French Open offers no seed for Serena
Serena Williams’ return to Grand Slam tennis from maternity leave just got even tougher.
French Open organizers announced yesterday they will not give Williams a seeding.
“This year again, tournament officials will establish the list and ranking of the women’s seeds based on the WTA ranking,” the French Tennis Federation said in a statement. “Consequently, (the seeds) will reflect this week’s world ranking.”
Williams, a three-time French Open champion, is expected to play in her first major since giving birth to her daughter in September. While Williams can enter Roland Garros under the WTA’s protected or “special” ranking rule, it’s up to Grand Slam organizers to give her a seed.
While she was No. 1 when she left the tour to give birth, Williams is currently ranked No.453. Without a seeding, the 23-time Grand Slam champion risks facing highly ranked players in the early rounds.
NFL: Incognito available as free agent
Richie Incognito’s playing days might not be over as the veteran guard is free to resume his career after the Buffalo Bills released him from their reserve/retired list. The 34-year-old Incognito has 11 seasons of NFL experience, including the past three with Buffalo . . . .
Sexual assault allegations against Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia from 1996 are not subject to the NFL personal conduct policy. The league says it has completed its review of the team’s interviewing process . ...
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says Congress should enact uniform standards for any states that plan to legislate sports betting. Goodell detailed the league’s position in a statement that reiterated the NFL’s stance that legalized sports gambling in the U.S. should be governed by federal law rather than state law. The Supreme Court ruled last week to strike down a 1992 law that barred most state-authorized sports gambling.
Misc.: Wickens crash adds to team woes
Robert Wickens crashed yesterday during the second-to-last practice for the Indianapolis 500, another headache for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports just two days after top driver James Hinchcliffe failed to make the field for the showcase race . ...
Former Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre has been hired for the same role with Major League Soccer’s expansion franchise in Nashville, Tenn . . . .
Vahid Halilhodzic is suing the Japanese soccer association and its president after he was fired as national coach only two months before the World Cup . . . .
Olympic swimmer Ariana Kukors Smith sued USA Swimming, alleging the sport’s national governing body knew her former coach sexually abused her as a minor, failed to protect her and covered it up. Kukors Smith alleges Sean Hutchison groomed her for sexual abuse when she was 13, started touching and kissing her when she was 16, and engaged in sexual activity with her when she was 17 . . . .
Courtney Force won her second straight Funny Car race, capturing the rain-delayed NHRA Heartland Nationals in Topeka, Kan . . . .
Carol Mann, a two-time major champion who won 38 LPGA Tour titles, has died. She was 77 . . . .
Former Ohio State quarterback Joe Burrow is transferring to LSU, where he will be eligible to play immediately and compete for the Tigers’ starting job.