C riticism of the defender's jersey alteration in the 2-0 win over Albania has prompted him to confirm his international retirement after the Russia tournament Spain defender Gerard Pique has revealed that he will retire from international football following the 2018 World Cup after growing "tired" of criticism. The centre-back has long been a contentious figure in the Spain ranks due to his public backing of Catalan independence, as well as his part in perceived past squabbling between Barcelona and Real Madrid players.

Costa and Spain still struggling

Pique also came under fire from the press during Sunday's 2-0 win over Albania, with some claiming he had cut the regulation short-sleeved jersey in order to remove the trim on the shirts that bears the design of the Spanish flag. However, the 29-year-old produced proof after the match that he had in fact cut the sleeves of a shirt that did not have the same flag design, and he says the accusations have pushed him too far.

"I've tried everything but I cannot take any more," he said in a statement released by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal say they plan to play doubles together when the Laver Cup debuts next year. With a combined 31 major titles, Federer and Nadal have committed to the inaugural event, which is an attempt to create a tennis version of golf's Ryder Cup. Named for Australian tennis great Rod Laver, the competition was first announced in January. A team of European players will face off against a group from the rest of the world September 22-24, 2017, in Prague.

Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis maintained that the decision to end their astonishing partnership was due to the failure to achieve the "desired results" and added they would play together one last time in the season-ending WTA Finals in October. In an unexpected development, Sania and Hingis decided to end their partnership that took the tennis world by storm last year when they won nine titles including the year-end WTA championship.