Sports

Empty stands has been the new normal due to COVID-19 but top players like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic said they still find it difficult to maintain their intensity during matches in the absence of fans.

Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka said she has pulled out of next week's WTA 500 event in Stuttgart as it coincides with her scheduled COVID-19 vaccination.

Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Andre Russell bemoaned the failure of their big-hitters to get the team across the line against Mumbai Indians but backed the two-time champions to bounce back in IPL.

Spain and Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos faced a new setback in a season littered with injury problems when his club said on Tuesday he had tested positive for COVID-19.

World number two Daniil Medvedev of Russia has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been withdrawn from this week's Monte Carlo Masters, the ATP said on Tuesday.

Rajasthan Royals team director Kumar Sangakkara has given his backing to captain Sanju Samson after he turned down a single against Punjab Kings on the penultimate ball to retain strike but failed to hit the winning runs on the last ball in Monday's Indian Premier League game.

After riding out a four-hour swirl of emotions to finally secure history Sunday, Hideki Matsuyama lifted his cap and gave a slight bow.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the 12th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded at Zayed Sports City in the UAE capital on Friday.

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama stormed home in style to put himself in position to become the first Asian golfer to win the Masters as he held a four-shot lead after the rain-interrupted third round at Augusta National on Saturday.

In a tense finish, Shabab Al Ahli Club won the Arabian Gulf Cup "50th Cup" in a penalty shootout against Al Nasr in Sharjah.

The eight-team Indian Premier League (IPL) gets underway on April 9 with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opener in Chennai.

This year's French Open has been postponed by a week due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will begin on May 30, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) said on Thursday.

Japan is thinking of prioritising COVID-19 vaccines for Olympic athletes, Kyodo news agency reported on Thursday, sparking a furore on social media as the country's inoculation drive significantly lags behind other major economies.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) all-rounder Daniel Sams has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the new Indian Premier League (IPL) season, which begins on Friday.

UAE athletes have scooped 34 medals on the first day of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

North Korea will not join the Tokyo Olympics this year due to coronavirus concerns, the country's sports ministry said on Tuesday, dashing South Korean hopes the Games could be a catalyst to revive peace talks.

The Dubai Sports Council (DSC) is urging the public to observe World Physical Activity Day and International Day of Sport for the Development of Peace without violating any COVID-19 safety protocols.

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan will miss the rest of the tour of South Africa and the tour of Zimbabwe due to a toe injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said his team were within touching distance of dethroning Liverpool as the new Premier League champions after Saturday's 2-0 win at Leicester City.

24 drivers representing seven countries from the continents of America, Asia and Europe are taking part in Extreme E's first ever race, the Desert X Prix, on April 3 and 4.

The Dubai Police cycling team earned top places in the Hudayriyat Cycling Challenge for the advanced riders route and the 100km category.

The 11th edition of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge took place in Dubai on Friday with a full COVID-19 management plan in place.

Striker Robert Lewandowski's injury is a big challenge for Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich ahead of Saturday's game at second-placed RB Leipzig, but the team has the quality to deliver, coach Hansi Flick said on Friday.

Manchester United have launched a new "See Red" anti-racism campaign calling on fans to report racist incidents, the Premier League club said in a statement on Friday.

World number one Ash Barty and former U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu completed contrasting semi-final victories in the Miami Open, setting up a mouth-watering first career meeting between the Grand Slam winners in Saturday's final.

Roberto Bautista Agut maintained his spotless record against Daniil Medvedev with a 6-4 6-2 quarter-final victory over the world number two at the Miami Open, ensuring there will be a new ATP Masters 1000 winner on Sunday.

Expo 2020 Dubai has been signed on as the principal sponsor of Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming 14th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) says athletes can kneel or raise a clenched fist on the podium during the national trials.

New Zealand wrapped up a seventh series win of their home summer with a 28-run victory over Bangladesh under the Duckworth-Lewis method in the second Twenty20 in Napier on Tuesday.

Players at the Miami Open expressed little love for COVID-19 vaccines, with many saying they want more information before getting a shot.

Lewis Hamilton fended off young challenger Max Verstappen in one of the toughest battles of his Formula One career in Bahrain on Sunday and said he had loved every minute of it.

Cristiano Ronaldo stormed off the pitch before fulltime when he was denied a clear stoppage-time winner in a 2-2 draw in Serbia, while Belgium were held 1-1 by the Czech Republic in World Cup qualifiers.

Mystic Guide has won the final race of the night for Godolphin at the silver jubilee of the Dubai World Cup, and the $12 million prize purse.

Bosnia and Herzegovina coach Ivaylo Petev has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the side's 2022 World Cup qualifier at home against France on Wednesday, the Balkan nation's football federation (NFSBIH) said.

Oscar De La Hoya on Friday said he is coming out of retirement to fight on July 3 against a yet-to-be-named opponent in what will be the 48-year-old's first bout since 2008.

Wales claimed their second Six Nations title in three years after France lost 27-23 to Scotland as the visitors celebrated their first win in Paris since 1999 in a dramatic championship finale on Friday.

Sachin Tendulkar has tested positive for coronavirus, Covid-19.

Tomorrow, the world's attention will turn to the Meydan Racecourse as it hosts the silver jubilee of the Dubai World Cup.

Former champions Germany, England and Italy got off to winning starts in their World Cup qualifying campaigns but Spain were held to a 1-1 home draw by Greece.

Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit has outlined exactly why football is failing to properly address racism within the game in an exclusive interview with Off Script on Dubai Eye 103.8.