World's Top Tennis Player Apologizes

World number one Novak Djokovic backed off comments that men’s tennis players should make more than women on Tuesday as Serena Williams and Andy Murray led a stinging chorus of criticism at the remarks.

“We all have to fight for what we deserve,” said Djokovic on Facebook. “This was never meant to be made into a fight between genders and differences in pay, but in the way all players are rewarded for their play and effort."

A furious row over the gender pay gap in tennis erupted at the weekend, when Indian Wells tournament director Raymond Moore said women should get “on their knees” to thank male players for money in the sport. Moore was forced to apologize before resigning late on Monday.

Djokovic fuelled the controversy, however, after stating that he believed the pay gap was justified, adding that women go through “hormones and different stuff.”

Williams, who has won 21 Grand Slam singles crowns to 11 for Djokovic, condemned the Serbian star’s remarks on Tuesday.

“It has been, I would say disappointing,” Williams said. “I wouldn’t say my son deserved more money than my daughter because he’s a man. It would be shocking.”

Luis Suarez's Anger Management

Luis Suarez, forward on the Uruguayan soccer team, said Tuesday that a “new Luis” would return to wear the “celeste” uniform after almost two years of absence for his expulsion from the World Cup in Brazil. He added that, while he would not lose his style, he would play with more moderation and intelligence.

“We had a chat, and we talked as adults: of my feelings, of what allowed this return,” said Suarez. “One learns from the things that happen to get rid of pressure from above.”

Suarez has not kicked a ball for Uruguay since he was slapped with a global ban after chomping on the shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

Uruguay won three games in the qualifying round and is second in the classification, behind Ecuador.

FARC Attends Ballgame Too

Colombia's leftist FARC rebel leader and U.S. President Barack Obama attended the same baseball game in Cuba on Tuesday, underscoring a message of regional cooperation that Obama took on his historic visit to the Communist-led country.

FARC negotiator Pastor Alape confirmed the attendance of a contingent of 40 members and said the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and a Cuban team was a "symbol of peace." A Reuters reporter also saw the rebels, who are in Havana for peace talks with the Colombian government.

Bahrain Braces

Bahrain celebrated its efforts to set up the International Grand Prix at a conference on leadership in training on Wednesday.

“The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is a shining example of an organisation built on a team, not on an individual,” said Bahrain’s Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed Al Zayani. “In 2004, we enjoyed our first Formula One race. Prior to this we knew nothing about F1 or motorsport.”

Now, he said, volunteers are working hard to make Bahrain’s team internationally competitive.

Bahrain will host its twelfth Grand Prix the first days of April.