“Time beat him. Time takes everybody out. It’s undefeated,” said Rocky Balboa in the film “Creed” and those words could easily be applied to Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo who struggled to impose himself on their Euro 2024 last-16 game with Slovenia on Monday. A tearful Ronaldo being embraced and comforted by team mates after missing a penalty in extra time that …

Alex de Minaur is savouring a “once in a lifetime” triumph after beating the king of clay, Rafael Nadal, in what the Spanish great confirmed was his final appearance on his own court at the Barcelona Open. Nadal wasn’t at his sharpest on his tentative return to action after injury in only his second tournament in 15 months, but nothing …

Australia and Uzbekistan have been recommended as hosts for the 2026 and 2029 Women’s Asian Cup respectively. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) made the announcement on Friday after a meeting in Tashkent. The Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA), which has hosted AFC youth events in the past, was the sole bidder for 2029 and is set to be the first Central …

Aryna Sabalenka’s boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov has died at the age of 42. Koltsov, a former ice hockey player who competed in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, had been a regular presence supporting Sabalenka at tournaments. The world No.2 frequently referenced Koltsov on social media in pictures and messages. The news was announced by Russia ice hockey team Salavat Yulaev …

Aryna Sabalenka has become the first woman to win back-to-back Australian Opens in 11 years following a straight-sets victory over Qinwen Zheng in the final. Sabalenka, who did not drop a set during the tournament, overpowered the Chinese 12th seed to triumph 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 16 minutes on Rod Laver Arena. Follow all the action from the …

Alex de Minaur will arrive at next week’s Australian Open on a high after breaking into the men’s world top 10 rankings. De Minaur is guaranteed to enter the top 10 following his 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 triumph over world number seven Alexander Zverev in Saturday night’s Australia-Germany United Cup semifinal in Sydney. He will become the first Australian men’s player to …

Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open preparations are up in the air after he experienced an injury scare in his upset three-set loss to Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International.Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open preparations are up in the air after he experienced an injury scare in his upset three-set loss to Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International.Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open preparations are …

World number one Iga Świątek has survived an early scare to clinch Poland’s spot in the United Cup final and a possible showdown with hosts Australia, as her team beat France in Sydney. Świątek was taken to three sets by former world number four Caroline Garcia, before prevailing 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 to wrap up the tie. Earlier, Hubert Hurkacz had given …

Women’s world number two Aryna Sabalenka has blasted her way into a blockbuster Brisbane International final against world number four Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka said it would be “a great battle as always” against a woman she had two wins apiece with last year. The final is the same as last year’s Australian Open, which Sabalenka won in three sets, but …

Australia has lost a second straight Davis Cup final, after Alexei Popyrin and Alex de Minaur were beaten in their singles matches in a 2-0 defeat to Italy. Australian tennis dreams were dashed again as Lleyton Hewitt’s team succumbed in a second straight Davis Cup final amid heartbreak and another jolting reality check in Malaga. Italy ended up lifting the …