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Carlos Alcaraz has an easy charm and broad Tom Cruise-like smile, but underneath the cool exterior is a highly driven individual laser-focused on setting records. The 22-year-old did just that on Sunday, beating Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final to become the youngest man to win all four majors, surpassing the legendary Rafael Nadal. Fellow Spaniard Nadal, who was at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to witness it, was 24 when he completed the career Grand Slam. Alcaraz has immense respect for Nadal and Djokovic, but the world number one’s hero growing up was Roger Federer. “Federer, the class he had, the way he got people to see tennis, that was beautiful,” Alcaraz, who has now won seven majors, said in 2023. “Watching Federer is like looking at a work of art. It’s elegance, he did everything magnificently. I became enchanted by him.” Alcaraz shares plenty of the same attributes - daring, range, tactical flexibility, and style. The modest, muscular star from the small town of El Palmar in Spain’s southeast hit the giant-killing jackpot at Madrid in 2022 when he became the only man to defeat both Nadal and Djokovic at the same clay-court event. For good measure, he achieved it on back-to-back days on his way to the title. When he won his maiden Slam, at the US Open the same year, he became the youngest champion of a men’s major since Nadal at the 2005 French Open. He was also the youngest man to ascend to the world number one ranking. His Roland Garros coronation in 2024 ensured he was the youngest to win Grand Slam titles on clay, grass and hard courts. Ominously, Alcaraz is still getting better and he has developed nerves of steel, refusing to give up when the odds are stacked against him. He demonstrated that never-say-die attitude in his semi-final in Melbourne against Alexander Zverev, battling through cramp and a 3-5 deficit in the fifth set to pull off a huge win. “I just hate giving up. I just don’t want to feel that way,” he said. “When I was younger there were a lot of matches that I just didn’t want to fight anymore or I just gave up. “Then I just got mature, and I just hate that feeling (losing). “Every step more, every one second more of suffering, one second more of fighting is always worth it,” he added. Nadal heir apparentAt his side for most of his career was coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 2003 French Open winner, before they split late last year. Ferrero brought Alcaraz into his academy in Valencia, 120km from El Palmar. His raw potential soon attracted sponsors, with marquee brands such as Nike and Rolex rushing to sign up Nadal’s heir apparent. The tennis team around the prodigy was expanded and soon included a physical trainer, a physiotherapist and the support of psychologists and doctors. An indication of his potential was obvious at the Rio clay-court event in 2020 when he was just 16, and ranked 406 in the world. He shocked Albert Ramos-Vinolas to register his first ATP win, and it set him on the path to superstardom. Alcaraz, who learned the game at a tennis school run by his father, captured his maiden ATP trophy in 2021. Fiercely protective of his private life, he has many of the same friends he hung out with as a child. He played doubles with Emma Raducanu at last year’s US Open, setting tongues wagging, but the British player has insisted they are “just good friends”. Alcaraz’s off-court interests include golf and football, and he is a big Real Madrid fan. Another hobby is chess, which he has said helps him in his day job. “I love chess. Having to concentrate, to play against someone else, strategy, having to think ahead. “I think all of that is very similar to the tennis court,” he said in a 2023 Vogue interview. “You have to intuit where the other player is going to send the ball, you have to move ahead of time, and try to do something that will make him uncomfortable.“So I play it a lot.” 

Aryna Sabalenka swept to her fourth successive Australian Open final with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Ukrainian Elina Svitolina Thursday in a semi-final overshadowed by geopolitical tension and will play familiar rival Elena Rybakina next.Rybakina set up ‌a blockbuster rematch of the 2023 final at Melbourne Park by overcoming American Jessica Pegula 6-3 7-6(7), as the Russian-born ‌Kazakh ramped up her own hunt for ‍a second major title following her 2022 Wimbledon triumph.Top-seeded Belarusian Sabalenka will seek her third title at the tournament in four years and fifth Grand Slam trophy overall after another ⁠dominant display at what is now firmly her favourite hunting ⁠ground."I just can't believe that. It's an incredible achievement but the job is not done yet," world number one Sabalenka said."I'm super happy with ‍the win. She's such a tough opponent and has been playing incredible tennis the whole week."The defining moment for Sabalenka proved to be a hindrance call from the chair umpire mid-rally in the first set for a late non-standard grunt, a decision that stood following a video review and left the player fuming."It was the wrong call, but whatever," Sabalenka said."She really - how do I say in a nice way - pissed me off, and it helped me and benefited my game."I was more aggressive. I was not happy with the call." SVITOLINA HOPED TO BRING UKRAINE 'LIGHT'Since Russia's invasion of its neighbour Ukraine in 2022, for which Belarus has been a staging ground, players from ‌Russia and Belarus have been banned from representing their nations at the Grand Slams and tour events.Svitolina has been vocal about the strain of playing the countries' players, and said that she hoped to bring her country "light" at the Australian Open amid a tough winter.The 27-year-old Sabalenka, however, crushed those hopes in a ‍furious display of raw power.She became the third ⁠woman in the professional era ‌to reach the Australian Open decider four times in a row following Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1971-76) and Martina Hingis (1997-2002), who each played six finals in a row."Gutted not to make it through tonight," Svitolina told reporters. "Of course it's very difficult when you're playing a world number one on fire." SVITOLINA COMPREHENSIVELY BEATENWhile 31-year-old Svitolina was comprehensively defeated, she fought hard from the first ball to the last. The 12th seed started with tenacity, hitting a forehand winner down the line on the first point returning serve.Sabalenka wobbled, giving up two break points with a loose backhand, but blasted her way out of danger.There was tension at 2-1 when Svitolina was awarded a point mid-rally, with Sabalenka penalised for hindrance.Incensed, she demanded a video review but the point stood. She channelled her frustration into breaking Svitolina, and then held for a 4-1 lead.Pinning Svitolina well behind the baseline, Sabalenka grabbed three set points and converted the third, roaring "Let's go!" after a sizzling cross-court backhand winner.After 41 minutes of earth-shaking power, Sabalenka's weapons finally misfired.She dropped the opening service game ​of the second set with a clutch of errors, ‌raising cheers from a crowd yearning for a contest.But Sabalenka steadied herself, breaking Svitolina twice in succession. Svitolina never dropped her head and earned a break point when trailing 4-2 to put the ⁠match back on serve.Sabalenka was not to be denied, though. After ‍thrashing a forehand winner down the line to save the break point, she proved unstoppable.Grabbing two match points with a huge serve, Sabalenka closed it out in style, swooping forward with a forehand cross-court winner to book her chance of claiming a third trophy at Melbourne Park.RYBAKINA'S TRADEMARK HEAVY HITTINGFifth seed Rybakina later made a blazing start on Rod Laver Arena as the 26-year-old dictated terms with her trademark heavy hitting to pile the pressure on American Pegula, who looked out of sorts under the lights.Sixth-seeded Pegula settled her nerves and stayed in touch at 4-2 down ​after saving break points, but Rybakina dialled up the intensity again and took the opening set with a cross-court winner to put one foot in the final.Having finished her 2025 campaign by toppling Sabalenka in the season-ending WTA Finals to lift the trophy, Rybakina looked in a hurry to book her 15th clash with the Belarusian as she broke Pegula for a 2-1 lead in the second set.The clean forehand winner that put Rybakina ahead drew a frustrated response from Pegula, who composed herself to break back and later saved three match points to draw level at 5-5.Rybakina responded immediately, assisted by the net cord, but a determined Pegula did not give in and forced a tiebreak where she squandered two set points before finally fading away."It was an epic second set. Jessica played so well, fought to the end and I'm happy ⁠to be in the final," Rybakina said."It was really, really stressful. I had an epic tiebreak here (in 2024) ... a little flashback came to me. I'm happy it turned my way and looking forward to playing on Saturday." 

Al Gharafa will take on Sharjah at Thani bin Jassim Stadium in the Qatari-Emirati Super Cup final Thursday, with coach Pedro Martins backing his team to rise to the challenge.Speaking at a press conference Wednesday, Martins said the match would be difficult against an experienced Sharjah side that has been performing well in the AFC Champions League, but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to deliver a strong performance and win the title.“We are fully aware of the challenge we face in this final, but we are ready and ambitious to win. We hope to produce the level required to lift the championship cup,” Martins said.He added that Al Gharafa is currently enjoying a good run of form after positive results in recent matches, which he hopes will be reflected against Sharjah.Martins noted that the technical staff had carefully studied Sharjah’s strengths and weaknesses, while also assessing their own team, stressing that the focus would be on Al Gharafa’s style of play to produce the performance needed in such an important match. He expressed hope that the Super Cup would be presented to Al Gharafa, its fans and Qatari football.The Al Gharafa coach dismissed suggestions that his side was under pressure ahead of the final, stating that the atmosphere within the squad was positive and that all players were eager to be crowned champions at this stage of the season.He also highlighted the importance of fan support, saying, “We enjoy great backing at all levels, especially from our supporters, who we expect will play a key role in this crucial encounter. We hope to make Al Gharafa fans happy by winning the championship.”Meanwhile, Al Gharafa’s Spanish forward Joselu also confirmed the team’s readiness for the Super Cup final, while acknowledging the difficulty of one-off finals.“We have prepared well for the match against Sharjah and understand how demanding finals can be, as they offer only one opportunity to win a title,” Joselu said. “We must take that chance in the right way and do everything possible to win the cup.”Joselu stressed that the match cannot be compared to league fixtures, noting that finals are decided in a single encounter, unlike the league which unfolds over several months. He added that Al Gharafa is enjoying an impressive season and is on the right path, describing a mid-season trophy as a significant achievement, with hopes of further success by the end of the campaign.The Spanish striker also called on Al Gharafa supporters to attend the match and back the team, reaffirming the players’ determination to secure the title.Drawing on his experience of playing in finals during his career in Europe, particularly with Real Madrid, Joselu said, “Finals are different from any other matches. My advice to my teammates is to enjoy the occasion and give their best. I am confident in Al Gharafa’s ability to perform well despite the difficulty of the match, and I sense great enthusiasm within the squad to achieve victory.”The Qatari-Emirati Super Cup features four matches, beginning with Al Gharafa of Qatar against Sharjah Thursday. This will be followed by the Challenge Shield match between Al Wahda of the UAE and Al Duhail of Qatar Friday, the Super Shield clash between Al Sadd of Qatar and Shabab Al Ahli of the UAE on Saturday, and concluding with the Challenge Cup match between Al Jazira of the UAE and Al Ahli of Qatar on January 25. 

Morocco will face Senegal tomorrow, Sunday, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, in the final of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco 2025). The highly anticipated showdown brings together two of Africa's most formidable sides in a clash worthy of the continent's premier tournament.Morocco enter the final buoyed by home advantage and the passionate backing of their supporters, amid widespread hopes of reclaiming a continental crown that has eluded them for nearly five decades. Their only Africa Cup of Nations title dates back to 1976.The hosts are counting on the fighting spirit of their players, tactical stability, and the valuable experience gained throughout the tournament, all of which have underpinned their impressive run to the final.Morocco secured their place in the decisive match after a grueling semi-final encounter against Nigeria. The contest ended in a goalless draw after regulation and extra time, before Morocco prevailed 4-2 in a penalty shootout. The match was marked by intense tactical battles and outstanding performances from both goalkeepers.Moroccan fans are placing their hopes on Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz, who leads the tournament's scoring chart with five goals and has been one of the competition's standout performers.Senegal, meanwhile, arrive in the final with aspirations of lifting the trophy for a second time, having claimed their maiden title in the 2021 edition. They boast a squad rich in international experience, spearheaded by Sadio Mane, alongside Idrissa Gueye and Ismaila Sarr, who form the backbone of the team.Senegal booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Egypt in the semi-finals, courtesy of a decisive goal from Sadio Mane. The match was characterized by high intensity and physical duels, ultimately settled by fine margins in Senegal's favor.However, Senegal have suffered a significant setback ahead of the final, with the confirmed absence of defender Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra due to suspension, adding to the challenge they face against the hosts.The final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations represents a true test of ambition and character for both sides. Morocco seek to harness home advantage to write a new chapter in their continental history, while Senegal aim to reaffirm their status among Africa's elite. All signs point to a captivating football spectacle eagerly awaited by fans across the continent.

Aryna Sabalenka beat Karolina Muchova in straight sets to reach her third Brisbane International final in a row Saturday, a week before the Australian Open.Sabalenka looked in great touch against the tricky Czech, who had won their last three meetings and went into the match as one of the few players with a winning record over the world number one.But Sabalenka showed her class and power as she broke Muchova once in each set to take the semi-final 6-3, 6-4 in 89 minutes and will face Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk in Sunday's women's final.Former world number one Daniil Medvedev will take on unseeded American Brandon Nakashima in the men's final."I struggled against her a couple of times (in the past)," Sabalenka, the defending champion, said of Muchova."I'm happy that today I was focused from the beginning and I was able to show such great tennis and put her under so much pressure and get the win in straight sets."The 27-year-old Belarusian said she could feel her level getting better with every match in Brisbane, where she is yet to drop a set.She said that with seven of the world's top 10 having entered, it was ideal preparation for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 18.Sabalenka is aiming to win a third Australian Open in four years."I definitely feel that compared to the first match here, I'm playing better and better," she said."That's really important heading to Melbourne, to build that level, and to play some great matches against great opponents."So I'm super happy with the performance so far and cannot wait to play my final match here."Kostyuk, who entered the week ranked 26th in the world, swept past world number six Jessica Pegula 6-0, 6-3 in just 55 minutes in a stunning display of power and aggression.Kostyuk's demolition of the American made it three wins over top 10 players in succession.She beat world number three Amanda Anisimova in the third round and ninth-ranked Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals."I think it was one of those days today when everything you touch turns into gold," Kostyuk said."Personally, I didn't have many matches like this in my career, especially against top-10 players, so it's a great bonus to have such a match because it's not easy conditions in Brisbane. It's very hot, very humid."Kostyuk has never beaten Sabalenka in four previous meetings but said the pressure was all on her opponent."The pressure is not on me -- I want to go out there and put on a good show for the crowd," she said."I really have nothing to lose."In the men's draw, top seed Medvedev beat Alex Michelsen of the United States 6-4, 6-2 while Nakashima defeated another American in Aleksandar Kovacevic, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4. 

The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) announced that Kia as the Official Transport Partner for the 2025 Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final, taking place in Doha from December 10 to 13.This marks Kia’s first partnership with the PTO in the region, supporting the launch of a major global triathlon event in Qatar and bringing the world’s best triathletes and fans together in a thrilling celebration of sport.Kia joins the T100 Triathlon World Tour as Official Automotive Partner for the Doha event, uniting two brands driven by performance, innovation, and design excellence.As Kia introduces its latest range of premium vehicles to the market, the partnership provides a powerful platform to showcase its multi-utility capability, refined craftsmanship, and bold new aesthetic.Kia vehicles will play a central role across the event, supporting the athletes, enhancing the overall experience, and connecting the brand with a global community that shares its spirit of progress and ambition.Stuart Ramsey, PTO Chief Commercial Officer, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Kia, through its official distributor Al-Attiya Motors and Trading Co (AMTC), as a key partner for the Qatar T100. Their support will enhance the experience for athletes, staff, and fans alike, while helping us deliver a first-class, world championship event in a new region. Kia’s brand aligns perfectly with the performance, innovation, and global ambition of the T100 Triathlon."Hossam Abu Shadi, Vice-President – Commercial of Kia Qatar added: "Partnering with the PTO for the Qatar T100 is an exciting opportunity to bring our vehicles into a dynamic, international sporting event."The Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final is the culmination of the T100 Race to Qatar, a season-long global series featuring 100km races; 2km swim, 80km bike, 18km run, across nine iconic locations including Singapore, San Francisco, Vancouver, London, the French Riviera, Spain, Wollongong, and Dubai.The Doha weekend will showcase the season’s professional races, amateur competitions, and community events, including a mass 5km fun run and immersive fan village experiences.By partnering with the PTO, Kia is connecting with a highly engaged, active, and international audience of athletes, multisport enthusiasts, and fans, while demonstrating its commitment to supporting high-performance sport and memorable experiences. Kia vehicles will be an integral part of the event, both on the road and on display, offering fans a chance to engage with the brand in a dynamic, memorable environment.T100 weekends are ‘festivals of multisport’ and feature a range of opportunities for amateur athletes of all levels to get involved. From experienced amateurs tackling the 100km distance to other triathlon distances and first-time swim, bike and run participants taking on single discipline, untimed events.Event highlights in Qatar include the following and a youth triathlon will also be announced in the coming weeks: December 10: Mass 5k/1km fun run for the local community and visiting athletesDecember 11: Event and fan village opens with dining, entertainment, and expo across Lusail PlazaDecember 12: Season-long T100 Race To Qatar series concludes with T100 Professional Races, awarding the 2025 World Championship titleDecember 13: Amateur races including the T100 Age-Group World Championship, open-entry 100km distance, and sprint triathlon 

Comoros, Oman, Bahrain and Sudan advanced in dramatic fashion on the final day of FIFA Arab Cup qualifiers in Qatar Wednesday. Comoros rallied from two goals down to edge Yemen on penalties, while Oman overcame 201st-ranked Somalia in a tense shootout. Elsewhere, Bahrain narrowly defeated Djibouti, and Sudan secured a hard-fought win over Lebanon despite playing much of the match with ten men. The tournament proper will start from December 1, with hosts Qatar taking Palestine, while Tunisia face Syria on the opening day.Oman 0-0 Somalia (4-1 Penalty Shootout)Oman have brushed off the disappointment of narrowly failing to secure a FIFA World Cup slot in October’s fourth round of AFC qualifiers by downing Somalia to reach the Arab Cup group stage.In front of a lively crowd at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Oman’s Nasser al-Rawahi had the best of the limited early chances, seeing a first-half effort well blocked and then flashing a shot across the face of the Somalia goal early in the second term.Somalia entered the clash in a modest vein of form but came within inches of breaking the deadlock as captain Abdulsamed Abdullahi forced Ibrahim al-Mukhaini into a smart save as the hour approached.That was the end of the clear-cut chances as the contest went straight to penalties, where both teams opted to make a goalkeeper change just as regulation time expired.It was Oman’s Ibrahim al-Rajhi who played a starring role, saving the first and third spot-kicks and then watching on as Mohammed al-Ghafri converted the fourth to secure his nation a place in Group B alongside Morocco, Saudi Arabia and either Comoros or Yemen.Bahrain 1-0 DjiboutiBahrain secured their spot in Group D with a narrow victory over Djibouti at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.They hit the front shortly before half-time when Mohamed Marhoon sent a low cross into the area which looked like a simple gather for Mouktar Youssouf, but he fumbled the ball into the path of Mohamed al-Romaihi to tap in. Djibouti's task was then made all the more difficult just seven minutes later as Ahmed Zakaria saw red for an off-the-ball elbow on Mahdi Abduljabbar.The Bahrainis came closest to doubling their lead with 15 minutes to go when Komail Al-Aswad crossed for al-Romaihi, but Youssouf redeemed himself with a fine diving save.Dragan Talajic's side will now head into Group D of the final tournament alongside Algeria, Iraq and one of Sudan or Lebanon.Sudan 2-1 LebanonSudan overcame incredible odds to secure an epic comeback victory over Lebanon and qualify for the Arab Cup group stage.The Falcons of Jediane, who went into the fixture having not won in their previous five outings, were reduced to ten men midway through the first half when frontman John Mano was sent off after picking up two quick yellow cards. Lebanon immediately capitalised on their advantage as Mohamad Safwan swung in a dangerous cross which Khalil Khamis converted from close range.Sudan refused to give up, however, and equalised just before the break when a powerful strike by Mustafa Karshoum was deflected by Lebanon captain Mohamad Haidar into his own net. Early in the second half, Sudan had two excellent chances blocked on the line and then took a deserved lead when Yaser Jobak beat Lebanon goalkeeper Mostafa Matar at the near post with a low drive into the net.Sudan goalkeeper then Monged Elneel pulled off a brilliant save in stoppage time from an Ali Kassas header to seal the improbable victory.Comoros 4-4 Yemen (4-2 Penalty Shootout)Comoros pulled off a comeback for the ages to defeat Yemen on penalties and advance to the group stage of the Arab Cup.It was a dream start for Yemen, as they broke the deadlock when Comoros goalkeeper Adel Anzimati failed to cleanly catch a corner kick and Harwan Alzuabidi pounced on the bobble to head home. But Comoros equalised when Zaid Amir was clipped in the area by Rami Alwasmani, and Housseine Zakouani tucked away the penalty.Yemen regained the lead in style, as Abdulwasea Almatari whipped in a cross that connected with the foot of Nasser Algahwashi for the goal. Almatari would then add a third for Yemen right before intermission by polishing off a counter-attack. Comoros pulled to within one when Zainou-Dine Mohamed’s shot deflected off Osamah Anbar and caromed into net. However, they were punished by a defensive miscue, allowing Almatari to slip in and tally his second of the night.Facing a two-goal deficit with just minutes remaining, Comoros surged late, with Amir as the hero. First, he calmly converted a penalty after a handball, and then equalised in dramatic fashion by running onto a deflected header from a Yemen defender to score and force penalties. From the spot, Anzimati was decisive in making two saves, while Comoros converted all four of their attempts, the winning one fittingly by Amir, to clinch victory. 

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the world's undisputed top two players, will square off in a third straight Grand Slam final today at the US Open. Top seed Sinner is the reigning champion and aiming to become the first man to successfully defend the US Open crown since Roger Federer won the last of five consecutive titles in 2008. Alcaraz, who won the first of his five Grand Slam titles in New York as a teenager three years ago, is the first man in a decade to reach the US Open final without dropping a set. It sets up a thrilling climax to a tournament preparing to host Donald Trump, the first sitting president to attend the US Open since Bill Clinton, who watched the women's final in 2000. It is the latest in a series of visits to major sporting events for the US leader after his trip to the NFL's Super Bowl in February and the FIFA Club World Cup final in July. It will mark New York-born billionaire Trump's first appearance at Flushing Meadows since 2015 – when the then-presidential candidate and wife Melania were booed on arrival by the crowd. On the court, Alcaraz has largely had the edge over his rival of late although Sinner is enjoying one of the all-time great seasons at Grand Slams. Only a miraculous escape act from Alcaraz, in which he saved three championship points, denied Sinner at the French Open and cost him a shot at a rare calendar Slam. Sinner brushed off that crushing loss by beating Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, adding to the Australian Open crown he retained in January. The pair will collide once more inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, the scene of a 5hr 15min quarter-final classic in 2022 that has come to shape the rivalry between two generational talents. "I feel like our rivalry started here playing an amazing match. We are two different players now, with different confidence too," said the 24-year-old Sinner, chasing a fifth major overall. "It's great for the sport having rivalries, having hopefully great matches in front of us. He's someone who pushed me to the limit." The 22-year-old Alcaraz ended Novak Djokovic's latest quest for a record 25th major in the semi-finals and has encountered few difficulties so far this fortnight. He is through to his seventh Grand Slam final but is gearing up for another punishing battle with Sinner, who is riding a 27-match winning run on hard courts at the majors. Alcaraz is 9-5 overall against Sinner and has won six of the past seven duels. "Obviously I'm going to take things about the last matches that I've played against him," said Alcaraz. "I'm going to take note, and I will see what I did wrong, what I did great. His matches are really demanding physically that he's able to play at his 100% during two, three, four hours, and I think that's the biggest improvement he has made in the last years." The Spaniard is in a rich vein of form of his own, winning 36 of his last 37 matches. The only loss in that time came to Sinner at Wimbledon. "I am performing at a high level and sending a message to the people on the circuit that this is my level," said Alcaraz. "It is not my maximum level, I still have room to improve, but it is a high level." As it was when Alcaraz beat Casper Ruud here in the 2022 final, the number one ranking will again be on the line today. Alcaraz eclipsed Lleyton Hewitt's record as the youngest world number one at the age of 19, but it is two years since he last held the top ranking. "It's a good goal, but we've tried not to focus too much on it in this tournament," said Alcaraz. "It will remind me of the 2022 final, when I was playing for a Slam and the number one spot. It will be like a flashback. But winning a Grand Slam comes before being number one."

Novak Djokovic vowed to "continue fighting" for Grand Slam titles after his US Open semi-final exit to Carlos Alcaraz on Friday. Djokovic, whose dream of a record 25th Grand Slam title ended in a straight-sets loss to Alcaraz, pledged to keep playing next year."I'm not giving up on Grand Slams, I'm going to continue fighting," the 38-year-old Serbian legend said after his 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 defeat. "I still want to play a full Grand Slam season next year. They are just different from any other tournament. They are the pillars of our sport."Djokovic had warned before Friday's semi-final he would need to be in peak physical condition to stand a chance of toppling the 22-year-old Alcaraz. The Spaniard has dominated men's tennis alongside Italian world number one Jannik Sinner in recent seasons, with the duo splitting the last seven Grand Slam tournaments between them.However Djokovic said he had faded after running Alcaraz close in the opening two sets in Friday's semi-final. "I ran out of gas after the second set," he said. "I think I had enough energy to battle him and to keep up with his rhythm for two sets. After that I was gassed out, and he kept going," he added, stating that competing with his much younger rivals in future was only going to get more challenging."I'm happy with my level of tennis, but you know, it's just the physicality of it," Djokovic said. "As I said after the quarter-finals, I'm going to do my very best to get my body in shape to sustain that level and that rhythm for as many hours as it's needed, but it wasn't enough. That's something I, unfortunately at this point in time in my career, can't control. I can do only as much as I can do. It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner, Alcaraz, in the best-of-five on the Grand Slams. I think I have a better chance best-of-three, but best-of-five, it's tough."Djokovic though said he had no problem coming off second best to the duo who have collectively become known as "Sincaraz". "It's never fun losing a tennis match, but at the same time, if I'm to lose to someone, I would lose to these two guys," Djokovic said. "I know that they are just better at the moment. You just have to hand it to them and say, 'Well done.'"His next stop on the ATP Tour will be in Athens and Djokovic said it was too soon to say whether he would play at Melbourne Park next year. "At least at this stage of my career, I mean, I'm not thinking that far," he told reporters. "I still want to play Grand Slams, Grand Slam season, full Grand Slam season next year. Let's see whether that's going to happen or not."

FIFA will kick off a multi-phase ticket sale process for the 2026 World Cup this month with initial single seat prices as low as $60 for group-stage matches and as high as $6,710 for the final.Those prices will fluctuate based on demand, and fans will be able to buy single-game tickets, venue-specific tickets and team-specific packages, world football's governing body said Wednesday as it announced a schedule for the first phase of sales.Forty-eight teams, the biggest field in World Cup history, will play in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11-July 19 next year.Fans who have a Visa card can register for a FIFA ID on the body's website to enter a presale draw to be held September 10-19.Those selected through the randomized presale draw can then apply to purchase tickets starting October 1.Sales will be capped at four tickets per person per match, and no person can purchase more than 40 for the entire tournament.Further ticket sales will be launched in the coming months, with registration for phase two expected to take place October 27-31 for sales from mid-November to early December.Phase three will begin shortly after the tournament draw is held in Washington on December 5 and fans can submit applications for specific matches.Closer to the tournament, fans will be able to buy remaining inventory on a first-come, first-served basis.FIFA said in a statement it planned to offer additional products such as supporter tickets for fans who want to sit with others backing the same team, and conditional supporter tickets for fans who want to reserve a place in potential knockout rounds.FIFA will also launch an official resale platform.

Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets at the US Open Monday as the Canadian 25th seed reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final in three years.Auger-Aliassime retrieved a break in the first set before seizing control against the 15th-ranked Rublev, triumphing 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 for just his second win over the Russian in nine attempts.Also Monday, four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka of Japan crushed French Open champion Coco Gauff in straight sets. Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, Monday won 6-3, 6-2. The match was a repeat of the duo’s first meeting at the US Open in 2019, when Osaka overpowered the then 15-year-old Gauff in straight sets.Osaka is enjoying her best US Open showing since winning the tournament for the second time in 2020.The 25-year-old Auger-Aliassime backed up his win over third seed Alexander Zverev in the previous round and will play Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the last eight.Auger-Aliassime climbed as high as sixth in the world at the end of 2022 but had not made it to a major quarter-final since that year’s Australian Open. His deepest run at a Grand Slam came when he advanced to the semi-finals of the US Open four years ago.“It feels even better than the first time,” Auger-Aliassime said of returning to the last eight in New York.“I think the first time at 21 I was kind of on my way up. To have a few setbacks, injuries, struggles with confidence... to come back for a second time to the quarter-finals here, it feels much better.“It feels more deserved. I’m soaking in every moment here.”Also Monday, Australian eighth seed Alex de Minaur powered into the quarter-finals of the US Open with a straight-sets rout of Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi.De Minaur, who also reached the US Open quarter-finals last year, cruised to victory 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 in one hour 33 minutes.De Minaur has reached five Grand Slam quarter-finals before but never managed to progress beyond the last eight.“I’m super proud of what I’m doing,” De Minaur said. “Ultimately this is where I want to be - I want to be playing for big titles, I want to be in contention.”Fritz reaches quarters as Townsend loses epicDreams died by fractions of an inch and were reborn through sheer determination on a pulsating Sunday at the US Open, with Taylor Townsend’s heartbreaking exit contrasting sharply with Taylor Fritz’s steady march onward.Townsend’s three-hour odyssey against Barbora Krejcikova provided the day’s most compelling drama, the mother from Chicago saving eight match points before finally succumbing 1-6 7-6(13) 6-3 in a thriller that left even her four-year-old son AJ offering gentle consolation. “It was literally like a point here and there that made the difference,” said Townsend, tears still fresh after the longest tiebreak of the tournament.The 29-year-old’s anguish provided a stark contrast to Fritz’s businesslike 6-4 6-3 6-3 dismissal of Czech Tomas Machac, to fly the American flag as the country’s sole male survivor from the 23 who began the tournament.The Californian will carry the nation’s hopes of ending a 22-year major drought since Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph. “It’s been a tough week for the guys,” Fritz admitted after reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open for a third year in a row. “I wasn’t expecting that. I’m happy to be here and happy to be the last one standing. Hopefully the crowd will get behind me and will me through it.”HISTORY MAKERAt 38, Novak Djokovic made history by becoming the oldest man to reach Grand Slam quarter-finals in all four majors in a single season, dispatching Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3 6-3 6-2 despite requiring treatment on his right shoulder during the match. “I don’t know how many more I’m going to have, so obviously each one is very special,” said the Serbian, who extended his all-time record to 64 major quarter-finals and now awaits Fritz. Djokovic leads their head-to-head 10-0.Swiatek breezes pastAlexandrova Laser-focused Iga Swiatek barely broke sweat as the former US Open champion methodically dismantled Russian 13th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3 6-1 and booked her return to the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam Monday.The 24-year-old’s crushing win on Louis Armstrong Stadium meant that she became the youngest woman to reach at least the quarter-finals of all four Grand Slams in a single season since 18-year-old Maria Sharapova managed the feat in 2005.