Daniil Medvedev has suggested a major rethink of the ATP Tour structure, arguing that the current system pushes players to compete more than they should.
Medvedev proposed a streamlined calendar built around the biggest events.
“Make it four Grand Slams … 11 Masters. The others, maybe make them without points.”
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He believes ranking points from smaller tournaments often force players into decisions that prioritise standings over health.
“That’s the only way to make the tour shorter. It’s never going to happen because there are licenses, and the ATP won’t have enough money to buy all of them.”
He pointed to the example of Holger Rune, who suffered an Achilles injury while competing in an ATP 250 event last year.
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“Everybody was like ‘Yeah, but you don’t have to play it’, but if he wants to be in Turin, he has to, even if it’s not a mandatory tournament.”
Medvedev admitted he has felt the same pressure.
“Last year I played seven tournaments in a row. Did I have to? No. I played bad at the beginning of the year, maybe I can get 100 points here, 200 here. If there would be no points, it’s an easier decision.”
He acknowledged that such changes are unlikely.
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“The other tournaments won’t say, ‘OK, we’re out’ because they would lose money. It’s business. Right now with how the ATP Tour is, it’s never going to change, at least while I’m playing.”
For Medvedev, the issue is not willingness to compete. It is the structure that makes rest difficult when rankings are always at stake.
“Benfica categorically denies that player Prestianni communicated to the squad or the club’s management that he had uttered a racist insult against Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior,” said a statement.
“As has already been made public, the player apologised to his team-mates for the incident that occurred during the match against Real Madrid, regretting its magnitude and consequences and assuring everyone, as he has done from the very beginning, that he is not racist.”
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Prestianni was provisionally suspended for Wednesday’s Champions League play-off defeat against Real after Vinicius alleged he was racially abused by the Argentinian in the first leg.
Vinicius Junior, who alleged Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni racially abused him, scored the winner at the Bernabeu as the Portuguese club were eliminated from the Champions League 3-1 on aggregate (Manu Fernandez/AP)
The Brazilian left the field and refused to return, resulting in a stoppage in play that lasted 10 minutes in Lisbon.
Benfica boss Jose Mourinho was roundly criticised for his comments about the incident after appearing to intimate the winger had brought any abuse upon himself with his goal celebration, saying “a stadium where Vinicius plays, something happens, always”.
On Wednesday evening, Vinicius Jr scored the winner as Real Madrid beat Benfica 2-1 on the night.
Benfica had levelled the tie when Rafa Silva bundled home from close range after 14 minutes.
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But the lead lead lasted only two minutes as Aurelien Tchouameni swept home superbly from the edge of the box for his first Champions League goal.
The contest was still finely balanced when Vinicius broke through 10 minutes from time and stroked the ball home for a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Real Madrid fans displayed anti-racism banners before kick-off – and ultimately it was the Brazilian who had the final word as the Spanish giants reached the last 16 of the Champions League.
There is a 10-game NBA schedule on Thursday night, perfect for claiming the newest Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS, which offers new users a $10 cash bonus after $10 in trades. One of the biggest games of the day is Suns vs. Lakers in a Western Conference showdown at 9 p.m. ET. Phoenix is without its top two scorers due to injury, giving other players an opportunity to step up. One of those players is shooting guard Jalen Green, who is still trying to find his role after missing most of the season thus far.
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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model enters Week 19 on a sizzling 38-18 roll on top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season. Anyone following its advice could have seen huge returns.
Jalen Green, Suns, 20 points or more ($0.58 per share)
Phoenix is currently playing without its top two scorers in Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, who are averaging a combined 45 points per game. This has created a huge opportunity for Green, who has finally been able to get healthy after missing extensive time over the last few months. He has played in four straight games after playing in just seven other games this season. Green averaged 21 points per game for Houston last year before landing in Phoenix, and he will be relied upon heavily on Thursday night. SportsLine’s model has Green finishing with 24.4 points in its latest simulations, providing cushion at this price.
Miles Bridges, Hornets, 6 or more rebounds ($0.56 per share)
Bridges has been Charlotte’s second-leading rebounder this season, averaging 6.1 boards per game. He also plays a team-high 32 minutes per game and is coming off a 7-rebound performance against Chicago on Tuesday. Bridges only played 22 minutes in his return from a suspension, but he made a significant impact. His minutes should be significantly higher against Indiana on Thursday night, and the model has Bridges finishing with 7.2 rebounds.
Josh Giddey, Bulls, 6 or more assists ($0.64 per share)
Giddey is averaging a team-high 8.4 assists per game for Chicago this season, sitting well ahead of teammate Tre Jones (5.4 apg). This is a chance to expect positive regression for Giddey after he finished with six assists or fewer in each of his last four games after returning from a hamstring injury. He was on a minutes’ restriction in those outings, playing 27 minutes or fewer. The model has Giddey playing 28 minutes and recording 7.0 assists on Thursday night against Portland.
The men’s team was criticised after several players appeared to laugh when Trump made his comment, but Knight said: “I think there’s a genuine level of support there and respect. That’s being overshadowed by a quick lapse.
“The guys were in a tough spot, so I think it’s a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and [is] overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on.”
Knight, 36, ended her Olympic career with 15 goals, the most by any US male or female player.
She said she hopes the Trump controversy proves to be a “really good learning point, to really focus on how we talk about women, not only in sport but in industry”.
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She said: “Women aren’t less than, and their achievements shouldn’t be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are.”
Victor Osimhen has explained why he chose not to celebrate after scoring a vital goal for Galatasaray in their dramatic Champions League clash against Juventus on Wednesday night.
Juventus claimed a 3-2 win after extra time at the Allianz Stadium, but Galatasaray progressed to the Round of 16 with a 7-5 aggregate victory.
The Turkish side travelled to Italy with a strong 5-2 advantage from the first leg in Istanbul. However, Juventus responded impressively in Turin.
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Despite being reduced to ten men, the Italian club stormed into a 3-0 lead on the night, forcing the match into extra time and threatening a remarkable comeback.
Only minutes into extra time, Osimhen scored the decisive goal to restore Galatasaray’s aggregate lead and seal qualification. Instead of celebrating wildly, the Nigerian forward calmly exchanged handshakes with teammates.
After the match, Osimhen explained that his reaction was out of respect for Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti, whom he worked with at SSC Napoli.
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“No, I don’t need to, I don’t need to,” Osimhen said. “I think it’s important to respect a man I love and who has played an important role in my career — I’m obviously talking about Spalletti. I didn’t feel the need to celebrate.”
While happy that Galatasaray reached the knockout stage for the first time in 12 years, Osimhen admitted he was not pleased with his team’s performance.
“We played very poorly, even when they were a man down, so there was no reason to celebrate,” he added.
“Even when we had the opportunity to score the decisive goal, the one to make it 3-1, I didn’t feel the need to celebrate. I’m not that kind of player, someone who tries to hide his emotions, or who does things like that. I saw all these people applauding the Juventus players for their performance, and I can say I’m happy…”
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Galatasaray will now wait for the draw to find out whether they will face Liverpool FC or Tottenham Hotspur FC in the Round of 16.
With India gearing up for a must-win ICC Men’s T20 World Cup clash against Zimbabwe in Chennai, former cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has urged the team to return to their fearless, attacking approach if they are to keep their semi-final hopes alive.The MA Chidambaram Stadium is set for a high-pressure evening, with India not only needing victory but also a sizeable margin to boost their net run-rate.
India Playing XI drama: How three players are fighting for two spots | Sanju Samson IN?
Speaking on JioHotstar, Chopra analysed India’s qualification scenario and pointed out the challenges ahead.On India’s road to the semi-finals, he said, “The tricky problem for India is they need to win both of their remaining Super Eight matches, and they will also be hoping that South Africa win their games against West Indies and Zimbabwe. But if that does not happen, then the net run-rate comes into play.”Chopra emphasised that if qualification comes down to net run-rate, India must rediscover their attacking mindset. He believes captain Suryakumar Yadav has a key role to play in that shift.“That is when India will need to bring out their explosive brand of cricket. Suryakumar Yadav is the man for that role. He needs to bat at three and bat with freedom. Against South Africa, I felt he was too slow. By the time he got out, the mountain was too high for others to climb,” he said.Chopra also raised concerns about India’s current batting pattern, suggesting it lacks balance and clarity.“India have batters at the top who go hammer and tongs from ball one and lose their wicket. That puts the team in tricky situations. Then the batters who come in after are too cautious and conservative. They start eating deliveries regardless of the pitch, conditions or the bowler. They play the situation completely and fall behind in the game.”He further pointed out that this measured approach is a departure from the fearless cricket India have showcased in recent years.“This is not the brand of cricket India have played in the last two years. They took pride in saying we hammer teams and score 250, 260 or 270. But Suryakumar Yadav and his men have perhaps forgotten that formula. The template now is to score just 180-190. That is good enough on some days, but good teams chase those totals easily. India need to bring back their aggressive brand of cricket. If they don’t, their hopes of making the semi-finals could be in trouble,” he concluded.With their campaign hanging in the balance, India must deliver a commanding performance against Zimbabwe to stay in contention for a semi-final spot.Also See: IND vs ZIM Live Score
Both Illinois and Indiana advanced their respective bills in an effort to lure the Chicago Bears out of the city.
The House Public Finance Committee advanced the bill Thursday that would freeze property taxes for mega projects like a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights.
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But members of the Illinois House of Representatives adjourned without voting on the bill.
They will not return to Springfield until March 18.
The state has thus far failed to commit to infrastructure improvements and property tax certainty.
An amendment from Chicago-area state Rep. Kam Buckner outlines tax breaks on infrastructure the state would provide to entice the Bears to build in Arlington Heights, where the McCaskey family already owns the old Arlington Racetrack.
Gov. JB Pritzker spoke about the battle over the Bears on MS NOW.
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“I am not going to be shaken down, and I have set out some very clear guidelines. And my guidelines are we are not going to fleece the taxpayers of the state of Illinois. We are not going to let the Bears do that,” Pritzker said.
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The full House needs to approve the bill before Pritzker would sign it.
Arlington Heights residents and some Bears fans showed up in Springfield Thursday.
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“The Bears belong in Illinois, period. George Stanley Halas would be turning over in his grave if he knew they would even get out of the city of Chicago let alone the state of Illinois,” Bears fan Marty Tadla said.
The revised mega-project bill was supposed to be heard last week, but got canceled at the last minute.
In Indiana, the state Senate passed a bill for a new Chicago Bears stadium, 45-4.
Gov. Mike Braun said on X Thursday afternoon he signed the bill.
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“We made it clear from the beginning that Indiana is open for business. I’m thrilled to sign Senate Bill 27 to create the framework to build a new world-class stadium in Northwest Indiana,” he said. “Now let’s get this across the goal line.”
The city of Chicago is still technically in the running to keep the Bears.
SARASOTA, Fla. — Baltimore Orioles top prospect Samuel Basallo left a game Thursday because of right side abdominal discomfort after the catcher made a sweeping tag for an out at the plate.
Basallo, whose $67 million, eight-year contract starts this season, took a relay throw and lunged to tag out Detroit’s Matt Vierling, who slid headfirst toward the plate while trying to score from first base on Hao-Yu Lee’s double to right-centre.
There was no collision, but as Basallo reached and applied the tag his gloved left arm got tangled with Vierling’s left arm while the runner tried to reach for the plate hile sliding to the outside.
Vierling was on his stomach when his body got twisted away from the plate. Basallo appeared to land hard on his stomach, immediately grimacing in pain and reaching for his stomach while rolling over onto his back. That was the second out of the third inning, and Basallo exited after an athletic trainer checked on him for several minutes.
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The 21-year-old Basallo made his big league debut last Aug. 17, less than a week before reaching the big deal with the Orioles. That contract includes a team option for 2034.
Basallo hit .165 with four homers and 15 RBIs in his 31 games last season, and is expected get a lot of games at catcher even though the Orioles also have Adley Rutschman. Basallo could also be the designated hitter and maybe play first base.
Morocco step up preparations with Burkina Faso friendlies
As preparations continue for upcoming international competitions, the Morocco women’s national football team will face the Burkina Faso women’s national football team in two friendly matches in Rabat.
The fixtures are scheduled for February 27 and March 3 and will both be played at the Prince Heir Moulay El Hassan Stadium, with kick-off set for 10:00 p.m.
Led by head coach Jorge Vilda, the matches form part of Morocco’s ongoing preparation program as the team builds rhythm ahead of future international assignments.
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The friendlies offer an opportunity to assess squad depth, refine tactical structure and maintain competitive sharpness as the Lionesses of the Atlas continue their development.
Hubballi: Jammu and Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)
Hubballi: A surface that had appeared lifeless for most of the first two days sprang to life on Thursday, not because of any change in conditions, but due to the quality of bowling. Unlike Karnataka’s attack, which needed 173.1 overs to dismiss Jammu and Kashmir for an imposing 584 in the first innings, the visitors required just 48.2 overs and 235 minutes to remove half of the home side’s batting line-up. At stumps on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy final at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium here, Karnataka were 220/5 in 69 overs, thanks largely to an unbeaten 130 from opener Mayank Agarwal. The eight-time champions, trailing by 364 runs, now require a monumental batting effort from the remaining line-up to stay in contention. The J&K bowlers, on their part, made the red cherry swing, bowled on the stumps and off the seam. They ticked boxes which the more experienced Karnataka line-up failed even to see. Leading the charge was strike bowler Auqib Nabi (3/32), who combined accuracy with intensity. When the battle lines for the title tilt were drawn, much of the discussion had centred on Nabi’s duel with a Karnataka top order that has four Test batters in the mix, and the seamer lived up to expectations. In a decisive passage of play spanning four overs on either side of lunch, Nabi removed KL Rahul, Karun Nair and the season’s highest run-getter R Smaran, each dismissal coming off deliveries that extracted life from an otherwise docile surface. Opening the bowling, Nabi immediately put Rahul under pressure with probing full-length deliveries, occasionally mixing in the short ball. Rahul needed 15 deliveries to get off the mark before briefly finding rhythm with two boundaries off Sunil Kumar. Nabi eventually had the last word, producing a delivery that moved late to take a faint edge through to wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan. Sunil struck soon after, dismissing Karnataka skipper Devdutt Padikkal. Rooted to the crease, Padikkal poked tentatively outside off stump, and Abdul Samad completed the catch in the slips. Karun Nair followed almost immediately, falling to a peach of a delivery. Nabi angled one in sharply and Karun misjudged the line, the ball crashing into his off stump. Nabi then completed a devastating spell by removing Smaran, whose uncertain push at a back-of-a-length delivery resulted in an outside edge that Wadhawan safely pouched. Reduced to 57/4, Karnataka were firmly on the back foot, and the packed stadium went silent, barring the celebrations and chirping from the J&K side. Amid the collapse, Mayank stood tall. The opener remained composed despite the carnage around him and focused on the long task ahead. More assured than his teammates, he countered the swing by getting well forward and worked the ball into gaps to ease the pressure on the scoreboard. Shreyas Gopal (27) provided support in a steady partnership before being trapped leg before wicket by Yudhvir Singh. Wicketkeeper Kruthik Krishna (27 batting) then joined Mayank, and the pair ensured Karnataka reached stumps without further damage. With a massive first-innings deficit still looming, the home team’s hopes hinge on whether Mayank and the lower order can pull off a heist. Earlier, J&K, who started the day at 527/6, added 57 runs to their tally before being dismissed for 584. Pacer Prasidh Krishna finished with a five-wicket haul (5/98).
PSG once again showed moments of weakness but ultimately prevailed as the European champions advanced to the Champions League round of 16 after a 2-2 draw at home against 10-man Monaco (5-4 on aggregate). They will face either Barcelona or Chelsea in the round of 16, with the draw scheduled for Friday.
