Names In The News: Roger Federer To Play In Madrid Open

ROGER FEDERER confirmed his participation for this year's Madrid Open on Wednesday, "making his return to the European clay court season after two years away" (REUTERS, 2/20). ... ROB BEVERIDGE "opened the door" for a move to National Basketball League side Sydney Kings after announcing his departure from the Illawarra Hawks. The veteran NBL coach called time on his Wollongong stint after four seasons on Wednesday (AAP, 2/20). ... MARTINA NAVRATILOVA was removed as an ambassador by Athlete Ally, an organization that supports LGBT athletes, "following her comments on transgender inclusion." She referred to trans women as men who "decide to be female" in a newspaper column this week (London GUARDIAN, 2/20). ... Brazilian tennis coach LEONARDO AZEVEDO was appointed by Tennis Scotland and the Lawn Tennis Association to head up the coaching team for the new GB National Tennis Academy at the University of Stirling (HERALD SCOTLAND, 2/20).