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GB's Dart & Harris miss out on Australian Open main draw
Great Britain's Harriet Dart and Billy Harris both missed out on the Australian Open main draw as they lost in the final round of qualifying.
Dart fell to a 6-4 7-5 defeat against Japan's Nao Hibino, despite serving for the second set.
Meanwhile, Harris' efforts to reach the main draw in Melbourne for the first time ended with a 7-5 6-2 loss against Kamil Majchrzak of Poland.
The British number four made his Grand Slam main-draw debut as a wildcard at Wimbledon in 2024, where he lost in the first round to Spain's Jaume Munar.
The defeats mean there will be seven British players in the singles main draw when the tournament starts on Sunday.
Rising star Jacob Fearnley is set to face Nick Kyrgios in the first round as the Australian returns to Grand Slam tennis.
British men's number one Jack Draper will take on Argentina's Mariano Navone, while Katie Boulter - Britain's highest-ranked women's player - is up against Canada's Rebecca Marino.
Elsewhere in qualifying, Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca reached the main draw of a major for the first time with a 6-4 6-1 victory against Argentina's 12th seed Thiago Agustin Tirante.
Fonseca, 18, established himself as one of tennis' rising stars by becoming the second-youngest winner of the Next Gen ATP Finals in December.
Hady Habib saved three match points to beat Clement Chidekh of France and become the first Lebanese player in the Open era to appear in a Grand Slam men's singles main draw.
The 26-year-old, who made his Olympic debut in Paris in 2024, became the first player from Lebanon to win a ATP Challenger title last year.
Australian Open - schedule, seedings & how to follow
12-14 January: Men's and women's singles first round
14 January: Men's and women's doubles begins
15-16 January: Men's and women's singles second round
16 January: Mixed doubles begins
17-18 January: Men's and women's singles third round
19-20 January: Men's and women's singles fourth round
21-22 January: Men's and women's singles quarter-finals
21 January: Wheelchair tournament begins
23 January: Women's singles semi-finals
24 January: Men's singles semi-finals
25 January: Women's singles final
26 January: Men's singles final
The qualifier using the Australian Open as a 'fashion runway'
"I just loved what they wore," Aiava said of Sharapova, Ivanovic and Serena Williams.
"I think some of the stuff that is being designed is quite ugly. I just like to wear what I think looks good. I don't like wearing the same thing as everyone else."
Aiava, who wants to pursue a degree in fashion design, will face Belgium's Greet Minnen in the first round of the Melbourne major, which starts on Sunday.
"I didn't really think it would make any impact at all, me wearing the dresses. But I'm glad I did. Yeah, it's been fun bringing them back," she added.
"I think even if you lose, it's still kind of a fashion runway when you're on the court."
Despite wanting to secure a sponsorship deal with a sportswear brand, Aiava is enjoying the benefits of not currently having a sponsor.
"I am hoping to get a sponsor. I'll probably have to put up with wearing the same thing as other people," she said.
"But, for now I'm loving picking whatever I want to wear and buying whatever I want."
'A unique opportunity' - Murray on phone call that led to Djokovic partnership
If it had been suggested to Murray in Paris that he would be back in the game and coaching Djokovic five months later, you imagine he would have laughed.
There will be little, if any, japing around in Melbourne.
The pair are born winners who know the dedication and commitment required to be the best.
From the glimpses this week, it is clear anything less than Djokovic landing a record-extending 11th title would be unsatisfactory.
"At times it's very enjoyable. But high performance is not supposed to be laughs and jokes and messing around," said Murray.
"In all the times I've been on tour, I haven't seen that from any of the best players in the world.
"I've seen it from some of the lower ranked players, and that's one of the reasons why they're not there."
During Djokovic's open practice sessions against Carlos Alcaraz, Jack Draper and Arthur Fils on Rod Laver Arena, Murray watched every movement intently.
Stood close behind Djokovic and sometimes in the doubles alley, Murray constantly offered feedback, shouted praise after winners and made notes during the practice sets.
He also compared observations with Boris Bosnjakovic, who ran Djokovic's training centre in Belgrade before becoming part of the team last May after long-term coach Goran Ivanisevic left.
"It's about making small changes to things and trying to help him and improve with the whole team," said Murray.
And what about when things aren't going so well? Murray and Djokovic are both known for sounding off at their box, but this time the Scot might find himself on the receiving end.
"I know it's not easy out there - it's stressful and at times he's going to want to vent towards his team and his box," said Murray.
"Providing that he's giving his best effort and trying as hard as he can, I'm absolutely fine with him expressing himself how he wants."
Fearnley handed Kyrgios blockbuster at Australian Open
Although the unpredictable nature of a Grand Slam means things do not always pan out as expected, the draw ceremony is always an exciting event that allows fans to plot what may happen.
The leading two seeds are split, meaning they cannot play each other until the final - should they get that far.
Sinner has been drawn in the same half as American fourth seed Taylor Fritz and Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev.
It means Sinner cannot play 10-time champion Djokovic or Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, who is aiming to complete the career Grand Slam aged just 21, until the semi-finals.
Despite being at the opposite ends of their careers, Djokovic and Alcaraz have developed an intriguing rivalry which has produced some enthralling encounters.
The pair could meet again in the Melbourne quarter-finals.
In the women's draw, Sabalenka could face Gauff - who faces 2020 champion Sofia Kenin in a tough all-American first-round opener - in the semi-finals.
Neither Sabalenka or Gauff can face second seed Iga Swiatek, who begins against Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, until the final.
Para Table Tennis Sets Sights on Spectacular 2025: Revamped Circuit and Rankings System Herald New Era
ITTFs vision for Para table tennis is already taking shape in 2025, with the Week 2 World Para Rankings release showcasing the sports newly implemented system in action.
Announced in December 2024, the revamped ITTF World Para Ranking system has begun its weekly updates, offering a dynamic reflection of competitive standings across all 11 classes. This modernised approach aligns perfectly with the restructured ITTF World Para Circuit, setting the foundation for what promises to be a landmark year for the sport.
The new ranking system brings unprecedented transparency and fairness to Para table tennis, with players positions determined by their top six results within the past year. This innovative approach, coupled with weekly updates across multiple categories including Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, ensures that rankings remain current and truly representative of players performances.
At the heart of this transformation lies the reformed ITTF World Para Circuit with its pioneering three-tier structure Elite, Challenger, and Future. This tiered approach creates clear pathways for athlete development, ensuring appropriate competitive platforms for players at every stage of their journey.
The 2025 calendar represents the most diverse and internationally comprehensive Para circuit in ITTF history, featuring more than 20 events scheduled across the globe. From major metropolitan centres to emerging markets, the calendars unprecedented reach brings Para table tennis closer to fans everywhere. In an exciting development, select youth events will be piloted throughout the year, potentially becoming permanent fixtures in future calendars. View the complete ITTF World Para Circuit 2025 calendar here.
The latest Week 2 rankings for all classes can be viewed here.
Ward driven to achieve Ireland dream after 'surreal' 2024
Life has moved fast for Zac Ward over the past 12 months.
This time last year, he was preparing for the start of a big year with the Ireland Sevens team in Perth.
One of Ireland's standout players in the shorter code, he realised a dream in the summer when he became an Olympian.
While that journey ended in heartache with a quarter-final loss to Fiji crushing any hopes of leaving Paris with a medal, Ward had no time to dwell on anguish as he answered Ulster's call.
Taken on by the province on a trial basis, Ward found himself back in green before donning the white jersey as part of the Emerging Ireland series in South Africa.
Having banked valuable 15s experience, he has continued to tick personal accomplishments off his checklist, with an Ulster debut against Bordeaux quickly followed by a three-year deal that will keep him at the province until 2028.
Now, with a "surreal" 2024 in his rearview mirror and having sorted his future, the 26-year-old is determined to achieve new goals and scale new heights as he forges a new path as a 15s winger.
"My goal is definitely to play at the highest level I can," Ward told BBC Sport NI.
"I've worn the green jersey playing in the Sevens and the Olympics, so my next goal is to wear the green jersey in 15s."
Ex-Lions full-back Hogg given payback order for domestic abuse
PA MediaFormer Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg has been given a one-year community payback order after he admitted a domestic abuse charge against his estranged wife.
The 32-year-old was previously given a five-year non-harassment order and fined 600 after breaching bail conditions.
He had admitted shouting and swearing and acting in an abusive manner towards his wife Gillian.
Appearing at Selkirk Sheriff Court, he was given a payback order - meaning he will do supervised work in the community - and a non-harassment order was imposed again.
Getty ImagesSheriff Peter Paterson told Hogg the sentence was an alternative to custody.
The payback order will be reviewed for compliance on 25 March at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, with the former Scotland international required to appear.
He made no comment as he left court accompanied by his parents.
Lynne Barrie, procurator fiscal for Lothian and Borders, said Hogg had now been "held accountable for subjecting his estranged wife to years of domestic abuse".
She said the Crown Office recognised the "devastating impact of domestic abuse" and was committed to the "robust prosecution of offences, regardless of who the offender is".
"No-one should have to live in fear of a partner or former partner," she added.
"The trauma suffered by victims and children who witness these crimes is significant.
"I would urge anyone affected by similar offending to come forward and report it."
Last year, Hogg, who plays for Montpellier, admitted a single charge which related to repeated abusive behaviour towards his now estranged wife.
Over a five-year period, up to August last year, he engaged in a course of conduct which caused her fear or alarm.
The court previously heard how he regularly shouted and swore at his wife while they lived in Hawick, as well as when they lived in Exeter when Hogg played for Exeter Chiefs.
He would use offensive language and criticise her for not being "fun".
The court was told this was often in response to her wanting to stay upstairs looking after their children rather than going to drink with him and his friends.
Getty ImagesHogg, who was described as being "angry" and "controlling" during the relationship, left his victim scared by his behaviour when he had been drinking.
She reported "wishing for it to be morning as quickly as possible so that he would sober up and things would stop".
The charge also involved Hogg monitoring his wife's movements through the Find My Phone app after they had split up in 2023, and him sending her sometimes hundreds of text messages in the space of a few hours.
Following the sentencing, Det Sgt Jade Wardell said that the force would not tolerate domestic abuse "of any kind".
She added: "Without the victim coming forward and reporting these incidents to us, we would not have been able to ensure that Hogg faces the consequences."
The former Glasgow Warriors fullback amassed a century of senior caps for his country and was involved in three British and Irish Lions tours.
He remains one of Scotland's all-time leading try scorers and was awarded an MBE in the 2024 New Year honours list for services to rugby union.
Hogg came out of retirement last summer to sign a two-year contract with Montpellier.
Hansen available for Six Nations after three-game ban
In a statement released through Connacht, Hansen said he "let my emotions get the better of me" following the Leinster game.
"Upon reflection, my comments to the media were ill-advised, and fell far short of the standards I expect of myself, and what the sport expects of its players," he said.
"I want to offer an apology to the match officials for any distress my comments may have caused. Our games are built on mutual respect and I didn't show that after the game.
"I also want to apologise to the URC, and I fully accept the findings of the independent disciplinary panel.
"I love Connacht, and I love rugby. Moving forward, I will channel all my energy and passion into representing my province and country to the absolute best of my ability both on and off the field."
Hansen has been one of Ireland's standout performers since breaking into the team in 2022, scoring 13 tries in 27 caps, but missed last year's Six Nations because of injury.
The news will be welcomed by Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby, who has lost Tom O'Toole for the England and Scotland games following the Ulster prop's six-game ban for a dangerous clearout in last month's match with Munster.
Aldcroft replaces Packer as England captain for 2025
Head coach John Mitchell has replaced Marlie Packer with Zoe Aldcroft as England's captain for 2025 as the Red Roses count down to this summer's World Cup.
The Gloucester-Hartpury lock, 28, will lead the Red Roses in the upcoming Women's Six Nations and in the home Rugby World Cup that starts in August.
Saracens flanker Packer is named one of the vice-captains alongside Leicester centre Meg Jones.
The decision by Mitchell comes with increasing competition for places in the Red Roses squad, especially in the back row where Packer plays.
Aldcroft was named World Player of the Year in 2021 and has led Gloucester-Hartpury to the last two Premiership Women's Rugby titles.
"It's an incredible honour," said the versatile forward, who can play lock and across the back row and has 58 caps.
"I feel privileged to have the trust of John Mitchell and the coaching staff.
"To be able to follow in Marlie's footsteps means a lot to me. I am extremely grateful for the knowledge and advice she has shared with me over the years, and I know I will be well supported by her, Meg and our whole leadership group."
Aldcroft has captained England before, including against Scotland in their successful 2024 Six Nations Grand Slam campaign.
The decision to take the captaincy from Packer is indicative of the depth England now possess in her position and that her place in the matchday squad is not guaranteed.
"As with many positions, there is intense competition for places in the back row and Marlie's ability to deliver big performances on the pitch needs to be her focus," said Mitchell.
"I've outlined that as a challenge for her, one that I know she'll take on with everything she has."
Packer has 108 caps and was named World Player of the Year in 2023 but the 35-year-old did not start every match of the 2024 Six Nations.
"I have loved every minute of being captain of the Red Roses and have created memories in the role that will last a lifetime," Packer said.
"Zoe is a fantastic leader who deserves this opportunity. The way she conducts herself on and off the field is outstanding; she has all the attributes to succeed as Red Roses captain.
"She has my full support, and I will do everything I can to enable her. I will continue to give everything to the team."
Jones will resume her role as vice-captain having missed England's WXV campaign last autumn with injury.
The 28-year-old said earlier this week that rugby has been "an escape" for her following the death of both her parents in 2024.
However she has also stressed a need to slow down and focus on her priorities.
"This is a big year from a Roses' point of view, but I just want to take each day as it comes," she said.
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