4 h. ago Rory McIlroy reveals next three career targets after completing Grand Slam

Masters champion Rory McIlroy wants an Olympic medal and more Major glory - and he insists that playing fewer tournaments is the key to prolong his incredible career

Events

12 h. ago Erratic Emma Raducanu bounced out of Australian Open by Anastasia Potapova

Briton falls to disappointing 7-6 (3), 6-2 loss to Austrian world No 5528th seed’s struggles with same issues as opening matches of seasonEmma Raducanu crashed out of the Australian Open in the second round with a poor 7-6 (3), 6-2 loss to Anastasia Potapova after a tepid, error-strewn performance in Melbourne.Having only lost to grand slam champions inside the top 10 at the grand slams last year – Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek twice – defeat to world No 55 Potapova is Raducanu’s worst first-week result by ranking since the 2024 Australian Open, which was her comeback major from an eight-month layoff. Continue reading...

Politics

31 h. ago ‘I am speechless’: Naomi Osaka makes statement with Australian Open walk

The four-time grand slam champion dazzled in a white veil as she walked onto court for her first-round match

Politics

32 h. ago Gael Monfils bids emotional farewell to the Australian Open after a 1st

Gael Monfils has bid farewell to the Australian Open, ending his run at the tournament after a first-round loss to Dane Sweeny

Politics

49 h. ago Djokovic continues to make Australian Open history as tour’s endearing elder statesman

Serb showed off astounding movement in 100th win in Melbourne to begin his 22nd grand slam season in style The very first point of Novak Djokovic’s 2026 season offered an instant reminder of his enduring greatness. Djokovic started his first match of his Australian Open campaign, also his opening match of the season, by working his way through a breathless 17-stroke rally and then punctuating the exchange with a perfectly timed forehand winner. He could not help but chuckle at his own genius.That blazing start set the tone for a straightforward night inside Rod Laver Arena as Djokovic began his 22nd grand slam season with an effortless 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Spain’s Pedro Martínez. It was the Serb’s 100th win at the Australian Open, a feat he has also achieved at Wimbledon and Roland Garros. Continue reading...

Sport

49 h. ago Djokovic continues to make Australian Open history as tour’s elder statesman

Serb showed off astounding movement in 100th win in Melbourne to begin his 22nd grand slam season in style The very first point of Novak Djokovic’s 2026 season offered an instant reminder of his enduring greatness. Djokovic started his first match of his Australian Open campaign, also his opening match of the season, by working his way through a breathless 17-stroke rally and then punctuating the exchange with a perfectly timed forehand winner. He could not help but chuckle at his own genius.That blazing start set the tone for a straightforward night inside Rod Laver Arena as Djokovic began his 22nd grand slam season with an effortless 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win against Spain’s Pedro Martínez. It was the Serb’s 100th win at the Australian Open, a feat he has also achieved at Wimbledon and Roland Garros. Continue reading...

Politics

55 h. ago ‘I don’t want to be just a punching bag’ – dramatic day at Australian Open marred by retirements

Félix Auger-Aliassime surrendered meekly with cramp while Britain’s Fran Jones was among a list of injured players forced to bow out at Melbourne Park“I’ve honestly got no bloody clue what happened after that point in the match,” said Francesca Jones as she fought back tears. Jones had been battling hard on court 15 at Melbourne Park, chasing her first grand slam main-draw win at the sixth attempt, when she slipped and fell. She instantly felt a tear in her glute muscle. Jones soon had no choice but to retire from her Australian Open first-round match while trailing 2-6, 2-3 to Linda Klimovicova, a 21-year-old Polish qualifier.“Obviously I’m at a career high,” Jones said. “I’m probably in the main draws of the Masters, and then you are thinking: ‘Should I continue, do I fight because it’s a slam?’ There’s money, there’s points on the line. Equally with my history, it’s probably not the smartest thing to keep pushing. I’m just having that internal debate.” Continue reading...

Events

55 h. ago ‘I don’t want to be a punching bag’ – dramatic day at Australian Open marred by retirements

Félix Auger-Aliassime surrendered meekly with cramp while Britain’s Fran Jones was among a list of injured players forced to bow out at Melbourne Park“I’ve honestly got no bloody clue what happened after that point in the match,” said Francesca Jones as she fought back tears. Jones had been battling hard on court 15 at Melbourne Park, chasing her first grand slam main-draw win at the fifth attempt, when she slipped and fell. She instantly felt a tear in her glute muscle. Jones soon had no choice but to retire from her Australian Open first-round match while trailing 6-2, 3-2 to Linda Klimovicova, a 21-year-old Polish qualifier.“I’m at a career high,” Jones said. “I’m probably in the main draws of the Masters, and then you are thinking: ‘Should I continue, do I fight because it’s a slam?’ There’s money, there’s points on the line. Equally with my history, it’s probably not the smartest thing to keep pushing. I’m just having that internal debate.” Continue reading...

Events

56 h. ago Daniil Medvedev receives unexpected boost after ending grand slam losing run at Australian Open

Medvedev ended his 370-day losing run at the grand slams by beating Jesper de Jong in straight sets

Politics

63 h. ago Alex de Minaur v Mackenzie McDonald: Australian Open first round – live

Updates as Australia’s No 1 meets the American lucky loserTournament preview: De Minaur out to break new groundAny thoughts? Get in touch with an emailIt is a glorious summer’s day in Melbourne, which means peak temperatures in the early 30s and stifling conditions for elite sport. The atmospheric conditions are intensified for the players by the heat reflecting off the blue courts and the slim chance the cooling southerly breeze penetrates the bowl of Rod Laver Arena.The tournament’s heat policy is unlikely to kick in today but it will definitely be in operation on Saturday when the mercury could hit 40C, in advance of a stifling second week of competition.De Minaur’s time on tour has been marked by his consistency to perform at a high level, including the last four years in and around the world’s top 10. He has returned to his career-high rank of No 6 this month. But the summit has so far eluded him.He has reached the quarter-finals at a grand slam six times – including at Melbour...

Politics

66 h. ago Venus Williams, 45, suffers humbling return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open

Despite the abrupt elimination in Melbourne, Williams now holds the honor of being the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open singles main draw.

Politics

69 h. ago ‘I’m really sorry’ – Former Wimbledon champion pulls out of Australian Open an hour before first match

A FORMER Wimbledon champion apologised after pulling out of her Australian Open match an hour before taking to the court. Marketa Vondrousova won her only Grand Slam at the All England Club in 2023. She has struggled for form and fitness in the two-and-a-half years since. And her problematic shoulder issues that have plagued her...

Politics

3 d. ago Tennis civil war erupts with details of initial peace deal revealed for first time

PTPA had launched lawsuit against four grand slamsDjokovic says he still has issue with PTPA leadershipThe civil war engulfing tennis has been laid bare on the opening day of this year’s first grand slam event, with details of Tennis Australia’s peace deal with the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) published for the first time.The PTPA launched an anti-trust lawsuit against the four grand slams, the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, and the International Tennis Federation last year, accusing them of collaborating to reduce prize money, impose a restrictive ranking system and repress player promotional opportunities, but Tennis Australia was dropped from the claim last month after reaching a settlement agreement with the players’ union. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago Tennis civil war erupts with details of initial players peace deal revealed for first time

PTPA had launched lawsuit against four grand slamsDjokovic says he still has issue with PTPA leadershipThe civil war engulfing tennis has been laid bare on the opening day of the first grand slam event this year, with details of Tennis Australia’s peace deal with the Professional Tennis Players’ Association published for the first time.The PTPA launched an anti-trust lawsuit against the four grand slam tournaments, the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, and the International Tennis Federation last year, accusing them of collaborating to reduce prize money, impose a restrictive ranking system and repress player promotional opportunities, but Tennis Australia was dropped from the claim last month after reaching a settlement agreement with the players’ union. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago Australian Open 2026: Alcaraz, Raducanu and Sabalenka ease through on day one – live

The first grand slam of 2026 is under way in Melbourne Britain’s Fery delivers upset with win over seed Cobolli Follow us over on Bluesky | Get in touch: email DanielI’m not sure why, but I can’t get commentary on Bublik v Brooksby, which isn’t helpful, but Bublik leads 3-1; Tiafoe is up a break in set three, so at 4-2 is only two games away from seeing off Kubler; Zheng leads Korda by a break at 4-3 in the fifth; and Norrie is up a set on Bonzi, but serving to stay in the second at 4-5.We’re away on Laver, Sabalenka in dayglo straight out of 1989 and Rakotomanga Rajaonah immediately makes 0-30 on her serve. Oh! And when the champ swats a backhand long, she’s down three break points! All three are saved, but then the underdog raises a fourth on advantage, thrashes a deep return, and Sabalenka nets a forehand! Rakotomanga Rajaonah need only hold five times and she’s a set up! Er yeah, let’s see Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago At 45, Venus Williams sets record at Australian Open but falls in the 1st round

Venus Williams became the oldest player ever in the Australian Open women's singles draw on Sunday and went ever-so-close to underscoring it with a win

Politics

3 d. ago Australian Open 2026: Alcaraz and Raducanu in action; Sabalenka wins on day one – live

The first grand slam of 2026 is under way in Melbourne Britain’s Fery delivers upset with win over seed Cobolli Follow us over on Bluesky | Get in touch: email DanielI’m not sure why, but I can’t get commentary on Bublik v Brooksby, which isn’t helpful, but Bublik leads 3-1; Tiafoe is up a break in set three, so at 4-2 is only two games away from seeing off Kubler; Zheng leads Korda by a break at 4-3 in the fifth; and Norrie is up a set on Bonzi, but serving to stay in the second at 4-5.We’re away on Laver, Sabalenka in dayglo straight out of 1989 and Rakotomanga Rajaonah immediately makes 0-30 on her serve. Oh! And when the champ swats a backhand long, she’s down three break points! All three are saved, but then the underdog raises a fourth on advantage, thrashes a deep return, and Sabalenka nets a forehand! Rakotomanga Rajaonah need only hold five times and she’s a set up! Er yeah, let’s see Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Australian Open winner looks unrecognisable now almost 20 years after success Down Under

A previous winner of the Australian Open is barely recognisable almost two decades after triumphing at the Grand Slam

Politics

3 d. ago Carlos Alcaraz’s rivals have all said the same thing about Australian Open star’s behaviour

Carlos Alcaraz could become the youngest player ever to complete a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open aged just 22

Politics

3 d. ago Australian Open 2026: Sabalenka wins; Alcaraz and Raducanu in action on day one – live

The first grand slam of 2026 is under way in Melbourne Britain’s Fery delivers upset with win over seed Cobolli Follow us over on Bluesky | Get in touch: email DanielI’m not sure why, but I can’t get commentary on Bublik v Brooksby, which isn’t helpful, but Bublik leads 3-1; Tiafoe is up a break in set three, so at 4-2 is only two games away from seeing off Kubler; Zheng leads Korda by a break at 4-3 in the fifth; and Norrie is up a set on Bonzi, but serving to stay in the second at 4-5.We’re away on Laver, Sabalenka in dayglo straight out of 1989 and Rakotomanga Rajaonah immediately makes 0-30 on her serve. Oh! And when the champ swats a backhand long, she’s down three break points! All three are saved, but then the underdog raises a fourth on advantage, thrashes a deep return, and Sabalenka nets a forehand! Rakotomanga Rajaonah need only hold five times and she’s a set up! Er yeah, let’s see Continue reading...

Politics