World number one Aryna Sabalenka enters the Australian Open in her familiar role as the hot favourite but unlike in the past two years the powerful Belarusian arrives without a title to defend or the momentum of a winning run in Melbourne.
The four-times Grand Slam champion, who is eyeing her third Australian Open trophy when the tournament begins on January 18 at Melbourne Park, was pushed harder in the next set but edged ahead again at 5-4 to wrap up the win on serve.
Sunday's showdown between four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka and former world number 13 Kyrgios is seen by many as entertainment, but critics believe it risks undermining women's tennis by trivialising decades of progress toward equality.
Stanislas Wawrinka will hang up his racquet at the end of 2026, the three-times Grand Slam champion announced on Friday, bringing down the curtain on a 24-year professional career that saw him gatecrash tennis's elite during the sport's golden era.
Nick Kyrgios will only feature in the doubles at the Australian Open, which begins at Melbourne Park on January 18.
Kyrgios beats Sabalenka in 'Battle of the Sexes' showdown
Iga Swiatek heads into Melbourne Park with the Australian Open title the only gap on her Grand Slam resume, but the world number two is keen to avoid setting herself targets for the new season and says her main goal is to improve her game.
Novak Djokovic, who is eyeing a record 25th Grand Slam title, looks likely to need to beat either Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz or both at the business end of the Australian Open.
India's 'golden boy' Neeraj Chopra's stellar 2025: From touching 90m mark to heartbreaking 26-event streak end
Experienced doubles player N Sriram Balaji has been left out of the squad, with the selection committee opting to look ahead as part of a longer-term plan.
India's World Cup winning captains -- Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepika T C and Rohit Sharma -- were honoured by the Reliance Foundation in Mumbai on Monday.
Lots to look forward to in Indian sports as packed 2026 calender awaits
The event comes at a time when tennis is facing criticism over its relentless tour schedule.
Tennis icon Venus Williams wed Italian model-actor Andrea Preti in Palm Beach, Florida.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra and his wife Himani Mor at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi on Tuesday.
But the big question that keeps striking the mind is, if Indian tennis system can actually claim this win as its own. The answer is: partially.
The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports aimed at giving India's youth a "meaningful role in shaping the vision of a Viksit Bharat".
Just who are the big winners of the 83rd edition of Golden Globes awards?
While off-court battles over pay and governance rumbled on, opportunities were scarce beyond the duopoly at the top of the men's game, leaving Djokovic to provide the year's standout moments for the chasing pack.
Chopra focussing on rehabilitation of his back injury, season opener not known yet: Sumariwalla
Serena Williams has re-entered the tennis anti-doping testing pool but the 23-times Grand Slam champion denied on Tuesday that the move had anything to do with her making a return to the sport she dominated for nearly two decades.
'My next aim is to go past 2700.'
Balaji is core member of team, can be considered for next tie: Rajpal
Bengaluru to host India-Netherlands Davis Cup tie on February 7-8
A deafening roar at Twickenham capped a 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup that smashed attendance records, while India's first Women's Cricket World Cup triumph sparked nationwide celebrations.
Sumit Nagal leaned on his vast experience to overcome the power game of Kites's Dhakshineswar Suresh in the tie-break and keep Eagles well on course for the World Tennis League final, in Bengaluru, on Thursday.
Divyanshi bags U15 TT bronze, U19 boys' team settles for silver
The 2025 US Open is more than just a tennis tournament; it's a bold display of personal expression and a vibrant celebration of style.
The Critics Choice Awards was held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica and saw Hollywood's A-listers get honoured at the first awards ceremony of the year.
Andy Murray said his six-month stint as Novak Djokovic's coach was a valuable learning experience despite a disappointing end after the high-profile partnership failed to yield a title.
Hockey star Hardik Singh lone recommendation for Khel Ratna; Divya, TJ & Mehuli for Arjuna
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has been named WTA Player of the Year for the second consecutive season after spending the entire year at the top of the rankings.
World tennis number one Carlos Alcaraz has split with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, they said on Wednesday, ending a seven-year partnership that delivered 24 titles including six Grand Slam crowns.
Russian star Daniil Medvedev and Indian veteran Rohan Bopanna will play in the same squad, while Sumit Nagal is part of a side that features former world number 6 Gael Monfils for the World Tennis League, to be held In Bengaluru from December 17 to 20.
Adding to the excitement, Bollywood stars Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Devgn, along with Sachin Tendulkar, were present at the auction.
Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, Australian Nick Kyrgios and 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina, are set to enthrall fans in India when the World Tennis League makes its debut, in Bengaluru, on December 17.
The country also mounted bids on some high-profile continental and global events, including the 2031 World Athletics Championships with Ahmedabad as the proposed venue.
The Indian's path had been clouded earlier by visa uncertainty. His initial application to enter China was rejected, prompting Nagal to publicly appeal to Chinese officials.
Hosts Italy closed in on a third successive Davis Cup title as Flavio Cobolli saved seven match points to beat Belgium's Zizou Bergs in a thriller and seal a 2-0 semi-final victory on Friday.
Mouni Roy recaps the way November went for her, in a series of pictures on social media.
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