The Socceroos’ hopes of automatic qualification for November’s World Cup in Qatar have been flattened after an uninspiring 2-0 loss to Japan in Sydney on Thursday night. While a win against a nation it had not defeated since 2009 seemed unlikely in the first instance, the disastrous build-up to Australia’s penultimate Asian qualifier made a win almost out of the realms …

Ash Barty has told media to be patient in revealing whether she will take up another sport, after fronting a press conference to explain her shock retirement. The 25-year-old shocked the tennis world on Wednesday when she revealed she was stepping away from the sport, prompting an outpouring of tributes from tennis players and fans alike. Barty said there was “no …

Rafael Nadal has defeated new men’s world number one Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3 in a rematch of their Australian Open final to storm into the decider of the ATP 500 event in Acapulco. Nadal had to fight back from two sets down in their previous meeting in Melbourne last month to clinch a men’s record 21st major singles title. But in Mexico, it was …

The Socceroos’ hopes of gaining direct entry into the World Cup have been dealt a blow following a dramatic 2-2 draw with Oman. The draw will most probably force Graham Arnold’s men to qualify via intercontinental play-off route. Australia got off to a strong start, going up 1-0 through a first-half Jamie Maclaren penalty but Oman pulled one back via an Abdullah Fawaz screamer from …

Sam Kerr endured a rare off night in front of goal as the Matildas crashed out of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup with a shock 1-0 quarter-final loss to Korea Republic. Kerr had a series of golden opportunities early in Sunday’s match in Pune, and she fluffed another chance at the death when Australia needed a goal to send the …

Freshly crowned Australian Open champion Ash Barty says she chose to have a low-key celebration following her victory in the women’s singles final, admitting she felt “pretty wrecked”. Barty won her first Australian Open championship with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) triumph over American Danielle Collins on Saturday night. It is her third major singles title, following her successes at the 2019 …

A man who was arrested at the Australian Open has been released pending further inquiry, as police investigate assaults on staff at the event. Earlier on Wednesday, Victoria Police alleged a woman had been sexually assaulted at Rod Laver Arena just before midnight on Tuesday. However, police have since changed their statement and no longer believe the sexual assault took …

Ash Barty has declared her triumphant title double at the Adelaide International the perfect Australian Open preparation. Australia’s world number one has withdrawn from the Sydney Tennis Classic to head straight to Melbourne to fine-tune for the Open. Barty completed a flawless start to her 2022 season with a rare title double in Adelaide on Sunday, adding the doubles trophy …

Novak Djokovic faces Federal Court in Melbourne on Monday in a bid to have the cancellation of his visa overturned ahead of the Australian Open. Djokovic’s lawyers will be up against the Department for Home Affairs in a fight to have the Serbian star remain in the country after having a medical exemption revoked by border authorities last week. The tennis …

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley reportedly told Australia’s advisory body on immunisation that the Australian Open’s “viability” could be decided on whether unvaccinated players would be granted exemptions to compete. A report by the Sydney Morning Herald has revealed Tiley’s letter to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), which was sent on November 10. The group was queried on whether a player …