Serena Williams of the U.S., right, shakes hands with Russia's Maria Sharapova, left, after defeating Sharapova in two sets 6-4, 6-4, in the women's final of the French Open tennis tournament, at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Saturday June 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler) by Howard Fendrich LONDON (AP) — As her agent nodded along approvingly from a front-row seat, Serena Williams sounded contrite and composed. Well-rehearsed, too. Williams even managed to crack herself up with a couple of jokes during her news conference at Wimbledon as the defending champion, where the primary topic was hardly her 31-match winning streak or her bid for a sixth title at the All England Club or her injured sister Venus' absence from the field. Instead, more than half the questions at Sunday's session revolved around themes generating the most buzz on the eve of tennis' oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam tournament: what Williams was quoted as saying in a recent magazine article — and Maria Sharapova's surprisingly forceful verbal swipe in reaction to that story.
Miami Heat fans celebrate the Championship after the Heat's win against the San Antonio Spurs after the Game 7 of the NBA final basketball series in Miami on Friday, June 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano) by David Fischer and Christine Amario MIAMI (AP) — Miami Heat fans pumped fists jubilantly, uncorked champagne bottles and swarmed into the streets by the thousands to celebrate overnight after their team captured its second straight NBA title. "The Heat they did it again! Best team in the world!" one fan shouted. Others chanted raucously: "Let's go Heat! Let's go Heat!" The street celebration erupted in the closing seconds of the Heat's 95-88 win over the San Antonio Spurs. It was a winner-takes-all final game that brought fans streaming into the area around the AmericanAirlines Arena to exchange high-fives, blow whistles and scream themselves hoarse.
Miami Heat players including LeBron James, top center, celebrate after Game 7 of the NBA basketball championship game against the San Antonio Spurs, Friday, June 21, 2013, in Miami. The Miami Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win their second straight NBA championship. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) by Brian MahoneyAP Basketball Writer MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James will always remember his first championship. History will remember this one. The way the Heat won — or the way James wouldn't let them lose — makes them one of the greats. A Game 6 comeback when it appeared to be over, then a stirring Game 7 victory over a proud opponent cemented a place with the NBA's giants for this Miami team and its leader. "Last year when I was sitting up here with my first championship, I said it was the toughest thing I had ever done," James said. "This year, I'll tell last year he's absolutely wrong. This was the toughest championship right here between the two." And the San Antonio Spurs will always know it's a title they let slip away.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Passion shined brightly in a busy night of Pittsburgh sports. The Passion crushed the Cincinnati Sizzle 63-0, posting the highest margin of victory in Passion playoff history.
Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) is defended by San Antonio Spurs' Danny Green during the second half at Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series, June 16, 2013, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) by Brian MahoneyAP Basketball Writer SAN ANTONIO (AP) — With the old Manu Ginobili back, the San Antonio Spurs looked like champs again. One more victory and their Big Three, not Miami's, will be the one that rules the NBA. Ginobili broke out of a slump in a big way with 24 points and 10 assists in his first start of the season, and the Spurs beat the Heat 114-104 on Sunday night to take a 3-2 lead.
Pennsylvania's Tyler Boyd takes the opening kick off back for a touchdown against Maryland during the first quarter of the Big 33 football game, Saturday, June 15, 2013, in Hershey, Pa. (AP Photo/PennLive.com, Joe Hermitt) by Jim Carlson HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) — Tyler Boyd didn't think he had anything to prove at Saturday night's Big 33 Football Classic high school all-star game. But with an NFL Network audience watching, along with about 8,000 fans in the stands, Boyd showed off the all-around skills that made him a solid recruit for the University of Pittsburgh. The 6-foot-1 receiver from Clairton returned the opening kickoff 91 yards and had a hand in five touchdowns as Pennsylvania defeated Maryland 58-27.
Tiger Woods acknowledges the gallery after putting on the 18th hole during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Merion Golf Club, Saturday, June 15, 2013, in Ardmore, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Tiger Woods hits down the 18th hole during the fourth round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Merion Golf Club, Sunday, June 16, 2013, in Ardmore, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Woods matches worst score in a major ARDMORE, Pa. (AP) — This isn't the kind of record Tiger Woods had in mind at the U.S. Open. Woods went out-of-bounds on his second tee shot of the final round at Merion and closed with a 4-over 74. That gave him his worst 72-hole score as a pro in the U.S. Open, and it tied for his high score in any major. "I did a lot of things right," Woods said. "Unfortunately, I did a few things wrong, as well." Woods finished at 13-over 293. His previous high score in a U.S. Open was 290 at The Olympic Club in 1998 and Shinnecock Hills in 2004. Woods shot 294 at Oakland Hills in 1996 as an amateur. Just two days ago, Woods was four shots out of the lead and very much in the hunt to end his five-year drought in the majors. Then, he went 76-74 for his worst weekend in a major championship. Just over two weeks ago, the world's No. 1 player had won three of his last four events on the PGA Tour and was starting to establish his dominance.
BILL NEAL, LEFT, WITH DEACON JONES :10 Last week the NFL lost one of its greatest ever players and most certainly one of the 10 greatest D-Lineman of all time. The creator of the head slap, Deacon Jones died of natural causes at the much too young age of 74. Anybody that knew “The Deacon” will tell you it wasn’t all natural causes. The man lived life large…all legal…but large! I know because I had the pleasure and privilege to have interviewed him about 25 years ago, when he was in town to do a “Lite Beer” promo. My first major assignment for the New Pittsburgh Courier, given to me by “The President” of the Know It All Club and my writing mentor Eddie Jeffries. (All I can tell ya without getting head slapped from above is, yes there were women when I got there…4 to be exact! Like I said, natural causes!)
