Rybakina adds Sanguinetti to coaching staff amid Vukov investigation

Elena Rybakina has added Italian former player Davide Sanguinetti to her coaching staff and has reiterated her displeasure at the WTA’s decision to provisionally suspend her coach Stefano Vukov for allegedly breaching the tour’s Code of Conduct. (AFP/File Photo)
Elena Rybakina has added Italian former player Davide Sanguinetti to her coaching staff and has reiterated her displeasure at the WTA’s decision to provisionally suspend her coach Stefano Vukov for allegedly breaching the tour’s Code of Conduct. (AFP/File Photo)
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Updated 02 February 2025
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Rybakina adds Sanguinetti to coaching staff amid Vukov investigation

Rybakina adds Sanguinetti to coaching staff amid Vukov investigation
  • Italian is with Rybakina this week in Abu Dhabi, where world number five is top seed and defending champion

ABU DHABI: Elena Rybakina has added Italian former player Davide Sanguinetti to her coaching staff and has reiterated her displeasure at the WTA’s decision to provisionally suspend her coach Stefano Vukov for allegedly breaching the tour’s Code of Conduct.

Rybakina ended her trial period with Novak Djokovic’s former coach Goran Ivanisevic following her fourth-round exit from the Australian Open last month and has brought in Sanguinetti to accompany her at tournaments and work with Vukov, who is banned from all sanctioned events pending the WTA’s investigation into his conduct.

Sanguinetti is with Rybakina this week in Abu Dhabi, where the world number five is the top seed and defending champion.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner says she has not been notified by the WTA about a date for the conclusion of the investigation and insists the situation “was not handled well”.

“I don’t know much. It’s a situation I’m not happy with. But it is what it is but for now I don’t know much,” Rybakina told AFP at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open on Sunday.

“I think safeguarding is important but the case with what happened with us I don’t think it was handled well.”

Vukov told The Athletic that he “never abused anyone” and Rybakina feels she is not being heard.

“In the end of the day, I think you need to listen to the player, that’s the most important. Because as I said before there are a lot of comments from people which are also in our environment but they’re making comments not knowing me, not knowing him, and it’s just making a bad look for everyone.”

Rybakina says the coaching partnership with Ivanisevic was on a trial basis and the decision for them to part ways after just a couple of months of working together was mutual.

“We just sat down, we talked, and we decided to go our separate ways. But I think I learned a lot and it’s not easy to find a good collaboration,” explained the 25-year-old Kazakh.

“It of course takes time and everything but that was our decision. We’ll see how this year goes for me. I’m also not such an easy player maybe like some people think, ‘Oh it’s easy with her’, or something, but it’s not really like this.

“I think every person is different and there is no one who is perfect. I can be sometimes stubborn on the court, stubborn on some things, that’s at least my honest opinion.”

While Vukov is banned from joining Rybakina at tournaments, she says they are “communicating of course” and that he and Sanguinetti are always in contact, and spent some time together with her at a recent training block in Dubai post-Australian Open.

“He’s an important person in my career. We started when I was like 200 [in the world]. So it’s a lot of things, on the court, outside of the court, he’s helping out with,” she said of Vukov, who began coaching her when she was a teenager.

“I feel like of course it’s not ideal that he cannot be on the practice courts but at the same time we are finding a way also with help of Davide, his opinion. I hope it’s going to work out. We have a good team in the end of the day.”

Rybakina headlines a competitive field at the WTA 500 tournament in Abu Dhabi that also includes recent Australian Open semi-finalist Paula Badosa, world number 11 Daria Kasatkina, Tunisian star Ons Jabeur, and British wildcard Emma Raducanu.

Main draw action kicks off on Monday with the final taking place on Saturday February 8.


Turki Alalshikh announces The Ring IV in Riyadh Season featuring four world title fights

Turki Alalshikh announces The Ring IV in Riyadh Season featuring four world title fights
Updated 08 July 2025
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Turki Alalshikh announces The Ring IV in Riyadh Season featuring four world title fights

Turki Alalshikh announces The Ring IV in Riyadh Season featuring four world title fights
  • Leading the fight card is the WBO world welterweight title clash between American star Devin Haney and compatriot Brian Norman Jr.
  • In the second title bout, David Benavidez, the reigning WBC light heavyweight champion, takes on British contender Anthony Yarde

RIYADH: Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and chairman of the Saudi Boxing Federation, officially announced the fourth edition of the global boxing event The Ring IV, scheduled to take place on Friday, Nov. 22, at ANB Arena in Riyadh.

Part of Riyadh Season, the event will feature four headline bouts for major world titles.

Leading the fight card is the WBO world welterweight title clash between American star Devin Haney and compatriot Brian Norman Jr. Haney enters the bout with a perfect record of 32 wins (15 by knockout), aiming to become a three-division world champion. This is his second fight at welterweight after defeating Arnold Barboza Jr. in the inaugural The Ring event held at Times Square.

Norman Jr., who also has an undefeated record of 28 wins (22 by knockout), comes into the fight fresh off a dominant KO victory against Japan’s Jin Sasaki, whom he stopped with a powerful left hook in the fifth round.

In the second title bout, David Benavidez, the reigning WBC light heavyweight champion, takes on British contender Anthony Yarde. Benavidez is unbeaten in 30 fights, including 24 knockouts, and will be making his first title defense. Yarde enters the ring with a record of 27 wins (24 by knockout) and three losses, seeking to dethrone the American in what is expected to be an explosive encounter.

In the lightweight division, American Abdullah Mason will face Britain’s Sam Noakes for the vacant WBO lightweight title. Mason brings a flawless record of 19 wins, 17 by knockout, while Noakes comes in undefeated as well, with 17 victories, 15 by knockout. With both fighters known for their high knockout ratios and aggressive styles, this bout is considered one of the most anticipated matchups among the new wave of lightweight contenders.

The night will conclude with a super flyweight (super bantamweight) showdown between US champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and Argentina’s undefeated Fernando Martinez. Rodriguez has 21 wins (14 by knockout), while Martinez has 18 wins, including 9 knockouts, with no losses. The fight will be contested for the prestigious The Ring title and is expected to deliver a high-level tactical and fast-paced boxing display.


Injured Rauf and Shadab to miss Pakistan’s T20 series in Bangladesh

Injured Rauf and Shadab to miss Pakistan’s T20 series in Bangladesh
Updated 08 July 2025
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Injured Rauf and Shadab to miss Pakistan’s T20 series in Bangladesh

Injured Rauf and Shadab to miss Pakistan’s T20 series in Bangladesh
  • Haris Rauf injured a hamstring in Major League Cricket in the United States last week
  • Uncapped fast bowlers Ahmed Danial and Salman Mirza were picked in a 15-man squad

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf and allrounder Shadab Khan were injured and will miss the Twenty20 series in Bangladesh this month.

Rauf injured a hamstring in Major League Cricket in the United States last week, and Shadab recently underwent shoulder surgery.

Uncapped fast bowlers Ahmed Danial and Salman Mirza were picked in a 15-man squad on Tuesday to supplement Abbas Afridi and fast bowling allrounder Faheem Ashraf.

Left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem was also recalled after he was overlooked for the last home series against Bangladesh.

Spin allrounder Mohammad Nawaz has also made his way back into the national squad since last appearing in January 2024 against New Zealand, after impressive performance in the Pakistan Super League.

The three-match T20 series will be played in Mirpur from July 20-24.

Pakistan: Salman Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem.

 


UAE Team Emirates–XRG to wear first global GEN AI-designed helmet at Tour de France

UAE Team Emirates–XRG to wear first global GEN AI-designed helmet at Tour de France
Updated 08 July 2025
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UAE Team Emirates–XRG to wear first global GEN AI-designed helmet at Tour de France

UAE Team Emirates–XRG to wear first global GEN AI-designed helmet at Tour de France
  • G42, the UAE’s leading AI and technology holding group, has teamed up with the cycling team and MET Helmets for the launch

ABU DHABI: G42, the UAE’s leading artificial intelligence and technology holding group, has teamed up with UAE Team Emirates–XRG and MET Helmets to launch the world’s first GEN AI-designed helmet for the team to wear at the Tour de France today.

Designed using G42’s advanced generative AI technology, the unique livery blends data, performance and creativity, interpreting movement through airflow and negative space, for the riders on all terrain.

From the helmet came the idea for a global community-driven project known as Helmetverse, a design challenge that invites cycling fans to design their own AI-generated head gear.

Live now at helmetverse.ai, the digital platform allows fans worldwide to design custom cycling helmets using cutting-edge AI tools. With simple text prompts, users can generate unique helmet designs in seconds.

All submissions can be viewed, shared and voted on, with the 10 most-voted entries reviewed by a panel of judges from G42, UAE Team Emirates–XRG and MET Helmets.

Andrew Jackson, G42’s group chief AI officer, said: “Partnering with a world-class team like UAE Team Emirates-XRG allows us to showcase the power of AI, not just in performance, but also in creativity.

“Helmetverse is an example of human-AI collaboration, providing a platform for people to design something personal. It’s AI at its most accessible, and most exciting.”

The winning helmet will be produced and worn by UAE Team Emirates–XRG during the 2026 UAE Tour, becoming a first for fan-created AI design in a UCI WorldTour race. Submissions are open and will close on Sept. 15, 2025.

Faheem Ahamed, G42’s group chief marketing officer, said: “Helmetverse gives cycling fans a new way to get involved with UAE Team Emirates-XRG, the world’s best cycling team.

“It puts creativity at the forefront of innovation, bringing more people closer to the sport, with the chance to see their creation on the WorldTour stage.”

Mauro Gianetti, UAE Team Emirates-XRG team principal and CEO, said: “Cycling is a unique sport because it is not only about competition and racing — both professional cyclists and casual riders can share the same roads and enjoy the ride together.

“Helmetverse gives fans a new way to be part of that journey. It’s an open, inclusive idea that brings fresh energy to the sport and reflects our ambition to lead both on and off the road.”

A key pillar of this partnership will have G42 act as the official AI partner of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, working closely to explore new opportunities across cycling, including optimizing training, race strategies, team performance, and fan engagement.


Tottenham sign Japan defender Takai from Kawasaki Frontale

Tottenham sign Japan defender Takai from Kawasaki Frontale
Updated 08 July 2025
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Tottenham sign Japan defender Takai from Kawasaki Frontale

Tottenham sign Japan defender Takai from Kawasaki Frontale
  • Europa League champions reportedly paid a fee of $6.82 million for the 20-year-old
  • Kota Takai is the third center back to join the north London club this summer

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Japan defender Kota Takai on a five-year contract from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

Financial details were not disclosed but British media reports said Europa League champions Tottenham paid a fee of $6.82 million (£5 million) for the 20-year-old.

Takai, a product of Frontale’s youth academy, was part of the side that missed out on the Asian Champions League Elite title after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli in the final in May.

He has also made four appearances for Japan’s national team.

Takai is the third center back to join the north London club this summer, further bolstering their defense after the arrivals of Luka Vuskovic from Hajjduk Split and Kevin Danso, whose loan move from RC Lens was made permanent.

Tottenham ended their 17-year trophy drought with their Europa League victory last season, but also endured their worst domestic campaign for nearly half a century and finished 17th in the Premier League.


HM Alchahine storms to victory at the UAE President’s Cup in Hamburg

HM Alchahine storms to victory at the UAE President’s Cup in Hamburg
Updated 08 July 2025
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HM Alchahine storms to victory at the UAE President’s Cup in Hamburg

HM Alchahine storms to victory at the UAE President’s Cup in Hamburg
  • Race marks leg 7 of the prestigious UAE President’s Cup series, now in its 32nd edition

ABU DHABI: HM Alchahine (France), a 4-year-old Purebred Arabian gelding owned by Helal Alalawi (France), stormed to victory in The UAE President’s Cup over 1,600 meters at Hamburg’s Horner Rennbahn on Sunday.

The race marked the seventh leg of the prestigious UAE President’s Cup series, now in its 32nd edition.

It was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, vice president of the UAE, deputy prime minister, and chairman of the presidential court.

The series highlights the UAE’s continued commitment to preserving and promoting the global stature of Purebred Arabian horses, a key pillar of Emirati heritage, the Emirates News Agency reported.

Staged in conjunction with the 156th edition of the historic German Derby, the UAE President’s Cup drew a crowd of nearly 30,000 spectators and featured a record prize purse of almost $293,500, making it the richest Arabian race in German history.

Trained by Jean-Francois Bernard and brilliantly ridden by Cristian Demuro, HM Alchahine powered home to claim his second UAE President’s Cup win, following his earlier triumph in the Italian leg.

He crossed the finish line decisively, clocking a winning time of 1 minute, 45.42 seconds, further cementing his reputation on the European circuit.

Finishing second was Al-Wakrah (France), owned by Al-Shaqab Racing, trained by Jean-Loup de Mieulle and ridden by Olivier d’Andigne. Al-Zeer (France), owned by Mohamed Fahad A.H. Al-Attiyah, finished third under trainer Francois Rohaut and jockey Adrie de Vries.

Also in the field were Papillion T (Holland), representing the Netherlands and trained and owned by Gerard Th. Zoetelief; Al-Zwair (France), also owned by Al-Shaqab Racing; and Djafar (France), owned by Abubaker S.A. Kadoura, with both horses showcasing competitive spirit.

The race and prize ceremony were attended by Dr. Peter Tschentscher, first mayor of Hamburg, Ahmed Al-Attar, UAE ambassador to Germany, Faisal Al-Rahmani, general secretary of the Higher Organizing Committee for the UAE President’s Cup, and Ahmed Al-Samarrai, president of the German Arabian Horse Association.

The winning trophy was presented to Nasser Hilal Al-Alawi, a representative of the owner, in the presence of the trainer and jockey, amid a celebratory crowd.

Speaking on the occasion, Al-Rahmani congratulated the winning team and said they were “extremely proud of the success achieved in Hamburg.

“The outstanding organization, strong participation, and warm reception all reflect the UAE’s growing impact on the global Arabian horse racing scene, a vision driven forward by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed.”

He added: “These results reaffirm the strength of UAE-owned horses in international racing.

“The UAE President’s Cup continues to act as a cultural bridge, introducing European and global audiences to the history, values, and noble legacy of Purebred Arabian horses.”