Tennis
Kyrgios beats Sabalenka in latest ‘Battle of the Sexes’ in tennis
3 minute read Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Nick Kyrgios won the latest version of the “Battle of the Sexes” in tennis, beating top-ranked women’s player Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in an exhibition match that represented light entertainment rather than another landmark moment for gender equality.
There was laughing and joking between the players, some under-arm serves, over-the-top grunting on shots, and even some dancing from Sabalenka during a timeout to entertain the crowd at the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai — where the most expensive tickets sold for approaching $800.
Kyrgios, the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up who has played only six tour-level matches in the last three years because of wrist and knee injuries, appeared to play within himself at times and faced the disadvantage of Sabalenka’s side of the court being nearly 10% smaller in an attempt to level the playing field. The players were only given one serve per point, rather than two.
Kyrgios was drenched in sweat by the time he clinched victory off his third match point and the pair were all smiles when they embraced at the net.
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Tenth-ranked Draper not ready to return for Australian Open
2 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 26, 2025Venus Williams weds Andrea Preti in Florida as part of a 5-day celebration of their union
1 minute read Preview Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025Three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka announces 2026 as his final year on tour
2 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 19, 2025ATP Tour sets out safeguarding policy with training for players and potential for bans
2 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 19, 2025Chinese tennis player banned 12 years for match-fixing spree
2 minute read Friday, Dec. 19, 2025LONDON (AP) — Chinese tennis player Pang Renlong has been banned for 12 years and fined $110,000 for a match-fixing spree involving 22 matches in a five-month period.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency said Friday that the 25-year-old Pang admitted to fixing five of his own matches in lower-level events and making “corrupt approaches” to players in 11 more matches, six of which were also fixed.
The match-fixing happened from May through September 2024, the ITIA said. During that period, Pang played in various ITF tournaments in Turkey, Hong Kong and mainland China and lost in qualifying for one ATP Challenger event, the Jinan Open in China.
The ITIA didn't list the fixed matches linked to Pang, whose career-high ranking was 1,316th last year. His suspension is due to run through 2036, including time already spent under a provisional suspension. Of his $110,000 fine, $70,000 was suspended.
Carlos Alcaraz ends 7-year partnership with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero
3 minute read Preview Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025Carlos Alcaraz announces he is parting ways with long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero
1 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025MADRID (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz announces he is parting ways with long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
The men’s tennis tour is adding a heat rule like the one the women have had for more than 30 years
3 minute read Preview Monday, Dec. 15, 2025Canadian tennis star Mboko named WTA Newcomer of the Year
2 minute read Preview Monday, Dec. 15, 2025Aryna Sabalenka is the WTA Player of the Year again. Amanda Anisimova earns Comeback Player honors
3 minute read Preview Monday, Dec. 15, 2025Vicky Mboko and Janice Tjen are among the International Tennis Federation’s breakthrough players
2 minute read Friday, Dec. 12, 2025LONDON (AP) — Vicky Mboko, Janice Tjen, Lilli Tagger, Arnaud Bailly and Luka Mikrut were selected by a panel as the International Tennis Federation's Class of 2025, a group considered “promising and breakthrough” talents of the sport.
The five players were revealed this week, based on their seasons on the ITF World Tennis Tour.
Mboko, a 19-year-old Canadian, won four consecutive ITF World Tennis Tour titles early in the year and went on to win a WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal and reach the third round at the French Open.
Tjen, 23, claimed five ITF World Tennis Tour titles in a row, including a 27-match winning streak, and at the U.S. Open became the first Indonesian player to compete in a Grand Slam main draw since 2004, defeating No. 24 seed Veronika Kudermetova. Tjen collected her first WTA Tour trophy in November.
Rafael Nadal undergoes right-hand surgery to relieve pain
2 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 12, 2025French tennis player Quentin Folliot suspended for 20 years, fined $70,000 for match-fixing
3 minute read Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025LONDON (AP) — The International Tennis Integrity Agency said Thursday French tennis player Quentin Folliot has been suspended for 20 years and fined $70,000 for match-fixing.
The ITIA said Folliot has also been ordered to repay “corrupt payments” totaling more than $44,000 for “committing 27 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).”
Folliot’s suspension will end in May 2044, “subject to repayment of outstanding fines.” Time served under a provisional suspension in May 2024 will be credited against the player’s period of ineligibility.
During the period of ineligibility, the ITIA said Folliot is prohibited from “playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA … or any national association.”
Victoria Mboko and Felix Auger-Aliassime win Tennis Canada excellence awards
2 minute read Preview Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025Carlos Alcaraz joins other tennis stars in first ever tennis event at Marlins’ loanDepot Park
3 minute read Preview Monday, Dec. 8, 2025LOAD MORE