Max Verstappen insists he fully deserved his Formula One world championship triumph and does not believe the achievement has been overshadowed by the ongoing controversy around the title-deciding race.
The 24-year-old clinched his first title by pipping seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December.
Hamilton had built up a healthy lead over his Red Bull rival in the season finale, with both men having entered the race level on points, until a controversial late safety car period was followed by Verstappen overtaking the Mercedes driver on the final lap.
Mercedes were furious with how race rules were applied in a safety-car situation and challenged the result, believing Hamilton was unfairly prevented from winning the race and the championship when Verstappen passed him with only a few corners remaining.
The FIA last month announced a "detailed analysis" of the contentious ending has started, with the result of the inquiry to be released before this season's first race in Bahrain on March 20.
Regardless of the verdict reached by the sport's governing body, Verstappen does not believe the controversy detracts from his triumph.
"[The FIA] can't do anything," Verstappen told The Guardian.
Asked if he felt his maiden title triumph has been overshadowed somewhat, the Dutchman replied: "Not at all. I had a very good season and I think I really deserved it.
"I have been really unlucky as well. People always remember the last race but, if you look at the whole season, the championship should have been decided way earlier."
Verstappen was graciously congratulated by Hamilton following his title-clinching victory in Abu Dhabi, bringing down the curtain on an eventful season that saw both drivers take it in turns to lead the standings.
A low point in the campaign for Verstappen came at the British Grand Prix in July when clashing with Hamilton on the first lap as the home favourite tried to force his way down the inside at Copse Corner.
Verstappen smashed the barriers at 180mph and therefore did not finish the race, with Hamilton finishing first and wildly celebrating his win while his title rival was being examined in hospital.
However, the Red Bull driver did not use that as extra motivation for the second half of the season.
"I don't think we work like that," he said. "It's disrespectful what happened there but we looked at what we could have done better.
"Once we came back from the break as a team we really did a good job because we won races in the second half of the season we shouldn't have won."
While talk still rumbles on regarding the end of the 2021 season, the new campaign is now just over a month away and Verstappen has a target on his back as defending champion.
"That little pressure in the back of your mind, of having to win a world championship or trying to win it, has gone," he said.
"It's already happened. I've done it. So when it's tough or you're having bad luck you probably will deal with it easier than normal."
Klay Thompson reflected on reaching a "huge milestone" after bumping up his playing time to 30 minutes in the Golden State Warriors' 110-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Regarded as one of the best shooters in NBA history, Thompson has been slowly building up his game time since returning from consecutive ACL and Achilles injuries that left him on the shelf for two and a half years.
He drained two late three-pointers to evoke memories of his Game 6 heroics against the same opponents in 2016 when he nailed 11 three-point efforts – a playoff record.
"That's a huge milestone for myself, and hopefully I can build on it," Thompson said.
"I feel incredible. I feel like I haven't missed a beat only 12 games in."
The majority of Thompson's minutes came in the second half, playing 17.21 in the final two quarters.
Head coach Steve Kerr explained why, saying: "It was awesome just to have Klay back in crunch time.
"Knowing the defense was going to be heavily slighted toward Steph [Curry] and for him to get free and knock down a couple of shots, it was really fun to see."
An increase to Thompson's playing time will be a welcome relief for Kerr, who is still without Draymond Green, James Wiseman and Nemanja Bjelica, while Andre Iguodala sustained lower back tightness against the Thunder having returned after nine games on the sidelines.
"Meaning we don't have to think about it [rotating]," Kerr said of the boost of Thompson's minutes.
"Like, we don't have to pull him out. He might be going really well and we can play him a few extra minutes without having to follow really strict guidelines."
Thompson's late efforts were not necessarily in keeping with his performance overall. Prior to those shots he was one-of-six from three-point range (finishing three-of-eight by the end of the game) and was six-of-15 from the floor overall.
But superstar team-mate Steph Curry believes the Warriors will continue to see the very best of Thompson as his minutes gradually increase.
"There's just confidence knowing he still has that instinct and no matter how the game is going up to that point. He's still got the shooter's DNA of the next shot is going in," Curry said.
"As his minutes ramp up, you'll continue to see those high peaks and Klay going nuts."
LeBron James launched a staunch defence of "brother" and Los Angeles Lakers team-mate Russell Westbrook, insisting "we're all in this together".
Point guard Westbrook has bore the brunt of criticism during a disjointed Lakers season that has left the team below the .500 mark.
Acquired from the Washington Wizards, Westbrook was brought in to play a part in a stellar cast alongside James and Anthony Davis, but things have not worked out too well in LA.
Westwood is averaging 18.4 points (tied 35th), 7.8 rebounds (tied 34th) and 7.7 assists (tied ninth) per game. The 33-year-old was benched for the entirety of overtime in the Lakers 122-115 win over the New York Knicks on Saturday having made just one of 10 field goals.
It was the fifth time in 2021-22 Westbrook made only three field goals or less from 10 attempts, while his numbers in points, rebounds, assists, steals, field-goal percentage and three-point percentages all rank lower than they did with the Wizards last season.
There has even been talk that the Lakers may try and find Westbrook a new home before Thursday's trade deadline, but James said the team's issues cannot be pinned on one player.
"At the end of the day, as his brother, we're all in this together," James told reporters after Monday's practice.
"We're all in the foxhole together. There is not one guy who is doing it by themselves. There's not one guy you can blame over another guy.
"There's not one guy who gets the praise over another guy. When we lose, we all lose. When we win, we all win. It's really that simple."
The Lakers sit ninth in the Western Conference, three games back of the Denver Nuggets in sixth – a position that guarantees avoiding the play-in tournament for the playoffs.
Part of their issues have centred on injuries, with James and Anthony Davis having both missed significant chunks of the season.
Indeed, Westbrook has only played a combined seven games at the same time as his superstar team-mates this season.
"I haven't been part of a season like this where injuries have played such a toll, but also protocols, false protocols, positive protocols, head coach being out for multiple games," James added.
"So, it's just challenging, a weird sort of different season for all of us. And not just [for the] Lakers, but a lot of teams in the NBA. So, it's kind of impossible to gauge, I guess, previous encounters that you've had, because it's totally different."
Head coach Frank Vogel said he has spoken to Westbrook after his overtime decision against the Knicks.
"You still communicate afterwards and there was that today," Vogel said.
"I've always taken pride with my teams in making sure I'm communicating with guys with whatever happens within a game.
"Obviously not every player, every game, but if a certain thing requires a reach out or just a follow-up then we'll have that."
The Lakers are back in action in a blockbuster showdown against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.
The New Orleans Saints are set to hire defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as their new head coach to replace long-time leader Sean Payton, according to reports.
Payton stepped away from the head coaching role two weeks ago after the Saints missed the NFL playoffs with a 9-8 record.
Allen previously held the head coach role with the Oakland Raiders from 2014 to 2014 but struggled with a 8-28 record.
Former NFL head coaches Brian Flores and Doug Pederson were also interviewed for the role along with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and their own special teams coordinator, Darren Rizzi.
The Saints have improved drastically in scoring defense since hiring Allen as defensive coordinator in 2015 and are not looking for an overhaul.
"Those eight teams that let go of head coaches, I think their situations are different than ours," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said prior to the coaching search commencing.
"We had our coach retire with a lot of really good things in place already. That doesn't mean that it can't be improved and built upon. But we don't see it as a wholesale culture change, roster change, anything like that."
West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma says he is "deeply sorry" after disturbing footage showed him kicking and hitting his own cat.
The 27-year-old France international can be picking up the cat and kicking it across the kitchen floor, chasing it and also slapping it while in a child's arms.
The footage, obtained by The Sun, was filmed by Zouma's brother Yoan, who can be heard laughing, and posted on Snapchat.
"I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video," Zouma said in an apology statement.
"I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy.
"They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again."
The Hammers put out a statement, condemning Zouma's actions and stating the matter would be dealt with internally.
"West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of our player, Kurt Zouma, in the video that has circulated," the club statement said.
"We have spoken to Kurt and will be dealing with the matter internally, but we would like to make it clear that we in no way condone cruelty towards animals."
Devin Booker top scored with 38 points as the table-topping Phoenix Suns withstood the Chicago Bulls' late charge to win 127-124 on Monday.
Booker shot 14 of 23 from the field including five three-pointers with four rebounds and five assists, while veteran guard Chris Paul contributed 19 points and 11 assists.
The Suns guard reached 30 points for the third time in the past four games as Phoenix won their 13th game from their past 14.
The Bulls charged into contention with a 41-25 fourth-quarter run after the Suns had led by 27 points in the third.
DeMar DeRozan top scored for Chicago with 38 points along with five rebounds and four assists and Zach LaVine returned from injury with 32 points, with six rebounds and eight assists.
Clutch Klay leads Warriors past OKC
Klay Thompson top scored for the Golden State Warriors with 21 points including some clutch three-pointers and Stephen Curry had a near triple-double with 18 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists in a 110-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points with seven rebounds, six assists and four steals as the Utah Jazz won 113-104 over the New York Knicks, while seven Miami Heat players scored double figures in a 121-100 win over the Washington Wizards.
New All-Star Ball struggles
On the same day he received his debut All-Star call, LaMelo Ball struggled as the Charlotte Hornets went down 116-101 to the Toronto Raptors. Ball shot five-of-19 from the field and one-of-six from beyond the arc for his 15 points, while he also had seven turnovers.
Serbian fifth seed Dusan Lajovic fought back from a set down to triumph over Benoit Paire in the Argentina Open first round while Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco also progressed on Monday.
Lajovic, who is currently ranked 37th in the world, beat 50th-ranked Paire 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7-3) in just over two hours in Buenos Aires.
In a tight match, the Serbian got the edge in the third-set tiebreak as his first serve seldom let him down.
Former top 10 player Verdasco, now 38-years-old, defeated Bolivian Hugo Dellien 6-4 3-6 6-1 in two hours and two minutes.
Serbian eighth seed Laslo Dere got past compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4 1-6 6-1, while Argentine pair Federico Coria and Francisco Cerundolo also progressed.
Meanwhile at the Dallas Open, veteran South African Kevin Anderson proved too good for Sam Querrey 6-4 6-4.
The 35-year-old former US Open and Wimbledon finalist sent down 21 aces as he won in little over an hour.
Emerging American Brandon Nakashima defeated Australian John Millman 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in the first round.
New Brentford signing Christian Eriksen feels in a "very good place" as he closes in on a competitive return to football after his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
The 29-year-old Denmark international midfielder has not played since the incident during his nation's 1-0 loss to Finland on June 12.
Brentford signed Eriksen in January on a deal until the end of the season following his release from Inter in December, where he was ineligible for professional football in Italy after being fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) device.
Eriksen had been training with his former club Ajax and has now linked up with his new Brentford teammates although it is unclear when he will debut with manager Thomas Frank stating it will take a "few weeks".
"Condition-wise and strength-wise I am in a very good place, it’s just the football touch that needs to come back and get up to speed," Eriksen told the Brentford website. "We’ll see how my body reacts but I feel very good.”
Eriksen added: "It is the longest I have been without playing football - by far. I’ve been lucky that I haven’t had any injuries really. To be without football for six or seven months is a very long time.
"It’s been very difficult. You have to let it heal and not do anything and then I started the rehab programme. Then I touched a ball and I’m on a football pitch, smell the grass, football boots, then everything starts coming back. The excitement to be in the stadium and be with the team."
Eriksen also said he initially thought he would never play football again after the incident at Euro 2020 but was convinced by doctors otherwise two days later.
“On the way to the hospital I told [wife] Sabrina I may as well leave my boots here,” Eriksen said. “It changed two days later. It was in the moment. I recognised what happened to me later on that night and the next few days.
"Then all the tests started and all the knowledge started to come in and all the questions were being asked ‘Can I do this? Can I do that?’ and listen to the doctors.
“Then after that it slowly took off in a way that if I can do tests with a doctor along the way then I can slowly get back to playing football. There were a lot of tests to see how the heart reacted to physical training again and luckily nothing came out of that and everything was good.
“Then, every month I could push it and then I could play. But the thing was hearing from the doctors that even with an ICD there are no limits, it just depends on the diagnosis and how you feel about it."
The Miami Dolphins have confirmed the appointment of San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel as their new head coach.
McDaniel has joined the Dolphins on a four-year contract according to ESPN, taking over from Brian Flores who was sacked in January.
The Dolphins had been searching for a new head coach for a month, with McDaniel edging out Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
The Miami job is 38-year-old McDaniel's first head coaching role at any level, having spent 15 seasons in the NFL and two in the UFL.
He was also previously an assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Washington Football Team, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos.
McDaniel replaces Flores who had a 24-25 record after three seasons, including the Dolphins finishing third in the AFC East with a 9-8 record in the 2021-22 season.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has said he would like to retire when his contract at the Premier League club expires in 2024.
The former RB Leipzig boss was appointed in December 2018 and he signed a new four-year contract 18 months later.
Hasenhuttl, who has coached since 2007, has previously been linked with a potential move to clubs elsewhere in the Premier League.
However, he has suggested that could be his last deal at the club, with the Austrian revealing he wants to try things away from the game.
"I always wanted to prove to myself that I could very well work for a club for a longer period of time," he told German outlet Kicker.
"Hopefully it will be five-and-a-half-years here. That's a damn long time in modern football, and then that's probably it.
"Five-and-a-half-years in the Premier League, that's a lot of energy, regardless of job satisfaction. I can't imagine that I want to do anything else in coaching after that.
"And saying no to everything else is also a yes to yourself, and I want that. That's the solid plan and I hope I have the strength to pull it off.
"I want to put Southampton on a very healthy footing by 2024, but then that is it.
"I'll be 57 years old. I'd like to experience other things and not sit on the bench like Roy Hodgson [Watford manager] at 74. Definitely not."
The Saints are 12th as it stands, having picked up 25 points from their 22 games.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball and San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray will both make their NBA All-Star Game debuts after being added as injury replacements on Monday.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the pair would be added with Draymond Green (back) and Kevin Durant (knee) out injured.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum will come into the Eastern Conference's starting line-up for Durant.
Durant will still participate as the east's captain in the All-Star Draft on Thursday alongside Western Conference captain LeBron James.
Last season's NBA Rookie of the Year Ball is averaging 19.6 points, 7.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds per game this season.
Murray is averaging 19.6 points, 9.2 assists, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals so far in 2021-22.
The All-Star Game is due to take place on February 20 in Cleveland.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr has lavished praise on teammate Cooper Kupp ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl clash with the Cincinnati Bengals, and believes his fellow receiver "deserves" to win at SoFi Stadium.
Beckham Jr joined the Rams in November on a one-year contract after being released by the Cleveland Browns, and is now just one game away from winning his first Super Bowl after the Rams beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
Kupp led the NFL this season in the key receiver statistics with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns, and has 386 receiving yards so far in the postseason, which is the third all-time most in playoffs history before the Super Bowl.
During media duties for the NFL ahead of the Super Bowl, Beckham Jr laid out how impressed he has been with the 28-year-old, stating his belief that Kupp deserves to win on Sunday.
"Coming here and being with Coop has just been really amazing for me," he said, "You come in somewhere where they have their guy and you watch and you witness greatness between him and [Matthew] Stafford as far as the attention to detail, the relationship that they have.
"That's everything you want from a QB and a receiver, details, the way he actually runs routes, the football knowledge.
"I've learned so much from him, he's a great guy, obviously an incredible talent and I'm just happy that I made the right choice [to join the Rams]. Now I just feel like he deserves this trophy and he deserves a ring and I just want to help them finish the job."
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford also gave his thoughts on the game, insisting that despite having stars such as himself, Von Miller, Kupp and Beckham Jr, they have reached the Super Bowl because of the efforts of the entire team.
"As far as a superstar heavy team, I think that's what the outside world probably thinks of us, but for us we just come in to work every single day and we've got nothing but guys who want to work hard."
Stafford also reserved praise for Kupp and Beckham Jr, adding: "Getting to work with Cooper and Odell has been a blast. Obviously I've gotten a full year with Cooper and his greatness and his ability to affect the game both with the football [and] without the football... such a great teammate, such a great friend and football player.
"Then with Odell he's come in since day one, his ability to grasp what we're asking him to do mid-season with no OTAs, no training camp, it was really impressive from my standpoint what he's been able to grasp, go out there and execute and play. He's been huge for us in the playoffs.
"It's been a blast working with those guys, really everybody on this team. I pinch myself sometimes thinking about the opportunity I'm getting to do, getting to play this game, the Super Bowl, with a bunch of great teammates and a bunch of great coaches, just happy for the opportunity."
Hubert Hurkacz bounced back from a disappointing Australian Open campaign with a straight-sets win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.
Fourth seed Hurkacz, who was beaten in the second round in Melbourne by Adrian Mannarino, saw off wildcard Tsonga 6-4 7-6 (9-7) in one hour and 32 minutes.
"Jo is an amazing player and competitor," Hurkacz said of the former world number five.
"He brought a really high level and it was a really tough match for me and he is definitely on the way back.
"Jo has achieved so much in his career and playing against him you can see why with his shots and his serve. I appreciated playing him and I am happy with the win today."
World number 11 Hurkacz will face either Lorenzo Musetti or Mikael Ymer in the second round.
Sixth seed Cameron Norrie overcame Ugo Humbert 6-2 6-4, while eighth seed Nikoloz Basilashvili was dumped out by American Mackenzie McDonald 6-3 6-2.
McDonald will face Alex de Minaur in the next round after the Australian swatted aside David Goffin 6-0 6-3.
"I think I played really well," De Minaur said. "I played exactly how I wanted to. My coach and I set up a plan about how we wanted to play this match and I managed to execute it.
"It is a very good feeling. Mentally I thought I was very solid and positive and that is one of the main aspects I am trying to focus on this year."
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