Tennis-Osaka wins first WTA title since maternity break
Paris 2024 Olympics - Tennis - Women's Singles First Round - Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France - July 27, 2024. Naomi Osaka of Japan in action during her first round match against Angelique Kerber of Germany. REUTERS/Edgar Su
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The Star
24 minutes ago
- The Star
Golf-McIlroy on snubbing media: 'I've earned the right'
Jun 14, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Rory McIlroy plays his shot from the first tee during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images OAKMONT, Pennsylvania (Reuters) -Rory McIlroy, who has come under fire for avoiding media after six consecutive major championship rounds, ended that silent run on Saturday at the U.S. Open where he said he felt he earned the right to do as he pleases. PGA Tour players are not obligated to speak to the media after their rounds but for someone like world number two McIlroy, who has been the de facto spokesman of the U.S.-based circuit in recent years, it has come to be expected. Following a four-over 74 that left well out of contention at Oakmont Country Club, McIlroy spoke to reporters and was asked if his drop in form since winning the Masters was why he decided to avoid the media outside of pre-tournament availabilities. "No, not really. It's more a frustration with you guys," McIlroy told reporters at Oakmont Country Club before being asked to elaborate. "I'm just, yeah, I don't know. I have, I've been totally available for the last few years, and I'm not saying -- maybe not you guys, but maybe more just the whole thing." McIlroy's silent stretch at the majors began at last month's PGA Championship where he declined to speak to the media after a poor first round and held firm after news of his driver failing a conformance test leaked during the second round. McIlroy said the leaked news was part of his decision to go silent but also reminded the assembled media that he walked by them without taking questions after his opening round of this year's Masters. "It's not as if -- it's not out of the ordinary. I've done it before; I'm just doing it a little more often," said McIlroy. "I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah." The 36-year-old Northern Irishman knows the rules do not permit him to talk to media after he walks off the course and it was suggested that he was almost daring the PGA Tour to alter its rules on the matter. "No, I'm not daring them to do anything. I hope they don't change it because... it's a nice luxury to have," said McIlroy. "But I'm just pointing out the fact that we have the ability to do it." The five-times major champion, who like many top players struggled mightily at a treacherous Oakmont layout where some rounds have been well above five hours long, rallied to make the cut on Friday with little to lose. "Yeah, it's funny, like it's much easier being on the cut line when you don't really care if you're here for the weekend or not," said McIlroy. "I was sort of thinking, do I really want two more days here or not. So it makes it easier to play better when you're in that mindset." When McIlroy was asked what his expectations were for Sunday's final round he made it crystal clear that he is counting down the hours until he can get home. "Hopefully a round in under four and a half hours and get out of here," said McIlroy. (Reporting by Frank Pingue, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Rugby-Fast start fires Leinster to United Rugby Championship title
(Reuters) -Three early tries helped Irish side Leinster to a comprehensive 32-7 victory over South Africa's Bulls in the United Rugby Championship (URC) final in Dublin on Saturday and a record-extending ninth title. The hosts were clinical with their early burst as the rain poured down, with number eight Jack Conan, centre Jordie Barrett and flanker Josh van der Flier crossing the line, before Fintan Gunne's late try finished off an outstanding display. The Pretoria-based Bulls have now lost three of the last four URC finals in another major disappointment, even if they were underdogs against a team packed with players in the British & Irish Lions squad travelling to Australia this month. Hooker Akker van der Merwe scored the visitors' only try as Leinster made up in part for their recent shock home semi-final defeat by Northampton Saints in the European Champions Cup. (Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Ed Osmond)
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Motor racing-Norris fastest in final practice as Piastri hits the wall
Formula One F1 - Canadian Grand Prix - Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Quebec, Canada - June 14, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris during practice REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier MONTREAL (Reuters) -Lando Norris lapped fastest in final Canadian Grand Prix practice on Saturday as Formula One leader and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri hit Montreal's wall of champions. Norris lapped the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in one minute 11.799 seconds, 0.078 quicker than Ferrari's Charles Leclerc who was back on track after crashing on Friday and missing second practice. The Briton had described the previous day's practice as McLaren's worst Friday of the season but appeared more comfortable in the last track time before qualifying. Mercedes' 2024 pole-sitter George Russell was third, 0.151 off the pace, with Ferrari's seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton fourth and 0.251 slower than Norris. Red Bull's Max Verstappen, chasing an unprecedented fourth successive Canadian win on Sunday, was fifth fastest with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso sixth. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli was seventh and Piastri eighth, with the Australian briefly triggering red flags when he skimmed the famed wall at the last corner and scattered debris with 37 minutes to go. The championship leader was able to get back out again with 24 minutes remaining. The Australian leads Norris by 10 points after nine of 24 rounds. Carlos Sainz was ninth fastest for Williams with teammate Alex Albon 10th. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Ed Osmond)
