Barty named WTA player of the year
Washington: The WTA has announced world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty as its Player of the Year. The 23-year-old won four titles from six finals in 2019, including the WTA Finals in Shenzhen and her maiden Grand Slam singles trophy at the French Open. Barty became the first Australian to be named WTA world No. 1 since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976, and recorded the most matches won on tour this season, with 57, reports Xinhua news agency. Barty also advanced to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and the round of 16 at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, becoming the only player to reach the second week at all four Grand Slams in 2019. (IANS)
Barca prez’s stand on Clasico strong
Madrid: Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Thursday the Clasico against Real Madrid next week will not be postponed again, amid renewed fears of unrest around the fixture. Protestors from the Catalan separatist movement, Democratic Tsunami, have called for a “massive” protest outside Camp Nou, where Barcelona are due to play against Real Madrid in La Liga on December 18. Spain’s most prestigious fixture was originally scheduled for October 26 but had to be postponed following a wave of pro-independence demonstrations in the city. “I can say that the Clasico will be played, it will not be postponed again,” Bartomeu said at a Christmas press event in Barcelona. “It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure it goes ahead. We know that we live in a complicated period in Catalonia but that can be compatible with sport. “Our stadium is a place for free expression, it always has been, and that is why we want to send out a message of normality and calm. “The club is preparing for the Clasico with complete normality and we tell our fans to come with their family and friends. “Together we have to deliver a Clasico that is a celebration of sport and of people. We want peace and calm.” The rally is the latest in a series of demonstrations that began two months ago when Spain’s top court jailed nine Catalan separatist leaders over their role in a failed 2017 bid for independence. (AFP)
Tahiti to host surfing events
Paris: The Polynesian island of Tahiti has been chosen to host the surfing events at the 2024 Paris Olympics after being selected over beaches in southwest France and Brittany, organisers said on Thursday. Tahiti lies 15,700 kilometres (9,750 miles) from Paris but was chosen because it offers near-guaranteed surfing waves in the summer months. The events will take place at Teahupoo, a location that boasts some of the biggest waves on the men’s World Cup circuit. “It’s an extremely pleasant surprise and recognition for our history that will restore honour to Polynesia, where surfing began,” the president of Tahiti’s surfing federation, Lionel Teihotu, told AFP. (AFP)