Tatiana Prozorova withdraws from the Singapore Tennis Championships due to the “stress” of concussion

Russian Tatiana Prozorova said that her withdrawal from the semi-final of the Singapore Open came after “pressure” from a physiotherapist affiliated with the Women’s Tennis Association, who diagnosed her with a concussion after she was hit by a ball.

The tournament organizers said that Prozorova (22 years old) withdrew from the singles competition this week due to injury, which led to Australian Talia Gibson qualifying for the final without playing the match.

This announcement came after Prozorova and her colleague Sofia Lanceri withdrew from the quarter-final match in the doubles on Friday, after Prozorova was hit in the face by a ball.

“The physiotherapist who was summoned to the stadium insisted on taking me off the field for a certain test,” Prozorova wrote. Unfortunately, I didn't know I could say no. The test was not easy. Given that I spent more than 3 hours on the field every day during the past three days, I was suffering from fatigue, and I had difficulty in some exercises, such as standing on one foot with my eyes closed.

She added: “My team and I had a lengthy discussion with the organizers. The physiotherapist put pressure on everyone present and even claimed that I was unable to take responsibility for my life.”

She said that the tournament organizers supported her desire to continue playing, but the final decision rested with the WTA.

The WTA said Prozorova was evaluated by her on-site medical team and the tournament doctor, and that concussion protocols are in place to protect players' safety.

A federation spokesman told Reuters: “Under the federation’s physical incapacity rule and concussion protocol, a player diagnosed with a concussion is not permitted to participate in competitions, and will be deemed physically unable to do so.”

He added: “The player may not return to competition until she successfully completes the required gradual return protocol and obtains the appropriate medical approval.”

Reaching the semi-finals in Singapore was the best achievement in her career.

The chapters of the most widely discussed case in the history of the English Premier League are about to end, after Manchester City was found guilty of almost all charges related to violating financial regulations, while City is expected to file an appeal against the decision.

According to “The Athletic” network, City was convicted on all 115 charges, except for one charge, according to sources familiar with the case who spoke on condition of anonymity because they did not have permission to speak publicly.

A Manchester City spokesman told the network: “The Premier League procedures are still ongoing, and there are important elements that need to be completed, and they are subject to strict rules of confidentiality. Accordingly, Manchester City’s position remains consistent with the statement issued by the club in February 2023.”

The English Premier League guide stipulates penalties if City are proven to have violated the regulations, ranging from reprimand, financial fines, and deduction of points, all the way to expulsion from the Premier League.

French striker Kylian Mbappe will leave his country's squad after he was forced to leave the field due to a knee injury, shortly after scoring the winning goal against Turkey during the European Nations League match on Friday.

The team captain received treatment immediately after scoring the goal, and returned to the field shortly after, but he collapsed again after about one minute and was unable to continue the match, which forced coach Zinedine Zidane to replace him in the 58th minute during his first match as coach of the national team.

Zidane said about the Real Madrid player, "Unfortunately, the situation does not look good. I think he will have to return. We will not risk anything. He suffers from swelling in the knee. The situation is not encouraging, so we will not risk anything."

The French Football Federation said that Mbappe is suffering from a hamstring injury and that he will return to Madrid.

France won 1-0 in its first match in Group A in the first level of the European Nations League.