News for 'tennis champion'

At 45, Venus Williams breaks record with AO wildcard

At 45, Venus Williams breaks record with AO wildcard

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Seven-times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams thanked Australian Open organisers on Saturday for giving her a wildcard that will see the 45-year-old American become the oldest woman ever to compete in the singles main draw.

Vijay Amritraj receives Padma Bhushan; Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet get Padma Shri

Vijay Amritraj receives Padma Bhushan; Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet get Padma Shri

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Vijay Amritraj gets Padma Bhushan; Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur receive Padma Shri

Chennai Open: Rawat upsets Noguchi; Nagal, Sasikumar through

Chennai Open: Rawat upsets Noguchi; Nagal, Sasikumar through

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

Sumit Nagal and Mukund Sasikumar secured victories, while Sidharth Rawat delivered a stunning upset at the Chennai Open ATP Challenger.

Federer to return to his 'Happy Slam' home at Aus Open

Federer to return to his 'Happy Slam' home at Aus Open

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

The Opening Ceremony will take place on Saturday, January 17, at Rod Laver Arena. The Australian Open main draw begins on January 18.

Osaka turns Rod Laver into a runway, battles into round 2

Osaka turns Rod Laver into a runway, battles into round 2

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Twice Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka floated onto Rod Laver Arena in a jellyfish-inspired outfit and claimed a see-sawing 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win over Croatian battler Antonia Ruzic to reach the second round at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.

Carlos Alcaraz routs Alex de Minaur; advances to first Australian Open semi-final

Carlos Alcaraz routs Alex de Minaur; advances to first Australian Open semi-final

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Carlos Alcaraz charged into the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time in his career with a dominant victory over local favourite Alex de Minaur.

Record Aussie Open prize money but stars want more

Record Aussie Open prize money but stars want more

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

The Australian Open will offer a record A$111.5 million ($74.73 million) in prize money this year and while players welcomed the increase, top names like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka said the push for a bigger payout must continue across the Grand Slams.

Aryna Sabalenka crushes teen Jovic, eyes third Australian Open title

Aryna Sabalenka crushes teen Jovic, eyes third Australian Open title

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Aryna Sabalenka handed 18-year-old American Iva Jovic a comprehensive 6-3, 6-0 defeat in the quarter-finals at a sweltering Melbourne Park on Tuesday to remain on course for a third Australian Open title in four years.

AO 2026: 'Djokovic, what you're doing is really inspiring'

AO 2026: 'Djokovic, what you're doing is really inspiring'

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Carlos Alcaraz praised Novak Djokovic as an inspiration and gave a shout-out to compatriot Rafa Nadal after downing the Serbian great in four sets on Sunday to claim his first Australian Open title.

Osaka Goes Viral With Iconic Australian Open Entrance

Osaka Goes Viral With Iconic Australian Open Entrance

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Osaka made her way into Rod Laver Arena carrying a parasol, wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a veil, and Nike's Copa-Light Liquid Lime-White dress with soft, jellyfish-inspired ruffles.

Djokovic Thanks Doubters For Motivation After Epic Win Over Sinner

Djokovic Thanks Doubters For Motivation After Epic Win Over Sinner

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Novak Djokovic said he had always believed he could still play at the top level of tennis and rounded on those who had tried to usher him into retirement after beating Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open on Friday.

'She made winners, I made errors': Sabalenka on AO loss

'She made winners, I made errors': Sabalenka on AO loss

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Aryna Sabalenka fell 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to Elena Rybakina on Saturday, the Russia-born Kazakh turning the tables on the Belarusian who beat her for the 2023 title.

100 wins, no worries: Djokovic rolls on at Melbourne Park

100 wins, no worries: Djokovic rolls on at Melbourne Park

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

The flawless performance means Djokovic has reached a century of match wins in three of the four Grand Slams, with 95 at the U.S. Open.

Why Swiatek chose not to watch 'Battle of the Sexes'

Why Swiatek chose not to watch 'Battle of the Sexes'

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

Swiatek rejects 'Battle of the Sexes' and backs mixed team events

Australian Open: Djokovic sees off Sinner, sets up Alcaraz title showdown

Australian Open: Djokovic sees off Sinner, sets up Alcaraz title showdown

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Vintage Djokovic dethrones Sinner to set up Alcaraz final at Australian Open

PIX: Alcaraz beats cramps, Zverev to reach Aus Open final

PIX: Alcaraz beats cramps, Zverev to reach Aus Open final

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

In five and a half hours of scintillating tennis, the third longest match ever at the Australian Open, Alcaraz won the controversy-riddled encounter.

AO 2026: Youngest ever! Alcaraz completes Slam set at 22

AO 2026: Youngest ever! Alcaraz completes Slam set at 22

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Factbox on Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Serbian fourth seed Novak Djokovic to win his first Australian Open title on Sunday, increasing his overall Grand Slam tally to seven.

Cristiano Ronaldo Birthday Special: Age, Stats, Goals and Net Worth Details

Cristiano Ronaldo Birthday Special: Age, Stats, Goals and Net Worth Details

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo birthday special coverage: Check Cristiano Ronaldo age, stats, total goals, career records, trophies and net worth details.

Can Carlos Alcaraz Conquer Melbourne Park?

Can Carlos Alcaraz Conquer Melbourne Park?

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

World number one Carlos Alcaraz arrives in Melbourne with only one mission in mind -- claim a first Australian Open title to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.

T20 World Cup: 'USA not underdogs anymore; ready for India'

T20 World Cup: 'USA not underdogs anymore; ready for India'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

USA vice-captain Jasdeep Singh says the team is no longer an underdog and is ready to face India in the T20 World Cup.

Sabalenka canters into another Brisbane International final

Sabalenka canters into another Brisbane International final

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

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.

Australian Open: Sinner beats Shelton to set up Djokovic semis

Australian Open: Sinner beats Shelton to set up Djokovic semis

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Defending champion Jannik Sinner scorched American eighth seed Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 and moved into the Australian Open semi-finals.

Venus Williams, Andrea Preti Tie Knot

Venus Williams, Andrea Preti Tie Knot

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

Tennis icon Venus Williams wed Italian model-actor Andrea Preti in Palm Beach, Florida.

Rybakina denies Sabalenka, wins dramatic Australian Open

Rybakina denies Sabalenka, wins dramatic Australian Open

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Elena Rybakina held her nerve to outlast world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a thrilling Australian Open 2026 women's singles final at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.

Djokovic pulls out of Australian Open warm-up in Adelaide

Djokovic pulls out of Australian Open warm-up in Adelaide

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from next week's Australian Open warm-up tournament in Adelaide to focus on being ready for the year's first Grand Slam at Melbourne Park.

Alcaraz begins career Grand Slam bid in grand fashion

Alcaraz begins career Grand Slam bid in grand fashion

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

Alcaraz swats aside Walton as career Grand Slam bid begins in Melbourne

Kyrgios overpowers Sabalenka in Battle of the Sexes

Kyrgios overpowers Sabalenka in Battle of the Sexes

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Kyrgios beats Sabalenka in 'Battle of the Sexes' showdown

Aus Open: Sabalenka cruises; Fery stuns 20th seed Cobolli

Aus Open: Sabalenka cruises; Fery stuns 20th seed Cobolli

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

Qualifier Arthur Fery delivered a stunning Australian Open win by beating 20th seed Flavio Cobolli on Sunday.

Sabalenka, Kyrgios relishing 'Battle of the Sexes' challenge

Sabalenka, Kyrgios relishing 'Battle of the Sexes' challenge

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

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.

Aus Open: Sinner, Shelton, Swiatek storm into last eight

Aus Open: Sinner, Shelton, Swiatek storm into last eight

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Jannik Sinner brushed aside heat concerns to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals, while Iga Swiatek ended home hopes by overpowering Maddison Inglis in Melbourne.

Why Sabalenka feels even more dangerous this AO

Why Sabalenka feels even more dangerous this AO

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

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.

'New Two' roadblock for Djokovic at Australian Open

'New Two' roadblock for Djokovic at Australian Open

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

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.

Royalty, Tennis Champs, Superman At SW19

Royalty, Tennis Champs, Superman At SW19

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

Glimpse the celebs who caught all the action on Centre Court on Sunday...

Wawrinka to retire in 2026 after 24-year pro career

Wawrinka to retire in 2026 after 24-year pro career

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

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.

Djokovic-Alcaraz face-off as history beckons at Aus Open final!!

Djokovic-Alcaraz face-off as history beckons at Aus Open final!!

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz clash in the Australian Open final with history on the line as Djokovic chases a record 25th Slam and Alcaraz eyes a career Grand Slam.

One Slam missing: Swiatek eyes Aussie Open

One Slam missing: Swiatek eyes Aussie Open

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

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.

Sabalenka, Rybakina renew fierce rivalry in Australian Open title showdown

Sabalenka, Rybakina renew fierce rivalry in Australian Open title showdown

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Sabalenka primed for Rybakina rematch with eyes on third Australian Open crown

Aus Open: Sinner advances; Shelton overpowers Humbert

Aus Open: Sinner advances; Shelton overpowers Humbert

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Jannik Sinner was in ominous form on the Rod Laver Arena court he has ruled for two years before the match was cut short.

Kyrgios, Medvedev, Rybakina set to enthrall fans in India

Kyrgios, Medvedev, Rybakina set to enthrall fans in India

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

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.

Kyrgios won't play singles at Australian Open

Kyrgios won't play singles at Australian Open

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Nick Kyrgios will only feature in the doubles at the Australian Open, which begins at Melbourne Park on January 18.