TENNIS
Serena Williams Responds to McEnroe
Serena Williams has no interest in John McEnroe’s thoughts on what would happen if she tried to play on the men’s tour. Williams responded via Twitter to comments McEnroe made during a weekend interview with NPR to promote his latest book. In her post, Williams tells McEnroe, “I adore and respect you,” but she asks him to “please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based.”
McEnroe, a former player and now TV commentator, said Williams is the best women’s tennis player in history, “no question.” He said he thought Williams could beat some men, “but if she had to just play the circuit — the men’s circuit — that would be an entirely different story.” He said if she tried to be part of the men’s tour, “she’d be like 700 in the world.”
KVITOVA OUT OF EASTBOURNE The Eastbourne International, a British grass-court tuneup for Wimbledon, lost Petra Kvitova to injury and Dominika Cibulkova to a surprise defeat. Kvitova pulled out because of an abdominal injury, a day after winning the Aegon Classic for her first title since her playing hand was injured in a knife attack in December. Cibulkova, a No. 4 seed, lost to Heather Watson, 7-5, 6-4.
GOLF
South Korean Takes Over No. 1 Spot
The two-time major champion So Yeon Ryu became the third player this year to rise to No. 1 with her victory Sunday in the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. Ryu, a 26-year-old from South Korea, replaces Ariya Jutanugarn, who held the top ranking for two weeks. Jutanugarn had replaced Lydia Ko.
PRO FOOTBALL
Saints Tackle Will Miss the Season
New Orleans General Manager Mickey Loomis said the starting defensive tackle Nick Fairley has been placed on the Saints’ nonfootball-illness list, meaning he will not play this season. The 6-foot-4, 308-pound Fairley had arguably his best season with New Orleans in 2016, playing in all 16 games with a career-high six and a half sacks.
However, symptoms related to an enlarged heart led Fairley to miss off-season practices and minicamp while he saw specialists to determine whether playing football would be an undue health risk. Saints Coach Sean Payton has said at least one specialist recommended that Fairley give up football.
EX-PACKER GREEN CHARGED The former Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green was charged with felony child abuse after his 15-year-old daughter told the police he punched her in the face.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Baylor Confirms N.C.A.A. Investigation
The N.C.A.A. is conducting an “ongoing, pending investigation” into Baylor University in the wake of a sexual assault scandal that led to the firing of Football Coach Art Briles and the departure of the university’s president, Baylor’s lawyers confirmed in a federal court filing.
Baylor officials acknowledged the investigation while asking a judge to protect the university’s communications with the N.C.A.A. from lawyers for several women who have sued Baylor, the nation’s largest Baptist university.
BASEBALL
Sheen’s Ruth Memorabilia at Auction
The actor Charlie Sheen revealed himself as the owner of Babe Ruth’s 1927 World Series ring and the contract of Ruth’s sale from the Red Sox to the Yankees for the 1920 season, which are part of the first Lelands.com Invitational Auction. Bidding closes Friday.
Ruth’s ring, which is the first of four titles he won with the Yankees, has the highest price of all the auction’s items. It started with an opening bid of $100,000 and was up to $555,991 as of Monday.
FLORIDA GAINS CONTROL IN C.W.S. FINALS Brady Singer struck out a career-high 12 in seven innings, Jonathan India doubled in two runs, and Florida beat Louisiana State, 4-3, in Game 1 of the College World Series finals in Omaha.
The Gators (51-19) need a win Tuesday or Wednesday to capture their first national championship in the sport.
Singer’s strikeout total was the highest by a pitcher in a C.W.S. finals game. Singer (9-5) limited L.S.U. (52-19) to three singles before Antoine Duplantis homered in the sixth.
SALE PACES RED SOX Chris Sale pitched six and a third innings and recorded nine strikeouts, Mitch Moreland hit a solo home run for the third straight game, and Boston defeated the Minnesota Twins, 4-1, at Fenway Park in a matchup of two of the American League’s top teams.
