2 h. ago Chess: Magnus Carlsen wins Freestyle Tour title despite defeat in final event

Norway’s world No 1, 35, lost 0.5-1.5 to the US veteran Levon Aronian, 43, in Cape Town but was already sure of overall victory and a prize of around $500kNorway’s world No 1, Magnus Carlsen, was shocked by a 0.5-1.5 loss to the US veteran Levon Aronian in Thursday’s final of the Freestyle Grand Slam Tour in Cape Town, but still finished the overall winner of the five-event Tour.Freestyle chess is also known as Fischer Random and Chess 960. Pieces start randomly placed on the two back rows, thus drastically limiting opening preparation. Its 2025 season, with a Tour financed mainly by a $12m investment from the venture firm Left Lane Capital, has featured tournaments in Weissenhaus, Karlsruhe, Paris and Las Vegas before the final in South Africa. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track files for bankruptcy after nightmare first season

Grand Slam Track has endured a difficult first season, and the league has now filed for bankruptcy

Politics

40 h. ago Luke Littler sends mind games warning as World Darts Championship defence begins

Littler has a target on his back as he gets set to defend his title at Alexandra Palace.

Events

68 h. ago Alex de Minaur on his grand slam dream: ‘Some things may happen, some things may not’

The Australian is pragmatic about his chances of winning a major in the Alcaraz-Sinner era but knows he plays his best tennis when he doesn’t put pressure on himselfIt’s hard to think of anyone in tennis who works harder than Alex de Minaur, the Australian who next month will once again carry the hopes of a nation as he tries to become the first home winner of the men’s title at the Australian Open for 50 years. No one is faster around the court, no one more diligent off it than the 26-year-old. It’s a work ethic that has helped him to 10 titles so far in his career and he ends 2025 as the world No 7, his highest year-end ranking, and having won the prestigious Newcombe medal for a fourth time.But in a sport where success at the very top level is ultimately judged by performances at grand slams, De Minaur has so far fallen short. He has made the quarter-finals of a major six times – including five of the past eight – but with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner having split the last ei...

Politics

3 d. ago Caroline Garcia turned down $270,000 betting company offer for her tennis podcast

Retired French tennis player Caroline Garcia has turned down a $270,000 sponsorship deal for her podcast from a betting company

Politics

3 d. ago Popular Wales international announces retirement as he starts completely new career

The New Zealand-born centre earned 29 caps for Wales and won a Grand Slam, as well as lifting the Pro 14 title with the Scarlets

Politics

6 d. ago Rory McIlroy’s Australian Open hopes slip on discarded banana skin

World No 2 hits double bogey after playing under peel on second hole Grand slam winner five-under after third round at Royal MelbourneThe luck of the Irish has deserted golfing superstar Rory McIlroy, with Royal Melbourne tossing up a banana peel in the latest obstacle to his second Australian Open title.The world No 2 was hoping to maintain the momentum of three birdies late in his second round when he arrived on course for an early tee time on Saturday, seven shots off the pace. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Everything to know from Rory McIlroy's 'roller coaster' first day at Australian Open

Masters champion and grand slam winner Rory McIlroy finished his opening round at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Thursday on one over par after a tricky first day of action

Politics

8 d. ago Rory McIlroy put on notice as Sir Nick Faldo delivers grim verdict on Masters winner

Rory McIlroy finally won The Masters in April to complete his career Grand Slam, but Sir Nick Faldo has expressed doubts about his ability to win another major championship

Politics

9 d. ago Rory McIlroy reveals one of remaining goals in golf is on Scottish soil

Masters champion opens up on what he still wants to achive in game after completing career grand slam

Politics

9 d. ago Serena Williams breaks her silence on shock report tennis legend is set to unretire three years after last match

The tennis icon, 44, who won 23 Grand Slam singles titles in an historic career, has been inactive since September 2022 but a report claimed on Tuesday that she's considering a comeback.

Politics

9 d. ago Serena Williams is UNRETIRING: Tennis legend set for stunning return three years after last match

The tennis icon, 44, who won 23 Grand Slam singles titles in an historic career, has been inactive for the past two years but has now officially applied for reinstatement, according to a new report.

Politics

1 week ago Mondo Duplantis takes aim at Grand Slam Track after winning World Athletics award

The Swedish pole vaulter won after another dominant year, while the similarly dominant American runner and hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone took home the women’s prize

Events

1 week ago Serena Williams says conversations around black women in sport have ‘changed’

The 44-year old, who won 23 grand slam titles over a 27-year career, opened up about the resilience she showed.

Politics

1 week ago Duplantis wins top award and takes aim at Grand Slam Track’s exclusion of field events

Duplantis named World Athletics’ male athlete of yearSydney McLaughlin-Levrone wins top female awardArmand Duplantis has capped a remarkable 2025, in which he broke four world records and won another world title, by being named World Athletics’ male athlete of the year.Immediately after picking up the award, the Swedish pole vaulter took aim at Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, which collapsed in the summer and is still yet to pay athletes their full prize money. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Watch the tennis at the Australian Open and take in a cruise of the dazzling South Pacific

ENJOY the trip of a lifetime by combining the Australian Open with a five-star cruise. While Britain shivers through another bleak, grey January, the world’s sporting elite will be heading Down Under for the blistering sunshine and electric atmosphere of the Australian Open. If you’re planning on getting tickets to the first Grand Slam of...

Politics

1 week ago Tennis star with mega net worth buys sisters a PENTHOUSE each as early Christmas present

Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud has invested some of his winnings in property, and has now gifted two to his younger sisters.

Politics

1 week ago Carlos Alcaraz has £1.8m bonus fee taken away in major blow to tennis star's bank balance

World No.1 and six-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz has been forced to give up a significant portion of his prize money due to a little-known rule in tennis.

Economics

2 w. ago Iga Swiatek: ‘I didn’t want to give any points for free – it’s a Wimbledon final and I wanted to win’

SW19 champion baffled by post-match suggestions she should have let Amanda Anisimova win one game in grand slam final as she turns focus to Australian Open in 2026In the coming months, if and when her schedule allows, Iga Swiatek will make a pilgrimage to London and the All England Club, the scene of her biggest and, she admits, most surprising triumph. In July, the 24-year-old won her first Wimbledon title and sixth grand slam title in all, crushing a hapless Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the final.It was the undoubted highlight of an up-and-down year for the Pole, who struggled on her best surface of clay but who will end 2025 ranked No 2, her fourth year in a row finishing inside the world’s top two. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Rory McIlroy reveals he has asked his wife to punch him if he ever repeats egotistical move

The Northern Irishman completed his career Grand Slam by winning the 2025 Masters but admitted that he still needs wife Erica Stoll to keep him humble at times.

Politics