Las Vegas Raiders’ number one draft pick Fernando Mendoza will skip the Indiana Hoosiers’ celebratory visit to the White House to focus on his rookie preparations.
The 22-year-old was instrumental in leading Indiana to their first ever national championship.
The championship-winning team has been invited to Washington D.C. on 11 May by US President Donald Trump to commemorate their success.
However, the Heisman Trophy winner has opted out of the trip, citing a desire to make a strong impression on his new NFL employers.
Rookie prioritises team practice
The Boston-born star expressed concerns that attending the presidential reception would conflict with the Raiders’ Organised Team Activities (OTAs).
“If it is on the first day of OTAs, like I said, I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here,” Mendoza explained.
“I’ve got to prove myself. I can’t miss practice.”
The quarterback emphasised that his primary goal is to serve his new teammates as he transitions to the professional level.
“I don’t know anything official. I don’t have the calendar, but as a rookie I don’t think that’s a good look,” he added.
Scheduling discrepancy and college legacy
Despite the player’s scheduling concerns, the official Las Vegas Raiders website lists their rookie workouts as beginning on 18 May.
This timeline leaves a one-week gap between the White House ceremony and the start of official team activities in Nevada.
The first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft leaves behind a historic collegiate legacy before moving to Las Vegas.
The former Hoosiers quarterback threw for 222 yards to secure a 13-10 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game.
He later completed 16 passes for 186 yards and rushed for a touchdown as Indiana defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 to claim the national title.
British number one Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Italian Open in Rome after suffering from a post-viral illness.
The 2021 US Open champion had been practicing in the Italian capital for the past few days ahead of the prestigious clay-court tournament.
She completed her mandatory media obligations before ultimately deciding alongside her team that she was unfit to compete.
Setback in clay-court season
This latest withdrawal represents a frustrating obstacle for the 23-year-old as she attempts to build momentum on the demanding European clay-court swing.
The talented right-hander has endured a heavily disrupted timeline on the WTA Tour, frequently battling various injuries and physical ailments since her historic triumph in New York.
Her focus will now undoubtedly shift toward regaining full fitness ahead of the impending French Open at Roland Garros.
Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to negotiate a cut-price permanent transfer for loan midfielder Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich this summer.
Roberto De Zerbi has guided the north London club to consecutive Premier League victories, boosting their hopes of avoiding relegation.
The Italian coach has revitalised the squad’s spirit since his recent arrival.
With three crucial fixtures remaining to secure top-flight status, attention is already turning toward essential summer recruitment.
Capitalising on Bayern’s stance
The 30-year-old currently has a £21.5m buy option included in his temporary loan agreement.
However, recent reports indicate the German champions are eager to offload the Portuguese international permanently.
This situation presents the Premier League side with a prime opportunity to secure his signature for a significantly reduced fee.
Doing so would preserve vital transfer funds to strengthen other key areas of the pitch.
Midfield grit and passion
The tenacious ball-winner has excelled during recent fixtures, particularly impressing against Aston Villa.
While his distribution may lack penetrative passing, his defensive coverage and tackling ability have proven invaluable.
De Zerbi has publicly praised the loanee’s passionate approach to the game.
“Yeah, I love Palhinha like this.”
The manager admitted he enjoys seeing his players enthusiastically celebrate crucial challenges.
“No, no, they have not to follow me in this, but if I saw one player like…”
Jon Rahm has reached a settlement with the DP World Tour to retain his membership and ensure his eligibility for next year’s Ryder Cup following negotiations over unpaid fines.
The two-time major champion previously rejected a settlement offer that was accepted by several of his LIV Golf colleagues.
That initial proposal required the payment of financial penalties and a strict commitment to play a minimum of six events on the European circuit.
Fines settled for conditional release
The exact number of tournaments the 31-year-old must now enter remains unconfirmed by tour organisers.
However, the Spanish player will settle his outstanding disciplinary fines, which he previously estimated to be in the region of £2.6m.
This landmark agreement grants the former Masters winner a conditional release to continue competing in conflicting events for the foreseeable future.
This involves payment of all outstanding fines accrued from 2024 to date, along with participation in agreed DP World Tour tournaments (outside the Majors) in the remainder of the 2026 season.
Uncertainty surrounds breakaway league
The compromise arrives at a critical juncture for the Saudi-backed golf league following major financial developments.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund recently announced that it will cease funding the breakaway competition at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.
The organisation is actively searching for alternative investment as it prepares to resume its schedule at Trump National Golf Club this weekend.
Crucial boost for European team
Securing the former world number one’s availability represents a significant victory for European captain Luke Donald.
The formidable ball-striker has been an integral part of the continental squads that triumphed in the last two editions of the biennial contest.
He is now poised to feature prominently when the prestigious team event heads to Adare Manor next year.
The lucrative recruit, who moved leagues for a reported £258m in late 2023, will next compete at the PGA Championship at Aronimink.
Fabio Wardley will defend his WBO heavyweight world title against Daniel Dubois in Manchester this Saturday, completing a remarkable journey from white-collar boxing to the sport’s pinnacle.
The Ipswich-born fighter initially laced up his boots for Ipswich Town’s academy before eventually swapping the football pitch for the boxing ring.
His unconventional route into professional pugilism began away from the traditional amateur circuit in the unlicenced white-collar scene.
Since those humble beginnings, the powerful heavyweight has enjoyed a meteoric ascent to global prominence.
Unorthodox route to world honours
Transitioning from a promising youth footballer to a world-class combat athlete remains an incredibly rare feat in modern sports.
The former academy prospect bypassed the standard amateur developmental system entirely, learning his brutal trade under the unforgiving lights of regional leisure centres.
He now proudly stands as the WBO champion and prepares to face the toughest test of his professional career this weekend.
Manchester showdown awaits
Dubois represents a formidable and heavy-handed challenger for the newly crowned titleholder.
This highly anticipated domestic clash in Manchester has firmly captured the imagination of the British boxing public.
Fans will be eager to see if the unconventional champion can successfully navigate his maiden world title defence.
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman has revealed his absence during the final weeks of the NHL season was to focus on his mental health.
The 35-year-old released a statement on Tuesday confirming the reasons behind his recent extended spell away from the ice.
He did not feature in his team’s final 22 fixtures, including their seven-game playoff defeat against the Montreal Canadiens.
Prioritising personal wellbeing
The Swedish defenseman had been seen around the franchise recently and participated in some skating sessions, though his last competitive appearance came in mid-March.
“Over the past couple of months, I made the decision to step away and focus on my mental health,” Hedman stated.
“It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one.”
“I’ve always believed that being a leader means doing what’s best for the team. In this case, it also meant doing what was necessary to take care of myself, so I can be the best player, teammate, husband and father I expect to be.”
A campaign disrupted by absence
The veteran blue-liner featured in just 33 games this season, marking the lowest appearance total of his decorated professional career.
Prior to his personal leave, physical setbacks had already severely restricted his ice time between November and February.
Despite those earlier injury issues, the former second-overall draft pick still managed to represent his country at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Raising awareness in professional hockey
The two-time Stanley Cup champion expressed immense gratitude to his teammates, family, therapist and the wider organisation for their ongoing support.
“This is something that exists in our game more than people see,” the 2020 Conn Smythe Trophy winner added.
“If this moment helps make it easier for others to take care of themselves when they need to, that matters.”
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has warned that tennis players could boycott Grand Slam tournaments unless they receive an increased share of event revenues, starting with the upcoming French Open.
The Belarusian star, alongside men’s number one Jannik Sinner, was among several elite competitors who released a joint statement expressing deep disappointment regarding financial compensation at Roland Garros.
Competitors are demanding improved revenue distribution alongside enhanced representation, health benefits and pension schemes across all four major championships.
Threat of strike action
Speaking ahead of the Italian Open in Rome, the top-ranked player insisted that drastic measures might be necessary to force systemic financial change within the sport.
“Without us there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment. I feel like we deserve to be paid more.”
Sabalenka continued by suggesting that withholding player participation might become an inevitability.
“I think at some point we will boycott it. I feel like that’s going to be the only way to fight for our rights.”
Disputed revenue figures
Despite organisers announcing a 10 per cent increase to the overall Parisian prize pot last month, athletes claim the underlying financial figures highlight a proportional decrease in their true earnings.
According to the players’ collective declaration, the athlete share of tournament revenue in the French capital has projected a decline from 15.5 per cent in 2024 to 14.9 per cent for the 2026 event.
This dispute arrives shortly after officials confirmed the total compensation package for this year’s clay-court major would rise by £4.6m to a record £53.5m.
Swiatek urges dialogue
Four-time Roland Garros winner Iga Swiatek offered a more measured response, suggesting that immediate strike action remains an extreme scenario.
“The most important thing is to have proper communication and discussions with the governing bodies so we have some space to talk and maybe negotiate.”
The Polish international remains hopeful that productive conversations can take place before the second major of the season begins.
“Hopefully before Roland Garros there’s going to be opportunity to have these type of meetings and we’ll see how they go.”
“But boycotting the tournament, it’s a bit extreme kind of situation.”
French Open officials have not yet issued a formal public response following the release of the players’ declaration.
WNBA all-time leading rebounder Tina Charles announced her retirement on Tuesday at the age of 37, concluding a record-breaking 14-season career.
The former UConn standout confirmed her decision in a deeply reflective social media statement.
Having dominated the paint for over a decade, she departs as the league’s career leader in both total rebounds with 4,262 and field goals with 3,364.
A legacy of statistical dominance
Although a WNBA championship ultimately eluded her, the three-time Olympic gold medallist amassed an astonishing resume at both the collegiate and international levels.
She leaves the professional game ranked second on the all-time scoring list with 8,396 points, trailing only Phoenix Mercury veteran Diana Taurasi.
Prior to entering the professional ranks, the prolific centre secured two national championships during an illustrious tenure at the University of Connecticut.
‘Growth requires honesty’
Reflecting on her remarkable journey, the 37-year-old expressed profound gratitude for her 15 years operating within elite professional basketball.
“I have experienced the highest highs and lowest lows, and I’m thankful for all of it,” she stated.
The decorated forward explained that stepping away from the court was a necessary evolution in her life trajectory.
“At some point, you have to edit your life. Not everything and not everyone is meant for the whole journey.”
“Growth requires honesty, and for me, that meant recognizing when my impact was being called in a new direction.”