Category Sports News

The scheduling of women’s matches is a “systemic” issue across top-level tennis events, says the head of the women’s tour.

It comes following criticism of French Open organisers who featured no women’s matches in any of the 11 prime-time night sessions on Court Philippe Chatrier this year.

WTA chief executive officer Portia Archer says she expects to meet Roland Garros tournament director Amelie Mauresmo to see how they can “effect change” – but said she does not believe the issue lies with any individual.

“I just think it’s a missed opportunity,” Archer told BBC Sport.

“I think the fans expect, and increasingly we’ll see that they demand, that they have the opportunity to see the best tennis matches – whether they are men or women – in prime-time slots.

Since the French Open introduced night sessions in 2021, only four of those matches have been from the women’s draw.

But during this year’s tournament, former WTA world number one Mauresmo rejected accusations that not scheduling women’s matches in the tournament’s night session implies female players are not “worthy” of the slot.

That came after three-time major finalist Ons Jabeur said that the continuing imbalance at the French Open was “unfortunate for women’s sports in general”.

The former world number two wrote in a social media post that “honouring one side of the sport shouldn’t mean ignoring the other”.

Archer said: “I thought Ons shared a very eloquent message.

“I think we’ll have conversations with Grand Slams and various events who are operating in what we believe is a way that’s different to what the fans and the public demand.

Mauresmo said the potential for women’s matches – which are best-of-three sets and not best-of-five like the men’s – to potentially go by “really fast” was the justification behind the choices.

She also said the tournament does not want to have two matches in the night session, like the Australian Open and US Open, for fear of creating late finishes.

On Mauresmo’s role in the decision-making at the French Open, Archer said: “I really don’t think about it in terms of an individual [making the choice]. I think it’s broader than that, I think it’s more foundational and more systemic.

“I think it is an issue at other tournaments, I don’t think it is an issue specific to the Grand Slams.”

On whether she will seek to discuss the issue with Mauresmo, Archer added: “I think I’ll have an opportunity to do that.

Rory McIlroy says his recent loss of form has helped him realise he needs to “get my stuff together” at this week’s US Open after struggling for motivation following his career-defining Masters win.

The Northern Irishman became just the sixth man to complete the career Grand Slam with his Masters victory in April, but has since struggled, finishing tied 47th at last month’s US PGA Championship before missing the cut by 12 shots at last week’s Canadian Open.

While the 36-year-old said it was important for him to savour his Augusta triumph, he added he wants to move on as he bids for a second US Open title at Oakmont Country Club.

“I think it’s trying to have a little bit of amnesia and forget about what happened six weeks ago [at the Masters], then just trying to find the motivation to go back out there and work as hard as I’ve been working,” said McIlroy.

“I worked incredibly hard on my game from October last year all the way up until April this year.

McIlroy, who has reverted to his old driver after struggling off the tee in Canada, added: “You have to enjoy that. You have to enjoy what you’ve just accomplished.

“I certainly feel like I’m still doing that and I will continue to do that. At some point you have to realise that there’s a little bit more golf left to play this season.

“Weeks like Quail Hollow [at the US PGA] or even weeks like last week, it makes it easier to reset in some way – to be like ‘OK, I sort of need to get my stuff together here and get back to the process’.”

McIlroy also explained that he has “always been a player that struggles” to perform immediately after a big win.

McIlroy added he “certainly can’t relax” this week at Oakmont, where he missed the cut when the challenging Pittsburgh layout last staged the US Open in 2016.

He also failed to make the weekend in 2017 and 2018, but has since posted six consecutive top-10 finishes and has been runner-up the past two years.

“I made the decision at that back end of 2018 into 2019, I wanted to try to build my game around the toughest tests that we have in the game,” he said.

“The US Open went from probably my least favourite major to probably my favourite because of what it asks from you, and I love that challenge.”

While McIlroy said he tried to wipe 2016 from his memory, he was handed a stark reminder of Oakmont’s severe demands – five-inch rough and undulating greens – when he shot an 11-over 81 during an early practice round last week.

“Last Monday felt impossible – I birdied the last two holes for 81,” said the five-time major winner, adding the course feels “softer” this week.

“It felt pretty good, it didn’t feel like I played that bad! It’s much more benign now.

Kieran Tierney is back with Celtic. Following his Arsenal exit, the defender will wear his beloved green and white hoops once again.

But, away from the romance and hysteria of the Scotland international’s stunning return, what player is Brendan Rodgers actually getting six years after his move to London?

First and foremost, Celtic are getting a helluva left-back on a five-year contract.

Despite limited Premier League game time (252 minutes) last season, Tierney still ranks well when comparing his underlying numbers to his peers in England’s top flight.

On a per-90-minutes basis, his chance creation (2.86) is better than any other defender, while his expected assists (0.26) put him in the top four.

His dribble success (67%) and duel win rate (64%) also make for impressive reading.

At his best for the London club, Tierney was one of the top full-backs in a league many regard as the world’s best in terms of both quality and drama.

Some Arsenal fans viewed the Celtic youth product as a future captain, but he fell out of favour with Arteta after several big-money full-back signings knocked him down the pecking order.

Limited minutes meant a season-long loan move to Real Sociedad, where Tierney played 20 times in the 2023-24 campaign as the La Liga side finished sixth in Spain’s top tier.

At international level, he has continually shown he is one of Scotland’s most important players. Steve Clarke’s team just does not function the same without him.

However, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over a career packed with injury worries that have mounted up since his Parkhead exit.

Just four of Tierney’s 20 club appearances last season were starts, meaning he played just 447 minutes of football after returning from a serious hamstring injury suffered at Euro 2024 last summer.

In the 2023-24 campaign, he played 1,483 minutes for Sociedad, the equivalent of about 16 full 90-minute matches. The season before was almost exactly the same.

According to Transfermarkt, he has endured 11 spells of absence since leaving Celtic, amounting to 94 games missed for club and country.

That is the equivalent of two-and-a-half seasons of Scottish Premiership football.

Tierney also had to leave the Scotland camp injured on Sunday after earning his 50th cap in the 3-1 home defeat to Iceland. The extent of that issue is unclear.

It is fair to assume he will be returning to become one of Celtic’s top earners. That is, of course, a risk given his injury record, but a fit-and-firing Tierney undoubtedly improves Rodgers’ side at Champions League level.

In addition, what does that mean for Greg Taylor? The 27-year-old, who has won as many Premiership titles as Tierney and has 14 Scotland caps of his own, is set to become a free agent this summer.

Rodgers is keen to have both players in his squad, but Taylor has reservations over becoming a rotation player after making himself first-choice left-back.

One thing that is for certain is Tierney’s devotion to the cause, with Rodgers “so pleased” to welcome home “such an elite player” who has “always had Celtic in his blood”.

The love-in is mutual, with the Scotland international describing the Northern Irishman as a “great person” and “one of the best” who played a major part in persuading him to work under him at Celtic Park for a second time.

“He never had to convince me much, but it’s just a huge bonus he’s the manager because I loved working with him,” Tierney told Celtic’s website.

“He knows how to get the best out of me and I just loved my time under him.”

Tierney suggested he returns “a different person” who has had to “grow up” while away from his home.

His ambitions for Celtic, though, remain as they always were – to “continue to win trophies” and “retain our place at the top”.

Former Celtic and Scotland captain Scott Brown speaking to BBC Scotland

“He’s a very, very good character in and about the place. Everyone loves him because he gives 110%.

“You can see how good he’s got going down the road, working with even better players as well, playing in the Champions League, then going away to Spain.

“It’s a really good fit for the club and also a really good fit for him as well. He’s nowhere near coming to the end of his career.

“He’s still got a long, long way to go and he’ll probably say, ‘Can I go and win trophies? Can I go and show I’m a top quality player?’.

“It’s probably the best move Celtic’s made. Looking at Kieran, Brendan Rodgers got the best out of him before, he knows what he’s like. I’m sure he probably tried to sign him when he was down at Leicester as well.

Manchester City have completed the signing of attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki from Lyon before the first of this summer’s transfer deadlines.

City will pay an initial fee of £30.45m, and Cherki has signed a five-year deal until 2030.

The 21-year-old will be able to play for City at the Club World Cup, which begins in the United States on 14 June.

Cherki has already made almost 200 appearances for Lyon and has scored once in his two caps for France.

“This is a dream for me,” said Cherki. “Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special.”

He is City’s third signing in two days, with coach Pep Guardiola having brought in Algeria left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves for £31m on Monday, followed by back-up goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea earlier on Tuesday.

Cherki made his senior debut for Lyon aged 16 in October 2019 and leaves the club having claimed 29 goals and 45 assists in 185 games.

“I have worked so hard for this all my life,” Cherki added. “I love this sport, and I can’t wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff.

After representing France as they won the silver medal at last year’s Paris Olympics, Cherki was handed his debut for the senior men’s team last Thursday.

He came off the bench in their Nations League semi-final against Spain and claimed both a goal and an assist as Les Bleus fought back from 5-1 down but lost 5-4.

Cherki then started Sunday’s third-place play-off and helped France to a 2-0 win over Germany.

Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana said: “There’s no doubt that he’s now in the best place possible to develop further under Pep’s guidance, and I really believe he can become a world-class player with our support and direction.”

Tottenham are closing in on appointing Brentford manager Thomas Frank as their new head coach by the weekend.

Talks between the clubs are ongoing, but have progressed positively amid a growing expectation Frank could even be confirmed in the next 48 hours as Ange Postecoglou’s successor.

Discussions are understood to be amicable and there is a will from all parties to conclude the agreement quickly.

BBC Sport understands that recently appointed Spurs chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, who only started work last Monday, has been involved in the process of appointing Frank, alongside chairman Daniel Levy.

Brentford are entitled to compensation for the 51-year-old Frank, who joined them in 2016 after a stint with Brondby, with sources indicating it will cost Tottenham £10m to release him from his contract.

Tottenham are closing in on appointing Brentford manager Thomas Frank as their new head coach by the weekend.

Talks between the clubs are ongoing and have progressed positively amid a growing expectation Frank could even be confirmed in the next 48 hours as Ange Postecoglou’s successor.

Discussions are understood to be amicable and there is a will from all parties to conclude the agreement quickly.

BBC Sport understands that recently appointed Spurs chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, who only started work last Monday, has been involved in the process of appointing Frank, alongside chairman Daniel Levy.

Brentford are entitled to compensation for the 51-year-old Frank, who joined them in 2016 after a stint with Brondby, with sources indicating it will cost Tottenham £10m to release him from his contract.

Frank took charge at Brentford in 2018, after his initial spell as assistant boss, and guided them into the Premier League, winning the Championship play-off final at Wembley in 2021 and establishing them as a top-flight club on a small budget.

Brentford finished 10th in the 2024-25 Premier League season, seven places and 18 points above Tottenham, who ended in 17th spot and won just 11 of their 38 games in the competition.