: improves heart health, balance, coordination, and strength Mental Health/Life skills: self-confidence, focus, determination, problem-solving, independence Social benefits: BMX is an individual sport, but there is strong camaraderie among track mates both locally and across the state. Cares Krewe celebrates 100 years of golf at Querbes The clinic will be held on Saturday, June 21, at 3:30 p.m. at Cargill Park BMX, 2800 Cargill Dr. in Shreveport. It is free and open to all ages. Guests can also participate in BMX races at the park (weather permitting), with sign-ups beginning at 5 p.m. and starting around 6 p.m. To race, participants must wear Long sleeves and pants, wear a full-face helmet, and have a bicycle. For more information, go to Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
