France beat Senegal in their opening World Cup match (3-1). With a brace, captain Kylian Mbappé is now the all-time leading goalscorer for France, with 58 goals.
In their first World Cup match since 1998, Norway comfortably beat Iraq (4-1). Lionel Messi secured victory for Argentina against Algeria (3-0) with a hat-trick. Neymar has resumed training with Brazil. In tennis, the Berlin tournament is trialling a three-court layout.
New York Knicks star OG Anunoby certainly played hard, and it looks like he partied hard, too.
The Knicks’ Game 4 hero appeared with some of his teammates on “Good Morning America” on Monday morning, and while he was physically present, mentally he might have been somewhere else.
Anunoby was asked about the difference first-year head coach Mike Brown made and how he brought the team together. The 28-year-old remained mute and stared off into the void, as if he didn’t hear the question.
Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Michael Strahan, Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos appear on Good Morning America on June 15, 2026.(Paula Lobo/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.)
After a couple of seconds of silence, the “Good Morning America” crew and Anunoby’s Knicks teammates burst out laughing. Jalen Brunson, being the good captain that he is, offered to step up and answer the question through laughter.
Karl-Anthony Towns then took the reins and answered the question, while Anunoby sat there oblivious. For Anunoby, the Knicks’ title celebration was the first time he had consumed alcohol, according to The Athletic’s report.
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby makes a game-winning tip shot vs. the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.(Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
His first sip — or rather, chug — of alcohol was a strong pull of tequila in the Knicks’ locker room. By the looks of how things went on Monday morning, Anunoby didn’t stop drinking after the locker room.
The team threw a party Sunday night in Manhattan at a private club after immediately flying back from Texas, according to the New York Post.
OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks celebrates after winning the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 13, 2026.(Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE)
At one point during the interview, Michael Strahan asked Anunoby to smile, which he did, much to the delight of his teammates. Anunoby looked like he was struggling to keep his eyes open after Strahan’s request, sending his teammates into further hysteria.
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Anunoby, who was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team, was integral in the team’s playoff run. He played shutdown defense while also serving as a meaningful offensive contributor. He averaged just more than 20 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks across 17 playoff games.
Apple TV+ renewed Widow’s Bay for a second season on June 11, confirming that the series will return with a new installment days before season 1 was scheduled to conclude. As of now, we don’t have reports of a release date or what might follow in the upcoming season after the cryptic Season 1 finale.
Premiered on April 29, 2026, Widow’s Bay follows Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys), a desperate politician determined to reshape the narrative of a sleepy, isolated New England community. Lacking Wi-Fi and cell reception, Tom tries to boost the local economy by turning the island into a bustling tourist destination, completely dismissing the warnings of his highly superstitious residents.
Widow’s Bay confirmed to return for a second season on Apple TV: Everything we know so far
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No cast members have been officially confirmed for Widow’s Bay Season 2 yet. However, Matthew Rhys is expected to return as Tom Loftis, alongside Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Root, and Kevin Carroll. Most of the main cast from Season 1 will likely return as well. This could include K Callan as Ruth Livingston, who survived her injury in the finale, and Kingston Rumi Southwick as Tom’s son, Evan Loftis.
The Season 1 ending revealed that Evan is a descendant of Richard Warren. Because he is still alive, the island’s curse remains unbroken, making him an important character for any future storylines in Season 2. At this point, these are simply predictions.
Katie Dippold has already hinted that there is plenty more story left to tell in Widow’s Bay. Following Apple TV+’s renewal announcement, the creator, showrunner, and executive producer jokingly described that everything would be fine in the island in Season 2. She said:
“Season two is about how everything is great on the island and there’s nothing to worry about.”
The show’s strong reception among audiences played a key role in securing another season. Reflecting on the series’ success, Matt Cherniss, head of programming for Apple TV, said:
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“From the moment audiences arrived in Widow’s Bay, they’ve been hooked on every eerie mystery, unexpected laugh and cursed secret that Katie, Hiro [Murai, executive producer and director], Matthew and the entire team have created. It’s become one of those shows everyone’s talking about, and we’re thrilled to see audiences continue to embrace it. We can’t wait to return for another season.”
It is tough to predict exactly when Widow’s Bay Season 2 will arrive on Apple TV+. While the show’s renewal was announced just days before the first season wrapped up, Apple TV is yet to annouce a release date.
The first season starred Matthew Rhys as Mayor Tom Loftis alongside Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Root, Kevin Carroll, K Callan, and Kingston Rumi Southwick. Viewers who want to catch up before Season 2 can stream all episodes of Widow’s Bay Season 1 exclusively on Apple TV+.
Man Utd are looking at their options on the wing this summer and they might have to add a new name to the list during the World Cup.
There is a winger at RB Leipzig who is attracting a fair bit of attention during this World Cup and looks set for a big-money move once the tournament ends. Yan Diomande was excellent for the Ivory Coast in their first game and Liverpool look set to win the race for the teenager.
Manchester United looked at Diomande earlier this year, but the 19-year-old’s performances have continued to go up a level in the second half of this season and the reports of the Bundesliga side wanting more than £100million would be enough to price United out in a summer when the midfield is their focus.
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But it turns out Diomande isn’t the only eye-catching young winger at Leipzig, and Antonio Nusa made his own electric entrance onto the World Cup stage on Tuesday night.
Nusa, 21, was superb for Norway in their 4-1 win against Iraq, causing havoc from the left, which is exactly where United want to strengthen. Diomande’s move to playing more regularly on the right would count against him.
He registered five goals and four assists for RB Leipzig this season and while those numbers don’t match Diomande’s stunning output, he is a lively wide man capable of beating his man with a bagful of tricks. He could also be around half the price of Diomande.
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The issue is whether RB Leipzig would sell both their first-choice wingers in the same window. With a deal for Diomande yet to be agreed, anyone moving swiftly for Nusa could steal a march and get that transfer done first.
For a player who only turned 21 in April, Nusa already has plenty of first-team football under his belt. He has made 170 appearances for Stabaek, Club Brugge and RB Leipzig and has 21 goal contributions in 70 games for the German outfit.
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He also now has eight goals in 25 caps for his country and has earned the nickname the Norwegian Neymar back home, partly because he has never hidden his admiration for the Brazilian attacker.
“I like to create chaos,” Nusa told Norwegian media in April 2021. “Neymar is my role model because he creates chaos on the pitch with his dribbling, just like me. He is one of the best in the world.”
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He has since tried to step back from those comparisons, insisting that while he takes it as a big compliment, “I’m not a new Neymar.”
He is an exciting left winger with a game that could suit the Premier League. Players from Scandinavia normally find it easy to adapt to the English game, and Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard, Oscar Bobb and Erling Haaland are prime examples of that in the Norwegian squad. The pace of the Bundesliga and its transitions also make it a good league to step up from to the Premier League.
United have good links with RB Leipzig. They signed Benjamin Sesko from that club a year ago for £73million and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell is a former employee at the Red Bull network of clubs.
They could use that to their advantage to look at Nusa. United are weighing up whether to sign a left-back or left-winger this season, and they have considered Morgan Rogers, Iliman Ndiaye and Crysenscio Summerville for the latter position. Nusa should also be on the list.
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Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Grand Final Day is fast approaching for Asfoora, and trainer Henry Dwyer is forecasting an improved performance from his globe-trotting mare in the King Charles III Stakes on Day 1 at Royal Ascot.
The seven-year-old daughter of Flying Artie, who captured the 1005-metre Group 1 sprint at Royal Ascot two years ago, is aiming to bounce back after two unplaced runs to kick off what will most likely be her final campaign.
After finishing tenth in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes (1005m) at Newmarket on May 2, Asfoora trailed the field of 12 in the Group 2 Temple Stakes (1005m) at Haydock three weeks later. However, Dwyer confirmed she has benefited from those runs and will be fitted with blinkers this week.
“She’s had the two runs back and is certainly much fitter now,” Dwyer commented.
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“She looks well and with the blinkers going on we are hoping she can turn her form around on Tuesday.”
Asfoora drew barrier 26 for the full field of 26 in the straight-track race that will be run at 12.40am AEST Wednesday.
The other Australian representative is Overpass, who will be positioned not too far from Asfoora at the start, having drawn gate 19.
Overpass heads the betting at $3.40 from French mare Rayevka (barrier 15), Temple Stakes winner Night Raider (six), defending champion American Affair (18), and Coolmore’s three-year-old Mission Central (24). These are the only runners with shorter odds than Asfoora, who is a $10 chance.
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Asfoora and American Affair, last year’s King Charles III Stakes winner when Asfoora placed fifth, are both striving to join the 12 horses that have won the King Charles III Stakes on multiple occasions.
Equiano (2008/10), Elbio (1991/93), Hornet’s Beauty (1911/13), and Woolsthorpe (1895/97) are the horses to have achieved this in non-consecutive years.
Asfoora went on to win the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1005m) at York and the Group 1 Prix De L’abbeye (1000m) at Longchamp following last year’s King Charles III Stakes. While Dwyer understands her international odyssey is nearing its conclusion, he is already making plans for her post-racing career.
The Ballarat horseman was recently licensed in the UK and has two European gallopers scheduled to run in his name later in the week. Ten Sovereigns’ colt Synners Kid will compete in the Britannia Stakes on Thursday, with Kodiac’s filly Kochella to make her second start in the Group 3 Albany Stakes the following day.
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Check out the latest online bookmakers and their sign-up offers at online bookmakers.
Noah Gragson took a jab at Jimmie Johnson’s San Diego autograph session arrangement this week. The Front Row Motorsports driver offered fans a free alternative just as the seven-time champion’s wristband-restricted signing event drew attention on social media.
Johnson announced an autograph session scheduled for 1:15 PM ET on Saturday (June 20), at the NASCAR Pit Shop Green Zone, with a notable restriction. The wristband required for the signing was limited to customers who purchased the 2026 Jimmie Johnson Carvana San Diego die-cast at the NASCAR Pit Shop on June 19, and autographs are strictly limited to that purchased die-cast only.
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Johnson posted the announcement on X:
“Looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and spending some time with fans this weekend. Planning to stop by the autograph session? Be sure to check the details on the graphic. Wristbands are limited, and there are a few important guidelines to know.”
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The post laid out the purchase requirement explicitly. It is designed to manage demand for what is expected to be one of the weekend’s most popular fan interactions, given Jimmie Johnson’s San Diego roots. But it also required a financial transaction before a fan could get an autograph at all.
Noah Gragson responded on X with:
“Reminder that you don’t need that wristband bullshit at our merch hauler. I’ll sign for all of you. No purchase necessary 😃”
Reminder that you don’t need that wristband bullshit at our merch hauler. I’ll sign for all of you. No purchase necessary😃
The post drew a wave of supportive replies from fans who appreciated the effort.
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Jimmie Johnson is set for one of the busiest weekends of his part-time career at Naval Base Coronado, attempting double duty across both the Truck Series and Cup Series in his hometown. He will drive the No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Tricon Garage in Friday’s Truck Series race, before competing in Sunday’s Cup Series Anduril 250.
It will be his first Truck Series start since 2008. For Cup, Johnson will drive the No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry XSE for Legacy Motor Club, the team he co-owns. He grew up in nearby El Cajon, California, and has described the weekend as a full-circle moment, with his grandparents, both military, buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery near the base.
Noah Gragson feels the San Diego street race will be “an incredible week for our sport”
Noah Gragson – NASCAR Xfinity Series at the Brickyard. Source: Getty
The inaugural race at Naval Base Coronado carries weight beyond the standard Cup Series weekend given its setting. An active military base hosting the sport for the first time, built into the roads and runways of Naval Air Station North Island, with the event timed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy.
For Noah Gragson and the No. 4 Front Row Motorsports team, the occasion carries its own significance.
“This is such an incredible week for our sport,” Noah Gragson said via Speedway Media. “To be able to put on a race at an active military base, in front of so many heroes that protect our freedoms each and every day, is an unbelievable honor.”
He broke down what he expects from the 16-turn circuit specifically:
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“I’ve been able to run laps on sim, and see videos of the layout, and it’s definitely going to be a challenging course but also a lot of fun. Each section of the track has its own unique character. There are some technical turns mixed in with some faster, sweeping turns, and then some areas where it will get crazy, especially on the initial start and on restarts,” he added.
Rush Truck Centers returns as the primary sponsor on Noah Gragson’s No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the San Diego Street course weekend. The partnership covers 12 races for him in 2026. The remaining dates after San Diego include Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, Daytona International Speedway on August 29, Bristol Motor Speedway on September 19, Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 4, and Talladega Superspeedway on October 25.
Manchester United have identified Mateus Fernandes as a key transfer target in the summer transfer window, but Real Madrid are among a number of teams also linked with a move
Midfield has become a priority area to strengthen for Michael Carrick as the club prepares for a return to Champions League football. An agreement has already been reached with Atalanta for Ederson, but United want to sign another central player, with Fernandes the name being mentioned.
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There is, however, competition for the Portugal international in the form of Real Madrid. The Spanish club confirmed the appointment of Mourinho last week.
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Spanish outlet Marca reports that Fernandes is ‘highly regarded’ by Mourinho, with Real Madrid prioritising signing a midfielder this summer.
They have also been linked with Chelsea‘s Enzo Fernandes, who is said to be “offering himself” to the club.
The player has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford, but United’s valuation currently falls well short of West Ham’s asking price, due to worries about his inexperience at the top level.
They are expected to bid later this week, but are willing to play the waiting game to get a deal at a price they believe is fair.
The 21-year-old made 36 Premier League appearances for West Ham last season, scoring three goals and providing four assists. He previously impressed in the league for Southampton in the 2024/25 season.
United are set for a midfield revamp this summer. Casemiro has left the club, with Manuel Ugarte expected to seal an exit from Old Trafford in the next couple of months.
After a difficult time under Ruben Amorim, Kobbie Mainoo established himself as a key player under Carrick in the second half of the season. It means the new midfield could be built around the England international.
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass ‘designed for football’
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Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.
India vs Netherlands LIVE Updates, Women’s T20 World Cup: Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have taken India past 100 in just 11 overs. Earlier, Netherlands captain Babette de Leede won the toss and opted to bowl against Harmanpreet Kaur-led India in their second Group A game. India are eyeing a second straight win, after outclassing arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs in their opening group game. India will be banking on star opener Smriti Mandhana and all-rounder Deepti Sharma to come good again. Netherlands are aiming to bounce back after losing narrowly to Bangladesh in their first match. (Live Scorecard)
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Ireland may not be at this World Cup, but the League of Ireland still has a story worth following.
For supporters of the domestic game, the tournament is not only about the usual favourites, global stars and headline fixtures. It is also a chance to see players connected to Irish football step onto the biggest stage in the sport.
That angle matters. The League of Ireland is often judged through attendances, European results or transfer value, but international recognition is another measure of progress. When players based in Ireland are selected for World Cup squads, it reflects well on the league and its clubs.
Joseph Anang gives St Pat’s a World Cup storyline
The clearest League of Ireland World Cup link is Joseph Anang. The St Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeper was included in Ghana’s 26-man squad, creating a notable moment for the Inchicore club. A World Cup call-up for a player based at Richmond Park is rare, giving St Pat’s supporters a direct interest in Ghana’s campaign.
Anang’s route is also a reminder that careers rarely move in straight lines. Having come through the West Ham United system and previously spent time on loan, he has built a strong profile in Ireland. Regular senior football has clearly helped him build rhythm, confidence and reputation.
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Whether Anang starts matches or serves as part of Ghana’s goalkeeping group, the selection itself is significant. It shows that the domestic competition can still provide a platform for players with international ambitions.
Pico Lopes remains one of the league’s great international stories
Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes offers another strong League of Ireland connection. The Shamrock Rovers defender is part of one of football’s best modern international stories, with Cape Verde reaching the World Cup for the first time. Born in Ireland and developed through the local football pathway, Lopes has become a key figure for Cape Verde while continuing to represent one of the biggest clubs in the Irish game.
His journey is different from Anang’s, but just as important. Lopes is a long-serving League of Ireland figure, shaped by years of domestic football, European qualifiers, title races and pressure games with Shamrock Rovers.
Cape Verde’s qualification has already been framed as a historic achievement, and Lopes gives Irish supporters a personal link to that story. It is rare for a League of Ireland regular to be involved in a World Cup group-stage campaign, and even rarer for that player to carry such a deep connection with an Irish club.
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Why this matters for Irish football followers
For Sports News Ireland readers, this is the kind of World Cup angle that goes beyond standard match previews. Ireland’s absence from the tournament is disappointing, but the domestic league still has representation through stories worth tracking. Fans will follow the world cup favourites, team sheets and knockout possibilities, yet Anang and Lopes bring the tournament closer to home.
Major tournaments also change how supporters engage with football away from the pitch. In Ireland, that wider matchday behaviour means some adult fans also compare best Irish casinos that include sportsbook sections, football markets and casino offers under one account. Any betting or casino activity should still be treated as paid entertainment, not as a guaranteed return.
From a football perspective, the better story is still the same: two League of Ireland players can help keep local interest alive during a World Cup without the Republic of Ireland.
What to watch during the tournament
For Anang, the question is whether he can move closer to minutes with Ghana or use the tournament environment to strengthen his standing within the national setup. Even if he does not start, training daily at World Cup level can be valuable when he returns to club football.
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For Lopes, the focus is different. Cape Verde are one of the stories of the tournament, and their matches should attract neutral interest. Lopes’ defensive experience, leadership and composure will matter if Cape Verde are to stay competitive. Shamrock Rovers fans know his strengths well: organisation, resilience and the ability to handle pressure.
There is also a modern payments angle around major football tournaments. Some fans now look beyond traditional banking and compare digital-first options before using betting or gaming platforms. That is where resources covering online crypto casinos can become relevant for users who prefer crypto-friendly payment methods and want to understand how deposits, withdrawals and account controls work before placing money online.
The World Cup will still be dominated by the biggest nations and the biggest names. But for Irish football, the presence of League of Ireland figures adds a smaller, more local storyline that deserves attention. Anang and Lopes show that the domestic game can still reach global tournaments, even in different ways.
That may not soften the frustration of Ireland missing out, but it gives supporters something tangible to follow. When the tournament begins, League of Ireland fans will not just be watching from the outside. Through St Patrick’s Athletic, Shamrock Rovers, Ghana and Cape Verde, the domestic game will have a place in the wider World Cup conversation
A Turkish state broadcaster has removed a commentator from its World Cup coverage after he mistakenly identified the Iran and New Zealand teams during a live broadcast.
TRT confirmed late on Tuesday that the commentator, named by Turkish media as Murat Ekrem Çimen, had been withdrawn from the US World Cup broadcast team pending an investigation. He will not continue to comment on matches throughout the tournament.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that Mr Çimen referred to Iran’s attacks as New Zealand’s and vice-versa during the opening minutes of the broadcast.
TRT described the error as “unacceptable” under its broadcasting standards.
“We apologise to our viewers and the public for this error,” the broadcaster stated. “It is unacceptable for TRT that someone with over 30 years of experience in sports broadcasting would make such a mistake.”
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Iran earned a point from Monday’s game (Getty)
The Group G match on Monday night ended in a 2-2 draw, with Iran twice coming from behind to rescue a point from their opening game.
Elijah Just put New Zealand in front twice, but his goals were cancelled out by strikes from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi.
Iran faced a disrupted build-up to the tournament amid the nation’s ongoing conflict with the US, who are co-hosting the World Cup.
Iran moved their training base to Mexico ahead of the World Cup, with the squad flying into the US for each of their three group matches.
Following Monday’s match against New Zealand, Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team is the “most oppressed” at the World Cup.
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“We’ve spent so much time commuting in the air,” he said.
“They didn’t even give us time to recover after the game today. They said we had to leave immediately.
“It’s very important for us to have time for recovery and yet we were asked to return to Tijuana and we are really troubled by that.
“We do not know why they are returning us. I think it’s very strange. It seems like others are doing the planning for us, decisions are made elsewhere, we were supposed to arrive two nights before the game and we were not permitted, we were supposed to stay tonight and return tomorrow lunchtime but I have no idea why, and they haven’t told us.
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“Our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.”
It’s difficult to overstate the impact of the Williams sisters on tennis. Now in their forties, both are back playing at the top level, after Serena (44) joined 46-year-old Venus in appearances at the Queens tournament in London and the Berlin Open over the last week.
The pair have also been offered a wilcard doubles entry for Wimbledon a decade after they won the last of their six doubles titles at that particular Grand Slam. They have also won two US Open doubles titles, two in the French Open and four in the Australian Open. Between them they also have 30 Grand Slam singles titles, Serena has 23 of those. But her motivation for this comeback after four years out came a little closer to home.
“My daughter Olympia told me I should play with Venus. She’s always right, so I was like ‘damn,’” Serena said. “So I said ‘You know, let’s see if we can do it’.”
Serena Williams has returned to professional tennis after four years outImage: Halil Sagirkaya/Anadolu/picture alliance
Venus Williams had returned to top level tennis this January, becoming the oldest woman to play singles at the Australian Open.
At 45, Williams, was handed a wildcard for the tournament and was 27 years older than the youngest player in the women’s draw, fellow American Iva Jovic. After winning the first set, she fell 2-1 to Serbian player Olga Danilovic, in the first round. She’s won one of her six singles matches since her comeback but is looking forward to reprising her prolific doubles partnership.
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“It’s incredible, the quality of her stroke is obviously there,” Venus, who unlike Serena never formally retired from the sport, told British broadcaster TNT of her sister’s return.
“She’s, I think, a little bit of a natural, she’s got a pretty good record, she knows what she’s doing and she’s very tenacious, so I’m not worried about how she’s going to play even though I haven’t seen her play, which is crazy.”
40 but not finished
While elite athletes competing into their 40s and beyond is not so unusual in less-physical sports, more elite athletes in more physically demanding sports appear to be able to sustain a career longer now than ever before.
“Population aging is not only increasing the average age of citizens but the average ages of elite sport participants, too,” Dr. Rafal Chomik of the UNSW Centre for Population Ageing Research (CEPAR) in Sydney, Australia, told DW.
“There are a number of likely explanations, including improvements in sports science, equipment innovation, and training regimes which are sport-specific, but there are also the wider societal trends that combine medical innovations and better health behaviors that shift all of us towards longer, healthier lives, including athletes.”
CEPAR conducted a study of Olympic athlete ages at the Tokyo Games in 2021. It found that the average age of Olympians increased by 2 years from 25 to 27 between 1992 and 2021, with the median age up to 25 from 23. The trend continued at the Paris Games in 2024, with the average age just over 27 and the median age not far behind at 26.6.
Power fades first
But not all sports are made equal in this regard. The oldest competitor in Paris was Australian equestrian rider Mary Hanna at 70. That sport had an average competitor age of 39.5 in Paris — rhythmic gymnastics was the lowest at 20.44.
“We seem to lose power — measured by jumping ability in our study — at an earlier age than endurance and strength,” Maria Westerstahl, lead author of the study, told DW.
“One explanation could be that the explosive muscle cell type (Type II) appears most vulnerable to lack of exercise or to aging itself. However, we do not know why, so the exact reason requires further study,” she continued.
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“However, there is considerable room for change if you remain or become active. Aerobic capacity tracks the least, while muscular endurance tracks the most, meaning that aerobic capacity requires the most maintenance to preserve.”
Winning gets harder with age
This goes a long way to explaining why the likes of Williams, James and Ronaldo are such outliers in the top echelons of sports where power matters, whereas sports like equestrian, bowls or darts see players in their 40s, 50s or even older compete at the elite level.
“Darts is not a sport where you need to be really strong. All you need is to basically be healthy,” darts player Paul Lim said after becoming the oldest player to win a match at the World Championship this year at the age of 71.
“Longevity is something in darts that will be longer than a lot of other sports.”
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Although Lim won a match, the title went to 18-year-old prodigy Luke Littler. Realistically, winning a match or two, rather than a seventh title, might be all that the Williams’ can achieve in London.
“If you look at the top 100 Tennis player lists over the last 30 years, for both men and women, the maximum age appears not to exceed 40,” Chomik said.
“Perhaps it becomes a distinction between participating and winning.”
This article was originally published on January 12, 2026. It was updated on June 17, 2026 to reflect the fact that the Williams sisters have been playing doubles in London and Berlin this summer.
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