Digest

SOCCER

Piatek praise for new Hertha coach Labbadia

Hertha Berlin striker Krzysztof Piatek has heaped praised on new manager Bruno Labbadia, claiming that "thanks to the German he will be a better player".

Labbadia replaced Alexander Nouri on Hertha's bench on April 9.

"In the last matches we played under expectations, chaos dominated on the pitch. I'm the type of player who is ready to work hard and the coach has already realized that. I deeply believe that he could help me with reaching a higher level," said Piatek in an interview for Polish media on Tuesday.

Piatek joined Hertha in the winter transfer window, but in six Bundesliga games found the net just once. "I have to forget about the past, as there are good and bad moments in football. I didn't focus on the fact that I couldn't score, but sometimes you have it in your mind," he added.

Brazilian clubs vote to complete season

Clubs from Brazil's top two national soccer divisions have voted unanimously in favor of completing their seasons to guarantee their share of TV broadcast revenue during the coronavirus pandemic.

Both leagues－originally slated to begin in early May－have been postponed indefinitely, prompting fears that the season could be shortened or called off.

All of the 40 clubs in Serie A and Serie B expressed a desire to play each of the scheduled 38 rounds in a letter sent to broadcaster O Globo on Tuesday.

"The presidents of all of the clubs met ... and a letter was delivered to Globo confirming a commitment to have 38 match days in return for our (broadcast rights) income," Edno Melo, the president of Serie B club Nautico, told Radio Jornal.

"TV money was already vital for clubs but now it's absolutely vital for our survival," he added.

In the letter, clubs asked O Globo to bring forward broadcast payments to help them manage their costs.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Gronkowski returns to reunite with Brady

Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski came out of retirement and was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to reunite with quarterback Tom Brady, both teams announced on Tuesday.

The Buccaneers sent a fourth-round pick (No 139 overall) to the Patriots, who sent back a seventh-rounder (No 241) with Gronkowski. ESPN reported that Gronkowski passed his physical with an independent physician in Boston to complete the deal.

Gronkowski texted Fox Sports' Jay Glazer: "I'm back. I always said when I have that feeling and it feels right, I will be ready to take the field again. And I have that feeling. I'm ready."

NFL Network reported that Gronkowski, who turns 31 in May, has been putting on weight for a return to football after spending the 2019 season retired.

MOTOR SPORTS

Hamilton: Mercedes is my dream team

Six-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has dismissed talk of a 'dream move' to Ferrari being dashed, saying he was already with his dream team at Mercedes and not seeking to leave.

The 35-year-old Briton has won five of his titles with the dominant Mercedes factory team, while his first in 2008 came with McLaren when it was partnered and powered by the German marque.

Hamilton is out of contract at the end of 2020 and had been linked with a move to Ferrari before the COVID-19 pandemic threw everything up in the air, with the season yet to start and 2021 rule changes delayed to 2022.

After The Sun newspaper suggested in a headline that his dreams of a "mega-money Ferrari move" had been dashed with four-time champion Sebastian Vettel set to stay, Hamilton replied on Instagram: "First off, there is no dream of a dash to another team. I am with my dream team," the Briton said in a comment that was later deleted.

RUGBY

Whitelock eyeing NZ team after Japan exit

All Blacks veteran Sam Whitelock hopes to return to rugby in New Zealand at some stage this year after the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to his stint in Japan's Top League.

The 115-Test lock had planned to skip the Super Rugby season while completing a short-term contract with Robbie Deans' Panasonic Wild Knights but has returned home after Japan's domestic competition was canceled last month.

Super Rugby, along with all competitions in New Zealand, has been suspended as part of measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus, but if action resumes Whitelock hopes to play for Scott Robertson's Crusaders or the Canterbury provincial side.

"We are pretty gutted the Japan competition has been canceled, we understand, but we were sitting pretty well on the table," the 31-year-old told New Zealand broadcaster Sky Sports.

TENNIS

Tours join forces to agree on relief deal

The ATP and WTA, along with the International Tennis Federation and organizers of the four Grand Slams, said on Tuesday they are creating a coronavirus relief fund to help players affected by the sport's current shutdown.

The specifics about how much money will be collected and how it will be distributed among the lower-ranked players were not disclosed in a joint statement that said details are in the process of being finalized.

"These discussions have been progressing well and details are being finalized with an announcement expected in the near future," the statement said.

The tennis season was halted in early March due to the coronavirus pandemic, which makes it difficult for those in the lower echelons of the sport who depend solely on tournament winnings to earn a living. Both the men's ATP Tour and the women's WTA will administer the player relief program.

Xinhua - Agencies