Novak Djokovic admitted he was "not having a great season at all" after he was knocked out of the Monte Carlo Masters by Casper Ruud in the semi-finals.

Casper Ruud finally defeated Novak Djokovic at the sixth attempt on Saturday, setting up a Monte Carlo Masters title showdown with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

An inspired Stefanos Tsitsipas handed Jannik Sinner his second loss of the season on Saturday as the two-time champion reached the Monte Carlo Masters final 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Rafael Nadal will make his return to ATP competition for the first time since January when he plays Flavio Cobolli in the Barcelona Open next week.

Djokovic will take on either Casper Ruud of Norway or France's Ugo Humbert for a place in Sunday's final.

Rune beat Sinner in the semi-finals last year.

"First training... with the hope of being here these days before the start of the tournament. I'm here to see how it goes... with the desire to try to play," wrote Nadal on social media, alongside a picture of the Spaniard sitting courtside with his rackets.

Players featuring in the ongoing Premier Division Hockey League are set to experience a different kind of Eid this time around, with many having to celebrate the joyous occasion away from their kin and others having a shortened holiday period.

"I really did it?" the 34-year-old asked through tears while throwing herself into the arms of her family, including her "very proud" mother.

Athletics has become the first sport to offer prize money to Olympic champions, announcing on Wednesday that the 48 gold medallists in Paris this year will earn $50,000 each to end a 128-year tradition.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and world number two Rory McIlroy, each chasing a milestone Masters victory, will be playing partners in the first two rounds starting Thursday at Augusta National.

World number one Novak Djokovic said his "feeling was great" as he flew past Roman Safiullin in straight sets at the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday, after third seed Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the event due to injury.

Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club returned to the title race of Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League after beating title-aspirants Abahani 2-1 in their Super Six encounter at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

World champion Max Verstappen got back to winning ways on Sunday with a third straight pole-to-flag victory at the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix, leading team mate Sergio Perez across the line for a Red Bull 1-2 at Suzuka.

Rafa Nadal's withdrawal from the Monte Carlo Masters has cast doubt over the 22-times Grand Slam champion's participation at the French Open, but Novak Djokovic said he is still hoping for a final chapter in their storied rivalry.

Usha lodged a complaint to the league committee after the match.

Title aspirants Mohammedan and Ababani made winning starts to the Super Six phase of Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium on Friday.

"Unfortunately I have to tell you that I am not going to be playing in Monte Carlo. My body simply won't allow me," said the battle-weary Spaniard on social media.

Ali's 1975 "Thrilla in Manila" fight against Joe Frazier was held in the Philippines and followed his "Rumble in the Jungle" bout in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then called Zaire) the year before.

The return of the Premier Division Hockey League, especially after a 27-month hiatus, might have provided some relief to the players and the officials, but the gulf of difference between the minnows and giants this season has raised eyebrows, while exposing the overall state of how the clubs are generally being run.