Becker backed the idea of merging the ATP and the WTA and said the ongoing pause is an opportunity for the sport's stakeholders to work together.

A popular social media app has brought the four youth icons together for the #matkarforward social message in an attempt to create awareness amongst fellow Indians about the spread of fake forwards, hate messages and superstitions.

Last month, Diwan had sought help to return from the USA, where he has been stuck because of the travel restrictions in place following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Next year's Australian Open could be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and even if the first Grand Slam of 2021 goes ahead fans from abroad will not be able to attend, Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said on Wednesday. The tennis season was halted in early March due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 3.68 million people around the world while killing over 256,000 so far.

Turkey plans to host the Champions League final in August, the head of its football federation said on Wednesday, after it was postponed by the global coronavirus pandemic. Two months ago European soccer's governing body UEFA indefinitely postponed the final, which had been scheduled to be played in Istanbul in May.

Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta celebrated the 11th anniversary of his famous Champions League semi-final strike against Chelsea by calling two children conceived after his tie-clinching goal. Nine months later, those celebrations had a rather unexpected result, with maternity hospitals in Barcelona telling local media they were struggling to cope with demand amid a spike in the city's birth rate.

In March, Dybala confirmed he and his girlfriend, Oriana Sabatini, tested positive for coronavirus.

Daybell said that after a difficult few months a sense of normality was returning to the COVID-19 ward in the north London hospital where he works.

Professional soccer leagues around Europe are gearing up for a return to action following the novel coronavirus stoppage, but some are more advanced than others.

The seasoned Anand beat Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi in just 17 moves in a fifth round match. But India were held to a 2-2 draw by Russia in the ongoing Online Nations Cup.

Formula One managing director Ross Brawn this week outlined plans for going back to racing, with health checks and isolation in the paddock, and believed the sport could provide a safe environment.

The players of the first staff of football of the FC Barcelona made the medical examinations on Wednesday and according to the information, all have been given negative and are 'clean' of the illness.

Professional athletes could be particularly vulnerable to falling seriously ill with the new coronavirus, the head of a global union representing them said on Thursday. Brendan Schwab, the executive director of the World Players' Association, added that some players are being asked to sign away rights that would normally give them legal and financial protection should they fall ill.

Four players from Italian side Sampdoria have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, including one for the second time, the Serie club said. Fiorentina said three players and three staff members tested positive while a day earlier Torino said one player had contracted the new coronavirus.

UFC has withdrawn a bout from Saturday's card in Jacksonville after middleweight Jacare Souza and two of his cornermen tested positive for the new coronavirus, the mixed martial arts promotion said. Brazilian-born Souza was supposed to fight American Uriah Hall at UFC 249, which was originally scheduled for April 18 in New York but postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.