Despite unclear vax status, Novak to play in Aussie
Novak Djokovic will get a chance to defend his Australian Open title after receiving a medical exemption to travel to Melbourne, ending months of uncertainty about his participation because of the strict COVID-19 vaccination requirements in place for the tournament.
The top-ranked Djokovic wrote on Instagram on Tuesday he has “an exemption permission” to travel to Australia.
Djokovic, who is seeking a record 21st Grand Slam singles title, has continually refused to reveal if he is vaccinated against the coronavirus. The Victoria state government has mandated that all players, staff and fans attending the Australian Open must be fully vaccinated unless there is a genuine reason why an exemption should be granted.
RUTGERS TOPS MICHIGAN
Geo Baker scored 27 points on 10-for-15 shooting and Ron Harper Jr. scored 20 as Rutgers beat depleted Michigan, 75-67, in
Piscataway.
It was Rutgers’ first win against the Wolverines in 15-game series that began Dec. 20, 1933. Michigan played without reserves Frankie Collins, Jaron Faulds, Brandon Johns Jr., and Terrance Williams II due to undisclosed medical reasons. Zeb Jackson didn’t make the trip due to personal reasons.
l Jared Rhoden scored 17 points, Alexis Yetna scored 14 points with 10 rebounds, and No. 24 Seton Hall beat Butler, 71-56, in Indianapolis.
Bryce Aiken added 12 points and seven assists for the Pirates (10-3, 1-2 Big East), who avoided their first 0-3 start in league play since 2009-10. Seton Hall has won four of its past six at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
SLOANE-JOZY WED
Tennis star Sloane Stephens and soccer player Jozy Altidore have gotten married.
Stephens and Altidore posted a wedding photo Tuesday on their Instagram accounts. The wedding took place Saturday at the St. Regis Bal Harbour in Miami Beach, Florida, according to People magazine.
The couple announced their engagement on Twitter in April 2019 with a photo showing her wearing a diamond ring. Her tweet said: “Forever yes” and his said: “Forever starts now.”
Stephens, 28, won the 2017 U.S. Open and was a finalist in the 2018 French Open, a semifinalist at the 2013 Australian Open and a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon in 2013.
Altidore, 32, has been with Toronto FC of Major League Soccer since 2015 following stints with the Red Bulls (2006-08), Spain’s Villarreal (2008-11) and Xerez (2009), England’s Hull (2009-10) and Sunderland (2013-15), Turkey’s Bursaspor (2011) and the Netherlands’ AZ Alkmaar (2011-13).
APOLOGY AFTER 92-4 WIN
A Connecticut high school apologized on Tuesday after its girls’ basketball team beat an opponent 92-4.
Sacred Heart Academy of Hamden (3-0) beat Lyman Hall-Wallingford (0-5) on Monday night. The Sharks led, 29-0, after one quarter, 56-0 at halftime, and 80-0 after three quarters.
There is no mercy rule in Connecticut high school basketball. Lyman Hall coach Tom Lipka said Sacred Heart subjected his team to a press for most of the first half, then went into a tight man-to-man defense for the rest of the game.