French Open could be “tense” after UK bombing-French player
PARIS, (Reuters) - Security worries could create a tense atmosphere at the French Open this year after a bomb attack on a British concert hall killed 22 people, French tennis player Lucas Pouille said yesterday.
Monday’s attack in Manchester, claimed by Islamic State, raised concerns about safety at big events worldwide.
Paris police chief Michel Delpuech said French authorities were looking at security at cultural and sports events, including the French Open which starts next week at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris.
Pouille, voicing outrage at the Manchester attack, said he believed security would be stepped up at Roland Garros this year.
He said he didn’t usually think about whether he felt safe on court. “But when something like that happens, you think about it, you think Roland will be a bit tense, that the atmosphere will ... not be like usual,” he said in an interview with Reuters Television.
“Security will have to do its job and be well organised so that people are safe,” he said.
Pouille, 23, was speaking at the launch of a marketing campaign for evian mineral water. Pouille, American player Madison Keys and former world number one Maria Sharapova attended the event as “ambassadors” for the brand.
While Pouille, ranked 17th in the world, and Keys spoke of their hopes for the Paris Open, Sharapova was refused a wild card for the tournament.
Sharapova posed for photos at the evian launch on the rooftop of a Paris department store, but organisers declined Reuters’ request to interview her.
The 30-year-old, who won the French Open in 2012 and 2014 but was hit with a 15-month doping ban last year, had been widely expected to be fast-tracked into the year’s second grand slam tournament.
After only returning to the circuit last month, Sharapova’s ranking was not high enough to warrant an automatic place in the Roland Garros main draw or in the qualifying event.
Asked if she felt there needed to be tighter security at Roland Garros in the wake of the Manchester attack, Keys said: “I am sure that the organisation and everyone in charge is going to do everything they can and I trust that they know what they are doing.”
She said she “definitely” felt safe when taking part in major tournaments. “I go through security just as everyone else so I know they are doing what they can,” she said.
Keys, who missed the Australian open in January after wrist surgery, said her wrist was feeling much better.
The 22-year-old, who is ranked 13th in the world, said her goal for Roland Garros this year was “to feel good on the court and feel confident in matchplay again.” Her long-term goals were to be “in the top five and win a grand slam.” KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Barbados stunned World number four Jamaica with a pulsating 43-41 victory here Monday night, stealing a 1-1 draw in the three-Test series and registering their first win over the Caribbean powerhouses in 33 years.
Playing at the National Arena, Jamaica controlled the game throughout and led 32-31 at the start of the final quarter but fell apart in the final quarter, as 12th ranked Barbados out-scored them 12-9 to pull off a sensational result.
The opening contest last Friday finished in another 44-44 tie while Jamaica eased to a comfortable 40-34 in Sunday’s second game, to take a valuable 1-0 lead in the series.
“Lots of little things went wrong. We need to work on our passing, keeping [the] ball, keeping it safe,” head coach Jermaine Allison-McCracken lamented afterwards.
Barbados were powered by goal shoot Shonica Wharton who shot 26 goals from 31 attempts while goal attack Sheniqua Thomas chipped in with 14 from 17 attempts.
For Jamaica, the experienced goal shoot Thristina Harwood led with 19 from 22 attempts with Shimona Nelson supporting with 13 from 14 and goal attack Rebekah Robinson, nine from 12.
Seeking a victory to clinch the series, Jamaica took charge early to lead 11-8 at the end of the first quarter, a lead they converted into 21-18 advantage at halftime.
Barbados continued to chip away at their deficit and out-scored the Jamaicans 13-11 in the penultimate quarter to close the gap heading into the final stanza.
With scores tied at 35 with four minutes remaining in the contest, Barbados then held their nerve best as Jamaica made critical turnovers to lose their way