American tennis icon and record-holder
Howard Fendrich, a veteran AP tennis writer who has covered Grand Slams and Olympics since 2002, has died at Johns Hopkins Hospital after a cancer diagnosis this year. Colleagues, players and friends have paid tribute, noting his kindness, deep reporting and influence on tennis journalism.
Pope Leo has been maintaining a weekly tennis routine as part of his Augustinian devotion to physical activity and interior life. Reports highlight his Castel Gandolfo retreats, Africa trip in April, and public message promoting sport as a tool for peace and personal growth, while colleagues note the stamina needed for his global duties.
Vondrousova has been suspended for four years after refusing a doping control test at her home in December 2025. An independent tribunal has found no compelling justification for the refusal, and the sanction runs until June 21, 2030. ITIA emphasizes that testing can occur outside the hour window if notified and located, and reiterates the seriousness of refusals.
Music industry titan Clive Davis has died at his Manhattan home, after recent hospitalization for respiratory issues. He built CBS, Arista and J Records into powerhouses, signing Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen and Aretha Franklin, among others. Reactions from peers and artists highlight his eye for talent and lasting influence on popular music.
Serena Williams has decided to compete in Wimbledon singles after a late wild card choice, following her doubles return earlier this month. She has been contemplating the move and is facing questions about her future at the sport as she eyes a final Wimbledon chapter.
Wimbledon debentures guaranteeing a Centre Court seat for five years have surged, selling for up to £380,000 in April. The market reflects growing demand and the tournament’s financing model, with buyers seeking long-term access as public demand remains strong.
Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from Wimbledon on the eve of the tournament after a stress fracture was confirmed, ending her bid to compete this year. Several British players are in action, including Katie Boulter, Fran Jones, Harriet Dart, Alicia Dudeney, Hannah Klugman and Mika Stojsavljevic, with wildcards and rising stars featured in the draw.
World Cup activities are intersecting with Wimbledon’s schedule as fans and players navigate overlapping knockout rounds; Wimbledon has reaffirmed it will not broadcast World Cup matches on site, while players face scheduling pressures and personal choices about balancing sport and football viewing.
The US Supreme Court has upheld Idaho and West Virginia laws that bar transgender girls from girls' sports, ruling those bans survive Title IX and equal-protection challenges. The decision preserves similar statutes in roughly two dozen states, hands conservative groups a legal lever, and shifts the next fights to state courts, school boards and athletic bodies.
The Wimbledon scene is lively as players face early-round challenges and notable developments unfold across courts, including Serena Williams' media absence discourse and rising hopes from young talents.
A wave of bold walk-on outfits and brand-driven looks marks a turning point at Wimbledon, with Naomi Osaka and others turning sartorial moments into strategic statements. The trend is drawing attention from players, sponsors, and analysts as fashion and sport collide on Centre Court.
Athletes from tennis to football are expanding into business ventures after retirement. Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal are building portfolios in health, hospitality and education, underscoring a trend of athletes leveraging fame into long-term ventures. Nadal's Zel Hotels and Sharapova's Sugarpova highlight a shift toward diversified brands.
Wimbledon updates unfold as top seeds face shocks and schedule changes. Alexandra Eala has upset Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina exits in a tight finish, and Elise Mertens advances, reshaping the women’s draw as Centre Court hosts key matches.
The Williams sisters are competing at Wimbledon. Serena has returned to singles and is addressing a knee injury; Venus is playing doubles alongside Kevin Krawietz. Their schedule places doubles on show courts after singles, as organizers balance recovery time with competition.
Serena Williams has withdrawn from doubles at Wimbledon after injuring her right knee in her singles comeback. She posted on Instagram that she is heartbroken and grateful to organizers; a gruelling match preceded the withdrawal. Venus Williams will team with Kevin Krawietz in doubles as their return together at Wimbledon proceeds while Williams recovers.
Arthur Fery has advanced to the Wimbledon men’s semi-finals as a wildcard, defeating Flavio Cobolli in straight sets to continue his historic fairytale run. He will face Alexander Zverev in the next round, while British fans celebrate a rare deep run by a homegrown player.
Two Czech finalists are set to compete in Wimbledon 2026 after dramatic semi-finals. Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova have reached the final, with Noskova defeating Marta Kostyuk and Muchova surviving a battle with Coco Gauff to claim a spot in the showpiece. The weekend promises a first-time Wimbledon women’s champion from the Czech Republic.
Linda Noskova wins the women’s singles final, becoming the youngest Wimbledon champion since 2011, as Karolina Muchova pushes her to the limit in a dramatic final. Jannik Sinner also claims the men’s title in a long, grueling 4-set showdown against Alexander Zverev. The event features Arthur Fery’s breakthrough wildcard run and Serena Williams’ return to singles at 44.
Jannik Sinner has retained his Wimbledon men's singles title, beating Alexander Zverev 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4 on Centre Court. The world No.1 has claimed his fifth Grand Slam and his second consecutive Wimbledon crown after recovering from a shock French Open exit last month.
Britain’s Wimbledon run is contrasted by a worrying pattern: a wild card’s surprise semi-final runs mask a wider lack of sustained success. The sport’s centre of gravity remains abroad and domestic grassroots funding is under scrutiny.
The White House has issued an executive order directing sidewalk signs around the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to warn visitors about alleged inaccuracies in the museum’s portrayal of American history and to point to sources for a corrected narrative. Smithsonian leadership defends its scholarship and fullness of America’s story as Republicans press for hearings and potential changes on Capitol Hill.
Riders have been tested between 11pm and 6am as part of the ITA anti-doping programme, with Pogacar and Vingegaard among those subjected to late-night tests. The practice, described as unusual and disruptive by some, is intended to combat micro-dosing and maintain integrity as the race progresses toward the Alps.
Valeria Luiselli’s Fourth novel Beginning Middle End follows a narrator touring Europe with her daughter, searching for a narrative arc. Critics note episodic chapters and fragmented structure, yet the work probes memory, myth, and family across Sicily, Germany, and the Netherlands. The narrative struggles to cohere, but it remains a sharp meditation on storytelling itself.
Serena and Venus Williams have received a wild-card entry to compete in the doubles at the Cincinnati Open, marking their first doubles pairing since the 2022 US Open. The event runs in Mason, Ohio, from early next week, with Venus also entering the singles draw.
The WTA has instituted one-off mandatory gene-testing for all players to compete at the 2028 Olympics, aiming to distinguish biological sex from gender identity. Players including Sabalenka have supported the policy, while critics warn of privacy and rights concerns. The policy has drawn comparisons to other sports and sparked debate about transgender athletes in competition.
Beijing 2022 gold medallist Eve Muirhead has revoked her retirement and is returning to curling. She will partner Bobby Lammie in mixed doubles this season as British Curling targets Alpes 2030, after serving as Team GB’s chef de mission at Milan-Cortina 2026.