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Djokovic Is Back: Serb Confirms Cincinnati Return in Build-Up to US Open Bid for History Novak Djokovic is set to make his long-awaited return to the ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati Open this August, back on those hard courts for the first time since his title-winning run there in 2023. The Serbian star, now 39 and still chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, confirmed the news himself: "I'm happy to announce I'm coming to the Cincinnati Open this year." A Calculated Move Before New York Djokovic's return to the Cincinnati field looks very much like a deliberate step to sharpen his hard-court game ahead of the US Open. Known for its fast surface and fierce competition, the tournament is exactly the kind of testing ground players want before heading to Flushing Meadows. Djokovic has skipped the Canadian Open, as he has done every year since 2019, using the extra time to recover after Wimbledon - but Cincinnati, running from 8 to 23 August, gives him one proper hit-ou...

Cricket Comes Home to Africa: Full Details of the 2027 World Cup Revealed Tournament Format The tournament will bring together 14 teams for a total of 57 matches under a freshly reworked format. It'll unfold in three stages: - A Super Series to decide the final qualifying spot - A group stage - A Super 7 round feeding into the knockouts The final will be staged at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg - one of cricket's most iconic grounds, and a fitting setting for the closing spectacle. Why It Matters - It's the first ODI World Cup to be held in Africa since 2003 - Namibia will host World Cup cricket for the very first time - It's a chance to put African cricket - its grounds, its talent and its passionate following - on the world stage This isn't just a scheduling announcement. It's a statement about cricket's ambition to grow beyond its traditional heartlands and give its diverse global fanbase something to celebrate.

"Il Capitano" - Football World Mourns the Loss of AC Milan Icon Franco Baresi Italian football has lost one of its true greats. Franco Baresi, the legendary AC Milan defender and Italy World Cup winner, has died at the age of 66. The club confirmed the news on Friday, saying the whole history of AC Milan was in tears. "His example and integrity will be forever etched into the club's DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is," they said, adding that every Rossoneri fan feels the loss as their own. Baresi spent his entire career at Milan - twenty seasons from 1977 to 1997. He made 719 appearances, scored 33 goals, and wore the captain's armband for 15 years. Along the way he picked up six Serie A titles and three European Cups. When he hung up his boots, Milan retired his number 6 shirt - the first time the club had ever done that for a player. Fans later crowned him their player of the century. On the international stage, Baresi earned 81 caps for Italy. He ...

  De Minaur Keeps Title Defence Alive as Washington Open Delivers Thrills Watch highlight The Mubadala DC Open in Washington has produced plenty of excitement this week, with established stars, emerging talent and dramatic matches keeping tennis fans entertained. Defending champion Alex de Minaur underlined why he remains one of the favourites by defeating teenage Australian Cruz Hewitt , the son of former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, in a highly anticipated second-round clash. The world No. 6 delivered a composed and clinical performance to reach the quarter-finals and stay firmly on course to retain his title. Although Hewitt was unable to spring an upset, the teenager's impressive run in Washington highlighted his growing potential. Reaching this stage of an ATP event is another encouraging step in his development. American star Ben Shelton also booked his place in the quarter-finals after battling back from a set down. His determined victory showcased the fighting spir...

The Silent Assassin Signs Off - Ajinkya Rahane Calls Time on a Career Built on Grit and Grace Ajinkya Rahane has confirmed his retirement from international cricket, bringing to a close a 12-year journey marked by resilience, class and understated leadership. The Mumbai-born batter played 85 Tests for India, scoring 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, with 12 centuries to his name. It was in the Test arena that Rahane truly made his mark, becoming one of India's most dependable middle-order operators, particularly when conditions turned tough overseas. He also had solid stints in the shorter formats, featuring in 90 ODIs for 2,962 runs and 20 T20Is for 375 runs, showing he could adapt to whatever role the side needed. The high point of his career came during India's historic tour of Australia in 2020-21. Thrust into the captaincy under trying circumstances - and with India having been bowled out for just 36 in the opening Test at Adelaide - Rahane steadied the ship and led a we...

Watch More Tsitsipas Ends 16-Month Title Drought with Swiss Open Glory Greek star overcomes Raphael Collignon in three-set Gstaad final to regain winning touch ahead of the US Open build-up Stefanos Tsitsipas is back in the winner's circle after ending a 16-month wait for an ATP Tour title with victory at the Swiss Open in Gstaad. The Greek star defeated Belgium's Raphael Collignon 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3 in an absorbing final on Sunday, producing a composed and determined performance to claim the trophy. Tsitsipas took control early by winning the opening set 6-4 with confident serving and aggressive baseline play. Collignon refused to go away, battling back to edge the second set in a tie-break and force a decider. With the title on the line, Tsitsipas raised his level once again. He secured the crucial break in the third set before serving out the match to seal his first ATP title since early 2025. The triumph is a significant boost for the former world No. 3, who has endur...

Watch highlight West Indies Roar Past Pakistan as Seales and Greaves Steal the Show West Indies have wrapped up a thumping 90-run win over Pakistan in the first Test of the series, played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad. Set 211 to win, Pakistan simply couldn't find their footing. Early wickets tumbled and the innings unravelled from there, with the tourists bowled out for just 120. Jayden Seales was the wrecker-in-chief, ripping through the batting line-up to finish with a sensational 5 for 20. Justin Greaves picked up the Player of the Match award for an all-round display that tilted the game firmly West Indies' way. The standout moment came with a stunning burst of five wicket-maidens in a row — a genuinely rare piece of bowling that summed up just how tightly the hosts had Pakistan pinned down. There was an emotional layer to the win too, with the West Indies camp dedicating the victory to the late, great Sir Garfield Sobers. The result puts W...

  Sinner Reigns Again: World No. 1 Defends Wimbledon Crown in Thrilling Final Against Zverev Jannik Sinner has firmly established himself as the king of modern men's tennis after successfully defending his Wimbledon title with a superb victory over Alexander Zverev in the 2026 final. The world No. 1 produced another composed and powerful display on Centre Court, overcoming the German star 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, 6-4 in a gripping contest that lasted more than three hours. The victory earned the Italian his fifth Grand Slam title and his second Wimbledon championship in succession. The opening set was an intense battle, with both players holding serve confidently before Zverev edged a dramatic tie-break 9-7 to take the early advantage. Rather than allowing the setback to affect him, Sinner responded with remarkable composure in the second set. He dominated the tie-break 7-2, levelling the match and shifting the momentum firmly in his favour. From that point onwards, Sinner lo...

Sooryavanshi Stars as India Cruise Past Zimbabwe in Series Opener on 23 July 2026 – India made a winning start to their T20I series against Zimbabwe, atHarare,  cruising to a seven-wicket victory in the opening match at the Harare Sports Club. Set a modest target of 126, India got the job done in just 13.2 overs, finishing on 126 for 3. The chase was built around a dazzling knock from young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who announced himself on the international stage with his maiden half-century. He became one of the youngest players in the game's history to reach a fifty at this level, batting without a hint of nerves and setting the tone from the very first over. India were never troubled from there. It was also a good day for captain Shreyas Iyer, who picked up his first win since taking charge of the T20I side. The top order did the heavy lifting, and India wrapped up the chase with more than six overs to spare. Zimbabwe had earlier posted 125 for 7, a decent effort on a sur...

Federer's Magic Lives On: Swiss Great Set to Steal the Show at the 2026 US Open and Hall of Fame Do Roger Federer, one of the most cherished names in tennis history, is still winning hearts long after putting his racket away for good. The Swiss maestro has confirmed he'll be involved in two big events this summer and autumn, keeping his timeless presence firmly at the heart of the sport he helped reshape. The 20-time Grand Slam champion will make a special appearance at the 2026 US Open in New York, where organisers are planning a heartfelt tribute to his remarkable career. Federer, who last won the title at Flushing Meadows back in 2008, has always had a special connection with American crowds. His elegant game and fierce rivalries with the likes of Nadal and Djokovic turned tennis into must-watch drama. On top of that, Federer's set to take centre stage at events surrounding his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Widely seen as one of the greatest pla...

Curtain Falls: Football's Greats Say Goodbye to International Football After the 2026 World Cup Following Spain's dramatic extra-time win over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, football has said goodbye to several legendary international careers. As the dust settles on a tournament full of highs and heartbreak, stars like Germany's Manuel Neuer and Brazil's Neymar have confirmed they're hanging up their international boots, closing chapters that helped shape the modern game. Neuer's Last Stand At 40, Manuel Neuer came out of international retirement especially for this tournament, answering the call from coach Julian Nagelsmann. The legendary keeper, a key figure in Germany's 2014 World Cup win, played his final match for Die Mannschaft in a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the last 16. Asked if this was his last dance, Neuer's simple "Yes" said it all. "It's very bitter to end it like this," he adm...

Wimbledon 2026: Serena's Emotional Comeback, Sinner's Ruthless Form and Centre Court at Its Best Wimbledon 2026 has already thrown up plenty of unforgettable moments, proving once again why it's the biggest tournament in tennis. From tearful comebacks and injury scares to jaw-dropping performances from the game's biggest names, the Championships have delivered drama from day one. Top of everyone's conversation has been Serena Williams' return to the grass at the All England Club. The 23-time Grand Slam champion made her long-awaited comeback in the doubles, teaming up with sister Venus. Sadly, their run ended sooner than hoped after Serena picked up a knee injury. Fans were gutted to see the sisters bow out so early, but plenty praised Serena for simply having the guts to compete again. Novak Djokovic called her return an inspiration, saying she still motivates players and fans the world over. Even in defeat, Serena reminded everyone exactly why she's one ...

  Shimron Hetmyer Holds His Nerve as West Indies Snatch Thrilling ODI Win Over New Zealand The West Indies ended their One-Day International series against New Zealand on a high with a thrilling two-wicket win at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Tuesday. Chasing 269 for victory, the hosts looked to be cruising before a late collapse turned the match into a tense finish. Shimron Hetmyer, however, stayed calm under pressure, scoring an unbeaten 69 to guide the West Indies home with 15 balls to spare. New Zealand had earlier posted a competitive 268 for 9 after being asked to bat. The visitors gave themselves a strong chance of victory, but the West Indies produced another successful chase in a series that was packed with drama. The home side made a steady start. Captain Shai Hope scored 39, while Keacy Carty added 20 as they shared a useful 59-run stand for the third wicket. The innings gathered real momentum when Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford came together. Rutherford...

Tennis's DNA Bombshell: WTA to Bring in Sex Testing for All Players The Women's Tennis Association has thrown down a bold and controversial gauntlet, unveiling a shake-up of its tour rules that includes a compulsory, one-off genetic sex test for every player wanting to compete. Announced this week, the move is aimed squarely at the ongoing rows over fairness, eligibility and the integrity of the women's game. Tennis has wrestled with thorny questions around gender, biology and inclusion for years. Under the new policy, players must undergo genetic screening to prove they're eligible for women's events. The finer details — timing, consequences and all — are still being ironed out, but the WTA is billing it as a step towards clearer rules at the top level of the sport. Fairness vs Inclusion: The Tightrope Backers of the move say it'll help protect the women's game and keep the playing field level, especially as our understanding of sports science keeps shift...

Watch highlight England End India's ODI Jinx With Lord's Masterclass England have finally shrugged off their India hoodoo, wrapping up the three-match one-day series 2-1 with a dominant showing at Lord's. It's their first ODI series win over India since 2018, and they made sure it was one to remember. The decider was a batting feast, with England racking up a huge 387/3. Dan Duckett was the star of the show, striking a glorious 141 that set the tone with his fluent, attacking strokeplay. The rest of the top order simply carried on the good work, keeping the scoreboard ticking over at a rapid clip. India didn't go down without a fight. Rohit Sharma played a captain's innings, smashing a brilliant 138 off just 110 balls to keep the chase alive deep into the match. But India kept losing wickets at the worst possible moments, and their momentum stalled just when it mattered most. Sam Curran was the man who made the difference with the ball, picking up 4 wicket...

  Watch highlight Spain Crowned Champions of the World Again The FIFA World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was more than a football match; it was a statement of supremacy. Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 after extra time, reclaiming the mantle of world champions for the first time since 2010 and completing a remarkable cycle that began with their Euro 2024 victory.   Spain’s path to the final was defined by consistency and control. From the group stage onwards, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased a blend of youthful flair and tactical maturity. Lamine Yamal, still a teenager, dazzled with his creativity, while Rodri anchored the midfield with authority. Their defence, marshalled by Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte, conceded just one goal all tournament, a record that underpinned their success.   Argentina, meanwhile, arrived at the final as defending champions, carrying the hopes of a nation and the weight of Lionel Messi’s legacy. At 39, Mess...

Can Messi Pull Off A Miracle To Snatch The Golden Boot From Mbappé? As the football world gears up for Sunday's World Cup final, there's more than just the trophy at stake. Argentina face Spain with the title on the line, but there's also a fascinating side story running alongside it: can Lionel Messi somehow claw back the Golden Boot from Kylian Mbappé? Mbappé's brace in France's wild 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off took him to 10 goals for the tournament. Messi sits on 8. For him to have any real shot at the award in what might be his last ever World Cup, he needs something special. The maths of it Messi needs a hat-trick — three goals or more — to win the Golden Boot outright. Get to two goals, and he'd draw level with Mbappé on 10, at which point it comes down to FIFA's tiebreakers: assists first (the two are fairly close there), then minutes played, where Mbappé's likely to have the edge given Messi's age and typical time on ...

Watch highlight England Stun France 6-4 In Wild Bronze Medal Thriller Well, nobody saw that coming. England beat France 6-4 in an extraordinary third-place play-off on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, in what's already being talked about as one of the best bronze medal matches the World Cup has ever seen. It's a huge moment for England too — this is their best World Cup finish since they won the whole thing back in 1966, and their first-ever third-place result. How it unfolded England came flying out of the traps. Declan Rice got things going early, before Ezri Konsa added a second. Then Bukayo Saka took over, scoring twice before the break to make it four. By half-time, England were 4-0 up and cruising. France weren't about to lie down though. Kylian Mbappé pulled two back himself — taking his tournament tally to ten in the process and breaking Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup goal record along the way. Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé also got...