11 h. ago Jannik Sinner’s pointed Indian Wells absence leaves door open for rivals

Banned world No 1 casts a shadow as tour returns to tournament at which sequence of events began that led to punishmentEarly on during his stay in the Californian desert a year ago, Giacomo Naldi allegedly reached into his treatment bag one morning and accidentally brushed his left finger across the blade of a scalpel used to remove calluses, immediately drawing blood. Two days later, after Naldi had removed the bandage from his finger, his colleague Umberto Ferrara suggested he use the over-the-counter ointment Trofodermin to treat his healing wound.Naldi and Ferrara were in Indian Wells as Jannik Sinner’s physio and fitness trainer respectively. According to Sinner and his team, as Naldi began to use the ointment to treat his wound while also conducting his daily treatment on Sinner without gloves and Sinner undertook two doping tests in the subsequent two weeks, these events put into motion the most high-profile anti-doping case in tennis history as he twice tested positive. Cont...

Politics

40 h. ago Why we still love the overripe, absurd stories of Agatha Christie

Leave any expectations of subtlety or restraint at the door, says Phil Harrison, and there’s plenty to enjoy in the BBC’s new adaptation of Towards Zero

Politics

41 h. ago Anjelica Huston brings Hollywood charisma to ripe, rich Agatha Christie adaptation Towards Zero

Leave any expectations of subtlety or restraint at the door and there’s plenty to enjoy in this BBC three-parter

Events

5 d. ago Whither the next great tennis rivalry? Maybe don’t hold your breath

Tennis has been awash for nearly 60 years with stellar rivalries, especially on the men’s side. But it’s becoming clear the next great one might not be around the cornerThe Australian Open exists on its own in the tennis calendar at the start of the year – not really connected to what came before or what ensues immediately after; it’s nearly five months removed from both the US Open that precedes it and the French Open that follows it. For most followers of the sport, the real start of the calendar year tennis season, for both men and women, is the PNB Paribas event at Indian Wells, which starts on Wednesday. Long considered the sport’s “fifth slam”, the tournament starts a torrid nonstop stretch of seven months of intense competition. As this long winter slowly loses its grip on the country, fans will revel in watching the best men and women competing under the hot desert sun.But, unfortunately, the men’s side of the draw will be somewhat lacking because of the absence of Jannik Si...

Events

5 d. ago Whence the next great tennis rivalry? Maybe don’t hold your breath

Tennis has been awash for nearly 60 years with stellar rivalries, especially on the men’s side. But it’s becoming clear the next great one might not be around the cornerThe Australian Open exists on its own in the tennis calendar at the start of the year – not really connected to what came before or what ensues immediately after; it’s nearly five months removed from both the US Open that precedes it and the French Open that follows it. For most followers of the sport, the real start of the calendar year tennis season, for both men and women, is the PNB Paribas event at Indian Wells, which starts on Wednesday. Long considered the sport’s “fifth slam”, the tournament starts a torrid nonstop stretch of seven months of intense competition. As this long winter slowly loses its grip on the country, fans will revel in watching the best men and women competing under the hot desert sun.But, unfortunately, the men’s side of the draw will be somewhat lacking because of the absence of Jannik Si...

Politics

6 d. ago Jannik Sinner’s nomination for prestigious award withdrawn following doping ban

The world number one accepted the suspension in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency

Events

6 d. ago Jannik Sinner’s Laureus award nomination withdrawn following doping ban

The world number one accepted the suspension in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Events

6 d. ago Starmer leaves door open for more tax rises and spending cuts in spring Budget

But the prime minister also tried to play down fears of a repeat of Rachel Reeves’ shock £40 billion tax rise Budget

Economics

9 d. ago Donald Trump rudely leaves Macron at White House door and makes him perch at Oval Office table

Emmanuel Macron appeared to have been sidelined by Mr Trump during his visit to the White House, with humiliating pictures showing the French leader perched at the edge of his desk

Politics

1 week ago Player finally leaves West Ham after two years at London Stadium as door swings open for teenager to make his mark

Player finally leaves West Ham after two years at London Stadium as door swings open for teenager to make his mark  Hammers News - West Ham United FC

Sport

2 w. ago Antony leaves door open for Manchester United return after making Real Betis transfer declaration

The Brazilian has netted three goals in four appearances since his January move

Sport

2 w. ago Jannik Sinner case ‘a million miles away from doping’, claims Wada official

World No 1’s three-month ban has sparked criticismRoss Wenzel: ‘This could not be intentional doping’Jannik Sinner’s recent case resulting in a three-month ban was “a million miles away from doping” according to a senior official at the World Anti-Doping Agency .Sinner tested positive for the anabolic agent clostebol last year which he said had entered his system from a member of his support team through massages and sports therapy. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Jannik Sinner case ‘a million miles away from doping’, insists Wada

The World Anti-Doping Agency told the BBC that it rejected criticism of the settlement reached with the men’s World No 1

Politics

2 w. ago A million miles from doping – WADA defends Jannik Sinner three

The sanction has been questioned and criticised by current and former players.

Politics

2 w. ago Novak Djokovic suggests players believe 'favouritism' at play after controversial Jannik Sinner ban

Djokovic says Sinner’s three-month ban is not popular in the locker room

Sport

2 w. ago Novak Djokovic admits tennis stars have theory over Jannik Sinner doping ban

World No.1 Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month ban in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency, allowing him to return for the next Grand Slam, the French Open, in May

Politics

2 w. ago Djokovic says tennis players have a 'lack of trust' in doping agencies after Sinner case

Novak Djokovic says a majority of tennis players have lost faith in the anti-doping authorities following Jannik Sinner’s three-month ban, and there’s a widespread feeling that “favoritism” is being shown to the sport’s biggest stars

Sport

2 w. ago Novak Djokovic laments ‘favouritism’ towards Jannik Sinner over doping ban

Serb says anti-doping system ‘inconsistent’ and ‘unfair’Liam Broady feels convenience of the ban is ‘interesting’Novak Djokovic has claimed the majority of players believe Jannik Sinner was shown “favouritism” with his three-month doping ban.Sinner reached a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) over two positive drug tests in March last year. Sinner’s explanation that he was inadvertently contaminated with the banned substance clostebol by his physio was accepted by Wada, but the agency added that “the athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence”. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Djokovic says majority of players feel ‘favouritism happening’ after Sinner ban

Italian Sinner reached a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over two positive drug tests in March last year.

Sport

2 w. ago Novak Djokovic criticises ‘favouritism’ in Jannik Sinner doping case after ‘strange’ punishment

World No 1 Sinner reached a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency to serve just a three-month ban after two positive drugs test last year

Politics