Serbian tennis star, world number one, multiple Grand Slam champion
Today’s updates have sharpened focus on ongoing policy shifts as officials face new pressures. The events have prompted immediate reactions and signal potential future changes.
Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula will meet in the Cincinnati women’s final, the first all-American showdown there in 56 years, after Pegula defeats Swiatek and Gauff defeats Bejlek. On the men’s side, Frances Tiafoe faces Arthur Fils in a historic final—the first Cincinnati Masters 1000 final with two Black players. Winners will headline the US Open build-up.
Czech qualifier Sara Bejlek has upset world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati, rallying from 5-1 down in the first-set tiebreak and saving two set points to win 7-6(7) 6-4. The result puts Elena Rybakina’s hold on the top ranking in jeopardy as she can replace Sabalenka at the summit by reaching the final.
Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed he will return to competitive tennis at the US Open after missing more than four months with a right wrist injury. The 23-year-old is seeded second at Flushing Meadows, where organisers have increased the total prize fund to a record $108m and will launch a grand slam player advisory council after the tournament.
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz have been given a wild card to the US Open mixed doubles main draw. The pair will compete in a revamped two-day, 16-team format with a $1 million prize. Williams is not planned to play singles, while Alcaraz is returning from a right wrist injury. The field also features other high-profile duos as the tournament reshapes its schedule.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the US Open because of a right knee issue. He has not played since winning Wimbledon and has been undergoing tests; his decision reshapes seeding and hands a clearer path to the title for rivals including Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and several top Americans.
Carlos Alcaraz has returned from a wrist injury to play in the US Open, teaming with Serena Williams in the mixed doubles. The news follows his four-month absence from singles and Williams’ comeback after a hiatus. The event adds star power to the Open, with other high-profile partnerships and a large field across both singles and doubles.
The Guardian and AP News report that 22-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils wins the Cincinnati Open, defeating Frances Tiafoe to become the first Masters 1000 final featuring two Black players. Fils overcomes a tense match, dominating late to capture his first Masters 1000 title and rising into the top ranks of the ATP race.
Roger Federer has been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport after a storied career that included 20 Grand Slam titles. In the run-up, he has performed exhibition matches in New York, signaling a lasting legacy beyond competition and underscoring his impact on fans and the sport.
Serena Williams has reunited with Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open for mixed doubles, marking her first appearance on the New York hardcourt since 2022. The revamped format pairs star singles players with doubles specialists, a move that has drawn criticism for prioritising star power over specialists. The pair won their opening match but were eliminated from the later rounds, reflecting both Williams’ comeback and the format’s mixed reception.
At the US Open, Karolína Muchová and Jakub Menšík have won the mixed doubles title, with a renewed emphasis on singles players amid the revamped format. The event drew big crowds and featured high-profile appearances, including Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz, though several doubles specialists exited early.
The former U.S. Open champion has not been granted a wild card for the hard-court Grand Slam in his final year on tour. Wawrinka, 41, missed the U.S. Open’s main-draw wild-card list, following a career that included three Grand Slam titles and a brutal inner drive to a career Grand Slam. Fellow veteran Gaël Monfils received a wild card while ranking details kept Wawrinka at 125th. The story tracks the emotional arc of a final major appearance and the debate over wild-card equity.
Muchova and Mensik clinch the mixed doubles title at the US Open, beating Bencic and Cobolli in a deciding 10-point tiebreak after saving two match points in the semi-finals. The duo wore matching maroon outfits and celebrated a first Grand Slam title for both players, continuing a strong pre-US Open run in women’s and men’s events.
Aryna Sabalenka has faced a rough patch as she defends her US Open title, saying only that there is nothing for the public to explain about her form while she works to reset mentally. Coco Gauff is defending her status on and off the court, with her family managing ticket requests amid spotlight pressure. Filipino talent Rose Eala has surged to a career-best ranking and is drawing fans in New York.
Sabalenka has expressed concern over the smell of cannabis drifting onto Louis Armstrong Stadium during her third‑round win at the US Open. She has called for greater awareness around the stadium area as players continue their campaigns for a third consecutive title. Other top players are also advancing, with Alcaraz and Medvedev confirming progress to the fourth round.
Djokovic has been eliminated in the first round of a Grand Slam by Mariano Navone in a four hours and 36 minutes marathon match, marking his first early exit in a major since 2006 and continuing health-related struggles under humid conditions.
Novak Djokovic has reached the US Open round one but battles a serious health issue that has him vomiting and cramping. He says the condition is
Kyrgios has been suspended after testing positive for cocaine; Tsitsipas says he anticipated the news and discusses the fallout at the US Open. The sport faces questions about penalties, timing, and the players’ ongoing rivalry.
British No. 1 Fery has fallen in the US Open first round to Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets, 6-3 6-3 7-5. The defeat follows his Wimbledon semifinal run and Winston-Salem final, with Musetti proving too strong on Grandstand. Fery is now focusing on recovery and future tournaments.
Carlos Alcaraz has overcome a wrist injury to win his match in four sets, switching to a skin-tight vest to fix a wardrobe malfunction. He advances to the next round, with Medvedev, Pegula, and others also progressing; Djokovic suffers a shock first-round exit.
Aryna Sabalenka has retained focus at the US Open, addressing questions about her schedule and off-court activities while stressing that training and mental strength drive her. She is preparing for the next rounds after a dominant performance, with rivals pushing for top rankings.
Coco Gauff has reached the fourth round in New York while Iva Jovic eyes another deep run, with both Americans standing in the way of a potential quarterfinal clash and a growing U.S. tilt at the tournament.
Liverpool travels to Ipswich Town as Bradley Barcola could make his competitive debut off the bench after joining from Paris Saint-Germain. Ipswich, fresh from a 5-2 loss to Manchester United, aims to build on its strong home form with Julio Enciso and Abdul Fatawu leading the attack.
Carlos Alcaraz has reached the US Open fourth round after beating Tommy Paul in straight sets, extending his majors winning run to 18. He faces Ben Shelton or Stefanos Tsitsipas next as he continues his comeback from a four-month wrist injury.
Frances Tiafoe fights back from two sets down to beat Michelsen in a dramatic US Open quarter-final, reaching the semi-finals for the third time in five years. The American will face either Alcaraz or Shelton in the last four.
Zverev has reached the US Open final after beating Khachanov in straight sets, cementing his place in contention for a second Grand Slam title this year following his French Open triumph. Shelton's hopes of ending America's long drought remain alive with a looming final against the German.
Elena Rybakina has moved to world No. 1 after defeating Aryna Sabalenka en route to winning the US Open final. Rybakina seals the top ranking while Sabalenka ends the year without a Grand Slam title, after a season of high drama and new milestones.
Alexander Zverev has claimed a second Grand Slam title at the US Open, defeating Ben Shelton in four sets to end American hopes for a homegrown champion since 2003. Shelton had reached the final amid historic firsts, including being the first Black American man in the New York final in 54 years.
Sinner has announced he will not play in the Beijing China Open this year due to a knee injury. He has not played since Wimbledon, and he is not ready to compete yet. Djokovic is set to headline the event while Sinner plans a return next year.
Europe has secured a 13-5 victory against Team World on the final day of the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena, extending Europe’s domination with a strong show of depth led by Zverev, Alcaraz and Cobolli/Mensik. Alcaraz’s late-day heroics and a dominant doubles pairings sealed the result as Europe clinched the trophy.
Japan hosts a delayed, chaotic Asian Games with logistical issues shadowing standout performances. China leads in diving and tennis through young stars like Yu Zidi and Wang Xiyu; Japan and other nations show flashes of talent while organisers face criticism over accommodation and transport.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Rolex Shanghai Masters due to a knee injury. He has not played since Wimbledon, after winning French Open and US Open titles in 2026. The decision affects the race for world No. 1 as Alexander Zverev eyes the top spot with subsequent Beijing and Shanghai events.
Djokovic leads Medvedev in the Beijing semifinal final stages after Medvedev is disqualified for hitting a ball into the stands, injuring a spectator. Djokovic will face Alex de Minaur in the final; Hurkacz retires in the other semi. Djokovic’s perfect China Open record remains intact.
Gauff has halted a Beijing match to challenge flickering LED boards, went on to win, and has addressed racist abuse she received online. She defended following the rules and praised Sun Xinran, who advanced in the tournament.
The Six Kings Slam tennis tournament is postponed due to logistical challenges as regional tensions prompt a wait-and-see approach ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup. Officials are monitoring the security situation and could reschedule further events if needed.
The Asian Cup is under review amid security concerns following a deadly attack on Riyadh’s airport. Organisers say preparations are ongoing while some events have been postponed or relocated; a final decision on dates awaits regional developments.
Organisers have moved the Dakar Rally from Saudi Arabia for 2027 to a different territory, with a location to be announced in coming days. A return to Saudi Arabia is planned for 2028 to mark the 50th edition, while security concerns and regional tensions weigh on the event.
Williams has been knocked out in the Guangzhou Open doubles semifinals, while her singles run ends in the first round. The 46-year-old American and her partner were defeated by Lilli Tagger and her partner as Williams continues a winless streak on tour.
In Basel, Viktor Vacherot has claimed the Basel title after a narrow win over Jiri Lehecka, sealing his first title of the year as Djokovic’s Basel campaign ends with a late setback. Struff’s upset win over Djokovic previously reshaped the Swiss Indoors landscape.
The 49th Dakar Rally has been relocated from Saudi Arabia to Africa, with Algarve hosting the prologue and first stage and Morocco hosting 11 stages including a rest day in Agadir. The event runs January 9–23, 2027, covering 7,824 km, and will return to Saudi Arabia in 2028.
The Asian Football Confederation has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia from 7 January 2027 to 23 December 2027–21 January 2028. Organisers have said "exceptional circumstances" and logistical and travel disruptions have made the original dates untenable. Saudi domestic fixtures have been rescheduled and other regional sporting events have been cancelled or delayed.
Australia’s Hi jikata has defeated Djokovic 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the Paris Masters, marking a career milestone with a fourth top-20 scalp this year. The win snaps Djokovic’s bid to qualify for the season-ending championships and puts Hijikata within one win of a new career-high ranking. Djokovic says he was outplayed after a strong start by the world No. 83.