Starting with tennis this morning and Naomi Osaka's decision to withdraw from the French Open yesterday came as a surprise to many but the Japanese star outlined in a statement just how much she has been struggling with her mental health over the last few years. After announcing earlier in the week that she would not be undertaking any media duties during the tournament, the four-time Grand Slam winner came in for quite a bit of criticism but since her announcement and her statement on Monday, numerous other tennis players and stars of other sports have rallied around her.
Moving on and the discussion about how much time a rugby match is now taking with scrums being reset, decisions going to the TMO and so on is one that has had plenty of air time. In his column this morning Gerry Thornley argues that the latest need for a stoppage - the captain's challenge which is being trialled during the Rainbow Cup - is just one too many. "Last Friday evening, in the final match of the season at Thomond Park, Cardiff restarted the game after Keynan Knox's converted try had put Munster 31-27 ahead. There were four minutes and 25 seconds remaining. Just over 14 minutes later, referee Andrew Brace blew the full-time whistle. Yes, 14 minutes," he writes. Meanwhile, the life of a rugby journeyman is by no means easy with big hits and small paycheques the order of the day. Shane O'Leary is one man who knows all too well about the life of a rugby troubadour with his latest stop coming at Rouen Normandie in the French ProD2. This morning he talks to John O'Sullivan about the realities of making a living away from the highest level.
Moving on to soccer and, while Ireland surely should easily dispose of Andorra this Thursday, there is no doubt that the pressure is building to do exactly that. Writing this morning, James McDermott takes a look at the mountainous microstate which is better known as a ski destination but also has a football team well used to lengthy winless streaks, making Ireland's current run seem like a walk in the park. After missing recent games through a combination of injury and being a Covid close contact, John Egan is ready to get the green jersey back on and the Kerry native spoke yesterday about still retaining hopes of World Cup qualification.
Finally to golf and Rory McIlroy tees it up at the Memorial Tournament this week, hopeful that he can rekindle some good form after a poor showing at the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. Elsewhere, it appears Mike Visacki - who recently went viral for his reaction to Monday-qualifying for the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour - has much to thank Justin Thomas for after the 2017 US PGA champion gave the mini-tour player some financial support to continue chasing his dream.
