Modric signs 1-year contract extension with Madrid
Madrid, June 8: Veteran midfielder Luka Modric has signed a one-year contract extension with Real Madrid until June 2023, the Spanish club confirmed in a statement on Wednesday. The 36-year-old Croatian Modric has scored 31 goals in 436 appearances for European champs Real since joining from Tottenham for a reported €36 million in 2012. Following last month’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool in Paris, the 36-year-old has won the Champions League five times during his decade at the Santiago Bernabeu. (IANS)
Zverev undergoes surgery after torn ligaments in ankle
Berlin, June 8: Alexander Zverev has undergone surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right ankle. The third-ranked Zverev sustained the injury during his French Open semifinal against eventual champion Rafael Nadal. Zverev said he had the surgery in Germany on Tuesday morning after receiving confirmation that “all three of the lateral ligaments in my right ankle were torn.” The 25-year-old German player didn’t specify a timetable for his return. Zverev hurt himself while chasing after a shot late in the second set against Nadal last Friday, crumpling to the ground, grabbing his right ankle and wailing in agony. He was taken off the court in a wheelchair, then returned on crutches to say he was retiring from the match. Zverev was the runner-up at the 2020 U.S. Open and won a gold medal in singles at the Tokyo Olympics last year. (AP)
Emma Raducanu suffers injury during Wimbledon warmup
Nottingham, June 8: US Open champion Emma Raducanu has “no idea” if she’ll be ready for Wimbledon in just under three weeks after retiring from her match with a “freak injury” to her left side. Raducanu was facing Victorija Golubic in her opener at the Nottingham Open and was trailing 4-3 when she stopped playing. “I think I pulled something, I am not really sure what exactly happened,” the 11th-ranked Raducanu said, describing it as an “absolute freak injury.” The next Grand Slam tournament begins on June 27 at Wimbledon. “I cannot diagnose myself. I will get it checked out,” the 19-year-old British player said. Just over a year ago, Raducanu reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in what was her debut in a Grand Slam main draw. (AP)
Indian hockey teams depart for FIH Pro League matches
Bengaluru, June 8: The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams on Wednesday left for Brussels ahead of the upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League scheduled to be held on June 11 and 12. Both the Indian teams will take on hosts Belgium in double-headers on June 11 and 12. Indian women’s team is currently occupying the third spot in the FIH Pro League table with 22 points in eight games. They are only behind table leaders Argentina (38 points) and the Netherlands (second position- 26 points). (PTI)
Bengaluru FC appoint Simon Grayson as new head coach
Bengaluru, June 8: Bengaluru FC on Wednesday announced the appointment of Englishman Simon Grayson as the club’s head coach on a two-year contract ahead of the 2022-23 Indian Super League season. Grayson, who has over 500 appearances as a player in England’s top division sides, moved into coaching in 2004. “When I spoke to the owner, his mind-set was the same as mine. I want this club to be winning trophies again,” he said. As a player, Grayson came through the youth ranks at Leeds United, moving on to Leicester City in 1992, where he made over 220 appearances across five seasons. With Leicester, he secured promotion to the Premier League as captain and won the English League Cup in 1997. (PTI)