Sports News

In Sports News: Tomas Berdych climbs back into the top ten in tennis's world rankings after reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon; Nicole Vaidisova says goodbye to the All England Club at the same stage, but has more to regret; football goalkeeper Petr Cech is set to wear a special protective helmet for another season; Vladimir Smicer scores on his 'debut' for Slavia Prague; and Dominik Hasek receives a better contract from Detroit Red Wings, while Robert Lang leaves the NHL club.

Berdych back in top ten after reaching Wimbledon quarter-finals...

Tomas Berdych, photo: CTK

After reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last week, the Czech men's tennis number one Tomas Berdych has returned to the elite world top ten. Berdych, who cursed the windy conditions after losing to eventual finalist Rafal Nadal, is now tenth. But according to another measure the man from Valasske Mezirici is doing somewhat better: he is the seventh biggest earner in terms of prize money, with USD 850,000 so far this year.

...while Vaidisova has more to regret after getting close to semis

Nicole Vaidisova, photo: CTK

The Czech women's number one Nicole Vaidisova, meanwhile, will look back more ruefully at this year's Wimbledon. She blew a great chance to reach the semi-finals after failing to capitalise on three match balls in her clash with Ana Ivanovic. Vaidisova said it was more a case of her losing than the Serb winning. However, the Czech 18-year-old rejected the idea that she should consult a sports psychologist. There is no change in Vaidisova's world ranking - she stays at ninth (and is tenth in the earnings rankings).

Petr Cech set for another season in protective helmet

Petr Cech, photo: CTK

The Czech international football goalkeeper Petr Cech is set to keep wearing a special protective helmet. After undergoing medical tests, the Chelsea star was advised to wear the head-gear until at least the end of next season. Cech suffered a potentially life-threatening skull fracture in a Premier League game last October, but recovered quickly to come back in February. Many pundits agree that the brilliant goalie's absence cost Chelsea crucial points in a league race they eventually lost to Manchester United.

Petr Cech was speaking in Prague at Sparta Prague's youth training centre in the middle of the gigantic Strahov stadium, where he was conducting a football summer school for children. That was on Sunday; Cech is now bound for the United States with Chelsea, who are set to play a few exhibition games, including one against Los Angeles Galaxy; the match will be David Beckham's first outing for the club, and is sure to receive a huge amount of attention.

Smicer scores on 'debut' for Slavia

Vladimir Smicer, photo: CTK

Cech's international colleague Vladimir Smicer has not officially rejoined his old club Slavia Prague yet, but he has been training with them and on Sunday played a game in Slavia colours for the first time in 11 years. Smicer got off to a scoring start in Slavia's 4:3 friendly win over Georgian side Ameri Tiblisi. Whether the midfielder does sign with the Prague club is set to be decided this week.

Hasek improves contract, but deserves more, says agent

Czech ice hockey star Dominik Hasek has, as expected, signed a new one-year contract with Detroit Red Wings. According to US media reports, the 42-year-old is set to earn two million dollars, with the chance of the same amount again in performance bonuses. That is an improvement on the 1.65 million the Dominator was on last season. However, Hasek's agent said the goaltender deserved a lot more.

Lang leaves Detroit for Chicago

Meanwhile, another Czech Robert Lang has left Detroit after three years at the club. Lang departs Red Wing for the Chicago Blackhawks under something of a cloud: the forward says he had no choice but to leave after a change of coach left him surplus to requirements at Detroit.