Djokovic to become a father
Paris: World number two tennis star Novak Djokovic announced on Thursday that he and girlfriend Jelena Ristic are expecting their first child. The Serbian six-time Grand Slam winner is currently sidelined with a right wrist injury picked up at last week’s Monte Carlo Masters but announced the good news on his twitter account. “Jelena is pregnant !!! We will soon be parents,” the 26-year-old winner of 43 ATP titles tweeted on his account @DjokerNole. The expectant couple have been dating since 2005 and got engaged in September 2013. Djokovic, who is unsure when he will be fit enough to return, is recovering from his injury by spending a few days in Athens. (AFP)
Bernie bribery trial starts in Germany
Munich: Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone went on trial in Germany on Thursday accused of bribery in a case that threatens a jail term for the Briton who has controlled the motor sport for four decades. Ecclestone, 83, denies charges of bribery and abetting breach of trust over a $44 million (Rs 268.84 crore) payment he made to former German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky, who has since been jailed. Prosecutors charge the money was a bribe meant to ensure the German bank BayernLB sold its shares in Formula One to Ecclestone’s preferred bidder, CVC Capital Partners, to maintain his control over the sport. The trial in the southern city is scheduled to run for more than 20 court days, with a verdict expected in September. The maximum term for serious bribery cases is 10 years prison. Ecclestone has denied plans to seek a plea bargain and insisted, “I’m going into this trial to prove my innocence of what I have been charged with”. The crux will be why he paid Gribkowsky millions in 2006 – Ecclestone says he was blackmailed, the German banker says it was a bribe. (Reuters)
Special knock long overdue for Viru: Balaji
New Delhi: Kings XI Punjab’s Glenn Maxwell might have overshadowed Virender Sehwag with three match-winning knocks so far in this Indian Premier League, but the team’s senior pacer Laxmipathy Balaji feels a “special knock” is long overdue for the out-of-favour India opener. While the Australian stole the limelight with knocks of 95, 89 and 95, Sehwag looked a pale shadow of his former self managing scores of 19, 2 and 30. Balaji said one “special knock” will turn things around for his former India team mate. “We are waiting for a special knock from Viru (Sehwag). So far we have been overrun by Maxwell. But it’s amazing to have Maxwell in the side. He is a great talent but we also should not forget the contributions of (David) Miller, (Cheteshwar) Pujara. It is very important for us to believe in ourselves as a unit,” Balaji told PTI from Abu Dhabi. “Definitely he (Sehwag) has got starts but we are longing for a big innings from him. He is such a player who can change the complexion of the game on his own and if he and Maxwell can fire together it will be a treat to watch. I feel it (a big knock) is not far away and it will come over the course of the tournament,” he said. (PTI)
Be optimistic about Brazil, says Blatter
HONG KONG: FIFA president Sepp Blatter has encouraged fans to be optimistic that the World Cup in Brazil will be a success, amid growing concerns over security and public unrest as workers scramble to finish stadiums on time. The Swiss said similar public scepticism had accompanied preparations for previous World Cups and yet the tournaments had proved to be successes. “It is my 10th World Cup… and I can tell you I have never seen a World Cup that everything is ready, completely ready before the kick-off,” Blatter told reporters in here on Thursday. “More than one billion fans, they are now waiting for this World Cup. It is in Brazil, it is a country where football has been, let’s say the best footballers of the world are from. It will be a great tournament. Be optimistic as we are optimistic, football is optimistic.” Earlier this month, a local poll said less than half of Brazilians were in favour of still hosting the June 12-July 13 tournament, believing it would do more harm than good. That opinion has come after last year’s widespread street protests during the Confederations Cup, with public anger at money being spent on building stadiums rather than improving health care and education. (Reuters)