CNN-Sports

By Matias Grez, CNN The surprise decision to award Brazil hosting rights for the Copa America, South America’s biggest international football tournament, with just 12 days until the start date is drawing widespread criticism. Brazil has suffered more than 465,000 Covid-19 deaths — the second highest death toll in the world — and there is

By Rob Picheta, CNN Olympic hockey gold medalist Imran Sherwani has revealed he has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, after first noticing symptoms while in his early 50s. Sherwani, who won gold with Great Britain at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, said he expects to eventually be unable to remember his sporting

Tennis legend Chris Evert talks to CNN’s Chris Cuomo about Naomi Osaka’s decision to withdraw from the French Open.

By Ben Morse and Chris Cuomo, CNN Chris Evert knows what it’s like adjusting to life as a tennis superstar at at young age. The tennis great won her first two grand slams aged just 19 in 1974 and she topped the computer rankings when they were introduced on November 1975, going on to hold

Reema Aburahma has grown up in Gaza knowing conflict, but also knowing joy. She picked up boxing as a way to grow confident and found a sport that has helped her change her perception of society and life.

By Don Riddell, CNN “I don’t like violence,” says Reema Aburahma, “I’m so girly!” But the 22-year-old from Gaza City quickly goes on to explain why she has become a fighter, “I like how it feels when I punch,” she told CNN Sport. “I feel stronger, more brave, more powerful. That’s what I love about

By Sheena McKenzie, CNN It’s the modern day equivalent of the Roman Empire’s gladiatorial shows. After playing for several hours, often in hot and humid conditions, with their emotional reserves ebbing and stress levels sky rocketing, tennis stars enter the media’s ice cold inner sanctum — the post-match press conference. And Naomi Osaka has had

By Eoin McSweeney, CNN After a season of relative underachievement, five-time European Cup winner FC Barcelona has embarked on the process of overhauling its squad. Sergio Aguero will move from Manchester City to Barca when his current contract expires on July 1, the Spanish club announced Monday. The 32-year-old, considered to be one of the

By Sana Noor Haq, CNN Serena Williams says she’d like to give Naomi Osaka a hug after the world No.2 withdrew from the French Open on Monday. Osaka’s departure from the tournament follows her decision not to participate in any media conferences at Roland Garros, initially citing mental health reasons. She has since revealed that

by Shane O’Donoghue and Sana Noor Haq, CNN From wrestling alligators to feuding with game show host Bob Barker on tour, no one quite draws a crowd like “Happy Gilmore.” Twenty five years since Adam Sandler propelled golf into the cinematic zeitgeist with his role as a neurotic hockey player who finds out he has

By Tina Burnside and Jacob Lev, CNN Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna posted a $20,000 bond on Monday after being arrested on charges of domestic violence against his wife. Ozuna, 30, appeared virtually for a bond hearing before a Fulton County, Georgia, judge to answer to the charges of aggravated assault by strangulation and battery.

By Matias Grez, CNN Brazil has cautioned that it is still in “negotiations” with South America’s Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, and the Brazilian Football Confederation, shortly after CONMEBOL announced Monday that Brazil would host the Copa América championship — in just 13 days. “The CONMEBOL 2021 Copa América will be played in Brazil!” CONMEBOL said on

Four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open, citing concerns about her mental health. CNN’s Christine Brennan says it could have been avoidable if the focus was on mental health and not Osaka refusing to speak with the media.

By Ben Morse, CNN Tennis star Naomi Osaka said Monday she is withdrawing from the French Open after refusing to speak to the media at the grand slam. The four-time major winner posted a statement on Twitter saying she was pulling out so that “everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on

By Ben Church, CNN Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving says some fans are treating players like “they’re in a human zoo” after a spectator was arrested for throwing a water bottle at the NBA star on Sunday. The incident came as Irving was walking off the court having helped the Nets beat the Boston Celtics

By George Ramsay, CNN The Aussie Spirit, the Australian women’s softball team, will be among the first athletes to arrive in Japan for the Tokyo Olympics after leaving Sydney on Monday. The squad of 23 will arrive in Ota City for a training camp before facing Japan on July 21, a game that marks the

By Wayne Sterling, CNN Jason Dupasquier, a 19-year-old Swiss Moto3 rider, has died after being involved in a serious crash during Saturday’s qualifying session at the Italian Grand Prix, MotoGP announced on Sunday. “Dupasquier was involved in a multi-rider incident between Turns 9 and 10, with the session Red Flagged thereafter,” the statement read. “FIM

By Holly Yan, CNN By now, Simone Biles was supposed to be enjoying retirement at the ripe old age of 24. The 25-time world medalist previously said she would retire after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — capping an illustrious career in a sport in which many gymnasts struggle or retire by the time they turn

By Ben Church, CNN Manchester City stars Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker both received racist messages on Instagram after losing 1-0 to Chelsea in the Champions League final on Saturday. Facebook, which owns Instagram, said the abuse sent to the players was “abhorrent” and said it acted swiftly to remove a number of comments and

By Ben Church and Wayne Sterling Tennis star Naomi Osaka was fined $15,000 for not talking to the media after her straight set victory at the French Open on Sunday, Roland Garros announced in a statement. On Wednesday, citing mental health reasons, the four-time major champion posted on social media that she will not participate