Sports briefly

Ronaldo welcomed by Real Madrid fans

MADRID (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo received a roaring welcome from 80,000 Real Madrid fans following his record transfer from Manchester United.

Ronaldo appeared before the capacity crowd at Santiago Bernabeu on Monday wearing the same No. 9 jersey worn by Real Madrid great Alfredo di Stefano. Ronaldo told the fans he has achieved one of his dreams, then led the crowd in a cry of "Viva Madrid!"

Real Madrid had been chasing the world player of the year since 2006. The team finally signed him in a $131 million deal.

Fans had begun lining up outside the stadium since early morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ronaldo.

>NASCAR does not want Mayfield racing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR has asked a federal judge to reverse his ruling and keep driver Jeremy Mayfield off the track.

NASCAR filed the motion asking U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen to reinstate Mayfield's ban. He was suspended May 9 after failing a random drug test, and NASCAR said he tested positive for methamphetamine.

The latest twist comes after Mullen's decision last week to grant an injunction clearing him to compete. Mullen said the chance of a false positive on his drug test was "quite substantial."

NASCAR disputes Mullen's conclusion and says Mayfield poses a threat to public safety. NASCAR also filed a notice saying it plans to bring the case before a federal appeals court.

Blackhawks sign 5 restricted free agents

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks resolved some of the administrative problems surrounding their restricted free agents by signing five of those players on Monday.

The Blackhawks announced they had agreed to two-year deals with forward Troy Brouwer and goaltender Corey Crawford. Forwards Ben Eager and Colin Fraser, and defenseman Aaron Johnson each signed one-year contracts.

Notably absent from the list of signed players were forward Kris Versteeg, an NHL rookie-of-the-year finalist, and defenseman Cam Barker.

Although it's unlikely, both Versteeg and Barker could be declared unrestricted free agents in light of a grievance filed by the NHL Players' Association on Monday.

Kournikova may be headed for a wedding

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (AP) — Anna Kournikova was sparkling brighter than usual.

Kournikova, who has long been linked to singer Enrique Iglesias, showed up for Monday night's World Team Tennis match with a huge diamond ring on her left ring finger — the finger normally reserved for engagement rings.

When asked the significance of the ring by The Associated Press, Kournikova replied, "I thought you were the good press." The former Grand Slam doubles champion put her hand behind her back and did not elaborate.

Kournikova was scheduled to play for the St. Louis Aces. She will miss the season with a wrist injury.

She still participated in a kids clinic, signed autographs and cheered on her teammates.