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| Nadal to finish on top of the world • Nadal guaranteed to end year ranked at No1• 'One of my best ever seasons, if not the best'Rafael Nadal is guaranteed to end the year on top of the world rankings after winning the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, the ATP said today.The 24-year-old has been virtually unstoppable since the beginning of the European clay court season and on Monday completed his career grand slam by beating Novak Djokovic to win the US Open at Flushing Meadows. He is the youngest player to have won all four grand slams in the professional era."It has been an incredible season – one of my best ever, if not the best," Nadal said today. "Winning the US Open, together with Roland Garros and Wimbledon, as well as the three back-to-back [ATP World Tour] Masters 1000s in Europe, was not easy."I worked very hard to get back to the top and it feels really good to know I will end the year as No1."It is the second time in three years that Nadal will finish the year as No1 – it could have been three out of three were it not for an injury-plagued 2009 when he could not defend his Wimbledon crown.Nadal and Roger Federer are the only players since 2000 to clinch the year-end top spot so early; the Swiss achieved the feat in 2004 and 2006.The Mallorcan will be officially crowned as the 2010 ATP World Tour Champion at the season-ending World Tour Finals in London in November.Rafael NadalTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Newton had assisted UK Anti-Doping • Stuart Fielden and Paul Deacon remember former team-mate• UKAD chief: Terry Newton 'shared his story to help his sport'The day after Terry Newton was found dead at his home in Orrell, it emerged that the former Great Britain hooker had provided information to the UK Anti-Doping agency after becoming the first athlete to test positive for Human Growth Hormone (HGH). A minute's silence in memory of Newton will be held before Saturday's Super League Grand Final between Wigan and St Helens at Old Trafford.The UKAD chief executive, Andy Parkinson, said: "While the circumstances of our relationship with Mr Newton were hardly ideal, we had respect for his openness and willingness to share his story to help his sport. In recent months Mr Newton had been assisting UK Anti-Doping in its inquiries into the use and supply of performance-enhancing drugs; specific details about which are strictly confidential."The Rugby Football League was involved in those discussions and also held talks with the 31-year-old over his offer to educate young players about the dangers of drugs. However, Newton refused to name the player who supplied him with the HGH for £150 at a motorway service station last autumn, or any of the other players he claimed to have known were taking the substance.At Wigan's pre-Grand Final press conference , former team-mates spoke about Newton. The prop Stuart Fielden said: "Rugby league is a worse place for not having him around. Whatever happened regarding his ban, he was still a good bloke and a special character."The scrum-half Paul Deacon said: "It's not sunk in yet. I had lunch with him a few days ago – we had a bit of a catch-up and he seemed happy as Larry. I got the call on Sunday off a good friend of mine, Mike Forshaw, and I just didn't believe it at first. I had a very strong bond with Terry. I used to travel with him to Bradford and back for four years – he used to pick me up day in day out. When you see someone every day and spend time with them, you get to know them quite well."Deacon wrote a chapter in Newton's autobiography in which he described the famously tough hooker as "completely different off the field", especially around his two young daughters. "I'd just like to say my thoughts are with his wife and his two kids and his mum and dad," he said.Newton's parents have returned from a holiday in Turkey and are still too upset to comment, other than thanking the many players and supporters of all clubs who have offered tributes. The funeral is not expected to be held for at least a week.Sean O'Loughlin, the Wigan captain who played with Newton in the club's last Grand Final, in 2003, said: "It's a shock for everyone who knew him and knew what a top bloke he was. We just have to carry on with what we have to do."Meanwhile Pat Richards, the Wigan wing who this year equalled Andy Farrell's record of 388 points in a Super League season, with 29 tries and 136 goals, became the fifth Australian to be named Man of Steel at a sombre awards ceremony in Manchester, at which Newton was remembered. The 21-year-old full-back Sam Tomkins retained the young player of the year award and Michael Maguire completed a clean sweep for Wigan when he was named coach of theyear. Keiron Cunningham, the St Helens captain who was unable to attend either the ceremony or the press conference that preceded it because of a chest infection, was one of three recipients of long-service awards. He will make his 496th and last appearance for Saints in the Grand Final.Their coach, Mick Potter, dismissed any possibility that a chest infection that kept the hooker away from the press conference and awards ceremony could make Cunningham doubtful for the game, but said he expected the England half-back Kyle Eastmond to be ruled out , after a scan on his latest ankle injury.In that case Jonny Lomax will come back in to partner Matty Smith, who was recalled from a loan at Salford for the first round of the play-offs.Rugby leagueAndy Wilsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Old man John Carney helps rescue Saints from mistake-prone offense John Carney's still-strong, 46-year-old leg proved the saving grace on a day when the Saints offense coughed up two fumbles, turning what quarterback ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
NHL says Coyotes lease will lead to sale of team By BOB BAUM 2010-10-16T18:26:57ZPHOENIX (AP) -- The NHL is praising the lease agreement between Chicago investor Matthew Hulsizer and the city of Glendale, saying it will "finally lead to a transition of ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes."... hosted.ap.org |
New season defeat for James and Heat • Expensively assembled side go down 88-80 to Boston Celtics• Coach Erik Spoelstra: 'There's no reason to panic right now'LeBron James has asked for patience after the Boston Celtics spoiled the opening act of his latest NBA title challenge by beating the Miami Heat 88-80 in their much-anticipated season opener last night."It's a feel-out process," said James, who scored 31 points but had eight turnovers in the game, played in front of a sold-out raucous crowd. "When you have so many options it's something I'm not accustomed to, having that many threats out on the court at the same time."The two-times league MVP, who played seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and his fellow free agent Chris Bosh signed for Miami in the off-season, joining the perennial All-Star Dwyane Wade in southern Florida. With so much talent, they will be loved at home, vilified on the road, and on television as much as possible."We've played in hostile environments before, so that's respect," said Wade, who misfired on 12 of 16 shots against the Celtics and had six turnovers. The seven-year NBA veteran said the Heat have to "get used to playing with each other and get used to the attention this team is going to have on them".Bosh was just as ineffective as Wade, making only three of 11 shots while creating little of the inside presence the Heat are going to need if they are to challenge for the title."We know what's going on," Bosh said. "We know that a lot of people are watching. We know a lot of people are really putting us under the microscope. We know that. It's evident. You turn on the TV, you see what's going on, you see what people are talking about. That's a part of the game. That's what it is."We knew it was going to be like that. Dealing with it is another thing. But at the end of the day, it's going to be here, it's not going anywhere. We just have to settle down."The Heat coach, Erik Spoelstra, said over-eagerness by his players had counted against them. "There's no reason to panic right now," he said. "We knew this would be a little bit of a process, and this is the first step."LeBron JamesNBAUS sportguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |