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Reactions after US basketball star Griner sentenced in Russia

Following are reactions after U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner was sentenced in a Russian court on Thursday to nine years in prison for illegally bringing hashish-infused vape cartridges into the country. She had admitted having the cartridges but called it an honest mistake.

Russian court jails US basketball star Brittney Griner for 9 years over drug smuggling

The court "found the defendant guilty" of smuggling and possessing "a significant amount of narcotics", judge Anna Sotnikova told a court in the town of Khimki just outside Moscow. Sotnikova sentenced Griner, 31, to nine years in prison and said she would also have to pay a fine of one million rubles ($16,590). US President Joe Biden immediately released a statement, calling the Russian court's sentencing of Griner "unacceptable." "Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney.

'Complete lunacy' - John Isner blasts Novak Djokovic's US Open absence due to his vaccination status

John Isner says it is «complete lunacy» that Novak Djokovic is currently unable to compete at the US Open this year due to his vaccination status. The 21-time Grand Slam champion has reaffirmed that he won’t be getting vaccinated in order to enter the US to play at Flushing Meadows, despite missing the defence of his Australian Open title, and the Indian Wells and Miami Open earlier this year because of his status. Ad/> Djokovic's coach Goran Ivanisevic believes there is «zero hope» President Joe Biden will «change the rules» around vaccination before the Grand Slam gets underway on August 29.