Digest

SOCCER

Willian braced for end to 'beautiful' Blues story

Brazilian midfielder Willian has revealed that he is likely to leave Chelsea this summer after seven years with the English Premier League club.

Willian, whose contract with the Blues expires in June, said he is open to offers from other clubs after talks about a new deal broke down.

"I have a beautiful story at Chelsea. I have a great relationship with the fans and everybody at the club. But my contract is ending and it's going to be difficult," the 31-year-old said.

"Chelsea offered me two (more) years. I asked for three and they said it was impossible. I don't know if they can change their mind but, with the end of my current contract, I'm free to negotiate with any team."

Willian has made 329 first-team appearances for Chelsea since joining the London club from Russia's Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013. He ruled out a return to Brazil in the near future, believing he still has plenty to offer teams in Europe.

Matthaus urges Bayern to hang onto star trio

German legend Lothar Matthaus has urged Bayern Munich to hang onto their best players amid doubts over the future of veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

"At Bayern, as at every team, you can replace almost any player. In this case the exceptions are Robert Lewandowski, Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer. In my eyes they are indispensable," said former Bayern ace Matthaus in his Sky column on Wednesday.

Neuer is in talks with Bayern to extend his contract but the sides have yet to come to an agreement.

"If I were in Bayern's shoes, I wouldn't put a gun to his head. I can't and I don't want to imagine Manuel in a shirt of any other club, but if he thinks that he will be better somewhere else, then he should accept such an offer.

"On the other hand, I am skeptical if he would find one in the current situation. Apart from the coronavirus crisis, his subsequent contracts are unlikely to be as lucrative as the previous ones."

The 1990 World Cup winner also advised Bayern to sell David Alaba, with the Swiss expected to leave the Bundesliga leader this summer.

GYMNASTICS

Biles worried by mental strain of Olympic delay

Reigning world and Olympic all-around champion Simone Biles says coping with the mental strain of waiting another year for the Tokyo Olympics will take a heavy toll by 2021.

Biles, who turned 23 last month, told the Today show on US Olympic telecaster NBC that she expects coaches will have her in top condition, but getting her mind in top shape a year later than planned will be difficult.

"Physically I have no doubt that my coaches will get me back in shape," Biles said."But mentally going another year, I think that's what's going to take a toll on me and all of us, most of the athletes.

"So we have to stay in shape mentally as much as physically, and that will play a big factor moving forward, listening to your body and your mind."

Biles said she had been planning to retire this year after the Olympics and is playing next year's Games "by ear".

TENNIS

Federer 'devastated' by Wimbledon cancellation

Roger Federer, whose record haul of 20 Grand Slam titles includes eight Wimbledon trophies, said he was "devastated" by the news that the

Wimbledon championships were canceled for the first time since World War II on Wednesday.

"There is no gif for these things that I am feeling," the Swiss said.

While the decision had looked inevitable for some time due to the virtual shutdown of world sports and postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, Wimbledon had been one of the few events not to have been officially canceled or postponed.

But after emergency talks between the various stakeholders over the last few days, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) announced that it was impossible for the grass-court Grand Slam, scheduled for June 29-July 12, to take place.

"It is with great regret that the main board... have today decided that The Championships 2020 will be canceled due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus epidemic," the AELTC said in a statement.

"The 134th Championships will instead be staged from June 28 to July 11, 2021."

GOLF

NFL stars could join Woods-Mickelson duel

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are in talks to stage a golf event to help coronavirus relief efforts that would also include NFL stars Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

Golf.com and CNBC reported the 18-hole match, which has yet to be approved by PGA Tour officials, will feature two-man teams with each major golf star joined by an NFL quarterback legend.

In 2018, Mickelson defeated Woods in a one-on-one, pay-per-view matchup in Las Vegas to pocket the winner-takes-all $9 million prize.

The two-on-two sequel, expected to be played in May, would be a rare event at a time when most global sport has been shut down by the deadly virus. CNBC reported 15-time major winner Woods, the reigning Masters champion, would partner with fellow 44-year-old Manning, a two-time Super Bowl winner, against 49-year-old US left-hander Mickelson, a five-time major winner, and Brady.

BASKETBALL

Lakers and Nets now all symptom-free

The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers have completed 14-day home isolations without any players showing symptoms of coronavirus, the NBA clubs said on Wednesday.

The teams intend to continue to follow safety guidelines set by health and government officials regarding social distancing and sheltering in place.

Nets general manager Sean Marks, the first New Zealand-born player in the NBA, said the four Nets players who had tested positive for the virus, reportedly including superstar forward Kevin Durant, now show no symptoms of COVID-19.

The entire travel group for the Nets has completed isolation after learning March 17 that a player was showing coronavirus symptoms.

Durant has not played a game for the Nets due to a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in last June's NBA Finals while with Golden State.

Kyrie Irving played only 20 games for Brooklyn before calling it quits for the season due to a shoulder injury.

All team practice facilities have been closed due to the outbreak.

Xinhua - Agencies