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Luton Town manager Rob Edwards said he could not enjoy the celebrations of his side being promoted to the Premier League after confirming that club captain Tom Lockyer collapsed during his side's shoot-out victory against Coventry City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Lockyer, 28, went down worryingly just 12 minutes into the Championship playoff final with no player around him. He was stretchered off and the club later confirmed he had been taken to hospital and was conscious.
The defender had been a crucial cog in Luton's tight defence all season as the club conceded just 39 league goals.
Asked if the squad would visit Lockyer in hospital, Edwards said: "If we can then we will. As a group we're so tight. I'm not sure if 40 people are allowed to go see someone at hospital, so we'll have to check on that. But I'm just so thankful he's OK.
"That's why I wasn't really able to enjoy the celebrations at the end, because all I could think about was Locks."
Despite losing their key defender, Luton rallied to secure their first-ever promotion to the Premier League with a 6-5 shoot-out victory following a 1-1 draw.
Edwards said that Lockyer is undergoing tests and that he does not yet know the extent of the issue that forced him off the pitch.
"I still don't fully know," he said. "I could see him on the floor and not really moving so I tried to get the players away. I need to try and refocus them. I said after 45 minutes we do it for him, focus. Focus on the job at hand."
Defender Dan Potts told Sky Sports: "I'm gutted for Locks [Lockyer], he deserved to be there holding that trophy. Hopefully we'll be able to see him tonight."
Following their victory, Lockyer's father posted a picture on Twitter of the defender celebrating in hospital. The squad members held a "Lockyer 4" shirt in the trophy lifting celebrations.
Daryl Mitchell outshines Shaheen Afridi as Lancashire down Notts
Lancashire 208 for 4 (Mitchell 85*) beat Nottinghamshire 186 for 5 (Munro 60, Wood 2-29) by 22 runs
Shaheen Shah Afridi is the glamorous signing who Nottinghamshire hope will sweep them to glory in the Vitality Blast. He still might, but his debut figures were symptomatic of a losing Nottinghamshire night as Lancashire turned in a superbly marshalled display for a third successive victory that they rarely looked likely to relinquish.
But this was a night that moved to the rhythm of a steady heartbeat, a night not for the superstar, but for the largely unsung professional, or at least as unsung as 95 international appearances can be and a quietly-bult reputation as one of the most productive, adaptable players around, able to adjust his game and his role in all formats. He could be one of the overseas signings of the summer, that Manchester background ensuring that he has settled into the season with barely a second thought.
Mitchell fashioned Lancashire's progress to 208 for 4 with an unbeaten 85 from 41 balls with six sixes and then accentuated the feeling that they were strong favourites by running out Matthew Montgomery with a fast, flat throw from long-off - the fourth wicket to fall, and leaving Notts 97 short with 50 balls remaining. They never quite got on terms after that.
Mitchell is having a good summer and also made a Championship hundred against Somerset on debut. He was reprieved three times though, the first of them on 7 when he blazed the Surrey loanee, Conor McKerr through Steven Mullaney's hands at mid-on; the second, a return catch to Mullaney on 32. On both occasions, instead of a reset by carefully scratching his guard, he settled himself with a look-at-me straight six.
Three sixes against Afridi - including a startling ramp over fine leg - were later to rival such nonchalance, although he was dropped again on 79 by Lyndon James, rushing in from the cover boundary - Afridi this time the bowler to suffer.
Lancashire's opening stand was worth 56 in 5.3 overs as Phil Salt and Luke Wells made light of the absence through injury of the captain, Keaton Jennings. Salt has possessed adventure from the first time he picked up a bat; Wells, once renowned as one of the dullest Championship openers around, someone even Eastbourne, his home town, would regard as overly sedate, has reinvented himself.
It took Samit Patel to arrest Lancashire's progress. He is 38 now, and it has to be said his trousers have a bit of an overhang (his full-on Tudor house phase is only a couple of seasons away) but his bowling intelligence should never be underestimated. He doesn't bother much with flight, certainly not on a flat surface like this, but he thinks batters out. When Steven Croft sliced an innocuous delivery to backward point, it was hard to understand why, but when he bowled Salt, sneaking below his attempted pull, he skidded one on with a perfect line.
Liam Livingstone is Lancashire's stand-in captain - Dane Vilas can't get in the side, largely because of the presence of Mitchell, who fulfils a similar role - and he bore his responsibility gravely, taking 18 over his first 18 balls as Mitchell cut loose. He became Afridi's only wicket of the night, but only after he had peppered the new hotel, which is scheduled to be completed in time for the Ashes Test, with two monumental midwicket sixes, the second of them given a nod of appreciation by a steward in a white crash hat.
There was a time when blows like this would have sailed out of the ground; now they are destined to bash into a shatter-proof window as somebody orders room service.
Colin Munro, in at three, was more of a threat, packing five sixes into his 60 from 29 balls. Lancashire preferred Wells' legspin to Matt Parkinson - Parkinson's career appears to be at a slightly rocky juncture - and the move came off when Munro tried to hit Wells over long-on and skied a top-edge to the wicketkeeper.
Lancashire and Nottinghamshire have won more T20 matches than any other counties - this win, statisticians told, taking Lancashire 138 - 137 ahead. It would be no surprise to find either of them at another Finals Day, but it is Lancashire, beaten finalists last year in that frantic finale against Hampshire, who must be brimming with confidence.
A Blast summer in which there is no clash with England's white-ball internationals gives them the mouthwatering prospect of Livingstone and Jos Buttler in alliance throughout next month. Not forgetting the contributions from Daryl Mitchell, naturally. Late-developer Mitchell: a player to be reckoned with.
David Hopps writes on county cricket for ESPNcricinfo @davidkhopps
Lopez floors Conlan, retains featherweight title
Luis Alberto Lopez needed to again cross the Atlantic Ocean if he wanted to remain a featherweight champion. And for the second time in six months, Lopez retained the IBF belt in the 126-pound division.
Lopez stopped Michael Conlan in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Saturday with a thunderous right uppercut in the fifth round that put the Irish challenger on his back and prompted his corner to throw the towel to stop the bout before the referee could administer a 10-count.
"I wanted to come to Belfast so I can prove that I am a true champion," Lopez said through an interpreter in a postfight interview with BT Sport.
Conlan was down for a couple of minutes following the stoppage and received oxygen from the medical staff before he eventually sat up and returned to his corner. He stood in the middle of the ring and applauded Lopez as the result was announced inside the ring.
Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs) was making his first title defense of the IBF featherweight belt. Last December, Lopez fought Josh Warrington in Warrington's hometown of Leeds, England, and picked up a majority decision.
The scorecards weren't necessary on Saturday.
After Conlan used his southpaw jab and body work to keep Lopez at a distance, the tide shifted in the third round. Lopez caught Conlan with a right uppercut, the first punch in a flurry that appeared to hurt Conlan (18-2, 9 KOs), who retreated to the ropes and was able to survive the round.
But for the rest of the fight, Lopez was in command. Adam Booth, Conlan's trainer, expressed concern over Conlan's body language after the fourth round, in which Conlan was looking to tie up Lopez.
Conlan was unable to get back into the fight before Lopez landed the massive knockout.
"I'm more powerful than him," Lopez told BT Sport. "I'm stronger than him and had speed and great footwork."
It was Conlan's second attempt at a featherweight title. Last March, Leigh Wood stopped Conlan in the 12th round to retain the WBA belt.
Conlan defeated Miguel Marriaga, a journeyman contender, in August, to rebuild momentum following the loss to Wood.
Lopez was seen limping in the ring following the victory, and he told BT Sport that he was dealing with a leg issue in the locker room. However, the ailment didn't stop the 29-year-old from keeping his spot as one of the world's top featherweights.
Lamati seriously hurt: Featherweight contender Ludumo Lamati was taken out of the ring on a stretcher following his stoppage loss to Nick Ball on the Lopez-Conlan undercard. The bout was waived off in the 12th round by Lamati's corner after the South African fighter continued to sustain significant damage.
The Lopez-Conlan bout was delayed for several minutes as medical officials offered assistance to Lamati, and no update on his condition was immediately available.
Heat's Vincent returns; Martin starting for Love
MIAMI -- Heat guard Gabe Vincent will return from a one-game absence and start in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night.
In another switch for the Heat, forward Caleb Martin will take Kevin Love's spot in the starting five.
Vincent, who is averaging 17.5 points a game during this series, missed Game 5 with a left ankle injury, which he suffered after landing awkwardly after taking a jump shot midway through the fourth quarter of Game 4. Vincent briefly returned to the game and was optimistic about playing in Game 5, but his ankle did not recover in time.
Kyle Lowry started in Vincent's place in Miami's 110-97 loss on Thursday. He struggled in his 30 minutes on the court, posting five points, two rebounds, one assist and four turnovers.
Martin has had a strong series off the bench for the Heat, averaging 17.6 points on 59.3% shooting from the field. He has also shot well from deep, going 14-of-31 (45.2%) on 3-pointers.
Love started the first five games of the series, averaging 5.0 points and 4.6 rebounds.
The Celtics will be without Malcolm Brogdon, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, who has been ruled out for Game 6 with a right forearm strain.
Miami is trying to avoid becoming the first NBA team to lose a playoff series after leading 3-0.
Follow live: Heat look to take the ECF title against Celtics in Miami
Heat's Gabe Vincent (ankle) returns to start in Game 6 vs. Celtics
Heat guard Gabe Vincent, who missed Game 5 with a left ankle injury, returns to the starting lineup in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, while Caleb Martin will take Kevin Love's place in the starting lineup.
Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury both claim doubles successes in Geneva and Lyon
Britons Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury both enjoyed doubles success with their respective partners before the French Open, which starts on Sunday.
Murray and Michael Venus of New Zealand triumphed in the Geneva Open to win their third title of the year.
The pair had to work hard to defeat third seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-3).
Salisbury and Rajeev Ram claimed their first title of the season together with victory in the ATP Tour event in Lyon.
The British-American pair, top seeds at the tournament, defeated France's Nicolas Mahut and Matwe Middelkoop of the Netherlands 6-0 6-3.
"It feels great. It's always nice to win a tournament - it's been a while for us," said Salisbury, who won four titles with Ram last year, including at the ATP Finals.
"That was our first final of the year and our first [title] of the year, so it's great to get this title, especially against such a great team and playing so well.
"It was a very convincing win and we played great, so that's also a really good feeling going into Roland Garros next week."
Elina Svitolina donates winnings from Strasbourg title to Ukrainian children
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina celebrated her first title since becoming a mother by donating her prize money to help children in her homeland.
Svitolina, 28, beat Russia's Anna Blinkova 6-2 6-3 to win the Internationaux de Strasbourg.
It comes just seven months after the former world number three, who is married to French player Gael Monfils, gave birth to their daughter Skai.
"I would like to share this energy with Ukraine," said Svitolina.
"All my prize money from this tournament is going to go to the kids of Ukraine, [which is] much needed in this tough moment."
Svitolina announced after the 2022 Miami Open last March that she was taking a sabbatical, citing the mental toll of the Russian invasion on her home country, and shortly after announced her pregnancy.
She continued to protest against the war before returning to the WTA tour in April and is now ranked 508th in the world.
Only three other players have won a tournament on the WTA with a lower ranking, and Svitolina became only the fifth wildcard to win on the tour.
It was the 17th title of her career and first since winning in Chicago in 2021.
The victory is a timely boost for Svitolina before the French Open, which starts on Sunday.
Svitolina, who has never gone past the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, is using her protected ranking to play in the tournament and will face Italian Martina Trevisan, 29, a semi-finalist last year, in the first round.
Her win in Strasbourg came in just over one hour 30 minutes and included seven breaks of the Blinkova serve.
"I would like to thank France for doing an unbelievable job, welcoming Ukrainians, doing everything possible for them to feel like it's their second home," she said.
"Thank you so much for everything that you do for us, and together, we're going to see the light and end this war."
Svitolina won 29,760 euros (£25,865) for her victory in Strasbourg.
French Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 'shock' at Rafael Nadal retirement plan
Novak Djokovic says hearing long-time rival Rafael Nadal announce he intends to retire in 2024 has made him question how long he too will continue playing.
Djokovic, 36, could win his 23rd major title at the French Open, pulling him clear of the injured Nadal and taking the outright men's singles record.
"It made me wonder about my career and how long I might play," said the Serb.
"When he announced he is going to have his last season, I felt part of me is leaving with him too."
Nadal has won a record 14 titles at Roland Garros but misses the clay-court Grand Slam for the first time in 19 years because of a long-term hip injury.
When announcing his withdrawal, the 36-year-old Spaniard said he would stop playing for the foreseeable future in an attempt to return for a planned farewell season in 2024.
Djokovic and Nadal have created one of the most enduring rivalries in tennis history, playing each other 59 times - a record on the ATP Tour - and sweeping up the sport's most significant prizes between them.
Since the pair each levelled and overtook Roger Federer's mark of 18 majors, they have been tussling to finish on top.
"Because of the rivalry that we have, I feel he was one of the most impactful people that I have had in my career," said Djokovic, who equalled Nadal's 22 majors by winning the Australian Open in January.
"He has been a great motivational factor for me to keep playing and keep competing, to keep pushing each other and who's going to achieve more.
"So that news came as a shock to everybody.
"It made me think about my career. I'm not going to make any announcement today, but reflecting on it, I felt a little bit emotional about what he was saying."
Djokovic has won two titles at Roland Garros, first in 2016 when Nadal withdrew before his third-round match, then again in 2021 when he beat Nadal in the semi-finals.
Seeded third behind Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev this year, Djokovic said he would not miss seeing his rival in the draw.
Djokovic also beat Nadal in the 2015 quarter-finals, going on to lose to Stan Wawrinka in the final, but has lost eight of their 10 meetings on the Paris clay.
"I don't like seeing him in the draw of Roland Garros, to be honest," he smiled.
"I have managed to beat him twice, but I had to leave my heart and my guts out on the court to achieve that.
"So I know how hard it is to play him anywhere, but especially here.
"But, as a tennis fan and someone that is part of the tennis ecosystem, you always want to win, to see the best tennis players in the world, the most famous tennis players in the world playing."
The Egypt Cup: A Rich History of Table Tennis and Diplomacy
When the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2023 draws to a close on Sunday 28 May, a momentous tradition will unfold as the symbolic Egypt Cup will be presented to the city of Busan, the host of the next World Championships. This esteemed trophy, which made its debut in Cairo in 1939, holds significant historical and cultural value as it represents the legacy of table tennis and its impact on fostering sportsmanship, diplomacy, and international harmony.
Originally initiated by King Farouk, the then ruler of Egypt, the Egypt Cup was intended to be presented to the host nation at the beginning of the tournament. It marked a special occasion as it was the first time the ITTF World Championships took place on African soil. Over eight decades later, as the tournament returns to Africa, this time in Durban, the tradition of passing the Egypt Cup from one host to another remains intact. It serves as a powerful symbol of continuity, unity, and the enduring spirit of the sport.
The significance of the Egypt Cup extends beyond its ceremonial role. As it changes hands, the cup shines a light on the profound impact that table tennis has had in promoting friendship and goodwill throughout history. The sport has transcended borders, bridging cultural divides and bringing people from different nations together in the spirit of competition and camaraderie. The Egypt Cup stands as a testament to these values and serves as a reminder of the positive influence that table tennis continues to have on the world stage.
The ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Busan 2024 will take place from 16 to 25 February. As we approach the marquee event, the organising committee is increasing public engagement. In March of this year, they introduced their delightful mascots, Loopy and Chopy, which have already captured the hearts of many. More information about ticketing will be available soon, giving fans a chance to secure their spots for this highly-anticipated event.
Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin Clinch Men’s Doubles Title
Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin have been crowned as the champions of the Men’s Doubles for the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2023. Before lifting the prestigious Iran Cup Men’s Doubles trophy, the Chinese pair had to overcome a slow start before chalking up three games without response against Republic of Korea counterparts Jang Woojin and Lim Jonghoon (13-11, 11-6, 11-5).
Jang and Lim had the upper hand going into the first game, racing to a 7-3 lead, but eventually succumbed to the top seeds. The Korean pair had narrowly missed out on the title at the 2021 World Championships Finals in Houston and could not one up their performance in the current instalment.
Fan and Wang have now successfully wrested the Men’s Doubles title back for China after Mattias Falck and Kristian Karlsson’s surprise title success for Sweden in 2021.
On their win, Wang Chuqin said, “I felt that Fan Zhendong and I played very well in the Men’s Doubles final. In the first set, we had a nice comeback after a very difficult situation. At this World Championships, Fan Zhendong and I have gradually found our own style in cooperating with each other and I could feel our understanding and communication improve with each game.”
Follow all the action from the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Durban 2023 on our website and stay up to date with the full results, draws and match schedules. Obtain free photos for editorial use here.
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