McLaren Formula 1 team driver FERNANDO ALONSO is continuing to "weigh his driving options" for '18. Following the McLaren-Honda split, it was "expected that Alonso will stay at the newly Renault-powered British Formula 1 team next year." Spain's Mundo Deportivo quoted Alonso as saying, "There is still no decision. So we'll see. I continue to have all the options open" (AUTOWEEK, 10/13). ... Former world No. 1 MARIA SHARAPOVA won her first title since May '15, beating ARYNA SABALENKA 7-5 7-6 (0-8) in the Tianjin Open final. The 30-year-old Russian was playing her seventh event "since she returned to the tour in April from a 15-month drug ban" (BBC, 10/15). ... New Zealander BRENDON HARTLEY will "make his Formula 1 debut for Toro Rosso" at next weekend's U.S. Grand Prix. The 27-year-old replaces PIERRE GASLY, who will take part in the final race of Japan's Super Formula series (BBC, 10/13). ... Indonesian football has been "rocked by the passing of one of its most iconic players," CHOIRUL HUDA, after an on-field collusion with a teammate. The 38-year-old, who had played his entire career at Indonesia Super League side Persela, collided with defender RAMON RODRIGUES toward the end of the first half against Semen Padang. Huda was "still conscious immediately after the incident, holding his cheeks and looking dazed on the floor, but the situation soon became critical" (London DAILY MAIL, 10/15).
NADAL FIRES BACK: RAFAEL NADAL is seeking €100,000 ($118,213) in damages from former French Sports Minister ROSELYNE BACHELOT after she accused the Spaniard of a "dope test cover-up." Nadal is suing Bachelot, who served as sports minister from '07-10, over remarks in March '16 on French TV. She alleged that Nadal faked an injury in '12, "when he missed the final six months of the season due to knee problems, in order to hide a positive drug test" (AFP, 10/13).
