French hero ⁠Gaël Monfils bade ​a fond farewell to Roland Garros after going down 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-0 to compatriot ​Hugo Gaston in the first round on Monday, departing to loud applause that celebrated two decades of charisma and crowd-pleasing tennis.

A few hours after fellow veteran Stan Wawrinka brought the curtain down ​on his ‌French Open career, the 39-year-old Monfils struggled to find his best ⁠level but persisted to give adoring supporters on Court Philippe Chatrier the marathon they wanted.

“Here we are, I love you all ‌so much. I’ll try to be quick and to the point,” Monfils said ⁠after a tribute video on the big screen that showcased his flair on court and connection with Parisian fans.

Read moreNo Alcaraz, no party? Five reasons not to miss this year’s French Open

Monfils thanked his parents, family, wife and fellow ​player Elina Svitolina, coaches and the French Tennis Federation before addressing the ‌fans.

“I’d like to thank you all,” he added.

“Every year I come to play at the French Open, I get goosebumps. Every time, I say to myself ‘this is magical’. I’ve created something powerful, ‌unique, exceptional.

“I’m going to miss you. This tournament is fabulous, it’s magical. Roland Garros, I love you, I owe you everything.”

Monfils, ​who will retire at the end of the season, lost the opening set. He drew roaring applause when he mounted a comeback attempt in the second set, but Gaston quickly ​snuffed out the challenge to double his lead in the match.

Fans seeking a late flourish ​were rewarded as Monfils broke for a 5-3 lead en ​route to winning the third set and then raced through the fourth to set up a tantalising decider, but Gaston steadied to ​blank his opponent for the win.

“There are a lot of emotions,” Gaston said.

“There is joy but mostly sadness, I’m so sorry for you, Gael. I want to congratulate you, thank you for all you have done for us, the young players, and for your incredible career.

“You’re a ⁠French legend, a legend of our sport.”

Tributes followed from Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Gilles Simon, Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga ⁠and Wawrinka among ​others, leaving the Frenchman beaming as the curtain finally came down on his Roland Garros journey.

Read moreWawrinka bids an emotional adieu to Roland Garros in first-round defeat

FRANCE 24 with Reuters

Arizona State legend and former Atlanta Braves standout Bob Horner has died, the Braves announced Tuesday. He was 68 years old.

The club honored him with a corresponding statement:

“Bob Horner built a career out of being first. He was the first overall pick in the 1978 draft after an illustrious collegiate career. He was the first Braves draftee to skip the minor leagues entirely and debut directly in the majors. And he was the first Atlanta player to ever hit four home runs in a single game, when he did so against the Montreal Expos in 1986.

“The National League Rookie of the Year in 1978 and an NL All-Star in 1982, Horner teamed with Dale Murphy to form one of the most feared power duos in the game for nearly a decade.”

Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis got what he was hoping for: Aaron Rodgers to play one more season in the black and gold.

The Steelers officially signed Rodgers to a one-year deal worth up to $25 million last week, and Bettis said there is excitement in the air.

“It was hoped, not necessarily expected, was hoped that he would consider coming back for one more year. Now it’s an excitement in the air obviously knowing that it is his last year as well. We’re in that space where we’re excited about the upcoming season,” Bettis told Fox News Digital.

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Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Jan. 4, 2026. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Rodgers told reporters that this upcoming season will be the final season of his illustrious career. Bettis said that the Steelers want to send him off on a high note, and they want to have a great season too.

“You want to send him off well, but you also want to have a great season and look forward to the future. So, there’s a lot of excitement around Aaron coming back for his last year,” Bettis said.

Last season was Rodgers’ first with the Steelers, and he started 16 games while missing one due to injury. The four-time NFL MVP proved he still had some juice left in the tank, completing 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Before the Steelers signed Rodgers, they drafted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. They also have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph as their backup quarterbacks.

Bettis is one of the best running backs in Steelers history. Nicknamed “The Bus,” Bettis is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Jan. 4, 2026. (GETTY)

In 13 seasons in the NFL, with the last 10 with the Steelers, Bettis ran for 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns while catching 200 passes for 1,449 yards and three touchdowns. He was an integral part of the Steelers’ Super Bowl XL win over the Seattle Seahawks, as he ran for three touchdowns during their playoff run.

American Century Championship

Bettis will be playing in the American Century Tournament from July 10-12 at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe.

The tournament has raised more than $8 million for regional and national charities. American Century Investments donates 40% of its profits to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and activates fundraising at the tournament to drive direct donations to Stowers each year.

Bettis has been a longtime competitor in the tournament since retiring in 2006. He said it has been “incredible” to see the event grow over the years.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer said he is still trying to round into form for the tournament. Bettis said he is trying a new swing and is wondering how it will hold up.

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Jerome Bettis speaks on SiriusXM during Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, La., on Feb. 5, 2025. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Bettis said his favorite part of the tournament is interacting with the athletes and having fun with the guys.

“I think the favorite part is really getting to chop it up with the athletes because obviously being retired, you don’t get the chance to do that anymore. And so, when you do get a chance to kind of rib guys and have fun with guys like that locker room experience again, it’s really fun and exhilarating,” Bettis said.

The tournament will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

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Marvin Jones, unable to carry the Bolts in Game 3, will step aside as Meralco brings in Patrick Gardner. —PBA IMAGES

Meralco coach Luigi Trillo has allowed the sting of the Bolts’ Game 3 loss in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals to settle.

Now, he simply wants his team to forget what has happened, reset and even the series.

“I expect us to be better,” Trillo told the Inquirer on Tuesday over the phone. “I expect us to shoot better. I expect us to play better. This is a long series.”

“It’s not over by a long shot. This series is only starting. We can’t dwell too much on Game 3. That’s already water under the bridge.”

Forgetting might not be that hard.

There’s so much for Meralco to focus on, especially with the team bringing in a new import in 7-foot import Patrick Gardner, who previously played in Japan’s B.League, after it became clear Marvin Jones wouldn’t be enough to carry the Bolts to the Finals.

Moving on from that Game 3 loss, however, won’t be easy.

Meralco, with its complete lineup intact, still absorbed a narrow 77-75 defeat to a TNT side that played without an import.

But Trillo was hardly surprised by the Tropang 5G’s ability to compete despite the absence of reinforcement, Bol Bol, who exited the conference early because of a partially torn Achilles tendon.

“There’s a reason why they’re a championship team,” Trillo said.

“There’s a reason why those guys made back-to-back All-Filipino Finals. I warned before the game that even without Bol Bol, this TNT team knows how to play together.”

Locals deliver

And now, the Bolts will have to deal with a reinforced Tropang 5G.

TNT has tapped former NBA player Chris McCullough to replace Bol after earlier exploring options that included Darius Days, Marquese Chriss and eventually Malick Diouf. The Senegalese standout from the UAAP, however, failed to secure clearance in time to become the league’s first foreign student-athlete import.

“He’s a guy who can really put the ball in the basket, so it’s not going to be easy,” Trillo said of McCullough. “We know we have our work cut out for us. It’s something new that we have to prepare for.”

“We know McCullough is great in isolation. He’s got a good offensive game, he’s long and he’s a good pickup by TNT.”

TNT’s locals delivered when it mattered most in Game 3. Rey Nambatac led the Tropang 5G with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading added 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Roger Pogoy finished with only nine points, but he knocked down the game-winning shot that gave TNT a crucial 2-1 series lead.

The two teams clash anew on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. INQ

World number one Aryna Sabalenka sealed a stylish win to make the second round of the French Open, while ​Naomi Osaka brought runway flair to Roland Garros, but sixth seed Daniil Medvedev unravelled on a searing Tuesday in Paris.

Reigning Paris champion Coco Gauff recovered from a sluggish start to outclass Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-0 with several Americans also progressing despite a heatwave in the French capital making conditions challenging for players and fans.

Jannik Sinner will begin his quest for ​a maiden French Open title ‌to complete the career Grand Slam when the Italian takes on Frenchman Clement Tabur in the evening session on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Dressed ⁠in a black-and-red mesh outfit and wearing a diamond necklace, Sabalenka dismissed Spain‘s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4 6-2 win before brushing off concerns about the added flourish by saying she was completely at ease.

Read moreNo Alcaraz, no party? Five reasons not to miss this year’s French Open

“I like to challenge myself,” the Belarusian told reporters. “But ‌at the same time, the dress is super light … I don’t feel the dress on me. I was thinking it’s going to be ⁠super hot wearing black, but it doesn’t feel like black colour on me, I feel really comfortable.

“And the diamonds, I don’t really feel the heaviness of it, but I can imagine how it looks from the outside … for me, it’s important to look good. If I feel good looks-wise, I perform better ​and I feel great.”

While Sabalenka set the tone, former world number one Osaka added a touch of Parisian flair as she walked ‌onto Court Suzanne Lenglen in a sequined blouse and a black mesh floor-length train before unveiling a layered yellow-brown and gold match dress.

The tennis was equally sparkling as the 16th seed overcame tricky German Laura Siegemund 6-3 7-6 (3) before hinting at the inspiration behind her match outfit.

“I feel like … you know the Eiffel Tower at night when it’s sparkly? I think I look like that ‌a bit,” Osaka said.

‘No excuses’

Daniil Medvedev has never been comfortable in the Roland Garros spotlight and the Russian crashed 6-2 1-6 6-1 1-6 6-4 to Australian wildcard Adam Walton for his seventh opening-round defeat in 10 appearances at the Grand Slam.

Read moreOpening Day of Roland Garros: Brazilian prodigy Joao Fronseca to play

“I don’t ​want to find excuses,” he said. “I know why I don’t really play my best at Roland Garros, but if I say it, it’s excuses. So I’ll keep it to myself.

“Maybe I should consider playing a tournament before (it), which I usually don’t do before Grand Slams, but when it doesn’t work, why not? That’s the only thing I’ll ​consider next year.”

Walton said hailing from Queensland and being comfortable in furnace-like conditions helped him prevail.

“I grew up in the heat. I’ve always preferred when the court gives my ​shots extra, which is what the heat does,” he added.

“I seem to be able to last. I’m not saying I ​last better than him, but I last better than probably the field in the heat. Just given the way I play, that’s one aspect that is huge for me, because I’m not the most talented player out there.”

Walton was joined in the next round ​by compatriot Alex de Minaur, who advanced after rising Belgian Alexander Blockx was forced to withdraw with a right ankle sprain, while Alexandre Muller retired injured trailing Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 3-0.

Briton Cameron Norrie pulled out injured from a major for the first time as a rib issue meant he was unable to continue after going down 7-6 (7) 2-0. American Learner Tien dished out the bagels during his 6-0 2-6 6-0 6-2 win over Cristian Garin, while compatriots Zachary Svajda, Emma Navarro, Iva Jovic, Claire Liu, Ann Li all went through with little trouble.

A ⁠day after French favourite Gael Monfils went out of his home Grand Slam for the final time, Parisian fans were given a glimpse of the future as teenager Moise Kouame downed 2014 US. Open champion Marin Cilic ⁠7-6 (4) 6-2 6-1. Victory meant the 17-year-old ​wildcard became the youngest man to win a Grand Slam main draw match in 17 years.

“It’s a lot of emotion, it’s exceptional,” Kouame said. “Coming into this tournament, I didn’t know what to expect. The team and I worked hard to be as ready as possible.”

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)

Stephen A. Smith’s nephew, Josh Smith, took a big swing at Jaylen Brown following the Knicks’ qualification to the NBA Finals. New York punched their ticket to the Finals following a 130-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.

Shortly after the Knicks’ victory, Josh Smith shared a video on his Instagram account. In the video, Stephen A. Smith’s nephew showered the Celtics star with insults.

“Jaylen Brown, change your f****** name, there is only one Jalen in this Eastern Conference, you bum a**,” he said.

“F*** Jaylen Brown, Jaylen Black, Jaylen Pink and f*** that s*** you’ve been putting in your head too.”

Jaylen Brown and Stephen A. Smith have been involved in a beef that started during the 2026 playoffs. On May. 6, Smith called out the Celtics star for naming the time without Jayson Tatum as his favorite this season. He told Brown to be quiet if he did not want to be traded.

The following day, the Celtics star fired back at the “First Take” host on his Twitch livestream. He told Smith to retire from sports journalism if he wanted him to be quiet. Later, the Celtics star accused Smith of not being a true journalist.

Jaylen Brown challenges Stephen A. Smith to a live debate

On May. 18, Stephen A. Smith responded to Jaylen Brown calling him out on his professional responsibilities. He warned the Celtics star not to provoke him. On Monday, Brown reacted to Smith’s comment on his livestream.

He challenged the “First Take” host to a live debate at Harvard or MIT.

“Stephen A., here’s my proposal: Why don’t we have a live audience debate, traditional media versus us athletes?” he said. “And let’s do a live debate in front of a live-streamed audience at a mutual location like Harvard or MIT. And let’s talk about it. Let’s see who comes out on top. Should be easy. Should be a piece of cake.”

“Mainstream traditional media versus the athlete. Let’s set it up. Harvard, MIT, live and let’s see who comes out on top. You know where to find me.”

Stephen A. Smith has not yet responded to the Celtics star’s proposal. Brown had one of the best runs of his career this season. He averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game on 47.7% shooting. He finished in sixth place in the MVP race.