FORMULA 1 | AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 | TSN

 

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BERND MAYLANDER CELEBRATES 500TH GRAND PRIX IN MELBOURNE

Safety car driver Bernd Maylander celebrates his 500th Grand Prix in the role this weekend in Melbourne 👏

STATS: PAKISTAN'S ASIF AFRIDI BECOMES THE OLDEST BOWLER TO BAD FIVE WICKETS ON TEST DEBUT, BREAKS 92-YEAR OLD RECORD IN RWALPINDI

PAK vs SA: Afridi broke a 92-year-old world record held by England's Charles Marriott who picked two five-wicket hauls on debut against the West Indies on successive days at the Oval in 1933.

Pakistan's Asif Afridi became the oldest bowler to pick five wickets on Test debut. (AP Photo)

Pakistan left-arm spinner Asif Afridi on Wednesday became the oldest bowler in Test history to bag a five-wicket haul on debut, achieving the feat on the third day of the second Test against South Africa in Rawalpindi.

Afridi recorded the landmark when he dismissed South Africa spinner Simon Harmer leg-before on 10, reducing the visitors to 210 for seven in their pursuit of Pakistan’s first-innings score of 333.

Afridi broke a 92-year-old world record held by England’s Charles Marriott who picked two five-wicket hauls on debut against the West Indies on successive days at the Oval in 1933. Marriott was 37 years and 334 days old when he bagged the feat, nearly a year younger than Afridi who is 38 years and 301 days old as of Wednesday.

Afridi surpassed the Pakistan record held by his current teammate Noman Ali, who claimed figures of 5/35 against the Proteas during his Test debut in 2021.

The remarkable record for the oldest player to achieve a five-wicket haul in Test cricket belongs to the Australian spin bowler, Bert Ironmonger. He was 49 years and 311 days old when he accomplished this feat by taking 6 wickets for just 18 runs against South Africa in Melbourne on February 12, 1932.

38 YEARS OLD ASIF AFRIDI GETS A FIFER ON TEST DEBUT! 🤩🙌 pic.twitter.com/phz8KJqVdj

— PCT Replays 2.0 (@ReplaysPCT) October 22, 2025

Afridi’s teammate Noman also continues to hold the record as the oldest bowler to achieve a five-wicket haul for Pakistan. The spinner was 39 years and 5 days old when he claimed 6 wickets for 112 runs against South Africa. He set this mark during the first innings of the ongoing series’ first Test, played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

From ban to debut

Afridi’s selection by the PCB had raised eyeballs after the 38-year-old left-armer was once banned for two years for his involvement in spot-fixing in Pakistan’s domestic cricket. However, he was allowed to return after serving just over a year of the ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board, who had not given any reason for relaxing the suspension. This is Afridi’s first ever international appearance. He made his first class debut in January 2009 and has taken 198 wickets in 57 matches. List A matches and 78 wickets in 85 T20s.

- Sports Desk, The Indian Express 

F1 ANNOUNCES LOUIS VUITTON TO TITLE SPONSOR 2025 SEASON-OPENING AUSTRALIAN GP

Louis Vuitton will title sponsor the 2025 Australian GP - Credit: F1

Formula 1 has announced that Louis Vuitton has become the sport’s latest partner in a deal which will see the brand sponsor the 2025 season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Louis Vuitton’s increased presence in the paddock this season was revealed last October through the news that LVMH would become a partner to F1 on a 10-year deal.

But alongside prominent trackside branding, Louis Vuitton will also now title sponsor the upcoming Australian Grand Prix, which will be the curtain raiser to the 2025 campaign.

The round at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne will host the season-opener for the first time since 2019 on March 16 to commence another 24-round calendar.

“We are thrilled to welcome Louis Vuitton as Title Partner for our first 2025 race,” F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said.

“This is a partnership between two global icons linked first and foremost by their great passion for innovation, excellence and creativity, which makes them two exceptional timeless stories.

“The entry of Louis Vuitton not only enhances the experience of our sport, but celebrates the union of luxury, craftsmanship, and the highest expression of automotive competition.

“2025 will be an epic year for Formula 1 and I am proud to start it with our passionate partners at Louis Vuitton.”

Louis Vuitton’s connection to F1 pre-dates the recent development as the French House has designed the trophy that the race winner at Monaco has received since 2021.

Pietro Beccari, Chairman and CEO, Louis Vuitton, added: “I am immensely proud of this partnership between Louis Vuitton and Formula 1 with our shared ambition to always strive for innovation, craft, and precision.

“The synergy of our two worlds is echoed in the savoir faire of our ateliers and garages, artisans, and engineers, while celebrating the outstanding performance of champion drivers around the world who embark on a journey of excellence with every race.”

- Motorsport Week

JANNIK SINNER BEATS ALEXANDER ZVEREV IN 3 SETS

Jannik Sinner of Italy gestures as he carries the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

MELBOURNE, Australia — There’s all sorts of ways beyond merely the score to measure just how dominant Jannik Sinner was while outplaying and frustrating Alexander Zverev during the 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory Sunday that earned the 23-year-old Italian a second consecutive Australian Open championship.

The zero break points Sinner faced. Or the 10 he accumulated. The 27-13 advantage in points that lasted at least nine strokes. Or the way Sinner accumulated more winners, 32 to 25, and fewer unforced errors, 27 to 45. The way Sinner won 10 of 13 points that ended with him at the net. Or the way he only let Zverev go 14 of 27 in that category, frequently zipping passing shots out of reach.

And here is one more bit of evidence: Listen to what Zverev told Sinner during the on-court trophy ceremony: “You’re the best player in the world, by far. I was hoping that I could be more of a competitor today, but you’re just too good. It’s as simple as that.”

That’s coming from the guy who is ranked No. 2 behind Sinner, who has held the No. 1 spot since last June and is not showing any signs of relinquishing it. This was the first Australian Open final between the men at No. 1 and No. 2 since 2019, when No. 1 Novak Djokovic defeated No. 2 Rafael Nadal — also in straight sets.

“It’s amazing,” Sinner said, “to achieve these things.”

That includes being the youngest man to leave Melbourne Park with the trophy two years in a row since Jim Courier in 1992-93 and the first man since Nadal at the French Open in 2005 and 2006 to follow up his first Grand Slam title by repeating as the champion at the same tournament a year later.

Since the start of 2024, Sinner has won three of the five major tournaments, including the U.S. Open in September, and his record in that span is 80-6 with a total of nine tournament titles. His current unbeaten run covers 21 matches.

The only thing that’s clouded the past 12 months for Sinner, it seems, is a doping case in which he was cleared by a ruling that was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. He tested positive for a trace amount of an anabolic steroid twice last March but blamed it on an accidental exposure involving two members of his team who have since been fired. Sinner initially was exonerated in August; a hearing in the WADA appeal is scheduled for April.

While Sinner became the eighth man in the Open era (which began in 1968) to start his career 3-0 in Grand Slam finals, Zverev is the seventh to be 0-3, adding this loss to those at the 2020 U.S. Open and the 2024 French Open.

Those earlier setbacks both came in five sets. This contest was not that close. Not at all.

“We’re trying to do all the right work,” Zverev said. “I’m just not good enough.”

Just before Zverev began speaking into a microphone during the trophy ceremony, a voice cried out from the stands, making reference to two of the player’s ex-girlfriends who accused him of physical abuse.

During the match, there truly was only one moment that felt as if it contained a hint of tension. It came when Zverev was two points from owning the second set, leading it 5-4 and at love-30 on Sinner’s serve. But a break point — and a set point — never arrived.

Zverev dropped the next four points, making it 5-all, and Sinner emerged with the ensuing tiebreaker. No surprise there: He went 4-0 in those set-deciders over the past two weeks and has grabbed 16 of his past 18.

A year ago, Sinner went through a lot more trouble to earn his first Slam, needing to get past Novak Djokovic — who quit one set into his semifinal against Zverev on Friday because of a torn hamstring — first, before erasing a two-set deficit in the final against 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev.

This time, the 6-foot-3 (1.91-meter) Sinner applied pressure with an all-around style that does not really appear to have any holes as his sneakers squeak from a sprint to a slide that often nearly ends in the splits and he uses his long limbs to deliver deep groundstrokes.

On this night, he proved superior in just about every meaningful way, other than aces.

Returning serves from Zverev that reached 138 mph (223 kph), Sinner got the lone break of the opening set with a passing shot for a 5-4 lead. Zverev walked back behind the baseline, shaking his head while talking to his father and brother, who were seated in the front row of their courtside coaches’ box.

There was more negative body language after Sinner served out that set at love to continue his crescendo, the final note an ace at 120 mph (194 kph). Zverev trudged to his bench, shoulders sagging, and dropped his racket on an equipment bag, a gesture that conveyed annoyance more than anger. Later, it became the latter: Zverev cracked one racket on the court and used a racket to hit another on the sideline.

Understandable, given what Sinner was doing on the other side of the net.

- Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press

MADISON KEYS STUNS ARYNA SABALENKA IN THRILLER TO WIN AUSTRALIA OPEN TITLE

Madison Keys holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup and poses with ball kids after defeating Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open tennis champion

Underdog Madison Keys upset Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in the Australian Open final on Saturday to win her first Grand Slam crown at the age of 29.

The American ended world number one Sabalenka's dream of becoming the first woman for 26 years to win a third successive Melbourne Park singles title.

Keys yelled in delight and wiped away tears on securing the title after withstanding a fierce fightback from the Belarusian two-time defending champion.

Sabalenka, the 2023 and 2024 champion, buried her head in a towel after her 20-match win streak at Melbourne Park was ended.

For 19th-seeded Keys it was the culmination of a 15-year journey from teenage prodigy to major winner.

Madison Keys, right, reacts as she holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Aryna Sabalenka. AP

"I have wanted this for so long and I have been in one other Grand Slam final and it did not go my way," said an emotional Keys, whose coach Bjorn Fratangelo is also her husband. "I didn't know if I was ever going to get back to this position to try to win a trophy again."

The American had been tipped as a future world number one after winning her maiden WTA Tour match at the age of 14.

Madison Keys plays a forehand return to Aryna Sabalenka. AP

She made her first major semi-final at Melbourne Park 10 years ago as a 19-year-old, but a decade on she can finally call herself a Grand Slam champion.

"I made my very first Grand Slam semi-final here in Melbourne," said Keys, the runner-up at the US Open in 2017.

"So to now have won my first Grand Slam in the same place means the absolute world to me. "My team believed in me every step of the way. So thank you so much," added Keys, who will now equal her career-high seventh in the world ranking she attained nine years ago.

Madison Keys is embraced by her team as she holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Aryna Sabalenka. AP.

Madison Keys is embraced by her team as she holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Aryna Sabalenka. AP

"They believed in me when I didn't believe in myself, and helped me every step of the way. Last year was so tough, with some really bad injuries, I didn't know if I was gonna be able to do it again."

'What a tournament'

Keys becomes the fourth oldest first-time winner of a major since the Open Era began in 1968.

Sabalenka was gracious after a first Melbourne defeat since 2022. "First of all, Madison, what a tournament. You have been fighting really hard to get this trophy," Sabalenka said. "I really feel like it's home when I'm here and I'll come back stronger and do my best next year."

It was Keys who came out of the blocks playing exemplary tennis to put Sabalenka under pressure and race to the first set in 35 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Madison Keys holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Aryna Sabalenka. AP

Madison Keys holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Aryna Sabalenka. AP

The Belarusian began to flip the script in the second set, breaking in the third game and moving ominously ahead 3-1.

Another break followed on a brilliant Sabalenka cross-court pass and she levelled the match after an hour and 20 minutes on court.

The 26-year-old Sabalenka by now was timing the ball much better and a younger Keys might have buckled. But this mature version of Keys, who battled all the way to beat Iga Swiatek in a 10-point final-set tiebreak in the semi-finals, is made of sterner stuff.

At 5-6 when Sabalenka served to take it to another final-set tiebreak, Keys brought up two match points.

She held her nerve to secure the long-awaited title on the second with her 29th winner after 2hr 2min.

- Agence France-Presse

"I'M GETTING OLDER" - ARYNA SABALENKA GETS REAL ABOUT PLAYING IN TOUGH CONDITIONS AFTER REACHING AUSTRALIAN OPEN QF

Aryna Sabalenka shared her honest feelings on playing in the Melbourne heat amid her 2025 Australian Open run (Source: Getty)

Aryna Sabalenka gave her thoughts on playing in Melbourne's tough conditions following her fourth-round win at the ongoing 2025 Australian Open. Sabalenka comfortably dispatched youngster Mirra Andreeva to reach the quarterfinals of the prestigious hardcourt Major, where she is the two-time defending champion.

Daytime conditions in Melbourne have predominantly been hot and humid, and it was quite the same for Sabalenka and Andreeva's fourth-round clash. However, despite this, the Belarusian registered a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 win over the Russian teen prodigy, firing three aces and converting four out of seven break point opportunities.

During her post-match, on-court interview, Aryna Sabalenka was asked about how she felt competing in the difficult conditions prevalent in Melbourne. The World No. 1 hilariously replied:

"Well, you know, I'm getting older and I'm actually not sure if it's good for me." (at 0:55)

This reply sparked laughter from the crowd in the Rod Laver Arena. Sabalenka proceeded to assess the differences between her third-round win over Clara Tauson and her fourth-round victory against Andreeva.

"No, but I mean, like, previous day was such tough conditions, the ball was so heavy, you had swing really hard at the ball and I don't know, I was just swinging too hard and today, I came out to the court and I was just like trying to put the ball back and the ball was flying like a rocket you know," Sabalenka added.

The Belarusian also expressed her happiness over her level of performance against Andreeva, saying:

"I don't know, I'm super happy with my level today. I hope the conditions help me and I hope it's going to be the same till the end of the tournament and it's going to help me the same way."

A resurgent Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova awaits Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Australian Open.

Aryna Sabalenka would do well to be wary of former World No. 11 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Australian Open 2025 QF

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in action at the Australian Open (Image Source: Getty)

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, currently the World No. 32, sealed her own progress to the 2025 Australian Open quarterfinals with a 7-6(0), 6-0 win over No. 18 seed Donna Vekic. Pavlyuchenkova is set to lock horns with Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals, and the Russian has the upper hand against the Belarusian in their WTA Tour-level head-to-head.

The pair's maiden meeting on the WTA Tour came in the 2019 Canadian Open, where Pavlyuchenkova emerged victorious in the Round of 64. Their next meeting came two years later, in the semifinals of the Madrid Open. This time around, the matchup finished in Sabalenka's favor.

Next, they faced each other in the 2021 French Open's Round of 32, with Pavlyuchenkova once again defeating Sabalenka. However, things have changed drastically since then. The Belarusian is a much more improved player now, having worked rigorously on some of her on-court weaknesses.

- Sudipto Pati

LAURA SIEGMUND VS. QINWEN ZHENG | AO ANIMATED

 

NAOMI OSAKA VS. CAROLINE GARCIA | AO 2025 | FULL MATCH

NAOMI OSAKA VS. CAROLINE GARCIA | AO 2025

AUSTRALIAN OPEN: EMMA RADUCANU TRIUMPH AT DESPITE SERVE WITH 'A MIND OF ITS OWN'

Emma Raducanu plays a backhand return to Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne

Emma Raducanu joked her serve had "a mind of its own" after she battled her way to victory over 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova despite 15 double faults.

Nine of them came in the first five games and several at key moments, but the issue did not prevent Raducanu claiming her best win at the Australian Open, clinching a 7-6 (4) 7-6 (2) victory after two hours and 16 minutes.

The 22-year-old has been working to improve her serve with coach Nick Cavaday, but it is certainly not the finished article.

"I'm not sure what I changed in my serve today," she said. "I think it had a mind of its own. I will be sure to reflect, look at that and come back to you.

"I think in the first set I was hitting a lot of good first serves. I hit a few aces. At the same time, I was hitting a double fault. I was quite accepting of that: 'OK, I'm at least going for it'."

She continued: "I think, as the balls got heavier, it was a lot more difficult. More kept coming, it was not easy to refocus, but I knew that, even if I was down, I have great returns. It was good to be able to rely on other parts of my game today that I know are quite strong, as well.

"I'm just very proud that I didn't let it affect me too much and let the match run away from me."

Raducanu is hopeful it will be better in her second-round match against another former teenage prodigy, American Amanda Anisimova, on Thursday.

"I've had experience having teething problems with it and then being able to come back and fix it for the next match," she said. "I'm looking forward to getting back out on the court tomorrow and working on it."

Raducanu's enduring popularity was evidenced by big queues outside Court 3 as the match began under a cloudless Melbourne sky.

Alexandrova, a big ball striker with a relentlessly negative demeanour, experienced her own difficulties on serve and there were eight breaks in the opening set.

Raducanu again showed her X factor on returns, twice breaking Alexandrova when she served for it, while she won just her third of 17 second serve points at 4-4 in the tie-break before arrowing a forehand into the corner to clinch it.

The British number two was the better player for most of the second set but the service problems resurfaced after a steadier start and she had to save a set point at 5-6.

Having forced another tie-break, Raducanu was almost flawless, with one final double fault the only blemish.

Raducanu came into the season feeling the effects of a back spasm that prompted her to pull out of her planned opening tournament in Auckland, while she missed two months late last year with a foot injury, so this was a good physical test.

"I think it was quite a long match," she said. "First match of the season. I haven't necessarily played outdoors for a long time, since Seoul (in September).

"I think for me playing two sets was good but, equally, I felt pretty fit out there. Right now I feel good in my body. I think it's just a testament to the work I'm starting to do off the court. I didn't necessarily feel any restrictions."

Raducanu's victory made it five British players triumphing in the first round, equalling the record here with Katie Boulter still to play.

- Eleanor Crooks in Melbourne

AUSTRALIAN OPEN: CLUTCH NAOMI OSAKA COMPLETES REVENGE MISSION AGAINST CAROLINE GARCIA

© Australian Open/X - Fair Use

Naomi Osaka has gotten her revenge over Caroline Garcia and clinched her first Australian Open win since 2022 after beating the Frenchwoman 6-3 3-6 6-3 in a match that finished 20 minutes past midnight in Melbourne. 

Last year, the Japanese returned to Melbourne Park as a mom and suffered a first-round loss to the former world No. 4.

Later in her press, Osaka didn't hide that she was very frustrated with the defeat.

This year, she drew the same opponent - in the same stage - again. 

But this time, Osaka was the one who ended on the winning side after firing seven aces and 25 winners, as well as converting four of her six break point chances. 

Naomi Osaka
© Australian Open/X - Fair Use

Throughout the match, it was an even battle. Even in the third set, there wasn't much separating the two but the only difference was that the former world No. 1 came up big in the key moments and realized her chances.

Now, the four-time Grand Slam champion is set for a very tough test as she plays next against 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova.

How Osaka beat Garcia?

In the first set, the two-time Australian Open champion went 2-of-2 on her break points in the fifth and ninth games and that was enough for her to seal the opener. 

After winning the first set, the Japanese had two consecutive game points in the first game of the second set but then hit a double fault - made some errors - and ended up losing her serve for the first time. 

That changed the rhythm of the match as Garcia stabilized and went on to force a decider after collecting another break in the ninth game.

However, Osaka was able to respond and prevent the Frenchwoman from completing a comeback win after breaking the 31-year-old twice in the third set.

While the Japanese claimed two breaks and didn't lose any of her service games in the decider, it should be noted that Garcia had a total of four break points across two games but the four-time Grand Slam winner saved it.

BRITISH STAR BURSTS INTO TEARS AFTER AUSTRALIAN OPEN VICTORY AFTER NEARLY QUITTING TENNIS

Jodie Burrage secured her first ever win at the Australian Open

Jodie Burrage has endured a raft of injuries and considered walking away from the sport during her recovery but stuck at it and has now landed a first ever Australian Open win

Jodie Burrage was left in tears after securing her first Australian Open main-draw victory - shortly after the Brit considered retiring after a horrid run of injuries.

The 25-year-old claimed a 6-2 6-4 success over French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean in Melbourne - six months after Burrage weighed up whether or not she should continue playing the sport. She was left crying "happy tears" after her victory Down Under.

Burrage hit 23 winners en route to beating Jeanjean, who is ranked 24 places higher than her, and her reward is a clash with American third seed Coco Gauff in the second round.

She secured victory on her first match point and immediately sunk to the ground, covering her face with her hands. Burrage returned to her chair and spent a few moments crying under a towel after taking in the crowd's applause.

She said: "It was a good decision (not to retire). All of those emotions from the last nine months I think were bottled up in there. I think because I know I have been playing some good tennis, I know what such a good opportunity today was. I knew the hard work that went in for the last year."

It was back in 2020 that Burrage first considered quitting tennis as she battled several injuries before fighting back to enjoy some landmark victories. A maiden Grand Slam win came at Wimbledon in 2023, later landing her an appearance on Centre Court in the second round. She also secured a win at that year's US Open.

That left her a career-high 84th in the world before her progress was derailed by injuries, once again. In February Burrage required surgery on a snapped tendon in her wrist - the fourth operation of her career. She then suffered another blow in April when she was closing in on a return to action.

Jodie Burrage cut an emotional figure after considering retirement

Burrage ruptured an ankle ligament in a practice session with fellow Brit Katie Boulter - whom Burrage now avoids training with after claiming she has PTSD. That injury resulted in her missing another 10 weeks.

The 26-year-old made her comeback on the lower-tier ITF Futures Tour. Burrage later broke down in tears during a training session and questioned whether it was worth the struggles, but has now seen all her efforts vindicated at the Australian Open.

Harriet Dart is another Brit joining Burrage in the second round. She saved two match points in a 7-5 2-6 7-6 (10-7) win over Croatian qualifier Jana Fett. Dart had lost in qualifying but ended up in the draw as a lucky loser when 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova withdrew through injury earlier on Monday.

- Samuel Meade

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2025: OLYMPIC CHAMPION ZHENG QINWEN INTO SECOND ROUND AS GRAND SLAM TENNIS, RAIN RETURNS IN MELBOURNE

The fans were sent scurrying for cover inside the first hour when a dramatic thunderstorm swept across the precinct

Olympic champion and China’s Qinwen Zheng in action against Romania’s Anca Todoni in the first round of the Australian Open women’s singles championship in Melbourne on January 12, 2025. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen fought her way into the second round of the Australian Open with a 7-6(3) 6-1 win over Anca Todoni on Sunday as crowds flocked through the gates at Melbourne Park for the first Grand Slam of 2025.

The fans were sent scurrying for cover inside the first hour when a dramatic thunderstorm swept across the precinct but Zheng and Todoni continued their baseline battle under the closed roof of the Rod Laver Arena.

- Reuters 

EMMA RADUCANU BITTEN BY JUMPING ANTS DURING AUSTRALIAN OPEN PRACTICE

Emma Raducanu reacts during a press conference ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia

Emma Raducanu has become the latest victim of Australia’s famously hostile wildlife − although it was not spiders or snakes in her case, but rather “jumping ants”.

During a day off practice in Melbourne on Thursday, Raducanu suffered bites on her hand and ankle that swelled up and left her considering whether to use an antiseptic spray.

But her anxieties about possible contamination − which has been cited in the recent doping defences of such leading players as Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek − persuaded her to “tough it out because I don’t want to risk it”.

As Raducanu explained on Friday: “I basically got bitten really badly, like, by these, I don’t know, like jumping ants or something.

“So I spent the second, you know, part of my day coming in to sign, seeing the doctor to try to get some remedies, because I had a bit of an allergic reaction. But I’m fine now. I’m allergic, I guess.

“They flared up and swelled up really a lot. Someone was giving me this antiseptic spray, natural, to try to ease the bites. I didn’t want to take it. I didn’t want to spray it.

 “I was just left there with my swollen ankle and hand. I was, like, I’m just going to tough it out because I don’t want to risk it.

“It’s obviously a concern on our mind. We’re all in the same boat. I think it’s just how we manage as best as we can the controllables. If something out of our control happens, then it’s going to be a bit of a struggle to try and prove [that a positive test is the result of contamination].”

Raducanu has been training at full tilt this week after her withdrawal from Auckland almost a fortnight ago. Her issues there involved back trouble, which began unexpectedly during training at the National Tennis Centre in south-west London.

“One morning I was warming up, bent over to tie my laces, and I had a [back] spasm,” Raducanu explained. “I’ve had them before. They’ve usually settled within a few days. But this one niggled for a couple weeks. I had to miss quite a bit of training before I left. Now I’m feeling good and I feel like I can give it my best here.”

- Simon Briggs

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2025 DRAW: WHO WILL THE GREEKS PLAY?

Nick Kyrgios practices for the Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Photo: AAP/Joel Carrett

Playing his first Grand Slam since reaching the 2022 US Open quarter-finals, Nick Kyrgios faces British world No.86 Jacob Fearnley, provided he can overcome an abdominal strain that forced his withdrawal from an exhibition match this week in Melbourne.

It’s a good outcome for Kyrgios who has entered the event with a protected ranking after his long injury lay-off.

Fearnley doesn’t necessarily represent a tough encounter for Kyrgios.

The 29-year-old said serving is off the cards for a few days to give himself every chance to be fit for the start of the Open on Sunday.

He’ll carefully monitor the final stages of his preparations for his home slam after a fresh injury threatened his involvement.

Thanasi Kokkinakis has drawn Roman Safiullin, in what will be the pairs first ever meeting, while Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is 11th seed, comes up against Alex Michelsen.

The two have played once before in Tokyo last year where the American bested the Greek.

On the women’s side, 31st seed Maria Sakkari comes up against Camila Osorio.

The Australian Open begins on Sunday. Schedules are released at approximately 6pm AEDT on the day prior to play.

All four are scheduled to play on Sunday January 12, with exact times to be confirmed. Subject to change*

With AAP

AUSTRALIA TO HOST OPENING RACE OF 2025 FORMULA ONE SEASON

Melbourne will host the opening race of the 2025 season. WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images

 Formula One has released the race dates for next year's 24-round season which includes the return of Australia as hosts of the season opener on March 16.

The 2025 calendar, which marks the 75th anniversary of the F1 world championship, will see Melbourne host the opening round for the first time since 2019.

Bahrain, which has been the first race of the season for the last four years, will become the fourth race, one week after the Japanese Grand Prix and one week before Saudi Arabia.

Both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia needed to move later in the year to avoid a clash with Ramadan.

The Chinese Grand Prix -- which will make its return to F1 on April 21 after a four-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic -- will be the second race of the 2025 season and will be held back-to-back with Australia.

As was the case with this year's schedule, F1 claims the calendar was designed to create "a better geographical flow" across the year.

The 2025 schedule released on Friday did not reveal the venues for next year's sprint races, which will be confirmed at a later date.

F1's three U.S. rounds will remain in their usual places on the calendar, with Miami on May 4, Austin on Oct. 19 and Las Vegas on Nov. 22.

As with this season, 2025 will end with a triple header across Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

"2025 will be a special year as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the FIA Formula One World Championship, and it's that legacy and experience that allows us to deliver such a strong calendar," F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said.

"Once again, we'll visit 24 incredible venues around the world, delivering top class racing, hospitality, and entertainment, which will be enjoyed by millions of fans worldwide."

2025 Schedule

March 16 -- Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne

March 23 -- Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai

April 6 -- Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka

April 13 -- Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir

April 20 -- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah

May 4 -- Miami Grand Prix, Miami

May 18 -- Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola

May 25 -- Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco

June 1 -- Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona

June 15 -- Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal

June 29 -- Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg

July 6 -- British Grand Prix, Silverstone

July 27 -- Belgian Grand Prix, Spa Francorchamps

August 3 -- Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest

August 31 -- Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort

September 7 -- Italian Grand Prix, Monza

September 21 -- Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku

October 5 -- Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore

October 19 -- U.S. Grand Prix, Austin

October 26 -- Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City

November 9 -- Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo

November 22 -- Las Vegas Grand Prix, Las Vegas

November 30 -- Qatar Grand Prix, Lusail

December 7 -- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina

- Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor

HAMILTON ON WORST F1 SEASON START: I'M FOCUSED ON THE BIGGER PICTURE

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 MELBOURNE, Australia -- After making his worst start to a Formula One season in his 17-year career, Lewis Hamilton said he is remaining positive by focusing on the "bigger picture."

An engine failure at Sunday's Australian Grand Prix means the Mercedes driver has scored just eight points from the opening three races and lies ninth in the drivers' standings.

Although he has scored more points in the first three races than he managed in 2009 with McLaren when F1 ran under a different points system, the first three results are the worst he's had at the start of a new campaign.

"This is the worst start to a season I have ever had," Hamilton said. "It's even worse than 2009, I think."

But asked how he has dealt with the disappointing start, Hamilton, who is set to leave his Mercedes team for Ferrari next year, said he is still taking positives from the year so far.

"Surprisingly, I feel pretty good," he said. "I think I'm trying to keep things in perspective, you know?

"It could be so much worse, I'm really grateful and have really enjoyed my time here in Australia. I'm still enjoying working with the team.

"Of course, I'd love to be fighting for wins and finishing races, it's never a great feeling when you come all this way and don't even see half of the race, but what I know is that we will bounce back and will get there, we just have to chip away at it."

Hamilton suffered an engine failure on lap 17 of the Australian Grand Prix while running 11th, which is also where he qualified.

Rather than be frustrated by the result, the seven-time champion said he was only focusing on matters he could control.

"I think it's easy to be caught up in the moment and focus on this one thing, but the bigger picture is definitely the focus at the moment and also just realising that you can't control everything," Hamilton said.

"You can get frustrated because you don't have control, but if you can just let go and be in the moment, that's what I'm trying to do.

"It's not great, I'm not happy, but I'm going to have a great day tomorrow and train hard this week."

- Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor

DE MINAUR LEFT DEVASTATED AFTER BELIEVING HE COULD PROGRESS IN OPEN

Reuters 

 Alex de Minaur's belief that he could beat Andrey Rublev and finally reach the Australian Open quarter-finals made Sunday's defeat all the more devastating for the local favourite.

On a day when Australia Open defending champions Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka were both in action, all eyes in Melbourne were on 10th seed Alex de Minaur as he aimed to keep home interest in the competition alive.

De Minaur was the last Australian left in the singles, but his 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-0 loss to the fifth seed was certainly a world away from last year's exit at the same stage, when he was demolished in straight sets by Djokovic.