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‘Best honeymoon ever’: Keys hails reluctant husband-coach after Slam win

Madison Keys of the US, celebrates with her husband, Bjorn Fratangelo, after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 25 January 2025
AFP
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‘Best honeymoon ever’: Keys hails reluctant husband-coach after Slam win

  • “I feel like this is the best honeymoon ever. This is perfect,” a beaming Keys said
  • “I have the most supportive, best husband in the entire world, who didn’t even want to coach me”
Updated 25 January 2025
AFP

MELBOURNE: Madison Keys paid tribute to her coach and new husband Bjorn Fratangelo saying it “was the best honeymoon ever” after winning her first Grand Slam title on Saturday aged 29 — and then revealed he did not even want the job.
The American battled injury and self-doubts last year and curtailed her season early, in October, to get married.
“I feel like this is the best honeymoon ever. This is perfect,” a beaming Keys said.
The former teen prodigy, who first won a WTA match at 14, has now finally got her hands on a major after beating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in the Australian Open final.

“I have the most supportive, best husband in the entire world, who didn’t even want to coach me,” Keys said on Channel Nine TV straight after lifting the trophy.
“And I was like, please, please come with me.
“So it took some arm-twisting, and he has just been the most supportive, and he’s fully believed in me every step of the way.”
Keys is the fourth-oldest first-time winner of a major since the Open Era began in 1968.
She overcame fierce three-set challenges from both the two top seeds, Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, in the semifinal and final.
“I have absolutely the greatest team,” Keys said.
“They have really believed in me in the moments that I didn’t believe in myself.
“They helped me completely rebuild after some pretty gnarly injuries last year.
“And if it wasn’t for those three people who have been cheering me on all week through all of the three-set matches, I wouldn’t be here.”
Keys is on a tour-leading 12-match unbeaten streak after lifting the Adelaide International trophy two weeks ago and will move up to world number seven, equalling her career-best ranking from 2016.
“I think dealing with some of the injuries that I dealt with last year really kind of forced me into some changes.
“It made me kind of have to stop being stubborn and listen to my husband.
“It pushed me to get a little bit uncomfortable and be okay with that. And I feel like buying into that just set me up to start playing some really good tennis.”

Topics: Australian Open Madison Keys Bjorn Fratangelo

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Nigerian federation, league and club found negligent for player’s death, says FIFPRO

Updated 35 sec ago
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Nigerian federation, league and club found negligent for player’s death, says FIFPRO

Updated 35 sec ago
Martins, who played for Nasarawa United, died aged 23 when he collapsed during a match where the medical services were deemed insufficient
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria ruled the club “breached their duty of care“

NAIROBI: A Nigerian club, the league and the country’s football federation (NFF) were found negligent for the death of player Chineme Martins after he collapsed during a game in March 2020, players’ union FIFPRO said on Thursday.
Martins, who played for Nasarawa United, died aged 23 when he collapsed during a match where the medical services were deemed insufficient.
According to FIFPRO, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria ruled the club “breached their duty of care” toward Martins and they must compensate his family.
The court also said the league, the NFF and match commissioner had a duty of care to ensure the club complied with relevant regulations and they breached it.
FIFPRO added that an NFF report concluded that there was neither a medical doctor nor a physiotherapist at the game while there was “no functional ambulance at the stadium” when he collapsed.
“The court’s ruling stated it was ‘reprehensible’ that Martins was allowed to play without complete medical tests,” FIFPRO said in a statement.
“An echocardiogram was never conducted on Martins at the start of each of his three seasons with the club – and without the provision of adequate medical facilities at the Lafia Township Stadium.”
FIFPRO said its lawyers had helped the player’s family pursue the claim of negligence.
“I hope that the appropriate medical provisions are put in place for Nigeria’s footballers going forward, so that no family has to endure the pain we have suffered,” Martins’ brother Michael said.
Reuters has contacted the NFF and the Nigeria Premier League for comment.

Formula One brings thrills to Jeddah Corniche this weekend

Updated 22 min 48 sec ago
SALEH FAREED
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Formula One brings thrills to Jeddah Corniche this weekend

  • Fifth edition brings the world’s elite drivers to Saudi Arabia’s second city
  • International artists including Usher, Major Lazer Soundsystem and Jennifer Lopez to perform
Updated 22 min 48 sec ago
SALEH FAREED

JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has become one of the most popular races on the Formula One calendar. This year, in its fifth edition, the race is expected to be packed with enthusiastic fans and great racing action.

F1 enthusiasts are all set for the fifth round of the championship and the final leg of F1’s first triple-header.

Fans heading to the Grand Prix can look forward to an electrifying weekend as they witness the world’s elite drivers compete at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit — known as the fastest street circuit on the F1 calendar.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation and Saudi Motorsport Co., said: “This year marks a significant milestone: our fifth consecutive F1 race at the record-breaking Jeddah Corniche Circuit, spectacularly set along the stunning Red Sea coastline.

“We are thrilled to return to our traditional Sunday race following the unique Saturday night spectacle of 2024.”

He continued: “We extend our profound gratitude to the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, crown prince and prime minister … for their visionary leadership.

“Their continued support fuels our efforts to position the Kingdom as a global hub for sport and innovation.

“Our sincere thanks also go to Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport, whose steadfast dedication drives the success of Vision 2030.”

The race is expected to be a tough one as the McLaren driver Oscar Piastri heads to Jeddah after his emphatic win in Bahrain.

The Australian now trails championship leader Lando Norris by just three points, while Max Verstappen and Georg Russel remain behind them.

With the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix scheduled to be held April 18-20, millions of motorsport enthusiasts will be turning their attention to Jeddah as teams and drivers prepare for a new race on the fastest track.

Fans will be flocking to the corniche for everything from the high-speed thrills of the race itself to a wide range of side activities. One of the most anticipated events is the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Fan Experience, a free daytime attraction that has already sold out for Friday and Saturday.

Beyond the on-track action, attendees will enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with live music and entertainment, as well as opportunities to see F1 superstars up close.

Fans can enjoy an exciting lineup of live performances from global superstars, including Usher, Major Lazer Soundsystem, and Jennifer Lopez.

To make the race a success, the Saudi Ministry of Education has announced a school holiday April 20-21 for students and education staff in Jeddah, Makkah, and Taif to support the race.

Since its inaugural edition in 2021, the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has established itself as a highly anticipated annual event, attracting large audiences and a significant media presence from around the world.

Topics: Formula One (F1) Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Jeddah Corniche Circuit

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Egyptians take on South Africans in African Champions League semis

Updated 52 min 52 sec ago
Reuters
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Egyptians take on South Africans in African Champions League semis

  • Holders Al Ahly continue their bid for a fifth title in six seasons in Pretoria on Saturday
  • Egyptian giants Al Ahly are the dominant force in African football and have won 12 previous Champions League titles
Updated 52 min 52 sec ago
Reuters

CAPE TOWN: Two Egyptian clubs face two from South Africa this weekend in the semifinals of this season’s African Champions League in a rare bilateral contest.
Holders Al Ahly continue their bid for a fifth title in six seasons in Pretoria on Saturday against Mamelodi Sundowns, a side who once handed them a record defeat but have too often exited in the knockout stages after dominating the group phase.
Also on Saturday, Pyramids will be hoping to consolidate their fast-track emergence as a force in the African game when they take on Orlando Pirates in Soweto.
The return legs are both in Cairo next Friday with the winners advancing to the two-legged final at the end of May and in early June.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly are the dominant force in African football and have won 12 previous Champions League titles while the other three semifinalists have two triumphs between them — Pirates in 1995 and Sundowns in 2016.


But despite their strong track record, Ahly are not favorites after unconvincing performances in the league phase, where they were runners-up in their group.
There has been criticism of their Swiss coach Marc Koller in recent days after they also stumbled against Pyramids in the Egyptian league.
Sundowns handed Ahly a record 5-0 defeat in the 2019 quarter-finals and also scored five against them in Pretoria two years ago in the group phase.
But the South African club, owned by the family of Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe, have a long history of falling short in the knockout rounds.
Pyramids are competing in the Champions League for only the second time.
The club was formed in 2008 but moved to Cairo a decade later after being taken over by Saudi investors and are well placed to win a first Egyptian championship at the end of this season.
Opponents Pirates were one of only two unbeaten sides in the group competition and have won three away matches in north Africa in this season’s campaign.
But they will need home success on Saturday to ensure a defendable lead to take to Cairo for the return leg.
It is not the first time clubs from two countries have clashed in both Champions League semifinals.
In the 2020, Al Ahly beat Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca 5-1 on aggregate in their semifinal, while Zamalek were too good for Raja Casablanca, winning 4-1 over their two ties.
Al Ahly edged Cairo rivals Zamalek 2-1 in the final in the Egyptian capital.

Topics: African Champions League Zamalek Al Ahly Egypt South Africa

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Bayern defender Stanisic sorry for pushing ball kid in Champions League loss

Updated 17 April 2025
AP
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Bayern defender Stanisic sorry for pushing ball kid in Champions League loss

  • “Every team in the world tries to run down the clock a little," Stanisic told German media
  • “It was also maybe a bit stupid of me and I'm sorry that I pushed him”
Updated 17 April 2025
AP

MILAN: Bayern Munich defender Josip Stanisic has apologized for pushing a ball kid during the Champions League quarterfinal loss at Inter Milan.
Stanisic pushed the ball kid off his stool after the boy appeared to throw the ball away to delay Stanisic taking a throw-in during added time. Bayern were seeking another goal to force extra time and went on to lose Tuesday's game 4-3 on aggregate.
“Every team in the world tries to run down the clock a little. They did that a bit better than some others," Stanisic told German media in comments broadcast on Wednesday by sports website RAN.


“It was also maybe a bit stupid of me and I'm sorry that I pushed him. In that moment I was just really annoyed that these little games were being played and I found that unnecessary.”
Inter's coaching staff spotted the incident immediately and appealed to the referee. Stanisic was not booked.
UEFA didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on whether it would pursue any disciplinary proceedings against Stanisic.

Topics: Bayern Munich Josip Stanisic UEFA Champions League

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One-legged footballer shines in German amateur league

Updated 17 April 2025
Reuters
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One-legged footballer shines in German amateur league

  • The social worker now showcases that passion weekly with Bavarian club TSV Brand’s second team
  • Coach Ulf Forster highlights Kaiser’s tangible contribution during his debut appearance
Updated 17 April 2025
Reuters

ECKENTAL, Germany: Pierre Kaiser has truly mastered the art of ball juggling. And when it comes to the classic rondo drill, the 35-year-old is right in the thick of it. What makes it special: in 2007, Pierre lost his leg in a train accident. Since then, football has become his greatest passion.
The social worker now showcases that passion weekly with Bavarian club TSV Brand’s second team, where his remarkable determination has earned him a spot in regular league play this season.
“I moved out here, to the countryside with my wife, and our neighbor came over and said, ‘Oh, you played amputee football? Well, you’re coming along to training’,” Kaiser recalled. “At first, I didn’t really want to, but he kept asking, and eventually I joined the guys — and they were just an incredibly friendly bunch. It was so much fun.”
His impact extends beyond mere participation. Coach Ulf Forster highlights Kaiser’s tangible contribution during his debut appearance.
“He already got a run-out from us once, and everyone was absolutely thrilled. He basically helped set up the 2-1 goal by unsettling the defense,” Forster said. “That’s what led to the goal — the opponents just didn’t know how to respond.”
Kaiser’s commitment shines through in every training session, though he acknowledges certain limitations remain — matching teammates’ speed and enduring full matches present ongoing challenges. His crutches, meanwhile, follow specific rules: if he deliberately blocks the ball with them, play stops as with a handball.
Between amateur league matches, Kaiser competes at the elite level of German amputee football.
“In four or five weeks, the amputee football Bundesliga kicks off again. There are five teams competing. We have five matchdays, and the champion is decided through a playoff in October,” he explained.
While continuing his Wednesday training routine with TSV Brand, Kaiser is simultaneously working to establish an amputee football team in nearby Eckental — because football, after all, is for everyone.

Topics: Germany soccer player one-legged TSV Brand

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